Long term measurements of aerosol optical properties at a primary forest site in Amazonia

A long term experiment was conducted in a primary forest area in Amazonia, with continuous in-situ measurements of aerosol optical properties between February 2008 and April 2011, comprising, to our knowledge, the longest database ever in the Amazon Basin. Two major classes of aerosol particles, with significantly different optical properties were identified: coarse mode predominant biogenic aerosols in the wet season (January–June), naturally released by the forest metabolism, and fine mode dominated biomass burning aerosols in the dry season (July–December), transported from regional fires. Dry particle median scattering coefficients at the wavelength of 550 nm increased from 6.3 Mm−1 to 22 Mm−1, whereas absorption at 637 nm increased from 0.5 Mm−1 to 2.8 Mm−1 from wet to dry season. Most of the scattering in the dry season was attributed to the predominance of fine mode (PM2) particles (40–80% of PM10 mass), while the enhanced absorption coefficients are attributed to the presence of light absorbing aerosols from biomass burning. As both scattering and absorption increased in the dry season, the single scattering albedo (SSA) did not show a significant seasonal variability, in average 0.86 ± 0.08 at 637 nm for dry aerosols. Measured particle optical properties were used to estimate the aerosol forcing efficiency at the top of the atmosphere. Results indicate that in this primary forest site the radiative balance was dominated by the cloud cover, particularly in the wet season. Due to the high cloud fractions, the aerosol forcing efficiency absolute values were below −3.5 W m−2 in 70% of the wet season days and in 46% of the dry season days. Besides the seasonal variation, the influence of out-of-Basin aerosol sources was observed occasionally. Periods of influence of the Manaus urban plume were detected, characterized by a consistent increase on particle scattering (factor 2.5) and absorption coefficients (factor 5). Episodes of biomass burning and mineral dust particles advected from Africa were observed between January and April, characterized by enhanced concentrations of crustal elements (Al, Si, Ti, Fe) and potassium in the fine mode. During these episodes, median particle absorption coefficients increased by a factor of 2, whereas median SSA values decreased by 7%, in comparison to wet season conditions

Luminescent properties of hybrid materials prepared by the polymeric precursor method

Rare earth complexes (RE) can be incorporated in silica matrixes, originating organic/inorganic hybrid materials with good thermal stability and high rare earth emission lines. In this work, the hybrid material was obtained by the polymeric precursor method and ultrasonic dispersed with spherical silica particles prepared by the Stöber Method. The Raman spectra indicated that the Eu3+ ions are involved in a polymeric structure formed as consequence of the chelation and polyesterification reactions of this ion with citric acid and ethylene glycol. After the ultrasonic stirring, 2-hydroxynicotinic ligand will also compose this polymeric rigid structure. The TGA/DTA analysis showed that this polymeric material was thermal decomposed at 300 °C. Moreover, this process allows the chelating process of the 2-hydroxynicotinic acid ligand to the Eu3+ ions. The 29Si NMR showed that the ultrasonic dispersion of the reactants was not able to promote the functionalization of the silica particles with the 2-hydroxynicotinic acid ligand. Moreover, heat treatment promotes the [Eu(HnicO2)3] complex particles incorporation into silica pores. At this temperature, the TGA curve showed that only the thermal degradation of ethylene glycol and citric acid used during the experimental procedure occurs. The silica and hybrid materials are composed by spherical and aggregated particles with particle size of approximately 450 nm, which can be influenced by the heat treatment. These materials also present an absorption band located at 337 nm. The photoluminescent study showed that when the hybrid samples were excited at 337 nm wavelength, the ligand absorbs the excitation light. Part of this energy is transferred to the Eu3+ ion, which main emission, 5D0→ 7F2, is observed in the emission spectrum at 612 nm. As the heating temperature increases to 300 C, the energy transfer is more favorable. The lifetime values showed that the Eu3+ emission is enhanced due to the energy transfer process in the powders. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Avaliação histológica e histomorfométrica da regeneração óssea a partir da utilização de biomateriais em tíbias de ovinos

RESUMO: Falhas ósseas são comumente encontradas na medicina veterinária em diferentes enfermidades, principalmente por traumas em grandes animais. Frequentemente faz-se necessário auxiliar este reparo tecidual para melhor correção desta falha. Os biomateriais foram desenvolvidos para cumprir esta função. A fim de avaliar o comportamento celular perante estes substitutos ósseos, a realização de testes in vivo é fundamental. A partir da observação da unidade morfofuncional do tecido é possível avaliar a quantidade e a qualidade do tecido neoformado. Atualmente, em estudos ortopédicos, os ovinos são considerados animais de escolha como modelo experimental. Falhas ósseas foram realizadas experimentalmente em ovinos, onde foram implantados biomateriais à base de quitosana, hidroxiapatita e colágeno. Após 60 dias foi realizada biopsia no local do reparo tecidual e por meio da histomorfometria da matriz orgânica, da análise descritiva da microscopia de luz e da microscopia eletrônica de transmissão, o tecido neoformado foi avaliado e comparado. Na histomorfometria, não houve diferença significativa quanto à quantidade de tecido neorformado do grupo controle e do grupo com biomaterial, porém quando comparado ao osso pré-existente, retirado no momento da confecção da falha, a área de matriz óssea foi menor. Na descrição da microscopia de luz e em maiores detalhes na análise ultra estrutural, observou-se o biomaterial em contato íntimo com o tecido neoformado, sugerindo boa biocompatibilidade. Foi possível observar o padrão da reparação tecidual, onde o membro controle e o membro com biomaterial não diferiram quanto à arquitetura tecidual, porém nas amostras com o implante do biomaterial foi identificada a presença do mesmo. Todas estas informações sugerem que o biomaterial não prejudicou a regeneração óssea, apresentou boa biocompatibilidade e denota potencial para auxiliar na rotina ortopédica de grandes animais

Na+ and K+ body levels and survival of fingerlings of Rhamdia quelen (Siluriformes, Pimelodidae) exposed to acute changes of water pH. Níveis corporais de Na+ e K+ e sobrevivência de alevinos de Rhamdia quelen (Siluriformes, Pimelodidae) submetidos a variações agudas do pH da água.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of water pH on survival and Na+ and K+ body levels of fingerlings of Rhamdia quelen, a freshwater catfish. Survival was 100% at pH 4.00 to 9.0 throughout the experiment (96h), and death of all fingerlings was observed only at pH 3.75 or lower and at pH 10.50. There was a significant correlation between water pH and body Na+ levels (but not K+ levels) 72h after transfer. There was a clear reduction in Na+ levels when the transfer was to pH outside the 5.0 - 9.0 range, which is in agreement with the fact that fishes exposed to such pH’s present loss of ions by diffusion and/or a decrease in absorption. Growth experiments with this species probably would present best results within the 5.0 - 9.0 pH range, in which the decrease of body Na+ levels is reduced.<br>O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o efeito do pH da água na sobrevivência e níveis corporais de Na+ e K+ de alevinos de Rhamdia quelen, um peixe de água doce. A sobrevivência foi de 100% ao longo do experimento (96h) na faixa de pH de 4,0 a 9,0, e foi observado mortalidade total dos alevinos em pH abaixo de 3,75 (e inclusive) e em pH 10,5. Houve uma correlação significativa entre o pH da água e os níveis corporais de Na+ (mas não de K+) 72h após a transferência. Quando os alevinos foram transferidos para um pH fora da faixa de 5,0 - 9,0, houve uma nítida redução dos níveis corporais de Na+, concordando com o fato que peixes expostos a esses níveis de pH apresentam perda de íons por difusão e/ou uma redução na sua absorção. O crescimento dessa espécie, provavelmente, é estimulado dentro da faixa de pH 5,0 - 9,0, na qual a diminuição dos níveis corporais de Na+ foi menor