This book reviews the development, characterization and applications of aptamers in different areas of biotechnology ranging from therapeutics to diagnostics and protein purification. Hailed as chemical antibodies, these single-stranded nucleic acid receptors were predicted to supersede antibodies in traditional assays, such as ELISA, within a short time. While this has yet to happen, readers will find in this book a deep insight into the progress of aptamer technology and a critical discussion about the limitations that need to be overcome in order to find wider acceptance and use outside of the still relatively small aptamer-community. This book covers all aspects of aptamer generation and application for the aptamer-experienced reader and curious novice alike, with the addition of an industry perspective on the future of aptamer-use in biotechnology.

Bonding Theory for Metals and Alloys exhorts the potential existence of covalent bonding in metals and alloys. Through the recognition of the covalent bond in coexistence with the 'free' electron band, the book describes and demonstrates how the many experimental observations on metals and alloys can all be reconciled. Subsequently, it shows how the individual view of metals and alloys by physicists, chemists and metallurgists can be unified. The physical phenomena of metals and alloys covered in this book are: Miscibility Gap between two liquid metals; Phase Equilibrium Diagrams; Phenomenon of Melting. Superconductivity; Nitinol; A Metal-Alloy with Memory; Mechanical Properties; Liquid Metal Embrittlement; Superplasticity; Corrosion; The author introduces a new theory based on 'Covalon' conduction, which forms the basis for a new approach to the theory of superconductivity. This new approach not only explains the many observations made on the phenomenon of superconductivity but also makes predictions that have been confirmed.
* Openly recognizes the electrons as the most important and the only factor in understanding metals and alloys
* Proposes "Covalon" conduction theory, which carries current in covalent bonded pairs
* Investigates phase diagrams both from theoretical and experimental point of view

This book was developed with the goal of providing an easily understood text for those users of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) who have little or no background in the area. The SEM is routinely used to study the surface structure and chemistry of a wide range of biological and synthetic materials at the micrometer to nanometer scale. Ease-of-use, typically facile sample preparation, and straightforward image interpretation, combined with high resolution, high depth of field, and the ability to undertake microchemical and crystallographic analysis, has made scanning electron microscopy one of the most powerful and versatile techniques for characterization today. Indeed, the SEM is a vital tool for the characterization of nanostructured materials and the development of nanotechnology. However, its wide use by professionals with diverse technical backgrounds-including life science, materials science, engineering, forensics, mineralogy, etc., and in various sectors of government, industry, and academia-emphasizes the need for an introductory text providing the basics of effective SEM imaging.A Beginners' Guide to Scanning Electron Microscopy explains instrumentation, operation, image interpretation and sample preparation in a wide ranging yet succinct and practical text, treating the essential theory of specimen-beam interaction and image formation in a manner that can be effortlessly comprehended by the novice SEM user. This book provides a concise and accessible introduction to the essentials of SEM includes a large number of illustrations specifically chosen to aid readers' understanding of key concepts highlights recent advances in instrumentation, imaging and sample preparation techniques offers examples drawn from a variety of applications that appeal to professionals from diverse backgrounds.

Frontiers and Advances in Molecular Spectroscopy once again brings together the most eminent scientists from around the world to describe their work at the cutting-edge of molecular spectroscopy. Much of what we know about atoms, molecules and the nature of matter has been obtained using spectroscopy over the last one hundred years or so. Going far beyond the topics discussed in Jaan Laane's earlier book on the subject, these chapters describe new methodologies and applications, instrumental developments and theory, which are taking spectroscopy into still new frontiers. The robust range of topics once again demonstrates the wide utility of spectroscopic techniques. New topics include ultrafast spectroscopy of the transition state, SERS/far-uv spectroscopy, femtosecond coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and biosensors, vibrational optical activity, ultrafast two-dimensional spectroscopy, biology with x-ray lasers, isomerization dynamics and hydrogen bonding, single molecule imaging, spectra of intermediates, matrix isolation spectroscopy and more.

The series Topics in Current Chemistry Collections presents critical reviews from the journal Topics in Current Chemistry organized in topical volumes. The scope of coverage is all areas of chemical science including the interfaces with related disciplines such as biology, medicine and materials science. The goal of each thematic volume is to give the non-specialist reader, whether in academia or industry, a comprehensive insight into an area where new research is emerging which is of interest to a larger scientific audience. Each review within the volume critically surveys one aspect of that topic and places it within the context of the volume as a whole. The most significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years are presented using selected examples to illustrate the principles discussed. The coverage is not intended to be an exhaustive summary of the field or include large quantities of data, but should rather be conceptual, concentrating on the methodological thinking that will allow the non-specialist reader to understand the information presented. Contributions also offer an outlook on potential future developments in the field.

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the methods and variety of Kelvin probe force microscopy, including technical details. It also offers an overview of the recent developments and numerous applications, ranging from semiconductor materials, nanostructures and devices to sub-molecular and atomic scale electrostatics. In the last 25 years, Kelvin probe force microscopy has developed from a specialized technique applied by a few scanning probe microscopy experts into a tool used by numerous research and development groups around the globe. This sequel to the editors' previous volume "Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy: Measuring and Compensating Electrostatic Forces," presents new and complementary topics. It is intended for a broad readership, from undergraduate students to lab technicians and scanning probe microscopy experts who are new to the field.

This book describes advanced research on the structures and photochemical properties of polyatomic molecules and molecular clusters having various functionalities under cold gas-phase conditions. Target molecules are crown ethers, polypeptides, large size protonated clusters, metal clusters, and other complex polyatomic molecules of special interest. A variety of advanced frequency and time-domain laser spectroscopic methods are applied. The book begins with the principle of an experimental setup for cold gas-phase molecules and various laser spectroscopic methods, followed by chapters on investigation of specific molecular systems. Through a molecular-level approach and analysis by quantum chemical calculation, it is possible to learn how atomic and molecular-level interactions (van der Waals, hydrogen-bonding, and others) control the specific properties of molecules and clusters. Those properties include molecular recognition, induced fitting, chirality, proton and hydrogen transfer, isomerization, and catalytic reaction. The information will be applicable to the design of new types of functional molecules and nanoparticles in the broad area that includes applied chemistry, drug delivery systems, and catalysts.

This book provides deep insight into the physical quantity known as chemical activity. The author probes deep into classical thermodynamics in Part I, and then into statistical thermodynamics in Part II, to provide the necessary background. The treatment has been streamlined by placing some background material in appendices. Chemical Activity is of interest not only to those in chemical thermodynamics, but also to chemical engineers working with mass transfer and its applications - for example, separation methods.

Basic Laboratory Methods for Biotechnology, Third Edition is a versatile textbook that provides students with a solid foundation to pursue employment in the biotech industry and can later serve as a practical reference to ensure success at each stage in their career. The authors focus on basic principles and methods while skillfully including recent innovations and industry trends throughout. Fundamental laboratory skills are emphasized, and boxed content provides step by step laboratory method instructions for ease of reference at any point in the students' progress. Worked through examples and practice problems and solutions assist student comprehension. Coverage includes safety practices and instructions on using common laboratory instruments. Key Features: Provides a valuable reference for laboratory professionals at all stages of their careers. Focuses on basic principles and methods to provide students with the knowledge needed to begin a career in the Biotechnology industry. Describes fundamental laboratory skills. Includes laboratory scenario-based questions that require students to write or discuss their answers to ensure they have mastered the chapter content. Updates reflect recent innovations and regulatory requirements to ensure students stay up to date. Tables, a detailed glossary, practice problems and solutions, case studies and anecdotes provide students with the tools needed to master the content. To succeed in the lab, it is crucial to be comfortable with the math calculations that are part of everyday work. This accessible introduction to common laboratory techniques focuses on the basics, helping even readers with good math skills to practice the most frequently encountered types of problems. Basic Laboratory Calculations for Biotechnology, Second Edition discusses very common laboratory problems, all applied to real situations. It explores multiple strategies for solving problems for a better understanding of the underlying math. Primarily organized around laboratory applications, the book begins with more general topics and moves into more specific biotechnology laboratory techniques at the end. This book features hundreds of practice problems, all with solutions and many with boxed, complete explanations; plus hundreds of "story problems" relating to real situations in the lab. Additional features include: Discusses common laboratory problems with all material applied to real situations Presents multiple strategies for solving problems help students to better understand the underlying math Provides hundreds of practice problems and their solutions Enables students to complete the material in a self-paced course structure with little teacher assistance Includes hundreds of "story problems"that relate to real situations encountered in the laboratory

The participation in interlaboratory studies and the use of Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) are widely recognised tools for the verification of the accuracy of analytical measurements and they form an integral part of quality control systems used by many laboratories, e.g. in accreditation schemes. As a response to the need to improve the quality of environmental analysis, the European Commission has been active in the past fifteen years, through BCR activity (now renamed Standards, Measurements and Testing Programme) in the organisation of series of interlaboratory studies involving expert laboratories in various analytical fields (inorganic, trace organic and speciation analysis applied to a wide variety of environmental matrices). The BCR and its successor have the task of helping European laboratories to improve the quality of measurements in analytical sectors which are vital for the European Union (biomedical, agriculture, food, environment and industry); these are most often carried out in support of EC regulations, industrial needs, trade, monitoring activities (including environment, agriculture, health and safety) and, more generally, when technical difficulties hamper a good comparability of data among EC laboratories. The collaborative projects carried out so far have placed the BCR in the position of second world CRM producer (after NIST in the USA).

"Interlaboratory Studies and Certification of Reference Materials for Environmental Analysis" gives an account of the importance of reference materials for the quality control of environmental analysis and describes in detail the procedures followed by BCR to prepare environmental reference materials, including aspects related to sampling, stabilization, homogenisation, homogeneity and stability testing, establishment of reference (or certified) values, and use of reference materials. Examples of environmental CRMs produced by BCR within the last 15 years are given, which represent more than 70 CRMs covering different types of materials (plants, biological materials, waters, sediments, soils and sludges, coals, ash and dust materials) certified for a range of chemical parameters (major and trace elements, chemical species, PAHs, PCBs, pesticides and dioxins).

The final section of the book describes how to organise improvement schemes for the evaluation method and/or laboratory performance. Examples of interlaboratory studies (learning scheme, proficiency testing and intercomparison in support to prenormative research) are also given.

This book focuses on the topological fermion condensation quantum phase transition (FCQPT), a phenomenon that reveals the complex behavior of all strongly correlated Fermi systems, such as heavy fermion metals, quantum spin liquids, quasicrystals, and two-dimensional systems, considering these as a new state of matter. The book combines theoretical evaluations with arguments based on experimental grounds demonstrating that the entirety of very different strongly correlated Fermi systems demonstrates a universal behavior induced by FCQPT. In contrast to the conventional quantum phase transition, whose physics in the quantum critical region are dominated by thermal or quantum fluctuations and characterized by the absence of quasiparticles, the physics of a Fermi system near FCQPT are controlled by a system of quasiparticles resembling the Landau quasiparticles. The book discusses the modification of strongly correlated systems under the action of FCQPT, representing the "missing" instability, which paves the way for developing an entirely new approach to condensed matter theory; and presents this physics as a new method for studying many-body objects. Based on the authors' own theoretical investigations, as well as salient theoretical and experimental studies conducted by others, the book is well suited for both students and researchers in the field of condensed matter physics.

The different LC-MS techniques available today were developed to suit specific analytical needs and the application range covered by each one is wide, but still limited. GC amenable compounds can be all analyzed with a single GC-MS system whereas HPLC applications call for specific LC-MS instrumental arrangements. ESI, APCI, APPI, and EI are ionization techniques that can be combined with different analyzers, in single or tandem configuration, to create the ultimate system for a certain application. Once approaching LC-MS for a specific need, the fast technical evolution and the variegated commercial offer can induce confusion in the potential user.
The role of this book is to enlighten the state-of-the-art of LC-MS evolution through a series of contributions written by the people that brought major, recent innovations in the field. Each chapter will take into consideration the novelties, the advantages and the possible applications covered by a particular technical solution. The book will also include new analytical methods that can provide benefits using the most recent innovations in LC-MS plus a certain number of key applications.
- Contains contributions from major innovators in the field
- Covers the latest developments in the field of LC-MS
- Gives a clear outline on the advantages of various techniques and their applications

This is the first book covering an interdisciplinary field between microwave spectroscopy of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) or electron spin resonance (ESR) and chronology science, radiation dosimetry and ESR (EPR) imaging in material sciences. The main object is to determine the elapsed time with ESR from forensic medicine to the age and radiation dose in earth and space science. This book is written primarily for earth scientists as well as for archaeologists and for physicists and chemists interested in new applications of the method. This book can serve as an undergraduate and graduate school textbook on applications of ESR to geological and archaeological dating, radiation dosimetry and microscopic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Introduction to ESR and chronology science and principle of ESR dating and dosimetry are described with applications to actual problems according to materials.

UV-Visible Spectrophotometry of Water and Wastewater, Second Edition, represents an update to the first book dedicated to the use of UV spectrophotometry for water and wastewater quality monitoring. Using practical examples, the book illustrates how this technique can be a source of new methods of characterization and measurement. Easy and fast to run, this simple and robust analytical technique must be considered as one of the best ways to obtain a quantitative estimation of specific or aggregate parameters (e.g., Nitrate, TOC) and simultaneously qualitative information on the global composition of water and its variation. This second edition presents the current methods and applications for water quality monitoring based on UV spectra, including the most recent works and developments. After the introduction of the basics for UV spectrophotometry understanding, the applications of UV measurement are presented, both from the family of chemicals and water quality parameters and from the type of water. Writing from years of experience in the development and applications of UV systems and from scientific and technical works, the authors provide several useful examples showing the great interest of UV spectrophotometry for water quality monitoring. At the end of the book, the UV spectra library of the first edition is updated with dozens of new chemicals of interest.

This volume compiles and discusses the fundamental and multidisciplinary knowledge on adsorption and separation processes using zeolites as adsorbents. Over the last decade, a large amount of research has been carried out for the development of zeolites as adsorbents. However, there is still a growing interest to increase the understanding of such selective adsorbents. Therefore, synthesis strategies and new approaches for developing new selective zeolite adsorbents for gas separation are presented in the first chapter. In addition, a chapter focused on adsorption characterization techniques of microporous materials is included. This will be helpful for advanced readers, since the new IUPAC recommendations for microporous characterization are not still widely employed by the zeolite community. Experimental and theoretical aspects of economically and environmentally relevant separations, which have been successfully carried out with zeolites, are discussed in detail in subsequent chapters. Finally, industrial zeolite based adsorption and separation processes as well as current perspectives for new zeolite based separations, and improvements of current technologies are presented.

This book outlines the current status of the environment in the Republic of Adygea in Russia. The book assesses the environmental conditions, ecological state, climate and vegetation change, anthropogenic loads to soil, water and atmosphere as well as highlighting the potential of water resources, renewable energy and development of tourism, agriculture and industry in this region. It also presents the mechanisms of legal, ecological and economic regulation and environmental insurance in the Republic of Adygea. This book introduces the Republic of Adygea to readers who are not familiar with the Republic and its beautiful landscapes, history and people. It offers a valuable source of information for a broad readership, from students and scientists interested in environmental sciences, to policymakers and practitioners working in the fields of environmental policy and management.

Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy III, Volume 140, a new volume in the Methods in Cell Biology series, continues the legacy of this premier serial with quality chapters authored by leaders in the field. Topics discussed in this new release include Millisecond time-resolved CLEM, Super resolution LM und SEM of high-pressure frozen C. elegans, Preservation fluorescence, super res CLEM, APEX in Tissue, Corrsight mit IBIDI flowthrough chamber, Correlative Light Atomic Force Electronic Microscopy (CLAFEM), Atmospheric EM CLEM, and High-precision correlation, amongst other topics. Chapters in this ongoing series deal with different approaches for analyzing the same specimen using more than one imaging technique. The strengths and application area of each is presented, with this volume exploring the aspects of sample preparation of diverse biological systems for different CLEM approaches.

In this book, the author provides expert analysis on naturally occurring iridoids, their chemistry and their distribution in plants and insects. Particular attention is given to the pharmacology of iridoids and their prospective applications in pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. Iridoids are found in a wide variety of plants and some insects, and they are structurally derived from monoterpenoid natural products. In the first two chapters of this book, the author describes the iridoids classification, occurrence and distribution in plants and insects. The following chapters cover different chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques that can be used to identify and quantify iridoids in herbal formulations, and also the biosynthesis of iridoids, in which the reader will discover a metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis to identify the genes involved in the biosynthesis. The final chapters provide insights on several pharmacological activities of iridoids, their physiological role in insects, pharmacokinetics in mammals, insects and microorganisms, and their applications in medicine and agriculture. This book will engage students and researchers interested in the chemistry of natural products, and it will also appeal to medicinal chemists and practitioners working in the design of new herbal drugs with bioactive pure iridoids.

This book offers comprehensive information on the developments and applications of the solid phase microextraction (SPME) technique. The first part of the book briefly introduces readers to the fundamentals of SPME, while subsequent sections describe the applications of SPME technique in detail, including environmental analysis (air, water, soil/sediments), food analysis (volatile/nonvolatile compounds), and bioanalysis (plants, animal tissues, body fluids). The advantages and future challenges of the SPME technique are also discussed. Including recent research advances and further developments of SPME, the book offers a practical reference guide and a valuable resource for researchers and users of SPME techniques. The target audience includes analytical chemists, environmental scientists, biological scientists, material scientists, and analysts, as well as students at universities/institutes in related fields. Dr. Gangfeng Ouyang is a Professor at the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, China. Dr. Ruifen Jiang is an Associate Professor at the School of Environment, Jinan University, China.

Although originally invented and employed by physicists, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy has proven to be a very efficient technique for studying a wide range of phenomena in many fields, such as chemistry, biochemistry, geology, archaeology, medicine, biotechnology, and environmental sciences. Acknowledging that not all studies require the same level of understanding of this technique, this book thus provides a practical treatise clearly oriented toward applications, which should be useful to students and researchers of various levels and disciplines. In this book, the principles of continuous wave EPR spectroscopy are progressively, but rigorously, introduced, with emphasis on interpretation of the collected spectra. Each chapter is followed by a section highlighting important points for applications, together with exercises solved at the end of the book. A glossary defines the main terms used in the book, and particular topics, whose knowledge is not required for understanding the main text, are developed in appendices for more inquisitive readers.

This book is intended to provide a course of infrared spectroscopy for quantitative analysis, covering both bulk matter and surface/interface analyses. Although the technology of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was established many years ago, the full potential of infrared spectroscopy has not been properly recognized, and its intrinsic potential is still put aside. FT-IR has outstandingly useful characteristics, however, represented by the high sensitivity for monolayer analysis, highly reliable quantitativity, and reproducibility, which are quite suitable for surface and interface analysis. Because infrared spectroscopy provides rich chemical information-for example, hydrogen bonding, molecular conformation, orientation, aggregation, and crystallinity-FT-IR should be the first choice of chemical analysis in a laboratory. In this book, various analytical techniques and basic knowledge of infrared spectroscopy are described in a uniform manner. In particular, techniques for quantitative understanding are particularly focused for the reader's convenience.

This thesis reports on essential experimental work in the field of novel two-dimensional (2D) atomic crystals beyond graphene. It especially describes three new 2D crystal materials, namely germanene, hafnene, and monolayer PtSe2 fabricated experimentally for the first time, using an ultra-high vacuum molecular beam epitaxy (UHV-MBE) system. Multiple characterization techniques, including scanning tunneling microscope (STM), low energy electron diffraction (LEED), scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM), and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), combined with theoretical studies reveal the materials' atomic and electronic structures, which allows the author to further investigate their physical properties and potential applications. In addition, a new epitaxial growth method for transition metal dichalcogenides involving direct selenization of metal supports is developed. These studies represent a significant step forward in expanding the family of 2D crystal materials and exploring their application potentials in future nanotechnology and related areas.