The main focus of the PhD study was to develop new gel electrophoresis and ICP-MS based methods to analyze a wide variety of the bio-molecules such as proteins, phosphoproteins and metalloproteins etc. The tricine-sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (tricine-SDS-PAGE) method is commonly used to resolve low molecular mass proteins, however, it requires a high percentage gel and a very complicated procedure to achieve this separation. This study describes a modification to tricine-SDS-PAGE to make it more effective for the separation of smaller proteins and for coupling to ICP-MS. The modified method employs low percentage PAGE gels and low reagent concentrations that provide efficient separations, good quantitation and low matrix levels that are compatible with ICP-MS. This modified method was applied to analyze phosphopeptides. Phosphopeptides are very small in size and difficult to separate using the other techniques such as Laemmli SDS-PAGE, original tricine-SDS-PAGE, immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC), size exclusion chromatography (SEC) etc. In this study a simplified procedure is described based on modifying the original tricine-SDS-PAGE method. A comparative study showed that this modified method successfully resolved a digest mixture of very low to high molecular mass phosphopeptides/peptides. In off-line coupling of this method with ICP-MS, much better recoveries of the peptides from the gel were obtained as compared to traditional methods which indicate the compatibility of this modified method for quantitative studies. An on-line coupling of the modified system with ICP-MS was also demonstrated and it was applied for the separation, detection and quantification of phosphopeptides. Another application of this modified system was the separation of serum proteins. Blood serum contains five major protein groups i.e., albumin, alpha-1 globulin, alpha-2 globulin, beta globulin and gamma globulin. The separation of these five major proteins in a single gel is difficult to achieve using traditional methods. The modified system was shown to be superior for the separation of these serum proteins in a 7% (m/v) native-PAGE gel and a cellulose acetate membrane. A further study was carried out into controlling the factors that cause metal loss and protein fragmentation in SDS-PAGE. Using a reducing sample buffer, and heating to high temperatures (90-100ºC) in alkaline or acidic conditions may cause protein fragmentation and decrease the metal binding affinity. 70ºC was found suitable to prepare the sample at neutral, alkaline or acidic pH as no fragmentation observed. To prevent metal loss, the binding constant (log K) values of metal-amino acids, play the major role. Those metals which have high binding affinities with the amino acids in proteins can also be affected by the variation of the pH so prior information about pH to maintain the binding constant values is essential to minimize metal loss. This was observed in the loss of zinc, and to a lesser extent copper from human serum albumin (HSA) as measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The method described above was applied for the separation and quantification of the serum proteins obtained from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients (where the AMD patients were from Moorfields Eye Hospital, London). Zn and Cu were quantified employing external calibration. Zn concentration showed variation whilst Cu did not show any significant variations in samples from AMD patients. A brief study of the interaction of cisplatin and oxaliplatin with HSA and transferrin was also performed. Cisplatin bound much faster than oxaliplatin with HSA. After 24 hours incubation, cisplatin showed a decrease in signal intensity which indicates that cisplatin binding decreases with time. Cisplatin binding with transferrin as compared to HSA was not significant, which could be the result of unstable Pt-transferrin complex formation. Oxaliplatin did not show high binding to either protein, perhaps due to the presence of the bulky, non polar DACH ligand.

Legal regulation of consumer credit in selected jurisdictions - abstract This master thesis is a comparative study of consumer credit regulation. Consumer credit regulation is compared in three different countries: the Czech Republic, Russia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The distinctions between the Czech regulation on one hand, and Russian and British regulations on the other hand are analyzed and evaluated in terms of their reasonability. The conclusion summarizes the recommendations for optimization of the future consumer credit regulation. Keywords Consumer credit, annual percentage rate of charge, interest, consumer credit advertising, Russia, United Kingdom

Thesis aims to analyze some auxological aspects of menarche in a sample of peripubertal school-aged Prague girls. Sample PRAHA 2012 consists of 293 girls from Prague within the age ranging from 11,00 - 14,99 years. Ascertained median age of menarche 12,4 years is significantly lower (p = 0,0004) than median of Prague population - 13,04 years, respectively lower than median age of menarche of Czech population - 13,00 years according to data from the last national anthropological survey (CAV 2001). Our investigation suggests a "break off" in long-term stagnation age of menarche (minus 0,6 year) at least in a urban population in Czech Republic. According to our findings deceleration age of menarche wasn't accompanied by increase of average body height or other nutritional characteristics (body weight, BMI, arm circumference, thickness of skinfolds) in comparison with actual pediatrics standards. Though, there is a clearly evidence that participant's body composition affected age of menarche. A comparison of premenarcheal (n = 139) and postmenarcheal (n = 154) girls of the same age showed statistically significant elevated values in body weight (42,5 kg, 47,6 kg vs 56,3 kg, 54,1 kg), BMI (17,6 kg/mš, 18,3kg/mš vs 21,3 kg/mš, 20,7 kg/mš) and percentage of body fat (19,4%, 19,7% vs 24,5% a 23,1%) at...

Energy use in buildings account for about one third of the total global energy supply and contributes as much as 30% of the anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. It is estimated that energy use in buildings will increase to 67% by 2030. The need for better thermal comfort and air quality in indoor environments is the leading cause for high energy use in buildings.  Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems take up about 50% of the total energy use in buildings which is about 10-20% of the national energy use in most developed countries. The development and adoption of sustainable ventilation systems is a viable solution to mitigate climate change and curtail carbon emissions. The experimental study was conducted in a room resembling a modern office in a laboratory environment. The study involved investigating the ability of the system to provide cooling and heating. Concentration decay tracer gas technique using Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) gas was used to determine the local air change index and air change efficiency in the room. Low-velocity omni-directional thermistor anemometer type CTA88 were used to measure the air velocity and temperature in the room. Smoke was used to visualise the flow patterns created in the room.  The climate chamber was used to mimic climatic conditions in winter. Fifteen cases were investigated with five air flow rates set points (30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 l/s) at three supply air temperatures, i.e., 17.6 °C, 21.0 °C and 25.3 °C. The results of the local air change index and air change efficiency for the nominal supply temperature of 17.6 °C showed that the system had strong characteristics of a mixing ventilation system. At the supply air temperature of 21.0 °C, the performance of the system deteriorated slightly to below that of a mixing ventilation system and could not satisfactorily provide heating at supply temperature of 25.3 °C. Better performance of the system at all supply air temperature setpoints was observed at lower airflow rates. At all supply air temperature setpoints, relatively higher degree of temperature stratification was observed at lower supply. The draught rate levels decreased with increase in supply air temperature and height. The location of the air inlet terminals in relation to the workstations had significant effect on the performance of the system. The stratum ventilation system did not work efficiently because the air streams were heavily mixed before reaching the occupants.

O muricizeiro como popularmente é conhecido, pertence a família Malpighiaceae, gênero Byrsonima e mais especificadamente a espécie crassifolia L. Rich, nativa do bioma Cerrado, com principal dispersão na Amazônia e ampla distribuição geográfica. A utilização de métodos rápidos e eficientes para a determinação da umidade de sementes pode auxiliar na preservação de espécies florestais, já que a umidade é um dos fatores que mais influenciam no processo de deterioração das sementes florestais. Objetivou-se determinar o grau de umidade presente nos pirênios de Byrsonima crassifolia e avaliar a germinação dos pirênios durante o armazenamento. Os frutos foram coletados no Reassentamento Mariana-Palmas-TO. Os frutos passaram por processo de beneficiamentos, onde foi removida a polpa dos frutos, seguida da desidratação dos pirênios, que foi realizada em três etapas: primeira o teste de umidade inicial dos pirênios, logo após o beneficiamento utilizando o método da estufa a 105 ± 3ºC, por 24 horas, com cinco repetições e recipientes contendo 5 gramas de pirênios. Segunda etapa, o método de secagem intermitente de todos os pirênios do trabalho, na estufa a 40ºC por 30 minutos até estabilizar o peso, sendo repetida por 16 vezes. Por fim a determinação do grau de umidade final, pelo método da estufa a 105 ± 3ºC, por 24 horas, com cinco repetições e recipientes contendo 5 gramas de pirênios secos. A umidade inicial dos pirênios de Byrsonima crassifolia foi de 49,71% e a umidade final de 6,3%, dessa forma pode-se inferir que os pirênios estão adequados para o armazenamento e/ou submissão a testes de germinação. Posterior ao teste de umidade foi realizado o teste de germinação com os pirênios de Byrsonima crassifolia, considerando o tempo de armazenamento de 0,60,120 e 180 dias e os métodos superação da dormência, sendo: escarificação química com ácido sulfúrico (H2SO4) concentrado por 20 e 40 minutos; ácido giberélico na concentração 500mg L-1 (GA3) por 24 e 48 horas; escarificação mecânica com lixa número 80 por 30 segundos; lixa número 80 por 30 segundos mais imersão em água por 24 e 48 horas respectivamente e o Testemunha. Foi avaliado a porcentagem de germinação (%G) e índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG) dos pirênios de Byrsonima crassifolia, em cada período de semeadura. Byrsonima crassifolia, apresentou melhores resultados aos 120 dias de armazenamento e os métodos mais eficientes foram na escarificação química, resultados superiores foram evidenciados com H2SO4 40 minutos e GA3 48 horas, porém o armazenamento e todos os métodos de superação da dormência apresentaram resultados, o mais satisfatório, portanto foi aos 120 dias. / The use of fast and efficient methods for determining seed moisture can help in the preservation of forest species, because moisture is one of the factors that most influence on the deterioration of forest seeds. The objective is to investigate whether the moisture content can influence the storage and/or submission to germination tests, also to test the mechanisms of dormancy, duration and efficient methods that facilitate the germination in species of pyrenes. The experiment was conducted in three stages: first stage was tested the method of stove at 105 ± 3 °C for 24 hours, with five repetitions and containers with 5 grams of wet seeds. Second stage, the method of intermittent drying in the stove at 40 °C for 30 minutes until stabilize the weight, repeated by 15 times. Third stage method of stove at 105 ± 3 °C for 24 hours, with five repetitions and containers with 5 grams of dried seeds. Byrsonima crassifolia presents characteristics of orthodox species, with high humidity after the beneficiation, but to be subjected to drying procedures reached low water levels, however, remained within normal limits. The wet basis of the pyrenes of Byrsonima crassifolia found was of 49.71% of moisture and in the dry basis reached 6.3% of moisture, this way can be inferred that the seeds tested are suitable for storage and / or submission to germination tests. After the humidity test was conducted the germination test with the pyrenes of Byrsonima crassifolia, considering the storage time of 0, 60, 120 and 180 days and the methods of overcoming dormancy, being: chemical scarification with sulfuric acid (H2SO4 ) concentrated by 20 and 40 minutes; gibberellic acid concentration 500mg L-1 (GA3) for 24 and 48 hours; mechanical scarification with sandpaper number 80 for 30 seconds; sandpaper number 80 for 30 seconds more immersion in water for 24 and 48 hours respectively and the control. The objective is to evaluate the germination percentage (% G) and germination speed index (GSI) of pyrenes of Byrsonima crassifolia, in each planting period. Byrsonima crassifolia, has better results at 120 days of storage and the most efficient methods were chemical scarification, superior results were evidenced with H2SO4 40 minutes GA3 48 hours, however the storage and all methods of overcoming dormancy presented results, the most satisfactory was to the 120 days.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-10T10:53:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ROBERTO MENDES RAMALHO.pdf: 8922799 bytes, checksum: 527c28b11b6605a54382f1d802a94a54 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-06-21 / Soccer is a sport characterized by the alternation of short duration and intense motor actions, indicating the importance of physical preparation for the game's performance. The physical training is associated with the control of the variation of fat percentage, which can affect the athlete's performance. Several studies demonstrate the incompatibility between the competitive excellence and high levels of subcutaneous fat. Another important point is the practice of soccer in hot and humid environments, because is needed a systematic care with the liquids intake, which should be observed like a strategy to minimize heat-related problems. The general objective of this study were to determine the variations of the fat percentage of soccer players in a certain team during a championship. Also the specific objectives are: a) compare the fat percentage found in the different positions of the players; b) verify if there are other studies about this subject and compare the fat percentage; c) examine whether and climatic conditions such as heat and high humidity can affect the range of the results during the tournament; compared to other data collections and other published studies related of fat percentage in different conditions of heat and humidity. Four data collection were made to evaluate the fat percentage by Jackson and Pollock 7 skinfold protocol. It was analyzed Twenty-five professional soccer players from Marabá s Eagle Team (Brazil), who competed in the 2011 C Series Brazilian Soccer Championship. In the average, participant athletes were 27.53 ± 4.96 years old, 1.76 ± 0.07 of height and initial weight of 73.81 ± 8.35. Analyzing the data collection for months, there was no significant statistical difference in body mass and body fat percentage between assessments. A significant difference was detected only in body mass and body fat percentage among goalies and wide midfielders during all researched months. In September there was also a difference in body mass between defenders and wide midfielders. Thus, this study observed that the weather conditions had no significant influence in the variation in the fat percentage in this studied group of soccer athletes. / O futebol é um desporto caracterizado pela alternância de ações motoras intensas e de curta duração, evidenciando a importância da preparação física para o desempenho do jogo. Aliado à preparação física está o controle da variável percentual de gordura, variável esta que pode afetar no desempenho do atleta. Vários estudos demonstram a incompatibilidade entre a excelência competitiva e altos índices de adiposidade subcutânea. Outro ponto que deve ser observado é a prática do futebol em ambientes considerados quentes e úmidos, pois cuidados com a ingestão sistemática de líquidos devem ser observados com vistas a minimizar problemas relacionados ao calor. Os objetivos deste estudo foram verificar a variação do percentual de gordura de jogadores de futebol de uma determinada equipe durante um campeonato; comparar o percentual de gordura nas diferentes posições dos jogadores; verificar se existem outros estudos nesse âmbito e comparar o percentual de gordura; analisar se existe influência das condições climáticas de calor e umidade elevados, na variação do percentual de gordura encontrados durante o campeonato, comparado a outras coletas de dados e outros estudos existentes relacionados à percentual de gordura em jogadores de futebol em diferentes condições de calor e umidade. Foram feitas quatro coletas de dados para avaliar o percentual de gordura que foi determinado através do protocolo de Jackson e Pollock (7 dobras).Foram avaliados vinte e cinco jogadores de futebol profissional da equipe do Águia de Marabá que disputaram o campeonato brasileiro da série C de 2011. Os atletas apresentaram média de idade de 27,53 ± 4,96; média de estatura de 1,76 ± 0,07 e média de massa corporal inicial de 73,81 ± 8,35. Analisando as quatro coletas de dados por meses, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante de massa corporal e percentual de gordura entre as avaliações. Detectou-se diferença significativa apenas na massa corporal e percentual de gordura entre goleiros e laterais em todos os meses avaliados e na massa corporal entre zagueiros e laterais na coleta do mês de setembro. Dessa forma, observou-se nesse estudo que as condições climáticas a que foram submetidos, não influenciou significativamente na variação do percentual de gordura desse grupo de atletas.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-05T20:06:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 23 / Nenhuma / TEMA: A prática clínica tem demonstrado que idosos usuários de prótese auditiva, mesmo revelando declínio, ou piora dos limiares auditivos, apresentam manutenção ou aumento do Índice Percentual de Reconhecimento de Fala (IPRF) sugerindo a possível existência de plasticidade neural nas áreas pertinentes, concomitantemente com a melhora da compreensão de fala mediante estimulação contínua do sistema auditivo. OBJETIVO: comparar o Índice Percentual de Reconhecimento de Fala (IPRF) antes e após um ano de exposição, entre usuários e não usuários de prótese auditiva. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Ensaio clínico não randomizado, com 48 idosos, divididos entre grupo controle (24 não usuários de prótese auditiva) e grupo de intervenção (24 usuários de prótese auditiva unilateral). Foi avaliado o IPRF antes e após um ano de exposição. Os idosos foram pareados em sexo, faixa de idade, tipo e grau de perda auditiva, para que a diferença pudesse demonstrar somente a intervenção. RESULTADOS: Os idosos usuários de prótese auditi / SUBJECT: Clinical practice has demonstrated that elderly users of hearing aids, even when showing decline or worsening of auditory thresholds, maintain or increase the Percentage Index of Speech Recognition through monosyllabic words (PISR), indicating the possible existence of neuronal plasticity in the pertinent areas simultaneously with the improvement of speaking comprehension through continuous stimulation of the hearing system. PURPOSE: to compare the PISR between users and non-users of hearing prosthesis before and after a year of exposure. METHOD: Clinical trial not-randomized with 48 elderly divided in two groups: control group (24 non-users of hearing prosthesis) and intervention group (24 users of hearing prosthesis). The PISR was measured before and after a year of exposure. The elderly were paired according to gender, age and type and degree of hearing loss, thus the difference could demonstrate only the intervention. RESULTS: The elderly users of hearing prosthesis have presented a meaning

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:25:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tesedefendidarodrigo.pdf: 1424160 bytes, checksum: ba481cb9361d272aa1bf192493e601ce (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-06-12 / To evaluate corneal endothelium by means of specular microscopy exam in patients with keratoconus, before and after Cornealring® corneal intrastromal ring surgery. A hundred and two eyes of sixty-seven patients, aged between 12 and 45, with the average age of 27,31 ± 8,15 years, 30 of whom females and 37 males, were selected to be submitted to the implant of Cornealring® corneal ring segments and evaluation of the corneal endothelium in the pre and post surgery (six months after the procedure) in the External Diseases and Cornea Ward of the Instituto Panamericano da Visão. Data have been stored for later analysis by software SPSS (Statistical Package of Social Science) for Windows 15.0. Only the eyes receiving two rings with 250 μ thickness showed significant statistical difference (p = 0,008). The remaining eyes showed no statistical difference (initial x final). In relation to the thickness and to the number of implanted rings, a decrease in the final coefficient was observed in most implanted rings. However, only the eyes that received two rings 250 μ thick showed significant difference (p=0,003), with a decrease of 10,1% in the coefficients of variation average. In relation to the thickness and number of implanted rings, a decrease in the percentage of hexagonal cells was observed (before and after surgery). Only the eyes that received two rings 250 μ thick showed a highly significant decrease (p=0,001) in relation to the hexagonal percentage of 9,7%. Although the parameters in the specular microscopy showed alterations mainly in the thicker rings, all the patients showed transparent corneas without clinical signs of endothelial suffering along the six months of follow-up. A longer period of study must be considered for better understanding and interpretation of the results obtained, in order to establish any relationship between eventual complications and the thickness of the implanted ring. / A tese tem por objetivo avaliar o endotélio corneal por meio de microscopia especular, de pacientes portadores de ceratocone, antes e após a cirurgia corneal pela técnica de anel intraestromal, utilizando o implante Cornealring®. Cento e dois olhos de 67 pacientes, com idade entre 12 e 45 anos (com média 27,31 ± 8,15 anos), sendo 30 do sexo feminino e 37 do sexo masculino, foram selecionados para serem submetidos ao implante dos segmentos do anel Cornealring® e avaliação do endotélio corneal no pré e pós-operatório, seis meses após o procedimento, no serviço de Doenças Externas e Córnea do Instituto Panamericano da Visão. Os dados foram armazenados, para posterior análise no software Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) para Windows, versão 15.0. Apenas os olhos que receberam dois anéis de espessura de 250 μ apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significativa da densidade endotelial (p = 0,008). Nos demais olhos, não houve diferença estatística (antes e após a cirurgia corneal). Notou-se que, na maioria das espessuras de anéis utilizados, houve uma diminuição do coeficiente de variação após a cirurgia corneal. Porém, só os olhos que receberam dois anéis de espessuras de 250 μ mostraram diferença significativa (p=0,003), com uma diminuição de 10,1% na média do coeficiente de variação. Observou-se diminuição no percentual de células hexagonais em relação, no tocante à espessura e à quantidade de anéis implantados. Somente os olhos que receberam os dois anéis de espessura de 250 μ mostraram diminuição altamente significativa (p=0,001), em relação ao percentual hexagonal de 9,7%. Apesar de os parâmetros na microscopia especular mostrarem-se alterados, sobretudo nos anéis com espessura maior, todos os pacientes apresentaram córneas transparentes sem sinais clínicos de sofrimento endotelial ao longo dos seis meses de seguimento. Maior tempo de estudo deve ser considerado para melhor compreensão e interpretação dos resultados encontrados, a fim de ser estabelecida alguma relação entre possíveis complicações e a espessura do anel implantado.

本研究從我國立法院中院會與常設委員會之間政黨組成結構的角度出發，試圖探討兩者之間組成差異的程度以及方向對於法條審查所造成的影響。本文假設委員會與院會之間的政黨組成差異若越大，則委員會對於法案的審查結果在院會遭到修正的情況將越為明顯。研究結果顯示，在第三屆中政黨組成差異比例越大的委員會，其審查通過的法條在院會所遭到的修正程度越小，而院會多數黨若在審查委員會席次過半，則有助於減緩審查通過的條文在院會遭到修正的情況。另一方面，由於委員會組成方式改變導致院會與委員會之間的組成依政黨比例為原則，因此第六屆的部分在研究中主要僅提供參考，其中政黨組成差異比例與多數黨是否在委員會中過半皆並不對法條審查造成任何影響，而將兩屆資料合併分析則是如同第三屆所呈現的結果。換言之，本文對於院會與委員會政黨組成差異對於法案修正影響的研究假設並未能得到經驗上的支持。 / This research takes its departure from observing different percentage of party constitution between floor and standing committees in Legislative Yuan, and tries to examine how the difference affects the process and consequence of bill amendments. The main hypothesis of this research is that higher different percentage of party constitution will result in higher degree of bill amendment on the floor. Empirical evidence shows that in the third term, higher different percentage of party constitution in a committee results in lower degree of floor amendment. Nevertheless, when the majority party comes to enjoy more than a majority in a committee, lower degree of bill amendments is found. On the other hand, because the method to compose committees changed, the proportion of parties in floor and committees was similar in the sixth term. So, the data of the sixth term is just for reference; the different percentage of party constitution and majority party’s seat advantage in committees do not impact the extent of floor amendments. The combination of the third and sixth term also shows the same result with the third term. In other words, the hypothesis regarding different percentage of party constitution is not supported by empirical data.

本研究對中國大陸房地產市場設立需求及供給函數，並使用中國大陸2001 到2009 年的省級資料進行研究分析，以探討中國大陸房地產市場的所得彈性、價格彈性與貸款成數對中國大陸房地產市場供給與需求的影響。 經由實證估計出來的所得彈性值域為1.77 ~ 3.00，價格彈性值域為0.08 ~ -0.80。相較於過往的文獻與研究，估計到的彈性較高，顯現出即便中國大陸房價持續飆漲，民眾仍肯購置房產，且房價飆漲對於房地產市場的需求量影響有限，乃因民眾對於未來的經濟情勢持樂觀的態度。 而貸款成數方面，在貸放資金大增的環境下，對於中國大陸的房地產需求及供給市場大抵而言有顯著影響，而貸款成數的增加也使得房地產需求及供給量跟隨增加。 / The research constructed the demand and supply function for the market of China's real estate, and used the provincial data in China from 2001 to 2009 to analysis. Based on the information, we discussed the income elasticity and the price elasticity, and furthermore the impacts of the percentage of loans on the China's real estate market. According to the empirical estimate, the range of income elasticity was from 1.77 to 3.00, and for the price elasticity, it was from 0.08 to -0.80. Compare with those previous studies, the higher level of elasticity represented that although the real estate price continued soaring in China, people were still willing to purchase. Moreover, the soaring price had a limited influence in the demand of real estate market, and the main reason was that people were all optimistic about the future. To the percentage of loans, in this environment of the sharp increase in money lending, we found that it affect the demand and the supply market of real estate significantly, and with the relaxation of credit control, it led the demand and the supply of real estate to increase.