Low-Cost and Affordable Thermistor-Based Wideband Sub-THz Detector with Dielectric Waveguide Coupling.

Bolometric detection of electromagnetic radiation is a well-established method in a wide frequency range, from millimeter waves through the terahertz region up to infrared. Fabrication of such a detector is often an expensive and demanding process. We propose a simple device based on a commercially available thermistor as a sensing element.

Impact of Venlafaxine on Platelet Count and Activity-Case Report and Narrative Review.

Venlafaxine (VEN) is considered to be one of the most effective antidepressants. It belongs to the group of serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA) reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). NA and 5-HT have receptors on the surface of platelets and are involved in platelet aggregation.

Sense of taste in patients after cochlear implantation-preliminary study.

Background: Taste is the leading sense in how we determine the quality of consumed food. Proper gustatory sensation largely determines the well-being and health of an organism, and this affects their quality of life.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to estimate the risk of early taste disorders following implantation surgery.

Insights into Primary Ion Exchange between Ion-Selective Membranes and Solution. From Altering Natural Isotope Ratios to Isotope Dilution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry Studies.

Although ion-selective electrodes have been routinely used for decades now, there are still gaps in experimental evidence regarding how these sensors operate. This especially applies to the exchange of primary ions occurring for systems already containing analyte ions from the pretreatment step. Herein, for the first time, we present an insight into this process looking at the effect of altered ratios of naturally occurring analyte isotopes and achieving isotopic equilibrium.

Effect of exogenous butyrate on the gastrointestinal tract of sheep. I. Structure and function of the rumen, omasum, and abomasum.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of exogenous butyrate on the structure and selected functions of the stomach in sheep. Eighteen rams (30.8 ± 2.

Direct determination of δ Ca isotope ratio by ion chromatography/low-resolution multicollector ICPMS.

High-precision on-line procedure for measurement of calcium isotopic ratio by coupling ion chromatography to multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was developed. Calcium separation from the sample matrix was achieved on an ion chromatography column-IonPac CS16-ID 3 mm connected with CERS 500 2 mm suppressor and followed by multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry calcium isotopic ratio determination. Dry plasma mode was used with Aridus II desolvation system.

Introducing Cobalt(II) Porphyrin/Cobalt(III) Corrole Containing Transducers for Improved Potential Reproducibility and Performance of All-Solid-State Ion-Selective Electrodes.

A novel solid contact type for all-solid-state ion-selective electrodes is introduced, yielding high stability and reproducibility of potential readings between sensors as well as improved analytical performance. The transducer phase herein proposed takes advantage of the presence of porphyrinoids containing the same metal ion at different oxidation states. In contrast to the traditional approach, the compounds of choice are not a redox pair; although they have different oxidation states, they cannot be electrochemically driven one to another.

High precision direct analysis of magnesium isotope ratio by ion chromatography/multicollector-ICPMS using wet and dry plasma conditions.

In this work the applicability of Ion Chromatography (IC) coupled to Multicollector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (MC-ICPMS) for on-line magnesium isotope ratio analysis was explored. Various instrumental setups were employed to enable continuous magnesium separation from the sample matrix by IC followed by MC-ICPMS. The performance of two separation columns IonPac CS16 (ID 5mm or ID 3mm) connected with appropriate CERS 500 suppressors (4mm or 2mm) using dry and wet plasma conditions was compared.

Bio-transformation of selenium in Se-enriched bacterial strains of Lactobacillus casei.

Background: Selenium is an element of very great importance for the proper functioning of the human body, mainly due to its antioxidant properties. Selenium exhibits a preventive effect in the case of cardiovascular disease, the immune system, male infertility and inhibits the toxic action of other agents. Selenium is important for Hashimoto's disease.

On the use of certified reference materials for assuring the quality of results for the determination of mercury in environmental samples.

This work focused on the development and validation of methodologies for the accurate determination of mercury in environmental samples and its further application for the preparation and certification of new reference materials (RMs). Two certified RMs ERM-CC580 (inorganic matrix) and ERM-CE464 (organic matrix) were used for the evaluation of digestion conditions assuring the quantitative recovery of mercury. These conditions were then used for the digestion of new candidates for the environmental RMs: bottom sediment (M_2 BotSed), herring tissue (M_3 HerTis), cormorant tissue (M_4 CormTis), and codfish muscle (M_5 CodTis).

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in comparison with neutron activation and ion chromatography with UV/VIS detection for the determination of lanthanides in plant materials.

Analytical performance of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for determination of lanthanides in plant materials was investigated and compared with neutron activation analysis (NAA) as well as ion chromatography (IC) with UV-VIS detection. Two sample preparation protocols were tested: (i) microwave assisted digestion by concentrated nitric acid; (ii) microwave digestion involving silica and fluoride removal, followed by the selective and quantitative lanthanides group separation from the plant matrix. Several Certified Reference Materials (CRM) of plant origin were used for the evaluation of the accuracy of the applied analytical procedures.

Dithizone modified gold nanoparticles films for potentiometric sensing.

For the first time, application of a membrane composed of gold nanoparticles decorated with complexing ligand for potentiometric sensing is shown. Gold nanoparticles drop cast from a solution form a porous structure on a substrate electrode surface. Sample cations can penetrate the gold nanoparticles layer and interact with ligand acting as a charged ionophore, resulting in Nernstian potentiometric responses.

Microspheres aided introduction of ionophore and ion-exchanger to the ion-selective membrane.

In this work a novel method for introduction of ionophore and ion-exchanger to the ion-selective polyacrylate based membrane is proposed. These compounds (and optionally primary ions) are introduced to polyacrylate microspheres, used to prepare ion-selective membrane. The approach proposed here can be used to prepare membranes containing primary ions equally distributed through the receptor phase, i.

Experimental study on stability of different solid contact arrangements of ion-selective electrodes.

Comparison of potentials stability of different types of solid contact lead selective electrodes is presented. Conducting polymer based sensors (hydrophilic and conducting - poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) or hydrophobic and semiconducting-polyoctylthiophene) were studied in parallel with coated wire and hydrogel (poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate)) contact electrodes. The within day and between days potential stability was compared, highlighting the effect of sensor storing conditions.

Poly(n-butyl acrylate) based lead (II) selective electrodes.

Poly(n-butyl acrylate) membranes for potentiometric ion-selective electrodes were developed and studied on example of lead-selective sensors. A novel approach resulting in Nernstian responses of tested sensor was proposed. Introduction of 5% (w/w) hydroxyethyl methacrylate into n-butyl acrylate moiety resulted in significant improvement of sensor analytical parameters.

Composite polyacrylate-poly(3,4- ethylenedioxythiophene) membranes for improved all-solid-state ion-selective sensors.

A novel type of self-plasticizing polyacrylate-based membrane was developed for all-solid-state ion-selective potentiometric electrodes. The membrane composition contains a conducting polymer (CP): poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) end capped with methacrylate groups, chemically grafted with the membrane during the photopolymerization step. This composition results in ion-selective membranes with the following advantages: lower electrical resistance compared to the CP-free membrane, facile ion-to-electron transduction between the membrane and the electrode support, controlled low activity of analyte ions, and high concentration of interferent ions (incorporated with the CP) within the membrane, potentially resulting in improved analytical parameters.

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry assisted insight into ion-selective membranes.

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to evaluate ion depth profiles across ion-selective membranes. Advantageously, this approach does not require incorporation of additional components (e.g.

Induction of unique structural changes in guanine-rich DNA regions by the triazoloacridone C-1305, a topoisomerase II inhibitor with antitumor activities.

We recently reported that the antitumor triazoloacridone, compound C-1305, is a topoisomerase II poison with unusual properties. In this study we characterize the DNA interactions of C-1305 in vitro, in comparison with other topoisomerase II inhibitors. Our results show that C-1305 binds to DNA by intercalation and possesses higher affinity for GC- than AT-DNA as revealed by surface plasmon resonance studies.

MM/PBSA analysis of molecular dynamics simulations of bovine beta-lactoglobulin: free energy gradients in conformational transitions?

The pH-driven opening and closure of beta-lactoglobulin EF loop, acting as a lid and closing the internal cavity of the protein, has been studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and free energy calculations based on molecular mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann (PB) solvent-accessible surface area (MM/PBSA) methodology. The forms above and below the transition pH differ presumably only in the protonation state of residue Glu89. MM/PBSA calculations are able to reproduce qualitatively the thermodynamics of the transition.