Enhanced Static Modulated Fourier Transform Spectrometer for Fast Approximation in Field Application

We discuss the data sampling frequency, the spectral resolution, and the limit for non-aliasing in the static modulated Fourier transform spectrometer based on a modified Sagnac interferometer. The measurement was performed in a very short 4 ms, which is applicable for real time field operation. The improved spectrometer characteristics were used to investigate the spectral properties of an InGaAs light emitting diode. In addition, The measured spectral peak was shifted from 6420 cm⁻¹ to 6365 cm⁻¹, as the temperature increased from 25 °C to 40 °C, when the operating current is fixed to be 0.55 A. As the applied current increased from 0.30 A to 0.55 A at room temperature, the spectral width was broadened from 316 cm⁻¹ to 384 cm⁻¹. Compared to the conventional Fourier transform spectrometer, the measured spectral width by the static modulated Fourier transform spectrometer showed a deviation less than 10%, and the spectral peak shift according to the temperature rise showed a difference within 2%.     

Allosteric Modulation of the CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor by Cannabidiol—A Molecular Modeling Study of the N-Terminal Domain and the Allosteric-Orthosteric Coupling

The CB₁ cannabinoid receptor (CB₁R) contains one of the longest N termini among class A G protein-coupled receptors. Mutagenesis studies suggest that the allosteric binding site of cannabidiol (CBD) involves residues from the N terminal domain. In order to study the allosteric binding of CBD to CB₁R we modeled the whole N-terminus of this receptor using the replica exchange molecular dynamics with solute tempering (REST2) approach. Then, the obtained structures of CB₁R with the N terminus were used for ligand docking. A natural cannabinoid receptor agonist, Δ⁹-THC, was docked to the orthosteric site and a negative allosteric modulator, CBD, to the allosteric site positioned between extracellular ends of helices TM1 and TM2. The molecular dynamics simulations were then performed for CB₁R with ligands: (i) CBD together with THC, and (ii) THC-only. Analyses of the differences in the residue-residue interaction patterns between those two cases allowed us to elucidate the allosteric network responsible for the modulation of the CB₁R by CBD. In addition, we identified the changes in the orthosteric binding mode of Δ⁹-THC, as well as the changes in its binding energy, caused by the CBD allosteric binding. We have also found that the presence of a complete N-terminal domain is essential for a stable binding of CBD in the allosteric site of CB₁R as well as for the allosteric-orthosteric coupling mechanism.     

Recent advances in BiOBr-based photocatalysts for environmental remediation

The efficient utilization of solar energy through photocatalysis is ideal for solving environmental issues and the development sustainable future. BiOBr-based semiconductors possess unique narrowed bandgaps and layered structures, thereby widely studied as photocatalysts for environmental remediation. However, a little has been focused on the comprehensive reviewing of BiOBr despite its extensive and promising applications. In this review, the state-of-the-art developments of BiOBr-based photocatalysts for environmental remediation are summarized. Particular focus is paid to the synthetic strategies for the control of the resulting morphologies, as well as efficient modification strategies for improving the photocatalytic activities. These include boosting the bulk phase by charge separation, enhancing the spatial charge separation, and engineering the surface states. The environmental uses of BiOBr-based photocatalysts are also reviewed in terms of purification of pollutants and CO₂ reduction. Finally, future challenges and opportunities of BiOBr-based materials in photocatalysis are discussed. Overall, this review provides a good basis for future exploration of high-efficiency solar-driven photocatalysts for environmental sustainability.     

调制激光场中Rydberg原子的电磁感应透明

本文主要研究了调制探测激光场中铯Rydberg 原子阶梯型三能级系统的电磁感应透明(EIT) 效应. 铯原子基态6S_1/2, 第一激发态6P_3/2 和Rydberg 态形成阶梯型三能级系统, 探测光作用于6S_1/2 (F = 4)→6P_3/2(F' = 5) 的跃迁, 耦合光在Rydberg 跃迁线6P_3/2→49S_1/2 附近扫描, 形成Rydberg 原子EIT. 当对探测光频率施加一个几kHz 的调制时, 调制解调后的EIT 信号分裂为两个峰, 双峰间距与调制频率无关,而与调制幅度导致的失谐量大小(频率调制幅度) 成正比, 双峰间隔的一半等于探测光频率调制幅度的λ_p/λ_c = 1.67 倍. 实验结果与理论计算相一致. 本文的研究结果可应用于激光线型和频率抖动的实时监测.     

光谱偏振调制器的高精度装调方法

为了提高光谱偏振调制器的探测精度,提出了光谱偏振调制器的高精度装调方法。首先,分析了光谱偏振调制器的调制原理,提出了采用三片多级相位延迟器加线偏振器的装调方案;然后,建立了调制器装调的数理模型,设计了校准多级相位延迟器的厚度;最后,对成像过程进行了计算机仿真实验验证,并模拟了成像系统的装调过程。结果表明:利用该方法能够灵敏检测偏振器件间的微小相对旋转角度误差,可实现调制器的高精度装调,在输入本文设定的校准光谱条件下,绝对精度可达0.2°。该方法保留了传统光谱调制器充分利用通道带宽的优势,保证了复原光谱的分辨率,为强度调制型光谱偏振成像系统的精密装调提供了一定的理论参考。     

二维金属有机框架材料的合成及电催化应用

二维金属有机框架材料(MOFs)由于具备高比表面积、 多孔性以及丰富的活性位点等优异特性而受到广泛关注, 并且在电催化领域展现出巨大的应用潜力. 研究者们已在二维MOFs的可控制备与电催化性能调控方面取得许多突破性进展, 显示出相关研究对开发高性能电催化剂的关键作用. 本文总结了二维MOFs的自上而下和自下而上合成策略以及二维MOFs衍生物的典型合成方法, 概述了二维MOFs在各尺度下的电催化性能调控策略, 并介绍了各种合成方法和调控策略在电催化中的应用. 最后讨论了该领域面临的挑战, 并对未来的发展方向进行了展望.     

Bi2WO6基光催化剂在环境和能源领域的最新研究进展

随着全球经济的快速发展与人口的日益膨胀,随之而来的能源消耗与环境污染也日益成为一个严峻的挑战.半导体光催化技术能够将低密度的太阳能转化为高密度的化学能,此外它能够通过产生活性自由基来降解空气或水中的污染物,因此在解决上述问题中具有巨大潜力,被认为是有着广阔前景的绿色无污染的能源转化和环境修复手段.在过去几十年的研究中,一些光催化剂表现出了较好的光催化活性,如TiO2和ZnO等.然而,由于它们的宽带隙,仅仅在紫外光下具有活性,这极大地限制了其对太阳光的利用.为了尽可能地利用太阳能,研究者们开发了许多具有可见光活性的光催化剂.钨酸铋(Bi2WO6)作为一种典型的Aurivillius层状钙钛矿材料,因具有独特的层状结构、良好的可见光催化活性、高的热稳定性和光化学稳定性及环境友好性等特点而备受关注.然而,有限的光吸收和光生载流子的快速复合阻碍了Bi2WO6光催化性能的进一步提高.因此,研究者们进行了大量的研究,致力于进一步增强Bi2WO6光催化剂的活性.本文对Bi2WO6基光催化剂的最新研究进展进行了系统综述.首先介绍了Bi2WO6的晶体结构、光学性质和光催化基本原理.然后,基于Bi2WO6的改性策略,包括形貌控制、原子调控和复合材料制备,重点讨论了Bi2WO6在水分解、污染物处理、空气净化、杀菌消毒、二氧化碳还原、选择性有机合成等领域的光催化应用.最后,对Bi2WO6基光催化剂当前面临的挑战和未来的发展作了展望和总结,提出了Bi2WO6光催化剂未来的一些研究方向,包括(1)大规模、精确可控地合成Bi2WO6,特别是高活性晶面、多孔结构和量子点的设计;(2)精确调控原子位置,利用先进的技术手段进一步揭示活性位点上的光催化过程;(3)发展原位表征技术来观察复合光催化剂的界面电荷动力学以及开发新型Bi2WO6基复合体系.(4)通过机械应力、温度梯度以及电场等外场的耦合提高Bi2WO6的光催化性能;(5)进一步深入研究Bi2WO6在不同领域的光催化应用,特别是在肿瘤治疗和太阳能燃料制备方面,一些新的应用如固氮等也值得探索.期望本综述能够为Bi2WO6和其他高效光催化材料的设计提供一些指导和帮助.     

基于频率调制激光驱动的囚禁离子几何相位逻辑门

为了避免激光相位的起伏对几何相位逻辑门保真度的影响, 提出一种基于囚禁离子的量子几何相位逻辑门的新方案。该机制是利用一束频率调制的行波激光场作用于两个囚禁离子上实现的。它的优点有：操作简单,仅需一步就能实现。不灵敏于激光场的相位也不需要对囚禁离子进行个别寻址。     

Mono- and Di-Fucosylated Glycans of the Parasitic Worm S. mansoni are Recognized Differently by the Innate Immune Receptor DC-SIGN

The parasitic worm, Schistosoma mansoni, expresses unusual fucosylated glycans in a stage-dependent manner that can be recognized by the human innate immune receptor DC-SIGN, thereby shaping host immune responses. We have developed a synthetic approach for mono- and bis-fucosylated LacdiNAc (LDN-F and LDN-DF, respectively), which are epitopes expressed on glycolipids and glycoproteins of S. mansoni. It is based on the use of monosaccharide building blocks having carefully selected amino-protecting groups, facilitating high yielding and stereoselective glycosylations. The molecular interaction between the synthetic glycans and DC-SIGN was studied by NMR and molecular modeling, which demonstrated that the α1,3-fucoside of LDN-F can coordinate with the Ca²⁺-ion of the canonical binding site of DC-SIGN allowing for additional interactions with the underlying LDN backbone. The 1,2-fucoside of LDN-DF can be complexed in a similar manner, however, in this binding mode GlcNAc and GalNAc of the LDN backbone are placed away from the protein surface resulting in a substantially lower binding affinity. Glycan microarray binding studies showed that the avidity and selectivity of binding is greatly enhanced when the glycans are presented multivalently, and in this format Le^x and LDN-F gave strong responsiveness, whereas no binding was detected for LDN-DF. The data indicates that S. mansoni has developed a strategy to avoid detection by DC-SIGN in a stage-dependent manner by the addition of a fucoside to a number of its ligands.     

Theoretical Aspects of a Surface Electrode Reaction Coupled with Preceding and Regenerative Chemical Steps: Square‐wave Voltammetry of a Surface CEC’ Mechanism

Large number of lipophilic substances, whose electrochemical transformation takes place from adsorbed state, belong to the class of so‐called “surface‐redox reactions”. Of these, especially important are the enzymatic redox reactions. With the technique named “protein‐film voltammetry” we can get insight into the chemical features of many lipophilic redox enzymes. Electrochemical processes of many redox adsorbates, occurring at a surface of working electrode, are very often coupled with chemical reactions. In this work, we focus on the application of square‐wave voltammetry (SWV) to study the theoretical features of a surface electrode reaction coupled with two chemical steps. The starting electroactive form Ox_(ads) in this mechanism gets initially generated via preceding chemical reaction. After undergoing redox transformation at the working electrode, Ox_(ads) species got additionally regenerated via chemical reaction of electrochemically generated product Red_(ads) with a given substrate Y. The theory of this so‐called surface CEC’ mechanism is presented for the first time under conditions of square‐wave voltammetry. While we present plenty of calculated voltammograms of this complex electrode mechanism, we focus on the effect of rate of regenerative (catalytic) step to simulated voltammograms. We consider both, electrochemical reactions featuring moderate and fast electron transfer. The obtained voltammetric patterns are very specific, having sometime hybrid‐like features of voltammograms as typical for CE, EC and EC’ mechanisms. We give diagnostic criteria to recognize this complex mechanism in SWV, but we also present hints to access the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters relevant to both chemical steps, and the electrochemical reaction, too. Indeed, the results presented in this work can help experimentalists to design proper experiments to study chemical features of important lipophilic systems.