Covalently linked benzothiadiazole-fullerene adducts for organic optoelectronic devices: synthesis and characterization.

Fullerene adducts have attracted attention in a variety of applications including organic optoelectronic devices. In this regard, we have designed a covalently linked donor-acceptor dyad comprising a fluorobenzothiadiazole-thiophene (BTF-Th) unit with the electron acceptor fullerene in an Acceptor-Donor-Acceptor (A-D-A) molecular arrangement. We synthesized and characterized two new covalently bonded benzothiadiazole-based fullerene molecules, mono-adduct, 7 (benzothiadiazole : PCBM = 1 : 1, anchored terminally esterification reaction) and multi-adduct, 10-I (benzothiadiazole : PCBM =  : 1, where ≥ 1, attached directly to the fullerene core the Prato reaction) using different synthetic strategies.

On the melting point depression, coalescence, and chemical ordering of bimetallic nanoparticles: the miscible Ni-Pt system.

Among the properties that distinguish nanoparticles (NPs) from their bulk counterparts is their lower melting points. It is also common knowledge that relatively low melting points enhance the coalescence of (usually) nascent nanoclusters toward larger NPs. Finally, it is well established that the chemical ordering of bi- (or multi-) metallic NPs can have a profound effect on their physical and chemical properties, dictating their potential applications.

A finite element model of an osteoblast to quantify the transduction of exogenous forces to cellular components.

Encouraged by recent advances of biophysical and biochemical assays we introduce a 3D finite element model of an osteoblast, seeking an analogue between exogenous forces and intracellularly activated sensory mechanisms. The cell was reverse engineered and the dimensions of the internal cellular structures were based on literature data. The model was verified and validated against atomic force microscopy experiments and four loading scenarios were considered.

Stress-transfer from polymer substrates to monolayer and few-layer graphenes.

In the present study, the stress transfer mechanism in graphene-polymer systems under tension is examined experimentally using the technique of laser Raman microscopy. We discuss in detail the effect of graphene edge geometry, lateral size and thickness which need to be taken under consideration when using graphene as a protective layer. The systems examined were composed of graphene flakes with a large length (over ∼50 microns) and a thickness of one to three layers simply deposited onto PMMA substrates which were then loaded to a tension of ∼1.

Antiviral drugs in aquatic environment and wastewater treatment plants: A review on occurrence, fate, removal and ecotoxicity.

The environmental release of antiviral drugs is of considerable concern due to potential ecosystem alterations and the development of antiviral resistance. As a result, interest on their occurrence and fate in natural and engineered systems has grown substantially in recent years. The main scope of this review is to fill the void of information on the knowledge on the worldwide occurrence of antiviral drugs in wastewaters and natural waters and correlate their levels with their environmental fate.

Remarkable Enhancement of the Hole Mobility in Several Organic Small-Molecules, Polymers, and Small-Molecule:Polymer Blend Transistors by Simple Admixing of the Lewis Acid p-Dopant B(CF).

Improving the charge carrier mobility of solution-processable organic semiconductors is critical for the development of advanced organic thin-film transistors and their application in the emerging sector of printed electronics. Here, a simple method is reported for enhancing the hole mobility in a wide range of organic semiconductors, including small-molecules, polymers, and small-molecule:polymer blends, with the latter systems exhibiting the highest mobility. The method is simple and relies on admixing of the molecular Lewis acid B(CF) in the semiconductor formulation prior to solution deposition.

Comparison of different zeolite framework types as carriers for the oral delivery of the poorly soluble drug indomethacin.

Microporous zeolites of distinct framework types, textural properties and crystal morphologies namely BEA, ZSM and NaX, have been employed as carriers to assess their effect on modulating the dissolution behavior of a BCS II model drug (indomethacin). Preparation of the loaded carriers via the incipient wetness method induced significant drug amorphization for the BEA and NaX samples, as well as high drug payloads. The stability of the amorphous drug content was retained after stressing test evaluation of the porous carriers.

Clinical outcomes of lingual orthodontic treatment: a systematic review.

Objectives: To assess the available evidence on the effectiveness of lingual orthodontic treatment and related clinical parameters through a systematic review of relevant studies.

Materials And Methods: Eligible clinical studies published from January 2000 to March 2015 were identified through electronic (five major databases) and hand searches. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for prospective studies and a specially designed tool for retrospective studies.