Phosphate-selective electrodes containing immobilised ionophores

Phosphate selective electrodes have been produced based upon rubbery membranes containing heterocylic macrocycles as sensors covalently bound to a cross-linked polystyrene-block–polybutadiene-block–polystyrene (SBS) polymer. The membranes were robust and the best HPO₄²⁻-selective membrane fabricated was composed of 7.1% (m/m) dicumyl peroxide, 28.3% (m/m) 2-nitrophenyloctylether, 9.8% (m/m) 3-(10-undecenyl)-1,5,8-triazacyclodecane-2,4-dione, 31.0% (m/m) SBS and 23.8% (m/m) PoleStar™ 200R (clay-based filler). The characteristics of this electrode were a linear Nernstian range of 3.9×10⁻³ to 1×10⁻⁶ mol dm⁻³ HPO₄²⁻ with a limit of detection of 1.0×10⁻⁶ mol dm⁻³ HPO₄²⁻, a slope of −29.7±0.9 mV per activity decade and a pH range from 6 to 8. Selectivity coefficients for phosphate against various interfering anions (chloride, sulfate and nitrate) were determined. Response times were 2 min or under, stability of response and electrode lifetime in continuous use were also very satisfactory. The response behavior of HPO₄²⁻-ISEs based upon mobile and bound ionophores was comparable and suggests that mobility of the ionophore is not necessary to obtain a working ISE and that covalent binding of ionophores can be used to produce ISEs of increased stability and robustness.     

Runaway Electron Measurements in the EAST Tokamak

An experimental study of runaway electrons in the EAST tokamak has been performed by a recently developed multi‐channel hard x‐ray diagnostics based on NaI(TL) scintillator detectors. It is found that in the current quench phase, the inductive loop voltage plays an important role in the generation of runaway electrons. And the avalanche mechanism was the main mechanism for runaway electrons after the disruptions. The distribution and transportation of runaway electrons were also investigated by multi‐channel hard x‐ray diagnostics. It is also found that the intensity of runaway electrons emission in the core plasma was much higher than those in the downside of the cross‐section, while the emission intensity of runaway electrons in the core plasma was almost the same. Calculated shrinking coefficient of runaway electrons emission after the plasma disruption was about 26 m/s according to the experimental data (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

An electrochemical study of enzymatic oligonucleotide digestion

This paper describes the synthesis and application of a novel ferrocene (Fc) label that can be efficiently attached to oligonucleotides. We demonstrate how pulse electrochemical methods can be used to measure very low concentrations of ferrocene label and, importantly, show good electroanalytical discrimination between a labelled oligonucleotide and an enzyme digested labelled oligonucleotide, in which the ferrocene label nucleotide conjugate has been released. Real time in situ analysis gives a much greater understanding of the process. Potential applications include the detection of specific nucleic acid sequences and measurement of nuclease activity.     

Observation of Runaway Electron Behaviour During Disruptions in LHCD Discharges in the HT‐7 Tokamak

Production of runaway electrons during disruptions has been observed in the HT‐7 Tokamak. The runaway current plateaus, which can carry part of the pre‐disruptive current, are observed in lower‐hybrid current drive (LHCD) limiter discharges. It is found that the runaway current can mitigate the disruptions effectively. We can use gas puffing to increase the line‐averaged density to restrain the runaway electrons and rebuild the plasmas after the disruptions. Detailed observations are presented on the runaway electrons generated following disruptions in the HT‐7 tokamak discharges. The results indicate that the magnetic oscillations play a significant role in the loss of runaway electrons in disruptions. There are two important preconditions to rebuild plasmas by runaway electrons after the disruptions. One of them are weak magnetic oscillations; another one are LHWs (lower‐hybrid waves) (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthetic routes to indenopyridine analogues of morphactins

Investigation of a number of synthetic routes to aza analogues of Morphaetins led to the synthesis of (RS)-methyl 5H-5-hydroxyindeno[1,2-b]pyridine-5-carboxylate (6e) and the corresponding caboxamide. 6f.     

An accurate and stable nitrate-selective electrode for the in situ determination of nitrate in agricultural drainage waters

A field evaluation of a novel nitrate-ion selective electrode (ISE) was undertaken by continuous immersion over a period of 5 months in agricultural drainage weirs. The nitrate sensor N,N,N-triallyl leucine betaine was covalently attached to polystyrene-block-polybutadiene-block-polystyrene (SBS) using a free radical initiated co-polymerisation, to produce a rubbery membrane which was incorporated into a commercially available electrode body. A measurement unit was constructed comprising the nitrate-ISEs, a reference electrode and a temperature probe connected through a pre-amplifier to a data-logger and battery supply. A temperature correction algorithm was developed to accomodate the temperature changes encountered in the drainage weirs. The nitrate results obtained with the ISEs at hourly intervals compared very favourably (R2 = 0.99) with those obtained with laboratory automated chemical determinations made on contemporaneous samples of drainage in a concentration range 0.47-16 ppm nitrate-N. The ISEs did not require re-calibration and no deterioration in performance or fouling of the membrane surface was observed over four months of deployment.     

Initial studies of an immobilised, regenerable chemiluminescent sensor

The first reported use of a regenerable chemiluminescent polymer for chemical analysis is described. Ruthenium tris(4-methyl-4′-vinyl-2,2′-bipyridine) was electropolymerised onto the surface of a Pt electrode. This system was optimised for detection of oxalate by investigating the effect of both scan rate and the pH of the analyte solution. A chemically modified electrode successfully completed over 200 regeneration cycles over a 6-month period, demonstrating the stability of the system. A range of other species has also been tested for activity with the chemiluminescent polymer. The system functions in a similar way to traditional homogeneous chemiluminescent methods, but the active compound is retained and re-used rather than discarded. This results in both environmental and cost savings.     

One step visual detection of PCR products with gold nanoparticles and a nucleic acid lateral flow (NALF) device

Specific PCR products are detected with an antibody-free lateral-flow device by sandwiching them between reporter oligonucleotides covalently attached to gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and capture oligonucleotides covalently attached to a nitrocellulose chromatographic strip.     

On the simulation of the pivot bearing inside HDD

The pivot bearing is an important mechanical component in HDD. Several quasi-rigid (QR) body motion modes of the HDD are related to the stiffness of the pivot bearing such as the axial translation mode, the lateral translation mode and the rocking mode. In the shock simulation of the HDD, the pivot bearing is often simplified to identical theoretical models wherein the bearing is simulated with springs or beams. The overall axial stiffness and the radial stiffness of these models are often carefully checked and match well with the experimental values. However, how well these theoretical models represent the rotational stiffness of the bearing is still not fully understood. This is partly due to the difficulties in obtaining the experimental rotational stiffness of the pivot bearing. In this paper, three different theoretical models are examined for the simulation of the bearing. The rotational stiffness of these three theoretical models is derived analytically. The theoretical formulations are verified with the finite element analysis results.     

Tefluthrin Sorption to Mineral Particles: Role of Particle Organic Coatings

Abstract

The sorption of tefluthrin was studied on “pure” clay minerals and those that had been coated with aquatic humic substances over a mass percent carbon range of 0.02 to 2.15. Tefluthrin sorption onto humic-coated minerals was significantly greater than on to the clean minerals and increased with increasing quantities of sorbed humic substances. Humic acid, the most aromatic coating, was the strongest sorbent, followed by fulvic acid, hydrophilic macromolecular acid and natural coatings on estuarine suspended particles. This shows the significant impact of humic coatings on the sorptive capacity of mineral particles. The sorption was linear, also consistent with the operation of a partition process. The partition coefficient normalised to organic carbon (K_oc) after deduction of the contribution from the clean mineral, ranged from 120000 to 770000 and was highest for the most aromatic humic acid fraction.