TOF-S-SIMS molecular depth profiling of organic bilayers using mechanical wear test methodology

Recent publications on static secondary ion mass spectrometry (S-SIMS) focus on molecular depth profiling by using polyatomic or ultra-low energy monoatomic projectiles. Since their applicability depends on the relationship between the ion yield and the depth, which is hard to obtain without extensive studies, a combination of a wear test method with S-SIMS surface analysis was performed in the current study. Using this non-sputtering procedure, the relation between the signal intensity and the local concentration remains in principle the same as that at the surface (which is easy to determine). Mechanical erosion was successfully applied to expose sub-surface material from organic multilayers. Through surface analysis with S-SIMS on the gradually exposed deeper planes, molecular depth profiles could be obtained. The study was conducted on a model system relevant to offset printing, consisting of two polymer layers, containing dyes and a surfactant, cast on an Al substrate. Figure Concept of mechanical erosion followed by S-SIMS surface analysis to obtain molecular depth profiles     

Spectroscopic evaluation of a compact magnetically boosted radiofrequency glow discharge for time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A compact magnetically boosted radiofrequency glow discharge (GD) has been designed, constructed and its analytical potential evaluated by its coupling to a mass spectrometer (MS). Simple modifications to the original source configuration permitted the insertion of permanent magnets. Small cylindrical Nd–Fe–B magnets (∅ = 4 mm, h = 10 mm) were placed in an in-house-modified GD holder disc that allows easy and fast exchange of the magnets. The different processes taking place within the GD plasma under the influence of a magnetic field, such as sputtering, ionisation processes and ion transport into the MS, were studied using different GD operating conditions. Changes to the ionisation and ion transport efficiency caused by the magnetic field were studied using an rf-GD-TOFMS setup. A magnetic field of 60–75 gauss (G) was found not to affect the sputtering rates but to enhance the analyte ion signal intensities while decreasing the Ar species ion signals. Moreover, magnetic fields in this range were shown not to modify the crater shapes, enabling the fast and sensitive high depth resolved analysis of relatively thick coated samples (micrometre) by using the designed compact magnetically boosted rf-GD-TOFMS.

Asymptotic probabilities for conformal restriction measures for an annulus

We show that for the conformal restriction measure with exponent b in the unit disk on hulls γ connecting eix to 1 the probability of the event that γ avoids the disk of radius q centered at zero decays like exp(−bπx/(1−q)) if either b∈[5/8,1]∪[5/4,∞) and x∈(0,π], or if b∈(1,5/4), x∈(0,π), and bx?π.     

Coumarin Based Neutral Sensor for Biologically Important Anions

A coumarin Shiff-base derivative, salicylaldehyde-N-(6-phenylazo-coumarin-3-formyl)-hydrazone(1), was obtained by simple organic synthesis from cheap and commercially available starting materials. Sensor 1 exhibits a very weak fluorescence emission, however, in the presence of acetate ions “turn-on” fluorescence is observed, which results from binding-induced conformational restriction of the fluorophore. Importantly, sensor 1 can also be used as colorimetric chemosensor for the anions with strong basicity, which is easily observed from yellow to red by naked eyes. Consequently, compound 1 can behave as a colorimetric and fluorescence sensor for biologically important F–, CH3COO– and H2PO4– in the presence of the other anions tested such as Cl–, Br– and I– in dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO).     

Insights into copper coordination in the EcoRI–DNA complex by ESR spectroscopy

The EcoRI restriction endonuclease requires one divalent metal ion in each of two symmetrical and identical catalytic sites to catalyse double-strand DNA cleavage. Recently, we showed that Cu²⁺ binds outside the catalytic sites to a pair of new sites at H114 in each sub-unit, and inhibits Mg²⁺-catalysed DNA cleavage. In order to provide more detailed structural information on this new metal ion binding site, we performed W-band (～94 GHz) and X-band (～9.5 GHz) electron spin resonance spectroscopic measurements on the EcoRI–DNA–(Cu²⁺)₂ complex. Cu²⁺ binding results in two distinct components with different g_zz and A_zz values. X-band electron spin echo envelope modulation results indicate that both components arise from a Cu²⁺ coordinated to histidine. This observation is further confirmed by the hyperfine sub-level correlation results. W-band electron nuclear double resonance spectra provide evidence for equatorial coordination of water molecules to the Cu²⁺ ions.     

Depth information extraction with an aperture-rotating camera

This paper focuses on extracting depth information with an aperture-rotating camera. Compared with previous work, the proposed method is applicable for arbitrary rotation angle by making use of pixel registration to get pixel shift angle, and calculating the pixel shift along this angle. Besides, consumption time for shift angle is reduced by means of sampling. Compared with point-by-point method, the proposed method reduces the computation time from about 1 h to 1 min for a 15-megapixel image. Experimental results of a scene named “bottles” show that the depth value has a margin of error of 5%. Proposed method makes it possible to extract depth information with a single camera and expands the application of DSLR camera.     

基于聚类分割和形态学的可见光与SAR图像配准

针对可见光与SAR图像灰度差异大,共有特征提取难的问题,提出了一种基于k-均值聚类分割和形态学处理的轮廓特征配准方法。利用k-均值聚类算法对两类图像进行分割,得到图像分割区域;通过形态学处理,有效减少SAR图像斑点噪声影响,准确提取两类图像的封闭轮廓;采用轮廓不变矩理论,引入矩变量距离均值、方差约束机制和一致性检查的匹配策略,获取最佳匹配对,实现了两类图像的配准。通过实验,三组图像的配准精度分别达到0.3450、0.2163和0.1810,结果表明该法可行且能达到亚像素的配准精度。     

Elucidation of the Active Conformation of Vancomycin Dimers with Antibacterial Activity against Vancomycin‐Resistant Bacteria

Covalently linked vancomycin dimers have attracted a great deal of attention among researchers because of their enhanced antibacterial activity against vancomycin‐resistant strains. However, the lack of a clear insight into the mechanisms of action of these dimers hampers rational optimization of their antibacterial potency. Here, we describe the synthesis and antibacterial activity of novel vancomycin dimers with a constrained molecular conformation achieved by two tethers between vancomycin units. Conformational restriction is a useful strategy for studying the relationship between the molecular topology and biological activity of compounds. In this study, two vancomycin units were linked at three distinct positions of the glycopeptide (vancosamine residue (V), C terminus (C), and N terminus (N)) to form two types of novel vancomycin cyclic dimers. Active NC‐VV‐linked dimers with a stable conformation as indicated by molecular mechanics calculations selectively suppressed the peptidoglycan polymerization reaction of vancomycin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus in vitro. In addition, double‐disk diffusion tests indicated that the antibacterial activity of these dimers against vancomycin‐resistant enterococci might arise from the inhibition of enzymes responsible for peptidoglycan polymerization. These findings provide a new insight into the biological targets of vancomycin dimers and the conformational requirements for efficient antibacterial activity against vancomycin‐resistant strains.     

Atomic Force Microscopy and X‐Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Lead(II) Membrane Electrode Based on Dithiodibenzoic Acid as Ionophore

The use of 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ionic liquid [C₄mim][PF₆] as additive in a Pb(II) plastic membrane electrode increased significantly the selectivity of the sensor. Atomic force microscopy and depth profiling X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy were applied to investigate the compositional and morphological changes of the surface and bulk of the membrane during the conditioning process of the electrode.     

Parametric study on mass loss of penetrators

Earth penetration weapon （EPW） is applicable for attacking underground targets protected by reinforced concrete and rocks. With increasing impact velocity, the mass loss/abrasion of penetrator increases, which significandy decreases the penetration efficiency due to the change of nose shape. The abrasion may induce instability of the penetrator, and lead to failure of its structure. A common disadvantage, i.e. dependence on corresponding experimen- tal results, exists in all the available formulae, which limits their ranges of application in estimating the mass loss of penetrator. In this paper, we conduct a parametric study on the mass loss of penetrator, and indicate that the mass loss of penetrator can be determined by seven variables, i.e., the initial impact velocity, initial nose shape, melting heat, shank diameter of projectile and density and strength of target as well as the aggregate hardness of target. Further discussion on factors dominant in the mass abrasion of penetrator are given, which may be helpful for optimizing the target or the projectile for defensive or offensive objectives, respectively.