Multimodal Use of New Coumarin‐Based Fluorescent Chemosensors: Towards Highly Selective Optical Sensors for Hg2+ Probing

Despite several types of fluorescent sensing molecules have been proposed and examined to signal Hg²⁺ ion binding, the development of fluorescence‐based devices for in‐field Hg²⁺ detection and screening in environmental and industrial samples is still a challenging task. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of three new coumarin‐based fluorescent chemosensors featuring mixed thia/aza macrocyclic framework as receptors units, that is, ligands L1 – L3 . These probes revealed an OFF–ON selective response to the presence of Hg²⁺ ions in MeCN/H₂O 4:1 (v/v), which allowed imaging of this metal ion in Cos‐7 cells in vitro. Once included in silica core–polyethylene glycol (PEG) shell nanoparticles or supported on polyvinyl chloride (PVC)‐based polymeric membranes, ligands L1 – L3 can also selectively sense Hg²⁺ ions in pure water. In particular we have developed an optical sensing array tacking advantage of the fluorescent properties of ligand L3 and based on the computer screen photo assisted technique (CSPT). In the device ligand L3 is dispersed into PVC membranes and it quantitatively responds to Hg²⁺ ions in natural water samples.     

Tensor categories attached to double groupoids

The construction of a quantum groupoid out of a double groupoid satisfying a filling condition and a perturbation datum is given. Several important classes of examples of tensor categories are shown to fit into this construction. Certain invariants such as a pivotal group-like element and quantum and Frobenius–Perron dimensions of simple objects are computed.     

The vacuum energy of QED with four-fermion interaction

We consider quantum electrodynamics in the quenched approximation including a four-fermion interaction with coupling constantg. The effective potential at stationary points is computed as a function of the coupling constants α andg and an ultraviolet cutoff Λ, showing a minimum of energy in the (α,g) plane for α=α _c =π/3 andg=∞. When we go to the continuum limit (Λ→∞), keeping finite the dynamical mass, the minimum of energy moves to (α=0,g=1), which correspond to a point where the theory is trivial.     

Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling of Benzylic Bromides Under Microwave Conditions

A procedure for benzylic Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling under microwave conditions has been developed. These conditions allowed for heterocyclic compounds to be coupled. Optimum conditions found were Pd(OAc)₂, JohnPhos as the catalyst and ligand, potassium carbonate as the base, and DMF as the solvent. Using these conditions, a library of structurally diverse compounds was synthesized.     

On the possible use of optical fiber Bragg gratings as strain sensors for geodynamical monitoring

Optical fiber sensors can be used to measure many different parameters including strain, temperature, pressure, displacement, electrical field, refractive index, rotation, position and vibrations. Among a variety of fiber sensors, fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) have numerous advantages over other optical fiber sensors. One of the major advantages of this type of sensors is attributed to wavelength-encoded information given by the Bragg grating. Since the wavelength is an absolute parameter, signal from FBG may be processed such that its information remains immune to power fluctuations along the optical path. This inherent characteristic makes the FBG sensors very attractive for application in harsh environments, “smart structures” and on-site measurements.This paper reviews the achievements about the FBG as a strain and temperature sensor and describes the potential applications of FBG sensors for applications in the field of geophysics and its expected development in the near future. The applications could include: rock deformation, fiber-optic geophone, optical based seismograph, vertical seismic profiling and structural monitoring of civil structures. Different techniques to detect strains and various applications will be reviewed and discussed. The problem of temperature–strain cross sensitivity, that is particularly difficult to eliminate, is addressed and approaches to overcome it are discussed.     

Non-symmetrical composite-based path modeling

Partial least squares path modeling presents some inconsistencies in terms of coherence with the predictive directions specified in the inner model (i.e. the path directions), because the directions of the links in the inner model are not taken into account in the iterative algorithm. In fact, the procedure amplifies interdependence among blocks and fails to distinguish between dependent and explanatory blocks. The method proposed in this paper takes into account and respects the specified path directions, with the aim of improving the predictive ability of the model and to maintain the hypothesized theoretical inner model. To highlight its properties, the proposed method is compared to the classical PLS path modeling in terms of explained variability, predictive relevance and interpretation using artificial data through a real data application. A further development of the method allows to treat multi-dimensional blocks in composite-based path modeling.     

Acute‐phase proteins investigation based on lectins affinity capture prior to 2‐DE separation: Application to serum from multiple sclerosis patients

Plasma acute‐phase proteins (APPs) glyco‐isoforms are important biomarkers of inflammatory processes such as those occurring in multiple sclerosis (MS). Specific analysis of these proteins is often hampered by sample biochemical complexity. The aim of our study was to set up a method to accurately visualize, identify and quantify APPs glyco‐isoforms in human serum. An enrichment strategy based on affinity chromatography using the carbohydrate‐binding proteins concanavalin A (ConA) and erythrina cristagalli lectin (ECL) was applied to pooled serum samples from 15 patients and 9 healthy individuals. Image analysis of 2‐DE detected 30 spots with a fold change higher than 1.5. A total of 14 were statistically significant (p value<0.05): 7 up‐regulated and 7 down‐regulated in MS samples. ESI LC‐Nanospray IT mass spectrometry analysis confirmed that all of them were APPs isoforms supporting the idea that the accurate analysis of differential glycosylation profiles in these biomarkers is instrumental to distinguish between MS patients and healthy subjects. Additionally, overlaps in ConA/ECL maps protein patterns suggest how the used lectins are able to bind sugars harbored by the same oligosaccharide structure. Among identified proteins, the presence of complex and/or hybrid type N‐linked sugar structures is well known. Performing galectin‐3 binding and Western blotting, we were able to demonstrate a correlation between hybrid type glyco‐isoforms of β‐haptoglobin and MS. In conclusion, although the patho‐physiological role of the identified species still remains unclear and further validations are needed, these findings may have a relevant impact on disease‐specific marker identification approaches.     

Generation of tunable far-infrared radiation with a quantum cascade laser

We demonstrate the generation of cw tunable far-infrared radiation by mixing a quantum cascade laser and a CO>(2) laser in a W-Ni metal-insulator-metal diode. The first known spectroscopic application to the recording of an H(79)Br transition near 4.47 THz is reported.