Resonant Broadband Field Enhancement in Cylindrical Plasmonic Structure Surrounded by Perovskite Environment

We demonstrate the optical response of metal nanoparticles and their interaction with organic-inorganic perovskite (methyl ammonia lead halide (CH₃NH₃PbI₃)) environment using discrete dipole approximation (DDA) simulation technique. Important optical properties like absorption, scattering, and electric field calculations for metal nanoparticle using different geometry have been analyzed. The metal nanoparticles embedded in the perovskite media strongly support surface plasmon resonances (SPRs). The plasmonic interaction of metal nanoparticles with perovskite matrix is a strong function of MNP’s shape, size, and surrounding environment that can manipulate the optical properties considerably. The cylindrical shape of MNPs embedded in perovskite environment supports the SPR which is highly tunable to subwavelength range of 400–800 nm. Wide range of particle sizes has been selected for Ag, Au, and Al spherical and cylindrical nanostructures surrounded by perovskite matrix for simulation. The chosen hybrid material and anisotropy of structure together make a complex function for resonance shape and width. Among all MNPs, 70-nm spherical silver nanoparticle (NP) and cylindrical Ag NP having diameter of 50 nm and length of 70 nm (aspect ratio 1.4) generate strong electric field intensity that facilitates increased photon absorption. The plasmonic perovskite interaction plays an important role to improve the absorption of photon inside the thin film perovskite environment that may be applicable to photovoltaics and photonics.

     

One-pot two-step facile synthesis of 2,3,4,5-tetra substituted dihydrooxazoles and their antimicrobial activity

New 2,3,4,5-tetra substituted dihydrooxazoles derivatives were efficiently synthesized starting from benzaldehyde, aryl thiosemicarbazide and benzoin using designed synthetic route. Newly synthesized 2,3,4,5-tetra substituted dihydrooxazole derivatives were screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activities against different strains of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were determined for the test compounds using positive and negative control. Compounds 4b, 4d, 4f, 4i, 4k and 4m, have shown good antibacterial activity whereas compounds 4e, 4g, 4h, 4j, 4l and 4n have displayed better antifungal activity.     

In vitro studies on degradation of synthetic dye mixture by Comamonas sp. VS-MH2 and evaluation of its efficacy using simulated microcosm

Reactive azo dyes are considered as one of the most detrimental pollutants from industrial effluents and therefore their biodegradation is receiving constant scientific consideration. A bacterial isolate VS-MH2, originating from dye contaminated sites of Gujarat, India, was exploited for its ability to degrade a synthetic dye mixture (SDM) (comprising of four azo reactive dyes) under static conditions. The identification of the isolate by 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed it to be Comamonas sp. The biodegradation of the SDM was analyzed by UV-vis spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy and GC-MS analysis. The isolate showed high metabolic activity towards SDM and degraded it completely (100 mg L(-1)) within 30 h at pH 7 and 35 °C. Simulated microcosm studies in the presence and absence of indigenous microflora confirmed the ability of Comamonas sp. VS-MH2 for dye degradation and to colonize the soil. This is the first investigation reporting the degradation of SDM by Comamonas sp. under simulated soil microcosms.     

In vitro propagation of Dendrobium aphyllum (Orchidaceae)—seed germination to flowering

This communication describes asymbiotic seed germination, protocorm development, micropropagation and flowering in in vitro and hardened seedlings of Dendrobium aphyllum (Roxb.) C.E.C. Fischer. Effects of four culture media viz., Murashige and Skoog (MS); Phytamax (Sigma Chemical Co. USA; PM); Mitra et al. (M) and Knudson ‘C’ (KC), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), peptone and activated charcoal were studied on seed germination and protocorm development. Maximum germination (97 %) was recorded in PM basal medium. Peptone (2.0 gl^?1) remarkably enhanced germination percentage (100 %), vigorous growth, high survival and subsequent development of protocorms, while in activated charcoal the response was not encouraging. BAP improved germination percentage, however, 2,4-D showed noticeably low seed germination. The morphogenetic response of protocorms and nodal segments of in vitro raised seedlings varied depending on type of explants and concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators used. Stout root system was induced in 1/2PM + 0.5 mgl^?1 IAA. Approximately 10 % of the in vitro raised plants (4–5 cm) with 3–4 leaves flowered in vitro irrespective of flowering season. The well-rooted plants showed 80 % survival under green house conditions and flowering was noticed after 5–6 months in 10 % of hardened plants.     

Induction of prematurely condensed chromosomes from testicular cells of the mouse

Mitotic CHO cells and mouse testicular cells were fused with polyethylene glycol. Several types of prematurely condensed chromosomes were observed. From chromosome morphology it was possible to determine that most of the PCC represented mouse cells. Labeling of either the CHO cells in vitro or the testicular cells in vivo with ³H-TdR prior to fusion also demonstrated that the PCC were derived from the mouse cells. In some PCC, 20 chromosomes could be counted, the haploid number for mouse. It is assumed that these PCC were induced in mouse spermatid nuclei.