Single quantum dots for slow and fast light in a planar photonic crystal

We theoretically investigate slow and fast light propagation and pulse velocity control in a nanocavity containing a single quantum dot side-coupled to a planar-photonic-crystal waveguide. We demonstrate that low coupling strength (i.e., the weak coupling regime) between a cavity and a dot, under on-resonance condition, can lead to delays of about +90 ps for a pulse 1/e-width of 280 ps. The group delay dependence on the various coupling parameters suggests achievable delays of +300 ps and consequently very slow light speeds of around 5000 m/s in a 1.5 microm cavity-waveguide section. We also show that under off-resonant condition one can achieve significant pulse advancement of -60 ps.     

Effects of pluronic silica nanoparticles on the photophysical and photodynamic therapy behavior of triphenyl-p-phenoxy benzoic acid metalloporphyrins

5, 10, 15, Triphenyl-20-p-phenoxy benzoic acid porphyrins (P) containing Zn (ZnP), Ga (GaP), and Si (SiP) were synthesized and conjugated to pluronic-silica (PluS) nanoparticles (NPs) where the fluorescence and singlet oxygen generating behavior of the porphyrins were investigated. The highest singlet oxygen quantum yield (Φ_Δ) was obtained for ZnP. When the porphyrins were conjugated to the PluS NPs, the Φ_Δ was quenched and fluorescence was enhanced. The pore size of the NPs upon conjugation decreased from 18.9 nm for PluS NPs to 2.4 nm (for ZnP as an example) as determined by applying the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method. The porphyrin complexes and their conjugates were tested for their photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. It was found that ZnP and its conjugate showed the highest PDT activity. The p > 0.05 indicated that ZnP is significantly different than GaP and SiP.     

Synthesis and dark toxicity of 5-(4-carboxyphenyl)-10,15,20-tris(phenyl)-porphyrinato chlorido gallium(III) when conjugated to δ-aminolevulinic acid

5-(4-Carboxyphenyl)-10,15,20-tris(phenyl)-porphyrinato chlorido gallium(III) (2) was synthesized and then linked to ethyl ester δ-aminolevulinic acid to form 3. There was no shift in Soret band following conjugation. The fluorescence and singlet oxygen generating behavior of the porphyrins were also investigated. The highest singlet oxygen quantum yield (Φ_Δ) obtained was that of 3. Complexes 2 and 3 as well as metal free 5-(4-carboxyphenyl)-10,15,20-tris(phenyl)-porphyrinato showed no dark toxicity on MCF-7 breast cancer cells.     

NMR-Based Metabolomic Analyses to Identify the Effect of Harvesting Frequencies on the Leaf Metabolite Profile of a Moringa oleifera Cultivar Grown in an Open Hydroponic System

Moringa oleifera Lam. is one of the world’s most useful medicinal plants. Different parts of the M. oleifera tree contain a rich profile of important minerals, proteins, vitamins, and various important bioactive compounds. However, there are differences in the phytochemical composition of the medicinal plant’s raw materials due to seasonal variation, cultivation practices, and post-harvest processing. The main objective of this study was therefore to determine the effect of harvesting frequencies on selected bioactive compounds of a M. oleifera cultivar (PKM1) grown in a hydroponic system under a shade net structure. Three harvesting frequency treatments were applied in the study, with the plants harvested at every 30 days (high frequency), 60 days (intermediate frequency), and 90 days (low frequency) respectively. ¹H-NMR was used for data acquisition, and multivariate data analysis by means of principal component analysis (PCA), partial least square discriminatory analysis (PLS-DA), and orthogonal partial least square discriminatory analysis (OPLS-DA) were applied to determine the changes in the leaf metabolite profile, and also to identify the spectral features contributing to the separation of samples. Targeted metabolite analysis was used to match the NMR peaks of the compounds with the NMR chemical shifts of the contribution plot. The contribution plot showed that the increase in concentration of some compounds in aliphatic, sugar and aromatic regions contributed to the separation of the samples. The results revealed that intermediate and low harvesting frequencies resulted in a change in the leaf metabolite profile. Compounds such as chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, vanillic acid, wogonin, esculetin, niazirin, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) showed an increase under intermediate and low harvesting frequencies. These results provide insight into the effect of harvesting frequencies on the metabolite profile and associated medicinal activity of M. oleifera.