The geology of Ethiopia is dominated by the Ethiopian Plateau that is similar in elevation to, but aerially larger than, the Colorado Plateau. Several rivers have incised through the plateau, creating gorges that reach up to 1.5 km in depth. The plateau uplifted to its current elevation and was subsequently incised sometime after the Oligocene flood basalt event that signaled the arrival of the African Superplume below Kenya and Ethiopia. Due to its size and extent, published climate modeling has indicated that Late Cenozoic plateau formation could have been a driving force in the East African Cenozoic climate changes. Although uplift timing has potentially far-reaching impacts to several scientific disciplines, uplift is not well constrained, and several published studies present contradictory data. This study aims to elucidate the uplift timing of the Ethiopian Plateau through the use of river incision timing as a proxy for uplift. Methods employed to accomplish incision timing include low temperature apatite fission track and (U-Th)/He thermochronology, thermal modeling, and scanning electron microscopy backscatter electron detection (SEM-BSE). Basement samples for thermochronologic dating were collected from the Didessa River Canyon near Nekemte. (U-Th)/He dating was conducted at the Arizona State University Group 18 Laboratory where 17 apatite grains were dated, while GeoSeps Services LLC performed the apatite fission track analysis. Results indicate that after crystallization between 797-630 Ma during the East African Orogen, the rocks experienced rapid exhumation to within 1400-3000 m of the surface in the Jurassic. The Cenozoic flood basalt event at 31-29 Ma caused a massive outpouring of basalts that forced the lowest sample into the partial retention zone where it remained for an extended period of time while accumulating radiation damage. Rapid cooling from 8 Ma to present represents a recent exhumation history of the Ethiopian Plateau, suggesting that the plateau’s high elevation gain was achieved within the last 10 Ma. This integrated apatite (U-Th)/He and fission track study is the first of its kind addressing East African Cenozoic tectonics.

A manutenção da morfologia normal do endotélio da córnea é um importante indicador da integridade funcional. A reparação endotelial frente a um trauma, em coelhos, ocorre por migração, hipertrofia e mitose celular. Objetivou-se comparar a morfologia das células do endotélio, da região periférica perincisional à região central, da córnea de coelhos (Oryctolagus cuniculus) em diferentes períodos pós-operatórios. Foram designados três grupos, com 5 animais cada, para avaliação pós-operatória, sendo G1 (7 dias); G2 (15 dias) e G3 (45 dias). Trinta bulbos dos olhos de coelhos, da raça Nova Zelândia, foram submetidos à incisão de córnea clara uniplanar com 3,2 mm. Ao fim dos períodos determinados, procedeu-se a avaliação da morfologia endotelial valendose da microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Realizaram-se seis eletromicrografias de varredura, de cada região da córnea, com aumento de 1000 vezes. Para análise do percentual do número de lados celular, foram analisadas 100 células endoteliais. Na região periférica perincisional, avaliada ao 7° dia de pós-operatório, foram encontradas células com 6 lados (47,8%), 5 lados (31,3%), 7 lados (13,9%), 3 lados (0,1%), 4 lados (4,9%), 8 lados (1,8%) e 9 lados (0,2%). Na avaliação ao 15° dia de pós-operatório, observaram-se células com 6 lados (45,6%), 5 lados (32,6%), 7 lados (17,4%), 4 lados (1,7%) e 8 lados (2,7%). No 45° dia de pós-operatório, verificou-se a presença de células com 6 lados (57%), 5 lados (24%), 7 lados (17,2%), 4 lados (0,1%), 8 lados (1,6%) e 9 lados (0,1%). Na área central, ao 7° dia de pós-operatório, detectaram-se células com 6 lados (75,6%), 5 lados (13,3%), 7 lados (10,8%) e 8 lados (0,3%). Na avaliação, ao 15° dia de pós-operatório, foi possível observar células com 6 lados (78,9%), 5 lados (11,5%) e 7 lados (9,6%). No 45° dia de pós-operatório identificaram-se células com 6 lados (74,8%), 5 lados (13,6%) e 7 lados (11,6%). Os resultados demonstraram que na região periférica perincisional ocorreu diminuição das células com seis lados e aumento do número de células com cinco e sete lados. Na região central manteve-se o padrão regular de hexagonalidade das células endoteliais nos diferentes períodos pós-operatórios. Conclui-se que houve alteração na morfologia das células endoteliais, da região periférica perincisional comparada à região central, da córnea de coelhos nos diferentes períodos pós-operatórios. / The maintenance of the normal corneal endothelium morphology is an important indicator of its functional integrity. In rabbits, endothelial repair in the event of traumas is made through cell migration, hypertrophy and mitosis. The purpose of this study was to compare the morphology of endothelial cells of the perincisional area with the central area of the cornea of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), in different post-operative periods. Three groups containing 5 animals each were designed for post-operative evaluation: G1 (7 days); G2 (15 days) and G3 (45 days). The clear cornea of thirty New Zealand rabbits was subjected to a single-planed incision of 3.2 mm. At the end of the established periods, a morphological evaluation of the endothelium was carried out using scanning electron microscopy. Six scanning electron micrographs of each corneal area were performed using a magnification of 1000 x. One hundred endothelial cells were analyzed to obtain the cell side count percentage. In the perincisional peripheral area, which was evaluated at the 7 post-operative day, 6-sided (47.8%), 5-sided (31.3%) and 7-sided (13.9%) cells were found, in addition to, 3-sided cells (0.1%), 4-sided cells (4.9%), 8-sided cells (1.8%) and 9-sided cells (0.2%). In the evaluation made on the 15th post-operative day, 6-sided (45.6%), 5-sided (32.6%) and 7-sided (17.4%) cells were observed, as well as 4-sided (1.7%) and 8-sided cells (2.7%). On the 45th postoperative day, the presence of 6-sided (57%), 5-sided (24%), 7-sided (17.2%), 4-sided (0,1%), 8-sided (1.6%) and 9-sided cells (0.1%) was verified. On the 7th post-operative day, 6-sided (75.6%), 5-sided (13.3%), 7-sided (10.8%) and 8-sided cells (0.3%) were observed in the central area .Upon evaluation made on the 15th post-operative day, it was possible to observe 6-sided (78.9%), 5-sided (11.5%) and 7-sided (9.6%) cells. Results have shown that there was a reduction of six-sided cells and an increase in the number of five and seven-sided cells in the perincisional peripheral area. The regular hexagonal standard of the endothelial cells was maintained in the central area in different post-operative periods. In comparison to the central area, there was a morphological alteration of the endothelial cells of the peripheral perincisional area in different post-operative periods of the cornea of rabbits.

A manutenção da morfologia normal do endotélio da córnea é um importante indicador da integridade funcional. A reparação endotelial frente a um trauma, em coelhos, ocorre por migração, hipertrofia e mitose celular. Objetivou-se comparar a morfologia das células do endotélio, da região periférica perincisional à região central, da córnea de coelhos (Oryctolagus cuniculus) em diferentes períodos pós-operatórios. Foram designados três grupos, com 5 animais cada, para avaliação pós-operatória, sendo G1 (7 dias); G2 (15 dias) e G3 (45 dias). Trinta bulbos dos olhos de coelhos, da raça Nova Zelândia, foram submetidos à incisão de córnea clara uniplanar com 3,2 mm. Ao fim dos períodos determinados, procedeu-se a avaliação da morfologia endotelial valendose da microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Realizaram-se seis eletromicrografias de varredura, de cada região da córnea, com aumento de 1000 vezes. Para análise do percentual do número de lados celular, foram analisadas 100 células endoteliais. Na região periférica perincisional, avaliada ao 7° dia de pós-operatório, foram encontradas células com 6 lados (47,8%), 5 lados (31,3%), 7 lados (13,9%), 3 lados (0,1%), 4 lados (4,9%), 8 lados (1,8%) e 9 lados (0,2%). Na avaliação ao 15° dia de pós-operatório, observaram-se células com 6 lados (45,6%), 5 lados (32,6%), 7 lados (17,4%), 4 lados (1,7%) e 8 lados (2,7%). No 45° dia de pós-operatório, verificou-se a presença de células com 6 lados (57%), 5 lados (24%), 7 lados (17,2%), 4 lados (0,1%), 8 lados (1,6%) e 9 lados (0,1%). Na área central, ao 7° dia de pós-operatório, detectaram-se células com 6 lados (75,6%), 5 lados (13,3%), 7 lados (10,8%) e 8 lados (0,3%). Na avaliação, ao 15° dia de pós-operatório, foi possível observar células com 6 lados (78,9%), 5 lados (11,5%) e 7 lados (9,6%). No 45° dia de pós-operatório identificaram-se células com 6 lados (74,8%), 5 lados (13,6%) e 7 lados (11,6%). Os resultados demonstraram que na região periférica perincisional ocorreu diminuição das células com seis lados e aumento do número de células com cinco e sete lados. Na região central manteve-se o padrão regular de hexagonalidade das células endoteliais nos diferentes períodos pós-operatórios. Conclui-se que houve alteração na morfologia das células endoteliais, da região periférica perincisional comparada à região central, da córnea de coelhos nos diferentes períodos pós-operatórios. / The maintenance of the normal corneal endothelium morphology is an important indicator of its functional integrity. In rabbits, endothelial repair in the event of traumas is made through cell migration, hypertrophy and mitosis. The purpose of this study was to compare the morphology of endothelial cells of the perincisional area with the central area of the cornea of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), in different post-operative periods. Three groups containing 5 animals each were designed for post-operative evaluation: G1 (7 days); G2 (15 days) and G3 (45 days). The clear cornea of thirty New Zealand rabbits was subjected to a single-planed incision of 3.2 mm. At the end of the established periods, a morphological evaluation of the endothelium was carried out using scanning electron microscopy. Six scanning electron micrographs of each corneal area were performed using a magnification of 1000 x. One hundred endothelial cells were analyzed to obtain the cell side count percentage. In the perincisional peripheral area, which was evaluated at the 7 post-operative day, 6-sided (47.8%), 5-sided (31.3%) and 7-sided (13.9%) cells were found, in addition to, 3-sided cells (0.1%), 4-sided cells (4.9%), 8-sided cells (1.8%) and 9-sided cells (0.2%). In the evaluation made on the 15th post-operative day, 6-sided (45.6%), 5-sided (32.6%) and 7-sided (17.4%) cells were observed, as well as 4-sided (1.7%) and 8-sided cells (2.7%). On the 45th postoperative day, the presence of 6-sided (57%), 5-sided (24%), 7-sided (17.2%), 4-sided (0,1%), 8-sided (1.6%) and 9-sided cells (0.1%) was verified. On the 7th post-operative day, 6-sided (75.6%), 5-sided (13.3%), 7-sided (10.8%) and 8-sided cells (0.3%) were observed in the central area .Upon evaluation made on the 15th post-operative day, it was possible to observe 6-sided (78.9%), 5-sided (11.5%) and 7-sided (9.6%) cells. Results have shown that there was a reduction of six-sided cells and an increase in the number of five and seven-sided cells in the perincisional peripheral area. The regular hexagonal standard of the endothelial cells was maintained in the central area in different post-operative periods. In comparison to the central area, there was a morphological alteration of the endothelial cells of the peripheral perincisional area in different post-operative periods of the cornea of rabbits.

A manutenção da morfologia normal do endotélio da córnea é um importante indicador da integridade funcional. A reparação endotelial frente a um trauma, em coelhos, ocorre por migração, hipertrofia e mitose celular. Objetivou-se comparar a morfologia das células do endotélio, da região periférica perincisional à região central, da córnea de coelhos (Oryctolagus cuniculus) em diferentes períodos pós-operatórios. Foram designados três grupos, com 5 animais cada, para avaliação pós-operatória, sendo G1 (7 dias); G2 (15 dias) e G3 (45 dias). Trinta bulbos dos olhos de coelhos, da raça Nova Zelândia, foram submetidos à incisão de córnea clara uniplanar com 3,2 mm. Ao fim dos períodos determinados, procedeu-se a avaliação da morfologia endotelial valendose da microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Realizaram-se seis eletromicrografias de varredura, de cada região da córnea, com aumento de 1000 vezes. Para análise do percentual do número de lados celular, foram analisadas 100 células endoteliais. Na região periférica perincisional, avaliada ao 7° dia de pós-operatório, foram encontradas células com 6 lados (47,8%), 5 lados (31,3%), 7 lados (13,9%), 3 lados (0,1%), 4 lados (4,9%), 8 lados (1,8%) e 9 lados (0,2%). Na avaliação ao 15° dia de pós-operatório, observaram-se células com 6 lados (45,6%), 5 lados (32,6%), 7 lados (17,4%), 4 lados (1,7%) e 8 lados (2,7%). No 45° dia de pós-operatório, verificou-se a presença de células com 6 lados (57%), 5 lados (24%), 7 lados (17,2%), 4 lados (0,1%), 8 lados (1,6%) e 9 lados (0,1%). Na área central, ao 7° dia de pós-operatório, detectaram-se células com 6 lados (75,6%), 5 lados (13,3%), 7 lados (10,8%) e 8 lados (0,3%). Na avaliação, ao 15° dia de pós-operatório, foi possível observar células com 6 lados (78,9%), 5 lados (11,5%) e 7 lados (9,6%). No 45° dia de pós-operatório identificaram-se células com 6 lados (74,8%), 5 lados (13,6%) e 7 lados (11,6%). Os resultados demonstraram que na região periférica perincisional ocorreu diminuição das células com seis lados e aumento do número de células com cinco e sete lados. Na região central manteve-se o padrão regular de hexagonalidade das células endoteliais nos diferentes períodos pós-operatórios. Conclui-se que houve alteração na morfologia das células endoteliais, da região periférica perincisional comparada à região central, da córnea de coelhos nos diferentes períodos pós-operatórios. / The maintenance of the normal corneal endothelium morphology is an important indicator of its functional integrity. In rabbits, endothelial repair in the event of traumas is made through cell migration, hypertrophy and mitosis. The purpose of this study was to compare the morphology of endothelial cells of the perincisional area with the central area of the cornea of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), in different post-operative periods. Three groups containing 5 animals each were designed for post-operative evaluation: G1 (7 days); G2 (15 days) and G3 (45 days). The clear cornea of thirty New Zealand rabbits was subjected to a single-planed incision of 3.2 mm. At the end of the established periods, a morphological evaluation of the endothelium was carried out using scanning electron microscopy. Six scanning electron micrographs of each corneal area were performed using a magnification of 1000 x. One hundred endothelial cells were analyzed to obtain the cell side count percentage. In the perincisional peripheral area, which was evaluated at the 7 post-operative day, 6-sided (47.8%), 5-sided (31.3%) and 7-sided (13.9%) cells were found, in addition to, 3-sided cells (0.1%), 4-sided cells (4.9%), 8-sided cells (1.8%) and 9-sided cells (0.2%). In the evaluation made on the 15th post-operative day, 6-sided (45.6%), 5-sided (32.6%) and 7-sided (17.4%) cells were observed, as well as 4-sided (1.7%) and 8-sided cells (2.7%). On the 45th postoperative day, the presence of 6-sided (57%), 5-sided (24%), 7-sided (17.2%), 4-sided (0,1%), 8-sided (1.6%) and 9-sided cells (0.1%) was verified. On the 7th post-operative day, 6-sided (75.6%), 5-sided (13.3%), 7-sided (10.8%) and 8-sided cells (0.3%) were observed in the central area .Upon evaluation made on the 15th post-operative day, it was possible to observe 6-sided (78.9%), 5-sided (11.5%) and 7-sided (9.6%) cells. Results have shown that there was a reduction of six-sided cells and an increase in the number of five and seven-sided cells in the perincisional peripheral area. The regular hexagonal standard of the endothelial cells was maintained in the central area in different post-operative periods. In comparison to the central area, there was a morphological alteration of the endothelial cells of the peripheral perincisional area in different post-operative periods of the cornea of rabbits.

The aim of this research is to assess hazards and risks associated with flooding in the city of Juárez, northern México, where there is a flood threat from active alluvial fans from mountains to the southwest and from the Rio Grande (Bravo River) to the northwest forming the northeast border of the city. Aims of this Ph.D. were addressed processing a digital elevation model (DEM) of the study area in a GIS platform to define the several alluvial fans, and thus to examine their history and palaeohydrology. Three OSL dates in the youngest parts of the fans show ages ranging from 74 - 31 ka. However, the fans were subsequently incised, broadly correlating with later Pleistocene to Holocene processes upstream, published in literature, in New México. These changes are not obviously linked to glacial-interglacial cycles, and there is indication of local controls of interplay of climate and topography, for which this work is a preliminary study. The flood threat to Juárez was addressed by using a classification of the uneven topography of the eroded alluvial fans, plus the Bravo River flood plain, into basins and subbasins. Field and laboratory work was used to define litho-facies of soils and rocks, location of structures such as, topographic and hydrologic apex and drainage system in the fans. The data were then used in association with published information on the parameters of the basins and sub-basins provided in published documents from the Mexican authorities to make flood models of the area, using standard models of HEC-HMS and HEC-RAS methods widely applied in semi-arid regions. The result was estimation of the ability of existing flood defences to resist high-flow floods that may be expected in upcoming decades. The modelling predicts that only a small number of the existing defences will hold in a catastrophic 1:100-year flood, and that substantial parts of the city are in considerable danger. Such results are important in relation to the expanded and dense population in Juárez, which is concentrated mostly on the most active part of the flooding system, the Colorado Fan, which is the subject of a focussed secondary study of vulnerability mapping. The map reveals that areas of the city of low socioeconomic development are under the greatest threat. Therefore there is a need for reconsideration of the city's flood planning, and remediation, plus the application of enforcements of areas which should not be built on, because of the threats.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Currently, changes to endogenous opioid circuits in various pain modalities, including surgical and neuropathic pain, remain unclear. Dynorphin, which is released by prodynorphin-expressing neurons (Pdyn+ neurons), is the endogenous opioid ligand to kappa opioid receptors (KOR). Moreover, a recent study has shown an increase in prodynorphin (Pdyn) mRNA expression in the prelimbic cortex (PL) in a mouse model of chronic pain. However, alterations in the activity of PL Pdyn-expressing neurons (PLPdyn+ neurons) in postoperative and chronic pain have never been explored. Firstly, I found that the population of PLPdyn+ neurons consists of both pyramidal and inhibitory subtypes. Secondly, I found that one day after surgical incision of the mouse hind paw, the excitability of pyramidal PLPdyn+ neurons was increased in both male and female mice, while the excitability of inhibitory PLPdyn+ neurons was unchanged. However, when postoperative pain behavior subsided, inhibitory PLPdyn+ neurons were hyperexcitable in male mice, while pyramidal PLPdyn+ neurons were hypoexcitable in female mice. Lastly, I dissected electrophysiological changes to PLPdyn+ neurons in the spared nerve injury (SNI) model of chronic neuropathic pain. At both early and late stages of SNI pain development, increased excitability of pyramidal PLPdyn+ neurons was detected in both male and female mice. However, in both male and female mice, the excitability of inhibitory PLPdyn+ neurons decreased 3 days after SNI but was conversely increased when measured 14 days after SNI. My findings suggest that different subtypes of PLPdyn+ neurons manifest distinct alterations in the development of different pain modalities in a sex-specific manner.

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