The spiral structure of the Galaxy revealed by CS sources and evidence for the 4:1 resonance

We present a map of the spiral structure of the Galaxy, as traced by molecular carbon monosulphide (CS) emission associated with IRAS sources which are believed to be compact H II regions. The CS line velocities are used to determine the kinematic distances of the sources in order to investigate their distribution in the galactic plane. This allows us to use 870 objects to trace the arms, a number larger than that of previous studies based on classical H II regions. The distance ambiguity of the kinematic distances, when it exists, is solved by different procedures, including the latitude distribution and an analysis of the longitude-velocity diagram. The study of the spiral structure is complemented with other tracers: open clusters, Cepheids, methanol masers and H II regions. The well-defined spiral arms are seen to be confined inside the corotation radius, as is often the case in spiral galaxies. We identify a square-shaped sub-structure in the CS map with that predicted by stellar orbits at the 4:1 resonance (four epicycle oscillations in one turn around the galactic centre). The sub-structure is found at the expected radius, based on the known pattern rotation speed and epicycle frequency curve. An inner arm presents an end with strong inwards curvature and intense star formation that we tentatively associate with the region where this arm surrounds the extremity of the bar, as seen in many barred galaxies. Finally, a new arm with concave curvature is found in the Sagitta to Cepheus region of the sky. The observed arms are interpreted in terms of perturbations similar to grooves in the gravitational potential of the disc, produced by crowding of stellar orbits.

Lines of heavy elements and Fe II in the UV of CS 31082-001

The abundance of heavy r-elements may provide a better understanding of the r-process, and the determination of several reference r-elements should allow a better determination of a star`s age. The space UV region (lambda < 3000 angstrom) presents a large number of lines of the heavy elements, and in the case of some elements, such as Bi, Pt, Au, detectable lines are not available elsewhere. The extreme ""r-process star"" CS 31082-001 ([Fe/H] = -2.9) was observed in the space UV to determine abundances of the heaviest stable elements, using STIS on board Hubble Space Telescope.

Seasonal metabolic changes in a year-round reproductively active subtropical tree-frog (Hypsiboas prasinus)

Although seasonal metabolic variation in ectothermic tetrapods has been investigated primarily in the context of species showing some level of metabolic depression during winter, but several species of anurans maintain their activity patterns throughout the year in tropical and subtropical areas. The tree-frog Hypsiboas prasinus occurs in the subtropical Atlantic Forest and remains reproductively active during winter, at temperatures below 10 degrees C. We compared males calling in summer and winter, and found that males of H. prasinus exhibit seasonal adjustments in metabolic and morphometric variables. Individuals calling during winter were larger and showed higher resting metabolic rates than those calling during summer. Calling rates were not affected by season. Winter animals showed lower liver and heart activity level of citrate synthase (CS), partially compensated by larger liver mass. Winter individuals also showed higher activity Of pyruvate kinase (PK) and lower activity of CS in trunk muscles, and higher activity of CS in leg muscles. Winter metabolic adjustments seem to be achieved by both compensatory mechanisms to the lower environmental temperature and a seasonally oriented aerobic depression of several organs. The impact of seasonal metabolic changes on calling performance and the capacity of subtropical anurans for metabolic thermal acclimatization are also discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Modified abbreviated transcavernous approach to basilar artery aneurysms-Case report

Background: Endovascular procedures and direct surgical clipping, are the main therapeutic modalities for managing of BAAs. Furthermore, giant or wide-necked aneurysms and those that involve the PCA or perforators at its neck usually are not embolized. Case Description: A 55-year-old man presented to the emergency room complaining Of Sudden and intense headache. Neurological examination evidenced meningismus. Computed tomography disclosed a subarachnoid hemorrhage (Fisher grade III). Arteriograms revealed BAA, whose neck was partially obseured by the PCP. A standard pterional craniotomy was performed, followed. by extensive drilling of the greater sphenoid wing. The neck was partially hidden by the PCP, and no proximal control was obtained without drilling the PCP and opening the CS (modified TcA). Drilling of the PCP was begun by cutting the overlying dura and extended caudally as much as possible. Next. opening, of the roof of the CS was performed by incising the dura in the oculomotor trigone medical and parallel 10 the oculomotor nerve and lateral to ICA: the incision progressed posteriorly toward the dorsum sellae. Further resection of the dorsum sellac and clivus was carried out. After performing these steps, proximal control was obtained, aneurysm was deflated, perforators were saved. and aneurysm was clipped. Conclusions: This study has demonstrated the clinical Usefulness of and abbreviated form of the TcA, which led the ""modified TcA."" in approaching complex low-lying, BAA. It provides additional surgical room by removing the PCP and partially, opening the CS, which permits further bone removal and improves exposure. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Parametric analysis of discrepant sets of data

In this paper a new parametric method to deal with discrepant experimental results is developed. The method is based on the fit of a probability density function to the data. This paper also compares the characteristics of different methods used to deduce recommended values and uncertainties from a discrepant set of experimental data. The methods are applied to the (137)Cs and (90)Sr published half-lives and special emphasis is given to the deduced confidence intervals. The obtained results are analyzed considering two fundamental properties expected from an experimental result: the probability content of confidence intervals and the statistical consistency between different recommended values. The recommended values and uncertainties for the (137)Cs and (90)Sr half-lives are 10,984 (24) days and 10,523 (70) days, respectively. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Zn(0.97)M(0.03)O (M = Co, Fe, and V) pigments: thermal, structural, and optical characterization

Zinc oxide is a widely used white inorganic pigment. Transition metal ions are used as chromophores and originate the ceramic pigments group. In this context, ZnO particles doped with Co, Fe, and V were synthesized by the polymeric precursors method, Pechini method. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG) techniques were used to accurately characterize the distinct thermal events occurring during synthesis. The TG and DSC results revealed a series of decomposition temperatures due to different exothermal events, which were identified as H(2)O elimination, organic compounds degradation and phase formation. The samples were structurally characterized by X-Ray diffractometry revealing the formation of single phase, corresponding to the crystalline matrix of ZnO. The samples were optically characterized by diffuse reflectance measurements and colorimetric coordinates L*, a*, b* were calculated for the pigment powders. The pigment powders presented a variety of colors ranging from white (ZnO), green (Zn(0.97)Co(0.03)O), yellow (Zn(0.97)Fe(0.03)O), and beige (Zn(0.97)V(0.03)O).

Lacustrine sediments provide geochemical evidence of environmental change during the last millennium in southeastern Brazil

A 172 cm-long sediment core was collected from a small pristine lake situated within a centripetal drainage basin in a tropical karst environment (Ribeira River valley, southeastern Brazil) in order to investigate the paleoenvironmental record provided by the lacustrine geochemistry. Sediments derived from erosion of the surrounding cambisoils contain quartz, kaolinite, mica, chlorite and goethite. Accelerator mass spectroscopy (AMS) (14)C dating provided the geochronological framework. Three major sedimentary units were identified based on the structure and color of the sediments: Unit III from 170 to 140 cm (1030 +/- 60-730 +/- 60 yr BP), Unit II from 140 to 90 cm (730 +/- 60-360 +/- 60 yr BP) and Unit I from 90 to 0 cm (360 +/- 60-0 yr BP). Results of major and trace element concentrations were analysed through multivariate statistical techniques. Factor analysis provided three factors accounting for 72.4% of the total variance. F1 and F2 have high positive loadings from K, Ba, Cs, Rb, Sr, Sc, Th, light rare earth element (LREE), Fe, Cr, Ti, Zr, Hf and Ta, and high negative loadings from Mg, Co, Cu, Zn, Br and loss on ignition (LOI). F3, with positive loadings from V and non-metals As and Sb, accounts for a low percentage (9.7%) of the total variance, being therefore of little interpretative use. The profile distribution of F1 scores reveals negative values in Units I and III, and positive values in Unit II, meaning that K, Ba, Cs, Rb, Sr, Sc, Th, LREE, Fe, Cr, Ti, Zr, Hf and Ta are relatively more concentrated in Unit II, and Mg, Co, Cu, Zn and Br are relatively more abundant in Units I and III. The observed fluctuations in the geochemical composition of the sediments are consistent with slight variations of the erosion intensity in the catchment area as a possible response to variations of climatic conditions during the last millennium. (c) 2009 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Flow injection analysis of ethyl xanthate by gas diffusion and UV detection as CS(2) for process monitoring of sulfide ore flotation

A sensitive and robust analytical method for spectrophotometric determination of ethyl xanthate, CH(3)CH(2)OCS(2)(-) at trace concentrations in pulp solutions from froth flotation process is proposed. The analytical method is based on the decomposition of ethyl xanthate. EtX(-), with 2.0 mol L(-1) HCl generating ethanol and carbon disulfide. CS(2). A gas diffusion cell assures that only the volatile compounds diffuse through a PTFE membrane towards an acceptor stream of deionized water, thus avoiding the interferences of non-volatile compounds and suspended particles. The CS(2) is selectively detected by UV absorbance at 206 nm (epsilon = 65,000 L mol(-1) cm(-1)). The measured absorbance is directly proportional to EtX(-) concentration present in the sample solutions. The Beer`s law is obeyed in a 1 x 10(-6) to 2 x 10(-4) mol L(-1) concentration range of ethyl xanthate in the pulp with an excellent correlation coefficient (r = 0.999) and a detection limit of 3.1 x 10(-7) mol L(-1), corresponding to 38 mu g L. At flow rates of 200 mu L min(-1) of the donor stream and 100 mu L min(-1) of the acceptor channel a sampling rate of 15 injections per hour could be achieved with RSD < 2.3% (n = 10, 300 mu L injections of 1 x 10(-5) mol L(-1) EtX(-)). Two practical applications demonstrate the versatility of the FIA method: (i) evaluation the free EtX(-) concentration during a laboratory study of the EtX(-) adsorption capacity on pulverized sulfide ore (pyrite) and (ii) monitoring of EtX(-) at different stages (from starting load to washing effluents) of a flotation pilot plant processing a Cu-Zn sulfide ore. (C) 2010 Elsevier By. All rights reserved.

Cassava bagasse cellulose nanofibrils reinforced thermoplastic cassava starch

Cellulose cassava bagasse nanofibrils (CBN) were directly extracted from a by-product of the cassava starch (CS) industry, viz. the cassava bagasse (CB), The morphological structure of the ensuing nanoparticles was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), presence of other components such as sugars by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments. The resulting nanofibrils display a relatively low crystallinity and were found to be around 2-11 nm thick and 360-1700 nm long. These nanofibrils were used as reinforcing nanoparticles in a thermoplastic cassava starch matrix plasticized using either glycerol or a mixture of glycerol/sorbitol (1:1) as plasticizer. Nanocomposite films were prepared by a melting process. The reinforcing effect of the filler evaluated by dynamical mechanical tests (DMA) and tensile tests was found to depend on the nature of the plasticizer employed. Thus, for the glycerol-plasticized matrix-based composites, it was limited especially due to additional plasticization by sugars originating from starch hydrolysis during the acid extraction. This effect was evidenced by the reduction of glass vitreous temperature of starch after the incorporation of nanofibrils in TPSG and by the increase of elongation at break in tensile test. On the other hand, for glycerol/sorbitol plasticized nanocomposites the transcrystallization of amylopectin in nanofibrils surface hindered good performances of CBN as reinforcing agent for thermoplastic cassava starch. The incorporation of cassava bagasse cellulose nanofibrils in the thermoplastic starch matrices has resulted in a decrease of its hydrophilic character especially for glycerol plasticized sample. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.