Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-08-31Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:41:13Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 oliveira_pr_dr_rcla.pdf: 1096326 bytes, checksum: a2a1be84ec8b09cfcf7ab3110daa8ce4 (MD5) / O presente estudo avaliou os efeitos do fipronil em fêmeas semi-ingurgitadas de carrapatos Rhipicephalus sanguineus por meio do desenvolvimento de protocolo adequado de bioensaio in vitro (AIT), monitorado diariamente, com determinação da CL50 (concentração 50% letal) e intervalo de confiança a 95%, g (95): CL50 = 9.647 ppm (4.711 a 13.470), bem como analisou os efeitos histológicos e ultra estruturais deste produto nos ovários desses indivíduos, demonstrando quais são os mecanismos de defesa utilizados pelas células germinativas para eliminar o composto químico do sistema. Para o estudo morfológico, os carrapatos foram divididos em quatro grupos, onde o grupo I foi utilizado como controle e os grupos II, III e IV, foram submetidos às concentrações de 1, de 5 e de 10 ppm (CL50) de fipronil, respectivamente. As alterações variaram desde a presença de poucos e pequenos vacúolos até a interrupção da vitelogênese e morte celular. A concentração de 10 ppm de fipronil foi a que mais afetou o desenvolvimento dos ovócitos. Mecanismos de defesa celular como o aumento da quantidade e novo arranjo citoplasmático de elementos do citoesqueleto, bem como a grande quantidade de vacúolos digestivos e de figuras mielínicas foram observados. Simulando a ação do fipronil nos hospedeiros de carrapatos expostos aos acaricidas que tenham esse princípio ativo em sua composição, o presente estudo avaliou também o potencial citotóxico (danos causados nas células do fígado), genotóxico e mutagênico do fipronil utilizando camundongos submetidos a diferentes doses da droga. Os camundongos foram divididos em quatro grupos: grupo controle e grupos I, II e III, que foram expostos às doses de 15mg/Kg, 25 mg/Kg e 50 mg/Kg (DL50) de fipronil, respectivamente. Em seguida, o fígado dos indivíduos foi retirado, seccionado e analisado por meio de técnicas histológicas e histoquímicas... / The present study evaluated the effects of fipronil on semi-engorged females of the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus. A protocol for an in vitro bioassay (AIT) was developed, and the LC50 (lethal concentration 50%) and 95% confidence interval were determined: LC50 = 9.647 ppm (4.711 to 13.470). Histological and ultrastructural alterations in ovaries were also examined to describe the defense mechanisms of germ cells to eliminate the chemical compound from the system. For the morphological analysis, ticks were divided into four groups. Group I was used as the control group and groups II, III,and IV were exposed to concentrations of 1, 5, and 10 ppm (LC50) of fipronil, respectively. Alterations varied from the presence of few and small vacuoles to the interruption of vitellogenesis and cell death. The concentration of 10 ppm of fipronil had the strongest effect on oocyte development. Defense mechanisms of cells were observed such as increase in the amount and changes in the arrangement in the cytoskeleton elements in the cytoplasm, amount of digestive vacuoles and myelin figures. Simulating the action of fipronil in tick hosts exposed to fipronil, the present study also assessed the cytotoxic (damage caused in liver cells), genotoxic, and mutagenic potential of fipronil in mice treated with different doses. Mice were divided into four groups: control group and groups I, II, and III, which were exposed to doses of 15mg/Kg, 25 mg/Kg, and 50 mg/Kg (LD50) de fipronil, respectively. The liver of mice were dissected, sectioned, and analyzed with histological and histochemical techniques. Changes varied from proliferation of Kupffer cells, hypertrophy of hepatocytes, accumulation and distribution of proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, and presence of vacuoles in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes, as well as the obstruction of blood vessels, characterizing mainly a) autophagic processes, b) steatosis... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

The thesis aims to identify the weaknesses, threats and opportunities in local marketing activities of the brand Mercedes-Benz in Czech Republic and to suggest ways to upgrade the communication of the company with the current, as well as the potential target groups. The theoretical part of the thesis brings basic knowledge of brand management, consumer behaviour, market research and marketing communications. The practical part of the thesis introduces the company Daimler AG, its historical development, current activities, brand portfolio structure and competition of the brand Mercedes-Benz. This brief presentation of the parent company is followed by description of the Czech daughter company and the positioning, identity and brand image of Mercedes-Benz in the country. The main chapter of the practical part is the analysis, divided into analysis of target groups and analysis of brand communications of Mercedes-Benz Czech Republic in 2011. The following chapter contains recommendations based on the analysis results. The recommendations are related to the optimization of marketing activities of Mercedes-Benz Czech Republic with respect to target groups and planned business activities in the future.

A planta daninha Amaranthus palmeri é nativa dos Estados Unidos, porém foi pela primeira vez relatada no Brasil no ano de 2015. Embora comprovadamente com resistência múltipla aos herbicidas inibidores da ALS e da EPSPS, até o momento não foram investigadas as bases moleculares da resistência. Além disso, por causa da recente introdução da planta daninha no país, alternativas de manejo com culturas tolerantes a herbicidas necessitam ser estudadas. Sendo assim, os objetivos desse trabalho são de caracterizar a espécie de planta daninha introduzida no país, identificar os mecanismos de resistência aos herbicidas inibidores da ALS e da EPSPS presentes no biótipo, e propor abordagens de manejo em ambientes dos novos eventos transgênicos resistentes a herbicidas. Um bioensaio utilizando marcadores genéticos foi desenvolvido para confirmar que a população coletada no estado do Mato Grosso (BR-R) é A. palmeri, e não A. tuberculatus, outra espécie dióica do gênero Amaranthus. Os resultados de experimentos de curvas de dose-resposta e acúmulo de chiquimato indicaram que a BR-R possui alto nível de resistência, com DL50 de 4.426 e 3.400 g glyphosate ha-1 no primeiro e segundo experimento, respectivamente, mais que o dobro da dose típicamente recomendada para o controle da espécie e, adicionalmente, observou se acúmulo mínimo de chiquimato a concentração de 1 mM nos tecidos das plantas tratadas com o herbicida. BR-R também foi resistente a herbicidas dos grupos químicos das sulfoniluréias e imidazolinonas. O mecanismo de resistência ao glyphosate encontrado nesta população foi a super expressão gência, através do aumento no número de cópias do gene da EPSPS no genoma da planta BR-R, entre 50 e 179 cópias adicionais. Além disso, duas substituições de aminoácidos foram observadas na sequência da ALS, W574L e S653N, conferindo resistência tanto a sulfoniluréias quanto a imidazolinonas. No experimento utilizandos os herbicidas correspondentes às culturas geneticamente modificadas com novos traits de tolerância a herbicidas observou se, de uma forma geral, que as associações de herbicidas apresentaram níveis de controle mais satisfatórios. Assim, esta pesquisa confirma a introdução de da espécie A. palmeri no Brasil, assim como a resistência múltipla aos herbicidas inibidores da EPSPS e da ALS. Seu manejo é mais eficaz através da associação de herbicidas, garantindo assim o uso racional das novas tecnologias de culturas geneticamente modificadas com tolerância a herbicidas. / Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) is a weed species native to the United States, but it was reported in Brazil for the first time in 2015. Despite this population being resistant to EPSPS and ALS inhibitors, the molecular basis of its multiple resistance is unknown up to date. Because of this species introduction to Brazil, alternatives of management with the new herbicide-tolerant crops technologies need to be studied. The objectives of this research are to characterize the weed species introduced to Brazil, identify the mechanisms conferring resistance to ALS and EPSPS inhibitors herbicides, and to propose management approaches in environments with the new genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops. A genotyping bioassay using genetic markers was developed to confirm that the species collected in the state of Mato Grosso (BR-R) is indeed A. palmeri and not A. tuberculatus, another dioceous species in the Amaranthus genus. Dose-response experiments and shikimate accumulation bioassay data indicate high level of resistance, with LD50 of 4,426 and 3,400 g glyphosate ha-1 in the first and second experiments, respectively, higher than the double rate tipically recommended to control it, and minimal accumulation in BR-R with 1 mM of glyphosate in treated plants in the leaf disks assay. BR-R also was resistanto to sulfonilurea and imidazolinone herbicides. The mechanism conferring resistance to glyphosate identified in this population was gene amplification, with increased EPSPS copy number - between 50 and 179 more copies in BR-R. Besides, two target-site mutations were identified in the ALS gene sequencing, W574L and S653N, conferring resistance to sulfonilureas and imidazolinones. The weed control experiment, overal, herbicide tank mixtures achieved higher levels of control. Therefore, this research confirms the introduction of A. palmeri to Brazil, as well as its multiple resistance to EPSPS and ALS inhibitor herbicides. Its control is more efficient with herbicide mixtures, which guarantees more susteinable use of the new herbicide-tolerant crop technologies.

Este trabalho visa estudar as margens necessárias para definir o volume de planejamento do alvo (PTV) requeridas para tratar adequadamente tumores móveis como os localizados na próstata ou tumores localizados em áreas com pouca mobilidade como os da região da cabeça e pescoço, na ausência de localização do alvo por imagem. Também tem como objetivo avaliar o impacto causado pelo PTV, em termos de dose, nas estruturas críticas ao seu redor e sua influência quando planejamento inverso é utilizado na radioterapia com modulação de feixe (IMRT). Dados de 387 pacientes de próstata foram analizados retrospectivamente. Todos os pacientes receberam localização pré-tratamento com ultra-som 2D resultando em 10.327 localizações, cada uma com deslocamento de isocentro em três direções: antero-posterior (AP), lateral direitaesquerda (DE), e superior-inferior (SI). O deslocamento médio e desvio padrão (SD) para cada direção foi estimado a partir dos dados de tratamento gravados diariamente. As incertezas (SD) na posição do alvo foram 4,4 mm (AP), 3,6 mm (DE), e 4,5 mm (SI). O estudo das incertezas no posicionamento diário de 78 pacientes com tumores de cabeça e pescoço que utilizaram máscaras termoplásticas como imobilizadores, avaliados com equipamento de portal com imagem eletrônica (EPID), mostrou variações (SD) na posição do isocentro de tratamento de 3,1 mm (AP), 1,5 mm (DE), 4,5 mm (SI). Aplicando estes desvios num simulador antropomórfico estudou-se os histogramas de dose-volume resultantes do deslocamento do isocentro no tratamento diário. Os resultados mostraram a importância de se colocar margens no volume clínico do alvo para garantir um tratamento adequado e também mostraram que a variação diária do isocentro de tratamento pode causar um aumento de dose maior que o nível de tolerância dos órgãos críticos. / This work intends to study the margins required to define a planning target volume (PTV) for adequate treatment of the mobile tumors such as prostate or those located in areas with less mobility as the ones in head and neck region, in the absence of daily localization imaging based. It is also intends to evaluate the impact caused by the PTV, in terms of dose, to the critical structures surrounding the PTV and its influence when inverse planning is used in the intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Data from 387 prostate patients were analyzed retrospectively. Every patient in the study received daily pre-treatment localization with 2D ultrasound resulting in a total of 10,327 localizations, each comprising of an isocenter displacement in 3 directions: anterior-posterior (AP), right-left lateral (RL), and superior-inferior (SI). The mean displacement and standard deviation (SD) for each direction for each patient was computed from daily treatment records. The uncertainties (SD) in the target position were 4.4 mm (AP), 3.6 mm (RL), and 4.5 mm (SI). A study of the uncertainties in the daily positioning of 78 head and neck patients who used thermoplastic mask to immobilize them, evaluated with electronic portal imaging device (EPID), showed variations (SD) in the isocenter treatment position of 3.1 mm (AP), 1.5 mm (RL), and 4.5 mm (SI). By applying these shifts in an anthropomorphic phantom it was studied the dose-volume histograms resultant of the isocenter displacement in the daily treatment. The result showed the importance of putting margins in the clinical target volume to assure an adequate treatment and also showed that isocenter daily variation can cause an increase to the dose greater than the tolerance level to the critical organs.

Submitted by admin tede (tede@pucgoias.edu.br) on 2018-06-20T17:27:19Z No. of bitstreams: 1 THAIS APARECIDA GOMES ALMEIDA.pdf: 1404797 bytes, checksum: 66238507a88b256c3d88b7850c4a0842 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-20T17:27:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 THAIS APARECIDA GOMES ALMEIDA.pdf: 1404797 bytes, checksum: 66238507a88b256c3d88b7850c4a0842 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-03-12 / Thhyroid cancer is the most common malignant neoplasm of the endocrine system and accounts for the majority of deaths reported among these tumors. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common histological type, accounting for 85% of all thyroid cancers. The expression of two important genes, CITED-1 and P300, involved in the regulation of several transcriptional factors, has been shown in several tumors; however, to date, no studies have been found in the literature that elucidated the role of P300 and CITED-1 in PTC. The present study aimed to evaluate the expression of the messenger RNA (mRNA) of P300 and CITED-1 in PTC using reverse transcription and real-time quantitative PCR. P300 expression was similar in both tissues, normal (median = 0.052, IIQ = 0.094) and tumor (median = 0.041, IIQ = 0.048) (p = 0.481). In relation to the expression of CITED-1, expression was higher in tumor tissues (median = 0.780, IIQ = 0.881) compared to normal tissues (median = 0.017, IIQ = 0.086) (p <0.0001). Significant association was observed between CITED-1 expression and tumor size, however no association was evidenced between P300 expression and histopathological characteristics of the tumors. P300 is described as a molecule associated with the regulation of CITED-1 and several other genes. CITED-1 is a transcription-specific cofactor, which may explain its overexpression in the tumors evaluated. CITED-1 hyperexpression in PTC suggests that this gene is a candidate for integrating the PTC biomarkers profile, and the fact that CITED-1 is associated with tumor size in later stage tumors may turn it an important candidate as a therapeutic target for these tumors. / O câncer da glândula tireoide é a neoplasia maligna mais comum do sistema endócrino e representa a maioria dos óbitos relatados entre estes tumores. O carcinoma papilífero de tireoide (CPT) é o tipo histológico mais comum, sendo responsável por 85% de todos os cânceres de tireoide. Dois importantes genes, CITED-1 e P300, envolvidos na regulação de diversos fatores transcricionais, foram evidenciados em diversos tumores, no entanto, até o momento, não foram encontrados na literatura estudos que elucidaram o papel de P300 e CITED-1 nos CPT. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a expressão do RNA-mensageiro (mRNA) de P300 e CITED-1 em CPT utilizando transcrição reversa e PCR quantitativa em tempo real. A expressão de P300 foi semelhante em ambos os tecidos, normal (mediana = 0,052, IIQ = 0,094) e tumoral (mediana = 0,041, IIQ = 0,048) (p = 0,481). Em relação à expressão de CITED-1, a expressão foi maior nos tecidos tumorais (mediana = 0,780, IIQ = 0,881) em relação aos tecidos normais (mediana = 0,017, IIQ = 0,086) (p < 0,0001). Associação significativa foi observada entre a expressão de CITED-1 e o tamanho dos tumores, contudo nenhuma associação foi evidenciada entre expressão de P300 e as características histopatológicas dos tumores. P300 é descrita como uma molécula associada à regulação de CITED-1 e de vários outros genes. CITED-1 é um co-fator específico da transcrição, o que pode explicar sua hiperexpressão nos tumores avaliados. A hiperexpressão de CITED-1 nos CPT sugere que o gene é um candidato a compor o perfil de marcadores dos CPT, e o fato de CITED-1 estar associado ao tamanho tumoral em tumores em estágios mais avançados, pode torná-lo um candidato importante como alvo terapêutico para esses tumores.

Este trabalho visa estudar as margens necessárias para definir o volume de planejamento do alvo (PTV) requeridas para tratar adequadamente tumores móveis como os localizados na próstata ou tumores localizados em áreas com pouca mobilidade como os da região da cabeça e pescoço, na ausência de localização do alvo por imagem. Também tem como objetivo avaliar o impacto causado pelo PTV, em termos de dose, nas estruturas críticas ao seu redor e sua influência quando planejamento inverso é utilizado na radioterapia com modulação de feixe (IMRT). Dados de 387 pacientes de próstata foram analizados retrospectivamente. Todos os pacientes receberam localização pré-tratamento com ultra-som 2D resultando em 10.327 localizações, cada uma com deslocamento de isocentro em três direções: antero-posterior (AP), lateral direitaesquerda (DE), e superior-inferior (SI). O deslocamento médio e desvio padrão (SD) para cada direção foi estimado a partir dos dados de tratamento gravados diariamente. As incertezas (SD) na posição do alvo foram 4,4 mm (AP), 3,6 mm (DE), e 4,5 mm (SI). O estudo das incertezas no posicionamento diário de 78 pacientes com tumores de cabeça e pescoço que utilizaram máscaras termoplásticas como imobilizadores, avaliados com equipamento de portal com imagem eletrônica (EPID), mostrou variações (SD) na posição do isocentro de tratamento de 3,1 mm (AP), 1,5 mm (DE), 4,5 mm (SI). Aplicando estes desvios num simulador antropomórfico estudou-se os histogramas de dose-volume resultantes do deslocamento do isocentro no tratamento diário. Os resultados mostraram a importância de se colocar margens no volume clínico do alvo para garantir um tratamento adequado e também mostraram que a variação diária do isocentro de tratamento pode causar um aumento de dose maior que o nível de tolerância dos órgãos críticos. / This work intends to study the margins required to define a planning target volume (PTV) for adequate treatment of the mobile tumors such as prostate or those located in areas with less mobility as the ones in head and neck region, in the absence of daily localization imaging based. It is also intends to evaluate the impact caused by the PTV, in terms of dose, to the critical structures surrounding the PTV and its influence when inverse planning is used in the intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Data from 387 prostate patients were analyzed retrospectively. Every patient in the study received daily pre-treatment localization with 2D ultrasound resulting in a total of 10,327 localizations, each comprising of an isocenter displacement in 3 directions: anterior-posterior (AP), right-left lateral (RL), and superior-inferior (SI). The mean displacement and standard deviation (SD) for each direction for each patient was computed from daily treatment records. The uncertainties (SD) in the target position were 4.4 mm (AP), 3.6 mm (RL), and 4.5 mm (SI). A study of the uncertainties in the daily positioning of 78 head and neck patients who used thermoplastic mask to immobilize them, evaluated with electronic portal imaging device (EPID), showed variations (SD) in the isocenter treatment position of 3.1 mm (AP), 1.5 mm (RL), and 4.5 mm (SI). By applying these shifts in an anthropomorphic phantom it was studied the dose-volume histograms resultant of the isocenter displacement in the daily treatment. The result showed the importance of putting margins in the clinical target volume to assure an adequate treatment and also showed that isocenter daily variation can cause an increase to the dose greater than the tolerance level to the critical organs.

The purpose of this study was to take a multidimensional perspective to prosocial behavior and self-regulation by analyzing longitudinal, bidirectional relations between prosocial behavior toward strangers, friends, and family members and behavioral, cognitive, and emotional dimensions of self-regulation across adolescence. Participants included reports from 500 adolescents (age Time 1 = 12, Time 2 = 14, Time 3 = 16, Time 4 = 18; 52% female, 77% European American) taking part in the Flourishing Families Project. Nine cross-lagged panel models were conducted analyzing longitudinal associations between each target of prosocial behavior and each dimension of self-regulation. Results revealed that in early adolescence, prosocial behavior toward strangers and cognitive self-regulation were bidirectionally related. Prosocial behavior toward strangers was significantly associated with cognitive self-regulation from age 12 to age 18 and cognitive self-regulation was significantly associated with prosocial behavior toward friends across adolescence. Further, behavioral and emotional self-regulation were significantly related to prosocial behavior toward family from age 12 to age 18. Gender was significantly associated with initial levels of study variables but was not significantly relate to patterns of association. Discussion focuses on how findings fit into existent theory and research.

Contamination of methylmercury (MeHg) in aquatic products has been a wide spread health concern. The objective of this study is to determine total mercury (THg) and MeHg concentrations in different species of aquatic products from major offshore farms in China, and to assess health impacts from consumption. Results showed that the concentrations of THg and MeHg ranged 5.6–328.4 ng/g (wet weight) and 4.3–303.6 ng/g (wet weight) in aquatic products, respectively, and were very variable among species and origin sources. Target hazard quotient (THQ) suggested that MeHg exposure via consumption posed high health risks to children aged 2–7 and higher income families. Residents above the age of 13 and with low income have relatively lower health risk of MeHg exposure. Health impacts on heart attacks and newborns’ IQ from MeHg exposure were evaluated using dose-response relationships. Results showed that mother’s consumption of aquatic products (at 6 ounce per day) may cause a loss of 0.38 IQ points for newborns. For non-pregnant, consumption of aquatic products may cause an increase rate of mortality and morbidity of heart attacks at 10.59 and 78.45 per 100,000 persons, respectively. The negative health impact of consuming seawater fish was higher than freshwater fish.

This thesis presents some existing gimbal and UAV control algorithms as well as novel algorithms developed as the extensions of the existing ones. The existing image-based visual servoing algorithms for both gimbal and UAV require the depth information to the object of interest. The depth information is not measurable when only a monocular camera is used for tracking. This thesis is the result of contemplation to the question: how can the necessity for a depth measurement be removed? A novel gimbal algorithm using adaptive control is developed and presented with simulation and hardware results. Although the estimated depth using the algorithm cannot be used as reliable depth information, the target tracking objective is met. Also, a new UAV control algorithm for target following is developed and presented with simulation results. This algorithm does not require the depth to the target or the UAV altitude to be measured because it exploits the unit vectors to the target and to the optical axis.

When attempting to follow ground-based moving objects (hereafter referred to as ``waldos'') using an unmanned air vehicle (UAV), occlusion can become a significant problem for computer vision algorithms designed to track the object. When a waldo is occluded, the computer vision algorithm loses the track and the UAV's ability to predict movement degrades. We propose a path-planning and replanning method that moves a UAV to a location that maximizes the important waldos that can be seen while accounting for occlusion, and attempts to maximize the area it can see during travel. The proposed work moves beyond state-of-the-art algorithms designed to follow a single waldo while accounting for occlusion to enable tracking multiple prioritized waldos.