Influence of annealing on X-ray diffraction of natural alexandrite

In this work we present results of X-ray diffraction using powder method, on natural alexandrite samples from Minas Gerais State (Brazil), as a function of a sequence of annealing. From these measurements we determine lattice parameters before (a = 9.405 Angstrom, b = 5.471 Angstrom, c = 4.409 Angstrom) and after annealing, and its structure is confirmed as orthorhombic. Measurements done after an annealing of 15 minutes at 700 degreesC and for 5 hours at 1000 degreesC indicate the migration of atoms present in the sample through different phases, which were also identified by Microprobe Analysis (WDS). However we have verified that such migration does not modify the structure. X-ray diffraction measurements have been carried out in conjunction with optical absorption in the UV-Vis as a function of annealing. (C) 2002 International Centre for Diffraction Data.

Effect of interstitial impurities on internal friction measurements in niobium

Measurements of internal friction as a function of temperature were carried out in samples of mobium containing different amounts of interstitial solutes (oxygen and nitrogen) and one sample of mobium containing initially only nitrogen as interstitial solute. The experimental spectra of internal friction as a function of temperature were obtained with a torsion pendulum of the inverted Ke-type and resolved, using the method of successive subtraction, into a series of constituent Debye peaks corresponding to different interactions. For each relaxation process it was possible to obtain the height (Q(max)(-1)) and temperature (T-p) of the peak, the activation energy (E) and the relaxation time (t(o)). The height, shape and temperature of these peaks depend on the concentration of interstitial elements. The observed peaks were associated with matrix-interstitial (Nb-O, Nb-N) and interstitial-interstitial (O-N) interaction processes. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Durango apatite fission-track dating using length-based age corrections and neutron fluence measurements by natural thorium thin films and natural U-doped glasses calibrated through natural uranium thin films

In this work, we present an approach for neutron fluence measurements based on natural thorium thin films and natural uranium-doped glasses calibrated through natural uranium thin films to be used for dating with the Fission-Track Method (FTM). This neutron dosimetry approach allows the employment of FTM even when dating is carried out using low neutron themalization facilities. Besides, it makes possible the determination of the Th/U ratio of the mineral to be dated. Durango apatite which is often employed in FTM as an age standard was analyzed. This apatite presented a fairly high Th/U ratio, 29.9 +/- 1.7. Th fissions were 18%, 12% and 10% of the total for irradiations where thermal to fast neutron flux ratios were 2.4, 4.4 and 5,2, respectively. These results show that Th fission must be considered for this apatite, when not well-thermalized irradiation facilities are used. The ratio between spontaneous and induced track length, L(S)/L(1), close to 0.89, indicates a certain amount of rejuvenation of the age of Durango apatite. Therefore, its apparent age should be corrected, the application of a technique based on track-length measurements produced a corrected age of 29.7 +/- 1.1 Ma, consistent with the independent reference age of this apatite (31.4 +/- 0.5 Ma). This result represents a support for viability of the neutron dosimetry approach studied in this work for FTM.(C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Indoor radon measurements and methodologies in Latin American countries

According to the current international guidelines concerning environmental problems, it is necessary to evaluate and to know the indoor radon levels, specially since most of the natural radiation dose to man comes from radon gas and its progeny. Several countries have established National Institutions and National Programs for the study of radon and its connection with lung cancer risk and public health. The aim of this work is to present the indoor radon measurements and the detection methods used for different regions of Latin America (LA) in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela. This study shows that the passive radon devices based on alpha particle nuclear track methodology (NTM) is one of the more generalized methods in LA for long term indoor radon measurements, CR-39, LR-115 and Makrofol being the more commonly used detector materials. The participating institutions and the radon level measurements in the different countries are presented in this contribution. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Error function approximations of interest in electrochemistry.

The error function is present in several equations describing eletrode processes. But, only approximations of this function are used. In this work, these and other approximations are studied and evaluated according to precision.

Internal friction and frequency measurements in molybdenum containing oxygen and nitrogen

We have measured internal friction and frequency as a function of temperature in molybdenum containing oxygen and nitrogen in solid solution. These measurements were performed by a torsion pendulum operating in the temperature range of 300 K to 700 K with oscillation frequency about 1.0 Hz. The results showed the complex relaxation process identifying the stress induced ordering of oxygen and nitrogen atom around the molybdenum atoms of the metallic matrix.

Optical properties of remotely doped parabolic quantum wells

This work is intended to report on optical measurements in a parabolic quantum well with a two dimensional-three dimensional electron gas. Photoluminescence results show broad spectra which are related to emission involving several subbands on conduction band with the fundamental level of the valence band. This assumption is based on the behavior of the PL peak position and the full width at half maximum in the function of the incident power intensity. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Enhancement of natural killer cell function by titanocenes in mice bearing Ehrlich ascites tumour

In the present work, we studied the effects of two titanocenes, biscyclopentadienyidichlorotitanium IV, (DDCT) and its derivative, biscyclopentadienylditiocianatetitanium IV (BCDT), on the activity of natural killer (NK) cells in Ehrlich ascites tumour (EAT)-bearing BALB/c mice. In order to investigate a more direct effect of these compounds on NK cell function, we performed experiments with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice, which exhibit a normal NK cell response in the absence of T and B cells. The treatment consisted of intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of 15 mg/kg/day of DDCT for 2 days or 10 mg/kg/day of BCDT for 3 days. In addition, to verify whether the effects produced by the titanocenes were compound specific or related to a direct antitumour effect, we also investigated the effects of a 3-day treatment with 100 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide cyclophosphamide on NK cell activity. Our results demonstrated that, in BALB/c and SCID mice, NK cell function declined to subnormal levels after inoculation of the tumour. In these animals, although treatment with DDCT and BCDT significantly enhanced NK cell function, only DDCT restored NK cell activity to normal values in all stages studied. Conversely, treatment with cyclophosphamide reduced NK cell function in nontumour bearing SCID mice and was also unable to restore the decreased NK activity of tumour-bearing SCID mice, thus demonstrating that the enhancement of NK cell function by titanocenes is compound specific. The same effect of cyclophosphamide was observed with BALB/c mice. In the present study, the up-modulatory effects of these two compounds on NK cell function reveal a new aspect of the mechanism of antitumoural action of titanocenes. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of interstitial elements on internal friction measurements in Nb and Nb-Zr alloys

Internal friction and frequency measurements as a function of temperature have been carried out in Nb and Nb-Zr policrystalline samples, using a torsion pendulum in the temperature range between 300K and 700K the heating rate was 1K/min and the pressure was kept better than 5x10(-3) mbar. Metals with bce lattice containing solute atoms dissolved interstitially often show anelastic behaviour due to a process know as stress-induced ordering responsible for the appearance of Snoek peaks. In the Nb sample it has been identified two constituent peaks corresponding to the interstitial-matrix interactions (Nb-O and Nb-N), but for the Nb-Zr samples with interstitial solute concentrations very close to those measured for the unalloyed Nb, it was not observed any mechanical relaxation peaks due to the presence of oxygen and nitrogen in solid solution.

The contribution of GLONASS measurements to regional and continental scale geodetic monitoring regimes

Throughout late 1998 and early 1999, the International GLONASS Experiment (IGEX) has delivered the first comprehensive inter-continental dual frequency GLONASS data set. This experiment represents the first opportunity to assess how a second global satellite positioning system could complement existing CPS geodetic infrastructure. Based on analysis of a three station network of IGEX stations from Southern Hemisphere IGEX stations, this paper discusses the internal and external precision of long baseline GPS, GLONASS and combined GPS/GLONASS solutions, and the possible contribution of GLONASS to future regional-scale geodetic work.

Study of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in paracoccidioidomycosis: cytopathology and alveolar macrophage function in response to gamma interferon; comparison with blood monocytes

Patients with paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) present marked involvement of the lungs during the course of the mycosis. The purpose of this work was to obtain bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from these patients to study the cytopathology, TNF levels and the oxidative and fungicidal response of alveolar macrophages (AMs) to in vitro incubation with recombinant IFN-gamma. To compare the lung and blood compartments, these determinations were also made in plasma and blood monocytes (BMs) obtained from the same patients. The cytopathology of BAL fluid revealed a predominance of macrophages, but with the presence of neurrophil exudation, and rare lymphocytes and epithelioid and giant cells. Comparison of the oxidative status and fungicidal activity of AMs and circulating BMs demonstrated that both cell types are highly activated for these two functions when compared to control cells. However, TNF levels were higher in BAL fluid than in plasma. The possible mechanisms involved in the hyperresponsiveness of cells from PCM patients are discussed. (C) 2003 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

Effect of reaction time on the particle size of ZnO and ZnO : Ce obtained by a sol-gel method

In this work particles of ZnO of size range 33-56 Angstrom were prepared by a sol-gel method. The effect of reaction time on the particle size of ZnO or ZnO:Ce was investigated by transmission electron microscopy measurements, UV-vis absorption and luminescence spectroscopy. A linear increase of the mean particle size is observed as a function of reaction time. The cerium-doped particles are bigger than the pure ZnO ones obtained at the same reaction time. A shift to lower energy at the maximum of the bands is observed in all absorption, emission and excitation spectra as a function of particle growth. From the absorption spectra the optical energy gap values (Eg) for these particles were determined. In the quantum size regime, Eg was found to decrease with particle growth.

Non-Linear Dielectric Properties of PLMN-PT Relaxor Ferroelectrics

Recent investigations on the non-linear (NL) dielectric properties of relaxor ferroelectrics systems, not only as ceramic bodies, but also, in thin films, have showed a significant technological and scientific interest. The most common practical applications of relaxors include multilayer capacitors and actuators. In this work, non-linear dielectric properties of hot-pressed (1-x)[Pb1 -(3/2) yLayMg1/3Nb2/3O3]-xPbTiO3 (PLMN-PT) ferroelectric ceramics were investigated. The NL properties were obtained by using the measurements of the dielectric permittivity of the material as a function of the AC electric field with variable amplitude in the frequency and temperature range of 100 Hz-1 MHz and 50-450 K, respectively. An anomalous behavior of the non-linear dielectric response was observed when submitted to high electric fields levels. The obtained results were analyzed concerning one of the models for the dielectric response of relaxors ferroelectrics materials currently discussed in the literature.

Electrical and Magnetic Characterization of BSCCO and YBCO HTS Tapes for Fault Current Limiter Application

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

Optimization of Radial Basis Function neural network employed for prediction of surface roughness in hard turning process using Taguchi's orthogonal arrays

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)