Submitted by Marcele Costal de Castro (costalcastro@gmail.com) on 2017-09-26T18:55:34Z No. of bitstreams: 1 CESAR MARQUES SALGADO M.pdf: 3473675 bytes, checksum: 2b5a708871e86c34a4f43ffa3852b0df (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-26T18:55:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CESAR MARQUES SALGADO M.pdf: 3473675 bytes, checksum: 2b5a708871e86c34a4f43ffa3852b0df (MD5) Previous issue date: 2003-08 / Este trabalho visa estudar possíveis procedimentos para a determinação de espectros de fótons, gerado por um tubo raios X, utilizados em diagnóstico médico (RXD) que opera na faixa de m20 a 150 Kv, permitindo, assim, o estabelecimento mais preciso das qualidades dos feixes de RXD, contribuindo para diminuir as incertezas nos processos de calibração de câmaras de ionização. Com esta finalidade, foram selecionados dois tipos de detectores, um detector de telureto de cádmio e zinco (CZT) e outro de germânio (HPGe planar). A interação do feixe de raios X com esses detectores fornece uma distribuição de altura de pulsos (DAP) que não representa o espectro verdadeiro de fótons incidentes, devido à presença de fótons escapes K, espelhamento Compton e ao fato da eficiência de detecção diminuir abruptamente com o aumento da energia dos fótons. Uma análise detalhada destes efeitos espúrios envolvidos na detecção foi realizada com a utilização do código MCNP 4B (código computacional para transporte de nêutrons e fótons) na modelagem dos detectores. Um procedimento de desmembramento (stripping) é descrito para a implementação em um computador pessoal para o detector HPGe, obtendo assim, o real espectro de energia de fótons do aparelho de raios X. As curvas de resposta do detector, obtidos por modelagem foram comparadas com dados obtidos experimentalmente, utilizando-se fontes pontuais. A validade deste método é testada por comparação com os espectros teóricos para as condições do tubo de raios X e, também, comparando-se os valores de kerma no ar determinados para este detector e medidos por uma câmara de ionização padrão secundário.

Radiata pine (Pinus radiata) is the most important plantation tree in New Zealand forestry, and factors that reduce the quality of wood cause significant economic loss. Two of the most important of these issues are compression wood and spiral grain. Compression wood is a type of reaction wood, formed when a tree moves away from the vertical, and is characterised by biochemical and structural changes within the wood that reduce its quality and value. Spiral grain, however, is the alignment of the wood grain in a helix around the tree’s axis and away from the vertical. Again, this reduces the structural qualities of the wood and thus its value. Spiral grain and compression wood are notorious for their deleterious effect on the quality of wood produced and are very important for the forest industry due to the huge economic loss they cause. The demand for reliable tools to evaluate these wood quality issues in clonal planting material at an early stage, within 3 years of germination rather than at 8 to 15 years as in current practise, is of ever increasing importance from plant breeders and other industry stake holders. Therefore this research was undertaken with an overall aim to develop quick, easy and reproducible techniques to evaluate young radiata pine clones (up to 3 years old) based on compression wood content and presence of spiral grain. This is important because a shortened breeding cycle could provide significant economic benefits to the forest industry. The incidence of these commercially important wood quality parameters has been studied in this thesis in research conducted on young trees (1 to 3 years old). The research described in this thesis used a variety of different imaging approaches to investigate wood structure, including polarised light and confocal microscopy, and X-ray tomography and circular polarised light scanning. The images achieved have been analysed using a range of different software, including Photoshop, ImageJ and Matlab bringing a quantification approach to the imaging. Compression wood was quantified in young clonal material using images collected with a commercial document scanner, and processed using image analysis tools available in Photoshop. An easy, reliable and robust, automatic image analysis protocol was successfully developed and tested for the detection and quantification of compression wood in these young trees. This new technique to detect and quantify compression wood was based on the thresholding of the blue channel of the scanned RGB image as this was demonstrated to contain the greatest image contrast. Development of this new technique may reduce the waiting time for screening clonal planting materials based on compression wood content. To understand the organisation of the grain at a cellular level within these young trees, confocal microscopy techniques were utilised. The cell wall characteristics and fluorescence properties of compression wood in comparison with normal wood were investigated using a new cellulose specific dye, pontamine fast scarlet 4B. Staining protocols for this dye for confocal microscopy were optimised, and the potential of measuring the microfibril angle of the S1 and S3 layers of the pontamine treated opposite wood was demonstrated through either direct observations of these layers, or through the property of bifluorescence where the dye is excited only when aligned parallel to the polarisation of the incident light. Despite extensive work with confocal microscopy, this technique proved to be unsuitable for investigations of spiral grain because although it provided cellular detail, imaging was limited to the surface layers of sections, and the area over which observations were required was prohibitive. Instead of confocal microscopy, the incidence of spiral grain in young stems was investigated in two completely new ways. Resin canals, which are formed from the same cambial initials as the tracheids and which align with the grain, were used as a proxy to demonstrate the grain changes. A novel technique, using circular polarised light and a professional flatbed scanner, was developed to image whole serial transverse sections of the young stems to detect the resin canals. Using ImageJ, the number and location of resin canals was measured on vertical controls, and trees that had been rocked and leaned. The number and frequency of resin canals were less in tilted trees, especially in compression wood, compared to the higher number of canals formed in the rocked trees. More importantly, a combination of serial sectioning and this approach allowed a 3-dimensional view of the orientation of resin canals inside a stem to be generated with ImageJ, and the angles of these canals could be measured using Matlab. The resin canals were oriented with a left-handed spiralling near the stem surface whereas the canals near to the pith were nearly straight, consistent with previous observations of the development of spiral grain in radiata pine. However, it was observed that while vertical trees had a symmetric pattern of grain and grain changes around the stem, this was not the case in tilted trees. In these, the opposite wood often had severe spiral grain visible through formation of twist whereas the compression wood formed on the lower side had bending. Consistent with this, grain associated with compression wood was significantly straighter than in opposite wood. This hitherto unknown link between the incidence of compression wood and spiral grain was investigated and explained on the basis of the characteristics of resin canals in these types of wood. X-ray micro-tomography was also used to investigate resin canals in the stubs from which serial sections were collected. The 3D reconstructions of the resin canals showed exactly the same patterns as observed by polarised light scanning.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-12T15:52:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 arquivo5104_1.pdf: 1283154 bytes, checksum: cd06c2888a7832eb86607c735861d531 (MD5) license.txt: 1748 bytes, checksum: 8a4605be74aa9ea9d79846c1fba20a33 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004 / Uma preparação contendo as isoformas 1 e 4 da lectina de sementes de Cratylia mollis (Cramoll 1,4) e uma lectina de folhas de Bauhinia monandra (BmoLL) foram previamente purificadas por fracionamento com sulfato de amônio seguidos por cromatografia de afinidade em Sephadex G-75 e gel de guar, respectivamente. Cramoll 1,4 foi imobilizada em Sepharose CL-4B ativada com CNBr (Cramoll 1,4-Sepharose) e usada para purificar imunoglobulina A secretória (IgAS) de diferentes secreções humanas. Dacron ferromagnético na forma hidrazida (FDH) foi utilizado como suporte sólido para imobilizar Cramoll 1,4 (Cramoll 1,4-Dacron) e BmoLL (BmoLL-Dacron). As lectinas imobilizadas foram usadas para a purificação de glicoproteínas do colostro humano. Cramoll 1,4 foi adsorvida a contas de Nafion e caracterizada por voltametria cíclica., Cramoll 1,4-Dacron BmoLL-Dacron e Cramoll 1,4-Sepharose mostraram picos após a eluição bioespecífica. Os materiais eluidos da coluna de Cramoll 1,4 Sepharose foram submetidos a imunodifusão radial simples (SRID) contra Anti-IgA humana. Para a avaliação por voltametria cíclica da interação de Cramoll 1,4 com seu carboidrato específico, a lectina foi adsorvida a contas de Nafion e a resposta eletroquímica foi obtida usando um sistema de três eletrodos. Uma curva de calibração avaliou a concentração de glicose. Os picos eluídos mostraram bandas com migrações eletroforéticas similares às da IgAS do colostro humano em SDS-PAGE: cadeias pesada (H) e leve (L) bem como componente secretor. Os picos eluídos da coluna de Cramoll 1,4-Sepharose mostraram anéis de precipitação contra anti-IgA humana. A interação entre Cramoll 1,4 e diferentes concentrações de glicose mostraram picos de redução e oxidação. Esses picos anódicos e catódicos diminuíram com o aumento da concentração de glicose. Neste estudo IgAS foi purificada de diferentes secreções humanas em colunas contendo Cramoll 1,4 Sepharose, utilizando metil-a-D-manopiranosídeo glicose como eluente. Cramoll 1,4 e BmoLL e foram capazes de ligarem-se a FDH, podendo ser usadas como matrizes de afinidade para a purificação de glicoproteínas do colostro humano. O resultado da transferência de elétrons da Cramoll 1,4 durante a interação com a glicose foi significativo. O sistema pode ser usado como um sensor de calibração para determinar glicose

No description available.

Listeria monocytogenes est l'agent étiologique de la listériose, une infection d'origine alimentaire peu fréquente mais avec un taux de mortalité de 25% chez l'homme. Nous avons d'abord caractérisé un mutant ferritine et montré l'importance du produit de ce gène dans la virulence, la résistance à des conditions de carence en fer et de stress thermique ou oxydatif. Nous nous sommes ensuite intéressés à la biodiversité de L. monocytogenes, par une approche protéomique, en étudiant 12 souches d'origines, de sérovars et de niveaux de virulence variés. Sur la base des profils des protéines intracellulaires et sécrétées, une classification hiérarchique a montré deux groupes distincts, l'un comprenant les souches de sérovar 1/2a, l'autre les souches de sérovar 4b et 1/2b. Des spots protéiques spécifiques de chaque souche et des différents sérovars ont été identifiés par spectrométrie de masse MALDI-TOF avec pour objectif de mieux hiérarchiser et gérer le risque dû à L. monocytogenes.

The anatomy of the cranial peripheral nervous system has been studied for over a century, yet surprisingly little is known about how the nerves are guided to their targets. The study of the development of these nerves has important implications for our understanding of craniofacial anomalies and possible treatments for both injury and genetic disorders of nerve development such as Goldenhar-Gorlin syndrome. We have discovered that retinoic acid (RA) may play a role in the development of the trigeminal nerve. Inhibition of retinoic acid receptors (RAR) results in trigeminal nerves that become unbundled or defasciculated in the eye region. To further understand how RA is affecting trigeminal development we searched for genes downregulated in response to RAR inhibition by the inhibitor BMS-453 and have identified neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) and Semaphorin 4B (Sema4B). We have analyzed the expression patterns of Sema4B and NT-3 by in situ hybridization and have found NT-3 expression in the eye and Sema4B in the embryonic target of the trigeminal nerve, lens of the eye and in the pharyngeal arches. ALCAM has been analyzed via qRT-PCR and its transcription is downregulated just prior to the observed defasciculation phenotype. The pattern of expression of these genes combined with known expression of NT-3 receptors allows us to suggest a model whereby RA signaling regulates Sema4B, ALCAM and NT-3, which support the survival, guidance and fasciculation of the trigeminal nerve. This work has the potential to better understanding of the complex nature of cranial nervous system development.

Human genetic data suggests DISC1 (Disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1) is a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia and depression. Disc1 Q31L-/- mutants show depression-like behaviour and Disc1 L100P-/- mutants schizophrenia-like behaviour. Heterozygous mutants show an intermediate phenotype. In a gene-environment interaction study, we exposed heterozygotes to chronic social defeat (CSD) stress and phenotyped behaviour. Disc1, Bdnf(III) and Pde4b mRNA levels were also measured. Moreover, as epigenetic mechanisms may mediate some effects of CSD, we also exposed wildtype mice to CSD concurrently with the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproate. We found that CSD increased anxiety in L100P-/+ mutants, and that levels of Disc1, Bdnf(III) and Pde4b mRNA were higher in this mutant. Valproate treatment did not correct CSD-induced behavioural changes. In conclusion, we have demonstrated an interaction between a strong susceptibility gene for psychiatric disease and an environmental manipulation similar to stressors known to affect mental illness.

Human genetic data suggests DISC1 (Disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1) is a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia and depression. Disc1 Q31L-/- mutants show depression-like behaviour and Disc1 L100P-/- mutants schizophrenia-like behaviour. Heterozygous mutants show an intermediate phenotype. In a gene-environment interaction study, we exposed heterozygotes to chronic social defeat (CSD) stress and phenotyped behaviour. Disc1, Bdnf(III) and Pde4b mRNA levels were also measured. Moreover, as epigenetic mechanisms may mediate some effects of CSD, we also exposed wildtype mice to CSD concurrently with the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproate. We found that CSD increased anxiety in L100P-/+ mutants, and that levels of Disc1, Bdnf(III) and Pde4b mRNA were higher in this mutant. Valproate treatment did not correct CSD-induced behavioural changes. In conclusion, we have demonstrated an interaction between a strong susceptibility gene for psychiatric disease and an environmental manipulation similar to stressors known to affect mental illness.

The subject and the scope of this study are the role(s) of the Spirit-Paraclete in John 16:4b-15. The methodology applied is socio-rhetorical criticism as developed by Vernon K. Robbins. The fourth Gospel is called the `spiritual Gospel.' Its pneumatic connotations are not only related to its presentation of Christ but also to its frequent references to the Spirit and its cognates. Jesus' Spirit-Paraclete teaching in his Farewell Discourse is a prominent example of this. Its pneumatological content is, however, problematic. This is demonstrated by the various attempts of Johannine scholars. In addition, methodologies, goals and the scope of these studies vary. It was observed that if scholars suggest a role for the Spirit-Paraclete, they usually use `either-or' language, pointing out one role while excluding other possible roles from their conclusions or merely list explicitly mentioned functions of the Spirit-Paraclete. This study is a response to this present situation. It deals with the last two Spirit-Paraclete sayings of Jesus in his farewell address to determine the role(s) of the Spirit-Paraclete, applying the comprehensive reading model which has not been applied to this text before. The hypothesis was that if a more comprehensive methodology is applied to the narrative, a more comprehensive understanding of the text would be gained. We applied multidisciplinary socio-rhetorical criticism which takes into account narrative-rhetorical, intertextual, social-cultural, ideological and sacred aspects of the text while not neglecting contexts in which the story took place, was recorded and is interpreted. Findings were that the roles of the Spirit-Paraclete go beyond mere theological and spiritual significance to touch sociological and psychological aspects of human experience. Thus, the roles of the Spirit-Paraclete are multidimensional. These roles are also integrated with each other. Together they support and point to one major role of the Spirit-Paraclete, which does not, however, downplay his other roles. The central role of the Spirit-Paraclete in John 16:4b-15 is to be the divine presence who forms a performing community of the disciples called the people of the Spirit. / New Testament / D. Th. (New Testament)

The subject and the scope of this study are the role(s) of the Spirit-Paraclete in John 16:4b-15. The methodology applied is socio-rhetorical criticism as developed by Vernon K. Robbins. The fourth Gospel is called the `spiritual Gospel.' Its pneumatic connotations are not only related to its presentation of Christ but also to its frequent references to the Spirit and its cognates. Jesus' Spirit-Paraclete teaching in his Farewell Discourse is a prominent example of this. Its pneumatological content is, however, problematic. This is demonstrated by the various attempts of Johannine scholars. In addition, methodologies, goals and the scope of these studies vary. It was observed that if scholars suggest a role for the Spirit-Paraclete, they usually use `either-or' language, pointing out one role while excluding other possible roles from their conclusions or merely list explicitly mentioned functions of the Spirit-Paraclete. This study is a response to this present situation. It deals with the last two Spirit-Paraclete sayings of Jesus in his farewell address to determine the role(s) of the Spirit-Paraclete, applying the comprehensive reading model which has not been applied to this text before. The hypothesis was that if a more comprehensive methodology is applied to the narrative, a more comprehensive understanding of the text would be gained. We applied multidisciplinary socio-rhetorical criticism which takes into account narrative-rhetorical, intertextual, social-cultural, ideological and sacred aspects of the text while not neglecting contexts in which the story took place, was recorded and is interpreted. Findings were that the roles of the Spirit-Paraclete go beyond mere theological and spiritual significance to touch sociological and psychological aspects of human experience. Thus, the roles of the Spirit-Paraclete are multidimensional. These roles are also integrated with each other. Together they support and point to one major role of the Spirit-Paraclete, which does not, however, downplay his other roles. The central role of the Spirit-Paraclete in John 16:4b-15 is to be the divine presence who forms a performing community of the disciples called the people of the Spirit. / New Testament / D. Th. (New Testament)