The general aim of this research was to analyse the genetic diversity in Sclerotinia species. More specifically the aims of this research were: to separate the three species of Sclerotinia, S. sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, S. minor Jagger and S. trifoliorum Erikss.; to determine the breeding mechanism in S. minor and S. sclerotiorum; to test S. minor for the possibility of causing head rot of sunflower; to examine isolate of S. sclerotiorum from sunflower for aggressiveness and to see if this correlates with underlying genetic diversity. Sclerotinia species were separated using a variety of morphological and molecular criteria. S. minor, S. sclerotiorum and S. trifoliorum were analyzed on characters including host, sclerotial diameters, ascospore morphism, breeding type and RFLP analysis. Cloned DNA fragments from S. sclerotiorum were used as probes, these were compared with a cloned rDNA probe from Neurospora. These probes enabled clear separation of the Sclerotinia species. Sclerotial diameters appear to be good criteria for separating S. minor from S. sclerotiorum and S. trifoliorum. Host species may be sufficient criteria for separating S. sclerotiorum and S. trifoliorum for the plant pathologist in the field, however it was inadequate to accurately separate all isolates. S. minor and S. sclerotiorum were found to be homothallic ascomycetes. Apothecia were raised from all eight ascospores of a single tetrad from four isolates of S. minor and from an isolate of S. sclerotiorum indicating that inbreeding may be the predominant breeding type mechanism of S. minor. Ascospores from asci of S. minor and S. sclerotiorum were predominantly monomorphic, but rare examples of ascospore dimorphism similar to S. trifoliorum were found. Ascospores of S. minor were shown to be capable of causing head rot of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) when inoculated onto the floral face during anthesis. This is the first record of the carpogenic germination of S. minor in Australia and demonstration of infectivity of the ascospores on sunflower. Isolates of S. sclerotiorum differ significantly in aggressiveness on sunflower. One hundred and twenty isolates were collected from head and basal stem rots of sunflower in two locations in south east Queensland. The inoculation of sunflower stems with mycelial plugs and the measurement of lesion development were found to be reliable and revealed differences in lesion lengths produced by the different isolates. The time of assessment after inoculation was found to be of significance. Assessment two days after inoculation was more reliable than after three days or the linear rate of lesion development. The significant differences between isolates indicated that the pathogenicity testing method would also be good for virulence testing. The significant differences between the isolates however, was not consistent with repetition and division of the isolates into groups with different aggressive levels was therefore not possible. Differences in aggressiveness were more indicative of a continuous variation in pathogenicity rather than discrete aggressive groups. The number of significantly different isolates was most associated with the statistical test employed. The different multiple comparison procedures used made more difference in interpretation of aggressiveness than the data itself. Isolate aggressiveness did not correspond to the location of collection. Isolates collected from both head and basal stem rots were capable of causing stem infections therefore no specificity for mode of reproduction or infection was found. S. sclerotiorum attacking sunflower in Queensland and New South Wales was found to belong to one large population. Hierarchical sampling only detected one example of a plant lesion infected by more than one genotype. Thus most diseased plants are the result of a single infection only. Population substructuring could not be detected using 11 single copy Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) loci, suggesting gene flow occurs within the Australian population. Mycelial Compatibility Groups (MCGs), Random Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) single and multicopy RFLPs analysis indicated differences amongst the genotypes identified by each criteria. From 120 isolates the number of genotypes ranged from 13 to 24 depending on the marker used. However there were many similarities in the assemblages of isolates within each genotype. Genotypic diversity could not be correlated with aggressiveness. Initial mode of infection could not be correlated with genotypic differences. Genotypes were also not specific to geographic locations around Australia. However, genotypes identified in Australia were unique from genotypes identified in Canada and United States. Temporal studies also indicated a single population as genetic uniformity was maintained between years. Frequent recovery of the same genotypes around Australia suggests a clonal population structure. The Australian S. sclerotiorum population attacking sunflower appears to have a large asexual component most likely due to the sclerotial production and homothallic sexual reproduction. Gametic disequilibrium was found for all the populations. However, clonal correction of the samples meant that the majority of populations were not at gametic disequilibrium, indicating random associations among loci. Therefore genetic exchange and recombination would appear to be a component of the reproductive cycle of S. sclerotiorum in Australia.

Th. Ph. D.--Faculty of the college of arts and sciences--Washington--American University, 1970. / Bibliogr. p. 338-345.

Recently, there has been increasing focus toward the development of small molecules designed to target a specific sequences of double stranded DNA for therapeutic purposes1. Minor groove binding compounds have been shown to be capable of selectivity target GC sites in AT tract DNA2. In this research, binding selectivity was investigated using absorption, fluorescence and circular dichroic properties of selected DB minor groove binders in the presence of two unique DNA sequences. Further insight was gained by comparing the electrostatic potential maps and optimized structures of the compounds of interest. Using the results presented, potential selective minor groove binders can be selected for further investigation and kinetic studies.

Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) has for long been a neglected topic within development research, policy and practice, despite findings recognising how insufficient MHM poses obstacles to women and girls’ well-being and quality of life. Those living in low-resource settings are especially vulnerable to such challenges. This thesis aims to provide empirical evidence for the relationship between improved MHM and human development. Amartya Sen’s capability approach serves as the starting point, suggesting that development is the process of expanding capabilities to lead a life one has reason to value. It is argued that the use of menstrual cups enables the achievement of capabilities, by removing obstacles to these. This hypothesis is tested using material collected during a field study in Uganda. Two groups of women and girls have been interviewed and compared – one in which everyone is using menstrual cups, and one in which everyone is using pads or cloths. The results show that capabilities to a larger extent are achieved among the women and girls using menstrual cups, than among those using pads or cloths. Moreover, obstacles to capabilities were predominantly present in the second group. The findings thereby support the theoretical argument, demonstrating that the use of menstrual cups removes obstacles – positively impacting capabilities. This highlights the importance of considering MHM as a key aspect of sustainable development.

Since the Soviet collapse in 1991, Cuba tried intensively to attract foreign direct investments in order to improve the economic situation. The first reform was made in 1995, which was not a success, since both foreign direct investment and joint ventures decreased in the beginning of the 21st Century. In response, the government implemented a new law concerning foreign direct investment in 2014, with more relaxed regulations and increased benefits for the investors. This study aimed to examine whether the 2014 reform had solved the problems that existed under the previous law and the new reforms had helped Cuba’s exports. The purpose was therefore to investigate to which industry foreign direct investment should be allocated. The study took two approaches. First, it applied the Revealed Comparative Advantage model to distinguish effective from ineffective industries. It included a field study that aimed to gain understanding of the effect the new law has had so far, and whether it could improve exports. In addition, the field study attempted to determine where foreign direct investment should be allocated. The results indicated that Cuba has a comparative advantage in two industries: mining and agriculture. These industries were therefore examined in the field study. Key findings showed that ongoing issues, such as bureaucracy, lack of legal security and the wage policies of government employment agencies still exist, despite the introduction of new legislation. However, the new law may create increasing export possibilities in the food and mining industries, since Cuba has an outwardly-orientated policy and large factor proportions in agriculture and mining that could be exploited. / Minor Field Study (MFS)

Atrazine photochemical degradation in homogeneous phase using Fe(III)/UV/air system was studied. Two toxicity assessments, a Lemna minor growth inhibition test and a Daphnia magna acute immobilisation test, were employed to test potential toxicity of atrazine and its degradation products. The occurrence of atrazine in rivers from the Vltava River basin was evaluated from the analyses performed by Povodí Vltavy, State Enterprise.

O impacto da dimensão matutinidade/vespertinidade pode interferir no comportamento social e na saúde do indivíduo. Nos últimos anos, esta dimensão tem sido amplamente estudada dentro do âmbito da cronobiologia. Este estudo transversal teve como objetivo determinar o cronotipo de estudantes universitários do 6º semestre dos cursos de turno integral da Universidade de Passo Fundo - Rio Grande do Sul e observar a associação desses cronotipos com parâmetros sociodemográficos, comportamentais e também com a qualidade do sono, a sonolência diurna e distúrbios psiquiátricos menores. Os instrumentos utilizados na pesquisa foram: Pittsburg (PSQI), para avaliar a prevalência da qualidade do sono; Horne Ostberg (MEQ), para determinar o cronotipo; o SRQ20, para os distúrbios psiquiátricos menores; o Epwort (ESS), para sonolência diurna; o AUDIT, para o uso de álcool, e um questionário para variáveis sociodemográficas e comportamentais. Participaram do estudo 372 estudantes, 66,7% do sexo feminino e 33,3% masculino, com idade média de 21,6 anos DP±3,08 (IC min18 max 50); 92,2% não faziam uso de tabaco; 58,9% praticam atividade física e 58,6 % apresentaram consumo de risco para o álcool; referiram trabalhar no terceiro turno 19,7%. Quanto à prevalência para os cronotipos, foram encontrados cronotipos indiferentes 55,9%, seguidos de 39,5% para vespertinos e 4,6% matutinos. Cronotipos vespertinos foram associados ao sexo masculino odds ratio OR=1,72; pobre qualidade do sono OR=1,89; distúrbios psiquiátricos menores OR=1,92 e uso de tabaco OR=3,65. Estes resultados apontam a necessidade de ações educativas e preventivas para esta população vulnerável, no intuito de minimizar possíveis danos à sua saúde física e mental. / The impact of morningness-eveningness dimension can affect social behavior and individual health. The aim of the present study was to determine the chronotype of full time university students in the 6th semester of the Universidade de Passo Fundo - Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil - and evaluate its influence in behavioral parameters. The instruments used in the study were: a demographic questionnaire; PSQI to evaluate sleep quality; MEQ to determine chronotypes; SRQ-20 to minor psychiatric disorders; ESS to daytime sleepiness; AUDIT to alcohol use. 372 students participated in the study: 66.7% were female and 33.3% were male; aged 21.6 years + 3.08 (mean +SD). 92,2% did not use tobacco, 58.9% practiced physical activity and 58,6 showed risks of alcohol abuse; 19.7% reported working in third shift. Regarding the prevalence of chronotypes, it was found 55,9% of indifferent chronotypes, 39,5% of evening, and 4,6% of morning type. Evening chronotypes was associated that male gender odds ratio OR =1,72; poor sleep quality OR=1,89; minor psyquiatric disorders OR= 1,92 and tobacco use OR=3,65. So this study concluded that evening chronotype was related with gender, poor sleep quality, minor psychiatric disorders and tobacco use in the studied population and points to preventive actions and education for this vulnerable population.

This work aimed to evaluate the physico-chemical, microbiological and sensorial aspects of the mangaba (Hancornia speciosa) pulp preserved by combined methods during 90 days. The research was divided into three experiments: "Assessment of physico-chemical characteristics of mangaba pulp preserved by combined methods", "Evaluation of the growth of filamentous fungi and yeasts in mangaba pulp preserved by combined methods" and "Sensorial evaluation of juice produced from mangaba pulp preserved by combined methods". All experiments combined the preservation techniques of pasteurization, preservatives (potassium metabisulfite and sodium benzoate) and different storage temperatures, forming a factorial arrangement of 2 x 4 x 2 (two forms of processing, four forms of preservatives and two storage temperatures) totaling 16 treatments. In the first experiment, the pulps were evaluated for soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars and tannins. Periodic evaluations revealed that the heat treated pulps reduced vitamin C by approximately 14% during processing. By contrast, freezing stabilizes the amount of ascorbic acid of the pulps. All treatments used resembled the requirements of the Brazilian technical regulations, except those involving pulp unpasteurized and refrigerated. When examining the quantitative changes of CFU (Colony Forming Units) of filamentous fungi and yeasts, in the second experiment, it was notice that the pulps treated thermally reduced 99.35% of CFU g-1, 24 hours after fabrication and allow the retention of the pulp mangaba under refrigerated conditions (at +8 ° C) throughout their shelf life. There was no significant effect of potassium metabisulphite or sodium benzoate in the conservation. It was also found that the way of manufacturing pulp by the conventional process (without pasteurization, without additives and storage at - 18 ° C) provides quality consistent to Brazilian regulations. In the third experiment, there were evaluated sensorial parameters: appearance, aroma, color, viscosity and flavor. Mangaba juices were prepared maintaining about 13 ° Brix and served at a temperature of 10 ° C (± 2 ° C). The results of the sensorial trial were highly satisfactory and encouraging as the tasters recorded mostly notes corresponding to "like very much" according to the hedonic scale used for acceptance testing. / Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar as características físico-químicas, microbiológicas e sensoriais da polpa de mangaba (Hancornia speciosa Gomes) conservada por métodos combinados, durante 90 dias. A pesquisa foi subdividida em três experimentos: Avaliação físico-química de polpas de mangaba conservadas por métodos combinados , Avaliação do desenvolvimento de fungos filamentosos e leveduras em polpas de mangaba conservadas por métodos combinados e Avaliação sensorial de suco de mangaba produzido a partir de polpas conservadas por métodos combinados . Utilizou-se para os três experimentos a associação de técnicas de conservação envolvendo pasteurização, adição conservantes (metabissulfito de potássio e benzoato de sódio) e diferentes temperaturas de armazenamento, compondo um arranjo fatorial de 2 x 4 x 2 (duas formas de processamento, quatro alternativas de adição de estabilizantes e duas temperaturas de armazenamento), totalizado 16 tratamentos. No primeiro experimento, as polpas foram analisadas quanto aos teores de sólidos solúveis, pH, acidez titulável, ácido ascórbico, açúcares redutores e açúcares não-redutores. As análises periódicas revelaram que as polpas tratadas termicamente reduzem aproximadamente 14% da quantidade de vitamina C durante o processamento e o efeito do congelamento permite estabilizar o conteúdo de ácido ascórbico. Todos os tratamentos corresponderam às exigências estabelecidas na regulamentação técnica da legislação brasileira, exceto aqueles envolvendo polpas não pasteurizadas e refrigeradas. Ao verificar as alterações quantitativas de UFC (Unidades Formadoras de Colônias) de fungos filamentosos e leveduras, já no segundo experimento, pôde-se perceber que as polpas tratadas termicamente reduziram 99,35% de UFC.g-1 , 24 horas após a fabricação e permitiram a conservação da polpa de mangaba em condições de refrigeração (a +8 °C) durante toda a vida de prateleira, não sendo observado efeito significativo do metabissulfito de potássio ou do benzoato de sódio. Constatou-se também, que a forma de fabricação de polpas pelo processo convencional (sem pasteurização, sem aditivos e estocagem a - 18 °C) proporciona qualidade condizente com a legislação brasileira. No terceiro experimento, foram analisados sensorialmente os parâmetros: aparência, aroma, cor, viscosidade e sabor. Os sucos de mangaba foram confeccionados mantendo aproximadamente 13 °Brix e servidos a uma temperatura de 10 °C (+ 2 °C). Os resultados permitiram conclusões satisfatórias e animadoras sobre a aplicação de métodos combinados de conservação de polpas de mangaba, pois todos os parâmetros avaliados receberam majoritariamente notas correspondentes a gostei muito de acordo com a escala hedônica utilizada no teste de aceitação.

Esta tese propõe uma experiência de escrita a partir do percurso do pesquisador atravessado pelo encontro com os Malucos de BR. Tal experiência baseia-se nas discussões realizadas por Deleuze e Guattari sobre literatura menor. Nesse sentido, experimenta-se a produção de um romance permeado pela influência dos estilos de Kafka e de Dostoievski, na tentativa de trazer para o espaço de produção acadêmica a potência em termos de agenciamento e devir-outro possibilitado pela escrita literária. Utiliza-se da literatura, da música, de filmes e da produção acadêmica para constituir o desenho de seu mapa no acompanhar os malucos. O texto-tese nasce cindido em metades, como no romance O visconde, partido ao meio, de Ítalo Calvino. Uma das grandes metades seria composta pelo escrito de cartas e novelas, e a outra metade, pelo que se chama de romance. Escreve-se sob a inspiração da estrutura textual dos trabalhos de Kafka: cartas, novelas e romances. Inicia-se com as cartas, que funcionam como um fora-texto, um explicativo que não compõe o texto principal, mas é reunido ao seu lado, como uma legenda; após as cartas, o leitor vai encontrar o que se chama de novelas. Nelas, os textos estão com ares de acabados; é possível ver início, meio e fim. Também são os textos mais acadêmicos e duros. A última parte é a experimentação mais potente, no sentido de se permitir fazer uma escrita de um romance. Como um sempre inacabado. Nele, encontra-se o percurso de um personagem conceitual, o corpo, que opera polifonicamente, de modo singular, convocando um agenciamento coletivo. Investe em uma escrita polifônica, feita por diversos atores que se agenciam a personagens de histórias literárias, conduzindo-os a novas vidas. Toma-se a experiência da escrita do romance como um ponto de chegada, mesmo que inacabado, mas um ponto onde se faz necessário um corte na rede rizomática pela qual se anda. / This thesis proposes a writing experience from the researcher’s trajectory in its intersection with ‘Malucos de BR’. Such experience was founded on discussions about minor literature carried out by Deleuze and Guattari. In this sense, the production of a novel was experienced, influenced by Kafka and Dostoyevsky’s styles, in an attempt to bring to the setting of academic production the potency in terms of both agency and becoming-other enabled by literary writing. Literature, music, movies and academic production were used to draw a map along the path with ‘malucos’. The thesis-text was born divided in halves, like the novel The Viscount, by Italo Calvino. One of the big halves comprises letters and short stories, and the other consists of what has been called a novel. Writing was inspired by the textual framework of Kafka’s works: letters, short stories and novels. At the beginning, the letters function as an outside text, an explanation that is not part of the main text, but it is positioned on its side, as a subtitle; following the letters, the reader finds what has been called short stories. The texts have a finished look; it is possible to notice its beginning, middle and end. These are the most academic and hardest texts. The last part is the most potent experimentation, in the sense of allowing oneself to write a novel. Like something always unfinished. The trajectory of a conceptual character is found in it - the body, which operates polyphonically, in a singular way, calling for collective agency. It invests in a polyphonic writing performed by several authors in agency with characters from literary stories, thus leading them to new lives. The experience of writing a novel is taken as a point of arrival; despite being unfinished, it is a point in which it is necessary to cut the rhizomatic network on which one has roamed.

Introdução: Interações sociais podem afetar diretamente ritmos biológicos, independente de seu papel na organização do zeitgeber fótico. A força do zeitgeber social refere-se ao padrão rítmico das interações sociais e pode ser quantificada através da escala de ritmo social. Objetivos: Principais: 1. Adequar o instrumento de avaliação do ritmo social ao contexto de pesquisa. 2. Estudar o ritmo social em humanos. Secundários: 1. Estabecer uma versão abreviada da Escala de Ritmo Social com vistas à aplicação em pesquisa. 2. Estabelecer uma versão da Escala de Ritmo Social de 17 itens para o português angolano, para estudos transculturais. 3. Investigar a correlação entre ritmo social, fase do sono e sintomas psiquiátricos menores em trabalhadores saudáveis. Métodos: Na primeira parte do trabalho a Escala de Ritmo Social (ERS-17) foi submetida a um processo de adequação a dois contextos de pesquisa diferentes. Na segunda parte, a escala foi utilizada em um estudo clínico para avaliar a correlação entre sintomatologia psiquiátrica menor e a variável ritmo social em uma amostra saudável. Tomando como padrão-ouro a ERS-17, foram comparados escores de regularidade e quantidade de atividades de 167 sujeitos saudáveis, 25 portadores de epilepsia mioclônica juvenil e 16 portadores de transtorno depressivo, para o estabelecimento da Versão Breve. No estudo transcultural, a versão brasileira da Escala de Ritmo Social foi submetida à avaliação de 10 estudantes universitários angolanos, que analisaram o grau de clareza de cada uma das 15 sentenças do instrumento por meio da Escala Analógico-Visual de 10 cm e propuseram modificações na escala. Foi realizada revisão dos resultados para a elaboração da versão final, bem como prova de leitura e relatório final. No estudo clínico, transversal, foram avaliados 143 trabalhadores saudáveis do HCPA. Sintomas psiquiátricos menores foram avaliados pelo Self-Repport Questionnaire (SRQ-20), e ritmo social foi avaliado pela ERS-17. Exposição à luz e variáveis do sono foram avaliadas pelo Munich Choronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ). Resultados: Foi estabelecida uma versão breve de 6 itens com boa concordância com relação ao padrão-ouro k=0,51; p<0,001 e significativa correlação entre ambas: (r=0,87; p<0,001). No estudo transcultural foi estabelecida uma versão angolana que manteve uma equivalência de itens com relação à versão em português brasileiro e grau satisfatório de clareza e equivalência semântica. No estudo clínico, Quantidade de atividades correlacionou com escolaridade e tempo médio do sono e, inversamente, com (Ponto Médio do Sono) MSF e SRQ-20. Regularidade correlacionou com idade, SRQ-20 e número de dias trabalhados. SRQ-20 correlacionou inversamente com regularidade e quantidade de atividades. Conclusões: No estabelecimento da versão breve, concluiu-se que a simplificação da escala diminui a porcentagem de itens não preenchidos, o custo em material impresso e facilita a padronização. O estudo transcultural demonstrou que apesar de ser o Português o idioma oficial nos dois países, há diferenças culturais significativas que podem influenciar os resultados caso sejam ignoradas. O estudo clínico demonstrou que variáveis de ritmo social tiveram correlação inversa com sintomas psiquiátricos menores, que foram mais explicados por baixos níveis de atividade do que por baixos níveis de regularidade. / Background: Social rhythms can directly affect biological rhythms, independent of its role in organizing the photic zeitgeber. The strength of the social zeitgeber refers to the rhythmic pattern of social interactions and can be measured by Social Rhythm Metric. Objectives: Main Objectives: 1. To match the assessment tool of social rhythm to the research context. 2. To Study the social rhythm in humans. Secondary Objectives: 1. Establish an abbreviated version of the Social Rhythm Metric-17 for use in research. 2. Establish a version of the SRM-17 for the Angolan Portuguese, for cross-cultural studies. 3. To investigate the correlation between social rhythm, sleep phase and minor psychiatric symptoms in healthy workers. Methods: In the first part of this work, the Social Rhythm Metric (SRM-17) was submitted to a process of adaptation to two different research contexts. In the second part, the scale was used in a clinical study to evaluate the correlation between minor psychiatric symptomatology and the variable social rhythm in a healthy sample. Taking as gold standard SRM-17, were compared scores of regularity and amount of activities of 167 healthy subjects, 25 patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and 16 patients with major depressive disorder, for establishing the Brief Version. In the cross-cultural study, the Brazilian version of the of SRM-17 was submitted to evaluation of 10 college students Angolans, who analyzed the clarity of each of the 15 sentences of the instrument through the Visual Analog Scale-10 cm and proposed modifications. Review of the results was performed for the final version, as well as proof reading and final report. In the clinical study, cross-sectional, were evaluated 143 healthy workers from HCPA. Minor psychiatric symptoms were assessed by the Self-Repport Questionnaire (SRQ-20) and social rhythm was assessed by SRM-17. Light exposure and Sleep variables wereassessed by MCTQ. Results: Was established brief version of 6 items with good agreement with respect to the gold standard (k = 0.51, p <0.001) and significant correlation between the two: (r = 0.87, p <0.001). In the transcultural study was established an angolan version that kept an equivalence of items with respect to Brazilian Portuguese version of SRM-17 and satisfactory degree of clarity and semantic equivalence. In the clinical study, number of activities correlated with schooling and average sleep time and inversely, with Midpoint of sleep (MSF) and SRQ score. Regularity correlated with age, SRQ score and number of days worked. SRQ score correlated inversely with regularity and amount of activities. Conclusions: When establishing of the short version, it was concluded that the simplification of the scale decreases the percentage of unanswered questions, the print cost, and facilitates the standardization. The transcultural study showed that, in spite of the common language in both countries, there are significant cultural differences which can inffluence the results when ignored. The clinical study showed that social rhythm variables were inversely correlated with minor psychiatric symptoms, which were explained more by lower activity levels than low levels of regularity.