Using density functional theory（DFT） combined with nonequilibrium Green＇s function investigates the electron-transport properties of several molecular junctions based on the PBTDT-CH=NH molecule, which is modified ...Using density functional theory（DFT） combined with nonequilibrium Green＇s function investigates the electron-transport properties of several molecular junctions based on the PBTDT-CH=NH molecule, which is modified by one to four alkyl groups forming PBTDT-（CH2）nCH=NH. The electronic structures of the isolated molecules（thiol-ended PBTDT-（CH2）nCH=N） have been investigated before the electron-transport calculations are performed. The asymmetric current-voltage characteristics have been obtained for the molecular junctions. Rectifying performance of Au/S-PBTDT-CH=N-S/Au molecular junction can be regulated by introducing alkyl chain. The N3 molecular junction exhibits the best rectifying effect. Its maximum rectifying ratio is 878, which is 80 times more than that of the molecular junction based on the original N molecular junction. The current-voltage（I-V） curves of all the sandwich systems in this work are illustrated by transmission spectra and molecular projection density analysis.展开更多
The structure of twelve-carbon monolayers on the H-terminated Si(111) surface is inves-tigated by molecular simulation method. The best substitution percent on Si(111) surface obtained via molecular mechanics calculat...The structure of twelve-carbon monolayers on the H-terminated Si(111) surface is inves-tigated by molecular simulation method. The best substitution percent on Si(111) surface obtained via molecular mechanics calculation is equal to 50%, and the (88) simulated cell can be used to depict the structure of alkyl monolayer on Si surface. After two-dimensional cell containing alkyl chains and four-layer Si(111) crystal at the substitution 50% is constructed, the densely packed and well-ordered monolayer on Si(111) surface can be shown through energy minimization in the suitable-size simulation cell. These simulation results are in good agreement with the experiments. These conclusions show that molecular simulation can provide otherwise inaccessible mesoscopic information at the molecular level, and can be considered as an adjunct to experiments.展开更多
The physical environment plays a critical role in modulating stem cell differentiation into specific lineages. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of low-molecular-weight gels （LMWGs） with different ...The physical environment plays a critical role in modulating stem cell differentiation into specific lineages. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of low-molecular-weight gels （LMWGs） with different moduli based on phenylboronic acid derivatives. The moduli of the LMWGs were readily tuned by varying the alkyl chain without any chemical crosslinker. The cell responses to the gels were evaluated with mesenchymal stem cell （MSCs）, in respect of cell morphology, proliferation and differentiation. The prepared gels were non-toxic to MSCs, suggesting good biocompatibility. The hydrogel stiffness exerted a striking modulation effect on MSC fate decisions, where MSCs were inclined to differentiate into osteoblasts in stiff LMWGs and into chondrocytes in soft LMWGs. The pivotal elastic modulus of the LMWGs to drive MSC differentiation into osteoblastic lineage and chondrocytic lineage were approximately 20 kPa - 40 kPa and 1 kPa - 10 kPa, respectively. Overall, our results demonstrated that the modification ofhydrogel stiffness via tuning the alkyl chain was a simple but effective approach to regulate MSC differentiation into specific lineage, which might have important implications in the design of LMWGs for tissue engineering applications.展开更多
Antibacterial adhesives are promising to inhibit biofilms and secondary caries. The objectives of this study were to synthesize and incorporate quaternary ammonium methacrylates into adhesives, and investigate the alk...Antibacterial adhesives are promising to inhibit biofilms and secondary caries. The objectives of this study were to synthesize and incorporate quaternary ammonium methacrylates into adhesives, and investigate the alkyl chain length effects on three-dimensional biofilms adherent on adhesives for the first time. Six quaternary ammonium methacrylates with chain lengths of 3, 6, 9, 12, 16 and 18 were synthesized and incorporated into Scotchbond Multi-Purpose. Streptococcus mutans bacteria were cultured on resin to form biofilms. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to measure biofilm thickness, live/dead volumes and live-bacteria percentage vs. distance from resin surface. Biofilm thickness was the greatest for Scotchbond control; it decreased with increasing chain length, reaching a minimum at chain length 16. Live-biofilm volume had a similar trend. Dead-biofilm volume increased with increasing chain length. The adhesive with chain length 9 had 37% live bacteria near resin surface, but close to 100% live bacteria in the biofilm top section. For chain length 16, there were nearly 0% live bacteria throughout the three-dimensional biofilm. In conclusion, strong antibacterial activity was achieved by adding quaternary ammonium into adhesive, with biofilm thickness and live-biofilm volume decreasing as chain length was increased from 3 to 16. Antibacterial adhesives typically only inhibited bacteria close to its surface; however, adhesive with chain length 16 had mostly dead bacteria in the entire three-dimensional biofilm. Antibacterial adhesive with chain length 16 is promising to inhibit biofilms at the margins and combat secondary caries.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21401023)
文摘Using density functional theory（DFT） combined with nonequilibrium Green＇s function investigates the electron-transport properties of several molecular junctions based on the PBTDT-CH=NH molecule, which is modified by one to four alkyl groups forming PBTDT-（CH2）nCH=NH. The electronic structures of the isolated molecules（thiol-ended PBTDT-（CH2）nCH=N） have been investigated before the electron-transport calculations are performed. The asymmetric current-voltage characteristics have been obtained for the molecular junctions. Rectifying performance of Au/S-PBTDT-CH=N-S/Au molecular junction can be regulated by introducing alkyl chain. The N3 molecular junction exhibits the best rectifying effect. Its maximum rectifying ratio is 878, which is 80 times more than that of the molecular junction based on the original N molecular junction. The current-voltage（I-V） curves of all the sandwich systems in this work are illustrated by transmission spectra and molecular projection density analysis.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.20173032).
文摘The structure of twelve-carbon monolayers on the H-terminated Si(111) surface is inves-tigated by molecular simulation method. The best substitution percent on Si(111) surface obtained via molecular mechanics calculation is equal to 50%, and the (88) simulated cell can be used to depict the structure of alkyl monolayer on Si surface. After two-dimensional cell containing alkyl chains and four-layer Si(111) crystal at the substitution 50% is constructed, the densely packed and well-ordered monolayer on Si(111) surface can be shown through energy minimization in the suitable-size simulation cell. These simulation results are in good agreement with the experiments. These conclusions show that molecular simulation can provide otherwise inaccessible mesoscopic information at the molecular level, and can be considered as an adjunct to experiments.
基金This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation grants （Nos. 31600765 and 21672164）, Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province （No.LY 15B020001）, Sichuan Province Miaozi Project （No. 2016RZ0032）, and Chinese Postdoctoral Science Foundation （2016M062690）.
文摘The physical environment plays a critical role in modulating stem cell differentiation into specific lineages. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of low-molecular-weight gels （LMWGs） with different moduli based on phenylboronic acid derivatives. The moduli of the LMWGs were readily tuned by varying the alkyl chain without any chemical crosslinker. The cell responses to the gels were evaluated with mesenchymal stem cell （MSCs）, in respect of cell morphology, proliferation and differentiation. The prepared gels were non-toxic to MSCs, suggesting good biocompatibility. The hydrogel stiffness exerted a striking modulation effect on MSC fate decisions, where MSCs were inclined to differentiate into osteoblasts in stiff LMWGs and into chondrocytes in soft LMWGs. The pivotal elastic modulus of the LMWGs to drive MSC differentiation into osteoblastic lineage and chondrocytic lineage were approximately 20 kPa - 40 kPa and 1 kPa - 10 kPa, respectively. Overall, our results demonstrated that the modification ofhydrogel stiffness via tuning the alkyl chain was a simple but effective approach to regulate MSC differentiation into specific lineage, which might have important implications in the design of LMWGs for tissue engineering applications.
基金supported by NIH R01 DE17974West China School of Stomatologya Seed Grant from Department of Endodontics,Prosthodontics and Operative Dentistry,University of Maryland
文摘Antibacterial adhesives are promising to inhibit biofilms and secondary caries. The objectives of this study were to synthesize and incorporate quaternary ammonium methacrylates into adhesives, and investigate the alkyl chain length effects on three-dimensional biofilms adherent on adhesives for the first time. Six quaternary ammonium methacrylates with chain lengths of 3, 6, 9, 12, 16 and 18 were synthesized and incorporated into Scotchbond Multi-Purpose. Streptococcus mutans bacteria were cultured on resin to form biofilms. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to measure biofilm thickness, live/dead volumes and live-bacteria percentage vs. distance from resin surface. Biofilm thickness was the greatest for Scotchbond control; it decreased with increasing chain length, reaching a minimum at chain length 16. Live-biofilm volume had a similar trend. Dead-biofilm volume increased with increasing chain length. The adhesive with chain length 9 had 37% live bacteria near resin surface, but close to 100% live bacteria in the biofilm top section. For chain length 16, there were nearly 0% live bacteria throughout the three-dimensional biofilm. In conclusion, strong antibacterial activity was achieved by adding quaternary ammonium into adhesive, with biofilm thickness and live-biofilm volume decreasing as chain length was increased from 3 to 16. Antibacterial adhesives typically only inhibited bacteria close to its surface; however, adhesive with chain length 16 had mostly dead bacteria in the entire three-dimensional biofilm. Antibacterial adhesive with chain length 16 is promising to inhibit biofilms at the margins and combat secondary caries.
