[en] Brookite titanium dioxide (b-TiO_2) films were successfully deposited on Y-stabilized ZrO_2 (110) substrates at different substrate temperatures (500–650 °C) by the metal organic chemical vapor deposition technique. The results of X-ray diffraction θ-2θ scan indicated that the b-TiO_2 film deposited at 550 °C had the best single crystalline quality, for which the heteroepitaxial relationship and the microstructure were identified by the X-ray diffraction Φ scan and high resolution transmission electron microscopy measurements. A schematic diagram was proposed to clarify the epitaxial growth mechanism. The composition, morphology and optical properties of the b-TiO_2 films have been investigated in detail.

[en] Objective: To observe the curative effect of interventional recanalization combined with chinese traditional medicine in treatment of fallopian tube obstruction. Methods: There were 200 cases in treatment group and 120 cases in control group. In the treatment group patients were given chinese herbal medicine after the intervention. In sixth month a follow up imaging was performed assessing the patency. The follow up also included the pregnancy rate 1 year later. Results: The patency rate was 83% in treatment group, and 81.5% in control group (P>0.05). Re-conjunction rate was 7.6% in the study group and 22% in control group (P<0.01). The pregnancy rate was 67% in study group and 42% in control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: With interventional recanalization combined with chinese traditional medicine, good curative effect obtained in treatment of fallopian tube obstructive infertility. Combined with Chinese traditional medicine, the post-procedure re-conjunction rate is decreased, especially in the case of short fallopian tube obstruction

[en] Highlights: • Novel networked submicrogels were synthesized. • The elution of the networked submicrogels was restricted. • The networked-submicrogels could enrich onto the membrane surface effectively. • The modified membranes showed antifouling and haemocompatible property. • The modified membranes exhibited antibacterial property. -- Abstract: Intensive efforts have been employed in modifying biomedical membranes. Among them, blending is recognized as a simple method. However, the conventional blending materials commonly lead to an insufficient modification, which is mainly caused by the poor miscibility between the blending materials and the matrixes, the elution of the hydrophilic materials from the matrixes during the use and storage, and the insufficient surface enrichment of the blending materials. Aiming to solve the abovementioned disadvantages, we developed novel polyethersulfone/poly(acrylic acid-co-N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) networked submicrogels (PES/P(AA-VP) NSs), which were blended with PES to enhance the antifouling properties, antibacterial adhesion and haemocompatible properties of PES membranes. As results, the PES/P(AA-VP) NSs showed good miscibility with the PES matrix, and hydrophilic submicrogels would enrich onto the membrane surface during the phase inversion process due to the surface segregation. The entanglement between the PES matrix and the networked submicrogels would effectively limit the elution of the submicrogels. In conclusion, the modified PES membranes prepared by blending with the PES/P(AA-VP) NSs might draw great attention for the application in haemodialysis fields.

[en] Bi₂AlVO₇ was prepared by solid-state reaction technique for the first time and the structural and photocatalytic properties of Bi₂AlVO₇ and Bi₂InTaO₇ were investigated. The results showed that Bi₂AlVO₇ crystallized in the tetragonal crystal system with space group I4/mmm. In addition, the band gaps of Bi₂AlVO₇ and Bi₂InTaO₇ were estimated to be about 2.06 and 2.81 eV. The photocatalytic degradation of aqueous methylene blue (MB) dye with Bi₂AlVO₇ or Bi₂InTaO₇ as catalyst was investigated under visible light irradiation. Bi₂AlVO₇ showed higher photocatalytic activity compared with Bi₂InTaO₇ for photocatalytic degradation of MB under visible light irradiation. Complete removal of aqueous MB dye was realized after visible light irradiation for 160 min with Bi₂AlVO₇ as the photocatalyst. The reduction of the total organic carbon (TOC) and the formation of inorganic products, SO₄^2- and NO₃^- revealed the continuous mineralization of aqueous MB dye during the photocatalytic process. The possible photocatalytic degradation pathway of aqueous MB dye was revealed under visible light irradiation.