Ritt’s theorem and the Heins map in hyperbolic complex manifolds

Let X be a Kobayashi hyperbolic complex manifold, and assume that X does not contain compact complex submanifolds of positive dimension (e.g., X Stein). We shall prove the following generalization of Ritt’s theorem: every holomorphic self-map f:X→X such that f(X) is relatively compact in X has a unique fixed point τ(f) ∈ X, which is attracting. Furthermore, we shall prove that τ(f) depends holomorphically on f in a suitable sense, generalizing results by Heins, Joseph-Kwack and the second author.     

Photodissociation spectroscopy of Zn+(H2O) and Zn+(D2O)

We report on a study of the photodissociation spectroscopy of weakly bound Zn+(H2O) and Zn+(D2O) complexes. The work is supported by ab initio electronic structure calculations of the ground and low-lying excited energy surfaces. We assign two molecular absorption bands in the near UV correlating to Zn+ (4s-4p)-based transitions, and identify vibrational progressions associated with both intermolecular and intramolecular vibrational modes of the cluster. Partially resolved rotational structure is consistent with a C(2V) equilibrium complex geometry. Experimental spectroscopic constants are in very good agreement with ab initio theoretical predictions. Results are compared with previous work on main group and transition metal ion-H2O clusters.     

Enthalpimetric measurements in solid—solid reactions. Part V. study of the mixed complexes of uranyl nitrate with urea and thiourea

The enthalpy values associated with solid—solid interactions of uranyl nitrate with both urea and thiourea to form mixed complexes are studied. The tendency of the urea to substitute the thiourea molecules bonded with the uranyl ion was observed. A greater facility of the ligand (hard or soft) to coordinate with the UO²⁺₂ ion in those complexes in which a greater number of ligand molecules are present was found.     

Photoluminescence of 6- and 7-aminoquinolines

The fluorescences of 6- and 7-aminoquinoline and 6-dimethylaminoquinaldine were studied in media of different acidities, polarities, hydrogen-bonding capabilities and temperatures. The excited state acidities and solvent dependences of the fluorescences of these compounds are typical of aminoquinolines substituted in the homocyclic ring. The acidities of the doubly protonated cations are so great in the lowest excited singlet state, however, that prototropic dissociation in the excited state occurs even in rigid media at 195°K. The lowest triplet state of the singly charged cation of 6-aminoquinoline is found to be nearly degenerate with the lowest excited singlet state of the same molecule. This is attributed to the great charge-transfer component of the S₁←S₀ transition which is not present in the T₁←S₀ transition, and the interaction of the S₁ state with the polar solvent.     

Progress,highlights and perspectives on NiO in perovskite photovoltaics

The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of NiO based perovskite solar cells has recently hit a record 22.1% with a hybrid organic–inorganic perovskite composition and a PCE above 15% in a fully inorganic configuration was achieved. Moreover, NiO processing is a mature technology, with different industrially attractive processes demonstrated in the last few years. These considerations, along with the excellent stabilities reported, clearly point towards NiO as the most efficient inorganic hole selective layer for lead halide perovskite photovoltaics, which is the topic of this review. NiO optoelectronics is discussed by analysing the different doping mechanisms, with a focus on the case of alkaline and transition metal cation dopants. Doping allows tuning the conductivity and the energy levels of NiO, improving the overall performance and adapting the material to a variety of perovskite compositions. Furthermore, we summarise the main investigations on the NiO/perovskite interface stability. In fact, the surface of NiO is commonly oxidised and reactive with perovskite, also under the effect of light, thermal and electrical stress. Interface engineering strategies should be considered aiming at long term stability and the highest efficiency. Finally, we present the main achievements in flexible, fully printed and lead-free perovskite photovoltaics which employ NiO as a layer and provide our perspective to accelerate the improvement of these technologies. Overall, we show that adequately doped and passivated NiO might be an ideal hole selective layer in every possible application of perovskite solar cells.

The power conversion efficiency of NiO based perovskite solar cells has recently hit a record 22.1%. Here, the main advances are reviewed and the role of NiO in the next breakthroughs is discussed.     

Kinetic study of the thermal degradation of PS/MMT nanocomposites preparedwith imidazolium surfactants

Styrene and montmorillonite organically modified with imidazolium surfactants (MMT) at various alkyl chain lengths (C₁₂, C₁₆ and C₁₈) were used to prepare the corresponding PS/MMT/C₁₂, PS/MMT/C₁₆ and PS/MMT/C₁₈ nanocomposites by in situ polymerization. XRD and TEM analyses evidenced the formation of both intercalated and exfoliated structures. The glass transition temperatures (T _g) of nanocomposites, as well as that of neat PS, were obtained by DSC measurements. The thermal degradations were carried out in the scanning mode, in both inert and oxidative environments, and the initial temperatures of decomposition (T _i) and the apparent activation energies of degradation (E _a) were determined. Due to an oxidative degradation mechanism, the T _i and E _a values in air atmosphere were lower than those under nitrogen. The results indicated that nanocomposites are more thermally stable than polystyrene, and suggested an increasing degree of exfoliation as a function of alkyl chain length of surfactant, associated with enhancing thermal stability.     

Smart Coatings Prepared via MAPLE Deposition of Polymer Nanocapsules for Light-Induced Release

Herein, smart coatings based on photo-responsive polymer nanocapsules (NC) and deposited by laser evaporation are presented. These systems combine remotely controllable release and high encapsulation efficiency of nanoparticles with the easy handling and safety of macroscopic substrates. In particular, azobenzene-based NC loaded with active molecules (thyme oil and coumarin 6) were deposited through Matrix-Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) on flat inorganic (KBr) and organic (polyethylene, PE) and 3D (acrylate-based micro-needle array) substrates. SEM analyses highlighted the versatility and performance of MAPLE in the fabrication of the designed smart coatings. DLS analyses, performed on both MAPLE- and drop casting-deposited NC, demonstrated the remarkable adhesion achieved with MAPLE. Finally, thyme oil and coumarin 6 release experiments further demonstrated that MAPLE is a promising technique for the realization of photo-responsive coatings on various substrates.     

Understanding deadlock and livelock behaviors in Hybrid Control Systems

This paper introduces a formal definition and a categorization of Deadlock and Livelock behaviors for a general class of deterministic Hybrid Control Systems (HCS), thus extending the classical notion known for (uncontrolled) discrete transition systems. This characterization hinges on three important aspects: (1) the concept of composition (or interconnection) of HCSs; (2) the notion of control-dependent specification, and that of composition of specifications; (3) the dynamical structure of an HCS and its related behaviors. The first notion is introduced in a novel manner, by including aspects from the literature of discrete transition systems, as well as accounting for classical concepts such as that of feedback interconnection of dynamical systems. The second point allows us to formally express general properties that are of interest from a systems and control theory perspective. The third part discriminates between the different and possibly pathological behaviors that are characteristic to HCSs. After commenting on the issues of Deadlock and Livelock prevention and verification, the article concludes with two case studies.     

Wolff–Denjoy theorems in nonsmooth convex domains

We give a short proof of Wolff–Denjoy theorem for (not necessarily smooth) strictly convex domains. With similar techniques we are also able to prove a Wolff–Denjoy theorem for weakly convex domains, again without any smoothness assumption on the boundary.     

Phenolic compounds,essential oil composition,and antioxidant activity of Angelica purpurascens (Avé-Lall.) Gill

In this study, methanol extracts (MEs) and essential oil (EO) of Angelica purpurascens (Avé-Lall.) Gill obtained from different parts (root, stem, leaf, and seed) were evaluated in terms of antioxidant activity, total phenolics, compositions of phenolic compound, and essential oil with the methods of 2,2-azino-bis(3ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS•⁺), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH•) radical scavenging activities, and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), the Folin–Ciocalteu, liquid chromatography−tandem mass spectrometry (LC−MS/MS), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC−MS), respectively. The root extract of A. purpurascens exhibited the highest ABTS•⁺, DPPH•, and FRAP activities (IC₅₀: 0.05 ± 0.0001 mg/mL, IC₅₀: 0.06 ± 0.002 mg/mL, 821.04 ± 15.96 µM TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity), respectively). Moreover, EO of A. purpurascens root displayed DPPH• scavenging activity (IC₅₀: 2.95 ± 0.084 mg/mL). The root extract had the highest total phenolic content (438.75 ± 16.39 GAE (gallic acid equivalent), µg/mL)). Twenty compounds were identified by LC−MS/MS. The most abundant phenolics were ferulic acid (244.39 ± 15.64 μg/g extract), benzoic acid (138.18 ± 8.84 μg/g extract), oleuropein (78.04 ± 4.99 μg/g extract), and rutin (31.21 ± 2.00 μg/g extract) in seed, stem, root, and leaf extracts, respectively. According to the GC−MS analysis, the major components were determined as α-bisabolol (22.93%), cubebol (14.39%), α-pinene (11.63%), and α-limonene (9.41%) among 29 compounds. Consequently, the MEs and EO of A. purpurascens can be used as a natural antioxidant source.