Shot-noise limited single-molecule FRET histograms: comparison between theory and experiments

We describe a simple approach and present a straightforward numerical algorithm to compute the best fit shot-noise limited proximity ratio histogram (PRH) in single-molecule fluorescence resonant energy transfer diffusion experiments. The key ingredient is the use of the experimental burst size distribution, as obtained after burst search through the photon data streams. We show how the use of an alternated laser excitation scheme and a correspondingly optimized burst search algorithm eliminates several potential artifacts affecting the calculation of the best fit shot-noise limited PRH. This algorithm is tested extensively on simulations and simple experimental systems. We find that dsDNA data exhibit a wider PRH than expected from shot noise only and hypothetically account for it by assuming a small Gaussian distribution of distances with an average standard deviation of 1.6 A. Finally, we briefly mention the results of a future publication and illustrate them with a simple two-state model system (DNA hairpin), for which the kinetic transition rates between the open and closed conformations are extracted.     

A three-dimensional Ag nanoparticle/graphene hydrogel composite and its application as an improved supercapacitor’s electrode

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - In this work, pure graphene hydrogel (GH) and graphene/Ag nanoparticle (GH-AgNP) composite hydrogels with various wt% of 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 30, and 50% Ag...     

Chromogenic Polymers and Their Packaging Applications: A Review

Abstract

This review paper provides an overview of chromogenic polymers and their classifications, mechanisms, chemistry, synthesis procedures, and potential applications with a focus on packaging. Commonly and academically accepted classifications derived from chemical engineering, material science, and packaging science are used. Furthermore, recent progress and outputs aligned with chromogenic polymers for overcoming the common challenges are discussed. Finally, future prospects, market trends and academic investigations are described, including challenges related to chromogenic polymers.     

Analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas aeruginosa</Emphasis> PAO1 Biofilm Protein Profile After Exposure to <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-Butanolic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyclamen coum</Emphasis> Extract Alone and in Combination with Ciprofloxacin

Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm-related infections are the major cause of premature death in cystic fibrosis patients. Strategies to induce biofilm dispersal are of interest, because of their potential in preventing biofilm-related infections. Our previous work demonstrated that n-butanolic Cyclamen coum extract with ciprofloxacin could eliminate 1- and 3-day-old P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilms. To gain new insights into the role of C. coum extract and its synergistic effect with ciprofloxacin in eliminating P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilms, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) in combination with mass spectrometry-based protein identification were used. Changes in the bacterial protein expression were analyzed when 3-day-old biofilm cells were exposed to the C. coum extract alone and in combination with ciprofloxacin. Proteins involved in alginate biosynthesis, quorum sensing, adaptation/protection, carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism showed a weaker expression in the C. coum extract-ciprofloxacin-treated biofilm cells compared to those in the untreated cells. Interestingly, the proteome of C. coum extract-ciprofloxacin-treated biofilm revealed more resemblance to the planktonic phenotype than to the biofilm phenotype. It appears that saponin extract in combination with ciprofloxacin causes biofilm disruption due to several mechanisms such as motility induction, cell envelope integrity perturbation, stress protein expression reduction, and more importantly, signal transduction perturbation. In conclusion, exposure to a combination of biofilm dispersal such as saponin extract and antimicrobial agents may offer a novel strategy to control preestablished, persistent P. aeruginosa biofilms and biofilm-related infections.     

Electrical properties and glass transition temperature of multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyaniline composites

Polyaniline (PANI) was synthesized and doped with 0, 2, 4 and 16 wt.% of pure and functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by “in-situ” polymerization. Measurement of temperature dependence of electrical resistivity showed a reduction in the resistivity of the composites at all temperatures. The reduction was increased by increasing the wt.% of MWCNTs. This decrease was more for the composites containing functionalized MWCNTs and was more prominent for temperatures below 150 K. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of the pure and doped PANI was measured using electrical resistivity measurements. It was observed that by increasing the amount of functionalized MWCNTs in PANI, its T_g increases. Temperature dependence of resistivity of pressed pure PANI showed that by increasing the pelletization pressure, the bulk electrical resistivity decreased but the T_g increased.     

Pistacia atlantica leaf extract mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their antioxidant,cytotoxicity, and antibacterial effects under in vitro condition

Recently, researchers have investigated the therapeutical properties of metal nanoparticles especially silver nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo conditions. The aim of the experiment was green synthesis and chemical characterization of silver nanoparticles from aqueous extract of Pistacia atlantica leaf (Ag NPs) and evaluation of their cytotoxicity, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects under in vitro condition. Ag NPs were spherical with a size range of 40-60 nm and characterized using various analysis techniques including UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy to determine the presence of Ag NP in the solution. We studied functional groups of Pistacia atlantica extract in the reduction and capping process of Ag NP by FT-IR, crystallinity and FCC planes by XRD pattern, elemental analysis of the sample by EDS, and surface morphology, shapes, and size of Ag NPs by SEM, AFM, and TEM. Destroy initiation and termination temperatures of the Ag NPs were determined by TGA. DPPH free radical scavenging test was done to evaluate the antioxidant potentials, which indicated similar antioxidant potentials for Ag NPs and butylated hydroxytoluene. The synthesized Ag NPs had great cell viability dose-dependently and indicated this method was nontoxic. Agar diffusion tests were done to determine the antibacterial characteristic. Ag NPs revealed similar antibacterial property to the standard antibiotic. Also, Ag NPs prevented the growth of all bacteria at 1-7 μg/ml concentrations and removed them at 3-15 μg/ml concentrations. Finally, synthesized Ag NPs revealed non-cytotoxicity, antioxidant and antibacterial activities in a dose-depended manner.     

Fischer-Tropsch Reaction Kinetics of Cobalt Catalyst in Supercritical Phase

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis under supercritical phase condition was examined in a continuous and a high-pressure fixed bed reactor by employing a cobalt catalyst (Co-R.Ru/γ-Al2O3). An integral reactor model involving Fischer-Tropsch reaction kinetics in the supercritical fluid n-hexane was used to describe the overall performance. On the basis of Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson (LHHW) model, the reaction rate constants were obtained for the rate equations of CO conversion to CH4 formation under supercritical conditions.