A structured open dataset of government interventions in response to COVID-19.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, governments have implemented a wide range of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). Monitoring and documenting government strategies during the COVID-19 crisis is crucial to understand the progression of the epidemic. Following a content analysis strategy of existing public information sources, we developed a specific hierarchical coding scheme for NPIs. We generated a comprehensive structured dataset of government interventions and their respective timelines of implementation. To improve transparency and motivate collaborative validation process, information sources are shared via an open library. We also provide codes that enable users to visualise the dataset. Standardization and structure of the dataset facilitate inter-country comparison and the assessment of the impacts of different NPI categories on the epidemic parameters, population health indicators, the economy, and human rights, among others. This dataset provides an in-depth insight of the government strategies and can be a valuable tool for developing relevant preparedness plans for pandemic. We intend to further develop and update this dataset until the end of December 2020.

Electro-oxidation of a cobalt based steel in LiOH: a non-noble metal based electro-catalyst suitable for durable water-splitting in an acidic milieu.

The use of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers is the method of choice for the conversion of solar energy when frequently occurring changes of the current load are an issue. However, this technique requires electrolytes with low pH. All oxygen evolving electrodes working durably and actively in acids contain IrOx. Due to their scarcity and high acquisition costs, noble elements like Pt, Ru and Ir need to be replaced by earth abundant elements. We have evaluated a cobalt containing steel for use as an oxygen-forming electrode in H2SO4. We found that the dissolving of ingredients out of the steel electrode at oxidative potential in sulfuric acid, which is a well-known, serious issue, can be substantially reduced when the steel is electro-oxidized in LiOH prior to electrocatalysis. Under optimized synthesis conditions a cobalt-containing tool steel was rendered into a durable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalyst (weight loss: 39 µg mm-2 after 50 000 s of chronopotentiometry at pH 1) that exhibits overpotentials down to 574 mV at 10 mA cm-2 current density at pH 1. Focused ion beam SEM (FIB-SEM) was successfully used to create a structure-stability relationship.

Metal-Based Diversity for Crystalline Metal-Fullerene Frameworks.

Four different three-dimensional metal-fullerene frameworks were synthesized through polymerization of two C60 -derived dodecaacids with varying alkyl spacers in the presence of Ca2+ , Cu2+ or Cd2+ ions. Structural analysis of the frameworks was performed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and porosity of the materials was investigated by sorption measurements.

Supramolecular frameworks based on [60]fullerene hexakisadducts.

[60]Fullerene hexakisadducts possessing 12 carboxylic acid side chains form crystalline hydrogen-bonding frameworks in the solid state. Depending on the length of the linker between the reactive sites and the malonate units, the distance of the [60]fullerene nodes and thereby the spacing of the frameworks can be controlled and for the most elongated derivative, continuous channels are obtained within the structure. Stability, structural integrity and porosity of the material were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry and sorption measurements.

Three-Dimensional Metal-Fullerene Frameworks.

Hexakis-substituted [60]fullerene adducts with icosahedral symmetry provide an unprecedented scaffold for the spatial arrangement of twelve functional groups with high geometric precision. This unique molecular symmetry identifies such polyfunctional organic building blocks as potential highly connective linkers for coordination polymer and metal-organic framework synthesis. Hereby, the linker exhibits a higher connectivity than the metal ions and with the main connectivity based on the ligand, this can create a new type of inversely cross-linked framework. Two hexakis adducts bearing either twelve glycolic acid or 3-hydroxypropionic acid side chains attached to its malonate units were incorporated as organic connectivity centers in the first fullerene-containing three-dimensional frameworks by coordination with Zn(2+) .