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The network approach towards the analysis of the dynamics of complex systems has been successfully applied in a multitude of studies in the neurosciences and has yielded fascinating insights. With this approach, a complex system is considered to be composed of different constituents which interact with each other. Interaction structures can be compactly represented in interaction networks. In this contribution, we present a brief overview about how interaction networks are derived from multivariate time series, about basic network characteristics, and about challenges associated with this analysis approach.
The carbonized rice husk (CRH) was evaluated for its wound healing activity in rats using excision models. In this study, the influences of CRH on wound healing in rat skin in vivo and cellular behavior of human dermal fibroblasts in vitro were investigated. The obtained results showed that the CRH treatment promoted wound epithelization in rats and exhibited moderate inhibition of cell proliferation in vitro. CRH with lanolin oil treated wounds were found to epithelize faster as compared to controls.
An application of a scanning light-addressable potentiometric sensor for label-free DNA detection
(2013)
Living cells are complex biological systems transforming metabolites taken up from the surrounding medium. Monitoring the responses of such cells to certain substrate concentrations is a challenging task and offers possibilities to gain insight into the vitality of a community influenced by the growth environment. Cell-based sensors represent a promising platform for monitoring the metabolic activity and thus, the “welfare” of relevant organisms. In the present study, metabolic responses of the model bacterium Escherichia coli in suspension, layered onto a capacitive field-effect structure, were examined to pulses of glucose in the concentration range between 0.05 and 2 mM. It was found that acidification of the surrounding medium takes place immediately after glucose addition and follows Michaelis–Menten kinetic behavior as a function of the glucose concentration. In future, the presented setup can, therefore, be used to study substrate specificities on the enzymatic level and may as well be used to perform investigations of more complex metabolic responses. Conclusions and perspectives highlighting this system are discussed.
Optical coherence tomography : a potential tool to predict premature rupture of fetal membranes
(2013)
Impedance spectroscopy: A tool for real-time in situ monitoring of the degradation of biopolymers
(2013)
Investigation of the degradation kinetics of biodegradable polymers is essential for the development of implantable biomedical devices with predicted biodegradability. In this work, an impedimetric sensor has been applied for real-time and in situ monitoring of degradation processes of biopolymers. The sensor consists of two platinum thin-film electrodes covered by a polymer film to be studied. The benchmark biomedical polymer poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PDLLA) was used as a model system. PDLLA films were deposited on the sensor structure from a polymer solution by using the spin-coating method. The degradation kinetics of PDLLA films have been studied in alkaline solutions of pH 9 and 12 by means of an impedance spectroscopy (IS) method. Any changes in a polymer capacitance/resistance induced by water uptake and/or polymer degradation will modulate the global impedance of the polymer-covered sensor that can be used as an indicator of the polymer degradation. The degradation rate can be evaluated from the time-dependent impedance spectra. As expected, a faster degradation has been observed for PDLLA films exposed to pH 12 solution.
Our world is well ordered in measurement and number : or why natural constants are as they are
(2013)
All the important natural constants can be logically explained with and derived from the first four ordinal numbers, 1, 2, 3 and 4, its addition to ten and finally the standard values for obviously maximal feasibility Ω and the optimum in our world, the Golden Section (GS), i.e. the number sequences 273 and 618. They both are the first three numbers of irrational results by an arithmetical transformation of simple geometrical relationships by creating multiplicity out of singularity. Both of them show that the infinite is inherent in finiteness and explain in a simple way the smallest deviations and fluctuations between the physical AS-IS state and the obvious spiritual ideal behind: Wherever we look in this world, and especially in important key-positions, we regularly find these sequences. All of the above mentioned numbers so seem to be key players in our world, what can be demonstrated by the derivation of natural constants.
The semiconductor field-effect platform represents a powerful tool for detecting the adsorption and binding of charged macromolecules with direct electrical readout. In this work, a capacitive electrolyte–insulator–semiconductor (EIS) field-effect sensor consisting of an Al-p-Si-SiO2 structure has been applied for real-time in situ electrical monitoring of the layer-by-layer formation of polyelectrolyte (PE) multilayers (PEM). The PEMs were deposited directly onto the SiO2 surface without any precursor layer or drying procedures. Anionic poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate) and cationic weak polyelectrolyte poly(allylamine hydrochloride) have been chosen as a model system. The effect of the ionic strength of the solution, polyelectrolyte concentration, number and polarity of the PE layers on the characteristics of the PEM-modified EIS sensors have been studied by means of capacitance–voltage and constant-capacitance methods. In addition, the thickness, surface morphology, roughness and wettabilityof the PE mono- and multilayers have been characterised by ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy and water contact-angle methods, respectively. To explain potential oscillations on the gate surface and signal behaviour of the capacitive field-effect EIS sensor modified with a PEM, a simplified electrostatic model that takes into account the reduced electrostatic screening of PE charges by mobile ions within the PEM has been proposed and discussed.
A microfluidic chip integrating amperometric enzyme sensors for the detection of glucose, glutamate and glutamine in cell-culture fermentation processes has been developed. The enzymes glucose oxidase, glutamate oxidase and glutaminase were immobilized by means of cross-linking with glutaraldehyde on platinum thin-film electrodes integrated within a microfluidic channel. The biosensor chip was coupled to a flow-injection analysis system for electrochemical characterization of the sensors. The sensors have been characterized in terms of sensitivity, linear working range and detection limit. The sensitivity evaluated from the respective peak areas was 1.47, 3.68 and 0.28 μAs/mM for the glucose, glutamate and glutamine sensor, respectively. The calibration curves were linear up to a concentration of 20 mM glucose and glutamine and up to 10 mM for glutamate. The lower detection limit amounted to be 0.05 mM for the glucose and glutamate sensor, respectively, and 0.1 mM for the glutamine sensor. Experiments in cell-culture medium have demonstrated a good correlation between the glutamate, glutamine and glucose concentrations measured with the chip-based biosensors in a differential-mode and the commercially available instrumentation. The obtained results demonstrate the feasibility of the realized microfluidic biosensor chip for monitoring of bioprocesses.
Learning- and memory-related processes are thought to result from dynamic interactions in large-scale brain networks that include lateral and mesial structures of the temporal lobes. We investigate the impact of incidental and intentional learning of verbal episodic material on functional brain networks that we derive from scalp-EEG recorded continuously from 33 subjects during a neuropsychological test schedule. Analyzing the networks' global statistical properties we observe that intentional but not incidental learning leads to a significantly increased clustering coefficient, and the average shortest path length remains unaffected. Moreover, network modifications correlate with subsequent recall performance: the more pronounced the modifications of the clustering coefficient, the higher the recall performance. Our findings provide novel insights into the relationship between topological aspects of functional brain networks and higher cognitive functions.
This article describes the fabrication, characterization and application of an epidermal temporary-transfer tattoo-based potentiometric sensor, coupled with a miniaturized wearable wireless transceiver, for real-time monitoring of sodium in the human perspiration. Sodium excreted during perspiration is an excellent marker for electrolyte imbalance and provides valuable information regarding an individual's physical and mental wellbeing. The realization of the new skin-worn non-invasive tattoo-like sensing device has been realized by amalgamating several state-of-the-art thick film, laser printing, solid-state potentiometry, fluidics and wireless technologies. The resulting tattoo-based potentiometric sodium sensor displays a rapid near-Nernstian response with negligible carryover effects, and good resiliency against various mechanical deformations experienced by the human epidermis. On-body testing of the tattoo sensor coupled to a wireless transceiver during exercise activity demonstrated its ability to continuously monitor sweat sodium dynamics. The real-time sweat sodium concentration was transmitted wirelessly via a body-worn transceiver from the sodium tattoo sensor to a notebook while the subjects perspired on a stationary cycle. The favorable analytical performance along with the wearable nature of the wireless transceiver makes the new epidermal potentiometric sensing system attractive for continuous monitoring the sodium dynamics in human perspiration during diverse activities relevant to the healthcare, fitness, military, healthcare and skin-care domains.
We study the estimation of some linear functionals which are based on an unknown lifetime distribution. The observations are assumed to be generated under the semi-parametric random censorship model (SRCM), that is, a random censorship model where the conditional expectation of the censoring indicator given the observation belongs to a parametric family. Under this setup a semi-parametric estimator of the survival function was introduced by the author. If the parametric model assumption is correct, it is known that the estimated functional which is based on this semi-parametric estimator is asymptotically at least as efficient as the corresponding one which rests on the nonparametric Kaplan–Meier estimator.
In this paper we show that the estimated functional which is based on this semi-parametric estimator is asymptotically efficient with respect to the class of all regular estimators under this semi-parametric model.
Multimodal bioimage sensor
(2014)
To visualize the biochemical distribution two-dimensionally, we invented a solid-state-type ion image sensor that indicates the chemical activity of solutions and cells. The device, which consists of a CCD array covered with a functionalized membrane to detect charge accumulation, is highly sensitive to changes in the concentration and two-dimensional distribution of ions and biomaterials.
In this work, the catalyst manganese(IV) oxide (MnO2), of calorimetric gas sensors (to monitor the sterilization agent vaporized hydrogen peroxide) has been investigated in more detail. Chemical analyses by means of X-ray-induced photoelectron spectroscopy have been performed to unravel the surface chemistry prior and after exposure to hydrogen peroxide vapor at elevated temperature, as applied in the sterilization processes of beverage cartons. The surface characterization reveals a change in oxidation states of the metal oxide catalyst after exposure to hydrogen peroxide. Additionally, a cleaning effect of the catalyst, which itself is attached to the sensor surface by means of a polymer interlayer, could be observed.
This study describes a label-free impedimetric sensor based on short ssDNA recognition elements for the detection of hybridization events. We concentrate on the elucidation of the influence of target length and recognition sequence position on the sensorial performance. The impedimetric measurements are performed in the presence of the redox system ferri-/ferrocyanide and show an increase in charge transfer resistance upon hybridization of ssDNA to the sensor surface. Investigations on the impedimetric signal stability demonstrate a clear influence of the buffers used during the sensor preparation and the choice of the passivating mercaptoalcanol compound. A stable sensor system has been developed, enabling a reproducible detection of 25mer target DNA in the low nanomolar range. After hybridization, a sensor regeneration can be reached with deionized water by adjustment of effective convection conditions, ensuring a sensor reusability. By investigations of longer targets with overhangs exposed to the solution, we can demonstrate applicability of the impedimetric detection for longer ssDNA. However, a decreasing charge transfer resistance change (ΔRct) is found by extending the overhang. As a strategy to increase the impedance change for longer target strands, the position of the recognition sequence can be designed in a way that a small overhang is exposed to the electrode surface. This is found to result in an increase in the relative Rct change. These results suggest that DNA and consequently negative charge near the electrode possess a larger impact on the impedimetric signal than DNA further away.
A novel photoexcitation method for the light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) is proposed to achieve a higher spatial resolution of chemical images. The proposed method employs a combined light source that consists of a modulated light probe, which generates the alternating photocurrent signal, and a ring of constant illumination surrounding it. The constant illumination generates a sheath of carriers with increased concentration which suppresses the spread of photocarriers by enhanced recombination. A device simulation was carried out to verify the effect of constant illumination on the spatial resolution, which demonstrated that a higher spatial resolution can be obtained.
Engineering of functional interfaces / Patrick Wagner ; Theodor Doll ; Michael J. Schöning (eds.)
(2014)
In this study, a high-speed chemical imaging system was developed for visualization of the interior of a microfluidic channel. A microfluidic channel was constructed on the sensor surface of the light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS), on which the ion concentrations could be measured in parallel at up to 64 points illuminated by optical fibers. The temporal change of pH distribution inside the microfluidic channel was recorded at a maximum rate of 100 frames per second (fps). The high frame rate allowed visualization of moving interfaces and plugs in the channel even at a flow velocity of 111 mm/s, which suggests the feasibility of plug-based microfluidic devices for flow-injection analysis (FIA).
The ideal combination among biomolecules and nanomaterials is the key for reaching biosensing units with high sensitivity. The challenge, however, is to find out a stable and sensitive film architecture that can be incorporated on the sensor’s surface. In this paper, we report on the benefits of incorporating a layer-by-layer (LbL) nanofilm of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on capacitive electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) field-effect sensors for detecting urea. Three sensor arrangements were studied in order to investigate the adequate film architecture, involving the LbL film with the enzyme urease: (i) urease immobilized directly onto a bare EIS [EIS-urease] sensor; (ii) urease atop the LbL film over the EIS [EIS-(PAMAM/CNT)-urease] sensor; and (iii) urease sandwiched between the LbL film and another CNT layer [EIS-(PAMAM/CNT)-urease-CNT]. The surface morphology of all three urea-based EIS biosensors was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), while the biosensing abilities were studied by means of capacitance–voltage (C/V) and dynamic constant-capacitance (ConCap) measureaments at urea concentrations ranging from 0.1 mM to 100 mM. The EIS-urease and EIS-(PAMAM/CNT)-urease sensors showed similar sensitivity (∼18 mV/decade) and a nonregular signal behavior as the urea concentration increased. On the other hand, the EIS-(PAMAM/CNT)-urease-CNT sensor exhibited a superior output signal performance and higher sensitivity of about 33 mV/decade. The presence of the additional CNT layer was decisive to achieve a urea based EIS sensor with enhanced properties. Such sensitive architecture demonstrates that the incorporation of an adequate hybrid enzyme-nanofilm as sensing unit opens new prospects for biosensing applications using the field-effect sensor platform.
A microcavity-based deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) optical biosensor is demonstrated for the first time using synthetic sapphire for the optical cavity. Transmitted and elastic scattering intensity at 1510 nm are analyzed from a sapphire microsphere (radius 500 μm, refractive index 1.77) on an optical fiber half coupler. The 0.43 nm angular mode spacing of the resonances correlates well with the optical size of the sapphire sphere. Probe DNA consisting of a 36-mer fragment was covalently immobilized on a sapphire microsphere and hybridized with a 29-mer target DNA. Whispering gallery modes (WGMs) were monitored before the sapphire was functionalized with DNA and after it was functionalized with single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). The shift in WGMs from the surface modification with DNA was measured and correlated well with the estimated thickness of the add-on DNA layer. It is shown that ssDNA is more uniformly oriented on the sapphire surface than dsDNA. In addition, it is shown that functionalization of the sapphire spherical surface with DNA does not affect the quality factor (Q≈104) of the sapphire microspheres. The use of sapphire is especially interesting because this material is chemically resilient, biocompatible, and widely used for medical implants.
As a semiconductor-based electrochemical sensor, the light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) can realize two dimensional visualization of (bio-)chemical reactions at the sensor surface addressed by localized illumination. Thanks to this imaging capability, various applications in biochemical and biomedical fields are expected, for which the spatial resolution is critically significant. In this study, therefore, the spatial resolution of the LAPS was investigated in detail based on the device simulation. By calculating the spatiotemporal change of the distributions of electrons and holes inside the semiconductor layer in response to a modulated illumination, the photocurrent response as well as the spatial resolution was obtained as a function of various parameters such as the thickness of the Si substrate, the doping concentration, the wavelength and the intensity of illumination.
The simulation results verified that both thinning the semiconductor substrate and increasing the doping concentration could improve the spatial resolution, which were in good agreement with known experimental results and theoretical analysis. More importantly, new findings of interests were also obtained. As for the dependence on the wavelength of illumination, it was found that the known dependence was not always the case. When the Si substrate was thick, a longer wavelength resulted in a higher spatial resolution which was known by experiments. When the Si substrate was thin, however, a longer wavelength of light resulted in a lower spatial resolution. This finding was explained as an effect of raised concentration of carriers, which reduced the thickness of the space charge region.
The device simulation was found to be helpful to understand the relationship between the spatial resolution and device parameters, to understand the physics behind it, and to optimize the device structure and measurement conditions for realizing higher performance of chemical imaging systems.
The possibility of using the atomic-force microscopy as a method for detection of the analytical signal from plasticized polymeric sensor membranes was analyzed. The surfaces of cadmium-selective membranes based on two polymeric matrices were examined. The digital images were processed with multivariate image analysis techniques. A correlation was found between the surface profile of an ion-selective membrane and the concentration of the ion in solution.
Validation of a novel method for detecting and stabilizing malfunctioning areas in fuel cell stacks
(2014)
In this paper a setup for detecting malfunctioning areas of MEAs in fuel cell stacks is described. Malfunctioning areas generate electric cross currents inside bipolar plates. To exploit this we suggest bipolar plates consisting not of two but of three layers. The third one is a highly conducting layer and segmented such that the cross currents move along the segments to the surface of the stack where they can be measured by an inductive sensor. With this information a realistic model can be used to detect the malfunctioning area. Furthermore the third layer will prevent any current inhomogeneity of a malfunctioning cell to spread to neighbouring cells in the stack. In this work the results of measurements in a realistic cell setup will be compared with the results obtained in simulation studies with the same configuration. The basis for the comparison is the reliable characterisation of the electrical properties of the cell components and the implication of these results into the simulation model. The experimental studies will also show the limits in the maximum number of segments, which can be used for a reliable detection of cross currents.
A novel photoexcitation method for the light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) realized a higher spatial resolution of chemical imaging. In this method, a modulated light probe, which generates the alternating photocurrent signal, is surrounded by a ring of constant light, which suppresses the lateral diffusion of photocarriers by enhancing recombination. A device simulation verified that a higher spatial resolution could be obtained by adjusting the gap between the modulated and constant light. It was also found that a higher intensity and a longer wavelength of constant light was more effective. However, there exists a tradeoff between the spatial resolution and the amplitude of the photocurrent, and thus, the signal-to-noise ratio. A tilted incidence of constant light was applied, which could achieve even higher resolution with a smaller loss of photocurrent.
The chemical imaging sensor, which is based on the principle of the light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS), is a powerful tool to visualize the spatial distribution of chemical species on the sensor surface. The spatial resolution of this sensor depends on the diffusion of photocarriers excited by a modulated light. In this study, a novel hybrid fiber-optic illumination was developed to enhance the spatial resolution. It consists of a modulated light probe to generate a photocurrent signal and a ring of constant light, which suppresses the lateral diffusion of minority carriers excited by the modulated light. It is demonstrated that the spatial resolution was improved from 92 μm to 68 μm.
Molecular-genetic identification of emerged novel invasive pathogens of Asiatic Elm Ulmus pumila L
(2014)
The dwarf elm Ulmus pumila L. (Ulmaceae) is one of indigenous species of flora in Kazakhstan and forms a basis of dendroflora in virtually all settlements of the region. In the past decade, multiple outbreaks of previously unknown diseases of the small-leaved elm have been registered. In our study, by the molecular-genetic analysis it was found that the pathogens responsible for the outbreaks are microfungi belonging to the genus Fusarium – F. solani and F. oxysporum. The nucleotide sequences (ITS regions) isolated from the diseased trees showed very high similarity with the GenBank control numbers EU625403.1 and FJ478128.1 (100.0 and 99.0 % respectively). Oncoming research will focus on the search of natural microbial antagonists of the discovered phytopathogens.
Network theory provides novel concepts that promise an improved characterization of interacting dynamical systems. Within this framework, evolving networks can be considered as being composed of nodes, representing systems, and of time-varying edges, representing interactions between these systems. This approach is highly attractive to further our understanding of the physiological and pathophysiological dynamics in human brain networks. Indeed, there is growing evidence that the epileptic process can be regarded as a large-scale network phenomenon. We here review methodologies for inferring networks from empirical time series and for a characterization of these evolving networks. We summarize recent findings derived from studies that investigate human epileptic brain networks evolving on timescales ranging from few seconds to weeks. We point to possible pitfalls and open issues, and discuss future perspectives.
The scope of this study is the measurement of endotoxin adsorption rate for carbonized rice husk. It showed good adsorption properties for LPS. During the batch experiments, several techniques were used and optimized for improving the material’s adsorption behavior. Also, with the results obtained it was possible to differentiate the materials according to their adsorption capacity and kinetic characteristics.
Background
True date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.) are impressive trees and have served as an indispensable source of food for mankind in tropical and subtropical countries for centuries. The aim of this study is to differentiate date palm tree varieties by analysing leaflet cross sections with technical/optical methods and artificial neural networks (ANN).
Results
Fluorescence microscopy images of leaflet cross sections have been taken from a set of five date palm tree cultivars (Hewlat al Jouf, Khlas, Nabot Soltan, Shishi, Um Raheem). After features extraction from images, the obtained data have been fed in a multilayer perceptron ANN with backpropagation learning algorithm.
Conclusions
Overall, an accurate result in prediction and differentiation of date palm tree cultivars was achieved with average prediction in tenfold cross-validation is 89.1% and reached 100% in one of the best ANN.
Shakedown analysis of Reissner-Mindlin plates using the edge-based smoothed finite element method
(2014)
This paper concerns the development of a primal-dual algorithm for limit and shakedown analysis of Reissner-Mindlin plates made of von Mises material. At each optimization iteration, the lower bound of the shakedown load multiplier is calculated simultaneously with the upper bound using the duality theory. An edge-based smoothed finite element method (ES-FEM) combined with the discrete shear gap (DSG) technique is used to improve the accuracy of the solutions and to avoid the transverse shear locking behaviour. The method not only possesses all inherent features of convergence and accuracy from ES-FEM, but also ensures that the total number of variables in the optimization problem is kept to a minimum compared with the standard finite element formulation. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the present method.
Two single-incision mini-slings used for treating urinary incontinence in women are compared with respect to the stresses they produce in their surrounding tissue. In an earlier paper we experimentally observed that these implants produce considerably different stress distributions in a muscle tissue equivalent. Here we perform 2D finite element analyses to compare the shear stresses and normal stresses in the tissue equivalent for the two meshes and to investigate their failure behavior. The results clearly show that the Gynecare TVT fails for increasing loads in a zipper-like manner because it gradually debonds from the surrounding tissue. Contrary to that, the tissue at the ends of the DynaMesh-SIS direct may rupture but only at higher loads. The simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental observations thus the computational model helps to interpret the experimental results and provides a tool for qualitative evaluation of mesh implants.
Successful bone sawing requires a high level of skill and experience, which could be gained by the use of Virtual Reality-based simulators. A key aspect of these medical simulators is realistic force feedback. The aim of this paper is to model the bone sawing process in order to develop a valid training simulator for the bilateral sagittal split osteotomy, the most often applied corrective surgery in case of a malposition of the mandible. Bone samples from a human cadaveric mandible were tested using a designed experimental system. Image processing and statistical analysis were used for the selection of four models for the bone sawing process. The results revealed a polynomial dependency between the material removal rate and the applied force. Differences between the three segments of the osteotomy line and between the cortical and cancellous bone were highlighted.
A 3D finite element model of the female pelvic floor for the reconstruction of urinary incontinence
(2014)
This paper develops a new finite element method (FEM)-based upper bound algorithm for limit and shakedown analysis of hardening structures by a direct plasticity method. The hardening model is a simple two-surface model of plasticity with a fixed bounding surface. The initial yield surface can translate inside the bounding surface, and it is bounded by one of the two equivalent conditions: (1) it always stays inside the bounding surface or (2) its centre cannot move outside the back-stress surface. The algorithm gives an effective tool to analyze the problems with a very high number of degree of freedom. Our numerical results are very close to the analytical solutions and numerical solutions in literature.
A semiconductor field-effect device has been used for an enzymatically catalyzed degradation of biopolymers for the first time. This novel technique is capable to monitor the degradation process of multiple samples in situ and in real-time. As model system, the degradation of the biopolymer poly(D, L-lactic acid) has been monitored in the degradation medium containing the enzyme lipase from Rhizomucor miehei. The obtained results demonstrate the potential of capacitive field-effect sensors for degradation studies of biodegradable polymers.
Among the variety of transducer concepts proposed for label-free detection of biomolecules, the semiconductor field-effect device (FED) is one of the most attractive platforms. As medical techniques continue to progress towards diagnostic and therapies based on biomarkers, the ability of FEDs for a label-free, fast and real-time detection of multiple pathogenic and physiologically relevant molecules with high specificity and sensitivity offers very promising prospects for their application in point-of-care and personalized medicine for an early diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The presented paper reviews recent advances and current trends in research and development of different FEDs for label-free, direct electrical detection of charged biomolecules by their intrinsic molecular charge. The authors are mainly focusing on the detection of the DNA hybridization event, antibody-antigen affinity reaction as well as clinically relevant biomolecules such as cardiac and cancer biomarkers.
It is well known that the degradation environment can strongly influence the biodegradability and kinetics of biodegradation processes of polymers. Therefore, besides the monitoring of the degradation process, it is also necessary to control the medium in which the degradation takes place. In this work, a micromachined multi-parameter sensor chip for the control of the polymer-degradation medium has been developed. The chip combines a capacitive field-effect pH sensor, a four-electrode electrolyte-conductivity sensor and a thin-film Pt-temperature sensor. The results of characterization of individual sensors are presented. In addition, the multi-parameter sensor chip together with an impedimetric polymer-degradation sensor was simultaneously characterized in degradation solutions with different pH and electrolyte conductivity. The obtained results demonstrate the feasibility of the multi-parameter sensor chip for the control of the polymer-degradation medium.
Planar and three-dimensional (3D) interdigitated electrodes (IDE) with electrode digits separated by an insulating barrier of different heights were electrochemically characterized and compared in terms of their sensing properties. Due to the impact of the surface resistance, both types of IDE structures display a non-linear behavior in low-ionic strength solutions. The experimental data were fitted to an electrical equivalent circuit and interpreted taking into account the surface-charge-governed properties. The effect of a charged polyelectrolyte layer electrostatically assembled onto the sensor surface on the surface resistance in solutions with different KCl concentration is studied. In case of the same electrode footprint, 3D-IDEs show a larger cell constant and a higher sensitivity to molecular adsorption than that of planar IDEs. The obtained results demonstrate the potential of 3D-IDEs as a new transducer structure for a direct label-free sensing of charged molecules.
An enzyme system organized in a flow device was used to mimic a reversible Controlled NOT (CNOT) gate with two input and two output signals. Reversible conversion of NAD⁺ and NADH cofactors was used to perform a XOR logic operation, while biocatalytic hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl phosphate resulted in an Identity operation working in parallel. The first biomolecular realization of a CNOT gate is promising for integration into complex biomolecular networks and future biosensor/biomedical applications.
High-k perovskite oxide of barium strontium titanate (BST) represents a very attractive multi-functional transducer material for the development of (bio-)chemical sensors for liquids. In this work, BST films have been applied as a sensitive transducer material for a label-free detection of adsorbed charged macromolecules (positively charged polyelectrolytes) and concentration of hydrogen peroxide vapor as well as protection insulator layer for a contactless electrolyte-conductivity sensor. The experimental results of characterization of individual sensors are presented. Special emphasis is devoted towards the development of a capacitively-coupled contactless electrolyte-conductivity sensor.
It is well known that biochemical and biotechnological processes are strongly dependent and affected by a variety of physico-chemical parameters such as pH value, temperature, pressure and electrolyte conductivity. Therefore, these quantities have to be monitored or controlled in order to guarantee a stable process operation, optimization and high yield. In this work, a sensor chip for the multiparameter detection of three physico-chemical parameters such as electrolyte conductivity, pH and temperature is realized using barium strontium titanate (BST) as multipurpose material. The chip integrates a capacitively coupled four-electrode electrolyte-conductivity sensor, a capacitive field-effect pH sensor and a thin-film Pt-temperature sensor. Due to the multifunctional properties of BST, it is utilized as final outermost coating layer of the processed sensor chip and serves as passivation and protection layer as well as pH-sensitive transducer material at the same time. The results of testing of the individual sensors of the developed multiparameter sensor chip are presented. In addition, a quasi-simultaneous multiparameter characterization of the sensor chip in buffer solutions with different pH value and electrolyte conductivity is performed. To study the sensor behavior and the suitability of BST as multifunctional material under harsh environmental conditions, the sensor chip was exemplarily tested in a biogas digestate.
A multi-spot (4 × 4 spots) light-addressable potentiometric sensor (MLAPS) consisting of an Al–p-Si–SiO2 structure has been applied for the label-free electrical detection of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) immobilization and hybridization by the intrinsic molecular charge for the first time. Single-stranded probe ssDNA molecules (20 bases) were covalently immobilized onto the silanized SiO2 gate surface. The unspecific adsorption of mismatch ssDNA on the MLAPS gate surface was blocked by bovine serum albumin molecules. To reduce the screening effect and to achieve a high sensor signal, the measurements were performed in a low ionic-strength solution. The photocurrent–voltage (I–V) curves were simultaneously recorded on all 16 spots after each surface functionalization step. Large shifts of I–V curves of 25 mV were registered after the DNA immobilization and hybridization event. In contrast, a small potential shift (∼5 mV) was observed in case of mismatch ssDNA, revealing good specificity of the sensor. The obtained results demonstrate the potential of the MLAPS as promising transducer platform for the multi-spot label-free electrical detection of DNA molecules by their intrinsic molecular charge.
DNA-hybridization detection using light-addressable potentiometric sensor modified with gold layer
(2014)
Multi-parameter detection for supporting monitoring and control of biogas processes in agriculture
(2014)
Therefore Fermat is right
(2014)
It was Fernat's idea to investigate how many numbers would fulfill the equation according to the Pythagorean Theorem if the exponent were increased to random, e.g. to a3 + b3 = c3. His question became therefore: are there two whole numbers the cubes of which add up to the volume of the cube of a third whole number? He posed this same question, of course, for all kinds of higher exponents, so that the equation could be generalized: is there an integral solution for the equation an + bn = cn, if the exponent n is higher than 2? Although in 1993, the English mathematician Andrew Wiles was able to produce an arithmetical proof for Fermat's famous theorem, I will show that there is a simple logical explanation which is also pragmatic and plausible and what is the result of a fundamental alternative idea how our world seems to be constructed.
In any books about genetics it can still today be read that our genetic code is called “degenerate” because it is still believed that 43 = 64 triplets encode the 20 essential amino acids. Indeed we have to assume the inverse law, what means that 34 = 81 exact code positions are really effective for our genetic code and encode the amino acids, compiled to proteins. This very important discovery leads to two completely new results that are limits-overlooking: 1) 34 (=81) genetic code positions mean exactly the same number as there are stable and naturally existing chemical elements in our universe. This famous argument should now lead to some alternative, as well as new fundamental conclusions about our existence. 2) A genetic code positioning system shows that nature is much smarter than expected: mutations are made less dangerous than believed, because they won't be that easily able any more to cause severe damages in the protein-synthesis. This should also lead to some alternative views upon evolution of life.
Light-addressable potentiometric sensors (LAPS) consisting of a p-Si-SiO2 and p-Si-SiO2-Au structure, respectively, have been tested for a label-free electrical detection of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) hybridization. Three different strategies for immobilizing single-stranded probe DNA (ssDNA) molecules on a LAPS surface have been studied and compared: (a) immobilization of thiol-modified ssDNA on the patterned Au surface via gold-thiol bond, (b) covalent immobilization of amino-modified ssDNA onto the SiO2 surface functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and (c) layer-by-layer adsorption of negatively charged ssDNA on a positively charged weak polyelectrolyte layer of poly(allylamine hydrochloride).
An array of electrically isolated nanoplate field-effect silicon-on-insulator (SOI) capacitors as a new transducer structure for multiparameter (bio-)chemical sensing is presented. The proposed approach allows addressable biasing and electrical readout of multiple nanoplate field-effect capacitive (bio-)chemical sensors on the same SOI chip, as well as differential-mode measurements. The realized sensor chip has been applied for pH and penicillin concentration measurements, electrical monitoring of polyelectrolyte multilayer formation, and the label-free electrical detection of consecutive deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hybridization and denaturation events.
The concept of an injective affine embedding of the quantum states into a set of classical states, i.e., into the set of the probability measures on some measurable space, as well as its relation to statistically complete observables is revisited, and its limitation in view of a classical reformulation of the statistical scheme of quantum mechanics is discussed. In particular, on the basis of a theorem concerning a non-denseness property of a set of coexistent effects, it is shown that an injective classical embedding of the quantum states cannot be supplemented by an at least approximate classical description of the quantum mechanical effects. As an alternative approach, the concept of quasi-probability representations of quantum mechanics is considered.
One of the priority trends of carbon nanotechnology is creation of nanocomposite systems. Such carbon nanostructured composites were produced using - raw materials based on the products of agricultural waste, such as grape stones, apricot stones, rice husk. These products have a - wide spectrum of application and can be obtained in large quantities. The Institute of Combustion Problems has carried out the work on synthesis of the nanostructured carbon sorbents for multiple applications including the field of biomedicine. The article presents the data on the synthesis and physico-chemical properties of carbonaceous sorbents using physicochemical methods of investigation: separation and purification of biomolecules; isolation of phytohormone - fusicoccin; adsorbent INGO-1 in the form of an adsorption column for blood detoxification, oral (entero) sorbent - INGO-2; the study of efferent and probiotic properties and sorption activity in regard to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS), new biocomposites - based on carbonized rice husk (CRH) and cellular microorganisms; the use of CRH in wound treatment. A new material for blood detoxication (INGO-1) has been obtained. Adsorption of p-cresyl sulfate and indoxyl sulfate has shown that active carbon adsorbent can remove clinically significant level of p-cresyl sulfate and indoxyl sulfate from human plasma. Enterosorbent INGO-2 possesses high adsorption activity in relation to Gram-negative bacteria and their endotoxins. INGO-2 slows down the growth of conditionally pathogenic microorganisms, without having a negative effect on bifido and lactobacteria. The use of enterosorbent INGO-2 for sorption therapy may provide a solution to a complex problem - detoxication of the digestive tract and normalization of the intestinal micro ecology. The immobilized probiotic called "Riso-lact" was registered at the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan as a biologically active food additive. The developed technology is patented and provides production of the medicine in the form of freeze-dried biomass immobilized in vials.
Sterilisation processes are compulsory in medicine, pharmacy, and food industries to prevent infections of consumers and microbiological contaminations of products. Monitoring the sterilisation by conventional microbiological methods is time- and lab-consuming. To overcome this problem, in this work a novel biosensor has been proposed. The sensor enables a fast method to evaluate sterilisation processes. By means of thin-film technology the sensor's transducer structures in form of IDEs (interdigitated electrodes) have been fabricated on a silicon substrate. Physical characterisation of the developed sensor was done by AFM, SEM, and profilometry. Impedance analyses were conducted for the electrical characterisation. As microbiological layer spores of B. atrophaeus have been immobilised on the sensing structure; spores of this type are a well-known sterilisation test organism. Impedance measurements at a fixed frequency over time were performed to monitor the immobilisation process. A sterilisation process according to aseptic filling machines was applied to demonstrate the sensor functionality. After both, immobilisation and sterilisation, a change in impedance could successfully be detected.
Simulating the electromagnetic‐thermal treatment of thin aluminium layers for adhesion improvement
(2015)
A composite layer material used in packaging industry is made from joining layers of different materials using an adhesive. An important processing step in the production of aluminium-containing composites is the surface treatment and consequent coating of adhesive material on the aluminium surface. To increase adhesion strength between aluminium layer and the adhesive material, the foil is heat treated. For efficient heating, induction heating was considered as state-of-the-art treatment process. Due to the complexity of the heating process and the unpredictable nature of the heating source, the control of the process is not yet optimised. In this work, a finite element analysis of the process was established and various process parameters were studied. The process was simplified and modelled in 3D. The numerical model contains an air domain, an aluminium layer and a copper coil fitted with a magnetic field concentrating material. The effect of changing the speed of the aluminium foil (or rolling speed) was studied with the change of the coil current. Statistical analysis was used for generating a general control equation of coil current with changing rolling speed.
An enzyme-based multi-parameter biosensor is developed for monitoring the concentration of formate, d-lactate, and l-lactate in biological samples. The sensor is based on the specific dehydrogenation by an oxidized β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent dehydrogenase (formate dehydrogenase, d-lactic dehydrogenase, and l-lactic dehydrogenase, respectively) in combination with a diaphorase from Clostridium kluyveri (EC 1.8.1.4). The enzymes are immobilized on a platinum working electrode by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde (GA). The principle of the determination scheme in case of l-lactate is as follows: l-lactic dehydrogenase (l-LDH) converts l-lactate into pyruvate by reaction with NAD+. In the presence of hexacyanoferrate(III), the resulting reduced β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) is then regenerated enzymatically by diaphorase. The electrochemical detection is based on the current generated by oxidation of hexacyanoferrate(II) at an applied potential of +0.3 V vs. an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The biosensor will be electrochemically characterized in terms of linear working range and sensitivity. Additionally, the successful practical application of the sensor is demonstrated in an extract from maize silage.
Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogel films with incorporated graphene oxide (GO) were developed and tested as light-stimulated actuators. GO dispersions were synthesized via Hummers method and characterized toward their optical properties and photothermal energy conversion. The hydrogels were prepared by means of photopolymerization. In addition, the influence of GO within the hydrogel network on the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The optical absorbance and the response to illumination were determined as a function of GO concentration for thin hydrogel films. A proof of principle for the stimulation with light was performed.