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Nanocrystalline SrHAp material with good antimicrobial properties
No full textThis study aimed to investigate the synthesis of strontium-doped nanocrystalline
hydroxyapatite (SrHAp) using an eco-friendly method and to assess the antimicrobial
properties of the resulting material. Strontium and calcium acetates were used as
precursors for synthesizing SrHAp. The synthesized nanomaterial was characterized
using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), inductively coupled plasma optical emission
spectrometry (ICP-OES), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy
(TEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and determination of the point
of zero charge.
The antimicrobial properties of SrHAp were tested against selected pathogenic
yeast and both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The XRD results, combined
with FT-IR spectroscopy, confirmed the successful synthesis of pure monocrystalline
SrHAp. SEM images revealed two predominant morphologies: nanorods and prismatic
shapes of Sr-doped hydroxyapatite. ICP-OES was employed to confirm the presence of
calcium, strontium, and phosphorus, as well as the typical calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in
hydroxyapatite.
TEM images indicated that the rod-shaped nanocrystals of SrHAp are
interconnected, forming elongated grains measuring 25 by 10 nm. The material exhibited
a positive surface charge (point of zero charge, pHPZC, near 10), which is essential for
effective antimicrobial properties. Despite variations in antimicrobial efficacy based on
selectivity and material quantity, the eco-friendly synthesized SrHAp shows promise for
effectively controlling targeted microbial contamination, such as Staphylococcus aureus,
Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella Enteritidis.16th ECerS Conference for Young Scientists in Ceramics, October 15-18, 2025, Novi Sad, Serbia
Extraction of gully boundaries in forested terrain using high-resolution UAV LiDAR data
No full textInternational Conference on Recent Trends in Geoscience Research and
Applications 2025 Belgrade, Serbia, 15–19 September 2025
Identifying Molecular Modulators of the Vascular Invasion in Rectal Carcinoma: Role of ADAMTS8 and Its Co-Dependent Genes
No full textRectal carcinoma (RC) represents approximately 30% of all colorectal carcinomas (CRC) and is considered a distinct clinical entity. Vascular invasion (VI) is recognized as an independent predictor of poor outcomes in RC. In this study, we applied bioinformatics methods to identify gene pathways most likely associated with VI in rectal carcinoma. As ADAMTS8 showed statistically significant negative relations with the VI in RC patients, we further analyzed its top co-dependent genes—DNAL4, EVI2B, PPP1R35, PTGR3, RPL21, SOX4, and ZNF3—for the experimentally proven molecular modulators. We identified a total of 23 compounds from the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database based on previously reported data for all eight target genes. The search was expanded to include additional chemical agents by structure similarity using the PubChem database, which revealed 9661 additional compounds. These were subsequently used for molecular interaction analysis against target proteins co-expressed with, or associated with, ADAMTS8 in RC with VI. Ultimately, we identified four high-affinity compounds—cyanoginosin LR, doxorubicin, benzo[a]pyrene, and dibenzo(a,e)pyrene—that interacted with all target proteins. These compounds show potential for further assessment of their role in modulating processes related to vascular invasion, which is a strong negative predictor of RC outcomes. © 2025 by the authors
A comprehensible approach to enhanced photocatalytic efficiency of boron-doped carbon quantum dots: organic dyes compared to herbicides
No full textBoron-doped carbon quantum dots (B-CQDs) have emerged as promising photocatalysts due to their tunable electronic properties, strong visible light absorption, and high stability. This study investigates the photocatalytic activity of B-CQDs for the degradation of organic dyes, such as rose bengal, and herbicides, including fluroxypyr, clomazone, and Quinmerac, under UV light irradiation. The research aims to elucidate the mechanisms governing the photocatalytic efficiency of B-CQDs and to compare their performance in degrading structurally diverse pollutants. The results indicate that B-CQDs exhibit significantly higher photocatalytic activity toward organic dyes compared to herbicides. This enhanced performance is attributed to the strong adsorption of dyes on the B-CQD surface, the susceptibility of their chromophores to reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the potential synergistic photosensitization effects of the dyes. In contrast, the chemical stability and weaker adsorption of herbicides limit their degradation efficiency, despite the ROS generation capabilities of B-CQDs. These findings highlight the potential of B-CQDs as efficient photocatalysts for environmental remediation, particularly for the treatment of dye-laden wastewater. However, the study also emphasizes the challenges associated with degrading more stable pollutants like herbicides, pointing to the need for further optimization of catalyst design and process conditions. This research advances understanding of B-CQD photocatalysis and offers insights into their selective environmental application
Vibe of Wildness and Death: A Multidisciplinary Study of the Arena Wall Decoration of the Amphitheater in Viminacium (Kostolac, Serbia)
No full textThis paper focuses on the study of the arena wall decoration in the amphitheater at the archaeological site of Viminacium. The architectural characteristics of the amphitheater, along with the spectacle iconography, have made this finding one of the most interesting discoveries at Viminacium, as well as in a wider context. A multidisciplinary approach that included an iconographic and archaeological study, as well as Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF), X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD), and Raman and Fourier-transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis, was applied to determine the palette of the pigments used for the arena wall decoration and understand the iconography and its context in more detail. Among the commonly used earth pigments (yellow, red, brown, and green colors), copper-based pigments (green and blue Egyptian blue), and the most precious ones for the period—namely, cinnabar and lapis lazuli—were identified. The applied analytical techniques enabled a tentative suggestion of the origin of the raw materials of some of the pigments that were used, such as marine sediments or rocks from different destinations. Due to the fact that the Viminacium amphitheater constitutes a typical example of a provincial building reserved for public spectacles, the results of this study will significantly contribute to our understanding of the function of the amphitheaters in the Danubian region, as well as throughout the Roman world
Heart Failure Detection Using Photoplethysmography and Deep Learning
No full textHeart failure is widespread, high-mortality condition that is difficult to diagnose early and requires costly clinical evaluations and treatments. This study explores heart failure detection and subtype classification using only photoplethysmogram signals. A 1D convolutional neural network was trained on 13,550 PPG beats from 82 subjects. The model achieved moderate accuracy (63.5 % binary, 41.6 % multiclass). The results highlight the limitations of using deep learning-based methods with PPG-only datasets of modest size
Comprehensive spectroscopic and morphological analysis of the effects exerted by different acids on Pig bone: Forensic aspect
No full textDemineralization of the chemically treated pig shoulder bone in hydrochloric, hydrofluoric, and acetic acid was monitored by ATR-FTIR, Raman, and LIBS spectroscopies and SEM-EDX technique. SEM-EDX analysis showed reduced calcium and phosphorus content after the treatment with acids and erosion of the overall morphology of the bone compared to the sample kept in water. Alterations in bone structure during the 14-day-long immersion in acid solutions indicated significant chemical changes in the obtained spectra. Fourier deconvolution applied in the amide I (1700–1600 cm−1), phosphate (900–1200 cm−1), and carbonate (500–650 cm−1) region indicated the presence of different components in the bone sample, depending on the environment and acid concentration, providing information about the composition. Parameters such as mineral-to-matrix ratio, crystallinity index, and carbonate-to-phosphate ratio were calculated and compared using ATR-FTIR and Raman data. These parameters were also correlated with calcium ionic-to-atomic and phosphorous-to-carbon line intensities obtained from LIBS spectra. Calcium and phosphorus atomic contents obtained by SEM-EDX analysis were in agreement with LIBS data. The results suggested that an increase in acid concentration has primarily affected the phosphate band's intensity and structure, as the phosphate content was more susceptible to demineralization. Hydrochloric acid was proven to be a more powerful demineralization agent than hydrofluoric and acetic acids. The results of this study could be further applied to the investigation of the bone remains at the crime scene, especially when their removal is attempted by immersion in acid solutions. © 2024 Elsevier B.V
Effect of La3+ and Eu3+ doping on the structural, microstructural, and ferroelectric properties of bismuth ferrite ceramics
No full textThis work investigates a series of ten ceramic samples with the compositions Bi1-xLaxFeO3 (x = 0.05, 0.10, 0.15), Bi1-yEuyFeO3 (y = 0.05, 0.10, 0.15), and Bi1-(x + y)LaxEuyFeO3 (x = y = 0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075). The samples were synthesized through a hydro-evaporation method and subsequently subjected to sintering at 835 °C. The focus was on the relationship between the samples' structural and microstructural properties and their ferroelectric behavior. The study also emphasized the distinct effects of the La3+ and Eu3+ dopant ions on the material properties, contributing to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms influencing ferroelectricity in these complex ceramic systems. XRD analysis revealed that all lanthanum and europium substituted bismuth ferrite ceramics had the rhombohedral (R3c) structure as the dominant one, while the samples doped with 15 mol% of dopant ions contained the orthorhombic phases as well. The partial substitution of Bi3+ ions with 10 mol% of La3+ or Eu3+ and 15 mol% of La3+ resulted in significantly enhanced ferroelectric responses. These compositions showed larger remnant polarizations, higher coercive fields, and nearly square-shaped hysteresis curves compared to the undoped and other doped samples. The Bi0.85La0.15FeO3 sample demonstrated the highest remnant electric polarization (Pr = 24 μC/cm2) when subjected to a 160 kV/cm electric field. Due to its unique structural and microstructural properties, the material exhibited nearly saturated hysteresis loops under high electric fields, accompanied by minimal leakage currents. The Bi0.85Eu0.15FeO3 and Bi0.85La0.075Eu0.075FeO3 samples exhibited poor ferroelectric responses due to non-polar, orthorhombic structures in their composition. Generally, La and Eu-doping significantly reduced the leakage current densities of bismuth ferrite owing to a decrease in the concentration of oxygen vacancies, which are known to be a primary cause of electric conductivity in undoped ceramics. © 202
Pigments and Near-Infrared Phosphors Based on Mn5+
No full textThe optical properties of Mn5+ ions, which are responsible for the intense green–turquoise–blue coloration of Mn5+-based pigments and the near-infrared emission of phosphors, are the focus of this article. Mn5+ ions enter crystalline matrices in four-fold coordinated positions and can maintain their 5+ valence state when crystalline hosts meet the conditions described in this work. Mn5+ ions have [Ar]3d2 electronic configuration and always experience a strong crystal field due to a high electric charge; therefore, their lower electronic states have the 3A2 < 1E < 1A1 < 3T2 < 3T1 progression in energy. We present the properties of several Mn5+-based pigments and discuss the electronic transitions responsible for their coloration. Specifically, we show that the color is determined by the spin-allowed 3A2 → 3T1(3F) absorption, which extends across the orange–red–deep red spectral region and is strongly influenced by crystal field strength. The narrow-band emission Mn5+-activated near-infrared phosphors arise from the spin-forbidden 1E → 3A2 transition, whose energy is independent of the crystal field strength and determined by the nephelauxetic effect. We demonstrate the linear relationship between 1E state energy and the nephelauxetic parameter β1 using Racah parameter literature data for Mn5+ phosphors. Lastly, we address the recent applications of these Mn5+ phosphors in luminescence thermometry. © 2025 by the authors
Sustainable two-step polyelectrolyte complex for flame retardant nylon-cotton fabric
No full textBlended nylon-cotton (NYCO) fabric is frequently used due to its unique combination of comfort and strength, but it suffers from high flammability. Flame-retardant NYCO is created by applying a simple two-step process of an eco-friendly, water-based polyelectrolyte complex consisting of egg white proteins (EWP), pectin (P), and guanidine phosphate (GP). The addition of GP to the EWP/P system facilitates charge screening of the P macromolecule, allowing a sufficient coating to form and impart flame-retardant properties to the fabric. The NYCO fabric coated with a positively charged 4% EWP solution at pH 3 and a negatively charged 1% P + 20% GP solution at pH 3 exhibits self-extinguishing behavior during vertical flame testing and retains mechanical properties similar to those of the uncoated fabric. This coating modifies the thermal degradation behavior of NYCO by promoting the formation of an intumescent charred layer that protects the fabric from further decomposition. As a result, the coated fabric shows 10.8% residue at 700 °C in air and 29.2% in nitrogen, which is significantly higher than the uncoated fabric, which retains only 2.5% residue in air and 10.4% in nitrogen. Additionally, the coated fabric releases 32.6% less heat and exhibits a 37.9% reduction in fire growth capacity. This simple and completely bio-based coating provides an effective and benign way to protect this important class of textiles from fire. © 2025 The Royal Society of Chemistry