Precision Of Concentration Measurements Research Articles

Trading bits in the readout from a genetic network

In the regulation of gene expression, information of relevance to the organism is represented by the concentrations of transcription factor molecules. To extract this information the cell must effectively "measure" these concentrations, but there are physical limits to the precision of these measurements. We use the gap gene network in the early fly embryo as an example of the tradeoff between the precision of concentration measurements and the transmission of relevant information. For thresholded measurements we find that lower thresholds are more important, and fine tuning is not required for near-optimal information transmission. We then consider general sensors, constrained only by a limit on their information capacity, and find that thresholded sensors can approach true information theoretic optima. The information theoretic approach allows us to identify the optimal sensor for the entire gap gene network and to argue that the physical limitations of sensing necessitate the observed multiplicity of enhancer elements, with sensitivities to combinations rather than single transcription factors.

The Measurement of Nanoparticle Concentrations by the Method of Microcavity Mode Broadening Rate

A measurement system for the detection of a low concentration of nanoparticles based on optical microcavities with whispering-gallery modes (WGMs) is developed and investigated. A novel method based on the WGM broadening allows us to increase the precision of concentration measurements up to 0.005 ppm for nanoparticles of a known size. We describe WGM microcavity manufacturing and quality control methods. The collective interaction process of suspended Ag nanoparticles in a liquid and TiO2 in the air with a microcavity surface is studied.

Spectral theory of fluctuations in time-average statistical mechanics of reversible and driven systems

We present a spectral-theoretic approach to time-average statistical mechanics for general, non-equilibrium initial conditions. We consider the statistics of bounded, local additive functionals of reversible as well as irreversible ergodic stochastic dynamics with continuous or discrete state-space. We derive exact results for the mean, fluctuations and correlations of time average observables from the eigenspectrum of the underlying generator of Fokker-Planck or master equation dynamics, and discuss the results from a physical perspective. Feynman-Kac formulas are re-derived using It\^o calculus and combined with non-Hermitian perturbation theory. The emergence of the universal central limit law in a spectral representation is shown explicitly on large deviation time-scales. For reversible dynamics with equilibrated initial conditions we derive a general upper bound to fluctuations of occupation measures in terms of an integral of the return probability. Simple, exactly solvable examples are analyzed to demonstrate how to apply the theory. As a biophysical example we revisit the Berg-Purcell problem on the precision of concentration measurements by a single receptor. Our results are directly applicable to a diverse range of phenomena underpinned by time-average observables and additive functionals in physical, chemical, biological, and economical systems.

A method for stable carbon isotope ratio and concentration measurements of ambient aromatic hydrocarbons

Abstract. A technique for compound-specific analysis of stable carbon isotope ratios and concentration of ambient volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is presented. It is based on selective VOC sampling onto adsorbent-filled cartridges by passing large volumes of air (up to 80 L) through the cartridge. The hydrocarbons are recovered by thermal desorption followed by two-step cryogenic trapping and then are separated by gas chromatography in the laboratory. Once separated, individual VOCs are subjected to online oxidation in a combustion interface and isotope ratio analysis by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The method allows measurements of stable carbon isotope ratios of ambient aromatic VOCs present in low pptV to ppbV levels with an accuracy of typically better than 0.5 ‰. The precision of concentration measurements is better than 10%. Examples of measurements conducted as part of a joint Environment Canada–York University (EC-YU) measurement campaign at a semi-rural location demonstrate that the ability to make accurate measurements in air with low VOC mixing ratios is important to avoid bias from an overrepresentation of samples that are strongly impacted by recent emissions.

Experiment research on ellipsoidal structure methane using the absorption characteristics of 3.31 μm mid-infrared spectroscopy

The intensity distribution of absorption spectroscopy of methane mid-infrared fundamental absorption bands, near-infrared combination band of v2+2v3 and overtone band of 2v3 were discussed in details in this paper. Quantitative data showed that the absorption intensities of fundamental bands are twice larger than overtone bands, and three times larger than combination bands. Based on the methane 3.31μm (v3) fundamental absorption bands and differential signal disposal method, a rotational ellipsoidal light structure was designed using ordinary light source and detector to improve gas detection sensitivity. The experimental results of concentration detection showed that the precision of concentration measurement can reach 3% and detection sensitivity is 50ppm. Meanwhile, experiment was performed to investigate the influence of temperature on mid-infrared absorption performance of methane and the experience curve of 3.31μm (v3) fundamental absorption signal depending on temperature and its rate of change was drawn.