Arm length dependency of Pt-decorated CdSe tetrapods on the performance of photocatalytic hydrogen generation

Pt-decorated CdSe tetrapods with different arm lengths were tested for the photocatalytic hydrogen generation reaction. Well-defined CdSe tetrapods with controlled wurtzite arm lengths were synthesized by the continuous precursor injection (CPI) approach. Pt nanocrystals with an extremely small size of ～1 nm were directly decorated on the overall surfaces of CdSe tetrapods. Ligand-exchanged Pt-decorated CdSe tetrapods with different arm lengths were employed as photocatalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen generation reaction in the presence of hole scavengers. Pt-decorated CdSe tetrapods with shorter arm length showed the highest photocatalytic efficiency, which is due to higher probability of charge separation.     

A qualitative exploration of arts-based neighbourhood revitalization: The case of ‘The Space at 2106 Main’ in West Tampa,Florida

As cities are compelled to compete for new sources of investment and revenue, arts-based economic development strategies have become the norm. The purpose of this paper is to revisit and reevaluate some of the conventional claims about the arts as an important economic development strategy by exploring a case study called “The Space at 2106 Main” in a rapidly gentrifying neighbourhood called West Tampa. The results of this study suggest that the arts are indeed assuming a greater role in economic policy under the auspices of West Tampa community redevelopment areas (CRA) and the direct actions of various arts related entrepreneurs. The results however, point to a mixed picture that raises difficult questions about the medium to long-term effects of this urban redevelopment strategy, especially on the poor and mostly minority residents of West Tampa.     

Transition between two solid-solutions: Effective and easy way for fine Ce1−xGdxO2−x/2 powders preparation

Ceria, pure or doped, is an important electrolyte material in solid oxide fuel cells, catalysts, and plutonium surrogates. Even though ceria is a widely studied material, its coprecipitation with the most common doping element, gadolinium, remains mostly overlooked. Here, we present a comprehensive study of gadolinium–cerium oxalates prepared by coprecipitation of gadolinium (III) and cerium (III) salts by oxalic acid under different reaction conditions and element ratios. For this purpose, we assessed the effects of basic precipitation conditions on the final oxalate size, shape, and conversion into the corresponding oxides. The results showed that coprecipitation with oxalic acid yields and ideal solid solution, which translates into the oxides. This low-cost and straightforward synthetic route provides then high-quality solid solutions of Ge–Gd in the oxide lattice. Thus, this approach has a high industrialization potential, with significant advantages over hydrolysis or hydrothermal techniques.     

Antioxidant activities of aqueous extracts of selected plants

The antioxidant properties of 25 edible tropical plants, expressed as Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), were studied using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical) scavenging and reducing ferric ion antioxidant potential (FRAP) assays. Their cupric ion chelating activities (CCA) and total polyphenol contents (TPC) were also determined. A strong correlation between TEAC values obtained for the DPPH assay (TEAC_DPPH) and those for the FRAP assay (TEAC_FRAP) implied that compounds in the extracts were capable of scavenging the DPPH free radical and reducing ferric ions. A satisfactory correlation of TPC with TEAC_DPPH and TEAC_FRAP suggested that polyphenols in the extracts were partly responsible for the antioxidant activities while its correlation with CCA was poor, indicating that polyphenols might not be the main cupric ion chelators. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that TEAC_DPPH, TEAC_FRAP and TPC contributed to the total variation in the antioxidant activities of the plants.     

Processing properties of Korean rice varieties in relation to rice noodle quality

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physicochemical and pasting properties of rice developed in Korea in relation to noodle quality. Two indica lines (Hanareumbyeo and Chenmaai) and 7 japonica lines (Jinsumi, Goamibyeo, Manmibyeo, Milyang261, Seolgaeng, Suweon517, and YR24088 Acp9) were wet milled followed by lyophilized and passed through a 115 mesh sieve. The amylose contents were varied from 10.1 to 32.1%. Among them, Milyang261 showed unique paste viscosity although its amylose content was very high as 32.1% with poor cooking properties. Except Milyang261 and Suweon517, the high amylose content lines of Chenmaai, Goamibyeo, and YR24088 Acp9 showed desirable cooking properties in cooking loss, tensile strength, and texture profile. No item was selected as a key factor for rice noodles. However, amylose content, paste viscosity, and damaged starch could be positive components for improvement of rice noodle quality. The high amylose line of Chenmaai, YR24088 Acp9, and Goamibyeo showed the most appropriate properties for making extruded rice noodles with good cooking and textural properties. The paste properties, damaged starch, and high amylose content of the flour can be used as indicators of the rice noodle quality.     

Proteome profiling of exosomes derived from plasma of heifers with divergent genetic merit for fertility

The current study evaluated exosomes isolated from plasma of heifers bred to have high or low fertility through developing extreme diversity in fertility breeding values, however, key animal traits (e.g., body weight, milk production, and percentage of North American genetics) remained similar between the 2 groups. The exosomes were isolated by a combined ultracentrifugation and size exclusion chromatography approach and characterized by their size distribution (nanoparticle tracking analysis), morphology (transmission electron microscopy), and presence of exosomal markers (immunoblotting). In addition, a targeted mass spectrometry approach was used to confirm the presence of 2 exosomal markers, tumor susceptibility gene 101 and flotillin 1. The number of exosomes from plasma of high fertility heifers was greater compared with low fertility heifers. Interestingly, the exosomal proteomic profile, evaluated using mass spectrometry, identified 89 and 116 proteins in the high and low fertility heifers respectively, of which 4 and 31 were unique, respectively. These include proteins associated with specific biological processes and molecular functions of fertility. Most notably, the tetratricopeptide repeat protein 41-related, glycodelin, and kelch-like protein 8 were identified in plasma exosomes unique to the low fertility heifers. These proteins are suggested to play a role in reproduction; however, the role of these proteins in dairy cow reproduction remains to be elucidated. Their identification underscores the potential for proteins within exosomes to provide information on the fertility status and physiological condition of the cow. This may potentially lead to the development of prognostic tools and interventions to improving dairy cow fertility.     

Hydrogenation of carbon monoxide to methane over mesoporous nickel-M-alumina (M = Fe,Ni, Co,Ce, and La) xerogel catalysts

Mesoporous nickel(30 wt%)-M(10 wt%)-alumina xerogel (30Ni10MAX) catalysts with different second metal (M = Fe, Ni, Co, Ce, and La) were prepared by a single-step sol–gel method for use in the methane production from carbon monoxide and hydrogen. In the methanation reaction, yield for CH₄ decreased in the order of 30Ni10FeAX > 30Ni10NiAX > 30Ni10CoAX > 30Ni10CeAX > 30Ni10LaAX. Experimental results revealed that CO dissociation energy of the catalyst and H₂ adsorption ability of the catalyst played a key role in determining the catalytic performance of 30Ni10MAX catalyst in the methanation reaction. Optimal CO dissociation energy of the catalyst and large H₂ adsorption ability of the catalyst were favorable for methane production. Among the catalysts tested, 30Ni10FeAX catalyst with the most optimal CO dissociation energy and the largest H₂ adsorption ability exhibited the best catalytic performance in terms of conversion of CO and yield for CH₄ in the methanation reaction. The enhanced catalytic performance of 30Ni10FeAX was also due to a formation of nickel–iron alloy and a facile reduction.     

Effects of Li doping on dielectric properties of Ag(Ta0.5Nb0.5)O3 thick films

Low loss ferroelectric materials have been extensively investigated for the high frequency device applications. Especially, weak frequency dispersion materials with high dielectric permittivity and low loss tangent have enormous potential for electronic components including filters, and embedded capacitors. Ag(Ta_0.5Nb_0.5)O₃ thick films have been prepared by low temperature sintering aid Li₂CO₃ (0, 1, 3 and 5 wt%). Ag(Ta_0.5Nb_0.5)O₃ thick films were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The dielectric and ferroelectric properties were also investigated. We observed very weak frequency dispersion of dielectric permittivity at the microwave frequency range.     

ZnBO-doped (Ba, Sr)TiO3 ceramics for the low-temperature sintering process

ZnBO-doped (Ba, Sr)TiO₃ ceramics were investigated for low-temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCCs) applications. Until now, B₂O₃ and Li₂CO₃ dopants have been commonly employed as the low-temperature sintering aids. In this paper, we suggest ZnBO as an alternative dopant to the B₂O₃ and Li₂CO₃. To reduce the sintering temperature of (Ba, Sr)TiO₃, we have added 1–5 wt.% of ZnBO to (Ba, Sr)TiO₃. ZnBO-doped (Ba, Sr)TiO₃ ceramics were respectively sintered from 750 to 1350 °C by 50 °C to confirm the sintering temperature with different dopant contents. By adding 5 wt.% of ZnBO to the (Ba, Sr)TiO₃ ceramics, the sintering temperature of (Ba, Sr)TiO₃ ceramics can be reduced to 1100 °C. From the XRD analysis, ZnBO-doped (Ba, Sr)TiO₃ has no pyro phase. By adding ZnBO dopants to (Ba, Sr)TiO₃ ceramics, both of relative dielectric permittivity and loss tangent were decreased. From the frequency dispersion of dielectric properties, the relative dielectric permittivity and loss tangent of 5 wt.% ZnBO-doped (Ba, Sr)TiO₃ were 1180 and 3.3 × 10⁻³, while those of BST were 1585 and 4.8 × 10⁻³, respectively.     

Synthesis and characterization of propylene‐α‐olefin random copolymers with isotactic propylene sequence. II. Propylene–hexene‐1 random copolymers

A series of novel hexene‐1–propylene random copolymers with isotactic sequence of propylene was synthesized with a MgCl₂‐supported Cr(acac)₃ catalyst. The molecular weight distribution of copolymers and homopolymers was considerably narrower than that of typical polyolefins produced by heterogeneous Ziegler–Natta catalysts. The crystallizability of the copolymers having a propylene‐unit content of more than 50 mol % drastically decreased with decreasing propylene‐unit content, and the copolymers with a propylene content of less than 50 mol % were completely amorphous. In the present novel type of random copolymers with crystallizable and noncrystallizable units, a single glass transition was observed between pure polypropylene and polyhexene‐1, and a major component was found to govern the final morphology and the mechanical characteristics. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 2949–2954, 2004