On the use of transgenic mice and optogenetics to characterize genetically defined subpopulations of neurons

Neuroscientists have a variety of perspectives with which to classify different parts of the brain. With the rise of genetic-based techniques such as optogenetics, it is increasingly important to identify whether a group of cells, defined by morphology, function or anatomical location possesses a distinct pattern of expression of one or more genetic promoters. This would allow for better ways to study of these genetically defined subpopulations of neurons. In this work, I present a theoretical discussion and threeexperimental studies in which this was the main question being addressed. Paper I discusses the issues involved in selecting a promoter to study structures and subpopulations in the Ventral Tegmental Area. Paper II characterizes a subpopulation of cells in the Ventral Tegmental Area that shares the expression of a promoter and is anatomically very restricted, and induces aversion when stimulated. Paper III utilizes a similar strategy to investigate a subpopulation in the subthalamic nucleus that expresses PITX2 and VGLUT2 which, when inactivated, causes hyperlocomotion. Paper IV exploits the fact that a previously identified group of cells in the ventral hippocampus expresses CHRNA2, and indicates that this population may be necessary and sufficient for the establishment of the theta rhythm (2-8 Hz) in the Local Field Potential of anesthetized mice. All of these studies were guided by the same strategy of characterizing and studying the role of a genetically defined subpopulation of cells, and they demonstrate the different ways in which this approach can generate new discoveries.

Modelagem dos efeitos da irradiação luminosa no cérebro de camundongos e rastreamento de neurônios durante experimentos de microscopia de fluorescência

The fluorescent proteins are an essential tool in many fields of biology, since they allow us to watch the development of structures and dynamic processes of cells in living tissue, with the aid of fluorescence microscopy. Optogenectics is another technique that is currently widely used in Neuroscience. In general, this technique allows to activate/deactivate neurons with the radiation of certain wavelengths on the cells that have ion channels sensitive to light, at the same time that can be used with fluorescent proteins. This dissertation has two main objectives. Initially, we study the interaction of light radiation and mice brain tissue to be applied in optogenetic experiments. In this step, we model absorption and scattering effects using mice brain tissue characteristics and Kubelka-Munk theory, for specific wavelengths, as a function of light penetration depth (distance) within the tissue. Furthermore, we model temperature variations using the finite element method to solve Pennes’ bioheat equation, with the aid of COMSOL Multiphysics Modeling Software 4.4, where we simulate protocols of light stimulation tipically used in optogenetics. Subsequently, we develop some computational algorithms to reduce the exposure of neuron cells to the light radiation necessary for the visualization of their emitted fluorescence. At this stage, we describe the image processing techniques developed to be used in fluorescence microscopy to reduce the exposure of the brain samples to continuous light, which is responsible for fluorochrome excitation. The developed techniques are able to track, in real time, a region of interest (ROI) and replace the fluorescence emitted by the cells by a virtual mask, as a result of the overlay of the tracked ROI and the fluorescence information previously stored, preserving cell location, independently of the time exposure to fluorescent light. In summary, this dissertation intends to investigate and describe the effects of light radiation in brain tissue, within the context of Optogenetics, in addition to providing a computational tool to be used in fluorescence microscopy experiments to reduce image bleaching and photodamage due to the intense exposure of fluorescent cells to light radiation.

Configurações para métodos de acesso por escaneamento

The use of access technologies for communication, based on scanning methods, enables new communication opportunities for individuals with severe motor dysfunction. One of the most commom examples of this type of technology is the single switch scanning. Single switch scanning keyboards are often used as augmentative and alternative communication devices for inidividuals with severe mobility restrictions and with compromised speech and writing. They consist of a matrix of keys and simulate the operation of a physical keyboard to write messages. One of the limitations of these systems is their low performance. Low communication rates and considerable errors ocurrence are some of the few problems that users of these devices suffers during daily use. The development and evaluation of new strategies in augmentative and alternative communication are essential to improve the communication opportunities of user who make use of such technology. Thus, this work explores different strategies to increase communication rate and reduce user’s mistakes. Computational and practical analysis were performed for the evaluation of proposed strategies.

Análise do uso de escalas nas simulações de processos de estampagem

The purpose of using software based on numerical approximations for metal forming is given by the need to ensure process efficiency in order to get high quality products at lowest cost and shortest time. This study uses the theory of similitude in order to develop a technique capable of simulating the stamping process of a metal sheet, obtaining results close to the real values, with shorter processing times. The results are obtained through simulations performed in the finite element software STAMPACK®. This software uses the explicit integration method in time, which is usually applied to solve nonlinear problems involving contact, such as the metal forming processes. The technique was developed from a stamping model of a square box, simulated with four different scale factors, two higher and two smaller than the real scale. The technique was validated with a bending model of a welded plate, which had a high simulation time. The application of the technique allowed over 50% of decrease in the time of simulation. The results for the application of the scale technique for forming plates were satisfactory, showing good quantitative results related to the decrease of the total time of simulation. Finally, it is noted that the decrease in simulation time is only possible with the use of two related scales, the geometric and kinematic scale. The kinematic scale factors should be used with caution, because the high speeds can cause dynamic problems and could influence the results of the simulations.

Avaliação da adaptação marginal de diferentes tipos de restaurações obtidas por CAD/CAM e métodos convencionais

The past few decades have brought many changes to the dental practice and the technology has become ready available. The result of a satisfactory rehabilitation treatment basically depends on the balance between biological and mechanical factors. The marginal adaptation of crowns and prosthetic structures is vital factor for long-term success. The development of CAD / CAM technology in the manufacture of dental prostheses revolutionized dentistry, this technology is capable of generating a virtual model from the direct digital scanning from the mouth, casts or impressions. It allows the planning and design of the structure in a computered software. The virtual projects are obtained with high precision and a significant reduction in clinical and laboratory time. Thus, the present study (Chapters 1, 2 and 3) computed microtomography was used to evaluate, different materials, different CAD/CAM systems, different ways of obtaining virtual model (with direct or indirect scanning), and in addition, also aims to evaluate the influence of cementing agent in the final adaptation of crowns and copings obtained by CAD / CAM. Furthermore, this study (Chapter 4, 5 and 6) also aims to evaluate significant differences in vertical and horizontal misfits in abutment-free frameworks on external hexagon implants (HE) using full castable UCLAs, castable UCLAs with cobalt-chromium pre-machined bases and obtained by CAD / CAM with CoCr or Zirconia by different scanning and milling systems. For this, the scanning electron microscopy and interferometry were used. It was concluded that the CAD / CAM technology is capable to produce restorations, copings and screw-retained implant-supported frameworks in different materials and systems offering satisfactory results of marginal accuracy, with significative reduction in clinical and laboratory time.

Tratamento tópico para xerostomia pós-radioterapia para câncer de cabeça e pescoço – Revisão Sistemática

The purpose of this systematic review was to compare the effectiveness of topical treatments to minimize post-radiotherapy xerostomia. PubMed, Cochrane Library (CENTRAL) and LILACS databases were searched without restriction on date or language until the 6thAugust, 2015. Key-wordsused for searching were radiotherapy, xerostomia and saliva. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts, carried out data extraction and assessed risk of bias. The first search identified 429 articles. From these, 117 studies were selected for full-text reading, from which 18 were included in the qualitative synthesis. From the eighteen articles included, seven were non- controlled clinical trial, one article was controlled clinical trial and ten studies were randomized clinical trials (three clinical trials were placebo controlled and seven were crossover). By the assessment of the quality of the studies included, ten showed high risk of bias, four showed moderate risk of bias and four presented low risk of bias. All interventions were considered effective in treating xerostomia (mucin, polysaccharides, aloe vera, rape oil, linseed oil, carboxymethylcellulose, polyethylene oxide, pilocarpine and systems of care for xerostomia - gel, paste and mouthwash). Meta-analysis could not be performed due to heterogeneity between thestudiesand interventions. This systematic review showed that a single and general protocol for topical treatment of xerostomia post-radiotherapy does not exist and that follow-up visits should be performed to validate the individualized treatment plan.

A Influência do endosso de blogueiras no comportamento das consumidoras de moda no Brasil

The study about the celebrity endorsement has relevance for both the academia and businesses seeking to retain and attract customers through marketing communications. However, most researches conducted analyzes celebrities from the artistic or sports, and study the endorsement in print media or on TV. Few studies analyze the endorsement of influencers in social media. Observing this gap, the aim of this study is to verify if the endorsement of fashion bloggers influence on purchase intention of Brazilian consumers. In addition, other factors were analyzed for better understanding of the fashion consumer behavior: evaluation of the product, brand awareness, brand loyalty, product quality, involvement with fashion, and credibility of the endorser. Therefore, it held two studies. The first consisted of a qualitative exploratory research, which used focus groups to identify and understand how social media affect the behavior of consumers of fashion products. Among the main results of this study, we highlight the Instagram appointed unanimously as the main social media used by respondents for information on fashion, and the mention of blogger Thássia Naves as the main source of fashion reference in social media. In the second study was undertaken an experiment in which half of the sample had access to the image of a dress used by the blogger Thássia Naves on her Instagram, while the other half had access to dress image disclosed at the online store website of the product brand. The number of valid responses considered for the study was 465. To test the hypotheses of the study, we applied the t test for independent samples and ANOVA test for more than two groups. The survey results supported 5 of 8 hypotheses proposed. which were: The endorsement of the fashion blogger has a positive effect on purchase intention of the endorsed product (H1); The endorsement of the fashion blogger has a positive effect on the evaluation of the endorsed product (H2); The credibility of the fashion blogger has a positive effect on purchase intention of the endorsed product (H3); The credibility of the fashion blogger has a positive effect on the evaluation of the endorsed product (H4); and the credibility of the fashion blogger has a positive effect on brand awareness (H5). The other hypotheses have been disproved: The credibility of the fashion blogger has a positive effect on brand loyalty (H6); The credibility of the fashion blogger has a positive effect on the perception of quality (H7); and the credibility of the fashion blogger has a positive effect on involvement with fashion (H8).Within the scope of further analysis, it was found that involvement with fashion positively interfere in purchase intent, the evaluation of the product, brand awareness, loyalty to the brand, the pursuit of product quality and credibility of the endorser. Moreover, it was found that the frequency of access to Instagram for fashion information positively affects the purchase intention, in evaluating the product, the brand awareness in brand loyalty, involvement with fashion, and credibility endorser.

Avaliação da incerteza de medição no Setor Médico-hospitalar

This study aims to evaluate the uncertainty associated with measurements made by aneroid sphygmomanometer, neonatal electronic balance and electrocautery. Therefore, were performing repeatability tests on all devices for the subsequent execution of normality tests using Shapiro-Wilk; identification of influencing factors that affect the measurement result of each measurement; proposition of mathematical models to calculate the measurement uncertainty associated with measuring evaluated for all equipament and calibration for neonatal electronic balance; evaluation of the measurement uncertainty; and development of a computer program in Java language to systematize the calibration uncertainty of estimates and measurement uncertainty. It was proposed and carried out 23 factorial design for aneroid sphygmomanometer order to investigate the effect of temperature factors, patient and operator and another 32 planning for electrocautery, where it investigated the effects of temperature factors and output electrical power. The expanded uncertainty associated with the measurement of blood pressure significantly reduced the extent of the patient classification tracks. In turn, the expanded uncertainty associated with the mass measurement with neonatal balance indicated a variation of about 1% in the dosage of medication to neonates. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Turkey test indicated significant and indirectly proportional effects of temperature factor in cutting power values and clotting indicated by electrocautery and no significant effect of factors investigated for aneroid sphygmomanometer.

Avaliação da eficácia da implementação de um pacote de medidas na prevenção de pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica em unidade de terapia intensiva adulta

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a health care related infection and the second leading cause of nosocomial infections linked to morbidity and mortality rates. Therefore, the implementation of care guideline protocols has become necessary for critically ill patients in ICUs in order to provide adequate treatment. Objective: To assess the impact of a package called FAST HUG in PAV ; analyze the risk factors for occurrence of VAP in adult patients at an ICU of a private hospital ; analyze the clinical characteristics of patients who were or were not submitted to the FAST HUG ; analyze the etiology of microorganisms related to EPI ; determine the cost of hospitalization in patients with pneumonia and in patients who received the FAST HUG.Methods: The study was performed in a private hospital that has an 8-bed ICU. It was divided into two phases: before implementing FAST HUG, from August 2011 to August 2012 and after the implementation of FAST HUG, from September 2012 to December 2013. An individual form for each patient in the study was filled out by using information taken electronically from the hospital medical records. The following data for each patient was obtained: age, gender, reason for hospitalization, the use of three or more types of antibiotics, length of stay, intubation time and progress. Findings: After the implementation of FAST HUG, there was an observable decrease in the occurrence of VAP (p <0.01), as well as a reduction in mortality rates (p <0.01). It also shows that the intervention performed in the study resulted in a significant reduction in ICU hospital costs (p <0.05).Conclusion: The implementation of FAST HUG reduced the cases of VAP. Thus, decreasing costs, reducing mortality rates and length of stay, which therefore resulted in an improvement to the overall quality of care.

Diadenosine polyphosphates after laser in situ keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy refractive techniques

Purpose:  To study the concentrations of diadenosine polyphosphates in the ocular surface after PRK and LASIK. Methods:  Sixty-one patients (30 males and 31 females) with ages ranging from 20 to 63 (34.04 ± 9.13 years) were recruited in Balear Institute of Ophthalmology, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. LASIK was performed in 92 eyes of 46 patients and PRK in 25 eyes of 15 patients. Variations in the levels of diadenosine polyphosphate (Ap4A and Ap5A), Schirmer I (Jones test), TBUT, corneal staining together with the Dry Eye Questionnaire to evaluate discomfort and dryness were studied. All tests were performed at the preoperative visit and at 1-day, 2-week, 1-month and 3-month postoperative visits. Results:  Ap4A showed a 5 and 3.5 fold increase at the 1-day visit for LASIK and PRK, respectively. LASIK patients continued having higher statistically significant concentrations (p = 0.01) all over the follow-up. Ap5A showed no significant differences at any visit. Tear volume decreased during the 3 months in LASIK. The PRK cases had a normal volume at 1 month. TBUT in LASIK increased at the 1-day visit (p = 0,002) and decreased from the 2 weeks onwards and for the PRK, decreased by a 35% at the 1-day visit and kept reduced for a month. Discomfort only increased at the 1-day visit (p = 0.007). Dryness frequency was similar in all visits. Conclusions:  Ap4A levels only are increased in refractive surgery patients during the first day after the surgery. This increasing suggests that Ap4A may help accelerating the healing process.

Discovery and settlement of Alaska coaster

Tsar Peter the Great ruled Russia between 1689 and 1725. Its domains, stretching from the Baltic Sea in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east. From north to south, its empire stretching from the Arctic Ocean to the borders with China and India. Tsar Peter I tried to extend the geographical knowledge of his government and the rest of the world. He was also interested in the expansion of trade in Russia and in the control of trade routes. Feodor Luzhin and Ivan Yeverinov explored the eastern border of the Russian Empire, the trip between 1719 and 1721 and reported to the Tsar. They had crossed the peninsula of Kamchatka, from west to east and had traveled from the west coast of Kamchatka to the Kuril Islands. The information collected led to the first map of Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands. Tsar Peter ordered Bering surf the Russian Pacific coast, build ships and sail the seas north along the coast to regions of America. The second expedition found equal to those of the previous explorers difficulties. Two ships were eventually thrown away in Okhotsk in 1740. The explorers spent the winter of 1740-1741 stockpiling supplies and then navigate to Petropavlovsk. The two ships sailed eastward and did together until June 20, then separated by fog. After searching Chirikov and his boat for several days, Bering ordered the San Pedro continue to the northeast. There the Russian sailors first sighted Alaska. According to the log, "At 12:30 (pm July 17) in sight of snow-capped mountains and between them a high volcano." This finding came the day of St. Elijah and so named the mountain.

Análisis, diseño y desarrollo de un videojuego en 2D vista lateral

[ES]En este proyecto se ha desarrollado un prototipo de un videojuego en 2D con perspectiva lateral. El juego es fundamentalmente un juego de peleas en el que se usa una pelota para combatir. El objetivo es derrotar al rival, consiguiendo que la pelota le golpee y evitando recibir golpes mediante el uso de los controles apropiados. Está ambientado en un mundo futurista y los combates tienen lugar en naves espaciales o planetas alienígenas. Para el desarrollo de este juego se ha empleado el motor de videojuegos Unity 5, además de recursos creados por la propia autora u obtenidos de diversas fuentes de contenido open-source.

Modos projetuais de simulação: uso de ferramentas de simulação térmica no processo projetual de arquitetura

This thesis aims to describe and demonstrate the developed concept to facilitate the use of thermal simulation tools during the building design process. Despite the impact of architectural elements on the performance of buildings, some influential decisions are frequently based solely on qualitative information. Even though such design support is adequate for most decisions, the designer will eventually have doubts concerning the performance of some design decisions. These situations will require some kind of additional knowledge to be properly approached. The concept of designerly ways of simulating focuses on the formulation and solution of design dilemmas, which are doubts about the design that cannot be fully understood nor solved without using quantitative information. The concept intends to combine the power of analysis from computer simulation tools with the capacity of synthesis from architects. Three types of simulation tools are considered: solar analysis, thermal/energy simulation and CFD. Design dilemmas are formulated and framed according to the architect s reflection process about performance aspects. Throughout the thesis, the problem is investigated in three fields: professional, technical and theoretical fields. This approach on distinct parts of the problem aimed to i) characterize different professional categories with regards to their design practice and use of tools, ii) investigate preceding researchers on the use of simulation tools and iii) draw analogies between the proposed concept, and some concepts developed or described in previous works about design theory. The proposed concept was tested in eight design dilemmas extracted from three case studies in the Netherlands. The three investigated processes are houses designed by Dutch architectural firms. Relevant information and criteria from each case study were obtained through interviews and conversations with the involved architects. The practical application, despite its success in the research context, allowed the identification of some applicability limitations of the concept, concerning the architects need to have technical knowledge and the actual evolution stage of simulation tools

Diagnóstico qualidade do processo do projeto com foco na comunicação e integração entre agentes: FAPP, uma ferramenta de apoio

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Arquitetura e Urbanismo, 2015.

Comparison of Intraocular Pressure before and after Laser In Situ Keratomileusis Refractive Surgery Measured with Perkins Tonometry, Noncontact Tonometry, and Transpalpebral Tonometry

Purpose. To compare the intraocular pressure (IOP) before and after Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), measured by Diaton, Perkins, and noncontact air pulse tonometers. Methods. Fifty-seven patients with a mean age of 34.88 were scheduled for myopia LASIK treatment. Spherical equivalent refraction (SER), corneal curvature (K), and central corneal thickness (CCT) and superior corneal thickness (SCT) were obtained before and after LASIK surgery. IOP values before and after surgery were measured using Diaton, Perkins, and noncontact air pulse tonometers. Results. The IOP values before and after LASIK surgery using Perkins tonometer and air tonometers were statistically significant (). However, no significant differences were found () for IOP values measured with Diaton tonometer. CCT decreases significantly after surgery () but no statistical differences were found in SCT (). Correlations between pre- and postsurgery were found for all tonometers used, with and for the air pulse tonometer, and for Perkins, and and for Diaton. Conclusion. Transpalpebral tonometry may be useful for measuring postsurgery IOP after myopic LASIK ablation because this technique is not influenced by the treatment.