Memoryless near-collisions via coding theory

We investigate generic methods to find near-collisions in cryptographic hash functions. We introduce a new generic approach based on methods to find cycles in the space of codewords of a code with low covering radius. We give an analysis of our approach and demonstrate it on the SHA-3 candidate TIB3.     

Dual Electroactivity in a Covalent Organic Network with Mechanically Interlocked Pillar[5]arenes

The synthesis and characterization of a polyrotaxanated covalent organic network (CON) based on the association between the viologen and pillar[5]arene (P[5]OH) units are reported. The mechanical bond allows for the irreversible insertion of n-type redox centers (P[5]OH macrocycles) within a pristine structure based on p-type viologen redox centers. Both redox units are active on a narrow potential range and, in water, the presence of P[5]OH greatly increases the electroactivity of the material.     

Nile Red and Nile Blue: Applications and Syntheses of Structural Analogues

Nile red and Nile blue are highly fluorescent and photostable organic dyes from the benzo[a]phenoxazine family. They have been used as histological stains for imaging lysosomes and lipids in vitro. The dyes’ high quantum yields and solvent‐dependent optical properties make them ideal scaffolds for the development of pH probes and local polarity indicators. Reviews of the literature in this area are scarce with only one review ever published in 2006. It has been 10 years since and the field has evolved. This review aims to expand upon topics covered by the previous reviewers and to report on recent advances in the literature. As authors, we hope to convey a sense of scope and to spark renewed interest in this useful niche of dye chemistry.     

Influence of Equilibration Time in Solution on the Inclusion/Exclusion Topology Ratio of Host–Guest Complexes Probed by Ion Mobility and Collision‐Induced Dissociation

Host–guest complexes are formed by the creation of multiple noncovalent bonds between a large molecule (the host) and smaller molecule(s) or ion(s) (the guest(s)). Ion‐mobility separation coupled with mass spectrometry nowadays represents an ideal tool to assess whether the host–guest complexes, when transferred to the gas phase upon electrospray ionization, possess an exclusion or inclusion nature. Nevertheless, the influence of the solution conditions on the nature of the observed gas‐phase ions is often not considered. In the specific case of inclusion complexes, kinetic considerations must be taken into account beside thermodynamics; the guest ingression within the host cavity can be characterized by slow kinetics, which makes the complexation reaction kinetically driven on the timescale of the experiment. This is particularly the case for the cucurbituril family of macrocyclic host molecules. Herein, we selected para‐phenylenediamine and cucurbit[6]uril as a model system to demonstrate, by means of ion mobility and collision‐induced dissociation measurements, that the inclusion/exclusion topology ratio varies as a function of the equilibration time in solution prior to the electrospray process.     

Reconstruction of physics objects at the Circular Electron Positron Collider with Arbor

After the Higgs discovery, precise measurements of the Higgs properties and the electroweak observables become vital for the experimental particle physics. A powerful Higgs/Z factory, the Circular Electron Positron Collider (CEPC) is proposed. The Particle Flow oriented detector design is proposed to the CEPC and a Particle Flow algorithm, Arbor is optimized accordingly. We summarize the physics object reconstruction performance of the Particle Flow oriented detector design with Arbor algorithm and conclude that this combination fulfills the physics requirement of CEPC.     

The impact of time on the heat resistance of self-compacting high-performance concrete incorporated with recycled martials

The influence of time on the mechanical behavior of concrete after exposure to elevated temperatures has been studied. Twenty-one self-compacting high-performance concrete mixtures with different incorporation amounts of coarse recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) and three unprocessed waste powder materials have been tested at age of 270 days for residual compressive and flexural strength after exposure to fire. The results have been compared to the results for the same concrete, which have been studied at age of 90 days. A new parameter has been introduced for comparing the responses of concrete to elevated temperatures at different ages; this parameter was the “heat resistance” which expresses the total area under the curve of the relative residual strength (compressive or flexural) after exposing to six temperature degrees (20, 150, 300, 500, 600, and 800 °C). The results showed that the age of concrete has an influence on the response of concrete to elevated temperatures. The heat resistance of compressive strength enhanced with age but the concrete behaved with a tendency different to that at the age of 90 days. The heat resistance of flexural strength has not been affected or slightly decreased but not with more than 10% to that at the age of 90 days. The used waste powder materials were unprocessed waste fly ash, waste cellular concrete powder and waste perlite powder; they proved that using any of them up to 15% as a replacement for cement with 0% or 25% of RCA enhanced the concrete resistance for the fire with time. The main two reasons for changing of residual strength with the time were the changing of water content and the proceeding of hydration of the binder. In general, long ages testing properties of concrete simulate the real behavior of concrete structures accurately.