Polymer pixel enhancement by laser-induced forward transfer for sensor applications

This paper presents polymer pixel printing for applications in chemoselective sensors where nanosecond laser direct transfer methods, with a triazene polymer (TP) acting as a Dynamic Release Layer (DRL), are used. A systematic study of laser fluence, donor film morphology and both single- and multiple-pixel deposition were optimized with the final goal to obtain continuous pixels of sensitive polymers, polyethylenimine (PEI) and polyisobutylene (PIB), on SAW surfaces. Morphology characterization after the laser transfer has been performed by Optical Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The responses of the coated transducers were measured after deposition with different laser fluences and it was found that a fluence under 625 mJ/cm² was required in order to prevent damage of the interdigital transducers (IDT) of the sensor devices. The sensitivity of the polymer coated devices to acetone concentrations gives an indication that LIFT can be used for printing sensitive polymer pixels onto transducer devices.     

A ketogenic diet increases succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) activity and recovers age-related decrease in numeric density of SDH-positive mitochondria in cerebellar Purkinje cells of late-adult rats

Ketogenic diets (KDs) have been applied in the therapy of paediatric epilepsy for nearly a century. Recently, beneficial results have also been reported on metabolic disorders and neurodegeneration, designating aged individuals as possible recipients. However, KDs efficacy decrease after the suckling period, and very little is known about their impact on the aging brain. In the present study, the effect on the neuronal energetic supply of a KD containing 20% of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) was investigated in Purkinje cells of the cerebellar vermis of late-adult (19-month-old) rats. The animals were fed with the KD for 8 weeks, and succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) activity was cytochemically determined. The following parameters of SDH-positive mitochondria were evaluated by the use of a computer-assisted image analysis system connected to a transmission electron microscope: numeric density (Nv), average volume (V), volume density (Vv), and cytochemical precipitate area/mitochondrial area (R). Young, age-matched, and old animals fed with a standard chow were used as controls. We found significantly higher Nv in MCT-KD-fed rats vs. all the control groups, in young vs. late-adult and old controls, and in late-adult vs. old controls. V and Vv showed no significant differences among the groups. R was significantly higher in MCT-KD-fed rats vs. all the control animals, and in old vs. young and late-adult controls. Present data indicate that the ketogenic treatment counteracted age-related decrease in numeric density of SDH-positive mitochondria, and enhanced their metabolic efficiency. Given the central role of mitochondrial impairment in age-related physio-pathological changes of the brain, these findings may represent a starting point to examine novel potentialities for KDs.     

Ti(SO_4)_2水解-水热法制备锐钛型纳米TiO_2及其光催化性能

以Ti(SO4)2水溶液为原料,在水热条件下直接水解合成了锐钛型纳米TiO2颗粒。利用透射电镜(TEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)、BET低温吸附和紫外-可见光谱(UV-Vis)等方法对产物进行了表征,并研究了样品光催化降解甲基橙(MO)的性能。结果表明所制得纳米TiO2颗粒为锐钛矿型,晶型良好,平均粒径为24 nm,BET比表面积约为56.20 m2.g-1。光催化活性与商品纳米TiO2(P25)相近,具有良好的工业应用前景。     

无菌与带菌盐藻矿质元素含量的比较分析

采用火焰原子吸收光度法分别测定了对数初、中、末期无菌与带菌盐藻细胞及上清液中Mg,Fe,K,Ca,Na,Mn,Zn,Cu,Ni,Cd和Cr的含量。结果表明:(1)该盐藻Mg,Fe,K,Ca和Na的含量在1～10mg.g-1之间,Zn,Cu,Mn和Ni的含量基本在0.1～1 mg.g-1之间,有害金属Cd和Cr的含量极微。(2)无菌与带菌盐藻不同时期矿质元素的变化趋势大致相同,Mg,Fe,K,Ca,Na,Mn和Cu的含量随着培养时间的延长有所下降,Ca下降的最明显;Mg,Fe,K,Ca和Na的含量在上清液中保持稳定,无明显差异,而Cu和Mn含量在对数中后期的上清液中明显增加。(3)无菌与带菌盐藻Mg,K,Cu和Ni的含量差异不大;带菌盐藻的Fe,Ca,Na和Zn的含量在对数中期均显著下降,且低于无菌盐藻;而到对数末期又明显高于无菌盐藻。本实验结果为进一步利用盐藻资源以及深入研究藻菌相互作用机理提供了参考。     

The a.c. susceptibility third harmonic component of NdO1−0.14F0.14FeAs: A flux dynamic magnetic analysis

In this contribution we present the analysis of the third harmonic susceptibility data of the new superconductor NdFeAs_1−0.14F_0.14. ‘Cole-Cole’ polar plots respect to the magnetic frequency of the exciting field are presented and discussed. Data show that NdFeAs_1−0.14F_0.14 exhibit a ‘bulk pinning’ with a 3D flux dynamic character. A comparison of the responses of high T_c materials and an evaluation of theoretical critical states is also presented.     

The VIP Experimental Limit on the Pauli Exclusion Principle Violation by Electrons

In this paper we describe an experimental test of the validity of the Pauli Exclusion Principle (for electrons) which is based on a straightforward idea put forward a few years ago by Ramberg and Snow (Phys. Lett. B 238:438, 1990). We perform a very accurate search of X-rays from the Pauli-forbidden atomic transitions of electrons in the already filled 1S shells of copper atoms. Although the experiment has a very simple structure, it poses deep conceptual and interpretational problems. Here we describe the experimental method and recent experimental results, which we interpret in the framework of quon theory. We also present future plans to upgrade the experimental apparatus using Silicon Drift Detectors.     

Light intensity modulation fiber-optic sensor for curvature measurement

A light intensity modulation fiber-optic sensor, which can measure curvature directly, has been developed. It is suitable for the measurement of thin, embedded or highly flexible structures. An experimental analysis on the static and dynamic characteristics of sensor has been undertaken. The results show that the output voltage has polarity and a good linear relationship with curvature when the curvature radius is larger than 60 mm. The mathematical model relating the relative output loss, parameters of sensitive zone’s configuration (depth, number, height and half angle of tooth) and bending radius is described analytically based on the geometric optics. Curvature fiber-optic sensors can be used to build a quasi-distributed fiber-optic sensor system, which can measure curvature and torsion angle simultaneously.     

Resolution improvement of digital holographic images based on angular multiplexing with incoherent beams in orthogonal polarization states

We present a method to improve the resolution of digital holographic images based on angular multiplexing with incoherent beams from two orthogonal polarized components of natural light. Two incoherent subholograms are synchronously recorded by two pairs of incoherent object waves and reference waves with orthogonal polarization states, in which the object is illuminated by two incoherent beams from different directions. The increase in resolution is obtained through phase correction and superposition of two reconstructed object waves. Experimental results show that the resolution and quality of the reconstructed image can be effectively improved.     

Pulse-width modulation in defocused three-dimensional fringe projection

Shape measurements by fringe projection methods require high-quality sinusoidal fringes. We present a sinusoidal fringe generation technique that utilizes slightly defocused binary fringe projection. The proposed method is a spatial version of the well-known pulse-width modulation (PWM) technique of electrical engineering. PWM is easy to implement using off-the-shelf projectors, and it allows us to overcome the gamma problem (i.e., the nonlinear projector response) in the output light intensity. We will demonstrate that, with a small defocusing level--lower than with other techniques proposed in the literature--a high-quality sinusoidal pattern is obtained. Validation experiments using a commercial video projector are presented.     

Digital self-referencing quantitative phase microscopy by wavefront folding in holographic image reconstruction

A completely numerical method, named digital self-referencing holography, is described to easily accomplish a quantitative phase microscopy for microfluidic devices by a digital holographic microscope. The approach works through an appropriate numerical manipulation of the retrieved complex wavefront. The self-referencing is obtained by folding the retrieved wavefront in the image plane. The folding operation allows us to obtain the correct phase map by subtracting from the complex region of interest a flat area outside the microfluidic channel. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the method, quantitative phase maps of bovine spermatozoa and in vitro cells are retrieved.