Nanocrystalline TiO2 photosensitized with natural polymers with enhanced efficiency from 400 to 600 nm

TiO₂ sensitization for solar applications requires not only efficient but also stable and inexpensive sensitizers. Different condensed tannins extracted from bark wastes of tropical wood trees were studied as possible sensitizers of TiO₂. These natural polymers adhere strongly to the TiO₂ even from aqueous solutions. Absorption spectra are presented for 1 mM aqueous sensitizing solutions prepared with lyophilized condensed tannins which absorb light in the visible range. Spectral photocurrent measurements and I–V characterization show that no bias is required for electron injection to the TiO₂ from all studied condensed tannins. Incident photon to current efficiency (IPCE) analysis indicates that surface complexation originates absorption bands with different electron injection efficiencies. These play a dominant role in determining IPCE spectral shape. We propose that surface modification by the sensitizer changes the surface trap density, thereby decreasing recombination losses.     

Data collection: evaluation of a pilot model

The overall purpose of this study was to explore nurses' feelings about the applicability and adequacy of a pilot model of nursing assessment (PMNA) developed for coronary care units (CCU) in order to obtain data that could help in establishing a definitive model. The evaluation, performed by 11 CCU nurses, showed that they considered the development and implementation of PMNA as valuable, and that its design was adequate for interviewing cardiac patients. These results will be employed in the elaboration of a definitive model of nursing assessment.     

Use of postconsumer polyethylene in blends with polyamide 6: Effects of the extrusion method and the compatibilizer

Blends of polyamide and high‐density polyethylene show adequate properties for a large range of applications: they are used for the production of filaments, containers, and molding resins. The effect of the addition of 2 wt % of a compatibilizer, maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene, to the blend was studied and compared to the use of postconsumer polyethylene. The samples were extruded with single‐ and twin‐screw extruders with 25, 50, or 75 wt % f polyethylene, and the test specimens, molded by injection, were characterized by stress–strain tests, thermal properties, and morphologies. Processing the blends with postconsumer polyethylene in both extruders improved the mechanical properties in comparison to the blends processed with high‐density polyethylene and the compatibilizer. The morphologies of these blends showed that there was a decrease in the domain size of the disperse phase with the use of the compatibilizer or postconsumer polyethylene. The results indicate that for this blend, postconsumer polyethylene substituted, with advantages, for the necessity of a compatibilizer and the use of the high‐density polyethylene. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008.     

The minimum dosage of praziquantel in the treatment of Taenia saginata, 1986-1993

Patients who have a unicornuate uterus with a noncommunicating rudimentary horn that contains an endometrial cavity are at risk for endometriosis and obstetric complications. As in this case, resection of the rudimentary horn can be performed laparoscopically without increased risk to the patient and with some potential benefit.     

Prevalence of serologic markers of HBV, HDV, HCV and HIV in non-injection drug users compared to injection drug users in Gran Canaria, Spain

Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) is an autosomal dominant tumour syndrome caused by germline mutations of the VHL tumour suppressor gene located on chromosome 3p25-26. In VHL tumours may occur in 14 different target organs, including the eye. Retinal angiomas are considered the first manifestation of VHL disease in 43% of cases, and the cumulative probability of developing a retinal angioma in one or both eyes rises during each decade of life, reaching 80% for patients over 80 years old. Since 1976 patients with VHL at the University Hospital of Utrecht and their at-risk relatives have been screened periodically by a multidisciplinary team. Long-term follow-up ophthalmological data were analysed with special attention to natural course and results of treatment. In addition, we looked for a genotype-phenotype correlation. Retinal angiomas were found in all families. In one large family with a missense mutation (V170D) of the VHL gene, in which the complete spectrum of visceral- and central nervous system (CNS) features of VHL is present, macular, parapapillary, optic disc and ora serrata angiomas were also found. In general, however, a clear-cut genotype-phenotype correlation could not be found. Only early detection and treatment of peripheral retinal angiomas can be expected to decrease the percentage of patients with decreased visual acuity. Therefore, early detection and treatment of these tumours is of paramount importance. Ophthalmological screening of patients and persons at risk should start as early as possible. In patients with apparently sporadic retinal angiomas it is advisable to perform germline DNA analysis, since the risk of developing VHL is high, especially if the angiomas are bilateral, or unilateral and multifocal, if the patient is young, or if there is a family history suggestive of VHL.     

Land Use Effect on the CN Model Parameters in a Tropical Dry Environment

Dry tropical forests account for over 1,000,000 km², and there is still lack of knowledge on their hydrologic processes. The curve number (CN) hydrologic model developed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is widely applied for runoff determination in various parts of the world, but not so in tropical semiarid regions. This study analyzes the impact of land use changes on the CN model in a tropical semiarid environment, in two catchments of native dry tropical forest and thinned dry tropical forest land use from 2009 to 2012. The CN model was calibrated and validated for the NRCS recommended initial abstraction ratio λ = 0.2, and for λ evaluated from rainfall and runoff data. A reliability analysis was performed using Monte Carlo simulation. Model goodness-of-fit was assessed with statistical criteria. A total of 42 and 40 rainfall-runoff events were analyzed for the native and thinned dry tropical forest, respectively. Characteristic λ values of 0.15 and 0.11 were determined for the two respective catchments. Although CN values were similar for both land uses, CN_λ=0.20 = 80 and CN_{median λ} = 77, the thinned catchment showed a higher CN model parameters variability. The CN model was more sensitive to variations of CN values than to those of λ. This study showed that no matter the vegetation management in a dry tropical forest environment, modeled runoff is not affected by λ, but rather affected by CN, which represents soil, landuse and management.     

Performance of fluorine-added CoMoS/Al2O3 prepared by sonochemical and chemical vapor deposition methods in the hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene

The performance of a new type of CoMoS/Al₂O₃ catalyst, with added fluorine and prepared by sonochemical and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods, was investigated in the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of dibenzothiophene (DBT) and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT). The catalyst, which was designed to contain optimum amounts of fluorine and cobalt, exhibited a higher activity, ca. 4.6 times higher activity particularly in the HDS of 4,6-DMDBT, than a fluorine-free catalyst prepared by a conventional impregnation method. The enhanced activity of the new catalyst can be attributed to the cumulative effects of individual factors involved in the catalyst preparation. That is, the use of a sonochemical synthesis led to a high dispersion of small MoS₂ crystallites on the alumina, and the addition of the Co species to the catalyst by CVD caused a close interaction between the Co species and the MoS₂ crystallites to produce numerous CoMoS species, which are the catalytically active species for HDS. The addition of fluorine increased the amounts of acidic sites in the catalyst, which promoted hydrogenation (HYD) route to a greater extent than the direct desulfurization (DDS) route in DBT HDS and both HYD and DDS routes to similar extents in the case of 4,6-DMDBT HDS. Accordingly, the addition of fluorine led to a greater increase in catalytic activity for 4,6-DMDBT HDS than for DBT HDS.     

Influence of processing on ethylene propylene block copolymers (II): Fracture behavior

The present work investigates the relationships between the microstructural state and fracture properties in commercial polypropylene‐based materials. In this case an isopolypropylene homopolymer and three ethylene propylene block copolymers (EPBC) with different ethylene content (EC) have been studied. A variety of morphologies were obtained by a combination of several processing methods (injection molding, injection molding‐annealing, and compression molding) and thickness. Fracture behavior of deeply double‐edged notched specimens was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by the essential work of fracture (EWF) method, analyzing the influence of processing, thickness (t), EC, and orientation respect to melt flow direction (MD and TD). The testing direction and EC are the most relevant variables that affect the ability of the crack tip to deform plastically during the crack propagation, determining the final fracture behavior. The fracture parameters obtained with the EWF method, specific EWF, w_e, and plastic item, βw_p, have proved to be very sensitive to the processing induced morphology, finding interesting relationships between such morphologies (characterized by crystallinity index, orientation level, and skin/core ratio) and the fracture parameters of the plaques. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2714–2724, 2006     

Oxygen and chlorine evolution on RuO2 + TiO2 + CeO2 + Nb2O5 mixed oxide electrodes

A systematic investigation was conducted on the mechanism and electrocatalytic properties of O₂ and Cl₂ evolution on mixed oxide electrodes of nominal composition: Ti/[Ru_(0.3)Ti_(0.6)Ce_(0.1−x)]O₂[Nb₂O₅]_(x) (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1). For the oxygen evolution, a 30 mV Tafel slope is obtained in the presence of CeO₂, while in its absence a 40 mV coefficient is observed. The intrinsic electrocatalytic activity is mainly due to electronic factors, as result of the synergism between Ru and Ce oxides. For chlorine evolution, the Tafel slope (30 mV) is independent on oxide composition. The best global electrocatalytic activity for ClER was observed in the absence of Nb₂O₅ additive. Variation of the voltammetric charge throughout the experiments confirms high CeO₂ content compositions are fragile, due mainly to the porosity caused by CeO₂ presence. On the other hand, Nb₂O₅ addition decreases considerably this instability.     

Secretory profile of metapleural gland cells of the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex coronatus (Formicidae: Attini)

Ants present a pair of metapleural glands located at the posterolateral end of the thorax. Because of its importance in the social organization of ants, the present study was aimed at describing the morphophysiology of this gland in three worker castes of Acromyrmex coronatus, focused on secretory activity using histological and histochemical techniques. Our findings revealed that the secretory and the storage portions of this gland are connected by extracytoplasmic portion of canaliculi that drain the secretion from each secretory cell to the collecting chamber. This secretion contains glycoproteins. In minor workers, the secretion contains higher levels of polysaccharides when compared to that of major workers, supporting the role of the metapleural gland in the maintenance of the fungus garden. The nucleus as well as cytoplasm of secretory cells were strongly positive for RNA indicating that these cells are active in the synthesis of proteins and lipids, compounds found in the final secretion. The variant of the CEC revealed that the secretory activity of the entire gland is synchronous, as all cells exhibit the result.