Morphological and Molecular Variation in the Pumpkin Toadlet, Brachycephalus ephippium (Anura: Brachycephalidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Synthesis, characterization and thermal behaviour of solid-state compounds of light trivalent lanthanide succinates

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

Structural refinement, growth process, photoluminescence and photocatalytic properties of (Ba1-xPr2x/3)WO4 crystals synthesized by the coprecipitation method

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

Synthesis, characterization and thermal behaviour of solid-state tartrates of heavy trivalent lanthanides and yttrium(III)

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

Thermal and spectroscopic data to investigate the oxamic acid, sodium oxamate and its compounds with some bivalent transition metal ions

Synthesis, characterization, and thermal behavior of transition metal oxamates, M(NH(2)C(2)O(3))(2)center dot nH(2)O (M = Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II)), as well as the thermal behavior of oxamic acid and its sodium salt (NaNH(2)C(2)O(3)) were investigated employing simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), experimental and theoretical infrared spectroscopy, TG-DSC coupled to FTIR, elemental analysis and complexometry. The results led to information about the composition, dehydration, thermal stability, thermal decomposition, as well as of the gaseous products evolved during the thermal decomposition of these compounds in dynamic air and N(2) atmospheres.

Thermal behaviour of succinic acid, sodium succinate and its compounds with some bivalent transition metal ions

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

2-methoxybenzylidenepyruvate with heavier trivalent lanthanides and yttrium(III) - Synthesis and characterization

Solid-state Ln(2-MeO-BP) compounds, where Ln stands for trivalent Eu to Lu and Y(III) and 2-MeO-BP (which is 2-methoxybenzylidenepyruvate) have been synthesized. Simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and other methods of analysis were used to characterize and to study these compounds. on the base of the obtained results an Ln(2MeO-BP)(3)center dot H2O general formula can be established.

Synthesis, Characterization and Thermal Behaviour of Solid 2-Methoxycinnamylidenepyruvate of Light Trivalent Lanthanides

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

Thermal behaviour of mandelic acid, sodium mandelate and its compounds with some bivalent transition metal ions

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

Thermal decomposition of hydrated selenites of trivalent lanthanides and yttrium

Hydrated lanthanide(III) and yttrium(III) selenites were prepared. Simultaneous thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, classical differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and other methods of analysis have been used in the characterisation as well as in the study of the thermal decomposition of these compounds. The results led to the composition and thermal stability and also to interpretations concerning the thermal decomposition mechanisms. © 1990.

Müller cells and diabetic retinopathy.

Müller cells provide nutrition for neural cells. We studied the structure and ultrastructure of Müller cells in the retina of thirty 3-month old Wistar rats, divided equally into 3 groups: normal rats, alloxan diabetic rats and treated alloxan diabetic rats, 1 and 12 months after induction of diabetes. We observed that the Müller cell nuclei under light microscope examination had hexagonal shape and higher density than the other nuclei. Differences between groups could be observed only by electron microscopy. In the diabetic rats, Müller cells presented dispersion of nuclear chromatin and electrondense nuclear granulations, with the presence of increased glycogen, dense bodies and lysosomes in the cytoplasm. The alterations were more frequent in the perivascular region and at 12 months. The treated diabetic rats exhibited some alterations we observed in diabetic rats, but these alterations were less intense. We conclude that, despite the treatment, the diabetic retinopathy continues to evolve.

Systematics and distribution of Thorea (Thoreaceae, Rhodophyta) from central Mexico and south-eastern Brazil

Thirteen populations of Thorea were analyzed from central Mexico and south-eastern Brazil. All populations were considered as belonging to a single species [Thorea hispida (Thore) Desvaux], with wide variation of morphological features. Secondary branches varying in frequency were observed in several populations with an overlapping in the range of branch density for Thorea violacea Bory and T. hispida (0-9 and 11-41 per 30 mm, respectively). As this is the most distinguishing character and on the basis of the overlapping (within a same population or even a single plant), we regarded T. violacea as a synonym of T. hispida. 'Chantransia' stage in culture, as well as gametophyte and carposporophyte were described in detail. We confirmed the coexistence of asexual monosporangia with sexual reproductive structures (carpogonia and spermatangia) and carposporangia. Size, content, arrangement and chromosome number were the most distinctive characteristics among spermatangia, carposporangia and monosporangia. Monosporangia can be promptly differentiated from spermatangia by their granulated content and larger size but they are similar to carposporangia in shape and size; however, monosporangia are not arranged in fascicles. Structures resembling bisporangia were observed in female plants of some populations. Chromosome numbers were n = 4 for spermatangia and fascicle cells, and 2n ca8 for gonimoblast filaments, carpospores and the 'Chantransia' stage cells. The populations of Thorea from central Mexico and south-eastern Brazil corroborated the known world distribution for T. hispida, consisting dominantly of tropical to subtropical rainforests, sometimes extending into warm temperate areas. Thorea hispida occurred in warm (temperature 17.6-28.0°C), neutral to alkaline (pH 7.0-8.0), high ion content (specific conductance 59-2140 μS cm-1), moderate flowing (current velocity 17-43 cm/s) and shallow waters (depth <50 cm); these data are essentially similar to previous reports.

Preparation and characterization of spherical yttrium iron garnet via coprecipitation

The purpose of this work is to obtain spherical particles yttrium iron garnet (YIG) by coprecipitation technique. The spherical particles were obtained from either nitrate or chloride salt solutions by controlling the precipitation medium. Different agents of dispersion such as PVP and ammonium iron sulfate were used to optimize the shape and size of YIG. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. The results show that the samples phase transition takes place at 850°C (orthorhombic phase) and at 1200°C (cubic phase). Spherical shape particles, with diameter of around 0.5 μm, present magnetization values close to the bulk value (26 emu g -1). © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Ultramorphology and histology of the ectal mandibular gland in Polistes versicolor (Olivier) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

The ectal mandibular gland (EMG) of wasps is homologous to the mandibular gland of ants and bees. This gland belongs to salivary system and its function stile unknown. The EMG of Polistes versicolor showed histological and ultramorphological features similar to that founded in ants and others wasps. This gland is constituted by a secretory region and a reservoir. The secretory region contains individual secretory cells that showed several nucleoli. The reservoir has a club shape and is connected to each mandible, by a duct that opens on its external side, which there are cuticular projections. The EMG of males is smaller than those of females. Our results suggested that the EMG secrete volatiles compounds that are liberated when the mandibles still open.

Morphologic characterization and evaluation of the productivity of nine rootstocks of rose bush (rosa spp.)

In Brazil, garden and cut rose bushes are propagated through cuttings or grafting. The rootstocks used in most of the traditional areas of cultivation are not identified, being known just by the vulgar name. There is not any information in the literature on the morphologic characteristics, nor about the productivity of different cultivars on the rootstocks available in Brazil. The objective of this work was to characterize and determine productivity of nine rootstocks (Rosa multiflora 'Paulista'; R. multiflora 'Japones'; R. multiflora 'Iowa'; R. multiflora 'Kopmans'; R. indica 'Mayor'; R. indica x multiflora; R. sp. 'Natual Brier'; R. manetti and R. canina 'Inermis') grafted with 'Versilia' and 'Tineke' scions. Morphologic studies were undertaken to characterize branches of adult plants to determine shape and dimensions of the leaf; number of prickles/15 cm of stem; vigor of the stems; incidence of Diplocarpon rosae (blackspot) and coloration of the leaf. The productivity (number of commercial flowers/plant/month) was evaluated for 6 months (October, 2000 to March, 2001), in the city of Andradas, Minas Gerais State, located at 1251 meters above sea level. Since there was significant difference in just two months for both rootstocks, 'Tineke' and 'Versilia', no rootstocks could be considered inadequate. Nonetheless, in general, the rootstocks that showed a better performance with 'Tineke' were, R. multiflora 'Kopmans' and R. manetti and with 'Versilia', R. multiflora 'Kopmans' and Rosa sp. 'Natual Brier'.