The study explores language bias in the NEO-PI-R both quantitatively and qualitatively. A sample of 28 postgraduate psychology student volunteers completed a questionnaire containing the NEO-PI-R and two open-ended questions about the instrument. These responses were then analysed across English first language and second language speakers to explore issues of bias. Reliability of the NEO-PI-R appeared to be robust at a domain level. The reliability of the facets, while appropriate for the most part, still yielded low alpha coefficients for the Excitement-seeking, Actions, Values and Straightforwardness facets. ANOVA’s at the domain and facet scale levels indicated no significant differences across home language. However ANOVA’s at the item level yielded 33 in total that were problematic, comprising of 12 items that were significant at the 5% level of significance and 21 items at the 10% level of significance. These items were primarily from the N and E domains. Thematic analysis of the open-ended questions of the questionnaire indicated 26 items were difficult to understand and/or inappropriate for the South African context. These items were primarily from the E and A domains. From the original sample of 28 volunteers, two focus groups were formed, comprising of volunteers from the initial sample. The focus groups explored several qualitative issues, including concepts of personality, language and culture and the applicability of the NEO-PI-R for South African user groups. It was perceived that there is a presence of American socio-cultural references within the use of language, grammar and socio-cultural context in the instrument. Thus the results show evidence of language bias in the NEO-PI-R, and subsequently identify particular aspects and items of the instrument that are especially problematic for a South African user group. The present study suggests that the NEO-PI-R would need to be revised to suit the South African context by changing the problematic items.

Ensuring that teachers have high mental health literacy (MHL) is paramount, particularly because the prevalence rate for mental illness among children and adolescents is 10-20% (Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2013). Currently, there are few programs designed to increase the MHL of teachers, and the research base examining these is scant. As a result, more research is required to find effective methods of improving MHL among teachers. The current study explored the influence of a new, interactive MHL learning module on the MHL levels of B.Ed. candidates. A questionnaire largely adapted from existing measures was developed and factor analysis was conducted. Pre- and post-module MHL scores were analyzed using descriptive approaches and a repeated-measures MANOVA. Results indicate that pre-service teachers have high knowledge and non-stigmatizing beliefs in relation to MHL which did not change post- module completion; self-efficacy levels did show a small, non-significant increase.

Neste trabalho são apresentados estudos de Cu(&#945-AIB)2 utilizando-se a técnica de RPE à temperatura ambiente nas freqüências de 9,7 GHz e 34 GHz. Os espectros de R. P. E. mostram uma única ressonância tanto em banda X (9,7 GHz) quanto em banda Q (34 GHz), devido ao efeito de estreitamento por troca. Os valores das componentes do tensor g e da largura de linha foram determinados a partir dos espectros obtidos variando o ângulo entre H e os eixos do cristal a´, b e c em três planos a´b, a´c, e bc. O tensor g reflete as propriedades moleculares do complexo, com o íon Cu(II) em uma simetria axial e também a orientação destas moléculas dentro da cela unitária do cristal. A variação angular da largura de linha é analisada em termos da simetria do íon Cu(II) na rede cristalina e das contribuições das interações dipolar e Zeeman Residual. O parâmetro da interação de troca |J\'|, é obtido através da contribuição da interação Zeeman residual na largura de linha, |J\'| ~ 0,34K. É também observada uma característica magnética bidimensional no complexo Cu(&#945-AIB)2 concordando com os resultados cristalográficos. / In this work is presented a study of the complex Cu(&#945-AIB) 2 using EPR spectroscopy at room temperature, in two frequency bands (9.7 and 34 GHz). The EPR spectra, in both bands and any direction of the extremal magnetic field consist of a single resonance line. This fact can be understood considering the exchange narrowing between non-equivalent Cu(II) íons. The elements of the g tensor and line width were determined from the angular dependence of the EPR spectrum, in three ortogonal crystal planes a´b, a´c and ab (a´=b x c). The angular dependence of the g tensor reflects the molecular properties of the complex Cu(&#945-AIB)2 the axial symmetry of the molecule and the orientation on the crystal unit cell. The most important contributions to the line width were found to be: 2D dipolar interactions, the residual Zeeman effect and defects compatible to the symmetry of the crystal. The Exchange parameter, |J\'| ~ 0.34K, was obtained from the residual Zeeman contribution to the line width (Q band). The low dimension found for dipolar interations agrees with crystallographic results.

Thesis advisor: Barbara E. Wolfe / Background: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious mental illness with physical and emotional consequences. Currently, there are limited effective treatments available to address this devastating condition. One possible biomarker implicated in this condition is brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of the neuron growth family. Pre-clinical studies indicate administration of BDNF is associated with decreased food intake and weight loss. Serum BDNF levels also have been shown to be reduced in AN compared to healthy controls (HC). In studies of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI's), blood levels of BDNF have been shown to increase following SSRI administration. This study sought to examine the possible relationship between peripheral BDNF levels and influence of an SSRI, and augmentation with 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) in persons with AN and HC's. Methods: This study examined previously collected samples from an investigation assessing the influence of SSRI administration and augmentation with 5-HTP on serotonin function in AN. The original study utilized a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled design. AN (n=16) and HC (n=49) subjects were randomized to 1 of 3 treatment conditions (fluoxetine, fluoxetine plus 5-HTP, and placebo) for 7 days of drug administration. Blood samples were collected following an overnight fast and stored at -70°C prior to batch analysis (ELISA). Results: Plasma BDNF levels in AN subjects (59.7 (SD 43.3) pg/ml) were not significantly (p=0.24) different from HC's (76.2 (SD 49.0) pg/ml). There were no significant differences between SSRI, SSRI plus 5-HTP, and placebo treatment groups within or between AN and HC groups. Conclusions: Although BDNF levels in AN subjects were lower than HC, the difference was not statistically significant. After 7 days of SSRI, SSRI plus 5-HTP, or placebo, there were no differences in BDNF levels between or within groups. The possibility exists that 7 days is not long enough to see an expressed effect of SSRI's on BDNF. Future studies would benefit from longer duration of SSRI's, assessing potential covariates (e.g. BMI, depression), and a larger sample. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2013. / Submitted to: Boston College. Connell School of Nursing. / Discipline: Nursing.

Os aceleradores lineares representam a mais importante, prática e versátil produtores de raios-X de alta energia em radioterapia. O comportamento funcional destes equipamentos pode variar devido a defeitos eletrônicos, falhas de componentes ou rupturas mecânicas, ou então podem variar devido ao deterioramento e envelhecimento de seus componentes. A manutenção da qualidade dos tratamentos depende essencialmente da estabilidade dos aceleradores e do controle de qualidade das instituições para monitorar desvios nos parâmetros do feixe. O objetivo deste trabalho consiste em avaliar e analisar a estabilidade do fator de calibração dos aceleradores lineares, bem como os demais parâmetros dosimétricos normalmente incluídos em um programa de controle de qualidade em radioterapia. A média dos fatores de calibração dos aceleradores para o período de aproximadamente quatro anos para os Clinacs 600C e 6EX foram (0,998 ± 0,012) e (0,996 ± 0,014), respectivamente. Para o Clinac 2100CD de 6 MV e 15 MV foi (1,008 ± 0,009) e (1,006 ± 0,010), respectivamente, em um período de aproximadamente quatro anos. Através de análises estatísticas nos três aceleradores lineares verificou-se que os coeficientes de variação dos fatores de calibração apresentaram valores inferiores a 2% o que mostra uma homogeneidade nos dados. Através do cálculo da distribuição normal dos fatores de calibração, verificou-se que para os Clinacs 600C e 2100CD, é esperada uma probabilidade de que em mais de 90% dos casos os valores estejam dentro dos limites aceitáveis segundo o protocolo TG-142, enquanto que para o Clinac 6EX é esperado em torno de 85% uma vez que esse acelerador apresentou diversas trocas de componentes. Os valores do TPR20,10 dos três aceleradores são praticamente constantes e dentro dos limites aceitáveis segundo o protocolo TG-142. Pode-se concluir que um estudo detalhado dos dados do fator de calibração dos aceleradores e do TPR20,10 a partir de um ponto de vista quantitativo, é extremamente útil em um programa de garantia de qualidade. / The linear accelerators represent the most important, practical and versatile source of ionizing radiation in radiotherapy. These functional characteristics influence the geometric and dosimetric accuracy of therapeutic doses applied to patients. The performance of this equipment may vary due to electronic defects, component failures or mechanical breakdowns, or may vary due to the deterioration and aging of components. Maintaining the quality of care depends on the stability of the accelerators and quality control of the institutions to monitor deviations in the parameters of the beam. The aim of this study is to assess and analyze the stability of the calibration factor of linear accelerators, as well as the other dosimetric parameters normally included in a program of quality control in radiotherapy. The average calibration factors of the accelerators for the period of approximately four years for the Clinac 600C and Clinac 6EX were (0,998 ± 0,012) and (0,996 ± 0,014), respectively. For the Clinac 2100CD 6 MV and 15 MV was (1,008 ± 0,009) and (1,006 ± 0,010), respectively, in a period of approximately four years. Statistical analysis of the three linear accelerators was found that the coefficient of variation of calibration factors had values below 2% which shows a consistency in the data. By calculating the normal distribution of calibration factors, we found that for the Clinac 600C and Clinac 2100CD, is an expected probability that more than 90% of cases the values are within acceptable limits according to the TG-142, while for the Clinac 6EX is expected around 85% since this had several exchanges of accelerator components. The values of TPR20,10 of three accelerators are practically constant and within acceptable limits according to the TG-142. It can be concluded that a detailed study of data from the calibration factor of the accelerators and TPR20,10 from a quantitative point of view, is extremely useful in a quality assurance program.

O trigo é uma importante cultura agrícola no mundo, sendo uma das poucas na qual o Brasil não é autossuficiente, produzindo apenas cerca de 50% da sua demanda interna. Estudos relacionados ao crescimento da cultura e suas trocas de massa e energia com a atmosfera podem auxiliar no planejamento e manejo da cultura. O objetivo desse trabalho foi estudar o balanço de energia, o consumo hídrico e a recomendação de valores de Kc, com enfoque no acoplamento copa-atmosfera. Para isso foi instalado um experimento na Escola Superior Luiz de Queiroz- ESALQ, semeado no dia 30 de maio de 2017 sob sistema de irrigação. Os resultados indicam que o fluxo de calor latente (LE), calor sensível (H) e calor no solo (G) representaram 81,17 %,14,13% e 4,7% do saldo de radiação (Rn). A evapotranspiração acumulada para a cultura do trigo foi de 301 mm, tendo uma evapotranspiração média diária de 2,8 mm.d-1. A cultura teve um fator de desacoplamento (&Omega;) médio para o ciclo de 0,53, porém variou em relação as fases fenológicas: 0,68 (emborrachamento), 0,55 (floração), 0,26 (formação de grãos) e 0,3 (maturação). O coeficiente de cultura ao longo do ciclo foi 0,58, 1,12, 1,46, 1,23, 1,32 e 0,73 para as fases de estabelecimento, perfilhamento, emborrachamento, floração, formação de grão e maturação, e o valor médio para todo o ciclo foi de 1,08. Os valores de Kc indicaram uma queda quando houve elevação da evapotranspiração de referência (ETo). Assim os valores de Kc para diferentes intervalos de ETo foram: 1,09 (ETo &le; 2); 1,34 (2< ETo &le; 3); 1,25 (3 < ETo &le; 4); 0,77 (ETo > 4). / The wheat is one of the most important crop of the world, and the few one that Brazil is not self-sufficient, producing only 50% of domestic demand. Studies related crop growth and its mass and energy exchange with atmosphere may help to improve the crop planning and management. The objective here was to study on the energy balance and water use of wheat crop, take into account the canopy-atmosphere coupling approach in such study. To do so, an irrigated experiment was conducted in Piracicaba-SP, at the Escola Superior Luiz de Queiroz-ESALQ, sown on May of 2017. The results showed that the latent heat flux (LE), sensible heat (H) and soil heat (G) represented 81.17%, 14.13% and 4.7% of the net radiation (Rn). Cumulative evapotranspiration for the whole wheat crop was 301 mm, with na average daily evapotranspiration of 2.8 mm.d-1. The crop had a mean decoupling fator (&Omega;) for the cycle of 0.53, but varied with the phenological phases as: 0.68 (head development), 0.55 (flowering), 0.26 (grain formation) and 0.3 (maturation). The crop coefficient along the cycle was 0.58, 1.12, 1.46, 1.23, 1.32 and 0.73 for the respective phases establishment, tillering, head development, flowering, grain formation and maturation, with the average Kc for the cycle was 1.08. The values of Kc indicated a decrease when there was elevation of reference evapotranspiration (ETo). Thus, Kc values for different ETo intervals were: 1.09 (ETo &le; 2); 1.34 (2 < ETo &le; 3); 1.25 (3 < ETo &le; 4); 0.77 (ETo > 4).

The 24 items of the original English version of the Social Justice Scale (Torres-Harding et al., 2012) were translated into Korean by four translators, who discussed and agreed upon consensus versions. Four different translators then back translated this version into English. The resulting Korean version of SJS (K-SJS) was completed by 537 adult native Korean speakers. Confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and multi-group confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the K-SJS has high internal consistency, factors appropriately, fits the original model well, and demonstrates invariance across Korean men and women. Structural equation modeling indicated that the effects of attitude, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms on behavioral intentions were positive and significant. In short, the K-SJS showed acceptable reliability and validity based on a large sample of South Korean adults and shows promise as a new tool to study social justice attitudes among Korean speakers.

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The present study focuses on the initiation phase of protein synthesis and the generation of aptamers as candidates to reduce the physiological function of the isolated N terminal domain (NTD) of initiation factor 3 (IF-3). Through molecular biology techniques, the correct cloning of the gene coding for IF-3 NTD in plasmid pET24a was verified. This plasmid was used to transform the bacterial model organism Escherichia coli BL21 and thus the massive production of the IF-3 NTD was assessed. Using affinity chromatography techniques, the NTD of the IF-3 was isolated, obtaining high purity degrees and production yields. The purified NTD was used to generate aptamers with the SELEX technique (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment). Five molecules with binding potential to the NTD of IF-3 were found. The present investigation provides the bases to study the interaction of the NTD of IF-3 with the aptamers in cell-free system and thus to evaluate their inhibitory potential. It is expected that these molecules behave as potential new drugs, and therefore they might contribute to cope for the need of new antibiotics. / Tesis

Olfactory Granule cells (GCs) are a population of inhibitory interneurons responsible for maintaining normal olfactory bulb (OB) function and circuitry. Through dendrodendritic synapses with the OBs projection neurons, the GCs regulate information sent to the olfactory cortices. Throughout adulthood, GCs continue to integrate into the OB and contribute to olfactory circuitry. However, only ~50% will integrate and survive longterm. Factors aiding in the survival and morphological development of these neurons are still being explored. The neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) aids in the survival and dendritic spine maturation/maintenance in several populations of CNS neurons. Investigators show that increasing BDNF in the adult-rodent SVZ stimulates proliferation and increases numbers of new OB GCs. However, attempts to replicate these experiments failed to find that BDNF affects proliferation or survival of adult-born granule cells (abGCs). BDNFs regulation of dendritic spines in the CNS is well characterized. In the OB, absence of BDNF’s receptor on abGCs hinders normal spine development and demonstrates a role for BDNF /TrkB signaling in abGCs development. In this study, we use transgenic mice over-expressing endogenous BDNF in the OB (TgBDNF) to determine how sustained increased in BDNF affect the morphology of olfactory GCs and the survival and development of abGCs. Using protein assays, we discovered that TgBDNF mice have higher BDNF protein levels in their OB. We employed a Golgi-cox staining technique to show that increased BDNF expression leads to an increase in dendritic spines, mainly the mature, headed-type spine on OB GCs. With cell birth-dating using 5-bromo-2’- deoxyuridine (BrdU), immunofluorescent cell markers, TUNEL staining and confocal microscopy, we demonstrate that over-expression of BDNF in the OB does not increase survival of abGCs or reduce cell death in the GC population. Using virally labeled abGCs, we concluded that abGCs in TgBDNF mice had similar integration patterns compared to wild-type (WT) mice, but maintained increases in apical headed-type spine density from 12 to 60 days PI. The evidence combined demonstrates that although increased BDNF does not promote cell survival, BDNF modifies GC morphology and abGC development through its regulation of dendritic spine development, maturation and maintenance in vivo. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection