As part of a large investigation with Hubble Space Telescope to study the faintest stars within the globular cluster omega Centauri, in this work we present early results on the multiplicity of its main sequence (MS) stars, based on deep optical and near-infrared observations. By using appropriate colour-magnitude diagrams, we have identified, for the first time, the two main stellar Populations I and II along the entire MS, from the turn-off towards the hydrogen-burning limit. We have compared the observations with suitable synthetic spectra of MS stars and conclude that the two main sequences (MSs) are consistent with stellar populations with different metallicity, helium and light-element abundance. Specifically, MS-I corresponds to a metal-poor stellar population ([Fe/H] similar to -1.7) with Y similar to 0.25 and [O/Fe] similar to 0.30. The MS-II hosts helium-rich (Y similar to 0.37-0.40) stars with metallicity ranging from [Fe/H] similar to -1.7 to -1.4. Below the MS knee (m(F160W) similar to 19.5), our photometry reveals that each of the two main MSs hosts stellar subpopulations with different oxygen abundances, with very O-poor stars ([O/Fe] similar to -0.5) populating the MS-II. Such a complexity has never been observed in previous studies of M-dwarfs in globular clusters. A few months before the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, these results demonstrate the power of optical and near-infrared photometry in the study of multiple stellar populations in globular clusters.

L'extension de la morphologie mathématique au domaine de la couleur ou du multi/hyperspectral en traitement et analyse d'images n'est pas élémentaire. La majorité des approches se sont focalisées sur la formulation mathématique des opérateurs sans prendre en compte le sens physique ou perceptuel de l'information couleur/spectrale.Les outils développés dans ce travail s'inscrivent dans un nouveau formalisme générique basé sur une fonction de distance. Cette construction permet d'utiliser les opérateurs morphologiques dans le domaine de la couleur ou du multi/hyperspectral en adaptant la fonction de distance. De plus, le choix de la fonction de distance rend les opérateurs valides au sens de la perception ou de la physique.Face aux nombre croissant d'approches existantes, des critères de sélection ont été développés afin de les comparer les différentes écritures de morphologie mathématique. Ces critères sont basés sur le respect des propriétés théoriques des opérateurs, sur les propriétés métrologiques et sur l'efficacité numérique.Grâce à un formalisme prenant en compte l'information perceptuelle de la couleur et intégrant une définition valide des éléments structurants non-plats, deux types d'opérateurs de plus haut niveau ont été définis. Le premier est un détecteur d'objets spatio-colorimétrique passant par la définition d'un gabarit spatial et vectoriel. Le second, est le calcul de spectres de textures vectoriels. L'extension des deux propos au spectral a été réalisé et ouvre de nouvelles questions scientifiques. / Mathematical morphology extension to colour or multi/hyperspectral domain in image processing is not straightforward. Most approaches have focused on the mathematical translation of the operators without taking into account the physical or perceptual sense of colour/spectral information. The developed tools in this work are part of a new generic formalism based on adistance function. This construction allows using morphological operators in colour or multi/hyperspectral domain by adapting the distance function. Moreover, the distance function choice validates the operators in the perceptual or physical sense.In front of the increasing number of existing approaches, selection criteria are developed in order to compare the different mathematical morphology constructions. These criteria are based on the validation of the theoretical properties of operators, on the metrological properties and the computational efficiency.With a formalism taking into account the perceptual information of colour and integrating a valid defnition of non-flat structuring elements, two kinds of highest level operators are defned. The frst is a spatial-colorimetric object detector through the defnition of a vectorial and spacial template. The second is the computation of vectorial texture spectra. The spectral extension for both tools is made and opens new scientifc questions.

Student Number : 8708508W - PhD thesis - School of Education - Faculty of Humanities / As the title implies, this research concerned the convergence of race and culture in school settings. How the two categories are related is a complex matter, especially in the context of South Africa where race has played, and continues to play, a critical role in the formation of culture. The study aimed to investigate the dynamics of teaching and learning in racially diverse classrooms in three historically white former Model C Schools in Ekhuruleni East District of Gauteng Department of Education (GDE). To this end I conducted a multiple case study with Grade 8 pupils and their teachers, with a primary intention of illuminating the challenges, attitudes and emotions experienced by teachers and pupils, as well as the dynamics between teachers and pupils, and among pupils. Eight questions guided the data collection through extended on-site observation and interviews: (i) What are the experiences and challenges of teachers and pupils in racially/culturally diverse classrooms? (ii) How do teachers and pupils respond to these experiences and challenges? (iii) What preparation if any, have teachers had in order to face these challenges in racially/culturally diverse classrooms? (iv) How do teachers and pupils and pupils and pupils from diverse race groups interact? (v) What are teachers and pupils opinions about racially diverse classrooms?(vi) What is the significance of race to pupils at the three schools? (vii) How is race conceptualised and lived at school? (viii) What is the impact of the discourse of race on the lives of black pupils? The theoretical framework of this research is situated in the field of teaching and cultural diversity. In order to place the research questions and findings in the context of international and local research and debate on cultural diversity in education, I consulted a wide range of both international and local literature. The thesis presents the main research findings, in terms of four broad themes that cut across the research questions: Change, Subjective Reality and Assimilation; Discourse of Blame and Cultural Deficit Discourse; Home Culture versus School Culture; Perceived Racism or Racism as a Consequence of Change. The analysed data revealed that teachers’ were frustrated and it was evident from their subjective reality that they were not dealing well with change. Pupils preferred homogeneous groups rather than integrated groups thus there was little interaction between racial groups. Hostility was evident and in some cases resulted in fights between black and white pupils. Black pupils perceived the presence of racism among some white teachers and pupils This study could, despite its limitations, pave the way for far more elaborate studies to be conducted.. Since statutory racial integration in South Africa is only ten years old the discourse of racial diversity needs to be illuminated through extensive and intensive research. Teachers need to address both social and educational aims simultaneously as the findings suggest that unless teachers acknowledge and understand diversity in their classrooms and understands the backgrounds of their pupils; these pupils are likely to remain marginalised and desegregated schools run the risk of not contributing to social change.

Cette thèse aborde la question du traitement correct et complet de la couleur selon les contraintes métrologiques. Le manque d’approches adaptées a justifié la reformulation principaux outils de traitement d’images que sont le gradient, la détection et la description de points d’intérêt. Les approches proposées sont génériques : indépendantes du nombre de canaux d’acquisition (de la couleur à l’hyper-spectral), de la plage spectrale considérée et prenant en compte les courbes de sensibilité spectrales du capteur ou de l’œil.Le full-vector gradient nait de cet objectif métrologique. La preuve de concept est effectuée sur des images couleurs, multi et hyper-spectrales. L’extension développée pour l’analyse de la déficience visuelle ouvre également de nombreuses s perspectives intéressantes pour l’analyse du système visuel humain. Ce gradient est au cœur de la proposition d’un détecteur de points d’intérêt, lui aussi générique. Nous montrons la nécessité d’un choix mathématiquement valide de la distance entre attributs et l’importance de la cohérence de la paire attribut/distance. Une paire attribut/distance complète l’ensemble.Pour chaque développement, nous proposons des protocoles objectifs de validation liés à des générateurs d’images de synthèse explorant toute la complexité spatio-chromatique possible. Notre hypothèse est que la difficulté d’extraction du gradient/des points d’intérêts… est liée à la complexité de discrimination des distributions couleur dans la zone de traitement. Une confrontation aux approches courantes du domaine a été également mise en œuvre. / The PhD thesis objective is to study a colour’s correct and complete processing, respecting metrological constraint. The lack of compatible approaches justified that we reformulate the main image processing tools that are gradient, key point detector and descriptor. The proposed approaches are generic: channel count independent and taking the sensor’s or eye’s sensitivity curves into account.The full-vector gradient is born from this metrological objective. Proof of concept was realised on colour, multi and hyper-spectral images. The extension developed for human vision deficiency opens interesting perspectives to study of the human vision system. This gradient is the centre of the key point detector proposition, also generic.We also showed how necessary was a mathematically valid choice of distance between features. We revealed the importance of the pair feature/distance and completed the work with a pair: RC2O/Kulback-Leibler divergence based on colour differences.For each development, we propose unbiased validation protocols linked to synthetic images generators exploring the most spatial-chromatic complexity possible. Our hypothesis being that the extraction difficulty comes from the discrimination complexity between colour distributions in the processing area. We also compared our proposition to state of the art approaches in recurring datasets/protocols.

O chá-verde apresenta efeitos terapêuticos na saúde geral, principalmente em função da epigalocatequina-3-galato (EGCG), componente com comprovada ação antioxidante, antiinflamatória, antimicrobiana, inativadora de endotoxina bacteriana e mineralizadora. Nesse sentido, a EGCG poderia apresentar papel promissor como medicação intracanal, durante o tratamento endodôntico de dentes portadores de necrose pulpar e lesão periapical. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver um sistema de liberação tópica de EGCG, para uso no interior do sistema de canais radiculares, caracterizar suas propriedades físico-químicas bem como avaliar a possível alteração de cor dental após sua aplicação no interior dos canais radiculares de dentes decíduos e permanentes. Inicialmente, foi realizada a caracterização físico-química da EGCG por meio de espectrofotometria em Ultravioleta/Visível (UV/Vis), fluorescência e titulação potenciométrica. A seguir, foi desenvolvida uma formulação para liberação tópica prolongada de EGCG, utilizando um veículo viscoso (PEG 400). O comportamento espectral desse novo sistema de liberação de EGCG foi avaliado em função do tempo (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 24 e 27 horas) e na presença de dentes (decíduos e permanentes). Para a análise da possível alteração de cor dental, foram utilizados 20 dentes decíduos e 20 dentes permanentes, uniradiculares, recém-extraídos, provenientes do Banco de Dentes da FORP-USP. A cor da coroa dos dentes foi determinada antes (dia 0) e 21, 42 e 56 dias após a aplicação intracanal de EGCG, veiculada em água ou PEG 400, com auxílio do espectrofotômetro digital VITA Easyshade. De acordo com os resultados físico-químicos, o espectro de absorção da EGCG na região do UV/Vis apresentou um pico máximo em 274 nm e na fluorescência um pico máximo de absorção em 393 nm. A EGCG apresentou estabilidade em função do tempo e em meio ácido, tendo comportamento espectral alterado em contato com dentes decíduos e permanentes. Em meio básico o espectro de absorção da EGCG em luz UV/Vis foi alterado para 323 nm. O sistema de liberação tópica intracanal de EGCG não alterou suas propriedades físico-químicas, mantendo os valores de absorção em UV/Vis (278 nm) e fluorescência (377 nm), sua estabilidade em função do tempo e não alterou seu comportamento espectral em contato com dentes decíduos e permanentes. A aplicação do sistema proposto de liberação tópica da EGCG, no interior dos canais radiculares de dentes decíduos e permanentes, não causou alteração de cor dental significativa, após o período de 21, 42 e 56 dias. Com base nas metodologias e nos resultados obtidos no presente estudo pode-se concluir que a EGCG apresenta fluorescência e estabilidade em função do tempo e em meio ácido, enquanto em meio básico e na presença de elementos dentais seu comportamento espectral sofre alteração. O sistema desenvolvido para liberação controlada da EGCG manteve suas propriedades físico-químicas, apresentou estabilidade em função do tempo e não foi alterou seu comportamento espectral na presença dos elementos dentais. Ainda, a aplicação intracanal deste sistema não causou alteração de cor da coroa dental. / Green tea has therapeutic effects on general health, mainly due to epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a component with proven antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, inactivating bacterial endotoxin and mineralization action. In this sense, EGCG could present promising role as an intracanal medication during endodontic treatment of teeth presenting pulp necrosis and periapical lesion. Thus, the objective of this study was to develop a system for topical delivery of EGCG, for use inside the root canal system, characterize their physical and chemical properties as well as to evaluate the possible color change after its application in root canals of deciduous and permanent teeth. Initially, was performed physicochemical characterization of EGCG by spectrophotometry Ultraviolet/Visible (UV/Vis), fluorescence, and potentiometric titulation. Next, a formulation for topical extended release of EGCG using a viscous vehicle (PEG 400) was developed. The spectral characteristic of this new delivery system of EGCG was assessed in function of the medium (acidic, basic or neutral), the time (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 24 and 27 hours) and in the presence of teeth (deciduous and permanent). To the analysis of possible tooth color changes, 20 primary teeth and 20 permanent teeth, single-rooted, freshly extracted, from the Bank of Teeth FORP-USP, were used. The color of the tooth crown was determined before (day 0) and 21, 42 and 56 days after intracanal application of EGCG diluted in water or PEG 400, using a digital VITA Easyshade spectrophotometer. According to results the physicochemical spectrum of absorption of the EGCG showed maximum absorption peak at 274 nm in the UV/Vis and at 393 nm in the fluorescence. The EGCG presented stability as a function of time and in acid medium, and its spectral behavior was changed in contact with deciduous and permanent teeth. In basic medium the EGCG absorption spectrum in UV/Vis was changed to 323 nm. The topical delivery system of EGCG intracanal did not change its physicochemical properties, maintaining the values of absorption in UV/Vis (278 nm) and fluorescence (377 nm), its stability as a function of time, and does not change its spectral contact with deciduous and permanent teeth. The application of the proposed system for topical delivery of EGCG in the root canals of deciduous and permanent teeth, did not cause significant tooth color change after the period of 21, 42 and 56 days. Based on the methodologies and the results obtained in this study it can be concluded that EGCG presents fluorescence and stability as a function of time and in an acidic medium, whereas in basic medium and in the presence of dental elements its spectral behavior is changed. The system developed for EGCG controlled release maintains its physicochemical properties, presents stability with time and does not change its spectral behavior in the presence of dental elements. Yet, the intracanal application of this system did not change the color of the teeth\'s crown.

corpo interminável e outros corpos apresenta uma série de experimentos poéticos que buscam investigar as possibilidades gráficas da técnica japonesa de xilogravura à base d\'água como modo de expressão na produção atual de estampas. De modo a estabelecer um diálogo entre diferentes perspectivas, o estudo foi iniciado no Departamento de Artes Visuais da Escola de Comunicação e Artes da Universidade de São Paulo e continuado no Departamento de Xilogravura da Universidade de Artes de Tóquio. Resultado de uma pesquisa empírica, que se apoia em observações e experiências vividas, o trabalho resulta de inquietações acerca de um corpo ficcionado e coletivo, que cresce pelas bordas e se desdobra por propagação. Composto por linhas de intensidades variáveis, esse corpo ocupa a superfície conforme combinações harmônicas e multiplicáveis. / endless body and other bodies presents a series of poetic experiments that seek to investigate the graphic possibilities of the Japanese woodblock printing, as a means of expression within the production of printmaking nowadays. In order to establish a dialogue between two very different cultural perspectives, this study has taken place at both the Visual Arts Department of the University of São Paulo and the Printmaking Department of the Tokyo University of the Arts. This essentially empirical research explores the concept of corpus in a dual meaning. Both in a literal sense as the predominance of the human figure in the works, and in a constructed sense referring to an ever-expanding universe of sources. By combining lines of different shapes and intensities, the bodies in the works aim to fill harmoniously the surface through multipliable combinations.

Embora o Brasil seja o maior produtor e exportador mundial da lima ácida Tahiti, atualmente, exporta apenas 5% do total produzido. Isso se deve, parcialmente, à falta de qualidade destas limas, caracterizada pela perda da coloração verde da casca, após a colheita. Assim, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da atmosfera modificada, do ácido giberélico (GA) e do permanganato de potássio, isolados e combinados entre si, na conservação da cor verde da casca de limas Tahiti, beneficiadas com cera, fungicida e refrigeradas. Para isso, foram realizados três experimentos. No primeiro, avaliou-se o efeito da atmosfera modificada com os filmes: PEBD (30 µm); PEBD (65 µm); Vegetal Pack (18 µm); Cryovac D-955 (15 µm) e Xtend (18 µm). No segundo, avaliou-se o efeito de duas doses de GA (20 e 100 mg L-1) isoladas ou em combinação com dois filmes plásticos selecionados no experimento 1. No terceiro, avaliou-se o efeito do permanganato de potássio isolado e em combinação com GA e filme plástico selecionado no experimento 2. Nos três experimentos foram realizadas avaliações físico-químicas e de composição gasosa no interior das embalagens durante 24 dias a 10 ± 1ºC, mais 6 dias a 20 ± 1ºC e 75 ± 5% de umidade relativa. No final do primeiro experimento, os filmes Vegetal Pack e Cryovac D-955 foram selecionados, pois não promoveram formação de altos teores de aceltaldeído e etanol e possibilitaram baixa perda de massa fresca. Houve maior conservação da coloração da casca nos frutos sob os filmes PEBD, porém, estes resultaram em modificação drástica da atmosfera, com alterações de aroma, coloração da polpa e alta incidência de podridões. No segundo experimento, a dose de 20 mg L-1 de GA foi suficiente para conservar a cor da casca por mais tempo que os frutos sem GA. Os filmes Vegetal Pack e Cryovac D-955 resultaram em frutos com maior ângulo de cor e menor croma que aqueles sem filme plástico. O filme Cryovac D-955 foi selecionado por ser termoencolhível e facilitar o processo de embalagem no packing house. No terceiro experimento, o permanganato de potássio reduziu os teores de etileno no interior das embalagens. A combinação do sache com filme plástico resultou em maiores teores de clorofila e frutos de coloração mais verde. O filme Cryovac D-955 conservou os frutos com 4% a mais de peso, com ângulo de cor maior, luminosidade menor e maior teor de clorofila que os frutos sem embalagem. Os teores de ácido ascórbico e de sólidos solúveis não foram influenciados pelos tratamentos em nenhum dos experimentos. Os frutos acondicionados nos filmes PEBD, no primeiro experimento, resultaram em menores teores de ácido cítrico, devido à alteração drástica da atmosfera interna. Em conclusão, o uso do filme Cryovac D-955 é eficiente na conservação da coloração verde das limas Tahiti beneficiadas com cera, fungicida e refrigeradas. Absorvedores de etileno incrementam a conservação destas limas quando combinados com filme plástico. O ácido giberélico só é efetivo na conservação da coloração verde de limas quando aplicado em frutos verde-oliva brilhante. / Although Brazil is the largest producer and exporter of \'Tahiti\' lime, actually, exports only 5% of total production. This is, in part, because of a lack of quality of these limes, characterized by loss of green skin colour after harvest. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the efficiency of modified atmosphere, gibberellic acid (GA) and potassium permanganate, alone and combined with each, in the maintenance of green skin \'Tahiti\' limes, processed with wax, fungicide and cold storage. For this, three experiments were carried out. At first, the effect of modified atmosphere was evaluated with the films: LDPE (30 µm), LDPE (65 µm), Vegetable Pack (18 µm), Cryovac D-955 (15 µm) and Xtend (18 µm). In the second, the effect of two doses of GA (20 and 100 mg L-1) alone and combined with two plastic films, selected in experiment 1, was assessed. In the third, the effect of potassium permanganate alone and combined with GA and plastic film, selected in experiment 2, was evaluated. In three experiments, the physico-chemical analysis and the gas composition inside the package for 24 days at 10 ± 1ºC, 6 days at 20 ± 1ºC and 75 ± 5% relative humidity were performed. At the end of the first experiment, the films Vegetable Pack and Cryovac D-955 were selected, because it didnt promote the formation of high levels of ethanol and acetaldehyde and promoted low weight loss. There was greater retention of skin color in the fruits under the LDPE films, but these resulted in drastic modification of the atmosphere, with changes in flavor, the pulp colour and high decay incidence. In the second experiment, the dose of 20 mg L-1 GA was enough to keep the skin colour longer than the fruits without GA. Films Vegetable Pack and Cryovac D-955 resulted in fruit with greater hue angle and lower chroma than fruits without film. The film Cryovac D-955 was selected because it is shrinkable and facilitate the packing process in the packing house. In the third experiment, the potassium permanganate reduced ethylene levels inside the package. The combination of the sachet with plastic film resulted in higher levels of chlorophyll and fruits with a greener. The film Cryovac D-955 retained the fruits with 4% more weight, with greater hue angle, brightness lower and higher chlorophyll content than the fruits without packaging. The levels of ascorbic acid and soluble solids were not affected by treatments in either experiment. Fruits packed in LDPE films, in the first experiment, resulted in lower levels of citric acid, because of the drastic change of the internal atmosphere. In conclusion, the use of film Cryovac D-955 is effective in preserving the green colour of the \'Tahiti\' limes treated with wax, fungicide and storage. Ethylene absorbers enhance the preservation of limes when combined with plastic film. The gibberellic acid is effective in preserving the green colour of limes when applied to fruit with olive brilliant colour.

This thesis addresses the mechanisms regulating the evolution and maintenance of colour polymorphism in the shrimp Hippolyte obliquimanus. It includes four chapters that illustrate, in an integrative approach, the ecological and behavioural consequences of different camouflage and habitat use strategies selected in main colour morphs. In the first chapter entitled Camouflage through colour change: mechanisms, adaptive value, and ecological significance, the physiological and structural mechanisms underpinning colour change, and hence camouflage, in different species were detailed within a general framework. Also in this section, both the adaptive value and the ecological and evolutionary implications of these processes were discussed. In the second chapter entitled Shape, colour plasticity, and habitat use indicate morph-specific camouflage strategies in a marine shrimp morph-specific colour change and habitat selection were investigated as potential mechanisms affecting camouflage efficiency and the natural distribution of H. obliquimanus colour morphs between macroalgal habitats formed by Sargassum furcatum and Galaxaura marginata. Moreover, morph-specific morphology and behavioural traits were also assessed. Shrimp showing a homogeneous coloration (H) changed colour when placed in colour-mismatching backgrounds and also exhibited a more robust shape associated to high substrate fidelity and specialization. On the other hand, striped translucent shrimp (ST) were not capable of colour change and showed high mobility, consistent with a more streamlined shape and a generalised use of algal habitats. In the third chapter entitled The adaptive value of camouflage and colour change in a polymorphic shrimp visual models and predation trials were used to test the adaptive value of camouflage and colour change of H. obliquimanus colour morphs against colour-contrasting macroalgae, which provide different levels of colour concealment. The low colour discrimination predicted by a visual model of a seahorse predator for pink shrimp against the red weed Galaxaura was directly translated to lower detection and consumption rates on this morph by captive seahorses in a laboratory experiment, demonstrating the high adaptive value of camouflage in this species. Finally, in the fourth chapter entitled Habitat-dependent niche partitioning between colour morphs of the algal-dwelling shrimp Hippolyte obliquimanus the trophic ecology of H and ST morphs when using Sargassum and Galaxaura habitats were assessed through stable isotope analysis. Morphs showed different isotopic signatures only in Galaxaura, where the supply of food resources are limiting, leading to a tropic niche diversification between H and ST shrimp and a probable relaxation of intra-specific competition. Conversely, in Sargassum, where resources are abundant, morphs coexistence is possible even without niche partitioning. Altogether, the results of this thesis contributed to a better understanding of the adaptive value and the underlying mechanisms controlling for the maintenance of colour polymorphism in H. obliquimanus. From both an ecological and evolutionary perspective, morph-specific strategies of camouflage and habitat use likely promote the stability of shrimp populations in a spatially heterogeneous and markedly seasonal habitat. / Esta tese aborda os mecanismos que regulam a evolução e manutenção do polimorfismo de cor no camarão Hippolyte obliquimanus ao longo de quatro capítulos que ilustram de forma integrada as consequências ecológicas e comportamentais das distintas estratégias de camuflagem e de uso do habitat selecionadas nos principais morfótipos da espécie. No Capítulo 1, intitulado Camouflage through colour change: mechanisms, adaptive value, and ecological significance, são detalhados de maneira geral os mecanismos fisiológicos e estruturais responsáveis pelo processo de mudança de cor e obtenção de camuflagem em diferentes espécies de animais. Nessa seção também é detalhado o valor adaptativo e as implicações ecológicas e evolutivas desses processos. No Capítulo 2, intitulado Shape, colour plasticity, and habitat use indicate morph-specific camouflage strategies in a marine shrimp, são investigados os processos de mudança de cor e de seleção de habitat como possíveis mecanismos reguladores dos padrões de camuflagem e de distribuição dos morfótipos de cor de H. obliquimanus entre os bancos das algas Sargassum furcatum e Galaxaura marginata. Além disso, também são avaliadas diferenças morfológicas e comportamentais entre os morfótipos na utilização dos habitats vegetados. Camarões caracterizados por uma coloração homogênea (H) mudam de cor quando em contato com substratos de coloração diferente à sua, exibindo também uma morfologia mais robusta e um comportamento de alta fidelidade e especialização aos substratos de macroalgas. Por outro lado, camarões transparentes listrados (TL) não mudam de cor e apresentam elevada mobilidade, consistente com uma morfologia mais hidrodinâmica e com uso mais generalizado dos habitats estudados. No Capítulo 3, intitulado The adaptive value of camouflage and colour change in a polymorphic shrimp, são utilizados modelos visuais e experimentos de predação para testar o valor adaptativo da camuflagem e mudança de cor em diferentes morfótipos do camarão H. obliquimanus quando estes estão associados a macroalgas que fornecem diferentes graus de semelhança cromática. O baixo grau de discriminação cromática previsto para camarões rosa em associação à alga vermelha Galaxaura através da modelagem visual de um predador (cavalo-marinho) resultou em baixas taxas de detecção e predação desse morfótipo por cavalos-marinhos em um experimento de laboratório, demonstrando um alto valor adaptativo da camuflagem nessa espécie. Por fim, no Capítulo 4, intitulado Habitat-dependent niche partitioning between colour morphs of the algal-dwelling shrimp Hippolyte obliquimanus, a ecologia trófica dos morfótipos de cor H e TL na utilização dos bancos de Sargassum e Galaxaura é avaliada através de análises de isótopos estáveis. Os morfótipos de cor mostraram diferenças nas razões isotópicas apenas em Galaxaura, onde a abundância de recursos alimentares é limitante, levando à diversificação de nicho trófico entre camarões H e TL e uma provável redução da competição intraespecífica. Por outro lado, em Sargassum, onde há abundância de recursos, a coexistência entre os morfótipos é possível mesmo sem partição de nicho ecológico. Em conjunto, os resultados obtidos nessa tese detalham tópicos centrais sobre os mecanismos reguladores e o valor adaptativo do polimorfismo cromático em H. obliquimanus. Dentro de uma abordagem ecológica e evolutiva, as diferentes estratégias de camuflagem e de uso de habitat dos morfótipos de cor parecem ser essenciais para o equilíbrio populacional da espécie, uma vez que os bancos de macroalgas utilizados como habitat pelos indivíduos são bastante heterogêneos e sua disponibilidade varia sazonalmente.

O chá-verde apresenta efeitos terapêuticos na saúde geral, principalmente em função da epigalocatequina-3-galato (EGCG), componente com comprovada ação antioxidante, antiinflamatória, antimicrobiana, inativadora de endotoxina bacteriana e mineralizadora. Nesse sentido, a EGCG poderia apresentar papel promissor como medicação intracanal, durante o tratamento endodôntico de dentes portadores de necrose pulpar e lesão periapical. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver um sistema de liberação tópica de EGCG, para uso no interior do sistema de canais radiculares, caracterizar suas propriedades físico-químicas bem como avaliar a possível alteração de cor dental após sua aplicação no interior dos canais radiculares de dentes decíduos e permanentes. Inicialmente, foi realizada a caracterização físico-química da EGCG por meio de espectrofotometria em Ultravioleta/Visível (UV/Vis), fluorescência e titulação potenciométrica. A seguir, foi desenvolvida uma formulação para liberação tópica prolongada de EGCG, utilizando um veículo viscoso (PEG 400). O comportamento espectral desse novo sistema de liberação de EGCG foi avaliado em função do tempo (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 24 e 27 horas) e na presença de dentes (decíduos e permanentes). Para a análise da possível alteração de cor dental, foram utilizados 20 dentes decíduos e 20 dentes permanentes, uniradiculares, recém-extraídos, provenientes do Banco de Dentes da FORP-USP. A cor da coroa dos dentes foi determinada antes (dia 0) e 21, 42 e 56 dias após a aplicação intracanal de EGCG, veiculada em água ou PEG 400, com auxílio do espectrofotômetro digital VITA Easyshade. De acordo com os resultados físico-químicos, o espectro de absorção da EGCG na região do UV/Vis apresentou um pico máximo em 274 nm e na fluorescência um pico máximo de absorção em 393 nm. A EGCG apresentou estabilidade em função do tempo e em meio ácido, tendo comportamento espectral alterado em contato com dentes decíduos e permanentes. Em meio básico o espectro de absorção da EGCG em luz UV/Vis foi alterado para 323 nm. O sistema de liberação tópica intracanal de EGCG não alterou suas propriedades físico-químicas, mantendo os valores de absorção em UV/Vis (278 nm) e fluorescência (377 nm), sua estabilidade em função do tempo e não alterou seu comportamento espectral em contato com dentes decíduos e permanentes. A aplicação do sistema proposto de liberação tópica da EGCG, no interior dos canais radiculares de dentes decíduos e permanentes, não causou alteração de cor dental significativa, após o período de 21, 42 e 56 dias. Com base nas metodologias e nos resultados obtidos no presente estudo pode-se concluir que a EGCG apresenta fluorescência e estabilidade em função do tempo e em meio ácido, enquanto em meio básico e na presença de elementos dentais seu comportamento espectral sofre alteração. O sistema desenvolvido para liberação controlada da EGCG manteve suas propriedades físico-químicas, apresentou estabilidade em função do tempo e não foi alterou seu comportamento espectral na presença dos elementos dentais. Ainda, a aplicação intracanal deste sistema não causou alteração de cor da coroa dental. / Green tea has therapeutic effects on general health, mainly due to epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a component with proven antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, inactivating bacterial endotoxin and mineralization action. In this sense, EGCG could present promising role as an intracanal medication during endodontic treatment of teeth presenting pulp necrosis and periapical lesion. Thus, the objective of this study was to develop a system for topical delivery of EGCG, for use inside the root canal system, characterize their physical and chemical properties as well as to evaluate the possible color change after its application in root canals of deciduous and permanent teeth. Initially, was performed physicochemical characterization of EGCG by spectrophotometry Ultraviolet/Visible (UV/Vis), fluorescence, and potentiometric titulation. Next, a formulation for topical extended release of EGCG using a viscous vehicle (PEG 400) was developed. The spectral characteristic of this new delivery system of EGCG was assessed in function of the medium (acidic, basic or neutral), the time (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 24 and 27 hours) and in the presence of teeth (deciduous and permanent). To the analysis of possible tooth color changes, 20 primary teeth and 20 permanent teeth, single-rooted, freshly extracted, from the Bank of Teeth FORP-USP, were used. The color of the tooth crown was determined before (day 0) and 21, 42 and 56 days after intracanal application of EGCG diluted in water or PEG 400, using a digital VITA Easyshade spectrophotometer. According to results the physicochemical spectrum of absorption of the EGCG showed maximum absorption peak at 274 nm in the UV/Vis and at 393 nm in the fluorescence. The EGCG presented stability as a function of time and in acid medium, and its spectral behavior was changed in contact with deciduous and permanent teeth. In basic medium the EGCG absorption spectrum in UV/Vis was changed to 323 nm. The topical delivery system of EGCG intracanal did not change its physicochemical properties, maintaining the values of absorption in UV/Vis (278 nm) and fluorescence (377 nm), its stability as a function of time, and does not change its spectral contact with deciduous and permanent teeth. The application of the proposed system for topical delivery of EGCG in the root canals of deciduous and permanent teeth, did not cause significant tooth color change after the period of 21, 42 and 56 days. Based on the methodologies and the results obtained in this study it can be concluded that EGCG presents fluorescence and stability as a function of time and in an acidic medium, whereas in basic medium and in the presence of dental elements its spectral behavior is changed. The system developed for EGCG controlled release maintains its physicochemical properties, presents stability with time and does not change its spectral behavior in the presence of dental elements. Yet, the intracanal application of this system did not change the color of the teeth\'s crown.

En dépit de progrès croissants durant la dernière décennie, la complexité des écosystèmes marins est encore imparfaitement simulée par les modèles.Les formulations des processus biogéochimiques sont en général établies de manière empirique et contraintes par une multitude de paramètres.Il est ainsi généralement admis que leurs incertitudes impactent fortement l'estimation de la production primaire, dont le rôle dans le cycle du carbone est primordial.Analyser les impacts de l'incertitude des modèles est donc nécessaire pour améliorer la représentation des caractéristiques biogéochimiques de l'océan.Dans le contexte d'assimilation de données de la couleur de l'océan, la définition des erreurs de prévision représente de plus un important verrou aux performances des systèmes.Ces points seront analysés dans cette thèse. L'objectif sera d'examiner, dans un contexte de modélisation/assimilation, la pertinence d'utiliser une approche probabiliste basée sur une simulation explicite des incertitudes biogéochimiques du modèle couplé au 1/4° NEMO/PISCES sur l'océan Atlantique Nord.A partir d'une simulation déterministe du modèle PISCES, nous proposerons une méthode pour générer des processus aléatoires, AR(1), permettant d'inclure des structures spatiales et temporelles de corrélations.A chaque pas de temps, ces perturbations aléatoires seront ensuite introduites dans le modèle par l'intermédiaire de paramétrisations stochastiques.Elles simuleront 2 différentes classes d'incertitudes: les incertitudes sur les paramètres biogéochimiques du modèle et les incertitudes dues aux échelles non résolues dans le cas d'équations non linéaires. L'utilisation de paramétrisations stochastiques permettra ainsi d'élaborer une version probabiliste du modèle PISCES, à partir de laquelle nous pourrons réaliser une simulation d'ensemble de 60 membres.La pertinence de cette simulation d'ensemble sera évaluée par comparaison avec les observations de la couleur de l'océan SeaWIFS. Nous montrerons en particulier que la simulation d'ensemble conserve les structures de grande échelle présentes dans la simulation déterministe.En utilisant les distributions de probabilité définies par les membres de l'ensemble, nous montrerons que l'ensemble capture l'information des observations avec une bonne estimation de leurs statistiques d'erreur (fiabilité statistique). L'intérêt de l'approche probabiliste sera ainsi d'abord évalué dans un contexte de modélisation biogéochimique. / In spite of recent advances, biogeochemical models are still unable to represent the full complexity of marine ecosystems.Since mathematical formulations are still based on empirical laws involving many parameters, it is now well established that the uncertainties inherent to the biogeochemical complexity strongly impact the model response.Improving model representation therefore requires to properly describe model uncertainties and their consequences.Moreover, in the context of ocean color data assimilation, one of the major issue rely on our ability to characterize the model uncertainty (or equivalently the model error) in order to maximize the efficiency of the assimilation system.This is exactly the purpose of this PhD which investigates the potential of using random processes to simulate some biogeochemical uncertaintiesof the 1/4° coupled physical–biogeochemical NEMO/PISCES model of the North Atlantic ocean.Starting from a deterministic simulation performed with the original PISCES formulation, we propose a genericmethod based on AR(1) random processes to generate perturbations with temporal and spatial correlations.These perturbations are introduced into the model formulations to simulate 2 classes of uncertainties: theuncertainties on biogeochemical parameters and the uncertainties induced by unresolved scales in the presenceof non-linear processes. Using these stochastic parameterizations, a probabilistic version of PISCES is designedand a 60-member ensemble simulation is performed.The implications of this probabilistic approach is assessed using the information of the probability distributions given of this ensemble simulationThe relevance and the impacts of the stochastic parameterizations are assessed from a comparison with SeaWIFS satellite data.In particular, it is shown that the ensemble simulation is able to produce a better estimate of the surface chlorophyll concentration than the first guess deterministic simulation.Using SeaWIFS ocean color data observations, the statistical consistency (reliability) of this prior ensemble is demonstrated using rank histograms.Finally, the relevance of our approach in the prospect of ocean color data assimilation is demonstrated by considering a 3D optimal analysis of the ensemble (one updateat one time step) performed from the statistic errors of the stochastic ensemble simulation previously stated.During this experiment, the high resolution SeaWIFS ocean color data are assimilated using a Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter (ETKF) analysis scheme and the non gaussian behaviour and non linear relationshipbetween variables are taken into account using anamorphic transformations.More specifically, we show that the analysis of SeaWIFS data improves the representation and the ensemble statistics of chlorophyll concentrations.