Investigations of the microscopic structure of poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels by confocal laser scanning microscopy

The fluorescence mode confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) is introduced as an alternative method to investigate the bulk structure of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel. Investigations of the bulk structure of hydrogel samples, prepared by freezing and controlled thawing of aqueous PVA solutions followed by fluorochrome conjugation, were possible in the native state because with this technique water does not need to be removed prior to examination. This is of advantage to other methods, such as scanning electron microscopy, requiring dehydration by critical-point drying or freeze-etching, because both may result in a significant alteration of the gel structure. CLSM images of the hydrogel bulk structure were taken at several successive intervals from the surface into the hydrogel (up to 60 μm) without freeze-fracturing or cutting the sample. Detailed morphological characterization is achievable by superimposing series of images taken at successive intervals and by magnifying special regions of interest. Images of hydrogel bulk structures revealed a continuous, three-dimensional network that originates from phase-separation (spinodal decomposition) during the freezing period. The pore or mesh size in the cryogel increased, from about 2–7 μm, with decreasing PVA concentration. The surface layer was only a few microns thick, and the bulk structure underneath showed neither porosity gradients nor structural orientations. Received: 29 April 2000/Accepted: 18 August 2000     

Classical analogue of displaced Fock states and quantum correlations in Glauber-Fock photonic lattices

Coherent states and their generalizations, displaced Fock states, are of fundamental importance to quantum optics. Here we present a direct observation of a classical analogue for the emergence of these states from the eigenstates of the harmonic oscillator. To this end, the light propagation in a Glauber-Fock waveguide lattice serves as equivalent for the displacement of Fock states in phase space. Theoretical calculations and analogue classical experiments show that the square-root distribution of the coupling parameter in such lattices supports a new family of intriguing quantum correlations not encountered in uniform arrays. Because of the broken shift invariance of the lattice, these correlations strongly depend on the transverse position. Consequently, quantum random walks with this extra degree of freedom may be realized in Glauber-Fock lattices.     

Solitons in geometric potentials

We show that the geometrically induced potential existing in undulated slab waveguides dramatically affects the properties of solitons. In particular, whereas solitons residing in the potential maxima do not feature power thresholds and are stable, their counterparts residing in the potential minima are unstable and may exhibit a power threshold for their existence. Additionally, the geometric potential is shown to support stable multipole solitons that cannot be supported by straight waveguides. Finally, the geometric potential results in the appearance of the effective barriers that prevent transverse soliton motion.     

Ultrafast electrical signal generation,propagation and detection

Short-pulse optical sources have allowed the study of ultrafast electrical phenomena in the circuits and devices which will become future electronic systems. In this paper techniques for the generation, propagation and detection of electrical signals in the femtosecond regime are presented.     

J/psi production in Indium-Indium collisions at 158 GeV/nucleon

The NA60 experiment studies muon pair production at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron. In this Letter we report on a precision measurement of J/psi in In-In collisions. We have studied the J/psi centrality distribution, and we have compared it with the one expected if absorption in cold nuclear matter were the only active suppression mechanism. For collisions involving more than approximately 80 participant nucleons, we find that an extra suppression is present. This result is in qualitative agreement with previous Pb-Pb measurements by the NA50 experiment, but no theoretical explanation is presently able to coherently describe both results.     

Multifunctional nanoparticles as simulants for a gravimetric immunoassay

Immunoassays are important tools for the rapid detection and identification of pathogens, both clinically and in the research laboratory. An immunoassay with the potential for the detection of influenza was developed and tested using hemagglutinin (HA), a commonly studied glycoprotein found on the surface of influenza virions. Gold nanoparticles were synthesized, which present multiple peptide epitopes, including the HA epitope, in order to increase the gravimetric response achieved with the use of a QCM immunosensor for influenza. Specifically, epitopes associated with HA and FLAG peptides were affixed to gold nanoparticles by a six-mer PEG spacer between the epitope and the terminal cysteine. The PEG spacer was shown to enhance the probability for interaction with antibodies by increasing the distance the epitope extends from the gold surface. These nanoparticles were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight, and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. Anti-FLAG and anti-HA antibodies were adhered to the surface of a QCM, and the response of each antibody upon exposure to HA, FLAG, and dual functionalized nanoparticles was compared with binding of Au–tiopronin nanoparticles and H5 HA proteins from influenza virus (H5N1). Results demonstrate that the immunoassay was capable of differentiating between nanoparticles presenting orthogonal epitopes in real-time with minimal nonspecific binding. The detection of H5 HA protein demonstrates the logical extension of using these nanoparticle mimics as a safe positive control in the detection of influenza, making this a vital step in improving influenza detection methodology.     

Theoretical rate constant calculations for O(3P) with saturated hydrocarbons

Theoretical rate constants have been calculated for O(³P) with five saturated hydrocarbons, CH₄, C₂H₆, C₃H₈, iso-C₄H₁₀, and neo-C₅H₁₂. The method of choice is bond energy–bond order (BEBO) with activated complex theory (ACT). Because the BEBO method is empirical, O(³P) + CH₄ is evaluated first, and the theoretical results are compared to more rigorous calculations and to the empirical transition state method. Comparisons are also made between predictions and experimental results. All of these comparisons show that the BEBO-ACT method gives results which are consistent with experiment and other theory. Because the method is successful, the other four cases are then considered. Ambiguity arises for the higher hydrocarbons from the problem of internal rotations in the activated complexes, and three cases are evaluated. Best agreement with experiment is obtained if the primary rotor(s) in the complexes are considered to be free. Predictions of rate constants are made from 500 to 2500 K. Throughout the discussion issues of theory which are common to any ACT calculation from any method of potential energy evaluation (LEP, LEPS, or ab initio quantum mechanics) are featured.     

An investigation of nonequilibrium kinetic isotope effects in chemically activated vinyl radicals

New experimental data have been obtained for H + C₂H₂, D + C₂H₂, H + C₂D₂, and D + C₂D₂ at room temperature. Two previously described apparatus were used in order to measure the pressure dependence of the reactions. The absolute rate constants are compared to results from other laboratories. The present results and those of Payne and Stief are used to obtain the high-pressure limiting rate constant at room temperature. When the activation energy from the work of Payne and Stief is considered, it is shown that the A factor for H + C₂H₂ is too low by a factor of ～20. If a transmission coefficient is introduced which is constant for all isotopic variations, the pressure dependence can be explained in terms of the randomly energized radicals. RRKM theory is then invoked to explain the observed statistical nonequilibrium kinetic isotope effects.