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Polyamide 66 (PA66) has been used for dynamic bearing applications due to its good wear and abrasion resistance, hardness, and rigidity. PA66/copper micro-composites were studied with respect to micro-mechanical, tribological, and structural properties. A mixing step followed by injection molding was used to develop the different composites: PA66+5 wt.% Cu, PA66+10 wt.% Cu, and PA66+15 wt.% Cu. The morphological aspects of the composites were studied using scanning electron microscopy and microtomography. Good dispersion and adhesion of Cu particles across the matrix were also seen. DSC analysis showed a slight improvement in the % of crystallinity and thermal characteristics of the composites, particularly with 5 wt.% filler. Additional crystallization enhanced the tensile performance of the composites, including the modulus, elongation at break, and tensile strength. Nanoindentation tests also indicated an increase in indentation hardness and elastic modulus as a function of the filler fraction. A pin-on-disk tribometer was used to study the friction and wear properties of neat PA66 and copper-filled PA66 composites. It was found that the composite with 5 weight percent copper had the best wear resistance. A progressive decrease in the friction coefficient was also seen. Copper filler increases hardness and may effectively reduce the temperature at contact interfaces during rotating cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clean and O-(2 2 × 2 ) R45° Cu(100) surfaces were prepared to study the impact of surface oxygen on the activation of methane dissociation. Auger electron spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction, infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, scanning tunneling microscope, and a quadrupole mass-spectrometer for temperature programmed desorption were used to explore the behavior of CH4 on the two surfaces. The dissociative adsorption of CH4 was observed on oxygen-pre-covered Cu(100) but not on the clean surface indicating surface oxygen promotes the dissociation of the C–H bond. This study can be a reference for the conversion of methane into other high-value-added products with high efficiency and low energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) wood samples were treated with 3 different major wood preservatives (alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ), copper chrome boron (CCB) and copper azole (CuA)). Treated wood samples were subjected to 1 and 3 months of leaching in 3 different soil types and the amount of leached heavy metal Cu was determined on a laboratory scale. In addition, wood samples were exposed to white rot (Trametes versicolor) and brown rot (Neolentinus lepideus) fungi after leaching and weight losses were calculated. At the end of the 1 and 3 months of leaching period, the soil samples were taken from the pots and the amount of Cu was determined. The lowest Cu content (4.3 mg/kg) was detected in the samples treated with CCB among the wood preservatives, while the highest content (196.3 mg/kg) was determined in ACQ. The lowest Cu amount was determined in loamy sand soil type and the highest Cu amount was determined in clay loam soil type. According to the findings from the current study, leaching in soil did not affect weight losses caused by T. versicolor, while significant weight losses occurred by N. lepideus. This study indicated that loamy sand soil is more suitable for the treated wood if there is a risk regarding leaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhalation of nanosized metal oxides may occur at the workplace. Thus, information on potential hazardous effects is needed for risk assessment. We report an investigation of the genotoxic potential of different metal oxide nanomaterials. Acellular and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were determined for all the studied nanomaterials. Moreover, mice were exposed by intratracheal instillation to copper oxide (CuO) at 2, 6, and 12 μg/mouse, tin oxide (SnO2) at 54 and 162 μg/mouse, aluminum oxide (Al2O3) at 18 and 54 μg/mouse, zinc oxide (ZnO) at 0.7 and 2 μg/mouse, titanium dioxide (TiO2) and the benchmark carbon black at 162 μg/mouse. The doses were selected based on pilot studies. Post‐exposure time points were 1 or 28 days. Genotoxicity, assessed as DNA strand breaks by the comet assay, was measured in lung and liver tissue. The acellular and intracellular ROS measurements were fairly consistent. The CuO and the carbon black bench mark particle were potent ROS generators in both assays, followed by TiO2. Al2O3, ZnO, and SnO2 generated low levels of ROS. We detected no increased genotoxicity in this study using occupationally relevant dose levels of metal oxide nanomaterials after pulmonary exposure in mice, except for a slight increase in DNA damage in liver tissue at the highest dose of CuO. The present data add to the body of evidence for risk assessment of these metal oxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low thermal conductivity, the small magnitude of modulus of elasticity, and the high chemical reactivity of Ti-6Al-4V make it difficult to machine this material using traditional processes. The intended requirements for the applications of the said alloy, like in biomedical and aerospace, further complicate its processing. Thereof, electric discharge machining (EDM) opted for this alloy. However, intrinsic issues of EDM, that is, electrode wear rate (EWR) and dimensional overcuts, restricted its utilization. Therefore, the potential of three powder-based additives and dielectric fluids against different electrode materials has been deeply envisaged to address the abovementioned issues. Because the choice of best dielectric has a direct bearing on heat input to the electrode which influences the melting/vaporization of the tool wear of the electrode. It is worth mentioning that these concerns have not been discussed so far in such a broad spectrum. Taguchi's experimental design is used for experimentation. The results show that transformer oil performance is best rated compared to other dielectrics. Overall, the reduction in tool wear rate and overcut obtained with transformer oil is 21.3% and 21.4%, respectively, in contrast to the other dielectrics. The electrode of Cu outperforms for yielding the smaller value of overcut and tool wear rate. In the case of micro-additives, alumina has proved its potential for lowering the electrode wear rate. Deep and wide craters of a depth of 150 µm have been observed by using the brass electrode in kerosene oil, whereas the small and shallow craters of 38 µm depth have been encountered using the Cu electrode in the presence of transformer oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the suppression of galvanic corrosion between copper and gold using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and betaine as inhibitors. When copper is electrically connected to gold in PCB etching solutions, the substantial difference in their electrochemical potentials leads to the accelerated corrosion of copper, posing severe reliability risks. To mitigate this, we systematically investigated the galvanic corrosion inhibition properties of CTAB and betaine. Through comprehensive electrochemical analyses, it was found that the galvanic corrosion current density of copper, initially at 3.26 mA/cm2, decreased significantly to 0.251 mA/cm2 with 0.9 mM CTAB, indicating an inhibition efficiency of 92.3%. Furthermore, betaine, at a concentration of 0.1 mM, demonstrated an even higher inhibition efficiency, reducing the corrosion current to 0.03 mA/cm2, achieving a 99.1% inhibition rate. These findings provide strong evidence that CTAB and betaine are highly effective in suppressing galvanic corrosion in copper–gold systems, thereby enhancing the long-term performance and reliability of PCBs in electronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effects of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the galvanic corrosion behavior of copper (Cu) coupled to gold (Au) in a printed circuit board (PCB) etching solution. Galvanic corrosion tests using ZRA (zero resistance ammeter) were performed to determine the optimal SDS concentration for corrosion inhibition. The corrosion current between Cu and Au decreased significantly with the addition of SDS, from 3.26 mA/cm2 to 0.248 mA/cm2 at 4 mM SDS, achieving an inhibitor efficiency (IE) of 92.3%. However, at 15 mM SDS, the corrosion current increased, and IE decreased to 80.5%. This phenomenon is attributed to the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of SDS, where surfactant molecules aggregate and reduce surface adsorption properties. Similarly, ZRA tests were conducted to analyze the effects of PEG on galvanic corrosion. The corrosion current significantly decreased with PEG addition, achieving 98.1% IE at 1 g/L and 99.5% IE at 2 g/L. Beyond this concentration, no significant change in IE was observed, indicating saturation. Potentiodynamic polarization tests were also conducted to study the individual effects of SDS and PEG on Cu and Au. The results showed that SDS effectively inhibited Cu corrosion but had a minimal impact on Au. In contrast, PEG significantly reduced the corrosion current density for both Cu and Au, with reductions of 99.5% and 95.1%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this investigation, Cu-TiO2-Graphite hybrid composites were fabricated with variations in wt.% of TiO2 and fixed wt.% of Graphite contents through stir casting technique. The size of the grains measured after casting were 83 ± 04, 64 ± 10, 41 ± 10 and 29 ± 04 μm for 0, 3, 6, and 9 wt% hybrid composites, respectively. The addition of 1 wt.% graphite (Gr) was not only to enhance the mechanical and tribological properties but also to improve the wettability during casting. The influence of TiO2 and Gr in Cu-hybrid composite on compression test was investigated followed by characterisation studies involving XRD, EDS, TEM, EBSD. The results reveal that 9 wt% reinforced composite exhibits more strain hardening. Further, composite exhibits higher strength due to the presence of combined strengthening mechanisms such as grain boundary, Orowan and thermal expansion coefficient mismatch in commensurate with ceramic particle addition. Out of these, it is found that Orowan strengthening contributes significantly to the compression strength of the hybrid system investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present field study was conducted on silty loam soil at 'long-term fertilizer experiment' Research Farm, Department of Soil Science, CSK HPKV, Palampur (HP), India under a maize–wheat cropping to study the influence of long-term integrated nutrient management (INM) involving chemical fertilizers, organics and lime on the availability of micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu) in soil, yield and uptake of these micronutrients by maize and wheat. Ten fertilizer treatments comprising different amounts of NPK fertilizers, farmyard manure (FYM) and lime, and Natural Farming and control, were replicated thrice in a randomized block design. Soil availability of micronutrients and their plant concentrations were estimated in grain and stover/straw of both the crops. Soil recovery coefficient (SRC) was calculated to find out micronutrients availability in relation to their plant uptake. The continuous use of chemical fertilizers along with organics and lime in maize–wheat cropping system for 47 years has resulted to an increase in the availability of micronutrient cations (Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu). Build-up of soil organic carbon and decrease in soil pH has resulted in the increase of bio-available forms of micronutrients. Low SRC values of Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn indicated that long-term INM can meet their plant nutritional requirement in maize–wheat cropping system. This study concluded that long-term integration of FYM with NPK fertilizers has an edge over chemical fertilizers alone in regulating the supply of micronutrients in soil–plant system and correcting the micronutrients deficiencies in maize–wheat cropping system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single crystals of the molecular compound, {Cu20Ir6Cl8(C21H24N2)6(C4H4N2)3]·3.18CH3OH or [({Cu10Ir3}Cl4(IMes)3(pyrazine))2(pyrazine)]·3.18CH3OH [where IMes is 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene], with a unique heterometallic cluster have been prepared and the structure revealed using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The molecule is centrosymmetric with two {Cu10Ir3} cores bridged by a pyrazine ligand. The polymetallic cluster contains three stabilizing N-heterocyclic carbenes, four Cl ligands, and a non-bridging pyrazine ligand. Notably, the Cu—Ir core is arranged in an unusual shape containing 13 vertices, 22 faces, and 32 sides. The atoms within the tridecametallic cluster are arranged in four planes, with 2, 4, 4, 3 metals in each plane. Ir atoms are present in alternate planes with an Ir atom featuring in the peripheral bimetallic plane, and two Ir atoms featuring on opposite sides of the non-adjacent tetrametallic plane. The crystal contains two disordered methanol solvent molecules with an additional region of non-modelled electron density corrected for using the SQUEEZE routine in PLATON [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9–18]. The given chemical formula and other crystal data do not take into account the unmodelled methanol solvent molecule(s).

This study investigates the synthesis and characterization of Cu-Bi2O3 for degradation of antibiotics AMX, CIP, and TC using precipitation-assisted-microwave method at varying concentrations of Cu at 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%. The effect of Cu concentration on the structural, morphological, and optical properties were studied by XRD, UV-Vis, and SEM-EDX. The optimal results were obtained by adding 4% Cu to the Bi2O3 matrix. With an energy band gap of 2.32 eV, a crystal size of 37.04 nm, and ?-Bi2O3 and CuBi2O4 phases. The removal efficiency of each antibiotic using the photocatalytic method varies, with AMX at 52.06%, CIP at 61.72%, and TC at 69.44%. Cu-Bi2O3 degraded TC-type antibiotics more rapidly. The high removal efficiency and rapid reaction rate indicate that Cu-Bi2O3 is an effective antibiotic removal agent. This further confirms the fact that the addition of Cu to Bi2O3 material can increase its ability to degrade antibiotics more effective.

In this study, we report the morphological and microstructural characteristics (phase, crystallinity, morphology, surface functional groups) as well as the optical, electrical and gas sensing properties of pristine ZnO and Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles prepared by a simple sol-gel method. Field Emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) showed that the nanoparticles were well synthesized, and their size was in the nanometer range. X-ray diffraction analysis of the synthesized nanoparticles displayed a hexagonal wurtzite crystalline arrangement with a grain size distribution of 21.2 nm for the pure- and 17.5 nm for Cu doped-ZnO. The FT-IR spectra showed a successful substitution of Cu ions in the ZnO lattice. The UV-vis spectroscopy exhibited a red shift in the absorption edge, indicating that the band gap energy decreased from 3.37 to 3.26 eV with Cu doping. The gas sensing nanoparticles were tested for their ability to detect ethanol and acetone in air at different temperatures. The results showed that the pristine ZnO gas sensor displayed a greater response to both gases at the low concentration of 10 ppm. On the basis of the obtained results, the fundamental sensing mechanism on these sensors is discussed in detail.

Herein, a series of Cu, Ni catalysts were synthesized using mesoporous SiO2 (MCM‐41) and fumed SiO2 as supports for the catalytic hydrogenation of furfural (FF). The MCM‐41 support facilitated the high dispersion of Cu, Ni nanoparticles (NPs), and the hydrogenation products are primarily in the form of alcohols. For fumed SiO2, the proper amounts of acid sites contributed to the better selectivity of 2‐methyltetrahydrofuran(2‐MTHF). Hydrogenation results showed that the 10Cu10Ni/MCM‐41 catalyst afforded a 93.6 % yield of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA), while the 10Cu10Ni/SiO2 catalyst afforded a 61.73 % yield of 2‐MTHF and a 31.63 % yield of THFA. Meanwhile, it is also found that impregnating nickel salt before copper salt is more likely to promote the formation of deep hydrogenation products. Cyclic experiments indicate that developing a one‐step hydrogenation process with selective production of fully hydrogenated products is still a daunting and challenging task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the potential of copper-doped nickel oxide (Cu:NiO) as a hole transport layer (HTL) in flexible photovoltaic (PV) devices using a combined first-principles and finite element analysis approach. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that Cu doping introduces additional states in the valence band of NiO, leading to enhanced charge transport. Notably, Cu:NiO exhibits a direct band gap (reduced from 3.04 eV in NiO to 1.65 eV in the stable supercell structure), facilitating the efficient hole transfer from the active layer. Furthermore, the Fermi level shifts towards the valence band in Cu:NiO, promoting hole mobility. This translates to an improved photovoltaic performance, with Cu:NiO-based HTLs achieving ~18% and ~9% power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) in perovskite and poly 3-hexylthiophene: 1-3-methoxycarbonyl propyl-1-phenyl 6,6 C 61 butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PCBM) polymer solar cells, respectively. Finally, a finite element analysis demonstrates the potential of these composite HTLs with Poly 3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene)—polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) in flexible electronics design and the optimization of printing processes. Overall, this work highlights Cu:NiO as a promising candidate for high-performance and flexible organic–inorganic photovoltaic cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrocatalytic oxidation of urea combined with wastewater splitting is considered a promising approach for sustainable hydrogen production, characterized by minimal energy consumption. However, its evolution is greatly hindered by the shortage of efficient and easily accessible electrocatalytic materials. Here, a facile electrochemical activation strategy was conceived and proposed to construct a Cu-doped NiOOH nanolayer encapsulated on Cu2O nanodendrites on Cu mesh substrate (Cu-NiOOH/Cu2O/CM) from the electrodeposited Ni/Cu2O/CM heterostructured precatalyst. It was verified that the incorporation of Cu not only facilitates the rapid formation of Ni(III) species but also contributes to the formation of Cu-Ni(III) bifunctional electrocatalytic active sites. Benefiting from the accessible Cu-Ni(III) dual active sites, high active surface area, good hydrophilic and aerophobic surface properties and superior electrical conductivity of the Cu mesh substrate, the as-prepared Cu-NiOOH/Cu2O/CM exhibits enhanced bifunctional electrocatalytic abilities for electrocatalytic urea oxidation reaction (UOR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Particularly, for the Cu-NiOOH/Cu2O/CM||Cu-NiOOH/Cu2O/CM configuration toward the UOR||HER coupled system, a significantly reduced cell voltage of 1.43 V vs. RHE @ 10 mA·cm−2 was obtained. The observed cell voltage for the conventional overall water splitting is approximately 190 mV higher than that observed for overall urea splitting. This study proposes a viable approach to achieve and optimize the bifunctional UOR/HER performance of NiOOH active species, which holds significant importance for efficient and stable hydrogen generation from urea-contaminated substandard water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing use of metal nanoparticles, their access to the food chain has become the main concern for scientists. The present study sheds light on the copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs), which are widely used in many industries today. For this purpose, Vicia pannonica Crantz., a common fodder plant, was used and exposed to metal-based Cu NPs. To determine the genotoxic effects on root meristem cells, total of 3 different concentrations (50 ppm, 150 ppm, and 300 ppm) of Cu NPs and the control in deionized water solutions were prepared. The determination of the accumulation and elimination of Cu NPs in Vicia pannonica used in the study was carried out using with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), SEM element mapping, and energy dispersive X-ray diffraction (EDS) characteristic spectrum analysis. All doses of Cu NPs caused significant decreases in the Mitotic index of V. pannonica meristem cells compared to the control. Multiple analyzes carried out in the study showed that Cu NPs caused abnormalities in cell division such as C-metaphase, polar aberration, deconstructed anaphase, chromosome breakage, loss of genetic material, failure to assemble in the metaphase plate, deconstructed metaphase, asynchronous division remaining chromosome in metaphase, adhesion, deconstructed prophase, advanced chromosomes, and chromosome bridges in anaphase. Results support that Cu NPs have a genotoxic effect on V. pannonica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study area is in Troud that is located in the Central Iran Structural Zone. The Troud Fault in the south and Anjilo Fault in the north, played a significant role in the information of structural events and movement of mineralised fluids as well as mineral precipitations through their vertical and sinistral strike-slip movements. Gazkhizan is a mineralised area of 350 m long and 50–70 m wide and an E–W orientation. The highest Cu grade ever obtained is 3.55% which has been extracted from trench number 1. The average Cu grade in the zone on the surface is 2.11%, whilst the amount for the entire zone is equal to 0.82% including mineralised and waste rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Population-based studies have highlighted the link between chronic urticaria (CU) and metabolic syndrome, and metabolic alterations have been revealed in CU. However, to our knowledge, a comprehensive metabolomics study on a large cohort of patients with CU has not been reported. We sought to explore the underlying metabolic subtypes and novel metabolite biomarkers for CU diagnosis and therapy. Plasma samples from 80 patients with CU and 82 healthy controls were collected for metabolomics quantification and bioinformatics analysis. Another independent cohort consisting of 144 patients with CU was studied to validate the findings. Bone marrow–derived mast cells and mice with IgE-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis were used for in vitro and in vivo experiments, respectively. We observed clear metabolome differences between CU patients and healthy controls. Meanwhile, differential metabolites N6-acetyl- l -lysine, l -aspartate, maleic acid, and pyruvic acid were used to construct random forest classifiers and achieved area under receiver operating characteristic curve values greater than 0.85, suggesting their potential as diagnostic biomarkers of CU. More importantly, by exploring the underlying metabolic subtypes of CU, we found that the low abundance of pyruvic acid and maleic acid was significantly related to the activity of CU, poor efficacy of second-generation H 1 antihistamines, and short relapse-free time. The results were validated in the independent cohort. Moreover, supplementation with pyruvate or maleate could significantly attenuate IgE-mediated mast cell activation in vitro and in vivo. Plasma pyruvic acid and maleic acid may be effective biomarkers for predicting disease activity, therapeutic efficacy, and prognosis for patients with CU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The transition period between late pregnancy and early lactation (also called the periparturient period) certainly is the most interesting stage of the lactation cycle and is the last 3 weeks before parturition to 3 weeks after parturition. Most infectious diseases and metabolic disorders occur during this period. Milk fever, ketosis, retained fetal membranes, metritis, and displaced abomasum primarily impact cows during the periparturient period (Drackley 1999). Any nutritional limitation during this period has an important impact on cow efficiency and consequently, milk production decreases. Dairy cows encounter substantial metabolic and physiological adaptations during the transition period. The immune system during the periparturient period is impaired. At this time, the most important factor causing immune-suppression in highly productive cows is metabolic stress resulting from hormonal and metabolic fluctuations, a negative energy balance, shortage of proteins, minerals and vitamins which are required to meet the demands of the fetus as well as the onset of lactation (Sordillo 2016). In the world, Cu deficiency is one of the most common problems in cattle with clinical and subclinical signs (Hill and Shannon 2019). Even marginal Cu deficiency (6 to 7 ppm dietary Cu) depresses blood neutrophil function in dairy cattle (Torre et al. 1996). One strategy for improving immune system of transition dairy cows is mineral and vitamin supplementation. It has been reported that many minerals are enzymatic cofactors (Filappi et al. 2005). Studies showed that minerals injection would be a suitable method to improve mineral utilization, and this may be a promising alternative to improve animal performance (Collet et al. 2017). Furthermore, during this period, dairy cows need antioxidants to combat reactive oxygen species (ROS) which produce during oxidative stress. Vitamin C was identified as antioxidant and could help immune system to overcome ROS production. Hence, this experiment was aimed to study the effect of vitamin C and copper injection on the health status of transition dairy cows. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in a commercial farm located in Kermanshah province of Iran. Cows were enrolled from June 22, until September 22. Temperature and humidity index (THI) was calculated. It was between 72-78. The experiment was performed with 40 multiparous (twenty; second parity and twenty; third and fourth parity) Holstein lactating dairy cows which divided into four groups (10 animals/ group) in a 2×2 factorial arrangement. All cows were offered a TMR diet. Experimental treatments consisted of control (injection of 7 ml of NaCl % 0.9), Cu (injection of 75 mg Cu per cow) Vitamin C (injection of 25 mg vitamin C solution/kg BW), and Vitamin C-Cu (simultaneous injection of 25 mg vitamin C solution/kg BW and 75 mg Cu/ cow). Solutions were injected on d 20 and 40 days before expected parturition, parturition day and day 20 of postpartum. Serum concentrations of total protein, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDLcholesterol, Ca, P and Mg were determined using autoanalyzer by Pars Azmoon Kits. Serum concentrations of Beta hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were measured using autoanalyzer by Randow Kits. Serum concentration of Cu was determined by atomic absorbtion. Serum concentrations of vitamin C and superoxide dismutase was measured by Elisa reader. Incidence of metabolic disorders and infection disease were recorded. Data of serum variables were analyzed based on a randomized block design with a 2×2 (Vitamin C and Cu, with or without injection) factorial arrangement using Proc Mix of SAS software. The differences among treatments were evaluated using Tukey adjustment when the overall F-test was P ≤ 0.05. Trends were declared when 0.05 < P < 0.10. In addition, percentages of metabolic disorders were reported. Results and Discussion: Results showed that the interaction effect of vitamin C and Cu had no significant effect on serum concentration of vitamin C and superoxide dismutase activity. Cows received vitamin C had the greatest serum vitamin C concentration on d 20 prepartum, parturition day, d 10, 20 and 30 postpartum (P<0.05). Content of serum Cu were affected by the interaction of vitamin C and Cu on d 10 and d 20 postpartum (P<0.05). Copper injection increased serum Cu concentration and superoxide dismutase activity on d 20 prepartum, parturition day, d 10, 20 and 30 postpartum (P<0.05) in cows received Cu without vitamin C. Serum concentrations of P, Mg, glucose, BHBA, NEFA, triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol were not influenced by the interaction effect of vitamin C and Cu. Serum triglyceride concentration tended to decrease (P=0.06) in cows received vitamin C and on parturition day. Copper injection tended to increase (P=0.06) serum triglyceride concentration on d 20 postpartum. Serum protein concentration tended to decrease (P=0.07) in cows received vitamin C and in compared to other treatments on parturition day. Copper or vitamin C injections had no effect on serum concentrations of Ca, P, Mg, glucose, BHB and NEFA of experimental cows. Serum calcium concentration tended to increase (P=0.07) in cows received simultaneous injection of vitamin C and Cu in compared to the others on parturition day. Simultaneous injection of vitamin C and Cu tended to increase total cholesterol concentration (P=0.06) on d 10 and 30 of postpartum. Copper injection tended to increase total cholesterol concentration on d 20 prepartum, parturition day and d 10 postpartum (P=0.06). Control groups had the highest incidence rate of retained placenta and clinical mastitis. Conclusion: It is concluded that vitamin C and Cu injection reduced incidence rate of retained placenta and clinical mastitis due to improving immunity system performance of transition dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single crystals of the mol­ecular compound, {Cu20Ir6Cl8(C21H24N2)6(C4H4N2)3]·-3.18CH3OH or [({Cu10Ir3}Cl4(IMes)3(pyrazine))2(pyrazine)]·3.18CH3OH [where IMes is 1,3-bis­(2,4,6-trimethylphen­yl)imidazol-2-yl­idene], with a unique heterometallic cluster have been prepared and the structure revealed using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The mol­ecule is centrosymmetric with two {Cu10Ir3} cores bridged by a pyrazine ligand. The polymetallic cluster contains three stabilizing N-heterocyclic carbenes, four Cl ligands, and a non-bridging pyrazine ligand. Notably, the Cu—Ir core is arranged in an unusual shape containing 13 vertices, 22 faces, and 32 sides. The atoms within the trideca­metallic cluster are arranged in four planes, with 2, 4, 4, 3 metals in each plane. Ir atoms are present in alternate planes with an Ir atom featuring in the peripheral bimetallic plane, and two Ir atoms featuring on opposite sides of the non-adjacent tetra­metallic plane. The crystal contains two disordered methanol solvent mol­ecules with an additional region of non-modelled electron density corrected for using the SQUEEZE routine in PLATON [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9-18.]). Acta Cryst. C71, 9–18]. The given chemical formula and other crystal data do not take into account the unmodelled methanol solvent mol­ecule(s). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal oxide nanostructures (MONSTRs) have become popular in various fields. This study investigates the durability of MONSTRs synthesized through hot water treatment (HWT) using copper, aluminum, and zinc as the source metals of choice. The physical durability tests include pressure, scratch, and scotch tape adhesion tests, and chemical durability tests such as corrosion resistance tests, heat resistance, and solar exposure tests. Results showed that MONSTRs synthesized from HWT are highly durable under the tested conditions except for NaOH and HCl immersion tests for copper oxide and zinc oxide. The study concluded that HWT is a sustainable synthesis method for MONSTRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most spheroidal graphite irons (SGIs) have a matrix consisting of ferrite, pearlite, or a mix of the two. To achieve the desired matrix composition, pearlite promoters such as Mn, Cu, or Sn, are added to the molten metal. Among these elements, Sn is the most potent pearlite promoter. However, each has a different impact on the solidification, graphite precipitation, eutectoid transformation, and ultimately the final structure of the material. Research has shown that B promotes ferrite in fully pearlitic grades where Cu and Mn were used to promote pearlite. The present work investigates the effect of B in SGI with additions of Sn, Cu, and Mn, and the effects of varying amounts of the different pearlite promoters on the matrix composition. The results show that Mn alone at levels of approximately 0.9 wt% is not enough to promote a fully pearlitic matrix, while 0.5 wt% Cu combined with 0.67 wt% Mn is sufficient. Likewise, a fully pearlitic microstructure can be obtained by alloying with 0.06 wt% Sn and 0.67 wt% Mn. B was found to promote ferrite in fully pearlitic SGI alloyed with Sn or Cu. However, in the absence of those elements, B promoted pearlite when alloyed with just Mn. Graphite protrusions were observed on the graphite nodule surface only for B-added alloys with Sn and Cu. In these cases, it is believed B promotes ferrite by changing the growth mechanism of graphite after solidification from spherical to lamellar. However, a different graphite morphology is observed when B is added with just Mn. Thermal analysis data is in agreement with the microstructural observations regarding the ferrite promoting effect of B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu/SiO2 catalysts were prepared by co-precipitation (CP), hydrothermal (HT), ammonia evaporation (AE), and sol–gel (SG) methods and tested for their performance in the dehydrogenation reaction of secondary butyl alcohol to methyl ethyl ketone. The results showed that the Cu/SiO2 catalyst prepared by the sol–gel method has the best performance. By BET and H2–TPR characterization, it can be found that the catalysts prepared by sol–gel method has the largest specific surface areas and lowest reduction temperatures. Based on the characterization results of XRD, XPS and XAES, it shows that the catalyst prepared by sol–gel method has a better dispersion of copper components and a higher content of Cu0 species after reduction, which leads to its higher catalytic activity. At a copper loading of 22.96% (w%), the conversion of secondary butyl alcohol was up to 99.0% and the selectivity of methyl ethyl ketone was up to 99.8% by using the Cu/SiO2 catalysts prepared by sol–gel (SG) methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the quest to unlock the remarkable potential of nanotechnology, the sol-gel method was employed to craft a porous TiO2 nanostructured film, meticulously deposited onto FTO glass substrates. This endeavor marked a significant leap as a controlled bombardment of Cu ions, accelerated at 700 keV, at varying flux rates of 2x1013, 2x1014, and 2x1015 ions/cm² was introduced to these ingeniously engineered films. A comprehensive assessment of these nanocrystalline TiO2 structures, both before and after Cu+2 ion irradiation, revealed a fascinating array of results. he anatase tetragonal structure's permanence was validated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), which improved the material's stability and integrity. In the present study, an interesting observation was made that band edges show a dynamic behavior in Cuirradiated samples in UV-Vis spectroscopy. At 2x1014 ions/cm², the phenomena peaked, revealing an intriguing redshift and an exceptionally low band gap value of 3.39 eV. In photoluminescence spectra, the peaks corresponding to the lattice defects show a significant reduction when the flux of the Cu ions on TiO2 is adjusted to 2 x 1014 ions/cm². It is an indication that film quality and purity have improved. This arrangement for photoanode modification helps in the development of dye-sensitized solar cells with tremendous characteristics. The fabricated device with this novel approach results in high values of open circuit voltage (Voc), short circuit current density (Jsc), fill factor (FF), and maximum photoconversion efficiency of 5.10%. These findings indicate a new era of possibilities in the field of renewable energy, since these nanostructured materials have the ability to significantly alter the solar field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the research was to investigate the resistance and efficacy of the fungi Aspergillus awamori in removing heavy metals. We conducted an analysis of the fungus's tolerance to several heavy metals by measuring the dry weight and using a plate method. The fungus exhibited growth in concentrations and lowest growth was observed in a concentration of 400 ppm of Cd. The heavy metals were successfully removed with the following orders: Zn> Co, > Ag, > Hg and Cu. The optimal parameters for the elimination of 100 mg/L of heavy metals were a temperature of 28°C, a pH range of 4.0 to 5.5, a heavy metal concentration of 100 ppm, and a biomass of fungi of 1 g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose: This study aims to assess the feasibility and efficiency of electrokinetic (EK) remediation of soil contaminated with As, Cd, Cu, and Pb using the biodegradable chelator N, N-bis(carboxymethyl)-tetrasodium salt (GLDA) at the pilot scale. Materials and methods: The experiments were performed under a constant voltage (40 V) in an EK reactor (100 cm (length) × 50 cm (width) × 25 cm (height)) for over 100 days using various enhancement strategies. The current, electroosmotic flow (EOF), microstructure, mineral composition of the soil samples (before and after EK remediation), removal efficiencies, chemical forms, and ecotoxicity risks of As, Cd, Cu, and Pb were determined. Results and discussion: The results showed gradual decreases in the electrical current and EOF over time. The spatial distribution of As, Cd, Cu, and Pb in the soil solution and electrolyte revealed that the removed metals primarily accumulated in anolytes. The soil As, Cd, and Cu contents, especially near the anode, showed gradual reductions. The total removal efficiencies of As, Cd, Cu, and Pb were 49.4%, 44.0%, 53.6%, and 36.6%, respectively. Overall, the ecotoxicity risks of the remaining As, Cd, Cu, and Pb were below the initial values. A soil microstructure and mineral composition analysis indicated that the GLDA-enhanced EK technology effectively removed As, Cd, Cu, and Pb by dissolving soil minerals and breaking chemical bonds. The unit energy consumption ranged from 1.25 to 1.83 kW·h/t/%, indicating lower or comparable values to the data in the literature. Conclusions: The biodegradable chelator, GLDA, has been shown to remove different types of potentially toxic elements using enhancement strategies on a pilot scale with low unit energy consumption. Arsenic migrated to the anode in the anionic form, and the complexes formed by Cd, Cu, and Pb with GLDA were negatively charged and moved toward the cathode. After the EK treatment, the ecotoxicity risks of As, Cd, Cu, and Pb decreased with a reduction in the contents and the chemical form changes of As, Cd, Cu, and Pb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish meat is recommended for consumption as a source of protein, essential unsaturated fatty acids, and fat-soluble vitamins, unfortunately it can also be a source of dangerous contaminants. The aim of the study was to assessment the level of Zn, Cu and Pb in water and bottom sediments collected in summer and autumn from the Koronowo Reservoir and the Wierzchucińskie Duże Lake and in the tissues of perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) and rudd (Scardinius erythrophtalmus L.) for health risk assessment of potential consumers. Metals accumulated in the tissues in the following order: meat, liver and gills: Zn > Cu > Pb. Of the four factors taken into account, such as: type of tissue, fish species, catching season and place of catching, the first one determined the degree of metal accumulation to the greatest extent. The high level of Pb in muscle tissue was determined by the content of this metal in tissue collected from rudd from Wierzchucińskie Duże Lake in the summer (0.383 mg kg−1 ww). The bioconcentration factor (BCF) of Pb, Zn and Cu in all tissues of analysed fish was much higher from water than from sediments. The highest value of metal pollution index (MPI) in the meat (1.42), liver (12.97), and gills (8.49) was calculated for summer-caught fish. The research indicated that consumption of 100 g of fish meat could meet daily requirement for Zn up to 26.3 % and for Cu in 16.4 %. The potential risk of Pb consumption according to RDA is as much as 2.4 %.

The bond strength between Cu substrate and epoxy resin is required to be improved in power modules. Surface modification of the Cu substrate improves the bond strength due to the anchor effect. In this study, we propose a new surface modification method using friction stirring. A convex structure was formed on a Cu substrate by friction stirring using a tool wrapped with Ti foil. The microstructure of the modified surface and adhesion with epoxy resin were evaluated. Friction stirring formed a Ti-derived convex structure on the Cu substrate, and Cu and Ti were mixed at the microscale and bonded strongly. The shear bond strength between the modified surface and epoxy resin was 7.9 ± 1.7 MPa, which was twice as strong as that without surface treatment. The Ti-derived convex structure formed on the Cu substrate improved adhesion with epoxy resin.

Relevance. The need to study the features of aerogenic effects of the Norilsk industrial complex on the natural environment. Aim. To study the features of the aerogenic effects of the Norilsk industrial complex in the south-southwest zone at a distance of 40–60 km using lichens Cladonia rungeferina and Cetraria sp. Objects. Soil, lichens Cladonia rungeferina and Cetraria sp. Methods. Soil and lichen samples were taken 40–60 km south-southwest of the Norilsk Industrial district. Sampling was carried out according to the scheme of two profiles with a length of 14 and 20 km. The samples were analyzed using a set of methods consisting of X-ray fluorescence (S4 Pioneer Bruker AXS), atomic absorption methods (KVANT-2A, Julia-5K) and induction-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ELEMENT-2) in the laboratory of the GIN RAS, Moscow. The concentration of Ti, V, Ni, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Cd, Sb, Ba, La was determined. Results. The authors have obtained the data on the concentration of the 21 elements in soils and lichens. The paper demonstrates the calculation of distribution of elements in soil and lichens relative to the concentration in the upper part of the continental crust. The authors calculated the enrichment factor EF for Mn, Ni, Cu, Hg, Pb and estimated the distribution of this coefficient for both profiles. It is shown that the technogenic component of the aerogenic effect for Mn, Ni, Cu, Pb to the south-southwest of the Norilsk industrial complex at a distance of 40–60 km is practically absent. The increased values of the enrichment factor EF in lichens for Hg are explained by a combination of two factors – the constant presence of mercury in significant concentrations in ecosystems and tundra fires that took place in this zone in 2019–2020, which ultimately led to the re-deposition of Hg in the burnt areas.

The presence of potentially harmful metals in commercially available saltwater fish has been extensively documented in scientific literature. This has demonstrated the significance of monitoring the crucial copper (Cu) levels in fish fillets from a perspective focused on human health risks (HHR). This study aimed to evaluate the human health risk (HHR) associated with the presence of Cu in 40 different species of commercial marine fish purchased from Malaysia. The fish samples were gathered from various sources from April to May 2023. The 40 species of commercial marine fish had concentrations of Cu (0.72–82.3 mg/kg dry weight) that fell below acceptable levels defined by seafood safety recommendations. Therefore, these fish are considered good sources of the essential element. The target hazard quotient values for Cu were below 1, suggesting that the hazards of Cu from fish eating are non-carcinogenic. Furthermore, it was discovered that the computed values for the predicted weekly consumption were lower than the defined provisional tolerated weekly intake of Cu. Consuming fish purchased from Malaysia is unlikely to harm consumers’ necessary copper intake. However, it is crucial to consistently monitor the safety of consumers who heavily depend on commercially caught marine fish from Malaysia. This monitoring is an essential aspect of implementing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, which industries are concerned about and report on annually.

Mg-Cu bimetallic materials have been widely studied because of their low density, good electrical conductivity, and excellent hydrogen storage properties. However, the interface bonding strength of Mg/Cu is low. In this study, we examined the effect of hot-dip tin coating (HDTC) with copper (Cu) on the interfacial metallurgical bonds between AZ91D Magnesium (Mg) alloy and Cu composite casting. A transition layer composed of Mg2Cu and MgCu2 intermetallic compounds (IMCs) formed at the interface of the AZ91D/HDTC-Cu composite casting. However, the transition layer was about 1 μm at the AZ91D/Cu interface, mainly comprising Mg(Al, Cu)2 IMC. Both the AZ91D/Cu and AZ91D/HDTC-Cu interfaces exhibited many labyrinthine Mg(Al, Cu)2 IMCs and layer-like Mg2(Al, Cu) IMCs. Moreover, the interfacial shear strength of the AZ91D/Cu was changed from 12.6 MPa to 52.4 MPa due to the solid solution of Sn atom and the precipitation of Mg2Sn IMC at the interface after HDTC treatment. Meanwhile, the shear fracture surfaces are characterized by brittle fractures.

N-rich precursors govern the thermal polymerization formation of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4) based catalysts towards enhanced photocatalytic performance. In this paper, Cu components were introduced in superior thin g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets using the thermal polymerization copper acetate and bulk g-C 3 N 4 created by different precursors including melamine, dicyandiamide, and thiourea, such as melamine-g-C 3 N 4 (MCN), dicyandiamide-g-C 3 N 4 (DCN), and thiourea-g-C 3 N 4 (TCN). The performance of Cu-g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets depended strongly on the precursors of bulk g-C 3 N 4 samples. The well-developed Cu nanoparticles with clear lattice fringes were observed in the sample prepared using MCN (sample Cu-MCN) while the crystallinity of Cu nanoparticles became worse in the sample prepared using DCN (sample Cu-DCN). Interestingly, Cu clusters were homogeneously distributed in superior thin g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets in the case of using TCN (sample Cu-TCN) because of S components in thiourea affected the thermal polymerization. The photocatalytic activity of Cu-TCN was drastically improved compared with other Cu-g-C 3 N 4 samples. The photocatalytic hydrogen production rate of Cu-TCN with 1% of Cu components was 4035.6 μmol g-1 h-1. Cycle stability test indicated that sample Cu-TCN revealed high stability, in which the H 2 generation rate was retained 95% of their initial value after 5 cycles. These results supply efficient approaches for the study and application of g-C 3 N 4 based photocatalysts. • Cu components introduced in g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets using bulk g-C 3 N 4 created by different precursors. • Precursors (melamine, dicyandiamide, and thiourea) affect the activity of Cu-g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets. • Cu distribution in g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets depended on the thermal polymerization of precursors. • Cu clusters distributed in g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets created using thiourea revealed the best performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrochemical reduction of CO2 to produce high-value multicarbon products represents a challenging yet highly desirable process, particularly due to the inefficient C–C coupling observed in current electrocatalysts. In this study, Cu2+ and Co2+ were introduced into ZIF-8 as precursors to synthesize a series of Co- and CuCo-doped carbon nanostructure materials with varying Co-to-Cu ratios. X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses confirmed the successful doping of metal Co in the form of Co–Nx, while Cu was partly doped as nanoparticles attached to the carbon substrate surface and partly as single atoms forming Cu–Nx. Transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses revealed uniform distribution of elemental Co and Cu on the carbon substrate, with Cu loaded as nanocluster on the surface. Linear sweep voltammetry tests indicated that Cu/CoCu-Nx-C composites exhibited enhanced reactivity toward CO2 reduction compared to other samples. At −0.19 V (vs RHE), the Faradaic efficiencies (FEs %) of C2H4, C2H6, CH4, CO, and H2 over Cu/CoCu-Nx-C were 29.7, 8.6, 20.2, 9.8, and 31.5%, respectively. The influence of Co and Cu doping modes on the selectivity of electrocatalytic reduction products was investigated. Results showed that Cu/CoCu-Nx-C exhibited a higher FE of C2 compared to Cu/Cu–Nx-C, with nearly 10 times higher C2 current density. Mechanistic insights from acid-etching experiments and XPS revealed a synergistic interaction between metallic Co and Cu, promoting the generation of multicarbon products. Co–Nx improved *CO coverage, facilitating subsequent C–C coupling on neighboring Cu–Nx. Additionally, CH4 production was attributed to the (111) crystalline facets in the Cu nanocluster and isolated Cu–Nx. Overall, this research provides an important understanding of the creation of straightforward and effective catalysts for the reduction of CO2. It holds considerable potential for the production of hydrocarbons using carbon dioxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu-containing silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) ceramic composites have been prepared by thermal pyrolysis of polymeric precursors and subsequent spark plasma sintering at 1600 °C. The resulting composites consist of SiO 2 , SiC, free carbon, and Cu-Si alloys. The microstructure of the composites has been identified via optical microscope and SEM. The mechanical properties, including the Vickers hardness, nano-indentation hardness, and Young's modulus, of the SiOC composites have been assessed via indentation methods. The effects of Cu content on the tribological properties of the composites have additionally been investigated under different sliding frequencies against Al 2 O 3 spheres at room temperature. It is shown that the introduction of the Cu-Si alloys is effective in reducing the friction coefficient of the material system, which decreases linearly from 0.27 of monolithic SiOC to 0.15 of SiOC with 7 wt% Cu content at 1 Hz. Raman spectroscopy has highlighted the friction-driven evolution of the free carbon phase in the SiOC ceramics. Finally, a correlation between the sliding frequency, Cu-Si content, and tribological properties of SiOC is established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical nucleation and growth (EN&G) is an inherently dynamic process governed by atomic-level interactions. Understanding the electrochemical phase formation on foreign substrates presents a formidable challenge at the fundamental level. One of the main challenges lies in uncovering both the energetic state of the substrate and the complex interaction between the substrate and the newly formed phase at the "electrode–electrolyte" interface. Furthermore, obtaining direct, unconvoluted, information is not straightforward due to the intricate nature of the phase boundary and phase formation process. In this work, we explore the EN&G from a local perspective by independently probing hundreds of different surface regions with scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM), providing a novel perspective and insights into the activity distribution and role of the substrate state in the nucleation process. We highlight the significance of acknowledging the diversity at the microscopic scale by summarizing the electrochemical profiles with statistical measures and observing their temporal- or potential-dependent evolution. Our results show that the energy required for the formation of stable nuclei on active sites varies due to surface heterogeneities, significantly impacting the overpotential required on low-energy and high-energy substrates. Upon a cross-system examination, trends emerge thanks to our high-throughput approach. Although nucleation is driven by the most active sites, we observe that it is possible to probe less active sites. Interestingly, these can significantly change their activity after being subjected to polarization. Non-uniform distributions of nucleation activity are disclosed and can be best fitted with two expressions: lognormal and Weibull. The understanding of these distributions is the bridge connecting the microscopic information to macroscopic outcomes, shedding light on how surface heterogeneities influence nucleation rates and deposition behaviors. Characterizing the distribution provides valuable insights into the underlying mechanism, offering a deeper understanding of the nature of active sites and highlighting the capabilities of our local approach for leveraging data-driven analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Foundry Technology (1000-8365) is the property of Foundry Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Defect engineering can give birth to novel properties for adsorption and photocatalysis in the control of antibiotics and heavy metal combined pollution with photocatalytic composites. However, the role of defects and the process mechanism are complicated and indefinable. Herein, TiO2/CN/3DG was fabricated and defects were introduced into the tripartite structure with separate O2 plasma treatment for the single component. We find that defect engineering can improve the photocatalytic activity, attributing to the increase of the contribution from h+ and OH. In contrast to TiO2/CN/3DG with a photocatalytic tetracycline removal rate of 75.2%, the removal rate of TC with D‐TiO2/CN/3DG has increased to 88.5%. Moreover, the reactive sites of tetracycline can be increased by adsorbing on the defective composites. The defect construction on TiO2 shows the advantages in tetracycline degradation and Cu2+ adsorption, but also suffers significant inhibition for the tetracycline degradation in a tetracycline/Cu2+ combined system. In contrast, the defect construction on graphene can achieve the cooperative removal of tetracycline and Cu2+. These findings can provide new insights into water treatment strategies with defect engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]