Structural, electronic structure and magnetic studies of SmFe1-xNixO3 (x <= 0.5)

We present the structural, electronic structure and magnetic studies of Ni doped SmFeO3. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies confirm the single phase nature of the samples having orthorhombic Pbnm structure and the unit-cell volume is decreasing with the increase of Ni concentration. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) studies on O K. Fe L-3.2, Ni L-3.2 and Sm M-5.4 edges of SmFe1-xNixO3 (x <= 0.5) samples along with the reference compounds revealed the homo-valence state of Fe and Ni in these materials. From magnetization studies it has been observed the materials exhibit ferromagnetic and anti-ferromagnetic sub-lattices, which are strongly dependent on the thermo-magnetic state of the system. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structural, electronic structure and magnetic studies of GdFe1-xNixO3 (x <= 0.5)

The structural, electronic structure and magnetic properties of Ni doped GdFeO3 perovskite materials have been studied. A decreasing trend in volume with the increasing Ni concentration without any structural change is confirmed from X-ray diffraction studies. The electronic structural studies show that the competing ions within the ensemble have +3 oxidation states, which includes the Gd, Fe and Ni ions, and also confirms the octahedral symmetry of the Fe/Ni ions. The magnetic properties clearly depict that the Ni doping can tailor the phase transitions arising due to temperature/field dependence having a heavy impact on spin dynamics. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Theoretical study of the structure and stability of NbxOy, and NbxOy+ (x = 1-3; y = 2-5, 7, 8) clusters

Geometric, thermodynamic and electronic properties of cluster neutrals NbxOy and cations NbxOy+ (x = 1-3; y = 2-5, 7, 8) have been characterized theoretically. A DFT calculation using a hybrid combination of B3LYP with contracted Huzinaga basis sets. Numerical results of the relative stabilities, ionization potentials and band gaps of different clusters are in agreement with experiment. Analysis of dissociation channels supports the more stable building blocks as formed by NbO2, NbO2+ NbO3 and NbO3+ stoichiometries. The net atomic charges suggest that oxygen donor molecules can interact more favorably on central niobium atoms of cluster cations, while the interaction with oxygen acceptor molecules is more favorable on the terminal oxygen atoms of neutral clusters. A topological analysis of the electron localization function gradient field indicates that the clusters may be described as having a strong ionic interaction between Nb and O atoms. Published by Elsevier B.V. B.V.

Electronic structure and optical properties of BaMoO4 powders

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Structure and microstructure of PbTiO3 thin films obtained from hybrid chemical method

PbTiO3 thin films were deposited on Si(100) via hybrid chemical method and crystallized between 400 and 700 degreesC to study the effect of the crystallization kinetics on structure and microstructure of these materials. X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique was used to study the structure of the crystallized films. In the temperature range investigated, the lattice strain (c/a) presented a maximum value (c/a = 1.056) for film crystallized at 600 degreesC for I h. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used in investigation of the microstructure of the films. The rms roughness of the films linearly increases with temperature and ranged from 1.25 to 9.04 nm while the grain sizes ranged from 130.6 to 213.6 nm. Greater grain size was observed for film crystallized at 600 degreesC for 1 h. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. S.A. All rights reserved.

The structure and optical dispersion of the refractive index of tellurite glass

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Understanding the effects of isolation on seed and pollen flow, spatial genetic structure and effective population size of the dioecious tropical tree species Myracrodruon urundeuva

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

Influence of protein intake and muscle mass on survival in chronic dialysis patients

Introduction: Some studies suggest that high body mass index (BMI) confers survival advantage in dialysis patients, but BMI does not differentiate muscle from fat mass, and the survival advantage conferred by its increase seems to be limited to patients with high muscle mass. Thus, discriminating body components when evaluating nutritional status and survival is highly important. This study evaluated the influence of nutritional parameters on survival in patients on chronic dialysis. Subjects and methods: Anthropometry, bioimpedance, biochemistry, and dietary recall were used to investigate the influence of nutritional parameters on survival in 79 prevalent patients on chronic dialysis. Results: Protein intake <1.2 g/kg/day and creatinine <9.7 mg/dL were independent predictors of mortality in all patients. Regarding dialysis method, protein intake <1.2 g/kg/ day was predictive of mortality among hemodialysis patients, and percent standard mid-arm muscle circumference <80% was identified as a risk factor among peritoneal dialysis patients. Conclusion: Higher muscle mass, possibly favored by a higher protein intake, conferred survival advantage in dialysis patients.

The 434(G > C) polymorphism in the eosinophil cationic protein gene and its association with tissue eosinophilia in oral squamous cell carcinomas

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

Effect of Psidium cattleianum leaf extract on Streptococcus mutans viability, protein expression and acid production

Plants naturally produce secondary metabolites that can be used as antimicrobials. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Psidium cattleianum leaf extract on Streptococcus mutans. The extract (100%) was obtained by decoction of 100 g of leaves in 600 ml of deionized water. To assess killing, S. mutans biofilms were treated with water (negative control) or various extract dilutions [ 100, 50, 25% (v/v) in water] for 5 or 60 min. To evaluate the effect on protein expression, biofilms were exposed to water or 1.6% (v/v) extract for 120 min, proteins were extracted and submitted to 2-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis. Differentially expressed proteins were identified by mass spectrometry. The effect of 1.6% (v/v) extract on acid production was determined by pH measurements and compared to a water control. Viability was similar after 5 min of treatment with the 100% extract or 60 min with the 50% extract (about 0.03% survival). There were no differences in viability between the biofilms exposed to the 25 or 50% extract after 60 min of treatment (about 0.02% survival). Treatment with the 1.6% extract significantly changed protein expression. The abundance of 24 spots was decreased compared to water (p < 0.05). The extract significantly inhibited acid production (p < 0.05). It is concluded that P. cattleianum leaf extract kills S. mutans grown in biofilms when applied at high concentrations. At low concentrations it inhibits S. mutans acid production and reduces the expression of proteins involved in general metabolism, glycolysis and lactic acid production. Copyright (C) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Structure and vascularization of the ventricular myocardium of Piaractus mesopotamicus and Clarias gariepinus (Teleostei)

The structural characteristics of the ventricular myocardium and the arterial distribution of the ventricular wall were studied in two freshwater teleost fish species (Piaractus mesopotamicus and Clarias gariepinus). The ventricular myocardium consists of two distinct layers, an external compact layer and an internal spongy layer. In Piaractus mesopotamicus the compact layer contains fibres with an external longitudinal arrangement and an internal circular arrangement. The arterial vascularization of the compact layer is provided by subepicardial vessels and their ramifications in both species.

Ovarian structure and hormonal status of the UChA and UChB adult rats in response to ethanol

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

Ontogenesis, structure and ultrastructure of Hymenaea stigonocarpa (Fabaceae : Caesalpinioideae) colleters

The genus Hymenaea is characterized by a great diversity of secretory structures, but there are no reports of colleters yet. The objectives of this study are to report the occurrence and describe the origin and structure of colleters in Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. ex Hayne. Shoot apex samples were collected, fixed, and processed for light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy as per usual methods. Colleters occur predominantly on the stipule's adaxial side. These structures are found at the base on a narrow strip, corresponding to the median vein up to half the length of the stipule. When present on the abaxial side, they are concentrated at the base and restricted to the margins. Colleters develop from the protoderm; they are elongate and club-shaped. Their body has no stratification; their surface cells differ from the inner cells only in position and presence of cuticle. Colleter cells have thin walls, dense cytoplasm, large nuclei, many mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and abundant dictyosomes. Histochemical tests with Ruthenium red showed pectic compounds in the cytosol. In H. stigonocarpa, colleter arrangement is compatible with the hypothesis that they protect shoot apex. In this species, protection is reinforced by the sheath formed by the stipule pairs.

Thallus structure and isidium development in two Parmeliaceae species (lichenized Ascomycota)

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