Lumbosacral plexus in Brazilian Common Opossum

The opossum has been suggested as an animal model for biomedical studies due to its adaptability to captivity and number of births per year. Despite many studies on morphology and experimental neurology using this opossum model, the literature does not offer details of the nerves of the lumbosacral plexus in this species. Ten lumbosacral plexus were dissected to describe the peripheral innervations of the Brazilian Common Opossum (Didelphis aurita) and compare the results with Eutheria clade species. The tensor fasciae latae muscle was absent and there was only one sartorius muscle for each limb. The distribution of the nerves were similar to other mammals, except for the caudal gluteal nerve, sartorius muscle innervations and the position of the pudendal nerve which arose from the major ischiatic foramen together with the ischiatic nerve, the cranial gluteal nerve and the caudal gluteal nerve. No anatomical variation was found. The special position of the pudendal nerve suggested that the Brazilian Common Opossum is a better model than rats or rabbits in surgical procedures with that specific nerve. In addition, the study revealed that the pelvic limb nerves are not an invariable structure of reference for muscle homology and homonym as reported previously. New investigation using other species of opossums are necessary to best comprehend the lumbosacral plexus distribution in the Methatheria clade and to confirm that other opossum species is eligible as a good model for pudendal nerve studies

Electromagnetic prospection in time domain applied to Olhos da Fervença, Cantanhede (Central Portugal)

Poster apresentado ao VIII Congresso Nacional de Geologia, em Braga (9-16 de Julho 2010)A exsurgência cársica do sistema Jurássico Olhos da Fervença localiza-se no concelho de Cantanhede, distrito de Coimbra e ocorre no leito da Ribeira da Corujeira, sob uma forma borbulhante, como se fervesse. A formação jurássica está subjacente a uma cobertura de areias de duna, que impede a sua observação directa, recorrendo-se neste estudo à utilização de prospecção electromagnética no domínio do tempo, com o equipamento TEM-FAST 48. Realizaram-se 24 sondagens electromagnéticas cuja interpretação permitiu identificar estruturas de fracturação associadas à ocorrência da exsurgência.The karstic exsurgence of the Jurassic system Olhos da Fervença is located in Cantanhede region, Coimbra district (centre of Portugal) and occurs sparkling in the Ribeira da Corujeira stream. The Jurassic formation is under dune sands and is not possible to observe it directly. This study with electromagnetic prospection in the time domain uses TEM-FAST 48 equipment. The results of the interpretation of the 24 electromagnetic soundings allow the identification of fracture structures associated to the exsurgence

Corrosion behaviour of WC hardmetals with nickel - based binders

Cobalt is the standard binder in tungsten carbide (WC) hardmetals due to its compatibility with the WC phase, resulting in composites with exceptional hardness and wear resistance. However, their corrosion resistance is not satisfactory in many applications, leading to the early deterioration and failure of tools and equipment. In this work, the corrosion of WC hardmetals with three alternative binders (FeCoNi, NiCrCoMo and NiCrMo) is compared with a benchmark WC-Co composite, using electrochemical techniques such as open circuit potential (OCP) monitoring, polarisation curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), assisted by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).publishe

Counterfactual thinking and functional differences in depression

The purpose of the studies reported in this paper was to evaluate the function of counterfactual thinking (CT) in depression. In Experiment 1, depressed and non-depressed participants were asked to imagine themselves as the protagonist of a hypothetical situation, and to think counterfactually about three different scenarios. The results showed that there was a similar CT style (in terms of direction, structure and focus of mutation) for the depressed and the nondepressed groups. It was also found that the perceived preparation for a future similar situation increased after CT and, contrary to our hypotheses, this effect was observed in both groups. In Experiment 2, a real-life situation was used (a course examination) in which participants experienced a negative outcome (a poor score on the test). Again, it was observed that depressed and non-depressed participants showed the same CT style, but non-depressed participants were more likely to use CT spontaneously. In addition, the second study showed further differences between the two groups: depressed participants not only showed a lack of cognitive benefi ts from thinking counterfactually (i.e., after CT they do not feel more prepared for future similar events, nor able to avoid a similar bad outcome, in contrast to the non-depressed participants), but also show a lack of behavioural changes (both intentions to change and actual changes over the subsequent week). In conclusion, these results provide evidence about the function of CT both in depressed and in non-depressed thinking, and highlight both the similarities and differences for these two groups

Acceptance of the bodypainting as supportive method to learn the surface locomotor apparatus anatomy of the horse

Although bodypainting has been reported as a great resource for teaching surface anatomy of humans, its use in veterinary anatomy has not been scientifically reported. In the present study, bodypainting was performed on 4 horses for anatomy teaching purposes of the equine locomotor apparatus. We aimed to use the bodypainting method as an additional tool to classic teaching and to test the relevance of our purpose. Twenty one Brazilian veterinary students were given a 90-min session, which included a presentation of painted horses, with opportunities for the students to ask questions and to palpate anatomic locations on the horses. Based on a questionnaire, there was unanimous student satisfaction with this technique. Furthermore, student scores on practical tests to evaluate the attention retain given immediately before and 1 h after the session were 33.9 ± 19.8% and 69.0 ± 18.4%, respectively (p < 0.001). We concluded that bodypainting has great potential for support the classic lectures of the equine locomotor apparatus

Gross morphometry of the heart of the Common marmoset

  The Callithrix jacchus is a Brazilian endemic species that has been widely used asan experimental model in biomedical research. Anatomical data are necessary to support experimental studies with this species. Eleven hearts of C. jacchus from the German Primate Centre (DPZ) have been studied in order to characterize their gross morphometry and compare them with other animal models and human. Biometric data were also obtained. The mean values for morphometry of the hearts did not show any significant difference between male and female. The relative heart weight was similar to human, bovine and equine species. Considering those aspects, the C. jacchus could be used as non-human primate experimental modelfor biomedical studies on heart.

Técnicas de georadar em prospecção arqueológica: Ançã e S. Martinho de Árvore

GPR techniques are fast, non destructive and non invasive that allow high resolution shallow subsoil investigations. Archaeological surveys can beneficiate from these techniques since they provide high resolution bidimensional and tridimensional results of the survey area which are not given by other geophysical techniques (magnetic and electrical resistivity). Here it is presented and discussed the application and the interpretation of field GPR data, that is two case studies. The first in a karsified landscape environment for cavity location in Ançã (near Coimbra) and the other over roman remains in S. Martinho de Árvore (near Coimbra).As técnicas de georadar são muito expeditas, não destrutivas e não invasivas que permitem investigar o subsolo com elevada resolução e a pequena profundidade. A prospecção arqueológica beneficia da utilização destas técnicas que proporcionam imagens bidimensionais e tridimensionais da área a prospectar em condições e com resultados que não são proporcionados por outras técnicas geofísicas (magnética e resistividade eléctrica). Neste artigo, apresenta-se e discute-se a aplicação deste método e a interpretação dos dados de campo, à localização de cavidades em Ançã e sobre vestígios de ocupação romana em S. Martinho de Árvore