[pt] A relação entre preços de ativos, expectativa de política monetária, e liberação de dados macroeconômicos tem sido avaliada pela literatura há bastante tempo. Essa dissertação estuda as implicações da ancoragem das expectativas de longo prazo de inflação, como instrumento de política monetária, para a estrutura a termo das taxas de juros. Particularmente, este trabalho objetiva entender como esse mecanismo se conecta ao padrão de variabilidade temporal de ambas a volatilidade dos retornos nominais e a sensibilidade dos mesmos a novidades macroeconômicas. Tendo isso em vista, um modelo Novo-Keynesiano com duas principais características é apresentado. Primeiro, os agentes possuem crenças subjetivas ao invés de expectativas racionais. Eles aprendem sobre o target de inflação definido pelo banco central e suas expectativas podem se tornar ancoradas ou desancoradas, dado o estado da economia. Segundo, a aversão ao risco dos consumidores varia ao longo do tempo. O modelo possui uma principal predição: a sensibilidade da estrutura a termo da taxa de juros com relação a supresas de inflação não apenas varia no tempo, mas depende do estado da economia. / [en] The relation between asset prices, monetary policy expectations, and macroeconomic data releases has long been assessed by the literature. This dissertation addresses the implications of the anchoring or unanchoring of long-run inflation expectations, as a stance of monetary policy, to the term structure of bond yields. In particular, it aims to understand how this mechanism is connected to the time-varying pattern of both the volatility of nominal yields and their sensitivity to macroeconomic surprises. To that matter, we present a New-Keynesian model with two main characteristics. First, agents have subjective beliefs instead of rational expectations. They learn about the inflation target set by the central bank and their expectations may become anchored or unanchored over time, given the state of the economy. Second, agents face time-varying risk aversion. The model has one main prediction: the sensitivity of the term structure to inflation surprises is not only time-varying, but state-dependent.

The development of recombinant proteins for therapeutic applications has revolutionized the pharmaceutical industry. In particular, monoclonal antibodies are the safest class of all therapeutic molecules and account for the majority of recombinant proteins currently undergoing clinical trials. A variety of technologies exist to engineer antibodies with a desired binding specificity and affinity, both of which are a prerequisite for therapeutic applications. This dissertation describes the implementation of a novel combinatorial library screening technology for the discovery and engineering of antibodies with unique binding properties. Combinatorial library screening technologies are used for the in vitro isolation of antibodies from large ensembles of proteins (libraries) typically produced by microorganisms using molecular biology techniques. Our lab has developed a powerful antibody discovery technology that relies on E. coli display by anchored periplasmic expression, otherwise known as APEx. First, I compared the effects of using combinatorial libraries comprising either smaller, monovalent single-chain antibody fragments (scFv), or the much larger, bifunctional full-length IgG antibodies. These technologies were used to isolate a small panel of antigen specific antibodies from the same library of antibody variable domains amplified from a mouse immunized with the Protective Antigen (PA) component from Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax. Overall, IgG display resulted in the isolation of a broader panel of variable domain sequences. Most of these variable domains exhibited substantially reduced affinity when expressed as scFvs, which is consistent with the finding that none of these could be isolated from the equivalent scFv library. These results indicate that the antibody format used during in vitro selection affects which antibody variable domains will be discovered. Second, I developed several modifications of the APEx methodology to allow for more efficient recovery of antibodies with desired properties. Specifically, the system was reengineered to simultaneously account for antibody binding and expression levels in order to isolate the highest affinity antibodies with favorable expression characteristics. Third, the new approach, coupled with optimized fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) settings, was used to increase the affinity of an antibody by 35-fold resulting in a K[subscript D] of 100 pM. It was demonstrated that genetic transfer of this high affinity antibody specific for the V antigen of Yersinia pestis, the etiologic agent of the plague, conferred increased protection against intranasal challenge with a 363 LD₅₀ of Y. pestis in mice. / text

Neste trabalho os complexos cis- [Ru(BAF)(bpy)(PPh3)(OH2)](ClO4)2 (monômero B) e cis-[Ru(dmbpy)2(PPh3)(OH2)](OPh)2 (monômero C) foram sintetizados e caracterizados através de métodos espectroscópicos e eletroquímicos, sendo utilizados na construção de novos eletrodos modificados EMs e aplicados na eletrooxidação de substratos orgânicos. A preparação destes EMs consistiu no recobrimento da superfície de eletrodos de feltro de carbono e de bastões de grafite pelos filmes poliméricos ancorados ao rutênio. Os intervalos de potencial aplicados para a polimerização dos complexos foram àqueles correspondentes, respectivamente, aos potenciais de polimerização do contra-íon difenolato e do ligante azóico contendo o grupamento fenol. A atividade catalítica destes EMs foi investigada através de um estudo cinético, através de eletrooxidações heterogêneas acompanhadas por UV/Vis de diversos compostos orgânicos como: safrol, isosafrol, álcool benzílico, fenil etil álcool, etil benzeno, tolueno, benzaldeído, ciclo hexen-2-ol, demonstrando que os EMs podem ser utilizados como catalisadores em reações de eletrooxidações com rendimentos satisfatórios. / In this work the complexes cis-[Ru(BAF)(bpy)(PPh3)(OH2)](ClO4)2 (B monomer) and cis-[Ru(dmbpy)2(PPh3)(OH2)](OPh)2 (C monomer) were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods, and they were utilized in construction of new modified electrodes (MEs) and applied in electrooxidation of organic substrates. The preparation of these new MEs was done by coating the surfaces of carbon felt and carbon rod electrodes by polymeric films where the ruthenium complexes were anchored. The potential range applied to accomplish the polimerization of the complexes corresponds to the potencial ranges of diphenol anion and azoic ligand with the phenolic group, respectively. The catalytic activity of these MEs was studied by kinetic methodology monitoring the heterogeneous electroxidations by UV/Vis of some organic substrates like: safrol, isosafrol, benzylic alcohol, phenil ethyl alcohol, ethyl benzene, toluene, cycle-hexen-2-ol, showing that these EMs can be utilized as catalyst in electrooxidations reactions with goods yields.

Les espèces du complexe Scedosporium apiospermum sont des agents pathogènes émergents qui se situent au deuxième rang parmi les champignons filamenteux rencontrés au cours de la mucoviscidose. Ils sont omniprésents et particulièrement rencontrés dans les zones polluées. En dépit de leur importance clinique, nos connaissances sur leur biologie moléculaire et leur physiologie restent limitées. Chez les champignons, la paroi constitue un bouclier protecteur face à des conditions environnementales défavorables, et joue un rôle essentiel dans la pathogénicité. Ici, nous avons étudié les changements dynamiques de la paroi des conidies de S. boydii, l’une des deux espèces majeures de ce complexe avec S. apiospermum, avec pour objectif d'identifier des facteurs de virulence potentiels. En utilisant une large variété de techniques, allant de la microscopie électronique à balayage ou à transmission à l’analyse protéomique des protéines à ancre glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) en passant par la microélectrophorèse et la partition de phase, la cytométrie en flux, la microscopie de force atomique, la résonance paramagnétique électronique, ou encore des techniques moléculaires, nous avons mis en évidence diverses modifications qui se produisent dans la paroi pendant la maturation et la germination des conidies de S. boydii et nous avons identifié la DHN-mélanine ainsi qu'un nombre important de protéines à ancre GPI. Enfin, nous avons fourni la première séquence complète du génome de S. apiospermum qui appuierait les différents domaines de la recherche sur ces champignons que ce soit pour l’étude des mécanismes pathogènes ou pour des applications biotechnologiques. / Species of the Scedosporium apiospermum complex are emerging human pathogens which rank the second, after Aspergillus fumigatus, among the filamentous fungi colonizing the airways of patients with cystic fibrosis. These fungi are ubiquitous in nature and particularly encountered in polluted areas. Despite their clinical relevance, our knowledge about their molecular biology and physiology remains rather limited. In fungi, the cell wall forms a protective shield against adverse environmental conditions, and therefore plays a key role in pathogenesis, which makes it an interesting target for antifungal drug development. Here, in an attempt to identify potential virulence factors, we investigated the dynamic changes of the cell wall of conidia in S. boydii, one of the main pathogenic species within this species complex with Scedosporium apiospermum. Using various techniques, ranging from scanning and transmission electron microscopy to proteomic analysis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)- anchored proteins, through two-phase partitioning and microelectrophoresis, atomic force microscopy and chemical force spectroscopy, flow 5 cytometry, electron paramagnetic resonance and molecular techniques, we highlighted various modifications occurring in the cell wall during maturation and germination of S. boydii and we identified DHN-melanin as well as a substantial number of GPI-anchored proteins in the cell wall. Finally, we provided the first publicly available genome sequence of S. apiospermum that would support various research fields on these fungi whether for understanding their pathogenic mechanisms or for various biotechnological applications.

The discipline of marketing is evolving from a product centric paradigm where all value is invested in the product by the supplier and it is exchanged for a market determined price by means of an arm’s length transaction, to a service centric paradigm where value is co-created by customer and supplier through complex relationships in which the rewards are determined through negotiation. This study recognizes that in practice a supplier will and ought to continue to have some customer relationships that are transactional and others that involve higher levels of value co-creation. A five point continuum of relationships from transactional to strategic alliance is defined. Dyadic data in which customer and supplier are asked to evaluate the same relationship from their respective points of view are analyzed resulting in a portfolio of a supplier’s relationships that include each of the five levels. Three structured equation models are validated: first, the customer’s assessment of the level of relationship as a function of new, behaviorally anchored measures; second, the supplier’s assessment as a function of new, behaviorally anchored measures of investment; third, the differences between customer and supplier assessments as a function of differences in ratings of new, behaviorally anchored measures. Additionally, segmentation of the customer base is identified based on the level of assessment of the current and desired future level of relationship. Servicing processes are defined to enable the supplier to match the right offerings to each level of customer thereby optimizing their investment in their customer portfolio.

The discipline of marketing is evolving from a product centric paradigm where all value is invested in the product by the supplier and it is exchanged for a market determined price by means of an arm’s length transaction, to a service centric paradigm where value is co-created by customer and supplier through complex relationships in which the rewards are determined through negotiation. This study recognizes that in practice a supplier will and ought to continue to have some customer relationships that are transactional and others that involve higher levels of value co-creation. A five point continuum of relationships from transactional to strategic alliance is defined. Dyadic data in which customer and supplier are asked to evaluate the same relationship from their respective points of view are analyzed resulting in a portfolio of a supplier’s relationships that include each of the five levels. Three structured equation models are validated: first, the customer’s assessment of the level of relationship as a function of new, behaviorally anchored measures; second, the supplier’s assessment as a function of new, behaviorally anchored measures of investment; third, the differences between customer and supplier assessments as a function of differences in ratings of new, behaviorally anchored measures. Additionally, segmentation of the customer base is identified based on the level of assessment of the current and desired future level of relationship. Servicing processes are defined to enable the supplier to match the right offerings to each level of customer thereby optimizing their investment in their customer portfolio.

Neste trabalho os complexos cis- [Ru(BAF)(bpy)(PPh3)(OH2)](ClO4)2 (monômero B) e cis-[Ru(dmbpy)2(PPh3)(OH2)](OPh)2 (monômero C) foram sintetizados e caracterizados através de métodos espectroscópicos e eletroquímicos, sendo utilizados na construção de novos eletrodos modificados EMs e aplicados na eletrooxidação de substratos orgânicos. A preparação destes EMs consistiu no recobrimento da superfície de eletrodos de feltro de carbono e de bastões de grafite pelos filmes poliméricos ancorados ao rutênio. Os intervalos de potencial aplicados para a polimerização dos complexos foram àqueles correspondentes, respectivamente, aos potenciais de polimerização do contra-íon difenolato e do ligante azóico contendo o grupamento fenol. A atividade catalítica destes EMs foi investigada através de um estudo cinético, através de eletrooxidações heterogêneas acompanhadas por UV/Vis de diversos compostos orgânicos como: safrol, isosafrol, álcool benzílico, fenil etil álcool, etil benzeno, tolueno, benzaldeído, ciclo hexen-2-ol, demonstrando que os EMs podem ser utilizados como catalisadores em reações de eletrooxidações com rendimentos satisfatórios. / In this work the complexes cis-[Ru(BAF)(bpy)(PPh3)(OH2)](ClO4)2 (B monomer) and cis-[Ru(dmbpy)2(PPh3)(OH2)](OPh)2 (C monomer) were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods, and they were utilized in construction of new modified electrodes (MEs) and applied in electrooxidation of organic substrates. The preparation of these new MEs was done by coating the surfaces of carbon felt and carbon rod electrodes by polymeric films where the ruthenium complexes were anchored. The potential range applied to accomplish the polimerization of the complexes corresponds to the potencial ranges of diphenol anion and azoic ligand with the phenolic group, respectively. The catalytic activity of these MEs was studied by kinetic methodology monitoring the heterogeneous electroxidations by UV/Vis of some organic substrates like: safrol, isosafrol, benzylic alcohol, phenil ethyl alcohol, ethyl benzene, toluene, cycle-hexen-2-ol, showing that these EMs can be utilized as catalyst in electrooxidations reactions with goods yields.

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Pedestrian bridge across the river Dyje, which comprises stress concrete ribbon supported by two archs. The structure is designed so that it applied for self-anchored system.