Water-based Synthesis and Properties of a Scandium 1,4-Naphthalenedicarboxylate

A new scandium naphthalenedicarboxylate with the framework composition [Sc₂(1,4-NDC)₃] (H₂-1,4-NDC = 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid) was obtained under hydrothermal synthesis conditions. A structure model could be developed by a combination of 3D electron diffraction measurements and computationally assisted structure determination, which was further validated by a good agreement with the experimental powder X-ray diffraction pattern. The structure consists of isolated ScO₆ octahedra interconnected by the carboxylate groups of linker molecules to form chains. These chains are connected by the naphthalene-moieties to form a three-dimensional framework with square-shaped pores and the organic group pointing into the pores. Although very similar synthesis conditions were chosen, [Sc₂(1,4-NDC)₃] is not isostructural to aluminum naphthalenedicarboxylate [Al(OH)(1,4-NDC)], which crystallizes in a MIL-53 type structure. This can be traced back to the different inorganic building units that are observed. The compound was thoroughly characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, sorption measurements, thermogravimetric analysis and luminescence measurements. [Sc₂(1,4-NDC)₃] exhibits a high thermal stability and a ligand-based blue luminescence in the solid state at room temperature.     

Observations and theories of quantum effects in proton transfer electrode processes

Quantum tunneling effects play an important role in a variety of chemical reactions considerably affecting the reaction rates via opening the classically forbidden paths and emerging as highly efficient or selective processes. However, in the case of electrochemical reactions, quantum tunneling effects are less investigated due to complicated nature of chemical interactions at the electrified interfaces. In this review, we summarize the experimental/theoretical concept of electrochemical quantum proton tunneling (EQPT), which is a key element in microscopic electrode processes. First, we review the experimental observations of EQPT, and next, we discuss possible theoretical pictures of the process. This review shows that a combination of a wide spectrum of scientific efforts is required to understand microscopic mechanism of EQPT including development of the precise electrochemistry-oriented experimental techniques and methodologies, formulation of the appropriate theoretical models for specific systems, and performance of the advanced computational simulations.     

Phytochemical Analysis and Habitat Suitability Mapping of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Collected in the Hatay Region of Turkey

The growth and quality of licorice depend on various environmental factors, including the local climate and soil properties; therefore, its cultivation is often unsuccessful. The current study investigated the key factors that affect the contents of bioactive compounds of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. root and estimated suitable growth zones from collection sites in the Hatay region of Turkey. The contents of three bioactive compounds (glycyrrhizic acid, glabridin, and liquiritin), soil factors (pH, soil bearing capacity, and moisture content), and geographical information (slope, aspect, curvature, elevation, and hillshade) were measured. Meteorological data (temperature and precipitation) were also obtained. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) were performed on the data. The soil bearing capacity, moisture content, slope, aspect, curvature, and elevation of the study area showed statistically significant effects on the glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin contents. A habitat suitability zone map was generated using a GIS-based frequency ratio (FR) model with spatial correlations to the soil, topographical, and meteorological data. The final map categorized the study area into four zones: very high (15.14%), high (31.50%), moderate (40.25%), and low suitability (13.11%). High suitability zones are recommended for further investigation and future cultivation of G. glabra.     

Intramolecular Benzyne–Phenolate [4+2] Cycloadditions

An intramolecular benzyne–phenolate [4+2] cycloaddition is reported. Benzyne precursors, having vicinal halogen‐sulfonate functionalities, linked with a phenol(ate) by various tether groups undergo efficient intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition by treatment with either Ph₃MgLi or nBuLi for halogen–metal exchange to form various benzobarrelenes.     

Cyclization reaction of polyacrylonitrile and poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) studied by PVT measurements

Pressure, volume, temperature (PVT) measurements reveal that during the intramolecular cyclization reaction of poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) and poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (SAN) the volume decreases. This volume contraction becomes smaller with increasing styrene content in the random copolymers and should be related to the simultaneous decrease of longer acrylonitrile homo-sequences. The onset temperature of the cyclization reaction is raised with higher styrene contents in the random copolymers. Thus, it can be excluded that the cyclization reaction has a major influence on the discoloration process of SAN samples having relatively small acrylonitrile contents (less than 50 mol-%) during thermal annealing below 300°C.     

NANOMECHANICAL MAPPING OF CARBON BLACK REINFORCED NATURAL RUBBER BY ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY

Atomic force microscopy （AFM） has the advantage of obtaining mechanical properties as well as topographic information at the same time. By analyzing force-distance curves measured over two-dimensional area using Hertzian contact mechanics, Young＇s modulus mapping was obtained with nanometer-scale resolution. Furthermore, the sample deformation by the force exerted was also estimated from the force-distance curve analyses. We could thus reconstruct a real topographic image by incorporating apparent topographic image with deformation image. We applied this method to carbon black reinforced natural rubber to obtain Young＇s modulus distribution image together with reconstructed real topographic image. Then we were able to recognize three regions; rubber matrix, carbon black （or bound rubber） and intermediate regions. Though the existence of these regions had been investigated by pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance, this paper would be the first to report on the quantitative evaluation of the interfacial region in real space.     

Cu-DNAzyme facilitates highly sensitive immunoassay

A simple Cu-DNAzyme system is used for signal transduction of a CuO nanoparticle-labeled immunoassay, which makes the immunoassay fast, simple, cost-effective, and sensitive, thus promising for biomedical applications and point-of-care testing.     

Dynamics of ice nucleation on water repellent surfaces

Prevention of ice accretion and adhesion on surfaces is relevant to many applications, leading to improved operation safety, increased energy efficiency, and cost reduction. Development of passive nonicing coatings is highly desirable, since current antiicing strategies are energy and cost intensive. Superhydrophobicity has been proposed as a lead passive nonicing strategy, yet the exact mechanism of delayed icing on these surfaces is not clearly understood. In this work, we present an in-depth analysis of ice formation dynamics upon water droplet impact on surfaces with different wettabilities. We experimentally demonstrate that ice nucleation under low-humidity conditions can be delayed through control of surface chemistry and texture. Combining infrared (IR) thermometry and high-speed photography, we observe that the reduction of water-surface contact area on superhydrophobic surfaces plays a dual role in delaying nucleation: first by reducing heat transfer and second by reducing the probability of heterogeneous nucleation at the water-substrate interface. This work also includes an analysis (based on classical nucleation theory) to estimate various homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation rates in icing situations. The key finding is that ice nucleation delay on superhydrophobic surfaces is more prominent at moderate degrees of supercooling, while closer to the homogeneous nucleation temperature, bulk and air-water interface nucleation effects become equally important. The study presented here offers a comprehensive perspective on the efficacy of textured surfaces for nonicing applications.     

一种基于新型小波包阈值的图像去噪方法

提出了一种基于小波包理论去除图像噪声的方法,用小波包把图像分解为高频分量和低频分量,根据高频分量估计噪声的标准差,并利用该标准差以及Birge-Massart惩罚函数计算阈值.鉴于传统软硬阈值的缺陷,采用一种新型阈值量化方法,用三次多项式在硬阈值的基础上插值,使新的阈值函数保持了连续性和可导性.通过这种方法既消除了图像的振铃现象,又保留了细节成分.实验表明：与传统方法相比,新方法使图像视觉效果和峰值信噪比均获得提高.     

Computer simulation model for the prediction of traffic noise levels

This paper describes a computer simulation model capable of predicting the noise levels generated by traffic passing through road intersections controlled by roundabouts where departures from free-flow traffic conditions occur. The model depends for its operation on the acoustical and flow characteristics of single vehicles travelling on a road from which the overall noise generated by traffic streams can be deduced using a sampling/integration technique. Distance effects, ground cover, vehicle type, velocity and headway characteristics, etc. are taken into account in the model and the simplest possible input parameters are used deliberately to facilitate the eventual use of the model by highway and planning authorities. Good agreement has been achieved between measured and predicted L₁₀ values for freely flowing traffic negotiating roundabouts. Further applications of the model involving road intersections controlled by traffic lights and the effect of traffic queues are nearing completion.