Redox modulated hydrogelation of a self-assembling short peptide amphiphile

Hydrogels resulting from the self-assembly of small peptides are smart nanobiomaterials as their nanostructuring can be readily tuned by environmental stimuli such as pH,ionic strength and temperature,thereby favoring their practical applications.This work reports experimental observations of formation of peptide hydrogels in response to the redox environment.Ac-I 3 K-NH 2 is a short peptide amphiphile that readily self-assembles into long nanofibers and its gel formation occurs at concentrations of about 10 mmol/L.Introduction of a Cys residue into the hydrophilic region leads to a new molecule,Ac-I 3 CGK-NH 2,that enables the formation of disulfide bonds between self-assembled nanofibers,thus favoring cross-linking and promoting hydrogel formation.Under oxidative environment,Ac-I 3 CGK-NH 2 formed hydrogels at much lower concentrations(even at 0.5 mmol/L).Furthermore,the strength of the hydrogels could be easily tuned by switching between oxidative and reductive conditions and time.However,AFM,TEM,and CD measurements revealed little morphological and structural changes at molecular and nano dimensions,showing no apparent influence arising from the disulfide bond formation.     

氧化石墨烯墨水的制备及直写图案化

 采用改进的Hummers法制备宽度分布范围为30~70 μm的大尺寸氧化石墨烯及其墨水,并通过直写打印实验,研究了最佳打印条件和氧化石墨烯墨水直写图案化。结果表明,当氧化石墨烯浓度为15 mg/mL、打印压力为70 kPa、线速度为3 mm/s时,打印线条流畅,形貌精细可控;还原剂为15%氢碘酸、还原时间为3 h时,打印线条的还原程度最高,且电性能最佳,电导率可达4.40×10⁴ S/m,远超过现有打印技术的石墨烯图案电导率;实现了氧化石墨烯墨水在亲水聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯（PET）、聚二甲基硅氧烷（PDMS）、玻璃、硅片等多种柔性和非柔性基底上的图案化直写打印,且经还原处理的氧化石墨烯图案可作为连接导线实现发光二极管的集成,对于石墨烯基印刷电子器件的发展具有重要意义。     

Biological and mechanical investigation of novel flax/silk protein-based nanofibrous scaffold for bone regeneration

The process of bone tissue regeneration involves an intricate network of a biological macromolecules that includes proteins and peptides to support stimulation and healing response. Here, we have fabricated a novel flaxseed/silk fibroin based (dual protein) composite nanofibers using β-TCP to improve the biological properties and promote cartilage tissue regeneration along with a controllable rate of biodegradation. The physiochemical properties of PVA/β-TCP/FP:SF were characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, porosity, contact angle measurements and mechanical evaluation etc. This study demonstrates the biological performance of the developed nanofibers by using hemocompatibility, biodegradation ability, and apatite deposition in stimulated body fluid. Moreover, the cell viability assay was performed on MG-63 osteoblast cells and long-term antibacterial rate against E. coli and S. aureus was analysed. Docking results of flax protein and silk fibroin protein further confirmed the stable modes of intramolecular bonding and the most stable electrostatic values using theoretical calculations. Taken together, the experimental results proved that the dual protein-based fibrous scaffold was found to be up-regulated in terms of biological activity with enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation.     

双胆固醇取代Schiff碱衍生物的合成及其自组装性质

设计合成了双胆固醇取代Schiff碱衍生物, 发现该化合物能在苯、 CCl₄、 乙酸丁酯和DMF中自组装形成透明的有机凝胶. 扫描电镜和透射电镜照片表明, 大量一维凝胶纤维的交叉缠绕构成了三维网络结构. UV-vis吸收光谱表明, 在凝胶相中Schiff碱基团之间通过π-π相互作用形成了H-聚集体.     

Room temperature H2S micro-sensors with anti-humidity properties fabricated from NiO-In2O3 composite nanofibers

NiO-In2O3 composite nanofibers are synthesized via electrospinning and calcining techniques.Micro-sensors are fabricated by sputtering Pt electrodes on Si chips to form sensor substrates,and then spinning the NiO-In2O3 composite nanofibers onto the sensor substrate surface.The as-fabricated micro-sensors exhibit excellent H2S sensing properties at room temperature.The sensitivity of the micro-sensors is up to 6 when the sensors are exposed to 3μL/LH2S,and the corresponding response and recovery times are 14 and 22 s,respectively.The micro-sensors also exhibit high selectivity and good stability.Especially,the micro-sensors can operate at various humidity conditions.The sensitivity of the micro-sensors is 3.8 to 3μL/LH2S at 75% relative humidity.These characteristics make the micro-sensors good candidates for practical H2S sensors with high performance.     

Effects of lithium chloride on outward potassium currents in acutely isolated hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons

Lithium is best known for its therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of manic-depressive illness. Its clinical profile includes the antimanic and antidepressant ac- tions as well as prophylaxis of both mania and depres- sion. Despite its efficacy, the mole…     

Improved and excellent CO sensing properties of Cu-doped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanofibers

Cu-doped TiO2 nanofibers with an average diameter of about 80 nm are synthesized through an electrospinning method. Both anatase and rutile crystallographic structures are found in the fibers based on XRD results. Compared with pure TiO2 nanofibers, the Cu-doped TiO2 nanofibers exhibit improved CO sensing properties at 300°C. The sensitivity of Cu-doped TiO2 nanofibers is up to 3 when the sensor is exposed to 5 ppm CO, and the response and recovery times are about 4 and 8 s, respectively. Good selectivity i...     

利用蚕丝制作的微米光器件的研究

利用Na2CO3水溶液将蚕茧去除丝胶得到直径为5～15μm的生物纤维,采用扫描电镜(SEM)和透射电镜(TEM)观察了其形貌特征。通过倏逝波耦合的方法,利用SiO2微纳光锥将波长为671 nm的红光、532 nm的绿光、473 nm的蓝光分别耦合进入微米蚕丝生物光纤,分析了其导光特性,测量了光在蚕丝纤维中的传输损耗。制作了2×2、3×1、1×4、环形等光子结构。实验证明蚕丝微米生物光纤具有良好的柔韧性和表面光滑度,其中波长为532 nm的绿光在直径为9.0μm的蚕丝纤维中传输时的损耗为0.78 dB.mm-1。     

Corrosion resistance and thermal stability of sputtered Fe44Al34Ti7N15 and Al61Ti11N28 thin films for prospective application in oil and gas industry

Fe-and Al-based thin-film metallic glass coatings (Fe₄₄Al₃₄Ti₇N₁₅ and Al₆₁Ti₁₁N₂₈) were fabricated using magnetron co-sputtering technique, and their corrosion performances compared against wrought 316L stainless steel. The results of GI-XRD and XPS analyses demonstrated amorphous structure and oxide layer formation on the surface of the fabricated thin films, respectively. The potentiodynamic (PD) polarization test in chloride-thiosulfate (NH₄Cl ​+ ​Na₂S₂O₃) solution revealed lower corrosion current (I_corr) (0.42 ​± ​0.02 ​μA/cm² and 0.086 ​± ​0.001 ​μA/cm² Vs. 0.76 ​± ​0.05 ​μA/cm²), lower passivation current (I_pass) (1.45 ​± ​0.03 ​μA/cm² and 1.83 ​± ​0.07 ​μA/cm² Vs. 1.98 ​± ​0.04 ​μA/cm²), and approximately six-fold higher breakdown potential (E_bd) for Fe- and Al-based coatings than those of wrought 316L stainless steel. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) of both films showed 4- and 2-fold higher charge transfer resistance (R_ct), 7- and 2.5-times higher film resistance (R_f), lower film capacitance values (Q_f) (10 ​± ​2.4 ​μS-s^acm^-2, and 5.41 ​± ​0.8 ​μS-s^acm^-2 Vs. 18 ​± ​2.21 ​μS-s^acm^-2), and lower double-layer capacitance values (Q_dl) (31.33 ​± ​4.74 ​μS-s^acm^-2, and 15.3 ​± ​0.48 ​μS-s^acm^-2 Vs. 43 ​± ​4.23 ​μS-s^acm^-2), indicating higher corrosion resistance of the thin films. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) scan exhibited that the passive films formed on the Fe- and Al-based coatings were more stable and less prone to pitting corrosion than the wrought 316L stainless steel. The surface morphology of both films via SEM endorsed the CV scan results, showing better resistance to pitting corrosion. Furthermore, the thermal analysis via TGA and DSC revealed the excellent thermal stability of the thin films over a wide temperature range typically observed in oil-gas industries.     

Molecular imaging of tumor angiogenesis using RGD-labeled iron oxide nanoparticles

Integrin is often significantly up­regulated in activated endothelial cells during tumor angiogenesis. The arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptide sequence is a specific recognition motif to α_νβ₃ integrin. In this study, a RGD labeled, Poly lactic acid (PLA) coated ultrasmall paramagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) (referred to as RGD-PLA-USPIO) were developed and the ability to detect tumor angiogenesis was investigated in vitro and in vivo. Increased uptake of RGD-PLA-USPIO by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was detected by Prussian blue stain and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). Pronounced signal decrease in T₂^*-weighted magnetic resonance image (MRI) and heterogeneous arrangement of neovasculature of tumor tissue were clearly identified in Vx-2 tumor model. The MR signal of contralateral muscle only could be seen a slight background change after either RGD-PLA-USPIO or PLA-USPIO injection. These studies demonstrate the efficiency of RGD-PLA-USPIO to visualize α_νβ₃ integrin in activated tumor endothelial cells and its potential for detecting and monitoring tumor vasculature change after therapy.     

Fabricating polymer/HEA-hybrid topological lattice structure for enhanced mechanical properties

Metamaterials such as architected lattice structures have aroused broad interest in being applied as mechanical supports for their lightweight and custom-shaped capabilities. Although various prior efforts have been devoted, a multiscale fabrication of micro-nano lattice structures without penalizing the mechanical properties is still a challenging but highly desirable task. Here we put forward a strategy to produce a mechanically enhanced micro-nano lattice structure by conformally depositing a CoCrFeNiTi high-entropy alloy (HEA) coating layer onto a three-dimensional (3D) printed polymer skeleton. The template for the 3D printing employs a six-membered tricapped trigonal prism (6M-TTP) structure derived from a medium-range order structure motif in amorphous alloys. The topological complexity of the 6M-TTP can substantially avoid the stress concentration by offering stress-release channels, while the HEA film incorporating with amorphous and nanocrystalline constituents can further reinforce the lattice architecture through its size hardening effect. Benefitting from the above, the fabricated polymer/HEA-hybrid lattice exhibits a high specific compressive strength (～0.055 ?MPa ?kg^-1 m³ at a density below 500 ?kg ?m^-3), a superior elastic recoverability (～70% recovery rate under >30% compression), an enhanced plasticity (40% strain) and a high specific modulus (0.135 ?MPa ?kg^-1 m³). Our strategy initiates a perspective way to fabricate multiscale micro-nano lattice structures with improved mechanical properties, which could be extended to widespread metamaterial research.     

Morphology and Optical Properties of Self-Assembled In0.5Ga0.5As Quantum Dots with Different Spacer Layer Thickness

<正>Introduction Self-assembled quantum dots (QDs) that are grown using epitaxial techniques have been extensively stud-ied due to their potential for various applications. Self-assembled InxGa1-xAs/GaAs QDs represent one     

Up-conversion luminescence of Er^3＋ doped and Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ co-doped YTaO4

The synthesis and up-conversion luminescent properties of YTaO4：Er^3＋ and YTaO4：Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ are reported for the first time. According to the measurement results of up-conversion spectra, Yb^3＋ co-doping can remarkably enhance the green （^2H11/2/^4S3/2→^4I15/2） and red （^4F9/2→^4I15/2） emissions, but depress the infrared emission （^4I9/2→^4I15/2）. With the increase of the Yb^3＋ concentration, the intensity of green emission increases, after that, when the Yb^3＋ concentration increases continuously, the intensity of green emission decreases, while those of the red and infrared emissions increase and decrease alternately. In addition, the up-conversion mechanisms of Er^3＋ doped and Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ co-doped YTaO4 are also discussed. It is found that the transform of up-conversion mechanism from two-step energy transfer to cooperating sensitization takes place when Yb^3＋ concentration is increased up to 12 mol%. With the further increase of Yb^3＋ concentration, the energy-back-transfer gradually becomes the dominant up-conversion mechanism, which results in the quenching of the green emission and slight increasing of the red and infrared emissions.     

Stabilization of mini-Nd: YVO4 laser using I2 hyperfine transition

By using a diode-pumped Nd:YVO₄ / KTP intracavity frequency-doubling mini-laser and frequency modulation optical heterodyne spectroscopy, we have obtained spectrum of¹²⁷I₂ hyperfine structure near 532 nm. The laser frequency is locked to hyperfine transitions of I₂. The analysis of error servo signal demonstrates that the laser frequency stability can reach 10⁻¹² at 1 second average time.     

On the origin of printing in the light of new archaeological discoveries

30 years have pas. since a printeddhārani sūtra scroll was discovered in 1966 in Kyongju. Korea. However. there have been different views about the date and place of its printing and publication in Korea and abroad. Some Korean scholars think that it was translated into Chinese from Sanskrit in 704 in China and printed during 706–751 in the Silla period in Korea. After a further research it is now proved that this sutra was translated into Chinese in 701 and printed in the following year, 702, in Luoyang, during the reign of Empress Wu. This shows that the sutra could not have been printed in the Silla period. The discoveries of theSnddharma pundarik sūtra printed during 690–699 and the Sanskritdharani charm printed around 650–670 in China also show that thedhārani sutra found in Korea is not the earliest one. Both literary records and archaeological findings prove that printing originated in China.     

Performances improvement of eosin Y sensitized solar cells by modifying TiO2 electrode with silane-coupling reagent

Chemical fixing of xanthene dye （eosin Y） on the surface of TiO2 electrode was carried out by modifying the electrode with silane-coupling reagent to obtain stable dye-sensitized TiO2 electrode. Such silane modification can not only evidently enhance the stability of dye-sensitized TiO2 electrode but also improve the energy conversion efficiency of the assembled cells by increasing short-circuit photocurrent （Jsc） and open-circuit photovoltage （Voc）. It was found that the improvements of cell performances differ depending on the composition of the electrolyte. The optimum cell of the cell performance was achieved in the electrolyte with 0.5 mol/L TBAI/0.05 mol/L 12/EC：PC（3：1 w/w）, yielding Jsc of 4.69 mA. cm-2, Voc of 0,595 V, fill factor （FF） of 0.64 and ηof 1,78%, Different spectroscopic techniques including UV-Vis spectra, fluorescence spectra, EIS and dark current measurements were employed to derive reasonable analysis and explanations.     

Synthesis process of Ba-ferrites from α-FeOOH and γ-FeOOH and investigation of magnetic properties

The claviform BaFe₁₂O₁₉ crystals were synthesized by the precipitation-toptactic reaction method using α-FeOOH and γ-FeOOH as raw materials respectively. The synthesis processes of BaFe₁₂O₁₉, studied by XRD, SEM, EDS, FT-IR, and TG-DTA techniques, included preparations of precursor γ and precursor α, formations of α-Fe₂O₃ and BaFe₂O₄, and production of rod-like BaFe₁₂O₁₉ through dehydroxylation of pod-like FeOOH, followed by reactions of α-Fe₂O₃ with BaCO₃ and BaFe₂O₄. The crystallinity of α-Fe₂O₃ and BaCO₃ from precursor α was better than from precursor γ due to the direct dehydroxylation of α-FeOOH, resulting in a lower nucleation rate and better crystallinity of BaFe₂O₄. BaFe₁₂O₁₉ prepared from precursor α showed lower crystallinity and purity with a higher length-diameter ratio than from precursor γ. The VSM results proved that the appearance of final products had an important influence on magnetic properties.     

An acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, 3-benzidino-5-methyl-6-phenylpyridazine, blocking outward potassium currents in acutely isolated rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons

3-benzidino-5-methyl-6-phenylpyridazine (BMP) inhibited electric eel acetylcholinesterase (AChE), with IC50 being 0.58 μmol·L-1. As an AChE inhibitor, the effects of BMP on delayed rectifier potassium current (IK(DR)) and transient outward potassium current (IK(A)) in acutely isolated rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons were studied using the whole cell patch-clamp technique. BMP (0.1―50 μmol·L-1) inhibited IK(DR) and IK(A) in a concentration-dependent and voltage-independent manner. The IC50 value for the bl...     

Evidence for metasomatic mantle carbonatitic magma extrusion in Mesoproterozoic ore-hosting dolomite rocks in the middle Kunyang rift, central Yunnan, China

The Kunyang rift lying on the western margin of the Yangtze platform is a rare Precambrian Fe-Cu mineralization zone. Wuding- Lufeng basin that is an important part of the zone is located on the west edge in the middle of the rift. The most important ore-hosting rocks are Mesoproterozoic dolomite rocks in the basin controlled by a ring fracture system, which is a fundamental structure of the basin. Plenty of silicate minerals and acicular apatite, feldspar phenocrysts and small vesicular, flown line and flown plane structures, melt inclusion and high temperature fluid inclusion found in most ore-hosting dolomites suggest that this kind of rocks could not be sedimentary dolomite, marble or hydrothermal carbonate rocks. The Zr/Hf and Nb/Ta values of the rocks are identical with those of associated mantle-derived rocks, and vary widely. For the monomineral dolomite, δ^18OSMOW‰=＋5.99 to ＋18.4 and δ^13CPDB‰ = -3.01 to ＋0.94, which fall within the range for all carbonatitic volcanic rocks of the world. As for the accessory minerals, the values of δ^18OSMOW‰ of magnetite （=＋3.47 to ＋5.99‰） are close to that of the mantle （〈5.7%）, and the δ^34S‰ values of sulfides （-5.09 to ＋5.78, averaging ＋1.50） are close to that of meteorite. For all the ore-bearing dolomite rocks, εNd = ＋0.19 to ＋2.27, and the calculated Isr=0.699143, while for the associated mantle-derived rocks, εnd = ＋3.18 to ＋3.72. All the data suggest that the mineral assemblage is not only igneous but also of metasomatic mantle origin. And the presence of acicular apatite indicates that the rocks were formed by magma rapidly cooling. And the phenocryst texture and vesicular, flown and ropy and pyroclastic structures suggest that the igneous rocks were extrusive. Therefore, the ore-bearing dolomite rocks are carbonatitic volcanic rocks. This conclusion implies that most iron and copper ore deposits hosted in the dolomite rocks should be of the carbonatite type.     

Flexible micro-supercapacitors fabricated from MnO2 nanosheet/graphene composites with black phosphorus additive

Supercapacitors are widely used for powering flexible/wearable electronics owing to their excellent charge storage capabilities. In this study, MnO₂ nanosheets were grown on the surface of graphene using a simple water bath method to prepare graphene/MnO₂ composites for fabricating supercapacitors. In addition, two-dimensional black phosphorus was introduced as an additive into the electronic ink based on the as-prepared graphene/MnO₂ composites. The characterization and electrochemical analyses results showed that adding black phosphorus considerably improved the capacitive performance of the material, yielding a high specific capacitance of 241.5 ?F ?g^-1 at 0.1 ?A ?g^-1 and an impressive rate capability improvement from 52.5% to 80.3%. Then the micro-supercapacitor having an area-specific capacitance of 20.15 ?mF ?cm^-2 at a scanning rate of 2 ?mV ?s^-1 was utilized to demonstrate the practical applicability of this material. To further evaluate the practical applicability of this micro-supercapacitor, the micro-supercapacitor was integrated with a flexible thin-film pressure sensor on paper and cloth through screen printing.