Este trabalho avaliou o efeito da dieta hiperlipídica em camundongos para o estudo da inflamação cardiovascular. Camundongos C57Bl/6 machos com 8 semanas de vida foram utilizados nos ensaios, sendo divididos nos grupos dieta controle e dieta hiperlipídica. Após 8 semanas foram avaliados: o ganho de peso, a porcentagem de tecido adiposo, pressão arterial sistólica, frequência cardíaca, perfil lipídico e glicêmico séricos. A partir de cortes histológicos de aortas e corações corados com picrossirius foram feitas análises morfométricas. Em cortes histológicos de aorta foram realizadas a análise fibras elásticas e colágenas usando a coloração de Weigert-Van Gieson. Também foram realizadas a quantificação de fibras colágenas em aortas, usando a coloração de picrossirius. Nos tecidos aórticos e cardíacos foram feitos: 1) Ensaios de atividade enzimática para ECA e MPO. 2) Ensaios de Immunoblotting para a detecção proteíca para ECA e TGF-b. Também foram feitos ensaios de imuno-histoquímica para marcação e localização de ECA e TGF-b no tecido aórtico. / This work evaluated the effect of high-fat diet in mice for the study of cardiovascular inflammation. C57BL / 6 mice at 8 weeks of age were used in the tests were divided in groups control diet and high fat diet. After 8 weeks were evaluated: weight gain, percentage of fat, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, serum lipids and glucose levels. From histological aortas and hearts stained with picrosirius morphometric analyzes. Histological sections of the aorta were performed to analyze elastic and collagen fibers using Weigert-Van Gieson staining. Also the quantification of collagen fibers in aortas using picrosirius staining. In aortic and cardiac tissues were made: 1) Enzymatic activity assays for ACE and MPO. 2) Immunoblotting assays to detect proteinous for ACE and TGF-b. Also were peformed Immunohistochemistry assays for marking and localization of ACE and TGF- b in the aortic tissue.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-21T19:59:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Katia Alonso.pdf: 2466313 bytes, checksum: 4c119b2a40368dd791db57672106bd65 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-03-09 / The arterial hypertension is characterized as a multifactorial disorder, influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Environmental factors are most responsible for the accelerated growth of this disease. The physical exercise is considered a very important non pharmacological model of treatment for the hypertension. Actually, how much genes are studying for better clarified the real relationship between the genetic and blood pressure (BP) control. The insertion/deletion (I/D) The arterial hypertension is characterized as a multifactorial disorder, influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Environmental factors are most responsible for the accelerated growth of this disease. The physical exercise is considered a very important non pharmacological model of treatment for the hypertension. Actually, how much genes are studying for better clarified the real relationship between the genetic and blood pressure (BP) control. The insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism, with 287 base pairs at the intron 16, of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has recently been related with HBP in different populations. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate possible association of the polymorphism of the ACE forward clinical diagnosis of hypertension in a sample population from southern Brazil, submitted to physical training and / or drug treatment. Thus, it was possible to evaluate and verify a positive effect on BP control, under the influence of aerobic exercise short-term (two months) in 10 hypertensive individuals heterozygous for ACE (genotype ID). Furthermore, we evaluated the possible relationship between the polymorphism insertion/deletion (I/D) with hypertension in a group consisting of 78 hypertensive individuals, and these showed no direct relationship with the disease. The groups were not showed genetic structure and the genotypic classes presented out of equilibrium of Hardy-Weinberg. The D allele was minor frequent, and new alleles was descript. It is suggest that other mechanisms post-transcriptions are linked in the gene regulation and ECA function.polymorphism, with 287 base pairs at the intron 16, of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has recently been related with HBP in different populations. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate possible association of the polymorphism of the ACE forward clinical diagnosis of hypertension in a sample population from southern Brazil, submitted to physical training and / or drug treatment. Thus, it was possible to evaluate and verify a positive effect on BP control, under the influence of aerobic exercise short-term (two months) in 10 hypertensive individuals heterozygous for ACE (genotype ID). Furthermore, we evaluated the possible relationship between the polymorphism insertion/deletion (I/D) with hypertension in a group consisting of 78 hypertensive individuals, and these showed no direct relationship with the disease. The groups were not showed genetic structure and the genotypic classes presented out of equilibrium of Hardy-Weinberg. The D allele was minor frequent, and new alleles was descript. It is suggest that other mechanisms post-transcriptions are linked in the gene regulation and ECA function. / A hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) é caracterizada como sendo um distúrbio multifatorial, influenciada por fatores genéticos e ambientais. Os fatores ambientais são os maiores responsáveis pelo crescimento acelerado da doença. O exercício físico é considerado um modelo muito importante não farmacológico de tratamento para a hipertensão. Na verdade, vários genes estão sendo estudados para melhor esclarecer o papel da genética no controle da pressão arterial (PA). Um polimorfismo de inserção/deleção (I/D) de aproximadamente 287 pares de base no íntron 16, do gene da enzima conversora de angiotensina (ECA) foi recentemente relacionado com a HAS em diferentes populações. Portanto, o objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar a possível associação do polimorfismo da ECA frente ao diagnóstico clínico de hipertensão em uma amostra da população do sul do Brasil, submetidos ao treinamento físico e/ou tratamento medicamentoso. Assim, foi possível avaliar e verificar um efeito positivo sobre o controle da PA, sob a influência de exercício aeróbio de curto prazo (dois meses), em 10 indivíduos hipertensos heterozigotos para ECA (genótipo ID). Além disso, foi avaliada a possível relação entre o polimorfismo inserção/deleção (I/D) com a HAS em um grupo constituído de 78 indivíduos hipertensos, e esses não mostraram relação direta com a doença. Os grupos não apresentaram estruturação genética e as classes genotípicas apresentaram fora do equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg. O alelo D foi menos frequentes e novos alelos foram descritos. É sugestivo que outros mecanismos pós-transcricionais estejam envolvidos na regulação do gene e função da ECA.

O Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente (ECA) criado em 1990, ampliou a atuação do estado brasileiro na implementação das políticas públicas aos adolescentes. Há muitas instituições que visam atender esta população, entretanto, o sinergismo delas é pouco conhecido. Este estudo tem por objeto o projeto político de atenção aos adolescentes no nivel municipal e visa subsidiar a sua renovação. A partir do ECA, houve a ampliação da compreensaõ deste grupo social. Os objetivos são: conhecer os programas de atendimento aos adolescentes, verificar como se apresentam configurados e delinear as possibilidades e limites de execução de um planejamento da atenção aos adolescentes. A metodologia utilizada é quali-quantitativa, na perspectiva do materialismo histórico e dialético. Os dados empíricos foram coletados junto aos programas existentes no município, através de entrevistas e documentos. Vinte e sete programas institucionais foram identificados cadastrados de forma oficial no Conselho ou nas secretarias municipais, dezenove instituições participaram do estudo, representando quarenta e sete projetos. Os resultados mostraram que os programas são diferentes entre si em termos de tamanho, motivação do projeto, orientação laica ou religiosa, qualificação e quantidade dos trabalhadores e público alvo, porém possuem em semelhança o viés assistencialista. Enquanto a maioria delas está centrada em complementação escolar e ensino profissionalizante, outras atendem exclusivamente os adolescentes autores de atos infracionais. Embora presente numericamente, as instituições de atenção ao adolescente não se encontram ainda orquestradas em prol da consecução do ECA. / In Brazil since the Child and Adolescent Statute (ECA) was established in 1990, the state has been allowed to amplify public policies toward such social group. We assumed Oliveira’s point of view that adolescence is a social phenomenon. Adolescents can show in terms of quality of life and health-disease distinct profile according to their social group or family origins. Since ECA many institutions have created to attend adolescents. The objective of this study was to comprehend how these institutions have been organized in the City of São Carlos, setting northeast of São Paulo State, Brazil. The methodology was descriptive and the data was collected by interviews with the directors of the institutions and their proposals and reports. Twenty institutions have been studied. They have showed differences in terms of objectives, age of the target public, religious orientation, type and amount of workers. While most institutions have focused on leisure activities and professional education, some of them only assist adolescents who have committed any kind of illegal action, Although there are many different projects to assist adolescents, it seems that their actions still are not integrated towards the implementation of the Child and Adolescent Statute.

Submitted by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2015-02-24T16:18:57Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Silene Jacinto da Silva - 2012.pdf: 1244943 bytes, checksum: 169827dfbf3ff42a25f37a6dbdd252f2 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2015-02-24T16:21:26Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Silene Jacinto da Silva - 2012.pdf: 1244943 bytes, checksum: 169827dfbf3ff42a25f37a6dbdd252f2 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-02-24T16:21:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Silene Jacinto da Silva - 2012.pdf: 1244943 bytes, checksum: 169827dfbf3ff42a25f37a6dbdd252f2 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-04-23 / The Deletion/Insertion polymorphisms of the angiotensin converting enzyme genes and the A1166C of the angiotensin II receptor AT1R were analyzed in a cohort of 90 patients, among 30 carriers of chronic heart failure, aging from 30 to 86, in which 66, 6% were males. The control group was based on 60 cardiopathic patients without heart failure matched by age and gender. The heart failure was attributed to the etiologies: chagas cardiomyopathy (46,7%), idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and others (23,3%), hypertensive cardiomyopathy (20%) and ischemic cardiomyopathy (10%). In order to determine the genotypes the PCR - RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) technique was applied. The genotypes distribution was analyzed, as well as the allele’s frequency and the possible polymorphisms associations with different clinical variations and heart failure carrier’s evolution during 12 months. For the analysis of descriptive and inferential statistical were used the t test, chi-square (χ2) test, Kaplan - Meier and ANOVA. The distribution of the genotypes D/I of the genes ACE and the polymorphisms A1166C of the angiotensin II was similar between the two groups (p = 0,23 e p= 0,12). The evaluation of the polymorphisms studies presented a lack of association with the clinical variations analyzed and the evolution of the heart failure carriers during 12 months. / Os polimorfismos de Deleção/Inserção do gene da enzima conversora da angiotensina e A1166C do receptor AT1R da angiotensina II foram estudados em uma coorte com 90 pacientes, sendo 30 portadores de insuficiência cardíaca crônica, com idades variando entre 30 e 86 anos, dos quais 66,6% eram do sexo masculino. O grupo controle foi constituído por 60 pacientes cardiopatas, porém sem insuficiência cardíaca, pareados por idade e sexo. A insuficiência cardíaca foi atribuída às seguintes etiologias: cardiomiopatia chagásica (46,7%), cardiomiopatia dilatada idiopática e outras (23,3%), cardiomiopatia hipertensiva (20%) e cardiomiopatia isquêmica (10%). A determinação dos genótipos foi realizada pelas técnicas PCR - RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism). Foram avaliadas as distribuições dos genótipos, as frequências alélicas, as prováveis associações dos polimorfismos com diferentes variáveis clínicas e a evolução dos portadores de insuficiência cardíaca no seguimento de 12 meses. Para a análise da estatística descritiva e inferencial utilizou-se o teste t, teste Qui-quadrado (χ2), kaplan - Meier e ANOVA. A distribuição dos genótipos D/I do gene ECA e do polimorfismo A1166C foi semelhante entre os dois grupos (p=0,23 e p=0,12). A avaliação dos polimorfismos estudados apontou para a ausência de associação com as variáveis clínicas analisadas e com a evolução dos portadores de insuficiência cardíaca durante o seguimento de 12 meses.

A proposta desta tese é apresentar uma análise das obras O Mandarim e A Relíquia, de Eça de Queirós, a partir da perspectiva da escrita intimista. Para essa leitura serão considerados os aspectos inerentes à escrita de si segundo Michel Foucault, descritas nos textos Lécriture de soi, publicado pela primeira vez no ano de 1983, e no Volume III da História da Sexualidade: O cuidado de si, publicado em 1985. A escolha desse aporte teórico se dá pela evidenciação dos traços desse tipo de escrita nessas duas narrativas de Eça de Queirós, ora classificadas como autodiegéticas. Pretende-se demonstrar que a mimese da escrita de si elaborada pelo escritor nessas duas obras está a serviço de uma forte crítica social, que visa a atingir a própria constituição do sujeito oitocentista. / The aim of this thesis is to present an analysis of the works The Mandarin and The Relic of Eca de Queiroz, from the intimate writing perspective. On this reading will be considered aspects of the writing the self, according to Michel Foucault, described in the texts L\'écriture de soi, first published in 1983, and in Volume III of the History of Sexuality: Self care, published in 1985. The choice of this theoretical contribution is given by the disclosure of the features of this kind of writing these two narratives of Eca de Queiroz, now classified as autodiegéticas. We intend to demonstrate that Eça de Queirozs writing of itself as mimesis in these two works is at the service of a strong social criticism, which aims to achieve the very constitution of the subject nineteenth century.

Les environnements virtuels permettent de représenter des personnes par des humains virtuels ou avatars. Le sentiment de présence virtuelle entre utilisateurs est renforcé lorsque l’avatar ressemble à la personne qu’il représente. L’avatar est alors classiquement un clone de l’utilisateur qui reproduit son apparence et sa voix. Toutefois, la possibilité de cloner l’expressivité des gestes d’une personne a reçu peu d’attention jusqu’ici. Expressivité gestuelle combine le style et l’humeur d’une personne. Des paramètres décrivant l’expressivité ont été proposés dans des travaux antérieurs pour animer les agents conversationnels. Dans ce travail, nous nous intéressons à l’expressivité des mouvements du poignet. Tout d’abord, nous proposons des algorithmes pour estimer trois paramètres d’expressivité à partir des trajectoires dans l’espace du poignet : la répétition, l’étendue spatiale et l’étendue temporelle. Puis, nous avons mené une étude perceptive sur la pertinence de l’expressivité des gestes pour reconnaître des personnes. Nous avons animé un agent virtuel en utilisant l’expressivité estimée de personnes réelles, et évalué si des utilisateurs peuvent reconnaître ces personnes à partir des animations. Nous avons constaté que des gestes répétitifs dans l’animation constituent une caractéristique discriminante pour reconnaître les personnes, tandis que l’absence de répétition est associée à des personnes qui répètent des gestes ou non. Plus important, nous avons trouvé que 75% ou plus des utilisateurs peuvent reconnaître une personne (parmi deux proposée) à partir d’animations virtuelles qui ne diffèrent que par leurs étendues spatiales et temporelles. L’expressivité gestuelle apparaît donc comme un nouvel indice pertinent pour le clonage d’une personne / Virtual environments allow human beings to be represented by virtual humans or avatars. Users can share a sense of virtual presence is the avatar looks like the real human it represents. This classically involves turning the avatar into a clone with the real human’s appearance and voice. However, the possibility of cloning the gesture expressivity of a real person has received little attention so far. Gesture expressivity combines the style and mood of a person. Expressivity parameters have been defined in earlier works for animating embodied conversational agents.In this work, we focus on expressivity in wrist motion. First, we propose algorithms to estimate three expressivity parameters from captured wrist 3D trajectories: repetition, spatial extent and temporal extent. Then, we conducted perceptual study through a user survey the relevance of expressivity for recognizing individual human. We have animated a virtual agent using the expressivity estimated from individual humans, and users have been asked whether they can recognize the individual human behind each animation. We found that, in case gestures are repeated in the animation, this is perceived by users as a discriminative feature to recognize humans, while the absence of repetition would be matched with any human, regardless whether they repeat gesture or not. More importantly, we found that 75 % or more of users could recognize the real human (out of two proposed) from an animated virtual avatar based only on the spatial and temporal extents. Consequently, gesture expressivity is a relevant clue for cloning. It can be used as another element in the development of a virtual clone that represents a person

This thesis examines the interaction in the network of international and regional organizations in setting the norms, rules and strategic directions for international development and governance of global information society. Situated within the theoretical framework of international regime theory and Gramsci’s concept of hegemony, it uses the “Africa Information Society Initiative (AISI): An action framework to build ICT infrastructure in Africa” as its case study. Based on the empirical evidences gathered from the historical policy document analysis and qualitative semi-structured interviews, it provides a critical analysis of how the diffusion of global neoliberal agenda through the international organizations shaped the AISI policy prescriptions. It analyzes the challenges confronting the AISI implementation and ICTs for development agenda in Africa. In view of the inherent contradictions between the transnational character of the AISI and the national characters of the region, it examines the implication of these problems and suggests potential ways of addressing them. It concludes by stressing the importance of contextual local institutional forces and cultural ethos in the ICT policies and development process in Africa.

<p>Real-time systems are required to answer to external stimuli within a specified time-period. For this to be possible, the systems behaviour must be predictable. The use of active databases in real-time systems introduces unpredictability in the system, e.g. due to their use of active rules. The behaviour in active databases is usually specified in ECA-rules. Sets of ECA-rules are hard to analyse, which implies that the behaviour of the ECA-rule set is hard to predict.</p><p>The purpose of this project is to evaluate the ability to support the development of a predictable ECA-rule set. Using a formal method for the specification task is desirable, since a formal specification is analysable and can be proven correct. In this project, timed-automata are used for specifying the systems behaviour. A method for deriving predictable ECA-rules from a timed-automaton specification is developed, and successfully applied on a case-study specification. For this case-study specification, a set of ECA-rules preserving the analysed behaviour of the timed-automata specification is derived.</p>

Virtual environments allow human beings to be represented by virtual humans or avatars. Users can share a sense of virtual presence is the avatar looks like the real human it represents. This classically involves turning the avatar into a clone with the real human's appearance and voice. However, the possibility of cloning the gesture expressivity of a real person has received little attention so far. Gesture expressivity combines the style and mood of a person. Expressivity parameters have been defined in earlier works for animating embodied conversational agents.In this work, we focus on expressivity in wrist motion. First, we propose algorithms to estimate three expressivity parameters from captured wrist 3D trajectories: repetition, spatial extent and temporal extent. Then, we conducted perceptual study through a user survey the relevance of expressivity for recognizing individual human. We have animated a virtual agent using the expressivity estimated from individual humans, and users have been asked whether they can recognize the individual human behind each animation. We found that, in case gestures are repeated in the animation, this is perceived by users as a discriminative feature to recognize humans, while the absence of repetition would be matched with any human, regardless whether they repeat gesture or not. More importantly, we found that 75 % or more of users could recognize the real human (out of two proposed) from an animated virtual avatar based only on the spatial and temporal extents. Consequently, gesture expressivity is a relevant clue for cloning. It can be used as another element in the development of a virtual clone that represents a person

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is recognised as having a significant role to play in tackling climate change and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. In CCS schemes, CO2 is captured from anthropogenic sources, and transported to suitable sites either for EOR (Enhanced Oil Recovery) or storage. The transport of such huge amount of CO2 causes new challenges. The main concern is in the difference between natural gas and CO2 transportation pipelines. CO2 phase behaviour during decompression, existence of different impurities and very high operating pressure are some of the new challenges for pipeline designer and operators. This PhD study has taken a systematic approach to understand the mechanics involved in the fracture of pipes containing high pressure flue-gas CO2. The work involved the development of a novel weight function stress intensity factor solution that can be used with complex stress fields induced by residual and/or thermal stresses in addition to applied pressure. In addition, the thesis reports a substantial experimented test programme which involved low temperature fracture toughness tests linked to a detailed finite element based stress analysis. Overall, the thesis presents an integrated engineering criticality means to assess the suitability or otherwise of a pipeline system to transport high pressure flue-gas CO2.