White light emission of Eu3+-based hybrid xerogels

The luminescence spectra and extended x-ray-absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) measurements of a series of Eu3+-based organic/inorganic xerogels were reported and related to the local coordination of the lanthanide cations. The hybrid matrix of these organically modified silicates, classed as U(2000) ureasils, is a siliceous network to which short organic chains containing oxyethylene units are covalently grafted by means of urea bridges. The luminescent centers were incorporated as europium triflate, Eu(CF3SO3)3, and europium bromide, EuBr3, with concentrations 200≥n≥20 and n=80, 40, and 30, respectively - where n is the number of ether oxygens in the polymer chains per Eu3+ cation. EXAFS measurements were carried out in some of the U(2000)nEu(CF3SO3)3 xerogels (n=200, 80, 60, and 40). The obtained coordination numbers N ranging from 12.8, n=200, to 9.7, n=40, whereas the average Eu3+ first neighbors distance R is 2.48-2.49 Å. The emission spectra of these multiwavelength phosphors superpose a broad green-blue band to a series of yellow-red narrow 5D0→7F0-4 Eu3+ lines and to the eye the hybrids appeared to be white, even at room temperature. The ability to tune the emission of the xerogels to colors across the chromaticity diagram is achieved by changing the excitation wavelength and the amount of salt incorporated in the hybrid host. The local environment of Eu3+ is described as a continuous distribution of closely similar low-symmetry network sites. The cations are coordinated by the carbonyl groups of the urea moieties, water molecules, and, for U(2000)nEu(CF3SO3)3, by the SO3 end groups of the triflate anions. No spectral evidences have been found for the coordination by the ether oxygens of the polyether chains. A mean radius for the first coordination shell of Eu3+ is calculated on the basis of the emission energy assignments. The results obtained for U(2000)nEu(CF3SO3)3, 2.4 Å for 90 ≥n≥40 and 2.6 and 2.5 Å for n=30 and 20, respectively, are in good agreement with the values calculated from EXAFS measurements. The energy of the intraconfigurational charge-transfer transitions, the redshift of the 5D0→7F0 line, with respect to the value calculated for gaseous Eu3+, and the hypersensitive ratio between the 5D0→7F2 and 5D0→7F1 transitions, point out a rather low covalency nature of the Eu3+ first coordination shell in these xerogels, comparing to the case of analogous polymer electrolytes modified by europium bromide. ©1999 The American Physical Society.

Haematological characteristics of Brazilian Teleosts: III. Parameters of the hybrid tambacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg x Colossoma macropomum Cuvier) (Osteichthyes, Characidae)

Fifty six specimens of the hybrid tambacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg, 1887 male x Colossoma macropomum Cuvier, 1818 female) were collected from fishfarm of Guariba, São Paulo, to evaluate their haematology. Fishes presented 400.0 to 3,100.0 g total weight and 20.0 to 52.0 cm total length. Haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular haemoglobin content (MCHC) and percentage of defense blood cells including leucocytes and thrombocytes, were studied. Statistical analysis showed positive correlation (P<0.01) between haematocrit, MCHC and haemoglobin rate. Nevertheless, thrombocytes and lymphocytes showed negative correlation (P<0.01).

Caracterização citogenética em Schlumbergera truncata (Haworth) Moran e Schlumbergera × buckleyi (T. Moore) Tjaden (Cactaceae)

O número cromossômico diplóide de Schlumbergera truncata e Schlumbergera x buckleyi, de indivíduos com diferentes tipos de coloração de pétalas, foi determinado usando-se pontas de raízes. A utilização de 8-hidroxiquinoleína 0,003 M à 36 °C por 3 horas possibilitou melhor separação cromossômica. Técnica de bandeamento C e de coloração Giemsa permitiram o estudo cariológico dessas espécies. O híbrido Schlumbergera × buckleyi (rósea) apresenta 2n = 22 cromossomos com fórmula cariotípica 16 M + 6 SM. Schlumbergera truncata, apresentando pétalas nas cores vermelha, branca e pink, possui 2n = 22 cromossomos, formulação cariotípica idêntica à de Schlumbergera × buckleyi, enquanto a planta com flores de coloração amarelada mostrou 2n = 34 cromossomos. A classificação cromossômica foi baseada no índice centromérico. Nas plantas que apresentam coloração vermelha, branca, pink e rósea nas pétalas, o melhor período de obtenção de metáfases corresponde ao período de florescimento. Schlumbergera truncata com flores amareladas apresenta dois picos anuais de divisão mitótica. Esses resultados dão suporte à um melhor entendimento da biologia no gênero Schlumbergera e auxiliam na classificação taxonômica nos casos onde apenas as características fenotípicas não são suficientemente confiáveis para a classificação das plantas no mesmo táxon.

Effect of steeping conditions (sulfur dioxide, lactic acid, and temperature) on starch yield, starch quality, and germ quality from the Intermittent Milling and Dynamic Steeping process (IMDS) for a Brazilian corn hybrid

Effect of lactic acid, SO2, temperature, and their interactions were assessed on the dynamic steeping of a Brazilian dent corn (hybrid XL 606) to determine the ideal relationship among these variables to improve the wet-milling process for starch and corn by-products production. A 2x2x3 factorial experimental design was used with SO2 levels of 0.05 and 0.1% (w/v), lactic acid levels of 0 and 0.5% (v/v), and temperatures of 52, 60, and 68degreesC. Starch yield was used as deciding factor to choose the best treatment. Lactic acid added in the steep solution improved the starch yield by an average of 5.6 percentage points. SO2 was more available to break down the structural protein network at 0.1% than at the 0.05% level. Starch-gluten separation was difficult at 68degreesC. The lactic acid and SO2 concentrations and steeping temperatures for better starch recovery were 0.5, 0.1, and 52degreesC, respectively. The Intermittent Milling and Dynamic Steeping (IMDS) process produced, on average, 1.4% more starch than the conventional 36- hr steeping process. Protein in starch, oil content in germ, and germ damage were used as quality factors. Total steep time can be reduced from 36 hr for conventional wet-milling to 8 hr for the IMDS process.

Evaluation of tangerine hybrid resistance to Alternaria alternata

The Alternaria Brown Spot, caused by Alternaria alternata, is a major fungal disease in some kinds of tangerines, tangor, mandarins and pomelos. In Brazil as well as worldwide, A. alternata can cause necrosis in fruits, branches and leaves, causing substantial profit loss. In the present research, in laboratory conditions and in the field, we evaluated the resistance to the fungus, in leaves and fruits, for 22 varieties and hybrids of tangerines. To this end, we evaluated genotypes belonging to the Germplasm Bank of the Estacao Experimental de Citricultura de Bebedouro. The resistant genetic materials (found in leaves and fruits) represented four varieties of clementines (Citrus clementina); six varieties of mandarins (two belonging to C. reticulata, two to C. tangerina, one to C. deliciosa and one to C. nobilis); one tangelo (C. tangerina x C. paradisi); two mandarin hybrids (one resulting from crossing C nobilis x C. deliciosa and the other from crossing C. clementina x C. reticulata); one tangor hybrid (C. clementina) and two satsuma hybrids (C. unshiu x C. deliciosa). We also determined a relation between the inoculation of leaves and fruits. The resistance and susceptibility following inoculation in leaves and fruits supports a relationship between these organs and the physiological responses observed for the evaluated genotypes. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Characterization of the acute inflammatory response in the hybrid tambacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus male × Colossoma macropomum female) (Osteichthyes)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Comparison of microbial numbers in soils by using various culture media and temperatures

The influence of different media and incubation temperatures on the quantification of microbial populations in sorghum, eucalyptus and forest soils was evaluated. Microbial growth was compared by using complex (tryptone soybean agar, TSA, casein-starch, CS, and Martin) and saline (Thorton, M3, Czapeck) media and incubation temperatures of 25 and 30&DEG; C. Higher numbers of total bacterial. and fungal colony-forming units (CFU) were observed in sorghum soils, and of spore-forming and Gram-negative bacteria in forest soils than other soils. Actinomycetes counts were highest in forest soil when using CS medium at 30&DEG; C and in sorghum soil at 25&DEG; C in M3 medium. Microorganism counts were dependent on the media and incubation temperatures. The counts at temperatures of 30&DEG; C were significantly higher than at 25&DEG; C. Microbial quantification was best when using TSA medium for total. and spore-forming bacteria, Thorton for Gram-negative bacteria, M3 for actinomycetes, and Martin for fungi. © 2005 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Citogenética do javali em criatórios comerciais das regiões Sul e Sudeste do Brasil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Performance of advanced generation from a hybrid Japanese cucumber

A endogamia reduz o vigor em plantas pela diminuição da proporção de loci heterozigotos. Entretanto, a influência da endogamia é diferente entre as espécies. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a depressão causada por endogamia em uma população de pepino do tipo japonês. A partir do intercruzamento entre plantas do híbrido Natsu suzumi foi obtida a geração F2, considerada como população S0. Obtiveram-se progênies S1, S2, S3, S4 e S5, através de autofecundações sucessivas pelo método do SSD ('Single Seed Descent'). Foram sete tratamentos (híbrido Natsu suzumi, populações S0 a S5) e o delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com seis repetições e cinco plantas por parcela cultivadas em ambiente protegido de 21/08/2002 à 29/11/2002. Foram avaliados o número de folhas, semanalmente, o número e a massa de frutos, total e comercial, número de nós e porcentagem de nós com brotações laterais. Na comparação entre as populações S0 a S5 não foram observadas diferenças para todas as características avaliadas demonstrando não haver perda de vigor por endogamia nesta população.

Nutrient extraction and exportation by castor bean hybrid lyra

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Nanostructured hybrid films containing nanophosphor: Fabrication and electronic spectral properties

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Design, Synthesis, and Pharmacological Evaluation of Novel Hybrid Compounds to Treat Sickle Cell Disease Symptoms. Part II: Furoxan Derivatives

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Design, Synthesis, and Pharmacological Evaluation of Novel Hybrid Compounds To Treat Sickle Cell Disease Symptoms

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Controlled Drug Release from Ureasil-Polyether Hybrid Materials

Flexible, transparent, and insoluble urea-cross-linked polyether-siloxane hybrids presenting a tunable drug delivery pattern were prepared using the sol-gel method from PEO (poly(ethylene oxide)) and PPO (poly(propylene oxide)) functionalized at both chain ends with triethoxysilane. Different polyether chain lengths were used to control the urea/siloxane (named ureasil) node density, flexibility, and swellability of the hybrid network. We herein demonstrate that the drug release from swellable hydrophilic ureasil-PEO hybrids can be sustained for some days, whereas that from the unswellable ureasil-PPO hybrids can be sustained for some weeks. This outstanding feature conjugated with the biomedically safe formulation of the ureasil cross-linked polyether-siloxane hybrid widens their scope of application to include the domain of soft and implantable drug delivery devices.