Abstract: This paper discusses the electrochemical behaviour of gelatin coated gold electrodes in physiological pH conditions in a potential window −1.5 till 1.0 V vs SCE by performing cyclic voltammetry. A comparison is made between gelatin A and gelatin B, which have respectively a positive and a negative net charge at physiological pH. The deposition of gelatin onto the gold surface is confirmed by means of attenuated total reflection-infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopic analyses.

Abstract: Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) and plasma-treated liquids (PTLs) have recently become a promising option for cancer treatment, but the underlying mechanisms of the anti-cancer effect are still to a large extent unknown. Although hydrogen peroxide () has been recognized as the major anti-cancer agent of PTL and may enable selectivity in a certain concentration regime, the co-existence of nitrite can create a synergistic effect. We develop a mathematical model to describe the key species and features of the cellular response toward PTL. From the numerical solutions, we define a number of dependent variables, which represent feasible measures to quantify cell susceptibility in terms of the membrane diffusion rate constant and the intracellular catalase concentration. For each of these dependent variables, we investigate the regimes of selective versus non-selective, and of synergistic versus non-synergistic effect to evaluate their potential role as a measure of cell susceptibility. Our results suggest that the maximal intracellular concentration, which in the selective regime is almost four times greater for the most susceptible cells compared to the most resistant cells, could be used to quantify the cell susceptibility toward exogenous . We believe our theoretical approach brings novelty to the field of plasma oncology, and more broadly, to the field of redox biology, by proposing new ways to quantify the selective and synergistic anti-cancer effect of PTL in terms of inherent cell features.

Abstract: A novel application for non-thermal plasma is the induction of immunogenic cancer cell death for cancer immunotherapy. Cells undergoing immunogenic death emit danger signals which facilitate anti-tumor immune responses. Although pathways leading to immunogenic cell death are not fully understood; oxidative stress is considered to be part of the underlying mechanism. Here; we studied the interaction between dielectric barrier discharge plasma and cancer cells for oxidative stress-mediated immunogenic cell death. We assessed changes to the intracellular oxidative environment after plasma treatment and correlated it to emission of two danger signals: surface-exposed calreticulin and secreted adenosine triphosphate. Plasma-generated reactive oxygen and charged species were recognized as the major effectors of immunogenic cell death. Chemical attenuators of intracellular reactive oxygen species successfully abrogated oxidative stress following plasma treatment and modulated the emission of surface-exposed calreticulin. Secreted danger signals from cells undergoing immunogenic death enhanced the anti-tumor activity of macrophages. This study demonstrated that plasma triggers immunogenic cell death through oxidative stress pathways and highlights its potential development for cancer immunotherapy.

Abstract: The world famous Alhambra monument in Granada, Southern Spain, listed as UNESCO world cultural heritage since 1984, represents probably the most beautiful example of Islamic art and architecture from the Middle Ages in Europe. It is visited by ca. 2 million people annually. Granada is situated in a natural basin, surrounded by mountains with altitudes up to 3500 m. Due to this topography and the prevailing low wind speeds, pollution-derived and especially traffic-derived particulate matter often accumulates in the urban air. In order to evaluate the potential conservation risks from the surrounding air, the atmospheric composition in the Alhambra monument was evaluated. Indoor temperature and relative humidity fluctuations were evaluated for their potential degenerative effects. Furthermore, the atmospheric composition in the Alhambra was analyzed in terms of inorganic gases (NO2, SO2, O3, and NH3) and black carbon. It was found that the open architecture protected the indoor environments from developing a potentially harmful microclimate, such as the build-up of humidity resulting from the huge number of daily tourists. On the downside, the strong ventilation made the indoor air hardly different from outdoor air, as characterized by strong diurnal temperature and relative humidity gradients and high traffic-derived pollutant levels.

Abstract: Photocatalytic transformation of biomass into value-added chemicals coupled with co-production of hydrogen provides an explicit route to trap sunlight into the chemical bonds. Here, we demonstrate a rational design of Zn1-xCdxS solidsolution homojunction photocatalyst with a pseudo-periodic cubic zinc blende (ZB) and hexagonal wurtzite (WZ) structure for efficient glucose conversion to simultaneously produce hydrogen and lactic acid. The optimized Zn0.6Cd0.4S catalyst consists of a twinning superlattice, has a tuned bandgap, and displays excellent efficiency with respect to hydrogen generation (690 +/- 27.6 mu mol.h(-1).g(cat).(-1)), glucose conversion (similar to 90%), and lactic acid selectivity (similar to 87%) without any co-catalyst under visible light irradiation. The periodic WZ/ZB phase in twinning superlattice facilitates better charge separation, while superoxide radical (center dot O-2(-)) and photogenerated holes drive the glucose transformation and water oxidation reactions, respectively. This work demonstrates that rational photocatalyst design could realize an efficient and concomitant production of hydrogen and value-added chemicals from glucose photocatalysis.

Abstract: The goal of the present study was to analyze the relationship between the fume formation rate, welding conditions, chemical composition of welding fume particles and their size. In the range from 0.25 to 16 μm aerodynamic diameter, three distinct types of welding fume particles were identified in the welder's breathing zone. The elemental composition of each type depended completely on the used welding materials, and reflects their mechanism of formation. Their relative abundance in the welding fume appeared to be dependent on the electrode coating, as well as the heat input during welding.

Abstract: Canola production is an important alternative for agricultural policy-makers in Iran to reduce dependency on the imported vegetable oils. Nevertheless, the canola planted area is only increasing at a slow pace, indicating a low willingness-to-accept of farmers. The general aim of this study was to determine the factors influencing the canola adoption in the Kermanshah Province in Western Iran. Employing stratified random sampling method, 106 farmers from each adopter and non-adopter group were selected. Helping to reach a suitable extensional program, two main categories of variables were defined; i.e. farmers personal characteristics and extension parameters. The analysis of farmers personal characteristics variables revealed that the adopters had larger farms and were younger. The results also show that 80% of the adopters were highly to very highly willing to cultivate canola. Furthermore, a logistic regression model estimated the influence of extensional parameters variables on the canola adoption. According to the regression model, the most effective factors are contact with extension agents and participating in extension classes. As a conclusion, it is suggested that the focus of extension services should be to reduce the distance to agricultural service centers in combination with more contact with extension agents and classes.

Abstract: A hundred 18th-century glass fragments were recovered at the Clairefontaine monastery in the Belgian province of Luxembourg. They were analysed by a combination of SEM-EDX and LA-ICP-MS in order to determine their major composition as well as their trace element signature. Multivariate statistical methods such as hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis were used to divide the glass fragments into four main groups: potassium-rich glass, sodium-rich glass, potassium/lime-rich glass and high-lime-low-alkali glass. Within every group, not only a similarity in composition is observed, but also in colour, morphology and deterioration patterns. Potash glass fragments are the most abundant and show extensive deterioration; two classes of potash glass were identified: one similar to certain Central European glass compositions, while the other one, characterised by large variations in potash: lime ratio, may be attributed to local (regional) glass production. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The early medieval period marks an important turning point in the history of glassmaking, since it comprises the transition period between the mineral-based silica-soda-lime glass of the Roman tradition and the plant ash-based glass. With the aim of expanding the knowledge on the glass recipes and technologies of this period, 37 glass samples were analyzed, originating from the archaeological excavations of San Genesio (Tuscany) and dated from the fourth to the eleventh century. The major and minor element concentrations were measured with SEM-EDX, while the trace elements were quantified with LA-ICP-MS. The results were compared with published compositions of glass samples of similar age in order to highlight differences and similarities. The results offer a very interesting view on the glass circulation in the religious/residential/manufacturing center of San Genesio in the early medieval period. Most of the glass has a typical late-Roman composition, but some glass fragments are identified as soda ash glass. These are among the earliest medieval ash-fluxed glasses ever found in the Italian peninsula. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.