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Magnetic Fe3O4-C18 composite nanoparticles of approximately 5-10 nm in size were synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The magnetic Fe3O4-C18 composite nanoparticles were applied for cleanup and enrichment of organophosphorous pesticides. Comparative studies were carried out between magnetic Fe3O4-C18 composite nanoparticles and common C18 materials. Residues of organophosphorous pesticides were determined by gas chromatography in combination with a nitrogen/phosphorus detector. The cleanup and enrichment properties of magnetic Fe3O4-C18 composite nanoparticles are comparable with those of common C18 materials for enrichment of organophosphorous pesticides, but the cleanup and enrichment are faster and easier to perform.

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During the last few years, mitochondrial DNA has attained much attention as a modulator of immune responses. Due to common evolutionary origin, mitochondrial DNA shares various characteristic features with DNA of bacteria, as it consists of a remarkable number of unmethylated DNA as 2′-deoxyribose cytidine-phosphate-guanosine (CpG) islands. Due to this particular feature, mitochondrial DNA seems to be recognized as a pathogen-associated molecular pattern by the innate immune system. Under the normal physiological situation, mitochondrial DNA is enclosed in the double membrane structure of mitochondria. However, upon pathological conditions, it is usually released into the cytoplasm. Growing evidence suggests that this cytosolic mitochondrial DNA induces various innate immune signaling pathways involving NLRP3, toll-like receptor 9, and stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling, which participate in triggering downstream cascade and stimulating to produce effector molecules. Mitochondrial DNA is responsible for inflammatory diseases after stress and cellular damage. In addition, it is also involved in the anti-viral and anti-bacterial innate immunity. Thus, instead of entire mitochondrial importance in cellular metabolism and energy production, mitochondrial DNA seems to be essential in triggering innate anti-microbial immunity. Here, we describe existing knowledge on the involvement of mitochondrial DNA in the anti-microbial immunity by modulating the various immune signaling pathways.

This paper describes the electrification characteristics of water droplets on a hydrophobic surface and their influence on the induced discharge in an ac electric field. Tests were conducted by placing water droplets with different conductivities and volumes on an electrically stressed silicone rubber (SR) sheet, and their electrohydrodynamic behaviours were observed using a high-speed video camera. It is demonstrated that a locally high electric field at the tip of a droplet can trigger corona discharges, and droplets are always charged negatively during a corona discharge process. The deposited droplets are deformed and synchronized with the ac field. Once the deformation becomes noticeable, it increases rapidly until the droplet becomes mechanically unstable and ejects water filaments from its vertices. This can bridge the electrode gap and result in a flashover. In addition, the volume and conductivity of the water droplets have a marked effect on the mode of corona discharge and flashover development.

The lower pressure tendency in chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process requires a lower adhesive inhibitor with environmentally friendly corrosion properties to replace the conventional benzotriazole (BTA) inhibitor for aluminum (Al) CMP. Open circuit potential test, potentiodynamic polarization curve test, linear sweep voltammetry and potential drop investigated by in-situ electrochemical mechanical polishing (ECMP) platform were used to reveal the controlled evolution process of corrosion inhibitor films at low pressure during Al CMP. The comparison between BTA and 1,2,4-triazole (TAZ) shows that TAZ has lower current density, wider potential inhibition interval, and high planarization efficiency, although TAZ has lower adhesion on Al surface. Finally, the surface roughness of Al after CMP with TAZ in weakly alkaline slurry at pressure of 1 psi was observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) with a value of 0.19 nm. This studies demonstrated that the conventional BTA can be replaced by environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitor TAZ, which is a promising alternative candidate to the Al CMP at low down pressure.