Thermally activated exchange narrowing of the Gd3+ ESR fine structure in a single crystal of Ce1-xGdxFe4P12 (x approximate to 0.001) skutterudite

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Em nome da cidade vencida: a São Luís republicana em José do Nascimento Moraes (1889 1920)

Cette dissertation a pour but d´analyser la ville de São Luís do Maranhão pendant la Première Republique, d´après le roman Vencidos e Degenerados, de José do Nascimento Moraes, publié en 1915. À partir des rapports entre l´Histoire et la Littérature, nous nous intéressons à la façon dont l´auteur écrit l´histoire d´une ville qui, après la fin de l´esclavage et l´installation de la Republique, conserve des anciens préjugés de race et reste plongée dans l´immobilité economique. Le roman fait partie d´un ensemble d´oeuvres scientifiques et littéraires d´une géneration connue sous le nom de Novos Atenienses (nouveaux athéniens), laquelle discutait la crise économique et culturelle vécue par le Maranhão au tournant des XIXe et XXe siècles. Le discours formulé par les nouveaux-athéniens comprennait des eléments nostalgiques associés au culte des lettres envisageant la conquête de la réconaissance littéraire et le désir d´adapter la ville de São Luis aux modèles de progrès et modernisation de la période républicaine. Dans ce contexte, Moraes introduit les thèmes liés à la discrimination raciale qui demerait après la fin de l´esclavage, qu´il considérait un obstacle au progrès de la capitale de Maranhão, et aussi la cause des pérsecutions littéraires dont il était victime. On a analisé le roman en cherchant compreendre les rapports entre les individus et les rapports qui´ils entretienent avec les spaces de la ville, à partir de questions d´ordre littéraire, raciale et urbaine. En guise de conclusion, la narration de l´oeuvre est dévellopée de façon que la ville, peuplée de gens de couleurs, sert à legitimée l´oeuvre littéraire de Moraes, dont le nom a été oublié dans les principaux cercles littéraires de la capitale pendant la période examinée

O Bairro da Ribeira como um palimpsesto: dinâmicas urbanas na Cidade de Natal (1920-1960)

As cidades são textos. Textos escritos pelas sociedades que compõe os espaços. A partir dessa perspectiva, propõe-se aqui uma leitura do bairro da Ribeira Natal/RN. Esse espaço se consolidou no início do século XX como centro comercial e cultural da capital potiguar, lugar de ação e de interação da Zona Central desta sociedade, espaço de inscrição dos signos da modernidade e do progresso então em voga. Contudo, com o decurso do tempo e as transformações por ele exigidas, o panorama da Cidade de Natal sofreu intensas modificações e o bairro da Ribeira foi relegado à margem desse processo, o que culminou na desvalorização, segregação e, posteriormente, na degradação do seu espaço, que se tornou um palimpsesto. Ao abordar a dinâmica urbana que se processou no bairro da Ribeira, esta pesquisa dividiu o fenômeno em três fases distintas: valorização, transição e decadência

Synthesis of slightly < 111 >-oriented 0.65Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O-3-0.35PbTiO(3) ceramic prepared from fine powders

Slightly < 111 >-oriented 0.65Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)03-0.35PbTiO(3) ceramic was prepared using fine powders obtained by means of an alternative and promising chemical oxide precursor method. High quality samples with improved structural, microstructural, dielectric and ferroelectric properties were obtained. The dielectric constant value (epsilon similar to 2577) measured at 1 kHz is compared to unpoled < 112 > grain-oriented ceramics while the remanent polarization (P-r similar to 19-1 mu cm(-2)) is compared with random grain-oriented ceramics. These results point out the viability to produce ferroelectric PMN-PT ceramics of very good quality using powder precursors prepared from this chemical method. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of pilomatrixoma: report of 14 cases and review of the literature

We describe 14 cases of pilomatrixoma which were diagnosed preoperatively on FNA cytology. In contrast to the literature, our series showed male preponderance and some of the tumours in unusual locations such as thigh and breast. In three patients the rumours were larger than 5 cm. The clinical diagnosis varied from tumour not otherwise defined to sarcoma. The cytologic presentation had features which allowed a correct diagnosis in all cases and included basaloid cells surrounded by delicate pink fibres, shadow cells, giant cells, naked nuclei and calcium deposits. It is concluded that the FNA cytology of pilomatrixoma is characteristic and will allow a conclusive diagnosis even in cases with an aberrant clinical presentation.

Diagnosis of clinical bovine mastitis by fine needle aspiration followed by staining and scanning electron microscopy in a Prototheca zopfii outbreak

Biopsy by fine needle aspiration together with microbiological examination and scanning electron microscopy were evaluated in diagnosis of clinical bovine mastitis in a Prototheca zopfii outbreak. Fine needle aspiration was performed in 21 mammary quarters from ten Holstein cows presenting clinical mastitis caused by P. zopfii. The algae were previously identified in the microbiological examination of milk collected from these cows. Material aspirated from these 21 mammary glands was submitted to cytological staining (Gram, Giemsa and/or Shor staining). Fine needle aspiration enabled cytological identification of the algae in these 21 mammary glands, from which P. zopfii was isolated in the milk. Simultaneously, five mammary fragments collected by fine needle aspiration from these 21 mammary glands presenting clinical mastitis were also submitted to microbiological examination. P. zopfii was also isolated from these five fragments. Scanning electron microscopy technique also identified three of these five P. zopfii strains isolated from mammary fragments collected by cytological aspiration. These results suggest that fine needle aspiration may be an alternative method for the diagnosis of clinical mastitis.

Testicular fine needle aspiration cytology from a stallion with testicular degeneration after external genitalia trauma.

A seven-year-old Quarter Horse had a serious external genitalia trauma with severe swelling of ventrum, penis, prepuce and scrotum after falling over a fence. Appropriated treatment was rapidly started after clinical examination. During recovery period, the spermatogenesis assess by semen evaluation was not possible due to stallion's inability to ejaculate. Therefore, for testicular evaluation fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was performed. The first FNAC showed a deviation of germ cell line towards immature cells, mainly by primary spermatocytes (59.5%) with very few late spermatids and spermatozoa (2.5% each), and an increased Sertoli cells/germ cells ratio (478/100), which characterized testicular degeneration. One month after the first FNAC, the second exam presented a drastic decrease of Sertoli cells/germ cells ratio (7/100) and marked increase of mature cell number, specially by early and late spermatids (50% and 24.5%, respectively). In this case, the results of both FNAC could demonstrate a partial recovery of spermatogenesis activity. Two months later, the stallion had mated two mares successfully and they became pregnant. In conclusion, the adequate treatment allowed a complete recovery of the stallion's reproductive function, and since semen collection was impossible during treatment, testicular FNAC showed to be an efficient diagnostic method for evaluating acute damage in the spermatogenesis.

Cytological identification and quantification of testicular cell types using fine needle aspiration in horses

Fifteen stallions of different breeds, age 3-11 years, had their right testicles evaluated by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Cytological analysis showed the following spermatogenic cell types: spermatogonia (1.6% +/- 1.1); spermatocyte I (3.4% +/- 2.2); spermatocyte II (0.8% +/- 0.7); early spermatids (25.5% +/- 9.5); late spermatids (37.0% +/- 9.3). Spermatozoal numbers were expressed as the spermatic index (SI = 31.5% +/- 8.5) and Sertoli cells mere expressed as the Sertoli cell index (SEI = 20.9% +/- 17.0) (means +/- s.d). Identification of cell types was relatively easy and no immediate adverse effects of aspiration were noted. The results suggest that FNAC of testis may assist clinical diagnosis in the study of male equine infertility.

Evaluation testicular fine needle aspiration cytology and serum testosterone levels in dogs

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

How to Perform and Interpret Testicular Fine Needle Aspiration in Stallions

Although several methods of testicular biopsy have been proposed previously, testicular fine needle aspiration (FNA) has proved to be the simplest, the most rapid, inexpensive, and overall the least invasive technique for obtaining testicular biopsies Testicular FNA is indicated for fertility investigations in stallions with oligozoospermia or azoospermia It is also used for differential diagnosis of testicular enlargement After sedation the stallion's testis is punctured to obtain testicular parenchyma samples containing cells mainly from the seminiferous epithelium the material obtained is used to perform smears which are analyzed for identification and quantification of term cells and Sertoli cells The results are based on the presence of the cell types found in the smears and the proportions of Sertoli cells per germ cells In addition to being a very useful diagnostic tool, testicular FNA is also used for follow-up examinations, as it is minimally invasive

Vas Deferens Surface Epithelium of Agouti paca: Fine Structural Features

The surface epithelium of the vas deferens of Agouti paca, a wild and large South American rodent, was basically formed by principal and basal cells being only the principal cells related to endocytosis processes and also secretion taking base on their cytoplasmic ultrastructural features. Principal cell of vas deferens epithelium were characterized mainly by presence of vesicles with several shapes, sizes and internalized content at their apical cytoplasm occurring smaller pits and pale small vesicles seen next to the apical brush border of microvillus. Moreover, coated vesicles, smooth surface vesicles and great vesicles; multivesicular bodies, endosomes and lysosomes were seen. Presence of an apocrine secretory apparatus was also viewed, showing apical cytoplasmic expansions protruding into the vas deferens luminal compartment. The basal flattened cells, without luminal surface contact, occurred next to the basement membrane of the ductus, and did no exhibit special ultrastructural features.

Analysis of plant LTR-retrotransposons at the fine-scale family level reveals individual molecular patterns

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Fine structure of Mytella falcata (Bivalvia) gill filaments

Bivalve filter feeders are sessile animals that live in constant contact with water and its pollutants. Their gill is an organ highly exposed to these conditions due to its large surface and its involvement in gas exchanges and feeding. The bivalve Mytella falcata is found in estuaries of Latin America, on the Atlantic as well as the Pacific Coast. It is commonly consumed, and sometimes is the only source of protein of low-income communities. In this study, gill filaments of M. falcata were characterized using histology, histochemistry and transmission electron microscopy for future comparative studies among animals exposed to environmental pollutants. Gill filaments may be divided into abfrontal, intermediate and frontal zones. Filaments are interconnected by ciliary discs. In the center of filaments, haemocytes circulate through a haemolymph vessel internally lined by an endothelium and supported by an acellular connective tissue rich in polysaccharides and collagen. The abfrontal zone contains cuboidal cells, while the intermediate zone consists of a simple squamous epithelium. The frontal zone is composed of five columnar cell types: one absorptive, mainly characterized by the presence of pinocytic vesicles in the apical region of the cell; one secretory, rarely observed and three ciliated with abundant mitochondria. All cells lining the filament exhibit numerous microvilli and seem to absorb substances from the environment. PAS staining was observed in mucous cells in the frontal and abfrontal zones. Bromophenol blue allowed the distinction of haemocytes and detection of a glycoprotein secretion in the secretory cells of the frontal region. The characteristics of M. falcata gill filaments observed in this study were very similar to those of other bivalves, especially other Mytilidae, and are suitable for histopathological studies on the effect of water-soluble pollutants. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Revalidation and redescription of Elachistocleis cesarii (Miranda-Ribeiro, 1920) (Anura: Microhylidae)

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