Sb Inclusions Research Articles

Evaluation of soybean meal as protein source for Argyrosomus Regius (Asso, 1801) (Sciaenidae)

The meagre (Argyrosomus regius) is a carnivorous fish which requires diets with higher protein content, causing an increment in diets cost. A way to diminish this cost is to use vegetable meals like soybean meal (SB). So the aim of this trial was to determine the optimum inclusion level of defatted soybean meal in experimental diets for this species. 800 fishes (165 g) were distributed in 8 tanks, two replicates per treatment. Four isoproteic (50% CP) and isolipidic (17% Cl) diets were formulated with four levels of soybean meal inclusion, 0, 15, 30 and 45%. The trial lasted 107 days. Meagre fed diets 15 and 30% obtained the highest final weight. There were no significant differences among treatments in the feed conversion rate (FCR) and the protein efficiency (PER). According to the quadratic regression, the optimum SB inclusion to maximize thermal growth coefficient (TGC) was 26.4% and for FCR was 27.6%. No significant differences were observed in energy, protein and amino acid retention among diets. The inclusion of SB in meagre diets can generate a decrease in the use of fish meal and in turn reduce the cost of producing meagre Mediterranean aquaculture industry. Key words: Argyrosomus regius, fish meal replacement, defatted soybean meal, economic analysis.

Detection and speciation of brominated flame retardants in high‐impact polystyrene (HIPS) polymers

Polymeric materials have been suggested as possible environmental sources of persistent organic pollutants such as flame retardants. In situ, micrometre-scale characterization techniques for polymer matrix containing flame retardants may provide some insight into the dominant environmental transfer mechanism(s) of these brominated compounds. In this work, we demonstrate that micro X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (μXRF), focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) are promising techniques for the elemental and chemical identification of brominated fire retardant compounds (such as the deca-congener of polybrominated diphenyl ether, BDE-209) within polymeric materials (e.g. high-impact polystyrene or HIPS). Data from μXRF demonstrated that bromine (Br) inclusions were evenly distributed throughout the HIPS samples, whereas FIB SEM-EDS analysis revealed that small antimony (Sb) and Br inclusions are present, and regionally higher concentrations of Br surround the Sb inclusions (compared to the bulk material). Four prominent mass-to-charge ratio peaks (m/z 485, 487, 489 and 491) that correspond to BDE-209 were identified by ToF-SIMS and can be used to chemically distinguish this molecule on the surface of polymeric materials with respect to other brominated organic molecules. These techniques can be important in any study that investigates the route of entry to the environmental surroundings of BDE-containing materials.

Antimony assisted low-temperature processing of CuIn 1 − x Ga xSe 2 − y S y solar cells

Application of the Sb-doping method to low-temperature (≤ 400 °C) processing of CuIn 1 − x Ga xSe 2 − y S y (CIGS) solar cells is explored, using a hydrazine-based approach to deposit the absorber films. Power conversion efficiencies of 10.5% and 8.4% have been achieved for CIGS devices (0.45 cm 2 device area) processed at 400 °C and 360 °C, respectively, with an Sb-incorporation level at 1.2 mol % (relative to the moles of CIGS). Significant Sb-induced grain size enhancement was confirmed for these low processing temperatures using cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy, and an average 2–3% absolute efficiency improvement was achieved in Sb-doped samples compared to their Sb-free sister samples. With Sb inclusion, the CIGS film grain growth temperature is lowered to well below 450 °C, a range compatible with flexible polymer substrate materials such as polyimide. This method opens up access to opportunities in low-temperature processing of CIGS solar cells, an area that is being actively pursued using both traditional vacuum-based as well as other solution-based deposition techniques.

Antimony Doped ZnO Nanorods - A Change From n to p Type?

AbstractThe in-situ aqueous synthesis of ZnO nanorods doped with Sb is presented. To control the inclusion of Sb into the ZnO nanorods structure ethylene glycol (EG) is added to the reaction solution. The addition of EG reduces the rate at which Sb is included in the ZnO rods and produces nanorods with a morphology that is similar to the undoped rods. This is contrary to the rods produced with Sb in the absence of EG which produce a less well ordered structure. An I/V curve taken from individual rods indicates a change in the diode behaviour. The change in I/V behaviour is associated with a change from the natural n-type behaviour of ZnO to a p-type behaviour due to the Sb doping.

Thermoelectric properties of nanostructured (Pb1-mSnmTe)1-x(PbS)x with Pb and Sb precipitates

AbstractWe report the physical characterization and thermoelectric properties of (Pb0.95Sn0.05Te)0.92(PbS)0.08 containing excess Pb and Sb prepared using the matrix encapsulation technique. Samples of (Pb0.95Sn0.05Te)0.92(PbS)0.08 : Pb 0.5 - 4 at. % rapidly quenched from the melt show microscale Pb inclusions that increase the thermal conductivity while slightly increasing the power factor, compared to (Pb0.95Sn0.05Te)0.92(PbS)0.08. Samples of (Pb0.95Sn0.05Te)0.92(PbS)0.08 : Pb 0.5%, Sb 2% prepared using the same technique show microscale Sb and Pb inclusions that upon heating cause rapid PbS and Sb segregation from the PbTe matrix. This behavior significantly alters the microstructure and degrades the transport properties of the material.

Antimony segregation in the oxidation of AlAsSb interlayers

The lateral wet oxidation of strained AlAsSb was studied. AlAs0.80Sb0.20 interlayers were grown on a GaAs substrate and capped with a lattice-matched In0.25Ga0.75As layer. The AlAsSb was oxidized between 350 and 450 °C. Oxidation temperatures >400 °C resulted in poor surface morphology and delamination. Oxidation of thicker AlAsSb interlayers (h≈2000 Å) resulted in metallic Sb layers forming between the AlOx and the semiconductor interfaces. The remaining Sb metal at the oxide–semiconductor interface was ∼15% oxidized. Lateral wet oxidation of thinner AlAsSb interlayers (h⩽500 Å) resulted in Sb inclusions at the oxide–semiconductor interface. The Sb inclusions were 1.5–2.0 μm in diameter and the inclusion thickness was approximately equal to the AlAsSb layer thickness. Methanol (CH3OH) was added to the water mixture with the intent to stabilize the otherwise unstable stibine (SbH3) such that Sb could be removed from the oxidizing structure. However, methanol addition resulted in a decreased oxidation rate and a change in the Sb precipitate morphology. The Sb inclusions observed in pure water oxidation changed to a Sb finger-like morphology with increasing methanol concentration. The Sb fingers were 1.0–2.0 μm wide and as long as the oxidation depth. Oxidation of AlAsSb interlayers h⩽200 Å were limited by the incorporation of Ga from the substrate and capping layer into the oxidation layer. Doping the oxidation AlAsSb interlayer 1×1018 cm−3 n type (Si or Te) did not result in any improvement in Sb segregation.

Involvement of MAPK Activation in Bacterial Endotoxin-Inducible Tissue Factor Upregulation in Human Monocytic THP-1 Cells

Background. Monocytic tissue factor (mTF) hypercoagulation leading to thrombotic complications is commonly observed following sepsis.Objective. We herein study the intracellular mechanism of mTF upregulation in human model monocytic THP-1 cells in response to bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS; Escherichia coli O111:B04), determining if mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation is involved in the signaling.Methods. We assessed mTF upregulation by its cell surface expression, protein synthesis, and functional activity based on flow cytometry, Western blotting analysis, and a single-stage clotting assay, respectively.Results. A 3-h challenge with LPS (100 ng/ml) drastically induced mTF functional activity, accompanied by elevated surface mTF expression and synthesis. The suppression by genistein (G) of LPS-inducible mTF upregulation implied the involvement of protein tyrosine kinase activation in mTF upregulation. LPS activated MAPK, which was significantly depressed by G, SB 203580 (SB), and PD 98058 (PD). Interestingly, inclusion of SB and PD also markedly diminished LPS-inducible mTF upregulation. The parallelism between MAPK and mTF activities revealed the involvement of MAPK activation in such mTF upregulation. Based on the ability of SB and PD to respectively block LPS-inducible tyrosine phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and Erk1/2, it was evident that tyrosine phosphorylation of MAPKs is required for mediating LPS-inducible mTF synthesis and upregulation. Contrasting with the established prevention of mTF upregulation by these inhibitors, failure to offset the already LPS-induced mTF activity seemed to be consistent with the view that LPS readily activated MAPK responsible for mTF synthesis.Conclusion. Our data suggest that the tyrosine phosphorylation of MAPKs (p38 and Erk1/2) leading to their activation could be a prerequisite for LPS induction of mTF synthesis contributing to the upregulation of mTF-initiated extrinsic coagulation.

On the microstructure and interfacial structure of InSb layers grown on GaAs(100) by molecular beam epitaxy

Abstract InSb films grown directly on GaAs(100) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy have been examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). High-quality epitaxial InSb layers were deposited despite the 14-6% lattice mismatch between film and substrate. Almost all the misfit strain was accommodated by a square array of (a/2){011} edge-type misfit dislocations, spaced on average 29 A apart. A model for the formation of these dislocation arrays is presented. Pure edge-type dislocations are favoured over 60°-type dislocation arrays because they are more efficient at relieving misfit strain and consequently allow more coherent interface area to form. Several types of growth defect, namely Sb inclusions, microtwins and dislocation tangles, were observed in the InSb layers. Various methods for reducing the overall defect density are discussed. Finally, results on the extent of electron beam damage of InSb layers occurring during TEM observation are presented.

The electromigration of liquid metal inclusions in Si

The electromigration velocities of liquid metal inclusions in single-crystal Si were found to follow an Arrhenius relationship with temperature. The activation energies and preexponential factors of liquid metal inclusions of Pd, Au, Cu, Al, Ag, Ga, In, and Sn were measured. Liquid Sb inclusions did not electromigrate. Electromigration velocities were linearly proportional to the applied electric current. Inclusions of Pd, Au, and Cu which have relatively high work functions electromigrate towards the anode while inclusions of Al, Ag, Ga, In, and Sn which have relatively low work functions electromigrate toward the cathode. The relative order of electromigration velocities within the anode-directed group and within the cathode-directed group can be accounted for by setting the electromigration force proportional to the difference between the work function of the metal of the inclusions and an experimentally determined null-point work function and by considering the solubility of silicon in the inclusion.