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The Yangla Copper Ore Field in Northwest Yunnan Province, China, is a large region of deposits dominated by copper-bearing skarns whose origin remains debatable despite numerous studies over the past two decades. We have investigated the geological and geochemical characteristics of the skarns using field and microscopic observations combined with chemical analyses. The results show that the skarns fall into two categories. The first category is metamorphic skarn, which constitute the majority (>90%) of skarns in the deposit and is characterized by stratiform occurrences conformable to Devonian host strata, anhydrous mineral assemblages such as diopside+hedenbergite+quartz, widespread banded structure, fine-grainsize (<200 μm) and preserved tuff-like textures. Whole-rock major element compositions, REE and trace-element compositions resemble those of the country rock slates or schists. The skarn layers occur at variable distances (0-2 000 m) from Indosinian plutonic bodies. Fracture-filling veins and/or alteration halos are scarce or absent in or near the skarn layers. This category of skarn probably formed by isochemical contact metamorphism of fine calcareous clastic sediments or impure carbonate rocks during emplacement of the plutonic bodies with no significant material migration by hydrothermal fluids involved during the process, in which case metallic enrichment of the skarn layers was present in the protolith of the skarn. The second category is metasomatic skarn with relatively coarse-grained textures (200->1 000 μm) and volatile-reach assemblages such as diopside+tremolite+scapolite at or near the igneous contact zones, which constitutes only a minor proportion of ore compared with metamorphic skarn. Taking into consideration diverse existing opinions about the genetic type of the deposit, we suggest that the geological and whole-rock geochemical characteristics of the skarns are consistent with a metamorphosed and metasomatized SEDEX (sedimentary exhalative deposit) type rather than a hydrothermal metasomatic skarn type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tricin (5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3′,5′-dimethoxyflavone) is a valuable secondary metabolite which is widely present in gramineous plants, including cultivated rice ( Oryza sativa L.) ( Poaceae). It can defend the rice plant against damage by the brown planthopper ( BPH), Nilaparvata lugens ( Stål) ( Hemiptera: Delphacidae), one of the most important pests of rice. This study was conducted to elucidate the mechanisms of action of tricin on BPH feeding behavior. BPH feeding behavior in resistant (Rathu Heenati, RHT) and susceptible (Taichuang native 1, TN1) rice varieties and artificial diets was monitored using the electrical penetration graph ( EPG) technique. Tricin concentrations in leaves of varieties RHT and TN1 were quantitatively analyzed by liquid chromatography, coupled to tandem mass spectrometric techniques. Six ( NP and N1-5) and four ( NP, N1, N2, and N4) types of waveforms occurred during feeding on rice plants and artificial diets, respectively. The tricin concentration of rice varieties was correlated with total and average durations of N4. Moreover, EPG data indicated that tricin significantly increased the duration of non-probing and pathway periods and strongly inhibited phloem ingestion (N4). The inhibition was strongly dose dependent, resulting in complete suppression of activity in the phloem region when the tricin concentration was increased to 1 g l−1. This study revealed that tricin disturbed the feeding behavior of BPH mainly by increasing the non-probe period and inhibiting phloem ingestion. We confirmed the hypothesis that tricin is a 'stylet probing stimulant' of rice planthoppers as proposed in previous studies. The information on the ecological effect of tricin from this study may be useful to clarify the resistance mechanism against BPH of RHT and other tricin-containing rice varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim: Tobacco-rice rotation is a useful traditional practice for controlling crop diseases and pests. However, its effect on rice pests has not been studied. We aimed to clarify the ecological effect of tobacco-rice rotation on two destructive rice pests Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) and Sogatella furcifera (Horváth). Methods: Populations of rice planthoppers N. lugens and S. furcifera in rice-rice successive cropping (RRSC) and tobacco-rice rotation cropping (TRRC) paddy fields were counted using large white plates. The nicotine concentration of soils, rice plants (divided into leaves, stems, roots and panicles) collected from TRRC and RRSC fields were quantitatively analyzed using the LC-MS/MS technique. Results: There was a large and significant difference between TRRC and RRSC systems in total number of rice planthoppers. Moreover, the nicotine concentrations of soils and in rice (roots, stems and leaves) in TRRC were significantly higher than those in RRSC, especially in roots the concentration was 1000 times higher, but there was no significant difference in concentration in rice panicles. Conclusion: This study suggests that nicotine uptake by rice roots, from soil containing tobacco residues in the TRRC system, affected the abundances of S. furcifera and N. lugens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the morphological variations of the M2 layer of the martian ionosphere with the martian seasons and solar zenith angle (SZA) at the terminator are investigated. The data used are the MARSIS (Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding) measurements (approximately 5000 ionograms) that were acquired from 2005 to 2012, which have a SZA ⩾ 85° and detect the topside transient layers. A simple, effective data inversion method is developed for the situation in which the upper portion of the height profile is non-monotonic and the observed data are insufficient for adequate reduction. The inverted parameters are subsequently explored using a statistical approach. The results reveal that the main body of the M2 layer (approximately 10 km below the first topside layer) can be well-characterized as a Chapman layer near the terminator (SZA = 85–98°), notwithstanding the high SZA and the presence of the topside layers. The height of the first topside layer tends to be concentrated approximately 60 km (with a standard deviation of ∼20 km) above the main density peak. The peak density and height of the first topside layer are positively correlated to the density and height of the main peak, respectively. The density and height of the first topside layer appear to be independent of the SZA, but possess seasonal variations that are similar to those of the main layer. The height of the topside layer is greater (by ∼10 km on average) in the southern spring and summer than in the southern autumn and winter, coinciding with the observation that, in the southern spring and summer, the underlying atmosphere is warmer due to dust heating (e.g., Smith, M.D. [2004]. Icarus 167, 148–165). The statistical regularities of the parameters suggest a possibility that the formation of the topside layers are closely related to the processes of photoionization and diffusion that occur on the topside of the M2 layer. We propose that development of beam-plasma instabilities in the transitional region (between the lower Chapman region and the upper transport-dominating region) is possibly a mechanism that is responsible for the occurrences of the topside layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flower-like Ag/ZnO heterostructure composites were prepared through a solvothermal method without surfactants or templates. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Results demonstrate that flower-like Ag/ZnO heterostructure composites were composed of wurtzite ZnO flowers coated by face-center-cubic Ag nanoparticles. The growth process of flower-like ZnO crystals was investigated, and a possible growth mechanism was proposed. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared flower-like Ag/ZnO samples, pure ZnO samples, and commercial TiO (Degussa, P-25) was tested with the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue. Results show that the Ag/ZnO heterostructures were superior in photocatalytic activity to the pure ZnO samples and the commercial TiO (Degussa, P-25), but the mixture of Ag (0.1 wt%) particles and ZnO flowers did not, which implies that the heterostructure promoted the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, enhancing the photocatalytic activity. That was primarily verified by the PL results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Spindle-like ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by hydrothermal method at 90°C. [•] Spindle-like Ag/ZnO heterostructure was synthesized by surface modification method. [•] The absorption bands of Ag/ZnO nanocomposites showed some red-shifts. [•] Ag/ZnO composites exhibit higher photocatalytic activity compared to ZnO particles. [•] The mechanism explains the effect of Ag on the photocatalytic activity of ZnO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ionospheric corrections of Mars advanced radar for subsurface and ionosphere sounding (MARSIS) subsurface sounding signals are necessary before they can be further analyzed. Usually the ionosphere correction only considers the phase dispersion owing to the electron densities. In this paper we show that if the electron–neutral collision frequency is included in the correction filter, the signal-to-noise ratio of the processed signal can be further maximized and the spatial resolution of the signal be improved. Three different models of the ionosphere profile have been studied, and it is shown that a uniform slab model, of both densities and collisions, is feasible and probably the best choice when implementing the correction filter including collisions. The physical significance of the parameters obtained with the uniform model (equivalent parameters) is discussed, and it is shown that they are useful for the estimation of the real physical parameters of the ionosphere. We developed a recursive, random search algorithm to facilitate the realization of the correction process with the filter including collision frequency. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Imidacloprid-resistant N. lugens population rapidly adapted to resistant rice IR36. • Insecticide resistance-related genes nAChR - 7 - like and CYP4C61 contributed to the adaptation to resistant rice in N. lugens. • One avirulent/susceptible genotype and two virulent/resistant genotypes could be inferred from the corresponding alleles of genes nAChR - 7 - like and CYP4C61. • The virulent/resistant genotypes of N. lugens already existed in the wild in China with increasing frequencies along with insecticide usage. Preventing crop yield loss caused by pests is critical for global agricultural production. Agricultural pest control has largely relied on chemical pesticides. The interaction between insecticide resistance and the adaptation of herbivorous pests to host plants may represent an emerging threat to future food security. This study aims to unveil genetic evidence for the reduction in the profitability of resistant cultivars derived from insecticide resistance in target pest insects. An experimental evolution system encompassing resistant rice and its major monophagous pest, the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens , was constructed. Whole genome resequencing and selective sweep analysis were utilized to identify the candidate gene loci related to the adaptation. RNA interference and induced expression assay were conducted to validate the function of the candidate loci. We found that the imidacloprid-resistant population of N. lugens rapidly adapted to resistant rice IR36. Gene loci related to imidacloprid resistance may contribute to this phenomenon. Multiple alleles in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)- 7 - like and P450 CYP4C61 were significantly correlated with changes in virulence to IR36 rice and insecticide resistance of N. lugens. One avirulent/susceptible genotype and two virulent/resistant genotypes could be inferred from the corresponding alleles. Importantly, we found that the virulent/resistant genotypes already exist in the wild in China, exhibiting increasing frequencies along with insecticide usage. We validated the relevance of these genotypes and the virulence to three more resistant rice cultivars. Knockdown of the above two genes in N. lugens significantly decreased both the resistance to imidacloprid and the virulence towards resistant rice. Our findings provide direct genetic evidence to the eco-evolutionary consequence of insecticide resistance, and suggest an urgent need for the implementation of predictably sustainable pest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We have demonstrated a TEG to use the solar energy during the daytime and use the sky cold at night. • This thermoelectric generator has a simple structure and the used materials are easy to obtain. • This thermoelectric generator works environment friendly without consuming the existing energy on earth. Here we have demonstrated a thermoelectric generator (TEG) to use the solar energy during the daytime and use the sky cold at night in which only a layer of SiC film was used to simultaneously absorb solar energy and radiate heat energy to the sky. A test TEG contains two pairs of thermoelectric legs and creates average 14.61 mV voltage in the daytime and 1.99 mV voltage at night, respectively. This generator has the advantages of simple structure and regular materials. It is a renewable energy source that works environment friendly without consuming the existing energy on earth, and great potential for using in the place without power transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

$\sf{ NTRUEncrypt}$  is one of the most promising candidates for quantum-safe cryptography. In this paper, we focus on the $\sf{ NTRU743}$  parameter set. We give a report on all known attacks against this parameter set and show that it delivers 256 bits of security against classical attackers and 128 bits of security against quantum attackers. We then present a parameter-dependent optimization using a tailored hierarchy of multiplication algorithms as well as the Intel AVX2 instructions, and show that this optimization is constant-time. Our implementation is two to three times faster than the reference implementation of $\sf{ NTRUEncrypt}$ . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a destructive pest that causes serious damage worldwide, particularly to maize cultivars. The microbiota of S. frugiperda might play a role in its development and adaptability to different environments. However, the dynamics of microbial communities in S. frugiperda during its life cycle remain poorly understood. In this study, we used the amplification of the 16S rRNA gene to characterize the microbiome of all developmental stages of S. frugiperda fed with maize and adults fed with an artificial diet. The microbial composition of maize leaves, soil, and artificial diet was analyzed. Alpha diversity indices indicated that the neonate and early‐phase larvae had higher bacterial diversity than late‐phase larvae, pupae, and adults, and the bacterial diversity of adults fed with natural leaves was higher than that of adults fed an artificial diet. Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the major phyla found in most life stages of S. frugiperda, especially in adults, sixth instars, and pupae. Neonate and early‐phase larvae harbored a higher abundance of OD1 and microbes of unassigned taxonomy. A co‐occurrence network of the highly abundant genera within S. frugiperda was then constructed, which revealed a potential interaction between the microbiota in insects, such as Enterococcus and Pseudomonas, and the dietary microbiota. Dynamic changes in bacterial communities led to changes in the metabolic functions of the microbiota across developmental stages. The genera OD1, Enterococcus, Comamonas, and Elizabethkingia were estimated to contribute to most of the functional changes in the microbiota of S. frugiperda. Our findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the composition of S. frugiperda and its dynamic interaction with dietary microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Brown planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens), a highly destructive insect pest, poses a serious threat to rice (Oryza sativa) production worldwide. Jasmonates are key phytohormones that regulate plant defences against BPH; however, the molecular link between jasmonates and BPH responses in rice remains largely unknown. Here, we discovered a Poaceae‐specific metabolite, mixed‐linkage β‐1,3;1,4‐d‐glucan (MLG), which contributes to jasmonate‐mediated BPH resistance. MLG levels in rice significantly increased upon BPH attack. Overexpressing OsCslF6, which encodes a glucan synthase that catalyses MLG biosynthesis, significantly enhanced BPH resistance and cell wall thickness in vascular bundles, whereas knockout of OsCslF6 reduced BPH resistance and vascular wall thickness. OsMYC2, a master transcription factor of jasmonate signalling, directly controlled the upregulation of OsCslF6 in response to BPH feeding. The AT‐rich domain of the OsCslF6 promoter varies in rice varieties from different locations and natural variants in this domain were associated with BPH resistance. MLG‐derived oligosaccharides bound to the plasma membrane‐anchored LECTIN RECEPTOR KINASE1 OsLecRK1 and modulated its activity. Thus, our findings suggest that the OsMYC2‐OsCslF6 module regulates pest resistance by modulating MLG production to enhance vascular wall thickness and OsLecRK1‐mediated defence signalling during rice‐BPH interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meprin and TRAF homology (MATH)-domain-containing proteins are pivotal in modulating plant development and environmental stress responses. To date, members of the MATH gene family have been identified only in a few plant species, including Arabidopsis thaliana, Brassica rapa, maize, and rice, and the functions of this gene family in other economically important crops, especially the Solanaceae family, remain unclear. The present study identified and analyzed 58 MATH genes from three Solanaceae species, including tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), potato (Solanum tuberosum), and pepper (Capsicum annuum). Phylogenetic analysis and domain organization classified these MATH genes into four groups, consistent with those based on motif organization and gene structure. Synteny analysis found that segmental and tandem duplication might have contributed to MATH gene expansion in the tomato and the potato, respectively. Collinearity analysis revealed high conservation among Solanaceae MATH genes. Further cis-regulatory element prediction and gene expression analysis showed that Solanaceae MATH genes play essential roles during development and stress response. These findings provide a theoretical basis for other functional studies on Solanaceae MATH genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) /ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites were produced by in-situ polymerization. POSS was supposed to intercalate the entangled chains of UHMWPE and induce chain disentanglement. The entanglement degree of POSS/UHMWPE composites was measured qualitatively and quantitatively by a rotary rheometer and a dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The reduced melt viscosity and the increased Me (the molecular weight between entanglements) revealed that the addition of POSS can induce the disentanglement of UHMWPE and the optimal content is 1.89 wt‰. The nucleating effect and plasticizing effect of POSS were observed in the increased crystallization temperature and reduced glass transition temperature (Tg), respectively. The annealing study of POSS/UHMWPE composites was carried out by a Flash DSC and POSS was found to lower the melting activation energy of UHMWPE. The results revealed that in-situ polymerization can induce homogeneous dispersion of POSS to interpenetrate the molecular network, dramatically diluting the entanglement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a kind of imidazole type poly(ionic liquid) ([PEP‐MIM]Cl) is synthesized, which can disperse carbon effectively. [PEP‐MIM]Cl is used as an intermediate to coat carbon on the poly(acrylic acid)(PAA‐co‐MBA) via ion exchange to obtain conductive polymer composite (CPC). A series of characterizations are performed. Experiments show that carbon can be coated on the PAA‐co‐MBA uniformly, and compared with using carbon as filler, this method requires less carbon to achieve good conductive performance. The carbon layer on the polymer's surface is enriched via the swelling‐shrinking properties of PAA‐co‐MBA according to the SEM images. Furthermore, in combination with 3D printing technology, PAA‐co‐MBA can be designed into different shapes to achieve various functions such as pressure‐sensing element. Finally, a new type of CPC named carbon clad polymeric laminate (CCPL) is prepared by using the carbon coating method and 3D printing technology. It has the potential to replace copper clad laminate (CCL) and printed circuit board (PCB), to a certain extent. This technology expands the preparation method and application of the CPC such as flexible and wearable conductive fabrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Polymeric ionic liquid (PIL) was synthesized and used as a plasticizer for thermoplastic starch (TPS). • Due to the unique chemical structure, PIL can destruct the hydrogen bonding in starch. • PIL has great compatibility with starch and can keep starch in amorphous state in the TPS. • The obtained TPS has excellent thermoplasticity and mechanical property. In this study, a kind of polymeric ionic liquid (PIL) was synthesized and used to plasticize common cornstarch to obtain thermoplastic starch (TPS) by mixing the cornstarch and PIL together. The dissolution test of starch by aqueous solution with PIL found that PIL could have strong interaction with starch molecular chains and destroy the particle morphology of original cornstarch to become fragment. X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed that PIL acted as a plasticizer to decrease the original hydrogen bonding in cornstarch, and the original crystal structure of starch was destroyed into an amorphous state. In addition, the TPS could be hot pressed into a transparent film by using a hot press machine, showing a great thermoplasticity. The results showed that the PIL can be used as a new plasticizer in the field of thermoplastic starch and there is good compatibility between starch and PIL. This will further enrich the family of sustainable materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a recent paper the authors and their collaborators proposed a new hard problem, called the finite field isomorphism problem, and they used it to construct a fully homomorphic encryption scheme. In this paper, we investigate how one might build a digital signature scheme from this new problem. Intuitively, the hidden field isomorphism allows us to convert short vectors in the underlying lattice of one field into generic looking vectors in an isomorphic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Passive radiative cooler can dissipate heat from the earth (25 °C) to the outer space (−270 °C) through the atmospheric transparent window (8–13 μm) by radiation, making the temperature of the cooler lower than that of ambient air. Here, we fabricated a passive radiative cooler that combined silica nanoparticles with anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template by a simple dip-pulling method, in which the pores of AAO template were filled with silica nanoparticles. The cooler selectively radiates in the atmospheric window while has low absorptivity outside the atmospheric window. Without convection shields, the temperature of the cooler is significantly lower than that of the ambient air throughout the day. Furthermore, the cooler has excellent thermal stability. Even after 4 h of annealing at 600 °C , the passive radiative cooling performance of the cooler does not deteriorate. • A passive radiative cooler combines silica nanoparticles with AAO template. • The cooler selectively radiates in the atmospheric window. • Cooler achieves cooling below ambient air temperature throughout the day. • The cooler has excellent thermal stability. • Preparation method of the cooler is simple, suitable for large-scale fabrication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Zhunsujihua porphyry molybdenum deposit, located in northern Inner Mongolia of China that belongs to Central-Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), is the only Mo deposit formed in the late Carboniferous in this area so far. Its mineralization is mainly restricted to the Zhunsujihua granitoid intrusions, which are composed of the main granodiorite (GD) and crosscutting, virtually coeval minor syn-ore leucogranite (LG) and diorite porphyry (DP) dykes. LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating yields crystallization ages of 300.0 ± 2.0, 299.3 ± 2.0, and 299.0 ± 2.6 Ma for the GD, LG, and DP, respectively. The major and trace element lithogeochemical data show that the GD and LG are metaluminous to weakly peraluminous, high-K calc-alkaline series with I-type granite characteristics, strongly oxidized, with low concentrations of Ba, Nb, Sr, P, and Ti and elevated K and Rb contents, indicating typical arc magmatic features. The LG is a product derived by extensive fractional crystallization of a parental magma similar to the GD as evident from the lower Eu/Eu*, Nb/Ta, Zr/Hf, and TZr. The moderately altered DP exhibits high concentrations of K, Rb, Cs, LREE, Y, and low Sr/Y, with a positive εNd (300 Ma), which indicates a mantle or juvenile source associated with an arc setting. The Sr–Nd–Hf isotope data show low ISr (0.70406–0.70461) and moderate εNd (300 Ma) (−0.9 to 1.5) for the GD and LG, and relatively high εHf (300 Ma) values (−3.6 to +11.2) for the GD, suggesting the magma mainly originated from the juvenile lower crust that was derived from depleted mantle, with a minor component of ancient continental crust. Lead isotope data have characteristics of a lower crust source with minor contamination by upper crustal material. Combined with previous research, the Zhunsujihua granitoid intrusions developed in an intracontinental volcanic arc (Uliastai) associated with northward subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean plate during late Carboniferous to early Permian; this suggests that the subduction of Paleo Asian Ocean may have continued to late Carboniferous, and the Hengenshan basin is probably closed during the early Permian. Fractional crystallization is the main evolutionary process of the felsic magma, which has played an important role in the Mo mineralization. The coeval DP may have provided additional heat for the extended evolution of the crystallizing felsic magma chamber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Thermoresponsive homo-polymeric ionic liquid was synthesized and used as molecular transporters. • UCST behaviors can be adjusted by tailoring interchain π-π interactions showing unique temp-resistance behavior during ions pairing. In this study, a polymeric ionic liquid (PIL) called Poly[ECH-BIM]Cl was polymerized by ring-opening and quaternization reaction of benzimidazole and epichlorohydrin without additional ion-exchange reaction. Both 1H NMR and fourier transform infrared (FTIR) confirmed the chemical structure of Poly[ECH-BIM]Cl. Poly[ECH-BIM]Cl in water was thermoresponsive and its UCST transition was studied by UV–vis spectrometry, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at variable temperature. Moreover, the first introduced Temp-resistance behavior during ions pairing found Poly[ECH-BIM]Cl had properties similar to those of the precipitation of inorganic salts from their saturated solutions. The variable-temperature 1H NMR analysis demonstrated that the tailored interchain π-π interactions promoted the aggregation of macromolecular chains and particles formed from Poly[ECH-BIM]Cl aqueous solution. The results showed that increasing the interaction between cations of PIL can endow its thermosensibility and the possibility of being a programmable shuttle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, poly(ionic liquid)s functionalized graphene nanosheets (GNSPIL) were produced directly from graphite by shear exfoliation with the assistance of poly(ionic liquid)s. The chemical structure, as well as thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties of the obtained graphene sheets were characterized by TEM, SEM, AFM, FTIR, TGA, Raman spectroscopy, etc. In addition, a composite of graphene-coated sodium polyacrylate gel sphere (GNSPIL/PAA) was prepared by anion exchange reaction, and the properties of this composite were characterized through a series of techniques. This study showed that the obtained GNSPIL were well dispersed in water without agglomeration. Moreover, the solution-processability of GNSPIL and the easily realized ion exchangeability can greatly expand the application in the field of graphene composites and play an important role in the construction of carbon materials. [Display omitted] • A poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) was synthesized and used to assist the exfoliation of graphite. • PIL functionalized graphene nanosheets were achieved directly from graphite. • The GNSPIL can be constructed to graphene/PAA composite via non-covalent interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a kind of polymeric ionic liquid (PIL) called PIL-Cl was synthesized and modified to obtain conductive graphene coated carboxymethyl cellulose hybrid fibers. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was formed into fibers by wet spinning assisted with PIL Cl. Co-precipitation test of CMC and PIL-Cl demonstrated that PIL-Cl could precipitate with CMC through strong electrostatic interaction and molar ratio of CMC and PIL-Cl (calculated in repeating units) would affect the formation of precipitation. Secondly, modified PIL-Cl named PIL-Ac was used as an intermediate connecting CMC fiber and graphene to fabricate conductive CMC/PIL/graphene fibers. A series of tests were performed on CMC/PIL/graphene fibers, including Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and conductivity test. The results showed that PIL-Cl could help form CMC fiber, and PIL-Ac could functionalize it and make it conductive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In current practice, the design is still based on the sequential design methodology, which makes the process or manufacture information not considered at the preliminary design stage. In addition, the quality of design and the time to perform them are largely dependent on the experience of the engineers. Case-based design is an intelligent method which involves retrieving the most similar previous cases to provide a solution of a new decision problem. Therefore, case retrieval is the most crucial process in case-based design. However, few studies attempt to research case retrieval in concurrent design. This paper proposes a hybridization of fuzzy similarity measurement (FSM) and fuzzy multi-criteria decision making (FMCDM) for case retrieval from historical cases for concurrent design. In FSM stage, triangular function is used to represent the different fuzzy requirements, respectively, and meanwhile calculate the similarity. Less valuable case is filtered out by defined threshold. Then FMCDM is developed to evaluate the most similar cases in terms of product criteria to pick out the most suitable case. Furthermore, the FSM–FMCDM model is applied to power transformer concurrent design, and the experiment indicates that the FSM–FMCDM retrieval is more reasonable than the prior SM only case retrieval. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Wulandele molybdenum deposit is a porphyry-type Mo deposit in the Dalaimiao area of northern Inner Mongolia, China. Molybdenite Re-Os dating yields a model age of 134.8 ± 1.9 Ma, with the fine-grained monzogranite most closely related to the mineralization. The lithogeochemical data show that the monzogranite is weakly peraluminous, high-K calc-alkaline series, with reduced to slightly oxidized, highly fractionated I-type granite characteristics. The relatively low initial 87Sr/86Sr (range from 0.705347 to 0.705771), weakly negative εNd(t) (range from −2.0 to −1.3), and crust-mantle mixing of Pb isotopes suggest that the monzogranite originated from the partial melting of mafic juvenile lower continental crust derived from the depleted mantle, with a minor component of ancient continental crust. Combined with the regional tectonic evolution, we argue that the partial melting, then injection, of the monzogranite melt was probably triggered by collapse or delamination of the thickened lithosphere, which was mainly in response to the post-orogenic extensional setting of the Mongol–Okhotsk belt; this is possibly coupled with a back-arc extension related to Paleo-Pacific plate subduction. The extensively fractional crystallization of the monzogranite melt is the crucial enrichment process, resulting in magmatic hydrothermal Mo mineralization in the Wulandele deposit, and the Cretaceous granitoids are generally favorable to form Mo mineralization in the Dalaimiao area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characteristics and conductive mechanism of Ta/SiNx/Ta:SiNx/SiNx/Pt resistive random access memory (RRAM) are investigated. Compared with Pt‐doped devices with the same structure, the Ta‐doped devices produce lower operation current in a high resistance state and a larger on/off radio. Furthermore, reliability tests show that the Ta‐doped RRAM has good data retention ability and endurance. Ta clusters are observed in the Ta‐doped SiNx layer through the transmission electron microscope. Also, the X‐ray photoelectron spectra indicate that additional Si dangling bonds and tantalum nitride are present in the Ta‐doped SiNx film. Based on the structure of the device, material analysis, and electrical characteristics, a model is proposed to explain the influence of the doped Ta on resistive switching behavior of the device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]