Highly dispersed cobalt nanoparticles onto nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets for efficient hydrogen generation via catalytic hydrolysis of sodium borohydride

Porous carbon nanostructures are promising supports for stabilizing the highly dispersed metal nanoparticles and facilitating the mass transfer during the reaction, which are critical to achieve the high efficiency of hydrogen generation from sodium borohydride dehydrogenation. Herein, the catalytically active porous architectures are simply prepared by using 2-methylimidazole and melamine as reactive sources. The structural and compositional characterizations reveal the coexistence of metallic cobalt and N-doped carbon in porous architectures. Electron microscopy observations indicate that the synthesized products are smartly constructed from the carbon nanosheets with densely dispersed Co nanoparticles. Due to the notable structural features, the prepared Co@NC-600 sample presents the highly efficient activity for catalytic hydrolysis of NaBH₄ with a hydrogen generation rate of 2574 mL min⁻¹ g_cat⁻¹ and an activation energy of 47.6 kJ mol⁻¹. The catalytically active metallic Co and suitable support-effect of N-doped carbon are responsible for catalytic dehydrogenation.     

Tungsten(VI) oxide supported rhodium nanoparticles: Highly active catalysts in hydrogen generation from ammonia borane

Herein, we report the use of tungsten(VI) oxide (WO₃) as support for Rh⁰ nanoparticles. The resulting Rh⁰/WO₃ nanoparticles are highly active and stable catalysts in H₂ generation from the hydrolysis of ammonia borane (AB). We present the results of our investigation on the particle size distribution, catalytic activity and stability of Rh⁰/WO₃ catalysts with 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% wt. Rh loadings in the hydrolysis reaction. The results reveal that Rh⁰/WO₃ (0.5% wt. Rh) is very promising catalyst providing a turnover frequency of 749 min^?1 in releasing 3.0 equivalent H₂ per mole of AB from the hydrolysis at 25.0 °C. The high catalytic activity of Rh⁰/WO₃ catalyst is attributed to the reducible nature of support. The report covers the results of kinetics study as well as comparative investigation of activity, recyclability, and reusability of colloidal(0) nanoparticles and Rh⁰/WO₃ (0.5 % wt. Rh) catalyst in the hydrolysis reaction.     

Hydrogen generation rate enhancement by in situ Fe(0) and nitroarene substrates in Fe3O4@Pd catalyzed ammonia borane hydrolysis and nitroarene reduction tandem reaction

We report the catalytic enhancement of hydrogen generation by 1) in situ Fe (0) formed and 2) nitroarenes substrates during Fe₃O₄@Pd core-shell nanoparticles catalyzed tandem reaction. The active hydrogen species are generated in Pd shell, which either combine to form H₂ gas or take part in relatively faster nitroarene reduction reaction. The rate of hydrogen generation from ammonia borane is dependent on the nitroarene substrate and is higher when 4-nitrophenol is used. This is due to the difference in ammonia borane adsorption on the surface of the catalyst. During recyclability, the H₂ generation rate of 2 wt% Pd loaded samples is higher than other compositions. Such an enhancement has been attributed to the formation of Fe (0) via γ-FeOOH mediated by Pd species, presumably through Pd(OH)₂. The electronic connection between Fe and Pd interface is thus shown to play an important role in the catalytic enhancement of the tandem reaction.     

Cu2O nanowires based p-n homojunction photocathode for improved current density and hydrogen generation through solar-water splitting

Hydrogen generation through solar-water splitting is expected to address the global energy crisis by providing a source for a safer and sustainable alternative fuel. Herein, we report a facile synthesis of Cu₂O nanowires and show that the magnetic field could influence the nanowires’ distribution and alignment. Orientation of nanowires was observed to become more inclined towards the magnetic field lines as the values of full-width at half maximum decreased from 140° to 46.2° with the increase in the field strength. Crystallographic, morphological, optoelectronic, and photoelectrochemical properties of the constructed p-n homojunction were analyzed by using different characterization techniques. A high built-in potential of +0.93 V vs. RHE was observed for a 50 nm layer of n-Cu₂O over p-Cu₂O nanowires that resulted in a significantly high photocurrent density of −7.42 mA/cm². The stability in the photoelectrochemical medium was maintained for 14 h, generating 20 mmol/cm² of H₂.     

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.     

Surface generation mechanism of ceramic matrix composite in ultrasonic assisted wire sawing

Ceramic matrix composites (CMC) are highly required in many fields of science and engineering. However, the CMC parts always have poor surface finish. This study attempts to improve cutting performance of CMC material by combing the advantages of ultrasonic assisted cutting and diamond wire sawing. Cutting force, surface roughness, machined edge and tool wear are analyzed based on experimental results. It shows that the oscillatory movement of tool edges provides positive effect on particle ejection and residual material reduction. Ductile chip formation can be achieved due to the small tip radius of grits. Obvious decrease in cutting force, surface roughness and tool wear are obtained. Moreover, burrs, fuzzing and fracture are reduced. Meanwhile, both the surface characteristics and shape accuracy are significantly improved. These results provide a valuable basis for application of ultrasonic assisted wire sawing and understanding of CMC cutting mechanisms.     

Skeletal Muscle Health and Cognitive Function: A Narrative Review

Sarcopenia is the loss of skeletal muscle mass and function with advancing age. It involves both complex genetic and modifiable risk factors, such as lack of exercise, malnutrition and reduced neurological drive. Cognitive decline refers to diminished or impaired mental and/or intellectual functioning. Contracting skeletal muscle is a major source of neurotrophic factors, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which regulate synapses in the brain. Furthermore, skeletal muscle activity has important immune and redox effects that modify brain function and reduce muscle catabolism. The identification of common risk factors and underlying mechanisms for sarcopenia and cognition may allow the development of targeted interventions that slow or reverse sarcopenia and also certain forms of cognitive decline. However, the links between cognition and skeletal muscle have not been elucidated fully. This review provides a critical appraisal of the literature on the relationship between skeletal muscle health and cognition. The literature suggests that sarcopenia and cognitive decline share pathophysiological pathways. Ageing plays a role in both skeletal muscle deterioration and cognitive decline. Furthermore, lifestyle risk factors, such as physical inactivity, poor diet and smoking, are common to both disorders, so their potential role in the muscle–brain relationship warrants investigation.     

一种使用多跳事实的端到端知识库实体描述生成方法

自动化实体描述生成有助于进一步提升知识图谱的应用价值,而流畅度高是实体描述文本的重要质量指标之一。该文提出使用知识库上多跳的事实来进行实体描述生成,从而贴近人工编撰的实体描述的行文风格,提升实体描述的流畅度。该文使用编码器—解码器框架,提出了一个端到端的神经网络模型,可以编码多跳的事实,并在解码器中使用关注机制对多跳事实进行表示。该文的实验结果表明,与基线模型相比,引入多跳事实后模型的BLEU-2和ROUGE-L等自动化指标分别提升约8.9个百分点和7.3个百分点。     

变分自编码器模型综述

变分自编码器（VAE）作为深度隐空间生成模型的一种，近年来其表现性能取得了极大的成功，尤其是在图像生成方面。变分自编码器模型作为无监督式特征学习的重要工具之一，可以通过学习隐编码空间与数据生成空间的特征映射，进而在输出端重构生成输入数据。梳理了传统变分自编码器模型及其衍生变体模型的发展与研究现状，并就此做了总结和对比，最后分析了变分自编码器模型存在的问题与挑战，并就可能的发展趋势做了展望。     

西湖凹陷中部西斜坡地区超压成因机制

沉积盆地超压成因研究已取得了重要进展，关于超压主要成因的认识也发生了重要变化，以往一些被普遍认为属于典型不均衡压实成因的超压已被部分或完全否定，生烃作用作为超压成因的普遍性得到愈来愈多的证实。西湖凹陷多个构造带的不同层位均发育超压，目前认为超压的形成仍然离不开不均衡压实（欠压实作用）的贡献。根据异常压力形成的基本地质条件和异常压力产生的地质、地球物理效应两方面因素，利用测井曲线组合分析法、鲍尔斯法（加载-卸载曲线法）、声波速度-密度交会图法、孔隙度对比法、压力计算反推法以及综合分析法系统解剖分析了西湖凹陷中部西斜坡地区平湖组不同岩性异常压力成因。研究结果表明：西湖凹陷中部西斜坡泥岩中烃源岩超压主要为自源生烃增压，非烃源岩超压为邻源压力传导成因。储层中至少存在常压-超压型和常压-超压-常压型两种压力结构类型，异常压力自南向北顶界面逐渐变深，主要为油气在生烃增压驱动下向储层运移过程中的压力传导所致。