<p>Sex sells. A lot. But who exactly is on the market? </p><p>What kinds of bodies are calibrated for traffic and consumption, and how exactly do they get there? When it comes to “sex” trafficking—which comprises a minority percentage of human trafficking, yet dominates the moral imagination as an “especially heinous” crime—the rise in predominantly white, evangelical Christian American interest in the trafficked subject galvanizes an ethical outrage that rarely observes critiques of race, ethnicity, sexuality or class as conditions of possibility. Though a nuanced mandate to fight trafficking is all but cemented in the contemporary American political and moral conscience, Virgin Territory accounts for the ways Christian ideas of purity annex both gender and sexuality inside the legacies of racialized colonial encounter, and foreground the market expansion of the global sex trade as it exists today. </p><p>In Part I, I argue that the narratives of virginity tied to Mary’s body simultaneously foregrounded the gendered, sexed Other as sparked disdain for the religious Other, for the Jewish body and for Mary’s Jewish identity. Through this analysis I explore the connections of racial identity to the Christian theological elision of Jewish election. I demonstrate how the questions of sexual ethics materialized at the site of the Virgin Mary, and align the moral attachments of sex and purity in the production of whiteness. These machinations, tied to the emerging European identity of empire, irrupt horrifically into the narrative ontology of dark flesh in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.</p><p>In Part II, I highlight the function of these narratives inside of the moments of colonial encounter, demonstrating how the logics of purity and virginity were directly applied to manage dark female flesh. I map the visual iconography of the Black Madonna first through a Dutch painting entitled The Rape of the Negress. I read this image through the social theological imagination instantiating the idea of the reprobate body and white imperial gaze. This analysis foregrounds a theological reading of Sarah Baartman, the “Hottentot Venus,” as the center of a complex sex trafficking investigation, outlining the genealogy of race, as well as the ideologies of the racial, ethnic and national Other, as mitigating factors in the conditions of possibility of a global sex trade. By restoring these narratives and their theological undertones, I reiterate the ways Christian thought is imbricated in the global sex trade, and propose theological strategies for rethinking humanitarian responses to sex trafficking.</p> / Dissertation

The illegal drug ecstasy, chemically known as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), sometimes contains additional chemicals which can pose health risks to users. This thesis examines strategies that recreational ecstasy users in Victoria, British Columbia utilize to determine the purity of their ecstasy. It also examines why they use these strategies and if they are concerned about impure ecstasy affecting their health because this information can help explain the use of these strategies. I performed a quantitative analysis of data collected by the Centre for Addictions Research of BC’s survey, the Canadian Recreational Drug Use Survey, to determine the strategies participants utilized to minimize potential harms caused by ecstasy use. This analysis revealed that 73.9% of survey participants discussed purity of ecstasy with friends, 33.3% checked drug information websites, 17.4% used an ecstasy testing kit, 2.9% asked harm reduction services for advice, and 0% owned a testing kit. In addition, the data revealed that the participants were more likely to take ecstasy from a friend than a stranger. Next, I developed an interview guide based on these findings and I interviewed 10 female recreational ecstasy users. I chose to interview women only because recreational drug use by women is underrepresented in the drug literature. The most common strategy the women utilized to determine ecstasy purity was to discuss ecstasy with friends. They preferred this strategy because it was a convenient, practical strategy. Also, they perceived their friends to be a trusted source of ecstasy and ecstasy information. Half the women analyzed how they felt after ingesting ecstasy to determine its purity because they believed different chemicals caused different effects. Others assessed the physical characteristics of their ecstasy to try to determine purity because they believed these characteristics could reveal its chemical contents. One participant used an ecstasy testing kit, but the rest cited multiple barriers to their use. Some women also had negative attitudes towards testing kits and felt no social pressure to use them. I asked the participants about their use of ecstasy testing laboratories, but none used this service because they did not know it existed. Overall, none of the women seemed concerned about ecstasy impurity harms. This could be due to four factors. First, their ecstasy use patterns made them feel safe from harms related to ecstasy use. Second, recreational ecstasy use was “normal” amongst young adults in Victoria who attend parties, raves, or clubs. Third, they primarily obtained ecstasy and ecstasy information from trusted friends. Fourth, they had never suffered significant harm caused by ecstasy impurity, even though all of the women believed they had ingested impure ecstasy. / Graduate

The problem dealt with in this discussion is the various aspects of the theme of purity in Le Voyageur sans bagage, Antigone, L'Alouette and Becket ou l'Honneur de Dieu, by the French playwright, Jean Anouilh. The purpose of this discussion is to clarify Anouilh's concept of the search for purity and to shed light upon the various interpretations of the theme of purity in these four plays.

This project studies the theological legacy of white evangelical purity culture (WEPC) and proposes a constructive Baptist practical theology of baptism in response. It foregrounds the activism and testimonies of Christian women to foment and intervene in white supremacist constructions of womanhood in the Female Moral Reform movement; to perpetuate and prevent racial violence in the lynching era through the deployment of a reimagined vision of sacred white womanhood; and to expand conceptions of the wounding legacies, persisting challenges, and alternative visions proposed by those harmed by WEPC. In the “afterlife” of white evangelical purity culture, baptism, conceived as a practice of solidarity, is a critical intervention to the persistent and problematic deformations of identity, salvation, and ecclesial formation. The project begins with analysis of the theopolitical history of WEPC and its founding frameworks and promises. It then turns to the Female Moral Reform movement, and particularly the activism and theological arguments of Sarah Grimké and a dissenting interlocutor in 1838, to illustrate how questions of womanhood, race, and women’s rights were forged in the context of institutional slavery. Next, this project engages the activism of Rebecca Felton, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, and the Association of Southern Women for the Prevention of Lynching, attends to the character de/formations deployed in women’s activism and rhetoric supportive of and against lynching, and argues that the uninterrogated sacred status of white womanhood prevents a full acknowledgement and dismantling of the regnant theological frameworks of WEPC. It then frames the online writing as testimonies to the wounding experiences in WEPC, offering an emergent tripartite framework of shame, misplaced blame, and silence to capture the impact of WEPC. Finally, drawing from the works of James Wm. McClendon, Jr., Ada María Isasi-Díaz and M. Shawn Copeland, it proposes a Baptist theology of baptism wherein baptism is revelatory rite that initiates solidarity in the service of a world that engenders the possibility of mutual liberation and human flourishing. This project contributes to the growing literature on WEPC by exposing the raced theological scaffolding that necessitate a transformation of core Christian practices. / 2022-12-09T00:00:00Z

Sepsis, a life-threatening condition which results from a dysregulation of host response to infection and leads to multiple organ dysfunction, is a cause for great concern. The current gold standard of detection – Blood culturing – is a highly time-consuming process and so, research has proposed the use of biomarkers. Current biomarkers, C-reactive protein and Procalcitonin, though good indicators, individually show certain limitations with respect to the specificity and sensitivity. Hence, as a step forward from singleplex biomarkers, the development of a multi-marker panel was suggested. For this purpose, the use of microRNAs (miRNAs) were employed to serve as potential biomarkers for the detection of sepsis. The aim of this study was to determine whether a higher concentration of miRNA would be obtained from a larger volume of plasma as well as to see if the miRNA present in blood can be used for the diagnosis of sepsis. Extractions were carried out using the QIAGEN exoRNeasy Plasma: Midi &amp; Maxi Kits from plasma and Norgen’s Total RNA Purification Kit from blood. The samples were analysed and quantified using the Qubit® microRNA assay kit &amp; Qubit® 3.0 Fluorometer and the NanoDrop™ 2000 Spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis of the results revealed that there was a significant difference between miRNA concentrations in the two volumes of plasma analysed. Based on the accurate Qubit measurements and readings, it was concluded that a larger volume of plasma, does yield a higher concentration of miRNA. In addition, it was also established that the miRNA detected in blood, could be used as probable biomarkers for the diagnosis of sepsis.

Leguminosas do gênero Stylosanthes são amplamente utilizadas na pecuária Brasileira e por sua alta qualidade nutricional são importantes para pastagens em consorcio com gramíneas. Um dos materiais mais cultivados é o denominado Campo Grande, lançado pela EMBRAPA Gado de Corte e formado pela mistura das espécies Stylosanthes capitata Vog. (80%) e Stylosanthes macrocephala M.B Ferreira et Sousa Costa (20%). De ambas as espécies que formam essa mistura, a espécie S. capitata vem sendo utilizada na pesquisa do Projeto Temático FAPESP Nº 08/58075-8 Experimentos FACE para analisar os efeitos do elevado CO e do aquecimento sobre a fotossíntese, expressão gênica, bioquímica, crescimento, dinâmica de nutrientes e produtividade de duas espécies forrageiras tropicais contrastantes que tem por objetivo determinar os efeitos do elevado nível de CO2 e do aquecimento nas espécies forrageiras S. capitata e Panicum maximum crescendo em consorcio. Antes do plantio, foi observado que o lote de sementes de S. capitata, enviadas gentilmente pela EMBRAPA Gado de Corte, apresentava sementes de diversa coloração desde amarelas, vermelhas até pretas. Em vista que a análise da expressão gênica das plantas submetidas aos tratamentos de CO2 e temperatura é um dos objetivos do projeto, surgiu a necessidade de fazer uma avaliação mais rigorosa das sementes a fim de determinar a pureza genética do lote de sementes de S. capitata, assim como determinar a presença de possíveis contaminações com S. macrocephala. Sendo assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a pureza genética de plantas da espécie S. capitata em comparação a S. macrocephala, selecionando e utilizando marcadores moleculares ideais para essa análise. Para a etapa de seleção dos marcadores, foram plantadas separadamente as sementes de diferentes cores de cada uma das espécies S. capitata e S. macrocephala. Depois de germinadas, o DNA das folhas foi extraído e analisado com os três tipos de marcadores moleculares disponíveis, RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA), SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat) e ISSR (Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat polymorphic DNA). Os marcadores moleculares RAPD (OPB10), SSR (SC18-01B3, SC18-01E11, SC18-01TF11A) e ISSR (UBC1, UBC2, UBC834, UBC851, UBC862, UBC864, UBC885, UBC886) foram testados, dos quais os ISSR mostraram-se ideias, pois apresentaram claros perfis eletroforéticos diferenciando cada uma das espécies. Posteriormente à análise das sementes, foi realizada a análise de pureza genética de material vegetal de S. capitata plantado no campo para o referido projeto temático. Uma vez que S. macrocephala não foi objeto de pesquisa do projeto, sementes desta espécie foram plantadas separadamente em oito vasos, com vinte sementes cada. Após o crescimento das plantas, o DNA de folhas de ambas as espécies foi extraído e amplificado com os marcadores moleculares ISSR previamente selecionados. Através de análises estatísticas dos perfis de eletroforese, foi possível verificar que as sementes de diferentes cores pertencem à mesma espécie e que a diferente coloração estaria mais relacionada com o grau de amadurecimento das sementes do que com possíveis contaminações. No entanto, independentemente da cor, os lotes individuais de sementes de S. capitata e S. macrocephala apresentaram algum grau de contaminação. Assim, conclui-se que para a melhor caracterização da espécie em estudo e aumentar a confiabilidade das análises de expressão gênica diferencial é necessário avaliar a pureza genética de S. capitata usando marcadores moleculares. A análise da expressão gênica diferencial permitirá determinar os efeitos de elevada concentração de CO2 e da elevada temperatura a nível molecular nas plantas forrageiras em estudo. / Legumes of the genus Stylosanthes are widely used in Brazilian cattle and for their high nutritional quality are important in consortium with grasses. One of the most cultivated materials is called \"Campo Grande\" released by EMBRAPA Gado de Corte and formed by the mixture of species Stylosanthes capitata Vog. (80%) and Stylosantes macrocephala MB Ferreira et Sousa Costa (20%). Of both species forming this mixture, the species S. capitata has been used in research of the Thematic Project FAPESP No. 08/58075-8 \"FACE experiments to analyze the effects of elevated CO and warming on photosynthesis, gene expression, biochemistry, growth, nutrient dynamics and productivity of two contrasting tropical forage species\" that aims to determine the effects of high levels of CO2 and warming on forage species S. capitata and Panicum maximum growing in consortium. Before planting, it was observed that the lot of seeds of S. capitata, kindly sent by EMBRAPA, presented seeds of different coloration from yellow, red to black. Given that the analysis of gene expression in plants exposed to elevated CO2 and warming is one of the major objectives, we decided to make a more accurate assessment of the seeds in order to determine the genetic purity of the seeds of S. capitata, as well as determine the presence of possible contamination with S. macrocephala. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the genetic purity of the species S. capitata plants compared to S. macrocephala, selecting and using ideal molecular marker for this analysis. For the selection of markers, were separately planted in pots the seeds of different colors of each of the species S. capitata and S. macrocephala. Once germinated, DNA was extracted from leaves and analyzed with the three available types of molecular markers, RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA), SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat) and ISSR (Inter-simple sequence Repeat Polymorphic DNA). The RAPD molecular markers (OPB10), SSR (SC18-01B3, SC18-01E11, SC18-01TF11A) and ISSR (UBC1, UBC2, UBC834, UBC851, UBC862, UBC864, UBC885, UBC886) were tested, of which the ISSR were the selected, because they showed clear electrophoretic profiles differentiating each species. After the seed analysis, the analysis of genetic purity of plant material of S. capitata planted in the field for the thematic project was held. Once S. macrocephala was not the object of the research project, seeds of this species were planted separately in eight pots, with twenty seeds each. After the growth of plants, DNA from leaves of both species was extracted and amplified with the preselected molecular ISSR. Through statistical analysis of electrophoretic profiles, we found that seeds of different colors belong to the same species and the different coloring would be more related to the degree of ripening of seeds than with possible contamination. However, regardless of color, individual seed lots of S. capitata and S. macrocephala showed contamination. Thus, it is concluded that for better characterization of this species and increase the reliability of the analysis of differential gene expression is necessary to assess the genetic purity of S. capitata using molecular markers. The analysis of differential gene expression will determine the effects of elevated CO2 concentration and high temperature at the molecular level in forage plants under study.

Notre thèse, « récit autoritaire, thème de la pureté et place du lecteur dans Yūkoku (Patriotisme) et Honba (Chevaux échappés) de Mishima Yukio » interroge les rapports entre littérature et idéologie dans deux textes qui sont parmi les plus controversés de l’écrivain Mishima : la nouvelle Yūkoku, qui est paru pour la première fois en janvier 1961, et Honba, le second volume de la tétralogie Hōjō no umi (La mer de la fertilité, 1965-1970) publié d’abord en feuilleton entre février 1967 et août 1968 puis en un seul volume en février 1969. La première partie de notre travail est consacrée à une lecture théorique de Yūkoku et de Honba sous l’angle du « récit autoritaire ». Mettant en scène des héros mythiques dévoués à l’empereur, opposant des personnages purs à des personnages impurs, les deux textes sur lesquels nous nous sommes penché correspondent schématiquement au genre du récit idéologique tel qu’il a notamment été décrit par Susan Rubin Suleiman dans Le roman à thèse ou l’autorité fictive (1983). Nombreux sont d’ailleurs ceux qui, au Japon comme en occident, ont fortement critiqué la dimension partisane (sinon sectaire) de ces récits. Dans la seconde et troisième parties de notre travail, consacrées respectivement à Yūkoku et à Honba, nous avons montré que ces deux textes sont plus complexes qu’une lecture cursive le laisse penser et qu’ils offrent des réponses originales au défi propre au récit à thèse (ou récit autoritaire) qui consiste à concilier l’idéologie (qui implique la monosémie, le manichéisme, la redondance) avec la littérature (qui implique la polysémie et l’ambiguïté). Le recours singulier et retors aux stéréotypes, les thèmes du nihilisme et du simulacre ou encore la complexité des procédés rhétoriques et manipulatoires présents dans ces textes offrent de nouveaux éclairages et champs de réflexion aussi bien dans le domaine de la théorie littéraire que dans celui des études sur Mishima. / My thesis, entitled “Authoritarian Fiction, the Theme of Purity and the Place of the Reader in Yūkoku (Patriotism) and Honba (Runaway Horses) by Mishima Yukio”, questions the relation between ideology and literature in two of Mishima’s most controversial works: the short story Yūkoku, first published in January 1961, and the novel Honba, the second volume of Hōjō no umi (The Sea of Fertility, 1965-1970), serialized between February 1967 and August 1968, and published in one volume in February 1969. In the first part of my dissertation, I show that Yūkoku and Honba —by staging mythical heroes devoted to the Emperor, opposing pure and young characters to corrupted ones— schematically correspond to the genre of ideological novel as depicted in the seminal work of Susan Rubin Suleiman on French “roman à thèse” (Authoritarian Fictions, the Ideological Novel as a Literary Genre, 1983). In Japan as in the Western world, many critics have reacted adversely to the biased (if not sectarian) content of these texts. In the second and third parts of my thesis — the former devoted to Yūkoku and the latter to Honba — I unveil the complexity of these texts and show how they also provide original answers to authoritarian fiction’s specific challenge of reconciling ideology (which implies monosemy, manicheism and redundancies) with literature (which implies polysemy and ambiguity). The specific and twisted use of stereotypes, the themes of nihilism and simulacrum, or the complex rhetorical devices present in these texts offer new insights in both the fields of literary theory and Mishima studies.

Structures made of plate-like components are common in a variety of industries where the impacts of structural failures are severe. In many cases these structures are surrounded and only partially accessible, such as storage tanks and bridges, making them difficult to inspect frequently. The application of ultrasonic Guided Waves (GWs) in the evaluation and monitoring of relatively large plate-like structures is evermore a feasible option with the continuous development of transducer arrays. The use of transducer arrays is however complex due to directional control and the existence of many GW modes. Aimed at the evaluation of plate-like structures, in this research two piezoelectric transducer arrays respectively capable of omnidirectional and unidirectional control of the fundamental GW shear mode in plates (SH0) with above 20 dB mode purity are successfully designed, produced and validated. Omnidirectionality facilitates full structural evaluation coverage and can lead to defect mapping of large volumes with relatively few transducers. A unidirectional beam with relatively high mode purity facilitates evaluation of specific structural locations. Preference to the SH0 mode was given because of its non-dispersive and in-plane propagation properties making it more suitable than other GW modes to propagation in structures surrounded by fluid material. To enable the array development, a number of monolithic piezoelectric thickness-shear transducers of varied area were characterised with respect to GW mode directionality, amplitude and SH0 mode purity. The characterisation of each thickness-shear transducer allows for optimised superposition manipulation for specific applications. A single characterised shear transducer was selected for use in the development of omnidirectional and unidirectional SH0 mode transducer arrays. To aid development a linear superposition analysis model was produced and used to predict for a circular array design the optimum parameters for omnidirectional SH0 mode transmission with significant mode purity. A range of parameter combinations were evaluated and their predicted influence on array performance was characterised. The same method was employed to optimise a dual row linear array design for the unidirectional transducer array. All results were validated by FE models and later with empirical data. Both developed transducer arrays were characterised with respect to GW mode directionality, magnitude and SH0 mode purity. Both their detection sensitivity to pertinent defects and structures was validated, demonstrating relevance to Non Destructive Evaluation (NDE) and Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) applications.

Leguminosas do gênero Stylosanthes são amplamente utilizadas na pecuária Brasileira e por sua alta qualidade nutricional são importantes para pastagens em consorcio com gramíneas. Um dos materiais mais cultivados é o denominado Campo Grande, lançado pela EMBRAPA Gado de Corte e formado pela mistura das espécies Stylosanthes capitata Vog. (80%) e Stylosanthes macrocephala M.B Ferreira et Sousa Costa (20%). De ambas as espécies que formam essa mistura, a espécie S. capitata vem sendo utilizada na pesquisa do Projeto Temático FAPESP Nº 08/58075-8 Experimentos FACE para analisar os efeitos do elevado CO e do aquecimento sobre a fotossíntese, expressão gênica, bioquímica, crescimento, dinâmica de nutrientes e produtividade de duas espécies forrageiras tropicais contrastantes que tem por objetivo determinar os efeitos do elevado nível de CO2 e do aquecimento nas espécies forrageiras S. capitata e Panicum maximum crescendo em consorcio. Antes do plantio, foi observado que o lote de sementes de S. capitata, enviadas gentilmente pela EMBRAPA Gado de Corte, apresentava sementes de diversa coloração desde amarelas, vermelhas até pretas. Em vista que a análise da expressão gênica das plantas submetidas aos tratamentos de CO2 e temperatura é um dos objetivos do projeto, surgiu a necessidade de fazer uma avaliação mais rigorosa das sementes a fim de determinar a pureza genética do lote de sementes de S. capitata, assim como determinar a presença de possíveis contaminações com S. macrocephala. Sendo assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a pureza genética de plantas da espécie S. capitata em comparação a S. macrocephala, selecionando e utilizando marcadores moleculares ideais para essa análise. Para a etapa de seleção dos marcadores, foram plantadas separadamente as sementes de diferentes cores de cada uma das espécies S. capitata e S. macrocephala. Depois de germinadas, o DNA das folhas foi extraído e analisado com os três tipos de marcadores moleculares disponíveis, RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA), SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat) e ISSR (Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat polymorphic DNA). Os marcadores moleculares RAPD (OPB10), SSR (SC18-01B3, SC18-01E11, SC18-01TF11A) e ISSR (UBC1, UBC2, UBC834, UBC851, UBC862, UBC864, UBC885, UBC886) foram testados, dos quais os ISSR mostraram-se ideias, pois apresentaram claros perfis eletroforéticos diferenciando cada uma das espécies. Posteriormente à análise das sementes, foi realizada a análise de pureza genética de material vegetal de S. capitata plantado no campo para o referido projeto temático. Uma vez que S. macrocephala não foi objeto de pesquisa do projeto, sementes desta espécie foram plantadas separadamente em oito vasos, com vinte sementes cada. Após o crescimento das plantas, o DNA de folhas de ambas as espécies foi extraído e amplificado com os marcadores moleculares ISSR previamente selecionados. Através de análises estatísticas dos perfis de eletroforese, foi possível verificar que as sementes de diferentes cores pertencem à mesma espécie e que a diferente coloração estaria mais relacionada com o grau de amadurecimento das sementes do que com possíveis contaminações. No entanto, independentemente da cor, os lotes individuais de sementes de S. capitata e S. macrocephala apresentaram algum grau de contaminação. Assim, conclui-se que para a melhor caracterização da espécie em estudo e aumentar a confiabilidade das análises de expressão gênica diferencial é necessário avaliar a pureza genética de S. capitata usando marcadores moleculares. A análise da expressão gênica diferencial permitirá determinar os efeitos de elevada concentração de CO2 e da elevada temperatura a nível molecular nas plantas forrageiras em estudo. / Legumes of the genus Stylosanthes are widely used in Brazilian cattle and for their high nutritional quality are important in consortium with grasses. One of the most cultivated materials is called \"Campo Grande\" released by EMBRAPA Gado de Corte and formed by the mixture of species Stylosanthes capitata Vog. (80%) and Stylosantes macrocephala MB Ferreira et Sousa Costa (20%). Of both species forming this mixture, the species S. capitata has been used in research of the Thematic Project FAPESP No. 08/58075-8 \"FACE experiments to analyze the effects of elevated CO and warming on photosynthesis, gene expression, biochemistry, growth, nutrient dynamics and productivity of two contrasting tropical forage species\" that aims to determine the effects of high levels of CO2 and warming on forage species S. capitata and Panicum maximum growing in consortium. Before planting, it was observed that the lot of seeds of S. capitata, kindly sent by EMBRAPA, presented seeds of different coloration from yellow, red to black. Given that the analysis of gene expression in plants exposed to elevated CO2 and warming is one of the major objectives, we decided to make a more accurate assessment of the seeds in order to determine the genetic purity of the seeds of S. capitata, as well as determine the presence of possible contamination with S. macrocephala. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the genetic purity of the species S. capitata plants compared to S. macrocephala, selecting and using ideal molecular marker for this analysis. For the selection of markers, were separately planted in pots the seeds of different colors of each of the species S. capitata and S. macrocephala. Once germinated, DNA was extracted from leaves and analyzed with the three available types of molecular markers, RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA), SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat) and ISSR (Inter-simple sequence Repeat Polymorphic DNA). The RAPD molecular markers (OPB10), SSR (SC18-01B3, SC18-01E11, SC18-01TF11A) and ISSR (UBC1, UBC2, UBC834, UBC851, UBC862, UBC864, UBC885, UBC886) were tested, of which the ISSR were the selected, because they showed clear electrophoretic profiles differentiating each species. After the seed analysis, the analysis of genetic purity of plant material of S. capitata planted in the field for the thematic project was held. Once S. macrocephala was not the object of the research project, seeds of this species were planted separately in eight pots, with twenty seeds each. After the growth of plants, DNA from leaves of both species was extracted and amplified with the preselected molecular ISSR. Through statistical analysis of electrophoretic profiles, we found that seeds of different colors belong to the same species and the different coloring would be more related to the degree of ripening of seeds than with possible contamination. However, regardless of color, individual seed lots of S. capitata and S. macrocephala showed contamination. Thus, it is concluded that for better characterization of this species and increase the reliability of the analysis of differential gene expression is necessary to assess the genetic purity of S. capitata using molecular markers. The analysis of differential gene expression will determine the effects of elevated CO2 concentration and high temperature at the molecular level in forage plants under study.

Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-06-12T17:50:33Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MarceloGoncalves.pdf: 4815903 bytes, checksum: 2cb4067cbb604079481da44e19c54d1f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-12T17:50:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MarceloGoncalves.pdf: 4815903 bytes, checksum: 2cb4067cbb604079481da44e19c54d1f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-07-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / For most of the population, the difficult access to health services and the trend to use natural products in recovery and preservation of well-being have led to a rise in plants consumption as well as their derivatives as a therapeutic resource, which is very dangerous, considering the risks associated with inadequate conditions of trade and the quality of these products. For this, the present study has evaluated marketing conditions and the quality of some natural products found in private pharmacies and drugstores in São Luís, Maranhão; aiming to contribute to the actions of Pharmacovigilance in Phytotherapy. Based on data available by the Regional Pharmacy Council of the State of Maranhão, through random stratified samples, 15 drug stores and 17 pharmacies were selected to have market conditions investigated by having semi-structured interviews applied to pharmacists, pharmacy owners or assistants pharmacies or drugstores. Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (green tea), Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. ex Reissek (espinheira-santa), Rhamnus purshiana DC. (sacred bark), Cynara scolymus L. (artichoke) and Matricaria recutita L. (chamomile) were identified as the most traded species so samples were acquired for integrity and purity analysis. As a result, it has been possible to observe inadequate marketing conditions, mainly serious health violations, in every selected pharmaceutical establishment. The purity and integrity analysis of commercial samples of green tea and chamomile have identified poor quality, confirming the presence of improper material. Moreover, no evidence of analytical markers or assets defined in specific literature were found. Thus, the results allow evidencing the need for increased surveillance, monitoring and quality control of plant material for medicinal purposes available for sale. / O difícil acesso de grande parte da população aos serviços de saúde e a tendência da sociedade em utilizar preferencialmente produtos naturais de origem vegetal na recuperação e/ou preservação da saúde têm ocasionado a crescente ascensão no consumo de plantas e/ou seus produtos derivados como recurso terapêutico; situação reocupante, considerando os riscos associados às condições inadequadas de comércio e qualidade desses produtos. Nesse sentido, o presente estudo avaliou as condições de comercialização e qualidade de produtos naturais disponibilizados em farmácias e drogarias privadas de São Luís, Maranhão; visando contribuir para as ações de Farmacovigilância em Fitoterapia. A partir de dados do Conselho Regional de Farmácia do Estado do Maranhão, por amostragem aleatória estratificada, foram selecionadas 15 drogarias e 17 farmácias para investigar as condições de comercialização, com emprego de entrevistas semiestruturadas aos farmacêuticos, proprietários ou auxiliares de farmácias ou drogarias. Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (chá verde), Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. ex ReisseK (espinheira-santa), Rhamnus purshiana DC. (cáscara-sagrada), Cynara scolymus L. (alcachofra) e Matricaria recutita L. (camomila) foram identificadas como as espécies vegetais mais comercializadas, sendo adquiridas amostras para análise da integridade e pureza. Os resultados permitiram evidenciarmos condições inadequadas de comercialização nos estabelecimentos farmacêuticos selecionados com destaque a graves infrações sanitárias. As análises de pureza e integridade das amostras comerciais de chá verde e camomila comprovaram má qualidade, com a constatação da presença de materiais estranhos; como a não comprovação de marcadores analíticos e/ou ativos definidos na literatura especializada. Assim, os resultados permitem evidenciar a necessidade de maior fiscalização, vigilância e controle de qualidade do material vegetal para fins medicinais disponibilizados para comercialização.