The push–pull fatigue characteristics of the peak-aged Mg–0.2Zn–0.5Zr alloys with different addition levels of neodymium (Nd) have been investigated. The fatigue strength (σf) of the Mg–xNd–0.2Zn–0.5Zr (NZx0K) alloy increases proportionally with the increase of the Nd content (C Nd) as follows: σf (T6) ≈ (13.8–14.0) C Nd + 46 (for x between 0 and 3.0 wt%). The cyclic stress amplitude also increases but the plastic strain value decreases with the increase of the Nd content. The studied alloys exhibit the strain hardening followed by cyclic softening during fatigue test. During the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) test, the cracks originate from the cyclic deformation and cumulative damage. In high-cycle fatigue (HCF), the failure is due to the cyclic deformation and damage irreversibly caused by environment-assisted cyclic slip. The LCF lives of the alloys fitted well with the Coffin–Manson relation and Basquin laws, the three-parameter equation, and the energy-based concepts. The developed multi-scale fatigue (MSF) life models can be used to predict the LCF and HCF lives of the alloys. Among these models, the MSF life can well capture the influence of Nd addition on fatigue.

Nd3+/Yb3+ co-doped TiO2–La2O3 glasses modified by ZrO2 were fabricated by containerless method. Under the excitation of 980 nm lasers, three intense emissions centered at 521, 545, and 655 nm were observed, which are assigned to the Nd3+: 4G9/2→4I9/2, 4G7/2→4I9/2, and 4G7/2→4I13/2 transitions, respectively. Besides, two very weak emission bands at 496 and 603 nm were also found due to the Nd3+ transition of 2G9/2→4I9/2 and 4G5/2 (or 2G7/2)→4I9/2, respectively. Pumping powder dependence of emission intensity suggests a two-photon adsorption process responsible for the upconversion luminescence. A combined phonon-assisted and cooperative sensitization mechanism is presented to interpret the energy transfer from Yb3+ to Nd3+ ions. In addition, the highest intensity of luminescence was found for the glass with 1.2 mol% Nd3+, and the upconversion efficiency can be enhanced by increasing of ZrO2 content.

In this work, a visible-light-sensitized neodymium complex with 2-(N,N-diethylanilin-4-yl)-4,6-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine (Dpbt) as a synergetic ligand is synthesized and incorporated into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Absorption and luminescent spectra of Nd(TTA)3Dpbt (TTA = thenoyltrifluoroacetonate) in PMMA are measured and compared with common complex Nd(TTA)3Phen (Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline). As a result, Nd(TTA)3Dpbt has relatively high luminescent intensity and wide excited spectral range, attributed to the sensitization of the ligand Dpbt. Judd–Ofelt analysis is used, and Judd–Ofelt parameters are calculated (Ω2 = 33.72 × 10−20 cm2, Ω4 = 11.52 × 10−20 cm2, and Ω6 = 6.81 × 10−20 cm2). The radiative properties are predicted and compared with other different Nd complexes. The stimulated emission cross-section of 4F3/2→4I11/2 transition is 3.02 × 10−20 cm2 and the estimated lifetime is 506 μs using the Judd–Ofelt parameters. Experimental fluorescence branching ratio of this transition is quite high for Nd ions. The radiative properties’ investigation for 4F3/2→4I11/2 transition indicates that it is possible to be a laser transition.

Broadband spectral conversion from visible light to near-infrared radiation in Ce3+–Nd3+/Yb3+ codoped yttrium aluminum garnet is reported. Excitation, emission spectra, and decay curves have been measured to prove the energy transfer from Ce3+ to Nd3+ or Yb3+. The energy transfer efficiencies have been estimated, and the mechanisms of the energy transfer between Ce3+ and Nd3+/Yb3+ have been proposed. Ce3+–Nd3+ codoped YAG can obtain more effective emission in the desired near-infrared region (around 1100 nm) through broadband conversion, showing potential application to improve the conversion efficiency of Si solar cells.

We prepare Nd-Bi codoped zeolites by a method consisting of a simple ion-exchange process and subsequent high-temperature annealing. The emission covers the range of 970∼1450 nm, corresponding to the electronic transitions of Nd3+ ions and Bi-related active centers (BiRAC), respectively. The introduction of Bi distinctly broadens the excitation band of Nd3+ in the visible region, and the lifetime of Nd3+ reaches as long as 354 μs. In the zeolite matrix, Bi ions exist as BiRAC and Bi oxide agglomerates. The former one act as a sensitizer of Nd3+ ions, and the latter one act as a blockage to avoid the quenching effect of coordinated water, which enable Nd3+ ions to show efficient near-infrared (NIR) emission even the zeolites contain large amount of coordinated water. The excellent optical and structural properties make these NIR emitting nanoparticles promising in application as laser materials and biological probes.

In this work, we report a new Mg-based glass-forming system of Mg–Ni–(Gd,Nd), which can be produced into glassy rods with maximum diameters of 2–5 mm by copper mold casting. The Mg75Ni15Gd10–xNdx(x = 0–10) BMGs simultaneously possess a high level of glass transition temperatures, high specific strength up to 2.75 × 105 Nm/kg, and enhanced malleability with plastic strains over 1%. In particular, the Mg75Ni15Gd5Nd5 BMG with the glass-forming ability (GFA) up to 5 mm, exhibited compressive yield strength over 900 MPa and plastic strain up to 50% without failure for the specimen with an aspect ratio of 0.5. The improved GFA and malleability for the Mg75Ni15Gd10–x Ndx(x = 0–10) BMGs were discussed, which exhibited their promising potentials for the application as lightweight engineering materials.

The following paper analyses gender issues to be taken into consideration in Newcastle disease (ND) and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) control. Gender issues tend to be sidelined from discussions and gender disparities in economic and decision making matters are often neglected. The integration of the analysis of gender relations in the study of agro-economic characteristics is of major importance because the paradigms of access, control and benefits of the resources, and consequently of exclusion, are based on social relations between men and women. The understanding of gender relations and its implications to livestock rearing is therefore an imperative in the effective promotion of appropriate interventions in order to improve biosecurity.

Several hydrides of Nd2Ni2In with various H concentrations up to 6 H atoms/f.u. have been synthesized. Nd2Ni2In crystallizes in the tetragonal Mo2FeB2 structure type which can be changed upon hydrogenation to an orthorhombic structure, space group Pbma. The unit-cell volume increases by 15.5 % for Nd2Ni2InH4.5 and by 21.6 % for Nd2Ni2InH6. The triangular rare-earth lattice can give rise to magnetic frustration in case of antiferromagnetic interactions in Nd2Ni2In. The frustration is removed upon hydrogenation due to the orthorhombic distortion. The magnetic ordering temperature decreases with H concentration from 8 K in Nd2Ni2In down to 3.5 K in Nd2Ni2InH6.

Newcastle disease is a viral and often fatal disease that has been reported to affect a wide range of avian hosts, irrespective of age and sex. It is reported to be a major constraint to the development, survival and productivity of village poultry. This paper is a review of the epidemiology of Newcastle disease in village poultry in Nigeria, with emphasis on the susceptibility of species, types and ages. Also examined are the challenges and prospects of Newcastle disease control in this village poultry sector in Nigeria. This was conducted for the purpose of formulating effective strategies for controlling the disease in the rural areas of Nigeria.

The desorption–recombination behavior of a mechanically disproportionated, nanostructured Nd12Fe82B6 alloy was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The microstructure change due to desorption–recombination treatments at various temperatures was characterized by x-ray diffraction, Mössbauer study, and transmission electron microscopy observation. The results show that the hydrogen desorption of the as-disproportionated alloy occurs in two stages: (i) the partial dehydriding of the Nd hydride from Nd2H5 to NdH2, as well as the desorption of the hydrogen absorbed/adsorbed at sites of crystal defects but not in the form of Nd hydride, at temperatures between 180 and 460 °C; and (ii) the complete dehydriding of the Nd hydride from NdH2 to Nd at temperatures between 630 and 780 °C. The recombination of α-Fe with Fe2B and Nd to form Nd2Fe14B occurs following the dehydriding of NdH2 to Nd, and it acts as the controlling step for the whole desorption–recombination process. The kinetics of both the desorption–recombination reaction and the growth of the newly formed Nd2Fe14B grains accelerate with increasing temperature. For a fixed annealing time of 30 min, the optimal processing temperature seems to be 760 °C, which gives rise to a fully recombined Nd2Fe14B–α-Fe nanocomposite microstructure with Nd2Fe14B and α-Fe phases of 25–30 nm in average size.

We provide an investigation of in situ doping of GaN with the RE element Nd by plasma assisted-molecular beam epitaxy (PA-MBE). GaN epilayers are grown on c-plane sapphire and free standing GaN substrates and the Nd doping is controlled by an effusion cell. The ideal growth conditions for Nd incorporation maintaining crystal quality in GaN were investigated. The optical absorption characteristics indicate that the GaN:Nd epilayer remains transparent at the Nd emission wavelength of interest. For the highest Nd effusion cell temperatures, Rutherford backscattering and secondary ion mass spectrometry data indicate ˜5 at. % in epilayers grown on c-plane sapphire. X-ray diffraction found no evidence of phase segregation up to ˜1 at. % Nd. The highest luminescence intensities correspond to a doping range 0.05-1 at. %, with the strongest emission occurring at 1.12 eV (1107 nm). We also present the Stark energy sublevels of Nd3+ ions in GaN as determined by luminescence spectra. Photoluminescence excitation spectra reveal an optimal excitation energy of 1.48 eV (836 nm). We correlate the photoluminescence spectra with transitions from the 4F3/2 excited state to the 4I9/2, 4I11/2, and 4I13/2 multiplets of the Nd3+ ion for above (325nm) and below (836nm) bandgap excitation. Spectral correlation of the Nd emission multiplets in addition to site-selective spectroscopy studies using combined excitation-emission spectroscopy with confocal microscopy indicate enhanced substantial doping at the Ga site compared to other techniques (ion implantation and co-sputtering).

Sintering behavior and thermal expansion properties of the solid solution series Nd2-xCexCuO4±δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.20) have been investigated over the temperature range of 298 to 1100 K. Significant anisotropy in the lattice expansion coefficient in the a/b and c crystallographic axes was noted on increasing Ce content, which is consistent with the tetragonal unit cell. The lattice expansion in the c axis was found to decrease on increasing temperature for compositions up to x = 0.10, which is likely to be from variations in the oxygen stoichiometry. A variation in the sintering behavior was also noted on varying Ce content, with the onset of sintering temperature reaching a maximum at x = 0.10. A secondary sintering stage was noted for compositions with x > 0.10. Associated with the introduction of a secondary stage on sintering is an overall increase in the temperature at which the sintering is at a maximum.

We report on the material synthesis and infrared optical properties of Nd doped lead bromide (PbBr2) and lead iodide (PbI2) bulk crystals. Commercial PbBr2 and PbI2 materials were purified through repeated solidification and horizontal zone refinement. After purification, Nd doped lead halides were synthesized and grown by Bridgman technique. Under optical excitation, Nd:PbBr2 samples exhibited several near-infrared emission bands centered at 816 nm, 891 nm, 963 nm, 1069 nm, 1183 nm, 1356 nm, and 1535 nm. The emission from Nd:PbI2 samples was similar to that of from Nd:PbBr2, but slightly shifted to longer wavelengths. The observation of 1540 nm emission from Nd3+ ions is unusual and reflects on the small non-radiative decay rates in the investigated halides. Lead halides have low maximum phonon energies, which reduces non-radiative decay due to multi-phonon relaxations. In contrast to Nd:YAG, Nd:PbBr2 and Nd:PbI2 exhibited efficient emission from the 4F5/2, 2H9/2 excited states, which are located only ∼1000cm−1 above the 4F3/2 level of Nd3+. Under 808 nm diode pumping, both samples also exhibited broad mid-infrared emission bands centered at ∼5.1 μm.

Fifty new Nd isotope analyses are presented from the North Bay area of the Grenville Province in Ontario. These data are used to map the extent of an allochthonous Grenvillian terrane which is an outlier of the Allochthonous Polycyclic Belt of the Grenville Province. Amphibolite facies orthogneisses from the allochthonous terrane have depleted mantle Nd model ages (TDM) below 1.8 Ga, whereas the gneisses of the structurally underlying parautochthon almost invariably have model ages above 1.8 Ga. The distribution of model ages is consistent with the distribution of distinct types of metabasic rock, used by other researchers as the criterion for recognizing rocks of the allochthonous and parautochthonous belts of the Grenville Province. The agreement between these different types of evidence demonstrates that Nd isotope mapping is a reliable and powerful tool for mapping terrane boundaries in high-grade metamorphic belts.

The roles of N100 and the early and late negative difference (Nd) waveforms in selective attention were investigated with primary simulated flying and secondary dichotic listening tasks. Twenty highly trained participants performed the two tasks together, either while detecting secondary task deviant tones in one ear and ignoring tones in the other ear (dual condition) or while ignoring the tones in both ears (ignore condition). The amplitude of the N100–P200 complex in both the dual-task and ignore conditions was reduced equally in the attended and unattended ear by the introduction of the primary task. In the dual-task condition, the amplitude of the late Nd but not the early Nd was reduced by a combination of the introduction of the primary task and an increase in its difficulty. P300 showed the same amplitude pattern as the late Nd. We propose that the reduction in N100–P200 amplitude reflects an automatic gating mechanism. The dissociation of the early and late Nd suggests that the latter is not modality specific. The question is raised whether the late Nd is more closely associated with P300 than with the early Nd.

Effects of intermodal attention and of cross-modal links in spatial attention on visual and auditory event-related potentials (ERPs) were investigated in two experiments where participants had to attend to one stimulus modality (audition or vision) to respond to infrequently presented targets whenever these were presented at a relevant location (indicated by a cue). The ERP effects of intermodal attention (measured by comparing the ERPs elicited by visual and auditory stimuli when the respective modality was relevant or irrelevant) were differently distributed in vision and audition, suggesting that intermodal attention operates by a selective modulation of modality-specific areas. Similar ERP effects of spatial attention (measured by comparing the ERPs to stimuli at cued and uncued locations) were elicited at midline electrodes in vision and audition. With one notable exception, these effects were also present when attention was directed within the other modality, suggesting the existence of cross-modal links between vision and audition in the control of transient spatial attention.