Loss of function in Drosophila transcription factor Dif delays brain development in larvae resulting in aging adult brain.

Drosophila NF-κB transcription factor Dif has been well known for its function in innate immunity, and recent study also reveals its role in neuronal cells. However, the underlying mechanisms of Dif in the brain remain elusive. In this study, we aim to investigate the function of Dif in Drosophila brain development and how Dif regulates structure and plasticity of the brain to affect aging and behaviors.

Synthesis of bifunctional fluorescent nanohybrids of carbon dots-copper nanoclusters via a facile method for Fe and Tb ratiometric detection.

In this work, a dual-emission ratiometric fluorescent probe of carbon dots-copper nanoclusters (CDs-Cu NCs) nanohybrids with bifunctional features was successfully assembled through mechanical mixing. The CDs were synthesized using ascorbic acid as a carbon source, and Cu NCs were prepared using d-penicillamine as the stabilizer and reducing agent. The as-prepared CDs-Cu NCs displayed two emission peaks (blue at 424 nm and red at 624 nm) when excited at 360 nm, and showed great stability.

Mechanism of Cd(II) and Cu(II) Adsorption onto Few-Layered Magnetic Graphene Oxide as an Efficient Adsorbent.

Heavy metal contamination caused by industrial discharge is a challenging environmental issue. Herein, an efficient adsorbent based on few-layered magnetic graphene oxide (FLMGO) was fabricated, characterized, and utilized to remove aqueous Cd(II) and Cu(II). Results present that the two components graphene oxide (GO) and FeO of FLMGO promote mutually, enabling FLMGO to outperform either GO or FeO.

Synthesis of 1,3-dicarbonyl-functionalized reduced graphene oxide/MnO composites and their electrochemical properties as supercapacitors.

A novel 1,3-dicarbonyl-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rDGO) was prepared by -(4-aminophenyl)-3-oxobutanamide interacting with the epoxy and carboxyl groups of graphene oxide. The high-performance composite supercapacitor electrode material based on MnO nanoparticles deposited onto the rDGO sheet (DGM) was fabricated by a hydrothermal method. The morphology and microstructure of the composites were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

High-Efficient Liquid Exfoliation of Boron Nitride Nanosheets Using Aqueous Solution of Alkanolamine.

As one of the simple and efficient routes to access two-dimensional materials, liquid exfoliation has received considerable interest in recent years. Here, we reported on high-efficient liquid exfoliation of hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) using monoethanolamine (MEA) aqueous solution. The resulting BNNSs were evaluated in terms of the yield and structure characterizations.

High-efficient Synthesis of Graphene Oxide Based on Improved Hummers Method.

As an important precursor and derivate of graphene, graphene oxide (GO) has received wide attention in recent years. However, the synthesis of GO in an economical and efficient way remains a great challenge. Here we reported an improved NaNO-free Hummers method by partly replacing KMnO with KFeO and controlling the amount of concentrated sulfuric acid.