EQCM Analysis of the Insertion Phenomena in a -Doped Poly-Alkyl-Terthiophene With Regioregular Pattern of Substitution.

In the present work, we have undertaken the study of the -doping process in poly-3,3″-didodecyl-2,2':5',2″-terthiophene (poly-33″-DDTT) employing the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). The present study aims at understanding how cathodic charge in -doped poly-33″-DDTT is compensated. For this purpose, the analysis of the variations of the polymeric mass has been considered.

Comparative Pathogenesis of Generalist AcMNPV and Specific RanuNPV in Larvae of Rachiplusia nu (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Following Single and Mixed Inoculations.

The South American soybean pest, Rachiplusia nu (Guenée), is naturally infected by Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) and Rachiplusia nu nucleopolyhedrovirus (RanuNPV). We compared their pathogenicity to fourth-instar R. nu larvae, by evaluating time to death and virus spread throughout the tissues in single and mixed infections.

In silico identification of immunotherapeutic and diagnostic targets in the glycosylphosphatidylinositol metabolism of the coccidian Sarcocystis aucheniae.

Meat of the South American camelids (SACs) llama and alpaca is an important source of animal protein and income for rural families in the Andes, and a product with significant growth potential for local and international markets. However, infestation with macroscopic cysts of the coccidian protozoon Sarcocystis aucheniae, a parasitosis known as SAC sarcocystosis, significantly hampers its commercialization. There are no validated methods to diagnose the presence of S.

Detection of in blood of llama using a duplex semi-nested PCR assay and its association with cyst infestation.

The protozoon is the causative agent of South American camelid (SAC) sarcocystosis. Infections are characterized by the presence of cysts in muscles which are in size and appearance similar to rice grains. As consumption of insufficiently cooked infected meat produces gastroenteritis, cyst-containing SAC meat is confiscated by sanitary authorities or depreciated with serious economic consequences for SAC breeders.

Electrochemical and Photoelectrochemical Properties of Nickel Oxide (NiO) With Nanostructured Morphology for Photoconversion Applications.

The cost-effective production of chemicals in electrolytic cells and the conversion of the radiation energy into electrical energy in photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) require the use of electrodes with large surface area, which possess either electrocatalytic or photoelectrocatalytic properties. In this context nanostructured semiconductors are electrodic materials of great relevance because of the possibility of varying their photoelectrocatalytic properties in a controlled fashion via doping, dye-sensitization or modification of the conditions of deposition. Among semiconductors for electrolysers and PECs the class of the transition metal oxides (TMOs) with a particular focus on NiO interests for the chemical-physical inertness in ambient conditions and the intrinsic electroactivity in the solid state.

Seropositivity to Sarcocystis infection of llamas correlates with breeding practices.

Production of llama (Lama glama) meat in rural communities of the Andean regions is largely affected by Sarcocystis spp. infection. Macroscopic cysts develop in muscles as a consequence of S.

Molecular detection of Sarcocystis aucheniae in the blood of llamas from Argentina.

Sarcocystis aucheniae are apicomplexan protozoa that infect South American camelids (SACs), giving rise to macroscopic cysts similar to rice grains in skeletal muscles. Visual detection of macrocysts in slaughtered animals hampers commercialization of SAC meat, a highly relevant economic exploitation for Andean rural families. Importantly, the consumption of undercooked S.

Photoelectrochemical properties of mesoporous NiO x deposited on technical FTO via nanopowder sintering in conventional and plasma atmospheres.

Nanoporous nickel oxide (NiO x ) has been deposited with two different procedures of sintering (CS and RDS). Both samples display solid state oxidation at about 3.1 V vs Li+/Li.

Structural changes of conjugated Pt-containing polymetallaynes exposed to gamma ray radiation doses.

The effect of (60)Co gamma rays irradiation on the polymetallayne [-Pt(PBu(3))-C≡C-C(6)H(4)-C(6)H(4)-C≡C-](n) (Pt-DEBP) of defined chain length corresponding to 10 repeat units, has been studied in detail. The UV-vis absorption spectra of Pt-DEBP have been recorded in solution upon exposure of the polymetallayne at increasing radiation doses in the range up to 90 Gy, with special care to the features related to low doses. Complex modifications of the chemical structure of Pt-DEBP could be accessed through NMR, FTIR, GPC, and XPS characterizations, which support the attack of Cl and H radicals coming from the radiolysis of the solvent, CHCl(3), to the triple C≡C bonds of the backbone, leading to the formation of chlorinated double and single C-C bonds, with a concomitant increase of the molecular weight due to a recombinant effect of oligomer fragments upon irradiation.

Physical and electrochemical analysis of an indoor-outdoor ageing test of large-area dye solar cell devices.

A long-term life test (3200 h) on large-area dye-sensitized cells is performed both under outdoor conditions, in the sunny Mediterranean climate in Rome (Italy), and under continuous light soaking (1 Sun, 85 °C). Different degradation rates are investigated for the outdoor samples with horizontally and vertically oriented cells (azimuth South, tilt angle 25°). Thirty identical photocells (active area=3.

Optical behavior of conjugated Pt-containing polymetallaynes exposed to gamma-ray radiation doses.

The effect of (60)Co γ irradiation on the absorption and emission spectra of the organometallic polymer [-Pt(PBu(3))(2)-C≡C-C(6)H(4)-C(6)H(4)-C≡C-](n) (Pt-DEBP) in chloroform and toluene solutions for dosimetry applications has been studied. The system Pt-DEBP/chloroform can be used for dosimetric applications in two different ways: (i) monitoring of absorption spectra changes for higher doses (higher than 1 Gy), and (ii) monitoring of emission spectra changes for low doses (below 1 Gy). The response of the polymer solution to γ ray doses has been interpreted with the aid of theoretical studies based on time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations on the absorption bands of a model complex and of the possible fragments coming from the degradation of the polymer backbone.

Copper protection by self-assembled monolayers of aromatic thiols in alkaline solutions.

Copper corrosion in alkaline solutions is inhibited by the formation of self-assembled monolayers of aromatic thiols, made of either benzenethiol or 2-naphthalenethiol or 4-acetamidothiophenol. Electrochemical experiments, based on voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy, point out the much lower reactivity of copper surfaces towards oxidation, when covered by compact adlayers of the above molecules bonded through the S atom. The peculiar shape and peak position in the voltammetric reduction of residual oxides grown on modified metal surfaces suggest that they are due to Cu(I) suboxides, probably grown on reactive metal defects.

Molecular and electronic properties transferred to Silicon via wet-chemistry surface nanofunctionalization: ethynylferrocene on Si(100).

In the frame of our research activity on covalent anchoring of functional molecules on Si oriented surfaces, we report here on the hybrid species resulting from the reaction of ethynylferrocene with H-Si(100) either in a single, direct step, or after production of a self-assembled alpha,omega-bifunctional alkyl monolayer. In the former approach, a short Si-C covalent bond is established through visible-light activation of the unsaturated side arm of ethynylferrocene via an extra-mild approach. In the latter case, an azide-alkyne Huisgen cycloaddition reaction ("click" chemistry) is induced between the C[triple bond]C group of the molecule and the -N3 terminations of undecyl hydrocarbon chains pre-assembled onto H-Si(100).

A multi-technique approach to the analysis of SAMs of aromatic thiols on copper.

The adsorption of aromatic thiols on Cu and the SAM film stability in acidic solutions have been studied by XPS, contact angle and electrochemical techniques. Three short molecules, benzenethiol (BT), 2-naphthalenethiol (2-NT) and 4-acetamidothiophenol (4-AA), were selected as representatives of aromatic thiols to highlight the effect of aromatic rings and hydrophilic terminal groups on the copper protection. All the three molecules form stable S-Cu bonds as a consequence of their adsorption process on polycrystalline copper.

Electrochemical reversibility of vinylferrocene monolayers covalently attached on H-terminated p-Si(100).

A reversible electrochemical behavior is demonstrated on a specially prepared redox-functionalized H-Si(100) surface, obtained via an extra-mild grafting procedure from vinylferrocene. The results of a detailed XPS and electrochemical characterization of the resulting hybrid are reported and discussed to propose it as a reference system for high-quality electroactive monolayers on Si. The investigated ferrocene derivative bears a functional group suitable for a mild route to covalent anchoring on Si, which is based on a photoinduced reaction with visible light under an inert atmosphere.