Water-induced formation of an alkali-ion dimer in cryptomelane nanorods

Tunneled metal oxides such as α-Mn₈O₁₆ (hollandite) have proven to be compelling candidates for charge-storage materials in high-density batteries. In particular, the tunnels can support one-dimensional chains of K⁺ ions (which act as structure-stabilizing dopants) and H₂O molecules, as these chains are favored by strong H-bonds and electrostatic interactions. In this work, we examine the role of water molecules in enhancing the stability of K⁺-doped α-Mn₈O₁₆ (cryptomelane). The combined experimental and theoretical analyses show that for high enough concentrations of water and tunnel-ions, H₂O displaces K⁺ ions from their natural binding sites. This displacement becomes energetically favorable due to the formation of K²⁺ dimers, thereby modifying the stoichiometric charge of the system. These findings have potentially significant technological implications for the consideration of cryptomelane as a Li⁺/Na⁺ battery electrode. Our work establishes the functional role of water in altering the energetics and structural properties of cryptomelane, an observation that has frequently been overlooked in previous studies.

Water displaces potassium ions and initiates the formation of a homonuclear dimer ion (K²⁺) in the tunnels of hollandite.     

Biodegradation of Tetracycline Under Various Conditions and Effects on Microbial Community

Five hundred tons of antibiotics are consumed yearly in the world. In this study, the biodegradation characteristics of tetracycline (TET) under nitrate-reducing, sulfate-reducing, and methanogenic conditions were determined by batch tests. Also, effects of TET on mixed microbial cultures were revealed by microbiological analysis. In this scope, gas generation and composition, dissolved organic carbon, and electron acceptor concentrations were monitored during 120 days. Additionally, changes on quantities of specific microbial groups were determined by Q-PCR. TET showed non-biodegradable behavior under nitrate- and sulfate-reducing conditions, whereas slightly biodegradable behavior under methanogenic conditions approximately 46 % degradation. The effects of TET on the abundance of mixed culture varied according to taxonomic units. Sulfate-reducing bacteria were inhibited by TET, while archaeal, bacterial, and methanogenic populations were not affected significantly.     

Phosphine‐ and Hydrogen‐Free: Highly Regioselective Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Hydroaminomethylation of Olefins

A highly regioselective ruthenium‐catalyzed hydroaminomethylation of olefins is reported. Using easily available trirutheniumdodecacarbonyl an efficient sequence consisting of a water‐gas shift reaction, hydroformylation of olefins, with subsequent imine or enamine formation and final reduction is realized. This novel procedure is highly practical (ligand‐free, one pot) and economic (low catalyst loading and inexpensive metal). Bulk industrial as well as functionalized olefins react with various amines to give the corresponding tertiary amines generally in high yields (up to 92 %), excellent regioselectivities (n/iso>99:1), and full chemoselectivity in favor of terminal olefins.     

Comparative Studies of Cathodically-Promoted and Base-Catalyzed Michael Addition Reactions of Levoglucosenone

Regioselective Michael addition of nitro and heterocyclic compounds to levoglucosenone, 1, is effectively catalyzed by amines and also by cathodic electrolysis. In comparison to the base-catalyzed reaction, it was found that under electrochemical conditions the reaction proceeds under milder conditions and with higher yields. Cathodically-initiated Michael addition of thiols to levoglucosenone using small currents produces the previously unknown threo addition product in several instances. The normal erythro isomer, identified as the kinetic product, tends to be formed when large currents are used. In contrast, slow, low current electrolyses promote equilibration of the two forms so that erythro can be converted to threo by the retro reaction and readdition. Addition of 2-naphthalenethiol to (R)-(+)-apoverbenone is also reported.     

Nonexistence of global solutions for a class of sequential fractional differential inequalities

We provide sufficient conditions for the non-existence of global solutions for a certain class of sequential fractional differential inequalities involving Riemann-Liouville left-sided fractional derivatives with different orders. To the best of our knowledge, the study of non-existence of solutions for fractional differential problems with sequential fractional derivatives has not been investigated until now. Our approach is based on the test function method.     

Structures of products of the reaction of dimethylsulfonium phenacylide with benzylidenecyanoacetamide

Benzylidenecyanoacetamide reacted with dimethylsulfonium phenacylide to form 2-benzoyl-1-cyano-3-phenylcyclopropanecarboxamide and a product of its intramolecular cyclization,viz., a derivative of 3-azabicyclo[3.2.1]hexan-2-one. The structures of the products were established by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Soe fractional integral inequalities involving $$\varvec{}$$-convex functions

In this paper, some fractional integral inequalities involving m-convex functions are established. The presented results are generalizations of the obtained inequalities in Dragomir and Toader (Babe?-Bolyai Math 38:21–28, 1993).     

An axiomatization of the egalitarian solutions

The egalitarian solutions for general cooperative games which were defined and axiomatized by Kalai and Samet, are compared to the Harsanyi solution. It is shown that axioms used by Hart to characterize the Harsanyi solution can be used to characterize the (symmetric) egalitarian solution. The only changes needed are the omission of the scale covariance axiom and the inclusion, in the domain of the solution, of games which lack a certain smoothness requirement.