Sensitivity enhancement by exchange mediated magnetization transfer of the xenon biosensor signal

Hyperpolarized xenon associated with ligand derivatized cryptophane-A cages has been developed as a NMR based biosensor. To optimize the detection sensitivity we describe use of xenon exchange between the caged and bulk dissolved xenon as an effective signal amplifier. This approach, somewhat analogous to 'remote detection' described recently, uses the chemical exchange to repeatedly transfer spectroscopic information from caged to bulk xenon, effectively integrating the caged signal. After an optimized integration period, the signal is read out by observation of the bulk magnetization. The spectrum of the caged xenon is reconstructed through use of a variable evolution period before transfer and Fourier analysis of the bulk signal as a function of the evolution time.     

Thermal studies on dithionate compounds. II. Dithionates of lithium, sodium, and magnesium

The decomposition of Li₂S₂O₆·2 H₂O, Na₂S₂O₆·2 H₂O, and MgS₂O₆·7 H₂O has been studied using TG and DTG. Both sodium and lithium dithionates dehydrate in one step. Magnesium dithionate dehydrates in three separate steps. All three of the dithionates undergo further decomposition and lose sulfur dioxide to give stable sulfates. Kinetic parameters are presented for these reactions.     

Interspecies and interkingdom communication mediated by bacterial quorum sensing

Quorum sensing (QS) has traditionally referred to a mechanism of communication within a species of bacteria. However, emerging research implicates QS in interspecies communication and competition, and such systems have been proposed in a wide variety of bacteria. This activity of bacterial QS also extends to relationships between bacteria and eukaryotes and host-pathogen interactions in both clinical and agricultural settings are of particular interest. These relationships are particularly pertinent in light of the rising prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. In this tutorial review we describe bacterial QS and its capacity in interspecies and interkingdom interactions, as well as the corresponding eukaryotic responses.     

Free‐surface flow over a semi‐circular obstruction

The fully non‐linear free‐surface flow over a semi‐circular bottom obstruction was studied numerically in two dimensions using a mixed Eulerian–Lagrangian formulation. The problem was solved in the time domain that allows the prediction of a number of transient phenomena, such as the generation of upstream advancing solitary waves, as well as the simulation of wave breaking. A parametric study was performed for a range of values of the depth‐based Froude number up to 2.5 and non‐dimensional obstacle heights, α up to 0.9. When wave breaking does not occur, three distinct flow regimes were identified: subcritical, transcritical and supercritical. When breaking occurs it may be of any type: spilling, plunging or surging. In addition, for values of the Froude number close to 1, the upstream solitary waves break. A systematic study was undertaken to define the boundaries of each type of breaking and non‐breaking pattern and to determine the drag and lift coefficients, free‐surface profile characteristics and transient behavior. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of carrier-induced modal intermodulation on dynamic spectral characteristics of multimode Fabry-Pérot lasers

The physical mechanism attributed to producing rabbit-ears on the chirped multimode optical spectra of gain-switched Fabry-Pérot semiconductor lasers is investigated thoroughly. It has been observed experimentally that the short-wavelength rabbit-ears are dominant in the short-wavelength longitudinal modes. However, the long-wavelength rabbit-ears are dominant in the modes near the lasing wavelength, while the short-wavelength rabbit-ears are again dominant in the longest-wavelength modes. In this paper, the unequal rabbit-ears of each mode and the asymmetric chirped spectrum are shown to be a result of the dynamic power transfer between the modes during the gain-switched optical pulse due to carrier-induced modal intermodulation. Such an understanding, and the ability to model accurately this characteristic, is also shown to be essential for designing Fabry-Pérot laser systems, for short-haul applications such as fibre-to-the-home.