It is hypothesized that the uncertainty of the Synchrony® model from the rotation of a geometrically asymmetrical single fiducial shall be non-zero during the motion tracking. To validate this hypothesis, the uncertainty was measured for a Synchrony® model built for a respiratory motion phantom oriented at different yaw angles on a Cyberknife® treatment table. A Mini-ball Cube with three cylindrical GoldMark™ (1mmx5mm Au) numbered fiducials was placed inside a respiratory phantom and used for all tests. The fiducial with the least artifact interference was selected for the motion tracking. A 2cm periodic, longitudinal, linear motion of the Mini-ball cube was executed and tested for yaw rotational angles, 0° – 90°. The test was repeated over 3 nonconsecutive days. The uncertainty increased with the yaw angle with the most noticeable changes seen between20° and 60° yaw, where uncertainty increased from 23.5% to 57.9%. A similar test was performed using a spherical Gold Anchor™ fiducial. The uncertainties found when using the Gold Anchor™ were statistically lower than those found when using the GoldMark™ fiducial for all angles of rotation. For the first time, it is found that Synchrony® model uncertainty depends on fiducial geometry. In addition, this research has shown that tracking target rotation using a single fiducial can be accomplished with the Synchrony® model uncertainty as it is displayed on the treatment console. The results of this research could lead to decreased acute toxicity effects related to multiple fiducials. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

by Kwan Yiu Wing. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 167-187). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- p.IV / ABSTRACT --- p.1 / Chapter CHAPTER 1. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.5 / Chapter I. --- Epidemiology of Prostate Cancer --- p.5 / Chapter II. --- The Normal Prostate - Prostatic Anatomy --- p.9 / Chapter III. --- Pathology of Prostatic Cancers --- p.12 / Chapter CHAPTER 2. --- PROSTATIC INTRAEPITHELIAL NEOPLASIA --- p.16 / Chapter I. --- Introduction --- p.16 / Chapter II. --- "Definition, Characteristics and Grading" --- p.16 / Chapter III. --- Incidence and Prevalence of PIN --- p.26 / Chapter IV. --- Evidence Linking PIN with Prostatic Carcinoma --- p.27 / Chapter V. --- Conclusion --- p.37 / Chapter CHAPTER 3. --- HISTOLOGIC BIOMARKERS --- p.39 / Chapter I. --- p53 Protein --- p.39 / Chapter II. --- Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) --- p.44 / Chapter III. --- Ki-67 Antigen --- p.48 / Chapter IV. --- Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor --- p.49 / Chapter V. --- E-Cadherin --- p.51 / Chapter VI. --- CD44 --- p.54 / Chapter VII. --- nm23 --- p.58 / Chapter CHAPTER 4. --- OBJECTIVES OF STUDY --- p.62 / Chapter CHAPTER 5. --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.63 / Chapter I. --- Materials --- p.63 / Chapter II. --- Methods --- p.71 / Chapter III. --- Interpretation of Immunostaining Results --- p.78 / Chapter IV. --- Statistical Analysis --- p.82 / Chapter CHAPTER 6. --- RESULTS --- p.83 / Chapter I. --- Immunohistochemical Results for p53 Protein --- p.83 / Chapter II. --- Results of Immunostaining of PCNA --- p.90 / Chapter III. --- Immunostaining and Quantitation of Ki-67 Expression --- p.97 / Chapter IV. --- Immunohistochemical Expression of EGFr --- p.105 / Chapter V. --- E-Cadherin --- p.110 / Chapter VI. --- CD44 --- p.115 / Chapter VII. --- Expression of nm23 in Prostatic Lesions --- p.122 / Chapter VIII. --- Correlation and Association of Expressions of All Biomarkers in Prostatic Lesions --- p.128 / Chapter CHAPTER 7. --- DISCUSSION --- p.132 / Chapter I. --- p53 Protein --- p.135 / Chapter II. --- PCNA --- p.137 / Chapter III. --- Ki-67 --- p.140 / Chapter IV. --- EGFr --- p.143 / Chapter V. --- E-Cadherin --- p.146 / Chapter VI. --- CD44 --- p.148 / Chapter VII. --- nm23 --- p.151 / Chapter VIII. --- Association between Biomarkers and Prostate lesions --- p.154 / Chapter CHAPTER 8. --- SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION --- p.157 / APPENDICES --- p.164 / Chapter I. --- Table of incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer in the United States from 1973 to 1995 by race --- p.164 / Chapter II. --- Table of leading cancer deaths in Hong Kong from 1971 to 1996 --- p.165 / Chapter III. --- Table of incidence and mortality rate caused by prostate cancer in Hong Kong --- p.166 / Chapter IV. --- Reagents --- p.167 / REFERENCES --- p.169

Resumo: O fator de transcrição mitocondrial A (gene Tfam), uma proteína fundamental para a ocorrência do processo de transcrição mitocondrial e um participante na replicação do genoma dessa organela, atua indiretamente na biogênese e oxidação de lipídeos. O objetivo do presente estudo foi de caracterizar e verificar a relação entre polimorfismos na região promotora do gene Tfam com características de carcaça em novilhas Nelore. Foram analisadas 272 novilhas da raça Nelore pertencentes a três rebanhos experimentais da Estação Experimental de Zootecnia de Sertãozinho - (EEZS), unidade de pesquisa do Instituto de Zootecnia, dois deles selecionados (NeS e NeT) para peso ao ano (machos) e ao sobreano (fêmeas) e um rebanho controle (NeC), em que os animais são selecionados para a média desses pesos. O DNA genômico foi extraído a partir do sangue dos animais, seguindo-se a amplificação do fragmento analisado e posterior digestão com enzimas de restrição. As medidas de gordura de cobertura foram obtidas por ultra-sonografia entre 555 e 800 dias de idade. Pela análise de PCR-RFLP-Hae III foi observada a presença de três genótipos (AA, CA e CC) e, pela análise de PCR-RFLP-Mbo I foram observados apenas dois genótipos (CC e TC). Não houve associação significativa entre os polimorfismos observados no gene Tfam, com as enzimas Hae III e Mbo l, e a característica espessura de gordura de cobertura. Entretanto, os resultados sugerem uma associação entre o polimorfismo detectado pela enzima Hae III e a área do músculo Longissimus dorsi. / Abstract: The mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam) is an essential protein for the transcription and genome replication processes of this organelle which also has indirect effects on lipids biosynthesis and oxidation. This study was conducted on intent to verify the existence of polymorphisms on the promoter region of Tfam gene and verify their possible relationships with carcass traits from Nelore heifers (Bos indicus). Genomic DNA were extracted from blood samples of 272 animals followed by PCR isolation/amplification of Tfam gene and application of the RFLP with thr restriction enzymes Hae III and Mbo I. The carcass traits considered were rib eye and fat thickness and were obtained by ultrasound between the ages of 555 and 800 days. The analysis with PCR-RFLP Hae III and Mbo I showed the migration patterns AA, CA, CC and CC,TC, respectively. There was no significant association among the patterns obtained and the fat thickness. However, the results showed an associated effect among the patterns obtained with PCR-RFLP Hae III and rib eye, which indicates the possible use of Tfam as a candidate gene. / Orientadora: Lúcia Galvão de Albuquerque / Coorientadora: Maria Eugênia Zerlotti Mercadante / Banca: Humberto Tonhati / Banca: Antonio Roberto Otaviano / Mestre

Graham Neil Thomas. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 245-281). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Dong Biao. / "October 2003." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 184-201) / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Conventional treatments for depression, such as pharmacological interventions, are often ineffective. Up to half of patients do not respond, resulting in a poor prognosis for depression. Therefore, treatment options can be invaluable for increasing rates of remission. It is generally assumed that aerobic exercise benefits affective state. However, exercise remains a controversial treatment, possibly due to inconsistent evidence and unknown mechanisms. It is hypothesised variable results (literature is conflicting) are due to/because of heterogeneity in exercise interventions and subjective reports of exercise and mood state. If a biomarker for depression can be identified, the effects of exercise on depression could be objectively assessed. Neuroimaging research has elucidated numerous biomarkers, but has had little benefit on the diagnosis, prognosis or treatment of depression. However, if research can identify which biomarkers respond to treatments, can stratify patients and which can predict response outcome, targets for new interventions can be developed. Therefore, this thesis first establishes the effect of ECT treatment on emotionally salient brain regions in MDD, establishing the basis of a treatment responsive biomarker and potential targets for other interventions. The same functional connectivity methods are then used to analyse the effects of a single bout of aerobic exercise in a healthy population. Similar reductions in functional connectivity were observed in brain structures relevant to depression, suggesting exercise might target relevant brain structures. Finally, using the same functional connectivity methods, a long-term aerobic exercise intervention is shown to reduce functional hyperconnectivity in mildly depressed participants compared to healthy controls. This supports two primary hypotheses: that hyperconnectivity may underlie depressive disorders, constituting a biomarker for depression; and that aerobic exercise is an effective treatment for milder forms of depression.

Chui Wai Leung. / Thesis (M.Sc.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 120-126). / List of tables and figures --- p.1 / Declaration --- p.6 / Acknowledgments --- p.7 / Summary --- p.8 / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Introduction --- p.10 / Chapter 1.1 --- Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) / Chapter 1.2 --- Diagnosis of AMI / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Clinical Signs / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Electrocardiogram (ECG) / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Cardiac enzymes / Chapter 1.3 --- "CKMB,a marker of choice" / Chapter 1.4 --- "Troponin-T, another candidate marker" / Chapter 1.5 --- Objectives / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Analytical evaluation of CKMB measurement by the four methods --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1 --- Analytical methods / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Assay for total creatine kinase / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Assay for CKMB / Chapter 2.1.2.1 --- CKMB mass concentration assay / Chapter 2.1.2.2 --- CKMB EEC & immunoinhibition activity assay / Chapter 2.1.2.3 --- CKMB activity concentration assay1 / Chapter 2.1.2.4 --- CKMB activity concentration assay2 / Chapter 2.2 --- Precision / Chapter 2.3 --- Accuracy / Chapter 2.4 --- Linearity / Chapter 2.5 --- Recovery / Chapter 2.6 --- Interference / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Effect of haemolysis / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Effect of turbidity / Chapter 2.6.3 --- Effect of bilirubin / Chapter 2.7 --- Stability / Chapter Chapter 3 : --- Correlation among the four methods of CKMB measurement --- p.61 / Chapter Chapter 4 : --- Establishment of reference ranges for the four methods of CKMB measurement --- p.71 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- Information on the Qualitative Troponin-T Rapid Assay® --- p.80 / Chapter Chapter 6 : --- Clinical Evaluation of CKMB and Troponin-T in detection of AMI --- p.82 / Chapter 6.1 --- Material and Methods / Chapter 6.1.1 --- Subjects / Chapter 6.1.2 --- Specimens / Chapter 6.1.3 --- Criteria for diagnosis / Chapter 6.1.4 --- Analytical methods / Chapter 6.1.5 --- Statistical methods / Chapter 6.2 --- Results / Chapter 6.3 --- Discussion / Chapter Chapter 7 : --- General Discussion --- p.105 / Appendix 1: study protocol sheet --- p.113 / Appendix 2: diagnostic criteria for a definite AMI --- p.115 / Appendix 3: criteria for exclusion of AMI --- p.117 / Appendix 4: enzyme criteria --- p.118 / References --- p.120

Citocinas são pequenas moléculas de sinalização celular que desempenham um papel muito importante no sistema imunológico e atuam na comunicação intracelular. Escolheu-se cinco genes pertencentes a essa família com o objetivo de se estudar SNPs que possam estar associados com a resistência à verminose gastrintestinal em caprinos. São eles: IL2, IL4, IL13, IFNg e TNFa. Para isso foi estudada uma população de 229 caprinos. Estes animais foram produzidos na Embrapa Caprinos e Ovinos (Sobral, CE) a partir de animais das Raças Saanen, raça considerada susceptível a endoparasitas gastrintestinais e Anglo-nubiana, raça considerada resistente aos mesmos endoparasitas. Após dois cruzamentos a terceira geração de animais, considerada F2, possuía 229 animais. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue para posteriores etapas de extração de DNA e quantificação; foram coletadas também amostras de fezes para contagem de ovos por grama de fezes (OPG). Os dados foram transformados em log10(n+1), onde n é número de ovos por grama de fezes, e analisados usando o procedimento dos modelos mistos do SAS (2002/2003). Os efeitos fixos incluídos no modelo foram sexo, coleta e idade a coleta e a variável animal foi utilizada como efeito aleatório. Com base no resultado dessa análise escolheu-se 44 animais com fenótipos extremos para resistência. Visando a prospecção de SNPs foram sequenciadas duas regiões do gene IL2, uma região do gene IL4, duas regiões do gene IL13, três regiões do gene IFNg e quatro regiões do gene TNFa. Foram encontrados dois SNPs no gene IL2 (intron 1 e intron 2), um SNP no gene IL4 (intron 3), um SNP no gene IL13 (intron 1), seis SNPs no gene IFNg (dois no exon 1, um no intron 1, um no intron 2, um no exon 3 e um no exon 4) e dez SNPs no gene TNFa (dois deles na região promotora do gene, dois no intron 2 e seis no exon 4). Verificou-se que há alteração de aminoácido na sequência de apenas um dos SNPs encontrados em regiões codificadoras de proteínas. A troca ocorre no segundo SNP localizado no exon 1 do gene IFNg (A/C), onde há alteração do aminoácido asparagina (considerando o alelo A) para treonina (alelo C). O estudo da associação entre as amostras extremos para resistência e os marcadores tipo SNP foi realizado com o teste de Fisher e observou-se que, dentre os vinte SNPs encontrados, oito deles apresentaram um valor de P ≤0,05, o que indica que os SNPs são potenciais marcadores moleculadores para resistência à verminose gastrintestinal, ou seja, provavelmente associados ao fenótipo estudado. Para essa associação ser validada é necessário estudar o efeito desses SNPs na população completa e em outras populações. / The cytokines are small cell-signaling proteins that play important role in immunologic system acting in intracellular communication. Five genes from cytokine family, i.e., IL2, IL4, IL13, IFNg, and TNFa were selected to search for SNPs, which may be associated with goat gastrointestinal endoparasites resistance. A population of 229 goats was produced in Embrapa Caprinos (Sobral, CE, Brazil). This population was an F2 offspring from a F1 intercross, which was in turn produced by crossing Saanen pure breed considered to be susceptible to gastrointestinal endoparasites with Anglo-nubiana pure breed considered to be resistant. Blood samples were collected for DNA extraction and fecal samples were collected for parasite egg counting. The data were transformed in log10(n+1), where n is the number of eggs per gram of feces, and analyzed by using the mixed model procedure of SAS (2002/2003). The fixed effects included were sex, sampling and age at sampling. The animal variable was used as random effect. After data analyses, forty four phenotypic extremes for endoparasite resistance were selected. Two regions of the gene IL2, one region of each gene IL4 and IL13, three regions of IFNg, and four regions of TNFa were sequenced in the search for SNPs. Two SNPs were found in the gene IL2 (intron 1 and intron 2), one SNP was found in IL4 (intron 3) one SNP in IL13 (intron 1) six SNPs in IFNg (two in the exon 1, one in the intron 1, one in the intron 2, one in the exon 3, and one in the exon 4) and ten SNPs were found in the gene TNFa (two in the promoter region, two in the intron 2 and six in the exon 4). Among all the SNPs found within exons only the second SNP of the IFNg exon 1 changes the amino acid. This SNP replaces an asparagine (allele A) by a threonin (allele C). The association study between the extremes and SNPs was performed using the Fisher exact test. A number of eight of the twenty described SNPs presented significant P value (P ≤0.05) indicating association with gastrointestinal endoparasite resistance and thus, the potential applicability as molecular markers for genetic improvement efforts involving this disease. To validate the associations, however, is necessary to study the effect of SNPs in a great number of animals and also in a variety of breeds.

Vascular calcification is prevalent in ageing, in atherosclerosis, and especially in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), with associated increased morbidity and mortality. The phenotypic transition of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMCs) into osteoblastic/chondrogenic-like cells is critical for the development of calcification in CKD patients. Osteocytes, terminally differentiated osteoblasts, have recently emerged as major regulators of calcification in bone. Recently, osteocytelike cells have been observed in human peripheral arteries with medial vascular calcification. However, it remains undetermined as to whether VSMCs can undergo osteocytic differentiation within a calcifying environment and the functional role of osteocyte formation in the development of medial vascular calcification. Initial studies have characterised the ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 knockout (Enpp1-/-) mouse as a valid model of medial vascular calcification, which is employed throughout this thesis. This thesis has compared VSMCs to osteoblasts undergoing osteocytic differentiation in vitro. VSMC in vitro calcification was accompanied by up-regulated expression of osteocyte markers, including Sost, E11, Dmp1, Phex, Mepe and Fgf23. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the appearance of sclerostin and E11 in calcified aortae from the Enpp1-/- mouse. Further studies have identified a direct inhibitory role for the osteocyte specific gene FGF23 in modulating vascular calcification. The inhibitory effect of FGF23 on VSMC calcification was mediated through the MAPK/ERK signalling pathway. This thesis has also determined the role of BMP9, a highly osteogenic bone morphogenic protein, in vascular calcification, which induces VSMC calcification through a Smad signalling mechanism. Furthermore, VSMC expression of the osteocytic marker Sost was markedly increased following BMP9 treatment. Intriguingly, BMP9 was markedly elevated in serum from dialysis patients and a significant correlation was observed between dialysis time and BMP9 concentration in patients receiving haemodialysis. The work described herein has demonstrated that vascular calcification is associated with an osteocyte phenotype, and reports a direct inhibitory effect of the osteocyte specific gene FGF23 on vascular calcification. Furthermore, this thesis has shown that BMP9 induces the expression of the osteocytic marker Sost in VSMCs, and appears to play a critical role in vascular calcification.

The aim of this Master's Thesis is the study of frequency of contraargumentative connectors in Spanish, based on the quantitative analysis of these cohesive devices in argumentative texts. The theoretical part follows and draws from the works of renowned Spanish linguists and introduces the reader to the issue of discourse markers. Thus, different proposals for its definition and classification are taken in consideration, then are described the fundamental characteristics of the contraargumentative connectors. These are examined later in the practical part. Divided into chapters it offers focus on the quantitative analysis of the connectors in three corpuses which are comprised of judgments, academic writings and editorials. For greater clarity, analyses are accompanied by graphs and frequency tables. A Czech summary is added at the end of this investigation.