Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Sf'
To see the other types of publications on this topic, follow the link: Sf.
Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles
Consult the top 50 dissertations / theses for your research on the topic 'Sf.'
Next to every source in the list of references, there is an 'Add to bibliography' button. Press on it, and we will generate automatically the bibliographic reference to the chosen work in the citation style you need: APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.
You can also download the full text of the academic publication as pdf and read online its abstract whenever available in the metadata.
Browse dissertations / theses on a wide variety of disciplines and organise your bibliography correctly.
1
Baker, Joseph O., and Andrew L. Whitehead. "Gendering (Non)Religion: Politics, Education, and Gender Gaps in Secularity in the United States." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/sov119.
Full textAbstract:
Gender gaps in religiosity among Western populations, such that women are more religious than men, are well documented. Previous explanations for these differences range from biological predispositions of risk aversion to patriarchal gender socialization, but all largely overlook the intersection of social statuses. Drawing on theories of intersectionality, we contribute to the cultural and empirical analysis of gender gaps in religiosity by documenting an interactive effect between gender, education, and political views for predicting religious nonaffiliation and infrequent attendance at religious services among Americans. For highly educated political liberals, gender gaps effectively disappear, such that men and women are almost equally likely to be secular (or religious). The results have implications for the long-standing disputes about the gendered “nature” of religiosity and highlight the importance of multiple intersecting statuses and modalities in shaping aggregate patterns of religiosity and secularity.
2
Figueredo, Aurelio José, Rafael Antonio Garcia, J. Michael Menke, W. Jake Jacobs, Paul Robert Gladden, JeanMarie Bianchi, Emily Anne Patch, et al. "The K-SF-42." SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/623124.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of the present article is to propose an alternative short form for the 199-item Arizona Life History Battery (ALHB), which we are calling the K-SF-42, as it contains 42 items as compared with the 20 items of the Mini-K, the short form that has been in greatest use for the past decade. These 42 items were selected from the ALHB, unlike those of the Mini-K, making direct comparisons of the relative psychometric performance of the two alternative short forms a valid and instructive exercise. A series of secondary data analyses were performed upon a recently completed five-nation cross-cultural survey, which was originally designed to assess the role of life history strategy in the etiology of interpersonal aggression. Only data from the ALHB that were collected in all five cross-cultural replications were used for the present analyses. The single immediate objective of this secondary data analysis was producing the K-SF-42 such that it would perform optimally across all five cultures sampled, and perhaps even generalize well to other modern industrial societies not currently sampled as a result of the geographic breadth of those included in the present study. A novel method, based on the use of the Cross-Sample Geometric Mean as a criterion for item selection, was used for generating such a cross-culturally valid short form.
3
Hahn, Joachim. "Nätverksbaserade SF-operationer : ändrade operativa förutsättningar?" Thesis, Försvarshögskolan, 2003. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:fhs:diva-1762.
Full textAbstract:
Försvarsmakten skall enligt riktlinjerna omstruktureras från ett utpräglat invasionsförsvar till en nätverksbaseradinsatsorganisation. Hur denna nätverksanpassning kan påverka området SF-operationer är uppsatsens fokus.Syftet utifrån detta fokus är att analysera om de operativa förutsättningarna för SF förändras vid nätverksbaseradeSF-operationer?Inledningsvis introduceras en teori om nätverkscentrerad krigföring, vilken idag utgör det teoretiska fundamentetbakom nätverksbaserat försvar (NBF). Ett analytiskt verktyg i form av William H. McRavens -Theory of SpecialOperations- används sedan för att analysera produkten av att nätverksbasera SF-operationer.De slutsatser som dras är att nätverksbaserade operationer å ena sidan använder sig av den gemensammalägesuppfattningen för att självsynkronisera operationer och därigenom öka beslutstempot. Vikten av relativtinformationsöverläge genom skapandet (säkerhet och överraskning) och vidmakthållandet (tempo ochmålsättning) visar sig i uppsatsen vara avgörande. Å andra sidan visar sig nätverksbaserade SF-operationer ävenvara starkt begränsade av sin förberedelsefas, där nätverket medför ökat tempo i planering ochgenomförande, men kräver längre tid för övning och förberedelser mellan nätverkets olika delar.Sammantaget är slutsatsen att nätverksbaserade SF-operationer kan komma att realiseras genom en stegvisimplementering av ny teknik och nätverksbaserade metoder. De största förändringarna av de operativaförutsättningarna kommer att finnas i den politiska och militärstrategiska nivåns möjlighet till direktledning, vilket troligtvis mer är en farhåga än en praktisk realitet.The Swedish Armed Forces have started a transition towards a Network-Centric Defence (NBF). How this network adaptation will influence the fieldof special operations is this papers main focus. The purpose regarding thisfocus is to analyse the main inquiry, if network- based special operationssignifies a new operational paradigm.The paper begins with a description of a theory behind Network–CentricWarfare, which today constitutes the theoretical fundament behind NBF. Thepaper summarizes a theory of special operations drawn from a book by CaptWilliam McRaven. This theory is then used to analyse the product ofnetwork-based special operations.The conclusions that can be made are that network-based operations use thisshared situational awareness to self synchronize operations resulting inincreased speed of decision making and in the end higher speed of operations.The importance of informational advantage through gaining (security andsurprise) and maintaining (speed and purpose) also becomes very clear. Onthe other hand, network-based special operations become very limited by themission preparation phase. So while the network increases planning speed, italso requires greater preparation time in rehearsing and exercising thedifferent parts of the network.The entire conclusion is that network-based special operations will slowlyevolve by implementation of new technology and network based procedures.The operational paradigm will mainly be seen on the political and strategiclevels ability to control individual units, which I think is more of anapprehension than a practical reality.
Avdelning: ALB - Slutet Mag 3 C-upps.Hylla: Upps. ChP T 01-03
4
Hirao, Akiko. "Binding a Universe: The Formation and Transmutations of the Best Japanese SF (Nenkan Nihon SF Kessakusen) Anthology Series." Thesis, University of Oregon, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/1794/20723.
Full textAbstract:
The annual science fiction anthology series The Best Japanese SF started publication in 2009 and showcases domestic writers old and new and from a wide range of publishing backgrounds. Although representative of the second golden era of Japanese science fiction in print in its diversity and with an emphasis on that year in science fiction, as the volumes progress the editors’ unspoken agenda has become more pronounced, which is to create a set of expectations for the genre and to uphold writers Project Itoh and EnJoe Toh as exemplary of this current golden era. This thesis analyzes the context of the anthology series’ publication, how the anthology is constructed, and these two writers’ contributions to the genre as integral to the anthologies and important to the younger generation of writers in the genre.
5
Lindner, Gerd. "Haarwachstumskontrolle durch den Hepatozyten-Wachstumsfaktor (HGF/SF)." [S.l. : s.n.], 2000. http://www.diss.fu-berlin.de/2001/53/index.html.
Full text
6
St-Onge, Louis. "Physico-chimie d'un magnétoplasma de SF¦6." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1996. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp04/nq21516.pdf.
Full text
7
Bocci, Marco. "Protein engineering of HGF/SF for therapy." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2004. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.616080.
Full text
8
BOVIO, ENRICA. "Role of HGF/SF in tissue regeneration." Doctoral thesis, Università degli studi di Pavia, 2022. http://hdl.handle.net/11571/1462084.
Full textAbstract:
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and the more advanced stage nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is nowadays a major health problem with a global prevalence estimated at 25%. NAFLD patients have an increased risk to develop cirrhosis, end stage liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. While there is an urgent need for effective treatment, unfortunately, there are no approved drugs for this condition.
Hepatocyte apoptosis and inflammatory response are key events for NASH development. It was therefore hypothesized that combination therapy with Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scatter Factor (HGF/SF), the most potent liver survival-promoting factor, and a macrophage-focused immunotherapeutic drug able to switch M1 macrophages to M2 phenotype can cure NASH. Unfortunately, HGF/SF is unsuitable for therapy because it has a limited tissue/organ penetration and distribution due to its high affinity for heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPG). Moreover, it has a short half-life and is unstable in physiological buffers. Therefore, our laboratory in collaboration with the group of Dr. Vicogne at Pasteur Institute in Lille designed and produced K1K1, a new engineered fragment of HGF/SF able to overcome the limitations of the parent molecule and to be more suitable as a drug candidate.
The stability and the biological activity of K1K1 were compared to HGF/SF, highlighting K1K1 superiority. Furthermore, we investigated the activation of signaling pathways in two liver cell lines after stimulation with K1K1, HGF/SF, and other recombinant proteins, showing that K1K1 was as good as HGF/SF.
In order for K1K1 treatment to work, it was important to confirm that the receptor is present, and the pathway is relevant in the diseased tissue. Assessment of MET protein expression with immunohistochemistry (IHC) in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) liver samples of patients with NAFLD showed that MET receptor is expressed on the hepatocytes and therefore K1K1 could be regarded a good drug candidate for use in future therapy.
Finally, we have evaluated the protective effect of K1K1 alone or in combination with macrophage-focused immunotherapeutic drugs on a NASH-on-a-chip model. The combination therapy was found to be the most effective in reducing steatosis, apoptosis, and fibrosis. These promising results highlight K1K1 potential as a new drug candidate for NASH treatment.Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and the more advanced stage nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is nowadays a major health problem with a global prevalence estimated at 25%. NAFLD patients have an increased risk to develop cirrhosis, end stage liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. While there is an urgent need for effective treatment, unfortunately, there are no approved drugs for this condition. Hepatocyte apoptosis and inflammatory response are key events for NASH development. It was therefore hypothesized that combination therapy with Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scatter Factor (HGF/SF), the most potent liver survival-promoting factor, and a macrophage-focused immunotherapeutic drug able to switch M1 macrophages to M2 phenotype can cure NASH. Unfortunately, HGF/SF is unsuitable for therapy because it has a limited tissue/organ penetration and distribution due to its high affinity for heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPG). Moreover, it has a short half-life and is unstable in physiological buffers. Therefore, our laboratory in collaboration with the group of Dr. Vicogne at Pasteur Institute in Lille designed and produced K1K1, a new engineered fragment of HGF/SF able to overcome the limitations of the parent molecule and to be more suitable as a drug candidate. The stability and the biological activity of K1K1 were compared to HGF/SF, highlighting K1K1 superiority. Furthermore, we investigated the activation of signaling pathways in two liver cell lines after stimulation with K1K1, HGF/SF, and other recombinant proteins, showing that K1K1 was as good as HGF/SF. In order for K1K1 treatment to work, it was important to confirm that the receptor is present, and the pathway is relevant in the diseased tissue. Assessment of MET protein expression with immunohistochemistry (IHC) in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) liver samples of patients with NAFLD showed that MET receptor is expressed on the hepatocytes and therefore K1K1 could be regarded a good drug candidate for use in future therapy. Finally, we have evaluated the protective effect of K1K1 alone or in combination with macrophage-focused immunotherapeutic drugs on a NASH-on-a-chip model. The combination therapy was found to be the most effective in reducing steatosis, apoptosis, and fibrosis. These promising results highlight K1K1 potential as a new drug candidate for NASH treatment.
9
Lederle, Christoph. "Isoliervermögen SF-6-isolierter Elektrodenanordnungen mit dielektrischer Beschichtung." Düsseldorf VDI Verl, 2009. http://bvbr.bib-bvb.de:8991/F?func=service&docl̲ibrary=BVB01&docn̲umber=017159539&linen̲umber=0001&funcc̲ode=DBR̲ECORDS&servicet̲ype=MEDIA.
Full text
10
Owen, Kate Anna. "Characterisation of the proteolytic activation of HGF/SF." Thesis, University of East Anglia, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.423391.
Full text
11
RAHMANI, BOUABDELLAH. "Calcul de l'emission nette du rayonnement des arcs dans l'hexafluorure de soufre(sf#6) et dans les melanges sf#6-azote." Toulouse 3, 1989. http://www.theses.fr/1989TOU30033.
Full textAbstract:
Calcul du coefficient total d'emission nette pour des pressions de 1 a 8 atm et temperatures de 800 a 2400 k, dans le cas de l e. T. L. Les resultats concernant la part d'energie rayonnee par la region centrale d'un arc cylindrique isotherme qui s'echappe du plasma de rayon r montrent que 90% du rayonnement est absorbe par une tranche de 1 mm de plasma. Dans les melanges sf#6n#2 le rayonnement effectivement emis n'est pas proportionnel aux concentrations relatives des deux gaz
12
Dommerque, Robert Karl. "Einfluss des Elektrodenabbrandes auf das Schaltverhalten eines SF₆-Selbstblasschalters." [S.l.] : [s.n.], 2006. http://deposit.ddb.de/cgi-bin/dokserv?idn=979704898.
Full text
13
Larsson, Daniel. "Kvinnors karaktärsegenskaper : Kön, egenskaper och kvinnobilder för sf-spel." Thesis, Högskolan i Skövde, Institutionen för kommunikation och information, 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:his:diva-4987.
Full textAbstract:
Det finns inte många kvinnliga huvudpersoner inom sf‐spel. Undersökningens resultat är tänkt att ge en inblick i vilka egenskaper som föredras vid val av en kvinnlig karaktär för ett sf‐spel. Utifrån en genrestudie av science fiction skapades tre egenskapsgrupper: könsneutral, sexualiserad och aktiv. Tillsammans med romananalyser utgjorde dessa grupper utgångspunkt för karaktärsskapandet. De tre konceptillustrationerna reflekterade en egenskapsgrupp var. När konceptillustrationerna var färdiga utfördes en enkätundersökning och en fokusgrupp. Undersökningen gav resultatet att egenskaper som föredrogs för en kvinnlig karaktär i ett sf spel var aktiv, smidig, intelligent och mystisk, karaktären ska också passa in i kontexten. Svaren skiljde sig åt, anledningen kan vara att respondenterna troligen uppfattar sf‐genren olika. Vidare arbete kan göras med en omarbetad enkätundersökning med 1000 respondenter. Möjligen kan karaktärer gestaltas från slutsatserna och därefter utvärderas. Alternativt kan karaktärerna och bakgrunden stå separat i en undersökning, möjligen kan ett arbete skapas där endast visuella egenskaper grupperas.
14
Voicu, Laura M. "Modeling the Throughput Performance of the SF-SACK Protocol." Scholar Commons, 2006. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/3904.
Full textAbstract:
Besides the two classical techniques used to evaluate the performance of a protocol, computer simulation and experimental measurements, mathematical modeling has been used to study the performance of the TCP protocol. This technique gives an elegant way to gain insights when studying the behavior of a protocol, while providing useful information about its performance.
This thesis presents an analytical model for the SF-SACK protocol, a TCP SACK based protocol conceived to be appropriate for data and streaming applications. SF-Sack modifies the multiplicative part of the Additive Increase Multiplicative Decrease of TCP to provide good performance for data and streaming applications, while avoiding the TCP-friendliness problem of the Internet. The modeling of the SF-SACK protocol raises new challenges compared to the classical TCP modeling in two ways: first, the model needs to be adapted to a more complex dynamism of the congestion window, and second, the model needs to incorporate the scheduler that SF-SACK makes use of in order to maintain a periodically updated value of the congestion window. Presented here is a model that is progressively built in order to consider these challenges. The first step is to consider only losses detected by triple-duplicate
acknowledgments, with the restriction that one such loss happens each scheduler interval. The second step is to consider losses detected via triple-duplicate acknowledgments, while eliminating the above restriction. Finally, the third step is to include losses detected via time-outs. The result is an analytical characterization of the steady-state send rate and throughput of a SF-SACK flow as a function of the loss probability, the round-trip time (RTT), the time-out interval, and the scheduler interval.
The send rate and the throughput of SF-SACK were compared against available results for TCP Reno. The obtained graphs showed that SF-SACK presents a better performance than TCP. The analytical model of the SF-SACK follows the trends of the results that are presently available, using both the ns-2 simulator and experimental measurements.
15
Lundvall, Åsa, and Marie Nykvist. "Hälsoenkät SF 36, varför rann det ut i sanden?" Thesis, Malmö högskola, Fakulteten för hälsa och samhälle (HS), 2010. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-24804.
Full textAbstract:
Att mäta patienters HRQoL (Health Related Quality of Life) är en viktig utvecklingslinje inom vård och vårdforskning. Medicinsk resultatmätning bör kompletteras med nya dimensioner för att kunna utvärdera patientens samlade nytta av behandling och vårdåtgärder. Mätningar är särskilt viktiga när det gäller kroniska sjukdomstillstånd. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka erfarenheterna av SF 36 (Short Form (36) Health Survey) på enheter som deltog i Skåneprojektet. Metoden var en enkätundersökning med kvalitativ ansats. 18 enkäter skickades ut till de nio enheter som deltog. I vår undersökning framkom att uppfattningarna varierade om instrumentets nytta, från mycket användbart till ingen nytta alls. Flera svar visade att sjuksköterskorna blivit uppmärksammade på hur patienten verkligen upplevde sin situation och hur olika personal och patient bedömer HRQoL. Framgångsfaktor var eldsjälar. Intresse från läkare och patienter påverkade i vilken utsträckning resultaten användes. Flera kunde se betydelsen av att fråga patienten om HRQoL, däremot fanns det osäkerhet om hur resultaten skulle följas upp och användas och en del upplevde att det tog mycket tid.Measuring patients' HRQoL (Health Related Quality of Life) is an important line of development in the health care and research. Medical outcome measurements should be supplemented by new dimensions to evaluate the patient's overall benefit of treatment and care measures. Measurements are particularly important in chronic disease states. The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of the SF 36 (Short Form (36) Health Survey) on the units that participated in the Skåne project. The method was a survey with a qualitative approach. 18 questionnaires were sent to the nine units that participated. Our study revealed that perceptions varied on the instrument's utility, from very useful for nothing at all. Several responses showed that nurses have been made aware of how the patient actually experienced their situation and how different staff and patient assess HRQoL. Success factor was enthusiasts. Interest from doctors and patients affect the extent to which the results were used. Many could see the importance of the issue of patient HRQoL, however, there was uncertainty about how the results would be monitored and used, and some felt that it took much time.
16
Willenbring, Robert J. "Synthesis and characterization of some SF₅- containing sulfonic acids." PDXScholar, 1987. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/3734.
Full textAbstract:
Pentafluorosulfur (VI) bromide (SF5Br) adds to olefins of the form CX2=CX2, where X= H or F, with the pentafluorosulfur group usually adding to the carbon with more hydrogens attached to it. This series of compounds was used in an attempt to prepare the corresponding sulfonic acid hydrates of the general formula SF5CX2CX2SO3H·nH2O, in order to have these compounds tested as possible fuel cell electrolytes. The reaction scheme involved reflux of the SF5Br adduct with an equimolar amount of sodium sulfite in 50% ethanol for two days, followed by acidification of the recovered solid material using HCl or H2SO4.
17
COLL, ISABELLE. "Modelisation numerique et validation experimentale de la cinetique chimique de plasmas de sf 6, sf 6 + cf 4 et sf 6 + n 2 en extinction, en presence d'un isolant solide organique, de cuivre, d'oxygene et d'eau." Toulouse 3, 1999. http://www.theses.fr/1999TOU30090.
Full textAbstract:
Experimentalement a ete demontree l'influence de la vaporisation d'isolants solides organiques (teflon, polypropylene, polyethylene, megelit, nylon, resine epoxyde) sur la decomposition du sf 6 dans du sf 6 avec/sans 0,2%o 2/h 2o et dans des melanges sf 6-cf 4 (50-50) avec/sans 0,2%o 2/h 2o et sf 6-n 2 (10,6-89,4) avec/sans 0,2%o 2 sous l'effet de claquages electriques generes a partir de la decharge d'un condensateur (p = 100 kpa, geometrie pointe-plan, energie par claquage = 3,59j). Les sous-produits gazeux issus de la dissociation d'une partie du sf 6 et/ou de l'isolant et de n 2 ont ete analyses et doses par chromatographie en phase gazeuse. La simulation de ce phenomene a ete realisee par un modele de cinetique chimique calculant l'evolution de la composition d'un plasma d'arc en extinction et qui permet de connaitre les densites des sous-produits formes a t = 300k et p = 101,3kpa. Arc et claquages haute energie etant proches energetiquement l'etude comparative des melanges precites a montre que pour un isolant donne la valeur de (sf 4 + sof 2) a v e c i s o l a n t (sf 4 + sof 2) s a n s i s o l a n t / cf 4 (sf 4 + sof 2) / cf 4 est independante de l'intensite de la contrainte, de la concentration de sf 6 et de la presence d'impuretes tout au moins tant que leur concentration reste faible par rapport a celle du sf 6. La simulation a montre le role des impuretes sur la formation et la concentration des sous-produits du sf 6 et a confirme que pour une meme quantite d'isolant vaporisee un isolant contenant des atomes de fluor conduit a un taux de decomposition du sf 6 plus faible qu'un isolant n'en contenant pas. Les experiences avec les melanges sf 6-cf 4 et sf 6-n 2 ont montre qu'avec/sans isolant les taux de production des principaux sous-produits (sf 4 + sof 2) et s 2f 1 0 sont legerement plus faibles dans le cas du melange que dans celui du sf 6. Modele et experience ont confirme que le role des impuretes pouvant reagir avec des atomes de fluor et donc contrecarrer la reformation du sf 6 est d'autant plus important que la concentration en sf 6 dans la phase gazeuse est plus faible.
18
Topolansky, Barbe Frederico. "MERCOSUR Union, Porter's diamond and the competitiveness of the Uruguayan broiler industry." Thesis, University of Gloucestershire, 2008. http://eprints.glos.ac.uk/3174/.
Full textAbstract:
This study focuses on the analysis and assessment of competitiveness within the Uruguayan broiler industry. Porter's (1990) 'national diamond' was selected as the appropriate framework for analysis and was applied to the six major Uruguayan broiler firms. This research reveals that the unique characteristics of the Uruguayan broiler industry are successfully accommodated within the selected framework to explain the success of the broiler industry against other meat substitutes. Therefore, this study has confirmed Porter's (1990) diamond system as an adequate conceptualization of success in the Uruguayan broiler industry. These results are consistent with those found in the existing literature, lending support to the view that Porter's (1990) model seems to be applicable to developing countries such as Uruguay. However, some modifications of the model are required to fully explain the progress of this industry. This research project presents an adaptation of Porter's (1990) 'diamond' to the singularities of the firms investigated in this study. This study opted for an industry-level case study research strategy that is operationalized through in-depth personal interviews with owner directors and managers in six of the seven possible organizations within Uruguay. This is augmented by further data collection (additional interviews) through sources in government and market relevant bodies in order to generate information on the national context. The selected research method showed its utility for the investigation of weaknesses and strengths within the Uruguayan broiler industry. These findings were used to accomplish the second objective of this research which was to elaborate policy recommendations out of the primary and secondary collected data that would help Uruguayan broiler firms to compete with international broiler firms in a regional economic block (MERCOSUR) without barriers.
19
Frota, Diego Araujo. "Estudo de um sistema supercondutor-ferromagneto: efeitos da aplicação de campo magnético e corrente elétrica." reponame:Repositório Institucional da UFC, 2016. http://www.repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/16264.
Full textAbstract:
FROTA, Diego Araujo. Estudo de um sistema supercondutor-ferromagneto: efeitos da aplicação de campo magnético e corrente elétrica. 2016. 72 f. Tese (Doutorado em Física) - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Física, Departamento de Física, Centro de Ciências, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 2016.Submitted by Edvander Pires (edvanderpires@gmail.com) on 2016-04-14T18:02:17Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2016_tese_dafrota.pdf: 22222249 bytes, checksum: 3c4b2e4990667c1280e4839ee1d811ac (MD5)
Approved for entry into archive by Edvander Pires (edvanderpires@gmail.com) on 2016-04-14T18:03:42Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2016_tese_dafrota.pdf: 22222249 bytes, checksum: 3c4b2e4990667c1280e4839ee1d811ac (MD5)
Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-14T18:03:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2016_tese_dafrota.pdf: 22222249 bytes, checksum: 3c4b2e4990667c1280e4839ee1d811ac (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016
Using advanced Ginzburg-Landau simulations, we study the superconducting state of a thin super- conducting film under a ferromagnetic layer, separated by an insulating oxide, in applied external magnetic field and electric current. The taken uniaxial ferromagnet is organized into a series of parallel domains with alternating polarization of out-of-plane magnetization, sufficiently strong to induce vortex-antivortex pairs in the underlying superconductor in absence of other magnetic field. We show the organization of such vortex-antivortex matter into rich configurations, some of which are not matching the periodicity of the ferromagnetic film. The variety of possible configurations is enhanced by applied homogeneous magnetic field, where additional vortices in the superconductor may lower the energy of the system by either annihilating the present antivortices under negative ferromagnetic domains, or by lowering their own energy after positioning under positive ferromag- netic domains. As a consequence, both the vortex-antivortex reordering in increasing external field and the evolution of the energy of the system are highly nontrivial. Finally, we reveal the very inter- esting effects of applied dc electric current on the vortex-antivortex configurations, since resulting Lorentzian force has opposite direction for vortices and antivortices, while direction of the applied current with respect to ferromagnetic domains is of crucial importance for the interaction of the applied and the Meissner current, as well as the consequent vortex-antivortex dynamics - both of which are reflected in the anisotropic critical current of the system.
A partir da solução numérica das equações de Ginzburg-Landau, estudamos o estado supercondutor de um filme fino supercondutor sob uma camada ferromagnética, separados por um óxido isolante, na presença de campo magnético ou corrente elétrica aplicados. O ferromagneto considerado é organizado em uma série de domínios paralelos com magnetização oposta, perpendicular ao plano do ferromagneto, e suficientemente forte para induzir pares vórtice-antivórtice no supercondutor subjacente, quando na ausência de campo magnético aplicado. Pares vórtice-antivórtice se auto-organizam em um rico conjunto de configurações, algumas das quais não apresentam correspondência com a periodicidade do filme ferromagnético. A variedade das possíveis configurações é aumentada pela aplicação de campo magnético externo, caso em que vórtices adicionais podem diminuir a energia do sistema pela aniquilação dos antivórtices, que estão sob os domínios negativos do ferromagneto, ou diminuindo sua própria energia após se posicionarem sob domínios positivos do ferromagneto. Como consequência, o reodernamento de vórtices-antivórtices bem como a evolução da energia do sistema são não-triviais em função do aumento da intensidade do campo magnético externo. Por fim, revelamos efeitos curiosos da corrente elétrica dc aplicada sobre as configurações de pares vórtice- antivórtice, uma vez que a força de Lorentz resultante tem direção oposta para vórtices e antivórtices, enquanto que a direção da corrente aplicada em relação aos domínios ferromagnéticos é de importância crucial para a interação das correntes e Meissner e aplicada, bem como a dinâmica de vórtice-antivórtice resultante - ambas as quais estão refletidas na anisotropia da corrente crítica do sistema.
20
Linhuber, Quirin. "Langzeit-Lebensqualität (SF-36) nach laparoskopischer versus offener Narbenhernien-Reparation." Diss., lmu, 2011. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:19-128874.
Full text
21
Scholder, Linnéa, and Nina Stanizewski. "Kvinnans tillit till amning : En enkätstudie på BB och Eftervårdsmottagningen i Värmland." Thesis, Högskolan Dalarna, Vårdvetenskap, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:du-20968.
Full textAbstract:
Amningsfrekvensen i Värmland sjunker och är låg jämfört med riket. En bidragande faktor till den sjunkande amningsfrekvensen är bristen på tillit till amning. Det är viktigt att kunna identifiera kvinnor med låg tillit till amning för att vända den sjunkande amningsfrekvensen och stärka kvinnan i rollen som moder. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka kvinnors tillit till amning på Barnbördshuset (BB) och Eftervårdsmottagningen i Värmland. Med enkäten BSES-SF identifieras kvinnor med låg tillit till amning och kvinnor som behöver ett ökat amningsstöd efter förlossning. Design/Metod: Studien utfördes med kvantitativ ansats. Data inhämtades från enkäten BSES-SF som besvarats av 70 kvinnor på BB och Eftervårdsmottagningen i Värmland. All data analyserades genom SPSS. Resultat: De flesta kvinnor ansåg att det var mycket viktigt med en fungerande amning och när kvinnorna skattade amningens betydelse framkom ett medelvärde på 8,66 där 0=inte alls viktigt och 10=mycket viktigt. Kvinnor som ammat tidigare skattade sin upplevda amningserfarenhet som mycket god. Varje enskild fråga på BSES-SF jämfördes mellan kvinnorna som vårdats på BB och Eftervårdsmottagningen. Det framkom en skillnad på åtta frågor där kvinnorna på Eftervårdsmottagningen skattade en högre tillit till amning jämfört med kvinnorna på BB. Utifrån totalsumman på BSES-SF med ett poängintervall mellan 14-70, framkom det att tilliten till amning skattades högre hos kvinnorna på Eftervårdsmottagningen (M=56,54) än på BB (M=49,88). Slutsats och klinisk tillämpbarhet: BSES-SF kan utifrån studiens resultat vara ett användbart verktyg, framförallt på BB där kvinnorna skattat en lägre tillit till amning. Förstföderskor och omföderskor som upplevt en komplicerad förlossning kan vara i behov av större insatser av amningsstöd. Studiens resultat kan medföra att barnmorskan blir extra uppmärksam på de kvinnor vars amning inte fungerar och där extra stöd behövs för att öka tilliten.Breastfeeding frequency in Värmland decreases and is low compared with the national average. A contributing factor to the decline in breastfeeding rates is the lack of confidence in breastfeeding. It is important to identify women with low confidence to reverse the decline in breastfeeding frequency and strengthen her in her role as a mother. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate breastfeeding and self-efficacy in the Postnatal ward and Postnatal carecenter in Värmland. Using BSES-SF survey, women with low confidence in breastfeeding and women who need an increased breastfeeding support after delivery were identified. Design/Methods: The study was conducted with a quantitative approach. Data whas collected from BSES-SF, answered by 70 women in Postnatal ward and Postnatal carecenter in Värmland. All data were analyzed by SPSS. Results: Most women felt that it was very important to have a functioning breastfeeding and when the women estimated the importance of breastfeeding it showed a mean of 8.66, where 0 = not at all important and 10 = very important. Women who breastfed previously rated their perceived breastfeeding experience as very good. Every single question on BSES-SF whas compared between women who were treated in Postnatal ward and Postnatal carecenter. It showed a difference in eight questions, the women on the Postnatal carecenter estimated a higher confidence in breastfeeding compared with women in the Postnatal ward. The total sum of BSES-SF with a score range between 14-70, showed that trust in lactation whas estimated higher among women in the Postnatal carecenter (M = 56.54) than in the Postnatal ward (M = 49.88). Conclusion and clinical applicability: Primaparas and women with prior deliveries who now experienced a complicated childbirth may need extra breastfeeding support. The result of the study may leed to extra attention from the midwife to those women whose breastfeeding does not work and where additional support is needed to increase confidence. Based on the studys result BSES-SF can be a useful tool, especially in the Postnatal ward where women estimated a lower confidence in breastfeeding.
22
Frota, Diego AraÃjo. "Estudo de um sistema supercondutor-ferromagneto: efeitos da aplicaÃÃo de campo magnÃtico e corrente elÃtrica." Universidade Federal do CearÃ, 2016. http://www.teses.ufc.br/tde_busca/arquivo.php?codArquivo=16464.
Full textAbstract:
coordenadoria de aperfeiÃoamento de pessoal de ensino superiorA partir da soluÃÃo numÃrica das equaÃÃes de Ginzburg-Landau, estudamos o estado supercondutor de um filme fino supercondutor sob uma camada ferromagnÃtica, separados por um Ãxido isolante, na presenÃa de campo magnÃtico ou corrente elÃtrica aplicados. O ferromagneto considerado à organizado em uma sÃrie de domÃnios paralelos com magnetizaÃÃo oposta, perpendicular ao plano do ferromagneto, e suficientemente forte para induzir pares vÃrtice-antivÃrtice no supercondutor subjacente, quando na ausÃncia de campo magnÃtico aplicado. Pares vÃrtice-antivÃrtice se auto-organizam em um rico conjunto de configuraÃÃes, algumas das quais nÃo apresentam correspondÃncia com a periodicidade do filme ferromagnÃtico. A variedade das possÃveis configuraÃÃes à aumentada pela aplicaÃÃo de campo magnÃtico externo, caso em que vÃrtices adicionais podem diminuir a energia do sistema pela aniquilaÃÃo dos antivÃrtices, que estÃo sob os domÃnios negativos do ferromagneto, ou diminuindo sua prÃpria energia apÃs se posicionarem sob domÃnios positivos do ferromagneto. Como consequÃncia, o reodernamento de vÃrtices-antivÃrtices bem como a evoluÃÃo da energia do sistema sÃo nÃo-triviais em funÃÃo do aumento da intensidade do campo magnÃtico externo. Por fim, revelamos efeitos curiosos da corrente elÃtrica dc aplicada sobre as configuraÃÃes de pares vÃrtice- antivÃrtice, uma vez que a forÃa de Lorentz resultante tem direÃÃo oposta para vÃrtices e antivÃrtices, enquanto que a direÃÃo da corrente aplicada em relaÃÃo aos domÃnios ferromagnÃticos à de importÃncia crucial para a interaÃÃo das correntes e Meissner e aplicada, bem como a dinÃmica de vÃrtice-antivÃrtice resultante - ambas as quais estÃo refletidas na anisotropia da corrente crÃtica do sistema.
Using advanced Ginzburg-Landau simulations, we study the superconducting state of a thin super- conducting film under a ferromagnetic layer, separated by an insulating oxide, in applied external magnetic field and electric current. The taken uniaxial ferromagnet is organized into a series of parallel domains with alternating polarization of out-of-plane magnetization, sufficiently strong to induce vortex-antivortex pairs in the underlying superconductor in absence of other magnetic field. We show the organization of such vortex-antivortex matter into rich configurations, some of which are not matching the periodicity of the ferromagnetic film. The variety of possible configurations is enhanced by applied homogeneous magnetic field, where additional vortices in the superconductor may lower the energy of the system by either annihilating the present antivortices under negative ferromagnetic domains, or by lowering their own energy after positioning under positive ferromag- netic domains. As a consequence, both the vortex-antivortex reordering in increasing external field and the evolution of the energy of the system are highly nontrivial. Finally, we reveal the very inter- esting effects of applied dc electric current on the vortex-antivortex configurations, since resulting Lorentzian force has opposite direction for vortices and antivortices, while direction of the applied current with respect to ferromagnetic domains is of crucial importance for the interaction of the applied and the Meissner current, as well as the consequent vortex-antivortex dynamics - both of which are reflected in the anisotropic critical current of the system.
23
Zeebaree, Bayar. "Mechanisms of seasonal reproduction in cattle." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2016. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/38718/.
Full textAbstract:
This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of season on reproductive parameters in cattle in the temperate climate of the UK. In the first study, reproductive fertility data were collected from a local dairy herd. The results revealed that cows born in autumn were inseminated at an earlier age (P < 0.05) and calved earlier (P < 0.001) than spring and summer born animals. In addition, the conception rate within 90 days after calving was higher (P < 0.05) in autumn calving animals. Conception rate was higher (P < 0.05) when insemination was performed at a temperature range from 7 to 15°C compared with < 7 and >15°C and a temperature humidity index (THI) range from 40 to 59 compared with >60 units (10 days before and 21 days after insemination). In the second study, ovarian tissues were collected from a local abattoir to investigate the effect of season on follicular populations, corpus luteum (CL) development and incidence of multiple ovulations. There were no effects of season on antral follicle count. However, individual and total CL weight was heavier in the autumn. Additionally, season influenced multiple ovulations with a higher incidence (P < 0.05) in summer and autumn compared to winter and spring. The number of follicles >7mm in cows with multiple CLs was higher (P < 0.05) than cows with a single CL. The individual CL weight was heavier in single ovulation cows. However, the total luteal tissue weight and total progesterone (P4) content of luteal tissue was higher in cows with multiple ovulations. The third study investigated the effects of culturing granulosa cells (GCs) under low (5%; physiological oxygen (O2)) conditions rather than traditional culture (20%; atmospheric O2) systems. Granulosa cells from antral follicles were cultured in fibronectin coated plates in M199 for up to 144 hour (h) under physiological (5%) and atmospheric (20%) O2 tension. Melatonin was added at one of four concentrations (0, 20, 200, 2000 pg/ml). The number of viable GCs was greater (P < 0.05) under 5% O2 than 20% O2. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was similar under both physiological and atmospheric O2, but was reduced (P < 0.05) by treatment with melatonin. Oestrogen concentration (P < 0.001) and aromatase activity (P < 0.014) were also influenced by O2 tension in a time dependent manner. Both oestradiol (E2) production and aromatase enzyme activity were maintained for up to 144 h of culture under 5% O2 conditions. Progesterone production was increased under 20% O2 compared with 5% O2 (P < 0.05). Additionally, the expression of hydroxy-delta-5-steroid dehydrogenase, 3 beta- and steroid delta-isomerase 1 (HSD3B1) mRNA increased (P < 0.05) with time under 20% O2, but remained unchanged at 5% O2. Haemoglobin subunit alpha 1 (HBA) transcript was increased (P < 0.05) under 5% O2 levels. The final study quantified the effect of temperature and melatonin on GC function. Cells were cultured for up to 144 h under 5% O2 tension. Treatments commenced after 48 h of culture and consisted of two incubation temperatures (37.5 vs 40.0°C) and four melatonin treatments. Melatonin increased cell number at high temperature (40.0°C). However, BCL2-associated X protein (BAX) mRNA expression was greater (P < 0.05) in GCs cultured at 40.0°C than at 37.5°C by 144 h. Culture temperature did not affect ROS, but melatonin reduced (P < 0.001) generation of ROS. Oestradiol production increased with time (P < 0.001) and was not affected by temperature. In contrast, high temperature reduced P4 production (P < 0.001) at 144 h of culture. Similarly, the effect of melatonin treatment depended on temperature; melatonin increased P4 production at 37.5C, while reducing P4 at 40.0C. Temperature increased acetylserotonin O-methyltransferase (ASMT) mRNA expression (P < 0.05) though there was no significant effect of temperature and melatonin on tumour protein p53 (P53), HSD3B1, superoxide dismutase (SOD1 and SOD2), HBA and heat shock protein family A (Hsp70) member 1A (HSPA1A) gene expression. The results of this thesis contribute to our understanding of the effects of season on ovarian function and seasonal variation in cattle fertility particular in temperate climate regions where season influenced puberty, conception rate, incidence of multiple ovulations and CL development. In in vitro studies, low O2 (5%) enhance cell proliferation, reduced luteinisation and altered steroidogenesis as well as increasing the expression of HBA mRNA. Culture at higher temperature reduced P4 production and increased apoptotic mRNA while addition of melatonin reduced ROS generation and influenced P4 production. This new approach to culture could offer a valuable system for future investigation of the physiological function of cells in vitro.
24
Watts, Oliver. "A transcriptomic approach to pigs at weaning : a role for Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii?" Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2018. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/53278/.
Full textAbstract:
Weaning is a stressful period in the early life of a pig. This stress manifests as immediate weight loss coinciding with increases in intestinal transepithelial resistance. This study aims to identify the transcriptional differences in the colon between suckling and weaned animals over this period using RNA-seq. This approach identified the maximal transcriptional differences at one-day post-weaning with 353 transcripts differentially expressed compared to 78 and three transcripts at four and fourteen days post weaning respectively (q < 0.1, FC > 2). This work identified increased transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes including IL1A (FC=2.63) and IL1B2 (FC = 2.98) in the colon of weaned animals at one-day post weaning, suggesting activation of the immune system. The same time points at one, four and 14 days post weaning was used to assess the transcriptional effect of supplementation with probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii (4.43 Log10 CFU per day from seven days of age) on the colon. A distinct effect of probiotic yeast supplementation on transcription in the colon was identified in both weaned and suckling pigs. One, 77 and one transcripts were affected by the probiotic in weaned animals at the three time points respectively compared to 197, six and two in suckling animals. However, evidence of an anti-inflammatory effect (including increased expression of IL10, FC = 2.88) was identified in weaned animals at four days post-weaning. The clear distinction between differential expression in weaned and suckling animals suggests that the transcriptional effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii supplementation may depend on the physiological state of the host. These differences may be due to the interaction of the probiotic with the host immune system as a result of weaning related bowel disruption.
25
Bennett, Laura. "Epidemiology and molecular biology of elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus 1 in the Asian elephant Elephas maximus." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2018. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/51270/.
Full textAbstract:
Herpesviruses are ubiquitous and are found worldwide, most animal species can be infected with multiple herpesviruses. Some cause clinical disease and others remain symptomatic throughout life. Herpesviruses are found in both captive and wild animals including Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). Elephant Endothelioltropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) has been reported in both captive and wild Asian elephants, with a number of cases being reported in North America, Europe and Asia. It has been suggested that EEHV is associated with haemorrhagic disease, which has been attributed to a number of Asian elephant deaths, affecting mostly juveniles and calves. Clinical signs can vary from weight loss, lethargy, depression, cyanosis of the tongue and sudden death. Molecular testing using qPCR has enabled the detection of individual variants of EEHV, this thesis investigates the EEHV1 variant. EEHV1 has been highlighted as the variant that is more frequently associated with deaths. This thesis includes five studies investigating different aspects of EEHV. Including, the relationship between pregnancy and EEHV viral shedding, the use of an amended human protocol for culturing endothelial cells, EEHV tissue tropism, a potential genetic or familial link between EEHV associated deaths and the detection of potential co-pathogens. The main findings from this thesis include: 1) the use of a longitudinal study investigating a potential link between the physiological stress of pregnancy and EEHV viral shedding. This study suggested there was no link between pregnancy and EEHV viral shedding however other stressors may be involved. 2) Using an amended human umbilical vein endothelial cell protocol, the culture of Asian elephant endothelial cells was successful. The cells from this study may be used in subsequent drug testing and vaccine development. 3) Quantitative PCR was used to determine EEHV1 tropism in tissues from two deaths associated with the virus. Tropism appeared to be for the heart and liver. 4) This thesis provides results from a preliminary study into a potential link between EEHV associated deaths. The data from an Asian elephant genogram shows there is the possibility of a genetic or familial link, which requires further investigation. 5) A number of tissues from deaths associated with EEHV and or death from other causes were investigated for the presence of potential co-pathogens, including the presence of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), using microarray technology. The results indicated there were no co-pathogens present in the tissues. This thesis adds to the current published data, and includes the first known preliminary study investigating a potential genetic link between elephant deaths due to EEHV.
26
McDermott, Michael P. "Veterinary communication skills and training in the United Kingdom and the United States of America." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2018. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/52042/.
Full textAbstract:
Veterinary communication is a core clinical skill and is believed to have a positive impact on client satisfaction, trust and adherence to patient management recommendations. Veterinary communication skills training has therefore been incorporated into veterinary undergraduate and postgraduate education. This thesis focuses on the topic of veterinary communication and comprises two studies. The aim of the first study was to gain a current understanding of the state, adequacy, and relevance of veterinary communication skills and training in the United Kingdom (UK) and United States of America (USA). This was done by conducting a survey of a sample of veterinary surgeons in each country about communication skills and training in the context of a veterinary consultation. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of the data from the survey was undertaken. Key findings were that 98 percent of respondents (1,708/1,748) believed communication skills to be equal in importance to, or more important than, clinical knowledge, whereas only 40 percent (705/1,759) were interested in further communication skills training. Barriers to participation in communication CPD appear to include lack of time and/or employer support, and a belief among some practitioners that communication training could no longer benefit them or was inadequately matched to real-world communication challenges. The aim of the second study was to assess several factors that may impact on communication dynamics during a consultation. Fifty-five video-recorded veterinary consultations in the UK and USA were analysed as follows: 1. The complexity of the consultations was assessed using a tool previously validated for recording information via direct observation of consultations. Elements recorded included details on the patient(s) and reasons for the visit, problems investigated, body systems involved, tests performed, diagnoses, and outcomes. Categorical data statistics were recorded as whole numbers and percentages and Chi-Square calculations were done to measure differences between UK and USA data. Continuous data statistics were recorded as median, range, and interquartile ratio (IQR) and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to measure UK versus USA differences. (Continuous data for the remaining elements in the study were analysed in the same manner.) Key findings were that consultations were complex, involving multiple problems, body systems, tests, diagnoses, and outcomes. 2. Consultations were analysed for alignment with two consultation models, the Calgary-Cambridge Model for Veterinary Consultations (GCCVM) and the Patient-centred Clinical Method, by coding elements of each consultation model in the consultation transcripts. The frequency and proportion of model elements demonstrated in each consultation were assessed, as was the alignment of the consultations to each model, defined by the percent of possible model elements demonstrated in each consultation. There was 86.67% alignment with the GCCVM and 62.50% alignment with the Patient-centred Clinical Method. Veterinary surgeons in the study spent more time gathering information and explaining than empathising or soliciting client input. 3. Consultations were also analysed for dominance of medical versus lifeworld dialogue using the Mishler Discourse Analysis, and medical dialogue dominated over lifeworld dialogue (65.62% to 34.48%). 4. Client/relationship centredness was evaluated using a novel application of a tool in veterinary communication research, the Verona Patient-centred Communication Evaluation Scale (VR-COPE). Results suggested a relatively high degree of client/relationship centredness (a median score of 76/100), though with somewhat lower scores for elements related to client emotions and the veterinary surgeon responding to them. 5. Client satisfaction was evaluated using the previously validated Client Satisfaction Quotient (CSQ). There was a high degree of satisfaction expressed by clients (median score of 94/114), though average scores were slightly lower for topics related to cost and expression of interest in the client’s opinion. Limitations of the research included the low response rate of US veterinary surgeons to the survey, the small, convenience-based sample used in the consultation study, the reliance on the researcher for maintaining quality and validity, and the scoring of client/relationship-centredness with a tool that heretofore had not been used in veterinary medicine and was not subjected to extensive inter-rater variability testing. The findings in this thesis support the contention that communication skills are important for veterinary practitioners. The work also highlights the need for making communication training a priority in undergraduate veterinary education and an accessible and relevant component of postgraduate CPD. The findings also suggest a need to equip veterinary students and practitioners for communication during consultations that are relatively complex with highly iterative flow between topics, as well as for addressing emotions and inviting input of clients. Elements of the GCCVM and other models may help provide a framework for training in these competencies.
27
Choi, Wai Chuen. "Optimisation of soaking and thermal processing methods in reducing the trypsin, chymotrypsin and alpha-amylase inhibitors found in underutilised legumes for use as aquafeed." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2018. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/52554/.
Full textAbstract:
In carnivorous fish farming industry, there are progressive increase demands for the finite resource of fish meal. A potential alternative to fish meal is to use legume meals which are free of enzyme inhibitors. In selected underutilised legumes the most effective processing method for eliminating trypsin (TIA), chymotrypsin (CIA) and alpha-amylase (AIA) inhibitors, without affecting the crude protein content, was investigated. These methods included soaking (S), wet heating (W), autoclaving (A) and dry freezing (D). No single method was effective at removing all the inhibitors. In all legumes tested, the combined processing methods which involved A were most effective in reducing CIA and AIA (p < 0.05), but not TIA. However, in adzuki bean both TIA and CIA were reduced by the D+A combined method (p < 0.05), whereas AIA of soybean and adzuki bean was decreased by combined methods of S+A (84.7 % and 99.3 % reduction respectively, p < 0.05) or A+D (99.1 % and 72.6 % reduction respectively, p < 0.05). All the processing methods retained 86.5 – 90.5 % of crude protein. Replacement of 10 % (w/w) of fish meal with D+A treated legume meal (either bambara groundnut or adzuki bean) for 28 days showed no significant difference in growth performance or inflammatory effects in Danio rerio or Lates calcarifer. Compared to Lates calcarifer given feed containing unprocessed adzuki bean meal, those on feed containing processed adzuki bean meal had increased hepatic gene expression of alanine aminotransferase (p < 0.01), indicating an enhanced ability to utilise amino acids. The project identified specific food processing methods which are effective at removing enzyme inhibitors in legumes, thereby facilitating the application of legumes as aquafeed ingredients. Future studies are required to examine what inclusion level of treated legume meal can promote growth performance in specific commercial fish species.
28
Shibany, Khaled Ayad S. "The development of an in vitro model using equine hepatocytes and liver microsomes for the study of drug metabolism in the horse." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2018. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/51310/.
Full textAbstract:
Horses are extensively exposed to various kinds of medication. However, limited information is available about how these medications are metabolised in this species. Hence, the development of strategies and methods that provide a better understanding of different metabolic pathways for different drugs is of major importance. Although, the horse is considered as a monogastric animal, it is also a hind gut fermenting animal, i.e. most of the feed is degraded in the cecum and colon. Thus, it is hypothesised that this could result in an evolutionary difference in xenobiotic metabolising enzymes between human and horses which may lead to different pharmacokinetics. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to develop an in vitro model as a preclinical testing system of newly developed substances for horses using freshly isolated, cryopreserved equine hepatocytes and liver microsomes. Fresh hepatocytes were isolated and liver microsomes were prepared using livers which were obtained from horses, post slaughter. Part of the freshly isolated hepatocytes were cryopreserved. A comparison metabolic study was carried out to compare the three in vitro systems. The intrinsic clearance (Clint) of three drugs used in equine medicine omeprazole, flunixin and phenylbutazone, was determined via the substrate depletion method. The determined Clint values were extrapolated to in vivo hepatic clearance (ClH) using two in vitro liver models, namely, well stirred and parallel tube models. To perform the extrapolation step, the values of microsomal protein per gram of liver (MPPGL) and the number of hepatocytes per gram of liver in the horse (HPGL), also known as the hepatocellularity, key scaling factors in both the well-stirred and parallel tube models, were obtained for horse. These scaling factors were determined by comparing the CYP P450 content in microsomes and cryopreserved hepatocytes against the CYP P450 content of the liver. Additionally, HPGL was also calculated from the ratio of liver protein concentration to matched hepatocyte suspension protein concentration. Effects of ageing on CYP P450 content, MPPGL and HPGL values were also investigated. Furthermore, chloramphenicol’s potential effect on the in vivo AUC for omeprazole was predicted using microsomes. In the present study, freshly isolated equine hepatocytes were successfully cryopreserved and the viability of recovered cells, after a 30% Percoll gradient, was 77 ± 11% and estimated recovery rate was approximately 27%. MPPGL and HPGL values ranged 41-73 mg/gram of liver (mean= 57 mg/gram of liver, n=39) and 146 - 320 × 106 cells/g of liver (Average = 227× 106 cells/g of liver, n=18) using CYP P450 method; and 156 - 352 × 106 cells/g of liver (Average = 232× 106 cells/g of liver) using protein method. It was found that increase in age had no effect on CYP P450/mg microsomal protein content. This study successfully predicted the in vivo clearance for omeprazole, flunixin and phenylbutazone using, both, freshly isolated and cryopreserved equine hepatocytes. Meanwhile, microsomes significantly underpredicted the in vivo hepatic clearance ClH. However, microsomes were used in present study to perform drug-drug interaction (DDI) in vitro study between omeprazole and chloramphenicol. The average of IC50 and the inhibitor constant Ki of the three horses were 17.7±5.8 μM and 15.4±5 μM, respectively. The work presented in this thesis paves the way to develop in vitro models using equine hepatocytes and liver microsomes, which are reproducible, scalable and compatible with screening platforms. These models can be applied to the improvement of predicted detection times (DT) in horse racing which may aid veterinarians to estimate accurate withdrawal times; hence, the horse welfare will be improved. Moreover, further phase II metabolism, drug induction and comparative studies can be performed.
29
Belkhiri, Aouatif. "Development and use of a DNA microarray for the detection of enteritic pathogens in cattle and pigs." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2018. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/48479/.
Full textAbstract:
Enteritis is a very frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in young calves and pigs. They may be infected with 54 known pathogens, particularly in the first months of their life. Simultaneous infection with multiple pathogens occurs frequently and produces a synergistic effect in terms of the severity of clinical disease. In this study two microarray platforms (Agilent and Alere) were used to detect enteric pathogens. A total of 15993 probes were designed from viral, bacterial and parasitic sequences using four different software (UPS, Picky, eArray and GoArray). The probes for the Alere platform were assessed thermodynamically individually for secondary structure formation and hybridised to their complementary sequences in silico. Specificity and sensitivity testing was done with reference strains and porcine and bovine clinical samples and were performed with both platforms. The Alere ArrayTube platform holding 201 probes was used to identify viruses in reference and clinical samples. Among eight reference virus strains, five (PEDV, TGEV, PCV-2, BVDV and PPV) were identified correctly and of these PEDV, TGEV, PCV-2 were confirmed by PCR using designed primers Two viruses, P. rotavirus A and P. bocavirus were negative by array but were confirmed by PCR, rotavirus by designed primers and bocavirus by published primers. In two hybridisations using multiplex PCR products from two separate sets each of 5 mixed pathogens, the ArrayTube detected all viruses for one set and only one virus out of two in the other set. The specificity test using three non-enteric viruses showed high background noise for Bunyamwera virus and Schmallenberg virus, however only one probe cross-hybridised with Equine influenza virus. The sensitivity of this platform showed that it can detect an amount of 2.065 x 109 copy number (2 ng) of PCV-2 and 2.420 x 105 copy number (39 pg) of TGEV present in the sample. The results of hybridised reference viral strains and clinical samples showed that random amplification was more favourable for reference strain detection compared to specific amplification. However, specific amplification performed better for clinical samples. The Agilent microarray platform, comprising 44000 probes of enteric bacteria, viruses and parasites, was subjected to hybridisation of 12 reference strains for specificity testing (four viruses, seven bacteria and one parasite). All hybridised strains were correctly detected except P. rotavirus A which showed only 7 positive probes, however with high signal intensities. A high level of cross-hybridisation was observed with this platform due to the 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA probes as these two genes were amplified in their entirety prior to hybridisation and a high degree of similarity exists between of 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA among different strains of bacteria and parasites respectively. Hybridisation of PCR products to the Agilent platform from two sets of five multiplexed pathogens showed that all ten pathogens were correctly identified. The sensitivity results of this platform showed that it can detect 2.065 x 109 copy number of PCV-2, equivalent to a viral load of 2 ng. On the other hand the detection limit of E. coli F5 was comparable to the real-time PCR technique with a minimum of 2.089 x 108 copy number of E. coli fimbrial gene present in the sample. In bovine clinical samples, the Agilent microarray was able to identify the presence of E. coli F5 in two samples out of four tested. However, in porcine clinical samples, the array successfully detected all pathogens whose presence was confirmed by PCR. Mixed infections in porcine samples were also detected by microarray, where Clostridium difficile with its toxins (toxin A tcdA and binary toxin cdt), P. rotavirus and P. kobuvirus were detected simultaneously in one sample. It also detected the presence of the C. difficile clindamycin resistance gene (ermF) in another sample. In this study microarray technology has been shown to have the potential to detect mixtures of enteric pathogens in bovine and porcine faecal samples. It also has genotyping abilities for exploration of genetic variation. However, the sensitivity and specificity could be improved with more in silico assessments of designed probes. Eventually testing with a higher number of reference strains and clinical samples is necessary.
30
Bowden, Adelle. "Maximising the impact of evidence-based medicine on equine health and welfare." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2018. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/52194/.
Full textAbstract:
Evidence-based veterinary medicine (EVM) has the potential to improve welfare of equine patients in primary care practice by ensuring that decision making at the point of care is underpinned by credible research. Patient focussed care requires consideration of a combination of evidence, veterinary judgement, experience and owner associated variables to ensure the best possible outcomes for the animal, whilst maximising the impact of EVM on equine health and welfare. A holistic approach to development and implementation of EVM, that involves horse owners, other equine stakeholders and veterinary surgeons, will ensure that all parties involved in decision making on behalf of equine patients are engaged in evidence-based decisions. The central aim of the thesis was to determine how advances in evidence-based veterinary medicine had the potential to achieve the greatest impact on equine health and welfare. The objectives were to: • Review methods of implementing evidence-based medicine in clinical practice and determine their suitability for veterinary medicine. • Describe the prevalence and outcome of conditions seen for ‘out of hours’ primary assessment in equine practice. • Investigate horse owner perception, understanding and approach to the most common emergency conditions. • Identify paucities in the knowledge and resources available to equine owners and highlight the information required to implement and facilitate evidence-based decision making. • Use an evidence-based approach to develop and disseminate an educational resource for horse owners to improve understanding of an emergency condition and equine welfare associated with that specific disease. The first section of the thesis aimed to identify a common emergency condition with a major welfare impact, which would become a focus for research in subsequent studies. A combination of methods were used in these chapters including a retrospective case study of ‘out of hours’ case records from two practices over a three year period, and a mixed methods online survey of opinions and experiences of equine yard owners. In the retrospective case study, colic (abdominal pain) was the most common condition seen as an ‘out of hours’ emergency at both veterinary practices, accounting for approximately a third of the ‘out of hours’ caseload. The three most common reasons for ‘out of hours’ visits for both practices were colic (35%), wounds (20%) and lameness (11%). The majority of cases seen ‘out of hours’ required a single treatment for resolution of the presenting problem (58%), whilst 26% needed multiple treatments. An online survey consisting of open and closed questions was distributed to UK livery yard owners. The survey investigated participants’ demographics and experiences, their opinion of the most common emergency conditions in the horse, and decision-making in emergency situations. Descriptive analysis of data included frequency ranking and categorisation of free text responses. There were 104 survey participants. The majority had kept horses for more than ten years (97%), and had previous experience of emergency conditions (99%), predominantly of colic (96%) and wounds (92%). Participants considered that the most common emergency conditions were colic (98%), wounds (49%) and fractures (22%), and the most concerning conditions were colic (94%), lameness (36%) and wounds (21%). Factors important in emergency decision making were: degree of pain, likelihood of condition resolving, and severity of disease. The results of these studies provided the impetus for using colic as the focus for the next phases of work within this thesis. The second section of the thesis investigated veterinary practitioners’ and horse owners’ approaches to horses with abdominal pain, with the aim of identifying where knowledge or resources were good or were variable or lacking. The subset of horses with abdominal pain from the ‘out of hours’ retrospective case series were explored to describe how these animals presented to veterinary surgeons, how they were diagnosed, treated and the outcomes. The clinical signs associated with a ‘critical’ outcome of colic were determined using univariate logistic regression. In the retrospective case series, 941 cases presented with signs of abdominal pain; 23.9% (n=225/941) cases were categorised as ‘critical’, and 18% (n=168/941) were euthanased. Fifteen variables from the case presentation significantly correlated with a critical case (p < 0.01) and were therefore incorporated into the multivariate model. The final multivariable model included three variables significantly associated with the likelihood of a case being classified as ‘critical’: increased heart rate (p < 0.01), abnormal mucous membrane colour (p < 0.01) and absence of borborygmi in at least one quadrant (p < 0.01). These were considered to be essential clinical parameters associated with the differentiation of critical cases of colic, and therefore should be included in the veterinary assessment of the condition. To investigate horse owners’ opinions and experiences, a mixed methods survey was distributed to investigate owner knowledge, experience and approaches to colic through open and closed questions and clinical scenarios. The survey also aimed to highlight knowledge and resource gaps that may affect the welfare and outcomes of horses with abdominal pain. The horse owner survey identified that owners had variable and often limited knowledge of colic and were frequently poor at recognising some of the clinical and behavioural manifestations of the condition. This study also identified the need for an all-encompassing educational resource for horse owners underpinned by scientific evidence in an accessible and functional format. Developing evidence-based resources for veterinary practitioners and horse owners was beyond the scope of what could be achieved within this thesis. Educational colic resources for horse owners (‘REACT’) were collaboratively developed and disseminated by Nottingham Equine Colic Project (including the author of the thesis) and The British Horse Society. Current evidence and literature on methods of incorporating evidence into clinical decision making were reviewed within the thesis, specifically accounting for the difficulties faced in veterinary medicine. Future work is needed to develop evidence-based resources on colic for veterinary surgeons to ensure that scientifically underpinned decisions are made at the point of care. The work contained within this thesis highlighted the importance of the owner in the recognition of disease and instigation of veterinary intervention. It is crucial that both equine owners and veterinary surgeons are considered in equal measure when investigating decision making on behalf of a horse. Owners are the gatekeepers of animal care and welfare and therefore there is a requirement that they are included in research and the development of educational material. Veterinary directed studies are commonplace, however the benefits of such research are questionable if the horse owner does not present their animal for veterinary attention. The legacy of this study will likely be the inclusion of horse owners in the development of evidence-based educational campaigns.
31
Waine, K. V. "The use of clinical audit in farm animal veterinary practice in the UK." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2017. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/43805/.
Full textAbstract:
Clinical audit was adopted from the medical profession in the late 1990s and is now widely discussed as a quality improvement tool in veterinary medicine. It is suggested by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as a method to improve the care provided to veterinary patients and many opinion pieces offering advice have been published. However, there is no evidence to support its use in farm animal veterinary practice and no understanding of how it is currently used among farm animal practitioners. This PhD thesis aimed to determine if and how clinical audit can be used efficiently and effectively in farm animal veterinary practice in the United Kingdom (UK). A review of the literature found that the translation of clinical audit from human to veterinary medicine had resulted in confusing and conflicting advice for practitioners working with all species. The definition of clinical audit seemed unclear, advice on how to conduct the process differed between authors and the relationship with evidence and guidelines was ambitious. Very few publications were based on research evidence and most centred on expert opinion. There was also no information on how clinical audit was used or understood by farm animal practitioners. A cross-sectional study to collect experiences and attitudes of farm animal veterinary surgeons in the UK towards clinical audit was conducted using a nationwide survey. Despite the emphasis put on the process, the survey revealed that many veterinary surgeons had never heard of clinical audit, or never been involved in clinical audit in farm animal practice. The participants’ knowledge of clinical audit varied widely, supporting the findings of the literature review that clarification of the process was required. A case-series using qualitative data gathering methods and analysis, including a nominal group technique (Priority Setting Partnership approach) and thematic analysis, was carried out with three farm animal veterinary practices in the UK. Prospective and retrospective clinical audits were implemented in the practices using a clearly defined framework and detailed feedback was collected on the process through a number of routes. Attempting clinical audit in the three practices highlighted many challenges to conducting clinical audit in farm animal veterinary practice. This included the difficulty of differentiating between research and clinical audit, the logistics of data collection on farm, the limitations to conducting retrospective audits in farm practice, and the time taken for the process. A number of benefits of the process were also appreciated. The practitioners found clinical audit to be an interesting exercise that increased communication within the practice and improved knowledge on how procedures were conducted. Protocols and guidelines are a suggested component of clinical audit but little information was found about their veterinary application in the literature review. To investigate the use of protocols and guidelines in farm animal practice a survey-based case study using structured interviews and a questionnaire was completed examining the understanding of, and attitudes towards, a surgical protocol used by veterinary surgeons within a practice. The case study found that guidance can have a place in practice, but highlighted that it should always allow for clinical findings in each case to be considered and acted on appropriately. Suggestions were made that checking all staff follow a guideline may not be the most beneficial way to conduct clinical audit. Following the work of this thesis, the definition of clinical audit and suggestions for its use in the veterinary setting have been simplified and defined. Discussions about the suitability of clinical guidelines and protocols and how each relate to clinical audit have been started and may provide a baseline for future research. Recommendations for farm animal practitioners wishing to conduct clinical audit in practice have been produced with an emphasis on attempting the process for the first time. This thesis has modified the process of clinical audit to ensure that it is accessible and practicable for veterinary surgeons wishing to improve the quality of care delivered in practice.
32
Bellet, Camille Sylvie Charlotte. "Cattle helminth infections in England and Wales : an investigation into prevalence, risk factors, attitudes and impacts." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2017. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/43508/.
Full textAbstract:
Worldwide, there is an increasing demand for food, especially meat and milk. Alongside concerns around sustainability and other issues such as animal welfare, high expectations are put on livestock systems for an increased production and efficiency in order to meet such a demand. Helminth infections are ubiquitous on cattle farms and represent a growing concern for the industry around the world. In the UK, Ostertagia ostertagi and Fasciola hepatica are recognised as parasites of major importance in terms of their economic impact on cattle production and animal welfare. Rumen fluke is another strong candidate in the list of helminths which represent challenges for the sector in the UK. However, because helminth infections are mainly subclinical, their control is often very difficult. In this context, farmers generally adopt blanket treatment in young-stock to prevent or regain production losses due to these infections. This results in increasing problems of helminth resistance to available drugs, making such a practice unsustainable. Motivated by these concerns, several guidelines for best-practice on cattle helminth control have been published in the past few years. Nonetheless, farmers’ have been reluctant to adopt the recommendations put forward by these documents. Cattle helminths infections are influenced by the interplay of a wide range of factors. These include not only interactions between different species of parasites, but also climate conditions, management practices, availability of resources, and farmers’ attitudes, for which the role of comprehensive and reliable epidemiological information is key. An alternative to the use of cattle anthelmintic drugs is to avoid contamination of pasture to prevent the exposure of most susceptible cattle. The choice of diagnostic tools and the design of the studies are determinant for capturing the complexity of factors influencing helminth infections and control. However, basic epidemiological information on helminth infections in cattle in England and Wales is currently lacking, especially for O. ostertagi, F. hepatica and rumen fluke. Second, the relationship between economic losses and helminth infections remains to be clarified, particularly in the case of poly-infections and first lactation heifers. Third, previous studies informing potential alternatives (e.g. grazing management), suffer from limitations in terms of their scope and the adequacy of their recommendations. Finally, although being as relevant as epidemiological information, understanding what are the factors driving farmers’ decisions on cattle helminth control is a topic still poorly addressed in the literature. To address the issues above, this project was based on a mix-methods research (quantitative and qualitative methods) and a multidisciplinary framework that incorporates both veterinary epidemiology and sociology. The research analyses the cases of dairy and beef cattle in England and Wales by using longitudinal and cross-sectional studies, respectively. For dairy cattle, 43 farms (1,500 heifers) were studied. Data was collected and analysed in relation to the prevalence of O. ostertagi and F. hepatica; current practices in helminth control; demographics and management risk factors of young-stock helminth infections; impacts on milk production, reproduction and health performances in heifers; and farmers’ attitudes. As for beef cattle, data was collected for both single and poly-infections in 974 cattle (at slaughter), to support the analysis of the prevalence of O. ostertagi, F. hepatica and rumen fluke; demographic risk factors; and impacts on prime beef carcase performance. The main findings of this thesis are summarised below: Prevalence: the ubiquity of O. ostertagi and the significant presence of F. hepatica infections are confirmed; rumen fluke infections, most probably by C. daubneyi, can be considered as well-established in the UK; poly-infections by the three parasites are very common within the sample analysed; Risk factors: different types of grazing management practices can help with reducing dairy heifer exposure to O. ostertagi on pasture at specific times during their first years of grazing; Impact: the three parasites were significantly associated with low carcase performance in prime beef cattle; heifer exposure to O. ostertagi was significantly associated with lower milk production, reproduction and health performances; Farmers’ practices and attitudes: dairy farmers tend to overuse anthelmintic drugs on young-stock; they actively search and access information on cattle helminth infections and critically assess it in terms of management and business sustainability; farmers’ epistemology and contextual challenges should be taken into account while developing guidelines for helminth control. This thesis makes several contributions to veterinary and sociological studies of cattle helminth control. The different studies conducted shed light on a series of overlooked epidemiological and behavioural aspects that are critical for helminth control in the UK. Importantly, the thesis contributes to a better understanding of the complexity that is inherent to cattle helminth control. By considering both the epidemiology of the infections and broader societal and cultural factors, it offers a comprehensive analysis and a pioneer representation of how the system of cattle helminth control might operate in the UK. The results of this research are extremely valuable to veterinarians, farmers, experts, and policy-makers who all wish to develop and implement sustainable control of helminth infections in cattle.
33
Al-Agele, Ramzi. "Histopathological and ultrastructural characterization of equine hoof shape deformities." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2018. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/48986/.
Full textAbstract:
Satisfactory investigations of the equine foot appear to be limited by the histo-morphological complexity of internal hoof structures. Foot lameness is considered to be one of the most debilitating pathological diseases in the horse. In most species, foot lameness is traditionally linked to hoof deformity, and a set of molecular events have been defined in relation to the disease. The differential capsular growth rate is essential in order to understand the aetiology of hoof distortions. It is now well established that keratinocyte progenitor cells grow from the papillae and not from the lamellae. The importance of hoof material synthesis, and therefore the underlying cell proliferation from the papillae, in the pathology of laminitis has been underlined in different species. Despite this knowledge, it remains unclear how cell proliferation itself is involved in this pathology. So far, there is controversy regarding the incidence of foot lameness in horses, as it is unclear whether it is foot lameness that triggers hoof distortions or vice-versa. In addition, very little scientific evidence exists to prove either point; this requires a deeper understanding of the physical biology and biomechanics of the hoof given that the horse stands on its hooves. It is remarkable that very little physics has been introduced to enhance our understanding of the disease. In order to develop a better understanding of foot lameness, we aim to provide a model of foot lameness encompassing anatomy, cell biology and physics to help reveal new evidence for evaluating the incidence of pathological changes within internal structures of the animal’s foot. It is anticipated that the results found will aid in bridging this gap in knowledge. Fifty-four equine hooves were collected and categorized based upon their morphology, and tissue sections were harvested from the periople, coronary and proximal part of lamellae. Markers of progenecity (p63), cell proliferation (PCNA, Ki-67) and differentiation (K14, K10) were used to assess the hoof growth rate in coronary regions using immunohistochemistry (PCNA, Ki-67, p63) and immunofluorescence (p63 and K14). For assessing the involvement of physical forces in hoof growth, the Micro CT-scans of individual foot were analysed to highlight differences in the ultrastructure of the feet, for example differences in dorsal curvature between different foot samples. The results presented in this study confirm previous findings, add evidence that a high percentage of Ki-67 and p63 positive cells are found in the proximal part of the papillae, and seem to contribute to hoof deformities. This evidence might be attributed to physical growth forces present in the proximal part of the hoof whereby the change in cell size might contribute to force generation, tissue remodelling (i.e. cornification) and hoof deformities. As hoof distortion can result from uncontrolled epidermal basal cell proliferation from the epidermal papillae. A model of cultured keratinocytes under different stresses such as stretch, hydrostatic pressure and/or low oxygen conditions. This revealed that these stresses together with low oxygen conditions stimulate cell differentiation, and upregulate keratin levels. Consequently, this leading to changes in their morphology and cell surface area. Together these results suggests that cell culture, growth, passage and physical or biological treatments have improved our knowledge of natural cell stimulation and aid our understanding of how equine progenitor keratinocytes (EPKs) would hypothetically respond to external stimuli other than biological ones. The results presented regarding physical forces showed that there is a strong correlation between the dorsal hoof curvature and the level of Ki-67 and p63 abundance at the dermal papillae. In addition, K14 and TUNEL apoptotic cells localized along the dermal papillae in the coronary hoof region were also found in ‘dished’ hooves. Specifically, when the hoof curvature is positive (i.e. for the ‘dished’ hoof) there is an increase in the mitotic index shown by Ki-67 and p63 expression in the quarter regions compared to the dorsal one. Negative hoof curvatures (i.e. having a claw-like shape), however, did not shown any correlation with Ki-67 and p63 expression in any tissue type, except for K14 expression levels in the dorsal and quarter regions. These outcomes demonstrated that the two proteins (p63 and Ki-67) participate in hoof growth, and very probably to the differential growth of the hoof capsule as observed in chronic laminitis. This is probably through a contribution of sustained level of epidermal basal cell proliferation. In conclusion, the morphometric data of the change in cell size and the localisation of proliferation cells on the proximal part of papillae provide evidence on the way of hoof morphogenesis. These were confirmed with behaviour of cultured keratinocytes under different stresses. Additionally, the difference in the proliferation rates between the dorsal, quarter regions of the hoof wall are connected to hoof curvatures. The data gives new insights into the physical biology of the normal versus pathologically affected equine feet, and bovine and ovine feet in the future, providing new information for potential treatment(s). Consequently, this research aims to bridge gaps across scientific fields to ameliorate our understanding of the equine foot. However, further studies need to be carried out in order to understand the pathways of cellular response at the coronary region.
34
Randall, Laura Vee. "Evaluation of body condition score and early life events as risk factors for lameness in dairy cattle." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2018. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/48576/.
Full textAbstract:
Lameness is one of the most significant challenges faced by the dairy industry worldwide. The negative impacts on the health, welfare and productivity of dairy cows means that controlling lameness is important for future sustainability. The aims of this thesis were to evaluate the risk factors for lameness in dairy cows, in particular body condition score (BCS) and early life events. Claw horn disruption lesions (CHDLs) are one of the major causes of lameness in dairy cattle, however their aetiopathogenesis is still poorly understood. The primary hypotheses explored within this thesis were related to risk factors for CHDLs in particular, with the aim of progressing the current knowledge and understanding of these lesions. Data obtained over an 8 year period (2003 to 2011) from the Crichton Royal research herd held at the Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) Dairy Research and Innovation Centre in Dumfries, Scotland were used to investigate risk factors for lameness in dairy cows. The associations between fine thresholds of body condition score (independent of body weight) and lameness were explored using mixed effects multinomial and binomial logistic regression models. Cows with BCS < 2 in the previous 3-weeks were at greatest risk of mild or severe lameness. Low BCS was found to be associated with an increased risk of repeated lifetime lameness events in all animals, as well as first lifetime lameness events in cows in their second lactation or greater, indicating that low BCS may be an important risk factor for lameness in herds managed under similar conditions to the study herd. Furthermore, a novel approach to estimating population attributable fractions (PAF) for lameness risk factors which used simulation to investigate complex changes in herd BCS and previous lameness events over time in two dairy herds, showed that a loss in BCS of 0.5 across the whole herd may contribute towards between 4 and 11% of the total number of lameness events in these herds. Despite differences in methods of lameness identification (weekly locomotion scores versus treatment of clinical cases) and the environment between the herds investigated, the estimated PAF were similar, giving some indication that findings may be to some extent generalisable. In comparison to BCS, previous lameness events appeared to have a potentially larger impact on the total number of lameness events in the herd. The median estimated PAF for all previous lameness was between 79 and 83% in the two herds i.e. approximately 80% of lameness events in these two herds may be avoidable by preventing all previous lameness events. Between 9 and 21% of total lameness events may be attributable to previous lameness events occurring > 16 weeks before a risk period. These findings indicate that repeated lameness events (i.e. accumulation of lameness) may contribute towards a large proportion of herd level lameness. Preventing or increasing the time to first lameness events in a dairy herd may be important to reduce the number of repeat cases and lessen overall burden of lameness. Interactions with environmental and/or animal-based risk factors may also be important for preventing repeat lameness events. Further research is required to identify the reasons for and methods of preventing repeated lameness events, which could have considerable impact on reducing lameness at the herd level. The development of a method for estimating PAF for lameness risk factors using simulation enabled longitudinal data to be analysed, taking into account repeated measures and changes in risk factors over time. This is an important step forward in evaluating risk factors for lameness in dairy cattle, by identifying those that will have greatest impact on controlling disease in the population. Further work is needed to estimate the PAF for other risk factors including environmental factors. The large effect of previous lameness events on future lameness highlights the potential importance of lameness in heifers, as the future of the dairy herd. Mixed effects logistic regression models and linear regression were used to investigate the impact of hoof lesions in heifers around the time of first calving on milk yield, future lameness and culling risk. Severe claw horn disruption lesions (CHDL) post-calving were associated with an increased risk of future lameness and reduced milk yield (average daily and adjusted for the duration of time that cows spent within the herd), indicating that managing heifers to reduce severe CHDL could have positive benefits on health, welfare and production for the dairy herd. Mild CHDL pre-calving and 2 to 4 months post-calving were found to be associated with a decreased risk of future lameness and decreased culling risk. This novel finding suggests that some degree of mild insult may confer some resilience, if occurring at a time when heifers are able to cope, potentially through adaptive changes in the hoof. This suggests that management of heifers could have major impacts on lifetime claw health. The impact of previous lameness on herd level lameness was also investigated through exploring how different culling rates effect lameness prevalence, with the use of simulation. As herds with a lower culling rate will have an older age profile this increases the duration of time over which repeat lameness events might occur. Herds adopting a culling rate of 40% versus 20% were found to have a relative reduction in lameness prevalence of 29.2% (38.2% versus 27.1%, respectively). In herds with lower culling rates particular attention to lameness prevention and control may be necessary to maintain the health, welfare and productivity of the herd; this would be especially true for herds with a high background risk of lameness in month 1 of each lactation. Multilevel statistical modelling and simulation-based methods, combined with a rich longitudinal dataset, have aided in the identification of important key findings that contribute towards advancing our knowledge and understanding surrounding the aetiopathogenesis of lameness, and in particular CHDL. Identifying risk factors that, if controlled, will have the greatest effect on reducing lameness at the herd level is important and this work highlights where future research can build on this so that progress can be made in controlling lameness. This is relevant and important for the dairy industry worldwide.
35
Strong, Victoria J. "Getting to the heart of the matter : an investigation into captive great ape mortality and cardiovascular disease." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2017. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/47906/.
Full textAbstract:
Great apes housed in zoological collections have an important role to play in conservation. A sound understanding about their health and welfare forms a critical part of their custodianship. Chapter 1 of this thesis outlines a systematic review of 189 published articles relating to the topic of great ape morbidity and mortality (Strong et al. 2016). It concluded that there was a critical need for an up-to-date review of zoo-housed great ape mortality, especially among the European population, to be carried out. Such a review of data relating to 681 great ape deaths was therefore performed and is outlined in Chapter 2 of this thesis. This mortality review identified the main causes of death within each taxa and age group, and allowed for a series of recommendations about future disease investigation and monitoring to be generated. Diseases of the cardiovascular system specifically, were identified as being associated with significant proportional mortality. Despite this, however, understanding about the epidemiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis of cardiovascular disorders among great apes remains poor. The remainder of the thesis therefore outlines a series of further projects and studies designed to confront this lack of knowledge and understanding: Chapter 3 focuses on cardiovascular disease epidemiology and identifies similarities and differences in disease risk between the taxa, highlighting age and male sex as potential risk factors. Chapter 4 is dedicated to the development of two protocols designed to standardise both the ante- and post-mortem investigation of cardiovascular disease in great apes. Chapter 5 addresses the controversial topic of carrying out cardiovascular disease screening in immobilised animals by comparing the effects of two anaesthetic protocols. Finally, Chapter 6 outlines a detailed study of great ape cardiovascular pathology and specifically idiopathic myocardial fibrosis in chimpanzees. The findings of each of the studies outlined in this thesis are informative, not only for the day-to-day management of zoo-housed great apes, but also for future research into their health, disease and therefore welfare.
36
Agbaje, M. "Bacterial colonisation and localisation in ovine interdigital dermatitis and footrot." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2018. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/48734/.
Full textAbstract:
Ovine footrot is the major cause of lameness in sheep within the UK and an economic and welfare concern for sheep farmers globally. It is characterised by under-running of the hoof-horn and preceded by interdigital dermatitis (ID). Under-running footrot is attributed to the host immune response, which is provoked primarily by Dichelobacter nodosus in addition to other bacteria pathogens. However, the precise role of these other bacteria is yet unknown. Therefore, we hypothesise that bacterial invasion and colonisation of the ovine interdigital skin contributes to a strong host inflammatory response leading to the characteristic histopathology observed. In this context, this study examined host inflammatory response [inflammatory cell infiltration, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β)], histopathological lesions and virulent D. nodosus abundance in healthy, ID and footrot conditions in an attempt to gain further insights into the pathogenesis of this important disease. To investigate this hypothesis, two studies were designed: (i) to grade histological lesions in different clinical conditions and (ii) to determine bacterial localisation in post-slaughtered interdigital skin biopsies from the abattoir. Standardised histology lesion grading systems were developed and applied using histochemical techniques (haematoxylin and eosin (H&E), periodic acid Schiff PAS). Bacterial localisation was determined in serial horizontal sections across skin depths combining histology (transverse cryosections + H&E) and qPCR technique for the quantification of bacterial DNA. Furthermore, parallel data of IL-1β expression and virulent D. nodosus load obtained from a different study were compared to histology lesions. Key findings were as follows: (i) histological lesions (cell ballooning, parakeratosis, epidermal micro-abscesses and inflammatory cell infiltration) were similar in all clinical conditions, (ii) increased inflammatory cell infiltration score corresponded significantly with high levels of IL-1β expression (p < 0.05) in footrot, and virulent D. nodosus load (p < 0.001) across all clinical conditions, (iii) across different skin depths, eubacteria localisation was consistent, D. nodosus localisation was highly variable while F. necrophorum was localised in deeper sections of healthy feet. In addition, eubacteria load was significantly higher (p=0.0002) in the epidermis near the skin surface (≤200μm) of footrot disease samples when compared to healthy samples. Eubacteria components may play contributory roles in footrot pathogenesis based on their localisation in interdigital skin. In conclusion, contrary to previous notion that the severity of disease condition was dictated by progressive pathology, data in this study showed no appreciable difference in the levels of histological lesions and inflammatory response between healthy and diseased (ID, footrot) conditions. Histological lesions and the bacterial components of the skin including the virulent D. nodosus contribute to the local inflammatory response which probably drives the progression of footrot disease.
37
Valente, Leonor. "The impact of different housing systems during pregnancy on the development of the offspring of sheep in the UK." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2018. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/50166/.
Full textAbstract:
Studies across different species have demonstrated that maternal stress during pregnancy can affect offspring development and welfare, both at the physiological and behavioural level. Throughout pregnancy, domestic livestock may experience various stressors that can inhibit health and productivity, and consequently impact on the development of the offspring. Several of these relate to the gestational social environment, a subject that has not received much attention from a prenatal stress perspective. In the UK, approximately half of ewes are housed prior to lambing. As a consequence, factors such as social instability, high stocking density, dog exposure and unpredictable feeding schedule have been identified as potential stressors for housed sheep. Some of these impose a degree of competition for resources while others expose the pregnant ewes to an uncertain and unpredictable environment. This project aimed to investigate the potential effect of these aspects of ewe husbandry when applied during pregnancy on lamb behaviour and welfare. The first experiment investigated the effects of the legally maximum stocking density and social mixing during pregnancy on the offspring. The second experiment looked at the effects of three different levels of maternal stress on the offspring, which included a higher stress environment where ewes were exposed to a dog, the feeding schedule was unpredictable and stocking density was the maximum allowed legally; a medium stress environment where there was no dog exposure and feeding schedule was predictable but stocking density was kept the same; and a lower stress environment with lower stocking density, ad libitum feed and no dog exposure. Lambs were followed from birth to slaughter and the effects of these potential maternal stressors on lamb behaviour and factors related to survival, immunity, growth, and epigenetic regulation of neuroendocrine stress axis function were investigated. The maternal stressors had very subtle impact on lamb behaviour and growth but birth weight and immunity were not affected. However, effects of prenatal treatment were found on brain morphology and factors regulating stress axis activity. Therefore there seems to be no major implications for lamb welfare of these maternal stressors. Hence, from a farm management perspective this study suggests that, in general, current ewe management practices in the UK are not detrimental for lamb welfare.
38
Bakthavachalu, Sivakumar. "SF-SACK a smooth friendly TCP protocol for streaming multimedia applications /." [Tampa, Fla.] : University of South Florida, 2004. http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/SFE0000608.
Full text
39
Besret, Soizic. "Ligations chimiques : synthèse d'inhibiteurs extracellulaires de la signalisation HGF/SF-MET." Phd thesis, Université du Droit et de la Santé - Lille II, 2011. http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00630962.
Full textAbstract:
Les peptides constituent une famille de biomolécules dont l'utilisation dans différents domaines thérapeutiques (cancer, diabète, sida) s'est fortement développée ces dernières années. Le défi pour les chimistes consiste à y accéder grâce à de nouvelles méthodes fiables et efficaces. La première partie de notre travail a d'abord été orientée vers le développement deux méthodes de ligations non natives efficaces et complémentaires de celles existant. La première méthode, appelée ligation thiocarbamate, permet d'obtenir des peptides alkylthiocarbamate avec de très bons rendements, alors que la seconde, appelée ligation azaGly, aboutit à la formation d'un azaGlypeptide. La seconde partie de cette thèse traite de la conception et synthèse de nouveaux peptides susceptibles d'inhiber la signalisation HGF/SF-MET. Le récepteur à activité tyrosine kinase MET et son ligand, l'HGF/SF (Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scattor Factor), sont des cibles de choix pour une thérapie anti-cancéreuse. La ligation thiocarbamate, précédemment décrite, et la ligation thioéther plus classique ont été utilisées pour préparer une chimiothèque de peptides sulfonatés d'inhiber cette signalisation de façon extracellulaire. La capacité de liaison des composés de la chimiothèque avec le domaine extracellulaire de MET a été évaluée grâce à la technologie biopuces. L'activité biologique (tests MTT, d'activité kinase) des meilleurs produits a été ensuite évaluée.
40
Hauer, Julia. "Signaltransduktion durch TRAF-bindende Mitglieder der TNF-Rezeptor-Superfamilie (TNFR-SF)." Diss., lmu, 2006. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:19-57662.
Full text
41
Sundlöf, Ellinor, and Gabriella Norrby. "Bakom kulisserna på SF Bio AB : En undersökning av olika ledarstilar." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Företagsekonomiska institutionen, 2010. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-134242.
Full textAbstract:
Denna kandidatuppsats ämnar undersöka vilken typ av företagsledning som är vanligast på SF Bio AB. Undersökningen har genomförts på SF Bios biografansvariga som arbetar på biograferna runt om i landet. Syftet med denna uppsats är att beskriva ledningen bland dessa och undersöka om situationer i omgivningen har påverkat ledningsstilen. Undersökningen grundar sig på en kvantitativ studie där de biografansvariga får svara på påståenden som berör deras ledningsstil. Denna undersökning grundar sig på en analysmodell som vi har sammanställt och presenterat utifrån fyra olika perspektiv; attityd gentemot mål, uppfattning av arbetsuppgiften, relationen gentemot de anställda och självkänsla. Utifrån dessa perspektiv har vi kunnat analysera vilken typ av ledningsstil de biografansvariga har. Det resultat vi kommer fram till, är att majoriteten av SF Bios biografansvariga är karismatiska ledare sett till deras ledningsstil. Trots SF Bios tydliga arbetsbeskrivningar och policys som utgör begränsningar, är det karismatiskt ledarskap som är den mest frekventa ledningsstilen.
42
Berg, Viktor. "Development and Commissioning of a DP system for ROV SF 30k." Thesis, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, Institutt for marin teknikk, 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:no:ntnu:diva-18559.
Full textAbstract:
This Master thesis details the development of a mathematical model of ROV SF30k, and its implementation into a DP control system developed by Espen Tolpinrud.The project was performed as a part of the Applied Underwater Robotics atNTNU.A 6DOF model of the ROV was developed. The parameters of the model werefound using both the 3D model of the ROV provided by Sperre AS, and based onthe parameters found previously for ROV Minerva. Both ROVs were developedby Sperre AS and share many similarities. Thrust configuration was developed forthe ROV based on the geometric positions and orientations of its thrusters, whilethrust coefficients were found using propeller data provided by Sperre AS. The DPcontrol system was configured to operate SF 30k by using a configuration file basedon the found parameters.A number of modules were ported from the old DP system, which was tailormadefor ROV Minerva, to the new one. This includes the Kalman Filter, controllersand thrust allocation. An adaptive passive nonlinear observer was developedand implemented.The existing simulator model for ROV Minerva was modified to be able tosimulate ROV SF 30k. This was done by changing the parameters of the processplant model and thrust dynamics.The parameters in the configuration file for the new control system were verifiedduring sea trials onboard R/V Gunnerus on May 29-30th 2012. The thrust allocationparameters were found to be satisfactory during ROV operation, however, themathematical model of the ROV could not be verified due to the small window ofoperation during the sea trials.
43
Hepple, J. "Expression and crystallization of the receptor-binding domains of HGF/SF." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 1997. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.603970.
Full textAbstract:
Two naturally occurring partial agonists of HGF/SF exist (NK1 and NK2), which consist of the first two or three N-terminal domains of HGF/SR respectively. The aims of this thesis were: (i) to develop an expression system for the production of the NK1 and NK2 domains (ii) to characterize these recombinant domains using biochemical and biophysical techniques and assess their suitability for structural studies (iii) to crystallize these domains and collect X-ray diffraction data. Initial expression studies of the domains of HGF/SF were carried out in the prokaryotic organism, Escherichia coli. However, expression yields were limited and further reduced by extensive proteolysis. Improvements were achieved using protease-deficient strains and coexpressing bacterial folding catalysts but the final yields were insufficient for structural studies. Thus an alternative expression host, the yeast Pichia pastoris was investigated. NK1 and NK2 constructs were cloned into the expression vector cPIC-9K and integrated into the yeast's genome. Stable P. pastoris transformants containing multiple copies of the constructs were selected which expressed and secreted full length recombinant NK1 and NK2 into the supernatant. The material was purified to homogeneity using heparin affinity and ion-exchange chromatography. NK1 and NK2 were biologically active in the MDCK scatter assay. N-terminal sequencing confirmed correct processing of the signal sequence and capillary zone electrophoresis revealed NK1 and NK2 samples as 98% homogeneous. Gel filtration studies showed that NK1 existed as a monomer while NK2 consisted of monomeric and dimeric forms. Preliminary crystal trials were carried out with monomeric NK1 and NK2. NK1 crystallized under eight different conditions which were optimized to produce crystals suitable for diffraction. X-ray diffraction data sets were collected from two crystal forms under cryoconditions using rotating anode and synchrotron X-ray sources. The data sets were processed and the lattice type and unit cell dimensions for each crystal form were determined.
44
Marques, Andrea de Andrade. "Qualidade de vida de mulheres com endometriose atraves do SF-36." [s.n.], 2002. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/313271.
Full textAbstract:
Orientador : Luis BahamondesDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas
Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-02T13:44:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marques_AndreadeAndrade_M.pdf: 169096 bytes, checksum: 5c2937c0b535a9d5c7e96f1400792faa (MD5) Previous issue date: 2002
Resumo: A endometriose é reconhecida como uma doença que afeta a vida das mulheres por causar dor e infertilidade. Poucos estudos, entretanto, avaliaram a qualidade de vida das mulheres com endometriose, todos restritos a países considerados desenvolvidos. Este é um estudo descritivo de corte transversal que teve como objetivo principal avaliar a qualidade de vida de mulheres com endometriose, utilizando-se o questionário genérico SF-36. Um total de 60 mulheres com diagnóstico cirúrgico de endometriose foram entrevistadas no Ambulatório de Endometriose do Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher da Universidade Estadual de Campinas durante o primeiro semestre de 2001, e 57 foram aceitas. De modo geral, foram encontrados baixos índices de qualidade de vida. Utilizando-se do teste não paramétrico Mann-Whitney, não se observou relação entre a qualidade de vida destas mulheres e a intensidade da dor, uso ou não de medicação, presença ou não de parceiros. Mulheres com estádios mais avançados da doença apresentaram melhores escores no componente "Aspectos Emocionais" e observou-se resultado significativamente superior no componente "Saúde Mental" naquelas que praticavam exercícios regularmente. Os resultados do questionário genérico de avaliação de qualidade de vida SF-36 em mulheres com endometriose mostraram a má qualidade de vida desta população
Abstract: Endometriosis is recognized as a disease associated with an impairment of women's quality of life. However, few studies have specifically evaluated the life quality among women with endometriosis. All of them from developed countries. This is a descriptive cross sectional study evaluating the life quality in women with endometriosis. The generic questionnaire SF-36 has been used to collect data. A total of 60 women with surgical diagnostic of endometriosis were interviewed at the endometriosis outpatient clinic ¿ CAISM/UNICAMP during the first semester of 2001 and 57 were accepted. In general, the authors found low quality of life results among the interviewed women. No correlation was found between life quality and pain intensity, use of medication, and having a partner. Women with moderate/severe endometriosis presented better scores on the emotional aspects component of the questionnaire. Among those who exercised regularly, better scores on mental health were observed. The results of the generic questionnaire SF-36 showed a poor quality of life in women with endometriosis
Mestrado
Ciencias Biomedicas
Mestre em Tocoginecologia
45
Garrity, Mary Patricia 1961. "Particle formation during reactive ion etching of silicon with SF(6)." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/282512.
Full textAbstract:
Particle formation during low pressure SF6/argon etching of silicon in a single wafer parallel plate reactor is studied. Particles are extracted from the exhaust and collected on the wafer. Particle composition and morphology depend on plasma power, etch time, gas composition, and pressure. Primary particles are tens of nanometers in diameter and spherical and chain aggregates as large as 5 mum are observed. Critical powers and etch times are required for the formation of these aggregates. The presence of major gas phase species is determined using mass spectroscopy and optical emission spectroscopy. A three stage mechanism for describing the particle formation (nucleation, heterogeneous growth, and coagulation) is presented. Particle precursor and heterogeneous sources are determined from plasma-dependent, homogeneous, gas-phase reactions and etch product distributions predicted from electrical and etch rate measurements. Dissociation of SF6 into lower molecular weight SFx species and unsaturated SiFx species are primarily responsible for nuclei formation and subsequent, rapid heterogeneous growth by attachment of positive ions.
46
Gaujoux-Viala, Cécile. "Les utilités EQ-5D et SF-6D dans la polyarthrite débutante." Thesis, Université de Lorraine, 2012. http://www.theses.fr/2012LORR0418/document.
Full textAbstract:
La notion d’instauration rapide d’un traitement efficace et agressif dans la polyarthrite débutante a renforcé la nécessité de disposer de mesures d’utilité validées afin d’optimiser l’évaluation médico-économique de ces traitements. Actuellement, il n’y a pas de consensus sur le choix du questionnaire multi-attributs à utiliser pour le calcul des utilités. L’objectif de cette thèse est donc d’étudier les niveaux, les performances et les déterminants des 2 outils indirects de mesure d’utilité (EQ-5D et SF-6D) dans la polyarthrite débutante, au travers des données de la cohorte ESPOIR, cohorte multicentrique française de polyarthrites débutantes. En conclusion, l’EQ-5D et le SF-6D ne sont pas interchangeables dans la polyarthrite débutante : ils ont des échelles, des distributions, une reproductibilité et une sensibilité au changement différentes. Ils ne donnent pas les mêmes résultats surtout quand les patients ont un mauvais état de santé et plus particulièrement une incapacité fonctionnelle importante. La distribution bimodale de l’EQ-5D, sa moins bonne reproductibilité, le fait qu’il soit moins sensible à l’amélioration, sa plus grande variabilité dans l’estimation du gain d’utilité et donc des QALYs, les problèmes soulevés par la signification d’un état « pire que la mort » (qui n’est pas celle du patient), favoriseraient plutôt l’utilisation du SF-6D dans les essais sur les nouvelles biothérapies dans la polyarthrite débutanteThe explosion of drug development for rheumatoid arthritis and the revolution of early aggressive therapy for the disease have fuelled the search for better approaches to establish cost-effectiveness in early arthritis (EA), but consensus is lacking on the choice of utility instrument. We aimed to compare the EQ-5D and SF-6D, 2 indirect utility measures widely used to calculate quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), in terms of their utility values, their performance and their determinants in a large prospective cohort of patients with EA. In conclusion, the EQ-5D and SF-6D are not interchangeable: their scales, distributions, reliability and responsiveness are different. There is systematic disagreement between the EQ-5D and SF-6D in EA especially in patients with worse clinical outcomes and more specifically with high functional disability. Several elements suggest that the SF-6D may be more appropriate for clinical trials of biologics in patients with EA: the bimodal distribution of the EQ-5D, its lower reliability and responsiveness for EA improvement than the SF-6D, its high variability in the estimation of the utility gains and thus QALYs gains and the problems raised by the meaning of a state labeled " worse than the death " (which is not the one from the patient)
47
Jebali, Abderrazak. "Ischémie intestinale aiguë après exérèse pulmonaire : à propos de 5 observations." Grenoble 1, 1989. https://santhese.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/1989GRE16006-abderrazak-jebali-SF-arc.pdf.
Full text
48
London, Gerald. "Douleurs thoraciques d'origine oesophagienne : revue de la littérature / Gérald London." Grenoble 1, 1989. https://santhese.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/1989GRE16005-london-gerald-SF-arc.pdf.
Full text
49
Abbas, Hussein. "Place de la fadénopération de Cuppers dans la chirurgie des muscles oculo-moteurs : étude de 276 cas." Grenoble 1, 1989. https://santhese.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/1989GRE16002-abbas-hussein-SF-arc.pdf.
Full text
50
Guermazi, Hatem. "L'érythème noueux : analyse de 71 cas hospitalisés au Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire régional de Grenoble." Grenoble 1, 1989. https://santhese.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/1989GRE16004-guermazi-hatem-SF-arc.pdf.
Full text