Erbium Surface-Enriched Silicon Nanowires

The synthesis of silicon nanowires containing erbium in a discrete layered structure has been achieved. These wires are prepared by the pyrolysis of silane and a volatile erbium complex on a gold catalyst surface, with the relative size of the wire and sample crystallinity affected by the timing in which erbium is introduced into the reactant stream. Products were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Given their ability to demonstrate the desired near-infrared luminescence at 1540 nm, the synthesis of these erbium surface-enriched Si nanostructures provides a synthetic strategy for new types of optically active layered platforms for studies in fundamental photophysics, carrier transport, and nanophotonics

Nontoxic Intralipid-DSPE-PEG2000-COOH Nanoparticles as Optical Coherence Tomography Contrast Agents for Tumor Angiography in Live Animals

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive imaging technique that has been extensively used in the medical field for visualizing tissue microstructure. However, imaging microvasculature in tumors using an OCT is challenging due to slow blood flow, strong scattering, and attenuation of light by solid tumor tissue. To overcome these limitations, nontoxic intralipid-DSPE-PEG2000-COOH (IDPC) nanoparticles were synthesized as contrast agents for enhanced tumor angiography in live animals. The study aimed to investigate the potential of IDPC nanoparticles in improving OCT angiography of the OCTA (OCCT) for mice normal ears and superficial tumors in the near-infrared (NIR-II) window. Pure 20% intralipid exhibits limited water solubility and is rapidly absorbed by hemoglobin cells in the bloodstream, which makes it unsuitable for imaging and therapy purposes. However, newly synthesized IDPC nanoparticles can successfully overcome these limitations. During the study, IDPC nanoparticles were used to enhance angiography in mouse ears and tumors. The results showed that the use of IDPC nanoparticles increased vessel densities (AVD) by 22% in mice ears and 45% in tumors as well as signal intensity by 18% in ears and 16% in tumors. Moreover, IDPC nanoparticles demonstrated high cell viability (∼99%) and excellent biocompatibility in the blood biochemical analysis of mice. These findings suggest that the safe and nontoxic IDPC nanoparticles have clinical potential to enhance the scope of OCT imaging for investigating vascular diseases and tumors. The unique properties of IDPC nanoparticles can also be beneficial in exploring biological mechanisms, physiological complexities, and cellular and molecular behaviors in various diseases

Data for: Catalytic cracking of biomass tar together with syngas production over red brick powder-supported nickel catalysts

Data for: Catalytic cracking of biomass tar together with syngas production over red brick powder-supported nickel catalyst

Core–Shell Structures from the Coassembly of Lipoprotein-like Nanoparticles and Plasmid DNA for Gene Delivery

We reported self-assembled core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) based on lipoprotein-like NPs and plasmid DNA (pDNA). Lipoprotein-like NPs were prepared using cholic acid (CA)-modified lipopeptides. We designed six different lipopeptides with different peptide segments to construct a series of NPs. It was proven that these NPs have different positive surface charges. These NPs could bind pDNA through electrostatic interaction to form core–shell complexes. The interactions between NPs and pDNA were systematically investigated. The number of NP charges determines the strength of the interaction between NPs and pDNA. Thus, various types of core–shell structures, such as loose and dense core–shell NPs, were found in this system. Cytotoxicity test confirmed that the carriers had no toxicity. We also proved that the core–shell structures have a good cell transfection effect. This study would expand the application of lipopeptide assemblies in the gene delivery field, which may lead to the development of peptide-based gene vectors for therapeutic application

Data_Sheet_1_Significantly Enhanced Synthesis of Aromatic Esters of Arbutin Catalyzed by Immobilized Lipase in Co-solvent Systems.docx

Highly efficient and regioselective synthesis of pharmacologically interesting aromatic esters of arbutin catalyzed by immobilized lipase from Penicillium expansum in co-solvent systems was successfully carried out. As compared to tetrahydrofuran solvent, the initial rate and substrate conversion of arbutin vanilylation were markedly enhanced in tetrahydrofuran-isopropyl ether (20%, v/v). Moreover, the effects of three reaction parameters (enzyme amount, temperature and substrate molar ratio of vinyl vanillic acid to arbutin) on 6′-O-vanilloyl-arbutin synthesis were scrutinized and the key process parameters were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The experimental data were fitted well to a second order polynomial model by using multiple regression analysis. The best combination of variables was 50°C, 93 U/mL and 11 for the reaction temperature, the enzyme amount and mole ratio of arbutin to vinyl vanilic acid, respectively, and which the reaction rate, substrate conversion and regioselectivity were as high as 8.2 mM/h, 93 and 99%. It was worth noting that a variety of aromatic esters of arbutin were obtained with much higher conversion (93–99%) at these optimal conditions.</p

Table_1_MsTHI1 overexpression improves drought tolerance in transgenic alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.).DOCX

In recent years, drought stress caused by global warming has become a major constraint on agriculture. The thiamine thiazole synthase (THI1) is responsible for controlling thiamine production in plants displaying a response to various abiotic stresses. Nonetheless, most of the THI1 activities in plants remain largely unknown. In this study, we extracted MsTHI1 from alfalfa and demonstrated its beneficial impact on improving the resistance of plants to stress conditions. The highest levels of MsTHI1 expression were identified in alfalfa leaves, triggered by exposure to cold, drought, salt, or alkaline conditions. The upregulation of MsTHI1 in drought-stressed transgenic plants resulted in enhanced accumulation of vitamin B1 (VB1), chlorophyll a (Chl a), chlorophyll b (Chl b), soluble protein, higher soil and plant analyzer development (SPAD) value, and the activity of peroxidase (POD), maintained Fv/Fm, and decreased lipid peroxidation. Moreover, overexpression of MsTHI1 upregulated the transcription of THI4, TPK1, RbcX2, Cu/Zn-SOD, CPK13, and CPK32 and downregulated the transcription of TH1 and CPK17 in transgenic alfalfa under drought stress. These results suggested that MsTHI1 enhances drought tolerance by strengthening photosynthesis, regulating the antioxidant defense system, maintaining osmotic homeostasis, and mediating plant signal transduction.</p

Controllable Synthesis of Mo₃C₂ Encapsulated by N‑Doped Carbon Microspheres to Achieve Highly Efficient Microwave Absorption at Full Wavebands: From Lemon-like to Fig-like Morphologies

Mo3C2@N-doped carbon microspheres (Mo3C2@NC) have been discovered to be a family of superior microwave absorbing materials. Herein, Mo3C2@NC was synthesized through a simple high-temperature carbonization process by evaporating a graphite anode and Mo wire in Ar and N2 atmospheres with an N-doping content of 6.4 at. %. Attributing to the self-assembly mechanism, the number of Mo wires inserted into the graphite anode determined the morphologies of Mo3C2@NC, which were the unique lemon-like (1- and 2-Mo3C2@NC) and fig-like (3-, 4-, and 5-Mo3C2@NC) microstructures. 1- and 2-Mo3C2@NC exhibited powerful reflection losses (RLs) of −45.60, −45.59, and −47.11 dB at the S, C and X bands, respectively, which corresponded to thinner thicknesses. 3-, 4-, and 5-Mo3C2@NC showed outstanding absorption performance at the C, X, and Ku bands, respectively, with each value of a minimum RL less than −43.00 dB. In particular, the strongest RL (−43.56 dB) for 5-Mo3C2@NC corresponded to an ultrathin thickness of 1.3 mm. In addition, the maximum effective absorption bandwidth was 6.3 GHz for 4-Mo3C2@NC. After analysis, all Mo3C2@NC samples showed well-matched impedance due to the enhanced dielectric loss caused by the unique carbon structure and moderate magnetic loss derived from the weak magnetic property of Mo3C2. More importantly, the unique lemon-like and fig-like microstructures created sufficient interfaces and differentiated multiple reflection paths, which greatly contributed to the strong microwave absorptions at full wavebands. In full consideration of the simple preparation method and tunable absorption properties, Mo3C2@NC composites can be regarded as excellent electromagnetic wave absorption materials

Image_1_MsTHI1 overexpression improves drought tolerance in transgenic alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.).TIF

In recent years, drought stress caused by global warming has become a major constraint on agriculture. The thiamine thiazole synthase (THI1) is responsible for controlling thiamine production in plants displaying a response to various abiotic stresses. Nonetheless, most of the THI1 activities in plants remain largely unknown. In this study, we extracted MsTHI1 from alfalfa and demonstrated its beneficial impact on improving the resistance of plants to stress conditions. The highest levels of MsTHI1 expression were identified in alfalfa leaves, triggered by exposure to cold, drought, salt, or alkaline conditions. The upregulation of MsTHI1 in drought-stressed transgenic plants resulted in enhanced accumulation of vitamin B1 (VB1), chlorophyll a (Chl a), chlorophyll b (Chl b), soluble protein, higher soil and plant analyzer development (SPAD) value, and the activity of peroxidase (POD), maintained Fv/Fm, and decreased lipid peroxidation. Moreover, overexpression of MsTHI1 upregulated the transcription of THI4, TPK1, RbcX2, Cu/Zn-SOD, CPK13, and CPK32 and downregulated the transcription of TH1 and CPK17 in transgenic alfalfa under drought stress. These results suggested that MsTHI1 enhances drought tolerance by strengthening photosynthesis, regulating the antioxidant defense system, maintaining osmotic homeostasis, and mediating plant signal transduction.</p

Boosted Charge Transfer via Coordinate Bond Construction in Porphyrin Metal–Organic Framework/ZnIn₂S₄ Core–Shell Heterostructures

Intimate interface design at the molecular level in heterojunctions deserves significant attention since the charge transfer efficiency at the interfaces can greatly affect the catalytic performance. Herein, an efficient interface engineering strategy was reported to design a titanium porphyrin metal–organic framework–ZnIn2S4 (TMF–ZIS) core–shell heterojunction which is tightly connected via coordination bonds (−N–Zn−). Such interfacial chemical bonds as the directional carrier transfer channels afforded improved charge separation efficiency compared to the physical composite of TMF and ZIS without chemical bonding. As a result, the optimized TMF–ZIS composite showed a 13.37 mmol·g–1·h–1 H2 production which is 47.7, 3.3, and 2.4 times that of TMF, ZIS, and mechanical mixing samples, respectively. Moreover, the composite also exhibited high photocatalytic tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) degradation efficiency. Profiting from the core–shell structures, the ZIS shell efficiently prevented the aggregation and photocorrosion of TMF core particles which afforded enhanced chemical stability. Such an interface engineering strategy will be a versatile method to obtain highly effective organic–inorganic heterojunctions and offer new ideas for modulating the interfaces in the heterojunctions at the molecular level

Boosted Charge Transfer via Coordinate Bond Construction in Porphyrin Metal–Organic Framework/ZnIn₂S₄ Core–Shell Heterostructures

Intimate interface design at the molecular level in heterojunctions deserves significant attention since the charge transfer efficiency at the interfaces can greatly affect the catalytic performance. Herein, an efficient interface engineering strategy was reported to design a titanium porphyrin metal–organic framework–ZnIn2S4 (TMF–ZIS) core–shell heterojunction which is tightly connected via coordination bonds (−N–Zn−). Such interfacial chemical bonds as the directional carrier transfer channels afforded improved charge separation efficiency compared to the physical composite of TMF and ZIS without chemical bonding. As a result, the optimized TMF–ZIS composite showed a 13.37 mmol·g–1·h–1 H2 production which is 47.7, 3.3, and 2.4 times that of TMF, ZIS, and mechanical mixing samples, respectively. Moreover, the composite also exhibited high photocatalytic tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) degradation efficiency. Profiting from the core–shell structures, the ZIS shell efficiently prevented the aggregation and photocorrosion of TMF core particles which afforded enhanced chemical stability. Such an interface engineering strategy will be a versatile method to obtain highly effective organic–inorganic heterojunctions and offer new ideas for modulating the interfaces in the heterojunctions at the molecular level