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Nanocomposites of layered MoS2 and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with core-shell structure were prepared by a simple solvothermal method. The formation of MoS2 nanosheets on the surface of coaxial CNTs has been confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, absorption spectrum, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Enhanced third-order nonlinear optical performances were observed for both femtosecond and nanosecond laser pulses over a broad wavelength range from the visible to the near infrared, compared to those of MoS2 and CNTs alone. The enhancement can be ascribed to the strong coupling effect and the photoinduced charge transfer between MoS2 and CNTs. This work affords an efficient way to fabricate novel CNTs based nanocomposites for enhanced nonlinear light-matter interaction. The versatile nonlinear properties imply a huge potential of the nanocomposites in the development of nanophotonic devices, such as mode-lockers, optical limiters, or optical switches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus is a main cause of eutrophication in water bodies, the use of adsorbents to reduce phosphate concentration in water is considered an effective way to combat eutrophication. Herein, a new and effective strategy for phosphorus removal with a PAN based cerium hydroxide nanocomposite (CHP) is shown, we combined electrospinning and spark ablation techniques, where an electrospun fiber membrane polyacrylonitrile (PAN) was used as a carrier, spark ablation produced clean nano-cerium aerosol embedded in it as the active ingredient, and a combined hydrothermal method to develop PAN based cerium hydroxide nanocomposite (CHP), the crystal size of ceria nanoparticles was 120–210 nm. CHP can capture phosphate selectively with a maximum adsorption capacity of 86.7 mg·P/g, which is higher than that for most cerium-based adsorbents and is easily separated from the liquid with high efficiency and economy. The adsorption mechanism showed that CeO 2 plays an important role in phosphorus adsorption through oxidation, reduction, and ligand exchange. Compared to mesoporous structures, fibrous structures are more favorable for reducing the aggregation of nanoparticles (NPs) and adsorption of large phosphate species. The spark ablation method immobilized active cerium dioxide NPs very stably on the fiber with high efficiency and limited environmental impact. In conclusion, our results have promising applications for lake eutrophication treatment. • A cerium-based adsorbent synthesized by using spark ablation and electrospinning. • It shows good selectivity for phosphate and easy liquid-solid separation. • Physical synthesis methods are efficient and environmental friendliness. • Low cost and potential for scale production and recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyploid breeding can produce new species with a faster growth rate, higher disease resistance, and higher survival rate, and has achieved significant economic benefits. This study investigated the protein differences in the body wall of triploid Apostichopus japonicus and diploid A. japonicus using isotope-labeled relative and absolute quantitative Tandem Mass Tag technology. A total of 21,096 independent peptides and 4621 proteins were identified. Among them, there were 723 proteins with significant expression differences, including 413 up-regulated proteins and 310 down-regulated proteins. The differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were enriched in 4519 Gene Ontology enrichment pathways and 320 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment pathways. Twenty-two key DEPs related to important functions such as growth and immunity of triploid A. japonicus were screened from the results, among which 20 were up-regulated, such as cathepsin L2 cysteine protease and fibrinogen-like protein A. Arylsulfatase A and zonadhesin were down-regulated. The up-regulated proteins were mainly involved in oxidative stress response, innate immune response, and collagen synthesis in triploid A. japonicus , and the down-regulated proteins were mainly associated with the sterility of triploid A. japonicus. In addition, the transcriptome and proteome were analyzed jointly to support proteome data. In this study, the differences in protein composition between triploid and diploid A. japonicus were analyzed for the first time, and the results revealed the underlying reasons for the growth advantage of triploid A. japonicus. [Display omitted] • The growth and development advantages of triploid A. japonicus were discussed. • The molecular mechanisms controlling the growth traits of triploid A. japonicus were analyzed. • The function of the screened differential proteins on triploid A. japonicus was thoroughly discussed. • The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the identified DEPs was examined. • The relationship between the transcriptome and proteome of triploid A. japonicus was examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Plastic parameters and interfacial coefficient of friction were determined simultaneously via scratch tests. • Yield stress, strain hardening index can be calculated with scratch width, residual scratch depth and normal force. • Interfacial coefficient of friction can be determined by the ratio of tangential force and normal force. A new test method was proposed to extract plastic parameters, i.e., yield stress and strain hardening index, and interfacial coefficient of friction of metallic materials via scratch tests with a pyramid indenter based on dimensional analysis and finite element analysis. Yield stress and strain hardening index of scratched materials can be calculated with scratch width, residual scratch depth and normal force obtained from the scratch tests. Interfacial coefficient of friction between the scratched materials and scratch tip can be determined by the ratio of tangential force and normal force. The accuracies of the proposed formulas were verified by comparing the results of uncarburized and carburized 18CrNiMo7-6 alloy steel obtained by conventional methods with those by scratch tests. This work provides a convenient method to determine plastic parameters and interfacial coefficient of friction of metallic materials simultaneously, which is important for the mechanical analysis, design and safety evaluation of mechanical parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The management of an enterocutaneous fistula poses a significant challenge to surgeons and is often associated with a costly hospital stay and long-term discomfort. The use of fibrin glue in the fistula tract has been shown to promote closure of low output enterocutaneous fistulas. Our previous nonrandomized study demonstrated that autologous platelet-rich fibrin glue treatment significantly decreased time to fistula closure and promoted closure rates. However, there are several limitations in the study, which may lead to bias in our conclusion. Thus, a multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial is required.Methods/design: The study is designed as a randomized, open-label, three-arm, multicenter study in nine Chinese academic hospitals for evaluating the efficacy and safety of fibrin glue for sealing low-output fistulas. An established number of 171 fistula patients will undergo prospective random assignment to autologous fibrin glue, commercial porcine fibrin sealants or drainage cessation (1:1:1). The primary endpoint is fistula closure time (defined as the interval between the day of enrollment and day of fistula closure) during the 14-day treatment period.Discussion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of both autologous and commercial fibrin glue sealing for patients with low-output volume fistulas.Trial Registration: NCT01828892 . Registration date: April 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strong two-photon absorption (TPA) in monolayer MoS2 is demonstrated in contrast to saturable absorption (SA) in multilayer MoS2 under the excitation of femtosecond laser pulses in the near-infrared region. MoS2 in the forms of monolayer single crystal and multilayer triangular islands are grown on either quartz or SiO2/Si by employing the seeding method through chemical vapor deposition. The nonlinear transmission measurements reveal that monolayer MoS2 possesses a nonsaturation TPA coefficient as high as ∼(7.62 ±0.15) ×103 cm/GW, larger than that of conventional semiconductors by a factor of 103. As a result of TPA, two-photon pumped frequency upconverted luminescence is observed directly in the monolayer MoS2. For the multilayer MoS2, the SA response is demonstrated with the ratio of the excited-state absorption cross section to ground-state cross section of ∼0.18. In addition, the laser damage threshold of the monolayer MoS2 is ∼97 GW/cm2, larger than that of the multilayer MoS2 of ∼78 GW/cm2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]