Non-porous Surfaces Research Articles

Enhanced antibacterial testing and latent fingerprint detection using dichlorofluorescein-doped carbon dots

This research presents an innovative multifunctional reagent consisting of dichlorofluorescein-doped carbon dots (CDs-DC) generated from fresh coconut water by a hydrothermal method. This work’s innovation resides in the simultaneous application of CDs-DC for latent fingerprint detection on nonporous surfaces and improved antibacterial efficacy. The incorporation of dichlorofluorescein into the CDs matrix enhances photoluminescent characteristics and improves antibacterial effectiveness against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Bacillus megaterium, Staphylococcus aureus). The addition of a starch matrix significantly strengthened this combination, enhancing the adherence and recognition of complex fingerprint patterns under UV light. Furthermore, the CDs-DC demonstrated significant reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, enhancing their antibacterial efficacy. This dual-functional device represents a notable progression in forensic science and antibacterial technology, establishing itself as a sustainable and highly efficient instrument for these purposes.

Efficacy of Disinfectants for Monkeypox Virus Inactivation on High Touch Surface Materials in Low-Resource Settings.

Disinfection efficacy tests were conducted on surface carriers inoculated with the monkeypox virus (MPXV) by applying six disinfectant solutions (and three controls) on six surfaces common in low-resource settings: four nonporous surfaces (stainless steel, glass, plastic, and latex) and two porous surfaces (ceramic and wood). Disinfectants were wiped on carriers in triplicate, with a 1 min contact time: 0.05 and 0.5% sodium hypochlorite, 70% ethanol, two quaternary ammonium compound (QAC)-based disinfectants, and 1.4% hydrogen peroxide. MPXV was then quantified, and log10 removal values were calculated. Sodium hypochlorite (0.05 and 0.5%) and ethanol (70%) removed MPXV to below detection level, ≥ 99.97% reduction for nonporous surfaces, and ≥99.40% for wood, QAC-based disinfectants were efficacious on nonporous surfaces (≥99.97% inactivation) but had diminished efficacy on wood, a porous surface, and 1.4% H2O2 had limited efficacy across all tested surfaces. Results varied by disinfectant type and surface type. Based on our results, we recommend using 0.05% sodium hypochlorite or 70% ethanol with 1 min contact time to inactive MPXV on clean nonporous and porous surfaces. As MPXV is evolving, future research with additional disinfectants, application methods, and environmental conditions and research to understand adsorption, disinfection efficacy, and transmission risk on porous surfaces are needed to develop practical disinfection recommendations.

Antimicrobial Performance of Different Metals

Health care associated infections or nosocomial infections (NI) is the fourth leading cause of disease and the most common complication affecting hospitalised patients in addition to a minimum of 175,000 deaths every year in industrialised countries. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that influenza is transmitted from person to person primarily via large virus-laden droplets or through direct or indirect contact with respiratory secretions when touching surfaces contaminated with influenza virus and approximately 80% of the infections are transmitted via touch surfaces. In the year 2020 the Coronavirus (Covid 19) spread has affected the global community and also caused a great concern for the people and health care workers with a global infected population of more than five million. With the ongoing population rise in the cities growing drug resistant bacteria, increasing infection rate in hospitals and communities, ageing world population strongly indicates the need to minimise the spread of infections via touch surfaces. Metals (and products manufactured from them) such as copper and silver are known to exhibit antimicrobial properties. These metals, or composites containing them, can be used as additives and incorporated into other materials such as paints, plastics and powder coatings to imbue these materials with antimicrobial properties. In this paper we present the inherent antimicrobial properties of a copper containing alloy, two alloys of hospital grade steel (304 and 316), extruded aluminium (606013), anodized aluminium (606013) and zinc clad aluminium (3003-7072). Additionally, these materials were coated in epoxy resin powder coating with and without silver based antimicrobial additive. The ability of these metal alloys to reduce the population of inoculated microorganism numbers was assessed via the international standard (ISO) 22196:2011 Measurement of antimicrobial activity on plastics and other non-porous surfaces.

Efficacy of selected insecticide sprays against Indian meal moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) wandering larvae on various surfaces

The Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a worldwide pest found in food product warehouses. Presence of P. interpunctella wandering larvae causes customer complaints and product rejection from customers. Its prepupal stage is susceptible to insecticide treatment due to their wandering behavior. We evaluated the efficacy of three insecticide sprays, ExciteR (0.017% pyrethrins, 0.174% piperonyl butoxide), Suspend SC (0.053% deltamethrin), and Transport Mikron (0.047% acetamiprid, 0.056% bifenthrin) against P. interpunctella wandering larvae by forced exposure to porous (vinyl tile, unpainted pinewood, concrete, and paper) and non-porous (steel, glazed ceramic) surfaces, and exposure to treated harborages made of two pieces of vinyl tiles, unpainted pinewood, and concrete. Under continuous exposure conditions, both ExciteR and Suspend SC caused significantly higher mortality (90–96%) than Transport Mikron (73–75%) on non-porous surfaces after 4 days (P < 0.05). But on porous surfaces, the three insecticides caused ≤63% mortality with Suspend SC being the most effective. When using 2× amount of insecticides as that in the previous test (2.1 gallon/1000 ft2, which is 4.33, 1.20, and 2.33 mg a.i./m2 of ExciteR, Suspend SC, and Transport Mikron, respectively), Suspend SC was the only insecticide causing high mortality (≥99%) through both forced exposure to concrete surface and exposure to treated concrete harborage. Whereas other treatments caused <12% mortality. Among the porous surfaces, residual efficacy of Suspend SC on concrete was significantly higher than that on vinyl tiles. Application of an effective liquid insecticide (such as 0.053% deltamethrin) into harborages or directly to the possible pupation sites, such as corners, cracks, and crevices could be an effective strategy for managing P. interpunctella wandering larvae in warehouse environment.

Enhanced imaging of developed fingerprints and its contaminated substance using ToF-SIMS

Fingerprint is a common form of evidence utilized in crime cases, providing crucial information for suspect identification and the proof of key facts. However, traditional development methods are often ineffective for challenging fingerprints due to variations in information and surface characteristics, potentially causing damage to the fingerprint substance. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) offers a non-destructive approach that combines spatial imaging with mass spectrometry capabilities. This study employed ToF-SIMS to enhance natural fingerprints that showed poor visualization when treated with 1,2-indandione and ninhydrin on porous surfaces such as printing paper, kraft paper, newspaper, and thermal paper, especially on challenging textiles. We also imaged fingerprints on nonporous surfaces that were deposited over 30 days ago using ToF-SIMS, like aluminum foil, express packaging bags, and slides. We then extended the age of fingerprint detection to 3 months to explore the relationship between the aging of fingerprints and the morphological characteristics of sweat pores. Furthermore, the study examined the detection capabilities of ToF-SIMS on fingerprints contaminated with compound econazole nitrate cream after being interfered with by development agents, illustrating its effectiveness in extracting comprehensive fingerprint information.

Multifunctional BiOCl: Sm3+ nanophosphors: A luminescent platform for solid-state lighting applications, optical thermometry, photocatalytic and forensic applications

Rare earth-activated phosphor materials have been widely used as active probes in optical materials for multidimensional applications. Here, we report a series of ultrahigh purity orange-red emitting BiOCl: xSm3+ (x= 0.5- 2.5 mol %) nanophosphors synthesized via conventional solid-state method at relatively low temperatures for various photonic and forensic applications. XRD and Rietveld refinement results confirmed the tetragonal crystal structure of the synthesized phosphor materials with space group P4/nmm. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy were used to perform the functional group analysis. The UV-Vis-NIR spectra were analyzed to determine the Judd-Ofelt (JO) intensity parameters (Ω2, Ω4, Ω6) and to identify the bonding structure and spontaneous emission properties of the samples. The prepared phosphors exhibit intense orange-red emission under 408 nm excitation and beyond 1 mol% doping of Sm3+ ions, the emission intensity decreases due to concentration quenching mechanism via, dipole-dipole interaction between the optically active Sm3+ ions in the phosphor sample. The synthesized BiOCl: Sm3+ nanophosphors possess low correlated color temperature (CCT), admirable high color purity (99.4%) and outstanding internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of 95.27%. The optical thermometry behavior of the optimized sample has been investigated in detail. Moreover, the optimized nanophosphor stains on porous and non-porous surfaces show clear ridge patterns with high sensitivity, efficiency, and minimal background hindrance for latent fingerprints and lip print detection in forensic applications and are used as security ink in anti-counterfeiting applications. Overall, the results revealed the potential prospects of BiOCl: Sm3+ nanophosphors in the field of display applications, optical thermometry, and forensic sciences.

Trace DNA and its persistence on various surfaces: A long term study investigating the influence of surface type and environmental conditions – Part two, non-metals

The work presented herein is the second part of a large-scale persistence project aimed at identifying trends in trace DNA persistence. This study aims to show how different environmental storage conditions and target surface characteristics influence the persistence of cellular and cell free DNA (cfDNA) over time. To eliminate variation within the experiment, we used a proxy DNA deposit consisting of a synthetic fingerprint solution, cellular DNA, and/or cfDNA. Samples were collected and analysed from eight non-metal surfaces over the course of 1 year (27 time points) under three different environmental storage conditions. The results of this experiment show that surface characteristics in conjunction with DNA type greatly influence DNA persistence. Variation in the amount of DNA recovered over time was greatly influenced by surface porosity. CfDNA persisted at significantly higher levels on non-porous surfaces, and cellular DNA persisted at higher levels on porous items. Furthermore, statistically significant differences in DNA persistence were found among the items classified as non-porous surfaces and among the items classified as porous surfaces. Additionally, this study showed that the sample storage environment had a larger impact on DNA persistence than previously observed for metal surfaces [1]. When considering DNA type, cellular DNA was shown to persist for longer than cfDNA and persistence as a whole appears to be better when DNA is deposited alone rather than in mixtures. Unsurprisingly, it was found that the amount of DNA recovered from trace deposits decreased over time. However, DNA decay is highly dependent on the surface type and exhibits higher variability at short time points and on porous surfaces. For each of the surfaces tested, DNA persisted 1 year past deposition (in some combination of DNA type and environmental condition), except for wood, on which DNA did not persist in any capacity past four months. This data is intended to add to our understanding of DNA persistence and the factors which affect it.

Sol-gel synthesis of LaFeO3 perovskite oxide for distinct ridges detection of level II and III latent fingerprints

Latent fingerprints are considered a primary source of best reference for personal identification in criminal investigations. However, poor resolution, less background hindrance, and sensitivity over fingerprint ridges are often problems in fingerprint development. To address these issues, special care is required by developing new fluorescence materials. As a result, this effort was made to synthesize lanthanum ferrite (LaFeO3) fluorescent nano perovskite oxide by the sol–gel method using glycine as fuel, to detect three (I, II, and III) levels of fingerprints. In addition, the absorption spectrum was recorded in a dispersed medium, and dual peaks at 329 and 406 nm in visible regions were obtained, followed by the photoluminescence spectra that showed a broad peak at 527 nm with chromaticity coordinates. Powder X-ray diffraction confirms the synthesized LaFeO3 orthorhombic phase with a crystallite size of 54 nm, and the morphology of LaFeO3 was found to be highly monodisperse. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed that La has + 3 with Fe + 3 oxidation states, and Infrared spectroscopic techniques revealed all functional groups were present uniformly. The powder dusting method was applied on various porous and non-porous surfaces, revealing distinct ridges of fingerprints without background hindrance and with precise sensitivity; this proves LaFeO3 is suitable for forensic science.

Water Vapor Adsorption-Desorption Hysteresis Due to Clustering of Water on Nonporous Surfaces.

Water vapor is continuously adsorbed onto and desorbed from all kinds of surfaces depending on changes in relative humidity. Adsorption-desorption hysteresis of water that occurs on various nonporous surfaces and extends down to low relative humidities has been reported for decades, but remains unexplained. Here we show experimentally that such hysteresis is a common phenomenon on metal oxide and mineral surfaces and can be divided into two distinct categories based on the wettability of the adsorbent surface. Type I hysteresis occurs on more hydrophobic surfaces and is associated with adsorption isotherms that behave rather linearly as water saturation is approached, whereas type II hysteresis occurs on more hydrophilic surfaces and is associated with adsorption isotherms that curve steeply upward close to saturation. Our model calculations strongly indicate that adsorption in both types occurs cluster-wise, and the type I hysteresis is caused by contact angle hysteresis, while type II hysteresis is associated with film formation close to saturation. The understanding of water vapor adsorption and desorption mechanisms may be key for explaining and quantifying physical and chemical interfacial phenomena in atmospheric and industrial environments.

A study on the performance of super duplex stainless steel cladding over mild steel using a CMT welding

Low carbon steels can be cladded with super-duplex stainless steels to enhance the surface’s mechanical and wear properties. The current study examines the impact of process parameters on weld bead geometry and dilution % during cold metal transfer (CMT) cladding of super duplex stainless steel 2507 over low carbon steel. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with a Central Composite Design matrix was used to optimize the process parameters (welding current, welding speed, and nozzle to workpiece distance (NTD)). The adequacy of the model was checked using an ANOVA analysis. The optimal bead width, height, penetration, and dilution values were 8.05 mm, 4.52 mm, 1.56 mm and 14.64%, respectively. The ideal input parameters were 200 A of welding current, 4.64 mm/s of welding speed, and 14 mm of NTD. The welding speed is the most dominant parameter, followed by the welding current and NTD. The cladding samples were prepared from the optimal parameters. The CMT-clad layer’s microstructure, microhardness, and wear properties were also evaluated. The results indicate a dense crack-free and non-porous clad surface was obtained under optimal conditions.

The impact of accelerant facilitated fire on blood detection and the efficacy of subsequent soot removal methods

Previous literature has established that recovering heat damaged body fluids is possible, however with little investigation into the effect of accelerants used in initiating arson fires. This study therefore aimed to determine whether presumptive blood detection was affected by heat damage resulting from accelerant facilitated fires. Another objective was to examine various techniques for removing soot, which is a noted barrier to blood detection. The study focused on blood deposited on household flooring materials, one porous and one nonporous surface: carpet and tile respectively. Samples were burned with butane, petrol, and kerosene then presumptively tested using the Kastle Meyer colourimetric blood detection test. Testing was then repeated following soot removal by either wiping, scraping, or using liquid latex. The “strength” of positive detections was evaluated using a scale based on reaction speed and colour intensity. Results demonstrated that accelerants weakened detection strength, although nearly all samples tested positive overall, and the impact of each accelerant on both surface types was largely similar. It was also discovered that soot removal improved the strength of blood detection results in approximately 69% of carpet and 47% of tile samples, with wiping being the superior method on both surface types. Consequently, introducing this investigative step may be critical to maximizing blood evidence recovery in arson casework. These findings indicate the worth in recovering severely burned items, particularly for evidence as crucial as blood.

Common consumer residual insecticides lack efficacy against insecticide-susceptible and resistant populations of the German cockroach (Blattodea: Ectobiidae).

The German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) (Blattodea: Ectobiidae), is a ubiquitous pest in affordable housing. They represent a major threat to human health due to their contribution of asthma-exacerbating allergens and the potential to transfer pathogenic microorganisms indoors. Despite well-documented pyrethroid resistance, pyrethroid-based broadcast residual insecticide products are often used by residents to control cockroaches in their homes. Additionally, there is little empirical independent testing of these products. Thus, it remains unclear how effective these commonly used do-it-yourself products are at controlling German cockroaches. This study represents a comprehensive examination of the efficacy of these products with direct, limited, and continuous exposure assays on a variety of common household surfaces on field populations of cockroaches with varying levels of pyrethroid resistance. While most products performed well when applied directly to test insects, mortality was substantially lower across all surfaces with limited exposure (30min). In continuous exposure assays on a nonporous surface, products took at least 24hr to cause 100% mortality in a field population, with some products taking up to 5d to achieve 100% mortality. The findings of this study demonstrate a lack of residual efficacy from common pyrethroid-based consumer-use pesticides products. Given that it is not feasible to find and treat every cockroach in a home directly, the residuality of spray-based formulations is critical for products designed to control German cockroaches. Without residual efficacy, as shown in the consumer aerosol and spray products tested, we expect these products to add little to no value to cockroach control.

Synthesis of Chi-sphere silver nanocomposite and nanocomposites of silver, gold, and S@G using a chitosan biopolymer extracted from potato peels and their antimicrobial application

Chitin and chitosan have been proven to have numerous applications in biomedical, pharmaceutical, and industrial fields. In the present study, chitin structural polymer was extracted from potato peel wastes by the use of chemical methods and chitosan biopolymer was generated through the deacetylation of the isolated potato peel chitin. On a dry weight basis, the yield of chitin content of the potato peel wastes is 49.80±1.2 % and the yield of deacetylated potato peel chitin (potato peel chitosan) is 47.60±1.8 %. It was characterized by FTIR and 1H NMR studies. Consequently, the potato peel chitosan was employed in the synthesis of Chitosan-Silver-Nanocomposite-Sphere (Chi-SNC-Sphere), and other metal nanocomposite of silver (C.g-CSNCs), gold (C.g-CGNCs), and bimetallic (C.g-CS@GNCs). The physicochemical features of the resulting products were characterized using UV-Vis, FT-IR, PXRD, FESEM, TEM, and EDAX. The FESEM unveiled a smooth, spherical, and nonporous surface morphology of the synthesized Chi-SNCs-Sphere, while the remaining three have surfaces that appeared in the form of flakes. As per TEM images, particles were visible in black-spherical (C.g-CSNC) and black-multi-shapes (C.g-CSNC, C.g-CS@GNC) nanostructures. Their sizes were confined within the range of 1–10 nm, with average values of 4.36 nm±0.40–5.85 nm±0.42. On the basis of BET analysis, C.g.CSNCs C.g-CS@GNC and C.g.CGNCs under identical conditions possess the surface area of 69.92 m2g−1, 52.35 m2g−1, and 49.75 m2g−1 respectively. The nanomaterials were found stable as revealed by the study of zeta potential which is found in the range of +41.3–56.2. The results of the bioassay for antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus uncovered that the Chi-SNCs-Sphere, C.g-CSNCs, and C.g-CS@GNCs demonstrated superior activities than C.g-CGNCs. According to statistical analysis results of one-way ANOVA of antibacterial results against S. aureus, the P-value F- calculated F-critical was 0.99,1.5 and 3.4 and for P. aeruginosa; P-value, F-calculated, F-critical was 0.80, 0.22 and 5.94 respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was found most significant for C.g-CSNC (20 µg/mL) due to its higher surface area. These activities could be attributed to the synergistic effect of the metal nanoparticles, potato peel chitosan, and the plant extract that was used for the reduction, stabilization, and biofunctionalization.

Development of silica gel from Lapindo volcanic mud as fluorescent fingerprint powder based on methyl orange

Fingerprint powder remains one of the most effective techniques for identifying individuals from their latent fingerprints. Visualizing latent fingerprints requires powder with high color contrast and strong adhesive to be easily applied on various substrates. The utilization of silica gel extracted from local materials of Lapindo volcanic mud can be applied for fluorescent fingerprint powder based on methyl orange. The powder was synthesized by the sol-gel method, followed by the impregnation of methyl orange as a dye with varying loads. The powders exhibit an amorphous structure and nanoparticle size with an average particle diameter of 80.93 nm by spherical morphology interconnected to form agglomerations. The powder contains silanol, siloxane, azo, and carboxylate functional groups derived from its precursors. The dusting method proves the performance of fluorescent fingerprint powder on porous and non-porous substrates hereafter observed under white light and UV light. The powder containing 0.05 gs of methyl orange per gram of silica gel is the most effective in revealing fingerprint patterns on non-porous surfaces. It has mesoporous properties with a specific surface area of 7.95 m2g−1 and a pore diameter of 23.14 nm. SiMO retained its full capability after two years of storage, indicating it is a great choice for forensic investigations.

Preliminary investigations into the use of the ancient pigments Han blue and Han purple as luminescent dusting powders for the detection of latent fingermarks

Here we present our preliminary studies into the inorganic pigments Han blue (BaCuSi4O10) and Han purple (BaCuSi2O6) as near-infrared luminescent fingerprint dusting powders. These pigments were developed in ancient China around 800 BCE and both show luminescence in the NIR region. There remains, however, ambiguity in the literature concerning their photophysical properties. Samples of Han blue and Han purple artist’s pigments were characterized by optical microscopy, infrared, ultraviolet-visible absorbance and luminescence spectroscopy. Their performance as fingerprint dusting powders, without any further treatment, on non-porous surfaces were compared to exfoliated lipophilic coated Egyptian blue and commercial fluorescent powders in a pilot study. These results demonstrate for the first time that both ancient pigments show promise as alternative dusting powders for latent fingermarks.

Fomite disinfection using spray systems: A computational multi-physics framework

Disinfecting inanimate objects or materials carrying infectious agents, i.e., fomites, using spray systems reduces healthcare-associated infections in medical settings and community-acquired infections in non-medical environments. However, an accurate prediction of such systems is challenging as these systems embrace multi-physics phenomena depending on several parameters. Therefore, this paper presents a computational modeling-based multi-physics framework to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of spray systems employed in disinfecting fomites with non-porous hydrophilic surfaces. The framework includes four key phases: (i) atomizing the liquid disinfectant jet into the disinfectant droplets; (ii) interactions between disinfectant droplets and the surrounding air; (iii) impingements created by the disinfectant droplets on the fomite surface; (iv) interactions between the disinfectant depositions and pathogens causing fomite disinfection. The accuracy of the framework is evaluated using two sets of experimental data on the reduction of viable Bacillus atrophaeus spores over an 1800-second period. The results show that the framework can predict fomite disinfection via spray systems, with the deviations from the measured data being 2.73% and 2.38%. By presenting a detailed perception of the dynamics involved in fomite disinfection, this framework has the potential to improve public health practices and lead to the development of more effective and targeted disinfection strategies in diverse settings.

Antimicrobial non-porous surfaces: a comparison of the standards ISO 22196:2011 and the recently published ISO 7581:2023.

The application of antimicrobial surfaces requires the proof of their effectivity by in vitro methods in laboratories. One of the most well-known test methods is ISO 22196:2011, which represents a simple and inexpensive protocol by applying the bacterial suspension with known volume and concentration covered under a polyethylene film on the surfaces. The incubation is then done under defined humidity conditions for 24 h. Another approach for testing of non-porous surfaces is the newly published ISO 7581:2023. A "dry test" is achieved through spreading and drying 1 μL of a bacterial suspension on the surface. In this study, low alloyed carbon steel, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and glass specimens were tested uncoated (reference) and coated with zinc according to both ISOs to compare and to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each one of them. Although ISO 7581:2023 allows a more realistic test environment than ISO 22196:2011, the reproducibility of the results is not given due to the low application volume. In addition, not all bacterial strains are equally suitable for this testing type. Individual adaptations to the protocols, including incubation conditions (time, temperature, or relative humidity), testing strains and volume, seem necessary to generate conditions that simulate the final application. Nevertheless, both ISOs, if used correctly, provide a good basis for estimating the antimicrobial efficacy of non-porous surfaces.

Dysprosium doped SrCeO3 nanophosphors for advanced photochemical applications: Synthesis, characterization, photo-assisted dye degradation and latent fingerprint visualization

The present work investigates the novel potential of Sr(1-x)CeO3: xDy3+ (x = 1–9 mol%) nanoparticles, fabricated through Solution Combustion method using citric acid as fuel. The as-fabricated samples were thoroughly characterised using a variety of techniques to obtain structural, morphological, and optical data. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) examination revealed the presence of an orthorhombic crystal structure (Pnma) matching PDF card #01-083-1156. Tauc's plot evaluating band gap energy utilizing absorption spectra reveals a range of 3.4 eV–4.2 eV with refractive index ranging from 0.64 to 1.22. Using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), it was possible to see a coral-like aggregation for the host and initial concentration of Dy3+ ions, and a porous structure for higher concentrations. With an average particle size of 38.20 nm, a comprehensive Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) study demonstrates the fused aggregation structure. Moreover, quantifiable evidence of the precursors presence is provided by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). For the as-fabricated samples, photoluminescence investigations were carried out. Two strong peaks with a dominating 4F9/2 → 6H13/2 diploe-dipole transition was seen in the observed emission spectra under 366 nm (6H15/2 → 6P7/2) excitation. These peaks are positioned at 573 nm (4F9/2 → 6H13/2) and 478 nm (4F9/2 → 6H15/2). Under UV light, two cationic dyes, Rhodamine-B (Rh–B) and Methylene Blue (MB), were photo-catalytically degraded using the prepared sample (SCD5). According to 0th and 1st order kinetics, the observed data show evidence of effective degradation up to 89.64 % (Rh–B) and 78.86 % (MB) at 80th minute. In addition, the impact of several analytical parameters on the percentage degradation of Rh–B and MB dyes was investigated. These parameters included catalyst changes, dye dosage, and scavenger effect. The produced nanoparticles were used to create latent fingerprints on two non-porous surfaces: glass and aluminium. The results clearly showed that on both surfaces a type-III level of detection was attained. To summarise, the outcomes indicate that Sr(1-x)CeO3: xDy3+ nanoparticles that have been synthesized can be used for advanced forensic applications as well as for the degradation of dye pollutants.

Hemocompatible and biocompatible hybrid nanocarriers for enhanced oral bioavailability of paclitaxel: in vivo evaluation

Oral administration of BCS class IV anticancer agents has always remained challenging and frequently results in poor oral bioavailability. The goal of the current study was to develop hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs) employing cholesterol and poloxamer-407 to boost paclitaxel's (PTX) oral bioavailability. A series of HNPs with different cholesterol and poloxamer-407 ratios were developed utilizing a single-step nanoprecipitation technique. The PTX loaded HNPs were characterized systematically via particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, surface morphology, in vitro drug release, FTIR, DSC, XRD, acute oral toxicity analysis, hemolysis evaluation, accelerated stability studies, and in vivo pharmacokinetic analysis. The HNPs were found within the range of 106.6±55.60 – 244.5±88.24 nm diameter with the polydispersity index ranging from 0.20±0.03 – 0.51±0.11. SEM confirmed circular, nonporous, and smooth surfaces of HNPs. PTX loaded HNPs exhibited controlled release profile. The compatibility between the components of formulation, thermal stability, and amorphous nature of HNPs were confirmed by FTIR, DSC, and XRD, respectively. Acute oral toxicity analysis revealed that developed system have no deleterious effects on the animals' cellular structures. HNPs demonstrated notable cytotoxic effects and were hemocompatible at relatively higher concentrations. In vivo pharmacokinetic profile (AUC0-∞, AUMC0-∞, t1/2, and MRT0-∞) of the PTX loaded HNPs was improved as compared to pure PTX. It is concluded from our findings that the developed HNPs are hemocompatible, biocompatible and have significantly enhanced the oral bioavailability of PTX.

Sol–gel derived red fluorescent nanocomposites of copper nanoclusters conjugated silica for visualizing latent fingerprints

Phosphors with red emission have attracted increasing interests due to their high contrast and low interferences of fluorescence background which play a vital role in visualizing latent fingerprints (LFPs) in forensic science. In this work, red-emissive fluorescent nanocomposites of copper nanoclusters conjugated silica (CuNCs/silica) are prepared simply by sol-gel method in one pot for visualizing the LFPs through powder-dusting method. The CuNCs/silica exhibits the red fluorescence with an emission wavelength of 628 nm under the excitation of 292 nm and can have sufficient affinity with the LFPs ridges. The CuNCs/silica with the photoluminescence properties can precisely visualize and capture the clear patterns and the well-defined details of the LFPs ridges on the non-porous and semi-porous surfaces of different substrates (including copper foil, compact disc, tiles, stainless steel, aluminum foil, glass slide, Hong Kong currency, colored plastic packing, colored paper and leather) even with fluorescent background. The ridge details of the aged LFPs can also be clearly identified. These suggest the great potential of the CuNCs/silica as phosphors for visualizing the LFPs in criminal investigations.