Efficient Second-Harmonic Generation from Dielectric Inter-subband Polaritonic Metasurfaces Coupled to Lattice Resonance.

Nonlinear optical metasurfaces offer a possibility to perform frequency mixing without the phase-matching constraints of bulk nonlinear crystals and with control of the local nonlinear response at a sub-wavelength scale. Nonlinear inter-subband polaritonic metasurfaces created by combining the semiconductor heterostructures with quantum-engineered inter-subband nonlinear response and electromagnetically engineered metal-clad nanoresonators offer by far the largest second-order nonlinear response of all condensed matter systems reported to date. However, the nonlinear optical response of these metasurfaces is limited by optical intensity saturation in the nanoresonator hot spots that prevented the achievement of power conversion efficiencies over 0.2% in three-wave mixing experiments. In this study, we propose and experimentally demonstrate dielectric inter-subband polaritonic metasurfaces for second-harmonic generation that achieve 0.37% power conversion efficiency. Our structure is created by a new design approach that combines dielectric resonators inducing Mie resonant modes with a lattice resonance to achieve a uniform and high field enhancement throughout the meta-atom volume.

Giant Nonlinear Circular Dichroism from Intersubband Polaritonic Metasurfaces.

Nonlinear metasurfaces are advancing into a new paradigm of "flat nonlinear optics" owing to the ability to engineer local nonlinear responses in subwavelength-thin films. Recently, attempts have been made to expand the design space of nonlinear metasurfaces through nonlinear chiral responses. However, the development of metasurfaces that display both giant nonlinear circular dichroism and significantly large nonlinear optical response is still an unresolved challenge. Herein, we propose a method that induces giant nonlinear responses with near-unity circular dichroism using polaritonic metasurfaces with optical modes in chiral plasmonic nanocavities coupled with intersubband transitions in semiconductor heterostructures designed to have giant second and third order nonlinear responses. A stark contrast between effective nonlinear susceptibility elements for the two spin states of circularly polarized pump beams was seen in the hybrid structure. Experimentally, near-unity nonlinear circular dichroism and conversion efficiencies beyond 10-4% for second- and third-harmonic generation were achieved simultaneously in a single chip.

Generation of E-band metasurface-based vortex beam with reduced divergence angle.

Vortex beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) have attracted considerable attention for the development of high-capacity wireless communication systems due to their infinite sets of orthogonal modes. However, the practical applications of Laguerre-Gaussian type vortex beams are limited due to the fact that the divergence angle increases as the order of the OAM mode increases. In this work, we present metasurfaces that generate vortex beams carrying OAM modes with reduced divergence angles in the E-band frequency range. The metasurfaces were designed using eight different meta-atom phase elements, including a spiral phase distribution for OAM modes l = 1 and 2, a phase gradient array to avoid interference with the source beam, and a lens pattern array to reduce the divergence angle. Through simulation and experimental measurement, it was confirmed that the divergence angle of the vortex beam generated by the metasurface with the lens pattern was reduced from 13° to 9° and 14° to 11° for OAM modes l = 1 and 2, respectively, in comparison with the metasurface without the lens pattern. Our results provide new design methods for various applications based on OAM multiplexing especially in high frequency E-band range.

Low-threshold optically pumped lasing in highly strained germanium nanowires.

The integration of efficient, miniaturized group IV lasers into CMOS architecture holds the key to the realization of fully functional photonic-integrated circuits. Despite several years of progress, however, all group IV lasers reported to date exhibit impractically high thresholds owing to their unfavourable bandstructures. Highly strained germanium with its fundamentally altered bandstructure has emerged as a potential low-threshold gain medium, but there has yet to be a successful demonstration of lasing from this seemingly promising material system. Here we demonstrate a low-threshold, compact group IV laser that employs a germanium nanowire under a 1.6% uniaxial tensile strain as the gain medium. The amplified material gain in strained germanium can sufficiently overcome optical losses at 83 K, thus allowing the observation of multimode lasing with an optical pumping threshold density of ~3.0 kW cm-2. Our demonstration opens new possibilities for group IV lasers for photonic-integrated circuits.

Aqueous Antibacterial Enhancement Using Kapok Fibers Chemically Modified in 3-D Crosslinked Structure.

The surface of a kapok fiber was coated with Dopamine (DOPA) through a three-dimensional (3-D) polymerization. Such surface-modified kapok fiber was useful in deactivating microbial activity of microorganisms such as bacteria. The morphology of the surface-modified kapok fiber was analyzed with a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). After a silver coating process along with DOPA functionalization, a strong antibacterial property was observed against Escherichia coli (E. coli), using a direct contact method. Almost 100% of bacterial cells were deactivated in 4 h, also showing a complete hindrance to a bacterial growth for 48 h. With the help of the images of FE-SEM and its analysis, the mechanism of an antibacterial assay was enlightened and reasonably estimated that silver ions from the poly-DOPA-coated kapok fiber with silver (KF-DOPA/Ag) led to alterations of cell morphology. This 3-D composite successfully interacted in vitro with functional groups in terms of bacterial deactivation.

Ge microdisk with lithographically-tunable strain using CMOS-compatible process.

We present germanium microdisk optical resonators under a large biaxial tensile strain using a CMOS-compatible fabrication process. Biaxial tensile strain of ~0.7% is achieved by means of a stress concentration technique that allows the strain level to be customized by carefully selecting certain lithographic dimensions. The partial strain relaxation at the edges of a patterned germanium microdisk is compensated by depositing compressively stressed silicon nitride layer. Two-dimensional Raman spectroscopy measurements along with finite-element method simulations confirm a relatively homogeneous strain distribution within the final microdisk structure. Photoluminescence results show clear optical resonances due to whispering gallery modes which are in good agreement with finite-difference time-domain optical simulations. Our bandgap-customizable microdisks present a new route towards an efficient germanium light source for on-chip optical interconnects.

Insulin sensitivity improvement of fermented Korean Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng) mediated by insulin resistance hallmarks in old-aged ob/ob mice.

BACKGROUND: The biological actions of various ginseng extracts have been studied for treating obesity and diabetes mellitus. However, few studies have evaluated the effects of fermented Korean Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) on metabolic syndrome. The present study evaluated the antiobesity and antidiabetic effects of fermented red ginseng (FRG) on old-aged, obese, leptin-deficient (B6.V-Lepob, "ob/ob") mice. METHODS: The animals were divided into three groups and given water containing 0%, 0.5%, and 1.0% FRG for 16 wk. The effect of FRG on ob/ob mice was determined by measuring changes in body weight, levels of blood glucose, serum contents of triglycerides, total cholesterol and free fatty acids, messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of key factors associated with insulin action, such as insulin receptor (IR), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), glucose transporter 1 and 4 (GLUT1 and GLUT4), peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in the liver and in muscle, and histology of the liver and pancreas. RESULTS: FRG-treated mice had decreased body weight and blood glucose levels compared with control ob/ob mice. However, anti-obesity effect of FRG was not evident rather than hypoglycemic effect in old aged ob/ob mice. The hyperlipidemia in control group was attenuated in FRG-treated ob/ob mice. The mRNA expressions of IR, LPL, GLUT1, GLUT4, PPAR-γ, and PEPCK in the liver and in muscle were increased in the FRG-treated groups compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that FRG may play a vital role in improving insulin sensitivity relative to reducing body weight in old-aged ob/ob mice.

Optical imaging of absorption and distribution of RITC-SiO2 nanoparticles after oral administration.

PURPOSE: In this study, we investigated the absorption and distribution of rhodamine B isothiocyanate (RITC)-incorporated silica oxide nanoparticles(SiNPs) (RITC-SiNPs) after oral exposure, by conducting optical imaging, with a focus on tracking the movement of RITC-SiNPs of different particle size and surface charge. METHODS: RITC-SiNPs (20 or 100 nm; positively or negatively charged) were used to avoid the dissociation of a fluorescent dye from nanoparticles via spontaneous or enzyme-catalyzed reactions in vivo. The changes in the nanoparticle sizes and shapes were investigated in an HCl solution for 6 hours. RITC-SiNPs were orally administered to healthy nude mice at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Optical imaging studies were performed at 2, 4, and 6 hours after oral administration. The mice were sacrificed at 2, 4, 6, and 10 hours post-administration, and ex vivo imaging studies were performed. RESULTS: The RITC-SiNPs were stable in the HCl solution for 6 hours, without dissociation of RITC from the nanoparticles and without changes in size and shape. RITC-SiNPs flowed into the small intestine from the stomach and gradually moved along the gut during the experiment. In the ex vivo imaging studies, optical signals were observed mostly in the lungs, liver, pancreas, and kidneys. The orally administered RITC-SiNPs, which were absorbed in the systemic circulation, were eliminated from the body into the urine. The 20 nm RITC-SiNPs showed higher uptake in the lungs than the 100 nm RITC-SiNPs. The distribution of the 100 nm RITC-SiNPs in the liver was higher than that of the 20 nm RITC-SiNPs, but the differences in the surface charge behavior were imperceptible. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that the movement of RITC-SiNPs after oral exposure could be traced by optical imaging. Optical imaging has the potential to provide valuable information that will help in understanding the behavior of SiNPs in the body following exposure.

Walnut extract exhibits anti-fatigue action via improvement of exercise tolerance in mice.

This study was conducted to investigate the anti-fatigue effect of walnut extract (WE) on forced swimming capacity in mice. Twenty-eight male ICR mice were randomly divided into four groups, a vehicle control (VC) or one of three WE administered groups (300, 600 and 900 mg/kg/day). WE was orally administered to mice once a day for 4 weeks, during which time a forced swimming test was conducted once a week. The vehicle control group was given a corresponding volume of sterile distilled water. After 4 weeks, the forced swimming capacity and levels of blood lactate, glucose, glutamine, ammonia and triacylglycerol, and liver glycogen were measured. In the WE administration group (600 and 900 mg/kg) the maximum swimming time increased significantly when compared with the vehicle control group. WE (600 and 900 mg/kg) significantly decreased the levels of lactate andammonia and increased the blood glutamine levels and liver glycogen content after forced swimming relative to the vehicle control group. The results of this study demonstrated the anti-fatigue effects of WE in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of WE at 600 and 900 mg/kg were similar. Overall, these results suggest that walnut has anti-fatigue activity and could elevate exercise tolerance.

Induction of apoptosis of SW480 human colon cancer cells by (-)-epicatechin isolated from Bulnesia sarmienti.

BACKGROUND/AIM: (-)-Epicatechin is a major constituent of Bulnesia sarmienti, which is known to possess anticancer properties. Here we report that (-)-epicatechin isolated from B. Sarmienti inhibited growth and induced apoptosis of SW480 human colon cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cells were treated with different concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 100 µmol/ml) of (-)-epicatechin. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, 40,6-diamidine-20-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) staining, colony-forming assay, DNA fragmentation analysis, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) staining, and immunoblot analyses were then carried out. RESULTS: (-)-Epicatechin was found to have cytotoxic activity, and cells treated with this compound had fragmented nuclei, fragmented DNA, and underwent apoptosis. mRNA and protein expression levels of BCL2-associated X protein (BAX) and p53 were up-regulated and those of B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL2) were down-regulated, while p21 mRNA levels were significantly increased in cells treated with (-)-epicatechin in a concentration-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: (-)-Epicatechin from B. Sarmienti inhibited colon cancer cell growth and induced apoptosis.

Feasibility study on cross-linked biopolymeric concrete encapsulating selenium glass wastes.

Feasibility study was conducted to encapsulate the selenium (Se) contained in glass waste, using the biopolymer-modified concrete. Biopolymer has unique characteristics to provide the chemical sites to metals or toxic compounds through the three-dimensional cross-linked structure. Very minute amount of biopolymer enhanced the characteristics of cementitious material. The resulting biopolymeric composite with selenium glass waste showed 20% higher compressive strength than ordinary concrete and the lower leaching concentration than the equipment detection limit. For a qualitative measurement, X-ray diffraction (XRD; X-ray powder diffractogram) was used to characterize the biopolymeric concrete. The optimum waste content percentage with appropriate biopolymer concrete mixture ratio was identified for its possible commercial use.

Naval derusting wastewater containing high concentration of iron, treated in UV photo-Fenton-like oxidation.

The UV photooxidation with Fe(III) and H2O2 was employed to treat a naval derusting wastewater, which contains the high COD (chemical oxygen demand) and various metal concentrations exceptionally with high concentrations of citric acid and iron. Because of its iron containment, the Fenton-like reaction automatically took place with the added amount of H2O2. The decomposition rate was found in a sequence of: UV/H2O2/Fe(III) > UV/H2O2 > Fe(II)/H2O2. Two H2O2 injection methods, single and multiple points, were evaluated. The multiple-point H202 injection was more efficient to decompose the citric acid. The decomposition of the synthetic citric acid and the real derusting citric acid wastewater was also compared. The 93% COD reduction of the derusting wastewater was achieved using the UV/H2O2/Fe(III) treatment.

The butanol fraction of Eclipta prostrata (Linn) increases the formation of brain acetylcholine and decreases oxidative stress in the brain and serum of cesarean-derived rats.

Eclipta prostrata has been used as a traditional medicinal plant to prevent dementia and to enhance memory in Asia. Its potential as a nootropic and as an antioxidant have been reported in mice. We hypothesized that Eclipta may affect the formation of neurotransmitters and the inhibition of oxidative stress. Charles River cesarean-derived rats (male, 180 ± 10 g) were fed experimental diets supplemented with 0 mg (control), 25 mg (E25), 50 mg (E50), or 100 mg (E100) of a freeze-dried butanol fraction of E prostrata per kilogram of diet for 6 weeks. The acetylcholine level was significantly increased by 9.6% and 12.1% in the brains of E50 and E100 groups, respectively, as compared with the control group that was fed standard diet alone. The acetylcholine esterase activity was significantly increased by 13.1% and 19.7% in the brains of E50 and E100 groups, respectively, compared with the control group. Monoamine oxidase-B activity was significantly decreased by 10.5% in the brains of the E100 group, and the superoxide radical level was significantly reduced by 9.4% in the serum of the E100 group compared with the control group. Superoxide dismutase activity was significantly increased by 9.6% and 11.6% in the serum of E50 and E100 groups, respectively, compared with the control group. These results clearly demonstrate the effects of E prostrata on the formation of acetylcholine in the brain and the inhibition of oxidative stress in the brain and serum of rats. These findings may have implications for preventing dementia and enhancing memory function in humans.

Inhibitory effect of immature plum on PMA-induced MMP-9 expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the anticancer effect of Prunus salicina Lindl. cv. Soldam at three maturity stages (immature, midmature and mature). In search for anticancer effects of immature plum extract (IPE), we have found its antimigrative property in (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) PMA-induced HepG2 cells, and this effect is associated with inhibition of MMP-9 activity. IPE appeared to have a strong inhibitory effect on the PMA-induced MMP-9 secretion through suppression of the transcriptional activity of the MMP-9 gene independently of the TIMP gene in HepG2 cells. PMA induced the translocation of c-jun and p65 to the nucleus; however, IPE inhibited their nuclear translocations induced by PMA in HepG2 cells. These results clearly indicate that IPE suppresses both AP-1- and NF-kappaB-mediated MMP-9 gene transcriptional activity through inhibiting the nuclear translocations of AP-1 and NF-kappaB. These findings suggest that AP-1 and NF-kappaB activations through the ERK, p38 MAPK and JNK pathways appears to be required for the induction of MMP-9 expression by PMA in IPE, and IPE regulates PMA-stimulated MMP-9 expression by suppressing the p38 MAPK, JNK and ERK pathways. IPE leads to a decrease in the migration potential of HepG2 cells in vitro, and this suggests that the migration inhibition is correlated well with its inhibition of MMP-9 expression.

WITHDRAWN: Reductive dechlorination of PCB by ultrasound-assisted chemical process.

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Encapsulation of lead from hazardous CRT glass wastes using biopolymer cross-linked concrete systems.

Discarded computer monitors and television sets are identified as hazardous materials due to the high content of lead in their cathode ray tubes (CRTs). Over 98% of lead is found in CRT glass. More than 75% of obsolete electronics including TV and CRT monitors are in storage because appropriate e-waste management and remediation technologies are insufficient. Already an e-waste tsunami is starting to roll across the US and the whole world. Thus, a new technology was developed as an alternative to current disposal methods; this method uses a concrete composite crosslinked with minute amounts of biopolymers and a crosslinking agent. Commercially available microbial biopolymers of xanthan gum and guar gum were used to encapsulate CRT wastes, reducing Pb leachability as measured by standard USEPA methods. In this investigation, the synergistic effect of the crosslinking reaction was observed through blending two different biopolymers or adding a crosslinking agent in biopolymer solution. This CRT-biopolymer-concrete (CBC) composite showed higher compressive strength than the standard concrete and a considerable decrease in lead leachability.

Mechanism and kinetics of reductive dehalogenation of PBB (polybrominated biphenyl) in the sonolytic and ketyl radical system.

The kinetics and mechanism of reductive destruction of aqueous polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) were studied. Complete degradation was achieved within 30 min of ultrasound-assisted chemical process (UACP), which involved sonication, ketyl radical and its anion, and metal catalyst (ferrous ion). Reductive dehalogenation of PBB is a first-order reaction between PBB concentration and UACP reaction time. The kinetic condition of PBB degradation was optimized in terms of temperature, dosage of radical initiator, and metal catalyst. Mechanism of reductive debromination was also proposed to explain the function of ketyl and aryl radicals on the debromination of bromobiphenyl. Two kinetic models were studied to elucidate the debromination mechanism pathway. Laboratory observed data were found to fit model predicted values obtained from equilibrium and differential equations.

The butanol fraction of Eclipta prostrata (Linn) effectively reduces serum lipid levels and improves antioxidant activities in CD rats.

Eclipta prostrata (Linn) has been used as a traditional medicinal plant to prevent lipidemia and atherosclerosis in Asia. However, its functional properties and the underlying mechanism of action have not been clearly defined. This study was conducted to elucidate the biological basis for hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of E. prostrata. Charles River Sprague-Dawley CD rats (specific pathogen-free/viral antibody-free Crj/Bgi male, 180 +/- 10 g) were fed experimental diets supplemented with 0 mg (control), 25 mg (E25), 50 mg (E50), or 100 mg (E100) of a freeze-dried butanol fraction of E. prostrata per kilogram of diet for 6 weeks. Serum triacylglycerol and total cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the E50 and E100 groups by 9.8% to 19.0% and by 10.7% to 13.4%, respectively, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were significantly reduced in the same groups by 10.3% to 13.0% compared with the untreated control group. The E50 and E100 groups also showed significantly increased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels (13.0%-19.1%) compared with the control group. Atherogenic indices were decreased by 9.8% to 30.5% in all groups fed diets supplemented with E. prostrata. Furthermore, serum hydroxyl radical, lipid peroxide, and oxidized protein levels were significantly decreased in the E50 and E100 groups. These results clearly demonstrate the effects of E. prostrata on serum lipid and oxidative metabolism in rats. The health-promoting effects of E. prostrata, which were demonstrated in this study in a rat model, may have implications for atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia in humans.

Evaluation of biopolymer-modified concrete systems for disposal of cathode ray tube glass.

Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) from computer monitors and television sets, which contain significantly high percentage of lead (Pb) by weight, represent an enormous and growing hazardous waste problem in the United States and worldwide. As a result, new technologies are needed to cope with current CRT waste stream and increased hazard and build new markets for its recycled components, developing commercially viable concrete composites, as well as minimizing CRT disposal problems. In this study, commercially available biopolymers, such as xanthan gum, guar gum, and chitosan, were used to encapsulate CRT glass waste, reducing the Pb leachability. The biopolymers utilized contain a number of useful functional groups, such as carboxyl (xanthan), hydroxyl (guar), and amino groups (chitosan), which play important roles in binding and stabilizing Pb onto concrete structures. The use of biopolymers in concrete systems can create a stable interpenetrating cross-linking composite that will last for many years. Results from these new composites show 30% higher compressive strength than standard concrete and a sharp decrease in lead leachability from several thousand milligrams per liter initially to an amount of three-tenths milligrams per liter or lower values (much lower than the U.S. Environment Protection Agency standard for hazardous waste of 5 mg/L by the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure test), and for some of the composites leachability is below even the standard for drinking water. This efficient and cost-effective CRT-biopolymer-concrete composite is a new class of biopolymer-modified material that can potentially perform a significant role in relieving the current CRT issue.