Abstract: Elemental analysis for all of the light elements up through chlorine by elastic scattering of 16 MeV protons has been shown to be feasible. Basic problems associated with such measurements are discussed including kinematics, angular distribution, and sample backings. Spectra are presented for air particulate matter for both a total filter (Nuclepore) and a size fractionated air impactor (polystyrene backed) sample. The method is absolute, non destructive and can be used in conjunction with proton induced x-ray fluorescence to quantitatively analyze all elements in the same sample in minutes of time.

Abstract: This dissertation focuses on the materials and techniques used by the Brussels artists Michael Sweerts (1618-1664) and Michaelina Wautier (1614-1689). It tries to answer the following research questions: 1.Did 17th-century Brussels-based artists use idiosyncratic painting materials and techniques, and can their work be distinguished from paintings created in other artistic centers based on these materials and techniques? 2.How did Sweerts and Wautier influence each other’s work? In order to answer the research questions, a selection of relevant and representative paintings from Sweerts’ and Wautier’s oeuvre has been studied with MA-XRF scanning and microscopic examination. The results are discussed in volume 2 of this dissertation, and form the basis upon which the chapters in volume 1 are built. MA-XRF scanning is a non-destructive imaging technique based on the technique of X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The technique allows for the collection of elemental information about the materials present in a work of art. The work presented in this dissertation has shed more light on the working methods of Sweerts and Wautier. It has shown they both showed an openness and willingness to continue learning and developing as an artist. Wautier did not feel constrained to work only in one genre and apparently carried on developing her skills throughout her career, as evidenced by Flower Garland with Butterfly. She might have trained with a specialized artist to master their idiosyncratic working methods and this diverse genre. This suggests that Wautier had an interest in art education. Sweerts too had a passion for art education: he was involved in the drawing academy of Camillo Pamphilj in Rome, and later established his own academy for life drawing in Brussels. Sweerts’ work clearly shows the influence of his Italian contemporaries. Whilst living in Rome, he adapted his working methods to local customs such as working on brightly colored grounds. Wautier’s oeuvre shows that she was open to explore different genres and that she took inspiration from her contemporaries, including Theodoor van Loon and Daniël Seghers. In doing so, she furthered the development of different genres as she added original elements to her compositions. It is the conclusion of this dissertation that Michaelina Wautier can thus be considered one of the innovative artists of mid-17th-century Flemish painting, who inspired other artists in the Low Countries, including Michael Sweerts.

Abstract: Purpose: Patients with cancer display reduced humoral responses after double-dose COVID-19 vaccination, whereas their cellular response is more comparable with that in healthy individuals. Recent studies demonstrated that a third vaccination dose boosts these immune responses, both in healthy people and patients with cancer. Because of the availability of many different COVID-19 vaccines, many people have been boosted with a different vaccine fromthe one used for double-dose vaccination. Data on such alternative vaccination schedules are scarce. This prospective study compares a third dose of BNT162b2 after double-dose BNT162b2 (homologous) versus ChAdOx1 (heterologous) vaccination in patients with cancer. Experimental Design: A total of 442 subjects (315 patients and 127 healthy) received a third dose of BNT162b2 (230 homologous vs. 212 heterologous). Vaccine-induced adverse events (AE) were captured up to 7 days after vaccination. Humoral immunity was assessed by SARS-CoV-2 anti-S1 IgG antibody levels and SARSCoV- 2 50% neutralization titers (NT50) against Wuhan and BA.1 Omicron strains. Cellular immunity was examined by analyzing CD4þ and CD8þ T-cell responses against SARS-CoV-2–specific S1 and S2 peptides. Results: Local AEs were more common after heterologous boosting. SARS-CoV-2 anti-S1 IgG antibody levels did not differ significantly between homologous and heterologous boosted subjects [GMT 1,755.90 BAU/mL (95% CI, 1,276.95–2,414.48) vs. 1,495.82 BAU/mL (95% CI, 1,131.48–1,977.46)]. However, homologous- boosted subjects show significantly higher NT50 values against BA.1 Omicron. Subjects receiving heterologous boosting demonstrated increased spike-specific CD8þ T cells, including higher IFNg and TNFa levels. Conclusions: In patients with cancer who received double-dose ChAdOx1, a third heterologous dose of BNT162b2 was able to close the gap in antibody response.

Abstract: The safe and efficient use of hydrogen energy, which is in high demand worldwide today, requires efficient hydrogen storage. Despite significant advances in hydrogen storage using carbon-based nanomaterials, including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), efforts to substantially increase the storage capacity remain less effective. In this work, we demonstrate the effect of endohedral transition metal atoms on the hydrogen storage capacity of CNTs using reactive molecular dynamics simulations. We find that an increase in the volume fraction of endohedral nickel atoms leads to an increase in the concentration of physisorbed hydrogen molecules around single-walled CNTs (SWNTs) by approximately 1.6 times compared to pure SWNTs. The obtained results provide insight into the underlying mechanisms of how endohedral transition metal atoms enhance the hydrogen storage ability of SWNTs under nearly ambient conditions.

Abstract: Different cement samples commonly used in building construction in Turkey have been analyzed for natural radioactivity using gamma-ray spectrometry. The mean activity concentrations observed in the cement samples were 52, 40 and 324 Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. The measured activity concentrations for these radionuclides were compared with the reported data of other countries and world average limits. The radiological hazard parameters such as radium equivalent activities (Raeq), gamma index (Iγ) and alpha index (Iα) indices as well as terrestrial absorbed dose and annual effective dose rate were calculated and compared with the international data. The Raeq values of cement are lower than the limit of 370 Bq kg−1, equivalent to a gamma dose of 1.5 mSv y−1. Moreover, the mass attenuation coefficients were determined experimentally and calculated theoretically using XCOM in some cement samples. Also, chemical compositions analyses of the cement samples were investigated.

Abstract: Adding 20mg of 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) to a water sample at 70°, and filtering off the precipitate after cooling, gives efficient preconcentration prior to X-ray fluorescence analysis of water. Up to the capacity of about 100 μeq of PAN used, the trace metal recoveries are around 90% or higher for Cr3+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Hg2+ and Eu3+, and above 70% for many other ions. The recovery yields usually do not vary critically with pH in the neutral pH-range, and are practically independent of the sample salinity, sample volume and trace-metal concentration. Enrichment factors as high as 2 × 105 can be achieved. Counting statistics would then allow detection limits of 0.03 ppM. The blank levels in commercial PAN, however, lead to typical detection limits of about 1 ppm. The coefficient of variation is typically in the 510% range at the 10-ppM level. The accuracy and applicability of the procedure are illustrated by comparative analyses on samples of synthetic solutions, river and drinking water.

Abstract: We sought to determine whether the pesticide-degrading performance of a multi-species bacterial biofilm is affected by co-occurrence of multiple nutrient sources Thus, the 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-l-methoxy-l-methyl urea (linuron)-degrading activity of a triple-species linuron-degrading consortium, cultivated in continuous flow biofilm systems, was monitored when exposed to mixed substrate feeds which contained, in addition to linuron, readily assimilated carbon (i e citrate and trypticase soy broth) and/or nitrogen (i e ammonium) sources The addition of alternative carbon sources at different concentrations resulted in diminished linuron degradation efficiency In addition, the efficiency of removal of the linuron metabolite 3,4-dichloroaniline was affected These effects might be attributed to catabolic repression of the linuron metabolic pathway in the presence of alternative carbon substrates Moreover, each nutrient condition resulted in a particular biofilm composition and a particular spatial and structural organization, which might also be related to the performance of the biofilm community Results show that the activity of pesticide-degrading biofilms strongly depends on prevailing nutrient conditions and that the ideal biofilm configuration and activity, as observed under selective conditions, does not exist in real-life environmental conditions where mixtures of substrates are often present (C) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS All rights reserved.