Bouncing universe models in an extended gravity theory

Some bouncing models are investigated in the framework of an extended theory of gravity. The extended gravity model is a simple extension of the General Relativity where an additional matter geometry coupling is introduced to account for the late time cosmic speed up phenomena. The dynamics of the models are discussed in the background of a flat FRW universe. Some viable models are reconstructed for specifically assumed bouncing scale factors. The behavior of the models are found to be decided mostly by the parameters of the respective models. The extended gravity based minimal matter-geometry coupling parameter has a role to remove the omega singularity occurring at the bouncing epoch. It is noted that the constructed models violate the energy conditions, however, in some cases this violation leads to the evolution of the models in phantom phase. The stability of the models are analyzed under linear homogeneous perturbations and it is found that, near the bounce, the models show instability but the perturbations decay out smoothly to provide stable models at late times.     

“Quad-band flexible magnesium zinc ferrite (MgZnFe2O4)-based double negative metamaterial for microwave applications”

This article presents vertically coupled, rectangular complementary split-ring resonator-shaped quad-band double-negative (DNG) metamaterial unit cells, that is, having both negative permittivity and permeability, which redirect negative refractive and also are not found in nature. The metamaterial is fabricated on magnesium zinc ferrite-based flexible microwave substrates, and the flexible substrates are chosen with two different concentrations of magnesium (Mg) denoted by Mg₃₀ and Mg₅₀ for 30% and 50% of Mg, which possess dielectric constants of 4.32 and 3.15 and loss tangents of 0.003 and 0.005, respectively. The proposed metamaterials are demonstrated by utilizing the CST microwave simulator, and their effective parameters are extracted according to the Nicolson-Ross-Wire method. With Mg_30, the prepared, flexible metamaterial shows measured resonances at 3.70 GHz, 7 GHz, 8.60 GHz, and 9.78 GHz, whereas with Mg₅₀ it shows the measured resonances at 4.10 GHz, 7.70 GHz, 9.33 GHz, and 10.62 GHz. Very good effective medium ratios (EMR) along with DNG properties are obtained, namely 6.5 and 5.85 for Mg₃₀ and Mg_50, respectively, with a physical dimension of 12.5 × 9.5 mm² for both of the unit cells_. Also, the electric field, magnetic field, and surface current distribution at different resonances and the polarization insensitivity at different polarization angles were observed. Thus, the designed new flexible substrate microwave materials based on DNG metamaterials are potential candidates for S-, C- and X-band applications, as well as for flexible microwave technologies.     

Salesforce contracting under model uncertainty

This paper considers a firm's salesforce contracting problem under model uncertainty. Based on the notion of multiplier preferences, we capture model uncertainty and explicitly characterize the structure of the optimal contract. Our findings provide guidelines on the design of salesforce compensation contracts in practical situations.     

汽配件颜色喷涂顺序问题的TSP转化与建模

汽配件颜色喷涂顺序问题通常以生产线上相邻汽配件颜色切换次数少为最优目标,以进一步降低生产成本.该类问题具有所有汽配件都必须喷涂一次且只喷涂一次的特点,为此提出了TSP转化与建模的方法.将待喷涂汽配件定义为TSP顶点,任意两个待喷涂汽配件的颜色切换定义为顶点的距离,仿照TSP问题构建0-1规划模型;类似于顶点距离,将某些汽配件的颜色或类别不相邻要求定义为0-1矩阵,巧妙地构造了喷涂生产的约束条件.该建模方法简单快速,通用性高,适用于具有类似特点的各类生产实践问题.     

Proton conductivity study on three CS/IL@fle-MOF membranes

The low-cost, high specific surface area and porosity, controlled pore size, and chemical properties of metal–organic framework (MOF) materials have attracted much attention in the exploration of proton conduction. The method of chemically modifying MOF structures or introducing conductive medium into the holes can effectively improve the proton conductivities of the materials. Here, the structural tunability of ionic liquid (IL) and flexible MOF (fle-MOF) materials are matched to give full play to the conductivity of IL, the framework support, and the microporous effect of MOFs, which achieves the synergistic effect of performance and expands the temperature range of proton transfer. Three kinds of CS/IL@fle-MOF membranes were prepared by combining three fle-MOFs with 1-carboxymethyl-3-methylimidazole (CMMIM) in different proportions to obtain 15 pieces of membranes. The comparative analyses show that CS/IL@fle-MOF membranes have excellent proton conduction performance at a wider temperature range (263–353 K) and lower relative humidity (75% RH). Among them, the proton conductivities of CS/CMMIM@MIL-88A-25% and CS/CMMIM@MIL-88B-125% are up to 1.33 and 1.42 S cm⁻¹ at 75% RH and 353 K, respectively; whereas those of CS/CMMIM@MIL-53(Fe)-75% and CS/CMMIM@MIL-88B-125% reach up to 2.1 × 10⁻³ and 1.28 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 75% RH and 263 K, respectively. The E_a of CS/CMMIM@fle-MOFs is in the range of 0.1–0.5 eV, suggesting that the proton transport follows predominantly the typical Grotthuss transfer mechanism. The results of this study indicate that the CS/CMMIM@fle-MOF membranes combinations offer great potential for the design of composite porous proton-conducting materials.     

Accurate correction of arbitrary spin fermion quantum tunneling from non-stationary Kerr-de Sitter black hole based on corrected Lorentz dispersion relation

According to a corrected dispersion relation proposed in the study on the string theory and quantum gravity theory, the Rarita-Schwinger equation was precisely modified, which resulted in the Rarita-Schwinger-Hamilton-Jacobi equation. Using this equation, the characteristics of arbitrary spin fermion quantum tunneling radiation from non-stationary Kerr-de Sitter black holes were determined. A number of accurately corrected physical quantities, such as surface gravity, chemical potential, tunneling probability, and Hawking temperature, which describe the properties of black holes, were derived. This research has enriched the research methods and enabled increased precision in black hole physics research.     

Enantioselective Copper‐Catalyzed Azide–Alkyne Click Cycloaddition to Desymmetrization of Maleimide‐Based Bis(alkynes)

A copper catalyst system derived from TaoPhos and CuF₂ was used successfully for catalytic asymmetric Huisgen [3+2] cycloaddition of azides and alkynes to give optically pure products containing succinimide‐ and triazole‐substituted quaternary carbon stereogenic centers. The desired products were obtained in good yields (60–80 %) and 85:15 to >99:1 enantiomeric ratio (e.r.) in this click cycloaddition reaction.     

Hydrogel-Derived Honeycomb Ni3S4/N,P-C as an Efficient Oxygen Evolution Catalyst

The development of high-efficiency electrocatalysts with low costs for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is essential, but remains challenging. Herein, a new synthetic process is proposed to prepare Ni₃S₄ particles embedded in N,P-codoped honeycomb porous carbon aerogels (Ni₃S₄/N,P-HPC) through a hydrogel approach. The preparation of Ni₃S₄/N,P-HPC begins with the sol–gel polymerization of tripolyphosphate, chitosan, and guanidine polymer that contains metal-binding sites, allowing for the uniform incorporation of Ni ions into the gel matrix, freeze-drying, and subsequent carbonization under an inert atmosphere. This synthesis resolves difficulties in synthesizing the pure Ni₃S₄ phase caused by the instability of Ni₃S₄ at high temperature, while affording good control of the porous structure and N,P-doping of carbon aerogels. The synergy between the structural advantages of N,P-carbon aerogels (such as easily accessible active sites, high specific surface area, and excellent electron transport) and the intrinsic electrochemical properties of Ni₃S₄ result in the outstanding OER performance of Ni₃S₄/N,P-HPC, with overpotentials as low as 0.37 V at 10 mA cm⁻². The work outlined herein offers a simple and effective method for the development of carbon-based electrocatalysts for renewable energy conversion.