Deflagration-to-detonation transition process for spherical aluminum dust/epoxypropane mist/air mixtures in a large-scale experimental tube

The deflagration-to-detonation transitions (DDTs) for clouds of spherical aluminum dust (SAD) mixed with air or epoxypropane mist (EPM) and air were investigated in a 29.6-m-long experimental tube of 199 mm in diameter. The clouds formed through the injection of SAD and SAD/liquid epoxypropane samples into the experimental tube. Explosions of the SAD/air mixture were initiated using a 7-m-long EPM/air cloud explosion ignited by a 40-J electric spark. Explosions in SAD/EPM/air clouds were initiated using a 1...     

The Construction of DNA Logic Gates Restricted to Certain Live Cells Based on the Structure Programmability and Aptamer-Cell Affinity of G-Quadruplexes

DNA computation is considered a fascinating alternative to silicon-based computers; it has evoked substantial attention and made rapid advances. Besides realizing versatile functions, implementing spatiotemporal control of logic operations, especially at the cellular level, is also of great significance to the development of DNA computation. However, developing simple and efficient methods to restrict DNA logic gates performing in live cells is still a challenge. In this work, a series of DNA logic gates was designed by taking full advantage of the diversity and programmability of the G-quadruplex (G4) structure. More importantly, by further using the high affinity and specific endocytosis of cells to aptamer G4, an INHIBIT logic gate has been realized whose operational site is precisely restricted to specific live cells. The design strategy might have great potential in the field of molecular computation and smart bio-applications.     

A simple and efficient method for potential point-of-care diagnosis of human papillomavirus genotypes: combination of isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification with lateral flow dipstick and reverse dot blot

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in the world’s woman population with a high incidence in developing countries where diagnostic conditions for the cancer are poor. The main culprit causing the cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is divided into three major groups, i.e., high-risk (HR) group, probable high-risk (pHR) group, and low-risk (LR) group according to their potential of causing cervical cancer. Therefore, developing a sensitive, reliable, and cost-effective point-of-care diagnostic method for the virus genotypes in developing countries even worldwide is of high importance for the cancer prevention and control strategies. Here we present a combined method of isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), lateral flow dipstick (LFD), and reverse dot blot (RDB), in quick point-of-care identification of HPV genotypes. The combined method is highly specific to HPV when the conserved L1 genes are used as targeted genes for amplification. The method can be used in identification of HPV genotypes at point-of-care within 1 h with a sensitivity of low to 100 fg of the virus genomic DNA. We have demonstrated that it is an excellent diagnostic point-of-care assay in monitoring the disease without time-consuming and expensive procedures and devices.

     

Cu0NPs@CMC: an efficient recoverable nanocatalyst for decarboxylative A3 and A3 couplings under neat condition

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Copper nanoparticles assembled on carboxymethylcellulose (Cu0NPs@CMC) were successfully synthesized and well characterized by FT-IR, SEM, EDS, TEM, XPS, and...     

A Novel Approach to All-Optical Generation of Ultra-Wideband Signals

Abstract

The generation of ultra-wideband signals in the optical domain is highly desirable for ultra-wideband-over-fiber systems, which has recently become a topic of interest. In this article, a novel and simple approach to achieve all-optical generation of ultra-wideband signals is proposed, which is based on delaying and superimposing optical Gaussian pulses with opposite polarities. The proposed system is capable of generating both ultra-wideband monocycle and doublet pulses, and the polarity of the generated ultra-wideband monocycle pulses can be fast-switched to implement pulse polarity modulation with the required bit pattern. A model to describe the proposed system is developed, and the generation of ultra-wideband signals is demonstrated with simulations and a proof-of-concept experiment.     

光电化学技术应用于抗氧化分析的研究进展

在新陈代谢过程中, 机体会产生大量以自由基为主要形式的氧化活性物质, 而抗氧化剂可以通过电子转移的方式捕获并中和自由基, 从而有效抵御自由基引起的细胞损害, 以保障和维护人体健康. 食品作为人体外源性抗氧化剂的重要来源可以有效补充因体内代谢及体液排出而损失的抗氧化物质, 因此对食品中抗氧化物质消除自由基的能力即抗氧化能力的测定和评价具有重要意义. 光电化学技术作为一种简单快捷、 低成本、 低背景且高灵敏度的测定方法, 能够有效克服光学法、 色谱法和电化学法等传统测试手段在抗氧化容量分析中的不足. 本文综述了基于半导体及其复合材料的光电化学传感平台的构建及食品体系抗氧化容量分析的研究进展, 评论了多种检测体系的特点并对其研究前景进行了展望.     

Polyhydrido Copper Nanoclusters with a Hollow Icosahedral Core: [Cu30H18{E2P(OR)2}12] (E=S or Se; R=nPr,iPr or iBu)

Although atomically precise polyhydrido copper nanoclusters are of prime interest for a variety of applications, they have so far remained scarce. Herein, this work describes the synthesis of a dithiophosphate-protected copper(I) hydride-rich nanocluster (NC), [Cu₃₀H₁₈{S₂P(OnPr)₂}₁₂] ( 1_H ), fully characterized by various spectroscopic methods and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The X-ray structure of 1_H reveals an unprecedented central Cu₁₂ hollow icosahedron. Six faces of this icosahedron are capped by Cu₃ triangles, the whole Cu₃₀ core being wrapped by twelve dithiophosphate ligands and the whole cluster has ideal S₆ symmetry. The locations of the 18 hydrides in 1_H were ascertained by a single-crystal neutron diffraction study. They are composed of three types: capping μ₃-H, interstitial μ₄-H (seesaw) and μ₅-H ligands (square pyramidal), in good agreement with the DFT simulations. The numbers of hydrides and ligand resonances in the ¹H NMR spectrum of 1_H are in line with their coordination environment in the solid state, retaining the S₆ symmetry in solution. Furthermore, two new Se-protected polyhydrido copper nanoclusters, [Cu₃₀H₁₈{Se₂P(OR)₂}₁₂] ( 2_H : R=iPr 3_H : R=iBu) were synthesized from their sulfur relative 1_H via ligand displacement reaction and their X-ray structures feature the exceptional case where both the NC shape and size are fully conserved during the course of ligand exchange. DFT and TD-DFT calculations allow understanding the bonding and optical properties of clusters 1_H – 3_H . In addition, the reaction of 1_H with [Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂] in the presence of terminal alkynes led to the formation of new bimetallic Cu−Pd alloy clusters [PdCu₁₄H₂{S₂P(OnPr)₂}₆(C≡CR)₆] ( 4 : R=Ph; 5 : R = C₆H₄F).     

Quantum dots modified with the Al(III)-pefloxacin complex as a novel bioprobe for the sensitive turn-on and dual-fluorescence detection of dsDNA

Microchimica Acta - We describe a novel fluorescent bioprobe for the sensitive and selective detection of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). It consists of quantum dots (Q-dots) whose fluorescence is...     

Purification of low-abundance lysozyme in egg white via free-flow electrophoresis with gel-filtration chromatography

As an effective separation tool, free-flow electrophoresis has not been used for purification of low-abundance protein in complex sample matrix. Herein, lysozyme in complex egg white matrix was chosen as the model protein for demonstrating the purification of low-content peptide via an FFE coupled with gel fitration chromatography (GFC). The crude lysozyme in egg while was first separated via free-flow zone electrophoresis (FFZE). After that, the fractions with lysozyme activity were condensed via lyophilization. Thereafter, the condensed fractions were further purified via a GFC of Sephadex G50. In all of the experiments, a special poly(acrylamide- co-acrylic acid) (P(AM-co-AA)) gel electrophoresis and a mass spectrometry were used for identification of lysozyme. The conditions of FFZE were optimized as follows: 130 μL/min sample flow rate, 4.9 mL/min background buffer of 20 mM pH 5.5 Tris-Acetic acid, 350 V, and 14 °C as well as 2 mg/mL protein content of crude sample. It was found that the purified lysozyme had the purity of 80% and high activity as compared with its crude sample with only 1.4% content and undetectable activity. The recoveries in the first and second separative steps were 65% and 82%, respectively, and the total recovery was about 53.3%. The reasons of low recovery might be induced by diffusion of lysozyme out off P(AM-co-AA) gel and co-removing of high-abundance egg ovalbumin. All these results indicated FFE could be used as alternative tool for purification of target solute with low abundance.