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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
181

Influence of accommodation and refractive status on the peripheral refractive profile

Davies, Leon N., Mallen, Edward A.H. January 2009 (has links)
No / AIM: The aim of the study was to determine, objectively and non-invasively, whether changes in accommodative demand modify differentially the peripheral refraction in emmetropic and myopic human eyes. METHODS: Forty subjects (19 male, 21 female) aged 20-30 years (mean 22.7 (SD 2.8) years), 21 emmetropes (mean spherical equivalent refractive error (MSE) -0.13 (SD 0.29) D) and 19 myopes (MSE -2.95 (SD 1.76) D) participated in the study. Ametropia was corrected with soft contact lenses (etafilcon A, 58% water content). Subjects viewed monocularly a stationary, high contrast (85%) Maltese cross at 0.0, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 D of accommodative demand and at 0, 10, 20 and 30 degrees field angle (nasal and temporal) through a +3.0 D Badal optical system. Static recordings of the accommodation response were obtained for each accommodative level, at each field angle, with an objective, open-view, infrared optometer. RESULTS: Peripheral mean spherical equivalent (M) data showed that the emmetropic cohort exhibited relative myopic shifts into the periphery, while the myopic group showed hypermetropic shifts. Increasing accommodative demand did not alter the peripheral refractive profile in either the temporal (p = 0.25) or nasal (p = 0.07) periphery with no differential accommodative effect between refractive groups in either the temporal (p = 0.77) or nasal (p = 0.73) field. Significant shifts in the J(0) astigmatic component were seen in the temporal (p<0.0005) and nasal (p<0.0005) fields with increasing eccentricity. Interaction effects between eccentricity and accommodative demand illustrated that increasing accommodative demand significantly altered the peripheral refractive profile in the temporal J(0) astigmatic component (p<0.0005). The nasal periphery, however, failed to show such an effect (p = 0.65). CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in peripheral refraction augmented by changes in ocular accommodation are relatively unaffected by refractive error for young, healthy human eyes.
182

Undersökning av Design of Experiments för utvärdering av smörjmedelsprestanda

Furborg, Elin, Larsson, Oscar January 2024 (has links)
With the intention of improving process efficiency and product quality, Design of Experiments (DoE) is often applied in industry as a tool for engineers in planning experiments and product design. One of the methods in DoE is the Taguchi method that provides a practical procedure to design experiments with an appropriate number of tests for identifying optimal parametric settings of products. The purpose of this study is to investigate how Design of Experiments, specifically the Taguchi method, can be applied to analyze the performance of the lubricants used to stainless fasteners which are common products in various industries. The study has been implemented at the case company which manufactures stainless fasteners. Combining with qualitative and quantitative methods, this thesis work started from reviewing the previous research on DoE, the Taguchi method and various analysis tools as well as information on lubricants. Experiments were designed based on observations, interview, and literature collection. The actual tests were carried out on the case company's wax process where lubricants with different levels for the respective parameters were applied to screws and nuts. The fasteners were tested in a friction machine and UV lamp at the case company. The implemented experiments and data analysis have demonstrated which levels for each parameter of the lubricant resulted in the least friction. The parameters considered in the experiments are mixing ratio, number of dips and time in dips, which have varying degrees of influence on friction. The outcomes contribute to improved process efficiency and product quality within the steel industry and similar sectors. The visualization of the lubricant by UV lamp confirmed that the coating varied according to the levels of the parameters. The theoretical contribution can facilitate further research while the practical contribution provides an approach for experiments in quality improvement on lubricants. The thesis work has also identified the need for further research into the drying process after lubricant application and the use of UV lamp to improve control of lubricant smoothness.
183

Examining the effectiveness of the new Basel III banking standards : experience from the South African Customs Union (SACU) banks

Musafare, Kidwell 02 1900 (has links)
This dissertation explored the efficacy of the new Basel III banking standards in SACU, grounded on the conjecture that they are not reflective of economies of SACU, but are merely an intensification of Basel II, rather than a substantial break with it. Firstly, loans and assets were tested for causality, since Basel III believes growth in these variables led to securitization. The leverage ratio has been introduced in Basel III as an anti-cyclical buffer. The OLS technique was employed to test for its significance in determining growth in bank assets. SACU feels the impact of debt, with credit is marginally treated in Basel III and is not introspective of the realities of its economies. ANOVA tests using debt, credit and GDP were done to determine a better method of addressing cyclicality. The leverage ratio was insignificant in Namibia, with debt and credit having momentous impacts on GDP in SACU. / Economics / M. Com. (Economics)
184

Learner Modal Preference and Content Delivery Method Predicting Learner Performance and Satisfaction

Copeland, Matthew Blair 08 1900 (has links)
The purpose of the study was to investigate how the online, computer-based learner's personal learning profile (Preference), the content delivery method supplemented with visual content based on Neil Fleming's VARK (visual, aural, read/write, kinesthetic) model (Content), and the interaction of Preference and Content, influenced learner performance (Performance) and/or learner self-reported satisfaction (Satisfaction). Participants were drawn from a population of undergraduates enrolled in a large public southwestern research university during the fall 2015 semester. The 165 student participants (13.79% completion rate) were comprised of 52 (31.5%) females and 113 (68.5%) males age 18-58+ years with 126 (76.4%) age 18-24 years. For race/ethnicity, participants self-identified as 1 (0.66%) American Indian/Alaska Native, 21 (12.7%) Asian/Pacific Islander, 27 (16.4%) Black, non-Hispanic, 28 (17%) Hispanic, 78 (47.3%) White, non-Hispanic, 10 (6.1%) other. Reported socioeconomic status was 22 (13.3%) withheld, 53 (32.1%) did not know, 45 (27.3%) low, 13 (7.9%) moderately low, 16 (9.7%) middle, 8 (4.8%) upper middle, and 8 (4.8%) upper. This causal-comparative and quasi-experimental, mixed-method, longitudinal study used researcher-developed web-based modules to measure Performance and Satisfaction, and used the criterion p < .05 for statistical significance. A two-way, 4 x 3 repeated measures (Time) analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) using Preference and Content was statistically significant on each Performance measure over Time, and at two measures on Satisfaction over Time. The RM-ANOVA was statistically significant on between-subjects main effect Performance for read/write modality Content compared to aural and kinesthetic Content. There were no statistically significant main effects observed for Satisfaction. A Pearson r correlation analysis showed that participants that were older, married, and of higher socioeconomic status performed better. The correlation analysis also showed that participants who performed better reported greater likelihood to take online courses in the future, higher motivation, sufficient time and support for studies, and sufficient funding for and access to the Internet. The study results suggested that regardless of Preference, using read/write modality Content based on the VARK model while maintaining the verbal language can yield better Performance outcomes. The study results also suggested that while maintaining the verbal language, Preference, and Content based on the VARK model do not distinguish learner Satisfaction outcomes. However, because Satisfaction has been shown to impact Performance, efficacy, and retention, it matters to educational institutions. Future research should consider more granular models and factorial research methods, because models that utilize a single representative construct score can mask effects when analyzing Performance and Satisfaction.
185

COMPARISON OF LONGITUDINAL AND CONVENTIONAL DATA ANALYSIS METHODS FOR ASSESSING EFFECTIVENESS

Jadhav, Pravin R 01 January 2006 (has links)
Pharmaceutical drug development is a costly and time consuming process. Reportedly, it takes about 10-15 years and ~900 million dollars of investment to launch a new drug in the world market. Any measure that increases the power and also decreases uncertainty about that power also increases drug net present value. For some time now, it has been argued that judicious utilization of available data might lead to more efficient use of resources during drug development. Conventionally, assessment of effectiveness has been based on comparing change from baseline at some pre-specified time for the control and test treatment (SPA). The last observation carry forward (LOCF) is a widely used technique if the data are missing due to any reason. Although, LOCF is known to introduce bias, the direction and magnitude is debatable.The primary aim of the proposed simulation experiments was to assess the properties of the random effects model (REM) and mixed model repeated measures (MMRM) methods that utilize all the data collected during pivotal trials. A total of 43 scenarios based on disease progression, magnitude of drug effect, between and within subject variability and patient drop-outs were analyzed. Three analysis methods, viz. SPA, REM and MMRM, were investigated. For the SPA method, the missing data were imputed with four different methods, such as LOCF, mean imputation, population and individual regression. The false-positive, false-negative inferences and bias in estimating the effect size for each method was assessed.The most important finding of this report is that the REM and MMRM methods are efficient alternatives to the SPA methods with ~50% savings on sample size. These methods are based on sound scientific principles and provide stronger evidence against the null hypothesis. The choice of the REM versus MMRM method is dependent on the purpose of the analysis and data gathered from the experimental design. The results support the use of likelihood-based MMRM methods for regulatory decision making. The REM methods are useful in understanding the time course of the disease and drug effect, making predictions based on the data and gaining insights into time to steady state effect for rational decision making. The SPA methods are less powerful across all the scenarios. The SPA-LOCF yielded anticonservative results in some cases with type-1 error rate exceeding 15% if data were missing due to toxicity. On the other hand, the drug effect was consistently underestimated (~40%), if data were missing due to lack of effectiveness. The results demonstrate that the SPA-LOCF methods make it practically impossible to establish effectiveness in these areas with a reasonable sample size.
186

Métodos de regressão e uni-multivariado para a redução do número de repetições em experimentos intermediários de um programa de melhoramento de soja. / Regression and uni-multivariate methodologies for reduction of the replication number in experiments of the intermediary phase of a soybean breeding program.

Miranda, Fernando Toledo Santos de 28 April 2004 (has links)
A fase intermediária de um programa de melhoramento de soja caracteriza-se pela avaliação de grande número de genótipos (cerca de 100 linhagens) em diversos ambientes, fato que torna esta etapa bastante dispendiosa. A utilização de métodos estatísticos que permitam uma análise da interação genótipos x ambientes (GxE) mais refinada, pode permitir, com o ganho em precisão gerado, uma compensação ao aumento esperado na interação GxE em conseqüência da diminuição do número de repetições nesses experimentos. A metodologia de Eberhart & Russell (1966) (ER) utiliza a regressão linear como ferramenta para modelar a interação GxE, enquanto que a metodologia AMMI utiliza a análise da variância para modelar os efeitos de genótipos e de ambientes e a decomposição de valores singulares para modelar apenas a interação GxE. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a possibilidade de redução do número de repetições em experimentos com 72 linhagens em delineamento em blocos casualizados com duas repetições subdivididas em conjuntos experimentais (BCCE), conduzidos em quatro locais / épocas de cultivo e três anos agrícolas. Os experimentos foram analisados em BCCE e também em blocos aumentados (BA) considerando-se aleatoriamente uma das duas repetições. Como ferramentas auxiliares foram empregadas as metodologias ER e AMMI. A análise conjunta dos 12 ambientes através da metodologia AMMI foi utilizada como padrão para comparações, através de correlações de Spearman (rs). Em relação a este padrão, a média das rs dos três anos foi estimada em: 54% para as médias dos experimentos em BA; 64% para os experimentos em BCCE; 65% para os experimentos em BA analisados pela metodologia ER; 69% para os experimentos em BCCE analisados pela metodologia ER; 73% para os experimentos em BA analisados pela metodologia AMMI e 74% para os experimentos em BCCE avaliados pela metodologia AMMI. Os resultados obtidos permitiram concluir que as metodologias para o estudo da interação GxE são capazes de aumentar as rs com o padrão, indicando a possibilidade de redução de duas para uma repetição nos experimentos intermediários através do uso de: a) metodologia AMMI ao invés da seleção baseada nas médias das duas repetições; b) metodologia ER (em dois dos três anos avaliados) ao invés da seleção baseada nas médias das duas repetições; c) metodologia AMMI (em dois dos três anos avaliados) ao invés da seleção baseada na metodologia ER. Com a redução do número de repetições (duas para uma) é possível diminuir sensivelmente os custos com a experimentação na fase intermediária de programas de melhoramento. / The intermediary phase of a soybean breeding program involves the evaluation of a large number of genotypes (about 100 lines) in several environments, becoming this a very expensive step. The utilization of statistical methods that allow a refined analysis of the genotype x environment (GxE) interaction, may generate gains in precision as a compensation to the expected increase in the GxE estimate and, thus, to permit the reduction of the replication number. Eberhart & Russell (1966) (ER) methodology utilizes linear regression to study G x E interaction; the AMMI methodology employs the analysis of variance to fit effects of genotypes and environments and singular values decomposition to fit only the GxE interaction. The objective of this research was to evaluate experiments with 72 lines in randomized block design with two replications subdivided in sets with common checks (BCCE); these experiments were carried out in four locations / sow dates during three agriculture years. The experiments were analyzed in BCCE and also in augmented blocks (BA) by considering only one replication taking at random. As auxiliary tools were used ER and AMMI methodologies. The joint analysis of the 12 environments through the AMMI methodology was used as pattern for comparisons through Spearman correlation (rs). In relation to this pattern, the mean of rs in the three years was estimated in: 54% for means of BA experiments, 64% for BCCE experiments, 65% for BA experiments analyzed with ER, 69% for BCCE experiments analyzed with ER methodology, 73% for BA experiments analyzed with AMMI methodology and, 74% for BCCE experiments analyzed with AMMI methodology. The results indicated that the application of auxiliary methods for understanding GxE interaction were able to increase the rs with the pattern, opening the possibility for reducing the replication number in the experiments of the intermediary steps of soybean breeding programs. In conclusion, it was verified the possibility to reduce from two (BCCE) by one (BA) replication by using the following auxiliary methods of analysis: a) AMMI method instead of means of two replications as the unique selection criterion; b) ER method (in two of the three evaluated years) instead of means of two replications as the unique selection criterion; c) AMMI method (in two of the three evaluated years) instead of selection as based on ER method. The reduction from two to one replication makes possible to lower reasonably the experimental costs during the intermediary step of breeding programs.
187

Comparação de métodos de estimação de componentes de variância e parâmetros genéticos considerando o delineamento III aplicado a caracteres quantitativos em milho / Comparison of estimation methods for variance components and genetic parameters considering the Design III applied to quantitative characters in maize

Coelho, Angela Mello 09 April 2010 (has links)
Esse trabalho teve como objetivo comparar métodos de estimação de componentes de variância e parâmetros genéticos, considerando tanto o delineamento estatístico fatorial instalado em látice quadrado como o delineamento genético III. Como referência, foram utilizados três conjuntos de dados reais, em melhoramento genético de milho, relativos aos caracteres de produção de grãos (gramas por parcela), altura da folha bandeira ao chão (centímetros) e o número de folhas entre a primeira espiga e o pendão; sendo que a altura da folha bandeira e o número de folhas foram obtidos pela média entre cinco plantas competitivas para cada parcela. O método da Análise da Variância (ANOVA), conforme indicado pelo Delineameno III, foi utilizado na análise dos dados e estimação dos componentes de variância relativos ao modelo matemático, variâncias genéticas, coeficiente de herdabilidade e grau médio de dominância para cada um dos três caracteres estudados. Essas estimativas foram utilizadas na simulação de 1000 conjuntos de dados com características semelhantes a cada um dos conjuntos de dado reais considerados. Os métodos da ANOVA e da máxima verossimilhança restrita (REML) foram utilizados na predição dos parâmetros já mencionados para cada um dos conjuntos de dados simulados dentro de cada caráter. As 1000 estimativas obtidas por cada método, para cada caráter estudado, foram utilizadas no cálculo de estatísticas descritivas (média, desvio-padrão e acurácia relativa) e na montagem de gráficos de Box-plot. Utilizando as informações obtidas a partir das estimativas fornecidas por cada método e em posse dos valores reais que essas estimativas deveriam prever (valor utilizado na simulação dos dados) foi possível comparar ambos os métodos quanto à eficiência das estimativas por eles fornecidas. Ambos os métodos apresentaram características semelhantes na predição da maioria dos componentes de variância relativos ao modelo matemático, sendo que as maiores disparidades se deram para os componentes relativos aos efeitos de progênie (?p2) e as interações entre progênie e linhagem (?pt2) e entre progênie, linhagem e ambiente (?pta2); os quais são os componentes de maior peso no cálculo das variâncias e parâmetros genéticos. O método da ANOVA foi o bastante eficiente na predição de ?p2, sendo que o método da REML se aproxima dos resultados obtidos pelo método da ANOVA conforme diminuem os valores de referência para esse componente; para ?pt2 o método da REML se mostrou mais eficiente conforme maior é o valor de referência, porém, perde eficiência e se aproxima do método da ANOVA conforme o valor de referência do componente diminui. Ambos os métodos se mostraram ineficientes na predição de ?pta2, porém o método da REML foi o menos eficiente. O melhor desempenho do método da ANOVA na predição dos componentes de variância de maior peso no cálculo das variâncias genéticas levou a um melhor desempenho desse método na predição de todos os parâmetros genéticos, com exceção da variância de dominância, a qual depende unicamente de ?pt2. Porém, foi observada uma tendência no método da ANOVA, em média, na superestimação do grau médio de dominância em cerca de 45% do seu valor de referência, independentemente do caráter estudado. / This work aimed to compare estimation methods for variance components and genetic parameters, considering the factorial statistical design set in randomized blocks and the genetic Design III. As reference, three sets of real data were used, on maize genetic improvement, related to the characters: grain yield (grams by plot), plant height, measured from the ground to the °ag leaf in centimeters, and the number of leaves above the uppermost ear. The analysis of variance method (ANOVA), accordingly to the proposed by the Design III, was used on the analysis of the data and estimation of the variance components derived from the mathematical model, genetic variances, heritability and average degree of dominance for each of the studied characters. This estimatives were used on the simulation of 1000 data sets with similar characteristics to the real data analyzed. The ANOVA and restricted maximum likelihood (REML) methods were used on the prediction of the already mentioned parameters for each of the simulated data sets within each character. The 1000 estimatives obtained by each method, for each studied character, were used on the calculation of descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation and relative accuracy) and for the ¯tting of box-plot graphics. Through the information obtained from the estimatives given by each method and in possession of the actual values that they should predict (values used in the simulation of the data sets) it was possible to compare both methods as to the e±ciency of the estimatives given by them. Both methods presented similar characteristics on the prediction of most of the variance components derived from the mathematical model, being that most di®erences were pertinent to the components related to the e®ects of progeny (¾2 p) and to the interactions between progeny and parental inbred (¾2 pt) and between progeny, parental inbred and environment (¾2 pta); which are the components of greater importance on the calculation of the genetic parameters. The ANOVA method was very e±cient on the prediction of ¾2 p, being that the smaller the reference value for this component, more the REML method approached the results obtained by the ANOVA method; for larger values of ¾2 pt the most e±cient was the REML method, but its e±ciency decayed and approached the ANOVA method for smaller reference values for this component. Both methods were poorly e±cient on the prediction of ¾2 pta, but the REML method was the least e±cient. The better performance of the ANOVA method on the prediction of the variance components of greater importance on the calculation of the genetic variances lead to a better performance of the ANOVA method on the prediction of all genetic parameters, with exception to the dominance variance, which depended solely on ¾2 pt. However, it was observed a tendency on the ANOVA method, in average, on the overestimation of the average degree of dominance of around 45% of the actual reference value, independently of the studied character.
188

Painéis de alta densidade para aplicação em pisos: produção e avaliação de desempenho / High density panels for application in floors: production and performance evaluation

Varanda, Luciano Donizeti 12 September 2016 (has links)
Temas relacionados ao desenvolvimento de novos materiais têm sido cada vez mais abordados e discutidos, num contexto em que questões como meio ambiente, sociedade, economia de energia e aproveitamento de resíduos, vêm se tornando relevantes. Neste cenário, faz-se necessário estudar aplicações de insumos alternativos na produção de pisos de madeira, tanto para reduzir o consumo de essências tropicais quanto para suprir o aumento da demanda de madeira nas indústrias deste segmento. O objetivo deste estudo foi produzir painéis de partículas homogêneos de alta densidade, com resíduos de madeira de Pinus elliottii e casca de aveia (Avena sativa), aderidos sob pressão com dois tipos de adesivo, poliuretano à base de óleo de mamona e melamina formaldeído, nos percentuais de 11 e 13%, e avaliar o desempenho físico-mecânico de tais painéis para aplicação em pisos. O desempenho físico-mecânico dos painéis (Planejamento I - 20 tratamentos) foi avaliado com base nas normas ABNT NBR 14810 (2006 e 2013). Realizou-se análise de variância (ANOVA) para testar a influência dos fatores individuais (percentual de casca de aveia, percentual de adesivo e tipo de adesivo), além das interações entre tais fatores (dois a dois e três a três) nas propriedades físico-mecânicas dos painéis. Também foi avaliado o desempenho para pisos, tanto dos painéis (Planejamento II - 12 tratamentos) quanto de três espécies de madeira tropical (Angelim Vermelho, Dinizia excelsa; Cumaru, Dipteryx odorata e Jatobá, Hymenaea sp.), segundo diversas normas relacionadas a pisos de madeira. Os resultados apontaram propriedades físico-mecânicas dos painéis, em alguns tratamentos superiores aos requisitos estipulados por normas nacionais e internacionais. Quanto ao desempenho para pisos, os painéis apresentaram desempenho semelhante as três espécies de madeira, na maioria das propriedades avaliadas. A análise de porosimetria por intrusão de mercúrio confirmou a similaridade entre os painéis (do Planejamento II) e as três espécies de madeira avaliadas, evidenciando a potencialidade dos painéis produzidos para aplicação na indústria de pisos engenheirados. / Matters related to the development of new materials have been increasingly addressed and discussed in a context where issues such as the environment, society, energy and waste recovery economy, is becoming relevant. In this scenario, it is necessary to study alternative inputs for applications in the production of wood floors, both to reduce the consumption of tropical essences as to meet the increasing demand for wood in industries in this segment. The aim this study was to produce high density homogeneous particleboard with waste wood of Pinus elliottii and oat hulls (Avena sativa), adhered under pressure with two types of adhesive, castor oil-based polyurethane and melamine formaldehyde, the percentage of 11 and 13%, and evaluate the physical and mechanical performance of such panels for use in floors. The physical-mechanical performance of the panels (Planning I - 20 treatments) was evaluated based on the NBR 14810 (2006 and 2013) standards. We conducted an analysis of variance (ANOVA) to evaluate the influence of individual factors (oat hulls percentage, adhesive percentage and type of adhesive), and the interactions between these factors (two by two and three by three) on the physical properties-mechanical panels. It was also evaluated the performance for floors, both panels (Planning II - 12 treatments) as three species of tropical wood (Angelim Vermelho, Dinizia excelsa; Cumaru, Dipteryx odorata e Jatobá, Hymenaea sp.), according to various standards related to wood floors. The results indicated physical and mechanical properties of the panels, in some treatments superior to the requirements stipulated by national and international standards. As for performance flooring, panels statistically equivalent to the three species of wood, most of the evaluated properties. Porosimetry analysis by mercury intrusion confirmed the similarity between the panels (from Planning II) and the three wood species evaluated, demonstrating the potential of the panels produced for use in the flooring industry engineered.
189

Estudo da variabilidade do efeito BOLD em ressonância magnética funcional em sistemas de 3Teslas / BOLD effect variability in functional magnetic resonance imaging studies conducted in 3Teslas systems

Vivian de Souza Sacomano Sakamoto 03 February 2017 (has links)
INTRODUÇAO: O mapeamento obtido pela imagem de ressonância magnética funcional (RMf) têm contribuído substancialmente para investigação da neurofisiologia e pato-fisiologia de maneira não invasiva em humanos. Entretanto, a variabilidade dos resultados ainda é alta e envolve não apenas variações individuais, mas instrumentais e dependem da função cerebral estudada. OBJETIVO: É avaliar como a variabilidade dos resultados é modulada por tipo de função estudada, indivíduos e instalações no Estado de São Paulo. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Estudamos indivíduos jovens saudáveis (variável indivíduo) submetidos a funções de memória e linguagem (variável função) e realizamos estudo em quatro locais (variável instituição). Mantivemos a mesma instrumentação de apresentação de estímulos em bloco, o gênero (masculino) dos participantes, a instrumentação de coleta de dados comportamentais, o campo magnético principal dos equipamentos de RM (3 teslas) e região (Estado de São Paulo). A coleta de dados foi realizada em equipamentos de RM de três fabricantes (GE, Philips e Siemens). A tarefa de linguagem envolveu paradigma de geração silenciosa de palavras: \"pronunciar mentalmente\" palavras que começassem com a letra apresentada visualmente, alternados com controle \"pensar em céu azul\". Na tarefa de memória (two-back) os voluntários foram orientados a memorizar sequência de letras e apertar o botão na caixa de resposta quando a letra apresentada fosse igual a letra apresentada dois estímulos previamente. Na tarefa de controle, os participantes foram instruídos a apertar o botão toda vez que letra \'X\' fosse apresentada. RESULTADOS: A média das idades dos participantes foi de 33,1 anos, desvio padrão de 8,61 anos. Os resultados de imagem mostram áreas cerebrais semelhantes às encontradas na literatura para tarefa de memória e de linguagem. A variância da frequência de resposta BOLD esperada em regiões cerebrais clássicas nas funções de memória (0,091) e linguagem (0,053) não foi diferente (F-test: 1,71; p=0,21). Os indivíduos mostraram resposta BOLD com frequência que variou de 10% a 90% do total de áreas ativadas esperadas na tarefa de linguagem (média de 43%) e entre 0% a 89% na tarefa de memória (média de 42%). CONCLUSÃO: A análise entre as instituições mostrou que houve convergência dos achados principais, mas com variações de localização de agrupamentos de voxels para mesma tarefa e indivíduos. No geral observamos que cada uma destas três variáveis atua de forma independente nos resultados e que a maior parte da variabilidade dos dados vem de indivíduos, sendo menos decorrente de locais (instituição) ou de tarefa. Esta investigação trouxe evidências para prosseguir com estudo de outros parâmetros que possam explicar possíveis fontes de variabilidade do sinal ainda não investigadas / INTRODUTION: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has substantially enhanced our understanding of neurophysiology and pathophysiology in humans using noninvasive methods. However, the results are still highly variable and are not yet clear what is the contribution from individual subjects, methods, instrumentation or type of brain function under evaluation to this variability. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess how and if the variability of the results is modulated by type of brain function investigated, individual subjects and institutions 3T MR systems installed in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied healthy young subjects (variable: individual) using memory and language functions (variable: function) and conducted study at four sites (variable: site). Other possible sources of variance were maintained constant across data acquisition sessions: instruments used to present stimuli in block-design task fMRI, gender (males only), main magnetic field of MRI system (3 Tesla) and the area (cultural background) was restricted to the Sate of São Paulo. Data collection was performed in MRI equipment from three manufacturers (GE, Philips and Siemens). The fMRI language task was a silent word generation paradigm: subjects were instructed to \"pronounce mentally\" words that begin with the letter presented visually - alternating with a control condition \"think of blue sky\". In the memory task (two-back) volunteers were instructed to memorize a sequence of letters and press the button in the answer box when the letter presented was the same as the letter presented two stimuli before the current. In the control task they were instructed to press the button every time a letter \'X\' was presented. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 33.1 years, with a standard deviation of 8.61 years. The results show similar brain network areas as those described in the literature for memory and language tasks. The variance of the BOLD response (frequency of activity detected in task-related brain classical areas) in the memory (0.091) and language (0.053) functions were not different (F-test: 1.71; p = 0.21). Individuals showed BOLD response frequency rate ranging from 10% to 90% in the expected areas activated by the language task (average 43%) and between 0% to 89% in memory task (mean 42%). CONCLUSION: The analysis targeting institutions showed a partial spatial convergence of the main findings, but we also found location variations of voxel clusters for the same task and individuals. Overall we observed that each of these three variables (subjects, task and site) operates independently and the results show that most of the data variability comes from individuals, and less due to site or task. This research has brought evidence to encourage future investigations using parameters others than those tested that could explain the variability
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ESTIMATIVA DOS PARÂMETROS GENÉTICOS DE CARACTERES MORFOMÉTRICOS EM GUPPY (Poecilia reticulata)

Gomide, Jefferson Mendes 17 December 2008 (has links)
Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-10T10:39:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Jefferson Mendes Gomide.pdf: 1020338 bytes, checksum: 0191262649084f3b90170c5b28b340dd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-12-17 / The invasion of new environments is related to the genetic variability of the species. The guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is a species introduced accidentally or artificially, arisen from different populations of captivity around the world. In some countries, these introductions are made repeatedly, particularly to control the growth of disease-transmitting mosquitoes in small lakes and streams in tropical countries. The Guppy is feeding the larvae of mosquitoes, preventing it from coming into adult life. Because of the need to obtain a better understanding of the differentiation of introduced populations, and this may reduce the impact of the introduction of exotic species, since it is the third leading cause of extinction of native species, three populations in different cities of the state of Goias were collected, and their metric features analyzed. The review sought to determine the rate of divergence among populations of free life, which contribute to the understanding of the process of colonization of natural environments by this alien species. The results indicated that the divergence between the populations analyzed, for most of the features is very large, ie the rate of divergence is greater than expected by neutral evolution, so that directional selection is expected to be acting on these characteristics. / A invasão de novos ambientes se relaciona com a variabilidade genética das espécies. O Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) é uma destas espécies introduzidas acidentalmente ou artificialmente, advindo de várias populações de cativeiro em todo o mundo. Em alguns países, estas introduções se deram várias vezes, particularmente para o controle do crescimento de mosquitos transmissores de doenças, em lagos e pequenos riachos nos países tropicais. O Guppy se alimenta das larvas desses mosquitos, impedindo que cheguem à fase adulta. Devido à necessidade de se obter uma maior compreensão da diferenciação de populações introduzidas, e com isto poder reduzir o impacto da introdução de espécies exóticas, já que é a terceira causa de extinção de espécies nativas, foram coletadas três populações em cidades diferentes do estado de Goiás, e as suas características métricas analisadas. A análise procurou determinar a taxa de divergência, entre populações de vida livre, que contribuirá para a compreensão do processo de colonização dos ambientes naturais por esta espécie exótica. Os resultados indicaram que a divergência entre as populações analisadas, para a maioria das características é muito grande, ou seja, a taxa de divergência é maior do que a esperada pela evolução neutra, de modo que seleção direcional deve estar atuando sobre estas características.

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