Edge Thickness Research Articles

Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis of the Anterior Capsulotomy Edge: A Comparative Study between Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Capsulotomy and Manual Capsulorhexis.

Purpose To compare the capsule edges ultrastructure obtained by two femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) platforms and manual continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Setting Eye Clinic, University of Trieste, Italy. Design Experimental comparative study. Methods 150 anterior capsules were collected and divided into three groups as follows: Group 1 (50 capsules) obtained with manual CCC, Groups 2 and 3 (each with 50 capsules) obtained with the Catalys Laser and the LenSx Laser, respectively. All samples were imaged by means of SEM and regularity of the cut surface, and thickness of the capsule edge were evaluated and compared. Results All femtosecond laser (FSL) capsules were perfectly circular, whereas some alteration of the circular shape was observed in the manual ones. Group 1 showed a smooth and regular capsule edge without any surface irregularity, conversely Groups 2 and 3 showed postage-stamp perforations on the capsule edge. The cut surface irregularity value in Group 2 was 1.4 ± 0.63, while it was 0.7 ± 0.49 in Group 3 (p < 0.05). Group 1 had a significantly lower thickness of the capsule edge than the FSL groups (p < 0.05). No statistically significant difference in the capsule edge thickness between the FSL groups was found (p=0.244). Conclusions Despite the presence of slight cut surface irregularities, both FSL capsulotomies showed a better geometry and circularity than the manual ones. Capsulotomy specimens obtained using both FSL capsulotomies showed laser-induced alterations of the capsule edge when compared with smooth and regular edges obtained using manual CCC.

EP01.01: Prediction of severe hemorrhage in placenta previa/accreta using ultrasound and clinical risk factors

To evaluate the value of ultrasound and clinical risk factors in predicting severe hemorrhage (>1.5 l) in pregnancies undergoing Caesarean section for placenta previa/accreta. A retrospective review of all cases of placenta previa/accreta undergoing Caesarean delivery over a period of 5 years in a regional service unit. Cases were identified and delivery data was retrieved from a comprehensive obstetric database. Detailed ultrasound findings from the examination just before delivery were obtained from manual review of individual records. There were a total of 21908 deliveries within the review period of 2012 to 2016, and the incidence of Caesarean section for placenta previa/accreta was 0.98% (n=215). Of these, 12.1% (n=26) had severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) with blood loss of 1.5 l. There were 6 cases of placenta accreta (2.8%), of which one had classical Caesarean section with the placenta left in situ and another had classical section and direct hysterectomy, so that both of them did not have severe PPH. Univariate analysis showed that advanced maternal age, previous pregnancies with previa or PPH, the type of previa or distance of the placental edge from the os, occurrence of antepartum hemorrhage before delivery, anterior placenta, thick placental edge and presence of accreta were all significantly associated with severe PPH. A logistic regression model showed that major previa, APH before delivery and anterior placenta remained significant factors associated with severe PPH, whereas other factors were excluded. Due to the differential treatment for accreta cases, placenta accreta was not a significant factor in the final equation. The sensitivity/specificity and positive/negative predictive value of the model for severe hemorrhage are 61.5%, 96.8%, 72.7% and 94.5% respectively. The significant ultrasound and clinical factors identified as predictive factors for severe PPH could be used as a model for triaging risks when planning Caesarean section delivery for placenta previa/accreta. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.

Molecular dynamics simulation of characteristics of the nanodroplet evaporation

The molecular dynamics method is used to simulate the evaporation process of nanodroplets on heated substrates by LAMMPS software. The simulation process includes three stages: the relaxation of argon droplets at 84K, heating the substrates to 200 K, keeping the substrates temperature at 200 K to observe the evaporation of the droplet. By measuring the change of the whole morphology of the droplets during the evaporation process, the changes of the edge thickness are obtained. By analyzing the atomic velocity and displacement, the trajectories of the particles at the edge of the evaporation process are revealed and distribution of the temperature of the droplets are expressed. It is concluded that when the substrates at 200K, the whole droplet evaporation process is conclude four stages: fixed evaporation stage, the stick slip motion stage, once again into the fixed evaporation stage and fixed contact angle and the contact radius are decreasing the evaporation process until the end. Finally, the experimental platform was set up to verify the validity of the simulation. Without considering the influence of plate roughness, the height variation of the droplet obtained from the experiment has a high consistency with the simulation results.

EP02.05: Placenta previa and low‐lying placenta: is placental edge thickness a reliable predictor of perinatal outcomes?

EP02.05: Placenta previa and low‐lying placenta: is placental edge thickness a reliable predictor of perinatal outcomes?

Design and analysis of PMLSM with SIN + 3rd shaping mover

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the electromagnetic performances of the permanent magnet linear synchronous machines (PMLSM) with sine and third harmonic (SIN + 3rd) shaping mover in comparison with the PMLSM with sine (SIN) shaping mover and conventional shaping mover.Design/methodology/approachThe optimal amplitude of the injected third harmonic to re-shape the SIN + 3rd shaping permanent magnet (PM) for maximizing the thrust force is analytically derived and confirmed by finite element method (FEM). Furthermore, the PM edge thickness, the pole arc to pole pitch ratio and the tooth to slot ratio are optimized. It is found that the optimal amplitude of the injected third harmonic is one-sixth of the fundamental one, the optimal PM edge thickness, the pole arc to pole pitch ratio and the tooth to slot ratio are 0, 0.85 and 0.5 mm, respectively. In addition, the electromagnetic performances are analyzed and quantitatively compared for the PMLSM with SIN + 3rd shaping mover, SIN shaping mover and conventional shaping mover.FindingsThe average thrust force and efficiency of the PMLSM with SIN + 3rd shaping mover are improved significantly, while the thrust ripple is not increased, comparing to those of the PMLSM with SIN shaping mover. Meanwhile, the thrust ripple is lower than that of the conventional shaping mover.Research limitations/implicationsThe purely sinusoidal currents are applied in this analysis and the influences of harmonics in the current on electromagnetic performances are not considered.Originality/valueThis paper presents a PMLSM with SIN + 3rd shaping mover to improve the thrust force and efficiency without increasing the thrust ripple, considering the effects of the amplitude of the injected third harmonic to re-shape the SIN + 3rd shaping PM, the PM edge thickness, the pole arc to pole pitch ratio and the tooth to slot ratio.

Optimization of the LS89 Axial Turbine Profile Using a CAD and Adjoint Based Approach †

The LS89 high pressure axial turbine vane was originally designed and optimized for a downstream isentropic Mach number of 0.9. This profile has been widely used for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) validation in the open literature but very few attempts have been made to improve the already optimized design. This paper presents a sound methodology to design and optimize the LS89 using computer-aided design (CAD) at design conditions. The novelty of the study resides in the parametrization of design space, which is done at the CAD level, and the detailed analysis of the aerodynamic performance of the optimized design. Higher level constraints are imposed on the shape, such as the trailing edge thickness, the axial chord length, and G2 geometric continuity between the suction side and pressure side at the leading edge. The gradients used for the optimization are obtained by applying algorithmic differentiation to the CAD kernel and grid generator and the discrete adjoint method to the CFD solver. A reduction of almost 12% entropy generation is achieved, which is equivalent to a 16% total pressure loss reduction. The entropy generation is reduced while keeping the exit flow angle as a flow constraint, which is enforced via the penalty formulation. The resulting unconstrained optimization problem is solved by the L-BFGS-B algorithm. The flow is governed by the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations and the one-equation transport Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model. The optimal profile is compared and benchmarked against the baseline case.

Detection of particles of metals in the shell casing for a partial species identification of weapons with the use of x-ray function-spectral analysis

One of the current in the examination of gunshot injuries is to determine the combustion charge or factors that accompany the shot. At the same time, the question remains about the use of a scapegoat or non-narrative short-barrel weapon. Therefore, by detecting particles of metal balls membrane formed passing through the bore rifle, their visual, stereomikroskopichnoho research and using infrared rays and renthenfluorestsentnoho spectral analysis was possible species of partial identification of said weapons. The archival material of the department of the word-medical criminology of the Kiev city clinic bureau of a forensic medicine was used in the work. The obtained results were processed by standard methods of variation statistics. The study in the thickness of the lower edge of the input gunshot wounds were found strips of metal density yellow color with a high content of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb), which indicates the characteristics of the membrane balls outside covered with red brass (an alloy of copper and zinc). The main metal of bullets of 4 mm caliber, provided for examination, was lead. In the study of the surface of the globe №1, facing the canal weapons found four areas of wiping material shell formed from the action fields rifling firearms is the rifling on the surface membrane of the globe, the bottom of which is parallel to the rolls and grooves alternating with one another . Thus, the detection of metallic strips of yellow density, resulting from passing through the channel rifle, gave reason to identify it as the weapon used in isolation. Elevated levels of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) indicates that the outside shell of the balls were coated red brass (an alloy of copper and zinc). So the ball was shell.

Experimental study of expanded polystyrene (EPS) External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) masonery façade reaction-to-fire performance

External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) consisting of insulation core and decoration surface materials, are quite common in new constructions and refurbishment buildings with design-oriented goals of sustainability and energy efficiency. However, combustible insulation core has caused serious result due to the ravages of fire disasters. Thermoplastic expanded polystyrene (EPS) acting as an insulation core is widely and vertically installed in ETICS. Presently, with an aim to evaluate EPS ETICS fire performance, a series of EPS ETICS specimen varying EPS thickness from 50 mm to 300 mm, polymer mortar type including SBR polymer mortar and acrylic resin mortar, reinforcement including one layer and two layer’s glass fiber mesh, and opening edge treatment method differs from back-wrapping method to fire barrier method are tested by a large-scale Japanese façade fire propagation method JIS A 1310 with heating intensity from 100 kW to 1100 kW. A comprehensive fire risk evaluation INDEX method of EPS ETICS based on EPS burn area and façade surface temperature profiles of JIS A 1310 tests is proposed. It could easily classify the effects of mortar, reinforcement, EPS thickness and opening edge treatment method on EPS ETICS fire performance. It is concluded that in JIS A 1310 method, the fire risk of EPS ETICS could be classified by INDEX method as the followings: the INDEX ≤ 0.825 is an acceptable level; the INDEX ≥ 0.836 is the unacceptable level; 0.825 ≤ INDEX ≤ 0.836 is the critical level. The fire propagation index (FPI) is believed to be a potential prediction method for EPS ETICS fire risk evaluation before JIS A 1310 tests. The FPI is classified as the followings: the FPI ≤ 17.3 is an acceptable level; the FPI ≥ 21.4 is the unacceptable level; 17.3 ≤ FPI ≤ 21.4 is the critical level.

Application of Embedded Element in the Short Fiber Reinforced Composite

The finite element analysis (FEA) is a numerical method for predicting the mechanical property of short fiber reinforced composite usefully. However, as we know, there is always a “jamming” limit when generating fiber architecture expecially in the cases of high volume fraction and high aspect ratio of short fiber. Even if the volume fraction and aspect ratio in finite element model meet the practical requirements, the problem of mesh deformity will always occur which would lead to unconverge of numerical computation. In this work, embedded element technique which will help to reduce the probability of the above two problems is employed to establish the finite element model of short fiber reinforced composite. The effect of edge size, thickness and mesh density of FE models on the elastic modulus were investigated. Numerical results show that the value of elastic modulus mainly depend on the edge size and fiber amount of FE model while the effect of thickness can be neglected. The elastic modulus takes to converge for high element number. An inverse method is proposed to calculate volume fraction of short fibers, by which numerical results agree well with the calculation results of empirical formula based on Halpin-Tsai equation.

Crystal Growth in Polyethylene by Molecular Dynamics: The Crystal Edge and Lamellar Thickness.

We carried out large-scale atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to study the growth of twin lamellar crystals of polyethylene initiated by small crystal seeds. By examining the size distribution of the stems—straight crystalline polymer segments—we show that the crystal edge has a parabolic profile. At the growth front, there is a layer of stems too short to be stable, and new stable stems are formed within this layer, leading to crystal growth. Away from the edge, the lengthening of the stems is limited by a lack of available slack length in the chains. This frustration can be relieved by mobile crystal defects that allow topological relaxation by traversing through the crystal. The results shed light on the process of polymer crystal growth and help explain initial thickness selection and lamellar thickening.

Upper Arch Flap Combined with Extended Incision of Lower Eyelid: A Modified Epicanthoplasty in Correcting Epicanthus.

The epicanthus, a lengthways cambered skinfold around the inner canthus, is particularly common in Orientals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcomes for patients with epicanthus after the application of a new surgical technique. A total of 753 patients with epicanthus underwent epicanthoplasty in our hospital from October 2009 to March 2017 and were enrolled in this study. All patients were treated with upper arch flap combined with extended incision of the lower eyelid surgical method, and the effects of the surgery were assessed by photographic analysis and satisfaction surveys. After the surgery, the eyelids of patients were elongated, and their inner canthi diameter was shortened without recurrence in the epicanthus. For 3.32% of the patients, there was a nonuniform edge thickness of the lower eyelid incision; for 8.23% of the patients, there was a slightly lighter skin color in the rest of quondam arch flap. Six months after the surgery, the incision scar was not obvious for all patients, and most of the patients (90.31%) were satisfied with the effect of the surgery. The upper arch flap combined with extended incision of the lower eyelid surgical method, a simple and effective surgical correction method, obtained a good cosmetic result with more secluded scar and high satisfaction for patients with epiblepharon. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Facile synthesis of NixCo3-xS4 hollow nanoprism with broader electromagnetic absorption properties: Effect of Ni/Co atomic ratios

A suitable component with a benefited morphology is crucial to ensure the good electromagnetic absorption (EA) ability if used as electromagnetic absorber to deal with the severe electromagnetic interference crisis. In this research, NixCo3-xS4 hollow nanoprisms with tunable Ni/Co molar ratios have been successfully prepared through a simple liquid reflux and subsequently conducting a sulfidation reaction. The morphologies, crystal phase structures were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). As revealed by TEM, the NixCo3-xS4 displayed hollow nanoprism shape with an average length of 1.2 μm, width of 100 nm and edge thickness of 13 nm, respectively. Afterward, the electromagnetic absorption abilities of these NixCo3-xS4 products at various x values (x = 0.2, 0.5, 0.8) were investigated in terms of the theory of transmission lines. The results demonstrated that the bandwidth ((RL ≤ −10 dB) with a specimen thickness of 2.0 mm could cover 5.6 GHz when x∼0.5, which is much greater than Ni0.2Co2.8S4 and Ni0.8Co2.2S4 filling layers. The electromagnetic loss mechanism was discussed in depth, which was correlated with molar ratios, and unique hollow nanoprism structure.

Experimental and Numerical Study of Transonic Cooled Turbine Blades

State-of-the-art gas turbines (GT) operate at high temperatures that exceed the endurance limit of the material, and therefore the turbine components are cooled by the air taken from the compressor. The cooling provides a positive impact on the lifetime of GT but has a negative impact on its performance. In convection-cooled turbine blades the coolant is usually discharged through the trailing edge and leads to limitations on the minimal size of the trailing edge, thereby negatively affecting the losses. Moreover, the injection of cooling air in the turbine disturbs the main flow, and may lead to an additional increase in loss. Trailing edge loss is a significant part of the overall loss in modern gas turbines. This study comprises investigations of the unguided flow angle, the trailing edge shape, and cooling air injection through the trailing edge on the base pressure and profile losses in cooled blades. Some vane and blade cascades with different unguided turning angle and two shapes of trailing edges with and without coolant injection were studied both experimentally and numerically. This analysis provides a split of losses caused by different factors, and offers opportunities for efficiency and lifetime improvements of real engine designs/upgrades. In particular, it is shown that an increase in the unguided turning angle and the use of a round trailing edge result in a reduction of loss in case of a relatively thick trailing edge. Numerical investigation showed that an increase in the unguided turning angle at the initial transonic vane with a thick and blunt trailing edge, without a change in other basic geometric parameters, allowed for a significant reduction of the profile loss by about 3–4% at the exit Mach number M2is = 0.7–1.0. Experimental investigation of four cascades with cooling air injection into the base flow through the trailing edge allowed us to validate the fact that in blades with a low level of base pressure Cpb &lt; −0.1 at m¯ = 0 a non-monotonic dependence of the change of losses against relative cooling air mass flow m¯ is observed. Firstly, the cooling air injection into wake increases base pressure and decreases losses; then the losses start to increase with increasing cooling mass flow due to the interaction between the main flow and the cooling air (mixing losses) and, finally, due to the cooling mass flow increase and momentum increase losses are decreased. In blades with an increased level of the base pressure coefficient Cpb ≥ −0.1 at m¯ = 0 the cooling air injection results in an increase in losses right from the beginning of the injection and then, according to the cooling mass flow increase and momentum rise, losses decrease. It is also shown that injection through the trailing edge slot parallel to the main flow leads to a neutral loss impact and even a loss reduction in the subsonic range and a loss increase in the supersonic range of exit Mach numbers.

Morphometry of the posterior clinoid process and dorsum sellae

Aims: The posterior clinoid process (PCP) is a paired anatomic structure located in the middle cranial fossa on the superior surface of the sphenoid bone where it forms a bony eminence that is the lateral boundary of the dorsum sellae (DS). The aim of the study was to analyze PCP and DS morphometry in computed tomography (CT) . Materials and methodology: The study was based on 100 CT investigations of 54 women and 46 men aged 18–88 (mean age 52.49 years). The PCP and DS morphometry was studied in coronal and sagittal planes. Data were analyzed statistically in relation to patients ’ gender and age (group 1: up to 45 years, group 2: over 45 years). Results: The average width of the right and left PCP was 10.2 mm and 9.85 mm, respectively, while the average height of the right and left PCP was 2.32 mm and 2.04 mm, respectively. The thickness of the DS superior edge was 3.29 mm, and of the right and left PCP: 4.28 mm and 4.31 mm, respectively. Statistical calculations lead to the conclusion that the right PCP is wider and thicker in men. Moreover, the DS superior edge is also thicker in men, and the left PCP is wider and higher in people over 45 years of age. Conclusions: The PCP and DS are characterized by considerable individual variability. CT is a useful modality for PCP and DS morphometry assessment. PCP and DS are different in men and women. Age affects skull base morphometry.

Shed vortex structure and phase-averaged velocity statistics in symmetric/asymmetric turbulent flat plate wakes

The near wake of a flat plate is investigated via direct numerical simulations. Many earlier experimental investigations have used thin plates with sharp trailing edges and turbulent boundary layers to create the wake. This results in large θ/DTE values (θ is the boundary layer momentum thickness toward the end of the plate and DTE is the trailing edge thickness). In the present study, the emphasis is on relatively thick plates with circular trailing edges (CTEs) resulting in θ/D values less than one (D is the plate thickness and the diameter of the CTE) and vigorous vortex shedding. The Reynolds numbers based on the plate length and D are 1.255 × 106 and 10 000, respectively. Two cases are computed: one with turbulent boundary layers on both the upper and lower surfaces of the plate (statistically the same, symmetric wake, Case TT) and the other with turbulent and laminar boundary layers on the upper and lower surfaces, respectively (asymmetric case, Case TL). The data and understanding obtained are of considerable engineering interest, particularly in turbomachinery where the pressure side of an airfoil can remain laminar or transitional because of a favorable pressure gradient and the suction side is turbulent. Shed-vortex structure and phase-averaged velocity statistics obtained in the two cases are compared here. The upper negative shed vortices in Case TL (turbulent separating boundary layer) are weaker than the lower positive ones (laminar separating boundary layer) at inception (a factor of 1.27 weaker in terms of peak phase-averaged spanwise vorticity at the first appearance of a peak). The upper vortices weaken rapidly as they travel downstream. A second feature of interest in Case TL is a considerable increase in the peak phase-averaged, streamwise normal intensity (random component) with increasing streamwise distance (x/D) that occurs near the positive vortex cores. This behavior is observed for a few diameters in the near wake. This is counter to Case TT where the peak value essentially decreases with increasing x/D. Both these effects are examined in detail, and the important contributors are identified.

The Electronic Anisotropic of SnSe2 Nanoflakes

The 2D layered materials have drawn much attention in recent years due to their large specific surface area, large bonding anisotropy and tunable bandgaps. Nowadays, multiple 2D materials had been investigated, which can classify as several groups. For instance, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) (MoS2 [1]), IIIA-VIA group (InSe[2]), IVA–VIA group (SnSe2 [3]) and pure element (black phosphorus[4]). As a member of IVA–VIA group 2D layered material, SnSe2 is a hexagonal crystal with ~1 eV indirect bandgap[3], which has a three-layer structure like Se-Sn-Se, the Sn layer is sandwiched between two Se layers. It has been proposed that SnSe2 has outstanding electronics characteristic[5], optoelectronics characteristic[3] and which is earth abundant. In addition, due to the layer structure the large anisotropy of strong in-plane bonding and weak layer-layer van der waals force, which is appropriate to probe anisotropy. In this work, we investigate the electrical anisotropy for SnSe2 nanoflakes. Single crystal SnSe2 nanoflakes were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method in the two-zone heating furnace. Sn and Se powder as the precursor of CVD method, which was placed at the center of first heating zone and upstream of first heating zone respectively, and 80 nm SiO2/Si substrate was placed at the center of second heating zone. The temperature of first heating zone and second heating zone were heating up to 600 °C and 350 °C respectively, and hold 15 min at the setting temperature. The scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) were used to detect quality of SnSe2 nanoflakes, such as component, grain size, thickness, length, morphology and crystalline. The upright SnSe2 nanoflakes with half hexagon shape was observed in SEM image that the edge length and thickness is about 20 μm and 100 nm, respectively. According to XRD analysis, only (001), (002), (003) and (004) planes can observe apparently on spectra indicate that the priority orientation is along [001] direction. The full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) for this four diffraction peaks are all approximately 0.05° which demonstrate the high crystallinity for SnSe2 nanoflakes. Scherrer equation is not applicable to calculate the grain size for SnSe2 nanoflakes due to FWHM for the diffraction peaks are too narrow. The grain size increase is not a major reason about expand for diffraction peaks FWHM when diffraction peaks FWHM is narrow, which cause a large error. So the SAED was future certified the SnSe2 nanoflakes whether a signal crystal. To explore the electrical anisotropy properties of the SnSe2 nanoflakes. Two different devices were used to investigate the electronic characteristic of SnSe2 nanoflakes along the direction which parallel to the layer and perpendicular to the layer. The device for carrier transport parallel to the layer was made by placing SnSe2 nanoflakes on SiO2/Si substrate, and carrier transport perpendicular to the layer was made by placing SnSe2 nanoflakes on Pt/SiO2/Si substrate. The electronic characteristic parallel to the layer was probed by top-contact, and the electronic characteristic perpendicular to the layer was probed by top-bottom-contact, while the top contact of SnSe2 without any electrode and Pt electrode was used to be bottom contact. Rather than previous report employ E-beam lithography or sputter the electrodes on SnSe2 nanoflakes. The detector was direct contact on the top of SnSe2 nanoflakes to reduce the effect which caused by electrode such as electrode resistance. The observe anisotropy of conductivity parallel to the layer is 5 order than perpendicular one, which is attributed to the large difference of bond energy between covalent bond within the layer and Van der waals force perpendicular to the layer. This electrical anisotropy property may understand deeper about the effect of crystal structure on electronic component, which may cause more rational design than nowadays electronic component. Reference: [1] Y. Zhan, Z. Liu, S. Najmaei, P.M. Ajayan and J. Lou. Small. 2012, 8, 966. [2] S. Sucharitakul, N.J. Goble, U.R. Kumar, R. Sankar, Z.A. Bogorad, F.C. Chou, Y.T. Chen and X.P.A. Gao. Nano Letters. 2015, 15, 3815. [3] Y. Huang, K. Xu, Z. Wang, T.A. Shifa, Q. Wang, F. Wang, C. Jiang and J. He. Nanoscale. 2013, 00, 1. [4] L. Li, Y. Yu, G.J. Ye, Q. Ge, X. Ou, H. Wu, D. Feng, X.H. Chen and Y. Zhang. Nature Nanotechnology. 2014, 9, 372. [5] T. Pei, L. Bao, G. Wang, R. Ma, H. Yang, J. Li, C. Gu, S. Pantelides, S. Du and H.J. Gao. Applied Physics Letters. 2016, 108, 053506.

Fabrication and Photocatalytic Activity of Tunable Triangular- and Circular-Like Ag/AgCl Nanoplates.

Triangular- and circular-like Ag/AgCl nanoplates with various edge length and thickness have been successfully synthesized by a facile in situ oxidation process. Uniform Ag triangular nanoplates with tunable sizes and thicknesses obtained by adjusting the adding amounts of trisodium citrate and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were employed as Ag precursors to form triangular- and circular-like Ag/AgCl heterostructures by changing the adding amounts of FeCl3 in the reaction process. The morphological evolution mechanism of Ag nanoplates and Ag/AgCl heterostructures was discussed. It is clear that the morphologies of Ag/AgCl products can be gradually converted from the large and thick triangular-like nanoplates into the small and thin circular-like ones as the AgCl ratio increasing from 5 to 100%, which can be mainly assigned to the synergistic effect of the oxidation of Fe3+ and the etching action of Cl-. The photocatalytic results indicate that Ag/AgCl nanoplates with different ratios of AgCl can exhibit good photocatalytic activity for degradation of methyl orange (MO) pollutant under ultraviolet-light-driven (UVD) and visible-light-driven (VLD) irradiation, respectively. The Ag/AgCl nanoplates with an AgCl ratio of 30% have the superior photocatalytic activity with the photocatalytic efficiency calculated to be 83.5% within 160 min under UVD irradiation and 53.6% within 240 min under VLD irradiation, respectively, owing to the combination of the favorable crystallinity, excellent photoabsorption, and the efficient separation of the photo-induced carriers between Ag and AgCl.

Steep large film thickness measurement with off-axis terahertz digital holography reconstructed by a direct Fourier and Hermite polynomial.

In this paper, we enhance the steepness of film thickness edge in terahertz off-axis digital holography by employing a reconstruction method based on a direct Fourier and Hermite polynomial function. The method is applied to samples of 110 μm and 80 μm step heights to extract the phase images in real time. Use of this method reduces the resolution factor by around one half, representing around a 50% decrease in critical dimension as compared with conventional measurements. The method is very promising and opens the route to potential applications in the fields of microlithography.

MIDDLE PALEOLITHIC SITE RUBAN’ IN TRANSCARPATHIA: STRATIGRAPHY, CHRONOLOGY, INDUSTRY

The Ruban’ Paleolithic site was discovered in 2005 by the Transcarpathian Paleolithic expedition of the Archaeological Museum of the IA NASU. The site is located on the territory of the former Zatysnansky chemical plant (Fig. 1b) at a distance of 800 m north of the eastern outskirts of the village of Gorbky, Vynohradiv district, in the Transcarpathian region, in the Ruban’ tract, and about 2 km to the southeast of the Korolevo site.&#x0D; At the time when the site Ruban’ was discovered, the upper part the quarry wall where the site is located, has been ruined by the quarrying that made it impossible to determine a stratigraphic position of the archaeological layer and to establish the age of the culture. In order to solve these problems, 15 geological profiles of the Quaternary deposits have been set along the less disturbed quarry wall in 2016—2017. The stratigraphic subdivision of the sections, according to the Quaternary stratigraphic framework of Ukraine, and their correlation with the profile of the archaeological site have been carried out that enables to determine the geological age of the cultural layer.&#x0D; The geological site Ruban’ is located along the paleoslope and, thus, there are erosional brakes in its sedimentary record. The lowermost stratigrpahical unit is represented by reddish-brown soil of Martonosha unit overlain by gleyed loam of Sula unit and strongly dissected by wedges of the Sula cryogenesis. The other Lower and Middle Pleistocene units have been truncated and now they are represented by pedosediments (with exception of the yellowish-brown soil of Upper Zavadivka unit).&#x0D; Kaydaky unit (the brown forest soil of a warm interglacial climate) is separated from Zavadivka soil by the level of wedges of the Dnieper cryogensis.&#x0D; Pryluky unit is represented by two soils (pl1 and pl3), separated by cryogenic fissures and, in places, by a thin loess layer (pl2). The dark-brown soil pl1 is characterized by both manganese concretions and thick managanese films in its upper part, whereas the brown forest soil pl3 is overlain by a thin layer of dense iron-manganese concretions (pl3c). This layer reflects unstable hydrothermal regime during the transition from the warm interstadial to the cold stadial climate of the Uday time. Uday unit is represented, in places, by a thin loess layer, which is overlain by brown forest soil of Vytachiv unit. The latter is dissected by cryogenic fissures, filled with the non-soil material of Bug unit. The Holocene unit is truncated in many places but the Holocene pedogenic processes (translocation) overprint the underlying units.&#x0D; The stratigraphic correlation of the studied sections with the archaeological site (excavation 1) demonstrates that the archaeological layer is located in the transitional bed of iron-manganese concretions (pl3c). According to the accepted comparison of the Ukrainian stratigraphy with marine isotopic-oxygen scale, the chronostratigraphic position of the archaeological layer corresponds to the transition from the end of the MIS 5 (5a) i. e. 74—64 ka BP.&#x0D; In the industry of Ruban’ site are prevailing the non-Levallois reduction methods of exploataion of Kombewa, centripetal, crossed and sub-crossed cores with a flat working surface. The parrallel reduction system is not typical and random. Blades are practically absent.&#x0D; In the collection of tool-kit dominated side scrapers, among which there is a series of natural backed side scrapers with a thick working edge, created by 2—3 rows of a stepped scaled retouch (Quina retouch type). Such samples can be attributed to a specific type of side scrapers, such as Quina or Semi-Quina (Fig. 7).&#x0D; In general, the main technological and typological features of the Ruban’ site industry are closely related to the cultural layer II of the Korolevo I site. These collections can be attributed to the local variant of the so-called Charantienne Techno-Complex.

Emergence of photoluminescence on bulk MoS2 by laser thinning and gold particle decoration

We demonstrate a facile and effective approach to significantly improve the photoluminescence of bulk MoS2 via laser thinning followed by gold particle decoration. Upon laser thinning of exfoliated bulk MoS2, photoluminescence emerges from the laser-thinned region. After further treatment with an AuCl3 solution, gold particles self-assemble on the laser-thinned region and thick edges, further increasing the fluorescence of bulk MoS2 28 times and the Raman response 3 times. Such fluorescence enhancement can be attributed to both surface plasmon resonance and p-type doping induced by gold particles. The combination of laser thinning and AuCl3 treatment enables the functionalization of bulk MoS2 for optoelectronic applications. It can also provide a viable strategy for mask-free and area-selective p-type doping on single MoS2 flakes.