Two new species of Diaptomidae (Crustacea: Copepoda: Calanoida) from the Neotropical Region (Paraná River)

Two new species of Diaptomidae were found in the Middle Paraná River. The new species are referred to as Diaptomus curvatus sp. nov. and Diaptomus frutosae sp. nov. Important character states in Diaptomus curvatus include: right fifth leg with a well-developed endopod and with the lateral spine of the second exopod segment curved and longer than the segment on which it is inserted, plus the presence of a large dorsal process on urosomite 4 of the male. For Diaptomus frutosae they include: a differentiated hook-like process on segment 20 with chitinous protuberances at base of male right antennule; the last segment of the right leg 5 of male is triangular, and the lateral spine inserted distal to mid-level of this segment. Both species are placed in Diaptomus sensu lato as a temporary placement. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:FECDD6C4-C0AC-4043-ADDD-F29539B451F0. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Sealing ability of MTA used as a root end filling material: Effect of the sonic and ultrasonic condensation

Despite the excellent properties of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), the condensation technique may have some influence in its sealing ability. The purpose of this study was to compare the sealing ability of sonic and ultrasonic setting of MTA. Thirty-four extracted human teeth had their canals prepared and filled with Sealapex sealer and gutta-percha using the active lateral condensation technique. The teeth were rendered waterproof and apicoectomy performed at 3 mm from the apex. Root-end cavities (3.0 mm deep and 1.4 mm diameter) were prepared with diamond ultrasonic tips. The root-end cavities were filled with Pro-Root MTA® with ultrasonic vibration, sonic vibration or no vibration. The positive control group did not receive any material while the negative control group was totally rendered waterproof. After material set, the specimens were immersed in Rodhamine B for 24 h, under vacuum in the first 15 min, then washed, dried and split longitudinally for evaluating the infiltration at the dentin/material interface. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's tests at 5% significance level. Sonic vibration promoted the lowest infiltration values (p<0.05). It was concluded that sonic vibration could be considered an efficient aid to improve the sealing ability of MTA when used as root-end filling material.

Evaluation of the floral vasculature of the Janusia, Mascagnia and Tetrapterys species as a tool to explain the decrease of floral organs in Malpighiaceae

The family Malpighiaceae is considered monophyletic, but the intra-family classification is conflicting. Analyses of floral vasculature allow the identification of reductions, connations and adnations and can even reveal evolutionary steps prior to current floral morphology. The present work analysed the floral vasculature of Janusia mediterranea, Mascagnia cordifolia and Tetrapterys chamaecerasifolia using material processed by traditional methods for light microscopy. A general pattern was observed of three bundle traces supplying each sepal and one trace per petal and stamen; Mascagnia is an exception, as its eglandular sepal has only a median trace but shares lateral traces with adjacent sepals. No dorsal traces are emitted to the carpels; however, three intercarpellary complexes are emitted that divide into six ventral bundles, supplying the ovule. Mascagnia demonstrates connation between the anterior and adjacent sepal glands; reductions of the anterior sepal glands were registered in Tetrapterys and Janusia. This work reveals two distinct processes for gland loss in non-related groups of the family that resulted in similar present appearances. Our evaluation of the number of calyx glands and the processes of glandular loss in species with less than ten glands improves our understanding of the evolution of calyx glands in Malpighiaceae. © 2013 Elsevier GmbH.

Lower Permian stems as fluvial paleocurrent indicators of the Parnaíba Basin, northern Brazil

A comprehensive biostratinomic study was carried out with abundant stems from the Lower Permian Motuca Formation of the intracratonic Parnaíba Basin, central-north Brazil. The fossils represent a rare tropical to subtropical paleofloristic record in north Gondwana. Tree ferns dominate the assemblages (mainly Tietea, secondarily Psaronius), followed by gymnosperms, sphenophytes, other ferns and rare lycophytes. They are silica-permineralized, commonly reach 4 m length (exceptionally more than 10 m), lie loosely on the ground or are embedded in the original sandstone or siltstone matrix, and attract particular attention because of their frequent parallel attitudes. Many tree fern stems present the original straight cylindrical to slightly conical forms, other are somewhat flattened, and the gymnosperm stems are usually more irregular. Measurements of stem orientations and dimensions were made in three sites approximately aligned in a W-E direction in a distance of 27.3 km at the conservation unit Tocantins Fossil Trees Natural Monument In the eastern site, rose diagrams for 54 stems indicate a relatively narrow azimuthal range to SE. These stems commonly present attached basal bulbous root mantles and thin cylindrical sandstone envelopes, which sometimes hold, almost adjacent to the lateral stem surface, permineralized fern pinnae and other small plant fragments. In the more central site, 82 measured stems are preferentially oriented in the SW-NE direction, the proportion of gymnosperms is higher and cross-stratification sets of sandstones indicate paleocurrents mainly to NE and secondarily to SE. In the western site, most of the 42 measured stems lie in E-W positions. The predominantly sandy succession, where the fossil stems are best represented, evidences a braided fluvial system under semiarid conditions. The low plant diversity, some xeromorphic features and the supposedly almost syndepositional silica impregnation of the plants are coherent with marked dry seasons. Thick mudstones and some coquinites below and above the sandy interval may represent lacustrine facies formed in probably more humid conditions. The taphonomic history of the preserved plants began with exceptional storms that caused fast-flowing high water in channels and far into the floodplains. In the eastern site region, many tree ferns only fell, thus sometimes covering and protecting plant litter and leaves from further fragmentation. Assemblages of the central and western sites suggest that the trees were uprooted and transported in suspension (floating) parallel to the flow. Heavier ends of stems (according to their form or because of attached basal bulbous root mantle or large apical fronds) were oriented to upstream because of inertial forces. During falling water stage, the stems were stranded on riverbanks, usually maintaining the previous transport orientation, and were slightly buried. The perpendicular or oblique positions of some stems may have been caused by interference with other stems or shallow bars. Rare observed stems were apparently waterlogged before the final depositional process and transported as bedload. The differences of interpreted channel orientations between the three sites are expected in a braided fluvial system, considering the very low gradients of the basin and the work scale in the order of tens of kilometers. The mean direction of the drainage probably was to east and the flows apparently became weaker downstream. This study seems to provide reliable data for paleocurrent interpretations, especially considering areas with scarce preserved sedimentary structures. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Influence of the implant diameter with different sizes of hexagon: Analysis by 3-dimensional finite element method

The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress distribution in implants of regular platforms and of wide diameter with different sizes of hexagon by the 3-dimensional finite element method. We used simulated 3-dimensional models with the aid of Solidworks 2006 and Rhinoceros 4.0 software for the design of the implant and abutment and the InVesalius software for the design of the bone. Each model represented a block of bone from the mandibular molar region with an implant 10 mm in length and different diameters. Model A was an implant 3.75 mm/regular hexagon, model B was an implant 5.00 mm/regular hexagon, and model C was an implant 5.00 mm/ expanded hexagon. A load of 200 N was applied in the axial, lateral, and oblique directions. At implant, applying the load (axial, lateral, and oblique), the 3 models presented stress concentration at the threads in the cervical and middle regions, and the stress was higher for model A. At the abutment, models A and B showed a similar stress distribution, concentrated at the cervical and middle third; model C showed the highest stresses. On the cortical bone, the stress was concentrated at the cervical region for the 3 models and was higher for model A. In the trabecular bone, the stresses were less intense and concentrated around the implant body, and were more intense for model A. Among the models of wide diameter (models B and C), model B (implant 5.00 mm/regular hexagon) was more favorable with regard to distribution of stresses. Model A (implant 3.75 mm/regular hexagon) showed the largest areas and the most intense stress, and model B (implant 5.00 mm/regular hexagon) showed a more favorable stress distribution. The highest stresses were observed in the application of lateral load.

High-resolution aquifer analog of fluvial-aeolian sediments of the Guarani aquifer system

The Guarani aquifer system (GAS) represents one of the biggest aquifers in the world and is the most relevant groundwater resource in South America. For the first time, by combining field and laboratory measurements, a high-resolution aquifer analog model of fluvial-aeolian sediments of the GAS in São Paulo State (Brazil) is constructed. Three parallel sections of frontal outcrops, 28 m × 5.8 m, and two parallel sections of lateral outcrops, 7 m × 5.8 m, are recorded during open-pit mining of sandy sediments and describe in detail the three-dimensional distribution of the local lithofacies and hydrofacies. Variations of hydraulic conductivity, K, and porosity, n, are resolved on the centimeter scale, and the most permeable units of the fluvial-aeolian facies association are identified. The constructed aquifer analog model shows moderate hydraulic heterogeneity and a mean K value of 1.36 × 10-4 m/s, which is greater than the reported range of K values for the entire GAS in São Paulo State. The results suggest that the examined sedimentary unit constitutes a relevant portion of the GAS in São Paulo State in the context of groundwater extraction and pollution. Moreover, the constructed aquifer analog is considered an ideal basis for future numerical model experiments, aiming at in-depth understanding of the groundwater flow and contaminant transport patterns at this GAS portion or at comparable fluvial-aeolian facies associations. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Quality of performance of the operation of sugarcane mechanized planting in day and night shifts

The sugarcane mechanized planting is becoming increasingly widespread in Brazil due to a higher operability and better working conditions offered to workers compared to other types of planting. Studies related to this topic are insufficient or scarce in Brazil. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the operation quality of sugarcane mechanized planting in two operation shifts, by means of statistical process control. The mechanized planting was held on March 2012 and statistical design was completely randomized with two treatments, totaling 40 replications for the day shift and 40 replications for the night shift. The variables evaluated were: speed, engine rotation, engine oil pressure, water temperature of the engine, effective field capacity and the time consumption hourly and effective fuel. The use of statistical control charts showed that random intrinsic do not cause this process. The tractor alignment error showed outliers in the day and night shifts operations, indicating a possible delay in receiving the signal. The water temperature of the engine and the effective fuel consumption showed lower variability in nighttime operation with average values of 81°C and 22.66 L ha-1, respectively. The hourly fuel consumption had greater variability and consequently lower quality during the night of the operation, with an average consumption of 25.46 L h-1 while the day shift showed 26.86 L h-1.

Study of the threshold line between macroscopic and bulk behaviors for homogeneous type II superconductors

In this work we solved the time dependent Ginzburg-Landau equations to simulate homogeneous superconducting samples with square geometry for several lateral sizes. As a result of such simulations we notice that in the Meissner state, when the vortices do not penetrate the superconductor, the response of small samples are not coincident with that expected for the bulk ones, i.e., 4. πM=. -. H. Thus, we focused our analyzes on the way which the M(. H) curves approximate from the characteristic curve of bulk superconductors. With such study, we built a diagram of the size of the sample as a function of the temperature which indicates a threshold line between macroscopic and bulk behaviors. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Role of acidic and basic electrolytes on the structure and morphology of cathodically reduced indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates

In this report we track the structural changes suffered by ITO along galvanostatic polarization at different current densities by X-ray diffraction and SEM micrographs. The XRD shown that cathodic treatment induces structural change in ITO, characterized by appearing peaks set distinct from ITO original structure associated to metallic phase of the solid solution of In-Sn. It is interesting to note that although the different ions present in the solution are not, at least to a noticeable degree, incorporated in the metallic phase, the SEM images show that they do influence its formation, pointing to some type of adsorptive mechanism of the inert ions during the lateral diffusion of the metallic ions. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Caracterização estrutural de um segmento da rampa lateral de capitólio, limite norte da Nappe de Passos - MG

Pós-graduação em Geologia Regional - IGCE

The morphology of the foregut of larvae and postlarva of Sesarma curacaoense De Man, 1892: a species with facultative lecithotrophy during larval development

Estudo prévio sobre o efeito da inanição em larvas de Sesarma curacaoense propôs que estas larvas apresentam comportamento lecitotrófico facultativo. No presente trabalho a morfologia do estômago de S. curacaoense foi estudada durante os estágios larvais, megalopa e juvenil I. A estrutura do estômago da zoea I possui cerdas específicas e com filtro pilórico aparentemente funcional. Especialização no estômago do zoea II (último estágio larval) foi evidenciada pelo incremento do número de cerdas na válvula cárdio-pilórica e pela complexidade do filtro pilórico. Após a metamorfose para o estágio megalopa, o estômago ficou consideravelmente complexo, com o aparecimento de um moinho gástrico contendo um medial e dois laterais dentes bem desenvolvidos. O estômago do juvenil I mostrou-se ainda mais especializado que no estágio anterior, exibindo características morfológicas similares àquelas descritas para decápodes adultos. Estes resultados corroboram o proposto em trabalhos anteriores, nos quais é indicado que S. curacaoense possui um desenvolvimento larval lecitotrófico facultativo.

Developmental morphology of mouthparts and foregut of the larvae and postlarvae of Lepidophthalmus siriboia Felder & Rodrigues, 1993 (Decapoda: Callianassidae)

A morfologia dos apêndices bucais e o estômago de larvas e pós-larvas de Lepidophthalmus siriboia cultivados em laboratório foi investigada. Os apêndices bucais (maxilas e maxilípedes) durante os estágios zoeae apresentam número reduzido de cerdas e espinhos, ou mesmo, ausentes em alguns indivíduos. O estômago aparece pouco desenvolvido, com poucas cerdas pequenas nas câmaras cardíaca e pilórica. Contrariamente, após a metamorfose para o estágio megalopa, todas estas estruturas bucais possuem muitas cerdas, e o estômago apresenta um moinho gástrico bem desenvolvido com dois fortes dentes laterais. No estágio juvenil ocorre incremento de cerdas e espinhos em todas estruturas bucais e o estômago torna-se mais especializado. Estas observações sugerem fortemente que as zoeae de L. siriboia têm desenvolvimento lecitotrófico, mas que as megalopae e juvenis passam a ingerir alimentos exógenos.

Development and functional morphology of the foreguts of larvae and postlarvae of three crustacean decapods

O desenvolvimento da estrutura do estômago e da função digestiva foi examinada em larvas e pós-larvas de Litopenaeus vannamei, Sesarma rectum e Callichirus major. O estômago do protozoea de L. vannamei é muito simples, sem válvula cárdiopilórica e apresenta um filtro pilórico rudimentar. Em mysis, o filtro pilórico parece ser mais desenvolvido. No juvenil I surgem calhas e dentes laterais pouco desenvolvidos. Os estômagos dos zoeae de S. rectum possuem a válvula cárdiopilórica e o filtro pilórico funcionais. Nos estágios megalopa e juvenil I o moinho gástrico é complexo. Em C. major, os estômagos dos zoeae se mostram especializados exibindo algumas estruturas rígidas, mas não apresentam moinho gástrico. Esta estrutura surge no megalopa e juvenil I. Os resultados suportam suposições anteriores que o comportamento alimentar de larvas e pós-larvas está diretamente relacionado com as características morfológicas dos estômagos.

Functional trophic composition of the ichthyofauna of forest streams in eastern Brazilian Amazon

Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever a organização funcional da fauna de peixes de riachos do nordeste do estado do Pará, Brasil, com base em observações comportamentais das táticas alimentares das espécies. Sete igarapés foram amostrados entre junho e novembro de 2010 por técnicas de observações diretas durante sessões de mergulho livre, totalizando 91h 51min de observação, nos períodos diurno, crepuscular vespertino e noturno. Foram observadas 73 espécies distribuídas em seis ordens, 26 famílias e 63 gêneros, com predomínio de Characiformes, seguidos por Siluriformes. A partir de informações coligidas por observações ad libitum, as espécies foram organizadas em 18 grupos tróficos funcionais (GTFs), de acordo com duas características principais: (1) a tática alimentar observada com maior frequência; e (2) sua distribuição espacial no riacho, considerando suas dimensões lateral (margens e canal central) e vertical (coluna d'água). Os GTFs mais frequentes foram Catadores noturnos de invertebrados (9 espécies), Coletores diurnos de canal (8 spp.), Catadores diurnos de superfície (7 spp.), e Predadores de tocaia e emboscada (6 spp.). Os GTFs aqui definidos possibilitam uma análise comparativa da estrutura e composição da ictiofauna, que representa uma abordagem alternativa ao uso da estrutura taxonômica em estudos ecológicos. A classificação da ictiofauna baseada em GTFs proposta neste trabalho é comparada com outras três classificações, propostas por Sazima (1986), Sabino & Zuanon (1998) e Casatti et al. (2001).

Biflagellate spermatozoon structure of the hermaphrodite fish Satanoperca jurupari (Heckel, 1840) (Teleostei, Cichlidae) from the Amazon River

Foram estudados aspectos ultra-estruturais do espermatozóide do teleósteo hermafrodita Satanoperca jurupari (HECKEL, 1840) do rio Amazonas. Em diferentes oocistos testiculares encontram-se fases evolutivas de espermatócitos, espermátides e espermatozóides. Nos estádios mais jovens, nos espermatócitos, foram observados os respectivos complexos sinaptonêmicos. O espermatozóide maduro do tipo "introsperm" apresenta cabeça pequena de ~ 3 mm de comprimento e 1,3 mm de largura, sem acrosoma, com uma pequena peça intermediária de ~ 1,2 mm de comprimento e 1,8 mm de largura, contendo algumas mitocôndrias esféricas, circundando os dois centríolos e formando um colar mitocondrial. Esse espermatozóide apresenta 2 flagelos, cada um com ~ 15 mm de comprimento e com a formação microtubular comum de 9 + 2. Cada flagelo tem 2 extensões citoplasmáticas lateralmente opostas, sendo formadas cerca de 3 mm abaixo da peça intermediária, acompanhando o flagelo até a parte final.