High pressure synchrotron x-ray diffraction study of the Mn0.94Ti0.06CoGe alloy

High pressure x-ray diffraction studies up to 10.4 GPa were performed on the Mn0.94Ti0.06CoGe alloy using synchrotron radiation with a diamond anvil cell. No structural phase transitions occurred in the entire range of our measurements. Unit cell parameters were determined up to 10.4 GPa and the calculated unit cell volumes were found to be well represented by a third order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state. The bulk modulus determined from the pressure - volume data was found to be, B0 = 231.72 ± 7.79 GPa. This study, employing high resolution synchrotron x-rays has helped clarify the behaviour of the Mn0.94Ti0.06CoGe alloy under high pressure

Efficacy of 1% fipronil dust of activated carbon against subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki in laboratory conditions

Toxicity and horizontal transmission of 1% fipronil dust of activated carbon were measured using the subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki in laboratory conditions. 1% fipronil dust of activated carbon has delayed toxicity towards C. formosanus compared with 0.5% fipronil dust of French chalk; knockdown times KT50 and KT90 were delayed by >9 and >15 h respectively. Furthermore, 1% fipronil dust of activated carbon showed excellent primary and secondary horizontal transfer levels. In primary horizontal transfer, recipient mortalities reached 100% by 24, 48 and 72 h at donor-recipient ratios of 1:1, 1:5 and 1:10, respectively. High transfer efficacies were also found if donor-recipient ratios were greatly increased: mortality reached 100% at 9 d at ratio 1:25 and >90% at 12 d at 1:50. In secondary horizontal transfer, the toxicant transmitting ability of C. formosanus was greater when the primary horizontal transfer ratio was lower, and the highest transfer efficacy was found with a donor-recipient ratio of 1:1 - recipient mortalities reached 100% at 5 d and 11 d, respectively. Application of 1% fipronil dust of activated carbon overcomes the problem that that too high a concentration kills termites before they can contaminate their nestmates, while a lower concentration may not supply a sufficient dose for effective transfer from treated to untreated termites; this preparation has delayed toxicity, dose-dependent toxicity in horizontal transfer and high efficacy to control C. formosanus

Stabilization of NaZn(BH4)3 via nanoconfinement in SBA-15 towards enhanced hydrogen release

In the present work, the decomposition behaviour of NaZn(BH4)3 nanoconfined in mesoporous SBA-15 has been investigated in detail and compared to bulk NaZn(BH4)3 that was ball milled with SBA-15, but not nanoconfined. The successful incorporation of nanoconfined NaZn(BH4)3 into mesopores of SBA-15 was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, 11B nuclear magnetic resonance, nitrogen absorption/desorption isotherms, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements. It is demonstrated that the dehydrogenation of the space-confined NaZn(BH4)3 is free of emission of boric by-products, and significantly improved hydrogen release kinetics is also achieved, with pure hydrogen release at temperatures ranging from 50 to 150 °C. By the Arrhenius method, the activation energy for the modified NaZn(BH4)3 was calculated to be only 38.9 kJ mol−1, a reduction of 5.3 kJ mol−1 compared to that of bulk NaZn(BH4)3. This work indicates that nanoconfinement within a mesoporous scaffold is a promising approach towards stabilizing unstable metal borohydrides to achieve hydrogen release with high purity

Stabilization of NaZn(BH4)3 via nanoconfinement in SBA-15 towards enhanced hydrogen release

In the present work, the decomposition behaviour of NaZn(BH4)3 nanoconfined in mesoporous SBA-15 has been investigated in detail and compared to bulk NaZn(BH4)3 that was ball milled with SBA-15, but not nanoconfined. The successful incorporation of nanoconfined NaZn(BH4)3 into mesopores of SBA-15 was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, 11B nuclear magnetic resonance, nitrogen absorption/desorption isotherms, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements. It is demonstrated that the dehydrogenation of the space-confined NaZn(BH4)3 is free of emission of boric by-products, and significantly improved hydrogen release kinetics is also achieved, with pure hydrogen release at temperatures ranging from 50 to 150 °C. By the Arrhenius method, the activation energy for the modified NaZn(BH4)3 was calculated to be only 38.9 kJ mol−1, a reduction of 5.3 kJ mol−1 compared to that of bulk NaZn(BH4)3. This work indicates that nanoconfinement within a mesoporous scaffold is a promising approach towards stabilizing unstable metal borohydrides to achieve hydrogen release with high purity

Surface Stabilization of O3-type Layered Oxide Cathode to Protect the Anode of Sodium Ion Batteries for Superior Lifespan

Even though the energy density of O3-type layer-structured metal oxide cathode can fully reach the requirement for large-scale energy storage systems, the cycling lifespan still cannot meet the demand for practical application once it is coupled with a non-sodium-metal anode in full-cell system. Transition metal dissolution into the electrolyte occurs along with continuous phase transformation and accelerates deterioration of the crystal structure, followed by migration and finally deposition on the anode to form a vicious circle. Surface engineering techniques are employed to modify the interface between active materials and the electrolyte by coating them with a thin layer of AlPO4 ion conductor. This stable thin layer can stabilize the surface crystal structure of the cathode material by avoiding element dissolution. Meanwhile, it can protect the anode from increased resistance by suppressing the dissolution-migration-deposition process. This technique is a promising method to improve the lifetime for the future commercialization

Structural analysis and insertion study reveal the ideal sites for surface displaying foreign peptides on a betanodavirus-like particle

Additional file 3: The averaged density distribution of the 3D reconstructions. The mass densities of the RBS are spherically averaged and plotted as a function of the particle radius. Below a radius of 115 Å is the density of enclosed RNA fragments (The RNA fragments do not belong to the virus genome, they are arbitrarily enclosed bacterial RNA). The density distribution between 115–150 Å and 150–190 Å are the capsid and the protrusion respectively. In the capsid shell, each subunit arranged in a “jerry-roll” structure results in that the capsid shell looks like two layers (two density peaks)

Nickel sulfide nanocrystals on nitrogen-doped porous carbon nanotubes with high-efficiency electrocatalysis for room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries

Polysulfide dissolution and slow electrochemical kinetics of conversion reactions lead to low utilization of sulfur cathodes that inhibits further development of room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries. Here we report a multifunctional sulfur host, NiS2 nanocrystals implanted in nitrogen-doped porous carbon nanotubes, which is rationally designed to achieve high polysulfide immobilization and conversion. Attributable to the synergetic effect of physical confinement and chemical bonding, the high electronic conductivity of the matrix, closed porous structure, and polarized additives of the multifunctional sulfur host effectively immobilize polysulfides. Significantly, the electrocatalytic behaviors of the Lewis base matrix and the NiS2 component are clearly evidenced by operando synchrotron X-ray diffraction and density functional theory with strong adsorption of polysulfides and high conversion of soluble polysulfides into insoluble Na2S2/Na2S. Thus, the as-obtained sulfur cathodes exhibit excellent performance in room-temperature Na/S batteries

Canine respiratory coronavirus employs caveolin-1-mediated pathway for internalization to HRT-18G cells

Canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV), identified in 2003, is a member of the Coronaviridae family. The virus is a betacoronavirus and a close relative of human coronavirus OC43 and bovine coronavirus. Here, we examined entry of CRCoV into human rectal tumor cells (HRT-18G cell line) by analyzing co-localization of single virus particles with cellular markers in the presence or absence of chemical inhibitors of pathways potentially involved in virus entry. We also targeted these pathways using siRNA. The results show that the virus hijacks caveolin-dependent endocytosis to enter cells via endocytic internalization

The Identification of Lymphocyte-Like Cells and Lymphoid-Related Genes in Amphioxus Indicates the Twilight for the Emergency of Adaptive Immune System

To seek evidence of a primitive adaptive immune system (AIS) before vertebrate, we examined whether lymphocytes or lymphocyte-like cells and the related molecules participating in the lymphocyte function existed in amphioxus. Anatomical analysis by electron microscopy revealed the presence of lymphocyte-like cells in gills, and these cells underwent morphological changes in response to microbial pathogens that are reminiscent of those of mammalian lymphocytes executing immune response to microbial challenge. In addition, a systematic comparative analysis of our cDNA database of amphioxus identified a large number of genes whose vertebrate counterparts are involved in lymphocyte function. Among these genes, several genes were found to be expressed in the vicinity of the lymphocyte-like cells by in situ hybridization and up-regulated after exposure to microbial pathogens. Our findings in the amphioxus indicate the twilight for the emergency of AIS before the invertebrate-vertebrate transition during evolution

Performance Simulation of Long-Stator Linear Synchronous Motor for High-Speed Maglev Train under Three-Phase Short-Circuit Fault

The high-speed Maglev train is driven by long-stator linear synchronous motors (LLSM). During the long-time outdoor operation, the insulation material of the armature winding may be damaged, either due to aging or the movement of the windings. This may result in the three-phase short-circuit fault, which affects the traction performance and the operation of the train. In this paper, a simulation model of the high-speed Maglev train traction system with a three-phase short-circuit fault LLSM is established, including the converters at two ends, feeder cables, segmented LLSM and traction control system. The system adopts a double-end power supply mode. The model divides the fault segment LLSM into two parts. One part is connected to the converter, which is equivalent to a normal operating segment with shortened long-stator. The other part is equivalent to a three-phase short-circuit linear generator. Based on this model, the influence of running speed and fault segment length on the traction performance of the train is simulated. In addition, the stator current, acceleration and traction force of the Maglev train during fault segment are investigated in the acceleration phase, deceleration phase and constant speed phase, respectively. The results can provide a reference for three-phase short-circuit fault diagnosis