Point interactions for 3D sub-Laplacians

In this paper we show that, for a sub-Laplacian Δ on a 3-dimensional manifold M, no point interaction centered at a point $q_0\in M$ exists. When M is complete w.r.t. the associated sub-Riemannian structure, this means that Δ acting on $C_0^{\infty }(M?\{q_0\})$ is essentially self-adjoint in $L^2(M)$. A particular example is the standard sub-Laplacian on the Heisenberg group. This is in stark contrast with what happens in a Riemannian manifold N, whose associated Laplace-Beltrami operator acting on $C_0^{\infty }(N?\{q_0\})$ is never essentially self-adjoint in $L^2(N)$, if $\dim ?N\le 3$. We then apply this result to the Schrödinger evolution of a thin molecule, i.e., with a vanishing moment of inertia, rotating around its center of mass.     

[Nb@Ge13/14]3−: New Family Members of Ge-Based Intermetalloid Clusters

During the past two decades, single-atom-centered medium-sized germanium clusters [M@Ge_n] (M=transition metals, n>12) have been extensively explored, both from theoretical perspectives and experimental gas-phase syntheses. However, the actual structural arrangements of the Ge₁₃ and Ge₁₄ endohedral cages are still ambiguous and have long remained an unresolved problem for experimental implementation. In this work, we successfully synthesize 13-/14-vertex Ge clusters [Nb@Ge₁₃]³⁻ ( 1 ) and [Nb@Ge₁₄]³⁻ ( 2 ), which are structurally characterized and exhibit unprecedented topologies, neither classical deltahedra nor 3-connected polyhedral structures. Theoretical analysis indicates that the major stabilization of the Ge backbones arises due to the substantial interaction of Ge 4p-AOs with the endohedral Nb 4d-AOs through three/four-center two-electron bonds with an enhanced electron density accumulated over the shortest Nb−Ge13 contact in 1 . Low occupancies of the direct two-center two-electron (2c–2e) Nb−Ge and Ge−Ge σ bonds point to a considerable degree of electron delocalization over the Ge cages revealing their electron deficiency.     

Treatment activity of a mixed-ligand coordination polymer on gastric carcinoma

Reaction of 4,4′,4″-nitrilotribenzoic acid (H₃L), a C₃-symmetric ligand, with the divalent Co(II) salt Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O in the present of the N-donor ligand 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene (DPE) affords a new mixed-ligand coordination polymer with the chemical formula of [Co₃(TNB)(DPE)₂]·2H₂O·DMF (1). In this study, CCK-8 assay was used to determine the effect of novel compound on proliferation of gastric cancer cells. The VEGF signaling pathway in gastric cancer cells was determined through employing real-time PCR after treatment of the above complex. Further, molecular docking simulation confirmed that the biological activity was coming from the carboxyl groups through the hydrogen bonding interactions with the receptor protein, the pyridine group only bonded with the Co ion for the formation of the Co complex.     

Performance evaluation of functionalized ordered mesoporous silica for VOCs adsorption by molecular dynamics simulation

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are growing pollutants now that cause the serious environmental pollution and threaten human health. The functionalized ordered mesoporous silica (FOMS) has attracted considerable attention in adsorbing VOCs. In this paper, the molecular dynamics simulation was used to simulate the adsorption performance of FOMS on VOCs (acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene). After simulating different pore sizes (2 nm, 3 nm and 4 nm) adsorption performances of ordered mesoporous silica (OMS) on VOCs, OMS with a pore size of 4 nm was selected to further study the influence of functional groups (vinyl, methyl, and phenyl). The following law was obtained: the saturated adsorption capacities of vinyl-functionalized OMS (V-FOMS) to acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene were 3.045 mmol.g^?1, 2.568 mmol.g^?1 and 1.976 mmol.g^?1 respectively; the saturated adsorption capacities of methyl-functionalized OMS (M-FOMS) to acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene were 2.798 mmol.g^?1, 2.312 mmol.g^?1 and 1.698 mmol.g^?1 respectively; the saturated adsorption capacities of phenyl-functionalized OMS (P-FOMS) to acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene were 2.124 mmol.g^?1, 1.941 mmol.g^?1 and 1.539 mmol.g^?1 respectively. These results show that the adsorption ability of FOMS for different adsorbates follows the sequence of acetone > ethyl acetate > toluene. Furthermore, the interaction between functional groups (vinyl, methyl and phenyl) in FOMS and VOCs was explored. It is found that the interaction between different functional groups and adsorbates is different (interaction energy effect). This interaction energy effect promotes FOMS to better adsorb VOCs. This work would provide fundamental understanding and guidance for the development of novel adsorption materials for the adsorption of VOCs.     

Design,synthesis and evaluation of novel dehydroabietic acid-dithiocarbamate hybrids as potential multi-targeted compounds for tumor cytotoxicity

In the present study, novel representatives of the important group of biologically-active, dehydroabietic acid-bearing dithiocarbamate moiety, were synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, HR-MS. The in vitro antiproliferative activity evaluation (MTT) indicated that these compounds exhibited potent inhibitory activities in various cancer cell lines (HepG-2, MCF-7, HeLa, T-24, MGC-803). Particularly, compound III-b possessed extraordinary cytotoxicity with low micromolar IC₅₀ values ranging from 4.07 to 38.84 µM against tested cancer cell lines, while displayed weak cytotoxicity on two normal cell lines (LO-2 and HEK 293 T). Subsequently, the potential mechanisms of representative compound III-b were elementarily investigated by Transwell experiment, which showed III-b can inhibit cancer cells migration. Annexin-V/PI dual staining showed that the compound can induce HepG-2 cells apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile this apoptosis may be related to the upregulated protein expression of cleaved-caspase 3, cleaved-caspase 9, Bax and downregulated of Bcl-2 indicated by Western Blot. Later study further confirmed that ROS levels in HepG-2 cells increased significantly with the rise of concentrations. In addition, through the network pharmacology data analyzing, the core targets and signaling pathways of compound III-b for treatment of liver neoplasms were forecasted. Molecular docking model showed that compound III-b had high affinity with hub targets (CASP3, EGFR, HSP90AA1, MAPK1, ERBB2, MDM2), suggesting that compound III-b might target the hub protein to modulate signaling activity. Taken together, these data indicated that dehydroabietic acid structural modification following the “Molecular hybridization” principle is a feasible way to discover the potential multi-targeted antitumor compounds.     

Modifying the physicochemical properties,solubility and foaming capacity of milk proteins by ultrasound-assisted alkaline pH-shifting treatment

This study investigated the effects of different treatment of alkaline pH-shifting on milk protein concentrate (MPC), micellar casein concentrate (MCC) and whey protein isolate (WPI) assisted by the same ultrasound conditions, including changes in the physicochemical properties, solubility and foaming capacity. The solubility of milk proteins had a significant increase with gradual enhancement of ultrasound-assisted alkaline pH-shifting (p < 0.05), especially for MCC up to 99.50 %. Also, treatment made a significant decline in the particle size of MPC and MCC, as well as the turbidity of the proteins (p < 0.05). The foaming capacity of MPC, MCC, and WPI was all improved, especially at pH 11, and at this pH, the milk protein also showed the highest surface hydrophobicity. The best foaming capacity at pH 11 was the result of the combined effect of particle size, potential, protein conformation, solubility, and surface hydrophobicity. In conclusion, ultrasound-assisted pH-shifting treatment was found to be effective in improving the physicochemical properties and solubility and foaming capacity of milk proteins, especially MCC, with promising application prospect in food industry.     

Recent progress on pure organic room temperature phosphorescence materials based on host-guest interactions

Pure organic room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) has been attracting a lot interest recently. So far, many strategies have succeeded in achieving efficient organic RTP materials by increasing the rate of intersystem crossing (ISC) and suppressing non-radiative transitions. In supramolecular chemistry, the control and regulation of molecular recognition based on the role of the host and guest in supramolecular polymers matrix, has attracted much attention. Recently, researchers have successfully achieved room temperature phosphorescence of pure organic complexes through host-guest interactions. The host molecule specifically includes the phosphorescent guest to reduce non-radiative transitions and enhance room temperature phosphorescence emission. This review aims to describe the developments and achievements of pure organic room temperature phosphorescence systems through the mechanism of host-guest interactions in recent years, and demonstrates the exploration and pursuit of phosphorescent materials of researchers in different fields.     

Biochemical and computational insights of adenosine deaminase inhibition by Epigallocatechin gallate

Epigallocatechin gallate, a flavonoid from Camellia sinensis possess various pharmacological activities such as anticancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant etc. Adenosine deaminase, (ADA), is a key enzyme involved in the purine metabolism, the inhibitors of which is being considered as highly promising candidate for the development of anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory drugs. In this work we studied adenosine deaminase inhibitory activity of epigallocatechin gallate by using biophysical and computational methods. The enzyme inhibition study result indicated that epigallocatechin gallate possess strong inhibitory activity on ADA. ITC study revealed the energetics of binding. Also the binding is confirmed by using fluorescence spectroscopy. The structural details of binding are obtained from molecular docking and MD simulation studies.     

Metamorphic InAs(Sb)/InGaAs/InAlAs nanoheterostructures grown on GaAs for efficient mid-IR emitters

High-efficiency semiconductor lasers and light-emitting diodes operating in the 3–5?μm mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectral range are currently of great demand for a wide variety of applications, in particular, gas sensing, noninvasive medical tests, IR spectroscopy etc. III-V compounds with a lattice constant of about 6.1?Å are traditionally used for this spectral range. The attractive idea to fabricate such emitters on GaAs substrates by using In(Ga,Al)As compounds is restricted by either the minimum operating wavelength of ～8?μm in case of pseudomorphic AlGaAs-based quantum cascade lasers or requires utilization of thick metamorphic In_xAl_1-xAs buffer layers (MBLs) playing a key role in reducing the density of threading dislocations (TDs) in an active region, which otherwise result in a strong decay of the quantum efficiency of such mid-IR emitters. In this review we present the results of careful investigations of employing the convex-graded In_xAl_1-xAs MBLs for fabrication by molecular beam epitaxy on GaAs (001) substrates of In(Ga,Al)As heterostructures with a combined type-II/type-I InSb/InAs/InGaAs quantum well (QW) for efficient mid-IR emitters (3–3.6?μm). The issues of strain relaxation, elastic stress balance, efficiency of radiative and non-radiative recombination at T?=?10–300?K are discussed in relation to molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth conditions and designs of the structures. A wide complex of techniques including in-situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction, atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning and transmission electron microscopies, X-ray diffractometry, reciprocal space mapping, selective area electron diffraction, as well as photoluminescence (PL) and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy was used to study in detail structural and optical properties of the metamorphic QW structures. Optimization of the growth conditions (the substrate temperature, the As₄/III ratio) and elastic strain profiles governed by variation of an inverse step in the In content profile between the MBL and the InAlAs virtual substrate results in decrease in the TD density (down to 3?×?10⁷ cm^?2), increase of the thickness of the low-TD-density near-surface MBL region to 250–300?nm, the extremely low surface roughness with the RMS value of 1.6–2.4?nm, measured by AFM, as well as rather high 3.5?μm-PL intensity at temperatures up to 300?K in such structures. The obtained results indicate that the metamorphic InSb/In(Ga,Al)As QW heterostructures of proper design, grown under the optimum MBE conditions, are very promising for fabricating the efficient mid-IR emitters on a GaAs platform.     

Experimental and Theoretical Insights into the Optical Properties and Intermolecular Interactions in Push-Pull Bromide Salts

Experimental and theoretical insights into the nature of intermolecular interactions and their effect on optical properties of 1-allyl-4-(1-cyano-2-(4-dialkylaminophenyl)vinyl)pyridin-1-ium bromide salts ( I and II ) are reported. A comparison of optical properties in solution and in the solid-state of the salts ( I and II ) with their precursors ( Ia and IIa ) is made. The experimental absorption maxima (λ_max) in CHCl₃ is at 528 nm for I and at 542 nm for II , and a strong bathochromic shift of ∼110 nm is observed for salts I and II compared with their precursors. The absorption bands in solid-state at ∼627 nm for I and at ∼615 nm for II that are assigned to charge transfer (CT) effect. The optical properties and single crystal structural features of I and II are explored by experimental and computational tools. The calculated λ_max and the CT are in good agreement with the experimental results. The intermolecular interactions existing in the crystal structures and their energies are quantified for various dimers by PIXEL, QTAIM and DFT approaches. Three types of interactions, (i) the cation⋅⋅⋅cation interactions, (ii) cation⋅⋅⋅anion interactions and (iii) anion⋅⋅⋅anion interactions are observed. The cationic moiety is mainly destabilized by C−H⋅⋅⋅N/π and π⋅⋅⋅π interactions whereas the cation and anion moiety is predominantly stabilized by strong C−H⋅⋅⋅Br⁻ interactions in both structures. The existence of charge transfer between cation and anion moieties in these structures is established through NBO analysis.