THE α-OXIDASE SYSTEM OF YOUNG PEA LEAVES (Pisum sativum) AS GENERATOR OF ELECTRONICALLY EXCITED STATES. EXCITATION IN THE DARK UNDER NATURAL CONDITIONS

Abstract. The aerobic oxidation of saturated long chain fatty acids to the lower aldehyde and CO₂ catalyzed by the α-oxidase system of young leaves from germinating Pisum sativum results in concomitant excitation of the chloroplasts or/and fractions present in the α-oxidase preparation. The excitation is attested to by both chlorophyll emission and Hill activity. This is the first case of photobiochemistry without light within a natural system.     

Simulation of a mixed-conducting membrane-based gas turbine power plant for CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> capture: system level analysis of operation stability and individual process unit degradation

A gas turbine power plant for CO₂ capture, based on oxygen-permeable membranes with mixed ionic-electronic conductivity, was analysed with respect to long-term stability by means of numerical simulation. Due to the attractive transport and physicochemical properties of mixed-conducting La₂NiO_4+δ, this nickelate was selected as a prototype membrane material for this application. Experiments showed very slow degradation of La₂NiO_4+δ membranes at oxygen chemical potentials close to atmospheric conditions, which are associated with kinetic demixing and other microstructure-related factors. Interaction with CO₂ in the intermediate temperature range also leads to lower oxygen permeation, whilst increasing oxygen pressure may cause partial phase decomposition and microstructural changes, thus again limiting the range of possible operation conditions. The relevant operational constraints were included in a detailed membrane-based gas turbine power plant model. The membrane performance degradation with time was approximated by a linear function with average rate of 3.3% per 1,000 operation hours. Furthermore, performance deterioration of the gas turbine compressor and turbine were also considered. Simulations revealed that the power plant is substantially affected by degradation of the ceramic membranes and turbomachinery components. The already rather small operating window was further narrowed when compared with a conventional gas turbine power plant. Two different designs of the membrane-based power plant were analysed: (1) with and (2) without additional combustors (afterburners) between the membrane reactor and the gas turbine. Afterburners increase thermal efficiency as well as power output, but also lead to non-negligible CO₂ emissions. In order to have a frame of comparison, results for a conventional gas turbine power plant with degradation of turbomachinery components are also presented. Simulations representing changes in ambient temperature and fuel composition as well as failure incidents were executed to analyse the susceptibility of the gas turbine power plant to external and internal changes.     

Maximum likelihood-based analysis of single-molecule photon arrival trajectories

In this work we explore the statistical properties of the maximum likelihood-based analysis of one-color photon arrival trajectories. This approach does not involve binning and, therefore, all of the information contained in an observed photon strajectory is used. We study the accuracy and precision of parameter estimates and the efficiency of the Akaike information criterion and the Bayesian information criterion (BIC) in selecting the true kinetic model. We focus on the low excitation regime where photon trajectories can be modeled as realizations of Markov modulated Poisson processes. The number of observed photons is the key parameter in determining model selection and parameter estimation. For example, the BIC can select the true three-state model from competing two-, three-, and four-state kinetic models even for relatively short trajectories made up of 2 × 10(3) photons. When the intensity levels are well-separated and 10(4) photons are observed, the two-state model parameters can be estimated with about 10% precision and those for a three-state model with about 20% precision.     

Preparation and Characterization of Carbon Nano‐Onion/PEDOT:PSS Composites

Composites of unmodified or oxidized carbon nano‐onions (CNOs/ox‐CNOs) with poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) are prepared with different compositions. By varying the ratio of PEDOT:PSS relative to CNOs, CNO/PEDOT:PSS composites with various PEDOT:PSS loadings are obtained and the corresponding film properties are studied as a function of the polymer. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization is performed for pristine and ox‐CNO samples. The composites are characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry studies. The electrochemical properties of the nanocomposites are determined and compared. Doping the composites with carbon nanostructures significantly increases their mechanical and electrochemical stabilities. A comparison of the results shows that CNOs dispersed in the polymer matrices increase the capacitance of the CNO/PEDOT:PSS and ox‐CNO/PEDOT:PSS composites.     

Development of polyaniline microarray electrodes for cadmium analysis

Disposable screen-printed electrodes (SPCE) were modified using a cosmetic product to partially block the electrode surface in order to obtain a microelectrode array. The microarrays formed were electropolymerized with aniline. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the modified and polymerized electrode surface. Electrochemical characteristics of the constructed sensor for cadmium analysis were evaluated by cyclic and square-wave voltammetry. Optimized stripping procedure in which the preconcentration of cadmium was achieved by depositing at ?1.20 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) resulted in a well defined anodic peak at approximately ?0.7 V at pH 4.6. The achieved limit of detection was 4 × 10^?9 mol dm^?3. Spray modified and polymerized microarray electrodes were successfully applied to quantify cadmium in fish sample digests.