Antibodies are soluble proteins produced by the adaptive immune system to bind and counteract invading pathogens. The binding properties of a typical human antibody are determined by the structure of its variable domain, composed of two chains – heavy and light and by the conformation of six loops located on the surface of the variable domain, known as Complementarity Determining Regions (CDRs). In the first chapter, we describe our analysis of the conformational space occupied by five out of six antibody CDRs (L1, L2, L3, H1 and H2) and the development of a novel, length-independent method for grouping these CDRs into structural clusters (canonical forms). We show that using our method we can increase coverage and precision of assigning CDR sequences into clusters. In the next chapter, we describe a method for ranking structural decoys of the CDR-H3 loop. We show that by computationally perturbing CDR-H3 decoys we can improve the performance of existing ranking methods. In the same chapter, we discuss the development of a method for high-throughput assignment of heavy-light chain orientation. The power of the method was demonstrated by assigning orientation to billions of potential Fv sequences. The third Chapter describes the analysis of a large dataset of CDR sequences with the aim of identifying sequence patterns responsible for the loops' structure. Using a neural network methodology, we found several groups of CDR sequences which might be indicative of previously-unseen conformations. In the final results Chapter, we describe how we used the structural knowledge developed throughout the rest of the thesis to create a novel pipeline for computational antibody design. We show that the binders developed using our methodology had similar features to available antibody therapeutics and low predicted propensity to cause an immunogenic response. These results demonstrate the potential for using computational methods for designing high affinity therapeutics with human properties.

In this thesis I analyse sub-national differences in the employment trajectories of mothers of young children in Germany (Bundeslaender) and the UK (Government Office Regions and Metropolitan counties). The thesis combines longitudinal and spatial approaches to paid work, and focuses on mothers of children under 6 - arguably the group at the core of the social (re)production of gender differences in employment. One of its aims is to nuance the existing literature explaining the differences in women's involvement in paid work in terms of national welfare and/or breadwinner regimes - by looking at the nature and extent of regional variations in the patterns of involvement that make these countries typical of such regimes. Its specific goals consist in testing the Latent Growth Curve (LCM) framework as a method for modelling variations in participation in paid work over time, then in exploring three possible explanations for the regional differences observed. The respective role of regional differences in the family formation and social position of the maternal labour force, of the availability of suitable jobs in particular segregated jobs, and finally of economic histories in relation to women's orientations to work is assessed. The results confirmed that LCM represents an innovative tool to understand variations of involvement in paid work over time, and revealed significant regional differences, beyond the 'North South' and 'East-West' divides documented respectively in the UK and Germany. In both countries, results pointed at a combined effect of the three explanatory factors analysed. Whilst composition and labour demands effects went some way towards explaining some of the variations observed, at the same time additional regional variations were discovered once composition factors were taken into account. Finally the pattern of association between the remaining unexplained regional variation and aggregate attitudes of women towards paid work suggests an influence of long term trends in participation on present levels of involvement.

This thesis provides a neo-Gramscian account of Cross-Strait economic integration (CSEI) between Taiwan and China and challenges the realist and liberal underpinnings which define the CSEI literature. I argue that rather than occurring between two separate state apparatuses which respond to an objective market-led integration process, that both the political and economic dimensions of CSEI should be understood as components of a single process. I theorize Taiwan's policy parameter as confined by a Cross-Strait historical bloc in which Taiwan's capitalist class and the Chinese Communist Party are hegemonic. I start by arguing that CSEI can only be understood in terms of social order and the social basis of Taiwan's state and develop a regionally focused neo-Gramscian framework to account for it in terms of a Cross-Strait historical bloc. To better contextualize Taiwan's contemporary social order parameters, I first examine the social basis which enabled and eventually diluted the bureaucratic autonomy on which the Kuomintang's one-party rule was based between 1945 and 1988. Afterward, I examine the erosion of the KMT's elite bureaucratic autonomy and the social order parameters set by Taiwan's newly hegemonic Cross-Strait historical bloc between 1988 and 2000. I then examine the Democratic Progressive Party's CSEI openings between 2001 and 2008 in the context of both its historical bloc confined policy parameter and an increasingly populist identity politics in Taiwan which diverted the citizenry's attention from economic matters. I conclude by examining the unprecedented CSEI deepening which occurred since the KMT's return to power in 2008 and argue that this is a culmination of the historical bloc's long-term policy parameter. But, I also examine to what extent a capital-defined CSEI has spurred forth an increased contestation process and to what extent this may signal that a counter historical bloc is coming into shape in Taiwan.

By using genealogy, this study analyzes the dispositive of humanitarianism/trusteeship, which has constituted the power relationship between trustees and target societies and fields of intervention of power in international society. This dispositive has been reproduced from the colonial period to the present. However, this study does not attempt a complete history of humanitarianism and trusteeship. Its aim is to follow the formation and reproduction of power relations in international society. In this study, ‘trusteeship' refers to a relation of inequality and a field of intervention, rather than a specific or particular historical practice. Thus, the concept of trusteeship includes various practices such as colonial administration, development assistance, and transitional administration. Equally, the category of ‘humanitarianism' also includes practices such as protection from anarchy, relief from oppression, and freedom from poverty, which are above and beyond the direct relief of suffering. Examining IR theories which employ genealogy, this study adopts sociological genealogy as a methodology. Previous studies on new trusteeship tend to presume that new trusteeship is rooted only in liberal internationalism. However, this study argues that it is underpinned not only by liberal internationalism but iii also by humanitarian discourse. Furthermore, some existing works on humanitarian intervention and new trusteeship presume that there are two kinds of humanitarianism: ‘humanitarianism separate from politics' and ‘humanitarianism abused by politics.' The former means that politics is just a tool for humanitarian purposes; and the latter means that humanitarian discourse is a convenient cloak for political interests. This dichotomy leads to the distinction between ‘good trusteeship embodying humanitarianism' and ‘bad trusteeship abusing humanitarianism.' This study aims to show that this dichotomy is highly questionable and to indicate the co-constitutive nature of trusteeship and humanitarianism. The language of trusteeship harks back to the colonial period even while the humanitarianism of today tends to reject political and colonial content. While trusteeship requires strong moral justification, humanitarianism contributes to the constitution of trusteeship when it attempts to alleviate human suffering. Although humanitarianism has represented trusteeship as universal and impartial, trusteeship has tended to expand and defend the interests of particular communities in international society. This study indicates the inherent danger of trusteeship and humanitarianism.

This thesis challenges the Eurocentric division of international history into distinct 'Western' and 'Eastern' strands by demonstrating the intensive historical interactivity between the Ottoman Empire and Europe. Addressing Weberian, Marxian and postcolonial inspired historiography, it seeks to overcome a series of interconnected binaries- East versus West, tradition versus modernity and inside versus outside- that characterise the one-sidedness of these approaches. This thesis argues that Uneven and Combined Development (U&CD) is a theoretical framework primed to overcoming precisely such partialities, and can therefore make an original contribution to Ottoman historiography. More specifically the thesis tackles problems in Ottoman historiography across three key junctures. Through a treatment of the origins of the Empire, I demonstrate that the Ottoman tributary state was a product of international determinations- a form of combined development. Analysing the Ottoman apogee of the sixteenth century, I argue that Ottoman geopolitical pressure on Europe created sociological conditions for that emergence of capitalism. Finally, I show that Ottoman decline was inextricable from the uneven and combined development of capitalism over the course of the long nineteenth century. These historical analyses offer distinct contributions to historical sociological debates around the 'tributary mode of production', the 'Rise of the West' and 'modernisation' respectively. Theoretically, I show that any historical study from a singular spatial vantage point will always tend to be partial. Instead, multiple vantage points derived from multiple spatio-temporal origins better capture the complexity of concrete historical processes. In presenting this argument, this thesis offers a theoretical reconstruction of U&CD as the articulation of spatio-temporal multiplicity in mode of production analysis, which overcomes the fissure between international relations and historical sociology. It thus extends the theory of U&CD onto the terrain of 'big questions' surrounding pre-capitalist social relations and capitalist modernity.

Novas regiões vitícolas estão se estabelecendo em muitas regiões brasileiras. Em especial, no estado do Rio Grande do Sul diversos empreendimentos estão instalados ou em fase de projeto de instalação em várias regiões. No contexto da moderna vitivinicultura nacional, um fator importante de agregação de valor aos produtos resultantes da atividade é a sua associação a uma identidade regional, tendência próxima ao conceito de terroir. Tratando-se de regiões produtoras novas, faz-se necessário um complexo levantamento de características de cada região produtora, de modo que sejam definidos parâmetros de diferenciação que confiram, a cada região, a necessária tipicidade tão próxima à ideia de terroir. Este trabalho propõe-se a trazer uma contribuição à caracterização de algumas novas regiões vitícolas do Rio Grande do Sul, tentando mostrar que é possível evidenciar fatores físicos que diferenciam cada região. Foram escolhidas três áreas na metade sul do estado, sendo duas na Campanha Gaúcha (Almadén em Santana do Livramento e Seival em Candiota), e uma na Serra do Sudeste (Chandon em Encluzilhada do Sul); também foi estudada uma área na Serra Gaúcha (Boscato em Nova Pádua). Como ferramentas de estudo, foram utilizadas técnicas de espectrorradiometria para levantamento de dados de campo nas quatro regiões, onde foram tomados espectros de reflectância foliar no visível e no infravermelho próximo e médio. Foram selecionadas parcelas de parreirais das variedades Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay e Riesling Itálico. Também foram utilizadas imagens de satélite (ASTER) para estudar as áreas da Almadén e Seival, com dados de reflectância no visível e no infravermelho de diversos cultivares de Vitis vinifera. Os dados foram analisados usando-se diversas técnicas de separação, como algoritmos de classificação supervisionada e Análise Discriminante. Os resultados, tanto para os dados de radiometria de campo quanto para os dados orbitais, mostraram que a partir da reflectância de folhas e de dossel é possível separar cada uma das regiões, com acurácias da ordem de 80% ou mais, sendo esta separabilidade atribuída à influência do meio físico sobre as plantas. Conclui-se que a utilização de dados e técnicas de Sensoriamento Remoto, com o apoio de técnicas de análise estatística, constitui relevante ferramenta de apoio à caracterização de regiões vitícolas no Rio Grande do Sul, e provavelmente para qualquer região produtora. / New viticultural regions are being created in several regions across Brazil. For instance, in Rio Grande do Sul State many wineries are already established, are being installed or are in project phase. In the context of modern Brazilian viticulture, an important factor for added value to products from the activity is its association to a regional identity, a tendency which is akin to the terroir concept. Being new regions, a comprehensive survey of the characteristics of each producing area is necessary, a step leading to the definition of parameters of differentiation, which will give to each region the required typicity, crucial to the terroir idea. Presently, we carry out a contribution to the characterization of some new viticultural regions of Rio Grande do Sul, trying to show that it is possible to bring to light physical factors which will differentiate each region. Three areas in the State’s Metade Sul (southern half) were selected, being two in the Campanha Gaúcha region (Almadén in Santana do Livramento and Seival in Candiota), and another one at the Serra do Sudeste (Chandon in Encruzilhada do Sul); we also selected a winery at the Serra Gaúcha (Boscato in Nova Pádua). As tools for this study, we used techniques of spectroradiometry to collect field data in all four regions, acquiring spectra of leaf reflectance in visible, wavelengths, and at near and mean infrared as well. We selected vineyards of the grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling Itálico. Satellite images (ASTER product) were also taken to study the Almadén and Seival wineries, using reflectance data in visible and infrared for some varieties of Vitis vinifera. All data were analyzed through several techniques intended for differentiation, as algorithms for supervised classification and, in Statistics, Discriminant Analysis. The results, from radiometry field data and from satellite data as well, showed that from the reflectance of leaves and canopy it is possible to separate each region, with accuracies as high as 80% and even more. This separability is believed to be due to the influence of the physical environment on plants. It is concluded that the use of data and techniques from Remote Sensing, associated with techniques of statistical analysis, are relevant tools to support the characterization of viticultural regions in Rio Grande do Sul and probably in any producing region.

Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O atendimento às demandas de determinada parcela da população que vive nas chamadas Regiões Metropolitanas no Brasil tem apresentado acentuada dificuldade em obter resultados satisfatórios, na medida em que estes espaços territoriais estejam situados em diferentes jurisdições político-territoriais. Tais dificuldades têm origem, sobretudo, na necessidade da composição de arranjos governamentais que possam atuar de forma conjunta e coordenada, abrangendo Estados e Municípios envolvidos nesta dinâmica metropolitana, e que abrange aspectos fiscais, sociais, ambientais e jurídicos. O presente trabalho analisa este último aspecto, sobretudo, em relação à questão das competências constitucionais dos entes envolvidos e o papel a ser desempenhado por cada um na regulação do solo urbano, um dos aspectos mais relevantes em relação ao tema metropolitano. Se a dependência de um eventual acordo entre os entes federativos tem se mostrado raro na história federativa brasileira, tal fato não pode constituir-se em um fator impeditivo do alcance dos direitos fundamentais estabelecidos pela Constituição Federal, principalmente levando-se em consideração que uma regulação adequada do solo urbano em uma perspectiva regional (metropolitana) é uma meio fundamental para o alcance de vários direitos, como moradia, meio ambiente equilibrado. Identificando o Estado-Membro como figura principal deste mister, por meio de uma interpretação sistemática e teleológica da Constituição, e reconhecendo o cenário de constitucionalização do direito administrativo atual bem como da chamada crise da lei, verifica-se que este ente federativo pode e deve assumir plenamente suas competências, elaborando um estudo técnico de planejamento regional, não necessariamente aprovado por lei formal, e vinculante para os Municípios. / The rising demand for certain portion of the population living in so-called Metropolitan Regions in Brazil has marked difficulty in obtaining satisfactory results, in these spaces that are located in different political-territorial jurisdictions. These difficulties have their origin mostly in the necessity to compose governmental arrangements that may act together and coordinated, including States and Municipalities involved in this metropolitan dynamic, which covers fiscal, social, environmental and legal aspects. This study examines the latter aspect, particularly in relation to the issue of constitutional competences of the entities involved and the functions of each one in the regulation of urban land, one of the most relevant aspects to the Metropolitan topic. Despite the dependence of an agreement between federation entities has shown rare in the Brazilian federation history, this fact can not constitute itself an impediment in the scope of fundamental rights established by the Constitution, especially taking into consideration that an adequate regulation of the urban land in a regional (metropolitan) perspective is a fundamental means for achieving the various rights such as housing, balanced environment. Identifying the State, one of the federative member as a leading figure of this mister, through a systematic and teleological interpretation of the Constitution, and recognizing the stage of constitutional administrative law as well as current "crisis of law," it appears that this federative entity may and must fully assume its responsibilities by establishing a technical study of regional planning, not necessarily approved by formal law and binding on the Municipalities.

A federação é uma forma de Estado adotada modernamente por mais de trinta Países, e consiste numa divisão territorial do poder entre um governo central e governos locais. No Brasil, esta divisão contempla um poder local-estadual e um poder local-municipal. A federação é assimétrica quando aos entes de mesmo nível (local-estadual ou local-municipal) são atribuídos diferentes regimes jurídicos, para compensar ou equilibrar suas diversidades. O chamado federalismo fiscal estuda as receitas e despesas dos entes que integram um Estado federal. No Brasil, sempre se adotou a simetria entre os municípios. Após a análise da posição do município brasileiro na questão fiscal (receitas, encargos e formas de redistribuição de recursos), identificam-se quatro pontos passíveis de mudança normativa, para seu aperfeiçoamento: brecha vertical, guerra fiscal, critérios para criação de municípios e regiões metropolitanas. As propostas formuladas na tese são: a mudança do paradigma da simetria, instituindo-se um regime especial para os municípios com população inferior a dez mil habitantes; a proibição de que sejam criados novos municípios com este porte; novos critérios e procedimentos para criação de municípios; instituição de um conselho de municípios, junto ao Senado Federal; nova forma de rateio do fundo de participação dos municípios, com a criação do fundo de participação das regiões metropolitanas; a serem criadas pela União e geridas através de conselhos formados pelos municípios e Estados-membros participantes, na proporção de sua população, área e economia. / The federation is a form of state, nowadays adopted for more than thirty countries, and consists of a territorial division of power between central government and local governments. In Brazil, this division includes a local-state power and a local-municipal power. The federation is asymmetric when the peer entities (local or municipal) are assigned different legal regimes to offset or balance their diversity. The so-called "fiscal federalism" studies the income and expenses of entities that make up a federal state. In Brazil, where it adopted the symmetry between the municipalities. After analyzing the position of the municipality in question in tax (income, expenses and forms of redistribution of resources), it identifies four points that could change rules for its improvement: vertical gap, the fiscal war, criteria for founding new municipalities and metropolitan regions. The proposals made in the thesis are: a paradigm shift symmetry, by introducing a special scheme for municipalities with populations of less than ten thousand inhabitants that the prohibition of new municipalities are created with this size, new criteria and procedures for creating municipalities, establishment of a municipal council, by the Senate; new apportionment fund participation of municipalities, with the creation of metropolitan regions fund, to be created by the Union and managed by councils of the municipalities and participating States, in proportion to its population, area and economy.

Regiões onde existem atividades portuárias estão mais susceptíveis à contaminação por hidrocarbonetos devido ao trânsito de embarcações e as operações de carga/descarga e, consequentemente, estão mais vulneráveis a sofrer impactos ambientais. Este trabalho avaliou a composição, distribuição e origem de hidrocarbonetos em oito regiões portuárias da costa sudeste brasileira: Santos-SP, São Sebastião-SP, Angra dos Reis-RJ, Itaguaí-RJ, Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Arraial do Cabo-RJ, Macaé-RJ e Vitória-ES. Foram coletadas amostras de sedimentos marinhos superficiais (02 cm) em duas campanhas (2009 e 2010). Para a análise dos hidrocarbonetos alifáticos e dos hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPAs) foram utilizadas cromatografia em fase gasosa com detector de ionização de chama e cromatografia em fase gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas, respectivamente. As concentrações médias e os desvios-padrão do Total de nalcanos (μg g-1), Total de Alifáticos (μg g-1), HPAs Totais (ng g-1) e 16 HPAs prioritários (ng g-1) encontrados foram 6,55 4,52, 123,16 86,12, 1470,24 958,41 e 653,93 482,81 na região do porto de Santos-SP; 2,69 1,16, 35,29 15,22, 756,25 350,28 e 142,35 142,35 na região do porto de São Sebastião-SP; 3,11 2,34, 56,99 78,39, 777,62 821,32 e 82,33 84,62 na região do porto de Angra dos Reis-RJ; 5,58 3,28, 26,55 12,19, 1221,15 1070,87 e 92,28 93,14 na região do porto de Itaguaí-RJ; 5,09 2,03, 179,22 108,16, 3547,27 3081,18 e 1879,05 1792,69 na região do porto do Rio de Janeiro; 1,63 2,15, 51,54 39,50, 366,26 222,89 e 194,83 141,65 na região do porto de Arraial do Cabo-RJ; 3,92 2,69, 50,42 81,30, 643,97 637,61 e 182,46 265,87 na região do porto de Macaé-RJ; e 4,78 4,05, 45,31 32,84, 868,78 874,56 e 258,84 142,89 na região do porto de Vitória-ES, respectivamente. O nível de contaminação por hidrocarbonetos nas regiões estudadas variou de baixo a muito alto, mostrando que estes níveis não são diretamente compatíveis com o tamanho e o desenvolvimento urbano em torno de cada porto. Para a avaliação das fontes de contaminação foram usadas razões diagnósticas selecionadas da literatura. A mistura de fontes (pirolítica e petrogênica) foi considerada predominante na maioria das áreas, indicando a influência das atividades dos portos e dos aportes de entradas de contaminação por vias urbanas, industriais e atmosféricas. / Regions where there are port activities are more susceptible to contamination by hydrocarbons due to transit of vessels and loading/unloading operations and, consequently, are more vulnerable to environmental impacts. This study evaluated the composition, distribution, and origin of hydrocarbons in eight ports in Southeastern Brazilian coast: Santos-SP, São Sebastião-SP, Angra dos Reis-RJ, Itaguaí-RJ, Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Arraial do Cabo-RJ, Macaé-RJ and Vitória-ES. Samples were collected from shallow marine sediments (0-2) in two years (2009 and 2010). Gas chromatography with flame ionization detector and gas chromatography coupled to mass espectrometria were respectively used to analyze the aliphatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HPAs) Average concentration and standard deviations of n-alkanes (μg g-1), Total Aliphatic (μg g-1), 16 priority HPAs (ng g-1) and Total HPAs (ng g-1) were 6.55 4.52, 123.16 86.12, 1470.24 958.41 and 653.93 482.81 in the region of Santos; 2.69 1.16, 35.29 15.22, 756.25 350.28 and 142.35 142.35 in the region São Sebastião; 3,11 2,34, 56,99 78,39, 777,62 821,32 and 82,33 84,62 in the region of Angra dos Reis; 5,58 3,28, 26,55 12,19, 1221,15 1070,87 and 92,28 93,14 in the region of Itaguaí; 5,09 2,03, 179,22 108,16, 3547,27 3081,18 and 1879,05 1792,69 in the region of Rio de Janeiro; 1.63 2.15, 51.54 39.50, 366.26 222.89 and 194.83 141.65 in the region of Arraial do Cabo; 3.92 2.69, 50.42 81.30, 643.97 637.61 and 182.46 265.87 in the region of Macae; and 4,78 4,05, 45,31 32,84, 868,78 874,56 and 258,84 142,89 in the region of Vitória, respectively. Contamination by oil in those studied regions was variable and could not be straightly related to the size and urban development around each port. In order to evaluate sources of contamination it were used selected diagnostic reasons. Contamination in most of areas revealed to be simultaneously influenced by a mix of sources (pyrolytic and petrogenic), probably related to port activities, urban and industrial wastes, and atmospheric routes.

Submitted by GUILHERME AMELIO MILIAN null (guilhermeamilian@gmail.com) on 2017-03-03T20:00:08Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_Guilherme_Amelio_Milian_2017.pdf: 2905879 bytes, checksum: 32f42c9bc8ac0fe5276cf8a93e4f562a (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by LUIZA DE MENEZES ROMANETTO (luizamenezes@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2017-03-09T17:27:35Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 milian_ga_me_arafcl.pdf: 2905879 bytes, checksum: 32f42c9bc8ac0fe5276cf8a93e4f562a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-09T17:27:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 milian_ga_me_arafcl.pdf: 2905879 bytes, checksum: 32f42c9bc8ac0fe5276cf8a93e4f562a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-23 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Desde o findar da década de 1990, a OIT vem fazendo esforços para promover a geração de trabalho decente. Valendo-se de objetivos como promover e cumprir com as normas, princípios e direitos fundamentais no trabalho, criar oportunidades dignas para homens e mulheres, ampliar a proteção social de modo eficaz e fortalecer o tripartismo e o diálogo social. No espectro da expansão de postos de trabalho formal no Brasil nos últimos anos – 10,3 milhões entre 2005 e 2015, segundo dados do CAGED – nada se revela sobre quais condições os trabalhadores se encontram nas atividades econômicas que desempenham. Sobretudo em regiões metropolitanas, onde há pujante geração de riqueza produtiva. Ademais, fora da “nata” do emprego formal, encontram-se trabalhadores em situação precária, o que reforça a necessidade de um indicativo dos ares que envolvem o emprego digno. Dessa maneira, o objetivo geral desta dissertação é verificar a qualidade do trabalho entre as regiões metropolitanas. O termo qualidade está circunscrito ao conceito de trabalho decente da OIT, que apesar de ser amplo, apresenta eixos e dimensões capazes de incluir aspectos de um emprego digno. Este trabalho contempla o desenvolvimento de um índice-síntese de trabalho decente, com metodologia semelhante ao IDH, mas com adaptações necessárias. Utilizaram-se os microdados da PNAD do IBGE dos anos de 2005 e 2014 em nove principais metrópoles de diferentes regiões do país. O índice-síntese de trabalho decente final é composto por três índices calculados de acordo com os pilares do conceito (Emprego, Direitos e Princípios fundamentais no trabalho e Segurança Social + Diálogo Social). Para cada pilar, há uma ou mais dimensões. A composição do índice é dada, obviamente, por um conjunto de indicadores (ou variáveis). Em resumo, em termos práticos, entende-se que o índice-síntese final tem valor qualitativo. O estudo mostrou, comparativamente e dentro das limitações inerentes a qualquer índice, padrões de qualidade (de 0 a 1) do trabalho entre as regiões metropolitanas em dois anos (2005 e 2014). Vale dizer que o padrão de qualidade “alta” do trabalho, diagnosticada pelos resultados do índice em algumas metrópoles, traduz-se em nível de comparação com relação às demais regiões do grupo estudado. Ou seja, obviamente, se reconhece o déficit de trabalho decente nacional, sem eximir a vulnerabilidade ocupacional e precarização do mercado de trabalho. Não houve pretensões de inferir pelos resultados que a qualidade das condições laborais seja elevada. Mas apenas comparar, dentro do recorte geográfico escolhido, em quais metrópoles os indicadores se manifestaram em melhor ou pior situação, traduzida por meio de um índice sintético. Pode-se constatar pelos resultados, que a qualidade do emprego digno, restrita ao conceito de trabalho decente da OIT, se alterou no grupo comparativamente para pior na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo (de alta para média) e na Região Metropolitana de Porto Alegre (de muito alta para alta). O movimento de melhora foi verificado na Região Metropolitana de Curitiba (de média para alta). Finalmente, o índice-síntese calculado revelou qualidade muito baixa nas seguintes metrópoles: Região Metropolitana de Belém, Região Metropolitana de Fortaleza, Região Metropolitana do Recife, Região Metropolitana de Salvador e Região Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro. / Since the end of the 1990s, the ILO has been making efforts to promote the generation of decent work. Using such objectives as promoting and complying with fundamental labor standards, principles and rights, creating decent opportunities for men and women, enhancing social protection effectively and strengthening tripartism and social dialogue. In the spectrum of the expansion of formal jobs in Brazil in recent years - 10.3 million between 2005 and 2015, according to CAGED data - nothing is revealed about what conditions workers are in their economic activities. Especially in metropolitan regions, where there is a strong generation of productive wealth. In addition, outside the "cream" of formal employment, there are workers in a precarious situation, which reinforces the need for an indication of the air that involves decent employment. In this way, the general objective of this dissertation is to verify the quality of the work among the metropolitan regions. The term quality is confined to the concept of decent work of the ILO, which, although broad, presents axes and dimensions capable of including aspects of decent work. This work contemplates the development of a decent work synthesis index, with methodology similar to the HDI, but with necessary adaptations. The microdata of the IBGE PNAD of the years 2005 and 2014 were used in nine major metropolises of different regions of the country. The final decent work summary index is composed of three indices calculated according to the pillars of the concept (Employment, Rights and Fundamental Principles at Work and Social Security + Social Dialogue). For each pillar, there are one or more dimensions. The composition of the index is, of course, given by a set of indicators (or variables). In summary, in practical terms, it is understood that the final index-synthesis has a qualitative value. The study showed, comparatively and within the limitations inherent in any index, quality standards (from 0 to 1) of work between metropolitan regions in two years (2005 and 2014). It is worth mentioning that the "high" quality standard of work, diagnosed by the results of the index in some metropolises, translates into a level of comparison with the other regions of the studied group. That is, of course, the national decent work deficit is recognized, without exempting the occupational vulnerability and precariousness of the labor market. There was no pretense of inferring from the results that the quality of working conditions is high. But only to compare, within the chosen geographic cut, in which metropolis the indicators were manifested in better or worse situation, translated by means of a synthetic index. It can be seen from the results that the quality of decent employment, restricted to the concept of decent work of the ILO, has changed in the comparatively worse group in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo (from high to medium) and in the Metropolitan Region of Porto Alegre ( From very high to high). The improvement movement was verified in the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba (from medium to high). Finally, the calculated synthesis index showed very low quality in the following metropolises: Metropolitan Region of Belém, Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza, Metropolitan Region of Recife, Metropolitan Region of Salvador and Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro.