On the Supersymplectic Homogeneous Superspace Underlying the OSp(1/2) Coherent States

In this work we extend Onofri and Perelomov's coherent states methods to the recently introduced $OSp(1/2)$ coherent states. These latter are shown to be parametrized by points of a supersymplectic supermanifold, namely the homogeneous superspace $OSp(1/2)/U(1)$, which is clearly identified with a supercoadjoint orbit of $OSp(1/2)$ by exhibiting the corresponding equivariant supermoment map. Moreover, this supermanifold is shown to be a nontrivial example of Rothstein's supersymplectic supermanifolds. More precisely, we show that its supersymplectic structure is completely determined in terms of $SU(1,1)$-invariant (but unrelated) K\"ahler $2$-form and K\"ahler metric on the unit disc. This result allows us to define the notions of a superK\"ahler supermanifold and a superK\"ahler superpotential, the geometric structure of the former being encoded into the latter.Comment: 19 pgs, PlainTeX, Preprint CRM-185

Electroweak Phase Transition in the U(1)' MSSM

In this work, we have investigated the nature of the electroweak phase transition in the U(1) extended minimal supersymmetric standard model without introducing any exotic fields. The effective potential has been estimated exactly at finite temperature taking into account the whole particle spectrum. For reasonable values of the lightest Higgs and neutralino, we found that the electroweak phase transition could be strongly first order due to: (1) the interactions of the singlet with the doublets in the effective potential, and (2) the evolution of the wrong vacuum that delays the transition.Comment: substantial changes, references added, 18 pages, 4 figure

Glutathione amperometric detection based on a thiol-disulfide exchange reaction

Abstract A method based on a thiol-disulfide exchange reaction is proposed for glutathione detection. The method utilises a reaction between glutathione and an excess of the disulfide cystamine which produces an equimolar concentration of the thiol cysteamine. This latter is then detected at Prussian Blue modified screen printed electrodes at an applied potential of 200 mV versus Ag/AgCl. First the cysteamine analytical parameters were optimised, resulting in a detection limit of 10 −6 mol l −1 and a linear range up to 10 −4 mol l −1 . Reproducibility (R.S.D. = 7%, n = 6) and stability (more than 30 measurements with the same electrode) were satisfactory. Then the reaction between the disulfide cystamine and the thiol glutathione was optimised and a pH of 7.4 with a concentration of cystamine of 10 −2 mol l −1 was chosen as the best conditions in terms of reaction rate and sensor sensitivity. Glutathione was then measured under the optimised conditions giving a detection limit of 2 × 10 −6 mol l −1 and a linear range up to 5 × 10 −4 mol l −1 . Blood samples were also tested in order to determine the recovery of the method. Recoveries between 92 and 103% were observed for glutathione concentrations in blood ranging from 0.5 to 3 × 10 −3 mol l −1

Molecularly imprinted polymers combined with electrochemical sensors for food contaminants analysis

Detection of relevant contaminants using screening approaches is a key issue to ensure food safety and respect for the regulatory limits established. Electrochemical sensors present several advantages such as rapidity; ease of use; possibility of on-site analysis and low cost. The lack of selectivity for electrochemical sensors working in complex samples as food may be overcome by coupling them with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). MIPs are synthetic materials that mimic biological receptors and are produced by the polymerization of functional monomers in presence of a target analyte. This paper critically reviews and discusses the recent progress in MIP-based electrochemical sensors for food safety. A brief introduction on MIPs and electrochemical sensors is given; followed by a discussion of the recent achievements for various MIPs-based electrochemical sensors for food contaminants analysis. Both electropolymerization and chemical synthesis of MIP-based electrochemical sensing are discussed as well as the relevant applications of MIPs used in sample preparation and then coupled to electrochemical analysis. Future perspectives and challenges have been eventually given