Chemical characteristics of aerosols at coastal station in Hong Kong.Ⅱ. Environmental behavior of trace elements during the April 1995 to April 1996

An one-year of sampling aerosol program was carried out during the period of April 1995 to April 1996 at coastal region, Cape D′Aguilar, in Hong Kong. The trace element composition of aerosol particles(TSP and PM 10 ) were measured and analyzed by using the Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis(INAA) and Inductive Couple Plasma-Mass Spectrometry(ICP-MS) techniques. The results showed that the polluted elements such as: V, Zn, As, Pb, Cd, Sb, I, Se, Bi, with high enrichment factor(E.F) values, are derived from anthropogenic sources, while Sc, Al, Fe, Mn, Sm, La, Sr are less than 10 in E.F, these elements are related the crust and soil. The concentration of the trace elements are present seasonal variation i.e. summer low and winter high, whereas the V or noncrustal V(V *) present summer high and winter low, this phenomenon might be explained by local or regional oil combustion sources. Use three type of elemental ratio, e.g. La/Sm, Mn */V * and Bi/Al indicate that both TSP and PM 10 of La/Sm ratios are mainly related to soil and dust, Mn */V * are probably represent fossil combustion and Bi/Al are possibly associated with refuse incineration, ferromanganese alloys and aluminum production. The varimax rotation factor analysis for trace elements was performed. By means of the absolute principal component analysis(APCA) and multiple regression, the contribution of trace elements to possible sources and overall means of trace elements were estimated. The results showed that the present station is impacted by the anthropogenic species, although the quantities are different during the summertime and wintertime.

The Electrical Resistivity of Cement Paste Incorporated with Retarder

A non contacting electrical resistivity measurement device was used for measuring the electrical resistivity of cement paste incorporated with retarder.The hydration process was divided into dissolving period,setting period,hardening period.With the increase of the retarder,the dissolution time will increase.The setting time happens between minimum point time and inflexion point time based on the electrical resistivity curve.The strength isoline was proposed to predict the strength trend.

SYNTHESIS OF A HYPERBRANCHED POLY(AROYLARYLENE) CONTAINING TRIAZOLE AND FLUORENE FUNCTIONALITIES BY CLICK CHEMISTRY AND METAL-FREE,REGIOSELECTIVE POLYCYCLOTRIMERIZATION

A new bis(aroylacetylene) containing tfiazole and fluorene moieties is synthesized by click chemistry. Polycyclotrimerization of the monomer is catalyzed by piperidine in refluxed dioxane,furnishing a regioregular poly(aroylarylene) in a satisfactory yield.The hyperbranched structure of the polymer is characterized spectroscopically with satisfactory results.The polymer enjoys no metal detriment and is soluble in common organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran (THF),chloroform,dichloromethane (DCM),and N,N-...

A Hypothetical Anti-Aging Mechanism of “Yang-Invigorating” Chinese Tonic Herbs

Chinese tonic herbs are generally classified into Yin and Yang categories based on their health-promoting action. Emerging evidence has suggested that in addition to up-regulating mitochondrial functional status, Yang tonic herbs also enhance cellular/mitochondrial antioxidant capacity, and may thus prevent age-related diseases and prolong the healthy part of lifespan (i.e. healthspan). The proposed biochemical mechanism underlying the antioxidant action of Yang tonic herbs involves a sustained and low level of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, which is secondary to the increased activity of the electron transport chain, with the possible involvement of mitochondrial uncoupling. “Yang invigoration” improves antioxidant defense in the body in the long term and thereby offers a promising prospect for preventing or possibly delaying age-related diseases and the detrimental effects of aging.

Effect of Rubber Particles on Cement Stabilized Gravel System

The primary objective of this paper was to study the mechanical properties and durability of the cement stabilized gravel by different compact method. The influence of rubber particle content on mechanical properties of samples was studied by compaction tests and freezing thawing recycle tests. Pore structure and fractal characteristic of mixture were analyzed quantitatively using mercury intrusion porosimetry （MIP）. X-ray diffraction （XRD） was adopted to identify the composition phases. The morphology analysis in micro scale and elemental analysis of samples were carried out by scanning electron microscope （SEM）. The optimum compressive strengths of rubber cement stabilized gravel （RCSG） with static compaction method and with vibratory compaction method were obtained by controlling compaction degree and vibration time, respectively. From the compaction tests, the vibratory compaction method is preferred compared with the static compaction method as better compressive strength can be improved by about 340%-360%. Besides, test results also reveal that compressive strength of samples with vibratory compaction method or static compaction method will decrease with the rubber particle bulk content increasing. The freezing thawing recycle tests indicate that freezing thawing resistance has been improved （frozen stability coefficient K has been increased from 0.89 to 0.97） by the addition of rubber particles. MIP tests show that the mean pore diameter and porosity of mixture have been increased from 70 to 250 nm and 9% to 24% respectively, with the rubber particles content increasing. Component analysis shows that the calcium silicate hydrate （CSH） is the predominant hydrate product with or without the addition of rubber particles.

Effects of aspect ratio on flapping wing aerodynamics in animal flight

Morphology as well as kinematics is a critical determinant of performance in flapping flight.To understand the effects of the structural traits on aerodynamics of bioflyers,three rectangular wings with aspect ratios（AR）of1,2,and 4 performing hovering-like sinusoidal kinematics at wingtip based Reynolds number of 5 300 are experimentally investigated.Flow structures on sectional cuts along the wing span are compared.Stronger K-H instability is found on the leading edge vortex of wings with higher aspect ratios.Vortex bursting only appears on the outer spanwise locations of high-aspect-ratio wings.The vortex bursting on high-aspect-ratio wings is perhaps one of the reasons why bio-flyers normally have low-aspect-ratio wings.Quantitative analysis exhibits larger dimensionless circulation of the leading edge vortex（LEV）over higher aspect ratio wings except when vortex bursting happens.The average dimensionless circulation of AR1 and AR2 along the span almost equals the dimensionless circulation at the 50%span.The flow structure and the circulation analysis show that the sinusoidal kinematics suppresses breakdown of the LEV compared with simplified flapping kinematics used in similar studies.The Reynolds number effect results on AR4 show that in the current Re range,the overall flow structure is not sensitive to Reynolds number.

ON THE STRAIN JUMP IN SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS—A CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC-BASED MECHANICS ANALYSIS

The strain jump across the Austenite-Martensite (A-M) interface in single crystal Cu-14wt%Al-4.12wt%Ni Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) under uniaxial tension was studied in this paper. A crystallographic-based mechanics analysis on the formation and microstructure of the interface was performed. By using the high sensitive Moiré interference technique, the full-field deformation patterns during the transformation process were successfully recorded. The orientation of the habit plane (A-M interface) and the magnitude of the shape strain were determined precisely from the Moiré fringe patterns. The theoretical predictions on the habit plane normal and the shape strain were compared with the measured results and good agreements were obtained.

MULTI-DIMENSIONAL NUMERICAL STUDIES OF CONVECTION-RELATED STELLAR PROBLEMS

To assist researchers who are not in the numerical field specified by the title but who wish to get some understanding about the field, condensed reviews of the essential concepts, popular techniques, and recent works are given here.

Aggregation-induced emission: a coming-of-age ceremony at the age of eighteen

Aggregation-induced emission(AIE) has drawn great attention worldwide for its unique optical phenomenon and huge potential applications. Since coined by Ben Zhong Tang et al. in 2001, AIE has been deeply investigated and widely utilized in many important areas, such as organic light-emitting diode(OLED), sensor, and bio-imaging. Herein, we highlight some important progress of AIE in these eighteen years, including the exploration of internal mechanism and potential applications. Furthermore,some other interestingly emissive behaviors, originating but distinguishing from the AIE concept, are presented. It is anticipated an overall understanding about AIE could be easily caught from this short review for scientists, no matter whether they are involved in this exciting and rising research area or not.

Synthesis of an AIE-active fluorogen and its application in cell imaging

A fluorogen named 1-decyl-1-methyl-2,5-bis{4-[(N,N-diethylamino)methyl]phenyl}-3,4-diphenylsilole (3) was synthesized. It emitted weakly as isolated molecule but strongly as supramolecular aggregate, showing a characteristic behavior of aggregation-induced emission (AIE). The molecules of 3 formed highly emissive nanoparticles in aqueous media, which quickly and selectively marked cytoplasm of HeLa cells and posed no toxicity to the living cells. The fluorogen is thus a promising candidate mate-rial for cell imaging as a sensitive, selective and cytocompatible biosensor.

Facile synthesis of poly(aroxycarbonyltriazole)s with aggregation-induced emission characteristics by metal-free click polymerization

Regioseletive 1,3-dipolar polycycloadditions of 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenyl dipropiolate (1) and tetraphenylethene (TPE)-containing diazides (2) are carried out in polar solvents such as DMF/toluene at a moderate temperature of 100℃ for 6 h,producing poly(aroxycarbonyltriazole)s (PACTs) P3 with high molecular weights (Mw up to 23900) and regioregularities (F1,4 up to ～90%) in high yields (up to ～99%).These metal-free click polymerizations can propagate smoothly in an open atmosphere without protection from oxygen and moisture.The obtained polymers are soluble in common organic solvents and thermally stable at temperatures up to 375℃.Thanks to their contained TPE moieties,the PACTs show aggregation-induced emission and can serve as fluorescent chemosensors for superamplified detection of explosives.

Electronic effect on the optical properties and sensing ability of AIEgens with ESIPT process based on salicylaldehyde azine

Two novel AIE-active salicylaldehyde azine(SAA) derivatives with a typical excited-state intramolecular proton transfer(ESIPT) process are prepared by introducing electron-withdrawing and donating groups at para-position of phenolic hydroxyl group(CN-SAA and TPA-SAA). The effect of the proton activity in SAA framework on their optical behaviors is investigated spectroscopically. The results from NMR and solvation measurements show that the proton of phenolic hydroxyl group has higher activity when there are electron-withdrawing groups, and the absorption and fluorescence spectra in buffers with different pH also provide the same results. After inviting F. as a nucleophilic probe, this proton activity difference in CN-SAA and TPA-SAA becomes more obvious. The potential application of both molecules is investigated. TPA-SAA exhibits good quantitative sensing ability towards F. with a fluorescence "turn-on" mode, whereas the aggregates of TPA-SAA can selectively and sensitively detect Cu2+ in aqueous solution. From these results, a structure-property relationship is established: the occurrence of ESIPT process will become much easier when linking electron-withdrawing groups at the para-position of phenolic hydroxyl group(e.g., CN-SAA),and it is better to introduce electron-donating groups to enhance the sensing ability towards ions(e.g., TPA-SAA). This work will provide guidance for further design and preparation of AIE-active luminogens with ESIPT process for sensing applications.

Switching emissions of two tetraphenylethene derivatives with solvent vapor, mechanical, and thermal stimuli

Two derivatives of tetraphenylethene (TPE) were synthesized through one step cross McMurry coupling reaction. Both luminogens exhibit aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and crystallization induced emission enhancement (CIEE). The emissions of both luminogens could be switched between blue and green through reversible modulation of morphology with thermal, organic solvent fuming and mechanical stimuli. Thus we provide a possible design strategy for emission switching materials.

Theoretical study of substituent effect on the charge mobility of 2,5-bis(trialkylsilylethynyl)-1,1,3,4-tetraphenylsiloles

The theoretical calculation of the charge mobility of 2,5-bis(trialkylsilylethynyl)-1,1,3,4-tetraphenylsiloles is presented.B3LYP/6-31* calculations demonstrated that these silole molecules possessed large coupling matrix elements and reorganization energies for electron and hole transfers and high electron mobilities.The bulkiness of the trialkyl substituents influenced the charge mobility of the silole molecules,with the smaller trimethyl group imparting higher charge mobility than triethyl and triisopropyl substituents.

Effective enhancement of the emission efficiency of tetraphenylporphyrin in solid state by tetraphenylethene modification

Tetraphenylporphyrin(TPP) is a typical red-emitting luminogen showing evident aggregation caused quenching(ACQ) effect. To enhance its emission efficiency in solid state, four tetraphenylethene(TPE)units were attached to the four meso-positions of TPP core via ester group through a facile and efficient route. The derived compound(4(TPE-COO)-TPP) emits red fluorescence(peak at 655 nm) with a good quantum efficiency(F) of 7.5%, which is much higher than that of TPP(Φ～ 0.1%). In molecular aggregate formed in tetrahydrofuran(THF) and water mixtures, 4(TPE-COO)-TPP has a relative high F of 12%. The evidently subdued ACQ behavior can be ascribed to the propeller shape and bulky size of the TPE units,which prevent the close packing and strong p-p interaction of TPP cores. The loose molecular packing and weak interchromophore interactions were validated by different characterization methods including UV-visible absorption, steady state and transient fluorescence spectroscope, X-ray diffraction and scanning electronic microscope observations. It is noted that 4(TPE-COO)-TPP has an emission efficiency of 14.4% in dilute THF solution. This is due to the conjugation break between the TPP and TPE moieties, the rotational and vibrational motions of the phenyl groups cannot quench the fluorescence of 4(TPE-COO)-TPP.

Probing the pH-dependent chain dynamics of poly(acrylate acid) in concentrated solution by using a cationic AIE fluorophore

We report a novel strategy to study the chain dynamics of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) in a relative concentrated solution (1.0 g/L). The strategy is based on the fluorescent probe (DCTPE) with unique aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics. Free DCTPE molecules are non-emissive in aqueous solution, but they become highly emissive when trapped in polymer coils. The fluorescence intensity is proportional to the efficiency of trapping DCTPE molecules in polymer coils. By correlation the change of fluorescence intensity with the variation of pH value (from 1.78 to 12.06), the PAA chain's dynamics in the relatively concentrated solution have been elucidated into three processes. In the pH range from 12.06 to 6.0, PAA chains take an extended and non-folding conformation. Changing pH from 6.0 to 3.86, PAA chains are partially protonated and loosely packed polymer coils are formed. Further lowering the pH value of the solution (from 3.86 to 1.78), protonated segments dominate the PAA chains, and at the same time, the intermolecular hydrogen bonding takes effect, thus the polymer chains posses in the conformation of more compact coils.

The specific detection of Cu(Ⅱ) using an AIE-active alanine ester

Cu（Ⅱ） detection is important because it plays crucial role in several biological processes and ecological systems.Fluorescent techniques have attracted more and more attention in Cu（Ⅱ） detection.In this report,we contribute a novel strategy to use fluorescence spectroscopy for Cu（Ⅱ） specific detection.The specificity relies on the fact that,of the many metal cations,only Cu（Ⅱ） can catalyze the hydrolyzation of a-amino acid ester.The novelty originates from the unique aggregation-induced emission（AIE） property of the fluorescent label.We designed a model a-amino acid ester（TPE-Ala） constructed with alanine and tetraphenylethene-functionalized methanol（TPE-methanol）.In comparison with the precursor TPE-Ala, TPE-methanol has lower solubility and is easy to form aggregates in water,thereby displaying a higher fluorescent response.Thus,the Cu（Ⅱ） catalyzed hydrolyzation can be monitored by recording the fluorescence enhancement and fluorescent detection Cu（Ⅱ） is rationally achieved.

Probing the pH-dependent chain dynamics of poly(acrylate acid) in concentrated solution by using a cationic AIE fluorophore

We report a novel strategy to study the chain dynamics of poly(acrylic acid)(PAA)in a relative concentrated solution(1.0 g/L).The strategy is based on the fluorescent probe(DCTPE)with unique aggregation-induced emission(AIE)characteristics.Free DCTPE molecules are non-emissive in aqueous solution,but they become highly emissive when trapped in polymer coils.The fluorescence intensity is proportional to the efficiency of trapping DCTPE molecules in polymer coils.By correlation the change of fluorescence intensity with the variation of pH value(from1.78 to 12.06),the PAA chain’s dynamics in the relatively concentrated solution have been elucidated into three processes.In the pH range from 12.06 to 6.0,PAA chains take an extended and non-folding conformation.Changing pH from 6.0 to 3.86,PAA chains are partially protonated and loosely packed polymer coils are formed.Further lowering the pH value of the solution(from 3.86 to 1.78),protonated segments dominate the PAA chains,and at the same time,the intermolecular hydrogen bonding takes effect,thus the polymer chains posses in the conformation of more compact coils.

Some Quantitative Estimations on the Zeros of Differential Polynomials

Recently, various results on the existence of deficient value or infinitely many zeros of several special classes of differential polynomials of an entire function or a transcendental meromorphic function f satisfying δ(∞, f)=1 have been obtained. In this paper, we have summarized some of them and extended these results by obtaining some quantitative estimations on the zeros of several general classes of differential polynomials of an arbitrary transcendental meromorphic function. The proofs utilize the improved version of the Clunie lemma on differential polynomials and carefully count the multiplicities of the zeros of various auxiliary functions.

Synthesis and properties of poly(1-phenyl-1-octyne)s containing stereogenic and chromophoric pendant groups

Poly(1-phenyl-1-octyne)s containing different stereogenic and chromophoric pendants {-[(C6H13)C= C(C6H4-p-CO2-R)] n -R = [(1S)-endo]-(?)-borneyl (P3), (1R,2S,5R)-(?)-menthyl (P4), -C6H4-p-(1R,2S,5R)-(?)-menthyl (P5), 2-napthyl (P6), 4-biphenylyl (P7)} have been designed and synthesized. The polymers are prepared in moderate yields by WCl6-Ph4Sn and possess high molecular weights (M w up to 64000). The structures and properties of the polymers are characterized and evaluated by NMR, TGA, UV, CD, PL, and EL analyses. All the polymers are thermally stable and their temperatures for 5% weight loss locate in the range of 300 to 416°C under nitrogen. The energy band gaps of all the polymers are ～3.0 eV. Polymers P4 and P5 show CD absorptions associated with the helicity of the polymer segments. Excitation of the THF solutions of P3–P7 by UV irradiation gives strong blue lights of ～485 nm with quantum yields higher than 20%. The thin films of the polymers also emit in the same spectral region, indicative of little aggregation-caused quenching of light emission. Multilayer EL devices with a configuration of ITO/Polymer:PVK/BCP/Alq3/LiF/Al are constructed, which emit blue lights of ～487 nm. The maximum luminance and external quantum efficiency vary with the pendant groups, with P6 exhibiting the highest external quantum efficiency of 0.16%. The spectra stability of the EL devices is outstanding and the EL peak maximum experiences little change with the applied voltage.