Abstract: Most of the marine precipitation of CaCO3 is due to the biological activities of planktonic and benthic organisms in waters largely oversaturated with respect to calcium carbonates. This saturation state is expected to decrease as CO2 increases in seawater. A conventional view in oceanography suggests that calcium carbonates organisms are preserved in oversaturated waters and dissolve only below the lysocline. However, it has be postulated that a fraction of the CaCO3 precipitated biogenically could dissolve in oversaturated waters due to the formation of microenvironments in which respired CO2 decreases the saturation state of seawater (Ù) in the vicinity of CaCO3 crystals. In the present study, cells of the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi obtained from laboratory cultures and field samples collected in the Gulf of Biscay, were examined using variable-energy electron-probe microanalysis, to determine the presence and thickness of their organic coating. In addition, a new approach for transferring micrometer-sized particles from a filter onto transmission electron microscope grids using manipulators was used to investigate individual coccolithophores. The dry thickness of an organic coating over the coccolithophore surface was found to range between 280 and 350 nm. The resemblance of this coating to the carbohydrates produced and released by the cell is discussed as well as their potential for constituting a microenvironment that hosts bacteria. The properties of this organic coating and its role in the preservation/dissolution and export of biogenic carbonates in the water column are one of the major issues of carbonate geochemistry.

Abstract: The new families of superconducting compounds ''1201'' (Hg0.4Pr0.6Sr2CuO4+delta), ''1212'' (Hg0.4Pr0.6Sr2(Ca1-x-ySrxPry) Cu2O6+delta), and ''1222'' (Hg0.4Pr0.6Sr2(Pr1.7Sr0.3)(2)Cu2O8+delta) all show ordering between praseodymium and mercury in the (Hg,Pr)O-delta plane, reducing the symmetry from tetragonal to orthorhombic or even to monoclinic. In the 1201 compound the ordered superstructure can be described as O-I (a(I) approximate to 2a(p), b(I), approximate to a(p), c(I) approximate to c(1201)). In the 1212 compound two distinct superstructures are identified, O-I (a(I) approximate to 2a(p), b(II) approximate to a(p), c(I) approximate to c(1212)) and O-II (a(II) approximate to 2a(p), b(II) approximate to a(p), c(II) approximate to 2c(1212)). In some compounds, such as Hg0.4Pr0.6Sr2(Ca0.4Sr0.4Pr0.2) Cu2O6+delta, the Hg-Pr ordering is only present in microdomains, but due to an ordering between Sr layers and Ca layers, the c-axis doubles and one obtains a tetragonal superstructure T-III (a(III) approximate to a(p), c(III) approximate to 2c(1212)). In the 1222 compound, ordering in the (Pr,Hg)O-delta plane is very defective; a large number of translation defects actually reduce the symmetry to triclinic. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.

Abstract: A new potassium palladate KPd2O3 was synthesized by the reaction of KO2 and PdO at elevated oxygen pressure. Its crystal structure was solved from powder X-ray diffraction data in the space group Rm (a = 6.0730(1) Å, c = 18.7770(7) Å, and Z = 6). KPd2O3 represents a new structure type, consisting of an alternating sequence of K+ and Pd2O3− layers with ordered Pd2+ and Pd4+ ions. The presence of palladium ions in di- and tetravalent low-spin states was confirmed by magnetic susceptibility measurements.

Abstract: Monte Carlo simulations of coronene molecules in single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and dicoronylene molecules in SWCNTs are performed. Depending on the diameter D of the encapsulating SWCNT, regimes favoring the formation of ordered, one-dimensional (1D) stacks of tilted molecules (D <= 1.7 nm for coronene@SWCNT, 1.5 nm <= D <= 1.7 nm for dicoronylene@SWCNT) and regimes with disordered molecular arrangements and increased translational mobilities enabling the thermally induced polymerization of neighboring molecules resulting in the formation of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are observed. The results show that the diameter of the encapsulating nanotube is a crucial parameter for the controlled synthesis of either highly ordered 1D structures or GNR precursors.

Abstract: Nitrate contamination of groundwater has been recognized as a significant environmental problem world widely. Sulfur-driven mixotrophic denitrification has been demonstrated as a promising groundwater treatment process, which though plays an important role in nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, significantly contributing to the overall carbon footprint of the system. However, the current process optimizations only focus on nitrate removal and excess sulfate control, with the N2O emission being ignored. In this work, an integrated mathematical model was proposed to evaluate the N2O emission as well as the excess sulfate production and carbon source utilization in sulfur-driven mixotrophic denitrification process. In this model, autotrophic and heterotrophic denitrifiers use their corresponding electron donors (sulfur and organic matter, respectively) to reduce nitrate to nitrogen gas, with each modeled as three-step denitrification (NO3 to N-2 via NO2 and N2O) driven by sulfur or organic matter to describe all potential N2O accumulation steps. The developed model, employing model parameters previously reported in literature, was successfully validated using N2O and sulfate data from two mixotrophic denitrification systems with different initial conditions. Modeling results revealed substantial N2O accumulation due to the relatively low autotrophic N2O reduction activity as compared to heterotrophic N2O reduction activity, explaining the observation that higher carbon source addition resulted in lower N2O accumulation in sulfur-driven mixotrophic denitrifying system. Based on the validated model, optimizations of the overall system performance were carried out. Application of the model to simulate long-term operations of sulfur-driven mixotrophic denitrification process indicates that longer sludge retention time reduces N2O emission due to better retention of active biomass. High-level total nitrogen removal with significant N2O emission mitigation, appropriate excess sulfate control and maximized COD utilization can be achieved simultaneously through controlling the influent nitrate and COD concentrations. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The World Health Organization (WHO) model “List of Essential Medicines” includes among indispensable medicines antibacterials and pain and migraine relievers. Monitoring their concentration in the environment, while challenging, is important in the context of antibiotic resistance as well as their production of highly toxic compounds via hydrolysis. Traditional detection methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or LC combined with tandem mass spectrometry or UV-vis spectroscopy are time-consuming, have a high cost, require skilled operators and are difficult to adapt for field operations. In contrast, (electrochemical) sensors have elicited interest because of their rapid response, high selectivity, and sensitivity as well as potential for on-site detection. Previously, we reported a novel sensor system based on a type II photosensitizer, which combines the advantages of enzymatic sensors (high sensitivity) and photoelectrochemical sensors (easy baseline subtraction). Under red-light illumination, the photosensitizer produces singlet oxygen which oxidizes phenolic compounds present in the sample. The subsequent reduction of the oxidized phenolic compounds at the electrode surface gives rise to a quantifiable photocurrent and leads to the generation of a redox cycle. Herein we report the optimization in terms of pH and applied potential of the photoelectrochemical detection of the hydrolysis product of paracetamol, i.e., 4-aminophenol (4-AP), and two antibacterials, namely, cefadroxil (CFD, beta-lactam antibiotic) and doxycycline (DXC, tetracycline antibiotic). The optimized conditions resulted in a detection limit of 0.2 mu mol L-1 for DXC, but in a 10 times higher sensitivity, 20 nmol L-1, for CFD. An even higher sensitivity, 7 nmol L-1, was noted for 4-AP.

Abstract: Ion chromatographic (IC) methods have been compared in order to achieve an optimal separation of fluoride, acetate and formate under various elution conditions on two formerly introduced analytical columns (i and ii) and a novel one (iii): (i) an IonPac AS14 (250 mm × 4 mm I.D.), (ii) Allsep A-2 (150 mm × 4.6 mm I.D.), and (iii) an IC SI-50 4E (250 mm (length) × 4 mm (internal diameter – I.D.)). The IC conditions for the separation of the anions concerned were optimized on the IC SI-50 4E column. A near baseline separation of these anions was attained on the IonPac AS14, whereas the peaks of fluoride and acetate could not be resolved on the Allsep A-2. A baseline separation for the three anions was achieved on the IC SI-50 4E column, when applying an eluent mixture of 3.2 mmol/L Na2CO3 and 1.0 mmol/L NaHCO3 with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The highest precision of 1.7, 3.0 and 2.8% and the best limits of detection (LODs) of 0.014, 0.22 and 0.17 mg/L for fluoride, acetate and formate, respectively, were obtained with the IC SI-50 4E column. Hence, this column was applied for the determination of the acetic and formic acid contents of air samples taken by means of passive gaseous sampling at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, USA. Atmospheric concentrations of acetic and formic acid up to 1050 and 450 μg/m3, respectively, were found in non-aerated showcases of the museum. In galleries and outdoors, rather low levels of acetic and formic acid were detected with average concentrations of 50 and 10 μg/m3, respectively. The LOD data of acetate and formate on the IC SI-50 4E column correspond to around 0.5 μg/m3 for both acetic and formic acid in air samples.

Abstract: 5,7-Substituted 1,4-diazepinoporphyrazine magnesium(II) complexes were synthesized via Mg(II)-alkoxide templated macrocyclization. A single crystal growth synchrotron diffraction analysis permitted what is to our knowledge the first structural characterization of a 1,4-diazepinoporphyrazine. It exists as a dimer in the solid state. In silico calculations supported by solution phase spectral studies involving a series of representative derivatives, provided insights into the factors governing dimerization of 1,4-diazepinoporphyrazines. The present 1,4-diazepinoporphyrazines serve as useful probes for understanding the determinants that guide dimermonomer equilibria and the self-assembly of phthalocyanine derivatives.

Abstract: Nanostructured core−shell microspheres with a rough rutile core and a thin anatase shell are synthesized via a one-step heterogeneous templated hydrolysis process of TiCl4 vapor on the aerosol water−air interface. The rutile-in-anatase core−shell structure has been evidenced by different electron microscopy techniques, including electron energy-loss spectroscopy and 3D electron tomography. A new mechanism for the formation of a crystalline rutile core inside the anatase shell is proposed based on a statistical evaluation of a large number of electron microscopy data. We found that the control over the TiCl4 vapor pressure, the ratio between TiCl4 and H2O aerosol, and the reaction conditions plays a crucial role in the formation of the core−shell morphology and increases the yield of nanostructured microspheres.

Abstract: Uniform-acceptance force-bias Monte Carlo (fbMC) methods have been shown to be a powerful technique to access longer timescales in atomistic simulations allowing, for example, phase transitions and growth. Recently, a new fbMC method, the time-stamped force-bias Monte Carlo (tfMC) method, was derived with inclusion of an estimated effective timescale; this timescale, however, does not seem able to explain some of the successes the method. In this contribution, we therefore explicitly quantify the effective timescale tfMC is able to access for a variety of systems, namely a simple single-particle, one-dimensional model system, the Lennard-Jones liquid, an adatom on the Cu(100) surface, a silicon crystal with point defects and a highly defected graphene sheet, in order to gain new insights into the mechanisms by which tfMC operates. It is found that considerable boosts, up to three orders of magnitude compared to molecular dynamics, can be achieved for solid state systems by lowering of the apparent activation barrier of occurring processes, while not requiring any system-specific input or modifications of the method. We furthermore address the pitfalls of using the method as a replacement or complement of molecular dynamics simulations, its ability to explicitly describe correct dynamics and reaction mechanisms, and the association of timescales to MC simulations in general.

Abstract: Despite significant progress in single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) production by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), the growth mechanism in this method is not clearly understood. We employ reactive molecular dynamics simulations to investigate how plasma-based deposition allows growth at low temperature. We first investigate the SWCNT growth mechanism at low and high temperatures under conditions similar to thermal CVD and PECVD. We then show how ion bombardment during the nucleation stage increases the carbon solubility in the catalyst at low temperature. Finally, we demonstrate how moderate energy ions sputter amorphous carbon allowing for SWCNT growth at 500 K. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The electrodeposition of nickel nanostructures on glassy carbon was investigated in 1:2 choline chloride urea deep eutectic solvent (DES) containing different amounts of water. By combining electrochemical techniques, with ex situ field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, the effect of water content on the electrochemical processes occurring during nickel deposition was better understood. At highly negative potentials and depending on water content, Ni growth is halted due to water splitting and formation of a mixed layer of Ni/NiOx(OH)(2(1-x)(ads)). Moreover, under certain conditions, the DES components can also be (electro)chemically reduced at the electrode surface, blocking further three-dimensional growth of the Ni NPs. Hence, a two-dimensional crystalline Ni-containing network can be formed in the interparticle region.