Local coordination of Fe3+ in Li[Co(0.98)Fe(0.02)]O2 as cathode material for lithium ion batteries-multi-frequency EPR and Monte-Carlo Newman-superposition model analysis

The local coordination of the Fe(3+)-centers in Li[Co(0.98)Fe(0.02)]O(2) cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries has been investigated by means of XRD and multi-frequency EPR spectroscopy. EPR clearly showed the Fe(3+) being in a high-spin state with S = 5/2. The set of spin-Hamiltonian parameters obtained from multi-frequency EPR experiments with Larmor frequencies ranging between 9.8 and 406 GHz was transformed into structural information by means of an expansion to standard Newton-superposition modeling, termed as Monte-Carlo Newman superposition modeling. Based on this analysis, an isovalent incorporation of the Fe(3+)-ions on the Co(3+)-sites, i.e. Fe(x)(Co), has been shown. With that respect, the positive sign of the axial second-order fine-structure interaction parameter B(0)(2) is indicative of an elongated oxygen octahedron, whereas B(0)(2) < 0 points to a compressed octahedron coordinated about the Fe(3+)-center. Furthermore, the results obtained here suggest that the oxygen octahedron about the Fe(3+)-ion is slightly distorted as compared to the CoO(6) octahedron, which in turn may impose mechanical strain to the cathode material.     

In vitro antiprotozoal activity of extracts of five Turkish Lamiaceae species

The in vitro antiprotozoal activities of crude methanolic extracts from the aerial parts of five Lamiaceae plants (Salvia tomentosa, S. sclarea, S. dichroantha, Nepeta nuda subsp. nuda and Marrubium astracanicum subsp. macrodon) were evaluated against four parasitic protozoa, i.e. Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, T. cruzi, Leishmania donovani and Plasmodium falciparum. The cytotoxic potentials of the extracts on L6 cells were also evaluated. Melarsoprol, benznidazole, miltefosine, chloroquine and podophyllotoxin were used as reference drugs. All crude MeOH extracts showed antiprotozoal potential against at least three parasites, so they were dispersed in water and partitioned against n-hexane and chloroform to yield three subextracts that were screened in the same test systems. The n-hexane extract of N. nuda was the most active against T. brucei rhodesiense while the CHCl3 extracts of S. tomentosa and S. dichroantha showed significant activity against L. donovani. All organic extracts displayed in vitro antimalarial and moderate trypanocidal activities against T. cruzi with the n-hexane extract of S. sclarea being the most active against the latter. The extracts displayed low or no cytotoxicity towards mammalian L6 cells.     

Molecular recognition in structured matrixes: control of guest localization in block copolymer films

We demonstrate the use of molecular recognition to control the spatial distribution of guest molecules within block copolymer films. Block copolymers bearing recognition units were combined with complementary and noncomplementary molecules, and the extent of segregation of these molecules into the different domain types within microphase-separated thin films was quantitatively analyzed using dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Complementarity between the guest molecules and the polymer functionalities proved to be a key factor and an efficient tool for directing the segregation preference of the molecules to the different domain types. The effect of segregation preference on the glass transition temperature was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the results corroborate the SIMS findings. In a complementary study, guests with tunable sizes (via dendron substituents) were used to control block copolymer morphology. Morphological characterization using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction reveal that selectivity differences can be directly translated into the ability to obtain different morphologies from recognition unit-functionalized block copolymer scaffolds.     

Duplex strand formation using alternating copolymers

The regular arrangement of complementary diaminopyridine-thymine (DAP-THY) on alternating copolymers permits cooperative binding events and the effective formation of well-controlled micrometre-scale aggregates.     

Levels of cesium radionuclides in mosses in the eastern Black Sea area of Turkey

Moss samples collected from the eastern Black Sea about 6.5 years after the Chernobyl accident have been analyzed for radiocesium activity.¹³⁴Cs activity was also detected in all the samples beside¹³⁷Cs radionuclide. The levels of total cesium activity in the mosses proved that the coastal zone in the eastern Black Sea region was highly contaminated.     

Warm-white light-emitting diodes integrated with colloidal quantum dots for high luminous efficacy and color rendering

Warm-white LEDs (WLEDs) with high spectral quality and efficiency are required for lighting applications, but current experimental performances are limited. We report on nanocrystal quantum dot (NQD) hybridized WLEDs with high performance that exhibit a high luminous efficacy of optical radiation exceeding 350lm/W(opt) and a high color rendering index close to 90 at a low correlated color temperature <3000K. These spectrally engineered WLEDs are obtained using a combination of CdSe/ZnS core/shell NQD nanophosphors integrated on blue InGaN/GaN LEDs.     

Effect of magnetic field on dynamic response function in Ising systems

As a continuation of our previously published work, we use the Nelson?s method to study the effect of the magnetic field on the temperature-, frequency-, and momentum-dependent response function and dynamic correlation function in the Ising-type systems with relaxational dynamics. The scaling function is given within the renormalization group formalism at one-loop order for nonzero field. We show how the typical two-peak structure of the real part of response function changes with magnetic field. We discuss the deviations of the correlation function from the Gaussian expression. The Fisher–Langer maximum is also considered.     

Voltammetric and Impedimetric Detection of Interaction Between Dacarbazine and Nucleic Acids

Dacarbazine (DTIC) is a chemotherapy drug that is used for the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma, malignant melanoma, childhood solid tumors and soft tissue sarcoma. The surface confined interaction between DTIC and nucleic acids was investigated for the first time in this study by using both differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in combination with disposable pencil graphite electrodes. The oxidation signals of DTIC and guanine were measured before and after interaction process using DPV technique. The interaction of DTIC with nucleic acids; poly[A], poly[G], or double stranded of poly[A]‐poly[T] and poly[G]‐poly[C] was also examined using DPV. Furthermore, EIS technique was utilized for detection of the interaction between DTIC and nucleic acids; ssDNA/dsDNA, poly[A], poly[G], or double stranded poly[A]‐poly[T] and poly[G]‐poly[C].