Secondary phases in Nb-doped BaTiO3 ceramics

In this work, the effect of Nb2O5 addition on the microstructure of BaTiO3 was studied. From XRD diagrams, a diminution in tetragonality parameters with an increase in dopant concentration was observed. In order to determine morphology and composition of secondary phases in niobium-doped barium titanate, EDAX and SEM analyses were carried out. It was found that a concentration of dopant higher than 0.15 mol% leads to fine-grained BaTiO3 without abnormal grain growth. Otherwise, compositions of secondary phases correspond to the titanium-rich region in the BaO-TiO2 phase diagram. Besides, the titanium content in the precipitate increases with the Nb2O5 addition. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. Ltd and Techna S.r.l. All rights reserved.

Growth and characterization of BaBi2Nb2O9 thin films made by RF-magnetron sputtering

The RF-magnetron sputtering technique has been used to deposit polycrystalline thin films of layered-structured ferroelectric BaBi2Nb2O9 (BBN). The XRD patterns for the films annealed at 700degreesC for 1 hour show the presence of the BBN phase as well as the BaNb2O6 secondary phase. A better crystallization of the BBN phase and an inhibition of the secondary phase is obtained with the increase of temperature. The surface of the prepared films was rather dense and smooth with no cracks. The 300 nm thick BBN thin films exhibited a room-temperature dielectric constant of about 779 with a dissipation factor of 0.09 at a frequency of 100 kHz.

In Situ and Simultaneous UV-vis/SAXS and UV-vis/XAFS Time-Resolved Monitoring of ZnO Quantum Dots Formation and Growth

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

Synthesis, Characterization, Anisotropic Growth and Photoluminescence of BaWO4

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Structure and growth mechanism of CuO plates obtained by microwave-hydrothermal without surfactants

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

Economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean: growth transitions rather than steady states

Includes bibliography

Unusually rapid growth of brown tumour in the mandible after parathyroidectomy associated with the presence of a supernumerary parathyroid gland

The aim of this study is to report the case of a quick growing brown tumour in the jaw after a parathyroidectomy due to the presence of a rare fifth parathyroid gland. The patient had chronic renal disease and the diagnosis was tertiary hyperparathyroidism. Thirty days after the parathyroidectomy, the patient returned with a significant increase in the tumour size. The suspicion of a supernumerary gland was confirmed by parathyroid scintigraphy. The treatment of brown tumour is dependent on the treatment of the hyperparathyroidism. However, curettage should be considered if a large lesion is disturbing mastication. In conclusion, this case should attract the attention of general practitioner dentists, since they may be the first professionals who have contact with the patient with a brown tumour in the jaws. Likewise, this case emphasises the importance of knowing the type of hyperparathyroidism involved to allow for effective treatment planning. © 2011 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery.

Growth mechanism and photocatalytic properties of SrWO4 microcrystals synthesized by injection of ions into a hot aqueous solution

This paper reports our initial research to obtain SrWO4 microcrystals by the injection of ions into a hot aqueous solution and their photocatalytic (PC) properties. These microcrystals were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rietveld refinements and Fourier transform (FT)-Raman spectroscopy. The shape and average size of these SrWO 4 microcrystals were observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In addition, we have investigated the PC activity of microcrystals for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) dyes. XRD patterns, Rietveld refinement data and FT-Raman spectroscopy confirmed that SrWO4 microcrystals have a scheelite-type tetragonal structure without deleterious phases. FT-Raman spectra exhibited 12 Raman-active modes in a range from 50 to 1000 cm-1. FE-SEM and TEM images suggested that the SrWO4 microcrystals (rice-like - 95%; star-, flower-, and urchin-like - 5%) were formed by means of primary/secondary nucleation events and self-assembly processes. Based on these FE-SEM/TEM images, a crystal growth mechanism was proposed and discussed in details in this work. Finally, a good PC activity was first discovered of the SrWO4 microcrystals for the degradation of RhB after 80 min and Rh6G after 50 min dyes under ultraviolet-light, respectively. © 2012 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder.

High dosage folic acid supplementation, oral cleft recurrence and fetal growth

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of folic acid supplementation on isolated oral cleft recurrence and fetal growth. Patients and Methods: The study included 2,508 women who were at-risk for oral cleft recurrence and randomized into two folic acid supplementation groups: 0.4 and 4 mg per day before pregnancy and throughout the first trimester. The infant outcome data were based on 234 live births. In addition to oral cleft recurrence, several secondary outcomes were compared between the two folic acid groups. Cleft recurrence rates were also compared to historic recurrence rates. Results: The oral cleft recurrence rates were 2.9% and 2.5% in the 0.4 and 4 mg groups, respectively. The recurrence rates in the two folic acid groups both separately and combined were significantly different from the 6.3% historic recurrence rate post the folic acid fortification program for this population (p = 0.0009 when combining the two folic acid groups). The rate of cleft lip with palate recurrence was 2.9% in the 0.4 mg group and 0.8% in the 4 mg group. There were no elevated fetal growth complications in the 4 mg group compared to the 0.4 mg group. Conclusions: The study is the first double-blinded randomized clinical trial (RCT) to study the effect of high dosage folic acid supplementation on isolated oral cleft recurrence. The recurrence rates were similar between the two folic acid groups. However, the results are suggestive of a decrease in oral cleft recurrence compared to the historic recurrence rate. A RCT is still needed to identify the effect of folic acid on oral cleft recurrence given these suggestive results and the supportive results from previous interventional and observational studies, and the study offers suggestions for such future studies. The results also suggest that high dosage folic acid does not compromise fetal growth. © 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Morphology and initial growth in the germination of dictyosperma album (bory) h. wendl. & drude ex scheffer (Arecaceae) seeds

Dictyosperma album, commonly known as Princess Palm, due to its graceful appearance and its ability to withstand strong hurricane force winds is largely used in landscaping areas. The aim of this work was to describe the diaspores (seeds with the stuck endocarp) morphology and the stages of the D. album germination process. Therefore we concluded that the species germination is of the tubular remote type and begins with the opening of a circular operculum in the fruit endocarp, through which emerges a bulbous and hollow structure, named cotyledonal petiole or embryophore. With the embryo growth, the endosperm is being gradually consumed. The embryo grows approximately up to 10 cm, when the dilation begins in its extremity. Starting from this extensive area, it begins the growth of the primary root and the opening of a longitudinal rift, through which emerges the aerial part that is composed by two sheaths that cover the first juvenile leaf. In this phase, the emergence of secondary roots is observed. The first leaves are simple and lance-shaped.

Expression of fibroblast growth factor 10 and cognate receptors in the developing bovine ovary

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

Treatment of severe facial asymmetry secondary to osteochondroma of the mandibular condyle: case report

Osteochondroma (OC) is the most common benign tumor of long bones. However it is rarely found in the facial skeleton, being the coronoid process and mandibular condyle the most affected sites in this region. It basically consists in bone growth covered by cartilage. The etiology is still controversial: neoplastic, developmental, reparative and traumatic origins have been discussed in literature. The treatments of these lesions include total condylectomy or local resection of the lesion. This paper aims to report a case of a patient with history of trauma and possible fracture of the mandibular condyle in childhood, which in youth developed dentofacial deformity with severe facial asymmetry. The treatment consisted of resection of lesion both with maxillary and mandibular osteotomies associated with graft from the iliac crest bone. Actually, the patient is with a favorable aesthetic, without functional deficit and absence of lesion’s recurrence.

Effects of leaf extracts of Myrcia guianensis (Aubl.) DC. on growth and gene expression during root development of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

The allelopathic potential of leaf extracts from the medicinal plant Myrcia guianensis (Aubl.) DC. was studied in Petri dish bioassays on sorghum and determined the seed germination, germination rate index (GRI), root growth, secondary root number, the genes involved in root development (SHR, PHB, PHV and REV) and microRNA 166 that regulates these genes. The hydroalcoholic extract was more inhibitory than methanol extract (moderate inhibition) and aqueous extract at 25 and 100% concentration were least inhibitory. Application of higher dose of hydroalcoholic M. guianenesis leaf extracts on sorghum seeds, inhibited the root development and changed the expression of SHR and PHB genes and microRNA 166. This suggested that the expression of these genes could be indicator of allelopathic potential for inhibition of root development in sorghum.

Flavonoids modify root growth and modulate expression of SHORT-ROOT and HD-ZIP III

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

Secondary aspergillus fumigatus infection associated with coloidal goiter in a Black-masked Lovebird (Agapornis personata)

Aspergillosis is caused by fungus of Aspergillus genus. Is a multifactorial secondary disease and occurs mainly to immunodeficiency. Goiter is the name to non-inflammatory and non-neoplasic thyroid growth which affecting the animal metabolism. In this report we describe a case of aspergillosis and colloidal goiter in a male Black-masked lovebird (Agapornis personata) diagnosed by post mortem exam. The bird was presented for examination due to severe respiratory signs. An initial palliative treatment was performed in order to relieve the symptoms. Despite this, the patient came to die without performing additional ancillary tests. On gross exam, a pulmonary nodule was observed from which we were able to isolate Aspergillus fumigatus on microbial culture. Histological assessment revealed pulmonary aspergilosis and colloid goiter. Based on histopathological and microbiological assessments we conclude that infection probably was secondary to colloid goiter.