Carbon Quantum Dots: A Component of Efficient Visible Light Photocatalysts

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have been developed as a new member of nanocarbons, characterized by the relatively easy preparation from a wide spectrum of carbonaceous precursors through either bottom-up or top-down routes. Attractive optoelectronic properties have been observed with CQDs, including efficient light absorption, variable photoluminescence (PL), unique up-conversion PL and prominent electron transport ability, which make CQDs an important component with great potential in the design of efficient visible light-driven photocatalysts. In this chapter, detailed contribution of CQDs to the enhanced visible light-driven photocatalysis will be included, in the classification of the role as electron mediator, photosensitizer, spectral converter and sole photocatalyst

N′-(5-Bromo-2-hydroxy­benzyl­idene)-4-chloro­benzohydrazide

The title Schiff base, C14H10BrClN2O2, exists in a trans configuration with respect to the C=N bond and the dihedral angle between the two benzene rings is 0.8 (2)°. There is an intra­molecular O—H⋯N hydrogen bond in the mol­ecule, which generates an S(6) loop. In the crystal, inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link adjacent mol­ecules into extended chains propagating along the c-axis direction

Building a surface atlas of hippocampal subfields from high resolution T2-weighted MRI scans using landmark-free surface registration

The hippocampus is widely studied in neuroimaging field as it plays important roles in memory and learning. However, the critical subfield information is often not explored in most hippocampal studies. We previously proposed a method for hippocampal subfield morphometry by integrating FreeSurfer, FSL, and SPHARM tools. But this method had some limitations, including the analysis of T1-weighted MRI scans without detailed subfield information and hippocampal registration without using important subfield information. To bridge these gaps, in this work, we propose a new framework for building a surface atlas of hippocampal subfields from high resolution T2-weighted MRI scans by integrating state-of-the-art methods for automated segmentation of hippocampal subfields and landmark-free, subfield-aware registration of hippocampal surfaces. Our experimental results have shown the promise of the new framework

Vortex images on Ba{1-x}KxFe2As2 observed directly by the magnetic force microscopy

The vortex states on optimally doped Ba0.6K0.4Fe2As2 and underdoped Ba0.77K0.23Fe2As2 single crystals are imaged by magnetic force microscopy at various magnetic fields below 100 Oe. Local triangular vortex clusters are observed in optimally doped samples. The vortices are more ordered than those in Ba(Fe{1-x}Co{x})2As2, and the calculated pinning force per unit length is about 1 order of magnitude weaker than that in optimally Co-doped 122 at the same magnetic field, indicating that the Co doping at the Fe sites induces stronger pinning. The proportion of six-neighbored vortices to the total amount increases quickly with increasing magnetic field, and the estimated value reaches 100% at several tesla. Vortex chains are also found in some local regions, which enhance the pinning force as well as the critical current density. Lines of vortex chains are observed in underdoped samples, and they may have originated from the strong pinning near the twin boundaries arising from the structural transition.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figure

Dexmedetomidine alleviates diabetic neuropathic pain by inhibiting microglial activation via regulation of miR618/P2Y12 pathway

Purpose: To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic neuropathy pain (DNP) in rats and elucidate its mechanism of action.Methods: The DNP rat model was established by injecting STZ (70 mg/kg) following dexmedetomidine treatment. Next BV-2 cells were stimulated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 200 ng/mL) and then administered 20 μM dexmedetomidine. Blood glucose levels, body weight, and paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) were measured once a week in DNP rats. Transfection was performed, and luciferasereporter assay was used to verify microRNA (miR)-337 binding to Rap1A mRNA. Reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure the levels of miR-618 and P2Y12 while the protein levels of P2Y12 and ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA-1) were determined by western blot analysis.Results: Dexmedetomidine treatment significantly increased PWT (p < 0.01) in DNP rats and decreased miR-618 expression (p < 0.01) but increased P2Y12 expression (p < 0.01) in the spinal cord of DNP rats. Luciferase reporter assay data showed that the presumed binding site of miR-618 is located in the 3′-untranslated regions of P2Y12. MiR-618 overexpression significantly reduced P2Y12levels (p < 0.01). Dexmedetomidine upregulated P2Y12 expression (p < 0.01) but decreased IBA-1 expression (p < 0.01).Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine application attenuates DNP by inhibiting microglial activation via the regulation of miR-618/P2Y12 pathway. This finding provides a potential therapeutic strategy for DNP management. Keywords: Dexmedetomidine, Diabetic neuropathy pain, Paw withdrawal threshold, Calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1, MiR-618, P2Y1