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The studies presented in this paper constitute the first scientific attempt to interpret the manner whereby notched implements made of scapulae were made and used. These implements have been found at numerous European and non-European sites, usually dated to the Neolithic–Early Iron Age (predominantly the Early Bronze Age). Research has examined these products since the beginning of the 20th century, resulting in the development of several hypotheses regarding their functions. This paper presents the analysis results of 41 such artefacts from the early Bronze Age defensive settlement in Bruszczewo (central Poland). This is the largest collection of these products from a single site worldwide. The artefacts were subjected to multi-aspect traceological tests (both technological and functional) using optical, metallographic, and scanning electron microscopes. The residues identified on their surfaces were analysed using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-rays spectroscopy. Moreover, the studies reported herein involved extensive experimental research. Consequently, the chain of operations followed in producing these tools was reconstructed and the use-wear traces present on their surfaces were classified; it was determined that these tools were most likely used for threshing cereals but might also have been used for threshing legumes. This is the first proof of threshing in central Europe in the Early Bronze Age and the first scientifically substantiated hypothesis regarding the function of these important artefacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone tissue exhibits self-healing properties; however, not all defects can be repaired without surgical intervention. Bone tissue engineering offers artificial scaffolds, which can act as a temporary matrix for bone regeneration. The aim of this study was to manufacture scaffolds made of poly(lactic acid), poly(ε-caprolactone), poly(propylene fumarate), and poly(ethylene glycol) modified with bioglass, beta tricalcium phosphate (TCP), and/or wollastonite (W) particles. The scaffolds were fabricated using a gel-casting method and observed with optical and scanning electron microscopes. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), wettability, and degradation tests were conducted. The highest content of TCP without W in the composition caused the highest hydrophilicity (water contact angle of 61.9 ± 6.3°), the fastest degradation rate (7% mass loss within 28 days), moderate ability to precipitate CaP after incubation in PBS, and no cytotoxicity for L929 cells. The highest content of W without TCP caused the highest hydrophobicity (water contact angle of 83.4 ± 1.7°), the lowest thermal stability, slower degradation (3% mass loss within 28 days), and did not evoke CaP precipitation. Moreover, some signs of cytotoxicity on day 1 were observed. The samples with both TCP and W showed moderate properties and the best cytocompatibility on day 4. Interestingly, they were covered with typical cauliflower-like hydroxyapatite deposits after incubation in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), which might be a sign of their excellent bioactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper concerns the influence of heat treatment (annealing, quenching and aging) on the microstructure and hardness of flat bars samples from the CuAl10Ni5Fe4 alloy. The microstructures were observed in light and scanning electron microscopes. The appearance and area fractions of the martensite beta phase and their influence on the mechanical properties were examined. The annealing study at a temperature of 950 °C for 1 hour, followed by rapid quenching in water and subsequent tempering at a temperature of 350-500 °C for 15-120 minutes, demonstrated the potential for a significant increase in the hardness of aluminum bronze from approximately 200 HV3 up to 600 HV3. This suggests new possibilities for the material's applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reservoir quality of tight sandstone is usually affected by pore throat structures, and understanding pore throat structures and their fractal characteristics is crucial for the exploration and development of tight sandstone gas. In this study, fractal dimensions of pore throat structures and the effect of diagenesis on the fractal dimension of tight sandstone sweet spot in Huagang Formation, Jiaxing area, East China Sea Basin were studied by means of thin sections, scanning electron microscopes, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscope quantitative mineral evaluation, and high pressure mercury injection experiments. The results show that the total fractal dimension ranges of type I, type II, and type III sweet spots were 2.62–2.87, 2.22–2.56, and 2.71–2.77, respectively. The negative correlation between total fractal dimensions, porosity, and permeability of type I sweet spots was different from those of type II and type III sweet spots. The negative correlation between total fractal dimensions of type II and type III sweet spots and maximum mercury saturation, average pore throat radius, and skewness were significant, whereas the correlation between total fractal dimensions of type I sweet spots, and maximum mercury saturation, average pore throat radius and skewness were not significant. The positive correlation between the total fractal dimensions of type II and type III sweet spots and the relative sorting coefficient, displacement pressure, and efficiency of mercury withdrawal were significant, whereas the correlation between the total fractal dimension of type I sweet spots and relative sorting coefficients, displacement pressures and efficiency of mercury withdrawal were not significant. The effect of diagenesis on fractal dimensions was investigated. Compaction reduced the pore space of tight sandstone and increased fractal dimensions. Quartz cementation and calcite cementation blocked pores and throats, reduced pore space, and increased fractal dimensions. Chlorite coat can inhibit compaction, protect pore throat structures, and maintain fractal dimensions. Most clay minerals filled primary pores and secondary pores and increased fractal dimensions. Dissolution increased the pore space of tight sandstone and decreased the fractal dimensions of the pore throat structures. The pore throat structures of type I sweet spots were mainly composed of macropores, mesopores, transitional pores, and micropores, and the fractal dimension of type I sweet spots was chiefly controlled by chlorite coat formation, dissolution, and a small amount of compaction. This study provides a reference for pore throat structure and fractal dimension analysis of tight sandstone sweet spots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ni 1-x Ag x O nanoparticles (NPs) with x = 0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, and 0.08) were fabricated using the composite hydroxide mediated (CHM) method. The effects of Ag doping on the structural, magnetic, and antimicrobial characteristics of NiO NPs have been reported. The stretching mode of the Ni–O molecules was identified at 443 cm−1 in the Fourier transform infrared spectra. The aggregation of nanoparticles with different sizes and shapes is seen under transmission and scanning electron microscopes. The blocking temperature (T B) peak in zero-field cooled (ZFC) magnetization curves display the magnetization from the core of NPs. This peak is absent for the samples with x = 0.00 and 0.02 , which show instead a small net magnetization from the antiferromagnetic core of these NPs. However, a T B peak was found for the samples with x = 0.04 , 0.06 and 0.08 , at 22, 72, and 65 K, respectively, which indicates that the magnetization is induced from the AFM core of NiO NPs for higher Ag doping. With an increasing concentration of Ag in the NiO NPs, the net magnetization did increase and a maximum was found for x = 0.04 at 300 K. For a higher doping concentration of 8 % Ag, a sharp decrease in magnetization was observed. Furthermore, the efficacy and synergistic effect of Ag doping had been analyzed for the effective improvement of the antibacterial properties of NiO NPs. Pure and Ag-doped NiO NPs were exploited to assess their anti-microbial activity against Enterobacter sp., E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and S. pyrogens. The study revealed that anti-bacterial or anti-biofouling properties were introduced as an additional attribute to NiO NPs by incorporation of Ag ions due to its inherent nature as an antimicrobial agent and enhanced its capability to sterilize microbial pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the microstructural, mechanical, and tribological characteristics of Al-nano TiC composites. The microwave-sintered nanocomposites were analyzed using optical and scanning electron microscopes, providing valuable insights into the spatial distribution and interaction of TiC within the matrix material. Microstructure characterization confirmed the uniform dispersion of nano TiC particles throughout the Al. Furthermore, the microwave-sintered nanocomposite samples displayed greater hardness than pure aluminum, indicating the strengthening impact of nano-TiC. Al-6 wt.% nanocomposites fabricated using microwave-sintered powder metallurgy showcased an impressive hardness rating of 51 VHN. The assessment of tribological properties revealed that a higher TiC concentration reduced wear rate, showcasing improved surface protection. However, it was observed that the friction coefficient rise with the addition of nano-TiC particles, implying changes in the bonding between the composite and the interacting surface. The thorough examination of worn surfaces yielded insights into the wear mechanisms present in the nanocomposite materials. Detailed examination of worn surfaces highlighted the formation of protective oxide layers, contributing to the improved wear resistance. This research contributes to our understanding of the complex interactions occurring during tribological processes by clarifying the morphological features of worn surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PolyEther Ether Ketone (PEEK) is a leading thermoplastic biomaterial renowned for its exceptional overall properties and suitability for processing via Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) Additive Manufacturing (AM). Despite its widespread use in industries, its fatigue behavior remains a critically underexplored aspect. This study aims to investigate the fatigue behavior of FFF‐produced PEEK, considering variations in infill pattern (triangular or rectilinear) and layer height (0.15 mm or 0.25 mm). Fatigue tests revealed a significant influence of the infill pattern on fatigue behavior, with the rectilinear pattern outperforming the triangular one. Layer height had a negligible effect when paired with rectilinear infill. Specimens with rectilinear patterns exhibited superior fatigue performance, achieving infinite fatigue life at maximum applied stress around 70% of ultimate tensile stress. Surface roughness assessment and fracture surface analysis at scanning electron microscope enhanced the interpretation of the results. This pioneering study lays the groundwork for future research in design for AM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactor pressure vessel (RPV) studs are key components of nuclear reactors, and their connection with flange ensures the sealing of the RPV under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions. In the present work, the external threads of the RPV stud were prepared by triaxial rolling, and the texture evolution of the external thread root material of an RPV stud was predicted by finite element analysis coupled with viscoplastic self-consistent simulations. The microstructure of the external thread root material of RPV stud was characterized by scanning electron microscope and electron back-scattered diffraction. The installation characteristics of the turned and rolled parts of the RPV stud were tested by installation and pretightening tests. It was found that the dynamic recrystallization at the external thread root formed ultrafine tempered sorbite grains, high-angle grain boundaries (47%), and strong {111} <110> and {111} <112> textures. In the installation and pretightening test, the residual elongation of rolled parts was reduced by 6% under the same loading pressure. The triaxial rolling process distributed the microstructure of the external thread root of the RPV stud in a gradient manner, resulting in improved stud installation characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii , poses serious health issues for humans and animals. Individuals with impaired immune systems are more susceptible to severe toxoplasmosis. Pregnant women infected by T. gondii can face the possibility of birth defects and miscarriages. While pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine are commonly used drugs in clinical practice, concerns over their side effects and resistance are on the rise. A spider peptide XYP1 isolated from Lycosa coelestis had potent anti-T. gondii effects, but it had a high synthesis cost and strong cytotoxicity. Methods: This study intended to modify XYP1 for producing derived peptides via amino acid truncation and substitution. The anti-T. gondii effect was evaluated by trypan blue staining assay and killing experiment of RH strain tachyzoites. The CCK8 and hemolysis assays were used to compare their safeties. The morphological changes of T. gondii were observed by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. In addition, the mechanism of XYP1 against T. gondii through RNA-sequencing was further explored. Results: In vivo and in vitro experiments revealed that XYP1-18 and XYP1-18-1 had excellent anti-T. gondii activity with lower cytotoxicity and hemolysis activity than XYP1. XYP1, XYP1-18, and XYP1-18-1 were able to disrupt the surface membrane integrity of T. gondii tachyzoites, forming pores and causing the disruption of organelles. Furthermore, RNA-sequencing analysis indicated that XYP1 could stimulate the host immune response to effectively eliminate T. gondii and lessen the host's inflammatory reaction. Conclusions: XYP1-18 had lower cytotoxicity and hemolysis activity than XYP1, as well as significantly extending the survival time of the mice. XYP1 played a role in host inflammation and immune responses, revealing its potential mechanism. Our research provided valuable insights into the development and application of peptide-based drugs, offering novel strategies and directions for treating toxoplasmosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is a crucial tool for studying microstructures of ceramic materials. However, the current practice heavily relies on manual efforts to extract porosity from SEM images. To address this issue, we propose PSTNet (Pyramid Segmentation Transformer Net) for grain and pore segmentation in SEM images, which merges multi-scale feature maps through operations like recombination and upsampling to predict and generate segmentation maps. These maps are used to predict the corresponding porosity at ceramic grain boundaries. To increase segmentation accuracy and minimize loss, we employ several strategies. (1) We train the micro-pore detection and segmentation model using publicly available Al2O3 and custom Y2O3 ceramic SEM images. We calculate the pixel percentage of segmented pores in SEM images to determine the surface porosity at the corresponding locations. (2) Utilizing high-temperature hot pressing sintering, we prepared and captured scanning electron microscope images of Y2O3 ceramics, with which a Y2O3 ceramic dataset was constructed through preprocessing and annotation. (3) We employed segmentation penalty cross-entropy loss, smooth L1 loss, and structural similarity (SSIM) loss as the constituent terms of a joint loss function. The segmentation penalty cross-entropy loss helps suppress segmentation loss bias, smooth L1 loss is utilized to reduce noise in images, and incorporating structural similarity into the loss function computation guides the model to better learn structural features of images, significantly improving the accuracy and robustness of semantic segmentation. (4) In the decoder stage, we utilized an improved version of the multi-head attention mechanism (MHA) for feature fusion, leading to a significant enhancement in model performance. Our model training is based on publicly available laser-sintered Al2O3 ceramic datasets and self-made high-temperature hot-pressed sintered Y2O3 ceramic datasets, and validation has been completed. Our Pix Acc score improves over the baseline by 12.2%, 86.52 vs. 76.01, and the mIoU score improves from by 25.5%, 69.10 vs. 51.49. The average relative errors on datasets Y2O3 and Al2O3 were 6.9% and 6.36%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Core–shell nanostructures are powerful platforms for the development of novel nanoscale drug delivery systems with sustained drug release profiles. Coaxial electrospinning is facile and convenient for creating medicated core–shell nanostructures with elaborate designs with which the sustained-release behaviors of drug molecules can be intentionally adjusted. With resveratrol (RES) as a model for a poorly water-soluble drug and cellulose acetate (CA) and PVP as polymeric carriers, a brand-new electrospun core–shell nanostructure was fabricated in this study. The guest RES and the host CA molecules were designed to have a reverse gradient distribution within the core–shell nanostructures. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope evaluations verified that these nanofibers had linear morphologies, without beads or spindles, and an obvious core–shell double-chamber structure. The X-ray diffraction patterns and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic results indicated that the involved components were highly compatible and presented in an amorphous molecular distribution state. In vitro dissolution tests verified that the new core–shell structures were able to prevent the initial burst release, extend the continuous-release time period, and reduce the negative tailing-off release effect, thus ensuring a better sustained-release profile than the traditional blended drug-loaded nanofibers. The mechanism underlying the influence of the new core–shell structure with an RES/CA reverse gradient distribution on the behaviors of RES release is proposed. Based on this proof-of-concept demonstration, a series of advanced functional nanomaterials can be similarly developed based on the gradient distributions of functional molecules within electrospun multi-chamber nanostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid advancement of 3D-printing technology, additive manufacturing using FDM extrusion has emerged as a prominent method in manufacturing. However, it encounters certain limitations, notably in surface quality and dimensional accuracy. Addressing issues related to stability and surface roughness necessitates the integration of 3D-printing technology with traditional machining, a strategy known as the hybrid technique. This paper presents a study of the surface geometric parameters and microstructure of plastic parts produced by FDM. Sleeve-shaped samples were 3D-printed from polyethylene terephthalate glycol material using variable layer heights of 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm and then subjected to the turning process with PVD-coated DCMT11T304 turning inserts using variable cutting parameters. The cutting depth was constant at 0.82 mm. Surface roughness values were correlated with the cutting tool feed rate and the printing layer height applied. The selected specimen's microstructure was studied with a Zeiss EVO MA 15 scanning electron microscope. The roundness was measured with a Keyence VR-6200 3D optical profilometer. The research results confirmed that the additional application of turning, combined with a reduction in the feed rate (0.0506 mm/rev) and the height of the printed layer (0.1 mm), reduced the surface roughness of the sleeve (Ra = 1.94 μm) and increased its geometric accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to investigate the storage stability and rheological property of bio-oil/lignin composite-modified asphalt. The composite-modified asphalt with different proportions of bio-oil was prepared and cured at 105 °C, 135 °C, and 165 °C for 24 h and 48 h. The storage stability of the composite-modified asphalt was evaluated based on the softening point difference, the storage stability index derived from rotational viscosity, the segregation rate based on temperature sweep, and the non-recoverable creep compliance measured through the Multiple Stress Creep Recovery test. The storage stability of bio-oil/lignin composite-modified asphalt was evaluated through testing and analysis of its infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy before and after thermal storage. The research results indicate that the maximum difference in softening point is 0.9 °C, and the calculated storage stability index is generally below 0.1. The maximum value of the segregation rate is 0.43, indicating excellent storage stability of the bio-oil/lignin composite-modified asphalt. According to the results from infrared spectroscopy, no chemical reactions occurred during the storage process of the composite-modified asphalt. The scanning electron microscope confirmed that the samples became more stable after 48 h of storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation explores the fabrication of polymer matrix nanocomposites via additive manufacturing (AM), using a UV photopolymerization resin and copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) with vat photopolymerization 3D printing technology. The aim in this study is to investigate the mentioned materials in different formulations in terms of inexpensive processing, the property related variability, and targeting multifunctional applications. After the AM process, samples were post-cured with UV light in order to obtain better mechanical properties. The particles and resin were mixed using an ultrasonicator, and the particle contents used were 0.0, 0.5, and 1.0 wt %. The process used in this investigation was simple and inexpensive, as the technologies used are quite accessible, from the 3D printer to the UV curing device. These formulations were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to observe the materials' microstructure and tensile tests to quantify stress–strain derived properties. Results showed that, besides the simplicity of the process, the mixing was effective, which was observed in the scanning electron microscope. Additionally, the tensile strength was increased with the UV irradiation exposure, while the strain properties did not change significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Aromatic Silica Gel derivatives were prepared from the preparation of the Dasanium salt in a cooled acid medium, and mixed with the silica gel salt to obtain organic silica ; and from the Infrared Spectrum (FT - IR) clear values of the aromatic ring at the stress stretch (ѵC = C) at the range (1515 – 1645) cm-1. Also, the images of the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) showed clear distances in the material in a partially deformed and crystalline form after the embellishment process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expedient repair of damaged airfield pavements is important to eliminate long closure periods. Rapid-setting cement (RSC) is promising for achieving target strength in a much shorter duration (4–6 h) compared to conventional repair methods. However, when the objective is to reopen the pavement within 1–2 h, there is a lack of methods to quantify the development of mechanical properties during the first few hours. In this study, a simplified maturity method is proposed to monitor the very early-strength development of two commercially available RSC mixes with different strength development mechanisms. The results were validated using hydration chemistry data from scanning electron microscope (SEM) experiments and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) tests. The experimental results show that such a maturity-based approach is effective and robust in characterizing the early-strength development of the two RSC mixes despite variations in ambient temperature conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the polygonal structure of WO3 nanoparticles was constructed by the hydrothermal route, and the prepared materials were utilized for supercapacitor applications. The synthetic materials are WO3 nanoparticles in their monoclinic phase, according to the X-ray diffraction data. The morphologies of the WO3 samples are polygonal like and scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscopy have confirmed it. To investigate the supercapacitance behavior of polygonal WO3, various techniques were used, such as galvanostatic charge–discharge, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The polygonal WO3 nanoparticle modified on Ni-foam as a working electrode has a specific capacitance value of 870 F g−1 at 0.25 A g−1. The polygonal structure of WO3 nanoparticle-coated Ni-foam electrodes was very stable compared to other fabricated electrodes over the 10,000 cycles. The fabricated polygonal structure of the WO3 electrode has high capacitance retention (100.2%) and high coulombic efficiency (99%). The polygonal structure of WO3 makes it a particularly effective electrode material and a substantially better candidate for energy storage, especially supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review of the cuticular and sensory metatibial and metatarsal structures in cixiid planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha) is proposed, depicting both their strong disparity and the great diversity of the patterns observed. Terminology and definitions for these structures are provided. The so-called lateral teeth of the metatibia in fact are particular styloconic sensory structures, called spiniform sensilla in Cixiidae. The apical metatibiotarsal teeth are non-sensory cuticular expansions, often bearing one or several chaetic sensilla ventrally, generally distributed in an internal and an external group of three teeth each, in some instances separated by a diastema; innermost and outermost teeth are generally larger. On the first tarsomere seven to eight teeth generally occur in one row, although two rows are observed in Brixidiini. A strong diversity of conformations and patterns is observed in the second metatarsomere. A specific subdorsal sensillum, of platellar type, may be present in the first metatarsomere teeth for a few taxa. It is generally present in the second metatarsomere, either as a narrow-based acutellar sensillum or as a broad-based platellar sensillum according to the taxon. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses of 54 species of cixiids from all described tribes of the family, supplemented by data from the literature, are used to provide a metatibiotarsal diagnosis for each of the tribes of Cixiidae. In the state of our knowledge of the sufficiently precise observations of metatibiotarsal structures in the Cixiidae which are available, and of the phylogeny of the group as a frame of reference for their interpretations, we note that the observed patterns are probably the result of multiple and independent convergences and evolutionary regressions. These occurred at all levels of cixiid classification. Although these patterns can be useful in the identification of taxa at a low taxonomic level, they would be less useful for phylogenetic approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Kodo millet grains were roasted in the microwave at 360, 720, and 900 W for 3 and 5 min and pan‐roasted at 195°C for 5 min. The Kodo millet flours (KMFs) were characterized on the basis of physical, functional, pasting, rheological, antioxidant, morphological, and structural properties. After roasting, the bulk density (BD) of all treated samples decreased, while the tap density, Hausner's ratio, and compressibility index (CI) increased with roasting. Higher microwave power (720 and 900 W) and duration time (5 min) resulted in lower L∗ values and higher a∗ and b∗ values. The roasting in pan and microwave significantly improved the water absorption capacity (WAC) of flour. However, the destruction of hydrophobic functional groups resulted in a significant reduction in the oil absorption capacity (OAC). The pasting and rheological curves confirmed that low power can improve the pasting properties, producing thick pastes. However, the pan and microwave roasting (MWR) at 900 W for 5 min degraded starch and resulted in a flat pasting curve. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs also confirmed this, showing pore space formation, initiated at a power of 720 W and becoming more noticeable until 900 W, when the structure is destroyed. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of all samples suggested a type A crystalline structure, and the degree of crystallinity increased with microwave power, except for the 900 W for 5 min and the pan‐roasted KMF. The antioxidant activity (AOA) of all roasted samples was higher than that of the control sample, except for 900 W for 5 min. Total flavonoid content (TFC) decreased in all KMF compared to the control, except 360 W for 3 min. Furthermore, all microwave‐roasted KMF showed significantly higher total phenolic content (TPC) than control and pan‐roasted KMF. These findings provide valuable information on optimizing the roasting process to improve the nutritional and functional properties of KMF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ever-increasing expansion of chemical industries produces a variety of common pollutants, including colors, which become a global and environmental problem. Using a nanocatalyst is one of the effective ways to reduce these organic contaminants. With this in mind, a straightforward and effective method for the production of a novel nanocatalyst based on lignin-derived carbon, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, and Ag particles (TiO2/C/Ag) is described. The preparation of carbon and Ag particles (in sub-micro and nano size) was carried out by laser ablation in air. The nanocomposite was synthesized using a facile magnetic stirrer of TiO2, C, and Ag. According to characterization methods, a carbon nanostructure was successfully synthesized through the laser irradiation of lignin. According to scanning electron microscope images, spherical Ag particles were agglomerated over the nanocomposite. The catalytic activities of the TiO2/C/Ag nanocomposite were tested for the decolorization of methylene blue (MB) and Congo red (CR), employing NaBH4 in a water-based solution at 25 °C. After adding fresh NaBH4 to the mixture of nanocomposite and dyes, both UV absorption peaks of MB and CR completely disappeared after 10 s and 4 min, respectively. The catalytic activity of the TiO2/C/Ag nanocomposite was also examined for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) using a NaBH4 reducing agent, suggesting the complete reduction of 4-NP to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) after 2.30 min. This shows excellent catalytic behavior of the prepared nanocomposite in the reduction of organic pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioactive glass is currently considered a material with a high biocompatibility and has been used both in the field of bone regeneration and in the preparation of cosmetic products with the controlled release of active compounds. The present work involved a study on the synthesis of bioglass using the sol–gel process. The study aims to evaluate the influence of the treatment of bioglass with Polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG 4000) on its main characteristics. The surface characteristics of this material were obtained by nitrogen adsorption/desorption analysis, using the standard BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) equation, the crystallinity by XRD (X-ray diffraction) analysis, the surface structure by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), thermal stability by TGA (ThermoGravimetric Analyses), and chemical bonds changes by FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectroscopy. After treatment with PEG 4000, the average diameter of the pores increased insignificantly, the crystallinity peak disappeared, and the SEM analysis highlighted several clusters of very small sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their ability to prevent or slow the spread of fires, fire-retardant coatings are utilized as the main means of fire protection for steel structures, combining easy application and high economic efficiency. This study investigates the effects of the particle size and dosage of expanded vermiculite (EV) on the fire resistance and application performance of coatings. Ammonium polyphosphate, melamine, and pentaerythritol were used as intumescent fire-retardant systems, along with waterborne hydroxyl-modified acrylic resins as the film-forming substances. The properties of fire resistance coatings were tested via scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI), and cone calorimetry. The excellent fire performance of the coatings with 3 wt.% 300-mesh EV was proven, exhibiting a relative expansion of 30.43 times. Moreover, the surface structure of the charcoal layer was dense. The total smoke production (TSP) and smoke concentration (TSR) were only 0.18 m2 and 0.25 m2/m2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of initial irrigation with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and final irrigation with QMix, 40% citric acid, and 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on smear layer removal and dentin erosion. Methodology: Forty extracted human mandibular premolar teeth were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10) according to the type of final irrigants used: 17% EDTA, QMix, citric acid, and control (normal saline). Canals were mechanically prepared using ProTaper Next instruments to an apical size of X3. Subsequently, the roots were sectioned in a buccolingual direction. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to assess the presence of the smear layer and the amount of dentin erosion in the coronal, middle, and apical thirds of the root canals. Results: In regards to smear layer removal, there was a significant difference between the control group and the other tested groups. Moreover, it was significantly higher in the coronal and middle thirds than in the apical third. However, there were no significant differences between the groups of EDTA, QMix, and citric acid. Concerning dentin erosion, citric acid produced significantly more dentin erosion than the other tested groups. Conclusion: Final irrigation with solutions had a higher ability to remove the smear layer in the coronal and middle thirds compared to the apical third. Of all the solutions tested, 40% citric acid had the most pronounced impact on dentin erosion, followed by 17% EDTA and QMix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel approach was applied to synthesize B6O using CaB6 and B2O3 powders as reactants. CaB6 and B2O3 were reacted to generate B6O and CaB2O4 at 1573 K, and the by‐product CaB2O4 was removed by acid leaching. It was found that the samples prepared in this work were oxygen deficient (B6Ox, x ≈ .76–.77). The optimal molar ratio of CaB6 to B2O3 was determined to be 3:5, and excess B2O3 could not lead to a change in the value of oxygen occupancy. Scanning electron microscope images showed that regular holes similar to the morphologies of CaB6 particles were exhibited in the final samples, which could be explained by the diffusion of CaB6 during the reaction process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the major pathogens associated with life‐threatening infections, showing resistance to various antibiotics. This study aimed to assess the influence of monolaurin on biofilm‐forming MRSA. Methods. The agar dilution method determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of monolaurin against MRSA isolates and explored its impact on the resistance profile of selected antibiotics. The assessment of combined therapy involving monolaurin and antibiotics was conducted using fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC). The tissue culture plate strategy appraised monolaurin's antibiofilm activity and its inhibitory concentration (IC50), with assessment via scanning electron microscopy. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) discerned a monolaurin effect on the expression of the icaD gene. Results. Monolaurin exhibited MIC values ranging from 500 to 2000 μg/mL. FIC index showed a synergistic effect of monolaurin with β‐lactam antibiotics ranging from 0.0039 to 0.25 (p < 0.001). Among the 103 investigated MRSA isolates, 44 (44.7%) displayed moderate biofilm formation, while 59 (55.3%) were strong biofilm producers. Antibiofilm activity demonstrated concentration dependence, confirming monolaurin's capacity to inhibit biofilm formation and exhibited strong eradicating effects against preformed MRSA biofilms with IC50 values of 203.6 μg/mL and 379.3 μg/mL, respectively. Scanning electron microscope analysis revealed reduced cell attachments and diminished biofilm formation compared to the control. The expression levels of the icaD gene were remarkably reduced at monolaurin concentrations of 250 and 500 μg/mL. Conclusion. Monolaurin had significant inhibitory effects on MRSA pre‐existing biofilms as well as biofilm development. So, it can be employed in the treatment of severe infections, particularly those associated with biofilm formation including catheter‐associated infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the sol–gel method was used as a synthesis method, which shows the physicochemical nature of the synthesis of a new complex material, ferrite Li0.5MnFe1.5O4. The structure and composition of the synthesized ferrite were determined by X-ray phase analysis. According to analysis indicators, it was found that our compound is a single-phase, spinel-structured, and syngony-cubic type of compound. The microstructure of the compound and the quantitative composition of the elements contained within it were analyzed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Under a scanning electron microscope, microsystems were taken from different parts of Li0.5MnFe1.5O4-type crystallite; the elemental composition of crystals was analyzed; and the general type of surface layer of complex ferrite was shown. As a result, given the fact that the compound consists of a single phase, the clarity of its construction was determined by the topography and chemical composition of the compound. As a result, it was found that the newly synthesized complex ferrites correspond to the formula Li0.5MnFe1.5O4. The particles of the formed compounds have a large size (between 50.0 μm or 20.0 μm and 10.0 μm). Electrophysical measurements were carried out on an LCR-800 unit at intervals of 293–483 K and at frequencies of 1.5 and 10 kHz. An increase in frequency to 10 kHz led to a decrease in the value ε in the range of the studied temperature (293–483 K). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diatomite deposits in Poland are located in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, and the only active deposit is in Jawornik Ruski. Therefore, it is a unique material. Improved rock processing methods are constantly in demand. In the research presented here, we have used research methods such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), particle shape analysis, and appropriate sets of crushing machines. Diatomite comminution tests were carried out on test stands in different crushers (jaw crusher, hammer crusher, high-pressure roller press, ball mill) using different elementary crushing force actions: crushing, abrasion, and impact, occurring separately or in combination. The machines were tested with selected variable parameters to obtain products with a wide range of grain sizes ranging from 0 to 10 mm. The ball mill (yield 87%, system C3) and the hammer crusher with HPGR (high-pressure grinding roller) (yield 79%, system D2 + D3) have the greatest impact on diatom shell release and accumulation in the finest 0–5 μm and 5–10 μm fractions. For commercial purposes, it is important to obtain very fine fractions while keeping the shells undisturbed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mortars are among the most important materials in building construction. They are generally obtained by mixing aggregates with an inorganic binder. The identification of mortar constituents, particularly the binder type in historic buildings, is one of the essential aspects of building conservation, considering that the new conservation materials must be chemically, mechanically, and physically compatible with the old masonries. Among other techniques used to characterise binders, those related to optical and electronic microscopy are particularly important. Microscopy and combined techniques may be the key to this identification since the classic mineralogical and chemical-based identification approaches are not conclusive enough in investigating the types of hydraulic binders in mortars. This work presents an analysis procedure to identify mortar binders by combining EDS microanalysis and petrography. Mortar samples of known composition were used as a reference for analyzing mortars from historic buildings. The proposed methodology made it possible to identify the type of binder or a mixture of binders based on the identification of the binder features by petrography together with analysis of the chemical composition of the paste by X-ray microanalysis under a scanning electron microscope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to develop and analyze bio-based composites, incorporating moringa bioresin and hemp fibers as reinforcing elements. The composites were fabricated using four weight percentage combinations of epoxy, moringa bioresin, and hemp fiber. The fabricated composites were characterized by their mechanical, thermal, water absorption, biodegradability, and morphological properties. The study revealed that the composite with the highest proportion of moringa bioresin (30 wt. %) exhibited better mechanical properties. Moreover, the flexural strength and Shore D hardness were impacted by both the matrix and reinforcing materials' weight percentages. Thermal analysis showed that the composites had good thermal stability, while water absorption analysis indicated that the composites had good water resistance. Biodegradability analysis showed that the composites had a high rate of biodegradation, making them environmentally friendly. The distribution of reinforcing fibers within the matrix material was found to be uniform through the use of scanning electron microscope based morphological analysis. The results indicate that moringa bioresin and hemp fiber composites have the potential to be used as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based composites in various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has recently been demonstrated that electron beam injection into p-type β-gallium oxide leads to a significant linear increase in minority carrier diffusion length with injection duration, followed by its saturation. The effect was ascribed to trapping of non-equilibrium electrons (generated by a primary electron beam) at meta-stable native defect levels in the material, which in turn blocks recombination through these levels. In this work, in contrast to previous studies, the effect of electron injection in p-type Ga2O3 was investigated using cathodoluminescence technique in situ in scanning electron microscope, thus providing insight into minority carrier lifetime behavior under electron beam irradiation. The activation energy of ∼0.3 eV, obtained for the phenomenon of interest, is consistent with the involvement of Ga vacancy-related defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samples returned from the carbonaceous asteroid (162173) Ryugu by the Hayabusa2 mission revealed that Ryugu is composed of materials consistent with CI chondrites and some types of space weathering. We report detailed mineralogy of the fine‐grained Ryugu samples allocated to our "Sand" team and report additional space weathering features found on the grains. The dominant mineralogy is composed of a fine‐grained mixture of Mg‐rich saponite and serpentine, magnetite, pyrrhotite, pentlandite, dolomite, and Fe‐bearing magnesite. These grains have mineralogy comparable to that of CI chondrites, showing severe aqueous alteration but lacking ferrihydrite and sulfate. These results are similar to previous works on large Ryugu grains. In addition to the major minerals, we also find many minerals that are rare or have not been reported among CI chondrites. Accessory minerals identified are hydroxyapatite, Mg‐Na phosphate, olivine, low‐Ca pyroxene, Mg‐Al spinel, chromite, manganochromite, eskolaite, ilmenite, cubanite, polydymite, transjordanite, schreibersite, calcite, moissanite, and poorly crystalline phyllosilicate. We also show scanning transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope compositional maps and images of some space‐weathered grains and severely heated and melted grains. Although our mineralogical results are consistent with that of millimeter‐sized grains, the fine‐grained fraction is best suited to investigate impact‐induced space weathering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preparation procedures of polished sections of the Ryugu samples returned by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft were established through tests using CI and CM chondrites as analog materials of the Ryugu samples and processing of the Ryugu samples. The procedures consisted of four steps: epoxy‐coating, embedding in epoxy cylinders, cutting with a wire saw, and dry polish by hand. There are three key points for successful preparation of the polished sections: (1) ethanol‐mixed epoxy with low viscosity for reinforcing the fragile samples, (2) handling under dry conditions to avoid breakup of the samples on contact with liquids due to their highly porous nature, and (3) X‐ray computed tomography data for exposing maximum surface areas of target mineral phases and clasts. These key points may also be important for processing of samples returned from asteroid Bennu and the Martian Moon Phobos, as those samples are likely to be hydrous carbonaceous chondrite‐like materials. The established procedures induce two side effects: zoning of the polished surface of the Ryugu samples in scanning electron microscope images reflecting differences in carbon contents due to permeation of low viscosity epoxy resin into the sample surface and fractures in anhydrous minerals possibly due to shear stress during dry polishing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NiSi–NiCr thin film thermocouples (TFTCs) have significant application value as contact temperature sensors in cutting temperature measurements owing to their fast response and negligible volume. However, due to the relatively high chemical activity of Ni-based alloys, high-temperature oxidation strongly affects the operational reliability of NiSi–NiCr TFTCs. In this respect, depositing an anti-oxidation coating onto the surface of NiSi–NiCr TFTCs is considered an effective way to protect them in high-temperature environments. In this study, NiSi and NiCr films were deposited on cemented carbides and annealed at 200 °C–600 °C in air. Scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and four-probe resistivity tests were used to characterize the microstructure and resistivity of NiSi and NiCr film. Then SiN x O y films were deposited onto the NiSi and NiCr films and compared with uncoated samples after annealing at 600 °C. The effect of SiN x O y films on the thermal stability and thermoelectric output of NiSi–NiCr TFTCs was investigated. The results show that the NiSi film was partially oxidized at 200 °C and entirely oxidized when the temperature exceeded 400 °C. The completely oxidized NiSi films had evident defects and cracks, and the resistivity increased by a factor of over 1000. The NiCr film could not be completely oxidized at 600 °C, which is attributed to the formation of Cr 2 O 3 as an external oxide barrier layer. Below 600 °C, SiN x O y films could effectively protect NiSi and NiCr films from oxidation. Thus, the addition of SiN x O y film increases the maximum temperature at which NiSi–NiCr TFTCs can be used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CuO:ZnO nanocomposite photocatalyst with tunable ratios of CuO was synthesized using a low-temperature-assisted co-precipitation method, which is suitable for industrial-scale production. Analytical techniques, including XRD, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, FTIR, XPS and UV–Vis, were utilized to investigate the structure, morphological characteristics, chemical composition and optical properties of the CuO:ZnO nanocomposite. The XRD analysis reveals that the samples exhibit a single phase, characterized by a wurtzite hexagonal structure of ZnO and a monoclinic structure of CuO. The average crystal size changed from 37.3±8.8nm to 24.6±6.9nm when CuO varied from 0% to 5% in the CuO:ZnO nanocomposite. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images reveal that the nanocomposite particles exhibit a high degree of uniformity, with an average size of approximately 50nm. HR-TEM shows the width of lattice plane families consistent with X-ray diffraction for CuO and ZnO materials. The ZnO exhibits a unique hexagonal shape. Furthermore, there is a slight correlation between the CuO fraction and an increase in grain size. FTIR analysis revealed the specific vibrational modes of ZnO and CuO at wavenumbers of 564, 619, 651, 673 and 488, 607cm−1, respectively. XPS shows secondary valences of Cu and Zn indicating the formation of CuO and ZnO while the high Ov peak indicates the presence of Oxygen defects in the crystal lattice. The absorption results clearly demonstrate the presence of two absorption edges corresponding to ZnO and CuO, as well as the broadening of the absorption spectrum of the nanocomposite sample up to a wavelength of 840nm. The photocatalytic degradation of RhB yielded remarkable outcomes, as the concentration of RhB declined by 98.6% after 20min of illumination using a CuO:ZnO (3:97) nanocomposite. The photocatalytic efficiency is significantly influenced by changing the CuO ratio in CuO:ZnO nanocomposites. This can be attributed to the tradeoff between the effectiveness of the heterogeneous contact layer and the limited ability of CuO to catalyze photochemical reactions. Based on the scavenger test, hydroxyl and superoxide radicals are primarily responsible for the decolorization of RhB dye. Results of evaluating the reusability and stability of the material show that, after fifth recycling, the decomposition efficiency still reaches over 90% after 30min of illumination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identification of changes occurring on the working surface of lubricated gears using analytical equipment, e.g., an FE-SEM scanning electron microscope with an EDS microanalyzer, a WLI interferometric microscope, or a GDEOS optical discharge spectrometer, enables the characterisation of wear mechanisms of this surface. Definition of the phenomena occurring on the surface of tribo-couples after scuffing tests enables a comparative analysis of scuffing resistance and surface properties of the micro- and nanostructure, and elemental composition of the tested gears. Recognition and analysis of the wear mechanisms occurring on the working surface of gears will reduce the risk of damage and losses resulting from the need for maintenance and repair. The study concerned the working surfaces of gears made of 17HNM and 35HGSA steels on which a W-DLC/CrN coating was deposited. Shell Omala S4 GX 320 commercial industrial oil with a synthetic PAO (polyalphaolefin) base was selected for the lubrication of the gears. Tribological tests employed an FZG gear scuffing under severe conditions test method and they were carried out on a T-12U test rig for cylindrical gear analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the high demand for innovative solutions in medicine, a major increase in interest in biomaterials research has been noticed, with the most significant advancements in metals and their alloys. Titanium-based alloys are one of the most recognised in the scientific community but do not represent the only way to achieve optimal results. Zirconium alloys for medical applications are a novelty with significant research potential based on their outstanding properties, which may be of value for medicine. The aim of the present study was to obtain new biomedical Zr-Nb-Mo alloys with varying ratios of their respective elements—Zr and Mo—using combined powder metallurgy (PM) and arc melting (VAM) methods. The obtained samples underwent microstructure analysis using an optical microscope (OM) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The study of element distribution was conducted with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), whereas the phase composition was determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Mechanical properties were examined with a Micro Combi Tester MCT3, whereas tribological properties were assessed with a TRN Tribometer, and Ringer's solution was used as a lubricant. Additionally, the wear tracks of the studied samples were observed using the SEM. The research results indicated that increased Mo content conduced to microstructure refinement and homogeneity. Furthermore, the higher content of this element contributed to the growth of the HVIT, HIT, and EIT parameters, together with the improvement in the tribological performance of the alloys. XRD analysis revealed that the obtained samples were multiphase, and raising the Mo addition promoted the formation of new phases, including a ternary phase—Zr0.9Nb0.66Mo1.44 (Fd 3 ¯ m). The chemical composition study showed uneven distribution of niobium and areas of uneven mutual distribution of zirconium and molybdenum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methylene blue dye in water sources can pose health risks to humans, potentially causing methemoglobinemia, a condition that impairs the blood's ability to carry oxygen. Hence, the current study investigates the synthesis of novel magnesium borate/magnesium oxide (Mg3B2O6/MgO) nanostructures and their efficiency in removing methylene blue dye from aqueous media. The nanostructures were synthesized using the Pechini sol–gel method, which involves a reaction between magnesium nitrate hexahydrate and boric acid, with citric acid acting as a chelating agent and ethylene glycol as a crosslinker. This method helps in achieving a homogeneous mixture, which, upon calcination at 600 and 800 °C, yields Mg3B2O6/MgO novel nanostructures referred to as MB600 and MB800, respectively. The characterization of these nanostructures involved techniques like X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, N2 gas analyzer, and field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). These analyses confirmed the formation of orthorhombic Mg3B2O6 and cubic MgO phases with distinct features, influenced by the calcination temperature. The mean crystal size of the MB600 and MB800 samples was 64.57 and 79.20 nm, respectively. In addition, the BET surface area of the MB600 and MB800 samples was 74.63 and 64.82 m2/g, respectively. The results indicated that the MB600 sample, with its higher surface area, generally demonstrated better methylene blue dye removal performance (505.05 mg/g) than the MB800 sample (483.09 mg/g). The adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order model, indicating dependency on available adsorption sites. Also, the adsorption process matched well with the Langmuir isotherm, confirming a homogeneous adsorbent surface. The thermodynamic parameters revealed that the adsorption process was physical, exothermic, and spontaneous. The MB600 and MB800 nanostructures could be effectively regenerated using 6 M HCl and reused across multiple cycles. These findings underscore the potential of these nanostructures as cost-effective and sustainable adsorbents for methylene blue dye removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residual melon by-products were explored for the first time as a bioresource of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) obtention. Two alkaline extraction methods were employed, the traditional (4.5% NaOH, 2 h, 80 °C) and a thermo-alkaline in the autoclave (2% NaOH, 1 h, 100 °C), obtaining a yield of MCC ranging from 4.76 to 9.15% and 2.32 to 3.29%, respectively. The final MCCs were characterized for their chemical groups by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), crystallinity with X-ray diffraction, and morphology analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). FTIR spectra showed that the traditional protocol allows for a more effective hemicellulose and lignin removal from the melon residues than the thermo-alkaline process. The degree of crystallinity of MCC ranged from 51.51 to 61.94% and 54.80 to 55.07% for the thermo-alkaline and traditional processes, respectively. The peaks detected in X-ray diffraction patterns indicated the presence of Type I cellulose. SEM analysis revealed microcrystals with rough surfaces and great porosity, which could remark their high-water absorption capacity and drug-carrier capacities. Thus, these findings could respond to the need to valorize industrial melon by-products as raw materials for MCC obtention with potential applications as biodegradable materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jute is an inherent lignocellulosic fiber, consisting of hemicellulose, α-cellulose, and lignin. Industrial ventilation, automotive composites, upholstery, carpets, military uniforms, hospital furnishings, and curtains necessitate the integration of flame-retardance properties into jute fibers. In this investigation, seven weave-structured jute fabrics were treated using an organophosphorus-based flame-retardant (FR) chemical (ITOFLAM CPN) and a crosslinking agent (KNITTEX CHN) by the pad–dry–cure method. The thermal stability, degradation and pyrolysis behavior of jute was measured using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). Surface morphology and element distribution were scrutinized utilizing a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The ATR-FTIR (Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer) technique has been employed for analyzing the composition of chemicals in the jute fabrics. According to the protocols specified in ISO 14184-1, free formaldehyde detection was carried out on the jute fabrics. The flame-retardance property was significantly improved on all of the jute fabrics after FR treatment. FTIR and SEM-EDS studies revealed the presence of FR chemical deposition on the surface of the jute fabrics. TGA analysis indicated that the fabrics treated with FR exhibited premature degradation, leading to the generation of more char compared to untreated samples. The jute fabrics specifically demonstrated a notable enhancement in residual mass, exceeding 50% after FR treatment. However, it is noteworthy that the FR-treated fabrics exhibited an elevated level of free formaldehyde content, surpassing the permissible limit of formaldehyde in textiles intended for direct skin contact. The residual mass loss percentage after ten washes of FR-treated fabrics remained in a range from 32% to 36%. Twill weave designed fabrics (FRD4 and FRD5) clearly showed a lower thermal degradation temperature than the other weaves used in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the effect of raw material morphology on the properties of bamboo-plastic composites produced using hot-pressing. To provide a reference for reducing the production cost and improve the product properties of the composites, polylactic acid (PLA)-based bamboo-plastic composites were prepared using bamboo chips with a shaved morphology (BS) and fiber morphology (BF) and PLA as the matrix material, via hot-pressing. The properties of the bamboo-plastic composites formed with BS and BF chips were studied and compared with those of composites with conventional granular morphology (BM) and powder morphology (BP). The results showed that when the content of the bamboo chips was at 50% (the same below), the mechanical properties of the BF/PLA composites were remarkably better than those of the other PLA-based composites. However, the BF/PLA composites showed a high degree of hydrophilicity, with a water contact angle of 70.0° and a water absorption of 10.8% at 288 h. More holes could be seen in the BF/PLA composites using a scanning electron microscope. Among the four types of PLA-based composites, better melt fluidity was found only in the BF/PLA composites, and the melting index was 65.3 g/min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanochemical ball milling process at 650°C for 5 h formed the single‐phase Bi2VO5.5 powder, which was tested as a catalyst for methylene blue (MB) dye degradation. X‐ray diffraction validated phase formation. A scanning electron microscope inspection verified the presence of grains with irregular shapes. Piezocatalytic MB dye degradation with a.4 g BV sample was ∼67% after 90 min in a ball mill and ∼49% after 180 min in an ultrasonicator. Utilizing a.4 g BV sample, the 90‐min investigation of piezocatalysis using a ball mill showed an 18% increase in degrading performance compared to the findings of the 180‐min study of piezocatalysis using ultrasonication. Ball mill employed piezocatalysis evaluation utilizing.4 g Bi2VO5.5 with 15 balls produces an excellent k value of.0109 min−1. Based on the results of a scavenger test, hole (h+) is the primary species in the ball mill‐induced piezocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geopolymers, as a novel cementitious material, exhibit typical brittle failure characteristics under stress. To mitigate this brittleness, fibers can be incorporated to enhance toughness. This study investigates the effects of varying polypropylene fiber (PPF) content and fiber length on the flowability, mechanical properties, and flexural toughness of coal gangue-based geopolymers. Microstructural changes and porosity variations within the Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymer Mortar(GMPF) matrix were observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Low field NMR(LF-NMR) to elucidate the toughening mechanism of PPF-reinforced geopolymers. The introduction of fibers into the geopolymer matrix demonstrated an initial bridging effect in the viscous geopolymer slurry, with a 3.0 vol% fiber content reducing fluidity by 5.6%. Early mechanical properties of GMPF were enhanced with fiber addition; at 1.5 vol% fiber content and 15 mm length, the 3-day flexural and compressive strengths increased by 30.81% and 17.4%, respectively. Furthermore, polypropylene fibers significantly improved the matrix's flexural toughness, which showed an increasing trend with higher fiber content. At a 3.0 vol% fiber content, the flexural toughness index increased by 198.35%. The data indicated that a fiber length of 12 mm yielded the best toughening effect, with an 84.03% increase in the flexural toughness index. SEM observations revealed a strong interfacial bond between fibers and the matrix, with noticeable damage on the fiber surface due to frictional forces, and fiber pull-out being the predominant failure mode. Porosity testing results indicated that fiber incorporation substantially improved the internal pore structure of the matrix, reducing the median pore diameter of mesopores and converting mesopores to micropores. Additionally, the number of harmless and less harmful pores increased by 23.01%, while the number of more harmful pores decreased by 30.43%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a green synthesis methodology for making copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticle clusters in a cost-effective and simple way is reported. While cuprous sulfate pentahydrate is used as a source of copper, the outer layer of green peas (Pisum Sativum) is used as a source of phenol. Extracting the phenol from pea peels is a simple process that uses water as a solvent. Copper salt is reduced by the phenolic content that is so produced. Both physicochemical and microscopic characterization Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis were performed on the particles. A variety of pea-peeling samples were used during the procedure's several executions to ensure reproducibility. The preparation process was appropriate, as the outcomes were identical. Analyses were also conducted on the produced particles' electrochemical activity as an application. A well-defined and organized redox reaction was seen at E' = +0.25 V against Ag/AgCl which were also shown to be highly electro-active. With the benchmarked redox mediator (5 mM ferricyanide), the particles also produced an outstanding redox peak at E1/2 = -0.01 V vs. Ag/AgCl. In a common reducing organic reaction, such as the reduction of p-nitro phenol to p-amino phenol, they were also found to be effective catalysts. Additionally, tests were conducted on the produced particles for their anti-bacterial and antifungal properties. Overall, a simple method for the formation of commercially viable CuO nanoparticle clusters is developed with the potential for diverse applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"NetNotes" is a document containing a series of questions and responses from a Confocal Listserver. The topics discussed include the temperature rating of Olympus immersion oil, removing hardened immersion oil from Nikon objectives, and light-sheet systems for imaging 96-well plates. Participants share their experiences and recommendations for addressing these issues. It is important to note that the perspectives provided are from individuals with diverse backgrounds and may not reflect official manufacturer recommendations. The discussion covers topics such as imaging BSL-2 samples safely, recommendations for stage-top incubators for live organoid imaging, building a microscope objective heater, and configuring an IR fluorescence microscope for imaging carbon nanotubes in plant samples. The text also includes inquiries and responses related to finding SEM software libraries, a common repository for microscopy scripts, pre-written code for SEM functions, the use of methanol in cryo-EM samples, and astigmatism in low magnification mode on a TFS microscope. [Extracted from the article]

Common tapeworms in poultry digestive tracts are called Raillietina species. The present study's objective is to characterize the morphological and genetic relationships between the cestode parasites that infect domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in Saudi Arabia's Al-Qassim Region. Using optical and scanning electron microscopes, the general morphology and surface characteristics of the collected cestode parasites were examined. Using sequences from the ND1 and 18S rDNA gene areas, molecular analysis was used to confirm the taxonomy of this parasite based on its morphological characteristics. This demonstrated a high degree of similarity--up to 98.0% and 74.7%, respectively between the 18S rDNA and ND1 gene regions and other cestode species found in GenBank. Using close ties, phylogenetic research validated the placement of this Raillietina species within Davaineidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of aluminum alloys in automobiles is expanding, and the potential for additional increases is significant. Further growth will be determined by improvements in material qualities for existing applications or the discovery of new applications. Alloy A-356 (LM25) is commonly employed for high-quality alloy wheel rims in various motor vehicles, constituting 40% of global car usage. This study introduces 0.2% Cu into the Al–Si–Mg alloy system to enhance the mechanical properties. The alloy blend is cast into a metal mold, subjected to a 4-h cure at 540 °C, quenched with water, and precipitation hardened for 12 h at 1800 °C. Optical and scanning electron microscopes are utilized to analyze the alkali microstructure. The mechanical properties of alloyed and unalloyed castings, including hardness and tensile test results, are examined in untreated and heat-treated states. Fracture surfaces of tensile specimens are scrutinized. Intermetallic compounds formed during solidification are studied using scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction analysis. The tensile strength under unalloyed (LM25) and alloyed (LM25 + 0.2 wt. % Cu) conditions before and after heat treatment [(72, 165.4 and 88.3, 237.1) and (78, 179.6 and 98, 252.9, respectively)] shows a significant increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to determine the seed morphologies and macromorphological characteristics of fifteen local faba bean (Vicia faba L.) genotypes collected from different region of Northern Cyprus. The characteristics in the seeds were evaluated using a light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). SEM pictures were taken of the whole seed and its details. The scope of the research was examined comparatively using LM and SEM, and the seed shapes, surface ornamentation, and quantitative measurements were determined. Different characteristics for seed size and surface were found among the local faba beans accessions. Seed dimensions were between 12.44 and 24.26 mm long and between 9.49 and 17.45 mm wide, colors ranged from yellowish-brown to dark brown, and ornamentation of the seed coat varied. The local faba bean seeds were of subprolate and prolate types. We believe that using this technique to determine the differences among the seeds of different genotypes may play a role in helping to create different programs that can choose specific genotypes to improve cultivars based on the seed characteristics.

Lanthanum Strontium Cobalt Ferrite Oxide (LaSrCoFeO 3) has been widely used as cathode material for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells at the temperature of 500–800 °C. At this temperature range, understanding the electrochemical behavior which is commonly analyzed by complex nonlinear least-squares (CNLS) analysis is very crucial in improving the cathode's performance. However, this analysis shows some limitations in interpreting the electrochemical processes in detail, particularly at the electrode-electrolyte interface. Hence, this study is conducted to compare the electrochemical impedance data analyses by CNLS and the distribution of relaxation times (DRT) of a fabricated LaSrCoFe|BCZY|LaSrCoFe (LaSrCoFe La 0.6 Sr 0.4 Co 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3 and BCZY=BaCe 0.54 Zr 0.36 Y 0.1 O 2.95) symmetrical cell. Impedance data of the cell is collected at T = 800 °C at two different stabilization times and to further enhance the analysis process, the impedance data of the cell at measurement temperatures of 700 °C and 750 °C are also included. In a Nyquist plot, the cell exhibits depressed semi-circles that represent a few processes occurring at the interface. The DRT analysis is more precise and easily reveals the semi-circles consisting of four different sub-processes (represented by four peaks) than CNLS (represented by four impedance arcs). The extracted responses from both analyses correspond to the oxygen reduction reactions that follow the Adler-Lane-Steele model. The stabilized symmetrical cells for respective 34 h and 17 h show an area-specific resistance (ASR) of (i) 0.22 Ωcm2 and 0.30 Ωcm2 (by CNLS) and (ii) 0.20 Ωcm2 and 0.26 Ωcm2 (by DRT). In addition, the ASR of the cell at T = 700 °C and T = 750 °C after being stabilized for 34 h is (iii) 0.71 Ωcm2 and 0.40 Ωcm2 (by CNLS) and (iv) 0.70 Ωcm2 and 0.44 Ωcm2 (by DRT), accordingly. Conversely, the cell's microstructure is not affected by the applied stabilization periods as observed by a scanning electron microscope. [Display omitted] • DRT analysis predominantly expresses P 1 , P 2 , P 3 and P 4 cathode sub-processes. • The 34 h stabilization period is sufficient to stabilize a 25-mm PCFC button cell. • ASR value of the S34 is lower than S17 according to DRT and CNLS analysis. • Shorter relaxation time means a faster kinetic reaction of electrochemical processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The LiVO 3 ultra-low temperature cofired ceramic (ULTCC) was synthesized by the solid-state chemical method and its crystal structure, sintering behavior, and microwave dielectric performances were systematically studied by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). XRD showed that LiVO 3 were pure monoclinic single phase with a space group of C2/c. Furthermore, the best microwave dielectric properties Q × f = 16,900 ± 720 GHz, ε r = 8.78 ± 0.06, and τ f = − 117 ± 2.3 ppm/°C could be obtained when LiVO 3 sintered at optimal sintering condition 520 °C/8 h affirmed by SEM. The microwave dielectric properties were also deeply investigated utilizing the P–V–L chemical bond theory. The microwave dielectric performances of LiVO 3 had a great closer relationship with the V(1)–O bonds explained by analysis data. The low permittivity LiVO 3 with attractive features highlighted it to be a good candidate for ULTCC applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]