ObjectivesThis study aimed to test the reliability, validity and sensitivity of Chinese version of the EQ-5D preference weights in Chinese general people, examine the differences between the China value set and the UK, Japan and Korea value sets, and provide methods for evaluating and comparing the EQ-5D value sets of different countries.MethodsA random sample of 2984 community residents (15 years or older) were interviewed using a questionnaire including the EQ-5D scale. Level of agreement, convergent validity, known-groups validity and sensitivity of the EQ-5D China, United Kingdom (UK), Japan and Korea value sets were determined.ResultsThe mean EQ-5D index scores were significantly (P<0.05) different among the UK (0.964), Japan (0.981), Korea (0.987), and China (0.985) weights. High level of agreement (intraclass correlations coefficients > 0.75) and convergent validity (Pearson’s correlation coefficients > 0.95) were found between each paired schemes. The EQ-5D index scores discriminated equally well for the four versions between levels of 10 known-groups (P< 0.05). The effect size and the relative efficiency statistics showed that the China weights had better sensitivity.ConclusionsThe China EQ-5D preference weights show equivalent psychometric properties with those from the UK, Japan and Korea weights while slightly more sensitive to known group differences than those from the Japan and Korea weights. Considering both psychometric and sociocultural issues, the China scheme should be a priority as an EQ-5D based measure of the health related quality of life in Chinese general population.

Novel polyphenylene–metal complexes with discotic, linear, and dendritic geometries are synthesized by using a facile approach consisting of reactions between Co2(CO)8 and ethynyl functionalities in dichloromethane. Various carbon nanoparticles (CNPs), including graphitic carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphitic carbon rods, and carbon–metal hybrid particles are obtained from the solid‐state pyrolysis of these complexes. The ultimate structures of the CNPs are found to be dependant on the structure and composition of the starting compounds. Precursors containing graphenes always result in graphitic CNTs in high yield, whereas dendritic precursors give rodlike carbon materials. Alternatively, linear oligo(arylethylene) precursors afford mostly carbon–metal hybrids with large amounts of amorphous carbon. Furthermore, the CNP structures could be controlled by adjusting the carbon/metal ratio, the type and position of the metal incorporated into the precursor, and the mode of pyrolysis. These results provide further chances toward understanding the mechanism of CNP formation.

In the pursuit of novel high-performance materials, great interest has been devoted to both tubular and spherical carbon nanoclusters.[ C NMR spectra disclose obvious signal shifts for the protons and carbons of the ethynyl groups, which indicates a complete complexation (S- Fig. 1 in Supporting Information (SI)).Powders of 1b, 2b, or 3b were placed in a quartz tube and sealed under vacuum. Each compound was first heated to the decomposition temperature (determined by thermogravimetric analysis) and maintained at this temperature for about two hours. They were then heated to a higher temperature at different heating rates and held at these temperatures for different periods of time. After cooling to room temperature, the obtained solid samples were submitted to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis.Compound 1b burns in the solid-state upon slight scratching. Surprisingly, heating 1b at 130°C for two hours in a quartz tube resulted in a high yield of regular rod-like structures with diameters ranging from 200 to 500 nm (Fig. 1a and S- Fig. 2a in SI). TEM images show that the rod-like structures are composed of uniformly dispersed amorphous carbon and Co nanoparticles with diameters around 1-2 nm (Fig. 1b). The monodisperse Co nanoparticles arise from the decompo- COMMUNICATIONSAdv. Mater.

Condensation freezing inhibition is of great practical importance for anti-icing applications; however, no coatings with this performance have been reported. Here, we report the inhibition of condensation freezing on patterned polyelectrolyte coatings, including polyelectrolyte brush (PB), polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM), and polyelectrolyte hydrogel (PH) surfaces, benefiting from their feature in regulating ice nucleation and propagation via changing counterions. On the reported surfaces, ice nucleation can be initiated exclusively at the domains with the polyelectrolytes; moreover, spontaneous ice propagation can be achieved atop the patterned polyelectrolyte surface. Consequently, condensed water surrounding the frozen drops on the patterned polyelectrolyte surface evaporates due to the instantaneously released latent heat in the course of ice propagation. Afterward, ice grows specifically on polyelectrolyte surfaces via desublimation as the saturated vapor pressure of ice is smaller than that of condensed water drops. As such, an ice-free region up to 96% of the entire surface area can be accomplished. We demonstrate that various polyelectrolyte coatings can be easily introduced on almost all surfaces, revealing great promise for anti-icing applications.

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