Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:35:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-02-26Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:46:21Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 apparicioferreira_m_dr_jabo.pdf: 8938205 bytes, checksum: 540b8a495ebda2425790114eece3d47a (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Este estudo foi realizado com o intuito de avaliar comparativamente os efeitos do emprego de meios seqüenciais com hormônios no desenvolvimento meiótico e citoplasmático de oócitos caninos durante o período de cultivo de 72 horas. Os oócitos foram coletados de 49 cadelas hígidas submetidas à ovariosalpingo-histerectomia ou ovariectomia, divididas em três grupos de acordo com seu status reprodutivo (fase folicular, lútea e anestro). Os óocitos foram aleatoriamente distribuídos em quatro sistemas de cultivo diferentes sendo o meio básico (MB) o TCM 199 suplementado. Os demais consistiam: no sistema A (controle) os oócitos foram maturados por 72 horas no (MB) com 10 UI/mL de hCG, 1 mg/mL de progesterona (P4) e 1 mg/mL de estradiol (E2), ou seja, expostos de forma contínua à estes hormônios; no sistema seqüenciado B os oócitos foram maturados no meio base com hCG por 48 horas e nas 24 horas adicionais no MB com P4; no sistema seqüenciado C os oócitos foram maturados no MB com hCG, P4 e E2 por 48 horas e nas 24 horas adicionais no MB com P4; no sistema D (controle) os oócitos foram maturados no MB, sem hormônios. Nos meios B e C, os hormônios foram suplementados nas mesmas concentrações empregadas no sistema A. Os resultados evidenciaram efeito positivo dos meios seqüenciais na progressão da meiose e na maturação citoplasmática (P<0,05). Não houve influência da condição reprodutiva das fêmeas doadoras nas taxas de maturação oocitária (P>0,05). A presença de espermatozóides nos meios de cultivo não teve efeito benéfico sobre as taxas de MII; em contrapartida, a porcentagem de oócitos degenerados aumentou consideravelmente (P>0,05). / The aim of this work was to study the influence of different bi-phasic systems with gonadotrophins and steroids on meiotic and cytoplasmic development of canine oocytes cultured for 72 hours. Oocytes were collected after ovariohysterectomy or ovariectomy from 49 healthy bitches, divided into 3 groups according to their reproductive status (follicular, luteal and anestrous stages). Oocytes were randomly allocated in four different culture systems with the base medium (BM) consisting of TCM-199. The systems were as follows: in system A oocytes were matured for 72 h in BM with 10 UI/mL hCG, 1 mg/mL progesterone (P4), 1 mg/mL estradiol (E2); in bi-phasic system B oocytes were matured for 48 h in BM with hCG and for 24 h in BM with P4; in bi-phasic system C oocytes were matured for 48 h in BM with hCG, P4 and E2, and for 24 h in BM with P4. In system D (control), oocytes were cultured in BM without hormones. In sytems B and C hormones were supplemented at the same doses as in system A. The results suggest that the use of bi-phasic systems was beneficial for oocyte meiosis and cytoplasmic maturation (P<0,05). No difference was noticed with regards to the influence of reproductive status on maturation rates (P>0,05). The addition of spermatozoa to the medium had no benefit on MII stage rates (P>0,05); however, the percentage of degenerated oocytes has significantly increased.

Nous étudions l'utilisation de l'électronique organique à l'interface du tissu nerveux pour des applications in vitro et in vivo. Le principal objectif est la fabrication d’interfaces neuronales flexibles pour enregistrer l'activité électrophysiologique de cellules neuronales sur de longues durées. À cette fin, nous utilisons du parylène-C comme substrat et le polymère conducteur poly(3,4-éthylène dioxythiophène):poly(styrène sulfonate) pour réduire l'impédance de l'interface cellule/électrode. En utilisant nos matrices de microélectrodes, nous montrons comment améliorer le rendement d'enregistrement avec un modèle 3D in vitro. La formation de clusters cellulaires 3D augmente considérablement le nombre d’enregistrements de potentiels d’action unitaires. In vivo, nous démontrons la fabrication de sondes de support en polymères biodégradables sur nos capteurs flexibles en utilisant une combinaison de polymères alcool polyvinylique et poly(lactique-co-glycolique). Alors que notre support d’insertion en PVA fournit la rigidité nécessaire à la pénétration, le revêtement PLGA retarde la dissolution du support afin de placer précisément les capteurs à l'intérieur du cerveau. Cela nous permet d’enregistrer en profondeur et, dans les conditions idéales, de minimiser les lésions cérébrales par rapport à les sondes traditionnelles rigides. Dans l'ensemble, nous avons réussi à effectuer des enregistrements électrophysiologiques avec nos propres microélectrodes et sondes invasives, améliorant le rendement d'enregistrements in vitro et démontrant que nos support d’insertion biodégradables pénètrent le cerveau. Ces résultats annoncent de prometteuses applications médicales futures. / Neural interfaces are designed to unravel the mysteries of the brain and to restore the functions of paralyzed patients. Despite the success of traditional neural interfaces, these rigid devices are prone to failure within months after surgery. Mechanical mismatch with the soft neural tissue is believed to be one of the main causes. In this thesis, we studied the use of soft organic electronics to interface with neural tissue for both in vitro and in vivo applications. Parylene-based microelectrode arrays (MEAs) and depth probes were made, employing the conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) to reduce the impedance at the cell-electrode interface. In vitro, we thereby showed how to enhance the recording yield of MEAs by creating a three-dimensional model of neurospheres. We further report on the fabrication of a new biodegradable polymer shuttle for flexible depth probes based on the combination of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic) (PLGA). In vivo, the PVA/PLGA- shuttled probes were acutely tested in mice and revealed promising electrophysiological results. More research remains necessary to evaluate its long-term function in vivo. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that bioresorbable polymers are capable of providing the required stiffness to penetrate the brain, which shows much promise for future neural applications. This work thereby shows that a long-term functional neural interface is not far from being developed.

Mon travail de thèse porte sur les épilepsies focales avec ou sans malformations cérébrales de type dysplasie corticale focale. Il s'articule autour de (1) une étude fonctionnelle et génétique sur tissu cérébral postopératoire humain et (2) la caractérisation d'un nouveau modèle génétique chez l'animal. Tout d'abord, des mutations germinales hétérozygotes perte de fonction ont été identifiées dans DEPDC5, NPRL2 et NPRL3 qui codent pour le complexe GATOR1, un inhibiteur du complexe 1 de mTOR (mTORC1). Par la suite, des mutations somatiques cérébrales gain de fonction ont été identifiées dans MTOR. Nous avons émis l'hypothèse que ces mutations entrainent une hyperactivité de mTORC1, responsable des malformations cérébrales et de l'épilepsie des patients. J'ai observé une hyperactivité de mTORC1 dans les cellules cytomégaliques obtenues à partir de tissu cérébral post-opératoire de patients porteurs de mutations dans les gènes de GATOR1 ou MTOR. En parallèle, la caractérisation du premier modèle KO de Depdc5 a montré que les rats Depdc5+/- présentent des anomalies corticales rappelant celles des patients : délamination des couches corticales et cellules cytomégaliques avec une hyperactivité de mTORC1. Ce phénotype est prévenu par l'injection de rapamycine, un inhibiteur spécifique de mTORC1. Une susceptibilité accrue aux crises épileptiques induites par le pentylènetétrazole ainsi qu'un défaut des propriétés neuronales passives et actives ont été rapportés chez les rats Depdc5+/-. En conclusion, mes travaux de thèse ont contribué à mettre en évidence l'implication de la voie GATOR1-mTORC1 dans les épilepsies et dysplasies corticales focales. / In my PhD thesis work, I investigated focal epilepsies with and without brain malformations such as focal cortical dysplasia. I focused on two complementary aspects: (1) genetics and functional studies on human tissue samples and (2) characterization of a novel genetic animal model. First, germline heterozygous loss-of-function mutations were identified in DEPDC5, NPRL2 and NPRL3 genes that encode proteins which together form the GATOR1 complex, a repressor of the mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1). Additionally, brain somatic gain-of- function mutations were identified in MTOR gene that encodes mTOR itself. Both types of mutations are thought to lead to mTORC1 hyperactivity, and cause brain malformation and epilepsy in patients. To test this hypothesis, mTORC1 activity was monitored on post-operative brain tissue from patients carrying GATOR1 or mTOR genes mutations. Cytomegalic cells with mTORC1 hyperactivity were observed. Besides, the characterization of the first Depdc5 KO model revealed that Depdc5+/- rats present cortical structural abnormalities reminiscent of patient histopathology hallmarks: cortical layer dyslamination and cytomegalic cells with increased mTORC1 activity. This phenotype was prevented by rapamycin injection, a specific mTORC1 inhibitor. An increased susceptibility to pentylenetetrazol-induced epileptic seizures, as well as impaired passive and active neuronal properties were observed in Depdc5+/- rats compared to Depdc5+/+ rats. In conclusion, my PhD work largely contributed to emphasize the prominent role of the GATOR1-mTORC1 pathway in focal cortical dysplasia and epilepsies.

O transtorno de identidade de gênero (TIG) carateriza-se pela persistente convicção de pertencer ao sexo oposto. Apesar das diferentes abordagens metodológicas e de inúmeros estudos, sua etiologia ainda permanece desconhecida. Sabe-se da influência de fatores ambientais, hormonais, genéticos e de alterações neuroanatômicas. A literatura em neuroimagem ainda é extremamente restrita, e estudos com foco em espessura cortical inexistem. Achados neuroanatômicos de morfometria baseada em voxels com maior volume de massa cinzenta já foram relatados em regiões ligadas ao circuito neural da senso-percepção. Hipotetizamos que diferenças de espessura cortical estariam localizadas nas regiões desse circuito. Estudamos um par de gêmeos monozigóticos masculinos discordantes para TIG (masculino-para-feminino) aplicando VBM e SBM (FreeSurfer). Evidenciamos maior volume de substância cinzenta e maior espessura cortical na junção tempo-parietal direita, córtex frontal inferior direito e córtex da insula direito no gêmeo TIG-MTF em relação ao seu irmão. O presente estudo agrega o achado de espessura cortical na caracterização das alterações neuroanatômicas do TIG. / Gender Identity Disorder (GID) is characterized by the persistent conviction of belonging to the opposite sex. Despite all the different technical approaches and the several studies performed, its etiology still remains unknown. There is knowledge about the influence of environmental hormonal, genetic and neuroanatomic factors involved. The literature about GID neuroimaging is extremely restrict and there are no studies focusing on cortical thickness. The neuroanatomical findings from Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM) have reported regions within the sense-perception network with increased grey matter volume. We hypothesized that differences of cortical thickness would be found in the cortical areas of this network. Thus we studied a male monozigotic twin pair discordant for GID (male-to-female) using VBM and SBM (FreeSurfer). We found increased grey matter volume and thicker cortex in the right temporo-parietal junction, right inferior frontal cortex and right insular cortex in the affected twin in comparison to his brother. The present study adds the findings on cortical thickness to the characterization of the neuroanatomic alterations in Gender Identity Disorder.

O transtorno de identidade de gênero (TIG) carateriza-se pela persistente convicção de pertencer ao sexo oposto. Apesar das diferentes abordagens metodológicas e de inúmeros estudos, sua etiologia ainda permanece desconhecida. Sabe-se da influência de fatores ambientais, hormonais, genéticos e de alterações neuroanatômicas. A literatura em neuroimagem ainda é extremamente restrita, e estudos com foco em espessura cortical inexistem. Achados neuroanatômicos de morfometria baseada em voxels com maior volume de massa cinzenta já foram relatados em regiões ligadas ao circuito neural da senso-percepção. Hipotetizamos que diferenças de espessura cortical estariam localizadas nas regiões desse circuito. Estudamos um par de gêmeos monozigóticos masculinos discordantes para TIG (masculino-para-feminino) aplicando VBM e SBM (FreeSurfer). Evidenciamos maior volume de substância cinzenta e maior espessura cortical na junção tempo-parietal direita, córtex frontal inferior direito e córtex da insula direito no gêmeo TIG-MTF em relação ao seu irmão. O presente estudo agrega o achado de espessura cortical na caracterização das alterações neuroanatômicas do TIG. / Gender Identity Disorder (GID) is characterized by the persistent conviction of belonging to the opposite sex. Despite all the different technical approaches and the several studies performed, its etiology still remains unknown. There is knowledge about the influence of environmental hormonal, genetic and neuroanatomic factors involved. The literature about GID neuroimaging is extremely restrict and there are no studies focusing on cortical thickness. The neuroanatomical findings from Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM) have reported regions within the sense-perception network with increased grey matter volume. We hypothesized that differences of cortical thickness would be found in the cortical areas of this network. Thus we studied a male monozigotic twin pair discordant for GID (male-to-female) using VBM and SBM (FreeSurfer). We found increased grey matter volume and thicker cortex in the right temporo-parietal junction, right inferior frontal cortex and right insular cortex in the affected twin in comparison to his brother. The present study adds the findings on cortical thickness to the characterization of the neuroanatomic alterations in Gender Identity Disorder.

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Francisco Javier Ropero Peláez / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência da Computação, 2017. / Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo principal criar um modelo fenomenologico de colunas talamo-corticais, por meio do uso de orientação a objetos. Este modelo sera organizado num arcabouço em que sera possível a criação de diferentes redes neurais artificiais nao supervisionadas que se espelham no comportamento e organização do cerebro biologico. Nesta pesquisa, a rede neural que sera modelada e a do koniocortex (camada IV do cortex cerebral), que contem os distintos tipos de neuronios encontrados no talamo e no cortex. O uso da orientação a objetos juntamente com a organização dos neuronios em estruturas colunares tem o intuito de facilitar a inserção de novos componentes futuramente, como neuronios de outras camadas do cortex cerebral. Para tal, foi construido um neuronio artificial usando orientação a objetos e adicionado caracteristicas biologicas como plasticidade sinaptica e plasticidade intrinseca; e um sistema de estruturas colunares que se assemelha ao constatado em colunas talamo-corticais biologicas (com o talamo servindo de porta de entrada das informações sensoriais). Dos resultados obtidos, observou-se classi ficação de padrões e competição emergindo naturalmente da rede, dada a organização dos neuronios inibitorios e as propriedades homeostaticas modeladas, tendo como exemplo o reconhecimento de caracteres alfanumericos e imagens simples em preto e branco (e.g. uma arvore, um sapato, uma casa etc.). / This research aims to create a phenomenological model of thalamocortical columns, through the use of object-oriented programming. This model is going to be organized in a framework in which it will be possible to create many diferent artifcial non supervised neural networks that resemble behavior and organization of the biological brain. In this research, the neural network that is going to be modeled is the koniocortex (layer IV of the cerebral cortex), which contains the distinct types of neurons found in the thalamus and cortex. This object-oriented approach together with the organization of these objects in columnar structures intends to facilitate the insertion of new components hereafter, as neurons from other layers from the cerebral cortex. To this end, it was built an artificial neuron using object-oriented programming with biological characteristics such as synaptic plasticity and intrinsic plasticity; and a columnar structure system that resembles biological thalamocortical columns (with the thalamus as a gateway for sensorial information). From the results obtained, we observed pattern classification and competition naturally emerging from the network, given the organization of inhibitory neurons and the homeostatic properties modeled, taking as an example the recognition of alphanumeric characters and simple black and white images, such as a tree, a shoe, a house, etc.

Submitted by (ana.araujo@ufrpe.br) on 2016-08-17T14:23:09Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Walter Santos.pdf: 5031272 bytes, checksum: 3d2990a03fd5d064b37a30e3665f9ecf (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-17T14:23:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Walter Santos.pdf: 5031272 bytes, checksum: 3d2990a03fd5d064b37a30e3665f9ecf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-02-28 / The Cortical Spreading Depression (CSD) was described as a wave of electric cortical activity suppression in reply to cortical stimulation. In this work we investigate the dynamics of the cerebral activity, registered in the electrocorticogram (ECoG), from the fractal dimension of the space of phase and the coefficient of Hurst (parameter that indicates the memory presence) of the ECoG. ECoG' s had been extracellularly recorded in the cerebral cortex of nourished and malnourished rats and analysed with a PC-compatible microcomputer. In the signal of the ECoG can be observed that after the stimulation occurred an increase, during few milliseconds, of the cortical electric activity (called avalanche phenomenon), followed of a depression of this electric activity for levels lower than normal electric activity of the cortex (called cortical spreading depression - CSD phenomenon). After some minutes the cortical electric activity returns to its level of normality, that one observed before the cortical stimulation. To carry through an analysis statistics of the time series of the cortical electric activity (ECoG), two parameters had been used: (i) the fractal dimension (D)of the space of phase of ECoG and (ii) coefficient H of R/S analysis of Hurst, parameter that identifies long-range correlation (memory) in time series. During the phenomenon of the avalanche the values of the fractal dimension of the space of phase (D =1,34 ± 0,06, n= 30, for nourished animals and D= 1,31 ± 0.07, n= 32, in animals malnourished) and of the memory (H =0,52 ± 0,13, n= 30, in nourished animals and H= 0,61±0,21, n= 32, in animals malnourished) were significantly different of the values of those parameters as before (D = 1,27 ± 0,10, n= 41 and H = 0,32 ± 0,07, n= 41, for nourished animals and D= 1,18 ± 0,14, n=29 and H = 0,44 ± 0,13, n= 29 , in animals malnourished) as after the CSD (D = 1,28 ± 0,10, n= 39 and H = 0,35 ± 0,10, n= 39, for nourished animals and D= 1,15 ± 0,15, n= 30 and H = 0,43 ± 0,13, n= 30, in animals malnourished). The Shapiro-Wilks test discloses that the parameters D and H do not follow a normal distribution. Thus a non-parametric test of Kruskal-Wallis and the post-hoc test of Dunn were used in the statistic analysis. That analysis showed that in nourished animals the fractal dimension of the space of phase of the ECoG in the avalanche is different of the fractal dimension (before and after the CSD), with equal levels of significance, p≤ 0,01. The coefficientH of the ECoG in the avalanche differs also from the H´s (before of the CSD andafter the CSD), with equal levels of significance, p≤ 0,001. For the malnourished animals the parameters D and H in avalanche differs significantly from values also before and after the CSD. When animals nourished and malnourished were compared, significant differences had been observed between the values of the parameters D and H only before of the CSD. In conclusion, the electric activity of the cerebral cortex of rats nourished and malnourished during the phenomenon of the spreading depression is a chaotic, reversible process and presents memory. / A Depressão Alastrante (DA) foi descrita como uma onda de supressão da atividade elétrica do córtex em resposta a estímulos corticais. Neste trabalho investigamos a dinâmica da atividade cerebral registrada no eletrocorticograma (ECoG) a partir da dimensão fractal do espaço de fase e do coeficiente de Hurst (parâmetro que indica a presença de memória) do ECoG. Os ECoG’s foram obtidos através de registros extracelulares na região cortical de ratos nutridos e desnutridos e digitalizados num microcomputador PC compatível. No sinal do ECoG pode-se observar que após o estímulo ocorreu um aumento, durante poucos milissegundos, da atividade elétrica cortical (fenômeno denominado de avalanche) seguido de uma depressão dessa atividade elétrica a nível mais baixo que da atividade elétrica normal do córtex (fenômeno denominado depressão alastrante - DA). Após alguns minutos a atividade elétrica cortical retorna ao seu nível de normalidade, aquele observado antes da estimulação cortical. Para realizar uma análise estatística da série temporal da atividade elétrica cortical (ECoG) dois parâmetros foram utilizados:i) a dimensão fractal (D) do espaço de fase do ECoG, e ii) o coeficiente H da análise R/S de Hurst, parâmetro que identifica correlação de longo alcance (memória) emséries temporais. Durante o fenômeno da avalanche os valores da dimensão fractal do espaço de fase (D =1,34 ± 0,06, n= 30, para animais nutridos e D= 1,31 ± 0,07, n= 32, em animais desnutridos) e da memória (H = 0,52 ± 0,13, n= 30, em animais nutridos e H= 0,61±0,21, n= 32, em animais desnutridos) foram significativamente diferentes dos valores dos parâmetros tanto de antes da DA (D = 1,27 ± 0,10, n= 41 e H = 0,32 ± 0,07, n= 41, para animais nutridos e D= 1,18 ± 0,14, n= 29 e H = 0,44 ± 0,13, n= 29, em animais desnutridos) como de depois da DA (D = 1,28 ± 0,10, n= 39 e H = 0,35 ± 0,10, n= 39, para animais nutridos e D= 1,15 ± 0,15, n= 30 e H = 0,43 ± 0,13, n= 30, em animais desnutridos). Um teste de normalidade de Shapiro- Wilks mostrou que os parâmetros D e H não seguem distribuições normais. Por esta razão, um teste não paramétrico de Kruskal-Wallis e um teste post-hoc de Dunn foram usados na análise estatística. Esta análise mostra que em animais nutridos a dimensão fractal do espaço de fase do ECoG na avalanche é diferente das dimensões fractais (anterior e posterior a DA) com níveis de significância inferiores a 1%. O coeficiente H do ECoG na avalanche também difere dos H´s (antes da DA e após a DA) com níveis de significância inferiores a 0,1%. Para os animaisdesnutridos os parâmetros D e H na avalanche também diferiram significativamente dos seus valores antes e depois da DA. Quando animais nutridos e desnutridos foram comparados, diferenças significativas foram observadas entre os valores dos parâmetros D e H somente antes da DA. Concluindo assim, que a atividade elétrica do córtex cerebral de ratos nutridos e desnutridos durante o fenômeno da depressão alastrante é um processo caótico, reversível e apresenta memória.

Orientador: Itamar Ferreira / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecanica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-07T07:25:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Loffredo_MariadeCastroMonteiro_M.pdf: 4723408 bytes, checksum: 22a5230741a7e90d0484c7bbd9f21129 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: As fraturas de ¿stress¿ são fraturas causadas pela fadiga óssea em pessoas jovens e saudáveis e que fazem treinamentos físicos rigorosos, como os chamados atletas de elite. Por essa razão, as causas para ocorrerem tais fraturas ainda são indefinidas. Sabe-se que sua fisiopatologia é caracterizada pela nucleação e propagação de micro-trincas na cortical óssea. Dessa forma, foi proposto neste estudo identificar algumas propriedades mecânicas do osso cortical que se aproximem das condições de tensão geradas nas atividades físicas. Foi, então, estudado o comportamento de uma barra retangular de osso cortical bovino no ensaio de flexão em três pontos para identificar o módulo de ruptura e o módulo de elasticidade do osso. O ensaio de tenacidade à fratura também foi conduzido por meio do ensaio de flexão em três pontos em corpos-de-prova com um entalhe usinado transversalmente ao eixo longitudinal dos espécimes. Os resultados mostraram que apesar do osso cortical ser um material mecanicamente resistente, com módulo de ruptura (MOR) médio de 227,5 MPa, ele possui níveis razoavelmente baixos de tenacidade à fratura, KIc médio de 9,6 MPa.m1/2. A análise fractográfica dos espécimes ensaiados mostrou que o osso apresenta alguns mecanismos de fratura característicos e que suas microestruturas estabelecem funções na nucleação e propagação da trinca, tornando o osso mais ou menos tenaz / Abstract: Stress fractures are caused by fatigue exercising in bones that occur in young health people who are submitted to rigorous physical training. It¿s known that its path physiology is characterized by initiation and propagation of microcracks. Thus, the purpose of this study is to identify some of the mechanical properties of cortical bone that approach to the tension conditions originated in physical activities. A rectangular beam of bovine cortical bone was then tested in three-point bending to determine the values of modulus of rupture and Young¿s modulus of bone. Fracture toughness tests were conducted in single-edge-notched specimens. Results showed that bone is a strength material, with averaged modulus of rupture of 227.5 MPa, and a low value of fracture toughness averaged in 9.6 MPa.m1/2. The fractographic analyses of tested specimens showed that bones have some characteristic fracture mechanisms during failure and its microstructures influence the initiation and propagation of cracks, making it more or less resistant to crack propagation / Mestrado / Materiais e Processos de Fabricação / Mestre em Engenharia Mecânica

Abstract This essay examines which role functional oriented music therapy, which is supposed to help sensorimotor development, can have in schools and in health care. To find this out, research about what kinds of effects exercise can have on academic achievements and in recovery from brain injuries has been brought up. The research concerning academic achievements was conducted with school children; some children without difficulties, some with sensory integration problems, and some with motor skill difficulties. In addition to this, research about the brain structure superior colliculus, which lies behind sensory integration, is also brought up. The results showed that children who were given more exercise had significantly better scores in academic skills than the children with normal academic education. Thus, it might be reasonable to practise functional oriented music therapy in schools, both as helping general development, but also for children with different types of difficulties. The research concerning exercise and injuries has made clear that the adult brain can change via neurogenesis, plasticity and cortical reorganization. These three aspects are important when practicing a skill or when recovering from an injury. Exercise has been shown to affect these three aspects positively and can therefore also aid the recovery from injuries. Thus, there seems to be many theoretical aspects supporting the FMT- method. However, the question is if the results of one treatment form can generalize over such a wide range of injuries and defects that the FMT –adepts usually have. It is therefore also discussed if further experiments on the FMT-method could help make it a more effective tool for rehabilitation.

Résumé confidentiel / Résumé confidentiel