Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'SIDIS'

2010/2011
The transversity distribution function can be studied in inclusive one- and two-hadrons production in DIS off a transversely polarized target. The measurement of the spin asymmetries in the azimuthal distribution of the one- or two-hadrons, and of the Collins or di-hadron fragmentation functions, allows to access the transversity distribution function. In this thesis the measurements of the one- and two-hadron transverse spin asymmetries performed by the COMPASS experiment is discussed. Finally the first extraction of the transversity PDF from two-hadron asymmetries is perfomed.
XXIV Ciclo
1976

2009/2010
The main topic of this thesis is the measurement of the transverse momentum dependent (TMD) azimuthal asymmetries in the inclusive hadron production in the deep inelastic scattering (DIS). This work has been carried on in the framework of COMPASS, a fixed target experiment at CERN's SPS, which started data taking in 2002. One of the main topic of COMPASS is the study of the nucleon spin structure using high energy (100-200 GeV) muon beam and either transversely and longitudinally polarized proton and deuteron target. Recent developments both from the experimental and theoretical side pointed out the relevance of the transverse spin effects and of new effects, related to the intrinsic transverse momentum of the quark and its correlation with the spin. The nucleon structure, in the non perturbative QCD formalism, can be described at first order, in the collinear approximation, by three parton distribution functions (PDF): the unpolarized PDF, the helicity PDF and the transversity PDF. When including the intrinsic transverse momentum of the quark other 5 PDFs are needed at first order. They are related to the correlation between the transverse momentum of the quark and the spin and are practically unmeasured. The semi inclusive DIS (SIDIS) allows to study all these functions. Indeed the the SIDIS differential cross section, taking into account the beam and target polarization, is characterized by 14 azimuthal modulations in independent linear combination of the nucleon spin angle and of the hadrons angle, as measured with respect to the virtual photon direction. Their amplitudes are related to the structure functions given by the convolution between the new PDFs and the hadron fragmentation functions. In this thesis the measurement of the azimuthal asymmetries which appears in the SIDIS cross section on the unpolarized and longitudinally polarized target. Of particular interest is the information that this measurement give on the Boer-Mulders TMD PDF, which is a very interesting topic. The analysed data have been taken using the 160 GeV positive muon beam on the deuteron target. The target configuration and the spectrometer are optimized for the spin asymmetry measurements and are described in the thesis as well as the data taking. Also, the data processing and the software used for the analysis and the SIDIS data selection are described. The measurement of the azimuthal asymmetries on the longitudinally polarized target have been done using the same data as the one used for the $\Delta$G (the contribution to the nucleon spin of the longitudinal spin of the gluons) measurement. To avoid acceptance effects in the asymmetries extraction, the data collected from the two oppositely polarized target cells (which form the target) have been opportunely combined. Other possible systematic effects have been studied in details and are described in the thesis. \\ The asymmetries have been extracted as functions of the relevant kinematical variables and separately for positive and negative hadrons. The final results, accepted for publication in European Journal C, are compared with the results produced by other experiments and with the calculations of theoretical models of the TMD functions. The measurement of the azimuthal asymmetries which appears in the spin independent part of the SIDIS cross section is more difficult since it cannot benefit from the periodically reversal of the target polarization. The measured hadron azimuthal distributions must be corrected for the possible effects introduced by the apparatus acceptance (geometrical acceptance, detectors and trigger efficiencies). The Monte Carlo simulation of the apparatus has been used to estimate those effects. Extensive studies of the description of the azimuthal acceptance of the apparatus have been done in the whole kinematical domain of interest using different SIDIS events generations. A reliable asymmetries extraction method has been developed and used. A considerable effort has been put into the study and the control of the systematics. Also in this case the asymmetries have been extracted as functions of the relevant kinematical variables and separately for positive and negative hadrons. \\ The strongest measured signals are related to the Cahn effect, which is a kinematical effect proportional to the intrinsic transverse momentum of the quarks, and to the Boer-Mulders TMD PDF, describing the correlation between the intrinsic transverse momentum of the quark and its transverse spin. \\ The results, in particular the kinematical and the charge dependencies of the asymmetries, are interpreted in terms of TMD quantities and higher effects in the non perturbative QCD. The comparisons with the results produced by the other experiments, and with the theoretical predictions are also discussed.
XXIII Ciclo
1977

2009/2010
La sezione d'urto che descrive la diff usione profondamente inelastica di un leptone carico (mu+) su di un nucleone (protone) polarizzato trasversalmente rispetto alla direzione del moto con identifi cazione di almeno un adrone nello stato finale presenta otto modulazioni azimutali, rispetto al piano de finito dallo spin del nucleone bersaglio e dal momento del leptone incidente. Tra queste le meglio conosciute sono dovute all'eff etto Collins e all'eff etto Sivers. Il primo eff etto è la frammentazione di un quark polarizzato trasversalmente in un adrone e l'ampiezza della modulazione è data dalla convoluzione della "trasversità" (ovvero la funzione di distribuzione che descrive i partoni polarizzati parallelamente o antiparallelamente allo spin del nucleone, per nucleoni polarizzati trasversalmente) con la funzione di frammentazione di Collins. L'eff etto Sivers è dovuto alla distribuzione di momento trasverso dei partoni all'interno del nucleone. Le rimanenti sei modulazioni sono dovute ad altre correlazioni tra la polarizzazione o il momento trasverso del partone e lo spin del nucleone. Il lavoro presentato in questa tesi è la misura dell'ampiezza delle modulazioni azimutali (asimmetrie) per i dati raccolti nel 2007 dall'esperimento COMPASS, usando un bersaglio di NH3 per accedere al protone polarizzato, focalizzando l'attenzione sulle asimmetrie di Collins e Sivers. Le asimmetrie sono state misurate sia su un campione di adroni carichi che su adroni identi cati con il rivelatore di luce Cerenkov RICH-1. Ampia parte del lavoro è stata dedicata alla determinazione dell'errore sistematico della misura.
The Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering (SIDIS) cross section, that describes the scattering of a charged lepton (mu+) o a nucleon (proton) transversely polarised with respect to its momentum, and with the detection of a hadron in the final state, has 8 independent azimuthal modulations, that depends on the spin of the target nucleon and on the lepton momentum. Among these modulations, the most famous are due to the Collins and Sivers eff ects. The Collins eff ect is the asymmetric fragmentation of a polarised quark into a hadron, and the amplitude of the modulation is proportional to the Collins fragmentation function with the transversity parton distribution function, that gives the probability difference to find a quark with the polarisation parallel or anti-parallel to the nucleon spin in a transversely polarised nucleon. The Sivers effect is due to the coupling of the quark transverse momentum and the spin in a transversely polarised nucleon. The other six modulations are due to other correlations between the quark polarisation or the quark transverse momentum and the nucleon spin. The work presented in this Thesis is the measurement of the amplitude of the azimuthal modulations (asymmetries) on the data of the COMPASS experiment, collected in 2007 using a NH3 target to access the polarised proton, focusing on the Collins and Sivers asymmetries. The asymmetries have been measured both the charged hadrons and on hadrons identif ied making use of the ring-imaging Cherenkov detector RICH-1 . Large part of the work presented here is devoted to the determination of the systematic error of the measurement.
XXIII Ciclo
1982

Nowadays, we cannot imagine our life without technology. 100 years ago people didn’t even hear about computers, cars and other electrical devices. But now we cannot live comfortably and easily without them. These different devices are necessary in our daily routine. Also, technology can solve problems of designing, inventing, building things such as products, houses, bridges and others. Technology affects us and the environment both positively and negatively. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/33690

L’objectif principal de ce travail est l’élaboration d’un modèle plus complet du plan de la ville de Policoro à l’époque archaïque que ce soit d’un point de vue de l’espace et de la chronologie que d’un point de vue culturel, politique et économique. Pour parvenir à cet objectif a été réalisée une étude de matériaux céramiques en grande partie non-publie, provenant d’une série de fouille archéologique effectue sur la collina del Castello et dans la vallata mediana. Le travail s’articule autour de quatre parties. La première (chapitre I) discute les fonds écrits littéraires et épigraphiques sur la cité archaïque de Siris. La deuxième partie (chapitre II) est dédiée à la documentation archéologique du site et s’articule en quatre paragraphes. Le premier (II.1), est une présentation des toutes les recherches précédentes, avec une attention particulière aux études portant sur la période archaïque de la cité. Le deuxième paragraphe (II.2) analyse les résultats des fouilles sur la colonie plus antique du site. Le troisième (II.3) contient une présentation des différentes formes de céramique trouvées sur le site puis une liste des différentes argiles identifiées (II.4). La troisième partie (chapitre III) est un catalogue des matériaux trouvés, présentés par secteur de fouille. Pour finir (chapitre IV) sont présentés les conclusions et la bibliographie générale. Chaque partie est complétée par une bibliographie spécifique présentée par ordre chronologique
The most important purpose of this work (research) intends to draw up a more articulated model of the Policoro archaic settlement, analyzed from a spatial and chronological, but also cultural, political and social point of view. To achieve the goal, ceramic materials of high archaic age and archaic age, found after digging on the Hill of the Castel and in the mid - valley, have been studied, most of which unedited. The work (research) has been divided into the following sections: The first (chapter 1) contains an examination of literary and epigraphic sources concerned to Siri’s archaic settlement and an appendice about the above mentioned reports. The second part (chapter 2) focused on the documentation of materials, is made of five paragraphs including the bibliography. The first paragraph (II.1) retraces the history of the research focusing on the reports of the town archaic period. The second (II.2) consists of a precise analysis of the settlement contexts that gave the evidences of the most ancient colony, followed by the related bibliography (II.3). The fourth paragraph (II.4) shows and defines the evidenced ceramic moulds, followed by a list of different doughs identified by the autopsic analysis of clays (II.5). The third section contains the catalogue of the exhibits, shown on their contexts (Chapter III). Finally, the fourth section, dedicated to the conclusions (chapter 4). Below, a resume in French language, that contains the salient points of the research and bibliographic shorthands

Cette étude est consacrée à la céramique provenant des fouilles (1996-2006) du temple épiscopal de Sidi Jdidi, ancienne cité d’Aradi, dans l’arrière-pays d’Hammamet en Tunisie, dirigées par Mme Aïcha Ben Abed et M. Michel Fixot. Ces fouilles avaient pour but d’appréhender le processus d’insertion des monuments chrétiens dans l’urbanisme préexistant et la répartition des fonctions liturgiques et économiques entre les divers bâtiments. L’étude céramologique a tout d’abord contribué à ces deux problématiques en proposant une datation de chacune des phases de construction, d’occupation et d’abandon du groupe épiscopal et en aidant à la détermination de la fonction de chacun des espaces. Ensuite, elle a révélé un faciès céramique régional et rural, très différent de celui qui avait été décrit à l’occasion des grandes fouilles de Carthage, caractérisé par un mode de consommation à caractère autarcique, alimenté par un commerce strictement intra-régional.

Alltsedan 1952 har Sverige arbetat med att bistå fattigare länder i deras utveckling ut ur fattigdomen. Den svenska biståndsmyndigheten Sida har av riksdagen tilldelats sex mål för sitt arbete, varav denna studie fokuserar på två av dem, målet om resurstillväxt, samt målet om miljöhänsyn. Finns där en konflikt mellan dessa mål eller är det snarare så att de är varandras förutsättningar? Genom att studera de rådande teoribildningarna på området och nyttja dem i analysen av relevant empiriskt material, i form av såväl textanalys som intervjuer, har Sidas förhållningssätt i denna fråga har kunnat kartläggas. Även om det råder en viss skepsis mot vissa former av tillväxt så kan Sidas förhållningssätt ändå karaktäriseras som tillväxtoptimistiskt. Studiens kritik riktar sig främst mot att det hos Sida saknas en tydlig uppfattning och ståndpunkt om de industrialiserade och rikare ländernas ansvar och roll i utvecklingspolitiken. En större inriktning mot en omfördelning av befintliga resurser och ett beaktande av det rättvisa miljöutrymmet förordas.

PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO
COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DO PESSOAL DE ENSINO SUPERIOR
PROGRAMA DE SUPORTE À PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO DE INSTS. DE ENSINO
O presente trabalho analisa o debate teórico e político sobre o estado de exceção com enfoque nas contribuições de Carl Schmitt, Walter Benjamin e Giorgio Agamben. Dessa maneira, busca examinar como a dinâmica das lutas sociais se insere nesta discussão. Os três autores, a partir de perspectivas muito diversas, entendem que o estado de exceção é imanente ao Estado de Direito e indicam a vida como o elemento que, na situação excepcional, encontra-se na relação mais íntima com a soberania. Portanto, a pesquisa parte do pressuposto de que não é possível reagir à exceção reafirmando a normalidade liberal que, em última instância, tem nela o próprio fundamento. Em seguida, observa que, para além da dimensão negativa do estado de exceção (como dispositivo de opressão), as discussões em torno do tema reconhecem o poder da resistência. Alguns procuram eliminá-la (como Schmitt); outros se esforçam para potencializá-la ao máximo, incitando a revolução (como Benjamin); e há ainda os que se dedicam prioritariamente a compreender o problema a fundo em vez de apontar os sujeitos e os meios concretos capazes de fazer frente a essa situação (como Agamben). Vale dizer, a exceção como regra é a opressão, mas o desafio que se coloca diante dessa realidade é trabalhar a resistência em face dela. Daí a necessidade de realizar o potencial subversivo que emana da própria situação excepcional – denominado, neste estudo, dimensão positiva do estado de exceção. Para tanto, não se pode perder de vista a seletividade da exceção e entender que, por isso mesmo, a política parte do oprimido. Resta saber se o direito, apontado como instrumento de violência e dominação, deve ser negado em absoluto ou pode ser utilizado como uma gramática legitimadora das lutas. A conclusão deste trabalho é a de que, se o estado de exceção é um lugar estratégico das lutas políticas, o direito (o outro lado da mesma moeda) também o é. A ambigüidade da exceção atravessa o direito, e vice-versa. Há, em ambos, dimensões de opressão e de resistência.O presente trabalho analisa o debate teórico e político sobre o estado de exceção com enfoque nas contribuições de Carl Schmitt, Walter Benjamin e Giorgio Agamben. Dessa maneira, busca examinar como a dinâmica das lutas sociais se insere nesta discussão. Os três autores, a partir de perspectivas muito diversas, entendem que o estado de exceção é imanente ao Estado de Direito e indicam a vida como o elemento que, na situação excepcional, encontra-se na relação mais íntima com a soberania. Portanto, a pesquisa parte do pressuposto de que não é possível reagir à exceção reafirmando a normalidade liberal que, em última instância, tem nela o próprio fundamento. Em seguida, observa que, para além da dimensão negativa do estado de exceção (como dispositivo de opressão), as discussões em torno do tema reconhecem o poder da resistência. Alguns procuram eliminá-la (como Schmitt); outros se esforçam para potencializá-la ao máximo, incitando a revolução (como Benjamin); e há ainda os que se dedicam prioritariamente a compreender o problema a fundo em vez de apontar os sujeitos e os meios concretos capazes de fazer frente a essa situação (como Agamben). Vale dizer, a exceção como regra é a opressão, mas o desafio que se coloca diante dessa realidade é trabalhar a resistência em face dela. Daí a necessidade de realizar o potencial subversivo que emana da própria situação excepcional – denominado, neste estudo, dimensão positiva do estado de exceção. Para tanto, não se pode perder de vista a seletividade da exceção e entender que, por isso mesmo, a política parte do oprimido. Resta saber se o direito, apontado como instrumento de violência e dominação, deve ser negado em absoluto ou pode ser utilizado como uma gramática legitimadora das lutas. A conclusão deste trabalho é a de que, se o estado de exceção é um lugar estratégico das lutas políticas
This dissertation analyzes the theoretical and political debate about the state of exception with a focus on the contributions of Carl Schmitt, Walter Benjamin and Giorgio Agamben. Thus, it explores how the dynamics of social struggles fit in that discussion. From very different perspectives, the three authors understand that the state of exception is immanent to the rule of law, and reveals life as an element that, in exceptional circumstances, has a closer relationship with sovereignty. Therefore, this paper assumes that it is not possible to react to exception by reaffirming liberal normality, since that exception is ultimately within the very foundation of Liberalism. The paper then observes that, in addition to the negative dimension of the state of exception (as a tool of oppression), the debates concerning this issue acknowledge the power of resistance. Some seek to eliminate resistance (like Schmitt); others strive to empower it to the fullest, inciting revolution (as Benjamin). And there are those who devote themselves primarily to the task of deeply understanding the problem, instead of pointing out subjects and practical means able to cope with the situation (as Agamben). Notably, an exception is as oppressive as the rule; in the face of that reality, the challenge thus is to work on resistance. Hence, there is a need to make the subversive potential that emanates from very exceptional situations— called, in this study, the positive dimension of the state of exception—real. To do so, one has to take into account the selectivity of an exception and understand that it is even because of that selectivity that politics come from the oppressed. The question is whether the law, appointed as an instrument of violence and domination, must be denied altogether or can be used as a tool to legitimate struggles. The conclusion of this work is that, if the state of exception is a strategic place of political struggles, the law (the flip side of that coin) is as well. The ambiguity of exception permeates the law and vice versa. They are in both the dimension of oppression and of resistance.

The aim of this thesis is to describe and analyse the ideology behind Sida's cultural aid by using postcolonial theory. We want to analyse the discourse on cultural aid that is found mainly in Sida's publications. The interpretation of the sources is made with a hermeneutic base and by using postcolonial theory in combination with Paul Ricoeur's theories on the function of ideology: 1. ideology as distortion, 2. ideology as legitimation, and 3. ideology as integration. Since Sida - the Swedish Agency for International Development Cooperation - works with former colonies and gives most of its cultural aid to Africa, we have chosen to have a special focus on traces of colonial ideology in Sida's discourse and on ideas about African culture. A postcolonial perspective means focusing on certain themes like colonialism, neocolonialism, cultural imperialism, ethnocentrism, "the Other", the image of Africa, identity especially cultural identity and national identity, cultural hybridity versus cultural "authenticity" and globalization. Sida's discourse on cultural aid can also - or even foremost - be seen as expressing ideas on Sweden and the Swedish national identity. Whereas the general Swedish development aid discourse has a modernizing ideology which usually uses Sweden as a norm, the discourse on the cultural dimension of aid has a tendency to promote a view on African culture that is culturally conservative or anti-modern, and contrary to the normal habit of expecting countries receiving aid to follow in Sweden's footsteps. It stresses the need for African culture to be "traditional" and - thereby - "authentic". We see this as an ethnocentric discourse on African culture, which says more about the Western need of a "cultural Other" than about Africa.
Uppsatsnivå: D

Architecture has often been described as a reflection of society and its current human condition. The converse opinion states that architecture continues to play a major role in constructing that very same society, long after it is built. These statements are most evident where architecture has been intentionally used as a tool of dominance and control. Within a new democratic South African society, the invisible walls of Apartheid have been replaced by physical fences used to ensure ‘the public’ of their safety and security. This has resulted in the fence fetish. The fence fetish is a common phenomenon around the world, as global architecture trends promote autonomy, object buildings and the urban bourgeois. Reinterpreting the notion of the fence as a series of thresholds, allows architects to use design as a tool for disclosing accessibility to the public realm, intentionally fostering democratic, collective and interpersonal space within the emerging urban landscapes.
Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2014.
Architecture
MArch(Prof)
Unrestricted

A la faveur d'une politique d'industrialisation envisagee a l'echelle nationale, les composantes economiques, sociales et spatiales des villes moyennes connaissent actuellement des mutations et transformations marquees par l'empreinte de l'industrie. A travers l'exemple de sidi-bel-abbes, nous avons tente de saisir l'ampleur de ces transformations, de les evaluer et enfin de juger de l'exclusivite ou de la nonexclusivite de l'industrie dans ces transformations. Ainsi, a travers la selection d'un certain nombre d'indicateurs entre autres: l'emploi industriel, les investissements, les types d'industries ainsi que la question des localisations industrielles, nous avons tente d'evaluer le poids de la nouvelle industrie dans l'economie urbaine. En outre, ces memes indicateurs etaient a la base de notre analyse de la ville comme lieu de concentration des moyens de production et de force de travail. Aussi, la ville comme lieu de reproduction de la force de travail devrait attirer notre attention. Ce fut pour nous une occasion pour evaluer les impacts de l'industrie sur les differentes composantes de la vie urbaine: habitat, activites, population, espace. Il est indeniable qu'un certain nombre de transformations soient directement liees a l'industrie: renforcement du travail feminin, mutations des structures socioprofessionnelles, recul du chomage etc. . . En revanche l'analyse des differentes fonctions urbaines et leurs transformations fut pour nous une occasion pour comprendre que les transformations qu'ont connues les differentes composantes de la vie urbaine ne sont pas toutes liees a l'industrie. En effet, la promotion de la ville au rang de chef lieu de wilaya conserve quant a elle une part non negligeable dans ces transformations. Toutefois, l'industrie fut conjointement avec la promotion administrative a l'origine du passage de la ville du rang de relais regional a celui de centre regional.

PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO
COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DO PESSOAL DE ENSINO SUPERIOR
PROGRAMA DE SUPORTE À PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO DE INSTS. DE ENSINO
O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a dinâmica da mulher contemporânea em relação à duas das faces de sua identidade: a carreira e a maternidade. Para alcançarmos o objetivo proposto, exploramos a representação social da mulher ao longo da história, os movimentos de inserção feminina no mercado de trabalho e delimitamos alguns aspectos da função materna no processo de constituição do sujeito, com base na teoria de Winnicott. Entrevistamos cinco mulheres de classe média do Rio de Janeiro, profissionais e mães de crianças de até 3 anos, e verificamos que, para lidar com as exigências da maternidade e a atividade profissional, há uma negociação constante da mulher, com o suporte das redes de apoio e em meio a uma diversidade de sentimentos, conflitos e satisfações.
The objective of this study is to analyze the dynamics of the contemporary woman in relation to two of the sides of her identity: career and motherhood. In order to achieve the proposed objective, we have explored the social representation of women throughout history, the movements of women s insertion in the labor market, and delimited some aspects of the maternal role in the process of constitution of the subject, based on Winnicott s theory. We have interviewed five middle-class women from Rio de Janeiro, workers and mothers of children up to 3 years old, and found that, in order to deal with the demands of motherhood and professional activity, there is a constant negotiation of women, with the aid of support networks and amid a plurality of feelings, conflicts and accomplishments.

Biodeterioration is any irreversible change in the properties of a material caused by the activity of organisms belonging to different systematic groups. Microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, yeasts, algae and lichens) are considered one of the most important biodeteriogens, thanks to their ability to colonise the surface of both organic and inorganic artworks. Cultural heritage biodeterioration commonly results from the complex interaction established by different kind of microorganisms co-existing simultaneously and the substrate. But then, microorganisms can also be considered biological agents rich in virtues; in fact, they can be used for the conservation of stone works of art. The potential of microorganisms for effective bioremediation of deteriorated cultural heritage materials is gradually being unveiled, and promising results of this methodology have been obtained in field sites. As a consequence, it should not come as a surprise that conservators are forever asking microbiologists how advances in biotechnologies could contribute to the conservation of heritage. The aim of this work was to investigate the two sides of microorganisms in the cultural heritage conservation, starting from some case-studies. In particular the objectives were to:  characterise the microbial communities on parchment manuscripts together with the study of the microbial airborne communities and the environmental physical conditions in close proximity to where the manuscripts are stored, suggesting some general guidelines for the correct management of historical documents;  reduce the biological treatment time and assess the effects of a chemical and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) co-treatment for the bioremoval of black crusts and grey deposits on a marble statue;  broaden the fields of application of biocleaning technologies on stone conservation, proposing a valid alternative to the traditional cleaning methodologies for the bioremoval of synthetic polymers from stone monuments. The first step to assess the microbiological risk of a cultural heritage object is to identify the entire microbial community colonising art objects, using non-invasive sampling, or sampling that needs only small amounts of material. Most of the literature dealing with microbial spoilage on documents use invasive sampling methods and culture approaches for the identification of the species causing spoilage. However, traditional culture methods can be time-consuming, do not always succeed in isolating microbial agents, and do not necessarily provide exhaustive information on the real microbial community load because only a small fraction of the microorganisms can be cultivated. In addition, aerobiological investigations of conservation environments are also helpful in choosing interventions aimed at establishing the sources of contamination and preventing the microbiological deterioration of artworks. During the last decade, in fact, the environmental conditions of the museum exhibition facilities and storage areas have been shown to be the most crucial factor, concerning the preservation of collections and artifacts. Until now few microbiological studies have been conducted on parchment. Chapter 3 reports the evaluation of the microbial risk for the conservation of seven 16th century manuscripts written on finely illuminated parchment. The aims of the work were: (a) to clarify any relationship between the presence of an active microbial community and discolouration, (b) to study microbial air quality and environmental conditions in the repository, and (c) to investigate the relationship between airborne and surface-associated microbial communities. For the first time, the microbial community on historical parchment has been investigated by both non-invasive sampling and fully culture-independent approaches, coupling an aerobiological monitoring of the repository by an exclusively biomolecular approach. On discolouration putatively caused by microbial colonisation, two non-invasive sampling techniques were chosen: nitrocellulose membrane and fungi-tape. The nitrocellulose membranes were gently pressed onto the surface of the manuscripts to collect the cells; the DNA was directly extracted from the membrane and culture-independent molecular approach based on PCR-DGGE was adopted to fully characterise the surface-associated communities. Fungi-tape was chosen for investigating the spatial distribution of microorganisms, staining the tape with two fluorescent dyes (SYTO9 and Fluorescent Brightener 28, to label bacteria and chitin in the walls of fungi, respectively). Epifluorescence microscopy observations of the tape samples, coupled with ATP assay on the surfaces of the manuscript, showed a low contamination level and that the discolouration was not related to currently active microbial colonisation. The airborne microflora was sampled with a MAS-100 portable bioaerosol sampler, for monitoring the microbial loads, and the AGI-30 impinger, for fully characterising airborne communities with culture-independent molecular methods. Potential biodeteriogens, as the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, and microorganisms ecologically related to humans, as Candida sp., were found, suggesting the need to control the conservation environment and improve handling procedures. The proteololytic activity of A. fumigatus, often isolated from libraries and museums, represents a potential risk for library materials; besides all these potential deterioration effects, A. fumigatus is an opportunistic human pathogen. Air microbial loads and thermo-hygrometric measurements showed that the repository was not suitable to prevent parchment microbial deterioration, suggesting the environmental remediation of the repository and the routine monitoring of air. In addition to microorganisms, other important causes of stone deterioration are physical and chemical agents; a chief factor in the weathering of stone monuments is the atmospheric pollution. Sulfur dioxide is one of the major gaseous components of polluted atmospheres in urban areas; when dissolved in water, sulfur dioxide forms sulfurous acid, which is oxidised to sulfuric acid, that attacks stone resulting in the formation of gypsum. During the crystallization of gypsum, airborne organic pollutants, carbonaceous particles and dust are accumulated at the surface of buildings and trapped in the mineral matrix, resulting in the formation of the black crusts. The black crust formation causes a heavy decay phenomenon, due to solubilization and recrystallization of calcium sulfate. Mechanical and chemical treatments are traditionally adopted for the black crust removal, but they are not always selective; moreover, when there are different weathering forms on a stone surface, it is difficult to use a single cleaning procedure. In this respect, an enormous contribution in the preservation of stonework can come from the microbial world. In Chapter 4 the removal of sulfate-based crusts from stone artworks using an alternative cleaning technology employing the sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) is discussed. SRB reduce sulfate to gaseous hydrogen sulfide and, in the last decade, they have been effectively used for the removal of gypsum and black crust. This biological methodology has been proven to be an effective cleaning procedure if compared with the traditional cleaning techniques. However, some concerns still remain: it is a time-consuming process when the crust is thick, and it is not clear how the biotechnological approach can fit within a complex conservation treatment. To address these challenges, the effects of an SRB strain (Desulfovibrio vulgaris subsp. vulgaris ATCC 29579) coupled with the non-ionic detergent Tween 20 pretreatment was studied on a stone column affected by black crusts. Stereomicroscope observations, X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy and Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy analyses were performed. The coupling of the two cleaning treatments removed the black crust without affecting the original sound marble, with 38% reduction in cleaning time. The combined method was later applied to the one-century-old artistic marble statue, a funeral monument realized by Lina Arpesani in 1921 in memory of ‘Neera’, the poetess Anna Zuccari. The chemical, mineralogical and morphological analyses confirmed that the statue was weathered by sulfate-based crusts and grey deposits. A barium sulfate layer was found in the black crust stratigraphy, most probably deriving from an undocumented conservation treatment employing the barium hydroxide technique. The detergent Tween 20 used alone effectively removed the grey deposit, but not the black crust. However the co-treatment synergy resulted in the complete removal of the black crust layers, with the added advantage, compared to the biocleaning alone, of fewer biological applications and a 70% reduction in total cleaning time, but still retaining all the advantages of the biocleaning approach. Bacteria were also able to reduce the barium sulfate being completely removed by the microbiological method. Over the past decades, synthetic resins have been applied on stone monuments, both as consolidants, protectives and adhesives, to enhance their long-term preservation. Although it is generally thought that synthetic resins are less prone to chemical, physical and biological deterioration than other organic products, there are some reports in the conservation of cultural heritage literature claiming the contrary. The chemical degradation of synthetic polymers include changes in chemical structure, reduction or increase in molecular weight due to chain scission and crosslinking respectively. Microorganisms are also able of degrading synthetic resins, producing enzymes that can attack the resins, causing changes in the viscosity, pH and colour of polymer emulsions. At present, the traditional way for removing a degraded synthetic polymer is the use of mixtures of solvents, that pose some health risks. In Chapter 5 a method to select bacteria able to remove synthetic polymers from cultural heritage surfaces is proposed; synthetic polymers, in fact, can act as a growth substrate for microorganisms. The ability of five bacteria to attack Paraloid B72, the most commonly used polymer in conservation treatments, was evaluated by optical and scanning electron microscopy observations, weight loss measurements, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetric analysis. As all these techniques have proved to be very useful techniques in both polymer science and microbiological investigations, they were applied to evaluate naturally aged Paraloid B72 susceptibility to bacteria. Pseudomonas rne (PA01), P. stutzeri (ATCC 23856), P. putida (DeFENS collection, isolated from wastewater treatment plant), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25404) and Bacillus licheniformis (DeFENS collection, isolate from a biodeteriorated acrylic painting on canvas by a contemporary artist) were the test bacteria used as inocula for biodegradation tests. Although none of the bacteria were able to attack Paraloid B72, the methodology developed can be applied to select other bacteria with this ability. Therefore the results offer insightful guidance to a better design of bioremoval experiments of synthetic resins used in conservation. Biotechnology has been proved promising for a selective and environmental/health safe approach in the cultural heritage field, for the removal of altered layers on stone monuments. Consequently, each study that relates with the use of viable microorganisms for bioremoval is an advance in the cultural heritage conservation field. In conclusion, this project shows that: • non-invasive sampling coupled with selective molecular techniques have proved effective for an exhaustive investigation of both stained surfaces of historical documents and air quality of the repository where the documents are stored, and very useful for their correct management; • bioremediation techniques, using SRB, can fit within a complex conservation treatment using a soft detergent Tween 20, resulting in homogeneous, satisfactory and rapid removal of black crusts; • bioremediation techniques, promising in the cultural heritage preservation, can be implemented, opening new horizons of applications, e.g. the removal of synthetic coatings from stone monuments. Biotechnology for the preservation and restoration of culturally relevant artworks not only deals with the identification of the living organisms by molecular-based techniques but also with the development of bio-based methodologies that contribute to the biocleaning of weathered artworks. Presenting three exemplary case-studies, this thesis makes a contribution to cultural heritage preservation and restoration.

The purpose of this study is to examine the progression of Multicultural to Intercultural Education in the prospect of sustaining social cohesion. Multicultural and Intercultural Education are two major educational pedagogies that came into existence in multicultural societies. The purpose of the case study is to explore the implementation of the practices of Multicultural and Intercultural education as part of fostering the social cohesion in Mauritius. Qualitative data was collected through interviews and a survey which has been conducted to 300 trainees at the Mauritius Institute of Education to examine and analyze their perceptions of Multicultural and Intercultural Education.
博士(グローバル社会研究)
Doctor of Philosophy in Global Society Studies
同志社大学
Doshisha University

In the United States, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the 3rd leading cause of death for infants; other unintentional sleep injuries are the 5th. In addition, the estimated newborn fall rate in the United States is 1.6 to 6.6 falls/10,000 live births. At the project facility, postpartum registered nurses observed parents engaging in behavior that did not contribute to a safe newborn environment such as placing the infant at risk for injury from a fall or from a sleep injury. This observation led to this current project, which examined the development of an educational program for post-partum nurses to educate families in the creation of safe newborn environments. The educational project was guided by the concepts of adult learning and social learning theories, and on the recommendations resulting from the review of the literature and of the American Academy of Pediatrics' for creating a safe sleep environment. The education program included a safe sleep environment education handout for nurses to give parents, a safe newborn environment policy, and a PowerPoint presentation describing the contents of the new policy and the handouts. The PowerPoint will be retained by the facility to present at the biannual skills days to approximately 120 registered nurses working on the postpartum unit. Evaluation measures included an assessment of nurses' comfort and confidence to teach families how to create a safe newborn environment. Process evaluation included a team member questionnaire assessing leadership, analysis of evidence, and meeting facilitation. An increase in comfort and confidence and a consistent method of teaching parents would represent positive social change. Far reaching effects of creating a safe newborn environment could include improving the health of infants and preventing future health problems.

Background: The financial crisis of 2007-2010 had a massive impact on the financial markets worldwide. The crisis was partly blamed on the credit derivatives collateralized debt obligations and credit default swaps. These instruments were used to create leverage and speculation, which led to uncertainty in the financial system worldwide. There has been no recent documentation of how credit derivatives are used in Swedish banks, and what risks and opportunities they bring along. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to describe the use of credit derivatives in Swedish banks, what benefits and risks they may generate and how the recent financial crisis has affected their use. Research Method: This is a qualitative multiple case study which uses an inductive approach. The study covers four cases, three of the largest Swedish commercial banks, and a bank that specializes on international financing. Seven people working in different fields in these banks have been interviewed. Conclusions: Credit derivatives are mostly used for hedging in Swedish banks, which mainly involves the use of credit default swaps, and sometimes iTraxx. Purely speculative trades are rare. The risks that arise are mainly due to lack of transparency in OTC trading, and abusive use of these instruments. Credit derivatives greatly facilitate risk management in banks. Regulations have increased since the financial crisis and the demand for more complex products greatly decreased.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2007.
Title from first page of PDF file (viewed August 31, 2007). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 119-126).

The difficulties faced by individuals attracting a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) are multiple and varied. Whilst the psychological difficulties characteristic of this diagnosis have a significant impact on these clients’ everyday lives, they also contend with others’ attitudes and responses to their diagnosis, which has proved both controversial and stigmatising. Chapter one concentrates on the stigma that surrounds the BPD label by presenting a systematic review of the literature relating to professionals’ attitudes and responses to individuals diagnosed with BPD. This highlights the predominantly negative perceptions of this client group, the strength of countertransference experienced by professionals working with this client group, and the ways in which clinicians respond to this. Chapter two concentrates on the perspectives of clients with BPD by reporting an empirical study investigating the lived experiences of parenting for mothers with BPD. The experiences of six mothers are explored using a phenomenological approach and the themes emerging from their interviews are discussed in detail. The findings are considered in relation to the existing literature and the implications in terms of providing support for mothers with BPD are discussed. Chapter three continues the theme of motherhood by presenting a reflective paper focussing on the analysis of parenting–related dreams experienced by the author during the course of the research. The personal and professional implications of the dream analysis and research completion are considered.

Scholars and investors have studied the value premium for several decades. However, the debate over whether risk factors or biased market participants cause the value premium has never been settled. The risk explanation argues that value firms are fundamentally riskier than growth firms. At the same time, the behavioral explanation argues that biased market participants systematically misprice value and growth stocks. In this paper, I use the implied cost of equity capital to capture all risks that investors demand a premium and sort stocks into risk quantiles. The implied cost of equity capital is estimated using models proposed by Gebhardt et al., Claus and Thomas, Ohlson and Juettner-Nauroth, and Easton. I find that value stocks have higher implied cost of equity capital and lower forecasted earnings growth while growth stocks have lower implied cost of equity capital and higher forecasted earnings growth. More importantly, even within the same risk quantile, the value premium still exists. The results suggest that risk and behavioral factors simultaneously cause the value premium. Furthermore, by decomposing the holding period return, I find that adjustments in valuation ratios caused by negative earnings surprises for growth firms and positive earnings surprises for value firms at least partially lead to the value premium.

The aim of this thesis was simplified design of diaphragm wall affected by excavation from both sides. This wall is a part of temporary shaft that serves for exchange of tunnel boring machines and at the same time it is a permanent structure of an adjacent metro station. Part of the thesis deals with description of construction sequence of diaphragm walls, excavation of the shaft, excavation of the adjacent metro station and following construction of metro tubes and backfilling of the shaft. Inseparable part of the thesis is assessment of geological conditions and geotechnical parameters. Furthermore, a study on temperature loads on struts was carried out and the results of the study were used for design of the struts. To fulfil the requirements of the assignment several models of the shaft structure and adjacent metro station were built in program Plaxis and one model of the diaphragm wall of the shaft was created in program Geo5. The model outputs were subsequently compared to each other. Furthermore a model of lateral support frame was created in program Scia Engineer. Outputs from programs Plaxis and Scia Engineer were used as a basis for design checks of the structure. The design checks were done according to Eurocodes. The diaphragm wall and the lateral support frame were designed to support the loads considered in this thesis. In order to simplify the calculation variable loads from construction machines were not considered and the only variable load considered was the temperature load on struts. Lateral support frame was also designed to accidental load – loss of a strut.

Cette recherche est la synthèse de plusieurs axes d'étude d'archives, de bibliographie, de la presse, de reportages, d'interviews et d'enquêtes de terrain. C’est une analyse du développement des périphéries dans les villes algériennes, du contexte historique, de l'état des lieux, des lois et des méthodes qui ont été a l'origine d'un nouvel urbanisme des grands ensembles. Elle met en évidence la rupture de 1962 qui a été suivi dans les années soixante dix par une reconquête du tissu urbain périphérique avec de nouvelles méthodes : les ZHUN inspirées des ZUP françaises. Sidi bel abbes, qui est une ville très particulière a été choisie pour détailler le développement des zones d'habitat urbaines nouvelles dans la périphérie. La première ZHUN réalisée, a contribue a l'extension du centre ville, son dégorgement et son raccordement a la zone d'activités. Par contre, les autres quartiers de la périphérie ont pris la forme de chantiers d'habitat inachevés, suite a des problèmes de gestion et l'inexistence de politique urbaine générale. Deux phénomènes coexistent actuellement : 1. Des chantiers de constructions neuves naissent en réponse a une importante démographie et donc a de nouveaux programmes. 2. En parallèle, des constructions récentes, achevées ou non, subissent des transformations spontanées entreprises par les particuliers et qui ne rentrent dans le cadre d'aucune politique de réhabilitation urbaine. L’enquête que nous avons menée sous forme de questionnaires et de reportages nous a permis de mettre en évidence l'état des lieux et d'analyser ces transformations urbaines inattendues. Le diagnostic et les remèdes a tous ces maux dont souffrent les périphéries actuelles ont été les objectifs principaux de cette thèse qui appelle a la réhabilitation des grands ensembles périphériques
This research is the synthesis of many thrust studies of archives, bibliography, the press, reporting, interview and sample survey into the dwelling areas. It is an analysis of the peripheric development in algerian towns, of the historical background, the draw up of a survey-cum-inventory of premises. The laws and the methods which are at the origin of the new urban design of the residential estate. It is displayed prominently the rupture of 1962 and the reconquest to the peripheric area town with a new method : the Z. H. U. N inspired from the french z. U. P. Sidi bel abbes is a particular town, his first Z. H. U. N has played a great part in extension of the center town, its clearing and its linking with the industrial area. The most peripheric cities have taken the form of infinished and incompleted building sites, which resulted from many problems and non, existent urban politis. Two phenomenes coexist: 1. A new constructions are built in order to satisfy a high growth demography. 2. At the same time, some transformations have affected the recent building in the residential estates. Our sample survey consist of the analysis of these new transformations and to appeal for new urban politis which would resolve these new problems of the residential estate and propose new methods to design the peripheric dwelling areas

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A Destilação é um dos processos mais importantes na caracterização do petróleo pois o separa em diferentes frações. O conhecimento da distribuição dos pontos de ebulição dos componentes do petróleo e da proporção de seus cortes é essencial para o controle e logística desse processo durante o refino, além de garantir sua qualidade e possibilitar a valoração do óleo cru. Os métodos laboratoriais mais utilizados atualmente para este fim são as ASTM D2892 (destilação atmosférica: atinge temperatura máxima de 400 ºC) e ASTM D5236 (destilação a vácuo: utiliza pressões reduzidas para destilar o resíduo atmosférico para evitar o craqueamento das moléculas). A curva PEV (curva de pontos de ebulição verdadeiros - resultado laboratorial da destilação física) é obtida através da soma dos resultados das destilações atmosférica e a vácuo. Entretanto, esses processos demandam grandes quantidades de amostra (de 5 a 40 L) e tempo (3 a 4 dias). A Destilação Simulada por cromatografia gasosa (SIMDIS, do inglês Simulated Distillation) se apresenta como uma interessante solução para contornar esses problemas. A amostra é volatilizada e a separação de seus compostos ocorre no interior de uma coluna cromatográfica sob uma variação de temperatura controlada, produzindo um cromatograma e uma curva PEV. Neste trabalho, 98 amostras de petróleo nacionais e internacionais foram analisadas e seus dados foram correlacionados em diferentes etapas. Inicialmente, cada amostra foi analisada utilizando o método ASTM D7169 (SIMDIS) no laboratório de cromatografia do LabPetro na Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES). Essa etapa gerou 4 replicatas.para cada amostra, as quais foram submetidas a uma avaliação de similaridade para determinar qual apresentou o melhor resultado. Os dados da melhor replicata foram correlacionados com os obtidos no Centro de Pesquisas e Desenvolvimento Leopoldo Américo Miguez de Mello (CENPES-Petrobras). A primeira comparação foi uma avaliação de similaridade realizada entre os resultados de SIMDIS dos dois laboratórios, realizada para 44 amostras (amostras cujos resultados de SIMDIS foram disponibilizados pelo CENPES). Em seguida, os dados de SIMDIS obtidos na UFES foram correlacionados com os da destilação convencional do CENPES-Petrobras. A correlação dos resultados se deu através da comparação dos valores de ponto de ebulição a cada 5% de recuperação em massa. A fim de obter esses valores para as duas técnicas, foi feito um ajuste polinomial de quinta ordem. Por fim, foi aplicado um teste de Viés para para avaliar a correlação dos dados. A avaliação final dos resultados evidenciou uma boa similaridade entre os resultados da destilação convencional e SIMDIS. A correlação para 13 petróleos (de um total de 15) obteve bons, não exibindo erros sistemáticos significativos.

Cette recherche s’élabore depuis un travail de terrain mené avec les artistes du spectacle Fractus V (Cie Eastman / choré. Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui) entre juin 2015 et mai 2018. Au fil du récit de cette traversée, de Barcelone à Anvers puis sur les routes d’Europe, une réflexion s’articule progressivement autour de l’interrogation suivante : dans quelle mesure le processus de création et la tournée du spectacle constituent-ils des expériences régénératrices pour les interprètes qui s’y engagent ? Rite de passage à bien des titres, Fractus V repose sur un désir de renouvellement et d’entre’fertilisation (« cross-fertilization ») partagé par neuf interprètes de cultures chorégraphiques et musicales différentes : les danseurs Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Dimitri Jourde, Johnny Lloyd, Fabian Thomé Duten et Patrick ‘Twoface’ Williams Seebacher ; les musiciens Soumik Datta, Kaspy N’Dia, Woojae Park et Shogo Yoshii. Leur modus operandi consiste d’abord en deux gestes : les interprètes s’apprennent les uns les autres des danses et s’essaient ensemble à des écritures collectives. Non sans difficultés, la compagnie naissante esquisse peu à peu les contours d’une micropolitique de création embrassant la nécessité de la fabrique d’un commun tout autant que l’inévitable processus de différenciation des interprètes entre eux. Comment les corps parviennent-ils à diffracter les apprentissages ? À faire « à leur manière » sans faire séparément ? À former une compagnie, voire un chœur polyphonique, plutôt qu’un assemblage d’altérités ? C’est à l’étude des pistes de réponse travaillées par les artistes, ainsi qu’à leurs évolutions dans le temps, que se dédie cette thèse. À cette fin, elle élabore une approche ethnographique, écologique et micropolitique des trajectoires et transformations des interprètes en mobilisant les anthropologies des lignes et des modes de Tim Ingold et de François Laplantine, les micropolitiques affectives de Brian Massumi et de Frédéric Lordon, la philosophie ontogénétique de Gilbert Simondon, ainsi que les études poïétiques en danse contemporaine. C’est aux côtés de cette assemblée d’artistes et de penseurs que se formule, au gré de récits et de réflexions théoriques, une pensée de la régénération comme principe d’une micropolitique écologique de l’être en devenir à l’œuvre au sein d’un processus de création chorégraphique collaboratif
This research developed from fieldwork conducted with the performers of the choreographic worked entitled “Fractus V” by the Eastman/Sidi Larbi company between June 2015 and May 2018. The narrative that unfolds from this fieldwork between Barcelona and Antwerp and thereafter along many roads of Europe revolves around the following questions: To what extent does the choreographic process and the tour of the performance constitute regenerative experiences for the performers involved? How are rites of passage understood? “Fractus V” is motivated by a choreographer’s desire for a renewal and cross-fertilizations shared by nine performers of different choreographic and musical cultures. The dancers include Sidi Larbi, Dimitri Jourde, Johnny Lloyd, Fabian Thomé Duten and Patrick ' Twoface ' Williams Seebacher; and musicians Soumik Datta, Kaspy N’Dia, Woojae Park and Shogo Yoshii. Their modus operandi is twofold: the performers learn each others’ dances and then try together to devise collectively. Not without difficulties, the nascent company gradually sketches out the contours of a creative policy embracing the necessity of “commoning” and differentiation. The thesis asks how do you create a polyphonic company respecting one’s idiosyncratic way of moving while not merely creating an assemblage of difference amongst each other? This thesis includes interviews conducted with the performers, as they evolve over the duration of rehearsals and touring. To this end, it develops an ethnographic, ecological and micropolitical approach analyzing the trajectories and transformations of the performers with Tim Ingold’s and François Laplantine’s anthropological approaches, the philosophy of affect of Brian Massumi and Frédéric Lordon, the ontogenetic philosophy of Gilbert Simondon, as well as the poetic studies in contemporary dance. The combination of the “Fractus V” fieldwork and the theoretical discourse mentioned above both contribute to the notion that the regenerative underpins the performer’s ecological approach of becoming through and with collaborative choreographic devising

Today's development of spark ignited (SI) engines is to a large extent focused on downsizing, i.e where a large naturally aspirated engine is replaced with a smaller turbocharged engine with the same output power. This gives a fuel consumption benefit but worsen the transient response since the torque build-up gets dependent on the turbocharger dynamics. To mitigate this problem, technology like variable geometry turbine (VGT), which has been widely used on diesel engines, and variable valve timing (VVT) can be used. In this thesis, it has been investigated how VVT and VGT should be controlled during a torque transient in order to achieve fastest possible torque build-up. The engine that has been considered is a 2 liter, direct injected, SI-engine equipped with a turbocharger with VGT. This has been investigated by applying an optimization routine from Matlab to a GT-Power model of the engine and from measurements on the actual engine. The optimization in GT-Power showed that measures which takes both the naturally aspirated part and the boosted part of the transient into account increases with the torque, and that the optimal transients had an approximately linear relationship between intake and exhaust pressure. Two control strategies based on these results were tested on the engine. In the first control strategy, the VVT and VGT were controlled such that the product of volumetric efficiency and exhaust pressure was maximized. This resulted in quite moderate torque build-up and no improvement compared to using a stationary calibration in transients. In the second control strategy the VGT was used to closed loop control the exhaust pressure towards an exhaust pressure reference, dependent on the current intake pressure. This, combined with controlling the VVT according to the stationary calibration, resulted in an apparent improvement in the torque build-up. This strategy was found to give good performance also at slightly lower oil and water temperature than nominal but the sensitivity towards gain errors in the intake or exhaust pressure measurements were quite high. This sensitivity can be handled by limit how much the control actions from the exhaust pressure controller are allowed to deviate from the stationary calibration.
Dagens utveckling av Otto-motorer är till stor del fokuserad på "downsizing", det vill säga att en stor sugmotor ersätts med en mindre överladdad motor med samma effekt. Detta ger en minskning i bränsleförbrukning men sämre transientrespons eftersom momentuppbyggnaden blir beroende av turbons dynamik. För att minska denna effekt så kan teknik som turbo med variabel turbingeometri (VGT), som har använts i stor utsträckning på dieselmotorer, samt variabla ventiltider (VVT), användas. I detta arbete har det undersökts hur VVT och VGT ska styras under en momenttransient för att uppnå snabbast möjliga momentuppbyggnad. Motorn som arbetet har utförts på är en 2 liters, direktinsprutad Otto-motor där den ursprungliga turbon har ersatts med en med VGT. Undersökningen har gjorts genom att applicera en optimeringsrutin från Matlab på en GT-Power modell av motorn samt från mätningar på motorn. Optimeringen i GT-Power visade att storheter som beaktar både sugmotordelen och den överladdade delen av transienten ökar när momentet ökar och att de optimala transienterna hade ett approximativt linjärt samband mellan insugstryck och avgastryck. Två reglerstrategier som bygger på dessa resultat testades på motorn. I den första strategin styrdes VVT och VGT så att produkten av volumetrisk verkningsgrad och avgastryck maximerades. Detta resulterade i måttligt snabb momentuppbyggnad och ingen förbättring jämfört med att använda en stationär kalibrering i transienter. I den andra strategin användes VGT:n för att styra avgastrycket enligt en referens som beror av insugstrycket.Detta kombinerat med att styra ventilerna enligt den stationära kalibreringen resulterade i en klar förbättring i momentuppbyggnad. Denna reglerstrategi visade sig ge goda resultat också vid något lägre olje- och vattentemperatur än nominellt, men känsligheten för fel i insugs- eller avgastryckmätningen är relativt hög. Denna känslighet kan hanteras genom att begränsa hur mycket styrsignalen från regulatorn tillåts avvika från den stationära kalibreringen.

Au Maroc, lors de la première moitié du 20ème siècle, la transition à l’âge adulte des femmes et des hommes se caractérise par le franchissement précoce de trois étapes successives, différentes selon le sexe. Chez les femmes, le premier seuil correspond au départ du foyer parental, associé à l’entrée en union, suivie de la naissance du premier enfant. Tandis que chez les hommes, les trois événements sont l’exercice d’une activité économique, le mariage et la venue du premier enfant. Ces différences genrées s’expliquent par une distribution des rôles sexués dès l’enfance, c’est-à-dire par l’investissement des garçons dans la sphère publique (accès à la scolarité et à l’emploi) et des jeunes filles dans la sphère privée (tâches domestiques). Cependant, en l’espace de quelques décennies, ces rôles traditionnels vont être remis en question. La démocratisation de l’enseignement et l’entrée dans la vie active des femmes vont profondément modifier les modes d’entrée dans la vie adulte (fin d'études, premier emploi, décohabitation parentale, mariage, et naissance du premier enfant). Cette thèse révèle les mécanismes à l’œuvre lors de la construction des parcours de jeunesse, en prenant en compte le sexe, la génération et l’appartenance sociale des jeunes enquêtés. Elle repose sur une méthodologie quantitative et qualitative complémentaire, en se fondant sur une enquête biographique, réalisée dans la ville de Sidi Ifni (sud-ouest du Maroc), auprès des jeunes âgés de 15 à 35 ans (408 enquêtés), en 2009, et de 25 entretiens approfondis
During the first half of the 20th century in Morocco, the transition of women and men to adulthood is characterized by the early crossing of three different successive steps, which differ according to the sex. Concerning women, the first step corresponds to leaving parental home, associated with the entry into union, followed by the first birth. While for men these steps have to do with the exercise of an economic activity, marriage and first birth. These gender differences are explained by a distribution of gender roles during childhood, which is to say by the investment of boys in public life (access to education and employment) and that of girls in the private sphere (domestic tasks). However, within a few decades, these traditional roles are going to be questioned. The democratization of schooling and the entrance of women into the labour force will deeply change the access modes to adult life (graduation, first job, leaving parental home, marriage, first birth). This thesis reveals the mechanisms interacting during the construction of the youth life course, taking into account sex, generation and social class of the youths who were investigated. It stands on a complementary quantitative and qualitative methodology, based on a biographical survey, conducted in the city of Sidi Ifni (south western Morocco), with young people aged 15 to 35 years (408 respondents), in 2009 and 25 in-depth interviews

The Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or crib death is defined as the sudden death of an infant under one year of age which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation, including performance of a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene, and a review of the clinical history. SIDS is the most frequent death-causing syndrome during the first year, striking 1 baby every 700-1000. Since it is a particularly tragic event for a healthy vigorous infant to die suddenly and unexpectedly, it is not surprising that the subject is of great medical and public interest. There is an association of SIDS with sleep, combined with data indicating impaired autonomic function in infants who subsequently die of SIDS, or who suffer apparent life-threatening events (ALTE), in the basis of the central cardio-pulmonary function. The pathology of SIDS includes an extended domain of neonatal pathology, particularly if within the diagnosis of SIDS one wishes to enclose the so-called "borderline" SIDS not definitely separable from the unifying concept of syndrome. SIUD (Sudden Intrauterine Unexplained Death) is the late fetal death before the complete expulsion or retraction of the fetus from the mother. Advances in maternal and fetal care have produced a significant reduction in perinatal mortality, but have not changed the prevalence of SIUD. SIUD represents about one half of the perinatal mortality, with a prevalence of 5-12 per thousand births and its etiology is largely unexplained. The knowledge of the ante and post mortem aspects of SIDS and SIUD is of international public concern, since its prevention would save a great number of potentially productive citizens. On the anatomo-pathological plan, different findings have been reported as possible SIDS substrata: brainstem abnormalities, cardiac conduction system developmental defects, immaturity of the paraganglia, hyper - or hypoplasia of the carotid bodies. Overall, the abnormalities of the autonomous nervous and cardiac conduction systems do represent a plausible substrate for a reflexogenic SIDS of vagal inhibitory nature (dive, feigned death, cardio-auditory reflexes, Ondine syndrome). Vagal cardiorespiratory reflexes, if pathological, could lead to SIDS. From 1987 to 2003, at the Institute of Pathology, University of Milan, many cases of sudden infant and fetal death have been analyzed, since the Institute is the Reference Center for the Lombardy Region for SIDS and late unexplained fetal death (DGR n° 11693 of 20/6/2002). The bill n. 396 "Autopsy regulation on SIDS and unexpected fetal death victims", proposed to the Italian Parliament and recently approved by the Senate of the Italian Republic, designs the Institute of Pathology of the University of Milan as the national reference center "being a recognized institution competent in this issue". Among an even larger amount of cases, a total of 120 SIDS victims, 37 infant controls and 60 late fetal stillborn, after the exclusion of violent causes, were selected for this work. For each analyzed case, the cardiac conduction system was removed in two blocks for paraffin embedding: block 1 (the Sino-atrial node -SAN) and the block 2 (the atrio-ventricular -AV system). The brainstem was divided into three blocks, according to the simplified procedure for the simplified brainstem examination, requiring a much lower number of sections and less work for the histotechnicians. For each brainstem nucleus (in particular, arcuate nucleus and parabrachial/Kölliker-Fuse complex), using serial sections stained with Klüver-Barrera: the neuronal cell body areas, neuronal density, transverse section areas and volume were evaluated. The statistical significance of direct comparison of the means between the two fetus groups (SIUD and stillbirth controls) and two infant groups (SIDS and infant controls) was determined by one-way analysis of variance. The carotid bifurcations, cardiac plexus ganglia and paraganglia were embedded separately and serially cut. In selected cases, immunohistochemistry studies were performed on sections of cardiac conduction system, brainstem, and coronary arteries. The SIDS cases did not show any abnormality of the ordinary myocardium, while the core of the heart, where cardiac rhythm arises and spreads, shows some abnormalities. More than one cardiac conduction change were present in the same infant, but no peculiar cardiac combined anomaly was observed. Areas of resorptive degeneration were detected in 97% of SIDS cases and in 75% of controls. Macrophages were sometimes present adjacent to the small foci of degeneration, acting eventually as scavenger cells. The developmental abnormalities of SIDS include long dendritic spines, marker of neuronal immaturity and hypoplasia of the brainstem nuclei. In SIDS the mono- or bilateral hypoplasia or even agenesis of the arcuate nucleus is particularly frequent. It has been observed and morphometrically studied in 57% of our cases - bilateral in 29/66 cases (44%) and monolateral - always the right side - in 8/66 (12%). We further considered the shape of the cell body, nucleus and nucleolus. Comparative analysis of the serial histological sections obtained from the pons and mesencephalon of SIUD and SIDS cases with those of the two control groups, made it possible to define the morphologic features of the three principal nuclei of the human PB/KF complex: Lateral parabrachial nucleus (lPB), Medial parabrachial nucleus (mPB) and Kölliker-Fuse nucleus (KF). A combined morphologic post mortem study of the cardiac conduction system and brainstem was performed in 42 cases of SIDS and in 12 controls. The Mahaim fibers were observed in 16% of control and in 17% of SIDS cases with arcuate nucleus (ARCn) histologically well developed, and from 50% (severe bilateral hypoplasia) to 71% (monolateral hypoplasia) in SIDS cases with ARCn hypoplasia. The Mahaim fibers were statistically more frequent in SIDS with ARCn hypoplasia than in the cases with well developed ARCn (control and other SIDS cases) (p<0.005). Hyperplasia of the aorticopulmonary paraganglia (APP) was detected in 25% of SIDS cases. The cell clusters and cell diameters were not significantly different from age-matched controls. Two SIDS cases showed intracapsular glomus in the left stellate ganglion and 5 cases presented inflammatory foci in the right stellate ganglion. The observation of frequent anomalies, mostly congenital, of the autonomic nervous system structures, both in SIDS and in SIUD indicates a continuity between these two pathologies. Our research upheld a new approach to SIDS by analogical link with SIUD. Indeed, early SIDS may well depend upon postnatal block of respiratory reflexes for fetus survival, warranted by Kölliker-Fuse nucleus, or upon impaired development of central circuitry for respiratory reflexogenesis. The acronym SIUD-SIDS underlines a possible common morphological substrate. The search shall be continued for a better definition of what is normal or abnormal in the infant and fetal cardiac conduction and autonomic nervous systems.

The purpose of this master’s thesis is to examine and analyse how a transfer pricing adjustment is made and how related parties should handle price adjustments from a customs perspective in Sweden. The examination includes describing the valuation methods available for transfer pricing and customs valuation with regards to related parties. In addition, the differences in connection to the valuation are described and analysed.

Goods imported to Sweden must be cleared through customs: the importer presents a customs declaration to the Swedish Customs and pays customs duty. The customs duty is calculated using a customs value and customs valuation is the system that enables the importer to establish correct customs values on imported goods. Transfer pricing is the determination of prices on transactions taken place between companies belonging to the same group and has a direct effect on the income tax payable. There are six customs valuation methods that are hierarchically applied and six transfer pricing methods that are applied somewhat differently. There are similarities between the methods and most of the customs valuation methods have a corresponding transfer pricing method, or vice versa. Even if there are similarities, many factors make reconciliation of the methods difficult. Such factors are the different time for assessing the value and that the customs valuation methods are applied in a strictly hierarchical way with no possibility to choose the most suitable method.

Customs duties and transfer pricing both share the same valuation concept, although interpreted differently, being that the value shall be based on the price that the parties would arrive at under open market conditions. However, relevant values on the same transaction differ significantly due to trying to be in accordance with respective rules. The differences in expectations and the conflicting interests on the outcome of the valuation lead to problems in the tax field. As a conclusion, customs valuation and transfer pricing can undeniably be described as “the two opposing and necessary sides of the same ‘coin’, whose respective values unavoidably affect the whole balance of a system of closely connected valuation”.

In order for related parties to use the transaction value method, which is the superior customs valuation method, the price must not have been influenced due to their relationship. If one of two tests prescribed by law can prove that the relationship has not influenced the price, the related parties can use the transaction value method to establish the customs value. If the transaction value, for some reason cannot be used, the importer has to address other options on to how to establish the customs value.

The conclusion of this master’s thesis is that related parties should include a price review clause in their contract or pricing policy. The company should notify the Swedish Customs about the provisional price and make an incomplete customs declaration. When information enabling the calculation of the customs value is available, the importer should file a complementary declaration. As an alternative, the importer should declare an open claim to the Swedish Customs arguing that the transaction value cannot be applied and, as a consequence thereof, explain in the customs value declaration why the applied customs value is correct.

This thesis provides three recommendations concerning how to deal with the complications of customs valuation and transfer pricing. The first recommendation is that rules and recommendations surrounding transfer pricing and customs valuation should, to the extent possible, be harmonised. The second recommendation is that co-operation between the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish Customs must improve, for example through advance pricing arrangements for both transfer pricing and customs purposes, documentation requirements, and joint audits. The third recommendation is that related parties should take the same care and documentation approach for customs purposes as it does for transfer pricing. Importing companies should make a price review clause in their contract before the importation and present an incomplete customs declaration. This way, in case of adjustments, the related party is able to uphold an arm’s length standard on the price and has the possibility to use the preferred transaction value for customs purposes, if that is desirable.

Resumo: Ecomorfologia de caranguejos e siris (CRUSTACEA DECAPODA BRACHYURA) de ecossistemas costeiros. O presente estudo objetivou avaliar se diferentes espécies de Brachyura possuem padrões ecomorfológicos em comum ligados ao habitat em que estão inseridas. Foram analisados 528 exemplares pertencentes a 24 espécies e provenientes dos seguintes ecossistemas costeiros: manguezal, costão rochoso, praia arenosa, bentopelagial e mar aberto. De todos os exemplares foram mensuradas 16 dimensões para machos e 17 para fêmeas. Os valores proporcionais destas dimensões foram utilizados para a Análise de Componentes Principais (ACP) e Análise de Agrupamento. Também, foram elaborados e interpretados 12 atributos ecomorfológicos. Para os machos, os dois primeiros eixos produzidos pela ACP acumularam 77,52% da variação. As dimensões que mais influenciaram a distribuição foram o comprimento total da perna ambulatória 1 (CTP1), comprimento total da perna ambulatória 4 (CTP4), comprimento do quelípodo maior (CQM) e comprimento da carapaça (CC). Para as fêmeas, os dois primeiros eixos da ACP foram responsáveis por 74,73% da variação. As dimensões que mais influenciaram foram CTP4, CTP1, CQM e (altura do quelípodo maior) AQM. Através da ACP e Análise de Agrupamento foi possível separar as espécies em quatro grupos principais: 1. espécies de substrato complexo, 2. espécies semiterrestres, 3. espécies bentopelágicas e de mar aberto e 4. espécie fital. As espécies de substratos complexos apresentaram P1 e P4 de comprimentos semelhantes e forte heteroquilia relacionados, respectivamente, à vida em substratos irregulares e alimentação com animais providos de exoesqueleto ou conchas. As espécies semiterrestres apresentaram P1 e P4 de diferentes tamanhos e o mais longo pedúnculo ocular, indicando, respectivamente, agilidade nas passadas em substrato terrestre e importância da comunicação visual. As espécies bentopelágicas e de mar aberto apresentaram fraca heteroquilia, maiores dimensões da carapaça e o pedúnculo ocular mais curto, indicando que no meio aquático, o movimento do corpo é facilitado pelo empuxo e a comunicação visual é menos importante. A única espécie fital Epialtus brasiliensis apresentou, proporcionalmente, o mais longo P1 dentre todas as espécies e dátilo fortemente recurvado relacionado com o hábito epibionte em algas.

This thesis presents geometric computing algorithms for the evaluation of geometric errors on the pressure and suction sides of an airfoil section. Airfoil blades such as those in an impeller have a complex freeform geometry which poses significant challenges to the geometric error evaluation tasks. Reliable error evaluation is critical to the impellers as wrongful rejections will lead to significant financial losses. In practice, touch-probe coordinate measuring machines are employed to acquire measurement data points on the impeller blade surface along pre-specified sections. The measurement data points are then used to evaluate against the specified geometric tolerances including the profile tolerance and airfoil thickness control. Profile tolerances can be defined in three ways: bilateral asymmetric, bilateral symmetric, and unilateral. Existing methods for profile error evaluation are not capable of evaluating all three possible types of profile tolerance. These methods are not adaptive with respect to the specified tolerance zone boundaries. This thesis proposes a novel Scaled Minimax Method which is able to address all types of profile tolerance. The proposed method builds on the conventional Minimax Method and utilizes a scaling constant to control the relative positioning of the evaluated profile error zone boundaries. Thickness control is a less-known tolerance specification for airfoil sections. It controls the overall shape deviation of an airfoil section between the pressure and suction sides. The proposed evaluation method is based on determining a minimum error zone via simultaneously shrinking the outer boundary and growing the inner boundary for the involved measurement data points. Numerous case studies have been performed to validate the effectiveness of the proposed geometric error evaluation methods.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction The discovery of Doxorubicin in the 1960s has drastically improved the survival rates of cancer patients, however, its success is limited by dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. While much of the literature has focused on acute cardiotoxicity which is minor and generally reversible, chronic cardiotoxicity poses a serious threat to cancer survivors since it can lead to dilative cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure and even death. The mechanisms that contribute to cardiotoxicity are still a matter of controversy, however, oxidative stress-induced myocardial damage and apoptosis are thought to be the major role players. Reperfusion injury, also characterized by oxidative stress and apoptosis, occurs as a result of restoring blood flow to an ischemic heart. Fortunately, pre- and post-conditioning are techniques employed to minimize this damage and are thought to do so by activating the reperfusion injury salvage kinase (RISK) and survivor activating factor enhancement (SAFE) pathways. The RISK pathway involves the pro-survival kinases, Erk1/2 and Akt, while the SAFE pathway, triggered by TNF-α, involves Jak2 and STAT3. Since both reperfusion injury and Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity share similar characteristics, this study aimed to determine whether the RISK and SAFE pathways are activated in response to long-term Doxorubicin treatment. Furthermore, this study aimed to determine whether TNF-α is produced during treatment, since its role in Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity is still relatively unknown. Methods H9c2 cardiomyocytes and differentiated C2C12 myotubes were treated daily with increasing concentrations of Doxorubicin for a total of 120 hours. Cell viability, apoptosis and necrosis were assessed using the MTT, Caspase-Glo® 3/7 and lactate dehydrogenase assays respectively. TNF-α production was measured using Quantikine® ELISA kits and various assays were used to assess oxidative stress, anti-oxidant capacity and anti-oxidant status. The protein expression of the RISK and SAFE pathways were analysed by western blotting using both phospho-specific and total antibodies. Results and Discussion Treatment with Doxorubicin caused a time- and dose-dependent decrease in cell viability in both cell lines and this was accompanied by an increase in apoptosis. In the H9c2 cardiomyocytes, treatment with 0.2 μM Doxorubicin yielded significant levels of TNF-α after 120 hours and we can speculate that these low levels partially protected the cells from the toxic effects of Doxorubicin by activating the SAFE pathway, since both Jak2 and STAT3 were phosphorylated at this concentration. Treatment with 1 μM Doxorubicin caused a larger and biphasic pattern of TNF-α release, which may have then contributed to the decrease in cell viability, since the SAFE pathway was not activated at this concentration. Akt was phosphorylated during the first 72 hours of treatment with the low dose of Doxorubicin, but chronic treatment prevented this phosphorylation. While Erk1/2 was not phosphorylated at all at the low dose of Doxorubicin, neither Akt nor Erk1/2 was phosphorylated at the high dose and their inhibition may contribute to the cardiotoxic effects of Doxorubicin. In the C2C12 myotubes, a significant amount of TNF-α was produced after 120 hours of treatment with the low dose of Doxorubicin. Treatment with the high dose of Doxorubicin induced significant TNF-α production at every time point. While STAT3 was phosphorylated at the serine residue after treatment with the low dose of Doxorubicin, treatment with the high dose induced phosphorylation at the tyrosine residue in a time-dependent manner. p-Jak2 expression was significantly down-regulated at both concentrations of Doxorubicin, suggesting that STAT3 proteins can by-pass activation by Jak2. The Erk1/2 leg of the RISK pathway was also not activated for the majority of the treatment period, however, p-Akt expression was increased at the low concentration of Doxorubicin relative to total Akt expression. Conclusion These observations indicate that treatment with Doxorubicin causes a severe, dose-dependent loss in viability which is likely to mediated by high concentrations of TNF-α (induced by high concentrations of Doxorubicin) and down-regulation of protective signaling pathways. TNF-α may confer partial protection at low concentrations by activating the SAFE pathway. However, activation of the SAFE pathway could not provide sufficient protection from Doxorubicin, most probably because the RISK pathway was not simultaneously activated. Our results also clearly highlight the differences between acute and chronic treatment since a single high dose of Doxorubicin produced vastly different responses to cumulative treatment with a low dose. Before one can extrapolate these results into the clinical setting, further research is required to provide a better understanding of the RISK and SAFE pathways and whether stimulation thereof will provide a protective effect. In addition, although our study has shown that TNF-α is produced in response to Doxorubicin treatment, its true role, whether beneficial or detrimental, remains to be determined.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inleiding Die ontdekking van Doksorubisien (DOKS) in die 1960’s het die oorlewingsyfer van kankerpasiënte drasties verhoog, maar DOKS-gebruik gaan egter ook gepaard met dosis-afhanklike kardiotoksisiteit. Terwyl die literatuur grootliks fokus op akute kardiotoksisiteit, wat minimaal en algemeen omkeerbaar is, hou kroniese kardiotoksisiteit ‘n ernistige bedreiging vir kankeroorlewendes in, aangesien dit kan lei tot dilatiewe kardiomiopatie, kongestiewe hartversaking, en selfs dood. Die spesfikieke meganismes wat bydrae tot kardiotoksisiteit is tans steeds onbekend, maar oksidatiewe stres-geinduseerde miokardiale skade en apoptose word beskou as hoof bydraende faktore. Reperfussie skade, ook gekaraktiseer deur die teenwoordigheid van oksidatiewe stres en apoptose, kom voor as gevolg van die herstel van bloedtoevoer na ‘n isgemiese hart. Om die skade te minimaliseer word voor- en nakondisionerings tegnieke geïmplimenteer wat die RSHK (Reperfussie Skade Herwinnings Kinase) en OAFV (Oorlewerings Aktiverings Faktor Versterkings)-weë aktiveer. Die RSHK weg maak gebruik van pro-oorlewings kinases Erk1/2 en Akt, terwyl die TNF-α geaktiveerde OAFV weg Jak2 en STAT3 betrek. Aangesien beide reperfussie skade en DOKS-geinduseerde kardiotoksisiteit soortgelyke eienskappe deel, is die doel van hierdie studie om vas te stel of die RSHK en OAFV-weë geaktiveer word in langtermyn DOKS behandeling. Boonop is nog ‘n doel van hierdie studie om vas te stel of TNF-α geproduseer word tydens behandeling, aangesien die rol daarvan in DOKS-geinduseerde kardiotoksisiteit steeds onbekend is. Metodes H9c2 kardiomiosiet en gedifferensieerde C2C12 miobuise was daagliks behandel met toenemende konsentrasies van Dox vir 120 ure. Die effekte van DOKS op sel lewensvatbaarheid, apoptose en nekrose is onderskeidelik ondersoek deur middel van die MTT, Caspase-Glo® 3/7 en LDH toetse. TNF-α produksie is bepaal deur van die Quantikine® toets gebruik te maak, en verskeie metodes is gebuik om die oksidatiewe stres, anti-oksidantkapasiteit en anti-oksidantstatus te bepaal. Die proteïenuitdrukking van die RSHK (Erk1/2 en Akt) en OAFV (Jak2 en STAT3) weë was ontleed deur middel van westerse afklattingstegniek deur van beide fosfospesifieke en totale teenliggaampies gebruik te maak. Resultate en Bespreking Behandeling met DOKS het ‘n tyd en dosis-afhanklike afname in sel lewensvatbaarheid in beide sellyne veroorsaak, wat gepaard gegaan het met ‘n toename in apoptose. In die H9c2 kardiomiosiete, het ‘n lae DOKS dosisbehandeling (0.2 μM) betekenisvolle vlakke van TNF-α na 120 uur opgelewer en ons kan spekuleer dat hierdie lae vlakke gedeeltelik die selle van die toksiese effekte van DOKS deur die aktivering van die OAFV weg beskerm het omrede beide Jak2 en STAT3 by hierdie konsentrasie gefosforileer is. Die hoë DOKS dosis (1 μM) het ‘n groter en bifasiese patroon van TNF-α vrystelling vertoon, wat kon bydra tot die DOKS-geinduseerde afname in sel lewensvatbaarheid. Akt is gedurende die eerste 72 uur van behandeling gefosforileer met die lae DOKS dosis, maar kroniese behandeling het hierdie fosforilering verhoed. Terwyl Erk1/2 glad nie gefosforileer is by die lae DOKS dosis nie, is nie Akt of Erk1/2 by die hoë dosis gefosforileer nie, en kan hierdie inhibering bydrae tot die kardiotoksiese effekte van DOKS. In die C2C12 miobuise, is ‘n betekenisvolle hoeveelheid TNF-α na 120 uur van behandeling geproduseer by die lae DOKS dosis. Behandeling met die hoë DOKS dosis het betekenisvolle TNF-α produksie geinduseer by elke tydspunt. Terwyl STAT3 gefosforileer is by die serienresidu na behandeling met die lae DOKS dosis, het behandeling met die hoë dosis fosforilering by die tirosienresidu op ’n tydsafhanklike wyse plaasgevind. p-Jak2 uitdrukking was betekenisvol verminder by beide DOKS konsentrasies, wat aanduidend is dat die STAT3 proteïene nie geaktiveer hoef te word deur Jak2 nie. Die Erk1/2 been van die RSHK weg is ook nie geaktiveer gedurende die oorhoofse behandelingstydperk nie, alhoewel, p-Akt wel uitgedruk is by die lae konsentrasie van DOKS relatief tot die totale Akt uitdrukking. Gevolgtrekkings Die resultate van hierdie studie toon dat DOKS-behandeling tot ‘n dosis-afhanklike verlies in sel lewensvatbaarheid lei. Hierdie effek word waarskynlik bemiddel deur die teenwoordigheid van hoë konsentrasies TNF-α, en ook die afregulering van die beskermende seinweë. TNF-α kan moontlik gedeeltelike beskerming bied by lae konsentrasies deur aktivering van die OAFV weg. Die aktivering van die OAFV weg kon egter nie voldoende beskerming teen DOKS bied nie; moontlik as gevolg van die afwesigheid van die gelyktydige RSHK weg aktivering. Ons resultate vertoon die verskille tussen die akute en kronies behandeling aangesien ‘n enkele hoë-dosis van DOKS, in vergelyking met ‘n kumulatiewe lae-dosis, grootliks verskillende resultate opgelewer het. Voordat hierdie resultate klinies verder ondersoek kan word is verdere navorsing nodig om TNF-α en die RSHK en OAFV-weë beter te verstaan, en om vas te stel of stimulering van hierdie seinoordragpaaie ‘n beskermende effek teweeg sal bring.