Correlations in the sand pile model: From the log-normal distribution to self-organized criticality

We have studied the approach of the Abelian sand pile model towards the stationary, self-organized criticality state. The uncorrelated limit is shown both numerically and by a simple analysis to follow the log-normal distribution. We introduce and evaluate several correlation fuctions to study the correlated region.     

Vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cell culture on NaOH-treated poly(epsilon-caprolactone) films: a preliminary study for vascular graft development

Tissue engineering offers the potential of providing vessels that can be used to replace diseased and damaged native blood vessels. The endothelization of a synthetic vascular graft minimizes the failures associated with blood clotting and platelet activation. The aim of this study was to culture vascular-derived endothelial and smooth muscle cells on both untreated and NaOH-treated poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) films, a biocompatible and bio-resorbable polymer, and to evaluate the behavior of both cell types as a preliminary study for vascular graft development. PCL films were prepared by hot pressing; characterized by DSC, IR, SEM, and scanning force microscopy; and treated with NaOH to increase the surface hydrophilicity before cell culture. Endothelial and smooth muscle cells, isolated from pig cava vein, were characterized by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy studies of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and alpha-smooth muscle actin. Good adhesion, growth, viability and morphology of both the endothelial and smooth muscle cells on PCL films were obtained, but a light stimulation of mitochondrial activity was observed during short culture times. NaOH treatment improved the adhesion and enhanced the proliferation in both cell types. This verified the possible use of this modified polymer as a support in the preparation of a synthetic vascular graft. [Diagram: see text] SEM micrograph of smooth muscle cells cultured on NaOH-treated PCL film. (Original magnification: 1000x).     

Association of poly-N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl] acrylamide with a water soluble β-cyclodextrin polymer

An acrylic polymer with pendent adamantyl groups was synthesized and its properties in an aqueous solution with a β-cyclodextrin (βCD) epichlorhydrin polymer examined. Viscosity properties of precursor and modified polymers show differences at low concentrations, but not at higher concentration probably due to very important hydrogen bonds which prevent the formation of intermolecular hydrophobic bonds. The association of both complementary polymers through the inclusion of adamantyl groups is evidenced by phases separation occurrence. Phase diagrams were established at two different concentrations of polymers. We have shown a maximal association of both polymers at these two concentrations, for the same ratio βCD moles/adamantyl groups: 2.4. Salt addition favors this association and displaces the two phases zone to smaller concentrations of modified polymer. Further, 4-nitrophenol can be extracted by the concentrated phase resulting from mixture of solutions of guest and host polymers, pointing out the availability of the associated phase to trap organic molecules.     

Electrocatalysis at chemically modified electrodes : Detection/determination of redox gaseous species in continuous-flow systems

The electrocatalytic response of chemically modified carbon paste and glassy carbon electrodes with anchored Fe(II)/Fe(III) centers is presented for gaseous species such as NO₂, SO₂, H₂S, and Cl₂. Carbon paste electrodes are modified by direct admixing of tris[4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline]iron(II) perchlorate, and glassy carbon electrodes are modified by oxidative electropolymerisation of tris[5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline]iron(II) perchlorate. The electrocatalytic cycle operating in the integrated reaction/pre-electrode layer of chemically modified electrodes results in significant signal enhancement. Chemical modification of the conducting surfaces protects the electrode surface from poisoning. evaluation was done in a continuous-flow system using gravitational flow fo supporting electrolyte carrier propulsion, direct injection of air containing parts per billion or parts per million (v/v) of the gaseous species, and amperometric detection with the chemically modified electrodes as part of a thin-layer cell.     

Voltammetric, chronocoulometric and spectroelectrochemical studies of electropolymerized films based on Co(III/II)- and Zn(II)-4,9,16,23-tetraaminophthalocyanine: effect of high pH

Electropolymerized thin films of Co(III/II)- and Zn(II)-4,9,16,23-tetraaminophthalocyanine, immersed in solutions of relatively high pH, have been studied electro- and spectroelectrochemically. Cyclic voltammetry and chronocoulometry were used to characterize films deposited on glassy carbon electrodes. Spectroelectrochemistry and ellipsometry measurements were performed on indium tin oxide (ITO) surfaces coated with the zinc and cobalt complexes and correlated to the electrochemical information collected using glassy carbon electrodes. Studies at high pH are motivated by the efficient increase in luminol chemiluminescence at high OH⁻ concentration, and by potential application in luminescence sensors. Although the films are not removed, some structural changes occur when they are exposed to solutions of high pH. In addition, an estimation of the number of monolayers has also been calculated. The atomic diameters of cobalt and zinc are very close in value, but the estimated number of monolayers, based on cyclic voltammetric data, for a given number of electropolymerization cycles is approximately four-fold higher in the zinc-based film. This would correspond to three-fold thicker films when zinc is the central metal ion. Ellipsometry measurements have been correlated with cyclic voltammetric data to confirm that film thickness varies among the different complexes, even though the conditions of electropolymerization are the same.     

Chemical species produced in the reaction between ethanedial (glyoxal) and 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline and their iron(II) complexes: electrochemical studies and analytical applications

The cyclic voltammetric behavior of carbon paste electrodes modified by direct admixing with the products of the reactions between ethanedial (glyoxal) and 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline at 100°C and that of their iron(II) complexes is reported. The ligand(s) produced in absence of iron(II) are able to complex iron(II) and copper(II) ions reversibly, but other ions such as nickel(II), cobalt(II), cadmium(II) and manganese(II), if complexed, show no electrochemical activity. Admixing with the products of the reaction in the presence of excess of iron(II) ion, because of high insolubility and fast electron exchange, produces surfaces useful for amperometric detection in continuous-flow systems. The voltammetric and amperometric behavior in the presence of HSO^?₃ ions is reported in order to illustrate this application.     

Chemical species produced in the reaction between ethanedial (glyoxal) and 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline and their iron(II) complexes: preparation and some spectrometric studies

Chemical species obtained by reaction of 5-amino-1, 10-phenanthroline with ethanedial (glyoxal) are reported with regard to their preparation, chemical composition and spectrometric characterization (UV-visible, infrared and liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry). Products of the reaction are postulated to be a mixture of species with molecular weights of 339, 371,480 and 524 u. Chemical reactions leading to these products and possible structural formulas for each of these species are presented. The iron complexes of these ligands, because of their extremely low solubility in most solvents, find application as redox mediators when incorporated in carbon paste electrodes, particularly for sensing in continuous-flow systems.     

Using second-order calibration to identify and quantify aromatic sulfonates in water by high-performance liquid chromatography in the presence of coeluting interferences

We used the Generalized Rank Annihilation Method (GRAM), a second-order calibration method, to quantify aromatic sulfonates in water with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) when interferences coeluted with the analytes of interest. With GRAM, we can quantify in only two chromatographic analyses, one for a calibration sample and one for the unknown sample. The calculated concentrations were not statistically different to those obtained when the chromatographic separation of the unknown sample was modified in order to completely separate the analyte from the interferences before univariate calibration. With GRAM, the concentrations are determined much more quickly because a complete resolution is not required.