Study of the dielectric and ferroelectric properties of chemically processed BaxSr1-xTiO3 thin films

Polycrystalline BaxSr1-xTiO3 (x = 0.4 and 0.8) thin films with a perovskite structure were prepared by the polymeric precursor method on a platinum-coated silicon substrate. High-quality thin films with uniform composition and thickness were successfully produced by dip-coating and spin-coating techniques. The resulting thin films prepared by dip and spin-coating showed a well-developed dense polycrystalline structure with uniform grain size distribution. The metal-BST-metal structure of the thin films displays good dielectric and ferroelectric properties. The ferroelectric nature to BaxSr1-xTiO3 (x = 0.8) thin film, indicated by butterfly-shaped C-V curves and confirmed by the hysteresis curve, showed 2P(r) = 5.0 muC/cm(2) and E-c = 20 kV/cm. The capacitance-frequency curve reveals that the dielectric constant may reach a value of up to 794 at 1 kHz. on the other hand, the BaxSr1-xTiO3 (x = 0.4) thin films had paraelectric nature and dielectric constant and the dissipation factor at a frequency of 100 kHz were 680 and 0.01, respectively, for film annealed at 700 degreesC. In addition, an examination of the film's I-V curve at room temperature revealed the presence of two conduction regions in the BaxSr1-xTiO3 (x = 0.4 and 0.8) thin films, showing ohmic-like behavior at low voltage and a Schottky-emission or Poole-Frenkel mechanism at high voltage. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

AC impedance study of Ni, Fe, Cu, Mn doped ceria stabilized zirconia ceramics

Doped zirconia has been used in electronic applications in the cubic crystalline phase. Ceria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia presents high toughness and can also be applied as solid electrolytes. The tetragonal phase of zirconia can be stabilized at room temperature with ceria in a broad range of composition. However, CeO2-ZrO2 has low sinterability. so it is important to investigate the effect of sintering dopants. In this study the effect of iron, copper. manganese and nickel was investigated. The dopants such as iron and copper lowered the sintering temperature from 1600 degreesC down to 1450 degreesC, with a percentage of tetragonal phase retained at room temperature higher than 98% and also with an increase of the electrical conductivity. The electrical conductivity was measured using impedance spectroscopy. The grain boundary contribution was determined and the activation energy associated with the ionic conduction was 1.04 eV. The dopants can also promote a grain boundary cleanliness verified by blocking effect measurement. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Variations in tree community composition and structure in a fragment of tropical semideciduous forest in southeastern Brazil related to different human disturbance histories

In an area of tropical seasonal semideciduous forest, the soil characteristics, floristic composition, physiognomic structure, and the distribution of three regeneration and three dispersal guilds were studied for four stands within the forest that had documented histories of varying degrees of human disturbance. The aim was to study forest regeneration in areas of preserved forest and secondary forest, with parts of both types of forest experiencing either 'intensive' or 'occasional' cattle trampling. The study was carried out in the Sebastiao Aleixo da Silva Ecological Station, Bauru, São Paulo State, Brazil. Two stands were called 'secondary' because they corresponded to forest tracts that were felled and occupied by crops and pastures in the past and then abandoned to forest regeneration ca. 40 years before this study. The other two stands, called 'preserved', corresponded to areas of the fragment where the forest has been maintained with only minor human impacts. The arboreal component of the tree community (diameter at breast height or dbh greater than or equal to 5 cm) was sampled in 20 plots of 40 m x 40 m, and the subarboreal component (diameter at the base of the stem or dbs < 5 cm and height greater than or equal to 0.5 m) in subplots of 40 m x 2 m. Physiognomic features, such as canopy height and density of climbing plants, were registered all over a 5 m x 5 m gridline laid on the sample plots. Soil bulk samples were collected for chemical and textural analyses. Most detected differences contrasted the secondary to the preserved forest stands. The soils of the secondary stands showed higher proportions of sand and lower levels of mineral nutrients and organic matter than those of the preserved stands, probably due to higher losses by leaching and erosion. Compared to the secondary stands, the preserved ones had higher proportions of tall trees, higher mean canopy height, lower species diversity, higher abundance of autochorous and shade-tolerant climax species, and lower abundance of pioneer and light-demanding climax species. Despite the high proportion of species shared by the preserved and secondary stands (108 out of 139), they differed consistently in terms of density of the most abundant species. on the other hand, the secondary and preserved stands held similar values for tree density and basal area, suggesting that 40 years were enough to restore these features. Effects of cattle trampling on the vegetation were detected for the frequency of trees of anemochorous and zoochorous species, which were higher in the stands under occasional and intensive cattle trampling, respectively. The density of thin climbers was lower in the stands with intensive trampling. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of calcium pre-rinse and fluoride dentifrice on remineralisation of artificially demineralised enamel and on the composition of the dental biofilm formed in situ

Objective: This in situ blind crossover study investigated the effect of calcium (Ca) rinse prior to the use fluoride (F) dentifrice on remineralisation of artificially demineralised enamel and on the composition of biofilm. Design: During four phases of 14 days, 10 volunteers wore appliances containing two artificially demineralised bovine enamel blocks. Three times a day, they rinsed with 10 mL, of Ca (150 mM) or placebo rinse (1 min). A slurry (1:3, w/v) of F (1030 ppm) or placebo dentifrice was dripped onto the blocks. During I min, the volunteers brushed their teeth with the respective dentifrice. The appliance was replaced into the mouth and the volunteers rinsed with water. The biofilm formed on the blocks was analysed for F and Ca. Enamel alterations were evaluated by the percentage of surface microhardness change (%SMHC), cross-sectional microhardness (% mineral volume) and alkali-soluble F analysis. Data were analysed by ANOVA (p < 0.05). Results: the use of the Ca pre-rinse before the F dentifrice produced a six- and four-fold increase in biofilm F and Ca concentrations, respectively. For enamel, the remineralisation was significantly improved by the Ca pre-rinse when compared to the other treatments. There was a significantly higher concentration of alkali-soluble F in enamel when the F dentifrice was used, but the Ca pre-rinse did not have any significant additive effect. Conclusions: According to our protocol, the Ca pre-rinse significantly increased biofilm F concentration and, regardless the use of F dentifrice, significantly enhanced the remineralisation of artificially demineralised enamel. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Floristic composition of the tree stratum of a semideciduous mesophytic forest in the municipality of Jahu, SP, Brazil

A floristic study was carried out in an area of semideciduous mesophytic forest, lied in the municipality of Jahu, São Paulo State, Brazil. Due to the fact of the forest be crossed by three small rivers, for the sampling process, the forest was divided in two sampling areas: Area I (under the influence of the rivers) and Area II (without this influence). Differences in the abundance of some species between the two sampling areas were observed.

INFLUENCE OF DIETARY-PROTEIN INTAKE AND RECOMBINANT HUMAN SOMATOTROPIN ADMINISTRATION ON GROWTH AND BODY-COMPOSITION OF JUVENILE TAMBACU (A PIARACTUS-MESOPOTAMICUS X COLOSSOMA-MACROPOMUM CROSS)

This experiment was undertaken to study the interaction between level of dietary protein and recombinant human somatotropin (rhGH) administration on performance and body composition of juvenile tambacu (a crossbred Brazilian fish). A total of 72 juvenile tambacu, initially weighing and measuring (mean +/- s.e.m.) 23 +/- 2 g and 9 +/- 0.5 cm, respectively, were randomly divided into 18 groups of 4 fish each. Water temperature was 28 degrees C. Triplicate groups received one of two levels of dietary protein (15 and 30% as fed basis) and one of 3 doses of rhGH (0, 2 and 4 mu g/g) via intraperitoneal injection twice a week for 6 weeks, using a randomized complete block design. Somatotropin was noted to stimulate linear and body weight gain. The higher protein level supported increased growth in weight and length, but there was no interaction between protein level and rhGH dose for either parameter. Protein efficiency ratio and percentage protein deposited showed higher values on diets containing 15% protein. Somatotropin treatment did not significantly affect body composition, but there was a trend towards improved protein retention and reduced carcass lipid. In conclusion, the results of this experiment suggest that rhGH is able to stimulate linear gain in tambacu.

Influence of the addition of antioxidants in vivo on the fatty acid composition of fish fillets

In this study, the influence of the addition of antioxidants in vivo on the fatty acid composition of the flesh of a freshwater fish known as pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) is verified. Four groups (one being the control group) of juvenile pacu were cultured on isocaloric and isoproteic diets. The lipid source was soybean oil and diets were added with either 100 ppm of alpha-tocopheryl acetate, or 100 ppm of BHT or 1.4 g of rosemary extract (Herbalox(R))/kg diet. The fatty acid composition of the lipids of the different groups was determined before and after irradiation at 2 and 3 kGy, respectively, for the evaluation of the protective effects of the different antioxidants. Similarly, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were determined from irradiated and nonirradiated samples. The results showed that the use of antioxidants altered the fatty acid composition of the fillets. TEARS and irradiation confirmed their important role in protecting against lipid oxidation. Among all the antioxidants used, tocopherol was the most efficient, as shown by the highest percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), by the lowest values of TEARS and by the analyses of the individual fatty acid levels at different irradiation doses. Significant statistical differences were observed only in 17% of the fatty acids in the fillets of the groups. (C) 1999 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

A study of habitat fragmentation in Southeastern Brazil using remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS)

The purpose of this work was to study fragmentation of forest formations (mesophytic forest, riparian woodland and savannah vegetation (cerrado)) in a 15,774-ha study area located in the Municipal District of Botucatu in Southeastern Brazil (São Paulo State). A land use and land cover map was made from a color composition of a Landsat-5 thematic mapper (TM) image. The edge effect caused by habitat fragmentation was assessed by overlaying, on a geographic information system (GIS), the land use and land cover data with the spectral ratio. The degree of habitat fragmentation was analyzed by deriving: 1. mean patch area and perimeter; 2. patch number and density; 3. perimeter-area ratio, fractal dimension (D), and shape diversity index (SI); and 4. distance between patches and dispersion index (R). In addition, the following relationships were modeled: 1. distribution of natural vegetation patch sizes; 2. perimeter-area relationship and the number and area of natural vegetation patches; 3. edge effect caused by habitat fragmentation, the values of R indicated that savannah patches (R = 0.86) were aggregated while patches of natural vegetation as a whole (R = 1.02) were randomly dispersed in the landscape. There was a high frequency of small patches in the landscape whereas large patches were rare. In the perimeter-area relationship, there was no sign of scale distinction in the patch shapes, In the patch number-landscape area relationship, D, though apparently scale-dependent, tends to be constant as area increases. This phenomenon was correlated with the tendency to reach a constant density as the working scale was increased, on the edge effect analysis, the edge-center distance was properly estimated by a model in which the edge-center distance was considered a function of the to;al patch area and the SI. (C) 1997 Elsevier B.V. B.V.

Temporal distribution and composition of the ichthyoplankton from Leopoldo's Inlet on the Upper Parana River floodplain (Brazil)

Temporal distribution and composition of ichthyoplankton and their relationships with some environmental variables of Leopoldo's Inlet (Ressaco do Leopoldo) on the upper Parana River floodplain, southern Brazil, were analysed. Samples were taken from February 1991 to February 1992, and 3480 larvae were collected. The highest density of larvae was observed in November 1991 (36.79 larvae/ 10 m(3)) at night (night/day ratio 7: 1). Species composition showed a predominance of Characiformes (80%). There was a high density (4.28 larvae/10 m(3)) of Bryconamericus stramineus throughout almost the whole study period, the majority of the species were more frequently collected at night. Pearson's correlation indicated a relationship between larval density, temperature, and pluviometric index. Leopoldo's Inlet, whose ichthyofauna is mainly composed of grazing and resident species. shows favourable conditions for fish reproduction and development.

Study of electrical, chemical and structural characteristics of superconductor thin film obtained by polymeric precursors method

Superconductor films of the BSCCO system have been grown by dip coating technique with good success. The chemical method allows us to grow high temperature superconductor thin films to get better control of stoichiometry, large areas and is cheaper than other methods. There is a great technological interest in growth oriented superconductor films due anisotropic characteristics of superconductor materials of high critical temperature, specifically the cuprates, as we know that the orientation may increase the electrical transport properties. Based on this, the polymeric precursor method has been used to obtain thin films of the BSCCO system. In this work we have applied that method together with the deposition technique known as dip coating to obtain Bi-based superconductor thin films, specifically, Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2.0C2.0Cu3.0Ox+8, also known as 2223 phase with a critical temperature around 110 K. The films with multilayers have been grown on crystalline substrates of LaAlO3 and orientated (100) after being heat treated around 790 degrees C - 820 degrees C in lapse time of 1 hour in a controlled atmosphere. XRD measurements have shown the presence of a crystalline phase 2212 with a critical temperature around 85 K with (001) orientation, as well as a small fraction of 2223 phase. SEM has shown a low uniformity and some cracks that maybe related to the applied heat treatment. WDS has also been used to study the films composition. Different heat treatments have been used with the aim to increase the percentage of 2223 phase. Measurements of resistivity confirmed the presence of at least two crystalline phases, 2212 and 2223, with T-c around 85 K and 110 K, respectively.

Precipitation chemistry in semi-arid areas of Southern Africa: A case study of a rural and an industrial site

Experimental data on the precipitation chemistry in the semi-arid savanna of South Africa is presented in this paper. A total of 901 rainwater samples were collected with automatic wet-only samplers at a rural site, Louis Trichardt, and at an industrial site, Amersfoort, from July 1986 to June 1999. The chemical composition of precipitation was analysed for seven inorganic and two organic ions, using ion chromatography. The most abundant ion was SO(4)(2-) and a large proportion of the precipitation is acidic, with 98% of samples at Amersfoort and 94% at Louis Trichardt having a pH below 5.6 ( average pH of 4.4 and 4.9, respectively). This acidity results from a mixture of mineral and organic acids, with mineral acids being the primary contributors to the precipitation acidity in Amersfoort, while at Louis Trichardt, organic and mineral acids contribute equal amounts of acidity. It was found that the composition of rainwater is controlled by five sources: marine, terrigenous, nitrogenous, biomass burning and anthropogenic sources. The relative contributions of these sources at the two sites were calculated. Anthropogenic sources dominate at Amersfoort and biomass burning at Louis Trichardt. Most ions exhibit a seasonal pattern at Louis Trichardt, with the highest concentrations occurring during the austral spring as a result of agricultural activities and biomass combustion, while at Amersfoort it is less pronounced due to the dominance of relatively constant industrial emissions. The results are compared to observations from other African regions.

Chemical composition and tenderness of longissimus dorsi muscle from non- castrated Murrah buffaloes slaughtered at different weights

Buffalo meat production has been arising interest breeder and emerges as alternative to consumer, more and more demanding of the quality products. Thus, this research was conducted to study the chemical composition and tenderness of Longissimus dorsi muscle from 10 non-castrated Murrah buffaloes slaughtered at different weights. The research was carried in feedlot of School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil. Animals were divided in two groups, received diet ad libitum and slaughtered when reached 450 and 500 kg of live weight. The experiment design was completely randomized, with five repetitions to each treatment. Meat sample from Longissimus dorsi muscle, taken between 12(th) and 13(th) ribs, were carried analysis of moisture, crude protein, fat, ash, Longissimus muscle area (LMA), fat thickness (FT), marbling, calorie and tenderness. It did not have significant difference between the groups. Average values at of 76.0; 20.7; 2.1 and 1.2 of moisture, crude protein, fat and ash respectively, were obtained. Calorie, tenderness, LMA, FT and marbling were obtained at average values of 132 kca1/100g; 3.94 kgf; 34.2 cm(2); 5.9 mm and 2 points, respectively. Values obtained for tenderness are similar in the literature and has been proving that buffalo meat is tender (< 5kgf). Positive correlation was observed between the protein percentage and the shear force of the meat. The buffalo meat is excellent alternative source of red protein of high biological value to feeding of Brazilian consumers.

NMR structural study on the As-P-S glassy system

Glasses having the composition As2S3(1-x)-P2S5(x) with x ranging from 0 to 0.7 have been investigated to determine the compositional effect on properties and local structure. Glass transition temperature (T,) decreases and molar volume (V,,) increases with an increase in P content. Using P-31 NMR, we measured the strength of the P-31-P-31 magnetic dipolar interaction in the glass samples and the AsPS4 crystallized phase. Based on these data, we observed the formation of the As2P2S8 network, which reflects an increase in the average coordination number and a decrease in the degree of rigidity.

NMR study of ion-conducting organic-inorganic nanocomposites poly(ethylene glycol) - Silica - LiClO4

Hybrid organic-inorganic ionic conductors, also called ormolytes, were obtained by dissolution of LiClO4 into silica/poly(ethylene glycol) matrices. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to probe the inorganic phase structure (Si-29) and the effects of the temperature and composition on the dynamic behavior of the ionic species (Li-7) and the polymer chains (H-1 and C-13). The NMR results between -100 and +90 degrees C show a strong correlation with ionic conductivity and differential scanning calorimetry experiments. The results also demonstrate that the cation mobility is assisted by segmental motion of the polymer, which is in agreement with the results previously reported for pure poly(ethylene oxide), PEG, electrolytes.