Quantitative Assessment of Labeling Probes for Super-Resolution Microscopy Using Designer DNA Nanostructures

Improving labeling probes for state-of-the-art super-resolution microscopy is becoming of major importance. However, there is currently a lack of tools to quantitatively evaluate probe performance regarding efficiency, precision, and achievable resolution in an unbiased yet modular fashion. Herein, we introduce designer DNA origami structures combined with DNA-PAINT to overcome this issue and evaluate labeling efficiency, precision, and quantification using antibodies and nanobodies as exemplary labeling probes. Whereas current assessment of binders is mostly qualitative, e. g. based on an expected staining pattern, we herein present a quantitative analysis platform of the antigen labeling efficiency and achievable resolution, allowing researchers to choose the best performing binder. The platform can furthermore be readily adapted for discovery and precise quantification of a large variety of additional labeling probes.     

XPS and SEM study of calcite bearing rock powders in the case of reactivity measurement with HCl solution

The dissolution of seven natural limestones and calcareous rocks in hydrochloric acid solution was examined to investigate their capability for wet flue gas desulphurisation. All samples were crushed, ground and sieved to a size‐fraction of 150–250 µm. Thereafter they were subjected to a dissolution experiment utilising stepwise titration with hydrochloric acid. The dissolution rates of three calcareous rocks were found to be controlled by reaction kinetics, while the limestones showed mass transfer control. The surface characterisation was implemented before and after dissolution experiments using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Additional characterisation was carried out with X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray fluorescence and polarizing microscope. Initial reactivities have been shown to decrease in the order limestone, calcareous rock with high calcium concentration, calcareous rock with low calcium concentration. Coarse grain structure is proposed to decrease the initial reactivity. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Isomerism of [64Cu-NOTA-Bn]-labeled radiotracers: separation of two complex isomers and determination of their interconversion energy barrier using ion pair chromatography

The model complex [(64)Cu((S)-p-NH(2)-Bn-NOTA)](-) ([(64)Cu]1) was used to study the isomerism of [(64)Cu-NOTA-Bn]-labeled radiotracers. Two complex isomers [(64)Cu]1a and [(64)Cu]1b, which were formed at a ratio of 1:9 during the complexation of [(64)Cu]Cu(2+) with (S)-p-NH(2)-Bn-NOTA, were separated using ion pair chromatography. To study the interconversion, the nonradioactive complex isomers Cu1a and Cu1b were separated and thermally treated at 90 °C in both ammonium acetate solution and deionized water. A faster interconversion rate was observed for both isomers with lower concentrations of ammonium ions. At the end of reaction, the thermodynamic Cu1a to Cu1b equilibrium ratio was 6:94. The particular energy barriers of the interconversion for Cu1a and Cu1b were 130 kJ mol(-1) and 140 kJ mol(-1). Spectrophotometric measurements with Cu1a and Cu1b revealed two isomers adopting different geometrical configurations.     

Flux line lattice symmetries in the borocarbide superconductor LuNi2B2C

We compare the results of small angle neutron scattering on the flux line lattice (FLL) obtained in the borocarbide superconductor LuNi₂B₂C with the applied field along the c- and a-axes. For H‖c the temperature dependence of the FLL structural phase transition from square to hexagonal symmetry was investigated. Above 10 K the transition onset field. H ₂(T), rises sharply, bending away from H _c2(T) in contradiction to theoretical predictions of the two merging. For H‖a a first order FLL reorientation transition is observed at H _tr=3–3.5 kOe. Below H _tr the FLL nearest neighbor direction is parallel to the b-axis, and above H _tr to the c-axis. This transition cannot be explained using nonlocal corrections to the London model.     

Raman scattering as a probe of phonon confinement and surface optical modes in semiconducting nanowires

Raman scattering is shown to be an effective probe of optical and surface optical phonons in highly crystalline semiconducting nanowires (SNWs). We show that the confinement model of Richter et al. well describes the nanowire diameter dependence of the asymmetric broadening of the one-phonon band in Si nanowires observed at ∼520 cm^-1. We also show that the use of high laser flux (∼0.1 mW/μm²) leads to a second mechanism that can asymmetrically broaden the 520 cm^-1 Raman band. This broadening has nothing to do with confinement, and can qualitatively be understood in terms of inhomogeneous laser heating. A model is presented that supports this explanation. The production of SNWs via the vapor–liquid–solid growth mechanism leads, in many cases, to an instability in the nanowire diameter or cross-sectional area. In the second part of this review, we show that this instability activates the surface optical (SO) phonon Raman scattering. Examples of this phenomenon are shown for GaP and ZnS nanowires. The former and latter have, respectively, cylindrical and rectangular cross sections. We show that the cross-sectional shape of the nanowire is important for a quantitative analysis of these SO modes. PACS 78.67.-n; 78.67.Lt; 78.30.-j; 78.30.Fs; 72.10.Di     

Multiplicity and pseudorapidity distributions of charged particles from32S induced heavy ion interactions at 200A GeV

Multiplicity and pseudorapidity distributions have been measured for³²S+Al, Cu, Ag and Au at 200A GeV. The widths of the pseudorapidity distributions increase from central to peripheral collisions. The main contribution is assumed to come from the increasing fraction of charged particles stemming from the fragmentation of the target for peripheral collisions as compared to central collisions. On the average 170–180 charged particles per unit of pseudorapidity are attained for the most central³²S+Au events at the maximum of the distribution. The target dependence of the yield of charged particles for central collisions is investigated. In the target rapidity region the yield is directly proportional to the target mass. The transverse energy per charged particle has been studied as a function of centrality and pseudorapidity. The experimental results are compared to the results from the Monte-Carlo model VENUS 3.11 which includes rescattering among secondaries. A comparison between different centrality triggers is made.     

Multiferroic domain dynamics in strained strontium titanate

Multiferroicity can be induced in strontium titanate by applying biaxial strain. Using optical second harmonic generation, we report a transition from 4/mmm to the ferroelectric mm2 phase, followed by a transition to a ferroelastic-ferroelectric mm2 phase in a strontium titanate thin film. Piezoelectric force microscopy is used to study ferroelectric domain switching. Second harmonic generation, combined with phase-field modeling, is used to reveal the mechanism of coupled ferroelectric-ferroelastic domain wall motion. These studies have relevance to multiferroics with coupled polar and axial phenomena.     

Giant thermopower effects from molecular physisorption on carbon nanotubes

Results are presented of in situ studies of the thermoelectric power and four-probe resistance of single-walled carbon nanotube films during the adsorption of cyclic hydrocarbons C(6)H(2n) (n=3-6). The size of the change in these transport parameters is found to be related to the pi electron population of the molecule, suggesting the coupling between these pi electrons and those in the nanotube wall may be responsible for the observed effects. A transport model for the SWNT film behavior is presented, incorporating the effects of a new scattering channel associated with the adsorbed molecules.     

Raman spectroscopic investigation of H2, HD, and D2 physisorption on ropes of single-walled, carbon nanotubes

We have observed the S- and Q-branch Raman spectra of H2, HD, and D2 adsorbed at 85 K and pressures up to 8 atm on single-walled, carbon nanotubes (SWNT). Comparative data for H2 on graphite and C60 were also collected. Frequency-downshifted and upshifted features were observed in the Q-branch spectra of H2 on C60 and SWNT. These shifts are small and are therefore inconsistent with charge transfer. An H2-surface potential with van der Waals and electrostatic terms was developed and used to estimate the shifts in the frequency of the Q(0) transition of H2 adsorbed in two types of sites. These calculations corroborate the experimental findings and indicate physisorption in multiple sites of the SWNT ropes.