23 research outputs found
Parola+immagine nei telegiornali: somma positiva o somma zero?
No full textSi analizza il rapporto tra parola e immagine in un corpus di telegiornali
Sustainable Healthcare: how to assess and improve healthcare structures' sustainability
No full textBackground: Sustainability is a broad and debated subject, often difficult to be defined and applied into real projects, especially when dealing with a complex scenario as the one of healthcare. Many research studies and evaluation systems have handled this topic from different perspectives, but many limits and criticalities still have to be overcome to properly cope with actual needs. Methods: The Sustainable Healthcare project has been developed through three main phases: a deep study of the state of the art, unraveling pros and cons of available sustainability scoring systems; an accurate analysis of the stakeholders network and their needs; the realization of an objective evaluation framework, through scientific methods, as the ANP. Results: The newly developed evaluation system takes into consideration all the three pillars of sustainability, analyzing social, environmental and economic sustainability through a set of criteria, specified by measurable indicators. So the system identifies both global sustainability and specific critical areas, pointing out possible strategic solutions to improve sustainability. The evaluation is achieved through technical analyses and qualitative surveys, which eventually allow to quantitatively assess sustainability, through a sound scoring method. Conclusions: This study proposes an innovative evaluation method to determine the sustainability of a hospital, already existing or in the design phase, within the European context. The Sustainable Healthcare system overcomes some of the current evaluation systems' limits by establishing a multidisciplinary approach and being an easy-to-use tool. This protocol is intended to be of support in the identification of the main hospital's weaknesses and in setting priorities for implementation of the solution
Water enabled self-healing polymeric coating with reduced graphene oxide-reinforcement for sensors
No full textIntrinsic self-healing materials have received significant attention due to the characteristic recovery after damage properties through reversible dynamic covalent and non-covalent interactions. Furthermore, functional recovery with reliable mechanical properties are highly keen as protective coatings, specifically for devices and sensors vulnerable to abrasion in severe environments. Here, we present a functional hierarchical nanostructure capable of multiple micro-sized healings, with enhanced mechanical hardness due to the incorporation of graphene oxide (rGO) nanoplatelets. A self-healing multilayered nanocomposite formed by poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was easily assembled by the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique. The addition of the rGO nanoplatelets in the LbL nanostructure resulted in a 13-fold increase in hardness (0.4 ± 0.1 GPa) when compared to the (PEI/PAA) architecture (0.03 ± 0.01 GPa). In addition, the nanocomposite presents an enhanced insulating electrical behavior (∼ 4.10−8 S/cm) despite the addition of the rGO nanoplatelets. Raman and Zeta Potential analysis indicated a possible wrapping of the rGOs by PEI, justifying the observed insulating electrical characteristics. The nanocomposite presents good hydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 136°, interesting to extend the lifetime and protect underlying layers from humidity, degradation, and encrustation. Therefore, we propose an attractive hydrophobic, electrically insulating, and mechanically resistant multifunctional coating for high-performance electronic interfaces from minor cuts and abrasions, dispensing maintainer intervention.BT/Biocatalysi
Physical Vapor Deposited Thin Films of Lignins Extracted from Sugar Cane Bagasse: Morphology, Electrical Properties, and Sensing Applications
No full textThe concern related to the environmental degradation and to the exhaustion of natural resources has induced the research on biodegradable materials obtained from renewable sources, which involves fundamental properties and general application. In this context, we have fabricated thin films of lignins, which were extracted from sugar cane bagasse via modified organosolv process using ethanol as organic solvent. The films were made using the vacuum thermal evaporation technique (PVD, physical vapor deposition) grown up to 120 nm. The main objective was to explore basic properties such as electrical and surface morphology and the sensing performance of these lignins as transducers. The PVD film growth was monitored via ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance, revealing a linear relationship between absorbance and film thickness. The 120 nm lignin PVD film morphology presented small aggregates spread all over the film surface on the nanometer scale (atomic force microscopy, AFM) and homogeneous on the micrometer scale (optical microscopy). The PVD films were deposited onto Au interdigitated electrode (IDE) for both electrical characterization and sensing experiments. In the case of electrical characterization, current versus voltage (I vs V) dc measurements were carried out for the Au IDE coated with 120 nm lignin PVD film, leading to a conductivity of 3.6 x 10(-10) S/m. Using impedance spectroscopy, also for the Au IDE coated with the 120 nm lignin PVD film, dielectric constant of 8.0, tan delta of 3.9 x 10(-3)) and conductivity of 1.75 x 10(-9) S/m were calculated at 1 kHz. As a proof-of-principle, the application of these lignins as transducers in sensing devices was monitored by both impedance spectroscopy (capacitance vs frequency) and I versus time dc measurements toward aniline vapor (saturated atmosphere). The electrical responses showed that the sensing units are sensible to aniline vapor with the process being reversible. AFM images conducted directly onto the sensing units (Au IDE coated with 120 nm lignin PVD film) before and after the sensing experiments showed a decrease in the PVD film roughness from 5.8 to 3.2 nm after exposing to aniline.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)UNESP Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias & Tecnol, BR-19060900 Presidente Prudente, SP, BrazilUSP Univ São Paulo, Inst Quim São Carlos, BR-13560970 São Carlos, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU), Inst Quim, BR-38400902 Uberlandia, MG, BrazilUNESP Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias & Tecnol, BR-19060900 Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazi
The cyclic peptide labaditin does not alter the outer membrane integrity of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium
No full textAntimicrobial peptides are a promising class of new antibiotics with the ability to kill bacteria by disrupting their cell membrane, which is especially difficult for Gram-negative bacteria whose cell wall contains an outer layer of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Here we show that the cyclic decapeptide Labaditin (Lo), with proven activity against the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans, is not able to kill the Gram-negative Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S.e.s. Typhimurium). We found that Lo induced significant changes in the surface pressure isotherms of Langmuir monolayers representing the Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium inner membrane (S.e.s. Typhimurium IM), and caused leakage in large unilamellar vesicles made with this IM lipid composition. On the basis of these results one should expect bactericidal activity against S.e.s. Typhimurium. However, Lo could not interact with a monolayer of LPS, causing no significant changes in either the surface pressure isotherms or in the polarization-modulated infrared reflection absorption spectra (PM-IRRAS). Therefore, the failure of Lo to kill S.e.s. Typhimurium is associated with the lack of interaction with LPS from the outer bacteria membrane. Our approach with distinct monolayer compositions and combined techniques to investigate molecular-level interactions is useful for drug design to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria
The prion fragment PrP106-127 adopts a secondary structure typical of aggregated fibrils in langmuir monolayers of brain lipid extract
No full textUnderstanding protein aggregation is essential to unveil molecular mechanisms associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's and spongiform encephalopathy, particularly to determine the role of interaction with cell membranes. In this study, we employ Langmuir monolayers as cell membrane models to mimic interaction with the peptide KTNMHKHMAGAAAAGAVVGGLG−OH, a fragment from the human prion protein including residues 106−127, believed to be involved in protein aggregation. Using in situ polarization-modulated infrared reflection adsorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) for Langmuir monolayers and FTIR for solid films, we found that PrP106−127 adopts mainly β-sheets, random coils and β-turns in Langmuir monolayers and in Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) and cast films. This also applies to monolayers and solid films made with PrP106−127 and a brain total lipid extract (BTLE). In contrast, some α-helices are observed in the secondary structure of PrP106−127 in monolayers, and especially in solid films, of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC). In summary, in a model representing brain cells (BTLE), the secondary structure of PrP106−127 is typical of fiber aggregates, while aggregation is unlikely if PrP106−127 interacts with a membrane model (DOPC) characteristic of mammalian cells
Structural and Electric-Optical Properties of Zinc Phthalocyanine Evaporated Thin Films: Temperature and Thickness Effects
No full textIt is known that the molecular architecture plays a fundamental role in the electrical and optical properties of materials processed in the form of thin films. Here, zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) thin films were fabricated through the vacuum thermal evaporation technique (PVD, physical vapor deposition) up to 50 nm thickness with the objective of determining their molecular architecture and some electrical and optical properties. Structurally, the results showed a uniform growth of the films depending on how the evaporation is performed (step-by-step or straightforward). The uniform films present a molecular organization dominated by the ZnPc macrocycle ring forming almost 90° in relation to the substrate surface. These films are crystalline (α-form) and possess molecular aggregates in the form of dimers (or higher order of aggregates) and monomers. Such aggregates are seen at the nanometer scale; however, at the micrometer scale, the films are morphologically homogeneous. In relation to the optical properties, it was observed that these films, besides absorbing in the ultraviolet−visible region, present a photoluminescence when irradiated with the 785 nm laser line. In terms of electrical properties, it was determined an electrical conductivity of ca. 10−10 S/m and a significant photoconducting activity. Finally, a dependence of the molecular organization, crystallinity, and optical properties on the film annealing (and thickness) was investigated, and the sensitivity of the ZnPc PVD films against gasoline vapor was tested as proof-of-principle
Structural and Electric-Optical Properties of Zinc Phthalocyanine Evaporated Thin Films: Temperature and Thickness Effects
No full textIt is known that the molecular architecture plays a fundamental role in the electrical and optical properties of materials processed in the form of thin films. Here, zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) thin films were fabricated through the vacuum thermal evaporation technique (PVD, physical vapor deposition) up to 50 nm thickness with the objective of determining their molecular architecture and some electrical and optical properties. Structurally, the results showed a uniform growth of the films depending on how the evaporation is performed (step-by-step or straightforward). The uniform films present a molecular organization dominated by the ZnPc macrocycle ring forming almost 90 degrees in relation to the substrate surface. These films are crystalline (alpha-form) and possess molecular aggregates in the form of dimers (or higher order of aggregates) and monomers. Such aggregates are seen at the nanometer scale; however, at the micrometer scale, the films are morphologically homogeneous. In relation to the optical properties, it was observed that these films, besides absorbing in the ultraviolet-visible region, present a photoluminescence when irradiated with the 785 nm laser line. In terms of electrical properties, it was determined an electrical conductivity of ca. 10(-10) S/m and a significant photoconducting activity. Finally, a dependence of the molecular organization, crystallinity, and optical properties on the film annealing (and thickness) was investigated, and the sensitivity of the ZnPc PVD films against gasoline vapor was tested as proof-of-principle.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)CNNqCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Unesp Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias & Tecnol, BR-19090900 Presidente Prudente, SP, BrazilUniv Estadual Mato Grosso Sul, Dourados, MS, BrazilUnesp Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias & Tecnol, BR-19090900 Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazi
Computing with carbon nanotubes: Optimization of threshold logic gates using disordered nanotube/polymer composites
No full textThis paper explores the use of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)/poly(butyl methacrylate) composites as a material for use in unconventional computing. The mechanical and electrical properties of the materials are investigated. The resulting data reveal a correlation between the SWCNT concentration/viscosity/conductivity and the computational capability of the composite. The viscosity increases significantly with the addition of SWCNTs to the polymer, mechanically reinforcing the host material and changing the electrical properties of the composite. The electrical conduction is found to depend strongly on the nanotube concentration; Poole-Frenkel conduction appears to dominate the conductivity at very low concentrations (0.11% by weight). The viscosity and conductivity both show a threshold point around 1% SWCNT concentration; this value is shown to be related to the computational performance of the material. A simple optimization of threshold logic gates shows that satisfactory computation is only achieved above a SWCNT concentration of 1%. In addition, there is some evidence that further above this threshold the computational efficiency begins to decrease
Spray layer-by-layer films based on phospholipid vesicles aiming sensing application via e-tongue system
No full textThe Layer-by-Layer (LbL) technique via spraying (spray-LbL) has been applied as new and alternative methodology to fabricate ultrathin films due to its versatility in relation to the conventional dipping-LbL method, mainly in terms of faster layer deposition and larger coated area. In this work, the possibility of immobilizing vesicles of dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl glycerol (DPPG) phospholipid onto alternating layers of the polyelectrolyte poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) using the spray-LbL method was investigated, being the results compared to the conventional dipping-LbL method. The growth of (PAH/DPPG)(n) spray-LbL films was systematically monitored by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectroscopy, revealing a linear increase of the absorbance vs deposited layers. In relation to a possible electrostatic interaction between the groups PO4- (DPPG) and NH3+ (PAH), it was observed through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) absorption spectroscopy that the spectrum recorded for the spray-LbL film is basically a simple superposition of the FTIR spectra from PAH and DPPG casting films. The latter indicates a weak interaction between both materials, differently of the trend observed for (PAH/DPPG)(n) grown via dipping-LbL method. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of spray-LbL films showed evidences that the DPPG vesicles present in the aqueous dispersion are not destroyed when submitted to pressure conditions during the spray deposition. However, comparing to dipping-LbL, the DPPG vesicles do not cover completely the PAH layer for the spray-LbL film, which was further confirmed by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) measurements. Moreover, the AFM analysis showed that the spray-LbL deposition led to thicker PAH/DPPG bilayers in average than via dipping-LbL for the same concentrations of PAH solution and DPPG dispersion. which is consistent with QCM and UV-vis absorption results. PAH/DPPG films deposited by dipping- and spray-LbL techniques and also by Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) onto Pt interdigitated electrodes composing an array of sensing units (e-tongue) were applied in the detection of a xanthene derivate (eosin) in diluted solutions (10(-9), 10(-7) and 10(-6) M). Despite the LB and LbL films are formed by the same materials (PAH and DPPG), it was found that their different molecular architectures play an important role on the electrical response of Pt interdigitated electrodes in impedance spectroscopy measurements. The high sensitivity reached by these sensing units was intimately related to changes in the film morphology caused by the adsorption of the eosin molecules onto the film surfaces during electrical measurements, as evidenced by micro-Raman technique. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)UNESP Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias & Tecnol, BR-19060900 Presidente Prudente, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), BR-18052780 São Carlos, SP, BrazilUNESP Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias & Tecnol, BR-19060900 Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazi
