Effect of sintering temperature on the transport properties of La2Ce2O7 ceramic materials

La₂Ce₂O₇ (LCO) based materials are of a paramount importance since they can be utilized for ammonium production, thermal barrier application, catalysts, hydrogen production and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). In this work, a nano crystalline LCO powder was prepared using glycine-nitrate combustion method and then its properties were comprehensively characterized. The structural analysis of the synthesized LCO was carried out using conventional X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. In a disordered phase, LCO is a biphasic mixture composed of C- and F-type phases. Densification studies were performed by sintering LCO pellets at different sintering temperatures. A densification of ≥95% was observed in all the samples with a very little variation. Sintering temperature had a marked effect on the electrical conductivity of LCO. The LCO sintered at 1100 °C showed the highest conductivity (3.68 mS/cm at 700 °C in air). The electrical conductivity was found to be decreasing with an increase in sintering temperature from 1100 to 1400 °C. To understand the behavior, the analysis of distribution function of relaxation times (DFRTs) utilized for correct separation of grain and grain boundary resistances. The presence of C- and F- type phases calculated from Raman spectra plays a crucial role in deciding conduction behavior of LCO. The results suggest a strong relationship between history of the ceramics preparation and their electrical properties.     

Notwendigkeit und Vermarktung von Flexibilitätsoptionen im Energiesystem der Zukunft

Demands on production, distribution and consumption of electrical energy change fundamentally with the energy revolution. Energy purchasing costs for inflexible consumers are rising and proceeds of inflexible producers are sinking. Companies are able to reduce costs by marketing operational flexibility options. This article sets out the need of flexibility in the energy system and the new marketing options. Flexibility potentials within infrastructure plants of a chemical park are analyzed, evaluated regarding marketing and activated in the presented research project FlexChemistry.     

Chemical Bonding by the Chemical Orthogonal Space of Reactivity

The fashionable Parr–Pearson (PP) atoms-in-molecule/bonding (AIM/AIB) approach for determining the exchanged charge necessary for acquiring an equalized electronegativity within a chemical bond is refined and generalized here by introducing the concepts of chemical power within the chemical orthogonal space (COS) in terms of electronegativity and chemical hardness. Electronegativity and chemical hardness are conceptually orthogonal, since there are opposite tendencies in bonding, i.e., reactivity vs. stability or the HOMO-LUMO middy level vs. the HOMO-LUMO interval (gap). Thus, atoms-in-molecule/bond electronegativity and chemical hardness are provided for in orthogonal space (COS), along with a generalized analytical expression of the exchanged electrons in bonding. Moreover, the present formalism surpasses the earlier Parr–Pearson limitation to the context of hetero-bonding molecules so as to also include the important case of covalent homo-bonding. The connections of the present COS analysis with PP formalism is analytically revealed, while a numerical illustration regarding the patterning and fragmentation of chemical benchmarking bondings is also presented and fundamental open questions are critically discussed.     

渣油催化临氢热转化钼铁双金属催化剂的研究

Replacement of precious single metal catalysts with cost-effective, highly-dispersed composite catalysts for catalytic hydrothermal conversion of residue holds tremendous promise for the residue upgrading technologies. Organic metals were added to the feed as the oil-soluble precursors, and transformed into the catalytic active phases in this work. Physical properties and structures of the composite catalysts had been investigated by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscopy. The composite catalysts were found to be highly efficient in the catalytic hydrothermal conversion of both model compound and residue. Increased metal dispersion and synergistic effects of two metals played indispensable roles in such catalytic system. Results showed that under the test conditions in the article, the catalyst had the best catalytic performance when the mass ratio of molybdenum to iron was 1.5.     

基于QoE感知的星地一体化网络公平资源分配策略

星地一体化网络是卫星网络和地面网络互联，实现卫星网络和地面网络优势互补的一体化网络。随着无线通信的快速发展，卫星网络和地面网络的同频复用技术可有效提升资源利用效率，满足日益增长的无线数据业务需求。但由于无线数据业务类型的多样化和频谱资源的稀缺性，如何实现用户数据服务的服务体验质量（Quality of experience， QoE）和公平性提升也成为星地一体化网络亟待解决的关键问题。本文综合考虑信道时变性、服务体验多样性和服务公平性，提出了一种基于QoE感知的星地一体化网络资源分配策略。为此，将目标问题描述为基于时间平均的服务体验质量的网络公平效用最大化，并利用李雅普诺夫优化理论，将复杂的动态原始优化问题进一步转化并分解为3个瞬时优化子问题，每个子问题可以在每个时隙独立求解。同时，由于无线资源分配为典型的非凹混合组合优化问题，推导了一个低复杂度的两步算法来求解第三个资源分配子问题。仿真结果揭示了在不同的公平性参数下用户的长时QoE与公平性之间的折衷情况。     

Controlled synthesis of Ag2O/g-C3N4 heterostructures using soft and hard templates for efficient and enhanced visible-light degradation of ciprofloxacin

Pluronic 31R1 surfactant and MCM-41 silica were used to fabricate mesoporous Ag₂O/g-C₃N₄ heterostructures with improved surface areas. The fabricated mesoporous nanocomposite was used to photo oxidize ciprofloxacin. The TEM images of Ag₂O/g-C₃N₄ indicated a uniform dispersion of spherical approximately 4-nm Ag₂O nanoparticles on g-C₃N₄. The mesoporous 0.9% Ag₂O@g-C₃N₄ heterostructure exhibited 100% efficiency in ciprofloxacin oxidation within 60 min when compared with the 25% efficiency in 120 min of pure mesoporous Ag₂O and 10% efficiency in 120 min of pure g-C₃N₄. The highest ciprofloxacin oxidation efficiency achieved was 100%, which was four and ten times better than those of Ag₂O and g-C₃N₄, respectively. This superior performance of the mesoporous Ag₂O/g-C₃N₄ was attributed to the high dispersion of nano-sized mesoporous Ag₂O particles on the g-C₃N₄ surface, narrow bandgap, and significantly high surface areas. The powerful interaction between Ag₂O and g-C₃N₄ ensured robust durability of Ag₂O/g-C₃N₄ heterostructures, which is evident in the fact that five recycling trials of the photocatalyst rendered a minimal loss of efficiency.     

1,2,4-Oxadiazole Topsentin Analogs with Antiproliferative Activity against Pancreatic Cancer Cells,Targeting GSK3β Kinase

A new series of topsentin analogs, in which the central imidazole ring of the natural lead was replaced by a 1,2,4-oxadiazole moiety, was efficiently synthesized. All derivatives were pre-screened for antiproliferative activity against the National Cancer Institute (NCI-60) cell lines panel. The five most potent compounds were further investigated in various pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cell lines, including SUIT-2, Capan-1, and Panc-1 cells, eliciting EC₅₀ values in the micromolar and sub-micromolar range, associated with significant reduction of cell migration. These remarkable results might be explained by the effects of these new topsentin analogues on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers, including SNAIL-1/2 and metalloproteinase-9. Moreover, flow cytometric analysis after Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide staining demonstrated that these derivatives enhanced apoptosis of PDAC cells. Keeping with these data, the PathScan intracellular signaling and ELISA array revealed cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP and a significant inhibition of GSK3β phosphorylation, suggesting this kinase as a potential downstream target of our novel compounds. This was further supported by a specific assay for the evaluation of GSK3β activity, showing IC₅₀ values for the most active compounds against this enzyme in the micromolar range.     

新工科背景下电子通信专业“人工智能技术基础”课程改革实践

人工智能技术已经成为新一轮科技革命的重要驱动力量，这要求电子、通信等非计算机专业的人才培养引入针对性强的人工智能课程教学。本文针对新工科背景下电子、通信专业“人工智能技术基础”课程存在的问题进行课程改革，从授课和实验两个环节入手，分别从教学内容、教学方法和考核办法三个方面提出了具体的改革举措，并在“人工智能技术基础”课程中进行了实践，激发了学生的学习热情，拓展了学生的专业视野，提高了学生的实践创新能力，取得了良好的教学效果。为了进一步培养电子、通信学科交叉型AI人才，该课程选拔优秀学生开展丰富的人工智能课外实践活动，进一步提升学生的实践创新能力。     

Community involvement critical for revitalization: Grass-roots initiative key to environmental remediation and restoration in the Great River (St. Lawrence River)

This paper describes the creation of an environmentally conscious community group, the Great River Network, and the role that it has played in the remediation and restoration process as part of one of the Great Lakes environmental programs. Community engagement was initiated in the region as part of the Remedial Action Plan for the Area of Concern at Cornwall/Akwesasne/Massena within the Upper St. Lawrence River. The community group formalised as a network representing 50+ organisations in response to perceived inadequacies in the agency of the community to respond to new environmental concerns outside of the scope of the existing programs. As a grass-roots initiative, the Great River Network has successfully completed remediation and restoration actions of significant value to the environment. These include a series of river clean ups (>42 tonnes of garbage removed), fish habitat restoration, and addressing shoreline erosion issues. Success has been achieved through partnering with a range of organisations, including Indigenous, non-profit, governmental, Conservation Authorities, businesses and industry partners. The action-oriented approach showcases how remediation and restoration led by, and embedded in, the community can result in true revitalization. A simplified framework for adaptive management practices for remediation and restoration efforts that lead to revitalization, including knowledge translation, is proposed. This case study highlights the transformational opportunities that remediation and restoration initiatives can bring. In this instance, the process is intensely local and cooperative and lays the foundation for moving towards a collective impact approach for the region.