Composition and electronic structure of Zn7-xMxSb2O12 (M = Ni and Co) spinel compounds

The relation between the composition and electronic structure of the perfectly inverse spinel compound Zn7-xMxSb2O12 (M = Ni and Co) has been studied by powder X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Changes in the site occupancy are associated with shifts in the core levels as observed in the core level spectral analyses. The configuration of the density of states in the valence band due to the Co and Ni states can be observed in the valence band spectra. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Local and nanoscopic structure of potassium triflate-doped siloxane-polyoxyethylene ormolytes

Siloxane-poly(oxyethylene) hybrids obtained by the sol-gel process and containing short polymer chain have been doped with potassium triflate (KCF3SO3). The local structure of these hybrids was investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy near the potassium K-edge. Small angle X-ray scattering was used to determine the structure at the nanometer scale. Results revealed that at low and medium potassium concentration (n = [O][K] >= 8, where n represents the molar ratio of ether-type oxygen atoms per alkaline cation) the cations interact mainly with the polymer chains, while at larger doping level (n < 8) the formation of a polyehter:KCF3SO3 Complex is observed. The nanoscopic structure of the hybrids is also affected by doping. By increasing the doping level, decreasing trends in the electronic density contrast between siloxane nanoparticles and polyether matrix and in the siloxane interparticle distance are observed. At high doping level the small angle X-ray scattering patterns are strongly modified, showing the disappearance of the correlation peak and the formation of a potassium-containing nanophase. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Microhabitat and plant structure of Compsopogon coeruleus (Compsopogonaceae, Rhodophyta) populations in streams from São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil

Microhabitat distribution was investigated in three populations of C. coeruleus to determine the distributional patterns and their controlling factors, as well as morphometric adaptations to varying conditions on a scale of a few centimetres. Morphometric variations and their relations with physical variables (current velocity, irradiance, depth and type of substratum) revealed some particular characteristics for each population and indicate particular adaptations. However, some trends were clear: 1) larger plants (length and/or diameter) produced a higher quantity of monosporangia in the three populations; 2) plant length and diameter were positively correlated in two populations; 3) plant diameter was positively correlated with current velocity in two populations; 4) higher percent cover was associated with substrata composed of macrophytes in two populations. C. coeruleus occurred under relatively wide microhabitat conditions and had high niche width values, suggesting a tolerance to considerable variation in physical variables. These characteristics contribute to the species' wide distribution in Brazilian streams, both spatial (at distinct scales) and seasonal. (C) ADAC / Elsevier, Paris.

HERBIVORY AND ASSEMBLAGE STRUCTURE OF MYRMECOPHYTOUS UNDERSTORY PLANTS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED ANTS IN THE CENTRAL AMAZON

The species combinations of myrmecophytic plants were compared in three different, neighboring local central Amazon forest sites. The proportional contribution of myrmecophytes in each setting varied significantly, with Maieta guainensis being the most abundant in each locality. This pattern resulted in low site similarity values. Other recorded species were Hirtella physophora, Tachigalia myrmecophila, Duroia sp., Tococa sp., and Cordia nodosa. Little variability was found with respect to associated ants that inhabited the myrmecophytes, and mutual entropies indicated a high degree of mutualistic interactions. However, for the majority of myrmecophytes, no differences in herbivore damage levels could be attributed to the presence of ants, with only M. guianensis and T. myrmecophila demonstrating significantly lower damages when inhabited by ants. Their respective ant associates, Pheidole minitula and Pseudomyrmex concolor, were thus the only plant-ants with a demonstrable ability to reduce the levels of herbivory in their host plant.

SYNTHESIS AND CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF THE NOVEL CYCLOPALLADATED COMPLEX DI(MU,N-S-ETA(2)-QUINOLINE-2-THIOLATE)-BIS[(N,N-DIMETHYLBENZYLAMINE-C(2),N) PALLADIUM(II)]

The compound di(mu,N-Seta2-2-quinoline-2-thiolate)-bis[(N,N-dimethylbenzylamine-C2,N)palladium(II)] was synthesized and studied by IR, NMR and X-ray diffraction: monoclinic, a = 20.138(3), b = 10.831(1), c = 14.973(2) angstrom, beta = 98.04(1)-degrees, Z = 4, space group P2(1)/c, R = 0.032. The compound is dimeric with the two [Pd(N,N-dimethylbenzylamine)]moieties being connected by the two vicinal bridging eta2-N,S-quinoline-2-thiolate anions in a square-planar coordination geometry for the palladium atoms.

Relationship between Crystal Shape, Photoluminescence, and Local Structure in SrTiO3 Synthesized by Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Method

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Electronic spectra, ESR and crystal structure of tetrahedral halocuprates(II). The existence of cations (2tbpo·H+) with a very short hydrogen bond

Two compounds [2tbpo·H+)2[CuCl4]= (yellow) and (2tbpo·H+)2[CuBr4]= (dark purple) (tbpo = tribenzylphosphine oxide) have been prepared and investigated by means of crystal structure, electronic, vibrational and ESR spectra. The crystal structure of the (2tbpo·H+)2[CuCl4]= complex was determined by three-dimensional X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the space group P42/n with unit-cell dimensions a = 19.585(2), c = 9.883(1)Å, V = 3790 (1)Å3, Z = 2, Dm = 1.303 (flotation) Dx = 1.302 Mg m-3. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by blocked full-matrix least-squares to R = 0.053 for 2583 observed reflections. Cu(II) is coordinated to four chlorides in a tetrahedral arrangement. Tribenzylphosphine oxide molecules, related by a centre of inversion, are connected by a short hydrogen bridge. Chemical analysis, electronic and vibrational spectra showed that the bromide compound is similar to the chloride one and can be formulated as (2tbpo·H+)2[CuBr4]=. The position of the dd transition bands, the charge transfer bands, the ESR and the vibrational spectra of both complexes are discussed. The results are compared with analogous complexes cited in the literature. © 1983.

Infrared finite gluon propagator and the structure of chiral symmetry breaking

We study the chiral symmetry breaking in QCD, using an effective potential for composite operators, with infrared finite gluon propagators that have been found by numerical calculation of the Schwinger-Dyson equations as well as in lattice simulations. The existence of a gluon propagator that is finite at k2 = 0 modifies substantially the transition between the phases with and without chiral symmetry.

Microhabitat and plant structure of Batrachospermum (Batrachospermales, Rhodophyta) populations in four streams of São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil

Microhabitat and plant structure of seven Batrachospermum populations (four of Batrachospermum delicatulum (= Sirodotia delicatula), one of Batrachospermum macrosporum and two of the 'Chantransia' stage), including the influence of physical variables (current velocity, depth, irradiance and substratum), were investigated in four streams of São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil. The populations of B. delicatulum and the 'Chantransia' stage occurred under very diverse microhabitat conditions, which probably contributes to their wide spatial and seasonal distribution in Brazilian streams. Results suggest branch reconfiguration as a probable mechanism of adaptation to current velocity based on the occurrence of: (i) B. macrosporum (a large mucilaginous form with presumably little ability for branch reconfiguration) under lower current velocity than B. delicatulum; (ii) only dense plants in populations with high current velocities (> 60 cm s-1), whereas 53-77% of dense plants were seen in populations exposed to lower currents (< 40 cm s-1); (iii) positive correlations of plant length with internode length in populations under low current velocities and negative correlation in a population with high velocity (132 cm s-1); and (iv) negative correlations of current velocity with plant diameter and internode length in a population under high flow. This study, involving mainly dioecious populations, revealed that B. delicatulum displayed higher fertilization rates than B. macrosporum. A complementary explanation for a dioecious species to increase fertilization success was proposed consisting of outcrossing among intermingled male and female adjacent plants within an algal spot.

Foraging, diet and community structure in an epigaeic ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) assemblage: the role of recruitment

The significance of recruitment systems for community structure of epigaeic ants in a tropical upland forest in southern Brazil was evaluated by examining patterns of spatial occurrence at fixed points. Normal exploratory activity was evaluated with pitfall traps, while the effect of recruitment and diet was evaluated by using honey and sardine baits at the same points. Through techniques developed for environmental impact assessment, the significance of recruitment was evaluated following perturbation, or the placement of bait. Of the 46 species encountered, 15 were sufficiently frequent to study. Of these, only 6 showed significant spatial frequency changes at baits when compared with pitfall trap collections. In one analysis, monthly differences were important for a few smaller species, suggesting thermic limitations, while bait types either increased or decreased spatial point usage. The magnitude of spatial point variation is an index for the strength of recruitment in community organization. Bait types suggest nutritional possibilities of each species. Both recruitment and diet are probably functions of the species composition of the ant community.

Gravity Data and Crustal Structure of North-Central Brazil

The Bouguer gravity anomaly of the northwest Ceará state in north-central Brazil was separated into its regional and residual components which were interpreted separately. By assuming that the sources of the regional anomalies are the depth variations of the crust-mantle interface, the mapping of these variations permited identifying crustal thickening zones which may be related to regional structures. The gravity residual sources coincide with occurrences of high-grade rocks (granulites) associated to medium-grade gneisses. Besides, the major strike-slip zones present significant signatures in the gravity data. This geophysical interpretation is compatible with the interpretation that the tectonic framework of the area is related to two crustal blocks conjoined by an A-type suture. The blocks are displaced along an oblique ramp with dextral movement, which played an important role in uplifting high-grade rocks from the lower crust to upper crustal levels. The suture zone corresponds to an imbricated compressive system dipping to the east and complicated by late dextral strike-slip shear zones.

Crystal, Molecular, and Electronic Structure of 1-Acetyl-indoline and Derivatives

The crystal and molecular structures of the following molecules have been determined: 1-acetyl-indoline, 1-acetyl-5-nitro-indoline, 1-acetyl-5-nitro-7-bromo-indoline, 1-acetyl-5-bromo-7-nitro-indoline, and 1-acetyl-5-bromo-7-nitro-indol. Molecular orbital calculations are performed for these compounds and two related species.

Morphological aspects of the capybara stomach (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris): Gross and microscopic structure

The digestive system of the capybara has been investigated because of its coprofagia habits, important for their absorptive activity. These species present differences in terms of gastrointestinal morphological characters when compared with other rodents. Macroscopiclly, the stomach of the capybara is constituted of the following parts: cardiac, pyloric, body, fundic and gastric diverticulum. It presents two curvatures, one big and another small. Externally, the presence of gastric bands (tenias) is observed. With regards to the volumetric view, the gastric capacity varies from 850 to 2010 ml, with an average of 1498.57 ml. So, the stomach of this animal can be classified as a simple stomach, in the format of a curved sack and similar to an inverted letter 'J'. The gastric mucous membrane presents a surface filled by numerous tortuous gastric folds and longitudinally distributed along all its extension. The mucous tunic also possesses recesses located among the successive gastric folds, which were denoted as gastric parts with numerous openings described as gastric pits. In the cardiac part, a glandular epithelium with cardiac glands is noticed containing a lot of parietal and mucous neck cells. The fundic part, body and gastric diverticulum contain proper gastric glands with main, parietal and mucous neck cells. Finally, the pyloric part has pyloric glands with two cellular types, mucous neck and parietal cells.

External and internal structure of Atta bisphaerica Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) nests

This work was carried out to determine the internal and external structures of Atta bisphaerica (Forel) nests. Six nests were excavated and during excavation, all data referring to chambers and tunnels were recorded. Three nests had been internally cement-moulded, which enabled a better view of the chamber and tunnel structures. Atta bisphaerica nests presented a similar structural pattern, varying only in the number of chambers as a function of external mound area. Chambers were spherical with two communication tunnels. Internal tunnels had an elliptical section, sometimes circular, indirectly linked to chambers through ramifications and directly through short tunnels. Entrance holes were linked to the area of highest chamber concentration by tunnels from the elliptical section, which led to the nest in a radial manner. Knowledge of the colony's three-dimensional architecture permits successful application of chemical control processes, reduces the quantity of product applied, and consequently diminishes costs and environmental damage.

The influence of fruit morphology and habitat structure on ant-seed interactions: A study with artificial fruits

Artificial fruits designed to simulate lipid-rich non-myrecochorous diaspores were used to test for the effect of fruit morphology and habitat structure on ant-seed interactions in an Atlantic Forest site in SE Brazil. The outcome of the interaction (i.e., if the fruit was removed, cleaned by ants on the spot or had no interaction with ants) and the time of ant response were the investigated variables. Models simulating drupes and arilate diaspores were used to test for morphological effects and four habitat attributes (litter depth, number of logs, number of trees, and percentage of bromeliad coverage on the forest floor), likely to be correlated with the ant diversity and abundance in the study site, were measured to test for the effect of habitat structure. The proportion of fruits removed or cleaned did not differ between the two morphological models. Sites in which fruits were cleaned had more trees than those in which no interaction occurred. This may be a result of the foraging behavior of arboreal ants that frequently descend to the forest floor to exploit fleshy diaspores. Sites in which model removal occurred had lower litter depth than both those in which models were cleaned and those in which no interaction occurred. A negative correlation was observed between litter depth and ant response time. Accumulation of leaf litter at a given point may have constrained the movements of large ants in general, and ponerine ants (that are important seed removers) in particular. We conclude that that local pattern in litter depth and tree density influence the frequency and outcome of interactions between ants and non-myrmecochorous, fleshy diaspores.