Spectral properties of quantum dots influenced by a confining potential model

We obtain the exact energy spectra and corresponding wave functions of the spherical quantum dots for any (n,l) state in the presence of a combination of pseudo-harmonic, Coulomb and linear confining potential terms within the exact analytical iteration method (EAIM). The interaction potential model under consideration is labeled as the Cornell modified-plus-harmonic (CMpH) type which is a correction form to the harmonic, Coulomb and linear confining potential terms.     

First Report of Fruit Rot of Cherry and Its Control Using Fe2O3 Nanoparticles Synthesized in Calotropis procera

Cherry is a fleshy drupe, and it is grown in temperate regions of the world. It is perishable, and several biotic and abiotic factors affect its yield. During April–May 2021, a severe fruit rot of cherry was observed in Swat and adjacent areas. Diseased fruit samples were collected, and the disease-causing pathogen was isolated on PDA. Subsequent morphological, microscopic, and molecular analyses identified the isolated pathogen as Aspergillus flavus. For the control of the fruit rot disease of cherry, iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₂O₃ NPs) were synthesized in the leaf extract of Calotropis procera and characterized. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of synthesized Fe₂O₃ NPs showed the presence of capping and stabilizing agents such as alcohols, aldehydes, and halo compounds. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis verified the form and size (32 nm) of Fe₂O₃ NPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the spinal-shaped morphology of synthesized Fe₂O₃ NPs while X-ray diffraction (EDX) analysis displayed the occurrence of main elements in the samples. After successful preparation and characterization of NPs, their antifungal activity against A. flavus was determined by poison technique. Based on in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity analyses, it was observed that 1.0 mg/mL concentration of Fe₂O₃ can effectively inhibit the growth of fungal mycelia and decrease the incidence of fruit rot of cherry. The results confirmed ecofriendly fungicidal role of Fe₂O₃ and suggested that their large-scale application in the field to replace toxic chemical fungicides.     

Development of Dissolution Dynamic Nuclear Polarization of [15N3]Metronidazole: A Clinically Approved Antibiotic

We report dissolution Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (d-DNP) of [¹⁵N₃]metronidazole ([¹⁵N₃]MNZ) for the first time. Metronidazole is a clinically approved antibiotic, which can be potentially employed as a hypoxia-sensing molecular probe using ¹⁵N hyperpolarized (HP) nucleus. The DNP process is very efficient for [¹⁵N₃]MNZ with an exponential build-up constant of 13.8 min using trityl radical. After dissolution and sample transfer to a nearby 4.7 T Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner, HP [¹⁵N₃]MNZ lasted remarkably long with T₁ values up to 343 s and ¹⁵N polarizations up to 6.4 %. A time series of HP [¹⁵N₃]MNZ images was acquired in vitro using a steady state free precession sequence on the ¹⁵NO₂ peak. The signal lasted over 13 min with notably long T₂ of 20.5 s. HP [¹⁵N₃]MNZ was injected in the tail vein of a healthy rat, and dynamic spectroscopy was performed over the rat brain. The in vivo HP ¹⁵N signals persisted over 70 s, demonstrating an unprecedented opportunity for in vivo studies.     

Facile synthesis of zirconia supported nanomaterials for efficient photocatalytic applications

The recent study enlightens the synthesis and characterization of zirconia (ZrO₂), Fe-doped ZrO₂ (Fe@ZrO₂), and Ni-doped ZrO₂ (Ni@ZrO₂) catalysts having new-fangled morphology with tuned band gap as photocatalysts for degradation of textile wastewater dyes methylene blue (MB), malachite green (MG), and their mixtures. SEM imaging of Fe@ZrO₂ and Ni@ZrO₂ is interestingly varied from ZrO₂ as well as doping of transition metals greatly affects the morphology of composites. The optimization study depicts that the pH, time (min) and catalyst amount (g) have a direct relation with degradation efficiency, while the dye concentration (mg/L) has an indirect relation as well. The photocatalytic studies depict that the degradation of MB and MG follows oxidation pathway via hydroxyl radicals (OH^•) and holes. Reusability of catalysts corresponds to a little decrease in degradation efficiency in the first two cycles and decreases to about ∼10% (Ni@ZrO₂) and ∼12% (Fe@ZrO₂) in next three cycles.