Atomically Resolved Defect-Engineering Scattering Potential in 2D Semiconductors.

Engineering atomic-scale defects has become an important strategy for the future application of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) materials in next-generation electronic technologies. Thus, providing an atomic understanding of the electron-defect interactions and supporting defect engineering development to improve carrier transport is crucial to future TMDs technologies. In this work, we utilize low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (LT-STM/S) to elicit how distinct types of defects bring forth scattering potential engineering based on intervalley quantum quasiparticle interference (QPI) in TMDs.

Fluorescent Mesoporous Nanoparticles for β-Lactamase Screening Assays.

We present a sensitive and rapid screening method for the determination of β-lactamase activity of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, by designing a pH-sensitive fluorescent dye-doped mesoporous silica nanoparticle encapsulated with penicillin G as a substrate. When penicillin G was hydrolysed by β-lactamase and converted into penicilloic acid, the acidic environment resulted in fluorescence quenching of the dye. The dye-doped mesoporous nanoparticles not only enhanced the β-lactamase-catalyzed reaction rate but also stablized the substrate, penicillin G, which degrades into penicilloic acid in a water solution without β-lactamase.

Macrocyclic lanthanide complexes as artificial nucleases and ribonucleases: effects of pH, metal ionic radii, number of coordinated water molecules, charge, and concentrations of the metal complexes.

We have been interested in the design, synthesis, and characterization of artificial nucleases and ribonucleases by employing macrocyclic lanthanide complexes because their high thermodynamic stability, low kinetic lability, high coordination number, and charge density (Lewis acidity) allow more design flexibility and stability. In this paper, we report the study of the use of the europium(III) complex, EuDO2A+ (DO2A is 1,7-dicarboxymethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane) and other lanthanide complexes (i.e.