Brazilian Adaptation of the Woodcock-Johnson III Cognitive Tests

An adaptation of the standard battery of Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Cognitive Abilities (WJ-III) for Brazilian children and youth was investigated. The sample was composed of 1094 students (54 percent girls), ages 7-17, living in Sao Paulo state (91 percent). Items from Brazilian school books as well as from the WJ-III Spanish version (Bateria-R) were added to comprehension-knowledge tests. Brazilian words were adapted to the auditory tests according to syllabic division and stressed syllables. Items were examined through IRT and age differences through analysis of variance. Results indicated the need to remove items from all WJ-III subtests with the exception of the visual learning test. Analysis of Variance indicated significant age differences (p <= 0.001) for all tests. Thus, the importance of a Brazilian adaptation for the WJ-III was confirmed.

Synthesis and Study of the Photophysical Properties of a New Eu(3+) Complex with 3-Hydroxypicolinamide

This work reports on the synthesis and characterization of a new complex of Eu(3+) with the 3-hydroxypicolinamide ligand (Hhpa). Here we present an approach for obtaining bis[2-carbamoyl(kappa O)pyridin-3-olato(kappa O`)] lanthanide complexes, which were characterized through elemental analysis, thermal analysis, infrared and photoluminescence spectroscopies (emission, excitation, luminescence lifetimes, quantum efficiencies, Judd-Ofelt parameters and quantum yields). Although hpa can act as a bidentate ligand in different conformations, the results attest for the occurrence of a unique coordination site of low symmetry for the Eu(3+) ions, in which two anionic hpa ligands coordinate the cations through an O/O chelating system. The phosphorescence of the synthesized gadolinium complex provides the energy of the triplet state, which is determined to be at 20,830 cm(-1) over the ground state. This makes the Hhpa ligand very adequate for sensitizing the Eu(3+) luminescence, which leads to a very efficient antenna effect and opens a wide range of applications for the complex in light emitting organic-inorganic devices.

Primidone oxidation catalyzed by metalloporphyrins and Jacobsen catalyst

Primidone (PRM) oxidation by various oxidants such as iodosylbenzene (PhIO), tert-butyl hydroperoxide 70wt.% (t-BOOH), 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m-CPBA) and hydrogen peroxide 30wt.%, mediated by either a salen complex or metalloporphyrins, was investigated. The catalytic systems led to phenylethyl-malondiamide (PEMA) and phenobarbital (FEND), the same metabolites obtained in vivo with P450 enzymes, although three other products were also detected. Product formation was highly dependent on the oxidant, co-catalyst (imidazole), pH and dioxygen. These biomimetic chemical models have potential application in the synthesis of drug metabolites. which should provide samples for pharmacological tests. They can also be employed in studies that pursue the elucidation of in vivo drug metabolism. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The use of electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry on the structural characterization of novel asymmetric metallo-organic supermolecules, based on pentafluorophenylporphyrins and ruthenium complexes

The novel asymmetric metallo-organic triads cis- and trans-[B(4-py)BPFPH(2){Ru(3)O(Ac)(6)(py)(2)}(Ru(bpy)(2)Cl}](PF(6))(2) (5a,b) for which cis- and trans-B(4-py)BPFPH(2)=5,10-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-15,20-bis(4-pyridyl)porphyrin and 5,15-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-10,20-bis(4-pyridyl)porphyrin, respectively; Ac = acetate; py = pyridine and bpy = 2,2`-bipyridine, as well as their corresponding monosubstituted dyads cis- and trans-[B(4-py)BPFPH(2){Ru(3)O(Ac)(6)(py)(2)}]PF(6) (4a,b) have been structurally characterized via electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS and ESI-MS/MS). The ESI-MS of dyads 4a,b display two characteristic Ru-multicomponent clusters of isotopologue ions corresponding to singly charged ions 4a,b(+) of m/z 1629 and doubly charged ions [4a,b+H](2+) of m/z 815 and the triads 5a,b are detected by ESI-MS as the intact doubly charged cluster of isotopologue ions of m/z 1039 [5a,b](2+). The ESI-MS/MS of 4a,b(+), [4a,b+H](2+) and [5a,b](2+) reveal characteristic dissociation pathways, which confirm the structural assignments providing additional information on the intrinsic binding strengths of the gaseous ions. Although the gas-phase behavior of each pair of isomers was rather similar, the less symmetric dyads 4a,b are distinguished via the (1)H NMR spectral profile of the pyrrolic signals. Exploratory photophysical assays have shown that both modifying motifs alter the porphyrinic core emission profile, opening the possibility to use these asymmetric systems as photophysical devices. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cerium-based phosphors: blue luminescent properties for applications in optical displays

In this paper, we describe the blue photoluminescence (PL) observed in the multi-component oxosalt phosphor GdVO(4)center dot Ce(3+). Different doping concentrations (0.25-1 mol%) and heat treatment (900-1100 degrees C) were used to evaluate which conditions would lead to the most suitable blue phosphor for optimal display performance. The cerium doping concentration influences the profile of the emission spectrum (broad peak at 412 nm under UV excitation at 330 nm), as reflected on the values of chromaticity coordinates. On the basis of luminescent properties, we can conclude that, among the phosphors prepared in this work the most adequate for a blue display is the one obtained via the combustion method using glycine as fuel, a 0.50 mol% cerium doping concentration, and heat treatment at 1000 degrees C.

Dextrin-microencapsulated porphyrin - Luminescent properties

Photophysical properties of porphyrins in aqueous solutions are strongly affected by aggregation. One possible solution to this problem is to encapsulate the porphyrin into polymeric spheres, to provide an environment where the photosensitizer can be administered in its monomeric form in such treatments as photodynamic therapy. Here we report the microencapsulation of the meso-tetrakis(4-sulphonatophenyl) porphyrin (TPPS4) photosensitizer by the ultrasonic spray-drying technique. The encapsulated TPPS4 was morphologically characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and its photophysical properties were studied and compared with those of a physical blend of dextrin and TPPS4. We Successfully encapsulated TPPS4 into dextrin microspheres, and the encapsulated photosensitizer displays higher luminescence intensity than that of the prepared physical blends.

Luminescent and morphological study of Sr(2)CeO(4) blue phosphor prepared from oxalate precursors

Luminescent and morphological studies of Sr(2)CeO(4) blue phosphor prepared from cerium-doped strontium oxalate precursor are reported Powder samples were prepared from 5 and 25 mol% Ce(3+)-doped strontium oxalate as well as from a mechanical mixture of strontium oxalate and cerium oxalate at a 4 1 ratio respectively All the samples were characterized by XRD IR PLS and SEM The luminescent and structural properties of the Sr(2)CeO(4) material are little affected by the SrCO(3) remaining from precursors The Sr(2)CeO(4) material consists in one-dimensional chains of edge-sharing CeO(6) octahedra that are linked together by Sr(2+) ions The carbonate ion might be associated with oxygen ions of the linear chain and also with the oxygen atoms located in the equatorial position which consequently affects the charge transfer bands between O(2-) and Ce(4+). As observed by SEM, the morphological changes are related to each kind of precursor and thermal treatment along with irregular powder particles within the size range 05-2 mu m (c) 2010 Elsevier B V All rights reserved

Biomimetic Oxidation of Piperine and Piplartine Catalyzed by Iron(III) and Manganese(III) Porphyrins

Synthetic metalloporphyrins, in the presence of monooxygen donors, are known to mimetize various reactions of cytochrome P450 enzymes systems in the oxidation of drugs and natural products. The oxidation of piperine and piplartine by iodosylbenzene using iron(III) and manganese(III) porphyrins yielded mono- and dihydroxylated products, respectively. Piplartine showed to be a more reactive substrate towards the catalysts tested. The structures of the oxidation products were proposed based on electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

Continental extension: From core complexes to rigid block faulting

Extension of overthickened continental crust is commonly characterized by an early core complex stage of extension followed by a later stage of crustal-scale rigid block faulting. These two stages are clearly recognized during the extensional destruction of the Alpine orogen in northeast Corsica, where rigid block faulting overprinting core complex formation eventually led to crustal separation and the formation of a new oceanic backarc basin (the Ligurian Sea). Here we investigate the geodynamic evolution of continental extension by using a novel, fully coupled thermomechanical numerical model of the continental crust. We consider that the dynamic evolution is governed by fault weakening, which is generated by the evolution of the natural-state variables (i.e., pressure, deviatoric stress, temperature, and strain rate) and their associated energy fluxes. Our results show the appearance of a detachment layer that controls the initial separation of the brittle crust on characteristic listric faults, and a core complex formation that is exhuming strongly deformed rocks of the detachment zone and relatively undeformed crustal cores. This process is followed by a transitional period, characterized by an apparent tectonic quiescence, in which deformation is not localized and energy stored in the upper crust is transferred downward and causes self-organized mobilization of the lower crust. Eventually, the entire crust ruptures on major crosscutting faults, shifting the tectonic regime from core complex formation to wholesale rigid block faulting.

Amphiphilic cerium(III) beta-diketonate as a catalyst for reducing diesel/biodiesel soot emissions

This work reports on the synthesis, characterization and applications of the new cerium(III) beta-diketonate Ce(hdacac)(3)(Hhdacac)(3)center dot 2H(2)O (where hdacac and Hhdacac denote, respectively, the hexadecylpentane-2,4-dionate and hexadecylpentane-2,4-dione ligands) as catalyst for the reduction of automotive emissions. Due to its amphiphilic character, this complex can be solubilized in non-polar fuels, thus generating cerium(IV) oxide particles, which efficiently catalyze the oxidation of diesel/biodiesel soot. The synthesized complex was characterized by microanalysis (C, H), thermal analysis, and infrared spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and specific surface area measurements attested that the complex can act as a soluble precursor of homogeneous CeO(2) spherical nanoparticles. The efficiency of this compound as catalyst for the reduction of soot emission was evaluated through static studies (comprising carbon black oxidation), which confirmed that increasing concentrations of the complex result in lower carbon black oxidation temperatures and lower activation Gibbs free energies. Dynamic studies, which embraced the combustion of diesel/biodiesel blends containing different amounts of the solubilized complex in a stationary motor, allowed a comparative evaluation of the soot emission through diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. These analyses provided very emphatic evidences of the efficiency of this new cerium complex for the control of soot emission in diesel/biodiesel motors. (c) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Highlights from the III International Symposium of Thrombosis and Anticoagulation (ISTA), October 14-16, 2010, Sao Paulo, Brazil

To discuss and share knowledge around advances in the care of patients with thrombotic disorders, the Third International Symposium of Thrombosis and Anticoagulation was held in So Paulo, Brazil, from October 14-16, 2010. This scientific program was developed by clinicians for clinicians, and was promoted by four major clinical research institutes: the Brazilian Clinical Research Institute, the Duke Clinical Research Institute of the Duke University School of Medicine, the Canadian VIGOUR Centre, and the Uppsala Clinical Research Center. Comprising 3 days of academic presentations and open discussion, the symposium had as its primary goal to educate, motivate, and inspire internists, cardiologists, hematologists, and other physicians by convening national and international visionaries, thought-leaders, and dedicated clinician-scientists. This paper summarizes the symposium proceedings.