Resumo Pesquisas morfofisiológicas em espécies selvagens são fundamentais, e o diagnóstico por imagem é uma excelente técnica, já usada e com grande aplicação, não invasiva e que fornece informações em tempo real de cada órgão. Peixes-boi-amazônico encontram-se na lista de animais ameaçados de extinção classificados na categoria vulnerável e o conhecimento do padrão normal da anatomia ultrassonográfica de órgãos e tecidos é importante para a manutenção e bem-estar de espécimes em cativeiro contribuindo para ações de reintrodução. O objetivo deste estudo foi padronizar a técnica de exame e descrever os achados ultrassonográficos do fígado, vesícula biliar, estômago, vesícula urinária e o tecido subcutâneo da região abdominal em Trichechus inunguis, de modo a contribuir com o conhecimento anátomo-sonográfico e auxiliar no diagnóstico e prognóstico de doenças. O estudo utilizou 18 animais para descrever a anatomia ultrassonográfica normal na cavidade abdominal de peixe-boi amazônico. Durante a varredura abdominal foi possível visualizar as características dos órgãos obtendo resultados satisfatórios neste estudo, concluindo ser uma técnica eficiente para avaliação de determinados órgãos abdominais em peixe-boi amazônico. Entretanto, outras estruturas não foram identificadas principalmente pelo tempo reduzido, muita gordura e gases nos intestinos dos animais

Abstract Morphophysiological species researches are fundamental, and diagnostic imaging is an excellent technique, already used in wild animals, with great application, not invasive and provide real-time information of each body. Amazonian manatees are on the list of endangered animals classified in the vulnerable category and knowledge of the normal pattern of ultrasound anatomy of organs and tissues is important for the maintenance and well-being of captive specimens contributing to reintroduction actions. The objective of the study was to standardize the examination technique and describe the ultrasound findings of the liver, gallbladder, stomach, urinary bladder and the subcutaneous tissue of the abdominal region in Trichechus inunguis, in order to contribute with the anatomical and sonographic knowledge and assist in the diagnosis and prognosis diseases. The study used 18 animals to describe the normal sonographic anatomy in the abdominal cavity of the Amazonian manatee. During abdominal scan, it was possible to visualize the features of the liver, gallbladder, stomach, urinary bladder obtained satisfactory results in this study. Therefore, other structures were not primarily identified by the reduced time, lots of fat and gases in intestines of animals.

Ethanol is a central nervous system depressant that is widely consumed worldwide. When consumed chronically, it may have several consequences to the organism, such as oxidative stress. Ethanol metabolism increases the production of oxidant molecules and its consumption may cause changes in enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems that maintain cellular homeostasis. The activity of endogenous enzymes and lipid peroxidation are altered in alcohol consumers. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate oxidative stress parameters in ethanol users compared to a control group. For that, the activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, the ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), and malondialdehyde were evaluated. The influence of the amount of ethanol consumed on the analyzed parameters was also verified. The group of alcohol users consisted of 52 volunteers, 85% male and 15% female, with a mean age of 41±13 years. The control group consisted of 50 non-drinkers, 40% male and 60% female, with a mean age of 50±10 years. There was a significant difference in superoxide dismutase (P<0.001) and malondialdehyde (P=0.007) measurements between groups, as both parameters were increased in the group of ethanol users. Because of the higher amount of ethanol consumed, there was an increase of the catalase activity parameters and gradual reduction of FRAP. Thus, the ethanol-consuming participants were most likely under oxidative stress.

RESUMO Um sistema nuclear é dito subcrítico quando os eventos responsáveis pela remoção dos nêutrons (fugas pelos contornos estruturais do sistema e absorção) acontecem em maior intensidade que os eventos que promovem a produção destas partículas (fissão). Quando isto acontece o sistema não consegue manter um nível estável em relação à população de nêutrons e tende ao desligamento. Por outro lado, qualquer sistema subcrítico pode ser dirigido por uma ou mais fontes estacionárias de nêutrons. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar uma metodologia para determinar as intensidades das fontes internas estacionárias, isotrópicas e uniformes de nêutrons que devem ser inseridas em um sistema subcrítico para dirigi-lo a uma distribuição prescrita de potência. Para tanto, foi utilizada a equação unidimensional do transporte de nêutrons monoenergéticos com espalhamento isotrópico em meios multiplicativos, referenciada como equação física de transporte, e a equação que é adjunta a esta equação, ambas na formulação das ordenadas discretas (SN). O método de malha grossa matriz resposta adjunto (RM†) foi aplicado para resolver numericamente as equações SN adjuntas. O método RM† é um método da mesma classe do método matriz resposta utilizado na solução das equações SN físicas de transporte. Resultados numéricos para dois problemas-modelo típicos são apresentados para examinar a metodologia proposta.

ABSTRACT A nuclear system is referred to as subcritical when neutron removal events (leakage through the boundaries of the system and absorption) occur at a rate which is greater than the events that promote the production of these particles (fission). When this occurs the system cannot maintain a stable level of the population of neutrons and tends to shutdown. On the other hand, any subcritical system may be driven by one or more stationary sources of neutrons. The purpose of this work is to present a methodology to determine the intensities of the stationary and uniform sources of neutrons that must be inserted in a subcritical system to drive it to generate a prescribed power distribution. To achieve this goal, we use the time-independent, slab-geometry, one-speed neutron transport equation as a mathematical model in multiplying media, referred to as forward problem, and the equation which is adjoint to it, both in discrete ordinates (SN) formulation. The coarsemesh adjoint response matrix (RM†) method is applied to numerically solve the adjoint SN problems. The RM† method is a companion method of the response matrix method used to solve forward SN equations. Numerical results for two typical model problems are presented to verify the offered methodology.

Resumo Este trabalho visou a obtenção de filtros cerâmicos com ação bactericida para desinfecção de água. Para isto, suspensões aquosas de argila montmorilonita K10 foram preparadas nas concentrações de 48%, 50% e 52% e impregnadas em esponjas poliméricas para formação dos esqueletos cerâmicos por meio do método de réplica. Os filtros cerâmicos foram submersos nas resinas de níquel dopadas com 0,25 e 0,50 %mol de prata obtidas pelo método Pechini, e tratadas termicamente a 600 e 700 ºC por 2 h. Os filtros foram caracterizados por difração de raios X, análise de tamanho de partícula, microscopia eletrônica de varredura, espectroscopia por energia dispersiva, resistência à compressão, absorção de água, porosidade aparente e teste bactericida. Os resultados do teste bactericida mostraram que os filtros impregnados com a resina contendo 0,50 %mol de prata promoveu a eliminação total das bactérias Staphylococcus aureus e Escherichia coli.

Abstract This study aimed to obtain ceramic filters with bactericidal action for water disinfection. For this, aqueous suspensions of montmorillonite K10 clay were prepared at concentrations of 48%, 50%, and 52%. Later, these were impregnated into polymeric sponges in order to form the ceramic skeletons by using the replica technique. The ceramic filters were submerged in nickel resins doped with 0.25 and 0.50 mol% silver. These resins were obtained by the Pechini method and heat-treated at 600 and 700 ºC for 2 h. Moreover, techniques such as X-ray diffraction, particle size analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, compressive strength, water absorption, and apparent porosity were used to characterize the filters, and their performance was analyzed by a bactericidal test. The bactericidal test results showed that the filters impregnated with the resin containing 0.50 mol% of silver promoted the total elimination of the Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria.

Susceptibility to experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) in inbred mice has been associated with a dominant Th1 response. Elevated anti-inter-photoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (anti-IRBP) IgG2a/IgG1 antibody ratios have been implicated as candidate markers to predict disease severity. In the present study, both the anti-IRBP antibody isotype and severity of EAU phenotypes were examined in 4 non-isogenic genetically selected mouse lines to determine if they can be used as general markers of disease. Mice between 8 and 12 weeks old selected for high (H III) or low (L III) antibody response and for maximum (AIR MAX) or minimum (AIR MIN) acute inflammatory reaction (AIR) were immunized with IRBP. Each experiment was performed with at least 5 mice per group. EAU was evaluated by histopathology 21 days after immunization and the minimal criterion was inflammatory cell infiltration of the ciliary body, choroid and retina. Serum IgG1- and IgG2a-specific antibodies were determined by ELISA. EAU was graded by histological examination of the enucleated eyes. The incidence of EAU was lower in AIR MIN mice whereas in the other strains approximately 40% of the animals developed the disease. Low responder animals did not produce anti-IRBP IgG2a antibodies or interferon-gamma. No correlation was observed between susceptibility to EAU and anti-IRBP isotype profiles. Susceptibility to EAU is related to the intrinsic capacity to mount higher inflammatory reactions and increased production of anti-IRBP IgG2a isotype is not necessarily a marker of this immunologic profile.

The phylogenetic proximity of primates to humans, along with their behavioral, biochemical, and anatomical similarities, make such animals more interesting experimental models for biomedical researches, as compared to classical laboratory animals. Another aspect that has called the attention of researchers is the differentiated quadrupedalism present in some primates. The tufted capuchin monkey uses the ground and tree branches as its support for locomotion, showing various postures while performing this task. On the basis of this information, we have decided to study the rectus abdominis muscle of the tufted capuchin monkey, with the following goals: the frequency and area of fiber types; its possible compartmentalization; and identify if this muscle is better adapted to phasic or postural activities. To do this, samples were removed from 4 regions of the rectus abdominis muscle of 6 adult male tufted capuchin monkeys, and were submitted to reaction with m-ATPase, (with alkaline and acid pre-incubation), NADH, and H.E.. Results showed: a statistically significant difference (P<0.05) for both frequency and area, between fiber types FG and FOG and FG and SO, but did not show a statistically significant difference between fibers FOG and SO, in all studied regions; similarity in frequency and area of a same fiber type (FG, FOG, and SO) among the studied regions. Based on these data, it was concluded that: the rectus abdominis muscle of the tufted capuchin monkey does not show fiber compartmentalization, since the distribution and size patterns of the different fiber types are similar in the studied regions; there is a predominance of fast twitch fibers (FG + FOG) over slow twitch fibers (SO), for frequency and area, which characterizes the muscle as being more dedicated to phasic than to postural activities

La proximidad filogenética y las semejanzas de comportamiento, bioquímicos y anatómicos, de los primates con los humanos convierten a estos animales en modelos experimentales más interesantes para las investigaciones biomédicas, que los animales clásicos de laboratorio. Otro aspecto que ha llamado la atención de los investigadores es el movimiento cuádruple diferente que presentan algunos primates. El macado clavo se traslada usando como apoyo el suelo y las ramas de los árboles, presentando posturas variadas en la ejecución de esas tareas. En base a estas informaciones se resolvió estudiar el músculo recto del abdomen del macaco-clavo, con los siguientes objetivos: observar la frecuencia y el área de los tipos de fibras de este músculo; observar posibles diferencias entre e1las y sus regiones media proximal y distal; y su participación en la locomoción de este animal. Para ello, fueron retiradas 4 muestras de 4 regiones del músculo recto del abdomen, de 6 macacos-clavos machos adultos, que fueron sometidos a las reacciones de m-ATPasa (previa incubaciones alcalina y ácida), NADH y HE. Los resultados mostraron: diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p<0,05) tanto en la frecuencia como en el área, entre las fibras del tipo FG y FOG y FG y SO, pero no presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre las fibras FOG y SO, en todas las regiones estudiadas. Basándome en estos datos, se concluye que el músculo recto del abdomen del macaco-clavo no presenta división de sus fibras, pues los patrones de distribución y tamaño de los diferentes tipo de de fibras son semejantes en las regiones estudiadas con predominio de las fibras de contracción rápida (FG + FOG) sobre aquellas de contracción lenta (SO), tanto en la frecuencia como en el área, caracterizándolo como un músculo más adaptado para las actividades sutiles que posturales

In this work, we concentrate in the analysis of radio slowly drifting fine structures associated with solar flares recorded in the frequency range of (1000 - 2500) MHz by the Brazilian Solar Spectroscope (BSS), in regular operation at National Institute of Space Research (INPE) - Brazil. The main morphological aspects of each fine structure are narrow-band of about 5 - 10 MHz and small duration of the order of 50 milliseconds. The majority of these fine structures are observed over a time interval of a couple of minutes before the maximum of the associated flare, in the impulsive phase. However, some observations during the gradual decay phase are also reported. They drift towards lower frequencies, with slow rates typically of about of 10 - 100 MHz s-1 Estimated velocities of the exciter from the negatively drifting structures suggest that the shock-like exciter is propagating in the higher chromosphere. Than, those fine structures are interpreted as a possible signature in decimetric emissions from the chromospheric evaporation phenomenon. Details of these observations and their interpretation in terms of the plasma emission produced by accelerated particles and the chromospheric evaporation front is presented.