Chemical degradation processes of highly stable red phosphorescent organic light emitting diodes

We investigate the chemical degradation processes of highly stable red organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on the triplet emitter tris(1-phenylisoquinoline)iridium(III) by laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LDI-TOF-MS). The analysis of LDI-TOF spectra, collected on OLEDs driven at different current densities, shows a direct correlation between the lifetime of the devices and the formation of the three different reaction products: a BPhen dimer, an adduct of BPhen dimer with cesium, and the complex [BAlq₂ + Al(Me-q)₂]⁺ as well. Additionally it was possible to identify another degradation product, whose chemical structure is related to the α-NPD molecule as well to the fluorine of the used p-dopant. This product is only observable in devices aged at very high current densities.     

Mathematical modeling and simulation of inulinase adsorption in expanded bed column

A mathematical model for an expanded bed column was developed to predict breakthrough curves for inulinase adsorption on Streamline SP ion-exchange adsorbent, using a crude fermentative broth with cells as the feedstock. The kinetics and mass transfer parameters were estimated using the PSO (particle swarm optimization) heuristic algorithm. The parameters were estimated for each expansion degree (ED) using three breakthrough curves at initial inulinase concentrations of 65.6 U mL⁻¹. In sequence, the model parameters for an ED of 2.5 were validated using the breakthrough curve at an initial concentration of 114.4 U mL⁻¹. The applicability of the validated model in process optimization was investigated, using the model as a process simulator and experimental design methodology to optimize the column and process efficiencies. The results demonstrated the usefulness of this methodology for expanded bed adsorption processes.     

Recovery of C-Phycocyanin in the Presence of Cells Using Expanded Bed IEC

In order to study the relationship between spinal cord injury and the change of nerve growth factor (NGF), an analytical method for NGF by capillary electrophoresis-based immunoassay (CEIA) with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) was developed. Having been dissolved in phosphate buffer solution and concentrated with vacuum freeze-drying, NGF in spinal cord of rat was allowed to react with NGF monoclonal antibody labeled with fluorescence isothiocyanate (FITC). Then the immuno-complex, FITC-labeled anti-NGF and FITC were separated and determined by LIF-CEIA using Kiton red as the internal standard. The linear range of the method was 2?C30?ng?mL^?1 and the limit of detection was 0.35?ng?mL^?1. The relative standard derivations for relative migration time and relative fluorescence intensity ratio were 7.98% and 6.52%, respectively. The contents of NGF from spinal cord of rat were determined by both the proposed method and Western blotting. The results with the two methods agreed well. The spiked recoveries of the samples were 88.5?C116.3%. The proposed method was rapid, precise and inexpensive.     

Early stages hydration of high initial strength Portland cement

Thermogravimetry (TG) and derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) were used to analyze the early stages of hydration of a high-initial strength and sulphate resistant Portland cement (HS SR PC) within the first 24 h of setting. The water/cement (W/C) mass ratios used to prepare the pastes were 0.35, 0.45, and 0.55. The hydration behavior of the pastes was analyzed through TG and DTG curves obtained after different hydration times on calcined cement mass basis to have a same composition basis to compare the data. The influence of the W/C ratio on the kinetics of the hydration process was done through the quantitative analysis of the combined water of the main hydration products formed in each case. TG and DTG curves data calculated on calcined mass basis of all the results were converted to initial cement mass basis to have an easier way to analyze the influence of the W/C ratio on the free and combined water of the different main hydrated phases. The gypsum content of the pastes was totally consumed in 8 h for all cases. A significant part of the hydration process occurs within the first 14 h of setting and at 24 h the highest hydration degree, indicated by the respective content of formed calcium hydroxide, occurs in the case of the highest initial water content of the paste.     

Essential oil from the leaves of Annona vepretorum: chemical composition and bioactivity

The essential oil from the leaves of Annona vepretorun was obtained by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus and analyzed by GC-MS and GC-FID. Eighteen compounds representing 98.1% of the crude essential oil were identified. The major compounds identified were bicyclogermacrene (43.7%), spathulenol (11.4%), alpha-felandrene (10.0%), alpha-pinene (7.1%), (E)-beta-ocimene (6.8%), germacrene D (5.8%), and p-cymene (4.2%). The trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigote forms, as well as, the antimicrobial and antioxidant proprieties was investigated. The essential oil showed a potent trypanocidal activity with IC50 value of 31.9 +/-1.3 microg x mL(-1). For antimicrobial activity, the best result was observed against Candida tropicalis with a MIC value of 100 microg x mL(-1). For antioxidant capacity the essential oil showed weak activity.     

Highly Sensitive Neurotransmitters Analysis at Platinum‐Ultramicroelectrodes Arrays

An easy way to determine norepinephrine (NE) in biological fluid using a platinum ultramicroelectrode array (Pt‐UMEAs) is described. Issues related to UME electrode surface treatment and characterizations are also addressed. At optimized experimental conditions the dynamic concentration range was 1.0 to 10.0 µmol L^?1 with a detection limit of 40.5 nmol L^?1. The repeatability of current responses for injections of 5 µmol L^?1 NE was evaluated to be 4.0 % (n=10). This approach obtained excellent sensitivity, a reliable calibration profile and stable electrochemical response for norepinephrine detection. The content of NE in urine samples without any preconcentration, purification, or pretreatment step, was successfully analyzed by the standard addition method using the Pt‐UMEAs.     

Morphology,distribution and abundance of antennal sensilla in three stink bug species (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

The neotropical stink bugs, Euschistus heros, Piezodorus guildinii and Edessa meditabunda, are important pests of soybean and other crops throughout Central America and in South America from Northern Argentina to Brazil. Mate finding and host plant location in these species depend largely on their chemical communication, and semiochemicals are important mediators of these behaviors. In this study scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the external morphology, distribution and abundance of antennal sensilla on males, females and 5th instar nymphs of these species. Nine morphologically different sensilla types were found: trichod sensilla, type 1 and 2 (ST1 and ST2), long and short basiconic sensilla (SB1, SB2, and SB3), slit-tipped and knob-shaped basiconic sensilla, long chaetic sensilla (Sch) and coeloconic sensilla (Sco). Differences were detected in the abundance and arrangement of the sensilla over the antennal segments in individuals of the same species and among the species studied. The Sch, Sco and the slit-tipped and knob-shaped basiconic sensilla accounted for the major difference in sensilla types among the species. The ST1 was the most abundant type and was restricted to the flagellum. The pedicel of E. heros differs from the pedicels of P. guildinii and E. meditabunda mainly by the absence of Sch. There was a sexual dimorphism in ST1, SB1 and SB2, and this may be an indicative of their roles in detection of male-produced sex pheromone and odors derived from the host plants. The SB2 was lacking in the antennal tip of both sexes and 5th instar nymphs, but was abundant on the second flagellar segment of females of the three species. The same types of sensilla were found on 5th instar nymphs, but always in significantly lower numbers. The morphology and putative functions of each sensilla were compared and discussed.     

Linear and nonlinear instabilities of a granular bed: Determination of the scales of ripples and dunes in rivers

Granular media are frequently found in nature and in industry and their transport by a fluid flow is of great importance to human activities. One case of particular interest is the transport of sand in open-channel and river flows. In many instances, the shear stresses exerted by the fluid flow are bounded to certain limits and some grains are entrained as bed-load: a mobile layer which stays in contact with the fixed part of the granular bed. Under these conditions, an initially flat granular bed may be unstable, generating ripples and dunes such as those observed on the bed of rivers. In free-surface water flows, dunes are bedforms that scale with the flow depth, while ripples do not scale with it. This article presents a model for the formation of ripples and dunes based on the proposition that ripples are primary linear instabilities and that dunes are secondary instabilities formed from the competition between the coalescence of ripples and free surface effects. Although simple, the model is able to explain the growth of ripples, their saturation (not explained in previous models) and the evolution from ripples to dunes, presenting a complete picture for the formation of dunes.     

The Internet multicast from ITS: how it was done and implicationsfor the future

Many sessions at the International Telecommunications Symposium (ITS) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in August 1994, were multicast through the Internet as live audio and pictures to viewers in the US and elsewhere. The Multicast Backbone (MBONE) frequently carries meetings of the Internet community and special events such as Space Shuttle launchings. It is beginning to be used for workshops and other professional gatherings. Making one of its major conferences available through MBONE was a first for the Communications Society and a cooperative effort by many people that relied on the generous loan of equipment and staff members by a number of companies. A special satellite data connection extended MBONE from the United States to Brazil. The authors report on how it was done and what it means for the Communications Society