Morphological Organization of the Dorsal Protuberance of Linepithema humile (Mayr, 1868) Ant's Larvae (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Morphological patterns of extrafloral nectaries in woody plant species of the Brazilian cerrado

Extrafloral nectaries are nectar-secreting structures that are especially common among the woody flora of the Brazilian cerrado, a savanna-like vegetation. In this study, we provide morphological and anatomical descriptions of extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) occurring on vegetative and reproductive organs of several plant species from the cerrado, and discuss their function and ecological relevance. We describe the morphology and anatomy of EFNs of 40 species belonging to 15 woody families using scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. We categorise EFNs following a structural-topographical classification, and characterise the vascularised and complex nectaries, amorphous nectaries and secretory trichomes. Fabaceae, Bignoniaceae, Malpighiaceae and Vochysiaceae were the plant families with the majority of species having EFNs. Ten species possess more than one morphotype of gland structure. Observations and experimental field studies in the cerrado support the anti-herbivore role of EFN-gathering ants in this habitat. Additional morphological studies of EFNs-bearing plants, including other growth forms (e.g. herbs and lianas), are being undertaken and will hopefully cast further light on the ecological relevance of these glands in the cerrado, especially with respect to their attractiveness to multiple visitors.

Morphology of trichomes in Tibouchina sect. Pleroma (D-Don) Cogn. (Melastomataceae)

The Melastomataceae display greater trichome diversity. Dr. Wurdack, in his Atlas of hairs, recognized 46 types of trichomes for the Neotropical Melastomataceae through the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and referred 17 of them to the genus Tibouchina. The trichome morphology has been extensively used in the delimitation of the taxa in Melastomataceae, as well as in previous studies by Cogniaux, the monograph of Brazilian Melastomataceae published in 1885. The morphology of the trichomes was essential for the delimitation of several species in Tibouchina section Pleroma. The use of SEM provided the best characterization of the 15 different types of trichomes recognized among the 41 species examined. These were described based on the morphological appearance, both optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and illustrated by scanning electron micrographs and photomicrographs.

Morfologia dos tricomas em Tibouchina sect. Pleroma (D. Don) cogn. (melastomataceae)

Melastomataceae é a família que apresenta a maior diversidade de tricomas. Dr. Wurdack em seu Atlas of hairs reconheceu 46 tipos de tricomas para as Melastomataceae neotropicais com o uso de MEV, e referiu 17 destes para o gênero Tibouchina. em Melastomataceae a morfologia dos tricomas tem sido extensivamente usada na delimitação dos táxons, assim como em estudos que antecederam ao trabalho de Cogniaux, a monografia das Melastomataceae brasileiras publicada em 1885. em Tibouchina sect. Pleroma a morfologia dos tricomas foi substancial para a circunscrição de várias espécies. O uso da MEV permitiu uma caracterização dos 15 tipos diferentes de tricomas observados nas 41 espécies examinadas. Os diferentes tipos são descritos com base no aspecto morfológico tanto em MO como em MEV e ilustrados através de eletromicrografias de varredura e fotomicrografias.

Novel production method of porous surface Ti samples for biomedical application

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

High-velocity oxyfuel Cr3C2-NiCr replacing hard chromium coatings

Comparative wear and corrosion properties of Cr3C2-NiCr (CC-TS) (a high-velocity oxyfuel [HVOF]) and hard chromium (HC) coating's obtained on a steel substrate have been studied. The structural characterization was done before and after measurements by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and scanning white light interferometry. Wear and corrosion properties were evaluated by ball on disk (ASTM G99-90), rubber wheel (ASTM G65-91), and electrochemical measurements of open circuit and polarization curves. The best corrosion and wear resistance was for the CC-TS obtained by HVOF. The open-circuit potential values measured for both samples after 18 h of immersion we're: -0.240 and -0.550 V, respectively, for CC-TS and HC, versus Ag/AgCl,KClsat. Three orders of magnitude lower volume loss were found for CC-TS (HVOF) after friction tests compared with HC.

Aging kinetics in the Cu-8 wt.% Al alloy with Ag additions

The influence of additions of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 wt.% Ag in the isothermal aging kinetics of the Cu-8 wt.% Al alloy was studied using microhardness measurements, differential scanning calorimetry, optical and scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry. The results indicate that the presence of silver is responsible for the shift of the equilibrium concentration to higher Al contents, allowing the formation of the gamma(1) phase (Al4Cu9) in this alloy. For Ag additions up to 6% the dominant kinetic process is Ag precipitation and for additions from 8 to 12% Ag the nucleation of the perlitic phase dominates. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

LiNbO3 thin films prepared through polymeric precursor method

Thin films of lithium niobate were deposited on (100) silicon by the polymeric precursor method (Pechini method). Annealing in static air was performed at 500degreesC for 3 h. The films obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Electrical characterization of the films pointed to ferroelectricity via hysteresis loop. The dielectric constant, dissipation factor and resistance were measured in the frequency region from 10 Hz to 10 MHz. At 1 MHz, the dielectric constant was 46 and the dissipation factor was 0.043. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Isothermal aging kinetics in the Cu-19 at.%Al alloy

The influence of the disordered (Cu)-alpha phase in the isothermal aging kinetics of the Cu-19 at.%Al alloy was studied using microhardness measurements, optical and scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry. The results indicate that the beta'-->(alpha+gamma (1)) decomposition reaction rate increases with the increase of the temperature in the range between 150 and 500 degreesC and at 600 degreesC the reaction is delayed by the alpha phase precipitation. The value obtained for the activation energy indicates an interface diffusion controlled reaction. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Structure of nanoporous zirconia-based powders synthesized by different gel-combustion routes

Zirconia-based ceramics that retain their metastable tetragonal phase at room temperature are widely studied due to their excellent mechanical and electrical properties. When these materials are prepared from precursor nanopowders with high specific surface areas, this phase is retained in dense ceramic bodies. In this work, we present a morphological study of nanocrystalline ZrO2-2.8 mol% Y2O3 powders synthesized by the gel-combustion method, using different organic fuels - alanine, glycine, lysine and citric acid - and calcined at temperatures ranging from 873 to 1173 K. The nanopore structures were investigated by small-angle X-ray scattering. The experimental results indicate that nanopores in samples prepared with alanine, glycine and lysine have an essentially single-mode volume distribution for calcination temperatures up to 1073 K, while those calcined at 1173 K exhibit a more complex and wider volume distribution. The volume-weighted average of the nanopore radii monotonically increases with increasing calcination temperature. The samples prepared with citric acid exhibit a size distribution much wider than the others. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller technique was used to determine specific surface area and X-ray diffraction, environmental scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were also employed for a complete characterization of the samples.

A study of the microstructural characteristics of dental amalgams

Metallographic studies by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy carried out for two types of dental amalgam showing a porous multiphase material. Surface analysis shows that the structure of the Dispersalloy amalgam consists of gamma-Ag3Sn, gamma(1)-Ag2Hg3, eta'-Cu6Sn5, epsilon-Cu3Sn and eutectic Ag-Cu phases. while Velvalloy amalgam consists mainly of gamma, gamma(1) and gamma(2)-Sn7-8Hg phases. The latter phase presents an uniform distribution often associated with voids.

Caracterização e estudo da corrosão do amálgama dentário Dispersalloy por meio das técnicas de polarização potenciodinâmica e espectroscopia de impedância

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The fat body in Rhinocricus padbergi (Diplopoda, Spirobolida)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Morphological characterization of the proventriculus of Gryllus assimilis Fabricius (Orthoptera, Gryllidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Microscopia eletrônica de varredura do endosperma de café (Coffea arabica L.) durante o processo de secagem

A manutenção da integridade das membranas celulares, entre outros eventos, é um forte indicativo de que a qualidade do café foi preservada na pós-colheita. Objetivou-se neste trabalho, analisar o efeito de diferentes métodos de secagem na manutenção da integridade da parede celular e da membrana plasmática de café natural e café despolpado, buscando determinar as condições e o momento em que ocorrem as rupturas microscópicas. Os cafés foram submetidos a um período de pré-secagem em terreiro. Após este, uma parcela de cada tipo de café foi desidratada no terreiro e, outra, à temperatura de 40ºC e 60ºC em secadores de camada fixa, monitorando-se a temperatura e o teor de água até 11% (bu). Nesse período, grãos foram aleatoriamente amostrados e fragmentos do endosperma preparados para a microscopia eletrônica de varredura, registrando-se diversas eletromicrografias, avaliando-se as alterações na membrana plasmática da célula do endosperma dos grãos de cafés em função do teor de água e tempo de secagem. O citoplasma das células a 11% (bu) de teor de água não foi comprometido na secagem em terreiro e a 40°C; na secagem a 60°C, observou-se comprometimento nas estruturas celulares nos cafés com teor de água de 20% (bu).