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Author Charalampopoulou, E.; Delville, R.; Verwerft, M.; Lambrinou, K.; Schryvers, D.
Title Transmission electron microscopy study of complex oxide scales on DIN 1.4970 steel exposed to liquid Pb-Bi eutectic Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Corrosion science Abbreviated Journal Corrosion Science
Volume 147 Issue Pages 22-31
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract The deployment of Gen-IV lead-cooled fast reactors requires a good compatibility between the selected structural/cladding steels and the inherently corrosive heavy liquid metal coolant. An effective liquid metal corrosion mitigation strategy involves the in-situ steel passivation in contact with the oxygen-containing Pb-alloy coolant. Transmission electron microscopy was used in this work to study the multi-layered oxide scales forming on an austenitic stainless steel fuel cladding exposed to oxygen-containing (CO ≈ 10−6 mass%) static liquid leadbismuth eutectic (LBE) for 1000 h between 400 and 500 °C. The oxide scale constituents were analyzed, including the intertwined phases comprising the innermost biphasic layer.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000456902100003 Publication Date 2018-10-31
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0010938X ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited 5 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes The authors would like to thank J. Joris for the technical support during corrosion testing and J. Lim for the manufacturing and calibration of the oxygen sensors and oxygen pumps used in this work. E. Charalampopoulou personally thanks H. Heidari, S. Pourbabak, A. Orekhov (EMAT) and N. Cautaerts (EMAT, SCK•CEN), for their valuable help with the training of the FEI Tecnai Osiris S/TEM and Jeol 3000 S/ TEM, respectively, as well as S. Van den Broeck (EMAT), J. Pakarinen (SCK•CEN) and W. Van Renterghem (SCK•CEN) for FIB sample preparation. Moreover, the authors gratefully acknowledge the funding provided in the framework of the ongoing development of the MYRRHA irradiation facility. The research leading to these results falls within the framework of the European Energy Research Alliance Joint Programme on Nuclear Materials (EERA JPNM). Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number EMAT @ emat @UA @ admin @ c:irua:157541 Serial 5164
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Author Khalilov, U.; Vets, C.; Neyts, E.C.
Title Molecular evidence for feedstock-dependent nucleation mechanisms of CNTs Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Nanoscale Horizons Abbreviated Journal Nanoscale Horiz.
Volume 4 Issue 3 Pages 674-682
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Atomic scale simulations have been shown to be a powerful tool for elucidating the growth mechanisms of carbon nanotubes. The growth picture is however not entirely clear yet due to the gap between current simulations and real experiments. We here simulate for the first time the nucleation and subsequent growth of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) from oxygen-containing hydrocarbon feedstocks using the hybrid Molecular Dynamics/Monte Carlo technique. The underlying nucleation mechanisms of Ni-catalysed SWNT growth are discussed in detail. Specifically, we find that as a function of the feedstock, different carbon fractions may emerge as the main growth species, due to a competition between the feedstock decomposition, its rehydroxylation and its contribution to etching of the growing SWNT. This study provides a further understanding of the feedstock effects in SWNT growth in comparison with available experimental evidence as well as with<italic>ab initio</italic>and other simulation data, thereby reducing the simulation–experiment gap.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000471816500011 Publication Date 2019-01-02
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2055-6756 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited 1 Open Access Not_Open_Access: Available from 03.01.2020
Notes Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, 12M1318N 1S22516N ; The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), Belgium (Grant numbers 12M1318N and 1S22516N). The work was carried out in part using the CalcUA core facility of the Universiteit Antwerpen, a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Centre VSC, funded by FWO and the Flemish Government (Department EWI). We thank Prof. A. C. T. van Duin for sharing the reax-code and forcefield parameters. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @UA @ admin @ c:irua:159658 Serial 5169
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Author Pourbabak, S.; Orekhov, A.; Samaee, V.; Verlinden, B.; Van Humbeeck, J.; Schryvers, D.
Title In-Situ TEM Stress Induced Martensitic Transformation in Ni50.8Ti49.2 Microwires Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Shape memory and superelasticity Abbreviated Journal Shap. Mem. Superelasticity
Volume 5 Issue 2 Pages 154-162
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract In-situ transmission electron microscopy tensile straining is used to study the stress induced martensitic transformation in Ni50.8Ti49.2. Two microwire samples with different heat treatment are investigated from which one single crystal and three polycrystalline TEM specimens, the latter with micro- and nano-size grains, have been produced. The measured Young’s modulus for all TEM specimens is around 70 GPa, considerably higher than the averaged 55 GPa of the original microwire sample. The height of the superelastic stress plateau shows an inverse relationship with the specimen thickness for the polycrystalline specimens. Martensite starts nucleating within the elastic region of the stress–strain curve and on the edges of the specimens while also grain boundaries act as nucleation sites in the polycrystalline specimens. When a martensite plate reaches a grain boundary in the polycrystalline specimen, it initiates the transformation in the neighboring grain at the other side of the grain boundary. In later stages martensite plates coalesce at higher loads in the stress plateau. In highly strained specimens, residual martensite remains after release.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000472940200002 Publication Date 2019-05-20
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2199-384X ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Saeid Pourbabak likes to thank the Flemish Science Foundation FWO for financial support under Project G.0366.15N. This work was also made possible through the AUHA13009 Grant “TopSPIN for TEM nanostatistics” of the Flemish HERCULES foundation. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number EMAT @ emat @UA @ admin @ c:irua:159989 Serial 5177
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Author Bercx, M.; Slap, L.; Partoens, B.; Lamoen, D.
Title First-Principles Investigation of the Stability of the Oxygen Framework of Li-Rich Battery Cathodes Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication MRS advances Abbreviated Journal MRS Adv.
Volume 4 Issue 14 Pages 813-820
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract Lithium-rich layered oxides such as Li<sub>2</sub>MnO<sub>3</sub>have shown great potential as cathodes in Li-ion batteries, mainly because of their large capacities. However, these materials still suffer from structural degradation as the battery is cycled, reducing the average voltage and capacity of the cell. The voltage fade is believed to be related to the migration of transition metals into the lithium layer, linked to the formation of O-O dimers with a short bond length, which in turn is driven by the presence of oxygen holes due to the participation of oxygen in the redox process. We investigate the formation of O-O dimers for partially charged O1-Li<sub>2</sub>MnO<sub>3</sub>using a first-principles density functional theory approach by calculating the reaction energy and kinetic barriers for dimer formation. Next, we perform similar calculations for partially charged O1-Li<sub>2</sub>IrO<sub>3</sub>, a Li-rich material for which the voltage fade was not observed during cycling. When we compare the stability of the oxygen framework, we conclude that the formation of O-O dimers is both thermodynamically and kinetically viable for O1-Li<sub>0.5</sub>MnO<sub>3</sub>. For O1-Li<sub>0.5</sub>IrO<sub>3</sub>, we observe that the oxygen lattice is much more stable, either returning to its original state when perturbed, or resulting in a structure with an O-O dimer that is much higher in energy. This can be explained by the mixed redox process for Li<sub>2</sub>IrO<sub>3</sub>, which is also shown from the calculated magnetic moments. The lack of O-O dimer formation in O1-Li<sub>0.5</sub>IrO<sub>3</sub>provides valuable insight as to why Li<sub>2</sub>IrO<sub>3</sub>does not demonstrate a voltage fade as the battery is cycled, which can be used to design Li-rich battery cathodes with an improved cycling performance.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000466846700004 Publication Date 2019-02-21
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2059-8521 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited 3 Open Access Not_Open_Access: Available from 22.02.2020
Notes We acknowledge the financial support of FWO-Vlaanderen through project G040116N. The computational resources and services used in this work were provided by the VSC (Flemish Supercomputer Center) and the HPC infrastructure of the University of Antwerp (CalcUA), both funded by the FWO-Vlaanderen and the Flemish Government-department EWI. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number EMAT @ emat @UA @ admin @ c:irua:160121 Serial 5179
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Author Asapu, R.; Claes, N.; Ciocarlan, R.-G.; Minjauw, M.; Detavernier, C.; Cool, P.; Bals, S.; Verbruggen, S.W.
Title Electron Transfer and Near-Field Mechanisms in Plasmonic Gold-Nanoparticle-Modified TiO2Photocatalytic Systems Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication ACS applied nano materials Abbreviated Journal ACS Appl. Nano Mater.
Volume 2 Issue 2 Pages 4067-4074
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract The major mechanism responsible for plasmonic enhancement of titanium dioxide photocatalysis using gold nanoparticles is still under contention. This work introduces an experimental strategy to disentangle the significance of the charge transfer and near-field mechanisms in plasmonic photocatalysis. By controlling the thickness and conductive nature of a nanoparticle shell that acts as a spacer layer separating the plasmonic metal core from the TiO2 surface, field enhancement or charge transfer effects can be selectively repressed or evoked. Layer-by-layer and in situ polymerization methods are used to synthesize gold core–polymer shell nanoparticles with shell thickness control up to the sub-nanometer level. Detailed optical and electrical characterization supported by near-field simulation models corroborate the trends in photocatalytic activity of the different systems. This approach mainly points at an important contribution of the enhanced near field.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000477917700006 Publication Date 2019-05-31
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2574-0970 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited 32 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This work was supported by Research Foundation Flanders (FWO). P.C. and R-G.C. acknowledge financial support from FWO (Project No. G038215N). N.C. and S.B. acknowledge financial support from the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant No. 335078-COLOURATOM). Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number EMAT @ emat @UA @ admin @ c:irua:160579 Serial 5184
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Author Gasparotto, A.; Maccato, C.; Sada, C.; Carraro, G.; Kondarides, D.I.; Bebelis, S.; Petala, A.; La Porta, A.; Altantzis, T.; Barreca, D.
Title Controlled Surface Modification of ZnO Nanostructures with Amorphous TiO2for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Type A1 Journal Article
Year 2019 Publication Advanced Sustainable Systems Abbreviated Journal Adv. Sustainable Syst.
Volume Issue Pages 1900046
Keywords A1 Journal Article; Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) ;
Abstract The utilization of solar radiation to trigger photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting has gained interest for sustainable energy production. In this study, attention is focused on the development of ZnO–TiO2 nanocomposite photoanodes. The target systems are obtained by growing porous arrays of highly crystalline, elongated ZnO nanostructures on indium tin oxide (ITO) by chemical vapor deposition. Subsequently, the obtained nanodeposits are functionalized with TiO2 via radio frequency-sputtering for different process durations, and subjected to final annealing in air. Characterization results demonstrate the successful formation of high purity composite systems in which the surface of ZnO nanostructures is decorated by ultra-small amounts of amorphous titania, whose content can be conveniently tailored as a function of deposition time. Photocurrent density measurements in sunlight triggered water splitting highlight a remarkable performance enhancement with respect to single-phase zinc and titanium oxides, with up to a threefold photocurrent increase compared to bare ZnO. These results, mainly traced back to the formation of ZnO/TiO2 heterojunctions yielding an improved photocarrier separation, show that the target nanocomposites are attractive photoanodes for efficient PEC water splitting.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2019-06-03
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2366-7486 ISBN Additional Links
Impact Factor (up) Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes This work was financially supported by Padova University DOR 2016–2019, P-DiSC #03BIRD2016-UNIPD, and #03BIRD2018-UNIPD projects and ACTION post-doc fellowship. A.G. acknowledges AMGAFoundation and INSTM Consortium. T.A. acknowledges a postdoctoral grant from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium). Thanks are also due to Dr. Sebastiano Pianta (Department of Chemical Sciences, Padova University, Italy) for experimental assistance. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number EMAT @ emat @ Serial 5186
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Author Snoeckx, R.; Van Wesenbeeck, K.; Lenaerts, S.; Cha, M.S.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Suppressing the formation of NOxand N2O in CO2/N2dielectric barrier discharge plasma by adding CH4: scavenger chemistry at work Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Sustainable Energy & Fuels Abbreviated Journal Sustainable Energy Fuels
Volume 3 Issue 6 Pages 1388-1395
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract The need for carbon negative technologies led to the development of a wide array of novel CO<sub>2</sub>conversion techniques. Most of them either rely on high temperatures or generate highly reactive O species, which can lead to the undesirable formation of NO<sub>x</sub>and N<sub>2</sub>O when the CO<sub>2</sub>feeds contain N<sub>2</sub>. Here, we show that, for plasma-based CO<sub>2</sub>conversion, adding a hydrogen source, as a chemical oxygen scavenger, can suppress their formation,<italic>in situ</italic>. This allows the use of low-cost N<sub>2</sub>containing (industrial and direct air capture) feeds, rather than expensive purified CO<sub>2</sub>. To demonstrate this, we add CH<sub>4</sub>to a dielectric barrier discharge plasma used for converting impure CO<sub>2</sub>. We find that when adding a stoichiometric amount of CH<sub>4</sub>, 82% less NO<sub>2</sub>and 51% less NO are formed. An even higher reduction (96 and 63%) can be obtained when doubling this amount. However, in that case the excess radicals promote the formation of by-products, such as HCN, NH<sub>3</sub>and CH<sub>3</sub>OH. Thus, we believe that by using an appropriate amount of chemical scavengers, we can use impure CO<sub>2</sub>feeds, which would bring us closer to ‘real world’ conditions and implementation.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000469258600021 Publication Date 2019-02-20
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2398-4902 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, G0F9618N ; Universiteit Antwerpen; King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, BAS/1/1384-01-01 ;The research reported in this publication was supported by funding from the “Excellence of Science Program” (Fund for Scientic Research Flanders (FWO): grant no. G0F9618N; EOS ID: 30505023). The authors R. S. and M. S. C. acknowledge nancial support from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), under award number BAS/1/1384-01-01. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @UA @ admin @ c:irua:160268 Serial 5188
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Author Mourdikoudis, S.; Montes-Garcia, V.; Rodal-Cedeira, S.; Winckelmans, N.; Perez-Juste, I.; Wu, H.; Bals, S.; Perez-Juste, J.; Pastoriza-Santos, I.
Title Highly porous palladium nanodendrites : wet-chemical synthesis, electron tomography and catalytic activity Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Journal of the Chemical Society : Dalton transactions Abbreviated Journal
Volume 48 Issue 48 Pages 3758-3767
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract A simple procedure to obtain highly porous hydrophilic palladium nanodendrites in one-step is described. The synthetic strategy is based on the thermal reduction of a Pd precursor in the presence of a positively charged polyelectrolyte such as polyethylenimine (PEI). Advanced electron microscopy techniques combined with X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry and BET analysis demonstrate the polycrystalline nature of the nanodendrites as well as their high porosity and active surface area, facilitating a better understanding of their unique morphology. Besides, catalytic studies performed using Raman scattering and UV-Vis spectroscopies revealed that the nanodendrites exhibit a superior performance as recyclable catalysts towards hydrogenation reaction compared to other noble metal nanoparticles.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000461088700027 Publication Date 2019-02-18
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0300-9246; 1477-9226; 1472-7773 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited 23 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes ; This work was supported by the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (MINECO, Spain) under the Grant MAT2016-77809-R, Xunta de Galicia (GRC ED431C 2016-048 and Centro Singular de Investigacion de Galicia (ED431G/02)) and Fundacion Ramon Areces (SERSforSafety). S. M. acknowledges funding from the General Secretariat for Research and Technology in Greece (Project PE4 (1546)). S. B. and N. W. acknowledge financial support by the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant #335078-COLOURATOMS). We thank the EPSRC CNIE Research Facility (EPSRC Award, EP/K038656/1) at the University College London for the collection of the BET data. Authors thank J. Millos for the XRD measurements. ; Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:158530 Serial 5251
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Author Shaw, P.; Kumar, N.; Hammerschmid, D.; Privat-Maldonado, A.; Dewilde, S.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Synergistic Effects of Melittin and Plasma Treatment: A Promising Approach for Cancer Therapy Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Cancers Abbreviated Journal Cancers
Volume 11 Issue 8 Pages 1109
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Melittin (MEL), a small peptide component of bee venom, has been reported to exhibit anti-cancer effects in vitro and in vivo. However, its clinical applicability is disputed because of its non-specific cytotoxicity and haemolytic activity in high treatment doses. Plasma-treated phosphate buffered saline solution (PT-PBS), a solution rich in reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) can disrupt the cell membrane integrity and induce cancer cell death through oxidative stress-mediated pathways. Thus, PT-PBS could be used in combination with MEL to facilitate its access into cancer cells and to reduce the required therapeutic dose. The aim of our study is to determine the reduction of the effective dose of MEL required to eliminate cancer cells by its combination with PT-PBS. For this purpose, we have optimised the MEL threshold concentration and tested the combined treatment of MEL and PT-PBS on A375 melanoma and MCF7 breast cancer cells, using in vitro, in ovo and in silico approaches. We investigated the cytotoxic effect of MEL and PT-PBS alone and in combination to reveal their synergistic cytological effects. To support the in vitro and in ovo experiments, we showed by computer simulations that plasma-induced oxidation of the phospholipid bilayer leads to a decrease of the free energy barrier for translocation of MEL in comparison with the non-oxidized bilayer, which also suggests a synergistic effect of MEL with plasma induced oxidation. Overall, our findings suggest that MEL in combination with PT-PBS can be a promising combinational therapy to circumvent the non-specific toxicity of MEL, which may help for clinical applicability in the future.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000484438000069 Publication Date 2019-08-03
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2072-6694 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited 1 Open Access
Notes We gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation—Flanders (FWO), grant number 12J5617N. We are thankful to Maksudbek Yusupov for his valuable discussions, and to the Center for Oncological Research (CORE), for providing the facilities for the experimental work. The computational work was carried out using the Turing HPC infrastructure at the CalcUA core facility of the University Antwerp, a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Center VSC, funded by the Hercules Foundation, the Flemish Government (department EWI), and the University of Antwerp. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:161630 Serial 5286
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Author Gorbanev, Y.; Golda, J.; Gathen, V.S.; Bogaerts, A
Title Applications of the COST Plasma Jet: More than a Reference Standard Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Plasma Abbreviated Journal Plasma
Volume 2 Issue 3 Pages 316-327
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract The rapid advances in the field of cold plasma research led to the development of many plasma jets for various purposes. The COST plasma jet was created to set a comparison standard between different groups in Europe and the world. Its physical and chemical properties are well studied, and diagnostics procedures are developed and benchmarked using this jet. In recent years, it has been used for various research purposes. Here, we present a brief overview of the reported applications of the COST plasma jet. Additionally, we discuss the chemistry of the plasma-liquid systems with this plasma jet, and the properties that make it an indispensable system for plasma research.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2019-07-12
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2571-6182 ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor (up) Times cited Open Access
Notes We would like to thank Deborah O’Connell (York Plasma Institute, Department of Physics, University of York, United Kingdom) and Angela Privat-Maldonado (PLASMANT, University of Antwerp) for useful discussions. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:161628 Serial 5287
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Author Bekeschus, S.; Freund, E.; Spadola, C.; Privat-Maldonado, A.; Hackbarth, C.; Bogaerts, A.; Schmidt, A.; Wende, K.; Weltmann, K.-D.; von Woedtke, T.; Heidecke, C.-D.; Partecke, L.-I.; Käding, A.
Title Risk Assessment of kINPen Plasma Treatment of Four Human Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines with Respect to Metastasis Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Cancers Abbreviated Journal Cancers
Volume 11 Issue 9 Pages 1237
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Cold physical plasma has limited tumor growth in many preclinical models and is, therefore, suggested as a putative therapeutic option against cancer. Yet, studies investigating the cells’ metastatic behavior following plasma treatment are scarce, although being of prime importance to evaluate the safety of this technology. Therefore, we investigated four human pancreatic cancer cell lines for their metastatic behavior in vitro and in chicken embryos (in ovo). Pancreatic cancer was chosen as it is particularly metastatic to the peritoneum and systemically, which is most predictive for outcome. In vitro, treatment with the kINPen plasma jet reduced pancreatic cancer cell activity and viability, along with unchanged or decreased motility. Additionally, the expression of adhesion markers relevant for metastasis was down-regulated, except for increased CD49d. Analysis of 3D tumor spheroid outgrowth showed a lack of plasma-spurred metastatic behavior. Finally, analysis of tumor tissue grown on chicken embryos validated the absence of an increase of metabolically active cells physically or chemically detached with plasma treatment. We conclude that plasma treatment is a safe and promising therapeutic option and that it does not promote metastatic behavior in pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in ovo.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000489719000022 Publication Date 2019-08-23
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2072-6694 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited 4 Open Access
Notes The authors acknowledge that this work was supported by grants funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), grant number 03Z22DN11. We want to thank the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) for providing funding to APM under the “long stay abroad” scheme (grant code V415618N). APM and AB acknowledge financial support from the Methusalem project. Technical support by Felix Niessner and Antje Janetzko is gratefully acknowledged. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:162106 Serial 5357
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Author Biscop,; Lin,; Boxem,; Loenhout,; Backer,; Deben,; Dewilde,; Smits,; Bogaerts,
Title Influence of Cell Type and Culture Medium on Determining Cancer Selectivity of Cold Atmospheric Plasma Treatment Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Cancers Abbreviated Journal Cancers
Volume 11 Issue 9 Pages 1287
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Center for Oncological Research (CORE)
Abstract Increasing the selectivity of cancer treatments is attractive, as it has the potential to reduce side-effects of therapy. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a novel cancer treatment that disrupts the intracellular oxidative balance. Several reports claim CAP treatment to be selective, but retrospective analysis of these studies revealed discrepancies in several biological factors and culturing methods. Before CAP can be conclusively stated as a selective cancer treatment, the importance of these factors must be investigated. In this study, we evaluated the influence of the cell type, cancer type, and cell culture medium on direct and indirect CAP treatment. Comparison of cancerous cells with their non-cancerous counterparts was performed under standardized conditions to determine selectivity of treatment. Analysis of seven human cell lines (cancerous: A549, U87, A375, and Malme-3M; non-cancerous: BEAS-2B, HA, and HEMa) and five different cell culture media (DMEM, RPMI1640, AM, BEGM, and DCBM) revealed that the tested parameters strongly influence indirect CAP treatment, while direct treatment was less affected. Taken together, the results of our study demonstrate that cell type, cancer type, and culturing medium must be taken into account before selectivity of CAP treatment can be claimed and overlooking these parameters can easily result in inaccurate conclusions of selectivity.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000489719000072 Publication Date 2019-09-01
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2072-6694 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited 9 Open Access
Notes the Research Foundation Flanders, 12S9218N – ; Universiteit Antwerpen, – ; Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:162097 Serial 5360
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Author Van Loenhout, J.; Flieswasser, T.; Freire Boullosa, L.; De Waele, J.; Van Audenaerde, J.; Marcq, E.; Jacobs, J.; Lin, A.; Lion, E.; Dewitte, H.; Peeters, M.; Dewilde, S.; Lardon, F.; Bogaerts, A.; Deben, C.; Smits, E.
Title Cold Atmospheric Plasma-Treated PBS Eliminates Immunosuppressive Pancreatic Stellate Cells and Induces Immunogenic Cell Death of Pancreatic Cancer Cells Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Cancers Abbreviated Journal Cancers
Volume 11 Issue 10 Pages 1597
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Laboratory for Experimental Hematology (LEH); Center for Oncological Research (CORE)
Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive cancers with a low response to treatment and a five-year survival rate below 5%. The ineffectiveness of treatment is partly because of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, which comprises tumor-supportive pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). Therefore, new therapeutic strategies are needed to tackle both the immunosuppressive PSC and pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs). Recently, physical cold atmospheric plasma consisting of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species has emerged as a novel treatment option for cancer. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxicity of plasma-treated phosphate-buffered saline (pPBS) using three PSC lines and four PCC lines and examined the immunogenicity of the induced cell death. We observed a decrease in the viability of PSC and PCC after pPBS treatment, with a higher efficacy in the latter. Two PCC lines expressed and released damage-associated molecular patterns characteristic of the induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD). In addition, pPBS-treated PCC were highly phagocytosed by dendritic cells (DCs), resulting in the maturation of DC. This indicates the high potential of pPBS to trigger ICD. In contrast, pPBS induced no ICD in PSC. In general, pPBS treatment of PCCs and PSCs created a more immunostimulatory secretion profile (higher TNF-α and IFN-γ, lower TGF-β) in coculture with DC. Altogether, these data show that plasma treatment via pPBS has the potential to induce ICD in PCCs and to reduce the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment created by PSCs. Therefore, these data provide a strong experimental basis for further in vivo validation, which might potentially open the way for more successful combination strategies with immunotherapy for PDAC.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000498826000194 Publication Date 2019-10-19
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2072-6694 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited 6 Open Access
Notes Universiteit Antwerpen, NA ; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, 11E7719N 1121016N 1S32316N 12S9218N 12E3916N ; Agentschap Innoveren en Ondernemen, 141433 ; Kom op tegen Kanker, NA ; Stichting Tegen Kanker, STK2014-155 ; The authors express their gratitude to Christophe Hermans, Céline Merlin, Hilde Lambrechts, and Hans de Reu for technical assistance; and to VITO for the use of the MSD reader (Mol, Belgium). Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:163328 Serial 5436
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Author Privat-Maldonado, A.; Bengtson, C.; Razzokov, J.; Smits, E.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Modifying the Tumour Microenvironment: Challenges and Future Perspectives for Anticancer Plasma Treatments Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Cancers Abbreviated Journal Cancers
Volume 11 Issue 12 Pages 1920
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Center for Oncological Research (CORE)
Abstract Tumours are complex systems formed by cellular (malignant, immune, and endothelial cells, fibroblasts) and acellular components (extracellular matrix (ECM) constituents and secreted factors). A close interplay between these factors, collectively called the tumour microenvironment, is required to respond appropriately to external cues and to determine the treatment outcome. Cold plasma (here referred as ‘plasma’) is an emerging anticancer technology that generates a unique cocktail of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species to eliminate cancerous cells via multiple mechanisms of action. While plasma is currently regarded as a local therapy, it can also modulate the mechanisms of cell-to-cell and cell-to-ECM communication, which could facilitate the propagation of its effect in tissue and distant sites. However, it is still largely unknown how the physical interactions occurring between cells and/or the ECM in the tumour microenvironment affect the plasma therapy outcome. In this review, we discuss the effect of plasma on cell-to-cell and cell-to-ECM communication in the context of the tumour microenvironment and suggest new avenues of research to advance our knowledge in the field. Furthermore, we revise the relevant state-of-the-art in three-dimensional in vitro models that could be used to analyse cell-to-cell and cell-to-ECM communication and further strengthen our understanding of the effect of plasma in solid tumours.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000507382100097 Publication Date 2019-12-02
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2072-6694 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited Open Access
Notes Figure 4 was created using resources from the ‘Mind the Graph’ platform, free trial version. Spheroid image obtained in collaboration with Sander Bekeschus (INP Greifswald, Germany); organoid image kindly provided by Christophe Deben (Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp, Belgium). Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:164892 Serial 5437
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Author Daems, N.; De Mot, B.; Choukroun, D.; Van Daele, K.; Li, C.; Hubin, A.; Bals, S.; Hereijgers, J.; Breugelmans, T.
Title Nickel-containing N-doped carbon as effective electrocatalysts for the reduction of CO2 to CO in a continuous-flow electrolyzer Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Sustainable energy & fuels Abbreviated Journal
Volume 4 Issue 4 Pages 1296-1311
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis (ELCAT)
Abstract Nickel-containing N-doped carbons were synthesized for the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to CO, which is a promising approach to reduce the atmospheric CO2 levels and its negative impact on the environment. Unfortunately, poor performance (activity, selectivity and/or stability) is still a major hurdle for the economical implementation of this type of materials. The electrocatalysts were prepared through an easily up-scalable and easily tunable method based on the pyrolysis of Ni-containing N-doped carbons. Ni–N–AC–B1 synthesized with a high relative amount of nitrogen and nickel with respect to carbon, was identified as the most promising candidate for this reaction based on its partial CO current density (4.2 mA cm−2), its overpotential (0.57 V) and its faradaic efficiency to CO (>99%). This results in unprecedented values for the current density per g active sites (690 A g−1 active sites). Combined with its decent stability and its high performance in an actual electrolyzer setup, this makes it a promising candidate for the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to CO on a larger scale. Finally, the evaluation of this kind of material in a flow-cell setup has been limited and to the best of our knowledge never included an evaluation of several crucial parameters (e.g. electrolyte type, anode composition and membrane type) and is an essential investigation in the move towards up-scaling and ultimately industrial application of this technique. This study resulted in an optimal cell configuration, consisting of Pt as an anode, Fumatech® as the membrane and 1 M KHCO3 and 2 M KOH as catholyte and anolyte, respectively. In conclusion, this research offers a unique combination of electrocatalyst development and reactor optimization.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000518690900030 Publication Date 2019-12-20
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited 14 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes ; The authors acknowledge sponsoring from the research foundation of Flanders (FWO) in the frame of a post-doctoral grant (12Y3919N – ND). J. Hereijgers was supported through a postdoctoral fellowship (28761) of the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO). This project was co-funded by the Interreg 2 Seas-Program 2014-2020, co-.nanced by the European Fund for Regional Development in the frame of subsidiary contract nr 2S03-019. This work was further performed in the framework of the Catalisti cluster SBO project CO2PERATE (“All renewable CCU based on formic acid integrated in an industrial microgrid”), with the.nancial support of VLAIO (Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship). This project.nally received funding from the European Research Council (ERC Consolidator Grant 815128, REALNANO). We thank Karen Leyssens for helping with the N<INF>2</INF> physisorption measurements and Kitty Baert (VUB) for analyzing the samples with XPS and Raman. ; sygma Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:165482 Serial 6311
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Author Smith, J.D.; Bladt, E.; Burkhart, J.A.C.; Winckelmans, N.; Koczkur, K.M.; Ashberry, H.M.; Bals, S.; Skrabalak, S.E.
Title Defect‐Directed Growth of Symmetrically Branched Metal Nanocrystals Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Angewandte Chemie (International ed. Print) Abbreviated Journal Angew. Chem.
Volume 132 Issue 132 Pages 953-960
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Branched plasmonic nanocrystals (NCs) have attracted much attention due to electric field enhancements at their tips. Seeded growth provides routes to NCs with defined branching patterns and, in turn, near‐field distributions with defined symmetries. Here, a systematic analysis was undertaken in which seeds containing different distributions of planar defects were used to grow branched NCs in order to understand how their distributions direct the branching. Characterization of the products by multimode electron tomography and analysis of the NC morphologies at different overgrowth stages indicate that the branching patterns are directed by the seed defects, with the emergence of branches from the seed faces consistent with minimizing volumetric strain energy at the expense of surface energy. These results contrast with growth of branched NCs from single‐crystalline seeds and provide a new platform for the synthesis of symmetrically branched plasmonic NCs.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000505279500063 Publication Date 2020-01-07
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0044-8249 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes The authors thank Samantha Harvey for her initial observations of branched structures, Alexander Chen for his help with SAED, the staff of the Nanoscale Characterization Facility (Dr. Yi Yi),Electron Microscopy Center (Dr. David Morgan and Dr. Barry Stein), and Molecular Strucre Center at Indiana University. J.S. recognizes a fellowship provided by the Indiana Space Grant Consortium. E. B. acknowledges a post-doctoral grant from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium). This project has received funding from the National Science Foundation (award number: 1602476), Research Corporation for Scietific Advancement (2017 Frontiers in Research Excellence and Discovery Award), and the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 731019 (EUSMI) and No 815128 (REALNANO).; sygma Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:166581 Serial 6336
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Author Hoffman, B.M.; Lukoyanov, D.; Yang, Z.-Y.; Dean, D.R.; Seefeldt, L.C.
Title Mechanism of Nitrogen Fixation by Nitrogenase: The Next Stage Type A1 Journal Article
Year 2014 Publication Chemical Reviews Abbreviated Journal Chem. Rev.
Volume 114 Issue 8 Pages 4041-4062
Keywords A1 Journal Article; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;
Abstract Ammonia is a crucial nutrient used for plant growth and as a building block in pharmaceutical and chemical industry, produced via nitrogen fixation of the ubiquitous atmospheric N2. Current industrial ammonia production relies heavily on fossil resources, but a lot of work is put into developing non-fossil based pathways. Among these is the use of nonequilibrium plasma. In this work, we investigated water vapor as H source for nitrogen fixation into NH3 by non-equilibrium plasma. The highest selectivity towards NH3 was observed with low amounts of added H2O vapor, but the highest production rate was reached at high H2O vapor.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2014-04-23
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0009-2665 ISBN Additional Links
Impact Factor (up) Times cited Open Access
Notes We would like to thank Sylvia Dewilde (Department of Biomedical Sciences) for providing analytical equipment. Approved no
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @ Serial 6337
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Author Chin, C.–M.; Battle, P.D.; Hunter, E.C.; Avdeev, M.; Hendrickx, M.; Hadermann, J.
Title Magnetic properties of La3Ni2Sb Ta Nb1––O9; from relaxor to spin glass Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Journal of solid state chemistry (Print) Abbreviated Journal Journal of Solid State Chemistry
Volume 273 Issue Pages 175-185
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Neutron diffraction experiments conducted at 5 K in a magnetic field 0 < H/kOe < 50 have shown that the monoclinic perovskite La3Ni2TaO9 behaves as a relaxor ferromagnet. Compositions in the series La3Ni2SbxTayNb1–x–yO9 have been synthesized in polycrystalline form. Electron microscopy, X–ray diffraction and neutron diffraction have shown that the solid solutions are largely homogeneous and monophasic. Magnetometry and neutron diffraction have shown that the relaxor magnetisation persists in low fields when x + y = 1 but is rapidly diminished by the introduction of niobium. This change in magnetic behaviour is ascribed to the differences in the d–orbital energies of Sb5+, Nb5+ and Ta5+.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000466261100026 Publication Date 2019-03-02
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0022-4596 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited Open Access
Notes We thank EPSRC for funding through grant EP/M0189541. CMC thanks the Croucher Foundation and the University of Oxford for the award of a graduate scholarship. Approved no
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:166445 Serial 6346
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Author Lumbeeck, G.; Delvaux, A.; Idrissi, H.; Proost, J.; Schryvers, D.
Title Analysis of internal stress build-up during deposition of nanocrystalline Ni thin films using transmission electron microscopy Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Thin solid films : an international journal on the science and technology of thin and thick films Abbreviated Journal Thin Solid Films
Volume 707 Issue Pages 138076
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Ni thin films sputter-deposited at room temperature with varying Ar pressures were investigated with automated crystal orientation mapping in a transmission electron microscope to uncover the mechanisms controlling the internal stress build-up recorded in-situ during deposition. Large grains were found to induce behaviour similar to a stress-free nucleation layer. The measurements of grain size in most of the Ni thin films are in agreement with the island coalescence model. Low internal stress was observed at low Ar pressure and was explained by the presence of large grains. Relaxation of high internal stress was also noticed at the highest Ar pressure, which was attributed to a decrease of Σ3 twin boundary density due to a low deposition rate. The results provide insightful information to better understand the relationship between structural boundaries and the evolution of internal stress upon deposition of thin films.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000539312200011 Publication Date 2020-05-12
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Impact Factor (up) Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This work was supported by the Hercules Foundation [Grant No. AUHA13009], the Flemish Research Fund (FWO) [Grant No. G.0365.15N], and the Flemish Strategic Initiative for Materials (SIM) under the project InterPoCo. Thin film deposition has been realised as part of the WallonHY project, funded by the Public Service of Wallonia – Department of Energy and Sustainable Building. H. Idrissi is mandated by the Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research (FSR-FNRS). Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:169708 Serial 6370
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Author Maes, D.; Vancauteren, M.; Van Passel, S.
Title Investigating market power in the Belgian pork production chain Type A1 Journal Article
Year 2019 Publication Review of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Studies Abbreviated Journal Rev Agric Food Environ Stud
Volume 100 Issue 1-4 Pages 93-117
Keywords A1 Journal Article; Engineering Management (ENM) ;
Abstract Belgian pork production has faced stagnating prices for decades. It remains unclear whether excessive market power from slaughterhouses or meat retailers has played a role in this trend. While market power studies can reveal some of the market dynamics in this setting, this type of research has not yet been applied to the Belgian pork market. The present paper investigates oligopolies and oligopsonies in the pork production sector. We build a new model that focuses on market power dynamics in the market for live pigs and distinguishes horizontal and vertical market power parameters, both for pig farmers and for slaughterhouses. The results follow from an empirical application using unique slaughterhouse data for 2001–2015. The results indicate that the farmers benefit from a significant power advantage in the live pig market, when very modest price demands are taken as a reference. The final market price of live pigs approaches the price requested by the farmers. On the other hand, the measured vertical market power also suggests that a pig farmer does not receive the (modest) full-wage-based salary. The market power of the slaughterhouses is also limited. Market power as a result of collusion—that is, horizontal market power—is present, but is not strong. However, there are significant differences between the slaughterhouses in terms of mark-up on the input prices. These differences reflect differences in company strategy, and this diversity further reduces the possibility to create sector-wide collusive behaviour.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2019-11-27
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2425-6870 ISBN Additional Links
Impact Factor (up) Times cited Open Access
Notes H2020 Food, 635577 ; TUL Impuls (transnational university Limburg) Interuniversity fund; Approved no
Call Number ENM @ enm @ Serial 6377
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Author Sebhatu, K.T.; Gezahegn, T.W.; Berhanu, T.; Maertens, M.; Van Passel, S.; D’Haese, M.
Title Conflict, fraud, and distrust in Ethiopian agricultural cooperatives Type A1 Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management Abbreviated Journal Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management
Volume 8 Issue 1 Pages 100106
Keywords A1 Journal Article; Agricultural cooperatives; Cooperative size; Conflict; Fraud; Distrust; Ethiopia; Engineering Management (ENM) ;
Abstract Agricultural cooperatives are seen as an efficient way for smallholder farmers to create bargaining power in order to achieve poverty reduction and food security. However, the success of these cooperatives depends on their ability to maintain their social capital, which is at the core of collective action. A few studies have addressed issues of member participation, commitment, and trust, yet less is known about rural cooperatives in developing countries as a social organization. It is also unclear whether a relationship exists between cooperative size and the incidence of conflict, fraud, and distrust. Using unique data collected from 511 agricultural cooperatives in 12 districts of Tigray region in northern Ethiopia, this paper examines the effects of cooperative size on conflict, fraud, and distrust. We used instrumental variables (IV) probit estimation techniques, accounting for endogeneity of membership size, to confirm that cooperative size does affect the occurrence of conflict, fraud, and trust. The results also indicate that other influencing factors include: cooperative age, number of employees, payment of dividends based on transaction volume, and heterogeneity of member goals.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000536594400001 Publication Date 2020-04-28
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2213297X ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited Open Access
Notes The authors would like to thank the office of the twelve districts, facilitators and Cooperative Promotion Agency staff for their collaboration in facilitating the field survey, most of all the chair- and vice-chairpersons of the study Agricultural Cooperatives who had to respond to all our questions with seriousness and patience. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number ENM @ enm @c:irua:170073 Serial 6379
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Author Sharafi, L.; Zarafshani, K.; Keshavarz, M.; Azadi, H.; Van Passel, S.
Title Drought risk assessment: Towards drought early warning system and sustainable environment in western Iran Type A1 Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication Ecological Indicators Abbreviated Journal Ecological Indicators
Volume 114 Issue Pages 106276
Keywords A1 Journal Article; Drought; Early warning system; Risk management; Vulnerability; Environmental risk; Resilient farming; Engineering Management (ENM) ;
Abstract Prolonged drought is considered as a creeping natural hazard, which has created a financial burden and unsustainable environment in Iran. Moreover, the effect of drought phenomenon in rural areas is more extensive, causing significant challenges to the rural economy in general and agricultural production in particular. A common strategy to manage drought is based on crisis management (ex-ante). However, for effective drought management, risk management seems to be more in line with drought early warning systems. This quantitative study used risk assessment, which is the function of two elements such as hazard (SPI and SDI indices) and vulnerability (exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity). This study aims to build the foundations for drought early warning systems in limited resource areas such as Kermanshah Township in the northwestern part of Iran. The population of this study comprised of wheat farmers in which 293 farmers were selected using multistage cluster sampling method. In the next step, the drought risk map for Kermanshah Township was developed, which revealed that the majority of villages are at intense environmental risk. The result of this study has implications for drought management practitioners. For example, the results can aid policymakers in the design of an early warning system in order to reduce risk and thus empower farmers toward resilient farming.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000559966500006 Publication Date 2020-04-09
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1470160X ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number ENM @ enm @c:irua:170071 Serial 6380
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Author Fitawok, M.B.; Derudder, B.; Minale, A.S.; Van Passel, S.; Adgo, E.; Nyssen, J.
Title Modeling the Impact of Urbanization on Land-Use Change in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia: An Integrated Cellular Automata–Markov Chain Approach Type A1 Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication Land Abbreviated Journal Land
Volume 9 Issue 4 Pages 115
Keywords A1 Journal Article; analytical hierarchy process; cellular automata; land-use change; Markov chain; urbanization; Engineering Management (ENM) ;
Abstract The fast-paced urbanization of recent decades entails that many regions are facing seemingly uncontrolled land-use changes (LUCs) that go hand in hand with a range of environmental and socio-economic challenges. In this paper, we use an integrated cellular automata–Markov chain (CA–MC) model to analyze and predict the urban expansion of and its impact on LUC in the city of Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. To this end, the research marshals high-resolution Landsat images of 1991, 2002, 2011, and 2018. An analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method is then used to identify the biophysical and socioeconomic factors underlying the expansion in the research area. It is shown that, during the period of study, built-up areas are rapidly expanding in the face of an overall decline of the farmland and vegetation cover. Drawing on a model calibration for 2018, the research predicts the possible geographies of LUC in the Bahir Dar area for 2025, 2034, and 2045. It is predicted that the conversions of other land-use types into built-up areas will persist in the southern, southwestern, and northeastern areas of the sprawling city, which can mainly be traced back to the uneven geographies of road accessibility, proximity to the city center, and slope variables. We reflect on how our findings can be used to facilitate sustainable urban development and land-use policies in the Bahir Dar area.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000533901100026 Publication Date 2020-04-09
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2073-445X ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited Open Access
Notes The authors would like to thank the VLIR-UOS project for funding this research through Bahir Dar University—Institutional University Cooperation (BDU-IUC) program. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number ENM @ enm @c:irua:169600 Serial 6381
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Author Marimuthu, P.; Razzokov, J.; Singaravelu, K.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Predicted Hotspot Residues Involved in Allosteric Signal Transmission in Pro-Apoptotic Peptide—Mcl1 Complexes Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Biomolecules Abbreviated Journal Biomolecules
Volume 10 Issue 8 Pages 1114
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Mcl1 is a primary member of the Bcl–2 family—anti–apoptotic proteins (AAP)—that is overexpressed in several cancer pathologies. The apoptotic regulation is mediated through the binding of pro-apoptotic peptides (PAPs) (e.g., Bak and Bid) at the canonical hydrophobic binding groove (CBG) of Mcl1. Although all PAPs form amphipathic α-helices, their amino acid sequences vary to different degree. This sequence variation exhibits a central role in the binding partner selectivity towards different AAPs. Thus, constructing a novel peptide or small organic molecule with the ability to mimic the natural regulatory process of PAP is essential to inhibit various AAPs. Previously reported experimental binding free energies (BFEs) were utilized in the current investigation aimed to understand the mechanistic basis of different PAPs targeted to mMcl1. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations used to estimate BFEs between mMcl1—PAP complexes using Molecular Mechanics-Generalized Born Solvent Accessible (MMGBSA) approach with multiple parameters. Predicted BFE values showed an excellent agreement with the experiment (R2 = 0.92). The van–der Waals (ΔGvdw) and electrostatic (ΔGele) energy terms found to be the main energy components that drive heterodimerization of mMcl1—PAP complexes. Finally, the dynamic network analysis predicted the allosteric signal transmission pathway involves more favorable energy contributing residues. In total, the results obtained from the current investigation may provide valuable insights for the synthesis of a novel peptide or small organic inhibitor targeting Mcl1.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000578895600001 Publication Date 2020-07-28
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Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2218-273X ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited Open Access
Notes P.M. gratefully acknowledges the use of the bioinformatics infrastructure facility supported by Biocenter Finland and the CSC-IT Center for Science (Project: 2000461) for the computational facility; Jukka Lehtonen for the IT support; Mark Johnson (SBL) Åbo Akademi University for providing the lab support and Outi Salo-Ahen (Pharmacy) Åbo Akademi University and Olli T. Pentikäinen (Institute of Biomedicine) University of Turku, for their valuable support and discussion. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:170486 Serial 6396
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Author Groenendijk, D.J.; Autieri, C.; van Thiel, T.C.; Brzezicki, W.; Hortensius, J.R.; Afanasiev, D.; Gauquelin, N.; Barone, P.; van den Bos, K.H.W.; van Aert, S.; Verbeeck, J.; Filippetti, A.; Picozzi, S.; Cuoco, M.; Caviglia, A.D.
Title Berry phase engineering at oxide interfaces Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Abbreviated Journal Phys. Rev. Research
Volume 2 Issue 2 Pages 023404
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Three-dimensional strontium ruthenate (SrRuO3) is an itinerant ferromagnet that features Weyl points acting as sources of emergent magnetic fields, anomalous Hall conductivity, and unconventional spin dynamics. Integrating SrRuO3 in oxide heterostructures is potentially a novel route to engineer emergent electrodynamics, but its electronic band topology in the two-dimensional limit remains unknown. Here we show that ultrathin SrRuO3 exhibits spin-polarized topologically nontrivial bands at the Fermi energy. Their band anticrossings show an enhanced Berry curvature and act as competing sources of emergent magnetic fields. We control their balance by designing heterostructures with symmetric (SrTiO3/SrRuO3/SrTiO3 and SrIrO3/SrRuO3/SrIrO3) and asymmetric interfaces (SrTiO3/SrRuO3/SrIrO3). Symmetric structures exhibit an interface-tunable single-channel anomalous Hall effect, while ultrathin SrRuO3 embedded in asymmetric structures shows humplike features consistent with multiple Hall contributions. The band topology of two-dimensional SrRuO3 proposed here naturally accounts for these observations and harmonizes a large body of experimental results.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000603642700008 Publication Date 2020-06-25
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2643-1564 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited 58 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek; European Research Council; Horizon 2020, 677458 770887 731473 ; Fondazione Cariplo, 2013-0726 ; Narodowe Centrum Nauki, 2016/23/B/ST3/00839 ; Fundacja na rzecz Nauki Polskiej; Universiteit Antwerpen; Vlaamse regering; Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:172462 Serial 6401
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Author Privat-Maldonado, A.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Plasma in Cancer Treatment Type Editorial
Year 2020 Publication Cancers Abbreviated Journal Cancers
Volume 12 Issue 9 Pages 2617
Keywords Editorial; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, and while science has advanced significantly to improve the treatment outcome and quality of life in cancer patients, there are still many issues with the current therapies, such as toxicity and the development of resistance to treatment [...]
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000581447500001 Publication Date 2020-09-14
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2072-6694 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:172460 Serial 6413
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Author Verloy, R.; Privat-Maldonado, A.; Smits, E.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Cold Atmospheric Plasma Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer–The Importance of Pancreatic Stellate Cells Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Cancers Abbreviated Journal Cancers
Volume 12 Issue 10 Pages 2782
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Center for Oncological Research (CORE)
Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease with low five-year survival rates of 8% by conventional treatment methods, e.g., chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. PDAC shows high resistance towards chemo- and radiotherapy and only 15–20% of all patients can have surgery. This disease is predicted to become the third global leading cause of cancer death due to its significant rise in incidence. Therefore, the development of an alternative or combinational method is necessary to improve current approaches. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) treatments could offer multiple advantages to this emerging situation. The plasma-derived reactive species can induce oxidative damage and a cascade of intracellular signaling pathways, which could lead to cell death. Previous reports have shown that CAP treatment also influences cells in the tumor microenvironment, such as the pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). These PSCs, when activated, play a crucial role in the propagation, growth and survival of PDAC tumors. However, the effect of CAP on PSCs is not yet fully understood. This review focuses on the application of CAP for PDAC treatment and the importance of PSCs in the response to treatment.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000584150700001 Publication Date 2020-09-28
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2072-6694 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited Open Access
Notes Server Medical Art templates were used for creating figures. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:172454 Serial 6418
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Author Pennycook, T.J.; Martinez, G.T.; O'Leary, C.M.; Yang, H.; Nellist, P.D.
Title Efficient Phase Contrast Imaging via Electron Ptychography, a Tutorial Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Microscopy and microanalysis Abbreviated Journal Microsc Microanal
Volume 25 Issue S2 Pages 2684-2685
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2019-08-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1431-9276 ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor (up) Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:172444 Serial 6424
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Author de Jong, M.; Sleegers, N.; Schram, J.; Daems, D.; Florea, A.; De Wael, K.
Title A Benzocaine‐Induced Local Near‐Surface pH Effect: Influence on the Accuracy of Voltammetric Cocaine Detection Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Analysis & Sensing Abbreviated Journal Anal. Sens.
Volume Issue Pages anse.202000012
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract This work reports on a local induced near-surface pH effect (pHS), due to the presence of one analyte, leading to an influence or even suppression of redox signals of a second analyte present in solution. This concept and its impact on voltammetric sensing is illustrated by focusing on the detection of cocaine in the presence of the common adulterant benzocaine. An in-depth study on the occurring interference mechanism and why it occurs for benzocaine specifically and not for other adulterants was performed through the use of multiple electrochemical strategies. It was concluded that the potential shift and loss of intensity of the squarewave voltammetric cocaine signal in the presence of benzocaine was caused by a local pHS effect. A cathodic pretreatment strategy was developed to nonetheless allow accurate cocaine detection. The gathered insights are useful to explain unidentified phenomena involving compounds with properties similar to benzocaine in voltammetric electroanalysis.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2020-10-20
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2629-2742 ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor (up) Times cited Open Access
Notes The authors acknowledge financial support from IOF-SBO/POC (UAntwerp), the Fund for Scientific Research (FWO) Flanders, Grant 1S 37658 17N and Grant 1SB 8120N, and VLAIO IM [HBC.2019.2181]. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number AXES @ axes @c:irua:173031 Serial 6427
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Author Bengtson, C.; Bogaerts, A.
Title On the Anti-Cancer Effect of Cold Atmospheric Plasma and the Possible Role of Catalase-Dependent Apoptotic Pathways Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Cells Abbreviated Journal Cells
Volume 9 Issue 10 Pages 2330
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a promising new agent for (selective) cancer treatment, but the underlying cause of the anti-cancer effect of CAP is not well understood yet. Among different theories and observations, one theory in particular has been postulated in great detail and consists of a very complex network of reactions that are claimed to account for the anti-cancer effect of CAP. Here, the key concept is a reactivation of two specific apoptotic cell signaling pathways through catalase inactivation caused by CAP. Thus, it is postulated that the anti-cancer effect of CAP is due to its ability to inactivate catalase, either directly or indirectly. A theoretical investigation of the proposed theory, especially the role of catalase inactivation, can contribute to the understanding of the underlying cause of the anti-cancer effect of CAP. In the present study, we develop a mathematical model to analyze the proposed catalase-dependent anti-cancer effect of CAP. Our results show that a catalase-dependent reactivation of the two apoptotic pathways of interest is unlikely to contribute to the observed anti-cancer effect of CAP. Thus, we believe that other theories of the underlying cause should be considered and evaluated to gain knowledge about the principles of CAP-induced cancer cell death.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000584186700001 Publication Date 2020-10-21
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2073-4409 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) Times cited 2 Open Access
Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:173632 Serial 6429
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