Broadband emission is attributed to the formation of self-trapped excitons (STEs) due to the strong electron−phonon coupling. Interestingly, it has been observed in only certain three-dimensional and low-dimensional metal halide perovskites. Here, we show by density functional theory calculation that a low electronic dimensionality is a prerequisite for the formation of STE and, therefore, broadband emission. We further show that multiple STE structures exist in each perovskite exhibiting broadband emission. However, only the STE with Jahn−Teller-like octahedral distortion is mainly responsible for the observed broadband emission, though it may not be the lowest-energy structure. Our results provide important insights for designing perovskite materials for broadband emissions with preferred chromaticity coordinator or color temperature.

he directed evolution of enzymes promises to eliminate the long-standing limitations of biocatalysis in organic chemistry and biotechnology-the often-observed limited substrate scope, insufficient activity, and poor regioselectivity or stereoselectivity. Saturation mutagenesis at sites lining the binding pocket with formation of focused libraries has emerged as the technique of choice, but choosing the optimal size of the randomization site and reduced amino acid alphabet for minimizing the labor-determining screening effort remains a challenge. Here, we introduce structure-guided triple-code saturation mutagenesis (TCSM) by encoding three rationally chosen amino acids as building blocks in the randomization of large multiresidue sites. In contrast to conventional NNK codon degeneracy encoding all 20 canonical amino acids and requiring the screening of more than 10(15) transformants for 95% library coverage, TCSM requires only small libraries not exceeding 200800 transformants in one library. The triple code utilizes structural (X-ray) and consensus-derived sequence data, and is therefore designed to match the steric and electrostatic characteristics of the particular enzyme. Using this approach, limonene epoxide hydrolase has been successfully engineered as stereoselective catalysts in the hydrolytic desymmetrization of meso-type epoxides with formation of either (R,R)- or (S,S)-configurated diols on an optional basis and kinetic resolution of chiral substrates. Crystal structures and docking computations support the source of notably enhanced and inverted enantioselectivity

Allopolyploidy is an important speciation mechanism and is ubiquitous among plants. Brassica napus is a model system for studying the consequences of hybridization and polyploidization on allopolyploid genome. In this research, two sets of plant materials were used to investigate the transcriptomic and epigenetic changes in the early stages of allopolyploid formation. The first comparison was between a synthetic B. napus allotetraploid and its diploid progenitors, B. rapa (AA genome) and B. oleracea (CC genome). Using cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism (cDNA-AFLP) and methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) approaches, ~4.09 and 6.84% of the sequences showed changes in gene expression and DNA methylation in synthesized B. napus compared to its diploid progenitors. The proportions of C-genome-specific gene silencing and DNA methylation alterations were significantly greater than those of A-genome-specific alterations. The second comparison was between amphihaploid and amphidiploid B. napus organs grown on synthesized dimorphic plants. About 0.73% of the cDNA-AFLP fragments and 1.94% of the MSAP fragments showed changes in gene expression and DNA methylation. We sequenced 103 fragments that differed in the synthetic/parental or the amphihaploid/amphidiploid cDNA-AFLP and MSAP comparisons. Sequence analysis revealed these fragments were involved in various biological pathways. Our results provided evidence for genome-wide changes in gene expression and DNA methylation occurring immediately after hybridization and polyploidization in synthetic B. napus. Moreover, this study contributed to the elucidation of genome doubling effects on responses of transcriptome and epigenetics in B. napus.

This paper describes a facile method for synthesis of Au-AgCdSe hybrid nanorods with controlled morphologies and spatial distributions. The synthesis involved deposition of Ag tips at the ends of Au nanorod seeds, followed by selenization of the Ag tips and overgrowth of CdSe on these sites. By simply manipulating the pH value of the system, the AgCdSe could selectively grow at one end, at both the ends or on the side surface of a Au nanorod, generating a mike-like, dumbbell-like, or toothbrush-like hybrid nanorod, respectively. These three types of Au-AgCdSe hybrid nanorods displayed distinct localized surface plasmon resonance and photoluminescence properties, demonstrating an effective pathway for maneuvering the optical properties of nanocrystals.

In situ high-resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed the precipitation of the zinc-blende (ZB) structure InAs at the liquid/solid interface or liquid/solid/amorphous carbon triple point at high temperature. Subsequent to its precipitation, detailed analysis demonstrates unique solid to solid wurtzite (WZ) to ZB phase transition through gliding of sharp steps with Shockley partial dislocations. The most intriguing phenomenon was that each step is 6 {111} atomic layers high and the step migrated without any mechanical stress applied. We believe that this is the first direct in situ observation of WZ-ZB transition in semiconductor nanowires. A model was proposed in which three Shockley partial dislocations collectively glide on every two {0001} planes (corresponds to six atomic planes in an unit). The collective glide mechanism does not need any applied shear stress.

Biocatalytic site-selective (regioselective) organic transformations have been practiced for decades, but the traditional limitations of enzymes regarding narrow substrate acceptance and the often observed insufficient degree of selectivity have persisted until recently. With the advent of directed evolution, it is possible to engineer site-selectivity to suit the needs of organic chemists. This review features recent progress in this exciting research area, selected examples involving P450 monooxygenases, halogenases and Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases being featured for illustrative purposes. The complementary nature of enzymes and man-made catalysts is emphasized.

Polyploidization has played an important role in plant evolution and speciation, and newly formed allopolyploids have experienced rapid transcriptomic changes. Here, we compared the transcriptomic differences between a synthetic Brassica allohexaploid and its parents using a high-throughput RNA-Seq method. A total of 35,644,409 sequence reads were generated, and 32,642 genes were aligned from the data. Totals of 29,260, 29,060, and 29,697 genes were identified in Brassica rapa , Brassica carinata , and Brassica allohexaploid, respectively. We compared 7,397 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between Brassica hexaploid and its parents, as well as 2,545 nonadditive genes of Brassica hexaploid. We hypothesized that the higher ploidy level as well as secondary polyploidy might have influenced these changes. The majority of the 3,184 DEGs between Brassica hexaploid and its paternal parent, B . rapa , were involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, plant–pathogen interactions, photosynthesis, and circadian rhythm. Among the 2,233 DEGs between Brassica hexaploid and its maternal parent, B . carinata , several played roles in plant–pathogen interactions, plant hormone signal transduction, ribosomes, limonene and pinene degradation, photosynthesis, and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. There were more significant differences in gene expression between the allohexaploid and its paternal parent than between it and its maternal parent, possibly partly because of cytoplasmic and maternal effects. Specific functional categories were enriched among the 2,545 nonadditive genes of Brassica hexaploid compared with the additive genes; the categories included response to stimulus, immune system process, cellular process, metabolic process, rhythmic process, and pigmentation. Many transcription factor genes, methyltransferases, and methylation genes showed differential expression between Brassica hexaploid and its parents. Our results demonstrate that the Brassica allohexaploid can generate extensive transcriptomic diversity compared with its parents. These changes may contribute to the normal growth and reproduction of allohexaploids.

As recently reported, the olefin-forming oxidative decarboxylation of straight-chain C4-C22 carboxylic acids catalyzed by P450 peroxygenase OleTJE constitutes a mild alkene synthesis. The present study shows that structurally different carboxylic acids are also accepted, including those that generate di-substituted olefins. Exploratory mutational experiments lead to increased trans-selectivity.