Application of core-shell PEGylated CdS/Cd(OH)2 quantum dots as biolabels of Trypanosoma cruzi parasites

Semiconductor quantum dots are a promising class of materials in the labeling of biological systems. In the present study we show the marking pattern of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) live parasites using PEGylated CdS/Cd(OH)₂ fluorescent nanocrystals. The analysis obtained by confocal fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy indicates that only the endocytic paths of parasites were labeled. The parasites were alive after the incubation with the CdS/Cd(OH)₂-PEG suspension. Labeling the T. cruzi with quantum dots can help to better understand the endocytosis process and also the cellular differentiation.     

New highly fluorescent biolabels based on II-VI semiconductor hybrid organic-inorganic nanostructures for bioimaging

Semiconductor quantum dots based on II-VI materials may be prepared to develop good biolabeling properties. In this study we present some well-succeeded results related to the preparation, functionalization and bioconjugation of CdY (Y = S, Se and Te) to biological systems (live cells and fixed tissues). These nanostructured materials were prepared using colloidal synthesis in aqueous media resulting nanoparticles with very good optical properties and an excellent resistance to photodegradation.     

Self‐Assembled Gold Arrays That Allow Rectification by Nanoscale Selectivity

The deposition of a monolayer nanoarray on the surface of a micrometer‐thick substrate is demonstrated, producing rectification characteristics at the nanoscale. The experimental results show that the heterogeneity of the structure and the charge density are the two key factors affecting rectification, which was confirmed with molecular dynamic (MD) and finite element simulations. Moreover, by altering the asymmetric electrolyte environment, the fabricated heterogeneous membrane can be used in energy conversion. This study provides insights into the mechanism underlying the generation of rectification and related factors, providing a theoretical basis for the characteristics of rectification.     

Blend films based on biopolymers extracted from babassu mesocarp (Orbignya phalerata) for the electrochemical detection of methotrexate antineoplastic drug

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Methotrexate (MTX) is an antineoplastic drug widely used in cancer therapies with potentially toxic activity. This paper describes the electrochemical...     

A thermal desorption study of thiophene adsorbed on the clean and sulfided Mo(100) crystal face

The adsorption of thiophene (C₄H₄S) on the clean and sulfided Mo(100) crystal surface has been studied. A fraction of the adsorbed thiophene desorbs molecularly while the remainder decomposes upon heating, evolving H₂ and leaving carbon and sulfur deposits on the surface. The reversibly adsorbed thiophene exhibits three distinct desorption peaks at 360, 230–290 and 163–174 K, corresponding to binding energies of 22, 13–16 and 7–9 kcal/mol respectively. Sulfur on the Mo(100) surface preferentially blocks the highest energy binding state and causes an increase in the amount of thiophene bound in the low binding energy, multilayer state. The thiophene decomposition reactions yield H₂ desorption peaks in the temperature range 300–700 K. We estimate that 50–66% of the thiophene adsorbed to the clean Mo(100) decomposes. The decomposition reaction is blocked by the presence of c(2 × 2) islands of sulfur and is blocked completely at θ_s = 0.5, at which point thiophene adsorption is entirely reversible.     

The CO coadsorption and reactions of sulfur,hydrogen and oxygen on clean and sulfided Mo(100) and on MoS2(0001) crystal faces

The chemisorption and reactivity of O₂ and H₂ with the sulfided Mo(100) surface and the basal (0001) plane of MoS₂ have been studied by means of Thermal Desorption Spectroscopy (TDS), Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) and Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED). These studies have been carried out at both low (10^?8–10^?5Torr) and high (1 atm) pressures of O₂ and H₂. Sulfur desorbs from Mo(100) both as an atom and as a diatomic molecule. Sulfur adsorbed on Mo(100) blocks sites of hydrogen adsorption without noticeably changing the hydrogen desorption energies. TDS of ¹⁸O coadsorbed with sulfur on the Mo(100) surface produced the desorption of SO at 1150 K, and of S, S₂ and O, but not SO₂. A pressure of 1 × 10^?7 Torr of O₂ was sufficient to remove sulfur from Mo(100) at temperatures over 1100 K. The basal plane of MoS₂ was unreactive in the presence of 1 atm of O₂ at temperatures of 520 K. Sputtering of the MoS₂ produced a marked uptake of oxygen and the removal of sulfur under the same conditions.     

A new and efficient N-alkylation procedure for semicarbazides/semicarbazones derivatives

An easy to perform and regioselective synthesis of N-alkyl hydrazones/hydrazides is described, which uses an aprotic medium with kinetic control. This procedure produced the desired monoalkylated or dialkylated amines with excellent yields and selectivities.     

Effects of Adsorbed Polyaniline on Redox Processes on As(2)O(3) Surfaces

Polyaniline deposited on As(2)O(3) surface resulted in a new material, which was characterized by infrared spectoscopy, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and cyclic voltammetry. The mass percentage of polymer deposited on oxide surface is approximately 13%. The scanning electron microscopy images as well as the X-ray diffraction patterns provided conclusive evidence that the oxide surface is coated by the polymer. The cyclic voltammograms of the polyaniline adsorbed on As(2)O(3) surface showed that the adsorbate exerts remarkable effects on redox processes on this oxide. The pure oxide exhibited two oxidation/reduction peaks at 0.25/-0.06 and 0.47/-0.25 V attributed tentatively to the processes As(2)O(3)(s)+6H(+)+6e(-)=2As(s)+3H(2)O and As(s)+3H(+)+3e(-)=AsH(3)(g), respectively. The polyaniline-coated sample exhibited a better-defined voltammogram in which the first oxidation peak of the oxide had its intensity increased about four times. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Compound glass preparation for optical fibers using Brazilian natural quartz

We present studies related to the investigation of Brazilian natural quartz as a basic raw material for production of optical multicomponent glasses for optical fibers. The work includes characterization and selection of quartz, preparation, the melting process and glass characterization.