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Blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) suffer from relatively short lifetimes and a comparatively low lighting efficiency. One of the approaches to improving their characteristics is the development of luminophores with the potential for thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). Herein, a set of donor-spacer-acceptor compounds with potential for TADF are designed, synthesized, and computationally and spectroscopically characterized. The excited state dynamics of the most prospective dye is monitored by time-resolved fluorescence and transient absorption spectroscopy. The experimental data are obtained and processed by a newly developed method and supplemented by quantum chemical calculations. The comprehensive approach allowed rationalization of the complex cascade-type photophysical behavior. The most promising emitter is included in an OLED displaying a blue color with a maximum EQE of 4.9% and negligible efficiency roll-off at higher luminance.
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This study analyzed the effects of dietary supplementation with by-pass linseed oil (LO; rich in α-linolenic acid) on maternal antioxidant systems at Days 14 and 16 of pregnancy in Sarda ewes. This trial used sixteen dry ewes. Eight ewes (CT group) were fed with a control diet without LO, and eight ewes (LO group) were fed with a diet supplemented with LO (10.8 g of α-linolenic acid/ewe/day). Both diets had similar crude protein and energy levels. The experiment included 10 days of an adaptation period and 31 days of a supplementation period. This supplementation period was divided into Period -2 (from Day -15 to -8), Period -1 (from Day -7 to -1; before synchronized mating period/Day 0), Period +1 (from Day +1 to + 7 after mating), and Period +2 (from Day +8 to +15 after mating). Estrous synchronization was induced in all the ewes using an intravaginal sponge (45 mg fluorgestone acetate) for 14 days and equine chorionic gonadotropin (350 UI/ewe) at the end of the treatment. On Days 14 (CT, N = 4; LO, N = 4) and 16 (CT, N = 4; LO, N = 4) after mating, the ewes were slaughtered. Samples of plasma, uterine, and luteal tissues were collected. Thiols, total antioxidant activity (TEAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were measured. On Day 16, thiol and TEAC in luteal tissues were higher in the LO group when compared with the control one (p < 0.05). Moreover, TEAC was higher for the LO group in uterine tissues on Days 14 and 16 (p < 0.05). SOD activity was higher in the LO group in luteal and uterine tissues on Day 14 and Day 16, respectively (p < 0.001). On Day 16, uterine MDA content was lower for the LO group (p < 0.001). No differences were found between groups at the plasmatic level. However, the by-pass LO supplementation enhanced the analyzed antioxidant parameters in luteal and uterine tissues. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that by-pass LO supplementation exerted a positive effect on antioxidative defenses on maternal structures during the embryo-maternal recognition period in ewes. Thus, this could contribute to improving the maternal environment during the embryo-maternal recognition period in mammals.
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BACKGROUND: Sensor-based technologies offer numerous benefits in hospital environments as they can be used (1) to improve efficiency defined processes and (2) to monitor their conduction in order to prevent errors. However, the impact of these technologies on the stakeholders involved such as professional ward nurses is largely unexplored. The early assessment of technology acceptance and user resistance is crucial to anticipate potential conflicts and to improve future implementation success. OBJECTIVES: To understand the attitudes and intentions of usage of professional ward nurses toward sensor-based medication systems based on an adjusted extended technology acceptance model (TAM2) in a pre-implementation stage. DESIGN: A scenario-based research design was used in a nation-wide empirical study. SETTINGS: Nurses of Australian associations/unions evaluated a scenario of a sensor-based medication support system. PARTICIPANTS: A randomly selected sample of 579 professional ward nurses participated in this study. METHODS: Data were collected using an online questionnaire and explored using hierarchical regression analysis. RESULTS: The majority of nurses intend to use the system but 25% - not voluntarily. 8% reject the system entirely. In assessing the nurses' perceived usefulness, image, demonstrability, qualitative and quantitative overload as well as personal innovativeness were found to have a significant impact. Qualitative and quantitative overload also have a significant negative effect on personal innovativeness. Regarding the nurses' usage intention, we identified a significant negative influence of subjective norm, moderated by experience and a positive effect of perceived usefulness on intention to use the system. Image, qualitative and quantitative overload as well as personal innovativeness are significantly influenced by age. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support a successful implementation of medication support systems in hospitals by stating acceptance drivers and barriers. Nurses' adoption is promoted once a high degree of perceived usefulness is achieved by result demonstrability, a positive image of the technology and a high degree of personal innovativeness. Image and innovativeness are moderated by age, showing that an increase in age leads to an increase in user resistance toward the perceived usefulness of the envisioned medication support systems. Future studies should investigate these barriers in further stages of implementation to extend understanding of sensor-based medication system acceptance.