Die Regulation des sekundären Metabolismus und der Entwicklung in Aspergillus nidulans sind zwei miteinander verbundene Prozesse. Ihre Regulation geschieht in Abhängigkeit von Licht. Die molekulare Grundlage dieser Verbindung ist ein Komplex bestehend aus den beiden Velvet-Proteinen VeA, VelB und der putativen Methyltransferase LaeA. Ein weiteres Protein der Velvet-Familie ist VosA, dass in Verbindung mit VelB eine essenzielle Rolle in der Sporogenese und Biosynthese von Trehalose spielt. Bisheriges Wissen über die generelle Funktion der einzelnen Proteine basiert überwiegend auf in vivo Analysen. Unbekannt hingegen ist die molekulare Funktionsweise sowie Struktur dieser Proteine. Zu diesem Zweck wurde in der vorliegenden Arbeit versucht dieses Defizit durch eine röntgenkristallographische Strukturanalyse der Proteine aufzuheben.

PURPOSE: To establish the reliability of anthropometric and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry(DXA) techniques used to assess percent body fat (% BF)in female athletes; to establish limits for detecting the smallest real change in % BF associated with anthropometric and DXA testing;to evaluate the validity of commonly used % BF prediction equations recommended by national certification programs along with equations derived from Multicompartment (MC), and DXA, in female athletes; and to create a new DXA based regression equation for elite female athletes. METHODS:Female athletes aged 17-31 were recruited into the study and participated in the establishment of anthropometric reliability (N=20), DXA reliability (N=32), and /or skinfold validity (N=95) testing. Anthropometric testing consisted of measurements of skinfolds,circumferences, and breadths. DXA measurements were conducted using a GE Lunar Prodigy DXA which served as the criterion measure (% BF DXA). RESULTS: Excellent reliability for both anthropometric sum5 skinfolds (ICC= .997, %TEM=0.9 %) and DXA (ICC =.996, CV =1.13% BF) techniques allows for detection of smallest real differences of 2.2 mm and 721g in summed skinfolds (sum5) and fat mass respectively. The DXA based equation of Ball et al.(2004) displayed the greatest validity of existing equations R=.874, total error (TE) 2.9% BF, and Bland Altman Limits of Agreement -4.7to 6.5 % BF. The newly created regression equation demonstrated a non-linear characteristic and displayed similar predictive ability R= .840, TE 3.0%BF, and Bland Altman Limits of Agreement of -6.1to 6.1 % BF. CONCLUSIONS: Anthropometric equations derived from various criteria yielded dissimilar results. Long utilized popular equations advocated in national accreditation schemes (ACSM, CSEP) show considerable bias compared to modern values obtained by current DXA technology. A new regression equation was created for female Canadian athletes 17-31yrs of age using skinfolds taught in the Canadian national professional certification program (CSEP).

PURPOSE: To establish the reliability of anthropometric and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry(DXA) techniques used to assess percent body fat (% BF)in female athletes; to establish limits for detecting the smallest real change in % BF associated with anthropometric and DXA testing;to evaluate the validity of commonly used % BF prediction equations recommended by national certification programs along with equations derived from Multicompartment (MC), and DXA, in female athletes; and to create a new DXA based regression equation for elite female athletes. METHODS:Female athletes aged 17-31 were recruited into the study and participated in the establishment of anthropometric reliability (N=20), DXA reliability (N=32), and /or skinfold validity (N=95) testing. Anthropometric testing consisted of measurements of skinfolds,circumferences, and breadths. DXA measurements were conducted using a GE Lunar Prodigy DXA which served as the criterion measure (% BF DXA). RESULTS: Excellent reliability for both anthropometric sum5 skinfolds (ICC= .997, %TEM=0.9 %) and DXA (ICC =.996, CV =1.13% BF) techniques allows for detection of smallest real differences of 2.2 mm and 721g in summed skinfolds (sum5) and fat mass respectively. The DXA based equation of Ball et al.(2004) displayed the greatest validity of existing equations R=.874, total error (TE) 2.9% BF, and Bland Altman Limits of Agreement -4.7to 6.5 % BF. The newly created regression equation demonstrated a non-linear characteristic and displayed similar predictive ability R= .840, TE 3.0%BF, and Bland Altman Limits of Agreement of -6.1to 6.1 % BF. CONCLUSIONS: Anthropometric equations derived from various criteria yielded dissimilar results. Long utilized popular equations advocated in national accreditation schemes (ACSM, CSEP) show considerable bias compared to modern values obtained by current DXA technology. A new regression equation was created for female Canadian athletes 17-31yrs of age using skinfolds taught in the Canadian national professional certification program (CSEP).

The focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and the protein tyrosine kinase 2-beta (PYK2) are two closely related non-receptor tyrosine kinases that link cell adhesion, migration and proliferation, and thus also promote cancer cell invasiveness. FAK and PYK2 have the same domain structure (comprising the FERM, kinase and FAT domains) and possess several overlapping functions, however their cellular roles can be different or even opposing. In particular, PYK2 can be activated by calcium, and has important functions in the brain and neurodegenerative disease. The molecular basis for calcium-based activation of PYK2 is unclear and controversial. In this work we combined biophysical and structural methods to determine the molecular basis for calcium-sensing in PYK2. For this, we investigated the least-studied region of these kinases, namely the long linker (KFL) region between the kinase and FAT domains. This linker is only ~20% conserved between FAK and PYK2, and, therefore, is a prime candidate for causing their differential properties. We find that the linker harbors a helical segment, which is conserved in both FAK and PYK2, and contributes to their dimerization (an important step in their activation). Helix-flanking regions differ between both proteins, and we show that these of PYK2 create a non-canonical dimeric binding site for calcium-bound calmodulin. Calmodulin-binding is synergistic with linker dimerization in PYK2, explaining how calcium influx can be translated into activation of PYK2. Collectively, our work clarifies the capacities for FAK and PYK2 to receive, process and transduce cellular signals, and may provide new opportunities for targeted therapeutic intervention.

No description available.

This thesis describes the development and improvement of prompt gamma neutron activation analysis and x-ray fluorescence techniques with the goal of reducing the minimum detection limit of cadmium and mercury for non-invasive measurement of occupationally exposed individuals. The detection of cadmium in the liver and kidneys with prompt gamma neutron activation analysis was investigated in this thesis. The cadmium minimum detection limit was determined to be 1.7 mg in the kidney and 3.3 ppm in the liver. This represents a reduction in the minimum detection limit by a factor of 2 in the kidney and 1.4 in the liver, and this improvement was achieved through optimization of a 238Pu-Be-based prompt gamma neutron activation analysis system at McMaster University. This system is now ready for in vivo measurement of cadmium-exposed workers, and possibly for individuals with high levels of environmental exposure. The prompt gamma neutron activation analysis technique was determined to be unsuitable for in vivo mercury measurement in the kidney due to a high detection limit of 315 ppm. This figure was a factor of 23 worse than the detection limit of cadmium in the kidney, when a factor of 10 worse was expected. A comparison was made of mercury and cadmium to chlorine, which is a well-known neutron activation element, and the source of discrepancy was determined to be the enhanced detectability of cadmium due to the non-thermal nature of the 238Pu-Be neutron energy spectrum and the non-l/v behaviour of the cadmium thermal neutron capture cross-section. Since the prompt gamma neutron activation analysis technique was not sensitive enough for mercury detection, a source-based x-ray fluorescence system was developed. This system is based on a 109Cd source that emits 88 keV gamma-rays, a source collimator and planar hyperpure germanium detector in a backscatter (approximately 180°) geometry. Minimum detection limits of 3.9 ppm for a bare kidney phantom and 5.0 ppm for a kidney phantom at 1 cm depth in a torso phantom were obtained. The planar detection system reduced the bare phantom minimum detection limit by a factor of 11 compared to previous source-based x-ray fluorescence studies, however the torso phantom minimum detection limit remains comparable to that of polarized x-ray fluorescence studies. Attempts at improving the mercury minimum detection limit with a cloverleaf detection system (detector consisting of four electronically separate hyperpure germanium crystals) and stronger gamma-ray source were not successful, and currently both the planar and cloverleaf detection systems have a similar minimum detection limit of about 5 ppm at 1 cm kidney depth. In addition, the in vivo measurement of two patients with possible mercury exposure using the cloverleaf x-ray fluorescence system is discussed. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The thesis develops a model (that includes a conceptual framework and an implementation) for analysing and classifying traditional X-ray images (MACXI) according to the severity of diseases as a Computer-Aided-Diagnosis tool with three initial objectives. � The first objective was to interpret X-ray images by transferring expert knowledge into a knowledge base (CXKB): to help medical staff to concentrate only on the interest areas of the images. � The second objective was to analyse and classify X-ray images according to the severity of diseases through the knowledge base equipped with an image processor (CXIP). � The third objective was to demonstrate the effectiveness and limitations of several image-processing techniques for analysing traditional chest X-ray images. A database was formed based on collection of expert diagnosis details for lung images. Five important features from lung images, as well as diagnosis rules were identified and simplified. The expert knowledge was transformed into a Knowledge base (KB) for analysing and classifying traditional X-ray images according to the severity of diseases (CXKB). Finally, an image processor named CXIP was developed to extract the features of lung images features and image classification. CXKB contains 63 distinct lung diseases with detailed descriptions. Some 80-chest X-ray images with diagnosis details were collected for the database from different sources, including online medical resources. A total of 61 images were used to determine the important features; 19 chest X-ray images were not used because of low visibility or the difficulty of diagnosis. Finally, only 12 images were selected after examining the diagnosis details, image clarity, image completeness, and image orientation. The most important features of lung diseases are a pattern of lesions with different levels of intensity or brightness. The other major anatomical structures of the chest are the hilum area, the rib area, the trachea area, and the heart area. Seven different severity levels of diseases were determined. Development and simplification of rules based on the image library were analysed, developed, and tested against the 12 images. A level of severity was labelled for each image based on a personal understanding of all the image and diagnosis details. Then, MACXI processed the selected 12 images to determine the level of severity. These 12 images were fed into the CXIP for recognition of the features and classification of the images to an accurate level of severity. Currently, the processor has the ability to identify diseased lung areas with approximately 80% success rate. A step by step demonstration of several image processing techniques that were used to build the processor is given to highlight the effectiveness and limitations of the techniques for analysing traditional chest X-ray images is also presented.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-12T23:02:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 arquivo8577_1.pdf: 1277931 bytes, checksum: 3fa83084d4bb4f85991aa2e7f000febd (MD5) license.txt: 1748 bytes, checksum: 8a4605be74aa9ea9d79846c1fba20a33 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / A obesidade é uma excessiva acumulação de energia sob a forma de gordura corporal com prejuízos à saúde. O aumento da prevalência de obesidade em diferentes populações leva a acreditar que esta condição clínica caminha para ser a mais importante causa de doença crônica no mundo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi o de avaliar a importância da obesidade em especial a central e seus fatores de risco à saúde em homens adultos jovens por meio de revisão da literatura, bem como, realizar um estudo comparativo entre duas técnicas de avalição da composição corporal: a Antropometria e o Dual Energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). O delineamento do estudo foi do tipo transversal com seleção aleatória. Participaram 45 indivíduos com idades entre 20 e 30 anos, distribuídos em três grupos segundo o Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC), nas categorias peso normal, pré-obeso e obeso I. O referido estudo originou uma nova equação de predição para a gordura centralizada utilizando o perímetro abdominal (Pab) e a gordura do tronco medida pelo DXA em homens adultos jovens, permitindo ainda classificar os referidos indivíduos em risco à saúde de acordo com o Z-score usando a quantidade de gordura estimada pela referida equação

Automated testing is a fast-growing requirement for many IT companies. The idea of testing is to create a better product for both the company and the customer. The goal of this study is to examine different aspects of au- tomated testing and Xray as a test management tool. The literature study considers information from several different scientific reports. It shows that the benefits of automated testing include increased productivity and reliable software but also pitfalls like a high initial cost and a maintenance cost. Research suggests that automated testing is complementary to man- ual testing. Manual testing is more suited for exploratory testing, while automated testing is better for regression testing. Using historical data manual tests can be placed into prioritised clusters. The coverage of each test within a cluster determines its priority, where a test with high cover- age has a high priority. A near-optimal solution for prioritising automated tests is the combination of two well-known strategies, the additional cov- erage strategy and the total coverage strategy. Tests are prioritised based on how much of the code they uniquely cover. Code coverage is mea- sured using statements, methods or complexity. Furthermore, this thesis demonstrates a proof of concept for how the unified algorithm can pri- oritise Xray tests. Xray is evaluated according to the ISO/IEC 25010:2011 standard together with a survey done on Xray practitioners. The evalua- tion for Xray shows that Xray provides the necessary tools and functions to manage a testing suite successfully. However, no official encryption exist for the Jira server, and Xray lacks integrated documentation.

No description available.