Novel insights into drought-induced regulation of ribosomal genes through DNA methylation in chickpea

Modifications within the epigenome of an organism in response to external environmental conditions allow it to withstand the hostile stress factors. Drought in chickpea is a severely limiting abiotic stress factor which is known to cause huge yield loss. To analyse the methylome of chickpea in response to drought stress conditions and how it affects gene expression, we performed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and RNA-seq of two chickpea genotypes which contrast for drought tolerance. It was observed that the mCHH was most variable under drought stress and the drought tolerant (DT) genotype exhibited substantial genome-wide hypomethylation as compared to the drought sensitive (DS) genotype. Specifically, there was substantial difference in gene expression and methylation for the ribosomal genes for the tolerant and sensitive genotypes. The differential expression of these genes was in complete agreement with earlier reported transcriptomes in chickpea. Many of these genes were hypomethylated (q < 0.01) and downregulated under drought stress (p < 0.01) in the sensitive genotype. The gene RPS6 (ribosomal protein small subunit) was found to be downregulated and hypomethylated in the drought sensitive genotype which could possibly lead to reduced ribosomal biosynthesis. This study provides novel insights into regulation of drought-responsive genes in chickpea.

DNA methylation: an emerging paradigm of gene regulation under drought stress in plants

Drought is an enormous threat to global crop production. In order to ensure food security for the burgeoning population, we must develop drought tolerant crop varieties. This necessitates the identification of drought-responsive genes and understanding the mechanisms involved in their regulation. DNA methylation is a widely studied mechanism of epigenetic regulation of gene expression, which is known to play vital role in conferring tolerance to various biotic and abiotic stress factors. The recent advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, has allowed unprecedented access to genome-wide methylation marks, with single base resolution. The most important roles of DNA methylation have been studied in terms of gene body methylation (gbM), which is associated with regulation of both transcript abundance and its stability. The availability of mutants for the various genes encoding enzymes involved in methylation of DNA has allowed ascertainment of the biological significance of methylation. Even though a vast number of reports have emerged in the recent past, where both genome-wide methylation landscape and locus specific changes in DNA methylation have been studied, a conclusive picture with regards to the biological role of DNA methylation is still lacking. Compounding this, is the lack of sufficient evidence supporting the heritability of these epigenetic changes. Amongst the various epigenetic variations, the DNA methylation changes are observed to be the most stable. This review describes the drought-induced changes in DNA methylation identified across different plant species. We also briefly describe the stress memory contributed by these changes. The identification of heritable, drought-induced methylation marks would broaden the scope of crop improvement in the future.

Anther-derived microspore embryogenesis in pepper hybrids orobelle and Bomby

BACKGROUND

Traditional breeding methods have long been employed worldwide for the evaluation and development of pepper cultivars. However, these methods necessitate multiple generations of screening, line development, evaluation, recognition, and crossing to obtain highly homozygous lines. In contrast, in vitro anther-derived microspore culture represents a rapid method to generate homozygous lines within a single generation. In the present study, we have optimized a protocol for microspore embryogenesis from anther cultures of pepper hybrids Orobelle and Bomby.

RESULTS

We achieved early and successful embryo formation from both genotypes by subjecting the buds to a cold pretreatment at 4 °C for 4 days. Our optimized culture medium, comprised of MS medium supplemented with 4 mg/L NAA, 1 mg/L BAP, 0.25% activated charcoal, 2.6 g/L gelrite, 30 g/L sucrose, and 15 mg/L silver nitrate, exhibited the highest efficiency in embryo formation (1.85% and 1.46%) for Orobelle and Bomby, respectively. Furthermore, successful plant regeneration from the anther derived microspore embryos was accomplished using half-strength MS medium fortified with 2% sucrose and 0.1 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), solidified with 2.6 g/L gelrite. The ploidy status of the microspore-derived plantlets was analyzed using flow cytometry technique. Notably, the haploid plants exhibited distinct characteristics such as reduced plant height, leaf length, leaf width, and shorter internode length when compared to their diploid counterparts derived from seeds.

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight the potential of anther culture and microspore embryogenesis as an advanced method for accelerating pepper breeding programs, enabling the rapid production of superior homozygous lines.

Genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci associated with drought tolerance in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Elucidation of the genetic basis of drought tolerance is vital for genomics-assisted breeding of drought tolerant crop varieties. Here, we used genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between a drought tolerant chickpea variety, Pusa 362 and a drought sensitive variety, SBD 377. The GBS identified a total of 35,502 SNPs and subsequent filtering of these resulted in 3237 high-quality SNPs included in the eight linkage groups. Fifty-one percent of these SNPs were located in the genic regions distributed throughout the genome. The high density linkage map has total map length of 1069 cm with an average marker interval of 0.33 cm. The linkage map was used to identify 9 robust and consistent QTLs for four drought related traits viz. membrane stability index, relative water content, seed weight and yield under drought, with percent variance explained within the range of 6.29%-90.68% and LOD scores of 2.64 to 6.38, which were located on five of the eight linkage groups. A genomic region on LG 7 harbors quantitative trait loci (QTLs) explaining > 90% phenotypic variance for membrane stability index, and > 10% PVE for yield. This study also provides the first report of major QTLs for physiological traits such as membrane stability index and relative water content for drought stress in chickpea. A total of 369 putative candidate genes were identified in the 6.6 Mb genomic region spanning these QTLs. In-silico expression profiling based on the available transcriptome data revealed that 326 of these genes were differentially expressed under drought stress. KEGG analysis resulted in reduction of candidate genes from 369 to 99, revealing enrichment in various signaling pathways. Haplotype analysis confirmed 5 QTLs among the initially identified 9 QTLs. Two QTLs, qRWC1.1 and qYLD7.1, were chosen based on high SNP density. Candidate gene-based analysis revealed distinct haplotypes in qYLD7.1 associated with significant phenotypic differences, potentially linked to pathways for secondary metabolite biosynthesis. These identified candidate genes bolster defenses through flavonoids and phenylalanine-derived compounds, aiding UV protection, pathogen resistance, and plant structure.The study provides novel genomic regions and candidate genes which can be utilized in genomics-assisted breeding of superior drought tolerant chickpea cultivars.

Unravelling the due importance of pseudogenes and their resurrection in plants

The complexities of a genome are underpinned to the vast expanses of the intergenic region, which constitutes ∼97-98% of the genome. This region is essentially composed of what is colloquially referred to as the "junk DNA" and is composed of various elements like transposons, repeats, pseudogenes, etc. The latter have long been considered as dead elements merely contributing to transcriptional noise in the genome. Many studies now describe the previously unknown regulatory functions of these genes. Recent advances in the Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have allowed unprecedented access to these regions. With the availability of whole genome sequences of more than 788 different plant species in past 20 years, genome annotation has become feasible like never before. Different bioinformatic pipelines are available for the identification of pseudogenes. However, still little is known about their biological functions. The functional validation of these genes remains challenging and research in this area is still in infancy, particularly in plants. CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing could provide solutions to understand the biological roles of these genes by allowing creation of precise edits within these genes. The possibility of pseudogene reactivation or resurrection as has been demonstrated in a few studies might open new avenues of genetic manipulation to yield a desirable phenotype. This review aims at comprehensively summarizing the progress made with regards to the identification of pseudogenes and understanding their biological functions in plants.

Growth Assessment of Under-Five Children of Employed and Unemployed Mothers of Etawah District, Uttar Pradesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction The under-five age group is crucial because the health profile of this age group will have a huge effect on the future development of the nation. Early infancy is marked by several distinct developmental characteristics. Progress in each domain of childhood development is used to track a child's development. Objectives The objectives of the present study were to assess and compare the growth of under-five children of employed and unemployed mothers in the Etawah District of Uttar Pradesh, India. Material and methods A community-based cross-sectional survey was carried out in Etawah district's urban and rural areas between January 2021 and June 2022. A total of 200 mothers with children under the age of five were recruited using the purposive sampling method. To gather pertinent information, a semi-structured, pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used. Results In the present study on the comparison of the growth of children among employed and unemployed mothers, it shows that 48 children (50.5%) with a weight between 10.5 and 15 kg were of employed mothers, while 52 children weighing less than 10.5kg were of unemployed mothers (p<0.001). Forty-four children (57.1%) with a chest circumference of more than 48 cm were of employed mothers, while 26 children (78.8%) with a chest circumference of less than 45 cm were of unemployed mothers (p = 0.001). Conclusion The present study indicates that statistically significant differences were found in age-appropriate gain in weight and chest circumference, which was higher among the children of employed mothers in comparison to children of unemployed mothers. There was no statistically significant difference in age-appropriate gain in height, head circumference, or mid-upper arm circumference among the children of employed mothers and unemployed mothers.

In Situ Electron Microscopy of Transformations of Copper Nanoparticles under Plasmonic Excitation

Metal nanoparticles are attracting interest for their light-absorption properties, but such materials are known to dynamically evolve under the action of chemical and physical perturbations, resulting in changes in their structure and composition. Using a transmission electron microscope equipped for optical excitation of the specimen, the structural evolution of Cu-based nanoparticles under simultaneous electron beam irradiation and plasmonic excitation was investigated with high spatiotemporal resolution. These nanoparticles initially have a Cu core-Cu₂O oxide shell structure, but over the course of imaging, they undergo hollowing via the nanoscale Kirkendall effect. We captured the nucleation of a void within the core, which then rapidly grows along specific crystallographic directions until the core is hollowed out. Hollowing is triggered by electron-beam irradiation; plasmonic excitation enhances the kinetics of the transformation likely by the effect of photothermal heating.

Enhanced Thermoelectric Efficiency in P-Type Mg3Sb2: Role of Monovalent Atoms Codoping at Mg sites

Due to natural abundance, low cost, and compatibility with sustainable green technology, Mg₃Sb₂-based Zintl compounds are comprehensively explored as potential thermoelectric materials for near-room temperature applications. The effective use of these materials in thermoelectric devices requires both p and n-type Mg₃Sb₂ having comparable thermoelectric efficiency. However, p-type Mg₃Sb₂ has inferior thermoelectric efficiency efficiency compared to its n-type counterpart due to low electrical conductivity (∼103Sm-1). Here, we show that codoping of monovalent atoms (Li-Ag, and Na-Ag) at the Mg site of Mg₃Sb₂ produces a synergistic effect and boosts the electrical conductivity, which enhances the thermoelectric properties of p-type Mg₃Sb₂. While, Ag prefers to occupy the Mg2 site, Li and Na are favorable at the Mg1 site of Mg₃Sb₂ lattice. Compared to Li-Ag codoping, Na-Ag codoping in Mg₃Sb₂ is found to be more effective for increasing the charge carrier concentration and significantly augmenting the electrical conductivity. The dominance of the three-phonon scattering mechanism in Li and Li-Ag doped Mg₃Sb₂ and the four-phonon scattering process for the Na and Na-Ag doped Mg₃Sb₂ are confirmed. Due to the simultaneous increase in electrical conductivity and decrease in thermal conductivity, the zT value ∼0.8 at 675 K achieved for Mg_2.975Na_0.02Ag_0.005Sb₂ is the highest value among p-type Mg₃Sb₂. Our work shows a constructive approach to enhance the zT of p-type Mg₃Sb₂ via monovalent atoms codoping at the Mg sites.

Validation of satisfaction questionnaire for services provided in the labour rooms of government health facilities

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Using the assessment of satisfaction of patients of labour room services, the caregiver or policymakers can identify the gaps in the implemented programmes and health policies. This study was aimed to design a valid and reliable satisfaction questionnaire that will help in identifying the aspects of gaps that need improvement.

METHODS

A facility and community-based observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the district of western Uttar Pradesh (India) between January 2019 and August 2020. Validation of the structured questionnaire with 34 dichotomous questions categorized under five subscales was performed by evaluating its validity and reliability. A total of 380 beneficiaries were selected from 48 government health facilities.

RESULTS

The calculated Content validity index was calculated to be 9.5 which was adequate as per the guidelines. The reliability analysis of the questionnaire showed that the internal consistency was high with an overall Cronbach's alpha of 0.710. The variation in Cronbach's alpha on the elimination of any question from the questionnaire ranged from 0.676 to 0.767. The mean patient satisfaction score in the total surveyed population was 24.39±4.684 (total score=34) and there was a greater variation in the satisfaction score of infrastructure when compared with other subscales.

CONCLUSION

The findings from this study support the reliability and validity of the patient satisfaction questionnaire as it is capable of evaluating the satisfaction in terms of delivery services provided in labour rooms as a whole.

Hot Carrier Lifetimes and Electrochemical Water Dissociation Enhanced by Nickel Doping of a Plasmonic Electrocatalyst

Hot carriers generated by localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) excitation of plasmonic metal nanoparticles are known to enhance electrocatalytic reactions. However, the participation of plasmonically generated carriers in interfacial electrochemical reactions is often limited by fast relaxation of these carriers. Herein, we address this challenge by tuning the electronic structure of a plasmonic electrocatalyst. Specifically, we design an electrocatalyst for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) that consists of nanoparticles of a ternary Cu-Pt-Ni ternary alloy. The CuPt alloy has both plasmonic attributes and electrocatalytic HER activity. Ni doping contributes an electron-deficient 3d band and fully filled 4s band, which promotes water adsorption and prolongs the lifetimes of excited carriers generated by plasmonic excitation. As an outcome, the Cu-Pt-Ni nanoparticles exhibit boosted activity for electrochemical water dissociation and HER under LSPR excitation.

Superionic Conduction in One-Dimensional Nanostructures

Nanostructuring has become a powerful tool for tuning the electronic properties of materials and enhancing transport. As an example of relevance to next-generation battery technologies, nanocrystals have shown promise for realizing fast-ion conduction in solids; however, dissipationless ion transport over extended length scales is hindered by lossy interfaces formed between nanocrystals in a solid. Here we address this challenge by exploiting one-dimensional nanostructures for ion transport. Superionic conduction, with a record-high ionic conductivity of ∼4 S/cm at 150 °C, is demonstrated in solid electrolytes fabricated from nanowires of the earth-abundant solid copper selenide. This quasi-one-dimensional ionic conductivity is ∼5× higher than that in bulk cuprous selenide. Nanoscale dimensions in the radial direction lower ion-hopping barriers, while mesoscopically long, interface-free transport paths are available for ion transport in the axial direction. One-dimensional nanostructures can exceptionally boost solid-state devices that rely on ion transport.

Genome-wide identification, in silico characterization and expression analysis of the RNA helicase gene family in chickpea (C. arietinum L.)

The RNA helicases are an important class of enzymes which are known to influence almost every aspect of RNA metabolism. The majority of RNA helicases belong to the SF2 (superfamily 2) superfamily, members of which are further categorized into three separate subfamilies i.e., the DEAD, DEAH and DExD/H-box subfamilies. In chickpea, these RNA helicases have not been characterized until now. A genome-wide analysis across the chickpea genome led to the identification of a total of 150 RNA helicase genes which included 50 DEAD, 33 DEAH and 67 DExD/H-box genes. These were distributed across all the eight chromosomes, with highest number on chromosome 4 (26) and least on chromosome 8 (8). Gene duplication analysis resulted in identification of 15 paralogous gene pairs with Ka/Ks values < 1, indicating towards the genes being under purifying selection during the course of evolution. The promoter regions of the RNA helicase genes were enriched in cis-acting elements like the light and ABA-responsive elements. The drought responsiveness of the genes was analysed by studying the expression profiles of few of these genes, in two different genotypes, the cultivated variety ICC 8261 (kabuli, C. arietinum) and the wild accession ILWC 292 (C. reticulatum), through qRT-PCR. These genotypes were selected based on their drought responsiveness in a field experiment, where it was observed that the percentage (%) reduction in relative water content (RWC) and membrane stability index (MSI) for the drought stressed plants after withholding water for 24 days, over the control or well-watered plants, was least for both the genotypes. The genes CaDEAD50 and CaDExD/H66 were identified as drought-responsive RNA helicase genes in chickpea. The protein encoded by the CaDExD/H66 gene shares a high degree of homology with one of the CLSY (CLASSY) proteins of A. thaliana. We hypothesize that this gene could possibly be involved in regulation of DNA methylation levels in chickpea by regulating siRNA production, in conjunction with other proteins like the Argonaute, RNA dependent RNA polymerases and Dicer-like proteins.

Plasmon-Assisted Ammonia Electrosynthesis

Ammonia is a promising liquid-phase carrier for the storage, transport, and deployment of carbon-free energy. However, the realization of an ammonia economy is predicated on the availability of green methods for the production of ammonia powered by electricity from renewable sources or by solar energy. Here, we demonstrate the synthesis of ammonium from nitrate powered by a synergistic combination of electricity and light. We use an electrocatalyst composed of gold nanoparticles, which have dual attributes of electrochemical nitrate reduction activity and visible-light-harvesting ability due to their localized surface plasmon resonances. Plasmonic excitation of the electrocatalyst induces ammonium synthesis with up to a 15× boost in activity relative to conventional electrocatalysis. We devise a strategy to account for the effect of photothermal heating of the electrode surface, which allows the observed enhancement to be attributed to non-thermal effects such as energetic carriers and charged interfaces induced by plasmonic excitation. The synergy between electrochemical activation and plasmonic activation is the most optimal at a potential close to the onset of nitrate reduction. Plasmon-assisted electrochemistry presents an opportunity for conventional limits of electrocatalytic conversion to be surpassed due to non-equilibrium conditions generated by plasmonic excitation.

A rich catalog of C-C bonded species formed in CO2 reduction on a plasmonic photocatalyst

The understanding and rational design of heterogeneous catalysts for complex reactions, such as CO₂ reduction, requires knowledge of elementary steps and chemical species prevalent on the catalyst surface under operating conditions. Using in situ nanoscale surface-enhanced Raman scattering, we probe the surface of a Ag nanoparticle during plasmon-excitation-driven CO₂ reduction in water. Enabled by the high spatiotemporal resolution and surface sensitivity of our method, we detect a rich array of C₁-C₄ species formed on the photocatalytically active surface. The abundance of multi-carbon compounds, such as butanol, suggests the favorability of kinetically challenging C-C coupling on the photoexcited Ag surface. Another advance of this work is the use of isotope labeling in nanoscale probing, which allows confirmation that detected species are the intermediates and products of the catalytic reaction rather than spurious contaminants. The surface chemical knowledge made accessible by our approach will inform the modeling and engineering of catalysts.

On comprehensive analysis of root canal shaping ability of three endodontic files of different kinematics

Infection of the tooth's root canal requires what is called root canal treatment (RTC). The most important part of endodontic treatment is to shape the root canal and remove its infected portion using endodontic files of various protocols, kinematics and designs that suit the particular geometry. Cleaning and Shaping the canal efficiently remove the root canal bacterial biofilms or tissue remnants while keeping its natural geometry. The result is determined by shaping the ability of the relevant endodontic file. In the available literature, no norm has been established for the measurement of various endodontic files' ability to do effective shaping. We present in this study a method to analyse and measure the shaping ability of endodontic files of three different kinematics.

Control of Chemical Reaction Pathways by Light-Matter Coupling

Because plasmonic metal nanostructures combine strong light absorption with catalytically active surfaces, they have become platforms for the light-assisted catalysis of chemical reactions. The enhancement of reaction rates by plasmonic excitation has been extensively discussed. This review focuses on a less discussed aspect: the induction of new reaction pathways by light excitation. Through commentary on seminal reports, we describe the principles behind the optical modulation of chemical reactivity and selectivity on plasmonic metal nanostructures. Central to these phenomena are excited charge carriers generated by plasmonic excitation, which modify the energy landscape available to surface reactive species and unlock pathways not conventionally available in thermal catalysis. Photogenerated carriers can trigger bond dissociation or desorption in an adsorbate-selective manner, drive charge transfer and multielectron redox reactions, and generate radical intermediates. Through one or more of these mechanisms, a specific pathway becomes favored under light. By improved control over these mechanisms, light-assisted catalysis can be transformational for chemical synthesis and energy conversion.

Roadmap on quantum nanotechnologies

Quantum phenomena are typically observable at length and time scales smaller than those of our everyday experience, often involving individual particles or excitations. The past few decades have seen a revolution in the ability to structure matter at the nanoscale, and experiments at the single particle level have become commonplace. This has opened wide new avenues for exploring and harnessing quantum mechanical effects in condensed matter. These quantum phenomena, in turn, have the potential to revolutionize the way we communicate, compute and probe the nanoscale world. Here, we review developments in key areas of quantum research in light of the nanotechnologies that enable them, with a view to what the future holds. Materials and devices with nanoscale features are used for quantum metrology and sensing, as building blocks for quantum computing, and as sources and detectors for quantum communication. They enable explorations of quantum behaviour and unconventional states in nano- and opto-mechanical systems, low-dimensional systems, molecular devices, nano-plasmonics, quantum electrodynamics, scanning tunnelling microscopy, and more. This rapidly expanding intersection of nanotechnology and quantum science/technology is mutually beneficial to both fields, laying claim to some of the most exciting scientific leaps of the last decade, with more on the horizon.

Effect of volumetric shrinkage of restorative materials on tooth structure: A finite element analysis

Post-treatment coronal hermetic seal of the root canal opening prevents the food or saliva which assist to achieve successful endodontic treatment. Gutta-percha is filled in the inner canal, that is, from cervical third to apical third. Gutta-percha does not provide the hermetic seal because it does not bound with dentine walls. Various new restorative materials have been developed in the last 6-7 decade but drawback related to the polymerization shrinkage of the composite resin remains a clinical problem. In general, dental composites having volumetric shrinkage of the material depends on its formulation and curing conditions. In this article, the effect of this polymerization shrinkage on the tooth structure has been studied.

Motion of Defects in Ion-Conducting Nanowires

Superionic conductors are prime candidates for the electrolytes of all-solid-state batteries. Our understanding of the mechanism and performance of superionic conductors is largely based on their idealized lattice structures. But how do defects in the lattice affect ionic structure and transport in these materials? This is a question answered here by in situ transmission electron microscopy of copper selenide, a classic superionic conductor. Nanowires of copper selenide exhibit antiphase boundaries which are a form of a planar defect. We examine the lattice structure around an antiphase boundary and monitor with atomic resolution how this structure evolves in an ordered-to-superionic phase transition. Antiphase boundaries are found to act as barriers to the propagation of the superionic phase. Antiphase boundaries also undergo spatial diffusion and shape changes resulting from thermally activated fluctuations of the neighboring ionic structure. These spatiotemporal insights highlight the importance of collective ionic transport and the role of defects in superionic conduction.

Isotope Effects in Plasmonic Photosynthesis

The photoexcitation of plasmonic nanoparticles has been shown to drive multistep, multicarrier transformations, such as the conversion of CO₂ into hydrocarbons. But for such plasmon-driven chemistry to be precisely understood and modeled, the critical photoinitiation step in the reaction cascade must be identified. We meet this goal by measuring H/D and ¹² C/¹³ C kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) in plasmonic photosynthesis. In particular, we found that the substitution of H₂ O with D₂ O slows hydrocarbon production by a factor of 5-8. This primary H/D KIE leads to the inference that hole-driven scission of the O-H bond in H₂ O is a critical, limiting step in plasmonic photosynthesis. This study advances mechanistic understanding of light-driven chemical reactions on plasmonic nanoparticles.

Light-Induced Voltages in Catalysis by Plasmonic Nanostructures

ConspectusPlasmonic nanostructures have garnered widescale scientific interest because of their strong light-matter interactions and the tunability of their absorption across the solar spectrum. At the heart of their superlative interaction with light is the resonant excitation of a collective oscillation of electrons in the nanostructure by the incident electromagnetic field. These resonant oscillations are known as localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs). In recent years, the community has uncovered intriguing photochemical attributes of noble metal nanostructures arising from their LSPRs. Chemical reactions that are otherwise unfavorable or sluggish in the dark are induced on the nanostructure surface upon photoexcitation of LSPRs. This phenomenon has led to the birth of plasmonic catalysis. The rates of a variety of kinetically challenging reactions are enhanced by plasmon-excited nanostructures. While the potential utility for solar energy harvesting and chemical production is clear, there is a natural curiosity about the precise origin(s) of plasmonic catalysis. One explanation is that the reactions are facilitated by the action of the intensely concentrated and confined electric fields generated on the nanostructure upon LSPR excitation. Another mechanism of activation involves hot carriers transiently produced in the metal nanostructure by damping of LSPRs.In this Account, we visit a phenomenon that has received less attention but has a key role to play in plasmonic catalysis and chemistry. Under common chemical scenarios, plasmonic excitation induces a potential or a voltage on a nanoparticle. This photopotential modifies the energetics of a chemical reaction on noble metal nanoparticles. In a range of cases studied by our laboratory and others, light-induced potentials underlie the plasmonic enhancement of reaction kinetics. The photopotential model does not replace other known mechanisms, but it complements them. There are multiple ways in which an electrostatic photopotential is produced by LSPR excitation, such as optical rectification, but one that is most relevant in chemical media is asymmetric charge transfer to solution-phase acceptors. Electrons and holes produced in a nanostructure by damping of LSPRs are not removed at the same rate. As a result, the slower carrier accumulates on the nanostructure, and a steady-state charge is built up on the nanostructure, leading to a photopotential. Potentials of up to a few hundred millivolts have been measured by our laboratory and others. A photocharged nanoparticle is a source of carriers of a higher potential than an uncharged one. As a result, redox chemical reactions on noble metal nanoparticles exhibit lower activation barriers under photoexcitation. In electrochemical reactions on noble metal nanoparticles, the photopotential supplements the applied potential. In a diverse set of reactions, the photopotential model explains the photoenhancement of rates as well as the trends as a function of light intensity and photon energy. With further gains, light-induced potentials may be used as a knob for controlling the activities and selectivities of noble metal nanoparticle catalysts.

Comment on "Thermal effects - an alternative mechanism for plasmon-assisted photocatalysis" by Y. Dubi, I. W. Un and Y. Sivan, Chem. Sci., 2020, , 5017

A range of chemical reactions occurring on the surfaces of metal nanoparticles exhibit enhanced rates under plasmonic excitation. It is not straightforward to distinguish between photochemical and photothermal effect using Arrhenius fitting of the reaction rates alone.

Nanoscale optical imaging in chemistry

Single-molecule-level measurements are bringing about a revolution in our understanding of chemical and biochemical processes. Conventional measurements are performed on large ensembles of molecules. Such ensemble-averaged measurements mask molecular-level dynamics and static and dynamic fluctuations in reactivity, which are vital to a holistic understanding of chemical reactions. Watching reactions on the single-molecule level provides access to this otherwise hidden information. Sub-diffraction-limited spatial resolution fluorescence imaging methods, which have been successful in the field of biophysics, have been applied to study chemical processes on single-nanoparticle and single-molecule levels, bringing us new mechanistic insights into physiochemical processes. However, the scope of chemical processes that can be studied using fluorescence imaging is considerably limited; the chemical reaction has to be designed such that it involves fluorophores or fluorogenic probes. In this article, we review optical imaging modalities alternative to fluorescence imaging, which expand greatly the range of chemical processes that can be probed with nanoscale or even single-molecule resolution. First, we show that the luminosity, wavelength, and intermittency of solid-state photoluminescence (PL) can be used to probe chemical transformations on the single-nanoparticle-level. Next, we highlight case studies where localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) scattering is used for tracking solid-state, interfacial, and near-field-driven chemical reactions occurring in individual nanoscale locations. Third, we explore the utility of surface- and tip-enhanced Raman scattering to monitor individual bond-dissociation and bond-formation events occurring locally in chemical reactions on surfaces. Each example has yielded some new understanding about molecular mechanisms or location-to-location heterogeneity in chemical activity. The review finishes with new and complementary tools that are expected to further enhance the scope of knowledge attainable through nanometer-scale resolution chemical imaging.

The Chemical Potential of Plasmonic Excitations

By the photoexcitation of localized surface plasmon resonances of metal nanoparticles, one can generate reaction equivalents for driving redox reactions. We show that, in such cases, there is a chemical potential contributed by the plasmonic excitation. This chemical potential is a function of the concentration of light, as we determine from the light-intensity-dependent activity in the plasmon-excitation-driven reduction of CO₂ on Au nanoparticles. Our finding allows the treatment of plasmonic excitation as a reagent in chemical reactions; the chemical potential of this reagent is tunable by the light intensity.

Revealing the Thermodynamic Properties of Elementary Chemical Reactions at the Single-Molecule Level

An understanding of the thermodynamic properties of elementary chemical steps of a reaction is important for the development of fundamental reaction theories and for effective industrial practice. In this work, temperature-variable single-molecule fluorescence microscopy was employed to study a reversible redox chemical process and reveal the thermodynamics of chemical elementary reactions at a single-molecule level. Activation energies of pure elementary steps were measured on the level of single molecules and found to be heterogeneously distributed across the population of individual molecules. The activation parameters measured across the population of individual molecules also exhibited a compensation effect and an isokinetic relationship. These results constitute a new single-molecule-level perspective into a chemical reaction.

Room-temperature superionic-phase nanocrystals synthesized with a twinned lattice

The engineering of nanoscale features enables the properties of solid-state materials to be tuned. Here, we show the tunable preparation of cuprous sulfide nanocrystals ranging in internal structures from single-domain to multi-domain. The synthetic method utilizes in-situ oxidation to grow nanocrystals with a controlled degree of copper deficiency. Copper-deficient nanocrystals spontaneously undergo twinning to a multi-domain structure. Nanocrystals with twinned domains exhibit markedly altered crystallographic phase and phase transition characteristics as compared to single-domain nanocrystals. In the presence of twin boundaries, the temperature for transition from the ordered phase to the high-copper-mobility superionic phase is depressed. Whereas the superionic phase is stable in the bulk only above ca. 100 °C, cuprous sulfide nanocrystals of ca. 7 nm diameter and a twinned structure are stable in the superionic phase well below ambient temperature. These findings demonstrate twinning to be a structural handle for nanoscale materials design and enable applications for an earth-abundant mineral in solid electrolytes for Li-S batteries.

The ability to control the internal domain structure of a nanocrystal represents a new direction in nanomaterials design. Here, the authors develop a method to controllably introduce twin boundaries in cuprous sulfide nanocrystals, and find that twinning stabilizes these nanocrystals in the superionic phase well below room temperature.

One-Dimensional Cuprous Selenide Nanostructures with Switchable Plasmonic and Super-ionic Phase Attributes

Cuprous selenide nanocrystals have hallmark attributes, especially tunable localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) and super-ionic behavior. These attributes of cuprous selenide are now integrated with a one-dimensional morphology. Essentially, Cu₂ Se nanowires (NWs) of micrometer-scale lengths and about 10 nm diameter are prepared. The NWs exhibit a super-ionic phase that is stable at temperatures lower than in the bulk, owing to compressive lattice strain along the radial dimension of the NWs. The NWs can be switched between oxidized and reduced forms, which have contrasting phase transition and LSPR characteristics. This work thus makes available switchable, one-dimensional waveguides and ion-conducting channels.

Force and vibration generated in apical direction by three endodontic files of different kinematics during simulated canal preparation: An in vitro analytical study

During root canal shaping, pain could result from the high level of force or vibration generated. This could be related to file kinematics or geometry. In the present study, a comparison is made between forces and vibrations generated by endodontic files having three different kinematics. Square pillar resin blocks were used as simulated root canals to study forces and vibrations generated by the file having reciprocating motion (WaveOne Gold), transline motion (Self-Adjusting File), and rotary motion (2Shape). The forces and vibrations were measured using the dynamometer and accelerometer, respectively. Recorded time domain signals were processed in MATLAB to calculate the root mean square value. A one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test for post hoc comparison at 95% confidence interval were applied over the root mean square data of different files. From a statistical analysis of the file systems, the null hypotheses could not be accepted (P < 0.05) as 95% of the confidence interval. Differences between the means were statistically significant. The root mean square values of force and vibration for WaveOne Gold significantly exceeded those of Self-Adjusting File, 2Shape1, and 2Shape2 while the root mean square values of vibration for 2Shape1 and 2Shape2 were significantly less than the Self-Adjusting File; however, the root mean square value of force for the 2Shape2 was significantly more than for the Self-Adjusting File. Under the present experimental conditions, significant differences in the root mean square values of force and vibration of the three endodontic files of different kinematics have been observed. The WaveOne Gold file system generated higher apical force and vibration than the transline and rotary file system.

Synergy between Plasmonic and Electrocatalytic Activation of Methanol Oxidation on Palladium-Silver Alloy Nanotubes

Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) excitation of noble metal nanoparticles has been shown to accelerate and drive photochemical reactions. Here, LSPR excitation is shown to enhance the electrocatalysis of a fuel-cell-relevant reaction. The electrocatalyst consists of Pd_x Ag alloy nanotubes (NTs), which combine the catalytic activity of Pd toward the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and the visible-light plasmonic response of Ag. The alloy electrocatalyst exhibits enhanced MOR activity under LSPR excitation with significantly higher current densities and a shift to more positive potentials. The modulation of MOR activity is ascribed primarily to hot holes generated by LSPR excitation of the Pd_x Ag NTs.

Thermomechanical Safety Analyses for a 238Pu Production Target at the HFIR

Safety analyses at the high flux isotope reactor (HFIR) are required to qualify irradiation of production targets containing neptunium dioxide/aluminum cermet (NpO2/Al) pellets for the production of plutonium-238 (238Pu). High heat generation rates (HGRs) due to a fertile starting material (237Np), low melting temperatures, and previously unstudied material irradiation behavior (i.e., swelling/densification, fission gas release) require a sophisticated set of steady-state thermal simulations in order to ensure sufficient safety margins. Experience gained from previous models for preliminary target designs is incorporated into a more comprehensive production target model designed to qualify a target for three cycles of irradiation and illuminate potential in-reactor behavior of the target.

Thermo-Mechanical Safety Analyses of Preliminary Design Experiments for 238Pu Production

Safety analyses at the high flux isotope reactor (HFIR) are required to qualify experiment targets for the production of plutonium-238 (238Pu) from neptunium dioxide/aluminum cermet (NpO2/Al) pellets. High heat generation rates (HGRs) due to fissile material and low melting temperatures require a sophisticated set of steady-state thermal simulations in order to ensure sufficient safety margins. These simulations are achieved in a fully coupled thermo-mechanical analysis using comsolmultiphysics for four different preliminary target designs using an evolving set of pre- and postirradiation data inputs, and subsequently evolving solution scopes, from the unique pellet and target designs. A new comprehensive presentation of these preliminary analyses is given and revisited analyses of the first prototypical target designs are presented to reveal the effectiveness of evolving methods and input data.

Watching Visible Light-Driven CO2 Reduction on a Plasmonic Nanoparticle Catalyst

Photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) by visible light has the potential to mimic plant photosynthesis and facilitate the renewable production of storable fuels. Accomplishing desirable efficiency and selectivity in artificial photosynthesis requires an understanding of light-driven pathways on photocatalyst surfaces. Here, we probe with single-nanoparticle spatial resolution the dynamics of a plasmonic silver (Ag) photocatalyst under conditions of visible light-driven CO₂ reduction. In situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy captures discrete adsorbates and products formed dynamically on single photocatalytic nanoparticles, most prominent among which is a surface-adsorbed hydrocarboxyl (HOCO*) intermediate critical to further reduction of CO₂ to carbon monoxide (CO) and formic acid (HCOOH). Density functional theory simulations of the captured adsorbates reveal the mechanism by which plasmonic excitation activates physisorbed CO₂ leading to the formation of HOCO*, indicating close interplay between photoexcited states and adsorbate/metal interactions.

In situ formation of catalytically active graphene in ethylene photo-epoxidation

Ethylene epoxidation is used to produce 2 × 10⁷ ton per year of ethylene oxide, a major feedstock for commodity chemicals and plastics. While high pressures and temperatures are required for the reaction, plasmonic photoexcitation of the Ag catalyst enables epoxidation at near-ambient conditions. Here, we use surface-enhanced Raman scattering to monitor the plasmon excitation-assisted reaction on individual sites of a Ag nanoparticle catalyst. We uncover an unconventional mechanism, wherein the primary step is the photosynthesis of graphene on the Ag surface. Epoxidation of ethylene is then promoted by this photogenerated graphene. Density functional theory simulations point to edge defects on the graphene as the sites for epoxidation. Guided by this insight, we synthesize a composite graphene/Ag/α-Al₂O₃ catalyst, which accomplishes ethylene photo-epoxidation under ambient conditions at which the conventional Ag/α-Al₂O₃ catalyst shows negligible activity. Our finding of in situ photogeneration of catalytically active graphene may apply to other photocatalytic hydrocarbon transformations.

Computer-aided design-based guided endodontic: A novel approach for root canal access cavity preparation

In cases of teeth with unusual morphology like calcified pulp canal, guided endodontic treatment is suggested. An endodontic guide which navigates burs according to a preplanned path is used. Existing approaches of endodontic guide design are based on visual observation and analysis of tomographic scan of teeth. Hence, they are time-consuming and expert-dependent. Computer-aided design-based methodology was employed to design and fabricate a customized endodontic guide. A cone beam computed tomographic scan with MIMICS software was used to create a solid model of the teeth. The solid model generated was sliced through the developed program in MATLAB. The geometric centers of consecutive slices were joined to plot the root canals central axis. To gauge the optimum bur angulation for guide design, a straight line fitted in the data set of the geometric center helped create minimally invasive access. Methodology involved simulated verification of the drill path to judge the accuracy and feasibility of root canal access cavity preparation. Next, endodontic guides for extracted teeth were designed and fabricated using a three-dimensional printer, followed by guided root canal access cavity preparation for extracted teeth. To validate the proposed methodology, using a MATLAB image processing tool box, the deviation between the prepared root canal access cavity axis and root canal axis was analyzed in radiographs of post-treated teeth. The deviation between the tool path axis and root canal axis in simulated root canals was found to be not more than 0.210 ± 0.04 mm. The deviation between the axis of the planned root canal access cavity and the prepared root canal access cavity was 0.07 ± 0.02 mm. The proposed method reveals encouraging results for endodontic guide design.

Plasmon-Enhanced Multicarrier Photocatalysis

Conversion of solar energy into liquid fuel often relies on multielectron redox processes that include highly reactive intermediates, with back reaction routes that hinder the overall efficiency of the process. Here, we reveal that these undesirable reaction pathways can be minimized, rendering the photocatalytic reactions more efficient, when charge carriers are harvested from a multiexcitonic state of a semiconductor photocatalyst. A plasmonic antenna, comprising Au nanoprisms, was employed to accomplish feasible levels of multiple carrier excitations in semiconductor nanocrystal-based photocatalytic systems (CdSe@CdS core-shell quantum dots and CdSe@CdS seeded nanorods). The antenna's near-field amplifies the otherwise inherently weak biexciton generation in the semiconductor. The two-electron photoreduction of Pt and Pd metal precursors served as model reactions. In the presence of the plasmonic antenna, these photocatalyzed two-electron reactions exhibited enhanced yields and kinetics. This work uniquely relies on a nonlinear enhancement that has potential for large amplification of photocatalytic activity in the presence of a plasmonic near-field.

STM Imaging of Localized Surface Plasmons on Individual Gold Nanoislands

An optically modulated scanning tunneling microscopy technique developed for measurement of single-molecule optical absorption is used here to image the light absorption by individual Au nanoislands and Au nanostructures. The technique is shown to spatially map, with nanometer resolution, localized surface plasmons (LSPs) excited within the nanoislands. Electrodynamic simulations demonstrate the correspondence of the measured images to plasmonic near-field intensity maps. The optical STM imaging technique captures the wavelength, polarization, and geometry dependence of the LSP resonances and their corresponding near-fields. Thus, we introduce a tool for real-space, nanometer-scale visualization of optical energy absorption, transport, and dissipation in complex plasmonic nanostructures.

Structural Dynamics of the Oxygen-Evolving Complex of Photosystem II in Water-Splitting Action

Oxygenic photosynthesis in nature occurs via water splitting catalyzed by the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of photosystem II. To split water, the OEC cycles through a sequence of oxidation states (S _i, i = 0-4), the structural mechanism of which is not fully understood under physiological conditions. We monitored the OEC in visible-light-driven water-splitting action by using in situ, aqueous-environment surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). In the unexplored low-frequency region of SERS, we found dynamic vibrational signatures of water binding and splitting. Specific snapshots in the dynamic SERS correspond to intermediate states in the catalytic cycle, as determined by density functional theory and isotopologue comparisons. We assign the previously ambiguous protonation configuration of the S₀-S₃ states and propose a structural mechanism of the OEC's catalytic cycle. The findings address unresolved questions about photosynthetic water splitting and introduce spatially resolved, low-frequency SERS as a chemically sensitive tool for interrogating homogeneous catalysis in operando.

Plasmonic Control of Multi-Electron Transfer and C-C Coupling in Visible-Light-Driven CO2 Reduction on Au Nanoparticles

Artificial photosynthesis relies on the availability of synthetic photocatalysts that can drive CO₂ reduction in the presence of water and light. From the standpoint of solar fuel production, it is desirable that these photocatalysts perform under visible light and produce energy-rich hydrocarbons from CO₂ reduction. However, the multistep nature of CO₂-to-hydrocarbon conversion poses a significant kinetic bottleneck when compared to CO production and H₂ evolution. Here, we show that plasmonic Au nanoparticle photocatalysts can harvest visible light for multielectron, multiproton reduction of CO₂ to yield C₁ (methane) and C₂ (ethane) hydrocarbons. The light-excitation attributes influence the C₂ and C₁ selectivity. The observed trends in activity and selectivity follow Poisson statistics of electron harvesting. Higher photon energies and flux favor simultaneous harvesting of more than one electron from the photocharged Au nanoparticle catalyst, inducing the C-C coupling required for C₂ production. These findings elucidate the nature of plasmonic photocatalysis, which involves strong light-matter coupling, and set the stage for the controlled chemical bond formation by light excitation.

Strain Stabilization of Superionicity in Copper and Lithium Selenides

Superionic (SI) phases have utility as solid electrolytes for next generation battery technology, but these phases are typically not stable at room temperature. Our density functional theory calculations demonstrate that compressive lattice strain can stabilize SI phases of Cu₂Se and Li₂Se, two potential solid electrolytes. Electronic and bonding insights into this effect are obtained. In the ordered, non-SI phase, cations are localized primarily in tetrahedral (T) interstices with little access to the higher-energy octahedral (O) sites, but 1-2% compressive strain promotes attractive stabilization of the O cations with 6-fold coordination to Se anions, at the expense of the stability of 4-fold-coordinated T cations. In such compressed lattices, cations can access both T and O sites, resulting in a cation-disordered, SI phase. Thus, lattice strain is demonstrated as a handle for controlling ionic structure and transport and accomplishing ambient temperature superionicity.

Kinetics of self-assembled monolayer formation on individual nanoparticles

Self-assembled monolayer (SAM) formation of alkanethiols on nanoparticle surfaces is an extensively studied surface reaction. But the nanoscale aspects of the rich microscopic kinetics of this reaction may remain hidden due to ensemble-averaging in colloidal samples, which is why we investigated in real-time how alkanethiol SAMs form on a single Ag nanoparticle. From single-nanoparticle trajectories obtained using in situ optical spectroscopy, the kinetics of SAM formation appears to be limited by the growth of the layer across the nanoparticle surface. A significant spread in the growth kinetics is seen between nanoparticles. The single-nanoparticle rate distributions suggest two distinct modes for SAM growth: spillover of adsorbed thiols from the initial binding sites on the nanoparticle and direct adsorption of thiol from solution. At low concentrations, wherein direct adsorption from solution is not prevalent and growth takes place primarily by adsorbate migration, the SAM formation rate was less variable from one nanoparticle to another. On the other hand, at higher thiol concentrations, when both modes of growth were operative, the population of nanoparticles with inherent variations in surface conditions and/or morphology exhibited a heterogeneous distribution of rates. These new insights into the complex dynamics of SAM formation may inform synthetic strategies for ligand passivation and functionalization of nanoparticles and models of reactive adsorption and catalysis on nanoparticles.