Nanodiamonds for advanced optical bioimaging and beyond

Nanodiamond (ND) has emerged as an intriguing material in recent years both industrially and in research. During the last decade, ND has furthered its way into the biomedical field, mainly due to its inherent photoluminescent properties. In parallel, the development of advanced biomedical imaging methods and techniques has faced a steep upswing, making these two a ‘perfect match’. The optical and physical properties of ND can be tuned, rendering them highly interesting as versatile biomedical imaging probes. In this short review, we will cover a few of the most recently emerged applications of NDs in biomedical imaging and contemplate on current challenges and future directions.     

Catalyst- and organic solvent-free synthesis of thioacids in water

Thioacids and thioamino acids were synthesized in excellent yields from readily available acyl benzotriazoles and sodium hydrosulfide in water at room temperature. The new methodology features mild reaction conditions, high yields, short reaction times, and does not involve the use of organic solvents or bases. The reaction is eco-friendly, and the workup procedure is simple and does not require chromatographic separation.     

Finding Alignment: The Perceptions and Integration of the Next Generation Science Standards Practices by Elementary Teachers

Preparing elementary‐level teachers to teach in alignment with the eight Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) practices could prove to be a daunting endeavor. However, the process may be catalyzed by leveraging elements of teacher science instruction that inherently attend to the practice standards. In this study, we investigated the science instruction of three grade 3–5 elementary‐level teachers. We used observation, interviews, and surveys to determine the level to which the teachers perceived they taught and engaged in teaching science aligned with the eight NGSS practices. We found that the teachers were partially, and intrinsically implementing several of these practices in their instruction, and at the same time could not articulate the eight NGSS practices. Our results suggest there may be ample opportunity to build on the current science instruction of elementary‐level teachers to bring their instruction into alignment with the NGSS. We found that teachers’ perceive professional development, school culture, and access to additional instructional resources to be essential to their adoption of the NGSS practices.     

Growth of non-enzymatic cholesterol biosensor using TiO2 decorated graphene oxide with bare GCE and PPy-GCE

In this work, we report an electrochemical cholesterol biosensor based on cholesterol oxidase(ChOx) enzyme immobilized on TiO₂- nanoparticles – reduced graphene oxide(rGO) – polypyrrole (PPy) nanocomposite modified electrode.The electrochemical properties of GCE modified PPy (PPy-GCE) were studied using CV (Cyclic Voltammetry) and DPV (Differential Pulse Voltammetry). The developed sensor exhibited piecewise linearity from 0.1 μM to 1 μM and from 1 μM to 600 μM with the sensitivity of 61.665 and 0.1466 (2 mA mM × cm) respectively. The limit of detection of the sensor was found to be 32 nm.     

Advances in nucleic acid architectures for electrochemical sensing

Nucleic acid–based electrochemical sensors are ideally suited to the detection of molecular targets for which enzymatic detection or direct electrochemical oxidation – reduction reactions are not possible. Moreover, the versatility of nucleic acids in their ability to bind a great variety of target types, from small molecules to single-entity mesoscopic targets, makes them attractive receptors for the development of electrochemical biosensors. In this brief opinion piece, we discuss field advances from the past two years. We hope the works highlighted here will inspire the community to pursue creative designs enabling the detection of larger and more complex targets with a specific focus on analytical validation and translation into preclinical or clinical applications.     

ECONOMICALLY OPTIMAL MARINE RESERVES WITHOUT SPATIAL HETEROGENEITY IN A SIMPLE TWO‐PATCH MODEL

Bioeconomic analyses of spatial fishery models have established that marine reserves can be economically optimal (i.e., maximize sustainable profit) when there is some type of spatial heterogeneity in the system. Analyses of spatially continuous models and models with more than two discrete patches have also demonstrated that marine reserves can be economically optimal even when the system is spatially homogeneous. In this note we analyze a spatially homogeneous two‐patch model and show that marine reserves can be economically optimal in this case as well. The model we study includes the possibility that fishing can damage habitat. In this model, marine reserves are necessary to maximize sustainable profit when dispersal between the patches is sufficiently high and habitat is especially vulnerable to damage.     

SOIL AGGREGATE AND ITS RESPONSE TO LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

This paper provides a broad review of the existing study on soil aggregate and its responses to land management practices. Soil aggregate is used for structural unit, which is a group of primary soil particles that cohere to each other more strongly than other surrounding particles. The mechanism of soil particle aggregation may be expressed by a hierarchical model, which is based upon the hypothesis that macroaggregates （〉250μm） are collections of smaller microaggregates （〈250μm） held together with organic binding agents. Primary particles form microaggregates and then macroaggregates. Carbon （C）-rich young plant residues form and stabilize macroaggregates, whereas old organic C is occluded in the microaggregates. The interaction of aggregate dynamics with soil organic carbon （SOC） is complex and embraces a range of spatial and temporal processes within macroaggregates and microaggregates. The nature and properties of aggregates are determined by the quantity and quality of coarse residues and humic compounds and by the degree of their interaction with soil particles. The mechanisms resulting in the binding of primary soil particles into stable aggregates vary with soil parent material, climate, vegetation, and land management practices. Land management practices, including tillage methods, residue management, amendments, and soil fertility management, enhance soil aggregation. However, there is still much uncertainty in the dynamics of organic matter in macroaggregation and microaggregation, and research is still needed to understand further the mechanisms of aggregate formation and its responses to human activities.     

Temporal freedom in mathematical thought: A philosophical–empirical enquiry

This paper seeks to introduce and elaborate on the notion of ‘temporal freedom’ in the context of mathematical thinking.The intention is to merge a philosophical and empirical discussion on this topic, and findings will be presented from a qualitative study in which 29 high-school students were invited to explore the symmetry group of a square during clinical interviews. The data indicate how the interviewees – who were given the opportunity to freely explore an unseen mathematical system – repeatedly brought past and future together in a tangible present during their investigations. In doing so they were exceptionally successful in engaging with advanced abstract algebra, far beyond what might have been expected at the outset.By using empirical data to exemplify an otherwise highly philosophical discussion, I hope to draw explicit attention to the temporal aspect of the human mind in mathematical action which instructional methods frequently fail to recognise, value and utilise.     

临床医学专业有机化学"课程思政"教学初探

深化高校"课程思政"改革,是落实立德树人理念,全方位对学生开展思想政治教育的有效途径。本文针对临床医学专业的特点,从教师素养的提高、课程思政内容的设计和学生的课外实践等方面对有机化学教学中实施"课程思政"进行了探索和实践。     

Biparametric multicommutated flow analysis system for determination of human serum phosphoesterase activity

A multicommutated flow analysis (MCFA) system constructed of microsolenoid valves and pumps offering simultaneous determination of activity of acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in human serum samples has been developed. The MCFA system is based on optoelectronic flow-through detector made of two light emitting diodes and operating according to paired emitter detector diode (PEDD) principle. This photometric PEDD device has been dedicated for detection of p-nitrophenol (NP) generated in the course of enzymatic hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl phosphate and optimized for the determination of NP in human serum samples. The developed PEDD-based MCFA system allows independent optimization of conditions for reaction and detection steps of photometric ACP and ALP bioassays. Moreover, it allows elimination of photometric interferences from serum matrix components according to two-points kinetic mode of measurement. The single measurement cycle takes 12 min, consists of four measurements (two for each phosphoesterase) and enables determination of serum ACP and ALP activities at physiological and pathological levels. The real analytical utility of the developed MCFA system has been confirmed by analysis of control sera as well as real human serum samples from healthy persons and oncological patients.