Ionospheric signatures of pulsed reconnection at the Earth's magnetopause

THE plasma precipitating into the Earth's dayside auroral atmosphere has characteristics which show that it originates from the shocked solar-wind plasma of the magnetosheath1'2. The particles of the magnetosheath plasma precipitate down a funnel-shaped region (cusp) of open field lines resulting from reconnection of the geomagnetic field with the interplanetary magnetic field3. Although the cusp has long been considered a well defined spatial structure maintained by continuous reconnection, it has recently been suggested4–6 that reconnection instead may take place in a series of discontinuous events; this is the ‘pulsating cusp model’. Here we present coordinated radar and satellite observations of a series of discrete, poleward-moving plasma structures that are consistent with the pulsating-cusp model.

Protein precipitation behaviour of condensed tannins from Lotus pedunculatus and Trifolium repens with different mean degrees of polymerization

The precipitation of bovine serum albumin (BSA), lysozyme (LYS) and alfalfa leaf protein (ALF) by two large- and two medium-sized condensed tannin (CT) fractions of similar flavan-3-ol subunit composition is described. CT fractions isolated from white clover flowers and big trefoil leaves exhibited high purity profiles by 1D/2D NMR and purities >90% (determined by thiolysis). At pH 6.5, large CTs with a mean degree of polymerization (mDP) of ~18 exhibited similar protein precipitation behaviors and were significantly more effective than medium CTs (mDP ~9). Medium CTs exhibited similar capacities to precipitate ALF or BSA, but showed small but significant differences in their capacity to precipitate LYS. All CTs precipitated ALF more effectively than BSA or LYS. Aggregation of CT-protein complexes likely aided precipitation of ALF and BSA, but not LYS. This study, one of the first to use CTs of confirmed high purity, demonstrates that mDP of CTs influences protein precipitation efficacy.

Growth and Melting of Metallic Nanoclusters in Glass: A Review of Recent Investigations

The mechanisms of nucleation and growth and the solid-to-liquid transition of metallic nanoclusters embedded in sodium borate glass were recently studied in situ via small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide-an-le X-ray scattering (WAXS). SAXS results indicate that, under isothermal annealing conditions, the formation and growth of Bi or Ag nanoclusters embedded in sodium borate glass occurs through two successive stages after a short incubation period. The first stage is characterized by the nucleation and growth of spherical metal clusters promoted by the diffusion of Bi or Ag atoms through the initially supersaturated glass phase. The second stage is named the coarsening stage and occurs when the (Bi- or Ag-) doping level of the vitreous matrix is close to the equilibrium value. The experimental results demonstrated that, at advanced stages of the growth process, the time dependence of the average radius and density number of the clusters is in agreement with the classical Lifshitz-Slyozov-Waoner (LSW) theory. However, the radius distribution function is better described by a lognormal function than by the function derived from the theoretical LSW model. From the results of SAXS measurements at different temperatures, the activation energies for the diffusion of Ag and Bi through sodium borate glass were determined. In addition, via combination of the results of simultaneous WAXS and SAXS measurements at different temperatures, the crystallographic structure and the dependence of melting temperature T(m) on crystal radius R of Bi nanocrystals were established. The experimental results indicate that T(m) is a linear and decreasing function of nanocrystal reciprocal radius 1/R, in agreement with the Couchman and Jesser theoretical model. Finally, a weak contraction in the lattice parameters of Bi nanocrystals with respect to bulk crystals was established.

Aging and stationary properties of non-equilibrium symmetrical three-state models

We consider a non-equilibrium three-state model whose dynamics is Markovian and displays the same symmetry as the three-state Potts model, i.e. the transition rates are invariant under the cyclic permutation of the states. Unlike the Potts model, detailed balance is, in general, not satisfied. The aging and the stationary properties of the model defined on a square lattice are obtained by means of large-scale Monte Carlo simulations. We show that the phase diagram presents a critical line, belonging to the three-state Potts universality class, that ends at a point whose universality class is that of the Voter model. Aging is considered on the critical line, at the Voter point and in the ferromagnetic phase.

Glassy states in the stochastic Potts model

We have studied by numerical simulations the relaxation of the stochastic seven-state Potts model after a quench from a high temperature down to a temperature below the first-order transition. For quench temperatures just below the transition temperature the phase ordering occurs by simple coarsening under the action of surface tension. For sufficient low temperatures however the straightening of the interface between domains drives the system toward a metastable disordered state, identified as a glassy state. Escaping from this state occurs, if the quench temperature is nonzero, by a thermal activated dynamics that eventually drives the system toward the equilibrium state. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Grain size and heavy minerals of the Late Quaternary eolian sediments from the Imbituba-Jaguaruna coast, Southern Brazil: Depositional controls linked to relative sea-level changes

The stratigraphic subdivision and correlation of dune deposits is difficult, especially when age datings are not available. A better understanding of the controls on texture and composition of eolian sands is necessary to interpret ancient eolian sediments. The Imbituba-Jaguaruna coastal zone (Southern Brazil, 28 degrees-29 degrees S) stands out due to its four well-preserved Late Pleistocene (eolian generation 1) to Holocene eolian units (eolian generations 2, 3, and 4). In this study, we evaluate the grain-size and heavy-mineral characteristics of the Imbituba-Jaguartma eolian units through statistical analysis of hundreds of sediment samples. Grain-size parameters and heavy-mineral content allow us to distinguish the Pleistocene from the Holocene units. The grain size displays a pattern of fining and better sorting from generation 1 (older) to 4 (younger), whereas the content of mechanically stable (dense and hard) heavy minerals decreases from eolian generation 1 to 4. The variation in grain size and heavy-mineral content records shifts in the origin and balance (input versus output) of eolian sediment supply attributable mainly to relative sea-level changes. Dunefields submitted to relative sea-level lowstand conditions (eolian generation 1) are characterized by lower accumulation rates and intense post-depositional dissection by fluvial incision. Low accumulation rates favor deflation in the eolian system, which promotes concentration of denser and stable heavy minerals (increase of ZTR index) as well as coarsening of eolian sands. Dissection involves the selective removal of finer sediments and less dense heavy minerals to the coastal source area. Under a high rate of relative sea-level rise and transgression (eolian generation 2), coastal erosion prevents deflation through high input of sediments to the coastal eolian source. This condition favors dunefield growth. Coastal erosion feeds sand from local sources to the eolian system. including sands from previous dunefields (eolian generation 1) and from drowned incised valleys. Therefore, dunefields corresponding to transgressive phases inherit the grain-size and heavy-mineral characteristics of previous dunefields, leading to selective enrichment of finer sands and lighter minerals. Eolian generations 3 and 4 developed during a regressive-progradational phase (Holocene relative sea level highstand). The high rate of sediment supply during the highstand phase prevents deflation. The lack of coastal erosion favors sediment supply from distal sources (fluvial sediments rich in unstable heavy minerals). Thus, dunefields of transgressive and highstand systems tracts may be distinguished from dunefields of the lowstand systems tract through high rates of accumulation (low deflation) in the former. The sediment source of the transgressive dunefields (high input of previously deposited coastal sands) differs from that of the highstand dunefields (high input of fluvial distal sands). Based on this case study, we propose a general framework for the relation between relative sea level, sediment supply and the texture and mineralogy of eolian sediments deposited in siliciclastic wet coastal zones similar to the Imbituba-Jaguaruna coast (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Petrology and geochemistry of the banded iron formation in the Eastern Sierras Pampeanas of San Luis (Argentina): Implications for the evolution of the Nogoli Metamorphic Complex

The metamorphosed banded iron formation from the Nogoli Metamorphic Complex of western Sierra de San Luis, Eastern Sierras Pampeanas of Argentina (Nogoli area, 32 degrees 55`S-66 degrees 15`W) is classified as an oxide facies iron formation of Algoma Type, with a tectonic setting possibly associated with an island arc or back arc, on the basis of field mapping, mineral and textural arrangements and whole rock geochemical features. The origin of banded iron formation is mainly related to chemical precipitation of hydrogenous sediments from seawater in oceanic environments. The primary chemical precipitate is a result of solutions that represent mixtures of seawater and hydrothermal fluids, with significant dilution by maficultramafic volcanic and siliciclastic materials. Multi-stage T(DM) model ages of 1670, 1854 and 1939 Ma and positive, mantle-like xi Nd((1502)) values of +3.8, +1.5 and +0.5 from the banded iron formation are around the range of those mafic to ultramafic meta-volcanic rocks of Nogoli Metamorphic Complex, which are between 1679 and 1765 Ma and +2.64 and +3.68, respectively. This Sm and Nd isotopic connection suggests a close genetic relationship between ferruginous and mafic-ultramafic meta-volcanic rocks, as part of the same island arc or back arc setting. A previous Sm-Nd whole rock isochron of similar to 1.5 Ga performed on mafic-ultramafic meta-volcanic rocks led to the interpretation that chemical sedimentation as old as Mesoproterozoic is possible for the banded iron formation. A clockwise P-T path can be inferred for the regional metamorphic evolution of the banded iron formation, with three distinctive trajectories: (1) Relict prograde M(1)-M(3) segment with gradual P and T increase from greenschist facies at M(1) to amphibolite facies at M(3). (2) Peak P-T conditions at high amphibolite-low granulite facies during M(4). (3) Retrograde counterpart of M(4), that returns from amphibolite facies and stabilizes at greenschist facies during M(5). Each trajectory may be regarded as produced by different tectonic events related to the Pampean? (1) and the Famatinian (2 and 3) orogenies, during the Early to Middle Paleozoic. The Nogoli Metamorphic Complex is interpreted as part of a greenstone belt within the large Meso- to Neoproterozoic Pampean Terrane of the Eastern Sierras Pampeanas of Argentina. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

RNA Isolation method for polysaccharide rich algae: agar producing Gracilaria tenuistipitata (Rhodophyta)

RNA isolation is essential to study gene expression at the molecular level. However, RNA isolation is difficult in organisms (plants and algae) that contain large amounts of polysaccharides, which co-precipitate with RNA. Currently, there is no commercial kit available, specifically for the isolation of high-quality RNA from these organisms. Furthermore, because of the large amounts of polysaccharides, the common protocols for RNA isolation usually result in poor yields when applied to algae. Here we describe a simple method for RNA isolation from the marine red macroalga Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. liui Zhang et Xia (Rhodophyta), which can be applied to other plants and algae.

A reforma agraria e suas implicações no processo de desenvolvimento do Estado de Rondonia

Na década de 80 teve início o Programa de Desenvolvimento Integrado para o Noroeste do Brasil. Financiado pelo Governo Federal e o Banco Mundial sob coordenação do Governo Federal e execução de institutos federais e estaduais. Seria através do POLONOROESTE que as instituições chaves do Estado seriam criadas e/ou fortalecidas. O objetivo do POLONOROESTE era absorver o fluxo migratório de maneira coordenada e sustentável. E principalmente concluir o asfaltamento da BR-364. Na visão dos ambientalistas vários problemas surgiram a partir do POLONOROESTE. O próprio Banco Mundial chegou ã conclusão que o plano foi aplicado de forma precipitada, embora tivesse seus pontos positivos. Realizou-se em 1984 uma revisão de meio termo no programa. Apresentou, inicialmente, em versão preliminar o Zoneamento Sócio-Econômico-Ecológico que seria o instrumento básico de planejamento e ordenamento territorial. A partir de estudos feitos pelo Zoneamento Sócio-Econômico-Ecológico teve início o PLANAFLORO. O Brasil não pode estagnar seu desenvolvimento em nome da questão ambiental. O foco não é somente estratégico, mas uma questão de sobrevivência dos povos da floresta amazônica. Entendendo-se como povos da floresta todos os cidadãos que lá habitam. Inúmeros países formaram Comitês Internacionais de Defesa da Amazônia com o pensamento de que a posse da floresta amazônica pela Guiana inglesa, BrasiL Venezuela, Colômbia, Peru e Bolívia era meramente circunstancial. Que a floresta na verdade era patrimônio da humanidade. Esse nível de consciência pelo resto do mundo tem transcendido os limites da tranqüilidade dos países a que pertence a Amazônia. Problemas sociais como a denominada "chacina dos yanomamis" em Roraima, servem para que as ONG's procurem mostrar a incompetência do Brasil em administrar esse rico território.

Sinterização de aço inoxidável reforçado com partículas nanométricas dispersas de carbeto de nióbio - NbC

Metal powder sintering appears to be promising option to achieve new physical and mechanical properties combining raw material with new processing improvements. It interest over many years and continue to gain wide industrial application. Stainless steel is a widely accepted material because high corrosion resistance. However stainless steels have poor sinterability and poor wear resistance due to their low hardness. Metal matrix composite (MMC) combining soft metallic matrix reinforced with carbides or oxides has attracted considerable attention for researchers to improve density and hardness in the bulk material. This thesis focuses on processing 316L stainless steel by addition of 3% wt niobium carbide to control grain growth and improve densification and hardness. The starting powder were water atomized stainless steel manufactured for Höganäs (D 50 = 95.0 μm) and NbC produced in the UFRN and supplied by Aesar Alpha Johnson Matthey Company with medium crystallite size 16.39 nm and 80.35 nm respectively. Samples with addition up to 3% of each NbC were mixed and mechanically milled by 3 routes. The route1 (R1) milled in planetary by 2 hours. The routes 2 (R2) and 3 (R3) milled in a conventional mill by 24 and 48 hours. Each milled samples and pure sample were cold compacted uniaxially in a cylindrical steel die (Ø 5 .0 mm) at 700 MPa, carried out in a vacuum furnace, heated at 1290°C, heating rate 20°C stand by 30 and 60 minutes. The samples containing NbC present higher densities and hardness than those without reinforcement. The results show that nanosized NbC particles precipitate on grain boundary. Thus, promote densification eliminating pores, control grain growth and increase the hardness values

Quantificação de Fases Cristalinas de Incrustações em Colunas de Produção de Petróleo pelo Método Rietveld

The scale is defined as chemical compounds from inorganic nature, initially soluble in salt solutions, which may precipitate accumulate in columns of production and surface equipment. This work aimd to quantify the crystalline phases of scale through the Rietveld method. The study was conducted in scale derived from columns production wells in development and recipients of pigs. After collecting samples of scale were performed the procedure for separations of inorganic and organic phase and preparation to be analyzed at the X-ray Laboratory. The XRD and XRF techniques were used to monitor whether identifying and quantifying crystalline phases present in the deposits. The SEM technique was used to visualize the morphology of the scales and assess their homogeneity after the milling process. XRD measurements were performed with and without milling and with or without the accessory spinner. For quantify crystalline phases the program DBWStools was used. The procedure for conducting the first refinement was instrumental in setting parameters, then the structural parameters of the phases in the sample and finally the parameters of the function profile used. In the diffraction patterns of samples of scale observed that the best measures were those that passed through the mill and used the accessory spinner. Through the results, it was noted that the quantitative analysis for samples of scale is feasible when need to monitor a particular crystalline phase in a well, pipeline or oil field. Routinely, the quantification of phases by the Rietveld method is hardwork because in many scale was very difficult to identify the crystalline phases present

Avaliação da composição química, atividade antioxidante, antibacteriana, antinoceptiva, antiinflamatória e toxicidade do extrato metanólico e frações de folhas de Spondias sp. (Anacardiaceae)

Spondias sp. (Anacardiaceae), popularly known as cajá-umbu, is an endemic plant from Northeastern Brazil, where their leaves are widely used in folk medicine to treat inflammatory processes, while their fruits have a great agro industrial potential. This study was designed to evaluate hepatoprotective, antinociceptive, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as the acute toxicity and repeated dose 28, using a methanolic extract (MES), a fraction rich in flavonoids (FRF) and a precipitate from Spondias sp.leaves. The antioxidant activity of them was valued to evaluate their free radical scavenger capacity by DPPH test, whereas MES and FRF were used to evaluate while the preventive action on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity. Seven groups (n=5) of female Wistar rats were used as follows: control group, CCl4-intoxicated group treated with EMS (500 mg/kg) for 7 days, three CCl4-intoxicated groups treated with FRF (25, 50 and 75 mg/kg) for 7 days and the CCl4-intoxicated group treated with Legalon ® (silimarina; (phytotherapeutic reference) (50 mg/kg; 7 days). MES and FRF showed a protective action against liver injury induced by CCl4, being observed a significant reduction of serum enzyme activity marker of liver damage (alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase). On the other hand, the lipid peroxidation (SRAT) decrease, as well as the increase of glutathione content and enzyme activity of antioxidant defense system (SOD, CAT, GPx) toward near normal values indicated the ability of EMS to restore the oxidative imbalance induced by CCl4. The histological analysis confirmed the hepatoprotection, compared to degenerative changes in CCl4-treated group. This hepatoprotetor effect was similar to that shown by Legalon®. The in vitro high antioxidant capacity of extract (93.16 ± 1.00%) showed analogous results to those obtained by Carduus marianus BHT (reference standard). This fact explains the obtained results in vivo. Although no antimicrobial activity was detected, EMS and FRF promoted the antinociceptive effect induced in the second phase by the intraplantar formalin test, evidencing the anti-inflammatory action; confirmed by the carrageenan-induced peritonitis model. The evaluation of the mechanical allodynia (CFA a 80%) demonstrated the involvement of the Spondias sp. chemical composition in the anti-inflammatory activity toward the acute processes. The acute exposure and repeated dose during 28 days did not produce significant changes in the parameters that evaluate toxicity. Together the experimental results reveal, that Spondias sp. leaf extracts have a promising potential in pharmaceutical area, and due to its non-toxic condition present efficiency and security

Desenvolvimento de sistemas micro e nanoestruturados de quitosana/MDI para aplicações cosméticas

Currently, studies in the area of polymeric microcapsules and nanocapsules and controlled release are considerably advanced. This work aims the study and development of microcapsules and nanocapsules from Chitosan/MDI, using a new technique of interfacial polycondensation combined to spontaneous emulsification, for encapsulation of BZ-3. It was firstly elaborated an experimental design of 23 of the particle in white without the presence of BZ-3 and Miglyol, where the variables were the concentrations of MDI, chitosan and solvent. Starting from the data supplied by the experimental design was chosen the experiment with smaller particle diameter and only added like this BZ-3 and Miglyol. The suspension containing concentrations of 6.25 mg/mL, 12.5 mg/mL, 18.75 mg/mL, 25 mg/mL of BZ-3 were prepared, nevertheless, during the storage time, these formulations presented drug precipitates in the suspensions of 18.75 mg/mL and 25 mg/mL of BZ-3. This apparition of precipitate was attributed to the diffusion of BZ-3 for the aqueous phase without any encapsulation, suggesting so the use of the smaller concentrations of the BZ-3. The suspension containing 6.25mg/mL of BZ3 presented average size of 1.47μm, zeta potential of 61 mV, pH 5.64 and this sample showed an amount of BZ-3 and drug entrapment of 100 %. The suspension containing 12.5mg/mL of BZ-3 presented average size of 1.76μm, zeta potential of 47.4 mV, pH 5.71 and this sample showed an amount of BZ-3 and drug entrapment of 100 %. Then, showing such important characteristics, these two formulations were chosen for futher continuity to the study. These formulations were also characterized by the morphology, FTIR, stability for Turbiscan, DSC and a study of controlled release of the BZ-3 was elaborated in different receiving means

Flotação por ar dissolvido na clarificação de águas com baixa turbidez utilizando sulfato de alumínio e sementes de Moringa oleifera como coagulantes

This work aims to investigate the process of Dissolved air Flotation (DAF) for clarifying water samples with low turbidity using aluminum sulphate and Moringa oleifera seeds as coagulants. The experimental procedure was carried out in a bench scale flotation unit. The influences on the pre-treatment conditions (coagulant dosage and flocculation time) and flotation parameters (superficial application rate and recirculation rate) were evaluated considering the efficiency of the process. The efficiency was evaluated by determining the turbidity of the untreated and treated water samples. The results obtained showed that turbidity reduction can be obtained very efficiently by using DAF and the latter coagulant in low turbidity water. Using aluminum sulphate in pH´s 5.0 and 6.0 better efficiencies were obtained with low concentrations (15 mg/L), achieving values of 92% of turbidity reduction. In the case of use of Moringa oleifera better efficiencies of reduction of turbidity were reported when using a concentration of 50 mg/L in all range of pH´s, achieving 86% of reduction. The zeta potential was also determined, in an attempt to aid comprehension of the coagulation mechanisms involved. The coagulation mechanisms with Moringa oleifera seeds were shown to be adsorption and charge neutralization, as well as adsorption and bridging. Concerning aluminum sulphate, the predominant mechanisms are adsorption and charge neutralization and enmeshment in a precipitate. The results indicate that for low turbidity water, Moringa oleifera seeds could potentially be a viable substitute for aluminum sulphate

A metallurgical study of aluminium alloys used as aircraft components

The effects of heat treatment on morphologies and microstructures of Al 2024 and Al 7050 alloys, used as aircraft components, were studied by metallographic techniques. Light microscopy (LM) and quantitative image analysis were used to characterize the precipitate dispersion and morphology for these alloys. The application of the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) combined techniques for studying these multiphase systems makes it possible to distinguish and quantify the different phases in the surface structure. Xray diffraction also permitted a qualitative comparison of the structures before and after heat treatments.