Luminescence Changeable CO2-Storage Cylinder: Triple-Stranded Helical Eu(III)/Tb(III) Fluorinated MOFs with Amide Linkers.

Triple-stranded helical lanthanide MOFs with CO2 adsorption properties were investigated. Lanthanide MOFs ([Eu0.1Tb0.9(hfa)3(dpa)]n) are composed of lanthanide luminophores (Eu(III) and/or Tb(III) ions), fluorinated antenna ligands (hfa: hexafluoroacetylacetonate), and polyamide-type linker ligands (dpa: 4-(diphenylphosphoryl)-N-(4-(diphenylphosphoryl)phenyl)benzamide). The cylindrical structure was characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and gas adsorption measurements. The inner surfaces of the cylindrical channels were covered with the fluorine atoms of the hfa ligands. The emission intensity ratio (IEu/ITb) in [Eu0.1Tb0.9(hfa)3(dpa)]n is affected by the CO2 gas adsorption behavior. The change in IEu/ITb value was caused by the intermolecular interactions between the CO2 gas molecules and the fluorinated ligands, resulting in an electronic structural change of the lowest triplet excited state in the photosensitized hfa ligands.

Near-IR Luminescent YbIII Coordination Polymers Composed of Pyrene Derivatives for Thermostable Oxygen Sensors.

Oxygen-sensitive and near-infrared (NIR) luminescent YbIII coordination polymers incorporating ligands based on pyrene derivatives were synthesized: YbIII -TBAPy and YbIII -TIAPy (TBAPy: 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(p-benzoate)pyrene; TIAPy: 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(3,5-isophthalic acid)pyrene). The coordination structures of these materials have been characterized by means of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. Moreover, the porous structure of YbIII -TIAPy has been evaluated by measuring its N2 adsorption isotherm. The NIR luminescence properties of YbIII -TBAPy and YbIII -TIAPy have been examined by acquiring emission spectra and determining emission lifetimes under air or argon and in vacuo. YbIII -TIAPy exhibited high thermal stability (with a decomposition temperature of 400 °C), intense luminescence (with an emission quantum yield under argon of 6.6 %), and effective oxygen-sensing characteristics. These results suggest that NIR luminescent YbIII coordination polymers prepared using pyrene derivatives could have applications in novel thermo-stable oxygen sensors.

Antifungal activity of simply fractionated organosolv lignin against Trametes versicolor.

In an effort to achieve sustainable development goals, a reevaluation of the materials used in wooden buildings must be done, including the preservatives used to treat the materials. Since typical wood preservatives use toxic heavy metals, their handling and use can contaminate the environment. Therefore, substances such as lignin-derived components have been investigated as bio-based preservatives. Organosolv treatment is a promising technique for separating components of lignocellulosic biomass, which enables the utilization of each component. The present report describes components of lignocellulose with antifungal effects that were recovered after organosolv treatment using water and 1-butanol solvent at 473 K for 2 h, followed by simple solvent fractionation. The organosolv lignin was divided into three fractions: n-hexane soluble, ethyl acetate soluble, and ethyl acetate insoluble, yielding 23 wt%, 52 wt% and 13 wt%, respectively. Antifungal activity was determined using an agar plate method. White rot fungi (Trametes versicolor) was dispersed on the agar plate with a cellulose disc containing each lignin-derived fraction obtained from Japanese cedar. Results showed inhibition of fungal growth over the cellulose disc containing the n-hexane soluble fraction. To examine the effect in greater detail, the chemical structure of the n-hexane-soluble fraction on the antifungal activity was investigated. The content of phenolic hydroxyl group in n-hexane-soluble fraction was the highest (4.6 mmol/g), and the results from the chemical modification suggested that the functional group was required for antifungal action. In addition, the n-hexane-soluble fraction imparted some water resistance. The procedures used for cedar as a feedstock were applied to another type of biomass-bagasse-and its fractions showed antifungal activity similar to those of Japanese cedar.

An Europium†(III) Luminophore with Pressure-Sensing Units: Effective Back Energy Transfer in Coordination Polymers with Hexadentate Porous Stable Networks.

A luminescent EuIII coordination polymer with O2 -sensing units under air, EuIII -hcpt (hcpt: 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexakis(4-carboxy-phenyl)triphenylene), is reported. The hexadentate carboxylic acids in hcpt ligands play an important role in the formation of tight-packed three-dimensional networks in EuIII -hcpt, giving hyper thermo-stable structures (decomposition temperature=420 °C). The three-dimensional porous network promotes bright luminescence (4f-4f emission quantum yield=70 %). The emission lifetime of EuIII -hcpt under vacuum (0.86 ms) was twice as large as that under O2 (0.48 ms, 1 atom:101.3 kPa). The Arrhenius analysis of the emission decay profile indicates that the back energy transfer (BEnT) from the emitting level of the europium(III) ion to the excited T1 state of the hcpt ligand should be activated at room temperature. The gradual decrease of emission lifetime is caused by the BEnT process in EuIII -hcpt. Finally, an advanced pressure-sensitive luminophore is demonstrated.

Inter-planner variation in treatment-plan quality of plans created with a knowledge-based treatment planning system.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to clarify the inter-planner variation of plan quality in knowledge-based plans created by nine planners. METHODS: Five hypofractionated prostate-only (HPO) volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans and five whole-pelvis (WP) VMAT plans were created by each planner using a knowledge-based planning (KBP) system. Nine planners were divided into three groups of three planners each: Senior, Junior, and Beginner. Single optimization with only priority modification for all objectives was performed to stay within the dose constraints. The coefficients of variation (CVs) for dosimetric parameters were evaluated, and a plan quality metric (PQM) was used to evaluate comprehensive plan quality. RESULTS: Lower CVs (<0.05) were observed at dosimetric parameters in the planning target volume for both HPO and WP plans, while the CVs in the rectum and bladder for WP plans (<0.91) were greater than those for HPO plans (<0.17). The PQM values of HPO plans for Cases1-5 (average ±â€¯standard deviation) were 41.2 ±â€¯7.1, 40.9 ±â€¯5.6, and 39.9 ±â€¯4.6 in the Senior, Junior, and Beginner groups, respectively. For the WP plans, the PQM values were 51.9 ±â€¯6.3, 47.5 ±â€¯4.3, and 40.0 ±â€¯6.6, respectively. The number of clinically acceptable HPO and WP plans were 13/15 and 11/15 in the Senior group, 13/15 and 10/15 plans in the Junior group, and 8/15 and 2/15 plans in the Beginner group, respectively. CONCLUSION: Inter-planner variation in the plan quality with RapidPlan remains, especially for the complicated VMAT plans, due to planners' heuristics.