Antibacterial activity of extract and fractions from branches of Protium spruceanum and cytotoxicity on fibroblasts

The crude ethanol extract (CEE) and fractions from branches of Protium spruceanum were subjected to antibacterial and cytotoxicity assays. Compounds of the most active fraction were identified by GC-MS and LC-MS. CEE was active against 19 bacteria and the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) showed the lowest minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC 0.3–80.0 mg/mL). Through time-kill assay was observed that EAF induced rapid bactericidal effect against Staphylococcus saprophyticus. The cytotoxicity tests against L929 fibroblasts showed great potential of EAF on the treatment of infections caused by five bacteria (MBC < IC₅₀). The results provide in vitro scientific support to the possible application of branches of P. spruceanum as antimicrobial agent that may contribute for treatment of infections.     

Preparation and Optical Characterization of Organoeuropium-Doped Silica Gels

Gels have been investigated as potential matrices for rare earth luminescence. The use of complexing ligands in the sol-gel synthesis of the rare-earth doped glasses has been suggested to improve the rare earth ion luminescence properties in these matrices due to the changes in the local environment experienced by the rare earth ion. In this work, transparent Eu3+-doped gels were prepared from Si(OCH3)4 and fluorinated and/or complex-forming Eu3+ precursors (Eu(fod)3, (CF3 SO3)3Eu, (CF3CO2)Eu · 3H2O, Eu(thd)3 and Eu(acac)3). Results of emission, fluorescence line narrowing and lifetimes studies of Eu3+-doped gels derived from Si(OCH3)4 and fluorinated/chelate Eu3+ precursors are presented. The results were interpreted in terms of the evolution of the Eu3+ fluorescence in systems varying from solutions to the gels densified to 800°C. Analysis of the fluorescence decays of the 5D0 state suggests that the use of the fluorinated Eu3+ precursors reduces the hydrophobic content in the silica gels matrices. FLN studies indicate that Eu3+ clustering occurred in all densified samples.     

Buchwald protocol applied to the synthesis of N-heterotolan liquid crystals

A homologous series of the new N-heterotolans 8a-d were synthesized using two cross-coupling reactions mediated by copper and palladium/copper. The final compounds present the phenyl-pyridyl framework connected by the acetylene group. The evaluation of thermal properties for this series is described. All compounds exhibit the smectic A and X mesophase. For comparison were also synthesized compounds 10, 12, and 14. Their LC properties are reported.     

In-Situ Nanoindentation Measurement of Local Mechanical Behavior of a Li-Ion Battery Cathode in Liquid Electrolyte

Experimental Mechanics - The state-of-the-art cathode materials experience severe structural and mechanical degradation over lithiation cycles albeit their small deformation. It has been a great...