Raman spectroscopic and structural studies of indigo and its four 6,6'-dihalogeno analogues

The Raman and electron impact mass spectra of synthetic indigo and its four 6,6'-dihalogeno analogues are reported and discussed. The influence of varying the halogen on these Raman spectra is considered. Particular emphasis is laid on distinguishing indigo from 6,6'-dibromoindigo and differentiating between the dihalogenocompounds, so as to develop protocols for determining whether artefacts are coloured with dyes of marine or terrestrial origin and whether such artefacts are dyed with genuine "Tyrian Purple" or with dihalogenoindigo substitutes that do not contain bromine. The value of even low resolution electron impact mass spectrometry in a forensic context as a means of identifying authentic 6,6'-dibromoindigo and distinguishing it from its dihalogenoanalogues is emphasised     

Novel disposable bismuth-sputtered electrodes for the determination of trace metals by stripping voltammetry

This work describes a novel type of bismuth electrode for stripping voltammetry based on coating a silicon substrate with a thin bismuth film by means of sputtering. The bismuth-based sensors were characterized by optical methods (scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD)) and as well as by linear sweep voltammetry. Subsequently, the electrodes were tested for the detection of low concentrations of trace metals (Cd(II), Pb(II) and Ni(II)) by stripping voltammetry. Well-formed stripping peaks were observed for trace concentrations of the target analytes demonstrating “proof-of-principle” for these sensors. This type of electrochemical device, utilizing thin-film technology for the formation of the bismuth film, holds promise for future applications in trace metal analysis.     

Novel disposable microfabricated antimony-film electrodes for adsorptive stripping analysis of trace Ni(II)

This work describes a novel type of antimony electrode for adsorptive stripping voltammetry (AdSV). The electrode was microfabricated by coating a silicon chip with a thin antimony-film by means of sputtering and the active area of the electrode was defined by photolithography. The resulting antimony-film electrodes (SbFEs) were characterized by optical and electrochemical techniques. The sensors were tested for the detection of low concentrations of Ni(II) by AdSV in the presence of dimethylglyoxime. Well-formed stripping peaks and a linear dependence of the stripping peak current on the Ni(II) concentration were observed on the microfabricated SbFEs while comparative measurements attempted with electroplated SbFEs were unsuccessful. Utilizing thin-film technology for the formation of the antimony-film extends the scope of these devices as mercury-free sensors in AdSV.     

High density digital recording on 4 mm metal particle and Ba-ferrite tapes

In this study we compare the recording performance of 4 mm metal particle (MP) and Ba-ferrite (BF) tapes using helical scan digital audio tape (DAT) mechanisms and heads. At low bit densities the MP tapes have higher output signal and SNR compared with the BF tapes, but at high bit densities the reverse is true. This superior recording performance of the BF tapes, along with their immunity to environmental corrosion, recommends them as the media of choice for 4 mm data recording applications.     

Double-layer particulate magnetic recording media

Double-layer media employ two layers with different magnetic characteristics, with the objective of optimizing performance and/or reducing the overall cost. The idea has recently been applied to longitudinally oriented thin top layers of Ba-ferrite (BF) or metal particle (MP) coated over thicker Co-iron oxide (CoFe) or non-magnetic (NM) underlayers resulting in significantly improved recording performance for high recording density video, digital audio and data applications.     

On special L-values attached to metaplectic modular forms

Mathematische Zeitschrift - In this paper we establish some algebraic properties of special L-values attached to Siegel modular forms of half-integral weight, often called metaplectic modular...     

Oxidation behaviour of SiC coatings

Amorphous silicon carbide (SiC) films were deposited on silicon substrates by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering. The films were oxidized in air in the temperature range 400–900 °C and for times from 1 to 16 h. Neutron reflectivity measurements provided information on the thickness, density and roughness of the SiC and on the formed SiO₂ layers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to determine the bond structure of the formed SiO₂ and changes in the bonding of SiC after exposure at the oxidation temperature. The surface morphology of the oxidized films was characterized by atomic force microscopy measurements. The oxidation kinetics is initially fast and as the SiO₂ layer is formed it slows down. The SiC consumption varies linearly with time at all oxidation temperatures. Exposure of the SiC at the oxidation temperature affects its density and to some degree its bond structure, while the formed SiO₂ has density and bond structure as that formed by oxidation of Si under the same conditions. PACS  66.30.Ny; 68.47.Gh; 68.55.J-     

Disposable mercury-free cell-on-a-chip devices with integrated microfabricated electrodes for the determination of trace nickel(II) by adsorptive stripping voltammetry

This work reports the fabrication of disposable three-electrode cells with integrated sputtered metal-film electrodes. The working electrode was a bismuth-film electrode (BiFE) while the reference and counter electrodes were made of Ag and Pt, respectively. The deposition of the metal layers was carried out by sputtering of the respective metals on a silicon substrate while the exact geometry of the electrodes was defined via a metal mask placed on the substrate during the deposition process. Initially, the electrodes were characterised by cyclic voltammetry. The utility of these devices was tested for the trace determination of Ni(II) by square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry (SWAdSV) after complexation with dimethylglyoxime (DMG). The experimental variables (the presence of oxygen, the DMG concentration, the preconcentration potential, the accumulation time and the SW parameters), as well as potential interferences, were investigated. Using the selected conditions, the 3sigma limit of detection was 100 ng L(-1) for Ni(II) (for 90 s of preconcentration) and the relative standard deviation for Ni(II) was 2.3% at the 10 microg L(-1) level (n=8). Finally, the method was applied to the determination of Ni(II) in a certified river water sample.     

Development of recombinant protein-based influenza vaccine. Expression and affinity purification of H1N1 influenza virus neuraminidase

The influenza virus surface glycoprotein antigen neuraminidase (NA) is a crucial viral enzyme with many potential medical applications; therefore, the development of efficient upstream and downstream processing strategy for the expression and purification of NA is of high importance. In the present work the NA gene from the H1N1 influenza virus strain A/Beijing/262/95 was cloned from viral RNA and expressed in expresSF+ insect cells using the baculovirus expression vector system (BVES). A limited affinity-ligand library was synthesized and evaluated for its ability to bind and purify the recombinant H1N1 neuraminidase. Affinity-ligand design was based on mimicking the interactions of the lock-and-key (LAK) motif (Phe-Gly-Gln), a common structural moiety found in the subunit interface of glutathione S-transferase I (GST I), and plays an important structural role in subunit-subunit recognition. Solid-phase combinatorial chemistry was used to synthesize 13 variants of the lock-and-key lead ligand (Phe-Trz-X, where X was selected alpha-amino acid) using the 1,3,5-triazine moiety (Trz) as the scaffold for assembly. One immobilized ligand, bearing phenylalanine and isoleucine linked on the chlorotriazine ring (Phe-Trz-Ile), displayed high affinity for NA. Absorption equilibrium and molecular modeling studies were carried out to provide a detailed picture of Phe-Trz-Ile interaction with NA. This LAK-mimetic affinity adsorbent was exploited in the development of a facile purification protocol for NA, which led to 335-fold purification in a single-step. The present purification procedure is the most efficient reported so far for recombinant NA.     

Chemical analyses of martian soil and rocks obtained by the Pathfinder Alpha Proton X-ray spectrometer

The US Mars Pathfinder spacecraft, which landed on the red planet on the 4th of July 1997, carried an Alpha Proton X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) that obtained the chemical composition of martian soil and rocks. The principles of the APXS operation are based on three interactions of alpha particles with matter: Rutherford alpha backscattering; (, p) nuclear reactions; and X-ray generation by charged particles and X-ray excitation. The APXS, as was implemented on the Pathfinder mission, uses for all three modes of operation a monoenergetic beam of alpha particles from about 40 mCi of ²⁴⁴Cm radioisotope. It employs Si charged particle detectors for alpha and proton modes and a specially designed silicon PIN detector for its X-ray mode that does not require cooling for its operation. The APXS can detect all of the elements (except H and He) present above a few tenths of a percent for all major elements and several hundred ppm for many minor and trace elements.

The APXS on Pathfinder was transported to various locations on the martian surface by the Sojourner rover which enabled it to analyze multiple soil and rock samples selected by the science team from the lander camera images. The APXS performed excellently under the adverse martian environment conditions and provided important information about the chemical composition of the martian soil and rocks. All of the analyzed rocks at the Pathfinder site were found to have high concentrations of silica, sulfur and iron, and low in magnesium, similar to those of the terrestrial basaltic andesites and definitely different from the SNC meteorites that are believed to have originated from Mars. All of the soil samples analyzed by the APXS have similar composition and are very close to the soil analyses obtained by the two Viking missions. The information derived from the Pathfinder APXS has significant implications about the origin and evolution of planet Mars.