Kinetics of electrocatalytic ascorbic acid at ultramicroelectrode modified by Eastman-AQ polymer containing tris(2,2-'-bipyridine) osmium(III/II) complexes as electron-transfer centers

The theoretical model[17] of an ultramicroelectrode modified with a redox species film is used as the diagnostic tool to characterize the catalytic oxidation of ascorbic acid at carbon fiber ultramicrodisk electrodes coated with an Eastman-AQ-Os(bpy)(3)(2+) film. The electrocatalytic behavior of ascorbic acid at the ultramicroelectrode modified by an Eastman-AQ polymer containing tris(2,2'-bipyridine) osmium(III/II) as mediators is described. In order to determine the five characteristic currents quantitatively, the radius of the ultramicroelectrode and the concentration of ascorbic acid are varied systematically. The kinetic zone diagram has been used to study the electrocatalytic system. This system with 0.5-2.75 mM ascorbic acid belongs to SR + E case, and the concentration profiles of the catalyst in the film are given in detail. Finally, optimizing the design of catalytic system is discussed.

THE APPLICATION OF ULTRAMICROELECTRODE IN HOMOGENEOUS CATALYTIC REACTION .5. ELECTROCHEMICAL-BEHAVIOR OF MACRO-MICRO-MACRO TRIPLE AND MICRO-MICRO TWIN ELECTRODES AND THE QUASI-FIRST-ORDER HOMOGENEOUS CATALYTIC REACTION (EC') AT GENERATION/COLLECTION ELECT

A new type of macro-micro-macro triple electrode has been fabricated, the steady-state currents of solution redox species have been observed at an ultramicroband electrode by linear potential scan voltammetry, and generation/collection experiments have al

THEORY OF STEADY-STATE CURRENT AT MULTIPLE MICROCYLINDER ELECTRODES COUPLED WITH A PARALLEL PLANAR ELECTRODE

A novel device of multiple cylinder microelectrodes coupled with a parallel planar electrode was proposed. The feedback diffusion current at this device was studied using bilinear transformation of coordinates in the diffusion space, where lines of mass flux and equiconcentration are represented by orthogonal circular functions. The derived expression for the steady-state current shows that as the gap between cylindrical microelectrodes and planar electrode diminishes, greatly enhanced currents can be obtained with high signal-to-noise ratio. Other important geometrical parameters such as distance between adjacent microcylinders, cylinder radius, and number of microcylinders were also discussed in detail.

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A MULTICYLINDER MICROELECTRODE COUPLED WITH A CONVENTIONAL GLASSY-CARBON ELECTRODE AND ITS APPLICATION TO THE DETECTION OF DOPAMINE

A multi-cylinder microelectrode coupled with a conventional glassy carbon disc electrode (MCM/GC) was prepared and characterized using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. It was demonstrated that in the same way as one observed a steady-state current at closely spaced microelectrodes when redox recycling takes place, the same effect can be obtained with the MCM/GC device. The experimental results obtained with K3Fe(CN)6 solutions were compared with a previously developed theory. Further, it was demonstrated that with a carbon fibre MCM/GC device, the voltammetric behaviour of dopamine is greatly improved by virtue of redox recycling, hence giving high sensitivity. The steady-state collection current was linearly related to dopamine concentration in the range 1 X 10(-4) to 5 x 10(-7) Mol l-1, and the detection limit was 2 x 10(-7) mol l-1. The influence of coexisting ascorbic acid was also investigated. This device was applied successfully in the determination of dopamine hydrochloride in pharmaceutical preparations.

ELECTROCHEMICAL-BEHAVIOR OF HEXACYANOFERRATE(II) ON A GOLD ELECTRODE MODIFIED WITH BIS(4-PYRIDYL)DISULFIDE

The electrochemical behaviour of hexacyanoferrate(II) has been studied by using a bis(4-pyridyl)disulfide modified gold electrode. On the protonated electrode surface, hexacyanoferrate(II) can transfer an electron reversibly but no apparent adsorption was detected. On the deprotonated electrode surface, electron transfer by hexacyanoferrate(II) was more difficult. The electrochemical reversibility varied with the pH of the solution. Relationships between the currents or the standard heterogeneous rate constants and pH were derived.

ELECTROCATALYTIC OXIDATION OF ASCORBIC ACID AT POLYANILINE FILM MODIFIED GLASSY CARBON ELECTRODES

A conducting polyaniline (PAn) film modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode was prepared by electrochemical polymerization. The electrochemical behavior of ascorbic acid (AH(2)) in aqueous solution at this PAn modified electrode was studied in detail. The experimental results show that PAn film modified electrode has good electrocatalytic activity on the oxidation of ascorbic acid in aqueous solution over a wide range of pH value, among which pH 4 is the optimum condition. The oxidation process of ascorbic acid at PAn film electrode can be regarded as an EC catalytic mechanism. The kinetic process of the catalytic reaction was investigated by rotating disk electrode (RDE) coated with PAn films. The rate constant of the catalytic reaction was evaluated. The catalytic peak currents are proportional to the concentrations tions of ascorbic acid in the range of 5 x 10(-2)-1 x 10(-6) mol . L-1. The PAn film elec trodes give very stable responce for the oxidation of ascorbic acid. The present investigation shows the posibility of using PAn film modified electrode for the determination of ascorbic acid.

An electrochemical DNA sensor based on electrodepositing aluminum ion films on stearic acid-modified carbon paste electrode and its application for the detection of specific sequences related to bar gene and CP4 Epsps gene

An electrochemical DNA biosensor was fabricated by immobilizing DNA probe on aluminum ion films that were electrodeposited on the surface of the stearic acid-modified carbon paste electrode (CPE). DNA immobilization and hybridization were characterized with cyclic voltammetry (CV) by using methylene blue (MB) as indicator. MB has a couple of well-defined voltammetric redox peaks at the CPE. The currents of redox peaks of MB decreased after depositing aluminum ion films on the CPE (Al(III)/CPE) and increased dramatically after immobilizing DNA probe (ssDNA/Al(III)/CPE). Hybridization of DNA probe led to a marked decrease of the peak currents of MB, which can be used to detect the target single-stranded DNA. The conditions for the preparation of Al(III)/CPE, and DNA immobilization and hybridization were optimized. The specific sequences related to bar transgene in the transgenic corn and the PCR amplification of CP4 epsps gene from the sample of transgenic roundup ready soybean were detected by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) with this new electrochemical DNA biosensor. The difference between the peak currents of MB at ssDNA/Al(III)/CPE and that at hybridization DNA modified electrode (dsDNA/Al(III)/CPE) was applied to determine the Specific sequence related to the target bar gene with the dynamic range comprised between 1.0 X 10(-7) mol/L to 1.0 x 10(-4) mol/L. A detection limit of 2.25 x.10(-8) mol/L. of oligonucleotides can be estimated.

Study on the GABA gated channels in the neurosecretory cells of MTXO in the eyestalks of Eriocheir sinensis

The responses to rapid application of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the GABA receptor characteristics of MTXO neurosecretory cells in the eyestalks of Chinese mitten-handed crab (Eriocheir sinensis) were examined by whole-cell patch clamp. Under current clamp mode, the depolarization and hyperpolarization were evoked from the three types of neurosecretory cells in response to the GABA (0.1 mmol/L) depending on the Nernst Cl- potential. Under voltage clamp mode, the inward Cl- channel currents (I-GABA) were resolved from all three types of neurosecretory cells in response to GABA (0.01similar to5 mmol/L). The GABA currents were activated within 1 200 ms and peaked within 800 ms. No obviously desensitization was observed during GABA application. The dose-response curve showed usual S-shape, with a just-discernible effect at 0.01 mmol/L and near-saturation at 0.5 mmol/L. The GABA currents had reversal potentials that followed Nernst Cl- potentials when [Cl-] was varied. The pharmacological results revealed that the GABA receptor of the crab neurosecretory cells was sensitive to the Cl- channel blockers picrotoxin and niflumic acid (0.5 mmol/L), insensitive to GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline and GABA(C) receptor agonist cis-4-aminocrotonic acid (CACA 1 mmol/L) and trans-4-aminocrotonic (TACA 1 mmol/L).

Cultivation of the brown alga Hizikia fusiformis (Harvey) Okamura: controlled fertilization and early development of seedlings in raceway tanks in ambient light and temperature

Commercial cultivation of the dioecious brown macroalga Hizikia fusiformis (Harvey) Okamura in East Asia depends on the supply of young seedlings from regenerated holdfasts or from wild population. Recent development of synchronized release of male and female gametes in tumble culture provides a possibility of mass production of young seedlings via sexual reproduction. In this paper, we demonstrate that controlled fertilization can be efficiently realized in ambient light and temperature in a specially designed raceway tank in which the sperm-containing water has been recirculated. The effective fertilization time of eggs by sperm was found to be within six hours. Fast growth and development of the young seedlings relied on the presence of water currents. Velocity tests demonstrated that young seedlings of 2-3 mm in length could withstand a water current of 190 cm s(-1) stop without detachment. Culture experiments at 24 h postfertilization showed that elongation of both the seedlings and their rhizoids were not hampered by high irradiance up to 600 mu mol photons m(-2) stop s(-1) stop. However, growth was slightly retarded if cultured at a temperature of 16 degrees C compared to other culture temperatures of 22, 25 and 29 degrees C. No seedling detachment was observed after transfer of the young seedlings to raft cultivation in the sea after one and 1.5 months post-fertilization, indicating the feasibility of obtaining large quantity of seedlings in such a system.

Sedimentation rates and provenance analysis in the Southwestern Okinawa Trough since the mid-Holocene

As a high-sedimentation rate depocenter along the path of the Kuroshio Current, the southwesternmost part of the Okinawa Trough is a key area to understand the Kuroshio history and sediments transportation. A 34.17-m-long sediment core was obtained by the advanced piston corer of Marco Polo/IMAGES XII MARION DUFRESNE during the May 2005 from the Southern Okinawa Trough at site MD05-2908. The recovered sediments were analyzed by AMS C-14 dating, coarse size fraction (> 63 mu m) extraction and moisture content determination in order to study its sedimentation flux and provenance. The depth-age relationship of core MD05-2908 was well constrained by 17 C-14 dating points. The sediments span across the mid-Holocene (6.8 ka B.P.) and have remarkablely high sedimentation rates between 1.8 and 21-2 m/ka, which is well consistent with the modern observations from sediment traps. We identified five 70-200 a periods of abnormally rapid sedimentation events at 6790-6600 a B.P., 5690-5600 a B.P., 4820-4720 a B.P., 1090-880 a B.P., and 260-190 a B.P., during which the highest sedimentation rate is up to 21-2 m/ka. In general, the lithology of the sediments were dominated by silt and clay, associated with less than 5% coarse size fraction (a parts per thousand << 63 mu m). As the most significant sediment source, the Lanyang River in northeastern Taiwan annually deliver about 10Mt materials to the coastal and offshore region of northeast Taiwan, a portion of which could be carried northward by currents toward the study area. Therefore, we concluded that the 5 abnormally rapid sedimentation events may be related to intensified rainfall in Taiwan and thus increased materials to our study area at that time. However, a few extreme-rapid sedimentation events cannot be explained by normal river runoff alone. The large earthquakes or typhoons induced hyperpycnal discharge of fluvial sediment to the ocean may also act as a potential source supply to the Okinawa Trough.

Fine-grained Pleistocene deepwater turbidite channel system on the slope of Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea

Recently, as oil exploitation has become focused on deepwater slope areas. more multi-channel high resolution 2D and 3D seismic data were acquired in the deepwater part of the Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea. Based on 3D seismic data and coherence time slice, RMS and 3D visualization, a series of deepwater channels were recognized on the slope that probably developed in the late Quaternary period. These channels trend SW-NE to W-E and show bifurcations, levees, meander loops and avulsions. High Amplitude Reflections (HARs), typical for channel-levee complexes, are of only minor importance and were observed in one of the channel systems. Most of the detected channels are characterized by low-amplitude reflections, and so are different from the typical coarse-grained turbidite channels that had been discovered worldwide. The absence of well data in the study area made it difficult to determine the age and lithology of these channels. Using a neighboring drill hole and published data about such depositional systems worldwide, the lithology of these channels is likely to be dominated by mudstones with interbedded thin sandstones. These channels are formed by turbidity currents originated from the little scale mountain river of mid-Vietnam in SW direction and were probably accompanied by a relative sea level drop in the last glacial age. These channels discovered on the northern South China Sea slope are likely to be fine-grained, mud-dominant and low N:G deposits in a deepwater paleogeographic setting. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Geomorphology, sedimentary processes and development of the Zenisu deep-sea channel, northern Philippine Sea

The Zenisu deep-sea channel originates on the Izu-Ogasawara island arc, and disappears in the Shikoku Basin of the Philippine Sea. The geomorphology, sedimentary processes, and the development of the Zenisu deep-sea channel were investigated on the basis of swath bathymetry, side-scan sonar imagery, submersible observations, and seismic data. The deep-sea channel can be divided into three segments according to the downslope gradient and channel orientation. They are the Zenisu Canyon, the E-W fan channel, and the trough-axis channel. The sediment fill is characterized by turbidite and debrite deposition and blocky-hummocky avalanche deposits on the flanks of the Zenisu Ridge. In the Zenisu Canyon and the Zenisu deep-sea channel, sediment transport by turbidity currents generates sediment waves (dunes) observed during the Shinkai 6500 dive 371. The development of the Zenisu Canyon is controlled by a N-S shear fault, whereas the trough-axis channel is controlled by basin subsidence associated with the Zenisu Ridge. The E-W fan channel was probably affected by the E-W fault and the basement morphology.

Modification to the Hardisty equation, regarding the relationship between sediment transport rate and particle size

Bagnold-type bed-load equations are widely used for the determination of sediment transport rate in marine environments. The accuracy of these equations depends upon the definition of the coefficient k(1) in the equations, which is a function of particle size. Hardisty (1983) has attempted to establish the relationship between k(1) and particle size, but there is an error in his analytical result. Our reanalysis of the original flume data results in new formulae for the coefficient. Furthermore, we found that the k(1) values should be derived using u(1) and u(1cr) data; the use of the vertical mean velocity in flumes to replace u(1) will lead to considerably higher k(1) values and overestimation of sediment transport rates.

On the relationships between the radial tidal current field and the radial sand ridges in the southern Yellow Sea: a numerical simulation

The ori-in of the radial sand ridges (RSRs) in the southern Yellow Sea has been a controversial problem since they were discovered in the early 1960s. To resolve the problem, two key questions need to be answered: (1) was the radial tidal current field in the RSR area generated by the submarine topography, or (2) did it exist before the RSRs occurred? In this study, the M-2 tide and tidal currents in the RSR area were simulated with a two-dimensional tidal model using a flat bottom and a shelving slope topography, the results being then compared with the field data. It is demonstrated that the radial tidal current field in the southern Yellow Sea is independent of bottom topography, and may thus be the controlling factor generating the RSRs. The radial tidal current field probably existed before the RSRs were formed.

Geomorphic and hydrodynamic responses in salt marsh-tidal creek systems, Jiangsu, China

Salt marsh-tidal creek systems as a coastal geomorphological unit represent an important natural resource. The present study on Jiangsu salt marshes, eastern China, shows that variations in tidal current velocities in salt marsh creeks are controlled by the local tidal wave characteristics and the bed slope and elevation of the salt marshes and creeks. Likewise, the tidal currents modify the geomorphology of the salt marsh-tidal creek systems by transporting sediments and causing erosion/deposition. Storm events, which appear to have cyclical changes in their intensity relating to sunspot activities, can affect the geomorphic evolution of such systems. Further, in response to accelerated sea-level rise, accretional rates on salt marshes may increase. The tidal creeks have the function of transporting water and sediment onto the salt marsh surface; further, the energy of tidal currents and waves are dissipated within the salt marsh-tidal creek system. Hence, this coastal system has a potential value for coastal protection.