Effect of the molar ratio of (Ni and Fe) on the magnetic, optical and antibacterial properties of ternary metal oxide CdO-NiO-FeO nanocomposites.

In this work, the effect of the molar ratio of (Ni and Fe) on the properties of CdO-NiO-FeO nanocomposites was investigated. The synthesis of CdO-NiO-FeO nanocomposites was carried out by self-combustion. XRD, UV-Vis, PL and VSM were used to describe the physical properties of the materials.

Deagglomeration of Ultrafine Hydrophilic Nanopowder Using Low-Frequency Pulsed Fluidization.

Low-frequency flow pulsations were utilized to improve the hydrodynamics of the fluidized bed of hydrophilic ultrafine nanosilica powder with strong agglomeration behavior. A gradual fluidization of unassisted fluidized bed through stepwise velocity change was carried out over a wide range of velocities followed by a gradual defluidization process. Bed dynamics in different regions of the fluidized bed were carefully monitored using fast and sensitive pressure transducers.

Uniform Dispersion and Exfoliation of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in CNT-MgB Superconductor Composites Using Surfactants.

We developed a novel yet commercially viable strategy of synthesizing superior high-T superconducting composites by dispersing fully exfoliated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) uniformly throughout the grain of CNT-MgB composites. First, we optimized the amount of the surfactant required to produce a highly stable and homogeneous colloidal suspension of CNTs. This amount was found to be 1/8th of the amount of CNTs.

Rationally designed bimetallic Au@Pt nanoparticles for glucose oxidation.

Bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) have aroused interest in various fields because of their synergetic and unique properties. Among those nanoparticles, we strategically approached and synthesized Au@Pt NPs via the sonochemical method with different molar ratios (e.g.

Correction: CNTs grown on nanoporous carbon from zeolitic imidazolate frameworks for supercapacitors.

Correction for 'CNTs grown on nanoporous carbon from zeolitic imidazolate frameworks for supercapacitors' by Jeonghun Kim et al., Chem. Commun.

Correction: Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) derived nanoporous carbon: the effect of carbonization temperature on the supercapacitor performance in an aqueous electrolyte.

Correction for 'Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) derived nanoporous carbon: the effect of carbonization temperature on the supercapacitor performance in an aqueous electrolyte' by Christine Young et al., Phys. Chem.

Synthesis and Cytotoxicity of Dendritic Platinum Nanoparticles with HEK-293 Cells.

Dendritic platinum nanoparticles (DPNs) have been synthesized from l-ascorbic acid and an amphiphilic non-ionic surfactant (Brij-58) via a sonochemical method. The particle size and shape of the DPNs could be tuned by changing the reduction temperature, resulting in a uniform DPN with a size of 23 nm or 60 nm. The facets of DPNs have been studied by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy.

Improvement in the transport critical current density and microstructure of isotopic MgB monofilament wires by optimizing the sintering temperature.

Superconducting wires are widely used in fabricating magnetic coils in fusion reactors. In consideration of the stability of B against neutron irradiation and lower induced radio-activation properties, MgB superconductor with B serving as boron source is an alternative candidate to be used in fusion reactor with severe irradiation environment. In present work, a batch of monofilament isotopic MgB wires with amorphous B powder as precursor were fabricated using powder-in-tube (PIT) process at different sintering temperature, and the evolution of their microstructure and corresponding superconducting properties was systemically investigated.

CNTs grown on nanoporous carbon from zeolitic imidazolate frameworks for supercapacitors.

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) grown on nanoporous carbon (NPC), which yields coexisting amorphous and graphitic nanoarchitectures, have been prepared on a large scale from zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) by introducing bimetallic ions (Co and Zn). Interestingly, the hybrid Co/Zn-ZIF-derived NPC showed rich graphitic CNTs on the surface. This NPC was utilized for a coin-type supercapacitor cell with an aqueous electrolyte, which showed enhanced retention at high current density and good stability over 10 000 cycles.

Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) derived nanoporous carbon: the effect of carbonization temperature on the supercapacitor performance in an aqueous electrolyte.

Nanoporous carbon materials are a versatile source of carbons that would be useful in applications ranging from electronics to electrochemical energy storage. Here, we focus on nanoporous carbon materials prepared by direct carbonization of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-8) towards supercapacitor applications. Several types of nanoporous carbons have been prepared by varying the applied carbonization temperature.

Cyano-Bridged Trimetallic Coordination Polymer Nanoparticles and Their Thermal Decomposition into Nanoporous Spinel Ferromagnetic Oxides.

The synthesis of a novel family of cyano-bridged trimetallic coordination polymers (CPs) with various compositions and shapes has been reported by changing the compositional ratios of Fe, Co, and Ni species in the reaction system. In order to efficiently control the nucleation rate and the crystal growth, trisodium citrate dihydrate plays an important role as a chelating agent. After the obtained cyano-bridged trimetallic CPs undergo thermal treatment in air at three different temperatures (250, 350, and 450 °C), nanoporous spinel metal oxides are successfully obtained.

Electrospun manganese-cobalt oxide hollow nanofibres synthesized via combustion reactions and their lithium storage performance.

Mesoporous hollow fibres of MnCo2O4 and CoMn2O4 were synthesized by electrospinning and highly exothermic oxygen-mediated combustion reactions during calcination, in which the heating rate affected the final fibre morphology (e.g., single- or double-shell).

N719- and D149-sensitized 3D hierarchical rutile TiO2 solar cells--a comparative study.

Poor dye loading on rutile TiO2 is one of the chief reasons for lower solar-to-electric conversion efficiency (η) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), compared to their anatase based counterparts. Previously, we showed that similar light harvesting for both rutile and anatase was realized by using a metal-free organic indoline dye, D149 [Sci. Rep.

Malaria sporozoite antigen-directed genome-wide response in transgenic Drosophila.

Malaria kills a million people annually. Understanding the relationship between a causative parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, and the mosquito vector might suggest novel prevention approaches. We created and transformed into Drosophila two genes encoding, thrombospondin-related adhesive protein (TRAP) and circumsporozoite protein (CSP), found on the cell surface of Plasmodium sporozoites.

The major insect lipoprotein is a lipid source to mosquito stages of malaria parasite.

Once mosquito midgut barrier was crossed malaria parasite faces a extensive metabolic developmental program in order to ensure its transmission. In the hemolymph of the mosquito the dynamics of lipid metabolism is conducted by a major lipoprotein, lipophorin (Lp). It was recently shown that Lp is engaged in the mosquito immune response to parasite infection.

Anopheles gambiae lipophorin: characterization and role in lipid transport to developing oocyte.

Lipid transport in arthropods is achieved by highly specialized lipoproteins, which resemble those described in vertebrate blood. Here, we describe purification and characterization of the lipid-apolipoprotein complex, lipophorin (Lp), in the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles gambiae. We also describe the Lp-mediated lipid transfer to developing eggs and the distribution of the imported lipid in developing embryos.

Monoclonal antibody MG96 completely blocks Plasmodium yoelii development in Anopheles stephensi.

In spite of research efforts to develop vaccines against the causative agent of human malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, effective control remains elusive. The predominant vaccine strategy focuses on targeting parasite blood stages in the vertebrate host. An alternative approach has been the development of transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs).

Synthetic propeptide inhibits mosquito midgut chitinase and blocks sporogonic development of malaria parasite.

Incessant transmission of the parasite by mosquitoes makes most attempts to control malaria fail. Blocking of parasite transmission by mosquitoes therefore is a rational strategy to combat the disease. Upon ingestion of blood meal mosquitoes secrete chitinase into the midgut.

Differential partitioning of maternal fatty acid and phospholipid in neonate mosquito larvae.

In animals, lipids are a source of energy, cell membrane components, signaling pathway modulators and emulsifying agents. In egg-laying animals, maternal yolk lipids, imported into the egg before laying, are metabolized or distributed in the developing embryo to serve these functions. Studies with birds, reptiles and insects have described lipid metabolism in adults and in eggs, but no studies have addressed how lipids are distributed in developing organs in the embryo.

Do Plasmodium ookinetes invade a specific cell type in the mosquito midgut?

Recent debate in Plasmodium ookinete invasion has been centered on whether the parasite chooses a specific cell type to cross the midgut epithelium in the mosquito. A few publications have described the mosquito midgut being composed of complex surface-structures, histochemically and biochemically diverse cell types, and have proposed that Plasmodium gallinaceum ookinetes prefers a specific cell type (Ross cell) in Aedes aegypti for crossing the midgut epithelium. Two recent publications reported, however, that with differential interference contrast microscopy, all midgut epithelial cells in uninfected mosquitoes appear structurally similar and argued that ookinetes do not invade a specific cell type.

Inhibition of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase blocks morphological differentiation of plasmodium gallinaceum zygotes to ookinetes.

Once ingested by mosquitoes, malaria parasites undergo complex cellular changes. These include zygote formation, transformation of zygote to ookinete, and differentiation from ookinete to oocyst. Within the oocyst, the parasite multiplies into numerous sporozoites.