Stable Fano-like plasmonic resonance: its impact on the reversal of far-and near-field optical binding force

Even for a 100 nm interparticle distance or a small change in particle shape,optical Fano-like plasmonic resonance mode usually vanishes completely.It would be remarkable if stable Fano-like resonance could somehow be achieved in distinctly shaped nanoparticles for more than 1μm interparticle distance,which corresponds to the far electromagnetic field region.If such far-field Fano-like plasmonic resonance can be achieved,controlling the reversal of the far-field binding force can be attained,like the currently reported reversals for near-field cases.In this work,we have proposed an optical set-up to achieve such a robust and stable Fano-like plasmonic resonance,and comparatively studied its remarkable impact on controlling the reversal of near-and far-field optical binding forces.In our proposed set-up,the distinctly shaped plasmonic tetramers are half immersed(i.e.air-benzene)in an inhomogeneous dielectric interface and illuminated by?circular?polarized light.We have demonstrated significant differences between near-and far-field optical binding forces along with the Lorentz force field,which partially depends on the object’s shape.A clear connection is shown between the far-field binding force and the resonant modes,along with a generic mechanism to achieve controllable Fano-like plasmonic resonance and the reversal of the optical binding force in both far-and near-field configurations.     

Polarization state and image rotation via spontaneously generated coherence in a spinning fast light medium

In this article we propose a four-level rubidium (Rb⁸⁷ ) atomic system for observing interesting features of polarization state rotation in a fast light medium. We investigate spontaneously generated coherence (SGC) for a spinning medium. We show how SGC can affect different spectral profiles of the polarization state and images in this suggested model. We observe a 0.5 radian rotation and 2.5 microsecond time advancement in our proposed system. Our precise results will provide a new platform for researchers in quantum optics due to its applications in image coding, telecommunications and cloaking technology.     

Biogenic Sulfur-Based Chalcogenide Nanocrystals: Methods of Fabrication,Mechanistic Aspects,and Bio-Applications

Bio-nanotechnology has emerged as an efficient and competitive methodology for the production of added-value nanomaterials (NMs). This review article gathers knowledge gleaned from the literature regarding the biosynthesis of sulfur-based chalcogenide nanoparticles (S-NPs), such as CdS, ZnS and PbS NPs, using various biological resources, namely bacteria, fungi including yeast, algae, plant extracts, single biomolecules, and viruses. In addition, this work sheds light onto the hypothetical mechanistic aspects, and discusses the impact of varying the experimental parameters, such as the employed bio-entity, time, pH, and biomass concentration, on the obtained S-NPs and, consequently, on their properties. Furthermore, various bio-applications of these NMs are described. Finally, key elements regarding the whole process are summed up and some hints are provided to overcome encountered bottlenecks towards the improved and scalable production of biogenic S-NPs.     

Inhibition of Aldose Reductase by Ginsenoside Derivatives via a Specific Structure Activity Relationship with Kinetics Mechanism and Molecular Docking Study

This present work is designed to evaluate the anti-diabetic potential of 22 ginsenosides via the inhibition against rat lens aldose reductase (RLAR), and human recombinant aldose reductase (HRAR), using _DL-glyceraldehyde as a substrate. Among the ginsenosides tested, ginsenoside Rh2, (20S) ginsenoside Rg3, (20R) ginsenoside Rg3, and ginsenoside Rh1 inhibited RLAR significantly, with IC₅₀ values of 0.67, 1.25, 4.28, and 7.28 µM, respectively. Moreover, protopanaxadiol, protopanaxatriol, compound K, and ginsenoside Rh1 were potent inhibitors of HRAR, with IC₅₀ values of 0.36, 1.43, 2.23, and 4.66 µM, respectively. The relationship of structure–activity exposed that the existence of hydroxyl groups, linkages, and their stereo-structure, as well as the sugar moieties of the ginsenoside skeleton, represented a significant role in the inhibition of HRAR and RLAR. Additional, various modes of ginsenoside inhibition and molecular docking simulation indicated negative binding energies. It was also indicated that it has a strong capacity and high affinity to bind the active sites of enzymes. Further, active ginsenosides suppressed sorbitol accumulation in rat lenses under high-glucose conditions, demonstrating their potential to prevent sorbitol accumulation ex vivo. The findings of the present study suggest the potential of ginsenoside derivatives for use in the development of therapeutic or preventive agents for diabetic complications.     

Crystal Structure,Topology, DFT and Hirshfeld Surface Analysis of a Novel Charge Transfer Complex (L3) of Anthraquinone and 4-{[(anthracen-9-yl)meth-yl] amino}-benzoic Acid (L2) Exhibiting Photocatalytic Properties: An Experimental and Theoretical Approach

Here, we report a facile route to the synthesizing of a new donor–acceptor complex, L3, using 4-{[(anthracen-9-yl)meth-yl] amino}-benzoic acid, L2, as donor moiety with anthraquinone as an acceptor moiety. The formation of donor–acceptor complex L3 was facilitated via H-bonding and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The X-ray diffraction results confirmed the synthesized donor–acceptor complex L3 crystal belongs to the triclinic system possessing the P-1 space group. The complex L3 was also characterized by other spectral techniques, viz., FTIR and UV absorption spectroscopy, which confirmed the formation of new bonds between donor L2 moiety and acceptor anthraquinone molecule. The crystallinity and thermal stability of the newly synthesized complex L3 was confirmed by powdered XRD and TGA analysis and theoretical studies; Hirshfeld surface analysis was performed to define the type of interactions occurring in the complex L3. Interestingly, theoretical results were successfully corroborated with experimental results of FTIR and UV absorption. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed for HOMO to LUMO; the energy gap (∆E) was calculated to be 3.6463 eV. The complex L3 was employed as a photocatalyst for the degradation of MB dye and was found to be quite efficient. The results showed MB dye degraded about 90% in 200 min and followed the pseudo-first-order kinetic with rate constant k = 0.0111 min⁻¹ and R² = 0.9596. Additionally, molecular docking reveals that the lowest binding energy was −10.8 Kcal/mol which indicates that the L3 complex may be further studied for its biological applications.     

Convective--Diffusive Transport with Chemical Reaction in Natural Convection Flows

A study of laminar natural convection flow over a semi-infinite vertical plate at constant species concentration is examined. The plate is maintained at a given concentration of some chemical species while convection is induced by diffusion into and chemical reaction with the ambient fluid. In the absence of chemical reaction, a similarity transform is possible. When chemical reaction occurs, perturbation expansions about an additional similarity variable dependent on reaction rate must be employed. Two fundamental parameters of the problem are the Schmidt number, Sc, and the reaction order, n. Results are presented for the Schmidt number ranging from 0.01 to 10000 and reaction order up to 5. In the presence of a chemical reaction, the diffusion and velocity domains expand out from the plate. This results in a larger, less distinct convection layer. Received 21 July 1998 and accepted 24 June 1999     

Glycerol Valorization towards a Benzoxazine Derivative through a Milling and Microwave Sequential Strategy

Glycerol and aminophenol intermolecular condensation has been investigated through a milling and microwave-assisted sequential strategy, towards the synthesis of a benzoxaxine derivative. Mechanochemical activation prior to the microwave-assisted process could improve the probability of contact between the reagents, and greatly favors the higher conversion of aminophenol. At the same time, following a mechanochemical–microwave sequential approach could tune the selectivity towards the formation of a benzoxazine derivative, which could find application in a wide range of biomedical areas.     

Nanostructure Sn/C Composite High-Performance Negative Electrode for Lithium Storage

Tin-based nanocomposite materials embedded in carbon frameworks can be used as effective negative electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), owing to their high theoretical capacities with stable cycle performance. In this work, a low-cost and productive facile hydrothermal method was employed for the preparation of a Sn/C nanocomposite, in which Sn particles (sized in nanometers) were uniformly dispersed in the conductive carbon matrix. The as-prepared Sn/C nanocomposite displayed a considerable reversible capacity of 877 mAhg⁻¹ at 0.1 Ag⁻¹ with a high first cycle charge/discharge coulombic efficiency of about 77%, and showed 668 mAh/g even at a relatively high current density of 0.5 Ag⁻¹ after 100 cycles. Furthermore, excellent rate capability performance was achieved for 806, 697, 630, 516, and 354 mAhg⁻¹ at current densities 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 Ag⁻¹, respectively. This outstanding and significantly improved electrochemical performance is attributed to the good distribution of Sn nanoparticles in the carbon framework, which helped to produce Sn/C nanocomposite next-generation negative electrodes for lithium-ion storage.