Palaeomagnetism of the Mesozoic Serra Geral Formation, southern Brazil

Palaeomagnetic results from 20 volcanic sequences and 11 intrusive bodies (sills and dykes) of the Serra Geral Formation (Paraná Basin) are reported in this paper. The sequences are widespread all over the basin, while sills and dykes (Ponta Grossa arch) come from the northeastern portion. Three mean palaeomagnetic poles were computed for the Serra Geral Formation, which account for a time interval of ∼ 15 Ma. Pole SG1 is located at 85°S,108°E (α95 = 1.1°, N = 18) and represents the main phase of the magmatic activity in the basin, with a mean age of ∼ 135 Ma. Pole SG2 is located at 82°S,38°E (α95 = 7.8°, N = 2) and represents a younger magmatic phase, with an associated age of ∼ 130 Ma. Pole SG3 (72°S,37°E; α95 = 6.8°, N = 10) is the youngest pole. It is computed from the intrusive rocks and its age is assumed to be not younger than 118 Ma, the lower limit of the 'Cretaceous normal magnetic interval'. These three poles describe a shifting path, which suggest that the South American platform moved ∼ 5° southwards and rotated ∼ 10° clockwise during the Lower Cretaceous, preceding the South Atlantic opening. © 1990.

High temperature X-ray diffraction study of the U4O9 formation on UO2 sintered plates

The surface oxidation of UO2 sintered plates at 170-275 ° C was studied in situ by high temperature X-ray diffractometry. At very low oxygen concentration, UO2 is oxidized to U4O9, while at 300°C and argon-20 vol% oxygen it is oxidized up to U3O7. X-ray diffraction profiles of the UO2, U4O9 and U3O7 phases were well characterized during the transformations. The activation energy for the transformation of UO2 to U4O9, obtained from X-ray diffraction data, was found to be 117 ± 9 kJ/mol and 90 ± 14 kJ/mol for the β-(311) and α-(200) reflections, respectively. © 1991.

Theoretical investigation of the electronic structure and absorption spectra of carbon cluster nanotubes

Electronic and optical properties of recently discovered single-shell carbon cluster nanotubes are studied through a semiempirical INDOCI method. The calculations are performed within the cluster model and include up to 196 atoms. The trend of the forbidden band gap with the number of carbon atoms (Cn n = 60, 10, 140) for a fixed diameter is analyzed. With increasing n the band gap decreases, as expected. The tubule, with diameter of 7.2Å (as C60-Buckyball) is predicted to be a metal or a narrow-gap semiconductor. The calculated absorption spectra of the clusters show a characteristic strong peak around 40,000 cm-1. Other features of the calculated UV-visible absorption spectra are discussed. © 1994.

Interference of the blood clot on granulation tissue formation after tooth extraction. Histomorphological study in rats.

The interference of a blood clot in the first postoperative hours of dental extraction wounds was studied in rats. Sixty male albino rats were divided into two groups: Group I, immediately after extraction of right maxillary incisor the gingival mucosa was approximated and sutured; Group II, after 6 to 8 minutes postoperatively the blood clot was removed with saline irrigation and absorbent paper cones. The mucosa was then approximated and sutured. Six animals in each group were sacrificed after 12 hours, 1, 4, 7 and 10 days. There was a profound delay in healing in Group II since, although a new blood clot was later formed, it was not organized. The quality and the constitution, maintenance and retraction of the clot are the regulating factors in connective tissue formation during alveolar healing.

Synaptonemal complex formation in spermatocytes of the autotriploid rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Pisces, Salmonidae)

Meiotic cells of triploid male rainbow trouts were analyzed by a surface-spreading SC technique in order to show the process of chromosome synapsis. At zygotene the formation of SCs involved, almost exclusively, two sets of lateral elements (LEs), and the remaining set of LEs presented different synaptic configurations involving one, two, three, or four LEs. The absence of SCs involving more than two LEs from mid- to late pachytene indicates that the multivalents produced by synapsis involving more than two LEs, are eliminated before the end of pachytene; thus, the mechanism of chromosome pairing in triploid male rainbow trouts produces, almost exclusively, bivalents with a probable extensive nonhomologous synapsis involving the extra set of chromosomes.

Influence of viscoelastic characteristics of the colloidal suspensions on the formation of SnO2 supported membranes

SnO2 supported membranes have been prepared by sol-casting on alumina tubular substrate, using aqueous colloidal suspensions prepared by sol-gel route. The viscoelastic behaviour during sol ageing was analyzed by dinamic rheologial measurements. The complex viscosity and the storage and loss moduli have been followed during the sol-gel transition and the results have been correlated with the linear aggregates growth and the scalar percolation models. The scanning electron microscopy has evidenced that the homogeneity and thickness of the membrane depend on the sol ageing time. Crack-free and homogeneous membranes have been obtained for coated layers of 0.5μm thickness. © 1997 Trans Tech Publications.

A theoretical study of the A2 ∑+-X2∏ system of the SiP molecule

The A2∑+ and Z2∏ electronic states of the SiP species have been investigated theoretically at a very high level of correlation treatment (CASSCF/MRSDCI). Very accurate potential energy curves are presented for both states, as well as the associated spectroscopic constants as derived from the vib-rotational energy levels determined by means of the numerical solution of the radial Schrödinger equation. Electronic transition moment function, oscillator strengths, Einstein coefficients for spontaneous emission, and Franck-Condon factors for the A2∑+-X2∏ system have been calculated. Dipole moment functions and radiative lifetimes for both states have also been determined. Spin-orbit coupling constants are also reported. The radiative lifetimes for the A2∑+ state, taking into account the spin-orbit diagonal correction to the X2∏ state, decrease from a value of 138 ms at v′ = 0 to 0.48 ms at v′ = 8, and, for the X2∏ state, from 2.32 s at v″ = 1 to 0.59 s at v″ = 5. Vibrational and rotational transitions are expected to be relatively strong.

Optimization of the mechanical properties of low-carbon steels by formation of a multiphase microstructure

In this work five methods of heat treatments are investigated in order to obtained convenient volume fractions of ferrite, bainite, martensite and retained austenite, starting with a low carbon steel and seeking the distinction of the phases, through optical microscopy. Specific chemical etching is improved. The results in tensile and fatigue tests were accomplished and the results were related with the microstructural parameters. The results show that the mechanical properties are closely related with the phases, grains size and the phases morphology. Copyright © 2001 Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc.

Contracted GTF basis sets applied to the theoretical interpretation of the Raman spectrum of hexaaquachromium(III) ion

Contracted GTF basis sets designed with aid of the Generator Coordinate Hartree-Fock (GCHF) method for H(2S), O2-(1S), and Cr3+(4F) atomic species are applied to perform theoretical interpretation of the Raman spectrum of hexaaquachromium(III) ion. The 16s, 16s 10p, and 24s17p13d GTF basis sets were contracted to [4s] for H atom, [6s4p], and [9s6p3d] for O2- and Cr3+, respectively, by Dunning's scheme. For Cr3+, the [9s6p3d] basis set was enriched with f polarization function and used in combination com [4s] and [6s4p] in the study of our interest. The results obtained in this report show that the contracted GTF basis sets used are a useful alternative for the theoretical interpretation of Raman spectrum of hexaaquachromium(III) ion and that GCHF method is an effective alternative to selection of GTF basis sets for theoretical study of vibrational properties of poliatomic species. © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Mechanism of the formation and properties of antimony polyphosphate

Formation of antimony polyphosphate using Sb2O3 and/or (NH4)2HPO4 and NH4H 2PO4 as starting materials has been simulated by thermal analysis technique. The elimination of water and ammonia molecules induced by heating leads to the formation of intermediate ammonium polyphosphate, which subsequently reacts with Sb2O3. Morphologically, vitreous Sb(PO3)3 is composed of plaques having irregular shapes. Infrared spectra and NMR study is consistent with tetrametaphosphate anion arrangement. The compound is thermally unstable and may be recommended as a donor of -O-P-O- linkers in the preparation of special phosphate glasses. © 2005 Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest.

Studies on the formation of complex coacervates between chitosan and alginate during microparticles preparation

The formation of complex coacervates between chitosan and alginate was evaluated during microparticles formation. Mass ratio between polyelectrolytes and calcium chloride concentration were determinated by conductimetric analysis and by calcium ions quantification, respectively. Inert microparticles were prepared using a complex coacervation method in W/O emulsion and morphological analyses of microparticles were carried out. This method enabled the production of spherical particles, with slightly rough surface and narrow size distribution with maximal diameter of 10 μm.

Effect of dietary supplementation with vitamin E and stocking density on macrophage recruitment and giant cell formation in the teleost fish, Piaractus mesopotamicus

The effect of dietary supplementation with 0, 100 and 450 mg of vitamin E (DL-α tocopheryl acetate)/kg of a dry diet on the kinetics of macrophage recruitment and giant cell formation in the pacu, maintained at different stocking densities (5 kg/m3 and 20 kg/m3), was investigated by insertion of round glass coverslips into the subcutaneous connective tissue. After a feeding period of 18 weeks, the coverslips were implanted and later removed for examination at 2, 7 and 15 days post-implantation. Fish fed diets supplemented with 450 mg of vitamin E showed an increase (P<0.05) in the accumulation of macrophages, foreign body giant cells and Langhans type cells. The kinetics of macrophage recruitment and giant cell formation on the glass coverslips appeared to be strongly influenced by vitamin E supplementation, since fish fed a basal diet and held at high stocking densities showed low numbers of adhering cells on the coverslips, and high concentrations of plasma corticosteroids. On the other hand, fish given a diet supplemented with 450 mg of vitamin E did not show a similar difference in plasma cortisol concentrations related to stocking density. The effect of cortisol concentrations on carbohydrate metabolism, analysed by assessment of plasma glycaemia, was not clear. Blood glucose concentrations did not vary substantially with the different treatments examined. These results suggest that vitamin E may contribute to the efficiency of the fish's inflammatory response by increasing macrophage recruitment and giant cell formation in the foreign body granulomatous reaction. Vitamin E appeared to act on the stress response of pacus by preventing a stress-related immunosuppression. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Othonella araguaiana (Bivalvia, Megadesmidae) from the Corumbataí formation (Midlle Permian), eastern margin of the Paraná Basin: Systematic, evolutionary and biostratigraphic significances

In this study, the occurrence of Othonella araguaiana Mendes, a rare bivalve species is reported for the fi rst time in the Pinzonella illusa biozone, Middle Permian Corumbataí Formation, in the State of São Paulo. This species was originally described in coeval rocks of the Estrada Nova Formation (= Corumbataí) from the Alto Araguaia and Alto Garças regions, State of Mato Grosso. The specimens of O. araguaiana were found in the base of a bioclastic sandstone bed, a proximal tempestite, in the middle of the Corumbataí Formation, in the city of Rio Claro, São Paulo State. The silicifi ed shells and internal molds are well preserved, showing impressions of muscle scars and other internal anatomic characters (e.g., hinge), never illustrated by previous authors. In his original description, Mendes (1963) called attention to the similarity between O. araguaiana and Terraia aequilateralis, a common veneroid of the Corumbataí Formation. Conversely, Runnegar and Newell (1971) suggested that O. araguaiana belongs to Megadesmidae, being a junior synonym of Plesiocyprinella carinata (the commonest megadesmid of the Passa Dois Group). Our study indicates that O. araguaiana is indeed a megadesmid, but is distinct from the P. carinata. The new occurrence of O. araguaiana demonstrates that a) the paleobiogeographic distribution of this species is wider than previously thought (that it was restricted to the northern part of Paraná Basin, Mato Grosso State); b) the molluscan fauna of the Corumbataí Formation (P. illusa biozone) in the State of São Paulo is more diverse and dominated by megadesmids; and c) the composition of the molluscan fauna of the Corumbataí Formation in Alto Garças, State of Mato Grosso, is essentially the same as that of the P. illusa biozone of the eastern margin of the Paraná Basin.

Effect of molybdenum on the formation of Ti6Si2B in mechanically alloyed Ti-Mo-Si-B powders

This paper discusses on effect of molybdenum on the Ti6Si2B formation in mechanically alloyed and hot-pressed Ti-xMo-22Si-11B (x= 2, 5, 7 and 10 at%) alloys. High-energy ball milling and hot pressing were utilized to produce homogeneous and dense materials, which were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, electron dispersive spectrometry, and Vickers hardness. The excessive agglomeration during milling was more pronounced in Moricher powders, which was minimized with the formation of brittle phases. Hot pressing of mechanically alloyed Ti-xMo-22Si-11B powders produced dense samples containing lower pore amounts than 1%. Ti6Si2B was formed in microstructure of the hot-pressed Ti-2Mo-22Si-11B alloy only. In Mo-richer quaternary alloys, the Ti3Si and Ti5Si3 phases were preferentially formed during hot pressing. Oppositely to the ternary phase, the Ti3Si phase dissolved a significant Mo amount. Vickers hardness values were reduced in hot-pressed Ti-xMo-22Si-11B alloys containing larger Mo amounts, which were dissolved preferentially in Ti solid solution. © (2012) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.