Spectral analysis in ultraweak emissions of chemi- and electrochemiluminescence systems

Investigation of ultraweak emissions in the processes of chemiluminescence, CL, and electrochemiluminesce, ECL, requires special techniques of their recording and spectral analysis. From among the hitherto proposed methods of detection of the emission spectra of these processes, that of the cut-off filter was most sensitive. The usefulness of this method in interpretation of the CL and ECL systems of the quantum yields in the range 1×10⁻⁹−1×10⁻¹¹ containing ions and complexes of Eu(III), Tb(III) and Dy(III) was shown. Exceptional character of the emission bands of lanthanide ions, being a result of the f-f electron transitions and in particular their low FWHM, permitted the application of the cut-off filter method to their analysis. The results obtained for CL and ECL on the basis of analysis of ultraweak emission proved to be successful in analytical applications. The systems containing Eu(III) ions hydrated or complexed with organic ligands enabled inferring changes in the coordination sphere of the ions.     

Structural defects in PbMoO4 single crystals doped with Co ions

Pure and Co-doped PbMoO₄ crystals, were studied using reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED), optical and dielectric methods. The calculated lattice constants for PbMoO₄:Co (0.2 mol%) were determined as being equal to: a = 5.54 ± 0.05 Å and c = 11.96 ± 0.05 Å. The absorption spectra of “as grown” and annealed pure and Co-doped PbMoO₄ crystals were examined. The results of dielectric measurements gave the conductivity activation energy of highly Co-doped PbMoO₄ crystals (0.5 and 1.0 mol%) equal to 0.40 and 0.46 eV, respectively.     

Technical foundations for noninvasive assessment of changes in the width of the subarachnoid space with near-infrared transillumination-backscattering sounding (NIR-TBSS)

This paper presents technical foundations for a new technique of near-infrared transillumination-backscattering sounding, which is designed to enable noninvasive detection and monitoring of changes in the width of the subarachnoid space (SAS) and magnitude of cerebrovascular pulsation in humans. The key novelty of the technique is elimination of influence of blood flow in the scalp on the signals received from two infrared sensors-proximal and distal. A dedicated digital algorithm is used to estimate on line the ratio of the powers of received signals, referred to as two-sensor distal-to-proximal received power quotient, TQ (t). The propagation duct for NIR radiation reaching the distal sensor is the SAS filled with translucent cerebrospinal fluid. Information on slow fluctuations of the average width of the SAS is contained in the slow-variable part of the TQ (t), called the subcardiac component, and in TQ itself. Variations in frequency and magnitude of faster oscillations of the width of that space around the baseline value, dependent on cerebrovascular pulsation, are reflected in instantaneous frequency and envelope of the fast-variable component. Frequency and magnitude of the cerebrovascular pulsation depend on the action of the heart, so this fast-variable component is referred to as the cardiac component.     

Protein kinase C regulates a vesicular class of calcium channels in the bag cell neurons of aplysia

Protein kinase C (PKC) acutely increases calcium currents in Aplysia bag cell neurons by recruiting calcium channels different from those constitutively active in the plasma membrane. To study the mechanism of PKC regulation we previously identified two calcium channel alpha1-subunits expressed in bag cell neurons. One of these, BC-alpha1A, is localized to vesicles concentrated primarily in somata and growth cones. We used antibodies to BC-alpha1A to analyze its expression in the bag cell neurons of juvenile Aplysia at a developmental stage at which PKC-sensitive calcium currents have previously been shown to be low. We find that vesicular BC-alpha1A staining is generally reduced in juvenile bag cell neurons but that its expression level can vary among juvenile animals. In 17 bag cell clusters examined, the percentage of neurons that displayed punctate alphaBC-alpha1A staining ranged from 0 to 85%. Sampling of calcium currents from cells of the same clusters by whole cell patch-clamp techniques revealed that the PKC-sensitive calcium current density is significantly correlated with the degree of vesicular staining. In contrast, no correlation of basal calcium current levels with aBC-alpha1A staining was found. These results strongly suggest that BC-alpha1A, a member of the ABE-subfamily of calcium channels, carries the PKC-sensitive calcium current in bag cell neurons. They are consistent with a model in which PKC recruits channels from the vesicular pool to the plasma membrane.     

Microanalysis of Pd and V-doped TiO2 thin films prepared by sputtering

Thin films of TiO₂ doped with vanadium and palladium, prepared by the magnetron sputtering method, were studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Disperse Spectrometer (SEM-EDS) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Investigations have brought important information about microstructure due to dopant incorporation in the TiO₂ host lattice. Directly after deposition thin films were XRD-amorphous and SEM investigations did not reveal details on the microstructure. Analysis of the topography of prepared thin films required application of Atomic Force Microscope. The AFM images show that as-deposited sample was dense with grain sizes varied in the range of 5.5 nm-10 nm, that indicated high quality nanocrystalline behavior. Additional annealing results in the formation of three phases in the thin film, e.g. (Ti,V)O₂ — solid solution, PdO and metallic inclusions of Pd. SEM-EDS system allowed analysis of the elemental composition, especially the V one, which lines have not been evidenced in the XRD diffraction pattern. EDS maps show homogenous distribution of elements Ti, O, V, Pd in prepared thin films.