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No description available.

The increased incidence of diabetes mellitus has underscored the importance of effective management strategies, particularly in preventing complications such as diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Chronic infections associated with DFU pose significant health risks, including lower limb amputations, highlighting the urgent need for non-invasive methods to assess skin microbiota changes. This study aimed to evaluate simple methods of sampling and quantifying skin bacteria, comparing techniques such as Gram staining, DAPI staining, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Furthermore, the study investigated bacterial abundance variations across different sampling sites on the foot. Skin bacteria were sampled from healthy human volunteers using tape stripping (TPS) and swabbing. Gram-staining of the samples showed that most bacteria were found on the heel of the foot, and only Gram-positive bacteria were found on the skin of healthy study participants. However, Gram-staining showed artifacts in the form of bubbles under the microscope, which interfered with bacteria counting. PCR provided results indicating the presence of Staphylococcal species on the skin of healthy feet. DAPI staining showed images of bacteria like the ones stained with Gram staining. After using FISH-probe it was found that only a few bacteria hybridized with the probe and further optimization of the protocol is required. The study evaluated various techniques for sampling and quantifying skin bacteria and compared the number of bacteria present on the foot of healthy individuals, which may be used to identify infections before they develop into more serious conditions.

Chez les végétaux supérieurs, lembryogenèse est une phase clé du développement au cours de laquelle lembryon établit les principales structures de la future plante. La compréhension des processus moléculaires et physiologiques menant à la formation de la graine est donc dun intérêt agronomique majeur. Chez Phaseolus la caractérisation moléculaire de lembryogenèse permet de mieux comprendre les mécanismes du développement embryonnaire et de son dysfonctionnement observé chez les hybrides interspécifiques. Cette thèse sinscrit dans ce cadre et vise à identifier et caractériser des gènes clés impliqués dans le développement de l'embryon chez Phaseolus. Des hybridations interspécifiques ont été réalisées entre lespèce P.vulgaris L. (cultivar NI637) utilisée comme parent mâle et lespèce P. coccineus L. (cultivar NI16) utilisée comme parent femelle. Des analyses ont aussi été effectuées sur un mutant obtenu par mutagenèse chimique à l'EMS (Ethyl Méthyl Sulfonate) de graines de la variété BAT93 de P.vulgaris. Une étude histologique comparative a permis de suivre la dynamique de lembryogenèse du haricot commun à partir dembryons prélevés 3 à 12 jours après la pollinisation et provenant de plantes normales et déficients dans la production de graines. Les embryons de P. vulgaris se développent plus rapidement par rapport à ceux issus du mutant EMS. Ces derniers présentent des anomalies au niveau de lembryon et du suspenseur. La caractérisation fonctionnelle de deux gènes candidats MIPS (myo-inositol phosphate synthase) et Sus (sucrose synthase) a été réalisée par RT-PCR quantitative et hybridation in situ suite à une étude spatio-temporelle dexpression de ces deux gènes candidats au cours de développement embryonnaire chez Phaseolus. Lanalyse du profil dexpression de ces deux gènes montre quils sont exprimés différemment au niveau des tissus de lembryon et du suspenseur. Lanalyse in silico nous a permis de sélectionner 22 gènes candidats dont nous avons vérifié l'expression au cours de développement de la graine chez Phaseolus. Des variations au niveau de la méthylation de lADN ont été déterminées chez les hybrides interspécifiques comparativement à leurs parents. La technique de lHSS a permis disoler des fragments dADNs complémentaires différemment exprimés au cours de développement de la graine chez Phaseolus. Lanalyse des séquences de ces ADNs complémentaires montre quils codent pour plusieurs protéines intervenant dans le développement cellulaire et embryonnaire, en particulier le "storage protein activator" (SPA), le "pentatricopeptide repeat-containing protein" (PPR) et lacetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase). La caractérisation de ces différents gènes exprimés au cours du développement de la graine, fournit de nouveaux outils susceptibles de mettre en évidence des mécanismes de dysfonctionnement embryonnaire chez le genre Phaseolus.

[ES] La tesis doctoral analiza las contaminaciones de la arquitectura que afloran al transformar los grandes contenedores multifuncionales o hasta los edificios complejos más recientes de menor tamaño que son el resultado de una hibridación entre arquitectura, paisaje e infraestructuras. Trámite la perspectiva de la dimensión hibrida, se va perfilando, en realidad, una evolución conceptual y productiva significativa. Con este enfoque de investigación, lo híbrido se concibe como un agente teórico que se desglosa primero como contenedor híbrido (objeto-arquitectónico), luego como hibridación (arquitectura-paisaje), y por último como ámbito híbrido (arquitectura-infraestructura). Así se establece un ámbito teórico con la capacidad de reconectar los elementos en un sistema y lograr renovar constantemente el significado. Es decir que, primero, las obras ponen de relieve un desacoplamiento entre contenido y contenedor, entre forma y función, en donde se detecta una espacialidad interior dilatada, un paisaje indoor definido por la envoltura estática, donde lo híbrido se manifiesta como una presencia intrínseca que representa el concepto de “ciudad en la ciudad”, un espacio centrípeto, que se proyecta por completo hacia el interior del volumen arquitectónico. Sucesivamente dicho desacoplamiento se encamina hacia una difuminación de los límites dentro de los que trabaja la arquitectura, llegan-do luego a definir una hibridación que actúa en el espacio intermedio, como presencia liminar que se concentra en el perímetro y en el borde, como ámbitos de acoplamiento entre arquitectura y paisaje: desde esta óptica el papel más significativo de la superficie conlleva una atenuación del vínculo volumétrico. Las delimitaciones reglamentarias, por consiguiente, se van difuminando, facilitadas por el empuje vital que ofrece el paisaje. En la tesis doctoral se recoge, además, otra brecha conceptual debida a la capacidad de los elementos de organizarse en un sistema que actúa en un ámbito con mayores posibilidades de acoplamiento trámite un rebasamiento que elimina los casos anteriores. El planteamiento arquitectónico se enmarca así en un ámbito de infraestructuras más amplio, un ámbito híbrido extendido que se caracteriza por una presencia extrínseca del híbrido. De esta forma se genera un espacio centrífugo que logra crear conexiones de gran alcance acoplando arquitectura e infraestructuras trámite orientaciones de intensidad e imágenes de la extensión. El rebasamiento representa una fase nueva en la que la arquitectura alcanza una conciencia identitaria nueva mediante una ampliación de sus atribuciones y de los instrumentos teóricos y operativos. La tesis doctoral profundiza en el ámbito de la metrópolis contemporánea que se caracteriza por el paulatino abandono de los modelos urbanos reconocibles, porque se abre y acoge las contradicciones, lo plural y lo heterogéneo. La difuminación de los límites tradicionales implica un replanteamiento de la ciudad concebida ahora como un sistema abierto que se transforma indefinidamente (Sennett, 2018). La incesante urbanización y la elevada densidad implican un cambio de los valores asignados al espacio tradicional de las ciudades que tienden a estructurar-se con formas mutantes, generando fragilidad dentro a la ciudad misma: bienvenida ¡cultura de la congestión! (Koolhaas, 2001). Se analiza el enriquecimiento del ámbito específico de la arquitectura que acoge la esencia de las otras disciplinas para lograr así una difuminación de la idea de producir objetos aislados, al incorporarlos dentro de un espacio más extenso de relaciones. Esta es la idea subyacente a la noción de antiobjeto elaborada por el arquitecto japonés Kengo Kuma (Kuma, 2014), que propugna abandonar definitivamente el edificio como objeto arquitectónico y apunta en cambio a crear una red de interrelaciones e interconexiones con el entorno que lo rodea. La noción final de anti-objeto, a la que se refiere la tesis doctoral, marca el ápice de una estrategia de acciones que analizan la difuminación de la arquitectura identitaria tradicional y destacan el inicio de una relación nueva con el territorio y el paisaje. Por último, otra fase conceptual es la afirmación de la condición de ámbito híbrido (Allen 1999). Lo híbrido a este respecto opera anulando las jerarquías y facilitando los intercambios que se generan por la condición de libertad. Por su capacidad de desplazarse entre las diferentes disciplinas y las diferentes escalas, lo híbrido demuestra su fuerza transversal en términos de interescalaridad. El acoplamiento entre arquitectura, paisaje e infraestructura conlleva un potencial emancipador de los dogmas compositivos, un replanteamiento del enfoque proyectual desde su origen, es decir una revisión radical de sus elementos. Desde esta perspectiva nueva, la arquitectura se considera como un soporte y parrilla que puede ajustarse de modo flexible a los cambios. Una disciplina que no ofrece respuestas inflexibles y que actúa en una zona liminar entre ámbitos diferentes tratando de plasmar una actitud proyectual abierta que logre encarar los eventos imprevisibles y respaldar las transformaciones futuras. / [EN] The dissertation analyses architectural contaminations emerging from the development from large multifunctional containers to most recent smaller complex buildings, resulting from a hybridisation between architecture, landscape and infrastructure. Through the lens of the hybrid dimension, a significant conceptual and productive evolution emerges. In this perspective of study, the hybrid is interpreted as a theoretical operator and is developed as hybrid container (architecture-object) at first, then as Hybridisation (architecture-landscape), and finally as hybrid field (archi-tecture-infrastructure). Therefore, the theoretical scope is characterised by the systemic reconnection of elements and the constant creation of new meanings. In other words, at first the architectural works highlight the disconnection between content and container, shape and function, where internal space is extended, as in an indoor landscape defined by the static nature of the container and the hybrid is presented as an intrinsic presence representing the idea of a “city in a city”, a centripetal space, fully extended within the architectural volume. Subsequently, the afore mentioned disconnection moves towards the thinning of the boundaries in which architecture operates, to then de-fine a hybridisation operating on intermediate space as a liminal presence concentrating on the perimeter and the edge, as the reconnecting area of architecture and landscape. In this perspective, the enhanced role of the surface leads to reduced volume constraints. Disciplinary boundaries move towards their dissolution encouraged by the vital impulse provided by the landscape. The dissertation highlights also a further conceptual shift caused by the capacity of the elements to organise into a system, by acting in a freer field for reconnection through a trespassing which addresses the previous instances. Therefore, the architectural discourse expresses itself within a larger infrastructure scope, a hybrid expanded field characterised by the extrinsic presence of the hybrid. In this way, a centrifugal space, capable of large-scale connections, joining architecture and infrastructure through 13 intensity trajectories and shapes with different extensions, is created. The trespassing represents a new phase when architecture acquires renewed awareness of its identity through the extension of its attributions and its theoretical and operational tools. The focus area of the dissertation is the contemporary metropolis, charac-terised by the progressive abandonment of recognisable urban models, to embrace, contradictions, multiplicity and heterogeneity. The dissolution of traditional constraints leads to the rethinking of the city conceived now as an open system in constant transformation (Sennett, 2018), where constant urbanisation and its high density introduce a change in the values given to the traditional space of the city which tends to configurate in discontinuous forms, causing internal fragility for the city: welcome to the culture of congestion! (Koolhaas, 2001). The Enrichment of the scope of architecture is therefore explored as it welcomes the spirit of other disciplines, and by doing so reaches the dis-solution of the idea of the production of isolated objects, by reconnecting them into a larger space of relationships. This is the idea underlying the notion of anti-object, elaborated by the Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma (Kuma, 2014), who wishes for the permanent abandonment of the build-ing as architectural objects and aims at creating a network of relationships and interconnections with the surroundings. The final notion of anti-ob-ject referred to in the dissertation, marks the apex of a strategy of actions exploring the dissolution of architecture in terms of traditional identity and marks the beginning of a renewed relationship with the territory and the landscape. A further conceptual shift is finally represented by the affirmation of the notion of Hybrid field (Allen 1999). In this case, the hybrid operates by nullifying hierarchies and favouring interchanges produced by a condition of freedom. Due to its ability to move between different disciplines and scales, the hybrid shows its transversal strength in terms of interscalarity. The reconnection between architecture, landscape and infrastructure carries with it a potential freedom from the compositional dogmas, and the rethinking of the projectual approach starting from its origin, that is a radical revision of its elements. In this new perspective, architecture is seen as a support and a palimpsest able to address changes in a flexible manner. A discipline that doesn’t provide fixed answers but operates at the border between different areas and tries to build an open projectual attitude capable of facing up to unpredictable events and supporting future transformations. / [IT] La dissertazione analizza le contaminazioni dell’architettura che emergono nella trasformazione dai grandi contenitori multifunzionali fino ai più recenti edifici complessi di minori dimensioni e che sono il frutto di una ibridazione tra architettura, paesaggio e infrastruttura. Attraverso la lente della dimensione ibrida, infatti, emerge una significativa evoluzione concettuale e produttiva. In questa prospettiva di studio, l’ibrido viene letto come un operatore teorico e si declina prima come contenitore ibrido (oggetto-architettonico), poi come ibridazione (architettura-paesaggio), infine come campo ibrido (architettura-infrastruttura). Si afferma così un ambito teorico caratterizzato dalla capacità di riconnettere a sistema gli elementi e approdare a significati costantemente rinnovati.In altri termini, dapprima le opere evidenziano una disgiunzione tra contenuto e contenitore, tra forma e funzione, in cui si rileva una spazialità interna dilatata, un paesaggio indoor fissato dalla staticità dell’involucro, dove l’ibrido si manifesta come una presenza intrinseca rappresentativa di un’idea di “città nella città”, uno spazio centripeto, tutto proiettato all’interno del volume architettonico. Successivamente detta disgiunzione si orienta verso un assottigliamento dei confini entro i quali opera l’architettura, giungendo poi a definire un’ibridazione che agisce sullo spazio intermedio, come presenza liminare che si concentra sul perimetro e sul bordo, quale ambito di ricongiunzione tra architettura e paesaggio: in questa prospettiva il ruolo più significativo della superficie porta a un affievolimento del vincolo volumetrico. Le perimetrazioni disciplinari si avviano dunque a una dissoluzione, favorita dallo slancio vitale offerto dal paesaggio.La dissertazione coglie infine un ulteriore scarto concettuale, determinato dalla capacità degli elementi di organizzarsi a sistema agendo in un campo più libero di riconnessione tramite uno sconfinamento che riassorbe le istanze precedenti. Il discorso architettonico si esprime così in un ambito di infrastrutturazione più ampio, un campo ibrido espanso caratterizzato da una presenza estrinseca dell’ibrido. In questo modo si genera uno spazio centrifugo in grado di compiere connessioni ad ampio respiro con un congiungimento tra architettura e infrastruttura attraverso direttrici di intensità e figure dell’estensione. Lo sconfinamento rappresenta una nuova fase in cui l’architettura acquisisce una rinnovata consapevolezza identitaria mediante una dilatazione delle sue attribuzioni e degli strumenti teorici ed operativi. Ambito di approfondimento della dissertazione è la metropoli contemporanea, connotata dal progressivo abbandono di modelli urbani riconoscibili, per aprirsi ad accogliere le contraddizioni, il molteplice e l’eterogeneo. La dissoluzione dei limiti tradizionali porta a un ripensamento della città vista ora come sistema aperto e in continua trasformazione (Sennett, 2018), in cui l’incessante inurbamento e l’elevata densità introducono un cambio dei valori attribuiti allo spazio urbano tradizionale che tende a configurarsi in forme discontinue, generando una fragilità interna alla città stessa: benvenuta cultura della congestione! (Koolhaas, 2001). Si esplora dunque un arricchimento del campo stesso dell’architettura che accoglie lo spirito delle altre discipline e così facendo giunge a una dissoluzione dell’idea di una produzione per oggetti isolati, reinserendoli all’interno di uno spazio più ampio di relazioni. Questa è l’idea alla base della nozione di anti-oggetto elaborata dall’architetto giapponese Kengo Kuma (Kuma, 2014), che auspica il definitivo abbandono dell’edificio come oggetto architettonico e mira invece a intrecciare una rete di interrelazioni e interconnessioni con l’intorno circostante. La nozione finale di anti-oggetto, cui la dissertazione fa riferimento, segna l’apice di una strategia di azioni che esplorano la dissoluzione dell’architettura in termini identitari tradizionali e segnano l’avvio di un ritrovato rapporto con il territorio e il paesaggio. Un ulteriore passaggio concettuale è infine rappresentato dall’affermazione della condizione di campo ibrido (Allen 1999). L’ibrido a questo punto opera annullando le gerarchie favorendo interscambi generati da una condizione di libertà. Per questa sua capacità di muoversi tra le diverse discipline e alle diverse scale, l’ibrido mostra la sua forza trasversale in termini di inter-scalarità. La ricongiunzione tra architettura, paesaggio e infrastruttura porta con sé un potenziale liberatorio dai dogmi compositivi, un ripensamento dell’approccio progettuale partendo all’origine, ossia una radicale revisione dei suoi elementi. In questa nuova ottica, l’architettura viene vista quale supporto e palinsesto in grado di rispondere in modo flessibile ai cambiamenti. Una disciplina che non fornisce risposte rigide ma si muove su un terreno liminare tra ambiti differenti e cerca di costruire un atteggiamento progettuale aperto che possa fronteggiare gli eventi imprevedibili e supportare future trasformazioni. / Gironi, R. (2021). Gulliver en busca de Liliput. La dimensión híbrida de la Arquitectura [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/170334 / TESIS / Premios Extraordinarios de tesis doctorales

The basal ganglia are the key circuitry controlling movement and reward behavior. Both locomotion and reward-related behavior are also modified by dopaminergic input from the substantia nigra and the ventral tegmental area (VTA). If the basal ganglia are severed by lesion or in disease, such as in Parkinson’s disease, the affected individuals suffer from severe motor impairments and often of affective and reward-related symptoms. The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a glutamatergic key area of the basal ganglia and a common target for deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease to alleviate motor symptoms. The STN serves not only motoric, but also limbic and cognitive functions, which is often attributed to a tripartite anatomical subdivision. However, the functional output of both VTA and STN may rely more on intermingled subpopulations than on a strictly anatomical subdivision. In this doctoral thesis, the role of subpopulations within and associated with the basal ganglia is addressed from both a genetic and a behavioral angle. The identification of a genetically defined subpopulation within the STN, co-expressing Paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 (Pitx2) and Vesicular glutamate transport 2 (Vglut2), made it possible to conditionally reduce glutamatergic transmission from this subgroup of neurons and to investigate its influence on locomotion and motivational behavior, giving interesting insights into the mechanisms possibly underlying deep brain stimulation therapy and its side-effects. We address the strong influence of the Pitx2-Vglut2 subpopulation on movement, as well as the more subtle changes in reward-related behavior and the impact of the alterations on the reward-related dopaminergic circuitry. We also further elucidate the genetic composition of the STN by finding new markers for putative STN subpopulations, thereby opening up new possibilities to target those cells genetically and optogenetically. This will help in future to examine both STN development, function in the adult central nervous system and defects caused by specific deletion. Eventually identifying and characterizing subpopulations of the STN can contribute to the optimization of deep brain stimulation and help to reduce its side-effects, or even open up possibilities for genetic or optogenetic therapy approaches.

This research set out to explore the curriculum experiences of French-speaking students in a private tertiary education institution. The study was qualitative in nature and utilized narrative inquiry and the case study approach. Data-gathering methods included a blend of semistructured interviews, document analysis, participant observation and field notes. Data analysis employed content and thematic analyses. Findings that emerged from the study were seven-fold: First, the academic experiences of French-speaking students from pre-degree to third-year degree programme entailed a rigorous negotiation with the LoLT. They negotiated the pre-degree route to mainstream degree programme due to non-compliance with academic standards set for higher education. Second, French-speaking students negotiated the pre-degree route to mainstream degree programme because their curricula of study, while they negotiated secondary school education in French-speaking countries were not recognized by most South African public universities. Third, French-speaking students experienced a number of hidden curriculum experiences which were not visible but influenced the planned, enacted and assessed curricula. Fourth, the deportment of lecturers was a useful asset. Lecturers were sourced from different sociocultural perspectives of the world. The impact of lecturers’ deportment led to commitment to achieve excellence and dedication towards student learning. Fifth, the use of Zulu, Sotho and sporadic use of Afrikaans languages by lecturers became sociocultural experiences of French-speaking students. The impact of this was felt by French-speaking students when they took a longer time to negotiate transition from French-speaking to English-speaking. The rate at which white lecturers spoke and the unfamiliar accents of black South African lecturers became important aspects of experiences they negotiated at Montana College. Sixth, learning ensues when there is a hybridization of the three sociocultural factors namely language of communication, acculturation to the domain of influence and mediated identity. Seventh, it was found that power relations manifested themselves in different perspectives at Montana College. Lave and Wenger (1991) proposed that power relations exist in the field of education where teachers exercise their roles as facilitators of learning and students see that they are in possession of economic power, by virtue of the fact that they pay fees. Consequently the issues of power relations abound in the form of the “continuity-displacement contradictions” as suggested by Lave and Wenger (1991:115-116). Much new knowledge came to light, especially in terms of the three sociocultural factors (language, acculturation and identity). When these are in a state of redress, there is an emergent learning, depending on the extent of hybridization between the sociocultural factors. The magnitude of learning is conceptualized to depend on the extent of redress or hybridization among the sociocultural factors. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

In this thesis the Oceania collection of Anders Sparrman is examined and discussed. Anders Sparrman, who was a disciple of Carl von Linnaeus, participated on James Cooks second voyage around the world. During this voyage, Sparrman assembled the collection that today is stored at the museum of Ethnography in Stockholm. The collection is complemented by Sparrman’s own journal from his travels, providing his perspective on the items he collected and the islands he visited. The items in the collection are analyzed through the aspects of hybridization, colonial herit-age and repatriation together with how collections of this type, with a dual cultural heritage, can be exhibited in a way so that both a national and international audience can take part of it. A rel-evant question is also what further research that can be done on collections of this type. With this thesis I argue that a digital exhibition would be the best way to make collections of this kind available on a national and international level. Also research projects over country- and institutional- borders on these types of items would extend the knowledge about them and elabo-rate the whole history around these objects that both have a cultural value in Sweden and in the South Pacific.

本文研究的目的嘗試回答「在以國族認同的現實中，東亞流行文化的交流是否能使東亞國家成為一個想像中的共同體，進而創造一個令人嚮往認同的東亞認同？」。在理論層次上，本研究認為一個想像中的東亞共同體可以建立在亞洲閱聽人對東亞國家間混種流行文化產品的消費上，東亞共同體代表了形形色色的生活型態，並結合傳統、現代及後現代的價值觀。為了要找出混種的文化實踐能否建構東亞認同，必須探討這些文化實踐在社會及歷史的情境中各種既有的連接方式。 本研究發現，在消費進口流行文化的情境下，消費混種流行文化文本不僅能提供消費者反思社會議題，同時也讓生產者理解其他國家如何產製產品的機會。此外，大眾媒體藉由討論國家主義，試圖干預閱聽人對他國文化產品的消費行為。當審視東亞流行文化實踐之間所發生複雜的互動關係，本研究也發現構想東亞認同應該是想要面對並克服各種非民主及壓制的力量，而非去認同其所定位的文化內容。 / National identity has traditionally played a central role in shaping a person’s views and beliefs. However, is it possible that we are moving towards a new paradigm, where exchanges of popular culture in East Asia make it possible to visualize an integrated East Asia bloc and connect with a broader East Asian identity? On the theoretical level, we contend that the new East Asian image is being cultivated by the commonality of consuming hybridized popular culture products exchanged among East Asia countries, which represent various shapes and forms of cultural memes, which are ingrained in tradition and values of modernity and post－modernity. In order to find out whether hybrid cultural practices can constitute the basis for the establishment of an 「East Asian identity」 with the potential to change the current landscape in power relations, we need to investigate concrete ways in which specific cultural practices are articulated in the social and historical contexts. In the context of the consumption of imported popular cultural products, the experience of hybrid popular culture products provides the consumer with an opportunity to critically reflect on the problems in their society as well as gaining an insight into the foreign country producing the product. For the part of audiences enjoying other Asian cultural products, some make use of the cultural products as symbolic capital as a way of distinguishing themselves from other users.