ALBERT

Description: When cumulonimbus clouds aggregate, developing into a single entity with precipitation covering a horizontal scale of hundreds of kilometers, they are called mesoscale convective systems (MCSs). They account for much of Earth’s precipitation, generate severe weather events and flooding, produce prodigious cirriform anvil clouds, and affect the evolution of the larger-scale circulation. Understanding the inner workings of MCSs has resulted from developments in observational technology and modeling. Time–space conversion of ordinary surface and upper-air observations provided early insight into MCSs, but deeper understanding has followed field campaigns using increasingly sophisticated radars, better aircraft instrumentation, and an ever-widening range of satellite instruments, especially satellite-borne radars. High-resolution modeling and theoretical insights have shown that aggregated cumulonimbus clouds induce a mesoscale circulation consisting of air overturning on a scale larger than the scale of individual convective up- and downdrafts. These layers can be kilometers deep and decoupled from the boundary layer in elevated MCSs. Cooling in the lower troposphere and heating aloft characterize the stratiform regions of MCSs. As a result, long-lived MCSs with large stratiform regions have a top-heavy heating profile that generates potential vorticity in midlevels, thus influencing the larger-scale circulation within which the MCSs occur. Global satellite data show MCSs varying in structure, depending on the prevailing large-scale circulation and topography. These patterns are likely to change with global warming. In addition, environmental pollution affects MCS structure and dynamics subtly. Feedbacks of MCSs therefore need to be included or parameterized in climate models.

Description: The central change in understanding of the ocean circulation during the past 100 years has been its emergence as an intensely time-dependent, effectively turbulent and wave-dominated, flow. Early technologies for making the difficult observations were adequate only to depict large-scale, quasi-steady flows. With the electronic revolution of the past 50+ years, the emergence of geophysical fluid dynamics, the strongly inhomogeneous time-dependent nature of oceanic circulation physics finally emerged. Mesoscale (balanced), submesoscale oceanic eddies at 100-km horizontal scales and shorter, and internal waves are now known to be central to much of the behavior of the system. Ocean circulation is now recognized to involve both eddies and larger-scale flows with dominant elements and their interactions varying among the classical gyres, the boundary current regions, the Southern Ocean, and the tropics.

Description: Although atmospheric observing systems were already an important part of meteorology before the American Meteorological Society was established in 1919, the past 100 years have seen a steady increase in their numbers and types. Examples of how observing systems were developed and how they have enabled major scientific discoveries are presented. These examples include observing systems associated with the boundary layer, the upper air, clouds and precipitation, and solar and terrestrial radiation. Widely used specialized observing systems such as radar, lidar, and research aircraft are discussed, and examples of applications to weather forecasting and climate are given. Examples drawn from specific types of chemical measurements, such as ozone and carbon dioxide, are included. Sources of information on observing systems, including other chapters of this monograph, are also discussed. The past 100 years has been characterized by synergism between societal needs for weather observations and the needs of fundamental meteorological research into atmospheric processes. In the latter half of the period, observing system improvements have been driven by the increasing demands for higher-resolution data for numerical models, the need for long-term measurements, and for more global coverage. This has resulted in a growing demand for data access and for integrating data from an increasingly wide variety of observing system types and networks. These trends will likely continue.

Description: The polar regions present several unique challenges to meteorology, including remoteness and a harsh environment. We summarize the evolution of polar meteorology in both hemispheres, beginning with measurements made during early expeditions and concluding with the recent decades in which polar meteorology has been central to global challenges such as the ozone hole, weather prediction, and climate change. Whereas the 1800s and early 1900s provided data from expeditions and only a few subarctic stations, the past 100 years have seen great advances in the observational network and corresponding understanding of the meteorology of the polar regions. For example, a persistent view in the early twentieth century was of an Arctic Ocean dominated by a permanent high pressure cell, a glacial anticyclone. With increased observations, by the 1950s it became apparent that, while anticyclones are a common feature of the Arctic circulation, cyclones are frequent and may be found anywhere in the Arctic. Technology has benefited polar meteorology through advances in instrumentation, especially autonomously operated instruments. Moreover, satellite remote sensing and computer models revolutionized polar meteorology. We highlight the four International Polar Years and several high-latitude field programs of recent decades. We also note outstanding challenges, which include understanding of the role of the Arctic in variations of midlatitude weather and climate, the ability to model surface energy exchanges over a changing Arctic Ocean, assessments of ongoing and future trends in extreme events in polar regions, and the role of internal variability in multiyear-to-decadal variations of polar climate.

Description: The field of atmospheric science has been enhanced by its long-standing collaboration with entities with specific needs. This chapter and the two subsequent ones describe how applications have worked to advance the science at the same time that the science has served the needs of society. This chapter briefly reviews the synergy between the applications and advancing the science. It specifically describes progress in weather modification, aviation weather, and applications for security. Each of these applications has resulted in enhanced understanding of the physics and dynamics of the atmosphere, new and improved observing equipment, better models, and a push for greater computing power.

Description: Over the past century, the atmospheric and related sciences have seen incredible advances in our understanding of Earth’s environment and our ability to monitor and predict its behavior. These advances have had a profound impact on society and have been integrated into every aspect of daily life. The American Meteorological Society (AMS) has been instrumental in supporting these advances throughout its first 100 years of existence as a scientific and professional society serving the community of professionals in the atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic sciences. AMS has provided opportunities for researchers and practitioners to share their scientific findings and build fruitful collaborations to further the science and its application. Through strategic initiatives at key points in its history, AMS has pushed the science forward—highlighting areas ripe for development, creating frameworks for interdisciplinary interactions, and providing innovative approaches to the dissemination of research results. As a society made up of the scientific community and led by many of the most prominent scientists of their time, AMS has been able to respond to, and often anticipate, the needs of its community.

Description: A century ago, meteorologists regarded tropical cyclones as shallow vortices, extending upward only a few kilometers into the troposphere, and nothing was known about their physics save that convection was somehow involved. As recently as 1938, a major hurricane struck the densely populated northeastern United States with no warning whatsoever, killing hundreds. In the time since the American Meteorological Society was founded, however, tropical cyclone research blossomed into an endeavor of great breadth and depth, encompassing fields ranging from atmospheric and oceanic dynamics to biogeochemistry, and the precision and scope of forecasts and warnings have achieved a level of success that would have been regarded as impossible only a few decades ago. This chapter attempts to document the extraordinary progress in tropical cyclone research over the last century and to suggest some avenues for productive research over the next one.

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Progress in Oceanography, Volume 170〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Alba María Martínez–Pérez, Teresa S. Catalá, Mar Nieto–Cid, Jaime Otero, Marta Álvarez, Mikhail Emelianov, Isabel Reche, Xosé Antón Álvarez–Salgado, Javier Arístegui〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) in the Mediterranean Sea was analysed by excitation–emission matrix (EEM) spectroscopy and parallel factor (PARAFAC) analysis during the cruise HOTMIX 2014. A 4–component model, including 3 humic–like and 1 protein–like compounds, was obtained. To decipher the environmental factors that dictate the distributions of these components, we run generalized additive models (GAMs) in the epipelagic layer and an optimum multiparametric (OMP) water masses analysis in the meso– and bathypelagic layers. In the epipelagic layer, apparent oxygen utilization (AOU) and temperature presented the most significant effects on the variability of the marine humic-like peak M fluorescence, suggesting that its distribution was controlled by the net community respiration of organic matter and photobleaching. On the contrary, the variability of the soil humic-like peak E and the protein–like peak T fluorescence was explained mainly by the prokaryotic heterotrophic abundance, which decreased eastwards. In the meso– and bathypelagic layers, water mass mixing and basin–scale mineralization processes explained 〉72% and 63% of the humic–like and protein–like fluorescence variability, respectively. When analysing the two basins separately, the OMP model offered a better explanation of the distribution of fluorescence in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, as expected from the reduced biological activity in this ultra–oligotrophic basin. Furthermore, while western Mediterranean deep waters display the usual trend in the global ocean (increase of humic–like fluorescence and decrease of protein–like fluorescence with higher AOU values), the eastern Mediterranean deep waters presented an opposite trend. Different initial fluorescence intensities of the water masses that mix in the eastern basin, with Adriatic and Aegean origins, seem to be behind this contrasting pattern. The analysis of the transect–scale mineralization processes corroborate this hypothesis, suggesting a production of humic–like and a consumption of protein–like fluorescence in parallel with water mass ageing. Remarkably, the transect–scale variability of the chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) absorbing at the excitation wavelength of the humic–like peak M indicates an unexpected loss with increasing AOU, which suggests that the consumption of the non–fluorescent fraction of CDOM absorbing at that wavelength exceeded the production of the fluorescent fraction observed here.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: February 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - General Subjects, Volume 1863, Issue 2〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Mathilde Ménard, Florent Meyer, Ksenia Parkhomenko, Cédric Leuvrey, Grégory Francius, Sylvie Bégin-Colin, Damien Mertz〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Human serum albumin (HSA) nanoparticles emerge as promising carriers for drug delivery. Among challenges, one important issue is the design of HSA nanoparticles with a low mean size of ca. 50 nm and having a high drug payload. The original strategy developed here is to use sacrificial mesoporous nanosilica templates having a diameter close to 30 nm to drive the protein nanocapsule formation. This new approach ensures first an efficient high drug loading (ca. 30%) of Doxorubicin (DOX) in the porous silica by functionalizing silica with an aminosiloxane layer and then allows the one-step adsorption and the physical cross-linking of HSA by modifying the silica surface with isobutyramide (IBAM) groups. After silica template removal, homogenous DOX-loaded HSA nanocapsules (30–60 nm size) with high drug loading capacity (ca. 88%) are thus formed. Such nanocapsules are shown efficient in multicellular tumor spheroid models (MCTS) of human hepatocarcinoma cells by their significant growth inhibition with respect to controls. Such a new synthesis approach paves the way toward new protein based nanocarriers for drug delivery.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0304416518303416-ga1.jpg" width="500" alt="Unlabelled Image" title="Unlabelled Image"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Cytokine, Volume 113〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Agnieszka Swidnicka-Siergiejko, Urszula Wereszczynska-Siemiatkowska, Andrzej Siemiatkowski, Justyna Wasielica-Berger, Jacek Janica, Barbara Mroczko, Andrzej Dabrowski〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Introduction〈/h6〉 〈p〉The presence of esophageal varices in liver cirrhosis indicates clinically significant portal hypertension (PH), that results from structural and dynamic changes in the liver and systemic circulation including the activation of several fibrotic and inflammatory pathways. We assessed if interleukin-18 (IL-18) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) serum levels can be used as PH markers and reflect its severity.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Material and methods〈/h6〉 〈p〉IL-18 and TGF-β1 peripheral blood levels were analyzed in 83 cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices compared to healthy individuals, in relation to MELD and Child-Pugh scores, laboratory and Doppler ultrasound parameters, and non-selective beta-blocker therapy (NSBB).〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Results〈/h6〉 〈p〉IL-18 concentration was significantly higher in cirrhotic patients, while TGF-β1 concentration was lower than in controls. MELD score correlated positively with IL-18 levels and negatively with TGF-β1 levels. IL-18 levels correlated positively with bilirubin, INR, ALT and AST levels, and negatively with albumin levels and erythrocyte count. TGF-β1 levels correlated positively with platelet count, leukocyte, and erythrocyte count, and negatively with bilirubin levels and prothrombin time. Moreover, significant correlations were found: between IL and 18 levels and portal, mesenteric superior, and splenic vein velocity, and between TGF-β1 levels and splenic vein diameter and spleen size. In a subgroup of patients, IL-18 levels significantly decreased after NSBB.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Conclusion〈/h6〉 〈p〉The observed imbalance of peripheral IL-18 and TGF-β1 levels indicates clinically significant PH associated with the presence of esophageal varices in cirrhosis. The correlation of IL-18 levels with liver failure indicators and decrease with NSBB suggest an important role of IL-18 in disease progression and its potential use as noninvasive test for PH assessment.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Cell Research, Volume 1866, Issue 1〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): 〈/p〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: February 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Environmental Research, Volume 169〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Alaina N. Perkins, Salmaan H. Inayat-Hussain, Nicole C. Deziel, Caroline H. Johnson, Stephen S. Ferguson, Rolando Garcia-Milian, David C. Thompson, Vasilis Vasiliou〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Currently, there are 〉11,000 synthetic turf athletic fields in the United States and 〉13,000 in Europe. Concerns have been raised about exposure to carcinogenic chemicals resulting from contact with synthetic turf fields, particularly the infill material (“crumb rubber”), which is commonly fabricated from recycled tires. However, exposure data are scant, and the limited existing exposure studies have focused on a small subset of crumb rubber components. Our objective was to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of a broad range of chemical components of crumb rubber infill using computational toxicology and regulatory agency classifications from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to inform future exposure studies and risk analyses. Through a literature review, we identified 306 chemical constituents of crumb rubber infill from 20 publications. Utilizing ADMET Predictor™, a computational program to predict carcinogenicity and genotoxicity, 197 of the identified 306 chemicals met our 〈em〉a priori〈/em〉 carcinogenicity criteria. Of these, 52 chemicals were also classified as known, presumed or suspected carcinogens by the US EPA and ECHA. Of the remaining 109 chemicals which were not predicted to be carcinogenic by our computational toxicology analysis, only 6 chemicals were classified as presumed or suspected human carcinogens by US EPA or ECHA. Importantly, the majority of crumb rubber constituents were not listed in the US EPA (n = 207) and ECHA (n = 262) databases, likely due to an absence of evaluation or insufficient information for a reliable carcinogenicity classification. By employing a cancer hazard scoring system to the chemicals which were predicted and classified by the computational analysis and government databases, several high priority carcinogens were identified, including benzene, benzidine, benzo(a)pyrene, trichloroethylene and vinyl chloride. Our findings demonstrate that computational toxicology assessment in conjunction with government classifications can be used to prioritize hazardous chemicals for future exposure monitoring studies for users of synthetic turf fields. This approach could be extended to other compounds or toxicity endpoints.〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: February 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Environmental Research, Volume 169〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Tsun-Hsuan Chen, Xianglin L. Du, Wenyaw Chan, Kai Zhang〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Cold weather has been identified as a major cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. Although the effects of cold weather on mortality has been investigated extensively, studies on how cold weather affects hospital admissions are limited particularly in the Southern United States. This study aimed to examine impacts of cold weather on emergency hospital admissions (EHA) in 12 major Texas metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) for the 10-year period, 2004–2013. A two-stage approach was employed to examine the associations between cold weather and EHA. First, the cold effects on each MSA were estimated using distributed lag non-linear models (DLNM). Then a random effects meta-analysis was applied to estimate pooled effects across all 12 MSAs. Percent increase in risk and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated as with a 1 °C (°C) decrease in temperature below a MSA-specific threshold for cold effects. Age-stratified and cause-specific EHA were modeled separately. The majority of the 12 Texas MSAs were associated with an increased risk in EHA ranging from 0.1% to 3.8% with a 1 ⁰C decrease below cold thresholds. The pooled effect estimate was 1.6% (95% CI: 0.9%, 2.2%) increase in all-cause EHA risk with 1 ⁰C decrease in temperature. Cold wave effects were also observed in most eastern and southern Texas MSAs. Effects of cold on all-cause EHA were highest in the very elderly (2.4%, 95% CI: 1.2%, 3.6%). Pooled estimates for cause-specific EHA association were strongest in pneumonia (3.3%, 95% CI: 2.8%, 3.9%), followed by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (3.3%, 95% CI: 2.1%, 4.5%) and respiratory diseases (2.8%, 95% CI: 1.9%, 3.7%). Cold weather generally increases EHA risk significantly in Texas, especially in respiratory diseases, and cold effects estimates increased by elderly population (aged over 75 years). Our findings provide insight into better intervention strategy to reduce adverse health effects of cold weather among targeted vulnerable populations.〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Environmental Research, Volume 168〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Ji-Young Son, Jong-Tae Lee, Kevin J. Lane, Michelle L. Bell〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Background〈/h6〉 〈p〉Few studies have examined temperature's effect on adverse birth outcomes and relevant effect modifiers.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Objectives〈/h6〉 〈p〉We investigated associations between heat and adverse birth outcomes and how individual and community characteristics affect these associations for Seoul, Korea, 2004–2012.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Methods〈/h6〉 〈p〉We applied logistic regression to estimate associations between heat index during pregnancy, 4 weeks before delivery, and 1 week before delivery and risk of preterm birth and term low birth weight. We investigated effect modification by individual (infant's sex, mother's age, and mother's educational level) and community characteristics (socioeconomic status (SES) and percentage of green areas near residence at the gu level, which is similar to borough in Western countries). We also evaluated associations by combinations of individual- and community-level SES.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Results〈/h6〉 〈p〉Heat exposure during whole pregnancy was significantly associated with risk of preterm birth. An interquartile (IQR) increase (5.5 °C) in heat index during whole pregnancy was associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.033 (95% CI 1.005, 1.061) with NO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 adjustment, and 1.028 (95% CI 0.998, 1.059) with PM〈sub〉10〈/sub〉 adjustment, for preterm birth. We also found significant associations with heat exposure during 4 weeks before delivery and 1 week before delivery on preterm birth. We did not observe significant associations with term low birth weight. Higher risk of heat on preterm birth was associated with some individual characteristics such as infants with younger or older mothers and lower community-level SES. For combinations of individual- and community-level SES, the highest and most significant estimated effect was found for infants with low educated mothers living in low SES communities, with suggestions of effects of both individual-and community-level SES.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Conclusions〈/h6〉 〈p〉Our findings have implications for evaluating impacts of high temperatures on birth outcomes, estimating health impacts of climate change, and identifying which subpopulations and factors are most relevant for disparities in this association.〈/p〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: February 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Environmental Research, Volume 169〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Amira M. Aker, Kelly K. Ferguson, Zaira Y. Rosario, Bhramar Mukherjee, Akram N. Alshawabkeh, José F. Cordero, John D. Meeker〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Background〈/h6〉 〈p〉Prenatal exposure to certain xenobiotics has been associated with adverse birth outcomes. We examined the associations of triclocarban, phenols and parabens in a cohort of 922 pregnant women in Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Testsite for Exploring Contamination Threats Program (PROTECT). Methods: Urinary triclocarban, phenols and parabens were measured at three time points in pregnancy (visit 1: 16–20 weeks, visit 2: 20–24 weeks, visit 3: 24–28 weeks gestation). Multiple linear regression (MLR) models were conducted to regress gestational age and birthweight z-scores against each woman's log average concentrations of exposure biomarkers. Logistic regression models were conducted to calculate odds of preterm birth, small or large for gestational age (SGA and LGA) in association with each of the exposure biomarkers. An interaction term between the average urinary biomarker concentration and infant sex was included in models to identify effect modification. The results were additionally stratified by study visit to look for windows of vulnerability. Results were transformed into the change in the birth outcome for an inter-quartile-range difference in biomarker concentration (Δ). Results: Average benzophenone-3, methyl- and propyl-paraben concentrations were associated with an increase in gestational age [(Δ 1.90 days; 95% CI: 0.54, 3.26); (Δ 1.63; 95% CI: 0.37, 2.89); (Δ 2.06; 95% CI: 0.63, 3.48), respectively]. Triclocarban was associated with a suggestive 2-day decrease in gestational age (Δ − 1.96; 95% CI: −4.11, 0.19). Bisphenol A measured at visit 1 was associated with a suggestive increase in gestational age (Δ 1.37; 95% CI: −0.05, 2.79). Triclosan was positively associated with gestational age among males, and negatively associated with gestational age among females. Methyl-, butyl- and propyl-paraben were associated with significant 0.50–0.66 decreased odds of SGA. BPS was associated with an increase in the odds of SGA at visit 3, and a suggestive increase in the odds of LGA at visit 1. Conclusion: Benzophenone-3, methyl-paraben and propyl-paraben were associated with an increase in gestational age. Concentrations of triclocarban, which were much higher than reported in other populations, were associated with a suggestive decrease in gestational age. The direction of the association between triclosan and gestational age differed by infant sex. Parabens were associated with a decrease in SGA, and BPS was associated with both SGA and LGA depending on the study visit. Further studies are required to substantiate these findings.〈/p〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Solid State Ionics, Volume 327〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): W.G. Wang, X.Y. Li, T. Liu, G.L. Hao〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The electrical performances and relaxation behaviors of the Na〈sub〉0.525〈/sub〉Bi〈sub〉0.475〈/sub〉TiO〈sub〉2.975〈/sub〉 and Bi-deficient Na〈sub〉0.51〈/sub〉Bi〈sub〉0.48〈/sub〉TiO〈sub〉2.975〈/sub〉 sample were investigated. The grain conductivity of the Na〈sub〉0.525〈/sub〉Bi〈sub〉0.475〈/sub〉TiO〈sub〉2.975〈/sub〉 sample is able to reach 1.51 × 10〈sup〉−3〈/sup〉 S/cm at 673 K. In the temperature range of measurement, the grain conductivity of the Bi-deficient Na〈sub〉0.51〈/sub〉Bi〈sub〉0.48〈/sub〉TiO〈sub〉2.975〈/sub〉 sample is lower than that of the Na〈sub〉0.525〈/sub〉Bi〈sub〉0.475〈/sub〉TiO〈sub〉2.975〈/sub〉 sample. By the internal friction and dielectric relaxation spectrum, the activation energy and relaxation time at infinite temperature were determined as (0.82 eV, 2.47 × 10〈sup〉−14〈/sup〉 s), (0.67 eV, 5.82 × 10〈sup〉−12〈/sup〉 s) and (0.85 eV, 5.8 × 10〈sup〉−13〈/sup〉 s), (0.52 eV, 2.55 × 10〈sup〉−10〈/sup〉 s) for the Na〈sub〉0.525〈/sub〉Bi〈sub〉0.475〈/sub〉TiO〈sub〉2.975〈/sub〉 and Na〈sub〉0.51〈/sub〉Bi〈sub〉0.48〈/sub〉TiO〈sub〉2.975〈/sub〉 samples at the different temperature regions. In the Na〈sub〉0.525〈/sub〉Bi〈sub〉0.475〈/sub〉TiO〈sub〉2.975〈/sub〉 compound, there is larger specific free volume, higher mobile oxygen vacancy content and better oxygen vacancy mobility, which cause the higher grain conductivity in the Na〈sub〉0.525〈/sub〉Bi〈sub〉0.475〈/sub〉TiO〈sub〉2.975〈/sub〉 compound. To some extent, by the Bi-deficient method, oxygen vacancies can be introduced into the Na〈sub〉0.51〈/sub〉Bi〈sub〉0.48〈/sub〉TiO〈sub〉2.975〈/sub〉 compound and the grain conductivity may be improved, but the other side of Bi-deficiency harms the oxygen vacancy diffusion capacities in the Na〈sub〉0.5〈/sub〉Bi〈sub〉0.5〈/sub〉TiO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 compound.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Solid State Ionics, Volume 327〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Yonrapach Areerob, Ju Yong Cho, Won Kweon Jang, Kwang Youn Cho, Won-Chun Oh〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉A cost effective and efficient alternative counter electrode (CE) to replace commercially existing platinum (Pt)-based CEs for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is necessary to make DSSCs competitive. Herein, we report the model-controllable synthesis of Graphene-La〈sub〉6〈/sub〉W〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉15〈/sub〉 doped NiSe-CoSe quantum dot (GLW-NiCoSe) nanosheets with various NiCoSe content via simple hydrothermal method and used as CE for DSSC application. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results confirmed that the as-synthesized GLW-NiCoSe nanosheets quantum dot exhibited good electrocatalytic properties and a low charge transfer resistance at the electrolyte-electrode interface. In addition, Thermal images and Photocurrent also demonstrate stability effect of material with more exposed edge sites and appropriate NiCoSe ratio. GLW-NiCoSe nanosheets performed rough surfaces, well-defined interior voids, large specific surface areas and outstanding catalytic actives. Finally, the mechanism of this material has been reported. All of these results showed a high energy conversion efficiency of up to 8%, which was comparable to the Pt CE (7%). The simple fabricated and good electrocatalytic properties of GLW-NiCoSe nanosheets make them as an alternative CE for DSSCs.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0167273818304910-ga1.jpg" width="314" alt="Unlabelled Image" title="Unlabelled Image"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Solid State Ionics, Volume 327〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Ho-Young Jung, Geon-O Moon, T. Sadhasivam, Chang-Soo Jin, Won-Shik Park, Hee-Tak Kim, Sung-Hee Roh〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉To confirm the viability of a porous polyethylene (PE) separator for using in vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs), we conduct a comparative electroanalytical and chemical stability studies of the PE separator and Nafion 212 membrane. We characterize the physicochemical properties of the separator, such as water uptake, dimensional change, and ion conductivity, and analyze its structural and compositional features using thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We also test the chemical stability of the separator against highly oxidative V〈sup〉5+〈/sup〉 ions and the cell performance of VRFB using PE separator to assess practical applicability. In chemical stability, the change of VO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉〈sup〉+〈/sup〉 ion to VO〈sup〉2+〈/sup〉 ion is considerably lowered by the PE separator (0.01 mmol/L) than the Nafion 212 (0.27 mmol/L), which indicates that the PE separator possesses higher chemical stability. The energy efficiency of the VRFB with the PE separator is lower than that obtained with Nafion 212. However, the chemical stability of PE separator is 27 times higher than that of Nafion 212, indicating that its use will promote the long-term operation of the VRFB system. Hence, the PE separator can be considered a cost-effective option for VRFB operation, with appropriate modifications to its thickness, surface properties and pore structure.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: March 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Surface Science, Volume 681〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Qingjun Chen, Ingeborg-Helene Svenum, Ljubisa Gavrilovic, De Chen, Edd A. Blekkan〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Trace amounts of potassium (K) have a significant influence on the activity and selectivity of cobalt-based catalysts in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS), in which hydrogen adsorption and dissociation is one of the initial and most important steps. In this work, hydrogen adsorption and dissociation behavior on typical facets ((0001), (10–11), (10–12), (10–15) and (11–20)) of hcp Co with and without adsorbed K were systematically studied. H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 molecular adsorption results showed that H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 mainly adsorbed in the perpendicular mode and close to the state of free H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉. Different facets and pre-adsorbed K did not show obvious effects on the H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 adsorption energy. Atomic hydrogen adsorption was site and facet dependent, but the maximum hydrogen adsorption energy on the different facets of hcp Co were similar (-2.64 to -2.67 eV) with the exception on the (11–20) facet where the adsorption energy was significantly lower (-2.44 eV). K had a slight destabilizing effect on the H atom adsorption on the former Co surfaces due to a very weak repulsive interaction between K and H atoms. The initial H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 dissociation had negligible energy barriers (0–0.07 eV) on the clean surface of hcp Co, suggesting the direct dissociative adsorption of H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉. The energy barriers for H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 dissociation are mainly caused by the approach of molecular H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 towards the Co surface and the rotation of the H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 molecule from the perpendicular mode to the parallel mode. The H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 dissociation energy barriers increase by 0.02–0.17 eV after the pre-adsorption of K, indicating a slight inhibition of H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 dissociation by K. However, the energy barriers for H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 dissociation in the presence of K were also small (0.05–0.21 eV). This indicates that H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 dissociates readily at typical Co-based FTS reaction temperatures (210–240 °C), both in the absence and presence of K. Different K species (K and KOH) exhibit similar effects on H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 dissociation on hcp Co. The B〈sub〉5〈/sub〉 sites on the stepped facets, the preferred sites for K adsorption are not the most favorable site for H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 dissociation, and K slightly hinders H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 dissociation at the B〈sub〉5〈/sub〉 site of hcp Co.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0039602818305144-fx1.jpg" width="301" alt="Image, graphical abstract" title="Image, graphical abstract"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: November 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Drug Resistance Updates, Volume 41〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Mohammad Hamidian, Ruth M. Hall〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In multiply resistant 〈em〉Acinetobacter baumannii,〈/em〉 complex transposons located in the chromosomal 〈em〉comM〈/em〉 gene carry antibiotic and heavy metal resistance determinants. For one type, known collectively as AbaR, the ancestral form, AbaR0, entered a member of global clone 1 (GC1) in the mid 1970s and continued to evolve 〈em〉in situ〈/em〉 forming many variants. In AbaR0, antibiotic and mercuric ion resistance genes are located between copies of a cadmium-zinc resistance transposon, Tn〈em〉6018,〈/em〉 and this composite transposon is in a class III transposon, Tn〈em〉6019〈/em〉, carrying arsenate/arsenite resistance genes and five 〈em〉tni〈/em〉 transposition genes. The antibiotic resistance genes in the AbaR0 and derived AbaR3 configurations are 〈em〉aphA1b〈/em〉, 〈em〉bla〈/em〉〈sub〉TEM〈/sub〉, 〈em〉catA1〈/em〉, 〈em〉sul1, tetA〈/em〉(A), and cassette-associated 〈em〉aacC1〈/em〉 and 〈em〉aadA1〈/em〉 genes. These genes are in a specific arrangement of fragments from well-known transposons, e.g. Tn〈em〉1〈/em〉, Tn〈em〉1721,〈/em〉 Tn〈em〉1696〈/em〉 and Tn〈em〉2670〈/em〉, that arose in an IncM1 plasmid. All known GC1 lineage 1 isolates carry AbaR0 or AbaR3, which arose around 1990, or a variant derived from one of them. Variants arose via deletions caused by one of three internal IS〈em〉26〈/em〉s, by recombination between duplicate copies of 〈em〉sul1〈/em〉 or Tn〈em〉6018,〈/em〉 or by gene cassette addition or replacement. A few GC2 isolates also carry an AbaR island with different cassette-associated genes, 〈em〉aacA4〈/em〉 and 〈em〉oxa20〈/em〉.〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: February 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Environmental Research, Volume 169〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): M. Van Ginneken, R. Blust, L. Bervoets〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Chemical and natural factors have been demonstrated to interact and potentially change the toxicity of the individual stressors. Yet, while there exists a multitude of papers studying the temperature-dependent toxicity of single chemicals, little research exists on the impact of temperature on chemical mixtures. This paper investigates the effect of temperature on environmentally-relevant mixtures of Cd, Cu and Pb. We linked the effects on respiration, growth, feeding rate and activity of 〈em〉Asellus aquaticus〈/em〉 to the free ion activities, as a measure for the bioavailability of the metals, and the body concentrations. We observed interactions of temperature and metal body concentrations on all sublethal endpoints, except activity. Mixture effects on accumulation and feeding rate were observed as well and even an interaction between metal body burden, mixture and temperature treatment was revealed for the feeding rate of Pb exposed isopods. This research adds to a growing body of evidence that the current chemical-based monitoring is insufficient to estimate chemical toxicity in aquatic ecosystems and must, therefore, be complemented with effect-based tools.〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Environmental Research, Volume 168〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Janneke G.F. Hogervorst, Narjes Madhloum, Nelly D. Saenen, Bram G. Janssen, Joris Penders, Charlotte Vanpoucke, Immaculata De Vivo, Karen Vrijens, Tim S. Nawrot〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Introduction〈/h6〉 〈p〉Particulate air pollution is probably causally related to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Plasma homocysteine is an established cardiovascular disease risk factor. Recent studies show that exposure to particulate air pollution is associated with plasma homocysteine levels in adults but no studies on the association between prenatal air pollution and neonatal homocysteine levels exist.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Methods〈/h6〉 〈p〉In 609 newborns of the ENVIR〈em〉ON〈/em〉AGE (ENVIRonmental influence 〈em〉ON〈/em〉 early AGEing) birth cohort, we investigated the association between prenatal particulate matter exposure with a diameter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM〈sub〉2.5〈/sub〉) and cord plasma homocysteine levels, and in a subset (n = 490) we studied the interaction with 11 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) in oxidative stress-related genes (〈em〉CAT, COMT, GSTP1, SOD2, NQO1〈/em〉 and 〈em〉HFE〈/em〉), through multiple linear regression. PM〈sub〉2.5〈/sub〉 levels were obtained using a high resolution spatial temporal interpolation method. Homocysteine levels were measured by the homocysteine enzymatic assay on a Roche/Hitachi cobas c system. SNPs were assessed on the Biotrove OpenArray SNP genotyping platform.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Results〈/h6〉 〈p〉In multivariable-adjusted models, cord plasma homocysteine levels were 8.1% higher (95% CI: 1.9 to 14.3%; p = 0.01) for each 5 µg/m³ increment in average PM〈sub〉2.5〈/sub〉 exposure during the entire pregnancy. With regard to pregnancy trimesters, there was only an association in the 2〈sup〉nd〈/sup〉 trimester: 3.6% (95% CI: 0.9% to 6.4%; p = 0.01). The positive association between PM〈sub〉2.5〈/sub〉 in and homocysteine was (borderline) statistically significantly modified by genetic variants in 〈em〉MnSOD〈/em〉 (p interaction = 0.02), 〈em〉GSTP1〈/em〉 (p interaction = 0.07) and the sum score of the 3 studied SNPs in the 〈em〉CAT〈/em〉 gene (p interaction=0.09), suggesting oxidative stress as an underlying mechanism of action.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Conclusions〈/h6〉 〈p〉Exposure to particulate air pollution 〈em〉in utero〈/em〉 is associated with higher cord blood homocysteine levels, possibly through generating oxidative stress. Increased air pollution-induced homocysteine levels in early life might predispose for cardiovascular and other diseases later in life.〈/p〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: February 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Environmental Research, Volume 169〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Yu Zang, Brecht Devleesschauwer, P. Michael Bolger, Emily Goodman, Herman J. Gibb〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Chronic exposures to cadmium (Cd) are associated with reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR), increasing the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In support of the World Health Organization (WHO)’s initiative to estimate the global burden of foodborne diseases, a risk assessment was performed to estimate the Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) due to late-stage CKD associated with dietary exposures to cadmium. Using the distribution of population GFRs, the prevalence of CKD was calculated as the proportion of humans whose GFR fall in the ranges corresponding to Stage 4 or Stage 5 CKD. The increase in the CKD prevalence due to cadmium exposure was simulated based on a previously reported pharmacokinetic model describing the relationship between dietary cadmium intake and urinary cadmium (UCd), as well as a previously published dose-response relationship between UCd and GFR. Cadmium-related incidence rate, calculated as the change in the prevalence during a one-year period, were used to compute the mortality and DALY in all WHO regions. It is estimated that dietary cadmium would result in a median of 12,224 stage 4 and stage 5 new CKD cases per year worldwide, resulting in 2064 global deaths and 70,513 DALYs. These data translate into a median global burden of 1.0 DALY per 100,000 population, which account for 0.2% of the global DALYs of CKD. While these results suggest that the overall impact of dietary cadmium exposure on global CKD is low, they do indicate that reasonable efforts to reduce dietary exposure will result a positive public health impact. This would be particularly the case in areas with elevated levels of dietary cadmium.〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 March 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Hazardous Materials, Volume 365〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Per Morten Hansen, André Vagner Gaathaug, Dag Bjerketvedt, Knut Vaagsaether〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉This study discusses the rapid expansion and phase transition of liquefied carbon dioxide (CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉) in vertical ducts. Results from small-scale experiments in three test setups (A, B, and C) were compared with a Rankine-Hugoniot model that treats the phase transition as an adiabatic evaporation wave of constant thickness. The model calculates the fluid properties behind the evaporation wave. The motivation was to identify hazards and quantify the energy-release in tank explosions such as a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion. The experimental results corresponded with a Chapman Jouguet (CJ) solution. The contributions include a mapping of CJ solutions calculated from a range of pre-rupture conditions. The puncture of a diaphragm (setup A, and B), or complete test section rupture (setup C) initiated the tests. The three test setups provided a range of pressures for the model. Evaporation waves were observed, propagating with velocities of 35–42 ms〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 (setup A, and B), and ∼ 10 ms〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 (setup C) into the superheated liquid. The calculated vapor mass fraction behind of the evaporation wave was in the range 0.21-0.23. The study presents a strategy, which incorporates the calculated vapor mass fraction, to predict the energy released in a tank explosion.〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 March 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Hazardous Materials, Volume 365〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Esther Gomez-Herrero, Montserrat Tobajas, Alicia Polo, Juan J. Rodriguez, Angel F. Mohedano〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In this work, we assessed the potential of combining Fenton´s reagent and biological oxidation for removing the imidazolium-based ionic liquid 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (EmimCl). Fenton-like oxidation was conducted at variable H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 doses from 20 to 100% the stoichiometric value as calculated from the theoretical chemical oxygen demand (COD). The stoichiometric H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 dose afforded Total Organic Carbon (TOC) conversion and COD removal of 50 and 62%, respectively. Identifying the reaction by-products formed at low hydrogen peroxide doses allowed a plausible pathway for EmimCl oxidation to be proposed. The effluents from Fenton-like oxidation at substoichiometric H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 doses were less ecotoxic and more biodegradable than was the parent ionic liquid. The effluent from Fenton-like oxidation with the 60% H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 dose (TOC conversion ≅ 41%, COD removal ≅ 31%) was subsequently subjected to an effective biological treatment that allowed complete removal of the starting compound, increased its ecotoxicity to a low–moderate level and rendered it acceptably biodegradable. Biological oxidation was performed in 8-h and 12-h cycles in a sequencing batch reactor. Combining Fenton and biological oxidation of EmimCl afforded TOC conversion and COD removal of around 90%.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S030438941831015X-ga1.jpg" width="500" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 February 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Hazardous Materials, Volume 364〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Zhiyong Liu, Shu Zhang, Dan Hu, Yunsheng Zhang, Henglin Lv, Cheng Liu, Yidong Chen, Juan Sun〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In this study, paraffin/red mud phase change energy storage composites were fabricated at 4 mix proportions with paraffin to red mud ratios of 0.4:0.6, 0.45:0.55, 0.5:0.5, and 0.55:0.45 by a mixed mill-heating method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) results reveal that paraffin flows well into red mud pores and has good compatibility. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results reveal that the melting temperatures of the paraffin/red mud phase change energy storage composite vary from 75℃ to 85℃, and the latent heat value is approximately 25–40J/g. High thermal stability is observed by the thermogravimetric analysis (TG) method. The Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) isotherms, laser particle sizer, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and laser Raman spectrograph (LRS) show that the phase change energy storage composite does not produce a new material from the raw materials and that the material has a stable performance. Furthermore, the paraffin/red mud phase change energy storage composite was incorporated into the cement-based and gypsum-based materials at 10%, 20%, and 30% weight. The heat storage performance can be improved remarkably with an increase in the addition of phase change energy storage composite replacement. The compressive strength change is minimal with the addition of 10% and 20%, and the compressive strength decreases by nearly 40% with the addition of 30%. The paraffin/red mud phase change energy storage composite has a large influence on the flexural strength.〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Fish & Shellfish Immunology, Volume 84〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Xing-Wei Xiang, Jin-Xing Xiao, Yu-Fang Zhou, Bin Zheng, Zheng-Shun Wen〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The black seabream (〈em〉Sparus macrocephlus〈/em〉) is an economically pivotal aquaculture species cultured in China and Southeast Asian countries. To understand the molecular immune mechanisms underlying the response to 〈em〉Vibrio parahaemolyticus〈/em〉, a comparative gene transcription analysis were performed with utilized fresh livers of 〈em〉V. parahaemolyticus〈/em〉-immunized 〈em〉Sparus macrocephlus〈/em〉 with a control group through RNA-Seq technology. A total of 256663 contigs were obtained after excluded the low-quality sequences and assembly. The average length of contigs collected from this research is 1066.93 bp. Furthermore, blast analysis indicates 30747 contigs were annotated based on homology with matches in the NT, NR, gene, and string databases. A gene ontology analysis was employed to classify 21598 genes according to three major functional categories: molecular function, cellular component, and biological process. A total of 14470 genes were discovered in 303 KEGG pathways. RSEM and EdgeR were introduced to estimate 3841 genes significantly different expressed (False Discovery Rate〈0.001) which includes 4072 up-regulated genes and 3771 down-regulated genes. A significant enrichment analysis of these differentially expressed genes and isogenes were conducted to reveal the major immune-related pathways which refer to the toll-like receptor, complement, coagulation cascades, and chemokine signaling pathways. In addition, 92175 potential simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and 121912 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected and identified sequencely in the 〈em〉Sparus macrocephlus〈/em〉 liver transcriptome. This research characterized a gene expression pattern for normal and the 〈em〉V. parahaemolyticus〈/em〉 -immunized 〈em〉Sparus macrocephlus〈/em〉 for the first time and not only sheds new light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the host-〈em〉V. parahaemolyticus〈/em〉 interaction but contribute to facilitate future studies on 〈em〉Sparus macrocephlus〈/em〉 gene expression and functional genomics.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Fish & Shellfish Immunology, Volume 84〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Yi-Hong Chen, Jian-Guo He〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The shrimp aquaculture industry is plagued by disease. Due to the lack of deep understanding of the relationship between innate immune mechanism and environmental adaptation mechanism, it is difficult to prevent and control the diseases of shrimp. The shrimp innate immune system has received much recent attention, and the functions of the humoral immune response and the cellular immune response have been preliminarily characterized. The role of environmental stress in shrimp disease has also been investigated recently, attempting to clarify the interactions among the innate immune response, the environmental stress response, and disease. Both the innate immune response and the environmental stress response have a complex relationship with shrimp diseases. Although these systems are important safeguards, allowing shrimp to adapt to adverse environments and resist infection, some pathogens, such as white spot syndrome virus, hijack these host systems. As shrimp lack an adaptive immune system, immunization therapy cannot be used to prevent and control shrimp disease. However, shrimp diseases can be controlled using ecological techniques. These techniques, which are based on the innate immune response and the environmental stress response, significantly reduce the impact of shrimp diseases. The object of this review is to summarize the recent research on shrimp environmental adaptation mechanisms, innate immune response mechanisms, and the relationship between these systems. We also suggest some directions for future research.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 February 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Hazardous Materials, Volume 364〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Muhammad Humayun, Zhewen Hu, Abbas Khan, Wei Cheng, Yang Yuan, Zhiping Zheng, Qiuyun Fu, Wei Luo〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Herein, we report for the first time the highly efficient degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) over CeO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉/g-C〈sub〉3〈/sub〉N〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 composites (xCeO/CN) prepared via wet-chemical solution method. It is shown that the resultant nanocomposites with a proper mass ratio percentage (15%) of CeO coupled exhibit greatly enhanced visible-light activity for 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) degradation compared to the bare g-C〈sub〉3〈/sub〉N〈sub〉4〈/sub〉. From photoluminescence (PL) and Fluorescence (FL) results, it is suggested that enhanced photo-degradation is attributed to the significantly improved charge separation and transfer as a result of the proper band alignments between g-C〈sub〉3〈/sub〉N〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 and CeO components. Further, from radical trapping experiments, it is confirmed that hydroxyl radicals (〈sup〉〈img src="https://sdfestaticassets-eu-west-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/16/entities/rad"〉〈/sup〉OH) are the predominant oxidants involved in the degradation of 2,4-DCP over CeO/CN composites. Furthermore, a possible reaction pathway and detailed photocatalytic mechanism for 2,4-DCP degradation is proposed mainly based on the detected liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS) intermediate products, that readily transform into CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 and H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O. This work would help researchers to deeply understand the reaction mechanism of 2,4-DCP and would provide feasible routes to fabricate g-C〈sub〉3〈/sub〉N〈sub〉4〈/sub〉-based highly efficient photocatalysts for environmental remediation.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0304389418310069-ga1.jpg" width="264" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 March 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Hazardous Materials, Volume 365〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Lei Yang, Lu Xu, Xue Bai, Pengkang Jin〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In this study, a novel TiO〈sub〉2-x〈/sub〉/rGO-PS-Vis process was developed, which utilizes the TiO〈sub〉2-x〈/sub〉/rGO (Ti〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 and oxygen vacancies self-doped TiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 coupled with reduced graphene oxide) nanocomposite as a promising and efficient activator of persulfate (PS) for the enhanced oxidation of micropollutants under visible -light irradiation. TiO〈sub〉2-x〈/sub〉/rGO exhibited a significantly high activity for PS activation to produce more sulfate radicals (SO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉〈sup〉〈img src="https://sdfestaticassets-eu-west-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/16/entities/rad"〉〈/sup〉〈sup〉−〈/sup〉) and hydroxyl radicals (〈sup〉〈img src="https://sdfestaticassets-eu-west-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/16/entities/rad"〉〈/sup〉OH). Therefore, almost 100% BPA (10 mg/L) and 80% TOC can be removed just within 12 min with 1.0 g/L TiO〈sub〉2-x〈/sub〉/rGO and 2 mM PS under visible light. Moreover, it was found that many other typical micropollutants, such as phenol, acetaminophen and sulfamethoxazole can also be effectively degraded by this process. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and radical quenching experiments indicated that both SO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉〈sup〉〈img src="https://sdfestaticassets-eu-west-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/16/entities/rad"〉〈/sup〉〈sup〉−〈/sup〉 and 〈sup〉〈img src="https://sdfestaticassets-eu-west-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/16/entities/rad"〉〈/sup〉OH contribute to the degradation of organics, and the radical process was the main degradation pathway. In addition, the effects of PS concentration, catalyst dosage, initial solution pH and inorganic anions were investigated systematically. Experiments carried out in the real background of water matrix with low-concentration of BPA indicated that the proposed TiO〈sub〉2-x〈/sub〉/rGO-PS-Vis process has strong non-selective photo-oxidative ability for the removal of micropollutants in water.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0304389418310082-ga1.jpg" width="500" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Fish & Shellfish Immunology, Volume 84〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Yinnan Mu, Shimin Zhou, Ning Ding, Jingqun Ao, Xinhua Chen〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Chemokines are a superfamily of structurally related chemotactic cytokines exerting significant roles in regulating cell migration and activation. Currently, five subgroups of fish specific CXC chemokines, named CXCL_F1-CXCL_F5, have been identified in teleost fish. However, understanding of the functions of these fish specific CXC chemokines is still limited. Here, a new member of fish specific CXC chemokines, 〈em〉Lc〈/em〉CXCL_F6, was cloned from large yellow croaker 〈em〉Larimichthys crocea〈/em〉. Its open reading frame (ORF) is 369 nucleotides long, encoding a peptide of 122 amino acids (aa). The deduced 〈em〉Lc〈/em〉CXCL_F6 protein contains a 19-aa signal peptide and a 103-aa mature polypeptide, which has four conserved cysteine residues (C〈sup〉28〈/sup〉, C〈sup〉30〈/sup〉, C〈sup〉56〈/sup〉, and C〈sup〉72〈/sup〉), as found in other known CXC chemokines. Phylogenetic analysis showed 〈em〉Lc〈/em〉CXCL_F6 formed a separate clade with sequences from other fish species, tentatively named CXCL_F6, distinct from the clades formed by fish CXCL_F1-5 and mammalian CXC chemokines. The 〈em〉Lc〈/em〉CXCL_F6 transcripts were constitutively expressed in all examined tissues and significantly up-regulated in the spleen and head kidney tissues by poly (I:C) and 〈em〉Vibrio alginolyticus〈/em〉. Its transcripts were also detected in primary head kidney leukocytes (HKLs), peripheral blood leucocytes (PBLs), and large yellow croaker head kidney (LYCK) cell line, and significantly up-regulated by poly(I:C), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and peptidoglycan (PGN) in HKLs. Recombinant 〈em〉Lc〈/em〉CXCL_F6 protein (r〈em〉Lc〈/em〉CXCL_F6) could not only chemotactically attract monocytes/macrophages and lymphocytes from PBLs, but also enhance NO release and expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and CXCL8) in monocytes/macrophages. These results indicate that 〈em〉Lc〈/em〉CXCL_F6 plays a role in mediating the inflammatory response.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Volume 138〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Jae-Woong Min, Nicholas S. Vonortas, YoungJun Kim〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉This study explores the factors that contribute to the commercialization of technologies transferred from universities and public research institutes (U&PRIs) to companies. We take a step further than the established literature focusing on technology transfer to examine factors that also affect the chances of the successful commercialization of the transferred technologies through an empirical analysis of 669 technology transfer cases in Korea. The study shows that the intensity of market competition is a key factor in moderating the effects of partnership and absorptive capacity on the successful commercialization of transferred technologies. While collaboration with U&PRIs exerts a positive effect on commercialization success, this effect is weakened by the intensity of market competition. The intensity of market competition boosts the importance of company absorptive capacity for the commercialization success of the transferred technology. We conclude that strategic management of the absorptive capacities of companies and their partnership with U&PRIs are necessary ingredients of the success of technology transfer in concordance with the intensity of competition that the company faces in the market.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Computers in Industry, Volume 104〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Jacques Bahi, Wiem Elghazel, Christophe Guyeux, Mourad Hakem, Kamal Medjaher, Noureddine Zerhouni〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Monitoring activities in industry may require the use of wireless sensor networks, for instance due to difficult access or hostile environment. But it is well known that this type of networks has various limitations like the amount of disposable energy. Indeed, once a sensor node exhausts its resources, it will be dropped from the network, stopping so to forward information about maybe relevant features towards the sink. This will result in broken links and data loss which impacts the diagnostic accuracy at the sink level. It is therefore important to keep the network's monitoring service as long as possible by preserving the energy held by the nodes. As packet transfer consumes the highest amount of energy comparing to other activities in the network, various topologies are usually implemented in wireless sensor networks to increase the network lifetime. In this paper, we emphasize that it is more difficult to perform a good diagnostic when data are gathered by a wireless sensor network instead of a wired one, due to broken links and data loss on the one hand, and deployed network topologies on the other hand. Three strategies are considered to reduce packet transfers: (1) sensor nodes send directly their data to the sink, (2) nodes are divided by clusters, and the cluster heads send the average of their clusters directly to the sink, and (3) averaged data are sent from cluster heads to cluster heads in a hop-by-hop mode, leading to an avalanche of averages. Their impact on the diagnostic accuracy is then evaluated. We show that the use of random forests is relevant for diagnostics when data are aggregated through the network and when sensors stop to transmit their values when their batteries are emptied. This relevance is discussed qualitatively and evaluated numerically by comparing the random forests performance to state-of-the-art PHM approaches, namely: basic bagging of decision trees, support vector machine, multinomial naive Bayes, AdaBoost, and Gradient Boosting. Finally, a way to couple the two best methods, namely the random forests and the gradient boosting, is proposed by finding the best hyperparameters of the former by using the latter.〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 10 February 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Electrochimica Acta, Volume 296〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Saheed Bukola, Stephen E. Creager〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Transmission rates for protons and deuterons across single-layer graphene embedded in Nafion | graphene | Nafion sandwich structures are measured as a function of temperature in electrochemical hydrogen pump cells. Rates of ion transmission through graphene are obtained in the form of area-normalized ion-transfer resistances, and are interpreted in terms of ion-exchange current densities and standard heterogeneous ion-transfer rate constants. An encounter pre-equilibrium model for the ion-transfer step is then used to provide rate constants for the fundamental microscopic step of ion (proton or deuteron) transmission across graphene. Application of this rate model to interpret variable-temperature data on proton and deuteron transmission rates provides values for the activation energy and pre-exponential factor for the fundamental ion transmission step across graphene. Activation energies obtained from the Arrhenius plots for proton and deuteron transmission are as follows; for proton, E〈sub〉act〈/sub〉 = 48 ± 2 kJ/mole (0.50 ± 0.02 eV) and for deuteron, E〈sub〉act〈/sub〉 = 53 ± 5 kJ/mole (0.55 ± 0.05 eV). The difference between these two values of approximately 5 kJ/mole is in good agreement with the expected difference in vibrational zero-point energies for O〈img src="https://sdfestaticassets-eu-west-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/16/entities/sbnd"〉H and O-D bonds, albeit with some uncertainty given the uncertainties in the activation energy values. Pre-exponential frequency factor values of 8.3 ± 0.4 × 10〈sup〉13〈/sup〉 s〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 and is 4.7 ± 0.5 × 10〈sup〉13〈/sup〉 s〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 were obtained for proton and deuteron transmission respectively across graphene. These pre-factor values are both quite large, on the order of the values predicted from the Eyring – Polanyi equation with a transmission coefficient near one. The ratio of 1.8 for the rate pre-factors (H/D) is in reasonable agreement with the value of 1.3 for the ratio of bond vibrational frequencies for O〈img src="https://sdfestaticassets-eu-west-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/16/entities/sbnd"〉H and O-D stretching, respectively. Taken together, these data support a model in which proton and deuteron transmission across graphene are largely adiabatic processes for which the differences in transmission rate at room temperature are due largely to differences in activation energies.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 November 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Molecular Cell, Volume 72, Issue 3〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Lorea Blazquez, Warren Emmett, Rupert Faraway, Jose Mario Bello Pineda, Simon Bajew, Andre Gohr, Nejc Haberman, Christopher R. Sibley, Robert K. Bradley, Manuel Irimia, Jernej Ule〈/p〉 〈h5〉Summary〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Recursive splicing (RS) starts by defining an “RS-exon,” which is then spliced to the preceding exon, thus creating a recursive 5′ splice site (RS-5ss). Previous studies focused on cryptic RS-exons, and now we find that the exon junction complex (EJC) represses RS of hundreds of annotated, mainly constitutive RS-exons. The core EJC factors, and the peripheral factors PNN and RNPS1, maintain RS-exon inclusion by repressing spliceosomal assembly on RS-5ss. The EJC also blocks 5ss located near exon-exon junctions, thus repressing inclusion of cryptic microexons. The prevalence of annotated RS-exons is high in deuterostomes, while the cryptic RS-exons are more prevalent in 〈em〉Drosophila〈/em〉, where EJC appears less capable of repressing RS. Notably, incomplete repression of RS also contributes to physiological alternative splicing of several human RS-exons. Finally, haploinsufficiency of the EJC factor 〈em〉Magoh〈/em〉 in mice is associated with skipping of RS-exons in the brain, with relevance to the microcephaly phenotype and human diseases.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S1097276518308323-fx1.jpg" width="375" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 November 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Molecular Cell, Volume 72, Issue 3〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Jodi Bubenik, Maurice S. Swanson〈/p〉 〈div〉〈p〉In this issue of 〈em〉Molecular Cell〈/em〉, Yap et al. (2018) identify a novel lncRNA (PNCTR) that contains short tandem repeats that trap the RNA splicing factor PTBP1 in the perinucleolar compartment and link this sequestration activity to cancer cell development.〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 November 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Molecular Cell, Volume 72, Issue 3〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Timothy R. Abbott, Lei S. Qi〈/p〉 〈div〉〈p〉In a recent issue of 〈em〉Nature〈/em〉, Halperin et al. (2018) develop a new technology to continuously diversify specific genomic loci by combining CRISPR-Cas9 with error-prone DNA polymerases.〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 November 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Molecular Cell, Volume 72, Issue 4〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Sandro Baldi, Dhawal S. Jain, Lisa Harpprecht, Angelika Zabel, Marion Scheibe, Falk Butter, Tobias Straub, Peter B. Becker〈/p〉 〈h5〉Summary〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Regular successions of positioned nucleosomes, or phased nucleosome arrays (PNAs), are predominantly known from transcriptional start sites (TSSs). It is unclear whether PNAs occur elsewhere in the genome. To generate a comprehensive inventory of PNAs for 〈em〉Drosophila〈/em〉, we applied spectral analysis to nucleosome maps and identified thousands of PNAs throughout the genome. About half of them are not near TSSs and are strongly enriched for an uncharacterized sequence motif. Through genome-wide reconstitution of physiological chromatin in 〈em〉Drosophila〈/em〉 embryo extracts, we uncovered the molecular basis of PNA formation. We identified Phaser, an unstudied zinc finger protein that positions nucleosomes flanking the motif. It also revealed how the global activity of the chromatin remodelers CHRAC/ACF, together with local barrier elements, generates islands of regular phasing throughout the genome. Our work demonstrates the potential of chromatin assembly by embryo extracts as a powerful tool to reconstitute chromatin features on a global scale 〈em〉in vitro〈/em〉.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S1097276518308037-fx1.jpg" width="375" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 November 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Molecular Cell, Volume 72, Issue 3〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Thomas Gonatopoulos-Pournatzis, Mingkun Wu, Ulrich Braunschweig, Jonathan Roth, Hong Han, Andrew J. Best, Bushra Raj, Michael Aregger, Dave O’Hanlon, Jonathan D. Ellis, John A. Calarco, Jason Moffat, Anne-Claude Gingras, Benjamin J. Blencowe〈/p〉 〈h5〉Summary〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Alternative splicing is crucial for diverse cellular, developmental, and pathological processes. However, the full networks of factors that control individual splicing events are not known. Here, we describe a CRISPR-based strategy for the genome-wide elucidation of pathways that control splicing and apply it to microexons with important functions in nervous system development and that are commonly misregulated in autism. Approximately 200 genes associated with functionally diverse regulatory layers and enriched in genetic links to autism control neuronal microexons. Remarkably, the widely expressed RNA binding proteins Srsf11 and Rnps1 directly, preferentially, and frequently co-activate these microexons. These factors form critical interactions with the neuronal splicing regulator Srrm4 and a bi-partite intronic splicing enhancer element to promote spliceosome formation. Our study thus presents a versatile system for the identification of entire splicing regulatory pathways and further reveals a common mechanism for the definition of neuronal microexons that is disrupted in autism.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S1097276518308402-fx1.jpg" width="375" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: Available online 31 October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 European Polymer Journal〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Ali Behnood, Mahsa Modiri Gharehveran〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈p〉Asphalt binders play an integral role in the performance and properties of asphalt mixtures. Increased traffic-related factors on the roadways such as heavier loads, higher traffic volume, and higher tire pressure combined with substantial variation in daily and seasonal temperatures of the pavement have been responsible for the asphalt pavements failure. To prevent or mitigate these failures, many attempts have been made by polymer scientists and civil engineers to improve the performance of asphalt pavements by modifying the properties of asphalt binders. A good modifier changes the failure properties such that binder yields more stresses and strains before failure. Modification of asphalt binders through the addition of a polymer to improve their rheological and physical properties has a long history in asphalt industry. Once the polymer is properly mixed with the asphalt binder, a swallowed polymer network is formed, which contributes to the changes in viscoelastic behavior. However, polymer-modified asphalt binders may have some drawbacks related to the poor solubility of polymers. Understanding the internal structure of polymer-modified asphalt binders has been the subject of numerous research studies.〈/p〉 〈p〉Available studies regarding the affecting parameters on the properties of the polymer-modified asphalt binders are reviewed here. Various types of polymers used in asphalt industry and their effects on the rheological, morphological, physical and mechanical properties of polymer-modified asphalt binders are also discussed in this paper. In addition, this paper provides a review on the techniques used to overcome/mitigate the shortcomings of conventional polymer-modified asphalt binders.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0014305718318019-ga1.jpg" width="341" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 19 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Neuron, Volume 100, Issue 6〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Giacomo Benvenuti, Yuzhi Chen, Charu Ramakrishnan, Karl Deisseroth, Wilson S. Geisler, Eyal Seidemann〈/p〉 〈h5〉Summary〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Humans have remarkable scale-invariant visual capabilities. For example, our orientation discrimination sensitivity is largely constant over more than two orders of magnitude of variations in stimulus spatial frequency (SF). Orientation-selective V1 neurons are likely to contribute to orientation discrimination. However, because at any V1 location neurons have a limited range of receptive field (RF) sizes, we predict that at low SFs V1 neurons will carry little orientation information. If this were the case, what could account for the high behavioral sensitivity at low SFs? Using optical imaging in behaving macaques, we show that, as predicted, V1 orientation-tuned responses drop rapidly with decreasing SF. However, we reveal a surprising coarse-scale signal that corresponds to the projection of the luminance layout of low-SF stimuli to V1’s retinotopic map. This homeomorphic and distributed representation, which carries high-quality orientation information, is likely to contribute to our striking scale-invariant visual capabilities.〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 5 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Neuron, Volume 100, Issue 5〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Brian E. Kalmbach, Anatoly Buchin, Brian Long, Jennie Close, Anirban Nandi, Jeremy A. Miller, Trygve E. Bakken, Rebecca D. Hodge, Peter Chong, Rebecca de Frates, Kael Dai, Zoe Maltzer, Philip R. Nicovich, C. Dirk Keene, Daniel L. Silbergeld, Ryder P. Gwinn, Charles Cobbs, Andrew L. Ko, Jeffrey G. Ojemann, Christof Koch〈/p〉 〈h5〉Summary〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Gene expression studies suggest that differential ion channel expression contributes to differences in rodent versus human neuronal physiology. We tested whether h-channels more prominently contribute to the physiological properties of human compared to mouse supragranular pyramidal neurons. Single-cell/nucleus RNA sequencing revealed ubiquitous 〈em〉HCN1〈/em〉-subunit expression in excitatory neurons in human, but not mouse, supragranular layers. Using patch-clamp recordings, we found stronger h-channel-related membrane properties in supragranular pyramidal neurons in human temporal cortex, compared to mouse supragranular pyramidal neurons in temporal association area. The magnitude of these differences depended upon cortical depth and was largest in pyramidal neurons in deep L3. Additionally, pharmacologically blocking h-channels produced a larger change in membrane properties in human compared to mouse neurons. Finally, using biophysical modeling, we provide evidence that h-channels promote the transfer of theta frequencies from dendrite-to-soma in human L3 pyramidal neurons. Thus, h-channels contribute to between-species differences in a fundamental neuronal property.〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 November 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 The American Journal of Human Genetics, Volume 103, Issue 5〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Serge Bonnefoy, Christopher M. Watson, Kristin D. Kernohan, Moara Lemos, Sebastian Hutchinson, James A. Poulter, Laura A. Crinnion, Ian Berry, Jennifer Simmonds, Pradeep Vasudevan, Chris O’Callaghan, Robert A. Hirst, Andrew Rutman, Lijia Huang, Taila Hartley, David Grynspan, Eduardo Moya, Chunmei Li, Ian M. Carr, David T. Bonthron〈/p〉 〈div〉〈p〉Primary defects in motile cilia result in dysfunction of the apparatus responsible for generating fluid flows. Defects in these mechanisms underlie disorders characterized by poor mucus clearance, resulting in susceptibility to chronic recurrent respiratory infections, often associated with infertility; laterality defects occur in about 50% of such individuals. Here we report biallelic variants in 〈em〉LRRC56〈/em〉 (known as 〈em〉oda8〈/em〉 in 〈em〉Chlamydomonas〈/em〉) identified in three unrelated families. The phenotype comprises laterality defects and chronic pulmonary infections. High-speed video microscopy of cultured epithelial cells from an affected individual showed severely dyskinetic cilia but no obvious ultra-structural abnormalities on routine transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Further investigation revealed that LRRC56 interacts with the intraflagellar transport (IFT) protein IFT88. The link with IFT was interrogated in 〈em〉Trypanosoma brucei.〈/em〉 In this protist, LRRC56 is recruited to the cilium during axoneme construction, where it co-localizes with IFT trains and is required for the addition of dynein arms to the distal end of the flagellum. In 〈em〉T. brucei〈/em〉 carrying 〈em〉LRRC56〈/em〉-null mutations, or a variant resulting in the p.Leu259Pro substitution corresponding to the p.Leu140Pro variant seen in one of the affected families, we observed abnormal ciliary beat patterns and an absence of outer dynein arms restricted to the distal portion of the axoneme. Together, our findings confirm that deleterious variants in 〈em〉LRRC56〈/em〉 result in a human disease and suggest that this protein has a likely role in dynein transport during cilia assembly that is evolutionarily important for cilia motility.〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, Volume 122〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): 〈/p〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Marine Policy, Volume 99〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Pablo Quero García, Javier García Sanabria, Juan Adolfo Chica Ruiz〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In recent years the European Union has firmly committed itself to energy from oceans as a means of decarbonising the European energy system. Despite a favourable political landscape, the development of offshore renewables still faces economic and technological barriers, which are coupled with the inherent difficulties of an increasingly industrialised marine environment, such as complex evolving regulation, lack of knowledge regarding the possible environmental impact of such an activity, as well as spatial conflicts with other traditional and emerging uses. Most of the coastal Member States have adopted Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) as a fundamental tool for integrated and sustainable management of human activities in the marine environment. MSP is capable of definitively driving the use of offshore renewable facilities. Its proper application supports decision making, simplifies and accelerates the process of obtaining permits, improves compatibility of uses, integrates stakeholders in planning, prevents environmental deterioration of sensitive areas, enhances the availability of information and promotes cross-border co-operation. This paper aims to evaluate the influence of maritime spatial planning processes on the advance of blue energy within the framework of the European Union. The results show positive relationships between MSP and the development of offshore renewable energy in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0308597X1830304X-fx1.jpg" width="477" alt="fx1" title="fx1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 February 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Electrochimica Acta, Volume 295〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Kaili Jin, Man Zhou, Hong Zhao, Shixiong Zhai, Fengyan Ge, Yaping Zhao, Zaisheng Cai〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉With the large theoretical capacity and environmental benignity, copper sulfide (CuS) becomes a prospective candidate electrode material for supercapacitors. In this work, electroconductive mesoporous carbonized clothes (Cc) was obtained by carbonizing the waste cotton fabrics. Then the CuS was galvanostatic electrodeposited on 〈em〉Cc〈/em〉 to prepare the binder-free 〈em〉g〈/em〉-CuS/Cc electrode. In the galvanostatic electrodeposition process, CuS grew along the crystal surface to form regular nanosheets, and a part of Cu〈sup〉2+〈/sup〉 were reduced to Cu〈sup〉1.1+〈/sup〉. In addition, on account of the synergistic effect of electrochemical double layer capacitance with pseudocapacitance and the high specific surface area (450.76 m〈sup〉2〈/sup〉 g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉), the 〈em〉g〈/em〉-CuS/Cc composite displayed not only outstanding areal specific capacitance (4676 mF cm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉 at 2 mA cm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉) but also excellent cycling performance (89.8% retention after 10000 cycles). Meanwhile, the symmetrical flexible supercapacitor (SC) based on 〈em〉g〈/em〉-CuS/Cc electrodes with PVA-KOH gel electrolyte (〈em〉g〈/em〉-CuS/Cc-SC) accomplished a high specific capacitance of 1333 mF cm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉 at 2 mA cm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉 as well as ultrahigh energy density of 0.96 Wh cm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉 at the power density of 4.36 W cm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉. Therefore, 〈em〉g〈/em〉-CuS/Cc shows a great potential for applications in the next generation of flexible energy storage devices.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0013468618324447-fx1.jpg" width="384" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 February 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Electrochimica Acta, Volume 295〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Kang Li, Zhanwei Xu, Xuetao Shen, Kai Yao, Jianshe Zhao, Ronglan Zhang, Jun Zhang, Li Wang, Jianfeng Zhu〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Commercial lithium/thionyl chloride (Li/SOCl〈sub〉2〈/sub〉) batteries cannot meet the 3.15 V platform required for most instruments. A 〈em〉hovenia acerba〈/em〉-like assembly constructed with cobalt tetrapyridinoporphyrazine of thickness of 5–15 nm is anchored on acid-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CoTAP/MWCNTs), which were prepared using an 〈em〉in situ〈/em〉 solid synthesis process. The discharge time of Li/SOCl〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 batteries with a voltage greater than 3.15 V catalyzed by CoTAP/MWCNTs is found to be 11 min longer than batteries without catalysts and 4 min longer than those catalyzed by CoTAP alone. The energy of Li/SOCl〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 batteries with a voltage greater than 3.15 V catalyzed by CoTAP/MWCNTs is discovered to be 11.44-times higher than batteries with AF-MWCNTs and 6.17-times higher than those catalyzed by bulk CoTAP. This is due to the fact that more CoTAP ultrafine nanoparticulates are anchored on the AF-MWCNTs. These nanoparticulates provide more active sites for the catalytic reaction of SOCl〈sub〉2〈/sub〉. The assemblies are shown to have an adsorption-coordination effect on Li ions and to delay the deposition of lithium chloride passive films enhancing battery voltage platforms.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉A 〈em〉hovenia acerba〈/em〉-like assembly constructed with cobalt tetrapyridinoporphyrazine of thickness of 5–15 nm is anchored on acid-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CoTAP/MWCNTs), which were prepared using an 〈em〉in situ〈/em〉 solid synthesis process. The discharge time of Li/SOCl〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 batteries with a voltage greater than 3.15 V catalyzed by CoTAP/MWCNTs is found to be 11 min longer than batteries without catalysts and 4 min longer than those catalyzed by CoTAP alone.〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0013468618324319-fx1.jpg" width="270" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, Volume 28, Issues 23–24〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): J.S. Dileep Kumar, Francesca Zanderigo, Jaya Prabhakaran, Harry Rubin-Falcone, Ramin V. Parsey, J. John. Mann〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Overexpression of Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme is associated with the pathogenesis of inflammation, cancers, stroke, arthritis, and neurological disorders. Because of the involvement of COX-2 in these diseases, quantification of COX-2 expression using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) may be a biological marker for early diagnosis, monitoring of disease progression, and an indicator of effective treatment. At present there is no target-specific or validated PET tracer available for in vivo quantification of COX-2. The objective of this study is to evaluate [〈sup〉11〈/sup〉C]TMI, a selective COX-2 inhibitor (Ki ≤ 1 nM) in nonhuman primates using PET imaging. PET imaging in baboons showed that [〈sup〉11〈/sup〉C]TMI penetrates the blood brain barrier (BBB) and accumulates in brain in a somewhat heterogeneous pattern. Metabolite analyses indicated that [〈sup〉11〈/sup〉C]TMI undergoes no significant metabolism of parent tracer in the plasma for baseline scans, however a relative faster metabolism was found for blocking scan. All the tested quantification approaches provide comparable tracer total distribution volume (V〈sub〉T〈/sub〉) estimates in the range of 3.2–7 (mL/cm〈sup〉3〈/sup〉). We observed about 25% lower V〈sub〉T〈/sub〉 values in blocking studies with meloxicam, a nonselective COX-2 inhibitor, compared to baseline [〈sup〉11〈/sup〉C]TMI binding. Our findings indicate that [〈sup〉11〈/sup〉C]TMI may be a suitable PET tracer for the quantification of COX-2 in vivo. Further experiments are needed to confirm the potential of this tracer in COX-2 overexpressing models for brain diseases.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0960894X18308515-ga1.jpg" width="487" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Marine Policy, Volume 99〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Bong-Tae Kim, Christopher L. Brown, Do-Hoon Kim〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉We assess the vulnerability to climate change of Korean aquaculture based on predicted changes in seawater temperature and salinity in adjacent sea areas of the Korean Peninsula according to representative concentration pathways (RCP) scenarios. Unlike previous studies that have been conducted mostly on a national scale, we classify 14 farming species in major production regions of the Republic of Korea, and assess their vulnerability for each region, using the indicator-based method and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's definition of vulnerability in order to overcome limitations in developing specific adaptation strategies within a country. First, for each exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity, specific and proper indicators are selected. Subsequently, these indicators are estimated and weighted to analyze vulnerability to climate change. The results show that the absolute level of vulnerability is high in a long-term period of RCP8.5 in which exposure becomes severe, whereas the relative vulnerability is similar among farming species and regions. Specifically, vulnerability is at the highest level in seaweed, such as laver and sea mustard, while fish, shrimp, and abalone are relatively less vulnerable to climate change.〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 13 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Cell, Volume 175, Issue 7〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Zheng Shi, Zachary T. Graber, Tobias Baumgart, Howard A. Stone, Adam E. Cohen〈/p〉 〈h5〉Summary〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The fluid-mosaic model posits a liquid-like plasma membrane, which can flow in response to tension gradients. It is widely assumed that membrane flow transmits local changes in membrane tension across the cell in milliseconds, mediating long-range signaling. Here, we show that propagation of membrane tension occurs quickly in cell-attached blebs but is largely suppressed in intact cells. The failure of tension to propagate in cells is explained by a fluid dynamical model that incorporates the flow resistance from cytoskeleton-bound transmembrane proteins. Perturbations to tension propagate diffusively, with a diffusion coefficient 〈em〉D〈/em〉〈sub〉σ〈/sub〉 ∼0.024 μm〈sup〉2〈/sup〉/s in HeLa cells. In primary endothelial cells, local increases in membrane tension lead only to local activation of mechanosensitive ion channels and to local vesicle fusion. Thus, membrane tension is not a mediator of long-range intracellular signaling, but local variations in tension mediate distinct processes in sub-cellular domains.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0092867418313059-fx1.jpg" width="375" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Volume 502〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): X.Y. Wang, S.L. Zhang, S.D. Feng, L. Qi, R.P. Liu〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The structures of the Ti〈sub〉75〈/sub〉Al〈sub〉25〈/sub〉 alloy during rapid-quenching with and without external pressure are investigated by using molecular dynamic techniques. The amorphous phase can be obtained at the cooling rate 10.0 K/ps without pressure. The alloy is composed of crystal and amorphous phase at the cooling rate 0.1 and 1.0 K/ps without pressure, but the pure amorphous phase can be formed when the pressure exceeds the critical value. The critical pressure is about 20 and 30 GPa when the cooling rate is 0.1 and 1.0 K/ps, respectively. H-A indices analysis indicates that high pressure favors the formation of the ideal icosahedral structures in the amorphous Ti〈sub〉75〈/sub〉Al〈sub〉25〈/sub〉 alloy, and the content of 1551 bond-type can reach near to 50% when the pressure is 30 GPa. The amorphous state can be maintained if the external pressure is removed from the alloy step-by-step. The content of 1551 bond-type decreases with the deceasing of the pressure, but the 1541 and 1431 bond-types increase in this process.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, Volume 124〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): 〈/p〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Volume 502〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): 〈/p〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 November 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Cell, Volume 175, Issue 4〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Moshe Sade-Feldman, Keren Yizhak, Stacey L. Bjorgaard, John P. Ray, Carl G. de Boer, Russell W. Jenkins, David J. Lieb, Jonathan H. Chen, Dennie T. Frederick, Michal Barzily-Rokni, Samuel S. Freeman, Alexandre Reuben, Paul J. Hoover, Alexandra-Chloé Villani, Elena Ivanova, Andrew Portell, Patrick H. Lizotte, Amir R. Aref, Jean-Pierre Eliane, Marc R. Hammond〈/p〉 〈h5〉Summary〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Treatment of cancer has been revolutionized by immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Despite the high rate of response in advanced melanoma, the majority of patients succumb to disease. To identify factors associated with success or failure of checkpoint therapy, we profiled transcriptomes of 16,291 individual immune cells from 48 tumor samples of melanoma patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors. Two distinct states of CD8〈sup〉+〈/sup〉 T cells were defined by clustering and associated with patient tumor regression or progression. A single transcription factor, 〈em〉TCF7〈/em〉, was visualized within CD8〈sup〉+〈/sup〉 T cells in fixed tumor samples and predicted positive clinical outcome in an independent cohort of checkpoint-treated patients. We delineated the epigenetic landscape and clonality of these T cell states and demonstrated enhanced antitumor immunity by targeting novel combinations of factors in exhausted cells. Our study of immune cell transcriptomes from tumors demonstrates a strategy for identifying predictors, mechanisms, and targets for enhancing checkpoint immunotherapy.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0092867418313941-fx1.jpg" width="375" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 February 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Applied Surface Science, Volumes 467–468〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): S.P. Sun, J.L. Zhu, S. Gu, X.P. Li, W.N. Lei, Y. Jiang, D.Q. Yi, G.H. Chen〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The surface stability and equilibrium morphology of MoO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 were investigated by the first principles calculations. The thermodynamic energies of the stoichiometric surfaces of MoO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 are in the order (0 1 0) 〈 (1 0 1) 〈 (0 0 1) 〈 (1 0 0). It is found that the (0 1 0) surface has a lowest surface energy, which agrees well with the previous calculations. The energies of the non-stoichiometric surfaces were evaluated as functions of temperature and oxygen partial pressure. The results show that the energies of Mo-terminated surfaces decrease with temperatures, and increase with oxygen partial pressures, while the energies of O-terminated surfaces show the opposite rule. The equilibrium morphology of MoO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 was predicted by using the Gibbs-Wulff model, and then was compared with the other’s experiments and theoretical results.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 February 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Applied Surface Science, Volumes 467–468〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Sanju Gupta, Nicholas Dimakis〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The interfacial interactions between transition metal oxides (vanadium oxide VO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉, vanadium pentoxide V〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉5〈/sub〉, cobalt oxide CoO and Co〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉, manganese oxide MnO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉) and water adsorbates on graphene supports as solvated interfaces and influence of defects in graphene are studied using periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations in view of their significance for applied electrochemistry. DFT complemented and synergized our experimental work. The optimized metal oxide adatom-graphene geometries identified the preferred adatom sites, whereas metal oxide-graphene strengths are correlated with the adatom distance from the graphene plane, the Metal-C overlap populations, and the adsorption energies. The presence of finite electronic density of states (DOS) near Fermi level and charge transfers between the adatom top layer and graphene supports reflect primarily covalent bonding nature. The presence of small orbital overlap integral of bonds between the s and p (and d) orbitals of the nearest carbon (graphene), carbon oxide (graphene oxide) and metal oxide atoms reveal localized orbital re-hybridization resulting in changes in DOS yielding high electrochemical activity. Moreover, for increased adatom coverage the extent of charge transfer reverses resulting in limited electroactivity. In fact, DFT calculations are corroborated with experimental findings, where graphene-based supports decorated with optimal mass loaded nanostructured Co〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 and MnO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 (as well as V〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉5〈/sub〉) were capable of delivering maximum specific energy storage capacity (C〈sub〉s〈/sub〉) 〉 550 F·g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 (Gupta et al. J. Mater. Res. 32, 301 (2017)) in contrast to higher or lower loading. The presence of defects in graphene materials results in new electronic states to endow unique functionalities that is not otherwise possible in the bulk and with adsorbed water molecules besides optimum C/O ratio in graphene oxide nanosheets that show redshift thus a decreasing bandgap and finite charge transfer from graphene to water molecules. The case examples studied in this work represent a first glimpse of what may become routine and integral step in materials design and discovery for alternative energy and sustainable environmental technologies.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Volume 502〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Anne-Isabelle Bidegaray, Andrea Ceglia, Maria Rita Cicconi, Van-Thai Pham, Amandine Crabbé, El Amine Mernissi Cherigui, Karin Nys, Herman Terryn, Daniel R. Neuville, Stéphane Godet〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The analysis of iron, manganese and antimony in silicate glass is of great interest in chemistry, materials science, earth sciences and archaeological sciences. Yet, conclusions from different fields appear to be contradictory and many questions about redox reactions in glass remain. The purpose of this study is thus to discuss whether and how these multivalent elements interact in glass. Soda-lime silicate melts containing iron along with manganese and/or antimony have been analysed at different high temperatures under argon atmosphere. Using 〈em〉in-situ〈/em〉 XANES at the Fe K-edge, redox thermodynamics, kinetics and diffusivities have been assessed for the different compositions. The data obtained show that antimony is more efficient at oxidising iron compared to manganese at all temperatures. The oxidising power trend would thus be Sb 〉 Sb + Mn 〉 Mn. Furthermore, hypotheses on the formation of Fe-Mn complexes are also reported in glasses with stoichiometric proportions of iron and manganese. Based on the determination of redox diffusivities, it appears that presence of other multivalent elements does not significantly affect the iron redox mechanisms and that diffusivity is essentially controlled by the mobility of calcium.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Volume 502〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Wentao Zhang, Feng He, Junlin Xie, Xiaoqing Liu, De Fang, Hu Yang, Zhihong Luo〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Glass ceramics from modified molten blast furnace (BF) slag were prepared. The crystallization behavior of the modified BF slag was characterized using differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The crystallization kinetics results indicated that the crystallization activation energy initially decreased and subsequently increased with increasing CaO/SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉. The crystallization temperature and the crystallization index (n) decreased from 916 to 867 °C, and 5.66–1.13, respectively. The crystallization mechanism transformed from bulk crystallization to surface crystallization. By XRD analyzing, Melilite was developed as the main crystal phase, and the transformation of crystal from akermanite to gehlenite was observed. The rapid surface crystallization was beneficial for maintaining the shape of glass ceramics. The complex replacement in melilite crystals resulted in the micro cracks in glass ceramics, therefore led to the decrease of flexural strength of glass ceramics〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Volume 502〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): B.C. Jamalaiah〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Different amounts of GeO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 activated tellurite tungstate glasses were prepared by melt quenching technique. Thermal stability and glass forming ability were studied using differential scanning calorimetry. The chemical composition, homogeneity and amorphous nature of studied glasses were investigated. The phonon energy was estimated to be 721.34 cm〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉. Experimentally determined refractive indices were compared with those determined from optical band gap (E〈sub〉g〈/sub〉) and optical electronegativity (Δ〈em〉χ〈/em〉〈sup〉∗〈/sup〉). The dielectric constant (K) and electronic polarizability (α) were determined using refractive index value. The presence of disorder was estimated in terms of Urbach energy (E〈sub〉U〈/sub〉). The average electronegativity (〈em〉χ〈/em〉〈sub〉〈em〉ave〈/em〉〈/sub〉), oxide ion polarizability (〈em〉α〈/em〉〈sub〉〈em〉O〈/em〉〈/sub〉〈sup〉2−〈/sup〉) and covalent character (C〈sub〉cov〈/sub〉) were determined. The content of GeO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 was optimized to be 10.0 mol% to design a novel host material for solid state lasers and fiber devices.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Volume 502〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Chunhe Jiang, Kejiang Li, Jianliang Zhang, Qinghua Qin, Zhengjian Liu, Minmin Sun, Ziming Wang, Wang Liang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉-Al〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉-CaO-MgO is the most significant slag system in the blast furnace ironmaking process and it is very important to investigate the microstructure and viscosity of the system. In this paper, molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to explore the effects of MgO/Al〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 ratio on structure and properties of the system. Based on the self-diffusion coefficients, the viscosities were calculated by Einstein-Stokes equation and compared with the experimental value and the Factsage value. The results showed that with the increase of MgO/Al〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 ratio, the stability of [SiO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉]〈sup〉4−〈/sup〉 and [AlO〈sub〉4〈/sub〉]〈sup〉5−〈/sup〉 tetrahedron became weaken and the relative proportions of bridge and non-bridge oxygen showed a decrease. And due to the increase of MgO, more Mg〈sup〉2+〈/sup〉 ions are used as network modifiers to reduce the degree of polymerization of the system, resulting in a decrease in the viscosity, which is consistent with experimental results. Finally, based on the present study, in the case of increasing Al〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 content of blast furnace slag, the fluidity of slag could be adjusted by controlling MgO/Al〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 ratio, thereby providing a basis for stable operation of blast furnace ironmaking.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Volume 502〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): A.I. Popov〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The definition of glassy state presented by the authors of the article “The glassy state of matter: Its definition and ultimate fate” E. Zanotto and J. Mauro is considered. The importance of the contribution to the glassy state problem made in the article is emphasized. At the same time consideration of the glassy state as unstable state of matter causes definite objections. It is more correctly to consider the glassy state as metastable state of matter.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Volume 502〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): M.G. Syamala Rao, M.A. Pacheco-Zuñiga, L.A. Garcia-Cerda, G. Gutiérrez-Heredia, J.A. Torres Ochoa, M.A. Quevedo López, R. Ramírez-Bon〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In this work, we developed a novel inorganic-organic hybrid gate dielectric by combining zirconium and hafnium components to form zirconium hafnium oxide strongly linked with polymethyl methacrylate (ZrHfO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉-PMMA) and deposited at low temperature (200 °C) by sol-gel method. The obtained 108 nm thick, high-quality hybrid gate dielectric showed an exceptionally low surface roughness (0.9-nm), a low leakage current density (7.7 × 10〈sup〉−6〈/sup〉 A/cm〈sup〉2〈/sup〉) and reasonable dielectric properties such as gate capacitance along with dielectric constant (77 nF/cm〈sup〉2〈/sup〉 & 9.4 @1 kHz) respectively. To examine the ZrHfO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉-PMMA hybrid dielectric electrical properties we constructed thin-film transistors (TFTs) with room temperature r.f sputtered n-type metal oxide semiconductors, a-IGZO and ZnO, as active channels. The bottom gate fabricated a-IGZO TFTs driving at as low as below 6 V, with extracted field effect mobility of 2.45 cm〈sup〉2〈/sup〉/V. s, a low threshold voltage of 1.2 V with large ON/OFF current ratio 10〈sup〉7〈/sup〉 respectively. On the other hand, for comparison we employed ZnO TFTs by applying same hybrid dielectric system, the obtained parameters of bottom gate ZnO TFTs were good field effect saturation mobility of 12.8 cm〈sup〉2〈/sup〉/V. s, threshold voltage of 1.8 V and ON/OFF current ratio of 10〈sup〉3〈/sup〉.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Volume 502〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Weidi Zhu, Mark Lockhart, Bruce Aitken, Sabyasachi Sen〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The viscoelastic properties of supercooled As〈sub〉x〈/sub〉Se〈sub〉100-x〈/sub〉 (0 ≤ x ≤ 30) and As〈sub〉x〈/sub〉Se〈sub〉100-x-y〈/sub〉I〈sub〉y〈/sub〉 (x = 20, 30 and y = 10, 20) liquids are studied using oscillatory parallel plate rheometry. In addition to the α-relaxation process, the shear relaxation of liquids with selenium chains longer than ~ 3 atoms is also characterized by a low-frequency polymeric mode. The temporal decoupling of this low-frequency soft/floppy relaxation mode from that of the α-relaxation mode is a unique function of the average selenium chain length. The floppy mode abruptly vanishes for liquids with average chain lengths shorter than ~ 3 Se atoms, thus implying a dynamical rigidity transition. When taken together, these results indicate that, contrary to the conventional wisdom, the pertinent structural variable associated with such transition in the viscoelastic behavior is not the average coordination number but instead the intermediate-range structural elements such as the average selenium chain length.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Volume 502〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): M.S.A. Mohd Saidi, S.K. Ghoshal, K. Hamzah, R. Arifin, M.F. Omar, M.K. Roslan, E.S. Sazali〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉We report the influence of silver (Ag) and titania (TiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉) nanoparticles (ATNPs) co-embedment on the photoluminescence (PL) properties of dysprosium ions (Dy〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉) doped zinc-magnesium tellurite glass system prepared using conventional melt quenching method. Both up- and down- converted PL spectra of glasses revealed three emission bands located at 482 (blue: 〈sup〉4〈/sup〉F〈sub〉9/2〈/sub〉 → 〈sup〉6〈/sup〉H〈sub〉15/2〈/sub〉), 574 (yellow: 〈sup〉4〈/sup〉F〈sub〉9/2〈/sub〉 → 〈sup〉6〈/sup〉H〈sub〉13/2〈/sub〉) and 664 nm (weak red: 〈sup〉4〈/sup〉F〈sub〉9/2〈/sub〉 → 〈sup〉6〈/sup〉H〈sub〉11/2〈/sub〉), where the band intensities were enhanced with the inclusion of ATNPs. Glasses with 0.2 mol% of ANPs and up to 0.3 mol% of TNPs disclosed highest PL intensity enhancement, which was majorly attributed to the ATNPs mediated localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and large field enhancement (called hot spot) effects in the proximity of Dy〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 ions. Absorption spectra of glasses displayed two plasmon bands characteristics of each type of nanoparticle. It was inferred that the superposition of localized SP modes from ATNPs could generate new hybridized modes (strong local field in the vicinity of Dy〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 ions) shifted with respect to the single type of NPs resonance. HRTEM images showed the existence of both Ag and titania NPs inside the glass matrix. Glasses containing ATNPs exhibited anatase phase with (103) and (112) nanocrystalline lattice plane orientation. Proposed glass system may be useful for the development of solid state laser and photonic devices.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 March 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, Volume 474〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Muhammad Arshad, M. Asghar, Muhammad Junaid, Muhammad Farooq Warsi, M. Naveed Rasheed, M. Hashim, M.A. Al-Maghrabi, Muhammad Azhar Khan〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In this study Co-Ni co-doped nanocrystalline manganese ferrites were fabricated via co-precipitation method. The annealing of as prepared nanoferrites was done at 950 °C for 7 h. The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed that all samples possessed cubic spinel structure. The crystallite size was determined by Scherrer’s equation that lies in the range of 27–35 nm. The spectral analysis confirmed bending and stretching of bonds at octahedral (B) and tetrahedral (A) sites. The spectral bands were shifted towards the longer wavelength side and these indicate the incorporation of dopants cations (Co-Ni). The magnetic parameters were measured from the M-H loops of nanoferrites. With the increase of Co-Ni contents, the saturation magnetization (Ms) increased up to x = 0.15 and then it decreased. The dielectric properties of all compositions were studied in 1 MHz–3 GHz range and were discussed in the light of Debye-type reduction phenomenon by following the Koop’s theory. The dielectric and magnetic behavior evaluation suggested that synthesized ferrites are suitable for microwave devices fabrication.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0304885318319127-ga1.jpg" width="282" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Infrared Physics & Technology, Volume 96〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Chunyan Guo, Yaoyao Sun, Qingxuan Jia, Zhi Jiang, Dongwei Jiang, Guowei Wang, Yingqiang Xu, Tao Wang, Jinshou Tian, Zhaoxin Wu, Zhichuan Niu〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉A kind of wide spectrum infrared detectors based on InAs/GaSb type-II superlattices (T2SLs) operating from 0.5 μm to 5 μm wavelength range is reported. The materials were grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) on GaSb substrates. Diverse types and sizes microstructure are fabricated on the surface of the detector to form the photon traps (PTs) array. PTs decrease the reflectivity and increase the light absorption of epitaxial material. Compared with the planar mesa detectors without antireflection (AR) film, detectors with PTs array exhibits a high responsivity of 0.86 A/W at 1160 nm and maximum D* reaches to 10〈sup〉9〈/sup〉 cm Hz〈sup〉1/2〈/sup〉/W in visible wavelength. Also, the PTs processed on detector augment spectral response and QE in infrared wavelength. The peak responsivity of the detector with PTs is to 1.35 A/W and QE can exceed to 0.76 in the infrared wavelength. The infrared detector with PTs is attractive for numerous applications.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: November 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Solid State Sciences, Volume 85〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): 〈/p〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: November 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Solid State Sciences, Volume 85〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): 〈/p〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: November 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Solid State Sciences, Volume 85〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): 〈/p〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Soil Biology and Biochemistry, Volume 128〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): J.M. Kranabetter〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Forest floor carbon (C) sequestration has been negatively correlated with manganese (Mn) availability, possibly due to reduced efficacy of Mn-peridoxase enzymes produced by Agaricomycete fungi. I examined a soil C and Mn dataset from a podzolization gradient, along with fungal sporocarp Mn concentrations, to potentially corroborate this finding. An inverse power relationship between soil C and soil Mn content across temperate rainforests was confirmed, which provides further evidence of a Mn bottleneck in C turnover. Average Mn concentrations of saprotrophic sporocarps were greater than those of ectomycorrhizal fungi, and displayed a similar inverse correlation with increasing soil C. The absence or limited effectiveness of select saprotrophic fungi across Mn-depleted forest soils may be one mechanism behind impeded turnover of recalcitrant organic matter.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Soil Biology and Biochemistry, Volume 128〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Charles R. Warren〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Phospholipids are isolated from crude lipid extracts by silica solid phase extraction (SPE), but for soils we don't know if phospholipids are the only fatty acid-based lipids present in the polar lipid fraction. Lipids extracted from three soils were fractionated with a silica SPE protocol commonly used for soils, with “neutrals” eluted by chloroform, “glycolipids” eluted by acetone, and “phospholipids” eluted by methanol. Fatty acid-based lipids were identified and quantified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Phospholipids were recovered in the methanol fraction, but this fraction also included betaine lipids. In two soils the methanol fraction was 3–6% betaine lipid while in one soil betaine lipids accounted for 48% of lipids in the methanol fraction. Clearly the fraction obtained by eluting lipids from silica with methanol is not purely phospholipid but can contain significant amounts of other polar lipids.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 February 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Applied Surface Science, Volumes 467–468〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Xu Wu, Yalin Feng, Yali Du, Xuezhen Liu, Chunlei Zou, Zhe Li〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉LDHs templates (marked as CoAl-MnO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉-LDH and CoMnAl-CO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉-LDH) were fabricated via ion-exchange/redox reaction and hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) hydrolysis methods respectively. CoMnAl mixed metal oxides (marked as MnO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉/CoAl-LDO and CoMnAl-LDO) from the as-prepared LDHs templates were novelly prepared and tested as low-temperature NH〈sub〉3〈/sub〉-SCR catalysts. Catalytic evaluation pronouncedly affirmed that the catalytic performances of the as-acquired catalysts were vulnerable to the preparation method of precursor template, where MnO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉/CoAl-LDO presented preferable DeNOx activity (over 90% NOx conversion), N〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 selectivity and SO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 resistance in much broader working temperature window (90–300 °C) than CoMnAl-LDO. Multiple characterizations revealed that the excellent catalytic performance of the MnO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉/CoAl-LDO could be attributed to its higher specific surface area which could promote dispersion of abundant Mn〈sup〉4+〈/sup〉 and Co〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 species, and resultantly afforded stronger redox ability and more acid sites. Moreover, dynamic calculation confirmed that the relatively lower activation energy on MnO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉/CoAl-LDO for low-temperature NH〈sub〉3〈/sub〉-SCR reaction should be closely related to the occurrence of a more rapid redox cycle and in agreement with the excellent DeNOx performance.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0169433218329702-ga1.jpg" width="413" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 February 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Applied Surface Science, Volumes 467–468〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Sandra Jendrzej, Leonard Gondecki, Jörg Debus, Henning Moldenhauer, Peter Tenberge, Stephan Barcikowski, Bilal Gökce〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The lubricant is a central element in the transmission design. It primarily separates the two contact partners through a pressure-induced solidification in the lubrication gap, thus enabling the operation of heavily loaded sliding-rolling contacts. On the one hand, the quality and properties of a lubricant depend on the base oils, which differ by their viscosity and process-technological parameters. The addition of particulate additives gives the lubricants further functional properties that are not contained in the base oil. In this study, the influence of laser-synthesized yttria-stabilized zirconia nano- or submicrometer spheres as dispersed functional elements in the lubricant is studied, and their impact on wear and fatigue on the tooth flank is investigated. The work includes systematic investigations on the influence of the particle’s shape and size by running tests on a FZG gear test rig. Finally, the potential of the laser-generated particles as a lubricant additive is evaluated in a first conclusion.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Nuclear Materials, Volume 513〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Matic Pečovnik, Sabina Markelj, Anže Založnik, Thomas Schwarz-Selinger〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The influence of grain size on deuterium transport and retention in tungsten was studied. For this purpose an experiment was carried out on three polycrystalline tungsten samples with different grain sizes and a single crystal sample with surface orientation 〈100〉. In order to increase deuterium retention and hence the sensitivity for detection, samples were first damaged by high energy W ions. After damaging, the samples were exposed to a flux of deuterium atoms at 600 K for 70 h. During the exposure the depth profile of the retained deuterium was measured by Nuclear Reaction Analysis using a 〈sup〉3〈/sup〉He ion beam. After the exposure the samples were also analysed by Thermal Desorption Spectroscopy. A clear difference in the time dependence of deuterium uptake was noticed between different samples. The experimental results were modeled using a rate-equation model. The influence of different grain size was modeled by changing the effective height of the potential barrier for deuterium atoms to enter into the bulk. We managed to successfully describe the transport of deuterium into the bulk of tungsten by reducing the potential barrier for samples with smaller grain sizes while the barrier for the sample with larger grain size was close to the value for the damaged single crystal sample.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0022311518307256-fx1.jpg" width="256" alt="Image 1" title="Image 1"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Nuclear Materials, Volume 513〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): P.A. Burr, E. Kardoulaki, R. Holmes, S.C. Middleburgh〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The stability, diffusivity and clustering behaviour of defects in uranium diboride (UB〈sub〉2〈/sub〉) was investigated in light of the potential application as a burnable absorber in nuclear fuel. UB〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 was found to accommodate limited deviations from stoichiometry, which should be a consideration when manufacturing and operating the material. Self-diffusivity of both U and B was found to be sluggish (10〈sup〉−14〈/sup〉 cm〈sup〉2〈/sup〉/s for B and 10〈sup〉−19〈/sup〉 cm〈sup〉2〈/sup〉/s for U at 2000K) and highly anisotropic, with migration along the basal planes being orders of magnitude faster than 〈em〉c〈/em〉-axis migration. The anisotropy of defect migration (both interstitials and vacancies) is predicted to hinder recombination of defects produced by collision cascades, thus limiting the radiation tolerance of the material. Boron and uranium vacancies exhibit a drive to cluster. Boron vacancies in particular, which are mobile on basal planes, are predicted to cluster into strongly bound di-vacancy, which in turn are less mobile. These are then predicted to grow into larger two-dimensional vacancy clusters on the B plane, leading to anisotropic swelling. We provide an analytical expression to predict the stability of these clusters based on purely geometrical considerations. Finally, the accommodation of Li, He and Xe onto vacancy clusters was considered. Li appears to stabilise the structure upon U depletion, while the retention of He and Xe appears to rise with increasing B depletion, through the formation of vacancy clusters.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 February 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Physica B: Condensed Matter, Volume 554〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): D. Bessas, I. Kantor, D. Bourazani, K. Georgalas, N. Biniskos, L. Zhang, A.I. Dugulan, E. Syskakis〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Bulk Sr〈sub〉2〈/sub〉PdO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 was synthesized by a modified solid state reaction and a detailed characterization was carried out using both microscopic and macroscopic experimental techniques. Pd site exhibits an electric field gradient of 5.9(1) ⋅ 10〈sup〉17〈/sup〉 V/cm〈sup〉2〈/sup〉 due to the anisotropic local atomic configuration. A Curie - paramagnetic susceptibility indicating antiferromagnetic interactions superimposed to a core diamagnetic state is confirmed. A linear volume thermal expansion with a coefficient of 3.0(1) ⋅ 10〈sup〉−5〈/sup〉 K〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at room temperature is extracted. A collection of Einstein oscillators, with an Einstein temperature of about 115 K, is involved in the thermal transport. Large atomic displacements were observed in Sr vibrations. No Pd or Sr valence change is observed up to 900 K. A moderate anharmonicity is identified and quantified in a macroscopic Grüneisen parameter of 2.5(1) at room temperature. The electrical resistivity reveals a semiconducting behaviour. A systematic reduction in electrical resistivity and a change in the conduction mechanism is observed upon thermal cycling which indicates that a peculiar electronic mechanism is involved.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: Available online 1 November 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): S. Monzani, A. Andreazza, M. Citterio, P. Fontana, M. Ianna, T. Lari, V. Liberali, F. Ragusa, C. Sbarra, A. Sidoti, A. Stabile〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Monochromatic X and gamma rays are a standard calibration tool for semiconductor detector. For finely segmented pixel detectors, like the ones foreseen for HL-LHC detector upgrades, the single pixel spectrum is affected by charge sharing across nearby pixels, due to diffusion and the finite range of photoelectrons, resulting in a low energy continuum below the photoelectric peak. In this paper a systematic simulation study will be presented. The shape of the transition between the photoelectric peak and the continuum is determined by diffusion and needs to be unfolded for a correct estimation of the energy resolution. Simulation results are compared with data collected with different high-resistivity CMOS devices with 50 × 250 〈math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline" overflow="scroll" altimg="si1.gif"〉〈mi mathvariant="normal"〉μ〈/mi〉〈/math〉m〈sup〉2〈/sup〉 pixel size and photon energies between 13 and 60 keV. They show a good agreement, highlighting the potential usage of the whole single pixel spectrum to derive device characteristics.〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Volume 501〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): G. Gorni, M.J. Pascual, A. Caballero, J.J. Velázquez, J. Mosa, Y. Castro, A. Durán〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The crystallization mechanism of LaF〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 in sol-gel oxyfluoride glass-ceramics in the system SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉-LaF〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 has been studied using DTA, XRD, FTIR, HRTEM and NMR. Based on classical calculations of non-isothermal DTA curves involving Ozawas's plots, a diffusion-controlled process should be responsible for the fluorides crystallization similarly to that obtained for melt-quenching oxyfluoride glass-ceramics. Therefore, an increase of the crystal size and fraction is expected when increasing the time and/or temperature of the treatment. Nevertheless, XRD, FIR, HRTEM and NMR demonstrated that neither bigger crystals nor higher crystal fraction are obtained for treatment times longer than 1 min at 550 °C. However, further heat treatment causes that the structural order of the crystals is lost. On the other hand, typical fluorides crystallization temperatures (~300 °C) in sol-gel materials are much lower than T〈sub〉g〈/sub〉 of the matrix (~1130 °C) thus being very different to what observed for oxyfluoride glasses prepared by melt-quenching. The proposed crystallization mechanism is a fast process that occurs when crystallization temperature is reached. This behavior is explained as a chemical reaction from the xerogels, followed by the fast precipitation of the nanocrystals without energy barrier. The nanocrystals are unstable in the surrounding SiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 matrix for aging at crystallization or higher temperatures. These treatments lead to a dissolution process, favored by the compositional gradient between matrix and crystals, which drive the material to reach the equilibrium.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Volume 501〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Jürn W.P. Schmelzer, Alexander S. Abyzov, Vladimir M. Fokin, Christoph Schick〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉General relations for the dependence of the thermodynamic driving force of crystallization and the specific interfacial energy melt-crystal of critical crystal clusters on temperature and pressure are derived. Its application to the analysis of experimental data on crystal nucleation seems to support at a first glance a proposal by Kauzmann on the existence of a pseudo-spinodal curve in melt-crystallization. Provided this assumption is true, Kauzmann temperature (and for pressure-induced nucleation, the Kauzmann pressure) cannot be reached by a metastable liquid due to intensive crystallization processes occurring in its vicinity. However, such suggestion cannot be retained taking into account the kinetic terms (diffusion coefficients, viscosity) in the expression for the nucleation rate. The absence of a pseudo-spinodal in melt-crystallization can be verified also in an alternative way by considering the characteristic time scales of crystallization and relaxation. Finally, it is shown that the phenomenon denoted commonly as Kauzmann paradox is merely an untypical as compared to normal conditions type of behavior. Neither in its original formulation nor in its consequences it results in any contradictions with basic laws of nature. They are prevented either by normal (not associated with a pseudo-spinodal) crystallization or a conventional glass transition.〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Volume 501〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): J. Gilabert, M.P. Gómez-Tena, V. Sanz, S. Mestre〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈p〉The effect of a post-synthesis thermal treatment on CoCr〈sub〉2−2Ψ〈/sub〉Al〈sub〉2Ψ〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 (0.0 ≤ Ψ ≤ 1.0) ceramic pigments synthesized by Solution Combustion Synthesis (SCS) has been studied. As-synthesized SCS pigments were treated at two different calcination temperatures (800 °C and 1000 °C) to study changes in mineralogy, microstructure and thermal behaviour, as well as their effect over the colouring power.〈/p〉 〈p〉Spinel-type 〈em〉Fd〈/em〉-3〈em〉m〈/em〉 crystalline structure was developed in all cases. Nevertheless, crystallinity parameters were highly affected by both analysed processing parameters: composition (Ψ) and post-synthesis calcination temperature (T〈sub〉c〈/sub〉). A Cr(III) enrichment along with T〈sub〉c〈/sub〉 increase favoured ion rearrangement to promote sample crystallization and crystallite growth. Fast kinetics of SCS makes Al-rich spinels with transition metals difficult to be synthesized. The application of a secondary thermal treatment resulted in a favourable evolution towards a well-crystallized structure. Lattice parameter did not seem to be affected by T〈sub〉c〈/sub〉, although it evolved indeed with composition. From a microstructural point of view, as-synthesized pigments were foamy, with a very low bulk density and nanometric grain size. After the thermal treatment, larger grain sizes were obtained, especially for the samples richer in Al and treated at higher T〈sub〉c〈/sub〉.〈/p〉 〈p〉All pigments developed intense colours in a transparent glaze without showing heterogeneities, indicating a stable behaviour against glazing process. Glaze colour evolved from green to perfectly blue shades, indicating an important dependence on composition. Nevertheless, colouring power seemed to be rather affected by calcination process.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Radiation Measurements, Volume 119〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Alessio Parisi, Luana de Freitas Nascimento, Olivier Van Hoey, Patrice Mégret, Hisashi Kitamura, Satoshi Kodaira, Filip Vanhavere〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Lithium fluoride thermoluminescent radiation detectors with different dopant concentrations (〈sup〉7〈/sup〉LiF:Mg,Ti and 〈sup〉7〈/sup〉LiF:Mg,Cu,P) were exposed to 〈sup〉1〈/sup〉H and 〈sup〉4〈/sup〉He ions at the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba (HIMAC) in order to investigate their response to energetic light charged particles. Computer simulations with the Monte Carlo code PHITS were performed for a better interpretation of the experimental data. The results were compared with literature efficiency data and with the results of a recently developed microdosimetric efficiency model. In case of the main peak signal of 〈sup〉7〈/sup〉LiF:Mg,Ti detectors, the determined efficiency values are in good agreement with previous investigations. Discrepancies in the efficiency of high temperature signal due to well-known non-linearity effects are reported. For 〈sup〉7〈/sup〉LiF:Mg,Cu,P detectors, an anomalous thermoluminescence behavior in the low temperature part of the signal was found and discussed. Depending on the light quantification process, differences up to 30% in the dose assessment can be obtained, affecting also the relative efficiency determination process. An explanation of this phenomenon as a consequence of local migration of the charged carriers between the low temperature peaks and the main peak is presented. The implications of these findings on the use of LiF:Mg,Cu,P detectors in radiation environments characterized by the presence of 〈sup〉1〈/sup〉H and 〈sup〉4〈/sup〉He ions (i.e. space and proton therapy) are discussed. In order to avoid the occurrence of this anomalous behavior, it is advised to pre-heat the detectors after energetic light particle exposures.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 31 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Power Sources, Volume 408〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Guoping Chen, Xiong Song, Suqing Wang, Xinzhi Chen, Haihui Wang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Lithium-sulfur (Li〈img src="https://sdfestaticassets-eu-west-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/16/entities/sbnd"〉S) batteries are attractive candidates for advanced energy storage devices. However, the low utilization of sulfur and the severe “shuttle effect” hinder the commercialization of Li〈img src="https://sdfestaticassets-eu-west-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/16/entities/sbnd"〉S batteries. Herein, we design an ultra-thin and lightweight two-dimensional (2D) molybdenum nitride nanosheets layer to modify Celgard (denoted as MoN〈sub〉x〈/sub〉/Celgard) separator to promote the electrochemical performance of Li〈img src="https://sdfestaticassets-eu-west-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/16/entities/sbnd"〉S batteries. Benefiting from the 2D polar molybdenum nitride nanosheets, the obtained molybdenum nitride layer can effectively suppress the shuttle effect via the synergistic effect of structural confinement and chemical absorption. Meanwhile, molybdenum nitride nanosheets layer possesses metallic and catalytic characteristics, which are beneficial for high sulfur utilization. Therefore, the Li〈img src="https://sdfestaticassets-eu-west-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/16/entities/sbnd"〉S batteries using MoN〈sub〉x〈/sub〉/Celgard separator with multifunction exhibit high capacity and outstanding cycling performance. It delivers a high discharge capacity of 1298 mA h g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at 0.1C and sustain a capacity of 566 mA h g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 after 500 cycles at 0.5C, corresponding with the capacity fading rate of only 0.063% per cycle.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: Available online 31 October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Vladimir A. Osinov, Stylianos Chrisopoulos, Theodoros Triantafyllidis〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The paper presents a numerical analysis of the dynamic deformation of the tunnel lining and the soil caused by a blast-induced pressure pulse of a moderate amplitude (several megapascals) inside the tunnel. The tunnel lining is circular and consists of individual concrete linearly elastic tubbings. The tunnel is located at a depth of 15 m in fully saturated granular soil. Effective-stress changes are described by a hypoplasticity model. The possibility of pore water cavitation at zero absolute pore pressure is taken into account. The problem is solved in a two-dimensional plane-strain formulation with the finite-element program Abaqus/Standard. Emphasis is placed on fine spatial discretization in order to obtain accurate solutions. Stresses and deformations in the lining and in the soil are analysed in detail. The solutions reveal an important role of the strong nonlinearity in the soil behaviour due to the pore water cavitation.〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, Volume 514〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Mahasin Ali Khan, Meghma Bera, Robert A. Spicer, Teresa E.V. Spicer, Subir Bera〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Fossil leaf floras, from the latest Miocene-Pliocene Siwalik Group exposed in Bhutan, sub-Himalaya, are subjected to a CLAMP (Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program) analysis using a high-resolution gridded climate calibration. The CLAMP analysis of 27 different morphotypes of fossil leaves indicates a mean annual temperature (MAT) of 24.1 °C ± 2.8 °C; a cold month mean temperature (CMMT) of 18.9 °C ± 4 °C and a warm month mean temperature (WMMT) of 27.8 °C ± 3.3 °C. The analysis also suggests a weak monsoonal climate (the monsoon index, MSI 46.7; present MSI 52) with growing season precipitation (GSP) of 1819 ± 916 mm (present GSP 2490 mm). Here we also compare palaeoclimate estimates of the latest Miocene-Pliocene Siwalik Group flora from Bhutan (c. 6 to 3.8 Ma) with those of previously investigated Siwalik Group floras from the Miocene-Pleistocene of Arunachal, India and Miocene Siwalik floras of Darjeeling, India which characterise the monsoon signature at the time of deposition. Since all the Siwalik floras of the eastern Himalaya (Darjeeling and Arunachal Pradesh) spanning the mid-Miocene to Pleistocene yield almost the same values we suggest that overall the eastern Himalayan Siwalik climate appears to have been remarkably uniform over the past 15 million years. The MAT result of the Bhutan Siwalik flora differs by just 0.6 °C from Arunachal and 1.2 °C from Darjeeling Siwalik floras. For all Siwalik fossil assemblages, WMMTs, CMMTs and LGSs (length of the growing season) are similar and consistent (WMMTs around 28 °C, CMMTs around 18 °C and LGSs around 12 months). Similarly, the mean annual relative humidity (RH) and specific humidity (SH) appear to have been uniformly around 80% and 14 g/kg respectively throughout the Neogene of the eastern Himalayan Siwaliks. Changes in the monsoon index suggest that in both Bhutan and Arunachal sub-Himalaya, there has been little change in the intensity of the monsoon since mid-Miocene time, while further west in the Darjeeling area precipitation seasonality has increased since the mid-Miocene.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0031018218303523-ga1.jpg" width="327" alt="Unlabelled Image" title="Unlabelled Image"〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 March 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Geoderma, Volume 337〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): R. Calvelo Pereira, M. Camps Arbestain, F.M. Kelliher, B.K.G. Theng, S.R. McNally, F. Macías, F. Guitián〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉We have investigated the effect of supercritical drying (SD) on the porosity and the BET-N〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 specific surface area (SSA) of five allophane-rich and three non-allophanic topsoils. The contribution of organic matter (OM) and short-range ordered (SRO) constituents to the nanoscale porosity (〈100 nm size) and SSA was also evaluated following chemical treatments to oxidise OM and then remove the SRO phase. The average pore volume and SSA of the soils, measured after SD, are greater than the values obtained after air drying. For soils that are rich in SRO constituents, oxidation of OM leads to an increase in SSA. This observation is attributed to the unblocking of pore necks previously covered by OM, while the subsequent removal of SRO constituents causes a sharp decrease in SSA. The SRO constituents containing oxalate-extractable Al, are the major contributors to the SSA of the inorganic fraction. Besides confirming that SD can help preserve the nanoscale porosity of allophane-rich soils, the results highlight the contribution of SRO constituents to the SSA of soils and their ability to accumulate OM.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Environmental Research, Volume 168〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Cheng-Yang Hu, Yuan Fang, Feng-Li Li, Bao Dong, Xiao-Guo Hua, Wen Jiang, Heng Zhang, Yong Lyu, Xiu-Jun Zhang〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Air pollution has been evaluated as a possible risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD), but, the present results are inconsistent and have not been combined. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the association between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and PD, given the nature of disease etiology. A total of 10 studies were identified by searching Web of Science, Science Direct, and PubMed before October 2017. We found a significantly increased risk of PD with 10 parts per billion (ppb) increase in nitrogen oxides (NO〈sub〉x〈/sub〉) exposure (relative risk (RR) = 1.06; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 1.09). The pooled RR for the association between carbon monoxide (CO) exposure, 1 parts per million (ppm) increment, and the risk of PD was 1.65 (95% CI: 1.10, 2.48). The pooled RRs for the association between nitrogen dioxide (NO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉) and ozone (O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉) exposure per 1 ppb increment, and the risk of PD were 1.01 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.03) and 1.01 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.02), respectively. There was a significant heterogeneity in the meta-analysis for fine particulate matter (PM〈sub〉2.5〈/sub〉), NO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉, sulfur dioxide (SO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉), and CO. We concluded that NO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉, NO〈sub〉x〈/sub〉, CO and O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 exposure were associated with an increased risk of PD, although there is high risk of bias. The dose-response effects evaluated by high-quality studies are needed. Researches should be expanded to low- and/or middle- income countries where indoor and outdoor air pollution are high.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Capsule〈/h6〉 〈p〉Long-term exposure to ambient NO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉, NO〈sub〉x〈/sub〉, CO and O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 can increase the risk of Parkinson's disease.〈/p〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 December 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Volume 501〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Joanna Pisarska, Marta Sołtys, Joanna Janek, Agata Górny, Ewa Pietrasik, Tomasz Goryczka, Wojciech A. Pisarski〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Oxyfluoride lead-based and lead-free germanate glasses were heat-treated in order to fabricate transparent glass-ceramics. Cubic β-PbF〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 nanocrystals are well formed during crystallization of lead germanate glass. The up-conversion luminescence spectra of Er〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 ions in lead germanate glass-ceramic system are enhanced significantly due to partial incorporation of the optically active ions into fluoride crystalline phase. These effects are not significant in oxyfluoride lead-free germanate glass after heat treatment process. The crystallization of barium gallo-germanate glass with BaF〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 is more complex and the presence of four crystalline phases BaF〈sub〉2〈/sub〉, BaO, Ba〈sub〉3〈/sub〉Ga〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Ge〈sub〉4〈/sub〉O〈sub〉14〈/sub〉 and GeO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 was verified by X-ray diffraction measurements.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Thin Solid Films, Volume 669〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Hirokazu Chiba, Rikyu Ikariyama, Shintaro Yasui, Hiroshi Funakubo〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Bismuth ruthenate (Bi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Ru〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉7〈/sub〉) thin films were deposited on (111) yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) single crystals and (111)YSZ//(111)Si substrates by chemical vapor deposition using Bi(CH〈sub〉3〈/sub〉)〈sub〉2〈/sub〉[2-(CH〈sub〉3〈/sub〉)〈sub〉2〈/sub〉NCH〈sub〉2〈/sub〉C〈sub〉6〈/sub〉H〈sub〉4〈/sub〉] and Ru(C〈sub〉7〈/sub〉H〈sub〉11〈/sub〉)(C〈sub〉7〈/sub〉H〈sub〉9〈/sub〉) as source materials and oxygen as a reactant gas. The film composition and X-ray diffraction 〈em〉ω〈/em〉-2〈em〉θ〈/em〉 scan profiles for thin films deposited using various source flow rate ratios revealed the existence of a process window to obtain stoichiometric Bi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Ru〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉7〈/sub〉. Within the process window, the kind of substrates did not strongly affect the deposition rates of Bi and Ru or the Bi/Ru ratio of the deposited films. It was also confirmed that the Bi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Ru〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉7〈/sub〉 thin films grew epitaxially on both substrates within the process window. In particular, epitaxial Bi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Ru〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉7〈/sub〉 thin films grew on the Si substrate with a YSZ buffer layer. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the formation of continuous dense Bi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Ru〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉7〈/sub〉 films without any cracks or voids, and a relatively smooth interface between Bi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Ru〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉7〈/sub〉 and the YSZ buffer layer on Si. The resistivity of the Bi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Ru〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉7〈/sub〉 films was almost constant (~550 and ~950 μΩcm for the films deposited on (111)YSZ single-crystal substrates and (111)YSZ//(111)Si substrates, respectively), even when the ratio of Bi and Ru source gas flow rates was changed in the process window. In addition, the resistivity of Bi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉Ru〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉7〈/sub〉 films prepared on both kinds of substrates was almost independent of temperature from 10 to 300 K.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: Available online 30 October 2018〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Technological Forecasting and Social Change〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Sonal Choudhary, Rakesh Nayak, Sushma Kumari, Homagni Choudhury〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Drawing on theories of acculturation and information diffusion, this paper examines whether social media usage, intergroup contacts and information dissemination influence the cultural adaptation of three ethnic groups, and its implications on sustainable consumption behaviour. Twenty-four semi-structured interviews containing multiple dimensions of social media uses, acculturation, food consumption behaviour, and information diffusion were administered to a sample of Indians (living in the home country), British Indians (living in the host country for more than 10 years) and White British (natives of Britain) users of social media. Our findings suggest that there is a clear link between the integrated strategy of acculturation and information diffusion on social media, which influences acculturation to sustainable food consumption behaviour among social media users. Managerial implications of this research finding are that intervention in information diffusion aids acculturation through the social media, which serves to infuse social media and sustainability strategist with knowledge to best influence the consumers in developing sustainable food consumption behaviour. This research also identifies opportunities to expand this academic research and contribute further to the theories of remote acculturation on which limited research has been done.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 1 January 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Thin Solid Films, Volume 669〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Hiroaki Uchiyama, Takahiro Bando, Hiromitsu Kozuka〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Titania (TiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉) films were prepared from Ti(OC〈sub〉3〈/sub〉H〈sub〉7〈/sub〉〈sup〉〈em〉i〈/em〉〈/sup〉)〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 solutions of molar compositions, Ti(OC〈sub〉3〈/sub〉H〈sub〉7〈/sub〉〈sup〉〈em〉i〈/em〉〈/sup〉)〈sub〉4〈/sub〉: H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O: HNO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉: C〈sub〉2〈/sub〉H〈sub〉5〈/sub〉OH = 1: 〈em〉x〈/em〉: 〈em〉y〈/em〉: 10 (〈em〉x〈/em〉 = 1.0–8.0, 〈em〉y〈/em〉 = 0.1–2.0), and the influence of the amount of H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O and HNO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 on the crystallization of the films during the heat treatment was investigated. The precipitation in the coating solutions containing a large amount of H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O over 〈em〉x〈/em〉 = 4.0 was suppressed with increasing HNO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 contents over 〈em〉y〈/em〉 = 1.0, where the H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O contents in the solutions was able to be changed in the range of 〈em〉x〈/em〉 = 1.0–8.0. The increase in the H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O contents led to the increase in the degree of crystallization, crystallite size and reflective index of the resultant TiO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 films, while it decreased the size of the grains that were observed in the scanning electron microscope images. Anatase films with a higher refractive index of ca. 2.25 was obtained at 〈em〉x〈/em〉 = 8.0 and 〈em〉y〈/em〉 = 1.0–2.0.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: March 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Soil and Tillage Research, Volume 186〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Márcio R. Nunes, Eloy A. Pauletto, José E. Denardin, Luis E.A. S. Suzuki, Harold M. van Es〈/p〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Tillage and no-tillage result in different soil mechanical responses which in turn may affect crop growth. Better understanding of soil compressive behavior, therefore, is relevant for the assessment of tillage practices in agricultural systems. We studied the change in soil compressive properties and their relationship with soil physical attributes and plant growth through a chisel tillage chronosequence in a Nitisol where soil was untilled after chiseling for 24 months, 18 months, 12 months, 6 months, and zero months, and was under continuous (12-year) NT. The effects were measured for three soil depth layers: 0 to 7-cm, 7 to 17-cm and 20 to 30-cm. Mechanical chiseling was found to reduce both the degree of compactness and the pre-compression pressure compared to continuous NT, but made the soil more susceptible to new compaction. The effects of chisel tillage generally persisted for a period of 12–24 months. The degree of compactness and soil pre-compression pressure were found to be strongly correlated, and were strongly correlated with other soil physical attributes (soil penetration resistance, soil macroporosity, and soil aggregate stability). They were negatively correlated with root length, root density, and root volume, as well as stalk diameter, linking soil structure indicators to plant growth. Our results also showed that soil compressive parameter values can be estimated based on other soil physical properties that influence plant growth. These findings have potential for studies of crop response to soil structure and soil compaction and could be used to aid in choosing optimal soil management practices, in order to reduce the risk of soil compaction, linking soil compressive behavior and soil physical conditions to plant growth.〈/p〉〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 February 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Applied Surface Science, Volumes 467–468〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Cong Chen, Shouzhen Bao, Baoshun Zhang, Ying Chen, Wen Chen, Chengyu Wang〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉To reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) and irradiation, one efficient path is to develop electromagnetic absorption (EMA) material with the aim of high-efficient convert electromagnetic wave into thermal energy. Presently strategy to design high-performance electromagnetic absorber is followed by the way of component optimization and microstructure design. This research reported an advanced HWCNTs/Fe@Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 ternary absorber, which was fabricated by decorating H〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉 treated carbon nanotubes (HCNTs) with magnetic core-shell shaped Fe@Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 nanoparticles. This HCNTs/Fe@Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 composite exhibits various electromagnetic loss forms, including conductive, dipole, interface loss 〈em〉etc〈/em〉. which attribute to EMA ability. The largest qualified frequency width (〈em〉f〈sub〉E〈/sub〉〈/em〉) can up to 5.4 GHz with a thickness of 1.5 mm. To discuss the EMA loss mechanism, control experiments have been conducted by preparation of Fe@Fe〈sub〉3〈/sub〉O〈sub〉4〈/sub〉, HCNTs@Fe@Fe〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉3〈/sub〉 composites. In this way, the attenuation mechanism can be better understood.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0169433218329179-ga1.jpg" width="500" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 February 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Volume 536〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Gang Yuan, Xiao Zhao, Yeru Liang, Lin Peng, Hanwu Dong, Yong Xiao, Chaofan Hu, Hang Hu, Yingliang Liu, Mingtao Zheng〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉As a new class of zero-dimensional carbon nanomaterials, carbon dots have triggered intensive research interest in various fields. However, the low surface area, hydrophilicity, and agglomeration characteristics limit their applications in energy storage fields. Herein, we demonstrate that nitrogen-doped carbon dots can be employed as efficient nanoenhancer to boost the electrochemical performance of three-dimensional graphene. The as-prepared materials exhibit an interconnected framework with abundant oxygen- and nitrogen-containing functional groups, which enable fast penetration and transport of electrolyte ions and provide more active sites and electric conductivity. Employed as binder-free electrode for supercapacitors, the resultant materials present high specific capacitance (338 F g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉) and areal capacitance (604 μF cm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉) at a current density of 0.5 A g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉, which is much higher than that of pristine three-dimensional graphene (190 F g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉, and 114 μF cm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉), with an enhancement of 78% and 430%, respectively. Moreover, superior long-term cycling stability (94% of capacitance retention after 20 000 charging/discharging cycles at 10 A g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉) as well as improved electric conductivity can also be achieved. These results certify that nitrogen-doped carbon dots can be applied as nanobooster to comprehensively improve the performance of graphene for high-performance electrochemical energy storage.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈p〉Small nitrogen-doped carbon dots (〈em〉N〈/em〉-CDs) are employed as efficient nanoenhancer to significantly boost the electrochemical performances of three-dimensional graphene (3DG) for supercapacitors.〈/p〉 〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0021979718312931-ga1.jpg" width="500" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 February 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Volume 536〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Yuanyuan Zhang, Lili Wang, Fengying Dong, Qiao Chen, Haiyan Jiang, Mei Xu, Jinsheng Shi〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Bi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉CO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉-based ternary composite materials are generally synthesized by two- or multi-step method and special precursor of CO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉〈sup〉2−〈/sup〉 is usually utilized in synthesis of Bi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉CO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉, which are time-consuming, laborious and relatively costly. In this paper, for the first time, a facile one-step solvothermal method is used to fabricate Z-scheme Bi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉CO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉/Bi/Bi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉WO〈sub〉6〈/sub〉 ternary composites. Interestingly, ethylene glycol not only acts as solvent for the reaction system, but also reduced Bi〈sup〉3+〈/sup〉 into metallic Bi and itself is oxidized to CO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉〈sup〉2−〈/sup〉, which could construct Bi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉CO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉. On this occasion, Bi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉CO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉/Bi/Bi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉WO〈sub〉6〈/sub〉 ternary composites are obtained after one-step method. High resolution transmission electron microscopy clearly reveals each component in composites. The as-prepared samples could be applied in various photocatalytic activities. Under solar light irradiation, Bi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉O〈sub〉2〈/sub〉CO〈sub〉3〈/sub〉/Bi/Bi〈sub〉2〈/sub〉WO〈sub〉6〈/sub〉 composites exhibited prominent photodegradation performances for both ciprofloxacin and bisphenol A. Meanwhile, these composites could also be used in efficient photoreduction of CO〈sub〉2〈/sub〉. The efficient photocatalytic activity could be mainly ascribed to Z-scheme electron transfer mechanism in ternary composites, which is determined by surface redox reactions, active species trapping experiment, electron spin resonance spectrum.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0021979718312918-ga1.jpg" width="425" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 February 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Volume 536〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Hua Guo, Ya Su, Yanling Shen, Yumei Long, Weifeng Li〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Optimizing heterostructure of nanocomposites holds great potential for making full use of their ability. Herein, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were in situ synthesized over the surface of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C〈sub〉3〈/sub〉N〈sub〉4〈/sub〉) via one-step pyrolyzation route using a single source precursor. The precursor of melamine chloroauric (C〈sub〉3〈/sub〉H〈sub〉6〈/sub〉N〈sub〉6〈/sub〉H〈sup〉+〈/sup〉⋅AuCl〈sub〉4〈/sub〉〈sup〉−〈/sup〉) was obtained through chemical precipitation reaction between melamine and chloroauric acid. The morphological analysis confirmed the compact contact between Au nanoparticles and g-C〈sub〉3〈/sub〉N〈sub〉4〈/sub〉. Then, the Au-g-C〈sub〉3〈/sub〉N〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 nanocomposites were employed to fabricate electrochemical sensor by modifying glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Electrochemical experiments showed that the Au-g-C〈sub〉3〈/sub〉N〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 exhibited enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards tetracycline oxidation as compared with either pure g-C〈sub〉3〈/sub〉N〈sub〉4〈/sub〉 or Au nanoparticles. Based on cyclic voltammetry (CV) method, the sensor was applied in the detection of tetracycline with a low detection limit of 0.03 μM (S/N = 3) and the linear range of concentration were 0.1–20 μM and 20–200 μM, respectively. Moreover, such an electrochemical sensor demonstrated high stability and good selectivity. Finally, the electrochemical sensor was applied to drug assays and exhibited sufficient precision and accuracy. Therefore, this work paves a new way of preparing g-C〈sub〉3〈/sub〉N〈sub〉4〈/sub〉–based heterostructures and provides an efficient method for the detection of tetracycline in clinical analysis and quality control.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0021979718313018-ga1.jpg" width="419" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: 15 February 2019〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Volume 536〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Mingmei Zhang, Hong Liu, Ying Wang, Tianjiao Ma〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Three-dimensional (3D) flower center/petal nanostructure exhibits excellent electrochemical performance because of their unique unfold ultra-thin multi-layer structure benefit to the rapid transmission of electrons and the full infiltration of the electrolyte. A three-phase Fe〈sub〉5〈/sub〉Ni〈sub〉4〈/sub〉S〈sub〉8〈/sub〉 nanosflower is constructed by one step alcohothermal technique using a mixture solvent of glycerol, diethylene glycol and ethylenediamine. Ethylenediamine successfully functions as the complexing agent of metal ions to slowly release the metal ions in the process of reaction, which encourage the flower petal nanostructure formation. Interestingly, when the proportion of iron increased, a novel Fe〈sub〉7〈/sub〉S〈sub〉8〈/sub〉@Fe〈sub〉5〈/sub〉Ni〈sub〉4〈/sub〉S〈sub〉8〈/sub〉 flower center/petal nanostructure come into being. Benefiting from the interconnected structure of the multi-layer shell, the Fe〈sub〉7〈/sub〉S〈sub〉8〈/sub〉@ Fe〈sub〉5〈/sub〉Ni〈sub〉4〈/sub〉S〈sub〉8〈/sub〉 nanosflower displays high specific capacitance of 670.4C g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at 1 A g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉, excellent rate capability of 79.2% (531.0C g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at 20 A g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉), and longer cycling stability of 92.1% retained capacitance after 5000 cycles. Furthermore, the assembled hybrid supercapacitor demonstrates high energy density of 49.9 Wh kg〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at power density of 770.0 W kg〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉. Our results provide a new strategy to design metal sulfides with special structure for application to asymmetrical supercapacitor cathode material.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Graphical abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈p〉A three-phase core/shell flower-like Fe〈sub〉7〈/sub〉S〈sub〉8〈/sub〉@Fe〈sub〉5〈/sub〉Ni〈sub〉4〈/sub〉S〈sub〉8〈/sub〉 is successfully constructed by one step alcohothermal technique using a mixture solvent of glycerol, diethylene glycol and ethylenediamine. The as-obtained composites become a promising electrode material for the next generation energy storage devices with high specific capacitance (670.4C g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at 1 A g〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉), excellent energy density (49.9 Wh kg〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉 at power density of 770.0 W kg〈sup〉−1〈/sup〉), as well as good long-term cycling stability (almost 88.9% retention after 10,000 cycles).〈/p〉 〈p〉〈figure〉〈img src="https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0021979718312906-ga1.jpg" width="496" alt="Graphical abstract for this article" title=""〉〈/figure〉〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉