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In this study, a Kaleckian-Post-Keynesian macroeconomic model, which is an extended version of the Bhaduri and Marglin (1990) model, serves as the starting point. The merit of a Kaleckian model for our purposes is that it highlights the dual function of wages as a component of aggregate demand as well as a cost item as opposed to the mainstream economics, which perceive wages merely as a cost item. Depending on the relative magnitude of these two effects, Kaleckian models distinguish between profit-led and wage-led regimes, where the latter is defined as a low rate of accumulation being caused by a high profit share. Are actual economies wage-led or profit-led? Current orthodoxy implicitly assumes that they are profit-led, and thus supports the neoliberal policy agenda. The purpose of the paper is to carry this discussion into the empirical terrain, and to test whether accumulation and employment are profit-led in two groups of countries. We do so by means of a structural vector autoregression (VAR) model. The model is estimated for USA, UK and France to represent the major developed countries, and for Turkey and Korea to represent developing countries. The latter are chosen since they represent two different export-oriented growth experiences. The results of the adjustment experiences of both countries are in striking contrast to orthodox theory, however they also present counter-examples to each other in terms of their ways of integrating into the world economy. (author's abstract) / Series: Working Papers Series "Growth and Employment in Europe: Sustainability and Competitiveness"

The overall objective of this work was to assess the suitability of poly(3-octylthiophene) (P3OT) to sustain MC3T3-E1 osteoblast attachment and growth. The central hypothesis was that specific P3OT film properties (i.e., thickness, film preparation conditions, and level of doping) are able to regulate osteoblast functions (i.e., attachment and proliferation). Discrete and combinatorial techniques were utilized to prepare and characterize thin films of P3OT, a semiconductor in its undoped state, and to study its interaction with MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. In this work we demonstrate that P3OT is a suitable surface to sustain MC3T3-E1 attachment and proliferation with no observed cytotoxicity. We show that P3OT has an effect on MC3T3-E1 attachment and proliferation as area, circularity, and proliferation ratio are significantly different for P3OT compared to control surfaces. We also demonstrate that P3OT doping and film preparation conditions have an effect on osteoblast attachment and proliferation but that thickness over a low and high range does not affect osteoblast functions. This work is significant because it contributes to the growing area of conducting polymers in biomedical applications and establishes P3OT as a potential cell substrate that sustains MC3T3-E1 attachment and promotes high levels of cell proliferation.

Introdução: Para realizar-se transplante de órgãos, é necessário que se preserve o enxerto durante a fase de isquemia fria. Entretanto, as soluções de preservação atuais não apresentam capacidade de oxigenar o tecido, o que causa, inevitavelmente, lesão celular. Em vista disso, busca-se associar substâncias antiinflamatórias, vasodilatadoras e antioxidantes à solução de preservação, tentando, assim, melhorar a qualidade da preservação hepática durante a fase de isquemia fria. Animais e métodos: Realizou-se a hepatectomia do doador em 36 ratos Wistar, divididos em 3 grupos de 12 animais. Os fígados desses ratos foram perfundidos e preservados durante 36 horas. No grupo 1, considerado grupo controle, foi utilizada a Solução da Universidade de Wisconsin (UW); o grupo 2 teve a UW acrescida de prostaglandina E1; o grupo 3 teve a UW acrescida de N-acetilcisteína. Realizaram-se biópsias hepáticas e coletaramse amostras da solução de preservação nos tempos de 12, 24 e 36 horas. Resultados: O estudo bioquímico da solução de preservação demonstrou que os níveis de transaminases se elevam com o passar do tempo, mas isso ocorreu em menor nível quando a UW foi acrescida de N-acetilcisteína. A análise histopatológica das lâminas das biópsias revelaram um infiltrado inflamatório portal menor quando a UW foi acrescida de prostaglandina E1. Conclusão: Assim, entendemos que a prostaglandina E1, considerada um potente antiinflamatório e vasodilatador, e a N-acetilcisteína, tida como um excelente antioxidante, acarretam efeito protetor ao enxerto hepático quando associadas à solução de preservação. / Introduction: In order to transplant an organ, it is necessary to preserve the graft during the cold ischemia period. The current preservation solutions are not able to oxygenate the tissue, which inevitably causes cell damage. We intend to associate non-inflammatory, vessel dilating and non-oxidative substances to the preservation solution to try to improve the quality of the liver preservation during the cold ischemia.Animals and methods: We performed the donor’s hepatectomy in 36 Wistar mice divided into 3 groups of 12 mice. The animals’ livers were perfused and preserved for 36 hours. In group 1, the control group, University of Wisconsin solution (UW) was used. In group 2, the UW was used together with prostaglandin 1 (0.5mcg/ml) and in group 3 UW was used together with N-acetylcysteine (0.3mg/ml). Hepatic biopsies were carried out, and samples of the preservation solution were collected in the preservation periods of 12, 24 and 36 hours. Results: The biochemical study of the preservation solution showed that the levels of transaminases increase over time, but this occurred less when UW was added to N-acetylcysteine (p>0,05). The hystopathological analysis of the biopsies showed a smaller portal inflammatory injury when UW was added to prostaglandin E1 (p<0,05). Conclusion: We therefore understand that prostaglandin E1, which is considered to be powerful non-inflammatory and vessel dilator, and Nacetylcysteine, which is an excellent non-oxidative substance, have a protective effect on the liver graft when associated with the preservation solution.

Introdução: Para realizar-se transplante de órgãos, é necessário que se preserve o enxerto durante a fase de isquemia fria. Entretanto, as soluções de preservação atuais não apresentam capacidade de oxigenar o tecido, o que causa, inevitavelmente, lesão celular. Em vista disso, busca-se associar substâncias antiinflamatórias, vasodilatadoras e antioxidantes à solução de preservação, tentando, assim, melhorar a qualidade da preservação hepática durante a fase de isquemia fria. Animais e métodos: Realizou-se a hepatectomia do doador em 36 ratos Wistar, divididos em 3 grupos de 12 animais. Os fígados desses ratos foram perfundidos e preservados durante 36 horas. No grupo 1, considerado grupo controle, foi utilizada a Solução da Universidade de Wisconsin (UW); o grupo 2 teve a UW acrescida de prostaglandina E1; o grupo 3 teve a UW acrescida de N-acetilcisteína. Realizaram-se biópsias hepáticas e coletaramse amostras da solução de preservação nos tempos de 12, 24 e 36 horas. Resultados: O estudo bioquímico da solução de preservação demonstrou que os níveis de transaminases se elevam com o passar do tempo, mas isso ocorreu em menor nível quando a UW foi acrescida de N-acetilcisteína. A análise histopatológica das lâminas das biópsias revelaram um infiltrado inflamatório portal menor quando a UW foi acrescida de prostaglandina E1. Conclusão: Assim, entendemos que a prostaglandina E1, considerada um potente antiinflamatório e vasodilatador, e a N-acetilcisteína, tida como um excelente antioxidante, acarretam efeito protetor ao enxerto hepático quando associadas à solução de preservação. / Introduction: In order to transplant an organ, it is necessary to preserve the graft during the cold ischemia period. The current preservation solutions are not able to oxygenate the tissue, which inevitably causes cell damage. We intend to associate non-inflammatory, vessel dilating and non-oxidative substances to the preservation solution to try to improve the quality of the liver preservation during the cold ischemia.Animals and methods: We performed the donor’s hepatectomy in 36 Wistar mice divided into 3 groups of 12 mice. The animals’ livers were perfused and preserved for 36 hours. In group 1, the control group, University of Wisconsin solution (UW) was used. In group 2, the UW was used together with prostaglandin 1 (0.5mcg/ml) and in group 3 UW was used together with N-acetylcysteine (0.3mg/ml). Hepatic biopsies were carried out, and samples of the preservation solution were collected in the preservation periods of 12, 24 and 36 hours. Results: The biochemical study of the preservation solution showed that the levels of transaminases increase over time, but this occurred less when UW was added to N-acetylcysteine (p>0,05). The hystopathological analysis of the biopsies showed a smaller portal inflammatory injury when UW was added to prostaglandin E1 (p<0,05). Conclusion: We therefore understand that prostaglandin E1, which is considered to be powerful non-inflammatory and vessel dilator, and Nacetylcysteine, which is an excellent non-oxidative substance, have a protective effect on the liver graft when associated with the preservation solution.

Introdução: Para realizar-se transplante de órgãos, é necessário que se preserve o enxerto durante a fase de isquemia fria. Entretanto, as soluções de preservação atuais não apresentam capacidade de oxigenar o tecido, o que causa, inevitavelmente, lesão celular. Em vista disso, busca-se associar substâncias antiinflamatórias, vasodilatadoras e antioxidantes à solução de preservação, tentando, assim, melhorar a qualidade da preservação hepática durante a fase de isquemia fria. Animais e métodos: Realizou-se a hepatectomia do doador em 36 ratos Wistar, divididos em 3 grupos de 12 animais. Os fígados desses ratos foram perfundidos e preservados durante 36 horas. No grupo 1, considerado grupo controle, foi utilizada a Solução da Universidade de Wisconsin (UW); o grupo 2 teve a UW acrescida de prostaglandina E1; o grupo 3 teve a UW acrescida de N-acetilcisteína. Realizaram-se biópsias hepáticas e coletaramse amostras da solução de preservação nos tempos de 12, 24 e 36 horas. Resultados: O estudo bioquímico da solução de preservação demonstrou que os níveis de transaminases se elevam com o passar do tempo, mas isso ocorreu em menor nível quando a UW foi acrescida de N-acetilcisteína. A análise histopatológica das lâminas das biópsias revelaram um infiltrado inflamatório portal menor quando a UW foi acrescida de prostaglandina E1. Conclusão: Assim, entendemos que a prostaglandina E1, considerada um potente antiinflamatório e vasodilatador, e a N-acetilcisteína, tida como um excelente antioxidante, acarretam efeito protetor ao enxerto hepático quando associadas à solução de preservação. / Introduction: In order to transplant an organ, it is necessary to preserve the graft during the cold ischemia period. The current preservation solutions are not able to oxygenate the tissue, which inevitably causes cell damage. We intend to associate non-inflammatory, vessel dilating and non-oxidative substances to the preservation solution to try to improve the quality of the liver preservation during the cold ischemia.Animals and methods: We performed the donor’s hepatectomy in 36 Wistar mice divided into 3 groups of 12 mice. The animals’ livers were perfused and preserved for 36 hours. In group 1, the control group, University of Wisconsin solution (UW) was used. In group 2, the UW was used together with prostaglandin 1 (0.5mcg/ml) and in group 3 UW was used together with N-acetylcysteine (0.3mg/ml). Hepatic biopsies were carried out, and samples of the preservation solution were collected in the preservation periods of 12, 24 and 36 hours. Results: The biochemical study of the preservation solution showed that the levels of transaminases increase over time, but this occurred less when UW was added to N-acetylcysteine (p>0,05). The hystopathological analysis of the biopsies showed a smaller portal inflammatory injury when UW was added to prostaglandin E1 (p<0,05). Conclusion: We therefore understand that prostaglandin E1, which is considered to be powerful non-inflammatory and vessel dilator, and Nacetylcysteine, which is an excellent non-oxidative substance, have a protective effect on the liver graft when associated with the preservation solution.

M. Tech (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences) Vaal University of Technology. / A simple and rapid method for determination of estrone (E1) and β-estradiol (E2) was developed and validated using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The solutions of standards and sample were prepared with distilled water. HPLC separation was performed in isocratic method 50/50 (water/methanol) using 4.6 mm x 250 mm id film thickness 5 µm) XDB-C18 capillary column, detector DAD, UV on 254 nm, temperature 20 ºC with flow rate of 2 mL/min, sample volume 20 µL and run time of 10 min. Calibration curves were linear between concentration range 1.0 - 15.0 ppm. The method was validated for limit of detection and quantification, linearity, precision, trueness and specificity. Also the method was applied to directly and easily to the analysis of the E1 and E2. Adsorption experiments were carried out in batch mode using multistirrer in a series of Erlenmeyer flasks of 50 ml capacity covered to prevent contamination having concentration ranges of E1 and E2 from 1 to 10 mg/L with adsorbent dose range 0.01 to 1 g at pH range 1 to 10 and temperature range 15°C to 35°C, placed on multistirrer. The results of the batch studies showed that simultaneous adsorption shows the maximum percent (91%) removal of E1 and (86 %) E2 at optimum temperature 25 °C of adsorbent dose 0.1 g, and pH 7. The mechanism, isotherms and kinetics of removal of two endocrine disrupting chemicals, estrone (E1) and β-estradiol (E2) by activated carbon adsorption were investigated in an agitated non-flow batch adsorption studies. Mathematical models were used to describe the adsorption phenomenon with the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters evaluated using the adsorption equilibrium data at varying temperatures. Higher adsorption rates were achieved at acidic to neutral pH ranges, with the sorption kinetic data showing a good fit to the pseudo second order rate equation and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model for both E1 and E2. The Gibbs free energy were –16.68 kJ/mol and –17.34 kJ/mol for E1 and E2 respectively. The values of enthalpy for both E1 (84.50 kJ/mol) and E2 (90 kJ/mol) indicated a chemical nature of the sorption process. Both the isotherm and thermodynamic data obtained all supported the mechanism of adsorption of E1 and E2 to be mainly chemisorption’s supported by some physical attractions.

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O interesse pela área de análise e caracterização de materiais biomédicos cresce, devido a necessidade de selecionar de forma adequada, o material a ser utilizado. Dependendo das condições em que o material será submetido, a caracterização poderá abranger a avaliação de propriedades mecânicas, elétricas, bioatividade, imunogenicidade, eletrônicas, magnéticas, ópticas, químicas e térmicas. A literatura relata o emprego da técnica de árvores de decisão, utilizando os algoritmos SimpleCart(CART) e J48, para classificação de base de dados (dataset), gerada a partir de resultados de artigos científicos. Esse estudo foi realizado afim de identificar características superficiais que otimizassem a atividade celular. Para isso, avaliou-se, a partir de artigos publicados, o efeito de tratamento de superfície do titânio na atividade celular in vitro (células MC3TE-E1). Ficou constatado que, o emprego do algoritmo SimpleCart proporcionou uma melhor resposta em relação ao algoritmo J48. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo aplicar, para esse mesmo estudo, os algoritmos CHAID (Chi-square iteration automatic detection) e CHAID Exaustivo, comparando com os resultados obtidos com o emprego do algoritmo SimpleCart. A validação dos resultados, mostraram que o algoritmo CHAID Exaustivo obteve o melhor resultado em comparação ao algoritmo CHAID, obtendo uma estimativa de acerto de 75,9% contra 58,6% respectivamente, e um erro padrão de 7,9% contra 9,1% respectivamente, enquanto que, o algoritmo já testado na literatura SimpleCart(CART) teve como resultado 34,5% de estimativa de acerto com um erro padrão de 8,8%. Com relação aos tempos de execução apurados sobre 22 mil registros, evidenciaram que o algoritmo CHAID Exaustivo apresentou os melhores tempos, com ganho de 0,02 segundos sobre o algoritmo CHAID e 14,45 segundos sobre o algoritmo SimpleCart(CART). / The interest for the area of analysis and characterization of biomedical materials as the need for selecting the adequate material to be used increases. However, depending on the conditions to which materials are submitted, characterization may involve the evaluation of mechanical, electrical, optical, chemical and thermal properties besides bioactivity and immunogenicity. Literature review shows the application decision trees, using SimpleCart(CART) and J48 algorithms, to classify the dataset, which is generated from the results of scientific articles. Therefore the objective of this study was to identify surface characteristics that optimizes the cellular activity. Based on published articles, the effect of the surface treatment of titanium on the in vitro cells (MC3TE-E1 cells) was evaluated. It was found that applying SimpleCart algorithm gives better results than the J48. In this sense, the present study has the objective to apply the CHAID (Chi-square iteration automatic detection) algorithm and Exhaustive CHAID to the surveyed data, and compare the results obtained with the application of SimpleCart algorithm. The validation of the results showed that the Exhaustive CHAID obtained better results comparing to CHAID algorithm, obtaining 75.9 % of accurate estimation against 58.5%, respectively, while the standard error was 7.9% against 9.1%, respectively. Comparing the obtained results with SimpleCart(CART) results which had already been tested and presented in the literature, the results for accurate estimation was 34.5% and the standard error 8.8%. In relation to execution time found through the 22.000 registers, it showed that the algorithm Exhaustive CHAID presented the best times, with a gain of 0.02 seconds over the CHAID algorithm and 14.45 seconds over the SimpleCart(CART) algorithm.