Tunable band structures of polycrystalline graphene by external and mismatch strains

Lacking a band gap largely limits the application of graphene in electronic devices. Previous study shows that grain boundaries （GBs） in polycrystalline graphene can dra- matically alter the electrical properties of graphene. Here, we investigate the band structure of polycrystalline graphene tuned by externally imposed strains and intrinsic mismatch strains at the GB by density functional theory （DFT） calcu- lations. We found that graphene with symmetrical GBs typ- ically has zero band gap even with large uniaxial and biax- ial strain. However, some particular asymmetrical GBs can open a band gap in graphene and their band structures can be substantially tuned by external strains. A maximum band gap about 0.19 eV was observed in matched-armchair GB （5, 5） I （3, 7） with a misorientation of θ = 13° when the applied uniaxial strain increases to 9%. Although mismatch strain is inevitable in asymmetrical GBs, it has a small influence on the band gap of polycrystalline graphene.

Metallic ureteral stent in restoring kidney function: Nine case reports

BACKGROUND Retroperitoneal fibrosis is an exceptionally rare disease characterized by proliferation of fibrous tissue and inflammation in the retroperitoneum.It features many symptoms in the kidneys and in other organs and usually leads to ureteral obstruction.CASE SUMMARY Here we present 9 consecutive cases of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis(IRPF)in patients who presented to the Department of Nephrology or Department of Rheumatology,Xuanwu Hospital,Capital Medical University,Beijing,China,between January 2012 and June 2017 with ureteral obstruction due to external compression of the ureter that led to hydronephrosis and kidney dysfunction.Computed tomography imaging was used to identify hydronephrosis and ureteral obstruction and to evaluate kidney function.Each patient was diagnosed with IRPF based on clinical observation and computed tomography examination results.To restore kidney function,a retrograde metallic stent was placed in the ureter under X-ray guidance 2 d after each patient’s admission.No perioperative complications occurred in any patient,but postoperative complications occurred in two patients as follows:Patient 2 had stent migration and repeated metallic stent infections that resolved with treatment;and patient 4 had postoperative hematuria because he resumed normal activities too soon after stent placement(contrary to instruction).Placement of the metallic ureteral stents provided relief from ureteral obstruction and restored kidney function in all patients.CONCLUSION Our 9-case series underscores the utility and efficacy of applying the Resonance®metallic ureteral stent to treat ureteral obstruction in patients with IRPF.For all retroperitoneal fibrosis cases in our series,ureteral stents provided effective relief and were shown to reduce the incidence rate of perioperative and postoperative complications.

Hot corrosion behaviors of 921A alloy and HVAF-sprayed Fe-based amorphous coating covered with KCl-ZnCl_(2) salts

Hot corrosion behaviors of the 921A alloy and Fe-based amorphous coating induced by KCl-10% ZnCl_(2) and KCl-55% ZnCl_(2) salts at 450℃ in air for 40 h were investigated.Results show that the 921A alloy suffers more serious corrosion damage than the coating and KCl-55% ZnCl_(2) salts are more corrosive than KCl-10% ZnCl_(2) salts.In the two salts,an Fe_(2)O_(3) layer is formed on the 921A alloy surface,while an outer Fe-rich oxide layer and an inner Cr-rich oxide layer are formed on the surface of the coating.Moreover,a certain amount of metal chloride can be found at the oxide/alloy(coating)interface,which can be explained by "active oxidation".However,the corrosion resistance of the Fe-based amorphous coating did not achieve the desired results,probably because the intersplats in the coating serve as corrosion diffusing channels,which facilitate the corrosion damage rate.Nevertheless,the coating is still in amorphous state after hot corrosion exposure.