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Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is used to infer information about a sample that is in contact with an Au-coated glass slide coupled to the SPR prism. Shifts in the angle of the "SPR minimum reflection" can be related to changes in the refractive index (and/or thickness) of the sample that is in contact with the Au film, which can then be used to determine the concentration of an analyte in that sample. Here, we show that by depositing a layer of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) [p(NIPAm-co-AAc)] microgel on the SPR's Au film, with a subsequent layer of Au deposited on top of the microgels, the sensitivity of SPR to changes in solution properties can be enhanced. We investigated the sensitivity of the SPR to changes in the temperature of water in contact with the SPR's Au film as a function of the microgel immobilization density and the thickness of the Au layer deposited on the microgel layer. The data revealed that the SPR's Au film densely coated with microgels, with 5 nm of Au deposited, exhibited the maximal enhancement. The plasmon coupling effect between the additional Au film on the microgels and the SPR's Au film was further confirmed by 3D finite difference time domain simulations.

Light- and temperature-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-nitrobenzyl methacrylate) (pNIPAm-co-NBMA) microgels were synthesized via free-radical precipitation polymerization and exhibited a h...

Early Permian granitic dykes are well developed in the Wulanhuduge area, central Inner Mongolia, North China. In this study, we investigated the petrography, geochronology, and whole-rock geochemistry of the granite porphyry dykes in the Wulanhuduge area. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry zircon U–Pb dating yielded 206Pb/238U ages of 289–288 Ma for these granite porphyry dykes, indicating they were emplaced in the early Permian. These granitic dykes are high in silica and alkali contents, and low in total Fe2O3, MgO, CaO, and P2O5 contents. They show enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements such as Rb, Ba, Th, U and K, and depletion in high field strength elements such as Nb, Ta, and Ti, typical of arc-like magma. Their Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions indicate low initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.70306–0.70564), positive εNd(t) values (+3.3 to +3.9), and radiogenic Pb isotopes with (206Pb/204Pb)i of 18.080–18.616, (207Pb/204Pb)i of 15.497–15.555, and (208Pb/204Pb)i of 37.713–38.175. These geochemical data, along with petrological characteristics, suggest that they belong to high K calc-alkaline I-type granites and were generated by the partial melting of the mafic rocks from the pre-existing juvenile arc crust in a post-subduction extensional setting caused by slab breakoff. Therefore, the emplacement of these granite porphyry dykes in the Wulanhuduge area may represent the end stage of the subduction–accretion process in central Inner Mongolia.

Stretchable poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-acrylic acid (pNIPAm-co-10% AAc) microgel-based reservoir devices were fabricated and used to control the release rate of the small molecule model drug tr...

Femtosecond laser pump-probe method is a useful tool to study the transient reflection phenomenon on metal films. Using double pump beams in femtosecond laser pump-probe system can both increase the electron non-equilibrium heat transport time and degrade the noise by adjust the experimental optical path. In this paper, the transient non-equilibrium heat transport processes of the copper-silver alloy films were studied by using femtosecond laser pump-probe method of double pump beams. The electron-lattice interactions were analysed and the electron non-equilibrium heat transport time was measured. The transient reflection phenomenons on copper-silver alloy films with the diverse film thickness were different, and the non-equilibrium heat transport time was inversely proportional to the film thickness. Two sudden changes which ascend abruptly appeared in the transient reflection signals, that is, twice electron non-equilibrium heat transport occurred in the copper-silver alloy films. With this method, the non-equilibrium heat transport time can be extend more than two times, which is expected to reduce the influence of thermal barrier and improve production efficiency.

Temperature and pH responsive semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) hydrogel-based bilayer actuators were fabricated by generating a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAm)-based hydrogel in the presence of positively charged polyelectrolyte poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (pDADMAC) on a layer of gold-coated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The bilayers showed unique bidirectional bending behavior in response to solution temperature and pH, which is a result of the modulation of the hydrogel solvation state in response to solution temperature and pH changes. The behavior described here is vastly different than what is observed from bilayers composed of just pNIPAm. The direction and degree of bending of the device could be easily adjusted by tuning the composition of the hydrogel layer. We also showed that the bilayers could be used as stimulus-induced grippers and for controlled/triggered small molecule delivery, which can make the bilayers useful for various biomedical applications.

Systems composed of a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-acrylic acid (pNIPAm-co-AAc) microgels (AAc-MG) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-3-(acrylamido)phenylboronic acid) (pNIPAm-co-APBA) microgels (APBA-MG) were used to sequentially release small molecules to a system in a controlled and triggered fashion. Specifically, at pH 10.0, methylene blue (MB, positively charged) exhibited strong electrostatic interactions with both the negatively charged AAc and APBA-modified microgels. This resulted in MB uptake into both of the microgels. At pH 7.0, the APBA groups were neutralized, allowing MB to be released from the APBA-MG only. When the solution pH was again lowered to 3.0, the AAc groups are neutralized allowing MB to be released from the AAc-MG. By incorporating the mixed microgels into reservoir devices, and varying their ratio, the small molecule release rate and release amount (dosage) can be easily tuned. Furthermore, two different small molecules can be loaded into the two distinct microgels, which allows for their sequential release at particular pHs. These devices could find use for delivering multiple drugs to a system in a controlled and triggered fashion, which may find a variety of biomedical applications.

Metal tolerance proteins (MTPs) are plant divalent cation transporters that play important roles in plant metal tolerance and homeostasis. Poplar is an ideal candidate for the phytoremediation of heavy metals because of its numerous beneficial attributes. However, the definitive phylogeny and heavy metal transport mechanisms of the MTP family in poplar remain unknown. Here, 22 MTP genes in P. trichocarpa were identified and classified into three major clusters and seven groups according to phylogenetic relationships. An evolutionary analysis suggested that PtrMTP genes had undergone gene expansion through tandem or segmental duplication events. Moreover, all PtrMTPs were predicted to localize in the vacuole and/or cell membrane, and contained typical structural features of the MTP family, cation efflux domain. The temporal and spatial expression pattern analysis results indicated the involvement of PtrMTP genes in poplar developmental control. Under heavy metal stress, most of PtrMTP genes were induced by at least two metal ions in roots, stems or leaves. In addition, PtrMTP8.1, PtrMTP9 and PtrMTP10.4 displayed the ability of Mn transport in yeast cells, and PtrMTP6 could transport Co, Fe and Mn. These findings will provide an important foundation to elucidate the biological functions of PtrMTP genes, and especially their role in regulating heavy metal tolerance in poplar.

The architecture and tectonic evolution of the Hegenshan accretionary belt in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) remains debated. Here we present an integrated study of zircon U–Pb isotopic ages, whole rock major-trace elements, and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic data from the Hegenshan volcanic-plutonic belt in central Inner Mongolia. Field observations and zircon U–Pb ages allow us to divide the intrusive complex into an early phase at 329–306 Ma and a late phase at 304 to 299 Ma. The intrusive bodies belong to two magma series: calc-alkaline rocks with I-type affinity and A-type granites. The early intrusions are composed of granodiorite, monzogranite and porphyritic granite, and the late calc-alkaline intrusions include gabbro though diorite to granodiorite. The calc-alkaline intrusive rocks exhibit a well-defined compositional trend from gabbro to granite, reflecting continuous fractional crystallization. These rocks show obvious enrichment in LILEs and LREEs and relative depletion of HFSEs, typical of subduction-related magma. They also exhibit isotopic characteristics of mantle-derived magmas such as low initial 87Sr/86Sr (0.7029–0.7053), positive ɛNd(t) values (0.06–4.76) and low radiogenic Pb isotopic compositions ((206Pb/204Pb)I = 17.907–19.198, (207Pb/204Pb)I = 15.474–15.555, (208Pb/204Pb)I = 37.408–38.893). The marked consistency in geochemical and isotopic compositions between the intrusive rocks and the coeval Baoligaomiao volcanic rocks define a Carboniferous continental arc. Together with available regional data, we infer that this east-west trending continental arc was generated by northward subduction of the Hegenshan ocean during Carboniferous. The late alkali-feldspar granites and the high-Si rhyolites of the Baoligaomiao volcanic succession show similar geochemical compositions with high SiO2 and variable total alkali contents, and low TiO2, MgO and CaO. These rocks are characterized by unusually low Sr and Ba, and high abundances of Zr, Th, Nb, HREEs and Y, comparable to the features of typical A2-type granites including their high ratios of FeOT/MgO, Ga/Al and Y/Nb. Our study suggests that the A-type granite was derived from a distinct magma source rather than through fractional crystallization of the coeval calc-alkaline magmas. Their Nd–Pb isotopic compositions are similar to those of calc-alkaline arc rocks and are compatible with partial melting of pre-existing juvenile basaltic crust in the continental arc. Notably, the widespread eruptions of A2-type rhyolitic magmas (305.3 Ma–303.4 Ma) following a short period of magmatic quiescence was temporally and spatially associated with bimodal magmatism with mantle-derived gabbro-diorites and A-type granites (304.3 Ma–299.03 Ma) in the pre-existing arc volcanic-plutonic belt (329 Ma–306 Ma). Such a marked change in the magma affinity likely indicates subducted slab break-off resulting in a change of the regional stress field to an extensional setting within the Carboniferous continental arc that runs E-W for few thousands of kilometers. Thus, the onset of the late magmatism (305–299 Ma) likely represents the maximum age for the cessation of the northward subduction in the Hegenshan ophiolite-arc-accretion belt.

A monolithic layer of poly( N-isopropylacrylamide- co-acrylic acid) microgels was deposited on an Au electrode and used for electrically triggered release of the small molecule crystal violet (CV), which was used as a model drug. CV was loaded into the surface-bound microgels by exposing them to a CV solution at pH 6.5, where the microgels are negatively charged and the CV is positively charged. The electrostatic attraction holds the CV inside of the microgels, while a decrease of the solution pH can neutralize the microgels and allow for CV release. In this investigation, we show that when CV-loaded microgels are deposited on the anode in an electrochemical cell and an appropriate voltage applied, there is a decrease in the solution pH near the anode surface that allows for CV release. We also show that removing the applied potential allows the solution pH near the anode to return to pH 6.5, which halts the release. We show that the release rate from the microgel-modified anodes could be controlled by the magnitude of the applied voltage and by pulsing the applied voltage or applying a continuous voltage. Furthermore, we showed that the microgel-modified anodes can be reloaded with CV and used to release CV to a system many times. Such devices could be used as implantable drug delivery devices, as well as for industrial applications, where small molecules need to be released to systems in response to their chemical status.

Populus bolleana Lauche. (P. bolleana) and Populus euphratica Oliv. (P. euphratica) separately survive in mild and moderate alkaline soil conditions. The aim of this study was to explore the underlying mechanism for the different alkaline tolerance in the two poplar species. Young saplings of two poplar species were grown in moderate alkaline soil, and the young and old leaves of the two poplars were separately analyzed by ion concentration, allocation and distribution, transcript variation of different genes involved in ion transport and nitrogen assimilation, nitrogen metabolism, organic acid, leaf pigments, and redox responses. Excess Na+ under alkali stress was mainly allocated to old leaves in P. bolleana. However, excess Na+ was allocated to both young and old leaves in P. euphratica, and was balanced by enhanced levels of Mg2+, Ca2+, and SO42−, with no change in oxidative parameter. The reduction of nitrate nitrogen occurred under alkali stress in both species; P. euphratica acclimated to alkali stress by more flexible regulation of N metabolism and nitrate absorption than P. bolleana. Our results strongly indicated different alkali tolerance mechanisms in P. bolleana and P. euphratica. P. bolleana protects young tissues via profound accumulation of Na+ and confining damage effects into the old leaves under alkali stress, while P. euphratica can effectively compartmentalize excess Na+, keep its ion balance, and adjust nitrogen transport and metabolism in both young and old leaves to avoid alkali damage.

Plants utilize energy from sunlight to perform photosynthesis in chloroplast, an organelle that could be damaged by solar UV radiation. The ultraviolet-B (UV-B) photoreceptor UVR8 is required for UV-B perception and signal transduction. However, little is known about how UVR8 influence chloroplast development under UV-B radiation. Here, we characterized tomato UVR8 gene (SlUVR8) and our results indicated that SlUVR8 facilitate plant acclimation to UV-B stress by orchestrating expression of the UVB-responsive genes (HY5 and CHS) and accumulating UV-absorptive compounds. In addition, we also discovered that SlUVR8 promotes fruit chloroplast development through enhancing accumulation of transcription factor GOLDEN2-LIKE2 (SlGLK2) which determines chloroplast and chlorophyll levels. Furthermore, UV-B radiation could increase expression of SlGLK2 and its target genes in fruits and leaves. SlUVR8 is required for UVB-induced SlGLK2 expression. Together, our work not only identified the conserved functions of SlUVR8 gene in response to UV-B stress, but also uncovered a novel role that SlUVR8 could boost chloroplast development by accumulating SlGLK2 proteins.

Cinnamon oil (CMO) has a wide variety of promising applications due to its multifunctional activity, especially excellent antibacterial activity. However, CMO is highly unstable and volatile, which clearly limit its application fields. In this work, CMO is encapsulated in composite emulsion hydrogels to solve the above issue. The CMO-loaded composite emulsion hydrogels are facilely and effectively fabricated by free radical polymerization of acrylamide in the continuous phase of oil-in-water concentrated emulsion templates. Gelatin serves as the effective polymer emulsifier to prepare the CMO-in-water concentrated emulsions. The study results display that the CMO can be effectively loaded into the hydrogel matrix. And the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composite hydrogels can be easily tuned by changing internal phase fraction of the concentrated emulsion templates. Increasing internal phase fraction leads to the increase of pore sizes and the decrease of the Young’s modulus and compressive stress. Moreover, the release studies indicate that the CMO-loaded composite hydrogels display the sustained CMO release profiles. Furthermore, the antibacterial assays verify that the CMO-loaded composite hydrogels demonstrate an excellent and long-term antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. All the results indicate that the CMO-loaded composite emulsion hydrogels prepared in this study can be applied as promising long-term antibacterial materials. Free radical polymerization based on concentrated emulsion templates is a promising alternative approach to fabricate antibacterial essential oil-loaded composite emulsion hydrogels, which could be acted as antibacterial materials.

Reports in the literature on the development of new chemical sensing technologies have been growing steadily in number for years. For example, a Web of Science topic search using the term "Chemical Sensing" revealed that over 8,000 papers were published in 2015-2017, with over 40,000 citations to those papers. In this review, we focus on highlighting recent examples of chemical sensing related to human health (e.g., disease diagnosis, health monitoring, and water/food safety), and for environmental monitoring. These respective fields were chosen to due to their immense importance. For example, Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder that causes loss of memory (short-term memory loss) and with time, problems associated with cognitive ability and language. Although there is no cure for the disease, early diagnosis is key to access therapies that can improve a patient's cognition and enhance their life quality.1 Moreover, the development of biosensors for biomarkers of Alzheim...

The Baoligaomiao Formation, within the Hegenshan ophiolite-arc-accretion complex is an important segment to understand the tectonic evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), world's largest Phanerozoic orogenic belt. In this study, we present an integrated study of zircon U-Pb isotopic ages, whole rock major-trace elements, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic data from the volcanic succession in the Baoligaomiao Formation. The volcanic succession can be divided into the lower sequence with zircon U-Pb ages in the range of 326.3 Ma–307.4 Ma and the upper sequence of 305.3 Ma. The succession belongs to two suites: calc-alkaline volcanics and high-Si rhyolites. The calc-alkaline volcanic rocks include basaltic andesite through andesite and dacite to rhyolite and their pyroclastic equivalents. These rocks exhibit a well-defined compositional trend from basaltic to rhyolitic magma, reflecting continuous fractional crystallization. These rocks show obvious enrichment in LILEs and LREEs and relative depletion of HFSEs, typical of subduction-related magma. The calc-alkaline rocks have low initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr (0.7023–0.7052), positive ɛNd(t) values (2.75–4.80), and their initial Pb isotopic compositions are 17.875–18.485 of 206 Pb/ 204 Pb, 15.481–15.520 of 207 Pb/ 204 Pb and 37.467–37.764 of 208 Pb/ 204 Pb, respectively. Geochemical and isotopic results suggest that the volcanic succession represents Carboniferous subduction-related, mature, continental arc volcanism. The outcrops of high-Si rhyolites are restricted to the northern edge of the continental arc, marking a transition zone between volcanic arc and back-arc basin, where they are interbedded with the calc-alkaline rocks in the lower sequence, and the upper sequence is composed only of high-Si rhyolites. The high-Si rhyolites have high SiO 2 (71.12–81.76 wt%) and varied total alkali contents (K 2 O + Na 2 O = 5.46–10.58 wt%), low TiO 2 (0.06–0.27 wt%), MgO (0.09–0.89 wt%) and CaO (0.08–0.72 wt%). Based on the presence of mafic alkali phenocrysts, such as arfvedsonite and siderophyllite, high Zr/Nb ratios (> 10) and peralkalinity index (PI) near unity, the high-Si rhyolites can be classified as peralkaline comendites. The high-Si rhyolites are characterized by unusually low Sr and Ba, and high abundance of Zr, Th, Nb, HREEs and Y. They show geochemical characteristics similar to those of typical A 2 -type granites including their high K 2 O + Na 2 O, Nb, Zr and Y, and high ratios of FeO T /MgO, Ga/Al and Y/Nb. Our study suggests that the high-Si rhyolites were derived from discrete trachytic parent magma with fractional crystallization within shallow magma reservoirs. Their Nd-Pb isotopic characteristics are similar to those of the calc-alkaline arc rocks and are compatible with partial melting of pre-existing juvenile continental arc crust. We observe that the widespread eruptions of A 2 -rhyolitic magmas (305.3 Ma–303.4 Ma) following a short period of magmatic quiescence was temporally and spatially associated with voluminous intrusion of the bimodal magmas (304.3 Ma–299.3 Ma) in the pre-existing arc volcanic-plutonic belt (329 Ma–307 Ma). We envisage northward subduction and slab breakoff process resulting in an obvious change of the regional stress field to extensional setting within the Carboniferous continental arc running E-W for thousands of kilometers. Therefore, we propose the existence of an east-west-trending Carboniferous continental arc in the Hegenshan ophiolite-arc-accretion complex, with the slab breakoff event suggesting that the age of the upper sequence (305.3 ± 5.5 Ma) likely indicates the maximum age for the cessation of the northward subduction of the Hegenshan oceanic lithosphere.

We undertook zircon U–Pb dating and geochemical analyses of volcanic rocks from the Manitu Formation in the Hongol area, northeastern Inner Mongolia, to determine their age, petrogenesis and sources, which are important for understanding the Late Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the Great Xing'an Range. The volcanic rocks of the Manitu Formation from the Hongol area consist primarily of trachyandesite, based on their chemical compositions. The zircons from two of these trachyandesites are euhedral–subhedral in shape, display clear oscillatory growth zoning and have high Th/U ratios (0.31–1.15), indicating a magmatic origin. The results of LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating indicate that the volcanic rocks from the Manitu Formation in the Hongol area formed during the early Early Cretaceous with ages of 138.9–140.5 Ma. The volcanic rocks are high in alkali (Na2O + K2O = 6.22–8.26 wt%), potassium (K2O = 2.49–4.58 wt%) and aluminium (Al2O3 = 14.27–15.88 wt%), whereas they are low in iron (total Fe2O3 = 3.76–6.53 wt%) and titanium (TiO2 = 1.02–1.61 wt%). These volcanic rocks are obviously enriched in large ion lithophile elements, such as Rb, Ba, Th and U, and light rare earth elements, and are depleted in high field strength elements, such as Nb, Ta and Ti with pronounced negative anomalies. Their Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions show positive ∊Nd(t) (+0.16‰ to+1.64‰) and low TDM(t) (694–767 Ma). The geochemical characteristics of these volcanic rocks suggest that they belong to a shoshonitic series and were likely generated from the partial melting of an enriched lithospheric mantle that was metasomatised by fluids released from a subducted slab during the closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean. Elemental and isotopic features reveal that fractional crystallization with the removal of ferromagnesian minerals, plagioclase, ilmenite, magnetite and apatite played an important role during the evolution of the magma. These shoshonitic rocks were produced by the partial melting of the enriched lithospheric mantle in an extensional regime, which resulted from the gravitational collapse following the final closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean in the Middle–Late Jurassic.

Stimuli-responsive polymers are capable of changing their chemical and/or physical properties in response to environmental stimuli. This unique feature has allowed stimuli-responsive polymers to be used in a variety of applications. In this review, we present a basic introduction to the theories that have been developed to describe polymer chains, brushes, and networks. We then detail numerous examples of how stimuli-responsive polymers can be used for sensing and biosensing, drug delivery, and as artificial muscles. While we focus the review on these particular areas, there are numerous other demonstrations of the applications of these fascinating materials, and we are certain that many applications have yet to be discovered.

Responsive polymer-based materials are capable of altering their chemical and/or physical properties upon exposure to external stimuli. These materials have been intensively studied over the years for a diverse range of applications, e.g., for on-demand drug delivery, tissue generation/repair, biosensing, smart coatings, and artificial muscles. Here, we review recent advances in the areas of sensing and biosensing, drug delivery, and actuators. Specific examples are given in each of these areas, and we highlight our group's work on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based microgels and assemblies.

WRKY transcription factors play a key role in the tolerance of biotic and abiotic stresses across various crop species, but the function of some WRKY genes, particularly in tomato, remains unexplored. Here, we characterize the roles of a previously unstudied WRKY gene, SlWRKY8, in the resistance to pathogen infection and the tolerance to drought and salt stresses. Expression of SlWRKY8 was up-regulated upon Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst. DC3000), abiotic stresses such as drought, salt and cold, as well as ABA and SA treatments. The SlWRKY8 protein was localized to the nucleus with no transcription activation in yeast, but it could activate W-box-dependent transcription in plants. The overexpression of SlWRKY8 in tomato conferred a greater resistance to the pathogen Pst. DC3000 and resulted in the increased transcription levels of two pathogen-related genes SlPR1a1 and SlPR7. Moreover, transgenic plants displayed the alleviated wilting or chlorosis phenotype under drought and salt stresses, with higher levels of stress-induced osmotic substances like proline and higher transcript levels of the stress-responsive genes SlAREB, SlDREB2A and SlRD29. Stomatal aperature was smaller under drought stress in transgenic plants, maintaining higher water content in leaves compared with wild-type plants. The oxidative pressure, indicated by the concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) and malondialdehyde (MDA), was also reduced in transgenic plants, where we also observed higher levels of antioxidant enzyme activities under stress. Overall, our results suggest that SlWRKY8 functions as a positive regulator in plant immunity against pathogen infection as well as in plant responses to drought and salt stresses.

Poplars (Populus species) are tolerant to boron (B) toxicity and have phytoremediation potential in B-contaminated soils. However, the detoxification strategy is largely unknown. To screen the key B transporter-like (BOR-like) genes for B compartmentation, Populus russkii plants were exposed to different levels of excess B and the plant growth, physiological responses, B distribution, and the expression patterns of BOR-like genes were characterized. P. russkii showed moderate tolerance to excess B although the plant growth was inhibited. The enhanced proline level and well-regulated antioxidant defense system were associated with B tolerance in leaves. The B absorbed by plants was predominantly allocated to leaves. Ten BOR-like genes were identified and seven of them showed tissue-specific expression patterns. PrBOR7 was identified as an important BOR-like gene possibly involved in the export of B from leaf cytoplasm because it was expressed specifically in leaves and induced by excess B. Yeast experiment assays verified that PrBOR7 functions as an efflux-type transporter and strongly improved cell tolerance to excess B. The expression patterns of BOR-like genes highlight the diversity of the family members in P. russkii, and PrBOR7 has potential as a candidate gene for B detoxification.

This letter describes a new method for fabricating supramolecular microgels from supramonomers. To this end, we designed and assembled supramonomers with one acrylate moiety on each end on the basis of noncovalent host–guest interactions, which could be utilized as a cross-linker. Then supramolecular microgels were fabricated through the copolymerization of supramonomers and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm). The supramolecular microgels not only showed temperature-responsive properties as expected from conventional PNIPAm-based microgels but also exhibited stimuli-responsive and degradable properties benefiting from the dynamic nature of supramonomers. In addition, it was found that the degradation kinetics of the supramolecular microgels was related greatly to the structure of the microgels, providing a way to tune the degradation kinetics of the supramolecular microgels. Various supramolecular microgels with desired structure and function are supposed to be facilely fabricated from supramonomers. It is ant...

A novel pH-sensitive drug delivery system of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) which were modified by polydopamine (PDA) for controlled release of cationic amphiphilic drug desipramine (DES) was prepared. MSNs-DES-PDA were characterized in terms of size, size distribution, surface morphology, BET surface area, mesoporous size and pore volume, drug loading content and in vitro drug release profile. MSNs-DES-PDA had high drug loading content and pH sensitivity. The DES release profiles of MSNs-DES and MSNs-DES-PDA were totally different, and the drug release of MSNs-DES-PDA accelerated with increasing acidity. MSNs-DES-PDA can be internalized into cells. In vitro experiments demonstrated that MSNs-DES-PDA had higher cytotoxicity and inhibitory effects on acid sphingomyelinase than those of free DES. This drug delivery system was beneficial for controlled release and cancer therapy.

It is urgent to develop new antiviral agents due to the continuous emergence of drug-resistant strains of influenza virus. Our earlier studies have identified that certain pentacyclic triterpene saponins with 3-O-β-chacotriosyl residue are novel H5N1 virus entry inhibitors. In the present study, a series of C-28 modified 3-O-β-chacotriosyl epiursolic acid derivatives via conjugation with different kinds of sides were synthesized, of which anti-H5N1 activities in A549 cells were evaluated in vitro. Among them, 10 exhibited strongest anti-H5N1 potency at the low-micromole level without cytotoxicity, surpassing the potency of ribavirin. Further mechanism studies of the lead compound 10 based on HI, SPR and molecular modeling revealed that these new 3-epiursolic acid saponins could bind tightly to the viral envelope HA protein, thus blocking the invasion of H5N1 viruses into host cells.

The Hegenshan ophiolite-arc-accretionary belt adjacent to the Solonker suture in central Inner Mongolia marks the closure of a back-arc ocean basin and an Early Permian extensional setting is a critical region to understand the final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean in relation to the construction of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Since the Paleo-Asian Ocean still existed in Solonker during Permian, the Early Permian extensional regime as indicated by the widely distributed Permian A-type granites in this accretionary belt remains enigmatic. In order to address this issue, we investigate the large-scale Early Permian EW-trending dyke swarm in the Hegenshan belt through an integrated study on petrology, zircon U-Pb isotopic ages, whole rock major-trace elements, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes. These dykes were emplaced in the volcanic-plutonic complex of the Carboniferous continental arc. Our zircon U-Pb results show an age range of 289.9 ± 3.6 Ma to 274.6 ± 4.6 Ma for the dyke emplacement, which is slightly younger than the post-subduction bimodal volcanic-plutonic suite (305–299 Ma) which is closely associated with the dyke swarm. Based on field characteristics and geochemical data on the dykes, we recognize two magma types: calc-alkaline dykes and A-type granitic dykes. The calc-alkaline dykes include diorite and granodiorite, whereas the A-type granitic dykes are composed of granite porphyry and rhyolite, corresponding to a major phase of Early Permian bimodal magmatism in the Hegenshan belt. The diorite-granodiorite dykes exhibit a continuous evolutionary trend of calc-alkaline magma from gabbro through diorite to granodiorite. They also display enrichment in LILEs and LREEs, and depletion of HFSEs. These characteristics are consistent with the Late Carboniferous calc-alkaline plutons which are spatially and temporally associated with the diorite-granodiorite dykes. We therefore infer a common magma system, with the parent magma sourced from enriched lithosphere mantle. The granite porphyry-rhyolite dykes show marked consistency in geochemical and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions with the Late Carboniferous A-type granite and rhyolite in this area. Compared with the calc-alkaline diorite-granodiorite dykes, the granite porphyry-rhyolite dykes have significantly higher Rb, Th, HFSEs (Nb, Ta), HREEs (Yb) and Y, and lower Sr and Ba. These rocks exhibit the features of A2-type granites, possibly inherited from pre-existing subduction-related juvenile lower crust. The large-scale dyke swarm with bimodal signature suggests an extensional setting in the Carboniferous continental arc. Combined with the age data (305–299 Ma) of the Late Carboniferous bimodal magmatic rocks in the study area which denote the maximum age of the slab break-off, the emplacement time of the dyke swarm (289–274 Ma) provides robust constraints on the Early Permian extensional tectonic regime (305–274 Ma) in the Hegenshan accretionary belt. The Early Permian extension in this belt occurred prior to the closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean and formation of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, and the Hegenshan belt likely represents a back-arc formed through the northward subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean during Permian.

Laser surface microstructure can improve the friction properties, biomedical properties and optical properties of materials. In this paper, a two-dimensional finite element model based on temperature-dependent surface tension is proposed to study the effects of different laser energy density distributions on surface morphology. The results show that: when the laser energy density is applied to the molten pool under the Gaussian distribution and uniform distribution, respectively, the peak temperature of the molten pool surface is varied, and the difference of temperature gradient leads to the changes of surface tension. As the surface topography is mainly affected by the surface tension, different laser energy densities will produce different surface topography, therefore, its analysis will help us understand the formation mechanism of laser surface microstructures.

The flavonoid compounds are important secondary metabolites with versatile human nutritive benefits and fulfill a multitude of functions during plant growth and development. The abundance of different flavonoid compounds are finely tuned with species-specific pattern by a ternary MBW complex, which consists of a MYB, a bHLH, and a WD40 protein, but the essential role of SlAN11, which is a WD40 protein, is not fully understood in tomato until now. In this study, a tomato WD40 protein named as SlAN11 was characterized as an effective transcription regulator to promote plant anthocyanin and seed proanthocyanidin (PA) contents, with late flavonoid biosynthetic genes activated in 35S::SlAN11 transgenic lines, while the dihydroflavonol flow to the accumulation of flavonols or their glycosylated derivatives was reduced by repressing the expression of SlFLS in this SlAN11-overexpressed lines. The above changes were reversed in 35S::SlAN11-RNAi transgenic lines except remained levels of flavonol compounds and SlFLS expression. Interestingly, our data revealed that SlAN11 gene could affect seed dormancy by regulating the expressions of abscisic acid (ABA) signaling-related genes SlABI3 and SlABI5, and the sensitivity to ABA treatment in seed germination is conversely changed by SlAN11-overexpressed or -downregulated lines. Yeast two-hybrid assays demonstrated that SlAN11 interacted with bHLH but not with MYB proteins in the ternary MBW complex, whereas bHLH interacted with MYB in tomato. Our results indicated that low level of anthocyanins in tomato fruits, with low expression of bHLH (SlTT8) and MYB (SlANT1 and SlAN2) genes, remain unchanged upon modification of SlAN11 gene alone in the transgenic lines. These results suggest that the tomato WD40 protein SlAN11, coordinating with bHLH and MYB proteins, plays a crucial role in the fine adjustment of the flavonoid biosynthesis and seed dormancy in tomato., Tomatoes: a protein control for flavonoids Insights into the production of important nutrients called flavonoids are revealed by a molecular and genetic study of tomatoes. Flavonoids are a diverse group of chemicals with a variety of metabolic functions, and which contribute to the characteristic colors of many fruits and vegetables. They have been linked with health benefits due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-regulating activities. Researchers in China, led by Yinan Yao at Southwest University of Science and Technology, explored the activity of a protein known as SlAN11. They found that the protein interacts with other proteins to regulate the activity of specific genes, increasing the production of flavonoids called anthocyanins. SlAN11 also regulates the dormancy process in tomato seeds. Geneticists may use the results to generate new breeds of tomato plants enriched in flavonoids to promote good health.

Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAm)-based hydrogels and hydrogel particles (microgels) have been extensively studied since their discovery and "popularization" a few decades ago. While their uses seem to have no bounds, this Feature Article is focused on their development and application for sensing small molecules, macromolecules, and biomolecules. Hydrogel/microgel-based photonic materials with order in one, two, or three dimensions are highlighted, which exhibit optical properties that depend on the presence and concentration of various analytes.

In this submission, two independent sets of microgels were synthesized that exhibit pH responsivity over different solution pH ranges. The microgels were synthesized by copolymerizing two different comonomers with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAm). The microgels copolymerized with acrylic acid exhibit a negative charge above pH 4.25, while the microgels copolymerized with N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]methacrylamide exhibit a positive charge below pH 8.4; these microgels are neutral outside of these pH ranges. We show that aggregates form when the two independent sets of microgels are exposed to one another in a solution that renders them both charged. Furthermore, in solutions of pH outside of this range, the microgels disaggregate because one of the microgels becomes neutralized. This behavior was exploited to load (aggregation) and release (disaggregation) a small-molecule model drug, methylene blue. This aggregate-based system is one example of how pNIPAm-based microgels can be used for controlled/triggered drug delivery, which can have implications for therapeutics.

The effects of moderate salinity on the responses of woody plants to UV-B radiation were investigated using two Populus species (Populus alba and Populus russkii). Under UV-B radiation, moderate salinity reduced the oxidation pressure in both species, as indicated by lower levels of cellular H2O2 and membrane peroxidation, and weakened the inhibition of photochemical efficiency expressed by O-J-I-P changes. UV-B-induced DNA lesions in chloroplast and nucleus were alleviated by salinity, which could be explained by the higher expression levels of DNA repair system genes under UV-B&salt condition, such as the PHR, DDB2, and MutSα genes. The salt-induced increase in organic osmolytes proline and glycine betaine, afforded more efficient protection against UV-B radiation. Therefore moderate salinity induced cross-tolerance to UV-B stress in poplar plants. It is thus suggested that woody plants growing in moderate salted condition would be less affected by enhanced UV-B radiation than plants growing in the absence of salt. Our results also showed that UV-B signal genes in poplar plants PaCOP1, PaSTO and PaSTH2 were quickly responding to UV-B radiation, but not to salt. The transcripts of PaHY5 and its downstream pathway genes (PaCHS1, PaCHS4, PaFLS1 and PaFLS2) were differently up-regulated by these treatments, but the flavonoid compounds were not involved in the cross-tolerance since their concentration increased to the same extent in both UV-B and combined stresses.

Higher-order mode (HOM) based intra-cavity beam diagnostics has been proved effectively and conveniently in superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) accelerators. Our recent research shows that the beam harmonics in the bunch train excited HOM spectrum, which have much higher signal-to-noise ratio than the intrinsic HOM peaks, may also be useful for beam diagnostics. In this paper, we will present our study on bunch train excited HOMs, including the theoretic model and recent experiments carried out based on the DC-SRF photoinjector and SRF linac at Peking University., Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (11275014)

Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAm)-based hydrogels and hydrogel particles (microgels) have been extensively studied since their discovery a number of decades ago. While their utility seems to have no limit, this feature article is focused on their development and application for sensing small molecules, macromolecules, and biomolecules. We highlight hydrogel/microgel-based photonic materials that have order in one, two, or three dimensions, which exhibit optical properties that depend on the presence and concentration of various analytes. A particular focus is put on one-dimensional materials developed in the Serpe Group.

Ultrasensitive detection of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is critical for the early diagnosis of liver cancer. In this work, a novel surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based immunoassay complex has been successfully developed for the detection of AFP by using the Au-Ag alloy nanoparticals and the Ag/AgBr hybrid nanostructure. As the typical bimetal or metal/semiconductor plasmonic materials, besides the strong SERS enhancement characteristics, the Au-Ag alloy nanoparticals exhibit excellent monodispersity and the Ag/AgBr hybrid nanostructure demonstrates good stability. The experimental results show that the SERS-based immunoassay of AFP presents a low limit of detection of 1.86[Formula: see text]fg/mL and a broad dynamic range from 2[Formula: see text]fg/mL to 0.8[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g/mL. Furthermore, the clinical applicability of the proposed SERS-based immunoassay has been assessed by the detection of AFP in the human serum samples of cancer patient and healthy person. The test data are consistent well with that of chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) in the relative errors of [Formula: see text]8.82–8.06% and show better detection sensitivity. It reveals that the proposed immunoassay protocol is significant for giving insight into the design of ultrasensitive biosensor and the point-of-care testing of cancers.