Protein separation and identification using magnetic beads encoded with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

This article presents a prototype of a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-encoded magnetic bead of 8 μm diameter. The core part of the bead is composed of a magnetic nanoparticle (NP)-embedded sulfonated polystyrene bead. The outer part of the bead is embedded with Ag NPs on which labeling molecules generating specific SERS bands are adsorbed. A silica shell is fabricated for further bioconjugation and protection of SERS signaling. Benzenethiol, 4-mercaptotoluene, 2-naphthalenethiol, and 4-aminothiophenol are used as labeling molecules. The magnetic SERS beads are used as substrates for protein sensing and screening with easy handling. As a model application, streptavidin-bound magnetic SERS beads are used to illustrate selective separation in a flow cytometry system, and the screened beads are spectrally recognized by Raman spectroscopy. The proposed magnetic SERS beads are likely to be used as a versatile solid support for protein sensing and screening in multiple assay technology.     

Synthesis and characterization manganese oxide nanobundles from decomposition of manganese oxalate

The present investigation reports, the synthesis of manganese oxide (α-Mn₂O₃) nanobundles using thermal decomposition and its physicochemical characterization. The α-Mn₂O₃ nanobundles have been prepared using manganese oxalate dihydrate powders as precursor in the presence of oleylamine and triphenylphosphine as solvent and capping agent. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis demonstrated Mn₂O₃ nanobundles compose of nanospheres with diameter 30 nm. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Manganese oxide nanocrystals have been prepared under different condition. The controlled experimental results showed that the use of oleylamine and triphenylphosphine as the solvent and capping agent in the chemical process played important role in the formation of the final products.     

水溶性有机物对水田土壤中水溶性氮磷含量及其利用率的影响

采用田间微区试验,研究了施用有机物料对土壤氮磷的变化动态及活性的影响.结果表明,水稻生长过程中土壤溶液中水溶性氮（铵态氮、硝态氮）及磷的含量都随着时间的延长而下降,且氮、磷含量的变化与施入的化学肥料量以及溶液中DOC含量有关;有机物料施用增加了水稻的生物量和对氮、磷的吸收利用;15N示踪显示,与对照的化肥处理相比,施用有机物料处理的微区氮肥利用率及土壤残留率明显增加,同时减少了土壤氮磷的损失.     

Behavioral profiles of the captive juvenile whooping crane as an indicator of post‐release survival

Predation by bobcats (Lynx rufus) is the major cause of mortality in captive‐reared whooping cranes (Grus americana) released into the wild to establish a nonmigratory flock in Florida. This study investigated whether rearing methods (parent‐rearing, hand‐rearing, or hand‐rearing with exercise) of cranes, and behaviors observed in birds either before or shortly after release in the wild, are associated with survival after release. Rearing methods did not affect survival first year post‐release, which was 55 ±8% in 2 yr (1999 and 2000). Logistic regression revealed, however, that foraging bouts (+), walking bouts (?), and body weight (?) before release, and nonvigilant bouts (?) after release were significantly associated with survival. These results suggest that post‐release survival of whooping cranes might be increased by rearing techniques that promote foraging. Zoo Biol 0:1–14, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

由细胞质雄性不育系（CMS）配制的小麦F1杂种优势形成机理的比较蛋白质组分析

分别以苗期（分蘖）、拔节期、抽穗期叶片和花粉母细胞减数分裂期、小孢子双—三核期、花粉粒时期的花药为材料,对由小麦CMS与恢复系杂交F1杂种优势形成机理作了比较蛋白质组分析。结果表明,F1杂种中有超亲、亲二型和低亲三种蛋白质表达类型出现,出现频率为亲二型＞低亲＞超亲。对这三种类型共17个蛋白质斑点作了质谱分析,其功能涉及DNA和蛋白质合成、能量代谢、环境防御,基因转座及光合作用等。苗期生长特性如叶鲜重、叶干重、叶片数,F1杂种倾向于双亲,没有观察到杂种优势现象,这与F1叶片中蛋白质表达多数呈亲二型相吻合。但F1中分蘖数多于双亲,因此其总鲜重、干重、总叶片数明显呈现出杂种优势,然而这种杂种优势现象与蛋白质组的变化是否有关需进一步研究。     

A Novel High‐Energy Hybrid Supercapacitor with an Anatase TiO2–Reduced Graphene Oxide Anode and an Activated Carbon Cathode

A hybrid supercapacitor with high energy and power densities is reported. It comprises a composite anode of anatase TiO₂ and reduced graphene oxide and an activated carbon cathode in a non‐aqueous electrolyte. While intercalation compounds can provide high energy typically at the expense of power, the anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles are able to sustain both high energy and power in the hybrid supercapacitor. At a voltage range from 1.0 to 3.0 V, 42 W h kg^?1 of energy is achieved at 800 W kg^?1. Even at a 4‐s charge/discharge rate, an energy density as high as 8.9 W h kg^?1 can be retained. The high energy and power of this hybrid supercapacitor bridges the gap between conventional batteries with high energy and low power and supercapacitors with high power and low energy.     

Quantum Dot Based Heterostructures for Unassisted Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Generation

TiO₂ hollow nanowires (HNWs) and nanoparticles (NPs) constitute promising architectures for QDs sensitized photoanodes for H₂ generation. We sensitize these structures with CdS/CdSe quantum dots by two different methods (chemical bath deposition, CBD and succesive ionic layer adsorption and reaction, SILAR) and evaluate the performance of these photoelectrodes. Remarkable photocurrents of 4 mA·cm and 8 mA·cm^?2 and hydrogen generation rates of 40 ml·cm^?2·day^?1 and 80 ml·cm^?2·day^?1 have been obtained in a three electrode configuration with sacrificial hole scavengers (Na₂S and Na₂SO₃), for HNWs and NPs respectively, which is confirmed through gas analysis. More importantly, autonomous generation of H₂ (20 ml·cm^?2·day^?1 corresponding to 2 mA·cm^?2 photocurrent) is obtained in a two electrode configuration at short circuit under 100 mW·cm^?2 illumination, clearly showing that these photoanodes can produce hydrogen without the assistance of any external bias. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the highest unbiased solar H₂ generation rate reported for these of QDs based heterostructures. Impedance spectroscopy measurements show similar electron density of trap states below the TiO₂ conduction band while the recombination resistance was higher for HNWs, consistently with the much lower surface area compared to NPs. However, the conductivity of both structures is similar, in spite of the one dimensional character of HNWs, which leaves some room for improvement of these nanowired structures. The effect of the QDs deposition method is also evaluated. Both structures show remarkable stability without any appreciable photocurrent loss after 0.5 hour of operation. The findings of this study constitute a relevant step towards the feasibility of hydrogen generation with wide bandgap semiconductors/quantum dots based heterostructures.