Research progress on electronic and active site engineering of cobalt‐based electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction

Electrocatalytic water splitting has been identified as a potential candidate for producing clean hydrogen energy with zero carbon emission.However,the sluggish kinetics of oxygen evolution reaction on the anode side of the watersplitting device significantly hinders its practical applications.Generally,the efficiency of oxygen evolution processes depends greatly on the availability of cost‐effective catalysts with high activity and selectivity.In recent years,extensive theoretical and experimental studies have demonstrated that cobalt(Co)‐based nanomaterials,especially low‐dimensional Co‐based nanomaterials with a huge specific surface area and abundant unsaturated active sites,have emerged as versatile electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reactions,and thus,great progress has been made in the rational design and synthesis of Co‐based nanomaterials for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reactions.Considering the remarkable progress in this area,in this timely review,we highlight the most recent developments in Co‐based nanomaterials relating to their dimensional control,defect regulation(conductivity),electronic structure regulation,and so forth.Furthermore,a brief conclusion about recent progress achieved in oxygen evolution on Co‐based nanomaterials,as well as an outlook on future research challenges,is given.

Effects of Some Management Practices on Electron Transport System (ETS) Activity in Paddy Soil

Electron transport system (ETS ) / dehydrogenase activity in a paddy field soil was measured under a variety of incubation conditions using the reduction of 2- (p-iodophenyl- 3- (p-nitrophenyl ) -5- phellyl tetrazolium chloride (INT) to iodonitrotetrazolium formazan (INTF). The results exhibited a high positive correlation between the ETS activity and the incubation temperature and soil moisture. Dehydrogenase/ETS activity displayed a negative correlation with insecticide concentrations, and the activity affected adversely as the concentration of the insecticide increased. The higher doses, 5 and 10 field rates (1 field rate ~ 1500 mL ha-1), of insecticide significantly inhibited ETS activity, while lower rates failed to produce any significant reducing effect. Inorganic N (as urea) of concentrations from 0 to 100 ug N g-1 soil showed a positive response to ETS activity. However, at concentrations of 200 and 400 ug N g-1, the activity was reduced significantly.

Electron Donating Property and Catalytic Activity ofPerovskite-type Mixed Oxides (ABO_3) Consisting of Rare Earth and 3d Transition Metals

The catalytic activity of Perovskite-type mixed oxides (LaCoO3, PrCoO3 and SmCoO3) for the reduction of cyclohexanone to cyclohexanol with 2-propanol (Meerwein-PonndorfVerley reduction) has been studied. The data have been correlated with the surface electron donor properties of these mixed oxides

Review and Outlook of China Electronic and IT Industry Footprints in IEC International Standardization Activities

Year 2006 is the year marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). IEC is mainly engaged in the international standardization for electrical and electronic technology field aiming at promoting international trade and technology cooperation and exchange, improving product and service quality, upgrading productivity and protecting the environment as well as human health and safety. Most countries worldwide adopt standards developed and promulgated by IEC, providing a platform to international trade and technical exchange. China has being a member since 1957. Electronic and IT are the most developed and energetic filed in recent decades. Number of IEC TC/SC specialized in electronic and IT amounts up to 52.……

Seasonal Changes in Photosynthetic Characteristics of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus

Seasonal changes in the photosynthetic characteristics of Ammopiptantus mongolicus (Maxim. )Chen f. were studied. When the net photosynthetic rate decreased with the elevation of air temperature, thestomatal conductance and stomatal limitation value tended to decline simultaneously, while the interoellularCO2 concentration was increased. According to the two criteria discriminating the stomatal limitation of Photosynthesis suggeSted by Fmrquhar and Sharkey, the seasonal changes in these parameters indicated that the decrease in Pn may not be due to stomatal factor. These studies proved that the relative contents of the large subunit of Rubisco and the photochemical activities correlated with the seasonal changes in the net photosyntheticrate, whieh may show that these two factors contribute primarily to the seasonal changeS in CO2 assimilation.

Impact of Some Agronomic Practices on Paddy Field Soil Health Under Varied Ecological Conditions: I. Influence of Soil Moisture

The effects of individual and combined additions of urea (100 μg N g-1 soil) and insecticide (triazophos at field rate, FR) under different moisture levels of air-dried soil (AD), 50% of water-holding capacity (WHC), 100% WHC and flooded soil (FS) on some selected soil properties in a paddy field soil were examined in a laboratory incubation study. The results indicated that after 21-day incubation at 25℃, the different moisture levels led to significant changes in the parameters studied. Flooding of soil with distilled water significantly increased the electron transport system (ETS) /dehydrogenase activity and phenol contents of the soil compared to the other moisture levels, while protein and phospholipids behaved differently at varied moisture levels with or without the addition of urea and/or triazophos. Increased ETS activity was observed with N addition at higher moisture levels while insecticide incorporation decreased it at all moisture levels as compared to the control (moisture only). The phenol contents slightly decreased and increased with N and insecticide applications, respectively. The soil protein contents were found to be unaffected among all the soil treatments at all moisture levels. However, among different moisture levels, reduced quantities of proteins were estimated at 50% WHC, suggesting more N-mineralization. Lower quantities of soil biomass phospholipids, among all treatments, were recorded at higher moisture levels (100% WHC and FS) than at the lower levels. An overall slight enhancement in phospholipid contents with N and small reduction with insecticide addition, respectively, was noticed against the untreated soil. The toxicity of fertilizer and insecticide decreased as the soil moisture contents increased, suggesting rapid degradation of agrochemicals.

Alteration of certain soil microbiological and biochemical indices of a paddy soil under anthropogenic stress

A 21-day laboratory incubation experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of pesticides (insecticide, herbicide, fungicide) on paddy field soil health under controlled moisture (flooded soil) and temperature (25 ℃) environment. The electron transport system (ETS)/Dehydrogenase activity showed negative correlation with pesticides concentrations, decreased with increase of pesticide concentration. The higher doses(5 to 10 times field rates) of pesticides significantly inhibited ETS activity, while lower rates failed to produce any significant reducing effect on the control. The toxicity of pesticides in decreasing the ETS activity was in the order: insecticide > fungicide > herbicide, irrespective of their rates of application. The pesticides increased the soil phenol content, which increased with increasing concentration of agrochemicals. The pesticide application did not produce any significant change in soil protein content. The response of biomass phospholipid content was nearly similar to that of ETS activity. The phospholipid content decreased with the addition of pesticides in the order insecticide > fungicide > herbicide and the toxicity was in the order: 10 FR (field rate) > 5 FR > 1.0 FR > 0.5 FR > control.

Impact of Some Agronomic Practices on Paddy Field Soil Health Under Varied Ecological Conditions: II. Influence of Soil Temperature

A 21-d incubation experiment was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions to study the effects of elevated temperatures (10, 25, and 40 ℃) on some microbiological and biochemical properties in flooded paddy soil amended or unamended with urea at 100 μg N g-1 soil and/or insecticide (triazophos) at field rate (FR). Enhancements in temperature led to increase the electron transport system (ETS) / dehydrogenase activity and phospholipid contents of the soil, while soil organic matter phenol and protein contents decreased with increasing temperature with or without the addition of inputs. An increase of temperature from 10 ℃ to 25 or 40 ℃ enhanced the ETS activity 2 folds (on average for all soils), while the inclusion of N and insecticide increased and decreased it, respectively, compared to the control. The soil phenol and protein contents were highly correlated with temperatures (for all soils, r = -0.936 and -0.971, respectively) and the additions of N and insecticide produced slight reductions and enhancements in them, respectively. At a particular temperature, the soil protein contents remained unaffected among all the soil treatments. An overall slight increase in phospholipid contents with N and a small decline with insecticide addition were noticed against the untreated soil. The toxicity of fertilizer and insecticide decreased as the incubation temperature increased, suggesting faster degradation of agrochemicals with raising temperature.

Vehicle path tracking by integrated chassis control

The control problem of trajectory based path following for passenger vehicles is studied. Comprehensive nonlinear vehicle model is utilized for simulation vehicle response during various maneuvers in MATLAB/Simulink. In order to follow desired path, a driver model is developed to enhance closed loop driver/vehicle model. Then, linear quadratic regulator(LQR) controller is developed which regulates direct yaw moment and corrective steering angle on wheels. Particle swam optimization(PSO) method is utilized to optimize the LQR controller for various dynamic conditions. Simulation results indicate that, over various maneuvers, side slip angle and lateral acceleration can be reduced by 10% and 15%, respectively, which sustain the vehicle stable. Also, anti-lock brake system is designed for longitudinal dynamics of vehicle to achieve desired slip during braking and accelerating. Proposed comprehensive controller demonstrates that vehicle steerability can increase by about 15% during severe braking by preventing wheel from locking and reducing stopping distance.

Effect of Pesticides on Certain Soil Biological and Biochemical Indices of a Paddy Soil

A 21-day laboratory incubation experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of pesticides (Triazophos, Butachlor and Jinggangmycin) on a paddy field soil health under controlled moisture (flooded soil) and temperature (25℃) conditions. The electron transport system (ETS)/dehydrogenase activity displayed a negative correlation with pesticides concentrations, and the activity was affected adversely as the concentration of the pesticides increased. The higher doses of pesticides, 5 and 10 folds field rates, significantly inhibited ETS activity, while lower rates failed to produce any significant reducing effect against the control. The relative toxicity level of pesticides in decreasing the ETS activity was in the following order: Triazophos>Jinggangmycin>Butachlor, irrespective of their rates of application. The pesticides caused an improvement in the soil phenol content and it increased with increasing the concentration of agrochemicals. The pesticide incorporation did not produce any significant change in soil protein content. The response of biomass phospholipid content was nearly similar to ETS activity. The phospholipid content was decreased with the addition of pesticides in the given order of Triazophos>Jinggangmycin>Butachlor; and the toxicity was in the order: 10 FR (times of field rate)>5 FR>1.0 FR>0.5 FR>control.

New developments for vacuum coating of steel strips

Vapor deposited coatings onto strip steel are a promising alternative as functional layers for corrosion protection or high abrasion resistance.Conventional coating systems have some limits regarding environmental compatibility,the range of coating materials and application properties. Physical vapor deposition(PVD) is an environment-friendly technology and enables nearly unlimited material and process variety.Electron beam high-rate evaporation with deposition rates up to some micrometers per second is the most productive PVD technology for low cost coating.The combination of evaporation with powerful plasma is an efficient way to improve the layer properties.The developed plasma sources can be used for special plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition(PECVD) processes too. The paper gives an overview about the latest developments in these technologies.Furthermore,the paper explains some examples of new layer stacks onto steel strips.While enhanced corrosion protection can be obtained by magnesium,aluminium or copper containing coatings other functional surface properties come more and more in the focus of interest.For instance,decorative gold colored layers,transparent scratch resistant layers,hard coatings and photo catalytic layers were deposited on running steel strips.Functional layers and layer systems for energy saving and sun energy absorption by solar thermal effects and photo voltaics are under development.The coatings are prepared under the conditions of very high deposition rates using our in-line vacuum coater for metallic strips and sheets with the name MAXI.The influence of the process and plasma parameters on the layer properties were investigated and will be demonstrated for some applications.

Impact of triazophos insecticide on paddy soil environment

A laboratory incubation study was carried out to elucidate the dynamic response of insecticide (triazophos) on a paddy field soil health under controlled moisture (flooded soil) and temperature (25℃). The insecticide was applied at five levels that were 0.0 (control), 0.5 field rate (FR), 1.0 FR, 5.0 FR, and 10.0 FR, where FR was 1500 ml/hm 2, and the parameters were studied at 1, 4, 7, 14, and 21 days after treatments' addition. The electron transport system (ETS)/dehydrogenase activity exhibited a negative correlation with insecticide concentrations, and the activity affected adversely as the concentration increased. The higher doses of 5 and 10 field rates significantly reduced the ETS activity, while lower rates failed to produce any significant inhibiting effect against the control. The toxicity of insecticide decreased towards decreasing the ETS activity with the advancement of incubation period. The insecticide caused an improvement in the soil phenol content and it increased with increasing concentration of insecticide. The insecticide incorporation applied at various concentrations did not produce any significant change in soil protein content and it remained stable throughout the incubation period of 21-days. The response of biomass phospholipid content was nearly similar to ETS activity. The phospholipid content was decreased with the addition of insecticide and the toxicity was in the order: 10 FR (field rate)>5 FR>1.0 FR>0.5 FR>control and it also decreased with incubation period.

Structural Probing on the Sn-C(C5 ring)Bond of the Sn(Ⅱ)Metallocenes in Both the Solid State and the Temperature-dependent Solution Relaxation State

Various bond modes of the M-C（C5 ring） exist in metallocene compounds of group 14 heavier elements,mostly due to an intricate interaction between the lone electron pairs at the M center and the 6 p-electrons of the C5 ring.The tin（Ⅱ） metallocene complexes LSn R（L = HC[CMe（N-2,6-iPr2C6H3）]2,R = cyclopentadienyl,C5H5（1）; indenyl,C9H7（2）; fluorenyl,C（13）H9（3）） stabilized by the β-diketiminato ligand were prepared and utilized in the study on their solid and solution state structures.X-ray single-crystal diffraction data revealed an η~1-mode of the Sn-C（C5 ring） bond in each 1~3.However,the room temperature ~1H NMR spectral studies disclosed such a fluxional bonding mode in solution.The 119 Sn NMR studies suggested a quadruple coordination nature of the Sn center in 1 while the triple coordination manner was for the Sn atom in both 2 and 3.Then the variable-temperature（25~–75 ℃） ~1H NMR spectral studies for each 1~3 were performed,which detected the relaxation state structures of 1~3 at lower temperature.All of these results indicate a stereochemical activity of the lone electron pairs at the tin（Ⅱ） atom that definitely has an electronic interaction with the 6 p-electrons of the C5 ring.The observed Sn-C（C5 ring） bond modes appear influenced by either the metallocene size or the compound state existed.

Plasma perturbations in the coexisting environment of VLF transmitter emission, lightning strokes and seismic activity

We analyzed plasma perturbations occurring in the coexisting environment of powerful VLF transmitter emission, intense lightning strokes and strong seismic activity during pregnant period. The results suggest that anomalous electron bursts with energy dispersion in the range of ~100–350 keV, forming the "wisp" signature, are due to cyclotron resonance of electrons with monochromatic waves from the powerful NWC VLF transmitters during nighttime. The intense broad band VLF emissions (up-going 0+ whistlers) are observed while the DEMETER satellite goes through the region of intense thunderstorm activities at mid-latitudes. However, the effects of intense lightning activity and pregnant earthquake have little impact on this kind of stable energy-dispersed electron structures, despite the fact that they are presumably two primary reasons for the particle precipitation in the ionosphere. The case studied here provides us a valuable opportunity to address the various sources triggering the anomalous plasma perturbations in the ionosphere.