Tungsten diboride for high energy nuclear applications

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The role of grain boundaries in low-temperature plasticity of olivine revealed by nanoindentation

The rheological properties of olivine influence large-scale, long-term deformation processes on rocky planets. Studies of the deformation of olivine at low temperatures and high stresses have emphasized the importance of a grain-size effect impacting yield stress. Laboratory studies indicate that aggregates with finer grains are stronger than those with coarser grains. However, the specific interactions between intracrystalline defects and grain boundaries leading to this effect in olivine remain unresolved. In this study, to directly observe and quantify the mechanical properties of olivine grain boundaries, we conduct nanoindentation tests on well characterized bicrystals. Specifically, we perform room-temperature spherical and Berkovich nanoindentation tests on a subgrain boundary (13°, [100]/(016)) and a high-angle grain boundary (60°, [100]/(011)). These tests reveal that plasticity is easier to initiate if the high-angle grain boundary is within the deformation volume, whereas the subgrain boundary does not impact the initiation of plasticity. Additionally, the high-angle grain boundary acts as a barrier to slip transmission, whereas the subgrain boundary does not interact with dislocations in a measurable manner. We suggest that the distribution of grain-boundary types in olivine-rich rocks might play a role in generating local differences in mechanical behavior during deformation

Evaluation of the environmental degradation of interphases in Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) via in-situ SEM micromechanical testing

The need to increase the cycle efficiency and reduce NOx emissions from aero-engines has promoted the development of Silicon Carbide (SiC) based Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) which have entered in service in aircraft turbine engines as replacements for some Ni-based superalloys. The main tendency of material choice is converging to CMCs constituted by SiC fibres coated with a thin (0.1-1 µm) BN interphase within a SiC matrix (SiC/BN/SiC), resulting in an optimised tough ceramic composite. However, unlike the generic tendencies found for metallic materials, environmental effects seem to not follow a clear tendency as hottest temperatures do not necessarily result in more severe degradation. This is due to the complex degradation thermodynamics occurring at the interface of the SiC-BN system such as volatilisation of B species, borosilicate glass formation or formation of self-healing oxide products. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Compressional pathways of α-cristobalite, structure of cristobalite X-I, and towards the understanding of seifertite formation

In various shocked meteorites, low-pressure silica polymorph α-cristobalite is commonly found in close spatial relation with the densest known SiO2 polymorph seifertite, which is stable above ∼80 GPa. We demonstrate that under hydrostatic pressure α-cristobalite remains untransformed up to at least 15 GPa. In quasi-hydrostatic experiments, above 11 GPa cristobalite X-I forms—a monoclinic polymorph built out of silicon octahedra; the phase is not quenchable and back-transforms to α-cristobalite on decompression. There are no other known silica polymorphs, which transform to an octahedra-based structure at such low pressures upon compression at room temperature. Further compression in non-hydrostatic conditions of cristobalite X-I eventually leads to the formation of quenchable seifertite-like phase. Our results demonstrate that the presence of α-cristobalite in shocked meteorites or rocks does not exclude that materials experienced high pressure, nor is the presence of seifertite necessarily indicative of extremely high peak shock pressures

Basal Plane Delamination Energy Measurement in a Ti3SiC2 MAX Phase

The {0001} basal plane delamination dominating the crack-wake bridging in MAX phases at a bulk scale has been investigated by studying the small-scale fracture of a Ti3SiC2. In situ micro-double cantilever beam (DCB) tests in a scanning electron microscope were used to grow a stable crack along the basal plane, measure the fracture energy, and study the crack propagation mechanism at the nanoscale. The results show that the fracture energy (10–50 J/m2) depends on small misorientations angles (e.g., 5°) of the basal plane to the stress field. This induces permanent deformation which can be observed once the DCB has been unloaded. The nanoscale study of the crack shows that the plasticity at the crack tip is small, but a number of pairs of dislocations are forming at each side of the crack. Hence, this study helps to explain the enhanced fracture energy values and possible sources of energy dissipation in basal plane delamination, which is the one of the main toughening mechanisms in the bulk fracture of MAX phases

Chimaeribacter arupi a new member of the Yersineacea family has the characteristics of a human pathogen

Chimaeribacter arupi (heterotypic synonym: “Nissabacter archeti”) is a facultative anaerobic, newly described Gram-negative rod and belongs to the Yersineacea family. Here, we report the case of a 19-month-old female infant patient who presented to the emergency unit with somnolence and fever. C. arupi was isolated from a positive blood culture, taken via an implanted Broviac catheter, proving a bloodstream infection by the pathogen. The objective of this study was to utilize whole genome sequencing to assess the genes encoding potential virulence associated factors, which may play a role in host tropism, tissue invasion and the subsequent stages in the pathogenesis of a bloodstream infection with C. arupi. The genome of the isolate was completely sequenced employing Illumina MiSeq and Nanopore MinION sequencing and the presumptive virulence associated factors and antimicrobial resistance genes were investigated in more detail. Additionally, we performed metabolic profiling and susceptibility testing by microdilution. The presence of predicted TcfC-like α-Pili suggests that C. arupi is highly adapted to humans as a host. It utilizes flagellar and type IV pili-mediated motility, as well as a number of γ1-pili and a σ-pilus, which may be used to facilitate biofilm formation and adherence to host epithelia. Additionally, long polar fimbriae may aid in tissue invasion. The bacterium possesses antioxidant factors, which may enable temporary survival in phagolysosomes, and a capsule that potentially provides protection from phagocytosis. It may acquire iron ions from erythrocytes through the type 6 secretion system and hemolysins. Furthermore, the isolate exhibits beta-lactamase-mediated penicillin and aminopenicillin resistance. Based on the analysis of the whole genome, we conclude that C. arupi possesses virulence factors associated with tissue invasion and may thus be a potential opportunistic pathogen of bloodstream infections

Real-time insight into the multistage mechanism of nanoparticle exsolution from a perovskite host surface

In exsolution, nanoparticles form by emerging from oxide hosts by application of redox driving forces, leading to transformative advances in stability, activity, and efficiency over deposition techniques, and resulting in a wide range of new opportunities for catalytic, energy and net-zero-related technologies. However, the mechanism of exsolved nanoparticle nucleation and perovskite structural evolution, has, to date, remained unclear. Herein, we shed light on this elusive process by following in real time Ir nanoparticle emergence from a SrTiO3 host oxide lattice, using in situ high-resolution electron microscopy in combination with computational simulations and machine learning analytics. We show that nucleation occurs via atom clustering, in tandem with host evolution, revealing the participation of surface defects and host lattice restructuring in trapping Ir atoms to initiate nanoparticle formation and growth. These insights provide a theoretical platform and practical recommendations to further the development of highly functional and broadly applicable exsolvable materials

Bi-allelic pathogenic variants in HS2ST1 cause a syndrome characterized by developmental delay and corpus callosum, skeletal and renal abnormalities

Heparan sulfate belongs to the group of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), highly sulphated linear polysaccharides. Heparan sulfate 2-O-sulfotransferase 1 (HS2ST1) is one of several specialized enzymes required for heparan sulfate synthesis and catalyzes the transfer of the sulfate groups to the sugar moiety of heparan sulfate. We report biallelic pathogenic variants in the HS2ST1 gene in four individuals from three unrelated families. Affected individuals showed facial dysmorphism with coarse face, upslanted palpebral fissures, broad nasal tip, and wide mouth, developmental delay and/or intellectual disability, corpus callosum agenesis or hypoplasia, flexion contractures, brachydactyly of hands and feet with broad fingertips and toes, and uni- or bilateral renal agenesis in three individuals. HS2ST1 variants cause a reduction in HS2ST1 mRNA and decreased or absent heparan sulfate 2-O-sulfotransferase 1 in two of three fibroblast cell lines derived from affected individuals. The heparan sulfate synthesized by the individual 1 cell line lacks 2-O-sulfated domains but had an increase in N- and 6-O-sulfated domains demonstrating functional impairment of the HS2ST1. As heparan sulfate modulates FGF-mediated signaling, we found a significantly decreased activation of the MAP kinases ERK1/2 in FGF-2-stimulated cell lines of affected individuals that could be restored by addition of heparin, a GAG similar to heparan sulfate. Focal adhesions in FGF-2-stimulated fibroblasts of affected individuals showed an increased length and concentrated at the cell periphery. Our data demonstrate that a heparan sulfate synthesis deficit causes a novel recognizable syndrome and emphasize a role for 2-O-sulfated heparan sulfate in human neuronal, skeletal and renal development