From differential equation solvers to accelerated first-order methods for convex optimization

Mathematical Programming - Convergence analysis of accelerated first-order methods for convex optimization problems are developed from the point of view of ordinary differential equation solvers. A...     

How do peace dividends bring about human development and productivity?

Annals of Operations Research - The main purpose of this study was to explore the impact of peace dividends on global changes in national productivity. First, this study assessed changes in...     

Correction to: Theoretical modeling and experimental evaluation of a magnetostrictive actuator with radial-nested stacked configuration

Nonlinear Dynamics -     

Nickel (II) tetrapyridyl complexes as electrocatalysts and precatalysts for water oxidation

Two nickel complexes, [Ni(tpen)](ClO₄)₂.0.5CH₃COCH₃ ( 1 ) and [Ni(tpbn)](ClO₄)₂ ( 2 ), of tetrapyridyl ligands N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-pyridyl-methyl)-1,2-ethanediamine (tpen) and N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-pyridyl-methyl)-1,4-butanediamine (tpbn) were prepared and their catalysis for water oxidation reaction (WOR) studied. In 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (PBS) of pH 8.0, complex 1 is a homogeneous molecular catalyst with an overpotential of ~440 mV and a Faradaic efficiency of 89%. At pH ≥ 9.0, complex 1 degraded gradually during the catalytic process and formed NiO_x composite (nickel oxide with general formula Ni_xO_yH_z) active for WOR. In contrast, complex 2 deteriorated under measured conditions (pH 8.0–12.0) and formed NiO_x composite active for WOR. The NiO_x composite derived from 1 in 0.1 M PBS at pH 11.0 showed an activity with an overpotential of ~500 mV, a Tafel slope of ~90 mV/decade and a Faradaic efficiency of 97%. Mechanisms were proposed for water oxidation catalyzed by 1 and 2 . This work revealed that the catalytic activity of the nickel complexes was related to the flexibility of the tetrapyridyl ligands and the adaptability of the coordination sphere of the nickel(II) center.     

Dinuclear cobalt and nickel complexes of a mercaptoacetic acid substituted 1,2,4‐triazole ligand: syntheses,structures and urease inhibitory studies

Because of its versatile coordination modes and strong coordination ability, the mercaptoacetic acid substituted 1,2,4‐triazole 2‐{[5‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐yl]sulfanyl}acetic acid ( H₂L ) was synthesized and characterized. Treatment of H₂L with cobalt and nickel acetate afforded the dinuclear complexes {μ‐3‐[(carboxylatomethyl)sulfanyl]‐5‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐ido‐κ²N¹,N⁵:N²,O}bis[aqua(methanol‐κO)cobalt(II)] methanol disolvate, [Co₂(C₉H₆N₄O₂S)₂(CH₃OH)₂(H₂O)₂]·2CH₃OH ( 1 ), and {μ‐3‐[(carboxylatomethyl)sulfanyl]‐5‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐ido‐κ²N¹,N⁵:N²,O}bis[diaquanickel(II)] methanol disolvate dihydrate, [Ni₂(C₉H₆N₄O₂S)₂(H₂O)₄]·2CH₃OH·2H₂O ( 2 ), respectively. Complex 1 crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c, while 2 crystallized in the tetragonal space group I4₁/a. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies revealed that H₂L is doubly deprotonated and acts as a tetradentate bridging ligand in complexes 1 and 2 . For both of the obtained complexes, extensive hydrogen‐bond interactions contribute to the formation of their three‐dimensional supermolecular structures. Hirshfeld surface analysis was used to illustrate the intermolecular interactions. Additionally, the urease inhibitory activities of 1 , 2 and H₂L were investigated against jack bean urease, where the two complexes revealed strong urease inhibition activities.     

Highly Effective Detection of Amitraz in Honey by Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Spectroscopy Coupled with Chemometric Methods

As an effective and universal acaricide, amitraz is widely used on beehives against varroasis caused by the mite Varroa jacobsoni. Its residues in honey pose a great danger to human health. In this study, a sensitive, rapid, and environmentally friendly surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy method (SERS) was developed for the determination of trace amount of amitraz in honey with the use of silver nanorod (AgNR) array substrate. The AgNR array substrate fabricated by an oblique angle deposition technique exhibited an excellent SERS activity with an enhancement factor of ∽10⁷. Density function theory was employed to assign the characteristic peak of amitraz. The detection of amitraz was further explored and amitraz in honey at concentrations as low as 0.08 mg/kg can be identified. Specifically, partial least square regression analysis was employed to correlate the SERS spectra in full-wavelength with C_amitraz to afford a multiple-quantitative amitraz predicting model. Preliminary results show that the predicted concentrations of amitraz in honey samples are in good agreement with their real concentrations. Compared with the conventional univariate quantitative model based on single peak’s intensity, the proposed multiple-quantitative predicting model integrates all the characteristic peaks of amitraz, thus offering an improved detecting accuracy and anti-interference ability.     

Organic base-promoted efficient dehydrogenative/decarboxylative aromatization of tetrahydro-β-carbolines into β-carbolines under air

Organic base DBN has been identified as an efficient reagent for promoting the dehydrogenative/decarboxylative aromatization of tetrahydro-β-carbolines under air atmosphere, to access the corresponding β-carbolines in moderate to good yields. The utility of this protocol for the gram-scale synthesis of β-carboline alkaloids eudistomin U (7) and harmane (10) has also been demonstrated.