A SERS Optophysiological Probe for the Real‐Time Mapping and Simultaneous Determination of the Carbonate Concentration and pH Value in a Live Mouse Brain

To have a profound understanding of the physiological and pathological processes in a brain, both chemical and electrical signals need to be recorded, but this is still very challenging. Herein, micrometer‐ to nanometer‐sized SERS optophysiological probes were created to determine both the CO₃^2? concentration and the pH in live brains and neurons because both species play important roles in regulating the acid–base balance in the brain. A ratiometric SERS microarray of eight microprobes with tip sizes of 5 μm was established and used for the first time for real‐time mapping and simultaneous quantification of CO₃^2? and pH in a live brain. We found that both the CO₃^2? concentration and the pH value dramatically decreased under ischemic conditions. The present SERS technique can be combined with electrophysiology without cross‐talk to record both electrical and chemical signals in brains. To deepen our understanding of the mechanism of ischemia on the single‐cell level, a SERS nanoprobe with a tip size of 200 nm was developed for use in a single neuron.     

Fluorescence study of Eu chelates in solution and polymer matrix

The fluorescence spectra of Eu chelates with different neutral ligand in methyl methacryate (MMA) solution were measured and the influence of the neutral ligand was analyzed. The chelate Eu(DBM)3(TOPO)2, which shows the strongest fluorescence intensity in the solution, has been incorporated into the poly(methyl methacryate) (PMMA) matrix. According to the fluorescence emission spectrum, its radiative properties were also predicted.     

Structural basis of specific binding between Aurora A and TPX2 by molecular dynamics simulations

In the present study, the impacts of G198N and W128F mutations on the recognition between Aurora A and targeting protein of Xenopus kinesin-like protein 2 (TPX2) were investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, free energy calculations, and free energy decomposition analysis. The predicted binding free energy of the wild-type complex is more favorable than those of three mutants, indicating that both single and double mutations are unfavorable for the Aurora A and TPX2 binding. It is also observed that the mutations alternate the binding pattern between Aurora A and TPX2, especially the downstream of TPX2. An intramolecular hydrogen bond between the atom OD of Asp11(TPX2) and the atom HE1 of Trp34(TPX2) disappear in three mutants and thus lead to the instability of the secondary structure of TPX2. The combination of different molecular modeling techniques is an efficient way to understand how mutation has impacts on the protein-protein binding and our work gives valuable information for the future design of specific peptide inhibitors for Aurora A.     

Method for determination of microcystin-leucine-arginine in water samples based on the quenching of the fluorescence of bioconjugates between CdSe/CdS quantum dots and microcystin-leucine-arginine antibody

We have developed a method for the determination of microcystin-leucine-arginine (MC-LR) in water samples that is based on the quenching of the fluorescence of bioconjugates between CdSe/CdS quantum dots (QDs) and the respective antibody after binding of MC-LR. The core-shell CdSe/CdS QDs were modified with 2-mercaptoacetic acid to improve water solubility while their high quantum yields were preserved. Monoclonal MC-LR antibody was then covalently bioconjugated to the QDs. It was found that the fluorescence intensity of the bioconjugates was quenched in the presence of MC-LR. A linear relationship exists between the extent of quenching and the concentration of MC-LR. Parameters affecting the quenching were investigated and optimized. The limit of detection is 6.9?×?10^?11 mol L^?1 (3σ). The method was successfully applied to the determination of MC-LR in water samples.

Multivariate Jackson-type inequality for a new type neural network approximation

In this paper, we introduce a new type neural networks by superpositions of a sigmoidal function and study its approximation capability. We investigate the multivariate quantitative constructive approximation of real continuous multivariate functions on a cube by such type neural networks. This approximation is derived by establishing multivariate Jackson-type inequalities involving the multivariate modulus of smoothness of the target function. Our networks require no training in the traditional sense.     

How do oxygen molecules move into silver contacts and change their electronic transport properties?

We present first principles simulations of the elongation process of the silver contact at the O2 atmosphere. The electronic transport properties are calculated. It is found that the O2 molecule can move into the silver contact during elongation and the corresponding mechanism is given. We demonstrate that there are two transmission channels around the Fermi level in an Ag-O2 contact system. The breaking process of an Ag-Ag bond is found to play an important role in determining the evolution of the system conductance during the elongation.     

Solvent effect on redox properties of hexanethiolate monolayer-protected gold nanoclusters

The capacitance of monolayer-protected gold nanoclusters (MPCs), C(MPC), in solution has been theoretically reconsidered from an electrostatic viewpoint, in which an MPC is considered as an isolated charged sphere within two dielectric layers, the intrinsic coating monolayer, and the bulk solvent. The model predicts that the bulk solvent provides an important contribution to C(MPC) and influences the redox properties of MPCs. This theoretical prediction is then examined experimentally by comparing the redox properties of MPCs in four organic solvents: 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE), dichloromethane (DCM), chlorobenzene (CB), and toluene (TOL), in all of which MPCs have excellent solubility. Furthermore, this set of organic solvents features a dielectric constant in a range from 10.37 (DCE) to 2.38 (TOL), which is wide enough to probe the solvent effect. In these organic solvents, tetrahexylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (THATf2N) is used as the supporting electrolyte. Cyclic and differential pulse voltammetric results provide concrete evidence that, despite the monolayer protection, the solvent plays a significant effect on the properties of MPCs in solution.     

Recent Advances in Real-Time Analysis of Electrochemical Reactions by Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry†

Electrochemical mass spectrometry (EC-MS) is a powerful tool to capture and analyze the intermediates and products during electrochemical reactions. This hyphenated technique combines electrochemistry with mass spectrometry using specific apparatuses, which helps researchers study mechanisms of redox reactions by in situ detecting chemical composition changes. Recently, various EC-MS methods have been applied in a series of electrochemical reactions to reveal the mechanisms, mainly in the areas of electrochemical sensors, organic electrochemistry, and electrocatalysis. In this review, we intend to summarize the recent advances in real-time analysis of different types of electrochemical reactions by EC-MS and offer an outlook on the perspectives in these areas.