Sustainability of microporous polymers and their applications

Microporous polymers (MPs) are studied for their intriguing chemistry and physics as well as their potential application in catalytic transformations, gas-separation processes, water purification and so on. Here, we critically review MPs with respect to the sustainability aspects of their synthesis as well as their applications that have sustainable character. Some MPs have been synthesized from monomers derived from biomass resources, but there is certainly a large potential for further developments. There are also opportunities to improve the sustainability of MP synthesis in terms of the use of solvents, catalysts, and related aspects. The applications of MPs in processes related to sustainability depend upon multiple properties. A rich and flexible chemistry is important to applications as catalysts for, among other useful reactions, the photoreduction of CO₂ and selective oxidation. The (ultra)micropore volume of MPs are crucial in gas-separation applications such as CO₂ capture, and the chemisorption of CO₂ on MP-tethered alkylamines could offer a means to remove that gas from dilute mixtures. When it comes to the storage of H₂ and CH₄ in MPs for onboard use in fuel cell or biogas cars, volumetric capacity is paramount, meaning that the density of the MPs must be considered. Finally, for use in separation and purifications from liquid mixtures (aqueous or hydrocarbon-based), crosslinked MPs are more limited than the solution-processable MPs that can be more easily processed into films and membranes.     

Minimal two-spheres in <Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis>(2, 4; (<Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis>)) with parallel second fundamental form

In this paper, we give a classification theorem of minimal two-spheres in G(2, 4; (C)) with parallel second fundamental form. Moreover, we also consider some special holomorphic two-spheres in G(2, n; (C)) and give the corresponding conditions of the parallel second fundamental form.     

Chemical substance,material, product,goods, waste: a changing ontology

A chemical substance (CS) is instantiated in the material world by a number of quantities of such substance (QCSs), placed in different locations. A change of location implies a change in the net of relationships entertained by the QCS with the region wherein it is found. This fact entails changes of the ontological status of the CS, as this is not fully determined by the inherent features of the CS and includes a relevant relational contribution. In order to demonstrate this thesis, we have chosen to analyse the status of quantities of a same CS that are synchronically located in different spacetime regions: a synthetic lab, a lab where the QCS is turned into a material, an industrial plant, the market where the QCS gets a price and a dump waste where the QCS is discarded, respectively:

Chemical substance Open image in new window material Open image in new window (industrial) product Open image in new window goods Open image in new window waste

The use of first-order predicate logic, mereology and locative logic allows carrying out a regimentation process that highlights the ontological commitments implied by the formal expressions through which each element of the aforementioned series can be described. The presence of relational properties discloses the systemic nature of the CS instantiated within a spacetime region. The implications of such an aspect are discussed.

     

A discrete version of the Mishou theorem. II

In 2007, H. Mishou obtained a joint universality theorem for the Riemann zetafunction ζ(s) and the Hurwitz zeta-function ζ(s, α) with transcendental parameter α. The theorem states that a pair of analytic functions can be simultaneously approximated by the shifts ζ(s + iτ ) and ζ(s + iτ, α), τ ∈ R. In 2015, E. Buivydas and the author established a version of this theorem in which the approximation is performed by the discrete shifts ζ(s + ikh) and ζ(s + ikh, α), h > 0, k = 0, 1, 2.... In the present study, we prove joint universality for the functions ζ(s) and ζ(s, α) in the sense of approximation of a pair of analytic functions by the shifts ζ(s + ik ^β h) and ζ(s + ik ^β h, α) with fixed 0 < β < 1.     

Fregean Facts

Two important Fregean ideas appear to conflict. The first is that a thought can be decomposed in different ways, and the second is that a thought is constituted by the senses of its constituents. This paper is a defense of Dummett’s suggestion of a way to reconcile between those two theses through the claim that although the same thought can be structured in different ways by different sentences; one of the structures is privileged. My defense focuses on the charge raised by Levine (Ratio (new series), XIX, 43–63, 2006) that Dummett’s claim about the privileged structure of a thought conflicts with the Slingshot argument. I show that this charge is misconceived; a careful examination of the Slingshot argument’s methodology reveals that Dummett’s claim does not conflict with it.     

Non-Realist Cognitivism,Truth and Objectivity

In On What Matters, Derek Parfit defends a new metaethical theory, which he calls non-realist cognitivism. It claims that (i) normative judgments are beliefs; (ii) that some normative beliefs are true; (iii) that the normative concepts that are a part of the propositions that are the contents of normative beliefs are irreducible, unanalysable and of their own unique kind; and (iv) that neither the natural features of the reality nor any additional normative features of the reality make the relevant normative beliefs true. The aim of this article is to argue that Parfit’s theory is problematic because its defenders have no resources to make sense of the nature of normative truth, which is an essential element of their view. I do this by showing how the traditional theories of truth are not available for the non-realist cognitivists.     

Necessarily Incompatible Consistent Wants

This paper argues that the wants or desires of a person can be consistent with each other and still necessarily incompatible with each other and for interesting reasons. It is argued here that this problem is not rare and that there is no solution in sight.