Structural and mechanical design of tissue interfaces in the giant reed Arundo donax

The culms of the giant reed Arundo donax represent slender tube-like structures. Several nodes along the culm, a ring of sclerenchymatous fibres in the periphery of the culm wall and numerous isolated vascular bundles enclosed by fibre rings in the culm wall function as stiffening elements. The bundles are embedded in lignified parenchyma. Micromechanical analysis indicated differences in stiffness between the individual tissues of more than one order of magnitude. In case of abrupt transitions in stiffness at the interfaces, stress discontinuities arise under dynamic loads. This eventually leads to critical shear stresses at cell ends, and culm failure may be initiated at these points. Pronounced mechanical differences between individual tissues can be compromised by gradual transitions at their interfaces. Ultrastructural and spectroscopic investigations with high spatial resolution revealed a gradual transition of cell parameters (cell wall area fraction and cell length). However, cell wall parameters (cellulose microfibril angle and lignin content) showed abrupt transitions or remained almost constant across the interfaces between various tissues. The design principles found at the interfaces between tissues in the culm walls of A. donax are discussed as an adaptation strategy to mechanical loads at different levels of hierarchy.     

Role of surface treatment on water absorption of poly(vinyl chloride) composites reinforced by Phyllostachys pubescens particles

Water absorption is one of key parameters in quality assessment of wood-plastic composites. The influence of surface treatment of lignocellulosic particles on water absorption of composites made from poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) particles was studied. The effect of modification with three kinds of chemical treatment agent (alkali, silica and oxidant) on particle surface was examined. The concentration and pH values of the agent aqueous solutions were analyzed and their relationships with water absorption, porosity ratio, thermal property, micro-structure and hemicelluloses content were evaluated. Results showed that pH values of aqueous solutions had little impact on water absorption of the composites while the types of treatment agents did. Alkali treatment lowered the content of hemicelluloses in moso bamboo particles and thus reduced corresponding water absorption. Water resistance improvements of silicate or oxidant treated particles reinforced composites were due to changes of porosity ratio. In general, surface treatment improved water resistance of moso bamboo particles reinforced PVC composites. Compared with the other two agents, sodium bisulfite enhanced the compatibility between cellulose particles and granulated PVC.     

The microscopic network structure of mussel (Mytilus) adhesive plaques

Marine mussels of the genus Mytilus live in the hostile intertidal zone, attached to rocks, bio-fouled surfaces and each other via collagen-rich threads ending in adhesive pads, the plaques. Plaques adhere in salty, alkaline seawater, withstanding waves and tidal currents. Each plaque requires a force of several newtons to detach. Although the molecular composition of the plaques has been well studied, a complete understanding of supra-molecular plaque architecture and its role in maintaining adhesive strength remains elusive. Here, electron microscopy and neutron scattering studies of plaques harvested from Mytilus californianus and Mytilus galloprovincialis reveal a complex network structure reminiscent of structural foams. Two characteristic length scales are observed characterizing a dense meshwork (approx. 100 nm) with large interpenetrating pores (approx. 1 µm). The network withstands chemical denaturation, indicating significant cross-linking. Plaques formed at lower temperatures have finer network struts, from which we hypothesize a kinetically controlled formation mechanism. When mussels are induced to create plaques, the resulting structure lacks a well-defined network architecture, showcasing the importance of processing over self-assembly. Together, these new data provide essential insight into plaque structure and formation and set the foundation to understand the role of plaque structure in stress distribution and toughening in natural and biomimetic materials.     

A combined within-host and between-hosts modelling framework for the evolution of resistance to antimalarial drugs

The spread of drug resistance represents a significant challenge to many disease control efforts. The evolution of resistance is a complex process influenced by transmission dynamics between hosts as well as infection dynamics within these hosts. This study aims to investigate how these two processes combine to impact the evolution of resistance in malaria parasites. We introduce a stochastic modelling framework combining an epidemiological model of Plasmodium transmission and an explicit within-human infection model for two competing strains. Immunity, treatment and resistance costs are included in the within-host model. We show that the spread of resistance is generally less likely in areas of intense transmission, and therefore of increased competition between strains, an effect exacerbated when costs of resistance are higher. We also illustrate how treatment influences the spread of resistance, with a trade-off between slowing resistance and curbing disease incidence. We show that treatment coverage has a stronger impact on disease prevalence, whereas treatment efficacy primarily affects resistance spread, suggesting that coverage should constitute the primary focus of control efforts. Finally, we illustrate the importance of feedbacks between modelling scales. Overall, our results underline the importance of concomitantly modelling the evolution of resistance within and between hosts.     

Tensile and dynamic mechanical analysis of the distal portion of mussel (Mytilus edulis) byssal threads.

Dynamic mechanical analysis was used to record the behaviour of hydrated and dehydrated byssal threads under tensile stress and during dynamic thermal cycling. Fresh byssi, and byssi aged two weeks prior to testing, were used to further study the effects of age on the mechanical properties of this material. It was found that while older threads demonstrated increased stiffness, age did not necessarily affect their ultimate tensile strength. Dehydration had a more pronounced effect on thread stiffness and also increased the ultimate strength of the material. In their dry state, byssal threads displayed multiple yield points under tension and these, it is suggested, could equate to different phases within the bulk of the material. Dynamic analysis revealed glass transition (Tg) and ecologically relevant operational temperatures for byssi, where their modulus (E') remained constant. These discoveries are related to the ecological function of byssal threads and to the emerging field of biomimetics.     

The temperature profile and bias dependent series resistance of Au/Bi4Ti3O12/SiO2/n-Si (MFIS) structures

The Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ (BTO) thin film were fabricated on an n-type Si substrate and annealed by rapid thermal annealing methods. The temperature dependence of capacitance-voltage (C-V) and conductance-voltage (G/ω-V) characteristics of the Au/Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂/SiO₂/n-Si metal-ferroelectric-insulator-semiconductor (MFIS) structures was investigated by taking the effects of series resistance (R_s) and interface states (N_ss) in the temperature range of 80-400 K. Both the density of interface states N_ss and series resistance R_s were found to be strongly temperature dependent. It is observed that the C-V and G/ω-V plots exhibit anomalous peaks at forward bias because of the influences of N_ss and R_s. It has been experimentally determined that these peak positions shift from accumulation to inversion region, and the maximum values of the capacitance (C) and conductance (G) generally increase with temperature. Also, the distribution profile of R_s-V shows a peak in the accumulation region. The effect of R_s on the C and G is more pronounced in the studied temperature range. The experimental C-V-T and G/ω-V-T characteristics of MFIS structures show the expected behavior due to N_ss in equilibrium with the semiconductor. The temperature dependent C-V and G/ω-V characteristics confirm that the R_s and N_ss play an important role and strongly affect the electrical parameters of MFIS structure.     

Ni-Co-P-BN(h)-Al2O3二元纳米复合镀层表面组织结构及耐磨性研究

为改善材料表面耐磨性能,采用电沉积法在不同纳米颗粒质量浓度及其混杂配比下制备了Ni-Co-P-BN(h)、Ni-Co-P-Al_2O_3和Ni-Co-P-BN(h)-Al_2O_3的3种纳米复合镀层,通过扫描电镜、能谱仪、X射线衍射仪、显微硬度仪、摩擦磨损仪及激光共聚焦显微镜,对镀层的表面组织结构与耐磨性能进行了研究.结果表明:不同纳米颗粒质量浓度及其混杂配比对纳米复合镀层表面组织结构有重要影响,纳米复合镀层表面呈现出典型的包状结构,混杂配比后出现明显纳米Al_2O_3的衍射峰;与Ni-Co-P-BN(h)和Ni-Co-P-Al_2O_3镀层相比,Ni-Co-P-BN(h)-Al_2O_3二元纳米复合镀层的平均显微硬度更大,达到753.6 HV_(0.2);摩擦磨损试验中对摩件是直径4 mm的GCr15合金球,在施加载荷3.2 N、转速500 r/min、摩擦时间30 min的磨损条件下,二元纳米复合镀层磨损量最小为9.2 mg/h.纳米BN(h)和Al_2O_3在电沉积加工过程中充分发挥了二元纳米粒子协同生长的优势,使得Ni-Co-P-BN(h)-Al_2O_3二元纳米复合镀层具有更好的耐磨性能.     

Magnetic properties and microstructure of radially oriented Sm(Co,Fe,Cu,Zr)z ring magnets

Radially oriented Sm(Co,Fe,Cu,Zr)_z ring magnets are prepared by powder metallurgy with appropriate magnetic field molding, sintering process and aging treatment. The results indicate that radially oriented Sm(Co,Fe,Cu,Zr)_z ring magnets have obvious anisotropy of thermal expansion and sintering shrinkage, which easily lead to the splits and deformation of the ring magnets. So, slow heating, vacuum pre-sintering in sintering process and various quenching processes at different steps during quenching are adopted. The magnets have excellent magnetic properties: B_r = 10.8 kGs, H_cj = 27.6 kOe, BH_max = 28.1 MGOe. Besides, there is a uniform magnetization field on the surface of the ring magnets. The average surface magnetization field () is 1.502 kGs. The deviation from average (α) is only 4.2%. The microstructure of the magnets consists of a mixture of homogeneous cellular and lamella structures.     

Optimization of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production by excess activated sludge and microbial community analysis

In this study, a high value-added and biodegradable thermoplastic, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), was produced by excess activated sludge. The effects of the nutritional condition, aeration mode, sodium acetate concentration and initial pH value on PHB accumulation in the activated sludge were investigated. The maximum PHB content and PHB yield of 67.0% (dry cell weight) and 0.740gCODgCOD(-1) (COD: chemical oxygen demand), respectively, were attained by the sludge in the presence of 6.0gL(-1) sodium acetate, with an initial pH value of 7.0 and intermittent aeration. The analysis of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-denaturing gradient-gel-electrophoresis (DGGE) sequencing indicated that the microbial community of the sludge was significantly different during the process of PHB accumulation. Three PHB-accumulating microorganisms, which were affiliated with the Thauera, Dechloromonas and Competibacter lineages, were found in the excess activated sludge under different operating conditions for PHB accumulation.     

Multivariate analysis of anionic, cationic and nonionic textile surfactant degradation with the H(2)O(2)/UV-C process by using the capabilities of response surface methodology

Anionic, cationic and nonionic surfactants being frequently employed in the textile preparation process were subjected to H(2)O(2)/UV-C treatment. As a consequence of the considerable number of parameters affecting the H(2)O(2)/UV-C process, an experimental design methodology was used to mathematically describe and optimize the single and combined influences of the critical process variables treatment time, initial H(2)O(2)concentration and chemical oxygen demand (COD) on parent pollutant (surfactant) as well as organic carbon (COD and total organic carbon (TOC)) removal efficiencies. Multivariate analysis was based on two different photochemical treatment targets; (i) full oxidation/complete treatment of the surfactants or, alternatively, (ii) partial oxidation/pretreatment of the surfactants to comply with the legislative discharge requirements. According to the established polynomial regression models, the process independent variables "treatment time" (exerting a positive effect) and "initial COD content" (exerting a negative effect) played more significant roles in surfactant photodegradation than the process variable "initial H(2)O(2) concentration" under the studied experimental conditions.     

Unique crystallization and formation of nonlinear optical (Na,K)NbO3 phases in (Na,K)NbGeO5 glasses

Crystalline phases and second-order optical nonlinearities in crystallized glasses of (Na,K)NbGeO₅ (i.e., xNa₂O · (25−x)K₂O · 25Nb₂O₅ · 50GeO₂) are examined. The molar volume of the glasses decreases with increasing Na₂O content, indicating that the glass structure of NaNbGeO₅ glass is more compact compared with KNbGeO₅ glass. The optical basicity of the glasses is 0.94–0.95, implying that chemical bonds among constituents ions are basically very ionic. (Na,K)NbGeO₅ glasses exhibit a unique crystallization depending on the Na₂O/K₂O ratio. The main crystalline phase in crystallized NaNbGeO₅ glass is the NaNbGeO₅ phase. KNbGeO₅ glass shows a prominent bulk nanocrystallization giving nanocrystals of the K_3.8Nb₅Ge₃O_20.4 phase. A glass with the composition of K_3.8Nb₅Ge₃O_20.4 also shows a bulk nanocrystallization. The crystallized glasses with K_3.8Nb₅Ge₃O_20.4 and NaNbGeO₅ crystalline phases do not show a second harmonic generation (SHG) at room temperature. The nonlinear optical (Na,K)NbO₃ phases showing a SHG are formed at the surface (5 μm) of crystallized glasses with x=15 and 20, giving an orientation of the (1 1 0) plane. The present study suggests the presence of mixed-alkali effect in the crystallization behavior of (Na,K)NbGeO₅ glasses.     

Ultraviolet irradiation effect on the properties of leakage current and dielectric breakdown of low-dielectric-constant SiOC(H) films using comb capacitor structure

Low-dielectric constant SiOC(H) films were deposited on p-type Si(100) substrates by plasma-enhanced chemical-vapor deposition (PECVD) using dimethyldimethoxy silane (DMDMS, C₄H₁₂O₂Si) and oxygen gas as precursors. To improve the physicochemical properties of the SiOC(H) films, the deposited SiOC(H) films were exposed to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation in a vacuum. The bonding structure of the SiOC(H) films was investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electrical characterization of SiOC(H) films were carried out through I-V measurements using the comb-like patterns of the TiN/Al/Ti/SiOC(H)/TiN/Al/Ti metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structure. Excessive UV treatment adversely affected the SiOC(H) film, which resulted in an increased dielectric constant. Our results provide insight into the UV irradiation of low-k SiOC(H) films.     

Raman scattering analysis of Cu-poor Cu(In,Ga)Se2 cells fabricated on polyimide substrates: Effect of Na content on microstructure and phase structure

This work reports the Raman scattering surface and in-depth resolved analysis of Cu-poor Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ (CIGS) grown on polyimide substrates. In order to study the effect of Na on the formation and microstructure of the CIGS and the corresponding Cu-poor ordered vacancy compound (OVC) phases, a NaF precursor layer with different thicknesses was deposited on the Mo-coated substrates before growing of the samples. The Raman spectroscopy data are correlated with the analysis of the samples by Auger electron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. These data corroborate the significant role of Na on the inhibition of Ga-In interdiffusion and on the formation of the MoSe₂ interfacial phase at the back region of the layers. Presence of Na also leads to an enhancement in the formation of the chalcopyrite CIGS phase and a decrease in the occurrence of the dominant OVC phase at the surface region. This study confirms the strong dependence of the microstructure and phase distribution in CIGS absorber layers on the Na available during their growth.     

Effect of lead on formation and dielectric tunability of (Pbx,Sr1? x )0.85Bi0.1TiO3 thin films

(Pb_x,Sr_1−x )_0.85Bi_0.1TiO₃ thin films with the perovskite phase structure were prepared on an ITO glass substrate by sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and an impedance analyzer were respectively used in order to characterize the phase status, morphology and dielectric properties of the thin films. The results show that during the formation process of (Pb_x,Sr_1−x )_0.85Bi_0.1TiO₃ thin films, the nucleus of the perovskite phase are initially formed and then congregated. These aggregated nucleus are then transformed as the perovskite-phase crystalline in the thin film. Finally, the crystalline phase grows and separates gradually to form the perfect crystalline-phase structure. The content of the perovskite phase formed in the thin film under rapid thermal process (RTP) is more than that formed under traditional heat treatment with kinetic equilibrium. This is due to the high active decomposed ions that form the perovskite phase directly when heat-treated by RTP. The formation of the perovskite phase therefore overcomes a much lower barrier under RTP than that under traditional calcinations. The structure of the perovskite phase has a close relation to the ratio of Pb/Sr in the system because of the radius difference between Pb²⁺ and Sr²⁺. The transformation temperature between the cubic and the tetragonal structures of the perovskite phase increases with increasing Pb²⁺ content because the radius of Pb²⁺ is larger than that of Sr²⁺. It appears at room temperature when the content of Pb²⁺/Sr²⁺ is about 40/60 in the thin film. Meanwhile, the tetragonality of the perovskite phase is increased when Pb²⁺ ions increase due to its high polarization. The higher tunability of the (Pb_x,Sr_1−x )_0.85Bi_0.1TiO₃ thin film is exhibited when the film composition is close to the transformation point between the paraelectric and ferroelectric phases. Pb²⁺ ions show a dominant factor to affect the Curie point of the system and then changing tunability. Translated from Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2006, 21(2): 466–472 [译自: 无机材料学报]