Insight into the Disciplinary Structure of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

Purpose： This paper aims to gain an insight into the disciplinary structure of nanoscience ＆ nanotechnology （N＆N）： What is the disciplinary network of N＆N like？ Which disciplines are being integrated into N＆N over time？ For a specific discipline, how many other disciplines have direct or indirect connections with it？ What are the distinct subgroups of N＆N at different evolutionary stages？ Such critical issues are to be addressed in this paper. Design/methodology/approach： We map the disciplinary network structure of N＆N by employing the social network analysis tool, Netdraw, identifying which Web of Science Categories （WCs） mediate nbetweenness centrality in different stages of nano development. Cliques analysis embedded in the Ucinet program is applied to do the disciplinary cluster analysis in the study according to the path of ＂Network-Subgroup-Cliques,＂ and a tree diagram is selected as the visualizing type. Findings： The disciplinary network structure reveals the relationships among different disciplines in the N＆N developing process clearly, and it is easy for us to identify which disciplines are connected with the core ＂N＆N＂ directly or indirectly. The tree diagram showing N＆N related disciplines provides an interesting perspective on nano research and development （R＆D） structure. Research limitations： The matrices used to draw the N＆N disciplinary network are the original ones, and normalized matrix could be tried in future similar studies. Practical implications： Results in this paper can help us better understand the disciplinary structure of N＆N, and the dynamic evolution of N＆N related disciplines over time. The findings could benefit R＆D decision making. It can support policy makers from government agencies engaging in science and technology （S＆T） management or S＆T strategy planners to formulate efficient decisions according to a perspective of converging sciences and technologies. Originality/value： The novelty of this study lies in mapping the disciplinary network structure of N＆N clearly, identifying which WCs have a mediating effect in different developmental stages （especially analyzing clusters among disciplines related to N＆N, revealing close or distant relationships among distinct areas pertinent to N＆N）.

Nanoscience and technology as a pivot for sustainable agriculture and its One Health approach awareness

Nanoscience and technology have shown promise in revitalizing the agricultural sector and industries.This tool has gained the interest of many researchers as it can be utilized to drive sustainable agriculture by suggesting long-lasting solutions to different problems in the agricultural space.However,there is a paucity of data on its health implications for the environment,plants,animals,and humans.This review evaluated the cost-effectiveness and productivity of nanoscience and technologies.The review highlighted the underlying health implications of nanoscience and technology from a One Health perspective.

Explicating the publication paradigm by bibliometric approaches:A case of interplay between nanoscience and ferroptosis

Background:Ferroptosis has been widely investigated as an emerging drug target,while its combination with nanoscience provides bourgeoning application prospects.The development of ferroptosis regulating nanomedicines have attracted worldwide attentions in recent years.It would be meaningful to describe the relevant publication paradigm.Methods:Herein,a bibliometric analysis was performed using the database of Web of Science Core Collection to clarify the publication paradigm.The development of related publications in the last 6 years was described,and the revolutionary trends were figured out.Ultimately,the possible future exploration directions were proposed.Results:The bibliometric analysis of 327 documents of interest indicated that the main research focus was in multiple fields including Materials science,Science&technology,Chemistry,and Pharmacology&pharmacy.With widely cooperation and strong funding,the researchers from Chinese organizations contributed most of publications,followed with United States and Australia.Cocitation analysis revealed that several original papers reported the key molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis were considered as the foundation for subsequent studies,and some nanomedicines-related documents were taken as examples and discussed.Mining results showed that the mechanism evaluation of ferroptosis regulation therapy for cancer treatment was the hotspot.Then,several possible future explorations of ferroptosisrelated nanoscience were presented and discussed.Conclusions:The bibliometric profile of nanoscience‐ferroptosis research was analyzed in detail.We believe that the bibliometric analysis could act as a robust method for explicating the publication paradigm as a certain field.

Preface to Special Issue on Nanoscience and Catalysis

Over the past decade, to meet the ever increased demand on high‐performance catalysts with excellent activity, selectivity and stability, the nanocatalysts and catalysis have been rigorously explored, resulting in a noticeable progress in new paradigm of nanoscience and nanotechnology for catalysis. Differing remarkably from conventional bulk catalysts, size shrinkage of active components to nanometer scale gives a rise to significantly increased catalytic activity, owing to the high surface‐to‐volume ratio of small particles as well as a large fraction of active atoms with dangling bonds exposed surfaces. In addition, other unique properties of nanomaterials such as surface‐ and strain‐driven lattice distortion, variation in electronic state density and oxidation‐induced charge redistribution could also benefit the catalytic performance.

Research on nanosciences involvement in pharmaceutical education should be reinforced

Inclusion of nanoscience in pharmaceutical education should be reinforced,in order to match the demand of current pharmaceutical talent cultivation.

Nanotechnology, Nanoparticles and Nanoscience: A New Approach in Chemistry and Life Sciences

Nanotechnologies, nanoparticles and nanomaterials, which are part of everyday life today, are the subject of intense research activities and a certain amount of media coverage. In this article, the concepts of nanotechnologies, nanoparticles and nanosciences are defined and the interest in this scale of the matter is explained by specifying in particular the particular properties of nanoobjects. Large-scale applications of nanoparticles, particularly in the field of chemicals, everyday life and catalysis are presented.

CAS Vice President Gave a Nanoscience Lecture in Zhongnanhai

At the invitation of the State Steering Group of Science, Technology and Education, headed by Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, Prof. Bai Chunli, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), gave a lecture on nanoscience in Zhongnanhai, seat

Special Issue on future directions in plasma nanoscience

Over the past 20 years,plasma nanoscience has become a mature and vibrant field.It deals with both the fundamental science and applications of low-temperature plasmas,ion beams,lasers,and related approaches and how this relates to the fabrication,synthesis,modification,and integration in and of nanoscale materials,structures and functional devices.The complexity often encountered in research in this field intrinsically calls for both fundamental and applied research,both experimental and theoretical.Plasma nanoscience,therefore,is a highly multidisciplinary field,bringing together researchers from physics,chemistry,medicine,engineering,biochemistry,informatics and more.

Progress of nanoscience in China

Fast evolving nanoseienees and nanotechnology in China has made it one of the front countries of nanotechnology development. Ill this review, we summarize some most recent progresses in nanoseienee research and nanotechnology development in China. The topics we selected in this article include llano-fabrication, nanocatalysis, bioinspired nanoteehnology, green printing nanotechnology, nanoplasmonics, nanomedicine, nanomaterials and their applications, energy and environmental nanoteehnology, nano EHS （nanosafety）, etc. Most of them have great potentials in applications or application-related key issues in future.

A Review of Research Progress in the Genesis of Colloform Pyrite and Its Environmental Indications

Colloform pyrite is a special form of nano-micro polycrystalline aggregation growth, for which a suitable term is ＂aggregates of nano-micro crystals＂. This kind of colloform texture is observed in various geological bodies, such as ancient sedimentary rocks, modern marine and lake sediments, various types of ore deposits, and modern seafloor hydrothermal vents. This paper summarizes the latest developments and research into the definition, formation mechanisms, and environmental indications of colloform pyrite. There appears to be three main formation mechanisms of colloform pyrite： pseudomorphic replacement; biogenic precipitation; and inorganic precipitation. The morphology, particle size, trace element content and preferential growth orientations of coUoform pyrite microcrystals can be important indicators for sedimentary environments, hydrothermal activity, and ore-forming processes. We suggest that the microscopic features of nano-micro crystals in colloform pyrite and their aggregation growth patterns need further investigation. The relationships between formation mechanisms of colioform pyrite, organic activity and depositional environments require further exploration. To reveal the nature of nano-micro grain aggregation growth in colloform pyrite and analyse its growth environment and evolutionary history, it is supposed to apply nanoscientific and nanotechnological methods, further integrate consideration of macroscopic geological backgrounds and microscopic mineral growth phenomena, combine high-resolution imaging systems and in situ quantitative microanalysis methods and constitute a mergence of earth science, thermodynamics and kinetics, life science, material science, and chemistry in the study.

Nanostructured Graphene Surfaces Promote Different Stages of Bone Cell Differentiation

Nanostructured graphene films were used as platforms for the differentiation of Saos-2 cells into bonelike cells. The films were grown using the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition method, which allowed the production of both vertically and horizontally aligned carbon nanowalls(CNWs). Modifications of the techniqueallowed control of the density of the CNWs and their orientation after the transfer process. The influence of two different topographies on cell attachment, proliferation,and differentiation was investigated. First, the transferred graphene surfaces were shown to be noncytotoxic and were able to support cell adhesion and growth for over 7 days.Second, early cell differentiation(identified by cellular alkaline phosphatase release) was found to be enhanced on the horizontally aligned CNW surfaces, whereas mineralization(identified by cellular calcium production), a later stage of bone cell differentiation, was stimulated by the presence of the vertical CNWs on the surfaces. These results show that the graphene coatings, grown using the presented method, are biocompatible. And their topographies have an impact on cell behavior, which can be useful in tissue engineering applications.

Advances in the design and development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

Since the end of 2019,coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)has spread worldwide.The RNA genome of SARS-CoV-2,which is highly infectious and prone to rapid mutation,encodes both structural and non-structural proteins.Vaccination is currently the only effective method to prevent COVID-19,and structural proteins are critical targets for vaccine development.Currently,many vaccines are in clinical trials or are already on the market.This review highlights ongoing advances in the design of prophylactic or therapeutic vaccines against COVID-19,including viral vector vaccines,DNA vaccines,RNA vaccines,live-attenuated vaccines,inactivated virus vaccines,recombinant protein vaccines and bionic nanoparticle vaccines.In addition to traditional inactivated virus vaccines,some novel vaccines based on viral vectors,nanoscience and synthetic biology also play important roles in combating COVID-19.However,many challenges persist in ongoing clinical trials.

Introduction to ChinaNANO 2013

The International Conference on Nanoscience and Technology, China 2013 （ChinaNANO 2013） was held September 5-7, 2013 in Beijing, China. In this volume of Chinese Physics B, some selected papers delivered at the conference are published.

The Investigation and Study of Hydrogen Atom in Spherical Cavity Using B-Spline Basis Functions: A Mathematical Approach

The following article has been retracted due to the investigation of complaints received against it. The Editorial Board found that substantial portions of the text came from other published papers. The scientific community takes a very strong view on this matter, and the Health treats all unethical behavior such as plagiarism seriously. This paper published in Vol.3 No. 4, 334-339, 2012, has been removed from this site.

Direct Optical Energy Gap in Amorphous Silicon Quantum Dots

A theoretical investigation of photoluminescence spectra for amorphous silicon quantum-dots (1 - 4 nm), at room temperature, were used to study the effect of both spatial and quantum confinements spontaneously via determination the energy peak of maximum intensity transition. The results show a continuous shifting toward low energy peak (red shift) and toward high-energy peak (blue shift), with the decreasing of quantum dot size, due to spatial and quantum confinements respectively. These results have leaded us to believe that such quantum dot size (1 nm) changes the nature of amorphous silicon optical band gap from indirect to direct transition material.

Bioconjugated Silica Nanoparticles: Development and Applications

Advanced bioanalysis,including accurate quantitation,has driven the need to understand biology and medicine at the molecular level.Bioconjugated silica nanoparticles have the potential to address this emerging challenge.Particularly intriguing diagnostic and therapeutic applications in cancer and infectious disease as well as uses in gene and drug delivery,have also been found for silica nanoparticles.In this review,we describe the synthesis,bioconjugation,and applications of silica nanoparticles in different bioanalysis formats,such as selective tagging,barcoding,and separation of a wide range of biomedically important targets.Overall,we envisage that further development of these nanoparticles will provide a variety of advanced tools for molecular biology,genomics,proteomics and medicine.

Advanced methodologies for the cleaning of works of art

Cultural heritage assets constitute a fundamental socioeconomic resource,but the actual works of art need to be maintained,counteracting degradation processes,to transfer these benefits to future generations.In particular,the removal of soil,aged coatings,and vandalism/overpaints is one of the most needed interventions in art restoration.Traditional cleaning methodologies,based on classical solution and polymer chemistry,only grant limited control of the cleaning interventions,with the risk of affecting the original components of the artifacts,and often involving the use of toxic or non-environmentally friendly compounds.Alternatively,materials science,colloids,and soft matter have provided valuable and safe solutions in the last decades.This review provides a selection of the most recent and advanced methodologies for the wet cleaning of works of art,spanning from nanostructured cleaning fluids(microemulsions,surfactants swollen micelles)to physical and chemical gels.The new methodologies work on different physico-chemical mechanisms,such as processes for detaching/dewetting,to selectively remove the unwanted layers in sustainable and cost-effective interventions.The best performing systems,like microemulsions confined in“twin-chain”polyvinyl alcohol gels,have been assessed in the cleaning of masterpieces such as works by Pablo Picasso,Jackson Pollock and Roy Lichtenstein.Particular attention is dedicated to“green”chemistry systems,using low-toxicity solvents or bio-based/waste materials to build gel networks.Finally,current trends and future perspectives are given,showing that advanced systems for art cleaning link with transversal fields of crucial importance even beyond Cultural heritage conservation,e.g.,detergency,tissue engineering,drug-delivery,food industry and cosmetics.

Towards the FAIRification of Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Images

In this paper,we describe the data management practices and services developed for making FAIR compliant a scientific archive of Scanning Tunneling Microscopy(STM)images.As a first step,we extracted the instrument metadata of each image of the dataset to create a structured database.We then enriched these metadata with information on the structure and composition of the surface by means of a pipeline that leverages human annotation,machine learning techniques,and instrument metadata filtering.To visually explore both images and metadata,as well as to improve the accessibility and usability of the dataset,we developed"STM explorer"as a web service integrated within the Trieste Advanced Data services(TriDAS)website.On top of these data services and tools,we propose an implementation of the W3C PROV standard to describe provenance metadata of STM images.