Qualitative study of young, adult, and aged wistar rats temporomandibular synovial membrane employing light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy

The aim of this study was to analyze the rat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) synovial membrane at different ages using light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. Under light microscopic analysis, the TMJ structures were observed such as condyle, capsule, disk, the synovial membrane collagen type, and cells distribution. In the scanning electron microscopy, the synovial membrane surface exhibited a smooth aspect in young animals and there was an increase with ageing in the number of folds. The transmission electron microscopic analysis showed more synoviocytes in the synovial layer in the young group and still a great number of vesicles and cisterns dilation of rough endoplasmic reticulum in the aged group. In the three groups, a dense layer of collagen fibers in the synovial layer and cytoplasmic extensions were clearly seen. It was possible to conclude that synovial membrane structures in aged group showed alterations contributing to the decrease in joint lubrication and in the sliding between disk and joint surfaces. These characteristic will reflect in biomechanics of chewing, and may cause the TMJ disorders, currently observed in clinical processes. Microsc. Res. Tech. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Operant conditioning of H-reflex changes synaptic terminals on primate motoneurons.

Operant conditioning of the primate triceps surae H-reflex, the electrical analog of the spinal stretch reflex, creates a memory trace that includes changes in the spinal cord. To define the morphological correlates of this plasticity, we analyzed the synaptic terminal coverage of triceps surae motoneurons from animals in which the triceps surae H-reflex in one leg had been increased (HRup mode) or decreased (HRdown mode) by conditioning and compared them to each other and to motoneurons from unconditioned animals. Motoneurons were labeled by intramuscular injection of cholera toxin-horseradish peroxidase. A total of 5055 terminals on the cell bodies and proximal dendrites of 114 motoneurons from 14 animals were studied by electron microscopy. Significant differences were found between HRup and HRdown animals and between HRup and naive (i.e., unconditioned) animals. F terminals (i.e., putative inhibitory terminals) were smaller and their active zone coverage on the cell body was lower on motoneurons from the conditioned side of HRup animals than on motoneurons from the conditioned side of HRdown animals. C terminals (i.e., terminals associated with postsynaptic cisterns and rough endoplasmic reticulum) were smaller and the number of C terminals in each C complex (i.e., a group of contiguous C terminals) was larger on motoneurons from the conditioned side of HRup animals than on motoneurons either from the conditioned side of HRdown animals or from naive animals. Because the treatment of HRup and HRdown animals differed only in the reward contingency, the results imply that the two contingencies had different effects on motoneuron synaptic terminals. In combination with other recent data, they show that H-reflex conditioning produces a complex pattern of spinal cord plasticity that includes changes in motoneuron physiological properties as well as in synaptic terminals. Further delineation of this pattern should reveal the contribution of the structural changes described here to the learned change in behavior.

El espacio del agua en la ciudad de Orihuela en época islámica

Análisis de los datos que proporcionan la arqueología y las fuentes escritas acerca de las diversas funcionalidades del agua en el espacio urbano de Orihuela en el período andalusí. Se dividen en funcionalidades primarias (alimentación y limpieza) y funcionalidades económicas (agricultura y artesanías). Se clasifican al final los datos que poseemos sobre los elementos del espacio del agua de la Orihuela musulmana.

Jerusalem, 1876 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Ordnance survey of Jerusalem, by captain Charles W. Wilson R. F. under the direction of Colonel Sir Henry James, R.E., F.R.S., &c. director of the Ordnance Survey, 1864-5. It was published by Ordnance Survey Office in 1876. Rev. [of 1864-5 ed.]. Revised 1876. Scale 1:2,500. Covers primarily the Old City.The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM Zone 36S, meters, WGS 1984) projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as roads, drainage, built-up areas and selected buildings (churches, synagogues, convents, schools), fortification, gates, religious sites, cemeteries, watch houses, cisterns, tombs, pools, aqueducts, and more. Relief shown by hachures, contours and spot heights. Includes also a list of references.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Some aspects of the microbiological properties of polymers and composite materials

The interaction of microorganisms with glass-reinforced polyester resins(GRP), both under laboratory and simulated operating conditions, has been examined following reports of severl! fungal biodeterioration. Although GRP was not previously associated with substantial microbial growth, small amounts of microbial activity would pose problems for products associated with comestible materials. The microbiology of the raw materials was investigated, two ingredients were supportive to microbial populations whilst five materials were biostatic or inhibitory in their action. Production laminate was not susceptible to microbial deterioration or inhibitory to microbes. Incorporation of zinc stearate, one of the supportive ingredients, at 300% manufacturing level or drastic undercuring produced laminate capable of supporting microbial growth but only after a non-biotic stage of degradation. Study of the long-term population dynamics of cisterns of GRP and competitive materials under conditions simulating in-service conditions, monitoring microbial numbers within the experimental vessels and comparing with the populations of the supply water, suggests that the performance of GRP cisterns is slightly superior to conventional competitive materials. An investigation of the biological performance of GRP cisterns in an isolated area of known microbiological hazard was conducted. Severe biodeterioration had been experienced with Preform GRP articles moulded using different production techniques, but substitution of current GRP articles resulted in no recurrence of the problem. All attempts to establish the fungal isolate responsible for the phenomena in cisterns under controlled conditions failed. Scanning Electron Microscopy of GRP surfaces showed that although differences exist between current and Preform laminates, these could not satisfactorily explain the differences in service behaviour. These results and the results of the British Plastics Federation Expert Working Group interlaboratory study are discussed in relation to the original report of gross fungal biodeterioration and, to the design of future testing programmes for the products of industrial concerns.

Avaliação da efetividade do programa cisterna a partir da abordagem dos meios de vida.

Resumo: Este estudo objetivou analisar a efetividade do Programa Cisternas utilizando abordagens teóricas orientadas aos atores, a partir do desenvolvimento de novas práticas sociais implementadas pelos agricultores beneficiários do Programa para a convivência com o Semiárido brasileiro. Elaborou-se um estudo de caso selecionando a Comunidade Sítios Areias, localizada no município de Sobral (CE). A coleta de dados foi realizada com a aplicação de questionários às famílias beneficiadas pelo Programa. O marco teórico utilizado foi a teoria da Abordagem dos Meios de Vida para caracterizar a efetividade do programa e compreender o processo de mudança social. Constatou-se que o Programa apesar de utilizar os preceitos do paradigma de desenvolvimento sustentável para a sua implantação, não possibilitou a efetividade do programa em promover modificações das práticas sociais, não revertendo a estratégia de migração das famílias, ocasionada pelo processo de desativação dos beneficiários com a agricultura. A implementação do programa não conseguiu combater a pobreza rural, mesmo proporcionando o acesso à água as famílias. Concluiu-se que a forma de intervenção exigia uma nova dinâmica para o Semiárido, bem mais complexa do que simplesmente a construção de tecnologias sociais de captação de água. Recomenda-se políticas integradas e que contribuam para a melhoria dos meios de vida das famílias, mas que também ensejem seu protagonismo e o fortalecimento de sua autonomia frente às adversidades climáticas frequentes da região. [Evaluation of the effectiveness of the Cisterns Programe according to the Sustainable Livelihood Approach]. Abstract: This study was carried out in order to analyze the effectiveness of the Cisterns Program according to the new social practices implemented by the family farmers in order to survive and live in the adverse environment of the Brazilian semiarid. The empirical space chosen was the Municipality of Sobral (CE) and the case study was the Community Areia Branca. Data was collected on all the families benefited from the Cisterns Program. The analytical theoretical framework used was the Sustainable Livelihood Approach to characterize the effectiveness of the program and the process of social change. It was found that despite using the concepts of sustainable development paradigm in the implementation of Cisterns Program, the program was not effective in promoting social changes or to reserve the migration practice as well, which is a family strategy due to deactivation of agricultural activities. The implementation of the program failed to combat rural poverty other than providing access to water. The form of intervention in the semiarid requires a new dynamic approach, which is far more complex than simply building social technologies for water storage. In order to fight poverty in the region, it is necessary to implement integrated policies able to improve life style and bring about changes in order to empower and give autonomy to the families helping them to face the adverse climatic conditions typical of the region.