On lower iteration complexity bounds for the convex concave saddle point problems

Mathematical Programming - In this paper, we study the lower iteration complexity bounds for finding the saddle point of a strongly convex and strongly concave saddle point problem: $$\min _x\max...     

Tracking the atomic pathways of Pt3Ni-Ni(OH)2 core-shell structures at the gas-liquid interface by in-situ liquid cell TEM

Using the in-situ liquid cell transmission electron microscopy, the three-stage growth of Pt_3Ni-Ni(OH)_2 core-shell structures at the gas-liquid interfaces was clearly observed, which consists of(1) a thermodynamically driven Pt_3Ni alloy core by the monomer attachment,(2) a nickel(Ni) shell formation due to the depletion of the Pt salt precursor, and(3) the oxidation and of the Ni shell into Ni(OH)_2 flakes. We also further observed the nucleation and growth of the Ni(OH)_2 flakes on an existing layer either at the middle part or at the step edge. More interestingly, the dynamic transformation among a Pt_3Ni alloy, Ni clusters and Ni(OH)_2 flakes was also imaged even at a high electron dose rate.     

The global convergence of the BFGS method with a modified WWP line search for nonconvex functions

Numerical Algorithms - The BFGS method, which has great numerical stability, is one of the quasi-Newton line search methods. However, the global convergence of the BFGS method with a Wolfe line...     

Solid‐phase extraction based on a molecularly imprinted polymer for the selective determination of four benzophenones in tap and river water

This work reports the preparation of molecularly imprinted polymer particles for the selective extraction and determination of four benzophenones from aqueous media. The polymer was prepared by using 4‐vinylpridine as functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross‐linker, acetonitrile as porogenic solvent and 2,2’,4,4’‐tetrehydroxybenzophenone as template. Good specific adsorption capacity (Q_max = 27.90 μmol/g) for 2,2’,4,4’‐tetrehydroxybenzophenone was obtained in the sorption experiment and good class selectivity for 2,2’,4,4’‐tetrehydroxybenzophenone, 2,4‐dihydroxybenzophenone, 2,2’‐dihydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzophenone, 2,2’‐dehydroxy‐4,4’‐dimethoxybenzophenone was demonstrated by the chromatographic evaluation experiment. Factors affecting the extraction efficiency of the molecularly imprinted solid‐phase extraction procedure were investigated systematically. An accurate and sensitive analytical method based on the molecularly imprinted solid‐phase extraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography and diode array detection has been successfully developed for the simultaneous determination of four benzophenones from tap water and river water with method detection limits of 0.25–0.72 ng/mL. The recoveries of benzophenones for water samples at two spiking levels (500 and 5000 ng/mL for each benzophenone) were in the range of 86.9–103.3% with relative standard deviations (n = 3) below 9.2%.     

Revelation of ESIPT mechanism for the novel fluorescent system HNIBT in toluene and methanol solvents: A TDDFT study

In this work, we devote to explore excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) behavior for a novel fluorescent molecule naphthalimide‐based 2‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐benzothiazole (HNIBT) [New J. Chem. 2019, 43, 9152.] in toluene and methanol (MeOH) solvents. Exploring weak interactions, stable HNIBT‐enol, and HNIBT‐MeOH‐enol complex can be found in S₀ state via TDDFT/B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p) level. Given photoexcitation, intramolecular hydrogen bond O1? H2···N3 of HNIBT‐enol and HNIBT‐MeOH‐enol is dramatically enhanced, which offers impetus for facilitates ESIPT reaction. After repeated comparisons, we verify the unavailability of intermolecular hydrogen bonding effects between HNIBT‐enol and MeOH molecules. In view of excitation, HOMO (π) → LUMO (π*) transition and the changes of electronical densities indeed impulse ESIPT tendency. Via constructing potential energy curves (PECs), for both HNIBT‐enol and HNIBT‐MeOH‐enol complex, the ESIPT could only occur along with intramolecular hydrogen bond O1? H2···N3. Through comparison, the potential barrier falls from 4.124 kcal/mol (HNIBT‐enol) to 2.132 kcal/mol (HNIBT‐MeOH‐enol). Therefore, we confirm that the ESIPT of the HNIBT system happens more easily in the MeOH solvent compared with the toluene solvent.     

锂金属负极亲锂骨架的研究进展

随着电动汽车和便携式电子产品的快速发展, 人们对于高比能二次电池的需求越来越迫切. 锂金属以其极高的理论比容量和极低的电极电势被视为下一代高比能电池理想负极材料之一. 但是, 锂枝晶的生长及体积膨胀等问题限制了金属锂负极的实际应用. 在金属锂负极中引入三维骨架可以有效抑制锂枝晶生长, 缓解体积膨胀. 其中亲锂骨架可以降低锂的形核能垒, 诱导锂的均匀成核, 更加有效地调控锂沉积行为. 本文结合国内外的研究进展总结了锂金属负极中亲锂骨架的研究成果. 根据亲锂材料的不同对亲锂骨架进行了分类, 总结了各类亲锂骨架在调控锂沉积行为和提高电池性能方面取得的成果, 并对其今后的研究和发展进行了展望.     

N-heterocyclic carbene-mediated formal [3+3] annulation of isatin-derived α, β-unsaturated acids: Access to functionalized 3,4′-spirooxindole δ-lactones

An in situ activation of isatin-derived α,β-unsaturated acids 2 for the generation of isatin-derived α,β-unsaturated acyl azoliums II was described. The acyl azoliums II were successfully applied to undergo a formal [3 + 3] annulation with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to access functionalized 3,4′-spirooxindole δ-lactones 4. A scale-up synthesis and an enantioselective variant of this protocol were also investigated. The stable and easily prepared acids 2 may be further utilized as promising versatile electrophilic 1,3-synthons for divergent synthesis of spirooxindoles.     

Cellular Synthesis and X-ray Crystal Structure of a Designed Protein Heterocatenane

Herein, we report the biosynthesis of protein heterocatenanes using a programmed sequence of multiple post-translational processing events including intramolecular chain entanglement, in situ backbone cleavage, and spontaneous cyclization. The approach is general, autonomous, and can obviate the need for any additional enzymes. The catenane topology was convincingly proven using a combination of SDS-PAGE, LC-MS, size exclusion chromatography, controlled proteolytic digestion, and protein crystallography. The X-ray crystal structure clearly shows two mechanically interlocked protein rings with intact folded domains. It opens new avenues in the nascent field of protein-topology engineering.     

PIII/PV=O Catalyzed Cascade Synthesis of N‐Functionalized Azaheterocycles

An organocatalytic method for the modular synthesis of diverse N‐aryl and N‐alkyl azaheterocycles (indoles, oxindoles, benzimidazoles, and quinoxalinediones) is reported. The method employs a small‐ring organophosphorus‐based catalyst (1,2,2,3,4,4‐hexamethylphosphetane P‐oxide) and a hydrosilane reductant to drive the conversion of ortho‐functionalized nitroarenes into azaheterocycles through sequential intermolecular reductive C?N cross coupling with boronic acids, followed by intramolecular cyclization. This method enables the rapid construction of azaheterocycles from readily available building blocks, including a regiospecific approach to N‐substituted benzimidazoles and quinoxalinediones.