Electrical and optical measurements of the bandgap energy of a light-emitting diode

International audienceSemiconductors materials are at the basis of electronics. Most electronic devices are made of semiconductors. The operation of these components is well described by quantum physics which is a little mysterious to students. One of the intrinsic parameters of semiconductors is their bandgap energy Eg. In the case of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) Eg fixes the colour of the light emitted by the diodes. We propose in this article a lab work allowing a comparison of Eg of a green LED obtained by both electrical and optical measurements. The two slightly different results can be explained by the theoritical knowledges of the students on solid physics and electronic devices internal architecture

An introduction to photocatalysis through methylene blue photodegradation

International audienceWe described a simple experimental setup for a lab work on the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue by T iO 2 nanoparticles. The photocatalysis process can be used for many applications. Treatments for diluted wastewaters industries, air purifying in underground car parks, preventing fouling on glass surfaces, these are some of the things this phenomenon has the ability to do. The described experiment is easy to perform and the interpretation can be easily adapted to different level of students: from high school students demonstrating their interests on a sustainable development, to students who are getting Masters in the science department that want to propose a full explanation of all the phenomenon of the photocatalytic process. Starting by a description of the experimental setup , we analysed the photocatalyst nanoparticles and applied the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model to our experimental data. Finally we discussed shortly on the respective energetic levels of the photocatalyst semiconductor and the methylene blue

Familial hypercholesterolaemia in children and adolescents from 48 countries: a cross-sectional study

Background: Approximately 450 000 children are born with familial hypercholesterolaemia worldwide every year, yet only 2·1% of adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia were diagnosed before age 18 years via current diagnostic approaches, which are derived from observations in adults. We aimed to characterise children and adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and understand current approaches to the identification and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia to inform future public health strategies. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, we assessed children and adolescents younger than 18 years with a clinical or genetic diagnosis of HeFH at the time of entry into the Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (FHSC) registry between Oct 1, 2015, and Jan 31, 2021. Data in the registry were collected from 55 regional or national registries in 48 countries. Diagnoses relying on self-reported history of familial hypercholesterolaemia and suspected secondary hypercholesterolaemia were excluded from the registry; people with untreated LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) of at least 13·0 mmol/L were excluded from this study. Data were assessed overall and by WHO region, World Bank country income status, age, diagnostic criteria, and index-case status. The main outcome of this study was to assess current identification and management of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia. Findings: Of 63 093 individuals in the FHSC registry, 11 848 (18·8%) were children or adolescents younger than 18 years with HeFH and were included in this study; 5756 (50·2%) of 11 476 included individuals were female and 5720 (49·8%) were male. Sex data were missing for 372 (3·1%) of 11 848 individuals. Median age at registry entry was 9·6 years (IQR 5·8-13·2). 10 099 (89·9%) of 11 235 included individuals had a final genetically confirmed diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia and 1136 (10·1%) had a clinical diagnosis. Genetically confirmed diagnosis data or clinical diagnosis data were missing for 613 (5·2%) of 11 848 individuals. Genetic diagnosis was more common in children and adolescents from high-income countries (9427 [92·4%] of 10 202) than in children and adolescents from non-high-income countries (199 [48·0%] of 415). 3414 (31·6%) of 10 804 children or adolescents were index cases. Familial-hypercholesterolaemia-related physical signs, cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiovascular disease were uncommon, but were more common in non-high-income countries. 7557 (72·4%) of 10 428 included children or adolescents were not taking lipid-lowering medication (LLM) and had a median LDL-C of 5·00 mmol/L (IQR 4·05-6·08). Compared with genetic diagnosis, the use of unadapted clinical criteria intended for use in adults and reliant on more extreme phenotypes could result in 50-75% of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia not being identified. Interpretation: Clinical characteristics observed in adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia are uncommon in children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia, hence detection in this age group relies on measurement of LDL-C and genetic confirmation. Where genetic testing is unavailable, increased availability and use of LDL-C measurements in the first few years of life could help reduce the current gap between prevalence and detection, enabling increased use of combination LLM to reach recommended LDL-C targets early in life

Pasados y presente. Estudios para el profesor Ricardo García Cárcel

Ricardo García Cárcel (Requena, 1948) estudió Historia en Valencia bajo el magisterio de Joan Reglà, con quien formó parte del primer profesorado de historia moderna en la Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. En esta universidad, desde hace prácticamente cincuenta años, ha desarrollado una extraordinaria labor docente y de investigación marcada por un sagaz instinto histórico, que le ha convertido en pionero de casi todo lo que ha estudiado: las Germanías, la historia de la Cataluña moderna, la Inquisición, las culturas del Siglo de Oro, la Leyenda Negra, Felipe II, Felipe V, Austrias y Borbones, la guerra de la Independencia, la historia cultural, los mitos de la historia de España... Muy pocos tienen su capacidad para reflexionar, ordenar, analizar, conceptualizar y proponer una visión amplia y llena de matices sobre el pasado y las interpretaciones historiográficas. A su laboriosidad inimitable se añade una dedicación sin límites en el asesoramiento de alumnos e investigadores e impulsando revistas, dosieres, seminarios o publicaciones colectivas. Una mínima correspondencia a su generosidad lo constituye este volumen a manera de ineludible agradecimiento

Naked-Eye Chromogenic Test Strip for Cyanide Sensing Based on Novel Phenothiazine Push–Pull Derivatives

International audienceMonitoring and detection of cyanide are of crucial interest as the latter plays versatile roles in many biological events, is ubiquitous in environment, and responsible for several acute poisoning and adverse health effects if ingested. We describe herein the synthesis and characterization of novel phenothiazine-based push–pull chromogenic chemosensors suitable for naked eye cyanide sensing. Indeed, specific detections were achieved for cyanide with a LOD of ca 9.12 to 4.59 µM and, interestingly, one of the new chemosensors has also revealed an unprecedented affinity for acetate with a LOD of ca 2.68 µM. Moreover, as proof of concept for practical applications, a paper test strip was prepared allowing its use for efficient qualitative naked eye cyanide sensing

Effect of template ion–ligand complex stoichiometry on selectivity of ion-imprinted polymers

International audienceIn order to highlight the importance of the complex stoichiometry during ion imprinted polymer (IIP) synthesis, we investigated the effect of the complex structure on IIPs selectivity by adjusting the complex stoichiometry before polymerization. 2-(aminomethyl)pyridine monomer (amp) was chosen as a functionalized ligand for nickel(II) ions and a polymerizable vinylbenzyl derivative (Vbamp) was prepared. Complex formation was studied by varying the nickel/Vbamp ratio and recording absorption spectra of the complexes at the polymerization conditions. Using a least-squares minimization scheme, the complex species distribution was successfully established. From these results, it was possible to choose the metal/ligand stoichiometry in the complex (1:1; 1:2 or 1:3) by adjusting the initial metal/ligand ratio. IIPs were then prepared by inverse suspension copolymerization of Vbamp with ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EDMA). Highly porous particles with good nickel binding capacity and good Ni/Zn selectivity even at acidic conditions were obtained. Equilibrium uptake of Ni(II) at pH 7 ranged from 0.12 to 0.2 mmol g−1 and relative selective coefficient was as high as 260 for the IIP prepared using the Ni(Vbamp)2 complex

Dibutylamino end-capped benzo[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophene-4,5-dione and benzo[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophene versus non modified analogues: contribution of amino groups

International audienc