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Satellite clock bias is the key factor affecting the accuracy of the single point positioning of a global navigation satellite system. The traditional model back propagation (BP) neural network is prone to local optimum problems. This paper presents a prediction model and algorithm for the clock bias of the BP neural network based on the optimization of the mind evolutionary algorithm (MEA), which is used to optimize the initial weights and thresholds of the BP neural network. The accuracy of the comparison between clock bias data is verified with and without one-time difference processing. Compared with grey model (GM (1,1)) and BP neural network, this paper discusses the advantages and general applicability of this method from different constellation satellites, different atomic clock type satellites, and the amount of modeling data. The accuracy of the grey model (GM(1,1)), BP, and MEA-BP models for satellite clock bias prediction is analyzed and the root mean square error, range difference error, and the mean of the clock bias data compared. The results demonstrate that the prediction accuracy of the three satellites significantly increased after one-time difference processing and that they have good stability. The prediction accuracy of four sessions of 2 h, 3 h, 6 h, and 12 h obtained using the MEA-BP model was better than 0.74, 0.80, 1.12, and 0.87 ns, respectively. The MEA-BP model has a specific degree of improvement in the prediction accuracy of the different sessions. Additionally, the prediction accuracy of different models has a specific relationship with the length of the original modeling sequence, of which BP model is the most affected, and MEABP is relatively less affected by the length of the modeling sequence, indicating that the MEA-BP model has strong anti-interference ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a technique widely used in assisted reproduction, human spermatozoa cryopreservation makes it possible to conserve functional sperm for a long time, but the impact of cryodamage on sperm during the process could not be ignored. The objective of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of Elamipretide, a novel small mitochondrial targeting short cytoprotective peptide, in attenuating cryodamage during spermatozoa cryopreservation. Semen samples were collected and cryopreserved in freeze solution containing different concentrations (0.0, 0.1, 1, and 10 μM) of Elamipretide. Sperm motility, viability, membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, DNA fragmentation, antioxidant profiles, and acrosome reaction were measured and analyzed. The results showed that supplementation of the freeze media with Elamipretide (1 and 10 μM) significantly improved post-thaw sperm parameters including motility and viability, stability of the plasma membrane, and mitochondria and chromosomes. In addition, by adding Elamipretide, excessive oxidation and acrosome dysfunction in sperm cells undergoing freeze-thaw were also significantly attenuated. Therefore, Elamipretide may be a potential candidate for relieving cryodamage to human spermatozoa during cryopreservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: There is no large data analysis reporting the outcome of Chinese kidney transplant patients using mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). This study analyzed 6719 patients from the Chinese Scientific Registry of Kidney Transplantation using MMF, which included 1153 from donation after cardiac death (DCD), 1271 from donation after brain and cardiac death (DBCD), and 4295 from living donor (LD). Compared with the transplants from deceased donor (DD), better outcomes including 3‐year graft survival probabilities (LD = 95.8% vs. DD = 91.3%), incidence of delayed graft function (DGF, LD = 2.4% vs. DD = 17.7%), infection (LD = 10.7% vs. DD = 20.7%), graft loss (LD = 2.3% vs. DD = 6.3), and death (LD = 1.3% vs. DD = 3.2%) were shown in the LD group, with similar incidences of acute rejection (AR, LD = 3.7% vs. DD = 4.7%), hyperuricemia (LD = 21.7% vs. DD = 22.2%) within postoperative 1 year, and serum creatinine (Scr) >133 μmol/l at 1 year (LD = 18.8% vs. DD = 18.6%). Nonsignificant differences were found between the DCD and DBCD group. The 5‐year survival of patient and graft in the LD group were 97.5% and 93.0%. Adjusted Cox model for graft loss showed significant associations with DGF [hazard ratio 3.7 (95% CI: 2.4, 5.8)], AR [2.8 (1.7, 4.6)], Scr >133 μmol/l at 1 year [2.6 (1.5, 4.2)], hyperuricemia [2.3 (1.6, 3.3)], and DD [1.6 (1.1, 2.4)]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cervical cancer is an aggressive human cancer with poor prognosis among women, and urgently requires effective treatments. Engeletin (ENG, dihydrokaempferol 3-rhamnoside), as a flavanonol glycoside, could be found in various kinds of vegetables and fruits, exerting significant anti-inflammatory biological activities. However, its role in regulating cervical cancer, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms are still unknown. In this study, we found that ENG treatments dose-dependently reduced the proliferation of cervical cancer cells. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in cervical cancer was also restrained by ENG using transwell analysis, as evidenced by the significantly reduced migration and invasion. In addition, ENG treatments restricted vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA) expression in cervical cancer cells, contributing to the suppression of angiogenesis. Mechanistically, ENG significantly reduced the expression of chemokine (C–C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) in cervical cancer cells associated with the blockage of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Moreover, ENG functioned as an inhibitor of NF-κB, which was involved in the repression of angiogenesis. In xenograft model, ENG treatment effectively reduced the tumor volume and weight, accompanied with decreased expression of phosphorylated NF-κB, CCL2 and VEGFA, and showed little influence on the body weight change. Therefore, ENG might be a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cervical cancer. • Engeletin reduces the proliferation and EMT in cervical cancer cells. • CCL2 and NF-κB are involved in engeletin-inhibited progression of cervical cancer. • NF-κB is required for engeletin-restrained angiogenesis, and engeletin shows anti-cancer role in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of BK virus (BKV) specific cellular immune response in the recipients who have early infection with BKV after renal transplantation.Methods: The recipients of renal allografts (n = 30) were divided into groups of BK virus nephropathy (BKVN), viruria, and viremia. The BKV load was observed with real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction in urine and blood every three months. The values of serum creatinine (SCr) were detected. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were cultivated with overlapping peptide pool containing BKV structural proteins VP1, VP2, and VP3, and regulatory proteins large tumor antigen (LT-Ag) and small tumor antigen (st-Ag), to stimulate in vitro specific cellular immunoresponse. Flow cytometry was used to measure the proliferation of CD3+/CD4+/CD8+ T and interferon [INF]-γ/interleukin [IL]-2/tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α T cell subsets.Results: The BKV infection increased SCr values in recipients of renal transplantation. CD4+ T cells were dominant (>90%) in the in vitro cellular immunoresponse to VP1, VP2, VP3, LT-Ag, and st-Ag. At the presence of viremia and BKVN, IL-2/IFN-γ+/TNF-α+ CD4+ T cells showed significantly decreased in vitro cellular immunoresponse to VP1, VP2, and VP3 (p < 0.05), but insignificantly changed to LT-Ag and st-Ag (p > 0.05). For the cases of viruria and viremia, IL-2/IFN-γ+/TNF-α+ CD4+ T cells showed significantly higher in vitro cellular immunoresponse to VP1, VP2, and VP3 than to LT-Ag and st-Ag (p < 0.05). The immunogenicity of VP1 and VP3 was significantly higher than that of VP2 (p < 0.05).Conclusions: The BKV infection increases SCr values, and CD4+ T cells are dominant in the in vitro BKV specific cellular immunoresponse in the recipients of renal transplantation. Viremia significantly decreased the immunoresponse to VP1, VP2, and VP3. There is the significantly stronger immunoresponse to VP1 and VP3 when compared with that to VP2, LT-Ag, and st-Ag, suggesting that VP1 and VP3 may be the major targets for the BKV specific immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Polylactide (PLA), a promising biodegradable and renewable polymer, finds many applications, particularly, used as biodegradable fiber in textile industry. The key is to improve its heat resistance. In this work, small amount of poly (D-lactide) (PDLA) was added firstly into poly (L-lactide) (PLLA) matrix to form stereocomplex polylactide (SC-PLA), which has much better heat resistance than that of PLLA matrix. Then two melting temperatures were adopted for fiber spinning, the one (210 °C) is far below the melting temperature of SC-PLA (i.e., 220–230 °C), and the other (225 °C) is close to the melting temperature of SC-PLA. The boiling water shrinkage and tensile strength of PLLA/PDLA fibers were investigated as function of PDLA content. It was found, the boiling water shrinkage could be largely reduced to as low as 5.6% and a satisfactory tensile strength (628 MPa) is achieved for fibers spun at 225 °C, compared with fibers spun at 210 °C (7.5% and 500 MPa, respectively), as the PDLA content is 3 wt%. SEM observation suggests a formation of nanofibrillar like SC-PLA structure as spun at 225 °C, while only spherical SC-PLA particles as spun at 210 °C. DSC result indicates that adding PDLA could largely enhance the crystallization rate of PLLA, but almost a constant crystallinity and SC-PLA content were observed for both spun fibers, disregarding the spinning temperatures. Herman's orientation parameters of spun fiber were obtained from 2D-WAXD, which suggests that fiber spun at 225 °C has higher orientation than that of fiber spun at 210 °C. Thus it can be concluded that the formation of nanofibrillar like SC-PLA and enhanced orientation degree contribute mainly to the improved heat resistance and tensile strength. This work presents a feasible and effective way to fabricate all-PLA-based fibers with the outstanding heat resistance by adding a small amount of PDLA and using a suitable spinning temperature. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • The influence of spinning temperature on the orientation and properties of PLLA/PDLA fibers was depicted in detail. • A critical PDLA content of increasing PLLA/PDLA fibers' heat resistant and mechanical property was revealed.. • All-PLA-based fiber with outstanding heat resistance was manufactured by melt spinning process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Recently, powder metallurgy inspired low-temperature (below the melting temperature) sintering has been proposed as an innovative technology for the processing of eco-friendly stereocomplex-type polylactide (SC-PLA) from its nascent powder, without triggering noticeable thermal degradation. The physicochemical performances of the obtained SC-PLA products are governed by the newly formed SC crystallites with a remarkable ability to weld the interfaces between adjacent powder particles, however, the insufficient interdiffusion of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(D-lactide) (PDLA) chains across the interfaces makes it challenging to form sufficient amounts of new SC crystallites. In the present work, we describe a facile and robust strategy to address this challenge by coating a trace amount (e.g., 0.001 wt%) of disentangled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the SC-PLA particle surfaces. During the subsequent sintering, these interface-localized CNTs can function as efficient nucleating agent to substantially promote the SC crystallization of PLLA/PDLA chains on their surfaces and finally countless SC crystallites are formed to strongly weld the interfaces as welded joints. Accordingly, SC-PLA/CNTs products possessing superb heat/solvent resistances and mechanical strength have been fabricated. Impressively, with the introduction of 0.001 wt% CNTs, the tensile strength is significantly enhanced from 45.8 MPa to 67.2 MPa. Most importantly, there is a linear relationship between the tensile strength and the content of the CNTs induced SC crystallites. Overall, this wok could provide a practical guidance for the design and fabrication of high-performance SC-PLA products through low-temperature sintering assisted by nanofillers like CNTs. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • SC-PLA products with superb performances has been fabricated by CNTs assisted low-temperature sintering. • The disentangled CNTs were coated on the surface of SC-PLA powder particles before sintering. • These CNTs can substantially promote SC crystallization across particle interfaces as nucleating agent. • Countless new SC crystallites are induced to strongly weld the interfaces and thus enhance the product performances. • The linear relationship between tensile strength and CNTs induced SC crystallites has been established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TiO 2 is one of the wonder materials that possess extraordinary engineering versatility in terms of nanostructures, shapes and morphology. TiO 2 nanomaterials have shown superior antibacterial capability, it is however still unclear about the intrinsic dimensional effects on antibacterial mechanisms. This study reported a fundamental antibacterial mechanism about the intrinsic antibacterial capabilities of the engineered nanostructured TiO 2 materials (ENMs) – from three aspects 1) the structures of such nanoparticles, rods, tubes, fibres and spheres; 2) sizes/diameters/length of the ENMs; 3) combined effect due to dimensions and structures. Experimental results revealed that, the 1 D nanotubular TiO 2 , being the smallest individual ENMs possessed the highest toxicity towards E. coli; further studies showed that 3 D dendritic nanostructure incorporated with 1 D ultrathin TiO 2 nanorods had the highest antibacterial efficiency. Comparative studies have suggested that, the well-engineered 3 D TiO 2 nanomaterials (microspheres) with enhanced surface properties such as evenly grown 1 D sub-structures were more aggressive than the cluster aggregated 1D nanomaterials. In-depth research concluded that with well-controlled nanorods density and length, the integrated 3 D ENMs exhibited most efficient antibacterial activities. Such results could benefit the future antibacterial applications and the agent fabrications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past two decades, biomass-derived and biodegradable polylactide (PLA) has sparked tremendous attention as a sustainable alternative to traditional petroleum-derived polymers for diverse applications. Unfortunately, the current applications of PLA have been mainly limited to biomedical and commodity fields, mostly because the poor heat resistance (resulting from low melting temperature) and hydrolysis stability make it hard to use as an engineering plastic. Stereocomplexation between enantiomeric poly( l-lactide) (PLLA) and poly( d-lactide) (PDLA) opens a new avenue toward PLA-based engineering plastics with improved properties. The formation, crystal structure, properties, and potential applications of stereocomplex-type PLA (SC-PLA) are summarized by some research groups. However, since it is challenging to achieve full stereocomplexation from high-molecular-weight PLLA/PDLA blends and to avoid serious thermal degradation of the PLAs after complete melting, the advances and progress in the processing of SC-PLA into useful products are quite rare in open publication. In this review, some important strategies for enhancing stereocomplex crystallization in practical processing operations are presented and recently developed processing technologies for SC-PLA are highlighted, such as low-temperature sintering. Furthermore, major challenges and future developments are briefly discussed. This review is expected to potentially open up new research activities in the processing of SC-PLA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polypropylene (PP) was compounded with β-nucleating agent and injection-molded at 180 °C or 220 °C. The samples were subsequently treated by supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO 2 ) at different temperatures. Results show that processing temperature and scCO 2 treatment could strongly influence the tensile and impact properties of β-nucleated PP. In particular, the sample processed at 220 °C and treated at 120 °C exhibit much enhanced impact strength (4.8 times that of its untreated counterpart). FTIR, WAXD, SEM and DMA were performed to explore the effects of processing temperature and scCO 2 treatment on structure of the samples. Deformation-induced plastic flow and micro-voids were also evaluated to construct structure-property relations. It was found that the influence of processing temperature on mechanical properties is mainly associated with the β-form content and β-crystalline morphology, while the structural changes in the crystalline lamellar scale may be responsible for the toughening effect of scCO 2 treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selective localization of nanoparticles at the interface of immiscible polymer blends has been witnessed as an efficient method to improve blend properties and even provide some added functionalities. Nevertheless, it is still a great challenge to achieve thermodynamically stable interface-localization of the nanoparticles mainly due to their low interfacial stabilities as well as high transfer speeds between the blend phases, especially for those with high aspect ratios. In this work, taking poly( l -lactide)/poly( d -lactide) grafted ethylene-acrylic ester copolymer/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (PLLA/EGD/MWCNTs) ternary composite as an example, we describe a new and facile strategy to address this challenge via anchoring high-aspect-ratio MWCNTs at the interface of PLLA/EGD blends using interface-localized stereocomplex (SC) crystallites as anchoring agents. During melt mixing of EGD with PLLA/MWCNTs mixture, such SC crystallites can be rapidly formed at the blend interface to prevent MWCNTs transferring from the thermodynamically unfavorable PLLA matrix into favorable EGD phase as physical barriers, and meanwhile some of these transferring MWCNTs could serve as nucleating agents to induce SC crystallization on their surfaces. As a result, many MWCNTs are firmly anchored at the blend interface by these SC crystallites. The anchored MWCNTs can not only function as effective interfacial enhancers to remarkably enhance interfacial strength and resulting impact toughness of PLLA/EGD blends but also enable the formation of electrical conductive pathway in the network-like PLLA/EGD blends at a much lower percolation threshold. This wok could offer a promising opportunity for preparing high-performance and multifunctional PLLA-based composites through controlling particle localization at the interface of immiscible PLLA blends with the aid of SC crystallization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to realize the ideal water treatment in a green and energy saving manner, TiO 2 based multifunctional membrane proved to be a promising approach owing to its capability in utilizing visible light for photocatalytic pollutant degradation and disinfection of bacteria. However, few studies were found about the investigation of antibacterial abilities arising from the intrinsic properties of membrane and its minor composition. Here, a multifunctional membrane was created via a green approach to integrate the merits of hierarchical Ag/AgBr/TNF composites with micro-/-nano porous structures, the intrinsic antibacterial abilities of Ag, and the visible light absorption capability of AgBr. The synergy effects made it being a promising multifunctional membrane for concurrent water filtration and disinfection in a sustainable way. Through a versatile characterization techniques of FESEM, XRD, TES, XPS, and UV-vis spectrometer, the morphology, structure and surface properties of the well prepared Ag/AgBr/TNF multifunctional membrane was thoroughly studied to reveal the deep mechanism behind the high flux, high photocatalytic degradation and disinfection efficiency under visible light. It indicates that the Ag/AgBr/TNF multifunctional membrane exhibited better photocatalytic activity, higher water permeate flux, and higher disinfection abilities over commercial P25 membrane under visible light. Besides the deep mechanism elaborated, the key factors in terms of predominant oxidative species was also exploited in details. This further solidify the broad future of the developed multifunctional membrane. In view of the roaring demand of advanced water treatment and disinfection technology, it is reasonable to believe our developed visible light responsive Ag/AgBr/TNF multifunctional membrane will show great significances to a green and clean future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To circumvent the bottlenecks of non-flexibility, low sensitivity, and narrow workable detection range of conventional biosensors for biological molecule detection (e.g., dopamine (DA) secreted by living cells), a new hybrid flexible electrochemical biosensor has been created by decorating closely packed dendritic Pt nanoparticles (NPs) on freestanding graphene paper. This innovative structural integration of ultrathin graphene paper and uniform 2D arrays of dendritic NPs by tailored wet chemical synthesis has been achieved by a modular strategy through a facile and delicately controlled oil-water interfacial assembly method, whereby the uniform distribution of catalytic dendritic NPs on the graphene paper is maximized. In this way, the performance is improved by several orders of magnitude. The developed hybrid electrode shows a high sensitivity of 2 μA cm−2 μ m−1, up to about 33 times higher than those of conventional sensors, a low detection limit of 5 n m, and a wide linear range of 87 n m to 100 μ m. These combined features enable the ultrasensitive detection of DA released from pheochromocytoma (PC 12) cells. The unique features of this flexible sensor can be attributed to the well-tailored uniform 2D array of dendritic Pt NPs and the modular electrode assembly at the oil-water interface. Its excellent performance holds much promise for the future development of optimized flexible electrochemical sensors for a diverse range of electroactive molecules to better serve society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel multi-functional CNT/ZnO/TiO 2 nano-composite ultrafiltration (UF) membrane was successfully synthesized via hydrothermal synthesis and acid treatment with the aid of ultra-sonication. Hydrothermally synthesized TiO 2 nanowires acted as the supporting matrix and the acid treated CNT/ZnO nanorods exhibited bridging characteristics to compose a “ cob-web ” like hierarchically structured nanocomposite material. This CNT/ZnO/TiO 2 nanocomposite UF membrane integrated the advantages of semiconductors and carbon based nanomaterials to be endowed high mechanical strength along with high photocatalytic capability as thus leading to producing clean water at a high membrane flux with low fouling potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose was to compare the effectiveness and safety of calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) withdrawal and continued therapies in kidney transplant recipients. Methods: We searched the PubMed, MEDLINE, Springer, Elsevier Science Direct, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar up to May 2014. Risk ratio (RR) or weighted mean difference (WMD) and their 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated in fixed-effects model or random-effects model when appropriate. Besides, sensitivity analysis was performed based on the addition of sirolimus in initial immunosuppression protocols. Results: Total seven studies with 1071 kidney transplant recipients received CNIs withdrawal therapy (experimental group) and 792 kidney transplant recipients received CNIs continued therapy (control group) were included in the meta-analysis. The overall estimates of acute rejection rate (RR = 1.64, 95 % CI: 1.19-2.27, P = 0.003), mean measured glomerular filtration rate (WMD = 9.50, 95 % CI = 2.96-16.03, P = 0.004), thrombocytopenia (RR = 3.39, 95 % CI: 2.27-5.05, P < 0.00001) and hypertension (RR = 0.56, 95 % CI: 0.40-0.78, P = 0.0006) showed that there were significant differences between the CNIs withdrawal and continued therapies in kidney transplant recipients, while no significant differences were found between groups in survival rate, graft survival rate, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and malignancies. In addition, two studies, in which sirolimus was not used in initial immunosuppression protocol, were excluded in sensitivity analysis and the results were still consistent with the overall analysis. Conclusions: CNIs withdrawal therapy in kidney transplant recipients could significantly decrease risk of hypertension and improve glomerular filtration rate, accompanying with increased risk of acute rejection and thrombocytopenia, compared with the CNIs continued therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterojunctioned architectures were facilely fabricated using hydrothermally treated electrospun TiO 2 nanofibers in an alkaline Sr(NO 3 ) 2 precursor solution in an electronic oven. TiO 2 on the fiber surface was partially dissolved into Ti 4+ to react with Sr 2+ in favor of the nucleation of SrTiO 3 on TiO 2 nanofibers, and thus a heterojunction was formed between SrTiO 3 and TiO 2 , which will benefit the improvement of photocatalytic activity. And then a multifunctional membrane was created by functionalizing the surface of commercial cellulose acetate (CA) membrane with heterojunctioned SrTiO 3 /TiO 2 nanofibers. This newly structured membrane exhibited excellent water purification performances in a concurrent photocatalytic membrane filtration system under the irradiation of UV light, because it is able to integrate the advantages of photocatalysis and membrane filtration while minimizes their disadvantages. The high water purification performances in terms of high photodegradation ability and high permeate flux are attributed to the high photocatalytic activity of heterojunctioned SrTiO 3 /TiO 2 nanofibers architectures and their structured porous functional layer favorable for fast water pass through. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of semicrystalline polymers is significantly dependent on the crystal morphology and lamellae orientation. In this work, the crystal superstructure and mechanical properties of polylactide (PLA) with different amounts of nucleating agent (tetramethylene-dicarboxylic dibenzoyl-hydrazide, TMC-306) were investigated. It was found that TMC-306 can be dissolved in PLA melt and re-crystallize into fibrils upon cooling. These fibrils can serve as nucleation templates to induce the crystallization of PLA on their surface, resulting in a large enhancement in crystallization rate. More importantly, PLA lamellae can grow perpendicular to the long axis of TMC-306 fibrils, inducing the formation of shish-calabash, shish-kebab and needle-like structures, depending on the concentration of TMC-306 used. Taking advantage of shear flow experienced in injection molding, TMC-306 fibrils tend to align in PLA melt along the shear flow direction, inducing the formation of highly orientated PLA lamellae in injection-molded articles. In this way, a simultaneous improvement in impact toughness, tensile strength and elongation at break is achieved. This work provides a good example of using a fibrous nucleating agent as a template to tailor the crystal morphology and lamellae orientation, thus achieving greatly enhanced properties for PLA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We facilely fabricate hierarchical 3D microspheres consisting of 2D V 2 O 5 (vanadium pentoxide) nanosheets by a low temperature hydrothermal method and use it to structure hierarchical 3D micro-/nano-LIBs (lithium ion batteries) cathode. This is a template-free and facile method easy for scale-up production of hierarchical 3D micro-/nano-structured V 2 O 5 spheres beneficial for high performance LIBs applications. Such a facile method resulted hierarchical 3D micro-/nano-V 2 O 5 possess many unique features good for LIBs: (1) 2D V 2 O 5 nanosheets facilitate the Li + diffusions and electron transports; (2) hierarchical 3D micro-/nano-cathode structure built up by V 2 O 5 nanosheet spheres will lead to the close and sufficient contact between electrolytes and activate materials and at the same time will create buffer volume to accommodate the volume change during discharging/charging process; and (3) micro-scale V 2 O 5 spheres are easy to result in high cell packing density beneficial for high power battery. As revealed by the experimental results, the micro-/nano-V 2 O 5 electrode demonstrates high initial discharge and charge capacities with no irreversible loss, high rate capacities at different currents and long-lasting lifespan. The high-energy and high-power performances of the micro-/nano-V 2 O 5 electrode is ascribed to the unique hierarchical micro-/nano-structure merits of V 2 O 5 spheres as abovementioned. In view of the advantages of facile fabrication method and unique features of 3D micro-/nano-V 2 O 5 spheres for high power and high energy LIB battery, it is of great significance to beneficially broaden the applications of high-energy and high-power LIBs with creating novel hierarchical micro-/nano-structured V 2 O 5 cathode materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, influence of matrix crystallization on the electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of poly( l -lactide)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PLLA/MWCNTs) nanocomposites has been investigated. By introducing trace amount of nucleating agent (0.15 wt%) and controlling isothermal crystallization time (0.1–8 min) of PLLA matrix in a hot mould (130 °C), the injection molded bars of the nanocomposites with different matrix crystallinities (5–45%) were prepared. Interestingly, the electrical conductivity is found to be linearly increased with increasing matrix crystallinity for nanocomposites with low concentrations of MWCNTs (below the percolation threshold). This could be attributed to the volume exclusion effect and the straightening effect of MWCNTs provided by PLLA crystallization, as evidenced from SEM observations. However, matrix crystallization induced reconstruction of MWCNTs network cannot effectively enhance the electrical conductivity when the concentration of MWCNTs is high enough (above the percolation threshold). More interestingly, the reconstructed MWCNTs network shows a better reinforcement effect in the nanocomposites as compared with that initially formed in the amorphous matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, some attempts have beenmade to enhance the gas barrierproperties of semicrystalline polymers by precisely controlling thearrangement of their impermeable crystalline lamellae. However, itis still a great challenge to achieve regular arrangement of the lamellaealong the direction perpendicular to the gas diffusion path, especiallyusing conventional polymer processing technologies. This work presentsa novel and simple strategy to dramatically improve oxygen barrierperformance of biobased and biodegradable polylactide (PLA) throughconstructing parallel-aligned shish-kebab-like crystals with well-interlockedboundaries with the aid of a highly active nucleating agent. The nucleatingagent was introduced into PLA by melting compounding and the sheet-likespecimens were fabricated by compression molding. We demonstrate thatthe fibrillar nucleating agent dispersed in PLA melt can serve asshish to induce the change of crystallization habit of PLA from isotopicspherulitic crystals to unique shish-kebab-like crystals and the shearflow in the compression molding can induce the highly ordered alignmentof the nucleating agent fibrils as well as the subsequent shish-kebab-likecrystals along the direction parallel to the sheet surface. More importantly,the growing lamellae are found to interpenetrate and tightly interlockwith each other at the boundary regions of the shish-kebab-like crystalsin the later stage of the crystallization, forming a densely packednanobrick wall structure to prevent gas molecules from permeatingthrough the crystals and thus imparting the PLA sheets with unprecedentedlylow oxygen permeability. This work provides not only a successfulexample of preparing semicrystalline polymer with super gas barrierproperties by tailoring crystal superstructure but also a promisingroute to rapidly fabricate high-performance food packaging materialsvia industrially meaningful melt processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For optimum reinforcement in polymer nanocomposite, a critical challenge is to realize the full ‘nano-effect’ of nanofillers at a high content, which is largely hindered by the strong tendency to aggregation of nanofillers. Here, by using a solvent-exchange and solution casting approach, we could incorporate a high-content graphene oxide (GO) into a soft biodegradable CO2-based poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) up to 20 wt% with excellent dispersion. Based on this, the distributed architecture of GO could be tuned from a ‘GO dotted dispersion’ and ‘GO network’ to strong ‘GO co-continuous structure’ with increasing GO content. As a result, a very strong ‘nano-effect’ of GO in the PPC matrix was observed: (1) the glass transition temperature of PPC was improved from 25 to 45 ° C for slightly confined molecular chains, and even to 100 ° C for highly confined ones; (2) the modified PPC showed drastically enhanced high-temperature mechanical properties, comparable to those of traditional polymers such as polypropylene (PP) and biopolymer poly(lactic acid) (PLA); and (3) such modified PPC exhibited an exciting solvent resistance compared to neat PPC. Our work provides an example to improve the high-temperature properties of a polymer via formation of filler co-continuous structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Multifunctional nanocomposites (GO-TiO2-Ag) was synthesized by a two-phase method. [•] Remarkably enhanced photocatalytic activities were demonstrated under solar irradiation. [•] Excellent intrinsic antibacterial activity and better photo-biocidal capability toward Escherichia coli. [•] The influence of Ag content was revealed with systematical studies. [•] Different mechanisms for enhanced photocatlytic activities were illustrated clearly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Enhancing matrix crystallization has been demonstrated to be an effective method to simultaneously improve the impact toughness and heat resistance of poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) modified with flexible polymers, such as poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). Unfortunately, increasing PLLA matrix crystallinity alone cannot guarantee the enhancement of impact toughness in most cases, so other structural parameters should be considered. In this work, taking PLLA/PCL (80/20) blend as an example, the combined roles of matrix crystallization and impact modifier particle size in the toughening have been investigated. PLLA matrix crystallinity was controlled by adding a highly effective nucleating agent and PCL particle size was tailored by varying processing conditions while maintaining constant interfacial adhesion. It is interesting to find that toughening is efficient only if matrix crystallinity and particle size are well matched. With the significant increase of matrix crystallinity, an evident decrease of optimum particle size for toughening PLLA has been identified for the first time. Therefore, suitable particle size is the precondition for highly crystalline matrix to work effectively in the toughening because only small particles (0.3–0.5 μm) are effective in trigger shear yielding mechanism of the matrix needed for good toughness, whereas relatively large particles (0.7–1.1 μm) are only capable of toughening amorphous matrix effectively by initiating multiple crazing of the matrix. Importantly, our findings can be used to well explain the reason for the different roles of matrix crystallization in the toughening of different PLLA blends reported in the literature. Furthermore, the heat resistance of the blend with a highly crystalline matrix is much better than that of the blend with an amorphous one as expected. This work could not only provide a new insight into the synergistic roles of matrix crystallization and modifier particle size in the toughening of PLLA but also set up a universal framework for designing high-performance PLLA products with both good impact toughness and high heat resistance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Hierarchical 3D dendritic TiO2 nanospheres building with ultralong 1D TiO2 nanoribbon/wires were hydrothermally synthesized via controlling the hydrolysis rate of precursor by EG. It is found that the EG and Cl− in the precursor solution are the dominant factors in controlling the hydrolysis rate of Ti4+ from TTIP, and the growing direction of 1D TiO2, respectively. Through optimizing the molar ratio of TTIP:EG, hierarchical 3D dendritic TiO2 nanospheres building with long 1D nanoribbons (TiO2 nanoribbon spheres) were synthesized at a molar ratio of TTIP:EG = 1:2. And hierarchical 3D dendritic TiO2 nanospheres building with even longer and thinner 1D TiO2 nanowires (TiO2 nanowire spheres) were synthesized via further reducing the hydrolysis rate of Ti4+ by increasing the content of EG at a molar ratio of TTIP:EG = 1:3. The hierarchical 3D dendritic TiO2 nanoribbon/wire spheres were well characterized by a variety of techniques such as FESEM, TEM, XRD, N2 adsorption/desorption, UV–vis spectra, etc. A “win–win” strategy was developed to integrate the hierarchical TiO2 nanoribbon/wire spheres and membrane for high performance photocatalytic membrane water purification through maximizing the advantages of TiO2 photocatalysis and membrane, while minimizing their disadvantages. Hierarchical TiO2 nanoribbon/wire spheres exhibited high performance for water purification in terms of high flux, low fouling, high removal rate of pollutants, and long lifespan of membrane, both in concurrent dead end and cross flow membrane system. The rationale behind this phenomenon lies in that the hierarchical TiO2 nanoribbon/wire spheres in the concurrent system possess the advantages of mitigating the membrane fouling via photocatalytic degrading the organic pollutants relying on their high photocatalytic activities; and keeping high water flux owing to the porous functional layer favorable for water pass through. The experimental results demonstrated that the hierarchical TiO2 nanoribbon/wire spheres have better photodegradation ability of AO 7 and RhB pollutants so as to result in higher ability in mitigating fouling, and keep higher flux than TiO2 P25 under the same conditions. It is believable that this study is of great significances both in synthesizing hierarchical 3D dendritic TiO2 nanospheres building with ultralong 1D nanoribbon/wires, and in providing a “win–win” strategy for high performance concurrent photocatalytic membrane water purification featured as high flux, high removal rate of pollutants, low fouling and long membrane lifespan. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: It is still a challenge to photocatalytically cogenerate clean water and energy from dye wastewater owing to the relatively low photocatalytic efficiency of photocatalysts. In this study, novel-structured TiO2/CuO composite nanofibers were successfully fabricated via facile electrospinning. For the first time, the TiO2/CuO composite nanofibers demonstrated multifunctional ability for concurrent photocatalytic organic degradation and H2 generation from dye wastewater. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of TiO2/CuO composite nanofibers was ascribed to its excellent synergy of physicochemical properties: 1) mesoporosity and large specific surface area for efficient substrate adsorption, mass transfer and light harvesting; 2) red-shift of the absorbance spectra for enhanced light utilization; 3) long nanofibrous structure for efficient charge transfer and ease of recovery, 4) TiO2/CuO heterojunctions which enhance the separation of electrons and holes and 5) presence of CuO which serve as co-catalyst for the H2 production. The TiO2/CuO composite nanofibers also exhibited rapid settleability by gravity and uncompromised reusability. Thus, the as-synthesized TiO2/CuO composite nanofibers represent a promising candidate for highly efficient concurrent photocatalytic organic degradation and clean energy production from dye wastewater. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Novel-structured TiO2/CuO composite nanofibers was optimized for H2 generation. [ • ] Vivid changes of physicochemical properties influenced by calcinations temperature. [ • ] Significance of physicochemical properties synergy on H2 generation was revealed. [ • ] The optimized photocatalyst exhibited the highest H2 generation activity. [ • ] Reusable and stable with negligible Cu leaching. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A general method for the fabrication of flexible, multifunctional and hierarchically-nanostructured membranes was reported. As an example, the as-prepared TiO2 nanorod self-supporting membrane shows excellent advantages, when it is used in concurrent filtration and degradation of the pollutants in waters, including high mechanical flexibility, high permeate flux, high photocatalytic activity and no membrane fouling problem, which indicate its great potential for sustainable environmental applications. And this general method also was successfully demonstrated with a ZnO nanoflake self-supporting membrane, which also have great potential in environmental and energy applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Using electrospinning, specially prepared Ti and Sr precursor TiO2/ SrTiO3 composite nanofibers were successfully fabricated. This would ensure the close and uniform contact between TiO2 and SrTiO3, which significantly contributes to the electrons transfer at the interface between the two semiconductors with different band gaps. Meanwhile, the long fibrous structure of TiO2/ SrTiO3 composite nanofibers would further ease the electron transfer, enlarge the specific surface area, and enhance the light absorption capability thus leading to the improvement of photocatalytic efficiency. Because of the above-mentioned advantages, the TiO2/ SrTiO3 composite nanofibers exhibited higher photocatalytic H2 generation efficiency over bare TiO2 nanofibers in a water/methanol sacrificial reagent system under the irradiation of UV light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a facile non-hydrothermal method for the large-scale production of hierarchical TiO2 nanorod spheres for the photocatalytic elimination of contaminants and killing bacteria. Crescent Ti/RF spheres were prepared by deliberately adding titanium trichloride (TiCl3) to the reaction of resorcinol (R) and formaldehyde (F) in an open reactor under heating and stirring. The hierarchical TiO2 nanorod spheres were obtained by calcining the crescent Ti/RF spheres in a furnace in air to burn off the RF spheres. This method has many merits, such as large-scale production, good crystallisation of TiO2, and good reproducibility, all of which are difficult to realise by conventional hydrothermal methods. The calcination temperature plays a significant role in influencing the morphology, crystallisation, porosity, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area, and hierarchy of the TiO2 nanorod spheres, thus resulting in different photocatalytic performances under UV light and solar light irradiation. The experimental results have demonstrated that the hierarchical TiO2 nanorod spheres obtained after calcination of the crescent Ti/RF spheres at different temperatures displayed similar photocatalytic activities under irradiation with UV light. We attribute this to a balance of opposing effects of the investigated factors. A higher calcination temperature leads to greater light absorption capability of the TiO2 nanorod spheres, thus resulting in higher photocatalytic antibacterial activity under solar light irradiation. It is also interesting to note that the hierarchical TiO2 nanorod spheres displayed intrinsic antibacterial activity in the absence of light irradiation, apparently because their sharp outward spikes can easily pierce and penetrate the walls of bacteria. In this study, the sharpest hierarchical TiO2 nanorod spheres were obtained after calcination at 500 °C, and these exhibited the highest antibacterial activity without light irradiation. A higher calcination temperature proved detrimental to the sharpness of the TiO2 nanorods, thus reducing their intrinsic antibacterial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, hierarchical ZnO nanoflake spheres were hydrothermally synthesized at a large scale. These hierarchical ZnO nanoflake spheres were well characterized and successfully assembled on a piece of polymer membrane surface to form a multifunctional membrane with a “win-win” aim to realize the mitigation of membrane fouling and reuse of catalysts. This newly developed membrane demonstrated the removal ability of high pollutants via filtration, photodegradation of pollutants, and antibacterial growth under visible light irradiation. At the same time, this novel membrane holds the potential to produce clean water at a constant high flux. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Here, hierarchically meso/nanoporous TiO2 was successfully fabricated by a facile and efficient hydrolysis and calcination method using Ti(OC4H9)4 and K2S2O8 as precursors. The hydrosol was firstly prepared by drop-wise adding ethanol dissolved Ti(OC4H9)4 solution into acetone dissolved K2S2O8 solution under a vigorous stirring and heating condition. After being sufficiently hydrolyzed, the hydrosol was calcined to promote the crystallization of TiO2 and successfully dope S and C on TiO2. The calcination temperature significantly affects the doping of S and C on TiO2, crystallization of TiO2, formation of hierarchically meso/nanoporous structure of TiO2 and its light absorption capability. The S- and C-codoped TiO2 exhibits high photocatalytic H2 generation efficiency in a water/methanol sacrificial reagent system under the irradiation of UV light. The high photocatalytic efficiency is dependent on the comprehensively competing effects of the codoping of S and C, crystallization, specific surface area and light absorption capability. The S- and C-codoped TiO2 calcined at 600°C demonstrates the highest photocatalytic H2 generation efficiency, which is ascribed to the balanced synergy of the abovementioned factors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of fabrication method on the properties of hierarchical 3D TiO2 nanostructures was investigated by employing and developing both hydrothermal method and calcination method to synthesize hierarchical 3D TiO2 nanorod spheres in this study. A comprehensive comparison in terms of morphologies, crystallization, specific surface areas, light absorption capabilities, and photoluminescence spectrum was conducted between 3D TiO2 nanorod spheres synthesized via hydrothermal method and that synthesized via calcination method. A better photocatalytic activity was demonstrated over the TiO2 nanorod spheres synthesized through calcination method. This was ascribed to the better crystallization and monodispersion of the hierarchical 3D TiO2 nanorod spheres resulted from the calcination method; thus rendering it with more superior characteristics such as larger specific surface area, enhanced light absorption capability and faster transfer of electrons which suppress the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes. This study is thus significant not only in promoting the development of hierarchical 3D TiO2 nanorod spheres via different methods, but also in revealing the effect of fabrication method on the photocatalytic activity of hierarchical 3D TiO2 nanorod spheres. The calcination method is proposed to be a facile and promising method for scale-up production of the hierarchical 3D TiO2 nanorod spheres with high photocatalytic activity for efficient pollutants degradation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A large-scale hierarchical assembly route is reported for the formation of SnO2 on the nanoscale that contains rigid and robust spheres with irregular channels for rapid access of Li ions into the hierarchically structured interiors. Large volume changes during the process of Li insertion and extraction are accommodated by the SnO2 nanoflake spheres' internal porosity. The hierarchical SnO2 nanoflake spheres exhibit good lithium storage properties with high capacity and long-lasting performance when used as lithium-ion anodes. A reversible capacity of 517 mA h g−1, still greater than the theoretical capacity of graphite (372 mA h g−1), after 50 charge-discharge cycles is attained. Meanwhile, the synthesis process is simple, inexpensive, safe, and broadly applicable, providing new avenues for the rational engineering of electrode materials with enhanced conductivity and power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspired by the highly efficient hierarchical structure of plants that use natural light, the hierarchical 'forest-like' TiO2 nanofiber/ZnO nanorod/CuO nanoparticle ternary material 2 is synthesized by a stepwise process: electrospinning of TiO2 nanofibers, hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanorods, and photodeposition of CuO nanoparticles. Material 2 has a higher photodegradation rate of acid orange (AO 7) and stronger antibacterial capability under irradiation with solar light in comparison to that of the hierarchical 'tree-like' TiO2 nanofiber/ZnO nanorod material 1 and one dimensional as-spun TiO2 nanofibers. These enhancements result from the unique hierarchical forest- and tree-like features of materials 1 and 2, which enhance the light absorption capability, increase the specific surface area for mass transfer and bacteria attachment, create more reaction sites, and retard the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes. A proportional relationship was found between the photocatalytic activity and the hierarchy of the materials. The sizes of the hierarchical nanostructured materials are in the micron range, which provides the opportunity for using these materials in engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A novel photocatalyst was designed from the inspiration of natural forest''s high efficient on light harvesting and energy conversion. This novel “forest-like” photocatalyst was successfully synthesized by a facile continuously-conducted three steps methods: electrospinning TiO2 nanofiber acts as the trunks, hydrothermal growth ZnO nanorods on the surface of TiO2 nanofiber acts as the branches, while photodeposition of Cu nanoparticles on the surface of TiO2 nanofiber and ZnO nanorods act as the leaves. This novel photocatalyst demonstrated higher photocatalytic hydrogen generation rate than most of semiconductor catalysts and many newly developed catalysts such as Pt/TiO2 catalyst and artificial leaves Pt/N–TiO2 catalyst in a water/methanol sacrificial reagent system under the light irradiation as a result of its enhanced light absorption ability, enlarged specific surface area promoting mass transfer and providing more reaction sites and its potential on anti-recombination of electrons and holes. Meanwhile, it is interesting to note that the photocatalytic hydrogen generation activity has a liner relationship with the hierarchy of materials, which means higher hierarchy materials display higher photocatalytic hydrogen generation activity. It is reasonable to believe that this natural mimic photocatalyst without noble metals will benefit the energy generation and novel materials development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To counter the global water crisis such as water resources scarcity and water quality deterioration, membrane filtration has been widely used as a promising technology. Recently, nano-materials and its structured membranes demonstrated multifunctional water purification capability in terms of decontamination and disinfection. Here, hierarchical nitrogen (N)-doped “nut-like” ZnO nanostructured material was hydrothermally synthesized at large scale. This hierarchical N-doped “nut-like” ZnO nanostructured material was well characterized and successfully assembled on a piece of polymer membrane surface to create a multifunctional membrane. This newly developed membrane demonstrated high pollutants removal ability via rejection and photodegradation, and strong antibacterial growth ability under visible light irradiation. At the same time, this novel membrane holds the potential to produce clean water at a constant high flux. The experimental results indicated that the hierarchical N-doped ZnO “nut-like” nanostructured material enhanced the photocatalytic activity in a comparison to commercial ZnO powder. This is caused by enlarging the specific surface area and enhancing the light utilization rate. It is reasonable to believe this hierarchical N-doped “nut-like” ZnO nanostructured membrane would benefit the water purification field. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Through hydrothermally growing SrTiO3 cubics on the surface of electrospun TiO2 nanofibers, SrTiO3/TiO2 nanofibers heterostructures were successfully fabricated in the present study. This process is able to ensure uniform distribution of SrTiO3 on the surface of TiO2 nanofibers and lead to close contact between SrTiO3 and TiO2, which is beneficial for the fast separation of photogenerated electrons and holes so as to suppress the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes at the interphase of SrTiO3 and TiO2. Besides this, the long 1D fibrous structure easy for electron transfer, the hierarchical structure promoting mass transfer and allowing more light reflection and absorption, and the large specific surface area providing more reactions sites to facilitate the reactants to desired oxidation places all together create a synergistic effect on improving the photocatalytic activity of the hierarchical SrTiO3/TiO2 nanofibers heterostructures. Under the irradiation of UV light, in a water/methanol sacrificial reagent system, the SrTiO3/TiO2 nanofibers heterostructures generate five times more H2 than bare TiO2 nanofibers because of its high photocatalytic activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hierarchical nitrogen-doped ZnO flowerlike nanostructures were synthesized on a large scale. These nanostructures were characterized by FESEM, HRTEM, XRD, FTIR, XPS, and TGA, and their suitability for multifunctional environmental applications was investigated. The experimental results demonstrated that the hierarchical N-doped ZnO flowerlike nanostructure enhances the photodegradation of methyl blue (MB) and acid orange 7 (AO7) by presenting a large specific surface area and high light utilization rate, inhibits the growth of bacteria without light irradiation, and increases the permeate flux when used in a membrane filtration system. These advantages of the hierarchical N-doped ZnO flowerlike nanostructure brings benefits to the environmental application fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Innovative TiO2/SnO2 nanofibers were fabricated via electrospinning an innovated precursor solution and used for photocatalytic H2 generation. The nanofibers exhibited greatly enhanced H2 evolution rate compared to bare TiO2 nanofiber and P25. The enhanced efficiency of the TiO2/SnO2 nanofibers was attributed to its excellent synergistic properties: (1) its good mesoporosity; (2) the red-shift of absorbance spectra to enhance light absorbance capability; (3) its long nanofibrous structure and (4) anatase TiO2 – rutile TiO2 – rutile SnO2 ternary junctions favorable for the separation of electrons and holes. Based on our experimental results, the optimum ratio of TiO2/SnO2 nanofibers with 3% Sn demonstrated the highest efficiency in H2 generation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Currently, the biggest challenge for filtration membrane application is the severe membrane fouling problem, which consequently results in low flux and high energy cost. Herein, a novel kind of multifunctional membrane was fabricated via integrating the advantages of conventional polymer membrane as supporting layer and “forest” like hierarchically structured TiO2/ZnO nanomaterials as functional layer. This membrane has shown multifunctional properties, such as, high photocatalytic activity, high flux and high antibacterial capacity, which make it as a good candidate to tackle the challenge of producing clean water at a constant high flux with no membrane fouling problem and energy saving manner. The outstanding performance of this novel membrane would bring enough benefits to filtration membrane industry for clean water production and environmental protection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Novel high efficient photocatalyst is the key for photocatalytic hydrogen generation from water splitting. In this study, a novel hierarchical CuO/ZnO “corn-like” architecture was designed and synthesized via a combination of hydrothermal and photodeposition method. The as-prepared nanostructured materials was shown to effectively generate hydrogen in the mixture of methanol and water (v/v = 1:10). This is because the hierarchical CuO/ZnO “corn-like” architecture: 1) greatly enhances the light utilization rate due to its special architecture, 2) enlarges the specific surface area, providing more reaction sites and promoting mass transfer, 3) promotes the photogenerated electrons transfer from ZnO to CuO, achieving the anti-recombination effect of electrons and holes, and 4) avoids the photocorrosion of ZnO to improve the stability of ZnO as a catalyst during water splitting. Moreover, the novel hierarchical CuO/ZnO “corn-like” architecture is easily recovered for reuse. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The dextran coated Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been successfully synthesized and used for brackish water desalination for the first time. The dextran coated Fe3O4 MNPs well meets the stringent criteria for draw solutes of forward osmosis (FO) process via technologically integrating the good solubility of dextran and strong magnetism of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Our experimental results demonstrated that the dextran coated Fe3O4 MNPs are not only able to produce high osmotic pressure to draw clean water across FO membranes from brackish water, but also can be easily recovered from the diluted draw solution by an external magnet. Based on our currently conducted works, it is believed that the dextran coated Fe3O4 MNPs can be an ideal draw solute for brackish water desalination by using FO process in an environmental-friendly and energy-saving manner. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Hierarchical porous TiO2 hollow microspheres were synthesized by a facile approach from a one-step template method. This novel approach avoids tedious multiple steps from conventional template method for fabricating hierarchical porous and hollow microspheres. The as-prepared microspheres were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, nitrogen adsorption, and UV–vis DRS. Its photocatalytic activity was demonstrated in the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B. Structural characterization indicates that the as-prepared microspheres had a hollow interior and a hierarchical porous structure with both large and small mesopores on its surface. The average diameters and BET surface areas of the hierarchical porous TiO2 hollow microspheres were 1.5μm and 117m2/g, respectively. Optical adsorption investigation shows that the hierarchical porous TiO2 hollow microspheres possessed the optical band gap of 3.42eV. A possible formation mechanism for the hierarchical porous TiO2 hollow microspheres was discussed. The hierarchical porous TiO2 hollow microspheres exhibited much higher photocatalytic activity than the commercial P25 TiO2. In addition, the as-prepared microspheres can be easily recycling for reuse. All these advantages show a bright future for this microspheric photocatalyst in environmental purification. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Large amount of work has been reported on the annealing of polypropylene (PP) and the related changes in mechanical properties. However, the structure–property correlations and the physical origin of annealing induced microstructural evolution are still not very clear. In this work, taking β-form PP (β-PP) as example, the microstructural changes induced by annealing were investigated from macromolecular to crystalline lamellae level with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, conventional differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), temperature-modulated DSC (TMDSC), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Besides mobile amorphous fraction (MAF), the role of rigid amorphous fraction (RAF) in toughening PP is particularly taken into consideration. It is shown that annealing increases the chain mobility in MAF and decreases it in RAF. Such an effect is believed to be mainly associated with the formation of looser MAF and more RAF by the microstructural re-arrangement involving conformational ordering of partial amorphous chain segments and a significant interlamellae thickening. A thorough analysis of structure–property relationship through observing plastic deformation behaviors by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and estimating stress transmission between crystalline and amorphous phases, suggests that both MAF and RAF play important role on toughening β-PP. They can promote the initiation of microvoids effectively upon deformation by reducing the stress transmission. As a result, large-scale plastic deformation is triggered. This work is important and provides a new insight into the mechanisms of microstructural evolution and subsequent improvement in impact toughness during annealing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Poly(propylene)/elastomer blends with β-form nucleating agent (β-NA) aryl amides compound (TMB-5) were prepared. The effects of β-NA on crystallization, melting behaviors and elastomer morphologies of PP/elastomer blends were studied through polarization optical microscope (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electronic microscope (SEM). The fracture behaviors, including notched Izod impact fracture and single-edge notched tensile (SENT) fracture, were comparatively studied to establish the role of NA in improving the fracture toughness of PP/elastomer blends. Our results showed that the presence of β-NA leads to determinable β-PP formation in the blends, and as a consequence the fracture toughness of the blend is improved dramatically. Compared with notched Izod impact testing, which can efficiently characterize the fracture toughness of the blends only at lower elastomer content, SENT testing provides more detail of fracture behavior in all the compositions. Furthermore, SENT test shows that the significant improvement in fracture toughness of PP/elastomer/β-NA is contributed to the simultaneous enhancement of crack initiation energy and crack propagation energy, but largely dominated by crack propagation stage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In routine practice, the evaluation of breast excisional biopsy specimens is assisted by the use of various tissue marking inks to delineate surgical margins and preserve tissue orientation. These inks may simulate microcalcifications in specimen and tissue block radiographs. The magnitude of this problem is studied by systematically identifying the factors leading to the creation of this artifact. Samples of fresh tissue from breast reduction mammaplasties were painted separately with fresh wet ink and ink mixed with dried powdery residue. Black India ink and commercial colored tissue inks (the Davidson Marking System) were tested. The painted tissues were radiographed before and after routine paraffin embedding. Routine histologic sections were obtained from each tissue block for microscopic examination. Compared with unmarked controls, samples inked with blue, green, and red inks containing powdery residues showed radiopaque artifacts on radiographs prior to tissue processing. Only the sample marked with red ink showed residual radiopaque artifacts after processing. Microscopically the dried red ink particles were readily distinguishable from microcalcifications on the tissue sections. On the tissue radiographs, the dried ink artifacts were indistinguishable from true microcalcifications. This study demonstrates that some tissue marking inks used in the pathology laboratory are radiopaque. Inks contaminated with particles of dried residue, often present on ink container lids, may appear as artifacts mimicking microcalcifications on specimen and tissue block radiographs, occasionally complicating the histologic localization of mammographically demonstrated microcalcifications. Tissue marking inks should be tested for radiopacity prior to use on breast biopsies. Ink containers should be checked frequently for buildup of dried residue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, bismuth/titanium oxide (Bi3+/TiO 2) composite nanofibers (herein after referred to as Bi/TiO 2) with enhanced physicochemical properties thus photocatalytic efficiency are successfully synthesized via electrospinning which maximizes the uniformity of Bi and Ti at molecular level. Bi/TiO 2 shows positive characterization through anatase crystallinity, large light utilization rate, high specific surface area and low electron holes pair recombination rate as a result of the novel materials synthesis approach. Glycerol as a typical pollutant of industrial wastewater, is used here to demonstrate the concurrent production of chean water and H 2 over the well synthesized Bi/TiO 2. Bi is incorporated to extend the light absorbance capability of TiO 2 to visible light region. Experimental data shows that 3% Bi/TiO 2 exhibits the highest H 2 generation and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) removal. The reduction of TOC of 8% means the conversion of glycerol into H 2 has been achieved, which is in favor of the production of clean water from highly polluted glycerol wastewater. An optimization study is undertaken by varying the calcination temperature to investigate properties-activity relationship of the new photocatalyst, which exhibited higher photocatlytic efficiency under both UV–visible and visible light compared with that of bare TiO 2. The mechanism illustration is derived from the novel materials synthesis and property optimization to explain the rationale behind this interesting phenomenon. It is worth to note that Bi/TiO 2 nanofibers represent a promising photocatalyst for environmental remediation and sustainability where it can be potentially used in glycerol by-product or waste from the industry under the renewable solar irradiation to generate H 2 and clean water simultaneously. [Display omitted] • Bi-incorporated TiO 2 nanofibers exhibited to be able to concurrently generate H 2 and clean water under solar irradiation. • Enhanced physico-chemical properties of Bi/TiO 2 nanofibers. • Enlarged specific surface area & unique mesoporosity. • Enhanced light absorption capability for better photocatalytic reaction, and. • Well-dispersed heterojunctions for an efficient electrons-holes separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel TiO2nano-thorn membrane was assembled for concurrent filtration and photocatalytic oxidization to remove pollutants in water. This membrane has hierarchical porous and multifunctional properties, which provide these advantages: (1) producing water with high quality; (2) increasing water flux; and (3) eliminating membrane fouling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel TiO2nano-thorn membrane was assembled for concurrent filtration and photocatalytic oxidization to remove pollutants in water. This membrane has hierarchical porous and multifunctional properties, which provide these advantages: (1) producing water with high quality; (2) increasing water flux; and (3) eliminating membrane fouling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Two novel POSS bearing norbornene groups (i.e., T 7 N 3 and T 8 N 4) are synthesized. • The addition of T 7 N 3 and T 8 N 4 significantly reduces the k value of PDCPD. • The low- k materials can be rapidly prepared through with low energy consumption approach. Low dielectric constant (low -k, k < 2.5) thermoset polymers play a crucial role in high-frequency communication technology and the microelectronic industry. However, existing low- k materials often suffer from time- and energy-consuming preparation procedures and have k values greater than 2.5. Herein, we present the frontal ring opening metathesis polymerization (FROMP) of dicyclopentadiene and phenyl-functionalized POSS bearing three and four norbornene groups (i.e., T 7 N 3 and T 8 N 4), enabling the rapid formation of high-performance low- k nanocomposites through a low energy consumption approach. The results reveal that T 7 N 3 and T 8 N 4 exhibit excellent compatibility with poly(dicyclopentadiene) (PDCPD) without adversely affecting the materials' FROMP behaviors. Consequently, by increasing IC-POSS content, both the dielectric and comprehensive properties of PDCPD can be significantly enhanced while the influence of IC-POSS type remains limited. In particular, both PT 7 -40 (40 wt% of T 7 N 3 , k = 2.1) and PT 8 -40 (40 wt% of T 8 N 4 , k = 2.12) demonstrate the lowest k values; moreover, PT 8 -40 exhibits the highest dimensional stability (with a coefficient of thermal expansion of 79.3 ppm oC−1), glass transition temperature (188 °C), elastic modulus (2.32 GPa), yield strength (70.4 MPa), and hydrophobicity among all samples. By programming the front velocity, these materials can be processed into complex structures through a combination of FROMP and three-dimensional printing techniques. This work offers a facile and energy-efficient approach for preparing low- k materials with on-demand structures and properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]