Sparse blind deconvolution and demixing through <Emphasis Type="Italic">ℓ</Emphasis><Subscript>1,2</Subscript>-minimization

This paper concerns solving the sparse deconvolution and demixing problem using ? _1,2-minimization. We show that under a certain structured random model, robust and stable recovery is possible. The results extend results of Ling and Strohmer (Inverse Probl. 31, 115002 2015), and in particular theoretically explain certain experimental findings from that paper. Our results do not only apply to the deconvolution and demixing problem, but to recovery of column-sparse matrices in general.     

Technological Opportunities for the Implementation of Anti-Microbial Activities into Dry-Wet Shaped Cellulose Fibres

Metal cations are valuable antimicrobial additives for controlling of bacteria growth on textile fibres. By means of multiple actions they are able to suppress the undesirable microbe action also during wound healing. Dry-wet shaping technology offers numerous opportunities for implementation of antimicrobial activities into textile structures (fibres, yarn, fabrics). The degree of load, insertion step as well as type of additive (Ag, Cu, Zn) presents a broad field of physical modification of dry-wet spun cellulose fibres. The investigation of antimicrobial activities of manufactured fibres and yarns exhibit bactericide or bacteriostatic effects against typical pathogenic germs. Ag contents higher than 30 ppm in fibres and 0.06 per cent in yarns as well as Cu contents higher than 100 ppm in fibres and about 0.5 per cent in yarns are fairly effective for a permanent antimicrobial effect. Fabrics based on the developed fibres and yarns could already been successfully commercialised by innovative small and medium sized enterprises (SME).     

Carbon incorporation in Pd(111) by adsorption and dehydrogenation of ethene

The decomposition of ethene on the Pd(111) surface was studied at effective pressures in the 10(-8) to 10(-7) mbar range and at sample temperatures between 300 and 700 K, using an effusive capillary array beam doser for directional adsorption, LEED, AES, temperature programmed reaction, and TDS. In the temperature range of 350-440 K increasingly stronger dehydrogenation of the ethene molecule is observed. Whereas at 350 K an ethylidyne adlayer is still present after adsorption, already at temperatures around 440 K complete coverage of the surface by carbon is attained, while the bulk still retains the properties of pure Pd. Beyond 440 K a steady-state surface C coverage is established, which decreases with temperature and is determined by detailed balancing between the ethene gas-phase adsorption rate and the migration rate of carbon into the Pd bulk. This process gives rise to the formation of a "partially carbon-covered Pd(x)C(y) surface". Above 540 K the surface-bulk diffusion of adsorbed carbon becomes fast, and in the UHV experiment the ethene adsorption rate becomes limited by the ethene gas-phase supply. The carbon bulk migration rate and the steady-state carbon surface coverage were determined as a function of the sample temperature and the ethene flux. An activation energy of 107 kJ mol(-1) for the process of C diffusion from surface adsorption sites into the subsurface region was derived in the temperature range of 400-650 K by modeling the C surface coverage as a function of temperature on the basis of steady-state reaction kinetics, assuming a first-order process for C surface-subsurface diffusion and a second-order process for C(ads) formation by dissociative C2H4 adsorption.     

Inverse temperature transition of a biomimetic elastin model: reactive flux analysis of folding/unfolding and its coupling to solvent dielectric relaxation

The inverse temperature transition (ITT) of a biomimetic model for elastin, capped GVG(VPGVG) in liquid water, is investigated by a comprehensive classical molecular dynamics study. The temperature dependence of the solvation structure and dynamics of the octapeptide are compared using three common force fields, CHARMM, GROMOS, and OPLS. While these force fields differ in quantitative detail, they all predict this octapeptide to undergo a "folding transition" to closed conformations upon heating and a subsequent "unfolding transition" to open conformations at still higher temperatures, thus reproducing the ITT scenario. The peptide kinetics is analyzed within the reactive flux formalism applied to the largest-amplitude mode extracted from principal component analysis, and the solvent's dielectric fluctuations are obtained from the total water dipole autocorrelations. Most importantly, preliminary evidence for an intimate coupling of peptide folding/unfolding dynamics, and thus the ITT, and dielectric relaxation of bulk water is given, possibly being consistent with a "slave mode" picture.     

Asymptotic Behavior of Solutions to the Cahn-Hilliard Equation in Spherically Symmetric Domains

The Cahn-Hilliard equation is a fourth-order parabolic partial differential equation that is one of the leading models for the study of phase separation in isothermal, isotropic, binary mixtures, such as molten alloys. The asymptotic behavior of solutions to the Cahn-Hilliard equation with Dirichlet boundary conditions and the associated stationary problem have been studied. In particular, it is proved that the only possible stable equilibrium solutions in spherically symmetric domains are spherically symmetric and monotone in the radial direction.     

Pseudo Halide Chemistry in Ionic Liquids with Decomposable Anions

Several pseudohalide containing ionic liquids with quarternary ammonium counter cations of the general formula [R₃MeN]X [R = ethyl ( 1X ), n‐butyl ( 2X ) with X^– = CN^–, N₃^–, OCN^–, and SCN^–] were synthesized by decomposition of the corresponding trialkylammonium methylcarbonate in the reaction with Me₃Si–X. We also treated 2CN with OP(OMe)₃, yielding [nBu₃MeN][O₂P(OMe)₂] and acetonitrile (Me‐CN). The double salt [nBu₃MeN]₂{[B(OMe)₃(CN)](CN)} was obtained from the reaction of 2CN with B(OMe)₃, featuring the formation of the monocyanotrimethoxyborate anion, [B(OMe)₃(CN)]^–, co‐crystallized with [nBu₃MeN]CN. [nBu₃MeN]₂{[B(OMe)₃(CN)](CN)} was fully characterized including structure elucidation.     

Evolution of Oxygen–Metal Electron Transfer and Metal Electronic States During Manganese Oxide Catalyzed Water Oxidation Revealed with In Situ Soft X‐Ray Spectroscopy

Manganese oxide (MnO_x) electrocatalysts are examined herein by in situ soft X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and resonant inelastic X‐ray scattering (RIXS) during the oxidation of water buffered by borate (pH 9.2) at potentials from 0.75 to 2.25 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode. Correlation of L‐edge XAS data with previous mechanistic studies indicates Mn^IV is the highest oxidation state involved in the catalytic mechanism. MnO_x is transformed into birnessite at 1.45 V and does not undergo further structural phase changes. At potentials beyond this transformation, RIXS spectra show progressive enhancement of charge transfer transitions from oxygen to manganese. Theoretical analysis of these data indicates increased hybridization of the Mn?O orbitals and withdrawal of electron density from the O ligand shell. In situ XAS experiments at the O K‐edge provide complementary evidence for such a transition. This step is crucial for the formation of O₂ from water.     

Negative Charging of Au Nanoparticles during Methanol Synthesis from CO2/H2 on a Au/ZnO Catalyst: Insights from Operando IR and Near‐Ambient‐Pressure XPS and XAS Measurements

The electronic and structural properties of Au/ZnO under industrial and idealized methanol synthesis conditions have been investigated. This was achieved by kinetic measurements in combination with time‐resolved operando infrared (DRIFTS) as well as in situ near‐ambient pressure X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (NAP‐XPS) and X‐ray absorption near‐edge spectroscopy (XANES) measurements at the O K‐edge together with high‐resolution electron microscopy. The adsorption of CO during the reaction revealed the presence of negatively charged Au nanoparticles/Au sites during the initial phase of the reaction. Near‐ambient‐pressure XPS and XANES demonstrate the build‐up of O vacancies during the reaction, which goes along with a substantial increase in the rate of methanol formation. The results are discussed in comparison with previous findings for Cu/ZnO and Au/ZnO catalysts.