A new species of the Bokermannohyla pseudopseudis group from central Bahia, Brazil (Amphibia, Hylidae)

A new species of treefrog is described from Chapada Diamantina in the central State of Bahia, Brazil. The new species is a member of the Bokermannohyla pseudopseudis group, characterized by its small to medium size, head as long as wide, snout short, rounded in dorsal view and nearly truncate in lateral view, eyes and tympanum large, and forearm and prepollex well developed. The new species can be distinguished from the other species of the B. pseudopseudis group by its voice and the shape of its head and snout. it is smaller than B. saxicola and B. pseudopseudis, and has a less developed forearm and prepollex than B. ibitiguara males. The tadpole and vocalizations are described and information on natural history is provided.

Topographical, diametral, and quantitative analysis of dentin tubules in the root canals of human and bovine teeth

The aim of this study was to evaluate the number and the diameter of dentin tubules in root canals, in the cervical, middle, and apical thirds, of human and bovine teeth. Twenty-four single-rooted, human premolars were divided into four groups (n = 6): GH1, 10 to 15 years; GH2, 16 to 30 years; GH3, 31 to 45 years; and GH4, 46 to 80 years; and 24 bovine incisors were divided into four groups (n = 6): GB1, central; GB2, lateral first; GB3, lateral second; and GB4, lateral third. The crowns were removed from the specimens, which were then debrided, sectioned longitudinally in the vestibular-lingual direction, and submitted to ultrasonic cleaning. Scanning electron microscopic evaluations were made with 1,000x and 5,000x magnification. According to the root thirds, statistically significant differences were found both for the number and the diameter of dentin tubules, with the cervical third presenting the highest mean values for both specimen types. As regards the number of dentin tubules, it was observed that the bovine specimens presented a significantly higher mean value than the human specimens; this difference was not observed when the diameters of the two types were compared.

Methods for determination of hexachlorobenzene and pentachlorophenol in soil samples

The efficiency of methods for the determination of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) in soil samples was evaluated. An on-line method was applied for HCB determination. Soil samples were transferred to chromatographic columns prepacked with alumina. The HCB elution was processed with n-hexane. The PCP was extracted from soil samples with n-hexane-acetone in an ultrasonic bath. After re-extraction with K2CO3 solution PCP was acetylated with acetic anhydride. The pentachlorophenyl acetate derivative was then extracted with n-hexane. The HCB and PCP derivative were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD). Mean recoveries obtained from soil samples fortified at levels of 0.5; 4 and 20 ng g(-1) ranged from 91 to 100% for HCB, and for PCP, at levels of 10; 40 and 200 ng g(-1), ranged from 88 to 101%. These results demonstrated the efficiency of the proposed methods. (C) 1998 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Histological evaluation of MTA as a root-end filling material

Aim To assess the histological response associated with grey mineral trioxide aggregate (GMTA) and zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) as root-end filling materials in teeth where the root canals were not filled and the coronal access cavities were not restored.Methodology Periapical lesions were developed in 24 premolar teeth in three dogs. The root canals were prepared and half of them were dried, filled and the coronal access restored (closed). The remaining teeth were not root filled and no coronal restoration was placed (open). Apical root-end resections were performed 3 mm from the apex, and root-end cavities were prepared with ultrasonic tips. These were randomly filled with either ZOE or GMTA in the same number of specimens using MAPSYSTEM device. After 180 days the animals were killed and blocks of tissues removed and processed for histological examination. Periradicular tissue reaction was evaluated, including severity of inflammation and cementum formation. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA analysis and Tukey's test.Results A significant difference was found between the levels of inflammation in the periradicular tissues of the GMTA/closed group, compared with the ZOE/open and ZOE/closed groups (P < 0.05) but not between GMTA/closed and GMTA/open groups. Cementum formation was not found over any ZOE specimens but over MTA in all specimens. No microorganisms were found in the interface between the material and the dentinal walls.Conclusions GMTA was associated with less periapical inflammation and tissue response when used as a root-end filling material, even when no root filling or coronal restoration was present.

A kinetic study of the effect of ultrasound power on the sonohydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate

A kinetic study of the ultrasound-stimulated and acid-catalyzed sonohydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in solventless TEOS-water heterogeneous mixtures was carried out by means of a calorimetric method as a function of the ultrasound power. The hydrolysis reaction starts in acidulated heterogeneous water-TEOS mixtures after an induction period under ultrasonic stimulation. The ultrasound power seems to play a role on the dynamical coupling of the system originating a continuum upward shifting of the base line during the induction period of sonication. The rate in which the base line is upward shifted diminishes with the power. The best coupling between the ultrasound and the reactant heterogeneous mixtures for this experimental setup was found to occur at 50 W, for which the gelation time was found to be a minimum. The kinetics of the heterogeneous TEOS sonohydrolysis was studied on the basis of a dissolution and reaction modeling. The heterogeneous reaction pathway as deduced from the kinetic study was drawn in a ternary diagram as a function of the ultrasound power. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Procedure optimization of silicate rocks dissolution in open vessels for ICP-AES analysis.

The main variables found on procedure of the dissolution silicate rocks using acid dissolution in teflon open vessel for analysis of micro elements by ICP-AES has been determined. The results obtained for some samples showed strong dependence of the rock mineralogical composition, then it was recommended an alkaline fusion step after acid dissolution. The decomposition procedure use 20 mi of an acid mixture of HF:HNO3 in the proportion 3:1 for a fraction of 250 mg pulverized sample. The recommended temperatures were 60 degrees C for attack and 90 degrees C for acid volatilization. The fusion step with 50 mg LiBO2 at 1000 degrees C may be used if non-attacked residue is observed in the solution. The whole time was 6 h per sample. Nine types os silicate rocks that show mineralogical and chemical different compositions were chosen for obtaining the optimization of the variables. The elements used were Ce, Y, Yb and Zr. In addition, ultrassonic nebulization has been used. The percentual standard deviations obtained for five determinations were 0.7 and 1.4 for triplicate samples. The mineralogical and textural information from the petrographical analysis of the samples indicated the need of increasing the fusion step on the optimized procedure.

A new species of Hypsiboas from the Atlantic forest of southeastern Brazil (Amphibia : Anura : Hylidae)

We describe a new species of Hypsiboas of the Hypsiboas pulchellus species group from highland streams of the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. Vocalizations, egg-mass, and tadpole are also described. We compared the new species with other species of the Hypsiboas pulchellus species group. The new species is most similar to Hypsiboas semiguttatus, its sister species, and Hypsiboas curupi, from which it differs in advertisement call and larval morphology. We provide information on natural history, phylogenetic relationships, embryos, geographic distribution, and conservation.

Reproductive cycles in Bos indicus cattle

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Hydrogenated amorphous carbon as protective coating for a forming tool

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

Efeitos da estimulação ultra-sônica sobre o processo de reparo em ferida de extração dental: estudo histológico em ratos.

The effects of ultrasound on the wound healing process after teeth extractions were studied histologically. The right upper incisor was extracted in 56 rats. They were divided into 2 groups, one control (I) and one experimental (II). Group II received ultrasound stimulation that was applied with the frequency of repetition of 1,000 Hz and pulse length of 2,000 us continuously, during five minutes daily since the extraction day until 24 hours before the death. The rats were sacrificed at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21 postoperative days. The results showed a precocious granulation tissue formation, faster remodeling of osseous ridges, and consequently acceleration of the alveolar wound healing process.

Anelastic relaxation due to OH pairs in NbZr alloys

In the last 30 years several studies have been made to understand the relaxation mechanisms of the hydrogen atoms present in transition metals and their alloys. In this work, we observed the stress-induced ordering of hydrogen atoms around the interstitial oxygen atoms near the niobium matrix atoms. We studied this relaxation process by measuring the attenuation of longitudinal ultrasonic waves. These measurements were made in Nb1.0%Zr polycrystalline alloys at 10 and 30 MHz, pure and doped with 0.7 and 4.2 at.% hydrogen. The results revealed a thermally activated relaxation structure around 202 K and 235 K for 10 MHz and 30 MHz respectively. This relaxation structure increases with increasing hydrogen concentration. © 1994.

Four species of Brazilian poison frogs related to Epipedobates pictus (Dendrobatidae): taxonomy and natural history observations

Presents morphological and natural history data on Epipedobates pictus and three additional taxa currently regarded as synonyms of the former: Epipedobates braccatus, E. flavopictus and E. hahneli. Morphological data on tadpoles and adults, in addition to distribution patterns and vocalizations, indicate that the four taxa represent distinct species. -from Authors

Force patterns of hypoxic myocardium applied to oxygenated muscle preparations: Comparison with effects of regional ischemia on the contraction of non-ischemic myocardium

Objective: To examine the basis for local wall motion abnormalities commonly seen in patients with ischemic heart disease, computer-controlled isolated muscle studies were carried out. Methods: Force patterns of physiologically sequenced contractions (PSCs) from rat left ventricular muscle preparations under well-oxygenated conditions and during periods of hypoxia and reoxygenation were recorded and stored in a computer. Force patterns of hypoxic-reoxygenating and oxygenated myocardium were applied to oxygenated and hypoxic-reoxygenating myocardium, respectively. Results: Observed patterns of shortening and lengthening closely resemble those obtained from ischemic and non-ischemic myocardial segments using ultrasonic crystals in intact dog hearts during coronary occlusion and reperfusion, and are similar to findings reported in angiographic studies of humans with coronary artery disease. Conclusion: The current study, demonstrating motions of oxygenated isolated muscle preparations which are similar to those in perfused segments of intact hearts with regional ischemia, supports the concept that the multiple motions of both ischemic and non-ischemic segments seen in regional myocardial disease can be explained by interactions of strongly and weakly contracting muscle during the physiologic cardiac cycle.

Structural changes induced by ultrasound during aging of the boehmite phase

Structural changes induced by ultrasound during the aging of the aluminum monohydroxide (boehmite) were studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and nitrogen adsorption. The BET surface area and the pore volume of the ultrasound stimulated hydroxide (HU) are about 40% less than those of the non-stimulated one (HS). The mean pore size practically does not change, while the mean crystallite size (L) is about 25% greater in the HU system. The increase of L alone is not enough to account for the surface area diminution, suggesting that the sonication also induces compaction by elimination of some porosity. The sonication of the precursor hydroxide does not seem to play an apparent role in the structural properties of the resulting calcinated γ-alumina. © 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

Monolithic diphasic gels of mullite by sol-gel process under ultrasound stimulation

Diphasic gel in the mullite composition was prepared from a colloidal sol of boehmite mixed with a hydrolyzed tetraethoxisilane (TEOS) solution. The boehmite sol was obtained by peptization of a poorly crystallized or very small mean crystallite size (∼34 Å) precipitate, resulting from the reaction between solutions of aluminum sulfate and sodium hydroxide. Ultrasound was utilized in the processes of the TEOS hydrolysis and the boehmite peptization, and also for complete homogenization of the mixture to gel. The wet gel is almost clear and monolithic. The gel transparency is lost on drying, when syneresis has ended, so that the interlinked pore structure starts to empty and is recovered upon water re-absorption. Cracking closely accompanies this critical drying process. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) show that the solid structure of the gel is composed of an amorphous silica phase, as a matrix, and a colloidal sized crystalline phase of boehmite. Upon heat treatment, the boehmite phase within the gel closely follows the same transition sequence as in pure alumina shifted towards higher temperatures. Orthorhombic mullite formation was detected at 1300°C. © 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.