SURFACE MODIFICATION of SUGARCANE BAGASSE CELLULOSE and ITS EFFECT on MECHANICAL and WATER ABSORPTION PROPERTIES of SUGARCANE BAGASSE CELLULOSE HDPE COMPOSITES

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Chemical attributes of a savannah Typic Hapludox soil under management systems

O trabalho teve por objetivo estudar as modificações de atributos químicos de um Latossolo Vermelho após dois anos de manejo com adubação orgânica e/ou mineral com diferentes sistemas de cultivo. O experimento foi realizado na área experimental da Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, localizada no município de Selvíria, Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul, no ano agrícola 2004/2005 e 2005/2006. Os tratamentos foram: cultivo convencional; cultivo mínimo e semeadura direta. As adubações foram: testemunha (sem adubação); adubação mineral (300 kg ha-1 da fórmula 20-00-20); adubação orgânica (esterco bovino - 20 Mg ha-1); adubação orgânica (esterco bovino) + ½ adubação mineral recomendada para a cultura utilizada; 20 e 30 Mg ha-1 de lodo de esgoto. em um ano foi utilizada a soja como cultura e no seguinte o sorgo. Avaliaram-se os atributos químicos do solo em quatro camadas. Os atributos químicos do Latossolo Vermelho foram modificados no primeiro ano após as adubações; a adubação com esterco, lodo de esgoto e a combinação do esterco+adubação mineral foram eficazes em modificar os atributos químicos do solo estudado; o lodo de esgoto foi mais eficaz na recuperação do P do solo e, a semeadura direta contribuiu para o aumento de K no solo

Revegetation and Soil Management Effects on Chemical Properties of a Saprolite Resulting from Deep Soil Removal

During the building of a hydroelectrical power plant at Ilha Solteira in the Parana River (Brazil), materials of a highly weathered soil Oxisol were extracted from a depth between 5 and 8 m for engineering works. This resulted in an abandoned depression area. The topsoil was not salvaged and the open pit was not backfilled, and as result vegetation hardly or not at all recovered. on the residual saprolite materials, an experimental field was established to assess different soil rehabilitation treatments. Field experiments were initiated in 1992. After soil tillage, two different crops and three different liming strategies were compared, giving six combinations. In addition, two uncropped control treatments, tilled and no-tilled, were established so that a total of eight treatments were assessed. The experimental design consisted of four randomized experimental blocks, which included a total of 32 plots with a plot area of 100 m(2). This experiment was used to study the effectiveness of the soil-reclamation treatments after a 9-year period. Soil samples were taken at three different depths (0-10, 10-20, and 20-40 cm), and they were analyzed routinely for pH, organic-matter content, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Revegetation of the abandoned saprolite material increased soil organic-matter content and cation exchange capacity (CEC), and to some extent small differences between treatments were evidenced. Exchangeable calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) recovered faster than organic-matter content. A significant linear relationship was found between organic-matter content and CEC, suggesting continued addition of organic material will further approach the value of these parameters to those levels corresponding to natural soils under "Cerrado" vegetation.

Nutritional and chemical composition of culinary-medicinal Royal Sun Agaricus (the Himematsutake mushroom) Agaricus brasiliensis S. Wasser et al. (agaricomycetideae)

The objective of the study was to determine the nutritional and chemical composition (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, calcium, and iron), water and ash content, and the caloric value of powdered fruiting bodies from six strains and from a mixture of strains of the culinary-medicinal mushroom Agaricus brasiliensis. The Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric and multiple comparisons tests and the Pearson correlation coefficient were used, with a 5% significance level. First, the results showed that strain 99/30 had a similar nutritional composition to the mixed sample. Second, when comparing strain nutrients to the mixture nutrients, the highest levels of carbohydrates, proteins, and calcium were in strain 99/25, and the highest levels of lipids were in strains 97/11, 99/28, and 99/30. Strain 99/30 was highest both in caloric value and moisture content. Finally, the mixture was established as a good source of macronutrients and micronutrients, and strain 99/30 was the closest to the mixture in nutritional composition.

Quantitative trait loci associated with chemical composition of the chicken carcass

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

Color Stability of Polymers for Facial Prosthesis

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

Mechanical, physical, and chemical characterization of Ti-35Nb-5Zr and Ti-35Nb-10Zr casting alloys

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

Characterization of Five Different Implant Surfaces and Their Effect on Osseointegration: A Study in Dogs

Background: Chemical modification of implant surface is typically associated with surface topographic alterations that may affect early osseointegration. This study investigates the effects of controlled surface alterations in early osseointegration in an animal model.Methods: Five implant surfaces were evaluated: 1) alumina-blasting, 2) biologic blasting, 3) plasma, 4) microblasted resorbable blasting media (microblasted RBM), and 5) alumina-blasting/acid-etched (AB/AE). Surface topography was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and optical interferometry, and chemical assessment by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The implants were placed in the radius of six dogs, remaining 2 and 4 weeks in vivo. After euthanization, specimens were torqued-to-interface failure and non-decalcified - processed for histomorphologic bone-implant contact, and bone area fraction-occupied evaluation. Statistical evaluation was performed by one-way analysis of variance (P < 0.05) and post hoc testing by the Tukey test.Results: The alumina-blasting surface presented the highest average surface roughness and mean root square of the surface values, the biologic blasting the lowest, and AB/AE an intermediate value. The remaining surfaces presented intermediate values between the biologic blasting and AB/AE. The x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra revealed calcium and phosphorus for the biologic blasting and microblasted RBM surfaces, and the highest oxygen levels for the plasma, microblasted RBM, and AB/AE surfaces. Significantly higher torque was observed at 2 weeks for the microblasted RBM surface (P < 0.04), but no differences existed between surfaces at 4 weeks (P > 0.74). No significant differences in bone-implant contact and bone area fraction-occupied values were observed at 2 and 4 weeks.Conclusion: The five surfaces were osteoconductive and resulted in high degrees of osseointegration and biomechanical fixation. J Periodontol 2011;82:742-750.

Evaluation of the physical and chemical properties of two commercial and three experimental root-end filling materials

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pH, calcium release, setting time, and solubility of two commercially available mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) cements (white MTA Angelus and MTA Bio), and of three experimental cements (light-cured MTA, Portland cement with 20% bismuth oxide and 5% calcium sulfate, and an epoxy resin-based cement).Study design. For evaluation of pH and calcium ion release, polyethylene tubes with 1.0 mm internal diameter and 10.0 mm length were filled with the cements and immediately immersed in flasks containing 10 mL deionized water. After 3, 24, 72, and 168 hours, the tubes were removed and the water from the previous container was measured for its pH and calcium content with a pH meter and an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. For analysis of the setting time, Gilmore needles weighing 100 g and 456.5 g were used, in accordance with the American Society for Testing and Materials specification no. C266-03. Solubility of each cement was also tested.Results. All the cements were alkaline and released calcium ions, with a declining trend over time. After 3 hours, Portland cement + bismuth oxide and MTA Bio had the highest pH and light-cured MTA the lowest. After 1 week, MTA Bio had the highest pH and light-cured MTA and epoxy resin-based cement the lowest. Regarding calcium ion release, after 3 hours, Portland cement + bismuth oxide showed the highest release. After 1 week, MTA Bio had the highest. Epoxy resin-based cement and light-cured MTA had the lowest calcium release in all evaluation periods. Regarding setting times, white MTA Angelus and MTA Bio had the shortest, Portland cement + bismuth oxide had an intermediate setting time, and the epoxy resin-based cement had the longest. The materials that showed the lowest solubility values were the epoxy resin-based cement, Portland cement + bismuth oxide, and light-cured MTA. The highest solubility values were presented in white MTA Angelus and MTA Bio.Conclusions. The white MTA Angelus and MTA Bio had the shortest setting times, higher pH and calcium ion release, and the highest solubility. In contrast, the epoxy resin-based cement and light-cured MTA showed lower values of solubility, pH, and calcium ion release. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2010; 110: 250-256)

Evaluation of the propylene glycol association on some physical and chemical properties of mineral trioxide aggregate

Duarte MAH, Alves de Aguiar K, Zeferino MA, Vivan RR, Ordinola-Zapata R, Tanomaru-Filho M, Weckwerth PH, Kuga MC. Evaluation of the propylene glycol association on some physical and chemical properties of mineral trioxide aggregate. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 565570, 2012. Abstract Aim To evaluate the influence of propylene glycol (PG) on the flowability, setting time, pH and calcium ion release of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Methodology Mineral trioxide aggregate was mixed with different proportions of PG, as follows: group 1: MTA + 100% distilled water (DW); group 2: MTA + 80% DW and 20% PG; group 3: MTA + 50% DW and 50% PG; group 4: MTA + 20% DW and 80% PG; group 5: MTA + 100% PG. The ANSI/ADA No. 57 was followed for evaluating the flowability and the setting time was measured by using ASTM C266-08. For pH and calcium release analyses, 50 acrylic teeth with root-end cavities were filled with the materials (n = 10) and individually immersed in flasks containing 10 mL deionized water. After 3 h, 24 h, 72 h and 168 h, teeth were placed in new flasks and the water in which each specimen was immersed had its pH determined by a pH metre and the calcium release measured by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer with a calcium-specific hollow cathode lamp. Data were analysed by using one-way anova test for global comparison and by using Tukeys test for individual comparisons. Results The highest value of flowability was observed with MTA + 20% DW and 80% PG and the lowest values were found with MTA + 100% DW. They were significantly different compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). The presence of PG did not affect the pH and calcium release. The MTA + 100% PG favoured the highest (P < 0.05) pH and calcium release after 3 h. Increasing the PG proportion interfered (P < 0.05) with the setting time; when used at the volume of 100% setting did not occur. Conclusion The addition of PG to MTA-Angelus increased its setting time, improved flowability and increased the pH and calcium ion release during the initial post-mixing periods. The ratio of 80% DW 20% PG is recommended.

Chemical transfer of warning information in non-injured fish

In this study we describe pacus, Piaractus mesopotamicus, detecting the presence of a predator by conspecific alerting pheromone. Moreover, we investigate whether this chemical information indicates the presence of a specific predator, or whether it indicates general disturbance. We exposed groups of pacus to the view of a predator fish (trahira, Hoplias malabaricus), a non-predator fish (piracanjuba, Brycon orbignyanus) or an aquarium without any fish (control), and then we transferred their water to isolated conspecifics. We set up six trials of each condition in which we analysed the dispersion and the distance from the visual stimulus in water-donor fish and the distance from the chemical stimulus in water-receiver pacus. This study showed that pacus visually identified the presence of another fish and recognised it as predator or non-predator. This is interpreted as an innate response. Such heterospecific detection affects the behaviour of pacus, which release chemicals that induce conspecifics to adopt a similar behavioural response. At least two chemicals might be involved, one of them possibly an alerting pheromone.

Chemical communication of handling stress in fish

We investigated whether juveniles of the nocturnal fish jundia (Rhamdia quelen) and the diurnal fish Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) are able to chemically communicate stress to conspecifics. Groups of 8 fish were reared in tanks under recirculated water (water exchanged among all the tanks) for each species. Fish were handled in half of the tanks (stressor fish) and whole-body cortisol concentrations were compared among handled fish, non-handled fish exposed to water from the handled fish, and non-handled control fish held with no water communication. For each treatment cortisol concentrations were determined before exposure to the stressor (basal levels) and after 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 h. Basal levels of cortisol confirmed fish were unstressed in the beginning of the experiment. Cortisol was increased in the stressor fish 1 h after handling. Fish receiving water from the stressor fish increased cortisol levels later (2 h after the stressor fish were handled). As the isolated control group maintained cortisol levels unchanged throughout the experiment, we concluded that some chemical factor was released by the stressed fish in the water and thus stressed the conspecifics. This pattern was similar for both unrelated species, thus suggesting that this communication might have evolved earlier in fish and reinforcing the biological value of this kind of information. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Chemical composition of tropical macrophyte Echinochloa polystachya (HBK) Hitchcock in Jurumirim Reservoir (Sao paulo, Brazil)

Seasonal variations of C, N and P concentrations and stocks in the emergent macrophyte Echinochloa polystachya (H.B.K.) Hitchcock, of the Paranapanema River mouth zone at Jurumirim Reservoir (SP, Brazil), were examined. Marked variation in nutrient concentrations (from 287.6 to 463.2 mg C g DW-1; 3.4 to 37.8 mg N g DW-1; 0.13 to 2.31 mg P g DW-1) and stocks (from 3.8 to 11.9 t C ha(-1); 96.3 to 400.6 kg N ha(-1), 3.6 to 44.3 kg P ha(-1)) were observed along the year (August 1993 - July 1994). Peaks in concentrations and stocks were observed in January, February and March 1994. As nutrient concentrations in water and sediments are low and stocks in the plant high, the local nutrient dynamics seem to be controlled by this macrophyte. Leaf blades and sheaths participate most in recycling, while stems contain the principal nutrient stock.

Physical and chemical characteristics of the sediment in the estuarine region of Cananeia (SP), Brazil

Physical and chemical characteristics of sediment were analyzed at eight sampling areas in the estuarine region of Cananeia (SP), Brazil. The samples were collected in 1995 during four periods; summer, autumn, winter and spring. Total nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, redox potential, water and organic matter percentage, sand and silt percentage and grain size were determined in six different layers of 20 cm deep columns of sediment. In general, the nutrient concentration and the percentage of organic matter decreased with depth and greater variations were observed in the first centimeter of the samples. Differences in nutrient concentration and organic matter were also observed during the study period. The highest concentrations were recorded during the rainy season (February) as a consequence of an accumulation of organic matter brought into the system by rivers and adjacent flooded areas. In general, the sediments had oxidized characteristics until the 5 or 10 cm depth in areas near the rich coastal vegetation. However, in areas open to the ocean, the entire sediment columns were almost completely oxidized.

Chemical detection of the proteins and lipids in the fat body cells from workers of Attini ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

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