The microstructural changes of Nd-rich interface phases during postsintering annealing were investigated. A mixture of very fine (about 2–3 nm) crystallites of hexagonal h-Nd2O3, cubic Ia3¯-Nd2O3 (C-Nd2O3), and amorphous phases were observed at the interface phase in the as-sintered magnet and after the first postsintering annealing process. The transformation from h-Nd2O3 to C-Nd2O3 occurred during the second postsintering annealing process, and the resulting C-Nd2O3 has the proper crystallographic relation with the main phase. The reduced lattice mismatch between the (110) plane of C-Nd2O3 interface phase and the (001) or (100) plane of Nd–Fe–B main phase after the second postsintering annealing process is the primary reason for the enhancement in the magnetic properties.

Whether indoor painting aggravates preexisting allergic diseases remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the impact of new classroom painting on aggravation of asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), and atopic dermatitis (AD) in children. Studied school was previously painted with conventional water-based paint 20 years ago and had natural ventilation system. We identified a total of 172 children aged 10-12 years with allergic diseases in 17 classrooms, which were allocated to newly painted rooms with low-volatile organic compounds (VOC), water-based paint, or existing rooms. After painting, there was no intervention or internal airflow to influence indoor air environment in both classrooms. We prospectively assessed the symptom severity and serious events of allergic diseases between both classrooms at baseline and after one and eight weeks after painting. At one and eight weeks, there were no significant changes in the Childhood Asthma Control Test scores, the fractional nitric oxide levels, lung function in asthmatic children in either classroom. There were also no significant changes in the severity score of AR or AD, or serious events in all allergic diseases. These findings suggest classroom painting with this new paint at the levels encountered in this study might not be a major aggravating factor for school-aged children with allergic diseases.