In-needle extraction device designed for gas chromatographic analysis of volatile organic compounds

A novel in-needle extraction device has been developed for the preconcentration of gaseous organic compounds prior to the determination in gas chromatography (GC). As the extraction medium, a copolymer of methacrylic acid and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate was synthesized. Based on the results in the preliminary experiments, the desorption conditions such as desorption temperature and time have been optimized along with the evaluation of the extraction efficiency. The storage performance of the needle extraction device was also studied. The results clearly demonstrated the excellent extraction performance for typical organic solvents and also suggested the future possibility such as in the applications for the analysis of working environments.     

Label-free biosensors based on aptamer-modified graphene field-effect transistors

A label-free immunosensor based on an aptamer-modified graphene field-effect transistor (G-FET) is demonstrated. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) aptamers with an approximate height of 3 nm were successfully immobilized on a graphene surface, as confirmed by atomic force microscopy. The aptamer-modified G-FET showed selective electrical detection of IgE protein. From the dependence of the drain current variation on the IgE concentration, the dissociation constant was estimated to be 47 nM, indicating good affinity and the potential for G-FETs to be used in biological sensors.     

A light-controlled reversible DNA photoligation via carbazole-tethered 5-carboxyvinyluracil

We describe a light-controlled template-directed reversible DNA photoligation via carbazole-tethered 5-carboxyvinyluracil. Carbazole-tethered 5-carboxyvinyl-2'-deoxyuridine-containing oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) can be ligated by irradiation at 366 nm in the presence of template ODN, and the ligated ODN can be split by irradiation at 366 nm in the absence of template ODN.     

Phase Equilibrium in the System Ln-Mn-O IV. Ln=Sm at 1100°C

Phase equilibrium in a Sm-Mn-O system has been established at 1100°C while changing the oxygen partial pressure from 0 to 13.00 in −log (P_O2/atm), and a phase diagram at 1100°C is presented for a Sm₂O₃-MnO-MnO₂ system. Under the experimental conditions, Sm₂O₃, MnO, Mn₃O₄, SmMnO₃, and SmMn₂O₅ phases are present at 1100°C, but Sm₂MnO₄, Mn₂O₃, and MnO₂ are unstable in the system. LnMn₂O₅- type phase is stable under the present experimental conditions differing from the previously reported La-Mn-O and Nd-Mn-O systems.A wide range of nonstoichiometry has been found in the SmMnO₃ phase which coexisted with Sm₂O₃. X ranges from −0.010 at log P_O2=−10.00 to 0.098 at log P_O2=0 in the molecular formula of SmMnO_3+X. The nonstoichiometry is represented by an equation, N_O/N_SmMnO3=3.00×10⁻⁴ (log P_O2)³ +6.20×10⁻³ (log P_O2)²+4.28×10⁻² (log P_O2)+0.0979, and the activities of the components in the solid solution are calculated using the equation. SmMnO₃ seems to vary in composition in the Sm₂O₃-rich or Sm₂O₃-poor side as it was with LaMnO₃. SmMn₂O₅ is slightly nonstoichiometric.Lattice constants of SmMnO₃ made under different oxygen partial pressures and those of SmMn₂O₅ prepared in air were determined, along with spacings and relative intensities of SmMn₂O₅. Standard Gibbs energies of reactions shown in the system were calculated and compared with previously reported values.     

Phase equilibrium in the system Y-Fe-O at 1100°C

Phase equilibrium was established in the Y-Fe-O system at 1100°C by varying the oxygen partial pressure from −log(P_O2/atm)=15.00 to 0, allowing construction of a phase diagram at 1100°C for the system Y₂O₃-Fe-Fe₂O₃. In the system, two ternary compounds, YFeO₃ and Y₃Fe₅O₁₂, were stable and had nonstoichiometric composition, whereas YFe₂O₄ was not found to be stable. The present result was different from that of previous studies at 1200°C, in which YFe₂O₄ was stable, along with the above two ternary compounds. Lattice constants of YFeO₃ and Y₃Fe₅O₁₂, prepared in air by a quenching method, were determined and compared with previous values, and showed close agreement. The standard Gibbs energy changes of the reactions in the Fe-O system, Fe+1/2O₂=FeO, 3FeO+1/2O₂=Fe₃O₄, and 2/3Fe₃O₄+1/6O₂=Fe₂O₃, were determined, and the obtained values were compared with the previous values. The standard Gibbs energy changes of the reactions, Fe+1/2Y₂O₃+3/4O₂=YFeO₃, and 3YFeO₃+2/3Fe₃O₄+1/6O₂=Y₃Fe₅O₁₂, were calculated from the oxygen partial pressures in equilibrium.     

Reflectivity Characteristics of Resonant Four Wave Mixing Generated in Erbium-Doped Optical Fibers

Resonant four-wave mixing (RFWM) based on the photo-induced refractive index change in erbium-doped optical fibers is demonstrated experimentally. The erbium-doped fibers act as a saturable absorber at 1.536 μm pump wavelength. Dependence of efficiency of RFWM on the pump power, the dopant concentration, the fiber length, and the signal modulation frequency are analyzed using three types of erbium-doped fibers differing in dopant concentration. It is found that a signal modulation frequency higher than 10 kHz is required for the correct measurement. The RFWM efficiency is improved with an increase in the input pump power in a range up to 1.5 mW and the highest reflectivity of 5.1% is attained. The highest RFWM efficiency is achieved at αgsL ∼ 5 dB, which is in good agreement with the theory.     

Measurement of population density of excited helium atoms by the hook method

The hook method has been applied to the positive-column discharge plasma of helium and the population density of the lowest-lying excited levels, 2^1,3S and 2^1,3P, was measured. The results are compared with data obtained by use of the line absorption method, and discrepancies between these data are discussed. The result is also compared with a calculation based on application of the collisional-radiative model.