Mixture Of Se Research Articles

Synergistic effects of selenium and zinc on Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reichb. F. growth and polysaccharide antioxidation.

Selenium (Se) is a beneficial trace element for plants, while zinc (Zn) is a vital micronutrient. Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reichb. F. is widely recognized as a medicinal herb. In this study, Se and Zn were introduced to determine the medicinal properties of B. striata. The plant's biomass, polysaccharides, Se and Zn contents, and the antioxidant properties of polysaccharide solutions were all examined. A notable increase in polysaccharide synthesis in B. striata tubers was observed following the application of 0.2 kg ha-1 of Se, and 1.0 kg ha-1 of Zn, either individually or in combination. Se and Zn content in polysaccharides were 3.33 to 3.77 mg kg-1 and 82.82 to 121.78 mg kg-1, at 1.0 kg ha-1 Se and 10.0 kg ha-1 Zn treatments, respectively. These values were 2.1-3.1 times and 1.8-2.8 times higher than those observed in control samples. Polysaccharide antioxidation has resulted in an increase in antioxidant activity as the concentration of polysaccharide solutions increased. The largest scavenging of 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and the most excellent reducingpower of the polysaccharide solutions were observed when a mixture of Se and Zn was applied at a rate of 1.0 kg ha-1 and 10.0 kg ha-1. The individual application of Se at 1.0 kg ha-1 and Zn at 10.0 kg ha-1 also resulted in significant DPPH radicals scavenging and reduced power. These data suggested that Se-Zn enriched B. striata is a new source of Se and Zn supplementation and an antioxidant resource.

Fabrication of a Stable and Highly Effective Anode Material for Li-Ion/Na-Ion Batteries Utilizing ZIF-12.

Transition metal selenides (TMSs) are receiving considerable interest as improved anode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) and lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their considerable theoretical capacity and excellent redox reversibility. Herein, ZIF-12 (zeolitic imidazolate framework) structure is used for the synthesis of Cu2Se/Co3Se4@NPC anode material by pyrolysis of ZIF-12/Se mixture. When Cu2Se/Co3Se4@NPC composite is utilized as an anode electrode material in LIB and SIB half cells, the material demonstrates excellent electrochemical performance and remarkable cycle stability with retaining high capacities. In LIB and SIB half cells, the Cu2Se/Co3Se4@NPC anode material shows the ultralong lifespan at 2000 mAg-1, retaining a capacity of 543 mAhg-1 after 750 cycles, and retaining a capacity of 251 mAhg-1 after 200 cycles at 100 mAg-1, respectively. The porous structure of the Cu2Se/Co3Se4@NPC anode material can not only effectively tolerate the volume expansion of the electrode during discharging and charging, but also facilitate the penetration of electrolyte and efficiently prevents the clustering of active particles. In situ X-ray difraction (XRD) analysis results reveal the high potential of Cu2Se/Co3Se4@NPC composite in building efficient LIBs and SIBs due to reversible conversion reactions of Cu2Se/Co3Se4@NPC for lithium-ion and sodium-ion storage.

Urinary concentrations of mineral elements and their predictors in pregnant women in Jinan, China

BackgroundThe essential mineral elements play important roles in proper growth, development and maintenance of physiological homeostasis of an organism. Women are at greater risk of mineral deficiency during pregnancy. However, the predictors of mineral element levels in pregnant women remain unclear. This study was conducted to determine the urinary levels of calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and selenium (Se) in women during early pregnancy and to explore the predictors of urinary exposure to each mineral element and high co-exposure to mineral element mixture. Methods298 pregnant women in first trimester were recruited when they attended antenatal care in a hospital in Jinan, Shandong Province, China. We collected their spot urine samples and questionnaire data on their sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, food and dietary supplement intake, and residential environment. The concentrations of Ca, Fe, Cu, Mn and Se in all urine samples were measured. LASSO regression, multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the predictors affecting mineral element levels. ResultsThe geometric means of creatinine-corrected Ca, Fe, Cu, Mn and Se concentrations were 99.37 mg/g, 1.75 µg/g, 8.97 µg/g, 0.16 µg/g and 16.83 µg/g creatinine, respectively. Factors that influenced the concentrations of individual mineral element were as follows: (1) Se and Ca concentrations increased with maternal age; (2) women taking tap water as family drinking water had higher Ca levels and those taking polyunsaturated fatty acids intermittently had higher Cu levels; (3) Fe was adversely related to consumption frequency of barbecued foods; (4) Pregnant women with more frequent consumption of shellfish/shrimp/crab and living near green spaces or parks had higher Mn exposure, and those with higher frequency of meat consumption had lower Mn exposure. In addition, maternal age and the frequency of egg consumption were associated with odds of exposure to a mixture of high Ca, Fe, Cu and Se. ConclusionsThe pregnant women in this study had comparable concentrations of urinary Cu and Se but lower concentrations of Ca, Fe and Mn compared with those in other areas. Predictors of urinary mineral elements included maternal age (Se and Ca), type of domestic drinking water (Ca), consumption frequency of barbecued food (Fe), polyunsaturated fatty acid use (Cu), the presence of urban green spaces or parks near the home and frequency of meat and shellfish/shrimp/crab intake (Mn). Moreover, maternal age and egg consumption frequency were significant predictors of high-level co-exposure to urinary Ca, Fe, Cu and Se.

Association between urinary metal concentrations and abnormal estimated glomerular filtration rate in Chinese community-dwelling elderly: Exploring the mediating effect of triglycerides

BackgroundEnvironmental metal exposure is associated with elevated triglycerides (TG) and the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the relationship between metal exposure and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) remains uncertain, and the mediating effect of TG between the two is unclear. MethodsThis study measured the concentrations of 14 metals in urine samples from 3752 elderly people in the community. The most relevant metals were screened by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. The relationship between combined exposure to multiple metals and abnormal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was explored using multivariate logistic regression analysis and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) analysis. Generalized linear regression models and the Karlson-Holm-Breen (KHB) method were used to assess the mediating effects of TG. ResultsIn the single-metal model, calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), selenium (Se), strontium (Sr), and thallium (Tl) showed significant negative correlations with the prevalence of abnormal eGFR (all P < 0.05). In the multi-metals model, Ca, Se, and Tl continued to show significant negative correlations, while vanadium (V) and zinc (Zn) showed significant positive correlations with abnormal eGFR (all P < 0.05). The BKMR model showed a negative joint effect of the mixture of Ca, V, Zn, Se, and Tl on the prevalence of abnormal eGFR. The generalized linear regression model showed a significant positive correlation between the concentrations of Ca (β = 0.07), Zn (β = 0.07), Se (β = 0.09), and TG levels (all P < 0.05). In the mediation analysis, TG masked a 4.30% and 5.21% correlation between Ca and Se and the prevalence of eGFR abnormalities, respectively. ConclusionsUrinary concentration of multiple metals is significantly associated with eGFR abnormalities, and Ca, and Se may be among the potential protective factors. TG masked some of the protective effects of Ca and Se.

OBTAINING THERMOELECTRIC MATERIAL Cu&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;Se BY THE SELF-PROPAGATING HIGH-TEMPERATURE SYNTHESIS METHOD

Using the method of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis in the combustion mode, a product based on the α-Cu2Se phase was obtained from a 2Cu + Se powder mixture. The effect of synthesis conditions on the composition of the combustion product was studied and the unit cell parameters of the synthesized phases were determined. It has been established that as a result of combustion of pressed 2Cu+Se mixtures at an Ar pressure of 0.5–1.5 MPa, a product is formed containing two modifications of Cu2Se – low-temperature monoclinic α-Cu2Se and high-temperature cubic β-Cu1.8Se phases. Combustion of a 2Cu+Se mixture of bulk density at an Ar pressure above 0.5 MPa yielded a single-phase product, the monoclinic α-Cu2Se phase.

Association between Serum Level of Multiple Trace Elements and Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Risk: A Case-Control Study in China.

Simple SummaryChina accounts for half of the global new cases of esophageal cancer (EC). A disorder of individual trace elements was established as increasing risk for developing esophageal cancer, but the truth was that people are exposed to multiple metals simultaneously in the real world, and research on the relationship between mixtures of accumulative hazards and EC remains scarce. In our current research, we used BKMR, an approach designed to estimate the overall effect of a mixture, to explore the possible role of different trace elements combined in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) risk. In addition, some interesting results were found in our study. We hope it will provide more evidence for environment-related carcinogenesis of ESCC.We investigated the associations between multiple serum trace element levels and risk for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). A total of 185 ESCC patients and 191 healthy individuals were recruited in our study. The concentration of 13 trace elements (Al, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Cd and Pb) in serum was determined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Logistic regression and the Probit extension of Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) models was established to explore the associations and the cumulative and mixed effects of multiple trace elements on ESCC. Three elements (Zn, Se and Sr) displayed a negative trend with risk for ESCC, and a significant overall effect of the mixture of Al, V, Mn, Ni, Zn, Se and Sr on ESCC was found, with the effects of V, Ni and Sr being nonlinear. Bivariate exposure–response interactions among these trace elements indicated a synergistic effect between Zn and Se, and an impactful difference of V combined with Ni, Sr or Zn. Our results indicate that Ni, V, Al, Mn, Zn, Se and Sr are associated with ESCC risk, providing additional evidence of the complex effects of trace elements disorder during the etiology of EC development.

Utilization of olive leaves extract coating incorporated with zinc/selenium oxide nanocomposite to improve the postharvest quality of green beans pods

This present study aimed to develop green nano-coatings (GNCs) using olive leaves extract (OLE) at level 3% incorporated with zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se). Four treatments were designed by adding OLE (treatment 2), OLE and Zn (treatment 3), OLE and Se (treatment 4) and OLE, Zn and Se (treatment 5) compared to uncoated beans pods (treatment 1), these treatments were designed to improve the postharvest quality of green beans pods. The prepared GNCs were characterized using UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) which affirmed that the prepared GNCs are in nanoscale. The green beans pods were investigated for color, texture, weight loss, browning index, sensory evaluation, and microbial content. The results indicated that coating with OLE 3% + Zn significantly improved all attributes of green beans pods compared to other coating formulas and, hence, extended the shelf life of green beans pods to 28 days at cold storage. The coating of green beans pods with OLE 3% + Se had a negative effect on the sensory properties. In addition, the utilization of OLE 3% Zn + Se mixture in the coating had a significantly lower effect on the properties of green beans pods than that of coating with OLE 3% + Zn.

Effects of mixed selenium sources on the physiological responses and blood profiles of lactating sows and tissue concentration of their progeny.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of selenium benefits on the physiological responses, litter performance, blood profiles and milk composition of lactating sows and tissue concentration of their progeny when mixed form of selenium was provided in a lactation diet. A total of 45 multiparous sows (Yorkshire×Landrace) with similar body weight, backfat thickness, and parity were assigned to one of three treatments with 15 sows per treatment in a completely randomized design. Organic and inorganic selenium were mixed and added to the diet at 0.15 ppm and 0.25 ppm, respectively. A non-Se-fortified corn-soybean meal basal diet served as a negative control. Treatments were as follows: i) Control: corn-soybean meal based diet, ii) ISOS15: control+ inorganic Se 0.15 ppm+organic Se 0.15 ppm, iii) ISOS25: control+inorganic Se 0.25 ppm+organic Se 0.25 ppm. Serum selenium concentrations of sows and piglets were increased by the supplemental Se mixture at 7 days of lactation compared with the control (p<0.01, respectively). The kidney and muscle selenium concentrations of piglets were increased by the supplemental Se mixture at 21 days of lactation compared with the control (p = 0.03; p = 0.04, respectively). Consequently, supplementation with mixed inorganic and organic selenium in a lactating diet could improve the selenium status of sows and piglets; no differences were observed among the mixing levels.

TRIANGULATION OF THE Cu-Sn-Se SYSTEM

Copper-containing compounds exhibit a wide range of properties, including thermoelectric, photoelectric, optical magnetic, superionic, superconducting, etc., which determines the areas of their practical use. In recent years, studies of complex copper selenides as promising thermoelectric (TE) materials have been actively carried out due to their advantages over traditional TE materials. Like binary Cu2Se, ternary selenides have low phonon thermal conductivity and high electrical conductivity and thermoelectric quality factor. Typically, copper-containing compounds belong to the p-type conductors and crystallize in four main structural types, among which phases with a diamond-like structure should be distinguished. Data on the nature of physicochemical interaction in the Cu – Sn – Se system are limited and contradictory. In view of this, it is important to carry out the triangulation of the ternary system Cu–Sn–Se, which is the first stage of the study of multicomponent systems.&#x0D; The investigated alloys of the Cu – Sn – Se system were obtained by fusing elementary components of high purity in vacuum quartz ampoules. The obtained alloys were investigated using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and differential thermal (DTA) analyzes. At the temperature of homogenizing annealing (170 ° С) there are seven binary Cu2Se, CuSe, CuSe2, Cu6Sn5, Cu3Sn, SnSe, SnSe2 and one ternary phase Cu2SnSe3 stable in the Cu – Sn – Se ternary system. The existence of the ternary phase of Cu2SnSe4 has not been confirmed, because the alloy corresponding to its stoichiometric composition is a mixture of Cu2SnSe3 and Se. To establish quasibinary sections of the Cu – Sn – Se system were performed the synthesis and phase analysis of only the significant points in the most informative areas. This ensures the establishment of the nature of the maximum number of quasibinary sections with a minimum number of syntheses. According to the results of phase analysis in combination with the literature data the triangulation of the Cu – Sn – Se system was carried out at 170 ° С. The quasibinarity of the Cu2Se – SnSe, Cu2Se – SnSe2, Cu2SnSe3 – Se, Cu2SnSe3 – SnSe, Cu6Sn5 – SnSe, Cu3Sn – SnSe, and Cu3Sn – Cu2Se sections was confirmed, and the quasibinarity of the Cu3Sn – Cu2Se was established at first.&#x0D; Keywords: triangulation; quasibinary section; phase analysis.

Photoluminescence of Ag8SnSe6 argyrodite

A basic study of the low-temperature photoluminescence of an Ag8SnSe6 argyrodite compound is reported. Measurements were performed on wafers grown by the direct melting of a high-purity stoichiometric mixture of elementary Ag, Sn, and Se in a sealed silica ampoule. Two peaks with maxima located at 0.85 and 0.95 eV were visible in the photoluminescence spectra of an Ag8SnSe6 argyrodite. The temperature and excitation dependences of the dominant peak at 0.85 eV suggest that this transition can be associated with donor-acceptor recombination. The activation energies of the defects involved in this transition were calculated based on temperature-dependent photoluminescence and transmission measurements. We found the ionization energies to be at 44 and 72 meV for the shallower and deeper defects, respectively. The second peak in the spectra at 0.95 eV was assigned to a band-to-band transition or a transition between band tails.

Conductivity of SbxSey films grown by CMBD from Sb and Se precursors for use in solar cells

Antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) has been developed as attractive, non-toxic and earth-abundant solar absorber candidate among the thin-film photovoltaic devices. The growth of SbxSey thin films, by atmospheric pressure chemical molecular beam deposition (CMBD) method, from separate Sb and Se precursors has been reported. The conductivity of the films was investigated as a function of the vapor phase mixture of Sb and Se. By the precise control of the Sb/Se ratio we succeeded in obtaining stoichiometric Sb2Se3 films. It is also found out that we can control the conductivity by deliberately introducing the deviation from the stoichiometry. The conductivity was varied in the wide range of 10−5 ÷ 102 (Ohm × cm)−1 and samples had p- and n-type conductivity depending on Sb/Se ratio. The obtained results were explained by the formation of intrinsic point defects.

Relationship between thyroid hormone parameters and exposure to a mixture of organochlorine pesticides, mercury and nutrients in the cord blood of newborns

The fetus is prenatally exposed to a mixture of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), mercury (Hg), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and selenium (Se) through maternal seafood consumption in real-life scenario. Prenatal exposure to these contaminants and nutrients has been suggested to affect thyroid hormone (TH) status in newborns, but the potential relationships between them are unclear and the joint effects of the mixture are seldom analyzed. The aim of the study is to investigate the associations of prenatal exposure to a mixture of OCPs, Hg, DHA, EPA and Se with TH parameters in newborns. 228 mother-infant pairs in Shanghai, China were included. We measured 20 OCPs, total Hg, DHA, EPA and Se in cord blood samples as exposure variables. The total thyroxine (TT4), free thyroxine (FT4), total triiodothyronine (TT3), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and the FT3/FT4 ratio in cord serum were determined as outcomes. Using linear regression models, generalized additive models and Bayesian kernel machine regression, we found dose-response relationships of the mixture component with outcomes: among the contaminants, p,p'-DDE was the most important positive predictor of TT3, while HCB was predominantly positively associated with FT3 and the FT3/FT4 ratio, indicating different mechanisms underlying these relationships; among the nutrients, EPA was first found to be positively related to the FT3/FT4 ratio. Additionally, we found suggestive evidence of interactions between p,p'-DDE and HCB on both TT3 and FT3, and EPA by HCB interactions for TT3, FT3 and FT3/FT4 ratio. However, the overall effects of the mixture on thyroid hormone parameters were not significant. Our result suggests that prenatal exposure to p,p’-DDE, HCB and EPA as part of a mixture might affect thyroid function of newborns in independent and interactive ways. The potential biological mechanisms merit further investigation.

Abnormal Phenomena of Multi‐Way Sodium Storage in Selenide Electrode

AbstractTransition‐metal chalcogenides have gained special attention as potential anodes for Na‐ion batteries due to their high capacities to originate from complex charge storage mechanisms. Although the sodium storage process in chalcogenides is still unclear, it is common to assume that it can occur via one of the following routes: intercalation, conversion, or alloying. In this paper, an anomalous multi‐way mechanism in MoSe2 electrode, including all three of the above scenarios, is reported. The intercyclic product of the discharge/charge process is a mixture of Se, Mo, and 1T‐structured NaxMoSe2. An unexpected phenomena of Se precipitation leads to the additional alloying reaction, which is exclusive among all chalcogenides, and runs together with conversion and intercalation reactions in the same cycle. This new concept of sodium storage process includes two models, previously seemed to be mutually exclusive. Despite of complex electrode mechanisms, MoSe2 retains high capacity and coulombic efficiency even after 50 cycles.

Selenium enriched Bacillus subtilis yb-1114246 activated the TLR2-NF-κB1 signaling pathway to regulate chicken intestinal β-defensin 1 expression.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and potential signaling pathway of selenium-enriched Bacillus subtilis (SEBS) on beta defensin 1 (BD1) expression in chicken intestine. Chinese Huainan Partridge chickens (500 individuals) were randomly allocated into five groups, including control, inorganic Se, B. subtilis, SEBS, and a mixture of Se and B. subtilis (Se-BS). After 56 d of feeding, chicken ileal mucous membranes were harvested to detect differences in expression of BD1. The results indicated that BD1 was produced in intestinal crypt cells and secreted into the lumen through the villi brush border. BD1 was up-regulated in distal ileum segments colonized by SEBS and B. subtilis. Chicken primary intestinal crypt cells were cultured and grouped into control, inorganic Se, B. subtilis, SEBS, and Se-BS treatments to identify the receptor of B. subtilis. Results indicated that B. subtilis and SEBS were recognized by toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), stimulating the NF-κB1 signaling pathway to increase expression of BD-1, which was further enhanced when combined with Se. Pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were up-regulated with B. subtilis supplementation, and inhibited under the action of Se. In conclusion, B. subtilis and SEBS were recognized by the TLR2 receptor in the ileal mucous membrane, which activated the TLR2-MyD88-NF-κB1 signaling pathway to upregulate BD1 expression. In addition, Se enhanced recognition of B. subtilis and reduced levels of pro-inflammatory factors caused by estrogenic B. subtilis supplementation.

Low level prenatal exposure to a mixture of Sr, Se and Mn and neurocognitive development of 2-year-old children

The excess or deficiency of trace metals can cause adverse neurocognitive development. Evidence of health effect of trace metal mixtures on neurocognitive development is limited in children. We evaluated associations of prenatal exposure to trace metals and metal mixtures with neurocognitive development of 2-year-old children. A total of 544 mother-child pairs were included in the study. The concentrations of 10 trace metals in maternal urine were monitored before delivery. Neurocognitive development indexes, including mental development index (MDI) and psychomotor development index (PDI), were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. Linear regression analysis was performed to explore the effects of single-metal and multi-metal exposures. Bayesian Kernel Machine regression (BKMR) was used to investigate overall effect of exposure to metal mixtures and potential interactions among mixture components. We found positive associations of urinary strontium (Sr) and Selenium (Se) levels with MDI scores among all children in the single-metal model. Sr was positively related to MDI, while Manganese (Mn) was negatively associated with PDI in the multi-metal model. The results from BKMR model in girls revealed that MDI scores were improved with the increasing concentrations of Sr, Se and Mn mixture until the concentrations reached their 30th percentiles (Sr: 149.49 μg/g creatinine, Se:18.38 μg/g creatinine, Mn:1.96 μg/g creatinine), with no effect after that threshold level. Sr played a positive role in mental development among mixture components, which was consistent with the results of Sr in the multi-metal models. No signification association of mixture with MDI/PDI was found in boys. The study suggested potential sex-specific association of Sr, Se and Mn mixture levels (at or below their 30th percentiles) with improved mental development, and beneficial role of Sr.

Selenium-Infused Ordered Mesoporous Carbon for Room-Temperature All-Solid-State Lithium-Selenium Batteries with Ultrastable Cyclability.

Selenium with a similar reaction mechanism with sulfur and a much higher electronic conductivity is considered to be a promising cathode for all-solid-state rechargeable batteries. Herein, selenium-infused ordered mesoporous carbon composites (Se/CMK-3) are successfully prepared by a melt-diffusion method from a ball-milled mixture of Se and CMK-3 (Se-CMK-3). Furthermore, their electrochemical performances are evaluated in all-solid-state lithium-selenium batteries at room temperature. Typically, Li/75%Li2S-24%P2S5-1%P2O5/Li10GeP2S12/Se/CMK-3 all-solid-state lithium-selenium batteries exhibit high reversible capacity of 488.7 mAh g-1 at 0.05 C after 100 cycles. Even being cycled at 0.5C, it still maintains a discharge capacity of 268.7 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles. The excellent electrochemical performances could be attributed to the enhanced electronic/ionic conductivities and structural integrity with the addition of the CMK-3 matrix.

Effect of copper to Selenium@Microporous carbon cathode for Mg–Se batteries with nucleophilic electrolyte

To enhance the electrochemical performance of Se cathode for high-energy-density magnesium-selenium (Mg–Se) batteries with easily prepared nucleophilic (PhMgCl)2-AlCl3+LiCl/THF (APC-based) hybrid electrolyte, Cu doped Se@MC composites (Cu–Se@MC) with different Cu content (0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 and 0.30) are prepared by impregnation reduction and melting selenization method. The composites are composed of a mixture of chain-structured Se and CuSe embedding in the microporous carbon, and the addition of Cu significantly improves reversibility and cycle life of the composites in the nucleophilic APC-based hybrid electrolyte. At the 0.25 Cu content, the cell exhibits 346.7mAhg−1 first discharge capacity and the specific capacity maintains at 112mAhg−1 after 200 cycles at a current density of 50 mA g−1, which is superior to that with non-nucleophilic Mg(HMDS)2-(AlCl3)2–MgCl2+LiTFSI/DME (HMDS-based) and MBA-(MgCl2)2–(AlCl3)2+LiCl/THF (MBA-based) hybrid electrolytes.

The Structural Dimorphism of Lanthanum Oxide Fluoride Selenide La2OF2Se

The new colorless lanthanum oxide fluoride selenide La2OF2Se could be synthesized via solid-state reactions in two different structure types. Lamellar crystals of A-La2OF2Se were obtained from mixtures of La, LaF3, La2O3 and Se in molar ratios of 2:2:1:3 with NaCl as flux for seven days in silica-protected sealed tantalum capsules at 850 °C. Needle-shaped crystals of BLa2OF2Se emerged from reactions of the same educt mixtures in molar ratios of 6:4:4:9 scheduled to produce La6O4F4Se3 with CsI as flux for four days in niobium ampoules at 700 °C. The Atype form of La2OF2Se crystallizes in the trigonal space group R3m with a = 418.13(3) and c = 4478.2(4) pm for Z = 6, whereas the Btype form is hexagonal (space group: P63/m) with a = 1396.82(9) and c = 401.08(3) pm for Z = 6. The crystal structure of A-La2OF2Se shows a close relationship to the fluoride-free La2O2Se and the oxygen-free La2F4Se. It can even be discussed as 1:1 intergrowth variety, since it contains the [LaO4Se3]11− and [LaF7Se3]10− polyhedra typical for the ternaries. B-La2OF2Se appears to be structurally very similar to La6O2F8Se3 in displaying [LaO3FSe4]12− and [LaOF6Se2]9− polyhedra. With 6.039 versus 6.036 g/cm³ the B-type form of La2OF2Se is slightly denser than the A-type variant.

Selenium restricts cadmium uptake and improve micronutrients and proline concentration in tomato fruits

Abstract In order to identify the beneficial effects of Selenium (Se) in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), genotypes MT and hp1, under Cadmium (Cd) toxicity, the following analyses were performed: Cd and Se concentration and translocation index in roots, leaves and fruits as well as the macro and micronutrients quantification, proline concentration, fruits dry weight, chlorophyll and carotenoids concentration in fruits. Se reduced the Cd concentration in roots of both genotypes. The Cd translocation to above ground parts were restricted by Se only in the MT genotype. Fruit proline concentration increased either in genotype hp1 when Se was applied alone or in the MT genotype, by the mixture of Se and Cd. When Se was applied alone the concentration of Mn and Zn in hp1 fruits and Fe in MT fruits were enhanced. The beneficial mechanisms of Se to tomato plants under Cd stress could be partially related to the restriction of Cd uptake and translocation, enhancing proline concentration and micronutrient improvements in fruits.

The Influence of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fibre Geometry on Mechanical Performance of Cement Bonded Fibre Boards

The mechanical properties of cement bonded fibreboards theoretically influenced by several factors like density, water cement ratio, fibre to cement ratio and geometry of fibre has been discussed by previous researchers. This experimental research work was conducted to explore the role of EFB Fibre geometry on the mechanical performances of cement boards. The experiment work designed for 1300 Kg/m3 density boards consist of two parts, first is cement boards mixed with different length of EFB; retained 7 mesh (R7M), retain 14 mesh (R14M) and retain 80 mesh (R80M). Subsequently, second part is based on the cement boards fabricated from mixed of 6 different percentage lengths of EFB known as SA, SB, SC, SD, SE and SF. The ratio of EFB to cement was 3:1, while water used in the system was 35% based on cement weight. To improve the compatibility of EFB-cement, the fibres were soaked in 0.4% NaOH solution for 24 hours. The mechanical properties were investigated in this study like modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR) and internal bonding (IB). It was observed that the higher presence of shorter EFB (R80M) in cement boards, the lower mechanical properties were produced. The boards fabricated with heterogeneous fibre length, SE (35% R7M + 45% R14M + 20% R80M) produced the highest mechanical properties with MOE of 4859.5 N/mm2, MOR of 10.06 N/mm2 and IB of 0.36 N/mm2. The properties of MOE and MOR for boards fabricated from SE mixture were satisfy the minimum requirement of British standard.