Suíte vulcânica serra da bocaina, grupo amoguijá, maciço rio apa-MS

The Rio Apa Massif corresponds to the southeastern portion of the Amazonian Craton and crops out in the Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. It is constituted by rocks of paleoproterozoic age of Rio Apa Complex, Alto Tererê Group and the plutonic-volcanic suites of the Amoguijá Group, subdivided in Alumiador Intrusive suits and Serra da Bocaina Volcanic. The Volcanic Suite is represented by São Francisco and Bocaina mountains and is constituted by terms of the composition of alkali - rhyolitic to rhyolitic, including in minor amounts riodacite, andesite and dacite. It consists of a variety of textual subvolcanic rocks, volcanic and varied volcanoclastics. The pyroclastic deposits are very expressive and consist of pyroclastic particle immerse in aphanitic matrix, fine grained or amorphous, where quartz, feldspar, chlorite, sericite, microlithes of carbonate, sparse spherulites and reliquiar volcanic glass can be distinguished. The pyroclastic rocks are represented by breccias, ignimbrites, agglomerate, tuffs, lapillistones and pumices and contain commonly vitroclasts, lithoclasts and crystalloclasts, pumices, fiammes, glass shards, spherulites, vesicles and amygdales. They are calc-alkaline rocks with dominant peraluminous character high to middle potassium series and define a sin-colisional dominant tectonic and are genetically associated to the evolution of the Amoguijá Magmatic Arc.

Microstructure, crystalline phase, and dielectric property analyses of TiO2 composition with ZrO2 addition

For microwave applications, including mobile and satellite communications, ceramic resonators should have a high dielectric constant, low dielectric losses, and high frequency stability. In this sense, TiO2-ZrO 2 ceramics have been investigated as a function of sintering behavior, phase composition, and microstructure. The ceramics were densified reaching a value of about 86% of theoretical density at 1400°C sintering temperature. The ceramics are prepared by mixing raw materials with the following TiO2-ZrO2 weight % ratio: 100 to 0, 90 to 10, and 80 to 20, respectively. The measured dielectric constants are between 79 and 88 values, while the quality factor due to dielectric losses are between 2820 and 5170. These results point out the influence of Ti/Zr ratio on controlling the dielectric properties. © (2010) Trans Tech Publications.

Micropatterned nanocomposite hydrogels for biosensing applications

This paper describes the use of Au nanoparticle (NP)-containing hydrogel microstructures in the development of electrochemical enzyme-based biosensors. To fabricate biosensors, AuNPs were conjugated with glucose oxidase (GOX) or horseradish peroxidase (HRP) molecules and were dispersed in the prepolymer solution of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG-DA). Vinylferrocene (VF) was also added into the prepolymer solution in order to lower operating potential of the biosensor and to prevent oxidation of interfering substances. The prepolymer solution was photolithographically patterned in alignment with an array of Au electrodes fabricated on glass. As a result, electrode arrays became functionalized with AuNP/GOX- or AuNP/HRP-carrying hydrogel microstructures. Performance of the biosensors was characterized by impedance spectroscopy, chronoapmerometry and cyclic voltammetry. Impedance measurements revealed that inclusion of Au nanoparticles improved conductivity of PEG hydrogel by a factor of 5. Importantly, biosensors based on AuNP-GOX complex exhibited high sensitivity to glucose (100μAmM -1cm -2) in the linear range from 0.1 to 10mM. The detection limit was estimated to be 3.7×10- 7M at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. Biosensors with immobilized AuNP/HPR had a linear response from 0.5 to 5.0μM of hydrogen peroxide with sensitivity of 1.4mAmM -1cm -2. The method for fabricating nanoparticle-carrying hydrogel microstructures described in this paper should be widely applicable in the development of robust and sensitive electrochemical biosensors. © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Química mineral e estimativas de pressão e temperatura em rochas metassedimentares do grupo araxá na região de morrinhos, sul do estado de goiás

In the Morrinhos region, Goiás state, Brazil, the rocks of the Araxá Group have mineral assemblages related to the metamorphic peak which occurred in this region and is typical of the amphibolite facies (kyanite zone). These rocks are associated with the initial stage of the main ductile deformation that occurred in this area. Thermobarometric calculations, including the associations, garnet + plagioclase + biotite + muscovite; garnet + plagioclase +biotite + muscovite + kyanite; garnet + plagioclase + biotite + muscovite + amphibole, with quartz in excess, indicate that the metamorphic peak occurred at temperatures of approximately 610°C and pressures in the order of 10 kbar. The P-T path is probably clockwise and is in agreement with the tectonic conditions observed in collisional settings.

Microhardness of dual-polymerized resin cement around a translucent fiber post in the intraradicular environment

Aim: In this study, we evaluated the effect of photopolymerization on Vickers microhardness of dual-polymerized resin cement at three locations when a translucent quartz fiber post was used. Materials and Methods: Single-rooted bovine teeth received quartz fiber post systems (length: 12 mm) using a dual-polymerized resin cement. In Group 1, the posts were cemented but not photopolymerized, and in Group 2, the posts were both cemented and photopolymerized. After cementation, approximately 1.5-mm thick sections were obtained (two cervical, two middle, and two apical) for regional microhardness evaluations. Statistical Analysis: Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software (ver. 11.0 for Windows; SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Microhardness (kg/mm 2 ) data were submitted to two-way analysis of variance (two-way ANOVA) and repeated measures with microhardness values as the dependent variable and polymerization status (two levels: with and without) and root region (three levels: cervical, middle, and apical) as independent variables. Multiple comparisons were made using Dunnett's T3 post-hoc test. P values of <0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance in all tests. Results: Photopolymerization did not significantly change the microhardness values when compared with no photopolymerization. Microhardness values also showed no significant difference between the three regions in the root canals in both groups. Conclusions: The mode of polymerization of the cement tested in combination with the translucent quartz fiber post system did not affect the microhardness of the cement at the cervical, middle, or apical regions of the root.

Magmatismo do batólito rapakivi Rio Branco, sw do Cráton Amazônico (MT)

Rio Branco Rapakivi Batholith is located on the southwestern portion of the Amazonian Craton in Mato Grosso and belongs to the Cachoeirinha Tectonic Domain, part of the Rio Negro-Juruena Geochronological Province, Central Brasil. The batholith is constituted by microgabbros to quartz microgabbros and microdiorites to quartz microdiorites, middle to fine-grained equigranular to porphyritic varieties form the Rio Branco Intrusive Basic Suite, showing a discontinuous distribution and located near the margins of the intrusion.Majorly constituted by porphyritic, granophyric and isotropic facies of Rio Branco Intrusive Acid Suit which is composed by older dark red rapakivi monzogranites to quartz monzonites and quartz sienites (1403±0.6 Ma) and the younger red rapakivi leuco-monzogranites (1382±49 Ma) and late equigranular to pegmatitic monzogranites. The magmatism is constituted by two distinct magmas related to the end of the collisional event of Cachoeirinha Orogeny, one with alkaline basalts generated in an intraplate environment and the other postorogenic to anorogenic with peraluminous to metaluminous compositions and define a high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic magmatism in transition among the I- and A-types. The contacts are marked by extensive mafic sills and dikes of alkaline basalts derived from intraplate environment of the Salto do Céu Intrusive Basic Suite (±808 Ma) associate to the Sunsás-Aguapei Orogenic Belt and metasedimentary rocks of the Aguapeí Grup.

O Grupo Canastra em sua área-tipo, região de Tapira, sudoeste do estado de Minas Gerais

This work aimed at describing the Neoproterozoic evolution of a Southern Brasília Fold Belt segment, in Tapira area (southwest of Minas Gerais state, Brazil), using detailed geologic mapping. This area, the Canastra Group type-area, has showed great tectonic and stratigraphic complexities unlike the simplicity suggested in previous works. From recognizing the main tectonic discontinuities, it was possible to subdivide the area into some domains. In the west domain, they were individualized in tectonic sheet I, marked by pelitic rocks and pelitic-graphite rocks with psammitic intercalations, and II, pelitic rocks with psammitic and mafic-ultramafic intercalations overlapped by gneisses. In the east domain, a group of three tectonic sheets was defined, in which, in the two lower tectonic sheets, pelitic and pelitic-graphite rocks with psammitic rock intercalations prevailed, which is different in metamorphic conditions. The lower tectonic sheet is marked by mineralogical associations with muscovite + chlorite + quartz ± graphite ± albite, without biotite; however, the superior one is with muscovite + quartz + garnet ± chlorite ± biotite ± chloritoid ± graphite ± albite. In the upper tectonic sheet, pelitic rocks with local contributions of psammitic and ultramafics rocks occur. In the south domain, psammitic rocks basically occur with contributions of pelitics and rudaceous rocks, where the preservation of textures and sedimentary structures is common. Rocks of the several domains are interpreted as part of a passive continental margin basin, located in the western margin of the São Francisco paleocontinent. Thus, the south domain rocks would represent the facies of proximal platform; rocks of the lower and middle tectonic sheets (east domain) and of the tectonic sheet I (west domain) are of facies distal platform; and the ones from the upper tectonic sheet (east domain) and tectonic sheet II (west domain) were acknowledged as deposited in an environment of continental shelf and/or oceanic seafoor.

Occurrence of sensitivity during at-home and in-office tooth bleaching therapies with or without use of light sources

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tooth bleaching with 10% carbamide peroxide (CP) or 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP), with or without quartz-tungsten-halogen light or hybrid source LED/infrared laser exposition on the occurrence duration, intensity and location of tooth sensitivity Forty patients were selected and randomly divided into four groups: GI--home bleaching with CP for 4 hours a day, over the course of 3 weeks; GII--three sessions of HP with three 10-minute applications at each session and no light source; GIII--the same procedure as GII with quartz-tungsten-halogen light irradiation; GIV--the same procedure as GII with LED/laser light irradiation. The evaluation included an appointment with each patient before and after each HP bleaching session or each weekly CP bleaching and 7, 30 and 180 days after the end of treatment. The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed that the duration and intensity of post-treatment sensitivity were significantly higher for HP than for CP (p< 0.05), and symptoms were located predominantly in anterior teeth. All bleaching methods generated sensitivity, which was more frequent in anterior teeth. However, treatment with CP generated lower sensitivity than treatment with HP independently of the light sources.

High-pressure assisted sintering of Ti-20Si-10B and Ti-10Si-5B powders

This work presents the structural characterization of Ti-10Si-5B and Ti-20Si-10B (at-%) alloys produced by high-pressure assisted sintering. Sintering was performed in air at 1100 and 1200°C for 60 s using pressure levels of 5 GPa. Structural evaluation of sintered samples was conducted by means of scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry. Samples were successfully consolidated after sintering, which presented theoretical density values higher than 99%. The microstructures of the sintered Ti-10Si-5B and Ti-20Si-10B alloys revealed the presence of the TiSS, TiB, TiB2, Ti5Si3, Ti5Si4, TiSi, and TiSi2.phases. A small amount of Ti6Si2B was formed after high-pressure assisted sintering of the Ti-20Si-10B alloy (5GPa, 1100°C for 60 s) indicating that equilibrium structures were not achieved during short sintering times. No oxygen and carbon contamination was detected in structures of Ti-Si-B alloys after high-pressure sintering at 1100 and 1200°C without controlled atmosphere. © (2012) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.

Geotermometria das águas hipertermais do Sistema Aquífero Guarani no estado de São Paulo

Several geothermometers have been employed to determine the expected temperature in the groundwater reservoirs, most part of them based on the chemical equilibrium between thermal groundwaters and minerals which constitute the aquifer framework. Based on this principle, groundwater from Guarani Aquifer System, which presents temperatures upon to 38°C, classified as hyperthermal by the Brazilian Mineral Water Code, had their chemical composition evaluated with the main purpose to determine the expected temperatures in the reservoir based on the application of several geothermometers. These groundwaters can be classified as Na-HCO3 type evolving to Na-HCO3-Cl-SO4 type due the increase in sulphate and chloride concentrations. Measured groundwater temperatures show a good correlation with the depth of the aquifer, indicating an average geothermal gradient of 27.7°C/km. The lowest geothermal gradients, bellow 25°C/km, are observed in the central portion of the study area; meanwhile the highest gradients are observed in NE and W portions of the study area. Quartz equilibrium based geothermometers return temperature over the measured temperatures, meanwhile chalcedony geothermometer returns temperatures near the measured in the wells, except for the wells located in the area which presents the lowest geothermal gradients. The geothermometers based on the equilibrium between Na/K have returned temperatures diverse from the measured at the field, meanwhile the geothermometer based on the equilibrium between Na/K/Ca has presented good match with groundwater which present temperatures under 50°C, due the thermodynamic equilibrium between these waters and feldspars. Geothermometers show evidences about mixtures between groundwaters from GAS and underlying units, especially in wells located in the SW portion of the study area.

Caracterização química e mineralógica de azulejos portugueses do centro histórico de São Luís-MA (Brasil): Uma aproximação à mineralogia e à temperatura de queima das matérias-primas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Computer techniques towards the automatic characterization of graphite particles in metallographic images of industrial materials

The automatic characterization of particles in metallographic images has been paramount, mainly because of the importance of quantifying such microstructures in order to assess the mechanical properties of materials common used in industry. This automated characterization may avoid problems related with fatigue and possible measurement errors. In this paper, computer techniques are used and assessed towards the accomplishment of this crucial industrial goal in an efficient and robust manner. Hence, the use of the most actively pursued machine learning classification techniques. In particularity, Support Vector Machine, Bayesian and Optimum-Path Forest based classifiers, and also the Otsu's method, which is commonly used in computer imaging to binarize automatically simply images and used here to demonstrated the need for more complex methods, are evaluated in the characterization of graphite particles in metallographic images. The statistical based analysis performed confirmed that these computer techniques are efficient solutions to accomplish the aimed characterization. Additionally, the Optimum-Path Forest based classifier demonstrated an overall superior performance, both in terms of accuracy and speed. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Alkali activated materials based on fluid catalytic cracking catalyst residue (FCC): Influence of SiO2/Na2O and H 2O/FCC ratio on mechanical strength and microstructure

Reuse of industrial and agricultural wastes as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in concrete and mortar productions contribute to sustainable development. In this context, fluid catalytic cracking catalyst residue (spent FCC), a byproduct from the petroleum industry and petrol refineries, have been studied as SCM in blended Portland cement in the last years. Nevertheless, another environmental friendly alternative has been conducted in order to produce alternative binders with low CO2 emissions. The use of aluminosilicate materials in the production of alkali-activated materials (AAMs) is an ongoing research topic which can present low CO2 emissions associated. Hence, this paper studies some variables that can influence the production of AAM based on spent FCC. Specifically, the influence of SiO 2/Na2O molar ratio and the H2O/spent FCC mass ratio on the mechanical strength and microstructure are assessed. Some instrumental techniques, such as SEM, XRD, pH and electrical conductivity measurements, and MIP are performed in order to assess the microstructure of formed alkali-activated binder. Alkali activated mortars with compressive strength up to 80 MPa can be formed after curing for 3 days at 65°C. The research demonstrates the potential of spent FCC to produce alkali-activated cements and the importance of SiO2/Na2O molar ratio and the H2O/spent FCC mass ratio in optimising properties and microstructure. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Crustal growth in the 3.4-2.7Ga São José de Campestre Massif, Borborema Province, NE Brazil

The Archean (3.45-2.70Ga) rocks of the São José do Campestre Massif (SJCM) in the Borborema Province (NE Brazil) make up a small area (~6000km2) and are composed of granitoids and metasupracrustal rocks that define a complex magmatic and deformational history. The massif provides the opportunity to study mantle- and crustal-derived magmas generated since the Palaeoarchean. The orthogneisses of the SJCM are composed of: (1) tonalite to granodiorite with diorite enclaves (Bom Jesus gneiss, 3412±8Ma; TDM Nd model ages from 4.1 to 3.5Ga and negative epsilon Nd values); (2) biotite and ferroan-diopside monzogranite (Presidente Juscelino complex, 3356±21Ma and 3251±44Ma; TDM model ages range from 4.1 to 3.4Ga and epsilon Nd values that are slightly positive to negative); (3) hornblende tonalite to granodiorite (Brejinho complex, 3333±77Ma and 3187±8Ma; dominantly positive epsilon Nd values and TDM ages from 3.6 to 3.2Ga); (4) biotite monzogranite (São Pedro do Potengi gneiss, 3120±22Ma; TDM =3.5Ga; negative epsilon Nd value); (5) ferroan-diopside-grossular anorthosite and metagabbro (Senador Elói de Souza complex, 3033±3Ma); and (6) quartz diorite to syenogranite (São José do Campestre complex; 2685±9Ma and 2655±4Ma; negative epsilon Nd values and TDM ages from 3.9 to 3.3Ga). The orthogneisses are subalkaline to faintly alkaline, magnesian to ferroan, M- and I-type granitoids that follow either the K-enrichment or the trondhjemite trends. Each group has a subset with REE characteristics similar to Archean TTG and another that is analogous to Phanerozoic granitoids. They have negative Ta-Nb and Ti anomalies and have trace element contents of granitoids from subduction zones. Geochemical and Nd isotope data suggest that subducted oceanic crust and a depleted and metasomatised mantle wedge both acted as the magma sources. We propose a convergent tectonic model in which hybridisation of the upper mantle occurs through interactions with adakitic or trondhjemitic melts and recycling of earlier crust. The results imply that both the subducted oceanic crust and the mantle wedge played major roles in continent formation throughout successive episodes of arc accretion in Palaeo- and Mesoarchean times. The Archean rocks of the SJCM shares some similarities with the Pilbara, Kaapvaal, West African, and São Francisco cratons. However, the most reliable comparisons with the SJCM are with the neighbouring basement of the Nigeria and Cameroon shields. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Deposition and photo-induced electrical resistivity of dip-coated NiO thin films from a precipitation process

Thin films of the semiconductor NiO are deposited using a straightforward combination of simple and versatile techniques: the co-precipitation in aqueous media along with the dip- coating process. The obtained material is characterized by gravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) and X-ray diffraction technique. TG curve shows 30 % of total mass loss, whereas DTA indicates the formation of the NiO phase about 578 K (305 C). X-ray diffraction (XRD) data confirms the FCC crystalline phase of NiO, whose crystallinity increases with thermal annealing temperature. UV-Vis optical absorption measurements are carried out for films deposited on quartz substrate in order to avoid the masking of bandgap evaluation by substrate spectra overlapping. The evaluated bandgap is about 3.0 eV. Current-voltage (I-V) curves measured for different temperatures as well as the temperature-dependent resistivity data show typical semiconductor behavior with the resistivity increasing with the decreasing of temperature. The Arrhenius plot reveals a level 233 meV above the conduction band top, which was attributed to Ni2+ vacancy level, responsible for the p-type electrical nature of NiO, even in undoped samples. Light irradiation on the films leads to a remarkable behavior, because above bandgap light induced a resistivity increase, despite the electron-hole generation. This performance was associated with excitation of the Ni 2+ vacancy level, due to the proximity between energy levels. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York.