Polarons, bipolarons, and crystallization in conducting polymers: An ESR study

Electron spin resonance (ESR) experiments give extremely important information concerning spin arrangements in conducting polymers. This is evidenced by the behavior of the ESR lines as a function of temperature and microwave power. Our ESR data of pressed pellets of ClO- 4 doped poly(3-methylthiophene) (P3MT) synthesized at 25 °C show the predominance of polarons. Instead, the sample prepared at 5 °C shows the predominance of bipolarons. Besides, for both types of samples, crystallization, observed from the ESR data, has shown a rearrangement of spin species.

Behavior of Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) workers during the preparation of the leaf substrate for symbiont fungus culture

The behavioral repertory of Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) workers marked by size category was studied during the preparation of the leaf substrate in the laboratory. The workers were marked according to three physical castes, i.e., minima, generalist and forager. Seven types of behavioral acts were recorded for each caste, with the following frequencies: licking leaf fragments (64.6%), holding fragments on the surface of the fungus garden (16.4%), shredding the fragments (6.0%), chewing and crimping the edges of the fragments (9.0%), incorporating the fragments (2.7%), touching the surface of the fungus with their mandibles and other mouthparts after incorporation (0.3%), and depositing fecal fluid (0.1%). The minima workers were found to be more specialized in the activities related to the preparation of the leaf substrate, which represented 52% of the total number of tasks performed. The generalists performed 40.3% of these tasks, and the foragers 7.9%. Licking the substrate was the behavior most frequently recorded and performed for a longer period of time. In this way, the workers may feed and at the same time eliminate microorganisms that are harmful to the symbiont fungus. The smaller castes, minima and generalists, are those most responsible for the preparation of the leaf substrate and predominate within a colony. From a practical viewpoint, with the introduction of toxic bait containing insecticides, for example, these size categories will be those most intensely intoxicated, especially through the behavior of licking bait pellets. On the basis of the data obtained about these behaviors, we may raise the hypothesis that trophallaxis in not the major factor triggering contamination with an insecticide among the workers of a colony.

Magnetic behavior of poly(3-methylthiophene): Metamagnetism and room-temperature weak ferromagnetism

A weak ferromagnetic phase is shown in pressed pellets of partially doped poly(3-methylthiophene) (P3MT) in the whole range from 1.8 to 300 K in magnetic measurements. Thermoremanence data have been used to estimate the suppression of this phase to be around 815 K. We also show that instead of the classical antiferromagnetism for the first-order interaction that gives weak ferromagnetism as a second-order effect, metamagnetic behavior is observed. X-band electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements and magnetization measurements allowed us to estimate that 8.1% of the total number of spins contributes to the weak ferromagnetism at room temperature. The doping level obtained from the ESR data is in good agreement with that estimated from electron dispersive spectroscopy measurements.

Desempenho e características da carcaça de tourinhos santa gertrudes confinados, recebendo dietas com alto concentrado e níveis crescentes de polpa cítrica peletizada

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Interference of epicuticular wax from leaves of grasses in selection and preparation of substrate for cultivation of symbiont fungus by Atta capiguara (Hym. Formicidae)

The selection of plants is one of the stages of foraging behavior, executed by leaf-cutting ants for the cultivation of symbiont fungus. Anatomical, biochemical and physiological characteristics of vegetal species are some of the factors that influence selection of substrate; however, most studies described in the literature refer to leaf-cutting ants. Due to the scarcity of studies on the role of epicuticular waxes of grasses in relation to foraging behavior of monocotyledonous leaf-cutters, we completed three experiments with the ant species Atta capiguara in which we analyzed: the attractiveness or selectivity of leaves of Saccharum officinarum (sugarcane) and/or Hypharrenia rufa (capim jaraguá), with and without epicuticular wax in relation to the worker of this ant species, their processing and elimination in the form of pellets of epicuticular wax from the referred fragments removed by the workers for cultivation of symbiont fungus. We observed that vegetal fragments without wax were those most transported by workers to the inside of the nests; that they processed the fragments equally with as much as without wax, and eliminated, in the form of pellets, wax removed from the same into garbage chambers of the colonies, leading us to conclude that for monocotyledonous leaf-cutters, epicuticular wax from vegetal leaves has great importance in vegetal integrity by being used as substrate, representing a physical barrier to the growth of symbiont fungus.

Prevalence of dental fluorosis in Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of dental fluorosis in scholars aging 12 to 15 years old, residents in the city of Bauru, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: 1318 volunteers were enrolled in this study and examined in 18 public schools of the State of São Paulo. The examinations were performed in the schools' court by three dentists (with a Master's degree in Public Health), after toothbrushing supervised by another dentist. The teeth were dried with cotton pellets and examined under natural light by visual inspection, using an explorer as recommended by the WHO, a plane mirror and a tongue depressor. The Thylstrup-Fejerskov (TF) index was used for rating fluorosis. Intra and inter-examiner reproducibility was calculated and data were submitted to descriptive analysis. Results: Approximately 36% of the children presented dental fluorosis, of which 28% was diagnosed as TF1 while the remaining received scores between TF2 and TF4. Conclusion: The prevalence of dental fluorosis in Bauru is within the expected range, based on previous studies. Although fluoride is an important resource for caries control, its use must be adequate to the needs of each specific population.

Decrease of the DNA damage levels after sperm preparation by layering method

The aim of this prospective study was to determine the DNA fragmentation levels before and after sperm preparation by layering method. A total of 78 patients submitted to assisted reproduction technology (ART) for infertility treatment were evaluated. Ejaculated spermatozoa were obtained by masturbation on the day of ART procedure. The evaluation of DNA fragmentation was performed in the fresh semen and after preparation by a layering method, respectively. After washing with PBS, the sperm pellets were smears and then processed for the terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) assay that was performed using a Cell Death Detection Kit with tetramethylrhodamine-labelled dUTP. For quantitative evaluation, 200 spermatozoa in randomly selected areas on microscope slides were evaluated and the percentage of TUNEL positive spermatozoa was determined. If ≥20% of selected sperm were TUNEL positive, the exam was considered abnormal. The mean percentage of DNA sperm fragmentation before sperm preparation was 17±8.3% and after 7.8±6.5% (p<0.0001). The exam was considered normal in 49 patients before preparation and in 73 patients after (p<0.0001). The sperm preparation with a layering method for the ART procedure is effective to select sperm with a significant decrease of the DNA damage.

Cell immobilization improves isomaltulose production

The Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology at the Biological Sciences Department in Sao Paulo State University, Brazil is working to improve the technologies involved with isomaltulose production. The study evaluated enzymatic reaction parameters with the goal of improving isomaltulose production which is grown with a medium of 1% cane molasses and 0.5% yeast extract thereby using calcium alginate, glutaraldehyde and polyethyleneimine. The best results were obtained using P. rubrum immobilized pellets in calcium alginate with 705 and 60% sucrose solution. The developed technology apparently allows the reuse of the cell-containing enzymes more times compared to conventional technologies, which ultimately results in decreased costs. The researchers are also involved in alcohol and biopolymer production and seeking interested industrial collaborators.

Development of silicon carbide substrates for aerospace applications

Payload and high-tech are important characteristics when the goals are aerospace applications. The development of the technologies associated to these applications has interests that transcend national boundaries and are of strategic importance to the nations. Ultra lightweight mirrors, supports and structures for optical systems are important part of this subject. This paper reports the development of SiC substrates, obtained by pressing, to be applied on embedded precision reflective optics. Different SiC granulometries, having YAG as sintering additive, were processed by: ball milling, drying and deagglomeration, sift, uniaxial and isostatic pressing, and, finally, argon atmosphere sintering at 1900°C. Different porosities were obtained according to the amount of organic material added. Into one side of the samples pellets of organic material were introduced to generate voids to reduce the weight of samples as a whole. The substrates were grinding and polished, looking for a SiC surface having low porosity, as porosity is directly related to light scattering that should be avoided on optical surfaces. Laser surface treatments were applied (using or not SiC barbotine) as a method to improve the surface quality. The samples were characterized by optical and laser confocal microscopy, roughness measurements and mechanical tests. The results are very promissory for future applications. © 2012 Materials Research Society.

Chemical stability and electrical properties of Nb doped BaCe 0.9Y 0.1O 3-δ as a high temperature proton conducting electrolyte for IT-SOFC

BaCe 0.9-xNb xY 0.1O 3-δ (where x=0, 0.01, 0.03 and 0.05) powders were synthesized by solid-state reaction to investigate the influence of Nb concentration on chemical stability and electrical properties of the sintered samples. The dense electrolyte pellets were formed from the powders after being uniaxially pressed and sintered at 1550 °C. The electrical conductivities determined by impedance measurements in temperature range of 550-750 °C in different atmospheres (dry argon and wet hydrogen) showed a decreasing trend with an increase of Nb content. For all samples higher conductivities were observed in the wet hydrogen than in dry argon atmosphere. The chemical stability was enhanced with increasing of Nb concentration. It was found that BaCe 0.87Nb 0.03Y 0.1O 3-δ is the optimal composition that satisfies the opposite demands for electrical conductivity and chemical stability, reaching 0.8×10 -2 S cm -1 in wet hydrogen at 650 °C compared to 1.01×10 -2 S cm -1 for undoped electrolyte. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.

Enhanced stability in CO2 of Ta doped BaCe0.9Y 0.1O3-δ electrolyte for intermediate temperature SOFCs

The influence of Ta concentration on the stability of BaCe 0.9-xTaxY0.1O3-δ (where x=0.01, 0.03 and 0.05) powders and sintered samples in CO2, their microstructure and electrical properties were investigated. The ceramic powders were synthesized by the method of solid state reaction, uniaxially pressed and sintered at 1550 °C to form dense electrolyte pellets. A significant stability in CO2 indicated by the X-ray analysis performed was observed for the samples with x≥0.03. The electrical conductivities determined by impedance measurements in the temperature range of 550-750 °C and in various atmospheres (dry argon, wet argon and wet hydrogen) increased with temperature but decreased with Ta concentration. The highest conductivities were observed in the wet hydrogen atmosphere, followed by those in wet argon, while the lowest were obtained in the dry argon atmosphere for each dopant concentration. The composition with Ta content of 3 mol% showed satisfactory characteristics: good resistance to CO2 in extreme testing conditions, while a somewhat reduced electrical conductivity is still comparable with that of BaCe0.9Y0.1O3-δ. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.

In Vitro Susceptibility of Environmental Isolates of Exophiala dermatitidis to Five Antifungal Drugs

Several dematiaceous fungi frequently isolated from nature are involved in cases of superficial lesions to lethal cerebral infections. Antifungal susceptibility data on environmental and clinical isolates are still sparse despite the advances in testing methods. The objective of this study was to examine the activities of 5-flucytosine, amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole and terbinafine against environmental isolates of Exophiala strains by minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) determination. The strains were obtained from hydrocarbon-contaminated soil, ant cuticle and fungal pellets from the infrabuccal pocket of attine gynes. Broth microdilution assay using M38-A2 reference methodology for the five antifungal drugs and DNA sequencing for fungal identification were applied. Terbinafine was the most active drug against the tested strains. It was observed that amphotericin B was less effective, notably against Exophiala spinifera, also studied. High MICs of 5-flucytosine against Exophiala dermatitidis occurred. This finding highlights the relevance of studies on the antifungal resistance of these potential opportunistic species. Our results also contribute to a future improvement of the standard methods to access the drug efficacy currently applied to black fungi. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Influence of the indium concentration on microstructural and electrical properties of proton conducting NiO-BaCe0.9-xIn xY0.1O3-δ cermet anodes for IT-SOFC application

Optimization of the major properties of anodes based on proton conductors, such as microstructure, conductivity and chemical stability, is yet to be achieved. In this study we investigated the influence of indium on the chemical stability, microstructural and electrical characteristics of proton conducting NiO-BaCe0.9-xInxY0.1O 3-δ (NiO-BCIYx) anodes. Four compositions of cermet anode substrates NiO-BCIYx were prepared using the method of evaporation and decomposition of solutions and suspensions (EDSS). Sintered anode substrates were reduced and their microstructural and electrical properties were examined before and after reduction as a function of the amount of indium. Anode substrates tested on chemical stability in the CO2 atmosphere showed high stability compared to anode substrates based on commonly used doped barium cerates. Microstructural properties of the anode pellets before and after testing in CO2 were investigated using X-ray diffraction analysis. Impedance spectroscopy measurements were used for evaluation of electrical properties of the anode pellets and the conductivity values of reduced anodes of more than 14 S cm-1 at 600 °C confirmed percolations through Ni particles. Under fuel cell operating conditions, the cell with a Ni-BCIY20 anode achieved the highest performance, demonstrating a peak power density 223 mW/cm2 at 700 °C confirming the functionality of Ni-BCIY anodes.© 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Indicadores fisiológicos de estresse e expressão do gene hsp70 em juvenis do Pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) após implante de cortisol

Pós-graduação em Aquicultura - FCAV

Estudo da viabilidade técnico-econômica da produção industrial da aguardente do licor de laranja

Pós-graduação em Alimentos e Nutrição - FCFAR