This thesis deals with monitoring changes of body weight of adolescent girls at the age of 16 20 years old through one calendar year in the context of a season of the year and chronotypology of a personality. According to this typology the monitored people are divided into so called "larks", who are more active early in the morning and during the day and "owls" whose activity rises in the evening and at night. The theoretical part deals with circadian rhythms, their function, role in the life of an individual and also their disorders. It focuses on a developmental specification of adolescent girls, lifestyle in this period of life, changes of body weight and diet. Another part is the meaning of the sleep, its need and associated with good sleep habits and sleep hygiene. In the practical part there is described a methodology along with the results of the research and employment of this project in practice.

Os indivíduos diferem em suas preferências quanto ao horário para alocar períodos de sono e de atividade. Essas diferenças inter-individuais se devem, parcialmente, ao relógio biológico que controla funções relacionadas à expressão gênica, secreção hormonal, temperatura corporal, funções cognitivas e comportamentais como o ciclo sono-vigília. O presente estudo cronobiológico teve como objetivo principal avaliar em uma amostra populacional de estudantes universitários da região sul do Brasil, a distribuição dos cronotipos e estudar a relação entre cronotipo e as seguintes variáveis: ponto médio de sono nos dias livres e nos dias de atividade (estudo), bem como avaliar a consistência interna, confiabilidade e concordância entre o Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ) e o Questionário de Cronotipo de Horne e Östberg (HO) para identificar cronotipos. Com a análise discriminante dos parâmetros de sono para o cronotipo vespertino destaca-se a importância de se obter preditores mais fáceis para a tipologia vespertina visto que essa característica tem sido associada a alguns riscos de transtornos comportamentais e mentais. Duzentos e quarenta e quatro estudantes universitários (59.0% mulheres), com idade de 17-35 anos, foram analisados através de um estudo transvesal. O Munich ChronoType Questionnaire (MCTQ) foi usado para avaliar os parâmetros de sono nos dias livres e de trabalho (estudo) e o Morningness/Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) para avaliar os cronotipos. Os dados foram analisados através da curva ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic curve) e de uma análise discriminante. As variáveis que apresentaram os mais altos coeficientes discriminantes foram: o ponto médio de sono nos dias livres (0.89) e o início do sono nos dias livres (0.86). Testando os valores de diagnóstico da fase do ponto médio de sono para identificar o tipo vespertino observou-se que a área sob a curva ROC foi de 76%. Este estudo mostrou uma boa sensibilidade e especificidade para identificar o cronotipo vespertino com esses parâmetros de sono. Conclui-se, portanto, que estes parâmetros sejam úteis para identificar o cronotipo vespertino podendo ser usados para propósitos de pesquisa e na prática clínica. / Individuals differ in their preferences to allocate the time periods of sleep and activity. These inter-individual differences are due partly to the biological clock that controls functions related to gene expression, hormone secretion, body temperature, cognitive and behavioral functions such as sleep-wake cycle. This chronobiological study aimed to evaluate a sample of university students in southern Brazil, the distribution of chronotypes and to study the relationship between chronotype and the following variables: mid- sleep on free days and days of activity (study), and to assess the internal consistency, reliability and agreement between the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ) and the Morningness/Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) of Horne and Östberg (HO) to identify chronotypes. By discriminant analysis of sleep parameters for the evening chronotype highlights the importance of obtaining easier predictors to the evening typology since such characteristic has been associated with some risks of mental and behavioral disorders.Two hundred and forty four undergraduate students (59.0% women), 17- 35 years old, were assessed in a cross-sectional study. The Munich ChronoType Questionnaire (MCTQ) was used to evaluate sleep parameters on free days and work days and the Morningness/Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) to assess chronotypes. The data were analyzed by the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve and a discriminant analysis. The variables that presented the highest discriminant coefficients were mid-sleep on free days (0.89) and sleep onset on free days (0.86). Testing the diagnostic values of mid-sleep phase to identify eveningtype it was observed that the area under the ROC curve was 76%. This study showed a good sensitivity and specificity to identify the evening chronotype with these sleep parameters. We conclude that these parameters are useful to identify evening typology and can be used both to research purposes and clinical practice.

Introduction: Pineal region is a deep-seated part of the brain surrounded by highly eloquent structures. Differential diagnosis of space-occupying lesions in this region encompasses pineal gland cysts, pineal gland tumours, metastases, germ cell tumours, meningiomas, gliomas, hemangioblastomas and neuroectodermal tumours. In this thesis, I focused mainly on patients with pineal cysts, which is a benign affection of the human pineal gland on the borderline between pathology and normality. The clinical management of patients with a pineal cyst remains controversial, especially when patients present with non-specific symptoms. A melatonin secretion in patients with a pineal cyst before and after a pineal cyst resection has not been studied yet and the effect of surgery on human metabolism is unknown. Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective study between 2000 and 2016. All patients with a pineal cyst larger than 7 mm were included. Epidemiological data, presenting symptoms, surgical results and radiographic and clinical follow-up were documented. We examined melatonin, cortisol and blood glucose secretion profiles perioperatively in a subgroup of 4 patients. The control group was represented by 3 asymptomatic patients with a pineal cyst. For each patient, 24-h circadian secretion curves of...

Os indivíduos diferem em suas preferências quanto ao horário para alocar períodos de sono e de atividade. Essas diferenças inter-individuais se devem, parcialmente, ao relógio biológico que controla funções relacionadas à expressão gênica, secreção hormonal, temperatura corporal, funções cognitivas e comportamentais como o ciclo sono-vigília. O presente estudo cronobiológico teve como objetivo principal avaliar em uma amostra populacional de estudantes universitários da região sul do Brasil, a distribuição dos cronotipos e estudar a relação entre cronotipo e as seguintes variáveis: ponto médio de sono nos dias livres e nos dias de atividade (estudo), bem como avaliar a consistência interna, confiabilidade e concordância entre o Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ) e o Questionário de Cronotipo de Horne e Östberg (HO) para identificar cronotipos. Com a análise discriminante dos parâmetros de sono para o cronotipo vespertino destaca-se a importância de se obter preditores mais fáceis para a tipologia vespertina visto que essa característica tem sido associada a alguns riscos de transtornos comportamentais e mentais. Duzentos e quarenta e quatro estudantes universitários (59.0% mulheres), com idade de 17-35 anos, foram analisados através de um estudo transvesal. O Munich ChronoType Questionnaire (MCTQ) foi usado para avaliar os parâmetros de sono nos dias livres e de trabalho (estudo) e o Morningness/Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) para avaliar os cronotipos. Os dados foram analisados através da curva ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic curve) e de uma análise discriminante. As variáveis que apresentaram os mais altos coeficientes discriminantes foram: o ponto médio de sono nos dias livres (0.89) e o início do sono nos dias livres (0.86). Testando os valores de diagnóstico da fase do ponto médio de sono para identificar o tipo vespertino observou-se que a área sob a curva ROC foi de 76%. Este estudo mostrou uma boa sensibilidade e especificidade para identificar o cronotipo vespertino com esses parâmetros de sono. Conclui-se, portanto, que estes parâmetros sejam úteis para identificar o cronotipo vespertino podendo ser usados para propósitos de pesquisa e na prática clínica. / Individuals differ in their preferences to allocate the time periods of sleep and activity. These inter-individual differences are due partly to the biological clock that controls functions related to gene expression, hormone secretion, body temperature, cognitive and behavioral functions such as sleep-wake cycle. This chronobiological study aimed to evaluate a sample of university students in southern Brazil, the distribution of chronotypes and to study the relationship between chronotype and the following variables: mid- sleep on free days and days of activity (study), and to assess the internal consistency, reliability and agreement between the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ) and the Morningness/Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) of Horne and Östberg (HO) to identify chronotypes. By discriminant analysis of sleep parameters for the evening chronotype highlights the importance of obtaining easier predictors to the evening typology since such characteristic has been associated with some risks of mental and behavioral disorders.Two hundred and forty four undergraduate students (59.0% women), 17- 35 years old, were assessed in a cross-sectional study. The Munich ChronoType Questionnaire (MCTQ) was used to evaluate sleep parameters on free days and work days and the Morningness/Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) to assess chronotypes. The data were analyzed by the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve and a discriminant analysis. The variables that presented the highest discriminant coefficients were mid-sleep on free days (0.89) and sleep onset on free days (0.86). Testing the diagnostic values of mid-sleep phase to identify eveningtype it was observed that the area under the ROC curve was 76%. This study showed a good sensitivity and specificity to identify the evening chronotype with these sleep parameters. We conclude that these parameters are useful to identify evening typology and can be used both to research purposes and clinical practice.

O presente projeto estudou aspectos da ecologia populacional de duas novas espécies troglomórficas de Siluriformes dos gêneros Rhamdia e Ancistrus, sintópicas em um riacho subterrâneo da área cárstica da Serra da Bodoquena, Mato Grosso do Sul. Foram investigados os tamanhos e as densidades populacionais com base em censo visual e marcação e recaptura, as taxas de sobrevivência, a taxa de crescimento individual, a frequência de comprimento-padrão, de peso e de fator de condição, e os deslocamentos. Adicionalmente, foi estudado o comportamento de Rhamdia sp. n., com foco na ritmicidade locomotora e na reação à luz. Foram realizados seis eventos de coleta entre 2010 e 2011 para tomada de dados populacionais, além de prospecções por novas localidades com ocorrência dessas espécies. O tamanho populacional estimado para Rhamdia sp. n. foi de 391 indivíduos na Gruta das Fadas e 104, na Gruta Cinco de Ouros. Com base nos resultados de densidade, a população de Ancistrus parece ser menor do que a de Rhamdia sp. n., com tamanho populacional na ordem de 100 indivíduos. A densidade populacional média estimada através do censo visual para Rhamdia sp. n. foi de 0,09 ind/ m² na Gruta das Fadas e 0,1 ind./ m² na Gruta Cinco de Ouros, valores inferiores ao calculado com base nos resultados de marcação e recaptura, 0,76 ind./ m² e 1,48 ind./m², respectivamente. Em Ancistrus sp. n., a densidade populacional média foi de 0,018 ind/ m². Foi observado que Rhamdia sp. n. se concentra mais em poções, enquanto que Ancistrus sp. n., em corredeira. A pequena variação ao longo do ano nas densidades, no peso, e no fator de condição de ambas as espécies na Gruta das Fadas, indica maior estabilidade ambiental nessa caverna em comparação com a Gruta Cinco de Ouros. Em Rhamdia sp. n., indivíduos sem olhos externamente visíveis (anoftálmicos) apresentaram maior taxa de sobrevivência quando comparados com aqueles com olhos assimétricos ou dois olhos normais. O crescimento individual de Rhamdia sp. n. foi heterogêneo, sem relação com o tamanho do indivíduos e apresentou, pelo modelo de von Bertalanffy, comprimento máximo médio de 170 mm CP e constante de crescimento (K) de 0,241 A longevidade máxima média foi de aproximadamente 15 anos. Com a maior parte das recapturas ocorridas no mesmo setor da captura anterior, indivíduos de Rhamdia sp. n. apresentam filopatria, enquanto que Ancistrus sp. n. se deslocou mais, com somente um registro de recaptura no mesmo setor da captura anterior. Quanto ao comportamento de Rhamdia sp n., os exemplares apresentaram ritmicidade circadiana significante, com diferenças intra-específicas nos valores de potência espectral. No estudo de reação à luz, observou-se variação intra-específica no grau de fotofobia relacionado com a morfologia dos olhos. Prospecções realizadas em 24 cavernas do Assentamento Campina revelam que Rhamdia sp. n. ocorre até o momento somente nas cavernas Fadas, Cinco de Ouros, Manoel Cardoso e Dona Benedita, enquanto que ncistrus sp. n. somente na Gruta das Fadas. O mosaico de variações morfológicas observado em Rhamdia sp. n. e em Ancistrus sp. n., a forte ritmicidade circadiana da atividade locomotora e o elevado grau de fotofobia observado em Rhamdia sp. n., sugere que estas espécies estão em estágio inicial de fixação de caracteres troglomórficos, indicando um isolamento recente no hábitat subterrâneo / This project studied aspects of the population ecology of two troglomorphic Siluriformes of genera Rhamdia and Ancistrus, which are syntopics in a subterranean stream of Serra da Bodoquena karst area, Mato Grosso do Sul. The research comprised the investigation of the population sizes and densities, survival rates, individual growth rate, frequency of standard length, weight and condition factor, and displacements. Adicionally, the behavior of Rhamdia sp. n. was investigated with focus on locomotor rhythmicity and reaction to light. Six collections were made between 2010 and 2011 to gather population data, based on visual census and mark-recapture, as well as search for other localities to investigate the distribution range of these species. The population size estimated to Rhamdia sp. n. was 391 individuals in Fadas Cave and 104 individuals in the Cinco de Ouros Cave. The population densities of Ancistrus sp. n. suggests a lower population size compared to Rhamdia sp. n., possibly with less than 100 individuals in the studied area. The average population density estimated through visual census to Rhamdia sp. n. was 0.09 ind / m² in the Fadas Cave and 0.1 ind. / m² in the Cinco de Ouros Cave, lower than the results estimated by mark-recapture, 0. 76 ind. / m² and 1.48 ind. / m², for each cave, respectively. To Ancistrus sp. n., the average population density was 0.018 ind / m². The low variability throughout the year in population densities, weight, and in condition factor for both species in Fadas Cave, indicate and higher environmental stability in this cave compared to Cinco de Ouros Cave. In Rhamdia sp. n., individuals without externally visible eyes (anophthalmics) showed higher survival rate compared to those with asymmetric or two normal eyes. The individual growth of Rhamdia sp. n. was heterogeneous with no relation to individuals\' size and through the von Bertalanffy model estimate the maximum length (L ∞) of 170 mm and growth constant (K) of 0.241. The median maximum longevity was 15 years. With little movement between sectors, individuals of Rhamdia sp. n. exhibited philopatry, while Ancistrus sp. n. moved around, with only one individual recaptured in the same cave sector. In relation do behavior Rhamdia sp n. showed significant circadian rhythmicity, with intra-specific differences in the spectral power values. In the study of light reduction, the intra-specific variation was observed in the degree of photophobia related to eyes morphology. Surveys conducted in 24 caves in the Campina settlement revealed that Rhamdia sp. n. occurs in the Fadas, Cinco de Ouros, Manoel Cardoso and Dona Benedita caves, while Ancistrus sp. n. occurs only in the Fadas Cave. The mosaic of morphological variations observed in Rhamdia sp. n. and Ancistrus sp. n., the strong circadian locomotor activity and the high degree of photophobia observed in Rhamdia sp. n. suggests that these species are in early stages of setting troglomorphic characters, indicating a recent isolation in subterranean environment

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar possíveis relações entre o diabetes mellitus tipo 1 (DM1) e controle glicêmico, e o ciclo vigília/sono. Participaram 18 voluntários com DM1 (idade: 26,3±5,1), sem complicações, não obesos, sem alterações no sono; e 9 no grupo controle (idade: 28,8±5,3). Os dados foram coletados através de: diário de sono e de glicemia, actímetria (Tempatilumi), polissonografia, 6-sulfatoximelatonina, questionário de Epworth, e sensor de glicose durante a polissonografia nos DM1. A associação entre controle glicêmico e o ciclo vigília/sono foi evidenciada. A duração inadequada, a baixa qualidade, a fragmentação do sono e a secreção reduzida de melatonina, possivelmente, favoreceram um pior controle glicêmico em DM1. Por outro lado, indivíduos DM1, com melhor controle glicêmico, podem se beneficiar de maior secreção de melatonina noturna e menor fragmentação e latência do sono. O controle mais adequado, potencialmente, regulariza o ciclo vigília/sono e previne ou retarda o desenvolvimento de complicações crônicas. / The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and glycemic control with the sleep/wake cycle. Eighteen T1DM volunteers and 9 control subjects, non-obese, without chronic complications, and no sleep disorders participated. Data were collected with sleep and glycemia log, actigraphy (Tempatilumi), polysomnography, 6-sulphatoxymelatonin, Epworth questionnaire, and glucose sensor during the polysomnography night for T1DM. The association between glycemic control and sleep/wake cycle was observed. The inadequate duration, poor quality, and fragmented sleep besides the reduced melatonin secretion possibly favored a worse glycemic control in T1DM. On the other hand, we understand that T1DM individuals with better glycemic control may benefit from increased melatonin secretion and less sleep fragmentation and latency. Therefore, a better glycemic control potentially regulates the sleep/wake cycle and prevents or delays the development of chronic complications.

My experiment concerned the influence of chronobiological (circadian) rhythm on fatigue, effort, and cardiovascular (CV) response. It evaluated responses of morning people (Larks) presented an easy or difficult recognition memory task at a time congruent or incongruent with their rhythm. Based on an extension of a conceptual analysis of fatigue influence, my central prediction was that circadian rhythm would combine interactionally with task difficulty to determine effort and associated CV responses. Specifically, effort and associated CV responses were expected to be (1) positively correspondent to task difficulty in the morning (stronger where difficulty is high), but (2) negatively correspondent to difficulty in the evening (stronger where difficulty is low). Preliminary results showed concerning gender effects on difficulty appraisal of the task, thus we examined women and men's data separately. CV findings for women were broadly, but not completely, consistent with predictions. Analyses revealed no group differences in CV response for Lark men.

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of apartments in Sweden. The officials are estimating that approximately 1000 primary schools need to be built to meet the 20% increase in students. Facing the rising demand; my thesis makes a contribution to sustainable school design via optimisation of the building orientation.This study utilises Rhinoceros with Grasshopper visual programming language alongside Ladybug, Honeybee and Owl scripts, as well as Climate Studio plugin. The environmental performance analysis software’s results include horizontal and vertical illuminance, Daylight Factor, as well as melanopic Equivalent Daylight (D65) Illuminance. Those findings are further supported with on-site measurements and observations in Iggesund school.

L’étude présentée porte sur les niveaux et les variations des performances journalières et hebdomadaires de l’attention chez les enfants Chinois du Cours Préparatoire et du Cours Moyen deuxième année en situation scolaire. Et plus précisément chez les enfants de 6 à 7 ans et de 10 à 12 ans. Elle a pour objectif de démontrer, d’une part, dans une approche interculturelle et différentielle, l’effet des moments dans la journée et des jours de la semaine ainsi que les durées du sommeil sur les performances attentionnelles et les comportements scolaires des enfants selon leur ’âge, le niveau scolaire et l’origine géographique. D’autre part, l’incidence des lieux de vie (rural /urbain) sur la rythmicité scolaire. / The introduced study appears in the framework of the research concerned with the levels and variations of the attention performance of Chinese children in CP and CM2 of primary school, specifically the children of 6 to 7 and 10 to 12 years old. It aims at showing, on the one hand, in an intercultural and differential approach, the effect of the moment of daily performance and weekly performance, as well as weekly variations of sleep duration according to age, educational level and geographic background of the children. On the other hand, the impact of life place (city/ country) on the school timetables.

L’ensemble de ce travail doctoral avait pour objectif d’optimiser les effets des programmes d’activités physiques pour prévenir les chutes chez les personnes âgées institutionnalisées. Le contrôle postural et la locomotion étant fondamentaux dans la prévention des chutes, il convient de les stimuler régulièrement par une pratique physique adaptée. Par ailleurs, l’amélioration de la sensibilité cutanée plantaire peut permettre d’améliorer le contrôle postural et la locomotion. Même si les bénéfices potentiels d'une stimulation des afférences cutanées plantaires par la pratique d’exercices pieds nus sont multiples, l’intérêt de cette modalité de pratique des activités physiques à destination des personnes âgées reste à démontrer. Deux groupes de personnes âgées ont ainsi dû suivre le même programme d’activités physiques, pieds-nus pour un groupe et en portant des chaussures pour l’autre groupe. Les principaux résultats ont révélé qu’un programme d’activités physiques pratiqué pieds nus améliorait davantage la sensibilité cutanée plantaire et le contrôle postural qu’un programme pratiqué avec des chaussures. Malgré l’avancée en âge, le système sensori-moteur semble toujours bénéficier d’une certaine plasticité. Ce système sensori-moteur peut être stimulé en sollicitant notamment les mécanorécepteurs cutanés plantaires. Les effets d’un programme d’activités physiques peuvent également être optimisés en plaçant les séances au moment de la journée le plus approprié. En évaluant l’influence du moment de pratique au cours de la journée, nous avons pu montrer qu’un programme d’activités physiques réalisé l’après-midi provoquait des effets positifs plus marqués qu’un programme réalisé le matin. De manière surprenante, le contrôle postural des sujets qui s’entraînaient l’après-midi s’améliorait principalement le matin, au moment de la journée où il est le plus efficace chez les personnes âgées. Ces adaptations seraient en phase avec le moment de la journée où les fonctions cognitives sont également optimales, c’est-à-dire le matin. / The main purpose of these researches was to optimize the effects of physical activity programs to prevent falls among institutionalized older adults. Postural control and gait are essential in preventing falls and should be regularly promoted by an appropriate physical practice. In addition, improving plantar cutaneous sensitivity can improve postural control and gait. Even though there are further potential benefits of stimulating plantar afferences by performing barefoot exercises, the effects of this modality of physical activity for the elderly remains unclear. Two groups of older adults were involved in the same physical activity program, barefoot for one group and while wearing shoes for the other. The main results revealed that a program of physical activity with barefoot exercises improved plantar cutaneous sensitivity and postural control to a greater extent than while wearing shoes. Despite advancement of aging, the sensorimotor system still seems to benefit from plasticity which can be stimulated by exercising barefoot and increasing somatosensory information from the foot. The time of day when people exercise can also influence the optimization of physical performance and enhance the effectiveness of a physical activity program. By assessing the influence of exercising at different times of day, we showed that training in the afternoon provided greater benefits on postural control than morning training. Surprisingly, postural control was mainly improved in the morning and did not improve when participants exercised in the morning. The postural control system would have benefited from an enhanced motor potential (acquired through afternoon training which optimized the musculoskeletal adaptations) only at the time of day when cognitive functions are optimal, i.e., in the morning.