Effect of Particle Size and pH Value of Slurry on Chemical Mechanical Polishing of SiO2 Film

This study investigated the effects of particle size and pH of SiO2-based slurry on chemical mechanical polishing for SiO2 film. It was found that the removal rates and surface roughness of the material was highly dependent on the particle size and pH. As the particle size varied, the main polishing mechanism provided the activation energy to mechanical erasure. In addition, pH affected the particle size and Zeta potential, which had an important effect on the strength of the mechanical and chemical action of the chemical mechanical polishing. The change in mechanical action greatly influenced the removal rate. According to the experimental results, the best polishing of SiO2 film was achieved with 40 nm particle size SiO2 abrasives when the pH was 4.

From Extrapolation to Precision Chemical Hazard Assessment: The Ecdysone Receptor Case Study

Hazard assessment strategies are often supported by extrapolation of damage probabilities, regarding chemical action and species susceptibilities. Yet, growing evidence suggests that an adequate sampling of physiological responses across a representative taxonomic scope is of paramount importance. This is particularly relevant for Nuclear Receptors (NR), a family of transcription factors, often triggered by ligands and thus, commonly exploited by environmental chemicals. Within NRs, the ligand-induced Ecdysone Receptor (EcR) provides a remarkable example. Long regarded as arthropod specific, this receptor has been extensively targeted by pesticides, seemingly innocuous to non-target organisms. Yet, current evidence clearly suggests a wider presence of EcR orthologues across metazoan lineages, with unknown physiological consequences. Here, we address the state-of-the-art regarding the phylogenetic distribution and functional characterization of metazoan EcRs and provide a critical analysis of the potential disruption of such EcRs by environmental chemical exposure. Using EcR as a case study, hazard assessment strategies are also discussed in view of the development of a novel “precision hazard assessment paradigm.

Temperature Regulates Stability, Ligand Binding (Mg2+ and ATP) and Stoichiometry of GroEL/GroES Complexes

Chaperonins are nanomachines that harness ATP hydrolysis to power and catalyze protein folding, chemical action that is directly linked to the maintenance of cell function through protein folding/refolding and assembly. GroEL and the GroEL-GroES complex are archetypal examples of such protein folding machines. Here, variable-temperature-electrospray ionization (vT-ESI) native mass spectrometry is used to delineate the effects of solution temperature and ATP concentrations on the stabilities of GroEL and GroEL/GroES complexes. The results show clear evidences for destabilization of both GroEL14 and GroES7 at temperatures of 50 oC and 45 oC, respectively, substantially below the previously reported melting temperature (Tm ~ 70 oC). This destabilization is accompanied by temperature-dependent reaction products that have previously unreport-ed stoichiometries, viz. GroEL14-GroESx-ATPy, where x = 1, 2, 8 and y = 0, 1, 2, that are also dependent on Mg2+ and ATP concentrations. Variable-temperature native mass spectrometry reveals new insights about the stability of GroEL in response to several environmental effects: (i) temperature-dependent ATP binding to GroEL (ii) effects of temperature as well as Mg2+ and ATP concentrations on the stoichiometry of the GroEL-GroES complex, with Mg2+ showing greater effects compared to ATP; and, (iii) a change in the temperature-dependent stoichiometries of the GroEL-GroES complex (GroEL14-GroES7 vs GroEL14-GroES8) between 24 to 56 oC. The similarities between results obtained using native MS and cryo-EM (Clare et al., An expanded protein folding cage in the GroEL-gp31 complex. J Mol Biol 2006, 358, 905-11; Ranson et al., Allosteric signaling of ATP hydrolysis in GroEL–GroES complexes. Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol. 2006, 13, 147-152.) underscores the util-ity of native MS for investigations of molecular machines as well as identification of key intermediates involved in the chaperone-assisted protein folding cycle.

On the incorporation of nano TiO2 to inhibit concrete deterioration in the marine environment

To develop high deterioration resistance concrete for marine infrastructures, two types of nano TiO2 (NT) including anatase phase NT and silica surface-treated rutile phase NT were incorporated into concrete. The fabricated NT modified concrete was then put into the marine environment for 21 months in this study. The effects and mechanisms of two types of NT on the deterioration of concrete in the marine environment were investigated from three aspects, including seawater physical and biological and chemical actions on concrete with NT. Under the seawater physical action, the exposed degree of coarse sand particles on the surface of control concrete is greater than that of concrete with NT. Owing to the microorganism biodegradation property of NT, the elimination and inhibition rates of concrete with NT on microorganisms can reach up to 76.98% and 96.81%, respectively. In addition, the surface biofilm thickness of concrete can be reduced by 49.13% due to the inclusion of NT. In the aspect of seawater chemical action, NT can increase the pH value inside concrete by 0.81, increase the degree of polymerization of C-S-H gel, and improve the interfacial transition zone between cement paste and aggregate in concrete. Compared to concrete with anatase phase NT, silica surface-treated rutile phase NT is more effective in improving the deterioration resistance of concrete in the marine environment. It can be concluded that incorporating NT can inhibit the deterioration of concrete in the marine environment.

Review of the Effects of Supplementary Cementitious Materials and Chemical Additives on the Physical, Mechanical and Durability Properties of Hydraulic Concrete

Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and chemical additives (CA) are incorporated to modify the properties of concrete. In this paper, SCMs such as fly ash (FA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), silica fume (SF), rice husk ash (RHA), sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA), and tire-derived fuel ash (TDFA) admixed concretes are reviewed. FA (25–30%), GGBS (50–55%), RHA (15–20%), and SBA (15%) are safely used to replace Portland cement. FA requires activation, while GGBS has undergone in situ activation, with other alkalis present in it. The reactive silica in RHA and SBA readily reacts with free Ca(OH)2 in cement matrix, which produces the secondary C-S-H gel and gives strength to the concrete. SF addition involves both physical contribution and chemical action in concrete. TDFA contains 25–30% SiO2 and 30–35% CaO, and is considered a suitable secondary pozzolanic material. In this review, special emphasis is given to the various chemical additives and their role in protecting rebar from corrosion. Specialized concrete for novel applications, namely self-curing, self-healing, superhydrophobic, electromagnetic (EM) wave shielding and self-temperature adjusting concretes, are also discussed.

Temperature Regulates Stability, Ligand Binding (Mg2+ and ATP) and Stoichiometry of GroEL/GroES Complexes

Chaperonins are nanomachines that harness ATP hydrolysis to power and catalyze protein folding, chemical action that is directly linked to the maintenance of cell function through protein folding/refolding and assembly. GroEL and the GroEL-GroES complex are archetypal examples of such protein folding machines. Here, variable-temperature-electrospray ionization (vT-ESI) native mass spectrometry is used to delineate the effects of solution temperature and ATP concentrations on the stabilities of GroEL and GroEL/GroES complexes. The results show clear evidences for de-stabilization of both GroEL14 and GroES7 at temperatures of 50 oC and 45 oC, respectively, substantially below the pre-viously reported melting temperature (Tm ~ 70 oC). This destabilization is accompanied by temperature-dependent reaction products that have previously unreported stoichiometries, viz. GroEL14-GroESx-ATPy, where x = 1, 2, 8 and y = 0, 1, 2, that are also dependent on Mg2+ and ATP concentrations. Variable-temperature native mass spectrometry re-veals new insights about the stability of GroEL in response to several environmental effects: (i) temperature-dependent ATP binding to GroEL (ii) effects of temperature as well as Mg2+ and ATP concentrations on the stoichiome-try of the GroEL-GroES complex, with Mg2+ showing greater effects compared to ATP; and, (iii) a change in the temper-ature-dependent stoichiometries of the GroEL-GroES complex (GroEL14-GroES7 vs GroEL14-GroES8) between 24 to 56 oC. The similarities between results obtained using native MS and cryo-EM (Clare et al., An expanded protein folding cage in the GroEL-gp31 complex. J. Mol. Biol. 2006, 358, 905-11; Ranson et al., Allosteric signaling of ATP hydrolysis in GroEL–GroES complexes. Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol. 2006, 13, 147-152.) underscores the utility of native MS for investiga-tions of molecular machines as well as identification of key intermediates involved in the chaperone-assisted protein folding cycle.

Temperature, osmotic and acidic activity of infusion solutions as an integral part of their mechanism of action

A review of the literature shows that the physical-chemical properties of infusion solutions can be an integral part of the mechanism of their local action on the routes of administration. This new scientific and practical direction in clinical pharmacology was born at the end of the 20th century in Russia. Initially, it was found that isotonic solutions of glucose, mannitol, and sodium chloride with different temperatures have different local effects on the metabolism and viability of isolated biological objects such as mitochondria and blood plasma. At the same time, it was shown that increasing the temperature of solutions from +37 to +45C accelerates the metabolism of these biological objects, increases their reactivity and enhances their response to the action of many drugs-activators of metabolism and function. And vice versa, lowering the temperature of these solutions from +37 to +20C and below (up to 0C) slows down their metabolism, reduces their reactivity, weakens their response to the action of drugs-activators of metabolism and function, and also increases survival in conditions of ischemia and hypoxia. These results allowed us to recommend warm infusion solutions as universal means of activating aerobic metabolism in tissues and the response of tissues to drugs with local physical-chemical action, and cold infusion solutions as universal means of inhibiting aerobic metabolism in tissues and increasing the resistance of tissues to the action of drugs on them. Following this, it was shown that many infusion solutions do not have isoosmotic activity, since the osmotic activity of drugs is not controlled. Therefore, one part of the solutions has hypotonic activity, and the other part has hypertonic activity. Therefore, sometimes the infusion solution can increase the hypoosmotic or hyperosmotic activity of the blood plasma. Then it was shown that the absolute majority of infusion solutions do not have a pH of 7.4. At the same time, very many infusion solutions have acidic activity, so they have an acidifying effect on the blood. The chronology of the development of inventions based on the achievements of the physical-chemical pharmacology of infusion agents is shown.

Influence of H2O on Oxygen Enriched Diffusion Combustion of Natural Gas

O2/H2O combustion technology, as the next generation of oxy-fuel combustion technology with great potential, can greatly increase the utilization rate of clean energy CH4. In this paper, the natural gas combustion process under 6 operating conditions of O2/H2O atmosphere and O2/FH2O atmosphere is numerically simulated. The horizontal analysis is carried out on the characteristics of H2O fraction, CO2 volume fraction and the amount of pollutants (NOx, carbon black), and in-depth exploration of the content of additive H2O and the influence of chemical action on the above characteristics. The research results show that the chemical effects of H2O have a negative effect on combustion temperature, and the physical effects are dominant. The chemical effects of H2O have a great impact on CO production and little effect on the production of CO when the proportion of H2O is 65-79%. The chemical effects of H2O inhibit the formation of NOx and carbon black when the proportion of H2O is within the range of 55-70%. The chemical effect has the greatest impact on the formation of dyes (NOx, carbon black) when the proportion of H2O is within the range of 65-70%.

OPERATION OF WELLS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEPLOSING ASPHALT-RESINS

Эксплуатация многих месторождений осложнена наличием в нефти асфальтно-смолистых веществ(АСВ) и их выпадением на внутренней поверхности скважинного и наземного оборудования. Это приводит к существенному уменьшению добычи нефти, вплоть до полного прекращения притока из пласта. В статье рассмотрены методы предотвращения осадков АСВ и их удаления с внутренней поверхности оборудования. В качестве приоритетных методов борьбы с асфальтно -смолистых веществ (АСВ) авторами предлагаются методы химического воздействия. The operation of many fields is complicated by the presence of asphalt-resinous substances (ASV) in oil and their precipitation on the inner surface of downhole and surface equipment. This leads to a significant decrease in oil production, up to the complete cessation of inflow from the reservoir. The article discusses methods for preventing DIA precipitation and their removal from the inner surface of the equipment. The authors propose methods of chemical action as priority methods for combating asphalt-resinous substances (ASV).

Mechanical Properties and Corrosion Resistance of TiAl6V4 Alloy Produced with SLM Technique and Used for Customized Mesh in Bone Augmentations

Bone augmentation procedures represent a real clinical challenge. One option is the use of titanium meshes. Additive manufacturing techniques can provide custom-made devices in titanium alloy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the material used, which can influence the outcomes of the bone augmentation procedure. Specific test samples were obtained from two different manufacturers with two different shapes: surfaces without perforations and with calibrated perforations. Three-point bending tests were run as well as internal friction tests to verify the Young’s modulus. Test samples were placed in two different buffered solutions and analyzed with optical microscopy. A further SEM analysis was done to observe any microstructural modification. Three-point flexural tests were conducted on 12 specimens. Initial bending was observed at lower applied stresses for the perforated samples (503 MPa) compared to non-perforated ones (900 MPa); the ultimate flexural strength was registered at 513 MPa and 1145 MPa for perforated and non-perforated samples, respectively. Both microscopic analyses (optical and SEM) showed no significant alterations. Conclusions: A normal masticatory load cannot modify the device. Chemical action in the case of exposure does not create macroscopic and microscopic alterations of the surface.