Effect of atmosphere and dopants on sintering of SnO2

Tin oxide is an n type semiconductor material with a high covalent behavior. Mass transport in this oxide depends on the surface state promoted by atmosphere or by the solid solution of aliovalent oxide doping. The sintering and grain growth of this type of oxide powder is then controlled by atmosphere and by extrinsic oxygen vacancy formation. For pure SnO2 powder the surface state depends only on the interaction of atmosphere molecules with the SnO2 surface. Inert atmosphere like argon or helium promotes oxygen vacancy formation at the surface due to reduction of SnO2 to SnO at the surface and liberation of oxygen molecules forming oxygen vacancies. As a consequence surface diffusion is enhanced leading to grain coarsening but no densification. Oxygen atmosphere inhibits SnO2 reduction by decreasing the surface oxygen vacancy concentration. Addition of dopants with lower valence at the sintering temperature creates extrinsic charged oxygen vacancies that promote mass transport at the grain boundary leading to densification and grain growth of this polycrystalline oxide.

The synergistic effects of Nb/Mn and Sb/Mn on the microstructure and electrical characteristics of BaTiO3 based ceramics

The microstructure and dielectric properties of Nb-Mn or Sb-Mn codoped BaTiO3 compositions were investigated. Starting ceramics powders were prepared by Pechini method. The composites were sintered at 1310°C and 1330°C in an air atmosphere for two hours. The microstructure and compositional investigations were done with SEM equipped with EDS. Two distinguish microstructure regions are observed in Nb/0.05Mn doped BaTiO 3 ceramics sintered at low temperature. The first, large one, with grain sizes from 5-40 μm and the second region with small grain sizes from 1 to 5 μm. Sintering at higher temperature, independent of Mn content, enables to achieve a uniform microstructure with grains less than 6 μm. In Sb/Mn doped ceramics, for both sintering temperatures, bimodal microstructures with fine grained matrix and grains up to 10 μm is formed. The highest value of permittivity at room temperature and the greatest change of permittivity in function of temperature are observed in Nb/0.01Mn doped ceramics compared to the same ones in Sb/Mn doped ceramics. The greatest shift of Curie temperature towards lower temperature has been noticed in Sb/Mn BaTiO3 ceramics compared to others samples. In all investigated samples the dielectric loss after initially large values at low frequency maintains a constant value for f>3 kHz.

Effects of Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation (PIII) of nitrogen on hardness, composition and corrosion resistance of Ti-6Al-4V alloy

Ti-6Al-4V samples have been treated by PHI processing at different temperatures (400-800°C), treatment time (30-150 min) and plasma potential (100 and 420 V). Hardness measurements results showed an enhancement of the hardness for all implanted samples. XRD results detected the Ti 2N phase and the best corrosion resistance was found for the samples processed at higher temperature and lower PIII time.

Dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical determinants of plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in free-living adults

The level of high-density lipoprotein is thought to be critical in inhibiting lesion formation as well as reducing the lipid load of preexisting atherosclerotic lesions. With the aim of determining the main determinants of plasma HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c) in free-living adults, 997 individuals (52.3 10 years, 67 females) were selected for a descriptive cross-sectional study. The used data corresponded to the baseline obtained from participants clinically selected for a lifestyle modification program. Covariables of clinical, anthropometry, food intake, aerobic fitness, and plasma biochemistry were analyzed against plasma HDL-c either as continuous or categorized variables. After adjustments for age, gender, and BMI the excess of abdominal fat along with high carbohydrate-energy intake and altered plasma triglycerides were the stronger predictors of reduced plasma HDL-c. In conclusion lifestyle interventions aiming to normalize abdominal fatness and plasma triglycerides are recommended to restore normal levels of HDL-c in these free-living adults. Copyright © 2011 Erick Prado de Oliveira et al.

Influence of the indium concentration on microstructural and electrical properties of proton conducting NiO-BaCe0.9-xIn xY0.1O3-δ cermet anodes for IT-SOFC application

Optimization of the major properties of anodes based on proton conductors, such as microstructure, conductivity and chemical stability, is yet to be achieved. In this study we investigated the influence of indium on the chemical stability, microstructural and electrical characteristics of proton conducting NiO-BaCe0.9-xInxY0.1O 3-δ (NiO-BCIYx) anodes. Four compositions of cermet anode substrates NiO-BCIYx were prepared using the method of evaporation and decomposition of solutions and suspensions (EDSS). Sintered anode substrates were reduced and their microstructural and electrical properties were examined before and after reduction as a function of the amount of indium. Anode substrates tested on chemical stability in the CO2 atmosphere showed high stability compared to anode substrates based on commonly used doped barium cerates. Microstructural properties of the anode pellets before and after testing in CO2 were investigated using X-ray diffraction analysis. Impedance spectroscopy measurements were used for evaluation of electrical properties of the anode pellets and the conductivity values of reduced anodes of more than 14 S cm-1 at 600 °C confirmed percolations through Ni particles. Under fuel cell operating conditions, the cell with a Ni-BCIY20 anode achieved the highest performance, demonstrating a peak power density 223 mW/cm2 at 700 °C confirming the functionality of Ni-BCIY anodes.© 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Methods for obtaining reabsorbable composites, composites, membrane, scaffold and its uses

The present invention relates to novel methods of obtaining reabsorbable composites, based on bacterial cellulose and collagen, for application in tissue repairing Additionally, the present invention relates to the composites obtained by the methods described herein and their uses.

Lycopene supplementation modulates plasma concentrations and epididymal adipose tissue mRNA of leptin, resistin and IL-6 in diet-induced obese rats

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

Time reduction of light curing: Influence on conversion degree and microhardness of orthodontic composites

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of curing time and power on the degree of conversion and surface microhardness of 3 orthodontic composites. Methods: One hundred eighty discs, 6 mm in diameter, were divided into 3 groups of 60 samples according to the composite used-Transbond XT (3M Unitek, Monrovia, Calif), Opal Bond MV (Ultradent, South Jordan, Utah), and Transbond Plus Color Change (3M Unitek)-and each group was further divided into 3 subgroups (n = 20). Five samples were used to measure conversion, and 15 were used to measure microhardness. A light-emitting diode curing unit with multiwavelength emission of broad light was used for curing at 3 power levels (530, 760, and 1520 mW) and 3 times (8.5, 6, and 3 seconds), always totaling 4.56 joules. Five specimens from each subgroup were ground and mixed with potassium bromide to produce 8-mm tablets to be compared with 5 others made similarly with the respective noncured composite. These were placed into a spectrometer, and software was used for analysis. A microhardness tester was used to take Knoop hardness (KHN) measurements in 15 discs of each subgroup. The data were analyzed with 2 analysis of variance tests at 2 levels. Results: Differences were found in the conversion degree of the composites cured at different times and powers (P < 0.01). The composites showed similar degrees of conversion when light cured at 8.5 seconds (80.7%) and 6 seconds (79.0%), but not at 3 seconds (75.0%). The conversion degrees of the composites were different, with group 3 (87.2%) higher than group 2 (83.5%), which was higher than group 1 (64.0%). Differences in microhardness were also found (P < 0.01), with lower microhardness at 8.5 seconds (35.2 KHN), but no difference was observed between 6 seconds (41.6 KHN) and 3 seconds (42.8 KHN). Group 3 had the highest surface microhardness (35.9 KHN) compared with group 2 (33.7 KHN) and group 1 (30.0 KHN). Conclusions: Curing time can be reduced up to 6 seconds by increasing the power, with a slight decrease in the degree of conversion at 3 seconds; the decrease has a positive effect on the surface microhardness.

Elevated Plasma Hemoglobin Levels Increase Nitric Oxide Consumption in Experimental and Clinical Acute Pulmonary Thromboembolism

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

Processing and characterization of ablative composites used in rocket motors

The main objective of this research work was to obtain two formulations of ablative composites. These composites are also known as ablative structural composites, for applications in atmospherically severe conditions according to the high-temperature, hot gaseous products flow generated from the burning of solid propellants. The formulations were manufactured with phenolic resin reinforced with chopped carbon fiber. The composites were obtained by the hot compression molding technique. Another purpose of this work was to conduct the physical and chemical characterization of the matrix, the reinforcements and the composites. After the characterization, a nozzle divergent of each formulation was manufactured and its performance was evaluated through the rocket motor static firing test. According to the results found in this work, it was possible to observe through the characterization of the raw materials that phenolic resins showed peculiarities in their properties that differentiate one from the other, but did not exhibit significant differences in performance as a composite material for use in ablation conditions. Both composites showed good performance for use in thermal protection, confirmed by firing static tests (rocket motor). Composites made with phenolic resin and chopped carbon fiber showed that it is a material with excellent resistance to ablation process. This composite can be used to produce nozzle parts with complex geometry or shapes and low manufacturing cost.

Estudo da modificação superficial de fibras de carbono por meio de tratamentos a plasma para o aumento da adesão na interface de compósitos fibra de carbono/PPS

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Mecânica - FEG

A simple method based on ICP-MS for estimation of background levels of arsenic, cadmium, copper, manganese, nickel, lead, and selenium in blood of the Brazillian population

Throughout the world, biomonitoring has become the standard for assessing exposure of individuals to toxic elements as well as for responding to serious environmental public health problems. However, extensive biomonitoring surveys require rapid and simple analytical methods. Thus, a simple and high-throughput method is proposed for the determination of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and selenium (Se) in blood samples by using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICPMS). Prior to analysis, 200 ml of blood samples was mixed with 500 ml of 10% v/v tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution, incubated for 10 min, and subsequently diluted to 10 ml with a solution containing 0.05% w/v ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) + 0.005% v/v Triton X-100. After that, samples were directly analyzed by ICP-MS (ELAN DRC II). Rhodium was selected as an internal standard with matrix-matching calibration. Method detection limits were 0.08, 0.04, 0.5, 0.09, 0.12, 0.04, and 0.1 mg//L for As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Se, respectively. Validation data are provided based on the analysis of blood samples from the trace elements inter-\comparison program operated by the Institut National de Santé Publique du Quebec, Canada. Additional validation was provided by the analysis of human blood samples by the proposed method and by using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). The method was subsequently applied for the estimation of background metal blood values in the Brazilian population. In general, the mean concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Se in blood were 1.1, 0.4, 890, 9.6, 2.1, 65.4, and 89.3 mg/L, respectively, and are in agreement with other global populations. Influences of age, gender, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, and geographical variation on the values were also considered. Smoking habits influenced the levels of Cd in blood. The levels of Cu, Mn, and Pb were significantly correlated with gender, whereas Cu and Pb were significantly correlated with age. There were also interesting differences in Mn and Se levels in the population living in the north of Brazil compared to the south.

Caracterização mecânica e microestrutural de juntas soldadas a laser em aços maraging com posterior tratamento térmico e termoquímico de superfície a plasma

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Use of Sludge as Ceramic Materials

Nowadays, with increase amounts of sludge derived from the treatment of domestic sewage put pressure into research on systems for the adequate use of these materials. The aim of the present work is to study the use of sludge ash, from sintering and calcinated process, as a raw material for the ceramic industry. Using the sewage sludge ashes as ceramic raw material there will be no contamination of soil and underground water. Metals and toxic compounds like Al, Fe, Ba, Cr, Cu, Mn and Zn oxides were analyzed and characterized by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The leached material was chemically analyzed where the integration of oxides into the ceramic matrix of sludge ash was observed. Residual decomposition was analyzed by TG, DTG and DTA curves.

Circulating leukocyte heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and oxidative stress markers in rats after a bout of exhaustive exercise

A novel method to measure oxidative stress resulting from exhaustive exercise in rats is presented. In this new procedure we evaluated the erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes, catalase ( CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR), the plasma oxidative attack markers, reactive carbonyl derivatives (RCD) and thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS). Muscular tissue damage was evaluated by monitoring plasma creatine kinase (CK) and plasma taurine ( Tau) concentrations. Also, we monitored total sulphydryl groups (TSG) and uric acid (UA), and the level of the 70 kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) in leukocytes as a marker of oxidative stress. In the study we found a correspondence between erythrocyte CAT and GR activities and leukocyte HSP70 levels, principally 3 h after the acute exercise, and this suggested an integrated mechanism of antioxidant defense. The increase in levels of plasma Tau was coincident with the increasing plasma levels of CK and TBARS, principally after two hours of exercise. Thus tissue damage occurred before the expression of any anti-oxidant system markers and the monitoring of Tau, CK or TBARS may be important for the estimation of oxidative stress during exhaustive exercise. Furthermore, the integrated analyses could be of value in a clinical setting to quantify the extent of oxidative stress risk and reduce the need to perform muscle biopsies as a tool of clinical evaluation.