In the last 30 years, numerical models have been developed to properly analyze Hall eect thrusters (HET),leading to a bridge between analytical prediction/empirical intuition and experiments. For companies in thespace sector, these codes serve to much more than simply simulating the thruster, but it provides a fast, cheapand reliable tool for processes such as validation and verication procedures, as well as for technical developmentof the thruster. During the testing of the thruster, mostly measurements upstream from the thruster exhaustare obtained since the high density plasma inside the channel disturbs any measurement inside the channel. Thisresults in the company knowing about the output of the thruster performance, but having little knowledge aboutthe processes and behavior of the thruster itself. The purpose of this study is to help reduce the uncertainty,using existing software to eectively analyze and understand HETs. Because of the physical nature of theproblem, HET simulations follow a multi-scale approach where the thruster is divided into two regions: insidechannel/near-plume region and far-plume region. To study each zone dierent softwares are typically used.This thesis aims to nd a common ground between both software, coupling them and creating a line of analysisto follow when studying HETs.The present thesis will focus on the analysis of the famous SPT-100. The design of this work can be divided intotwo: an hybrid-PIC simulation with a software focusing on the inside channel and near-plume region, Hallis; andanother hybrid-PIC simulation regarding the plasma plume expansion performed with SPIS-EP. During thisproject both software were mastered. Hallis is investigated, emphasizing the empirical modelling of the electronanomalous transport inside the thruster and its consequences on the output results. A sensitivity analysis isperformed to obtain a good set of the empirical parameters that drive the overall performance of the thrusterand the plasma behavior. Once a good match persist between Hallis and nominal operating conditions, theoutput is used to construct the input injection distributions needed by the plasma expansion software (SPIS).Finally, the plasma plume is simulated and results are compared to in-house experimental data. In this way,one is able to control and understand the nal output directly from the behavior of the thruster. It is importantto mention that due to condentiality reasons, the testing data cannot be fully shown and sometimes only thetrend can be analyzed.As a results of the analysis, it is found that establishing the coupling between softwares is feasible, but Halliscode needs to include some characteristics to fully take advantage of its potential. It is determined that theion denition followed by Hallis is enough to perfectly dene the ion energy distribution as well as generalperformance parameters of the SPT-100 (thrust, ionization eciency, power...), but the poor electron modelgenerates some deviation in the results. SPIS simulations and comparison with testing data suggest that Hallisoutput is not enough to properly match the experimental measurements, especially regarding the ion angledistribution function. According to Hallis, such distribution is too narrow compared to the observed plasmaplume. This problem is found to be caused by the small simulation domain of Hallis. Hence, although couplingof the software is easy, more functionalities of Hallis would allow for a better study and more accurate results.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal. / Il est maintenant bien établi que les GHRPs constituent une classe de peptides synthétiques stimulant la sécrétion de l'hormone de croissance par interaction avec leur récepteur spécifique au niveau hypophysaire. Ce récepteur constitué de 364 acides aminés appartient à la famille des récepteurs à sept passages transmembranaires couplé aux protéines G. Il est exprimé non seulement au niveau de l'hypophyse mais également au niveau de l'hypothalamus, des noyaux arqués et paraventriculaires. Récemment, il a été découvert par étude de photomarquage covalent que l'hexarelin, un hexapeptide de la famille des GHRPs se lie de façon spécifique à une glycoprotéine membranaire de poids moléculaire de 84 kDa exprimée dans les membranes de coeur de rat. La liaison de l'hexarelin à ce récepteur au niveau cardiaque induit une forte vasoconstriction coronarienne de façon dose­dépendante dans le modèle de coeur de rat perfusé. Les buts de la présente étude sont premièrement de déterminer si la liaison est spécifique seulement à l'hexarelin ou à d'autres analogues peptidiques de la famille des GHRPs, notamment le dérivé EP 70905. Dans un deuxième temps nous déterminerons si les analogues se liant au récepteur cardiaque des GHRPs exercent un effet vasoconstricteur sur les coronaires utilisant le modèle de cœur de rat perfusé. Troisièmement nous caractériserons les voies de signalisation impliquées dans la vasoconstriction induite par les GHRPs. Les études de compétition entre le radioligand photoactivable [125] I-Tyr-Ala-Bpa­hexarelin et le EP 70905 effectuées sur les membranes de cœur de rat démontrent une affinité de liaison comparable du EP 70905 et de l'hexarelin au récepteur cardiaque des GHRPs. Cependant, le EP 70905 induit une augmentation de la pression coronarienne significativement plus élevée que celle induite par l'hexarelin. Les études des voies de signalisation démontrent que les tyrosine kinases ne semblent pas être impliquées dans la vasoconstriction induite par le EP 70905, puisque la perfusion simultanée avec la génistéine n'affecte pas la vasoconstriction induite par ce peptide. Le rôle de l'endothéline endogène dont la libération est stimulée par le EP 70905 semble être mineur dans la vasoconstriction observée considérant les taux femtomolaires d'endothéline libérés dans le perfusat. De plus, la perfusion simultanée d'un antagoniste des récepteurs d'endothéline, le LU 302872 affecte que faiblement la vasoconstriction induite par le EP 70905. Par contre, la vasoconstriction coronarienne induite par le EP 70905 est inhibée de façon majeure suite à la perfusion de la nifédipine, un bloqueur des canaux calciques de type L. La perfusion simultanée d'un inhibiteur de la protéine kinase C, la chélérythrine affecte de façon significative la vasoconstriction induite par le EP 70905.

La BPCO est une affection de l’appareil respiratoire associée à une réponse inflammatoire chronique. La BPCO associe une bronchite chronique, avec obstruction des voies aériennes, et un emphysème caractérisé par la destruction du parenchyme pulmonaire. Si l’exposition au tabac est le facteur de risque principal de la BPCO, plusieurs observations cliniques sont en faveur du rôle du vieillissement dans la pathogénèse de la maladie. La dégradation des fibres élastiques du poumon en peptides solubles d’élastine (PE) est une caractéristique constante de la BPCO, et le vieillissement physiologique du poumon est associé à une augmentation de son activité élastinolytique. Nous avons montré dans un travail précédent que l’instillation de PE à des souris induit un emphysème aigu. La relation existant entre l’élastolyse et le vieillissement conforte l’hypothèse que le vieillissement pourrait représenter un risque majeur de la BPCO par le biais de production de PE. Le travail de thèse présenté dans ce manuscrit a porté sur l’étude comparative des paramètres histologiques, inflammatoires et immunitaires liés à l’emphysème induit par les PE dans des souris jeunes et des souris âgées. Les résultats obtenus montrent que l’emphysème est d’apparition plus précoce chez les souris âgées et que cette précocité s’accompagne d’une augmentation de la production de PE et de clones T CD28- mémoires spécifiques des PE et du processus d’immunosénescence. / Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive and irreversible inflammatory state of the lung. COPD includes chronic bronchitis, with obstruction of small airways, and emphysema, characterized by the destruction of lung parenchyma. Although cigarette smoke exposure is the best known risk factor for COPD development, several clinical observations support the hypothesis that aging also play a key role in the pathogenesis of COPD. Degradation of lung elastin fibers, generating soluble elastin peptides (EP), is a feature of COPD development, and normal physiological aging of the lung is associated with increased elastolysis. We previously demonstrated in mice that endotracheal instillation of EP resulted in an acute emphysema establishment. The positive association between lung elastin breakdown and aging is consistent with the hypothesis that aging is a major risk factor of COPD through EP production. The work done during this thesis focused on the comparative study of histological, inflammatory and immune parameters related to PE-induced emphysema in young and elderly mice. The results we obtained show that emphysema development is earlier in the elderly mice and that this earliness is associated with an increase of EP-specific CD28- senescent memory T cell clones.

Objetivos. Investigar a associação entre consumo alimentar, índice glicêmico (IG) da dieta habitual com glicemia e insulinemia de jejum, resistência à insulina (HOMA R) e alteração da homeostase glicêmica (AHG: glicemia de jejum alterada - GJA, tolerância à glicose diminuída - TGD e diabetes mellitus tipo 2). Indivíduos e métodos. 1.054 nipo-brasileiros residentes em Bauru, ambos os sexos, 30 a 90 anos, primeira e segunda gerações, que participaram de inquérito transversal conduzido em 2000, sem diagnóstico prévio de AHG e/ou uso de hipoglicemiantes orais/insulina. Para avaliação da dieta habitual, utilizou-se questionário quantitativo de freqüência alimentar, previamente validado, com o auxílio do programa Dietsys versão 4.0. Os fatores dietéticos foram ajustados pelas calorias totais pelo método residual, após transformação logarítmica. As variáveis independentes foram inicialmente selecionadas segundo correlação de Pearson com glicemia e insulinemia de jejum ou HOMA R (variáveis dependentes contínuas) com valor de p<0,20. A associação entre nutrientes/ alimentos com as variáveis dependentes contínuas foi avaliada em modelos de regressão linear múltiplos. Modelos de regressão logística múltiplos foram utilizados para investigar a relação entre fatores dietéticos (tercis) com AHG, ajustados por fatores de confusão. Resultados. Após ajuste múltiplo, houve associações inversas entre o consumo dos grupos de laticínios integrais (g/dia), doces (g/dia), IG da dieta e glicemia de jejum (mg/dl). Relação inversa entre o consumo de IG da dieta e HOMA R também foi observada. Verificou-se razão de chances - RC (IC 95%) - para GJA de 1,70 (1,06 - 2,74) no último tercil de consumo de fibras totais em que as principais fontes alimentares foram o arroz polido, pão branco e frutas/sucos de frutas. Efeito protetor entre o tercil intermediário do consumo de vegetais [0,61 (0,38 - 0,98)] foi observado para TGD. Conclusão. Em nossa população de estudo, a fibra dietética proveniente do consumo excessivo de arroz polido, pão branco, frutas e sucos representou risco para AHG. Por outro lado, observou-se efeito protetor do maior consumo de vegetais para TGD. / Objective. To investigate the effects of food intake and dietary glycemic index (GI) on fasting plasma levels of glucose and insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA R) and impaired glucose disturbance - IGD (impaired fasting glucose - IFG, impaired glucose tolerance - IGT and diabetes mellitus type 2). Subjects and methods. 1,054 Japanese-Brazilians living in Bauru, of both genders, 30 to 90 years-old, first- and second-generation, who completed all the information for the cross-sectional survey in 2000, without previous diagnosis of IGD and/or use of oral hipoglycemic medication/insulin. Food consumption was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire, with the aid of the software Dietsys 4.0. All dietary factors were log-transformed and adjusted for total energy intake by residual method. The dependent variables were first selected using Pearson correlation with fasting plasma levels of glucose and insulin or HOMA R (continuous independent variables), with p<0.20. The associations between selected nutrients/foods and the continuous independent variables were assessed using multiple linear regression models. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship between dietary factors (tercile) and IGD, while adjusting for confounding factors. Results. After multiple adjustments, intakes of whole dairy products and sweets (g/day) and dietary GI were inversely correlated with fasting glucose levels (mg/dl). Dietary GI was also inversely correlated with HOMA R. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for IFG was 1.70 (1.06 - 2.74) in the highest tercile of total dietary fiber (main food sources: white rice and bread, fruits/fruit juices). The second tercile of vegetable intake was associated with a risk reduction of IGT [0.61 (0.38 - 0.98)]. Conclusion. In our study population, the intake of total dietary fiber, largely attributable to high intakes of white rice, white bread, fruits/fruit juices, was positively associated with risk of IGD. On the other hand, a protective effect was observed for higher intake levels of vegetables

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-14T13:39:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 467076.pdf: 2518373 bytes, checksum: 5a4ca85e3a1a177937de55621ee53eaa (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-01-15 / This thesis has as its corpus the typescripts of the novel Os volunt?rios, by Moacyr Scliar, based on the genetic critcism's theoretical foundations. For this study, two typed versions of the literary work were collated and the main increases found in the comparison of the first with the second typed version were analysed. This research sought to demonstrate that most of the additions and the epigraphs inserted by the writer during the creative process, deal with jewish themes, arising from Moacyr Scliar's cultural and historical heritage / Esta tese tem como corpus os datiloscritos da novela Os volunt?rios, de Moacyr Scliar, com base nos fundamentos te?ricos da cr?tica gen?tica. Para este estudo, foram cotejadas as duas vers?es datiloscritas da obra e analisados os principais acr?scimos encontrados na compara??o da primeira com a segunda vers?o datiloscritas. Buscou-se demonstrar neste trabalho que a maioria dos acr?scimos e as ep?grafes inseridas pelo escritor, durante o processo criativo, tratam da tem?tica judaica, advindas da heran?a cultural e hist?rica de Moacyr Scliar

Submitted by Sandra Pereira (srpereira@ufrrj.br) on 2016-09-27T17:19:20Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2011 - Ursula Brazil Rocha.pdf: 1722733 bytes, checksum: 768336c79a95bc3e4ae3515b2283d559 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-27T17:19:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2011 - Ursula Brazil Rocha.pdf: 1722733 bytes, checksum: 768336c79a95bc3e4ae3515b2283d559 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-08-29 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior - CAPES / The epiphyte richness contributes significantly for the total biomass, species diversity and nutrient cycling in the Atlantic Forest. They grant structural complexity for the environment and contribute for the maintenance of various animal and plant species. Moreover, researches indicate that the epiphyte species are highly vulnerable to deforestation, being a biological indicator. The present study highlights the importance on identification and estimate of vascular epiphytes, species of extreme relevance for the evaluation on ecosystem functions and subsequent comprehension on the richness patterns with reference to environmental gradients. Epiphyte records from Araceae family in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, among five herbaria were raised and evaluated concerning its composition, altitudinal distribution patterns and also the state of knowledge of the family and its epiphytes throughout Rio de Janeiro. Fifty eight epiphyte species were listed for the state of Rio de Janeiro. Among the studied herbaria, the majority of the records of epiphyte individuals were found at RB (70,68%), followed by GUA (12,95%), RUSU (8,33%), R (5,21%) e HB (2,83%). However, the lack of information about the habit, life-form, and altitudinal occurrence reduces the perception of the real state of occurrence of these species. From 2849 epiphyte exsiccates of Araceae family, the biggest frequency (53,24%) occurs in the Metropolitan Region. The majority of the epiphytes (10,5%) was found between 0 and 200 m.s.l. and no record was found between 2001 and 2400 m.s.l., besides of having records to the family. / A riqueza de esp?cies de ep?fitas contribui significantemente para o total de biomassa, diversidade de esp?cies e ciclagem de nutrientes na Floresta Atl?ntica. Elas conferem complexidade estrutural ao ambiente e contribuem para a manuten??o de v?rias esp?cies vegetais e animais. Al?m disso, estudos indicam que as esp?cies ep?fitas s?o altamente vulner?veis ao desmatamento, constituindo um indicador biol?gico. O presente estudo ressalta a import?ncia da identifica??o e estimativa de ep?fitas vasculares, esp?cies altamente relevantes para a avalia??o das fun??es dos ecossistemas e para a posterior compreens?o do padr?o de riqueza de esp?cies em rela??o aos gradientes ambientais. S?o levantados os registros de esp?cies ep?fitas da fam?lia Araceae para o estado do Rio de Janeiro em v?rios herb?rios, avaliados a sua composi??o e padr?es de distribui??o em diferentes classes de altitude e indicado o estado do conhecimento da fam?lia e das formas ep?fitas em todo estado. Foram listadas 53 esp?cies ep?fitas para o estado do Rio de Janeiro. Dentre os herb?rios estudados, o maior n?mero de registros com a informa??o do h?bito epif?tico foi encontrado no RB (70,68%), seguido de GUA (12,95%), RUSU (8,33%), R (5,21%) e HB (2,83%). Por?m a falta de informa??es sobre o h?bito, forma de vida, altitude de ocorr?ncia reduz a percep??o da real distribui??o dessas esp?cies no estado. De 2849 exsicatas da fam?lia Araceae, apenas 672 (23,6%) est?o indicadas como ep?fitas. Entre as exsicatas de ep?fitas, a freq??ncia maior (53,24%) est? na Regi?o Metropolitana. A maioria das ep?fitas (10,5%) foi encontrada entre 0 e 200 m.s.m. e nenhum registro foi encontrado entre 2001 e 2400 m.s.m., apesar de haver registros para a fam?lia Araceae.

Submitted by Fernanda Ciolfi (fernanda.ciolfi@puc-campinas.edu.br) on 2016-05-11T12:24:18Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Claudileia Cavalheiro Juliao.pdf: 934354 bytes, checksum: 444c35a682850725cd2162a939de05e8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-11T12:24:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Claudileia Cavalheiro Juliao.pdf: 934354 bytes, checksum: 444c35a682850725cd2162a939de05e8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-01 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior - CAPES / Das Werk Martin Heideggers Ph?nomenologie des Religi?sen Lebens, der in Band 60 der Heideggerschen Gesamtausgabe im Jahr 1995 ver?ffentlicht wurde und in Brasilien ?bersetzt durch den Berater dieser Dissertation im Jahr 2010 bei Vozes Vertrag aus der Titel Fenomenologia da vida religiosa, sind Vortr?ge das der deutsche Philosoph an der Universit?t Freiburg gegeben hat in dem Wintersemester 1920/21. Der erste Teil besteht aus einer ?methodischen Einleitung? und das zweite eine ?ph?nomenologische Explikation konkreter religi?ser Ph?nomene im Anschluss an paulinischen Briefe?. Heidegger interpretiert die Paulusbriefe, um die faktische Leben des Apostels Paulus zu verstehen, wie es in Briefen an die christlichen Gemeinden geschickt anzeigen. Diese Forschung versucht den Pauline religi?se Erfahrung zugreifen, unter die Verwendung der Methode der Religionsph?nomenologie und, deshalb, bei der Untersuchung ?die faktische Lebenserfahrung und Ph?nomenologie der Religion nach Martin Heidegger?, durch die ph?nomenologische Interpretation der paulinischen Briefe gerichtet, insbesondere die Briefe des Paulus an die Galater und an die Thessalonicher, umfassend die Formulierung der faktischen Lebenserfahrung, in diesem Fall mit authentischen Erfahrung des Lebens in Christus zusammenf?llt. / A obra de Martin Heidegger Ph?nomenologie des religi?sen Lebens, publicado no volume 60 das obras completas (Gesamtausgabe) heideggerianas, em 1995, traduzida no Brasil pelo orientador desta disserta??o e publicado pela Editora Vozes sob o t?tulo Fenomenologia da vida religiosa, em 2010, re?ne um conjunto de prele??es proferidas pelo fil?sofo alem?o na Universidade de Friburgo e que remontam ao semestre de inverno de 1920/21. A primeira parte consiste numa ?introdu??o metodol?gica? e a segunda numa ?explica??o fenomenol?gica de fen?menos religiosos concretos tomando por base as ep?stolas paulinas?. Heidegger interpreta as ep?stolas paulinas, a fim de compreender a vida f?tica do ap?stolo Paulo tal como ela se apresenta nas ep?stolas enviadas ?s comunidades crist?s. A presente pesquisa procura acessar a experi?ncia religiosa paulina, empregando o m?todo da fenomenologia da religi?o, tendo, portanto, por objetivo investigar ?a experi?ncia f?tica da vida e a fenomenologia da religi?o segundo Martin Heidegger?, por meio da interpreta??o fenomenol?gica das ep?stolas paulinas, particularmente a Ep?stola aos G?latas e as duas Ep?stolas aos Tessalonicenses, compreendendo a formula??o da experi?ncia f?tica da vida, que, no caso, coincide com experi?ncia de vida de f? no Cristo.

-

We are unceasingly exposed to potentially harmful microorganisms. The battle against threatening infectious agents includes activation of both the innate and of the adaptive immune systems. Illness responses are elicited and include inflammation, fever, decreased appetite, lethargy and increased sensitivity to painful stimuli in order to defeat invaders. While many of these signs of disease are controlled by the central nervous system, it has remained an enigma how signals from the peripheral immune system reach the brain through its blood-brain barrier, which precludes macromolecules, including cytokines, from diffusing into the brain parenchyma. Previous findings indicate the existence of a pathway across the blood-brain barrier, which includes binding of the cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) to its receptor in the brain vessels, thereby inducing the production of the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesizing enzymes cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1), which ultimately synthesize PGE2. PGE2 subsequently binds to any of the four prostaglandin E2 (EP) -receptors. Previous results from our laboratory have suggested that this pathway plays a critical role in the febrile response to infectious stimuli. The present thesis aims at further investigating the molecular events underlying immune-to-brain signalling, with special emphasis on fever, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) -axis activation and anorexia and their connection to signalling molecules of the cytokine and prostaglandin families, respectively. In paper I, the molecular processes linking the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) and PGE2 in the febrile response were investigated. Both IL-6 and PGE2 have been shown to be critical players in the febrile response, although the molecular connections are not known, i.e. if IL-6 exerts its effects up- or downstream of PGE2. Mice deficient in IL-6 were unable to respond to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with a febrile response, but displayed similar induction of Cox-2 and mPGES-1, and similar concentrations of PGE2 in the cerebrospinal fluid as wild-type mice. Paradoxically, the IL-6 deficient mice responded with a dose-dependent elevation of body temperature in response to intracerebroventricularly injected PGE2. Furthermore, IL-6 per se was not pyrogenic when injected peripherally in mice, and did not cause increased levels of PGE2 in cerebrospinal fluid. IL-6 deficient mice were not refractory to the action of PGE2 because of excess production of some hypothermia-producing factor, since administration of a Cox-2 inhibitor in LPS-challenged IL-6 deficient mice did not unmask any hypothermic response, and neutralization of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), associated with hypothermia, did not produce fever in LPS-challenged IL-6 deficient mice. These data indicate that IL-6 rather than exerting its effects up- or down-stream of PGE2 affects some process in parallel to PGE2, perhaps by influencing the diffusion and binding of PGE2 onto its target neurons. In papers II and III, we injected the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β in free-fed wild-type mice, in mice with a deletion of the gene encoding mPGES-1, or in mice deficient in the EP1, EP2 and EP3. Food intake was continuously measured during their active period, revealing that mPGES-1 deficient mice were almost completely resistant to anorexia induced by IL-1β. However, all of the investigated EP receptor deficient mice exhibited a normal profound anorexic response to IL-1β challenge, suggesting that the EP4 is the critical receptor that mediates IL-1β-induced anorexia. We also investigated the role of mPGES-1 in anorexia induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mPGES-1 deficient mice. The profound anorexic response after LPS-challenge was similar in mPGES-1 deficient and wild-type mice. To further investigate the anorectic behaviour after LPS injection, we pre-starved the animals for 22 hours before injecting them with LPS. In this paradigm, the anorexia was less profound in mPGES-1 knock-out mice. Our results suggest that while the inflammatory anorexia elicited by peripheral IL-1β seems largely to be dependent on mPGES-1-mediated PGE2 synthesis, similar to the febrile response, the LPS-induced anorexia is independent of this mechanism in free-fed mice but not in pre-starved animals. In papers IV and V, the role of prostanoids for the immune-induced HPA-axis response was investigated in mice after genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of prostanoid-synthesizing enzymes, including Cox-1, Cox-2, and mPGES-1. The immediate LPS-induced release of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosteroids was critically dependent on Cox-1 derived prostanoids and occurred independently of Cox-2 and mPGES-1 derived PGE2. In contrast, the delayed HPA-axis response was critically dependent on immune-induced PGE2, synthesized by Cox-2 and mPGES-1, and occurred independently of Cox-1 derived enzymes. In addition, in the mPGES-1 deficient mice, the synthesis of CRH hnRNA and mRNA was decreased in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus after LPS-challenge, indicating that the delayed hormone secretion was mediated by PGE2-induced gene-transcription of CRH in the hypothalamus. The expression of the c-fos gene and Fos protein, an index of synaptic activation, was maintained in the paraventricular nucleus and its brainstem afferents both after unselective and Cox-2 selective inhibition as well as in Cox-1, Cox-2, and mPGES-1 knock-out mice. This suggests that the immune-induced neuronal activation of autonomic relay nuclei occurs independently of prostanoid synthesis and that it is insufficient for eliciting stress hormone release.

Abstract This dissertation presents a new algorithm by integrating evolutionary programming (EP), tabu search (TS) and quadratic programming (QP), named the evolutionary-tabu quadratic programming (ETQ) method, to solve the nonconvex economic dispatch problem (NED). This problem involves the economic dispatch with valve-point effects (EDVP), economic dispatch with piecewise quadratic cost function (EDPQ), and economic dispatch with prohibited operating zones (EDPO). EDPV, EDPQ and EDPO are similar problems when ETQ was employed. The problem was solved in two phases, the cost-curve-selection subproblem, and the typical ED solving subproblem. The first phase was resolved by using a hybrid EP and TS, and the second phase by QP. In the solving process, EP with repairing strategy was used to generate feasible solutions, TS was used to prevent prematurity, and QP was used to enhance the performance. Numerical results show that the proposed method is more effective than other previously developed evolutionary computation algorithms.