Big to Small: Ultrafine Mo2C Particles Derived from Giant Polyoxomolybdate Clusters for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Due to its electronic structure, similar to platinum, molybdenum carbides (Mo₂C) hold great promise as a cost‐effective catalyst platform. However, the realization of high‐performance Mo₂C catalysts is still limited because controlling their particle size and catalytic activity is challenging with current synthesis methods. Here, the synthesis of ultrafine β‐Mo₂C nanoparticles with narrow size distribution (2.5 ± 0.7 nm) and high mass loading (up to 27.5 wt%) on graphene substrate using a giant Mo‐based polyoxomolybdate cluster, Mo₁₃₂ ((NH₄)₄₂[Mo₁₃₂O₃₇₂(CH₃COO)₃₀(H₂O)₇₂]·10CH₃COONH₄·300H₂O) is demonstrated. Moreover, a nitrogen‐containing polymeric binder (polyethyleneimine) is used to create Mo? N bonds between Mo₂C nanoparticles and nitrogen‐doped graphene layers, which significantly enhance the catalytic activity of Mo₂C for the hydrogen evolution reaction, as is revealed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. The optimal Mo₂C catalyst shows a large exchange current density of 1.19 mA cm^?2, a high turnover frequency of 0.70 s^?1 as well as excellent durability. The demonstrated new strategy opens up the possibility of developing practical platinum substitutes based on Mo₂C for various catalytic applications.     

Short term forecasting with support vector machines and application to stock price prediction

Forecasting a stock price movement is one of the most difficult problems in finance. The reason is that financial time series are complex, non stationary. Furthermore, it is also very difficult to predict this movement with parametric models. Instead of parametric models, we propose two techniques, which are data driven and non parametric. Based on the idea that excess returns would be possible with publicly available information, we developed two models in order to forecast the short term price movements by using technical indicators. Our assumption is that the future value of a stock price depends on the financial indicators although there is no parametric model to explain this relationship. This relationship comes from the technical analysis. Comparison shows that support vector regression (SVR) out performs the multi layer perceptron (MLP) networks for a short term prediction in terms of the mean square error. If the risk premium is used as a comparison criterion, then the SVR technique is as good as the MLP method or better.     

A new hybrid recommendation algorithm with privacy

Providing accurate and dependable recommendations efficiently while preserving privacy is essential for e‐commerce sites to recruit new customers and keep the existing ones. Such sites might be able to increase their sales and profits while customers can obtain precise and trustworthy predictions if they use appropriate collaborative filtering (CF) algorithms without deeply jeopardizing users' privacy. We propose a new recommendation algorithm, which is a hybrid‐memory and model‐based algorithm to generate truthful referrals efficiently. Moreover, we use randomization techniques to preserve users' privacy while still offering CF services with decent accuracy. We perform real data‐based trials and analyse our proposed schemes in terms of privacy, accuracy, and performance.     

Crosstalk between Sodium–Glucose Cotransporter Inhibitors and Sodium–Hydrogen Exchanger 1 and 3 in Cardiometabolic Diseases

Abnormality in glucose homeostasis due to hyperglycemia or insulin resistance is the hallmark of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). These metabolic abnormalities in T2DM lead to cellular dysfunction and the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy leading to heart failure. New antihyperglycemic agents including glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and the sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have been shown to attenuate endothelial dysfunction at the cellular level. In addition, they improved cardiovascular safety by exhibiting cardioprotective effects. The mechanism by which these drugs exert their cardioprotective effects is unknown, although recent studies have shown that cardiovascular homeostasis occurs through the interplay of the sodium–hydrogen exchangers (NHE), specifically NHE1 and NHE3, with SGLT2i. Another theoretical explanation for the cardioprotective effects of SGLT2i is through natriuresis by the kidney. This theory highlights the possible involvement of renal NHE transporters in the management of heart failure. This review outlines the possible mechanisms responsible for causing diabetic cardiomyopathy and discusses the interaction between NHE and SGLT2i in cardiovascular diseases.     

Accelerated weathering performance of Scots pine preimpregnated with copper‐based chemicals before varnish coating Part:1 coated with cellulosic and polyurethane varnishes

This study aimed to determine the effect of accelerated weathering on gloss, surface hardness and colour changes of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Test samples were impregnated with Adolit KD‐5, Wolmanit CX‐8 and Celcure AC‐500 covered with cellulosic and polyurethane varnishes. The results showed that the values of surface hardness and gloss increased after accelerated weathering. While the surface hardness of Scots pine was increased for impregnated and polyurethane‐coated varnish, it decreased for impregnated and cellulosic varnish‐coated Scots pine after 1000 hours of accelerated weathering exposure. Copper‐based chemical impregnation and varnish coating developed the gloss of Scots pine specimens relative to the surface characteristics observed in single‐coated Scots pine specimens. While the most appropriate chemical was Celcure AC‐500 for surface hardness, it was Adolit KD‐5 for the gloss of Scots pine after 1000 hours of accelerated weathering exposure. Wood specimens impregnated prior to the application of varnish were more effective in stabilising the colour of Scots pine than Scots pine only coated with varnish. Polyurethane varnish‐treated Scots pine showed better colour stability for each partial and total accelerated weathering exposure period. The total colour changes were lowest for polyurethane varnish‐coated Scots pine impregnated with Celcure AC‐500 after 1000 hours of accelerated weathering exposure.     

The Effect of Pitching Rate on Fermentation and Flavour Compounds in High Gravity Brewing

The effect of pitching rate on fermentation and production of flavour compounds was studied in high gravity wort using a lager yeast. Fermentation performance was followed by monitoring the total sugar content and yeast growth. Volatile compounds were evaluated by analysing higher alcohols, esters and carbonyl compounds at the end of fermentation. Faster fermentation rates and higher yeast counts were observed with the higher pitching levels. Lower amounts of 2‐ and 3‐methyl‐1‐butanols and higher levels of 2‐methyl‐1‐propanol were found at the increased pitching rates. The concentration of isoamyl acetate was reduced with an increased pitching rate. Higher amounts of diacetyl and 2,3‐pentanedione were obtained at the lower pitching levels.     

Effects of sodium ascorbate and delayed bonding after bleaching on shear bond strengts of orthodontic brackets

Introduction: The aim of the study was to determine the effects of sodium ascorbate and delaying bonding for 4 weeks after bleaching on SBS of orthodontic brackets.

Methods: Sixty freshly extracted, noncarious, premolars were randomly assigned to 4 groups of 15 each. Orthodontic brackets were bonded with a composite resin and cured with a halogen light. After bonding, the shear bond strengths of the brackets were tested with a universal testing machine. Group I served as the control. In groups II, III, and IV, teeth were bleached with an office bleaching method. In group II, brackets bonded immediately after bleaching. In group III, teeth were immersed in artificial saliva of 4 weeks after bleaching before bonding brackets. In group IV, teeth were treated with 10% sodium ascorbate after bleaching before bonding brackets.

Results: One-way analysis of variance indicated a significant difference between groups (P < .001). The highest values for SBS were measured in group I (11.92 ± 0.81 MPa). The SBS was significantly lower in groups II, III, and IV than in group I (P < .001). There was no statistically significant difference between groups III and IV.

Conclusions: Bleaching significantly reduced the SBS of orthodontic brackets on human enamel. If bleaching is mandatory, teeth should be treated with sodium ascorbate before bonding.     

Activity and stability enhancement of Ni-MCM-41 catalysts by Rh incorporation for hydrogen from dry reforming of methane

Ni incorporated and Ni–Rh incorporated bimetallic MCM-41 like mesoporous catalysts, which were synthesized following a one-pot hydrothermal procedure, showed very high activity in dry reforming of methane. Among the Ni incorporated catalysts, Ni-MCM-41-V, with a Ni/Si ratio of 0.19, showed the best catalytic performance. Rh incorporation into this catalyst by the one-pot procedure improved both activity and time on stream stability of the catalyst. However, Rh incorporation by impregnation caused instabilities due to coke formation, after about 11 h of reaction time. Occurrence of reverse water gas shift reaction caused higher CO selectivity than H₂ selectivity, with the Ni incorporated catalysts. Rh incorporation into these catalysts decreased the relative significance of reverse water gas shift reaction, with respect to dry reforming reaction.     

(Reactive) Templated Grain Growth of Textured Sodium Bismuth Titanate (Na1/2Bi1/2TiO3-BaTiO3) Ceramics—I Processing

Textured (Na_1/2Bi_1/2)TiO₃-BaTiO₃ (5.5 mol% BaTiO₃) ceramics with <100>_pc (where pc denotes the pseudocubic perovskite cell) orientation were fabricated by Templated Grain Growth (TGG) and Reactive Templated Grain Growth (RTGG) using anisotropically shaped template particles. In the case of TGG, molten salt synthesized SrTiO₃ platelets were tape cast with a (Na_1/2Bi_1/2)TiO₃-5.5 mol%BaTiO₃ powder and sintered at 1200°C for up to 12 h. In the RTGG approach, Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ (BiT) platelets were tape cast with a Na₂CO₃, Bi₂O₃, TiO₂, and BaCO₃ powder mixture and reactively sintered. The TGG approach using SrTiO₃ templates resulted in >90% texture along [001] whereas the RTGG approach using BiT templates resulted in 80% texture. The grain orientation distribution along the textured direction, as measured by X-ray rocking curve, showed a full width at half maximum of 8° and a texture fraction of 80%.