The generating function of the generalized Fibonacci sequence

Using tools of the theory of orthogonal polynomials we obtain the generating function of the generalized Fibonacci sequence established by Petronilho for a sequence of real or complex numbers {Qn} defined by Q0 = 0, Q1 = 1, Qm = ajQm−1 + bjQm−2, m ≡ j (mod k), where k ≥ 3 is a fixed integer, and a0, a1, . . . , ak−1, b0, b1, . . . , bk−1 are 2k given real or complex numbers, with bj #0 for 0 ≤ j ≤ k−1. For this sequence some convergence proprieties are obtained.

Unraveling the function of bacterial-type phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in vascular plants

Thesis (Master, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2016-09-29 20:09:46.997

Effects of radiation therapy on the structure and function of the pelvic floor muscles of patients with cancer in the pelvic area : a systematic review

Purpose Radiation therapy (RT) is often recommended in the treatment of pelvic cancers. Following RT, a high prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunctions (urinary incontinence, dyspareunia, and fecal incontinence) is reported. However, changes in pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) after RT remain unclear. The purpose of this review was to systematically document the effects of RT on the PFM structure and function in patients with cancer in the pelvic area. Methods An electronic literature search using Pubmed Central, CINAHL, Embase, and SCOPUS was performed from date of inception up to June 2014. The following keywords were used: radiotherapy, muscle tissue, and pelvic floor. Two reviewers selected the studies in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement (PRISMA). Out of the 369 articles screened, 13 met all eligibility criteria. The methodological quality was assessed using the QualSyst scoring system, and standardized mean differences were calculated. Results Thirteen studies fulfilled all inclusion criteria, from which four were of good methodological quality. One presented strong evidence that RT affects PFM structure in men treated for prostate cancer. Four presented high-level evidence that RT affects PFM function in patients treated for rectal cancer. Meta-analysis was not possible due to heterogeneity and lack of descriptive statistics. Conclusion There is some evidence that RT has detrimental impacts on both PFMs’ structure and function. Implications for cancer survivors A better understanding of muscle damage and dysfunction following RT treatment will improve pelvic floor rehabilitation and, potentially, prevention of its detrimental impacts.

Changes in enzymatic activity, accumulation of proteins and softening of persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) flesh as a function of pre-cooling acclimatization.

One of the major causes of ?Fuyu? persimmon loss after cold storage (CS) is the breakdown of its flesh, which results in the production of a translucent fruit (a water-soaked fruit). It is believed that the cause of this disturbance is linked to disorganization of the cytoskelet and endomembrane system, which changes the synthesis and transport of proteins and metabolites, resulting in incomplete ripening. To test this hypothesis, ?Fuyu? persimmon was subjected to three different postharvest treatments (T): Control ? harvested and kept at 23±3 ◦C and relative humidity (RH) of 85±5% (room temperature, RT) for 12 days, T1 ? harvested and kept under cold storage (CS) (1±1 ◦C and RH of 85±5%) for 30 days followed by RT storage for 2 days, T2 ? kept under RT for 2 days (acclimatization) followed by CS for 30 days. Control and T2 resulted in fruit with decreased flesh firmness (FF), and increased soluble solids (SS) and ascorbic acid (AA) contents. In these fruit the activity of endo-1,4-ß-glucanase (endo-1,4-ß-gluc), pectin methylesterase (PME), polygalacturonase (PG) and ß-galactosidase (ß-gal) increased. T1 resulted in translucent fruit with decreased FF, without any enzymatic activity changes, probably due to the physical disruption of the cytoskeleton. Further, there was an increased content of proteins corresponding to expansins in fruit kept under Control and T2 conditions, which suggests that these conditions do contribute to the synthesis and/or transport of proteins involved in the process of solubilization of the cell wall. In these fruit, there was also a major accumulation of gene transcripts corresponding to heat shock proteins (HSPs) of organelles related to endomembrane, which suggests participation of these genes in the prevention of damage caused by cold conditions. These data proved the hypotheses that acclimatization contributes to the expression of HSPs, and synthesis and transportat of proteins involved in the solubilization of the cell wall. The expression of these genes results in the normal ripening of the persimmon, as confirmed by the evolution of ethylene production.

Weed occurrence in sugarcane as function of variety and ground straw management.

2016

Weed occurrence in sugarcane as function of variety and ground straw management.

2016

Role of CARM1 (PRMT4) in high grade serous ovarian cancer metabolism and function of PRMT5 in ARID1A- deficient endometrial cancer invasion

The arginine methyltransferase CARM1 (PRMT4) is amplified and overexpressed in ~20% of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) and correlates with a poor survival. Therapeutic approaches based on CARM1 expression remain to be an unmet need. Here we show that fatty acid metabolism represents a metabolic vulnerability for HGSOC in a CARM1 expression status dependent manner. CARM1 promotes the de novo synthesis of fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). The disruption of MUFAs synthesis by inhibition of SCD1 results in excessive accumulation of cytotoxic saturated fatty acids and it is synthetic lethal with CARM1 expression. Collectively, our data show that the pharmacological inhibition of MUFAs synthesis via SCD1 inhibition represents a therapeutic strategy for CARM1-high HGSOC. Another arginine methyltransferase, PRMT5, has been identified by our CRISPR screening analysis as a promising candidate for invasive ARID1A-deficient endometrial cancer. Endometrial Cancer frequently harbor somatic inactivating mutation of ARID1A that can promote an invasive phenotype. Our in vitro approach validated the CRISPR screening showing that both PRTM5 knock down and its pharmaceutical inhibition specifically hamper the invasion of ARID1A inactivated cells. Mechanistically, PRMT5 directly regulates the epithelia to mesenchymal transition pathway genes interacting with the SWI/SNF complexes. Moreover, in vivo experiments showed that PRMT5 inhibition contrasted the myometrium invasion highlighting PRMT5 inhibition as promising therapeutic strategy for ARID1A- inactivated aggressive endometrial cancer.

Analysis of human posterior EEG alpha frequency as a function of implicit learning of probabilistic lateralized stimuli in a visual detection task

Alpha oscillatory activity has long been associated with perceptual and cognitive processes related to attention control. The aim of this study is to explore the task-dependent role of alpha frequency in a lateralized visuo-spatial detection task. Specifically, the thesis focuses on consolidating the scientific literature's knowledge about the role of alpha frequency in perceptual accuracy, and deepening the understanding of what determines trial-by-trial fluctuations of alpha parameters and how these fluctuations influence overall task performance. The hypotheses, confirmed empirically, were that different implicit strategies are put in place based on the task context, in order to maximize performance with optimal resource distribution (namely alpha frequency, associated positively with performance): “Lateralization” of the attentive resources towards one hemifield should be associated with higher alpha frequency difference between contralateral and ipsilateral hemisphere; “Distribution” of the attentive resources across hemifields should be associated with lower alpha frequency difference between hemispheres; These strategies, used by the participants according to their brain capabilities, have proven themselves adaptive or maladaptive depending on the different tasks to which they have been set: "Distribution" of the attentive resources seemed to be the best strategy when the distribution probability between hemifields was balanced: i.e. the neutral condition task. "Lateralization" of the attentive resources seemed to be more effective when the distribution probability between hemifields was biased towards one hemifield: i.e., the biased condition task.

O que pensam os jornalistas sobre seu papel no enfrentamento das mudanças climáticas: as percepções dos profissionais da Gazeta do Povo no Paraná, Brasil

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar as percepções sobre enfrentamento das mudanças climáticas dos jornalistas que participaram do processo de produção de notícias sobre este assunto no jornal Gazeta do Povo, o de maior circulação no estado do Paraná, sul do Brasil, no ano de 2013, e relacioná-las com a função social do jornalismo e suas potencialidades no que tange à governança dos riscos climáticos, especialmente no nível local. A análise apresentada faz parte da pesquisa de doutorado da primeira autora que pretende concatenar as diferentes etapas do circuito da notícia pensando na comunicação, percepção e governança atreladas a questão climática. Neste texto nos centramos na discussão do papel da imprensa e do próprio profissional diante do problema das alterações do clima, concluindo que os respondentes atribuem funções sociais significativas à imprensa, mas não se veem como elementos-chave na promoção da governança climática, atribuindo mais responsabilidades a outros setores e justificando suas limitações a partir de normas e critérios profissionais.

Prevenção da sida nos ''idosos'' : aproximação à intervenção do Serviço Social. O caso de Cascais

RESUMO: Os dados estatísticos evidenciam uma tendência para o aumento de casos de HIV/SIDA em indivíduos com mais de 50 anos (OMS, 2008) e apontam a transmissão por via sexual como uma das causas das novas infecções nesta faixa etária. A inexistência de um tratamento ou de uma vacina para o HIV/SIDA faz com que a alteração de comportamentos de risco seja ainda o único meio disponível e universal de prevenir a doença, independentemente da faixa etária considerada. Reconhecendo a dimensão social do fenómeno, e a função preventiva e educativa inerente à actividade dos assistentes sociais, constitui-se como principal objectivo deste estudo compreender o papel do Serviço Social na prevenção do HIV /SIDA e dos comportamentos de risco nos idosos frequentadores de centros de convívio e academias. Especificamente pretendemos identificar o entendimento dos assistentes sociais face à SIDA, à sexualidade e aos comportamentos de risco da população idosa; compreender o papel do Serviço Social na prevenção do HIV/SIDA por relação a outros profissionais; identificar que acções de âmbito preventivo são utilizadas e em que nível da prevenção se situa a intervenção dos assistentes sociais e perceber se a mesma contribui para a mudança de comportamentos de risco. Situámos o estudo numa abordagem qualitativa, e seguimos uma estratégia indutiva. Os dados foram recolhidos através de entrevistas semi-estruturadas, aplicadas a oito assistentes sociais que exercem a sua actividade em Centros de Convívio ou Academias Seniores, no concelho de Cascais. Pela análise e interpretação dos discursos das entrevistadas verifica-se que, a maioria, têm conhecimentos acerca da sexualidade dos idosos no geral e nas respectivas instituições. Percepcionam a sexualidade como algo existente nos idosos, embora se tenham identificado, concomitantemente alguns preconceitos, não sendo um assunto comummente abordado nas suas acções quotidianas. O conhecimento que revelam relativamente ao HIV/SIDA e à expressão do problema a nível global ou local tem uma relação muito directa com a existência, ou não, de casos concretos na instituição. Constatámos que as acções preventivas sobre os comportamentos sexuais de risco são feitas por profissionais exteriores à instituição e de outras áreas, como a enfermagem e a psicologia. Face à regularidade e proximidade com os destinatários da intervenção sublinhamos a importância que os assistentes sociais podem ter no âmbito da prevenção primária, promovendo acções que capacitem, eduquem e motivem os idosos para a adopção de comportamentos saudáveis, sendo também condição sine qua non que os profissionais se reposicionem e assumam esse papel investindo na sua qualificação e especialização. ABSTRACT: The statistical data shows that the number of HIV/AIDS cases in individuals over 50 is rising (OMS, 2008), with the sexual transmission being the prime cause of the new infections in this age group. The non-existence of a treatment or a vaccine for HIV/AIDS leads the change in risk behaviors to remain the only available and universal method to prevent the spreading of this disease, regardless of the age group we are considering. Acknowledging the social dimension of the phenomenon and the inherent preventive and educational function of the Social Workers, the main objective of this study is to understand the role of the Social Work in HIV/AIDS prevention and the risk behaviors of the elderly. Specifically we intend to identify the knowledge the social workers have about HIV/AIDS, about the sexuality and risk behaviors of the elderly; understand the role of the social worker in HIV/AIDS prevention by comparison to other professionals; identify which preventive actions are taken in intervention and in which level of prevention the intervention of social workers takes place, and understand if prevention leads to changing the risk behaviors. We based the study in a qualitative approach, and followed an inductive strategy. The data was gathered by semi-structured interviews, applied to eight Social Workers working in Recreational Centers or Seniors Academies in Cascais’ district. By analyzing and interpreting the interviews we see, that the majority, knows about the sexuality of the elderly in general and in their respective institutions. They see sexuality as something that the elderly possess, although we have also identified some prejudices towards it, and it isn’t a theme usually approached in their daily actions. The knowledge that they reveal about HIV/AIDS and the impact of this problem at a global and local level, is directly linked to the existence, or not, of actual cases in the institution they work. We noticed that the preventive actions on sexual risk behaviors are conducted by professionals that don’t belong to the institution and of other areas of expertise, as Nursing and Psychology. Due to the regularity and proximity with whom the intervention is destined to, we emphasize the importance that the social workers may have in primary prevention, promoting actions that enable, educate and encourage the elderly to adopt health promoting behaviors, also being a sine qua non condition the professionals must reposition themselves and take that role investing in their qualification and specialization.

Jornalismo e cidadania: uma análise comparativa de coberturas de violações de direitos do adolescente

Pós-graduação em Comunicação - FAAC

O Trickster na escola: um estudo sobre a função educativa do mito

Pós-graduação em Educação Escolar - FCLAR

The development of a Flanders Interaction Analysis style instrument for use in educational computer mediated communication research

Please consult the paper edition of this thesis to read. It is available on the 5th Floor of the Library at Call Number: Z 9999 E38 D56 1992

Management of Higher Educational Institutions in Kerala

Economists consider education as an investment in man. Education develops human resources necessary for the economic and political growth of any nation. Adam Smith stressed the importance of education and included the acquired and useful activities of all the inhabitants or members of society in his concept of fixed capital.‘ Karl Marx shared with Smith's view when he laid down that the function of education in a socialist society will be to overcome the alienation of the worker from the means of production; while developing the technical skill it will make him a complete man as well as a producer.2 Education is also considered as a powerful instrument for social change. By inculcating moral and spiritual values, it brings changes both in the individual and in the society. It aims at creating a social order founded on the values of freedom, social justice and equal opportunity.3 The objective of this exploratory study is to enquire into the existing system of managing higher educational institutions in Kerala, compare it with the accepted principles of management believed to be applicable to all organisations, and develop a model capable of introducing more effective management practices

The Impact of Greek Affiliation on Students’ Educational Objectives: Longitudinal Change in Clark-Trow Educational Philosophies

Change in 4,119 students' freshman to senior ratings of four educational philosophies (vocational, academic, collegiate, and nonconformist) provided four measures of educational impact. Repeated measures analyses of variance compared changes in philosophy as a function of Greek affiliation, controlling for sex, historical era, major, parents' education, scholastic aptitude, and academic motivation. Small but significantly different degrees of change in the collegiate and nonconformist philosophies suggested that Greek affiliation increased social interests and inhibited some forms of intellectual interests. These small differences across all students masked the moderating effect of major. In the nonconformist philosophy, for example, the Greek × major interaction reflected substantial Greek–independent differences among humanities majors, and progressively smaller differences or reversals among social science, physical science, and engineering majors. Possible interpretations of this interaction are offered.