On the energy transfer from a polymer host to the rhenium(I) complex in OLEDs

Photoluminescence and electroluminescence of PVK films doped with fac-[ClRe(CO)(3)(bpy)], bpy=2,2`-bipyridine, are investigated. Photoluminescence spectra of spin-coated PVK films (lambda(exc)=290 nm) exhibit a broad band centered at 405 nm. As the concentration of dopant increases, the polymer emission is quenched and a band at 555 nm appears (isosbestic point at 475 nm). In OLEDs with ITO/PEDOT:PSS/PVK/butylPBD/Al architecture doped with fac-[ClRe(CO)(3)(bpy)], the polymer host emission is completely quenched even at the lowest concentration of dopant. The electroluminescence spectra of the devices show that there is an efficient energy transfer from the host to the dopant, which exhibits a very intense emission at 580 nm. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electrical and optical properties of poly(2-dodecanoylsulfanyl-p-phenylenevnylene) and its application in electroluminescent devices

We describe the optical and electrical characterization of a poly(p-phenylenevinylene) derivative: poly(2-dodecanoylsulfanyl-p-phenylenevinylene) (12COS-PPV). The electrical characterization was carried out on devices with the FTO\PEDOT:PSS\12COS-PPV/Al structure. Positive charge carrier mobility mu(h) of similar to 1.0 x 10(-6) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) and barrier height phi of similar to 0.1 eV for positive charge carrier injection at the PEDOT:PSS/12COS-PPV interface were obtained using a thermionic injection model. FTO\PEDOT:P55\12COS-PPV/Ca devices exhibited green-yellow electroluminescence with maximum emission at lambda = 540 nm.

Excited-state dynamics of polyfluorene derivatives in solution

The excited-state dynamics of two polyfluorene copolymers, one fully conjugated containing phenylene vinylene units alternated with 9,9`-dihexylfluorenyl groups and the other segmented by -(CH2)(8)- spacer, were studied in dilute solution of different solvents using a picosecond single-photon timing technique. The excited-state dynamics of the segmented copolymer follows the Forster resonant energy-transfer model which describes intrachain energy-transfer kinetics among random oriented chromophores. Energy transfer is confirmed by analysis of fluorescence anisotropy relaxation with the measurement of a short decay component of about 60 ps. The fluorescence decay surface of the fully conjugated copolymer is biexponential with decay times of about 470 and 900 ps, ascribed to deactivation of chain moieties containing trans and cis isomers already in a photostationary condition. Thus, energy transfer is very fast due to the conjugated nature and rigid-rod-like structure of this copolymer chain.

The influence of preparation method of OC1OC6-PPV films on the photo-oxidation process

Poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) derivatives are well known for their applications in polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs). PPV derivatives are highly susceptible to photo-oxidation though, which is mainly caused by the scission of the vinyl double bond on the polymer backbone. In this work, we show that Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films are less degraded than cast films of a PPV derivative (OC1OC6-PPV). Both films had similar thickness (similar to 50 nm) to allow for a more realistic comparison. Degradation was monitored with UV-vis and FTIR spectroscopies. The results indicated that cast films were completely degraded in ca. 400 min, while LB took longer time, i.e. about four times the values for the cast films. The differences can be attributed to the more compact morphology in the LB than in the cast films. With a compact morphology the diffusion of oxygen in the LB film is hampered and this causes a delay in the degradation process. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Photodynamic Effects of Curcumin Against Cariogenic Pathogens

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

Comparação da influência entre tempos de polimerização em resinas compostas polimerizadas com LED e Luz Incandescente

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

Hematoporphyrin-based photodynamic therapy for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in cats

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effect of the Insertion and Polymerization Technique in Composite Resin Restorations: Analysis of Marginal Gap by Atomic Force Microscopy

This in vitro study evaluated the marginal gap at the composite tooth/resin interface in class V cavities under the influence of two insertion techniques and a curing system by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM). Forty enamel and dentin cavities were prepared on the buccal surface in bovine teeth with quadratic forms measuring 2 mm X 2 mm and depth of 1.5 mm. The teeth were then divided into four groups: group A, 10 cavities were restored in one increment, light cured by halogen light; group B, 10 cavities filled with bulk filling, light cured by the light emitting diodes (LED); group C, 10 cavities were restored by the incremental technique, light cured by halogen light; group D, 10 cavities were restored by the incremental technique, light cured by the LED. The teeth underwent the polishing procedure and were analyzed by AFM for tooth/restoration interface evaluation. The data were compared between groups using the nonparametric Kruskall-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (p < 0.05). The results showed a statistically significant difference between groups A and B and groups A and C. It was concluded that no insertion and polymerization technique was able to completely seal the cavity.

Degree of conversion of nanofilled and microhybrid composite resins photo-activated by different generations of LEDs

Objective: This study aimed at evaluating the degree of conversion (DC) of four composite resins, being one nanofilled and 3 microhybrid resins, photo-activated with second- and third-generation light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Material and methods: Filtek (TM) Z350 nanofilled composite resins and Amelogen (R) Plus, Vit-l-escence (TM) and Opallis microhybrid resins were photo-activated with two second-generation LEDs (Radii-cal and Elipar Free Light (TM) 2) and one third-generation LED (Ultra-Lume LED 5) by continuous light mode, and a quartz halogen-tungsten bulb (QHT, control). After 24 h of storage, the samples were pulverized into fine powder and 5 mg of each material were mixed with 100 mg of potassium bromide (KBr). After homogenization, they were pressed, which resulted in a pellet that was evaluated using an infrared spectromer (Nexus 470, Thermo Nicolet) equipped with TGS detector using diffuse reflectance (32 scans, resolution of 4 cm(-1)) coupled to a computer. The percentage of unreacted carbon-carbon double bonds (% C=C) was determined from the ratio of absorbance intensities of aliphatic C=C (peak at 1637 cm-1) against internal standard before and after curing of the specimen: aromatic C-C (peak at 1610 cm-1). Results: The ANOVA showed a significant effect on the interaction between the light-curing units (LCUs) and the composite resins (p<0.001). The Tukey's test showed that the nanofilled resin (Filtek (TM) Z350) and Opallis when photo-activated by the halogen lamp (QTH) had the lowest DC compared with the other microhybrid composite resins. The DC of the nanofilled resin (Filtek (TM) Z350) was also lower using LEDs. The highest degrees of conversion were obtained using the third-generation LED and one of second-generation LEDs (Elipar Free Light (TM) 2). Conclusions: The nanofilled resin showed the lowest DC, and the Vit-l-escence (TM) microhybrid composite resin showed the highest DC. Among the LCUs, it was not possible to establish an order, even though the second-generation LED Radii-cal provided the lowest DC.

Measurement of shrinkage of composite resin by laser speckle contrast analysis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the shrinkage of a microhybrid dental composite resin photo-activated by one LED with different power densities by means of speckle technique. The dental composite resin Filtek (TM) Z-250 (3M/ESPE) at color A(2) was used for the samples preparation. Uncured composite was packed in a metallic mold and irradiated during 20 s from 100 to 1000 mW cm(-2). For the photo-activation of the samples, it was used a LED prototype (Light Emission Diode) with wavelength centered at 470 nm and adjustable power density until 1 W cm(-2). The speckle patterns obtained from the bottom composite surfaces were monitored using a CCD camera without lens. The speckle field is recorded in a digital picture and stored by CCD camera as the carrier of information on the displacement of the tested surface. The calculated values were obtained for each pair of adjacent patterns and the changes in speckle contrast as a function of time were obtained from six repeated measurements. The speckle contrasts obtained from the bottom surface with 100 mW cm(-1) were smaller than those than the other power densities. The higher power densities provided the higher shrinkage.

Low-Level Laser Therapy and Calcitonin in Bone Repair: Densitometric Analysis

The aim of this work was to evaluate the association of low-level laser therapy (LLLT, 830 nm) and calcitonin in bone repair considering that bone healing remains a challenge to health professionals. Calcitonin has antiosteoclastic action and LLLT is a treatment that uses low-level lasers or light-emitting diodes to alter cellular function. Both are used to improve bone healing. Densitometry is a clinical noninvasive valuable tool used to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD). Sixty male rats were submitted to bone defect with a trephine bur, randomly divided into four groups of 15 animals each: control (C); synthetic salmon calcitonin (Ca); LLLT (La); LLLT combined with calcitonin (LaCa). Animals from Ca and LaCa received 2UI/Kg synthetic salmon calcitonin intramuscularly on alternate days after surgery. Animals from groups La and LaCa were treated with infrared LLLT (830 nm, 10mW, 20 J/cm(2), 6 s, contact mode). Five animals from each group were euthanized 7, 14, and 21 days after surgery and bone defects were analyzed by densitometry. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in BMD values in LaCa group at 7 and 21 days (P = 0, 005). The results of the densitometric study showed that LLLT (830 nm) combined with calcitonin improved bone repair.

The Effectiveness of Low-Intensity Red Laser for Activating a Bleaching Gel and Its Effect in Temperature of the Bleaching Gel and the Dental Pulp

Statement of the Problem: The effectiveness of low-intensity red laser for activating a bleaching gel and its effect in pulp temperature was not investigated in dental literature. Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of low-intensity red laser for activating a bleaching gel, as well as its effect in temperature of the bleaching gel and the dental pulp. Materials and Methods: Forty extracted bovine teeth were immersed in a solution of coffee 14 days for darkening. The initial colors were recorded by spectrophotometric analysis. The specimens were randomly distributed into two groups (N = 20): the control, which did not receive light and the experimental group that received light from an appliance fitted with three red light-emitting laser diodes (? = 660 nm). A green-colored, 35% H2O2based bleaching gel was applied for 30 minutes, and changed three times. After bleaching, the colors were again measured to obtain the L*a*b* values. Color variation was calculated (?E) and the data submitted to the non-paired t-test (5%). To assess temperature, 10 human incisors were prepared, in which one thermocouple was placed on the bleaching gel applied on the surface of the teeth and another inside the pulp chamber. Results: There was a significant difference between the groups (p = 0.016), and the experimental group presented a significantly higher mean variation (7.21 +/- 2.76) in comparison with the control group (5.37 +/- 1.76). There was an increase in pulp temperature, but it was not sufficient to cause damage to the pulp. Conclusion: Bleaching gel activation with low-intensity red laser was capable of increasing the effectiveness of bleaching treatment and did not increase pulp temperature to levels deleterious to the pulp. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The application of a low-intensity red laser was effective for activating a bleaching gel with green dye, without any deleterious increases in pulpal temperature. (J Esthet Restor Dent 24:126134, 2012)

The influence of the region between residues 220 and 344 and beyond in Phrixotrix railroad worm luciferases green and red bioluminescence

To find the regions having a major influence on the bioluminescence spectra of railroad worm luciferases, we constructed new chimeric luciferases switching the fragments from residues 1-219 and from 220-545 between Phrixotrix viviani (PxvGR; λmax = 548 nm) green light-emitting luciferase and Phrixothrix hirtus (PxhRE; λmax = 623 nm) red light-emitting luciferases. The emission spectrum (λmax = 571 nm) and KM for luciferin in the chimera PxRE220GR (1-219, PxhRE; 220-545, PxvGR) suggested that the region above residue 220 of PxvGR had a major effect on the active site. However, switching the sequence between the residues 226-344 from PxvGR luciferase into PxhRE (PxREGRRE) luciferase resulted in red light emission (λmax = 603 nm), indicating that the region 220-344 by itself does not determine the emission spectrum. Furthermore, the sequence before residue 220 of the green-emitting luciferase is incompatible for light emission with the sequence above residue 220 of PxhRE. These results suggest that the fragments before and after residue 220, which correspond to distinct subdomains, may fold differently in the green- and red-emitting luciferases, affecting the active site conformation.

Background interference on the color of dental composite materials with different thickness by digital contrast

In this work the color dependence of resin composites with the background color was evaluated. The objective was to measure since what thickness the color of the sample stops being influenced by the color of the background over which the resin is placed and the methodology used in experiment was based in analyzing the contrast of digital images of the sample over a black background. The results shown that since 0.8 mm the images contrast becomes almost constant; it prove that since this thickness the color of resin composite depends on the optical resin properties only. The experiment was repeated under three conditions of luminosity to evaluate the influence of it on the image contrast and the results obtained were identical.

Bacterial cellulose from glucanacetobacter xylinus: Preparation, properties and applications

This chapter deals with the cellulose produced by the Glucanacetobacter xylinus strain, called bacterial cellulose, which is a remarkably versatile biomaterial usable in wide variety of domains, such as papermaking, optics, electronics, acoustics, and biomedical devices. Its unique structure shows entangled ultrafine fibers, which provide excellent mechanical strength, besides biodegradability, biocompatibility, high water-holding capacity, and high crystallinity. Some of its applications are described, such as complementary nutrition (. nata de coco), artificial temporary skin for wounds and burns, dental aid, artificial blood vessels and micronerve surgery, DNA separation, composite reinforcement, electronic paper, light emitting diodes, and fuel cell membranes. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.