This thesis deals with the occurrence of microplastics in water, the reasons for their potential elimination, and the possibilities leading to that. More specifically, it focuses on flotation as a process for removing microplastics from water. Flotation is further described from a theoretical point of view and its mathematical model is developed. The wettability of selected polymers is measured. The experiment performed to determine the efficiency of flotation as a process of treating water from microplastics is described. This efficiency is further compared to measured wettability.

Which role do literature and literary texts have in the second language education inthe upper secondary school in Sweden? The aim of this study is to find out, howoften literary texts and literature appear in German textbooks and how they areprocessed in the language teaching. Which pedagogical and didactical cultures aredominating in the textbooks? What does the second language learner come toknow and how does the learner acquire this knowledge? The thesis of the study isbased on an adoption that we have to work hard with production in the secondlanguage education. Can we promote the empowerment, the spoken productionand the written production with literary text in the second language acquisition ordo we just promote the extensive reading?

Progression of metazoans through different developmental programs requires temporal control that is achieved by molecules originating from endocrine tissues that diffuse throughout the whole body of the animal to coordinate program execution by activating cell specific gene expression patterns. These programs then define cascades of successive, distinct developmental stages or the choice between alternative fates for the same stage. A model for this developmental control is found in the nematode C. elegans, where environmental cues signal through insulin and TGF-beta cascades to regulate the daf-12/nuclear hormone receptor (NHR) ligand synthesis that then coordinates organism wide developmental timing and fate choice. For cell intrinsic aspects of C. elegans temporal control of development, microRNAs play an important role but their connection to organism wide endocrine control is unknown. This work shows how the DAF-12/NHR directly activates let-7 family microRNAs during the L3 stage to repress L2 stage activator hbl-1 to prevent L2 stage programs from reoccurring. The interaction of upstream transcription factors with the downstream cis-regulatory elements in promoters of the let-7 family microRNAs are further analyzed in detail and identify potential DAF-12 coregulators that might connect daf-12 endocrine signaling also to later stage developmental control. These observations are the first to integrate microRNAs into establishedendocrine signaling cascades. In addition they reveal specific details about how organism wide upstream, endocrine signaling pathways induce downstream cell intrinsic changes of gene expression and developmental progression. This work postulates a "molecular switch" that actively drives stage transitions, consisting of a NHR that directly activates microRNAs to actively repress mediators of old stages while directly activating translation of protein coding genes mediating the new stage.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(生命科学) / 甲第20779号 / 生博第385号 / 新制||生||51(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院生命科学研究科統合生命科学専攻 / (主査)教授 西田 栄介, 教授 米原 伸, 教授 松本 智裕 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy in Life Sciences / Kyoto University / DFAM

No description available.

This study aims to investigate when and how much German as well as Swedish is spoken by teachers and pupils in two high school classes. On top of that, the study includes both the teachers´and pupils´attitudes towards the usage of the languages in their German lessons. To answer this, observations during lessons were made and both online surveys to teachers and group interviews with a handful of pupils were constructed. The information gathered was later analyzed with a qualitative content analysis. What could be observed was that both Swedish and German were spoken by teachers, but for different parts of the lesson. They spoke Swedish for example when teaching grammar and clarifying instructions, but German when they asked simple questions or talked about texts during the lesson. The students on the other hand mostly spoke Swedish with each other and sometimes even when asking questions to the teacher. However, when the teacher made clear that they were supposed to speak German, they did. Most of the teachers and pupils would prefer a mix between German and Swedish in their classroom because they saw benefits with both languages in use. For example the fact that Swedish could be used to easily clarify lesson content and German could be used for the pupils to both practice speaking and hearing German.

The association of members of the enterovirus family with pregnancy complications up to miscarriages is under discussion. Here, infection of two different human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines and iPSC-derived primary germ-layer cells with coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) was characterized as an in vitro cell culture model for very early human development. Transcriptomic analysis of iPSC lines infected with recombinant CVB3 expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) revealed a reduction in the expression of pluripotency genes besides an enhancement of genes involved in RNA metabolism. The initial distribution of CVB3-EGFP-positive cells within iPSC colonies correlated with the distribution of its receptor coxsackie- and adenovirus receptor (CAR). Application of anti-CAR blocking antibodies supported the requirement of CAR, but not of the co-receptor decay-accelerating factor (DAF) for infection of iPSC lines. Among iPSC-derived germ-layer cells, mesodermal cells were especially vulnerable to CVB3-EGFP infection. Our data implicate further consideration of members of the enterovirus family in the screening program of human pregnancies. Furthermore, iPSCs with their differentiation capacity into cell populations of relevant viral target organs could offer a reliable screening approach for therapeutic intervention and for assessment of organ-specific enterovirus virulence.

[EN] Post-transcriptional modification of the wobble uridine (U34) of a tRNA set is an evolutionary conserved process, produced by homologous proteins from the MnmA/MTU1, MnmE/GTPBP3 and MnmG/MTO1 families. Mutations in the human genes MTU1 and GTPBP3 or MTO1 produce acute infantile liver failure, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and lactic acidosis, respectively, which usually cause lethality in the first months of life. It is assumed that the primary cause of these diseases is the lack of the modifications introduced by the MTU1 protein in position 2 (tiol) and GTPBP3 and MTO1 proteins (taurinomethylation) in position 5 at U34 in a subgroup of mt-tRNAs. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying these diseases (and other diseases associated with such modifications) are not clear. The reason why the typical defects of oxidative phosphorylation (due to impaired mitochondrial translation) produce such wide range of phenotypes is still unknown. Our hypothesis sustains that the mitochondria-nucleus retrograde signaling pathways triggered by the hypomodification at position 2 and 5 of U34 are different, and that each nuclear response is modulated by the genetic and epigenetic programs of cells and organisms. In this work, we have used the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism to study the effects of inactivating the homologue proteins to MTU1, GTPBP3 and MTO1, which we have named as MTTU-1, MTCU-1 and MTCU-2, respectively. We have proved that these nuclear encoded proteins are located in mitochondria and are involved in U34 modification of mt-tRNAs. The mtcu-1 and mtcu-2 mutants show a reduction in fertility, while the mttu-1 mutant shows a reduction in fertility and a lengthening of the reproductive cycle (both phenotypes are thermosensitive). The phenotypes exhibited by the mttu-1, mtcu-1 and mtcu-2 mutants support our hypothesis, in which the mttu-1 single mutation, on the one hand, and the mtcu-1 and mtcu-2 single mutations, on the other hand, trigger different retrograde signaling pathways which produce specific nucear expression. Thus, a nuclear dependent phenotypic trait (as transcription or mt-tRNAs stability) and the expression of nuclear genes as ucp-4, hsp-6, hsp-60 and other genes involved in mitochondrial metabolism show a differential pattern in both group of mutants. hsp-6 and hsp-60 genes (UPRmt markers) are downregulated in mttu-1 single mutant, which could be related to fertility and reproductive cycle thermosensitivity. The three single mutants exhibit reduced expression of glycolysis and ß-oxidation genes (usually more drastic in the mttu-1 mutant), an induction of a glutaminolysis marker, and an induction of the ucp-4 gene, which encodes a transporter of the succinate to the mitochondria. Due to all three single mutants display a mild OXPHOS dysfunction, we propose that the observed changes in the expression of genes involved in the mitochondrial metabolism reveal a TCA cycle reprogramming aimed to compensate the reduction of acetil-CoA (coming from glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation) though the activation of anaplerotic pathways characterized by the succinate import to mitochondria by UCP-4 and the incorporation of 2-oxoglurate from glutaminolysis. We also analyze the effects of the simultanous suppression of modifications at positions 2 and 5 of U34 in C. elegans. The double mutant mtcu-2;mttu-1 displayed a severe OXPHOS dysfunction and a 5-fold higher AMP/ATP ratio, which was associated with embryonic lethality, developmental arrest in primary larval stages, penetrant sterility in adults and extended lifespan. This lifespan extension is modulated by signaling pathways which depend on AMPK (specifically on AAK-1 catalitic subunit) and steroid hormones, through DAF-9 and DAF-12 proteins. This work shows the important gene reprogramming related to mitochondrial metabolism in response to U34 hypomodification of mt-tRNAs, and shows new connexions between signaling pathways that extend lifespan. / [ES] La modificación post-transcripcional de la uridina de tambaleo (U34) de ciertos tRNAs es un proceso conservado evolutivamente, realizado por proteínas homólogas de las familias MnmA/MTU1, MnmE/GTPBP3 y MnmG/MTO1, y biológicamente relevante. De hecho, mutaciones en los genes humanos MTU1 y GTPBP3 o MTO1 causan fallo hepático infantil agudo y cardiomiopatía hipertrófica infantil, respectivamente, que producen letalidad durante los primeros meses de vida. Se asume que la causa primaria de estas enfermedades es la ausencia de las modificaciones introducidas por la proteína MTU1 en la posición 2 (tiol) y las proteínas GTPBP3 y MTO1 (taurinometil) en la posición 5 de la U34 en un grupo de mt-tRNAs. Se desconocen los mecanismos subyacentes y las razones por las que el déficit de OXPHOS resultante en todos los casos (atribuido a alteraciones de la traducción mitocondrial de proteínas) produce fenotipos tan diversos. Nuestra hipótesis es que la señalización retrógrada mitocondria-núcleo promovida por la hipomodificación de los mt-tRNAs en 2 ó 5 de la U34 es diferente y la respuesta nuclear viene modulada por el programa genético y epigenético de células y organismos. Hemos utilizado el nematodo C. elegans como modelo para estudiar los efectos producidos por la inactivación de las proteínas homólogas de MTU1, GTPBP3 y MTO1 a las que hemos denominado MTTU-1, MTCU-1 y MTCU-2. Hemos comprobado que estas proteínas, codificadas por el núcleo, son de localización mitocondrial y están implicadas en la modificación de la U34 de los mt-tRNAs. Los mutantes mtcu-1 y mtcu-2 presentan una reducción en su fertilidad y, en el caso del mutante simple mttu-1, fenotipos asociados a termosensibilidad. Los fenotipos exhibidos por los mutantes mttu-1, mtcu-1 y mtcu-2 sustentan la hipótesis de que la mutación mttu-1, y las mutaciones mtcu-1 y mtcu-2 promueven señales retrógradas diferentes que producen patrones de expresión nuclear específicos. Así, un rasgo fenotípico dependiente de genes nucleares (como lo es la transcripción y/o estabilidad de los mt-tRNAs) y la expresión de genes nucleares como ucp-4, hsp-6, hsp-60 y otros implicados en el metabolismo mitocondrial muestran un patrón diferente en los dos grupos de mutantes. Los genes hsp-6 y hsp-60 (marcadores de la UPRmt) están regulados a la baja en el mutante mttu-1. Los tres mutantes simples exhiben una reducción en la expresión de genes de la glicólisis y de la ß-oxidación de los ácidos grasos, una inducción en un marcador de glutaminolisis y una inducción en el gen ucp-4 (mayor en mttu-1) implicado en el transporte de succinato a la mitocondria. Dado que los tres mutantes simples presentan una disfunción OXPHOS relativamente suave, proponemos que los cambios de expresión en genes que modulan el metabolismo mitocondrial revelan una reprogramación del ciclo del TCA que compensa la disminución en el aporte de acetil-CoA procedente de glicólisis y oxidación de ácidos grasos con la activación de rutas anapleróticas del ciclo del TCA (importe de succinato a la mitocondria por UCP-4 y aporte de ¿-cetoglutarato procedente de la glutaminolisis). También analizamos los efectos de la anulación simultánea de las modificaciones en las posiciones 2 y 5 de la U34. El doble mutante mttu-1;mtcu-2 presenta una disfunción OXPHOS severa, con una ratio AMP/ATP 5 veces superior al control, que resulta en letalidad embrionaria, detención del desarrollo en estadios larvarios tempranos y esterilidad completa en los adultos que presentan, por otra parte, una longevidad unas dos veces superior a la cepa control. Este incremento de la longevidad está modulado por rutas de señalización que dependen de la subunidad catalítica AAK-1 (AMPK), y de hormonas esteroideas (proteínas DAF-9 y DAF-12). El trabajo muestra la importante reprogramación de genes relacionados con el metabolismo mitocondrial en respuesta a la hipomodificación de la U34 de los mt-tRNAs y / [CA] La modificació post-transcripcional de la uridina de balanceig (U34) de certs tRNAs és un procés conservat evolutivament realitzat per proteïnes homòlogues a les de les famílies MnmA/MTU1, MnmE/GTPBP3 i MnmG/MTO1 i biològicament relevant. De fet, mutacions en els gens humans MTU1 i GTPBP3 o MTO1 causen fallada hepàtica infantil aguda i cardiomiopatia hipertròfica infantil amb acidosis làctica, respectivament, que produïxen letalitat durant els primers mesos de vida. S'assumix que la causa primària d'aquestes malalties és l'absència de les modificacions introduïdes per la proteïna MTU1 a la posició 2 (tiol) i per les proteïnes GTPBP3 i MTO1 (taurinometil) a la posició 5 de la U34 en un grup de mt-tRNAs. Es desconeixen els mecanismes subjacents en estes malalties i les raons per les quals el dèficit de la OXPHOS resultant en tots els casos (atribuït a alteracions de la traducció mitocondrial de proteïnes) produïx fenotips tan diversos. La nostra hipòtesi és que la senyalització retrògrada mitocondria-nucli promoguda per la hipomodificació dels mt-tRNAs en 2 o 5 de la U34 és diferent i la resposta nuclear en cada cas es dependent del programa genètic i epigenètic de cèl¿lules i organismes. Hem utilitzat el nematode C. elegans com a organisme model per a estudiar els efectes produïts per la inactivació de les proteïnes homòlogues de MTU1, GTPBP3 i MTO1 a les que hem denominat MTTU-1, MTCU-1 i MTCU-2. Hem comprovat que aquestes proteïnes, codificades pel nucli, són de localització mitocondrial i estan implicades en la modificació de la U34 dels mt-tRNAs. Els mutants mtcu-1 i mtcu-2 presenten una reducció en la seua fertilitat i, en el cas del mutant mttu-1, fenotipus associats a termosensibilitat. Els fenotipus exhibits pels mutants mttu-1, mtcu-1 i mtcu-2 sustenten la hipòtesi que la mutació mttu-1, i les mutacions mtcu-1 i mtcu-2 promouen senyals retrògrads diferents que produïxen patrons d'expressió nuclears específics. Així, un tret fenotípic dependent de gens nuclears (com ho és la transcripció i/o l'estabilitat dels mt-tRNAs) i l'expressió de gens nuclears com ucp-4, hsp-6, hsp-60 i altres implicats en el metabolisme mitocondrial mostren un patró diferent en els dos grups de mutants. Els gens hsp-6 i hsp-60 (marcadors de la UPRmt) estan regulats a la baixa en el mutant mttu-1. Els tres mutants simples exhibixen una reducció en l'expressió de gens de la glicòlisi i de la ß-oxidació dels àcids grassos, una inducció en un marcador de glutaminolisi i una inducció en el gen ucp-4 (major en el mutant mttu-1) implicat en el transport de succinat a la mitocondria. Atés que els tres mutants simples presenten una disfunció OXPHOS relativament suau, proposem que els canvis d'expressió en gens que modulen el metabolisme mitocondrial revelen una reprogramació del cicle del TCA que compensa la disminució en l'aportació d'acetil-CoA procedent de la glicòlisi i de l'oxidació d'àcids grassos amb l'activació de rutes anaplerótiques del cicle del TCA (importació de succinat a la mitocondria per UCP-4 i aportació de ¿-cetoglutarat de la glutaminolisi). També s'analitzen els efectes de l'anul¿lació simultània de les modificacions en 2 i 5 de la U34. El doble mutant mttu-1;mtcu-2 presenta una disfunció OXPHOS severa, amb una ràtio AMP/ATP 5 vegades superior al control, que resulta en letalitat embrionària, detenció del desenvolupament en estadis larvaris primerencs, esterilitat completa en els adults i una longevitat unes 2 vegades superior al control. Aquest increment de la longevitat està modulat per rutes de senyalització que depenen de la subunitat catalítica AAK-1 (AMPK), i d'hormones esteroidees (a través de les proteïnes DAF-9 i DAF-12). En resum, aquest treball mostra per primera vegada a nivell d'un animal model la important reprogramació de gens relacionats amb el metabolisme mitocondrial en resposta a la hipomodificació de la U34 dels mt-tRNAs i / Navarro González, MDC. (2016). Caenorhabditis elegans as a research tool to study mitochondrial diseases associated with defects in tRNA modification [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/61978

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis aims to make a contribution to the field of literature study in foreign language teaching. It investigates the practical implications of theories such as Michael Dobstadt‟s Didaktik der Literarizität and Claire Kramsch‟s symbolic competence. It specifically looks at how these approaches to literature can be implemented in the elementary levels (A1 and A2) of foreign language teaching. Furthermore, the range of possibilities that mobile phones offer for the foreign language learning environment are explored. Suggestions are proffered as to how the inclusion of mobile phones, as educational tools, can support the successful implementation of Dobstadt and Kramsch‟s theories in the foreign language classroom. On the basis of the theory, two sets of lesson plans are developed for high school beginner level German classes in South Africa; the lesson plans serve as examples of how the theories of Dobstadt and Kramsch can, on beginner level and in conjunction with the use of mobile phones, be implemented in practice. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis poog om ʼn bydrae te maak tot die literatuur van vreemdetaal-onderrig. Die praktiese implikasies van teorieë soos dié van Michael Dobstadt se Didaktik der Literarizität en Claire Kramsch se symbolic competence word ondersoek. Daar word spesifiek gekyk na hoe sulke benaderings tot literatuur op beginnervlak (A1 en A2) van vreemdetaal-onderrig geïmplementeer kan word. Verder word die trefwydte van moontlikhede wat selfone vir vreemdetaal-onderrig bied, ondersoek. Voorstelle word gemaak oor hoe die gebruik va n selfone, as opvoedkundige hulpmiddels, die implementering van Dobstadt en Kramsch se teorieë in die vreemdetaal-klaskamer kan ondersteun. Vanuit „n teoretiese uitgangspunt word twee stelle lesplanne vir Duitse klasse op hoërskool-beginnervlak in Suid-Afrika ontwikkel as voorbeelde van hoe die teorieë van Dobstadt en Kramsch, op beginnervlak en in samewerking met die gebruik van selfone, in die praktyk geïmplementeer kan word.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a influência do gradiente médio de velocidade (Gzc), associado ao tempo de detenção hidráulico (tzc) e à taxa de aplicação superficial (TASzc), na zona de contato, na eficiência de clarificação de uma unidade retangular de flotação por ar dissolvido, em escala piloto, tratando água para abastecimento. Foram estudadas duas configurações da Unidade Piloto de Flotação por Ar Dissolvido (UPFAD) (A e B), as quais diferem no comprimento da zona de contato A (90 mm) e B (140 mm). A TASzc - A (133 ± 3 m/h) e B (86 ± 1 m/h) - e o tzc - A (54 ± 1s) e B (84 ± 1 s) - são diferentes. Foram avaliados três valores do Gzc A (1,8; 6,5;10,2) e B (0,9; 4,7; 6,3), através da inserção de telas com características diferentes no interior da zona de contato. E, Para cada valor de Gzc, foram investigados três valores de A/V (3,73; 4,90; 6,41). Em todos os ensaios realizados, foram fixados os seguintes parâmetros: vazão da água bruta preparada (5,4 m³/h); temperatura da água bruta preparada (26 ± 1ºC); pH de coagulação (6,5 ± 0,1); tempo de floculação (17,2 min); gradiente médio de velocidade de floculação (110 s-1); vazão de descarte após a floculação (0,8 m³/h); vazão de entrada para a flotação (Qe) (4,6 m³/h); velocidade de entrada para a flotação (ve) (180 m/h); velocidade cross-flow (45 m/h); TASzs (14,6 ± 0,2 m/h); pressão de saturação (4,5 ± 0,1 Kgf/cm²). A unidade piloto FAD foi alimentada com água preparada, que apresentou turbidez em torno de 7,4 ± 0,6 UNT, e cor aparente, em torno de 39,4 ± 4,3 UH. A fração removida dos parâmetros analisados para cada Gzc é menos sensível a variações de A/V na configuração A que na configuração B. Na configuração A, a tela que apresentou Gzc em torno de 6,5 s-1 gerou melhores resultados para cada A/V analisado. Na configuração B, a tela que gerou Gzc em torno de 4,7 s-1 proporcionou melhor fração removida de turbidez e cor para cada A/V estudado. Além disso, na configuração B, a fração removida de turbidez e cor foi menos sensível a variações de A/V, para Gzc de 4,7 s-1 que para os demais valores de Gzc. A tela que gerou resultados mais eficientes na configuração A foi a mesma para a configuração B. Portanto o uso da referida tela favoreceu o desempenho das configurações A e B. Comparando todas as situações estudadas nas duas configurações, o ensaio com a configuração A (com tzc de 54 s) com Gzc de 6,3 s-1 e A/V de 4,9 g/m³, apresentou as maiores frações de remoção de cor e turbidez. / The present work aimed to study the influence of velocity gradient (Gzc) associated with the hydraulic detention time (tzc) and the rate of surface application (TASzc) in the contact zone in the efficiency of clarification of a unit rectangular dissolved air flotation pilot scale, treating water supplies. Two different kinds of configurations of the reactor dissolved air flotation in pilot scale (UPFA) (A and B) were studied, which differ in the length of the contact zone - A (90 mm) and B (140 mm). The TASzc - A (133 ± 3 m/h) and B (86 ± 1 m/h) - and tzc - A (54 ± 1 s) and B (84 ± 1 s) were different. Three different values of Gzc were analysed - A (1.8, 6.5, 10.2 s-1) and B (0.9, 4.7, 6.3 s-1) by insertion of grilles with different characteristics within the zone contact. And for each value of Gzc, three values of A/V (3.73, 4.90, 6.41 g/m³) were investigated. In all trials, the following parameters were set: flow of synthetic raw water (5.4 m³/h), synthetic raw water temperature (26 ± 1ºC), coagulation pH (6.5 ± 0.1); flocculation time (17.2 minutes), the speed gradient flocculation (110 s-1); flow disposal after flocculation (0.8 m³/h), input flow to the flotation (Qe) (4, 6 m³/h), input speed for flotation (ve) (180 m/h), cross-flow velocity (45 m/h), TASzs (14.6 ± 0.2 m/h), saturation pressure (4.5 ± 0.1 kgf/cm ²). The pilot plant was fed with synthetic water, which showed turbidity of approximately 7.4 ± 0.6 NTU, and apparent color, about 39.4 ± 4.3 HU. The removal efficiency of the analyzed parameters for each Gzc is less sensitive to variations in the A/V in the configuration A than in the configuration B. In configuration A, the grille that showed Gzc about 6.5 s-1 gave better results for each A/V analysis. In configuration B, the grille that has generated Gzc around 4.7 s-1 provided the best removal efficiency of turbidity and color for each A/V studied. Furthermore, in the configuration B, the removal efficiency of color and turbidity was less sensitive to variations in A/V for Gzc 4.7 s-1 than for other values of Gzc. The grille that generated the best results in the configuration A was the same for the configuration B. Therefore the use of that grille favored the performance of configurations A and B. Comparing all the situations studied in two configurations, the test with the configuration A (with tzc the 54 s) with Gzc of 6.3 s-1 and A/V of 4.9 g/m³, had the highest removal efficiencies of color and turbidity.