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Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disorder carrying high morbidity and mortal- ity. The main prominent finding and distinctive sign of SSc and chronic inflammation is fibrosis. Fibrosis is characterized by the activation of fibroblasts, accumulation of ECM, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells. Additionally, inflammation plays a critical role as an initiator of the progression of the disease. Recent evidence shows that patients affected by SSc have an upregulation of the S100A4 protein in their skin. The S100A4 protein is secreted at inflammatory sites and has a role in cell motility, autophagy, invasion, ECM remodeling, and angiogenesis. Under physiological conditions, S100A4 is present inside the cells, but upon exposure to stress or tissue damage, it is released into the extracellular environment. When extracellularly expressed, S100A4 interacts with a specific domain of RAGE, promoting MAPK (ERK) phosphorylation and activation of the transcription factor, NF-κB. This study explores the interaction between extracellular S100A4 and RAGE by experimental procedures, assuring the research question: What is the interaction site by which S100A4 binds to RAGE? To answer this research question, an HCT-116 Dual cell line was transfected to integrate two plasmids coding for RAGE isoform 1 and RAGE isoform 3, respectively. It was hypothesized that S100A4 is capable of binding and thereby signaling through a specific sequence being part of RAGE isoform 1 but not RAGE isoform 3. After establishing clones expressing RAGE, a SEAP assay was conducted to test the responsiveness of the cells’ to S100A4. The results showed that both HCT-116 Dual RAGE 1 and HCT-116 Dual RAGE 3 were unresponsive to S100A4 being induced. As evidence suggests the opposite, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanism by which S100A4 interacts and binds to RAGE.

Combustíveis fosseis são a principal fonte de energia utilizada no mundo, porém varias são as razões que levaram a sociedade a buscar fontes alternativas que suprissem as necessidades mundiais, sem que fossem causados mais danos ao meio ambiente. O biodiesel, então, surgiu como um excelente substituto para o diesel de petróleo, devido a suas comparáveis propriedades físicas, a seus elevados benefícios ambientais, a menores emissões de gases poluentes, à baixa toxicidade, ao fato de ser originário de fontes renováveis e à sua biodegradabilidade. Entretanto, biodiesel e diesel diferem marcadamente quanto a suas propriedades químicas, portanto a compatibilidade dos materiais, que são comumente empregados em contato com o diesel, devem também ser assegurados quanto à compatibilidade ao biodiesel obtido de diferentes fontes. Na literatura, a principal recomendação é de retirar os artefatos de borracha nitrílica (NBR) das aplicações com biodiesel. Todavia, nenhum esforço foi realizado na tentativa de melhor entender a interação entre esse tipo de borracha e o biodiesel, para que então, mudanças pudessem ser propostas na produção e na fabricação de produtos a base de NBR. Esta Tese teve como objetivo avaliar a resistência a biodiesel de diferentes tipos e formulações de NBR. Primeiramente, borrachas nitrílicas com diferentes teores de acrilonitrila (33 e 45%), além de uma borracha nitrílica carboxilada (XNBR) com 28% de acrilonitrila foram testadas em contato com biodiesel de óleo de soja. Os resultados preliminares mostraram que um aumento no teor de acrilonitrila aumentou a resistência ao biodiesel. Além disso, apesar do baixo teor de acrilonitrila, a XNBR apresentou comportamento semelhante ao da NBR com alto teor de acrilonitrila. Esse comportamento foi devido, provavelmente, aos diferentes tipos de redes de ligações cruzadas formadas durante o processo de vulcanização. No segundo momento, novas formulações de NBR com alto teor de acrilonitrila foram preparadas utilizando-se um planejamento de experimentos de 2 níveis, variando-se as quantidades de dois diferentes aceleradores (dissulfeto de tetrametil tiuram - TMTD e N-ciclohexil-2-benzotiazol-sulfenamida - CBS) e de enxofre, para que se obtivesse diferentes tipos de sistemas de vulcanização (convencional, semieficiente e eficiente). Estatisticamente, a resistência à tração das composições foi influenciada pela quantidade de TMTD, de enxofre e pela combinação de TMTD e de enxofre. A dureza foi afetada pelas quantidades de TMTD, de enxofre e pela combinação de CBS e de enxofre, enquanto o alongamento na ruptura foi afetado pela quantidade de TMTD, de enxofre e pela combinação dos dois aceleradores. A densidade de ligações cruzadas foi influenciada somente pela quantidade de TMTD e de enxofre. A escolha do acelerador teve um importante papel na resistência da borracha nitrílica ao biodiesel, o TMTD mostrou-se ser mais efetivo do que o CBS na resistência mecânica ao biodiesel das composições elastoméricas preparadas. A densidade de ligações cruzadas, sozinha, não foi importante em relação à resistência ao biocombustível. Contudo, as análises termo-dinâmico-mecânicas mostraram que as composições preparadas com sistemas de vulcanização eficientes apresentaram degradação química mais tardia do que aquelas preparadas com sistemas convencionais ou semieficiente. Baseado nos resultados apresentados, pôde-se concluir que é possível melhorar a resistência da borracha nitrílica para que atenda-se os requisitos mínimos para utilizá-la nas aplicações que requerem contato com biodiesel Fossil fuels are the most commonly used sources of energy in the world. However, many reasons have pushed the society to search for alternative fuels to meet the world s energy demands without increasing environmental damage. Biodiesel has appeared to be an excellent replacement for petroleum diesel fuels because of its comparable physical properties in addition to its improved environmental benefits, such as low pollutant gas emissions, non-toxicity, renewability, and biodegradability. Nonetheless, biodiesel and petroleum diesel differ greatly with respect to their chemical properties. Therefore, the compatibility of the materials, which are commonly employed in contact with diesel, must also be assured for biodiesel that has been obtained from different sources. The main recommendation found in the literature is to withdraw nitrile rubber (NBR)-based articles from biodiesel applications. However, no effort has been made to better understand the interaction between nitrile rubber and biodiesel or to propose changes in and improvements to the production of nitrile rubber articles. This Thesis was devoted to evaluating the resistance of different types of NBR and different NBR formulations to biodiesel. First, nitrile rubbers with different acrylonitrile contents (33 and 45%), and carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) with a 28% of acrylonitrile content were tested with soybean biodiesel. The preliminary results showed that an increase in acrylonitrile content increased the rubber resistance to biodiesel. Moreover, despite its low acrylonitrile content (28%), the carbolyxated nitrile rubber composition had almost the same performance as the NBR composition with high acrylonitrile content. This behaviour was probably due to the different types of crosslink network that XNBR was able to form during the vulcanisation process. Second, new formulations were prepared using high-acrylonitrile-content NBR by employing a two-level experimental design in which the amounts of two different accelerators (tetramethylthiuram disulphide-TMTD and N-cyclohexylbenzothiazole-2-sulphenamide - CBS), and the amount of sulphur were varied to achieve different types of vulcanisation systems (conventional, semi-efficient, and efficient). Statistically, the tensile strengths of the prepared compositions were influenced by TMTD, sulphur and the combination of TMTD and sulphur. Hardness was affected by the amount of TMTD, sulphur and the combination of CBS and sulphur, whereas elongation at break was affected by TMTD, sulphur, and the combination of both accelerators. The crosslink density was influenced only by the amounts of TMTD and sulphur. Furthermore, the choice of the accelerator played an important role on the resistance of nitrile rubber to biodiesel, and TMTD was found to be more effective than CBS with regards to the mechanical resistance to biodiesel. The crosslink density was not the only important factor with respect to the resistance. Nevertheless, dynamic mechanical thermal analyses showed that compositions prepared with an efficient vulcanisation system experienced chemical degradation of the crosslink network later than those prepared with conventional or semi-efficient vulcanisation systems. Based on these results, one could infer that nitrile rubber resistance can be still improved to meet the minimum requirements for these materials to be used in applications in which they will be in contact with biodiesel Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

Abstract Objective: Drinking green tea is associated with many health benefits, including increased fat oxidation. We tested the hypothesis that Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the main green tea catechin, increases fat oxidation in obese men. Methods: Ten healthy overweight/obese males (BMI 31.3 ? 0.8 kg/m2) were studied in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover trial. Study supplements were low EGCG (300 mg), high EGCG (600 mg), caffeine (200 mg), EGCG/caffeine (300 mg/200 mg) or placebo and were taken orally for 3 days. At the third day of supplementation, O2 consumption and CO2 production was measured by indirect calorimetry in order to assess energy expenditure and fat oxidation over 4 hours each after overnight fasting and after a standardized test meal. Results: Energy expenditure was not affected by any supplementation, neither after overnight fasting nor after the test meal. During the first 2h after overnight fasting, fat oxidation increased by 7.7 (n.s.), 15.2 (n.s.), 26.3 (p - GERMANY (Boschmann, Michael) FVCKF/ECRC - Lindenberger Weg 80, Berlin, Germany 13125--> - GERMANY (Thielecke, Frank) FVCKF/ECRC - Lindenberger Weg 80, Berlin, Germany 13125--> - GERMANY (Rahn, Gabriele) FVCKF/ECRC - Lindenberger Weg 80, Berlin, Germany 13125--> - GERMANY (Boehnke, Jana) FVCKF/ECRC - Lindenberger Weg 80, Berlin, Germany 13125--> - GERMANY (Adams, Frauke) FVCKF/ECRC - Lindenberger Weg 80, Berlin, Germany 13125--> - GERMANY (Birkenfeld, Andreas) FVCKF/ECRC - Lindenberger Weg 80, Berlin, Germany 13125--> - GERMANY (Jordan, Jens) GERMANY Accepted: 2010-02-18 Received: 2009-06-16 Revised: 2010-02-15

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The English Housing Survey (EHS) is a continuous national survey commissioned by the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government (MHCLG) that collects information about people's housing circumstances and the condition and energy efficiency of housing in England. The EHS brings together two previous survey series into a single fieldwork operation: the English House Condition Survey (EHCS) (available from the UK Data Archive under GN 33158) and the Survey of English Housing (SEH) (available under GN 33277). The EHS covers all housing tenures. The information obtained through the survey provides an accurate picture of people living in the dwelling, and their views on housing and their neighbourhoods. The survey is also used to inform the development and monitoring of the Ministry's housing policies. Results from the survey are also used by a wide range of other users including other government departments, local authorities, housing associations, landlords, academics, construction industry professionals, consultants, and the general public. The EHS has a complex multi-stage methodology consisting of two main elements; an initial interview survey of around 12,000 households and a follow-up physical inspection. Some further elements are also periodically included in or derived from the EHS: for 2008 and 2009, a desk-based market valuation was conducted of a sub-sample of 8,000 dwellings (including vacant ones), but this was not carried out from 2010 onwards. A periodic follow-up survey of private landlords and agents (the Private Landlords Survey (PLS)) is conducted using information from the EHS interview survey. Fuel Poverty datasets are also available from 2003, created by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The EHS interview survey sample formed part of the Integrated Household Survey (IHS) (available from the Archive under GN 33420) from April 2008 to April 2011. During this period the core questions from the IHS formed part of the EHS questionnaire. End User Licence and Special Licence Versions: From 2014 data onwards, the End User Licence (EUL) versions of the EHS will only include derived variables. In addition the number of variables on the new EUL datasets has been reduced and disclosure control increased on certain remaining variables. New Special Licence versions of the EHS will be deposited later in the year, which will be of a similar nature to previous EHS EUL datasets and will include derived and raw datasets. Further information about the EHS and the latest news, reports and tables can be found on the GOV.UK English Housing Survey web pages. SN 9058 - English Housing Survey, 2020: Housing Stock Data contains data from the households who have taken part in both the interview and physical surveys as well as physical survey data on a random sample of vacant dwellings identified by the interviewer. The data from the interview survey only are available under SN 9057 - English Housing Survey, 2020-2021: Household Data.Due to changes to the methodology in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, both the achieved full interview (household) and dwelling (stock) samples in 2020-21 were smaller than in a normal year, at 7,474 households and 5,228 dwellings respectively. Vacant dwellings were not surveyed in 2020-21 because social distancing restrictions prevented interviewers from visiting the sampled addresses to identify them. Further details about the key changes made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are included in the Technical Report available as part of the study documentation. Main Topics: The EHS Housing survey consists of two components.Interview survey on the participating household - An interview is first conducted with the householder. The interview topics include: household characteristics, satisfaction with the home and the area, disability and adaptations to the home, ownership and rental details and income details. All interviewees are guaranteed confidentiality and all data is anonymised.Physical survey on the housing Stock - A visual inspection of both the interior and exterior of the dwelling is carried out by a qualified surveyor to assess the condition and energy efficiency of the dwelling. Topics covered include whether the dwelling meets the Decent Homes Standard; cost to make the dwelling decent; existence of damp and Category 1 Hazards as measured by the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS); Energy Efficiency Rating. The physical survey is carried out on the dwelling of a sub-sample of the participants of the interview survey. The sub-sample consists of the dwelling of participants living in private or social rented properties and a sub-sample of those in owner occupied properties. A proportion of the dwellings found to be vacant during the interview survey are also included in the physical survey. Multi-stage stratified random sample Telephone interview: Computer-assisted (CATI) Other

David Malpass, President of the World Bank, discussed with Beatrice Janzon, Swedish Radio International, the following topics: long-term effects of children out of school during the pandemic, economic recovery for developing countries, importance of vaccinations for the developing countries, and World Bank on Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, many analysts of past, present and future developments have already labelled the current times as the Age of Disruption. With unprecedented technological change taking place – for example in the domains of automation, artificial intelligence, genomics and nanotechnology, many aspects of our society – from health issues to competitiveness, from addressing climate change to demographic changes, will no doubt be affected too. Consequently, the role government wants to have vis-à-vis these changes and the way it functions itself, will also be subject to analysis and change. In his article, Kumardev Chatterjee, working with deep tech and a serial innovator and entrepreneur, zooms in on the decade of technological disruption 2021 - 2030: how we got here, what this will be and how to prepare and make use of it, in particular by the public sector.

Introdução: A exposição à fumaça da combustão de lenha contribui, de maneira significativa, para prevalência da DPOC em muitos países. Achados desses estudos podem não ser totalmente aplicáveis ao Brasil, tendo em vista, no país, a diversidade da vegetação utilizada como lenha, o emprego praticamente restrito à cocção de alimentos e a limitada utilização de outros tipos de biomassa. Tem crescido a importância da tomografia computadorizada de tórax de alta resolução (TCAR) como ferramenta adjuvante à espirometria para diagnóstico da DPOC e os estudos sobre a doença provocada por fumaça de lenha ainda são escassos. Objetivos: Identificar mulheres com DPOC e história de exposição à fumaça de lenha e caracterizar esse grupo do ponto de vista da exposição, do aspecto clínico, demográfico, espirométrico e tomográfico, contribuindo, especialmente em relação a este último aspecto, para somar informações à restrita literatura sobre o assunto, tanto no Brasil quanto internacionalmente. Métodos: Foram incluídas 160 mulheres não tabagistas, expostas à fumaça da combustão lenha e 31 controles normais, sem história de exposição à fumaça de lenha. Por meio de questionário validado, obtiveram-se dados demográficos, clínicos (sintomas respiratórios) e informações sobre exposições ambientais. Todas as mulheres fizeram espirometria e naquelas com DPOC, foram feitas medidas de volumes pulmonares. Foi realizada TCAR em 42 pacientes com DPOC e em todas do grupo controle. Introduction: Exposure to smoke from wood combustion contributes significantly to the prevalence of COPD in many countries. Findings from studies in other countries are not fully applicable to Brazil due to the diversity of vegetation used as firewood, the almost exclusive use of firewood for cooking, and limited use of other types of biomass in Brazil. The importance of high-resolution computed thorax tomography (HRCT) as an adjuvant tool to complement spirometry for COPD diagnosis has increased and studies of diseases caused by wood smoke are still scarce. Objectives: Identify women with COPD and a history of wood smoke exposure and to characterize this group in terms of exposure and clinically, demographically, spirometrically and tomographically. Particularly in regard to tomography, the goal was to add to the limited literature on this subject, both in Brazil and internationally. Methods: One hundred sixty female non-smokers exposed to smoke from burning wood and 31 normal controls with no history of exposure to wood smoke were included in the study. Through a validated questionnaire, demographic and clinical data (respiratory symptoms) and information about environmental exposures were obtained. Spirometries were carried out on all the women and the lung volume of those with COPD was measured. Forty-two patients with COPD and all of the control group underwent HRCT. Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:25:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Maria Auxiliadora Carmo Moreira.pdf: 2046053 bytes, checksum: 33431c948efec3b7643a3fd04554d200 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-05-05

No atual cenário mundial, um dos problemas ambientais e de saúde pública que ainda necessita de uma intervenção mais eficiente é a poluição causada por efluentes industriais contendo compostos orgânicos tóxicos, tipicamente tratados por processos biológicos. No entanto, esse método é ineficiente para a degradação de compostos biorefratários, além de gerar uma grande quantidade de lodo e demandar uma maior área física. Em virtude desses fatores, técnicas eletroquímicas têm se destacado como uma alternativa promissora de tratamento, principalmente por sua eficiência e adequação ambiental. Contudo, o consumo energético do processo ainda representa um fator a ser melhorado para sua aplicação efetiva. Nesse sentido, foram abordadas nesse trabalho duas estratégias para superar esse problema. A modulação da corrente é uma delas e consiste no controle da corrente aplicada para que seu valor seja sempre próximo ao da corrente limite do processo. A partir dessa técnica pode-se melhorar a eficiência de mineralização e consequentemente reduzir o consumo energético; porém, há o inconveniente de que o tempo de processo torna-se mais longo. Diante disso, a segunda estratégia proposta consistiu no uso de promotores de turbulência (PTs) a fim de elevar a transferência de massa no sistema, contribuindo também com a cinética da reação e assim, diminuir o tempo de eletroxidação. Dessa forma, o acréscimo de tempo devido à aplicação de corrente modulada (CM) pode ser compensado, mantendo a eficiência do processo. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi otimizar o processo de eletroxidação combinando a modulação da corrente com PTs, a fim de melhorar simultaneamente o consumo energético e o tempo de mineralização. O fenol foi utilizado como molécula modelo neste estudo e sua eletroxidação foi avaliada em um reator eletroquímico de fluxo, utilizando o ânodo de diamante dopado com boro (DDB). Os promotores de turbulência de malha (PTM) plástico e carbono vítreo reticulado (CVR) foram avaliados. A abordagem combinada permitiu a redução do consumo de energia de 168 ±31 kWh por kg de carbono orgânico total (COT) (modo galvanostático) para 72 ±6 kWh kg-1 COT (corrente modulada + PTM). Além disso, considerando a remoção de 75% de COT, a utilização dos promotores de turbulência permitiu uma redução do tempo de eletrólise de 420 min para 295 min (~30%) nos processos aplicando-se CM. Sob condições galvanostáticas e regime de controle por transferência de massa, o uso do CVR como promotor de turbulência superou o desempenho da mineralização usando o PTM, devido principalmente à estrutura de sua matriz porosa. Entretanto, a variação do tipo de promotor teve menor influência nas eletrólises sob condições de modulação da corrente, sendo observada uma eficiência semelhante em baixas velocidades de fluxo. Os resultados reforçaram o potencial da eletroxidação para o tratamento de efluentes, abrindo caminho para a obtenção de um processo com rápida cinética de degradação e alta eficiência de mineralização, resultando em baixo consumo de energia. In the current world scenario, one of the environmental and public health problems that still needs a more efficient intervention is the pollution caused by industrial effluents containing toxic organic compounds, typically treated by biological processes. However, this method is inefficient for the degradation of biorefractory compounds, in addition to generating a large amount of sludge and requiring a larger physical area. Due to these factors, electrochemical techniques have stood out as a promising treatment alternative, mainly for their efficiency and environmental compatibility. However, the energy consumption of the process still represents a factor to be improved for its effective application. In this sense, two strategies were approached in this study to overcome this problem. Current modulation is one of them and consists of controlling the applied current so that its value is always close to the limiting value. Using this technique, it is possible to improve the mineralization efficiency and consequently reduce energy consumption; however, there is the drawback that the processing time becomes longer. Considering this, the second proposed strategy consisted of the use of turbulence promoters (TPs) to increase the mass transfer in the system, also contributing to the reaction kinetics and thus, reducing the electrooxidation time. In this way, the time increase due to the application of modulated current (MC) can be compensated, maintaining the efficiency of the process. In this context, this work aimed to optimize the electrooxidation process by combining current modulation with TPs to simultaneously improve energy consumption and mineralization time. Phenol was used as a model molecule in this study and its electrooxidation was evaluated in an electrochemical flow reactor, using the boron-doped diamond anode (BDD). The plastic mesh turbulence promoter (MTP) and reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) were evaluated. The combined approach enabled the reduction of the energy consumption from 168 ±31 kWh per kg of total organic carbon (TOC) (galvanostatic mode) to 72 ±6 kWh kg-1 TOC (modulated current + MTP). Additionally, considering 75% TOC removal, the use of turbulence promoters allowed a reduction in electrolysis time from 420 min to 295 min (~ 30%) in the processes applying MC. Under galvanostatic conditions and mass transfer control regime, the use of RVC as turbulence promoter outperformed the mineralization performance observed using the MTP, mainly due to its porous matrix. However, the variation in the type of promoter had less influence on electrolysis under current modulation conditions, with similar efficiency observed at low flow velocities. The results reinforced the potential of electrooxidation for the treatment of effluents, paving the way for obtaining a process with rapid degradation kinetics and high mineralization efficiency, resulting in low energy consumption. Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) CNPq: 132764/2019-9

A adolescência é o período de maior vulnerabilidade ao abuso de drogas. O início precoce do uso de tabaco está significativamente associado ao abuso e dependência de etanol na adolescência e na vida adulta. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo investigar: 1) as alterações nos comportamentos relacionados a ansiedade e na autoadministração operante de etanol em ratos adultos expostos a nicotina durante a adolescência; 2) as alterações na expressão gênica da pró-dinorfina (PDYN) no núcleo acumbens (NAc) na abstinência tardia à nicotina e ao final da autoadministração de etanol; 3) quais as áreas encefálicas ativadas na abstinência, imediata e tardia, à nicotina durante a adolescência. Nossos resultados mostraram que a administração de nicotina durante 10 dias (3mg/kg/dia; s.c), em ratos adolescentes [dia pós-natal (DPN) 28-37], não causou alterações nos comportamentos relacionados a ansiedade no labirinto em cruz elevado 15 dias após a término do tratamento (DPN 52), assim como não alterou a autoadministração operante de etanol na razão progressiva (DPN 75-79) e no binge (DPN 81-84). Contudo, animais pré-tratados com nicotina apresentaram aumento da motivação para a busca de sacarina. Não foram observadas alterações na expressão gênica de PDYN 15 dias após a suspensão do tratamento crônico com nicotina ou 24 horas após a última sessão do binge de etanol. Quanto às áreas envolvidas na abstinência à nicotina, observamos que ratos adolescentes expostos à nicotina, por meio de mini-bombas, durante 10 dias (DPN 28-37), apresentaram maior ativação de Fos no córtex pré-frontal medial (CPFm) 3 dias após o término do tratamento. A porcentagem de ativação neuronal nesse grupo, foi de 22,03%, sendo que 28,5% desses neurônios ativados eram GABAérgicos e apenas 2,5% eram glutamatérgicos. Entretanto, 15 dias após a retirada das mini-bombas não houve diferença na ativação de Fos nas diferentes áreas encefálicas. Concluímos que: a) a administração de nicotina, durante a adolescência, não foi capaz de alterar os comportamentos relacionados a ansiedade e o comportamento de busca pelo etanol na idade adulta; b) a retirada tardia da nicotina não promoveu alterações na expressão gênica de PDYN no NAc, assim como não promoveu alterações na ativação neuronal da proteína Fos nas regiões do CPFm, NAc e habenula; c) a retirada da nicotina a curto prazo envolve a ativação de grupamentos neurais no CPFm. Adolescence marks a period of increased vulnerability to drug abuse. Early initiation of tobacco use is strictly associated with alcohol use and dependence in adolescence and adulthood. The present study aims to investigate: 1) changes in anxiogenic-like effects and on operant ethanol self-administration in adult rats exposed to nicotine during adolescence; 2) changes on pro-dynorphin (PDYN) gene expression in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) on late nicotine withdrawal and after ethanol self-administration; 3) which brain areas are activated on short or long-term nicotine withdrawal during adolescence. Our results showed that pre-exposure to nicotine during ten days (3mg/kg/day; s.c) in adolescent rats, did not change anxiogenic-like effects in the elevated plus maze, 15 days after the treatment cessation [postnatal day (PND) 52], progressive ratio (PND 75-79) and binge (PND 81-84) in the operant ethanol selfadministration protocol. However, animals pre-treated with nicotine displayed increased motivation to saccharin seeking. No changes were observed on gene expression of PDYN 15 days after chronic nicotine treatment cessation or 24 hours after the last binge session of ethanol self-administration. Concerning the areas involved on nicotine withdrawal, we observed that adolescent rats exposed to nicotine through the minipumps during 10 days (PND 28-37), showed enhanced Fos activation in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) 3 days after nicotine treatment cessation (PND 40). The percentage of neuronal activation in this group was 22.03%, of those activated neurons, 28.5% were GABAergic and only 2.5% were glutamatergic neurons. Meanwhile, 15 days after the mini-pumps were removed, no difference was observed on Fos activation in the different brain areas analyzed. We concluded that: a) administration of nicotine during adolescence was not able to modify anxiety-like behaviors and ethanol seeking behavior in adulthood; b) late nicotine withdrawal did not change gene expression of PDYN in NAc, as well as, did not change Fos protein neuronal activation in the regions of mPFC, NAc and habenula; c) short-term nicotine withdrawal involves the activation of neural ensembles in the mPFC. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais

Recognizing the grave danger that climate change poses to mankind, the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted in 1992 by 150 nations. Subsequent climate change negotiations were to be guided through the principles of "equity," "common but differentiated responsibilities" and respective "capabilities," while developed countries were to take lead in combating climate change. The Kyoto Protocol amended the FCCC in 1997 and set legally binding emission reduction targets for industrialized countries. No such commitments were mandated for the developing countries. The Kyoto Protocol, however, created the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which required participation of developing countries as hosts for CDM projects. Though it faced significant opposition at the onset it was adopted by many developing countries later. This paper outlines the responses towards the CDM in India. Many developed countries, such as the United States, have sought to include participation of developing countries in reducing greenhouse gas emissions mainly through binding growth caps on future emissions. Since 1997, this call for "meaningful participation" has stalled the US ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. In response some scholars have tried to link initiatives like CDM to "meaningful participation." This paper suggests that rather than relying on the CDM, this contention regarding commitments can be resolved on a long-term basis if only there is a fair and explicit allocation of GHG emission quotas incorporating "equity" concerns. Meaningful participation, which might mean quantified commitments, does not take into consideration "equity," a key criteria for developing country participation. Full participation can only result when Southern demands are given equal importance. Master of Urban and Regional Planning