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We have designed and tested several synthesis routes targeting a highly fluorinated disordered rocksalt (DRX) cathode, Li1.2Mn0.4Ti0.4O1.6F0.4, with each route rationalized by thermochemical analysis. Precursor combinations were screened to raise the F chemical potential and avoid the formation of LiF, which inhibits fluorination of the targeted DRX phase. MnF2 was used as a reactive source of F, and Li6MnO4, LiMnO2, and Li2Mn0.33Ti0.66O3 were tested as alternative Li sources. Each synthesis procedure was monitored using a multi-modal suite of characterization techniques including X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. From the resulting data, we advance the understanding of oxyfluoride synthesis by outlining the key factors limiting F solubility. At low temperatures, MnF2 consistently reacts with the Li source to form LiF as an intermediate phase, thereby trapping F in strong Li-F bonds. LiF can react with Li2TiO3 to form a highly lithiated and fluorinated DRX (Li3TiO3F); however, MnO is not easily incorporated into this DRX phase. Although higher temperatures typically increase solubility, the volatility of LiF above its melting point (848 °C) inhibits fluorination of the DRX phase. Based on these findings, metastable synthesis techniques are suggested for future work on DRX fluorination.

Carbon and oxygen-rich corrosion barrier layer formed on Mg by a simple and scalable CO2 atmospheric plasma (CO2-AP) process. The reactive CO2-AP interacts with the Mg surface and forms a unique layered structure with the top MgCO3/MgO-intermixed particulates pillars and the bottom dense layer. The surface features were simultaneously formed on the nano-/micro-structured MgO layer by carbonate molecules, plasma-active CO2 molecules, and/or other volatile organic compounds on the nano-/micro-structured MgO particle layer. The resulting surfaces after CO2-AP were either hydrophobic or hydrophilic and exhibited lower anodic current or high resistance for Mg corrosion. For the hydrophobic surfaces of CO2-AP treated Mg, molecular dynamic simulations were performed to understand the origin of hydrophobicity and identified that the amorphous carbon layers formed on the Mg surface are the source. The environmentally benign abundant-gas-based process enables the cost reduction associated with waste treatment, generation of by-product, and supply of raw material.

The Asian-Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies (AAAP), the only international scientific organization in animal science representing Asia and Pacific region, showed a remarkable development since its inception in 1980. The number of member countries increased from 8 to 19 while 19 congresses were held in 11 different member countries. The AAAP also helped creating the official journal, Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences in 1988 with the title being changed to Animal Bioscience in 2021. It is an open access journal indexed by most global databases and has become one of the most respected global journals in animal science. Through scientific meetings and journal publication, the AAAP has made a tremendous contribution to the advancement of animal science and industry throughout its member countries over the last 40 years. This paper summarizes the advances in animal science in the Asia–Pacific region, together with the roles of the AAAP scientists and journals in developing animal science.

Reactive compatibilization of immiscible polymer blends using a preferred compatibilizer leaves the following question: How much loading of a compatibilizer is good enough and what maximum properties can be achieved? A good understanding of the process can help solve the reutilization of mixed waste plastics. Here, the reactive compatibilization of polypropylene-graftmaleic anhydride (PP-g-MAH) on polypropylene/polyamide 66 (PP/PA66) blends is quantitatively assessed using thermorheological, microoptical, spectroscopic, and x-ray scattering-based characterization tools. The overall compositions of all PP(60%)/PA66(30%)/PP-g-MAH(10%) blends are kept constant while systematically controlling the degree of the chemical reaction by varying the sequential addition of PP-g-MAH to the melt mixture. The first feeding of PP-g-MAH (x%,0[less than or equal to]x[less than or equal to]10) is conducted at 280[degrees]C and the second feeding of (10 - x)% is at 200[degrees]C. During the first step, a larger amount of chemical activity is observed up to 4%-6% addition of PP-g-MAH. The constant chemical composition allows a systematic comparison of the compatibilizer-dependent thermal, rheological, morphological, and mechanical properties. With an increased degree of interfacial reaction, the size of dispersed PA66 domains decreases to register improved interfacial adhesion with the PP matrix, yielding enhanced Young's modulus and absolute failure strength of the isotropic matrix. KEYWORDS polyamide 66, polymer composite, polymer recycling, polypropylene, polypropylene-graft-maleic anhydride, reactive extrusion, 1 | INTRODUCTION Over the past decades, plastic waste has been one of the most serious environmental issues in the world because of its prolonged lifetime. Although a large amount [...]

High boiling-point solvent additives, such as 1,8-diiodooctane, have been widely used to tune nanoscale phase morphology for increased efficiency in bulk heterojunction organic solar cells. However, liquid-state solvent additives remain in the active films for extended times and later migrate or evaporate from the films, leading to unstable device performance. Here, a solid-state photoactive molecular mediator, namely N(BAI)3, is reported that could be employed to replace the commonly used solvent additives to tune the morphology of bulk heterojunction films for improved device performance. The N(BAI)3 mediator not only resides in the active films locally to fine tune the phase morphology, but also contributes to the additional absorption of the active films, leading to ∼11% enhancement of power conversion efficiency of P3HT:PC60BM devices. Comparative studies are carried out to probe the nanoscale morphologies using grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering and complementary neutron reflectometry. The use of 1 wt% N(BAI)3 is found to effectively tune the packing of P3HT, presumably through balanced π-interactions endowed by its large conjugated π surface, and to promote the formation of a PC60BM-rich top interfacial layer. These findings open up a new way to effectively tailor the phase morphology by photoactive molecular mediators in organic photovoltaics.

Abstract As phase separation between the small‐molecule semiconductor and the polymer binder is the key enabler of blend‐based organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) fabricated by low‐cost solution processing, it is crucial to understand the underlying phase separation mechanisms that determine the phase morphology, which significantly impacts device performance. Beyond the parameter space investigated in previous work, here we investigate the formation of blends by varying the branch architecture of the polymer binder and by shortening the solvent dry time using ultrasonic spray casting. The phase morphologies of the resulting blend films have been thoroughly characterized with a variety of techniques in three dimensions over multiple length scales, including AFM, energy‐filtered transmission electron microscope, and neutron reflectivity, and have been correlated with electrical transport performance. From the results, we have inferred that the phase morphology is kinetically determined, limited by the inherent slow movement of polymer macromolecules. The kinetic picture, supported by molecular dynamics modeling, not only consistently explains our observations but also resolves inconsistencies in previous works. The achieved mechanistic understanding will guide further optimization of blend‐based organic electronics, such as OFETs and organic photovoltaics.

The Rho associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK1 and ROCK2) and myotonic dystrophy-related Cdc-42 binding kinases (MRCKα and MRCKβ) are critical regulators of cell proliferation and cell plasticity, a process intimately involved in cancer cell migration and invasion. Previously, we reported the discovery of a novel small molecule (DJ4) selective multi-kinase inhibitor of ROCK1/2 and MRCKα/β. Herein, we further characterized the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of DJ4 in non-small cell lung cancer and triple-negative breast cancer cells. To further optimize the ROCK/MRCK inhibitory potency of DJ4, we generated a library of 27 analogs. Among the various structural modifications, we identified four additional active analogs with enhanced ROCK/MRCK inhibitory potency. The anti-proliferative and cell cycle inhibitory effects of the active analogs were examined in non-small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma cell lines. The anti-proliferative effectiveness of DJ4 and the active analogs was further demonstrated against a wide array of cancer cell types using the NCI-60 human cancer cell line panel. Lastly, these new analogs were tested for anti-migratory effects in highly invasive MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Together, our results demonstrate that selective inhibitors of ROCK1/2 (DJE4, DJ-Allyl) inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M but were less effective in cell death induction compared with dual ROCK1/2 and MRCKα/β (DJ4 and DJ110).

Forced vital capacity (FVC), a spirometric measure of pulmonary function, reflects lung volume and is used to diagnose and monitor lung diseases. We performed genome-wide association study meta-analysis of FVC in 52,253 individuals from 26 studies and followed up the top associations in 32,917 additional individuals of European ancestry. We found six new regions associated at genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10-8) with FVC in or near EFEMP1, BMP6, MIR129-2-HSD17B12, PRDM11, WWOX and KCNJ2. Two loci previously associated with spirometric measures (GSTCD and PTCH1) were related to FVC. Newly implicated regions were followed up in samples from African-American, Korean, Chinese and Hispanic individuals. We detected transcripts for all six newly implicated genes in human lung tissue. The new loci may inform mechanisms involved in lung development and the pathogenesis of restrictive lung disease.© 2014 Nature America, Inc. All rights reserved.

The use of block copolymers to compatibilize immiscible plastics is an important strategy for upcycling municipal plastic wastes. Multiblock copolymers (MBCPs) have been proven to be more effective compatibilizers than di- and tri-block copolymers. Herein, we probe the interface structure of an effective multiblock copolymer compatibilizer and compare that with an ineffective triblock copolymer (TBCP). The interface activity of the compatibilizers is understood through a combination of small-angle neutron and x-ray scatterings (SANS and SAXS), by using deuterated homopolymer matrix and protonated compatibilizers. SANS analysis suggests that the MBCP forms a thicker interface layer (7-9 nm) than the TBCP (0-4 nm). In addition, SANS data seems to point to a stronger tendency for the MBCP to locate at the interface. Both factors contribute to its effectiveness at compatibilizing immiscible homopolymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]