Hydrogen oxidation on ordered intermetallic electrodes covered with CO

This describes an experimental evaluation of the electrocatalytic activity of the hydrogen oxidation reaction on electrodes of platinum and the ordered intermetallic phases PtSb and PtSn, on which CO has previously been deposited. The experiments were carried out in perchloric acid solution and the analysis based on steady-state polarization curves and Tafel plots derived from chronoamperometric data. Both intermetallics, PtSb and PtSn, performed better than Pt towards the HOR, when their surface was deliberately covered with CO. It is suggested that the intermetallic surfaces have a lower affinity for CO molecules, causing a lower CO coverage on these surfaces, and/or a weaker surface-CO interaction, compared to Pt under the same conditions. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A scanning electron microscopy study of diseased root surfaces conditioned with EDTA gel plus Cetavlon after scaling and root planing

In the present investigation, a scanning electron microscopy analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of the topical application of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) gel associated with Cetavlon (EDTAC) in removing the smear layer and exposing collagen fibers following root surface instrumentation. Twenty-eight teeth from adult humans, single rooted and scheduled for extraction due to periodontal reasons, were selected. Each tooth was submitted to manual (scaling and root planing) instrumentation alone or combined with ultrasonic instruments, with or without etching using a 24% EDTAC gel. Following extraction, specimens were processed and examined under a scanning electron microscope. A comparative morphological semi-quantitative analysis was performed; the intensity of the smear layer and the decalcification of cementum and dentinal surfaces were graded in 12 sets using an arbitrary scale ranging from 1 (area covered by a smear layer) to 4 (no smear layer). Root debridement with hand instruments alone or combined with ultrasonic instruments resulted in a similar smear layer covering the root surfaces. The smear layer was successfully removed from the surfaces treated with EDTAC, which exhibited numerous exposed dentinal tubules and collagen fibers. This study supports the hypothesis that manual instrumentation alone or instrumentation combined with ultrasonic instrumentation is unable to remove the smear layer, whereas the subsequent topical application of EDTAC gel effectively removes the smear layer, uncovers dentinal openings and exposes collagen fibers.

Adhesive bonding of resin composite to various titanium surfaces using diferente metal conditioners and a surface modification system

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

Effect of whitening and desensitizing dentifrices on composite surfaces treated with surface sealants

This study evaluated the effect of different dentifrices on the microhardness and surface roughness of composite surfaces covered by surface sealants. Samples of Filtek P60 were made and divided into groups, in accordance with surface treatments: G1 - Fortify; G2 - Fortify Plus; G3 - control (none). For Knoop microhardness evaluation, the specimens were placed in a microdurometer, under a load of 50 g for 15 sec. The analyses of surface roughness were carried out individually in a profilometer. The specimens were submitted to toothbrushing using dentifrices: Colgate Maximum Protection Anti-caries, Colgate Whitening or Sensodyne, diluted in distilled water (1:3) for 30 000 cycles. The results showed that the control group (G3) presented the highest microhardness values. The control group presented, before toothbrushing, the lowest surface roughness values, and after toothbrushing there were no differences among the experimental groups. The maintenance of the lowest values of microhardness demonstrated the effectiveness of these sealant materials to support the abrasive wear.

Physical, chemical and microbiological aspects during the dry and rainy seasons in a pond covered by macrophyte used in aquaculture water supply

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

Discrimination of geomorphic surfaces with multivariate analysis of soil attributes in sandstone - basalt lithosequence

O conceito de superfície geomórfica permite uma interligação entre os diferentes ramos da ciência do solo, tais como geologia, geomorfologia e pedologia. Esta associação favorece a compreensão da distribuição espacial dos solos na paisagem, e torna possível compreender o comportamento dos atributos do solo, que estão principalmente relacionadas com a estratigrafia e formas do relevo. Assim, este estudo visa à aplicação da estatística multivariada para categorizar superfícies geomórficas em uma litossequência arenito-basalto, de modo a fornecer uma base para a avaliação do solo em áreas afins. A área de estudo está localizada no município de Pereira Barreto, São Paulo, Brasil. A área escolhida possui 530 hectares, onde foram localizadas e mapeadas três superfícies geomórficas (I, II e III). Na área, 134 amostras foram coletadas nas profundidades de 0,0-0,2 m e 0,8-1,0 m, foram determinados os conteúdos de areia, silte e argila, pH em CaCl2, conteúdo de MO, P, Ca, Mg, K, Al e H+Al. Com base nos resultados, foram realizadas a análise univariada e multivariada de variância, clusters e principal componente, a fim de comparar as três superfícies geomórficas. A análise estatística univariada dos atributos do solo não foi eficiente na identificação das três superfícies geomórficas. Utilizando-se os atributos físicos e químicos do solo, as técnicas estatísticas multivariada permitiram à separação dos três grupos de corpos naturais do solo que foram equivalentes as três superfícies geomórficas mapeadas. Estes resultados são interessantes, pois demonstram a viabilidade da utilização de classificação numérica das superfícies geomórficas para ajudar no mapeamento de solo.

Annual evolution of global, direct and diffuse radiation and fractions in tilted surfaces

Avaliou-se a evolução anual das componentes global, direta e difusa da radiação solar incidente em superfícies inclinadas a 12,85; 22,85 e 32,85º, com face voltada ao Norte, em Botucatu-SP. Foram obtidas frações radiométricas para cada componente da radiação nas superfícies supracitadas, através de razões com a radiação global e a do topo da atmosfera. A sazonalidade foi avaliada através das médias mensais dos valores diários. As medidas ocorreram entre 04/1998 e 07/2001, em 22,85º; 08/2001 e 02/2003, em 12,85º; e de 03/2003 a 12/2007, em 32,85º, com medidas concomitantes no plano horizontal (referência). Os níveis das radiações global e direta nos planos inclinados foram inferiores no período de verão e superiores entre os equinócios, quando comparadas ao plano horizontal. A radiação difusa nas superfícies inclinadas foi inferior na maioria dos meses, com perdas de até 65%. Ocorreu uma tendência de aumento das diferenças entre as superfícies horizontal e inclinada com o incremento do ângulo em todas as componentes e frações da radiação incidente. A evolução anual das precipitações pluviométricas e da razão de nebulosidade afetou diretamente a transmissividade atmosférica das componentes direta e difusa na região.

Desempenho de trator agrícola em três superfícies de solo e quatro velocidades de deslocamento

The aim of this work was to evaluate tractor performance in soil with three different surfaces: firm soil without covering, mobilized soil, and firm soil with vegetal residue of corn and braquiaria, for four forward speeds. The experiment was accomplished in three plots determined by the soil conditions. In each plot four treatments were composed by the forward speed obtained by the changes of the tractor gear. Six repetitions were used in each plot, totaling 72 experimental units, combination of the traction, slip of the rear and front wheels, forward speed and fuel consumption. The values of the tractor performance obtained led to the conclusion that in the firm soil without vegetable covering the tractor performance was better, followed by the soil with the firm surface and covered with corn straw and braquiaria and finally the mobilized soil. The best tractor performance was obtained in the C1 gear that supplied the forward speed of 6 km h(-1).

GLOBAL DYNAMICS of THE LORENZ SYSTEM WITH INVARIANT ALGEBRAIC SURFACES

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Activity of disinfectants against foodborne pathogens in suspension and adhered to stainless steel surfaces

The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the efficacy of various disinfectants on planktonic cells and biofilm cells of Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Numbers of viable biofilm cells decreased after treatment with all tested disinfectants (iodine, biguanide, quaternary ammonium compounds, peracetic acid and sodium hypochlorite). Sodium hypochlorite was the most effective disinfectant against biofilm cells, while biguanide was the least effective. Scanning electron microscopy observations revealed that cells adhered on stainless steel surface after treatment with the disinfectants. No viable planktonic cells were observed after treatment with the same disinfectants. Based on our findings, we concluded that biofilm cells might be more resistant to disinfectants than plancktonic cells.

Chemical and microbiological evaluation of the internal surfaces of aluminum tubes both unlined and lined with epoxi resin by means of the stereoscope and scanning electron microscope

A superfície interna das bisnagas fabricadas com alumínio não revestido e revestido com resina epóxi, utilizadas para acondicionar cremes, pomadas, géis, etc., foram avaliadas quimicamente e por métodos microbiológicos correlacionados com a aderência de microrganismos. A prova da porosidade e da resistência à remoção da resina foi observada por meio do microscópio eletrônico de varredura (Topcon FM300) e estereoscópio Leica (MZ12) acoplado a Sistema de Digitalização de Imagens. Para avaliar a ação dos microrganismos foram utilizados corpos-de-prova esterilizados (discos de 10mm de diâmetro), imersos em caldo Mueller Hinton (Difco) e colocados em tubos de polipropileno com tampa de rosca (Corning). Foram inoculados tubos com meio de cultura para cada uma das suspensões bacterianas (10(9)UFC/mL) de Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter lwoffii e Candida albicans, incubados a 37°C, sob agitação constante durante 12 dias. O meio de cultura era trocado a cada 3 dias. Após esse período, os corpos-de prova foram removidos, processados e observados em microscópio eletrônico de varredura JEOL-JSM (T330A). A observação por meio do microscopio eletrônico de varredura mostrou a aderência e a formação de biofilme sobre a superfície de alumínio não revestido e revestido com resina epóxi.

Evaluation of Bulk and Surfaces Absorption Edge Energy of Sol-Gel-Dip-Coating SnO2 Thin Films

The absorption edge and the bandgap transition of sol-gel-dip-coating SnO2 thin films, deposited on quartz substrates, are evaluated from optical absorption data and temperature dependent photoconductivity spectra. Structural properties of these films help the interpretation of bandgap transition nature, since the obtained nanosized dimensions of crystallites are determinant on dominant growth direction and, thus, absorption energy. Electronic properties of the bulk and (110) and (101) surfaces are also presented, calculated by means of density functional theory applied to periodic calculations at B3LYP hybrid functional level. Experimentally obtained absorption edge is compared to the calculated energy band diagrams of bulk and (110) and (101) surfaces. The overall calculated electronic properties in conjunction with structural and electro-optical experimental data suggest that the nature of the bandgap transition is related to a combined effect of bulk and (101) surface, which presents direct bandgap transition.

Static simulation of bulk and selected surfaces of anatase TiO2

A theoretical investigation has been carried out to characterize bulk and selected surfaces of anatase TiO2. The calculations are performed using a B3LYP hybrid functional and 6-31G basis set within the periodic density functional approximation. Optimization procedures have been employed to determine the equilibrium geometry of the crystal and slab surface models. The compressibility, band structure, and the bulk and surface charge distributions are reported. The surface relative energies are identified to follow the sequence: (001) < (101) < (100) much less than (110) < < < (111), from the most stable surface to the least stable one. Relaxation of (001) and (101) surfaces are moderate, with no displacements exceeding; approximate to0.19 Angstrom. The theoretical results are compared with previous theoretical studies and available experimental data. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Periodic study on the structural and electronic properties of bulk, oxidized and reduced SnO2(110) surfaces and the interaction with O-2

The structural and electronic properties of bulk and both oxidized and reduced SnO2(110) surfaces as well as the adsorption process of O-2 on the reduced surface have been investigated by periodic DFT calculations at B3LYP level. The lattice parameters, charge distribution, density of states and band structure are reported for the bulk and surfaces. Surface relaxation effects have been explicitly taken into account by optimizing slab models of nine and seven atomic layers representing the oxidized and reduced surfaces, respectively. The conductivity behavior of the reduced SnO2(110) surface is explained by a distribution of the electrons in the electronic states in the band gap induced by oxygen vacancies. Three types of adsorption approaches of O-2 on the four-fold tin at the reduced SuO(2)(110) surface have been considered. The most exothermic channel corresponds to the adsorption of O-2 parallel to the surface and to the four-fold tin row, and it is believed to be associated with the formation of a peroxo O-2(2-) species. The chemisorption of O-2 on reduced SnO2(110) surface causes a significant depopulation of states along the band gap and it is shown to trap the electrons in the chemisorbed complex producing an electron-depleted space-charge layer in the inner surface region of the material in agreement with some experimental evidences. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Analysis of forecasting capabilities of ground surfaces valuation using artificial neural networks

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