CtrA gene based electrochemical DNA sensor for detection of meningitis

Electrochemical DNA sensor has been fabricated by immobilizing thiolated single stranded oligonucleotide (ssDNA) probe onto gold (Au) coated glass electrode for meningitis detection using hybridization with complementary DNA (CtrA) in presence of methylene blue (MB). These electrodes (ssDNA/Au and dsDNA/Au) have been characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetric (CV) technique. The DNA/Au electrode can detect the complementary DNA in the range of 7–42 ng/μl in 5 min (hybridization) with response time 60 s and electrode is stable for about 4 months when stored at 4 °C. The sensitivity of dsDNA/Au electrode is 115.8 μA/ng with 0.917 regression coefficient (R).     

Electrochemical Characterization of (ZnO/dsDNA)n Layer-by-layer Films and Detection of Natural DNA Oxidative Damage

The positively charged nano‐ZnO and negatively charged natural DNA were alternately adsorbed on the surface of a gold electrode, forming (ZnO/dsDNA)_nlayer‐by‐layer films. Valuable dynamic information for controlling the formation and growth of the films was obtained by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) measurements showed that the electroactive probe methylene blue (MB) could be loaded in the (ZnO/dsDNA)_nfilms from its solution, and then released from the films into Britton‐Robinson (B‐R) buffer. The complete reloading of MB in the films could be realized by immersing the films in MB solution again. However, after incubation in the solution of carcinogenic metal nickel, the damaged (ZnO/dsDNA)_n films could not return to their original and fully‐loaded state, and showed smaller DPV peak currents. The results demonstrated that the DNA damage induced by the hydroxyl radical could be achieved by electrochemistry.     

Thermodynamic properties of {(NH4)2SO4(aq) + Li2SO4(aq)} and {(NH4)2SO 4(aq) + Na2SO4(aq)} at a temperature of 298.15 K

The water activities and osmotic coefficients of aqueous solutions of {(NH₄ )₂SO ₄ +  Li ₂SO ₄} and {(NH₄ )₂SO ₄ +  Na ₂SO ₄} have been determined at a temperature of 298.15 K with a hygrometric method, at molalities in the region 0.2 mol · kg ^− 1 to saturation of the solutes for different fractional ionic-strengthsy =  0.2, 0.5, and 0.8 of (NH ₄)₂SO ₄. The experimental results are compared with the predictions obtained from our extended compared additivity model, as well as the models reported by Zdanovskii, Stokes and Robinson, Pitzer, and Lietzke-Stoughton. From these measurements, parameters of Pitzers model have been determined. These were used to predict solute activity coefficients in the mixture and calculate the excess Gibbs function at total molalities for different y for these systems.     

Glass transition behaviour of the quaternary ammonium type ionic liquid, {[DEME][I] + H2O} mixtures

By a simple DTA system, the glass transition temperatures of the quaternary ammonium type ionic liquid, {N,N-diethyl-N-methyl-N-(2-methoxyethyl) ammonium iodide, [DEME][I] + H₂O} mixtures after quick pre-cooling were measured as a function of water concentration (x mol% H₂O). Results were compared with the previous results of {[DEME][BF₄] + H₂O} mixtures in which double glass transitions were observed in the water concentration region of (16.5 to 30.0) mol% H₂O. Remarkably, we observed the double glass transition phenomenon in {[DEME][I] + H₂O} mixtures too, but the two-T_gs regions lie towards the water-rich side of (77.5 to 85.0) mol% H₂O. These clearly reflect the difference in the anionic effect between ${\text{BF}}_4^{-}$ and I^? on the water structure. The end of the glass-formation region of {[DEME][I] + H₂O} mixtures is around x = 95.0 mol% H₂O, and this is comparable to that of {[DEME][BF₄] + H₂O} mixtures (x = 96.0 mol% H₂O).     

High-surface-area microporous carbon as the efficient photocathode of dye-sensitized solar cells

This paper reports on the application of cornstalks-derived high-surface-area microporous carbon (MC) as the efficient photocathode of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The photocathode, which contains MC active material, Vulcan XC–72 carbon black conductive agent, and TiO₂ binder, was obtained by a doctor blade method. Electronic impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of the MC film uniformly coated on fluorine doped SnO₂ (FTO) glass displayed a low charge-transfer resistance of 1.32 Ω cm². Cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis of the as-prepared MC film exhibited excellent catalytic activity for I₃^?/I^? redox reactions. The DSCs assembled with the MC film photocathode presented a short-circuit photocurrent density (J_sc) of 14.8 mA cm^?2, an open-circuit photovoltage (V_oc) of 798 mV, and a fill factor (FF) of 62.3%, corresponding to an overall conversion efficiency of 7.36% under AM 1.5 irradiation (100 mW cm^?2), which is comparable to that of DSCs with Pt photocathode obtained by conventional thermal decomposition.     

Optical,structural and electrochromic studies of molybdenum oxide thin films with nanorod structure

The MoO₃ thin films were prepared via sol–gel dip coating method on glass and FTO glass substrate. The optical and other properties of multilayered MoO₃ films with 2–10 layers were investigated. The MoO₃ films were studied using UV–Visible transmission, XRD, SEM, FTIR and Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) measurements. The band gap value for MoO₃ films was evaluated and in the range of 3.2 eV–3.72 eV. The XRD spectrum reveals that the crystallinity increases along the (020) and (040) planes with the increase in thickness. The SEM images showed the formation of nanorods upto six layers. The FTIR spectrum confirms the formation of MoO₃. The 6 layered films show the maximum anodic (spike)/cathodic (peak) diffusion coefficient of 18.84/1.701 × 10^?11 cm²/s. The same film exhibits the change in optical transmission of 49% with the bleached/coloured state transmission of 62/13%.     

Raman spectroscopic study on boron-doped silicon nanoparticles

Raman analyses were performed on thin films prepared from B-doped Si nanoparticles with an average diameter of 15 nm using the spin-coating method. The resulting spectrum exhibited a broad band with a peak near 520 cm⁻¹. The band was decomposed into three bands corresponding to the crystalline, grain boundary (GB), and amorphous regions by the least-squares band-fitting method based on the three Voigt bands. The fractions of the crystalline, GB, and amorphous regions were 37%, 35%, and 28%, respectively. A spherical particle exhibited an ordered crystalline core surrounded by a disordered shell in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) image. The crystalline fraction of the 15-nm B-doped Si nanoparticle film was much lower than that of the 19-nm P-doped Si nanoparticle film. This result suggested that the B-doping mechanism was different from that of P-doping. The temperature of the sample was estimated from the ratio of the peak intensities of anti-Stokes to Stokes Raman bands (I^AS/I^S) observed near 520 cm⁻¹. The temperature of the B-doped Si nanoparticle film upon irradiation at a power density of 4.6 kW/cm² was 298 °C, whereas the temperature of the P-doped Si nanoparticle film was 92 °C. The B-doped Si nanoparticle films were capable of producing light-induced heat.     

Structural and optical properties of sprayed Zn1−xMnxO films

In recent years the dilute magnetic semiconductors have received much attention due to the complementary properties of semiconductor and ferromagnetic behaviour. Zn_1−xMn_xO thin films have been synthesized by chemical spray pyrolysis at a substrate temperature of 400 °C with different manganese compositions that vary in the range, 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25, on Corning 7059 glass substrates. The X-ray diffraction studies revealed that all the films were strongly oriented along the (002) orientation corresponding to the hexagonal wurtzite structure. The crystalline quality of the layers was found to decrease with the increase of x, however, no structural changes were observed over the ‘Mn’ composition range investigated. The optical absorption studies revealed that the energy band gap of the films followed the Vegard's law. The optical band gap of the films prepared at x = 0.15 was found to be ∼3.35 eV. The photoluminescence characteristics of Zn_1−xMn_xO films showed an emission peak at around 390 nm with a broad band about 530 nm. The details of these results were reported and discussed.     

Glass transition in polymers monitored by synchronous scan spectra

The synchronous scan spectra (SSS) technique was successfully applied to monitor the macromolecular chain motions near the glass transition temperature in polystyrene (PS) and poly (vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) films on a copper substrate. In SSS of PS and PVME films, two peaks at 467 nm and 473 nm, which correlated to the light source spectrum of the spectrofluorimeter, were used to characterize the glass transition of polymers. By monitoring the intensity of peaks at 467 and 473 nm in the spectra, the intensity-temperature curves exhibited kinks near the glass transition. The kinks have also been shown in plots of I_R473/I_R467 vs. temperature, which implies the distinct fluctuation of SSS intensity distribution at the glass transition temperature of the polymer. As a spectroscopy measurement method with simplicity, rapidity and sensitivity, the SSS method was proved to be able to monitor the glass transition in polymers, which has been commonly measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).     

Synthesis,crystal structure and thermal behaviour of [La(hfa)3(Phen)2] (hfa = hexafluoroacetylacetonate,Phen = o-phenanthroline)

The mixed ligand complex [La(hfa)₃(Phen)₂] (I) was obtained by the interaction of La(hfa)₃ and Phen; its composition does not depend on the stoichiometry of the reagents. According to the X-ray single crystal analysis data, complex I crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n, with a = 13.583(3) Å, b = 16.959(3) Å, c = 18.860(4) Å, β = 94.71(3)° and Z = 4. The structure of I consists of isolated mononuclear molecules, the coordination number of La being 10. Thermal behaviour and composition of the vapor phase have been studied for I by thermal analysis and mass-spectrometry using a Knudsen cell. The mixed ligand complex I was found to sublime congruently in the temperature range 370–460 K: [La(hfa)₃(Phen)₂]_(s) = [La(hfa)₃(Phen)]_(g) + Phen_(g), Δ_rH⁰(T) = 316.2 ± 1.8 kJ/mol.     

Development and characterization of a titanosilicate ETS-10-coated optical fiber reactor towards the photodegradation of methylene blue

An optical fiber reactor (OFR) system containing uniformly distributed quartz fibers coated with titanosilicate ETS-10 crystals was investigated. Optimum ETS-10 film thickness (～1.5 μm) and coating length (15 cm) were determined from the light propagation analysis in a single ETS-10-coated fiber. The nearly constant value of the attenuation coefficient (α ≈ 0.10 cm^?1) for films with different thickness indicated uniform fiber surface coverage with these films. The extinction coefficient, ?, decreased from ～1.6 to ～1.0 μm^?1 with ETS-10 film thickness increasing from ～0.5 to ～1.5 μm, which suggested less contact per unit film thickness between light and ETS-10 crystals inside thicker films, likely due to their lower crystal packing density. Photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) conducted in the OFR showed higher photocatalytic activity for thicker ETS-10 films. Although higher MB photodegradation rates were obtained at higher light intensity, the apparent quantum efficiency, Φ, decreased with increasing light intensity. This is consistent with the charge separation mechanism for MB photodegradation in the UV light range investigated. All ETS-10 samples investigated showed ～4–5 times higher Φ values in the OFR than in the slurry reactor, likely due to the unique light/photocatalyst/reactant contact and high fiber packing density in the OFR.     

Alkyl-malonate-substituted thiacalix[4]arenes as ligands for bottom-up design of paramagnetic Gd(III)-containing colloids with low cytotoxicity

The present work introduces thiacalix[4]arene adopting 1,3-alternate conformation with alkyl-malonate terminal substituents as ligands for Gd(III) ions. pH-dependent complex formation of Gd(III) ions via alkyl-malonate substituents in aqueous DMSO solutions results in a precipitation. The precipitated complexes were converted into hydrophilic colloids of “plum-pudding” morphology, where the Gd(III) complexes form hard small (1.5–4 nm) cores included into larger (about 180 nm) soft PSS shells. The precipitate-to-colloid transformation is facilitated by polystyrolsulfonate (PSS) for Gd(III) complexes with thiacalix[4]arene bearing propyl-malonate groups, while the presence of PSS triggers a dissolution of the precipitated complexes for thiacalix[4]arenes with pentyl-malonate substituents. To a lesser extent the similar tendency disturbs the formation of PSS-stabilized colloids on the basis of butyl-malonate substituted thiacalix[4]arene. The PSS-stabilized colloids exhibit high longitudinal and transverse relaxivities (r₁ = 23.8 and r₂ = 29.4 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 0.47 T, respectively), while the recoating of the PSS-stabilized colloids with polyethyleneimine is accompanied by the dissolution of the hard cores. High relaxivity along with low cytotoxicity of PSS-stabilized colloids indicates their applicability as contrast agents in MRI.     

Photoelectrocatalytic activity of immobilized Yb doped WO_3 photocatalyst for degradation of methyl orange dye

Pure WO_3 and Yb:WO_3 thin films have been synthesized by spray pyrolysis technique. Effect of Yb doping concentration on photoelectrochemical, structural, morphological and optical properties of thin films are studied. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that all thin films are polycrystalline nature and exhibit monoclinic crystal structure. The 3 at% Yb:WO_3 film shows superior photoelectrochemical(PEC) performance than that of pure WO_3 film and it shows maximum photocurrent density(Iph= 1090 μA/cm~2) having onset potentials around +0.3 V/SCE in 0.01 M HClO_4. The photoelectrocatalytic process is more effective than that of the photocatalytic process for degradation of methyl orange(MO) dye. Yb doping in WO_3 photocatalyst is greatly effective to degrade MO dye. The enhancement in photoelectrocatalytic activity is mainly due to the suppressing the recombination rate of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. The mineralization of MO dye in aqueous solution is studied by measuring chemical oxygen demand(COD) values.     

TiO2/polyaniline composites： An efficient photocatalyst for the degradation of methylene blue under natural light

Polyaniline (PAn) sensitized nanocrystalline TiO_2 composites (TiO_2/PAn) were successfully prepared and used as an efficient photocatalyst for the degradation of dye methylene blue (MB).The results showed that PAn was able to sensitize TiO_2 efficiently and the composite photocatalyst could be activated by absorbing both the ultraviolet and visible light (λ:190～800nm),whereas pure TiO_2 absorbed ultraviolet light only (λ<380nm).Under the irradiation of natural light,MB could be degraded more efficiently on the TiO_2/PAn composites than on the TiO_2.Furthermore,it could be easily separated from the solution by simple sedimentation.     

Crystal structure of Pb2SbS2I3, and re-examination of the crystal chemistry within the group of (Pb/Sn/Sb) chalcogeno-iodides

The crystal structure of Pb₂SbS₂I₃ was solved at room temperature and 100 K. At 293 K it crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Cmcm (No. 63), with unit cell parameters a = 4.3262(9), b = 14.181(3), c = 16.556(3) Å, V = 1017.7(4) Å³, Z = 4. The structure is disordered, and combines a split Pb site (s.o.f. = 0.50) with one mixed (Pb,Sb) site with Pb and Sb in two distinct sub-positions. At 100 K, it is monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, with unit cell parameters a = 7.3629(6), b = 16.466(3), c = 8.5939(7) Å, β = 107.14(2)°, V = 995.6(2) Å³, Z = 4. The structure is now fully ordered, without mixed sites. On the basis of bond valence calculations, new cation distributions are proposed for published structures of the Sn isotypes, Sn₂SbS₂I₃ and Sn₂SbSe₂I₃. A re-examination of the crystal structures of various (Pb/Sn/Sb) chalcogeno-iodides is presented according to modular analysis. All these structures can be described according to three types of 1D modules, (Pb/Sn)I₄, (Sn)₂I₄ and (Pb/Sn/Sb)₄(S/Se)₂I₄. Generally each type of 1D module gives one type of slab, and the final structure corresponds to a specific stacking of two or three among these slabs. A new structural model is proposed for “α-Sn₂SI₂”, which would have the non-stoichiometric composition (Sn_5.42□_0.58)S₂(I_6.87□_0.12), ideally Sn₂₇S₁₀I₃₄, with probably a narrow solid solution field on the SnS–SnI₂ joint.     

Fabrication of highly conductive Ru/a-CNx:H composite films by anode deposit

Ruthenium(0) composite hydrogenated amorphous carbon nitride (Ru/a-CN_x:H) films were deposition on single crystal silicon (1 0 0) substrate by electrochemical deposition technique with acetonitrile as carbon source, and Ru₃(CO)₁₂ as dopant. In the deposited progress, the Si (1 0 0) acted as anode. The relative atomic ratio of Ru/N/C was about 0.28/0.33/1, and Ru nanocrystalline particles about 8 nm were homogeneously dispersed into the amorphous carbon matrix. After doping Ru into a-CN_x:H films, the conductivity of the films were evidently improved and the resistivity drastically decrease from 10⁸ Ω cm to about 100 Ω cm.     

Isopiestic determination of the osmotic and activity coefficients of Rb 2SO4 (aq) and Cs 2SO 4(aq) at T = (298.15 and 323.15) K,and representation with an extended ion-interaction (Pitzer) model

Isopiestic vapor-pressure measurements were made for Rb ₂SO ₄(aq) from molalitym =  (0.16886 to 1.5679 )mol · kg ^− 1atT =  298.15 K and from m =  (0.32902 to 1.2282 )mol · kg ^− 1at T =  323.15 K, and for Cs ₂SO₄ (aq) from m =  (0.11213 to 3.10815 )mol · kg ^− 1at T =  298.15 K and fromm =  (0.11872 to 3.5095 )mol · kg ^− 1atT =  323.15 K, with NaCl(aq) as the reference standard. Published thermodynamic information for these systems were reviewed and the isopiestic equilibrium molalities and dilution enthalpies were critically assessed and recalculated in a consistent manner. Values of the four parameters of an extended version of Pitzer`s model for osmotic and activity coefficients with an ionic-strength dependent third virial coefficient were evaluated for both systems at both temperatures, as were those of the usual three-parameter Pitzer model. Similarly, parameters of Pitzer`s model for the relative apparent molar enthalpies of dilution were evaluated at T =  298.15 K for both Rb ₂SO ₄(aq) and Cs ₂SO ₄(aq) for the more restricted range of m⩽ 0.101 mol · kg ^− 1. Values of the thermodynamic solubility product K_s(Rb₂ SO ₄, cr, 298.15 K )  =  (0.1392  ±  0.0154) and the CODATA compatible standard molar Gibbs free energy of formationΔ_fG_m^o (Rb ₂SO ₄, cr, 298.15 K )  =  − (1316.91  ±  0.59)kJ · mol ^− 1, standard molar enthalpy of formationΔ_fH_m^o (Rb ₂SO ₄, cr, 298.15 K )  =  − (1435.07  ±  0.60)kJ · mol ^− 1, and standard molar entropy S _m^o(Rb₂ SO ₄, cr, 298.15 K )  =  (199.60  ±  2.88)J · K ^− 1· mol ^− 1were derived. A sample of one of the lots of Rb ₂SO ₄(s) used for part of our isopiestic measurements was analyzed by ion chromatography, and was found to be contaminated with potassium and cesium in amounts that significantly exceeded the claims of the supplier. In contrast, analysis by ion chromatography of a lot of Cs ₂SO ₄(s) used for some of our experiments showed it was highly pure.     

Fe-doped SnO2 transparent semi-conducting thin films deposited by spray pyrolysis technique: Thermoelectric and p-type conductivity properties

In this paper, we report structural, electrical, optical, and especially thermoelectrical characterization of iron (Fe) doped tin oxide films, which have been deposited by spray pyrolysis technique. The doping level has changed from 0 to 10 wt% in solution ([Fe]/[Sn] = 0–40 at% in solution). The thermoelectric response versus temperature difference has exhibited a nonlinear behavior, and the Seebeck coefficient has been calculated from its slope in temperature range of 300–500 K. The Hall effect and thermoelectric measurements have shown p-type conductivity in SnO₂:Fe films with [Fe]/[Sn] ≥ 7.8 at%. In doping levels lower than 7.8 at%, SnO₂:Fe films have been n-type with a negative thermoelectric coefficient. The Seebeck coefficient for SnO₂:Fe films with 7.8 at% doping level has been obtained to be as high as +1850 μV/K. The analysis of as-deposited samples with thicknesses ～350 nm by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has shown polycrystalline structure with clear characteristic peak of SnO₂ cassiterite phase in all films. The optical transparency (T%) of SnO₂:Fe films in visible spectra decreases from 90% to 75% and electrical resistivity (ρ) increases from 1.2 × 10^?2 to 3 × 10³ Ω cm for Fe-doping in the range 0–40 at%.     

毛细管电泳-修饰电极电化学检测法测定饮用水中溴酸盐

通过静电组装技术在碳圆盘电极（PGE）表面制备{聚二烯丙基二甲基氯化铵（PDDA）/多壁碳纳米管（MWCNT）}n/PDDA多膜,并采用循环伏安法在多膜表面电化学修饰一磷钼酸（PMo12）膜,构筑PGE/{PDDA/MWNTs}5/PDDA/PMo12复合膜修饰电极,研究该复合膜修饰电极电化学及其对溴酸盐（BrO3-）电催化还原性质.在此基础上建立毛细管电泳-PGE/{PDDA/MWNTs}5/PDDA/PMo12修饰电极电化学检法定饮用水中溴酸盐分析新方法.在优化实验条件下,电泳峰面积与溴酸根浓度在5.0×10-8～5.0×10-5mol/L范围内呈良好性关系（r=0.9954）,检出为2.0×10-8mol/L（S/N=3）.     

Base-controlled selective construction of polysubstituted dihydrofuran and furan derivatives through an I2-mediated cyclization

A base-controlled formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to enones via an I₂-mediated cyclization was reported. Highly functionalized dihydrofurans and furans were selectively obtained under I₂/DMAP and I₂/DBU conditions in the cyclization step, respectively.