Orientador: Cláudio Kitano / Banca: Ricardo Tokio Higuti / Banca: Luiz Antonio Perezi Marçal / Resumo: Neste trabalho estuda-se a interferometria laser, a qual constitui uma técnica adequada para determinar grandezas físicas com sensibilidade extremamente elevada. Basicamente, no interferômetro óptico, a informação a respeito do dispositivo sob teste é inserida na fase da luz. Utilizando-se o fotodiodo, promove-se a transferência de informação, do domínio óptico para o elétrico, no qual pode ser demodulada usando-se as várias técnicas disponíveis na literatura para detectar sinais modulados em fase. Ênfase é dada a um novo método de demodulação de fase óptica auto-consistente e de grande sensibilidade. Neste método, utiliza- se a modulação dada por uma forma de onda triangular e é baseado na análise do espectro do sinal fotodetectado, sendo capaz de estender a faixa dinâmica de demodulação a valores tão elevados quanto às dos métodos clássicos. Simulações dinâmicas computacionais de interferômetros ópticos são executadas em Simulink juntamente com este método, levando-se em consideração tensões de ruído eletrônico do tipo ruído branco, evidenciando a eficiência do método quando comparados com dados teóricos obtidos em Matlab. A validação experimental do método é realizada com o auxílio de um modulador eletro-óptico de amplitudes, cujas características de fase podem ser previstas analiticamente. Trata-se de um sensor polarimétrico baseado em cristal de Niobato de Lítio, em que a diferença de fase óptica induzida pela tensão elétrica aplicada pode ser determinada através de análise espectral, tal como o novo método descrito neste trabalho. Um interferômetro de Michelson homódino de baixo custo é implementado e a eficiência do novo método de demodulação de fase óptica é avaliada através de testes com atuadores e manipuladores piezoelétricos flextensionais, cujas características de linearidade são conhecidas... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: In this work, has been done a study the laser interferometer, which is a technique for determining physical quantities with extremely high sensitivity. Basically, in the optical interferometer, information about the device under test modulates the phase of light. Using a photodiode, promotes the transfer of information from the optical domain for the electric, which can be demodulated using the various techniques available in literature to detect modulated signals in phase. Emphasis is given to a new method of phase demodulation of optical self-consistent and high sensitivity. The method employs a linear modulation given by a triangular waveform, and is based on analysis of the spectrum of the photodetected signal, being able to extend the dynamic range of the demodulation values as high as the classical methods. Dynamic computational simulations of optical interferometers are implemented in Simulink with this method, taking into account strains of electronic noise like white noise, indicating the efficiency of the method compared with theoretical data obtained in Matlab workspace. The experimental validation of the method is performed with the aid of an electro- optic amplitude modulator, whose phase characteristics can be analytically predicted. This is a polarimetric sensor based on lithium niobate crystal, in which the optical phase difference induced by electric voltage can be determined by spectral analysis, using new method described in this work. A low cost homodyne Michelson interferometer is implemented and the efficiency of the new method of optical phase demodulation is evaluated by testing with piezoelectric flextensional actuators whose characteristics of linearity are well known.The experimental results agree with theoretical analysis and reveal this method is more efficient than the classical methods / Mestre

No estudo da dinâmica de solutos num meio poroso é de suma importância o conhecimento das propriedades do meio e dos líquidos percolantes, bem como de fatores externos. Um fator externo relevante é a temperatura e, nesse sentido, objetivou-se com o presente trabalho a determinação de parâmetros de transporte dos íons potássio e nitrato para diferentes valores de temperatura em experimentos de deslocamento miscível. Os parâmetros avaliados foram o fator de retardamento (R), o coeficiente de difusão/dispersão (D) e a dispersividade (λ) e as temperaturas utilizadas foram a ambiente (25°C a 28°C), 40°C e 50°C. Os sais utilizados foram nitrato de potássio e cloreto de potássio, preparados em uma solução composta de 50ppm de nitrato e 2000ppm de potássio e o meio poroso um Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo, textura média. Os resultados obtidos permitiram concluir que a temperatura apresentou influência na velocidade da solução no meio poroso e no coeficiente de dispersão. / In the study of solute dynamics in porous media, it is of extreme importance the knowledge of the medium and transporting liquid properties as well as of external factors as temperature. In this sense, the objective of this work was the determination of parameters for potassium and nitrate ions under different temperatures in miscible displacement experiments, in a sandy loam Oxisol. The evaluated parameters were retardation factor (R) difusion/dispersion coefficient (D) and dispersivity (λ), whereas the used temperatures were the prevailing temperature (25°C to 28°C), 40°C and 50°C. The used salts were potassium nitrate and potassium chloride, prepared in a composed solution of 50 ppm of nitrate and 2000 ppm of potassium. From the results, it could be concluded that the temperature showed high influence on soil solution velocity and dispersion coefficient

O estabelecimento de regras, normas e padrões internacionais relacionados ao comércio de produtos geneticamente modificados é bastante complexo e envolve uma diversidade de interesses. Essa complexidade pode ser evidenciada pela demora em se definir a forma de operacionalizar o Protocolo de Cartagena sobre Biossegurança - PCB. O PCB estabelece normas e padrões para regulamentar o comércio transfronteiriço de organismos vivos modificados com o objetivo de proteger a biodiversidade. Ele afeta diretamente o mercado internacional de commodities agrícolas, podendo alterar a competitividade dos países. Nesse estudo, calcula-se que o PCB atinge 81,2% das exportações mundiais das principais lavouras GM da atualidade: soja, milho, algodão e canola. Nesse contexto, o Brasil ocupa uma posição peculiar, pois foi o único grande produtor mundial de commodities agrícolas que ratificou o acordo. O objetivo central desse trabalho foi verificar as implicações (em termos de custos) e os impactos potenciais da ratificação do PCB pelo Brasil e seus possíveis efeitos no mercado internacional. A análise centrou-se nas negociações referentes ao Artigo 18 do PCB, que define procedimentos para transporte, manuseio, embalagem e uso de OVMs e restringiu-se ao mercado de soja. Primeiramente, definiu-se uma base teórica para analisar os efeitos de barreiras regulatórias no comércio internacional e no mercado doméstico de exportadores e importadores. Verificou-se que esses efeitos são incertos e dependem da capacidade da medida em questão de resolver ou minimizar falhas de mercado. Posteriormente, calculou-se os custos adicionais de identificação de carregamentos contendo OVMs com base em propostas feitas pelos países-Partes durante as negociações: \'contém\' com fornecimento de uma lista de eventos, \'contém\' com quantificação de eventos, e adoção de um sistema de preservação de identidade. Para fins de comparação, esses cálculos não foram feitos apenas para o Brasil, mas se estenderam para a Argentina e EUA, principais competidores brasileiros no mercado de soja. Os números demonstraram que os custos adicionais de implementação do PCB são mais elevados no Brasil do que nos concorrentes e que essa diferença aumenta à medida que as exigências de identificação tornam-se mais rígidas. Por fim, para verificar o impacto desses custos no mercado internacional, utilizou-se o Equilibrium Displacement Model e definiram-se dois cenários. O Cenário 1 considerou que apenas o Brasil cumpriria as normas de identificação do PCB e o Cenário 2 considerou que Argentina e EUA também adotariam medidas equivalentes. Os resultados evidenciaram que ambas situações implicariam em perdas para o Brasil. Considerando todo o complexo, as perdas poderiam chegar a US$ 133 milhões no Cenário 1 e a US$ 329 milhões no Cenário 2. Apesar das exportações brasileiras de soja em grão terem diminuído nos dois casos, as vendas de farelo e óleo aumentaram no Cenário 1, o que indica um incentivo ao processamento. No Cenário 2, entretanto, apenas as exportações de óleo apresentam bons resultados. Com relação aos outros países, o Cenário 2 apresenta melhores resultados. Dessa forma, espera-se que Argentina e EUA também adotem medidas semelhantes às exigidas pelo PCB. / The development of international rules, norms and standards related to the trade of GM products is complex and involves a diversity of interests. This complexity can be verified by the tough negotiations aiming at establishing procedures to put the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety - CPB in place. The CPB establishes norms and minimum standards to control the transboundary movements of Living Modified Organisms - LMOs in order to protect the biodiversity. It has a direct effect in the international agricultural commodities market and can even alter the countries\' competitiveness. This work estimates that 81.2% of the main GM crops (soybean, corn, canola and cotton) global exports are affected by the CPB. In this context, Brazil is in a peculiar position, as it was the only country among the biggest world agricultural commodities producers that has ratified the agreement. The main objective of this dissertation was to verify the implications (related to additional costs) and potential impacts of the CPB to Brazil and its possible outcomes for the international market. The analysis was restricted to the Protocol\'s Article 18 - which states the rules related to transport, handling, packing and use of LMOs - and to the soybean international market. First, a theoretical framework was defined in order to analyze the effects of regulatory barriers to the international trade and to the domestic markets of exporters and importers countries. Then, the necessary additional costs to identify the cargoes containing LMOs were calculated considering the main proposals submitted by CPB members during the negotiations: \'contains\' with a list of events, \'contains\' with quantification of events and the adoption of an identity preservation system. In order to compare the CPB effects on different countries, this procedure was not only applied to Brazil, but also to Argentina and the US, two important soybeans exporters that have not signed the agreement. The outcomes revealed that the compliance costs of the CPB requirements are greater in Brazil than its competitors and that this difference increases as the exigencies become stricter. Last, the potential impacts of these additional costs in the international market were estimated using the Equilibrium Displacement Model - EDM. Two scenarios were constructed: under Scenario 1 it was considered that only Brazil complied with CPB standards; under Scenario 2, Argentina and the US also adopted equivalent measures with those established by the Protocol. The results showed that Brazil would be harmed in both situations. Considering the whole soybean complex, the country could loose US$ 133 million under Scenario 1 and US$ 329 million under Scenario 2. Though Brazilian soybean exports decreased in both circumstances, it could be verified that there was a stimulus to meal and oil production in the country under the conditions settled in Scenario 1. In Scenario 2, however, the rise of exports concentrated only in the oil market. Regarding Argentina and the US, the Scenario 2 presented better results that Scenario 1. Therefore, it is almost certain that these countries will comply with CPB requirements. It implies that Brazil will incur in greater losses.

Em percurso se constitue de imagens, sobretudo fotografias, feitas entre 2008 e 2016, nos trajetos e percursos de algumas cidades por onde passei. Somam-se ao conjunto as fotos realizadas em espaços privados e nas ruas por onde faço minhas andanças. Parto de minha experiência em registrar as paisagens, lugares e espaços durante os meus deslocamentos, principalmente entre as cidades de Atibaia-SP e a capital paulista, através das janelas de veículos particulares e transportes coletivos. As recordações das viagens em família e de ter feito desenhos em pequenos cadernos na década passada, dentro dos ônibus ou de memória, estruturam a minha compreensão visual atualmente. A câmera fotográfica torna-se um instrumento de desenho. Após a captura das fotografias, os procedimentos de tratamento, edição e impressão fazem parte do processo de construção das imagens. Os relatos escritos em breves notas sobre algumas vivências trazem informações que podem colaborar na percepção do que é visto. Ao mesmo tempo, as palavras têm sua autonomia, assim como as imagens. / Em percurso (En route) is made of images, mainly photographs, shot between the years of 2008 and 2016, along the paths and routes of some cities I\'ve been to. Some other pictures, depicting private spaces and streets that I walk on, have also been added to the set. I depart at my experience in registering landscapes, places and spaces as I go from one place to another, especially from the city of Atibaia-SP to the capital of the State, through the windows of private cars or public transportation. The memories of family trips and of drawings made in small notebooks in the last decade, inside buses or out of my memory, organize my current visual understanding. The photography camera becomes a drawing device. After shooting, the treatment procedures, editing and printing are part of the process of building images. The short written notes about some experiences offer information that may contribute to the perception of what is seen. At the same time, the words are autonomous as well as the images are.

Sistemas integrados de lavoura e pecuária têm, por paradigma, o efeito do animal no sistema. Esse efeito é função, dentre outros, do manejo da intensidade de pastejo e de como os animais reagem às estruturas de pasto decorrentes. O propósito deste estudo foi avaliar o comportamento em pastejo de novilhos de corte em diferentes estruturas de pasto e seus padrões de deslocamento. Investigou-se a hipótese de que diferentes alturas promoveriam alterações nos padrões de comportamento dos animais em pastejo. Neste sentido, este experimento foi conduzido em uma área de integração lavoura-pecuária da Fazenda do Espinilho, município de Tupanciretã – RS, de julho a novembro de 2005, em pastagem de azevém anual (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) e aveia preta (Avena strigosa Schreb.), que sucedia uma lavoura de soja. Manejou-se o pasto sob lotação contínua, com carga variável, em quatro alturas (tratamentos), a saber: 10, 20, 30, 40 cm, distribuídos em um delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados com três repetições. As avaliações foram realizadas no período diurno, por observação visual direta, em três datas de avaliações, duas delas coincidindo ao estádio vegetativo e a terceira ao reprodutivo. As diferentes estruturas criadas foram resultado de diferentes disponibilidades de forragem tendo em vista o aumento linear da massa de forragem (P<0,0001) com o aumento da altura do pasto. Em situações de menor disponibilidade de forragem observou-se que os animais apresentam comportamento de pastejo compensatório, aumentando seu tempo de pastejo diário (P=0,0208) e apresentando ciclos mais longos de refeições (P=0,0302). Além do mais, aumentam a taxa de bocados (P<0,0001), o número total de estações alimentares visitadas (P=0,0009), o número de bocados por estação alimentar (P= 0,0178), o número total de bocados (P<0,0001) e reduzem o tempo de ruminação (P=0,0443) e o tempo de permanência na estação alimentar (P=0,0142). Em termos de deslocamento, verificou-se que os animais procedem menos passos entre estações alimentares (P=0,0115) quando a forragem é limitante, porém, o número total de passos verificados é maior (P=0,0033) ao longo do período de pastejo. Para concluir, confirmou-se a hipótese de que os animais modificam seu comportamento em diferentes estruturas de pasto e, principalmente, alteram seu padrão de deslocamento, o que poderá implicar em conseqüências de impacto num sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária. / The animal’s effect in the system is a paradigm in integrated crop-livestock operations. This effect is a function, among others, of the management of the grazing intensity and how animals react to the sward structures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate steers grazing behaviour in different sward structures and their displacement patterns. The hypothesis that different heights could promote changes in the ingestive behavior of animals was tested. In this sense, the experiment was conducted in an integrated crop/livestock area at Espinilho farm, Tupanciretã/RS/Brazil (Fazenda do Espinilho), from July to November 2005, in Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and black oat (Avena Strigosa Schreb.) pasture succeeding soybean. The pasture was managed with continuous variable stocking at 10, 20, 30 and 40 cm sward height distributed in a completely randomized block design with three replicates. Data was recorded by visual assessment, from sunrise until sundown, in three evaluation dates, two in the vegetative stage and one in the reproductive stage. Different structures were created as a result of the linear increasing in herbage masses (P<0.0001) with increasing sward height. In limited herbage situation animals present compensatory behaviour, increasing their daily grazing time (P=0.0208) and presenting longer meal lengths (P=0.0302). Moreover, animals increase bite rate (P<0.0001), the number of visited feeding stations (P=0.0009), the number of bites per feeding station (P= 0.0178), the total number of bites (P<0.0001) and decrease ruminating time (P=0.0443) and time per feeding station (P=0.0142). In terms of animal displacement, it was verifyied they proceed less steps between feeding stations (P=0.0115) with limited herbage, however, the total number of steps is greater (P=0.0033) along the grazing period. To conclude, the hypothesis that animals modify their behaviour in different sward structures was confirmed and, mainly modifies their displacement patterns with potential consequences to integrated crop-livestock systems.

The field of pile design and construction in the United Kingdom is currently in a period of change. Not only are new processes and techniques being developed but also the legislative landscape is changing with the introduction of new Europe wide normative standards (BSI, 2004, 2007). This project sought to optimise pile design through better understanding and interpretation of ground conditions and of the pile-soil interaction for two pile types, continuous flight auger and bored displacement piles. Quantitative methods for interpreting and summarising previous knowledge and experience have been developed; the strata are divided into discrete bands and properties are represented with summary statistics. Experience and previous knowledge relating to the shear strength of London Clay have been quantified and presented using this approach. Furthermore, a straightforward tool has been provided for the implementation of such data into design; the previous knowledge and new site specific data are combined using Bayesian updating. Through use of this technique, the uncertainty associated with interpreting ground conditions from site data has been demonstrated to be reduced. The techniques described have been adopted into design practice within the sponsoring company. Bored displacement piles are a relatively new pile type. There is little published data or scientific understanding of the processes undergone by the soils during and after construction and the effect that these have on pile performance. This research identified the need for, and developed, a unified framework of descriptors for the various types of bored displacement pile and investigated the installation energy and performance of bored displacement piles in London Clay. The energy to construct the pile was observed to be highly variable and not directly related to capacity. Performance of bored displacement piles was observed to be similar to continuous flight auger piles of similar dimensions; typical values for the adhesion between bored displacement piles and the surrounding soil were established and these were comparable to those achieved by continuous flight auger piles. In addition, to enable the analysis of the probability of failure of a pile, the sources of variation have been investigated and the variability quantified. Besides the soil conditions, the dimensions of the pile, notably pile diameter, were found to be a significant source of variation.

Change in papillary muscle motion as a result of left ventricular (LV) remodeling after posterolateral myocardial infarction is thought to contribute to ischemic mitral regurgitation. A finite element (FE) model of the LV was created from magnetic resonance images acquired immediately before myocardial infarction and 8 weeks later in a cohort of 12 sheep. Severity of mitral regurgitation was rated by two-dimensional echocardiography and regurgitant volume was estimated using MRI. Of the cohort, 6 animals (DC) received hydrogel injection therapy shown to limit ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction while the control group (MI) received a similar pattern of saline injections. LV pressure was determined by direct invasive measurement and volume was estimated from MRI. FE models of the LV for each animal included both healthy and infarct tissue regions as well as a simulated hydrogel injection pattern for the DC group. Constitutive model material parameters for each region in the FE model were assigned based on results from previous research. Invasive LV pressure measurements at end diastole and end systole were used as boundary conditions to drive model simulations for each animal. Passive stiffness (C) and active material parameter (Tmax) were adjusted to match MRI estimations of LV volume at end systole and end diastole. Nodal positions of the chordae tendineae (CT) were determined by measurements obtained from the excised heart of each animal at the terminal timepoint. Changes in CT nodal displacements between end systole and end diastole at 0 and 8-week timepoints were used to investigate the potential contribution of changes in papillary muscle motion to the progression of ischemic mitral regurgitation after myocardial infarction. Nodal displacements were broken down into radial, circumferential, and longitudinal components relative to the anatomy of the individual animal model. Model results highlighted an outward radial movement in the infarct region after 8 weeks in untreated animals, while radial direction of motion observed in the treated animal group was preserved relative to baseline. Circumferential displacement decreased in the remote region in the untreated animal group after 8 weeks but was preserved relative to baseline in the treated animal group. MRI estimates of regurgitant volume increased significantly in the untreated animal group after 8 weeks but did not increase in the treated group. The results of this analysis suggest that hydrogel injection treatment may serve to limit changes in papillary muscle motion and severity of mitral regurgitation after posterolateral myocardial infarction.

In order to investigate growth modifications of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) during dentofacial orthopaedic treatment, various functional appliances have been used to prompt the mandible into a protrusive position in various animal experimental models. The general purpose of this project was (i) to test the effectiveness of a functional appliance specially designed for sheep; (ii) to clarify whether or not forward mandibular displacement in sheep is associated with faster and/or redirected condylar growth; (iii) to evaluate the sheep as a model for dentofacial orthopaedic research by comparing the similarities of mandibular condylar growth in sheep and humans; (iv) to detail the position of the mandible during forward mandibular posturing and the effects of mandibular forward displacement on modelling and remodelling of the mandibular condyle. The specific purpose of this project was to reveal whether functional appliance treatment increases the quantity of bone formed during the treatment, or changes the distribution of the bone, or both. Eight, 4-month old, castrated male Merino sheep were randomly assigned to experimental or control groups with 4 in each group. Cast functional appliances were fabricated for the animals in the experimental group. The treatment period was 15 weeks. Calcein (day 1) tetracycline (13 weeks) and alizarin red S (3 days before sacrifice) fluorochromes were administered to all animals. Dental casts, endosseous implant markers and cephalograms were used to analyse the 3-D displacement of the mandible. Undecalcified mid-sagittal sections of TMJ were used to evaluate the tissue responses induced by the appliances. Dynamic parameters of bone formation, static indices of bone-forming and resorbing activity as well as structural indices of trabecular bone were estimated using histomorphometry. The trabecular bone was sampled from two regions: (i) a subchondral region; (determined by 2nd and 3rd labels), believed to comprise bone newly-formed during the experimental period; and (ii) a central region (labelled by all the three fluorochromes), believed to comprise bone which existed before the experiment. The cortical bone was divided into anterior and posterior regions for analysis. The weight of the animals was measured monthly to monitor their growth. Metacarpus growth was also evaluated. During the experimental period, the animals were found to maintain their weight within the normal range and grew normally. The appliance was found to displace the mandible to a downward and forward position with a net condylar displacement of 2.4 mm. The observed adaptive responses in the TMJ induced by the appliances included; the condylar process was less tapered and rounder in the experimental group than in the controls, and anteriorly thickened condylar cartilage and a thickened compact bone layer along the anterior surface of the posterior wall of the glenoid fossa. The mandibular condylar growth vector in sheep was found to be in a postero-superior direction. Condylar growth in the control sheep during the experimental period varied from 8.8 to 11.9 mm, with the mean being 10.6 mm, which is quantitatively similar to two years of condylar growth in human adolescents. In the experimental sheep, the condylar growth varied from 8.5 to 13.3 mm, with the mean being 11.4 mm. When metacarpal growth and weight gain were taken into consideration using multivariant analysis, the coefficients for growth in the postero-superior and posterior direction were found to be high, with adjusted r2 as 0.84 and 0.82 respectively. The induced condylar growth was estimated to be largest in the posterior direction (2.3 mm), which is also similar to previous reports in humans. Regional differences in adaptive response within the mandibular condyle were found in this study. In the experimental group, bone volume fraction (BV/TV) of the subchondral regions decreased, although the specific bone surface and bone formation rates increased. This low BV/TV was associated with decreased trabecular thickness and increased trabecular separation. In the central region of the experimental group's condyle, BV/TV was unchanged. However, an increased osteoid surface (OS/BS) was defined when the eroded surface (ES/BS) was taken into consideration. The sheep were found to cope well with the experimental procedures and the appliance used in this study has been effective in inducing adaptive responses in the TMJ. Consequently, it is believed that the sheep is an appropriate animal model for quantitative histological analysis of the responses to functional appliance treatment. The first null hypothesis, that functional appliance treatment has no effect on bone matrix mineralisation was rejected. The second null hypothesis, functional appliance treatment has no effect on the mineralisation lag time, was rejected. The results indicated that the treatment effects of functional appliances involve reorganisation of the TMJ through bone modelling and remodelling. An important mechanism of functional appliance treatment is, therefore, suggested to be a change in the distribution of bone rather than an increase in the quantity of bone. Posterior rotation of the principle tensile strain angle (Et) suggested an posteriorly altered direction of the condylar growth. Increased new bone formation in the glenoid fossa suggested an anterior re-positioning of the temporomandibular joint. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Dental School, 2002.

<p>Det verkar råda en stark uppfattning om att indikatorer inverkar positivt på jämställdhetsarbeten. Samtidigt pekar genusvetenskaplig forskning på att kvantitativt jämställdhetsarbete inte är tillräckligt för att uppnå jämställdhet. Syftet med denna uppsats var därför att undersöka i vilken utsträckning jämställdhetsindikatorer kan medföra kvalitativa jämställdhetseffekter. Med fallstudie som metod och begreppet maktförskjutning som analytiskt begrepp har Uppsala universitets jämställdhetsindikatorer analyserats. Analysen visade på att universitetets jämställdhetsindikatorer med stor sannolikhet kommer medföra jämställdhetseffekter, men inga kvalitativa sådana. Det finns dock en möjlighet att rätt kombination av rätt sorts indikatorer kan belysa könsmaktstrukturer och därigenom öppna för kvalitativa förändringar.</p> / <p>It seems as if there are strong opinions about indicators having positive effects on gender equality work. At the same time gender studies indicate that quantitative gender equality work is not enough to achieve equality. The purpose of this essay is therefore to study in what extent indicators measuring equality have the possibility to entail qualitative equality effects. Using case study method and “displacement of power” as an analytic concept, the equality indicators of Uppsala University has been analyzed. The analysis showed that the equality indicators of Uppsala University will most likely entail quantitative equality effects, though it is not plausible that they will lead to any qualitative equality effects. There is however a possibility that a correct kind of combination of the right sorts of indicators may elucidate sex power structures and thereby creates opportunities for qualitative equality.</p>

<p>Many of our closest relatives, the primates, are endangered and could be extinct in a near future. To increase the knowledge of non-human primate genomes, and at the same time acquire information on our own genomic evolution, studies using high-throughput technologies are applied, which raises the demand for large amounts of high quality DNA.</p><p>In study I and II, we evaluated the multiple displacement amplification (MDA) technique, a whole genome amplification method, on a wide range of DNA sources, such as blood, hair and semen, by comparing MDA products to genomic DNA as templates for several commonly used genotyping methods. In general, the genotyping success rate from the MDA products was in concordance with the genomic DNA. The quality of sequences of the mitochondrial control region obtained from MDA products from blood and non-invasively collected semen samples was maintained. However, the readable sequence length was shorter for MDA products.</p><p>Few studies have focused on the genetic variation in the nuclear genes of non-human primates. In study III, we discovered 23 new single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Y-chromosome of the chimpanzee. We designed a tag-microarray minisequencing assay for genotyping the SNPs together with 19 SNPs from the literature and 45 SNPs in the mitochondrial DNA. Using the microarray, we were able to analyze the population structure of wild-living chimpanzees.</p><p>In study IV, we established 111 diagnostic nucleotide positions for primate genera determination. We used sequence alignments of the nuclear epsilon globin gene and apolipoprotein B gene to identify positions for determination on the infraorder and Catarrhini subfamily level, respectively, and sequence alignments of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA (MT-RNR1) to identify positions to distinguish between genera. We designed a microarray assay for immobilized minisequencing primers for genotyping these positions to aid in the forensic determination of an unknown sample.</p>