Il formaggio sta dimostrando possedere, oltre alle caratteristiche nutrizionali classiche, degli aspetti nutrizionali innovati derivanti dalle proprietà di peptidi bioattivi contenuti nella frazione proteica caseinica del formaggio e rilasciati in seguito a proteolisi, ed ancora dalle proprietà di acidi grassi insaturi, quale l’acido linoleico coniugato. L’obiettivo di tale studio di dottorato è stato indagare su questi aspetti nutrizionali innovativi in formaggi tipici italiani quali Grana Padano e TrentinGrana, che pur essendo due formaggi molto simili tra loro, differiscono per l’uso della molecola antibatterica lisozima solo per la produzione del Grana Padano. Simulazioni in vitro della digestione gastrointestinale, nei campioni dei due formaggi a diversi tempi di stagionatura, ha dimostrato che esiste una relazione positiva tra tempo di stagionatura e digeribilità del calcio nel Grana Padano ,quando vengono considerati nella correlazione i risultati dei campioni con stagionatura superiore ai 24 mesi. A tempi di stagionatura inferiori a 24 mesi, i risultati di digeribilità del calcio del Grana Padano sono dispersi come appare nei campioni di TrentinGrana analizzati. Inoltre l’analisi RP-HPLC della distribuzione molecolare degli oligopeptidi dei campioni dei due formaggi, dimostra che la frazione peptidica coinvolta nel legame del calcio e quindi nel suo assorbimento, è quella compresa tra 1000 e 1500 D, e che l’analisi Seldi ha rilevato essere quella dei peptidi attivi fosfocaseinici. Inoltre differenze tra i due formaggi con e senza lisozima, appaiono solo per campioni tra 15 e 20 mesi di stagionatura, in cui campioni di formaggio senza lisozima appaiono più idrolizzati di quelli che lo contengono. Quindi dai risultati ottenuti appare che le differenze del profilo peptidico apportate dal lisozima non modificano le proprietà dei fosfopeptidi di assorbimento del calcio, forse influenzate da altri fattori che intervengono nella produzione del formaggio. L’attività ACE-inibitoria di abbassamento della pressione arteriosa esercitata da peptidi bioattivi è stata testata nei due formaggi, dimostrando che né il tempo di stagionatura e il grado di proteolisi, né il lisozima sono correlati all’attività ACE-inibitoria. Ed infine per l’importante ruolo che ha il minerale calcio nella dieta, indici di digeribilità del minerale in diversi alimenti sono stati considerati, in modo da poter formulare in maniera corretta diete alimentari coprendo il fabbisogno giornaliero con l’adeguato apporto energetico. I formaggi hanno dimostrato possedere indici di digeribilità del calcio superiori ad altri alimenti vegetali o a base di soia. In particolare il valore di digeribilità del Calcio del Grana Padano calcolato in vitro ha confermato il valore ottenuto in vivo , pari a 80%. / This study aimed to investigate about the not common known nutritional aspects of cheeses, which derive from their chemical components. In fact, in addition to the supply of macronutrient, cheeses are gaining interest as a source of bioactive peptides, of conjugated linoleic acid or for the new insight in the metabolic role of calcium. In vitro simulation of human gastrointestinal digestion revealed that cheeses have an higher digestibility of calcium than other foods, because of their casein-derived bioactive phosphopetides (CPPs) content has the ability to carry calcium minerals and avoid calcium precipitation, making it available for intestinal absorption. The in vitro calcium digestibility was calculated for different foods- cheeses, soya based foods and vegetables- to correct cover calcium requirements with an equilibrate energy intake. Calcium digestibility was also assessed in different ripened time Italian locally produced, semi fat, hard cheeses, Grana Padano and TrentinGrana. The main difference between them is the use or not of lysozyme during manufacturing. In Grana Padano samples, produced using lysozyme, there is a positive relationship between aging and dCa (r2 = 0.27; P<0.05) when sample > 24 months aged are considered (Grana Padano dCa results of samples less 24 months aged are quite widespread) , while in TrentinGrana, produced without the use of lysozyme, no significant correlation has been detected. RP-HPLC distribution analysis of oligopeptides molecular weight of these cheese showed that the only difference between them is that cheeses without lyzozyme, aged between 15 and 20 months, are more hydrolyzed than the same ripened time Grana Padano samples. Moreover the fraction of oligopeptides involved in calcium binding ranges between 1000 and 1500 D. SELDI analysis confirmed CPPs presence in this range. Therefore changes in cheese peptidic profiles probably caused by the use of lysozyme do not influence calcium digestibility because according to this study there is not a connection between change in peptidic profile and calcium digestibility results. The difference in calcium digestibility in Grana Padano samples aged over 24 month results should be probably ascribed also to the influence of other factors occurring during cheese manufacturing. Moreover, ACE-inhibitory activity of bioactive peptides was tested on in vitro digested Grana Padano and TrentinGrana samples with different ripening times. Correlation was not found between ACE-inhibitory activity and proteolysis level in different ripened time samples nor the lysozyme influence in releasing ACE-inhibitory bioactive peptides.

Reliability has emerged as a first class design concern, as a result of an exponential increase in the number of transistors on the chip, and lowering of operating and threshold voltages with each new process generation. Radiation-induced transient faults are a significant source of soft errors in current and future process generations. Techniques to mitigate their effect come at a significant cost of area, power, performance, and design effort. Architectural Vulnerability Factor (AVF) modeling has been proposed to easily estimate the processor's soft error rates, and to enable the designers to make appropriate cost/reliability trade-offs early in the design cycle. Using cycle-accurate microarchitectural or logic gate-level simulations, AVF modeling captures the masking effect of program execution on the visibility of soft errors at the output. AVF modeling is used to identify structures in the processor that have the highest contribution to the overall Soft Error Rate (SER) while running typical workloads, and used to guide the design of SER mitigation mechanisms. The precise mechanisms of interaction between the workload and the microarchitecture that together determine the overall AVF is not well studied in literature, beyond qualitative analyses. Consequently, there is no known methodology for ensuring that the workload suite used for AVF modeling offers sufficient SER coverage. Additionally, owing to the lack of an intuitive model, AVF modeling is reliant on detailed microarchitectural simulations for understanding the impact of scaling processor structures, or design space exploration studies. Microarchitectural simulations are time-consuming, and do not easily provide insight into the mechanisms of interactions between the workload and the microarchitecture to determine AVF, beyond aggregate statistics. These aforementioned challenges are addressed in this dissertation by developing two methodologies. First, beginning with a systematic analysis of the factors affecting the occupancy of corruptible state in a processor, a methodology is developed that generates a synthetic workload for a given microarchitecture such that the SER is maximized. As it is impossible for every bit in the processor to simultaneously contain corruptible state, the worst-case realizable SER while running a workload is less than the sum of their circuit-level fault rates. The knowledge of the worst-case SER enables efficient design trade-offs by allowing the architect to validate the coverage of the workload suite and select an appropriate design point, and to identify structures that may potentially have high contribution to SER. The methodology induces 1.4X higher SER in the core as compared to the highest SER induced by SPEC CPU2006 and MiBench programs. Second, a first-order analytical model is proposed, which is developed from the first principles of out-of-order superscalar execution that models the AVF induced by a workload in microarchitectural structures, using inexpensive profiling. The central component of this model is a methodology to estimate the occupancy of correct-path state in various structures in the core. Owing to its construction, the model provides fundamental insight into the precise mechanism of interaction between the workload and the microarchitecture to determine AVF. The model is used to cheaply perform sizing studies for structures in the core, design space exploration, and workload characterization for AVF. The model is used to quantitatively explain results that may appear counter-intuitive from aggregate performance metrics. The Mean Absolute Error in determining AVF of a 4-wide out-of-order superscalar processor using model is less than 7% for each structure, and the Normalized Mean Square Error for determining overall SER is 9.0%, as compared to cycle-accurate microarchitectural simulation. / text

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Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2018-07-09T11:01:01Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Luciana Carvalho Silveira - 2018.pdf: 1951667 bytes, checksum: 0801db794146b2cd2c97a78cf769e5a6 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2018-07-09T11:23:38Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Luciana Carvalho Silveira - 2018.pdf: 1951667 bytes, checksum: 0801db794146b2cd2c97a78cf769e5a6 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-09T11:23:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Luciana Carvalho Silveira - 2018.pdf: 1951667 bytes, checksum: 0801db794146b2cd2c97a78cf769e5a6 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-06-04 / Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) is a microvascular renal complication of Diabetes Mellitus (DM), characterized by increased albuminuria and progressive loss of renal function. A cumulative incidence of ND in the last 10 years was observed in 40%, mainly in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), being an important cause of morbidity and mortality among these individuals. The Insertion / Deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the ACE gene could influence the predisposition to DN by vascular modulation in the kidney, through a direct effect on the cellular hypertrophy, influencing the proliferation and the rupture of the extracellular matrix. Many studies about this subject are discordant, a fact that increases the need for joint analysis so that safe conclusions can be generated. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between ACE gene I/D polymorphism and the development of DN in patients with T2DM. Through a standardized research protocol, the bibliographic search was performed in the PubMed and Cochrane Library electronic databases of 1995-2017, selecting case-control observational studies using the terms "polymorphism" AND " ACE gene" AND “diabetic nephropathy ". We included 33 studies in qualitative synthesis and 30 studies for meta- analysis, with 9.077 participants with T2DM genotyped, 4.774 (52, 6%) individuals with DN and 4.303 (47. 4%) individuals without DN. Evaluated separately, the genotypes for the case group, we have I/I (23, 5%), I/D (46, 4%) and D/D (30, 6%). The genotypes for the control group, I/I (28, 6%), I/D (46.19%) and D/D (25%). The highest prevalence observed was of the I/D genotype in both groups. In the allele frequencies calculated by the Hardy-Weinberg Test, the mutant D allele presents with 54% in the case group and 48% in the control group. The wild-type I allele was present in 46% in the case group and 52% in the control group. The present meta-analysis concludes the I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene studied through the I/D and D/D genotypes is not associated with the risk of developing DN in individuals with T2DM, but the presence of the D allele has significant significance in the risk of developing the disease, as well as the protective role of the I allele. / A Nefropatia Diabética (ND) é uma complicação microvascular renal do Diabetes Mellitus (DM), caracterizada pelo aumento da albuminúria e perda progressiva da função renal. Nos últimos 10 anos, observa-se uma incidência cumulativa de 40%, principalmente em pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) sendo uma causa importante de morbimortalidade. O polimorfismo Inserção / Deleção (I/D) no gene ECA poderia influenciar a predisposição para ND por modulação vascular no rim, através de um efeito direto sobre a hipertrofia celular, influenciando a proliferação e a ruptura da matriz extracelular. Estudos mostram discordância, fato que aumenta a necessidade de análises conjuntas para que se possam gerar conclusões seguras. O objetivo do estudo foi investigar a associação entre o polimorfismo I/D do gene ECA e o desenvolvimento de ND em pacientes com DM2. Através de um protocolo de pesquisa padronizado, realizou-se a busca bibliográfica nos bancos de dados eletrônicos PubMed e Cochrane Library de 1995-2017, selecionando estudos observacionais do tipo caso-controle, usando os termos "polymorphism" AND "ACE gene" AND "diabetic nephropathy". Incluiu-se 33 estudos na síntese qualitativa e 30 estudos na meta-análise, sendo 9.077 participantes com DM2 genotipados, 4.774 (52, 6%) indivíduos com ND e 4.303 (47,4%) indivíduos sem ND.Avaliados separadamente, os genótipos para o grupo caso, temos I/I (23, 5%), I/D (45, 8%) e D/D (30, 6%). Os genótipos para o grupo controle, I/I (28, 6%), I/D (46,4%) e D/D (25%). A maior prevalência observada é do genótipo I/D em ambos os grupos. Nas frequências alélicas calculadas através do Teste de Hardy-Weinberg, o alelo D mutante apresenta-se com 53% no grupo caso e 48% no grupo controle. O alelo I selvagem presente em 47% no grupo caso e 52% no grupo controle. A presente meta-análise conclui que o polimorfismo I/D do gene ECA estudado através dos genótipos I/D e D/D não estão associados ao risco de desenvolvimento da ND em indivíduos com DM2, porém, a presença do alelo D tem importante significância no risco de desenvolvimento da doença, assim como o papel protetivo do alelo I.

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / A hipertensÃo arterial à uma doenÃa que afeta milhÃes de pessoas em todo o mundo e dentre seus principais fatores causadores destacam-se uma dieta pouco saudÃvel, falta de exercÃcios fÃsicos e obesidade. A inibiÃÃo da enzima conversora da angiotensina (ECA) foi identificada como um alvo terapÃutico para controlar a pressÃo arterial elevada, pois o octapeptÃdeo angiotensina II, que possui atividade vasoconstritora, terà sua atividade minimizada nos vasos sanguÃneos. Compostos encontrados na casca da castanha de caju foram separados e identificados e seu potencial de inibiÃÃo da ECA foi estudado. Observou-se que os Ãcidos anacÃrdicos possuem essa atividade, sendo o Ãcido 3-anacÃrdico o maior inibidor entre os compostos fenÃlicos extraÃdos da casca da castanha de caju. Estudos in silico sÃo realizados atualmente para predizer a biodisponibilidade oral e a capacidade de penetraÃÃo no sistema nervoso central (SNC) de uma droga. Buscou-se realizar este estudo para verificar essas propriedades nos Ãcidos anacÃrdico, assim como tambÃm, comparar com outros inibidores da ECA. Observou-se que os Ãcidos anacÃrdicos violam somente uma das cinco regras de Lipinski, e como a regra estabelece que pelo menos trÃs destes requisitos devam ser satisfeitos, conclui-se que os Ãcidos anacÃrdicos apresentam uma boa biodisponibilidade oral e penetraÃÃo no SNC. Desse modo, a busca por uma espÃcie de clone que forneÃa uma maior massa de LCC por extraÃÃo assim como uma maior quantidade de Ãcidos anacÃrdicos por quilograma de LCC se torna importante. A partir disso, verificou-se entre cinco cultivos de cajueiros anÃes (CCP-76, CCP-09, Embrapa-110, Embrapa-119 e Embrapa-109) o que poderia oferecer um LCC com maior quantidade de Ãcidos anacÃrdicos. O cajueiro identificado como CCP-76 forneceu uma maior quantidade de LCC com cerca de 30 gramas para cada 50 gramas de casca de castanha utilizada para extraÃÃo e se obteve uma concentraÃÃo de 185 gramas de Ãcidos anacÃrdico por quilograma de LCC, sendo o melhor para extraÃÃo dos alquilfenÃis, entre os estudados. Em paralelo a esses estudos, procurou-se verificar a diferenÃa de compostos existentes na raiz de Jatropha mollissima cultivada em regiÃes diferentes e verificou-se que o estresse do sertÃo cearense aumenta a sÃntese de substÃncias para a sua sobrevivÃncia, sendo a raiz a regiÃo da planta escolhida por ser rica em metabolitos secundÃrios. Assim, essas plantas podem ser utilizadas na medicina preventiva, porÃm, estudos mais profundos devem ser realizados. / Hypertension is a disease that affects millions of people around the world and among its main causative factors include an unhealthy diet, lack of physical exercise and obesity. Inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) has been identified as a therapeutic target for controlling high blood pressure because the octapeptide angiotensin II, which has vasoconstrictor activity, have minimized their activity in blood vessels. Compounds found in the bark of cashew nuts were separated and identified, and their potential for ACE inhibition was studied. It was observed that the anacardic acids possess this activity, being the 3-anacardic acid inhibitor best among the largest phenolic compounds extracted from the bark of cashews. In silico studies are currently performed to predict the bioavailability and the ability to penetrate the central nervous system (CNS) of a drug. We attempted to conduct this study to verify these properties in anacardic acids, as well as compare with other ACE inhibitors. It was observed that the anacardic acids infringe only one of the five rules of Lipinski, and as the rule states that at least three of these requirements must be satisfied, it is concluded that the anacardic acids exhibit good oral bioavailability and CNS penetration. Thus, the search for a cashew that provides a greater mass of LCC per extraction well as a greater amount of anacardic acid per kilogram of LCC becomes important. From this, it was found among five crops of dwarf cashew (CCP-76, CCP- 09, Embrapa-110, Embrapa-119 and Embrapa-109) which could offer a LCC with greater amount of anacardic acids. The cashew labeled CCP-76 gave a higher amount of LCC to about 30 grams per 50 grams of chestnut bark used for extraction and obtained a concentration of 185 grams per kilogram of anacardic acids LCC to be the best extraction of alkylphenols, among studied. In parallel to these studies, we sought to investigate differences existing compounds in Jatropha mollissima grown in different regions, and it was found that the stress of Cearà hinterlands increases the synthesis of substances for their survival. Thus, these plants can be used in preventive medicine, however, further study should be conducted.

Este trabalho avaliou o efeito da dieta hiperlipídica em camundongos para o estudo da inflamação cardiovascular. Camundongos C57Bl/6 machos com 8 semanas de vida foram utilizados nos ensaios, sendo divididos nos grupos dieta controle e dieta hiperlipídica. Após 8 semanas foram avaliados: o ganho de peso, a porcentagem de tecido adiposo, pressão arterial sistólica, frequência cardíaca, perfil lipídico e glicêmico séricos. A partir de cortes histológicos de aortas e corações corados com picrossirius foram feitas análises morfométricas. Em cortes histológicos de aorta foram realizadas a análise fibras elásticas e colágenas usando a coloração de Weigert-Van Gieson. Também foram realizadas a quantificação de fibras colágenas em aortas, usando a coloração de picrossirius. Nos tecidos aórticos e cardíacos foram feitos: 1) Ensaios de atividade enzimática para ECA e MPO. 2) Ensaios de Immunoblotting para a detecção proteíca para ECA e TGF-b. Também foram feitos ensaios de imuno-histoquímica para marcação e localização de ECA e TGF-b no tecido aórtico. / This work evaluated the effect of high-fat diet in mice for the study of cardiovascular inflammation. C57BL / 6 mice at 8 weeks of age were used in the tests were divided in groups control diet and high fat diet. After 8 weeks were evaluated: weight gain, percentage of fat, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, serum lipids and glucose levels. From histological aortas and hearts stained with picrosirius morphometric analyzes. Histological sections of the aorta were performed to analyze elastic and collagen fibers using Weigert-Van Gieson staining. Also the quantification of collagen fibers in aortas using picrosirius staining. In aortic and cardiac tissues were made: 1) Enzymatic activity assays for ACE and MPO. 2) Immunoblotting assays to detect proteinous for ACE and TGF-b. Also were peformed Immunohistochemistry assays for marking and localization of ACE and TGF- b in the aortic tissue.

A ausência (9) e não a presença (+9) de um segmento de nove pares de base do gene codificador do receptor B2 de bradicinina (BDKRB2), está associada com a maior transcrição do gene, com fenótipos cardiovasculares e performance física. Entretanto, os efeitos dessas variantes na reatividade vascular são desconhecidos. Hipotetizamos que, 1) a vasodilatação reflexa em resposta ao exercício de handgrip poderia estar aumenta em sujeitos portadores do genótipo -9/-9, 2) O treinamento físico potencializaria essa resposta, e 3) a atividade da enzima conversora de angiotensina-I (ECA) estaria diminuída. Foram133 homens genotipados para o BDKRB2 (-9/-9 n=30; - 9/+9 n=68; +9/+9 n=35). Freqüência cardíaca (FC, ECG) pressão arterial média (PAM, cuff automático oscilométrico), e fluxo sanguíneo no antebraço (FSA, pletismografia) foram avaliados 3 minutos no repouso e 3 minutos durante o exercício de handgrip (30%CVM). A capacidade funcional foi mensurada por teste cardiopulmonar. E a atividade da enzima conversora de angiotensina I (ECA), foi analisada em soro. As avaliações foram realizadas antes e depois do treinamento físico aeróbio (18 semanas, 90 minutos, 3vezes semanais).No pré-treinamento físico o FSA e a condutância vascular no antebraço (CVA) em resposta ao exercício foram similares entre os genótipos -9/-9, -9/+9 e +9/+9 (FSA: 630±26; 626±22; 585±22 ASC, P=0.71; CVA: 584±21; 592±27; 559±16 UAC, P=0.79, respectivamente). No pós-treinamento físico somente 58 indivíduos mostraram ganho acima ou igual a 10% no VO2pico e, portanto, foram incluídos no estudo. O aumento no FSA e CVA do genótipo -9/-9 foi significantemente maior do que nos genótipos -9/+9 e +9/+9 (FSA: 514±65 vs. 635±44; 672 ±56 vs. 632 ±37; 569±41 vs. 549±45 ASC, P=0.05, respectivamente) (CVA: 512±63 vs. 639±56; 657±101 vs. 622 ±45; 578±49 vs. 549±62 ASC, P=0.05, respectivamente). Ademais a atividade da enzima conversora de angiotensina-I, demonstrou uma redução de 23% em sua atividade no genótipo -9/-9 em comparação aos genótipos -9/+9 e +9/+9 (p<0.008), respectivamente. Finalmente fomos capazes de confirmar em cultura de células musculares lisas vasculares, que o genótipo -9/-9 está associado com aumentos na atividade transcricional do gene BDKRB2 (p=0.03). Esses resultados sugerem que o polimorfismo -9/+9 do gene do receptor B2 de bradicinina, influencia a vasodilatação muscular reflexa durante o exercício em indivíduos treinados. Além disso, a vasodilatação poderia estar aumenta no genótipo - 9/-9, pela menor atividade da enzima conversora de angiotensina-I, e maior biodisponibilidade do substrato bradicinina. / Absence (-9), rather than the presence (+9), of a 9 base pair repeat in the bradykinin type 2 receptor gene (BDKRB2) was associated with higher gene transcriptional activity, cardiovascular phenotypes and physical performance. However, their effects on vascular reactivity are unknown. We hypothesized that vasodilatation response to physical training is modulated by BDKRB2 genotype. hundred and thirty-three healthy volunters were genotyped for the +9/-9 BDKRB2 polymorphism. Heart rate (HR), mean blood pressure (MBP), and forearm blood flow (FBF) were evaluated at baseline. Functional capacity was measured by cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) activity was measured. Aerobic training was performed for 18 weeks, following a standardized protocol. All baseline variables were re-assessed following completion of the training period. Baseline HR, MBP, and forearm vascular conductance (FVC) were not different among -9/+9 genotypes. During handgrip exercise, FBF and FVC increased significantly and similarly among -9/-9, -9/-9 and +9/+9 genotypes. Resting HR, MBP, FBF, and FVC change following, aerobic training completion was not different between genotypes. However, FBF and FVC response to aerobic training were higher in -9/-9 carriers (p=0.05, and p=0.05, respectively). In addition, ACE activity decrease following aerobic training was higher in the -9/-9 group (p <0.008). Finally, we were able to confirm, in primary culture of human vascular smooth muscle cells, that the -9/-9 genotype was associated with increased transcriptional activity of the BDKRB2 gene (p=0.03).These results suggest that reflex muscle vasodilatation response to physical training is modulated by, the +9/-9 bradykinin B2 receptor gene polymorphism in healthy individuals.

This study examines the impact of Cognitive Awareness training on transaction processing accuracy rates within the US Financial Services Industry. Grounded in the theories of Inattentional Blindness and Error Management Culture, this paper supports and extends both theories through the development of a new theoretical construct. The ACE Construct is a novel approach that combines cognitive science, organizational development, and operational efficiency practices into a single approach designed to improve transaction processing accuracy. The study involved the design and implementation of a novel training program, with performance data observations sampled over seven months, to evaluate the impact of Cognitive Awareness training on accuracy. The researcher was able to partner with a global financial services firm to conduct experiments within three of their US based locations. It involved over 150 agents as they processed live-client transactions requests in real time. The similarities between agent populations, training practices, systems and procedures, and work types, allowed for analysis and interpretation of independent variables related to gender, proficiency/experience of the agent, and location. As expected, analysis of pre-treatment conditions suggest that accuracy is largely dependent on experience. Analysis of post-treatment accuracy results favor improvement in both accuracy measures and organization climate and culture dynamics as a result of Cognitive Awareness Training. Statistically significant improvements to both accuracy and organizational climate, related to type of Cognitive Awareness treatment introduced, and tenure, were discovered in the agent populations who were present during the entirety of the study. However, there was an absence of statistical support for a direct relationship between Cognitive Awareness Training as an independent variable and accuracy improvement. Furthermore, I was unable to detect a correlation between improvements in Error Management Culture and transaction processing accuracy. The results suggest the possibility of positive effects on transaction processing accuracy in practice, and open the door for continued research in this field.

Background: Alcohol misuse and dependency are major health problems worldwide. Despite the availability of a number of evidence-based treatments for alcohol-dependency, a large proportion of people relapse following detoxification. The costs to society and the individual are vast, not only economically but in terms of social and interpersonal functioning also. There is a recognised need to understand the factors that contribute to poorer outcomes in this population. Cognitive impairment is one factor that has demonstrated considerable associations with poor outcomes in the wider substance-misuse population. Aims: This thesis has two sections. The first comprises a systematic review which aimed to present the objective evidence for emotional decision-making deficits in the alcohol dependent population. The second is an empirical study which aimed to establish whether or not relapse can be predicted in a severely alcohol dependent population in the early stages following inpatient detoxification. In addition, a normative dataset for this clinical population using the ACE-III is presented. Methods: For the systematic review, a structured search of the literature relating to emotional decision-making in alcohol dependent samples was conducted. Iterative application of pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria identified eighteen studies for critical review. Quality assessment of these studies was undertaken and validated by means of calculating inter-rater reliability. For the empirical study, two sub-samples of a cross-sectional group of patients being treated for severe alcohol-dependence were examined; one to collate normative data for the ACE-III (N=73) and one to investigate associations between the ACE-III and relapse (N=20), including covariates of age, mood, anxiety and motivation. Results: The systematic review demonstrated substantial support for a deficit in emotional decision-making ability in alcohol-dependence. Methodological quality of the reviewed papers was moderate to high. Deficits in performance on a task of emotional decision-making compared to healthy controls indicated a reduced learning curve in alcohol dependent samples. Limitations of the studies included failure to report power analyses and effect sizes, insufficient detail regarding methodology and exclusion of common comorbidities in alcohol-dependence. The empirical study demonstrated clinically significant cognitive impairment in a sample of severely alcohol dependent individuals in the early stages following detoxification. In a smaller sample, cognitive functioning was not found to be predictive of relapse at one-month post-detoxification. Associations were identified between age and ACE-III score and between age and relapse status. Age was not predictive of outcome. Conclusions: The available evidence points towards the existence of emotional decision-making deficits in alcohol dependent individuals. These are likely to impact on the ability of individuals make the health behaviour changes required to recover from alcohol dependence. Further research may be helpful in identifying factors associated with increased decision-making deficit in this specific population and investigating the processes underlying such difficulties. The clinical normative dataset presented in the empirical study points towards generalised cognitive impairment during the early stages of abstinence which may negatively impact on ability to engage meaningfully with psychosocial interventions. Performance on the ACE-III was not found to predict relapse in the current sample. Previous research would suggest that the links between cognitive functioning and relapse are less well defined in alcohol-misusing samples than in the wider substance-misuse population. Therefore future research may help to clarify this association in alcohol dependent samples. It is acknowledged that the ACE-III is yet to be validated for use in the alcohol dependent population and is limited in its ability to assess executive functions. Given the high prevalence of executive functioning deficits in the alcohol dependent population, it seems of importance to use cognitive screening tools which place appropriate emphasis on these abilities. Service providers are encouraged to incorporate routine cognitive screening into clinical practice and consider the implications of cognitive impairment at both individual and service delivery levels.

We contribute to the empirical literature on the debt bias of corporate income taxation through a firm-level evaluation of the European Commission's recent proposal of an Allowance for Growth and Investment (AGI). We use the introduction, the application and the repeal of a similar allowance in Austria during the early 2000s to evaluate the effects of the AGI on corporate equity and profit distribution. Our analysis provides evidence that such an allowance could increase corporate equity ratios by 5.5 percentage points and reduce profit distributions by 7.6 percentage points. These effects are stronger than those the previous literature for traditional Allowance for Corporate Equity (ACE) tax systems has identified. Additionally, we contribute to the recently expanding literature on the influence of ownership on tax planning as we find significant differences in the utilization of the AGI depending on individual specifics of the majority shareholder as well as depending on the number of shareholders of the respective firms. / Series: WU International Taxation Research Paper Series