Sensitive targeted multiple protein quantification based on elemental detection of Quantum Dots

A generic strategy based on the use of CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots (QDs) as elemental labels for protein quantification, using immunoassays with elemental mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), detection is presented. In this strategy, streptavidin modified QDs (QDs-SA) are bioconjugated to a biotinylated secondary antibody (b-Ab₂). After a multi-technique characterization of the synthesized generic platform (QDs-SA-b-Ab₂) it was applied to the sequential quantification of five proteins (transferrin, complement C3, apolipoprotein A1, transthyretin and apolipoprotein A4) at different concentration levels in human serum samples. It is shown how this generic strategy does only require the appropriate unlabeled primary antibody for each protein to be detected. Therefore, it introduces a way out to the need for the cumbersome and specific bioconjugation of the QDs to the corresponding specific recognition antibody for every target analyte (protein). Results obtained were validated with those obtained using UV–vis spectrophotometry and commercial ELISA Kits.     

Ratiometric Detection of microRNA Using Hybridization Chain Reaction and Fluorogenic Silver Nanoclusters

miRNA (miR)-155 is a potential biomarker for breast cancers. We aimed at developing a nanosensor for miR-155 detection by integrating hybridization chain reaction (HCR) and silver nanoclusters (AgNCs). HCR serves as an enzyme-free and isothermal amplification method, whereas AgNCs provide a built-in fluorogenic detection probe that could simplify the downstream analysis. The two components were integrated by adding a nucleation sequence of AgNCs to the hairpin of HCR. The working principle was based on the influence of microenvironment towards the hosted AgNCs, whereby unfolding of hairpin upon HCR has manipulated the distance between the hosted AgNCs and cytosine-rich toehold region of hairpin. As such, the dominant emission of AgNCs changed from red to yellow in the absence and presence of miR-155, enabling a ratiometric measurement of miR with high sensitivity. The limit of detection (LOD) of our HCR-AgNCs nanosensor is 1.13 fM in buffered solution. We have also tested the assay in diluted serum samples, with comparable LOD of 1.58 fM obtained. This shows the great promise of our HCR-AgNCs nanosensor for clinical application.     

Additive Hermitian idempotent preservers between operator algebras

Let L be an additive map between (real or complex) matrix algebras sending $n\times n$ Hermitian idempotent matrices to $m\times m$ Hermitian idempotent matrices. We show that there are nonnegative integers $p,q$ with $n(p+q)=r\le m$ and an $m\times m$ unitary matrix U such that$L(A)=U[(I_p?A)\oplus (I_q?A^t)\oplus 0_{m?r}]U^{?},\text{for any}n\times n\text{Hermitian}A\text{with rational trace}.$ We also extend this result to the (complex) von Neumann algebra setting, and provide a supplement to the Dye-Bunce-Wright Theorem asserting that every additive map of Hermitian idempotents extends to a Jordan ?-homomorphism.     

Beryllium coordination chemistry

The coordination chemistry of beryllium with particular emphasis on chelates under physiological or near physiological conditions is surveyed. Hard donors such as oxygen are emphasized; equilibrium data and formation constants are reported as an indication of the strength of the complex.     

A simple electronic speckle shearing interferometer

A new speckle shearing interferometer with simple setup is proposed. The interferometer can be converted easily from a speckle referenced speckle pattern interferometer into a speckle shearing interferometer and vice versa. A beamsplitter and a mirror are used to generate the shear. The amount of shear can be adjusted by simply rotating the mirror. The costs involved are low and it is particularly useful for fast inspection in non-destructive testing of structural integrity. Both the theoretical studies of the method of measurement and the experimental results are presented.     

The orientation-selective growth of LaNiO3 films on Si(100) by pulsed laser deposition using a MgO buffer

Highly (100)-oriented, (110)-oriented and polycrystalline LaNiO₃ (LNO) films were successfully prepared on Si(100) using an oriented MgO film as a buffer. It was somewhat surprising to find that that the orientation relation between the LNO film and the corresponding MgO buffer was: LNO(100)\MgO(110), LNO(110)\MgO(111) and LNO(polycrystalline)\MgO(100). The crystalline quality of the LNO films was shown to be sensitive to the preparation conditions of the MgO buffer. The film surface was very smooth, without micrometer-sized droplets being observed. All LNO films were of metallic conductivity, with a room-temperature resistivities of approximately 250, 280 and 420 μΩ cm for the (110)-oriented, (100)-oriented and polycrystalline LNO, respectively. Received: 2 April 2001 / Accepted: 23 October 2001 / Published online: 3 June 2002     

Equilibrium Problems with Applications to Eigenvalue Problems

In this paper, we consider equilibrium problems and introduce the concept of (S)₊ condition for bifunctions. Existence results for equilibrium problems with the (S)₊ condition are derived. As special cases, we obtain several existence results for the generalized nonlinear variational inequality studied by Ding and Tarafdar (Ref. 1) and the generalized variational inequality studied by Cubiotti and Yao (Ref. 2). Finally, applications to a class of eigenvalue problems are given.     

Membrane introduction mass spectrometry

An overview of membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS) is presented and comparisons are made with other direct sample introduction techniques. Special attention is given to the unique advantages and the limitations of newer variants on the MIMS technique, including affinity MIMS, reverse-phase and trap MIMS. The salient features of the interfaces used in MIMS are summarized and the various membrane materials commonly used are delineated. The applicability of MIMS is illustrated via discussion of

1. (i) bioreactor monitoring (represented by yeast fermentation),

2. (ii) environmental monitoring (illustrated by analysis of contaminated ground water samples) and

3. (iii) on-line chemical reaction monitoring (exemplified by the photolysis of aryl esters).

The applicability of MIMS to the analysis of environmental samples, including complex mixtures in water, air and soil, is noted.     

Detecting and Diagnostic Checking Multivariate Conditional Heteroscedastic Time Series Models

Two tests for multivariate conditional heteroscedastic models are proposed. One is based on the cross-correlations of standardized squared residuals and the other is a score (Lagrange multiplier) test. The cross-correlations test can be used to detect the presence of multivariate conditional heteroscedasticity whereas the other test can be used for diagnostic checking. Simulation studies on the size and power of the test statistics are reported. The application of the tests is illustrated by an example using the S & P 500 and Sydney All Ordinary Indexes.