The use of silica-immobilized brown alga (Pilayella littoralis) for metal preconcentration and determination by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

The brown alga Pilayella littoralis was used as a new biosorbent in an on-line metal preconcentration procedure in a flow-injection system. Al, Co, Cu and Fe were determined in lake water samples by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) after preconcentration in a silica-immobilized alga column. Like other algae, P. littoralis exhibited strong affinity for these metals proving to be an effective accumulation medium. Metals were bound at pH 5.5 and were displaced at pH < 2 with diluted HCl. The enrichment factors for Cu-II, Fe-III, Al-III and Co-II were 13, 7, 16 and 11, respectively. Metal sorption efficiency ranged from 86 to 90%. The method accuracy was assessed by using drinking water certified reference material and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) as a comparison technique. The column procedure allowed a less time consuming, easy regeneration of the biomaterial and rigidity of the alga provided by its immobilization on silica gel. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In situ and simultaneous nanostructural and spectroscopic studies of ZnO nanoparticle and Zn-HDS formations from hydrolysis of ethanolic zinc acetate solutions induced by water

The simultaneous formation of nanometer sized zinc oxide (ZnO), and acetate zinc hydroxide double salt (Zn-HDS) is described. These phases, obtained using the sol-gel synthesis route based on zinc acetate salt in alcoholic media, were identified by direct characterization of the reaction products in solution using complementary techniques: nephelometry, in situ Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), UV-Vis spectroscopy and Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structures (EXAFS). In particular, the hydrolytic pathway of ethanolic zinc acetate precursor solutions promoted by addition of water with the molar ratio N = [H2O]/[Zn2+] = 0.05 was investigated in this paper. The aim was to understand the formation mechanism of ZnO colloidal suspension and to reveal the factors responsible for the formation of Zn-HDS in the final precipitates. The growth mechanism of ZnO nanoparticles is based on primary particle (radius approximate to 1.5 nm) rotation inside the primary aggregate (radius < 3.5 nm) giving rise to an epitaxial attachment of particles and then subsequent coalescence. The growth of second ZnO aggregates is not associated with the Otswald ripening, and could be associated with changes in equilibrium between solute species induced by the superficial etching of Zn-HDS particles at the advanced stage of kinetic.

Distributed feedback multipeak laser emission in Rhodamine 6G doped organic-inorganic hybrids

Organic-inorganic hybrid materials were prepared from an ureasil precursor (ureapropyltriethoxysilane designated as UPTES) and acrylic acid modified zirconium (IV) n-propoxide. Thin films containing rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) were prepared by spin-coating on glass substrates with different Zr:Si molar ratios (Zr:Si = 75:25, 50:50 and 25:75). Refractive index, thickness, number of propagating modes and attenuation coefficient were measured at 543.5, 632.8 and 1550 nm wavelengths by the prism coupling technique. Distributed feedback (DFB) laser effect was observed and studied as a function of films thickness and refractive index.

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes (Berkeley) Pegler) extracts as a modulator of micronuclei induced in HEp-2 cells

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes (Berkeley) Pegler) is one of the most consumed mushrooms, for both therapeutic purposes and as food, therefore, the study of its biological properties is of great interest for producers and consumers. Aqueous extracts of the shiitake mushroom (L. edodes (Berkeley) Pegler) were evaluated by the micronucleus test (MN) in HEp-2 cells in vitro, to analyze their possible mutagenic and antimutagenic activities. None of the three extract concentrations tested (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/mL) presented mutagenicity at any of the preparation temperatures (4 degrees C, 22 +/- 2 degrees C and 60 degrees C). In the antimutagenicity evaluation, all extract concentrations at all preparation temperatures presented a strong protective activity for the HEp-2 cells in response to the alkylating agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) in the different treatment protocols: pre-treatment, simultaneous treatment and post-treatment. The extracts prepared at 22 +/- 2 degrees C presented the lowest frequencies of MN in the evaluations of mutagenicity and antimutagenicity, indicating these as the best option for potential therapeutic use. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Determination of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and its major transformation product in soil samples by liquid chromatographic analysis

The 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is one of the most applied herbicides around the world to control broad leave herbs in many crops: In this study, a method was developed for simultaneous extraction and determination of 2,4D and its major transformation product, i.e., the 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), in soil samples. The herbicide and its degradation product were extracted twice from soil samples, after acidification, by dichloromethane on ultrasound system for 1 h. Both extracts were combined and filtrated in qualitative filter paper and Celitee. The total extract was concentrated in rotatory evaporator, dried under N-2 and finally dissolved in 1 ml of methanol. High Performance Liquid Chromatography with UV detection at 230 nm was used for analysis. Recoveries were obtained from soil samples fortified at 0.1, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 mg kg(-1) levels and the results varied from 85 to 111% (for 2,4-D) and from 95 to 98% (for 2,4-DCP). For both compounds, the limits of quantification were 0.1 mg kg(-1), which were the loss level at which the accuracy and the precision were studied. Nevertheless, the limits of detection, calculated by considering the blank standard deviation and the minimum concentration level, were 0.03 and 0.02 mg kg for 2,4-D and 2,4-DCP, respectively. This proposed method was applied to soil samples of eucalyptus crops, which was previously treated with the herbicide. Despite that, neither 2,4-D nor its degradation product were detected 30 days after the herbicide application. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Electron field emission from boron doped microcrystalline diamond

Field emission properties of hot filament chemical vapor deposited boron doped polycrystalline diamond have been studied. Doping level (N-B) of different samples has been varied by the B/C concentration in the gas feed during the growth process and doping saturation has been observed for high B/C ratios. Threshold field (E-th) for electron emission as function of B/C concentration has been measured, and the influences of grain boundaries, doping level and surface morphology on field emission properties have been investigated. Carrier transport through conductive grains and local emission properties of surface sites have been figured out to be two independent limiting effects in respect of field emission. Emitter current densities of 500 nA cm(-2) were obtained using electric fields less than 8 V/mu m. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A new beta-diketone complex with high color purity

In this work a new europium (III) complex with the following formula NH(4) [Eu(bmdm)(4)] was synthesized and characterized. The bmdm (butyl methoxy-dibenzoyl-methane) is a P-diketone molecule used as UV radiation absorber in sunscreen formulations. Coordination of this ligand to the Eu(3+) ion was confinned by FT-IR, while the Raman spectrum suggests the presence of NH(4)(+) ions. The photoluminescence spectra present narrow lines arising from f-f intra-configurational transitions (5)D(0-)(7)F(0,1,2,3,4), dominated by the hypersensitive (5)D(0)-(7)F(2) transition. In the spectrum recorded at 77 K, all transitions split into 2J + 1 lines suggesting that there is just one symmetry site around Eu(3+) ion. This symmetry is not centrosymmetric. The calculated intensity parameters are ohm(2) = 30.5 x 10(-20) cm(2) and ohm(4) = 5.91 x 10(-20) cm(2) for this complex. The CIE chromaticity coordinates (x = 0.67 and y = 0.32) show a dominant wavelength of 615 nm. The color gamut achieved by this complex is a 100% in the CIE color space. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Collapse and Color Changes in Grapefruit Juice Powder as Affected by Water Activity, Glass Transition, and Addition of Carbohydrate Polymers

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

All-on-four concept and immediate loading for simultaneous rehabilitation of the atrophic maxilla and mandible with conventional and zygomatic implants

We report the simultaneous rehabilitation of an edentulous patient with a hybrid (zygomatic and conventional implants) all-on-four implant-supported prosthesis for the maxilla and a standard (conventional implants) all-on-four implant-supported prosthesis for the mandible. The transfer impression was made with a multifunctional guide and the upper and lower prostheses were placed 24 h postoperatively. Clinical and radiographic examinations showed no infection or bony resorption 2 years later. Simultaneous maxillary and mandibular rehabilitation with all-on-four immediate loading is a viable, fast and effective option for edentulous patients. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Upconversion luminescence in Ho3+/Yb3+- and Tb3+/Yb3+-codoped fluorogermanate glass and glass ceramic

Energy-transfer excited upconversion luminescence in Ho3+/Yb3+- and Tb3+/Yb3+ -codoped PbGeO3-PbF2-CdF2 glass and glass-ceramic under infrared excitation is investigated. In Ho3+/Yb3+-codoped samples, green (545 nm), red (652 nm), and near-infrared (754 nm) upconversion emission corresponding to the S-5(2) (F-5(4)) -> I-5(8), F-5(5) -> I-5(8), and S-5(2)(F-5(4)) -> I-5(7) transitions, respectively, was observed. Blue (490 nm) emission assigned to the F-5(2,3) -> I-5(8) transition was also detected. In the Tb3+/Yb3+-codoped system, bright UV-visible emission around 384, 415, 438, 473-490, 545, 587, and 623 nm, identified as due to the D-5(3)((5)G(6)) -> F-7(J)(J = 6, 5, 4) and D-5(4) -> F-7(J)(J = 6, 5, 4, 3) transitions, was measured. The comparison of the upconversion process in glass ceramic and its glassy precursor revealed that the former samples present much higher upconversion efficiencies. The dependence of the upconversion emission upon pump power, and doping contents was also examined. The results indicated that successive energy-transfer between ytterbium and holmium ions and cooperative energy-transfer between ytterbium and terbium ions followed by excited-state absorption are the dominant upconversion excitation mechanisms herein involved. The viability of using the samples for three-dimensional solid-state color displays is also discussed. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of structural disorder on the photoluminescence emission of PZT powders

Intense and broad visible photoluminescent (PL) band was observed at room temperature in disordered Pb(Zr(0.53)Ti(0.47))O(3) powders. Structural order-disorder was evaluated by different methods. XANES results pointed to the presence of different coordination modes of disordered Ti powders, and in the ordered sample the local structure around titanium atoms is characteristic of the structurally ordered PZT with only TiO(6) units. Only samples containing simultaneous structural order and disorder in their network present the intense visible PL emission at room temperature.