Soil microbial community analysis using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis

The most biological diversity on this planet is probably harbored in soils. Understanding the diversity and function of the microbiological component of soil poses great challenges that are being overcome by the application of molecular biological approaches. This review covers one of many approaches being used: separation of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Extraction of nucleic acids directly from soils allows the examination of a community without the limitation posed by cultivation. Polymerase chain reaction provides a means to increase the numbers of a target for its detection on gels. Using the rRNA genes as a target for PCR provides phylogenetic information on populations comprising communities. Fingerprints produced by this method have allowed spatial and temporal comparisons of soil communities within and between locations or among treatments. Numerous samples can be compared because of the rapid high throughput nature of this method. Scientists now have the means to begin addressing complex ecological questions about the spatial, temporal, and nutritional interactions faced by microbes in the soil environment.

一种Post-WIMP界面：PGIS的实现

随着计算机应用从桌面环境扩展到移动环境，计算机用户从专业化走向大 众化，传统的 WIMP界面的缺点逐渐体现出来。笔式用户界面作为 Post-WIMP 界面的一种重要形式，具有自然、和谐的交互特性，成为当前研究的热点之一。 针对这一方向，本文对笔式用户界面范式展开了研究。首先，本文阐述了一种 新的基于笔交互的界面范式 PGIS，定义了纸、小工具等交互组件，以及各种组 件的显示形态及交互形式。然后，实现了 PGIS 界面，包括交互对象的管理、 显示等内容。最后，详细介绍了 PGIS 界面的使用过程，并用一个应用实例加 以验证。为了支持上层应用程序的可移植性和可维护性，PGIS界面的使用采用 了模型驱动构架的开发思想。目前，我们基于 PGIS 界面开发了几款优秀的笔 式交互软件，如幼儿教学系统、便签本系统、篮球战术板系统等。这些系统完 全满足用户对笔交互应用程序的需求，目前可在 Linux 系统、Windows 系统等 多种系统上运行。PGIS界面范式的可行性也因此得到了很好的验证。 本文的主要内容有以下几点： 1. 阐述了一种 Post-WIMP范畴下的新的界面范式：PGIS。 本文在对Post-WIMP界面做了充分地理解和分析的基础上，阐述了一种新 的界面范式：PGIS。这是一种基于笔交互的界面范式，文中对该范式的纸笔隐 喻方式、所包含的内容、各交互组件的表现形式、以及各组件间的静态及动态 关系做出了详细的描述。 2. 实现了PGIS界面。 为了验证PGIS界面范式的可行性，并直接支持基于 PGIS范式的应用程序 开发，本文详细介绍了PGIS界面的实现细节，其中包括PGIS界面中所包含的 元素、PGIS界面中交互对象的显示、交互对象的管理、以及交互对象对基本原 语的转换和响应。 3. 介绍了 PGIS界面的使用过程。 整个使用过程采用模型驱动架构的思想，引入对以下三个子模块的调用： 与平台相关的底层核心库和 PGIS 引擎、与平台无关的场景设计工具。这三个 子模块决定了上层应用程序的可移植性和可维护性。另外，场景设计工具提供 了代码自动生成的功能，大幅度缩短了应用程序的开发周期。 4. 实现了一个基于 PGIS界面的幼儿教学系统。 为了说明 PGIS界面的使用流程，本文设计并实现了一个基于PGIS界面的 幼儿教学系统。在开发过程中，大部分工作在场景设计工具中快速完成，小部 分工具集中在数据管理库、场景任务库的开发上。该系统的评估结果很好地验 证了 PGIS界面范式的可行性。

A solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell based on a novel ionic liquid gel and ZnO nanoparticles on a flexible polymer substrate

This paper describes a new strategy to make a full solid-state, flexible, dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) based on novel ionic liquid gel, organic dye, ZnO nanoparticles and carbon nanotube (CNT) thin film stamped onto a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. The CNTs serve both as the charge collector and as scaffolds for the growth of ZnO nanoparticles, where the black dye molecules are anchored.

Synthesis and characterization of (Zn,Cd)TiO3 by a modified sol-gel method

Ilmenite-type (Zn1-xCdx)TiO3 (0 <= x <= 0.15 and 0.8 <= x <= 1.0) was synthesized by a modified sol-gel route including the Pechini process via two-step heat treatments. The thermal stability of (Zn1-xCdx)TiO3 depended on the amount of cadmium content. The as-synthesized (Zn1-xCdx)TiO3 (0 <= x <= 0.15 and 0.8 <= x <= 1.0) showed higher thermal stability than that of ZnTiO3. The variation of the dielectric constant of all synthesized (Zn1-xCdx)TiO3 samples for all measurement frequencies showed a similar tendency.

Dynamic mechanical properties of gel polymer electrolytes containing ionic liquid

The copolymer of acrylonitrile (AN), methyl methacrylate (MMA) and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMEMA) is synthesized in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMImBF(4)). The dynamic mechanical properties of the resulting gel polymer electrolytes containing ionic liquid are measured.

Near-infrared luminescence from sol-gel materials doped with holmium(III) and thulium(III) complexes

A series of ternary Ln(tta)(3)L complexes (Ln = Ho, Tm; Htta = 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone; L = 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2'-bipyridine, or triphenyl phosphate oxide) and their corresponding sol-gel hybrid materials formed via the in situ synthesis process (designated as Ln-T-L gel) were reported. The complexes and the gels were studied in detail, which suggest the complexes have been successfully synthesized in the corresponding gels.

Preparation and characterization of polyimide/Al2O3 hybrid films by sol-gel process

A sol-gel process has been developed to prepare polyimide (PI)/Al2O3 hybrid films with different contents of Al2O3 based on pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and 4,4'-oxydianiline (ODA) as monomers. FESEM and TEM images indicated that Al2O3 particles are relatively well dispersed in the polyimide matrix after ultrasonic treatment of the sol from aluminum isopropoxide and thermal imidization of the gel film. The dimensional stability, thermal stability, mechanical properties of hybrid PI films were improved obviously by an addition of adequate Al2O3 content, whereas, dielectric property and the elongation at break decreased with the increase of Al2O3 content. Surprisingly, the corona-resistance property of hybrid film was improved greatly with increasing Al2O3 content within certain range as compared with pure PI film.

Synthesis and Aqueous Solution Properties of Hydrophobically Modified Anionic Acrylamide Copolymers

In this investigation, hydrophobically modified polyacrylamide with low amounts of anionic long-chain alkyl was synthesized by the free radical polymerization in deionized water. This water-soluble copolymerization method is more convenient compared with the traditional micellar copolymerization methods. The copolymers were characterized using Fourier transform infrared, H-1 NMR, and the molecular weight and polydispersity were determined using gel permeation chromatography. The solution behavior of the copolymers was studied as a function of composition, pH, and added electrolytes. As NaCl was added to solutions of AM/C(11)AM copolymers or pH was lowered, the shielding or elimination of electrostatic repulsions between carboxylate groups of the C(11)AM unit lead to coil shrinkage.

Preparation and Luminescence Properties of YVO4:Ln and Y(V, P)O-4:Ln (Ln = Eu3+, Sm3+, Dy3+) Nanofibers and Microbelts by Sol-Gel/Electrospinning Process

One-dimensional YVO4:Ln and Y(V, P)O-4:Ln nanofibers and quasi-one-dimensional YVO4:Ln microbelts (Ln = Eu3+, Sm3+, Dy3+) have been prepared by a combination method of sol-gel process and electrospinning. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), photoluminescence (PL), low-voltage cathodoluminescence (CL), and time-resolved emission spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the resulting samples.

Bluish-white emission from radical carbonyl impurities in amorphous Al2O3 prepared via the Pechini-type sol-gel process

Many efforts have been devoted to exploring novel luminescent materials that do not contain expensive or toxic elements, or do not need mercury vapor plasma as the excitation source. In this paper, amorphous Al2O3 powder samples were prepared via the Pechini-type sol-gel process. The resulting samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), photoluminescence (PL) excitation and emission spectra, kinetic decay, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR).

Synthesis and luminescent properties of Lu3Ga5O12 : RE3+ (RE = Eu, Tb, and Pr) nanocrystalline phosphors via sol-gel process

Lu3Ga5O12:Eu3+, Lu3Ga5O12:Tb3+, and Lu3Ga5O12:Pr3+ phosphors were prepared through a Pechini-type sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), photoluminescence, and cathodoluminescence spectra were utilized to characterize the synthesized phosphors. The XRD results reveal that the sample begins to crystallize at 800 degrees C and fully crystallined pure Lu3Ga5O12 phase can be obtained at 1000 degrees C. The FESEM image indicates that the phosphor sample is composed of aggregated rice grainlike particles with sizes around 80-120 nm.

One-step immobilization of tris(2,2 '-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) via vapor-surface sol-gel deposition towards solid-state electrochemiluminescence detection

A novel method for immobilization of tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)(3)Cl-2) on electrode surfaces based on the vapor-surface sol-gel deposition strategy is first demonstrated in this paper. Ru(bpy)(3)Cl-2 immobilized sol-gel (Ru(bpy)(3)Cl-2/sol-gel) films were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy and field-emitted scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). These results showed that Ru(bpy)(3)Cl-2 was successfully incorporated into the silica sol-gel film. it was found that many irregular Ru(bpy)(3)Cl-2/sol-gel clusters were formed on surfaces through one deposition and thick sol-gel films were observed after further deposition.

Glucose biosensor based on gold nanoparticle-catalyzed luminol electrochemiluminescence on a three-dimensional sol-gel network

An electrochemiluminescent glucose biosensor was proposed based on gold nanoparticle-catalyzed luminol electrochemiluminescence (ECL). Gold nanoparticles were self-assembled onto silica sol-gel network, and then glucose oxidase was adsorbed on the surface of gold nanoparticles. The surface assembly process and the electrochemistry and ECL behaviors of the biosensor were investigated. The assembled gold nanoparticles could efficiently electrocatalyze luminol ECL ECL intensity of the biosensor depended on scan rate, luminol concentration, and size of gold nanoparticles.

Preparation of bioactive glass ceramic nanoparticles by combination of sol-gel and coprecipitation method

SiO2-CaO-P2O5 ternary bioactive glass ceramic nanoparticles were prepared via the combination of sol-gel and coprecipitation processes. Precursors of silicon and calcium were hydrolyzed in acidic solution and gelated in alkaline condition together with ammonium dibasic phosphate. Gel particles were separated by centrifugation, followed by freeze drying, and calcination procedure to obtain the bioactive glass ceramic nanoparticles. The investigation of the influence of synthesis temperature on the nanopartilce's properties showed that the reaction temperature played an important role in the crystallinity of nanoparticle. The glass ceramic particles synthesized at 55 degrees C included about 15% crystalline phase, while at 25 degrees C and 40 degrees C the entire amorphous nanopowder could be obtained.