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Abstract: Mn-silicides have been synthesized by reaction between Si powder and MnCl2 vapour. The growth temperature varied from 400 °C to 500 °C. The resultant silicides powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). By powder reaction, the silicidation temperature can be decreased to 400 °C. The dominant growth of HMS was obtained at the heating temperature of 500 °C for 36 h. The phase evolution was discussed and compared with bulk reaction. The electrical properties of Mn silicides tablets were measured. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) is a biodegradable polymer synthesized from petrochemical resources. PBAT has an exceptionally high elongation at break values which makes it one of the most promising substitutes for LDPE packaging films. However, the applicability of PBAT films is still limited by low strength and high production costs. In this work, we used polyethylene glycol 600 (PEG-600) as a coating agent to modify the surface of calcium carbonate and improve compatibility with the polymer matrix. A series of PBAT/CaCO3 composite films having different CaCO3 particle size and content of coating agent was prepared using extrusion blow molding. The effect of particle size of CaCO3 filler and the content of a coating agent on the mechanical and rheological properties of composite films have been studied. The biodegradation properties have been tested by burying the samples in soil or keeping them in artificial seawater for 90 days. It was shown that the addition of PEG-600 improves compatibility between the matrix and CaCO3 filler as polar –OH groups of PEG have a high affinity toward the polar surface of CaCO3. Moreover, the hydrophilicity of PEG-600 increased the diffusivity of water molecules and facilitated PBAT degradation. This work provides experimental data and theoretical guidance that support the development of high-performance PBAT/calcium carbonate films for the single use packaging industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies recorded formate and acetate in a mid-latitude glacier in west China. Relationship of the occurrence of formate and acetate with processes in the biosphere; Average concentration of acetate and formate in the area; Formate to acetate ratio average.

The dependence of the local field enhancement in gold nanoshells was investigated as a function of the core and embedding medium dielectric constant. Numerical calculations based on quasistatic theory indicated two local field factor peaks. If the core dielectric constant is a fixed value and the dielectric constant of surrounding medium is increased from 1.0 to 6.0, the shorter wavelength peak redshifts and decreases nonlinearly, whereas the longer wavelength peak redshifts, increases first and then decreases. On the contrary, if the surrounding dielectric constant is a fixed value and the core dielectric constant is increased from 1.0 to 6.0, the shorter wavelength peak redshifts and increases nonlinearly, whereas the longer wavelength peak redshifts and decreases nonlinearly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer/clay composites are an innovative class of materials. In this study, we present a facile method for the preparation of biodegradable and robust PLA/organomodified montmorillonite (OMMT) composite films with excellent gas barrier performance. When the design of PLA/OMMT composite films, in addition to making OMMT have good intercalation effect in the matrix, the compatibility of intercalating polymer and matrix should also be considered. In this work, two polymers with high gas barrier properties, namely poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), were selected to intercalate OMMT. The morphology and microstructures of the prepared PLA/PVA/OMMT and PLA/EVOH/OMMT composites were characterized by the X-ray diffraction measurement, scanning electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. It was shown that the good dispersibility of PVA in the PLA matrix, rather than the intercalation effect, was responsible for the improved gas barrier and mechanical properties of PLA/PVA/OMMT composite. The elongation at break increases from 4.5% to 22.7% when 1 wt % PVA is added to PLA/OMMT. Moreover, gas barrier of PLA/PVA1/OMMT measured as O2 permeability is 52.8% higher than that of neat PLA. This work provides a route to intercalate OMMT interlayer with high gas barrier polymers and thus can be a useful reference to fabricate PLA/OMMT composites with improved gas barrier and mechanical properties. A comparison of oxygen permeabilities with existing commercial packaging films indicates that the biodegradable PLA/PVA/OMMT may serve as a viable substitute for packaging film applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Green" alternatives for petroleum-derived engineering plastics, like poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), include polyesters synthesized from 2,5-furan-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA). FDCA-based polyesters attracted a lot of attention from scientists and engineers because of their excellent gas barrier properties. This work analyzed, theoretically and experimentally, the transport properties of oxygen and carbon dioxide in amorphous poly(ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PEF), poly(propylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PPF) and poly(butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PBF) films. Molecular simulations studied the effect of the furan-based polyesters containing different amounts of methylene on the films' gas transport performance and other properties. The adsorption capacity and active sites in the films were assessed using the Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) method. The gas molecule diffusion through the films was analyzed by the molecular dynamics approach. The permeability of three polymers are extremely low. Specifically, PEF and PPF showed almost no difference in their gas permeability. However, as the methylene groups amount increased to 4 (in PBF), the oxygen permeability increased significantly while barely any changes in CO 2 were observed. We also prepared furan-based polyester films to experimentally assess their permeation performance, which agreed with the results obtained by simulations. This work provided some insights into the permeability and formation mechanisms of these films. In particular, the non-linear axis of ring rotation coupled with the dipolarity of the heterocycle in furan-base polyesters significantly hinders its furan ring-flipping. This feature is favorable in advancing furan-based polyesters as novel materials for food packaging applications. [Display omitted] •O 2 and CO 2 permeabilities in PEF and PPF were very similar. • For PBF, the O 2 permeability increased while the CO 2 permeability did not change significantly compared to PEF and PPF. • The low rotational activity, as well as the polarity and the steric asymmetry, restrict the furan ring flipping. • The presence of C−H⋯O hydrogen bonds also enables the furan-based polyesters with excellent gas barrier properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-modification of the chemical structures can be used to tailor the properties of polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1), which shows promise for application of PIM-1 gas separation membrane. Methane sulfonic acid (MSA) is capable of hydrolyzing and crosslinking nitrile groups of PIM-1 to form carboxylic acid-contained and triazine groups crosslinked PIM-1 (cPIM-1), and simultaneously catalyze in situ synthesis of porous polymer networks (PPNs) in PIM-1 matrix. These reactions were carried out at the same time by a one-step method. Characterization of hydrolysis and crosslinking process of nitrile groups in PIM-1 was performed by ATR, XPS, solubility, and 1H NMR analysis. MSA catalyzed synthetic approach of PPNs includes the trimerization of three acetyl groups and involves a coupled process of polymerization and membrane architecture formation. Finally, the process of crosslinking and hydrolysis can provide enhanced gas pair selectivity of PIM-1 membrane (cPIM-1) while the gas permeability of the membranes (cPIM-1/PPNs) can be increased by the incorporation of PPNs microstructure networks. As a result, the optimal cPIM-1/PPNs showed Roberson's 2008 upper bound separation performance for CO 2 /CH 4 and CO 2 /N 2. The cPIM-1/PPN2-3% membrane demonstrated the best CO 2 comprehensive separation performance with the permeability of almost 11511 Barrer, with ideal selectivity of 24.3 and 22.2 for CO 2 /N 2 and CO 2 /CH 4 respectively. Furthermore, the cPIM-1/PPNs membranes show excellent anti-aging properties. This indicates that MSA-catalyzed hydrolysis, crosslinking and in situ synthesis PPNs can effectively adjust the topological structure of PIM-1 membrane for CO 2 separation. [Display omitted] • Methane sulfonic acid (MSA) is capable of hydrolyzing and crosslinking nitrile groups of PIM-1 to form carboxylic acid-contained and triazine groups crosslinked cPIM-1. • Simultaneously, MSA can catalyze in situ synthesis of porous polymer networks (PPNs) in PIM-1 matrix. • The process of crosslinking and hydrolysis can provide enhanced gas pair selectivity of cPIM-1. • The gas permeability of cPIM-1/PPNs membranes can be increased by the incorporation of PPNs microstructure networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) is considered as the most promising polymers for preparing biodegradable mulching films. However, PBAT films are suffered to severe weathering in use. This study aims to look into the effects of high amounts of micro-sized calcium carbonate and silane coated calcium carbonate on the weathering of PBAT films, as well as the effects of photooxidative degradation and hydrolysis on the weathering performance of neat PBAT and composite films. The effects of two different artificial weathering processes, namely only UV irradiation (dry condition) and UV irradiation + water spray condition, on the degradation rate of neat PBAT and its composite films were evaluated to distinguish the influences of photooxidative degradation and hydrolysis on the weathering of PBAT films. The results indicated that neat PBAT film had the fastest degradation rate under two different weathering conditions. After adding calcium carbonate, the degradation rate was delayed due to the shading effect of calcium carbonate. Comparing two different weathering conditions, it was found that degradation rates of PBAT in water spray conditions were higher than in dry conditions due to accelerated degradation rate via hydrolysis. However, in the water spray condition, the mechanical characteristics of the films containing silane-coated calcium carbonate degraded more slowly than in the dry condition. Although hydrolysis reaction accelerates the molecular weight reduction rate of PBAT, at the same time, silane molecules self-crosslink to form a three-dimensional network in the presence of water, thus compensating for the loss of mechanical properties of PBAT matrix caused by the decrease of molecular weight. [Display omitted] • The degradation rate of PBAT is delayed in PBAT/CaCO 3 films due to the shading effect of CaCO 3. • The degradation rate of PBAT is higher under water spraying conditions than under dry conditions. • The cross-linking reaction of silanes will form network structures which can improve the mechanical strength of the film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of boron (B) on stress corrosion resistance of S31254 in the presence of residual stresses has been studied. The microstructure and corrosion resistance of S31254 containing B at different levels of cold deformation are analyzed in this study. In the results, it is shown that B favors the improvement of deformation uniformity of S31254. The grain boundary (GB) and slip bands have better corrosion resistance at 5% deformation, and the overall corrosion resistance is better than that of the undeformed state, with smaller passivation current density and narrower width of GB corrosion grooves, especially for the 40B samples. At 30% deformation, the overall corrosion resistance of 40B S31254 is better than 0B due to improved deformation uniformity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research work, both natural weathering and artificial weathering processes were carried out to investigate the effects of multi-functional epoxy chain extender (Joncryl ADR 4370) content on the degradation and the mechanical properties and molecular weight of poly(butylene adipate- co -terephthalate) (PBAT). The carboxyl end-groups of PBAT decreased significantly with an increase in ADR content from 0 to 1.5 wt%. Similarly, the molecular weight of PBAT initially increased and then decreased because of the formation of a crosslinked network structure under the influence of excessive chain extenders. The main degradation mechanism of PBAT during the natural and artificial weathering process is photo-degradation and hydrolyzation. The degradation rate of PBAT increased with increasing content of chain extender, as hydroxyl groups facilitate the water attack on the ester bonds of PBAT. In contrast, the higher content of chain extender presented the lower loss velocity of the tensile strength. This is mainly because the more ADR content, the more crosslinking network structures will be formed during the melting extrusion which can slow down the decrease of tensile strength. Hence, it is indicated that the crosslinking structure has more effect on tensile strength than that of hydrolysis effect during degradation. According to the analysis and study on the performance changes of PBAT/ADR materials under the conditions of long-term natural weathering (360d) and artificial weathering (600 h), this work provides theoretical guidance to produce PBAT mulching films with excellent performance. [Display omitted] •Effect of chain extender and its content on weathering resistance of the PBAT. •The main degradation mechanism of PBAT during weathering process is photo-degradation and hydrolyzation. •The higher content of chain extender presents the lower loss velocity of the PBAT tensile strength. •This work provides theoretical guidance to produce PBAT mulching films with excellent performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the popularity of portable positioning devices, crowd-sourced trajectory data have attracted widespread attention, and led to many research breakthroughs in the field of road network extraction. However, it is still a challenging task to detect the road networks of old downtown areas with complex network layouts from high noise, low frequency, and uneven distribution trajectories. Therefore, this paper focuses on the old downtown area and provides a novel intersection-first approach to generate road networks based on low quality, crowd-sourced vehicle trajectories. For intersection detection, virtual representative points with distance constraints are detected, and the clustering by fast search and find of density peaks (CFDP) algorithm is introduced to overcome low frequency features of trajectories, and improve the positioning accuracy of intersections. For link extraction, an identification strategy based on the Delaunay triangulation network is developed to quickly filter out false links between large-scale intersections. In order to alleviate the curse of sparse and uneven data distribution, an adaptive link-fitting scheme, considering feature differences, is further designed to derive link centerlines. The experiment results show that the method proposed in this paper preforms remarkably better in both intersection detection and road network generation for old downtown areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene oxide(GO)/polylactic acid (PLA) nanocomposite, prepared using a solvent-free melt mixing processing, is investigated as a potential oxygen barrier packaging film in this work. In order to disperse GO homogeneously in PLA matrix, hydrophobic silane coupling agent, i.e., γ-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)propyltrimethoxysilane (KH560), is used to modify the graphene oxide sheets. The modified GO is able to be well bonded to the PLA due to the formation of covalent bonds between the epoxy groups of KH560 and the carboxyl and hydroxyl terminal groups of PLA. Furthermore, the thermal stability of GO is enhanced due to the long alkyl side chain of KH560, which could also increase the crystallinity of PLA. As a result, the crystallinity of PLA is significantly improved because of the linear KH560 chains, which can act as nucleating agents to improve the crystallization. The KH560-GO helps to reduce the O2 permeability of KH560-GO/PLA composite films via a dual-action mechanism: (1) providing physical barrier due to their native barrier properties, and (2) by resulting in higher degree of crystallinity. The as-prepared KH560-GO0.75/PLA is able to exhibit ca. 33% and ca. 13% decrease in the PO2 than the neat PLA and GO0.75/PLA film, respectively. Finally, the mechanical properties and impact fractured surfaces indicate that the increase in the tensile strength and elongation at break value of KH560-GO/PLA are due to the strong interfacial adhesion and the strong bonding between the epoxy group of KH560-GO and hydroxyl and carboxyl acid terminal groups of PLA matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The addition of B can inhibit the precipitation of σ phases at the grain boundary to improve the hot workability and corrosion resistance for super austenitic stainless steel with high Cr and Mo content. This study focused on the interaction between B and Mo at the Fe–Cr(111)/Cr2O3(0001) interface and its effect on interfacial adhesion by employing the first-principles method, especially the effect of B on the segregation behavior of Mo. The most stable O-terminated Fe/Cr2O3 interface was chosen as the basic configuration. The segregation energy and the work of separation were calculated for the metal/chromia interface with Fe–Cr as the substrate. It has been demonstrated that B can promote the diffusion of Mo atoms into the oxide layer to increase the content of Mo in the passive film. In addition, the interfacial adhesion is higher at the most segregated sites. However, it is more difficult for two or more Mo atoms than a single Mo atom to diffuse into the oxide part with the effect of B, indicating that B can only improve the Mo content of the passive film to a small extent. The electronic properties were also further discussed to analyze the interactions and the binding characters between doped atoms and their surrounding atoms and to explain the underlying reasons for the variation of interfacial adhesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polylactic acid (PLA) is the prevailing raw material for fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing filaments, offering benefits such as a low printing temperature, minimal shrinkage, and biodegradability. However, this material has challenges such as poor toughness, low heat deflection temperature, susceptibility to moisture‐induced thermal degradation, and high costs. This study addressed these concerns by incorporating natural bamboo fiber (BF) into PLA, elevating heat the deflection temperature and lowering the material costs. Additionally, a synthesized branched structure compatibilizer, in the form of epoxidized soybean oil‐branched cardanol ether (ESOn‐ECD), enhanced the toughness of PLA, the bonding strength between PLA and the BF surface, and the flowability of high‐fiber composites during processing and printing. The mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties were assessed, demonstrating the promising processing performance of PLA/BF/ESO3‐ECD. The fully biobased composite exhibits strength, toughness, good processability, excellent 3D printability, and durability, implying substantial potential in FDM 3D filament production. Highlights: Bio‐based PLA/bamboo fiber/ESO3‐ECD FDM 3D printing filaments were developed.The excellent nucleation ability of the bamboo fibers enhances the crystallization rate and crystallinity of PLA.The epoxy values and branching degree of ESOn‐ECD are crucial for its effective modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming to address the Mo volatilization problem of super-austenitic stainless steel at high temperature, the S31254 steel containing B and rare earth element Y with high oxidation resistance was designed. It was observed that a synergy of B + Y can promote the formation of the dense Cr2O3 layer at 1050 and 1100 °C, making MoO3 layer formation difficult. While the oxide layers of the 0B sample from top to bottom were divided into four layers: Fe-rich oxide layer, MoO3 layer, Cr–Mn–Ni spinel oxide layer, and Cr2O3 layer (loose and porous), thus the undense Cr2O3 layer in the 0B sample can hardly inhibit MoO3 volatilization, especially at 1100 °C. In addition, the synergistic effect of B and Y on the diffusion of Cr to the surface was calculated using first-principles calculations. The results demonstrated that both the addition of B and Y can enhance Cr diffusion to the surface, while Y can specifically promote the combination of Cr and O. Consequently, the combined presence of B and Y exhibits a more favorable synergy for improving the density of the Cr2O3 layer, effectively inhibiting MoO3 formation and volatilization, thereby enhancing the oxidation resistance of S31254. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM: This study aims to investigate the histopathological and ultrastructural alterations in the lung tissues of rats induced by a single intratracheal administration of bleomycin, with the objective of establishing a reliable model for future applications. METHODS: Six to eight-week-old SD rats were randomly allocated into two groups: the control group and the model group (n=12). Pulmonary fibrosis was induced in the rat models by a single intratracheal instillation of bleomycin (3 mg/kg), while an equivalent volume of saline was administered to the control group. The rats were executed on the 42nd day. Twelve rats remained in the control group, while nine rats remained in the model group. Lung tissue imaging was conducted using CT scans. Lung function tests were performed to assess changes in forced vital capacity (FVC) and dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn). Lung stiffness was determined through Young's modulus testing using a rheometer. The pathological structure of lung tissues was examined using both HE and Masson staining methods. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy was employed to evaluate collagen deposition in lung tissues, alveolar type II epithelial cells, macrophages, and ultrastructural changes of the respiratory membrane. RESULTS: CT scans revealed honeycomb patterns in the lungs of model rats, along with partial bronchiectasis/bronchiectasis. In comparison to the control group, the model group exhibited significantly lower FVC and Cdyn values, while lung stiffness were increased. HE and Masson staining demonstrated that rats in the model group exhibited alveolar structure destruction, alveolar septum thickening, inflammatory cell infiltration, and collagen deposition in alveolar septum. Transmission electron microscopy revealed several abnormalities in the model group: increased collagen fibers in the alveolar septa, misalignment of micro-villi in alveolar type II epithelial cells, wrinkled nuclei with increased heterochromatin, swollen cytoplasmic mitochondria, fractured or haphazardly structured mitochondrion cristaes, and a significant decrease in their number (P<0.05). Furthermore, lamellar bodies were vacuolated and reduced in number (P<0.05), and dilated endoplasmic reticulums with degranulation were observed. There was an increase in alveolar macrophages and interstitial macrophages (P<0.01). The respiratory membrane displayed structural disruptions and an increase in thickness (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Bleomycin induces decreased lung compliance, alveolar epithelial injury, alveolar septum thickening, collagen deposition, and an increase in interstitial macrophages, ultimately resulting in pulmonary fibrosis in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trisilanolphenyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane titanium (Ti-Ph-POSS) was synthesized through the corner-capping reaction, and Ti-Ph-POSS was dispersed in benzoxazine (BZ) to prepare Ti-Ph-POSS/PBZ composite materials. Ti-Ph-POSS could catalyze the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of BZ and reduce the curing temperature of benzoxazine. In addition, Ti immobilized on the Ti-Ph-POSS cage could form covalent bonds with the N or O atoms on polybenzoxazine, improving the thermal stability of PBZ. The catalytic activity of the Ti-Ph-POSS/BZ mixtures was assessed and identified through 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analyses, while thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) were used to determine the thermal properties of the composite. It was found that PBZ exhibited a higher glass transition temperature (Tg) and better thermal stability when Ti-Ph-POSS was added. The curing behavior of the Ti-Ph-POSS/BZ mixtures showed that the initial (Ti) and peak (Tp) curing temperatures sharply decreased as the content of Ti-Ph-POSS and the heating rate increased. The curing kinetics of these Ti-Ph-POSS/BZ systems were analyzed using the Kissinger method, and the morphology of Ti-Ph-POSS/PBZ was determined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the Ti-Ph-POSS particles were well distributed in the composites. When the content exceeded 2 wt%, several Ti-Ph-POSS particles could not react with benzoxazine and were only dispersed within the PBZ matrix, resulting in aggregation of the Ti-Ph-POSS molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, the two-phase mixture (HTLc) of hydrotalcite and its oxide were used to improve the barrier properties, UV resistance and antimicrobial activity of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) for their application in liquid milk packaging. Firstly, CaZnAl-CO3-LDHs with a two-dimensional layered structure were synthesized by hydrothermal method. CaZnAl-CO3-LDHs precursors were characterized by XRD, TEM, ICP and dynamic light scattering. A series of PET/HTLc composite films were then prepared, characterized by XRD, FTIR and SEM, and a possible mechanism of the composite films with hydrotalcite was proposed. Barrier properties to water vapor and oxygen have been studied in PET nanocomposites, as well as their antibacterial efficacy by the colony technique and their mechanical properties after exposure to UV irradiation for 24 h. By the presence of 1.5 wt% HTLc in the PET composite film, the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) was reduced by 95.27%, the water vapor transmission rate was reduced by 72.58% and the inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was 83.19% and 52.75%. Moreover, a simulation of the migration process in dairy products was used to prove the relative safety. This research first proposes a safe technique for fabricating hydrotalcite-based polymer composites with a high gas barrier, UV resistance and effective antibacterial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical modification of chitosan is increasingly studied for its potential of providing new application for chitosan. Here, we modify chitosan at its primary hydroxyl via ‘click chemistry’, and a group of novel water soluble chitosan derivatives with substituted 1,2,3-triazolyl group were designed and synthesized. Aliphatic alcohols with different lengths were used as functional dendrons to improve the antifungal activity of chitosan derivatives. Meanwhile, their antifungal activity against two kinds of phytopathogens was estimated by hypha measurement in vitro . All the chitosan derivatives exhibited excellent activity against tested fungi. It is found that the antifungal activity of chitosan derivatives against the tested fungi increases with augment in the chain length of straight aliphatic alcohols. And the hydrophobic moiety (alkyl) at the periphery of the synthesized chitosan derivatives tends to affect their antifungal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The core-shell structure enhances polymer blend systems by orderly assembly and leveraging complementary properties. This study aims to enhance the flexibility and barrier properties of polylactic acid (PLA, L) by blending it with polyglycolic acid (PGA, G) for gas barrier and polybutylene succinate (PBS, B) for flexibility. Encapsulating PGA in a core-shell structure using PBS resolves PGA's rapid hydrolysis issue. The theoretical models predicting dispersion patterns based on spreading coefficients and interfacial tensions were validated through SEM observations, confirming the formation of a core-shell structure in the 5L1G4B ternary blend. Compared to the PLA/PBS binary blend film, samples with PGA (5L1G4B and 4L1G5B) exhibit higher elongation at break and tearing strength. For instance, the elongation at break of the 5L1G4B sample increases from 272.3 % of 6L4B to 470.85 %. The 5L1G4B showed comparable oxygen and carbon dioxide barrier properties to the 6L4B sample. The 5L1G4B and 4L1G5B samples show <2 % UV transmittance in the UVA region, indicating excellent UV shielding. The 5L1G4B blend film, with its mechanical properties, oxygen barrier, UV resistance, and biodegradability, is ideal for outer layer packaging film and has the potential to replace LDPE in packaging juice and dairy product bottles. • The core-shell structure enhances the gas barrier properties of PLA/PGA/PBS films. • 5L1G4B blend enhances break elongation and tearing strength with PBS shell-PGA core. • 5L1G4B has similar O 2 and CO 2 barriers to 6L4B but with lower gas solubility due to PGA crystallinity. • 5L1G4B and 4L1G5B have <2 % UVA transmittance, indicating strong UV shielding. • 5L1G4B film suitable for packaging film applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at serious oxidation problem of 254SMO super-austenitic stainless steel during hot working, the influence of B and Ce composite microalloying on its oxidation behavior was comparatively investigated at 1050 and 1100 °C. The results demonstrated that the combination of B and Ce can significantly alter the composition of the oxide film in 254SMO. Particularly, B and Ce composite microalloying can effectively promote the diffusion of Cr to the surface, and form a dense Cr 2 O 3 oxide film at a faster rate in the initial stage, which is more conducive to inhibiting the Mo volatilization and thus improving the oxidation resistance of 254SMO steels. Additionally, compared to the 0.005 wt% B (50B) and 0.005 wt% B together with 0.002 wt% Ce (50B + 20Ce) samples, the addition of 0.005 wt% B together with 0.005 wt% Ce (50B + 50Ce) had a more significant effect on improving high-temperature oxidation resistance of 254SMO. This research provides a valuable scholarly reference for improving the oxidation resistance of super-austenite stainless steels. • B and Ce composite microalloying can improve the oxidation resistance of 254SMO at 1050 and 1100 °C. • The combination of B and Ce can promote the formation of the dense Cr 2 O 3 on the surface. • At the initial oxidation stage at 1050 °C, the precipitation time of precipitates will affect the formation of oxide film. • When the Ce content reaches to 0.005 wt%, the oxidation resistance at 1100 °C can be significantly improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable polymer with low flexibility, is commonly plasticized with small molecules like tributyl citrate (TBC) for film production. However, these plasticizers, which lack chemical bonds or strong intermolecular interactions with the matrix, tend to migrate to the film surface over time. Their inclusion often compromises material strength for flexibility, increasing elongation at break but reducing tensile strength. In this research, by combining citric acid with n-butanol (B) and poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (E), we synthesized three plasticizers, namely TE 3 , TE 2 B 1 , and TE 1 B 2 , to enhance the flexibility of PLA. TE 2 B 1 and TE 1 B 2 are equipped with butyl ester groups that offer effective plasticizing effects. Additionally, the incorporation of long-chain alkyl featuring epoxy groups can boost the interaction with PLA. The results showed that the epoxy groups of the long-chain alkyl plasticizers can improve the elongation at break without compromising tensile strength significantly. The migration of plasticizer from PLA matrix can be reduced by strong interactions like chemical bonds, entanglements, and hydrogen bonding with PLA. TE 1 B 2 demonstrated the best plasticizing effect. Adding 15 portions of TE1B2 and TBC separately increased PLA's elongation at break to 304 % and 242 %, with tensile strengths of 36.1 MPa and 22.3 MPa, respectively. • TE 2 B 1 and TE 1 B 2 are equipped with butyl ester groups that offer effective plasticizing effects. • The incorporation of long-chain alkyl featuring epoxy groups can boost the interaction with PLA. • The epoxy groups in long-chain alkyl plasticizers enhance elongation at break without reducing tensile strength. • The plasticizer migration from PLA could be reduced due to strong interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gel strength and thermal stability of fish gelatin are poorer than mammal gelatin. It's very important to improve the thermal stability which can sustain autoclave sterilization so as to expand the application of fish gelatin. In this study, 10% (w/v) tilapia skin gelatin sols with or without 1% (w/v) low acyl gellan gum were sterilized at 121°C before gelation, and the effects of autoclave sterilization on the textural properties and gel structures were investigated. The results showed that autoclave sterilization decreased the hardness (from 661.8 g to 505 g) and chewiness (from 27.44 mJ to 20.33 mJ) of the gels, which were raised more than four times by gellan gum. The gel point and melting point were increased from 16.7°C and 24.3°C to 40°C and 57°C respectively by gellan gum, both of which could sustain autoclave sterilization. Autoclave sterilization significantly decreased the relative intensity of the secondary structures and increased the interaction between proteins and water. The polypeptide chains in fish gelatin formed spherical aggregates and further formed a spatial network structure, which was destroyed by autoclave sterilization. Gellan gum prevented the damage by forming a continuous phase of a tight network that could sustain autoclave sterilization. So gellan gum strengthened the gelatin network and further increased the gel strength and gel point of the mixed gel. Novelty impact statement: The gel point and melting point of tilapia skin gelatin were lower than room temperature, which limited its application.Gellan gum significantly improved the gel properties and thermal stability of tilapia skin gelatin, both of which could sustain autoclave sterilization.Gellan gum formed a continuous phase of a tight network in the mixed gel, which strengthened the gel structures and would not be damaged by autoclave sterilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research evaluates the effects and effectiveness of a sodium chloride-based anti-icing filler on andesite and limestone asphalt mixtures. The asphalt mixtures containing different amount of anti-icing fillers were designated based on the equivalent volume replacement method. In this study, the rutting susceptibility and low-temperature flexural properties, moisture susceptibility, anti-icing properties and snow melting capacity of mixtures were evaluated in the laboratory. The results showed that the specimens containing anti-icing fillers decreased their dynamic stability, flexural strain, residual Marshall stability ratio, and TSR values compared to those control ones. The mixtures made from two aggregate sources exhibit similar trends in general. It was also proved that the asphalt mixtures containing anti-icing fillers had anti-icing and snow melting capacity at a certain condition. In this research, it could be found that the replacement of anti-icing filler was 70% (by total volume) of mineral filler, providing a good anti-icing and snow melting capacity while the mixtures were still performed very well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The crystal structure, electronic structure, optical properties and photocatalytic activity of the native defects in anatase TiO2 were investigated based on the density-functional theory (DFT). The results show that oxygen vacancies (V O) have the lowest formation energy, and thus are easiest to form in the bulk structure. The conduction and valence band moves to the high or low energy region, and the energy gap becomes narrower for the native point defect models. In particular, oxygen interstitials (Oi) have a direct band gap, and new gap states appear in the band gap, which can be responsible for the high photocatalytic efficiency in anatase TiO2. The phenomenon of “impurity compensation” takes place for the oxygen and titanium interstitials. Ti vacancy (V Ti) can promote the utilization of solar light by analyzing the absorption spectra. All the calculated results show that Oi and V Ti are beneficial in improving the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 in the UV–visible light range. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: TiO2 layer was prepared as a protective coating for AZ31 magnesium alloy by the liquid phase deposition (LPD) method followed by an annealing treatment. The structural evolution and crystallization of coating brought by annealing were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The corrosion protection performance was evaluated in a three-electrode electrochemical examination system. The anatase TiO2 layer shows evident corrosion resistance. With the increase of the annealing temperature and prolongation of annealing time, the anticorrosion property was improved. The improvements of the anticorrosion properties were related with the structural evolution of the coating brought by the annealing treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Ni foam was used as both Ni source and current collector. • Ni was oxidized by PTA to Ni2+ in the presence of K 3 Fe(CN) 6. • Synthesized Ni-HCF nanocubes were uniformly distributed on Ni foam. • Ni-HCF/Ni foam demonstrates excellent electrochemical performances. The in-situ growth of nickel hexacyanoferrate nanocubes on Ni foam (Ni-HCF/Ni foam) was achieved with a one-step hydrothermal method with Ni foam as both the current collector and the nickel source. Phosphotungstic acid (PTA) acting as the oxidizing agent, oxidized elemental nickel to Ni2+ cations, which subsequently reacted with K 3 Fe(CN) 6 to produce Ni 3 [ Fe (CN) 6 ] 2 nanocubes. The prepared binder-free Ni-HCF/Ni foam was characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectronic spectroscopy (XPS) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The electrochemical performances of Ni-HCF/Ni foam were further investigated with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostastic charge/discharge technique (GCD). Ni-HCF/Ni foam exhibits areal capacitance of 7200 mF cm−2 (specific capacitance of 535.3F g−1) at 10 mA cm−2, high energy density and long cycling life. An asymmetrical supercapacitor (ASC) was assembled with Ni-HCF/Ni foam and activated carbon (AC) as the positive electrode and negative electrode, respectively. The ASC exhibits remarkable energy density of 5.89 W h m−2 at a high power density of 75 W m−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• How the addition of an ADR chain extender affected the weathering resistance of the PBAT/PLA composite films. • Influence of Chimassorb 2020 and Irganox 1010 light stabilizers on the PBAT/PLA film service life. • Better weathering improvement was observed when Chimassorb2020 was added. Biodegradable poly (butylene adipate‑co‑terephthalate)/polylactic acid (PBAT/PLA) films were prepared by melt blending and blowing technology under the presence of a chain extender and two different light stabilizers. A comparison of the infrared spectra of the film with and without these additives before and after the weathering tests showed that the addition of chain extender and light stabilizer improved the polymer weathering resistance significantly. Without PLA, PBAT underwent serious chain scissions and crosslinking during the weathering. PBAT/PLA film chain scissions were weakened as the PLA content increased. After 200 h of the weathering, the machine direction (MD) tensile strength as well as MD and transverse direction (TD) elongation at break of both PBAT and PBAT/PLA films decreased, while their TD tensile strength changed only slightly. The film with the 85:15 PBAT:PLA ratio containing 1.5 phr of chain extender showed much better flexibility without any changes to its tensile strength. The addition of 0.6 phr of light stabilizer (Chimassorb2020 or Irganox 1010) to this blend showed significantly improved weathering resistance. Better weathering improvement was observed when Chimassorb2020 was added. The tensile strength of PBAT/PLA/ADR/ Chimassorb2020 sample in the machine and transverse directions decreased by 8.4 and 28%, respectively, after 200 h of weathering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar-driven water splitting to produce hydrogen is an important solution to the problem of energy shortage and environmental pollution. The photolysis of water to produce hydrogen requires highly efficient and stable photocatalysts, and the anode used as catalyst for oxygen evolution is a bottleneck in this process. In this paper, the a-TNTAs/Ni 2 P composite photo-anode was constructed by electrodeposition to anchor the Ni 2 P co-catalyst for oxygen evolution at the active site of TiO 2 nanotube arrays (TNTAs). The a-TNTAs/Ni 2 P delivered excellent oxygen evolution at a photocurrent density of 1.058 mA cm-2, an improvement of 2.78 times, 13.2 times, and 15.8 times over a-TNTAs, TNTAs/Ni 2 P, and TNTAs photo-anodes, respectively. The Mott-Schottky curve showed that Ni 2 P as co-catalyst for oxygen evolution accelerated the rates of separation and transfer of the photogenerated electrons. This research provides a simple and efficient method to promote the OER performance of optical semiconductors. • a-TNTAs/Ni 2 P is synthesized by a simple and convenient electrodeposition. • Ni 2 P cocatalyst reduce the water oxidation overpotential of anatase TiO 2. • a-TNTAs/Ni 2 P photocatalyst has good photocurrent stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blending poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) with another biodegradable polymer, polyglycolic acid (PGA), has been demonstrated to improve the barrier performance of PBS. However, blending these two polymers poses a challenge because of their incompatibility and large difference of their melting temperatures. In this study, we synthesized epoxidized soybean oil branched cardanol ether (ESOn-ECD), a bio-based and environmentally friendly compatibilizer, and used it to enhance the compatibility of PBS/PGA blends. It was demonstrated that the terminal carboxyl/hydroxyl groups of PBS and PGA can react with ESOn-ECD in situ, leading to branching and chain extension of PBS and PGA. The addition of ESO 3 -ECD to the blend considerably diminished the dispersed phase of PGA. Specifically, in comparison to the PBS/PGA blend without a compatibilizer, the diameter of the PGA phase decreased from 2.04 μm to 0.45 μm after the addition of 0.7 phr of ESO 3 -ECD, and the boundary between the two phases became difficult to distinguish. Additionally, the mechanical properties of the blends were improved after addition of ESO 3 -ECD. This research expands the potential applications of these materials and promotes the use of bio-based components in blend formulations. [Display omitted] • A bio-based compatibilizer ESOn-ECD was prepared. • The branching and chain extension reaction improved the compatibility of the PBS/PGA blend. • The ESOn-ECD effectively reduced the size of the PGA dispersed phase. • The ESOn-ECD improved the mechanical property of the PBS/PGA blend. • The ESOn-ECD improved the barrier property of the PBS/PGA film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• B addition of S31254 stainless steels promotes the redissolution of σ phases. • B addition of S31254 stainless steels improves the pitting corrosion resistance. • B addition of S31254 stainless steels improves the intergranular corrosion resistance. • The optimum solid solution condition for B-containing S31254 is at 1200 °C for 2 h. • The passive films of S31254 with B have increased Cr 2 O 3 and Mo-riched oxides. The effects of B on microstructure, pitting and intergranular corrosion in solution-annealed S31254 super austenitic stainless steels were systemically investigated. After solid solution treatment at 1200 °C for different time, the precipitation and grain size of S31254 with and without B steels were analyzed. Addition of B to S31254 promotes the redissolution of detrimental sigma (σ) phases, and the optimum solid solution condition for B-containing S31254 is at 1200 °C for 2 h. The S31254 steels with B after solid solution treatment exhibited much better corrosion resistance than that without B, which is relative to the elimination of destructional σ precipitates and the decrease of chromium-depleted region near the grain boundary. Moreover, the passive films of samples with B have increased Cr 2 O 3 and Mo-rich oxides, which may be responsible for the improvement of corrosion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of iron content on the friction and wear performances of Cu–Fe-based friction materials under dry sliding friction and wear test condition. Design/methodology/approach: Cu–Fe-based friction materials with different iron content were prepared by powder metallurgy route. The tribological properties of Cu–Fe-based friction materials against GCr15 steel balls were studied at different applied loads and sliding speeds. Meanwhile, microstructure and phases of Cu–Fe-based friction materials were investigated. Findings: Cu–Fe-based friction materials with different iron content are suitable for specific applied load and sliding speed, respectively. Low iron content Cu–Fe-based friction material is suitable for a high load 60 N and low sliding speed 70 mm/min and high iron content Cu–Fe-based friction material will be more suitable for a high load 60 N and high sliding speed 150 mm/min. The abrasive wear is the main wear mechanism for two kinds of Cu–Fe-based friction materials. Originality/value: The friction and wear properties of Cu–Fe-based friction materials with different iron content were determined at different applied loads and sliding speeds, providing a direction and theoretical basis for the future development of Cu–Fe-based friction materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene characterized with ultrahigh intrinsic strength and excellent electronic properties is an ideal material to reinforce metals without despairing their thermal and electrical properties. Here, the electronic and mechanical properties of graphene intercalated copper (graphene/Cu) composites are investigated using density functional theory calculations. Graphene/Cu systems present an excellent electrical conductivity and increasing Debye temperature from 335 K for pure Cu to over 535 K in regardless of stacking models. In addition to greatly enhanced Young's modulus (149%), shear modulus (156%) and bulk modulus (108%) compared to copper, the ultimate strength of graphene/Cu composites are enhanced by 174% and 162%, in x and y directions, respectively. The strengthening and toughening effects of graphene in the composites is originated from strain strengthening and load transfer, which is consistent with the experimental results. Based on this calculation, the strengthening mechanism can be understood, which explains many experimental observations and also provides us a guide to improve graphene/metal composites quality. Image 1 • Deformation mechanism of graphene/Cu composite materials was systematically summarized. • Graphene/Cu systems present an excellent electrical conductivity and increasing Debye temperature compared with pure Cu. • Compared to copper, the tensile strength of graphene/Cu composites are enhanced by 174% and 162% in parallel to the direction of graphene. • Strengthening and toughening effects of graphene in composites is originated from strain strengthening and load transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fresh jujube fruit are confronted with serious quality deterioration after harvest. This study explored the effects of chitosan and potassium sorbate coatings on the physicochemical quality and fungal community of jujube during cold storage. Microscopic observation showed that chitosan can uniformly distribute potassium sorbate on the surface of jujube. Chitosan coating inhibited the increase in respiration rate and total soluble solids and the decrease in titratable acidity and firmness. Jujube fruit treated with chitosan and potassium sorbate showed the lowest decay rate (2.67%) after 35 d of storage. High-throughput sequencing analysis indicated that the largest number of fungal amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) was detected in jujube treated with chitosan and potassium sorbate, exhibiting higher Chao1, Shannon and Simpson diversity indices. Treatment with chitosan or potassium sorbate alone reduced the relative abundance of Cladosporium in jujube fruit. Jujube treated with chitosan and potassium sorbate had the lowest total relative abundance of all potential pathogenic fungi (Cladosporium , Alternaria and Diaporthe). FUNGuild analysis showed that chitosan and potassium sorbate treatment could inhibit the relative abundance of plant pathogenic fungi. As a result, chitosan maintained the physicochemical properties of jujube by inhibiting the respiration rate, and the combination of chitosan and potassium sorbate reduced the decay rate of jujube by inhibiting pathogenic fungi. Therefore, chitosan and potassium sorbate coating is a promising approach to improve the storage quality and delay the decay of jujube fruit after harvest. • Chitosan maintained the physicochemical properties of jujube. • Chitosan coating decreased respiration rate of jujube. • Chitosan and potassium sorbate increased fungal diversity in jujube. • Chitosan and potassium sorbate inhibited pathogenic fungi and decay of jujube. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel composites reinforced with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets were fabricated by a direct current electrodeposition technique. The low volume fraction of graphene can promote the cathodic polarized potential, facilitate the transport of ions and electrons on electrodes, and provide a large number of nucleation sites, consequently accelerate the formation of heterogeneous microstructure features. The graphene/Ni composite with 2 mL graphene dispersions demonstrates a tensile strength of 864 MPa and a plastic elongation of 20.6%, which are 25% and 36% higher than that of the pure bulk Ni. The enhancements in strength and ductility of the composite can be ascribed to the bimodal microstructure, for which the fine grain population provides for enhanced strength, whereas the coarse grain population enhances ductility by enabling strain hardening. On the contrary, the positive role of rGO in microstructure control will be weakened due to the agglomeration of rGO sheets in a high-volume plating bath. The low adsorption quantity of rGO is unfavourable for the nucleation of Ni matrix, accordingly produces a uniform fine-grained microstructure. The tensile strength of the composite with 5 mL rGO is 750 MPa, whereas the fracture elongation is only 7.5%. It is believed that a proper addition of rGO dispersion makes a promising microstructure for advanced graphene/Ni composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freezing can prolong the shelf life of sweet cherries, while cherries will fade after thawing, which limits their further application. After thawing, the redness and chroma of cherries decreased due to anthocyanin degradation. The increase of hue angle and the decrease of total phenols indicated that browning occurred in sweet cherries after thawing. The micromorphology of sweet cherry skin deformed after freezing and thawing, leading to the destruction of cell structure. Metabolomics analysis showed that 37 differential metabolites (DMs) were up-regulated and 43 DMs were down-regulated after freezing, and 75 DMs were up-regulated and 104 DMs were down-regulated after thawing. Anthocyanins, phenols and flavonoids were the key DMs related to color change of cherries after freezing and thawing. Cyanidin-3-rutinoside might degrade to protocatechuic acid in β-glucosidase catalysis pathway. The main enrichment pathways involved in the fading after freezing and thawing of cherries were anthocyanin biosynthesis, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and flavonoid biosynthesis. Therefore, the fading of sweet cherry after freezing and thawing was mainly attributed to anthocyanin degradation catalyzed by β-glucosidase and enzymatic browning of phenols catalyzed by polyphenol oxidase. • Sweet cherry faded after freezing and thawing. • Freezing and thawing changed the micromorphology of sweet cherry skin. • Freezing increased PPO activity of sweet cherry. • Cyanidin-3-rutoside in sweet cherry was degraded by β-glucosidase after thawing. • Anthocyanin degradation and enzymatic browning led to fading of thawed cherry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an AC/ZnS-Ni 7 S 6 /Ni(OH) 2 composite with nanoflower structure is synthesized in situ on a nickel foam by three-step hydrothermal method. The thickness of the sample can be controlled by the time of hydrothermal reaction. AC/ZnS-Ni 7 S 6 /Ni(OH) 2 with excellent electrochemical properties is attributed to the fact that the ultrathin nanoflower structure provides a large number of electrochemical active sites in the electrochemical reaction process, good electrical conductivity and synergy between multiple components. AC/ZnS-Ni 7 S 6 /Ni(OH) 2 possesses superior electrochemical properties with a maximum specific capacity of 1034.52 C g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1. The assembled AC/ZnS-Ni 7 S 6 /Ni(OH) 2 //AC hybrid supercapacitor (HSC) device achieves a maximum energy density of 48.99 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 800 W kg−1, and excellent cycle stability with about 90.6% capacitance retention after continual charge/discharge of 3000 cycles. The supercapacitor prepared in this study has potential application prospect in high efficiency energy storage devices. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A continuous, 545 m thick carbonate succession through the Darriwilian Bei'anzhuang and Machiakou (Majiagou) formations in the Tao-112 drillcore in the Ordos Basin, North China was sampled for an integrated study of conodont biostratigraphy (48 samples) and carbon isotope chemostratigraphy (510 samples). Two internationally correlatable conodont biozones were recognized in the drillcore, namely the Histiodella holodentata - Tangshanodus tangshanensis Biozone and the Plectodina onychodonta Biozone in stratigraphically ascending order. Constrained by the conodont biostratigraphy, two carbon isotopic anomalies can be distinguished, including the short-term LDNICE (Lower Darriwilian Negative Isotopic Carbon Excursion) in the lower part of the Bei'anzhuang Formation, and the long-lasting MDICE (Middle Darriwilian Isotopic Carbon Excursion) spanning the upper part of the Bei'anzhuang Formation and much of the Machiakou Formation. Moreover, the present high-resolution carbon isotope record allows the recognition of two peaks of the MDICE, the stratigraphically lower, small peak MDICE-1 and the follow-up, long-lived peak MDICE-2. The Darriwilian carbon isotope excursions in North China can be comparable to the δ13C carb trends described in coeval successions in Baltoscandia, North America, South Korea, and other regions of China, suggesting their significance for global correlations and providing an integrated and high-resolution chemo-biostratigraphic framework for sedimentary records of Darriwilian age in North China. Based on widely accepted driving mechanisms of global carbon-cycle perturbations, here we put forth an inference on the climatic pattern of the Darriwilian that a short warm period causing the LDNICE in the early Darriwilian was followed in turn by a moderate global cooling event resulting in the MDICE during the middle and late Darriwilian. Carbon cycle processes of the Middle and Late Ordovician indicate that there was a clear pre-Hirnantian cooling step, with gradually enlarged alternating relative warmer and rather cooler interludes, culminating in the 'Hirnantian' ice age. • Two conodont biozones recognized in the Tao-112 drillcore are internationally correlatable. • The δ13C excursions distinguished in the drillcore are the LDNICE and the MDICE. • Two secondary peaks of the MDICE are worldwide stratigraphically valuable. • Darriwilian δ13C anomalies suggest a climatic pattern with a short warming prior to a long-term cooling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The OH-terminated MAO surface promoted the generation of TiO2 layer. [•] The interface was bonded by the interaction of phosphate radical and Ti–O bond. [•] The chemically anchored interface contributed to the in vitro degradation slowdown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Our previous work has reported that an inorganic nano-network of palygorskite with multiporous structure can be fabricated from rigid nano-rods by ion beam bombardment and has better adsorption capability than nano-rods. Here, this dispersed modified nano adsorbent was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The adsorption property of methylene blue (MB) onto this adsorbent was investigated. It was found that the adsorption capacity increased with contact time, pH, MB initial concentration, respectively, and then reached an equilibrium. Moreover, the effect of pH on the adsorption was strongly determined by zeta potential. The adsorption kinetics of MB was dominated by the pseudo-second-order reaction model, and the adsorption isotherms fit the Freundlich isotherms better than the Langmuir isotherms. Three temperatures (293K, 303K, 313K) were set for describing the thermodynamic parameters (ΔHθ , ΔSθ , and ΔGθ ), which indicated that the adsorption was spontaneous and exothermic. Lastly, the mechanism of the influence of ionic strength on the adsorption was discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: We aimed to investigate metabolic parameters in children with adenoid hypertrophy (AH) only or adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) and compare them with healthy controls. Methods: Forty-four prepubertal children aged 6–12 years who were obstructive symptoms and 16 healthy children were recruited in this study. All children underwent a complete otolaryngologic examination and sleep screening. The patients were divided into three groups according to obstruction type: normal, AH (adenoid grade III or IV, tonsil grade 1 or 2), and ATH (adenoid grade III or IV, tonsil grade 3 or 4). All participants underwent hematologic and biochemical tests including fasting blood glucose, insulin, and plasma lipids. Results: (1) The children with AH and ATH had lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), when compared to normal children. (2) The level of HDL-C was negatively correlated with the sum of adenoid and tonsillar size scores and the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) (r =−0.477, p <0.001 vs. r =−0.548, p <0.001, respectively). There was a modest association between HDL-C and minimal SpO2 (r =0.332, p =0.009). (3) Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified the AHI, triglycerides, and fasting insulin as independent predictors for HDL-C. Conclusions: Patients with adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy had low HDL-C. HDL-C levels are inversely related to the sum of adenoid and tonsillar size scores and AHI in SDB children. HDL-C may be a sensitive indicator of serum lipids changes in SDB children. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The bandgap characteristics of one-dimensional (1D) photonic crystal (PC) heterostructures containing defects are studied using the transfer matrix method. The key is to search for the best combination style for different 1D PCs to form heterostructures containing Si/MgF2 multilayer films. The non-transmission range over the entire visible range can be enlarged substantially, and the phenomenon of three-color PC filters in blue–green–red light can be realized by adjusting the repeat cycle counts of various PCs. With perfect omnidirectional and high peak transmission three-color filters for the electric magnetic (TE) mode, this optimization design opens a promising way to fabricate three-color PC filters with a wide non-transmission range in the visible range, which can be applied to white LEDs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A Mg phosphate coating was prepared on home-developed Mg–Zn–Ca alloy to improve its anticorrosion performance in simulated body fluid (SBF, Kokubo solution). The coating was prepared by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) method at the working voltage of 120–140V. Evident improvement of anticorrosion was obtained even through the surface was porous. To further diminish the contact with SBF, a TiO2 layer was coated on the porous MAO layer by sol–gel dip coating followed by an annealing treatment. The coatings were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS). The electrochemical performance of the MAO and TiO2/MAO coated alloys was evaluated by anodic polarization measurements. The pores on Mg phosphate layer provided accommodation sites for the subsequent TiO2 sol–gel coating which sealed the pores and hence significantly enhanced the anticorrosion while single MAO coating only improve anticorrosion within a limited range. The present result indicates that fabrication of composite coatings is a significant strategy to improve the corrosion resistance of Mg–Zn–Ca alloy and other alloys, thus enhancing the potential of using Mg alloys as bio-implants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To investigate the strengthening effect of Al atoms into Mg–Al alloy, the tensile and fracture processes of three supercell models Mg54, Mg53Al and Mg51Al3(I) were simulated using first-principles calculations. These simulations present directly the strain–stress relationships and the ideal tensile strengths for three models. The results show that the ideal tensile strength for Mg51Al3(I) noticeably increases but slightly drops for Mg53Al, compared with Mg54. By means of charge density and density of states analyses, we find that for Mg51Al3(I), Al atom on the (0001) plane draws many electrons from neighbouring Mg atoms, leading to the formation of strong covalent bond between Al and Mg. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]