Combining cooperativity with sequestration: a novel strategy for discrimination of single nucleotide variants.

We present a novel strategy for the discrimination of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) by combining cooperativity with sequestration, which displays remarkably high specificity (discrimination factors ranging from 67 to 618 with a median of 194) against 12 model SNVs and can be easily integrated with PCR amplification to detect KRAS G12D mutation.

DNA Dendrimer-Streptavidin Nanocomplex: an Efficient Signal Amplifier for Construction of Biosensing Platforms.

We develop a DNA dendrimer-streptavidin (SA) nanocomplex as a novel signal amplifier to create biosensing platforms for disease-related species. The DNA dendrimer-SA nanocomplex is fabricated by cross-linking the nonlinear hybridization chain reaction based DNA dendrimer with the SA-coupled linker DNA and possesses multiple sticky ends, a high molecular weight, and a hyperbranched nanostructure with large numbers of DNA duplexes. Taking advantage of the DNA dendrimer-SA nanocomplex and a label-free quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technology, we first construct a mass-sensitive QCM biosensing platform for nucleic acids, which displays high selectivity and sensitivity, with a detection limit of 0.

Ultra-specific discrimination of single-nucleotide mutations using sequestration-assisted molecular beacons.

Reliably distinguishing single-nucleotide mutations (SNMs) at low abundance is of great significance in clinical diagnosis. However, the specificity of most current SNM discrimination methods based on the Watson-Crick hybridization is seriously limited by the cross-reactivity of the probe with closely related unintended sequences. Herein, we propose a sequestration-assisted molecular beacon (MB) strategy for highly specific SNM discrimination.

A local representation of the head-related transfer function.

Spatial descriptions of the head-related transfer function (HRTF) using spherical harmonics, which is commonly used for the purpose, consider all directions simultaneously. However, in perceptual studies, it is necessary to model HRTFs with different angular resolutions at different directions. To this end, an alternative spatial representation of the HRTF, based on local analysis functions, is introduced.

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of a new copper oxo-antimony sulphate CuSb6O8(SO4)2.

The new copper oxo-antimony sulphate CuSb6O8(SO4)2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1[combining macron] with the unit cell parameters a = 5.5342(4) Å, b = 7.6706(6) Å, c = 9.

An Oxofluoride Catalyst Comprised of Transition Metals and a Metalloid for Application in Water Oxidation.

The application of the recently discovered oxofluoride solid solution (Cox Ni1-x )3 Sb4 O6 F6 as a catalyst for water oxidation is demonstrated. The phase exhibits a cubic arrangement of the active metal that forms oxo bridges to the metalloid with possible catalytic participation. The Co3 Sb4 O6 F6 compound proved to be capable of catalyzing 2H2 O→O2 +4H(+) +4e(-) at 0.

An in situ assembly of a DNA-streptavidin dendrimer nanostructure: a new amplified quartz crystal microbalance platform for nucleic acid sensing.

We developed a target-triggered in situ layer-by-layer assembled DNA-streptavidin dendrimer nanostructure as an efficient mass amplifier to create a facile quartz crystal microbalance platform for highly sensitive and selective nucleic acid sensing.

Integrating dye-intercalated DNA dendrimers with electrospun nanofibers: a new fluorescent sensing platform for nucleic acids, proteins, and cells.

We integrated for the first time a novel dye-intercalated DNA dendrimer probe (GSG) with the electrospun nanofibers (NFs) to create an amplified fluorescent sensing platform for the detection of nucleic acids, proteins, and cancer cells. The sensing platform is constructed based on the formation of the NF-capture/target/reporter-GSG sandwich-type nanocomplex on the NF membrane surface, leading to large fluorescence signal amplification. Taking advantage of the dual-amplification of both the strong emission intensity of GSG and the large surface area-to-volume ratio of NFs, this platform enables highly sensitive detection of 20 pM of a β-thalassemia gene fragment.

A universal molecular translator for non-nucleic acid targets that enables dynamic DNA assemblies and logic operations.

A universal molecular translator based on the target-triggered DNA strand displacement was developed, which was able to convert various kinds of non-nucleic acid targets into a unique output DNA. This translation strategy was successfully applied in directing dynamic DNA assemblies and in realizing three-input logic gate operations.

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of the S = 1/2 quantum spin system Cu7(TeO3)6F2 with mixed dimensionality.

The new oxofluoride Cu7(TeO3)6F2 has been synthesized by hydrothermal synthesis. It crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1. The crystal structure constitutes a Cu-O framework with channels extending along [001] where the F(-) ions and the stereochemically active lone-pairs on Te(4+) are located.

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of FeSeO(3)F--alternating antiferromagnetic S = 5/2 chains.

The new oxofluoride FeSeO3F, which is isostructural with FeTeO3F and GaTeO3F, was prepared by hydrothermal synthesis, and its structure was determined by X-ray diffraction. The magnetic properties of FeSeO3F were characterized by magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements, by evaluating its spin exchanges on the basis of density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and by performing a quantum Monte Carlo simulation of the magnetic susceptibility. FeSeO3F crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n and has one unique Se(4+) ion and one unique Fe(3+) ion.

Cobalt selenium oxohalides: catalysts for water oxidation.

Two new oxohalides Co4Se3O9Cl2 and Co3Se4O10Cl2 have been synthesized by solid state reactions. They crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pnma and the monoclinic space group C2/m respectively. The crystal structure of the two compounds are made up of similar building blocks; Co4Se3O9Cl2 is made up of [CoO4Cl2], [CoO5Cl] and [SeO3] polyhedra and Co3Se4O10Cl2 is made up of [CoO4Cl2] and [SeO3] polyhedra.

Synthesis and crystal structure of Fe6Ca2(SeO3)9Cl4--a porous oxohalide.

A porous oxohalide, Fe6Ca2(SeO3)9Cl4, has been synthesized by solid state reactions using concentrated HCl as the Cl-source. It crystallizes in the hexagonal space group P63/m with unit cell parameters a = 12.118(2) Å, c = 12.

Synthesis and crystal structure of two synthetic oxofluoride framework compounds--Co2TeO3F2 and Co2SeO3F2.

Two new isostructural Co(2+) containing tellurium and selenium oxofluoride compounds Co(2)TeO(3)F(2) and Co(2)SeO(3)F(2) are synthesized and their structures determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. They crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pnma with the unit cell parameters a = 7.3810(5) Å, b = 10.