Gold nanowire assembling architecture for H2O2 electrochemical sensor

Morphological control of nanomaterials is of great interest due to their size and shape-dependent chemical and physical properties and very important applications in many fields such as biomedicine, sensors, electronics and others. In this paper, we reported a simple strategy for synthesizing gold nanowire assembling architecture at room temperature. It is found that two important factors, the proper volume ratio of ethanol to water and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), will play important roles in synthesizing flower-like short gold nanowire assembling spheres. Furthermore, the obtained flower-like gold assembling spheres with high surface-to-volume ratio have been employed as enhancing materials for electrochemical sensing H2O2. The present electrochemical sensing platform exhibited good electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of H2O2. The detection limit for H2O2 was found to be 1.2 mu M, which was lower than certain enzyme-based biosensors.

Molecular "Wiring" glucose oxidase in supramolecular architecture

Supramolecular organized multilayers were constructed by multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified with ferrocene-derivatized poly(allylamine) redox polymer and glucose oxidase by electrostatic self-assembly. From the analysis of voltammetric signals and fluorescence results, a linear increment of the coverage of enzyme per bilayer was estimated, which demonstrated that the multilayer is constructed in a spatially ordered manner. The cyclic voltammograms obtained from the indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes coated by the (Fc-PAH@CNT/GOx)(n) multilayers revealed that bioelectrocatalytic response is directly correlated to the number of deposited bilayers; that is, the sensitivity is tunable by controlling the number of bilayers associated with ITO electrodes. The incorporation of redox-polymer-functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNT) into enzyme films resulted in a 6-10-fold increase in the glucose electrocatalytic current; the bimolecular rate constant of FADH(2) oxidation (wiring efficiency) was increased up to 12-fold. Impedance spectroscopy data have yielded the electron diffusion coefficient (D-e) of this nanostructure to be over 10(-8) cm(2) s(-1), which is typically higher than those systems without CNT by at least a factor of 10, indicating that electron transport in the new supramolecular architecture was enhanced by communication of the redox active site of enzyme, redox polymer, and CNT.

Copper phthalocyanine based hybrid p-type permeable-base transistor in vertical architecture

We demonstrate the production of copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) based p-type hybrid permeable-base transistors, which operate at low voltages having high common-base current gains. These transistors are prepared by evaporating a thin metal layer (Ag or Al) that acts as base on top of a Si substrate that acts as collector. In the sequence CuPc and Au are thermally sublimated to produce the emitter, constituting a quite simple device production procedure with the additional advantage of allowing higher integration due to its vertical architecture.

High current density tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum-based hybrid transistor in vertical architecture

We report the construction of hybrid permeable-base transistors, in vertical architecture, using tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum as emitter, a thin gold layer as base, and n-type silicon as collector. These transistors present high common-base current gain, can be operated at low driving voltages, and allow high current density.

Analysis of mussel standard reference material by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A method for the analysis of mussel standard reference material by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry( ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) was developed. K, Na, Ca, Mg, P, Al, Fe, Zn, Mn and Sr were determined by ICP-AES and As, B, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ga, Ge, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, U and V by ICP-MS, The interference coefficients at the Mn-55, Se-78, Cu-63, Co-59, Ni-58, Ni-60, As-75, Se-77, V-51, Cr-53 and Cr-52 originating from polyatomic ion of the matrix elements (KO)-K-39-O-16, K-39(2), (ArNa)-Ar-40-Na-23, (CaO)-Ca-43-O-16, (CaO)-Ca-42-O-16, (CaO)-Ca-44-O-16, (PO2)-P-31-O-16, (ArCl)-Ar-40-Cl-35, (ArCl)-Ar-40-Cl-37, (ClO)-Cl-35-O-16, (ClO)-Cl-37-O-16 and (ArC)-Ar-40-C-12 were determined under the selected operation parameters. The major matrix elements, such as K, Na and Ca, result in the suppression of analytes signals. The apparent concentration at the significant biological element which was produced by the different digestion methods, (.) HNO3 + H2O2 (3 + 2), HNO3 + HClO4 (3 + 0.5) and HNO3 + H2SO4 (3 + 0.5),was determined. The sample digested by HNO3 + H2O2 did not give rise to interfere on the analyte, and the backgrounds of Se-77, Ga-69, Zn-67, As-75, V-51, Cr-53 and Cr-52 were increased by HNO3 + HClO4 digestion method, that affected the determination of these elements, especially the monoisotope As and V. Sample digested by HNO3 + H2SO4 increased the backgrounds at Cu-65, Zn-64 and Zn-67. Detection limits of ICP-AES are 0.001 similar to 0.75 mg/L and those of ICP-MS are 0.005 similar to 1.01 mu g/L. The relative standard derivations of ICP-AES and ICP-MS are 2.7% similar to 12.8%, 3.4% similar to 24.8%, respectively.

The fabrication and performance of an Ag/AgCl reference electrode in human serum

A simple set of electric circuits was used to assemble a pulse generator. With pulse potentials and under galvanostatical control, a clean silver wire was anodized electrochemically for 0.2-0.5 min in 1.0 moll(-1) HCl with a pulse current density of 20 mA cm(-2), and the pulse wave parameters of t(a)/t(c) = 1 and a cycle of 4 s forming an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Even though the AgCl layer was consumed during the working period when the Ag/AgCl electrode was used as a cathode, the AgCl layer could be in situ recovered electrochemically in serum used when a reversed potential was applied to the electrode system immediately after the measuring program was finished. The current response curve of the anode indicated that an AgCl layer in high density was basically accomplished during the first 6 pulse cycles in human serum. In order to keep a stable and uniform AgCl layer on the reference electrode after each measuring cycle, the ratio of the recovery time (t(r)) to the working time (t(w)) was measured and the smallest value was obtained at 0.03. The open-circuit potential of the Ag/AgCl electrode with respect to a SCE in 0.1 moll(-1) KCl was monitored over a period of 14 days and the mean value was 40.09 mV vs SCE with a standard deviation of 2.55 mV. The potential of the Ag/AgCl reference electrode did remain constant when the measurements were repeated more than 600 times in undiluted human serum with a standard deviation of 1.89 mV. This study indicated that the Ag/AgCl reference electrode could been rapidly fabricated with a pulse potential and could be used as a reference electrode with long-term stable properties in human serum samples.

Effects of body size and water temperature on food consumption and growth in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) with special reference to aestivation

To investigate the effects of body size and water temperature on feeding and growth in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka), the maximum rate of food consumption in terms of energy (C-maxe; J day(-1)) and the specific growth rate in terms of energy (SGRe; % day(-1)) in animals of three body sizes (mean +/- SE) - large (134.0 +/- 3.5 g), medium (73.6 +/- 2.2 g) and small (36.5 +/- 1.2 g) - were determined at water temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 degrees C. Maximum rate of food consumption in terms of energy increased and SGRe decreased with increasing body weight at 10, 15 and 20 degrees C. This trend, however, was not apparent at 25 and 30 degrees C, which could be influenced by aestivation. High water temperatures (above 20 degrees C) were disadvantageous to feeding and growth of this animal; SGRe of A. japonicus during aestivation was negative. The optimum temperatures for food consumption and for growth were similar and were between 14 and 15 degrees C, and body size seemed to have a slight effect on the optimal temperature for food consumption or growth. Because aestivation of A. japonicus was temperature dependent, the present paper also documented the threshold temperatures to aestivation as indicated by feeding cessation. Deduced from daily food consumption of individuals, the threshold temperature to aestivation for large and medium animals (73.3-139.3 g) was 24.5-25.5 degrees C, while that for small animals (28.9-40.7 g) was between 25.5 and 30.5 degrees C. These values are higher than previous reports; differences in sign of aestivation, experimental condition and dwelling district of test animals could be the reasons.

Effect of water temperature on digestive enzyme activity and gut mass in sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka), with special reference to aestivation

The effect of water temperature on gut mass and digestive enzyme activity in sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus, including relative gut mass (RGM), amylase, lipase, pepsin and trypsin activities were studied at temperatures of 7, 14, 21, and 28A degrees C over a period of 40 days. Results show that RGM significantly decreased after 40 days at 21A degrees C and markedly decreased over the whole experiment period at 28A degrees C; however, no significant effect of duration was observed at 7 or 14A degrees C. At 14A degrees C, trypsin activity significantly decreased over 10 and 20 days, then increased; amylase and trypsin activity significantly decreased after 40 days at 28A degrees C. However, no significant effect of duration was found on amylase, pepsin or trypsin activities in the other temperature treatment groups. At 28A degrees C, lipase activity peaked in 20 days and then markedly decreased to a minimum at the end of the experiment. On the other hand, pepsin activity at 28A degrees C continuously increased over the whole experimental period. Principle component analysis showed that sea cucumbers on day 40 in the 21A degrees C group and in the previous 20 days in the 28A degrees C group were in the prophase of aestivation. At 28A degrees C, sea cucumbers aestivated at 30-40 days after the start of the experiment. It is concluded that the effect of temperature on the digestion of A. japonicus is comparatively weak within a specific range of water temperatures and aestivation behavior is accompanied by significant changes in RGM and digestive enzyme activities.

Response of chlorophyll fluorescence to dynamic light in three alpine species differing in plant architecture

A study was carried out to examine the effect of dynamic photosynthetically active photon flux density (PPFD) on photoinhibition and energy use in three herbaceous species, prostrate Saussurea superba, erect-leaved S. katochaete, and half-erect-leaved Gentiana straminea, from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Chlorophyll fluorescence response was measured under each of three sets of high-low PPFD combinations: 1700-0, 1400-300, and 1200-500 mu mol m(-2) s(-1), illuminating in four dynamic frequencies: 1, 5, 15, and 60 cycles per 2 h. The total light exposure time was 2h and the integrated PPFD was the same in all treatments. The highest frequency of PPFD fluctuation resulted in the lowest photochemical activity, the highest level of non-photochemical quenching, and the greatest decrease of F-v/F-m (maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII). The 5 and 15 cycles per 2h treatments resulted in higher photochemical activity than the 1 cycle per 2h treatment. The 1700-0 PPFD combination led to the lowest photochemical activity and more serious photoinhibition in all species. S. superba usually exhibited the highest photochemical activity and CO2 uptake rate, the lowest reduction of F-v/F-m,F- and the smallest fraction of energy in thermal dissipation. With similar fractions of thermal dissipation, S. katochaete had relatively less photoinhibition than G. straminea owing to effective F-o quenching. The results suggest that high frequency of fluctuating PPFD generally results in photoinhibition, which is more serious under periods of irradiation with high light intensity. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Photosynthetic depression in relation to plant architecture in two alpine herbaceous species

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is characterized by extremely high radiation, which may induce down-regulation of photosynthesis in plants living in this alpine ecosystem. To clarify whether photoinhibition occurs in the alpine environment and to discern its underlying mechanisms, we examined photosynthetic gas exchange and fluorescence emission in response to the changes in photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and leaf temperature under natural regimes for two herbaceous species: prostrate Saussurea superba and erect-leaved Saussurea katochaete from altitude 3250 m on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. S. superba intercepted a higher maximum PPFD and experienced much higher leaf temperature than the erect-leaved S. katochaete. S. superba exhibited a much higher light saturation point for photosynthesis than S. katochaete. Under controlled conditions, the former species had higher CO2 uptake rates and neither species showed obvious photosynthetic down-regulation at high PPFD. Under natural environmental conditions, however, apparent photoinhibition, indicated by reduced electron transport rate (ETR), was evident at high PPFD for both species. After a night frost, the photochemistry of S. katochaete was depressed markedly in the early morning and recovered by mid-day. After a frost-free night, it was high in the morning and low at noon due to high radiation. S. superba did not respond to the night frost in terms of daytime photochemical pattern. In both species, photochemical depression was aggravated by high leaf temperature and the erect species was more sensitive to high temperature. This study suggests that the high radiation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is likely to induce rapidly reversible photoinhibition, which is related closely to plant architecture. Photochemistry in the prostrate species seems able to tolerate higher PPFD, without obvious suppression, than the erect species. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

广义预测控制方法在网络遥操作机器人系统中的应用

Internet网络的时变时延及网络数据丢包严重影响了遥操作机器人系统的操作性能,甚至造成系统不稳定。为了解决这一问题,提出一种新的基于Internet的遥操作机器人系统控制结构。通过在主端对给定信息加入时间标签获得过去的系统回路时延,采用多元线性回归算法,预测下一时刻系统回路时延,然后在从端设计一个广义预测控制器控制远端机器人,从而改善时变时延对系统性能的影响。应用广义预测控制器产生的冗余控制信息,降低了网络数据丢包对系统的影响。最后根据预测控制稳定性定理,推导出系统的稳定性条件。仿真试验结果表明,该方法能有效解决时变时延以及网络数据丢包引起的性能下降问题。