ABCD 4‐miktoarm star quarterpolymers using click [3 + 2] reaction strategy

Two samples of ABCD 4‐miktoarm star quarterpolymer with A = polystyrene (PS), B = poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL), C = poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) or poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) (PtBA), and D = poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were prepared using click reaction strategy (Cu(I)‐catalyzed Huisgen [3 + 2] reaction). Thus, first, predefined block copolymers of different polymerization routes, PS‐b‐PCL with azide and PMMA‐b‐PEG and PtBA‐b‐PEG copolymers with alkyne functionality, were synthesized and then these blocks were combined together in the presence of Cu(I)/N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine as a catalyst in DMF at room temperature to give the target 4‐miktoarm star quarterpolymers. The obtained miktoarm star quarter polymers were characterized by GPC, NMR, and DSC measurements. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1218–1228, 2008     

The Inhomogeneous Quantum Invariance Group of The Two Parameter Deformed Boson Algebra

We consider two parameter deformed boson algebra and investigate the inhomogeneous invariance quantum group of this system. We find the R-matrix which collects all information about the non-commuting structure of the quantum group. We extend our study to the d-dimensional case.     

Determination of tocopherol contents of some olive varieties harvested at different ripening periods

The tocopherol contents of oils obtained from Ayval?k, Domat and Gemlik olive varieties harvested at different ripening periods were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography. α-Tocopherol was the major tocol detected in all the studied olive oil samples. The oils extracted from olive fruits composed of 130.54-180.43?mg?kg?1 α-tocopherol, 0.73-1.61?mg?kg?1 β-tocopherol and 0.53-2.28?mg?kg?1 γ-tocopherol for Ayval?k oil. The α-, β- and γ-tocopherol contents of Domat oil are in the ranges 95.60-125.56, 0.71-2.70 and 0.49-1.25?mg?kg?1 at different harvesting periods. The α-, β- and γ-tocopherol contents of Gemlik olive oil are in the ranges 112.59-168.19, 0.94-1.21 and 0.85-2.40?mg?kg?1, respectively. There were significant differences between the oils from cultivars grown in different environments.     

Quantum dot enabled detection of Escherichia coli using a cell-phone

We report a cell-phone based Escherichia coli (E. coli) detection platform for screening of liquid samples. In this compact and cost-effective design attached to a cell-phone, we utilize anti-E. coli O157:H7 antibody functionalized glass capillaries as solid substrates to perform a quantum dot based sandwich assay for specific detection of E. coli O157:H7 in liquid samples. Using battery-powered inexpensive light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) we excite/pump these labelled E. coli particles captured on the capillary surface, where the emission from the quantum dots is then imaged using the cell-phone camera unit through an additional lens that is inserted between the capillary and the cell-phone. By quantifying the fluorescent light emission from each capillary tube, the concentration of E. coli in the sample is determined. We experimentally confirmed the detection limit of this cell-phone based fluorescent imaging and sensing platform as ～5 to 10 cfu mL(-1) in buffer solution. We also tested the specificity of this E. coli detection platform by spiking samples with different species (e.g., Salmonella) to confirm that non-specific binding/detection is negligible. We further demonstrated the proof-of-concept of our approach in a complex food matrix, e.g., fat-free milk, where a similar detection limit of ～5 to 10 cfu mL(-1) was achieved despite challenges associated with the density of proteins that exist in milk. Our results reveal the promising potential of this cell-phone enabled field-portable and cost-effective E. coli detection platform for e.g., screening of water and food samples even in resource limited environments. The presented platform can also be applicable to other pathogens of interest through the use of different antibodies.     

Quantum Fisher Information of N Particles in the Superposition of W and GHZ States

We investigate the quantum Fisher information of a multipartite entangled state of N particles in a superposition of W and GHZ states. We find that the mean quantum Fisher information per particle (RMQFI) decreases with respect to the number of the particles and the peak is observed between 0.6 and 0.8 values of the superposition coefficient of W state. We present the behavior of RMQFI for N from 2 to 10 and discuss some interesting results.     

An examination of the effect of polarization on the radiation losses of bent optical fibres

It has long been recognized that the bending losses in weakly guiding optical fibres are independent of the polarization for large bend radius. Here, we show this fact using the volume equivalent current method. The procedure is then applied to a helically bent fibre and it is shown that the radiation from the helical fibre is also independent of the polarization as long as the fibre is weakly guiding.     

Determination of the Steady-State Response of Viscoelastically Point-Supported Rectangular Orthotropic Plates

In the present study, the steady-state response to a sinusoidally varying concentrated force acting at the center of a rectangular point-supported orthotropic elastic plate is analyzed. The equation of the plate is represented by finite-difference expressions. By using the ordinary finite-difference technique, the problem is reduced to the solution of a system of algebraic equations. The influence of mechanical properties of the plate material on the vibration modes and the steady-state response of the plate is investigated numerically. Also, the effect of location of the point supports is studied. The problems considered are solved within the framework of the Kirchhoff-Love hypothesis.     

Electrochemical control of solid phase micro-extraction: conducting polymer coated film material applicable for preconcentration/analysis of neutral species

Exploitation of the physical, chemical and electrically conductive properties of poly(3-dodecylthiophene) (P3DDT) for the preconcentration and release in solid phase microextraction (SPME) of organometallic arsenobetaine (AsB) from aqueous media was investigated. Hydrophobic interactions between this neutral arsenic species and an undoped polythiophene (no applied potential) with n-substituted alkyl groups (n=12) in the three position were used for the diffusion-controlled preconcentration. After absorption into the polymer matrix, the chemical properties of this conductive polymer were changed by applying an external potential. This potential provides a sufficient driving force for desorption of the analyte from the extraction phase into an aqueous solution for subsequent analysis. The applied positive potential oxidizes the polymer to its charged hydrophilic state, which releases the neutral analyte. The concentration and speciation of the analyte from the sample matrix was analyzed by HPLC coupled to an ICP-MS. The diffusion-controlled uptake was fast (equilibrium attained within minutes) and did not require pretreatment of the analyte. The electrochemically-controlled release of the analyte is also very rapid (within minutes). This conducting polymer film system, therefore, can offer analytical applications for the convenient preconcentration and subsequent analysis of neutral environmental species.     

Solid-phase extraction of bismuth, lead and nickel from seawater using silica gel modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane filled in a syringe prior to their determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

In this study, the use of syringe filled with sorbent for the separation and enrichment of bismuth, lead and nickel prior to their analysis by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was described to substitute for batch and column techniques. The method proposed in this paper was compared with column technique with respect to easiness, fastness, simplicity, recovery and risk of contamination. The syringe was filled with 0.5 g of sorbent and in order to retain the analyte elements, 5 ml of sample solution (pH≥5) was drawn into the syringe to 15 s and discharged again in 15 s. Then, 2.0 M of HCl, as the eluent, was drawn into the syringe and ejected back to desorb the analyte elements. At optimum conditions, the recoveries of Bi, Pb and Ni were 95-99% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of around ±2%. Detection limit (δ) was 0.5 μg l⁻¹ for Bi, Pb and Ni, respectively. The elements could be concentrated by drawing and discharging several portions of sample successively but eluting only one time. Bi, Pb and Ni added to a seawater sample were quantitatively recovered (>95%) with low RSD values of around ±2-3%. The risk of contamination is less than that with the column technique. In addition, it is much faster, simpler, easier, more practical and handy compared with column technique.     

Ultrasensitive detection of endotoxins using computationally designed nanoMIPs

Novel molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (nanoMIPs) were designed for endotoxin from Escherichia coli 0111:B4, using computational modeling. The screening process based on binding energy between endotoxin and each monomer was performed with 21 commonly used monomers, resulting in the selection of itaconic acid, methacrylic acid and acrylamide as functional monomers due to their strong binding interaction with the endotoxin template. The nanoMIPs were successfully synthesized with functional groups on the outer surface to aid in the immobilization onto sensor surface. The solid phase photopolymerization approach used for the synthesis of nanoMIPs ranging from 200 to 235 nm in diameter. The limit of detection and K_D were significantly improved when endotoxin samples were prepared using a novel triethylamine method. This improved the efficiency of gold nanoparticle functionalization by targeting the subunits of the endotoxin. Compared to the vancomycin MIP control, the endotoxin MIPs displayed outstanding affinity and selectivity towards the endotoxin with K_D values in the range of 4.4–5.3 × 10⁻¹⁰ M, with limits of detection of 0.44 ± 0.02 ng mL⁻¹ as determined by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor when itaconic acid was used as the functional monomer. The MIP surface can be regenerated >30 times without significant loss of binding activity making this approach highly cost effective for expensive analyte templates. The combination of molecular modeling and solid phase synthesis enabled the successful synthesis of nanoMIPs capable of recognition and ultrasensitive detection of endotoxins using the highly sensitive SPR biosensor with triethylamine method.