Tunable Quantum Confinement in Individual Nanoscale Quantum Dots via Interfacial Engineering.

Introducing quantum confinement has shown promise to enable control of charge carriers. Although recent advances make it possible to realize confinement from semiclassical regime to quantum regime, achieving control of electronic potentials in individual nanoscale quantum dots (QDs) has remained challenging. Here, we demonstrate the ability to tune quantum confined states in individual nanoscale graphene QDs, which are realized by inserting nanoscale monolayer WSe islands in graphene/WSe heterostructures via interfacial engineering.

Realizing one-dimensional moiré chains with strong electron localization in two-dimensional twisted bilayer WSe.

Two-dimensional (2D) moiré systems based on twisted bilayer graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides provide a promising platform to investigate emergent phenomena driven by strong electron-electron interactions in partially filled flat bands. A natural question arises: Is it possible to expand the 2D correlated moiré physics to one-dimensional (1D) that electron-electron correlation is expected to be further enhanced? This requires selectively doping of 1D moiré chain, which seems to be not within the grasp of today's technology. Therefore, an experimental demonstration of the 1D moiré chain with partially filled electronic states remains absent.

Rongalite/iodine-mediated C(sp)-H bond oximation and thiomethylation reaction of methyl ketones using copper nitrate as the [NO] reagent: synthesis of thiohydroximic acids.

In this work, a highly efficient rongalite/iodine-mediated oxime formation reaction for the preparation of thiohydroximic acids from methyl ketones by employing copper nitrate as the [NO] reagent has been developed. Notably, copper nitrate participated as both a catalyst and the mild oximation reagent in the transformation. This reaction is highly efficient and facile, with a broad substrate scope, especially for fused ring skeleton substrates, heterocyclic skeleton substrates, and acetyl-substituted natural products.

Copper-Catalyzed Multicomponent Coupling Reaction of Primary Aromatic Amines, Rongalite, and Alkynes: Access to -Aryl Propargylamines.

In this work, a practical copper-catalyzed multicomponent coupling reaction of primary aromatic amines, rongalite, and alkynes for the direct synthesis of -aryl propargylamines has been developed. This method could overcome the substrate limitation in A coupling reactions of primary aromatic amines, formaldehyde, and alkynes. Mechanistic studies revealed that rongalite acts as not only the active C1 unit but also the accelerator to activate the -generated -arylmethanimines for the coupling reaction with alkynes.

Genomic characterization of three bacteriophages infecting donkey-derived Escherichia coli.

Bacteriophages are an important source of novel genetic diversity. Sequencing of phage genomes can reveal new proteins with potential uses in phage therapy and help unravel the diversity of biological mechanisms by which phages take over the machinery of the host during infection. To expand the available collection of phage genomes, we have isolated, sequenced, and assembled the genome sequences of three phages that infect three pathogenic Escherichia coli strains: vB_EcoM_DE15, vB_EcoM_DE16, and vB_EcoM_DE17.

Characterization and complete genome analysis of a bacteriophage vB_EcoM_DE7 infecting donkey-derived Escherichia coli.

A lytic bacteriophage vB_EcoM_DE7 (hereafter designated DE7) that could infect donkey-derived Escherichia coli was isolated. The bacteriophage was examined by transmission electron microscopy, and the result showed that DE7 belonged to the family Myoviridae. The microbiological characterization revealed that DE7 was stable over a broad range of pHs (3 ∼10) at 40-50 °C.

Yu Gan Long Ameliorates Hepatic Fibrosis by Inhibiting PI3K/AKT, Ras/ERK and JAK1/STAT3 Signaling Pathways in CCl-induced Liver Fibrosis Rats.

Yu Gan Long (YGL) is a Chinese traditional herbal formula which has been reported to attenuate liver fibrosis for many years and we have explored its anti-fibrotic mechanism through blocking transforming growth factor (TGF-β) in the previous study. But the mechanisms associated with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB remain obscure. In this study, we further investigated the mechanism of YGL reducing carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced liver fibrosis in rats.

Mandibular molar C-shaped root canals in 5th millennium BC China.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the occurrence and variations in C-shaped canals in ancient Chinese teeth and compare the differences of these features between ancient and age-matched modern populations.

Design: Approximately 5000-year-old craniofacial bone remains were collected from the fossils of 38 individuals (total: 68 mandibular second molars) excavated from the Jiaojia site. The control group comprised of an equal number of randomly selected modern samples.

[Establishment and application of median serum markers for second trimester screening in Qingdao region].

Objective: To establish the median of serum markers for second trimester screening in Qingdao region and to assess the influence of median correction on the performance of screening.

Methods: Maternal serum alpha-fetoproteins (AFP), human chorionic gonadotrophin, free beta subunit (β -HCG) and unconjugated oestriol (uE3) were assayed for prenatal screening of 18 188 singleton pregnancies at 15-20(+ 6) weeks gestation from January 2009 to July 2010. The median of serum markers was calculated based on above results and applied for risk estimation in screening for fetal aneuploidy from August 2010 to March 2011.

[Evaluation of Down's syndrome screening methods using maternal serum biochemistry in the second trimester pregnancy].

Objective: To provide basis for selecting the suitable method of Down's syndrome biochemical screening in the second trimester pregnancy.

Methods: A total of 30 547 singleton pregnancies between 14 and 20(+ 6) weeks of pregnancy were collected and analyzed for maternal serum alpha-fetoproteins (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotrophin, free beta subunit (beta-HCG) with or without unconjugated estriol (uE3). The screening risks were calculated using the software Lifecycle.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 4-benzylpiperazine ligands for sigma-1 receptor imaging.

We report the synthesis and evaluation of 4-benzylpiperazine ligands (BP-CH(3), BP-F, BP-Br, BP-I, and BP-NO(2)) as potential σ(1) receptor ligands. The X-ray crystal structure of BP-Br, which crystallized with monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, has been determined. In vitro competition binding assays showed that all the five ligands exhibit low nanomolar affinity for σ(1) receptors (K(i)=0.