Renormalization and conjugacy of piecewise linear Lorenz maps

We investigate the uniform piecewise linearizing question for a family of Lorenz maps. Let f be a piecewise linear Lorenz map with different slopes and positive topological entropy, we show that f is conjugate to a linear mod one transformation and the conjugacy admits a dichotomy: it is either bi-Lipschitz or singular depending on whether f is renormalizable or not. f is renormalizable if and only if its rotation interval degenerates to be a rational point. Furthermore, if the endpoints are periodic points with the same rotation number, then the conjugacy is quasisymmetric.     

Two novel polycyclic spiro lignans from Gymnotheca involucrata

Two novel lignans, gymnothespirolignans A (1) and B (2), possessing a rare polycyclic spiro skeleton, were isolated from the endemic plant of Gymnotheca involucrata Pei. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic evidences and the absolute configurations were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 showed promising antiviral activities against RSV with an IC₅₀ value of 31.87 and 17.51 μM, respectively.     

Self-calibration method for cerium-doped lanthanum bromide scintillator detector in the 0.1–2.0 MeV energy range

In recent years, the cerium-doped lanthanum bromide, LaBr₃ (Ce = 5 %) detector is increasingly playing an important role in radiation measurements because of its higher energy resolution (~3 % at 662 keV), faster luminescence decay time (~35 ns) and higher detection efficiency compared to 7.65 cm × 7.65 cm NaI(Tl) detector. Intrinsic spectra between 1,800 and 3,000 keV derived from internal radioactivity within LaBr₃(Ce) scintillators have been investigated in some literatures, and these results are confirmed by the experiments in this work. In this paper, a new method for LaBr₃(Ce) detector energy calibration from 100 to 2,000 keV is proposed using the intrinsic spectra (self-calibration) instead of the standard gamma sources. Proof-of-concept experiment results show that self-calibration can guarantee energy accuracy of better than 0.815 % and can be applied outside the laboratory. The stability and applicability of this method are also investigated systematically.     

A Furan-based Phosphaphenanthrene-containing Derivative as a Highly Efficient Flame-retardant Agent for Epoxy Thermosets without Deteriorating Thermomechanical Performances

In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, developing flame retardants from bio-based resources has aroused extensive interest in recent years. In this work, we utilized furfural(biomass) and 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide(DOPO) to synthesize a biobased co-curing agent(FGD) to combine with 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl methane(DDM) for obtaining a low-phosphorus loading flame-retardant epoxy thermosets. The introduction of FGD decreased the activation energy of the curing progress, enhanced the mechanical properties of the epoxy thermosets, and did not affect the glass transition temperature of the epoxy thermosets. EP-5.0 had a lower thermal degradation rate and a doubled char yield compared with EP-0. The phosphorus content of EP-5.0 was only 0.45 wt%, while EP-5.0 reached the UL-94 V-0 rating with a high LOI value of 32%. Compared with EP-0, the PHRR of EP-2.5 and EP-5.0 decreased by 22.3% and 31.3%, respectively. The SEM results showed that the addition of FGD made the char residues more uniform and denser, which could effectively prevent combustible volatiles from escaping from the degradation area to the flame area and isolate the heat transfer so that the epoxy thermosets had an excellent flame-retardant performance.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and electrochemical performance of Fe-doped Co hydroxide electrode materials

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - In order to meet the growing energy demand, it is of great significance to develop high-performance electrochemical energy storage materials. In this...     

Comparison of Nitrogen Activation on Trinuclear Niobium and Tungsten Sulfide Clusters Nb3Sn and W3Sn (n=0–3): A DFT Study

The reaction of N₂ with trinuclear niobium and tungsten sulfide clusters Nb₃S_n and W₃S_n (n=0–3) was systematically studied by density functional theory calculations with TPSS functional and Def2-TZVP basis sets. Dissociations of N−N bonds on these clusters are all thermodynamically allowed but with different reactivity in kinetics. The reactivity of Nb₃S_n is generally higher than that of W₃S_n. In the favorite reaction pathways, the adsorbed N₂ changes the adsorption sites from one metal atom to the bridge site of two metal atoms, then on the hollow site of three metal atoms, and at that place, the N−N bond dissociates. As the number of ligand S atoms increases, the reactivity of Nb₃S_n decreases because of the hindering effect of S atoms, while W₃S and W₃S₂ have the highest reactivity among four W₃S_n clusters. The Mayer bond order, bond length, vibrational frequency, and electronic charges of the adsorbed N₂ are analyzed along the reaction pathways to show the activation process of the N−N bond in reactions. The charge transfer from the clusters to the N₂ antibonding orbitals plays an essential role in N−N bond activation, which is more significant in Nb₃S_n than in W₃S_n, leading to the higher reactivity of Nb₃S_n. The reaction mechanisms found in this work may provide important theoretical guidance for the further rational design of related catalytic systems for nitrogen reduction reactions (NRR).     

Thermal behaviors and kinetic analysis of two natural kaolinite samples selected from Qingshuihe region in Inner Mongolia in China

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The thermal characteristic behaviors of two kaolinite samples selected from Qingshuihe region in Inner Mongolia in China were studied through...     

Real time microscopy, kinetics, and mechanism of giant fullerene evaporation

We report in situ high-resolution transmission electron microscopy observing the shrinkage of single-layer giant fullerenes (GF). At temperatures approximately 2000 degrees C, the GF volume reduces by greater than one 100-fold while the fullerene shell remains intact, evolving from a slightly polygonized to a nearly spherical shape with a smaller diameter. The number of carbon atoms in the GF decreases linearly with time until the small subbuckyball cage opens and rapidly disappears. Theoretical modeling indicates that carbon atoms are removed predominantly from the weakest binding energy sites, i.e., the pentagons, leading to the constant evaporation rate. The fullerene cage integrity is attributed to the collective behavior of interacting defects. These results constitute the first experimental evidence for the "shrink-wrapping" and "hot-giant" fullerene formation mechanisms.     

Evaluation of Poly(glycidyl methacrylate)-Coated Column for Enantioseparation with Azithromycin Lactobionate and Clindamycin Phosphate as Chiral Selectors in Capillary Electrophoresis

Chromatographia - In this study, a poly(glycidyl methacrylate) nanoparticle (PGMA NP)-coated column system with two antibiotics as selector was constructed for enantioseparation. The PGMA NP...