Abstract Polymer blends, derived from the combination of two or more polymers, yield novel materials with properties distinct from that of the original polymers. These materials have garnered interest in the medical field. However, for such applications the biocompatibility of the material must be evaluated. In this study, we prepared polymer blends from poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and polypyrrole-block-poly(caprolactone) (PPy-b-PCL) using the casting method. The observed compatibility resulted from specific interactions between the carboxylic group of PCL and the amine group of PPy-b-PCL, as well as between the pyrrole ring of PPy-b-PCL and the CH2 group of PCL. Micro-Raman imaging revealed homogeneity in surface morphology, whereas thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the formation of polymer blends enhances the material’s thermal stability. Importantly, the results demonstrated that the addition of PPy-b-PCL does not affect the cytotoxicity to bovine fibroblasts, suggesting their biocompatibility and potential application in cattle veterinary devices. polymers field However evaluated study polyεcaprolactone poly ε caprolactone poly(ε-caprolactone (PCL polypyrroleblockpolycaprolactone polypyrrole block polypyrrole-block-poly(caprolactone PPybPCL PPy b (PPy-b-PCL method PPybPCL, PCL, CH MicroRaman Micro Raman morphology s stability Importantly fibroblasts devices

Besides increasing shelf life of fluid milk, milk powder has physical and functional properties that allow it to be used as ingredient. The rehydration process is complex and happens in four steps: wettability, sinkability, dispersibility and solubility. Works have been conducted aiming at the development of an easier, more convenient and reproducible method to evaluate the dissolution properties of dairy powders. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate dispersibility and solubility through particle size distribution in order to establish a new rehydration index for whole milk powder. The particle size distribution and morphological characteristics of seven samples of milk powder (from A to G) were analyzed. Samples F and C differed from the others which formed a similar group. Principal component analysis divided the samples into three different groups, allowing the indication of an efficient rehydration index to determine the powders dispersability.

In the search for new solid fuels that can mitigate emissions of greenhouse gases and reduce municipal solid waste, it is proposed to produce a solid fuel from elephant grass charcoal (EGC) and blend it with the following binding recyclable materials, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with the aim of increasing their mechanical strength. Immediate analysis results indicate that there was an increase in volatile material content from 21.18% to 28.02% and a reduction in fixed carbon from 65.00% to 58.40% with the addition of binding agents. The higher heating value of pure charcoal was 5924.16 kcal/kg and there was no significant alteration by adding HDPE, however, with the addition of PET, there was an average reduction of 4.82%. According to the elemental analysis of charcoal, there were no significant amounts of sulphur, but silicon and potassium oxides were predominantly composed followed by aluminium, titanium, magnesium and iron according to the analysis of ashes. The addition of thermoplastic binders allowed producing pellets and it was found that those produced by using HDPE are stronger than those produced with PET.

This work shows a practical application of the group theory to a relatively simple molecular system, as well its impact in the results obtained through vibrational spectroscopic techniques. Squaraines substituted by dicyanemethylene groups have been extensively studied, and after minor approaches in the sense to facilitate the point group determination, they were classified to the C2v (Cis) and D2h (Trans) groups. The Trans squaraine presents lower irreducible representations when compared to the Cis derivative; alterations in the arrangements of such systems promotes very interesting conjugation effects, since different reactivity from spectroscopic particularities. Especially to the Trans squaraine, there was a clear convergence between the data suggest by the calculations and those observed in their vibrational spectra, mainly that related to the inversion operation; strong bands visualized in a vibrational technique are not identified in other, mainly in region between 1800-1000 cm-1. The approach of local symmetry must to be adjust to better evaluation of the spectroscopic behavior of the Cis derivative, in this case, the theory suggests low symmetry, but in the spectra can be seen clearly a bigger symmetry. Then, the vibrational analysis by using different techniques was determinant to the discussion in a supramolecular level.

A Represa Dr. João Penido é o principal manancial de abastecimento de água de Juiz de Fora, localizada no sudeste brasileiro. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar a análise de metais, agrotóxicos, alguns parâmetros físico-químicos e microbiológicos em amostras de água da represa, verificando a correlação entre os mesmos e o atendimento aos limites previstos nas legislações pertinentes (Brasil, 2004;2011; CONAMA, 2005). Foram realizadas oito coletas em cinco pontos do reservatório, no período entre julho de 2011 e março de 2013. Os parâmetros físico-químicos e microbiológicos analisados foram: temperatura da água, oxigênio dissolvido, pH, condutividade, cor, turbidez, sólidos totais, demanda bioquímica de oxigênio, nitrato, nitrito, amônio, nitrogênio total, fósforo total, clorofila a, coliformes totais e termotolerantes. Foram analisados todos os agrotóxicos mencionados nas Portarias MS/GM 518/2005 e 2.914/2011 do Ministério da Saúde (Brasil, 2004;2011). Os metais pesquisados, nas formas total e dissolvida foram: cobre, cromo, cádmio, chumbo, níquel, zinco, manganês, ferro, sódio, potássio e cálcio. A metodologia das análises seguiram o preconizado no Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (APHA et al., 1998). Foi feita a correlação entre os resultados pela aplicação da técnica de mineração de dados (Data mining). Os níveis de metais nas águas ficaram abaixo dos limites do CONAMA, com exceção de ferro e zinco. Com relação aos demais parâmetros, aqueles que apresentaram desconformidade com esta norma foram: demanda bioquímica de oxigênio, oxigênio dissolvido, fósforo total e coliformes termotolerantes. Os agrotóxicos estiveram abaixo do limite de quantificação dos métodos utilizados, atendendo portanto as Portarias do Ministério da Saúde. Os resultados e as correlações encontradas indicam que o intemperismo, o escoamento superficial e as formas de uso e ocupação das terras da bacia de drenagem interferem no ecossistema aquático. Este estudo fornece subsídios para o planejamento de ações visando a preservação e recuperação da qualidade hídrica do manancial.

The Dr. John Penido Dam is the main source of water supply of the city of Juiz de Fora, located in southeastern Brazil. This study analyzed metals, agro toxics, and some physico-chemical and microbiological parameters in water samples taken near the dam, and checked their conformity to limits specified in the pertinent legislation (Brasil, 2004;2011; CONAMA, 2005). Eight samples were collected at five points of the reservoir between July 2011 and March 2013. The following physicochemical and microbiological parameters were analyzed: water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, color, turbidity, total solids, demand biochemical oxygen, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, chlorophyll a, total and thermo-tolerant coliforms. Every agro toxic mentioned in Ordinances MS/GM 518/2005 and 2.914/2011 of the Ministry of Health (Brazil, 2004; 2011) was analyzed. The total and dissolved metals tested included: copper, chromium, cadmium, lead, nickel, zinc, manganese, iron, sodium, potassium and calcium. The correlation between the results was accomplished using data mining technique (Data Mining). The results showed that the levels of metals in the water are below the CONAMA parameters, with exceptions of iron and zinc. The following other parameters also showed disagreement: biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, total phosphorus and thermo-tolerant coliforms. Agro toxics were also below the limits of quantification of the methods employed, and were therefore within the limits established by the Ministry of Health Ordinances. The results and correlations indicate that the weathering, runoff and forms of use and occupation of the watershed interfere with the aquatic ecosystem. This study provides information useful to planning the preservation and restoration of the water quality of the supply source.

This work has compared the surfaces of two different steel samples used as orthopedical implants, classified as ASTM F138 and ISO5832-9, through optical emission spectroscopy, by means of SEM and EDS. The samples (implants) were also submitted to potentiodynamic cyclic polarization in Ringer lactate and NaCl 0.9 M L-1 solutions; ISO5832-9 sample did not show any kind of localized corrosion, but in the case of F138 steel was observed a pit localized corrosion in both solutions. In Ringer lactate solution it was observed a loss of about 63% for nickel and 26% for iron for F138 stell, compared to the initial composition.

OBJETIVO: Este trabalho estudou a composição química e metalográfica (microestrutura, tamanho de grão, teor de inclusões) de aços inoxidáveis austeníticos, desenvolvidos para aplicações como biomateriais, utilizados na fabricação de implantes ortopédicos. MÉTODO: Foram analisados doze implantes removidos de pacientes afetados por quadro inflamatório. As análises químicas foram desenvolvidas pelas técnicas Espectrometria de Emissão Ótica e Microanálise por Dispersão de Energia (EDS) e o tamanho de grão foi determinado por microscopia ótica e Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV) conforme norma ASTM E 1382 97. RESULTADOS: Observou-se que, todos os implantes apresentavam tamanho de grão superior ao recomendado pela norma, constatou-se também a presença de ferrita delta em dez dos doze implantes removidos, que de acordo com a norma ASTM F138-92 não deveriam ser percebidas microscopicamente com um aumento de 100 vezes. CONCLUSÕES: Em oito casos existe forte indicação de que as inflamações foram desencadeadas pela corrosão por pite. Nivel de Evidência III, Revisão sistemática de Estudos .

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the chemical and metallographic composition (microstructure, grain size, inclusion content) of austenitic stainless steel developed as biomaterials for used in the manufacture of orthopedic implants. METHOD: An analysis was carried out of twelve implants removed from patients affected by inflammation. Chemical analyses were carried out using Optical Emission Spectrometry and Energy Dispersive Microanalysis (EDS), and the grain size was determined by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) according to ASTM Standard E 1382 97. RESULTS: It was observed that all the implants had a larger grain size than is recommended by the Standard. The presence of delta ferrite was also observed in ten of the twelve implants removed, which according to ASTM Standard F138-92, should not be perceived microscopically under magnification of 100x. CONCLUSIONS: In eight cases, there is a strong indication that the inflammation was triggered by pitting corrosion. Level of Evidence: Level III, Systematic review of studies.

In the present work "ex situ"Raman microscopy was employed in the identification of some of the pigments present in the painting "Portrait of Murilo Mendes" by Cândido Portinari. In the investigated samples it was possible to identify unambiguously two pigments: Prussian blue and lapis-lazuli (or its synthetic analogue, ultramarine blue) - the former is observed together with organic substances, possibly used as dispersants, what suggests a further use of a mass for recover the painting.