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A multifunctional, multiphase-supported photocatalyst was fabricated via the combination of LCD three-dimensional (3D) printing, cold plasma discharge (CPD) technology, and surface chemistry to be used for the degradation of organic pollutants in water and for the generation of hydrogen gas. BiOBr was chosen as the main catalytic phase and was used in association with a phosphor, SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ (SAED), and a metal–organic framework, Ni-BDC. Their immobilization was realized thanks to polydopamine (PDA), which is used as a coupling agent. While BiOBr was the most active photocatalytic phase, the phosphor acted as a light-storing component for photodegradation in the dark and overall, as a boost for photoactivity. PDA also boosted the photoactivity, in parallel with its crucial role in the immobilization of the SAED/Ni-MOF/BiOBr catalyst on fractal polymer support. An in situ complexation-assisted precipitation (ISCAP) process was used, allowing the formation of the catalytic phases with nano features. The resulting hybrid photocatalysts were tested through rhodamine B (RhB) dye photodegradation upon visible light irradiation or light/dark alternating conditions to simulate more realistic variable light illumination. We found that, although used in a very small amount, the Ni-MOF had a significant impact on the photoactivity, forming a Z-scheme heterojunction with BiOBr. Finally, H2 evolution testing further established the photocatalytic activity and versatility of the supported catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the sol-gel method was used to synthesize powders of LaMnO3 (LMO), La0.85Ca0.15MnO3 (LCM), and La0.85Sr0.15MnO3 (LSM). The effect of substituting Ca and Sr at the A-site on the perovskite crystal structure and electrochemical capabilities of LMO was investigated. LCM retained its orthogonal structure in comparison to the parent LMO components, whereas LSM transitioned to a rhombic structure. At 0.5 A/g, the specific capacitance of LCM and LSM electrodes is 185.5 F/g and 248 F/g, respectively. The specific capacitance of LCM was three times greater than that of the LMO electrode. Among the three samples (LMO, 22.25 m2 g−1; LSM, 31.56 m2 g−1), the LCM sample exhibited the highest specific surface area of 38.79 m2 g−1. The charge transfer resistances of the LMO, LCM, and LSM are 0.48 Ω, 0.36 Ω, and 0.38 Ω, respectively. The LCM electrode exhibits the greatest capacitance performance due to its more refined morphology, increased concentration of oxygen vacancy, and more complete utilization of the perovskite bulk structure. The above results demonstrate that Ca or Sr substitution of A-site compounds has great potential for supercapacitor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The study aimed to explore the effect of mulberry leaf powder (MP) on the performance, serum metabolites and antioxidant property, as well as intestinal health, of weaned piglets. A total of 120 healthy piglets weighing 8.43 ± 1.91 kg (Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire); weaned at 28 d) were chosen and classified into four treatments with three replicates of 10 piglets each based on a randomized complete block design (barrow:gilt = 1:1). The diet treatments were a corn–soybean meal basal diet added with 0% (Ctrl), 2% (MP_2), 4% (MP_4) and 6% MP (MP_6), respectively. The feeding experiment was 28 days in total. The feeding period lasted for 28 days in total. Results: The diet supplemented with 2% MP had no detrimental effects on the growth performance, immunity, enzyme capacity and inflammatory factors, as well as intestinal barrier function. MP_2 is capable of decreasing the levels of serum D-lactic acid and lactate dehydrogenase, enhancing the superoxide dismutase capacity in the liver and diminishing the potential pathogenic bacteria Allisonella in the colon. However, compared with MP_2, MP_6 had unfavorable effects on the average daily gain and average daily feed intake; the concentration of serum non-esterified fatty acids; the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and the capacity of lipase and amylase, as well as the intestinal barrier function-related mRNA expression of occludin, claudin-1 and mucin-2 in piglets. Conclusion: Taken together, piglets fed with 2% MP had no adverse effect and was capable of improving the serum metabolites, enhancing the antioxidant capacity (SOD) and lowering the potential pathogenic bacteria of the hindgut (Allisonella). However, the highest concentration of MP (6%) may cause detrimental effects for piglets, which are probably associated with the higher antinutritional factors and fiber. Therefore, the dietary supplementation of 2% MP for piglets may be advisable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advantages of short charging and discharging times, high power density, and long cycle life, supercapacitors are regarded as one of the most promising energy storage devices and have garnered massive attention in the field of energy storage. This paper prepared La1−xCaxMnO3 (x=0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2) nanoparticles by the sol‐gel method. The microstructure, morphology, and electrochemical performance of the samples were characterized. The results depict that La0.85Ca0.15MnO3 has a low charge transfer resistance (0.19 Ω) and a large specific surface area (38.79 m2 g−1). The maximum specific capacitance of the La0.85Ca0.15MnO3 sample reached 248 F/g at a current density of 0.5 A/g, which is ascribable to its large specific surface area and high oxygen vacancy concentration. The anion‐intercalation mechanism was investigated by the charging and discharging process. The above results depict that Ca‐doping significantly enhances the electrochemical performance of LaMnO3 system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to evaluate the potential of totally bioresorbable composites as cardiovascular stent material. Copolymers were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide (LLA) and 1, 3-trimethylene carbonate (TMC) with LLA-TMC ratios of 3/1, 4/1, and 5/1 and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Wt. 5% of poly(L-lactide)-co-(glycolide) (PLGA) fibers are used to reinforce PTMC-LLA copolymer matrices to prepare totally bioresorbable composites. Heat treatment under vacuum and oxygen plasma treatment are applied to improve the mechanical performance of the composites in terms of eliminating the imperfections inside, enhancing interfacial affinity, surface roughness, and enriching surface oxidative chemical bonds. After plasma treatment, the viscosity and tensile strength of the fibers decrease, but the surface chemical bonds are enriched and surface roughness is increased. The composites with 15-min plasma-treated fibers and 2 h heat treatment exhibit the highest tensile strength of 46 MPa, i.e., very close to that of PLLA (48 MPa), which is usually used as biodegradable stent material. Moreover, the tensile modulus of the above composite is 1711 MPa, which is only 34% of PLLA's modulus (4985 MPa). Therefore, novel composites with sufficient tensile strength and better flexibility are obtained as promising cardiovascular stent material. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 52:741-750, 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers, INTRODUCTION With cardiovascular incidents increasing nowadays, minimally invasive treatments such as balloon angioplasty have become more and more attractive to the patients due to their minimal trauma without major cardiosurgery [...]

When an artist creates an oil painting, it is rich in emotion. Color is the main way to express emotion in oil painting. As far as the art field is concerned, color is an objective phenomenon that people can really feel its unique richness and brilliance, and different people will have different emotions when facing the same picture. Color itself is not emotional, but people have different psychological feelings by looking at different colors. This is the power of color. In the same way, color is also a carrier for painters to convey emotions in oil paintings. The study of emotional color expression in oil painting is more helpful for people to understand the emotion conveyed by oil painting. Color has an important role and an irreplaceable position in oil painting creation. In the creation of oil painting, color expression is combined with emotional expression. The creator conveys his experience and feelings in the form of color. In this paper, we look at the relationship between color and emotion, the emotional expression of color, and the expression of emotion in painting. The creators of oil paintings convey their feelings and experiences in the form of color, which plays a unique and important role in portraying the image of their works, expressing emotions, and creating an atmosphere, and we analyze and reveal how to use paint to express emotions in oil painting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-powered photoelectric devices as a new type of sensor without an external power source have a great potential advantage in the next generation of portable and wearable personal devices. The design of those devices is normally based on three kinds of strategies: a p–n junction, the Schottky junction and ferroelectric polarization. Here, a novel solution based on ion migration induced self-powered photodetectors was explored. In this work, high quality halide perovskite FAPbBr3 crystals were grown by an inverse temperature crystallization (ITC) method. An irreversible ion migration was intentionally created using a symmetrically structured Au/FAPbBr3/Au device. The resulting built-in electric field and energy band bending were proved using electrical measurements in the dark and under light. Finally, the response of the ion migration induced self-powered FAPbBr3 detector was investigated with the values of R (∼0.18 mA W−1) and EQE (∼0.055%) under light with a power density of 1 mW cm−2 and a wavelength of 397 nm. Our investigation demonstrates that ion migration, which is normally deemed a detrimental factor for device stability, can be intentionally used for self-powered photoelectric devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid nanomaterials have been produced using a combination of core–shell synthesis, 3D printing, and plasma grafting. Metal oxides, that is, ZnO and TiO2, as well as iron-based metal organic frameworks (Fe-MOF) nanoparticles were grafted permanently onto the surface of 3D-printed fractal substrates via cold plasma discharge (CPD). The aim is to produce supported photocatalysts for the degradation of organic pollutants in water. Herein, different plasma grafting strategies are developed, namely direct (using core–shell prefunctionalization) and indirect grafting. Noticeably, the latter, using poly-(vinylphosphonic acid) as an intermediate layer for self-assembly grafting, potentially opens the way for the functionalization of any polymeric surface by inorganic nanocompounds. This study mainly aims at giving insight into the plasma immobilization process, but also demonstrating the potential it offers in the domain of supported catalysis. The activity of the different hybrid materials has been assessed by monitoring the photodegradation of Rhodamine B dye (ZnO and TiO2) and the removal of Ciprofloxacin antibiotic (Fe-MOF). Also, the reusability of the hybrid photocatalysts has been demonstrated. Independently, it was found that modifying the surface of the metal oxide nanoparticles with organic coupling agentsaiming at their plasma-grafting immobilization on polymer supportsallowed enhancing their photodegradation efficiency up to 20%. Finally, a resin fractal support has been printed by liquid crystal diode-based SLA (stereolithography) and later surface-functionalized by Fe-MOF nanoparticles. This provides evidence to the possibility of using laser-based 3D printing technologies to produce supports with high surface area for the immobilization of catalysts by plasma grafting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inthis work, the influence of the ionic strength and phosphateions on poly(l-lysine) hydrodynamic radius, conformationand persistence lengths has been studied for molar masses comprisedbetween 3000 and 70 000 g/mol. Mark–Houwink coefficientshave been obtained via the determination of poly(l-lysine)hydrodynamic radius using Taylor dispersion analysis. The influenceof phosphate ions and ionic strength on the solvent quality (poor,Θ, or good solvent) for poly(l-lysine) have been studiedin details. Quantitative data on hydrodynamic radius, persistencelength, Mark–Houwink coefficients are provided at pH 7.4, inthe range of 10 mM to 1 M ionic strength, and for different phosphateion concentrations from 0.1 mM to 50 mM under physiological conditions(154 mM ionic strength, pH 7.4). The strong influence of phosphateions on poly(l-lysine) properties was finally illustratedby studying the interactions (stoichiometry, binding constant, andcooperativity) between poly(l-lysine) of DP 50 and humanserum albumin, in the absence and in the presence of phosphate ionsat pH 7.4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus strain WYCQ02 was obtained from soil samples by high-temperature screening. A 1,327-bp DNA fragment containing a 1,152-bp long open reading frame named phyC-WYCQ02 was amplified from the genomic DNA of strain WYCQ02 by PCR. The ORF encoded a polypeptide of 383 amino acid residues with a putative signal peptide of 26 amino acids. The 1,089-bp fragment encoding the mature peptide of neutral phytase and a 6 × histidine tag was cloned into the plasmid pPIC9K. The expression vector, pPIC9K-phyC, was linearized and transformed in Pichia pastoris. The molecular weight of phytase was estimated to be approximately 53 kDa by electrophoresis. The optimal temperature of the purified phytase was 55°C and the optimal pH value was between 7.0 and 8.0. After incubation at 70°C for 10 and 30 min, the relative activity was still over 80 and 62%, and over 70% of enzyme activity remained in the pH range of 5.0-10.0. There was no significant difference in enzymatic activity after incubation for 30 or 60 min in buffer with different pH values, therefore the purified phytase had some acid and alkali resistance. The phytase gene and the engineered yeast strain may have value in industrial applications. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to evaluate the potential of totally bioresorbable composites as cardiovascular stent material. Copolymers were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide (LLA) and 1,3-trimethylene carbonate (TMC) with LLA-TMC ratios of 3/1, 4/1, and 5/1 and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Wt. 5% of poly( L-lactide)- co-(glycolide) (PLGA) fibers are used to reinforce PTMC-LLA copolymer matrices to prepare totally bioresorbable composites. Heat treatment under vacuum and oxygen plasma treatment are applied to improve the mechanical performance of the composites in terms of eliminating the imperfections inside, enhancing interfacial affinity, surface roughness, and enriching surface oxidative chemical bonds. After plasma treatment, the viscosity and tensile strength of the fibers decrease, but the surface chemical bonds are enriched and surface roughness is increased. The composites with 15-min plasma-treated fibers and 2 h heat treatment exhibit the highest tensile strength of 46 MPa, i.e., very close to that of PLLA (48 MPa), which is usually used as biodegradable stent material. Moreover, the tensile modulus of the above composite is 1711 MPa, which is only 34% of PLLA's modulus (4985 MPa). Therefore, novel composites with sufficient tensile strength and better flexibility are obtained as promising cardiovascular stent material. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a novel heterojunction based on ZnSnO3/ZnO nanofibers was prepared by a simple electrospinning method. The crystal, structural, and surface compositional properties of ZnSnO3 and ZnSnO3/ZnO composite nanofibers were investigated by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). Compared to pure ZnSnO3 nanofibers, the ZnSnO3/ZnO heterostructure nanofibers had high sensitivity and selectivity response with the fast response toward ethanol gas at low operational temperature. The sensing response of the sensor based on ZnSnO3/ZnO composite nanofibers was 19.6 toward 50 ppm ethanol gas at 225 °C, which was about 1.5 times superior to that of pure ZnSnO3 nanofibers. It can be owed mainly to the oxygen vacancies and the synergistic effect between ZnSnO3 and ZnO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• VS 2 /BlueP heterostructures as anodes could combine the advantages of VS 2 and BlueP. • Improved electrical conductivity and mechanical property are observed in the heterostructures. • VS 2 /BlueP heterostructures possess a high specific capacity of 1211.34 mA h/g. In this work, based on first principles calculations and molecular dynamics simulation, we systematically investigated the VS 2 /blue phosphorene (BlueP) heterostructures as potential anodes for LIBs. Our results show that both H-VS 2 /BlueP and T-VS 2 /BlueP heterostructures exhibit metallic characteristics, ensuring good electrical conductivity for the fast electron transport. The Young's moduli (187.3 N/m for H-VS 2 /BlueP and 183.4 N/m for T-VS 2 /BlueP), mechanical flexibility (ultimate strains > 16%) and adsorption energy of VS 2 /BlueP heterostructures are remarkably improved in comparison with pristine BlueP. Such improved mechanical property and adsorption energy are of great significance to suppress the anode pulverization on the whole lithium intercalation–deintercalation process. Moreover, the specific capacities of VS 2 /BlueP heterostructures are up to 1211.34 mA h/g (multi-layer Li adsorption), which are much higher than pristine BlueP and commercial graphite anodes. In addition, diffusion barriers in the H-VS 2 /BlueP and T-VS 2 /BlueP heterostructures are 0.17, 0.16 eV, respectively, implying high mobility of Li. All these encouraging results indicate that VS 2 /BlueP heterostructures are promising anodes to achieve advanced LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Ss) is a devastating fungal pathogen that causes Sclerotinia stem rot in rapeseed (Brassica napus), and is also detrimental to mulberry and many other crops. A wild mulberry germplasm, Morus laevigata, showed high resistance to Ss, but the molecular basis for the resistance is largely unknown. Here, the transcriptome response characteristics of M. laevigata to Ss infection were revealed by RNA-seq. A total of 833 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected after the Ss inoculation in the leaf of M. laevigata. After the GO terms and KEGG pathways enrichment analyses, 42 resistance-related genes were selected as core candidates from the upregulated DEGs. Their expression patterns were detected in the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits of M. laevigata. Most of them (30/42) were specifically or mainly expressed in flowers, which was consistent with the fact that Ss mainly infects plants through floral organs, and indicated that Ss-resistance genes could be induced by pathogen inoculation on ectopic organs. After the Ss inoculation, these candidate genes were also induced in the two susceptible varieties of mulberry, but the responses of most of them were much slower with lower extents. Based on the expression patterns and functional annotation of the 42 candidate genes, we cloned the full-length gDNA and cDNA sequences of the Ss-inducible chitinase gene set (MlChi family). Phylogenetic tree construction, protein interaction network prediction, and gene expression analysis revealed their special roles in response to Ss infection. In prokaryotic expression, their protein products were all in the form of an inclusion body. Our results will help in the understanding of the molecular basis of Ss-resistance in M. laevigata, and the isolated MlChi genes are candidates for the improvement in plant Ss-resistance via biotechnology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arabidopsis thaliana MYB43 (AtMYB43) is suggested to be involved in cell wall lignification. PtrMYB152, the Populus orthologue of AtMYB43, is a transcriptional activator of lignin biosynthesis and vessel wall deposition. In this research, MYB43 genes from Brassica napus (rapeseed) and its parental species B. rapa and B. oleracea were molecularly characterized, which were dominantly expressed in stem and other vascular organs and showed responsiveness to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infection. The BnMYB43 family was silenced by RNAi, and the transgenic rapeseed lines showed retardation in growth and development with smaller organs, reduced lodging resistance, fewer silique number and lower yield potential. The thickness of the xylem layer decreased by 28%; the numbers of sclerenchymatous cells, vessels, interfascicular fibers, sieve tubes and pith cells in the whole cross section of the stem decreased by 28%, 59%, 48%, 34% and 21% in these lines, respectively. The contents of cellulose and lignin decreased by 17.49% and 16.21% respectively, while the pectin content increased by 71.92% in stems of RNAi lines. When inoculated with S. sclerotiorum, the lesion length was drastically decreased by 52.10% in the stems of transgenic plants compared with WT, implying great increase in disease resistance. Correspondingly, changes in the gene expression patterns of lignin biosynthesis, cellulose biosynthesis, pectin biosynthesis, cell cycle, SA- and JA-signals, and defensive pathways were in accordance with above phenotypic modifications. These results show that BnMYB43, being a growth-defense trade-off participant, positively regulates vascular lignification, plant morphology and yield potential, but negatively affects resistance to S. sclerotiorum. Moreover, this lignification activator influences cell biogenesis of both lignified and non-lignified tissues of the whole vascular organ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • An ISCAP process was used to obtain Zn-doped CdS NPs in situ on a polymer substrate. • Supported photocatalysts with fractal supports were tested through RhB degradation. • Supported Zn-doped CdS was found to be photostable, with good recyclability. • PVPA, the binder, displayed a protective effect on the immobilized CdS catalyst. In this study, we explore the potential of an innovative method based on cold plasma discharge (CPD), to fabricate stable supported photocatalysts for the photodegradation of organic water pollutants. Supported catalysts bear significant advantages compared to colloidal ones, the main benefit being that they can be separated from water and reused much more easily, which is a crucial aspect especially of nanocompounds. They can also participate in reducing catalyst loss between operations or even enable continuous-flow processes, usually more productive than batch, discontinued operations. Hereby, we describe an immobilization approach, i.e. in situ complexation-assisted precipitation (ISCAP), which allows the fabrication of nanoCdS photocatalyst, directly at the surface of a polymer substrate. More specifically, we establish the potential of this process to obtain a hybrid coating of zinc-doped CdS, in situ. Our findings revealed that the resulting supported catalyst was photoactive – degrading Rhodamine B (RhB) dye, easily recyclable and photostable thanks to the successful doping of the catalytic phase. In addition, it seems that the immobilization itself stabilized the catalyst, probably thanks to polyvinylphosphonic acid (PVPA), used as a complexing and binding agent. The catalytic phase was immobilized on a resin substrate that was fabricated by liquid crystal diode (LCD) 3D printing, and conceived using fractal-inspired geometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Cotton fiber textile was modified using cold plasma discharge. • Bi 2 MoO 6 microflowers and AgNPs were successfully immobilized using three different techniques based on CPD. • The textile composite was tested with two bacteria: E. coli and S. Aureus. • Significant antimicrobial activity was observed with the two strains, both in dark conditions and under low-intensity visible light. In this study, we expose various techniques based on cold plasma discharge (CPD), and more precisely aqueous-phase plasma-aided grafting (APPAG), to efficiently modify the surface of polymers as well as fabric made of natural fibers. Several directions were investigated to ultimately add a functional coating providing an antimicrobial effect to textiles. Our strategy relies on the immobilization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and Bi 2 MoO 6 (BMO) – a robust inorganic photocatalyst that can be activated by visible light – microflowers, at the surface of cotton fabric fibers. Notably, an in situ complexation-assisted precipitation route (ISCAP – an original method derived from CPD) was successfully employed to generate a very uniform coating of silver nanoparticles at the surface of organic substrates. As we demonstrate in this study, the surface functionalization with BMO and silver provides a significant protection against bacteria in dark conditions, through a bacteriostatic effect of nano silver, and under low-intensity artificial visible light (thanks to the photocatalytic effect of BMO/Ag), hence suitable for an indoor environment such as hospitals. Our composite nanomaterial, cotton/BMO/AgNPs, was assessed through antibacterial testing with Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. Aureus) , showing a pronounced antimicrobial effect with both strains. This study opens prospects for the functionalization of natural or artificial fiber materials with possible applications in the field of biomedical protective equipment such as bandages, masks or technical cloths; or even photocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]