Intracellular S. aureus in Osteoblasts in a Clinical Sample from a Patient with Chronic Osteomyelitis—A Case Report

The pathophysiological role of intracellular bacteria in osteomyelitis is still a matter of debate. Here, we demonstrate for the first time the presence of Staphylococcus aureus internalized into osteoblasts in human tissue samples of a case with a chronic osteomyelitis using ultrastructural transmission electron microscope analysis.

Comparison of Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation Efficiency and Toxicity Evaluations of CeO2 Nanoparticles Synthesized Through Double-Modulation

We demonstrated that Fe/Cr doped and pH-modified CeO2 nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit enhanced photocatalytic performance as compared to bare CeO2 NPs, using photocatalytic degradation. To assess the toxicity level of these double-modified CeO2 NPs on the human skin, they were introduced into HaCaT cells. The results of our conventional cellular toxicity assays (neutral red uptake and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide for assays) indicated that Cr@CeOx NPs prompt severe negative effects on the viability of human cells. Moreover, the results obtained by scanning transmission X-ray microscopy and bio-transmission electron microscope analysis showed that most of the NPs were localized outside the nucleus of the cells. Thus, serious genetic toxicity was unlikely. Overall, this study highlights the need to prevent the development of Cr@CeOx NP toxicity. Moreover, further research should aim to improve the photocatalytic properties and activity of these NPs while accounting for their stability issues.

Influence of Laser-Assisted Fusing on Microstructural Evolution and Tribological Properties of NiWCrSiB Coating

The present study examines the applicability of a diode laser-assisted fusing treatment and a temperature-control system to the NiWCrSiB thermal spray coating to develop the enhanced wear resistance of continuous-casting molds. As a result of the use of the lasers, the variations in the microstructure and the hardening behavior during the fusing treatment could be controlled. Fine secondary phases (approximately 0.05–10 μm in size) homogeneously present in the coating after the laser-assisted fusing were observed to be Cr-, Mo- and W-based carbides and borides. Transmission electron microscope analysis was used to characterize these fine secondary phases as M7C3 and M23C6 carbides and M5B3 boride. Because of these fine secondary phases, the hardness increased from 730 (as-sprayed status) to 1230 HV (after fusing at a temperature of 1473 K). Finally, given the formation of fine secondary phases and the occurrence of surface hardening, the laser-assisted fusing treatment was deemed to enhance the tribological performance of the thermal-sprayed coating, in that it exhibited a lower coefficient of friction and lower wear rate than the as-sprayed coating.

Microstructure of Interfacial Basal Plane Dislocations in 4H-SiC Epilayers

As SiC power devices are being developed toward ultrahigh-voltage bipolar structures, the density of basal plane dislocations in SiC epilayers has to be minimized. In this work, a special category of basal plane dislocations, i.e. interfacial dislocations, was investigated. Their etch pits were detected at the interface and the microstructure was revealed by cross-section transmission electron microscope analysis.

Contamination Particles and Plasma Etching Behavior of Atmospheric Plasma Sprayed Y2O3 and YF3 Coatings under NF3 Plasma

Yttrium oxide (Y2O3) and yttrium oxyfluoride (YO0.6F2.1) protective coatings were prepared by an atmospheric plasma spraying technique. The coatings were exposed to a NF3 plasma. After the NF3 plasma treatment, the mass loss of the coatings showed that the etching rate of YO0.6F2.1 was larger than that of the Y2O3. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that YO0.5F1.9 was present in the Y2O3 coating, whereas YO0.4F2.2 was present in the YO0.6F2.1 coating. Transmission electron microscope analysis conducted on contamination particles generated during the plasma etching showed that both coatings were mainly composed of YFx. The contamination particles estimated by in-situ particle monitoring sensor revealed that the YO0.6F2.1 compared with the Y2O3 coatings produced 65% fewer contamination particles.

Synthesis of Cadmium Sulfide Nanoparticles by Biomass of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici

This study describes extracellular biosynthesis of cadmium sulfide quantum dots by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. Mycelia was incubated with a cadmium sulfate solution at 30°C and after 12 days the mixture became yellow, then the biomass was discarded through paper filtration. The filtrate containing extracellular cadmium sulfide quantum dots displayed increased UV-Vis absorption from 300 - 500 nm and fluorescence at 520 nm which was not shown when incubated without cadmium sulfide, thus indicating the presence of biologically synthesized quantum dots. Transmission electron microscope analysis of biologically synthesized quantum dots evinced individual 2 - 6 nm diameter circular nanoparticles of uniform size. Energy dispersive spectroscopy confirmed the presence of S and Cd. Additionally, this study showed the relevance in the use of positive and negative controls when evaluating the biosynthesis of CdS quantum dots using UV-Vis and fluorescence spectrophotometry.

Ultrastructure study of Vanda Kasem's Delight orchid's protocorm-like body

ABSTRACT Growing orchids has been classified as an international business since it covers 8% of the world floriculture trade. Thus, large-scale micropropagation of orchid using tissue culture techniques and improvement of some essential traits, such as resistances to various diseases and pests, and tolerances to environmental stresses, such as low temperatures and low light intensities, via genetic engineering acknowledged the orchids as one of the top ten cut flowers. Protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) are excellent explants for clonal propagation, artificial seeds development and genetic engineering since they are organized and easily regenerable somatic embryos that propagate rapidly. Vanda Kasem's Delight hybrid orchid's PLBs derived from shoot tip culture were examined in order to understand the fundamental ultrastructure of PLB. Examination of the cross sections of PLB revealed that PLB is made of a discrete bipolar structure that contains anterior and posterior meristems. Actively dividing meristem cells and outer layer lined by several rows of small and isodiametric cells with a dense cytoplasm and a prominent nucleus were also observed via cytological studies. Scanning Electron Microscope investigations revealed that the surface of PLBs is occupied by vertically positioned branched trichome appendages and regularly spaced stomatal openings with two guard cells. Organelles such as mitochondria of various sizes, shapes and biconvex chloroplast in the cytoplasm were revealed by Transmission Electron Microscope analysis. Hence, inheriting actively dividing cells, and bestowed with elements related to transpiration, photosynthesis and energy synthesizing power house makes PLB a suitable explant for micropropagation and genetic engineering studies.

Invisible Defect Root Cause Identification with Electrical and Chemical Analyses

As semiconductor technology keeps scaling down, the conventional physical failure analysis processes have faced increasing challenges and encountered low success rate. It is not only because the defect causing a failure becomes tinier and tinier, but also because some of these defects themselves are invisible. Electrical nano-probing with narrowing down a defect to a single transistor has greatly increased the likeliness of finding a tiny defect in subsequent TEM (transmission Electron Microscope) analysis. However, there is still an increasing trend of encountering an invisible defect at most advanced technology nodes. This paper will present how to identify the root causes of three such invisible defects with the combination of electrical nano-probing and TEM chemical analysis.

Effect of Calcinations on Characterizations of Fabricated Nano Manganese Ferrite

A citric acid anionic surfactant has been applied for nano manganese ferrite (MnFeO3) fabrication using sol gel method. The calcinations have been varied for 300, 600 and 800oC. The UVDR (UV-Vis Diffused Reflectance) analysis shows a high absorptive band gap after 400 nm for the 600oC calcinated MnFeO3. The DTA (Differential Thermal Analysis) profiles exhibit remarkably trapped volatile matters (H2O, CO2, and NO2) in the fabricated MnFeO3 under sol gel heat treatment at 100oC and the peaks disappeared as the calcination increased to 600oC. As the temperature elevated from 100 to 300oC, the absorption peaks of volatile components are disappeared as demonstrated clearly by the FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectra of the fabricated material, which 3393 cm-1 corresponded to OH group, 1624 cm-1 to CO group, and 1384 cm-1 to NO group. The XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) spectra show clearly the alteration process from amorphous to crystalline structure as the calcinations increased from 300 to 600oC. In addition, the TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope) analysis exhibits parts of the fabricated MnFeO3 found in cubic nano size of 15-40 nm under interested calcinations and the result is in agreement with that obtained by XRD investigation.