Determination of albumins by its quenching effect on the fluorescence of Tb-oxolinic acid complex in presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate

It is found that the fluorescence intensity of Tb³⁺-oxolinic acid (OA) complex can be greatly quenched by albumins in sodium dodecyl sulphate (SLS). Under optimum conditions, the quenched fluorescence intensity is in proportion to the concentration of proteins in the range of 5.0×10⁻⁸-1.0×10⁻⁵ g ml⁻¹ for bovine serum albumin (BSA), 1.0×10⁻⁷-1.0×10⁻⁵ g ml⁻¹ for human serum albumin (HSA) and 4.0×10⁻⁷-1.0×10⁻⁵ g ml⁻¹ for egg albumin (EA). Their detection limits (S/N=3) are 2.1×10⁻⁸, 2.5×10⁻⁸ and 5.0×10⁻⁸ g ml⁻¹, respectively. In addition, the interaction mechanism is also investigated.     

One-step aqueous synthesis of CdS nanoparticles as a novel fluorescence probe for the ultrasensitive detection of DNA

One-step aqueous synthesis of CdS nanoparticles as a novel fluorescence probe for sensitive and selective determination of DNA with synchronous fluorescence spectrometric method has been developed. Different from the traditional organometallic route, in which toxic precursors or solvents might be used, the wet chemical approach demonstrated in this paper is superior in terms of simplicity, using of nontoxic materials, mild synthetic condition and good reproducibility. When Δλ=255 nm, maximum synchronous fluorescence is produced at 264 nm, the synchronous fluorescence intensity of the composite nanoparticles is significantly decreased in the presence of trace DNA at PH 0.91. Under optimal conditions, the linear ranges of the calibration curves are 0.08-30.0 μg mL⁻¹ for ctDNA and 0.05-35.0 μg mL⁻¹ for hsDNA, respectively. The detection limits are 1.5 ng mL⁻¹ for ctDNA and 2.2 ng mL⁻¹ for hsDNA, respectively. Furthermore, the method is successfully applied to the quantification of DNA in synthetic samples. The results show that this proposed method is stable, sensitive and practical for the determination of trace DNA.     

Fluorescence enhancement effect for the determination of curcumin with yttrium(III)—curcumin—sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate system

It is found that the fluorescence of curcumin is greatly enhanced by yttrium(III) (Y³⁺) in the presence of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate. Based on this, a sensitive fluorimetric method for the determination of curcumin in aqueous solution is proposed. In the potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) buffer, the fluorescence intensity of curcumin is proportional to the concentration of curcumin in the range of 7.37×10⁻⁴-0.18, 0.18-2.95 μg mL⁻¹ and the detection limit is 0.1583 ng mL⁻¹. The actual samples are satisfactorily determined. In addition, the interaction mechanism is also studied.     

Determination of lead in Yellow River using ammonium molybdate as a molecular probe by resonance light scattering technique

A novel method for the determination of trace lead in Yellow River using ammonium molybdate (AM) as a molecular probe based on resonance light scattering (RLS) has been developed. In the presence of KHC₈H₄O₄-NaOH buffer solution, Pb²⁺ can react with AM to form an association, which results in the significant enhancement of RLS intensity and the appearance of the corresponding RLS characteristics. The enhanced RLS intensity is directly proportional to the concentration of Pb²⁺ in the range of 0.01-1.0 μg mL⁻¹. The detection limit can achieve 1.89 ng mL⁻¹. Moreover, the characteristics of RLS spectra of the complexes, the optimum conditions and the influencing factors have been investigated. The method has high selectivity and sensitivity, and was applied to the determination of Pb²⁺ in Yellow River with satisfactory results, which was in agreement with that of atomic absorbance spectrometry (AAS).     

Determination of l-proline based on anodic electrochemiluminescence of CdTe quantum dots

A novel flow injection method for detection of l-proline was proposed in the presence of CdTe quantum dots (QDs). This method is based on the enhanced anodic electrochemiluminescence (ECL) emission of CdTe QDs l-proline in aqueous system. CdTe QDs were modified with thioglycolic acid to obtain stable water-soluble QDs and intensive anodic ECL emission in Na₂CO₃–NaHCO₃ buffer solution at an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode, which was used for the sensitive detection of ECL enhancement using our homemade flow cell. Under the optimal conditions, the ECL intensity was correlated linearly with the concentration of l-proline over the range of 1.0×10^?8?1.0×10^?4 g mL^?1 (r=0.9996) and the detection limit was 5.0×10^?9 g mL^?1. The relative standard deviation was 1.12% for 6.0×10^?5 g mL^?1 l-proline (n=11). The possible mechanism was discussed. This method put forward a new efficient ECL methodology for enhancement-related determination of l-proline successfully.     

Preparation of a novel fluorescence probe of terbium-europium co-luminescence composite nanoparticles and its application in the determination of proteins

Terbium-europium Tb-Eu/acetylacetone(acac)/poly(acrylamide) (PAM) co-luminescence composite nanoparticles were successfully prepared using the ultrasonic approach. The as-prepared composite nanoparticles show the characteristic emission spectra of Tb³⁺, located at 496 and 549 nm. Furthermore, the nanoparticles are water soluble, stable and have extremely narrow emission bands and high internal fluorescence quantum yield due to the co-luminescence effect. Further studies indicate that proteins can interact with the nanoparticles and induce the fluorescence quenching of the nanoparticles. Based on the fluorescence quenching of nanopaticles in the presence of proteins, a novel method for the sensitive determination of trace amounts of proteins was proposed. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the linear ranges of calibration curves are 0-3.5 μg mL⁻¹ for human serum albumin (HSA) and 0-4.0 μg mL⁻¹ for γ-globulin (γ−IgG), respectively. The limits of detection are 7.1 for HSA and 6.7ng mL⁻¹ for γ−IgG, respectively. The method was applied to the quantification of proteins in synthetic samples and actual human serum samples with satisfactory results. This proposed method is sensitive, simple and has potential application in the clinical assay of proteins.     

Fluorometric determination of proteins using the yttrium(III)-sodium lauryl sulfate-rutin-protein system

It is found that rutin can react with yttrium(III) (Y³⁺), and emits fluorescence of rutin. The intensity is greatly enhanced by proteins in the presence of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Based on this, a new fluorimetric method of determination of proteins is developed. Under optimum conditions, the enhanced intensity of fluorescence is in proportion to the concentration of proteins in the range of 5.0×10⁻⁹-1.0×10⁻⁵ g/mL for bovine serum albumin (BSA), 3.0×10⁻⁸-1.0×10⁻⁵ g/mL for human serum albumin (HSA) and 1.0×10⁻⁷-2.0×10⁻⁵ g/mL for egg albumin (EA). Their detection limits (S/N=3) are 1.6×10⁻⁹, 9.8×10⁻⁹ and 2.1×10⁻⁸ g/mL, respectively. The interaction mechanism is also studied.     

Synchronous fluorescence determination of ciprofloxacin in the pharmaceutical formulation and human serum based on the perturbed luminescence of rare-earth ions

A simple, rapid and sensitive synchronous fluorescence method was developed for the determination of ciprofloxacin (CPFX) in the pharmaceutical formulation and human serum. The results show that when Y³⁺ is added into the CPFX solution, the characteristic fluorescence of Y³⁺ is not emitted whereas the fluorescence intensity of CPFX is significantly enhanced. The synchronous fluorescence technology is employed in this method to directly determine trace amount of CPFX in human serum. A linear relationship between the fluorescence intensity and the CPFX concentration is obtained in the range of 1.0×10⁻⁹ ∼5.0×10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹. The limit of detection (LOD) of this method attains as low as 2.0×10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹ (S/N=3). The selectivity of this method is also very good. Common metal ions, rare-earth ions and some pharmaceuticals, which are usually used together with CPFX in the clinic, do not interfere with the determination of CPFX under general conditions.     

Luminescence enhancement effect for the determination of balofloxacin with balofloxacin-europium (III)-sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate system

A novel method of luminescence enhancement effect for the determination of balofloxacin (BLFX) was proposed. A new system of the BLFX-Eu³⁺-SDBS (sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate) was investigated. It was found that SDBS significantly enhanced the luminescence intensity of the BLFX-Eu³⁺ complex (about 20-fold). Under the optimized experimental conditions, the system exhibits an excellent linear relationship between the enhanced luminescence intensity and the concentration of BLFX over the range of 1.0×10⁻⁸-8.0×10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ with a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.9994, and the detection limit (3σ) of the method was determined as 2.0×10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹. This method has been successfully applied for the determination of BLFX in pharmaceuticals and human urine/serum samples. Compared with most of the other methods reported, the rapid and simple procedure proposed in the text offers higher sensitivity, wider linear range, and better stability.     

Fluorometric determination of proteins using the terbium (III)-2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone-sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate-protein system

It is found that in hexamethylene tetramine (HMTA)-HCl buffer of pH=8.00, proteins can enhance the fluorescence of terbium (III) (Tb³⁺)-2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA)-sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) system. Based on this, a sensitive method for the determination of proteins is proposed. The experiments indicate that under the optimum conditions, the enhanced fluorescence intensity is in proportion to the concentration of proteins in the range of 4.0×10⁻⁹-7.5×10⁻⁶ g/mL for bovine serum albumin (BSA), 5.0×10⁻⁹-1.5×10⁻⁵ g/mL for human serum albumin (HSA), 1.0×10⁻⁸-7.5×10⁻⁶ g/mL for egg albumin (EA). Their detection limits (S/N=3) are 0.5, 0.8 and 2.0 ng/mL, respectively. The interaction mechanism is also studied.     

Effect of Nd concentration on structural and optical properties of Nd:Y2O3 transparent ceramic

Y₂O₃ transparent ceramics with different Nd concentration (0.1-7.0at%) were fabricated using ZrO₂ as additive. All the samples exhibit high transparency over a broad spectral region. The elements (Y, O and Nd) are uniformly distributed in the ceramic body, and the average grain size increases with Nd content. Based on the absorption spectrum, the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters are calculated (Ω₂=4.364×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₄=3.609×10⁻²⁰ cm² and Ω₆=2.919×10⁻²⁰ cm²). The absorption coefficients increase linearly with Nd³⁺ doping concentration. The absorption cross-section at 804 nm and stimulated emission cross-section at 1078 nm are calculated to be 1.54×10⁻²⁰ and 7.24×10⁻²⁰ cm², respectively. All the emission bands exhibit the highest emission intensities with 1.0at% Nd³⁺ ion content, while the lifetime decreases dramatically from 321.5 μs (0.1at% Nd) to 17.9 μs (7.0at% Nd). According to the emission spectra and measured lifetime, the optimum doping concentration of Nd³⁺ ion in Y₂O₃ transparent ceramic might be around 1.0at%.     

A sensitive fluorimetric method for determination of trace amounts of nitrite based on luminescence energy transfer

An efficient luminescence energy transfer (LET) system based on terbium(III)-sodium hexametaphosphate (Tb/SHMP) chelates as donor and 4-((4-(2-aminoethylamino)naphthalen-1-yl)diazenyl)benzenesulfonic acid dihydrochloride (ANDBS) as acceptor was developed for sensitive determination of trace nitrite. Stable and strong fluorescence Tb/SHMP chelates were prepared in aqueous solution. Based on Griess Reaction, ANDBS was generated by the quantitative reaction of nitrite, sulfanilamide and N-(1-naphtyl)-ethylenediamine dihydrochloride (N1NED). The degree of the overlap was effective for LET between the emission spectrum of Tb/SHMP chelates and the absorption spectrum of ANDBS. Based on the luminescence intensity quenching of Tb/SHMP chelates in proportion to the trace amounts of nitrite, a new assay for the selective and sensitive determination of nitrite was developed. Under the optimum conditions, the linear calibration graph was obtained with a linear range of 0.00040-0.20 μg mL⁻¹ (R=0.99657). The detection limit of was 0.00010 μg mL⁻¹ (R=0.99657). The method was applied successfully to the determination of nitrite for synthetic samples.     

Structure and low-temperature properties of Ba8Ni6Ge40

Structural, magnetic, heat capacity, electrical and thermal transport properties are reported on polycrystalline Ba₈Ni₆Ge₄₀. Ba₈Ni₆Ge₄₀ crystallizes in a cubic type I clathrate structure with unit cell a=10.5179 (4) Å. It is diamagnetic with susceptibility χ_dia=−1.71×10^-6 emu/g Oe. An Einstein temperature 75 K and a Debye temperature 307 K are estimated from heat capacity data. It exhibits n-type conducting behavior below 300 K. It shows high Seebeck coefficients (−111×10^-6 V/K), low thermal conductivity (2.25 W/K m), and low electrical resistivity (8.8 mΩ cm) at 300 K.     

High resolution infrared spectroscopy of [1.1.1]propellane

The infrared spectrum of [1.1.1]propellane has been recorded at high resolution (0.002 cm⁻¹) with individual rovibrational lines resolved for the first time. This initial report presents the ground state constants for this molecule determined from the analysis of five of the eight infrared-allowed fundamentals ν₉(e′), ν₁₀(e′), ν₁₂(e′), , as well as of several combination bands. In nearly all cases it was found that the upper states of the transitions exhibit some degree of perturbation but, by use of the combination difference method, the assigned frequencies provided over 4000 consistent ground state difference values. Analysis of these gave for the parameters of the ground state the following values, in cm⁻¹: B₀ = 0.28755833(14), D_J = 1.1313(5) × 10⁻⁷, D_JK = −1.2633(7) × 10⁻⁷, H_J = 0.72(4) × 10⁻¹³, H_JK = −2.24(13) × 10⁻¹³, and H_KJ = 2.25(15) × 10⁻¹³, where the numbers in parentheses indicate twice the uncertainties in the last quoted digit(s) of the parameters. Gaussian ab initio calculations, especially with the computed anharmonic corrections to some of the spectroscopic parameters, assisted in the assignments of the bands and also provided information on the electron distribution in the bridge-head carbon-carbon bond.     

Growth and spectroscopic characterization of Er: Sr3Y(BO3)3 crystal

This paper reports the growth and spectroscopic characterization of Er³⁺:Sr₃Y(BO₃)₃ crystal. Er³⁺:Sr₃Y(BO₃)₃ crystal with dimensions up to ∅20×35 mm³ has been grown by Czochralski method. The polarized spectroscopic properties of Er³⁺:Sr₃Y(BO₃)₃ crystal were investigated. Based on the Judd-Ofelt theory, the effective intensity parameters Ω_t were obtained: Ω₂=1.71×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₄=1.39×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₆=0.74×10⁻²⁰ cm² for π-polarization, and Ω₂=1.77×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₄=1.44×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₆=0.65×10⁻²⁰ cm² for σ-polarization. The emission cross-section σ_em was calculated to be 4.75×10⁻²¹ cm² for π-polarization at 1536 nm and 6.30×10⁻²¹ cm² for σ-polarization at 1537 nm. The investigated results showed that Er³⁺:Sr₃Y(BO₃)₃ crystal may be regarded as a potential laser host material for 1.55 μm IR solid-state lasers.     

Preparation of five-layered Si/SixGe1−x nano-films by RF helicon magnetron sputtering

Five-layered Si/Si_xGe_1−x films on Si(1 0 0) substrate with single-layer thickness of 30 nm, 10 nm and 5 nm, respectively were prepared by RF helicon magnetron sputtering with dual targets of Si and Ge to investigate the feasibility of an industrial fabrication method on multi-stacked superlattice structure for thin-film thermoelectric applications. The fine periodic structure is confirmed in the samples except for the case of 5 nm in single-layer thickness. Fine crystalline Si_xGe_1−x layer is obtained from 700 °C in substrate temperature, while higher than 700 °C is required for Si good layer. The composition ratio (x) in Si_xGe_1−x is varied depending on the applied power to Si and Ge targets. Typical power ratio to obtain x = 0.83 was 7:3, Hall coefficient, p-type carrier concentration, sheet carrier concentration and mobility measured for the sample composed of five layers of Si (10 nm)/Si_0.82Ge_0.18 (10 nm) are 2.55 × 10⁶ /°C, 2.56 × 10¹² cm⁻³, 1.28 × 10⁷ cm⁻², and 15.8 cm⁻²/(V s), respectively.     

Temperature dependence of magnetic anisotropy in nanoparticles of CoxFe(3−x)O4

In this paper we present a study of the magnetic anisotropy constant of nanocrystalline magnetic particles of Co_xFe_(3−x)O₄, with x ranging from 0.05 to 1.6, synthesized by a combustion reaction. The magnetic anisotropy constants were obtained by fitting the high-field part of the major hysteresis loops with the law of approach equation down to temperatures of 4 K and up to fields of 60 kOe. The anisotropy constant depends strongly on both temperature and cobalt content x, exhibiting a nonmonotic dome-shaped dependence on x with a maximum at x=1.0. We found that fits at lower temperatures, i.e., 4 and 72 K, give values of K₁ that are approximately one order of magnitude higher than those at higher temperatures, i.e., 272 and 340 K. For example, K₁ for specimens with x=0.8 and 1.0 are 4.21×10⁷ and 4.22×10⁷ ergs/cm³ at 4 K, and 7.64×10⁶ and 7.51×10⁶ ergs/cm³ at 340 K, respectively. Thus, our determination of temperature-dependence of the anisotropy constant represents an improvement over existing works.     

Illumination dependence of I-V and C-V characterization of Au/InSb/InP(1 0 0) Schottky structure

The effects of surface preparation and illumination on electric parameters of Au/InSb/InP(100) Schottky diode were investigated, in the later diode InSb forms a fine restructuration layer allowing to block In atoms migration to surface. In order to study the electric characteristics under illumination, we make use of an He-Ne laser of 1 mW power and 632.8 nm wavelength. The current-voltage I(V_G), the capacitance-voltage C(V_G) measurements were plotted and analysed. The saturation current I_s, the serial resistance R_s and the mean ideality factor n are, respectively, equal to 2.03 × 10⁻⁵ A, 85 Ω, 1.7 under dark and to 3.97 × 10⁻⁵ A, 67 Ω, 1.59 under illumination. The analysis of I(V_G) and C(V_G) characteristics allows us to determine the mean interfacial state density N_ss and the transmission coefficient θ_n equal, respectively, to 4.33 × 10¹² eV⁻¹ cm⁻², 4.08 × 10⁻³ under dark and 3.79 × 10¹² eV⁻¹ cm⁻² and 5.65 × 10⁻³ under illumination. The deep discrete donor levels presence in the semiconductor bulk under dark and under illumination are responsible for the non-linearity of the C⁻²(V_G) characteristic.     

Novel multilayered porous silicon-based immunosensor for determining Hydroxysafflor yellow A

External random factors have a great influence on the fabrication of accurate photonic crystal, especially porous silicon-based photonic crystals. Compared with the binary photonic crystal, polybasic structure photonic crystal shows more stability and smaller effect of the random fluctuation. In this paper, we have fabricated a novel simple porous silicon polybasic Bragg's mirror combined with excellent specific antigen-antibody inmunoreaction as an immunosensor for determining Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), which is the main chemical component of Carthamus tinctorius L. The binding of HSYA and the polyclonal anti-HSYA antibodies causes red shifts in the reflection spectrum of the sensor, and the red shift was proportional to the HSYA concentration with linear relationship ranging from 1 to 3 μg mL⁻¹ with a detection limit of 0.78 ng mL⁻¹. Importantly, this research offers hope for development of a commercial porous silicon-based immunosensor for component determination of C. tinctorius L. or other antigens.     

CW-cavity ring down spectroscopy of the ozone molecule in the 6625-6830 cm region

The absorption spectrum of ozone, ¹⁶O₃, has been recorded by CW-cavity ring down spectroscopy in the 6625-6830 cm⁻¹ region. The typical sensitivity of these recordings (α_min ∼ 3 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm⁻¹) allows observing very weak transitions with intensity down to 2 × 10⁻²⁸ cm/molecule. 483 and 299 transitions have been assigned to the 2ν₁ + 3ν₂ + 3ν₃A-type band and to the 2ν₁ + 4ν₂ + 2ν₃B-type band, respectively, which are the highest frequency bands of ozone recorded so far under high resolution. Rovibrational transitions with J and K_a values up to 46 and 12, respectively, could be assigned. Despite well-known difficulties to correctly reproduce the energy levels not far from the dissociation limit, it was possible to determine the parameters of an effective Hamiltonian which includes six vibrational states, four of them being dark states. The line positions analysis led to an rms deviation of 8.5 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹ while the experimental line intensities could be satisfactorily reproduced. Additional experiments in the 5970-6021 cm⁻¹ region allows detecting the (233) ← (010) hot band reaching the same upper state as the preceding cold band. From the effective parameters of the (233) state just determined and those of the (010) level available in the literature, 329 transitions could be assigned and used for a further refinement of the rovibrational parameters of the effective Hamiltonian leading to a value of 7.6 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹ for the global rms deviation. The complete list of the experimentally determined rovibrational energy levels of the (233), (242), and (520) states is given. The determined effective Hamiltonian and transition moment operators allowed calculating a line list (intensity cut off of 10⁻²⁸ cm/molecule at 296 K), available as Supplementary material for the 6590-6860 and 5916-6021 cm⁻¹ regions. The integrated band strength values are 1.75 × 10⁻²⁴ and 4.78 × 10⁻²⁵ cm/molecule at 296 K for the 2ν₁ + 3ν₂ + 3ν₃A-type band and to the 2ν₁ + 4ν₂ + 2ν₃B-type band, respectively, while the band intensity value of the (233) ← (010) is estimated to be 1.03 × 10⁻²⁴ cm/molecule.