SnTe exhibits inferior thermoelectric performance because of the excess Sn vacancies, large energy offset be-tween the two valence bands, and relatively high lattice thermal conductivity. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt a variety of means to optimize its thermoelectric performance synergistically. Here, the microstructure and thermoelectric properties for Sn0.99In0.01Te composited with CaMg2Bi2 and YbMg2Bi2 are reported. Ca (Yb) and Mg doping decreases the energy offset between the two valence bands, leading to an improved Seebeck coef-ficient. In addition, Bi and Sn phases gradually precipitate with the increase of alloying amount. The large number of phase interfaces and point defects scatter phonons strongly. Meanwhile, Mg volatilization produces lots of pores at grain boundaries, which play an important role in extending the phonon transmission path. These multiple effects lead to an ultralow lattice thermal conductivity. Consequently, peak ZT of 0.94 and 1.14 at 823 K are attained in Sn0.99In0.01Te-(CaMg2Bi2)0.025 and Sn0.99In0.01Te-(YbMg2Bi2)0.03, corresponding to average ZT (300-823 K) of 0.67 and 0.77, respectively. This work provides an ingenious way to realize extraordinary thermoelectric performance in SnTe.

Protozoan parasite infection causes severe diseases in humans and animals, leading to tremendous economic and medical pressure. Natural immunity is the first line of defence against parasitic infection. Currently, the role of natural host immunity in combatting parasitic infection is unclear, so further research on natural host immunity against parasites will provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of related parasitic diseases. Extracellular traps (ETs) are an important natural mechanism of immunity involving resistance to pathogens. When immune cells such as neutrophils and macrophages are stimulated by external pathogens, they release a fibrous network structure, consisting mainly of DNA and protein, that can capture and kill a variety of extracellular pathogenic microorganisms. In this review, we discuss the relevant recently reported data on ET formation induced by protozoan parasite infection, including the molecular mechanisms involved, and discuss the role of ETs in the occurrence and development of parasitic diseases.

Aqueous rechargeable batteries represent one promising candidate for new energy storage and conversion systems because of their good safety, low cost, high energy density based on Faradic reactions, and high power density originated from the high ionic conductivity of aqueous electrolyte. Herein, a novel aqueous rechargeable nickel-bismuth battery was developed with highly porous Bi2MoO6 microspheres as anode active materials and delicately designed binder-free Co0.5Ni0.5MoO4@NiCo-layered double hydroxide heterostructure nanoarrays as the cathode for the first time. The Bi2MoO6 anode active materials exhibit outstanding electrochemical performances (such as high capacity of 163.2 mAh/g at 1 A/g and superior rate capability of 79.6% at 15 A/g) owing to their porous structure. To obtain the improved cathode, substitution of Co for Ni species of CoXNi1-XMoO4 as ‘core’ materials and growing time of NiCo-layered double hydroxide onto the ‘core’ materials were optimized systematically. The optimal cathode (Co0.5Ni0.5MoO4@NCLDH-12) affords appreciably enhanced electrochemical performances with the high capacity of 386.7 mAh/g at 1 A/g and good rate capability of 64.9% at 15 A/g owing to its advantages in composition and architecture. Desirably, the nickel-bismuth battery can deliver the acceptable maximum energy density of 41.5 W h/kg and power density of 3896.2 W/kg, respectively. The excellent electrochemical performances can be put down to the elaborate architectures of electrodes and synergistic effect between active materials. This current research would enrich the chemistry systems of present aqueous rechargeable batteries and also pave the way to effectively construct promising electrode active materials for aqueous rechargeable nickel-bismuth batteries.

Background: Kimura disease is a rare chronic inflammatory disorder with peripheral eosinophilia and elevated serum IgE and is also frequently complicated by nephropathy. Methods: We report a rare case of Kimura disease concomitant with lupus nephritis in a 72-year old male patient with recurrent unexplained lymphadenopathy, renal lesions, and immunologic abnormalities. Results: The patient was successfully managed with gamma immunoglobulin, intravenous pulse methylprednisolone therapy, hydroxychloroquine, and prednisone. Conclusion: This is the first report of a case of Kimura disease concomitant with lupus nephritis and highlights the importance of considering lupus nephritis as a possible concurrent disease in patients with Kimura disease that have immunologic abnormalities.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) doped SiO2/SiO2–PbO double layer coating is prepared on Ni alloy plate by hybrid SiO2 sol-gel method and SiO2–PbO powders with certain heat treatment. The SiO2–PbO top layer is observed to possess a kind of porous and skeleton-like structure. The emissivity enhancement mechanisms of the coating's structure and doping carbon nanotubes are investigated in this study. Spectral emissivity measurements from 1.28 to 25μm at 570 and 820K show that the carbon nanotubes doped SiO2/SiO2–PbO double layer coating possesses strong blackbody character and the coating's emissivity can reach as high as 0.94 at 820K.

IHEP has started the "1.3 GHz SCRF Accelerating Unit and Horizontal Test Stand Project" since early 2009. The SCRF Accelerating Unit contains a 9-cell 1.3 GHz superconducting cavity, a short cryomodule, a high power input coupler, a tuner, a low level RF system and a high power RF source, etc. This unit will also serve as a Horizontal Test Stand (HTS) for new components R&D. Recent progress of the components R&D is presented, as well as the key SCRF facilities design and commissioning, i.e. the CBP machine, pre-tuning machine and BCP facility for 9-cell cavities.

ITO nano-powders are prepared by sol–gel method followed by a calcination process. The microstructure responses with thermal treatments are performed by the control of annealing temperature and holding time, and the structures are characterized by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. It is found that, the structural evolution shows different characters at low temperature (≤800°C) and high temperature (>800°C). At low temperature, sample is densified and has a transition from a hierarchical to a surface fractal structure due to the diffusion and elimination of interaggregate pores with increasing annealing time or temperature. At high temperature, samples all show surface fractal structures at whole length scale and the surface roughness increases due to the growth of crystalline grains with increasing annealing temperature, in contrast the roughness is slowly decreased because of the diffusion along the crystalline boundary with holding time.

In recent years, multi-component alloys prepared by EB-PVD technology have been used in many fields. Kinetics and thermodynamics in evaporation of multi-component alloy are carried out for choosing better technological parameters to control the composition variation. Wilson equation and Miedema expanded model are applied to calculate the activity of each component, on basis of which a mathematical model is presented providing the change of the activity and the composition of the molten pool and vapor in dependence on the evaporation time and determining the transient time for vapor composition to reach a balance. A special Ni-Fe-Cr-Al alloy is fabricated by EB-PVD and the composition of molten pool and along thickness is measured. The calculated results are in agreement with experimental data.

This study concerned with the optimum design, microstructure and mechanical properties analysis of a multi-layered metal/intermetallic materials consisting of Ti and Ti3Al prepared by the electron beam physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD) technology. Based on fracture mechanics and numerical simulation method, the optimized microstructure of Ti-Ti3Al multi-layered materials has been obtained by analyzing the relation curve between structural parameters and work of fracture of materials, then dual-target evaporating method was used to evaporate Ti and Ti-47Al bar alternately to form Ti/Ti3Al thin sheet about 0.12mm thickness. Pattern and phase analysis by SEM and XRD showed that there was homogeneous and continuous interface between layers and the intermetallic layers were made up of α2 phase alloy. The tensile curve of Ti/Ti3Al microlaminates represented the characteristic of multi-layered materials and the maximal extensibility of sample as deposited reached 5.83% and the fracture appearance showed ductile rupture feature.

In the process of preparation of high silicon steel by EB-PVD, the effect of distance between ingot and substrate on the weight percent of silicon in the silicon steel was investigated through specially designed experiment. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the weight percent of silicon, microstructure, crystal grain size and phase of the high silicon steel. The experimental results show that the weight percent of silicon in the silicon steel decreases with increasing of the distance between ingot and substrate, when the distance is about 415 mm, high silicon steel can be fabricated by EB-PVD. The microstructure of the high silicon steel was composed of columnar crystal grain, the size of the crystal is about 25-50 μm. The material back to the substrate side is composed of B2 and exhibits strong {400} texture.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different parameters of RGES with trains of long pulses in turning gastric slow waves into tachygastria, and evaluate the effects of RGES with the efficient trains of pulses on gastric slow waves, gastric emptying of solids and plasma concentrations of satiety‐related peptides and glucose.Methods: Seven female dogs implanted with four pairs of gastric electrodes were studied in two experiments. The first experiment included a series of sessions with different pacing parameters in the fasting state, each lasting 10 min. The second experiment included two randomized sessions (control and RGES). Gastric emptying of solid was measured by scintigraphy for a period of 4 h. Blood samples were collected at 45 and 15 min before, 30, 60 and 120 min after the meal. Plasma leptin, insulin and glucagon were measured using radioimmunoassay method. Plasma glucose was assessed with a commercially available glucometer. RGES was applied via the distal pair of electrodes (2 cm above the pylorus) with trains of pulses. RGES was initiated 30 min before the first blood sample and maintained for a period of 2.5 h. Gastric slow waves and symptomatic response were also recorded in each session.Results: (1) RGES with pulse trains (12 trains/min) was able to turn regular gastric slow waves into tachygastria. (2) RGES with the efficient parameters (frequency: 40 Hz; pulse width: 2 ms; amplitude: 5 mA; train on‐time, 2 s; off‐time, 3 s) was capable of delaying gastric emptying of solids (P < 0.05). (3) Compared with the control session without RGES, the total AUC's of plasma insulin with RGES was significantly decreased in the fasting and postprandial periods (p < 0.05). However, the total area under curves (AUC's) of plasma leptin, glucagon, and glucose were not significantly affected by RGES (p > 0.05). (4) This method of GES induced no noticeable symptoms.Conclusion: RGES with at a tachygastrial frequency decreases gastric emptying of solids and plasma insulin, but has no effects on plasma leptin, glucagons, and glucose.

Large-scale Ni-based superalloy sheet was prepared by electron beam physical vapour deposition. Microstructures and micropores of as-deposited and heat treated superalloy sheets were studied by scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, and optical microscope. The results show that the as-deposited superalloy sheet is mainly composed of columnar grain, whose major axes are parallel to the normal line of the sheet. The average diameter of crystalline grains in minor axis direction is about 300nm. After heat treatment, the superalloy sheet consists of equiaxed grains, the nanopores with high interfacial energy gather and form fewer pores with larger size, and there is notable increase in toughness.

Al-PBII into AgMgNi alloy is carried out using the unbalance magnetron sputtering (UBMS) target and r.f. stimulation to generate metal plasma with a dynamic MePBII model. The depth profiles are acquired by XPS analysis. The details of the phase constitute that the samples are detected by both XRD analysis with a high power X-ray source (HPXRD) and a glancing XRD (GXRD) method. TEM image is used to further affirm the existence of a new alloy phase and describe the cross-section distribution of the new alloy phase. The results show that an Al implantation layer appears on the surface of AgMgNi alloy substrates. The contents of Al in the implantation layer decreased with increasing depth. The μ-Ag3Al phase is detected by HPXRD analysis. Further identification is done by TEM. The μ-Ag3Al phase is mainly formed in the region between the columnar Al layer on the surface and the Ag substrate. The orientation of μ-Ag3Al phase is related to the orientation of Ag substrate, which was produced by the fabrication of the original sample.

A fiber toughening model of fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites is presented. The constitutive equation is obtained through micromechanical considerations based on two kinds of fiber toughening mechanisms, crack bridging and fiber pullout. The calculated results show that two different zones in the R-curve and Load/displacement curve exhibit notable nonlinear behavior. Calculated toughness of 50vol%SiCf/LAS composites is in good agreement with experimental results.