Analysis of S2QA- charge recombination with the Arrhenius, Eyring and Marcus theories

The Q band of photosynthetic thermoluminescence, measured in the presence of a herbicide that blocks electron transfer from PSII, is associated with recombination of the S(2)Q(A)(-) charge pair. The same charge recombination reaction can be monitored with chlorophyll fluorescence. It has been shown that the recombination occurs via three competing routes of which one produces luminescence. In the present study, we measured the thermoluminescence Q band and the decay of chlorophyll fluorescence yield after a single turnover flash at different temperatures from spinach thylakoids. The data were analyzed using the commonly used Arrhenius theory, the Eyring rate theory and the Marcus theory of electron transfer. The fitting error was minimized for both thermoluminescence and fluorescence by adjusting the global, phenomenological constants obtained when the reaction rate theories were applied to the multi-step recombination reaction. For chlorophyll fluorescence, all three theories give decent fits. The peak position of the thermoluminescence Q band is correct by all theories but the form of the Q band is somewhat different in curves predicted by the three theories. The Eyring and Marcus theories give good fits for the decreasing part of the thermoluminescence curve and Marcus theory gives the closest fit for the rising part.     

Theoretical description of low divergence Gaussian fields in self-defocusing photorefractive media

Experimental evidence is presented that shows that low intensity optical fields preserve their Gaussian transverse amplitude distribution as they propagate through self-defocusing Ce:BaTiO₃ photorefractive media. The Gaussian nature of the field is used in a theoretical treatment to derive conditions under which bright solitons are formed in photorefractive media that have a light induced refractive index that is approximately quadratic. This analysis shows that while it is not possible to produce a single bright soliton in self-defocusing media that it is possible to minimize the field’s divergence such that the change in beam radius is small (<1%) over large propagation distances (∼1 m). An imaginary light induced refractive index component is necessary to generate the low divergence fields in both self-focusing and self-defocusing media when illuminated with Gaussian fields that have a non-planar wavefront.     

A Review on Recent Progress of Stingless Bee Honey and Its Hydrogel-Based Compound for Wound Care Management

Stingless bee honey has a distinctive flavor and sour taste compared to Apis mellifera honey. Currently, interest in farming stingless bees is growing among rural residents to meet the high demand for raw honey and honey-based products. Several studies on stingless bee honey have revealed various therapeutic properties for wound healing applications. These include antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing properties related to wound healing. The development of stingless bee honey for wound healing applications, such as incorporation into hydrogels, has attracted researchers worldwide. As a result, the effectiveness of stingless bee honey against wound infections can be improved in the future to optimize healing rates. This paper reviewed the physicochemical and therapeutic properties of stingless bee honey and its efficacy in treating wound infection, as well as the incorporation of stingless bee honey into hydrogels for optimized wound dressing.