Improving light harvesting in polymer photodetector devices through nanoindented metal mask films

To enhance light harvesting in organic photovoltaic devices, we propose the incorporation of a metal (aluminum) mask film in the system’s usual layout. We fabricate devices in a sandwich geometry, where the mask (nanoindented with a periodic array of holes of sizes d and spacing s) is added between the transparent electrode and the active layer formed by a blend of the semiconducting polymer P3HT and substituted fullerene. Its function is to promote trapping of the incident light into the device’s cavity (the region corresponding to the active layer). For d, we set a value that allows light diffraction through the holes in the relevant absorption range of the polymer. To optimize the mask structure, we consider a very simple model to determine the s leading to trapped fields that are relatively intense and homogeneous within the device. From measurements of the action spectra, we show that, indeed, such architecture can considerably improve the resulting photocurrent efficiencies—one order of magnitude in the best situation studied.

Análise econômica da bananeira "Pacovan Ken" em função de diferentes tensões de água do solo.

O trabalho avaliou economicamente a bananeira ?Pacovan Ken? sob diferentes tensões de água no solo, relacionando os custos de produção obtidos pela aplicação de água e as receitas alcançadas através da produtividade para cada tratamento. O experimento foi realizado em um solo tipo Cambissolo, em Limoeiro do Norte, Ceará, utilizando a cultivar Pacovan Ken irrigada por microaspersão. Os tratamentos consistiram em iniciar as irrigações quando a tensão da água na zona radicular da cultura (0-0,4 m) atingisse -15, -30, -45 e -60 kPa. Três sensores de resistência elétrica tipo matriz granular (modelo Watermark) foram instalados em cada parcela (0,15; 0,30 e 0,50 m). Nas avaliações de produção foram utilizadas quatro plantas situadas na fileira dupla central de cada parcela. Para cálculo do custo da irrigação (Ci) foi adotado apenas o custo de aplicação da água, considerando uma situação hipotética padrão para irrigação de uma área de 5,0 ha. A melhor relação custo/benefício encontrada para a cultivar de banana Pacovan Ken na região estudada foi obtida quando as irrigações eram iniciadas na tensão de água no solo de -15 kPa, apresentando uma menor sensibilidade à variação de preço do produto, além do maior índice de lucratividade

Uso de fungicidas e óleo de Piper aducun (dilapiol) para o controle de Colletotrichum musae.

A banana está entre as frutas mais produzidas e consumidas no Brasil. A antracnose (Colletotrichum musae) é a principal doença pós-colheita em frutos, porém, a infecção inicia no campo. O controle da antracnose é difícil, e o estudo de produtos químicos e alternativos que reduzam as infecções e seu progresso nos frutos é importante no manejo da doença

Comparação da produção de poliedroses de SfMNPV em células de inseto SF9 e SF21.

IX SINCOBIOL

Cosmological Constraints on Λ\Lambda(t)CDM Models

Problems with the concordance cosmology $\Lambda$CDM as the cosmological constant problem, coincidence problems and Hubble tension has led to many proposed alternatives, as the $\Lambda(t)$CDM, where the now called $\Lambda$ cosmological term is allowed to vary due to an interaction with pressureless matter. Here, we analyze one class of these proposals, namely, $\Lambda=\alpha'a^{-2}+\beta H^2+\lambda_*$, based on dimensional arguments. Using SNe Ia, cosmic chronometers data plus constraints on $H_0$ from SH0ES and Planck satellite, we constrain the free parameters of this class of models. By using the Planck prior over $H_0$, we conclude that the $\lambda_*$ term can not be discarded by this analysis, thereby disfavouring models only with the time-variable terms. The SH0ES prior over $H_0$ has an weak evidence in this direction. The subclasses of models with $\alpha'=0$ and with $\beta=0$ can not be discarded by this analysis

Role of crotoxin, a phospholipase A2 isolated from Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom, on inflammatory and immune reactions.

BACKGROUND: Crotoxin (CTX) is a potent neurotoxin from Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom (CdtV) composed of two subunits: one without catalytic activity (crotapotin), and a basic phospolipase A2. Recent data have demonstrated that CdtV or CTX inhibit some immune and inflammatory reactions. AIM: The aim of this paper was to investigate the mechanisms involved in these impaired responses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Swiss mice were bled before and at different intervals of time after subcutaneous injection of CTX or bovine serum albumin (BSA) (control animals). The effect of treatments on circulating leukocyte mobilisation and on serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-gamma and corticosterone were investigated. Spleen cells from treated animals were also stimulated in vitro with concanavalin A to evaluate the profile of IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 or IFN-gamma secretion. Cytokine levels were determined by immunoenzymatic assay and corticosterone levels by radioimmunoassay. To investigate the participation of endogenous corticosteroid on the effects evoked by CTX, animals were treated with metyrapone, an inhibitor of glucocorticoid synthesis, previous to CTX treatment. RESULTS: Marked alterations on peripheral leukocyte distribution, characterised by a drop in the number of lymphocytes and monocytes and an increase in the number of neutrophils, were observed after CTX injection. No such alteration was observed in BSA-treated animals. Increased levels of IL-6, IL-10 and corticosterone were also detected in CTX-injected animals. IFN-gamma levels were not modified after treatments. In contrast, spleen cells obtained from CTX-treated animals and stimulated with concanavalin A secreted less IL-10 and IL-4 in comparison with cells obtained from control animals. Metyrapone pretreatment was effective only to reverse the neutrophilia observed after CTX administration. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that CTX may contribute to the deficient inflammatory and immune responses induced by crude CdtV. CTX induces endogenous mechanisms that are responsible, at least in part, for these impaired responses