Membrane proteins are essential cellular components, responsible for a wide variety of biological functions. In order to better understand such aspects of cell activity, researchers have pursued detailed structural analysis of this class of proteins. Because of the complexities in isolating and studying membrane proteins in their native environment, detergents are often employed as a membrane mimetic media. This thesis examines several features of transmembrane (TM) protein structure and folding in detergents through which we are able to gain insights into membrane protein folding, as well as explore the suitability of detergents as membrane-mimetic environments. We first compare the helix-helix association of a series of model TM sequences in a native bilayer to the corresponding association in a detergent environment. We find that while various classes of helix-helix interaction motifs are preserved in detergents, alterations in detergent solvation may, in turn, lead to altered association affinity. We further explore this phenomenon through investigation of the consequences of the insertion of a strongly polar residue into a TM segment. In these studies we find a correlation between sequence-dependent alterations in detergent solvation and predicted in vivo folding. We also extend such analyses to a variety of detergents and native TM segments, finding that native secondary structure, as it occurs in the context of a full-length protein, is generally well preserved in a variety of detergents. Finally, we assess the determinants of membrane protein folding using two-transmembrane segment constructs, in the process optimizing expression, production and characterization techniques for a diverse range of transmembrane protein sequences. Overall this thesis finds that, detergents are capable of solubilizing membrane proteins in a form suitable for in-depth structural characterization that may not be feasible in other environments. Thus, as an approximation of a native membrane, detergents are able to preserve certain features of membrane proteins such as helix-helix association and native secondary structure.

Le CEA-Leti propose des transistors bidirectionnels courant-tension sur base de la technologie récente HEMT GaN récemment appliquée à l’interrupteur de puissance. La caractéristique bidirectionnelle 4 segments ouvre de nouvelles perspectives en termes de structures d’électronique de puissance et amène à explorer les topologies qui requièrent ce type d'interrupteurs afin de permettre la conversion AC/DC ou AC/AC mono-étage. Ces structures, qui requièrent alors moins d’interrupteurs, permettent potentiellement de gagner en termes de compacité et de rendement. Les interrupteurs 4 segments CEA Leti ont la particularité d’être mono-grille, ce qui permet le pilotage d’un de ces interrupteurs avec un seul signal de commande. En revanche, cette spécificité amène à laisser de côté des stratégies de commande classique et à explorer de nouveaux modes de contrôle : dans ce cadre, ce travail de thèse s’est intéressé à des stratégies de commutation automatiques appliquées à l’interrupteur bidirectionnel mono-grille. Un « cadre de commutation » spécifique a été définit comme prérequis à la définition de toute topologie implémentant ce type d’interrupteur afin de mettre en œuvre des stratégies d’auto-commutation de type ZCS ou bien ZVS. Sur cette base, deux topologies, l’une ZCS, l’autre ZVS, ont été étudiées dans le cadre d’une conversion AC/DC avec fonction PFC et réversibilité en puissance. La topologie à commutations ZVS a été privilégiée pour une mise en œuvre expérimentale. Dans cette perspective, un circuit de driver capable de générer des auto-commutations ZVS a été conçu. Le fonctionnement du convertisseur en auto-commutations ZVS est validé par des essais sur un prototype en fonctionnement AC/DC. / CEA-Leti offers bidirectional current-voltage transistors based on the HEMT GaN technology recently applied to the power switch design. The 4-segment bidirectional feature opens new perspectives in terms of power electronics structures and leads to explore the topologies that require this type of switches, allowing to design single-stage AC-DC or AC-AC conversion systems. These structures, which then require fewer switches, offer potential benefits in terms of compactness and efficiency. The 4-segment CEA Leti switch has the particularity of being single-gate type, which allows to control one bidirectional switch with just one control signal. On the other hand, this specificity leads to avoid classical control strategies and to explore new modes of control: in this context, this thesis work was interested in automatic switching strategies applied to the single gate bidirectional switch. A specific "switch frame" has been defined as a preliminary condition for the definition of any topology implementing this type of switch in order to implement ZCS or ZVS self-switching strategies. On this basis, two topologies, one ZCS, the other ZVS, were studied in the context of an AC/DC conversion with PFC function and power reversibility. The ZVS switching topology has been selected for experimental implementation. In this perspective, a specific ZVS auto-switching driver circuit has been designed. The converter operation, in ZVS auto-switching, is validated by tests on a prototype in AC/DC conversion mode.

The title of this master´s thesis is Marketing Communications with an Emphasis on Sales Promotion. This master´s thesis is focused on marketing communications of czech beer brands in the company Heineken Česká republika, a.s. The main aim of this thesis is to analyse and describe sales promotion tools which have been used in the chosen company and to propose or recommend new tools which could be potentially used on the basis of comparison of used tools with the tools which can be found in the literature.

Nesta dissertação entende-se Governança Corporativa como um conjunto de práticas empresariais potencialmente relacionadas com o desempenho operacional e o desempenho frente ao mercado de capitais, seguindo estudos que têm sugerido essa relação. A pesquisa se propôs a investigar, no caso das companhias abertas brasileiras, a significância do pertencimento aos segmentos diferenciados de listagem da Bolsa de Valores do Estado de São Paulo (BM&FBOVESPA) sobre os indicadores de resultado operacional das empresas listadas no Brasil, mais especificamente em relação aos retornos sobre ativos (ROA) e sobre patrimônio líquido (ROE), e a outros indicadores lastreados no lucro antes de juros e impostos (EBIT) e no lucro antes de juros, impostos, depreciação e amortização (EBITDA). Empregaram-se, aqui, métodos quantitativos em um modelo de regressão linear. O trabalho teve como referência principal o artigo de Brown e Caylor (Corporate Governance and Firm Operating Performance, 2009). Os resultados foram mistos e inconclusos em termos de significância, ao modelar ROA, ROE e indicadores baseados em EBIT e EBITDA, contra os segmentos de listagem, mesmo empregando variáveis de controle como o valor de mercado, a razão entre o patrimônio líquido e o valor de mercado, e o endividamento das empresas. Recomenda-se, assim, para estudos futuros, aprofundar a análise e a determinação das variáveis de controle, além de buscar atenuar as limitações devidas à endogeneidade e à causalidade reversa, pelo uso de variáveis instrumentais, e pelo emprego de métodos econométricos mais robustos, como equações estruturais. / In this research, we understand corporate governance as a set of corporate practices potentially related to the operational performance and to the capital market performance of the firm, following several studies that have suggested such a relationship. The research intended to investigate whether there is a significant relationship between the listing in BM&FBOVESPA’s higher corporate governance segments, and the operational indicators of listed Brazilian companies, more specifically, return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE), as well as other earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) related indicators. Quantitative methods – linear regressions – were employed. The main reference for the research was Brown and Caylor’s article (Corporate Governance and Firm Operating Performance, 2009). The results were mixed and not conclusive in terms of significance, when modeling ROA, ROE and the other performance indicators in relation to the listing segments, despite market value, equity divided by market value, and debt to equity ratio as control variables. The study recommends future deeper analyses and selection of control variables, as well as addressing endogeneity and reverse causality limitations through the use of instrumental variables, and more robust econometric models such as structural equations modeling (SEM).

xviii, 125p. : ill. (some col.) A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / Trunk control is critical for all functional movement, yet little is known about the development of trunk stability. Previous research considered the trunk to be one rigid segment ignoring the complexity of multiple spinal segments. In healthy adults spinal control is so well orchestrated that this assumption is reasonable; however during development and more specifically in pathological conditions in which spinal control is immature or compromised, this assumption may prevent accurate analysis and/or treatment of the condition. This dissertation investigates the mechanisms used by typical infants in gaining postural control of spinal segments for independent sitting. Infant data were compared to data from children with cerebral palsy (CP). The contribution of spinal segments was assessed by stabilizing the trunk in vertical alignment with four levels of support (axillae, mid-ribs, waist or hips). Documentation of postural sway of the head reflected the motor control available in the free segments of the spine. Kinematic data were collected bimonthly from 3 to 9 months of age in typically developing infants and 3-4 times over a 4 month time span in children with CP. The infants' response to external support changed in a non-linear, stage-like fashion as they transitioned from immature to mature spinal control. Head stability emerged first at higher levels of trunk support and gradually progressed in a cephalocaudal pattern to lower levels of support. Emergence of functional sitting was associated with mastery of postural control in the lower lumbar and pelvic regions of the spine. The severity of CP was related to the level of spinal control achieved. Children with severe CP had control in the cervical or upper thoracic spine while those with moderate CP had control into the mid to lower thoracic spine. In addition, behavioral patterns seen in children with CP were consistent with developmental stages seen in typical infants during acquisition of vertical alignment. These findings challenge the existing clinical practice of evaluating and treating the trunk as a single segment, offer intermediate measures of progression of spinal control and propose that a more specific approach may create the foundation for improved motor outcomes in pathological populations. / Committee in charge: Marjorie Woollacott, Chairperson, Human Physiology; Paul van Donkelaar, Member, Human Physiology; Andrew Karduna, Member, Human Physiology; Shawn Lockery, Outside Member, Biology

Nesta dissertação entende-se Governança Corporativa como um conjunto de práticas empresariais potencialmente relacionadas com o desempenho operacional e o desempenho frente ao mercado de capitais, seguindo estudos que têm sugerido essa relação. A pesquisa se propôs a investigar, no caso das companhias abertas brasileiras, a significância do pertencimento aos segmentos diferenciados de listagem da Bolsa de Valores do Estado de São Paulo (BM&FBOVESPA) sobre os indicadores de resultado operacional das empresas listadas no Brasil, mais especificamente em relação aos retornos sobre ativos (ROA) e sobre patrimônio líquido (ROE), e a outros indicadores lastreados no lucro antes de juros e impostos (EBIT) e no lucro antes de juros, impostos, depreciação e amortização (EBITDA). Empregaram-se, aqui, métodos quantitativos em um modelo de regressão linear. O trabalho teve como referência principal o artigo de Brown e Caylor (Corporate Governance and Firm Operating Performance, 2009). Os resultados foram mistos e inconclusos em termos de significância, ao modelar ROA, ROE e indicadores baseados em EBIT e EBITDA, contra os segmentos de listagem, mesmo empregando variáveis de controle como o valor de mercado, a razão entre o patrimônio líquido e o valor de mercado, e o endividamento das empresas. Recomenda-se, assim, para estudos futuros, aprofundar a análise e a determinação das variáveis de controle, além de buscar atenuar as limitações devidas à endogeneidade e à causalidade reversa, pelo uso de variáveis instrumentais, e pelo emprego de métodos econométricos mais robustos, como equações estruturais. / In this research, we understand corporate governance as a set of corporate practices potentially related to the operational performance and to the capital market performance of the firm, following several studies that have suggested such a relationship. The research intended to investigate whether there is a significant relationship between the listing in BM&FBOVESPA’s higher corporate governance segments, and the operational indicators of listed Brazilian companies, more specifically, return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE), as well as other earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) related indicators. Quantitative methods – linear regressions – were employed. The main reference for the research was Brown and Caylor’s article (Corporate Governance and Firm Operating Performance, 2009). The results were mixed and not conclusive in terms of significance, when modeling ROA, ROE and the other performance indicators in relation to the listing segments, despite market value, equity divided by market value, and debt to equity ratio as control variables. The study recommends future deeper analyses and selection of control variables, as well as addressing endogeneity and reverse causality limitations through the use of instrumental variables, and more robust econometric models such as structural equations modeling (SEM).

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:09:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3679.pdf: 4424621 bytes, checksum: e3651f7cb772881f9da924232371728b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-05-16 / This dissertation deals with main considerations on design of bridge superstructures, applying the cantilever balanced technique, bringing a procedure to be followed during pre-dimensioning this type of bridge. Presents the literature review used as the basis to dissertation, with the theories already studied on the subject. Based on these studies is drawn up the roadmap, involving the step of choosing the geometry, defining the structural scheme, the calculation of structural strain, calculating the losses of prestress, predimensioning of the prestressing steel considering the ultimate limit state and the service limit state, evaluation of the moment of closure and some important items for the detail section with steel. A numerical example is solved to illustrate the use of the concepts presented throughout the dissertation. Ends with considerations on the results obtained in the example and work and presents suggestions for future work. / Esta dissertação trata das principais considerações num projeto de superestruturas de pontes aplicando a técnica em balanços progressivos, fornecendo um procedimento para pré-dimensionamento deste tipo de ponte. Apresenta-se a revisão bibliográfica utilizada como base para dissertação, com as teorias já estudadas sobre o assunto. Com base nestas pesquisas elaborou-se um procedimento, envolvendo a etapa de escolha da geometria, definição do esquema estrutural, cálculo dos esforços solicitantes, cálculo das perdas de protensão, pré-dimensionamento da armadura de protensão levando em consideração o estado limite último e o estado limite de serviço, avaliação do momento de fechamento e alguns itens importantes para o detalhamento da seção com armadura. Um exemplo numérico é resolvido de forma a ilustrar a utilização dos conceitos apresentados ao longo da dissertação. Finaliza-se com as considerações sobre os resultados obtidos no exemplo e no trabalho e apresenta-se sugestões para trabalhos futuros..

O presente estudo investigou o efeito de diferentes intensidades do treinamento de força (TF), aplicadas com volume total de treino (VTT) equalizado, nos ganhos de força dinâmica máxima (1RM) e massa muscular dos membros superiores e inferiores. Trinta voluntários do sexo masculino, com idade entre 18 e 30 anos, participaram de 12 semanas de TF com uma frequência semanal de duas sessões. Foi utilizado um protocolo de treinamento unilateral com um dos lados do corpo realizando o exercício com intensidade equivalente a 20% 1RM (G20) e o lado contralateral utilizando uma das três intensidades 40%, 60% ou 80% 1RM (G40, G60 e G80, respectivamente). O grupo G20 realizava três séries compostas de repetições até a falha concêntrica e o VTT era calculado e replicado para os demais grupos. A força dinâmica máxima e a área de secção transversa (AST) dos músculos flexores do cotovelo e do vasto lateral foram avaliadas nos momentos pré, 6 semanas e pós-treinamento. Os resultados demonstraram que os grupos G40, G60 e G80 apresentaram ganhos similares de AST (25%, 25,1% e 25%, flexores do cotovelo e 20,5%, 20,4% e 19,5% vasto lateral, respectivamente, p<0,05). Somente o grupo G80 demonstrou diferença significante com o grupo G20 na comparação do período pós-treinamento (25% e 14,4%, respectivamente para os flexores do cotovelo e 19,5% e 7,9%, respectivamente para vasto lateral, p<0,05). Para os ganhos de 1RM o grupo G80 demonstrou maiores aumentos após 12 semanas de TF para a flexão unilateral do cotovelo na posição em pé (54,2% p<0,05) e para o leg press 45º os grupos G60 e G80 demonstraram os maiores aumentos (55,4% e 45,7%, respectivamente, p<0,05). Assim, quando o VTT foi equalizado entre diferentes intensidades (40, 60 e 80% 1RM) os ganhos da AST tanto dos flexores do cotovelo quanto o vasto lateral foram semelhantes e a intensidade de 20% 1RM não causou aumento significante da AST. No que diz respeito a força muscular as intensidades mais elevadas (60% e 80% 1RM) foram superiores em promover ganhos de força do que as demais intensidades utilizadas. Esses dados sugerem que ao equalizar o VTT os ganhos de massa muscular são semelhantes para as intensidades de treinamento entre 40- 80% 1RM. Além disso, a intensidade de 20% 1RM, mesmo com o VTT equalizado com as intensidades maiores, não promove aumentos de massa muscular para ambos os segmentos corporais. Por outro lado, intensidades altas de treinamento produzem os maiores ganhos de força máxima em membros superiores e inferiores / The present study investigated the effect of different resistance training (RT) intensities, with equal total training volume (TTV), on maximal dynamic strength (1RM) and upper and lower limbs muscle cross sectional area (CSA). Thirty men engaged in a twice a week training period for 12 weeks. The study was carried out with a within subject design. Thus, one leg and one arm were set at 20% 1RM (G20) for all subjects and the contralateral side was randomly assigned to one of three possible groups (i.e. G40, G60 and G80, 40%, 60% and 80% 1RM, respectively). The leg and arm that were set at 20% 1RM always started the resistance training session and performed 3 sets to concentric muscle failure. TTV (sets x repetition x mass) was recorded and replicated to other groups. The maximal dynamic strength and elbow flexors and vastus lateralis CSA were assessed at pre, 6 weeks and post intervention. The main results showed similar increases in CSA for G40, G60 and G80 groups (25%, 25,1% and 25%, elbow flexors and 20,5%, 20,4% and 19,5% vastus lateralis, respectively, p<0,05). Only the G80 group showed significant difference from G20 group after 12 weeks of resistance training (25% and 14,4%, respectively for elbow flexors and 19,5% and 7,9%, respectively for vastus lateralis, p<0,05). Regarding 1RM the G80 group showed the greatest increase post 12 weeks of resistance training for elbow flexion (54.2% p<0,05) and for leg press 45º the groups G60 and G80 showed the greatest increases (55.4% e 45.7%, respectively, p<0,05). In summary, when different RT intensities (40, 60 and 80% 1RM) performed the same TTV gains of CSA for elbow flexors and vastus lateralis muscles are similar between them and intensities of 20% 1RM did not result a significant increase in CSA. For muscle strength the highest intensities (60% and 80% 1RM) seemed to be superior to promote strength gains than other intensities. These findings indicate that intensities between 40-80% 1RM with equal TTV can elicit significant increase in muscle hypertrophy in upper and lower limbs; however, high intensities are superior to augment strength adaptations in upper and lower limbs

nÃo hà / A presente pesquisa investiga se o processo eletivo de diretores escolares tem propiciado a participaÃÃo dos segmentos escolares - pais, alunos, professores e funcionÃrios, nas decisÃes cotidianas da aÃÃo educativa, objetivando a democratizaÃÃo da gestÃo. Esta discussÃo à importante no sentido de visualizarmos como tem ocorrido o processo de eleiÃÃo de diretores escolares, desde 1995 no estado do CearÃ, ao mesmo tempo, que permite perceber como os seus atores centrais na escola tÃm trabalhado a questÃo da participaÃÃo. A metodologia adotada foi pesquisa bibliogrÃfica e de campo, com aplicaÃÃo de questionÃrios e realizaÃÃo de entrevistas com professores, alunos, funcionÃrios, pais e membros do NÃcleo Gestor de duas escolas pÃblicas da rede estadual de ensino: Escola do Ensino Fundamental e MÃdio - EEFM SÃo Paulo e EEFM SÃo Caetano. Os resultados demonstram que, embora os entrevistados aceitem e achem positivo o processo de eleiÃÃes para diretores escolares, a participaÃÃo de todos nos rumos da escola ainda nÃo se concretiza plenamente: porque desconhecem como se dà o processo educativo; ou por falta de interesse pelos rumos da escola; por nÃo se sentirem co-participes da aÃÃo de educar; ou, ainda, porque nÃo lhes à dada à oportunidade de se envolverem. Os resultados da pesquisa nos remetem para o redirecionamento das prÃticas de participaÃÃo, no sentido de propiciar a vivÃncia do fazer coletivo nas atividades desenvolvidas na escola, que impÃem mudanÃas de crenÃas e valores, entendendo a participaÃÃo na perspectiva de consolidaÃÃo e realizaÃÃo da democracia, que vai alÃm da escolha dos diretores escolares por meio de eleiÃÃes diretas. / This presente research investigate if the head teachers election process have been mading with the participation of the school segments â parents, students, teachers and employees in day-today decisions of the education action, in objective of democracy of the management. This discussion is important for us in the sense that, how the head teachers election has been happen, since 1995 in the Cearà State, and the sametime, if it is possible to see how the school central actors had worked on the participation question. In the methodology we made bibliographyc and local research and in that time, we applied questionnaire and we made interview with teachers, students, employees, parents and members of the management nucleus of two state public schools: SÃo Paulo school and SÃo Caetano school: the results shows that, although they accept and they think that the election process of head teachers is positive, theirs participation in the schools direction is not full yet, because they donât know how the education process happens; or because they donât have interest on the school direction, because they donât feel like participating in the education process; or because they are not envolved. The results make us to re-direction the participation practice, in the sence of make real the collective make in the school activities, that impose beliefs and values changes, understanding the participation in a view of consolidation and realization of the democratic management, that goes over of the head teachers choise by direct elections.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T16:19:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Karina M M B Cunha.pdf: 3688119 bytes, checksum: 92c6ec64d5db3864f3d85e54abb7029b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-06-10 / This dissertation comprehends a review about the syllable in the Brazilian Sign Language Libras, yet a linguistic descriptive perspective. The purpose of this research is analyzing the organization of the phonological segments of Libras in syllables. It also intends to establish the criteria to identify the syllable in Libras and discuss about the morphophonological aspects of this unit. Fluent deaf adults, who act as Libras teachers at the Secretaria da Educação do Estado de Goiás, participated at the research with questionnaires and video recording. The data collect had two steps. In the first stage, the deaf people signed in Libras referents presented in cards with figures of different semantic fields. In the second stage, the deaf people elaborated sentences that characterized or defined the referents presented in the figures. The found results after the data analyze were: i) the syllable in Libras is the movement, which is the dynamic segment in the sign; ii) movement is the most visible segment during the signaling, so it is also considered as the syllable core; iii) the analyzed movements as syllable are: path movement, internal movement, secondary movements and transition movement; iv) the criteria used to identify the syllable are the movement analysis in the sign and the observation of the hand configuration during the signaling; and, v) there is only a change of the syllable when there is a change at the hand configuration, due to the movement. The research contribution to the linguistic area is a descriptive study of Libras itself, especially about the phonological organization. And the contribution to the education is to provide teachers, interpreters, instructors of Libras and school managers a descriptive study of Libras, because it is essential in the preparation of teaching materials. / Esta dissertação compreende um estudo acerca da sílaba na língua brasileira de sinais libras, sob uma perspectiva da linguística descritiva. O objetivo da pesquisa é analisar a organização dos segmentos fonológicos da libras em termos de sílabas. Pretende-se também estabelecer os critérios para a identificação da sílaba na libras e discutir sobre os aspectos morfofonológicos dessa unidade. Surdos adultos fluentes, que atuam como professores da libras na Secretaria da Educação do Estado de Goiás, participaram da pesquisa através de questionários e de filmagens de enunciados em libras. Houve duas etapas de coleta de dados. Na primeira etapa, os sinalizantes elaboraram sinais sobre referentes apresentados em cartões com figuras de diferentes campos semânticos. Na segunda, os sinalizantes elaboraram frases que caracterizavam ou definiam os referentes apresentados nas respectivas figuras. Os resultados encontrados após a análise dos dados foram: i) a sílaba na libras é o movimento, que é o segmento dinâmico no sinal; ii) movimento é o segmento que mais se destaca na sinalização, por isso também é considerado o núcleo da sílaba; iii) os movimentos analisados como sílaba são os movimentos de direção, interno, secundários e de transição; iv) os critérios utilizados para a identificação da sílaba são a análise do movimento no sinal e a observação da configuração de mão no decorrer do sinal; e, v) só há mudança de sílaba quando há mudança na configuração de mão, em decorrência de um movimento. A contribuição desta pesquisa para a área da linguística é o próprio estudo descritivo da libras, em especial sobre sua organização fonológica. E, para a área da educação, a contribuição consiste em proporcionar aos professores, intérpretes, instrutores de libras e gestores escolares um estudo descritivo da língua brasileira de sinais, que é fundamental na preparação de materiais didáticos.