Micro patterning of cell and protein non-adhesive plasma polymerized coatings for biochip applications

Micro scale patterning of bioactive surfaces is desirable for numerous biochip applications. Polyethyleneoxide-like (PEO-like) coating with non-fouling functionality has been deposited using low frequency AC plasma polymerization. The non-fouling properties of the coating were tested with human cells (HeLa) and fluorescence labeled proteins (isothiocyanate-labeled bovine serum albumin, i.e. FITC-BSA). The PEO-like coatings were fabricated by plasma polymerization of 12-crown-4 (ppCrown) with plasma polymerized hexene (ppHexene) as adhesion layer. The coatings were micro patterned using conventional cleanroom photolithography and lift-off. Single cell arrays showed sharp contrast in cell adhesion between the untreated glass surface and the ppCrown layer. Similarly, proteins adsorbed selectively to untreated glass but not to ppCrown. The simplicity of the lift-off technique and the sturdiness and versatility of the plasma-polymerized coatings, make this technology highly suitable for bio-MEMS and biochip applications, where patterned high contrast non-fouling surfaces are needed.     

Determination of Zinc Sulfide Solubility to High Temperatures

A new experimental set-up and methodology for the measurement of ZnS solubility in aqueous solutions at 40, 60 and 80 °C (atmospheric pressure) is presented. The methodology implemented includes the preparation of the samples in a reduced oxygen atmosphere, particle size analysis of ZnS, quality control of the analytical technique and evaluation of equilibration time. ZnS solubility analyses were run for prolonged times (up to 11 days) to ensure that equilibrium conditions were met. The equilibration time was explored at three temperatures (40, 60 and 80 °C) observing small variations in the time required to reach the solid–liquid equilibrium at each temperature. Equilibrium was reached within 72 h. The concentration of zinc and of total sulfur were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The experimental solubility data show an exponential dependency of the solubility with respect to temperature. An increase of 40 °C results in an increase of roughly 12 times for the solubility of ZnS.     

Frobenius splitting of Hilbert schemes of points on surfaces

Let X be a quasiprojective smooth surface defined over an algebraically closed field of positive characteristic. In this note we show that if X is Frobenius split then so is the Hilbert scheme Hilb of n points inX. In particular, we get the higher cohomology vanishing for ample line bundles on Hilb when X is projective and Frobenius split. Received November 2, 1999 / Published online March 12, 2001     

Ueber die Trennung der Oxyde, welche aus einer freie Salzs?ure enthaltenden L?sung durch Schwefelwasserstoff nicht gef?llt werden

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

On the additive splitting procedures and their computer realization

Two additive splitting procedures are defined and studied in this paper. It is shown that these splitting procedures have good stability properties. Some other splitting procedures, which are traditionally used in mathematical models used in many scientific and engineering fields, are sketched. All splitting procedures are tested by using six different numerical methods for solving differential equations. Many conclusions, which are related both to the comparison of the additive splitting procedures with the other splitting procedures and to the influence of the numerical methods for solving differential equations on the accuracy of the splitting procedures, are drawn.     

Reverse Schreinemakers Method for Experimental Analysis of Mixed-Solvent Electrolyte Systems

A method based on Schreinemakers’s tie-line theory of 1893 is derived for determining the composition and phase amounts in solubility experiments for multi-solvent electrolyte systems. The method uses the lever rule in reverse compared to Schreinemakers’s wet residue method, and is therefore called the reverse Schreinemakers (RS) method. The method is based on simple mass balance principles similar to the wet residues method. It allows for accurate determination of the mixed-solvent phase composition even though part of the solvent may precipitate as complexes between solvent and salt. Discrepancies from determining the composition of salt mixtures by pH titration are discussed, and the derived method significantly improves the obtained result from titration. Furthermore, the method reduces the required experimental work needed for analysis of phase composition. The method is applicable to multi-solvent systems and may be used for the determination of solid-phase compositions, similar to Schreinemakers’s original “rest” method. An example calculation is presented for the Na₂CO₃-NaHCO₃-MEG-H₂O system.