Inclusion Of Mn Research Articles

Effects of manganese and Bacillus subtilis on the reproductive performance, egg quality, antioxidant capacity, and gut microbiota of breeding geese during laying period

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of manganese (Mn) and Bacillus subtilis (BS) on the production performance, egg quality, antioxidant capacity, and gut microbiota of breeding geese during laying period. A total of 120 forty-six-week-old breeding geese (Wulong) were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 treatment diets formulated to supply 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg Mn with 5 × 109 CFU/kg or 2.5 × 109 CFU/kg BS for a 10-wk trial. Results showed that dietary supplementation with 20 and 30 mg/kg Mn could decrease the daily feed intake (DFI) of geese. Moreover, 30 mg/kg Mn significantly increased the laying rate. Besides, although Mn addition had no obvious effect on egg quality, 5 × 109 CFU/kg BS was found to elevate the hatching egg hatching rate and eggshell thickness. For the serum hormones, 30 mg/kg Mn promoted estradiol secretion, while 5 × 109 CFU/kg BS increased the level of follicle-stimulating hormone. Furthermore, 20 and 30 mg/kg Mn and 5 × 109 CFU/kg BS significantly enhanced the total antioxidant capacity by increasing the activity of total superoxide dismutases or decreasing the content of malondialdehyde. Dietary supplementation with 5 × 109 CFU/kg BS also increased the intestinal villus height and upregulated the abundance of Fusobacteria, Fusobacteriaceae, Fusobacterium, and Faecalibacterium in cecal content. In addition, 20 and 30 mg/kg Mn elevated the levels of Bacteroidetes, Bacteroidaceae, Bacteroides, and Ruminococcaceae but decreased Streptococcaceae. Importantly, an interaction effect was observed between Mn and BS on the DFI, egg mass, average egg size, and the abundance of Bacteroides as well as Faecalibacterium. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of Mn and BS could improve the production performance, egg quality, antioxidant capacity, intestinal structure, as well as gut microbiota. Supplementation of 30 mg/kg Mn and 5.0 × 109 CFU/kg BS provided the optimal effect.

Reduction of hazardous reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of ZnO through Mn inclusion for possible UV-radiation shielding application

Mnx - ZnO(1-x) nanopowders were successfully synthesised through a simple sol-gel method. The samples were annealed at 300 °C to enhance their crystallinity. The lattice structure, morphology and optical properties of the prepared powdered samples were extensively studied using different characterization techniques, confirming the formation of Mnx - ZnO(1-x). The inclusion of Mn did not cause any change to the wurtzite structure of ZnO; however slight peak shifting and increase in lattice parameters were indicated. The normal absorption spectra pointed to a cut-off edge extending beyond the UV region and a Burstein- Moss type band gap broadening induced by the Mn doping. ZnO showed excellent photodegradation activity against methylene blue (MB) upon UV irradiation. Intensifying the dopant concentration resulted in further diminution of photoactivity against MB. This reduction of photocatalytic activity of ZnO upon doping can be drawn to be due to the presence of Mn in the ZnO lattice, which acted as recombination sites for the photogenerated charge carriers.The results demonstrated that doping ZnO with Mn can be used to suppress the oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) through generation of recombination centres. The suppression of toxic ROS generation implies possible application in fabrics and ointments for UV shielding applications.

Research Note: Evaluation of manganese hydroxychloride in 45-wk-old white leghorn layers using yolk and shell manganese content

The objective of the current study was to evaluate increasing levels of manganese hydroxychloride (MHC) in 45-wk-old white leghorn laying hens, using yolk and shell manganese (Mn) content as a potential marker for Mn concentration. A total of 80, 45-wk-old white leghorns were assigned to 6 dietary treatments, each consisting of 14 individually caged laying hens, with the exception of the reference diet containing 10 individually caged laying hens. The experiment consisted of a reference diet that contained 70 ppm of supplemental inorganic Mn in the form of Mn oxide and 5 experimental treatments each containing 0, 15, 30, 60, and 90 ppm supplemental MHC. Experimental birds were subjected to a 21 D depletion phase in which no supplemental Mn was included in the diet; however, during this time reference fed birds were fed the control diet (70 ppm Mn). After the 21 D depletion phase, the depleted birds were fed experimental diets for a 35 D evaluation period. Yolk and shell Mn content were analyzed at the end of the depletion phase and during the experimental phase on day 5, 10, 15, 25, and 35. During the experimental phase, Mn was replenished in the yolk and shell in all experimental treatments containing supplemental Mn; however, dose and time impacted the rate of replenishment. The yolk tended to be more sensitive to variations in Mn level as increases in Mn inclusion significantly (P < 0.05) increased concentration. These data demonstrate the ability to deplete and replenish Mn, and the use of egg yolk Mn concentration as measurement for determining changes in dietary Mn. At the conclusion of the experiment at 35 D, 60 ppm of Mn hydroxychloride seemed to be adequate in replenishing Mn to the level of the reference.

Mn promotion of rutile TiO2-RuO2 anodes for water oxidation in acidic media

A method to reduce noble metal content in oxygen-evolving electrocatalysts suitable to work in acidic media is presented. TiO2-RuO2 anodes can be promoted by Mn, resulting in increased activity and stability. The most active composition displayed an overpotential of 386 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm–2, and a Tafel slope of 50 mV dec–1. This anode only included 17 at% Ru out of the total amount of metals included in the film. We investigated the influence of Mn addition to TiO2-RuO2 on the structure, morphology, and surface area, and related differences to catalytic activity and stability. We found that increased porosity of the anode film by Mn addition and Mn inclusion in the TiO2-RuO2 lattice can explain the enhanced catalytic activity. A detailed characterization of fresh and used anodes provided insight into structural modifications induced by electrochemical treatment.

Effect of levels and sources of dietary manganese on growth and mineral composition of post-smolt Atlantic salmon fed low fish meal, plant-based ingredient diets

The impact of dietary manganese (Mn) levels and sources on the growth and mineral composition of post-smolt Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fed practical diets was studied. Seven experimental diets were prepared with graded supplementation level of Mn; basal diet had a Mn concentration of 15 mg kg−1, four diets with 5, 15, 35 and 65 mg kg−1 supplementation of Mn as MnSO4 and two diets with at 5 and 15 mg kg−1 supplementation of Mn as Mn-glycine (Mn-gly). Atlantic salmon (initial weight, 307 ± 25 g) were distributed to 21 tanks (35 fish/tank). These fish were randomly fed with one of the experimental diets, in triplicate groups to apparent satiation for 8 weeks. At week 4 and 8, samples of whole body, plasma, bile, liver and vertebrae were collected, and their mineral concentration determined. At week 8, feaces were collected by stripping for measuring apparent availability coefficient (AAC). Neither the Mn inclusion level, nor the source had a significant impact on growth and other performance indicators. Plasma and bile Mn concentrations were significantly affected by dietary treatments at both sampling points, at week 4 and 8; whereas, whole body, liver and vertebrae responded significantly only at the end of 8 weeks. Dietary Mn level needed to meet the requirement of post-smolt Atlantic salmon was estimated by non-linear regression models using saturation of whole body or tissue Mn status as response criteria. The estimates based on Mn concentration in whole body, vertebrae, plasma and apparent availability were 29.5 ± 5.3, 26.2 ± 2.7, 26.3 ± 4.9 and 34 ± 3.4 mg Mn kg−1 diet, respectively. Analysis of relative bioavailability index showed that low inclusion of Mn-gly (5 mg kg−1 supplementation) was 2.6 to 4.5-fold more efficient than MnSO4 to attain whole body or tissue Mn saturation levels. On the contrary, high inclusion of Mn-gly (15 mg kg−1 supplementation) reduced the AAC of Mn, zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu), along with lower Mn and Zn status in tissues. The mean estimate of dietary Mn required to maintain tissue Mn saturation ranged between 26 and 34 mg Mn kg−1 diet; the corresponding Mn supplementation (as MnSO4) ranged from 14 to 22 mg Mn kg−1 diet. The supplementation level can be reduced to 4.9 to 5.7 mg Mn kg−1 diet by using Mn-gly as Mn source without compromising growth or Mn status of Atlantic salmon. High inclusion levels of Mn-gly (15 mg kg−1 diet) was found to be not beneficial.

The Hazardous Status of High Density Sludge from Acid Mine Drainage Neutralization

Classification of waste is an essential part of waste management to limit potential environmental pollution; however, global systems vary. The objective was to understand the waste classification of high density sludge (HDS) from acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment, according to selected global systems. Three sludges from two limestone treatment plants, and three others from a limestone and lime treatment plant from the Mpumalanga coalfields of the Republic of South Africa (RSA) were evaluated. Systems for the RSA, Australia, Canada, China, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) were considered. The USEPA system rated all six sludges non-hazardous, Canadian and Chinese systems allocated a hazardous status to one sludge from the limestone treatment plants based on Ni solubility. The RSA system considered two of the sludges from limestone treatment plants to be higher risk materials than did the other countries. This was due mainly to the RSA system’s inclusion of Mn and use of appreciably lower minimum soluble levels for As, Cd, Pb, Hg, and Se. None’s use of lime resulted in higher soluble Mn. Minimum leachable concentration thresholds for Cd, Hg, Pb, As, and Se in the RSA system were below method detection limits for Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) extracts, making the guidelines impractical, and revision is advised. Considering all the systems, the probability that the HDS from the coalfields of Mpumalanga, South Africa will be classified as hazardous waste increases if the material is only subjected to limestone treatment because of Ni solubility.

Ion conducting and paramagnetic d-PCL(530)/siloxane-based biohybrids doped with Mn2+ ions

Amorphous poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL(530))/siloxane ormolytes doped with manganese perchlorate (Mn(ClO4)2) (d-PCL(530)/siloxanenMn(ClO4)2 with n=20, 50, and 100), thermally stable up to at least 200°C, were synthesized by the sol-gel method. Ionic conductivity values up to 4.8×10−8 and 2.0×10−6Scm−1 at about 25 and 100°C, respectively, were obtained for n=20. FT-IR data demonstrated that the hydrogen bonding interactions present in the non-doped d-PCL(530)/siloxane host hybrid matrix were significantly influenced by the inclusion of Mn(ClO4)2 which promoted the formation of more oxyethylene/urethane and urethane/urethane aggregates. In addition, the Mn2+ ions bonded to all the “free” CO groups of the urethane cross-links and to some of the “free” ester groups of the amorphous PCL(530) chains. In the electrolytes, the ClO4− ions were found “free” and bonded to the Mn2+ ions along a bidentate configuration. The magnitude of the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) hyperfine constant of the analyzed samples (A ≈ 90×10−4cm−1) suggested that the bonding between Mn2+ ions and the surrounding ligands is moderately ionic. The synthetized d-PCL(530)/siloxanenMn(ClO4)2 biohybrids have potential application in paramagnetic, photoelectrochemical and electrochromic devices.

The protective properties of epoxy coating electrodeposited on Zn–Mn alloy substrate

• Epoxy coating was cataphoretically deposited on Zn–Mn alloy and bare steel substrates. • The corrosion stability of epoxy coating increases with Mn content in Zn–Mn substrate. • Metallic substrate dissolves during cataphoretic deposition. • Mn has protective role in the prevention of Zn dissolution in an alkaline medium. The epoxy coating was cataphoretically deposited on steel and steel modified by electroplated Zn–Mn alloy of different chemical contents. The samples were immersed in 0.5 mol dm −3 NaCl solution for 60 days. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis showed that the values of pore resistance for epoxy coating on steel and Zn–Mn alloy with 16 at.% Mn were two orders of magnitude higher, while the capacitance values were two orders of magnitude lower than those for the epoxy coating on Zn–Mn alloy substrates with 5 and 8 at.% Mn. It was assumed that the main reason for such a difference was metallic substrate dissolution during cataphoretic deposition, due to high pH (12.9). This assumption was supported by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) measurements showing that the amount of released Zn in epoxy coatings decreased as Mn percent in the Zn–Mn alloys increased. In addition, Zn–Mn alloy coatings on steel, as well as bare steel, were immersed in 0.1 mol dm −3 NaOH solution, pH 12.9, simulating conditions during cataphoretic deposition, and polarization resistance measurement in this solution indicated that Mn inclusions in Zn–Mn alloy substrate prevent Zn dissolution in alkaline medium.

Observation of Distinct Bulk and Surface Chemical Environments in a Topological Insulator under Magnetic Doping

The influence of magnetic dopants on the electronic and chemical environments in topological insulators (TIs) is a key factor when considering possible spintronic applications based on topological surface state properties. Here we provide spectroscopic evidence for the presence of distinct chemical and electronic behavior for surface and bulk magnetic doping of Bi2Te3. The inclusion of Mn in the bulk of Bi2Te3 induces a genuine dilute ferromagnetic state, with reduction of the bulk band gap as the Mn content is increased. Deposition of Fe on the Bi2Te3 surface, on the other hand, favors the formation of iron telluride already at coverages as low as 0.07 monolayer, as a consequence of the reactivity of the Te-rich surface. Our results identify the factors that need to be controlled in the realization of magnetic nanosystems and interfaces based on TIs.

Crystal structure and multicomponent effects in Tetrahedral Silicate Cathode Materials for Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries

A first principles investigation is performed to study the structural and electrochemical properties of four polymorphs of the Li2FeSiO4 orthosilicate family (Pmn21, Pmnb, P21/n and Pbn21), to predict the effect of the transition metal composition. Our results show that the inclusion of Mn and Ni cations helps to stabilize the layered structures, but the polymorphs with a 3D cation network arrangement (P21/n and Pbn21) still have comparable energetic stability. We also show that the decrease of the cationic repulsion with the extraction of Li (found for these polymorphs during the discharge process) reduces the voltage step between the first and second Li extraction processes. The effect of multiple interactions between Li and the transition metals is examined, and the implications of multicomponent structures to improve the design of battery cathode are also addressed.

Metal-free catalysts for oxygen reduction in alkaline electrolytes: Influence of the presence of Co, Fe, Mn and Ni inclusions

Metal-free nitrogen modified carbon catalysts (NC) are very closely related to MNC catalysts which contain a transition metal(s) (M), usually Fe or Co as an essential constituent. We investigated the influence of metal inclusions on the activity of nitrogen-doped carbon black in the electrocatalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). A reference metal-free NC catalyst was prepared by pyrolysis of a polypyrrole/Vulcan XC72 composite at 800°C for 2h under helium. Controlled amounts of Co, Fe, Mn and Ni in low concentrations were then introduced into NC by impregnating it with the corresponding meso-tetra(4-pyridyl) porphyrin metal complex followed by further pyrolysis at 650°C for 2h under helium. The resulting catalysts were investigated for ORR using rotating disk electrode and rotating-ring disk electrode voltammetry in 0.1M KOH. Additionally, the rate of decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by the different catalysts was determined in order to probe the influence of the metal inclusions on the mechanism and selectivity of the ORR. The results show that Fe, Co and Mn inclusions cause a substantial decrease of the overpotential of the reaction and enhance the catalytic current, whereas the presence of Ni has a poisoning effect on ORR. In the presence of Fe, the catalysts apparently reduce oxygen selectively to OH− in a direct four electron transfer process as opposed to the two-step, two electron pathway involving hydrogen peroxide as an intermediate for the case of the NC catalyst.

Salt spray corrosion behaviour of new Mg–Al alloys containing Nd or Gd

The influence of chloride concentration on the salt spray corrosion behaviour of new AZ91D and AM50 alloys containing rare earth (RE) elements was evaluated. The corrosion rate of both materials increased with increasing chloride concentration, particularly for NaCl concentrations above 2 wt-%. The addition of Nd or Gd reduced the amount of β-Mg17Al12 phase and resulted in the formation of RE containing intermetallics that were less noble than the Al–Mn inclusions but more noble than the β-Mg17Al12 phase. The latter modifications decreased the corrosion rate of the AM50 alloy by up to 90% but did not give a clear benefit to the corrosion resistance of the AZ91D alloy.

A comprehensive study on mechanical properties of Bi1.8Pb0.4Sr2MnxCa2.2Cu3.0Oy superconductors

This study manifests the crucial change in the mechanical performances of Bi1.8Pb0.4Sr2MnxCa2.2Cu3.0Oy superconductor samples (x = 0, 0.03, 0.06, 0.15, 0.3 and 0.6) prepared by conventional solid-state reaction method by use of Vickers microhardness (Hv) measurements carried out at different applied loads, (0.245 N ≤ F ≤ 2.940 N). Load dependent microhardness, load independent microhardness, Young’s (elastic) modulus and yield strength values being account for the potential technological and industrial applications are evaluated from the hardness curves and compared with each other. It is found that the Hv, elastic modulus and yield strength obtained decrease (increase) with the enhancement of the applied load for the undoped (doped) samples. Surprisingly, the results of the Hv values illustrate that the samples doped with x = 0.03, 0.06, 0.15, 0.3 and 0.6 exhibit reverse indentation size effect (RISE) feature whereas the pure sample obeys indentation size effect (ISE) behavior. Furthermore, the experimental results are examined with the aid of the available methods such as Meyer’s law, proportional sample resistance model (PSR), elastic/plastic deformation (EPD), Hays–Kendall (HK) approach and indentation-induced cracking (IIC) model. The results inferred show that the hardness values calculated by PSR and EPD models are far from the values of the plateau region, meaning that these models are not adequate approaches to determine the real microhardness value of the Mn doped Bi-2223 materials. On the other hand, the HK approach is completely successful for the explanation of the ISE nature for the pure sample while the IIC model is obtained to be the best model to describe the hardness values of the doped materials exhibiting the RISE behavior. Additionally, the bulk porosity analysis for the samples reveals that the porosity increases monotonously with the increment in the Mn inclusions inserted in the Bi-2223 system, presenting the degradation of the grain connectivity.

Electron spin resonance study of CuGa1−xMnxSe2 magnetic semiconducting compounds

We report on the magnetic properties of the diluted magnetic semiconductor CuGa1−xMnxSe2. For this, Electron spin resonance (ESR) experiments in the temperature range 70K<T<300K, were performed. The samples were synthesized by direct fusion of stoichiometric mixtures of the elements, with Mn composition from x=0.0 to 0.25. The ESR integral intensity, resonance field, and linewidth, have been measured as functions of temperature and Mn concentration. We identify a paramagnetic phase above a critical temperature of the order of 250–260K. Below this temperature, the spin system reorders into certain magnetic phase not well identified. The inclusion of Mn induces local fields that increase the resonance field, with resulting g-values less than 2.0. The behavior of the ESR linewidth is similar to that observed in II-Mn-VI alloys, and can be described by the modified Huber equation.

Magnetic study of Cu1−xMnxO (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.08) nanoparticles

Cu1−xMnxO (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.08) nanoparticles were synthesized by a coprecipitation method. Powder x ray analysis reveals that samples show a pure CuO phase for x ≤ 0.06 and the appearance of a secondary phase CuMn2O4 for x &amp;gt; 0.06. The unit cell volume expands with increasing Mn concentration up to x = 0.06 and remains constant on further increase in Mn concentration. The undoped sample shows the behavior of pure CuO with antiferromagnetic transitions at TN1 = 228 K and TN2 = 214 K. Inclusion of Mn into the Cu sublattice turned antiferromagnetic CuO into a ferromagnet. The origin of ferromagnetism is analyzed on the basis of different possible interactions. It is believed that the indirect coupling between Mn ions mediated by O and Cu ions helps to stabilize the ferromagnetism.

Corrosion behaviour of AZ91D and AM50 magnesium alloys with Nd and Gd additions in humid environments

AM50 and AZ91D alloys modified with rare earths (RE) were evaluated under atmospheric conditions. Nd and Gd additions resulted in formation of Al2RE and Al–Mn–RE compounds and reduction of the fraction of β-phase. According to surface potential maps, RE-containing intermetallics were more noble than the β-phase, but less than Al–Mn inclusions. As a result, the action of micro-galvanic couples depended on the added amount of RE and the initial alloy microstructure. Nd or Gd additions improved the corrosion resistance of the AM50 alloy by up to 43%, but had no significant effect on the corrosion resistance of the AZ91D alloy.

Enabling damage detection: manufacturing composite laminates doped with dispersed triboluminescent materials

Triboluminescent materials are being harnessed to address the gaps in current structural health monitoring systems. Their innate ability to emit light when stressed or broken makes them ideal candidates for the ubiquitous and in situ monitoring of structures. The increasing use of advanced composites in critical structures, where subsurface damage initiation may go unnoticed, further highlights the urgency in developing efficient online monitoring technologies. This work looked at the manufacturing of composite laminates that have been doped with various concentrations (0 to 10 %wt.) of a triboluminescent material (ZnS:Mn). Laminates were manufactured using a vacuum infusion process. Dispersing the ZnS:Mn particulates was cumbersome because their density was higher than the resin that caused settling during resin infusion. The dispersion of ZnS:Mn is critical to their use in the health monitoring of the host structure. As such, a method for mechanical agitation using a rotational vacuum infusion apparatus was developed employing centrifugal motion. The degree of dispersion in the resulting laminates was determined using scanning electron microscopy and the energy dispersive scanning feature of the electron microscope for elemental mapping. A quantitative metric was established by computations of the Euclidean distance of EDS mapping. Studies of the effect of ZnS:Mn concentration on the tensile strength of laminates showed that increasing the ZnS:Mn concentration reduced the tensile strength. Key processing parameters were studied, and determined that curing kinetics were not altered by ZnS:Mn inclusion.

Characterization of nanostructures of ZnO and ZnMnO films deposited by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method

ZnO and ZnMnO thin films were obtained by the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. All thin films were deposited on glass microscope slide. A precursor solution of 0.1 M of ZnCl 2 complexed with ammonium hydroxide and water close to boiling point (92 °C) as a second solution was used for the ZnO films. An uncomplexed bath comprised of 0.1 M ZnCl 2, 0.1 M MnCl 2, and a second solution of 0.1 ml of NH 4OH with water close to boiling point was used for the ZnMnO films. The film samples were deposited by the SILAR method and annealed at 200 °C for 15 min. These samples were characterized using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and Atomic Force Microscope. Atomic absorption was used to determine quantitatively the amount of Mn incorporated into the films. According to the XRD patterns these films were polycrystalline with wurtzite hexagonal structure. The morphology of the ZnO films constituted by rice-like and flower-like structures changed significantly to nanosheet structures with the Mn incorporation. The Mn inclusion in a ZnO structure was less than 4% according to the results from EDS, XRD, and atomic absorption.

Corrosion behaviour of Mg/Al alloys in high humidity atmospheres

AbstractThe influence of relative humidity (80–90–98% RH) and temperature (25 and 50 °C) on the corrosion behaviour of AZ31, AZ80 and AZ91D magnesium alloys was evaluated using gravimetric measurements. The results were compared with the data obtained for the same alloys immersed in Madrid tap water. The corrosion rates of AZ alloys increased with the RH and temperature and were influenced by the aluminium content and alloy microstructure for RH values above 90%. The initiation of corrosion was localised around the Al–Mn inclusions in the AZ31 alloy and at the centre of the α‐Mg phase in the AZ80 and AZ91D alloys. The β‐Mg17Al12 phase acted as a barrier against corrosion.

Corrosion behaviour of a magnesium matrix composite with a silicate plasma electrolytic oxidation coating

The corrosion behaviour of AZ92 magnesium alloy reinforced with various volume fractions of silicon carbide particles (SiCp) and treated by alternating current (AC) plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) was investigated in humid and saline environments. For untreated composites, corrosion attack started around the Al–Mn inclusions and gradually developed into general corrosion without significant galvanic coupling between the matrix and the SiCp. PEO coatings consisted mainly of MgO and Mg 2SiO 4, and revealed increased hardness, reduced thickness and slightly higher corrosion resistance with increasing proportion of reinforcement. Pit formation and hydration of the outer layer were the main mechanisms of corrosion of PEO-treated specimens.