This dissertation deals with the phenomenon of parasitism in syntax. In the first half, I investigate parasitic ellipsis (Fitzgibbons 2014), showing that it occurs not only after prepositions in Russian, but also in German, Estonian and English, and with various other categories as well (C, A, N, V). I argue that parasitic ellipsis is better viewed as the outcome of a single, higher-order operation instead of as two separate but dependent operations. I provide such an analysis within Minimalist Grammars (Stabler 1997), a framework from mathematical linguistics. In the second half of the dissertation I formalize a higher-order structure building operation (3rd-merge), in analogy to the higher-order ellipsis operation. I show that such an operation leads to the growth of a secondary root in a syntactic tree. There are two options for the secondary root. The secondary root can remain independent. I argue that this corresponds to the structure of Horn amalgams (Lakoff 1974). The other option is that the secondary root is reconnected, leading to a cyclic structure. If the connecting element is moved, this leads to the creation of apparently two separate gaps in a 1D string. I argue that this corresponds to the phenomenon of parasitic gaps (Ross 1967, Engdahl 1983). This analysis achieves the same result as the one for parasitic ellipsis, namely that the parasitic phenomenon is again the outcome of a single operation, not two separate but dependent ones. Finally, I argue that the fundamental purpose of 3rd-merge is to connect verbs with their nominal arguments. DPs are conceived of as small secondary roots. Verbs select for NPs via this new operation, but the D-layer sits on top of the NP as a secondary root. I propose this as a solution to the DP/NP-debate, reconciling seemingly contradictory arguments for what constitutes the head of the nominal domain. The fact that secondary roots can only grow on top of nominals also derives the restriction to this category in Horn amalgams and parasitic gaps.

No description available.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1985 K343 / Master of Science

Type 2 (TH2) immune responses evolved to respond to helminth parasite infections by the production of TH2 cytokines, which stimulate anti-helminth immunity. Macrophage migration inhibitor factor (MIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine, which is produced by many cell types. We demonstrate that mice deficient in MIF have enhanced clearance of a helminth parasite. MIF deficiency in CD4+ T cells was found to be the most important for mediating parasite clearance. We mimicked MIF deficiency by administering an inhibitor of the MIF tautomerase activity, sulforaphane, and this also increased parasite clearance (Section I). TH2 immune responses underlie allergy and allergic asthma, in which the same cytokines that help expel parasites are released in response to innocuous substances. Integral to the initiation of adaptive TH2 immunity are dendritic cells (DCs), which take up antigen and stimulate antigen-specific CD4+ T cell responses. We found that DC expression of ADAM10, a zinc-dependent metalloproteinase, is critical for the development of TH2 immune responses and IgE production from B cells. This effect is demonstrated in both allergic airway inflammation and anaphylaxis models. ADAM10-deficient DCs are unable to cleave Notch1 receptors, resulting in reduced IL-6 production and this ultimately results in decreased TH2 activity. ADAM17 is closely related to ADAM10 in both structure and function. Interestingly, mice from which ADAM10 and 17 are removed from DCs (ADAM10/17DC-/-) have a distinct phenotype from both ADAM10DC-/- and ADAM17DC-/- mice in models of allergic airway inflammation (Section I). We also examined another effect of TH2 cytokines on the interaction between mast cells and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). We sought to understand how histamine and IL-13, mediators made by mast cells, affect the immunoregulatory function of MDSCs. MDSCs in IL-13-deficient mice with tumor are more prevalent in circulation rather than in tumor or organs, which could be due to changes in CCL2/CCR2 chemotaxis. In addition, MDSC function after treatment with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, decitabine was examined. This treatment reduced their suppressive function and increased the expression of molecules needed for antigen presentation. Overall, TH2 immunity has multifaceted roles in anti-parasite immunity, allergic asthma, and MDSC function (Section II).

Avec les progrès de la technologie, la densité de puissance des appareils électriques augmente, ce qui conduit à une augmentation des interférences électromagnétiques entre deux systèmes d’électroniques de puissance. Ces interférences peuvent engendrer un dysfonctionnement des appareillages. Afin d’éviter de tels problèmes, une grande quantité de vérifications expérimentaux sont nécessaires après le développement d’un prototype, ce qui conduira à un surcoût important dans son cycle industriel. Cette thèse a pour objectif de prendre en compte des problèmes de compatibilité électromagnétique en champ proche dès la phase de conception d’un produit. Ceci est basé sur le développement en harmoniques sphériques du rayonnement parasite engendré par les dispositifs ou les composants d’un dispositif. Les coefficients harmoniques d’un dispositif permettent non seulement de modéliser ses champs proches par une source ponctuelle, mais également de déterminer le couplage inductif avec les autres. Dans ce contexte, la méthode du développement multipolaire est étudiée théoriquement, numériquement (par le logiciel Flux3D) et expérimentalement dans ce travail. Dans ce document, le nouveau système de mesure automatisé est présenté et différentes approches liées à la solution de ce problème sont étudiées, tels que le choix optimal d’origine du développement, la compensation d’erreurs des mesures dues aux sources secondaires, l’étude de propagation d’incertitude dans le problème inverse et prise en compte d’informations a priori, etc. / With the advances in technology, the power density of electrical equipment is increasing, which leads to an increase in electromagnetic interference between two power electronic systems. This interference may cause the electronic equipment to malfunction. In order to avoid such problems, a large number of experimental verifications are necessary after the development of a prototype, which leads to a significant additional cost in its industrial cycle. This thesis aims at taking into account the problems of near-field electromagnetic compatibility in the design phase of a product. The method is based on the development in spherical harmonics of the parasitic radiation generated by the devices or the components of the device. The harmonic coefficients of a device make it possible not only to model its near field by a punctual source, but also to determine the inductive coupling with the others. In this context, the multipole expansion method is studied theoretically, numerically (by the software Flux3D) and experimentally in this work. In this document, the new automated measuring system is presented and different approaches related to the solution of this problem are then studied, such as the optimal choice of the development origin, the error compensation of the measurements due to the secondary sources, the study of the propagation of uncertainty in the inverse problem and how to take into account the a priori information, etc.

Plantas parasitas são aquelas que retiram os recursos necessários para a sua sobrevivência de outras plantas (hospedeiras) por meio de uma estrutura denominada haustório, que permite que a parasita se conecte ao sistema vascular da hospedeira. As plantas podem responder ao ataque parasita ativando alguns mecanismos de defesa, dentre eles, a produção de substâncias fenólicas. Os viscos constituem um grupo de plantas parasitas aéreas pertencentes a Santalales que podem ser divididos em viscos holoparasitas ou hemiparasitas. Alguns gêneros de viscos são de importância econômica, dentre eles, Phoradendron, um gênero de visco hemiparasita. Esse trabalho teve como objetivos determinar os conteúdos de taninos, flavonoides, fenilpropanoides, carboidratos solúveis, amido, lipídeos, a razão carbono/nitrogênio e avaliar como a relação parasítica afeta o metabolismo das espécies envolvidas. Para tanto, coletou−se no município de Campanha (MG) folhas e ramos de seis indivíduos não parasitados de Tapirira guianensis (FT e RT) e, a partir de nove indivíduos parasitados de T. guianensis, foram coletados ramos e folhas de Phoradendron crassifolium (FP e RP), ramos não infestados da hospedeira e suas folhas (RNI e FRNI) e ramos infestados de T. guianensis e suas folhas (RI e FRI), sendo que ramos infestados foram divididos em região proximal, galha e distal (RPRI, RGRI e RDRI). Como principais resultados estão o aumento no teor de proantocianidinas e de carboidratos solúveis em FRNI e FRI em relação a FT. Ramos infestados sofreram redução nos conteúdos de carboidratos solúveis, amido, lipídeos, nitrogênio e substâncias fenólicas, exceto na região da galha (RGRI) em que aumentos de amido e flavonoides foram verificados. Observou-se ainda que RNI parece ter sofrido um acúmulo de substâncias fenólicas. O conjunto dos resultados obtidos mostra que P. crassifolium afeta o metabolismo primário e o secundário de T. guianensis, com influência mais pronunciada nos ramos do que nas folhas da hospedeira. Pode−se sugerir que a parasita obtêm nitrogênio e carboidratos solúveis de sua hospedeira e que pode ocorrer uma possível realocação de carbono para crescimento, desenvolvimento, manutenção e, ainda, defesa de ramos ainda não infestados. Além disso, sugere−se que o acúmulo de fenólicos em ramos não infestados (RNI) possa ser um mecanismo de defesa usado pela hospedeira com o objetivo de evitar, ou mesmo diminuir, novas infestações em ramos ainda não parasitados. / Parasitic plants are those that withdraw necessary resources for its survival from other plants (hosts) through a structure so-called haustorium which enables the parasite to connect to the host\'s vascular system. Plants can respond to the parasite attack activating some defense mechanisms, including the production of phenolic compounds. Mistletoes are a group of stem parasitic plants belonging to Santalales that can be grouped into holoparasite or hemiparasite mistletoes. Some mistletoes genera are of economic importance among them Phoradendron, a hemiparasite mistletoe. This study aimed to determine the contents of tannins, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, soluble carbohydrates, starch, lipids, the carbon⁄nitrogen ratio and evaluate how the parasitic relationship affects the metabolism of the involved species. Were collected in Camapanha (MG) leaves and branches from six non−parasitized individuals of Tapirira guianensis, host plant (LT and BT). From nine parasitized individuals of T. guianensis were collected branches and leaves of Phoradendon crassifolium, the parasitic plant (LP and BP), non-infested host branches and their leaves (NIHB and NIHB-L) and infested branches and their leaves (IHB and IHB-L). Infested branches of T. guianensis were divided into proximal, gall, and distal regions (IHB-P, IHB-G and IHB-D). Main results were an increase in the proanthocyanidin and soluble carbohydrates content in NIHB−L and IHB−L in relation to LT. There was a reduction of soluble carbohydrate, starch, lipids, nitrogen, and phenolic compounds in infested branches, except in the gall region (IHB-G), which showed an increase of flavonoids and starch contents. It was also observed that NIHB appears to accumulate phenolic compounds. Results showed that P. crassifolium affects the primary and secondary metabolism of T. guianensis, and branches were affected more intense than the leaves. It can be suggested that the parasite withdraws nitrogen and soluble carbohydrates from its host and this could result in possible carbon relocation for growth, development, maintenance, and also defense of branches not yet infested. In addition, it could be suggested the accumulation of phenolic compounds in non−infested branches (NIHB) as a defense mechanism used by the host in order to prevent or even reduce new infestations of an individual already parasitized.

Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

This thesis examines the Influenza A/H5N1 virus in action through an ethnographic study focused on the entwined concepts of risk and modernity. The objective is to explain why the response to the virus has been challenged in Indonesia. Concerned with policy formulation, and everyday practice, the thesis argues that assemblages of historical, political, institutional and knowledge‐power processes create multiple hybrid constructions of risk and modernity, which challenge technical responses based on epistemological positions and institutional arrangements that do not allow for such hybridity. The thesis is organised into four sections. The first section (chapters 1 – 3) introduces the virus and its terrain, outlines a constructivist position, and argues that conceptually risk and modernity have multiple, dynamic, power‐laden forms. The second section (chapters 4 – 6) contrasts constructions of risk and modernity among the actors and networks responding to the emergence, spread and persistence of the H5N1 virus, with the constructions of affected people in Indonesia. The third section (chapters 7 – 9) investigates the multi‐directional processes that occur when ‘global' policies and practices encounter ‘local' social and political settings, and vice versa, through three empirical case studies of the response to H5N1 in Indonesia between 2005 and 2010. The final section (chapter 10) provides a set of reflections and conclusions. Given the conceptual plurality of risk and modernity, and the multiple overlapping interacting hybrid constructions that have been empirically demonstrated in the case of H5N1, it is concluded that reductive, science‐based, governmentally‐orientated responses which treat nature as a matter of separate, fixed identity do not allow for such hybridity. The virus in action in Indonesia shows that any divide between nature and society is artificial and deceiving. Technical disease control responses need to incorporate understandings which accept the dynamics of culture, politics, and power.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-22T22:12:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Joao Paulo Machado de Araujo.pdf: 1095116 bytes, checksum: 1abc62db3a6c0e189fb12de4697e8f77 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-06-26 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Ophiocordyceps are the main entomopathogenic fungi. They are highly virulent and may have an important influence on their hosts communities. In the present study, we collected ants of the genus Camponotus infected by fungi belonging to the complex Ophiocordyceps unilatera-lis sensu lato in three areas of the Brazilian Amazon. In Ducke Reserve, two samples were taken, one in the dry season of 2011 and another in the rainy season of 2012. In Parque Na-cional do Viruá and Estação Ecológica de Maracá, the samples were taken during one dry sea-son of 2012. Within each area, nine 250 m-long transects, at least 1 km distant from each oth-er, were sampled. We found 424 infected Camponotus by Ophiocordyceps in various stages of development. The infection rate in the rainy season was on average three times higher than the dry season, probably reflecting the survival and developmental needs of spores, however, even in the dry season there were infected. The infection rate was similar between the three areas despite differences in climate, vegetation and ant species composition. We found 17 Camponotus species infected, but we believe this number is even higher. Hyperpara-site occurrence rate was low, representing 6% of total infected ants found, suggesting little effect on Ophiocordyceps population in these areas. There was no relationship between the number of infected ants and the soil type (in terms of granulome-try). We found morphological differences among the spores infecting different species of ants, indicating that there are several species of the O. unilateralis not yet described, requiring fur-ther taxonomic studies to better understand this relationship. / Os Ophiocordyceps são os principais fungos entomopatogênicos, possuem alta virulência e podem ter grande influência nas comunidades de seus hospedeiros. No presente estudo, foram coletadas formigas do gênero Camponotus infectadas por fungos pertencentes ao complexo Ophiocordyceps unilateralis sensu lato em três áreas da Amazônia brasileira. Na Reserva Ducke foram realizadas duas coletas, uma na época mais chuvosa e uma na época mais seca. Nas reservas de Viruá e Maracá, as coletas foram feitas na época seca. Dentro de cada área, nove transectos de 250 metros foram amostrados, sendo estes, distantes no mínimo 1 km entre si. Foram encontradas 424 formigas Camponotus infectadas com o fungo em vários estádios de desenvolvimento. A taxa de infecção na época chuvosa foi em média 3 vezes superior à época seca, provavelmente em função das necessidades de sobrevivência e desenvolvimento dos esporos, entretanto, mesmo na época seca houveram formigas infectadas. A taxa de infec-ção foi semelhante entre as três áreas estudadas apesar das diferenças de clima, vegetação e composição de espécies de formigas. Foram encontradas 17 espécies de Camponotus infecta-das, mas acreditamos que este número seja ainda maior. A taxa de hiperparasitismo foi baixa, menos de 6% no total das formigas encontradas infectadas, bastante inferior a outros estudos, aparentemente afetando pouco a população de Ophiocordyceps unilateralis nessas áreas. Não encontramos influência da granulometria do solo sobre essas infecções. Foram encontrados diferentes tipos de esporos para diferentes espécies de formigas infectadas, indicando que há várias espécies diferentes entre os O. unilateralis ainda não descritos, sendo necessário estu-dos taxonômicos posteriores para um melhor entendimento desta relação.

Parasitic helminths infect millions of people and animals worldwide. A key feature of their lifecycle is the longevity of survival within a single host, which is often attributed to the ability of the parasite to divert or modulate the immune response against it. The excretory-secretory (ES) products released by helminths are of interest as the mediators of such immunomodulation. Heligmosomoides polygyrus is an excellent model of gastrointestinal (GI) helminth infection in rodents, and has been used here to investigate several aspects of the immune response, and the manipulation of these, in mice. Firstly, the roles of B cells and antibodies in infection with H. polygyrus and towards the adult ES (HES) were investigated. Using several B cell-deficient mouse strains, a minimal effect on immunity to primary infection with H. polygyrus was demonstrated. However, primary infection serum binds to a select set of highly immunodominant components of the complex protein mixture of HES, which were identified as venom allergen-like proteins (VALs). Utilising four strains of mice that vary in their resistance phenotype to H. polygyrus, several aspects of immunity towards the worm were investigated. Increased levels of markers of alternatively activated macrophages, which are a key component of the granulomatous inflammatory response around invading H. polygyrus larvae, were found in the most resistant strains, SJL and BALB/c. Depletion of macrophages, by administration of clodronate, severely disrupted the granuloma and parasite clearance. Numbers of innate lymphoid cells and the subsequent Th2 response, specificity range and titre of antibody, and activation of regulatory T cells all correlate with a resistant phenotype. A deficiency in the cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) renders a resistant BALB/c mouse completely susceptible to infections with H. polygyrus, and Nippostronygylus brasiliensis, an acute model of GI helminth infection. This is accompanied by a failure to induce both ILCs and an early myeloid-derived cell population upon infection. The influx of alternatively activated macrophages around larvae in the mucosa of the small intestine is delayed in MIF-/- mice, although all immunological parameters are comparable to wild-type by day 14 post-infection. The susceptible phenotype of MIF-/- mice can be replicated using a chemical inhibitor of MIF in BALB/c mice. Finally, the previously documented transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) activity of HES was dissected out further using two methods of fractionation. Distinct fractions with TGF-β activity were subjected to mass spectrometry to identify protein components that could be potential candidates for this activity.