O presente experimento teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito da antecipação da adubação da cultura da soja no acúmulo de matéria seca e extração de nutrientes pelo capim-pé-de-galinha (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) e no acúmulo de matéria seca e exportação de nutrientes pela cultura da soja em sucessão, em sistema de plantio direto. O experimento foi conduzido em área experimental da Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz" (USP/ESALQ), no município de Piracicaba – SP, durante o ano agrícola de 2001/2002, em solo LATOSSOLO AMARELO Distrófico. O cultivar de soja utilizado foi o BRS-133. A adubação, segundo a recomendação oficial para o estado de São Paulo, consistiu da aplicação de 90 kg de P2O5 ha -1 , 50 kg de K2O ha -1 e de micronutrientes (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo e Zn). Os tratamentos consistiram em níveis de antecipação da adubação da soja para a cultura do capim-pé-de-galinha (T1: 0%; T2: 50% de P; T3: 50% de K; T4: 100% de P; T5: 100% de K; T6: 50% de P e K; T7: 100% de P e 50% de K; T8: 50% de P e 100 % de K; T9: 100% de P e K; T10: micronutrientes; T11: 100% de P e K + micronutrientes; T12: controle), totalizando 12 tratamentos, delineados em blocos completos ao acaso com três repetições. As características avaliadas foram: produção de matéria seca, concentração e acúmulo dos nutrientes na parte aérea do capim-pé-de-galinha; acúmulo de matéria seca, concentração e acúmulo de nutrientes nos grãos de soja. As principais conclusões são: a) no que concerne à produtividade de matéria seca, o capim Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn. constitui-se em espécie recomendável à produção de palhada em sistema de produção sob plantio direto, desde que implantada em solo com média a alta fertilidade; b) considerando-se o acúmulo de nutrientes na matéria seca produzida, constata-se que o capim Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn. apresenta a seguinte seqüência de absorção: K > N > Ca > Mg > S > P >> Mn> Fe > Zn > Cu; c) a produção de matéria seca e o acúmulo dos nutrientes fósforo e cálcio pelo capim Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn. aumentam com a aplicação antecipada da adubação fosfatada de base recomendada para a soja; d) a antecipação da adubação de base da soja, por ocasião da instalação do capim Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn., não diminui o acúmulo de matéria seca e nem interfere com a exportação de nutrientes pelas plantas de soja. / This research was to evaluate the effect of the anticipation of soybean fertilization on dry matter production and extraction of nutrients by finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) and on dry matter accumulation and exportation of nutrients by soybean seed cultivated in sequence, in a no-till system. The experiment was carried out at the experimental fields of Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz" (USP/ESALQ), in Piracicaba-SP, during the growing season of 2001/2002, in an Oxisol. The cultivar used was BRS-133. The soybean fertilization, according to the official recommendation to the state of São Paulo, consisted in the application of 90 kg of P2O5 ha -1, 50 kg of K2O ha -1 and of micronutrients (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo and Zn). The treatments consisted of levels of anticipation of the soybean fertilization to the finger millet crop (T1: 0%; T2: 50% of P; T3: 50% of K; T4: 100% of P; T5: 100% of K; T6: 50% of P and K; T7: 100% of P and 50% of K; T8: 50% of P and 100 % of K; T9: 100% of P and K; T10: micronutrients; T11: 100% of P and K + micronutrients; T12: controle), totaling 12 treatments, designing a complete randomized blocks with three replications. The evaluated characteristics were: dry matter production, concentration and nutrients accumulation at biomass of finger millet; dry matter accumulation, nutrients concentration and accumulation in soybean seed. The main conclusions are: a) in reference to the dry matter production, Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn. is a recommended specie to obtain plant residues in no-till systems, since it is growing on medium to high fertility soils; b) considering the nutrients accumulation in dry matter, it is verified that Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn. presents the following sequence of nutrient absorption: K > N > Ca > Mg > S > P >> Mn > Fe > Zn > Cu; c) the anticipation of the soybean fertilization to the Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn. sowing do not decrease dry matter accumulation nether interferes with the nutrients exportation by soybean seed; d) dry matter production and phosphorus and calcium accumulation by Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn. increase in response of phosphorus anticipation from soybean fertilization.

Skin is the largest organ in the body that protects the organism from environmental, chemical and physical traumas of each passing day. The protective skin epidermal permeability barrier (EPB) is formed within the exterior layers of the epidermis, which are regularly sloughed off and repopulated by movement of inner cells. The epidermal permeability barrier is established during in utero development and maintained through lifetime. Impaired epidermal barrier formation is one of the major features of several dermatoses such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor (COUP-TF)-interacting protein 2 (Ctip2), also known as Bcl11b, is a C���H��� zinc finger protein expressed in many organs and tissues. It has been shown to regulate the development of thymocyte, tooth and corticospinal motor neurons. Ctip2 is highly expressed in mouse epidermis during skin organogenesis and in adulthood. It is crucial for epidermal homeostasis and protective barrier formation in developing mouse embryos. Germline (Ctip2- null mice) and selective ablation of Ctip2 in mouse epidermis (Ctip2[superscript ep-/-] mice) leads to increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL), impaired epidermal proliferation and terminal differentiation as well as altered lipid distribution during embryogenesis. Sphingolipids account for ~50% of total skin lipids by weight and are crucial components of epidermal barrier. We have recently identified Ctip2 as a key regulator of skin lipid metabolism. Germline deletion of Ctip2 in mouse embryos leads to altered lipid composition in the developing mouse epidermis by modulating the expression levels of key enzymes involved in lipid metabolism (bio-synthesis and catabolism). We also demonstrated that Ctip2 is recruited to the promoter regions of several genes involved in the ceramide and sphingomyelin biosynthesis pathways and could directly regulate their expression. Thus, we have identified Ctip2 as a key regulator of several lipid metabolizing genes and hence epidermal sphingolipid biosynthesis during skin development. To study the role of Ctip2 in adult skin homeostasis, we have utilized Ctip2[superscript ep-/-] mouse model in which Ctip2 is selectively deleted in epidermal keratinocytes. We showed that keratinocytic ablation of Ctip2 leads to atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin inflammation, characterized by alopecia, pruritus and scaling, as well as high infiltration of T lymphocytes and immune cells. We have also observed increased expression of Th2-type cytokines and chemokines in the mutant skin, as well as systemic immune responses that share similarity with human AD patients. Furthermore, we discovered that thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) expression is significantly upregulated in the mutant epidermis as early as postnatal day 1 and Ctip2 was recruited to the promoter region of the TSLP gene in mouse epidermal keratinocytes. The results suggest that upregulation of TSLP expression in the Ctip2[superscript ep-/-] epidermis could be due to a derepression of gene transcription in absence of Ctip2. Thus, our data demonstrated a cell-autonomous role of Ctip2 in barrier maintenance and epidermal homeostasis in adult skin, as well as a non-cell autonomous role of keratinocytic Ctip2 in suppressing skin inflammatory responses by regulating the expression of Th2-type cytokines in adult mouse skin. Present results establish an initiating role of epidermal TSLP in AD pathogenesis via a novel repressive regulatory mechanism mediated by Ctip2 in mouse epidermal keratinocytes. Altogether, our study indicates that Ctip2 could be involved in a diverse range of biological events in skin including barrier formation, maintenance and epidermal homeostasis. Ctip2 appears to be a master regulator in skin barrier functions by directly regulating the transcription of a subset of genes involved in lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses. / Graduation date: 2013

Mastering the physical aspect of piano technique has long been a topic of great interest and importance to pianists. This is borne out in the numerous pedagogical approaches on the topic of piano technique. Despite the many contributions from pedagogues and scholars in developing an understanding of piano technique, many conflicting approaches often cause more confusion than clarity. After reviewing the literature on pedagogical approaches to piano technique, this study determined that problematic language might lie at the root of the confusion. Core concepts identified in the review of literature as recurring areas of misunderstanding were tension, relaxation, co-contraction, arm weight, and hand and finger shape. The purpose of this study is to seek where issues of language exist in contemporary piano pedagogical approaches and to show how these problems may contribute to the systemic confusion in piano technique. To do this, the language that is used to describe and define the core concepts identified in the review of literature is analyzed in five modern pedagogical approaches. Five authors who have developed approaches that reflect current trends in piano technique have been selected for this study: Barbara Lister-Sink; Dorothy Taubman; Thomas Mark; Fred Karpoff; and Alan Fraser. The first step of this study entails collecting data from each of the five pedagogical approaches. The data is then analyzed for consistency and accuracy. Problems in language that contribute to the inconsistencies and inaccuracies are examined and illustrated with material from the data collection. This study concludes by identifying the main sources of confusion in the use of language: inconsistent and inaccurate use of terms; wavering between scientific, common, and invented language; challenges in describing opposing qualities that come from tension and relaxation; and failing to discern between the individual subjective experience and the mechanics of movement. By recognizing where the problems in language exist, this study represents an important first step for the pedagogical community to reach a common understanding of the language used to describe the physical aspect of piano technique.

Mastering the physical aspect of piano technique has long been a topic of great interest and importance to pianists. This is borne out in the numerous pedagogical approaches on the topic of piano technique. Despite the many contributions from pedagogues and scholars in developing an understanding of piano technique, many conflicting approaches often cause more confusion than clarity. After reviewing the literature on pedagogical approaches to piano technique, this study determined that problematic language might lie at the root of the confusion. Core concepts identified in the review of literature as recurring areas of misunderstanding were tension, relaxation, co-contraction, arm weight, and hand and finger shape. The purpose of this study is to seek where issues of language exist in contemporary piano pedagogical approaches and to show how these problems may contribute to the systemic confusion in piano technique. To do this, the language that is used to describe and define the core concepts identified in the review of literature is analyzed in five modern pedagogical approaches. Five authors who have developed approaches that reflect current trends in piano technique have been selected for this study: Barbara Lister-Sink; Dorothy Taubman; Thomas Mark; Fred Karpoff; and Alan Fraser. The first step of this study entails collecting data from each of the five pedagogical approaches. The data is then analyzed for consistency and accuracy. Problems in language that contribute to the inconsistencies and inaccuracies are examined and illustrated with material from the data collection. This study concludes by identifying the main sources of confusion in the use of language: inconsistent and inaccurate use of terms; wavering between scientific, common, and invented language; challenges in describing opposing qualities that come from tension and relaxation; and failing to discern between the individual subjective experience and the mechanics of movement. By recognizing where the problems in language exist, this study represents an important first step for the pedagogical community to reach a common understanding of the language used to describe the physical aspect of piano technique.

Accelerometer sensors fabricated with micromachining technologies started to take place of yesterday&rsquo / s bulky sensors in many application areas. The application areas include a wide range from consumer electronics and health systems to military and aerospace applications. Therefore, the performance requirements extend form 1 &mu / g&rsquo / s to 100 thousand g&rsquo / s. However, high performance strategic grade MEMS accelerometer sensors still do not exist in the literature. Smart designs utilizing the MEMS technology is necessary in order to acquire high performance specifications. This thesis reports a high performance accelerometer with a new process by making the use of bulk micromachining technology. The new process includes the utilization of Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) wafer and its buried oxide (BOX) layer. The BOX layer helps to realize interdigitated finger structures, which commonly find place in surface micromachined CMOS-MEMS capacitive accelerometers. The multi-metal layered CMOS-MEMS devices inherently incorporate interdigitated finger structures. Interdigitated finger structures are highly sensitive to acceleration in comparison with comb-finger structures, which generally find usage in bulk-micromachined devices, due to absence of anti-gap. The designed sensors based on this fabrication process is sought to form a fully-differential signal interfaced sensor with incorporation of the advantages of high sensitive interdigitated finger electrodes and high aspect ratio SOI wafer&rsquo / s bulk single crystal silicon device. Under the light of the envisaged process, sensor designs were made, and verified using a computing environment, MATLAB, and a finite element analysis simulator, CoventorWARE. The verified two designs were fabricated, and all the tests, except the centrifuge test, were made at METU-MEMS Research Center. Among the fabricated sensors, the one designed for the high performance achieves a capacitance sensitivity of 178 fF with a rest capacitance of 8.1 pF by employing interdigitated finger electrodes, while its comb-finger implementation can only achieve a capacitance sensitivity of 75 fF with a rest capacitance of 10 pF.

Starting from the overall Revitalizing Small Millets in South Asia (RESMISA) project objective and question, how to increase millet production and consumption, I will use the same to enter Chintaguda and understand how that can be accomplished in the village. As millets do not occupy a significant aspect of the lives of people in Chintaguda, I essentially sought to understand the general decision-making logics that operate therein. This objective will help me understand which factors and their interactions influence activities around socio-ecological engagements. I aim to devise a framework to comprehend these logics and the complexities found in Chintaguda by using social theories. These will help me stitch together a narrative for Chintaguda that will contextualize the people’s relationship to millets. This study will show the various ways people can and do relate to millets. / February 2016

Στην παρούσα μελέτη η βιοτυπία και η ανάλυση του DNA με ηλεκτρο-φόρηση σε παλλόμενο ηλεκτρικό πεδίο (PFGE) εφαρμόσθηκαν σε ένα σύνο-λο εντε-ρο-κόκ-κων που απομονώθηκαν από νερά αναψυχής και πόσιμα νερά, προκει-μένου να προσδιορισθεί πιθανή γενετική συγγένεια. Τα 200 στελέχη εντε-ρο--κόκκου απομονώθηκαν από 246 δείγματα νερών αναψυχής και 903 δείγματα πόσιμου νερού, από θάλασσα, νερό δικτύου, ποταμούς και πηγές της Ν.Δ. Ελλάδας. Η ταυτοποίηση σε επίπεδο είδους έγινε με το σύστημα API 20strep. Ο έλεγχος της ευαισθησίας στα αντιβιοτικά έγινε με προσδιορισμό της ελάχιστης ανασταλτικής πυκνότητας (MIC) με την μέθοδο ταινιών E-test. Η ηλεκτροφό-ρηση σε παλλόμενο ηλεκτρικό πεδίο εφαρμόσθηκε για τις γονοτυπικές δοκιμασίες. Ο χαρακτηρισμός σε επίπεδο είδους ταξινόμησε τους εντερόκοκκους σε 22 βιότυπους. Στην πλειοψηφία τους τα στελέχη ήσαν E. faecium (142 ή 71%), ακολουθούσε ο E. faecalis (40 ή 20%), o E. durans (9 ή 4,5%), o E. gallinarum (5 ή 2,5%) και o E. avium (4 ή 2%). Μεταξύ των στελεχών του E. faecium υπήρ-χε σχέση των βιοτύπων και της πηγής του δείγματος. Αυτό δεν παρατηρή-θη-κε στα στελέχη του E. faecalis ούτε στα υπόλοιπα είδη. Κανένα στέλεχος δεν βρέθηκε να παράγει β-λακταμάση. Δεν παρατηρήθηκε καμία σχέση μεταξύ της αντοχής στα αντιβιοτικά και της προέλευσης των στελεχών. Κανένα είδος εντεροκόκκου δεν παρουσίασε αντοχή στα γλυκοπεπτίδια. Κλινικά στελέχη E. faecium περιελήφθησαν στα γονοτυπικά πειράματα ως μάρτυρες για τους ήδη ταυτοποιημένους κλώνους που ενδημούν στο Πανεπιστημιακό Νοσοκομείο της Πάτρας. Η ανάλυση των τύπων PFGE μεταξύ των 104 στελεχών αποκάλυψε την παρουσία 18 κλώνων μεταξύ του E. faecium, 14 του E. faecalis, 2 του E. durans, 3 του E. gallinarum και ενός του E. avium. Αν και μεταξύ των εξετασθέ-ντων στελεχών παρατηρήθηκε γενετική ποικιλία, προσδιορίσθηκαν κοινοί κλώ-νοι μεταξύ διαφορετικών δειγμάτων νερών. Τα δενδρογράμματα αποκά-λυ-ψαν γενετική σχέση μεταξύ συγκεκριμέ-νων περιβαλλοντικών στελεχών του E. faecium και αυτών που ήσαν νοσοκομειακής προέλευσης. Για τη μελέτη της παρουσίας κλώνων μεταξύ εντεροκόκκων που απομονώνονται από το περιβάλλον πρέπει να εφαρμόζονται μέθοδοι ανάλυσης χρωμοσωμικού DNA. / In this study we have identified the enterococcal species isolated from different environmental sources and we have characterized their biotypes, antibiotic resistance patterns and PFGE types. Biotyping and DNA fingerprinting by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was applied to a collection of enterococci recovered form recreational and drinking water, in order to identify possible genetic relationships. Clinical strains of hospital origin were compared to the environmental isolates. A total of 200 enterococci were isolated from 246 recreational water, and 900 drinking water. One hundred forty two isolates were characterized as Enterococcus faecium recovered from all sources, 40 E. faecalis, 9 E. durans, 5. E. gallinarum and E. avium. Biotypes, determined with API 20 strep, among E. faecium were correlated with certain environmental sources, while antibiotypes, determined with Etest, did not reveal any relationship with the sample origin. Even though genetic diversity was observed among the studied strains, common clonal types were also identified in different sources, suggesting a possible common origin of the enterococci. Cluster analysis revealed a genetic relationship between certain environmental E. faecium and clinical strains.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a widely used, noninvasive technique to map brain activation, and has provided considerable insight into human brain function over the past two decades. Until recently, fMRI studies have focused on gray matter; however, reports of fMRI activation in white matter are mounting. White matter fMRI activation has the potential to greatly expand the breadth of brain connectivity research, as well as improve the assessment and diagnosis of white matter and connectivity disorders. Despite these potential benefits, white matter fMRI activation remains controversial. The controversy is partially due to the existence of incompletely understood facets of fMRI signals in white matter. This thesis describes three experiments that aim to refine what is currently known about white matter fMRI activation. In the first experiment, one of the main concerns about fMRI activation in white matter was addressed; namely, whether white matter has sufficient cerebrovascular reactivity to support hemodynamic changes that can be measured with fMRI. It was demonstrated that white matter has the capacity to support detectable hemodynamic changes in the absence of partial volume effects. In the second experiment, the effect of static magnetic field strength on sensitivity to white matter fMRI activation was explored as a possible cause of the relative paucity of reports of white matter fMRI activation. The results showed greater sensitivity to white matter fMRI activation at 4 T relative to 1.5 T MRI. In the third experiment, the relationship between white matter activation and the activated network of gray matter regions was explored. This was accomplished using fMRI-guided tractography in which structural connections between activated clusters are evaluated. Structural connectivity between white matter fMRI activation and regions of gray matter activation was demonstrated, providing evidence of the functional significance of fMRI activation in white matter. These experiments provide important insights, which will allow for improved investigations of white matter fMRI activation in the future. In addition, it is posited that experimenter bias, via selective reporting of activation clusters, has contributed to the slow acceptance of fMRI activation in white matter.

Die vorliegende Dissertation beschäftigt sich mit der Verbesserung der Leistungsbeständigkeit von Interdigitalwandlern für zukünftige SAW-Bauelemente durch die Verwendung von kupferbasierten Fingerelektroden. In Bezug auf die Akustomigration, d.h. der Elektrodenschädigung infolge hochzyklischer SAW-Belastung, besitzt Kupfer im Vergleich zu standardmäßig eingesetztem polykristallinem Aluminium eine erhöhte Beständigkeit. Diese lässt sich weiter verbessern, indem die Grenzflächen der Fingerelektroden gegen die durch SAW-Belastung auftretende Loch- und Hügelbildung stabilisiert werden. Das Ziel bestand deshalb darin, die Aktivierungsenergie für den Materialtransport an den Elektrodengrenzflächen zu erhöhen. Zu diesem Zweck wurden in dieser Arbeit Metallisierungen in Form von Kupfer Aluminium-Schichtstapeln und -Legierungen mit jeweils geringem Aluminiumanteil hergestellt. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass Fingerelektroden aus wärmebehandelten Kupfer-Aluminium-Schichtstapeln eine signifikant erhöhte Leistungsbeständigkeit aufweisen, wobei der elektrische Widerstand im Vergleich zu vollständig legierten Kupfer-Aluminium-Metallisierungen deutlich reduziert ist. Insbesondere kann dieses Schichtsystem durch Elektronenstrahlverdampfung und Lift-Off-Technologie auch kostengünstig hergestellt werden. Der Einfluss von thermischer- und SAW-Belastung auf den mechanischen Spannungszustand in einer Fingerelektrode wurde mittels einer Finiten-Elemente-Simulation untersucht. Darüber hinaus wird der Schädigungsmechanismus für die Akustomigration anhand eines erweiterten Eyringmodells diskutiert. / The aim of this dissertation is the improvement of the power durability of interdigital transducers for future SAW devices using copper based finger electrode materials. Compared to polycrystalline aluminum, which is typically used as electrode material, copper shows a higher durability with respect to acoustomigration, which can be further increased by a stabilization of the electrode interfaces against material transport. For that purpose, copper based metallizations with a small aluminum content were developed as layer stacks or alloys. It could be shown that heat-treated copper-alumininum layer stacks have a significantly higher power durability while the electrical resistivity is reduced in comparison to completely alloyed copper-aluminium metallizations. Additionally, the thin film layer system can be produced by using economical techniques such as electron beam evapouration and lift-off-technology. The influence of thermal and mechanical load on the stress distribution in the finger electrodes was investigated by a finite elements method. The damage mechanism of acoustomigration will be discussed based on an extended Eyring model.

Mastering the physical aspect of piano technique has long been a topic of great interest and importance to pianists. This is borne out in the numerous pedagogical approaches on the topic of piano technique. Despite the many contributions from pedagogues and scholars in developing an understanding of piano technique, many conflicting approaches often cause more confusion than clarity. After reviewing the literature on pedagogical approaches to piano technique, this study determined that problematic language might lie at the root of the confusion. Core concepts identified in the review of literature as recurring areas of misunderstanding were tension, relaxation, co-contraction, arm weight, and hand and finger shape. The purpose of this study is to seek where issues of language exist in contemporary piano pedagogical approaches and to show how these problems may contribute to the systemic confusion in piano technique. To do this, the language that is used to describe and define the core concepts identified in the review of literature is analyzed in five modern pedagogical approaches. Five authors who have developed approaches that reflect current trends in piano technique have been selected for this study: Barbara Lister-Sink; Dorothy Taubman; Thomas Mark; Fred Karpoff; and Alan Fraser. The first step of this study entails collecting data from each of the five pedagogical approaches. The data is then analyzed for consistency and accuracy. Problems in language that contribute to the inconsistencies and inaccuracies are examined and illustrated with material from the data collection. This study concludes by identifying the main sources of confusion in the use of language: inconsistent and inaccurate use of terms; wavering between scientific, common, and invented language; challenges in describing opposing qualities that come from tension and relaxation; and failing to discern between the individual subjective experience and the mechanics of movement. By recognizing where the problems in language exist, this study represents an important first step for the pedagogical community to reach a common understanding of the language used to describe the physical aspect of piano technique.