Exploring the lead-free halide Cs2MGaBr6 (M = Li, Na) double perovskites for sustainable energy applications.

In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on the exploration of sustainable and eco-friendly materials well-suited for advanced applications in the realms of thermoelectrics and optoelectronics. Lead-free halide double perovskites have emerged as a compelling class of materials in this context. Nevertheless, despite their potential utility, thorough investigations into their thermal transport characteristics remain limited. In this systematic investigation, we employ density functional theory (DFT) and post-DFT techniques to elucidate the essential stability parameters, transport properties, and carrier-lattice interactions of the metal halide-based Cs2MGaBr6 (X = Li, Ga) double perovskites. Our assessment of structural stability involves a meticulous description of stability index parameters and the optimization of pristine structures using the GGA-PBE potential. Additionally, we calibrate the electronic structure while taking spin-orbit coupling (SOC) effects into consideration by using a combination of GGA and GGA + mBJ potentials. Our findings reveal that the TB-mBJ derived band gaps of 1.82 eV and 1.78 eV for Cs2LiGaBr6 and Cs2NaGaBr6 reside within the visible spectrum, prompting further investigation into their thermal transport characteristics. Moreover, we analyze the phonon characteristics and vibrational modes, extending our investigation to examine the electron-phonon coupling strength. The scrutiny of the Fröhlich coupling constant and the Feynman polaron radius unveils a stronger electron-phonon coupling strength. In the domain of thermoelectrics, the significant figure of merit (zT) values of 1.08 and 1.04 for Cs2LiGaBr6 and Cs2NaGaBr6, respectively, emphasize the considerable potential of these materials for deployment in renewable energy applications. Furthermore, our computational investigation into optical properties, including the dielectric constant, optical absorption, and refractive index, demonstrates optimal performance within the visible spectrum. Specifically, elevated absorption coefficient values of 30 × 10 4 cm - 1 for Cs2LiGaBr6 and 40 × 10 4 cm - 1 for Cs2NaGaBr6 are noted across visible and infrared spectra, highlighting their promising potential in optoelectronic and solar cell technologies.

Exploring The Legal Landscape of Islamic Fintech in Indonesia: A Comprehensive Analysis of Policies and Regulations.

The rapid growth of Islamic fintech in Indonesia necessitates a comprehensive examination of the policy and regulatory framework from a legal perspective. This study explores the legal landscape of Islamic fintech in Indonesia, analyzing the current policies and regulations governing this emerging sector. Using normative legal research with a statutory approach and conceptual approach. The primary and secondary legal materials, including government reports and scholarly articles, this research evaluates recent policy developments and regulatory initiatives supporting Islamic fintech. It identifies gaps and areas for improvement, drawing from best practices and regulatory approaches adopted by other countries with successful Islamic fintech ecosystems. Based on the findings, this research proposes recommendations to enhance the policy and regulatory framework. These include collaboration between regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders, tailored licensing frameworks, enhanced consumer protection mechanisms, and promotion of innovation in Shariah-compliant financial products and services. This study contributes to understanding the legal landscape of Islamic fintech in Indonesia, offering a comprehensive analysis of existing policies and regulations. By addressing challenges and proposing solutions, it aims to facilitate the growth of Islamic fintech and foster an inclusive and sustainable financial ecosystem in Indonesia.

Narrative review on nanoparticles based on current evidence: therapeutic agents for diabetic foot infection.

Diabetes's effects on wound healing present a major treatment challenge and increase the risk of amputation. When traditional therapies fail, new approaches must be investigated. With their submicron size and improved cellular internalisation, nanoparticles present a viable way to improve diabetic wound healing. They are attractive options because of their innate antibacterial qualities, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Nanoparticles loaded with organic or inorganic compounds, or embedded in biomimetic matrices such as hydrogels, chitosan, and hyaluronic acid, exhibit excellent anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. Drug delivery systems (DDSs)-more precisely, nanodrug delivery systems (NDDSs)-use the advantages of nanotechnology to get around some of the drawbacks of traditional DDSs. Recent developments show how expertly designed nanocarriers can carry a variety of chemicals, transforming the treatment of diabetic wounds. Biomaterials that deliver customised medications to the wound microenvironment demonstrate potential. Delivery techniques for nanomedicines become more potent than ever, overcoming conventional constraints. Therapeutics for diabetes-induced non-healing wounds are entering a revolutionary era thanks to precisely calibrated nanocarriers that effectively distribute chemicals. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of nanoparticles and outlines the multifunctional nanoparticles of the future that will be used for complete wound healing in diabetics. The investigation of novel nanodrug delivery systems has the potential to revolutionise diabetic wound therapy and provide hope for more efficient and focused therapeutic approaches.

"Naringenin: A Promising Immunomodulator for Anti-Inflammatory, Neuroprotective, and Anti-Cancer Applications".

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory, immune, and neurodegenerative diseases constitute a category of persistent and debilitating conditions affecting millions worldwide, with inter-twined pathophysiological pathways. Recent research has spotlighted naturally occurring compounds like naringenin for potential therapeutic applications across multiple ailments. OBJECTIVE: This review offers an encompassing exploration of naringenin's anti-inflamma-tory, immune-protective, and neuroprotective mechanisms, elucidating its pharmacological targets, signal transduction pathways, safety profile, and insights from clinical investigations. METHODS: Data for this review were amassed through the scrutiny of various published studies via search engines such as PubMed and Google Scholar. Content from reputable publishers including Bentham Science, Taylor and Francis, Nature, PLOS ONE, among others, was referenced. RESULTS: Naringenin exhibits substantial anti-inflammatory effects by restraining the NF-κB signaling pathway. It activates Nrf2, renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties, inducing the release of hemeoxynase-1 by macrophages. Furthermore, naringenin treatment downregulates the expression of Th1 cytokines and inflammatory mediators. It also impedes xanthine oxidase, counteracts reactive oxygen species (ROS), scavenges superoxide radicals, mitigates the accessibility of oxygen-induced K+ erythrocytes, and reduces lipid peroxidation. Naringenin's antioxidant prowess holds promise for addressing neurological conditions. CONCLUSION: Extensive research has been undertaken to establish the anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective attributes of naringenin across various medical domains, lending credence to its pharmacological utility. The principal obstacle to naringenin's adoption as a therapeutic agent remains the dearth of in vivo data. Efforts should focus on rendering naringenin delivery patient-friendly, economically viable, and technologically advanced.

A DFT study of vibrational spectra of 5-chlorouracil with molecular structure, HOMO-LUMO, MEPs/ESPs and thermodynamic properties.

The density functional theory calculation has been carried out for the analysis of 5-chlorouracil using DFT/Gaussian 09 with GAR2PED. Recorded experimental spectra for Raman and IR of 5-chlorouracil have been analyzed all fundamental vibrational modes using the outcome results of DFT at 6-311++G** of Gaussian 09 calculations and the GaussView 5.09. To help the analysis of vibrational modes, GAR2PED program has been used in the calculation of PEDs. The charge transfer properties of 5-chlorouracil have been analyzed using HOMO and LUMO level energy analysis. HOMO and LUMO energy gap study supports the charge transfer possibility in molecule. These have been made to study for reactivity and stability of heterocyclic molecules for the analysis of antiviral drugs against the new corona virus: COVID-19. Here, the smaller energy gap of 5-chlorouracil is more responsible for charge transfer interaction in the heterocyclic drug molecules and a reason of more bioactivity. The electron density mapping within molecular electrostatic potential plot and electrostatic potential plotting within iso-surface plot have been evaluated the charge distribution concept in the molecule as the nucleophilic reactions and electrophilic sites. These computations have been used to produce the molecular charges, structure and thermodynamic functions of biomolecule. This study has been made to all internal modes of chloro group substituent at pyrimidine ring of C5 atom. The splitting of frequencies has arisen in the two species for the normal distribution modes.

Principle component analysis for nonlinear optical properties of thiophene-based metal complexes.

The simulation of molecular descriptors of thiophene-based metal complexes has been performed using Gaussian 03 and Atomistic toolkit Virtual Nanolab (ATK-VNL) software. It is found that with respect to the obtained molecular descriptors, the molecules show distinct properties. The dimensions of the data set being large, the principal components (PC1 and PC2) have been obtained using principal component analysis (PCA). Analysis has been done for the Linear regression of principal components with first hyperpolarizability and second hyperpolarizability of the molecules. The results indicate that, of all the calculated molecular descriptors of thiophene-based metal complexes, the molecular energy (E), ionization energy (EI), and molecular dipole moment (D) plays a dominant role in determining their nonlinear optical properties i.e., the hyperpolarizability value, of the studied molecules. Also, the molecular descriptors, polarizability (P) and molar refractivity (MR), show considerable impact on the nonlinear optical properties of the studied molecules.

A facile green synthesis of functionalized carbon quantum dots as fluorescent probes for a highly selective and sensitive detection of Fe3+ ions.

In this study, we have reported an economical, easy, greener and non-toxic synthesis route of water soluble carbon quantum dots (CQDs) through hydrothermal treatment using gelatin as precursor. Under the UV lamp of wavelength 365 nm, the as-prepared CQDs exhibit strong blue fluorescence along with CIE coordinate index of (0.17, 0.14) and possess a quantum yield of 22.7% with rhodamine B as standard. The morphology of as-synthesized CQDs as investigated by TEM measurement confirmed their spherical shape and also revealed that their sizes varied in the scale of 0.5-5 nm. Furthermore, the CQDs showed excitation dependent fluorescence emission behaviour in range of 280 nm to 420 nm as a result of quantum confinement effect. Apart from this, in CQDs solution, the addition of Fe3+ ion lead to fluorescence quenching effect. These results revealed that the as-synthesized CQDs have a sensitive response towards the Fe3+ ion. The calculated limit of detection (LOD) is 0.2 µM with correlation coefficient R2 = 0.996 in the concentration range 0 to 50 µM. More remarkably, the application of CQDs for monitoring the trace level of Fe3+ ion in tap water yielded acceptable recoveries (103.33%-105%). Therefore, this work provides a novel additional fluorescent probe for the detection of Fe3+ ion in real world.

Ab initio and semiempirical study of structure and electronic spectra of hydroxy substituted naphthoquinones.

The geometries of hydroxy derivatives of 1,4-naphthoquinone (NQ), viz., 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (2HNQ), 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (5HNQ), and 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (DHNQ), have been optimized using the semiempirical and ab initio theoretical methods. Semiempirical methods used for the optimization are Austin Model 1 (AM1) and Zerner's Intermediate Neglect of Differential Overlap/1(ZINDO/1). For ab initio calculations the 6-31G* basis set is used. The electronic spectra of 1,4-naphthoquinone and its hydroxy derivatives are calculated using the semiempirical Zerner's Intermediate Neglect of Differential Overlap/Spectroscopy (ZINDO/S) method employing the geometries optimized at AM1, ZINDO/1 and ab initio levels and compared with their electronic absorption spectra measured by us. For hydroxy substituted systems, such calculations for spectral assignments are made for the first time. It is found that though the predictions of the three theoretical methods for the geometries are similar, the predictions of the ZINDO/S method using the ZINDO/1 optimized geometries, are better for the transition wavelengths in the visible region of the hydroxy substituted naphthoquinones, especially for 5HNQ and DHNQ.

Investigations on Leucas cephalotes (Roth.) Spreng. for inhibition of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory mediators in murine macrophages and in rat model.

Silica gel column chromatography fractionation of the dichloromethane extract (LCD) of Leucas cephalotes (Roth.) Spreng. led to the isolation of five compounds namely ß-sitosterol (1) + stigmasterol (2), lupeol (3), oleanolic acid (4) and laballenic acid (5). Also, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of sub-fraction (LCD-F1) of this extract showed the presence of eleven (6-16) compounds. In addition to this, 3-5 and LCD-F1 were evaluated for lipopolysachharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1ß production in RAW 264.7 and J774A.1 cells. Results directed that 4 and 5 were found to inhibit these mediators at half maximal inhibitory concentration of 17.12 to 57.20 µM while IC50 for LCD-F1 was found to be 15.56 to 31.71 µg/mL. Furthermore, LCD at a dose of 50, 100 and 400 mg/Kg was found to reduce significantly LPS induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1ß production in female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. All the results findings evoked that the anti-inflammatory effects of Leucas cephalotes is partially mediated through the suppression of pro-inflammatory mediators and hence can be utilized for the development of anti-inflammatory candidates.

Electronic absorption spectra of amino substituted anthraquinones and their interpretation using the ZINDO/S and AM1 methods.

Electronic absorption spectra of 1,2-diamino-9,10-anthraquinone (12DAAQ), 1,4-diamino-9,10-anthraquinone (14DAAQ), 1,5-diamino-9,10-anthraquinone (15DAAQ), and 2,6-diamino-9,10-anthraquinone (26DAAQ) are investigated. Molecular geometries of the amino anthraquinones in the ground state are optimized using the semiempirical ZINDO/1 and AM1 methods without imposing any symmetry constraints. The ground state geometries of all the molecular systems are found to be planar. For interpretation of the spectra, ZINDO/S-CI and AM1-CI calculations employing singly excited configuration using the completely optimized geometry are carried out. Such calculations on the electronic spectra of amino anthraquinones are carried out for the first time. On the basis of these calculations, the assignment of the spectra are successfully made.

Study of self-defocusing, reverse saturable absorption and photoluminescence in anthraquinone PMMA nanocomposite film.

The nanocomposite film of 1,5-diamino-9,10-anthraquinone in poly methyl methacrylate has been fabricated by following guest-host method. Intense reverse saturable absorption and self-defocusing effect have been investigated by employing Z-scan technique with low power CW laser at 532 nm with different intensities for the dye-polymer composite film. The estimated values of nonlinear absorption coefficient ß, nonlinear refractive index n2 and third order susceptibility χ((3)) of the composite film are of the order of 10(-3) (m/W), 10(-11) (m(2)/W) and 10(-4) (esu), respectively. The dye molecules have been encapsulated uniformly between molecules of polymer as a nanocomposite with average roughness ∼7.96 nm as characterized by AFM technique. The nanocomposite film also exhibited strong photoluminescence emission when excited with 532 nm. The second order hyperpolarizability of composite film has also been estimated. The evaluated figure of merit W having a value greater than 1, and the results obtained suggest that the composite film of 1,5-diamino-9,10-anthraquinone-PMMA has potential applications in nonlinear optical devices.

Experimental and theoretical investigations of nonlinear optical properties of 1,4-Diamino-9,10-Anthraquionone.

Nonlinear optical properties of 1,4-Diamino-9,10-Anthraquinone dye in solution at different concentrations are investigated by utilizing single beam Z-scan technique using a low power continuous wave laser (λ=532 nm). The anthraquinone dye is found to exhibit self-defocusing and reverse saturable absorption behavior. Effect of concentration on nonlinear refractive index and nonlinear absorption coefficient are also studied. The nonlinear absorption coefficient (ß) and nonlinear refractive index (n2) have been evaluated from the open aperture and closed aperture Z-scan data and are found to increase with increase in concentration. The order of magnitude obtained for nonlinear refractive index and nonlinear absorption coefficient are found to be 10(-6) esu and 10(-4) m/W, respectively. The optical limiting behavior and induced self-diffraction patterns are also observed. To have a theoretical insight of nonlinear optical properties of 1,4-Diamino-9,10-Anthraquinone, first hyperpolarizability (ß) is also evaluated by using quantum chemical calculations employing DFT method using 6-311 G basis set. The results obtained confirm the nonlinear optical behavior of 1,4-Diamino-9,10-Anthraquinone dye.

Time resolved spectroscopy and gain studies of Fullerenes C60 and C70.

The fluorescence decay time of Fullerenes C60 and C70 in pure form as well as in mixture with Coumarin C440 and Quinizarine dyes are studied. Results indicate that the decay of pure fullerenes is constant throughout the solute concentration and it is also independent of excitation wavelength, whereas in the case of mixture with dyes different behavior is noticed. We have also calculated the Stern-Volmer quenching constant and optical gain of both the fullerenes from which it is found that the optical gain is positive for Fullerene C70 only in a very narrow range of concentration.

Comparative study of serum zinc, copper, manganese, and iron in preeclamptic pregnant women.

Preeclampsia complicates 2-8 % of all pregnancies and it is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality and pre-term delivery in the world. Unfortunately, there is scarcity of document discussing the circulating level of several essential trace elements in preeclampsia patients in Bangladesh. The present study was designed to evaluate the serum concentration of four trace elements, namely zinc, copper, manganese, and iron, in preeclamptic pregnant women. The study was conducted as a case-control study with 50 preeclamptic pregnant women as cases and 58 normotensive pregnant women as controls. Obstetric, anthropometric, and clinical data were collected at routine obstetric visits. Serum trace elements were determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Independent sample t test and Pearson's correlation test were done for the statistical analysis using the statistical software package SPSS, version 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). We observed significant differences for gestational age, body mass index, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure between patient and control groups (p < 0.05). Analysis of serum trace elements explored significantly lower level of all the four elements in preeclampsia patients in comparison to the control group (p < 0.05). Pearson's correlation analysis explored that the correlation between serum level of different trace elements was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05) except the correlation between zinc and iron in preeclampsia patients (p < 0.05). Establishment of inter-element relationship strongly supports that there was a disturbance in the element homeostasis in patient with preeclampsia. In conclusion, our study suggests that preeclampsia patients have considerably lower level of serum zinc, copper, manganese, and iron compared to the healthy pregnant women.

Genetic modifiers of hypertension in soluble guanylate cyclase α1-deficient mice.

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an essential role in regulating hypertension and blood flow by inducing relaxation of vascular smooth muscle. Male mice deficient in a NO receptor component, the α1 subunit of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGCα1), are prone to hypertension in some, but not all, mouse strains, suggesting that additional genetic factors contribute to the onset of hypertension. Using linkage analyses, we discovered a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 1 that was linked to mean arterial pressure (MAP) in the context of sGCα1 deficiency. This region is syntenic with previously identified blood pressure-related QTLs in the human and rat genome and contains the genes coding for renin. Hypertension was associated with increased activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Further, we found that RAAS inhibition normalized MAP and improved endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in sGCα1-deficient mice. These data identify the RAAS as a blood pressure-modifying mechanism in a setting of impaired NO/cGMP signaling.

Förster's resonance energy transfer between Fullerene C60 and Coumarin C440.

The interaction between Coumarin C440 with Fullerene C60 has been studied by fluorescence and time resolved spectroscopic techniques. The Coumarin C440-Fullerene C60 pair shows Forster's resonance energy transfer (FRET) from Coumarin C440 (donor) to Fullerenes C60 (acceptor). The FRET efficiency of this pair increases with the increase of the acceptor concentration. The critical energy transfer distance (R0) at which transfer efficiency is 50% is found to be 34Ǻ. Stern-Volmer plot indicates static as well as dynamic quenching. However, the FRET studies show highest efficiency at the critical stage of dimer formation.