Detection of Alzheimer's tau protein using localised surface plasmon resonance-based immunochip

In this study, we present the detection of tau protein, at room temperature, using a multi-spot localised surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)-based immunochip. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an immunochip for tau protein. The detection method includes fabrication of a gold-capped nanoparticle LSPR chip, formation and functionalisation of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM), immobilisation of a suitable linker, effective blocking of non-specific adsorption, immobilisation of a monoclonal anti-tau antibody (tau-mAb), and finally, the optimum conditions for the immuno-reaction between tau-mAb and the antigen were determined. The method has a high performance, enables detection of tau at 10pg/mL, lower than the cut-off value of 195pg/mL (for AD) for tau protein in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). Further, we demonstrated selectivity of the technique by showing that the introduction of bovine serum albumin (BSA), perhaps the most abundant protein component in serum and CSF, does not interfere with the detection of tau. This method also offers a potential platform for studying tau interactions with other proteins and/or potential drug candidates and could also be easily adapted for detecting phosphorylated tau and other AD biomarkers.     

An electrochemical approach for the detection of HIV-1 protease

An electrochemical biosensor with a new bioorganometallic approach for the detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 protease (HIV-1 PR) using surface-bound ferrocenoyl (Fc)-pepstatin conjugates is presented.     

Peak in the magnetic-field dependence of diffusion-induced thermopower for n-Bi-Sb semiconducting alloys

A peak is detected on the dependence of the diffusion-induced thermopower on transverse magnetic field in degenerate semiconducting alloys n-Bi_1?x Sb_x (0.07≤x≤0.15) doped with tellurium donor impurity. The temperature gradient is directed along the bisector axis C ₁ of the monocrystalline sample and the magnetic field is along the triad axis C ₃. The electron spectrum of the Bi-Sb alloys under investigation consists of three equivalent ellipsoids with distinctly different effective masses along the axes of the ellipsoid (m _∥/m _⊥). A simple kinetic theory shows that the presence of the peak on the diffusion thermopower is a manifestation of this strong anisotropy in the electron spectrum and of the additive contribution of all three ellipsoids to electron transport. The nonmonotonic dependence of thermopower on the transverse magnetic field makes it possible to determine the electron relaxation time, while the temperature dependence of this relaxation time can be used to separate the relaxation time for electrons scattered from ionized impurities and from acoustic phonons.     

Resonant acceptor states and terahertz stimulated emission of uniaxially strained germanium

The stimulated emission spectrum of uniaxially strained p-Ge is presented. The energy spectrum of the states of a shallow acceptor in Ge under uniaxial compression is calculated. The threshold pressure at which the acceptor state split off from the ground state becomes resonant is found. The pressure dependence of the width of this resonant level is calculated. The stimulated emission lines are identified. In particular, it is shown that the principal emission peak corresponds to the transition of holes from the resonant 1s (1s _r) state to the local p _±1 state. The probabilities of optical transitions are calculated. A mechanism of population inversion due to the intense resonant scattering of hot holes with an energy corresponding to the position of the 1s _r level is proposed. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 115, 89–100 (January 1999)     

Theory of coherent phenomena and fundamentals in nuclear resonant scattering

Muonic X-ray cascades in B, C, N, O and Ne following muonic atom formation in B₂H₆, CH₄, C₂H₆, C₄H₁₀, N₂, O₂ and Ne were investigated. The densities of the different target gases were low enough to prevent any contact of the atom or molecule on which the formation takes place with surrounding atoms or molecules during the cascade. Molecular effects of the capturing molecule are clearly seen. The observed transition yields could be reproduced by variation of only two parameters in a cascade calculation: the number of initially available electrons and the muon angular momentum distribution at the starting point of the calculation. By varying the number of electrons, the molecular effects could be described. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of regular nozzles of plastic net on their heat and mass exchange

Results of experiments to determine the number of evaporation in a gravitational liquid film flow on a regular nozzle made in the form of inclined plates of a plastic net with various slopes of the plates in countercurrent water-air system were discussed. Phenomenon of two-way flow of the liquid film on the surface of net parts of the nozzle was established.