Improved activity and stability of Ce-promoted Ni/γ-A1 2O3 catalysts for carbon dioxide reforming of methane

The CO2 reforming of CH4 was carried out over Ni catalysts supported on γ-Al2O3 and CeO 2-promoted γ-Al2O3. The catalysts were characterized by means of surface area measurements, TPR, CO2 and H2 chemisorption, XRD, SEM, and TEM. The CeO2 addition promoted an increase of catalytic activity and stability. The improvement in the resistance to carbon deposition is attributed to the highest CO2 adsorption presented by the CeO2 addition. The catalytic behavior presented by the samples, with a different CH4/CO2 ratio used, points to the CH4 decomposition reaction as the main source of carbon deposition.

Estratigrafia de seqüências das formações Taciba e Rio Bonito (Membro Triunfo) na região de Mafra/SC, leste da Bacia do Paraná

The Taciba and Rio Bonito (lower Triunfo Mbr) formations are divided into six depositional sequences based on cores, gamma-ray and electrical logs from shallow drillings from northern Santa Catarina State, Each sequence is formed by two systems tracts, a lower one, sandy (lowstand) and an upper one, shaly (highstand). The Taciba Formation has three sequences, S 0 to S 0 sequence S 0 has a thick turbidite sandstone at the base (Rio Segredo Member) that pinches out towards the eastern margin and even disappears in the Mafra outcrop area. Sequence S 1 varies from a thin fluvial-estuarine system to a thick turbidite sandstone of a channelized fan system; S 1 upper shaly system tract is marine in well PP-11, and it is glacially-influenced in well PP-10. Sequence S 2 is a thick sand-stone body of shallow marine origin, but restricted to one well (PP-11); its upper shaly tract is dominated by massive siltstones intercalated with thin, distal tempestites. The lower Triunfo Member (or Taciba-Triunfo transition) begins with the arrival of deltaic clastics of sequence S 3 lower tract, coarsening-up from medial- to proximal delta front sandstones. Sequence S 4 is quite similar to S 3, both showing sand-stone progradation from north to south, as opposed to the southwest-sourced transgressive diamictites. Sequence S 5 consists of fluvial deposits at well PP-12, and two transgressive cycles from wells PP-11 to PP-9, each one of them composed of fluvial-estuarine to marine systems. Well PP-10 is an exception, where the lower cycle presents deglaciation to marine deposits.

Visual signaling and reproductive biology in a nocturnal treefrog, genus Hyla (Anura: Hylidae)

We investigated reproductive activity, courtship behavior, call structure, body size, clutch size, oviposition site, and reproductive mode of Hyla sp. (aff. ehrhardti). Males called in all months, but showed a peak of activity during the rainy season. Three pair formations were observed and courtship involved stereotyped behavioral sequences, including visual signaling. Males emitted three different vocalization types: advertisement calls, courtship calls, and a vocalization of unknown function. Females attained larger body sizes than males and deposited an average of 74.5 unpigmented eggs per clutch. Early larval stages are aquatic but restricted to water in constructed subterranean nests; subsequent to flooding of nests, exotrophic tadpoles live in ponds or streams. Courtship behavior in Hyla sp. (aff. ehrhardti) is complex and the diverse repertoire of limb movements, exhibited by males, probably provide visual stimuli to females in this nocturnal treefrog. Hyla sp. (aff. ehrhardti) belongs to the H. albomarginata group. Considering the reproductive modes in this group, the complexes of H. albosignata and of H. albofrenata can be considered more close related to each other than to the H. albomarginata complex. © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2004.

Takayasu's arteritis: What should the dentist know?

Takayasu's arteritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects large blood vessels, especially the aorta and/or its major branches. The condition presents with segmental lesions adjacent to normal, apparently unaffected, areas. The lesions include stenosis, occlusion, dilatations or aneurysm formations along the path of the affected artery. Because of the severity of the disease and the possibility of cardiovascular complications, patients with Takayasu's arteritis require medical treatment based on immunosuppressive and antihypertensive drugs, as well as regular follow up and surgical intervention in many instances. The aim of this paper was to describe the characteristics of Takayasu's arteritis, to report dental treatment carried out on an affected patient, and to discuss the main implications and care required during routine treatment for children in the dental office. © 2005 BSPD and IAPD.

A seqüência mafra superior \ Rio Do Sul inferior (Grupo itararé, permocarbonífero) em sondagens testemunhadas da região de mafra (SC), Margem Leste da Bacia do Paraná

The Permo-Carboniferous Harare Group crops out in the Matra area, represented by Campo do Tenente, Mafra and Rio do Sul formations; they correspond in subsurface to Lagoa Azul, Campo Mourão and Tacïba formations. A composite sampling of the Group was performed through drilling of six wells, which average 60 m in depth; three of them cored the depositional sequence here designated as Upper Mafra\Lower Rio do Sul. The Upper Mafra Formation were sampled by TC-4 and BR-5 wells, and it consists of three units: the lower two are sandy, glacial-deltaic and fluvial-deltaic in origin, corresponding to a lowstand tract. The last unit is composed of two dirtying-upward successions of sandstone, diamictite and rhythmite, interpreted as deglaciation/transgressive events, and well represented in BR-5 drilling. The Lower-Rio do Sul Formation (Lontras Shale) is formed by two marine units: the lower one is represented by shale and bioturbated siltstone which culminate the previous deglaciation, transgressive succession, while the upper one, sampled by SL-2 well, is formed by shale and thin, turbidite sandstone, attributed to a highstand tract.

Determinação da distribuição de um nível de turbidito na formação Macaé no campo de Namorado através de uso de atributos sísmicos

This study was developed on the basis of petrophysics characterization, 3D seismic interpretation, and rock-wire-log integration. The results were integrated with amplitude attribute through cross plot (rock attribute x amplitude value). 3D seismic data also allowed inteipreting the top of Lagoa Feia, Macaé, and Carapebus formations, and Outeiro Member. The analyses of the maps of structures and attributes, integrated with wire-log data, suggest that Namorado turbidite level is candidate to be mapped with stratigraphic attributes like AverageTroughAmplitude, RMS velocity and Total AbsoluteAmplitude. Lagoa Feia Formation attribute maps (Dip-Azimuth and TotalEnergy) allows to interpret a low fault density at the carbonate coquina level in the Namorado field. This level is also considered one at the best seismic reflector and an important reservoir of the Campos Basin.

Sucessão sedimentar do Grupo Bauru na região de Pirapozinho (SP)

There is yet enthusiastic debate in the literature about the environmental conditions that originated the Cretaceous deposits of the Bauru Group, despite many authors accept that arid climatic conditions widely dominant at the base, evolved to chiefly fluvial-lacustrine conditions at the intermediate portion, and to arid conditions again at the top of the unit. The Bauru Group covers an area of about 117.000 km 2 of the Paraná Basin in São Paulo State territory. Core samples of this lithostratigraphic unit collected from a drill hole at Pirapozinho (Southwest of the São Paulo State) are described and together with well log data brought new information that do not agree with the described model. It was identified in this well the Caiuá, Pirapozinho, Santo Anastácio, Araçatuba and Adamantina formations. The study of these core samples clearly showed the dominance of hydrodynamic sedimentary structures and high to medium intensity of bioturbation in whole profile. These characteristics observed in core samples and compared to patterns of geophysical logs testify the dominance of fluvial processes in the Bauru Group deposition at the studied area. These new data suggests that the paleo-environmental evolution of the unit was much more complex, showing strong lateral and vertical changes that diverges from the model more widely accepted in the literature.

Ciclos e seqüências deposicionais das formações Rio da Batateira e Santana (Andar Alagoas), Bacia do Araripe, Brasil

The Rio da Batateira e Santana formations, the latter with Crato, Ipubi and Romualdo members (Alagoas Stage, Aptian), were studied in four cored and logged wells from the eastern portion of Araripe Basin, Northeastern Brazil. The investigated section is 230 m-thick, and PS-14 well is the most representative, because it is the only one which sampled the evaporites of Ipubi Member. Nine facies cycles were identified, being formed by siliciclastics (estuarine, deltaic and lacustrine), mixed lithologies (lacustrine), carbonates, black shales and marls (lacustrine), and gypsum-anhydrite (lacustrine evaporite). The ordering of facies cycles furnished six depositional sequences. They were formed by siliciclastic, regressive-transgressive R-T cycles (S1 and S4, corresponding to Rio da Batateira Formation and to Santana Formation/Romualdo Member), by siliciclastics and carbonates, R-T cycles (S2, S3.1 and S3.2, corresponding to Crato Member), and by siliciclastic-carbonate, R-T cycles followed by evaporitic cycles (S3.3, referred to Ipubi Member). The last cycles correspond to concentration-dilution, C-D cycles of marine brines, which precipitated gypsum in the restricted lacustrine basin.

Biological response to wollastonite doped α-tricalcium phosphate implants in hard and soft tissues in rats

The biological response following subcutaneous and bone implantation of β-wollastonite(β-W)-doped α-tricalcium phosphate bioceramics in rats was evaluated. Tested materials were: tricalcium phosphate (TCP), consisting of a mixture of α- and β-polymorphs; TCP doped with 5 wt. % of β-W (TCP5W), composed of α-TCP as only crystalline phase; and TCP doped with 15 wt. % of β-W (TCP 15), containing crystalline α-TCP and β-W. Cylinders of 2×1 mm were implanted in tibiae and backs of adult male Rattus norvegicus, Holtzman rats. After 7, 30 and 120 days, animals were sacrificed and the tissue blocks containing the implants were excised, fixed and processed for histological examination. TCP, TCP5W and TCP15W implants were biocompatible but neither bioactive nor biodegradable in rat subcutaneous tissue. They were not osteoinductive in connective tissue either. However, in rat bone tissue β-W-doped α-TCP implants (TCP5W and TCP 15W) were bioactive, biodegradable and osteoconductive. The rates of biodegradation and new bone formation observed for TCP5W and TCP15W implants in rat bone tissue were greater than for non-doped TCP.

Effects of mandibular fixed implant-supported prostheses on masticatory and swallowing functions in completely edentulous elderly individuals

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of oral rehabilitation with immediately loaded fixed implant-supported mandibular prostheses on chewing and swallowing in elderly individuals. Materials and Methods: Fifteen completely edentulous patients aged more than 60 years (10 women and rive men), wearing removable dentures in both arches, had a mandibular denture replaced by an implant-supported prosthesis. All individuals were evaluated before surgery and again 3, 6, and 18 months later with regard to mastication and swallowing conditions. Examinations entailed an interview, evaluation of tactile sensitivity of the face, and observation of food intake, masticatory type, formations of bolus, and pain during mastication. The swallowing evaluation comprised observation of clinical signs related to the oral and pharyngeal stages of swallowing, as well as the presence of oral residue. The findings of different evaluations before and 3, 6, and 18 months after the surgical-prosthetic procedure were statistically compared by analysis of variance for repeated measurements at a significance level of 5%. Results: The questionnaire revealed a reduction in complaints of masticatory and swallowing disturbances, a decreased need for liquid ingestion, and reduced choking and coughing. Clinical evaluations showed improved oral function and bolus propulsion for both solid and paste-consistency foods; pain during mastication was also resolved. Conclusion: Treatment with mandibular implant-supported dentures had positive effects on the clinical aspects of mastication and swallowing in elderly individuals.

Os Répteis do Município de São Paulo: Diversidade e ecologia da fauna pretérita e atual

The reptile fauna in the municipality of São Paulo is well sampled due to intensive collection in the last 100 years. In the present work we provide a checklist of reptile species in São Paulo municipality based on preserved specimens in scientific collections. The reptile fauna was also characterized by three ecological parameters: habitat use, substrate use, and diet. We recorded a total of 97 reptile species (two turtles, one crocodilian, 19 lizards, seven amphisbaenians, and 68 snakes). Approximately 70% of the lizards and 40% of the snakes are typical of forest habitats of the Serra do Mar mountain range. Other squamates are typical of open formations that occur mainly on inland Cerrado habitats. All turtles and the crocodilian are associated to riparian habitats. Approximately 63% of the lizards are predominantly terrestrial, and the remaining species are arboreal. Most species of snakes are terrestrial (38%) or subterranean/criptozoic (25%) whereas a smaller proportion are arboreal (18%) or aquatic (9%). Lizards feed upon arthropods. Almost 50% of the snake species are specialized or feed mainly upon anuran amphibians. Other important items consumed by snakes are mammals (24%), lizards (18%), subterranean vertebrates (10%), and invertebrates (earthworms, mollusks and arthropods; 15%). A total of 51 reptile species have not been recorded for the last six years. Probably many of these species are extinct in the region due the intense local urbanization and habitat loss. The survey of species collected in São Paulo municipality and received in the Instituto Butantan in recent years allowed the identification of 10 lizards at least 42 snake species already occurring in the region. The high species richness of the original fauna seems related to the geographic location of the municipality, in a contact zone between forested areas of the Atlantic Forest (ombrophilous forest) and open formations (savannas, high-altitude grassland). Thus, the original habitat composition probably allowed sympatry among different species pools typical of both open and forested formations. The extant snake fauna recorded in the last three years indicates a higher loss of the species in open formations when compared to the forested areas.

Influência do arcabouço hidroestratigráfico nas ocorrências de arsênio em águas subterrâneas ao longo do corredor termal do rio Uruguai (Argentina - Brasil - Uruguai)

The Thermal Corridor of Uruguay River is located in the triple border of Argentine, Brazil and Uruguay, and shows an intense economic thermal tourism activity, mainly based on groundwaters from Guarani Aquifer System (GAS). Recent studies have pointed out the occurrence of high concentrations of arsenic (>10 μg/L) in GAS groundwater in this area. The complex geological and hydrogeological framework in the area is associated to the Paraná Basin geological evolution south of the Assuncion-Rio Grande Arch; it encompass paleozoic marine sequences and continental sequences permian/eotriassic to mesozoic in age, which are covered by basaltic lavas of Serra Geral Formation. Iron oxide coatings have been described in sandstones of Buena Vista and Sanga do Cabral formations, which underlie GAS units. Arsenic occurrence is associated to sodium bicarbonate groundwater with pH values over 8.0. Arsenic is released to groundwater by desorption from iron oxides/hydroxides, as result of the higher pH of these waters, indicating that arsenic is released from the units that underlie GAS units. Increase in chromium and uranium concentrations are also related to high pH groundwaters, thus indicating special care on using groundwater from this region.

Herpetofauna, municipality of Porto Murtinho, Chaco region, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Among the physiographic regions included in the central South American diagonal of open formations, the Chaco, with some endemic species, represents the southernmost dry area. In Brazil, the Chaco is found in southwestern corner of Mato Grosso do Sul state, mostly in the municipality of Porto Murtinho along the Paraguay and Apa rivers. From February 2008 to December 2009, we carried out an inventory of amphibians and reptiles in Porto Murtinho, using pitfall traps, time-limited searches, and occasional encounters. A total of 34 amphibian and 39 reptile species were registered. Although some typical Chacoan species were found, most of the species are open area dwellers that also occur in other open biomes, such as the Cerrado and Caatinga. © 2010 Check List and Authors.

Two stops in today's new global geographies: shaping novel labor supplies and employment regimes

Includes bibliography

Analysis on turning Ti-6Al-4V with different cooling methods

The aim of this paper is to optimize the machining of Ti-6Al-4V alloy, by studying the chip formation, roughness and tool wear for different cooling conditions. The results were compared between cooling methods, minimal quantity of fluid (MQF) and flooding, and also without fluid for the tool H13A. The turning of Ti-6Al-4V has shown good results on roughness (0, 8μm) and tool life, which was 11% lower with MQF than with the flooding method. The tool wear causes variation of the shear angle, which promotes strength hardening of the chip. As a result, the machined surface could be damaged. The use of the cutting fluid helps to save the cutting edge and could reduce the strength hardening. Nevertheless, it could also facilitate the formation of built-up edge. The nucleation of alpha lamellar colonies can occur due to a combination of deformation rates and temperature, mainly when the flooding is used, but it's not conclusive. The lamellar colonies were also found with the MQF in some regions, however, this structure did not show hardness variation compared to equiaxial. For all this reasons, the machining parameters might be carefully chosen.