Rational conversion of biologically active peptides to nonpeptide compounds with retained activity is an appealing approach in drug development. One important objective of the work presented in this thesis was to use computational modeling to aid in such a conversion of the peptide angiotensin II (Ang II, Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe). An equally important objective was to gain an understanding of the requirements for ligand binding to the Ang II receptors, with a focus on interactions with the AT2 receptor. The bioactive conformation of a peptide can provide important guidance in peptidomimetic design. By designing and introducing well-defined secondary structure mimetics into Ang II the bioactive conformation can be addressed. In this work, both γ- and β-turn mimetic scaffolds have been designed and characterized for incorporation into Ang II. Using conformational analysis and the pharmacophore recognition method DISCO, a model was derived of the binding mode of the pseudopeptide Ang II analogues. This model indicated that the positioning of the Arg side chain was important for AT2 receptor binding, which was also supported when the structure–activity relationship of Ang II was investigated by performing a glycine scan. To further examine ligand binding, a 3D model of the AT2 receptor was constructed employing homology modeling. Using this receptor model in a docking study of the ligands, binding modes were identified that were in agreement with data from point-mutation studies of the AT2 receptor. By investigating truncated Ang II analogues, small pseudopeptides were developed that were structurally similar to nonpeptide AT2 receptor ligands. For further guidance in ligand design of nonpeptide compounds, three-dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship models for AT1 and AT2 receptor affinity as well as selectivity were derived.

It has been postulated that the control of thrombus formation on molecularly engineered surfaces is an important step in developing clinically durable small-diameter vascular prostheses. This has led to designing a membrane-mimetic assembly that contains physiological regulators of blood coagulation, thrombomodulin (TM) and heparin, to provide strategies for generating actively antithrombogenic surfaces. The membrane-mimetic construct contains polymeric phospholipid monolayer on an alkylated polyelectrolyte multilayer supported by planar substrate such as glass or silicone. When incorporated with TM, the model platform exhibited the biological function by catalyzing activation of protein C. Surface TM activity was extensively investigated at physiologic shear rates (50 sec-1 and 500 sec-1). Significantly, reaction rates become saturated at TM surface densities greater than or equal to ~ 800 fmole/cm2 due to due to a transport limitation. Based on the similar membrane-mimetic construct, a functional heparinized surface was designed as an alternative anticoagulant system. Immobilization of heparin onto membrane-mimetic surfaces was achieved through biotin-streptavidin binding specificity. Activity of surface heparin to facilitate thrombin inactivation was investigated at shear rates of 50 and 500 sec-1. Significantly, rate of thrombin decay becomes saturated when the surface coverage of heparin is higher than 4.4 pmole of heparin per cm2. We further investigated the effects of surface bound TM and heparin on tissue factor (TF) -induced thrombin generation in a flow model. Specifically, TF positioned over a 2 x 6 mm2 upstream region as a trigger for thrombin generation and TM and/or heparin positioned over the remaining downstream (34 x 6 mm2) portion of the test film. Compared to TF alone surface, thrombin generation was profoundly reduced in the presence of surface bound TM and/or heparin. Significantly, thrombin production was maximally inhibited more than 85% in the presence of TM and heparin, possibly due to anticoagulant synergism of both anticoagulants. We believe that current membrane-mimetic systems can potentially create actively antithrombogenic surfaces.

ABSTRACT CULTURAL LEADERSHIP AND PEACE: AN EDUCATIONAL RESPONSE TO RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE by B. David Rowe This study is a philosophical inquiry into violence as the consequence of dysfunctional meaning-making processes. It establishes a theory of leadership development which requires, catalyzes, and sustains a reinvigorated relationship between education and religion in order to create more pacific ways of making meaning on interpersonal, organizational, institutional, societal, and global levels. The inquiry articulates an understanding of leadership as drawing on educative and religious processes for the deployment of power in order to make meaning with or on behalf of groups of people at various levels of social complexity. The analysis demonstrates that leadership is informed by and can inform institutional patterns of behavior and signification. Examination of leadership style on a developmental continuum of more and less violent modes of deploying power simultaneously offers insight into the origin of violent social relationships and into a process for creating more pacific ways of making meaning. Therefore, providing a path of personal cognitive and moral development along this continuum for organizational, institutional, societal, and global leaders offers one approach to influencing the development of social institutions which, in turn, influence the development of other leaders, along a mutually formative path toward interpersonal and global peace. The examination of leadership as energy deployment for the purpose of making meaning offers an opportunity to consider religion as an institution which encodes meaning making processes for society and individuals alike and to consider education as an institution which encodes behavior and norms attendant to the explication of reality. Rehabilitating religion and education in order to play these respective social roles more effectively requires more sophisticated leaders who deploy energy in less violent ways. Conversely, leadership development is constrained and empowered by these institutions which are in need of such growth themselves. This philosophical inquiry, therefore, synthesizes a new theory capable of framing new questions for leadership development and institutional growth with personal, organizational, societal, and global implications. The theory creates the category of Cultural Leadership which becomes a model for making meaning in less violent ways while providing a pathway for personal and social growth toward sustainable peace.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:26:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sidnei Augusto Mascarenhas.pdf: 578132 bytes, checksum: 19f781c8d0a382d8bdb644280fd58dfa (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-06-20 / Fundo Mackenzie de Pesquisa / This study has been carried out to establish a positive relation between organizational environment and mimetic isomorphism in organizations located at State of São Paulo, Brazil. Research method was survey. Environmental dimension was based on IBGE and RAIS data base researched by researchers from Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie. Data about institutional isomorphism was obtained through a questionnaire. Fifteen organizations from six different CNAE sectors and thirty nine managers from level 1 or 2 were considered. Data was analyzed through multivariate regression and confirmed initial hipotese. / O objetivo do presente trabalho é verificar a relação entre o ambiente técnico e o isomorfismo mimético em empresas sediadas no Estado de São Paulo. Os dados sobre as dimensões do ambiente foram obtidos do banco de dados do IBGE e RAIS por pesquisadores da Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie. Os dados sobre o isomorfismo institucional foram colhidos via aplicação de questionário fechado. Foram estudadas 15 organizações escolhidas de seis diferentes setores da indústria de transformação totalizando 39 respondentes (gestores dos níveis I e II). A análise efetuada por regressão multivariada evidenciou a relação existente entre a ambigüidade de meios e os ambientes dinâmicos e pouco munificentes.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T18:55:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 pedro_ leite.pdf: 2564424 bytes, checksum: e6bee579a2574f114169554419149801 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-04 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This study has the objective of developing a comparative and interpretative research, from a group of dramaturgic works produced in different historical contexts which dialogue with the Greek myth of Electra. We have interest in observing and interpreting how, in the mimetic process, the mimemes perform the transposition of the myth; develop a study considering if there was or if there is a differential effect in the process of transposition that encompasses a content, a configuration of the myth; verify in what extent content and aesthetical form are maintained and which works present a rupture to the literary series around the myth of Electra. In this perspective, we intend to reflect about the way playwrights have aesthetically appropriated works from the past to perform the questioning of their historical temporality. In this sense, our study starts from the narrative of oral tradition to proceed with readings of the classics: Oresteia (458 b.C.), by Aeschylus, Electra (between 420 b.C. and 413 b.C.), by Sophocles, and Electra (413 b.C.), by Euripides. The ancient Greek tragedies are here placed in dialogue with two modern dramaturgical works: Electra (1901), by the Spanish writer Benito Pérez Galdós, and Mourning Becomes Electra (1931), by the North American playwright Eugene O'Neill. From the notion of intertextuality and following assumptions of Comparative Literature, the mimetic processes are dealt with in conjunction to reflections on the tragic, the myth, the literary canon, the relation between work and society, among other theoretical contributions brought into dialogue / Este trabalho desenvolve um estudo, de caráter comparativo e interpretativo, a partir de um conjunto de obras dramatúrgicas, produzidas em diferentes contextos históricos, que dialogam com o mito grego de Electra. Interessa aqui observar e interpretar como, no processo mimético, os mímemas realizam a transposição do mito; desenvolver um trabalho de pensar se houve ou há um efeito diferencial no processo da transposição que capta um conteúdo, uma forma do mito; verificar em que medida conteúdo e forma estética se mantêm e quais obras apresentam a ruptura com a série literária em torno do mito de Electra. Nesta perspectiva, pretende-se refletir sobre o modo como dramaturgos se apropriaram esteticamente de obras do passado para realizar problematizações referentes à sua temporalidade histórica. Nesse sentido, a pesquisa parte da narrativa de tradição oral para prosseguir com leituras dos clássicos: Oréstia (458 a.C.), de Ésquilo, Electra (entre 420 a.C. e 413 a.C.), de Sófocles, e Electra (413. a.C.), de Eurípides. As tragédias gregas antigas são, aqui, colocadas em diálogo com duas obras dramatúrgicas modernas: Electra (1901), do autor espanhol Benito Pérez Galdós, e Electra Enlutada (1931), do dramaturgo norte-americano Eugene O Neill. A partir da noção de intertextualidade e seguindo pressupostos da Literatura Comparada, os processos miméticos são tratados em articulação a reflexões sobre o trágico, o mito, o cânone literário, a relação entre obra e sociedade, entre outros aportes teóricos postos em diálogo

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-04-08T17:15:05Z No. of bitstreams: 1 otaciliodesapereirabessa.pdf: 2359128 bytes, checksum: bb73abc6e0553c93f54e5d5a1077cf41 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-04-24T03:40:18Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 otaciliodesapereirabessa.pdf: 2359128 bytes, checksum: bb73abc6e0553c93f54e5d5a1077cf41 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-24T03:40:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 otaciliodesapereirabessa.pdf: 2359128 bytes, checksum: bb73abc6e0553c93f54e5d5a1077cf41 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-10-28 / Há a possibilidade de envolver a sociedade, a comunidade, nas lutas pela valorização da educação pública, do magistério e dos educadores. As comunidades locais e circunvizinhas às unidades escolares podem se envolver de forma positiva e intensa nesse processo e para isso precisa ser alertada para o tema. Através do uso da Teoria de Stakeholders, a comunidade, através dos grupos que a constitui pode ser mobilizada e sensibilizada a canalizar parte de suas forças para que esse objetivo possa ser alcançado. É com essa perspectiva que as ações propostas neste Plano de Ação Educacional (PAE), possam sensibilizar e mover atores sociais, previamente selecionados e de relevante atuação no ambiente social e que possam dar visibilidade, de forma positiva, a instituição escolar e à educação pública como um todo. Como suporte à Teoria de Stakeholders foram utilizados conceitos como os de brainstorming e mobilização social junto à comunidade escolar e modelos de seleção de stakeholders sugeridos por Lyra (2009) para identificar o grau de reciprocidade que os grupos identificados exercem sobre a comunidade, sobre a escola e o inverso dessa situação. A partir da gestão escolar do CAIC Maria Alves Carioca, uma escola estadual, localizada na periferia de Fortaleza foi a escola escolhida como piloto, para o desenvolvimento de um plano de ações que visam o envolvimento dos grupos constituídos na defesa de uma causa. Acredita-se que de uma vez bem sucedido e através de um processo conhecido como Isomorfismo Mimético essas atitudes possam se expandir para outras unidades e comunidades escolares. / There is the possibility of involving society , the community , the struggles for the valuation of public education , the teaching and educators. Local communities and the surrounding school units may engage positively and intense in this process and it needs to be alerted to the issue . Through the use of the Theory of Stakeholders, the community , through the groups that is can be mobilized and sensitized to channel part of their forces to which this goal can be achieved . It is with this perspective that the actions proposed in this Plan of Action Education ( PAE ) , can sensitize and social actors move previously selected and relevant activities in the social environment and can provide visibility , positively , the school institution and public education as a whole. How to support the Theory of Stakeholders we used concepts such as brainstorming and social mobilization with the school community and stakeholder selection models suggested by Lyra (2009 ) to identify the degree of reciprocity that the groups identified have on the community , on school and the inverse of this situation. From the school management of the CAIC Maria Alves Carioca , a state school in the outskirts of Fortaleza was chosen as a pilot school for the development of an action plan aimed at the involvement of the groups formed in defense of a cause . It is believed that once successful and through a process known as Mimetic Isomorphism these attitudes may expand to other units and school communities .

In this essay, Ralph C. Wood's religious-philosophical interpretation of LotR has been analyzed, with emphasis upon his conclusions about evil and sin in LotR. Some of Wood's claims about evil and sin in LotR have been applied upon the character Boromir, in order to show how sin is manifested as truth-transgression, pride, avarice, and misdirected love. A theoretical section is presented in order to define the concepts of sin, mimetic desire, and evil. The literary analysis focuses upon the character Boromir; the relevant works of literary scholas Ralph C. Wood and René Girard have been chosen as points of reference in this analysis. Attention is also given to an article by the historian Stephen Morillo, in the analysis of Norse pagan and Christian interpretations. It has been argued that a Christian reading of LotR, contrary to Morillo's standpoint, is possible.

Though Byron is known for his provocative denials of the importance of Shakespeare, his public derogations of the early modern playwright are in fact a pose that hides the respect he had for the playwright’s powerful poetic vision, a regard which is recorded most comprehensively in the Shakespearean references of Don Juan. Byron imitated Shakespeare by repeating and adapting the older poet’s observations on the imitative nature of desire and the structure of emulous ambition as a source of violence. His appropriations make his work part of the modern shift away from earlier European societies, wherein ritual means of mitigating desire’s potentially inimical impact on human communities were supplemented with an increased reliance on market mechanisms to defer the effects of emulation and resentment. Finding himself among the first modern celebrities, Byron deploys Shakespeare’s representations of desire to trace the processes that produced the arc of his own fame and notoriety. Drawing on his deep knowledge of Shakespeare, Byron’s poetic vision—in its observations on the contagious nature of desire—exhibits elements of Shakespeare’s own vivid depictions of imitation as a key conduit for his characters’ cupidity, ambitions, and violence. Exploring how he plays with and integrates these representations into his letters, journals, poetry, and plays, my dissertation investigates Byron’s intuitions on the nature of human desire by focusing on his engagement with one of literature’s greatest observers of human behaviour, Shakespeare.

The fashion industry is the third largest manufacturing industry in the world. Companies’ sustainability reports contain the organization's social, economic and environmental work. Comparability is a necessary principle for stakeholders to make investment decisions between companies based on their sustainability reports. Voluntary sustainability reporting has recently become more common. Furthermore, states årsredovisningslagen (ÅRL) in Sweden that certain companies are obliged to prepare sustainability reports. In the US, on the other hand, there are no requirements for companies to report about sustainability. The comparability between companies' sustainability reports is improved by following Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards. The purpose of the study is to make a comparison between Swedish and American companies' sustainability reports and within each country in the fashion industry. The aim is to see how well companies’ sustainability reports in the US and Sweden follow the principle of comparability in terms of indicators in GRI's standards. To investigate this, a quantitative and qualitative method have been used. Theories used in the investigation to study comparability in American and Swedish clothing companies are the institutional theory and the legitimacy theory. The study shows that comparability is generally deficient between the US and Sweden and within each country. Worst comparability was found between Sweden and the US but within each country, Sweden had the best comparability

The mechanism of ion channel (mimetic) sensors (ICSs) consisting of (poly)electrolyte type alkane thiol, protein or dendrimer self assembled monolayers (SAMs) at gold electrodes as a sensing layer and highly charged redox-active marker ions in solution was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and rotating disk voltammetry (RDV) in the presence of a series of analytes, i.e, suppressor and enhancer ions, leading to the following general statements: (i) electrostatic binding of marker ions to the sensing layer is a prerequisite for an electrochemical current and (ii) charge propagation through the layer consists of electron hopping between surface-confined marker ions and solution born marker ions. It is further shown that there exists (iii) competition between equally charged ions for coordination sites at the oppositely charged sensing layer. An apparent charge inversion (iv) by surface confinement of multiple charged counter ions occurs. Thereby an existing electron transfer (ET) path can be cut or a new one can be induced. Build up of a second layer of multiple charged electroactive ions (v) can take place on top of the charge inverted layer. Competing ET (vi) through the inner and outer redox layer can take place. In addition to fundamental insight into the mechanism of charge propagation, valuable information for the design, optimization, and tailoring of new biosensors based on the ICS concept, the possibilities of exploiting layer-by-layer electrostatic SAMs and dendrimer-DNA interaction for bioanalytical applications are demonstrated by the current findings.