Membrane Electrospray Ionization for Direct Ultrasensitive Biomarker Quantitation in Biofluids Using Mass Spectrometry

The ability of rapid biomarker quantitation in raw biological samples would expand the application of mass spectrometry in clinical diagnosis. Up until now, the conventional chromatography–mass spectrometry method is time-consuming in both sample preparation and chromatography separation processes, while ambient ionization methods normally suffer from sensitivity. The membrane electrospray ionization (MESI) introduced in this study could not only achieve sensitive biomolecule quantitation, but also minimize the sample handling process. As a unique feature of MESI, both vertical and horizontal chemical separations could be achieved in real-time. With the capability of mass-selectively minimizing matrix effects from salts, small molecules, and macromolecules, ultrasensitive detection of cytochrome C (>500-fold sensitivity improvement) in raw urine samples was demonstrated in less than 20 min

Investigation on PTO control of a combined axisymmetric buoy-WEC(CAB-WEC)

The Combined Axisymmetric Buoy (CAB), a vertical axisymmetric buoy, has the potential to deliver a high energy absorption power. Considering the CAB-Wave Energy Converters (WEC), in order to achieve higher efficiency, the Power Take Off (PTO) systems, which converts the float motion into energy output, needs to be properly controlled. In this paper, a PTO control method for a CAB-WEC under irregular wave conditions is proposed. Based on the semi-analytical solution obtained in the time domain, a numerical optimization is carried out. The optimal PTO damping coefficients under different wave conditions are obtained, by considering the parameter defined as “capture width ratio”. The expression of the optimal PTO damping coefficient in the frequency domain is derived by an analytical method. Based on the semi-analytical solution of time domain dynamic characteristics and analytical method, a comparison between frequency domain optimization and time domain optimization is presented. In general, the two approaches arrive to very similar conclusions, even if with the time domain methodology a slightly higher capture width ratio is achieved. The experimental results have been used to validate the time domain optimization method and the variation in optimal average capture width ratio results

Yellow Emission Obtained by Combination of Broadband Emission and Multi-Peak Emission in Garnet Structure Na2YMg2V3O12: Dy3+ Phosphor

The fabrication and luminescent performance of novel phosphors Na2YMg2V3O12:Dy3+ were investigated by a conventional solid-state reaction method. Under near-UV light, the Na2YMg2V3O12 host self-activated and released a broad emission band (400–700 nm, with a peak at 524 nm) ascribable to charge transfer in the (VO4)3− groups. Meanwhile, the Na2YMg2V3O12:Dy3+ phosphors emitted bright yellow light within both the broad emission band of the (VO4)3- groups and the sharp peaks of the Dy3+ ions at 490, 582, and 663 nm at a quenching concentration of 0.03 mol. The emission of the as-prepared Na2YMg2V3O12:Dy3+ phosphors remained stable at high temperatures. The obtained phosphors, commercial Y2O3:Eu3+ red phosphors, and BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+ blue phosphors were packed into a white light-emitting diode (WLED) device with a near-UV chip. The designed WLED emitted bright white light with good chromaticity coordinates (0.331, 0.361), satisfactory color rendering index (80.2), and proper correlation to a color temperature (7364 K). These results indicate the potential utility of Na2YMg2V3O12:Dy3+ phosphor as a yellow-emitting phosphor in solid-state illumination