Sample preparation: quo vadis?

The sample preparation step in an analytical process typically consists of an extraction procedure that results in the isolation and enrichment of components of interest from a sample matrix. Extraction can vary in degree of selectivity, speed, and convenience and depends not only on the approach and conditions used but on the geometric configurations of the extraction phase. Increased interest in sample preparation research has been generated by the introduction of nontraditional extraction technologies. These technologies address the need for reduction of solvent use, automation, and miniaturization and ultimately lead to on-site in situ and in vivo implementation. These extraction approaches are frequently easier to operate but provide optimization challenges. More fundamental knowledge is required by an analytical chemist not only about equilibrium conditions but, more importantly, about the kinetics of mass transfer in the extraction systems. Optimization of this extraction process enhances overall analysis. Proper design of the extraction devices and procedures facilitates convenient on-site implementation, integration with sampling, and separation/quantification, automation, or both. The key to rational choice, optimization, and design is an understanding of the fundamental principles governing mass transfer of analytes in multiphase systems. The objective of this perspective is to summarize the fundamental aspects of sample preparation and anticipate future developments and research needs.     

Charge-Density-Wave Pseudogap and Two-Dimensional Superconductivity Within Strong-Coupling Description

We have considered the role of charge-density-pseudogap for phonon-mediated super-conductivity on two-dimensional lattice. The propagators that enter generalized Eliashberg equations have been renormalized to account for quasi-particle energies related to the formation of the pseudogap, which has been assumed to be of d-wave symmetry. We have evaluated the superconducting transition temperature T_c as a function of doping. It occurs that T_c for d-wave symmetry well reflects experimental behavior. Our results for the isotope shift exponent show that at low doping, the presence of the pseudogap may contribute to > 1/2 as well as to > 1/2 values.     

The Dynamic Structure Factor of 4He beyond the Roton Minimum

The dynamic structure factor S( , ) of ⁴ He is studied at zero temperature in the momentum region at and above the roton minimum by field-theoretical methods. The model is derived from the Gavoret-Nozières (GN) two particle propagator by introducing the concept of quasiparticles. In this way a connection between the field theory of GN and the phenomenological models of Zawadowski-Ruvalds-Solana (ZRS) type is obtained. An improved expression for the dynamic structure factor within ZRS-like models is found. Numerical results for S( , ) are presented for momentum and energy independent effective interactions between quasiparticles.     

Unconventional fractional quantum Hall effect in monolayer and bilayer graphene

The commensurability condition is applied to determine the hierarchy of fractional fillings of Landau levels in monolayer and in bilayer graphene. The filling rates for fractional quantum Hall effect (FQHE) in graphene are found in the first three Landau levels in one-to-one agreement with the experimental data. The presence of even denominator filling fractions in the hierarchy for FQHE in bilayer graphene is explained. Experimentally observed hierarchy of FQHE in the first and second Landau levels in monolayer graphene and in the zeroth Landau level in bilayer graphene is beyond the conventional composite fermion interpretation but fits to the presented nonlocal topology commensurability condition.     

Motion planning in velocity affine mechanical systems

We address the motion planning problem in specific mechanical systems whose linear and angular velocities depend affinely on control. The configuration space of these systems encompasses the rotation group, and the motion planning involves the system orientation. Derivation of the motion planning algorithm for velocity affine systems has been inspired by the continuation method. Performance of this algorithm is illustrated with examples of the kinematics of a serial nonholonomic manipulator, the plate-ball kinematics and the attitude control of a rigid body.     

Extended Jacobian inverse kinematics algorithm for nonholonomic mobile robots

By a generalization of the well-known extended Jacobian method for stationary manipulators, we derive the extended Jacobian inverse kinematics algorithm for nonholonomic mobile robots. Key points of the derivation consist in defining the kinematics of a mobile robot as the end-point map of a driftless control system, decomposing the space of control functions of this system into a finite and an infinite dimensional subspaces, and introducing an augmenting kinematics map subordinated to this decomposition. The original kinematics and the augmenting kinematics constitute the extended kinematics. The inverse Jacobian of the extended kinematics defines the extended Jacobian inverse kinematics algorithm. By design, the algorithm is repeatable. As an example, we derive a specific extended Jacobian inverse kinematics algorithm and illustrate its performance with the computer simulations.     

Subcellular Localization of Acyl-CoA: Lysophosphatidylethanolamine Acyltransferases (LPEATs) and the Effects of Knocking-Out and Overexpression of Their Genes on Autophagy Markers Level and Life Span of A. thaliana

Arabidopsis thaliana possesses two acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylethanolamine acyltransferases, LPEAT1 and LPEAT2, which are encoded by At1g80950 and At2g45670 genes, respectively. Both single lpeat2 mutant and double lpeat1 lpeat2 mutant plants exhibit a variety of conspicuous phenotypes, including dwarfed growth. Confocal microscopic analysis of tobacco suspension-cultured cells transiently transformed with green fluorescent protein-tagged versions of LPEAT1 or LPEAT2 revealed that LPEAT1 is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), whereas LPEAT2 is localized to both Golgi and late endosomes. Considering that the primary product of the reaction catalyzed by LPEATs is phosphatidylethanolamine, which is known to be covalently conjugated with autophagy-related protein ATG8 during a key step of the formation of autophagosomes, we investigated the requirements for LPEATs to engage in autophagic activity in Arabidopsis. Knocking out of either or both LPEAT genes led to enhanced accumulation of the autophagic adaptor protein NBR1 and decreased levels of both ATG8a mRNA and total ATG8 protein. Moreover, we detected significantly fewer membrane objects in the vacuoles of lpeat1 lpeat2 double mutant mesophyll cells than in vacuoles of control plants. However, contrary to what has been reported on autophagy deficient plants, the lpeat mutants displayed a prolonged life span compared to wild type, including delayed senescence.     

Genetic Variability in DNA Repair Proteins in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

The pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is complex and involves interactions between environmental and genetic factors, with oxidative stress playing an important role inducing damage in biomolecules, including DNA. Therefore, genetic variability in the components of DNA repair systems may influence the ability of the cell to cope with oxidative stress and in this way contribute to the pathogenesis of AMD. However, few reports have been published on this subject so far. We demonstrated that the c.977C>G polymorphism (rs1052133) in the hOGG1 gene and the c.972G>C polymorphism (rs3219489) in the MUTYH gene, the products of which play important roles in the repair of oxidatively damaged DNA, might be associated with the risk of AMD. Oxidative stress may promote misincorporation of uracil into DNA, where it is targeted by several DNA glycosylases. We observed that the g.4235T>C (rs2337395) and c.–32A>G (rs3087404) polymorphisms in two genes encoding such glycosylases, UNG and SMUG1, respectively, could be associated with the occurrence of AMD. Polymorphisms in some other DNA repair genes, including XPD (ERCC2), XRCC1 and ERCC6 (CSB) have also been reported to be associated with AMD. These data confirm the importance of the cellular reaction to DNA damage, and this may be influenced by variability in DNA repair genes, in AMD pathogenesis.     

Odor active compounds content in spices and their microencapsulated powders measured by SPME

Within this study, main odorants of marjoram and thyme (linalool and thymol) were determined in spices and microencapsulated powders using solid-phase microextraction (SPME). Analyses were conducted on selected batches of spices before and after decontamination and on microencapsulated powders prepared for technological purposes (improvement of aroma in decontaminated spices). Conditions of SPME analyses were determined for individual compounds and matrices. Determination of total and surface contents of compounds and the percentage dependencies between encapsulated and surface aroma made it possible to identify the best powders in terms of their quality.     

Exergy Identification Of Energy Utilization Efficiency In an Industrial Process of Ozone Generation

The main objective of the paper is to establish an arrangement of sources of exergy losses (internal and external ones) and to estimate the value of the losses in an industrial ozone production installation. An exergetic model of industrial installation in a system approach corresponding to real conditions has been formulated.