171 research outputs found
TiO2/PDMS nanocomposites for use on self-cleaning surfaces
AbstractIn this study, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/TiO2 nanocomposite was processed by the spray method. TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. Varying the proportion of nanoparticles in 0%, 0.5% and 1% by weight, commercial TiO2 (P25) was used for comparison purposes. The photocatalytic activity of nanocomposites impregnated with methylene blue was assessed by means of UV–visible spectroscopy. Changes in contact angle were analyzed before and after UV degradation tests. The effect of ultraviolet radiation on the chemical structure of the PDMS matrix was evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results indicated that the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles in PDMS provides good photocatalytic properties in the decomposition of methylene blue, which is an important characteristic for the development of coatings for self-cleaning. For comparison purposes, commercial P25 was also used to investigate the photocatalytic activity
Synthesis, photochemical and in vitro cytotoxic evaluation of new iodinated aminosquaraines as potential sensitizers for photodynamic therapy
In this work, several benzothiazole-based aminosquaraine dyes, displaying strong
absorption within the so-called phototherapeutic window (650–800 nm), were synthesized. The ability,
of all the new dyes, to generate singlet oxygen was assessed by determining the correspondent
phosphorescence emission and through the comparison with a standard. The quantum yields of
singlet oxygen generation were determined and exhibited to be strongly dependent on the nature of
the amino substituents introduced in the squaric ring. The photodynamic activity of the synthesized
dyes was tested against four human tumor cell lines: breast (MCF-7), lung (NCI-H460), cervical (HeLa)
and hepatocellular (HepG2) carcinomas; and a non-tumor porcine liver primary cell culture (PLP2).
All the compounds synthesized were found to be able to inhibit tumor cells growth upon irradiation
more than in the dark, in most of the cases, very significantly. Considering the photodynamic activity
exhibited and the low toxicity displayed for the non-tumor cells, some of the synthetized dyes can be
regarded as potential candidates as photosensitizers for PDT.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER
for CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2013) and CQ-VR (UID/QUI/00616/2013) financial support, as also for R.
Calhelha contract.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Concerns and adjustments: How the Portuguese population met COVID-19
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to disruptive changes worldwide, with different implications across countries. The evolution of citizens’ concerns and behaviours over time is a central piece to support public policies.
Objective
To unveil perceptions and behaviours of the Portuguese population regarding social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing for more informed public policies.
Methods
Online panel survey distributed in three waves between March 13th and May 6th 2020. Data collected from a non-representative sample of 7,448 respondents includes socio-demographic characteristics and self-reported measures on levels of concern and behaviours related to COVID-19. We performed descriptive analysis and probit regressions to understand relationships between the different variables.
Results
Most participants (85%) report being at least very concerned with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and social isolation reached a high level of adherence during the state of emergency. Around 36% of the sample anticipated consumption decisions, stockpiling ahead of the state of emergency declaration. Medical appointments suffered severe consequences, being re-rescheduled or cancelled. We find important variation in concerns with the economic impact across activity sectors.
Conclusion
We show that high level of concern and behaviour adaptation in our sample preceded the implementation of lockdown measures in Portugal around mid-March. One month later, a large share of individuals had suffered disruption in their routine health care and negative impacts in their financial status
Experimental ion mobility measurements for the LCTPC collaboration - Ar-CF4 mixtures
In this paper we present the results of the ion mobility measurements made in pure carbon tetrafluoride (CF4) and gaseous mixtures of argon with carbon tetrafluoride (Ar-CF4) for pressures ranging from 6 to 10 Torr (8-10.6 mbar) and for low reduced electric fields in the 10 Td to 25 Td range (2.4-6.1 kV center dot cm(-1)center dot bar(-1)), at room temperature. The time of arrival spectra revealed only one peak throughout the entire range studied which was attributed to CF3+. However, for Ar concentrations above 70%, a bump starts to appear at the left side of the main peak for reduced electric fields higher than 15 Td, which was attributed to impurities. The reduced mobilities obtained from the peak centroid of the time-of-arrival spectra are presented for Ar concentrations in the 5%-95% range.RD51 Collaboration/CERNFundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) - SFRH/BD/52333/201
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