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Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have been considered as the most promising power technology for large-scale storage of energy which is produced by renewable sources. The development of SIBs anode materials is still not satisfied enough to meet the commercial requirement. The research focused on developing anode materials of SIBs with high electrochemical performance still need to be processed. SnO 2 has drawn great attention as anode material for SIBs because of its high theoretical capacity (1378 mA h g−1). But the large volume change and incomplete electrochemical reaction with sodium-ion during charge/discharge cycles led to its poor electrochemical performance. Herein, a unique hollow paramecium-like SnO 2 /TiO 2 heterostructure is designed for sodium storage. In this SnO 2 /TiO 2 composite, the hollow structure can provide space for the expansion of SnO 2 , and the outside TiO 2 nanoparticles increases the number of active sites for sodium storage. The electrochemical performance of SnO 2 , TiO 2 , and the SnO 2 /TiO 2 electrode are compared. The SnO 2 /TiO 2 architecture illustrates the highest specific capacity and the best cycling stability among the three samples. The result demonstrates that SnO 2 /TiO 2 composite is a promising electrode for SIBs. Image 1 • A hollow paramecium-like SiO 2 /TiO 2 heterostructure has been designed. • This SiO 2 /TiO 2 is a unique heterostructure as anode materials for SIBs. • This structure shows improved cyclability compared with pure SiO 2 and TiO 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To design and prepare novel metal oxide-carbon composites are always considered as a feasible way to explore potential candidates for high-performance electrode materials. In this work, we fabricated the unique composites of MnO nanoparticles and graphene-like carbon flakes by pyrolysis of an inorganic-organic layered compound. As precursors, the inorganic-organic layered compounds create a special two-dimensional space, which induces a novel hybrid of MnO nanoparticles and carbon flakes. The as-obtained ultrathin carbon flakes are not smooth but contain numerous caves, where the MnO nanoparticles are located with the even size of 20 nm. This unique compositing pattern of MnO particles and carbons endows the MnO/CS with a larger contact area and a closer combination between active materials and conductive scaffolds, leading to an excellent electrochemical performance as the anode materials of lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible batteries as one of the most promising technologies for the application of wearable and soft electronic devices have attracted great attention in recent years. Similar to conventional secondary batteries, cyclability, and high rate capacities are also required for application of flexible electronics. In this paper, a flexible surface modified carbon cloth architecture is designed as a current collector and prepared for the application in Li and Na batteries. Owing to the design of rough structure on carbon fibers, the surface area for active materials to nucleate and grow can be increased, and the rough surface ensures a good contact between the active material and carbon fibers. The binder free Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 /surface modified carbon cloth electrodes exhibit excellent cycle ability for both Li and Na storages. The electrode delivers a small capacity loss of 9.5% after 6000 cycles at 10C with a capacity retention of 131 mA h g −1 for Li storage. And a capacity of 124 mA h g −1 is obtained after 1000 cycles for Na storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 4 experimental diets, all containing rapeseed oil, consisted of one control and 3 other diets supplemented with 3 different levels of commercial oenological extracts tannins (i.e. 3, 6 and 9 g/kg dry matter (DM), respectively). The effect of the added tannins on the fatty acid profiles of ruminal fluid was tested in vitro, and 20 multiparous Liuyang black nannies [average body weight (BW): 26.3 ± 0.5 kg] at week 6 of lactation were used in an in vivo experiment. For the in vitro experiment, the inclusion of dietary tannins did not ( P > 0.05) affect fatty acid contents in the culture fluid in vitro, except the percentage of total conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) tended to increase (quadratically, P = 0.075) with increasing tannins level. Increasing incubation time decreased the percentage of total cis C17:1 ( P = 0.001), cis -11 C18:1 ( P < 0.0001), cis -12 C18:1 ( P < 0.0001), trans -11 C18:1 ( P = 0.016), total cis C18:1 ( P < 0.0001) and C18:1 ( P < 0.0001), cis -9, cis -12 C18:2 n-6 linoleic acid (LA) ( P < 0.0001) and total n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids ( P UFA) ( P = 0.001). In the in vivo experiment, concentration of C16:1 in goat milk linearly increased ( P = 0.032) and that of cis -11 C18:1 tended (quadratic effect, P = 0.072) to increase with increasing levels of tannins. Tannin inclusion did not affect ( P > 0.05) the content of protein, lactose, ash, solid not fat and total solids in the goat milk, but higher levels of tannins reduced milk fat content ( P = 0.005), compared with the control diet. Compared with the control, tannins inclusion decreased concentrations of cis -11 C20:1 ( P = 0.022) and total n-9 monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) ( P = 0.017) in milk at the 3 g/kg DM inclusion rate, decreased C11:0 ( P = 0.012) and C13:0 ( P = 0.029) at 6 g/kg DM, but increased cis -9 C18:1 ( P = 0.043) and C22:6 n-3 docosahexenoic acid (DHA) ( P = 0.013) at the 9 g/kg DM inclusion rate. Concentrations of cis -14 C18:1, cis -9, cis -12 C18:2 n-6 LA, total cis MUFA, PUFA, n-3 and n-6 PUFA in milk linearly increased ( P < 0.05) with increasing dietary tannins. These data indicate that dietary inclusion of rapeseed oil in combination with tannins would be an effective tool for increasing the unsaturated fatty acids content in goat milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various yolk-shell structured particles designed for large volume expansion materials for lithium-ion storage have been reported, the cycle stability and coulombic efficiency can be effectively improved through such structure design. SnO 2 has high theoretical capacity of 1494 mA h g −1 and 1378 mA h g −1 for lithium and sodium storage, respectively. The large volume expansion problem of SnO 2 has long been considered as the primary reason for the capacity fading of SnO 2 based anode materials. In this paper, the yolk-shell structured SnO 2 porous nanowire has been designed, and this unique yolk-shell structure is reported as anode materials for lithium and sodium-ion storage for the first time. The yolk-shell structured porous nanowires deliver significantly improved cycle stability and coulombic efficiency as active material for both lithium and sodium-ion storage compared with that of pure SnO 2 porous nanowires. It exhibits a high and stable capacity of 1150 mA h g −1 at current density of 200 mA g −1 for lithium-ion storage, and a capacity of 401 mA h g −1 at current density of 50 mA g −1 after 50 cycles for sodium-ion storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The W bicrystal models with grain boundary are constructed and several percentages of W atoms are replaced by Cu atoms in the region of grain boundary to study the effect of Cu impurity atoms. Molecular dynamics simulation combined with Monte Carlo (MC) swaps reveals that Cu atoms will segregate to the W grain boundary and form clusters. As the number of copper atoms increases, the strength of grain boundaries decreases and the brittleness increases. The doping of Cu atoms is beneficial to the propagation of grain boundary cracks, and the higher the Cu atoms content, the faster the crack growth rate. • Molecular dynamics simulation was used to studied effect of Cu on W bicrystal models with grain boundaries. • As the number of copper atoms increases, the strength of W grain boundaries decreases and the brittleness increases. • Cu atoms are beneficial to the propagation of cracks of W grain boundaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For alkali-activated slag (AAS), high drying shrinkage is an obstacle which impedes its application as a construction material. In this investigation, nano-TiO 2 was added to AAS, and its mechanical properties and shrinkage were tested to examine its effect on hardened alkali-activated slag paste (AASP). To understand the impact of nano-TiO 2 on AASP at micro scale, FTIR, MIP and SEM were carried out. Experimental results indicate that the addition of nano-TiO 2 to AAS enhances the mechanical strength, and decreases the shrinkage of AASP. FTIR and SEM results demonstrated that the addition of nano-TiO 2 into the AASP accelerates its hydration process, resulting in more hydration products and denser structure. MIP results showed that the addition of nano-TiO 2 reduces the total porosity of AASP and changes the pore structure. The porosity of 1.25–25 nm mesopores, which is believed to be responsible for the high shrinkage of AASP, is remarkably reduced due to the addition of nano-TiO 2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Modification of electrodes has attracted much attention in the study of organic semiconductor devices. A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 4-fluorothiophenol is employed to modify the Ag film on the surface of indium tin oxide (ITO) to improve the hole injection and the surface morphology. The modified anode was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscope (AFM), and UV–vis transmittance spectra. To investigate the effect of the modification on the device characteristics, typical double layer devices with the structure of anode/α-naphthylphenylbiphenyl diamine (NPB, 60nm)/tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq3, 60nm)/LiF(0.7nm)/Al(100nm) were fabricated using the modified anode and the bare ITO. The effect of Ag layer thickness on the device performance is also investigated. The results revealed that SAM modified ultra-thin Ag film is an effective buffer layer for organic light emitting diode. The device using the ITO/Ag (5nm)/SAM as anode show improved device characteristics than that of using bare ITO as anode. The enhancements in luminance and efficiency are attributed to enhanced hole injection and smooth surface between anode and the organic material. The Ag thickness of 5nm is chosen as an acceptable compromise between substrate transparency and the device performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper reports comparative studies of TaN and SiCN as barrier for Cu-porous dielectric (k <2.3) integration using various techniques. It was found that SiCN dielectric is much better than TaN for the Cu-Ultra low k (ULK) integration. Upon thermal annealing at 400 °C for different periods of time, TEM images revealed strong intermixing at the two interfaces of Cu/TaN/ULK structures but no sign of diffusion in Cu/SiCN/ULK structure even after being annealed at 400 °C for 150 min. The strong intermixing in the Cu/TaN/ULK structure results from grain boundaries in the TaN film and porosity of the dielectric, while the excellent reliability of the Cu/SiCN/ULK dielectric is ascribed to the amorphous structure and high thermal stability of the SiCN film. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper reports the effect of a SiCN/Ta bilayer barrier on the electrical properties and thermal stability of single damascene lines for Cu-ultra low k integration. By introducing an additional SiCN layer prior to a Ta barrier, breakdown voltage, line-to-line leakage current and thermal stability could be significantly improved. The increase in the line resistance could be minimized by optimizing the thickness of SiCN layer in the multilayer lines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper reports the study of the thermal stability of the Cu(150 nm)/Ta(25 nm)/ultra low-k (ULK) porous polymer(600 nm)/SiO2/Si structures for multilevel interconnects of the new generation integrated circuits (IC). It was found that the sheet resistance of the structure increased slowly with the annealing time, at 400 °C, for up to 120 min, and it increased abruptly after being annealed for 150 min. The results of the secondary ion mass spectrometry revealed that the significant increase of the sheet resistance is due to the diffusion of Ta and O to the Cu film. It was also revealed that the annealing at 400 °C for more than 120 min also caused diffusion of Ta and O and even Cu into the ultra low-k porous polymer (ULKPP), and the Ta and O diffused faster in the dielectric than in the Cu film. The diffusion coefficient of Ta in the ultra low-k porous polymer at 400 °C is about 0.051 nm2/s. In addition, the out-diffusion of the C and H in the dielectric towards Ta and Cu layers was also observed and H was found to diffuse faster than C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Tantalum (Ta), TaN and bilayer Ta/TaN barriers deposited on ultra-low-k porous polymer (ULKPP) and the thermal stability of their structures are comparatively investigated using various techniques. The Ta/ultra-low-k polymer shows the smallest sheet resistance, but the poorest thermal stability, while TaN on the ultra-low-k polymer shows the highest resistance but the best thermal stability. The bi-layer Ta/TaN barrier takes the advantage of both Ta and TaN barriers and gives reasonable resistance and thermal stability. The electrical tests indicate that the Cu lines with the TaN and bi-layer Ta/TaN barriers exhibit the smaller leakage current and higher breakdown voltage compared with the Cu lines with the Ta barrier. The better thermal stability of the TaN and the bi-layer Ta/TaN barriers is mainly due to the amorphous/nanostructure and less grain boundaries of the barriers. In addition, the texture discontinuity at the Ta/TaN interfaces in the bi-layers barrier also plays an important role in reducing mutual diffusion of Ta atoms in the Ta barrier and some atoms in the ultra-low-k porous polymer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The photo-physical and electroluminescent properties of five PPV-type conjugated polymers containing phenothiazine and phenothiazine-5-oxide moieties were studied by UV–vis, PL and EL methods. The polymers showed PL maxima in the range 546-553nm in solution and is 574–589nm in solid. Red shifts in PL of P2, P3 and P4 were observed and can be explained by intra-molecular charge transfer effect. Yellowish-green light ranging from 568 to 576nm with luminance up to 200cd/m2 was observed for the single layer device with the configuration of ITO/Polymer/Ca/Al. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The charge and spin thermoelectric FOMs as functions of the chemical potential. • A spin-semiconducting property is achieved. • The spin thermoelectric figure of merit at room temperature can reach as high as 35. • Pure spin current or single-spin current can be generated. We propose a perfect spin-caloritronics device based on a carbon-based organic chain. A spin-semiconducting property is achieved, which originates from the edge localized states. The appearance of spin-dependent transport gaps results in a large spin Seebeck coefficient. Moveover, the dimensionless spin thermoelectric figure of merit (FOM) at room temperature can be enhanced to as high as 35. Furthermore, the pure spin current or single-spin current can be produced at some chemical potentials under a temperature difference, and their transport directions can also be tuned by the chemical potential. Therefore, the carbon-based organic chain is well suited for designing the multifunctional spin-caloritronics devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An additional dielectric barrier layer SiCN was deposited on the sidewalls prior to Ta(N) metal barrier deposition. It was found that the leakage decreased with three to four orders of magnitude and breakdown voltage increased 200% compared with that without SiCN layer after burn-in at 200°C for 40 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Corrosion of steel under sulfur-containing deposit is more severe than bare steel. [•] Corrosion under deposit is accelerated at 60°C by coupled with uncovered region. [•] Wire beam electrode was used to reveal the localized corrosion under deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nambu spinor Green’s function approach is applied to study proximity effects in ferromagnet/superconductor (FM/SC) structures. They include the induced superconducting order parameter and density of states (DOS) with superconducting feature on the FM side, and spin-dependent DOS within the energy gap on the SC side. The latter indicates an appearance of gapless superconductivity and a coexistence of ferromagnetism and superconductivity in a small regime near the interface. The influence of exchange energy in FM and barrier strength at interface on the proximity effects is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A new and effective Pb-Bi bond-order-potential (BOP) was constructed. • BOP model could accurately describe various properties of binary Pb-Bi system. • Formation, diffusion, viscosity of lead-bismuth eutectic melt was successfully predicted. Lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) alloys are currently considered one of the most promising liquid metal coolants for fast reactors, and especially accelerator-driven systems (ADS). An analytical bond-order potential (BOP) of Pb-Bi has been constructed to account for the electronic interactions and angular contribution of Pb-Bi system. The newly developed BOP has been validated to show a better performance than the Pb-Bi potentials already published in the literature. Molecular dynamics simulations based on current BOP has been adopted to investigate various properties of Pb-Bi binary system. It accurately predict the heats of formation, density, and thermal expansion coefficient of liquid LBE at 700 K. The diffusion coefficient and viscosity of liquid Pb 44.5 Bi 55.5 are calculated, which are in good agreement with experimental observations in the literature. These findings provide a foundation for future design of Pb-Bi eutectic alloys for use in ADS and heavy-metal-cooled fast nuclear reactors. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Austenitic stainless steel 316 L, a typical face-centered-cubic (FCC) iron alloy, demonstrates great potential as structural materials in nuclear plant. However, liquid metal (Pb and Bi) embrittlement (LME) constitutes the major bottlenect in its wide application. In this work, first-principles calculations are conducted to reveal the influences of Cr, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Bi on magnetic property, surface energy, stacking fault energy, ductility, as well as electronic structure of FCC Fe under the magnetic ground state of antiferromagnetic double layer (AFMD). It is discovered that the addition of Ni could considerably increase the ductility of FCC Fe, while the effects of Cr and Mo on the increase of ductility of FCC Fe seem much smaller. On the contrary, both Pb and Bi significantly reduce the ductility of FCC Fe. Such a large decrease is mainly attributed to the more reduction of surface energy than that of unstable stacking fault energy as well as a more directional and weaker chemical bonding. The derived results could provide insight into the influence of alloying elements on the various properties of FCC Fe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The exploration of high-performance anode materials by designing different synthesis methods is crucial to the development of next generation lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Ultrafine Ni 2 P nanoparticles embedded in one-dimensional carbon skeleton derived from metal-organic frameworks template are obtained and used as LIBs anode electrode. The unique architecture of Ni 2 P@C electrode delivered a high capacity of 610.4 mA h g−1 at the current density of 100 mA g−1, excellent rate capability and superior cycling stability with no obvious capacity decay over 400 cycles at a high current of 500 mA g−1, indicating the promising potential for LIBs application. Significantly, this design method of nanoparticles embedded in carbon skeleton may become a novel strategy for synthesizing other metal phosphides used as next generation LIBs anode materials. Highlights • Ultrafine Ni 2 P nanoparticles derived from MOFs template was obtained. • This unique structure used in lithium storage is reported for the first time. • Ni 2 P nanoparticles greatly shorten the migration distance of lithium ions. • The unique architecture contributes to the excellent electrochemical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An anode material for sodium-ion batteries, Ni-Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)-derived nickel sulfide (NiS 2 ), is first reported. The synthesis strategy involves a novel method in which Ni-based MOFs is fabricated as precursor and then sulfured by sublimed sulfur in solid phase reaction. The as synthesized Ni-MOFs-derived NiS 2 shows a hierarchical durian-like nanostructure made of nanoparticles with the diameter of around 10 nm and amorphous carbon with 3 dimensional conductive net skeleton. Moreover, due to the novel hierarchical nanostructure, sodium ions are able to easily insert/extract into/from the active material. As a result, the as synthesized Ni-MOF-derived NiS 2 nanostructure electrode exhibits high specific capacity and excellent rate performance. We believe that the hierarchical Ni-MOFs-derived NiS 2 nanoparticles will be one of the most promising electrode materials for sodium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel electrolysis-integrated horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetland system (E-HFCWs) was developed for intensified removal of nitrogen and phosphorus contaminated water. The dynamics of nitrogen and phosphorus removal and that of main water qualities of inflow and outflow were also evaluated. The hydraulic retention time (HRT) greatly enhanced nitrate removal when the electrolysis current intensity was stabilized at 0.07 mA/cm 2 . When the HRT ranged from 2 h to 12 h, the removal rate of nitrate increased from 20% to 84%. Phosphorus (P) removal was also greatly enhanced—exceeding 90% when the HRT was longer than 4 h in the electrolysis-integrated HFCWs. This improved P removal is due to the in-situ formation of ferric ions by anodizing of sacrificial iron anodes, causing chemical precipitation, physical adsorption and flocculation of phosphorus. Thus, electrolysis plays an important role in nitrate and phosphorus removal. The diversity and communities of bacteria in the biofilm of substrate was established by the analysis of 16S rDNA gene sequences, and the biofilm was abundant with Comamonadaceae and Xanthomonadaceae bacteria in E-HFCWs. Test results illustrated that the electrolysis integrated with horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetland is a feasible and effective technology for intensified nitrogen and phosphorus removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The branch waveguide coupler (BWC) with an intrinsically excellent microwave property in an extremely wide frequency range was proposed to build the input/output (I/O) structure for the sheet beam traveling wave tube. The odd and even mode theory is utilized to analyze the BWC. Based on the theory, a code is written to calculate its microwave performance parameters. The numerical calculation has a good agreement with the computation simulation. To improve the efficiency of developing the BWC, a novel design optimization approach based on the MATLAB optimization tool is proposed. A BWC with nine branch waveguides is optimized using multi-objective genetic algorithm. In addition to the excellent microwave property, a compact configuration is achieved. It is predicted that the I/O structure possesses a very good performance with coupling above −0.3 dB, port reflectivity under −19 dB, and isolation less than −15 dB in a broad frequency range of 37.4–51.0 GHz, corresponding to a bandwidth of 13.6 GHz (30.7%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First principles calculation is performed to comparatively investigate the effects of Cu and Fe on energetics, cohesion properties, elastic properties, and fracture toughness of the ∑5(310)[001] grain boundary (GB) in body-centered cubic (BCC) W. It shows that both Cu and Fe have a tendency to segregate towards GB of BCC W and increase stability of GB with a lower GB energy. Calculations also indicate that Cu and Fe have a significant effect on decreasing the cohesion and increasing the brittleness of BCC W, which should be fundamentally attributed to lower bond energies of W–Cu and W–Fe bonds than the W–W bonds. The obtained results are interpreted and understood by bond energies and electronic structures, are consistent with existing experimental and theoretical observations, and would clarify the controversy about the effects of Cu and Fe on cohesion properties and brittleness of BCC W in the literature. • Mechanism was found to explain effects of Cu and Fe on cohesion strength and brittleness of BCC W. • Atomic models with 16 atoms for BCC W and BCC W 15 X 1 (X = Cu, Fe) are used to derive the bond energy, for the first time. • Addition of Cu has a greater effect on cohesion strength, Young's modulus and brittleness of BCC W than Fe. • Bond energy and charge density provide deep understanding of effects of Cu and Fe on cohesion and brittleness of BCC W. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nanoparticles (NPs) of TiO2 and ZnO are receiving increasing attention due to their widespread applications. To evaluate their toxicities to the earthworm Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826) in soil, artificial soil systems containing distilled water, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 or 5.0gkg−1 of NPs were prepared and earthworms were exposed for 7 days. Contents of Zn and Ti in earthworm, activities of antioxidant enzymes, DNA damage to earthworm, activity of cellulase and damage to mitochondria of gut cells were investigated after acute toxicity test. The results from response of the antioxidant system combined with DNA damage endpoint (comet assay) indicated that TiO2 and ZnO NPs could induce significant damage to earthworms when doses were greater than 1.0gkg−1. We found that Ti and Zn, especially Zn, were bioaccumulated, and that mitochondria were damaged at the highest dose in soil (5.0gkg−1). The activity of cellulase was significantly inhibited when organisms were exposed to 5.0gkg−1 of ZnO NPs. Our study demonstrates that both TiO2 and ZnO NPs exert harmful effects to E. fetida when their levels are higher than 1.0gkg−1 in soil and that toxicity of ZnO NPs was higher than TiO2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Synthetic pesticides have been used to control plant diseases or pests for a long time. The public has been affected by many problems such as environmental pollution and health issues from synthetic pesticide use in agriculture. It has consequently become necessary to develop alternative methods for the control of plant diseases. The TiO2 photocatalyst technique has potential for agricultural application because it will not form dangerous compounds. However, UV is only about 3% of the light existing in the solar spectrum. This limits TiO2 photocatalytic disinfection application under visible light irradiation. Our current research emphasizes the improvement of TiO2 thin film photocatalytic efficiency under visible light (λ >400 nm) by doping a novel photosensitive dye (5, 10, 15, 20-tetraphenyl-21H, 23H-porphine nickel, TPPN) using the sol–gel method. These results showed that the TiO2 thin film doped with 200 μM of TPPN had high indigo dye photodegrading efficiency. The inhibition rates of TiO2/TPPN thin film illuminated by visible light against phytopathogenic bacteria including Enterobacter cloacae SM1, Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 3 and E. carotovora subsp. carotovora 7 which induced severe soft/basal rot disease in vegetable crops were all more than 90%. These evidence suggest that the TiO2/TPPN thin film under visible light irradiation has the potential for direct application to plant protection in irrigation water systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: TiO2/Fe thin film is thin film modified by metal (Fe) plasma ion implantation. In our previous work, it has been demonstrated to have antimicrobial activity after being irradiated with visible light. However, the mechanism of its antimicrobial activity has not been well known yet. In this study, the effects of TiO2/Fe thin film irradiated with visible light on the cellular morphology and DNA of the Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora ZL1, an important soft rot bacterium of vegetable and ornamental crops were examined. Scanning electron microscopic studies revealed that abnormal ultrastructures were observed on the surface of E. carotovora subsp. carotovora ZL1 cells treated with TiO2/Fe thin films irradiated with visible light for 60 min. Based on the gel electrophoresis analysis, the genomic DNA of E. carotovora subsp. carotovora ZL1 cells treated with TiO2/Fe thin films under visible light irradiation was also affected. The results suggest that TiO2/Fe thin film irradiated with visible light has the potential to disinfect of plant- or public health-concerned pathogens. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Neutron-rich nuclei populated in spontaneous fission are providing new tests for microscopic models. The neutron-rich 104–108Mo, 108–114Ru and 112–116Pd exibit a variety of rapidly changing collective band structures to high spins. The first evidence for chiral band doublets in any even-even nucleus are reported. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) is a well-known, highly effective traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Polysaccharides extracted from AS (ASPS) have multiple pharmacologic and biological activities with potential use as additives in broiler chicken feed. This trial evaluated the effects of dietary ASPS on growth performance, immune function, antioxidation, and ileal microbial populations in broiler chickens. A total of 240 1-day-old Arbor Acres male broiler chicks were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 10 replicates of 6 chicks and fed a corn- and soybean-based diet supplemented with 0, 1, 2, or 4 g/kg ASPS. Compared with the control group, supplementation with 1 g/kg ASPS increased ADG and ADFI in the finisher and overall periods and decreased the feed conversion ratio in the finisher period (both P < 0.05). Serum IgA and IgM were significantly increased by supplementation with 1 and 2 g/kg of ASPS (P < 0.05). Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were increased and malondialdehyde concentration was decreased in birds fed ASPS-supplemented diets compared with those in the control group (P < 0.05). Polysaccharides extracted from AS supplementation increased Lactobacillus and decreased Escherichia coli and Salmonella counts in the ileal contents compared with the control diet (both P < 0.05). The results show that dietary ASPS improved growth performance, immune status, and antioxidant capacity and stimulated the growth of beneficial gut bacteria in broiler chickens. In conclusion, ASPS was effective as a natural additive in broiler chicken feed; 1 g/kg can be considered as the optimum dosage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular dynamics simulations have been conducted to find out the cohesion property, tensile strength, and dislocation evolution of several Cu–Fe interfaces. It is found that Cu 1 ‾ 1 1 ‾ /Fe (110) -KS and Cu (1 ‾ 1 1 ‾) /Fe (110) -NW interfaces are not only energetically favorable with lower interface energies, but also have higher strength than Cu–Fe interfaces with other interface orientations. Simulations also reveal that the formation of Cu–Fe interfaces has an important effect to increase the tensile strength of Cu under tensile loading along the directions parallel to the interface due to the block of the dislocation movement by the interface. On the contrary, the tensile strength of the Cu–Fe interfaces is smaller than that of Cu along the direction perpendicular to the interface as a result of the weak interface cohesion. The simulated results are in good agreement with experimental observations in the literature, and could provide a deep understanding of mechanical property and dislocation evolution of Cu–Fe interfaces. • Interface energy and work of separation of Cu-Fe interfaces are derived through MD simulation. • Cu (1 ¯ 1 1 ¯) /Fe (110) -KS and Cu (1 ¯ 1 1 ¯) /Fe (110) -NW interfaces are energetically favorable with higher strength. • Cu-Fe interfaces increase tensile strength of Cu under loading parallel to the interface. • Cu-Fe interfaces decrease tensile strength of Cu under loading perpendicular to the interface. • Mechanism of dislocation evolution of Cu-Fe interfaces is revealed by the Cu-Fe potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Owing to the large band gap energy of 3.2eV, pure TiO2 film operates as an efficient photocatalyst under UV light irradiation and exhibits no photocatalytic activity under the visible spectral region. UV is only about 3% of the light existing in the solar spectrum. Currently, the red-shift in the band gap energy induced by dye-modified TiO2 film is one of the most popular and economic processes for improving the drawback in TiO2 photocatalyst. Therefore, we assess the photocatalytic efficiency of dye-modified TiO2 thin film using various dye molecules such as Eosin Y, Safranine O and tris-2, 2′-bipyridyl dichlororuthenium (II) hexahydrate (Rubpy) using the sol–gel process under visible light (λ >400 nm). These results showed that TiO2 thin film modified with Safranine O dye had the best photodegrading efficiency under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic inactivation of Safranine O and Eosin Y dye-modified TiO2 thin films against phytopathogenic bacteria including Enterobacter cloacae SM1 and Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 3 which cause severe soft/basal rot disease in vegetable crops in Taiwan were all more than 90% after irradiation with visible light for 60min. The evidence suggests that the dye-modified TiO2 thin film under visible light irradiation has potential for plant protection applications in hydroponic systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Enhancing dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) altered lipopolysaccharide distribution depending on period. • Increasing DCAD affected interleukin-2 concentration in serum depending on period. • Increment of DCAD lowered LPS binding protein and serum amyloid A concentrations during severe heat stress. The objective of the present study was to investigate the alterations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin across four different biofluids (i.e., rumen fluid, blood plasma, milk, and urine) and LPS-related inflammation responses in Holstein dairy cows under heat stress through the regulation of dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD). Eight lactating Holstein dairy cows were randomly assigned in a 2 × 2 crossover design to either a control DCAD diet (CON: 33.5 mEq/100 g DM) or a high DCAD diet (HDCAD: 50.8 mEq/100 g DM), and each experimental period lasted for 21 days. Samples of rumen fluid, blood plasma, milk, and urine were collected on the last day of each period and the concentrations of LPS endotoxin in those samples were measured afterwards. In addition, the concentrations of pro-inflammatory indicators related to LPS in the blood serum were also determined. Heat stress was more severe in period I, during which a higher (P < 0.0001) temperature humidity index (THI) was recorded compared to period II. The increase of DCAD by supplementing NaHCO 3 and K 2 CO 3 enhanced (P < 0.01) the levels of endotoxin in the urine during period I, whilst lowered (P < 0.01) the endotoxin concentration in plasma during period II. Raising DCAD also decreased (P < 0.01) the levels of lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) in the serum during period I. The interaction between treatment and period occurred for the concentrations of LPS across four biofluids and a few inflammatory mediators in the serum. Increasing DCAD differently altered the LPS concentrations in rumen liquid (P < 0.01) and milk (P < 0.01), as well as the interleukin (IL)-2 level in serum (P < 0.05) dependent on the period. This study implies that elevating DCAD modified the distribution of LPS endotoxin across different biofluids and affected inflammation response in Holstein cows under heat stress, and it necessitates further investigations to reveal the underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]