A comparative analysis of the observed white dwarf cooling sequence from globular clusters

We report our study of features at the observed red end of the white dwarf cooling sequences for three Galactic globular clusters: NGC\,6397, 47\,Tucanae and M\,4. We use deep colour-magnitude diagrams constructed from archival Hubble Space Telescope (ACS) to systematically investigate the blue turn at faint magnitudes and the age determinations for each cluster. We find that the age difference between NGC\,6397 and 47\,Tuc is 1.98$^{+0.44}_{-0.26}$\,Gyr, consistent with the picture that metal-rich halo clusters were formed later than metal-poor halo clusters. We self-consistently include the effect of metallicity on the progenitor age and the initial-to-final mass relation. In contrast with previous investigations that invoked a single white dwarf mass for each cluster, the data shows a spread of white dwarf masses that better reproduce the shape and location of the blue turn. This effect alone, however, does not completely reproduce the observational data - the blue turn retains some mystery. In this context, we discuss several other potential problems in the models. These include possible partial mixing of H and He in the atmosphere of white dwarf stars, the lack of a good physical description of the collision-induced absorption process and uncertainties in the opacities at low temperatures. The latter are already known to be significant in the description of the cool main sequence. Additionally, we find that the present day local mass function of NGC\,6397 is consistent with a top-heavy type, while 47\,Tuc presents a bottom-heavy profile.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS (16 pages, 19 figures

The use of Brazilian vegetable oils in nanoemulsions: an update on preparation and biological applications

ABSTRACT Vegetable oils present important pharmacological properties, which gained ground in the pharmaceutical field. Its encapsulation in nanoemulsions is considered a promising strategy to facilitate the applicability of these natural compounds and to potentiate the actions. These formulations offer several advantages for topical and systemic delivery of cosmetic and pharmaceutical agents including controlled droplet size, protection of the vegetable oil to photo, thermal and volatilization instability and ability to dissolve and stabilize lipophilic drugs. For these reasons, the aim of this review is to report on some characteristics, preparation methods, applications and especially analyze recent research available in the literature concerning the use of vegetable oils with therapeutic characteristics as lipid core in nanoemulsions, specially from Brazilian flora, such as babassu (Orbignya oleifera), aroeira (Schinus molle L.), andiroba (Carapa guaianiensis), casca-de-anta (Drimys brasiliensis Miers), sucupira (Pterodon emarginatus Vogel) and carqueja doce (Stenachaenium megapotamicum) oils

Efeito do processamento em misturas de alumina/ligantes orgânicos usadas na moldagem por injeção em baixa pressão Effect of processing variables in alumina/organic binders mixtures used in low-pressure injection molding

A moldagem por injeção em baixa pressão (MIBP) é uma técnica que já vem sendo empregada na produção de peças cerâmicas com formas e geometrias complexas. A homogeneidade da mistura de ligantes orgânicos e pós cerâmicos é um fator determinante que deve ser controlado para minimizar a formação de imperfeições no processamento de feedstocks para MIBP. Defeitos típicos de processamento por MIBP, como bolhas de ar e aglomerados, geram gradientes de densidade nas misturas que, após conformação, possuem poucas possibilidades de remoção. Essas imperfeições comprometem o desempenho dos produtos obtidos por essa técnica. Este trabalho está focado na avaliação dessas heterogeneidades e como elas podem ser correlacionadas com a variação da densidade aparente e com o comportamento reológico dessas misturas. Para tanto, aluminas submicrométricas, como recebida e desaglomerada, foram adicionadas a uma mistura fundida de ligantes a base de parafinas, ceras e aditivos e processada em dois tipos diferentes de misturadores, com e sem o auxílio de vácuo. Foi observada a presença de aglomerados existentes na alumina como recebida, possivelmente gerados durante a etapa de calcinação. Também foi observado que o tipo de misturador e a aplicação ou não de vácuo durante a etapa final do processamento têm grande influência no tempo de mistura necessário para reduzir a viscosidade do feedstock para a injeção.<br>The low-pressure injection molding (LPIM) is a technique already being used in the production of ceramic parts with complex shapes and geometries. The homogeneity of the mixture of organic binder and ceramic powder is a determining factor which must be controlled to minimize defects formation while feedstock processing to LPIM. Typical defects of LPIM processing, such as air bubbles and agglomerates, generate density gradients in the mixtures, which, after shaping, have little possibility of removal. These imperfections compromise the performance of the products obtained by this technique. This work is focused on the evaluation of these inhomogeneities and how they can be correlated with density variation and the rheological behavior of these mixtures. Therefore, submicrometer aluminas, as received and deagglomerated, were added to a molten mixture of paraffin based binders, waxes and additives and processed in two different mixers, with and without vacuum. The presence of alumina agglomerates was observed in the powder as received, possibly generated during the calcination step. It was also observed that the type of mixer and vacuum application or not during the final processing step, has a major influence on the mixing time required to reduce the viscosity of the feedstock for injection