[en] Nanostructured coatings exhibit superior oxidation resistance due to preferable formation of pure α-Al₂O₃ scale. In this work, the morphology and growth of the scale formed on magnetron-sputtered CoCrAl nanocoatings (NCs) with and without yttrium at 1000, 1100 and 1200 deg. C have been investigated in detail, by scanning electron microscopy observations of the time-dependent evolution of the scale surface and cross-sectional features. There were several observations: (1) intrinsic oxide ridges appeared on the surface scale on both NCs but their appearance was delayed on CoCrAlY, (2) CoCrAl coating tended to form a scale which was composed of multi-layered equiaxed crystals, especially at 1100 and 1200 deg. C, while the scale on CoCrAlY appeared double-layered and with inner columnar-like grains, (3) large interface cavities appeared after oxidation of CoCrAl at 1100 and 1200 deg. C but it was not be observed for oxidation of CoCrAlY. The results strongly suggest that the contribution of outward aluminum diffusion to the growth of the α-Al₂O₃ scale on both NCs is increased with an increase of time and temperature, and that it was reduced in the presence of yttrium. Additionally, compared to the scale on the normal commercial MCrAl (M=Fe, Ni, Co) alloys, the scale formed on the NCs is finer-grained and wrinkle-resistant. Based on the morphological investigation, a growth mechanism of the alumina scale on both NCs was proposed

[en] One of the principal modes by which electron-beam-evaporated thermal barrier coatings fail is via the nucleation of local regions of debonding, which grow and link together until reaching a critically sized flaw for spontaneous buckling and spalling. This progressive-failure mode is used as a basis for analyzing the changes that can occur in photostimulated luminescence spectra that have been recorded from the thermally grown oxide. This process also provides a basis for the quantitative determination of the extent of local damage prior to spalling from an analysis of the shape of the luminescence spectra

[en] As a means of developing a simple, cost-effective, and reliable method for probing nanoparticle behavior, we have used atomic force microscopy to gain a quantitative 3D visual representation of the deposition patterns of citrate-capped Au nanoparticles on a substrate as a function of (a) sample preparation, (b) the choice of substrate, (c) the dispersion solvent, and (d) the number of loading steps. Specifically, we have found that all four parameters can be independently controlled and manipulated in order to alter the resulting pattern and quantity of as-deposited nanoparticles. From these data, the sample preparation technique appears to influence deposition patterns most broadly, and the dispersion solvent is the most convenient parameter to use in tuning the quantity of nanoparticles deposited onto the surface under spin-coating conditions. Indeed, we have quantitatively measured the effect of surface coverage for both mica and silicon substrates under preparation techniques associated with (i) evaporation under ambient air, (ii) heat treatment, and (iii) spin-coating preparation conditions. In addition, we have observed a decrease in nanoparticle adhesion to a substrate when the ethylene glycol content of the colloidal dispersion solvent is increased, which had the effect of decreasing interparticle-substrate interactions. Finally, we have shown that substrates prepared by these diverse techniques have potential applicability in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

[en] Electrodeposited Ni-La₂O₃ composite films with nanometer-size La₂O₃ oxide inclusions were fabricated by the codeposition of nickel with La₂O₃ particles. The comparative oxidation behavior in air at 900 and 1000 C of nickel coated with the Ni-La₂O₃ composite and films with and without nickel-plating was studied by TGA, AE, SEM/EDX, EPMA, and TEM/EDX. In general, the Ni-La₂O₃ composite-coated nickel had the slowest rate and the best resistance to thermal cycling. AE tests revealed that cracking events in NiO scales on Ni-La₂O₃ composite-coated nickel was significantly reduced in comparison to that of the scale on nickel-coated nickel during thermal cycling at 900 C. SEM investigation showed that the La₂O₃-free NiO scale was composed of outer coarse columnar grains and inner equiaxed ones. By contrast, the scale on the Ni-La₂O₃ composite-coated nickel consisted of only fine equiaxed NiO grains. The scale on the La₂O₃-free samples was characterized by cracks that originated at the scale-substrate interface and spanned the scale thickness. By contrast, no scale cracks formed at the La₂O₃-doped NiO scale-substrate interface, but small voids were created at the triple points of the grain boundaries of NiO. In the La₂O₃-doped NiO scale, segregation of La ions to the NiO grain boundaries near the scale-surface was observed by EDX microanalyses in the TEM

[en] Afatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most toxic form among the mycotoxins. Cytokines are important mediators of the immune system. T-cell subsets play a crucial role in cell-mediated immunity. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effects of dietary AFB1 on the cytokines expression and T-cell subsets in the cecal tonsil of broiler chickens throughout a 21-day experimental period. One hundred and fifty six one-day-old broiler chickens were randomly divided into control group (0 mg AFB1/kg feed) and AFB1 group (0.6 mg pure AFB1/kg feed). At 7, 14 and 21 days of age, the levels of seven cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IFN-γ and TNF-α) mRNA expression as well as the proportions of T-cell subsets (CD3+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+) by qRT-PCR and flow cytometry methods were assessed in the cecal tonsils. The levels of the seven cytokines mRNA expression and the percentages of T-cell subsets significantly decreased at 14 and 21 days of age in the AFB1 group compared with the control group. However, the CD4+/CD8+ ratio was not significantly changed. These results demonstrate that 0.6 mg/kg AFB1 dietary exposure reduced the levels of cytokines mRNA expression and the percentages of T-cell subsets in the cecal tonsils of broiler chickens, suggesting that the cell-mediated immunity of cecal tonsils might be impaired in broilers. (Author)

[en] The unique electronic structure and optical properties of double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWNTs) have made them a key focus material of research in recent years. However, the incorporation of DWNTs with quantum dots (QDs) into nanocomposites via a covalent chemical approach as well as the optical properties of the composites have rarely been explored. In particular, we have been interested in this model system to investigate whether nanomaterial heterostructures can provide efficient pathways for charge separation relative to loss mechanisms such as recombination. In this specific work, the synthesis of DWNT-CdSe QD heterostructures obtained by using a conventional covalent protocol has been demonstrated. CdSe QDs with terminal amino groups have been conjugated onto the surfaces of oxidized DWNTs by the formation of amide bonds. The observed trap emission of CdSe is thought to arise from the presence of 2-aminoethanethiol capping ligands and is effectively quenched upon conjugation with the DWNT surface because of the charge transfer from CdSe to DWNTs.

[en] A coating of nickel with La₂O₃ particles was electrodeposited on the surface of γ-TiAl to improve its high-temperature oxidation resistance. The experimental results showed that contrary to the oxidation of bare specimens, the electro-deposited Ni-La₂O₃ composite-coated ones exhibited much better resistance to both isothermal and cyclic oxidation in air at 1000 and 900 C. For the oxidation of the Ni-La₂O₃ composite-coated γ-TiAl EPMA/EDX microanalyses revealed that after the composite film had been thoroughly oxidized, a La₂O₃-rich NiO layer close to the gas-scale interface and two alumina-rich layers, with one beneath the NiO layer and the other adjacent to the γ-TiAl matrix, were produced in the scale. The results indicated that the preferentially formed la₂O₃-doped NiO layer retarded the growth of rutile and favored the formation of two alumina-rich layers. The mechanism of the effects of the electrodeposited Ni-La₂O₃ composite on the oxidation behavior of γ-TiAl is discussed in detail

[en] Objective: To construct and validate a prognostic model for osteosarcoma prognostication and therapeutic potential of PANoptosisrelated genes. Study Design: Observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China, from August 2021 to January 2024. Methodology: Transcriptomic data from the GEO and TARGET databases were utilised to construct and validate a prognostic model for osteosarcoma. The analysis involved the use of the LASSO Cox-regression method with the Glmnet R package to identify key PANoptosis-related genes. Differential gene expression analysis was conducted using the Limma R package, and model validation was performed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and time-dependent ROC curves. Results: This model, derived from five key PANoptosis-related genes, demonstrated significant predictive capability for patient survival across training and validation cohorts. Further analysis confirmed the model's effectiveness and identified metastasis stage and risk scores as the robust independent prognostic indicators. Conclusion: The prognostic model offers a novel tool for osteosarcoma prognostication and underscores the therapeutic potential of targeting PANoptosis-related pathways. (author)

[en] This paper describes the MPOS application as an ion beam source for Ti film/Al substrate mixing. Single layer 500 nm films of titanium were deposited on aluminum 6061-T6 samples and then irradiated by an ion beam. The ion beam energy was between 200 and 250 keV, the pulse length was 100 ns and the ion current density was between 10 and 150 A/cm². Characterization of the treated samples was done using the SEM, EDAX and Auger spectroscopy. Numerical calculations of the phase transitions in this system have been done, to estimate the ion current density needed for effective melting and mixing of the films and substrate. According to Auger analysis, significant mixing of the Ti film and Al substrate occurs up to depths of 1.3 μm. Corrosion tests have shown improved corrosion resistance for the mixed layer in comparison with the untreated film

[en] Purpose: The purpose is to study applying PIPSpro and EPID for routine quality assurance of medical accelerators. Methods: (1) The coincidence of Light field and radiation field: Placed the FC-2 phantom on the treatment couch at the 100cm SSD. Using jaw set 10×10 cm"2 or 15×15 cm"2 field. Verified that the light field aligns with the engraved squares on the phantom. Placed the Crosshair Marker phantom on the top of the FC-2 phantom with the cross-hair and spherical marker aligned to the center of the light field. Acquired images with EPID and the images should be exported preferably in DICOM format. Analyzed Follow the recommended procedures in the radiation light field module of PIPSpro software.(2)MLC QA:Set up the MLC phantom on the treatment couch at isocenter. Positioned the EPID imager at the highest possible position without colliding with either the couch or the phantom. Created and delivered four different patterns for testing the MLC leaf position, leaf width, multi-port and leaf transmission. (3)Radiation isocenter test: Included the isocenter of collimator rotation, gantry rotation and couch rotation. Set the jaws of the collimator to create a thin field as 0.4cm x 20cm.Irradiated film or EPID using an equidistant 15° spacing angles with rotating collimator, gantry and couch respectively. Results: We analyzed imagers from EPID and film with PIPSPro software. As a Result, we acquired the specifications of medical accelerators quickly. In the meantime, the results were saved to database for trending and future analysis. Conclusion: Quality assurance of medical accelerator is very important. We used PIPSpro and EPID for routine detection, not only improved our efficiency, but also saved the cost. It is an good method