A Dual-Fluorescent Composite of Graphene Oxide and Poly(3-Hexylthiophene) Enables the Ratiometric Detection of Amines

A composite prepared by grafting a conjugated polymer, poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), to the surface of graphene oxide was shown to result in a dual-fluorescent material with tunable photoluminescent properties. Capitalizing on these unique features, a new class of graphene-based sensors that enables the ratiometric fluorescence detection of amine-based pollutants was developed. Moreover, through a detailed spectroscopic study, the origin of the optical properties of the aforementioned composite was studied and was found to be due to electronic decoupling of the conjugated polymer from the GO. The methodology described herein effectively overcomes a long-standing challenge that has prevented graphene based composites from finding utility in sensing and related applications.Meng, Dongli, Shaojun Yang, Dianming Sun, Yi Zeng, Jinhua Sun, Yi Li, Shouke Yan, Yong Huang, Christopher W. Bielawski, and Jianxin Geng. "A dual-fluorescent composite of graphene oxide and poly (3-hexylthiophene) enables the ratiometric detection of amines." Chemical Science 5, no. 8 (Apr., 2014): 3130-3134.Chemistr

Effects of Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) on the Species Structure of Ant Communities in South China

We evaluated the effects of invasive red imported fire ants (RIFAs), Solenopsis invicta Buren, on native ant communities at three habitats in South China. By using paired control and treatment plots, the change in diversity and community structure of native ants due to the invasion of red imported fire ants could be observed. Ant species richness was reduced by 46 and 33% at RIFA-infested lawn and pasture habitats, respectively; however, the ant species richness in the lichee orchard was not affected by red imported fire ants. Our results indicated that red imported fire ants became one of several dominant species or the only dominant species in all three habitats in South China

The Empirical Research on the College Students’ Belief in Marxism——a Case Study of Chongqing, China

Abstract:Applying the empirical research method, this research investigated the current status of 575 Chongqing college students’ belief in Marxism. The results suggested that college students’ beliefve in Marxism had significant differences in gender, grade, academic performance and political status, college students’ cognition of Marxism affect their attitude. college students’ belief in Marxism is basically satisfactory, and universities need to strengthen belief education for different types of students

Risk for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Adverse Birth Outcomes in Chinese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Objective. To examine the association of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in early pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and adverse birth outcomes. Methods. In this retrospective cohort study including 2389 pregnant women, the medical records of 352 women diagnosed with PCOS were evaluated. Outcomes included GDM, preterm birth, low birth weight, macrosomia, and being small and large for gestational age. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the association of the risk for GDM and adverse birth outcomes with PCOS after adjusting for confounders. Results. Women previously diagnosed with PCOS had a higher risk of GDM (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14–2.09). A strong association was seen between PCOS and preterm birth (adjusted OR 1.69, 95% CI: 1.08–2.67). On stratified analysis, the adjusted OR for GDM among women with PCOS undergoing assisted reproductive technology was 1.44 (95% CI: 1.03–1.92) and among women with PCOS who conceived spontaneously was 1.60 (1.18–2.15). No increased risk for other adverse birth outcomes was observed. Conclusions. Women with PCOS were more likely to experience GDM and preterm birth

Unified underpinning of human mobility in the real world and cyberspace

Acknowledgments This work is supported by National Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 61573064, 61074116 and 11547188), the Youth Scholars Program of Beijing Normal University (grant No. 2014NT38), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities Beijing Nova Programme, China. XYY acknowledges the support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 61304177) and the Fundamental Research Funds of BJTU (Grant No. 2015RC042).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Identification and association of the single nucleotide polymorphisms in calpain3 (CAPN3) gene with carcass traits in chickens

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study is to screen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of chicken <it>Calpain3 </it>(<it>CAPN3</it>) gene and to analyze the potential association between <it>CAPN3 </it>gene polymorphisms and carcass traits in chickens. We screened <it>CAPN3 </it>single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in 307 meat-type quality chicken from 5 commercial pure lines (S01, S02, S03, S05, and D99) and 4 native breeds from Guangdong Province (Huiyang Huxu chicken and Qingyuan Ma chicken) and Sichuan Province (Caoke chicken and Shandi Black-bone chicken), China.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Two SNPs (11818T>A and 12814T>G) were detected by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) method and were verified by DNA sequencing. Association analysis showed that the 12814T>G genotypes were significantly associated with body weight (BW), carcass weight (CW), breast muscle weight (BMW), and leg muscle weight (LMW). Haplotypes constructed on the two SNPs (H1, TG; H2, TT; H3, AG; and H4, AT) were associated with BW, CW (<it>P </it>< 0.05), eviscerated percentage (EP), semi-eviscerated percentage (SEP), breast muscle percentage (BMP), and leg muscle percentage (LMP) (<it>P </it>< 0.01). Diplotype H1H2 was dominant for BW, CW, and LMP, and H2H2 was dominant for EP, SEP, and BMP.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We speculated that the <it>CAPN3 </it>gene was a major gene affecting chicken muscle growth and carcass traits or it was linked with the major gene(s). Diplotypes H1H2 and H2H2 might be advantageous for carcass traits.</p

Protective Effects of Total Flavones of Elaeagnus rhamnoides

The aim was to evaluate the protective effects of total flavones of Elaeagnus rhamnoides (L.) A. Nelson (TFE) against vascular endothelial injury in blood stasis model rats and explore the potential mechanisms preliminarily. The model of blood stasis rat model with vascular endothelial injury was induced by subcutaneous injection of adrenaline combined with ice-water bath. Whole blood viscosity (WBV), histological examination, and prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and fibrinogen (FIB) were measured. Meanwhile, the levels of Thromboxane B2 (TXB2), 6-keto-PGF1α, von Willebrand factor (vWF), and thrombomodulin (TM) were detected. In addition, Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR) was performed to identify PI3K, Erk2, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 gene expression. The results showed that TFE can relieve WBV, increase PT and APTT, and decrease FIB content obviously. Moreover, TFE might significantly downregulate the levels of TXB2, vWF, and TM in plasma and upregulate the level of 6-keto-PGF1α in plasma. Expressions of PI3K and Bcl-2 were increased and the expression of caspase-3 was decreased by TFE pretreatment in the rat model. Consequently, the study suggested that TFE may have the potential against vascular endothelial injury in blood stasis model rats induced by a high dose of adrenaline with ice-water bath