Constitui o escopo deste trabalho o estudo da privatização, em regime de concessão, dos Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM), no quadro do ajustamento da economia moçambicana, recorrentemente dependente, imposto pelo Banco Mundial e pelo FMI, como forma de a integrar no mundo globalizado dominado pelo neo-liberalismo, no período pós-guerra civil. O caso do CFM permite-nos iluminar uma realidade mais ampla e complexa, que é a dinâmica histórica, económica e social de Moçambique, realidade marcada por fortes tensões sociais num contexto de permanente e inquietante mudança. / The scope of the present work comprises the study on privatization under the concessioning regime of the Ports and Railways of Mozambique within the context of economic structural adjustment recurrently dependent, imposed by the World Bank and IMF as a way to integrate it in a globalized world dominated by neo-liberal policies. The CFM case study allows us to scrutinize a wide and complex reality that is the historic, economic and social changes, a reality highlighted by social tensions in the context of permanent and changes.

Constitui o escopo deste trabalho o estudo da privatização, em regime de concessão, dos Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM), no quadro do ajustamento da economia moçambicana, recorrentemente dependente, imposto pelo Banco Mundial e pelo FMI, como forma de a integrar no mundo globalizado dominado pelo neo-liberalismo, no período pós-guerra civil. O caso do CFM permite-nos iluminar uma realidade mais ampla e complexa, que é a dinâmica histórica, económica e social de Moçambique, realidade marcada por fortes tensões sociais num contexto de permanente e inquietante mudança. / The scope of the present work comprises the study on privatization under the concessioning regime of the Ports and Railways of Mozambique within the context of economic structural adjustment recurrently dependent, imposed by the World Bank and IMF as a way to integrate it in a globalized world dominated by neo-liberal policies. The CFM case study allows us to scrutinize a wide and complex reality that is the historic, economic and social changes, a reality highlighted by social tensions in the context of permanent and changes.

Le cytosquelette d'actine est une structure dynamique capitale pour la cellule, qui intervient dans les processus de signalisation et génère des forces mécaniques pour compléter des fonctions aussi diverses que l'adhésion, la migration, la division ou la différenciation. Les protéines qui régulent cette structure sont capables de moduler ces fonctions. J'ai identifié une nouvelle famille de protéines régulatrices de l'actine, les protéines Refilines (RefilineA et RefilineB), dont l'expression est corrélée avec l'engagement des cellules dans des programmes de différenciation. La RefilineA est induite lors de la différenciation des cellules précurseurs neurales multipotentes en cellules progénitrices gliales. La RefilineB est stabilisée dans les cellules épithéliales lors de la transition épithélio-mésenchymateuse (TEM) induite par le TGF-β. Dans ces cellules, les Refilines agissent en se complexant à la FilamineA, une protéine qui se lie aux filaments d'actine et forme le maillage. Des syndromes génétiques de mutations sur le gène de la FilamineA entrainent d'importants défauts développementaux, cependant la fonction précise de la protéine reste à ce jour obscure. Le complexe Refiline/FilamineA induit la formation de câbles d'actine et génère également une nouvelle structure d'actine périnucléaire appelée coiffe d'actine (« actin cap ») ou « ligne TAN» qui s'ancre à l'enveloppe nucléaire pour réguler les mouvements et la morphologie du noyau. Les Refilines sont les seules protéines identifiées à ce jour capables de catalyser la formation de structures périnucléaires d'actine. Ces résultats ouvrent donc de nouvelles perspectives pour appréhender les fonctions de la FilamineA ainsi que la biologie et les fonctions des structures périnucléaires d'actine. / The actin cytoskeleton is a highly dynamic structure involved in cell signaling and that creates mechanical force for the completion of diverse functions such as adhesion, migration, division or differentiation. Proteins that regulate this structure can modulate its function. We identified a new protein family that regulates the actin cytoskeleton, Refilin proteins (RefilinA and RefilinB), and whose expression correlates with differentiation switches. RefilinA is induced during differentiation of neural multipotent precursors into glial progenitors, while RefilinB is stabilized in epithelial cells during epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by TGF-β. In cells, Refilins interact with FilaminA, a protein that binds actin filaments to organize them into a network. Genetic syndromes where the FilaminA gene is mutated lead to important developmental defects, The Refilin/FilaminA complex generates actin cables as well as a new perinuclear structure called « actin cap » or «TAN line» that interacts with the nuclear envelope to regulate nuclear movement and shape. Refilin proteins are the only proteins identified so far that induce the formation of perinuclear actin structures. These results open up new perspective for the understanding of FilaminA's function as well as for the biology and functions of perinuclear actin structures.

Le cytosquelette d'actine est une structure dynamique capitale pour la cellule, qui intervient dans les processus de signalisation et génère des forces mécaniques pour compléter des fonctions aussi diverses que l'adhésion, la migration, la division ou la différenciation. Les protéines qui régulent cette structure sont capables de moduler ces fonctions. J'ai identifié une nouvelle famille de protéines régulatrices de l'actine, les protéines Refilines (RefilineA et RefilineB), dont l'expression est corrélée avec l'engagement des cellules dans des programmes de différenciation. La RefilineA est induite lors de la différenciation des cellules précurseurs neurales multipotentes en cellules progénitrices gliales. La RefilineB est stabilisée dans les cellules épithéliales lors de la transition épithélio-mésenchymateuse (TEM) induite par le TGF-β. Dans ces cellules, les Refilines agissent en se complexant à la FilamineA, une protéine qui se lie aux filaments d'actine et forme le maillage. Des syndromes génétiques de mutations sur le gène de la FilamineA entrainent d'importants défauts développementaux, cependant la fonction précise de la protéine reste à ce jour obscure. Le complexe Refiline/FilamineA induit la formation de câbles d'actine et génère également une nouvelle structure d'actine périnucléaire appelée coiffe d'actine (" actin cap ") ou " ligne TAN" qui s'ancre à l'enveloppe nucléaire pour réguler les mouvements et la morphologie du noyau. Les Refilines sont les seules protéines identifiées à ce jour capables de catalyser la formation de structures périnucléaires d'actine. Ces résultats ouvrent donc de nouvelles perspectives pour appréhender les fonctions de la FilamineA ainsi que la biologie et les fonctions des structures périnucléaires d'actine.

Radar systems vary significantly in size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) characteristics with many high SWaP-C models being inaccessible to consumers. Recognizing this, we have engineered an effective but low SWaP-C networked radar system tailored for detecting and tracking unmanned air vehicle (UAV) traffic. Using field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and custom-designed printed circuit boards (PCBs), our system achieves remarkable efficiency without compromising performance. We use patch antennas for our transmitter and in our 4x4 receiver array. With our low SWaP-C system we have successfully concluded outdoor range testing, detecting corner reflector targets at a remarkable 10dB above our noise floor up to a distance of 100m. We have also finished testing and implementation of our angle of arrival (AOA) algorithm, using conjugate field matched (CFM) beamforming, with outdoor testing using both corner reflectors and drones. Combining our range and AOA algorithms we have detected and tracked both a corner reflector and a drone through time and created a 3D plot showing our target's path and location relative to our system. With this we have demonstrated the viability and effectiveness of our low SWaP-C radar for UAV traffic surveillance.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Pythiosis is a chronic disease that affects humans, other mammals and birds. It is caused by the aquatic oomycete Pythium insidiosum. Pythiosis progresses rapidly and can become life threatening if not treated in the early stages. The absence of ergosterol in the cell wall of this oomycete prevents the treatment of pythiosis with antifungal therapy because most antifungal drugs act by inhibiting the synthesis of ergosterol. Members of the genus Pythium are known to be susceptible to some antimicrobial of the tetracycline, macrolide, aminoglycoside and chloramphenicol classes. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro susceptibility of isolates of P. insidiosum to the aminoglycosides gentamicin, neomycin, paromomycin and streptomycin and to the minocycline derivative tigecycline. The susceptibility tests were carried out with 24 P. insidiosum isolates using the broth microdilution method in accordance with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) document M38-A2. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for gentamicin, neomycin, paromomycin and streptomycin ranged from 32 to 64 mg/L, and the minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) values ranged from 32 to 128 mg/L. Tigecycline had a good inhibitory activity, with values of mic MIC (0.25-2 mg/L) and MFC (1-8 mg/L) values. The observed in vitro susceptibility to tigecycline makes this drug a good option for future in vivo assays investigating options of treatment of pythiosis. / Pitiose é uma doença crônica que afeta humanos, outros mamíferos e pássaros. O seu agente etiológico é um oomiceto aquático denominado Pythium insidiosum. A Pitiose evolui rapidamente e pode se tornar fatal se não tratada nos primeiros estágios. A ausência de ergosterol na parede da célula deste oomiceto impede o tratamento de pitiose com terapia antifúngica, pois a maioria das drogas antifúngicas atua sobre a síntese de ergosterol. Os membros do gênero Pythium são conhecidos por serem susceptíveis a alguns antimicrobianos do grupo das tetraciclinas, macrolídeos, aminoglicosídeos e cloranfenicol. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a susceptibilidade in vitro de isolados de P. insidiosum frente aos aminoglicosídeos gentamicina, neomicina, paromomicina e estreptomicina e ao derivado da minociclina denominado de tigeciclina. Os testes de susceptibilidade foram realizados com 24 isolados de P. insidiosum, utilizando o método de microdiluição em caldo, de acordo com o documento M38- A2 do Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Os valores de Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) de gentamicina, neomicina, paromomicina e estreptomicina variaram de 32 a 64 mg/L, e os valores de concentração fungicida mínima (CFM) variaram de 32 a 128 mg/l. Tigeciclina apresentou boa atividade inibitória, com valores de CIM (0,25-2 mg/L) e CFM (1-8 mg/L). A susceptibilidade à tigeciclina observada in vitro faz deste fármaco uma boa opção em futuros ensaios e in vivo, investigando o tratamento da pitiose.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:19:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 6248.pdf: 27691207 bytes, checksum: cc929611cc4e506743fb3b9ce1730858 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-08-07 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / Motivated by the great growth presented in the last decade in research on lead-free piezoelectric ceramics and the fact that some ceramic systems, as those based on bismuth, have been identified as promising candidates to substitute the lead zirconate titanate (PZT) in their present technological applications, was proposed as the objective of this work, study the effect of adding 𝐵𝑎𝑇 𝑖𝑂3 (BT) on the structural, electrical and anelastic properties exhibit by the system (1−𝑥)𝐵𝑖0.5𝑁𝑎0.5𝑇𝑖𝑂3−𝑥𝐵𝑎𝑇 𝑖𝑂3 (BNT-BT). The structural characterization was performed by the techniques of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The morphological and compositional aspects (qualitative), in the calcined powders, and the sintered samples were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The ferroelectric and dielectric character of the compositions were obtained through characterization of ferroelectric hysteresis exhibit and using the technique of electrical impedance spectroscopy, respectively. Phase transitions and the possible mechanisms of anelastic relaxation were studied by the technique of mechanical spectroscopy. Samples were obtained by the method of solid state reaction, where it was possible to obtain compositions with 0.00 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 0.08 with relative density greater than 95% and without the presence of spurious or secondary phases. On profiles of X-ray diffraction for the different studied sintered compositions was applied the method of Rietvelt refinement which allow the determination and confirmation of the crystal structures in the samples under study, and the presence of a morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) for the BNT-BT. The XRD results were corroborated by the results of Raman spectroscopy. The ferroelectric nature of the different compositions of BNT-BT system studied was confirmed. Electrical phase transitions (F-Af and Af-P) and structural transitions (R-T and T-C) exhibited by the BNT-BT were characterized by mechanical spectroscopy (using a dynamical mechanical analyzer (DMA)), and by electrical impedance spectroscopy, employing the results in complementing the electrical and structural phase diagram of this system. In addition to the phase transitions obtained, the technique of mechanical spectroscopy for compositions between 0.00 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 0.03, allowed the observation of a complex process of anelastic relaxation that was associated with interactions and mobility of different defects present, which possibly contribute significantly to an increase of conductivity in these materials, which had not been previously reported in the literature. / Motivados pelo grande crescimento apresentado na última década nas pesquisas em cerâmicas piezoelétricas livres de chumbo e o fato de alguns sistemas cerâmicos, como os baseados em bismuto, já terem sido identificados como promissores candidatos à substituição do titanato zirconato de chumbo (PZT) em suas atuais aplicações tecnológicas, foi proposto como objetivo deste trabalho, estudar a influência da adição de 𝐵𝑎𝑇 𝑖𝑂3 (BT) sobre as propriedades estruturais, elétricas e anelásticas exibidas pelo sistema (1 − 𝑥)𝐵𝑖0,5𝑁𝑎0,5𝑇𝑖𝑂3 − 𝑥𝐵𝑎𝑇 𝑖𝑂3 (BNT-BT). A caracterização estrutural foi realizada por meio das técnicas de difração de raios-X (DRX) e espectroscopia Raman. Os aspectos morfológico e composicional (qualitativo), tanto dos pós calcinados, quanto das amostras sinterizadas foram estudados mediante microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). O caráter ferroelétrico e dielétrico das composições estudadas foram obtidos por meio da caracterização da histerese ferroelétrica exibida e da técnica de espectroscopia de impedância elétrica, respectivamente. As transições de fase e os possíveis mecanismos de relaxação anelástica foram estudados utilizando a técnica de espectroscopia mecânica. As amostras foram obtidas pelo método de reação de estado sólido, onde foi possível obter composições com 0, 00 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 0, 08 com densidades relativas maiores que 95% e sem a presença de fases espúrias ou secundárias. Aos perfis de difração de raios-X para as diferentes composições sinterizadas estudadas foi aplicado o método de refinamento Rietvelt que permitiu a determinação e confirmação das estruturas cristalinas nas amostras em estudo, além da presença de contorno de fase morfotrópico (CFM) para o BNT-BT. Os resultados de DRX foram corroborados por meio dos resultados de espectroscopia Raman. O carácter ferroelétrico das diferentes composições do sistema BNT-BT estudadas foi confirmado. Tanto as transições de fase elétricas, ferroelétricaantiferroelétrica (F-Af) e antiferroelétrica-paraelétrica (Af-P), quanto as transições estruturais, romboédrica-tetragonal (R-T) e tetragonal-cubica (T-C), exibidas pelo BNT-BT foram caracterizadas por espectroscopia mecânica (por meio de um analisador dinâmico mecânico(DMA)) e por espectroscopia de impedância elétrica, empregando-se os resultados obtidos na complementação do diagrama de fase elétrico e estrutural deste sistema. Além das transições de fase obtidas, a técnica de espectroscopia mecânica, para composições entre 0, 00 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 0, 03, propiciou a observação de um processo de relaxação anelástica complexo que foi associado a interações e mobilidade de diferentes defeitos presentes, que possivelmente contribuem significativamente para um aumento de condutividade nestes materiais, que não haviam sido reportado anteriormente na literatura.

L’Organisation de la Coopération Islamique (OCI) créée en 1969 suite à l’incendie de la mosquée Al-Aqsa, représente la voix du monde musulman. C’est la deuxième organisation intergouvernementale après l’ONU regroupant cinquante-sept Etats membres aux quatre coins du monde.Un Programme d’Action Décennal (PAD) a été adopté lors du 3ème Sommet islamique extraordinaire réuni en 2005. Le PAD vise une nouvelle vision pour le monde musulman : « la solidarité dans l’action ».Cette thèse étudie l’évolution du rôle de l’OCI pour relever les défis politiques, économiques, sociaux et culturels qui surgissent sur la scène internationale et affectent la communauté musulmane. Elle met l’accent sur les points réalisés du PAD et les entraves de l’OCI à établir l’unité de l’Oummah islamique. / The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has been established in 1969, following the fire of the Al-Aqsa mosque. This organization represents the voice of the Islamic world and it is considered according to its membership, the second intergovernmental organization after the UNO. OIC includes fifty seven member states coming from all over the World.A Ten-year Program of Action (TYPOA) has been adopted in 2005 during the third extraordinary Islamic Summit, aiming at establishing a new vision for the Islamic World called: « Solidarity into action ».This thesis discusses the evolution of the role of the OIC relating international challenges of political, economic, social and cultural nature that the Islamic communities have to face. The thesis points out the matters that have been achieved through the TYPOA and the obstacles that the OIC faced regarding the necessity to unify the Islamic Ummah.