Reconstruction Filters Improving the Spatial Resolution and Signal-to-Noise Ratio of Surface Plasmon Resonance Microscopy.

Benefitting from high sensitivity, real-time, and label-free imaging, surface plasmon resonance microscopy (SPRM) has become a powerful tool for dynamic detection of nanoparticles. However, the evanescent propagation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) induces interference between scattered and launched SPPs, which deteriorates the spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Due to the simplicity and fast processing, image reconstruction based on deconvolution has shown the feasibility of improving the spatial resolution of SPRM imaging. Retrieving the particle scattering from SPRM interference imaging by filters is crucial for reconstruction. In this work, we illustrate the effect of filters extracting SPP scattering of nanoparticles with different sizes and shapes for reconstruction. The results indicate that the optimum filters are determined by the material of nanoparticles instead of particle sizes. The reconstruction of single Au and PS nanospheres as well as Ag nanowires with optimum filters is achieved. The reconstructed spatial resolution is improved to 254 nm, and the SNR is increased by 8.1 times. Our research improves the quality of SPRM imaging and provides a reliable method for fast detection of particles with diverse sizes and shapes.

Directional surface plasmon polariton scattering using single magnetic nanoparticles.

Directional surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are expected to promote the energy efficiency of plasmonic devices, via limiting the energy in a given spatial domain. The directional scattering of dielectric nanoparticles induced by the interference between electric and magnetic responses presents a potential candidate for directional SPPs. Magnetic nanoparticles can introduce permeability as an extra manipulation, whose directional scattered SPPs have not been investigated yet. In this work, we demonstrated the directional scattered SPPs by using single magnetic nanoparticles via simulation and experiment. By increasing the permeability and particle size, the high-order TEM modes are excited inside the particle and induce more forward directional SPPs. It indicated that the particle size manifests larger tuning range compared with the permeability. Experimentally, the maximum forward-to-backward (F-to-B) SPP scattering intensity ratio of 118.52:1 is visualized by using a single 1 µm Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticle. The directional scattered SPPs of magnetic nanoparticles are hopeful to improve the efficiency of plasmonic devices and pave the way for plasmonic circuits on-chip.

Two-dimensional Janus SbTeBr/SbSI heterostructures as multifunctional optoelectronic systems with efficient carrier separation.

The stacking of two-dimensional (2D) materials is a highly effective approach in the design of high-performance optoelectronic devices. In this study, we propose a novel Janus monolayer-based 2D/2D van der Waals heterostructure (vdWH) called SbTeBr/SbSI. Starting from its most stable binding configuration, we systematically examined its electronic, optical, mechanical and dynamical properties. The SbTeBr/SbSI vdWH exhibits a type II band arrangement, with an indirect bandgap of 1.28 eV and strong light absorption capabilities in the visible range, achieving an absorption coefficient of 4 × 105 cm-1. These desirable properties suggest that SbTeBr/SbSI holds promise as a material for solar cells, potentially achieving a power conversion efficiency of 8.3%. The dipole-induced electric field in the SbTeBr/SbSI vdWH leads to significant differences in the mobilities of different carriers, which is a critical aspect in suppressing the recombination of photogenerated carriers. Additionally, according to the simulations of nonadiabatic molecular dynamics, a long electron-hole recombination time of 133 ps is predicted. Thus, the SbTeBr/SbSI heterostructure enables efficient charge separation, demonstrating its potential as a high-performance optoelectronic material.

Niclosamide - encapsulated lipid nanoparticles for the reversal of pulmonary fibrosis.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a serious and progressive fibrotic interstitial lung disease that is possibly life-threatening and that is characterized by fibroblast accumulation and collagen deposition. Nintedanib and pirfenidone are currently the only two FDA-approved oral medicines for PF. Some drugs such as antihelminthic drug niclosamide (Ncl) have shown promising therapeutic potentials for PF treatment. Unfortunately, poor aqueous solubility problems obstruct clinical application of these drugs. Herein, we prepared Ncl-encapsulated lipid nanoparticles (Ncl-Lips) for pulmonary fibrosis therapy. A mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin (BLM) was generated to assess the effects of Ncl-Lips and the mechanisms of reversing fibrosis in vivo. Moreover, cell models treated with transforming growth factor ß1 (TGFß1) were used to investigate the mechanism through which Ncl-Lips inhibit fibrosis in vitro. These findings demonstrated that Ncl-Lips could alleviate fibrosis, consequently reversing the changes in the levels of the associated marker. Moreover, the results of the tissue distribution experiment showed that Ncl-Lips had aggregated in the lung. Additionally, Ncl-Lips improved the immune microenvironment in pulmonary fibrosis induced by BLM. Furthermore, Ncl-Lips suppressed the TGFß1-induced activation of fibroblasts and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in epithelial cells. Based on these results, we demonstrated that Ncl-Lips is an efficient strategy for reversing pulmonary fibrosis via drug-delivery.

A novel approach has been developed to produce pure plant-based gel soy yogurt by combining soy proteins (7S/11S), high pressure homogenization, and glycation reaction.

This research sought to examine how the physicochemical characteristics of soy globulins and different processing techniques influence the gel properties of soy yogurt. The goal was to improve these gel properties and rectify any texture issues in soy yogurt, ultimately aiming to produce premium-quality plant-based soy yogurt. In this research study, the investigation focused on examining the impact of 7S/11S, homogenization pressure, and glycation modified with glucose on the gel properties of soy yogurt. A plant-based soy yogurt with superior gel and texture properties was successfully developed using a 7S/11S globulin-glucose conjugate at a 1:3 ratio and a homogenization pressure of 110 MPa. Compared to soy yogurt supplemented with pectin or gelatin, this yogurt demonstrated enhanced characteristics. These findings provide valuable insights into advancing plant protein gels and serve as a reference for cultivating new soybean varieties by soybean breeding experts.