The photoluminescence (PL) origin of bright blue emission arising from intrinsic states in graphene quantum dots (GQDs) is investigated. The bright PL of intercalatively acquired GQDs is attributed to favorably formed subdomains composed of four to seven carbon hexagons. Random and harsh oxidation which hinders the energetically favorable formation of subdomains causes weak and redshifted PL.

Monoamine transporter gene polymorphisms were associated with response to antidepressants with homologous monoamine transporter targets. Combinations of polymorphisms were informative for response and nonresponse. Confirmation of these preliminary findings would permit refined pharmacogenetic selection of antidepressant treatment.

Controlling and sensing spin states of magnetic molecules at the single-molecule level is essential for spintronic molecular device applications. Here, we demonstrate that spin states of Co-porphyrin on Au(111) can be reversibly switched over by binding and unbinding of the NO molecule and can be sensed using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM and STS). Before NO exposure, Co-porphryin showed a clear zero-bias peak, a signature of Kondo effect in STS, whereas after NO exposures, it formed a molecular complex, NO-Co-porphyrin, that did not show any zero-bias feature, implying that the Kondo effect was switched off by binding of NO. The Kondo effect could be switched back on by unbinding of NO through single-molecule manipulation or thermal desorption. Our density functional theory calculation results explain the observations with pairing of unpaired spins in dz(2) and ppπ* orbitals of Co-porphyrin and NO, respectively. Our study opens up ways to control molecular spin state and Kondo effect by means of enormous variety of bimolecular binding and unbinding reactions on metallic surfaces.

Nanoscale alloys attract enormous research attentions in catalysis, magnetics, plasmonics and so on. Along with multicomponent synergy, quantum confinement and extreme large surface area of nanoalloys offer novel material properties, precisely and broadly tunable with chemical composition and nanoscale dimension. Despite substantial progress of nanoalloy synthesis, the randomized positional arrangement and dimensional/compositional inhomogeneity of nanoalloys remain significant technological challenges for advanced applications. Here we present a generalized route to synthesize single-crystalline intermetallic nanoalloy arrays with dimensional and compositional uniformity via self-assembly. Specific electrostatic association of multiple ionic metal complexes within self-assembled nanodomains of block copolymers generated patterned monodisperse bimetallic/trimetallic nanoalloy arrays consisting of various elements, including Au, Co, Fe, Pd, and Pt. The precise controllability of size, composition, and intermetallic crystalline structure of nanoalloys facilitated tailored synergistic properties, such as accelerated catalytic growth of vertical carbon nanotubes from Fe-Co nanoalloy arrays.

Apigenin, one of the most common flavonoids, has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, and free radical-scavenging properties. However, the influence of apigenin on the immunostimulatory effects and maturation of dendritic cells (DC) remains, for the most part, unknown. In this study, we have attempted to ascertain whether apigenin influences the expression of surface molecules, dextran uptake, cytokine production, and T-cell differentiation as well as the signaling pathways underlying these phenomena in murine bone marrowderived DC. In the presence of apigenin, CD80, CD86, and major histocompatibility complex class I and II molecules, expressions on DC were significantly suppressed, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced interleukin (IL)-12 expression was impaired. The DC proved highly efficient at antigen capture, as evidenced by the observation of mannose receptor-mediated endocytosis in the presence of apigenin. The LPS-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase, the nuclear translocation of its nuclear factor-B p65 subunit, and the induction of the T-helper 1 response were all impaired in the presence of apigenin, whereas the cell-mediated immune response remained normal. These findings provide new insight into the immunopharmacological functions of apigenin and its effects on DC, and they may also prove useful in the development of adjuvant therapies for individuals suffering from acute or chronic DC-associated diseases.