Spectrokinetic study of the mechanism of NO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> reduction with propylene over ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> in excess oxygen

It has been demonstrated by quantitative spectrokinetic measurements that, on the surface of zirconia stabilized as a tetragonal phase, the rate-limiting step of the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides (SCR of NO _x ) with propylene is the interaction of surface nitrates with C₃H₆ yielding organic nitro compounds. It is hypothesized that propylene reacts not with the nitrates themselves but with the activated complex NO₂ ^ads whose structure is intermediate between the structures of the monodentate NO₃ ^? and NO₂ species. Deep C₃H₆ oxidation exerts an adverse effect on the rate of the SCR of NO _x with propylene, and the interaction between O₂ and NO, which yields NO₂ and NO₃ ^? stimulates further nitrogen reduction to N₂. The effect of the reaction between oxygen and O₂N?C _n H _m on the NO _x reduction rate is variable and is determined by the C₃H₆/NO _x ratio. A generalized scheme of the SCR of NO _x with propylene on the surface of ZrO₂ partially stabilized as a tetragonal phase has been developed by comparing experimental data of this study and data available from the literature.     

Structural and magnetic inhomogeneity, phase transitions, magnetoresonance and magnetoresistive properties of La0.6 − x Pr x Sr0.3Mn1.1O3 (x = 0–0.6)

Ceramic samples of manganite perovskites La_{0.6 ? x} Pr _x Sr_0.3Mn_1.1O₃ (x = 0?0.6) have been studied using the X-ray diffraction, resistive, magnetic (χ_ac, ⁵⁵Mn NMR), microscopic, and magnetoresistive methods. It has been found that an increase in the praseodymium concentration x leads to a transition from the rhombohedral R $\bar 3$ c (x = 0–0.3) to orthorhombic Pbnm (x = 0.4–0.6) perovskite structure. It has been shown that the real perovskite structure contains anion and cation vacancies, whose concentrations increase with an increase in the praseodymium concentration x. A decrease in the metal-insulator phase transition temperature T _mi and the ferromagnetic-paramagnetic phase transition temperature T _c with increasing x correlates with an increase in the concentration of vacancies weakening the high-frequency electronic exchange Mn³⁺ ? Mn⁴⁺. For compositions with x = 0 and 0.1, when the lattice contains not only vacancies but also nanostructured clusters with Mn²⁺ in the A-positions, there is an anomalous hysteresis. An analysis of the asymmetrically broadened ⁵⁵Mn NMR spectra of the compounds has revealed a high-frequency electronic exchange of the ions Mn³⁺ Mn⁴⁺ in the B-positions and a local heterogeneity of their surrounding by other ions (La²⁺, Pr³⁺, Sr²⁺) and vacancies. The phase diagram has demonstrated that there is a strong correlation between the composition, imperfection of the perovskite structure, phase transition temperatures T _mi and T _c , and magnetoresistive properties.     

Encapsulation of anionic guests in a new hydantoinylamido molecular capsule

Resorcin[4]arene-based tetrakis(N-hydantoinylamido)cavitand 1 forms a stable molecular capsule in the presence of suitable anionic guests such as CH(3)OSO(3)(-) or BF(4)(-) in C(2)D(2)Cl(4). Molecular capsule G(2)@1(2) is stabilized by the eight intermolecular imide N-H···O═C hydrogen bondings, two from each four paired hydantoinyl units, and the eight intramolecular amide N-H···O-CH(2)-O hydrogen bondings, four on each two cavitands. The formations of molecular capsules were confirmed by (1)H, 2D NOESY, and 2D-DOSY NMR.     

Methanol conversion over CuO supported on CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>: An in situ IR spectroscopic study

The main reactions yielding hydrogen are the recombination of hydrogen atoms on copper clusters and methyl formate decomposition. Methyl formate results from the interaction between the linear methoxy group and the formate complex located on CuO. The source of CO₂ appearing in the gas phase is the formate complex, and the source of CO is methyl formate. The rates of methoxy group conversion and product formation over supports (ZrO₂, CeO₂, Ce_0.8Zr_0.2O₂) and copper-containing catalysts (5%Cu/CeO₂, 5%Cu/ZrO₂, 2%Cu/Ce_0.8Zr_0.2O₂, 2%Cu/Ce_0.1Y_0.1Zr_0.8) are compared. The dominant process in methoxy group conversion over the supports and copper-containing catalysts is methanol decomposition to H₂ and CO and to H₂ and CO₂, respectively. The methoxy group conversion rate is proportional to the H₂ and CO₂ formation rate and is determined by the concentration of supported copper.     

Fermions in anisotropic harmonic trap

We study a few properties of fermions in an anisotropic harmonic trap in absence as well as in presence of an optical lattice. The density of states (DOS) and specific heat of the fermions are studied for different anisotropies. Analytical expressions for the DOS in a strongly anisotropic harmonic trap are derived. For a particular combined potential, where the fermions are hopping in a 3D lattice under a 2D harmonic potential, the Drude weight of the fermionic system is evaluated. The Drude weight is found to be flat in a wide range of fermion concentrations where it is almost temperature independent.     

Properties of surface compounds in methanol conversion on copper-containing catalysts based on CeO2 according to in situ IR-spectroscopic data

Formate and carbonate complexes and bridging and linear methoxy groups were detected on the surfaces of CeO₂ and 5.0% Cu/CeO₂ under the reaction conditions of methanol conversion using IR spectroscopy. The reaction products were H₂, methyl formate, CO, CO₂, and H₂O. The bridging and linear methoxy groups were the sources of formation of bi- and monodentate formate complexes, respectively. Methyl formate was formed as a result of the interaction of the linear methoxy group and the formate complex. The study demonstrated that the recombination of hydrogen atoms on copper clusters and the decomposition of methyl formate were the main reactions of hydrogen formation. Formate and carbonate complexes were the source of CO₂ formation in the gas phase, and the decomposition of methyl formate was the source of CO. It was found that the addition of water vapor to the reaction flow considerably decreased the rate of CO formation at a constant yield of hydrogen. The effects of water vapor and oxygen on the course of surface reactions and the formation of products are discussed. To explain the mechanism of methanol conversion, a scheme of surface reactions is proposed.     

Effect of structural transformation and deformation nonlinearity on the stability of a shape memory alloy rod

Within the framework of a model of nonlinear deformations of shape memory alloys (SMA) under phase and structural transformations and for different statements of the problem, an analytical solution of the problem of stability of an SMA rod undergoing a direct martensitic phase transformation under the action of a compressive load is obtained. It is shown that taking account of the nonlinearity of the deformation process and structural transformation in the transition into the adjacent form of equilibrium significantly changes the solution for sufficiently flexible rods. At the same time, taking into account the strains developed in a phase transition is topical for thick-walled SMA elements.     

Fecal microbiota transplantation ameliorates atherosclerosis in mice with C1q/TNF-related protein 9 genetic deficiency

Despite the strong influence of the gut microbiota on atherosclerosis, a causal relationship between atherosclerosis pathophysiology and gut microbiota is still unverified. This study was performed to determine the impact of the gut microbiota on the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis caused by genetic deficiency. To elucidate the influence of the gut microbiota on atherosclerosis pathogenesis, an atherosclerosis-prone mouse model (C1q/TNF-related protein 9-knockout (CTRP9-KO) mice) was generated. The gut microbial compositions of CTRP9-KO and WT control mice were compared. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was performed to confirm the association between gut microbial composition and the progression of atherosclerosis. FMT largely affected the gut microbiota in both CTRP9-KO and WT mice, and all transplanted mice acquired the gut microbiotas of the donor mice. Atherosclerotic lesions in the carotid arteries were decreased in transplanted CTRP9-KO mice compared to CTRP9-KO mice prior to transplantation. Conversely, WT mice transplanted with the gut microbiotas of CTRP9-KO mice showed the opposite effect as that of CTRP9-KO mice transplanted with the gut microbiotas of WT mice. Here, we show that CTRP9 gene deficiency is related to the distribution of the gut microbiota in subjects with atherosclerosis. Transplantation of WT microbiotas into CTRP9-KO mice protected against the progression of atherosclerosis. Conversely, the transplantation of CTRP9-KO microbiotas into WT mice promoted the progression of atherosclerosis. Treating atherosclerosis by restoring gut microbial homeostasis may be an effective therapeutic strategy.Subject terms: Atherosclerosis, Experimental models of disease, Mechanisms of disease