Salinity is one of the major factors limiting plant development and crop productivity. Damage to plants exposed to salinity has been ascribed to ion toxicity, water deficit, nutrient imbalance and oxidative stress. The physiological and biochemical aspects of salt tolerance in plants have attracted considerable interest, but few studies have been carried out to study the ultrastructural changes in plant cells adapted to salinity. These changes may be helpful in elucidating the mechanisms of salt tolerance at cellular level. In plants exposed to salinity, alterations of cell walls and structure of cellular membranes, the swelling of thylakoids and a decrease in the amount of grana stacking in chloroplasts, and the vacuolation of cells have been observed n1, 21.

The aim of this work was to gain insights into the muscle fibre phenotype and ultrastructure in blackspot seabream juveniles, a potential candidate for Portuguese aquaculture. Firstly, we used a panel of isoform-specific antibodies as well as histochemical staining for myosin ATPase and for SDH enzyme activity (a marker for mitochondrial content and oxidative metabolism) to identify myosin expression. Secondly, muscle fibre types were also identified by their fine structure where powerful approaches contributed to understand the muscle fibre phenotype of blackspot seabream juveniles. We observed that the main part of the musculature consisted of fast-white fibres, with a narrow strip of slow-red fibres situated superficially adjacent to the lateral line. A zone of intermediate-pink muscle fibres was inserted between those muscle domains (Fig.1).

Different epidemiological studies demonstrated that male gender and age are risk factors for the progression of liver disease. Regarding age, it has been associated with liver mass and blood flow reduction, whereas in gender, the estradiol has revealed protective roles in models of liver fibrosis and of trauma-hemorrhage in rats. So far, most of the studies on aging focused their attention in hepatocyte (HEP) structure and function and few data exists pertaining to other liver cell subpopulations, including hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and Kupffer cells (KC). To the best of our knowledge, an integrative analysis (with modern stereology) of the liver cell populations, throughout aging and gender, has never been performed.

Recent developments in the design of holders for transmission electron microscopes (TEM) have enabled widespread property analysis of nanostructures with unprecedented spatial resolution. It is now possible to routinely and reliably test the mechanical and electrical characteristics of a single carbon nanotube (CNT), for instance. Furthermore, due to the multitasking capability of TEMs, the study can even integrate simultaneous imaging and spectroscopical analysis. The combination of real-time gathering of structural, chemical, electrical and mechanical information provides an outstanding view of the materials' reactions when subjected to external stimulus such as current or heat.

The morphology control at the mesoscale, via the design of size, shape, surface, interface, porosity and patterning of the meso-components, has gained increasing attention in the recent past and is expected to endue materials with novel functions. Most reports on mesoporous materials are on amorphous silica or simple oxides with amorphous or polycrystalline framework. It is still quite challenging to achieve functional multi-metal-oxides possessing highly porous structure. On the other hand, the synthesis and characterization of nano-sized ferroics has recently become important since it was predicted a dependence, for instance of the ferroelectric response, on the size and morphology. Moreover, the combination of different materials at the nanoscale creating multifunctional nanocomposites, where new properties resulting from scale, interface and defect phenomena are expected, is a new field that requires exploitation. Crystal size, surface area, surface curvature, and charges on the surface singnificantly influence the physical properties of ferroics at the nano-scale. Within our studies of the porous ferroelectrics, we have prepared BaTiO3 crystals with nanoporosity inside with a sol-precipitation process involving polymer or surfactant micelles. In this work, we present the microscopic characterization of porous BaTiO3 derived from hard matrix.

Bulk barium titanate (BaTiO3) has found widespread applications especially in multi-layered ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) and embedded decoupling capacitors (EDC). In the last years, the interest in one-dimensional (1D) nanostructured ferroelectric systems (nanotubes, nanowires, nanorods, nanobelts, nanofibers) is increasing. Recently theoretical studies reported an enhancement of ferroelectricity in 1D systems. Although the hydrothermal and aqueous synthesis of equiaxed barium titanate powders have been thoroughly investigated the growth of barium titanate anisotropic nanoparticles still less known. Indeed it is particularly dificult to modify the crystal habit by hydrothermal and related methods. However it is expected that the presence of some additives during the synthesis will change the growth kinetics.

Lead zirconate - lead titanate (PZT) materials are commercially important piezoelectric and ferroelectrics in a wide range of applications, such as data storage (dynamic access and ferroelectric random access memories) and sensing and actuating devices. PZT with the morphotropic phase boundary composition offers the highest piezoelectric response and at the present there are no fullydeveloped alternative materials to PZT. The importance of PZT associated with the continuous requirements of device miniaturization, imposes the development of high quality PZT thin films with optimized properties. Concomitantly due to the dependence of the final properties of thin films on the details of the microstructure a thoroughly analysis at the local scale of their microstructure is necessary. Sol-gel method, is one of the Chemical Solution Deposition techniques used to prepare oxide thin films, such as PZT. Starting from a solution, a solid network is progressively formed via inorganic polymerisation reactions. Most metal alkoxides used for sol-gel synthesis are highly reactive towards hydrolysis and condensation. Therefore their chemical reactivity has to be tailored via the chemical modification (or complexation) of metal alkoxides to avoid uncontrolled reactions and precipitation. For PZT sol gel thin film preparation, two chemical routes are frequently used depending on the nature of the molecular precursor, namely methotoxyethanol (MOE) route and diol-route.

Hardmetals of tungsten carbides in a cobalt matrix have been attempted to weld in similar joints by Nd/YAG laser in continuous wave mode. The combination of mechanical and thermo-physical properties of these materials poses a significant difficulty in welding these materials, especially for grades with low Co content, as 6 to 12% in volume. However, grades with higher Co content also showed a poor weldability. In fact, when welding hardmetals with a Co content of 25% in volume, a large amount of pores was observed on the fracture surface. Analysis under scanning electron microscopy showed these pores were coated with a thin film.Observations with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) revealed this film is rich in cobalt and is highly unstable. Figure 1 shows the characteristics of the film around a pore evidencing its corrugated aspect originated during rapid cooling conditions verified during laser welding.

CVD diamond coated cutting tools are used for machining of abrasive and hard materials such as Al-Si alloys and tungsten carbide. The knowledge of the mechanisms governing the diamond/substrate interfacial strength is crucial in cutting tools design. The most adequate substrate material for maximizing the adhesion of diamond films is the silicon nitride (Si3N4) ceramic that possesses a thermal expansion coefficient similar to that of diamond. Buchkremer-Hermanns and co-workers consider the formation of a SiC interlayer between diamond and Si3N4, which may favour chemical bonding to diamond, although they could not detect it by glazing incidence X-Ray diffraction. They believed that insufficient detection sensitivity for very thin films, texture effects or presence of amorphous layers are possible reasons. In the case of TiN substrates, a graded interlayer of amorphous TiCN of only 8 Å was suggested by Contreras, as observed by HRTEM images and EDS measurements. Due to the difficulty in the detection of such layers, which can be in the order of a few angstrons, a definite evidence of their nature is yet to be demonstrated.

In the decorative field, besides the optical characteristics needed for achieving desired colours, the material should have suitable properties able to assure the daily use of the component without significant degradation. Oxides are well known materials with a high wear and corrosion resistance which make them a preferential choice of coatings for environmental protection. However, the intrinsic colours possible to be achieved in a single oxide system are very limited. For example in W-O system, besides the different tonalities of grey, only the dark blue can be obtained for slightly substochiometric WO3 compound. The pallet of colours exhibited by WO3 coatings is due to interferometric effects. Recently, it was shown that playing with the gradient of the chemical composition of W-O layers it was possible to tune the global colour of the coatings, which made this system an attractive candidate for decorative applications.

Bone tissue engineering is a promising area that aims at developing implants capable of repairing and/ or substituting damaged or lost bone tissue. Ceramics are widely used for bone tissue engineering purposes and in this study, hydroxyapatite porous scaffolds were produced using the polymer replication method. With this method, it was possible to obtain scaffolds with specific demands adequate to tissue engineering purposes namely: macroporosity, microporosity and interconnected porosity. Polyurethane sponges were used as templates and impregnated with a ceramic slurry at different ratios being afterwards sintered following a specific thermal cycle. The characteristics of the hydroxyapatite porous scaffolds were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy and micro computer tomography (μ-CT). Human bone marrow cells (HBMC) were isolated and cultured on the scaffolds for 28 days and SEM was used as a tool to assess cell morphology and distribution.

Underwear is the most intimate form of dress, and feminine panties are particularly in close contact with genital mucosa, vulvar skin and perineum area. In fact, despite some controversy, the textile material has been pointed out as promoter of vaginal infection, trough changes on the normal skin physiology. The physiology of vulvar skin is very specific in terms of temperature (≈ 34°C), moisture and pH (< 4.7). This region is also colonized by a very specific microflora that is essential either to protect against pathogenic microorganisms, either to maintain healthy conditions of temperature, moisture and pH.

This work reports the study of the frescoes from the Casa de Fresco dos Sanches Baena in Vila Viçosa (Southeast Portugal) to allow their material characterisation, to identify the different microorganism populations and to assess their role in the deterioration of these paintings. The Casa de Fresco dos Sanches Baena is a small semi-underground building constructed in a Palace garden over a well and used as a cool refreshing place by the owners. The frescoes that cover the ceilings (composed of 4 panels) present rich mythological scenes and have other decorative elements, which make them an unusual example of this art form. Unfortunately, due to partial abandonment the paintings are in an advanced state of degradation exhibiting partial detachment of paint layers and mortars, salt efflorescences and abundant biological colonisations (Fig.1).

Titanium aluminide alloys based on the γ-TiAl intermetallic compound are emerging as potential materials for high performance applications on aircraft engines components, aerospace vehicles and automotive engines, owing to their low density, high specific stiffness, excellent strength retention at high temperature and good creep and oxidation resistance. The development of adequate techniques to join γ-TiAl alloys, either to themselves or to other materials, is a key issue regarding the effective use of these alloys. Understanding of the reaction mechanisms that promote bonding is mandatory when optimization of the joining procedure is envisaged.

Synthesis of nanostructures has triggered continuous interest in the nanoscience field due to their potential application such as catalysis and biomaterials. Among these systems the possibility of producing nano- microporous surfaces with various controlled structures and pore sizes has increased the interest in the field owing to a better control over the particle's size and location.

Aeroengine components operate under particularly severe conditions, including the combination of both high mechanical stresses and elevated temperatures in chemically aggressive environments. These normal operational requirements will eventually promote both cyclic and time dependent failure mechanisms related with creep-fatigue damages. Therefore, the use of adequate preventive inspection techniques is mandatory in order to maximize safety and reliability levels of these components during service. However, there are some occasional and unpredictable material failures which must be conveniently investigated in order to avoid future hazardous situations. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) can play a major role in the context of evaluation of failed components, allowing the observation of fracture surfaces and other material's features which are essential to the identification of some particular failure mechanisms.

The development of joining processes for TiAl alloys is fundamental to integrate them into functional structures and to widen their application field. Diffusion bonding has become the most reported technique for joining TiAl alloys but have the disadvantage of requiring high temperature stages. Diffusion bonding of TiAl at the 950-1200°C temperature range has been reported to produce defect-free bonds. Çam et al., successfully joined TiAl at 950 °C/30 MPa/3 h and 1000 °C/30 MPa/1 h, however, the bond interfaces were clearly visible.

Self-propagating exothermic reactions are known to occur in multilayer films with alternating layers of a transition metal and a light element. The high velocity of these reactions, associated with high heat release rate, convert these systems in a unique heat source. The possibility of tailoring such a heat source to meet the needs of a particular process is very attractive to applications such as brazing or solid-state diffusion bonding. The solid state reactions occurring in Ni and Al multilayer thin films, produced by d.c. magnetron sputtering with bilayer thickness (period) of 5, 14 and 30 nm, were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). DSC results demonstrated that reaction temperature and heat released increase with the period of Ni/Al multilayer thin films.

From a biomaterials perspective, it is now understood that success in the osseointegration of a dental implant is conditioned by its “macro”, “micro” and “nano” scale features. Macro-scale roughness is necessary to improve primary stabilization in the post-surgical phase inducing a peri-implant thin fibrous layer. However, the more complex process in the true cell-material interaction is dependent on micro and nano scale phenomena. There is clear evidence that cell adhesion, proliferation, organization and phenotype are modulated at the micro-scale and that protein absorption is fundamentally a process conditioned at nano-scale.

Several attempts have been made in the last few years for joining similar pure copper and brass alloys using the solid state friction stir welding (FSW) process. For both material types, all the works performed reported that the production of defect free welds is largely dependent on the correct choice of process parameters. It was also observed that, despite grain refinement occurred in the centre of all the welds, the welds in copper showed a slight reduction in strength, when compared to that of the base material, as opposed to welds in brass alloys, for which an increase in strength was observed. Regardless of the encouraging results obtained in similar FWS of these materials, in the knowledge of the authors, few reports exist concerning dissimilar joints between them. In his work, dissimilar welds between Cu DHP cooper plates and Cu-Zn 37 brass plates, both of 1 mm thickness, with the brass plate positioned in the advancing side of the tool, were analysed. Welds were carried out with a solid tool made of high speed steel. Tool geometry was characterized by a tool shoulder of 10 mm in diameter, containing a conical cavity of 6 degrees, and a threaded probe of 3 mm in diameter. Welds were done in a milling machine, in position control, using the working parameters indicated in table 1.