The triple near-Earth asteroid (153591) 2001 SN263: an ultra-blue, primitive target for the Aster space mission

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Diverse Amorphous Carbonaceous Thin Films Obtained by Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition and Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation and Deposition

Diverse amorphous hydrogenated carbon and similar films containing additional elements were produced by Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) and by Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation and Deposition (PIIID). Thus a-C:H, a-C:H:F, a-C:H:N, a-C:H:Cl and a-C:H:O:Si were obtained, starting from the same feed gases, using both techniques. The same deposition system supplied with radiofrequency (RF) power was used to produce all the films. A cylindrical stainless steel chamber equipped with circular electrodes mounted horizontally was employed. RF power was fed to the upper electrode; substrates were placed on the lower electrode. For PIIID negative high tension pulses were also applied to the lower electrode. Raman spectroscopy confirmed that all the films are amorphous. Chemical characterization of each pair of films was undertaken using Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. The former revealed the presence of specific structures, such as C-H, C-O, O-H. The latter allowed calculation of the ratio of hetero-atoms to carbon atoms in the films, e. g. F:C, N:C, and Si:C. Only relatively small differences in elemental composition were detected between films produced by the two methods. The deposition rate in PIIID is generally reduced in relation to that of PECVD; for a-C:H:Cl films the reduction factor is almost four.

Nationalization of the carbonaceous mortar for injection in the CNS's blast furnaces hearths

The consumption of the carbonaceous mortar for injection in the CSN's blast furnaces hearth has increased in the last years, as a function of the modern situation of the blast furnaces com paign. Allied to the growing consumption background, the devaluation of the Brazilian currency stroke hardly the importation costs of this product.

Optical, mechanical and surface properties of amorphous carbonaceous thin films obtained by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition and plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition

Diverse amorphous hydrogenated carbon-based films (a-C:H, a-C:H:F, a-C:H:N, a-C:H:Cl and a-C:H:Si:O) were obtained by radiofrequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (PIIID). The same precursors were used in the production of each pair of each type of film, such as a-C:H, using both PECVD and PIIID. Optical properties, namely the refractive index, n, absorption coefficient, α, and optical gap, ETauc, of these films were obtained via transmission spectra in the ultraviolet-visible near-infrared range (wavelengths from 300 to 3300 nm). Film hardness, elastic modulus and stiffness were obtained as a function of depth using nano-indentation. Surface energy values were calculated from liquid drop contact angle data. Film roughness and morphology were assessed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The PIIID films were usually thinner and possessed higher refractive indices than the PECVD films. Determined refractive indices are consistent with literature values for similar types of films. Values of ETauc were increased in the PIIID films compared to the PECVD films. An exception was the a-C:H:Si:O films, for which that obtained by PIIID was thicker and exhibited a decreased ETauc. The mechanical properties - hardness, elastic modulus and stiffness - of films produced by PECVD and PIIID generally present small differences. An interesting effect is the increase in the hardness of a-C:H:Cl films from 1.0 to 3.0 GPa when ion implantation is employed. Surface energy correlates well with surface roughness. The implanted films are usually smoother than those obtained by PECVD. ©2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mutagenic activity of airborne particulate matter (PM10) in a sugarcane farming area (Araraquara city, southeast Brazil)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Tungsten permanent chemical modifier for fast estimation of Se contents in soil by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A tungsten carbide coating on the integrated platform of a transversely heated graphite atomizer was used as a modifier for the direct determination of Se in soil extracts by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (0.0050 mol L-1) plus ammonium hydrogencarbonate (1.0 mol L-1) extracted predominantly available inorganic selenate from soil. The formation of a large amount of carbonaceous residue inside the atomizer was avoided with a first pyrolysis step at 600 degreesC assisted by air during 30 s. For 20 muL of soil extracts delivered to the atomizer and calibration by matrix matching, an analytical curve (10.0-100 mug of L-1) with good linear correlation (r = 0.999) between integrated absorbance and analyte concentration was established. The characteristic mass was similar to63 pg of Se, and the lifetime of the tube was similar to750 firings. The limit of detection was 1.6 mug L-1, and the relative standard deviations (n = 12) were typically <4% for a soil extract containing 50 mug of L-1. The accuracy of the determination of Se was checked for soil samples by means of addition/recovery tests. Recovery data of Se added to four enriched soil samples varied from 80 to 90% and indicated an accurate method.

Avaliação da remoção de matéria orgânica carbonácea e nitrogenada de águas residuárias em biorreator de membranas

O presente trabalho objetivou a avaliação da remoção de matéria orgânica carbonácea e nitrogenada, bem como a determinação do fluxo crítico, em biorreator de membranas, com zona pré-anóxica, tratando águas residuárias industriais da produção de aminoácidos. O reator foi operado sob carga orgânica volumétrica de 1,91 kg.DQO.m-3.d-1 e 0,18 kg.NTK.m-3.d-1; a recirculação do reator aeróbio para o reator anóxico foi de quatro vezes a vazão afluente. O reator apresentou médias de remoção de DQO, NTK e NT de 97, 98 e 92%, respectivamente. O sistema de ultrafiltração foi testado em vários fluxos entre 25 e 37 L.m-2.h-1 e determinou-se o fluxo crítico de 28 L.m-2.h-1 quando operado com 11,4 g.L-1 de SST e 35 dias de tempo de retenção celular. Os resultados mostraram que houve viabilidade técnica no uso de biorreator de membranas para remoção de matéria orgânica de águas residuárias industriais da produção de aminoácidos.

Estruturação da seqüência vulcano-sedimentar Rio Mata Cavalo (Morro do Pilar, MG, Brasil) baseada na análise qualitativa de dados geofísicos

Geofísica terrestre (magnetometria e radiometria) foi utilizada como ferramenta de apoio ao mapeamento geológico em uma área de pesquisa mineral da Companhia Mineradora de Minas Gerais (COMIG), denominada Alvo Bueiro, localizada a sudeste da cidade de Morro do Pilar, na Serra do Espinhaço, Estado de Minas Gerais. A integração de informações de geologia de superfície com os dados geofísicos correspondentes permitiu definir quatro zonas: A, B, C e D. A Zona A, caracterizada por altos valores de susceptibilidade magnética e baixos valores de radiometria, é composta por itabiritos do Grupo Serra da Serpentina. A Zona B, pertencente ao mesmo grupo, é constituída por filitos cinza e metassiltitos e mostra baixa susceptibilidade magnética; interrupções nas linhas de contorno foram interpretadas como decorrentes de falhas de empurrão. A Zona C, relacionada à Seqüência Vulcano-Sedimentar Rio Mata Cavalo, é caracterizada por uma expressiva anomalia do campo magnético total em xistos máficos e ultramáficos com lentes de formações ferríferas e filitos carbonosos negros; esta zona hospeda as mais importantes anomalias geoquímicas de ouro conhecidas na área em estudo. A Zona D, correspondente a ortognaisses cisalhados do Complexo Dona Rita, mostra os mais elevados valores de radiometria do Alvo Bueiro e baixas respostas magnéticas.

Characterization of silica-carbon mesoporous matrix with embedded nickel nanoparticles synthesized by the polymeric precursor method

Nickel nanoparticles into silica-carbon matrix composites were prepared by using the polymeric precursor method. The effects of the polyester type and the time of pyrolysis on the mesoporosity and nickel particle dispersion into non-aqueous amorphous silica-carbon matrix were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, adsorption/desorption isotherms and TEM. A well-dispersed metallic phase could be only obtained by using ethylene glycol. Weightier polyesters affected the pyrolysis process due to a combination of more amounts of carbonaceous residues and delaying of pyrolysis process. The post-pyrolyzed composites were successfully cleaned at 200 degrees C for I h in oxygen atmosphere leading to an increase in the surface area and without the occurrence of carbon combustion or nickel nanoparticles oxidation. The matrix composites presented predominantly mesoporous with pore size well defined in 38 angstrom, mainly when tetraethylene glycol was used as polymerizing agent. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The dawn of animal skeletogenesis: Ultrastructural analysis of the Ediacaran metazoan Corumbella werneri

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Dehydration and volatilization non isothermic kinetic of the solid state aluminium 8-hydroxyquinolinate

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

Comportamento térmico do 8-quinolinol e seus nitro-derivados

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

Evaluation and application of bismuth as an internal standard for the determination of lead in wines by simultaneous electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A method for the direct determination of Pb in wines by simultaneous multi-element atomic absorption spectrometry (SIMAAS) using a transversely heated graphite atomizer, Zeeman-effect background corrector and internal standardization is proposed. Bismuth was used as an internal standard and Pd(NO3)(2) plus Mg(NO3)(2) as chemical modifier,to stabilize both the analyte and the internal standard. The implementation of two pyrolysis steps avoided any build-up of carbonaceous residues on the graphite platform. All diluted samples (1 + 1 v/v) in 0.2% v/v HNO3 and reference solutions (5.0-50 mug l(-1) Ph in 0.2% v/v HNO3) were spiked with 25 mug l(-1) Bi. For a 20 mul aliquot dispensed into the graphite tube, a good correlation (r = 0.9997) was obtained between the ratio of the analyte signal to the internal standard signal and the analyte concentration of the reference solutions. The electrothermal behaviour of Pb and Bi in red, white and rose wines were compared. In addition, absorbance variations due to changes in experimental conditions, such as atomizer temperature, integration time, injected sample volume, radiation beam intensity, graphite tube surface, dilution and sample composition, were minimized by using Bi as internal standard. Relative standard deviations of measurements based on integrated absorbance varied from 0.1 to 3.4% and from 0.5 to 7.3% (n = 12) with and without internal standard correction, respectively. Good recoveries (91-104%) for Pb spikes were obtained. The characteristic mass was 45 pg Pb and the limit of detection based on integrated absorbance was 0.9 mug l(-1) Pb. Internal standardization increased the lifetime of the tube by 25%. Direct determinations of Pb in wines with and without internal standardization approaches were in agreement at the 95% confidence level. The repeatability and the tube lifetime were improved when using Bi as internal standard. The improvement in accuracy using an internal standard was only observed when the analytical results were affected by errors.

Direct determination of arsenic in sugar by GFAAS with transversely heated graphite atomizer and longitudinal Zeeman-effect background correction

A method has been developed for the direct determination of As in sugar by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with a transversely heated graphite atomizer (end-capped THGA) and longitudinal Zeeman-effect background correction. The thermal behavior of As during the pyrolysis and atomization steps was investigated in sugar solutions containing 0.2% (v/v) HNO3 using Pd, Ni, and a mixture of Pd + Mg as the chemical modifiers. For a 60-muL sugar solution, an aliquot of 8% (m/v) in 0.2% (v/v)HNO3 was dispensed into a pre-heated graphite tube at 70 degreesC. Linear analytical curves were obtained in the 0.25 - 1.50-mug L-1 As range. Using 5 mug Pd and a first pyrolysis step at 600 degreesC assisted by air during 40 s, the formation of a large amount of carbonaceous residue inside the atomizer was avoided. The characteristic mass was calculated as 24 pg As and the lifetime of the graphite tube was around 280 firings. The limit of detection (L.O.D.) based on integrated absorbance was 0.08 mug L-1 (4.8 pg As) and the typical relative standard deviation (n = 12) was 7% for a sugar solution containing 0.5 mug L-1. Recoveries of As added to sugar samples varied from 86 to 98%. The accuracy was checked in the direct analysis of eight sugar samples. A paired t-test showed that the results were in agreement at the 95% confidence level with those obtained for acid-digested sugar samples by GFAAS.

Simultaneous determination of cadmium and lead in wine by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A method has been developed for the direct simultaneous determination of Cd and Pb in white and red wine by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET-AAS) using a transversely heated graphite tube atomizer (THGA) with longitudinal Zeeman-effect background correction. The thermal behavior of both analytes during pyrolysis and atomization stages were investigated in 0.028 mol l(-1) HNO3 and in 1 + 1 v/v diluted wine using mixtures of Pd(NO3)(2) + Mg(NO3)(2) and NH4H2PO4 + Mg(NO3)(2) as chemical modifiers. With 5 mug Pd + 3 mug Mg as the modifiers and a two-step pyrolysis (10 s at 400 degreesC and 10 s at 600 degreesC), the formation of carbonaceous residues inside the atomizer was avoided. For 20 mul of sample (wine + 0.056 mol l(-1) HNO3, 1 + 1, v/v) dispensed into the graphite tube, analytical curves in the 0.10-1.0 mug l(-1) Cd and 5.0-50 mug l(-1) Pb ranges were established. The characteristic mass was approximately 0.6 pg for Cd and 33 pg for Pb, and the lifetime of the tube was approximately 400 firings. The limits of detection (LOD) based on integrated absorbance (0.03 mug l(-1) for Cd, 0.8 mug l(-1) for Pb) exceeded the requirements of Brazilian Food Regulations (decree #55871 from Health Department), which establish the maximum permissible level for Cd at 200 mug l(-1) and for Pb at 500 mug l(-1). The relative standard deviations (n = 12) were typically < 8% for Cd and < 6% for Pb. The recoveries of Cd and Pb added to wine samples varied from 88 to 107% and 93 to 103%, respectively. The accuracy of the direct determination of Cd and Ph was checked for 10 table wines by comparing the results with those obtained for digested wine using single-element ET-AAS, which were in agreement at the 95% confidence level. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.