Dyakonov-Tamm waves guided by a phase-twist combination defect in a sculptured nematic thin film

The propagation of Dyakonov-Tamm waves guided by a phase-twist combination defect in a sculptured nematic thin film (SNTF) was studied theoretically by numerical solution of a dispersion equation. The phase defect was fixed at 180°, whereas the twist defect was kept variable as also the direction of propagation. Multiple Dyakonov-Tamm waves that differ in spatial profile, degree of localization, and phase speed were found to propagate guided by the combination defect, depending on the angle between the morphologically significant planes of the SNTF on either side of the defect as well as on the direction of propagation. The most strongly localized Dyakonov-Tamm waves turned out to be essentially confined within one structural period of the SNTF normal to the combination defect.     

On multiple surface-plasmon-polariton waves guided by the interface of a metal film and a rugate filter in the Kretschmann configuration

The excitation of multiple surface-plasmon-polariton (SPP) waves—of different linear polarization states, phase speeds and spatial profiles—guided by the interface of a metal film and a rugate filter in the Kretschmann configuration was investigated. A plane wave of either of the two linear polarization states was made incident on the metal-capped rugate filter of finite thickness and the absorptances were calculated using a stable algorithm. The excitation of SPP waves was inferred by the presence of those peaks in the absorptance curves that were independent of the thickness of the rugate filter. The absorptance peaks representing the excitation of s-polarized SPP waves are narrower than those representing p-polarized SPP waves. For efficient excitation of multiple SPP waves, the metal film's thickness should be close to the penetration depth of the metal. The solution of a canonical boundary-value problem of SPP-wave propagation guided by a metal film, with a semi-infinite homogeneous dielectric material on one side and a semi-infinite rugate filter on the other side, reinforced the results obtained for the Kretschmann configuration. The thin metal film in the Kretschmann configuration may lead to coupling of its two interfaces.     

Synthetic chemoselective rewiring of cell surfaces: generation of three-dimensional tissue structures

Proper cell-cell communication through physical contact is crucial for a range of fundamental biological processes including, cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and apoptosis and for the correct function of organs and other multicellular tissues. The spatial and temporal arrangements of these cellular interactions in vivo are dynamic and lead to higher-order function that is extremely difficult to recapitulate in vitro. The development of three-dimensional (3D), in vitro model systems to investigate these complex, in vivo interconnectivities would generate novel methods to study the biochemical signaling of these processes, as well as provide platforms for tissue engineering technologies. Herein, we develop and employ a strategy to induce specific and stable cell-cell contacts in 3D through chemoselective cell-surface engineering based on liposome delivery and fusion to display bio-orthogonal functional groups from cell membranes. This strategy uses liposome fusion for the delivery of ketone or oxyamine groups to different populations of cells for subsequent cell assembly via oxime ligation. We demonstrate how this method can be used for several applications including, the delivery of reagents to cells for fluorescent labeling and cell-surface engineering, the formation of small, 3D spheroid cell assemblies, and the generation of large and dense, 3D multilayered tissue-like structures for tissue engineering applications.     

Orange Peel Derived C‐dots Decorated CuO Nanorods for the Selective Monitoring of Dopamine from Deboned Chicken

A novel electrode based on orange peel derived C‐dots decorated CuO nanorods (CR@C‐dot) modified lead pencil (LP) electrode has been fabricated for highly sensitive and selective monitoring of dopamine (DA). Prior to the functionalization with C‐dot, electrochemical efficacy of CR was evaluated and compared with CuO nano‐needles (CN) and nano‐spheres (CS). The morphology, surface area and composition of synthesized nanoparticles was confirmed through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), N₂‐adsorption‐desorption isotherm, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Our results indicated that CR has high electrocatalytic activity compared to CN and CS by expositing greater fraction of catalytic active sites, large surface area and short diffusion pathways. The electrochemical efficacy of CR is further enhanced by decorating with orange peel derived C‐dots, which surprisingly lead to the integrations of surface‐active sites with current collectors with minimum resistance by acting as an electron transport mediator and providing more surface defects. The developed CR@C‐dot sensor enables highly sensitive and selective recognition of DA detection (0.0007 μM), over good linear range (5–2250 μM) with rapid response time. the developed CR@C‐dot sensor was successfully used to monitor the DA from deboned chicken, thus suggesting reliability of the developed electrode.     

H2O2 Screening from Saliva of Gum Diseased‐patient through CN‐dot Wrapped Cu2O Nano‐frogspawns Ionic Liquid Nanocomposite

Herein, we report the development of a robust, sensitive, and selective non‐enzymatic electrochemical sensor for the detection of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The novel BA modified CN‐dot wrapped Cu₂O‐nano‐frogspawn (FS@CN‐dot) sensor probe demonstrated a catalytic property towards H₂O₂ that allowed the highly sensitive electrochemical detection at a low reduction potential. The as prepared CN‐dot wrapped Cu₂O hetero‐structured nanocomposite was analyzed using surface analysis methods to confirm the morphology, crystallinity, and oxidation states of various constituents and dopant elements. Further, the morphological analysis of the Cu₂O nanoparticles revealed that the Cu₂O retains frogspawns‐liked structure. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the sensor showed a wide dynamic range of H₂O₂ from 0.5 μM to 9 mM with a detection limit (LD) of 1.2±0.1 nM. The designed sensing probe showed good stability, high sensitivity, and selectivity even in the presence of potential interfering molecules. To check the reliability of the fabricated sensor in biomedical applications, the proposed sensing probe was successfully applied to monitor H₂O₂ in saliva of a gum‐diseased patient. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first of its kind not only because of its novel construction style in terms of CN source, but also in terms of real sample applicability as well.     

Injectable hydrogels for targeted delivering of therapeutic molecules for tissue engineering and disease treatment

Hydrogels are cross‐linked three‐dimensional polymeric networks that play a vital role in solving the pharmacological and clinical limitations of the existing systems due to their unique physical properties such as affinity for biological fluids, tunable porous nature, high water content, ease of preparation, flexibility, and biocompatibility. Hydrogel also mimics the living natural tissue, which opens several opportunities for its use in biomedical areas. Injectable hydrogel allows temporal control and exceptional spatial arrangements and can offset hitches with established hydrogel‐based drug delivery systems. Here, we review the recent development of injectable hydrogels and their significance in the delivery of therapeutics such as cells, genes, and drug molecules and how these innovatory systems can complement the current delivery systems.     

Darcy–Forchheimer three-dimensional flow of carbon nanotubes with nonlinear thermal radiation

The present study elaborates three-dimensional (3D) thermally radiative flow of carbon nanotubes dispersed in water with Darcy–Forchheimer porous space. A bidirectional linear stretchable sheet is used to generate the flow. Darcy–Forchheimer relation specifies porous space. Single-wall carbon nanotubes and multi-wall carbon nanotubes are accounted. Solutions development is due to optimal homotopy analysis technique. Optimal data of sundry variables are obtained. The optimal solution interpretations of velocities and temperature are interpreted via plots. Physical quantities are also elaborated. Our results reveal that thermal field against radiation and temperature ratio parameter is enhanced.

     

Free‐Standing CoO‐POM Janus‐like Ultrathin Nanosheets

A single‐step solution‐based strategy is used to obtain 2D Janus‐like free‐standing ultrathin nanosheets build from two structurally unrelated species, that is, polyoxomolybdate (POM) and CoO. A controlled 2D‐to‐1D morphological transition was achieved by judiciously adjusting the solvent choice. These POM‐CoO heterostructures can behave as an ideal catalyst for the epoxidation of styrene. Benefiting from their amphiphilic nature, these 2D POM‐CoO nanosheets have also been used as surfactant to emulsify immiscible solvents. It is anticipated that structurally diverse polyoxometalates will offer promise as design elements for variety of structurally and compositionally tunable van der Waals integrated heteromaterials having a broad range applications.     

New citrinin derivatives from the deep-sea-derived fungus Cladosporium sp. SCSIO z015

Abstract

During the course of our search for novel bioactive compounds from marine fungi, four new citrinin derivatives, cladosporins A–D (1–4) were isolated from a culture broth of the deep-sea-derived fungus Cladosporium sp. SCSIO z015. Their complete structural assignments were elucidated by the extensive spectroscopic investigation. The absolute configurations of 1–3 were established by quantum chemical calculations of the electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Compounds 1–4 showed weak toxicity towards brine shrine naupalii with LC₅₀ values of 72.0, 81.7, 49.9 and 81.4?μM, respectively. And 4 also showed significant antioxidant activity against ɑ,α-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals with an IC₅₀ value of 16.4?μM.     

Aromaticity‐promoted CO2 Capture by P/N‐Based Frustrated Lewis Pairs: A Theoretical Study

Carbon dioxide (CO₂, a common combustion pollutant) releasing continuously into the atmosphere is primarily responsible for the rising atmospheric temperature. Therefore, CO₂ sequestration has been an indispensable area of research for the past several decades. On the other hand, the concept of aromaticity is often employed in designing chemical reactions and metal‐free frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) have proved ideal reagents to achieve CO₂ reduction. However, considering FLP and aromaticity together is less developed in CO₂ capture. Here we report theoretical investigations on the aromaticity‐promoted CO₂ activation, involving heterocyclopentadiene‐bridged P/N‐FLPs. The calculations reveal that furan‐ and pyrrole‐bridged P/N‐FLPs can make CO₂ capture both thermodynamically and kinetically favorable (with activation energies of 5.4–7.7 kcal mol^?1) due to the aromatic stabilization of the transition states and products. Our findings could open an avenue to the design of novel FLPs for CO₂ capture.