Singlet Oxygen Photocatalytic Generation by Silanized TiO Nanoparticles.

A commercial TiO sample, used as received or hydrothermally treated to increase surface hydroxylation, has been functionalized by surface modification with hexadecyltrimethoxysilane. The anchoring of the silane has been characterized by means of FTIR and solid-state NMR spectroscopies, and the grafting density was determined by thermogravimetric and N physisorption analyses. The silane moieties induce a partial decrease of the shielding of the valence electrons of the Ti ions at the surface, and a local modification of their crystal field, as demonstrated by XPS and UV/Vis spectroscopy, respectively.

On the Origin of the Light Yield Enhancement in Polymeric Composite Scintillators Loaded with Dense Nanoparticles.

Fast emitting polymeric scintillators are requested in advanced applications where high speed detectors with a large signal-to-noise ratio are needed. However, their low density implies a weak stopping power of high energy radiation and thus a limited light output and sensitivity. To enhance their performance, polymeric scintillators can be loaded with dense nanoparticles (NPs).

Sensitized Triplet-Triplet Annihilation in Nanostructured Polymeric Scintillators Allows for Pulse Shape Discrimination.

Scintillating materials emit light when exposed to ionizing radiation or particles and are used for the detection of nuclear threats, medical imaging, high-energy physics, and other usages. For some of these applications, it is vital to distinguish neutrons and charged particles from γ-rays. This is achievable by pulse shape discrimination (PSD), a time-gated technique, which exploits that the scintillation kinetics can depend on the nature of the incident radiation.

Biomechanical Factors Predisposing to Knee Injuries in Junior Female Basketball Players.

This cross-sectional observational study aims to determine isokinetic normality data at different speeds, and isometric data of ankle and knee joints, in healthy basketball players aged 15-16 years old. The participants were recruited through non-probabilistic convenience sampling. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and biomechanical variables were collected.