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Solar water splitting has gained increasing attention in converting solar energy into green hydrogen energy. However, the construction of a photothermo-electro coupling field by harnessing light-induced heat and its enhancement on solar water splitting were seldom studied. Herein, we developed a full-spectrum responsive photoanode by depositing CdxZn1–xS onto the surface of hydrogenated TiO2nanotube array (H-TNA), followed by modification with Ni2P. The resulting ternary photoanode exhibits a photocurrent density of 4.99 mA·cm–2at 1.23 V vs. RHE with photoinduced heating, which is 11.9-fold higher than that of pristine TNA, with an optimal ABPE of 2.47%. The characterization results demonstrate that the ternary photoanode possesses superior full-spectrum absorption and efficient photogenerated carrier separation driven by the interface electric fields. Additionally, Ni2P reduces the hole injection barrier and increases surface active sites, accelerating the consumption of holes accumulating on the relatively unstable CdxZn1–xS to simultaneously improve the activity and stability of water splitting. Moreover, temperature-dependent measurements reveal that H-TNA and Ni2P significantly motivate the photothermal conversion to construct a photothermo-electro coupling field, optimizing photoelectric conversion and charge carrier-induced surface reactions. This work contributes to understanding the synergistic effect of the photothermo-electro coupling field on the photoelectrochemical water splitting.

The Li metal anode is considered one of the most potential anodes due to its highest theoretical specific capacity and the lowest redox potential. However, the scalable preparation of safe Li anodes remains a challenge. In the present study, a LiF-rich protection layer has been developed using self-driven chemical reactions between the Li3xLa2/3–xTiO3/polyvinylidene fluoride/dimethylacetamide (LLTO/PVDF/DMAc) solution and the Li metal. After coating the LLTO/PVDF/DMAc solution to Li foil, PVDF reacted with Li spontaneously to form LiF, and the accompanying Ti4+ions (in LLTO) were reduced to Ti3+to form a mixed ionic and electronic conductor LixLLTO. The protective layer can redistribute the Li-ion transport, regulate the even Li deposition, and inhibit the Li dendrite growth. When paired with LiFePO4, NCM811, and S cathodes, the batteries have demonstrated excellent capacity retention and cycling stability. More importantly, a volumetric energy density of 478 Wh L–1and 78% capacity retention after 310 cycles have been achieved by using a S/LixLLTO-Li pouch cell. This work provides a feasible avenue to provide large-scale preparation of safe Li anodes for the next-generation pouch-type Li–S batteries as ideal power sources for flexible electronic devices.

The introduction of a dual-functional interlayer into lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) provides many opportunities for restraining the “shuttle effect” and enhancing sluggish sulfur conversion kinetics. Tuning the band structure of the metal sulfide provides an opportunity to enhance its catalytic activity, which plays an important role in suppressing the “shuttle effect” of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) in LSBs. Here were present a Co9S8@MoS2core–shell heterostructure anchored to a carbon nanofiber (Co9S8@MoS2/CNF), developed as an interlayer for suppressing the shuttle effect of LiPSs. The fabricated composite heterostructure is determined to be an effective alternative material that combines the synergistic relationship between chemisorption and electrochemical catalysis. We find that the band structure of the MoS2shell can be effectively tuned by the Co9S8core and that the Co9S8@MoS2/CNF can capture the LiPSs, providing excellent catalytic ability to convert LiPSs into Li2S2, with subsequent transformation from Li2S2to Li2S. Importantly, high capacities of 1002 and 986 mAh g–1can be retained after 50 cycles with high-sulfur loadings of 6 and 10 mg cm–2. Our results highlight the design of an atomic-scale heterostructure as a multifunctional interlayer providing a synergistic relationship between adsorption and catalysis. The net result is an effective retardation of the shuttling of LiPSs and an enhancement of the electrochemical redox reactions of LiPSs. This work shows great promise toward the development of practical applications of LSBs.

Background: Due to the complex etiology of AD, multi-target-directed ligands (MTDLs), combining two or more distinct pharmacological moieties, have been developed in both symptomatic and disease-modifying efficiencies and are considered as an effective way for the treatment of AD. Methods: To test their biological activities, including AChE/BChE inhibitory activity and MAOA/ MAO-B inhibitory activity. In addition, molecular modeling studies were performed to afford insight into the binding mode. Results and Discussions: The results displayed that compound 4c showed the best AChE inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 4.2 μM, which was supported by the kinetic study and docking study. Compound 4c was also a selective MAO-B inhibitor (IC50 = 8.2 μM). Moreover, compound 4c could cross the blood-brain barrier in vitro. Conclusion: Compound 4c deserved to further study as a potential multifunctional agent for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Using polymer electrolytes with relatively high mechanical strength, enhanced safety, and excellent flexibility to replace the conventional liquid electrolytes is an effective strategy to curb the Li-dendrite growth in Li-metal batteries (LMBs). However, low ionic conductivity, unsatisfactory thermal stability, and narrow electrochemical window still hinder their applications. Here, we fabricate Li0.35La0.55TiO3(LLTO) nanofiber-enabled poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-based composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) with enhanced mechanical property and wide electrochemical window. The results show that 15 wt % of LLTO nanofibers synergize with PVDF, giving a flexible electrolyte membrane with significantly improved performance, such as high ionic conductivity (5.3 × 10–4S cm–1), wide electrochemical window (5.1 V), high mechanical strength (stress 9.5 MPa, strain 341%), and good thermal stability (thermal degradation 410 °C). In addition, an all-solid-state Li-metal battery of sandwich-type LiFePO4/PVDF–CPE (15 wt % of LLTO)/Li delivers satisfactory cycling stability and outstanding rate performance. A reversible capacity of 121 mA h g–1is delivered at 1 C after 100 cycles. This work exemplifies that the introduction of LLTO nanofibers can improve the electrochemical performances of PVDF-based CPEs used as electrolytes for all-solid-state LMBs.

The article informs that Ruili, China has evolved into the largest land trading port between China and Myanmar and Ruili's border town becomes key link in trade and exchange with neighbors in Southeast and South Asia. Topics discussed include development of Ruili by the special policies of the Central Government; import of crabs and aquatic products to China from Myanmar through the port, each year; and effect of rapid development of Ruili on neighboring Myanmar cities.

The article refers to Xi Jinping president of China's speech "thought on Diplomacy'' which was delivered at Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs in Beijing, China . Topics discussed include Xi listed 10 principles that the country's diplomacy should follow and offered clarification on political guidance, historic missions, strategic plans; views of Chen Xiangyang, Director of the Crisis Management Research Center; and views of Men Honghua, researcher of international studies.

The article discusses the "Five-Year Plan of Action on Lancang-Mekong Cooperation," the documents that will outline the course of development for the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC), the subregional cooperation mechanism among China and its neighbors along the Mekong river, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Topics covered include framework of the LMC mechanism, role of China in promoting LMC and potential for trade and economic cooperation among LMC countries.

The article focuses on Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing, China on May 14-15, 2017 in which officials discusses the evolution of Belt and Road Initiative, focuses on connectivity and cooperation between Eurasian countries, and laid the foundation of globalization. It mentions initiative aims to create effective demand by increasing effective supply to rebalance the world economy and promotes economic integration, infrastructure and trade.

The article offers information on the Myanmar-China oil and gas pipeline project, which involves the construction of two pipelines for transporting crude oil and natural gas produced in other countries through Myanmar to China. Topics discussed include the economic benefits of the project, the trade partnership between the two countries, and other Chinese investments in Myanmar.

The article discusses measures taken by China to promote free trade with Australia and New Zealand, as of April 2017. It states significance of natural resources, hi-technology industries, and agriculture of New Zealand and Australia in China's economic ties with the countries, and mentions visits Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to the countries. It notes that China has indicated willingness to play a bigger role in promoting global free trade.

The article focuses on the visit of Chinese president Xi Jinping to Switzerland to strengthen bilateral relations of the two nations. Topics include diplomatic relations of Switzerland with the People's Republic of China (PRC) since the 1950s and the innovative strategic partnership of Switzerland with China. Also mentioned are the tea and conversation time of Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan with Swiss president Doris Leuthard and her husband Roland Hausin on a train to Bern from Zurich.

The article offers information on the three-nation trip by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Ecuador, Peru, and Chile in November 2016. Topics include the goal of Xi's state visit to enhance cooperation with the three countries, Chinese investments and financing in Ecuador, and free trade agreement (FTA) among the countries.

Extended surfactants represent a novel class of anionic–nonionic surfactants with exceptional performance and unique application value in chemically enhanced oil recovery. Although molecular dynamics (MD) simulations can efficiently screen these surfactants, the current research is limited. Here, it is proven for the first time that existing generic force fields (GAFF and CHARMM) cannot accurately describe extended surfactants, and traditional approaches are insufficient for obtaining precise charge parameters. The concept of the respectively optimized force field (ROFF) with the purports of specialization and accuracy is proposed to construct high-accuracy models for MD simulations, and a new approach is developed to simulate the interface model. By combining the newly specialized alkane model, ROFF-based surfactant models, and the innovative simulation protocol, high accuracy and reliability can be obtained in predicting hydration free energies, minimum of area per molecule, and critical micelle concentration of extended surfactants. Key properties of the newly designed extended surfactants in conventional oil–water interfaces and oil reservoir environments are comprehensively predicted by using advanced analytical and characterization methods. Furthermore, the more rigorous mechanism underlying the special amphiphilicity of the extended surfactant is revealed, potentially offering significant improvements over previous empirical perspectives.

The article focuses on improved foreign relations between China and Canada through frequent state visits by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. It highlights decision of Canada to apply for membership of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) during visit of Trudeau to China. It also highlights major events in China and Canada relations like the G20 Summit.

The article discusses how China has enhanced its efforts to contribute to its UN peace-keeping operations. China has sent more than 30,000 troops to participate in 24 UN missions since it became involved in such undertakings in 1990. Around 19 Chinese peacekeepers have been killed as on 2016 while on duty. Around 218 Chinese peacekeepers with the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) were awarded UN medals on July 6, 2016.

The article looks at the rejection of China of the award by an ad hoc arbitral tribunal regarding its dispute with the Philippines for the sovereignty over the South China Sea. It is inferred that China declared the award as null and void and has no binding force, citing the tribunal's failure of taking into account historical relics on the islands. China's willingness to work directly with concerned countries to resolve the dispute is discussed.

The article discusses issues related to the plan of the government of China to advance the building of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21 st-Century Maritime Silk Road. It is noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping has proposed in 2013 to promote common prosperity across more than 60 countries along their routes in Asia through infrastructure interconnectivity.

The article offers travel tips for Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China and includes information on the 24,400 Muslim mosques at villages, state official holidays and traditional festivals of ethnic minority groups.

The article analyzes the implications of the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 tragedy on the future of the ongoing Ukrainian crisis against Russia. The aircraft was fired down by a missile in Ukraine's Donetsk region on July 17, 2014 while en route to Kuala Lumpur. Topics cited include the debate on which country was responsible for the attack, the shift of international attention to the Ukrainian crisis following the crash, and the impact of the incident to regional and international relations.

The article reports on the progress in China's bilateral relations with the Republic of South Korea following Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to South Korea in July 2014. It discusses the negotiations over free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries that started in 2012, an agreement between the presidents of both countries to maintain and promote regional security and nuclear-free Peninsula in South Korea and the emergence of China as the largest trading partner of South Korea.

The article discusses the commemoration of the international relations norm between China, India and Myanmar known as the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. It presents the relevance of the 60th anniversary of the Five Principles in China's effort to contribute to the settlement of international conflicts such as that in the South China Sea and in Ukraine. In attendance were Chinese President Xi Jinping, Myanmar's President U Thein Sein and Indian Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari.

Information on topics discussed at the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) that was held in Shanghai, China on May 21, 2014 is presented. Topics include the proposal of Chinese President Xi Jinping to develop a new security concept in Asia, security cooperation, and the CICA, which is seen as China's effort toward diplomacy. Attendees to the event include Xi Jinping, senior researcher Shi Ze, and international security researcher Yang Jin.

The article highlights the Nuclear Security Summit held in The Hague, the Netherlands on March 25, 2014. It features Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech on China's systematic approach to nuclear technology. He emphasizes that nuclear technology also poses the threat of potential security risks. Observers at the summit were convinced that the key element of China's approach to their own nuclear technology is significant in securing a safe world. INSET: Previous Summits.

The article reports on British Prime Minister David Cameron's December 2013 visit to China. The visit focused on a renewed emphasis on the importance of mutual respect in bilateral relations. It restarted an annual China-Britian premier meeting, marking a thaw in Sino-British relations. It follows the row that arose after Cameron's meeting with the Dalai Lama and will reopen top-level ties with the world's second largest economy, says British media.

The article focuses on the meeting of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, China, on March 3-12, 2012. It informs that according to Gao Jixi, director at the Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, people in China should have a nice living environment while the country becomes prosperous. It also reports that city waste is another major environmental concern.

The article discusses the low-carbon development initiatives taken by Nanchang, capital of central China's Jiangxi Province. The city's industrial transformation and restructuring efforts since 2002 include the relocation of 40 enterprises from downtown Nanchang to suburban industrial parks and the renovation or closure of other polluting companies. The city also promotes green industries, organic farming, solar energy, bicycle-sharing program, and energy-efficient buildings and lamps.

The article discusses the agreement between China, South Korea, and Japan to introduce negotiations on a trilateral free trade area (FTA) in 2012. The agreement was confirmed at the 5th Trilateral Summit Meeting on May 13, 2012 in Beijing, China. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao appealed to the three countries to make efforts for the early development of the FTA. It was mentioned that the FTA will have a significant regional and global influence.

The article discusses highlights of the 26th World University Games held from August 12-23 in Shenzhen, China. Particular focus is given to the city's efforts to be economical by building eco-friendly sports stadiums and holding low-key ceremonies. It cites a reduction in the budget for a torch relay to 15 million yuan. It notes the interest shown by weightlifter Petteri Heinonen in the dorm's shower rooms. It also mentions the use of water saving facilities at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center.

A simple and efficient method for the preparation ofpyrido[1,2‐a]benzimidazoles by a copper‐catalyzed inter‐ and intramolecular C–N coupling cascade process was designed and carried out, and the products were obtained in moderate to excellent yields (up to 93 %).

The article discusses the state visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to Great Britain in June 2014. Topics discussed include the aim of the Chinese premier to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in several economic areas and to clarify misunderstandings about China, the series of trade and investment deals signed by the two nations, and the lessons that China can learn from the experience of Great Britain in industrialization and urbanization. INSET: Boosting Ties With Greece.

The article discusses diplomatic activities of China with its neighbor countries since the coming of new leadership in the year 2013. It states that China, which shares its land border with 14 countries, has a complicated neighboring environment for which government officials need to have great diplomatic wisdom. It mentions the interactions that took place between China and its neighbors in 2013 that includes Chinese President Xi Jinping visit to Russia, Central Asia and Indonesia. INSET: Interactions Between China and Its Neighbors in 2013.

The article presents the highlights of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) held in Beijing, China, from April 25 to 27, 2019. The forum was attended by some 5,000 participants from around the world, including heads of state and government and leaders from the United Nations (UN) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Cooperation agreements worth over 64 billion U.S. dollars were signed during a conference of chief executive officers (CEOs).

The article discusses a meeting of the two countries' leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping and the U.S. President Barack Obama held at the Sunnylands estate in California in June 2013. It states that both leaders try to build a new type of bilateral relationship between the two countries based on mutual respect and international cooperation. It mentions that Chinese observers remarked the meeting as a good start for Sino-U.S. relations after leadership transitions in both countries.

The article discusses the highlights of the 2012 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) that was held in south China's Hainan Province from April 1 to 3. A speech was delivered by Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang on the need for Asia to explore and expand markets of domestic demand. Mitsui Co., Ltd. chairman of the board Shoei Utsuda cited the aging problem faced by Asia.

A mild and clean protocol for the alkynylation coupling of aryl iodides with terminal alkynes has been developed in yields up to 99 % in the presence of sulfonato‐CuII(salen) in water. Domino synthesis of 2‐arylindoles from 2‐iodoaniline and aryl acetylene was successfully carried out by this catalytic system, and the catalyst could be easily recovered and reused.

The article talks about Tajikistan which has an unique geographical position, starting of the Vahdat-Yovon railway operation constructed with loans and technology from Chinese companies and well connected old railway network Soviet Union era. It talks about the development of the central region, cooperation between China and Tajikistan under the Belt and Road Initiative, bilateral relations, investing in large industrial enterprises and projects and multilateral trade system.

The article discusses the impact of the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on the lives of people of Pakistan. Topics include the creation of jobs due to CPEC and people of Pakistan learning Chinese, the reduction in power shortage due to CPEC projects, and the loans provided by the Pakistan government for the project.

Information on several issues discussed at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's (SCO) 16th meeting of the Council og Heads of Government in the Russian resort city of Sochi, Russia held from November 30 to December 1, 2017 is presented. Topics include international and regional security, economic cooperation and cultural relations, and improvement in international monetary and financial system.

The article offers information on the Code of Conduct (COC) framework endorsed by several foreign ministers from different countries to settle maritime disputes in the South China Sea. Topics include cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), peace and stability goals for the South China Sea, and benefit of China's economic growth to ASEAN.

The article reports that the special administrative region (SAR) in China received a gift from the Central Government— a pair of giant pandas, An An and Jia Jia. The new arrivals were settled in Ocean Park Hong Kong, an amusement park, marine mammal park and animal themed park as well as oceanarium rolled into one.

The article offers information on the "China Themed Book Global Exhibition", hosted by China International Publishing Group, on January 9, 2017 in Geneva, Switzerland and talks of cultural exchange between Swiss and Chinese readers.

An obituary for Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro, who founded the Communist Party of Cuba and became the country's president, is presented.

The article explores the move by Group of 20 countries to promote international cooperation in combating corruption around the world. In order to carry out cross-border anti-corruption cooperation and recover ill-gotten assets, Group of 20 countries have developed a research center and an exchange platform. The need to observe the rule of international law, human rights and the sovereignty of each country in carrying out anti-corruption measures is noted.