Phantasms in music

Tese de mestrado, Teoria da Literatura, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Letras, 2009Esta tese é sobre a forma como a música pode ser descrita mimeticamente. Começando por discutir o tratamento contemporâneo deste tópico, comparo vários argumentos sobre música (em particular música e representação') e descrevo a razão porque estes são relevantes para a questão original da mimêsis. No segundo e terceiro capítulos, discuto ideias ou soluções (para o problema da música mimética' de Aristóteles) para os problemas colocados no primeiro capítulo, e relaciono estes com conceitos usados por Aristóteles nos seus escritos sobre música. O terceiro capítulo trata especificamente do tópico da phantasia e dou ênfase à importância da phantasia no argumento de Aristóteles sobre mimêsis e imitações em relação à música.This thesis attempts to describe how music can be called mimetic. Beginning with a discussion of current work on this topic, I compare various arguments on music (mainly music and representation') and why I find them to be relevant to this original question of mimêsis. In the second and third chapters, I build on ideas or solutions (for the mimetic music' problem originally taken from Aristotle) for problems posed in the first chapter and relate them to concepts Aristotle uses when writing about music. The third chapter specifically treats the topic of phantasia and I propose the importance of phantasia in Aristotle's argument of mimesis and imitations as related to music

Lamination of a biodegradable polymeric microchip

Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, 2006.Includes bibliographical references (leaf 22).This work builds on the initial design of a polymer microchip for controlled-release drug delivery. Currently, the microchip employs a nonbiodegradable sealant layer, and the new design aims to fabricate it only of biodegradable parts. Experiments were conducted to evaluate two potential designs that are fabricated via lamination, and a final design was proposed based on the results. Design 1 sought to replace the sealant directly with a PLA backing layer, but the laminated backing layer was found to leak in 14C-dextran release experiments. Design 2 used a laminated film instead of the original injected membrane. The laminated film was optimized to a 200- [mu]m thick poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) 2A membrane, and the film-laminated microchip was shown to release 14C-dextran within a 40-day period. The final proposed design was based on Design 2, which demonstrated more potential as a future means of drug delivery.by Jina Kim.S.B

Transperineal ultrasound in women with rectal endometriosis: could sonographic parameters be correlated with bowel symptoms?

STUDY OBJECTIVE: to compare levator hiatal area and anorectal angle at rest and after maximal contraction, at transperineal 2D/3D/4D ultrasound between patients with rectal endometriosis and asymptomatic healthy women and, secondly, to find any association between sonographic findings and bowel symptoms. PATIENTS: 96 nulliparous patients with symptomatic rectal endometriosis scheduled for laparoscopic surgery (study group) were compared to 88 nulliparous asymptomatic healthy women (control group). Patients had never undergone surgery for deep endometriosis and had not assumed hormonal therapy before the enrollment. INTERVENTIONS: transperineal ultrasound for evaluation of levator hiatal area and anorectal angle was performed in all patients at rest. Data were analyzed offline with a dedicated software by an investigator blinded to clinical data. Bowel symptoms were collected using a validated questionnaire (Knowles-Eccersley-Scott-Symptom Questionnaire). Comparisons of mean values between controls and cases were performed. Correlations between sonographic parameters and KESS questionnaire’s items were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Compared to the control group, patients with rectal endometriosis show a significantly narrower levator hiatal area at rest and after maximal contraction; patient with rectal endometriosis show a narrower anorectal angle at rest (109.8±10.8 grade versus 113.7±13.0 grade, p=0.03). In the study group we found a significant association between severity of dyschezia at KESS questionnaire and dimension of anorectal angle (p < 0.001). In the study group, Patients with constipation had a narrower anorectal angle compared to endometriotic patients without constipation . CONCLUSION: women with rectal endometriosis had a significantly narrower levator hiatal area and anorectal angle than healthy controls, suggesting pelvic floor hypertone. Pelvic floor dysfunctions in women with rectal endometriosis seem to be associated to bowel complaints, particularly dyschezia and constipation. Transperineal ultrasound may be a useful, inexpensive and non-invasive tool to detect pelvic floor dysfunctions in sympomatic patients affected by deep endometriosis

A importância da adaptabilidade : a carreira, o indivíduo e a organização : estudo exploratório

Tese de mestrado integrado em Psicologia (Psicologia dos Recursos Humanos, do Trabalho e das Organizações), apresentada à Universidade de Lisboa através da Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação, 2008Neste trabalho procura-se explorar as relações que a adaptabilidade tem com a satisfação profissional, o empenhamento organizacional e a intenção de turnover. As hipóteses apontam para: a inexistência de relações entre adaptabilidade e intenção de turnover, bem como entre adaptabilidade e os empenhamentos afectivo e normativo; a existência de relação positiva entre a adaptabilidade e a satisfação profissional; a existência de relação negativa entre a adaptabilidade e o empenhamento de continuidade; e existência de relações negativas entre a intenção de turnover e a satisfação, bem como entre a intenção de turnover e o empenhamento. Os instrumentos (Inventário das Preocupações de Carreira, Inventário sobre a Satisfação Profissional, Questionário de Empenhamento Organizacional, e Escala de Intenção de Turnover) são aplicados a uma amostra de conveniência de 65 sujeitos, via e-mail. Os resultados da análise de correlações são, em geral, favoráveis às hipóteses formuladas. São apontadas consequências teóricas e empíricas e é documentada a importância da adaptabilidade para os indivíduos e para as organizações.This study explores the relations between adaptability and other variables such as job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and turnover intention. It is hypothesized that: adaptability and job satisfaction are positively related; adaptability and continuance commitment are negatively related; job satisfaction and all forms of commitment relate negatively with turnover intention; affective and normative commitment are not related to adaptability; adaptability and turnover intention are not related. The instruments (Inventário das Preocupações de Carreira, Inventário sobre a Satisfação Profissional, Questionário de Empenhamento Organizacional, and Escala de Intenção de Turnover) are e-mailed to a random sample of 65 subjects. Results from correlation analysis generally support the hypothesized relations. Theoretical and empirical consequences are described as well as the importance of adaptability for the individuals and for the organizations

The Two Camps

a 6 month analysis of the war situation; Axis - Controlled Areas (p. 403)

Empirically identified industry classification

Dissertation supervisor: Dr. Dan French.Includes vita.This study examines return based correlations between industry returns and firm returns to create more objective and comparable industry classifications. In my first essay I model a market with firms that invest in one or more categories of assets. Firms that invest in assets with similar return correlations are grouped into categories that are comparable to industry groups in the standard scheme of classifying firms into industries based on offering a common product or service. Because these categories are based on objective rather than subjective criteria, use of these categories by investors might have advantages when using industry information to make investment decisions and construct portfolios. I also derive estimable equations to measure firms' exposures to category risk thereby identifying in which category or categories the firm belongs, and we use simulation to explore the efficacy of three different estimation methods. In my second essay I evaluate the question does the number of industry exposures (i.e. diversification level) affect corporate value. I find an unconditional diversification premium. However, there is substantial time series variation in the relation between diversification and valuation. This variation is able to reconcile many of the conflicting conclusions in the prior literature. In my third essay I perform empirical tests to determine whether industry returns can be refined by applying an iterative regression of firm returns on industry returns to create returns than are more inter-correlated but also more orthogonal to other industries' returns. I find strong evidence that an iterative process of return generation provides benefits to researchers as well as practitioners.Includes bibliographical references (pages 140-143)

Calcified atherosclerotic plaque: characterization of osteogenic process

Obiettivo è quello di studiare la calcificazione del distretto femorale valutandone istologia e aspetto radiologico, confrontandola anche con l’aspetto radiologico del distretto carotideo. Materiali e metodi. Pazienti con arteriopatia ostruttiva cronica periferica e trattati mediante endoarterectomia della arteria femorale comune da giungo 2015 a giugno 2017 sono stati raccolti prospetticamente. Sono stati raccolti dati demografici, clinici (classificazione di Rutherford). Istologicamente le lesioni aterosclerotiche sono state classificate in due tipi: I)placca aterosclerotica “classica”; II)placca calcifica “atipica”. Altre variabili istologiche raccolte includono: osso metaplastico, noduli calcifici eruttivi. La valutazione della calcificazione è stata effettuata sulla base della tomografia assiale computerizzata utilizzando la classificazione di Babiarz. La comparazione radiologica con il distretto carotideo è stato effettuato con 19 placche carotidee calcifiche. Risultati. Sono state prelevate 38 placche aterosclerotiche in 38 pazienti (età media: 73±8anni; maschi: 79%). Placche aterosclerotiche “classiche” e calcifiche “atipiche” sono state individuate rispettivamente in 12(32%) e 26(68%) casi. Metaplasia ossea e noduli calcifici eruttivi sono stati riscontrati rispettivamente in 15(40%) e 20(53%) casi. La presenza di metaplasie ossee è più frequente con placche calcifiche “atipiche” rispetto a quelle aterosclerotiche “classiche” (rispettivamente 54%vs8%, p=.012). La presenza di noduli calcifici eruttivi è più rara con dislipidemia(p=.004) e con diabete mellito(p=.016). Radiologicamente, la placca femorale è stata classificata come moderatamente calcifica(grado 0-5) e fortemente calcifica(grado 6-8) rispettivamente in 8(21%) e 30(79%) casi. Le placche istologicamente definite calcifiche “atipiche” presentano un aspetto radiologico più calcifico rispetto a quelle ateromasiche “classiche”(p=.007). Le placche femorali sono più calcifiche rispetto alle carotidee, sia in termini di spessore(p=.001) che di circonferenza(p<.001). Conclusione. Le placche istologicamente definite come calcifiche “atipiche” ed i noduli calcifici eruttivi non sembrano essere dipendenti dai fattori di rischio classici per aterosclerosi. Le placche calcifiche “atipiche” risultano radiologicamente più calcifiche delle ateromasiche “classiche”. Le placche femorali risultano essere più calcifiche rispetto al distretto carotideo.Aim is to evaluate histological and radiological aspects of femoral calcification and to compare them with radiological characteristics of carotid district. Methods. Patients treated from June 2015 to June 2017 for peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) with endarterectomy of common femoral artery and its bifurcation were prospectively collected. Demographics and clinical data, including Rutherford classification, were gathered. According to histology, the arterial plaque was classified in two types: I)“classic” atherosclerotic plaque; II)“atypical” calcific plaque. Presence of osseous metaplasia and eruptive calcified nodule was also registered. Radiological assessment of arterial calcification was performed on the basis of computed tomography angiography (CTA) according to Babiarz classification. Radiological comparison with carotid calcification was performed with 19 calcified carotid plaques. Results. Thirty-eight atherosclerotic plaques in 38 patients (mean age: 73±8years; male: 79%) were collected. “Classic” atherosclerotic and “atypical” calcified plaque were identified in 12 (32%) and 26 (68%) cases, respectively. Osseous metaplasia and eruptive calcified nodule were observed in 15 (40%) e 20 (53%). Osseous metaplasia is more frequent in patient with “atypical” calcified plaque than “classic” atherosclerotic plaque (54% vs 8% respectively; p=.012). Presence of eruptive calcified nodule is more rare in patient with dyslipidemia (p=.004) and diabetes mellitus (p=.016) and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (p=.027). Femoral plaque was radiologically classified as moderate (grade 0-5) and heavy calcified (grade 6-8) in 8 (21%) and 30 (79%), respectively. “Atypical” calcified plaques are radiologically more calcified than “classic” atherosclerotic plaque (p=.007). Femoral plaques are more calcified than carotid lesions, both in terms of thickness (p=.001) and circumference (p<.001). Conclusion. Femoral plaques histologically defined as “atypical” calcified plaque and eruptive calcified nodules seems to be not associated with classical atherosclerotic clinical risk factors. “Atypical” calcified plaques are radiologically more calcified than “classic” atherosclerotic plaques. Femoral plaques results to have heavier calcification in comparison with carotid ones

Supercritical extraction of binder from multilayer ceramic capacitors

The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file.Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on August 12, 2009)Vita.Thesis (M.S.) University of Missouri-Columbia 2008.Supercritical extraction using carbon dioxide was carried out in a semi-continuous mode on the binder and its components of an acrylate-based system, the results of which were compared with a poly (vinyl butyral)-based system. To investigate the contribution of each of the binder components to overall weight loss of the acrylic-based binder, pure components as well as combination of different components were subjected to supercritical extraction. To enhance the extraction of binder, co-solvents were evaluated on the most extractable binder component and an optimal co-solvent loading was determined. Supercritical extraction experiments were then carried out and the effect of the co-solvent on the extraction profiles was examined. Enhancement in extraction was observed for the acrylic-based system whereas no overall enhancement was observed for the poly (vinyl butyral)-based system. To interpret the dynamics of supercritical extraction, diffusivities of the binder components of the acrylic-based and the poly (vinyl butyral based) multilayer ceramic capacitors were calculated, and were found to be in the same order of magnitude. Finally, visual analysis was performed on the acrylic-based system to suggest a mechanism that led to defects in these green ceramic bodies after the extraction process. Supercritical extraction with carbon dioxide at 10-40 MPa and 55-90[degrees]C was used to remove binder from multilayer green ceramic bodies. Defects such as cracking and delamination were occasionally observed in the green bodies following the extraction process, and these defects were attributed to pressure gradients that arise during depressurization from conditions of supercritical extraction. A model based on flow in porous media was thus developed to describe the temporal and spatial distribution of pressure within the green body during depressurization. The model incorporated the Peng-Robinson cubic equation of state to describe the pressure-volume-temperature behavior of the supercritical carbon dioxide, and the effect of changes in the viscosity of the supercritical fluid. The effects of the body size and gas-phase permeability on the pressure within the green body were examined.Includes bibliographical reference

Synthesis of rhenium complexes as models for new sigma receptor imaging agents

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on February 22, 2011).The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file.Thesis advisor: Dr. Susan Z. Lever.Includes bibliographical references.M.S. University of Missouri--Columbia 2009.Dissertations, Academic -- University of Missouri--Columbia -- Chemistry.The sigma receptor has been biologically found to play roles in the central nervous system (CNS) disorders and cancer cell proliferation. With the identification of lead sigma receptor binding ligands by previous structure activity relationship (SAR) studies, new sigma Tc-⁹⁹[superscript m] sigma receptor imaging agents were designed. Tc-⁹⁹ [superscript m] imaging agents provide the advantages for routing clinical use due to its ideal nuclear properties (t₁/₂=6 hours and 140 keV gamma photon emission) and being readily available from a ⁹⁹Mo/⁹⁹[superscript m] Tc generator. The stability, structure, and biodistribution of rhenium complexes have been found similar to their Tc-⁹⁹ [superscript m] counterparts. Non-radioactive rhenium surrogates serve as a useful precursor for the radioactive Tc-⁹⁹ [superscript m] imaging agents. The Re/Tc-⁹⁹ [superscript m] are bound by the amide-amine-dithiol tetradentate (AADT) chelate and linked onto the sigma moieties following the bifunctional chelate approach. The current study, successfully synthesized the chelate, sigma moieties, and target rhenium surrogates toward the goal of developing new sigma receptor imaging agents