Resumo Um biocompósito cerâmico/polimérico com alto potencial para aplicações práticas multifuncionais em engenharia de tecidos ósseos foi sintetizado usando o conhecido polímero piezoelétrico, fluoreto de polivinilideno (PVDF), e a cerâmica altamente bioativa, fosfato de cálcio bifásica (BCP), obtida a partir de ossos de peixes reciclados. Uma alta bioatividade foi observada no compósito PVDF-BCP quando este foi submetido a condições que simulam um corpo animal. De fato, uma camada de apatita muito espessa (9 μm) cresceu em sua superfície no experimento de imersão (7 dias) em fluido corpóreo simulado (SBF). As características estruturais do compósito PVDF-BCP mostraram semelhanças com ossos de animais jovens, altamente bioativos, sobrepostos com fases polimórficas de PVDF. Ensaios mecânicos revelaram propriedades muito semelhantes às do tecido ósseo humano, com uma resistência à compressão atingindo 80 MPa. Juntos, todos esses fatores indicaram um material muito promissor para aplicação em implantes e/ou substituições ósseas com recuperação pós-operatória controlada/acelerada por estímulos externos.

Abstract A ceramic/polymer biocomposite with high potential for multifunctional practical applications in bone tissue engineering was synthesized by using a well-known piezoelectric polymer, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and a high bioactive biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) ceramic obtained from recycled fish bones. High-bioactivity was observed for the PVDF-BCP composite when it was subjected to conditions that simulate the animal body once a very thick apatite layer (9 μm) was grown on its surface in an immersion experiment (7 days) in simulated body fluid. The structural characteristics of the PVDF-BCP composite showed similarities with highly bioactive young animal bones, overlapped with PVDF polymorphic phases. Mechanical tests revealed properties very similar to those of the human bone tissue with a resistance strength reaching 80 MPa. Together, all these factors indicated a very promising material for application in osseous implants/replacement with postoperative recovery controlled/accelerated by external stimuli.

Resumo Nos últimos anos as soluções sólidas multiferróicas magnetoelétricas BiFeO3-PbTiO3 têm despertado a atenção de teóricos e experimentalistas devido às suas potencialidades para aplicações práticas. Neste trabalho, amostras cerâmicas de 0,6BiFeO3-0,4PbTiO3 dopadas com 3, 5 e 10% em massa de La2O3 foram processadas por moagem em altas e baixas energias e sinterização ao ar, nas temperaturas de 1015, 1065 e 1115 °C por 1 h. Seus módulos elásticos foram determinados por meio da técnica de excitação por impulso, que revelou um módulo elástico de 74 GPa para a amostra dopada com 3% de La2O3 e sinterizada a 1115 °C. Para todas as amostras foi observado o aumento do módulo elástico com o aumento da temperatura de sinterização, com consequente dimuição dessa propriedade com o aumento da concentração de lantânio.

Abstract BiFeO3-PbTiO3 multiferroic magnetoeletric solid solutions have shown great projection among the ferroelectric ceramics and have attracted attention of many researchers due to their potentialities for practical application. In this study, 3, 5 and 10 wt% of La2O3 doped 0.6BiFeO3-0.4PbTiO3 ceramics were processed through high and low-energy ball milling, followed by sintering in air at 1015, 1065 and 1115 °C for 1 h. Their elastic moduli were determined by the impulse excitation technique and the highest one, reaching 74 GPa, was observed for the 3% La2O3 doped sample sintered at 1115 °C. For the other samples, it was observed an increase of the elastic modulus with the sintering temperature increasing, with a consequent decrease of this property with the increase of lanthanum content.

Resumo Neste trabalho uma rota alternativa de síntese, o método de Pechini modificado, foi utilizada para obter nanopartículas do composto BiFeO3-PbTiO3 (BFPT). As imagens obtidas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura revelaram tamanhos de partículas inferiores a 120 nm. Análises estruturais apontaram a organização estrutural do composto (formação de estruturas com simetria tetragonal) como função da temperatura de síntese. Cálculos da polarização espontânea indicaram a intensidade alcançada no composto BFPT. As análises de densidade eletrônica obtidas pelo método da máxima entropia indicaram a configuração das ligações químicas presentes no composto.

Abstract In this work an alternative synthesis route, the modified Pechini method, was used to obtain nanoparticles of the BiFeO3-PbTiO3 (BFPT) compound. The scanning electron microscopy images revealed particle sizes below 120 nm. Structural analysis showed the structural organization of the compound (structure formation with tetragonal symmetry) as function of synthesis temperature. Calculations indicate spontaneous polarization intensity achieved in the BFPT compound. The analysis of electron density obtained by the maximum entropy method indicated the configuration of the chemical bonds present in the compound.

Os compostos cerâmicos BiFeO3 puro e modificado (Bi0,95R0,05FeO3), com terras raras R = Gd ou Eu, foram sintetizados por moagem em altas energias. As amostras foram analisadas por difração de raios X, microscopia eletrônica de varredura e espectroscopia por energia dispersiva de raios X. A difração de raios X indicou que as amostras modificadas com Eu são monofásicas, enquanto que as amostras puras e modificadas com Gd apresentaram majoritariamente a fase BiFeO3, com uma pequena quantidade de outras fases. A espectroscopia por energia dispersiva de raios X revelou a presença dos átomos modificantes na amostra e o mapeamento destes átomos indicou uma distribuição homogênea deles em toda a amostra. A microscopia eletrônica de varredura mostrou uma significante diminuição no tamanho das partículas, estando estas com dimensões sub-micrométricas e com diâmetro médio em torno de 500 nm. Estudos de densificação dos corpos cerâmicos indicaram compostos altamente densos, com densidades relativas acima de 0,9 sendo que o composto modificado com Eu alcançou a densidade relativa ρ/ρ0 = 0,98.

The, pure and rare earth modified (Bi0.95R0.05FeO3 / R = Gd or Eu) BiFeO3 compounds were synthesized by high-energy ball milling. The samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction results indicated single phase Eu modified samples, while the pure and Gd modified ones presented the BiFeO3 as majority phase, and small amount of the spurious phase. The energy dispersive spectroscopy revealed the presence of the modifiers atoms in the sample and the mapping of these atoms indicated the homogeneous distribution of them in the whole samples. The scanning electron microscopy showed a decrease significant on the particle size, with medium diameter around 500 nm. Densification studies indicated high-dense ceramics body, with relative density above of 0.9, were Eu modified compound reached relative density ρ/ρ0 = 0.98.

Os multiferróicos são materiais em que duas ou três propriedades tais como ferroeletricidade, ferromagnetismo e ferroelasticidade são observadas em uma mesma fase. Em particular, os multiferróicos magnetoelétricos representam os materiais que são simultaneamente (anti)ferromagnéticos e ferroelétricos, com ou sem ferroelasticidade. Especificamente, o sistema hematita (alfa-Fe2O3)-alumina (alfa-Al2O3) tem sido estudado, principalmente devido às suas potencialidades para aplicações em metalurgia e como catalisador na síntese de amônia. Contudo, compostos deste sistema também podem apresentar efeitos magnetoelétricos. Neste trabalho um estudo estrutural do composto (alfa-Fe2O3)0,25(alfa-Al2O 3)0,75 submetido à moagem em altas energias e tratamento térmico pós-moagem é apresentado. As amostras foram caracterizadas por difração de raios X, refinamento estrutural Rietveld e espectroscopia Mössbauer. A determinação e identificação das fases cristalográficas, parâmetros de rede e volume de celas unitárias nas amostras moída e tratada termicamente permitiu verificar as mudanças dos parâmetros, a formação de espinélios e possíveis deformações relativas advindas do processo de moagem em altas energias.

Multiferroics are materials in which two or all three of the properties, ferroelectricity, ferromagnetism, and ferroelasticity occur in the same phase. In particular, multiferroic magnetoelectrics represent the materials that are simultaneously ferromagnetic and ferroelectric, with or without ferroelasticity. Specifically, the hematite (alpha-Fe2O3)-alumina (alpha-Al2O3) system has been studied, mainly due to its potential applications in metallurgy and as catalyst of ammonia synthesis. However, compounds of this system also may present magnetoelectric effects. In this work, a structural study of the high-energy ball milled and annealed (alpha-Fe2O3 )0.25(alpha-Al2O3)0.75 compound was carefully conducted. The samples were characterized through X-ray diffraction, Rietveld structural refinement and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The determination and identification of crystallographic phases, lattice parameters and unit cell volume in as-milled and annealed samples allowed verifying structural parameters change, the spinel phase formation and possible relative deformations due to the high-energy ball milling process.

Fibrin glue has been researched as an alternative method for tissue synthesis and is known for its capability to promote hemostasis at the application site, good approximation of wound edges and fast healing. The current study consisted in the application of fibrin glue derived from snake venom as treatment for experimental corneal ulcers. Twenty-one dogs had their corneas experimentally prepared through lamellar keratectomy (of standardized diameter and depth). Animals were divided into seven groups of three animals each. Six experimental groups were periodically evaluated and collection was carried out on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 15th, 30th and 60th post-operative days, whereas one control group was evaluated throughout the experiment. Analyses consisted in the clinical evolution and in the histopathological study of all operated on eyes. Results indicated that fibrin glue was efficient in repairing keratectomy wounds in dogs and contributed to an earlier healing phenomenon, avoiding edema formation and keeping corneal clearness. The use of fibrin glue derived from snake venom showed to be easy to apply, feasible with animal models and of low cost, avoiding the lesion progress and allowing fast and appropriate corneal healing.

Acute infection by Toxoplasma gondii leads to suppression of cell-mediated immunity, facilitating chronic infection. One of the causes of immunosuppression is Interleukin-10 (IL-10) production. Glucan is used to stimulate phagocytosis. Our objective was to study IL-10 induction in male BALB/c mice with acute T. gondii BTU-2 strain infection, glucan immunostimulation, and sulfadiazine treatment. Animals were distributed into 7 groups: G1: infected with T. gondii; G2: infected with T. gondii and treated with sulfadiazine; G3: infected with T. gondii and immunostimulated with glucan; G4: infected with T. gondii, immunostimulated with glucan, and treated with sulfadiazine; G5: imunostimulated with glucan; G6: treated with saline; and G7: treated with sulfadiazine. IL-10 levels were determined by ELISA; the highest levels were found in G2, G3 and G4, and the lowest in G1 (p<0.001). Groups G1 to G5 and G7 had substantially higher levels than G6 (p<0.001). In this study, the highest IL-10 levels were found in groups treated with glucan.

Cerâmicas ferroelétricas transparentes de titanato zirconato de chumbo modificado com lantânio (PLZT, com La/Zr/Ti=9/65/35) e dopadas com íons terras raras (TR = Nd3+, Er3+, Yb3+, Tm3+ e Ho3+) foram preparadas por prensagem uniaxial a quente com o objetivo de investigar a sua qualificação como materiais laser ativos. Com este propósito foram feitas caracterizações estruturais, microestruturais, elétricas e espectroscópicas. Para a dopagem com 1% em peso de óxido TR2O3, verificou-se uma forte influência do tipo de íon terra rara nas características ferroelétricas e óticas do material hospedeiro. Observou-se ainda que a incorporação de Nd3+ nos sítios de Pb2+/La3+ reduziu a temperatura de transição ferro-paraelétrica e favoreceu significativamente a transparência dos corpos cerâmicos. Medidas de espectroscopia ótica revelaram a potencialidade do PLZT: Nd3+ como um meio ativo para a construção de lasers bombeados por lasers de diodo, na região do infravermelho próximo. Os sistemas PLZT:Er3+ e PLZT:Tm3+ poderão também se tornar materiais interessantes para esse fim.

In this work, transparent ferroelectric ceramics of lanthanum modified lead zirconate titanate (PLZT, with La/Zr/Ti=9/65/35), doped with rare-earth ions (RE = Nd3+, Er3+, Yb3+ Tm3+ and Ho3+), were processed by hot uniaxial pressing aiming the investigation of their potentiality as near-infrared laser active media. Their structural, microstructural, electric and spectroscopic characterizations were performed. For 1.0 wt.% RE2O3 doping, a strong influence of the rare-earth type was verified in the PLZT ferroelectric and optical characteristics. It was also observed that the Nd3+ substitution for Pb2+/La3+ reduces the ferro-paraelectric phase transition temperature and favors the transparency of the ceramic bodies. Spectroscopic analysis indicates that PLZT:Nd3+ is a potential diode-pumped laser active media in the near infrared region, and with some improvements, PLZT:Er3+ and PLZT:Tm3+ might also become so .

This work studied the influence of calcination conditions on basic properties and catalytic performance of Mg,Al-mixed oxides derived from a hydrotalcite sample (Al/(Al+Mg)=0.20). Various heating rates, calcination atmospheres and lengths of calcination at 723K were evaluated. TPD of CO2 and retroaldolization of diacetone alcohol (DAA) were used to determine the basic properties of the mixed oxides. The basic site density determined by TPD of CO2 showed a better correlation with catalytic activity for acetone/citral aldol condensation than the relative basicity obtained from retroaldolization of DAA. Calcination atmosphere was the parameter that influenced most the basic and the catalytic properties of the Mg,Al-mixed oxides, with calcination under dry air being the best choice.

Cerâmicas ferroelétricas transparentes têm sido largamente empregadas em dispositivos ópticos e eletro-ópticos. Neste trabalho apresentamos recentes progressos alcançados pelo GCFerr/DF-UFSCar na obtenção de cerâmicas ferroelétricas transparentes, obtidas por prensagem uniaxial a quente. São apresentados resultados de caracterizações microestrutural, estrutural, óptica, dielétrica, piroelétrica, eletro-óptica, eletrostrictiva e ferroelétrica, em cerâmicas de titanato zirconato de chumbo modificado com lantânio (PLZT) e niobato de magnésio e chumbo - titanato de chumbo modificado com lantânio (PLMN-PT). Os resultados obtidos revelaram uma microestrutura homogênea, altos valores de densidade e ausência de fases segregadas para as cerâmicas de ambas composições. Conseqüentemente, altos valores de transmitância foram observados para as regiões visível e infravermelho próximo. As medidas elétricas também apresentaram excelentes resultados, quando comparados à literatura, demonstrando a alta qualidade das amostras obtidas.

Transparent ferroelectric ceramics have been extensively employed in optical and electrooptical devices. The recent progresses achieved by the GCFerr/DF - UFSCar in the production of the transparent ferroelectric ceramics, through uniaxial hot-pressing technique, are presented. The physical property characterization, as microstructural, structural, optical, dielectrical, pyroelectric, electro-optical, electrostrictive and ferroelectric are reported for lanthanum modified lead zirconate titanate (PLZT) and lanthanum modified lead magnesium niobate - lead titanate (PLMN-PT) ceramics. The results revealed a homogeneous microstructure, high densities and absence of second phases for the ceramics of both compositions. Consequently, high optical transmittance was found in the visible and infrared range. The electrical measurements also presented excellent results when compared to those reported in the literature confirming the high quality of the samples.

The authors have performed a literature review of surgical adhesives, such as cyanoacrylate, collagen gelatin, and fibrin glue. They have included different types of commercial and non-commercial fibrin sealants and have reported on the different components in these adhesives, such as fibrinogen, cryoprecipitate, bovine thrombin, and thrombin-like fraction of snake venom.

O niobato de bário e chumbo (PBN) possui uma estrutura cristalina do tipo tungstênio-bronze e apresenta propriedades ferroelétricas muito interessantes tanto do ponto de vista científico quanto do ponto de vista tecnológico, revelando-se como um material bastante promissor para aplicação no desenvolvimento de dispositivos eletro-ópticos, piezoelétricos e piroelétricos. Cerâmicas à base de Pb0(0,59)Ba0,41Nb2O 6 (PBN59) foram preparadas pelo método convencional de mistura de matérias-primas. Duas rotas distintas de densificação de amostras foram utilizadas nesse trabalho: sinterização convencional e sinterização por prensagem uniaxial a quente. As caracterizações microestruturais efetuadas indicaram que as amostras obtidas via prensagem uniaxial a quente apresentam uma distribuição bimodal de tamanhos de grão e elevadas densidades, indicando que essa técnica propicia uma maior eficiência no processo de densificação das amostras. O tratamento térmico pós-prensagem uniaxial a quente induz o macro-crescimento preferencial de grãos orientados.

Lead barium niobate ferroelectric ceramics have a crystallographic tungsten bronze structure and present interesting ferroelectric properties from both scientific and technological points of view, making them very attractive for electro-optical, SAW and pyroelectric device applications. Ceramics of Pb0(0.59)Ba0.41Nb2O 6 (PBN59) were prepared through conventional mixed precursors method. Two distinct densification routes were employed in this work: conventional firing and uniaxial hot pressing. The microstructural characterizations indicated that the samples obtained by the latter method present a bimodal grain size distribution and high densities, indicating that this technique is more suitable for obtaining ceramics with high densification rates. The post-pressing annealing induces the preferentially oriented macro grain growth.

Fibrin glue has been used on its own or in conjunction with suturing materials to promote hemostasis, reduce adherence, strengthen the wound site, and improve healing. Snake venom derived fibrin glue was evaluated as an alternative to conventional uterine suturing after ovine caesarean surgery. Twenty-eight pregnant ewes of known mating date were used. The animals submitted to conventional caesarean sections showed a better wound healing process. As expected, all the operated animals had retained placenta, compromising coaptation of wound edges. This had a strong influence in the results observed with the animals in which fibrin glue was used. The animals were divided into four groups GI, GII, GIII, and GIV and sacrificed, respectively, 3, 7, 15, and 30 days after surgery for macro and microscopic examination of the uterus. From each group, six animals underwent surgery using fibrin glue and four animals were submitted to comparative conventional hysterorrhaphy using catgut.

Cerâmicas de Sr1-xBaxNb2O6, "puras" e dopadas com óxidos de terras raras, foram preparadas com o objetivo de estudar o seu comportamento dielétrico em função da adição desses dopantes. As amostras foram caracterizadas através de medidas dielétricas efetuadas em função da temperatura (30 K a 500 K) e da freqüência (1 kHz a 1 MHz). Em todas as amostras estudadas verifica-se a presença de dois processos distintos de relaxação dielétrica. O primeiro processo é observado a temperaturas inferiores a 100 K. O segundo processo é observado próximo a temperatura ambiente, onde a constante dielétrica apresenta seu maior valor. Observou-se que a adição de dopantes causa efeitos distintos nas temperaturas de máximo das constantes dielétricas nas duas regiões de relaxação dielétrica.

Ceramics of SBN, undoped and doped with rare earth oxides, were prepared to the study of the influence of the doping on the dielectric properties. The samples were characterised through dielectric measurements as a function of temperature (30 K to 500 K) and frequency (1 kHz to 1 MHz). In all samples two distinct dielectric relaxation processes were observed. The first one at temperatures below 100 K; the second one is near room temperature, where the dielectric constant is maximum. The doping causes distinct effects in the maximum temperatures of the dielectric constants in the two dielectric relaxation regions.