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The focus of this study was to develop technologies using chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas to control postharvest stem-end rot of citrus caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae. Mycelial growth of L. theobromae on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plugs was completely inhibited by a 24-h ClO2 exposure provided by 0.5 g of solid ClO2 generating granular mixture in a 7.7-liter sealed container. In vivo experiments were conducted on artificially inoculated Tango and naturally infected U.S. Early Pride mandarins. When ClO2 treatments were initiated 0 to 6 h after inoculation, decay development was significantly reduced as compared with the control, and higher ClO2 doses were more effective. A ClO2 treatment (using 3 g of generating mixture per 7.7-liter sealed container) administered 0 h after inoculation resulted in 17.6% Diplodia stem-end rot incidence compared with 95.6% in the control, whereas the same treatment administered 24 h after inoculation was much less effective, resulting in 63.0% incidence compared with 85.4% in the control. Diplodia stem-end rot incidence of naturally infected fruit after using 6 or 9 g of generating mixture per 24-liter sealed box was 23.8 or 25.7%, respectively, compared with 47.9% for control fruit. The ClO2 treatments had no negative effects on fruit quality characteristics including weight loss, firmness, puncture resistance, titratable acids (TAs), total soluble solids (TSSs), and rind color. Albedo pH at wounds was significantly reduced from 6.0 to 4.8 by the ClO2 treatments, whereas undamaged albedo remained at 5.8. In addition, no visible physiologic defects, such as peel browning and bleaching, were observed on ClO2-treated fruit. These results indicate that ClO2 gas has the potential to be developed as a component of an integrated citrus postharvest decay control system to minimize fruit losses.

Liposome-encapsulated citral was prepared by means of a hot homogenization method. The microstructure, particle size, and zeta potential of the capsules were analyzed by transmission electron microscope and dynamic light scattering, respectively, in which the results showed a good dispersion stability of the citral-loaded liposome. In vitro tests showed that liposome-encapsulated citral significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the populations of Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Penicillium italicum more than free citral. In vivo tests conducted on fresh Shatangju mandarin showed that liposome-encapsulated citral-treated fruit exhibited a decay incidence of 56.67%, which is 42.04% lower than free citral-treated fruit (97.78%) after 26 days of storage at 25°C and 60 to 70% relative humidity. Additionally, fruit treated with citral-loaded liposome significantly reduced weight loss and viable yeast and mold during storage. In summary, liposome-encapsulated citral could be an effective antimicrobial agent to extend the shelf life of the Shatangju mandarin. HIGHLIGHTS

Background The epidemiology of acute kidney injury (AKI) in nonexacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (NECOPD) patients is unknown. This study investigated the factors associated with AKI and the association between AKI and in-hospital mortality in the hospitalized NECOPD population. Methods The electronic medical records of 2897 patients hospitalized with NECOPD were analyzed retrospectively. Demographic information, medicine used before AKI, diagnosis records and laboratory data were collected. AKI was classified as community-acquired (CA-) or hospital-acquired (HA-) AKI according to the serum creatinine criteria. Risk factors for HA-AKI and in-hospital mortality were analyzed by logistic regression analyses. To avoid an interaction between cor pulmonale and AKI, the association between AKI and in-hospital morality was further analyzed with cor pulmonale stratification. Results The incidence rates of CA- and HA-AKI were 7.1 and 12.0%, respectively. Increased age, female sex, cor pulmonale comorbidity, chronic kidney disease stage, diuretic and glycopeptide use before AKI and iodine-containing contrast medium exposure were independently associated with HA-AKI. A total of 5.7% of the patients died. After adjustment for age, sex, cor pulmonale, chronic kidney disease, Charlson comorbidity index score (without renal disease) and hemoglobin level, HA-AKI was an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality [OR 13.909 (95% CI 8.699–22.238) in non-cor pulmonale subgroup; OR 26.604 (95% CI 12.166–58.176) in cor pulmonale subgroup], whereas CA-AKI was not. Conclusions AKI is common in the NECOPD population. Diuretics and contrast media are associated with HA-AKI in this population. The patients with HA-AKI have a higher mortality risk than the patients without AKI.

Self-assembled drug-polymer micelles are attractive candidates for drug delivery. In this study, amphiphilic floxuridine (FdU)-poly e-caprolactone (PCL) conjugates containing ester bond were synthesized and self-assembled with phenylsulfonyl furoxan (PSF) to form drug-loading micelles. The micelles had an average size of 91.2 nm and a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 8.56 μg mL−1. The Micelles were stable in physiological environment, but would decompose under intracellular conditions, releasing chemotherapeutic drug FdU and NO precursor PSF in cancer cells. Intracellular glutathione (GSH) triggered NO release from the PSF, with which the FdU inhibited cancer cells synergistically. In vitro cell and in vivo small animal experiments demonstrated that the Micelles could accumulate in the tumor and be internalized by cancer cells. The micelles inhibited the cancer cell proliferation by releasing FdU and NO. The NO acted as an MDR reversal agent and hence increased the intracellular FdU concentration, through which synergistic therapy was achieved. This drug-polymer conjugate-based micelles had high therapeutic efficacy for cancer with low side effects, providing a new approach to cancer chemotherapy.

Background Drug resistance mutation (DRM)-associated virological failure has become a critical issue for ART and the elimination of HIV. Objectives To investigate the distribution characteristics of DRMs of HIV CRF01_AE, CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC, the predominant subtypes in China. Methods Patients receiving ART up to 31 August 2020 in Ganzhou in China were recruited. Full-length sequences of the HIV pol gene were amplified from patients with virological failure. DRMs and antiretroviral susceptibility were explored using the Stanford University HIV Drug Resistance Database HIVdb Program. Results Overall, 279 of 2204 patients under ART were found to have virological failure. Nine HIV subtypes were identified among 211 sequences that were amplified successfully and CRF08_BC (37.0%), CRF01_AE (26.1%) and CRF07_BC (25.6%) were the most prevalent, with mutation frequencies of 44.9% (35/78), 52.7% (29/55) and 35.2% (19/54), respectively. The most common DRMs of these three subtypes were K103N and M184V, while the mutation frequencies of M41L, D67N, K70R, K101E, V106M, Y181C, K219E, H221Y and N348I were obviously different among subtypes. The resistance levels and frequencies for antiretroviral drugs for these three subtypes were similar and resistances to nevirapine, efavirenz, lamivudine and emtricitabine were the most frequently observed. Compared with CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC, CRF08_BC had higher proportions of DRMs for NRTIs and lower frequencies of resistance to NRTIs and NNRTIs. Conclusions The distribution characteristics of DRMs of HIV CRF01_AE, CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC were inconsistent and should be considered when selecting antiretroviral strategies, developing new drugs and controlling HIV strains containing DRMs.

Graphene-based photodetectors have received widespread attention because of the superior characteristics. However, most of previous research focused on improving the performance of the detector. Herein, an angle-sensitive photodetector, which fabricated via vertically standing layered graphene (VSG) grown on $\mathrm{n}$ -type silicon substrate, is demonstrated. Due to the vertical structure of the VSG, the current change rate can reach up to 188.6% when the incident angle is 55 degree, which demonstrates promising applications for omnidirectional detection.

We develop a telecom-band nanophotonic spin-photon interface with erbium dopants in silicon. We perform photoluminescence spectroscopy of Er3+ in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers and measure Purcell enhancement, optical linewidths and transition dipoles in nanophotonic cavities. Comments and questions should be directed to Tian Zhong (tel: +1 773.834.4237, e-mail: tzh@uchicago.edu).

In order to develop a biodegradable agent for food preservation, β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) inclusion complexes containing p-Anisaldehyde (PAA) were prepared using co-precipitation method. Physical properties including moisture content, bulk density, hygroscopicity, entrapment efficiency and loading capacity of the inclusion complexes showed considerable results for food applications. SEM and particle size test showed notably difference between the prepared inclusion complexes and the other formulations including the raw β-CD, physical mixture, and the recrystallized β-CD in both shape and size distribution. FTIR, XRD, TGA and DTA were also carried out and confirmed the formation of inclusion complexes and inhibition of the volatility of encapsulated PAA. As a potential preservation agent, inclusion complexes demonstrated a sustained released behavior in phosphate buffer saline (PBS). Comparing with pure PAA, the inclusion complexes presented a better storage stability in low humidity environment, a higher antioxidant activity, and equal MICs against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

We present the development of nanophotonic quantum nodes based on an epitaxial Er3+:Y 2 O 3 (yttria) on silicon platform. Heterostructure photonic cavities with ultra-small mode volumes couple to individual erbium qubits at the telecom wavelength. We measure silicon cavities with fabrication-limited Q cav ~400,000 and develop yttria nanofabricaton processes.

We present an epitaxial Er3+:Y2O3/silicon material platform for scalable quantum photonic devices. We discuss a system integrating suspended Er3+:Y2O3 membranes with a fiber Fabry-Perot cavity for coherent spectroscopy enabling quantum memory and transduction.

In order to evaluate the potential of developed β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)/p-Anisaldehyde (PAA) inclusion complexes as a fumigation agent for the postharvest decay control in strawberry, both in vitro and in vivo tests were conducted. According to the colony morphology analysis on PDA media, inclusion complexes showed activity on inhibiting the mycelial growth of the fungi including Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium. The effect of inclusion complexes on controlling postharvest decay in fresh strawberry was also confirmed by in vivo test, in which the inclusion complexes-treated fruit displayed significantly lower incidence and severity than control, β-CD-treated and free PAA-treated fruit. Moreover, evaluations of fruit qualities including color, weight loss, firmness and TSS, as well as the sensory indexes including appearance, color, texture and flavor were carried out in turn, showing there was no significant difference between inclusion complexes-treated fruit and the other groups.

Colloidal gels with two anticancer drugs loaded were designed and prepared. Negatively charged PEG-PLA nanoparticles with PTX loaded and positively charged ZnO nanoparticles with DOX loaded were assembled into colloidal gels. The drug-loading colloidal gels were shear-thinning physical gels. Such gels were injectable and could be directly injected to target sites. The gels released the PEG-PLA and ZnO nanoparticles spontaneously under physiological conditions. Both PEG-PLA and ZnO nanoparticles could decompose at reduced pH and release PTX and DOX, respectively. The co-delivery of two drugs provides a promising alternative for synergistic therapy.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the use of a controlled-release carvacrol powder to delay storage decay and maintain the safety of blueberries. The controlled-release carvacrol powder was a microcapsule of carvacrol (11% (w/w) active carvacrol) surrounded by a pectin/sodium alginate matrix. The microcapsules were packed in an air-permeable pouch, and then attached to the top of a clamshell filled with blueberries. The blueberries, inoculated with Escherichia coli or Colletotrichum acutatum, or non-inoculated control, were monitored for microbial growth and quality for 10 days at 10 °C and 5 days at 20 °C. Three treatments were compared: controlled-release microencapsulated carvacrol, non-encapsulated carvacrol, and control. The results showed that both the microencapsulated carvacrol and the non-encapsulated carvacrol treatments significantly reduced the populations of yeast and mold, and of E. coli and mesophilic aerobic bacteria. The microencapsulated carvacrol treated berries retained better quality due to significantly lower weight loss than control after 10 days at 10 °C. Sensory panelists found that the microencapsulated carvacrol berries had significantly higher overall blueberry flavor and lower discernible off-flavor in comparison with the non-encapsulated treatment after 3 days at 20 °C. The fruit internal quality, including total soluble solids content (SSC), and titratable acidity (TA), was not significantly affected by any treatment. These results indicate that pectin/sodium alginate controlled-release microencapsulated carvacrol can be used for the preservation of blueberries or other small fruit.

Device performance enhancement in quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) is realized by adding a small amount of insulating polymer polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) into the emitting quantum dot layer. Pool-Frenkel effect is observed through temperature-dependent current density-voltage experiments, indicating the important role of trap states, and the addition of the insulating PMMA helps to reduce the Poole-Frenkel barrier hence the trap depth. Reduced density and depth of trap states with PMMA are indeed observed through further capacitance measurements. This work contributes to a better understanding on the effects of traps in QLEDs.

CuS nanoparticles capped with a long-chain carboxylic acid were synthesized and conjugated with chitosan (CS) via N-hydroxysuccinimide. The anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) was then encapsulated by hydrophobic interaction, producing pH-responsive CuS(DOX)@CS nanospheres with photothermal conversion properties for controllable drug release and photothermal ablation (PTA). On the one hand, the encapsulated CuS nanoparticles can absorb NIR photons and be heated efficiently. On the other hand, the entrapped DOX can be released from the swollen CuS(DOX)@CS nanospheres caused by stretched oleoyl-CS chains at lowered pH. Combining chemotherapy and PTA, the biocompatible CuS(DOX)@CS nanospheres can provide synergistic cancer treatment, as evidenced by both in vitro and in vivo experiments. This study gives new insights into developing multifunctional drug delivery agents for cancer nanotherapeutics.

In hydraulic engineering, free-surface aeration is a natural phenomenon occurring in smooth channel flows. In self-aerated flows, a key aspect that has not yet been well understood is the formation mechanism of free-surface air entrainment. In this research, the process of free-surface entrapped deformation is analyzed theoretically and the critical radius of curvature for air entrainment is obtained, affected by flow mean velocity and depth. When the severity of local free-surface deformation exceeds the critical condition, the entrapped free surface encounters closure in the unstable deformation movement process, resulting in air entrainment. This inference agrees well with observed experimental results that are obtained from the processes of surface entrapped deformation and air entrainment captured by a high-speed camera-based data acquisition system. This agreement indicates that self-aeration occurs in low-velocity open-channel flows. It is also confirmed that free-surface turbulent deformation provides a mechanism for air entrainment.

Coherent quantum devices play a central role in quantum science and engineering. Rare-earth ions such as erbium in solids feature numerous 4f- intra-shell transitions that are effectively shielded from their crystalline surroundings by closed outer shells, allowing for long spin coherence times and narrow optical transitions. Recent ensemble experiments have established the rare-earth doped crystals as the leading materials for optical quantum memories. However, the development of large-scale quantum devices based on rare-earth doped materials has remained a challenge. Here we describe a scalable quantum photonic platform based on epitaxially grown oxide thin films doped with trivalent ions on silicon substrates. The platform builds upon the recent developments of high quality epitaxial rare-earth doped oxides on silicon, and highlights the integration of quantum coherent materials with existing silicon technologies for ultimate device scalability. The proposed device platform builds upon our capability to epitaxially grow high quality, near-lattice-matched Y2O3 thin films on silicon. The epitaxial thin film is of high structural quality and offers several distinct advantages: (1) significantly less optical loss and better quantum emitter coherence; (2) atomic precision placement of rare-earth emitters (via delta doping) with respect to the photonic mode for controllable ion-photon coupling; (3) scalable top-down device fabrication using standard lithography and etching techniques; (4) heterogeneous integration with silicon takes full advantage of existing silicon photonics technologies for routing, tuning, and modulation of the quantum emission from rare-earth ions.

Optical quantum memories will enable technologies including long distance quantum communication and modular quantum computing. Rare earth ion doped crystals provide an excellent solid state platform for optical quantum memories. Among rare earths, erbium is particularly appealing due to its long-lived telecom-wavelength resonance, allowing integration with silicon photonics and with existing optical communication technology and infrastructure. We present an on-chip all-optical quantum memory at telecom wavelengths using a nanobeam photonic crystal cavity fabricated directly in erbium-167 doped yttrium orthosilicate. Using an atomic frequency comb protocol, we store coherent pulses for memory times as long as 10 µs, albeit with low efficiency. For shorter memory times, we achieve a memory efficiency of 0.4%, which is limited by the coupling rate between the resonator and the ensemble of ions. By working at dilution refrigerator temperatures, we are able to access a regime where the ions have long optical coherence times and good spectral holeburning properties using only a moderate magnetic field applied with permanent magnets. We characterize the multimode properties and fidelity of the quantum memory in this device, and outline a path toward higher efficiency.

To investigate the structure, in vitro digestibility and activity of polysaccharides from lotus root, their main fractions named LRPs were isolated and purified by gel filtration chromatography. Structural analyses indicated that: LRPs were α‑(1 → 6)‑ d ‑heteroglucans mainly composed of Glc-(1→, →6)-Glc-(1→, →6)-Gal-(1→, →4,6)-Gal-(1→ and →3,6)-Glc-(1→ at a molar ratio of 1.00: 4.33: 0.83: 0.13: 1.14; the total molar percentage of other monosaccharides in LRPs, including Man, Rha, GalA and Ara, was 8.10%; the molecular weights of LRPs was in the range of 1.33 kDa to 5.30 kDa. According to the change of molecular weight and the productions of reducing sugar and free monosaccharide, the simulated experiments of salivary, gastric and intestinal digestion confirmed that LRPs were almost undigestible. Moreover, LRPs showed the scavenging ability against DPPH and hydroxyl radicals, the growth inhibition ability against SGC7901 and HepG2 cancer cells in vitro, and the immunostimulating effect on the NO and TNF-α productions of macrophages in vitro. LRPs nearly remain their initial structure and activities in upper gastrointestinal tract and have health-improving potentials.

We demonstrate optical probing of spectrally resolved single Nd^{3+} rare-earth ions in yttrium orthovanadate. The ions are coupled to a photonic crystal resonator and show strong enhancement of the optical emission rate via the Purcell effect, resulting in near radiatively limited single photon emission. The measured high coupling cooperativity between a single photon and the ion allows for the observation of coherent optical Rabi oscillations. This could enable optically controlled spin qubits, quantum logic gates, and spin-photon interfaces for future quantum networks.

A newly designed drug–drug assembly prodrug for tumor therapy is reported. Hydrophilic irinotecan (Ir) and hydrophobic doxorubicin (DOX) were assembled into amphiphilic micelles via specific H-bond-instructing double disulfide bonding that is pH- and redox-responsive. The micelles aggregated to form water-dispersible Ir–DOX small molecule assembly (SMA) nanoparticles with an average diameter of 68.7 nm. The Ir–DOX SMA nanoparticles can release Ir and DOX simultaneously under conditions characteristic of the environment in cancer cells. Decomposition of the Ir–DOX SMA nanoparticles which gives rise to the drug release can be monitored in real time based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the Ir and DOX moieties. In vitro cell experiments indicate that the Ir–DOX SMA nanoparticles are able to kill cancer cells efficiently with reduced multiple drug resistance (MDR) effect. Compared with the drug formulations such as Ir, DOX and Ir/DOX mixture, the drugs released from the Ir–DOX SMA nanoparticles can escape rapidly from the intracellular endolysosomal system and reach the nucleus, bypassing the drug efflux pump. This work provides a new concept of preparing drug delivery vehicles that may be applied in cancer chemotherapy.

Rare-earth ions (REIs) have incomplete 4f shells and possess narrow optical intra-4f transitions due to shielding from electrons in the 5s and 5p orbitals, making them good candidates for solid-state optical quantum memory. The emission of Er3+ in the telecom C-band (1530 nm–1565 nm) makes it especially attractive for this application. In order to build practical, scalable devices, the REI needs to be embedded in a non-interacting host material, preferably one that can be integrated with silicon. In this paper, we show that Er3+ can be isovalently incorporated into epitaxial Y2O3 thin films on Si (111). We report on the synthesis of epitaxial, single-crystalline Er:Y2O3 on Si with a narrow inhomogeneous linewidth in the photoluminescence (PL) spectra, 5.1 GHz (

We present hybrid crystalline-silicon (c-Si) ring resonators on top of 4H silicon carbide with measured quality factor ∼9600 for coupling to spin qubits like divacancies and Cr ions for future applications in quantum information networks.

I present our progress towards developing on-chip quantum light-matter interfaces like quantum memories and quantum transductors based on nanophotonic resonators coupled to rare-earth ions (Neodymium, Erbium, Ytterbium) in crystals.

Porous poly(lactic acid) (PLA) tissue engineering scaffolds with a hydrophilic surface assembled by polyethylene glycol aggregations were prepared by the solvent casting/particulate leaching method from (PLA)-(PLA-b-PEG)-(PEG) blend solution, where the PLA-b-PEG block polymer serves as an amphiphilic glue between two phases. A thermal recrystallization process was inserted before leaching to induce a phase separation, which subsequently squeezes out PEG to form a hydrophilic shell. Characterizations of XRD and DSC indicated the composition and mixing states of materials. The water contact angle test qualitatively presented the excellent hydrophilicity compared to the pure PLA or PLA-PEG simple blend scaffold. The scanning electron microscope results confirmed the formation of porous structure of [Formula: see text] pore size, with an observable phase separation on the surface. The scaffold was degraded in PBS at [Formula: see text], and the degradation exhibits a three-stage behavior, which evidenced the amphiphilically glued phase separations.

The injection-molded metallic glass soft magnet is prepared from the powder of melt-spun ribbon of Fe36Co36B20Si4Nb4 glassy alloy and Nylon 6,6 of wt.% from 5 to 20 via the polymer injection molding technology. The product is characterized by the SEM, mechanical, and magnetic test. The results indicate that this type of materials has comparable mechanical properties and morphological feature with the conventional injection-molded NdFeB magnet and exhibits excellent soft magnetic behaviors. The magnetic properties of the injected magnets are compared with the raw metallic glass, solvent-casted resin bonding magnets, and thermal-treated magnets to confirm that the processing temperature of Nylon injection does not affect the magnetism. The injection technology is a practical processing method to be applied on the metallic glass for potential usage.

Introduction Acute lung injury (ALI) is an acute inflammatory disease characterized by excess production of inflammatory factors in lung tissue. Quercetin, a herbal flavonoid, exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. This study was performed to assess the effects of quercetin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI.

Recently, the search for effective natural antioxidants use in food and medicinal fields to replace synthetic ones has attracted the most attention. Chitosan, a natural nontoxic biopolymer, is known to possess antioxidant property, which is attributed that NH2 and OH attached in the pyranose ring react with unstable free radicals to form stable macromolecule radicals. It has been observed that the antioxidant activity of chitosan is closely related to the form of nitrogen atom in the molecules. This review focuses on the antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of various nitrogen atom of chitosan, including N-acylated chitosans, Schiff bases of chitosan, N-alkyl chitosan, and N-quaternized chitosan. The free radical scavenging mechanisms are summarized and the effects on free radical scavenging activity of N-modified chitosan are discussed. This work may provide more insights into the antioxidant ability of N-modified chitosans and potentially enable them to be used as natural antioxidants for application in food, agriculture, cosmetic and biomedical science. Keywords: N-modified chitosan, Sythesis, Antioxidant, Free radical scavenging

Chitosan and its derivatives, which are known to possess multiple functional properties, have captured considerable interest due to their biological activities and potential applications in food, pharmaceutical, agricultural and environmental industries. This paper focuses on the antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of various chitosan materials based on our and others’ latest research results, including scaffold, film, tablet, nanoparticle, and so on. The free radical scavenging mechanisms are summarized. This work may provide more insights into the antioxidant ability of chitosan and its derivatives and potentially enable them to use as natural antioxidant materials for application in food, agriculture, cosmetic and biomedical science.

A sodium carboxy-methylcellulose (CMC)/chitosan (CS) composite sponge as drug carrier was prepared, and its structure and functions were investigated. Samples with different CMC/chitosan ratios and under different pH conditions were synthesized via a freeze-drying method. The microstructure of the dried sponges was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Molecule interactions between polymers were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and Thermal gravimetric analyze (TGA). The swelling degree, weight loss, in vitro drug release behavior and antibacterial property of the sponges were determined as well. The results showed that the CMC/chitosan ratio and the pH value significantly affected the appearance of the blending solution and the microstructure of the final product, and also affected the sponge's degradation behavior, drug-loading capacity and the antibacterial activity. Gentamicin (GEN) as a hydrophilic model drug was remarkably superior to the other two hydrophobic drugs, ibuprofen (IBU) and roxithromycin (ROX), with respect to in vitro releasing. Moreover, higher CMC content and lower pH value of the sponge were confirmed to lead a larger loading for GEN. The bacteriostatic experiment showed a strong antimicrobial ability of GEN-loaded sponges on inhibiting Escherichia coli.

Bi-layer edible films based on methylcellulose (MC) was used as the film-forming matrix, and Stearic acids (SA), Oleic acid (OA) which were used as moisture barriers, were investigated. Mechanical resistance was mainly attributed to the MC matrix. The water vapor permeability (WVP) decreased when the OA proportion increased and the lowest value was obtained at the SA/OA ratio of 7:2. But when the liquid fraction continued to increase in the mixed lipids, the WVP began to show a worse performance.

The Influence of the microwave (MW) and ultrasonic (US) synergistic effect on mechanical and water vapor barrier properties of methylcellulose (MC)/stearic acids (SA) films was studied. For this purpose, the initial emulsions were prepared and treated in a MW and US combination reaction system. The water vapor permeability (WVP) of the films was determined, as well as the mechanical properties. As a result of the extending of MW and US treatment time, the WVP of MC/SA films declined significantly. And the tensile strength (TS) and elongation percentage at break (E) were also affected by the treatment greatly. When the treated time was 20 min, the highest TS and E were observed.

The effect of the homogenization conditions of the film-forming emulsions on the mechanical properties of Methylcellulose (MC)-based films containing stearic acids (SA) was studied. For this purpose, the initial emulsions were prepared in different dry matter ratios and treated by different homogenization methods. The mechanical properties, including elastic modulus (EM), tensile strength (TS) and elongation (E) became worse with the increase of the SA content. Then the mechanical properties were compared as a function of the polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG-400) contents. As a plasticizer, the increasing of PEG-400 could improved E greatly, but EM and TS both declined slightly. And finally, when homogenization conditions were more intense, EM and TS increased significantly while E showed a fairly smooth curve.

National Natural Science Foundation of China [21021002]; National Key Basic Research Program of China (973) [2009CB930703]

National Natural Science Foundation of China [91027009, 21021002, 20973143]; National Key Basic Research Program of China (973) [2009CB930703]; Xiamen University, China [2010121020]

Filamentous microalgae Tribonema is promising for biodiesel production in terms of high lipid content, easy harvesting and good contamination tolerance. As high lipid productivity is a key basis, several methods including different culture medium, phosphorus, iron and CO2 inductions were tested to enhance lipid productivity in Tribonema minus. T. minus subjected to BG11-freshwater medium achieved a favorable lipid productivity of 216.18mgL(-1)d(-1), much higher than those in other culture medium (BG11-S, Kuhl, f/2, f, 2f, BBM, ASW and ES). Secondly, the optimal phosphorus, iron and CO2 concentrations for high lipid productivity of T. minus were obtained, respectively. Finally, the cells of T. minus grown in optimized BG11 medium containing 80mgL(-1) KH2PO4 and 6mgL(-1) FeC6H5O7·NH4OH with 2% CO2 achieved a lipid productivity of 384.67mgL(-1)d(-1), representing a 1.56-fold increase from the control. Therefore, the strategy to enhance lipid productivity of T. minus was successfully proposed.

Rare-earth-ion doped crystals are state-of-the-art materials for optical quantum memories and quantum transducers between optical and microwave photons. Here we describe our progress towards a nanophotonic quantum memory based on a rare-earth (Neodymium) doped yttrium orthosilicate (YSO) photonic crystal resonator. The Purcell-enhanced coupling of the 883 nm transitions of Neodymium (Nd^(3+)) ions to the nano-resonator results in increased optical depth, which could in principle facilitate highly efficient photon storage via cavity impedance matching. The atomic frequency comb (AFC) memory protocol can be implemented in the Nd:YSO nano-resonator by efficient optical pumping into the long-lived Zeeman state. Coherent optical signals can be stored and retrieved from the AFC memory. We currently measure a storage efficiency on par with a bulk crystal Nd:YSO memory that is millimeters long. Our results will enable multiplexed on-chip quantum storage and thus quantum repeater devices using rare-earth-ions.

The aluminum electrolytes of 300 kA series cell in a Chinese aluminum plant were investigated. Compositions and physicochemical properties of these electrolyte samples were analyzed, and the effects of contents of additive LiAlO2 and KF on physicochemical properties were studied. The results show that with the increasing content of the LiAlO2 from 0 to 8.52 wt%, the liquidus temperature decreases gradually from 940.7 °C to 917.0 °C, whereas the alumina solubility obtained by oxygen content increases in the initial stage and then reduces. When increasing the content of LiAlO2 up to 3 wt%, the alumina solubility reaches the highest value of 6.44 wt%. The liquidus temperature decreases by 2.3–2.5 °C with per 1 wt% addition of KF, and meanwhile, the alumina solubility increases by 0.05–0.13 wt% correspondingly.

National Natural Science Foundation of China [20873114, 20833005, 21021002]; National Key Basic Research Program of China (973) [2009CB930703]; Science and Technology Project of Fujian Province, China [2009H4020]

Numerous bulk crystalline materials exhibit attractive nonlinear and luminescent properties for classical and quantum optical applications. A chip-scale platform for high quality factor optical nanocavities in these materials will enable new optoelectronic devices and quantum light-matter interfaces. In this article, photonic crystal nanobeam resonators fabricated using focused ion beam milling in bulk insulators, such as rare-earth doped yttrium orthosilicate and yttrium vanadate, are demonstrated. Operation in the visible, near infrared, and telecom wavelengths with quality factors up to 27,000 and optical mode volumes close to one cubic wavelength is measured. These devices enable new nanolasers, on-chip quantum optical memories, single photon sources, and non-linear devices at low photon numbers based on rare-earth ions. The techniques are also applicable to other luminescent centers and crystals.

Fungal endophytes do not harm the plant when they live inside the host. Previous studies also showed that the content of some secondary metabolites are correlated to the endophytes within plant. Whether such a mutualistic symbiosis system could be implanted to bio-engineering or not will be an important and exciting problem. Here a fungal endophyte was co-cultured with the cell suspension of Acer ginnnala which is rich in gallich acid to test the problem above. The results showed that the growth of plant cells and the cell vitality decreased after the endophyte added, while gallic acid content increased. It was preliminarily determined that there is a partial competition relationship.

National Natural Science Foundation of China[20873114, 20833005, 21021002]; National Key Basic Research Program of China[2009CB930703]

National Natural Science Foundation of China[20973143, 91027009]; National Key Basic Research Program of China (973)[2007CB815303, 2009CB930703]; Xiamen University, China[2010121020]; National Found for Fostering Talents of Basic Science, China[J1030415]

The structure and dynamics of electrode/liquid interfaces play an increasingly important role in electrochemistry. Raman spectroscopy is capable of providing detailed structural information at molecular level and new insight into the interfacial structure, adsorption, reaction, electrocatalysis and corro-sion. In this account we will summarize some progresses of surface Raman spectroscopy in the study of electrochemical interfaces, mainly based on our group’s work, laying emphasis on the detection sensitivity, spectral resolution, time resolution and spatial resolution as well as the hyphenated technique.

InP vertical porous arrays were produced using electrochemical etching at room temperature. The as-etched InP samples were annealed in an ultra high vacuum camber. Cross-sectional analysis of the porous layer was conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Annealing in vacuum was found to meliorate the structural quality of the porous layer. EDX results showed the composition change of the porous InP. By controlling the annealing process parameters, the content ratio of phosphorus (P) to indium (In) is tuneable. Raman property of the samples was also investigated at room temperature. Compared with the sample without annealing treatment, Raman spectrum from the annealed sample showed red-shifted LO and TO peaks together with sharpened LO peak and shortened TO peak.

To study differences and genetic trends of volatiles in Xingdu 1 and Xingdu 2, the strawberry cultivars, with their parents, the volatile components were analyzed by head space-solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results indicated that a total of 50 compounds were identified in Xingdu 1 cultivar, including hexanoic acid methyl ester and hexanoic acid ethyl ester, butanoic acid methyl ester, and butanoic acid ethyl ester, octanoic acid methyl ester and octanoic acid ethyl ester, isomyl hexanoate. And there were 71 compounds in Xingdu 2, which were similar to that of Xingdu 1. About 55 volatiles were identified in Allstar (female parent), including acetone, acetic acid 1-methylethyl ester, 1-octanol, hexanoic acid ethyl ester and butanoic acid methyl ester. And 43 volatiles were identified in Toyonoka (male parent), including hexanoic acid ethyl ester, nerolidol, 1-octanol, hexanoic acid methyl ester, acetic acid octyl ester, isomyl hexanoate and octanoic acid methyl ester. Consequently, hexanoic acid methyl ester and hexanoic acid ethyl ester, butanoic acid methyl ester, and butanoic acid ethyl ester and isomyl hexanoate in twins might be affected both sides of their parents. In the family, male parent (Toyonoka) had the highest concentrations of fragrance alcohols, such as nerolidol, linalool and 1-octanol, but which couldn't be transmitted to the descendants. Acetone, acetic acid 1-methylethyl ester of the twins originally came from matrilinear inheritance, as the contents of the two compounds were very high in Allstar but little in Toyonoka. Genetic trends of butanoic acid methyl ester, butanoic acid ethyl ester, hexanoic acid ethyl ester, hexanoic acid methyl ester and isomyl hexanoate were affected by both sides of parents.

This paper reports that a simple chemical vapour deposition method has been adopted to fabricate large scale, high density boron nanocones with thermal evaporation of B/B2O3 powders precursors in an Ar/H2 gas mixture at the synthesis temperature of 1000–1200°C. The lengths of boron nanocones are several micrometres, and the diameters of nanocone tops are in a range of 50–100 nm. transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction indicate that the nanocones are single crystalline α-tetragonal boron. The vapour–liquid–solid mechanism is the main formation mechanism of boron nanocones. One broad photoluminescence emission peak at the central wavelength of about 650 nm is observed under the 532 nm light excitation. Boron nanocones with good photoluminescence properties are promising candidates for applications in optical emitting devices.

This paper reports high temperature liquid phase synthesis of Pd nanowires using chemically modified porous anodic aluminium oxide as template. In this synthesis process, oleic acid is used to modify the inner wall of the pores and Pd2+ complex with oleylamine is filled into the channel of the template. The complex is then reduced to give oleylamine-capped Pd nanowires. This paper suggests that oleic acid can improve the environment of inner wall of the pores, leading to the formation of uniform Pd nanowires. The synthetic process can be extended to make other types of nanowires.