The paper corresponds to the session organised by the IAU inter-commission B2-B5 working group “Laboratory Astrophysics Data Compilation, Validation and Standardization: from the Laboratory to FAIR usage in the Astronomical Community” at the IAU 2022 General Assembly. The session included talks about the usage and implementation of FAIR concepts in VAMDC and in the IVOA, then domain specific talks oriented towards planetology, dust and ices. The program (doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7050654) and the various talks can be found in the ZENODO “cb5-labastro” community (zenodo.org/communities/cb5-labastro).

The building of online atomic and molecular databases for astrophysics and for other research fields started with the beginning of the internet. These databases have encompassed different forms: databases of individual research groups exposing their own data, databases providing collected data from the refereed literature, databases providing evaluated compilations, databases providing repositories for individuals to deposit their data, and so on. They were, and are, the replacement for literature compilations with the goal of providing more complete and in particular easily accessible data services to the users communities. Such initiatives involve not only scientific work on the data, but also the characterization of data, which comes with the “standardization” of metadata and of the relations between metadata, as recently developed in different communities. This contribution aims at providing a representative overview of the atomic and molecular databases ecosystem, which is available to the astrophysical community and addresses different issues linked to the use and management of data and databases. The information provided in this paper is related to the keynote lecture “Atomic and Molecular Databases: Open Science for better science and a sustainable world” whose slides can be found at DOI : doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6979352 on the Zenodo repository connected to the “cb5-labastro” Zenodo Community (https://zenodo.org/communities/cb5-labastro).

This paper gives an overview of the IAU B5 commission session on “Laboratory Astrophysics Activities” at the 2022 IAU General Assembly (GA). It provides a brief overview of the talks that were given in that session. The IAU 2022 GA B5 commission meeting was organised to present Laboratory Astrophysics activities in various parts of the world in an attempt to provide a first step towards a “Global Network of Laboratory Astrophysics Network of Activities and Data”. The program (10.5281/zenodo.7051332) and the presentations can be found in the ZENODO “cb5-labastro” community (https://zenodo.org/communities/cb5-labastro).

The ORGANIC experiment on EXPOSE-R spent 682 days outside the International Space Station, providing continuous exposure to the cosmic-, solar- and trapped-particle radiation background for fourteen samples: 11 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and three fullerenes. The thin films of the ORGANIC experiment received, during space exposure, an irradiation dose of the order of 14 000 MJ m−2 over 2900 h of unshadowed solar illumination. Extensive analyses were performed on the returned samples and the results compared to ground control measurements. Analytical studies of the returned samples included spectral measurements from the vacuum ultraviolet to the infrared range and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. Limited spectral changes were observed in most cases pointing to the stability of PAHs and fullerenes under space exposure conditions. Furthermore, the results of these experiments confirm the known trend in the stability of PAH species according to molecular structure: compact PAHs are more stable than non-compact PAHs, which are themselves more stable than PAHs containing heteroatoms, the last category being the most prone to degradation in the space environment. We estimate a depletion rate of the order of 85 ± 5% over the 17 equivalent weeks of continuous unshadowed solar exposure in the most extreme case tetracene (smallest, non-compact PAH sample). The insignificant spectral changes (below 10%) measured for solid films of large or compact PAHs and fullerenes indicate a high stability under the range of space exposure conditions investigated on EXPOSE-R.

PAHs are among the most commonly proposed and popular candidates for DIB carriers. We present a critical assessment of the PAH-DIB model in view of the progress and the advances that have recently been achieved through a series of complementary studies involving astronomical observations of DIBs, laboratory simulation of interstellar analogs for PAHs (neutrals and ions), space exposure experiments of PAHs, theoretical calculations of PAH spectra and the modeling of diffuse and translucent interstellar clouds. What have we learned from these complementary studies? What are the constraints that can now be derived for the PAHs as DIB carriers? What are the strengths and the weaknesses of the PAH model to account for the DIBs?

We present the first results of an exploratory VLT/X-Shooter survey of near-infrared diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) in diffuse to translucent interstellar clouds. These observations confirm the presence of recently discoved NIR DIBs and provide more accurate rest wavelengths and line widths. Example spectra are shown for the reddened, AV ~ 10 mag, line-of-sight towards the distant binary system 4U 1907+09.

Synthetic biodegradable polymers are commonly used as scaffolds for tissue engineering despite their poor cell adhesion compared to natural polymers. One of the problems in using biodegradable scaffolds is that a higher cell colonization at the scaffold periphery and inadequate colonization at its center is generally noted. Such aspects could seriously compromise the in vivo regeneration of a damaged tissue and, in turn, the success of the implant. Plasma processes have been lately proven as promising scaffold modification techniques. The current work aims at enhancing cell colonization in the core of polymer scaffolds via plasma deposition of coatings with different chemical characteristics. The versatility and ability of plasma processes to modify only the outermost layer of a material can render them competitive with respect to wet chemistry approaches in the field of biomedical materials. In this paper some of the results obtained by plasma processing of 3D interconnected porous polymer scaffolds for Tissue Engineering will be shown. In particular, it will be shown how it is possible to enhance cell adhesion, growth and colonization in porous Polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds where gradient of surface compositions are induced from the external (e.g., hydrophobic, slightly cell-repulsive) to the internal (e.g., hydrophilic, cell-adhesive) side of the scaffolds. 3D scaffolds were modified with several RF (13.56 MHz) deposition and treatment plasma processes. Materials were characterized by means of XPS, and FT-IR techniques. Cell-growth experiments were run with cell-lines to check the efficiency of several treatments to enhance/accelerate cell in-growth inside scaffolds.

The main purpose of Commission 14 is to foster interactions between the astronomical community and those conducting research to provide data vital to reducing and analysing astronomical observations and conducting theoretical investigations. One way that the Commission accomplishes this goal is through triennial compilations on recent relevant research in astronomy, atomic, molecular and solid state physics, and related fields of chemical analysis. The most recent compilations appear in the accompanying set of Commission 14 WG Triennial Reports, which were produced by members of the Working Groups and the Organizing Committee of Commission 14.

The study of molecules in space, known as astrochemistry or molecular astrophysics, is a rapidly growing field. Molecules exist in a wide range of environments in both gaseous and solid form, from our own solar system to the distant early universe. To astronomers, molecules are indispensable and unique probes of the physical conditions and dynamics of regions in which they are detected, especially the interstellar medium. In particular, the many stages of both low-mass and high-mass star formation are better understood today thanks to the analysis of molecular observations. Molecules can also yield a global picture of the past and present of sources. Moreover, molecules affect their environment by contributing to the heating and cooling processes that occur.

Studies of dust analogs formed from hydrocarbon(CH4, C2H2, C2H4, C2H6) and PAH precursors havebeen performed using a new facility that we have developed to simulate interstellar andcircumstellar processes. The species formed in a plasma are detected,characterized andmonitored in situ with high-sensitivity techniques,which provide bothspectroscopic and ion mass information. From these measurements we derive information onthe nature,the size and the structure of dust particles,as well as a betterunderstanding of the growth and destruction processes of extraterrestrial dust.

A new scheme for phagetyping campylobacters has been evaluated using strains isolated from five outbreaks. The phagetyping results have been compared with the results of Penner serotyping, Lior serotyping and Preston biotyping. Phagetyping recognized the causative strains in all of the incidents and also differentiated these strains from animal and environmental strains isolated during these investigations. In some outbreaks phagetyping proved to be more discriminatory than serotyping or biotyping, e.g. strains of Penner serotype 2, and serogroup 4, 13, 16, 50 were subdivided by this method. Phagetyping is to be recommended for typing strains from outbreaks and although the results indicate that it may be used alone we advocate that it should be used in conjunction with one of the established typing methods.

The main purpose of Commission 14 is to foster interactions between the astronomical community and those conducting research on atoms, molecules and solid state particles. One way the Commission accomplishes this goal is through triennial compilations on recent relevant research in atomic, molecular and solid state physics, as well as related chemical fields. The most recent compilations appear in the following set of WG Triennial Reports, which were produced by members of the Working Groups and the Organizing Committee of Commission 14. Before presenting the Reports, we highlight the meetings supported by the Commission.

With the Ultraviolet Visual Echelle Spectrograph mounted at the Very Large Telescope, we have observed at unprecedented spectral resolution the absorption spectrum toward reddened stars in the Magellanic Clouds over the wavelength range of 3500-10500 Å. This range covers the strong transitions associated with neutral and charged large carbon molecules of varying sizes and structures. We report the first detection of diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) at 5780 and 5797 Å in the Small Magellanic Cloud and the variation of those DIBs toward several targets in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The variation of DIBs in the Magellanic Clouds compared with Galactic targets may be governed by a combination of the different chemical processes prevailing in low-metallicity regions and the local environmental conditions. The analysis of high-resolution absorption spectra allows us to reveal the global effects in the chemistry and recycling of cosmic dust in the Magellanic Clouds which are relevant for the chemical pathways forming large organic molecules in external galaxies.

The techniques of low temperature spectroscopy are applied here to analyze infrared observational data of Io in the 2.0-5.0 μm range. The presence of solid H2S and traces of H2O in the SO2-dominant surface ices are derived from this analysis and it is suggested that CO2 clusters may as well be present near the surface of Io.

We present the results of a prospective study of 388 patients presenting with a history of swallowing a foreign body. We indicate whether the patients' symptoms and signs were associated with a retained foreign body. While tenderness on palpation was an unreliable sign, pooling at indirect laryngoscopy invariably predicted a retained object. In many patients, initial careful examination of the oropharynx by casualty officers would have shown a retained fishbone in the tonsil or tongue and would have resulted in 16 per cent fewer radiographs and 17 per cent fewer referrals to the ENT department. Radiography only improved management in a small minority and 35 per cent of films were interpreted incorrectly by casualty officers. A follow-up barium swallow disclosed a pathological lesion in a significant proportion of patients with bolus obstruction, whether or not this was passed spontaneously.

The location of olfactory and gustatory sense organs in the larvae of the American bollworm, Heliothis armigera, have been studied using the scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The olfactory chemoreceptors of the larvae are located on the antennae, mostly on the top of the second antennal segment in the form of two trichoid sensilla, two basiconic sensilla, two styloconic sensilla, campaniform sensilla and a uniporous peg sensillum. The third antennal segment bears one basiconic sensillum and two styloconic sensilla. The gustatory sense organs are located on the mouthparts including the labrum, mandibles, hypopharynx, maxillary palps and labium. Trichoid sensilla have been located on the labrum. Epipharyngeal setae as well as long short spines are located in the epipharyngeal membrane. The basal segment of the maxillary palp bears three trichoid sensilla and one campaniform sensilla. The maxillary palp also bears four styloconic sensilla on the distal portion of the lateral protuberance and one styloconic sensillum at the apex of the medial protuberance. Close to the bases of the protuberances, there are three basiconic sensilla and one campaniform sensillum. The third apical segment of the maxillary palp carries three campaniform sensilla on its lateral side, while on its top, eight small basiconic sensilla are distributed.

The prepupal stage of Spodoptera littoralis was affected by Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki HD-1 (Dipel) at high concentration (5%), when sprayed or kept in soil treated with the pathogen. The emerged moths showed a short longevity associated with low egg production and low fertility. Increase in malformed individuals was observed. Treatment of the pupae of S. littoralis with B. thuringiensis during different ages showed an increased effect when treatment was applied, immediately after pupation.

Feeding of the adult parasite of Trichogramma evanescens Westwood on a honey solution containing 500 μg of Bacillus thuringiensis var. galleriae HD-129 for 4–5 days had no effect on their longevity, productivity or their capability to parasitize the host eggs of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisdüvalle) or Anagasta kuehniella Zeller. After spraying the freshly laid host eggs with B. thuringiensis at the same concentration, a significant decrease was observed in the percentage of parasitism. No deleterious effects were observed in the development of the immature stages of the parasite and the percentage of its emergence, as affected by B. thuringiensis, when applied to the host eggs before or after parasitism.