Studies on the enzymology of fat foramtion in beef cattle may lead to the development of a marker for predicting the propensity of these animals to deposit intramuscular (i.m.) fat. Diacylglycerol acyltransferse (DFAT, EC 2.3.1.20) catalyzes the acylation of sn-1,2-diacylglycerol to form triacylglycerol (TAG). This thesis has focused on evaluating DGAT as a potential marker for predicting i.m. fat deposition in cattle and on characterization of the enzyme in three tissue types involved in TAG biosynthesis. Microsomes were isolated from subcutaneous (s.c.) adipose, i.m. adipose and muscle tissue of Wagyu crossbred cattle displaying a wide range of i.m. fat content (marbling). One aspect of this thesis focused on the relationship between total lipid present in meat samples from the pars costalis diaphragmatis (p.c.d.) and DGAT activity from s.c. adipose tissue, i.m. adipose tissue and muscle tissue of the p.c.d. Intramuscular adipose tissue DGAT activity exhibited a negative correlation with % TAG per gram wet weight p.c.d. (r=-.547;P<.01). There was, however, a positive correlation (r=.735;P<.001) between DGAT activity per unit wet weight i.m. adipose tissue and muscle DGAT activity per unit wet weight suggesting these two depots are coordinated in terms of TAG biosynthetic capacity. The second aspect of the thesis exmained the characteristics of microsomal DGAT from the three tissue types. Microsomes from several animals were combined and were used for enzymological studies of DGAT in an attempt to define possible differences in enzymatic properties among the three tissue types. Diacylglycerol acyltransferase from s.c. adipose tissue in the presence of 15 mM MgCl2 exhibited an enhanced preference for substrates containing oleoyl moieties relative to the other two tissue types. Diacylglycerol acyltransferase from s.c. adipose tissue alos differed slightly in sensitivity to N-ethylmaleimide and stability when compared to the other two tissues, muscle and i.m. adipose tissue. Collectively, these results suggested that either a different isoform of DGAT is expressed in s.c. adipose tissue as compared to i.m. adipose and muscle tissue, or that the endoplasmic reticulum micro-environments are sufficiently different to account for the depot specific properties of DGAT in bovine. The data presented in this thesis suggested that DGAT was not a suitable marker for the deposition of i.m. fat in mature cattle. Perhaps an examination of i.m. fat deposition in less mature animals will yield stronger, positive correlations between DGAT activity and the amount of i.m. fat present. / xvi, 109 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm.

由於數據、模型等的尺度依賴性，尺度不匹配可能導致錯誤的結論。尤其在相互作用的地理過程研究，尺度適宜性對認知地理過程起著至關重要的作用。本文結合珠三角地區的氣象場和空氣品質過程模擬，對地理過程研究中的尺度適宜性問題進行了研究。 / 首先，基於尺度概念的定義，本文提出了地理過程研究中的四組尺度適宜性問題：多地理過程層、維度層、類型層和組成成分層。分析了其可操作級別以及評估流程和指標。 / 第二，在WRF模型中引入多解析度地形數據以研究數據與模型在氣象過程模擬的尺度適宜性。結果表明由於DEM數據與模型的尺度不適宜，可能對氣象變數的模擬帶來較大偏差。而3和30秒解析度的DEM數據與1千米解析度的模型可以較好地模擬香港地區的氣象過程。本案例有助於通過考慮尺度適宜性來提高氣象場的模擬能力。 / 第三，針對模擬模型與地理過程的尺度適宜性，應用WRF和CALMET模擬了香港地區的氣象過程。結果表明CALMET可以更好地模擬香港的氣象過程，但是WRF與CALMET模擬結果的差異在空間分佈上是異質的，即複雜地表條件的區域CALMET模擬改進明顯。多尺度模擬的結果也表明了跨尺度地理過程的相互影響，有助於多尺度地理過程模擬與認知。 / 第四，設計並研發了面向空氣品質過程的多尺度虛擬地理環境系統。本系統應用LAMP架構，支援模擬知識的管理、跨平臺及分散式平行計算，亦考慮到模擬的尺度依賴性，將有助於多尺度空氣品質過程的模擬和認知。應用該系統，對多尺度SO₂濃度過程進行模擬並分析了香港當地排放源的分擔率。較低的本地分擔率表明香港政府仍需要加強區域合作來治理空氣污染問題。 / 本論文的研究不僅加強對地理過程研究中的多尺度以及尺度適宜性問題的認知，有助於分解和研究複雜的尺度適宜性問題，研究案例和原型系統亦將會對香港和珠三角地區的空氣品質過程理解和管理作出有益貢獻。 / Although multiscale data and models are taken into account to study geography, due to their scale dependence, the scale mismatching may cause adverse results. Thus, scale compatibility is becoming crucial to decode geographic process, especially, for the interactive geographic processes. This thesis focused on scale compatibility in geographic process with a case study of multiscale meteorological and air quality simulation in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region. / Firstly, based on the conceptual definition of scale, this dissertation identifies four groups of scale compatibility in geographic process research: multiple process level, dimension level, type level and component level. By illustrating the different operational levels from the abstract to operational, the author proposes a procedure to implement scale compatibility with potential criteria. / Secondly, scale compatibility in the reproduction of meteorological process is investigated between multiscale digital elevation model (DEM) data and the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF). The experiments show that: DEM data with 3 and 30 arc sec resolutions are relatively more compatible with the WRF model of 1 km resolution to reproduce the meteorological field over Hong Kong; and uncertainty arising from scale mismatching between DEM data and the model may account for 38% of the variance in certain meteorological variables (e.g., temperature). This case study not only helps to improve meteorological simulations by taking the issue of scale compatibility into account, but also explains the significance and implementation of scale compatibility in geographic process research. / Thirdly, this thesis utilizes multiscale meteorological models to study the scale compatibility between dynamic models and interested geographic process. We conduct validation through three steps: daily statistics, spatial comparison and time series. The results support the idea that CALifornia METeorological model (CALMET) is more compatible to reproduce the meteorology process in Hong Kong; however, the discrepancy between the WRF and CALMET is spatially heterogeneous, with larger improvement over the area of complex topography and land use. The results also give evidence about the cross-scale interaction to interpret multi-scale geographic process. / Fourthly, applying the above findings, this dissertation presents a multiscale Virtual Geographic Environments (VGE) system to integrate geographical analysis and multiscale models in a cross-platform and parallel manner. With database system and Linux-Apache-MySQL-Perl (LAMP) architecture, users can manage and retrieve modeling concerning both data and model parameterization to help them reach a consensus on the simulation results and share modeling knowledge. Scale compatibility among data, models and analysis is also considered in the system design. Aided with high-resolved and regulable emission inventory, such multiscale system enables the practical application for various scenarios. As a case study, the VGE is applied to simulate and analyze the SO₂ concentration process and local contribution in HKSAR. / Achievements of this dissertation should greatly contribute to a better cognition of multiscale issues and scale compatibility concerning geographic process, and the VGE is expected to contribute to better understanding and management of air quality for both HKSAR and PRD. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Zhang, Chunxiao. / Thesis (Ph.D.) Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2014. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 135-157). / Abstracts also in Chinese.

Despite the widely recognised importance of knowledge as a vital source of¡@competitive advantage, there is little understanding of how groups actually create and manage knowledge dynamically. Knowledge conversion is a continuous, self-transcending process through which one transcends the boundary of the old self into a new self by acquiring a new context, a new view of the world, and new knowledge. An organisation creates knowledge through the interactions between explicit knowledge and tacit knowledge. Through the conversion process, tacit and explicit knowledge expands in both quality and quantity. There are four modes of knowledge conversion. They are: (1) socialisation; (2) externalisation; (3) combination; and (4) internalisation. We try to use the conversion model to be our theorical base. And use grounded theory to be out research mehod. Through the real data, we come out some factors impacting the Information System Develop Team¡¦s knowledge conversion.

A novel simulated food model (ascorbic acid, thiamine and a mixture of glucose and glycine) incorporating celite was developed. Basic kinetic parameters were established and the analysis of this data led to a reconsideration of the fundamental aspects relating the TDT and Arrhenius systems of evaluating kinetic parameters and their meaning. Heat penetration data was obtained for both conduction and convection systems, with the conduction system being characterized by parameters calculated from the heat penetration data. Stainless steel micro-capsules were used to isolate and obtain centerpoint nutrient destruction and compared it to the predictions of two computer models. Computer models were tested and verified for the conduction system and an optimization technique based on a multi-factor objective function evaluated. / Celite simulated a typical conduction system and the kinetics of quality factor degradation varied depending on composition. Centerpoint capsules worked well in evaluating nutrient destruction and provided a means for verifying computer simulations. Predictions from the Teixeira and Ball models indicated that the Teixeira model was a better process predictor. Multi-factor objective functions for maximizing nutrient retention were shown to work well in defining optimal conditions using the Teixeira program, while those based on the Ball model were indeterminate.

Heshouwu, derived from the tuberous root of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., has been widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. It has a purgative effect when unprocessed, while used as a tonic after processing, and according to historical records, heshouwu should be steamed and sun-dried nine times to generate processed materials. Up until recently, three aspects of heshouwu have not been sufficiently studied. First, it is necessary to understand the history of heshouwu, including the emergence in the literature, the descriptions of its appearance, its effects and controversies, as well as the evolution of heshouwu's processing. As historical texts open a window to the past and clarify the issues of important clinical concern in the modern world, historical bencao (materia medica) literature research should be conducted. Second, in commercial herbal markets, heshouwu is divided into different grades based on morphological features of size and weight. A heavier weight and larger size command a higher price, and both sellers and buyers accept this grading. However, two questions arise: Does the existing grading system accurately represent the quality of the herb? If not, is there another system, or are there other morphological criteria, that could be used to reliably represent quality? Lastly, while heshouwu has been processed for hundreds of years, including the present, the chemistry of that processing has not been well studied. To address these issues, this study is divided into four parts. First, a systematic review of the text and illustrations in historical bencao literature is conducted. The bencao literature study illustrates the origin, botanical characteristics, actions and processing of heshouwu, as well as the origin and historical evolution of baishouwu ("white heshouwu"). To assess the inherent quality of various grades and to explore whether the existing grading system of heshouwu accurately represent quality, we firstly analyze the chemical profiles in three different commercial grades of heshouwu raw materials, using UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS and UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS. The results reveal that production regions and specifications both influence the chemical constituents of heshouwu, but the influence of production regions is even more evident. Differences in the constituents among production regions are relatively large, while there are no significant differences among the existing commercials grades. As the relationship between bioactive components and morphological features can be found by analyzing the distribution patterns of chemical components in different tissues, in order to find other reliable morphological indicators of quality furtherly, a method combining laser microdissection (LMD), UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS and UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS is applied in the third part of this study. The results indicate that, heshouwu with broader cork and phloem, as seen in a transverse section, are typically of better quality as these parts are where the bioactive components accumulate. In the fourth part of this study, targeted and untargeted metabolomics analyses using UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS and UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS are integrated to investigate the processing chemistry of heshouwu. The results demonstrate that processing by nine cycles of steaming and drying can qualitatively and quantitatively alters the chemical profile of heshouwu, which suggests that the nine cycles might be necessary for the preparation of processed heshouwu. The historical bencao literature research, chemical basis for quality evaluation, as well as processing chemistry investigation of heshouwu have been conducted in depth in this study. The results will be helpful in providing scientific basis of heshouwu's application.

Orientador: Claudinei José Gomes Campos / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T16:20:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Bassora_JenniferBazilio_M.pdf: 2131671 bytes, checksum: 3d6f7de621867620d824b07212e6fe98 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: A sociedade se questionava, diante de uma nova doença que se disseminava rapidamente, com alta taxa de letalidade, gerava intensas emoções de pânico, medo e de contágio. Aids era uma doença que estava associada a grupos considerados discriminados e marginalizados, como os homossexuais, usuários de drogas injetáveis e as prostitutas. Essa forma de representá-la mobilizou sentimentos e preconceitos. Esta pesquisa estudou o significado da utilização de grupos no contexto ambulatorial, para pessoas que vivem com HIV/Aids, sob a ótica do portador, sendo este um recurso para ajudar e assistir as pessoas em suas necessidades. A população de estudo foi constituída por pacientes do ambulatório de DST/ Aids , envolvidos no processo de grupo junto ao serviço social do HC da Unicamp. Teve como objetivos: Analisar o significado atribuído desta utilização para a vida social do portador, analisar a motivação do portador em relação a sua permanência no grupo pelos depoimentos dos usuários. Para este fim utilizamos a metodologia de pesquisa qualitativa, priorizado o método clínico-qualitativo a fim de abordar a opinião e os valores dos atores. Realizou-se entrevista semi-estruturada com perguntas previamente formuladas e associadas à abordagem livre sobre o tema. Para análise, interpretamos a reprodução da fala dos sujeitos, relacionando-as com as estruturas sociológicas dos enunciados das mensagens presentes, fazendo a análise de conteúdo, articulando os objetivos da pesquisa e a base teórica adotada. Os resultados demonstraram que segundo os entrevistados, a atividade grupal traz reais mudanças para a vida do portador em um âmbito pessoal, psicológico e social. / Abstract: The socyet was questioned before a new disease that was spreading rapidly, with high fatality rate, generated intense emotions of panic and fear of contagion. Aids was a disease that was linked to groups considered discriminated and marginalized groups such as homosexuals, intravenous drug users and prostitutes. This way of representing it mobilized feelings and prejudices. This research studied the meaning of the use of groups in the outpatient context, for people living with HIV / Aids from the perspective of the bearer, being a resource to help and assist people in their needs. The study population consisted of outpatients from the DST/ Aids, involved in social service group with the HC Unicamp. Aimed to assess the meaning assigned to that use to the social life of the bearer, to analyze the patients motivation for staying in the group by testimonials from users. To this end we use the qualitative research methodology, prioritized clinical-qualitative method in order to address the beliefs and values of the actors. Held semi-structured interview with questions related to the previously formulated and free approach on the issue. For analysis, we interpret the speech reproduction of subjects, relating them to the sociological structures of the utterances of these posts, making the content analysis, linking the research objectives and theoretical basis. The results showed that according to those interviewed, the group activity offers real change for the life of a carrier in the personal, psychological and social. / Mestrado / Enfermagem e Trabalho / Mestre em Enfermagem

No description available.

M.Sc. / The Mvoti River is referred to as a ‘working river’ in that it is highly utilized and developed. It is also, however, in a severely degraded state according to recent ecological assessments that were carried out on the Lower Mvoti River in 2000 and 2005. Previously, this was mostly attributed to the specific activities related to a pulp and paper mill. However, findings of the abovementioned studies indicated that there are multiple stressors present in the system and to derive the combined effect of stressors in an environment affected by multiple activities, a characterization of the different contributing activities is required. Thus, this assessment was undertaken to determine the impact of one of the contributing stressors, i.e. sugar milling activities on the ecological integrity of the Mvoti River. The survey assessments, incorporating local and international accredited methods and techniques, were carried out over a high and low flow period during 2006. A BACI (before-after controlled impact)-research design was applied in this study. Four sites were selected on the Mvoti River, up and downstream of the Glendale Distillery (GDR and GDS) and the Ushukela Milling Company (USR and USS). The former sites were selected to assess the impact of a sugar mill alone and the latter to determine the combined effects of sugar milling and pulp and paper activities. Additionally, 2 sites were selected on the Amatikulu River, up and downstream of the Amatikulu Mill (AR and AS), to assess the effect of the sugar milling activities alone. This study consists of two components, namely the abiotic driver component and the biotic response component. The abiotic driver component involved the analysis of water quality, sediment and habitat quality in which physico-chemical variables of water and sediment were carried out during high and low flow periods and the habitat indices, Habitat Quality Index (HQI) and Integrated Habitat Assessment System (IHAS) were implemented. The biotic response component involved the assessment of the macroinvertebrate and fish community structures, as well as the determination of acute and chronic toxicity and mutagenicity resulting from exposure to mill effluent. The macroinvertebrate communities were assessed using the South African Scoring System Version 5 (SASS5) index and the fish communities were assessed using the Fish Assemblage Integrity Index (FAII). The toxicological assessments were carried out via the use of the Direct Estimation of Ecological Effect Potential, or DEEEP, methodology, and biomarkers.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARy) is a transcription factor that regulates adipogenic genes and preadipocyte factor-1 (pref-1) is a transmembrane protein that regulates preadipocyte differnetiation. The role of PPARy was investigated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) by measuring PPARy mRNA levels in bovine adipose depots and longissimus dorsi muscle. No significant differences in PPARy mRNA levels were observed between 10 Charolais and 10 Holstein cattle for either tissue. Differences were observed between depots within these breeds. Correlations were performed among PPARy, carcass characteristics, and adipogenic genes. Pref-1 antibodies were used to immunolocate preadipocytes in bovine muscle tissue to the perimycium, near fat cells and blood vessels. The preadipocytes may exist in muscle tissue for short periods of time or may arise from a source external to the muscle. A computer image analysis program was developed for the quanitifaction and characterization of intramuscular fat in whole muscle tissues. / xvi, 154 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 28 cm.

The aim of this thesis was to monitor the influence of conditional training in fitness centre on the change of somatotype. The research period took six months and the research file consisted of six trainees. There were entrance and exit anthropometric measurings done with each of the trainees. The theoretical part deals with the history of body building, its effect on human body, problem of nutririon, and other interesting things in this field. The research part evaluates the somatic changes of each participant. The results were processed into charts and graphs and they are commented in the chapter discussion at the final part of my thesis.