In this paper, we present a semi-proximal alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) for solving 3-block separable convex minimization problems with the second block in the objective being a strongly convex function and one coupled linear equation constraint. By choosing the semi-proximal terms properly, we establish the global convergence of the proposed semiproximal ADMM for the step-length τ ∈ (0, (1+ √ 5)/2) and the penalty parameter σ ∈ (0, +∞). In particular, if σ > 0 is smaller than a certain threshold and the first and third linear operators in the linear equation constraint are injective, then all the three added semi-proximal terms can be dropped and consequently, the convergent 3-block semi-proximal ADMM reduces to the directly extended 3-block ADMM with τ ∈ (0, (1 + √ 5)/2).
HighlightsOMMT/paraffin composite PCM were prepared.OMMT/paraffin/grafted MWNT composite phase change material.Paraffin is intercalated into the interlayer of OMMT.OMMT/paraffin/grafted MWNT has stable thermal properties.OMMT/paraffin/grafted MWNT has a better heat storage prosperity.
We contend that generalizability (G) theory allows the design of psychometric approaches to testing English‐language learners (ELLs) that are consistent with current thinking in linguistics. We used G theory to estimate the amount of measurement error due to code (language or dialect). Fourth‐ and fifth‐grade ELLs, native speakers of Haitian‐Creole from two speech communities, were given the same set of mathematics items in the standard English and standard Haitian‐Creole dialects (Sample 1) or in the standard and local dialects of Haitian‐Creole (Samples 2 and 3). The largest measurement error observed was produced by the interaction of student, item, and code. Our results indicate that the reliability and dependability of ELL achievement measures is affected by two facts that operate in combination: Each test item poses a unique set of linguistic challenges and each student has a unique set of linguistic strengths and weaknesses. This sensitivity to language appears to take place at the level of dialect. Also, students from different speech communities within the same broad linguistic group may differ considerably in the number of items needed to obtain dependable measures of their academic achievement. Whether students are tested in English or in their first language, dialect variation needs to be considered if language as a source of measurement error is to be effectively addressed.
This study investigated the mechanisms, using microscopy and strength testing approaches, by which the addition of maleic anhydride grafted high-density polyethylene (MAPE) enhances the mechanical properties of basalt fiber-wood-plastic composites (BF-WPCs). The maximum values of the specific tensile and flexural strengths areachieved at a MAPE content of 5%–8%. The elongation increases rapidly at first and then continues slowly. The nearly complete integration of the wood fiber with the high-density polyethylene upon MAPE addition to WPC is examined, and two models of interfacial behavior are proposed. We examined the physical significance of both interfacial models and their ability to accurately describe the effects of MAPE addition. The mechanism of formation of the Model I interface and the integrated matrix is outlined based on the chemical reactions that may occur between the various components as a result of hydrogen bond formation or based on the principle of compatibility, resulting from similar polarity. The Model I fracture occurred on the outer surface of the interfacial layer, visually demonstrating the compatibilization effect of MAPE addition.
In the present study, we used Caenorhabditis elegans assay system to investigate in vivo toxicity from clentuberol and ractopamine and the possible underlying mechanism. Both acute and prolonged exposures to clentuberol or ractopamine decreased brood size and locomotion behavior, and induced intestinal autofluorescence and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Although acute exposure to the examined concentrations of clentuberol or ractopamine did not induce lethality, prolonged exposure to 10 µg/L of clentuberol and ractopamine reduced lifespan. At relatively high concentrations, ractopamine exhibited more severe toxicity than clentuberol on nematodes. Overexpression of sod-2 gene encoding a Mn-SOD to prevent induction of oxidative stress effectively inhibited toxicity from clentuberol or ractopamine. Besides oxidative stress, we found that clentuberol might reduce lifespan through influencing insulin/IGF signaling pathway; however, ractopamine might reduce lifespan through affecting both insulin/IGF signaling pathway and TOR signaling pathway. Ractopamine more severely decreased expression levels of daf-16, sgk-1, skn-1, and aak-2 genes than clentuberol, and increased expression levels of daf-2 and age-1 genes at the examined concentration. Therefore, the C. elegans assay system may be useful for assessing the possible toxicity from weight loss agents, and clentuberol and ractopamine may induce toxicity through different molecular mechanisms.
The chemical looping process is promising
for CO2 conversion
because of the much higher CO2 conversion efficiency than
the photocatalytic and electrocatalytic processes. Conventional oxygen
carriers have to include a high content of inert support, typically
Al2O3, to avoid sintering, thus leading to a
trade-off between reactivity and stability. Here, we propose the use
of ion-conductive Gd
x
Ce2–x
O2−δ (GDC) to prepare the
supported oxygen carriers. The resulting Fe2O3/GDC materials achieve both high reactivity and stability. Fe2O3/Gd0.3Ce1.7O2−δ shows high CO productivity (∼10.79 mmol·g–1) and CO production rate (∼0.77 mmol·g–1·min–1), which are twofold higher than that
of Fe2O3/Al2O3. The performance
remains stable even after 30 cycles. The mechanism study confirmed
the rate-limiting role of the oxygen-ion conductivity, and the GDC
support enhanced the oxygen-ion conductivity of oxygen carriers during
the redox reactions, thus leading to improved CO2 splitting
performance. A roughly linear relationship between the oxygen-ion
conductivity and CO2 yield is also obtained and verified
in our testing conditions. This relation can be used to predict and
select oxygen carriers with high CO2 splitting performance.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.