O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar quantitativa e qualitativamente os fagócitos presentes no leite de búfalas (Bubalus bubalis) hígidas criadas nos Estado de São Paulo. Para tal, o experimento foi subdividido em três etapas, designadas capítulos, conforme os objetivos: (1) determinar e estudar a celularidade do leite de búfalas hígidas; (2) estabelecer metodologia adequada para a recuperação das células somáticas do leite de búfalas, possibilitando a avaliação in vitro; (3) descrever e avaliar as provas de atividade fagocítica das células presentes no leite de búfalas hígidas, através de testes de mensuração direta (espraiamento e fagocitose de partículas de Zymosan) e por testes indiretos, que mensuram os metabólitos de oxigênio gerados na “explosão respiratória”. Foram colhidas 132 amostras de leite de 35 búfalas hígidas (sem alterações ao exame físico da glândula mamária, bem como resultado da prova de CMT e exame microbiológico negativos). Após as avaliações do CMT, da CCS, da contagem diferencial, da viabilidade celular, do exame bacteriológico, dos testes de fagocitose, de espraiamento e da liberação de peróxido de hidrogênio, concluiu-se que: (1) os resultados das contagens de células somáticas, microscópica e automática, foram semelhantes, mas a predominância celular diferiu conforme a técnica empregada, sendo identificadas percentualmente mais células mononucleares na lâmina de suspensão celular citocentrifugada, e mais polimorfonucleares no leite submetido à técnica de Prescott e Breed; o leite diluído e citocentrifugado permitiu melhor avaliação da morfologia celular sendo identificados: 61,1% de monócitos e macrófagos; 32,9% de neutrófilos; 5,3% de linfócitos e 0,7% de eosinófilos; os fagócitos mononucleares apresentaram uma acentuada plasticidade na estrutura, com variados padrões morfológicos; (2) a baixa celularidade do leite necessitou maiores volumes da amostra mas, o aumento do volume da amostra aumenta a concentração celular obtida, mas não de forma ilimitada pois pode passar a comprometer a viabilidade das mesmas pelo excesso de manipulação e tempo exigidos pelas amostras mais volumosas; não foi necessária a elicitação, sendo possível a recuperação de 2 x 106 células viáveis/mL de leite de búfalas hígidas com 500 mL de leite, no mínimo; (3) os macrófagos aderidos espraiaram significativamente, além de apresentarem correlação com outro marcador de ativação celular, no caso, a liberação de peróxido de hidrogênio; mais da metade dos macrófagos aderidos fagocitaram partículas de Zymosan; os fagócitos mantêm sua capacidade de liberar peróxido de hidrogênio, espontaneamente ou não, em grau máximo, com uma significativa variação entre amostras / The aim of this study was to make a quantitative and a qualitative evaluation of phagocytes from healthy buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) milk bred in Sao Paulo state. For this purpose, the experiment was divided in three parts, called chapters, as specific objectives: (1) establish and study the cellularity of healthy buffaloes milk; (2) establish an adequate method for the recuperation of somatic cells from buffaloes milk, making possible an in vitro evaluation; (3) standardize and evaluate the phagocytic activity tests of cells from healthy buffaloes milk, through direct measurement methods (spreading and phagocytosis of Zymosan particles) and indirect methods, which measure the oxygen metabolites from the respiratory burst. Milk samples (n=132) of healthy 35 buffaloes (without alterations on the physical examination of the mammary gland, and also negative results on CMT and microbiologic exams) were obtained. After the evaluations of CMT, SCC, differential cells count, cellular viability, bacteriologic exam, phagocytic tests, spreading and hydrogen peroxide liberation, the conclusions were: (1) the results of somatic cells count, microscopic and automatic, were similar but the cellular predominance differed with the utilized method, being percentually identified more mononuclear cells on slide of cytocentrifugation cellular suspension and more polymorphonuclear on milk submitted to the Prescott and Breed methods; the diluted and cytology by cytocentrifugation of milk permitted a best evaluation of the cellular morphology, being identified: 61.1% of monocytes and macrophages; 32.9% of neutrophils; 5.3% of lymphocytes and 0.7% of eosinophils; mononuclear phagocytes showed a high plasticity on structure with many morphological patterns; (2) a lower cellularity on milk requires higher quantities of the samples but an increase on sample volume increases cellular concentrations obtained, not on an unlimited way because it can compromise the cells viability with the excess of manipulation and time required by the biggest samples; it was not necessary the elicitation, being possible the recuperation of 2 x 106 viable cells/mL on milk of healthy buffaloes with 500 mL of milk minimum (3) adherent macrophages spreaded and were correlated with hydrogen peroxide release; majority of adherent macrophages phagocyted Zymosan particles; milk phagocytes showered a high oxidative metabolism, undependably of PMA stimulation, but with a great individual variation.

O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar comparativamente a susceptibilidade dos bufalinos e bovinos à intoxicação cúprica acumulativa, por meio do fornecimento de quantidades crescentes de cobre, analisando variáveis clínicas, sangüíneas e os teores de cobre hepático. Com tal objetivo, foram utilizados 20 ruminantes, 10 bovinos (mestiços) e 10 búfalos (raça Murrah) jovens, aleatoriamente distribuídos em seis animais de cada espécie nos grupos que receberam cobre (BOV Cu e BUF Cu) e quatro animais nos grupos controle (BOV e BUF). Diariamente, os grupos BOV Cu e BUF Cu receberam por meio de fistula ruminal 2 mg Cu /kg/PV (CuSO4.5H2O) sendo esta dose acrescida de mais 2 mg/kg/PV a cada semana, até o término do experimento (105 dias). Foram realizadas três biópsias hepáticas (Dia 0 - dia 45 - dia 105) em todos os animais para determinação da concentração de Cu e Zn neste órgão. Quinzenalmente, foi realizado exame clínico, pesagem dos animais e coleta de amostras de sangue. Três bovinos e dois búfalos dos grupos BOV Cu e BUF Cu manifestaram quadro laboratorial e/ou clínico sugestivo de intoxicação cúprica acumulativa (ICA), vindo a sucumbir em seguida. Não existiu diferença entre a freqüência de mortalidade entre os bovinos e búfalos (P > 0,87). Destaca-se a presença de dois quadros clínicos diferentes, o clássico (um bovino e um búfalo) e um atípico (dois bovinos e um búfalo), caracterizado pelo destacado acúmulo de cobre hepático, hiporexia progressiva seguida de anorexia, desidratação, redução dos movimentos de ruminais, oligúria, acentuada apatia e morte, mas sem apresentar hemoglobinúria. Parte dos bovinos e bufalinos se mostraram resistentes à ICA a despeito da administração de altas quantidades cobre. Os teores de cobre hepático nos bovinos com ICA foram superiores, em mais de 100%, aos encontrados nos bufalinos (4389 e 2052 ppm respectivamente). Bovinos com ICA aumentaram a concentração de zinco hepático nas fases finais da intoxicação. A presença de altas atividades séricas de gamaglutamil transferase (GGT) (> 24,6 U/L) e de aspartato aminotransferase (AST) (> 90 U/L) para bovinos e GGT (> 20 U/L) para bufalinos indicaram de maneira efetiva a presença de destacado acúmulo de cobre nos tecidos hepáticos (1000 ppm). Com exceção de um búfalo com o quadro atípico nenhum outro animal apresentou quadro de insuficiência renal. / The main aim of this project is to carry out a comparative study of the susceptibility of cattle (crossbreed) and buffalo (Murrah) to accumulative copper poisoning, by infusion of increasing doses of copper, and studying some clinical and blood variables and the liver Cu concentration. Ten cattle and 10 buffalo yearling steers were randomly distributed into two copper supplemented groups (BOV Cu; BUF Cu; n = 6) and two control groups (BOV; BUF; n = 4). The two former groups received initially 2 mg Cu/kg/BW (as CuSO4..5H2O) daily for a week; every following week, up to the end of the experiment (105th d), this initial dose was increased of 2 mg Cu/kg/BW. For three times during the experiment (day zero, 45thand 105th d) a liver biopsy was carried out to evaluate the degree of copper accumulation in this organ; the body weight and clinical examination was followed weekly, as far as blood samples were withdrawn. Three cattle and two buffaloes supplemented with copper presented clinical picture and/or laboratory findings indicative of accumulative copper poisoning (ACP), and died thereafter. There was no difference in the frequency of mortality between cattle and buffalo (P > 0.87) Two different clinical picture were seen, the classical (one cattle and one buffalo) and one atypical (two cattle and one buffalo) characterized by remarkable high levels of liver copper, progressive hyporexia followed by anorexia, dehydration, severe apathy, decreased rumen movements, oliguria and death. Some of animals were resistant to ACP in spite of high accumulative levels of copper. The liver copper concentration were higher in cattle than buffalo (4.389 and 2.052 ppm, respectively). Cattle with ACP increased their zinc liver concentration at the final stages of the poisoning. The presence of high serum activity of gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) (> 24.6 U/L) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (>90 U/L) for cattle and GGT (> 20 U/L) for buffalo indicated effectively the high accumulation of copper in liver (> 1000 ppm). No poisoned animals developed renal insufficiency, but one buffalo with atypical picture.

Foram avaliados os efeitos do intervalo entre aspirações foliculares (IEA; OPU) e do tratamento com somatrotopina bovina recombinante (bST) na produção in vitro de embriões bubalinos. Dezesseis fêmeas foram distribuídas aleatoriamente em quatro grupos (fatorial 2x2): (1) G-Cont7: sessões de OPU uma vez por semana; (2) G-bST7: sessões de OPU uma vez por semana + 500mg de bST a cada 14 dias; (3) G-Cont14: sessões de OPU a cada 14 dias e (4) G-bST14: sessões de OPU + 500mg de bST a cada 14 dias. Os animais do G-Cont7 e G-bST7 foram submetidos a 16 sessões de OPU, e os animais do G-Cont14 e G-bST14 a oito sessões de OPU. Nas sessões realizadas uma vez por semana (G-s/bST) reduziu-se o número de folículos aspirados, de oócitos totais recuperados e de oócitos viáveis (P0,004). O tratamento com bST aumentou o número de folículos aspirados (P<0,0001), o total de oócitos recuperados e a taxa de recuperação (P=0,07). No entanto, nem o IEA e nem o tratamento com bST aumentaram a produção in vitro de embriões bubalinos. / It was evaluated the effect of OPU interval and bST treatment on embryo production in buffalo. Sixteen females were randomly assigned in 4 groups, in a 2x2 factorial experimental design: (1) G-Cont7: OPU session each seven days; (2) G-bST7: OPU session each seven days plus 500mg of bST each 14 days; (3) G-Cont14: OPU session each 14 days and (4) G-bST14: OPU session plus 500mg of bST each 14 days. Animals of G-Cont7 and G-bST7 were submitted to 16 OPU sessions, and those of G-Cont14 and G-bST14 to 8 OPU sessions. The OPU session performed every week (G-s/bST) decreased the number of aspirated follicles, and the number of total and viable recovery oocytes (P0.004). The treatment with bST increased the number of aspirated follicles (P<0.0001), the number of recovery oocytes and the oocyte recovery rate (P=0.07). However, neither OPU interval nor bST treatment increased the in vitro embryo production in buffalo.

Since the advent of democratic dispensation in 1994, the local sphere of government has had a significant role to play in the achievement of the South African government's goal of facilitating the social and economic development of communities. This development manifests itself in improving the lives of women, who have for the most part been excluded from taking part in the economy, politics and business. While accomplishments have been made in improving the lives of women post 1994, with reference to the increased participation and representation of women in all three spheres of government, the situation of women has degenerated especially in the local sphere. Women are threatened with problems such as gender-based violence, poverty, HIV and AIDS, the lack of provision of basic services, illiteracy and unemployment. This situation has drawn attention to analyse the issues municipalities are tackling in implementing government polices in their communities, in this research the policy that will be utilised is the Gender Policy Framework for Local Government Framework established to improve the lives of men and women. Challenges associated with implementing a gender policy are aligned with local government authorities making an allowance for gender as an auxiliary issue and not as precedence and the lack of capacity; financial, human resource and institutional in all municipalities in South Africa to implement gender policies. The premise of this research is to construct a comparative investigation of the progress that the Buffalo City and the Amahlathi Local Municipalities have made in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of the Gender Policy Framework for Local Government Framework. / Dissertation (MPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA) / unrestricted

Thirteen years in the new democratic South Africa, South Africa is still faced with socio-economic problems such as high rates of unemployment, shortage of housing, crime and HIV/Aids. Buffalo city falls within the Amathole District Municipality (ADM). ADM population is estimated at + 1, 67 million, being predominantly rural and living in low socio-economic conditions. The demographic trends of ADM population depict high poverty, illiteracy and unemployment rates, rendering them prone to high morbidity and mortality (www.amathole.gov.za, 2007). The aim of this research was to assess the role of the SMMEs in the socio-economic development of Buffalo City. This study is based on exploratory quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Using a convenience sampling technique structured questionnaires were used to collect data amongst 28 SMMEs in Buffalo City. The findings of this study suggest that SMMEs play a vital role in the socio-economic development of Buffalo City. The SMMEs create employment and incomes; provide human capital investment in form of training programs and HIV/Aids programs; make donations to community structures; give sponsors to various sports clubs and food to the homeless. Finally SMMEs contribute towards tax revenues that in turn help reduce poverty and redistribute wealth. However, SMMEs in Buffalo City face a number of constraints, namely, lack of access to funding, lack of operating space, and high cost of property to lease and difficulty in finding trained competent staff. Further, the perceptions of the SMMEs about the adjudication of tenders was some biasness in the adjudication of tender in favour of those who were close to the public officials. There was no accountability and professionalism amongst the adjudicating officials. Finally the government was not doing enough to encourage SMME development in Buffalo City. In view of the socio-economic benefits of the SMMEs in Buffalo city, it is recommended that support programmes to the SMMEs should be enhanced. On the basis of the findings in this study, it is suggested that assistance to the SMMEs should go beyond institutional support such as Ntsika, Khula, DTI and/or SEDA but should be targeted to funding opportunities for the SMMEs. Commercial banks should be involved in ensuring that SMMEs obtain access to funding. Infrastructural facilities such as affordable business premises should be provided for the SMMEs. Affordable premises will reduce the overhead costs of the SMMEs and in turn increase the profits of these SMMEs. Increase the profits of the SMMEs will ensure the survival of the SMMEs and will in turn contribute towards the upliftment of the socio-economic status of the people who would have otherwise been unemployed, destitute and poor.

Mathematics and science form an integral part people’s daily lives. South African people suddenly find themselves on a technological highway, where mathematical, scientific and creative thinking as well as problem solving skills take centre stage. However many people fear these, and believe that they are unable to tackle them. Mathematics and science educators therefore have need to have knowledge and understanding regarding 6 the foundation of the teaching of these subjects in the intermediate and senior phases at schools. This should enable them to contribute positively towards changing people’s perceptions about these subjects. Based on the above information I felt it imperative for me to investigate the impact of shortages of maths and science educators with special reference to the Buffalo City Area. Purpose of the study: 1 To determine whether schools are able to attract and retain qualified maths and science educators, 2 To identify the quantity of quality maths and science learners schools are able to produce for tertiary education, 3 To investigate the rate of turnover of maths and science educators, 4 To identify the number of maths and science learners who are willing to study maths and science at tertiary level and thereafter join the teaching fraternity.

Orientador: João Carlos Pinheiro Ferreira / Resumo: O uso do sêmen refrigerado proporciona maiores taxas de prenhez se comparado ao do sêmen congelado. Essa diferença parece estar relacionada às lesões mais severas das membranas espermáticas desencadeadas pelo processo de congelação. Por sua habilidade de se ligar às proteínas ligadoras de espermatozoides e ao íon cálcio, o caseinato de sódio vem sendo estudado como uma substância capaz de inibir a capacitação espermática precoce, uma importante causa de diminuição da taxa de prenhez quando do uso de sêmen congelado. O primeiro objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a possibilidade de um diluente comercial a base de gema de ovo, destinado à congelação de sêmen bovino, ser empregado para a criopreservação de sêmen bubalino; o segundo objetivo foi investigar o efeito do uso desse diluente, suplementado com caseinato de sódio, na criopreservação de espermatozoides bubalinos, por meio da avaliação dos espermatozoides, por citometria de fluxo, e da cinética espermática, empregando-se o sistema CASA. Na primeira parte do estudo, quando comparados os resultados das avaliações da cinética espermática e integridade das membranas plasmática e acrossomal, observou-se que o processo de congelação seminal promoveu mais danos celulares que o processo de refrigeração. Na segunda parte do estudo, não foram observados efeitos da adição do caseinato de sódio ao diluente a base de gema de ovo. A partir dos resultados do presente estudo foi possível concluir que o diluente a base de gema de ovo testad... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The use of cooled semen results in higher pregnancy rates compared than the use of frozen semen. This result seems to be related to the more severe damages triggered by the freezing process, when compared to those observed during the refrigeration. Due to its ability to bind to sperm-binding proteins and calcium ions, sodium caseinate has been studied as a ubstance capable to prevent early sperm capacitation, a major cause of decreased pregnancy rate after using frozen semen. The first objective of this study was to evaluate if a commercial egg yolk diluent developed for freezing bovine semen could be used for buffalo semen cryopreservation; the second objective was to investigate the effect of this diluent, added with sodium caseinate, during the procedures of buffalo sperm cryopreservation, using flow cytometry and computer-assisted sperm analysis. In the first part of the study, comparing the results of spermatic kinetics and plasma and acrosomal membranes integrity, it was observed that the freezing process resulted in more cell damage than the cooling process. In the second part of the study, no effects of the addition of sodium caseinate to the egg yolk diluent were observed. From the results of the present study it was possible to conclude that the egg yolk-based diluent was suitable for buffalo semen cryopreservation and that the addition of sodium caseinate did not decrease the deleterious effects related to seminal cryopreservation. / Mestre

<p>This dissertation examines urban renewal programs carried out in Hamilton, Ontario and Buffalo, New York, from 1949 to 1974. It shows how these projects fit within the Congrès internationaux d’architecture moderne’s Functional City paradigm and how the modernist aesthetic was reflected in these industrial cities’ planning documents and practices. Urban renewal is often examined by focusing on issues of race, politics and social upheaval. This cross-border study offers a new approach to the analysis through the modernist aesthetic. The comparative study demonstrates that modernist ideas were integral to both Hamilton’s and Buffalo’s urban renewal schemes, contributing both to the desired outcome and to the process, a commitment to action through the destruction of blocks of homes and buildings. The analysis shows how the aesthetic transcended national differences in politics and programs and offers new insight to our understanding of urban renewal on both sides of the international border.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

A exploração dos bubalinos para a produção de leite e elaboração de seus derivados é uma atividade que tem crescido nos últimos anos no Brasil. Os búfalos apresentam problemas sanitários semelhantes aos bovinos. Objetivou-se neste estudo, desenvolver o isolamento e caracterização fenotípica e molecular dos principais microrganismos causadores de mastites subclínicas em búfalas (Bubalus bubalis) em quatro granjas leiteiras da região central do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, através dos testes contagem de células somáticas (CCS), contagem padrão em placas (CPP), caracterização fenotípica e bioquímica dos microrganismos isolados e confirmação pela técnica de PCR, assim como também avaliar o perfil de sensibilidade bacteriana aos principais antimicrobianos para os patógenos mais frequentemente isolados em casos de mastite subclínica em bubalinos. Foram coletadas 20 amostras de leite de búfalas em lactação no ano de 2013, que apresentaram CCS acima de 200.000 cel/mL em controles realizados pelas fazendas. Tendo como base a Instrução Normativa Nº62 de 2011 do Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (MAPA), que trata de padrões microbiológicos para leite bovino. Das 20 amostras analisadas neste trabalho, apenas 1 (5%) estava dentro do padrão estabelecido (1 x 104 UFC/mL) com uma variação nos resultados encontrados de 1,0 x 104 UFC/mL a 57,7 x 105 UFC/mL. A CCS apresentou uma mediana de 721.000 cel/mL no leite (valor mínimo: 205.000, valor máximo: 2.264.000), indicando presença de mastite subclínica. Constatou-se que os agentes com maior frequência de isolamento foram Staphylococcus epidermis (17%), Staphylococcus aureus (15%) e Bacillus spp. (14%). Os ensaios de PCR confirmaram os resultados obtidos com o isolamento na caracterização fenotípica e bioquímica de Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermis, Streptococcus spp. e Escherichia coli. Com a realização do antibiograma, foi possível traçar um perfil de sensibilidade aos diferentes antibióticos testados. O estudo de sensibilidade bacteriana detectou maior sensibilidade (100%) do Staphylococcus aureus e Staphylococcus epidermis aos antibióticos gentamicina e vancomicina; para o gênero Streptococcus spp. à gentamicina e oxacilina e para Escherichia coli à ampicilina. / The exploration of buffaloes for milk production and dairy products is an activity that has grown in recent years in Brazil. Buffaloes present similar health problems for cattle. The objective of this study was to determine the isolation and the phenotypic and molecular characterization of the main microorganisms causing of subclinical mastitis in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) on four dairy farms in the central region of state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, through testing somatic cell count (SCC), standard plate count (SPC), phenotypic and biochemical characterization of the microorganisms isolated and confirmed by PCR technique, as well as to evaluate the profile of bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics given for the major pathogens commonly isolated in cases of subclinical mastitis in buffaloes Twenty milk samples from lactating buffaloes were analyzed in 2013 that have presented SCC above 200,000 cells/mL. Based on the Instruction Normative N°62 of 2011 of the Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (MAPA) which deals with microbiological standards for bovine milk, of the 20 samples analyzed in this study, only 1 (5%) was within the established standard (1x104 CFU/mL) with a variation in the results of 1.0x104 CFU/mL to 57.7x105 CFU/mL. The CCS showed a median of 721,000 cells/mL in the milk (minimum value; 205,000, maximum value: 2,264,000), indicating the presence of subclinical mastitis. It was found that agents with higher frequency of isolation were Staphylococcus epidermis (17%), Staphylococcus aureus (15%) and Bacillus spp. (14%). The PCR assays confirmed the results obtained with isolating in the phenotypic and biochemical characterization of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus spp. and Escherichia coli. With the realization of the antibiogram was possible to draw a profile of resistance of different antibiotics tested. The study of bacterial sensitivity showed that for higher sensitivity (100%) of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis to antibiotics gentamicin and vancomycin; for the genus Streptococcus spp. to gentamicin and oxacillin and for Escherichia coli to ampicilina.

Thesis (M.A.)--State University of New York at Buffalo, 2006. / Authorized facsimile, made from the microfilm master copy of the original dissertation published by UMI. The bibliographic information for this thesis is contained in UMI's Dissertation Abstracts database. Includes bibliographical references (p. 123-125).