Hematology, cytochemistry and ultrastructure of blood cells in fishing cat (Felis viverrina)

Hematological, cytochemical and ultrastructural features of blood cells in fishing cat (Felis viverrina) were evaluated using complete blood cell counts with routine and cytochemical blood stains, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. No statistically significant difference was found in different genders of this animal. Unique features of blood cells in this animal were identified in hematological, cytochemical and ultrastructural studies. This study contributes to broaden hematological resources in wildlife animals and provides a guideline for identification of blood cells in the fishing cat

Modeling convective boiling flow with in-situ local vapor extraction

The pressure drop of convective boiling flow may be reduced by extracting vapor locally since the entire generated vapor does not have to travel through the entire channel length. In this study, the theoretical model was developed to simulate a convective boiling flow through a fractal-like branching microchannel network with vapor extraction. The fractal-like branching microchannel network has a porous membrane forming one wall of the channels. Vapor extraction occurs by applying a vacuum across the membrane. Sample predictive local conditions and global results are presented and discussed. The predicted results are classified into two groups: low inlet flow rate-low heat flux and high inlet flow rate-high heat flux. The results show that to increase extracted vapor mass flow rate, either decreasing the absolute extracting pressure or increasing permeability of the porous membrane must occur. As the amount of vapor extracted increases, the reduction in pressure drop across the channel and the exit vapor quality is achieved

Modeling in-situ vapor extraction during flow boiling in microscale channel

In-situ vapor extraction is performed by applying a pressure differential across a hydrophobic porous membrane that forms a wall of the channel as a means of reducing the local quality of flow boiling within the channel. As the local quality is reduced, the heat transfer capability can be improve while large pressure drops and flow instability can be mitigated. The present study investigates the potential of vapor extraction, by examining the characteristics and mechanisms of extraction. The physics based models for transition among extraction regimes are developed which can be used as a basis for a regime-based vapor extraction rate model. The effects of vapor extraction on flow boiling in a microscale fractal-like branching network and diverging channels are studied by using a one-dimensional numerical model based on conservation of mass and energy, along with heat transfer and pressure drop correlations. The results show the improvement in reduced pressure drop and enhanced flow stability, and show the potential of heat transfer enhancement

Quantitative and qualitative morphologic, cytochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of blood cells in the Crested Serpent eagle and Shikra

The Crested Serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela) is a bird of prey found in the tropical rain forest in Thailand. The Shikra (Accipiter badius) is a sparrow hawk and common resident in Thailand. Blood samples from 9 Crested Serpent eagles and 12 Shikras were obtained from September 2010 to November 2014. They were clinically healthy and negative for blood parasites detectable by light microscopy and molecular techniques (partial cytochrome b gene for avian malaria and partial 18S rRNA gene for trypanosome). Cytochemical staining (Sudan black B, peroxidase, α-naphthyl acetate esterase, and β-glucuronidase) and transmission electron microscopy were performed. Hematological results were reported as the mean ± standard deviation and median. Heterophils were the most prevalent leukocytes in the Crested Serpent eagle, but in the Shikra, lymphocytes were the most prevalent leukocytes. In the Shikra, some vacuoles were observed in the cytoplasm of the eosinophils. All blood cells in both types of raptors stained positively for β-glucuronidase but negatively for peroxidase. The ultrastructure of heterophils showed more clearly differentiate long rod granules in Crested Serpent eagle and spindle-shaped granules in Shikra. The ultrastructure of the eosinophils in the Crested Serpent eagle revealed varied electron-dense, round-shaped granules with round, different electron-dense areas in the centers of some granules, which differed from the structure reported for other raptors. These quantitative results may be useful for clinical evaluations of Crested Serpent eagles and Shikras that are undergoing rehabilitation for release

Plasmodium circumflexum in a Shikra (Accipiter badius): Phylogeny and ultra-structure of the haematozoa

A wild-caught, juvenile Shikra (Accipiter badius) was evaluated for rehabilitation at the Kasetsart University Raptor Rehabilitation Unit (KURRU) with a history of weakness. Plasmodium sp. was observed by both light and electron microscopy in blood obtained on day 1 of evaluation. Based on the appearance of erythrocytic meronts and gametocytes, the parasites were defined as Plasmodium (Giovannolaia) circumflexum. The sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene from the plasmodia was closely related to parasites found in the Grey-headed woodpecker from Myanmar and the Brown hawk-owl from Singapore. Transmission electron microscopic examination revealed organelles in the haematozoa and heterophils that ingested the plasmodia. This is the first recorded case of Plasmodium circumflexum in a wild Shikra. This note emphasises the molecular characterisation and ultra-structure of the haematozoa