Optimization of detection device geometry for NIR spectroscopy using a three-layered model of stone fruit

The influences of detection device geometry and fiber optic parameters on near infrared spectroscopy measurements were assessed using stone fruit models based on Monte Carlo simulation. The stone fruit was modeled as concentric spherical layered tissues including the skin, the flesh and the core. The choices of the detection angle, the diameter of the detection fiber, the numerical aperture, and the height of the probe were discussed. Receiving diffuse reflectance signals at detection angles in the range of 35°–50° and normalizing the detection signals by the collection area and the solid acceptance angle prior to use are suggested. Fiber probes with diameters D = 0.06 cm or 0.1 cm, NA = 0.20 or 0.30, and height h ≤ 0.8 cm are preferred. The probe deflection angle should be limited to within ±5° to guarantee measurement accuracy.     

Light reflection from finite conductors with a Gaussian random roughness using Kirchhoff and geometric optics approximations

A comparison between exact solutions and two approximate models, Kirchhoff approximation (KA) and geometric optics approximation (GOA), for reflection from random Gaussian rough conductive metallic surfaces for three regimes of correlation length in both cases of polarization TM and TE has been reported. The phenomenon of excitation of surface plasmons (SPs) has been shown only at TM polarization for KA. The domains of validity of both approximate models have been quantified. It is shown that accuracy and efficiency of any approximate method depended of various parameters: surface roughness, polarization, SPs effects, wavelength, and surface materials. KA is efficient for weakly rough surfaces with correlation length greater than wavelength, but when rms height increases GOA is more suitable than KA. Excitation of SPs is observed only at TM-polarized light, only for weakly rough surfaces with correlation length less than wavelength using KA and not GOA.     

Mutually Unbiasedness between Maximally Entangled Bases and Unextendible Maximally Entangled Systems in $\mathbb {C}^{2}\otimes \mathbb {C}^{2^{k}}$

The mutually unbiasedness between a maximally entangled basis (MEB) and an unextendible maximally entangled system (UMES) in the bipartite system \(\mathbb {C}^{2}\otimes \mathbb {C}^{2^{k}} (k>1)\) are introduced and discussed first in this paper. Then two mutually unbiased pairs of a maximally entangled basis and an unextendible maximally entangled system are constructed; lastly, explicit constructions are obtained for mutually unbiased MEB and UMES in \(\mathbb {C}^{2}\otimes \mathbb {C}^{4}\) and \(\mathbb {C}^{2}\otimes \mathbb {C}^{8}\), respectively.     

A New Thiosemicarbazone-Based Fluorescence “Turn-on” Sensor for Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> Recognition with a Large Stokes Shift and its Application in Live Cell Imaging

Selective fluorescence turn on Zn²⁺ sensor with long-wavelength emission and a large Stokes shift is highly desirable in Zn²⁺ sensing area. We reported herein the synthesis and Zn²⁺ recognition properties of a new thiosemicarbazone-based fluorescent sensor L. L displays high selectivity and sensitivity toward Zn²⁺ over other metal ions in DMSO-H₂O (1:1, v/v, HEPES 10 mM, pH = 7.4) solution with a long-wavelength emission at 572 nm and a large Stokes shift of 222 nm. Confocal fluorescence microscopy experiments demonstrate that L is cell-permeable and capable of monitoring intracellular Zn²⁺.

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Graphical Abstract We report a new thiosemicarbazone-based fluorescent sensor (L) for selective recognition of Zn²⁺ with a long wavelength emission and a large Stokes shift.

     

Investigating Two-Photon-Induced Fluorescence in Rhodamine-6G in Presence of Cetyl-Trimethyl-Ammonium-Bromide

We investigate the effect of cetyl-trimethyl-ammonium-bromides (CTAB) concentration on the fluorescence of Rhodamine-6G in water. This spectroscopic study of Rhodamine-6G in presence of CTAB was performed using two-photon-induced-fluorescence at 780 nm wavelength using high repetition rate femtosecond laser pulses. We report an increment of ～10 % in the fluorescence in accordance with ～12 % enhancement in the absorption intensity of the dye molecule around the critical micellar concentration. We discuss the possible mechanism for the enhancement in the two-photon fluorescence intensity and the importance of critical micellar concentration.     

Effect of π-Extended Substituents on Photophysical Properties of BODIPY Dyes in Solutions

Four boron-dipyrrine (BODIPY) based dyes with π-extended substituents in 8-position of dipyrrin ligand have been synthesized and characterized. Photophysical properties of the obtained compounds have been investigated in different individual solvents. Deposits of solvent polarity and viscosity were evaluated. BODIPY with 8-biphenyl substituent was found to be the fluorescent molecular rotor in contrast to more extended substituents. The complex nature of solvent-solute interactions leads to the poor applicability of standard multiparameter approaches to BODIPY solvatochromic properties. Fluorescence intensity was found to increase in case of solvent polarity growth, it is not typical for BODIPY. Taking that into account the BODIPY with π-extended substituents could be used for fluorescence viscosity measurements, and as the fluorescent media polarity indicators in analytical chemistry and biochemistry.     

Immobilized TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles produced by flame spray for photocatalytic water remediation

Anatase/rutile mixed-phase titanium dioxide (TiO₂) photocatalysts in the form of nanostructured powders with different primary particle size, specific surface area, and rutile content were produced from the gas-phase by flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) starting from an organic solution containing titanium (IV) isopropoxide as Ti precursor. Flame spray-produced TiO₂ powders were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and BET measurements. As-prepared powders were mainly composed of anatase crystallites with size ranging from 7 to 15 nm according to the synthesis conditions. TiO₂ powders were embedded in a multilayered fluoropolymeric matrix to immobilize the nanoparticles into freestanding photocatalytic membranes. The photocatalytic activity of the TiO₂-embedded membranes toward the abatement of hydrosoluble organic pollutants was evaluated employing the photodegradation of rhodamine B in aqueous solution as test reaction. The photoabatement rate of best performing membranes significantly overcomes that of membranes produced by the same method and incorporating commercial P25-TiO₂.     

Facile and scalable fabrication engineering of fullerenol nanoparticles by improved alkaline-oxidation approach and its antioxidant potential in maize

A feasible in operation, labor-saving and low-cost one-step technology to fabricate fullerenol nanoparticles (FNPs) up to 10 g in laboratory was developed by improved alkaline-oxidation approach using moderately concentrated sodium hydroxide solution as the hydroxylation agent and o-dichlorobenzene as the solvent. This strategy paves the avenue for industrial-scale bulk production of FNPs. The resulted product, [C₆₀(OH)₂₂·8H₂O]_n, were characterized by various measurements including matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, high-resolution ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-Visible spectrophotometer, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic light scattering analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and electron spin resonance spectrometer. Radical scavenging assay in vitro confirmed the high efficiency of water-soluble [C₆₀(OH)₂₂·8H₂O]_n as a novel radical scavenger. Furthermore, [C₆₀(OH)₂₂·8H₂O]_n as an excellent candidate has the potential to serve as the plant defense stimulation agent in maize.

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Graphical abstract ?