An XPS and reduction study of PrCoO3

The perovskite-type oxide PrCoO₃ has been studied by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), reduction in H₂ and X-ray diffraction. Two types of oxygen were detected: lattice oxygen (binding energy = 528.4 eV) and adsorbed oxygen (binding energy = 530.9 eV). The increase in relative intensity of the peak corresponding to the latter species after reduction of PrCo0₃ to 3e^– per molecule is assigned to the formation of hydroxyl groups. Temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) results showed two reduction steps: to 1 e^– per molecule (Co^3.1 Co²⁺) at 475 to 635 K, and to 3e^– per molecule (Co²¹ Co⁰) at 725 to 815 K. Reduction in the first and second steps occurs according to the contracting sphere model and the nucleation mechanism, respectively. Reduction of Co³⁺ to Co²⁺ causes minimal structural changes in the perovskite. Reduction to 3e^– per molecule yielded Pr₂O₃ and metallic cobalt. After this reduction and reoxidation at 973 K, the perovskite structure was regained. By XPS and TPR it was shown that PrCo0₃ is more easily reducible than LaCo0₃. It is concluded that the cation in the A position of the structure plays a significant role in the bulk and surface properties of LnCo0₃ (Ln, lanthanide elements) oxides.     

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Promising Treatment Option for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer?

Since 2010, several treatment options have been available for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), including immunotherapeutic agents, although the clinical benefit of these agents remains inconclusive in unselected mCRPC patients. In recent years, however, immunotherapy has re-emerged as a promising therapeutic option to stimulate antitumor immunity, particularly with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 inhibitors. There is increasing evidence that ICIs may be especially beneficial in specific subgroups of patients with high PD-L1 tumor expression, high tumor mutational burden, or tumors with high microsatellite instability/mismatch repair deficiency. If we are to improve the efficacy of ICIs, it is crucial to have a better understanding of the mechanisms of resistance to ICIs and to identify predictive biomarkers to determine which patients are most likely to benefit. This review focuses on the current status of ICIs for the treatment of mCRPC (either as monotherapy or in combination with other drugs), mechanisms of resistance, potential predictive biomarkers, and future challenges in the management of mCRPC.     

陶瓷/金属钎焊与扩散连接的研究现状

工程陶瓷由于具有优异的综合性能,在许多领域得到广泛应用,但其加工性能差,通常需要与金属组成复合结构.实现陶瓷与金属之间的可靠连接是推进陶瓷材料应用的关键,钎焊和扩散连接被认为是陶瓷/金属连接中较为适合的方法.文中对近年来国内外陶瓷/金属钎焊和扩散连接技术领域的研究现状进行了综述,认为活性金属钎焊和部分瞬间液相连接发展比较成熟,部分瞬间液相连接充分结合了活性钎焊和固相扩散连接两者的优点,将成为未来陶瓷/金属连接的发展方向.     

等误差直线逼近非圆曲线节点计算新方法

传统的等误差直线逼近法从被逼曲线的端点开始计算节点.文章在此基础上提出一种非圆曲线节点计算新方法,以被逼曲线曲率半径最小点开始,按等误差法求取节点,再根据曲线规律对节点重新进行排序,输出节点坐标值.用该种方法逼近曲线,在逼近误差等于等误差法逼近误差的条件下,节点数少于等误差法求得的节点数,文中用C语言编写新方法求取节点程序,并与传统方法进行比较,最后用曲线方程进行验证,结论正确,具有实际意义.     

负热膨胀材料立方ZrMo2O8的制备研究

以ZrO(NO3)2和N6H24Mo7O24·4H2O等为原料,采用湿化学法制备出立方相ZrMo2O8粉体.对前驱体在室温～800℃进行了TG-DSC测试,采用XRD、SEM对立方相ZrMo2O8粉体进行了分析观测.结果表明亚稳相立方ZrMo2O8的制备对热处理工艺十分敏感,采用湿化学法在450℃制各出单一立方相ZrMo2O8粉体,在室温～400℃热膨胀系数为-4.337×10-6K-1.     

Influence of the stress,strain, and temperature on the surface roughness of an AlSl 52100 steel due to an orthogonal cut

In recent years, the finite element method (FEM) has become the main tool for simulating the metal cutting process because research based on trial and error is time consuming and requires high investment. Early studies were done by different investigators. In this research AISI 52100, hardened steel (62 HRC) was selected for an orthogonal machining process as well as metal cutting simulation using the software DEFORM-2D. This software is based on a forging process and has been adapted to an orthogonal machining process. The results of simulated cutting forces were compared with experimental cutting force data to validate the orthogonal cut simulation. Also, the surface roughness was measured, and the influence of the stress, strain, and temperature on the surface roughness was studied.     

Cu/SBA-15 as adsorbent for propane/propylene separation

Samples of mesoporous silica SBA-15 were prepared under hydrothermal conditions where Cu cations were incorporated to the structure by impregnation in order to compare the adsorption behavior in the presence and absence of this element. The adsorption/desorption equilibrium isotherms of propylene, propane, and N₂ were measured to evaluate their usefulness in the propane/propylene separation. All the adsorption isotherms of SBA-15 measured in the absence of Cu cations were described by the Freundlich equation, while the adsorption isotherms of propane on Cu/SBA-15 were better represented by the Henry equation and those of propylene were satisfactorily described by the Langmuir model in the range P < 100 Torr. The adsorption uptake of propylene increased and that of propane decreased in Cu/SBA-15 as compared to the amounts observed in the SBA-15 sample. The presence of Cu atoms in the adsorbent lattice increased the selectivity towards propylene. Under some working conditions the adsorbed amount of propylene in Cu/SBA-15 sample was totally reversible and the propane uptake, negligible.     

Surface Pretreatments of Silicon Nitride for CVD Diamond Deposition

The efficiency of different surface pretreatments (four standard chemical etchings and four diamond powder abrasive procedures) on silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) substrates for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of diamond has been systematically investigated. Blank Si₃N₄ samples were polished with colloidal silica (∼0.25 μm). Diamond nucleation and growth runs were conducted in a microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition apparatus for 10 min and 6 h, respectively. Superior results concerning nucleation density ( N _d∼ 10¹⁰ cm⁻² after 10 min), film uniformity, and grain size (below 2 μm after 6 h) were obtained for the mechanically microflawed samples, revealing that chemical etchings (hot and cold strong acids, molten base or CF₄ plasma) are not crucial for good CVD diamond quality on Si₃N₄.     

Semi-interpenetrating polymer networds produced with polyethylene terephthalate oligomer and unsaturated polyester resin

A series of semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPN's) based on different compositions of an acyclic polyethylene terephthalate oligomer and unsaturated polyester resin (UP) were prepared. The oligomer was dissolved in the resin containing styrene crosslinker. Later this mixture was crosslinked at room temperature using methyl ethyl ketone peroxide catalyst and cobalt naphtanate as promoter. The tensile strength of the IPN's decreases as the concentration of oligomer increases, whereas, elongation to break increases. A characterization of the oligomer used is also presented.