High pressure x-ray diffraction measurements on Mg2SiO4 glass

The structure factors of Mg₂SiO₄ glass have been measured using high energy x-ray diffraction up to pressures of 30.2 GPa, and the equation of state measured up to 12.8 GPa. The average Mg-O coordination numbers were extracted from the experimental pair distribution functions assuming two cases (i) there is no change in Si-O coordination number with pressure and (ii) the average Si-O coordination number increases the same as for pure SiO₂ glass. Both analyses give similar results and show a gradual increase in the average Mg-O coordination number from 5.0 at ambient pressure to ~ 6.6(6) at 30.2 GPa. There is good qualitative agreement between the experimental structure and equation of state data for the glass compared to several recent molecular dynamics simulations carried out on liquid Mg₂SiO₄.     

Synthesis and biological applications of selenoureas

In this review article we have discussed synthesis, free radical scavenging, enzyme inhibition, anticancer activity, DNA binding of selenoureas and detection of selenium species. We have given the structure and activity relationships of different selenoureas with each other and with their sulfur homologues (thioureas). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photoresistivity and optical switching of graphene with DNA lattices

We present the photon induced conductivity of 2D DNA lattices with and without graphene and demonstrate the switching current responses controlled by light irradiation. The conductivity in the DNA lattices with protein streptavidin controlled by blue and white lights shows significant enhancement with the addition of graphene. An optical pulse response of a graphene immobilized DNA lattice is encouraging and may lead to various bio-sensing applications such as immunological assays, DNA forensics, and toxin detection.     

Recovery of a Heat Equation by Four Measurements at One End

We consider the reconstruction of a heat equation modeling the temperature distribution of a rod from readings at one end only. We assume that the rod, whose length is unknown, is totally buried except for a neighborhood of one of its ends, which is accessible for temperature measurements. We show that, under very mild restrictions, the heat coefficient and the length of the rod can be reconstructed from at most four measurements at one end.     

Utility of solid phase extraction for spectrophotometric determination of gold in water, jewel and ore samples

A highly sensitive, selective and rapid method for the determination μg L(-1) level of Au(III) based on the rapid reaction of Au(III) with 2,3-dichloro-6-(3-carboxy-2-hydroxy-1-naphthylazo)quinoxaline (DCHNAQ) and the solid phase extraction of the colored complex with a reversed phase polymer-based C18 cartridge have been developed. The DCHNAQ reacted with Au(III) to form a violet complex of a molar ratio 3:1 [DCHNAQ to Au(III)] in the presence of 5.0 M of phosphoric acid solution and Triton X-100 medium. This complex was enriched by the solid phase extraction with a polymer-based C18 cartridge. The enrichment factor of 100 was achieved. The molar absorptivity of the complex is 2.73×10(5) l mol(-1) cm(-1) at 633 nm in the measured solution. The system obeys Beer's law in the range of 0.02-1.30 μg ml(-1), whereas the optimum concentration ranges obtained from Ringbom plot was 0.08-1.24 μg ml(-1). The relative standard deviation for ten replicates sample of 0.6 μg ml(-1) level is 1.28%. The detection and quantification limits, are 6.1 and 19.5 ng ml(-1) in the original sample. This method was applied to the determination of gold in water, jewel and ore samples with good results comparing to the GFAAS method.     

Competitive capacitive biosensing technique (CCBT): A novel technique for monitoring low molecular mass analytes using glucose assay as a model study

A novel technique for monitoring of low molecular mass analytes using a flow-injection capacitive biosensor is presented. The method is based on the ability of a small molecular mass analyte to displace a large analyte–carrier conjugate from the binding sites of an immobilized biorecognition element with weak affinity to both compounds. A model study was performed on glucose as the small molecular mass analyte. In the absence of glucose, binding of a glucose polymer or a glycoconjugate to concanavalin A results in a capacitance decrease. Upon introduction of glucose, it displaces a part of the bound glucose polymer or glycoconjugate leading to a partial restoration of capacitance. Experimental results show that the change in capacitance depends linearly on glucose concentration within the range from 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ M, corresponding to 1.8 μg ml⁻¹ to 18 mg ml⁻¹ in a logarithmic plot, with a detection limit of 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ (0.18 μg ml⁻¹) under optimized conditions. In addition, by modifying the molecular mass of the glucose polymer, amount of biorecognition element, and buffer composition, we were able to tune the analyte-sensing range. The developed technique has the benefits of expanded dynamic range, high sensitivity, and excellent reusability.     

Improvement of plasma-sprayed YSZ electrolytes for solid oxide fuel cells by alumina addition

Atmospheric plasma spray is a fast and economical process for deposition of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte for solid oxide fuel cells. YSZ powders have been used to prepare plasma-sprayed thin ceramic films on the metallic substrate employing plasma spray technology at atmospheric pressure. Alumina doping was employed to improve the structural characteristics and electrical properties of YSZ. The effect of alumina addition from 1 to 5 wt.% on the properties of plasma-sprayed YSZ films was investigated. It was found that the gas permeability of the Al-doped YSZ electrolyte layer reached a level of 8.6 × 10⁻⁷ cm⁴ gf⁻¹ s⁻¹, which is a necessary value for the practical operation of solid oxide fuel cells. Alumina doping considerably increased the ionic conductivity of plasma-sprayed YSZ. The open circuit voltage of the alumina-doped YSZ coating was approximately equal to the theoretical value for dense YSZ material.     

Design, simulation and structural optimization of a longitudinal acoustic resonator for trace gas detection using laser photoacoustic spectroscopy (LPAS)

The design of the acoustic resonator is critical for the optimization of the sensitivity of laser photoacoustic spectroscopy (LPAS) in trace gas detection applications. In this paper, an LC circuit model is used for the simulation of a 1D acoustic resonator. This acoustic resonator is designed for CO photoacoustic spectroscopy. The effects of the structural parameters, quality factor and resonant frequency on the performance of the device are theoretically analyzed. The role of the buffer volume as an acoustic filter is investigated and optimized dimensions of the buffer volume, to achieve minimum noise transmission coefficient, are calculated. The effects of the ambient temperature, variety of pressure and gas flow velocity on the resonant frequency of photoacoustic resonator and PA signal are simulated. The temperature dependence of the microphone sensitivity is also introduced.