Hybrid porous bamboo-like CNTs embedding ultrasmall LiCrTiO nanoparticles as high rate and long life anode materials for lithium ion batteries.

Compared with LiTiO, LiCrTiO with the same spinel structure exhibits superior conductivity and Li diffusion properties. However, there has been no extensive study on LiCrTiO as an anode material in lithium ion batteries, due to its pulverization, loss of electrical contact, and particle aggregation. A unique architecture based on hybrid porous CNTs embedding ultrasmall LiCrTiO nanoparticles (6 ± 2 nm) was designed by using a facile sol-gel process combined with subsequent heat treatment.

Bond strengths of porcelain to cobalt-chromium alloys made by casting, milling, and selective laser melting.

Statement Of Problem: Cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) alloys have been widely used for metal-ceramic fixed prostheses and can be fabricated using conventionally cast or new computer-aided technology. However, the effect of different manufacturing methods on the metal-ceramic bond strength needs further evaluation.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the metal-ceramic bond strength of a Co-Cr alloy made by casting, milling, and selective laser melting (SLM).

[Seasonal Variation Characteristics and Potential Source Contribution of Sulfate, Nitrate and Ammonium in Beijing by Using Single Particle Aerosol Mass Spectrometry].

Single particle aerosol mass spectrometry (SPAMS) was deployed to continuously observe the aerosol particles of Beijing urban area from 2013-12 to 2014-11, and the hourly average data of sulfate, nitrate and ammonium (SNA) were obtained using the characteristic ion tracer method. The mixing state and size distribution of SNA were analyzed. In addition, based on Hysplit 48 h back air mass trajectory results in combination with Concentration Weighted Trajectory method (CWT), we obtained the seasonal potential source contribution area of SNA.

Effect of silica coating on the bond strength of milled pure titanium to dental porcelain.

The creation of a high bond strength between machined computer-manufactured pure titanium and porcelain remains problematic, and the effects of a silica coating on the bond strength of milled pure titanium bonded to dental porcelain require further investigation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the bond strength of machined pure titanium, with an intermediate coating of silica, to dental porcelain. In this work, 24 specimens of milled pure titanium were prepared and randomly divided into test and control groups, in which the test group was coated with silica using the sol-gel dipping technique.

First principles investigation of helium physisorption on an α-Al2O3(0001) surface.

The interaction of helium with an α-Al2O3(0001) surface was studied by density functional theory (DFT), with consideration of the effects of He-coverage, surface defects, He-coadsorption and van der Waals interaction, respectively. Adsorption energies of helium atoms are very small as expected for a physisorbed state, varying from -20 to -5 meV, which is attributed to the small overlap between Al 3sp, O 2sp and He 1s states. A correlation is obtained for the adsorption energies and the He to nearest-neighbor Al atom distances on a clean (0001) surface.

Stress Wave Propagation in Viscoelastic-Plastic Rock-Like Materials.

Rock-like materials are composites that can be regarded as a mixture composed of elastic, plastic, and viscous components. They exhibit viscoelastic-plastic behavior under a high-strain-rate loading according to element model theory. This paper presents an analytical solution for stress wave propagation in viscoelastic-plastic rock-like materials under a high-strain-rate loading and verifies the solution through an experimental test.

Characteristics of atmospheric single particles during haze periods in a typical urban area of Beijing: A case study in October, 2014.

To investigate the composition and possible sources of particles, especially during heavy haze pollution, a single particle aerosol mass spectrometer (SPAMS) was deployed to measure the changes of single particle species and sizes during October of 2014, in Beijing. A total of 2,871,431 particles with both positive and negative spectra were collected and characterized in combination with the adaptive resonance theory neural network algorithm (ART-2a). Eight types of particles were classified: dust particles (dust, 8.

The Effect of Reading Aloud Exercises for Complete Denture Patients during the Functional Rehabilitation Period.

Purpose: The focus of this study was to evaluate the effect of reading aloud on masticatory performance and patient satisfaction of patients rehabilitated with conventional complete dentures for the first time.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-two edentulous patients who received conventional complete denture treatment for the first time were randomly divided into two equal groups. After insertion of the dentures, patients in group I were asked to read a news report three times per day for 4 weeks, while those in group II did not read.

Synthesis, photoisomerization properties and thermal bleaching kinetics of pyrazolones containing 3-cyanobenzal.

Through the design of molecules and the modification of structures, ten novel pyrazolone derivatives containing 3-cyanobenzal have been synthesized. They are 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-(3-cyanobenzal)-5-hydroxypyrazole thiosemicarbazone (1)/4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (2)/4-ethyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (3)/4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (4)/4-phenylsemicarbazone (5) and 1,3-diphenyl-4-(3-cyanobenzal)-5-hydroxypyrazole thiosemicarbazone (6)/4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (7)/4-ethyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (8)/4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (9)/4-phenylsemicarbazone (10), in which seven compounds (1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 10) have photoisomerization behaviors. Their structures, photoisomerization properties, and first-order kinetics were investigated.

Cadherin is involved in the action of Bacillus thuringiensis toxins Cry1Ac and Cry2Aa in the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticidal crystal (Cry) proteins are effective against some insect pests in sprays and transgenic crops, although the evolution of resistance could threaten the long-term efficacy of such Bt use. One strategy to delay resistance to Bt crops is to "pyramid" two or more Bt proteins that bind to distinct receptor proteins within the insect midgut. The most common Bt pyramid in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.

A novel pyrazolone-based derivative induces apoptosis in human esophageal cells via reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and caspase-dependent mitochondria-mediated pathway.

Pyrazolone complexes have strong bio-activity but the anti-tumor mechanism of pyrazolone-based metal complexes is not fully understood. In this study, the inhibitory effect and possible mechanism of a novel pyrazolone-based derivative compound (Cd-PMPP-SAL) on human esophageal cancer cells were investigated. We found that Cd-PMPP-SAL inhibited the proliferation of Eca-109 cells in a dose-dependent manner and induced the apoptosis in the cells.

Protein Phosphatase 2C of Toxoplasma Gondii Interacts with Human SSRP1 and Negatively Regulates Cell Apoptosis.

Objective: The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii expresses large amounts of a 37 kDa Type 2C serine-threonine phosphatase, the so-called TgPP2C which has been suggested to contribute to parasite growth regulation. Ectopic expression in mammalian cells also indicated that the enzyme could regulate growth and survival. In this study, we aimed to investigate the interaction of TgPP2C with human SSRP1 (structure-specific recognition protein 1) and the effects of TgPP2C on cell viability.

Design and experiment of generalized triple-cross-spring flexure pivots applied to the ultra-precision instruments.

Owing to the excellent performance, the generalized cross-spring flexure pivots (GCSFP), formed by two symmetric crossing leaves at an arbitrary position along the radial direction, had been widely used in precision instruments. However, the accuracy of GCSFPs is lower than the required one for some ultra-precision instruments. Especially for the large angles, the axis drift of GCSFPs cannot be ignored.

De novo analysis of the Adelphocoris suturalis Jakovlev metathoracic scent glands transcriptome and expression patterns of pheromone biosynthesis-related genes.

Background: Adelphocoris suturalis Jakovlev is a major cotton pest in Southern China. Metathoracic scent glands (MTGs) produced pheromones that play an important role in survival and population propagation of this species, and also show great potential for pest control. Up to the present, there is little information that underlined the molecular basis of the pheromone biosynthesis of this bug.

[Study on modified anesthesia in the bronchoalveolar lavage of pneumoconiosis].

Objective: To observe the anesthetic effect of modified anesthesia in the bronchoalveolar lavage.

Method: 118 cases randomly fell in two groups: traditional group: intramuscular injection of 10 mg diazepam prior to routine anesthesia; modified group: preoperative intramuscular injection of 50 mg dolantin,and venous injection of 2 ml physiological saline, 10 mg dexamethasone, 5 mg ephedrine; observe the anesthetic effect, satisfaction and lavage quantity in patients.

Results: The excellence rate and satisfaction of anesthetic effect are both 100% in modified group while 82.

A series of 3D lanthanide frameworks constructed from aromatic multi-carboxylate ligand: structural diversity, luminescence and magnetic properties.

Reactions of lanthanide(III) nitrates with multi-donor carboxylate ligand in the presence of oxalate anion afforded four new lanthanide coordination polymers with three dimensional (3D) frameworks, namely, {[Ln2(DPPA)2(μ2-C2O4)(H2O)2]·2H2O}n (Ln = Nd (1), Sm (2)) and [Ln2(HDPPA)2(DPPA)2]n (Ln = Tb (3), Yb (4)), (H3DPPA = 3-(4-hydroxyl pyridinium-1-yl) phthalic acid and H2C2O4 = oxalic acid). Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural and isomorphous, featuring oxalate pillared binodal (4,5)-connected porous 3D framework with intersected 1D channels, in which the coordinated and lattice waters are accommodated. The complexes 3 and 4 are also isostructural, but featuring a (4,6)-connected 3D network based on a rectangular window composed of {Ln(HDPPA)}(+) extended anion chains, further interlinked by DPPA.

Preparation of ordered mesoporous carbons with an intergrown p6mm and cubic Fd3m pore structure using a copolymer as a template.

Ordered mesoporous carbons (OMCs) with an intergrown two-dimensional p6mm and three-dimensional Fd3m pore structure have been prepared by the carbonization of reverse copolymer-phenolic resin composites, which were themselves formed by a soft-template method by simply adjusting the ratios of ethanol and hexane. The microstructure of the OMCs was analyzed by small-angle X-ray scattering, nitrogen adsorption isotherms, and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed the structure of the OMCs obtained have the mesophase transition from p6mm to the intergrowth of p6mm/Fd3m and finally to Fd3m as the ratio of ethanol to hexane is changed.

A series of Zn-4f heterometallic coordination polymers and a zinc complex containing a flexible mixed donor dicarboxylate ligand.

A new zinc compound, together with a corresponding series of Zn-4f heterometallic coordination polymers, namely, [Zn(H2PBDA)(PBDA)]n (1), {[Ln2(PBDA)2·2H2O] [Zn2(PBDA)2Cl2]}n [H2PBDA = 3-(pyridin-3-yl-oxy) benzene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid, and Ln = Pr(2), Nd(3), Eu(4), Gd(5), Dy(6), Ho(7), Er(8)] have been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized systematically. Polymers 2-8 feature two-dimensional (2D) 4,4 networks, containing the original 1D heterometallic double stranded chains composed of [Ln2Zn2(PBDA)2] entities. The extensive hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions were observed to stabilize the extended architectures.

Preparation and electrochemical performance of heteroatom-enriched electrospun carbon nanofibers from melamine formaldehyde resin.

Melamine formaldehyde resin was used to prepare heteroatom-enriched carbon nanofibers by electrospinning for the first time. The melamine formaldehyde resin-based carbon fibers without any activation treatment showed a moderate specific surface area ranging from 130 to 479 m2/g and rich surface functionalities (2.56-5.

Solid-state photochromic behavior and thermal bleaching kinetics of two novel pyrazolone phenylsemicarbazones.

Two novel photochromic compounds, 1,3-diphenyl-4-benzal-5-hydroxypyrazole 4-phenylsemicarbazone (1 a) and 1,3-diphenyl-4-(4-nitrobenzal)-5-hydroxypyrazole 4-phenylsemicarbazone (2 a), are synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, FTIR spectroscopy, and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Their properties, including photochromic behavior, fluorescence properties, and thermal bleaching kinetics, are investigated. The results show that the two compounds exhibit improved photochromic performance in coloration and thermal bleaching rates, excellent photostability, high fatigue resistance, and reversible fluorescence switching properties in the solid state in comparison to reported pyrazolone thiosemicarbazones.

Photochromism of a pyrazolone derivative in crystalline state and in HPMC composite film.

A novel photochromic compound, 1,3-diphenyl-4-(3-chloro-4-fluorobenzal)-5-hydoxypyrazole 4-phenylsemicarbazide (1a), has been synthesized by introducing a phenylsemicarbazide unit. The material exhibits good fatigue resistance and reversible fluorescent switching properties with distinct fluorescence on/off ratio under alternating UV irradiation and heating at 120 °C. For the fabrication of actual application materials, 1a/hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) composite film has been successfully fabricated using hydrogel casting method.

Reactivity of 2,6-lutidine/BR₃ and pyridine/BR₃ Lewis pairs (R = F, Me, C₆F₅): a density functional study.

The reactivity of 2,6-lutidine/BR₃ and pyridine/BR₃ Lewis pairs (R = F, Me, C₆F₅) is investigated in detail by quantum chemical calculations. The observed reactivity difference of these pairs is interpreted in terms of the existence of a "frustrated complex" on the potential energy curve for coordination of Lewis acid and base, the profiles of local reactivity descriptors with respect to the bond distance between acid and base centers, and the thermodynamic/kinetic properties of the heterolytic dihydrogen cleavage reaction. The calculated results are shown to account well for the observed reactivity of these Lewis pairs.

Synthesis and properties of a novel photochromic compound with modulated fluorescence in the solid state.

A new photochromic compound, 1,3-diphenyl-4-(3-bromobenzal)-5-hydroxypyrazole 4-phenylsemicarbazone (DP3BrBP-PSC), has been prepared. Its photochromic and thermobleaching behavior, crystal structure, and fluorescent property have been investigated in detail. The results show that the compound exhibits reversible enol-keto photoisomerization due to the intermolecular double-proton transfer, excellent photostability, high fatigue resistance, and remarkable fluorescence.

Dynamic interplay between spin-crossover and host-guest function in a nanoporous metal-organic framework material.

The nanoporous metal-organic framework [Fe(pz)Ni(CN)(4)], 1 (where pz is pyrazine), exhibits hysteretic spin-crossover at ambient conditions and is robust to the adsorption and desorption of a wide range of small molecular guests, both gases (N(2), O(2), CO(2)) and vapors (methanol, ethanol, acetone, acetonitrile, and toluene). Through the comprehensive analysis of structure, host-guest properties, and spin-crossover behaviors, it is found that this pillared Hofmann system uniquely displays both guest-exchange-induced changes to spin-crossover and spin-crossover-induced changes to host-guest properties, with direct dynamic interplay between these two phenomena. Guest desorption and adsorption cause pronounced changes to the spin-crossover behavior according to a systematic trend in which larger guests stabilize the high-spin state and therefore depress the spin-crossover temperature of the host lattice.