Synthesis of SnO2 by chemical routes and its use in varistors production

Tin oxide, SnO2. is a very used compound in industry and one of its uses is as varistor. For the current requirements of the technology is necessary a strict control of the chemical purity and the particle size of the raw material; for that reason the great interest that exists at the moment to develop synthesis methods that allow to get these requirements. In this work, ceramic powders of the Sn-Co-Nb-Ti-Al system using the controlled precipitation and polymeric precursor (Pechini) methods were synthesized. The raw material obtained was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (DTA/FG) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The sintering samples shown a good varistor behavior with non-linear coefficient (alpha) values similar to 22, and Er 2083 V/cm(2). (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Caustics of the restricted three-body problem

Trajectories of the planar, circular, restricted three-body problem are given in the configuration space through the caustics associated to the invariant tori of quasi-periodic orbits. It is shown that the caustics of trajectories librating in any particular resonance display some features associated to that resonance. This method can be considered complementary to the Poincare surface of section method, because it provides information not accessible by the other method.

Infrared spectroscopy investigation of various plasma-deposited polymer films irradiated with 170 keV He+ ions

This work illustrates the advantages of using p-polarized radiation at an incidence angle of 70 degrees in contrast to the conventional unpolarized beam at normal (or near-normal) incidence for the infrared spectroscopic study of polycarbosilane, polysilazane and polysiloxane thin films synthesized by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and subsequently irradiated with 170 keV He+ ions at fluences from 1 x 10(14) to 1 x 10(16) cm(-2). Several bands not seen using the conventional mode could be observed in the polarized mode. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Neo-clerodane diterpenoid, a new metalloprotease snake venom inhibitor from Baccharis trimera (Asteraceae): anti-proteolytic and anti-hemorrhagic properties

Many plants are used in traditional medicine as active agents against various effects induced by snakebite. Few attempts have been made however to identify the nature of plain natural products with anti-ophidian properties. Baccharis trimera (Less) DC (Asteraceae), known in Brazil as carqueja. has been popularly used to treat liver diseases. rheumatism. diabetes, as well as digestive, hepatic and renal disorders. The active component was identified as 7alpha-hydroxy-3,13-clerodadiene-16,15:18,19-diolide, C20H28O5, (clerodane diterpenoid, Bt-CD). We report now the anti-proteolytic and anti-hemorrhagic propenies against snake venoms of a Bt-CD inhibitor from B. trimera. Bt-CD exhibited full inhibition of hemorrhage and proteolytic activity caused by Bothrops snake venoms. The inhibitor was able to neutralize the hemorrhagic, fibrinogenolytic and caseinolytic activities of class P-I and III metalloproteases isolated from B. neuwiedi and B. jararacussu venoms. No inhibition of the coagulant activity was observed. Bt-CD also partially inhibited the edema induced by other crude venoms, metallopronteases, basic and acidic phospholipases A(2). To further elucidate the inhibitory specificity of Bt-CD against metalloproteases isolated from snake venoms, a deeper understanding of its Structure and function is necessary. Furthermore, the potential use of these inhibitors to complement anti-venom as an alternative treatment of snakebite envenomations needs to be evaluated in future Studies. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.

Analysis of the Stayability in Milk Buffaloes using Survival Models

In this study the trait Stayability (SA) was evaluated according to the year of cull after first calvin, i.e., SA 1 to 6 for 1 to 6 years from first calving in lactating females from bubaline milk herds spread in nine farms located in São Paulo state. Informations were used regarding 1027 lactating Murrah breed buffaloes. The statistical analyses were made using LIFEREG (SAS, 1999) procedure. The SA was evaluated using the fixed effects: farm production, birth year, calving season (Season 1- April to September and Season 2 October - March) and class of milk yield at 270 days. The age at first calving (AFC) was considered as a random effect. The mean observed for total milk yield was 1458.75Kg. Calving Season 2 encloses 65.6% of births. The means of cull age, in months, and the percentage of SA were, respectively: 10.69 e 69% (SA1), 19.30 e 63% (SA2), 26.4 e 54% (SA3), 33.15 e 42% (SA4), 38.53 e 36% (SA5) e 42.65 e 26% (SA6). It is verified that most of culls happens after the first lactation, among the sixth and eleventh month after first calving. It was observed that the factors: farm production, birth year and class of milk yield at 270 days affected significantly all SAs. Factors like calving season and the age at first calving (AFC) were only significant for SAL Being significant the factor AFC in level of 1% and factor time in 10%. For other SAs these factors were not statistically significant.

Structural characterization of blends containing both PVDF and natural rubber latex

Films containing different volumes of latex of natural rubber (NR) in a fixed mass of poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) powder were fabricated by compressing under annealing a mixture of both materials without using any solvent. This is an important issue keeping in mind that these films have to be used in the future as biomaterials in different applications once the solvents that are used to dissolve the PVDF become toxic to human. The films with different percentage of latex in PVDF were characterized using microRaman scattering and Fourier transform infrared absorption (FTIR) spectroscopies, thermomechanical techniques using thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamical-mechanical analysis (DMA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the latex of NR and PVDF do not interact chemically, leading to the formation of a polymeric blend with high thermal stability and mechanical properties suitable for applications involving bone (prostheses, for instance). Besides, the results recorded using the micro-Raman technique revealed that for a fixed amount of PVDF the higher the amount of latex in the blend, the better the miscibility between both materials. Copyright (c) 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Testing transposable elements as genetic drive mechanisms using Drosophila P element constructs as a model system

The use of transposable elements (TEs) as genetic drive mechanisms was explored using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system. Alternative strategies, employing autonomous and nonautonomous P element constructs were compared for their efficiency in driving the ry(+) allele into populations homozygous for a ry(-) allele at the genomic rosy locus. Transformed flies were introduced at 1%, 5%, and 10% starting frequencies to establish a series of populations that were monitored over the course of 40 generations, using both phenotypic and molecular assays. The transposon-borne ry(+) marker allele spread rapidly in almost all populations when introduced at 5% and 10% seed frequencies, but 1% introductions frequently failed to become established. A similar initial rapid increase in frequency of the ry(+) transposon occurred in several control populations lacking a source of transposase. Constructs carrying ry(+) markers also increased to moderate frequencies in the absence of selection on the marker. The results of Southern and in situ hybridization studies indicated a strong inverse relationship between the degree of conservation of construct integrity and transposition frequency. These finding have relevance to possible future applications of transposons as genetic drive mechanisms.

Species diversity and seasonality of free-living ticks (Acari : Ixodidae) in the natural habitat of wild Marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) in Southeastern Brazil

This study evaluated the presence and seasonal activity of free-living ticks in remaining marsh areas by the Parana river, in Brazil. Eight field trips (once per season) for collection of ticks were performed during 2 years. Using CO2 traps, dragging, and visual inspection of vegetation, five free-living tick species were collected, in the following order of abundance: Amblyomma cajennense, Amblyom\ma dubitatum, Amblyomma triste, Amblyomma coelebs, and Amblyomma nodosum. The seasonal pattern of A. cajennense was characterized by the highest peaks for adult ticks in the summer/spring months, for nymphs in the winter and for larvae in the autumn and winter. A. dubitatum and A. triste presented similar seasonal patterns characterized by peaks of adult ticks in the autumn. Nymphs of A. dubitatum peaked in the winter of the first year and in the winter/spring of the second year. A. triste was the only species to be collected in significantly higher numbers in the marsh than in surrounding drier areas such as forest patches. Among domestic animals living close the marsh areas, horses were infested by Anocentor nitens, A. cajennense, and Boophilus microplus, bovines were infested solely by B. microplus, and dogs were infested by Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Adults of A. triste showed to be well adapted to the marsh environment. This result, at least partially, explains local previous observations on the association of A. triste with marsh deer, as this vertebrate host inhabits mainly the marsh area. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Determination of cinnamic acid in human urine by differential-pulse polarography

The differential pulse polarographic behaviour of cinnamic acid was studied in acetate and phosphate buffer solutions (pH 3.5-7.5). The reduction mechanism is discussed. The drug can be determined at pH 5.0 over the concentration range 5 X 10(-5)-1 X 10(-3) mol l(-1). The effect of tetraalkylammonium salts on the electroanalytical determination of cinnamic acid was investigated, the direct determination of the drug (0.7-5.5 mu g ml(-1)) in urine samples diluted with acetate buffer (pH 5.0) can be effected in the presence of 1 x 10(-3) mol l(-1) cetyldimethylethylammonium bromide solution. The detection limit was found to be 0.1 mu g ml(-1). The relative standard deviation from six determinations at the 5.5 mu g ml(-1) level was 1%.

Comparative genomics of two Leptospira interrogans serovars reveals novel insights into physiology and pathogenesis

Leptospira species colonize a significant proportion of rodent populations worldwide and produce life-threatening infections in accidental hosts, including humans. Complete genome sequencing of Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni and comparative analysis with the available Leptospira interrogans serovar Lai genome reveal that despite overall genetic similarity there are significant structural differences, including a large chromosomal inversion and extensive variation in the number and distribution of insertion sequence elements. Genome sequence analysis elucidates many of the novel aspects of leptospiral physiology relating to energy metabolism, oxygen tolerance, two-component signal transduction systems, and mechanisms of pathogenesis. A broad array of transcriptional regulation proteins and two new families of afimbrial adhesins which contribute to host tissue colonization in the early steps of infection were identified. Differences in genes involved in the biosynthesis of lipopolysaccharide 0 side chains between the Copenhageni and Lai serovars were identified, offering an important starting point for the elucidation of the organism's complex polysaccharide surface antigens. Differences in adhesins and in lipopolysaccharide might be associated with the adaptation of serovars Copenhageni and Lai to different animal hosts. Hundreds of genes encoding surface-exposed lipoproteins and transmembrane outer membrane proteins were identified as candidates for development of vaccines for the prevention of leptospirosis.

Electron field emission from boron doped microcrystalline diamond

Field emission properties of hot filament chemical vapor deposited boron doped polycrystalline diamond have been studied. Doping level (N-B) of different samples has been varied by the B/C concentration in the gas feed during the growth process and doping saturation has been observed for high B/C ratios. Threshold field (E-th) for electron emission as function of B/C concentration has been measured, and the influences of grain boundaries, doping level and surface morphology on field emission properties have been investigated. Carrier transport through conductive grains and local emission properties of surface sites have been figured out to be two independent limiting effects in respect of field emission. Emitter current densities of 500 nA cm(-2) were obtained using electric fields less than 8 V/mu m. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Arsenic as internal standard to correct for interferences in the determination of antimony by hydride generation in situ trapping graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

The feasibility of using internal standardization (IS) to correct for interferences in hydride generation with in situ trapping in graphite furnace was evaluated. Arsenic was chosen as internal standard for Sb determination and Ir was used as permanent modifier. Fluctuations in the main parameters that affect the analytical results were minimized by IS and an effective contribution was verified in the studies of liquid phase interferences. Cobalt and Ni2+ were selected to illustrate the potential use of IS on the correction of interference by transition metals. The application of IS allows the Sb determination in samples containing up to 20-fold higher concentration of the Co2+ and Ni2+ when compared to the procedure without IS. The relative standard deviation of measurements varied from 0.3% to 0.7% and from 1.1% to 3.2% with and without IS, respectively. Recoveries within 92% and 107% of spiked aqueous solution containing Sb(III) and Sb(V) were found. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.