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In order to obtain casein edible films with great packing performance, gelatin as the reinforcing additive with different ratios were loaded via two methods including layer‐ by‐ layer and blending. A comparative study on structure properties between double layers and blending films made from casein and gelatin was obtained by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The difference between the films' packing characters were conducted by water vapor permeability (WVP), optical property, and mechanical properties (including tensile strength (TS) and elongation (EAB)). The results showed that the degree of films roughness increased and the structural stability decreased as the increase of gelatin additive ratio in both double layers and blending films. Thickness and WVP both displayed a trend of increasing first then decreasing at the dividing of gelatin instead of casein in 50%. Importantly, WVP values in double layers film with a largest value of 6.95 gm−1Pa−1s−1 was higher than blending films, observably (P < 0.05). Additionally, TS in blending film was increased by 23.44% than double layers film under the gelatin additive proportion of 70%, and EAB value in double layers film was larger by 207.65% than blending film under the gelatin additive proportion of 10%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the photocatalytic property of TiO2, Fe3+-doped TiO2nanotubes were fabricated by sol-gel and hydrothermal method. The prepared materials were characterized by XRD and TEM techniques. The photocatalytic properties of samples were evaluated based on the degradation of aqueous methylene blue solution under visible light. The obtained anatase-type titania nanotubes were hollow scrolls with outer diameter approximately 13 nm and length about 90–120 nm. The results showed that appropriate content of ferrum ion can improve the photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide nanotubes significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility for parenteral delivery of Gamma-linolenic acid methyl ester without chemical modification using a microemulsion. Microemulsions composed of gamma-linolenic acid methyl ester and Tween 80 were prepared using PEG 400 as a cosurfactant. The effect of formulation variables on the particle size of the microemulsion was investigated. TEM image indicates the liquid droplets of the microemulsion are spheral shape. The mean droplet size of microemulsion system (Tween 80: GLA = 3:1) by PCS was about 50 nm and no changes were noted for at least six months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nickel-doped titanium dioxide nanotubes were prepared by Sol-gel and hydrothermal method and used to photodecompose methylene blue (MB) in liquid phase under visible light irradiation. The anatase-type titania nanotubes were shown to be hollow scrolls with outer diameter of about 10–15 nm and length of several hundred nanometers. The photocatalytic properties of Ni-doped titanium dioxide nanotubes and nanopowders were studied by degrading of MB. The results show that appropriate content of nickel can effectively enhance the photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide nanotubes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microstructure and mechanical properties of Fe–Cr–Ni–Mo–Ti stainless maraging steel laser weldments have been investigated after post-weld ageing treatments in a temperature range from 420 °C to 580 °C. Metallographic characterization of laser weldment revealed three zones, i.e. fusion zone, heat-affected zone and unaffected parent material zone. Martensite was the predominant phase in the three zones when the ageing temperature was lower than 500 °C whereas a large amount of reverted austenite occurred in three zones on ageing above 500 °C, leading to hardness decrease accordingly. Hardness distribution across the welds demonstrated that after all ageing treatments, the hardness in heat-affected zone was greatly increased to above 420 HV from 320 HV in as-weld condition, and hardness in three regions varied with different trends with increasing ageing temperature. The different ageing behavior in fusion zone and parent material zone has been discussed by comparison of dissolution of Ti(C, N)x inclusion within them during welding thermal cycle. The tensile properties were found satisfactory in weld subjected to ageing at 460 °C; the yield strength was increased by 14.5% as compared with as-received aged parent material. A graph was established for determination of fracture location and post-weld ageing efficiency using measured hardness values in both heat-affected zone and parent material zone. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A simple method to form single-crystal silica nanotubes in a low relative temperature is reported. A result of tridymite nanotubes in single-crystal structure, which was obtained by pregained amorphous silica nanotubes heated to 471 K for 5 h in the presence of glycol and potassium hydroxide is described. The results of XRD and TEM reveal that single-crystal tridymite nanotube was prepared. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Potato microtuber produced in vitro provides a model system to investigate photoperiod-dependent tuberization. However, the genes associated with potato tuberization remain to be elucidated. The present research involved three potato clones with distinct tuberization response to changes of photoperiod. Digital Gene Expression (DGE) Tag Profiling analysis of the short-day-sensitive clone identified 2218 genes that were regulated by day length. Both GO and KEGG pathway analysis provided insights into predominant biological processes and pathways, and enabled the selection of 56 genes associated with circadian rhythmicity, signal transduction, and development. Quantitative transcriptional analysis in the selected clones revealed 5 genes potentially associated with photoperiodic tuberization, which were predicted to encode a DOF protein, a blue light receptor, a lectin, a syntaxin-like protein, and a protein with unknown function. Our results strongly suggest that potato tuberization may be largely controlled by the homologs of genes shown to regulate flowering time in other plants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]