This study examined the effects of computational labs in Business Calculus classes used at a single, private institution on student outcomes of conceptual understanding of calculus and attitudes towards mathematics. The first manuscript addresses the changes in conceptual understanding through multiple-method research design, a quantitative survey given pre and post study and qualitative student comments, found no significant gains in conceptual knowledge as measured by a concept inventory, however, student comments revealed valuable knowledge demonstrated through reflection on and articulation of how specific calculus concepts could be used in real world applications. The second manuscript presents results to the effects on attitudes toward mathematics, studied through multiple-method research design, using a quantitative survey given at two intervals, pre and post, and analysis of student comments, which showed that students that participated in the labs had a smaller decline in attitude, although not statistically significant, than students that did not complete the labs and the labs were most impactful on students that had previously taken calculus; student comments overwhelmingly demonstrate that students felt and appreciated that the labs allowed them to see how calculus could be applied outside the classroom. Overall students felt the labs were beneficial in the development of advantageous habits, taught some a skill they hope to further develop and study, and provided several recommendations for improvement in future implementation. Collectively, this research serves as a foundation for the effectiveness of computational tools employed in general education mathematics courses, which is not currently a widespread practice. / Doctor of Philosophy / Students from a variety of majors often leave their introductory calculus courses without seeing the connections and utility it may have to their discipline and may find it uninspiring and boring. To address these issues, there is a need for educators to continue to develop and research potentially positive approaches to impacting students' experience with calculus. This study discusses a method of doing so, by studying students' understanding of and attitude toward calculus in a one-semester Business Calculus course using computational labs to introduce students to calculus concepts often in context of a business scenario. No significant gains in conceptual knowledge were found as measured by a concept inventory; however, student comments revealed valuable knowledge demonstrated through articulation of how specific calculus concepts could be used in real world applications. Students that participated in the labs also had a smaller decline in attitude than students that did not complete the labs. Student comments overwhelmingly demonstrate that students felt and appreciated that the labs allowed them to see how calculus could be applied outside the classroom. The labs were most impactful on students that had previously taken calculus. Overall students felt the labs were beneficial in the development of advantageous habits such as persistence, utilizing resources, and precision, introduced them to coding, a skill they hope to further develop and study, and students provided several recommendations for improvement in future implementation. This research provides a foundation for the effectiveness of computational tools used in general education mathematics courses.

The ability to acclimate to changing temperature has consequences for the biogeographic range of a species and their potential for surviving ocean warming. Using a tide simulator, which recreates tidal conditions by controlling water levels, water and air temperatures, light levels, and food availability, we explored how temperature and tidal zone (i.e. intertidal and subtidal) influences the abundance of sirtuin 5 (SIRT5) protein in a California native mussel (Mytilus californianus). We compared how gill tissue abundance of SIRT5, a key regulator of the cellular stress response and energy metabolism responded in M. californianus exposed to different temperature conditions (13, 16, 19 and 22°C) over a period of four weeks. Two SIRT5 isoforms, one a putative cytosolic form and the other a mitochondrial form were found to be expressed in mussel gill tissue. The mitochondrial isoform increased during acclimation to warm temperatures. This finding is the first to show how SIRT5 protein abundance changes with temperature acclimation. Surprisingly, we did not identify any differences in gill SIRT5 abundance between mussels from intertidal and subtidal locations. Our results suggest that characterizing the responses of SIRT isoforms may lead to a better understanding of the physiological diversity of sirtuins.

The Technological Immersion Learning Theory (TILT) was developed through a classic grounded theory study in the seminal tradition of Glaser and Strauss (1967) and Glaser (1978, 1992, 1998, 2001, 2007). The purpose of the study was to investigate an exemplary case of self-determined technology enthusiasts in the hopes of generating a substantive grounded theory that conceptualizes their experiences and concerns. Twelve unstructured interviews of amateur radio enthusiasts from the eastern United States provided the initial / primary data for this study. Experimenting and self-teaching in technological activities was highlighted as the main concern of the participants. The basic social process (BSP) of technological immersion learning (TIL) emerged as a theoretical construct and core variable that illuminates the experiences of individuals immersed in a community of practice, where hands-on engagement with technology is a primary activity. Adventuring, Affirmation, Doing Technology, Experimenting, Overcoming Challenge, Self-teaching, and Social Networking were properties of technological immersion learning that interact dialectically in an amplifying causal loop, with Problem solving and Designing as active sub processes in response to unmet challenges. TIL occurs cyclically in three stages, beginning with Induction, a credentialing stage wherein the neophyte is prepared with the necessary knowledge and skill to become a novice participant in an activity. The transition from Induction into the Immersion phase is a status passage whereby the novice is absorbed into the technical culture of the group and commences autonomous active participation in hands-on experimenting. Hands-on experiences with experimenting, problem solving and social interactions provide diverse learning and affirmation for the doer and multiple sources of feedback that promote sustained engagement. The transition into the Maturation phase proceeds gradually over time, with prolonged engagement and cumulative gains in knowledge, skill, and experience. Maturation is a quasi-stable state that remains responsive to new contexts as a random-walk process, wherein trigger events can initiate new cycles of technological immersion learning in a perpetually evolving process of personal development. Engagement, Empowerment, and Self-Actualization are underlying dimensions of the TIL basic social process that provide the impetus for continued persistence and personal development. / Ph. D. / This research was undertaken to investigate the unique phenomenon of people who successfully pursue complex technological activities as a pastime, yet may possess no formal training in their field. This example of informal learning is little charted and warranted deeper study through grounded theory research. The study was conducted utilizing the classic grounded theory method that was pioneered by Glaser and Strauss in the 1960s for the specific purpose of generating theory from empirical data. The outcome of the study was the <i>Technological Immersion Learning Theory (TILT)</i>, a new theory of learning that highlights the importance of technological activities as a foundation for transdisciplinary learning. <i>TILT</i> is an organic theory of learning rigorously grounded in data to conceptualize the latent behavior patterns of individuals immersed in a community of practice devoted to hands-on experimenting and learning through technology. The technical, social, and psychological attributes of TILT illuminate complex technological environments where sustained engagement and multidimensional feedback can promote learning and personal development. As a basis of learning, technology is intertwined with virtually every aspect of human experience, transcending the artificial boundaries of academic disciplines. <i>TILT</i> offers an empirical model for the study of technology as a foundation of education relevant for the modern technological world.

組織面對整體科技水準快速進步以及產業環境競爭日益激烈之衝擊，不僅必須持續突破既有技術侷限性，同時也要因應顧客多樣化產品服務需求而積極朝向差異化與創新化途徑發展，然而組織缺乏創新知識與能力勢必需要透過導入創新技術方式，將外部技術價值整合至內部創價流程系統，並且擬定整合結構以及管理機制組合設計來落實與擴散創新技術之創價利益，進而帶動本身產品服務創價能力升級以及提升組織競爭力。專業服務型組織面對外部顧客服務需求高度多樣化與異質性，同時內部多重產品線創價流程彼此銜接與連結模式錯綜複雜，使得組織必須需要因應外在環境變化以及內部創價策略目標，積極調整創新策略導向以及產品流程與資源組合之創價模式，進而運用各種整合結構與管理模型設計來發揮專業分工與彈性互補之創新整合能力，方能創造出更符合顧客需求以及更具市場競爭力之高品質專業服務。 本研究主要探討中型醫療機構導入創新技術之情境脈絡因素、創價模式以及整合模型設計特性之複雜關係。本研究採取個案研究法先針對一家先導個案機構進行探索性研究，同時參酌重要理論觀點來引導說明觀念性架構中的重要關係命題，後續再選取兩家合適個案機構來進行驗證性研究；綜觀三家個案醫院導入創新技術來實踐擴散性創價利益歷程所進行探索性與驗證性研究結果，主要結論如下：首先，醫療機構主要基於符合該醫院高層經營者追求創價轉型目標而導入創新技術，該醫院亦提供醫療團隊成員追求自我實現之創新發展空間，同時因應外部醫療技術發展趨勢以及內部不同創新技術創價整合能力條件因素，進而採取不同差異化策略取向來攫取導入醫療技術之創新價值。其次，醫療機構所擬定創新導入創價模式採取不同創價策略取向，將會引導產品流程設計特色展現出不同設計特徵，同時創價策略取向所具備之價值創造動因組合乃塑造出不同價值構形特性，進而促使管理者必須在不同價值構形中，因應不同整合內涵來設計適當之整合結構與管理機制組合，方能實踐出導入創新技術之創價利益。再者，不同價值構形之整合模型設計特性亦有所差異，亦即三種價值構形主要整合標的內容不同，因而該醫院所擬定整合結構特性以及採取整合機制組合亦展現出不一樣設計形貌。 本研究探究觀念性架構所展現之重要概念意涵如下：一、不同創新導入創價動機發起方式受到商業機會因素之影響程度也有所差異；二、創新導入面臨價值目標、外部技術趨勢以及內部能力條件三者交互作用愈強，則創新導入速度愈快；三、創價模式主張不同差異化策略搭配產品流程設計將展現出不一樣之產品服務特性；四、組織調整創價導向組合方式將促使本身價值構形特性隨之改變；五、各種價值構形所著重知識整合類型有所不同，使其管理機制組合特性也有所差異。

Les aminopeptidases représentent un groupe d’enzymes qui possèdent une fonction cellulaire clef dans les mécanismes physiologiques et pathologiques. Elles interviennent dans la cascade enzymatique après l’action des endoprotéases, dans l’homéostasie au travers le renouvellement du pool d’acides aminés, dans le métabolisme énergétique, la régulation de l’activité des peptides bioactifs, la présentation antigénique ainsi dans une diversité de mécanismes pathologiques tels que les maladies neurologiques et les infections virales et parasitaires. Les aminopeptidases TETs sont capables de former des macro-assemblages tétraédriques comprenant douze sous-unités. En vue de mieux comprendre leur fonction biologique et leur mode d'action, nous avons étudié les propriétés fonctionnelles et structurales de deux nouveaux complexes TETs issus d'archées hyperthermophiles. L'archée hyperthermophile Methanocaldococcus jannaschii ne possède qu'une version de TET (MjTET) qui a été produite dans Escherichia coli et purifiée sous forme de dodécamère. La recherche de son activité enzymatique et de ses substrats peptidiques par des tests chromogéniques et fluorogéniques, ainsi que des études par HPLC en phase inverse, montre que cette enzyme est une leucine aminopeptidase activée par le cobalt se distinguant des autres aminopeptidases M42 par son très large spectre d'action qui s'étend aux résidus aromatiques. Une structure complète de cette aminopeptidase a été résolue en combinant la cristallographie (2.4 Å) et la cryo-EM (4,1 Å). L'analyse de la poche de spécificité de MjTET permet de mieux comprendre les bases structurales de la discrimination de substrat chez les TETs. De plus, l'analyse de la structure interne de la particule permet de proposer un nouveau mécanisme de navigation des peptides à l’intérieur des particules tétraédriques de la famille TET.L'archée hyperthermophile Pyrococcus horikoshii comporte trois types de complexes TETs. L'étude d'une protéine présentant ~20 % d'identité avec ces systèmes, nous a permis d'identifier une quatrième version du système TET dans cet organisme : PhTET4. La protéine recombinante a été purifiée. Elle forme un complexe dodécamérique tétraédrique. Les études biochimiques révèlent que l'enzyme possède une spécificité très étroite dirigée exclusivement vers l'hydrolyse des résidus glycines de l'extrémité N-terminale des peptides. De plus, elle estactivée par le nickel. Ces caractéristiques permettent de proposer que, chez les archées, la multiplication et la spécialisation des enzymes TETs seraient associées au caractère hétérotrophes alors que le système des archées autotrophes se réduirait à une TET unique apte à assurer une fonction de « ménage ». / Aminopeptidases represent a group of enzymes displaying key cellular function inphysiological and pathological mechanisms. They are involved in the enzymatic cascade beyond the action of endoproteases, in homeostasis through the renewal of the amino acid pool, in the energy metabolism, in the regulation of bioactive peptide activities, in the antigen presentation and in a diversity of pathological mechanisms such as neurological diseases as well as viral and parasitic infections. Aminopeptidases TET are able of forming tetrahedral macro-assemblies built by twelve subunits. In order to better understand their biological function and their mode of action, we studied the functional and structural properties of two novel TET complexes derived from hyperthermophilic archaea. The hyperthermophilic archaeon Methanocaldococcus jannaschii has only one version of TET (MjTET) that was produced in Escherichia coli and purified as dodecameric macromolecule. The search for its enzymatic activity and peptide substrates by using chromogenic/fluorogenic assays and reverse phase HPLC studies, demonstrated that this enzyme is a cobalt-activated leucine aminopeptidase, discriminated from other M42 aminopeptidases by its very broad activity spectrum, that extends to aromatic residues. Complete structure of this aminopeptidase was determined by combining X-ray crystallography (2.4 Å) and cryo-electron microscopy (4.1 Å). Analysis of MjTET specificity pocket indicated possible molecular bases for substrate discrimination in TET peptidases. In depth investigation of the particle internal structure allowed to propose a novel peptide trafficking mechanism for the TET family tetrahedral particles. Three types of TET complexes are present in the hyperthermophilic archaea, Pyrococcus horikoshii. The study of an unassigned protein displaying ~20% identity with the PhTETs systems allowed us to identify a fourth version of TET complex in this organism: PhTET4. The recombinant protein was purified. It formed tetrahedral dodecameric complex. Biochemical studies indicated that the enzyme has a very narrow hydrolytic specificity directed exclusively toward the peptide N-terminal glycine residues. In addition, this enzyme is activated by nickel ions. These features allowed proposing that, in archaea, the multiplicity of specialized TET systems could be associated with heterotrophy while unique TET system displaying “housekeeping” function is present in autotrophic organisms.

As mentioned in the introduction, the objective of this work has been to get a more realistic understanding of economic decision making processes by adopting an interdisciplinary approach which takes into consideration at the same time economic and psychological issues. The research in particular has been focused on the psychological concept of categorization, which in the standard economic theory has received until now no attention, and on its implications for decision making. The three experimental studies conducted in this work provide empirical evidence that individuals don not behave according to the perfect rationality and maximization assumptions which underly the SEUT, but rather as bounded rational satisfiers who try to simplify the decision problems they face through the process of categorization. The results of the first experimental study, on bilateral integrative negotiation, show that most of the people categorize a continuum of outcomes in two categories (satisfying/not satisfying), and treat all the options within each category as equivalent. This process of categorization leads the negotiators to make suboptimal agreements and to what I call the ?Zone of Agreement Bias? (ZAB). The experimental study on committees? decision making with logrolling provides evidence of how the categorization of outcomes in satisfying/not satisfying can affect the process of coalition formation in multi-issue decisions. In the first experiment, involving 3-issues and 3-parties decisions under majority rule, the categorization of outcomes leads most of the individuals to form suboptimal coalitions and make Pareto-dominated agreements. The second experiment, aimed at comparing the suboptimizing effect of categorization under majority and unanimity rule, shows that the unanimity rule can lead to a much higher rate of optimal agreements than the majority rule. The third experiment, involving 4-issues and 4-parties decisions provides evidence that the results of experiments 1 and 2 hold even when the level of complexity of the decision problem increases.

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are global environmental contaminants and a need for monitoring levels has arisen due to their persistency and their ability to bioaccumulate. One relatively novel method of monitoring for both long and short time intervals and generating time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations is passive sampling for which no power, maintenance and supervision is required. The polar organic compound integrative sampler (POCIS) with a weak anion exchange (WAX) sorbent and the POCIS with a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) adsorbent were calibrated for PFASs in a laboratory uptake experiment, and applied at a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) in Stockholm, Sweden.   In the calibration study, all of the 14 studied PFASs were taken up by both passive samplers. Two and three out of the 14 studied PFASs had reached equilibrium after 28 days using POCIS WAX (PFBA and PFTeDA) and POCIS HLB (PFBA, PFPeA and PFTeDA), respectively. The sampling rate (Rs), which is the extracted water in liters per day, ranged between 0.003 and 0.10 L day-1 for the POCIS WAX and between 0.00052 and 0.13 L day-1 for the POCIS HLB. In general, Rs increased with increasing perfluorocarbon chain-length (C4 to C8) and for a perfluorocarbon chain-length longer than C8, Rs decreased with increasing perfluorocarbon chain-length (C8 to C13) for both passive samplers. FOSA had the highest Rs-value (0.10 and 0.13 L day-1) for both POCIS WAX and POCIS HLB, respectively. The POCIS WAX had a higher uptake for the short-chained PFASs PFBA (134 ng after 28 days), PFPeA (410 ng) and PFHxA (834 ng), compared to the POCIS HLB (0.5 ng, 58 ng, and 373 ng, respectively). For all other compounds, the accumulated amounts in the POCIS HLB were in the same range as in the POCIS WAX.   The application of the passive samplers at the DWTP showed that both passive samplers could detect ultra-trace (pg to ng L-1) levels of PFASs. A comparison of the TWA concentration showed that the two passive samplers had a good linear correlation (R2 = 0.63), but the TWA concentrations derived by POCIS WAX was approximately 40% higher compared to POCIS HLB. A comparison between the passive samplers and the grab samples did not show a correlation (R2 = 0.24 for POCIS WAX and R2 = 0.10 for POCIS HLB). The application also included a comparison of the removal efficiency in the conventional DWTP and a pilot plant with additional treatments steps of granulated activated carbon (GAC) and nanofiltration (NF). For the full-scale DWTP the average removal efficiency was 32% and high removal efficiency was observed for PFBA (81%). For the pilot plant, the removal efficiency was 100% for all the detected PFASs in the raw water. / Perfluoroalkylsubstanser (PFAS) har blivit uppmärksammade som globala miljöföroreningar, och ett behov av att övervaka dessa ämnens förekomst i miljön har uppkommit på grund av hög persistens i kombination med hög förmåga att bioackumulera. En relativt ny metod för tidsintegrerad provtagning är så kallad passiv provtagning. En adsorbent placeras i fält och ackumulerar PFAS från vattnet. Tillgång till elektricitet behövs inte, och behov av övervakning och underhåll är minimalt. I denna studie kalibrerades en så kallad ’polar organic compound integrative sampler’ (POCIS) för mätning av PFAS genom upptagsexperiment med två olika adsorbenter: en svag anjons adsorbent (WAX) och en hydrofil-lipofil balanserad adsorbent (HLB). Metodiken tillämpades sedan på vatten från ett dricksvattenverk i Stockholm, Sverige.   Upptagsexperimenten utfördes med 14 PFAS och samtliga togs upp av båda adsorbenterna. Två respektive tre av de studerade PFAS uppnådde jämvikt efter 28 dagar för WAX (PFBS och PFTeDA) samt HLB (PFBA, PFPeA och PFTeDA). Upptagshastigheten (Rs), det vill säga den volym som extraheras per dag, varierade mellan 0,003 och 0,1 L dag-1 för WAX och mellan 0,00052 och 0,13 L dag-1 för HLB. Generellt ökade Rs med en ökande längd på kedjan av perfluorerade kol upp till C8, för att sedan avta med ökande kedjelängd. FOSA hade det högsta Rs-värdet (0,10 och 0,13 L dag-1) för både WAX och HLB. WAX hade ett högre upptag (upp till 134, 410 och 834 ng) för PFAS med kort perfluorerad kolkedja (PFBA, PFPeA respektive PFHxA) jämfört med HLB (upp till 0,5, 58, och 373 ng). Den ackumulerade mängden för alla andra PFAS överensstämde väl mellan de båda provtagarna.   Mätning av PFAS halter i dricksvattenverket med hjälp av POCIS WAX och POCIS HLB visade att även PFAS kunde detekteras även vid miljörelevanta halter. En jämförelse mellan de båda passiva provtagarna visade på ett linjärt samband (R2 = 0,63), men där POCIS WAX hade en tendens att överskatta koncentrationen med ca 40%. En jämförelse mellan de passiva provtagarna och traditionell uppsamlingsprovtagning visade på låg överrensstämmelse (R2 = 0.24 för POCIS WAX och 0.10 för POCIS HLB). Vid tillämpningen gjordes även en beräkning för reningseffektiviteten av PFAS i dricksvattenverket och i en pilotanläggning där ytterligare rening med granulerat aktivt kol (GAC) och nanofiltration (NF) används. I dricksvattenverket var den genomsnittliga reningen 32%, med den högsta reningseffektiviteten för PFBA (81%). I pilotanläggningen var reningen 100% för alla upptäckta PFAS i råvattnet.

Les éléments génétiques mobiles contribuent grandement à la diversité et à l’évolution des génomes bactériens par le biais du transfert horizontal. Parmi eux, les éléments intégratifs conjugatifs (ICE) codent leur propre excision, leur transfert par conjugaison et leur intégration. En revanche, les éléments intégratifs et mobilisables (IME) ne sont autonomes que pour leur excision et intégration et ne codent seulement que certaines des protéines/fonctions (oriT) dont ils ont besoin pour leur transfert conjugatif. Par conséquent, les IME ont besoin d’un élément conjugatif « helper » pour se transférer. Malgré leur impact sur le flux des gènes et l’évolution des génomes, la prévalence des ICE reste peu étudiée et seulement très peu d’IME avaient été identifiés au début de cette étude. De plus, bien que plusieurs méthodes de détection des ilots génomiques existent, aucune d’elles n’est dédiée aux ICE ou aux IME. Ce qui ne facilite pas l’analyse exhaustive de ces éléments. Le genre Streptococcus appartient au phylum des firmicutes. La quasi-totalité des streptocoques sont des bactéries commensales ou pathogènes de l’homme et d’autres animaux. Aussi, 2 espèces de streptocoques sont utilisées en tant que ferments lactiques lors la production de laits fermentés et divers fromages. Globalement, le genre streptocoques représente un groupe d’intérêt pour l’homme, l’étude du flux de gènes au sein de ces organismes et l’impact qu’il peut avoir sur leur mode vie est primordiale. Au cours de cette thèse, nous avons recherché les ICE et les IME dans 124 souches de streptocoques appartenant à 27 espèces en utilisant une base de données de référence comportant des protéines dites « signatures » d’IME et d’ICE (de leurs modules de conjugaison/mobilisation et d’integration/excision). Cette analyse exhaustive a permis l’identification et la délimitation de 131 ICE ou ICE légèrement dégénérés et 144 IME. Tous ces éléments ont été délimités, ce qui nous a permis de déterminer leur spécificité d’intégration dans les génomes. Au total, 17 spécificités d’intégration ont été identifiées pour les ICE dont 8 encore jamais décrites (ftsK, guaA, lysS, mutT, rpmG, rpsI, traG and ybaB/EbfC) et 18 spécificités pour les IME dont seulement 5 étaient connues chez les firmicutes. Les modules d’intégration des ICE codent soit une intégrase à tyrosine pouvant avoir une faible spécificité (1 famille d’intégrase) ou une forte spécificité (13 spécificités différentes), soit des intégrases à sérine seule ou en triplet (4 spécificités différentes), soit une transposase à DDE. Les IME codent soit des intégrases à tyrosine (10 spécificités différentes) soit des intégrases à serine seule (8 spécificités différentes). Les ICE ont été groupés en 7 familles distinctes selon les protéines codées par leur module de conjugaison. Les IME présentaient une très forte diversité au sein de leur module de mobilisation, empêchant ainsi leur regroupement en famille selon les gènes portés par ce module. Les analyses phylogénétiques des protéines signature codées par tous les ICE et les IME ont montré des échanges de modules d’intégration entre les ICE et les IME et de nombreux échanges entre les modules de mobilisation des IME. L’ensemble de ces résultats révèle la forte prévalence et l’extrême diversité des ICE et des IME au sein des génomes de streptocoques. Une meilleure connaissance et compréhension de ces éléments nous a incité à construire un outil informatique semi-automatisé de détection des ICE et des IME de Streptocoques ainsi que leurs sites d’insertion / Mobile genetic elements largely contribute to the evolution and diversity of bacterial genomes through horizontal gene transfer. Among them, the integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) encode their own excision, conjugative transfer and integration. On the other hand, integrative mobilizable elements (IMEs) are autonomous for excision and integration but encode only some of the proteins needed for their conjugative transfer. IMEs therefore need a “helper” conjugative element to transfer. Despite their impact on gene flow and genome dynamics, the prevalence of ICEs remains largely underscored and very few IMEs were identified at the beginning of this study. Furthermore, although several in silico methods exist to detect genomic islands, none are dedicated to ICEs or IMEs, thus complicating exhaustive examination of these mobile elements. The Streptococcus genus belongs to the firmicutes’ phylum. Almost all streptococci are commensal bacteria or pathogenes to men and animals. Two species of Streptococcus are also used in the dairy industry as lactic ferments in order to produce fermented milk and different types of cheese. Studying the gene flux of the Steptococci genus and the impact it can have on the lifestyle of these organisms is essential, as it has a lot of interest for human health and activities. In this work, we searched for ICEs and IMEs in 124 strains of streptococci belonging to 27 species using a reference database of ICE and IME signature proteins (from their conjugation, mobilization and integration/excision modules). This exhaustive analysis led to the identification and delimitation of 131 ICEs or slightly decayed ICEs and 144 IMEs. All these elements were delimited, which allowed us to identify their integration specificities in the genomes. In total, 17 ICE integration specificities were identified. Among them, 8 had never been described before (ftsK, guaA, lysS, mutT, rpmG, rpsI, traG and ybaB/EbfC). 18 specificities were also identified for IMEs, among which only 5 were known for the firmicutes. ICEs encode high or low-specificity tyrosine integrases (13 different specificities), single serine intégrases (1 specificity), triplet of serine integrases (3 different specificities), or DDE transposases while IMEs encode either tyrosine integrases (10 different specificities) or single serine integrases (8 different specificities). ICE were grouped in 7 distinct families according to the proteins encoded by their conjugation module whereas the mobilization modules of IMEs were highly diverse, preventing them from grouping into families according to their mobilization modules. The phylogenetic analysis of the signature proteins encoded by all ICEs and IMEs showed integration module exchanges between ICEs and IMEs and several mobilization module exchanges between IMEs. The overall results reveal a strong prevalence and extreme diversity of these elements among Streptococci genomes. Better understanding and knowledge of ICEs and IMEs prompted us to build a semi-automated command-line tool to identify streptococcal ICEs and IMEs as well as to determine their insertion site

Submitted by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2015-03-06T17:05:02Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Mouzer Barbosa Alves Gontijo - 2014.pdf: 1923784 bytes, checksum: e486f24990e6410a65c1d40a1a6f2995 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2015-03-06T17:06:15Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Mouzer Barbosa Alves Gontijo - 2014.pdf: 1923784 bytes, checksum: e486f24990e6410a65c1d40a1a6f2995 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-06T17:06:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Mouzer Barbosa Alves Gontijo - 2014.pdf: 1923784 bytes, checksum: e486f24990e6410a65c1d40a1a6f2995 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-11-14 / The present study sought to identify knowledge and attitudes towards Integrative and Complementary Practices (PIC) among health professionals of the public service in three Brazilian municipalities. We conducted an exploratory cross-sectional study with professionals from top-level health of the municipalities of Araporã - Minas Gerais; Itumbiara - Goiás and Panamá -Goiás. For data collection was used a questionnaire with open and closed questions. The data were processed using SPSS version 17. Descriptive analysis was performed of data and cluster analysis (two-step cluster). The response rate was n = 118 participants (78.7%). The age of the respondents ranged from 23 to 66 years, with a mean of 33.6 years (± 9.6). The majority of respondents were nurses and doctor n = 24, followed by psychologists n = 15 and physiotherapists n = 13. Among the 117 who claim to know the PIC, the best known are: acupuncture n = 115, herbal medicine n = 104 and homeopathy n = 93. The lesser known are: anthroposophy n = 7, hydrotherapy n = 15 and Ayurvedicn = 20. Among the professionals who know these practices, n = 114 believe in acupuncture, n = 100 and only n = 24 believe in homeopathy. As the experience with the Integrative and Complementary Practices, n = 24 professionals have read or have had experience through the family. Among the respondents n = 109 considered the PIC efficient, n = 102 that they are important to the profession, n = 112 that they are important for the SUS and only n = 36 felt that their concerns are related to what was taught during graduation. As for the inclusion of PIC in the curriculum matrices, n = 113 responded that they should be included in undergraduate as compulsory or optional courses. Only n = 19 professionals knew the National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices. The analysis in clusters allowed us to find two groups with different profiles. It is concluded in this study that the majority of respondents are doctor and nurse; partially meets the PIC and were considered more efficient acupuncture and herbal medicine; unaware of the National Integrative and Complementary Practices Policy (PNPIC); asserts that the knowledge was obtained by reading and family experience, however, few consider that graduation was important to obtain this knowledge; considers that the PIC should be inserted at graduation; experienced the PIC through herbal medicine, acupuncture and homeopathy; considers the efficient PIC and that these are important to the Abstract xv profession and the SUS. The cluster analysis identified two groups that differ as to the PIC and the PNPIC by knowledge, beliefs, perceptions, conceptions and skills. / O objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar conhecimentos e atitudes em relação às Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (PIC) entre profissionais da saúde do serviço público de três municípios brasileiros. Realizou-se um estudo transversal exploratório com profissionais da saúde de nível superior dos municípios de Araporã- Minas Gerais; Itumbiara- Goiás e Panamá-Goiás. Para a coleta dos dados foi utilizado um questionário composto por questões abertas e fechadas. Os dados foram processados por meio do Programa SPSS versão 17. Foi realizada análise descritiva dos dados e análise de cluster (two-step cluster). A taxa de resposta foi de n=118 participantes (78,7%). A idade dos respondentes variou de 23 a 66 anos, sendo a média de 33,6 anos (±9,6). A maioria dos respondentes era enfermeiro n=24 e médico n=24, seguido por psicólogos n=15 e fisioterapeutas n=13. Dentre os 117 que afirmam conhecer as PIC, as mais conhecidas são: acupuntura n=115, fitoterapia n=104 e homeopatia n=93 e as menos conhecidas são: antroposofia n=7, termalismo n=15 e ayurvédica n=20. Dentre os profissionais que conhecem essas práticas, n=114 acreditam na acupuntura, n=100 na fitoterapia e, embora a homeopatia seja conhecida por mais de n=93 dos pesquisados, apenas n=24 destes, acreditam na mesma. Quanto à experiência com as Práticas Integrativas e Complementares, n=24 dos profissionais já leram ou tiveram experiência através da família. Dentre os profissionais entrevistados n=109 consideram as PIC eficientes, n=102 que elas são importantes para a profissão, n=112 que elas são importantes para o SUS e apenas n=36 consideram que suas considerações têm relação com o que foi ensinado durante a graduação. Quanto à inserção das PIC nas matrizes curriculares, n=113 dos participantes desta pesquisa responderam que elas devem ser inseridas na graduação como disciplinas obrigatórias ou optativas. Apenas n=19 dos profissionais conheciam a Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares. A análise em agrupamentos (Clusters) permitiu encontrar dois grupos com perfis diferentes. Conclui-se neste estudo que a maioria dos respondentes é médico e enfermeiro e estes são adultos jovens; conhece parcialmente as PIC e destas foram consideradas mais eficientes a acupuntura e a fitoterapia; desconhece a Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (PNPIC); afirma que os conhecimentos foram obtidos através da leitura e da experiência em família, no entanto, poucos consideram que a graduação foi importante para a obtenção destes conhecimentos; considera que as PIC devem Resumo xiii ser inseridas na graduação; vivenciou as PIC por meio da fitoterapia, da acupuntura e da homeopatia; considera as PIC eficientes e que estas são importantes para a profissão e para o SUS. A análise de cluster permitiu identificar dois grupos que se diferenciam quanto às PIC e a PNPIC pelos conhecimentos, concepções, percepções e atitudes.

Die Schriftenreihe Betriebliche Umweltökonomie und Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement bietet ein interdisziplinäres Forum für Forschung über aktuelle Themen im Bereich der trans-, interdisziplinären sowie systemisch und integrativ ausgerichteten Nachhaltigkeitsforschung. In der Schriftenreihe werden innovative wissenschaftliche Aufsätze und konzeptionelle Beiträge zur Stärkung der inter- und transdisziplinären Nachhaltigkeitsforschung publiziert. Mit der Veröffentlichung von Studien-, Seminar- und Forschungsergebnissen trägt die Technische Universität Chemnitz essentiell dazu bei, den Wissenstransfer zwischen Forschungseinrichtungen sowie zwischen Praxis und Wissenschaft zu fördern. Das Themenspektrum der Schriftenreihe ist breit gefächert und zielt auf Forschungsarbeiten und Praxiserfahrungen aus ökonomischer und interdisziplinärer Sicht. In der Schriftenreihe werden Beiträge sowohl in deutscher als auch in englischer Sprache veröffentlicht. Begutachtung: Zur Sicherstellung der wissenschaftlichen Qualität, wird jeder Beitrag durch ein bis zwei Fachexpert/innen begutachtet. Die Begutachtung orientiert sich dabei an den folgende Kriterien: - wissenschaftliche Innovativität und Originalität des Beitrags - Relevanz für Nachhaltigkeitsforschung und -praxis - klare Fragestellung und Argumentationslinien - inhaltliche, theoretische und methodische Fundierung / The scientific series of corporate environmental economics and sustainability management offers an interdisciplinary forum for research on current topics in the area of trans-, interdisciplinary and systemic and integrative sustainability research. Innovative scientific essays and conceptual contributions strengthening interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary sustainability research are published in the series. With the publication of study, seminar and research results, the Technical University of Chemnitz contributes significantly to the transfer of knowledge between research facilities and between practice and science. The series comprises a broad thematic spectrum and aims at research and practical experience from an economic and interdisciplinary perspective. Contributions are possible in German and English. Review: Ensuring scientific quality each contribution is assessed by one or two scientific experts. The review process is based on the following criteria: - scientific innovation and originality of the contribution - relevance to sustainability research and practice - clear questions and lines of argument - profound content, theory and methodology