Master of Science / Food Science Institute, Agriculture / Katherine A. Tilley / Michael Tilley / The wheat tortilla is a chemically leavened circular light colored flat bread. Desirable characteristics for good quality tortilla include large diameter, softness, flexibility and long shelf stability. Important components influencing quality are wheat flour properties, which have not been optimized for tortilla industrial production thus far. The studies presented here investigated the effects of high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) on tortilla quality. Two approaches were employed: biotypes derived from Centurk and OK102 cultivars expressing defined HMW-GS compositions and transgenic wheat lines over-expressing HMW-GS 10. Analysis of protein expression and protein extractability were conducted to characterize wheat flours and suitable assays carried out to determine the respective dough properties. Tortillas were prepared by the hot-press method and quality parameters were measured at days 0, 2, 4, 7 and 14. Tortillas derived from Centurk biotypes possessing HMW-GS 2*, 7+9, 2+12, 2*, 7+8, 5+10 and 2*, 7+9, 5+10 exhibited superior texture profiles over time, but smaller diameters than the biotype 2*, 7+8, 2+12. Tortillas containing HMW-GS 7+9 and 2+12 revealed a texture profile similar to tortillas containing 5+10. Tortillas from the OK biotype 2*, 7+9, 3+12 exhibited larger diameter and texture profiles equivalent to tortillas containing 5+10. Therefore, this biotype showed the best quality within this cultivar. Tortillas derived from transgenic flours over-expressing HMW-GS 10 exhibited an undesirable rough appearance with decreased diameter, greater thickness, lower rollability scores, lower stretchability and greater rupture force over time. Over-expression of HMW-GS 10 in a wheat line containing 1RS-translocation did not promote the same deleterious effects in tortilla quality as it did in transgenic lines without 1RS translocation.

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31; PEPC) plays many roles in plants; it connects the metabolism of saccharides and amino acids. PEPC is regulated at many levels including phosphorylation of serine residue near N-terminus. The aim was to found out, if the composition of cultivation medium affects the activity of PEPC and metabolically related enzymes such as NADP-malic enzyme (EC 1.1.1.40), pyruvate, phosphate dikinase (EC 2.7.9.1; PPDK) and enzymes participating in nitrogen assimilation, thus nitrate reductase (EC 1.7.1.1; NR), glutamine synthetase (EC 6.3.1.2; GS), glutamate synthase (EC 1.4.1.14; GOGAT), NAD-glutamate dehydrogenase (1.4.1.2; NAD-GDH) and NADP-glutamate dehydrogenase (1.4.1.4; NADP-GDH). Tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L., cv. Petit Havana SR1) were grown in vitro in Murashige-Skoog agar. The effect of the presence of 2% succrose, reduced content of nitrogen compounds or phosphate and limited supply of CO2 was followed. Sucrose added to Murashige-Skoog medium caused the increase of enzyme activity of PEPC, NADP-ME and most of enzymes related to nitrogen uptake and metabolism - NR, GS, GOGAT, NAD-GDH a NADP-GDH. Reduced content of nitrogen compounds and phosphate in cultivation medium decreased activity of all monitored enzymes. Enzyme activities were also affected by the...

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) disease worldwide. Presently, there is insufficient FHB resistance in the Canadian wheat germplasm. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) and genomic selection (GS) can be utilized to identify sources of resistance that could benefit wheat breeding. To define the genetic architecture of FHB resistance, association panels from a spring and a winter collection were evaluated using the Wheat Illumina Infinium 90K array. A total of 206 accessions from the spring panel and 73 from the winter panel were evaluated in field trials for 3-4 years at two locations, namely Morden (Manitoba) and Ottawa (Ontario). These accessions were phenotyped for FHB incidence (INC), severity (SEV), visual rating index (VRI), and deoxynivalenol (DON) content. Significant (p < 0.05) differences among genotypes for all traits were found. Genetic characterization using the wheat 90K array identified a set of 20,501 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The probe sequences (~100 bp) of these SNPs were mapped to the Chinese Spring reference genome v2.0 to identify 13,760 SNPs in the spring panel, and 10,421 SNPs in the winter panel covering all 21 wheat chromosomes. GWAS was performed to identify novel FHB resistance loci for INC, SEV, VRI and DON content for the spring and the combined panels separately using these 13,760 SNPs and for the winter panel using 10,421 SNPs. A total of 107, 157, 174 unique quantitative trait loci (QTNs) were identified for the four traits using two single-locus and seven multi-locus GWAS models for the spring, winter, and combined panels, respectively. These QTNs represent a valuable genetic resource for the improvement of FHB resistance in commercially grown wheat cultivars. In addition, these GWAS-defined QTNs were further used for GS to determine the breeding value (BV) of individuals as outlined below. In order to understand the role of the model and that of the marker type and density in trait prediction modelling, a GS study was conducted. GS is considered as an important tool for increasing genetic gain for economically important traits such as FHB resistance. GS uses genome-wide molecular markers to develop statistical models that predict genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) of an individual. Our results support genomic prediction (GP) as an alternative to phenotypic selection to predict the BVs of individuals for this trait. GS accounts for minor effect QTNs, which is beneficial when breeding for quantitative traits. Moderate to high GP accuracies can be achieved for FHB resistance-related traits when implemented in a breeding program. The correlation between the estimate of the missing phenotypic value and the observed phenotype is known as predictive ability (r). Overall, the predictive ability increased significantly using a QTN-based GP approach for FHB traits in wheat and its wild relatives. DON content had the highest predictive ability among all FHB traits, and that was in the winter panel, highlighting the importance of objectively measured traits in breeding for disease resistant genotypes. Interestingly, the winter panel contained several wild relative species that may harbor genes of interest to prevent the accumulation of mycotoxins in the grain. This study showed the usability of genomic prediction by improving the predictive ability of the FHB traits, which can be applied in early generation selection to accelerate the improvement of FHB resistance in wheat. The results show that GS can be successfully implemented in wheat breeding programs over multiple breeding cycles and can be effective for economically important traits. It is anticipated that GS will play a substantial role in the future of wheat breeding.

Quaternary GalnAsN containing a small amount of nitrogen (<2%) is a potentially promising material for realizing long-wavelength emission lasers for applications in optical communication systems. Such devices should have better high-temperature characteristics than conventional InGaAsP lasers due to an increase of the conduction band offset. In this thesis, the GS-MBE growth of quaternary GalnAsN and ternary GaAsN was carried out. Active N was produced by passing high purity nitrogen gas into either an RF or an ECR plasma source. The RF plasma source was found to produce better quality nitrides. Characterization techniques such as photoluminescence, X-ray diffraction, TEM, SIMS, and Hall effect measurements were used to characterize thick layers (e.g. 1 pm) and quantum wells of these nitride materials. The concentration of N incorporated into GalnAs and GaAs is very dependent on growth conditions and plasma conditions. The incorporation of a small amount of N into compressively strained InGaAs reduces the strain and produces a red-shift of photoluminescence peak. However, compared to N-free InGaAs materials, the optical quality is dramatically degraded yielding reduced photoluminescence intensity and a broadened FWHM of the PL peak. Hall effect measurements on un-doped, Si-doped, Bedoped thick GalnAsN layers indicate the presence of a high concentration of electron and hole traps. The results of SIMS suggest that impurity H might be responsible for the deep level defects formed. However, the nature of the defects is currently unknown. From TEM observations and comparison to samples grown with a He-plasma instead of a Nplasma, spinodal decomposition and ion-induced damage in GalnAsN may produce the reduced quality of materials, but these are not the major reasons responsible for the dramatic degradation of optical quality. Thermal annealing was found to be an effective method for significantly improving the optical quality of GalnAsN with a low N concentration. Optimum annealing conditions were obtained. Hall effect measurements on annealed samples indicate that electron and hole traps are reduced but still present after anneal. / Thesis / Master of Engineering (ME)

INTRODUÇÃO: A primeira doença humana atribuída à resistência hormonal foi o pseudo-hipoparatireoidismo (PHP), uma doença rara caracterizada por hipocalcemia, hiperfosfatemia e níveis elevados de hormônio paratireoidiano (PTH) na presença de função renal normal, quadro condizente com resistência ao PTH. A classificação original do PHP leva em consideração a osteodistrofia hereditária de Albright (AHO): presente no PHP1a e ausente no PHP1b. Na medida em que as bases moleculares do PHP têm sido compreendidas, uma classificação baseada no genótipo tem surgido. Segundo ela, pacientes com PHP1a apresentam mutações na região codificadora da Gsalfa do GNAS e o padrão de herança é autossômico dominante relacionado à transmissão materna. Por outro lado, o PHP1b é caracterizado por alterações nas regiões diferencialmente metiladas (DMRs) do GNAS por mecanismos não completamente esclarecidos, limitando a previsão do seu padrão de herança. Pacientes que apresentam a AHO na ausência de resistência hormonal têm o diagnóstico de pseudopseudo-hipoparatireoidismo (PPHP) e seu padrão de herança é autossômico dominante relacionado à transmissão paterna de mutações na região codificadora da Gsalfa do GNAS. OBJETIVOS: Classificar 25 pacientes com PHP com base em defeitos no GNAS e caracterizar seu fenótipo. Pesquisar mutações no GNAS nos quatro pacientes com PPHP e também caracterizar seu fenótipo. MÉTODOS: A avaliação fenotípica incluiu análise das resistências hormonais, pesquisa de repercussões crônicas da hipocalcemia/hiperfosfatemia (calcificações em sistema nervoso central: SNC e catarata) e identificação da AHO. A análise do GNAS foi feita por sequenciamento automático e MLPA (região codificadora da Gsalfa) e por MS-MLPA (região regulatória: DMRs). RESULTADOS: Resistência ao PTH foi identificada nos 25 pacientes com PHP e resistência ao TSH em 17/25. Calcificações em SNC e catarata estiveram presentes em 18 e 10 pacientes com PHP, respectivamente. A AHO foi caracterizada por: face arredondada (n=18), braquidactilia (n=11), baixa estatura (n=8), ossificações subcutâneas (n=6), obesidade (n=9) e retardo mental (n=3). Identificamos oito mutações (cinco novas) na região codificadora da Gsalfa em 10 pacientes com PHP1a e quatro pacientes com PPHP. Quinze pacientes apresentaram alteração no padrão de metilação das DMRs (genótipo: PHP1b). O fenótipo dos pacientes foi semelhante nos dois grupos. DISCUSSÃO E CONCLUSÃO: Nenhuma das classificações do PHP foi capaz de predizer gravidade ou o curso clínico da doença. Porém, o diagnóstico do PHP1a baseado no genótipo possibilitou a identificação precoce de uma paciente, a exclusão de PHP1a na filha de outra paciente e o aconselhamento genético em duas famílias. O diagnóstico de PHP1b em uma paciente só foi possível graças ao genótipo, visto que seu perfil laboratorial osteometabólico era inconclusivo. Com base no fenótipo, 8/15 pacientes com PHP1b seriam classificados como PHP1a considerando a presença de dois ou mais estigmas da AHO, podendo levar a falhas no aconselhamento genético. Portanto, concluímos que a classificação do PHP baseada na análise do GNAS é mais informativa do que a baseada no fenótipo, permitindo o diagnóstico precoce e o aconselhamento genético de casos familiais de PHP1a. A identificação do PHP1b deve ser promissora na medida em que seus mecanismos de transmissão forem mais bem entendidos / BACKGROUND: The first human disease attributed to hormone resistance was pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP), a rare disease characterized by hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia and elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in the presence of normal renal function, consistent picture of PTH resistance. The original classification of PHP takes into account the Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO): present in PHP1a and absent in PHP1b. As the molecular bases of PHP have been understood, a classification based on genotype has emerged. According to it, PHP1a patients present mutations in the Gsalpha coding region of the GNAS and the pattern of inheritance is autosomal dominant related to maternal transmission. On the other hand, PHP1b is characterized by alterations in differentially methylated regions (DMRs) of the GNAS by mechanisms not completely clear, limiting the prediction of the pattern of inheritance. Patients who present AHO in the absence of hormone resistance have the diagnosis of pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism (PPHP) and their pattern of inheritance is autosomal dominant related to paternal transmission of mutations in the Gsalfa coding region of the GNAS. OBJECTIVE: To classify 25 patients with PHP based on GNAS molecular defects and to characterize their phenotype. To search for GNAS mutations in four patients with PPHP and also to characterize their phenotype. METHODS: The phenotypic evaluation included analysis of hormone resistances, research of chronic repercussions of hypocalcemia/hyperphosphatemia (calcifications in central nervous system: CNS and cataract) and identification of AHO. The analysis of the GNAS was done by automated sequencing and MLPA (Gsalphaa coding region) and by MS-MLPA (regulatory region: DMRs). RESULTS: PTH resistance was identified in 25 patients with PHP and TSH resistance in 17/25. Calcifications in CNS and cataract were present in 18 and 10 patients with PHP, respectively. AHO was characterized by: rounded face (n=18), brachydactyly (n=11), short stature (n=8), subcutaneous ossifications (n=6), obesity (n=9) and mental retardation (n=3). We identified eight mutations (five novels) in the Gsalpha coding region in 10 patients with PHP1a. Fifteen patients presented alterations in the methylation pattern of DMRs (genotype: PHP1b). The phenotype of patients was similar in both groups. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: None of the PHP classifications was able to predict the severity or clinical course of the disease. However, the diagnosis of PHP1a based on genotype allowed the early identification of one patient, the exclusion of PHP1a in the daughter of another patient and genetic counseling in two families. The PHP1b diagnosis in one patient was only possible due to the genotype, as her bone metabolism profile was inconclusive. Based on phenotype, 8/15 PHP1b patients would have been classified as PHP1a considering the presence of two or more AHO stigmas, being able to lead to failures in genetic counseling. Therefore, we conclude that the PHP classification based on GNAS analysis is more informative than that based on phenotype, allowing the early diagnosis and the genetic counseling for familial cases of PHP1a. The identification of PHP1b may be promising as its transmission mechanisms are better clarified

INTRODUÇÃO: A primeira doença humana atribuída à resistência hormonal foi o pseudo-hipoparatireoidismo (PHP), uma doença rara caracterizada por hipocalcemia, hiperfosfatemia e níveis elevados de hormônio paratireoidiano (PTH) na presença de função renal normal, quadro condizente com resistência ao PTH. A classificação original do PHP leva em consideração a osteodistrofia hereditária de Albright (AHO): presente no PHP1a e ausente no PHP1b. Na medida em que as bases moleculares do PHP têm sido compreendidas, uma classificação baseada no genótipo tem surgido. Segundo ela, pacientes com PHP1a apresentam mutações na região codificadora da Gsalfa do GNAS e o padrão de herança é autossômico dominante relacionado à transmissão materna. Por outro lado, o PHP1b é caracterizado por alterações nas regiões diferencialmente metiladas (DMRs) do GNAS por mecanismos não completamente esclarecidos, limitando a previsão do seu padrão de herança. Pacientes que apresentam a AHO na ausência de resistência hormonal têm o diagnóstico de pseudopseudo-hipoparatireoidismo (PPHP) e seu padrão de herança é autossômico dominante relacionado à transmissão paterna de mutações na região codificadora da Gsalfa do GNAS. OBJETIVOS: Classificar 25 pacientes com PHP com base em defeitos no GNAS e caracterizar seu fenótipo. Pesquisar mutações no GNAS nos quatro pacientes com PPHP e também caracterizar seu fenótipo. MÉTODOS: A avaliação fenotípica incluiu análise das resistências hormonais, pesquisa de repercussões crônicas da hipocalcemia/hiperfosfatemia (calcificações em sistema nervoso central: SNC e catarata) e identificação da AHO. A análise do GNAS foi feita por sequenciamento automático e MLPA (região codificadora da Gsalfa) e por MS-MLPA (região regulatória: DMRs). RESULTADOS: Resistência ao PTH foi identificada nos 25 pacientes com PHP e resistência ao TSH em 17/25. Calcificações em SNC e catarata estiveram presentes em 18 e 10 pacientes com PHP, respectivamente. A AHO foi caracterizada por: face arredondada (n=18), braquidactilia (n=11), baixa estatura (n=8), ossificações subcutâneas (n=6), obesidade (n=9) e retardo mental (n=3). Identificamos oito mutações (cinco novas) na região codificadora da Gsalfa em 10 pacientes com PHP1a e quatro pacientes com PPHP. Quinze pacientes apresentaram alteração no padrão de metilação das DMRs (genótipo: PHP1b). O fenótipo dos pacientes foi semelhante nos dois grupos. DISCUSSÃO E CONCLUSÃO: Nenhuma das classificações do PHP foi capaz de predizer gravidade ou o curso clínico da doença. Porém, o diagnóstico do PHP1a baseado no genótipo possibilitou a identificação precoce de uma paciente, a exclusão de PHP1a na filha de outra paciente e o aconselhamento genético em duas famílias. O diagnóstico de PHP1b em uma paciente só foi possível graças ao genótipo, visto que seu perfil laboratorial osteometabólico era inconclusivo. Com base no fenótipo, 8/15 pacientes com PHP1b seriam classificados como PHP1a considerando a presença de dois ou mais estigmas da AHO, podendo levar a falhas no aconselhamento genético. Portanto, concluímos que a classificação do PHP baseada na análise do GNAS é mais informativa do que a baseada no fenótipo, permitindo o diagnóstico precoce e o aconselhamento genético de casos familiais de PHP1a. A identificação do PHP1b deve ser promissora na medida em que seus mecanismos de transmissão forem mais bem entendidos / BACKGROUND: The first human disease attributed to hormone resistance was pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP), a rare disease characterized by hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia and elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in the presence of normal renal function, consistent picture of PTH resistance. The original classification of PHP takes into account the Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO): present in PHP1a and absent in PHP1b. As the molecular bases of PHP have been understood, a classification based on genotype has emerged. According to it, PHP1a patients present mutations in the Gsalpha coding region of the GNAS and the pattern of inheritance is autosomal dominant related to maternal transmission. On the other hand, PHP1b is characterized by alterations in differentially methylated regions (DMRs) of the GNAS by mechanisms not completely clear, limiting the prediction of the pattern of inheritance. Patients who present AHO in the absence of hormone resistance have the diagnosis of pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism (PPHP) and their pattern of inheritance is autosomal dominant related to paternal transmission of mutations in the Gsalfa coding region of the GNAS. OBJECTIVE: To classify 25 patients with PHP based on GNAS molecular defects and to characterize their phenotype. To search for GNAS mutations in four patients with PPHP and also to characterize their phenotype. METHODS: The phenotypic evaluation included analysis of hormone resistances, research of chronic repercussions of hypocalcemia/hyperphosphatemia (calcifications in central nervous system: CNS and cataract) and identification of AHO. The analysis of the GNAS was done by automated sequencing and MLPA (Gsalphaa coding region) and by MS-MLPA (regulatory region: DMRs). RESULTS: PTH resistance was identified in 25 patients with PHP and TSH resistance in 17/25. Calcifications in CNS and cataract were present in 18 and 10 patients with PHP, respectively. AHO was characterized by: rounded face (n=18), brachydactyly (n=11), short stature (n=8), subcutaneous ossifications (n=6), obesity (n=9) and mental retardation (n=3). We identified eight mutations (five novels) in the Gsalpha coding region in 10 patients with PHP1a. Fifteen patients presented alterations in the methylation pattern of DMRs (genotype: PHP1b). The phenotype of patients was similar in both groups. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: None of the PHP classifications was able to predict the severity or clinical course of the disease. However, the diagnosis of PHP1a based on genotype allowed the early identification of one patient, the exclusion of PHP1a in the daughter of another patient and genetic counseling in two families. The PHP1b diagnosis in one patient was only possible due to the genotype, as her bone metabolism profile was inconclusive. Based on phenotype, 8/15 PHP1b patients would have been classified as PHP1a considering the presence of two or more AHO stigmas, being able to lead to failures in genetic counseling. Therefore, we conclude that the PHP classification based on GNAS analysis is more informative than that based on phenotype, allowing the early diagnosis and the genetic counseling for familial cases of PHP1a. The identification of PHP1b may be promising as its transmission mechanisms are better clarified

Syfte: Syftet med studien är att öka förståelsen för vilka yttre faktorer som är av betydelse för personalengagemang och hur dessa är av betydelse för personalengagemang enligt mellanchefer på medelstora till stora organisationer. Metod: Metodvalet för studien utgår från ett kvalitativt, socialkonstruktionistiska perspektiv med tio semistrukturerade intervjuer med mellanchefer på medelstora till stora organisationer. Det empiriska materialet har analyserats utifrån fyra olika teman för att sedan ställa de empiriska utfallen mot tidigare forskning för att på så vis öka förståelsen för vilka yttre faktorer som påverkar personalens grundläggande mänskliga behov som i sin tur är av betydelse för personalengagemang.  Bidrag: Personalengagemang är resultatet av en kedjereaktion i tre steg. Där yttre faktorer behöver tillfredsställa personalens grundläggande mänskliga behov som i sin tur är av betydelse för olika inre sinnestillstånd hos personalen.Det teoretiska bidraget lyfter fram att personalens grundläggande mänskliga behov samt de tre yttre faktorerna återhämtning, ledarskap och kommunikation är av betydelse för personalengagemang. Studien kom även fram till att ytterligare två yttre faktorer, tillit och frihet under eget ansvar, kan vara av betydelse för personalengagemang. Det praktiska bidraget består i att förse beslutsfattare inom organisationer med praktiska teorier för att bättre förstå och arbeta med personalengagemang.  Förslag till fortsatt forskning: Vi rekommenderar att framtida forskning utför validerande tester om de tre yttre faktorerna återhämtning, ledarskap och kommunikation utgör träffsäkra och pålitliga faktorer som är av betydelse för personalengagemang. Vi anser att det vore av intresse att vidare undersöka om de två yttre faktorerna tillit och frihet under eget ansvar har någon inverkan i att bibehålla fullt personalengagemang och om det kan finnas ett samband mellan dem och behovet av självförverkligande från Maslows (1943) behovstrappa. / Aim: The purpose of this thesis is to increase the understanding of which factors that are of importance for employee engagement and how they are of importance for employee engagement according to middle managers in medium-sized to large organizations.  Method: The choice of method for this thesis is based on a qualitative, social-constructive perspective based on ten semi-structured interviews with middle managers in medium-sized to large organizations. The empirical material has been analyzed on the basis of four different themes, where the empirical outcomes were compared to previous research in order to increase understanding of which external factors affect employee’s Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to then affect employee engagement. Contributions: Employee engagement seems to be the result of a three-step chain reaction. Where external factors need to satisfy the basic human needs of the employees, which in turn is of importance for different inner state of mind within the employees. The theoretical contribution emphasizes that employee’s basic human needs as well as the three external factors of recovery, leadership and communication are of importance for employee engagement. The study also concluded that two additional external factors, trust and freedom under one's own responsibility, may be of importance for employee engagement. The practical contribution consists in providing decision-makers within organizations with practical theories to better understand and work with employee engagement. Suggestions for future research: We recommend future researchers to conduct validating tests to affirm if the three external factors recovery, leadership and communication constitute accurate and reliable performance indicators of employee engagement. We believe it to be of interest to further investigate whether the two external factors trust and freedom to act under one’s own supervision have any correlation with maintaining a full level of employee engagement, and whether there exists a causality between them and the need of self-realization from Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

Objetivo: Determinar el efecto neuroprotector de la administración de la semilla de Prunus dulcis “almendra” sobre el tejido nervioso en ratones inducidos a estrés por desorientación motora. Diseño: Estudio analítico, transversal, experimental y prospectivo. Lugar: Laboratorios del Centro de Investigación de Bioquímica y Nutrición Alberto Guzmán Barrón, Facultad de Medicina, UNMSM, Lima, Perú. Materiales: Ratones albinos BALB/c (Mus musculus) machos y Prunus dulcis “almendra”. Métodos: Se utilizó 42 ratones, según expertos, de 3 meses de edad y 31 ± 4,4 g de peso, distribuidos aleatoriamente en seis grupos (n=7). Todos los grupos recibieron la misma dieta balanceada y agua ad libitum durante 5 días. Recibieron los siguientes tratamientos, por cinco días, vía peroral: grupo I y II: suero fisiológico (NaCl 0,9g% 10mL/kg), grupo III: vitamina E 400mg/kg, grupo IV: almendra 100 mg/kg, grupo V: almendra 500 mg/kg y grupo VI: almendra 1000 mg/kg; 12 horas antes de finalizar el Tto. se cortaron los bigotes de los ratones, excepto al grupo I; y luego de 12 horas se realizó el sacrificio. Principales medidas de los resultados: Nivel de lipoperoxidación expresado en sustancias reactivas al ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARs) y nivel de Grupos sulfhídrilos no proteicos (GS-NP), además de cambios histopatológicos de tejido de cerebro y cerebelo. Resultados: La administración de Prunus dulcis “almendra” aumenta significativamente (p<0.05) los niveles de GS-NP en todos los grupos (excepto G VI) en comparación con el G II en cerebro; los niveles de TBARs disminuyen significativamente (p<0.05) en el grupo V y VI comparado con el grupo II, y en relación a los cambios histológicos se observa una mejora leve en el G V en comparación con el GII. Conclusiones: La administración de la suspensión de la semilla del Prunus dulcis “almendra” expreso un efecto neuroprotector en los indicadores bioquímicos (TBARs y GS-NP), sobre el tejido nervioso en ratones inducidos a estrés por desorientación motora. / Objetive: Determine the neuroprotective effect of administration of Prunus dulcis seed "almond" on the nervous tissue in motor stress induced disorientation mice. Design: Analytical, transverse, experimental and prospective study. Location: Laboratories of the Research Center of Biochemistry and Nutrition Alberto Guzman Barron, Faculty of Medicine, UNMSM, Lima, Peru. Materials: Mice albino BALB / c (Mus musculus) males and Prunus dulcis "almond". Methods: 42 mice was used, experts say, 3 months and 31 ± 4,4 g in weight, randomized into six groups (n = 7). All groups received the same balanced diet and water ad libitum for 5 days. They received the following treatments for five days, perorally: group I and II: saline (NaCl 0.9g% 10 mL / kg), group III: Vitamin E 400 mg / kg, group IV: almond 100 mg / kg, group V : almond 500 mg / kg and group VI: almond 1000 mg / kg; 12 hours before the end of Tto. Cut whiskers of mice, except the group I; and after 12 hours they were sacrificed. Main outcome measures: Level of lipid peroxidation expressed in thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) and level of non-protein sulfhydryl groups (GS-NP) substances in addition to histopathological changes of brain tissue and cerebellum. Results: Administration of Prunus dulcis "almond" significantly increased (p <0.05) levels of GS-NP in all groups (except G VI) compared to the G II in brain; TBARS levels decreased significantly (p <0.05) in the V and VI group compared with group II, and in relation to the histological changes seen a slight improvement in the GV compared to GII. Conclusions: The administration of the suspension of Prunus dulcis seed "almond" demonstrated the neuroprotective effect in biochemical (TBARs y GS-NP) on the nervous tissue in mice induced to stress motor disorientation. KEYWORDS: Prunus dulcis "almond" non-protein sulfhydryl groups (GS-NP), lipid peroxidation (TBARS), histopathological changes, disorientation motor stress.

This document defines systems of pushdown transducers. The idea of cooperating distributed grammar systems for components working on one word is adjusted for use of transducers instead of grammars. The transducers cooperate by passing output of one to input of another component. It discusses their descriptive power and equivalency between systems with arbitrary numbers of components. The main conclusion is then comparison of their descriptive power with Turing machines with regard to their translation and accepted languages.

The literary part of the thesis contains basic information on the tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) hydroponic culture and the nutrient solution parameters for hydroponic culture of the tomato. A big part of the thesis is dedicated to the photosynthesis process, its phases and factors affecting the process. It also describes various methods of photosynthesis related parameters. The chapter titled methodics records the observed varieties and the conditions they were cultivated in. The devices used to measure as well as the experiment methodology are described in the thesis. The practical part of the thesis is dedicated to observing physiological characteristics of the tomato such as: the photosynthesis intensity, transpiration levels and the stomatal conductivity of gaps. All characteristics were measured at spot conditions of the plants.