No description available.

Thesis advisor: Richard McGowan / Proposition 13 revolutionized local politics in California when it stated that any future increase in taxes or tax rates would require a vote of two-thirds of the electors in any given local jurisdiction. Since California is the sixth largest economy in the world and exhibits tremendous economic and demographic variation, this study seeks to determine what characteristics of a county can be used to predict whether or not a local ballot initiative will pass. In addition, this study attempts to determine whether there is a distinction between the predictive value of demographic variables for transportation, education, safety, and facilities initiatives. This report reveals that greater wealth within a county is associated with a greater likelihood of an initiative passing, although at a decreasing rate. The data also suggests that a greater percentage of nonwhites in a county is correlated with an initiative passing. In counties with larger elderly populations, initiatives are less likely to pass. Furthermore, the data indicates that the impact of demographics varies for transportation, education, safety, and facilities initiatives. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2005. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Economics. / Discipline: College Honors Program.

Interleukin-13 (IL-13) has been implicated as a critical inducer of a number of features of allergy and asthma including the induction of nonspecific airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), eosinophilic inflammatory response, eotaxin production, excess mucus formation, and fibrosis. Determining the mechanism(s) of AHR, a hallmark of asthma, is crucial to our understanding of both the pathogenesis and successful treatment of asthma. After carrying out initial experiments to determine the effect of IL-13-induced AHR on murine and rat tracheal rings, mice tissues were chosen for subsequent experiments due to their consistent results and the fact that the mouse genetic map was completed in 1996, which will enable subsequent gene therapy work. Human and mouse share a high percentage of their genes with an average of 85% homology. Numerous IL-13 signalling studies have concentrated on the JAK/STAT6 pathway. IL-13 also activates phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and downstream effector molecules. In experiments presented in this thesis pharmacological and genetic approaches implicate the involvement of PI3K and its individual isoform PI3Kδ in IL-13 induced AHR in vitro and this involvement was confirmed using a small interference RNA (siRNA) technology approach. However, IL-13 induced an early activation of PI3K, whereas increased responsiveness was not observed until overnight incubation. Arginase I induction was demonstrated to be another PI3K-dependent potential mechanism of IL-13-induced hyperresponsiveness. The epithelium is also implicated in IL-13-induced hyperresponsiveness, however, the induction of arginase I was demonstrated in both intact and denuded epithelium tracheal rings. The siRNA approach was also employed in 9HTEo-, A549 and BEAS-2B cell lines using different transfecting agents. From these findings, it is concluded that class IA p110δ could be a useful target for the treatment of asthma by preventing IL-13-induced airway smooth muscle hyperresponsiveness and also that arginase I may be involved in IL-13-induced hyperresponsiveness through PI3K- and epithelial-dependent pathways.

Submitted by Beatriz de Oliveira Garcia null (garciab@ibb.unesp.br) on 2017-03-27T14:51:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Garcia BO.pdf: 1426165 bytes, checksum: 3c7112c540967acea714ff22b90c3b9d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luiz Galeffi (luizgaleffi@gmail.com) on 2017-03-29T18:55:41Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 garcia_bo_me_bot.pdf: 1426165 bytes, checksum: 3c7112c540967acea714ff22b90c3b9d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-29T18:55:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 garcia_bo_me_bot.pdf: 1426165 bytes, checksum: 3c7112c540967acea714ff22b90c3b9d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-16 / Diversas doenças gástricas estão associadas à presença do microrganismo Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) na mucosa gástrica. O método de diagnóstico não invasivo, simples, seguro e bastante recomendado é o teste respiratório com ureia marcada com o isótopo estável do Carbono (¹³C-UBT). Existem consenso no protocolo de aplicação do ¹³C-UBT, contudo a necessidade do jejum ainda é alvo de controvérsias, além disso, o ácido cítrico utilizado junto a ureia marcada torna o substrato azedo, dificultando a aplicação do ¹³C-UBT em crianças e idosos. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar se o jejum influencia no diagnóstico da infecção pelo H. pylori pelo ¹³C-UBT, analisado por espectrômetro de massa de razão isotópica específico, e verificar a necessidade do ácido cítrico junto com a 13C-ureia. Para isso foi selecionado 40 pacientes, sendo que 35 estavam infectados e 5 não infectados pelo H. pylori. O ¹³C-UBT foi aplicado em 40 pacientes nos tempos de jejum de 1h, 2h, 4h e 6h com ácido cítrico. Por fim, 30 pacientes infectados foram submetidos ao ¹³C-UBT em 1h de jejum sem o ácido cítrico. Assim obtivemos o turnover do ¹³C da expiração do paciente durante aplicação do ¹³C-UBT em diferentes tempos de jejum. Com comportamento da curva do turnover foi possível observar que o jejum não interfere no resultado final do ¹³C-UBT, apesar do turnover do ¹³C em menores tempos de jejum atingiram menores intensidades, esse comportamento pode ser explicado pelo gasto energético. Verificou-se também que o ácido cítrico não é necessário, pois durante o período pós-prandial há produção de ácido clorídrico, que pode substituí-lo. Concluímos que em 1h de jejum, com e sem o ácido cítrico é possível aplicar o ¹³C-UBT sem alterar a eficácia do diagnóstico da infecção pelo H. pylori. / Several gastric diseases are associated with the presence of the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) microorganism in the gastric mucosa. The non-invasive, simple, safe and highly recommended method of diagnosis is the urea breath test with the stable isotope of Carbon (¹³C-UBT). There is a consensus in the ¹³C-UBT application protocol, however, the need of fasting is still controversial, and the citric acid used together with the labeled urea makes the substrate sour, making it difficult to apply ¹³C-UBT in children and the elderly. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate whether fasting influences the diagnosis of H. pylori infection by ¹³C-UBT, analyzed by a specific isotope ratio mass spectrometer, and to verify the need for citric acid together with 13C-urea. For this purpose, 40 patients were selected, 35 of whom were infected and 5 were not infected by H. pylori. ¹³C-UBT was applied in 40 patients in the fasting times of 1h, 2h, 4h and 6h with citric acid. Finally, 30 infected patients were submitted to ¹³C-UBT in 1h of fasting without citric acid. Thus, we obtained the turnover of ¹³C of patient expiration during the application of ¹³C-UBT in different fasting times. With behavior of the turnover curve, it was possible to observe that fasting does not interfere with the final result of ¹³C-UBT, although turnover of ¹³C in shorter fasting times reached lower intensities, this behavior can be explained by energy expenditure. It was also found that citric acid is not necessary, since during the postprandial period there is production of hydrochloric acid, which can replace it. We conclude that in 1h of fasting, with and without citric acid, it is possible to apply ¹³C-UBT without altering the efficacy of the diagnosis of H. pylori infection.

Orientador: Vladimir Eliodoro Costa / Resumo: Diversas doenças gástricas estão associadas à presença do microrganismo Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) na mucosa gástrica. O método de diagnóstico não invasivo, simples, seguro e bastante recomendado é o teste respiratório com ureia marcada com o isótopo estável do Carbono (¹³C-UBT). Existem consenso no protocolo de aplicação do ¹³C-UBT, contudo a necessidade do jejum ainda é alvo de controvérsias, além disso, o ácido cítrico utilizado junto a ureia marcada torna o substrato azedo, dificultando a aplicação do ¹³C-UBT em crianças e idosos. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar se o jejum influencia no diagnóstico da infecção pelo H. pylori pelo ¹³C-UBT, analisado por espectrômetro de massa de razão isotópica específico, e verificar a necessidade do ácido cítrico junto com a 13C-ureia. Para isso foi selecionado 40 pacientes, sendo que 35 estavam infectados e 5 não infectados pelo H. pylori. O ¹³C-UBT foi aplicado em 40 pacientes nos tempos de jejum de 1h, 2h, 4h e 6h com ácido cítrico. Por fim, 30 pacientes infectados foram submetidos ao ¹³C-UBT em 1h de jejum sem o ácido cítrico. Assim obtivemos o turnover do ¹³C da expiração do paciente durante aplicação do ¹³C-UBT em diferentes tempos de jejum. Com comportamento da curva do turnover foi possível observar que o jejum não interfere no resultado final do ¹³C-UBT, apesar do turnover do ¹³C em menores tempos de jejum atingiram menores intensidades, esse comportamento pode ser explicado pelo gasto energético. Verific... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Several gastric diseases are associated with the presence of the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) microorganism in the gastric mucosa. The non-invasive, simple, safe and highly recommended method of diagnosis is the urea breath test with the stable isotope of Carbon (¹³C-UBT). There is a consensus in the ¹³C-UBT application protocol, however, the need of fasting is still controversial, and the citric acid used together with the labeled urea makes the substrate sour, making it difficult to apply ¹³C-UBT in children and the elderly. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate whether fasting influences the diagnosis of H. pylori infection by ¹³C-UBT, analyzed by a specific isotope ratio mass spectrometer, and to verify the need for citric acid together with 13C-urea. For this purpose, 40 patients were selected, 35 of whom were infected and 5 were not infected by H. pylori. ¹³C-UBT was applied in 40 patients in the fasting times of 1h, 2h, 4h and 6h with citric acid. Finally, 30 infected patients were submitted to ¹³C-UBT in 1h of fasting without citric acid. Thus, we obtained the turnover of ¹³C of patient expiration during the application of ¹³C-UBT in different fasting times. With behavior of the turnover curve, it was possible to observe that fasting does not interfere with the final result of ¹³C-UBT, although turnover of ¹³C in shorter fasting times reached lower intensities, this behavior can be explained by energy expenditure. It was also found that citric acid is n... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

No description available.

Les cristaux phononiques sont des matériaux structurés périodiquement permettant le contrôle de la propagation d'ondes élastiques. Leurs propriétés sont définies dès leur conception et leur fabrication. L'objet de cette thèse est de conférer de l'agilité à ces structures. Dans ce cadre, deux types de cristaux phononiques piézoélectriques pilotés par des conditions électriques sont présentés. Ces deux cristaux phononiques réalisent la fonction de filtre coupe-bande accordable en fréquence en vue d'applications en tant que composant pour les télécommunications. Le caractère périodique de ces cristaux phononiques est uniquement dû à la périodicité des électrodes déposées à la surface du substrat. La première géométrie permet de générer des ondes de Lamb à une fréquence de l'ordre du mégahertz. Un modèle analytique est développé et met en évidence une Bande Interdite électrique due à la discontinuité du champ électrique le long du réseau, et dépendante des conditions électriques choisies. Les résultats analytiques sont comparés avec succès à ceux de calculs par éléments finis. Des mesures vibratoires ont permis d'identifier les modes excités dans le dispositif expérimental. Les mesures du potentiel électrique en transmission ont mis en évidence la Bande Interdite générée par le cristal phononique. La seconde géométrie permet de générer des ondes de surface à une fréquence de l'ordre de la centaine de mégahertz. Des calculs par éléments finis montrent de nouveau une Bande Interdite électrique due à l'alternance du champ électrique et dépendante des conditions électriques, pouvant donner lieu à des composants Radio Fréquence accordables. / Phononic crystals are materials with a periodic structure used to modify the propagation of acoustic waves. Their properties are fixed during the fabrication. The purpose of this PhD thesis is to give tunability to these structures. In this context, two types of piezoelectric phononic crystals driven by electrical conditions are studied. These two phononic crystals perform a tunable stop-band filter function for applications as a component for telecommunications. The periodic property of these phononic crystals is only due to the periodicity of the electrodes covering the surface of the substrate. The first geometry generates Lamb waves at a frequency around one megahertz. An analytical model is developed and exhibits an Electrical Bragg Band gap due to the discontinuity of the electric field along the crystal, that depends on the electrical boundary conditions. The analytical results are compared with success to finite element results. With the help of the displacement measurements, we have identified the excited modes in the experimental device. The measurements of the electrical potential in transmission have revealed the Electrical Bragg Band gap generated by the phononic crystal. The second geometry generates surface acoustic waves at a frequency around one hundred megahertz. Once again, finite element calculations exhibit an Electrical Bragg Band gap due to the discontinuity of the electric field that depends on the electrical boundary conditions. Then, the device can be used to create tunable Radio Frequency components.

R.M. Redheffer. / Includes bibliographical references. / Army Signal Corps Contract no. W-36-039 sc-32037.

Because of the Agreement on Agriculture’s (AoA) Article 13, dubbed the “Peace Clause,” the challengeability of agricultural subsidies has been limited; Article 13 had the power to prevent several types of legal challenges. The Peace Clause has expired, and now many agricultural subsidies can be challenged under substantive provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT 1994) and the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM Agreement). However, there has been some uncertainty, because the new arrangement of agricultural subsidies’ challengeability is being defined by the interpretation and correlation of three different WTO agreements. This study verified, using a two-pronged method, that there is no conflict among the GATT 1994, the SCM Agreement and the AoA, and for this reason, they have to be applied together to regulate agricultural subsidies. This does not mean that all SCM Agreement provisions are automatically applied to agricultural subsidies, with a consequent free ride for challenges to agricultural subsidies. A successful challenge still has to overcome the SCM Agreement’s higher thresholds for challengeability compared with those of the GATT 1994 period. This condemnation became more difficult after the implementation of the WTO. Consequently, the goals established in the AoA of substantial and progressive reductions in agricultural support and protection still have to be accomplished.

Because of the Agreement on Agriculture’s (AoA) Article 13, dubbed the “Peace Clause,” the challengeability of agricultural subsidies has been limited; Article 13 had the power to prevent several types of legal challenges. The Peace Clause has expired, and now many agricultural subsidies can be challenged under substantive provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT 1994) and the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM Agreement). However, there has been some uncertainty, because the new arrangement of agricultural subsidies’ challengeability is being defined by the interpretation and correlation of three different WTO agreements. This study verified, using a two-pronged method, that there is no conflict among the GATT 1994, the SCM Agreement and the AoA, and for this reason, they have to be applied together to regulate agricultural subsidies. This does not mean that all SCM Agreement provisions are automatically applied to agricultural subsidies, with a consequent free ride for challenges to agricultural subsidies. A successful challenge still has to overcome the SCM Agreement’s higher thresholds for challengeability compared with those of the GATT 1994 period. This condemnation became more difficult after the implementation of the WTO. Consequently, the goals established in the AoA of substantial and progressive reductions in agricultural support and protection still have to be accomplished.