We investigate twisted double bilayer graphene (TDBG), a four-layer system composed of two AB-stacked graphene bilayers rotated with respect to each other by a small angle. Our ab initio band structure calculations reveal a considerable energy gap at the charge point neutrality that we assign to the intrinsic symmetric polarization (ISP). We then introduce the ISP effect into the tight-binding parameterization and perform calculations on TDBG models that include lattice relaxation effects down to very small twist angles. We identify a narrow region around the magic angle θ • = 1.3 • characterized by a manifold of remarkably flat bands gapped out from other states even without external electric fields. To understand the fundamental origin of the magic angle in TDBG, we construct a continuum model that points to a hidden mathematical link to the twisted bilayer graphene (TBG) model, thus indicating that the band flattening is a fundamental feature of TDBG, and is not a result of external fields.

Two-dimensional heterostructures of graphene (Gr) and metal/semiconducting elements convey new direction in electronic devices. They can be useful for spintronics because of small spin orbit interaction of Gr as a non-magnetic metal host with promising electrochemical stability. In this paper, we demonstrate one-step fabrication of magnetic Ni-particles entrapped within Gr-flakes based on simultaneous electrochemical exfoliation/deposition procedure by two-electrode system using platinum as the cathode electrode and a graphite foil as the anode electrode. The final product is an air stable hybrid element including Gr flakes hosting magnetic Ni-nano-crystals showing superparamagnetic-like response and room temperature giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect at small magnetic field range. The GMR effect is originated from spin scattering through ferromagnetic/non-magnetic nature of Ni/Gr heterostructure and interpreted based on a phenomenological spin transport model. Our work benefits from XRD, XPS, Raman, TEM, FTIR and VSM measurements We addressed that how our results can be used for rapid manufacturing of magnetic Gr for low field magneto resistive elements and potential printed spintronic devices.

An Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method was applied to introduce the luciferase reporter gene under the control of the CaMV35S promoter in the pGreen0049 binary vector into strawberry cv. Camarosa. The in vitro regeneration system of strawberry leaves to be used in the transformation was optimized using different TDZ concentrations in MS medium. TDZ at 16 µM showed the highest percentage (100%) of shoot formation and the highest mean number of shoots (24) produced per explant. Studies on the effects of different antibiotics, namely timentin, cefotaxime, carbenicillin and ampicillin, on shoot regeneration of strawberry leaf explants showed the best shoot regeneration in the presence of 300 mg/L timentin and 150 mg/L cefotaxime. Assessment of the different factors affecting Agrobacterium mediated-transformation of strawberry with the luciferase gene showed the highest efficiency of putative transformant production (86%) in the treatment with no preculture, bacterial OD600 of 0.6 and the addition of 150 mg/L cefotaxime in the pre-selection and selection media. The presence of the luciferase gene in the plant genome was verified OPEN ACCESSMolecules 2015, 20 3648 by the luciferase reporter gene assay, nested PCR amplification and dot blot of genomic DNA isolated from the young leaves of each putatively transformed plantlet.

In the last few years, gold nanoparticle biosensors have been developed for rapid, precise, easy and inexpensive with high specificity and sensitivity detection of human, plant and animal pathogens. Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype K2 is one of the common gram-negative pathogens with high prevalence. Therefore, it is essential to provide the effective and exclusive method to detect the bacteria. Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype K2 strain ATCC9997 genomic DNA was applied to establish the detection protocol either with thiol-capped oligonucleotide probes and gold nanoparticles or polymerase chain reaction based on K2A gene sequence. In the presence of the genomic DNA and oligonucleotide probes, a change in the color of gold nanoparticles and maximum changes in wavelength at 550-650 nm was achieved. In addition, the result showed specificity of 15 × 10 CFU/mL and 9 pg/μL by gold nanoparticles probes. The lower limit of detection obtained by PCR method was 1 pg/μL. Moreover, results demonstrated a great specificity of the designed primers and probes for colorimetric detection assay and PCR. Colorimetric detection using gold nanoparticle probe with advantages such as the lower time required for detection and no need for expensive detection instrumentation compared to the biochemical and molecular methods could be introduced for rapid, accurate detection of the bacteria.

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An efficient micropropagation system for strawberry cv. Camarosa was developed. Sterilized runner tips were cultured on hormone-free Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 3% sucrose, 1 mL·L−1 Plant Preservative Mixture, and solidified using 0.25% phytagel to produce in vitro stock plants. Shoot tips derived from the in vitro stock plants were cultured on MS media containing 0, 2, 4, and 8 μM thidiazuron (TDZ) and 0, 4, 9, 18, and 27 μM N6-benzylamino-purine (BAP) for shoot induction. Shoots produced on the best shoot induction medium were rooted on MS media containing 1, 2, 3, and 5 μM of either indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Results showed that MS medium with 2 μM TDZ and 4 μM BAP was optimum for shoot multiplication from the shoot tips. The most suitable medium for inducing the highest number of roots per explant, the highest percentage of explant with roots, and the highest mean root length were 1 μM NAA, 1 μM IBA, and hormone-free MS medium, respectively. Plantlets were transplanted into substrate consisting of perlite + vermiculite + cocopeat (2:1:2 v/v/v) resulting in 90% survival. After 1 month, plants were irrigated using Hoagland's solution and runners were produced after 3 months.

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Strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa cv. Camarosa) was evaluated to determine a high-frequency shoot regeneration response for leaf and shoot-tip explants. For direct organogenesis from strawberry leaves, combinations of moderate concentrations of thidiazuron [TDZ (0, 2, and 4 μm)] and 6-benzylaminopurine [BAP (0, 4, and 9 μm)] added into medium containing Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal salts were compared. The most shoots regenerated per leaf explant were observed with 4-μm TDZ. Regeneration from shoot tips was evaluated with 0-, 2-, 4-, 8-, and 16-μm zeatin, kinetin, or 6-α,α-dimethylallylamino purine (2ip) tested individually. Optimum shoot proliferation was achieved from shoot-tip explants on medium containing 4-μm zeatin. Rooting was best without cytokinins in the medium; however, adequate rooting was obtained on the 4-μm zeatin treatment as well.