Quantum Dots Microstructural Metrology: From Time-Resolved Spectroscopy to Spatially Resolved Electron Microscopy

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) have unique optical and electrical properties with promising applications in next-generation semiconductor technologies, including displays, lighting, solar cells, photodetectors, and image sensors. Advanced analytical tools to probe the optical, morphological, structural, compositional, and electrical properties of QDs and their ensemble solid films are of paramount importance for the understanding of their device performance. In this review, comprehensive studies on the state-of-the-art metrology approaches used in QD research are introduced, with particular focus on time-resolved (TR) and spatially resolved (SR) spectroscopy and microscopy. Through discussing these analysis techniques in different QD system, such as various compositions, sizes, and shell structures, the critical roles of these TR-spectroscopic and SR-microscopic techniques are highlighted, which provide the structural, morphological, compositional, optical, and electrical information to precisely design QDs and QD solid films. The employment of TR and SR analysis in integrated QD device systems is also discussed, which can offer detailed microstructural information for achieving high performance in specific applications. In the end, the current limitations of these analytical tools are discussed, and the future development of the possibility of interdisciplinary research in both QD fundamental and applied fields is prospected.     

The hyperconjugation effect on the graphene counterparts based on silicon and germanium

Bending of the A = A (A of the group IVA) double bond neighboring is rationalized by the hyperconjugation phenomenon analysis. The bending is also observed for the high sized linear, cyclic or graphene-like compounds that imply the conjugated double bonds. The electronic delocalization takes place between occupied σ(π) and unoccupied π*(σ*) orbitals especially for compound implying Si and Ge atoms. Leading to rippled structure, this phenomenon affects the silicene and germane thickness sheets and probably would have some consequences on the properties of such compounds when they will be involved in the industries in the future. However we introduce a new parameter to assess the thickness of graphenic structures when the hyperconjugation takes place in the bonding framework. The study has been undertaken at high levels of theory like B3LYP/6-311 + G(3df,2p).     

Topological algebras with ascending or descending chain condition

We examine some topological algebras with ascending or descending chain condition. We prove that a commutative noetherian F-algebra is necessarily a Q-algebra. We characterize noetherian F-algebras which are Q-algebras among those whose left ideals are closed. We show that any commutative artinian m-convex algebra is finite dimensional.     

The Nephroprotective Effect of Zizyphus lotus L. (Desf.) Fruits in a Gentamicin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury Model in Rats: A Biochemical and Histopathological Investigation

Zizyphus lotus L. (Desf.) (Z. lotus) is a medicinal plant largely distributed all over the Mediterranean basin and is traditionally used by Moroccan people to treat many illnesses, including kidney failure. The nephrotoxicity of gentamicin (GM) has been well documented in humans and animals, although the preventive strategies against it remain to be studied. In this investigation, we explore whether the extract of Zizyphus lotus L. (Desf.) Fruit (ZLF) exhibits a protective effect against renal damage produced by GM. Indeed, twenty-four Wistar rats were separated into four equal groups of six each (♂/♀ = 1). The control group was treated orally with distilled water (10 mL/kg); the GM treated group received distilled water (10 mL/kg) and an intraperitoneal injection of GM (80 mg/kg) 3 h after; and the treated groups received ZLF extract orally at the doses 200 or 400 mg/kg and injected intraperitoneally with the GM. All treatments were given daily for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, the biochemical parameters and the histological observation related the kidney function was explored. ZLF treatment has significantly attenuated the nephrotoxicity induced by the GM. This effect was indicated by its capacity to decrease significantly the serum creatinine, uric acid, urea, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase, albumin, calcium, sodium amounts, water intake, urinary volume, and relative kidney weight. In addition, this effect was also shown by the increase in the creatinine clearance, urinary creatinine, uric acid, and urea levels, weight gain, compared to the rats treated only with the GM. The hemostasis of oxidants/antioxidants has been significantly improved with the treatment of ZLF extract, which was shown by a significant reduction in malondialdehydes levels. Histopathological analysis of renal tissue was correlated with biochemical observation. Chemical analysis by HPLC-DAD showed that the aqueous extract of ZLF is rich in phenolic compounds such as 3-hydroxycinnamic acid, catechin, ferulic acid, gallic acid, hydroxytyrosol, naringenin, p- coumaric Acid, quercetin, rutin, and vanillic acid. In conclusion, ZLF extract improved the nephrotoxicity induced by GM, through the improvement of the biochemical and histological parameters and thus validates its ethnomedicinal use.     

Factorisation et existence de l'unité dans les algèbres de Banach commutatives

We give two theorems on the existence of the unit in commutative Banach algebras. As corollaries, we obtain results of V. Runde and P. G. Dixon.     

Magnetic and Raman scattering studies of Co-doped ZnO thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition

Phase pure Zn_1?x Co _x O thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition have transmittance greater than 75 % in the visible region. Raman studies confirm the crystalline nature of Zn_1?x Co _x O thin films. Zn_0.95Co_0.05O thin films show room temperature ferromagnetism with saturation magnetization of 0.4μ _B /Co atom. The possible origin of paramagnetism at higher Co doping concentrations can be attributed to the increased nearest-neighbor antiferromagnetic interactions between Co²⁺ ions in ZnO matrix. XPS confirms the substitution of Co²⁺ ions into the ZnO host lattice.     

Withanolides from Withania adpressa

From the leaves of Withania adpressa, a plant endemic to Sahara of Morocco and Algeria, the novel steroidal lactone (22R)‐14α,15α,17β,20β‐tetrahydroxy‐1‐oxowitha‐2,5,24‐trien‐26,22‐olide (= (15S,17S)‐14,15,17,20‐tetrahydroxy‐22,26‐epoxyergosta‐2,5,24‐triene‐1,26‐dione; 1 ), was isolated, along with three known compounds, withanolides F ( 2 ), J ( 3 ), and oleanolic acid. Their structures were mainly solved by in‐depth 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR (including ADEQUATE) experiments, as well as by HR‐MS analyses and chemical evidence.     

Influence de la structure sur l'hydrolyse des N-pyrrolylmethylene-2 anilines

Hydrolysis of the imine function of a series of Schiff bases derived from pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde and substituted anilines (X = H, p-OCH₃, p-OC₂H₅, p-CH₃, p-Cl, p-Br, m-CN, m-NO₂, p-NO₂) was studied in all of the pH ranges. The hydrolysis curves log k_abs (mn^?1) = f(pH) were established in buffered aqueous methanol by polarography or amperometry. The shapes of the curves obtained for pH > 5 indicates that N-pyrrolylmethylene-2 anilines hydrolyse according to the same mechanism as N-benzylidene anilines. The particular stability of these products for pH < 5 permits one to obtain complete hydrolysis curves in acid media. A very good Hammett correlation (k_obs = + 1,73) has been established from the maxima which appear for strong acidity. This stability is interpreted as due to the specific electron-donating effect of the pyrrole nucleus. The influence of the structural parameter X on the morphology of the curves log k_abs = f(pH) and on the hydrolysis mechanism of the imine function is discussed in all of the pH ranges.     

Betalain: a particular class of antioxidant pigment

We have analyzed the stability of betalains in juices prepared from Moroccan yellow cactus pears (Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill.) as a function of temperature and pH. The experiments were carried out at temperatures ranging from 80 to 100 degrees C with juices at pH 3.5, 5 and 6.5. The degree of pigment retention decreased when the temperature increased. The degradation constant rates were determined for thermal degradation rates of pseudo-first order. The Arrhenius plot obtained for the degradation of betaxanthin from the yellow fruits was not linear. Regardless of the temperature of treatment, the lowest degradation was obtained for pH 5. When some stabilizers were tested for the protection of pigments, the results showed that ascorbic acid was a better protective agent at pH 3.5, increasing the protection by 40%. The inhibitive action of betalain pigments extracted from cactus pears towards corrosion of stainless steel in phosphoric acid was investigated using electrochemical polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods. It was found that the presence of natural pigments reduces the corrosion rate of the tested metal, especially on addition of the red pigments (97%). The inhibition efficiency increases as the pigment concentration of extracts increases. It was also found that the pigments tested act as mixed inhibitors. The inhibitive action of the extracts is discussed in term of adsorption and that such adsorption follows a Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The calculated values of the free energy of adsorption indicated that the adsorption process is spontaneous.