Ultrastructural mechanical and material characterization of fossilized bone

Bone plays a key role in the paleontological and archeological records and can provide insight into the biology, ecology and the environment of ancient vertebrates. Examination of bone at the tissue level reveals a definitive relationship between nanomechanical properties and the local organic content, mineral content, and microstructural organization. However, it is unclear as to how these properties change following fossilization, or diagenesis, where the organic phase is rapidly removed and the remaining mineral phase is reinforced by the deposition of apatites, calcites, and other minerals. While the process of diagenesis is poorly understood, its outcome clearly results in the potential for dramatic alteration of the mechanical response of biological tissues. In this study, fossilized specimens of mammalian long bones, collected from Colorado and Wyoming, were studied for mechanical variations. Nanoindentation performed in both longitudinal and transverse directions revealed preservation of bone's natural anisotropy as transverse modulus values were consistently smaller than longitudinal values. Additionally, modulus values of fossilized bone from 35.0 to 89.1 GPa increased linearly with logarithm of the sample's age. Future studies will aim to clarify what mechanical and material elements of bone are retained during diagenesis as bone becomes part of the geologic milieu. © 2007 Materials Research Society.

班公湖带多不杂超大型富金斑岩铜矿床的成岩成矿年代学、岩石学及高氧化岩浆¬流体-成矿作用

Duobuza copper deposit, newly discovered typical gold-rich porphyry copper deposit with superlarge potential, is located in the Tiegelong Mesozoic tectonic -magmatic arc of the southern edge of Qiangtang block and the northern margin of Bangonghu-Nujiang suture. Quartz diorite porphyrite and grandiorite porphyry, occurred in stock, are the main ore-bearing porphyries. As the emplacement of porphyry stock, a wide range of hydrothermal alteration has developed. Within the framework of the ore district, abundant hydrothermal magnetite developed, and the relationship between precipitation of copper and gold and hydrothermal magnetite seems much close. Correspondingly, a series of veinlets and network veinlets occurred in all alteration zones. Therefore, systematic research on such a superlarge high-grade Duobuza gold-rich porphyry copper deposit can fully revealed the metallogenic characteristics of gold-rich porphyry copper deposits in this region, establish metallogenetic model and prospecting criteria, and has important practical significance on the promotion of regional exploration. In addition, this research on it can enrich metallogenic theory of strong oxidation magma-fluid to gold-rich porphyry copper deposit, and will be helpful to understand the metallogenic characteristics in early of subduction of Gangdese arc stages and its entire evolution history of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the temporal and spatial distribution of ore deposits and their geodynamics settings. Northern ore body of Duobuza copper deposit have been controlled with width (north-south) about 100 ~ 400 m, length (east-west) about 1400 m, dip of 200 °, angle of dip 65 °~ 80 °. And controlled resource amount is of 2.7 million tons Cu with grade 0.94% and 13 tons Au with 0.21g/tAu. Overall features of ore body are large scale, higher grade copper, gold-rich. Ore occurred in the body of granodiotite porphyry and quartz diorite porphyrite and its contact zone with wall rock. Through the detailed mapping and field work studies, some typies of alteration are identificated as follows: albitization, biotititation, sericitization, silication, epidotization, chloritization, carbonatization, illitization, kaolinization and so on. The range of alteration is more than 10km2. Wall alteration zone can be divided into potassic alteration, moderate argillization alteration, argillization, illite-hydromuscovite or propylitization from ore-bearing porphyry center outwards, but phyllic alteration has not well developed and only sericite-quartz veins occurred in local area. Moreover, micro-fracture is development in ore district , and correspondingly a series of veinlets are development as follows: biotite vein (EB type), K-feldspar-biotite-chalcopyrite-quartz vein, magnetite-antinolite-K-feldspar vein, quartz-chalcopyrite-magnetite veins (A-type), quartz-magnetite-biotite-K-feldspar vein, chalcopyrite veinlets in potassic alteration zone; (2) chalcopyrite occurring in the center vein–quartz vein (B type), chalcopyrite veinlets, chalcopyrite-gypsum vein in intermediate argillization alteration; (3) chalcopyrite- pyrite-quartz vein, pyrite-quartz vein, chalcopyrite-gypsum veins, quartz-gypsum- molybdenite-chalcopyrite vein in argillization alteration; (4) gypsum veins, quartz-(molybdenite)-chalcopyrite vein, quartz-pyrite vein, gypsum- chalcopyrite vein, potassium feldspar veinlets, Carbonate veins, quartz-magnetite veins in the wall rock. In short, various veins are very abundant within the framework of the ore district. The results of electronic probe microscopy analysis (EMPA) indicate that Albite (Ab 91.5~99.7%) occurred along the rim of plagioclase phenocryst and fracture, and respresents the earliest stages of alteration. K-feldspar (Or 75.1~96.9%) altered plagioclase phenocryst and matrix or formed secondary potassium feldspar veinlets. Secondary biotite occurred mainly in phenocryst, matrix and veinlets, belong to magnesium-rich biotite formed under the conditions of high-oxidation magma- hydrothermal. Chloritization developed in all alteration zones and alterd iron- magnesium minerals such as biotite and hornblende and then formed chlorite veinlets. As the temperature rises, Si in the tetrahedral site of chlorite decreased, and chlorite component evolved from diabantite to ripiolite. The consistent 280℃~360℃ of formation temperature hinted that chlorite formed on the same temperature range in all alteration zones. However, formation temperature range of chlorite from the gypsum-carbonate-chlorite vein was 190℃~220℃, and it may be the product of the latest stage of hydrothermal activity. The closely relationship between biotite and rutile indicate that most of rutiles are precipitated in the process of biotite alteration and recrystallization. In addition, the V2O3 concentration of rutile from ore body in Duobuza gold-rich porphyry copper deposit is >0.4％, indicate that V concentration in rutile has important significance on marking main ore body of porphyry copper deposit. Apatites from Duobuza deposit all are F-rich. And apatite in the wall rock contained low MnO content and relatively high FeO content, which may due to the basaltic composition of the wall rocks. The MnO in apatite from altered porphyry show a strong positive correlation with FeO. In addition, Cl/F ratio of apatite from wall rock was highest, followed by the potassic alteration zone and potassic alteration zone overprinted by moderate argillization alteration was the lowest. SO2 in Apatite are in the scope of 0 to 0.66%, biotite in the apatite has the highest SO2, followed by the potassic alteration zone, potassic alteration zone overprinted by moderate argillization alteration, and the lowest in the surrounding rocks, which may be caused by the decrease of oxygen fugacity of hydrothermal fluid and S exhaust by sulfide precipitation in potassic alteration. Magnetite in the wall rock have higher Cr2O3 and lower Al2O3 features compared with altered porphyry, this may be due to basalt wall rock generally has high Cr content. And magnetites have higher TiO2 content in potassic alteration than moderate argillization alteration overprinted by potassic alteration, argillization and wall rock, suggested that its formation temperature in potassic alteration was the highest among them. The ore minerals mainly are chalcopyrite and bornite, and Au contents of chalcopyrite, bornite, and pyrite are similar with chalcopyrite slightly higher. The Eu* negative anomaly of disseminated chalcopyrite was relatively lower than chalcopyrite in veinlets. Within a drill hole, the Eu* negative anomaly of disseminated chalcopyrite was gradually larger from bottom to top. Magnetite has the same distribution model, with obvious negative Eu* abnormal, and ΣREE in great changes. The gypsum has the highest ΣREE content and the obvious negative anomaly, and biotite obviously has the Eu* abnormal. Based on the petrographic and geochemical characteristics, five series of magmatic rocks can be broadly classified; they are volcanic rocks of the normal island arc, high-Nb basaltic rocks, adakites, altered porphyry and diorite. The Sr, Nd, Hf isotopes and geochemistry of various series of magmatic rock show that they may be the result of mixing between basic magma and various degrees of acid magma coming from lower crust melted by high temperature basic underplating from partial melting of the subduction sediment melt metasomatic mantle wedge. Furthermore S isotope and Pb isotope of the sulfide, ore-bearing porphyries and volcanic rocks indicated ore-forming source is the mantle wedge metasomatied by subduction sediment melt. Oxygen fugacity of magma estimated by Fe2O3/FeO of whole rock and zircon Ce4+/Ce3+ indicated that the oxidation of basalt-andesitic rocks is higher than ore-forming porphyry, and might imply high-oxidation characteristics of underplated basic magma. Its high oxidative mechanism is likely mantle sources metasomatied by subduction sediment magma, including water and Fe3+. And such high oxidation of basaltic magma is conducive to the mantle of sulfides in the effective access to melt. And the An component of dark part within plagioclase phenocryst zoning belong to bytownite (An 74%), and its may be a result of magma composition changes refreshment by basaltic magma injection. SHRIMP zircon U-Pb and LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb geochronology study showed that the intrusions and volcanic rocks from Duobuza porphyry copper deposit belong to early Cretaceous magma series (126~105Ma). The magma evolution series are as follows: the earliest diorite and diorite porphyrite → ore-bearing porphyry and barren grandiorite porphyry →basaltic andesite → diorite porphyrite → andesite → basaltic andesite, and magma component shows a evolution trend from intermediate to intermediate-acid to basic. Based on the field evidences, the formation age of high-Nb basalt may be the latest. The Ar-Ar geochronology of altered secondary biotite, K-feldspar and sericite shows that the main mineralization lasting a interval of about 4 Ma, the duration limit of whole magma-hydrothermal evolution of about 6 Ma, and possibly such a long duration limit may result in the formation of Duobuza super-large copper deposit. Moreover, tectonic diagram and trace element geochemistry of volcanic rocks and diorite from Duobuza porphyry copper deposit confirm that it formed in a continental margin arc environment. Zircon U-Pb age of volcanic rocks and porphyry fall in the range of 105~121Ma, and Duobuza porphyry copper deposit locating in the north of the Bangonghu- Nujiang suture zone, suggested that Neo-Tethys ocean still subducted northward at least early Cretaceous, and its closure time should be later than 105 Ma. Three major inclusion types and ten subtypes are distinguished from quartz phenocrysts and various quartz veins. Vapor generally coexisting with brine inclusions, suggest that fluid boiling may be the main ore-forming mechanism. Raman spectrums of fluid inclusions display that the content of vapor and liquid inclusion mainly contain water, and vapor occasionally contain a little CO2. In addition, the component of liquid inclusions mainly include Cl-, SO42-, Na+, K+, a small amount of Ca2+, F-; and Cl- and Na+ show good correlation. Vapor mainly contains water, a small amount of CO2, CH4 and C2H6 and so on. The daughter minerals identified by Laman spectroscopy and SEM include gypsum, chalcopyrite, halite, sylvite, rutile, potassium feldspar, Fe-Mn-chloride and other minerals, and ore-forming fluid belong to a complex hydrothermal system containing H2O-NaCl-KClFeCl2CaCl2. H and O isotopic analysis of quartz phenocryst, vein quartz, magnetite, chlorite and gypsum from all alteration zones show that the ore-forming fluid of Duobuza gold-rich porphyry copper deposit consisted mainly of magmatic water, without addition of meteric water. Duobuza gold-rich porphyry copper deposit formed by the primary magmatic fluid (600-950C), which has high oxidation, ultra-high salinity and metallogenic element-rich, exsolution direct from the magma, and it is representative of the typical orthomagmatic end member of the porphyry continuum. Moreover, the fluid evolution model of Duobuza gold-rich porphyry copper deposit has been established. Furthermore, two key factors for formation of large Au-rich porphyry copper deposit have been summed up, which are ore-forming fluids earlier separated from magma and high oxidation magma-mineralization fluid system.

矾山杂岩体成因及其与磷（铁）矿的成矿关系

The Fanshan complex consists of layered potassic ultramafic-syenite intrusions. The Fanshan apatite (-magnetite) deposit occurs in the Fanshan complex, and is an important style of phosphorus deposit in China. The Fanshan complex consists of three (First- to Third-) Phases of intrusion, and then the dikes. The First-Phase Intrusive contains ten typical layered rocks: clinopyroxenite, biotite clinopyroxenite, coarse-grained biotite clinopyroxenite, pegmatitic orthoclase-biotite clinopyroxenite, variegated orthoclase clinopyroxenite, interstitial orthoclase clinopyroxenite, biotite rock, biotite-apatite rock, biotite rock and magnetite-apatite rock. This layered intrusive consists of nine rhythmic units. Each rhythmic unit essentially comprises a pair of layers: clinopyroxenite at the bottom and biotite clinopyroxenite at the top. The apatite (-magnetite) deposit is situated near the top of rhythmic Unit no. 6 of the First-Phase Intrusive. The Second-Phase Intrusive contains three typical rocks: coarse-grained orthoclase clinopyroxenite, . coarse-grained salite syenite and schorlomite-salite syenite. The Third-Phase Intrusive includes pseudo-trachytic salite syenite, porphyritic augite syenite, fine-grained orthoclase clinopyroxenite and fine-grained salite syenite. The origin of the Fanshan complex is always paid attention to it in China. Because most layered igneous intrusion in the world not only have important deposit in it, but also carry many useful information for studying the formation of the intrusion and the evolvement of magma. Two sketch maps were drawn through orebodies along no. 25 cross-cut on 425 mL and no. 1 cross-cut on 491 mL in the Fanshan mine. Through this mapping, a small-scaled rhythmic layering (called sub-rhythmic layering in the present study) was newly found at the top of the rhythmic Unit no. 6. The concept of sub-rhythmic layering is defined in this article. The sub-rhythmic layering is recognized throughout this apatite-rich part, except for magnetite-apatite rock. Presence of the layered magnetite-apatite rock is one of the characteristics of the Fanshan apatite (-magnetite) deposit. Thus, from this layer downwards six units of sub-rhythmic layering are recognized in the present study. Each unit consists of biotite clinopyroxenite (or biotite rock and biotite-apatite rock) layer at the bottom and apatite rock layer at the top. To study this feature in detail is an important work for understanding the origin of the Fanshan complex and apatite (-magnetite) deposit. The origin of the Fanshan complex and the relation of the formation of the apatite(-magnetite)deposit will be interpreted by the study of sub-rhythmic layering on the basis of previous research works. The magma formed the Fanshan complex was rich in K2O, early crystallized pyroxene, and after this phase more biotite crystallized, but no amphibole appeared. This indicated that the activity of H2O in the magma was low. Major element compositions of biotite and clinopyroxene (on thin sections) in the sub-rhythmic layering were analyzed using electron microprobe analyzer. The analytical results indicate Mg/(Mg+Fe*+Mn) atomic ratios (Fe*, total iron) of these two minerals rhythmically changed in sub-rhythmic layering. The trends of Mg/(Mg+Fe*+Mn) atomic ratio (Fe*, total iron) of biotite and clinopyroxene indicate that the magma evolved markedly from relatively magnesian bottom layer to less magnesian top layer in each sub-rhythmic unit. A general trend through the sub-rhythmic layering sequence is both minerals becoming relatively magnesian upwards. The formation temperatures for sub-rhythmic layering yield values between 600 and 800 ℃, were calculated using the ratio of Mg/(Mg+Fe+Mn) in the salite and biotite assemblage. The equilibrium pressures in the rhythmic layers calculated using the contents of Al in the salite were plotted in the section map, shown a concave curve. This indicates that the magma formed the First-Phase Intrusive crystallized by two vis-a-vis ways, from its bottom and top to its centre, and the magnetite-apatite rock was crytallized in the latest stage. The values of equilibrium pressures in the sub-rhythmic layering were 3.6-6.8(xlO8) Pa with calculated using the contents of Al in the salite. The characteristics of geochemistry in various intrusive rocks and the rocks or apatite of sub-rhythmic layers indicated that the Fanshan complex formed by the comagmatic crystallization. The contents of immiscible elements and REEs of apatite rock at the top of one sub-rhythmic unit are more than biotite clinopyroxenite at the bottom. The contents of immiscible elements and REEs of apatite of biotite clinopyroxenite at the bottom of one sub-rhythmic unit are higher than apatite rock at the top. The curves of rocks (or apatite) in the upper sub-rhythmic units are between two curves of the below sub-rhythmic unit in the primitive mantle-normalized trace element abundance spider diagram and the primitive mantle-normalized REE pattern. The trend for the contents of immiscible elements and REEs inclines to the same contents from the bottom to the top in sub-rhythmic layering. These characteristics of geochemistry of rocks or apatites from sub-rhythmic layering indicate that the latter sub-rhythmic unit was produced by the residual magma after crystallization of the previous sub-rhythmic unit. The characteristics of petrology, petrochemistry, geochemistry in the Fanshan complex and sub-rhythmic layers and the trends of Mg/(Mg+Fe+Mn) atomic ratio of biotite and clinopyroxene in sub-rhytmic layering rejected the hypotheses, such as magma immiscibility, ravitational settling and multiple and pulse supplement of magma. The hypothesis of differentiation by crystallization lacks of evidences of field and excludes by this study. On the base of the trends of formation temperatures and pressures, the characteristics of petrology, petrochemistry, geochemistry for the Fanshan complex and the characteristics of geochemistry for the rocks (or apatites), the trends of Mg/(Mg+Fe+Mn) atomic ratio of biotite and clinopyroxene in sub-rhytmic layering, and the data of oxygen, hydrogen, strontium and neodymium isotopes, this study suggests that the magma formed the Fanshan complex was formed by low degree partial melting of mantle at a low activity of H2O, and went through the differentiation at the depth of mantle, then multiply intruded and crystallized. The rhythmic layers of the First-Phase Intrusive formed by the magma fractional crystallized in two vis-a-vis ways, from the bottom and top to the centre in-situ fractional crystallization. The apatite (-magnetite) deposit of the Fanshan complex occurs in sub-rhythmic layering sequence. The the origin of the sub-rhythmic layering is substantially the origin of the Fanshan apatite (-magnetite) deposit. The magma formed the rhythmic layers of First-Phase Intrusive was rich in H2O, F and P at the later stage of its in-situ fractional crystallization. The Fanshan apatite (-magnetite) deposit was formed by this residual magma in-situ fractional crystallization. The magnetite-apatite rock was crystallized by two vis-a-vis ways at the latest stage in-situ fractional crystallization in the rhythmic layers. The result was light apatite layer below heavy the magnetite-apatite layer, formed an "inversion" phenomenon.

Novel coatings for hard tissue implants

A novel deposition process named CoBlastTM, based on grit blasting technology, has been used to deposit hydroxyapatite (HA) onto titanium (Ti) metal using a dopant/abrasive regime. The various powders (HA powder, apatitic abrasives) and the treated substrates were characterised for chemical composition, coating coverage, crystallinity and topography including surface roughness. The surface roughness of the HA surfaces could be altered using apatitic abrasives of different particle sizes. Compared to the standard plasma spraying process, the CoBlast surface produced excellent coating adhesion, lower dissolution, higher levels of mechanical and chemical stability in stimulated body fluid (SBF). Enhanced viability of osteoblastic cells was also observed on the CoBlast HA surfaces compared to the microblast and untreated Ti as well as the plasma HA coating. CoBlast offers an alternative to the traditional methods of coating HA implants with added versatility. Apatites substituted with antimicrobial metals can also be deposited to add functionality to HA coatings without cytotoxicty. The potential use of these coatings as an infection preventing strategy for application on hard tissue implants was assessed in vitro and also in vivo. Surface physicochemical properties and morphology were determined in addition to surface cytocompatibility assessments using a MG-63 osteoblast cell line. The antibacterial potential of the immobilised metal ion on the surface and the eluted ion to a lesser extent, contributed to the anticolonising behaviour of the surfaces against a standard bacteria strain (S. aureus) as well as a number of clinically relevant strains (MRSA, MSSA and S. epidermis). The results revealed that the surfaces coated with silver substituted apatites (AgA) outperformed the other apatites examined (apatites loaded with Zn, Sr and both Ag and Sr ions). Assessment of bacterial adherence on coated K-wires following subcutaneous implantation in a nude mouse infection model (S. aureus) for two days demonstrated that the 12% wt surface outperformed the 5% wt AgA coating. Lower inflammatory responses were activated with the insertion of the Ag loaded K-wires with a localised infection at the implantation site noted over the two day study period. These results indicated that the AgA coating on the surface of orthopaedic implants demonstrate good biocompatibility whilst inhibiting bacterial adhesion and colonising of the implant surface.

Evolução termocronológica do sistema de falhas Senador Pompeu-CE

The region of the Senador Pompeu Shear Zone (SPSZ), in the North Tectonic Domain of the Borborema Province (BP), has its recent history associated with to South Atlantic Ocean formation event at the Jurassic. A lot of geologics models have discussed about crustal axis elevation in local scale and large scale (Borborema Province), relative to importants regionals tectonics directions of it. The identification and the relationship among this surfaces, stepped in many topographyc levels by tectonics mecanisms, is dificult because of the erosion process on it. Over there, sedimentary deposits is complex and it has not biostratigraphyc record in continental deposits. The analysis metodology on apatita fission-track, in the region of the SPSZ, purpose the more knowledge about morphotectonics mecanisms of the area and the impruvement of its morphotectonics models. For this, it was moleled the age and thermal history of the 11 apatites samples collected on both sides of this shear zone, taking relationships among other results of the thermochronology studies in the BP. Based on the thermal studies in this search, the region of the BP developed on two distint cooling events, separated for one period of relative stabilited. The first episode occur between 130 and 90 M.y., has been began when the samples cross the 120°C isoterm for last time and fineshed at 70°C. The second moment of the cooling process was began about 30 M.y., when the temperature was 90°C, from this to the equlibrium with present surface temperature at 30°C. Some evidences indicated a relacionship between thermal episodes and uplift events of the regional relief. The fundaments of the interpretation was based mainly on comparatives studies among results of the thermochronology analysis and geologics studies about BP. Nóbrega et al.(2005), e.g., on studies about the Portalegre Shear Zone, got similar results on SPSZ, with some details relative to local tectonic activity. Morais Neto et al. (2000) interpreted two importants cooling events in the BP based on their regional studies, that can be associated to regional uplift events. When Assine (1992) studied the stratigraphyc sequences of the Araripe Basin, in the south of Ceará state, conclude that the abrupt return to continentals condictions from the last sedimentar sequency (albiano-cenomaniane) indicate a regional uplift of the NE region of the Brazil at the 100 M.y., in the Albiano Intermediate/Superior. This ages are compatible to termal model of the SPSZ. This two periods of the thermal history of the BP are completely registered in the apatites samples just one age groups of the fission-track, that it is the most ancient age groups. This one suggest it has happened in response to heating before 75 M.y and it has erased the last report of the first moment relief evolution of the BP. The NNE-SSW and E-W structure reativation can have created ideal condictions for heating and local elevations of the geothermal gradients. The equilibrium between the apatites temperatures of this groups and the regionais temperatures took place about 50 M.y., when the samples of the two ages groups had a simillar evolution to present surfaces temperatures

Effects of Different Swimming Exercise Intensities on Bone Tissue Composition in Mice: A Raman Spectroscopy Study

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Comparison of crystallinity between natural hydroxyapatite and synthetic cp-Ti /HA coatings

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

Síntese de hidroxiapatita pelo método sol-gel utilizando precursores alternativos: nitrato de cálcio e ácido fosfórico

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

Influência dos íons K+ e Mg2+ na obtenção de apatitas biomiméticas

O crescimento da hidroxiapatita - HA, tanto no meio biológico quanto em soluções aquosas como a Synthetic Body Fluid - SBF, ocorre em meio contendo, além dos elementos Ca e P, elementos-traços essenciais tais como: Mg2+, HCO3-, K+ e Na+. Alguns destes elementos são conhecidos como inibidores do crescimento da HA, como Mg2+ e HCO3-. Neste trabalho, estudou-se a influência dos íons K+ e Mg2+ na formação de apatitas sobre substratos metálicos de Ti c.p. previamente tratados com NaOH 5M. Os efeitos destes íons no recobrimento obtidos, antes e após o tratamento térmico a 800ºC, foram analisados por microscopia eletrônica de varredura - MEV, espectroscopia de energia dispersiva de raios-X - EDX, difratometria de raios-X - DRX e espectroscopia no infravermelho - IV e mostraram que o efeito inibitório do Mg2+ na formação da HA se manifesta após o tratamento térmico. Diferentemente, o crescimento cristalino da HA não foi afetado pela presença do íon K+. Além disso, a formação de apatita carbonatada se deu também em soluções que não continham o íon CO3(2-) em sua composição.

Recobrimento de apatitas in vitro sobre titânio: influência do tratamento térmico

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

Consolidation and break-up of the South American platform in southeastern Brazil: Tectonothermal and denudation histories

The different tectonic stages that occurred at the end of the Proterozoic and during the Phanerozoic have an important bearing on the tectonothermal history of the South American Platform and its consolidation. Geochronological data (U/Pb monazite, Ar-40/Ar-39 whole rock) and apatite fission-track analysis, from Precambrian rocks of the southeastern Brazilian coastline, permit the modeling of a long-term thermal history of the crust and constrain variable denudation rates.Using these data, a temperature-time diagram reflects a period of accelerated exhumation during the end of the Brasiliano Orogeny, followed by long stability and reactivation of the platform during the Rifting Phase of the South Atlantic Ocean.U/Pb zircon and monazite (blocking temperature of ca. 650degreesC) data from a series of igneous bodies suggest that a tangential and transpressional tectonic regime occurred between 625 and 610 Ma. During the following escape tectonics, between 610 and 590 Ma the exhumation process indicates cooling rates of ca. 12degreesC/Ma. Ar-40/Ar-39 biotite ages between 540 and 510 Ma (ca. 300degreesC) and a corrected fission-track age on apatites (100degreesC) of 480 Ma indicate an exhumation event related to block tectonics with huge vertical displacement along shear zones.A long stabilization phase, with low exhumation, and cooling rate around 0.25degreesC/Ma was recorded from the Cambro/Ordovician to the Mesozoic. At 65 Ma an acceleration of the exhumation through denudation and reworking of the South American surface with cooling rate of 1.5degreesC/Ma is observed.The uplift of the Mantiqueira and Serra do Mar mountain ranges along the southeast Brazilian coastline works as a climatic barrier provoking lateral erosional processes causing long-term scarp retreat, combined with intense, but progressive denudation towards the continent. A denudation of 2.5 to 4 km was calculated for such processes. This lateral retreat of escarpments and flexural response can provide important insights regarding marginal isostatic uplift and the evolution of offshore sedimentary basins of southeast Brazil.

Bioactive coating on titanium implants modified by Nd:YVO4 laser

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Immediate replantation of maxillary incisors in rats: effects of tooth immersion in sodium fluoride and subsequent removal of the periodontal ligament.

The advantages and disadvantages of maintaining the periodontal ligament (PDL) in immediate replantation as well as chemical treatment of the root surface have been a matter of discussion because the vitality of such tissue in surgery is always questioned. This study evaluated the effects of conserving the tooth in sodium fluoride and the removal of the PDL before replantation of incisors in rats. There was more cementum-dentin resorption in the group with the PDL. The group without the PDL showed more discreet resorption, repair occurred through the newly formed bone tissue in the PDL space and ankylosis was more extensive than in the group with the PDL.

Efeito dose-resposta de uma formulação de dentifrício com concentração reduzida de fluoreto - estudo in vitro.

The utilization of dentifrices with low fluorine concentration, for children under 6 years of age, has been suggested to reduce the risks of dental fluorosis. However, in order to have anticariogenic potential, the dentifrice should form loosely-bound fluorine (CaF2) on dental enamel. Considering that the formation of CaF2 is a function inversely related to pH, dentifrices with pH 5.5, with 275, 550 and 1,100 ppm F (NaF/silica) were developed in order to assess dose-response effects. A comparison between those dentifrices, a placebo product and the Crest toothpaste (positive control - standard) was carried out. Furthermore, the bioavailability of dentifrices, in terms of formation of total fluorine (TF), CaF2, and fluorapatite (FA) on human dental enamel, was evaluated. An ion-specific electrode was utilized for the determination of the dosage of fluorine. The results revealed that the dentifrice with 550 ppm F was more effective than both the placebo and the dentifrice with 275 ppm, presenting no difference in relation to the positive control (p > 0.05). A dose-effect correlation was observed as to the CaF2 formed. In conclusion, the modified formulation with 550 ppm F can be considered as effective as the standard dentifrice with 1,100 ppm, and its utilization would be safer with regard to dental fluorosis.

A tectônica meso-cenozóica de parte da borda nordeste da Bacia do Paraná: traços de fissão em apatita

The possible development of thermal events in the central portion of São Paulo state was described based on apatite fission track analysis. Using apatites of sedimentary rocks of the Paraná Basin, modeling the thermal history was made possible due to the homogeneity of the data. Every thermal history begins with a total annealing of fission tracks, related to the Serra Geral magmatism, evolving into a cooling period. In addition to cooling after the magmatism (Early Cretaceous) two other periods of cooling were also detected, registered in the Late Cretaceous/ Paleocene and Eocene, driven as much by uplift with tectonic denudation as by faulting. The nearest portion of the edge of the basin (external to the Dome of Pitanga), registered a period of warming over the Paleocene that can be attributed to the increase in the geothermal gradient. The periods of cooling have a regional and temporal relationship with the tectonic events that occurred in the southeastern Brazil and were described in the crystalline basement. The period of warming, registered in the Late Cretaceous/ Paleocene, has local occurrence and can be found only in the southern portion of the studied area.