A clonagem por transferência de núcleo de células somáticas (SCNT) em bovinos é uma biotécnica ineficiente, porém é uma ferramenta muito importante para pesquisas em biologia do desenvolvimento. Estudos prévios em nosso laboratório identificaram três fenótipos gestacionais de clones bovinos produzidos por SCNT: (1) gestação normal (CNG) - presença do embrião (EP), vesícula embrionária (VE) e corpo lúteo ativo (CL); (2) gestação anembrionada (CAG) - presença da VE e CL ativo e ausência de EP; (3) receptoras com CL ativo persistente sem a presença de EP e VE (CPCL). Vacas doadoras de embriões foram sincronizadas pelo protocolo de super-ovulação (SOV) e inseminadas artificialmente, os embriões obtidos após sete dias da ovulação foram transferidos para receptoras que ao ficarem gestantes formaram o grupo controle (GC). O objetivou do estudo foi investigar as características morfovasculares do útero nestes quatro fenótipos gestacionais. A hipótese central foi que as características morfovasculares do útero são moduladas diferentemente nos três fenótipos gestacionais de embriões clonados por SCNT e gestação controle. Vacas Nelores foram sincronizadas e utilizadas como receptoras de embriões. Coletas de sangue para análise de progesterona e exames ultrassonográficos nos modos B e Doppler para análise da morfologia e vascularização uterina foram realizados a cada dois dias a partir do dia 6 até o dia 30 pós-ovulação. Entre os dias 31 e 36, as receptoras foram abatidas e o útero coletado para análises in situ. A simetria entre cornos, o grau de desenvolvimento de carúnculas e da VE foram mensurados e amostras endometriais coletadas para quantificação relativa do fator de crescimento endotelial vascular (VEGF) e seu receptor do tipo 2 (VEGF-R2) por western-blotting. No total foram realizadas 212 sincronizações do ciclo estral, das quais 79 receptoras receberam embriões de clones por SCNT e 49 receberam embriões produzidos in vivo. Aos 25 dias pós-ovulação as taxas de concepção por grupo foram: CNG = 15,1% (12/79), CAG = 2,5% (2/79), CPCL = 8,8% (7/79) e CG = 24,4% (10/49). Duas receptoras da raça Tabapuã (Bos taurus indicus) do fenótipo do grupo CAG provindas de outro experimento foram incluídas nas análises. Algumas receptoras foram excluídas do experimento devido a perdas gestacionais ocorridas antes do momento do abate, restando para as análises sete receptoras no grupo CNG, três no CAG, quatro no CPCL e nove no CG. Somente o grupo CG apresentou diferença de perfusão vascular entre os cornos uterinos ipso e contralateral (P<0,05). Em relação ao corno ipsolateral, os grupos CG e CNG apresentaram maior perfusão vascular em relação ao grupo CPCL do dia 24 ao 30 (P<0,05). Porém, com a média dos escores da perfusão vascular endometrial de ambos os cornos, o grupo CNG apresentou maiores valores em relação aos grupos CAG e CPCL nos dias 24 e 30. Os índices de resistência vascular (RI) nas artérias uterinas confirmaram os dados subjetivos de diferença de perfusão vascular entre cornos, o corno ipsolateral do grupo CG apresentou menor RI em relação ao contralateral nos dias 22, 24, 28 e 30 (P<0,05) e os grupos CNG e CPCL não apresentaram diferença entre cornos (P>0,05). Entre os grupos, o RI no CG e CAG foi menor que no CPCL no dia 30 (P<0,05). A concentração de progesterona (P4) sanguínea foi menor no grupo CPCL em relação aos grupos CG e CNG nos dias 18 e 26 (P<0,05). A P4 atingiu valores próximos de 8 ng/ml a partir do dia 22 nos grupos CG e CNG, sendo que no grupo CPCL os valores foram inferiores à 6 ng/ml a partir do dia 14. As análises in situ revelaram maior frequência de assimetria de cornos uterinos no grupo CG em relação aos grupos CNG, CAG e CPCL; o grupo CNG obteve maior frequência de ocorrência de carúnculas e VE desenvolvidas nos dois cornos uterinos em relação aos grupos CAG e CPCL (P<0,05), não diferindo do grupo CG (P>0,05). O comprimento dos embriões do grupo CNG foi maior que dos embriões do grupo CG (P<0,05), entre os dias 28 e 34. Não foi detectada diferença de abundância relativa das proteínas VEGF e VEGF-R2 entre os quatro grupos estudados, porém quando os grupos de gestações normais (CG e CNG) foram comparados com os grupos de gestações alteradas (CAG e CPCL) foi detectada maior abundância relativa para o fragmento de 75 kDa da proteína do VEGF-R2 no grupo de gestações alteradas. A hipótese central do estudo, que afirma que as alterações morfovasculares do útero gestante durante o primeiro mês são moduladas em diferentes graus de forma dependente à qualidade de desenvolvimento do concepto foi confirmada. Por fim, este estudo proporcionou um melhor entendimento da fisiologia endócrina, morfológica e vascular das gestações normais e alteradas de embriões clonados por SCNT durante o primeiro mês gestacional, fornecendo base para novos estudos sobre o desenvolvimento e manutenção da gestação inicial em bovinos. / Cloning by nuclear transfer of somatic cells (SCNT) in cattle is an inefficient biotechnique. However, it is a very important tool for research in developmental biology. Previous studies from our lab have identified three gestational phenotypes of bovine clones: (1) Clone normal gestation (CNG) - presence of embryo (EP = embryo proper), embryonic vesicle (EV) and corpus luteum (CL); (2) Clone anembryonic gestation (CAG) - presence of EV and CL and no EP; (3) Recipient presenting only a persistent CL (CPCL). Embryo donor cows were synchronized by superovulation protocol (SOV) and artificially inseminated, embryos obtained after seven days of ovulation were transferred to the control group (CG). This study aimed to investigate whether modulation of the morphological and vascular abnormalities of the uterus by the presence of the cloned conceptus is different between the three gestational clone phenotypes and control. The central hypothesis was that the morphovascular characteristics of the uterus are modulated differently in the three gestational phenotypes of embryos cloned by SCNT and control gestation. Nellore cows were synchronized and used as embryo recipients. Blood collections for progesterone analysis and ultrasound examinations in B and Doppler modes for analysis of uterine morphology and vascularization were performed every two days from day 6 to day 30. Between 31-36 days, the recipients were slaughtered and the uteri were collected for in situ analyzes. The symmetry between horns, the degree of caruncle and EV development were measured and endometrial samples were collected for relative quantification of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor type 2 (VEGF-R2) by western blotting. A total of 212 estrous cycle synchronizations were performed, 79 recipients cows received clone embryos by SCNT and 49 embryos produced in vivo. At 25 days after ovulation the conception rates by group were: CNG = 15.1% (12/79), CAG = 2.5% (2/79), CPCL = 8.8% (7/79), and CG = 24.4% (10/49). Two pregnant cows Tabapuã (Bos taurus indicus) of CAG phenotype from another experiment were included in the analyzes. Some recipients were excluded from the experiment due to gestational losses occurring before the time of slaughter, remaining seven recipients in CNG group, three in CAG, four in CPCL and nine in CG. Only the CG group had a difference in vascular perfusion between the ipso and contralateral uterine horns (P<0.05). In relation to the ipsilateral horn, the CG and CNG groups presented higher vascular perfusion compared to the CPCL group from day 24 to 30 (P<0.05). However, with the average of endometrial vascular perfusion scores of both uterine horns, the CNG group presented higher values in compared to the CAG and CPCL groups on days 24 and 30. The vascular resistance index (RI) of the uterine arteries confirmed the subjective data of vascular perfusion between horns. The ipsilateral horn of the CG group presented lower RI in compared to the contralateral on days 22, 24, 28 and 30 (P<0, 05) and the CNG and CPCL groups did not show this difference between horns (P>0.05). Among groups, the RI in CG and CAG was lower than in the CPCL on day 30 (P<0.05). The blood progesterone (P4) concentration was lower in the CPCL group than in the CG and CNG groups on days 18 and 26 (P<0.05). P4 reached values close to 8 ng/ml after day 22 in the CG and CNG groups, and in the CPCL group the values were lower than 6 ng/ml after day 14. In situ analyzes revealed a higher frequency of uterine horn asymmetry in the CG group compared to the CNG, CAG and CPCL groups; the CNG group had a higher frequency of caruncles and EV development in the two uterine horns compared to the CAG and CPCL groups (P<0.05), not differing from the CG group (P>0.05). The length of the embryos of the CNG group was higher than that of the embryos of the CG group (P<0.05) between days 28 to 34. No difference was detected in the relative abundance of VEGF and VEGF-R2 proteins among the four groups, but when the normal gestation groups (CG and CNG) were compared with the altered pregnancies groups (CAG and CPCL) a greater relative abundance was detected for the 75 kDa fragment of the VEGF-R2 protein in the group of altered pregnancies. The central hypothesis of the study, which states that the morphovascular changes of the pregnant uterus during the first month are modulated in different degrees depending on the quality of development of the concept was confirmed. Finally, this study provided a better understanding of the endocrine, morphological and vascular physiology of normal and altered embryos of cloning by SCNT during the first gestational month, providing a basis for new studies on the development and maintenance of initial gestation in cattle.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-25T19:20:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Carlos Augusto Trinca Morini.pdf: 829096 bytes, checksum: 52f68d07a17d90eafa7e0ecba41d9f2e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-10-25 / The somatic-sensorial stimulus, like music, dance, candles, scent and clothe´s colors have been wide used in many religion´s rituals along the history, helping people thereselves to connect with the Sacred. The goal of our study is analyse why these elements seem to be so efficient to induction altered states of conscience. Our study will be delimited and direct to the Umbanda rituals, choosen by planty of sensorial elements presents in it´s practices and also by the presence of the mediunic trance, mandatory in all the spiritual jobs. The methodology used is the bibliographic revision, complited by field research, made througt questions application togheter Umbandistc meduins, submmiting after the data to a quantitative analysis / Os estímulos somato-sensoriais, como a música, a dança, as velas, os aromas e as cores das roupas, têm sido largamente utilizados em rituais de muitas das principais religiões ao longo da história, para auxiliar os participantes a se conectarem com o Sagrado. O objetivo do presente estudo é analisar porque tais elementos parecem ser tão eficientes na indução de estados alterados de consciência e está circunscrito e focado nos rituais da Umbanda, escolhida pela abundância de elementos sensoriais presentes em suas práticas e também pela presença obrigatória do transe mediúnico em todos os trabalhos. A metodologia utilizada é a revisão bibliográfica, complementada por pesquisa de campo realizada mediante a aplicação de questionários junto a médiuns umbandistas, submetendo depois os dados a uma análise quantitativa

Grisi Siknis est le calque miskito de l’anglais "crazy sickness". Au-dessous de cette étiquette opaque se cachent une série de crises de transe de masse se reproduisant depuis plus de cinquante ans dans la région de la Moskitia, entre le Nicaragua et le Honduras orientaux. La grisi siknis est un raptus de transe involontaire qui atteint de préférence les jeunes femmes miskitos, une ethnie afro-indigène de langue Misumalpa. Au cours de la transe, les attaqués de grisi siknis (lasa praprukra) tombent en proie à un comportement agressif et/ou auto-agressif associé à des hallucinations récurrentes, ce qui est généralement interprété comme l'attaque d'un esprit maléfique. La diffusion de la maladie est perçue par les affectés comme une épidémie contagieuse redoutable aux thérapies controversées. Néanmoins, le comportement des lasa praprukra présente un certain degré de ritualisation. L’objectif primaire de cette étude, qui s'est appuyée sur une année de recherches ethnographiques au Nicaragua, est de décrire la force de propagation de la grisi siknis, en analysant sa dynamique interactionnelle et la constitution de l'imaginaire qui l'impulse. L’imaginaire iconique lié aux hallucinations de la grisi siknis a été étudié en proposant aux attaqués de dessiner leurs contenus hallucinatoires. Cette pratique, en analogie avec certains traitement chamaniques locaux, a été appréhendée comme une forme de thérapie. Le corpus iconographique produit est analysé dans son double statut de représentation et d’imaginaire incarné doté d’agentivité. En deuxième lieu, la thèse décrit les soubassements neurocognitifs de la crise de transe en esquissant un modèle bayésien de l'induction d'hallucinations sans prise de psychotropes dans des sujets sains. Enfin, le statut social des attaqués de grisi siknis est comparé à ceux de spécialistes rituels tels que les chamanes et des guérisseurs. Une place importante est accordée à la nature ontologiquement instable des esprits impliqués et au rôle de la métacognition dans les modifications psycho-physiologiques qui en favorisent l’expérience et la croyance. / Grisi siknis is a Miskito calque of the English expression « crazy sickness ». Behind this secretive label lies a series of mass trance seizures that have been happening for more than fifty years in the Moskitia region, between Eastern Nicaragua and Honduras. Grisi siknis is an involuntary trance attack, mainly affecting young Miskito women, an afro-indigenous population whose language belongs to the Misumalpa family. During the trance, those attacked by grisi siknis (lasa praprukra) show an aggressive/auto-aggressive behaviour associated with repeated hallucinations, which is generally interpreted as the attack of an evil spirit. The spread of the disease is seen by those affected as a dangerous epidemic which therapies are still controversial. Nevertheless, the lasa praprukra behaviour presents a certain degree of ritualization. The main goal of this study, which relies on one year of ethnographic research in Nicaragua, is to describe grisi siknis propagation by analysing its interactional dynamics and the constitution of the imagery impulsing its spread. The iconic imagery of grisi siknis has been studied by proposing to patients to draw their hallucinatory contents. As it shares some analogies with local shamanic treatment, this practice has been apprehended as a form of therapy. The iconographic corpus of grisi siknis drawings is analysed both in representation and in agentive embodied imagery terms. Secondly, this thesis describes the neurocognitive processes behind the seizure by sketching a Bayesian model of the induction of hallucinations in healthy subjects without psychotropic intake.Finally, the social status of lasa praprukra is compared to those of some local ritual specialists as shamans and healers. An important place is accorded to the fluctuating ontology of the spirits mobilized during the trance, as well as to the role held by metacognition in the psycho-physiological modifications encouraging spirits experience and belief.

En analysant les images françaises du Maroc, avant le Protectorat (XVIIe-XXe siècle), nous avons espéré réfléchir sur la spécificité de ce genre littéraire à partir des schèmes narratifs et discursifs qu’il met en œuvre. L’étude de ces images, dans leur genèse et dans leur typologie, présuppose une approche pluridisciplinaire. Car, nous semble-il, il est indispensable de mettre en relation les analyses littéraires, l’histoire, l’histoire des idées sachant que les images culturelles d’un pays peuvent ne pas être le reflet d’une réalité politique, historique d’un moment, mais elles s’avèrent, en revanche, liées à une situation culturelle historiquement déterminée. Pour saisir la présence de l’étranger, ou son image, dans un texte, il faudrait tenir compte des conditions de production de ce texte. Par conséquent, l’mage se constitue, en fait, d’un ensemble d’idées sur l’étranger évoluant dans un processus de «littérarisation et de socialisation » Dans cette perspective, notre démarche se veut à la fois chronologique, synchronique et interdisciplinaire. Ainsi, en recensant les images constituées sur le Maroc et ses habitants, depuis le XVIIe jusqu’au XXe siècle, nous espérons voir, s’il y a ou non une filiation dans la perception française de l’Autre. Contextualisation exige, pour mieux cerner l’arrière-plan de cette perception, nous aurons recours, naturellement, aux textes produits par les voyageurs, mais aussi aux documents historiques, ethnologiques et sociologiques. L’élargissement du champ de la réflexion à d’autres disciplines, relevant du champ des sciences humaines et sociales, nous permettra, de saisir comment la représentation de l’Autre, pourrait nous révéler les fonctionnements d’une instance idéologique historiquement repérable (exotisme, racisme, par exemple …). Aussi, nous demanderons-nous, à titre d’exemple, si l’appartenance d’un auteur au catholicisme n’infléchit pas dans un sens ou dans un autre sa vision du musulman et du juif. On pourra se demander aussi si le regard des voyageurs du Grand siècle n’a pas changé avec l’apport des idées du siècle des Lumières, fondées sur l’apologie de la raison et d’une certaine rationalité scientifique et académique / By analysing the images that the French make of Morocco before the Protectorate, we have hoped to reflect on the specificity of this literary genre from the narrative and discursive schemas that it sets out to make use of. The study of these mental presentations or images in their genesis and typology presupposes a multidisciplinary approach, for, as it appears, it is crucially important to relate literary analysis, and the history of ideas to this study while being, at the same time, aware that cultural images of a country may not truly reflect the political and historical reality of a given time. These images are, however, related to a cultural backdrop which is historically determined. In order to seize the presence of theStranger, the Other, his or her image in a text, it is essential to take into consideration the conditions that contributed to the production of that text. Therefore, an image consists of a group of ideas that are conjured up about the Other or Foreigner evolving in a literacy and socialisation process. It is in the above mentioned perspective that the present paper attempts a chronological, synchronic and an interdisciplinary approach. Thus, by shedding light on the multi images made about Morocco and its inhabitants since the 17th up to the 20th century, we hope to trace whether there or does not exist a filiation of the other in the French perception. Hence,some contextualisation is of the essence in order to encompass the background of thisperception of the Other. Naturally, we have had recourse not only to texts which were produced by travellers across Morocco, but also to historical, ethnological as well as sociological documents addressing this issue. Also, the enlarging of our reflection field to touch on other disciplines, such as human and social sciences, will allow us to come into grips with how the concept and presentation of the Other could reveal the functioning of an ideologicalinstance, be it exotic or racist, which is historically traceable. For exemplification sake, we also wonder if a Christian author is not influenced in his vision of the Muslims and Jews in a way or another. We could also wonder if the outlook of the travellers of the Grand century has not been altered by the contribution of the ideas of the century of light which is based on the dominance of reason as well as a certain scientific and academic rationality.

Esta pesquisa investiga a multiplicação dos diagnósticos de doenças mentais junto aos Wajãpi do Amapari e, concomitantemente, o aumento gradativo e discreto de prescrições de medicamentos psicotrópicos. A fim de compreender este fenômeno, são analisadas as explicações fornecidas pelas famílias acerca dos estados alterados de seus parentes, bem como os vários caminhos trilhados na tentativa de reversão dos mesmos. Nestes, as famílias estabelecem relações com os mais diversos agentes: pajés, médicos, psicólogos, missionários, pastores e curandeiros. Todas as relações abordadas nesse trabalho reforçam que, para os Wajãpi, só é possível viver realizando composições. / This research investigates the multiplication of mental illness diagnosis among the Wajãpi of Amapari and in parallel the gradual and discrete rise in prescriptions of psychotropical medications. In order to understand this phenomenon, the study analyzes both the family explanations about the altered states of their relatives and also the different paths taken to try to reverse such states. In doing so, these families establish relations with very different agents, such as: shamans, doctors, psychologists, missionaries, pastors and healers. All the relations described in this study reinforce the idea that, to Wajãpi, it is only possible to live realizing different compositions.

Background: Children born very preterm are at an elevated risk of behavioural adjustment problems, particularly Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or inattention/hyperactivity difficulties. Importantly, these risks remain even after controlling for the effects of social risk factors correlated with very preterm birth. Behavioural outcomes in follow-up studies of children born very preterm are typically assessed using parent reports only. However, the extent to which behavioural problems are evident across multiple contexts (i.e., parent or teacher report) is not well known. Furthermore, the neonatal neuropathology underlying these behavioural difficulties in this population remains poorly understood. Aims: Three research studies are undertaken primarily to examine: (1) the degree of agreement between parent and teacher reports of child behaviour adjustment, and the extent of situational (parent- or teacher-identified) and pervasive (parent- and teacher-identified) inattention/hyperactivity problems at ages 4, 6, and 9 years among children born very preterm and full-term; (2) to cross-validate the classification of children with situational and pervasive inattention/hyperactivity problems across the ages of 4 to 9, for a clinical diagnosis of ADHD at age 9 years; (3) to document risk of persistent ADHD symptoms between ages 4 and 9 years in children born very preterm, and to examine associations between qualitative measures of neonatal cerebral white matter injury/abnormality and quantitative volumetric measures of cerebral structural development, identified using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at term equivalent age, and children’s later risks of persistent symptoms. Persistent ADHD symptoms were defined as behavioural inattention/hyperactivity problems shown at ages 4, 6, and 9, along with meeting the criteria for an ADHD clinical diagnosis at age 9 years. Methods: As part of a prospective longitudinal study, a regional cohort of 110 very preterm (≤ 33 weeks of gestation) and 113 full-term children born between 1998 and 2000 were studied from birth to age 9 years. At term equivalent age, all children born very preterm and 10 children born full-term underwent an MRI scan that was analysed using qualitative measures for cerebral white matter injury/abnormality, and quantitative volumetric techniques with tissue segmentation and regional parcellation for cortical and subcortical grey matter, myelinated and unmyelinated white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid. At ages 4, 6 (corrected for the extent of prematurity), and 9 years (uncorrected), children were screened for behavioural adjustment problems including inattention/hyperactivity symptoms using the parent and teacher rated Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). At age 9, the Development and Well-Being Assessment (DAWBA) structured psychiatric interview was also completed with primary caregiver and an independent clinical diagnosis of ADHD determined by a child psychiatrist blinded to child’s perinatal history and group status. Results: Agreement between parent and teacher reports regarding child behaviour adjustment was lower for children born very preterm than full-term (mean alternative chance-correlated coefficient, AC₁ = 0.63 vs. 0.80). Across all assessment time-points, very preterm birth was associated with on average a 2-fold increased risk of behavioural inattention/hyperactivity problems. These elevated risks largely reflected high rates of situational symptoms (very preterm = 22.3% − 31.7%; full-term = 10.9% − 16.7%). In contrast, rates of pervasive symptoms were relatively modest (very preterm = 6.8% − 11.5%; full-term = 4.7% − 7.3%). Examination of the predictive validity of inattention/hyperactivity problems identified using parent and teacher reports showed that children exhibiting situational symptoms at ages 4 and 6 were much less likely than those exhibiting pervasive symptoms, for a subsequent clinical diagnosis of ADHD at age 9 years (very preterm = 29% − 47.8% vs. 66.7% − 75%; full-term = 13.3% − 22.2% vs. 33.3% − 40%). Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curves fitted to the data showed that children born very preterm exhibiting inattention/hyperactivity problems at two or three time-points (area under curve, AUC = .909) have better predictive validity for later ADHD diagnosis, compared to those exhibiting symptoms at age 4 (AUC = .794) or 6 years (AUC = .813) only. Children born very preterm were also at an elevated risk of persistent ADHD symptoms across the ages of 4 to 9 years, with the risk being 5-fold higher than their full-term peers (13.1% vs. 2.8%). Results also revealed possible associations between neonatal neuropathology and later risk of persistent ADHD symptoms. There were no significant linear associations between increasing severity of qualitative neonatal MRI measures of white matter injury/abnormality and very preterm children’s later risk of persistent ADHD symptoms. However, reduction in total cerebral tissue volumes and corresponding increase of cerebrospinal fluid (adjusted for intracranial volume) were significantly associated with increased risk of persistent symptoms in children born very preterm (p = .001). In terms of regional tissue volumes, total cerebral tissues in the dorsal prefrontal region showed the largest volumetric reductions among all the subregions in children born very preterm exhibiting persistent ADHD symptoms, with 3.2 ml (7%) and 8.2 ml (16%) lower tissue volumes than children born very preterm and full-term without persistent symptoms, respectively. Conclusions: Reliance on a single informant to examine child behaviour outcomes at a single time-point may lead to an under- or over-estimation of later ADHD risks. Combining reports from multiple informants and repeated assessments over time may provide better clinical prognostic validity. Children born very preterm are at an increased risk of behavioural inattention/hyperactivity problems during their early school years; although risks of more severe, pervasive problems are relatively modest compared with situational problems. Behavioural adjustment difficulties recognised as early as during preschool age using standardised behaviour screening tools can be a reliable indicator for identifying children born very preterm at risk of subsequent ADHD diagnosis. Finally, study findings suggest that increased risk of ADHD symptoms in children born very preterm can at least in part be accounted for by disturbances to neonatal cerebral growth and maturation.

The Comet Gold Mine is in the Murchison mineral field which lies within the Yilgarn Craton of Western Australia. Several different geophysical methods were used in this study to define the geophysical signatures of sedimentary iron formations (SIF) and altered basalt associated with gold mineralisation. The geophysical surveys carried out at the Comet Gold Mine were gravity, sub-audio magnetics (SAM), transient electromagnetics (TEM) and downhole geophysical logging. Data from previous geophysical surveying were also used, and these included highresolution aeromagnetics and TEMPEST airborne electromagnetics. Other exploration information, such as geology and drillhole data, were integrated with geophysical results to study the geophysical responses and generate a geophysical interpretation map. / The main aim of this study was to generate an understanding of the various geophysical responses of geology and gold mineralisation in the Comet Mine area for future gold exploration in this region. Particularly, the study focused on the ability of the SAM method to map out geology and geophysical response for gold mineralisation. The response from SAM surveying has been investigated over an area of 13 sq kms. The SAM surveying was completed using a transmitter current of 5-8 Amp with a 50% duty cycle at 4 Hz frequency, which was considered the best setting for the Comet area. The SAM anomalies were compared to results from other geophysical methods. The results of all geophysical surveying suggested that the TEM method was also effective for identifying altered sulphide and magnetic altered rock associated with gold mineralisation. / Experiments were carried out using SAM surveying with electrodes in standard surface pits and pits placed directly into the gold mineralised structure. Both surveys showed very similar results, so in this area, surface electrode pits work well for current injection during SAM surveys. The similarities are probably due to the lack of conductive regolith cover in the Comet Mine area. / The SAM response was studied for survey grids using different electrode positions and directions. Experiments in changing SAM electrode position over the same area were carried out along and across geological strike to detect the different geological structure directions. The EQMMR response was different for electrodes oriented at 90º when surveys were repeated over the same area. SAM mainly measures conductive features running sub-parallel to the electrode direction, but the EQMMIP response was mostly the same, despite the difference in electrode direction. In addition, the EQMMIP result was very similar for rotated grids, with some distortion occurring around the main EQMMR anomaly near the Venus open cut pit. Therefore, SAM chargeability was not strongly polarised along the electrode direction like the EQMMR response. This is consistent with the theory of MIP that the method detects the effect of induced polarisation in the earth by virtue of the magnetic fields associated with current flow in polarisable bodies within the earth. / Gravity data were collected along in 4 transects 500 m apart and at 50 m station spacing. 3D gravity modelling using polygonal shapes was completed to a good fit with felsic and mafic rocks by having rock units dip to the SE. Euler depth solution calculations were applied to locate contacts and deep gravity sources. Gravity surveying has also proved to be a useful survey method for geological mapping and locating regional structures. / Ground TEM survey data were used at the Venus prospect to map out conductive zones at depths ranging from 30 to 90 m. All anomaly bodies were interpreted to have a SE dip. The modelled ground TEM results were compared to TEMPEST airborne electromagnetic conductivity depth slices. Both EM survey results showed reasonably similar patterns, but the ground TEM method provided more reliable conductor locations and depth estimations that correlated well with the drilling information and downhole conductivity logging. / Geophysical logs of natural gamma and inductive conductivity were surveyed in 5 drillholes that intersected gold alteration zones. The alteration zones associated with gold mineralised sediments, sulphide and magnetic minerals were identified in the downhole logs as increased conductivity, with a sight increase in the natural gamma response. Natural gamma was usually high above a background of host rock in the gold mineralised shear zones. This was likely due to K associated with the clay rich SIF units, and sericite and biotite from gold related alteration. During this study, drillhole CTRC028 was drilled into a modelled TEM anomaly, and gold mineralised SIF was intersected at the predicted location from the model. / Geophysical survey information (magnetics, gravity, SAM and TEM) and anomalies in the Comet area were found to be primarily controlled by the local structures and mineralisation along these structures. Modelled ground TEM results were compared to TEMPEST airborne, EM data and showed reasonably similar patterns. The geophysical survey data also highlights black shale units, which can produce a false target commonly running parallel to the sulphide altered fault zones and SIF units, because of graphite and sulphide in the black shale. / The TEMPEST data were a valuable guide to bedrock conductivity over the outline project area at Comet, and the follow–up ground TEM and SAM survey data was very useful for accurately pin-pointing anomalies for drill testing. / Geophysical and geological data analysed in this study was used to generate a geophysical interpretation map at 1:5,000 scale. The new interpretation of geological units and structures at Comet will provide geologists with a better understand about the geological and structural setting for mineralisation in the Comet area. For example, the Comet Fault represents a faulted limb of the Comet fold structure that has both limbs dipping to the SE, and plunges to the NE. Magnetic anomalies associated with SIF are considered to correlate with some gold bearing horizons and the location of the Comet Fault, that has become more siliceous and altered by sulphide minerals and magnetite minerals. / It is recommended that other prospect areas in the region should be surveyed using the SAM method in order to identify shallow gold bearing structures and improve geological interpretations ahead of drilling.

Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / This thesis explores phenomena surrounding the creation of knowledge, employing a multidisciplinary approach. To start with a view on the physical location of knowledge is discussed. This helps highlight the problem of defining knowledge and simultaneously introduces a set of fundamental and conceptual questions about the phenomena surrounding the creation of knowledge . The set of questions are then focussed on the process of knowledge creation. The investigation starts in the field of archaeology, in particular at the dawn of modern civilisation, with views on the earliest forms of knowledge creation. From there the investigation moves on to aspects of contemporary neurology. This allows for a comparison between humans from the ancient past with humans of today thereby identifying a neurological link between these periods. Based on current research within the field of behavioural neurology it is posed that knowledge creation is a process initiated by the impact of electromagnetic fields on the brain. A review of the medical research within the neurological sciences on the effects of electromagnetic field stimulation shows it to be effective as a treatment modality, a behavioural modifier, a suppressor and facilitator of cognition, as well as a sensory modulator. The interaction of the brain with electromagnetic fields is shown as a form of transduction similar to that of regular sensory transduction. Since the transduction of electromagnetic stimuli can functionally modulate sensory reception, cognition, behaviour and some neurological conditions, the creation of sensory perception, cognition, behaviour and neurological conditions (all phenomena surrounding knowledge creation) can be shown as functionally dependant on the electro-chemical process of ferromagnetic transduction (magneto reception). The ferromagnetic transduction model may then be seen as the sensory mechanism that initiates and modulates the process of knowledge creation. The modulation of this process is revealed cognitively in savants, behaviourally in some of the greatest thinkers in history and on a planetary scale as a force of nature. The implications of these findings is that if the keys to the creation of knowledge have been found, great care needs to be taken when deciding to implement any type of artificial or natural modulation to neural firing rates not only because of the total effect modulation can have on the individual but also because of the social consequences resulting from those who wish to socially discriminate according to the ability of and beliefs arising from the knowledge creating process.

This paper concerns the creation and evaluation of a branching story written by the author. Branching storylines are unique in that each branch delivers a different experience, wherefore this paper poses and attempts to answer the question, is it possible to offer similar learning experiences regardless of which story path is taken in a branching story structure? As a case study, the story is written for a pervasive game, an application for Android phones. Due to the game’s design and wishing to motivate the players to move around on their own, it was written to be segmented and yet have linear, branching storylines. The case study consisted of creating a game set at a historical site, specifically Karlsborg fort, where the story would give the players an idea of how a day in the life of a sergeant could have looked in 1865. After testing and knowledge-based questionnaires, the data body proved minute, wherefore no significant conclusions are reached; however, it is suggested story nodes are useful for giving each player equal possibility of gleaning specific knowledge from the game, gathering all storylines in event scenes where the specific knowledge is presented.

Les démences frontotemporales (DFT) et la sclérose latérale amyotrophique (SLA) sont deux maladies neurodégénératives dévastatrices. La mutation du gène C9ORF72 a été identifiée comme la cause commune la plus fréquente de ces deux pathologies (c9FTD/ALS). Plusieurs hypothèses pourraient expliquer les mécanismes conférant un effet toxique à la mutation et amenant à une neurodégénérescence. Nous nous sommes intéressés à l'effet de la perte de fonction du gène C9ORF72. Pour étudier sa relation avec la DFT et la SLA, nous avons développé un modèle murin en utilisant un micro ARN interférence de synthèse pour diminuer les transcrits du gène C9orf72 murin et ainsi obtenir des souris avec un knockdown ubiquitaire de C9orf72. Nous avons montré que les souris miR-C9orf72 développent une atteinte de type DFT tout en présentant une motricité normale, ce qui exclut une atteinte de type SLA. Les souris miR-C9orf72 ne présentent pas d'agrégation cytoplasmique de protéine TDP43, un trait de DFT-SLA. Cependant, nous avons observé une augmentation du nombre de cellules corticales contenant une accumulation de p62 chez ces souris. Ces structures sont aussi positives pour le marqueur de lysosomes Lamp1 dans les neurones et les microglies suggérant un stress cellulaire. De ce fait, nous émettons l'hypothèse que la perte de fonction de C9ORF72 est un élément requis pour causer le déséquilibre cellulaire qui mènera à une sensibilité accrue aux produits toxiques produits par l'expansion GGGGCC. Ainsi, ce nouveau modèle pourra servir comme outil pour déchiffrer les mécanismes moléculaires de la pathologie et identifier des cibles thérapeutiques spécifiques aux c9FTD/ALS. / The GGGGCC intronic repeat expansion within C9ORF72 is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The precise mechanisms through which the C9ORF72 mutation causes “c9FTD/ALS” have not yet been elucidated, but several hypotheses have been proposed. For my PhD project, in order I investigated the role of a partial loss of function of C9orf72 in ALS and FTD disease pathogenesis. For this, we have generated C9orf72 knock-down mice by targeting the RNA mouse orthologue of C9ORF72. We found that by knocking down C9orf72 intrinsically, mice develop social interaction deficits and depression like behavior, which relate to FTD-like anomalies. When looking for ALS-like abnormalities, we found that C9ORF72 knock-down mice have conserved spatial memory and normal motility through all their lifespan. However, they develop a lessening of strength that appears late and is maintained without aggravation. They do not present axonal loss or signs of muscle atrophy and/or wasting. Further analysis showed that C9orf72 knock-down mice present neuromuscular junction deficits at an old age that aggravate with further aging. These findings suggest that C9ORF72 partial loss of function leads disease pathogenicity course to a more likely FTD-like phenotype, and that gain of function toxicities caused by the expansion may be needed to trigger motor neuron disease and massive neurodegeneration.