Pomegranate‐Inspired Design of Highly Active and Durable Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for Rechargeable Metal–Air Batteries

Rational design of highly active and durable electrocatalysts for oxygen reactions is critical for rechargeable metal–air batteries. Herein, we report the design and development of composite electrocatalysts based on transition metal oxide nanocrystals embedded in a nitrogen‐doped, partially graphitized carbon framework. Benefiting from the unique pomegranate‐like architecture, the composite catalysts possess abundant active sites, strong synergetic coupling, enhanced electron transfer, and high efficiencies in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The Co₃O₄‐based composite electrocatalyst exhibited a high half‐wave potential of 0.842 V for ORR, and a low overpotential of only 450 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm^?2 for OER. A single‐cell zinc–air battery was also fabricated with superior durability, holding great promise in the practical implementation of rechargeable metal–air batteries.     

Finite Groups Whose Second Maximal Subgroups are ℋ-QC-Subgroups

A group G is called an “?-QC-group” if for any element x of order 2 or 4 of G, ?x? ?y? = ?y? ?x? for all y in G. In this article, we investigate the structure of the groups G of the title. Suppose that G is non-2-closed and non-2-nilpotent, then it turns out that such a group is either S ₄ or a uniquely determined group of order 48 or A ₅ or SL(2,5). The corresponding problem for G 2-closed or 2-nilpotent is open but very difficult.     

Computing quasiconformal maps using an auxiliary metric and discrete curvature flow

Surface mapping plays an important role in geometric processing, which induces both area and angular distortions. If the angular distortion is bounded, the mapping is called a quasiconformal mapping (QC-Mapping). Many surface mappings in our physical world are quasiconformal. The angular distortion of a QC mapping can be represented by the Beltrami differentials. According to QC Teichmüller theory, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the set of Beltrami differentials and the set of QC surface mappings under normalization conditions. Therefore, every QC surface mapping can be fully determined by the Beltrami differential and reconstructed by solving the so-called Beltrami equation. In this work, we propose an effective method to solve the Beltrami equation on general Riemann surfaces. The solution is a QC mapping associated with the prescribed Beltrami differential. The main strategy is to define an auxiliary metric (AM) on the domain surface, such that the original QC mapping becomes conformal under the auxiliary metric. The desired QC-mapping can then be obtained by using the conventional conformal mapping method. In this paper, we first formulate a discrete analogue of QC mappings on triangular meshes. Then, we propose an algorithm to compute discrete QC mappings using the discrete Yamabe flow method. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first work to compute the discrete QC mappings for general Riemann surfaces, especially with different topologies. Numerically, the discrete QC mapping converges to the continuous solution as the mesh grid size approaches to 0. We tested our algorithm on surfaces scanned from real life with different topologies. Experimental results demonstrate the generality and accuracy of our auxiliary metric method.     

NaOH-catalyzed dimerization of monofunctionalized hydrofullerenes: transition-metal-free, general, and efficient synthesis of single-bonded [60]fullerene dimers

Unprecedented, transition-metal-free NaOH-catalyzed homo- and cross-dimerizations of monofunctionalized hydrofullerenes are reported. Various single-bonded fullerene dimers were synthesized under mild reaction conditions with remarkably high yields. The use of a NaOH catalyst combined with tetrahydrofuran as a cosolvent under an air atmosphere is critical in achieving highly efficient catalytic dimerization.     

含三苯胺基团的二噻吩乙烯光致变色化合物的合成及性能研究

以5-氯-2-甲基-3-乙酰基噻吩和二苯氨基苯甲醛为原料,经Aldol反应、Michael反应及McMurry反应,将光致变色单元和三苯胺基团结合起来,合成了三种二噻吩乙烯类光致变色化合物1a～1c,并通过MS,¹H NMR和¹³C NMR对其结构进行了表征.与以往主要从两侧噻吩环引入不同功能性基团的研究不同,本文将具有荧光性的三苯胺基团通过单键桥连至环戊烯β位上,在保持光致变色反应活性的同时,也避免其它功能性基团对二噻吩乙烯骨架的影响.通过紫外-可见吸收光谱和荧光光谱研究了其在溶液及聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯薄膜中的光致变色性能和荧光性能.在302 nm紫外光照射下,1a～1c的溶液和薄膜由无色变为黄色,并能快速达到光稳态;用450 nm蓝光照射时,能在较短时间内恢复至无色.在紫外光的激发下,1a～1c的最大荧光发射波长随着取代基R供电子效应的增强而增大;1a～1c在正己烷、甲苯和乙酸乙酯中具有较强的荧光,在乙腈中荧光较弱,而在氯仿中几乎没有荧光.在302 nm紫外光照射下,1a～1c的三苯胺基团和二噻吩环戊烯基团之间发生荧光共振能量转移,其荧光强度随着光照时间的延长逐渐降低,表明其具有作为荧光分子开关的潜力.     

Brain networks responsive to aversive visual stimuli in humans

The neural mechanisms subserving recognition of noxious stimuli and empathy for pain appear to involve at least in part the cortical regions associated with the processing of pain affect. An important issue concerns the specificity of brain networks associated with observing and representing painful conditions, in comparison with other unpleasant stimuli. Recently, we found both similarities and differences between the brain patterns of activity related to the observation of noxious or disgusting stimuli delivered to one hand or foot. Overlap regions included the perigenual anterior cingulate (pACC), whose activity was related to the perceived unpleasantness. We aimed here at revealing how pACC functional connectivity changes in relationship to the different experimental conditions, using a psychophysiological interaction model. Activity in pACC during the observation of painful stimuli was specifically and positively related to regions in the right hemisphere, including portions of the prefrontal, midcingulate and insular cortex. On the other hand, positive changes in pACC connectivity during the vision of disgusting stimuli were present in the right basal ganglia. These data suggest that pACC activity is part of different networks involved in the recognition of painful or disgusting stimuli.     

Hydrogenated diamond-like carbon film deposited on UHMWPE by RF-PECVD

In this work, investigations were conducted to analyze the properties of diamond-like carbon (DLC) film deposited on ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) by radio frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (RF-PECVD) at a low temperature of 50 °C. Composition and structure of the films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy. Hardness and wettability of the film were tested. Tribological characterizations were carried out on a universal micro-tribometer, and reciprocating friction against ZrO₂ ball was adopted with 25% bovine serum as lubrication. Results show that DLC film was successfully deposited on UHMWPE surface by RF-PECVD and the sp³ content was about 20% in the film. The film increased the macrohardness of the substrate by about 42% and the wettability was improved too. Tribology test showed a higher friction coefficient but a much smaller wear volume after the deposition due to the surface roughening and strengthening.     

Particulate matter (PM10) from São Carlos-SP (Brazil): spectroanalytical techniques to evaluate and determine chemical elements

Chemical composition of PM10 was studied during the period of 2014–2015 in the city of São Carlos, Brazil (‘Dos Voluntários’ Square). PM10 samples were directly analysed by wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence – WD-XRF (Al, Ca, Ce, Cl, Fe, K, Mg, P, S, Si, Ti, V, and Zn), and by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy – LIBS (Ba, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Si and Ti) both for qualitative purposes. For quantitative analysis of Al, Ba, Ca, Fe, K, Na, S, and Zn, the analytes were extracted from samples of PM10 collected, in filters of glass fibre, with an extractive acid solution (HNO₃ and HCl) and determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry – ICP OES. Spatial variations of elemental concentrations (ng m^–3) were significantly higher in winter Al (19.0), Ba (13.6), Ca (20.0), Na (27.0), S (37.1), and Zn (9.5), autumn showed the highest concentration of Na (26.4), spring showed the highest concentration of Fe (11.6), K (13.1) and also S (25.3) and summer did not show a high concentration in the comparison between the seasons at the site. Using principal component analysis (PCA), as a data interpretation tool, with the data obtained by the WD-XRF and LIBS it was not possible to obtain a good correlation, but with the data of ICP OES, it was possible to verify correlations between identified and determinate elements, with samples collected in the autumn, winter, spring and summer seasons in the city of São Carlos. These associated analytical techniques were excellent tools in environmental monitoring, through the analysis of PM10 samples, presenting reliable and efficiency strategy, and based on the PCA and the EF equation was possible to draw the profile of the possible origins of these elements in the city.     

功能梯度与均匀圆板弯曲解的线性转换关系

基于一阶剪切理论, 研究了功能梯度材料圆板与均匀圆板轴对称弯曲解之间的线性转换关系. 通过理论分析和比较 功能梯度材料圆板和均匀圆板在一阶剪切理论下的位移形式的轴对称弯曲控制方程, 发现了功能梯度材料圆板的转角与均匀圆板的转角之间的相似转换关系. 在假设材料性质沿板厚连续变化的情况下, 给出了相似转换系数的解析表达式. 在此基础上, 进一步导出了一阶剪切理论下功能梯度圆板的挠度与经典理论下, 均匀圆板的挠度之间的线性关系. 从而, 可将功能梯度材料圆板在一阶剪切理论下的弯曲问题求解, 转化为相应均匀薄圆板在经典理论下的弯曲问题求解, 以及转换系数的计算问题. 这一方法为功能梯度非均匀中厚度圆板的求解提供了简捷途径, 而且更便于工程应用. 作为例子, 采用上述方法分别求得了周边简支和夹紧条件下, 梯度圆板在均布横向载荷作用下的弯曲解析解, 该解答与Reddy得到的结果完全吻合.      

受均布载荷压杆后屈曲形态的数值计算

对受均布载荷压杆的屈曲及后屈曲行为进行了分析.基于杆的大变形理论,考虑杆的轴向伸长,建立了受均布载荷作用下细长压杆的几何非线性平衡方程.采用打靶法和解析延拓法数值求解非线性两点边值问题,得到了杆的后屈曲平衡路径和平衡构形.