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Selected AbstractsA simple light-emitted diode-induced fluorescence detector using optical fibers and a charged coupled device for direct and indirect capillary electrophoresis methodsELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 9 2006David Arráez-Román Abstract We constructed a simple fluorescence detector for both direct and indirect CE methods using a blue light-emitted diode (470,nm) as excitation source, a bifurcated optical fiber as a waveguide, and a CCD camera as a detector. The connection of all the components is fairly easy even for nonexperts and the use of a CCD camera improves the applicability of this detector compared to the others using PMTs because it permits the recording of 2-D electropherograms or phosphorescence measurements. This detector provides a compact, low cost, and rapid system for the determination of native fluorescence compounds which have high quantum yields by CE with direct fluorescence detection, showing an LOD of 2.6×10,6,M for fluorescein; the determination of fluorescence derivative compounds by CE with direct fluorescence detection, showing an LOD of 1.6×10,7,M for FITC-labeled 1,6-diaminohexane; and nonfluorescence compounds by CE with indirect fluorescence detection with an LOD of 2.7×10,6,M for gallic acid. [source] Light-emitting diode-induced fluorescence detection of native proteins in capillary electrophoresisELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 21 2005Chanan Sluszny Abstract A continuous-wave 280 nm light-emitting diode (LED) was used as the excitation source for native fluorescence detection of proteins in CE. The operating current and temperature of the LED were optimized in order to achieve high luminescence power. It was found that a forward current of 30,mA and a temperature of approximately 5°C gave the best S/N. By using a set of two ball lenses to focus light from the LED, we achieved a spot of approximately 200,,m with a power of 0.1,0.2,mW on the detection window. Fluorescence was collected with a ball lens at 90° angle through a bandpass filter onto a photomultiplier tube. In CZE an LOD of 20,nM for conalbumin was reached. In capillary gel electrophoresis all eight proteins from a commercial standard kit were detected with high S/N. For a 10,,g/mL total protein mixture, S/N was better than 3 for all proteins in solution. Further improvement in LOD should be possible on utilization of an LED with higher luminescence power. [source] Source signature and elastic waves in a half-space under a sustainable line-concentrated impulsive normal forceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 4 2002Moche Ziv Abstract First, the response of an ideal elastic half-space to a line-concentrated impulsive normal load applied to its surface is obtained by a computational method based on the theory of characteristics in conjunction with kinematical relations derived across surfaces of strong discontinuities. Then, the geometry is determined of the obtained waves and the source signature,the latter is the imprint of the spatiotemporal configuration of the excitation source in the resultant response. Behind the dilatational precursor wave, there exists a pencil of three plane waves extending from the vertex at the impingement point of the precursor wave on the stress-free surface of the half-space to three points located on the other two boundaries of the solution domain. These four wave-arresting points (end points) of the three plane waves constitute the source signature. One wave is an inhibitor front in the behaviour of the normal stress components and the particle velocity, while in the behaviour of the shear stress component, it is a surface-axis wave. The second is a surface wave in the behaviour of the horizontal components of the dependent variables, while the third is an inhibitor wave in the behaviour of the shear stress component. An inhibitor wave is so named, since beyond it, the material motion is dying or becomes uniform. A surface-axis wave is so named, since upon its arrival, like a surface wave, the dependent variable in question features an extreme value, but unlike a surface wave, it exists in the entire depth of the solution domain. It is evident from this work that Saint-Venant's principle for wave propagation problems cannot be formulated; therefore, the above results are a consequence of the particular model proposed here for the line-concentrated normal load. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Fabrication of a Multilayered Low-Temperature Cofired Ceramic Micro-Plasma-Generating DeviceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED CERAMIC TECHNOLOGY, Issue 6 2006Amanda Baker Plasma technology is currently being used in innumerable industrial applications. Some of the common uses of this technology include surface cleaning and treatment, sputtering and etching of semiconductor devices, excitation source for chemical analyses, cutting, environmental cleanup, sterilization, and phototherapy. The harsh conditions that these devices must endure require robust refractory materials systems for their fabrication and reliability. Low-temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) material systems provide a durable and cost-effective platform for the manufacture of such devices, and allow for possible integration into meso-scale microsystems. Our designs are based on RF microstriplines that capacitively couple and ionize small gas discharge sites over the top electrode. In this paper, we have built several iterations of this micro-plasma generating device using LTCC material systems. The impact of electrode ink selection and processing, lamination methods, dielectric layer thickness, and electrode design has been investigated. Several micro-plasma-generating devices were then evaluated for power requirements, output stability, and long-term reliability. [source] The electromagnetic effect of cooling finsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NUMERICAL MODELLING: ELECTRONIC NETWORKS, DEVICES AND FIELDS, Issue 4 2006S. B. Chiu Abstract The electromagnetic effect of cooling fins is studied by solving Maxwell equations numerically using a FDTD method under high-frequency operating conditions. The fin is attached to a square IC chip to form a package. The overall size of the package is 25 mm × 25 mm × 17.5 mm. A smooth compact pulse with a reference frequency of either 1 or 2.5 GHz is used as the excitation source of EM waves. Six fin configurations are investigated. Computational results indicate that a fin can act as an antenna. For the present type of excitation source, resonance could occur roughly at frequencies of 2.5, 5 and 7.5 GHz, depending on the source reference frequency and fin geometries. Thus, fin effects should be considered in the electrical design phase since noises could be induced in the circuit due to the presence of fins. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Classification of fixed urological cells using Raman tweezersJOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS, Issue 1-2 2009Tim J. Harvey Abstract In this paper we report on preliminary investigations into using Raman tweezers to classify urological cell lines. This builds on earlier work within the group, whereby Raman tweezer methodologies were developed, and the application of this technique to differentiate between live prostate cancer (CaP) and bladder cells lines (PC-3 and MGH-U1 respectively) was demonstrated. In this present study we analysed chemically fixed cells using two different fixative methods; SurePathTM (a commercial available liquid based cytology media) and 4% v/v formalin/PBS fixatives. The study has been expanded from our previous live cell study to include the androgen sensitive CaP cell line LNCaP, primary benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) cells as well as primary urethral cells. Raman light from the cells was collected using a 514.5 nm Ar-ion laser excitation source in back-scattering configuration mode. Principal component-linear discriminate analysis (PC-LDA) models of resulting cell spectra were generated and these were validated using a blind comparison. Sensitivities and specificities of > 72% and 90% respectively, for SurePath fixed cells, and > 93% and 98% respectively for 4% v/v formalin/PBS fixed cells was achieved. The higher prediction results for the formalin fixed cells can be attributed to a better signal-to-noise ratio for spectra obtained from these cells. Following on from this work, urological cell lines were exposed to urine for up to 12 hours to determine the effect of urine on the ability to classify these cells. Results indicate that urine has no detrimental effect on prediction results. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] A white light confocal microscope for spectrally resolved multidimensional imagingJOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY, Issue 3 2007J. H. FRANK Summary Spectrofluorometric imaging microscopy is demonstrated in a confocal microscope using a supercontinuum laser as an excitation source and a custom-built prism spectrometer for detection. This microscope system provides confocal imaging with spectrally resolved fluorescence excitation and detection from 450 to 700 nm. The supercontinuum laser provides a broad spectrum light source and is coupled with an acousto-optic tunable filter to provide continuously tunable fluorescence excitation with a 1-nm bandwidth. Eight different excitation wavelengths can be simultaneously selected. The prism spectrometer provides spectrally resolved detection with sensitivity comparable to a standard confocal system. This new microscope system enables optimal access to a multitude of fluorophores and provides fluorescence excitation and emission spectra for each location in a 3D confocal image. The speed of the spectral scans is suitable for spectrofluorometric imaging of live cells. Effects of chromatic aberration are modest and do not significantly limit the spatial resolution of the confocal measurements. [source] Multiphoton microscopy in life sciencesJOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY, Issue 2 2000K. König Near infrared (NIR) multiphoton microscopy is becoming a novel optical tool of choice for fluorescence imaging with high spatial and temporal resolution, diagnostics, photochemistry and nanoprocessing within living cells and tissues. Three-dimensional fluorescence imaging based on non-resonant two-photon or three-photon fluorophor excitation requires light intensities in the range of MW cm,2 to GW cm,2, which can be derived by diffraction limited focusing of continuous wave and pulsed NIR laser radiation. NIR lasers can be employed as the excitation source for multifluorophor multiphoton excitation and hence multicolour imaging. In combination with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), this novel approach can be used for multi-gene detection (multiphoton multicolour FISH). Owing to the high NIR penetration depth, non-invasive optical biopsies can be obtained from patients and ex vivo tissue by morphological and functional fluorescence imaging of endogenous fluorophores such as NAD(P)H, flavin, lipofuscin, porphyrins, collagen and elastin. Recent botanical applications of multiphoton microscopy include depth-resolved imaging of pigments (chlorophyll) and green fluorescent proteins as well as non-invasive fluorophore loading into single living plant cells. Non-destructive fluorescence imaging with multiphoton microscopes is limited to an optical window. Above certain intensities, multiphoton laser microscopy leads to impaired cellular reproduction, formation of giant cells, oxidative stress and apoptosis-like cell death. Major intracellular targets of photodamage in animal cells are mitochondria as well as the Golgi apparatus. The damage is most likely based on a two-photon excitation process rather than a one-photon or three-photon event. Picosecond and femtosecond laser microscopes therefore provide approximately the same safe relative optical window for two-photon vital cell studies. In labelled cells, additional phototoxic effects may occur via photodynamic action. This has been demonstrated for aminolevulinic acid-induced protoporphyrin IX and other porphyrin sensitizers in cells. When the light intensity in NIR microscopes is increased to TW cm,2 levels, highly localized optical breakdown and plasma formation do occur. These femtosecond NIR laser microscopes can also be used as novel ultraprecise nanosurgical tools with cut sizes between 100 nm and 300 nm. Using the versatile nanoscalpel, intracellular dissection of chromosomes within living cells can be performed without perturbing the outer cell membrane. Moreover, cells remain alive. Non-invasive NIR laser surgery within a living cell or within an organelle is therefore possible. [source] Direct monitoring of molecular recognition processes using fluorescence enhancement at colloid-coated microplatesJOURNAL OF MOLECULAR RECOGNITION, Issue 4 2001Ch. Lobmaier Abstract Direct monitoring of recognition processes at the molecular level is a valuable tool for studying reaction kinetics to assess affinity constants (e.g. drugs to receptors) and for designing rapid single step immunoassays. Methods currently used to gain information about binding processes predominantly depend on surface plasmon resonance. These systems use excitation with coherent light in attenuated total reflection geometry to obtain discrimination between surface-bound and free molecules in solution. Therefore labeling of the compounds is not necessary, but due to the complexity of the measuring setup the method is rather costly. In this contribution we present a simple method for performing kinetic single step biorecognition assays with fluorophore labeled compounds using the fluorescence enhancement properties of surface bound silver colloids. Silver colloids are bound to standard microplates via silanization of the plastic surface. Fluorophores close to this colloid coated surface show a significant gain in fluorescence compared to fluorophores farther away in the bulk solution. Therefore discrimination between surface bound and free fluorophores is possible and the binding of, for example, fluorophore labeled antibodies to antigens immobilized on the colloid surface results in increasing fluorescence intensity. Utilization of standard microplates makes this method fully compatible with conventional microplate processing and reading devices. Neither excitation with coherent laser light nor ATR geometry is required, the measurement is performed in a standard fluorescence microplate reader in front face geometry with a xenon flash lamp as excitation source. Methods for the preparation of colloid-coated microplates and fluorescence-enhanced biorecognition assays are presented. Additionally the dependence of the system performance on the structure and properties of the metal colloid coated surface is described. A two-component biorecognition model system shows a detection limit in the subnanomolar range. The ease of colloid-surface preparation and the high sensitivity makes fluorescence enhancement at colloid-coated microplates a valuable tool for studying reaction kinetics and performing rapid single-step immunoassays. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Use of highly energetic (116,keV) synchrotron radiation for X-ray fluorescence analysis of trace rare-earth and heavy elementsJOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION, Issue 4 2001Izumi Nakai This study has revealed the advantages of the use of 116,keV X-rays as an excitation source of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses. This technique is suitable for nondestructive multielemental analyses of heavy elements such as rare-earth elements. The lowest MDL value evaluated for the bulk analysis of a JG-1 standard reference sample (granite rock) was 0.1 p.p.m. for W for a 500,s measurement. The spectrum of standard glass samples of SRM612 demonstrated clearly resolved K -line peaks of more than 30 elements, including all the existing rare-earth elements, at 50 p.p.m. levels. The calibration curve for the determination of a rare-earth element shows a linear relation between the XRF intensity and concentrations from 10 to 0.03,ng. This powerful technique should be useful for nondestructive analyses of rare-earth and heavy elements in geological, geochemical and archaeological samples as well as industrial materials. [source] Broadband Near-IR Emission in Tm/Er-Codoped GeS2,In2S3 -Based Chalcohalide GlassesJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 12 2009Yinsheng Xu The near IR emission spectra of Tm/Er-codoped GeS2,In2S3 -based chalcohalide glasses are studied with an 808 nm laser as excitation source. A broad emission with a full-width at half-maximum of ,170 nm is recorded in a 0.5Tm2S3,0.1Er2S3 -codoped 70GeS2,20In2S3,10CsBr (in mol%) glass. The luminescence mechanisms are discussed with different CsI concentration, different halogen atoms, and different In content. These results suggest that both halogen (X) atoms and [InSxX4,x] structural units can enhance the emission intensity located at 1460 nm. [source] Energy relaxation processes of photo-generated carriers in Mg doped (0001)GaN and (1-101)GaNPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 6 2008J. Saida Abstract Energy relaxation processes of photo-generated excess carriers in Mg doped GaN epitaxial layers were investigated at room temperature, with photoluminescence intensity correlation method using femto-second pulse laser as the excitation source. The decay curve was well fitted by exponential decay with two time constants. The slow process of the order of 100 ps was attributed to the energy relaxation of electrons in the conduction band, while the fast process of the order of several pico-seconds was attributed to the capture process in the impurity band near the valence band. Little difference has been found out between the results for (0001)GaN and those for (1-101)GaN. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Low interface state density AlGaN/GaN MOSHFETs with photochemical vapor deposition SiO2 layersPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 7 2003C. K. Wang Abstract High quality SiO2 was successfully deposited onto AlGaN by photo chemical vapor deposition (photo-CVD) using D2 lamp as the excitation source. It was found that the interface state density was only 1.1 × 1011 cm,2 eV,1. AlGaN/GaN metal,oxide,semiconductor heterojunction field effect transistors (MOSHFETs) were also fabricated with such photo-CVD oxide as the insulating layer. Compared with AlGaN/GaN metal,semiconductor HFETs (MESHFETs) with similar structure, it was found that we could reduce the gate leakage current by more than four orders of magnitude by inserting the 32 nm-thick photo-CVD SiO2 layer between AlGaN/GaN and gate metal. With a 1 ,m gate length, it was found that room temperature saturated Ids, maximum gm and gate voltage swing (GVS) of the fabricated nitride-based MOSHFET are 800 mA/mm, 86 mS/mm and 9 V, respectively. (© 2003 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Integrated on-chip derivatization and electrophoresis for the rapid analysis of biogenic aminesELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 14 2004Nigel P. Beard Abstract We demonstrate the monolithic integration of a chemical reactor with a capillary electrophoresis device for the rapid and sensitive analysis of biogenic amines. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) is widely employed for the analysis of amino-group containing analytes. However, the slow reaction kinetics hinders the use of this dye for on-chip labeling applications. Other alternatives are available such as o -phthaldehyde (OPA), however, the inferior photophysical properties and the UV ,max present difficulties when using common excitation sources leading to a disparity in sensitivity. Consequently, we present for the first time the use of dichlorotriazine fluorescein (DTAF) as a superior in situ derivatizing agent for biogenic amines in microfluidic devices. The developed microdevice employs both hydrodynamic and electroosmotic flow, facilitating the creation of a polymeric microchip to perform both precolumn derivatization and electrophoretic analysis. The favorable photophysical properties of the DTAF and its fast reaction kinetics provide detection limits down to 1 nM and total analysis times (including on-chip mixing and reaction) of <60 s. The detection limits are two orders of magnitude lower than current limits obtained with both FITC and OPA. The optimized microdevice is also employed to probe biogenic amines in real samples. [source] Surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering using pulsed and continuous-wave laser excitationJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 6-7 2005Rachael E. Littleford Abstract Pulsed and continuous-wave (CW) lasers were compared as excitation sources for surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS). CW excitation provided SERRS spectra with a greater signal-to-noise ratio and more sensitive detection by a factor of ,50 compared with the high peak power, low repetition rate pulsed configuration used. The SERRS intensity using a pulsed laser produced a non-linear response with respect to changes in power of the laser. At powers of less than ,0.012 mW, the absolute intensity under the peaks of the CW and pulsed SERRS spectra converged, suggesting that lower peak power, high repetition rate systems may be more effective excitation sources for SERRS. Transmission electron microscopy of pulsed laser-irradiated silver particles showed significant sample damage and morphological changes. This problem was overcome with the use of a recirculating large-volume flow cell system, providing a fresh sample for each measurement. A picosecond-resolved time delay experiment found that SERRS intensity decreased by ,60% when exposed to a 400 nm pump pulse and probed with a 529 nm pulse. As the time delay between pump and probe increased the system recovered gradually to ,60% of the original SERRS intensity after 50 ps, where it remained constant. This suggests that the surface bonding between the silver and the dye is significantly perturbed, with some nanoscale diffusion occurring of the dye away from the metal surface. Hence chemical enhancement is temporarily prevented and electromagnetic enhancement is reduced as a function of 1/r3 as the dye moves away from the surface. Additionally, transient heating of the colloidal particles caused by the pulsed laser may also lead to plasmon shifts and changes in absorption intensity. Other factors such as surface annealing or decomposition of the silver particle or dye due the extreme temperature conditions may account for the permanent loss in SERRS intensity. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Ultraviolet and visible Raman spectroscopic investigations of nanocrystalline carbon thin films grown by bias-assisted hot-filament chemical vapor depositionJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 3 2003S. Gupta Abstract The structural bonding in a series of nanocrystalline carbon thin films grown under different substrate biasing conditions was analyzed using Raman spectroscopy in both the visible and ultraviolet (uv) regimes of the spectrum. The nanocrystalline carbon thin films studied were deposited by the hot-filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) technique using a 2% concentration of methane in hydrogen. The films were deposited on molybdenum substrates under various substrate biasing conditions. A positive bias (forward) produced a continuous flow of electrons from the filament on to the substrate, whereas a negative bias (negative) caused the substrate to be bombarded with positive ions. Films were also grown under no bias, for comparison. Differences in the Raman spectra obtained with visible (,L = 514.5 nm) and uv (,L = 244.0 nm) excitation sources were investigated. Apart from the basic features consisting of D and G bands at around 1360 and 1580 cm,1 in the case of visible Raman spectra, an extra feature at around 1060 cm,1, denoted a T band, appeared in the uv Raman spectra only. Hence, uv Raman scattering measurements clearly revealed the presence of sp3 -bonded carbon atoms. The position and its intensity ratio with respect to the G peak [(I(T)/I(G)] were used to provide a reliable means to measure the sp3 C bonding fraction, which is both semi-quantitative and non-destructive. The sp3 content estimated within the microstructure of n-C thin films was found to be around 60,80%. Further, probing the samples with two different photons (visible and uv) allowed us to estimate qualitatively the amount and clustering of sp2 sites. This technique provided a fast and reliable microstructural characterization of disordered carbons. The dispersion in the Raman features is specific to each carbon system and, therefore, can be used as a fingerprint. These findings point at the similarities of bias-assisted HFCVD nanocrystalline carbon (n-C) materials and the tetrahedrally bonded amorphous carbon (ta -C) materials grown by ion-beam assisted deposition (IBAD). Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Reaction Chemistry of 1,4-Benzopyrone Derivates in Non-Equilibrium Low-Temperature PlasmasPLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS, Issue 6 2010Franziska Grzegorzewski Abstract 1,4-Benzopyrone derivates are exposed to different cold gas discharges. Reactions are carried out using different feed gases (argon, oxygen) and excitation sources (radio frequency, microwave) at both atmospheric and low pressure. A structure-dependent degradation upon plasma-chemical reactions can be observed. From contact-angle measurements a strong surface oxidation is suggested. Independent of the source used plasma treatment leads to a significant increase in oxygen content of the samples through newly introduced carbonyl- and carboxyl-functions. This is in agreement to results showing that during thermal food processes oxidative species lead to the formation of characteristic low-molecular weight degradation products. [source] |