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MicroRNAs are able to modulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level and play an essential role in various biological processes. In this paper, we establish a general model of an miRNA-mediated gene regulatory network motif with extracellular stimulus. Dynamical properties of the regulatory motif without stimulus focus on diverse codimension-1 and codimension-2 bifurcation analyses of two important feedback strengths as the parameters. Under varying levels of stimulus, we further consider stochastic dynamics controlled by crucial behaviors of monostability, bistability, excitability and oscillation in four typical regions on different two-parameter bifurcation diagrams. Furthermore, we apply potential landscapes to characterize global dynamics and stability behind physical properties of the stochastic behaviors. More essentially, our model can qualitatively simulate experimental findings of long-term memory formation in Aplysia.

The spin dynamics of {Cr8Y8}, a rare example of ferromagnetic molecular rings, has been studied by inelastic neutron scattering (INS) and heat capacity (HC) methods. Clear evidence of low-lying magnetic excitation has been found. Magnetic Schottky anomalies are observed in low-temperature (low-T) HC curves measured under various fields and can be well fitted with a multi-level Schottky term, giving important information on the energy gaps between spin levels. The INS results obtained on TOFTOF and NEAT time-of-flight spectrometers show INS peaks corresponding to the transitions within S = 12 ground states and between the S = 12 ground state and the S = 11 excited state. The single-J model with a unique exchange constant J = 0.151 meV can well reproduce the low-lying energy levels and their Zeeman splitting upon applied magnetic fields. This work shows that the single-J model can be a good approach for the low-T spin dynamics of {Cr8Y8} and may have general significance for other weak ferromagnetic molecular rings. Determination of the Cr3+-Cr3+ exchange constant in {Cr8Y8} will benefit the study on the complicated magnetic interactions in chromium lanthanide complexes. The zero-field splitting which is suggested by HC data still calls for EPR or high-resolution INS technique to verify.

Sensitive and accurate determination of DNA methyltransferase (DNA Mtase) activity is highly pursued for understanding fundamental biological processes related to DNA methylation, clinical disease diagnosis and drug discovery. Herein, we propose a new electrochemical immuno-DNA sensing platform for DNA Mtase activity assay and inhibitor screening. After homogeneous DNA methylation by CpG methyltransferase (M.SssI Mtase), the methylated DNA can be specifically recruited onto an electrode via its immunological binding with the immobilized anti-5-methylcytosine antibody. The recruited methylated DNA was simultaneously used as a substrate to facilitate successive template-free DNA extension and enzyme catalysis for the dual-step signal amplification of DNA Mtase activity. The developed immuno-DNA sensing strategy effectively integrates solution-phase DNA methylation, surface affinity binding recognition, and successive template-free DNA extension and enzyme catalysis-based signal amplification, rendering a highly specific, sensitive and accurate assay of DNA Mtase activity. A low detection limit of 0.039 U mL-1 could be achieved with a high selectivity. It was also applied for efficient evaluation of various inhibitors. Current affinity recognition of the immobilized antibody with methylated DNA switches the sensing platform into a DNA operation interface, facilitating the opportunity for combining various DNA-based signal amplification strategies to improve the detection performance. It would be used as a general strategy for the analysis of DNA Mtase activity, inhibitors and more analytes, and is anticipated to show potential for applications in disease diagnosis and drug discovery.

Protein kinase activity analysis is essential and important for elucidation of many fundamental biological processes, disease diagnosis, and drug discovery. Herein, a novel electrochemical biosensing method for protein kinase (PKA) activity was demonstrated by the use of a reduced graphene oxide-zirconium dioxide–thionine (rGO-ZrO2–Thi) nanocomposite, which interestingly served as an integral phosphopeptide-recognizing, signal amplifying and reporting platform. The ZrO2 nanoparticle-decorated reduced graphene oxide (rGO-ZrO2) was first prepared by a hydrothermal reaction route, and then the thionine was conjugated onto the rGO surface via π–π stacking as an excellent electrochemical probe. The prepared rGO-ZrO2–Thi nanocomposites were well-characterized by various techniques. With the full advantage of specific recognition of ZrO2 nanoparticles for the phosphate group, signal amplification, and transduction of abundant thionines onto the rGO surface, and excellent conductivity of rGO, the rGO-ZrO2–Thi nan...

The temperature dependent magnetism of Fe-doped rare earth orthochromite HoCr 1-x Fe x O 3 (x = 0, 0.2) was investigated by neutron powder diffraction. It is found that the magnetism of Cr(Fe) 3+ can be well understood within mean field theory, while the ordering of Ho 3+ was induced by the Cr(Fe) 3+ sublattice and can be satisfyingly described by an effective S = 1/2 model. The absences of both the most common G x F z configuration of Cr 3+ and the ordering of Ho 3+ caused by Ho-Ho interaction evidence a strong Ho 3+ -Cr 3+ interaction which dominates this system. On the other hand, a remarkable magnetoelastic strain was observed accompanying the Cr(Fe) 3+ ordering. An analysis based on the equation of state with a Gruneisen approximation was performed and revealed magnetic origin of this strain.

Development of simple, convenient, and sensitive assay methods for pyrophosphatase (PPase) activity is of importance, for disease diagnosis and drug discovery. Herein, a simple, rapid, label-free, and sensitive fluorescence sensor for PPase activity assay is developed, using Cu2+ doping-induced quantum dot (QD) photoluminescence as a signal reporter. The Cu2+ doping of ZnSe QD can induce a dopant-dependent emission response, which will be inhibited after the premixing of Cu2+ with pyrophosphate (PPi), to form a Cu2+-PPi complex. Then, the hydrolysis of PPi into phosphate (Pi), specifically catalyzed by PPase, liberates the free Cu2+ to regain the QD doping for the fluorescence response, which is highly dependent on the PPase activity. The PPase can be sensitively and selectively assayed, with a detection limit of 0.1 mU/mL. The developed sensing strategy can be also employed for the PPase inhibitor screening. Thus, the current QD doping-based sensing strategy offers an efficient and promising avenue for Cu2+, PPi, or PPase-related target analysis, and might hold great potential for the further applications in the clinical disease diagnosis.

Cement hydration is a key process to determine most properties of cementitious materials. A deep understanding of cement hydration is thus favourable for the improvement of the overall properties of these materials and for providing solutions to the technique problems for concrete applications in terms of durability and sustainability. The conversion of water states is a fundamental process associated with cement hydration. Quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) has recently emerged as a powerful non-destructive technique for studying the conversion of water states during cement hydration. The free water index and correlation parameters describing the states of the bound water and confined water can be quantitatively given. Compared with conventional methods of cement hydration characterization, QENS has a unique advantage. This paper summarizes the application of QENS for hydration in cement-based materials. In this review, the focus is first placed on the mechanism of the QENS method and the development of QENS spectrum analysis models to provide insight into the new technique. Then, the focus is shifted to its application for hydration and hydration kinetics in cement-based materials. Recent improvements in QENS facilities have allowed unexpected possibilities for studying complex hydration processes in cementitious materials. The potential of this promising technology for further research is outlined.

Orthoferrite solid solution HoFe1−xCrxO3 (x=0, 0.2,…,1.0) was synthesized via solid state reaction methods. The crystal structure, magnetism and spin reorientation properties of this system were investigated by X-ray diffraction, neutron powder diffraction and magnetic measurements. For compositions of x≤0.6, the system exhibits similar magnetic properties to HoFeO3. With increasing Cr-doping, the system adopts a Γ4(GxAyFz) magnetic configuration with a decreased Neel temperature from 640 K to 360 K. A Γ42 spin reorientation of Fe(Cr)3+ was also observed in this system with an increase in transition temperature from 56 K to about 200 K due to competition between the Fe(Cr)–Fe(Cr) and Ho–Fe(Cr) interactions. For the x≥0.8, the system behaves more like HoCrO3 which adopts a Γ2(FxCyGz) configuration with no spin reorientation below the Neel temperature TN. Throughout the whole substitution range, we found that the saturated moment of Fe(Cr) was less than the ideal value for a free ion, which implies the existence of spin fluctuation in this system. A systematic magnetic structure variation with Cr-substitution is revealed by Rietveld refinement. A phase diagram combining the results of the magnetic measurements and neutron powder diffraction results was obtained.

A Python software package for data reduction and visualization of continuous angle multiple energy analysis (CAMEA) type detector backend MultiFLEXX is presented. The software concept focuses on unambiguous, automated aggregation of experimental data and preservation of raw data structure in graphical representation, enabling on-the-fly analysis of experimental data from MultiFLEXX with minimal amount of user input, reducing confusion and human error in studies involving multiple parameters. The software also provides a set of interfaces for versatile tweaking of graphing parameters, facilitating generation of production-quality graphs for use in publications. The software enhances the role of MultiFLEXX as a swift mapping option available at the cold-neutron triple-axis spectrometer FLEXX. Keywords: Inelastic neutron scattering, Three-axis spectroscopy, Visualization tool

In this paper, the dynamical behavior of a saturation incidence SIRS epidemic model with birth pulse, pulse treatment, and pulse vaccination is studied. By using discrete map, the existence and stability of the infection-free periodic solution are investigated. A threshold for a disease to be extinct or endemic is established. The Poincare map and center manifold theorem are used to discuss flip bifurcation of endemic periodic solution. Moreover, numerical simulations are in good agreement with the theoretical analysis.

We report a systematic crystal growth and characterization of Ca$_{1-y}$La$_{y}$Fe$_{1-x}$Ni$_{x}$As$_{2}$, the newly discovered 112-type iron-based superconductor. After substituting Fe by a small amount of Ni, bulk superconductivity is successfully obtained in high quality single crystals sized up to 6 mm. Resistivity measurements indicate common features for transport properties in this 112-type iron pnictide, suggest strong scattering from chemical dopants. Together with the superconducting transition temperature $T_c$, and the Neel temperature $T_N$ determined by the elastic neutron scattering, we sketch a three-dimensional phase diagram in the combination of both Ni and La dopings., Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures

The origin of nematic order remains one of the major debates in iron-based superconductors. In theories based on spin nematicity, one major prediction is that the spin-spin correlation length at (0,π) should decrease with decreasing temperature below the structural transition temperature T_{s}. Here, we report inelastic neutron scattering studies on the low-energy spin fluctuations in BaFe_{1.935}Ni_{0.065}As_{2} under uniaxial pressure. Both intensity and spin-spin correlation start to show anisotropic behavior at high temperature, while the reduction of the spin-spin correlation length at (0,π) happens just below T_{s}, suggesting the strong effect of nematic order on low-energy spin fluctuations. Our results favor the idea that treats the spin degree of freedom as the driving force of the electronic nematic order.

We report a spin reorientation from Γ4(Gx, Ay, Fz) to Γ1(Ax, Gy, Cz) magnetic configuration near room temperature and a re-entrant transition from Γ1(Ax, Gy, Cz) to Γ4(Gx, Ay, Fz) at low temperature in TbFe1−xMnxO3 single crystals by performing both magnetization and neutron diffraction measurements. The Γ4 − Γ1 spin reorientation temperature can be enhanced to room temperature when x is around 0.5 ~ 0.6. These new transitions are distinct from the well-known Γ4 − Γ2 transition observed in TbFeO3, and the sinusoidal antiferromagnetism to complex spiral magnetism transition observed in multiferroic TbMnO3. We further study the evolution of magnetic entropy change (−ΔSM) versus Mn concentration to reveal the mechanism of the re-entrant spin reorientation behavior and the complex magnetic phase at low temperature. The variation of −ΔSM between a and c axes indicates the significant change of magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy in the TbFe1−xMnxO3 system. Furthermore, as Jahn-Teller inactive Fe3+ ions coexist with Jahn-Teller active Mn3+ ions, various anisotropy interactions, compete with each other, giving rise to a rich magnetic phase diagram. The large magnetocaloric effect reveals that the studied material could be a potential magnetic refrigerant. These findings expand our knowledge of spin reorientation phenomena and offer the alternative realization of spin-switching devices at room temperature in the rare-earth orthoferrites.

A quantum spin liquid is an exotic quantum state of matter in which spins are highly entangled and remain disordered down to zero temperature. Such a state of matter is potentially relevant to high-temperature superconductivity and quantum-information applications, and experimental identification of a quantum spin liquid state is of fundamental importance for our understanding of quantum matter. Theoretical studies have proposed various quantum-spin-liquid ground states, most of which are characterized by exotic spin excitations with fractional quantum numbers (termed `spinon'). Here, we report neutron scattering measurements that reveal broad spin excitations covering a wide region of the Brillouin zone in a triangular antiferromagnet YbMgGaO4. The observed diffusive spin excitation persists at the lowest measured energy and shows a clear upper excitation edge, which is consistent with the particle-hole excitation of a spinon Fermi surface. Our results therefore point to a QSL state with a spinon Fermi surface in YbMgGaO4 that has a perfect spin-1/2 triangular lattice as in the original proposal of quantum spin liquids., Comment: 23 pages, 10 figures