Elaboration and characterization of nanoplate structured alpha-Fe2O3 films by Ag3PO4

A new strategy for surface treatment of hematite nanoplates for efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) performances is proposed. Silver orthophosphate (Ag₃PO₄) has been adopted to mediate the formation of α-Fe₂O₃ films. Phosphate ions in Ag₃PO₄ is found to cause a significant morphology change during annealing process, from β-FeOOH nanorod arrays to hematite nanoplates. Meanwhile, Ag ions is doped into α-Fe₂O₃ film. The obtained nanoplate structured Fe₂O₃ –Ag–P films demonstrate much higher photoelectrochemical performance as photoanodes than the bare Fe₂O₃ nanorod thin films. The effects of phosphate and silver ions on the morphology, surface characteristics and the PEC properties of the photoanodes are investigated

Experimental Study of Tendon Failure Analysis for a TLP Floating Offshore Wind Turbine

This paper describes an experimental study conducted on a multi-column tension leg platform (TLP) floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT). A prototype model of the TLP FOWT supporting the NREL 5-MW wind turbine with a scale ratio of 1:50 is tested under various wind and wave conditions at the State Key Laboratory of Coastal and Offshore Engineering at Dalian University of Technology, China. This work has particularly focused on the tendon failure and its impact on the dynamic response of the FOWT. Free decay tests, regular wave tests, wind-wave combined tests and tendon failure tests are conducted using different environmental parameters.The results suggest that natural periods, dynamic responses of the platform, and forces in the tendons satisfy the design requirements. The analysis indicates that the impact of tendon failure on the platform surge, heave and pitch responses are found to be insignificant. When one of the tendons is broken, the adjacent tendons experience a significant increase in tensile force; and, the maximum tensile force in the remaining tendon is found to increase by about 130%. The overstepping of the minimum breaking load as recommended by the design standard DNV GL is not reached, and this indicates that the safety of the system is ensured even during the harshest failure condition

An Organocatalytic Two-atom Ring Expansion Approach to Optically Active Glutarimides

International audienceAn original two-step organocatalytic syn- thesis of optically active glutarimides from 2- oxocyclobutane carboxamides is described featuring an isothiourea-catalyzed two-atom ring-expansive rearrangement

Coexistence of Ferroelectric Triclinic Phases and Origin of Large Piezoelectric Responses in Highly Strained BiFeO3 films

The structural evolution of the strain-driven morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) in BiFeO3 films has been investigated using synchrotron x-ray diffractometry in conjunction with scanning probe microscopy. Our results demonstrate the existence of mixed-phase regions that are mainly made up of two heavily tilted ferroelectric triclinic phases. Analysis of first-principles computations suggests that these two triclinic phases originate from a phase separation of a single monoclinic state accompanied by elastic matching between the phase-separated states. These first-principle calculations further reveal that the intrinsic piezoelectric response of these two low-symmetry triclinic phases is not significantly large, which thus implies that the ease of phase transition between these two energetically close triclinic phases is likely responsible for the large piezoelectric response found in the BiFeO3 films near its MPB. These findings not only enrich the understandings of the lattice and domain structure of epitaxial BiFeO3 films but may also shed some light on the origin of enhanced piezoelectric response near MPB.Comment: 19 pages, 3 figures and 1 tabl

A combination of phospholipids and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids supports neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants: a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial

Phospholipids (PLs) and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) are naturally present in breast milk and play important roles in promoting the growth of the infant. Several studies have investigated the effects of the combination of PLs and LCPUFAs on neurodevelopment. However, data on the effectiveness of infant formula containing both PLs and LCPUFAs on the neurodevelopment of infants is still scarce. This randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical study was designed to evaluate the effect of an infant formula enriched with PLs and LCPUFAs on growth parameters and neurodevelopmental outcomes in term infants up to 365 days of age. Infants were enrolled within 30 days of birth who were then randomly assigned to either a control group (n = 150) or an investigational group (n = 150). Both groups consist of cow’s milk-based formula which were generally identical in terms of composition, except that the investigational formula was additionally supplemented with PLs and LCPUFAs. The infants were followed for the first year of life. Breastfed infants were the reference (n = 150). Bayley Scales of Infant Development [3rd edition (Bayley-III)], Carey Toddler Temperament Scales (TTS), MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories (CDI), Single Object Attention and Free Play Tasks were used to evaluate neurodevelopmental outcomes of infant at 365 days of age. In addition, Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) were also conducted at 120, 180, and 275 days of age. Compared to breastfeeding, both infant formulas were well-tolerated and provided adequate growth, with no adverse events being reported throughout the study. Infants of the investigational group showed higher mean scores in Bayley-III cognitive performance (104.3 vs. 99.0, p < 0.05), language (106.9 vs. 104.5, p < 0.05), and motor skills (109.2 vs. 103.9, p < 0.05) compared the control group. Similar results were being reported for other developmental scales including TTS and ASQ. Notably, the test scores of infants fed the investigational formula were similar to those who were breastfed. Our results indicate that PL and LCPUFA supplementation may be beneficial for neurodevelopment of infants throughout the first year of life. Further studies are needed to investigation long-term effects PL and LCPUFA on neurodevelopment in early life

Characteristics of water-bearing media in Jurassic strata and groundwater occurrence and migration law in Yili Mining Area, Xinjiang

Taking the Yili mining area in Xinjiang as an example, combined with the typical hydrogeological characteristics of the Tianshan Mountains, such as strong snowmelt runoff and uneven permeability of Jurassic coal-rich strata, the macroscopic hydrogeological conditions, microscopic water-bearing media characteristics and water-rich law of the main aquifers (aquicludes) layers in the mining area were systematically studied by means of field sampling, electron microscope scanning, mercury injection experiment, X-ray diffraction and pumping test. The hydrodynamic characteristics and migration law of aquifers under special stratigraphic and geomorphological conditions are revealed. The results show that the effective porosity range of the sandstone aquifer in the roof and floor of the Jurassic main coal seam in the study area is 17.1%-29.5%, and the effective porosity range of the Neogene and Jurassic aquiclude is 17.6%-29.0%. The aquifers (aquicludes) layer contains high clay minerals, which are expanded and argillized in water. The special microstructure and mineral composition make the aquifers (aquicludes) layer show the characteristics of high porosity and poor permeability. In the study area, the water abundance of the Quaternary pore aquifer and the Jurassic main coal seam roof and floor sandstone aquifer is weak, and some areas show moderate water abundance, mainly static reserves, with block characteristics. The hydrodynamic characteristics and migration law of the main aquifers (aquicludes) are systematically studied. The Quaternary system is affected by the macro-geomorphology and hydrogeological conditions of the piedmont, showing the dynamic characteristics of ‘slope transit flow’ in the form of pore phreatic water with high intensity flow. At the same time, it is blocked by the lower Neogene mudstone aquifuge and has no hydraulic connection with the sandstone aquifer of the roof of the coal measures. The sandstone aquifer of the 5# coal seam floor mainly affects the coal seam mining, in view of this layer, the “factory” shape of “lateral closure and lateral cover” was constructed in a large range and the dredging effect was remarkable, which created good hydrogeological conditions for underground mining. The relevant research results reveal the characteristics of special water-bearing media and the law of water storage and water control formed by the Jurassic coal-rich strata in the study area under the influence of sedimentary environment, which can provide certain theoretical and engineering basis for water prevention and control under similar mining conditions in the study area and western mining area