On the origin of the unusual behavior in the stretching of single-stranded DNA

Force-extension curves (FECs), which quantify the response of a variety of biomolecules subject to mechanical force (f), are often quantitatively fit using worm-like chain (WLC) or freely jointed chain (FJC) models. These models predict that the chain extension, x, normalized by the contour length increases linearly at small f and at high forces scale as x ~ (1 - f(-α)), where α = 0.5 for WLC and unity for FJC. In contrast, experiments on single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) show that over a range of f and ionic concentration, x scales as x ~ ln f, which cannot be explained using WLC or FJC models. Using theory and simulations we show that this unusual behavior in FEC in ssDNA is due to sequence-independent polyelectrolyte effects. We show that the x ~ ln f arises because in the absence of force the tangent correlation function, quantifying chain persistence, decays algebraically on length scales on the order of the Debye length. Our theory, which is most appropriate for monovalent salts, quantitatively fits the experimental data and further predicts that such a regime is not discernible in double-stranded DNA.     

Regular conjugated terpolymers comprising two different acceptors and bithiophene donor in repeating group: Effect of strong and weak acceptors on semiconducting properties

Diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)‐based terpolymers—P(DPP‐TPyT) and P(DPP‐T3MTT)—bearing bithiophene donating groups and weak accepting units such as pyridine (Py) or methyl thiophene‐3‐carboxylate (3MT), in the polymer backbone, were successfully synthesized. Although the two polymers had similar physical and electrochemical properties, grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction patterns of P(DPP‐TPyT) and P(DPP‐T3MTT) showed mixed and edge‐on orientations, respectively, in thermally annealed films. Accordingly, the P(DPP‐T3MTT) showed twice the hole mobility of P(DPP‐TPyT) in a thin‐film transistor, and a blended film of P(DPP‐T3MTT) and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C71‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM) showed better power conversion efficiency in a polymer solar cell. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1339‐1347     

Single-enzyme-based amperometric assay for phosphate ion

An amperometric assay for phosphate ion, using a single enzymatic process, has been developed. The enzyme used was pyruvate oxidase, which catalyzes the oxidation of pyruvate in the presence of oxygen and phosphate ion. The products of the enzymatic reaction are acetyl phosphate, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen peroxide. The latter was monitored by means of a hydrogen peroxide electrode and an oxidase meter. Phosphate ion in the concentration range of 50–500 μM can be measured within 4 min. Anions, such as pyrophosphate, sulfate, nitrate, nitrite, and acetate, gave only marginal responses.     

Laser-induced breakdown detection combined with asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation: application to iron oxi/hydroxide colloid characterization

The combination of asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AsFlFFF) with the laser-induced breakdown detection (LIBD) is presented as a powerful tool for the determination of colloid size distribution at trace particle concentrations. Detection limits (D1) of 1, 4, and 20 microg/L have been determined for a mixture of polystyrene reference particles with 20, 50, and 100 nm in size, respectively. This corresponds to injected masses of 1, 4, and 20 pg, which is lower than found in a previous study with the symmetrical FlFFF (SyFlFFF). The improvement is mainly due to the lower colloid background discharged from the AsFlFFF channel. The combined method of AsFlFFF-LIBD is then applied to the analysis of iron oxi/hydroxide colloids being considered as potential carriers for the radionuclide migration from a nuclear waste repository. Our LIBD arrangement is less sensitive for iron colloid detection as compared to reference polystyrene particles which results in a detection limit of approximately 240 microg/L FeOOH for the AsFlFFF-LIBD analysis. This is superior to the detection via UV-Vis absorbance and comparable to ICP-MS detection. Size information (mean size 11-18 nm) for different iron oxi/hydroxide colloids supplied by the present method is comparable to that obtained by sequential ultrafiltration and dynamic light scattering. A combined on-line ICP-MS detection is used to gain insight into the colloid-borne main and trace elements.     

Carrier-mediated transport of rare earth elements through liquid membranes

Transport of tervalent REEs — Sc, Y, Ce, Eu, Gd, Tm, Yb — from nitrate medium through a liquid membrane containing TBP in n-dodecane, impregnated on a flat-sheet nucleoporous support, has been studied as a function of time and initial metal concentration, salting-out agent concentration and pH of the feed phase. Influences of various complexing agents dissolved in the strip phase was investigated, too. Adding a suitable amount of EDTA into the feed phase, separation of binary mixtures of REEs was experimentally achieved.     

Asymmetric construction of quaternary carbon stereocenters: high stereoselection in Mukaiyama aldol reactions of 2-siloxyindoles with chiral aldehydes

[reaction: see text] A new synthesis of enantiopure 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles by stereoselective Mukaiyama aldol reaction of 3-substituted 2-siloxyindoles and chiral, enantiopure aldehydes having nitrogen or oxygen substituents at the alpha carbon is described. When the C3 substituent of the prochiral nucleophile is aryl or heteroaryl, stereoselectivity is high (10-80:1).     

Some criteria for Buchsbaum modules

The paper gives a criterion for Buchsbaum modules over a local ringR which depends only on a finite system of elements ofR.     

Preconcentration of strontium using aphrons

Aphrons containing di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (DEHPA) as an active substance were used for preconcentration of strontium from acetate buffers. Conditions for preparation of reasonably stable aphrons using non-ionic and anionic detergents in n-alkane and water mixture were found. After distribution of strontium, aphrons were separated from water solution by filtration with micro-filters. The separation efficiency was compared to the results obtained in liquid-liquid extraction of strontium with DEHPA in n-alkane. The results show that the preconcentration efficiency for strontium for aphrons is as good as for liquid-liquid extraction systems.     

Wafer Level Packaging Technology for Optical Imaging Sensors

Moore’s Law postulated that the number of transistors per chip would double roughly every 2 years. In parallel with the increased device density within a chip, there is an increased overall functionality. This trend can be seen in applications such as MEMS, RF circuits, where sensors, microactuators are integrated with digital and analog electronic components. This complexity leads to smaller bond pads on devices and packaging challenges. One of the requirements for the packages of image sensors and MEMS devices (such as RF- and AeroMEMS) or solar cells is the backside contact. The optical devices require an interface with environment without any restriction caused by the packages and on the other hand require a protection against the environment. Figure 1 shows main differences between IC package and package of an imaging sensor. In this paper, we discuss the two existing wafer-level-packaging technologies used already in mass production and give process details about our new WLP technology using via contacts between front end pads and redistribution.