“Novel functional imaging of changes in small airways of patients treated with extrafine beclomethasone/formoterol”. Vos W, de Backer J, Poli G, De Volder A, Ghys L, Van Holsbeke C, Vinchurkar S, De Backer L, de Backer W, Respiration 86, 393 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1159/000347120
Abstract: Background: Inhaled formulations using extrafine particles of long-acting beta(2)-agonists and corticosteroids were developed to optimize asthma treatment. Findings that these combinations reach and treat smaller airways more effectively are predominantly based on general non-specific outcomes with little information on regional characteristics. Objectives: This study aims to assess long-term effects of extrafine beclomethasone/formoterol on small airways of asthmatic patients using novel functional imaging methods. Methods: Twenty-four stable asthma patients were subdivided into three groups (steroid naive, n = 7; partially controlled, n = 6; well controlled, n = 11). Current treatment was switched to a fixed combination of extrafine beclomethasone/formoterol (Foster (R); Chiesi Pharmaceuticals, Parma, Italy). Patients underwent lung function evaluation and thorax high-resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) scan. Local airway resistance was obtained from computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Results: After 6 months, the entire population showed improvement in pre-bronchodilation imaging parameters, including small airway volume (p = 0.0007), resistance (p = 0.011), and asthma control score (p = 0.016). Changes in small airway volume correlated with changes in asthma control score (p = 0.004). Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (p = 0.044) and exhaled nitric oxide (p = 0.040) also improved. Functional imaging provided more detail and clinical relevance compared to lung function tests, especially in the well-controlled group where only functional imaging parameters showed significant improvement, while the correlation with asthma control score remained. Conclusions: Extrafine beclomethasone/formoterol results in a significant reduction of small airway obstruction, detectable by functional imaging (HRCT/CFD). Changes in imaging parameters correlated significantly with clinically relevant improvements. This indicates that functional imaging is a useful tool for sensitive assessment of changes in the respiratory system after asthma treatment. Copyright (C) 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Biophysics and Biomedical Physics; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)
Impact Factor: 2.772
Times cited: 30
DOI: 10.1159/000347120
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“Progressive melting in confined one-dimensional C60 chains”. Bousige C, Rols S, Paineau E, Rouziere S, Mocuta C, Verberck B, Wright JP, Kataura H, Launois P, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 86, 045446 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.86.045446
Abstract: C-60 fullerenes confined inside single-walled carbon nanotubes form an archetypal one-dimensional system. X-ray diffraction experiments, from room temperature to 1073 K, reveal an increasing melting phenomenon. Detailed analysis of the sawtooth peak characteristic of the fullerene organization allows the quantitative determination of fluctuations in intermolecular distances. The present results validate the predictions of one-dimensional statistical models.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.86.045446
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“Reaction mechanisms and thin a-C:H film growth from low energy hydrocarbon radicals”. Neyts E, Bogaerts A, van de Sanden MCM, Journal of physics : conference series 86, 12020 (2007). http://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/86/1/012020
Abstract: Molecular dynamics simulations using the Brenner potential have been performed to investigate reaction mechanisms of various hydrocarbon radicals with low kinetic energies on amorphous hydrogenated carbon (a-C:H) surfaces and to simulate thin a-C:H film growth. Experimental data from an expanding thermal plasma setup were used as input for the simulations. The hydrocarbon reaction mechanisms were studied both during growth of the films and on a set of surface sites specific for a-C:H surfaces. Thin film growth was studied using experimentally detected growth species. It is found that the reaction mechanisms and sticking coefficients are dependent on the specific surface sites, and the structural properties of the growth radicals. Furthermore, it is found that thin a-C:H films can be densified using an additional H-flux towards the substrate.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Times cited: 22
DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/86/1/012020
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“Reply to Rinn and Maass”. Schweigert IV, Schweigert VA, Peeters FM, Physical review letters 86, 4712 (2001). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.86.4712
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 8.462
Times cited: 5
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.86.4712
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“Resonant harmonic generation and collective spin rotations in electrically driven quantum dots”. Nowak MP, Szafran B, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 86, 125428 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.86.125428
Abstract: Spin rotations induced by an ac electric field in a two-electron double quantum dot are studied by an exact numerical solution of the time-dependent Schrodinger equation in the context of recent electric-dipole spin resonance experiments on gated nanowires. We demonstrate that the splitting of the main resonance line by the spin exchange coupling is accompanied by the appearance of fractional resonances and that both these effects are triggered by interdot tunnel coupling. We find that the ac-driven system generates residual but distinct harmonics of the driving frequency, which are amplified when tuned to the main transition frequency. The mechanism is universal for electron systems in electrically driven potentials and works also in the absence of electron-electron interaction or spin-orbit coupling.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 29
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.86.125428
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“Resonant valley filtering of massive Dirac electrons”. Moldovan D, Masir MR, Covaci L, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 86, 115431 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.86.115431
Abstract: Electrons in graphene, in addition to their spin, have two pseudospin degrees of freedom: sublattice and valley pseudospin. Valleytronics uses the valley degree of freedom as a carrier of information similarly to the way spintronics uses electron spin. We show how a double-barrier structure consisting of electric and vector potentials can be used to filter massive Dirac electrons based on their valley index. We study the resonant transmission through a finite number of barriers and we obtain the energy spectrum of a superlattice consisting of electric and vector potentials. When a mass term is included, the energy bands and energy gaps at the K and K′ points are different and they can be tuned by changing the potential.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 55
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.86.115431
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“Role of Ar2+ and Ar+2 ions in a direct current argon glow discharge: a numerical description”. Bogaerts A, Gijbels R, Journal of applied physics 86, 4124 (1999). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.371337
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 2.068
Times cited: 50
DOI: 10.1063/1.371337
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“Scattering of a Dirac electron on a mass barrier”. Matulis A, Masir MR, Peeters FM, Physical review : A : atomic, molecular and optical physics 86, 022101 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.86.022101
Abstract: The interaction of a wave packet (and in particular the wave front) with a mass barrier is investigated in one dimension. We discuss the main features of the wave packet that are inherent to two-dimensional wave packets, such as compression during reflection, penetration in the case when the energy is lower than the height of the barrier, waving tails, precursors, and the retardation of the reflected and penetrated wave packets. These features depend on the wave-packet envelope function which we demonstrate by considering the case of a rectangular wave packet with sharp front and trailing edges and a smooth Gaussian wave packet. The method of Fourier integral for obtaining the nonstationary solutions is used.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.925
Times cited: 9
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.86.022101
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“Single-file diffusion in periodic energy landscapes : the role of hydrodynamic interactions”. Euán-Díaz EC, Misko VR, Peeters FM, Herrera-Velarde S, Castaneda-Priego R, Physical review : E : statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics 86, 031123 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.86.031123
Abstract: We report on the dynamical properties of interacting colloids confined to one dimension and subjected to external periodic energy landscapes. We particularly focus on the influence of hydrodynamic interactions on the mean-square displacement. Using Brownian dynamics simulations, we study colloidal systems with two types of repulsive interparticle interactions, namely, Yukawa and superparamagnetic potentials. We find that in the homogeneous case, hydrodynamic interactions lead to an enhancement of the particle mobility and the mean-square displacement at long times scales as t(alpha), with alpha = 1/2 + epsilon and epsilon being a small correction. This correction, however, becomes much more important in the presence of an external field, which breaks the homogeneity of the particle distribution along the line and, therefore, promotes a richer dynamical scenario due to the hydrodynamical coupling among particles. We provide here the complete dynamical scenario in terms of the external potential parameters: amplitude and commensurability.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.366
Times cited: 14
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.86.031123
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“Spin-polarized transport of two-dimensional electron gas embedded in a diluted magnetic semiconductor”. Yang W, Chang K, Peeters FM, Applied physics letters 86, 192107 (2005). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.1927693
Abstract: The spin-polarized transport property of a diluted magnetic semiconductor two-dimensional electron gas is investigated theoretically at low temperature. A large current polarization can be found in this system even at small magnetic fields and oscillates with increasing magnetic field while the carrier polarization is vanishingly small. The magnitude as well as the sign of the current polarization can be tuned by varying magnetic field, the electron density and the Mn concentration. (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.411
Times cited: 10
DOI: 10.1063/1.1927693
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“Stability of fractional vortex states in a two-band mesoscopic superconductor”. Pina JC, de Souza Silva CC, Milošević, MV, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 86, 024512 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.86.024512
Abstract: We investigate the stability of noncomposite fractional vortex states in a mesoscopic two-band superconductor within the two-component Ginzburg-Landau model. Our analysis explicitly takes into account the relationship between the model parameters and microscopic material parameters, such as partial density of states, Fermi velocities and elements of the electron-phonon coupling matrix. We have found that states with different phase winding number in each band (L-1 not equal L-2) and fractional flux can exist in many different configurations, including rather unconventional ones where the dominating band carries larger winding number and states where vertical bar L-1 – L-2 vertical bar > 1. We present a detailed analysis of the stability of the observed vortex structures with respect to changing the microscopic parameters, showing that, in the weak coupling case, fractional vortex states can be assessed in essentially the whole range of temperatures and applied magnetic fields in which both bands are active. Finally, we propose an efficient way of increasing the range of parameters for which these fractional vortex states can be stabilized. In particular, our proposal allows for observation of fractional vortex structures in materials with stronger coupling, where those states are forbidden at a homogeneous field. This is accomplished with the help of the stray fields of a suitably prepared magnetic dot placed nearby the superconducting disk.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 38
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.86.024512
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“Strain relaxation and oxygen superstructure modulation in epitaxial Sr4Fe6O13\pm\delta films”. Santiso J, Pardo JA, Solis C, Garcia G, Figueras A, Rossell MD, Van Tendeloo G, Applied physics letters 86, 132105 (2005). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.1886264
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.411
Times cited: 5
DOI: 10.1063/1.1886264
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“Structural transitions in vertically and horizontally coupled parabolic channels of Wigner crystals”. Galván Moya JE, Nelissen K, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 86, 184102 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.86.184102
Abstract: Structural phase transitions in two vertically or horizontally coupled channels of strongly interacting particles are investigated. The particles are free to move in the x direction but are confined by a parabolic potential in the y direction. They interact with each other through a screened power-law potential (r(-n)e(-r/lambda)). In vertically coupled systems, the channels are stacked above each other in the direction perpendicular to the (x, y) plane, while in horizontally coupled systems both channels are aligned in the confinement direction. Using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations we obtain the ground-state configurations and the structural transitions as a function of the linear particle density and the separation between the channels. At zero temperature, the vertically coupled system exhibits a rich phase diagram with continuous and discontinuous transitions. On the other hand, the horizontally coupled system exhibits only a very limited number of phase transitions due to its symmetry. Further, we calculated the normal modes for the Wigner crystals in both cases. From MC simulations, we found that in the case of vertically coupled systems, the zigzag transition is only possible for low densities. A Ginzburg-Landau theory for the zigzag transition is presented, which predicts correctly the behavior of this transition from which we interpret the structural phase transition of the Wigner crystal through the reduction of the Brillouin zone.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 6
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.86.184102
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“Substrate-induced chiral states in graphene”. Zarenia M, Leenaerts O, Partoens B, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 86, 085451 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.86.085451
Abstract: Unidirectional chiral states are predicted in single layer graphene which originate from the breaking of the sublattice symmetry due to an asymmetric mass potential. The latter can be created experimentally using boron-nitride (BN) substrates with a line defect (B-B or N-N) that changes the induced mass potential in graphene. Solving the Dirac-Weyl equation, the obtained energy spectrum is compared with the one calculated using ab initio density functional calculations. We found that these one-dimensional chiral states are very robust and they can even exist in the presence of a small gap between the mass regions. In the latter case additional bound states are found that are topologically different from those chiral states.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 41
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.86.085451
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“(CuCl)LaTa2O\text{7} and quantum phase transition in the (CuX)LaM2O7 family (X=Cl, Br, M=Nb, Ta)”. Tsirlin AA, Abakumov AM, Ritter C, Rosner H, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 86, 064440 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.86.064440
Abstract: We apply neutron diffraction, high-resolution synchrotron x-ray diffraction, magnetization measurements, electronic structure calculations, and quantum Monte-Carlo simulations to unravel the structure and magnetism of (CuCl)LaTa2O7. Despite the pseudo-tetragonal crystallographic unit cell, this compound features an orthorhombic superstructure, similar to the Nb-containing (CuX)LaNb2O7 with X = Cl and Br. The spin lattice entails dimers formed by the antiferromagnetic fourth-neighbor coupling J(4), as well as a large number of nonequivalent interdimer couplings quantified by an effective exchange parameter J(eff). In (CuCl)LaTa2O7, the interdimer couplings are sufficiently strong to induce the long-range magnetic order with the Neel temperature T-N similar or equal to 7 K and the ordered magnetic moment of 0.53 mu(B), as measured with neutron diffraction. This magnetic behavior can be accounted for by J(eff)/J(4) similar or equal to 1.6 and J(4) similar or equal to 16 K. We further propose a general magnetic phase diagram for the (CuCl)LaNb2O7-type compounds, and explain the transition from the gapped spin-singlet (dimer) ground state in (CuCl)LaNb2O7 to the long-range antiferromagnetic order in (CuCl)LaTa2O7 and (CuBr)LaNb2O7 by an increase in the magnitude of the interdimer couplings J(eff)/J(4), with the (CuCl)LaM2O7 (M = Nb, Ta) compounds lying on different sides of the quantum critical point that separates the singlet and long-range-ordered magnetic ground states.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 6
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.86.064440
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“Thermal rippling behavior of graphane”. Costamagna S, Neek-Amal M, Los JH, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 86, 041408 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.86.041408
Abstract: Thermal fluctuations of single layer hydrogenated graphene (graphane) are investigated using large scale atomistic simulations. By analyzing the mean square value of the height fluctuations < h(2)> and the height-height correlation function H(q) for different system sizes and temperatures, we show that hydrogenated graphene is an unrippled system in contrast to graphene. The height fluctuations are bounded, which is confirmed by a H(q) tending to a constant in the long wavelength limit instead of showing the characteristic scaling law q(4-eta)(eta similar or equal to 0.85) predicted by membrane theory. This unexpected behavior persists up to temperatures of at least 900 K and is a consequence of the fact that in graphane the thermal energy can be accommodated by in-plane bending modes, i.e., modes involving C-C-C bond angles in the buckled carbon layer, instead of leading to significant out-of-plane fluctuations that occur in graphene.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 46
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.86.041408
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“Three-dimensional reconstruction of a nanoparticle at atomic resolution”. Batenburg J, Van Aert S, ERCIM news 86, 52 (2011)
Keywords: A2 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab
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“Tight-binding study of bilayer graphene Josephson junctions”. Muñoz WA, Covaci L, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 86, 184505 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.86.184505
Abstract: Using highly efficient simulations of the tight-binding Bogoliubov-de-Gennes model, we solved self-consistently for the pair correlation and the Josephson current in a superconducting-bilayer graphene-superconducting Josephson junction. Different doping levels for the non-superconducting link are considered in the short- and long-junction regimes. Self-consistent results for the pair correlation and superconducting current resemble those reported previously for single-layer graphene except at the Dirac point, where remarkable differences in the proximity effect are found, as well as a suppression of the superconducting current in the long-junction regime. Inversion symmetry is broken by considering a potential difference between the layers and we found that the supercurrent can be switched if the junction length is larger than the Fermi length.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 13
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.86.184505
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“Transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy analysis of manganese oxide nanowires”. Du GH, Yuan ZY, Van Tendeloo G, Applied physics letters 86 (2005). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.1861963
Abstract: Single-crystalline MnOOH and Mn3O4 nanowires have been prepared by hydrothermal treatment of commercial bulky manganese oxide particles. beta-MnO2 and alpha-Mn2O3 nanowires were prepared by calcination of MnOOH nanowires. Transmission electron microscopy analysis demonstrates that MnOOH nanowires grow directly from MnO2 raw particles. The diameter of the nanowires is 20-70 nm, while the length can reach several micrometers. MnOOH nanowires grow preferentially along the [010] direction and Mn3O4 nanowires prefer to grow along the [001] direction; the long dimension of both beta-MnO2 and alpha-Mn2O3 nanowires is along [001]. Electron energy-loss spectroscopy analysis shows that the position of the prepeak of the oxygen K edge shifts to higher energy and the energy separation between the two main peaks of the oxygen K edge decreases with decreasing manganese oxidation state. The manganese-white-line ratios (L-3/L-2) were calculated. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.411
Times cited: 46
DOI: 10.1063/1.1861963
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“Two-band superconductors : extended Ginzburg-Landau formalism by a systematic expansion in small deviation from the critical temperature”. Vagov A, Shanenko AA, Milošević, MV, Axt VM, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 86, 144514 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.86.144514
Abstract: We derive the extended Ginzburg-Landau (GL) formalism for a clean s-wave two-band superconductor by employing a systematic expansion of the free-energy functional and the corresponding matrix gap equation in powers of the small deviation from the critical temperature tau = 1 – T/T-c. The two lowest orders of this expansion produce the equation for T-c and the standard GL theory. It is shown that in agreement with previous studies, this two-band GL theory maps onto the single-band GL model and thus fails to describe the difference in the spatial profiles of the two-band condensates. We prove that this difference appears already in the leading correction to the standard GL theory, which constitutes the extended GL formalism. We derive linear differential equations that determine the leading corrections to the band order parameters and magnetic field, discuss the validity of these equations, and consider examples of an important interplay between the band condensates. Finally, we present numerical results for the thermodynamic critical magnetic field and temperature-dependent band gaps for recent materials of interest, which are in very good agreement with those obtained from the full BCS approach in a wide temperature range. To this end, we emphasize the advantages of our extended GL theory in comparison with the often used two-component GL-like model based on an unreconstructed two-band generalization of the Gor'kov derivation.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 44
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.86.144514
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“Wave-packet scattering on graphene edges in the presence of a pseudomagnetic field”. da Costa DR, Chaves A, Farias GA, Covaci L, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 86, 115434 (2012). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.86.115434
Abstract: The scattering of a Gaussian wave packet in armchair and zigzag graphene edges is theoretically investigated by numerically solving the time-dependent Schrodinger equation for the tight-binding model Hamiltonian. Our theory allows us to investigate scattering in reciprocal space, and depending on the type of graphene edge we observe scattering within the same valley, or between different valleys. In the presence of an external magnetic field, the well-known skipping orbits are observed. However, our results demonstrate that in the case of a pseudomagnetic field, induced by nonuniform strain, the scattering by an armchair edge results in a nonpropagating edge state.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 28
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.86.115434
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“Concentration related response potentiometric titrations to study the interaction of small molecules with large biomolecules”. Hamidi-Asl E, Daems D, De Wael K, Van Camp G, Nagels LJ, Analytical chemistry 86, 12243 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1021/AC503385X
Abstract: In the present article, the utility of a special potentiometric titration approach for recognition and calculation of biomolecule/small molecule interactions is reported. This approach is fast, sensitive, reproducible and inexpensive in comparison to the other methods for the determination of the association constant values (Ka) and the interaction energies (ΔG). The potentiometric titration measurement is based on the use of a classical polymeric membrane indicator electrode in a solution of the small molecule ligand. The biomolecule is used as a titrant. The potential is measured versus a reference electrode and transformed to a concentration related signal over the entire concentration interval, also at low concentrations, where the mV (y-axis) versus logcanalyte (x-axis) potentiometric calibration curve is not linear. In the procedure, the Ka is calculated for the interaction of cocaine with a cocaine binding aptamer and with an anti-cocaine antibody. To study the selectivity and cross-reactivity, other oligonucleotides and aptamers are tested, as well as other small ligand molecules such as tetrakis (4-chlorophenyl)borate, metergoline, lidocaine, and bromhexine. The calculated Ka compared favorably to the value reported in the literature using SPR. The potentiometric titration approach called Concentration related Response Potentiometry, is used to study molecular interaction for 7 macromolecular target molecules and 4 small molecule ligands.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Impact Factor: 6.32
Times cited: 10
DOI: 10.1021/AC503385X
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“Degradation process of lead chromate in paintings by Vincent van Gogh studied by means of spectromicroscopic methods : part 5 : effects of nonoriginal surface coatings into the nature and distribution of chromium and sulfur species in chrome yellow paints”. Monico L, Janssens K, Vanmeert F, Cotte M, Brunetti BG, van der Snickt G, Leeuwestein M, Plisson JS, Menu M, Miliani C, Analytical chemistry 86, 10804 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1021/AC502841G
Abstract: The darkening of lead chromate yellow pigments, caused by a reduction of the chromate ions to Cr(III) compounds, is known to affect the appearance of several paintings by Vincent van Gogh. In previous papers of this series, we demonstrated that the darkening is activated by light and depends on the chemical composition and crystalline structure of the pigments. In this work, the results of Part 2 are extended and complemented with a new study aimed at deepening the knowledge of the nature and distribution of Cr and S species at the interface between the chrome yellow paint and the nonoriginal coating layer. For this purpose, three microsamples from two varnished paintings by Van Gogh and a waxed low relief by Gauguin (all originally uncoated) have been examined. Because nonoriginal coatings are often present in artwork by Van Gogh and contemporaries, the understanding of whether or not their application has influenced the morphological and/or physicochemical properties of the chrome yellow paint underneath is relevant in view of the conservation of these masterpieces. In all the samples studied, microscopic X-ray fluorescence (mu-XRF) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (mu-XANES) investigations showed that Cr(III)-based alteration products are present in the form of grains inside the coating (generally enriched of S species) and also homogeneously widespread at the paint surface. The distribution of Cr(III) species may be explained by the mechanical friction caused by the coating application by brush that picked up and redistributed the superficial Cr compounds, likely already present in the reduced state as result of the photodegradation process. The analysis of the XANES profiles allowed us to obtain new insights into the nature of the Cr(III) alteration products, that were identified as sulfate-, oxide-, organo-metal-, and chloride-based compounds. Building upon the knowledge acquired through the examination of original paint samples and from the investigation of aged model paints in the last Part 4 paper, in this study we aim to characterize a possible relation between the chemical composition of the coating and the chrome yellow degradation pathways by studying photochemically aged model samples covered with a dammar varnish contaminated with sulfide and sulfate salts. Cr speciation results did not show any evidence of the active role of the varnish and added S species on the reduction process of chrome yellows.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Impact Factor: 6.32
Times cited: 25
DOI: 10.1021/AC502841G
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“Electrochemical photodegradation study of semiconductor pigments : influence of environmental parameters”. Anaf W, Trashin S, Schalm O, van Dorp D, Janssens K, De Wael K, Analytical chemistry 86, 9742 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1021/AC502303Z
Abstract: Chemical transformations in paintings often induce discolorations, disturbing the appearance of the image. For an appropriate conservation of such valuable and irreplaceable heritage objects, it is important to have a good know-how on the degradation processes of the (historical) materials: which pigments have been discolored, what are the responsible processes, and which (environmental) conditions have the highest impact on the pigment degradation and should be mitigated. Pigment degradation is already widely studied, either by analyzing historical samples or by accelerated weathering experiments on dummies. However, in historic samples several processes may have taken place, increasing the complexity of the current state, while aging experiments are time-consuming due to the often extended aging period. An alternative method is proposed for a fast monitoring of degradation processes of semiconductor pigments, using an electrochemical setup mimicking the real environment and allowing the identification of harmful environmental parameters for each pigment. Examples are given for the pigments cadmium yellow (CdS) and vermilion (α-HgS).
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES)
Impact Factor: 6.32
Times cited: 18
DOI: 10.1021/AC502303Z
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“Optimization of the ion chromatographic quantification of airborne fluoride, acetate and formate in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York”. Kontozova-Deutsch V, Deutsch F, Bencs L, Krata A, Van Grieken R, De Wael K, Talanta : the international journal of pure and applied analytical chemistry 86, 372 (2011). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.TALANTA.2011.09.030
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.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Impact Factor: 4.162
Times cited: 19
DOI: 10.1016/J.TALANTA.2011.09.030
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“Biogeochemical study of a coccolithophore bloom in the northern Bay of Biscay (NE Atlantic Ocean) in June 2004”. Harlay J, Borges AV, van der Zee C, Delille B, Godoi RHM, Schiettecatte L-S, Roevros N, Aerts K, Lapernat P-E, Rebreanu L, Groom S, Daro M-H, Van Grieken R, Chou L, Progress in oceanography 86, 317 (2010). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.POCEAN.2010.04.029
Abstract: The present paper synthesizes data obtained during a multidisciplinary cruise carried out in June 2004 at the continental margin of the northern Bay of Biscay. The data-set allows to describe the different stages of a coccolithophore bloom dominated by Emiliania huxleyi. The cruise was carried out after the main spring phytoplankton bloom that started in mid-April and peaked in mid-May. Consequently, low phosphate (PO4 < 0.2 μM) and silicate (DSi < 2.0 μM) concentrations, low partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) and high calcite saturation degree in surface waters combined with thermal stratification, probably favoured the blooming of coccolithophores. During the period of the year our cruise was carried out, internal tides induce enhanced vertical mixing at the continental shelf break leading to the injection of inorganic nutrients to surface waters that probably trigger the bloom. The bloom developed as the water-column stratified and as the water mass was advected over the continental shelf, following the general residual circulation in the area. The most developed phase of the bloom was sampled in a remote sensed high reflectance (HR) patch over the continental shelf that was characterized by low chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration in surface waters (<1.0 μg L−1), high particulate inorganic carbon (PIC) concentration (not, vert, similar8 μmol L−1) and coccolithophore abundance up to 57 × 106 cells L−1. Transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) concentrations ranged between 15 and 75 μg C L−1 and carbon content of TEP represented up to 26% of the particulate organic carbon (POC; maximum concentration of 15.5 μmol L−1 in the upper 40 m). Integrated primary production (PP) ranged between 210 and 680 mg C m−2 d−1 and integrated calcification (CAL) ranged between 14 and 140 mg C m−2 d−1, within the range of PP and CAL values previously reported during coccolithophore blooms in open and shelf waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Bacterial protein production (BPP) measurements in surface waters (0.30.7 μg C L−1 h−1) were much higher than those reported during early phases of coccolithophore blooms in natural conditions, but similar to those during peak and declining coocolithophorid blooms reported in mesocosms. Total alkalinity anomalies with respect to conservative mixing (ΔTA) down to −49 μmol kg−1 are consistent with the occurrence of biogenic precipitation of calcite, while pCO2 remained 15107 μatm lower than atmospheric equilibrium (372 μatm). The correlation between ΔTA and pCO2 suggested that pCO2 increased in part due to calcification, but this increase was insufficient to overcome the background under-saturation of CO2. This is related to the biogeochemical history of the water masses due to net carbon fixation by the successive phytoplankton blooms in the area prior to the cruise, hence, the investigated area remained a sink for atmospheric CO2 despite calcification.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1016/J.POCEAN.2010.04.029
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“Plasma-based CO2 conversion: How to correctly analyze the performance?”.Wanten B, Vertongen R, De Meyer R, Bogaerts A, Journal of Energy Chemistry 86, 180 (2023). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jechem.2023.07.005
Keywords: A1 journal article; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;
Impact Factor: 13.1
DOI: 10.1016/j.jechem.2023.07.005
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“Meta-analysis of CO₂, conversion, energy efficiency, and other performance data of plasma-catalysis reactors with the open access PIONEER database”. Salden A, Budde M, Garcia-Soto CA, Biondo O, Barauna J, Faedda M, Musig B, Fromentin C, Nguyen-Quang M, Philpott H, Hasrack G, Aceto D, Cai Y, Jury FA, Bogaerts A, Da Costa P, Engeln R, Galvez ME, Gans T, Garcia T, Guerra V, Henriques C, Motak M, Navarro MV, Parvulescu VI, Van Rooij G, Samojeden B, Sobota A, Tosi P, Tu X, Guaitella O, Journal of energy chemistry 86, 318 (2023). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.JECHEM.2023.07.022
Abstract: This paper brings the comparison of performances of CO2 conversion by plasma and plasma-assisted catalysis based on the data collected from literature in this field, organised in an open access online data-base. This tool is open to all users to carry out their own analyses, but also to contributors who wish to add their data to the database in order to improve the relevance of the comparisons made, and ultimately to improve the efficiency of CO2 conversion by plasma-catalysis. The creation of this database and data-base user interface is motivated by the fact that plasma-catalysis is a fast-growing field for all CO2 con-version processes, be it methanation, dry reforming of methane, methanolisation, or others. As a result of this rapid increase, there is a need for a set of standard procedures to rigorously compare performances of different systems. However, this is currently not possible because the fundamental mechanisms of plasma-catalysis are still too poorly understood to define these standard procedures. Fortunately how-ever, the accumulated data within the CO2 plasma-catalysis community has become large enough to war-rant so-called “big data” studies more familiar in the fields of medicine and the social sciences. To enable comparisons between multiple data sets and make future research more effective, this work proposes the first database on CO2 conversion performances by plasma-catalysis open to the whole community. This database has been initiated in the framework of a H2020 European project and is called the “PIONEER DataBase”. The database gathers a large amount of CO2 conversion performance data such as conversion rate, energy efficiency, and selectivity for numerous plasma sources coupled with or without a catalyst. Each data set is associated with metadata describing the gas mixture, the plasma source, the nature of the catalyst, and the form of coupling with the plasma. Beyond the database itself, a data extraction tool with direct visualisation features or advanced filtering functionalities has been developed and is available online to the public. The simple and fast visualisation of the state of the art puts new results into context, identifies literal gaps in data, and consequently points towards promising research routes. More advanced data extraction illustrates the impact that the database can have in the understanding of plasma-catalyst coupling. Lessons learned from the review of a large amount of literature during the setup of the database lead to best practice advice to increase comparability between future CO2 plasma-catalytic studies. Finally, the community is strongly encouraged to contribute to the database not only to increase the visibility of their data but also the relevance of the comparisons allowed by this tool. (c) 2023 Science Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. and Science Press. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creati- vecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 13.1
DOI: 10.1016/J.JECHEM.2023.07.022
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“Adsorption and absorption of boron, nitrogen, aluminum, and phosphorus on silicene : stability and electronic and phonon properties”. Sivek J, Sahin H, Partoens B, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 87, 085444 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.87.085444
Abstract: Ab initio calculations within the density-functional theory formalism are performed to investigate the chemical functionalization of a graphene-like monolayer of siliconsilicenewith B, N, Al, or P atoms. The structural, electronic, magnetic, and vibrational properties are reported. The most preferable adsorption sites are found to be valley, bridge, valley and hill sites for B, N, Al, and P adatoms, respectively. All the relaxed systems with adsorbed/substituted atoms exhibit metallic behavior with strongly bonded B, N, Al, and P atoms accompanied by an appreciable electron transfer from silicene to the B, N, and P adatom/substituent. The Al atoms exhibit opposite charge transfer, with n-type doping of silicene and weaker bonding. The adatoms/substituents induce characteristic branches in the phonon spectrum of silicene, which can be probed by Raman measurements. Using molecular dynamics, we found that the systems under study are stable up to at least T=500 K. Our results demonstrate that silicene has a very reactive and functionalizable surface.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 169
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.87.085444
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“Adsorption of alkali, alkaline-earth, and 3d transition metal atoms on silicene”. Sahin H, Peeters FM, Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics 87, 085423 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.87.085423
Abstract: The adsorption characteristics of alkali, alkaline-earth, and transition metal adatoms on silicene, a graphene-like monolayer structure of silicon are analyzed by means of first-principles calculations. In contrast to graphene, interaction between the metal atoms and the silicene surface is quite strong due to its highly reactive buckled hexagonal structure. In addition to structural properties, we also calculate the electronic band dispersion, net magnetic moment, charge transfer, work function, and dipole moment of the metal adsorbed silicene sheets. Alkali metals, Li, Na, and K, adsorb to hollow sites without any lattice distortion. As a consequence of the significant charge transfer from alkalis to silicene, metalization of silicene takes place. Trends directly related to atomic size, adsorption height, work function, and dipole moment of the silicene/alkali adatom system are also revealed. We found that the adsorption of alkaline-earth metals on silicene is entirely different from their adsorption on graphene. The adsorption of Be, Mg, and Ca turns silicene into a narrow gap semiconductor. Adsorption characteristics of eight transition metals Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Mo, and W are also investigated. As a result of their partially occupied d orbital, transition metals show diverse structural, electronic, and magnetic properties. Upon the adsorption of transition metals, depending on the adatom type and atomic radius, the system can exhibit metal, half-metal, and semiconducting behavior. For all metal adsorbates, the direction of the charge transfer is from adsorbate to silicene, because of its high surface reactivity. Our results indicate that the reactive crystal structure of silicene provides a rich playground for functionalization at nanoscale. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.87.085423
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 281
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.87.085423
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