Finite-stretching corrections to the Milner-Witten-Cates theory for polymer brushes

This paper investigates finite-stretching corrections to the classical Milner-Witten-Cates theory for semi-dilute polymer brushes in a good solvent. The dominant correction to the free energy originates from an entropic repulsion caused by the impenetrability of the grafting surface, which produces a depletion of segments extending a distance μ∝L^-1 from the substrate, where L is the classical brush height. The next most important correction is associated with the translational entropy of the chain ends, which creates the well-known tail where a small population of chains extend beyond the classical brush height by a distance ξ∝L^-1/3. The validity of these corrections is confirmed by quantitative comparison with numerical self-consistent field theory.     

Characterization of different substrates for Raman spectroscopic imaging of eukaryotic cells

For Raman spectroscopic analyses of the cells and other biological samples, the choice of the right substrate material is very important to avoid loss of information in characteristic spectral features because of competing background signals. In the current study, Raman spectroscopy is used to characterize several potential Raman substrates. Raman vibrational bands of the substrate material are discussed. The surface topography is analyzed by atomic force microscopy, and the root mean square surface roughness values are reported. Biocompatibility of the substrates is tested with Hep G2 cells evaluating cellular morphology as well as live/dead staining. Calcium fluoride, silicon, fused silica, borofloat glass, and silicon nitride membranes support cell growth and adherence. Silicon, borofloat glass, and fused silica give rise to Raman signals in the region of interest. Calcium fluoride substrate (UV grade) is suitable for Raman spectroscopic investigation of living cells. Nickel foil is suitable substrate for Raman spectroscopic investigation but cellular adherence and viability depend on the quality of the foil. Silicon nitride membranes coated with nickel chrome is a suitable Raman substrate in closed microfluidic systems. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS): A Promising Tool for Biological Research

Abstract

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is an important biophysical technique. FCS is currently being used in many areas of biology to solve several scientific problems. Its properties such as detection at the single molecular level, higher sensitivity, and use of lower sample volume make FCS a promising molecular diagnostic tool. The promising applications of FCS extend from DNA kinetics/dynamics studies to the comprehensive understanding of receptor–ligand interactions. In this article, we review various promising biological applications of FCS.     

光生物节律因子计算模型的研究

通过实验测量额头温度拟合光生物节律因子-额温差曲线,对现有评价光生物效应作用大小的BioEq模型和CLA模型的计算结果进行分析比较.利用不同图片LCD屏幕的光谱计算节律因子,发现两种模型对于绿色波段的光抑制较强,而对红色波段的光则与实际不相符.通过对九种不同颜色的LED光源测试额头温度,比较模型计算结果与实际光生物效应的作用,发现光生物节律因子与生理体征变化线性递增,其中对BioEq模型的直线拟合相关度达到0.95.     

FI-KR-FAAS空气混合吸附二次气体分隔洗脱法测定海洋生物样中的痕量铅

建立了流动注射（flow injection, FI）空气混合吸附预富集编结反应器（knotted reactor, KR）二次气体分隔洗脱法与火焰原子吸收光谱法（flame atomic absorption spectrum, FAAS）联用测定海洋生物样中的痕量铅。在预富集步骤,空气、络合剂和铅溶液在线混合,空气的引入,大大提高了铅的螯合物在KR内壁的吸附效果。在洗脱前,通入一段空气流,在洗脱过程中,即在非完全洗脱时,加入一段空气流,两段空气流的引入,大大降低了被分析物在洗脱液中的分散,提高了信号响应值,从而提高了浓集系数（enhancement factor, EF）。将空气混合吸附预富集与二次气体分隔洗脱法联用,使得KR吸附富集效果和洗脱效果达到了更高的水平。和微柱的低寿命、高反压相比,KR反压小,耐酸耐碱,寿命几乎无限长,对蠕动泵的要求很低,不易造成溶液渗漏等问题。在洗脱过程进行到第5秒时输入1 s空气流作为间隔,而不是等整个洗脱过程完成以后再输入空气流,此方法的优点是：洗脱完全,而且大大降低了被分析物在洗脱过程中的分散,吸收信号值大大增加。如果单纯地把洗脱时间降到5 s,那么洗脱会非常不完全,也就是没有洗脱干净,在管路中还会残存大量的被分析物,残存的被分析物被带入下一个样品分析中,会对整个实验造成很大的误差,所有的实验数据都将不准,失去数据利用价值。所以完全的洗脱是非常必要的,必须保证一定的洗脱时间。由于随着洗脱过程的进行,洗脱下来的被分析物呈逐渐减小的趋势,在以往洗脱方法中,等到整个洗脱过程全部进行完以后,被分析物在洗脱液中的分散已经相当严重了,导致所得到吸收信号值大大减小。在洗脱过程中插入空气流,即在非完全洗脱时插入空气流,降低了被分析物在洗脱过程中的分散,同时保证了洗脱的完全,大大提高了吸收信号峰值。优化了络合剂种类、浓度和酸度,样品富集时间和流速,空气混合吸附时的空气流速和时间,洗脱前第一次通气时间,预洗脱时间,洗脱过程中第二次通气时间等实验参数。在最佳实验条件下,铅在0.005～0.6 mg·L-1浓度范围内呈现良好的线性关系,铅的检出限（3σ）为2.2 μg·L-1。将新方法与直接火焰原子吸收法、传统的FI-KR空气混合吸附预富集普通洗脱法进行了比较,结果显示本方法的浓集系数更高。将该方法应用于海洋生物样中痕量铅的测定,测得鳝鱼、对虾、虾姑、鲟鱼、舌鳎和贻贝标准中的铅含量为0.34~1.92 μg·g-1;加标量为1.0 μg·g-1时,加标回收率为93.5%~96.4%;相对标准偏差为0.52%~2.94%。用FI-KR-FAAS空气混合吸附预富集,二次气体分隔洗脱法测定海洋生物样中的痕量铅,具有富集效果好,准确度高,精密度好,浓集系数高等优点,分析结果令人满意。     

拟南芥胚的不同区域对MeV离子辐照的响应

利用不同能量的质子在大气环境中辐照拟南芥的含水种子，能量从1.1MeV到6.5MeV.根据模拟计算结果，相应能量的离子对种子的损伤区域分别为胚的浅层、胚的一半和整个胚.本实验中，具有较高能量的质子可以完全均匀地作用于拟南芥生长、发育及遗传密切相关的胚茎端分生组织，而能量较低的质子则不能直接作用于茎端分生组织.实验所用质子注量范围为4×10⁹ions/cm²—1×10¹⁴ions/cm².实验结果显示，虽然拟南芥种子的发芽率和幼苗存活率随离子注量增加都呈现下降的趋势，但对应于不同的胚损伤区域，即在不同的入射质子能量条件下，注量曲线具有各自的特征.实验结果显示，拟南芥种子中除了胚茎端分生组织作为对离子辐照敏感的辐射主靶外，茎端分生组织之外的胚区域可能作为离子辐射次靶，影响到最终的辐射生物学效应. 关键词： 离子辐照 拟南芥 胚区域 生物效应     

重离子治疗计划系统的构想

对重离子柬治癌的优势进行简要的回顾，并着重介绍了用于重离子放射治疗的治疗计划系统。治疗计划系统是一套软件系统，不同的硬件设施应有与其相匹配的软件系统，即治疗计划系统。在此基础上，针对兰州重离子加速器的特点提出一些关于治疗计划系统方面的构想。After a brief review concerning the advantages of heavy ions in radiotherapy, more interests are concentrated on treatment planning system （TPS） for heavy ion radiotherapy. Compared to the hardware devices such as accelerator and beam delivery system, the TPS is a set of software system, and different therapy facilities require their corresponding TPSs. Based on the specialities of the Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou （HIIRFL）, some suggestions on the TPS for tumor therapy at HIRFL finally are given.     

生物组织电穿孔中的热效应研究

本文对生物组织电穿孔中的热效应问题进行了计算研究。结果表明生物组织电穿孔过程中,选用不当的脉冲电压参数,会对组织造成严重的热损伤。若采用相同的烧伤阈值来描述热损伤范围,则相同电脉冲参数条件下在体组织比离体组织受到的热损伤更大。     

Charge transport in a polypeptide chain

Charge transport is one important example of signal transduction in a protein which is responsible for action at a distance, and is a fundamental process in biochemical action. A model is presented in which electronic effects interact with motional processes to combine into a bifunctional model. This model is investigated with new detailed molecular dynamics calculations and successfully explains such action at a distance. Received 1st February 2002 / Received in final form 26 May 2002 Published online 13 September 2002     

First-Principles Theory of Muon and Muonium Trapping in the Protein Chain of Cytochrome c and Associated Hyperfine Interactions

The microscopic details of the electron transfer in cytochrome c (cyt c) are being investigated by the Muon Spin Relaxation (μSR) technique. We are using the Hartree–Fock Cluster Procedure to determine the most likely trapping sites for μ⁺ and muonium (Mu) in the protein chain, and have performed extensive calculations in single amino acid molecules of the protein chain of cyt c. The double-bonded oxygen atom of the carboxyl group was identified as the trapping site for both μ⁺ and Mu. Utilizing the wave functions we obtained from the Hartree–Fock calculations, we have determined the hyperfine field that the μ⁺ in Mu experiences while the latter is trapped at the oxygen. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.