Paleomagnetic data and K-Ar ages from Mesozoic units of the Santa Marta massif: A preliminary interpretation for block rotation and translations

We report 6 K-Ar ages and paleomagnetic data from 28 sites collected in Jurassic, Lower Cretaceous and Paleocene rocks of the Santa Marta massif, to test previous hypothesis of rotations and translations of this massif, whose rock assemblage differs from other basement-cored ranges adjacent to the Guyana margin. Three magnetic components were identified in this study. A first component has a direction parallel to the present magnetic field and was uncovered in all units (D 352, I = 25.6, k = 57.35, a95 = 5.3, N = 12). A second component was isolated in Cretaceous limestone and Jurassic volcaniclastic rocks (D = 8.8, I = 8.3, k = 24.71, a95 = 13.7, N = 6), and it was interpreted as of Early Cretaceous age. In Jurassic sites with this component, Early Cretaceous K-Ar ages obtained from this and previous studies are interpreted as reset ages. The third component was uncovered in eight sites of Jurassic volcaniclastic rocks, and its direction indicates negative shallow to moderate inclinations and northeastward declinations. K-Ar ages in these sites are of Early (196.5 +/- 4.9 Ma) to early Late Jurassic age (156.6 +/- 8.9 Ma). Due to local structural complexity and too few Cretaceous outcrops to perform a reliable unconformity test, we only used two sites with (1) K-Ar ages, (2) less structural complexity, and (3) reliable structural data for Jurassic and Cretaceous rocks. The mean direction of the Jurassic component is (D = 20.4, I = -18.2, k = 46.9, a95 = 5.1, n = 18 specimens from two sites). These paleomagnetic data support previous models of northward along-margin translations of Grenvillian-cored massifs. Additionally, clockwise vertical-axis rotation of this massif, with respect to the stable craton, is also documented; the sense of rotation is similar to that proposed for the Perija Range and other ranges of the southern Caribbean margin. More data is needed to confirm the magnitudes of rotations and translations. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

U-Pb zircon and (40)Ar-(39)Ar K-feldspar dating of syn-sedimentary volcanism of the Neoproterozoic Marica Formation: constraining the age of foreland basin inception and inversion in the Camaqua Basin of southern Brazil

New U-Pb zircon and (40)Ar-(39)Ar K-feldspar data are presented for syn-sedimentary volcanogenic rocks from the Neoproterozoic Marica Formation, located in the southern Brazilian shield. Seven (of nine) U-Pb sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe analyses of zircons from pyroclastic cobbles yield an age of 630.2 +/- 3.4 Ma (2 sigma), interpreted as the age of syn-sedimentary volcanism, and thus of the deposition itself. This result indicates that the Marica Formation was deposited during the main collisional phase (640-620 Ma) of the Brasiliano II orogenic system, probably as a forebulge or back-bulge, craton-derived foreland succession. Thus, this unit is possibly correlative of younger portions of the Porongos, Brusque, Passo Feio, Abapa (Itaiacoca) and Lavalleja (Fuente del Puma) metamorphic complexes. Well-defined, step-heating (40)Ar-(39)Ar K-feldspar plateau ages obtained from volcanogenic beds and pyroclastic cobbles of the lower and upper successions of the Marica Formation yielded 507.3 +/- 1.8 Ma and 506.7 +/- 1.4 Ma (2 sigma), respectively. These data are interpreted to reflect total isotopic resetting during deep burial and thermal effects related to magmatic events. Late Middle Cambrian cooling below ca. 200 degrees C, probably related to uplift, is tentatively associated with intraplate effects of the Rio Doce and/or Pampean orogenies (Brasiliano III system). In the southern Brazilian shield, these intraplate stresses are possibly related to the dominantly extensional opening of a rift or a pull-apart basin, where sedimentary rocks of the Camaqua Group (Santa Barbara and Guaritas Formations) accumulated.

Word of mouth marketing in the digital age: a case study analysis of viral marketing campaigns

A era digital viu a ascensão da empresa focada no consumidor. Todos os dias, marcas e produtos são objeto de milhões de conversas em que os consumidores trocam pontos de vista, opiniões e informações antes de tomar a decisão de compra. Os profissionais de marketing entenderam a importância do boca a boca como um novo canal de comunicação estratégica e começaram a ancorar técnicas de boca a boca à estratégia de marketing global. A propaganda tornou-se um negócio de conversa: o novo desafio do marketing é criar um conteúdo envolvente e compartilhável que possa expandir e ressoar dentro de redes de sociais de consumidores. Quanto mais as pessoas falam sobre a sua marca, mais a probabilidade de ganhar a competição dura e aumentar as vendas. Mas como o boca a boca funciona? O que faz uma campanha de marketing um sucesso viral? Este trabalho tem como objetivo fornecer uma análise abrangente da teoria de marketing de boca a boca e usa um modelo descritivo para investigar as variáveis-chave de campanhas bem-sucedidas de marketing viral, a fim de proporcionar insights e sugestões para as práticas de marketing viral.

Effect of age and genetic group on characteristics of the scrotum, testes and testicular vascular cones, and on sperm production and semen quality in AI bulls in Brazil

The objectives were to determine the effects of age and genetic group on characteristics of the scrotum, testes and testicular vascular cones (TVC), and on sperm production and semen quality in 107 Bos indicus, B, taurus and cross-bred bulls at three artificial insemination (AI) centers in Brazil. In addition, predictors of sperm production and semen quality were identified. In general, scrotal circumference (SC), scrotal shape score, scrotal neck perimeter, and testicular size (length, width and volume) increased (P < 0.05) with age. Although there were no significant differences among genetic groups for SC or testicular size, B. indicus bulls had the least pendulous scrotal shape, the shortest scrotal neck length, and the greatest scrotal neck perimeter (P < 0.05). Fat covering the TVC was thinner (P < 0.05) in bulls <= 36 months of age and in B. taunts bulls than in older bulls and B. indicus bulls, respectively. Age and genetic group did not affect testicular ultrasonic echotexture. B. indicus bulls tended (P < 0.1) to have the lowest average scrotal surface temperature (SST). In general, ejaculate volume, total number of spermatozoa and number of viable spermatozoa increased (P < 0.05) with age. However, there was no significant effect of age on sperm concentration, motility, major and total defects. The proportion of spermatozoa with minor defects was highest (P < 0.05) in bulls 37-60 months of age. B. indicus bulls had higher (P < 0.01) sperm concentration, total number of spermatozoa and number of viable spermatozoa than B. taunts bulls, with intermediate values for cross-bred bulls. Increased sperm production was associated with increased testicular volume, SC, TVC fat cover, and SST top-to-bottom gradient. Decreased semen quality was associated with increased SC and bottom SST, and decreased scrotal shape, scrotal neck perimeter and vascular cone diameter. In summary, age and genetic group affected the characteristics of the scrotum, testes, and TVC, sperm production and semen quality. In addition, characteristics of the scrotum, testes and TVC were associated with sperm production and semen quality in bulls and could be assessed for breeding soundness evaluation. (c) 2002 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of photodynamic therapy on the healing of cutaneous third-degree-burn: histological study in rats

The aim of this study was to conduct a histological assessment of the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on the repairing of third-degree-burn wounds made on the backs of rats with a heated scalpel. Ninety-six rats were divided into groups: G1, control (n = 24), cold scalpel; G2, burned, heated scalpel (n = 24); G3, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) (n = 24), on burns; and G4, photodynamic therapy (PDT) (n = 24), toluidine-O blue (100 A mu g/ml) and LLLT treatment on burns. The laser (685 nm) was applied in continuous mode, 50 mW, 4.5 J/cm(2), contact mode at nine points (9 s/point). Eight animals in each group were killed at 3 days, 7 days or 14 days after surgery, and tissue specimens containing the whole wounded area were removed and processed for histological analysis; the results were statistically analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests (P < 0.05). The results demonstrated significant differences between G2 and G3, and between G2 and G4, at both 3 days and 7 days, with regard to acute inflammation scores; G1 and G2 showed significant differences when compared with G4 at 3 days, with regard to neo-angiogenesis scores; G1 and G2 were statistically different from G3 and G4 at both 3 days and 7 days, with regard to re-epithelization scores; G2 showed statistically significant differences when compared with G3 and G4 with regard to collagen fiber scores at 7 days. LLLT and PDT acted as a biostimulating coadjuvant agent, balancing the undesirable effect of the burn on the wound healing process, acting mainly in the early healing stages, hastening inflammation and increasing collagen deposition.

Relationship Between the Prevalence of the Dentigerous Cyst and the Odontogenic Keratocyst Tumor and the Current Etiologic Hypothesis

Cysts are considered as nonneoplastic benign lesions that, when present for a long period of time, can cause some discomfort, especially related to the treatment form. Among the types of cysts of the maxilla, the dentigerous cyst (DC) presents substances between the dental follicle and the crown of the tooth with high potential for resorption, and the odontogenic keratocyst tumor (OKT) characterizes for its noticed rapid growth pattern and the possibility to develop carcinomas in the lesion wall. The DC is the most common type among the developing odontogenic cystic lesions, while the OKT represents 10% of these lesions. The prevalence of the OKT found in the current study was superior to the DC, opposing data of the evaluated literature, as well as the predominance in relation to the age group. Dentigerous cyst cases were found mostly in younger individuals, whereas the OKT was observed mainly in individuals between the third and fourth decades of life. This fact reflects the fragility of these features while establishing the presumptive diagnosis and insinuates the strong relation with a probable genetic predisposition. In relation to sex and race, the findings in this article were similar to those found in the literature, highlighting the possibility of a hormonal involvement. However, the anatomopathologic examination remains essential to define the main diagnosis of the lesions observed by means of imaging examinations, providing for safer diagnoses to plan the treatment.

Age and growth of the Scalloped Hammerhead shark, Sphyrna lewini (Griffith and Smith, 1834), from the southern Brazilian coast

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

Colony defense behavior of the primitively eusocial wasp, Mischocyttarus cerberus is related to age

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

Antimicrobial activity of Calendula officinalis, Camellia sinensis and chlorhexidine against the adherence of microorganisms to sutures after extraction of unerupted third molars

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the antimicrobial effect of mouthwashes containing Calendula officinalis L., Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze and 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate on the adherence of microorganisms to suture materials after extraction of unerupted third molars. Material and Methods: Eighteen patients with unerupted maxillary third molars indicated for extraction were selected (n=6 per mouthwash). First, the patients were subjected to extraction of the left tooth and instructed not to use any type of antiseptic solution at the site of surgery (control group). After 15 days, the right tooth was extracted and the patients were instructed to use the Calendula officinalis, Camellia sinensis or chlorhexidine mouthwash during 1 week (experimental group). For each surgery, the sutures were removed on postoperative day 7 and placed in sterile phosphate-buffered saline. Next, serial dilutions were prepared and seeded onto different culture media for the growth of the following microorganisms: blood agar for total microorganism growth; Mitis Salivarius bacitracin sucrose agar for mutans group streptococci; mannitol agar for Staphylococcus spp.; MacConkey agar for enterobacteria and Pseudomonas spp., and Sabouraud dextrose agar containing chloramphenicol for Candida spp. The plates were incubated during 24-48 h at 37 degrees C for microorganism count (CFU/nnL). Results: The three mouthwashes tested reduced the number of microorganisms adhered to the sutures compared to the control group. However, significant differences between the control and experimental groups were only observed for the mouthwash containing 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate. Conclusions: Calendula officinalis L. and Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze presented antimicrobial activity against the adherence of microorganisms to sutures but were not as efficient as chlorhexidine digluconate.

The origin of the first and third generation fermion massesin a technicolor scenario

We argue that the masses of the first and third fermionic generations, which are respectively of the order of a few MeV up to a hundred GeV, originate from a dynamical symmetry breaking mechanism leading to masses of the order alphamu, where alpha is a small coupling constant, and mu, in the case of the first fermionic generation, is the scale of the dynamical quark mass (approximate to250 MeV). For the third fermion generation mu is the value of the dynamical techniquark mass (approximate to250 GeV). We discuss how this possibility can be implemented in a technicolor scenario, and how the mass of the intermediate generation is generated.

Age, growth and yield per recruit analysis of the pintado Pseudoplatystoma corruscans (Agassiz, 1829) in the Cuiabá River basin, Pantanal Matogrossense, Brazil

A idade e o crescimento do pintado Pseudoplatystoma corruscans foram estudados durante o período de maio de 1994 a maio de 1995. O comprimento-padrão variou de 52 a 145 cm e o peso total, de 1,3 a 41 kg. As relações biométricas entre comprimento-padrão (Ls) e comprimento total (Ltotal) e entre peso total (Wt) e comprimento-padrão (Ls) foram obtidas, sendo, respectivamente: Ltotal = 3,296 + 1,069 * Ls e Wt = 0,00624 * Ls3,134. O fator de condição, calculado mensalmente, sugere que a desova ocorreu entre os meses de fevereiro e março. A idade foi estimada pela contagem de anéis de crescimento presentes nos raios modificados (esporão) das nadadeiras peitorais, detectando 10 classes etárias. A distância média do último anel até a borda do esporão sugere que o período de menor crescimento ocorreu entre julho e setembro (seca). A equação de von Bertalaffy que descreve o crescimento do pintado é: Lt = 183 * [1 - exp - 0,085 * (t + 3,274)]. A mortalidade total obtida foi Z = 0,24 ano-1 e a mortalidade natural M = 0,20 ano-1. Com o presente nível de explotação, F = Z - M = 0,04 ano-1, conclui-se que o estoque do pintado ainda não estava sobrexplotado na bacia do rio Cuiabá, Pantanal Matogrossense, na época em que foi realizado o estudo.