NRPS-like Gene Contributed to the Biosynthesis of Cyclo(Pro-Val) in a Multistress-Tolerant Aromatic Probiotic, GXDK6.

Cyclo(Pro-Val) is a diketopiperazine (DKP) found widespread in marine microbes and resulting food products. With new bioactivities of cyclo(Pro-Val) being continually discovered, its potential applications in agriculture and food are becoming more evident, highlighting the need for efficient and practical methods to produce these compounds. However, the biosynthesis mechanisms of cyclo(Pro-Val), particularly in probiotics, remain unclear, and the functional identification of nonribosomal peptide synthases (NRPS) is still limited.

Complex charge density waves in simple electronic systems of two-dimensional III-VI materials.

Charge density wave (CDW) is the phenomenon of a material that undergoes a spontaneous lattice distortion and modulation of the electron density. Typically, the formation of CDW is attributed to Fermi surface nesting or electron-phonon coupling, where the CDW vector (Q) corresponds to localized extreme points of electronic susceptibility or imaginary phonon frequencies. Here, we propose a new family of multiple CDW orders, including chiral Star-of-David configuration in nine 2D III-VI van der Waals materials, backed by first-principles calculations.

Laser manufacturing of spatial resolution approaching quantum limit.

Atomic and close-to-atom scale manufacturing is a promising avenue toward single-photon emitters, single-electron transistors, single-atom memory, and quantum-bit devices for future communication, computation, and sensing applications. Laser manufacturing is outstanding to this end for ease of beam manipulation, batch production, and no requirement for photomasks. It is, however, suffering from optical diffraction limits.

Optical near fields for ablation of periodic structures.

The formation mechanism of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) has been a key to high-resolution sub-diffraction lithography or high-efficiency large-area nanotexturing. We show the evolution of LIPSS formation from a nanohole seed structure to high-spatial-frequency LIPSS by using a tightly focused and rectangular-shaped laser beam with different shape-polarization orientations. Formation of LIPSS based on light intensity distribution without invoking any long-range electromagnetic modes achieved quantitative match between modeling and experiment.

Nanoscale control of non-reciprocal ripple writing.

Femtosecond laser-induced deep-subwavelength structures have attracted much attention as a nanoscale surface texturization technique. A better understanding of the formation conditions and period control is required. Herein, we report a method of non-reciprocal writing via a tailored optical far-field exposure, where the period of ripples varies along different scanning directions, and achieve a continuous manipulation of the period from 47 to 112 nm (±4 nm) for a 100-nm-thick indium tin oxide (ITO) on glass.

Nanoscale Printing of Indium-Tin-Oxide by Femtosecond Laser Pulses.

For constructing optical and electrical micro-devices, the deposition/printing of materials with sub-1 μm precision and size (cross-section) is required. Crystalline c-ITO (indium tin oxide) nanostructures were patterned on glass with sufficient precision to form 20-50 nm gaps between individual disks or lines of ∼250 nm diameter or width. The absorbed energy density [J/cm3] followed a second-order dependence on pulse energy.

Miniature optoelectronic compound eye camera.

Inspired by insect compound eyes (CEs) that feature unique optical schemes for imaging, there has recently been growing interest in developing optoelectronic CE cameras with comparable size and functions. However, considering the mismatch between the complex 3D configuration of CEs and the planar nature of available imaging sensors, it is currently challenging to reach this end. Here, we report a paradigm in miniature optoelectronic integrated CE camera by manufacturing polymer CEs with 19~160 logarithmic profile ommatidia via femtosecond laser two-photon polymerization.

Ultrafast laser-inscribed nanogratings in sapphire for geometric phase elements.

We systematically studied femtosecond laser-inscribed self-organized nanogratings and geometric phase elements such as a polarization diffraction focusing lens and Q-plate in sapphire crystal. Besides the void structures observed in the focus, nanogratings with periods of 150~300 nm were observed, depending on a nanoslit that took the role of a seeding effect by localized light field enhancement. The non-polarized refractive index change and birefringence were measured with values around 1∼2×10 and 6×10, respectively.

High-Efficiency Fabrication of Geometric Phase Elements by Femtosecond-Laser Direct Writing.

The nanoresolution of geometric phase elements for visible wavelengths calls for a flexible technology with high throughout and free from vacuum. In this article, we propose a high-efficiency and simple manufacturing method for the fabrication of geometric phase elements with femtosecond-laser direct writing (FsLDW) and thermal annealing by combining the advantages of high-efficiency processing and thermal smoothing effect. By using a femtosecond laser at a wavelength of 343 nm and a circular polarization, free-form nanogratings with a period of 300 nm and 170-nm-wide grooves were obtained in 50 s by laser direct ablation at a speed of 5 mm/s in a non-vacuum environment.

O-FIB: far-field-induced near-field breakdown for direct nanowriting in an atmospheric environment.

Nanoscale surface texturing, drilling, cutting, and spatial sculpturing, which are essential for applications, including thin-film solar cells, photonic chips, antireflection, wettability, and friction drag reduction, require not only high accuracy in material processing, but also the capability of manufacturing in an atmospheric environment. Widely used focused ion beam (FIB) technology offers nanoscale precision, but is limited by the vacuum-working conditions; therefore, it is not applicable to industrial-scale samples such as ship hulls or biomaterials, e.g.

Control of diameter and numerical aperture of microlens by a single ultra-short laser pulse.

We demonstrate a versatile method for fast and flexible fabrication of either one or an array of microlenses. Multi-foci axial intensity distribution generated by a phase pattern displayed on a spatial light modulator irradiates silica, causing ablation and its internal modification. The following wet etching step defines the diameter r, while the radius of curvature R (hence, the focal length f) is maintained the same.

Laser-Inscribed Stress-Induced Birefringence of Sapphire.

Birefringence of 3 × 10 - 3 is demonstrated inside cross-sectional regions of 100 μ m, inscribed by axially stretched Bessel-beam-like fs-laser pulses along the c-axis inside sapphire. A high birefringence and retardance of λ / 4 at mid-visible spectral range (green) can be achieved using stretched beams with axial extension of 30-40 μ m. Chosen conditions of laser-writing ensure that there are no formations of self-organized nano-gratings.

E. coli interactions, adhesion and transport in alumino-silica clays.

Bacterial adhesion and transport in the geological formation are controlled by their mutual complex interactions, which have been quantified by the traditional and extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory as well as direct atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. In this research, the DLVO forces calculated based on the independently determined bacterial and porous media surface thermodynamic properties were compared with those of AFM measurements. Although differences in the order of several magnitudes existed, forces obtained from both ways could explain the observations of E.

Precipitates in landfill leachate mediated by dissolved organic matters.

Clogging of landfill leachate collection system is so ubiquitous that it causes problems to landfills. Although precipitations of calcite and other minerals have been widely observed, the mechanism of precipitation remains obscure. We examined the clog composition, dissolved organic matters, leachate chemical compositions and the correlation of these variables in view of the precipitation process.

Effect of drying-wetting cycles on leaching behavior of cement solidified lead-contaminated soil.

Lead contaminated soil was treated by different concentration of ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Solidified cylindrical samples were dried at 40°C in oven for 48 h subsequent to 24h of immersing in different solution for one drying-wetting. 10 cycles were conducted on specimens.

Modeling precipitate-dominant clogging for landfill leachate with NICA-Donnan theory.

Bioclogging of leachate drains is ubiquitous in landfills for municipal solid wastes. Formation of calcium precipitates and biofilms in pore space is the principal reason for clogging. But the calcium speciation in leachte rich in dissolved organic matters (DOM) remains to be uncovered.

The Tension and Puncture Properties of HDPE Geomembrane under the Corrosion of Leachate.

To investigate the gradual failure of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane as a result of long-term corrosion, four dynamic corrosion tests were conducted at different temperatures and durations. By combining tension and puncture tests, we systematically studied the variation law of tension and puncture properties of the HDPE geomembrane under different corrosion conditions. Results showed that tension and puncture failure of the HDPE geomembrane was progressive, and tensile strength in the longitudinal grain direction was evidently better than that in the transverse direction.

Application of grass char for Cd(II) treatment in column leaching test.

Various adsorbents as well as toxicants have been investigated regarding the adsorption behaviors and mechanisms. However, most of these reports were based on batch test. The discrepancy in adsorption behaviors between batch test and column test has been recognized recently.

Cd(II) adsorption on various adsorbents obtained from charred biomaterials.

Cadmium could cause severe toxicant impact to living beings and is especially mobile in the environment. Biomass is abundant and effective to adsorb heavy metals, but is easy to be decomposed biologically which affects the reliability of long-run application. Several biomasses were charred with and without additives at temperatures less than 200°C in this study.

Removal of Cd(II) from aqueous solution with activated Firmiana Simplex Leaf: behaviors and affecting factors.

Cadmium pollution is known to cause severe public health problems. This study is intended to examine the effect of an activated Firmiana Simplex Leaf (FSL) on the removal of Cd(II) from aqueous solution. Results showed that the active Firmiana Simplex Leaf could efficiently remove Cd(II) from wastewater due to the preservation of beneficial groups (amine, carboxyl, and phosphate) at a temperature of 250 degrees C.

Manganese removal from aqueous solution using a thermally decomposed leaf.

As a significant agricultural and industrial raw material, Mn(II) has been intensively used and widely distributed in the environment. Recent studies indicate that Mn(II) could cause acute toxicity to aqueous livings and human beings. The treatment of Mn(II) contained wastewater is stringent for environmental preservations.

Adsorption behavior and mechanism of Cd(II) on loess soil from China.

Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal that has caused serious public health problems. It is necessary to find a cost effective method to deal with wastewater containing Cd(II). Loess soils in China have proven to be a potential adsorbent for Cd(II) removal from wastewater.

Activation of Firmiana Simplex leaf and the enhanced Pb(II) adsorption performance: equilibrium and kinetic studies.

Although various biosorbents have been reported effective to purify wastewaters containing heavy metals, the high tendency to decomposition in the environment makes them unsuitable for long-term persistent utilization. In this paper, a simple and new activation method was proposed to mineralize the Firmiana Simplex leaf (FSL) into an enhanced adsorbent for Pb(II) removal from aqueous solution. The leaves activated at various temperatures were characterized with BET N(2) adsorption test, FT-IR test and XRD test.

Adsorption behavior of Zn(II) on calcinated Chinese loess.

Chinese loess has proven to be effective in removing Zn(II) from aqueous solutions, but the resultant adsorbent-water slurry is difficult to separate. In this paper, the crude loess was calcinated to improve the separation efficiency of slurries in terms of sedimentary rate by increasing the particle sizes of the adsorbent. The sorption capacities of different sorbents, including crude loess, calcinated loess, de-organic crude loess and acid-treated calcinated loess, were obtained and sequenced.