Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, August, 2005. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 93-105)

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wollongong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references: leaves 172-217.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Toledo, 2009. / Typescript. "Submitted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for The Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences degree, Administrative Pharmacy option." "A thesis entitled"--at head of title. Bibliography: leaves 66-70.

In eukaryotic cells, transcription factors and polymerases must access DNA in the context of nucleosomes and chromatin. The accessibility of DNA sequences to such trans-acting factors is an important feature of gene regulatory elements, including promoters. In vertebrates, the majority of gene promoters coincide with CpG islands (CGIs), which remain free from DNA methylation and exhibit elevated CpG densities. This hypomethylated and CpG-rich state at CGI promoters is associated not only with transcriptional activity, but also with high levels of chromatin accessibility. However, the causes and consequences of such chromatin accessibility remain unclear. To address this, I have profiled chromatin accessibility in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). In addition to confirming that CGI accessibility is independent of transcriptional activity, I was able to demonstrate that the loss of DNA methylation in ESCs resulted in increased chromatin accessibility at a subset of CpG-rich repetitive elements, suggesting that non-methylated CpG-rich sequences may, at least partially, facilitate open chromatin states. This was supported by preliminary work targeting bacterial CpG-rich sequences into the mouse genome, where they were sufficient to establish novel regions of chromatin accessibility. To examine potential mechanisms by which hypomethylated DNA could serve to promote chromatin accessibility, I profiled chromatin accessibility in mouse ESCs lacking various chromatin-modifying proteins which are normally enriched at CGIs, with the histone demethylases KDM2A/B linked to maintaining open chromatin at CGIs. As an alternative approach to understanding the causes of chromatin accessibility in mouse ESCs, I examined the mechanism by which the pioneer transcription factor OCT4 is able to access previously inaccessible chromatin, and reveal that it requires the chromatin remodeller BRG1 to remodel chromatin and facilitate transcription factor binding at distal regulatory elements. Ultimately, this work provides an insight into some of the molecular determinants of chromatin accessibility in mouse ESCs, although many of the consequences of such chromatin states remain unclear.

Submitted by Maria Creuza Silva (mariakreuza@yahoo.com.br) on 2013-10-07T18:46:13Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS MP SONIA Oliveira. 2013.pdf: 675880 bytes, checksum: b7f05c68c10fe78b12b556c14ecdd4ce (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Creuza Silva(mariakreuza@yahoo.com.br) on 2013-10-07T18:47:49Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS MP SONIA Oliveira. 2013.pdf: 675880 bytes, checksum: b7f05c68c10fe78b12b556c14ecdd4ce (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-10-07T18:47:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS MP SONIA Oliveira. 2013.pdf: 675880 bytes, checksum: b7f05c68c10fe78b12b556c14ecdd4ce (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / A hanseníase ainda é um sério problema de saúde pública em alguns países do mundo, entre eles o Brasil, que ocupa o segundo lugar em número de casos absolutos no mundo. O estado de Mato Grosso ocupou, em 2011, o primeiro lugar em número de casos novos detectados entre os 27 estados da federação, estando sua capital Cuiabá em situação de hiperendemicidade pelos parâmetros do Ministério da Saúde. O objetivo desse estudo foi analisar a acessibilidade ao exame de contato de hanseníase na Estratégia de Saúde da Família no município de Cuiabá/MT. Na primeira etapa do estudo foi realizada a avaliabilidade do PECH/MT, constatando-se que o mesmo encontra-se implantado adequadamente. Identificou-se que entre os aspectos deficientes na condução das ações do programa está a dificuldade em realizar exames de contatos dos pacientes com hanseníase, revelando a existência de problemas de acessibilidade aos serviços de saúde. A avaliação da acessibilidade foi conduzida através de estudo de caso em duas unidades de saúde da família, por meio de análise documental, observação sistemática e entrevistas semiestruturadas com informantes-chave. O Projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa (CEP) do Instituto de Saúde Coletiva - ISC/UFBA, e os entrevistados assinaram Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. A análise da acessibilidade foi realizada em duas dimensões, no âmbito da organização do sistema e dos serviços de saúde. Na primeira dimensão, a avaliação demonstrou que o município encontra-se em situação insatisfatória, evidenciado pela inexistência de plano com ações e metas específicas para o desenvolvimento das ações, falta de garantia de acesso ao serviço de saúde e de insumos para o exame. Na segunda dimensão, observou-se que as unidades foram consideradas de situação intermediária (USF1) e insatisfatória (USF2), indicando a existência de dificuldades quanto à: centralização da realização do exame de baciloscopia, no LACEC; ausência de atividades educativas e falta de sistematização na marcação de consultas. Recomenda-se a composição de equipe de trabalho para coordenar as ações e a proposição de uma política de capacitação contínua de recursos humanos voltados para hanseníase. Deve atentar para a implantação do terceiro turno nas unidades de saúde para atender a demanda de trabalhadores e para o aumento do número de ACS, indispensáveis na busca ativa de casos novos, de contatos faltosos e ações educativas; bem como rever a normatização do MS quanto ao exame dos contatos, pois não está baseado em evidências científicas. / Salvador

Substantial research has examined how linguistic structures are realized in the visual/spatial modality. However, we know less about linguistic pragmatics in signed languages, particularly the functioning of referring expressions (REs). Recent research has explored how REs are deployed in signed languages, but much remains to be learned. Study 1 explores the inventory and workings of REs in American Sign Language by seeking to replicate and build upon Frederiksen & Mayberry (2016). Following Ariel, F&M propose an inventory of REs in ASL ranked according to the typical accessibility of the referents each RE type signals. Study 1 reproduced their results using more complex narratives and including a wider range of REs in various syntactic roles. Using Toole’s (1997) accessibility rating protocol, we calculated average accessibility ratings for each RE type, thus making possible statistical analyses that show more precisely which REs differ significantly in average accessibility. Further, several RE types that F&M had collapsed are shown to be distinct. Finally, we find general similarities between allocations of REs in ASL and in spoken English, based on 6 matched narratives produced by native English speakers. Study 2 explores a previously unexamined set of questions about concurrently occurring REs: collections of REs produced simultaneously. It compares isolated REs that occur in a linear fashion, similar to spoken language grammars, with co-occurring REs, signaling multiple referents simultaneously (termed here constellations). This study asks whether REs in constellations have pragmatic properties different from those of isolated/linear REs. Statistical evidence is presented that some categories of REs do differ significantly in the average accessibility values of their referents, when compared across linear versus concurrent configurations. Study 3 examines whether the proportions of various RE categories used by native ASL signers vary according to the recipient’s familiarity with the narrative. Do ASL narratives designed to be maximally explicit because of low recipient familiarity demonstrate distinct RE allocations? In this sample of 34 narratives, there is no statistically significant difference in RE use attributable to recipient familiarity. These findings have important implications for understanding the impact of modality on accessibility, the use of REs in ASL, and visual processing.

The Swedish city of Umeå is one amongst other cities that has a focus on the increase in the bicycling usage. The municipality of Umeå aims to make public transport, bicycling and walking the most frequently used modes of transport in the city (Umeå kommun, 2017b). There are both positive and negative effects when people are using the bicycle as a mode of transportation. The positive aspects can be increase in health benefits, more environmentally friendly than other transport options and it is a relatively cheap way to transport oneself. The negative aspects can be that more people get hurt due to the risks with bicycling such as physical infrastructure related hazards. The aim of this thesis is to explore if the number of roads in an intersection has any correlation with the amount and severity of accidents and to analyse it in the scope of sustainable development and accessibility. This was done with the quantitative database STRADA which consists of both hospital data and police data on bicycles accidents in the timespan of 2008-2018. The chosen study area was Umeå but with two more specific locations: the city centre and the campus area. Two different approaches were used to utilize the data from STRADA: GIS to create descriptive maps and calculations of the bicycle accidents and logistics-regressions to investigate the accident severity relation to a certain number of chosen variables. The main findings were that it is important that every aspect of bicycling should be as safe as possible otherwise many beneficial effects with bicycling may disappear, such as the ones with sustainable development and accessibility. The results show that there was one type of intersection that had relevance and that was the intersections with three roads in it. Three road intersections were significant in two ways. The first way was that it caused an increased risk in more severe accidents and the second way had an opposite relationship and this was depending on what type of geographical place one was looking at. As with other risk factors there were many variables that affected the outcome of the risk. In Umeå it seemed that people that were over age 39, accidents with vehicles and winter were factors alongside with the three road intersections.

Today accessibility is an important and well known factor in the construction of new houses and locations. This development is furthermore shaped by regulations and laws set by government. Nevertheless, accessibility is also a subject that isn’t always as prioritized as other issues which puts it at a disadvantage. With this essay I researched and analyzed how accessibility is created in public buildings. I’ve done this by interviewing seven different people that in one way or another works in the building sector or gets affected by the shaping of places. Three observations have also been performed by me in order to research how various locations are constructed. I’ve found that there is an overall will to make all places accessible for all people. However accessibility is foremost constructed after the normate and after the beliefs of it’s functions. Accessibility for other types of bodies and minds become deviant and seen as an extra cost. This results in a distorted view of what accessibility can mean and limits the possibilitys of accessibility.

Submitted by Maria Creuza Silva (mariakreuza@yahoo.com.br) on 2013-06-25T13:38:50Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS MP. Kelli C. Nakata. 2012.pdf: 1108344 bytes, checksum: beb75f3e7722117aca516dba2d8c061d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Creuza Silva(mariakreuza@yahoo.com.br) on 2013-06-25T13:40:28Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS MP. Kelli C. Nakata. 2012.pdf: 1108344 bytes, checksum: beb75f3e7722117aca516dba2d8c061d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-06-25T13:40:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS MP. Kelli C. Nakata. 2012.pdf: 1108344 bytes, checksum: beb75f3e7722117aca516dba2d8c061d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / O Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) brasileiro trouxe consigo a ampliação do acesso da população aos serviços de saúde garantindo acesso integral, inclusive assistência farmacêutica. A partir de então a Política Nacional de Medicamentos (PNM, 1998) e a Política Nacional de Assistência Farmacêutica (PNAF, 2004) têm sido consideradas como referências conceitual e operacional para o alcance desses objetivos. Os estudos avaliando a implantação da referida política são ainda escassos e localizados trazendo uma diversidade de situações. Em alguns municípios estudados, o acesso aos medicamentos tem sido descrito como deficiente e o uso racional de medicamentos uma realidade distante. Já em outros estudos, têm sido relatadas experiências exitosas no campo da assistência farmacêutica. Desta forma, existe uma necessidade de ampliação do escopo dos estudos avaliativos sobre o acesso aos medicamentos e a implantação da Política de Assistência Farmacêutica visando preencher essas lacunas. Tendo em vista a inexistência de avaliação a esse respeito no Estado do Mato Grosso e em particular no município de Várzea Grande colocou-se, pois a seguinte pergunta de investigação: a assistência farmacêutica no município de Várzea Grande está estruturada de forma a facilitar ou dificultar o acesso aos medicamentos essenciais? Assim este trabalho avaliou a acessibilidade a medicamentos essenciais no SUS no município de Várzea Grande-MT. Foi realizada a validação de uma matriz de critérios e dimensões para avaliação da acessibilidade através de consenso de experts, então tal instrumento foi testado no município de Várzea Grande. A produção de dados usou da estratégia de entrevistas semiestruturadas, análise documental e observação. Os achados permitiram a classificação geral do município quanto à acessibilidade a medicamentos essenciais como intermediário. Porém se considerado isoladamente a dimensão acessibilidade organizacional e geográfica a classificação foi, respectivamente, incipiente e avançada. / Salvador

A common understanding is that dyslexia is the inability to spell words, the inability to recall symbols, the inability to recognize sight words, or the inability to decode. Dyslexia is often described in deficiency language—the inability to do something. Deficiency language is a product of special education and continues to dominate common understandings of dyslexia. Additionally, special education views dyslexia as an isolated variable, an object to assess, measure, and rehabilitate, and does not take into consideration systemic factors that may influence learning. In this dissertation, I ask three primary research questions: (1) What are the influential areas of study in the academy that have shaped our contemporary understanding of dyslexia? (2) What is a dyslexic way of knowing and writing? How can we make our classrooms more accessible? And (3) What can we learn about the educational institution from a dyslexic positionality? After reviewing the literature on dyslexia from the areas of special education, disability studies in education, critical communication pedagogy, and crip theory, I identify that dyslexia tends to be object of study, and very few people who identify as dyslexic are writing about dyslexia. The dyslexic scholar is rendered invisible. An undergirding principle of this dissertation is that dyslexia becomes visible only through communication: the miss-reading of a sign, a miss-spelled word, a misunderstood text, mistakes. If we come to know the world through writing and communication, then the “mistakes” that are common to dyslexia are actually another way of knowing the world, a legitimate way of knowing. Through performative writing, I articulate a dyslexic way of knowing, and show how this way of knowing can help us rethink course design and classroom communication. I also offer course design strategies that aim to disrupt ritualized educational practices, subvert scriptocentricism, embrace universal design for learning, and promote personalized education. In the process, I legitimize a dyslexic way of know, and by effect, legitimize dyslexia.