Influence of Gd3+ doping concentration on the properties of Na(Y,Gd)F4:Yb3+, Tm3+ upconverting nanoparticles and their long-term aging behavior

We present a systematic study on the properties of Na(Y,Gd)F4-based upconverting nanoparticles (UCNP) doped with 18% Yb3+, 2% Tm3+, and the influence of Gd3+ (10–50 mol% Gd3+). UCNP were synthesized via the solvothermal method and had a range of diameters within 13 and 50 nm. Structural and photophysical changes were monitored for the UCNP samples after a 24-month incubation period in dry phase and further redispersion. Structural characterization was performed by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as well as dynamic light scattering (DLS), and the upconversion luminescence (UCL) studies were executed at various temperatures (from 4 to 295 K) using time-resolved and steady-state spectroscopy. An increase in the hexagonal lattice phase with the increase of Gd3+ content was found, although the cubic phase was prevalent in most samples. The Tm3+-luminescence intensity as well as the Tm3+-luminescence decay times peaked at the Gd3+ concentration of 30 mol%. Although the general upconverting luminescence properties of the nanoparticles were preserved, the 24-month incubation period lead to irreversible agglomeration of the UCNP and changes in luminescence band ratios and lifetimes.

Исследование влияния слабых магнитных полей на термодинамические свойства модели Поттса с числом состояний спина q=4 на гексагональной решетке

The replica exchange algorithm of the Monte Carlo method was used to study phase transitions and thermodynamic properties of the two-dimensional Potts model with the number of spin states q = 4 on a hexagonal lattice in weak magnetic fields. The studies were carried out for the interval of the magnetic field value 0.0 ≤ Н ≤ 3.0 with a step of 1.0. It is found that a first-order phase transition is observed in the considered range of field values.

К модельному описанию электронного спектра графеноподобных Янус-структур

Model of C – AB – D Janus structure as the compound formed by the interacting through atoms А and В dimers А – С and В – D, where А and В atoms are in the sites of two-dimensional hexagonal lattice and C and D atoms are on the opposite sides from AB list is proposed. In the scope of tight-binding theory and Green’s function method general equation for the dispersion low is obtained. The particular cases of C – AА – D и А – AB – В compounds are considered and analytical expressions for their electronic spectra is fulfilled. The effect of the external mechanical deformation on the band parameters including effective masses is examined. Problem of the magnetic states in Janus compounds is discussed.

Ultra-Sensitive Biosensor with Simultaneous Detection (of Cancer and Diabetes) and Analysis of Deformation Effects on Dielectric Rods in Optical Microstructure

This study proposes a refractive index sensor for the simultaneous detection of cancer and diabetes based on photonic crystals (PhC). The proposed PhC composed of silicon rods in the air bed arranged in a hexagonal lattice forms the fundamental structure. Two tubes are used to place the cancerous or diabetic samples for measurement. The sensor’s transmission characteristics are simulated and analyzed by solving Maxwell’s electromagnetic equations using the finite-difference time-domain approach for samples being studied. Therefore, diabetes and cancer are detected according to the changes in the refractive index of the samples using the laser source centered at 1550 nm. Considering the findings, the sensor’s geometry changes to adjust the suggested sensitivity and quality factor of structure. According to the results, transmission power ranges between 91 and 100% based on the sample. Moreover, sensitivity ranges from 1294 to 3080 nm/RIU and the maximum Figure of Mertie is nearly FOM = 1550.11 ± 150.11 RIU−1 with the detection in range 31 × 10−6 RIU. In addition, the small area (61.56 μm2) of biosensor results in its appropriateness for different uses in compact photonic integrated circuits. Next, we changed the shape of the dielectric rods and investigated their effects on the sensitivity parameter. The sensitivity and figure of merit after changes in the shape of dielectric rods and nanocavities are at best S = 20,393 nm/RIU and FOM = 9104.017 ± 606.93 RIU−1, receptively. In addition, the resolution detection range is 203.93 × 10−6 RIU.

Pharmaceutical and Physico Chemical Analysis of Tuttha Bhasma

Rasa sastra is an ancient science dealing with various drugs of mineral and metallic origin Tuttha (copper sulphate) is a mineral useful in various clinical conditions externally as well as internally. According to Rasasastra, through the process of Shodhana (purification) and Marana (incineration) the harmful effects of Tuttha bhasma (incinerated copper sulphate) is nullified resulting in the formation of a newer compound that is therapeutically more potent. To prepare Tuttha Bhasma by adopting standard manufacturing procedure explained in Ayurvedic texts as well as to study it’s physical and chemical characters using traditional and modern analytical tools. The pharmaceutical processing of Tuttha bhasma was carried out in three Kukkuta puta (incineration) with a peak temperature of 6100C according to Rasa Tarangini reference. Physico chemical analysis, Energy-Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Particle Size Analysis (PSA) were conducted. The final product shows presence of nano particles which was confirmed by particle analysis. XRD results of Tuttha bhasma revealed the presence of copper sulphide (covellite) with hexagonal lattice and sodium sulphate with orthorhombic structure. All of the preparation stages and changes in the properties were documented and validated, and they may now be used as a valuable tool for standardization and quality assurance of Tuttha bhasma.

Synthesis and Characterization of Barium-Iron Oxide Based Neodymium, Gadolinium and Praseodymium Doped Ceramic Materials

Neodymium, gadolinium, and praseodymium doped barium-iron oxide ceramic materials were synthesized by polymeric precursor method. No carbon contents or the moisture was observed in infrared spectra of the ceramics. Neodymium and gadolinium doped ceramics were crystallized in cubic lattice form, while praseodymium doped ceramic was formed in hexagonal lattice. Same results were observed from SEM images, Neodymium and gadolinium doped ceramics had similar morphological structures, but praseodymium doped ceramics had slightly different morphology. Neodymium and gadolinium doped ceramics consisted of grain-like structure, while praseodymium doped ceramic material consisted of both grain-like and pillar-like crystal structures.

Ultra-Wide Bandgap in Two-Dimensional Metamaterial Embedded with Acoustic Black Hole Structures

This paper reports a type of metamaterial plate enabling in-plane ultra-wide vibration isolation in engineering equipment development. It is composed of periodic hexagonal lattice structures. The acoustic black hole (ABH) structures are embedded in each cell wall of the conventional hexagonal lattice, which results in the reduction of local stiffness in the cell wall and the local mass in the hexagonal corner. The lattice can be simplified as the form of lumped masses vibrating on springs, and two types of eigenstates can be obtained: the rotational eigenstates and the transverse eigenstates. The geometric nonlinearity of the ABH structure leads to unevenly distributed vibration modes, resulting in the ultra-wide bandgap. Experimental results prove the effective attenuation capacity. Compared with the traditional hexagonal lattice, the proposed design provides greater advantages in practical application.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Genes Associated With Sexual Dichromatism of Head Feather Color in Mallard

Sexual dimorphism of feather color is typical in mallards, in which drakes exhibit green head feathers, while females show dull head feather color. We showed that more melanosomes deposited in the males’ head’s feather barbules than females and further form a two-dimensional hexagonal lattice, which conferred the green feather coloration of drakes. Additionally, transcriptome analysis revealed that some essential melanin biosynthesis genes were highly expressed in feather follicles during the development of green feathers, contributing to melanin deposition. We further identified 18 candidate differentially expressed genes, which may affect the sharp color differences between the males’ head feathers, back feathers, and the females’ head feathers. TYR and TYRP1 genes are associated with melanin biosynthesis directly. Their expressions in the males’ head feather follicles were significantly higher than those in the back feather follicles and females’ head feather follicles. Most clearly, the expression of TYRP1 was 256 and 32 times higher in the head follicles of males than in those of the female head and the male back, respectively. Hence, TYR and TYRP1 are probably the most critical candidate genes in DEGs. They may affect the sexual dimorphism of head feather color by cis-regulation of some transcription factors and the Z-chromosome dosage effect.

Performance analysis of all optical 2 × 1 multiplexer in 2D photonic crystal structure

In optical processing systems, multiplexer is used to design optical devices such as arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and shift register (SR). Through this paper, we investigate the application of nonlinear photonic crystal ring resonator (PhCRR) based on nonlinear Kerr effect for realizing an all optical 2 × 1 multiplexer. The structure consists of two PhCRRs and five optical waveguides using hexagonal lattice silicon (Si) rods with a background of air. Performance of all optical 2 × 1 multiplexer is replicated with the help of finite difference time domain (FDTD) procedure at a wavelength of 1571 nm, and simulations presented an ultra-compact optical structure with ultra-fast switching speed.