Initial and boundary conditions in multidimensional wave digital filter algorithms for plate vibration

Recently, multidimensional wave digital filter (MDWDF) structures have been proposed for the modeling of plate vibration problems. In this paper, we discuss how initial and boundary conditions may be properly embedded into such an algorithm in terms of the state quantities that are an integral part of the algorithm. Due to the essential feature of fully-local interconnectivity in the MDWDF model, different types of boundary conditions can be easily satisfied in a very simple and efficient manner. Instead of remodifying the whole algorithm, usually required by finite elements based methods, boundary conditions in terms of state outputs are simply attached to the model. This feature is especially useful when dealing with the mixed-edges boundary conditions frequently encountered in practice. Graphical results obtained from implementing the MDWDF algorithm are given to further demonstrate the capacities of the method in efficiently handling a fourth-order Mindlin plate vibration system with various types of boundary conditions.     

A novel, electrically protein-manipulated microcantilever biosensor for enhancement of capture antibody immobilization

This study demonstrated a microcantilever biosensor for enhancement of capture antibody immobilization. The electrically protein-manipulated, microcantilever biosensor is featured with enhanced capture antibody immobilization, miniaturization, and high sensitivity. Thanks to the electric property of biological substances in a real environment, given charged proteins can be manipulated with attraction in solution under an electric field. It is evident that higher amount of capture antibody molecules immobilized onto sensing surfaces captures or detects specific molecules, indicating greater deflection and stresses as well. This however leads to significant cost in biosensors. With the merit of MEMS technique that allows highly fabrication-compatible integration into microcantilever biosensors, sparsely distributed antibody molecules in solution are attracted in focus onto a sensing solid surface under electric fields. As the sensing element of the gold-coated, V-shaped silicon nitride microcantilever also serves as an electrode, the electric fields are applied in a channel of flowing microfluidics by locally in-plane electrodes or by a top electrode arranged for three-dimensional fields. As expected, most charged proteins distributed in solution are effectively attracted onto the sensing area within the electric fields. This improves the efficiency of capture antibody immobilization and achieves an eight-fold reduction over the necessary amount of capture antibodies without applying electric fields. With such a successful manipulation of charged proteins, the novel microcantilever biosensor exhibits efficient use of capture antibodies in solution.     

Gold nanoparticles as selective and concentrating probes for samples in MALDI MS analysis

MALDI mass spectrometry is used widely in various fields because it has the characteristics of speed, ease of use, high sensitivity, and wide detectable mass range, but suppression effects between analyte molecules and interference from the sample matrix frequently arise during MALDI analysis. The suppression effects can be avoided if target species are isolated from complicated matrix solutions in advance. Herein, we proposed a novel method for achieving such a goal. We describe a strategy that uses gold nanoparticles to capture charged species from a sample solution. Generally, ionic agents, such as anionic or cationic stabilizers, encapsulate gold nanoparticles to prevent their aggregation in solution. These charged stabilizers at the surface of the gold particles are capable of attracting oppositely charged species from a sample solution through electrostatic interactions. We have employed this concept to develop nanoparticle-based probes that selectively trap and concentrate target species in sample solutions. Additionally, to readily isolate them from solution after attracting their target species, we used gold nanoparticles that are adhered to the surface of magnetic particles through S-Au bonding. A magnet can then be employed to isolate the Au@magnetic particles from the solution. The species trapped by the isolated particles were then characterized by MALDI MS after a simple washing. We demonstrate that Au@magnetic particles having negatively charged surfaces are suitable probes for selectively trapping positively charged proteins from aqueous solutions. In addition, we have employed Au@magnetic particle-based probes successfully to concentrate low amounts of peptide residues from the tryptic digest products of cytochrome c (10(-7) M).     

MALDI ion trap mass spectrometer with charge detector for large biomolecule detection

Up to now, all commercial matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometers still can not efficiently analyze very large biomolecules. In this work, we report the development of a novel MALDI ion trap mass spectrometer which can enrich biomolecular ions to enhance the detection sensitivity. A charge detector was installed to measure the large ions directly. With this design, we report the first measurement of IgM with the mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) at 980?000. In addition, quantitative measurements of the number of ions can be obtained. A step function frequency scan was first developed to get a clear signal in the m/z range from 200,000 to 1,000,000.     

Characterization of aluminum-doped zinc oxide thin films by RF magnetron sputtering at different substrate temperature and sputtering power

In this study, transparent conductive Al doped zinc oxide (ZnO: Al, AZO) thin films with a thickness of 40 nm were prepared on the Corning glass substrate by radio frequency magnetron sputtering. The properties of the AZO thin films are investigated at different substrate temperatures (from 27 to 150 °C) and sputtering power (from 150 to 250 W). The structural, optical and electrical properties of the AZO thin films were investigated. The optical transmittance of about 78 % (at 415 nm)–92.5 % (at 630 nm) in the visible range and the electrical resistivity of 7 × 10^?4 Ω-cm (175.2 Ω/sq) were obtained at sputtering power of 250 W and substrate temperature of 70 °C. The observed property of the AZO thin films is suitable for transparent conductive electrode applications.     

A new type of waveguide ring cavity for resonator and filterapplications

A new type of rectangular waveguide ring cavity has been developed for applications to resonators, filters, and multiplexers. The circuits have advantages of high Q and high power handling capability. H-plane and E-plane waveguide ring cavities have been investigated thoroughly in single-mode and dual-mode operations. For single-mode operation, regular resonant modes, split resonant modes, and forced resonant modes were explained by resonant mode charts of E-field points. Mechanically tuned and electronically tuned resonators built by adjusting the resonant modes between regular resonant modes and forced resonant modes have been demonstrated. For dual-mode operation, a dual-mode filter using a single H-plane ring cavity has been built with a bandwidth of 0.77%, a stopband attenuation of more than 40 dB, and a sharp gain slope transition. Another dual-mode filter which was formed by cascading two E-plane ring cavities has also been fabricated with a bandwidth of 1.12%, a stopband attenuation of 70 dB, a mode purity of 2 GHz at the center frequency of 26.82 GHz, and a sharp gain slope transition     

Differentiation of Cronobacter sakazakii and related taxa using direct sequencing, species-specific PCR, and mini-sequencing assays

Cronobacter sakazakii and its phylogenetically closest species are considered to be an opportunistic pathogens associated with food-borne disease in neonates and infants. Clearly identifying the specific species of the C. sakazakii group using phenotypic and genotypic techniques is hard. The aim of this study was to use the tuf gene for species discrimination in the C. sakazakii and its phylogenetically closest species, as well as to develop a species-specific primer and single nucleotide polymorphism primer based on 16S rRNA and tuf gene sequence for species identification. The average sequence similarity for the tuf gene among type strains was 96.9 %, and most members of the C. sakazakii group could be distinguished. The species-specific primer was designed according to the 16S rRNA gene sequence, which was employed for PCR with the template DNA of Cronobacter strains. Single 137-bp species-specific band was found only in C. sakazakii and C. malonaticus. A mini-sequencing assay using tuf as a target gene was also developed. The specificity of the mini-sequencing assay was evaluated using 24 strains of Cronobacter species and was able to unambiguously discriminate strains belonging to the species C. sakazakii. The sequence of the tuf gene is more polymorphic than that of the 16S rRNA gene and can be used to differentiate the C. sakazakii group strains. In addition, a novel method to identify the species of the C. sakazakii and C. malonaticus was also developed by species-specific PCR combined with mini-sequencing.     

Slotted electrodes for the improvement of machining performances in EDM drilling

In electrical discharge machining (EDM), poor debris removal may occur under certain conditions. This leads to debris accumulation and degrades machining efficiency. In this study, the rotation and retracting movements of slotted electrodes were coordinated during EDM to realize a pumping effect for expelling debris in the gap between the electrodes and workpieces. The study compared the performance of different slotted electrodes with that of a regular cylindrical (RC) electrode. Moreover, a computational fluid dynamics module was adopted to simulate the effects of the RC and slotted electrodes on debris removal capability in EDM under different conditions. The experimental results demonstrated that among all slotted electrodes, the deep slotted electrode engendered the most-favorable debris removal capability. The deep slotted electrode saved machining time by shortening the electrode jump time or even obviating electrode jumping. This increased the material removal rates by 120%–153% during EDM drilling.