Influence of Si-Doping on the Performance of InGaN/GaN Multiple Quantum Well Solar Cells

Semiconductors - The performance of InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well (MQW) solar cells with five different Si-doping concentrations, namely 0, 4 × 1017 cm–3, 1 × 1018 cm–3, 3...     

D-limonene Inhibits Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Seizure via Adenosine A2A Receptor Modulation on GABAergic Neuronal Activity

Background: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by the recurrence of seizures. One-third of patients with epilepsy may not respond to antiseizure drugs. Purpose: We aimed to examine whether D-limonene, a cyclic monoterpene, exhibited any antiseizure activity in the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced kindling mouse model and in vitro. Methods: PTZ kindling mouse model was established by administering PTZ (30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally to mice once every 48 h. We performed immunoblot blots, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis after the behavioral study. Results: An acute injection of PTZ (60 mg/kg) induced seizure in mice, while pretreatment with D-limonene inhibited PTZ-induced seizure. Repeated administration of PTZ (30 mg/kg) increased the seizure score gradually in mice, which was reduced in D-limonene (10 mg/kg)-pretreated group. In addition, D-limonene treatment increased glutamate decarboxylase-67 (GAD-67) expression in the hippocampus. Axonal sprouting of hippocampal neurons after kindling was inhibited by D-limonene pretreatment. Moreover, D-limonene reduced the expression levels of Neuronal PAS Domain Protein 4 (Npas4)-induced by PTZ. Furthermore, the adenosine A2A antagonist {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"SCH58261","term_id":"1052882304","term_text":"SCH58261"}}SCH58261 and ZM241385 inhibited anticonvulsant activity and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurotransmission-induced by D-limonene. Conclusion: These results suggest that D-limonene exhibits anticonvulsant activity through modulation of adenosine A2A receptors on GABAergic neuronal function.     

YSZ/MoS2 self-lubricating coating fabricated by thermal spraying and hydrothermal reaction

Thermal sprayed ceramic coatings have extensively been used in components to protect them against friction and wear. However, the poor lubricating ability severely limits their application. Herein, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)/MoS₂ composite coatings were successfully fabricated on steel substrate with the combination of thermal spraying technology and hydrothermal reaction. Results show that the synthetic MoS₂ powders are composed of numbers of ultra-thin sheets (about 7 ~ 8?nm), and the sheet has obvious lamellar structure. After vacuum impregnation and hydrothermal reaction, numbers of MoS₂ powders, look like flowers, generate inside the plasma sprayed YSZ coating. Moreover, the growing point of the MoS₂ flower is the intrinsic micro-pores of YSZ coating. The friction and wear tests under high vacuum environment indicate that the composite coating has an extremely long lifetime (>?100,000 cycles) and possesses a low friction coefficient less than 0.1, which is lower by about 0.15 times than that of YSZ coating. Meanwhile, the composite shows an extremely low wear rate (2.30?×?10^?7 mm³ N^?1 m^?1) and causes slight wear damage to the counterpart. The excellent lubricant and wear-resistant ability are attributed to the formation of MoS₂ transfer films and the ultra-smooth of the worn surfaces of hybrid coatings.     

Collection efficiency of liquid‐based samplers for fungi in indoor air

This study assessed the collection efficiency (CE) of two popularly used sampling devices (BioSampler and Coriolis sampler) for fungal aerosols. Phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) supplemented with or without surfactant (Tween‐20, Tween‐80, or Triton X‐100) and antifoam agent was prepared and used as collection liquids. The agar impactor (BioStage) was simultaneously operated with liquid‐based samplers to collect fungi from seven sites located at a university building, public library, and animal farming. Fungal concentrations determined by liquid samplers were divided by those by BioStage, and the ratio values represented CE. Results indicate that the CE of BioSampler was superior to that of Coriolis (P = 0.0001) and the PBS containing surfactant collected fungi better than that without surfactant (P < 0.0001), whereas antifoam agent showed no influence (P = 0.8). Moreover, fungal concentrations determined by BioSampler with surfactant‐added PBS were statistically indifferent from those by BioStage (P > 0.05) with a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.81‐0.83 (P < 0.01). In addition to sampler and collection liquid, sampling location was also identified as a significant CE factor (P = 0.006), implying potential influences by fungal genera in the studied fields. Overall, BioSampler with surfactant‐supplemented PBS (eg, Triton X‐100) is recommended considering the great CE and compatibility with a variety of analytical assays.     

Predicting visual similarity between colour palettes

This work is concerned with the prediction of visual colour difference between pairs of palettes. In this study, the palettes contained five colours arranged in a horizontal row. A total of 95 pairs of palettes were rated for visual difference by 20 participants. The colour difference between the palettes was predicted using two algorithms, each based on one of six colour-difference formulae. The best performance (r² = 0.86 and STRESS = 16.9) was obtained using the minimum colour-difference algorithm (MICDM) using the CIEDE2000 equation with a lightness weighing of 2. There was some evidence that the order (or arrangement) of the colours in the palettes was a factor affecting the visual colour differences although the MICDM algorithm does not take order into account. Application of this algorithm is intended for digital design workflows where colour palettes are generated automatically using machine learning and for comparing palettes obtained from psychophysical studies to explore, for example, the effect of culture, age, or gender on colour associations.     

Corrosion resistance of Al–Cr-slag containing chromium–corundum refractories to slags with different basicity

Al–Cr slag is the solid waste generated by the smelting of Cr metal. It presents a range of environmental hazards. This study addressed the corrosion resistance of Al–Cr slag containing chromium–corundum refractories to slags with different basicity. Herein, we provide suggestions for the use of Cr–corundum of different basicity in kilns. Al–Cr slag, brown fused Al₂O₃, and chrome green were used as the raw materials, with pure calcium aluminate cement being used as a binder. The brick samples, prepared using different blends of chrome green and corundum, were fired at 1600?°C, and subsequently subjected to a slag corrosion test. After corrosion by slag of different basicity, the phase composition and microstructure of the sample were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectrometer and scanning electron microscopy. There were two major findings. First, Cr–corundum brick made from Al–Cr slag has a better slag corrosion resistance than that made from Cr₂O₃ and brown fused Al₂O₃. Second, Cr–corundum brick made from Al–Cr slag has superior corrosion resistance to slag with a CaO:SiO₂ ratio of 2:1.     

Computational Fluid Dynamics Study on a Top-Blown Smelting Process with Lance Failure in an Isa Furnace

JOM - The Isa/Ausmelt smelting technology with a top submerged lance (TSL) has been extensively used in copper smelting processes. However, the TSL is extremely vulnerable to damage and failure...