Nickel nanowires with large aspect ratio of up to 300 have been prepared by a hydrazine hydrate reduction method under applied magnetic field. The diameter of nickel nanowires is about 200 nm and length up to 60 μm. The role of magnetic field on the growth of magnetic nanowires is discussed and a magnetic nanowire growth mechanism has been proposed. Nickel ions are firstly reduced to nickel atoms by hydrazine hydrates in a strong alkaline solution and grow into tiny spherical nanoparticles. Then, these magnetic particles will align under a magnetic force and form linear chains. Furthermore, the as-formed chains can enhance the local magnetic field and attract other magnetic particles nearby, resulting finally as linear nanowires. The formation and the size of nanowires depend strongly on the magnitude of applied magnetic field.

Several metals (Sn, Cu and Ag) were coated on the surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by electroless plating to improve the wettability between CNTs and the Sn matrix. The coated CNTs were characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The results reveal that the metals are decorated effectively on the sidewalls of CNTs. The deposited metals are supposed to serve as the medium for interacting with the melted Sn matrix and achieve high strength interfacial adhesion. It was found that the Ag coated CNTs are wetted to a certain degree by melted Sn and embedded well in the matrix. While in the case of Sn and Cu coated CNTs, fewer CNTs are embedded in the Sn matrix because of desorption or oxidation.

Early recognition of biotinidase deficiency is crucial to avoid permanent damage. Determination of biotinidase activity should be included in neonatal screening in China. Exon 4 may be a hot-spot for biotinidase gene mutations in Chinese patients. Four novel gene variations may be disease-causing mutations and should be confirmed by expression studies.

No abstract

In this study, a new method for synthesizing single‐crystal ring‐like β‐Ga2O3 nanobelts (here named nanorings), of only 0.2–1 µm in diameter, is presented. A microwave plasma method involving liquid‐phase gallium containing H2O in an Ar atmosphere, using silicon as the substrate, is used for the first time. The morphology and structure of the nanorings were analysed using scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. The morphology of β‐Ga2O3 nanobelts was also characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high‐resolution TEM in order to propose possible growth mechanisms of the β‐Ga2O3 nanorings. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)