Trioctylphosphine as Both Solvent and Stabilizer to Synthesize CdS Nanorods

High quality CdS nanorods are synthesized reproducibly with cadmium acetate and sulfur as precursors in trioctylphosphine solution. The morphology, crystalline form and phase composition of CdS nanorods are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM and X-ray diffraction (XRD). CdS nanorods obtained are uniform with an aspect ratio of about 5:1 and in a wurtzite structure. The influence of reaction conditions on the growth of CdS nanorods demonstrates that low precursor concentration and high reaction temperature (260 °C) are favorable for the formation of uniform CdS nanorods with 85.3% of product yield

Analyzing the characteristics and reason for the ground collapse hazard in Shenzhen

To ascertain the causes of ground collapse in Shenzhen and put forward prevention and control measures, this paper collects ground collapse accidents in Shenzhen between 2016 and 2020 and analyses the spatial and temporal distribution, hazard degree of ground collapse, and causes of ground collapse through field investigation, statistical data analysis and GIS spatial analysis. The results show that ground collapse disasters in Shenzhen are in a stage of continuous growth, most of which are small-scale ones, and most of which occur in the rainy season, especially from May to August. The disaster sites of ground collapse are mainly in Futian District, Luohu District and Guangming District, and the main sites of ground collapse are municipal roads and sidewalks. The main reason for ground collapse disasters is damage to water pipelines, damage to culverts, improper construction, rainwater erosion, settlement of soft soil, excessive vehicle loads and so on. Among them, water pipeline damage and improper construction are the main causes of ground collapse. The research results can provide some reference for the prevention and control of ground collapse in Shenzhen and other similar cities

Galacto-Oligosaccharide Alleviates Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a primary cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Oxidative stress and inflammation are important pathogenic factors contributing to ALD. We investigated the protective mechanism of galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) against ALD through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities by performing in vivo and in vitro experiments. Western blot and RT‒PCR results indicated that the expression of cytochrome P450 protein 2E1 (CYP2E1) in liver tissues and L02 cells was reduced in the GOS-treated mice compared with the model group. In addition, GOS prominently reduced the expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), increased the expression of the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1) proteins, and enhanced the antioxidant capacity. In addition, GOS decreased inflammation by reducing inflammatory factor levels and inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. Based on these results, GOS may be a prospective functional food for the prevention and treatment of ALD

Molecular movements of trehalose inside a single network enabling a rapidly-recoverable tough hydrogel

It remains a challenge to achieve rapidly recoverable hydrogels by molecular hydrogen-bonding interaction because of its slow interaction kinetics. This work for the first time reports a trehalose (Tre)-based molecular movement mechanism inside a single network of polyacrylamide (PAM) that accelerates the kinetics of hydrogen-bonding interaction, and thereby endows the hydrogel with high toughness and rapid shape and mechanical recoverability. The resultant PAM@Tre hydrogel is capable of full shape recovery after 10,000 loading/unloading cycles at a strain of 500%. Even after being stretched at a strain of 2500%, it can recover to its original shape within 10 seconds. Moreover, the molecular movement of trehalose also endows the PAM@Tre hydrogel with fracture energy and toughness as high as ~9000 J m–2 and ~1600 kJ m–3, respectively, leading to strong resistance to both static and dynamic piercing. The PAM@Tre hydrogel is thus believed to have enormous potentials in protection devices, bionic skin, soft actuator, and stretchable electronics.</p