Segregation to Surfaces and Interfaces

The thermodynamics of segregation to surfaces and interfaces establish a framework of solute enrichment behaviour at equilibrium, depending on temperature and bulk concentration. It is represented by the Langmuir-McLean adsorption theory and its modifications. Solute-solute interactions in binary and multi-component systems allow a description of the occurrence of two-dimensional phases, of site competition of segregants and of cosegregation. The kinetics of segregation are mainly governed by the bulk diffusivity of the solute. Calculations of the segregation free energy based on surface energy differences of the components and on strain relief energy serve as a guideline for predictions of enrichment in binary systems and for the influence of surface orientation. Results of computer modelling of the atomistics of grain boundary segregation show the occurrence of specific interface sites corresponding to a spectrum of segregation energies, which help to understand the experimental evidence of segregation anisotropy. Similar conclusions are obtained from molecular orbital cluster calculations which disclose the chemical bond strength and its dependence on the segregant and the structural configuration. The importance of segregation to materials properties is explained for grain boundary cohesion and diffusion

Sample Preparation for Surface and Interface Analysis

A survey of the most frequently used sample preparation methods for surface analysis methods such as Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS) and secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) is presented. Ex-situ preparation before insertion of the sample into the ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) of the analysis chamber comprises common mechanical and chemical methods, whereas in-situ preparation is based on various UHV-compatible procedures like cleavage, fracture, heating and noble gas ion sputtering. Particular care is necessary to avoid misleading chemical and structural alterations of the sample surface. Advantages and limitations of the different approaches can only be compared with respect to a specific sample and the goal of the surface or interface analysis

Entropy-Driven Grain Boundary Segregation: Prediction of the Phenomenon

The question is formulated as to whether entropy-driven grain boundary segregation can exist. Such a phenomenon would be based on the assumption that a solute can segregate at the grain boundary sites that exhibit positive segregation energy (enthalpy) if the product of segregation entropy and temperature is larger than this energy (enthalpy). The possibility of entropy-driven grain boundary segregation is discussed for several model examples in iron-based systems, which can serve as indirect evidence of the phenomenon. It is shown that entropy-driven grain boundary segregation would be a further step beyond the recently proposed entropy-dominated grain boundary segregation as it represents solute segregation at "anti-segregation" sites

Electrochemically enabled oxidative aromatization of pyrazolines

Pyrazoles are a very important structural motif widely found in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. An electrochemically enabled approach for the sustainable synthesis of pyrazoles via oxidative aromatization of pyrazolines is presented. Inexpensive sodium chloride is employed in a dual role as a redox mediator and supporting electrolyte in a biphasic system (aqueous/organic). The method is applicable to a broad scope and can be conducted in the simplest electrolysis set-up using carbon-based electrodes. Hence, the method allows for simple work-up strategies such as extraction and crystallization, which enables application of this green synthetic route on a technically relevant scale. This is underlined by demonstration of a multi-gram scale electrolysis without loss in yield

Differenzierung probiotischer Bakterien

Die Fourier-Transform-Infrarot-(FTIR)-Spektroskopie ist prinzipiell in der Lage, Mikroorganismen auf Stammesebene zu trennen und zu differenzieren. Das Projekt hat zum Inhalt, bestehende FT-IR-Datenbanken um handelsübliche probiotische Futterzusatzstoffe zu erweitern. Nach der erfolgreichen Erarbeitung einer Datenbank zur sicheren Differenzierung von ubiquitären und probiotischen B. cereus-Stämmen wurden die Datenbanken um probiotische Sporenbildner der Spezies B. subtilis und B. licheniformis sowie um probiotische Milchsäurebakterien (Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Pediococcus) erweitert. Alle probiotischen Stämme lassen sich sicher von ubiquitär vorkommenden Mikrooganismen der gleichen Spezies trennen, zumeist gelingt auch die Differenzierung der Probiotika untereinander. Diese einfache, preiswerte, schnelle und dennoch exakte Methode stellt einen enormen Fortschritt für die Futtermittelmikrobiologie dar

Electrochemical synthesis of pyrazolines and pyrazoles via [3+2] dipolar cycloaddition

Pyrazolines and pyrazoles are common and important motifs of pharmaceutical agents and agrochemicals. Herein, the first electrochemical approach for their direct synthesis from easily accessible hydrazones and dipolarophiles up to decagram scale is presented. The application of a biphasic system (aqueous/organic) even allows for the conversion of highly sensitive alkenes, wherein inexpensive sodium iodide is employed in a dual role as supporting electrolyte and mediator. In addition, mechanistic insight into the reaction is given by the isolation of key step intermediates. The relevance of the presented reaction is underlined by the synthesis of commercial herbicide safener mefenpyr-diethyl in good yields

Electrochemical Synthesis of Isoxazoles and Isoxazolines via Anodic Oxidation of Oximes

Isoxazol(in)es are widely featured structural motifs in natural products, agrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals. The first intermolecular approach for a direct electrochemical synthesis from readily available aldoximes is reported. Isoxazoles and isoxazolines were obtained in yields up to 81 %. The synthesis is carried out in an undivided cell as the simplest electrochemical set-up and requires only the use of electric current as traceless oxidizing agent. The application of inexpensive and widely available electrode materials in combination with recyclable supporting electrolytes and solvents paves the path for translation of the presented reaction onto preparative scale. This is underlined by successful scale-up to multi-gram runs

Mutation analysis of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in Iranian high risk breast cancer families

Background: Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme that synthesises telomeres after cell division and maintains chromosomal stability leading to cellular immortalization. Telomerase has been associated with negative prognostic indicators in some studies. The present study aims to detect any association between telomerase sub-units: hTERT and hTR and the prognostic indicators including tumour's size and grade, nodal status and patient's age. Methods: Tumour samples from 46 patients with primary invasive breast cancer and 3 patients with benign tumours were collected. RT-PCR analysis was used for the detection of hTR, hTERT, and PGM1 (as a housekeeping) genes expression. Results: The expression of hTR and hTERT was found in 31(67.4%) and 38 (82.6%) samples respectively. We observed a significant association between hTR gene expression and younger age at diagnosis (p = 0.019) when comparing patients ≤ 40 years with those who are older than 40 years. None of the benign tumours expressed hTR gene. However, the expression of hTERT gene was revealed in 2 samples. No significant association between hTR and hTERT expression and tumour's grade, stage and nodal status was seen. Conclusion: The expression of hTR and hTERT seems to be independent of tumour's stage. hTR expression probably plays a greater role in mammary tumourogenesis in younger women (≤ 40 years) and this may have therapeutic implications in the context of hTR targeting strategies