Search

Optical erbium oxide (Er 2 O 3) films were prepared by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering to improve the infrared (IR) transmittance of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond. This study aims to analyze the microstructure, composition and optical properties of Er 2 O 3 anti-reflection films at various oxygen/argon ratios. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis was used to detect the surface morphology of chemical oxidation CVD diamond and Er 2 O 3 films. The surface roughness of Er 2 O 3 films decreased with an increase in the oxygen/argon ratio. The crystalline structure of Er 2 O 3 films was analyzed by using X-ray diffraction. Meanwhile, a gradual decrease was observed when the crystallite size and its strain were calculated. This was due to the transformation of partial phases from monoclinic to cubic structures. The chemical composition of Er 2 O 3 films was analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The surface of Er 2 O 3 films underwent a transformation from the unstable structure of nonstoichiometric Er 2 O 3-x to the stable structure of Er 2 O 3 with an increase in the level of oxygen. Defect behavior was determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Specifically, dislocation and twinning were observed at a high oxygen/argon ratio, which was mainly attributed to the competitive growth of polycrystalline Er 2 O 3 films. The optical constants of Ψ and △ were shifted to lower wavelengths with increase oxygen/argon ratio. The maximum transmittance of the Er 2 O 3 /diamond film was 79% in the long-wavelength infrared (LWTR) range of 8–12 μm at an oxygen/argon ratio of 1:35. This value was significantly higher than that of the high oxygen/argon ratio. The present study concludes that a low oxygen/argon ratio promotes the growth and IR transmittance of Er 2 O 3 films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the negative consequences of climate change have gradually spread to the real economy sector, which affects enterprise output, increases enterprise costs, and thus inhibits the sustainable development of enterprises. Still, it is not clear whether corporate resource misallocation will reinforce the effect. Therefore, using the data of A-share listed companies in 2011–2021, this paper investigates the impact of climate change on corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. According to empirical results, climate change significantly inhibits corporate ESG performance. It also found that continuously eliminating internal and external resource misallocation helps alleviate the adverse effects of climate change on ESG performance. Furthermore, compared with enterprises in non-resource-based cities, climate change will significantly improve corporate ESG performance in resource-based cities, indicating that the adaptive behavior caused by climate change has partially broken the resource curse phenomenon. Additionally, mature and large-scale enterprises mitigate the negative effects better, and external pressure from the public environmental and analysts' attention can motivate companies to improve their ESG performance. The research enriches the research on the impact of climate change on corporate ESG performance and provides a reference basis for enterprises to cope with climate risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring dynamic response-based damage identification under wave excitation is important for establishing a health monitoring system. In our previous study, we analyzed the characteristics of the rigid-body dynamic response and successfully employed them to identify the damage location of a pile foundation. Nevertheless, some recent researches show that the local flexural response resulting from wave impact has stronger energy performance. Therefore, this paper constructed a new damage identification method by making full use of energy and phase slope of the local flexural response. Firstly, a novel frequency domain clustering algorithm based on the Sub-peaks Suppression of Power Spectral Density Method (SSPSDM) was proposed to address the challenge of mode mixing in signal decomposition. Subsequently, the new composite energy factors were developed by combining both energy and phase of the local flexural response to enhance the sensitivity and robustness of damage identification. Finally, the method was validated using the acceleration signals from a laboratorial high-piled wharf model. The results show that the method can effectively extract the damage feature sub-signal and the composite energy factor based on phase slope enables better identification of the damage location and degree, enhancing the accuracy of the damage assessment process. • A frequency domain clustering method was proposed to extract different responses. • The Sub-peaks Suppression of Power Spectral Density Method was proposed. • The composite energy factors with better identification effect were proposed. • The effects of decomposition algorithms for damage identification were compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the top carbon emitter in the world, a key step taken by China to encourage energy conservation, pollution reduction, and environmentally friendly development is the low-carbon city pilot (LCCP) policy, which has made important contributions to reducing global emissions. The LCCP policy aims to conserve energy and reduce emissions, inexorably influence many facets of the economic system because it is a well-rounded environmental management strategy. So, has this policy impacted the entrepreneurial activity of the region while achieving green development? Using panel data from China's 279 cities from 2002 to 2019, this article employs the difference-in-differences (DID) model to assess the influence of the LCCP policy on urban entrepreneurial activity. Through the results, the LCCP policy generally inhibits entrepreneurial activity. But the level of green innovation can alleviate this inhibitory effect. Based on the heterogeneity analysis, the LCCP policy exerts a more pronounced inhibitory effect on entrepreneurial activity in central and western regions, resource-based cities, and non-central cities. Further, the LCCP policy inhibits entrepreneurial activity in high-carbon industries while encouraging entrepreneurial activity in emerging industries, resulting in industrial structure change and upgrading. This paper supplies new empirical evidence for the effects of the LCCP policy on entrepreneurial activity and industrial structure change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Y 2 O 3 films with different microstructures were deposited through radio frequency magnetron sputtering. The optical properties and the antireflection effects of the cubic and the monoclinic Y 2 O 3 films on diamond substrates were investigated. Results showed that the cubic Y 2 O 3 film had denser and more uniform grains with larger grain size. The band gap energies of the cubic and the monoclinic Y 2 O 3 films were 5.79 and 5.88 eV, respectively. This finding was mainly attributed to the decrease in grain size from 30.1 nm to 20.6 nm. Meanwhile, the reflective indices of the cubic and the monoclinic films were 1.887 and 1.817, respectively. Furthermore, the monoclinic and the cubic Y 2 O 3 films that have the same thickness generated antireflection effects on diamond at the 8–12 μm long-wave infrared (LWIR) range. However, due to the lower reflective index of the monoclinic Y 2 O 3 film compared with that of the cubic Y 2 O 3 film, the maximum antireflection effects of the Y 2 O 3 films on diamond shifted to lower wavelengths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal contaminated soils pose a serious threat to the environment, and preparing ceramsite using contaminated soils was proposed as an effective method to address this threat in this study. Specifically, two typical soils (i.e., contaminated clay and sandy soil) were mixed with different ratios and calcined at temperature 1000–1200 °C to prepare ceramsite. Special attentions were paid to evaluating the immobilization of heavy metals in ceramsite and identifying the corresponding immobilization mechanisms. Using the leachability of heavy metals from ceramsite as evaluation criteria, the optimum mixing ratio of clay/sandy soil and sintering temperature were determined as 0.6:0.4 and 1200 °C. Moreover, based on the spectroscopic characterizations and thermodynamic calculation, high sintering temperature well facilitated the liquid phases formation, promoting the reactions between heavy metals and aluminosilicates and the valence state conversion of heavy metals. Accordingly, heavy metals were well immobilized in ceramsite by forming thermodynamically stable minerals, being encapsulated in solid matrix, and transforming to valence states with low mobility. The leaching conditions including pH and temperature had minimal effect on the immobilization of heavy metals in ceramsite. In summary, ceramsite prepared by contaminated soils was environmentally friendly and had good potential in engineering application as building materials. [Display omitted] • Co-utilization of polluted clay and sandy soil for ceramsite production is presented. • The optimum ratio of clay/sandy soil and sintering temperature are 0.6:0.4 and 1200 °C. • The immobilization effectiveness of heavy metals in ceramsite is evaluated. • The immobilization mechanism of heavy metals in ceramsite is determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The Tan-Lu Fault formed by coalescence of two kinematically independent segments. • The northern and southern Tan-Lu faults exhibit contrasting displacement profiles. • The northern and southern Tan-Lu faults propagated in opposite directions. • Southward indentation of the Siberian craton initiated the northern Tan-Lu Fault. • The northern and southern Tan-Lu faults linked in the early Late Jurassic. The Tan-Lu fault zone (TLF) is a major strike-slip fault with a long and complex history in East Asia, whose evolution provides a new perspective on the formation of large-scale faults (>1000 km long). Fault displacement analysis, geological mapping and U-Pb LA-ICP-MS dating have been performed to understand the evolution of the TLF. Along-strike displacement variation reveals that the TLF consists of two kinematically independent segments, the northern and southern TLF, with opposite long-term propagation directions. Structural and geochronological studies in the eastern Yanshan belt, located around the linkage area of the southern and northern TLF, indicate that NNE-trending sinistral strike-slip faults initiated at 167–164 Ma and were reactivated at 124–121 Ma. Structural analysis suggests that these early NNE-trending strike-slip faults transferred sinistral motion along the northern TLF into southward thrusting along the Yanshan belt, representing the Middle Jurassic southern termination of the northern TLF. Our studies suggest that the through-going TLF formed when the younger southward-propagating northern TLF merged with the older northward-propagating southern TLF in the Late Jurassic. A new model is thus proposed for the Mesozoic evolution of the TLF. The initiation and southward propagation of the northern TLF is interpreted to have resulted from the southward indentation of the Siberian craton into the amalgamated Central Asian Orogenic Belt and North China block. The divergent mega-splays of the northern TLF likely resulted from westward-younging formation during the clockwise rotation of northeast Asia. Coalescence of two genetically unrelated faults could be an alternative mode for large-scale fault formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selective labelling and high-fidelity tracking of intracellular lipid droplets (LDs) can provide direct insight into pathological processes associated with abnormal lipid metabolism and therefore are of great value. We herein present a novel imidazole-based probe, TITM , which shows the aggregation-induced emission property and a remarkable fluorescence increase in sunflower oil than in water. With the advantages of good lipophilicity, biocompatibility, and LDs-targeted specificity, TITM allows the real-time and long-term tracking of dynamic LDs in living cells with high-resolution imaging performance. By establishment of LDs-related atherosclerosis (AS) and fatty liver mouse model, the imaging performance of TITM at pathological tissue level is well studied to show impressive selectivity and resolution. [Display omitted] • An imidazole-based probe is disclosed to show a remarkable fluorescence increase in sunflower oil than in water. • The probe allows real-time and long-term tracking of lipid droplets in living cells with high-resolution imaging. • The fluorescence probe shows good biocompatibility and photostability. • The probe can visualize abnormal lipid droplets accumulation in mouse atherosclerotic plaques and fatty liver tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The addition of titanium (Ti) interlayer was verified to reduce the residual stress of diamond films by self-fracturing and facilitate the harvest of a crack-free free-standing diamond film prepared by direct current (DC) arc plasma jet. In this study, the evolution of the Ti interlayer between large-area diamond film and substrate was studied and modeled in detail. The evolution of the interlayer was found to be relevant to the distribution of the DC arc plasma, which can be divided into three areas (arc center, arc main, and arc edge). The formation rate of titanium carbide (TiC) in the arc main was faster than in the other two areas and resulted in the preferred generation of crack in the diamond film in the arc main during cooling. Sandwich structures were formed along with the growth of TiC until the complete transformation of the Ti interlayer. The interlayer released stress via self-fracture. Avoiding uneven fragile regions that formed locally in the interlayer and achieving cooperatively released stress are crucial for the preparation of large crack-free diamond films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The g-C 3 N 4 has been modified by a hydrothermal post treatment with orthoboric acid. It is shown that the surface modification with an appropriate amount of orthoboric acid obviously enhances the surface photovoltage responses of g-C 3 N 4 , clearly indicating that the separation of photogenerated charges is greatly improved. This is well responsible for the enhanced photocatalytic activities for degrading representative gas-phase acetaldehyde, and liquid-phase phenol. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the amount of O 2 adsorbed on the surfaces of g-C 3 N 4 is greatly increased after H 3 BO 3 modification based on the O 2 temperature-programmed desorption curves. It is suggested that the orthoboric acid modification favors O 2 adsorption to promote the photogenerated electrons captured for improved photocatalytic activities. This work would provide feasible routes to further improve the photocatalytic performance of semiconductors for degrading pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have synthesized different mass ratios of effectively-contacted TiO 2 /bulk g-C 3 N 4 composites (T/CN) by a wet chemical method, and evaluated their photocatalytic activities for degrading acetaldehyde and producing H 2 . It is clearly demonstrated by means of surface photovoltage responses and photoluminescence spectra that the photogenerated charge carriers in the T/CN nanocomposites with a proper mass ratio of T display much higher separation in comparison to CN alone. This is well responsible for the enhanced photocatalytic activities of CN after coupling with nanocrystalline anatase TiO 2 . Interestingly, it is also applicable to the resulting CN nanosheet (about 3 nm) with higher photoactivity than the bulk one. As a result, the TiO 2 /CN-nanosheet composites as efficient photocatalysts have been successfully developed. Moreover, it is confirmed that the enhanced photoactivity for resulting nanocomposites are attributed to the promoted charge transfer and separation from CN to TiO 2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fish scale derived hierarchical porous carbon has been studied as an inhibitor to capture the polysulfides for lithium-sulfur battery by ex situ ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy and SEM analysis. The results showed that the capacity retention of the cathode with porous carbon as additive increased from 44% to 59% after 50 cycles at 0.1 C compared with the common cathode. Attracted on the excellent performance of cathode with porous carbon, the asymmetry electrode was fabricated by coating a porous layer on the cathode to trap the polysulfides produced during the discharge-charge process further. The initial discharge specific capacity is 1426 mAhg −1 with a capacity retention of 81% after 50 cycles at 1 C, and retains a reversible capacity of 990 mAhg −1 after 100 cycles with coulombic efficiency above 98%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collapse is a basic generalization operation in land-use data multi-scale representation. It is a compute-intensive operation and involves complex topological transformations. A feasible way to improve the computation efficiency is to adopt a parallel strategy, which means that the collapse of a large spatial range of long and narrow (LN) patches via a partitioning-based approach. However, many topological inconsistencies occur around the partition-cell boundaries. Hence, we propose a partitioned collapse method for LN patches and focus on the reconstruction problem of topological inconsistencies. First, topological inconsistencies were classified into four patterns based on their morphological characteristics. Second, for each of these patterns, a corresponding algorithm was formulated to reconcile the topological inconsistencies. Finally, our approach was validated using the national geographical condition data of Chishui City, Guizhou Province. The experiment results show that our method generates smooth split lines from land-use patches by effectively eliminating topology inconsistency patterns near the partition-cell boundary lines and is 8.7 times more efficient than the traditional unpartitioned method within a city region. • Partition methodology of collapse operation for long and narrow patches generalization. • Topology consistency maintenance during partitioned collapse operation. • Reliability and efficiency analysis by comparing with an un-partitioned collapse method with a small-area data. • Efficiency and superiority verification by statistical analysis with a large-area data. • No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The plasma treatment of rapid heating was introduced for increasing fracture strength of free-standing diamond films. The effects of plasma high temperature annealing treatment on surface morphology, internal stress, vacancy defects, impurities and fracture strength of free-standing diamond films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman, positron annihilation technique (PAT) and mechanical property testing. It showed that the fracture strength of the diamond films increases up to 70% for lower fracture diamond films with treating temperature (1500–1600°C). The graphitization in surface and interior of diamond films would be produced by high temperature treatment more than 1700°C. Fracture strengths of diamond films could be enhanced after high temperature treatment and the main factor of that was compressive stress state in diamond films induced by graphitization. The impurity of N was segregated and integrated with vacancy cluster to become [N–V]0 and [N–V]−. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Highly c-axis oriented ZnO film is often deposited on diamond substrates by RF magnetron sputtering and widely used for high frequency surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices. Deposition temperature is a key factor affecting the quality of the ZnO film. Different quality polished free-standing diamond films prepared by DC Arc Plasma Jet were used as the substrates to deposit ZnO films at different temperatures. Effect of the deposition temperature and the quality of the diamond films on the properties of the ZnO films were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that highly c-axis oriented ZnO films can be much easier deposited on the optical-grade diamond films with <111> preferred orientation than the tool-grade diamond films with <220> preferred orientation. The optimal deposition temperature is 200°C for highly c-axis oriented and lower roughness ZnO films. Acoustic phase velocity of more than 10,000m/s for the SAW devices based on the ZnO/optical-grade free-standing diamond films was obtained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A destroyable Ti interlayer on graphite substrate was used for fabrication of crack-free free-standing diamond films by high-power DC Arc Plasma Jet. Ti interlayer was arc ion plated on the polycrystalline graphite substrate. The thickness, morphology and composite phase of the Ti interlayer were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Titanium carbide (TiC) was detected in both sides of the interlayer, which played an important role with respect to reasonable adhesion and diamond nucleation. Semi-translucent and crack-free diamond films were obtained and characterized by SEM and Raman spectroscopy. It is shown that the diamond films so obtained have excellent Raman signature. The overall results suggest that plating Ti interlayer on graphite substrate is an effective way to obtain potentially crack-free free-standing diamond films. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cobalt or cobalt containing coatings are promising for SOFC interconnect applications because of their high conductivity. We have investigated SmCo and SmCoN coatings deposited by magnetron sputtering from a SmCo (5% Sm) target on to Crofer 22APU substrates. The composition, structure, surface morphology, and electrical conductivity of the coated substrates were characterized by SEM/EDX, XRD and ASR measurements. Addition of Sm enhances the oxidation resistance and the Cr retention capability of the coatings. The use of nitride as a precursor stabilizes Sm during oxidation of the films, thus inhibiting diffusion of Fe, resulting in a more compact coating and lowering ASR. The combined advantages of Sm addition to cobalt and the use of a nitride as a precursor, makes SmCoN coatings a promising new interconnect coating material. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Chemical vapor deposited diamond thick films for electronic and optical applications must be released without cracks from substrates as freestanding wafers. In the present investigation, the residual stress distribution of diamond thin films deposited by DC arc jet plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at gas recycling mode was analyzed based on wave number shifts in their Raman spectra. The results show that residual compressive stress concentrates at the film''s edge, and this residual stress increases with the increase in deposition temperature. Experimental observation also showed that cracks initiated at the edge of the diamond thick wafer and then propagated towards the center. Effects of the residual stress distribution on diamond thick films detachment were discussed. To release the residual stress, sandwich structure was designed and the metal interlayer was inserted between the diamond films and the substrate. Thick freestanding diamond films (more than 1 mm thick, 60 mm in diameter) were produced by DC arc jet plasma CVD process using Mo substrate with Ti interlayer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A variable temperature ATR–FTIR study of the gelation behaviour of a thermo-responsive ABA triblock copolymer (A=poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and B=poly[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine]) is reported. Close inspection of selected copolymer and water bands in the temperature resolved spectra provides evidence for the dehydration of the poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) chains above a critical gelation temperature of approximately 37°C, while the central poly[2-(methacryoyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine]) chains remain hydrated. A blue shift in the amide I peak and a red shift in the amide II band indicate a reduction in the hydrogen bonding between the PNIPAM amide functional group and the solvent water. This is corroborated by a decrease in the intensity of the amide I peak above the gel point. Evidence of hydrophobic interactions and an indication of the source of the gelation mechanism were observed in the form of a red shift in the antisymmetric CH vibration with increasing temperature. These findings are consistent with the formation of a micellar gel network by the copolymer chains. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: By controlling the pretreatment processes and deposition parameters on silicon substrates, diamond thin films with different surface roughness and sp2/sp3 ratio were used as an interlayer for subsequent c-BN (cubic boron nitride) thin film deposition studies. The diamond interlayers were prepared by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD), while the c-BN top layers were prepared by unbalanced magnetron sputtering physical vapor deposition. The substrate curvature changes before and after the c-BN deposition were measured to better understand the relationship between film stress and adhesion to the diamond. In the range of our experimental parameters, results showed that a rougher surface and higher ratio of sp2/sp3 in the diamond layer improves the adhesive strength of the c-BN layer. An optimized layer structure of Si/diamond/BN is established. Grading of the diamond layer is expected to be helpful for adhesion enhancement of c-BN thin films on diamond interlayers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The properties and processes of cathode arc plasma carburizing were studied in this paper. Graphite with high purity and high strength was selected as the cathode arc source to provide carbon atoms. The carbon steel AISI 1010 was used as the substrate. A surface concentration of 1.05 wt.%C and a carburised layer thickness of 780 μm was obtained at 950 °C in 30 min. The diffusion coefficient of carbon atoms in carburizing layer was estimated by using the Matano-Plane method. The exponential relationship of diffusion coefficient and the distance to surface are determined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Graphite-based metal transition-layer substrates hold great potential for preparing large-area diamond films and achieving crack-free release. In this study, a five-inch crack-free free-standing diamond film was prepared on a graphite substrate with a sacrificial Mo/Ti double-layer transition layer using direct-current arc plasma jet chemical vapor deposition (DC jet CVD). The interfacial bonding and diffusion behavior between the diamond and the transition layers were investigated. The effect of abundant metal particles and elemental diffusion between layers on film adhesion and stress release are discussed and analyzed. The surface of Ti layer prepared by the multi-arc ion-plating contains numerous metal particles that provide a template for the fine-crystalline Mo layer. Metal particles are encapsulated and embedded in the diamond and act as anchors that ensure the stability of the substrate–diamond bond during high-temperature deposition. After deposition, those metal particles act as weak points and play crucial stress-release roles. Mutual elemental diffusion occurs between the Ti, Mo, and diamond layers. Ti penetrates the Mo layer to form a continuous 140-nm-thick thin layer during the initial deposition period, facilitating diamond nucleation. Carbon from the plasma and diamond diffuses into the metal transition layer. Thermal stress generated between the diamond and the graphite substrate is released by destroying the metal transition layer with high thermal expansion coefficient and low elastic modulus during cooling from the deposition temperature. Cracks rapidly propagate along the interface between destroyable transition layers and graphite substrate, which results in the liftoff of a fully crack-free diamond film. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipid droplets (LDs) targeted fluorescence probe have been believed to be an effective tool for diagnosis and therapy of some tumors with abnormal lipid metabolism, while there are very few probes with simultaneous high efficiency in LDs imaging and inhibiting tumor proliferation. Herein we present a biheteroaryl-bridged fluorescence probe with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristic, which show dual functions of LDs-specific bioimaging and photodynamic therapy (PDT) based on human clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) tumor cells and clinical samples, both rich in LDs. The highly LDs-specific targeting capability, good biocompatibility, excellent photostability and imaging resolution of the AIE probe in ccRCC tumor cells make it considerably attractive to commercially available LDs-specific dyes. Notably, the fluorescence imaging in fresh human ccRCC tumor tissues further proves its outstanding LDs-targeting specificity and demonstrates its power as a bio-probe for clinical diagnosis in vitro and in vivo. Confirmatory experiments suggest a superior PDT efficacy of the AIE probe in ccRCC tumor cells in comparison to those LDs-poor tumor cells and normal cells without LDs. Mechanism studies further reveal the presented AIE probe enables to induce the DNA damage and cell apoptosis by reactive oxygen species generation, resulting in desirable therapeutic efficiency for clinical ccRCC tumor cells upon visible light irradiation. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pre/post/delta-NLR, and pre-ALC were correlated with STO in ESCC patients who received RT or CRT. • The NLR especially pre-NLR had a better predictive value than ALC, PLR and LMR. • The c-index of the nomogram established by combining all independent predictors for short-term outcome was 0.770. We initially aimed to investigate pre / post-treatment inflammatory biomarkers (pre / post-IBs) and their dynamic changes (delta-IBs) on the short-term outcome (STO) of radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Furthermore, a nomogram was built to provide an accurate prediction of STO. The STO using the treatment response evaluation was assessed according to RECIST 1.1 at 1 month after radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. The IBs (absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC), neutrophil / lymphocyte (NLR), platelet / lymphocyte (PLR), and lymphocyte / monocyte (LMR)) and clinical variables were collected and analyzed from 398 ESCC patients at Shandong Cancer Hospital between 2015 and 2019. The nomogram was then established for predicting STO. Pre-ALC and pre-LMR significantly increased, pre-NLR and pre-PLR significantly decreased during radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy (all P < 0.001). Meanwhile, there was a positive correlation between delta-NLR as well as delta-PLR (r = 0.621) and delta-LMR (r = 0.613), whereas a negatively correlated between delta-LMR and delta-PLR (r = −0.573). Multivariate analysis indicated that gender [OR, 0.473; 95%CI, 0.274–0.816; P = 0.007], pre-ALC [OR, 0.554; 95%CI, 0.335–0.915; P = 0.021], pre-NLR [OR, 3.176; 95%CI, 1.733–5.823; P < 0.001], post-NLR [OR, 2.418; 95%CI, 1.271–4.600; P = 0.007] and delta-NLR [OR, 1.929; 95%CI, 1.035–3.595; P = 0.039] were statistically significant with STO. And c-index of the nomogram established by combining all independent predictors for STO was 0.770 [95%CI, 0.719–0.820]. Pre-NLR, pre-ALC, post-NLR, and delta-NLR were significant with STO in ESCC patients treated with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Further, pre-NLR had the best predictive value, and the developed nomogram with superior prediction ability for STO could assist in patients counseling and guide to make individual treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automatic thematic map generalization always needs to deal with large datasets whose processes are computationally intensive, and partitioning strategy has been proved to be one of the effective ways to make the generalization of massive data scalable and useable in practice. Nevertheless, when partitioning strategy is introduced to the dissolution operation of long and narrow patches (LN patches) in land-use data, traditional partitioning methods are not conducive to balancing the computation load on machines for each cell in the grid, and grid boundaries easily affect dissolution accuracy and stability of the process. Hence, this paper proposes an improved partitioning method for dissolving LN patches. First, massive patches are meticulously partitioned into varieties of cells based on the area balance of LN patches. Second, the grid boundaries are corrected considering the shape characteristics of the adjacent LN patches. Finally, the actual data from the national geographic census at 1:10000 scale in Guizhou and Yunnan Province in China are used for validation. The experiment shows that the proposed method can improve the computation efficiency and preserve the accuracy at the boundary for dissolution operation of massive data. • Partitioning method for dissolution operation considering the computation load balancing. • Partitioning grids are meticulously partitioned accounting for the area balance of long and narrow patches. • Avoid forming new fragmented patches at boundaries by grid boundary correction. • Efficiency and rationality of the proposed method are verified through massive data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Our purpose was to construct a computed tomography (CT)-based delta-radiomics nomogram and corresponding risk classification system for individualized and accurate estimation of severe acute radiation pneumonitis (SARP) in patients with esophageal cancer (EC) after radiation therapy.Methods and Materials: Four hundred patients with EC were enrolled from 2 independent institutions and were divided into the training (n = 200) and validation (n = 200) cohorts. Eight hundred fifty radiomics features of lung were extracted from treatment planning images, including the positioning CT before radiation therapy (CT1) and the resetting CT after receiving 40 to 45 Gy (CT2). The longitudinal net changes in radiomics features from CT1 to CT2 were calculated and defined as delta-radiomics features. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm was performed to features selection and delta-radiomics signature building. Integrating the signature with multidimensional clinicopathologic, dosimetric, and hematological predictors of SARP, a novel CT-based delta-radiomics nomogram was established according to multivariate analysis. The clinical application values of nomogram were both evaluated in the training and validation cohorts by concordance index, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis. Recursive partitioning analysis was used to generate a risk classification system.Results: The delta-radiomics signature consisting of 24 features was significantly associated with SARP status (P < .001). Incorporating it with other high-risk factors, Subjective Global Assessment score, pulmonary fibrosis score, mean lung dose, and systemic immune inflammation index, the developed delta-radiomics nomogram showed increased improvement in SARP discrimination accuracy with concordance index of 0.975 and 0.921 in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. Calibration curves and decision curve analysis confirmed the satisfactory clinical feasibility and utility of nomogram. The risk classification system displayed excellent performance on identifying SARP occurrence (P < .001).Conclusions: The delta-radiomics nomogram and risk classification system as low-cost and noninvasive means exhibited superior predictive accuracy and provided individualized probability of SARP stratification for patients with EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing fly ash to prepare ceramsite is a promising way to immobilize heavy metals and recycle industrial solid waste. However, traditional preparation method of fly ash ceramsite has the disadvantages of large ignition loss. Therefore, the present study applied the pressure molding method to enhance solid content and improve the strength of ceramsite. The optimal preparation conditions of ceramsite were suggested as preheating at 450 °C for 25 min followed by sintering at 1050 °C for 30 min. Under such conditions, ceramsite with high compressive strength of 10.8 Mpa, bulk density of 878 kg m−3, and 1-h water absorption of 18.5% was fabricated, in compliance with Chinese standard (GB/T 1743.1–2010). The arsenic leaching concentration from the resulting product was considerably lower than Chinese standard (GB 5085.3–2007). Moreover, arsenic volatilization during ceramsite calcination was insignificant, and the vast majority of arsenic remained in resulting ceramsite. A geochemical speciation model developed for the multiple component system in ceramsite suggested that FeAsO 4 , Ca 5 (OH) (AsO 4) 3 , and hydrous ferric oxide adsorption are the primary mechanisms retaining arsenic in ceramsite. Additionally, based on density functional theory calculations and biotoxicity test, the binding site of arsenic atom on mineral components and the environmental safety of ceramsite was determined and evaluated. [Display omitted] • Geochemical speciation model of ceramsite was established for the first time. • The pressure molding method was applied to enhance the solid content of ceramsite. • The volatilization of heavy metal arsenic during ceramsite sintering was studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building simplification is an important research area in automated map generalization. In the last several decades, various methods for building simplification have been proposed by scholars, most of which have concentrated on vector data. However, with the continuous development of computer vision and artificial intelligence technology, some advanced technologies, such as unstructured image analysis and processing, have provided new opportunities and challenges for map generalization. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a new algorithm called superpixel building simplification (SUBS), for simplifying buildings based on image data. In this method, the buildings are first divided into two types by corner detection: buildings with orthogonal features and buildings with non-orthogonal features. Then, the buildings are globally simplified using a superpixel segmentation algorithm for superpixel extraction via energy-driven sampling. Finally, the buildings are locally simplified to preserve their geometric features. For the purpose of evaluation, we used a total of 285 buildings at scales of 1:5000 and 1:10,000 to perform the simplification. Compared with traditional algorithms, the results indicate that the proposed method can produce satisfactory results for the simplification of buildings with both orthogonal and non-orthogonal features and effectively preserve the area and centre of mass of the buildings. In addition, the SUBS method can generate different representation styles of buildings while effectively avoiding self-intersection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is critical in water splitting for green hydrogen gas production due to its sluggish kinetics; however, commercial OER catalysts commonly suffer from high cost, low catalytic activity and poor stability. Herein, we developed a C+ ion implantation method to modify single crystal diamond, and the resultant surface amorphous layer not only raised the active site number but also increased the content of the C=O group, thus significantly improving the OER activity. The C+ ion implanted high-temperature and high-pressure (C+-HTHP) and chemical vapor deposition (C+-CVD) diamonds both exhibit low OER overpotential with η 10 of 317 mV and 325 mV respectively, superior to those of HTHP diamond (360 mV), CVD diamond (395 mV) and RuO 2 (364 mV). The potentiostatic testing shows that the C+ implanted diamonds almost didn't undergo the rise of OER overpotential upon catalysis for more than 12 h at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, suggesting a high catalytic stability, owing to the strong bonding between single crystal diamond and amorphous carbon layer. For the first time, we utilized carbon ion implantation to prepare diamond-based high-performance OER catalyst, which broadens the understanding of carbon-based materials in OER catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the predictive value of the cardiac substructures (CSs) dosimetric parameters for cardiac toxicity after definitive radiation therapy in locally advanced esophageal cancer. Between August 2010 and January 2016, 716 patients with stage 2-3 esophageal cancer receiving definitive radiation therapy at 2 institutions were divided into training (n = 432) and external validation (n = 284) cohorts. Dose-volume histogram parameters for the whole heart (WH) and CSs were extracted. Competing risks and Cox regressions analyses were performed. The predictive performance of the models was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the Brier score. With a median follow-up of 93 months, 68 patients (15.7%) developed grade ≥3 cardiac events (G3+ CEs), with a median of 13.5 months to the first event. Multivariable analysis showed left ventricle, left anterior descending (LAD), and mean left circumflex (LCX) variables were significantly associated with G3+ CEs. The AUCs and Brier scores demonstrated favorable predictive accuracies of the models integrating these CS variables when predicting G3+ CEs in the training and validation cohorts. However, compared with the WH variables, the CS variables did not significantly improve the prediction of G3+ CEs. Nevertheless, when G3+ acute coronary syndrome and/or congestive heart failure (ACS/CHF) CE was the outcome of interest, models based on the LAD or LCX variables were superior to the WH variable models in training and validation cohorts. Models based on CS variables showed favorable predictive accuracy for G3+ CEs. The LAD and LCX variables significantly improved the prediction of G3+ ACS/CHF events compared with the WH variables. Radiation doses to CSs, such as LCX and LAD, should be monitored to help reduce the occurrence of significant CEs in patients with esophageal cancer undergoing definitive radiation therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Y 2 O 3 anti-reflection films were deposited on freestanding chemical vapor deposited (CVD) diamond substrates by radio frequency magnetron sputtering. The effects of oxygen–argon ratio on microstructure, composition, optical property and mechanical property were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, spectroscopic ellipsometry, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, and nanoindentation. The results showed that the crystal structure of Y 2 O 3 films transformed from cubic to monoclinic with the increase of oxygen–argon ratio. Meanwhile, the degree of non-stoichiometry of the film with the monoclinic phase was higher than the film with the cubic phase. Both monoclinic and cubic Y 2 O 3 film had an anti-reflection effect on diamond in the 8–12 μm long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) range. However, the maximum transmittance of the Y 2 O 3 film-coated diamond was shifted to lower wavelengths, which were mainly attributed to the reflective indexes of the Y 2 O 3 film that decreased with the increase of the oxygen–argon ratio. The Y 2 O 3 film with a cubic phase had high resistance to abrasion and plastic deformation. Therefore, the Y 2 O 3 film with a cubic phase was much more suitable for long-wave infrared application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing the self-heating of SiC- and GaN/SiC-based high-powered devices by integrating diamond films offers promising performance enhancement of these devices. However, such a reduction strategy faces serious problems, such as diamond nucleation on SiC and stress accumulation greater than 10 GPa. In this work, a SiN x dielectric layer (∼50 nm) was coated onto the C polar face of a 4H–SiC wafer using microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) to improve direct dense diamond nucleation and growth, significantly reduce the stress, and build Si–C(SiC)⋯Si⋯C(diamond) bond bridges. This SiN x thin layer, prepared by activating Si ions under Ar/N plasma during magnetron sputtering, gave rise to local Si 3 N 4 crystal features and a low effective work function (EWF) for promoting surface dipoles with electronegative carbon-containing groups. In the H plasma environment during diamond growth, the local Si 3 N 4 crystal was amorphized, and the N atoms escaped as a result of atomic H and the high temperature. At the same time, C atoms diffused into the SiN x and formed C–Si bonds (49.7% of the total C bonds) by replacing N–Si and Si–Si, thus increasing the direct nucleation density of the diamond grains. The diamond thin film grew rapidly and uniformly, with a grain size of approximately 2 μm in mixed orientation, and the stress of the 2-inch SiC-on-diamond wafer was extremely low (to ∼0.1–0.2 GPa). In comparison, partially connected diamond grains (>10 μm) on the bare SiC in the preferential (110) orientation resulted in a film with twin-grain features and significant stress, which was associated with the hexagonal lattice interface of 4H–SiC. These results are considered the material and surface/interface bases for actively controlling wafer fabrication and enhancing the heat dissipation of SiC and GaN/SiC electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The northern North China Craton was in a contractional setting in early Mesozoic. • Post-collisional contractional deformation was due to the lithosphere delamination. • A decoupling process dominated the early stage of the destruction of the NCC. After the collision of the Mongolian arc terranes with the amalgamated Bainaimiao arc and North China Craton in the latest Permian to earliest Triassic, the northern North China Craton ended the Andean-type accretionary orogenesis. The nature of the subsequent post-collision tectonic setting in early Mesozoic in the northern North China Craton remains controversial. Some workers proposed that the northern North China Craton evolved into a post-orogenic extensional stage. However, this view was mainly built on geochemistry studies of Triassic plutonic rocks in northern North China Craton while it had never received support from studies of tectonic deformation. In contrast, our recent field mapping combining with geochronological studies in the Yanshan belt suggest that the northern North China Craton was in an overall polyphase multi-directional contractional settings in early Mesozoic. We have identified four stages of contractional deformation (D 1 -D 4) in this region. D 1 (250–231 Ma) is the intracratonic response to the collision of the Mongolia arc terranes with the NCC. D 2 (214 ∼ 207 Ma) and D 3 (204 ∼ 195 Ma) are post-collisional intracratonic contractional deformation which occurred synchronously with the lithosphere thinning. D 2 and D 3 and the intervened plutonism might be a crustal response to the delamination and sinking of the over-thickened lithosphere of the northern North China Craton. D 4 is the result of the west-ward subduction of the Izanagi plate beneath the eastern Asian continent plate in the Early Jurassic. These findings together with previous studies indicate that the northern North China Craton experienced a long period of polyphase contractional deformation before its final destruction in the Early Cretaceous. The early stage of the destruction of the North China Craton is characterized by coeval lithosphere thinning and crustal thickening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, standard diamond bars were prepared using an ultra-thick diamond plate, and the bars had sizes consistent with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14704:2016(E) three-point bending method for measuring the fracture strength. Ultra-thick diamond plate with dimensions of 125 mm (diameter) × 6.5 mm (thickness) were deposited using direct current arc plasma jet chemical vapour deposition. After cutting, grinding, and polishing, 12 diamond bars meeting the requirements of the ISO standard were prepared (36 mm × 4 mm × 3 mm) and tested for fracture strength using the cited ISO standard and elastic modulus using deflection measurements. The fracture strength of the ultra-thick diamond plate was found to be 580 ± 66 MPa. In addition, for comparison, the fracture strengths of standard ZnS, sapphire, and alumina were also analysed. Crucially, this is the first report of the fracture strength of standard-sized diamond plate. The effects of the defects and grain size on the crack formation and failure of the diamond film were analysed. The diamond's fracture strength was affected by the sample thickness, which caused the gradual accumulation of defects as this dimension increased, but not by its length and width. The elastic moduli of sapphire and alumina were compared. Overall, the measurement of the fracture strengths of ultra-thick diamond plate via the ISO standard is important for industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A self-consistent multi-physics coupling model including microwave electromagnetic field, plasma field and fluid heat transfer field is established. • CH 4 -H 2 plasma characteristics from 18 to 100 W∙cm−3. • Kinetics of CH 4 -H 2 plasma chemical reaction at high average power density. • High-rate growth of high-quality Φ 60 mm diamond films at high average power density of 100 W∙cm−3. Investigating the mechanism behind the high-efficiency deposition of high-quality diamond has always been a prominent topic in related research. This paper investigates the CH 4 -H 2 plasma characteristics and related chemical reaction kinetics in the average power density range of 18–100 W·cm−3, which is a typical range for large-area diamond film deposition. The number densities of H, CH 3 and C 2 H 2 increase linearly with the average power density. C 2 H 2 is the main hydrocarbon in the discharge, and CH 3 is the main single-carbon hydrocarbon. The number density and radial uniformity of CH 3 and C 2 H 2 increase with the average power density, which is necessary for the high rate and uniform deposition of diamond films. The plasma's optical emission spectra indicate an acceleration in the C 2 production rate at high power density. The diamond film deposition experiment demonstrates the efficacy of high average power density in achieving high-quality diamond deposition at a high growth rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A piece of diamond film (Ø 125 mm) was polished based on prefabricated stress. The diamond film was glued to a metal workpiece at high temperatures. The difference in the thermal expansion coefficients between the diamond film and the workpiece was exploited to prefabricate stress in the middle of the two materials. This prefabricated stress had a compressive effect on the diamond film, offset the stress generated in the grinding and polishing process, and prevented the diamond film from cracking. The feasibility of the prestressing method was verified by a combination of experiments and finite element simulations. The prestressing method was used to bond the diamond film to a 10 mm-thick brass fixture at 20, 50, 70, and 90 °C. It was found that when the temperature of the bonded diamond film reached 90 °C, the increase in the prefabricated stress was −410.71 MPa. The finite element simulation results were found to be consistent with the experimental data. The diamond film was cooled down to room temperature after bonding at high temperatures to simulate the prefabricated stress generation process. The diamond film with the prefabricated stress was again heated to the bonding temperature to simulate the stress change caused by the frictional heat generated during the polishing process. The stress of the bonded sample increased when it was cooled down to room temperature. The stress on the diamond surface became smaller during the polishing process, and the stress almost disappeared with the rise in bonding temperature, verifying the viability of the prestressing method. [Display omitted] • Prestressing method to polish a large-sized diamond film was proposed. • Diamond film was bonded to the metal fixture at high temperature and cooled. • The prefabricate stress was measured and simulated. • A Ø125 mm diamond film was successfully polished using this idea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipid monitoring plays a crucial role in biomedical research, particularly in the areas of cardiovascular health, metabolic disorders and nutrition. However, direct and highly sensitive detection of lipids poses significant challenges due to the interference of high SERS background noise in lipid samples. In this study, we present a SERS platform for the quantitative analysis of lipids. By harnessing the Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) effect of nanostructured grooves and leveraging deuterium oxide, a remarkable enhancement of in-situ Raman signals originating from cholesterol is achieved. This approach yielded an impressive average enhancement factor of 7.3 × 105 and a detection limit of 1.9 × 10−4 mg/mL, highlighting the exceptional sensitivity and precision of our method. We have obtained high quality, in-situ SERS signals for six distinct lipid molecules. Rapid identification of lipid samples in mixed systems has been achieved through the combination of characteristic peak analysis and PCA-LDA, including the detection of SERS signals from lipids in milk. Notably, univariate monitoring of in-situ cholesterol in human serum was successfully achieved for the first time using deuterium water as an internal standard. In addition, silver substrate demonstrated outstanding reproducibility, maintaining consistent SERS activity even after more than 10 repetitions. Therefore, this platform offers the distinct advantages of high sensitivity, specificity and cost-effectiveness for lipid detection. These findings enable dietary management and blood lipid monitoring, and therefore hold crucial implications for the early prevention of lipid-related disorders and diseases. [Display omitted] • A SERS platform for highly sensitive in situ detection of lipids was designed. • SERS signal of cholesterol in situ was significantly enhanced by the SPR effect and D 2 O of nanostructured grooves. • Rapid identification of six different lipid molecules was realized. • For the first time, a univariate monitoring of human serum in situ cholesterol was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deposition of a consistent diamond coating on intricate surfaces has historically posed a difficulty. This article presents the advancement in research on depositing a uniform diamond coating on three-dimensional (3D) silicon spheres, utilizing a faraday cage within a microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) reactor. A self-consistent three-dimensional multi-physics field model has been established for simulating the microwave electric field and plasma inside a reactor with or without a faraday cage. Results indicate the cage effectively reduces the discharge at the top of the silicon sphere and improves uniformity of the distribution of the microwave electric field and plasma electron density on the sphere's surface. MPCVD trials have demonstrated that a powerful discharge takes place at the apex of the silicon sphere resulting in an excessive thermal gradient if the cage is not added. The apex of the silicon sphere is covered with a blend of diamond and graphite phases. Due to the excessive internal stress of the coating, approximately 50 % of the samples experience coating detachment. After the addition of the cage, the strong discharge is transferred to the top of the cage, effectively suppressing the microwave electric field and plasma inside the cage. Improved quality, reduced internal stress, and enhanced uniformity of the polycrystalline diamond coating are achievable on the silicon spheres within the cage. Moreover, this technique offers a novel approach to coat diamond on complex 3D geometries. [Display omitted] • Three-dimensional multi-physics modeling verifies that faraday cage suppresses microwave electric field and plasma. • The Faraday cage improves the uniformity of the distribution of microwave electric fields and plasma in the internal space. • Uniform, high crystal quality, low stress diamond coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The direct-current arc plasma jet method is advantageous for the rapid deposition of large-area self-supporting diamond films. However, dark defects tend to be generated during the growth process, significantly affecting the performance of the diamond. In this study, we use the direct-current arc plasma jet method to prepare transparent and translucent samples. Subsequently, we compare their optical, thermal, and mechanical properties and analyze the differences in their performances via microstructure and defect analyses. The results indicate that the transparent diamond samples exhibit excellent optical and thermal properties, with a transmittance of 68.4 % at a wavelength of 10.6 μm and a thermal conductivity similar to that of type-IIa single crystal diamond (i.e. 2002 W/(m·K)). Meanwhile, the translucent diamond exhibits outstanding mechanical properties, with a fracture strength of 984 MPa. Characterization results based on electron backscatter diffraction and X-ray computed tomography suggest that a preferred orientation along the (220) planes is conducive to the densification growth of the samples, thereby enhancing their optical and thermal properties. However, the generation of numerous twins results in interlocking between grains, which improves sample's mechanical properties but introduces porosity and impurities, thus deteriorating its optical and thermal performance. [Display omitted] • Optical and thermal diamond films were deposited by DC-arc plasma jet CVD with growth rates >6 μm/h. • Strong (220) texture and numerous twins can improve optical transmittance and fracture strength, respectively. • X-ray CT was used to reveal defects distribution and content within diamond samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic and mechanical properties, and their biocompatibility, make diamond-based materials promising biomedical applications. The cost required to produce high quality single crystalline diamond films is still a hurdle to prevent them from commercial applications, but the emergence of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) films grown by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method has provided an affordable strategy. PCD films grown on silicon wafer have been used throughout and were fully characterised by SEM, XPS, Raman spectroscopy and FTIR. The samples contain nearly pure carbon, with impurities originated from the CVD growth and the silicon etching process. Raman spectroscopy revealed it contained tetrahedral amorphous carbon with small tensile stress. The sp2 carbon content, comprised between 16.1 and 18.8%, is attributed to the diamond grain boundaries and iron-catalysed graphitisation. Antibacterial properties of PCD films were performed with two model bacteria, i.e. Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) using direct contact and shaking flask methods. The samples showed strong bacteriostatic properties against S. aureus and E. coli with the direct contact method and no influence on planktonic bacterial growth. These results suggest that the bacteriostatic mechanism of PCD films is linked to their surface functional groups (carbon radicals and –NH 2 and –COOH groups) and that no diffusible molecules or components were involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The current artificial joint materials need to be further improved for adhesion and service life. In the present research, the adhesion of albumen protein to CrN and CrAlN coatings on Ti alloy and Si wafer is studied via rotational shear flow. CrN and CrAlN coatings provide improved wear resistance over pure Cr. These coatings offer a potential alternative to reduce wear in artificial joints. Previous research has demonstrated that there are two factors that affect protein adhesion: surface roughness and surface chemistry. Here we study effects of material and surface properties of those coatings on protein adhesion. Experimentally, we developed a method to quantitatively evaluate the adhesive strength of proteins to the surface. Subsequently we study the interfacial mechanisms between coating surfaces and protein molecules. Results indicate that the protein adhesion depends on the substrate chemistry. The CrN and CrAlN coatings improve wear resistance with minimum to no influence with the substrate''s interaction with the proteins. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: TiN-type coatings have the potential to be used as SOFC interconnect coatings because of their low resistance and high temperature stability. In this research, various (Ti,Al)N coatings were deposited on stainless steels by filtered-arc method. ASR and XRD tests were conducted on these coatings, and SEM/EDAX analyses were conducted after ASR and XRD tests. SEM/EDAX analyses show that (Ti,Al)N remains stable at temperature up to in a short period of time. It is also indicated that Al has beneficial effect on the stability of TiN-type coatings. At , (Ti–30Al)N is fully oxidized and some of (Ti–50Al)N coating still remains as nitride. The analyses on cross-sectional samples show that these coatings are an effective barrier to the Cr migration. In summary, (Ti,Al)N coatings are good candidates for the SOFC interconnect applications at . The future directions of this research are to improve the stability of these coatings by alloy-doping and to develop multi-layer coatings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Diamond is a highly attractive material for many applications in material science, engineering, chemistry, and biology because of its favorable properties. The preparation of large-area freestanding diamond plate can greatly reduce the production cost of diamond and promote the industrialization of diamond. In this study, the dual-magnetic field mode was introduced to optimize the magnetic field distribution in direct current arc plasma jet chemical vapor deposition (DC Jet CVD) system, and the arc plasma was effectively controlled under the coupling of electric field and magnetic field. The uniformity of the plasma distribution above the substrate surface is significantly improved, resulting in long-term stable and uniform growth of the 8-inch freestanding diamond plate. The influence of dual-magnetic field mode on magnetic field generation, arc feature, and reactive group distribution was studied. 8-inch freestanding diamond plates with an average thickness of 2.8 mm were prepared by dual-magnetic controlled DC Jet CVD. The results showed that the 8-inch diamond plate preferred a high (220) orientation, and the deviation of thickness of which was around 10 % of the averaged values. Raman spectroscopy of diamond revealed a 6.6 cm−1 of full width at half maximum (FWHM) and calculated 1.20 GPa compressive stress in the 8-inch diamond plate. By means of mechanical and thermal property measurements, the large area diamond plate shows a robust structure with the average values of three-point bending fracture strength of 987.2 MPa, and extremely high thermal conductivity of 1797.8 W/(m·k) as well. The deviation of three-point bending fracture strength and the thermal conductivity over the 8-inch diamond plate was around 7.9 % and 12.6 % of the respective averaged values. [Display omitted] • A uniform and robust 8-inch diamond plate was prepared using a dual-field DC arc CVD system. • The average three-point bending fracture strength of the 8-inch diamond plate was 987.23 MPa, and the average thermal conductivity was 1797.80 W/(m•K). • The effect of dual magnetic field mode on the distribution of arc morphology and arc plasma groups was analyzed using a high-speed camera and filter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A probe, namely Me 2 NND, with strong emission in oleic acid was developed. • Me 2 NND can selectively light up the lipid droplets (LDs) of living cells. • Me 2 NND demonstrates good biocompatibility and photostability. • Me 2 NND provides a potential candidate for the imaging of atherosclerotic diseases. Fluorescence imaging techniques have shown remarkable performance in studying the biological functions of lipid droplets (LDs). However, the biological applications of the commercially available LDs probes suffer from insufficient specificity and low signal/noise ratio (SNR). Herein, we presented a novel near-infrared (NIR) lipid activatable fluorescence probe, namely Me 2 NND, with extremely low emission in water but significantly enhanced emission in the lipid environment. Me 2 NND presented good biocompatibility and impressive LDs-specific imaging ability in cells and tissues. Moreover, Me 2 NND has also shown good photostability and it could efficiently locate the distribution of LDs in human pathological samples of aortic aneurysms and fibrocalcific stenotic aortic valves. This study provided a novel turn-on probe Me 2 NND and would improve the bio-applications of LDs-specific probes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A lipid droplets (LDs) imaging nanoplatform MeOTTI-PMEA NPs was prepared. • MeOTTI showed significantly enhanced emission in oil and good intracellular imaging performance. • MeOTTI-PMEA NPs showed good acid responsive ability. • MeOTTI-PMEA NPs could efficiently accumulate and light up the LDs in atherosclerotic plaques. Hydrophobic lipid droplets (LDs)-specific fluorescent probes have shown great potential in bioimaging. However, their in vivo bioapplications are also limited by their strong hydrophobic nature. To address this issue, we prepared a novel tetraphenylethylene (TPE)-based fluorescent probe, namely, MeOTTI , and a pH-responsive polymeric micelle to establish a nanodiagnostic system for the imaging of LDs in atherosclerosis. MeOTTI demonstrated good LDs-specific imaging capability with good anti-photobleaching ability but poor water solubility. MeOTTI -encapsulated nanoparticles (MeOTTI - PMEA NPs) have shown improved water solubility and biocompatibility of MeOTTI. MeOTTI-PMEA NPs exhibited great stability at pH 7.4, while they showed good acid-responsive ability with accelerated MeOTTI release. Importantly, MeOTTI-PMEA NPs could efficiently light up the LDs in cells and in mice atherosclerosis plaques. The construction of LDs-specific probe-loaded nanodiagnostic system is expected to create enthusiasm for the development of new tools for bioimaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Transform systems are identified in the Yanshan and northern Taihang belts, NCC. • They are the dextral contraction before 143 Ma and sinistral extension after 129 Ma. • Boundaries of the modified and destructed NCC are defined by the transform systems. • Transition of the transform systems marks the initiation of the destruction of NCC. Mesozoic tectonics of the North China Craton (NCC) is characterized by craton modification and destruction that resulted in varied degrees of craton instability. The change from the end of the latest modification to the start of the final destruction of the NCC is regarded to be related to the subduction and roll-back of the Izanagi plate. However, the timing of this tectonic transition remains debated, and the extent of the area where cratonic destruction occurred is still poorly constrained. The joint part of the Yanshan and Taihang Mountain belts has been viewed as the northwest margin of the destructed eastern NCC. Detailed geological mapping and geochronological studies of this area reveal two groups of transform structures: (1) the dextral transform structures developed before 143 Ma and (2) the sinistral transform structures formed after 129 Ma. The western boundary of the dextral transform structures separate the intact NCC and the modified NCC, whereas the sinistral transform structures define the northwestern and northern boundaries of the destructed NCC. The switching from dextral to sinistral movement occurred at ca. 143–129 Ma, which is roughly coeval with the initial volcanism of the Zhangjiakou Formation, whose age becomes younger eastward. The western boundary of the sinistral transform structures migrated to the east for more than 120 km with respect to that of the dextral transform structures. These indicate that the transition from the end of the latest modification to the start of the final destruction of the NCC occurred in 143–129 Ma. In regional geology, this transition is consistent with the geodynamic setting of the transformation from the Late Jurassic flat-slab subduction to slab roll-back of the Izanagi plate since ~144 Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The used big grain PCD films allow the effect of grain boundaries to be ignored. • Compact needles with high aspect ratio were obtained at a rate of 2 μm/min. • O 2 plasma etching generated trans -polyacetylene was suppressed by Cl or H ions. • Preferential etching and needles formation were investigated time-dependently. The needle-like surface morphology evolution in oxygen plasma in combination with a secondary gas (Cl 2 , CHF 3 or CF 4) by inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching (ICP-RIE) on a free-standing polycrystalline diamond was investigated. The addition of CF 4 can produce trans -polyacetylene (t -PA), which is similar to the result when the pure O 2 etching takes place, and generate compact needle-tip particles. However, the t -PA disappears with the introduction of Cl or H ions. The optimised etching parameters for the needle-like structure formation are as following: Cl 2 /O 2 ratio 20% and RF-power (RFP) 100 W, where more compact and even nano-needles are realised with an average etching rate of 2 μm/min. The Cl 2 /O 2 plasma etching results indicate that the time-dependent etching mechanism of diamond nano-needles results from (1 1 1) crystal plane selective etching and preferential graphitisation at the twin-plane boundary and dislocation area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ultra-smooth surface and hydrophobic nitrogen-incorporated ultra-nano-crystalline diamond (N-UNCD) was directly synthesized by equilibrating the etching effect of OH radical and growth promotion of CN and CH in the 5% CH 4 added H 2 plasma environment with additional feeding of constant 0.16% O 2 and from 0.3% to 3.3% N 2 contents. The initially decreasing and then increasing trend of surface roughness, i.e., from as-grown appearance with pits to smooth and then to worm-like surface, was resulted from the offset and even suppressive effect on OH etched holes by the faster growth rate that under the help of more N 2 promoted chemical groups of CH and CN. In addition, chemical composition, i.e., the large amount of sp 2 phases (sp 2/ sp 3 ratio up to 1.399) and H termination of N-UNCD surface (proportion was 75.54 ± 3.8%), played an another enhancing function for repelling water (contact angle from 81.3° to 93.8°) although the surface roughness decreased to smoothest of 1.36 nm in Root-Mean-Square (RMS) in the presence of N 2 addition from 0.3% to 1%. However, continuing adding N 2 to 3.3%, the formed surface (RMS 8.98 nm) with worm-like ultra-nano diamond crystallites together with higher H reconstructed sp 2 contents (sp 2/ sp 3 ratio rose to 1.478) further boosted the hydrophobicity, at which the contact angle was finally increased to 110.2°. Therefore, in C-H-O-N gas system, ultra-smooth and uniform N-UNCD surface with excellent hydrophobicity can be obtained by a one-step method without any post-treatment. • Ultra-smooth and hydrophobic nitrogen-incorporated UNCD was synthesized in CH 4 /H 2 /O 2 /N 2 system without any post-treatment. • The ultra-smooth nitrogen-incorporated UNCD was obtained by equilibrating the etching effect of OH radical and growth promotion of CN and CH groups. • Hydrophobicity can be enhanced by raised hydrogen reconstructed sp 2 phase although the surface roughness was decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]