The molecular structure of matioliite – NaMgAl5(PO4)4(OH)6·2(H2O) : a pegmatite mineral from Minas Gerais, Brazil

Detailed spectroscopic and chemical investigation of matioliite, including infrared and Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis has been carried out on homogeneous samples from the Gentil pegmatite, Mendes Pimentel, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The chemical composition is (wt.%): FeO 2.20, CaO 0.05, Na2O 1.28, MnO 0.06, Al2O3 39.82, P2O5 42.7, MgO 4.68, F 0.02 and H2O 9.19; total 100.00. The mineral crystallize in the monoclinic crystal system, C2/c space group, with a = 25.075(1) Å, b = 5.0470(3) Å, c = 13.4370(7) Å, β = 110.97(3)°, V = 1587.9(4) Å3, Z = 4. Raman spectroscopy coupled with infrared spectroscopy supports the concept of phosphate, hydrogen phosphate and dihydrogen phosphate units in the structure of matioliite. Infrared and Raman bands attributed to water and hydroxyl stretching modes are identified. Vibrational spectroscopy adds useful information to the molecular structure of matioliite.

Vibrational spectroscopy of the phosphate mineral lazulite – (Mg, Fe)Al2(PO4)2·(OH)2 found in the Minas Gerais, Brazil

This research was done on lazulite samples from the Gentil mine, a lithium bearing pegmatite located in the municipality of Mendes Pimentel, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Chemical analysis was carried out by electron microprobe analysis and indicated a magnesium rich phase with partial substitution of iron. Traces of Ca and Mn, (which partially replaced Mg) were found. The calculated chemical formula of the studied sample is: (Mg0.88, Fe0.11)Al1.87(PO4)2.08(OH)2.02. The Raman spectrum of lazulite is dominated by an intense sharp band at 1060 cm-1 assigned to PO stretching vibrations of of tetrahedral [PO4] clusters presents into the HPO2/4- units. Two Raman bands at 1102 and 1137 cm-1 are attributed to both the HOP and PO antisymmetric stretching vibrations. The two infrared bands at 997 and 1007 cm-1 are attributed to the m1 PO3/4- symmetric stretching modes. The intense bands at 1035, 1054, 1081, 1118 and 1154 cm-1 are assigned to the v3PO3/4- antisymmetric stretching modes from both the HOP and tetrahedral [PO4] clusters. A set of Raman bands at 605, 613, 633 and 648 cm-1 are assigned to the m4 out of plane bending modes of the PO4, HPO4 and H2PO4 units. Raman bands observed at 414, 425, 460, and 479 cm-1 are attributed to the m2 tetrahedral PO4 clusters, HPO4 and H2PO4 bending modes. The intense Raman band at 3402 and the infrared band at 3403 cm-1 are assigned to the stretching vibration of the OH units. A combination of Raman and infrared spectroscopy enabled aspects of the molecular structure of the mineral lazulite to be understood.

Assessment of the molecular structure of natrodufrénite – NaFe2+Fe3+5(PO4)4(OH)6•2(H2O), a secondary pegmatite phosphate mineral from Minas Gerais, Brazil

The mineral natrodufrénite a secondary pegmatite phosphate mineral from Minas Gerais, Brazil, has been studied by a combination of scanning electron microscopy and vibrational spectroscopic techniques. Electron probe analysis shows the formula of the studied mineral as (Na0.88Ca0.12)∑1.00(Mn0.11Mg0.08Ca0.04Zr0.01Cu0.01)∑0.97(Al0.02)∑4.91(PO4)3.96(OH6.15F0.07)6.22⋅2.05(H2O). Raman spectroscopy identifies an intense peak at 1003 cm−1 assigned to the ν1 symmetric stretching mode. Raman bands are observed at 1059 and 1118 cm−1 and are attributed to the ν3 antisymmetric stretching vibrations. A comparison is made with the spectral data of other hydrate hydroxy phosphate minerals including cyrilovite and wardite. Raman bands at 560, 582, 619 and 668 cm−1 are assigned to the ν4 bending modes and Raman bands at 425, 444, 477 and 507 cm−1 are due to the ν2 bending modes. Raman bands in the 2600–3800 cm−1 spectral range are attributed to water and OH stretching vibrations. Vibrational spectroscopy enables aspects of the molecular structure of natrodufrénite to be assessed.

Rehabilitation of individuals with bone-anchored prosthesis: State-of-the-art and challenges

Individuals with limb amputation fitted with conventional socket-suspended prostheses often experience socket-related discomfort leading to a significant decrease in quality of life. Bone-anchored prostheses are increasingly acknowledged as viable alternative method of attachment of artificial limb. In this case, the prosthesis is attached directly to the residual skeleton through a percutaneous fixation. To date, a few osseointegration fixations are commercially available. Several devices are at different stages of development particularly in Europe and the US.[1-15] Clearly, surgical procedures are currently blooming worldwide. Indeed, Australia and Queensland in particular have one of the fastest growing populations. Previous studies involving either screw-type implants or press-fit fixations for bone-anchorage have focused on fragmented biomechanics aspects as well as the clinical benefits and safety of the procedure. However, very few publications have synthetized this information and provided an overview of the current developments in bone-anchored prostheses worldwide, let alone in Australia. The purposes of the presentation will be: 1. To provide an overview of the state-of-art developments in bone-anchored prostheses with as strong emphasis on the design of fixations, treatment, benefits, risks as well as future opportunities and challenges, 2. To present the current international developments of procedures for bone-anchored prostheses in terms of numbers of centers, number of cases and typical case-mix, 3. To highlight the current role Australia is playing as a leader worldwide in terms of growing population, broadest range of case-mix, choices of fixations, development of reimbursement schemes, unique clinical outcome registry for evidence-based practice, cutting-edge research, consumer demand and general public interest.

The Archaeometallurgical Implications of New Findings of Traditional Crafts of Making High Tin ‘Delta’ Bronze Mirrors and ‘Beta’ Bronze Vessels in Kerala State of South India

New metallurgical and ethnographic observations of the traditional manufacture of specular high-tin bronze mirrors in Kerala state of southern India are discussed, which is an exceptional example of a surviving craft practice of metal mirror-making in the world. The manufacturing process has been reconstructed from analytical investigations made by Srinivasan following a visit late in 1991 to a mirror making workshop and from her technical studies of equipment acquired by Glover in March 1992 from another group of mirror makers from Pathanamthita at an exhibition held at Crafts Museum, Delhi. Finished and unfinished mirror from two workshops were of a binary, copper-tin alloy of 33% tin which is close to the composition of pure delta phase, so that these mirrors are referred to here as ‘delta’ bronzes. For the first time, metallurgical and field observations were made by Srinivasan in 1991 of the manufacture of high-tin ‘beta’ bonze vessels from Palghat district, Kerala, i‥e of wrought and quenched 23% tin bronze. This has provided the first metallurgical record for a surviving craft of high-tin bronze bowl making which can be directly related to archaeological finds of high-tin bronze vessels from the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. New analytical investigations are presented of high-tin beta bronzes from the Indian subcontinent which are some of the earliest reported worldwide. These coupled with the archaeometallurgical evidence suggests that these high-tin bronze techniques are part of a long, continuing, and probably indigenous tradition of the use of high-tin bronzes in the Indian subcontinent with finds reported even from Indus Valley sites. While the source of tin has been problematic, new evidence on bronze smelting slags and literary evidence suggests there may have been some sources of tin in South India.

Gestão estratégica no Poder Legislativo: o caso da Assembleia Legislativa do Estado de Minas Gerais

O objetivo do artigo é registrar, criticamente, o processo de implantação da gestão estratégica na Assembleia Legislativa de Minas Gerais, com o propósito de revelar seusantecedentes e motivações; os momentos-chave; as facilidades e dificuldades; os resultados alcançados e os desafios futuros. A abordagem escolhida foi a histórico-descritiva e as ações de pesquisa envolveram revisão bibliográfica, pesquisa documental e entrevistas semiestruturadas. As conclusões apontam que a implantação da gestão estratégica na Assembleia Legislativa de Minas Gerais é um processo complexo e multifacetado, diante de suas características de órgão público, hierarquizado, com alta divisão de trabalho. O avanço da implantação é lento, devido aos fatores dificultadores apontados. O caso traz elementos relevantes para a pesquisa sobre gestão estratégica no setor público, seja por apresentar o processo de forma analítica e confrontada com a teoria, seja por se tratar especificamente de um órgão do Poder Legislativo

Nas Minas... por entre typos, jornais e tintas: sociabilidade impressa e debate político na Província das Gerais (1823-1831)

Durante a década de 1820, a província de Minas Gerais assistiu ao surgimento da imprensa periódica, em algumas de suas vilas e cidades. Dentre elas podemos destacar Ouro Preto e São João dEl-Rey, que assistiram ao nascimento dos periódicos O Universal e os Astro de Minas e O Amigo da Verdade, respectivamente. O primeiro veio à luz em 1825, e teve com principal responsável, o político e estadista Bernardo Pereira de Vasconcelos. Por sua vez o Astro de Minas surge dois anos depois em 1287. O político e comerciante Baptista Caetano dAlmeida esteve a frente de sua implementação e impressão, contribuindo também como redator. Em 1829 foi a vez do O Amigo da Verdade que teve como colaborador, o vigário da Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Pilar, em São João dEl-Rey, Luís José Dias Custódio. Esses periódicos foram responsáveis pela mobilização de opiniões públicas, retratando a realidade de acordo com as visões de mundo de seus redatores e responsáveis, além de funcionarem como importante agente histórico e instrumento político de grupos letrados na província de Minas Gerais. A partir da apreciação dos periódicos citados, o presente estudo tem como objetivo identificar e analisar a existência de uma rede de sociabilidade impressa entre os periódicos mineiros, além de perceber a imprensa como espaço do debate político, forjado pelas elites letradas mineiras, ao longo do Primeiro Reinado.

The role of competition and state aid policy in financial and monetary law

During the financial crisis, companies and lenders found themselves in distressed situations. Competition authorities across the globe had to deal with controversial issues such as the application of the failing firm defence in merger transactions as well as assessment of emergency aid granted by states. This article considers competition policy in periods of crisis, in particular the failing firm defence in merger control and its state aid policy.