In the present study, three types of coloured fibre cottons, i.e. white, brown and green, were compared for their fibre quality and yield. The comparison of fibre quality suggested that coloured fibre cotton was inferior as compared with white fibre cotton. To understand the effect of cellulose, mineral elements [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K)] and pH of fibre cells on the quality of fibre, these components were studied at different fibre cell developed stages in all three fibre cotton types. The cellulose content is closely associated with the quality of fibre. The higher fibre quality of white fibre cotton might be the result of the high cellulose content in it compared with coloured fibre cotton. A rapid and slow decrease in pH in white and coloured cottons, respectively, might have some effects on fibre elongation. Among the mineral contents, potassium is positively correlated with the fibre quality traits. The pigment development patterns in brown and green fibre cottons are not similar. In green fibre cotton it takes more time to deepen in colour as compared with brown fibre cotton. Possible strategies for the improvement in quality of coloured fibre cotton are discussed. The results of heterosis studies in coloured fibre cotton suggest that heterosis could improve yield and quality of coloured fibre cotton. In the present study, the hybrids between ZJU12A x ZJU05R and ZJU18A x ZJU01R, having an acceptable lint colour types plus better fibre quality and high yield performance, may be exploited further for their heterotic advantages.

Atomic structures of bulk glass-forming Cu 64.5 Zr 35.5 and the eutectic composition Cu 61.8 Zr 38.2 metallic glasses ͑MGs͒ have been studied by a combination of state-of-the-art experimental techniques and computational methods. Three-dimensional atomic configuration of the Cu 64.5 Zr 35.5 MG is established. It is found that icosahedronlike clusters are dominant in both MGs. However, icosahedronlike clusters centered by Cu atoms are slightly denser packing and less distorted in Cu 64.5 Zr 35.5 , which can enhance the glass forming ability ͑GFA͒ by suppressing atomic movements and increasing the structural incompatibility with competing crystalline phases. The atomic arrangements from short to medium-range order are envisaged and compared between both MGs.

An intrinsic plastic Cu(45)Zr(46)Al(7)Ti(2) bulk metallic glass (BMG) with high strength and superior compressive plastic strain of up to 32.5% was successfully fabricated by copper mold casting. The superior compressive plastic strain was attributed to a large amount of randomly distributed free volume induced by Ti minor alloying, which results in extensive shear band formation, branching, interaction and self-healing of minor cracks. The mechanism of plasticity presented here suggests that the creation of a large amount of free volume in BMGs by minor alloying or other methods might be a promising new way to enhance the plasticity of BMGs.

The authors report the use of in situ high-energy x-ray diffraction to detect the tensile behavior of two Zr-and La-based bulk metallic glasses ͑BMGs͒. Based on the diffraction data, the tensile elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio can be accurately evaluated. No excess free volume appears in the fractured region. However, a drastic change in atomic-level strains is found in the La-based BMG along the tensile direction, while a tiny crystalline component is detected in the fracture region of Zr-based BMG, which may be the different factors leading to the catastrophic failure of them, respectively.