O processo de avaliação dos graus de mestre e doutor: uma abordagem considerando a percepção de orientadores e examinadores

Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Produção.A qualidade dos cursos de mestrado e doutorado tem sido tradicionalmente avaliada por um conjunto de critérios, sendo a qualidade das dissertações e teses defendidas pelo seu corpo discente um desses critérios. Com relação a esse aspecto, há muitos estudos que enfatizam a ausência de normas e critérios comuns e transparentes adotados nas avaliações dos exames desses graus, revelando um quadro de avaliação confuso e desordenado nas universidade

Analysis of the process of viva voce in graduate programs of degree by research

O artigo tem por objetivo contribuir para o aprofundamento das discussões acerca da qualidade da pós-graduação stricto sensu no âmbito nacional, a partir de um de seus elementos constituintes: o exame de grau. O exame de grau é discutido de forma teórica, por meio da análise sistematizada de pesquisas nacionais e internacionais relacionadas com o tema. Primeiramente, são discutidos os propósitos de mestrados e doutorados, analisados os objetivos dos exames de grau, investigados os procedimentos e os critérios adotados na avaliação dos exames de grau, apontando seus pontos de vulnerabilidade. A seguir, sistematizam-se e analisam-se as variáveis relacionadas à subjetividade dos elementos decisórios de cada examinador e as influências externas às quais a banca está envolta. Em sua conclusão, ressalta-se o alto nível de heterogeneidade associado ao conhecimento e à percepção dos padrões esperados para a formação de um mestre e um doutor, que influencia sistemicamente no processo de exame de grau. Por fim, os temas sugeridos para a continuação da pesquisa visam buscar maior consistência nos procedimentos de avaliação dos exames de grau e uma avaliação mais equitativa do pós-graduando, contribuindo para a qualidade da pós-graduação stricto sensu.The article aims at contributing to further the discussion about the quality of graduate programs of degree by research in this country, taking into account one of its constitutive elements: the viva voce. The viva is discussed in a theoretical manner through the systematized analysis of national and international studies related to the theme. Firstly, the article discusses the purposes of master and doctorate programs, the objectives of the viva, its procedures and criteria, and then it points out its vulnerable aspects. The variables related to the subjectivity of the decision elements of each examiner are then analyzed, as well as the external influences surrounding the work of the examiners. In its conclusion the article indicates the high degree of heterogeneity associated to the knowledge and perception of the standards expected for the formation of a master or doctor, which influences systemically the process of the viva. Lastly, the themes suggested for the continuity of this line of work aim at improving the consistency of the viva procedures, and at a more equitable assessment of the candidate, thereby contributing to improve the quality of graduate programs of degree by research

Aire Disruption Influences the Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cell Transcriptome and Interaction With Thymocytes

The function of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) is associated with thymocyte adhesion, which is crucial for the negative selection of autoreactive thymocytes in the thymus. This process represents the root of central tolerance of self-components and prevents the onset of autoimmune diseases. Since thymic epithelia correspond to an important target of donor T cells during the onset of chronic graft-vs-host-disease, mTEC-thymocyte adhesion may have implications for alloimmunity. The Aire and Fezf2 genes function as transcriptome controllers in mTECs. The central question of this study is whether there is a mutual relationship between mTEC-thymocyte adhesion and the control of the mTEC transcriptome and whether Aire is involved in this process. Here, we show that in vitro mTEC-thymocyte adhesion causes transcriptome changes in mTECs and upregulates the transcriptional expression of Aire and Fezf2, as well as cell adhesion-related genes such as Cd80 or Tcf7, among others. Crispr-Cas9-mediated Aire gene disruption demonstrated that this gene plays a role in the process of mTEC-thymocyte adhesion. Consistent with the nuclear localization signal (NLS) encoded by Aire exon 3, which was targeted, we demonstrate that Aire KO−/− mTECs impair AIRE protein localization in the nucleus. Consequently, the loss of function of Aire reduced the ability of these cells to adhere to thymocytes. Their transcriptomes differed from their wild-type Aire+/+ counterparts, even during thymocyte adhesion. A set of mRNA isoforms that encode proteins involved in cell adhesion were also modulated during this process. This demonstrates that both thymocyte interactions and Aire influence transcriptome profiling of mTEC cells

Image_4_Aire Disruption Influences the Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cell Transcriptome and Interaction With Thymocytes.TIF

<p>The function of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) is associated with thymocyte adhesion, which is crucial for the negative selection of autoreactive thymocytes in the thymus. This process represents the root of central tolerance of self-components and prevents the onset of autoimmune diseases. Since thymic epithelia correspond to an important target of donor T cells during the onset of chronic graft-vs-host-disease, mTEC-thymocyte adhesion may have implications for alloimmunity. The Aire and Fezf2 genes function as transcriptome controllers in mTECs. The central question of this study is whether there is a mutual relationship between mTEC-thymocyte adhesion and the control of the mTEC transcriptome and whether Aire is involved in this process. Here, we show that in vitro mTEC-thymocyte adhesion causes transcriptome changes in mTECs and upregulates the transcriptional expression of Aire and Fezf2, as well as cell adhesion-related genes such as Cd80 or Tcf7, among others. Crispr-Cas9-mediated Aire gene disruption demonstrated that this gene plays a role in the process of mTEC-thymocyte adhesion. Consistent with the nuclear localization signal (NLS) encoded by Aire exon 3, which was targeted, we demonstrate that Aire KO^−/− mTECs impair AIRE protein localization in the nucleus. Consequently, the loss of function of Aire reduced the ability of these cells to adhere to thymocytes. Their transcriptomes differed from their wild-type Aire^+/+ counterparts, even during thymocyte adhesion. A set of mRNA isoforms that encode proteins involved in cell adhesion were also modulated during this process. This demonstrates that both thymocyte interactions and Aire influence transcriptome profiling of mTEC cells.</p

Image_3_Aire Disruption Influences the Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cell Transcriptome and Interaction With Thymocytes.TIF

<p>The function of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) is associated with thymocyte adhesion, which is crucial for the negative selection of autoreactive thymocytes in the thymus. This process represents the root of central tolerance of self-components and prevents the onset of autoimmune diseases. Since thymic epithelia correspond to an important target of donor T cells during the onset of chronic graft-vs-host-disease, mTEC-thymocyte adhesion may have implications for alloimmunity. The Aire and Fezf2 genes function as transcriptome controllers in mTECs. The central question of this study is whether there is a mutual relationship between mTEC-thymocyte adhesion and the control of the mTEC transcriptome and whether Aire is involved in this process. Here, we show that in vitro mTEC-thymocyte adhesion causes transcriptome changes in mTECs and upregulates the transcriptional expression of Aire and Fezf2, as well as cell adhesion-related genes such as Cd80 or Tcf7, among others. Crispr-Cas9-mediated Aire gene disruption demonstrated that this gene plays a role in the process of mTEC-thymocyte adhesion. Consistent with the nuclear localization signal (NLS) encoded by Aire exon 3, which was targeted, we demonstrate that Aire KO^−/− mTECs impair AIRE protein localization in the nucleus. Consequently, the loss of function of Aire reduced the ability of these cells to adhere to thymocytes. Their transcriptomes differed from their wild-type Aire^+/+ counterparts, even during thymocyte adhesion. A set of mRNA isoforms that encode proteins involved in cell adhesion were also modulated during this process. This demonstrates that both thymocyte interactions and Aire influence transcriptome profiling of mTEC cells.</p

Image_2_Aire Disruption Influences the Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cell Transcriptome and Interaction With Thymocytes.TIF

<p>The function of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) is associated with thymocyte adhesion, which is crucial for the negative selection of autoreactive thymocytes in the thymus. This process represents the root of central tolerance of self-components and prevents the onset of autoimmune diseases. Since thymic epithelia correspond to an important target of donor T cells during the onset of chronic graft-vs-host-disease, mTEC-thymocyte adhesion may have implications for alloimmunity. The Aire and Fezf2 genes function as transcriptome controllers in mTECs. The central question of this study is whether there is a mutual relationship between mTEC-thymocyte adhesion and the control of the mTEC transcriptome and whether Aire is involved in this process. Here, we show that in vitro mTEC-thymocyte adhesion causes transcriptome changes in mTECs and upregulates the transcriptional expression of Aire and Fezf2, as well as cell adhesion-related genes such as Cd80 or Tcf7, among others. Crispr-Cas9-mediated Aire gene disruption demonstrated that this gene plays a role in the process of mTEC-thymocyte adhesion. Consistent with the nuclear localization signal (NLS) encoded by Aire exon 3, which was targeted, we demonstrate that Aire KO^−/− mTECs impair AIRE protein localization in the nucleus. Consequently, the loss of function of Aire reduced the ability of these cells to adhere to thymocytes. Their transcriptomes differed from their wild-type Aire^+/+ counterparts, even during thymocyte adhesion. A set of mRNA isoforms that encode proteins involved in cell adhesion were also modulated during this process. This demonstrates that both thymocyte interactions and Aire influence transcriptome profiling of mTEC cells.</p

Image_5_Aire Disruption Influences the Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cell Transcriptome and Interaction With Thymocytes.TIF

<p>The function of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) is associated with thymocyte adhesion, which is crucial for the negative selection of autoreactive thymocytes in the thymus. This process represents the root of central tolerance of self-components and prevents the onset of autoimmune diseases. Since thymic epithelia correspond to an important target of donor T cells during the onset of chronic graft-vs-host-disease, mTEC-thymocyte adhesion may have implications for alloimmunity. The Aire and Fezf2 genes function as transcriptome controllers in mTECs. The central question of this study is whether there is a mutual relationship between mTEC-thymocyte adhesion and the control of the mTEC transcriptome and whether Aire is involved in this process. Here, we show that in vitro mTEC-thymocyte adhesion causes transcriptome changes in mTECs and upregulates the transcriptional expression of Aire and Fezf2, as well as cell adhesion-related genes such as Cd80 or Tcf7, among others. Crispr-Cas9-mediated Aire gene disruption demonstrated that this gene plays a role in the process of mTEC-thymocyte adhesion. Consistent with the nuclear localization signal (NLS) encoded by Aire exon 3, which was targeted, we demonstrate that Aire KO^−/− mTECs impair AIRE protein localization in the nucleus. Consequently, the loss of function of Aire reduced the ability of these cells to adhere to thymocytes. Their transcriptomes differed from their wild-type Aire^+/+ counterparts, even during thymocyte adhesion. A set of mRNA isoforms that encode proteins involved in cell adhesion were also modulated during this process. This demonstrates that both thymocyte interactions and Aire influence transcriptome profiling of mTEC cells.</p

Table_1_Aire Disruption Influences the Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cell Transcriptome and Interaction With Thymocytes.pdf

<p>The function of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) is associated with thymocyte adhesion, which is crucial for the negative selection of autoreactive thymocytes in the thymus. This process represents the root of central tolerance of self-components and prevents the onset of autoimmune diseases. Since thymic epithelia correspond to an important target of donor T cells during the onset of chronic graft-vs-host-disease, mTEC-thymocyte adhesion may have implications for alloimmunity. The Aire and Fezf2 genes function as transcriptome controllers in mTECs. The central question of this study is whether there is a mutual relationship between mTEC-thymocyte adhesion and the control of the mTEC transcriptome and whether Aire is involved in this process. Here, we show that in vitro mTEC-thymocyte adhesion causes transcriptome changes in mTECs and upregulates the transcriptional expression of Aire and Fezf2, as well as cell adhesion-related genes such as Cd80 or Tcf7, among others. Crispr-Cas9-mediated Aire gene disruption demonstrated that this gene plays a role in the process of mTEC-thymocyte adhesion. Consistent with the nuclear localization signal (NLS) encoded by Aire exon 3, which was targeted, we demonstrate that Aire KO^−/− mTECs impair AIRE protein localization in the nucleus. Consequently, the loss of function of Aire reduced the ability of these cells to adhere to thymocytes. Their transcriptomes differed from their wild-type Aire^+/+ counterparts, even during thymocyte adhesion. A set of mRNA isoforms that encode proteins involved in cell adhesion were also modulated during this process. This demonstrates that both thymocyte interactions and Aire influence transcriptome profiling of mTEC cells.</p

Análise do processo de exame de grau na pós-graduação stricto sensu Analysis of the process of viva voce in graduate programs of degree by research

O artigo tem por objetivo contribuir para o aprofundamento das discussões acerca da qualidade da pós-graduação stricto sensu no âmbito nacional, a partir de um de seus elementos constituintes: o exame de grau. O exame de grau é discutido de forma teórica, por meio da análise sistematizada de pesquisas nacionais e internacionais relacionadas com o tema. Primeiramente, são discutidos os propósitos de mestrados e doutorados, analisados os objetivos dos exames de grau, investigados os procedimentos e os critérios adotados na avaliação dos exames de grau, apontando seus pontos de vulnerabilidade. A seguir, sistematizam-se e analisam-se as variáveis relacionadas à subjetividade dos elementos decisórios de cada examinador e as influências externas às quais a banca está envolta. Em sua conclusão, ressalta-se o alto nível de heterogeneidade associado ao conhecimento e à percepção dos padrões esperados para a formação de um mestre e um doutor, que influencia sistemicamente no processo de exame de grau. Por fim, os temas sugeridos para a continuação da pesquisa visam buscar maior consistência nos procedimentos de avaliação dos exames de grau e uma avaliação mais equitativa do pós-graduando, contribuindo para a qualidade da pós-graduação stricto sensu.<br>The article aims at contributing to further the discussion about the quality of graduate programs of degree by research in this country, taking into account one of its constitutive elements: the viva voce. The viva is discussed in a theoretical manner through the systematized analysis of national and international studies related to the theme. Firstly, the article discusses the purposes of master and doctorate programs, the objectives of the viva, its procedures and criteria, and then it points out its vulnerable aspects. The variables related to the subjectivity of the decision elements of each examiner are then analyzed, as well as the external influences surrounding the work of the examiners. In its conclusion the article indicates the high degree of heterogeneity associated to the knowledge and perception of the standards expected for the formation of a master or doctor, which influences systemically the process of the viva. Lastly, the themes suggested for the continuity of this line of work aim at improving the consistency of the viva procedures, and at a more equitable assessment of the candidate, thereby contributing to improve the quality of graduate programs of degree by research