Thèses sur le sujet « 49N90 »

Biomass-burning haze (BBH) is an environmental concern which has a tremendous impact on human health and the economy in Southeast Asia (SEA). One of the worst haze events to ever hit Peninsular Malaysia occurred in June 2013 due to smoke from Riau, Central Sumatra. While biomass-burning in the region is common, the early occurrence of a haze episode of this magnitude is uncharacteristic of the seasonality of extreme fire events which usually occur between August and October in the Maritime Continent (MC). Previous studies on the June 2013 event mostly include statistical studies of the impacts of haze on air quality and health. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the phenomenology of this peculiar haze event and its underlying meteorological forcing agents. The aerosol and meteorological environment during the event is examined using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) active fire hotspot detections and aerosol optical thickness (AOT) retrievals, satellite based precipitation retrievals and meteorological indices. Particular attention is given to El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) conditions since these phenomena influence inter-annual and intra-seasonal fire-activity, respectively, as well as the influence of tropical cyclones (TC) over the South China Sea. The above datasets are then supported by a WRF-Chem nested simulation to provide a comprehensive picture of the event’s meteorology and aerosol transport phenomenology. Indeed, while the use of weather models to study BBH has become more popular, more modelling efforts need to be put into studying the June 2013 haze event to identify the mechanisms of long range transport of haze. A set of 13 sensitivity simulations are run to determine the physics settings which best represent the meteorology over the model domain during the June 2013 haze episode. The physics options used in the sensitivity simulations are selected based on previous WRF physics sensitivity studies and work which include WRF simulations with domains over Asia and SEA. In particular, the microphysics, cumulus parameterisation and planetary boundary layer (PBL) schemes are looked into to obtain the best agreement to observation data. The output from the sensitivity simulations are evaluated with satellite based precipitation retrievals and ground station data over Malaysia. The simulations run with the Lin microphysics scheme, Betts-Miller-Janjić (BMJ) cumulus parameterisation scheme and Mellor-Yamada-Janjić (MYJ) planetary boundary layer scheme performed best overall. These best settings, based on the sensitivity studies, are then used in the numerical simulations which are evaluated with satellite and ground station data. The evaluation shows that model produces similar patterns and magnitudes of AOT and successfully captures the variations in smoke plume height when compared to MODIS AOD and Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) aerosol extinction profile datasets. The analysis of the time series ENSO conditions and MODIS fire count show that while extreme fire events are more characteristic of El Niño years, the MODIS fire count over the MC in June for the years 2001–2015 was highest in 2013 when neutral conditions prevailed. Although, the mean daily precipitation for June 2013 was below average for June for the years 2003–2015. In addition, the highest ratio of 0.89 of fire count for SPM to MC for any month for the period 2001–2015 was recorded in June 2013. An early and active TC season, which could have been the result of a strong transiting MJO, occurred in June 2013. The results show that the combined induced subsidence and flow enhancement due to TC Bebinca and the dry phases of the strong MJO event contributed to the event. The simulations further show that downward vertical motion of at least 6 cm s-1 prevailed over Sumatra on 22 June when TC Bebinca was most intense, while upward vertical motion reaching at least 9 cm s-1 prevailed over the same region before TC Bebinca on 17 June. Indeed, smoke sources were concentrated under this particular region of subsidence, where surface PM2.5 concentrations reached at least 1000 μg m-3 on 22 June. Vertical cross-sections across the model domain also show that subsidence during phase 6 of the MJO prevailed over Sumatra. Intense and early TC seasons over the Western North Pacific can therefore be an indication of the occurrence of early and extreme haze events over the MC. The numerical simulations are also used to study the convective mechanisms which are responsible for uplifting biomass-burning haze in the troposphere. These mechanisms over Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia are under-studied and their physical mechanisms remain unclear. The PM2.5 mass concentration, vertical wind speed plots at different levels and vertical cross-sections of major smoke plumes are analysed and the corresponding convective mechanisms identified. Three main convective mechanisms are identified, namely, orographic motion over the Barisan Mountains of Indonesia, morning convergence over the strait of Malacca and orographic motion over Peninsular Malaysia. Results show that smoke is lifted to heights of at least 10 km in the atmosphere due to orographic lifting over Peninsular Malaysia while the average plume height increased to higher than 2 km as TC Bebinca subsided, due to the resulting decrease in subsidence. The identified mechanisms are able to uplift the biomass-burning emissions to the upper troposphere and this could have significant long-range transport and global climatic effects.

This research examines the role of critical reflection in learning theories and the relationship between Kolb's learning cycle and notions of the 'good' language learner, the deep approach to learning and autonomous learning in the context of adult, part-time, distance language learning. This group of learners is under-represented in the research literature. The research takes an exploratory-interpretative approach. Open University Language students had been invited by their tutors to use materials based on Kolb's learning cycle, designed to encourage critical reflection in order to enhance learning. In-depth interviews explored the experience of users and non-users. Course materials were examined for evidence of encouragement and support for critical reflection and autonomy. The research aimed to establish what OU language learners do to develop productive and receptive language skills and the extent to which they demonstrate capacities of critical reflection and autonomy. It examined the extent to which these capacities were developed via course materials and assignments and the impact of the style and pace of study. It considered whether these capacities could be enhanced by the project materials, as well as the influence of tutors' expectations and approaches. The majority of interviewees exhibited considerable functional activity except in writing skills. They demonstrated characteristics of the 'good' language learner, elements of a deep approach and features of autonomous learning. This contrasted with a surface approach to coursework and assignments, brought about by excessive workload and the controlled, anxiety-provoking nature of assessment. Analysis of assignments also suggested they were likely to evoke a surface approach. Course materials advocated reflection, self-assessment and self-evaluation, but did not support this via teaching or practice and offered few decision-making opportunities. Students exercised the capacity for critical reflection and autonomy to varying degrees. Those who had used the proj ect materials appeared more likely to make decisions about their learning, and set specific goals. The project materials were judged a straightforward framework for reflection. Tutors were positive about the materials but appeared to give little attention to critical reflection. Their concerns about time constraints and student workload may have confirmed student perceptions and discouraged use of the project materials. The research suggests broadening the notion of the 'good' language learner. It proposes more explicit development of learning strategies and the capacity for critical reflection within course materials and tutorials, and giving more attention to the nature and impact of assessment in order to foster 'active', deep, autonomous learning.

Lo scopo della tesi è quello di affrontare la progettazione con un approccio,quanto più attuale e per certi versi avanguardista, chiamato Parametric design (progettazione parametrica), accoppiato efficacemente col concetto di Arte generativa (in questo caso Architettura). Già nel 1957 Luigi Moretti affrontò il tema dell’architettura parametrico-generativa fondando l’IRMOU (Istituto per la Ricerca Matematica e Operativa applicata all'Urbanistica) e oggi è una mentalità molto diffusa nei più grandi studi del mondo. Il tema non è solo tecnologico o informatico strumentale, ma è proprio un modo di pensare e immaginare il possibile, costruito o naturale che sia. E’ un modo di vivere la propria creatività. L’aggettivo “generativa” è legato al fatto che l’arte in esame è generata seguendo regole preimpostate e ben definite dal progettista, coerentemente agli obiettivi e alle finalità del progetto. L’evoluzione delle stesse, seguendo relazioni molto semplici, può dar vita a risultati sorprendenti e inaspettati, dotati di una notevole complessità che però, se letta nell’insieme, è perfettamente in armonia con l’idea progettuale di partenza. Il fascino di questa materia è il legame entusiasmante che crea tra architettura, ingegneria, poesia, filosofia, matematica, biologia, fisica, pittura ecc ecc. Questo perché i concetti di evoluzione, di relazione e di generazione appartengono a tutto ciò che ci circonda, e quindi alla concezione umana di vita. E’ possibile in questo modo permeare il costrutto progettuale con principi e regole oggettivamente riconoscibili e apprezzabili dallo spettatore perché instrisi di una forte veridicità processuale. Il titolo "Oxymoron" è la traduzione inglese della figura retorica ossimoro,la quale è strettamente connessa all’ispirazione progettuale: proviene dall’indagine approfondita di processi evolutivi (distruttivi in questo caso) caratterizzanti realtà naturali che, esplorate con sempre più accuratezza, determinano morfologie e forme aventi profonde radici strutturali. La distruzione che crea lo spazio. La genesi stessa della forma segue predominanti algoritmi matematici governati e corretti da variabili di diversa natura che definiscono l'enviroment di influenze interagenti ed agenti sul campione di studio. In questo caso la ricerca è focalizzata su processi erosivi fisici e chimici, di agenti esterni (quali vento e sali rispettivamente) ,di cui materiali inorganici, quali minerali e aggregati degli stessi (rocce), sono soggetti. In particolare, l’interesse è approfondito su fenomeni apparentemente emergenti dei tafoni e dei cosiddetti Micro canyon. A tal scopo si sfrutterà un metodo di soft kill option (SKO) di ottimizzazione topologica (optimization topology) attraverso gli strumenti informatici più idonei quali software di modellazione parametrica e di calcolo computazionale. La sperimentazione sta proprio nell'utilizzare uno strumento concepito per uno scopo, con un'ottica strettamente ingegneristica, per un'altra meta, ossia ricavare e ottenere se possibile un metodo di lavoro o anche solo un processo generativo tale da riprodurre o simulare casi e situazioni riscontrabili in natura negli eventi soggetti a erosione. Il tutto coerente con le regole che stanno alla base della genesi degli stessi. Il parallelismo tra singolarità naturale e architettura risiede nella generazione degli spazi e nella combinazione di questi. L’ambizioso obiettivo è quello di innescare un ciclo generativo, che messo in comunicazione diretta con un contesto variegato ed eterogeneo, dia vita a una soluzione progettuale dall'alto contenuto morfologico e spaziale.

As a discipline Management Information System (MIS) is relatively new. Its short history has been characterised with epistemological dialectism. The current conflict and debate about MIS inquiry is broadly between the advocates of the social systems and technical systems perspectives. Few authors have made positive contributions toward clarifying the meaning and nature of MIS, and the appropriate design framework for MIS development. This thesis adds to their effort by using a MIS designed and implemented through action research at the North Western Regional Health Authority. There are seven Chapters in this thesis. Chapters One and Two examine the nature of the problem addressed by this research; the project history, ontological assumptions and research strategy. Chapter Three examines the debate, nature and conflicting views about MIS. It defines the theoretical problem addressed by this thesis and proposes a new concept of MIS. The theoretical problems are dealt with in Chapter Four. In Chapter Five the application of the theoretical concepts developed in Chapter Four is demonstrated in the design of MIS. Chapter Six relates some of the findings of this thesis to the work of other authors. It also examines the problem of human inquiry and the suitability of action research for MIS research. The main findings of this research summarised in Chapter Seven provide a new perspective of MIS as a purposeful system; the taxonomy of purposeful systems; primary context and secondary context of MIS; context analysis and context evaluation of MIS.

This thesis attempts to develop an approach to the New Testament which does justice to the New Testament as both sacred scripture of Christianity and historical human document. Based on the Lutheran and German Existentialist hermeneutical tradition language is viewed as the bearer of meaning rather than as a pointer to meaning which is to be found behind the text. This approach is relevant for the discussion of neo-Barthian as well as post-modem hermeneutics. It demands a consistent application of historical criticism, leading to a hermeneutical theology rather than the ruling of theology over against biblical interpretation. The first main part of the thesis is dedicated to the development of a theological theory of language. The thesis starts with an assessment of the Barth-Bultmann debate, where the underlying differences in their respective theories of language are analysed. It proceeds to a critical discussion of Rudolf Bultmann's hermeneutical theory, in the course of which Bultmann's theology and hermeneutics are identified as leading to a theocentric personalism. In addition, his hermeneutics are found to have important deficits in the underlying theory of language namely to ignore the role language plays as the bearer of meaning. In order to develop a theological theory of language which is based on the assumption that language is the bearer of meaning while avoiding Bultmann's shortcomings, the argument will follow the further development of existentialist hermeneutics and enter a discussion with the later Heidegger, Gadamer and Ricoeur. As a result, the concept of Christianity as Struggle for Language will be introduced. Here, Christianity and the New Testament in particular is understood as the continuing endeavour to translate the Christian kerygma so that it is meaningful in present discourse. The second part of the thesis is dedicated to the application of the main thesis to selected texts from John's Gospel, namely the hymn underlying the prologue John 1:1-18, the Nicodemus-discourse John 3:1-21 and the final prayer John 17.

Some adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are not detected before marketing approval is given because clinical trials are not suited for their detection, for various reasons [5, 23]. Drug regulatory bodies therefore weigh the potential benefits of a drug against the harms and allow drugs to be marketed if felt that the potential benefits far outweigh the harms [26,48]. Associated adverse events are subsequently monitored through various means including reports submitted by health professionals and the general public in what is commonly referred to as spontaneous reporting system (SRS) [19, 23, 69]. The resulting database contains thousands of adverse event reports which must be assessed by expert panels to see if they are bona fide adverse drug reactions, but which are not easy to manage by virtue of the volume [6]. This thesis documents work aimed at developing a statistical model for assisting in the identification of bona fide drug side-effects using data from the United States of America’s Food and Drugs Administration’s (FDA) Spontaneous Reporting System (otherwise known as the Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS)) [28]. Four hierarchical models based on the Conway-Maxwell-Poisson (CMP) distribution [43,78] were explored and one of them was identified as the most suitable for modeling the data. It compares favourably with the Gamma Poisson Shrinker (GPS) of DuMouchel [19] but takes a dimmer view of drug and adverse event pairs with very small observed and expected count than the GPS. Two results are presented in this thesis; the first one, from a preliminary analysis, presented in Chapter 2, shows that problems such as missing values for age and sex that militate against the optimal use of SRS data, enumerated in the literature, remain. The second results, presented in Chapter 5, concern the main focus of the research mentioned in the previous paragraph.

Il lavoro cerca di valutare il possibile ruolo della Comunità Energetica del Sud Est Europa quale fattore di stabilita’ nell’area Balcanica. Il Trattato fondativo della Comunita’ assegna a questa l’obiettivo di condurre una cooperazione in campo energetico al fine diffondere istituzioni e normative condivise, quali elementi di superamento del conflitto: tuttavia, sono molti gli ostacoli posti su questo cammino sia di natura interna alla regione che esterna, per l’influenza di fattori e poteri internazionali interessati all’area. Il processo di transizione in molti dei paesi del quadrante non e’ ancora concluso e molti sono i nodi politici successivi ai processi di disgregazione della Federazione Jugoslava ancora presenti e non risolti. I progetti di corridoi energetici portati avanti dall’Unione Europea, Stati Uniti e Russia, concentrano sui Balcani un interesse sempre alto e tali attenzioni potrebbero influire sui processi d’area e sulle scelte politiche da compiersi. Sullo sfondo di tutto cio’ un altro importante fattore contribuisce alle dinamiche in corso: la crisi economica ha fatto sentire la sua presenza anche nella regione balcanica e questo crea importanti squilibri che devono essere valutati alla luce di processi di cooperazione quale quello della Comunita’ Energetica.
The aim of my thesis is to evaluate the possible role of the Energy Community South East Europe as a factor of stability in the Balkans. The founding Treaty gives to the Community the goal to create and improve the cooperation in energy field to promote shared norms and institutions, as elements to overcome the conflict period: however, there are many obstacles on this path since domestic and external factors, due to the influence of international powers interested in the area. Many Countries in the region have not concluded the transition process yet and there are many political problems following the processes of disintegration of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. On the other hand, the European Union, United States and Russia, energy corridor projects planned in the region are focusing on the Balkans important interests on geo political point of view. These dynamics could affect the processes and policy choices in the area. The background of the whole scenario is another important factor that is contributing to the dynamics in progress: the economic crisis has shown its presence even in the Balkan region and this creates significant imbalances that need to be evaluated on the light of processes of cooperation such as the Energy Community .

Orientadora : Prof. Dr. Marcos L. Corazza
Coorientadora : Profª Drª Agnes de Paula Scheer
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Tecnologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Alimentos. Defesa: Curitiba, 25/08/2017
Inclui referências : f. 98-118
Resumo: No Brasil, parte da produção de maracujá cultivado sob o sistema orgânico é utilizado por algumas indústrias para a fabricação de sucos e geleias. Este processamento gera resíduos, como as sementes, que são subutilizadas. Devido ao interesse em identificar um melhor aproveitamento dessas sementes e da escassez de pesquisas sobre o uso do propano no estado subcrítico na extração de óleos de fontes vegetais, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial da tecnologia subcrítica utilizando o propano comprimido na recuperação do óleo de sementes de maracujá doce (Passiflora alata Curtis) e de maracujá azedo (P. edulis f. flavicarpa) orgânicos e comparar os rendimentos e a qualidade dos óleos obtidos por essa tecnologia com as técnicas de extração em Soxhlet utilizando n-hexano e etanol como solventes e com a extração assistida por ultrassom utilizando etanol como solvente. A extração com propano comprimido foi realizada em escala piloto, nas seguintes combinações de pressão e temperatura: 2 MPa-30 °C, 2 MPa-60 °C e 8 MPa-30 °C, por 180 minutos. Testes preliminares foram feitos para identificar os parâmetros de processo que proporcionassem o maior rendimento para a extração assistida por ultrassom e os resultados indicaram a razão de semente:solvente (m/v) de 1:50 e a temperatura de 60 °C como sendo as melhores condições de processo. Foram obtidas imagens de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) das sementes antes e após os processos de extração. Foram realizadas análises para a caracterização físico-química, do perfil dos ácidos graxos, da estabilidade térmica, além da identificação de tocoferóis e da análise da atividade antioxidante e antimicrobiana dos óleos. Os maiores rendimentos foram de 28,33% e 26,12% para o óleo de sementes de maracujá doce e azedo orgânicos, respectivamente, utilizando a extração em Soxhlet com n-hexano. Entre as técnicas não convencionais, a extração com propano comprimido resultou nos maiores rendimentos, de 24,68% para o óleo de sementes de maracujá azedo orgânico obtido a 8 MPa e 30 °C e 23,68% para o óleo de sementes de maracujá doce orgânico obtido a 2 MPa e 60 °C. As imagens de MEV demonstraram o intenso efeito das extrações utilizando Soxhlet com n-hexano e com propano comprimido sobre as células oleosas das sementes, o que permitiu maior liberação de óleo dessas estruturas, resultando em alto rendimento de extração. As características físico-químicas dos óleos atendem a legislação vigente e são compatíveis com as de outros óleos vegetais comestíveis. Os óleos são ricos em ácidos graxos poli-insaturados, sendo o ácido linoleico predominante e presente em quantidade significativamente maior no maracujá doce (maior valor de 72,89%, obtido a 8 MPa-30 °C). As extrações com propano comprimido a 30 °C e pressão de 2 e 8 MPa proporcionaram porcentagens maiores de ácidos graxos poli-insaturados nos óleos em relação aos outros métodos. Foram identificados os homólogos ?-, ?- e ?-tocoferol em todos os óleos estudados. Os óleos apresentaram alta estabilidade térmica até 300 °C. Todos os óleos apresentaram atividade antioxidante bem como inibiram o crescimento dos microrganismos Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus e Bacillus cereus. Palavras-chave: Extração subcrítica. Propano comprimido. Extração assistida por ultrassom. Semente de maracujá. Passiflora alata Curtis. Cultivo orgânico.
Abstract: In Brazil, part of the passion fruit cultivated under the organic system is used by some industries to manufacture juices and jellies. This processing generates residues, such as seeds, which are underutilized. Due to the interest in identify a better use of these seeds and the scarce researches on the use of compressed (subcritical) propane in the extraction of oils from vegetable sources, the aim of this study was to evaluate the potentialities of subcritical compressed propane technology to recover the oil from sweet (Passiflora alata Curtis) and yellow (P. edulis f. flavicarpa) passion fruit seeds and compare the results with Soxhlet extraction method using n-hexane and ethanol as solvents and ultrasound-assisted extraction using ethanol as solvent. The extraction with compressed propane was conducted in pilot scale in the following pressures and temperatures combination: 2 MPa-30 °C, 2 MPa-60 °C and 8 MPa-30 °C, for 180 minutes. Preliminary tests were done to identify process parameters that provided the highest yield for ultrasound-assisted extraction and the results indicated the ratio of 1:50 (seed:solvent; m/v) and the temperature of 60 °C as the best process conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were obtained from seeds before and after extraction processes. Analysis were carried out to identify the physico-chemical characterization, fatty acid profile, thermal stability, tocopherol content, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the oils. The higher extraction yields were of 28.33% and 26.12% to the oils of organic P. alata and P. edulis, respectively, using Soxhlet extraction method with n-hexane. Among the unconventional techniques, extraction with compressed propane resulted in the highest yields, with 24.68% at 8 MPa-30 °C (organic P. edulis seed oil) and 23.68% at 2 MPa-60 °C (organic P. alata Curtis seed oil). SEM images demonstrated the intense effect of extractions using Soxhlet with n-hexane and with compressed propane on the oil-bearing cells of the seeds, which allowed greater oil release from these structures, resulting in high extraction yield. Regarding the physico-chemical characteristics of the oils, the results comply with the current legislation and are compatible with those of edible vegetable oils. The oils are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, with linoleic acid being predominant and present in significantly greater amounts in sweet passion fruit seed oil (higher value of 72.88% obtained at 8 MPa and 30 °C). The extraction with compressed propane at 30 °C and 2 and 8 MPa provided higher percentage of unsaturated fatty acids than other methods. The homologues ?-, ?- and ?-tocopherol were identified in all the oils studied. The oils presented high thermal stability up to 300 °C. All the oils presented antioxidant activity as well as inhibited the growth of the microorganisms Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. Keywords: Subcritical fluid extraction. Compressed propane. Ultrasound-assisted extraction. Passion fruit seed. Passiflora alata Curtis. Organic farming.

Orientador: Rene Robert
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Exatas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Física
Resumo: Considera-se o problema da redução de variáveis no modelamento semi-empírico das tochas de plasma. Experimentos fatoriais são usados como uma alternativa à abordagem descrita na literatura, na qual os grupos adimensionais que compSem o modelo são selecionados por tentativas. Emprega-se experimentos fatoriais no estudo de uma tocha de plasma projetada para aquecer ar comprimido, com catodo quente e estabilizada por escoamento em vórtice do gás plasmagênico. São avaliados os efeitos de mudanças na geometria da câmara de descarga sobre a relação tensão x corrente, o fluxo de calor para os eletrodos, o desgaste do catodo, o comprimento médio do arco, as amplitudes das variaçSes nesse comprimento e sobre a estabilidade da tocha. A análise dos resultados confirma os efeitos de mudanças no diâmetro do anodo sobre a relação tensão x corrente e sobre as perdas de calor para os eletrodos e indica a presença de outros.
Abstract: The problem of variables reduction in the semi-empirical modelling of plasma torches is considered. Factorial experiments are used as an alternative to the approach described in the literature, in which the dimensionless groups that constitute the model are selected by attempts. Factorial experiments are employed to study a plasma torch, with hot cathode, stabilized by longitudinal eddy-flow of the plasma gas and designed to heat air. The effects of changes on the geometry of the discharge chamber are evaluated over the characteristic voltage x current, the heat flux to the electrodes, the cathode wear, the mean arc length, the amplitude of the variations in this length and over the stability of the torch. The effects of changes on the anode diameter over caracteristic voltage x current and thermal loses at the electrodes are confirmed by this analysis. The presence of other effects are pointed out.

Orientador : Prof. Dr. Daniel Costa dos Santos
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Tecnologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Recursos Hídricos e Ambiental. Defesa: Curitiba, 11/03/2016
Inclui referências : f.112-116
Resumo: Diante de um panorama nacional e internacional de stress hídrico e energético, que tende a se acentuar nas próximas décadas por conta do crescimento populacional e da elevação nos padrões de consumo resultante do desenvolvimento socioeconômico de países pobres ou em desenvolvimento, a adoção de medidas de eficiência energética se torna cada vez mais necessária e urgente. Nesse sentido, e considerando que os sistemas de abastecimento de água (SAAs) respondem por aproximadamente 3% de toda a energia elétrica consumida no Brasil, sendo cerca de 90% desse consumo atribuído aos sistemas elevatórios, o presente trabalho se propôs a estruturar um método para a avaliação do desempenho energético de sistemas elevatórios de SAAs. Construído após a revisão de literatura, da qual foram selecionados os indicadores de consumo específico de energia (CE), de consumo específico de energia normalizado (CEN) e de consumo específico de energia por quilômetro de adutora (CEEL), esse método foi aplicado em dois estudos de casos, utilizando dados reais de duas estações elevatórias num período de dois e três anos. Além de demonstrar a aplicação do método no caso concreto, os resultados permitiram mensurar o desempenho energético das elevatórias nesse período e compará-los com os valores de referência encontrados na literatura. Entre outras conclusões, sugere-se que as operadoras dos sistemas definam os valores mínimos teóricos para cada indicador, a partir de suas próprias metas e expectativas, de modo a servir como elemento para verificação da eficiência energética. Palavras-chave: Desempenho energético; Eficiência energética; Indicadores de eficiência energética.
Abstract: Considering the water and energy stress in national and international level, which tends to be accentuated in the coming decades due to population growth and the increase of consumption that results from socio-economic development of poor and developing countries, the adoption of energy efficiency measures becomes increasingly necessary and urgent. Therefore, and considering that the water supply systems accounts for approximately 3% of all electricity consumed in Brazil, and that about 90% of this consumption is attributed to the pumping systems, this paper aims to design a method for evaluating the energy performance of pumping systems in water supply systems. Built upon the literature review, from which were selected the specific energy consumption indicator (CE), the normalized specific energy consumption indicator (CEN) and the specific energy consumption per kilometer of main water pipe (CEEL), this method was applied in two case studies using real data from two pumping stations within two years. In addition to demonstrating the application of the method in these cases, the results helped measure the energy performance of the lift systems during this period and compare them with the reference values established in the literature. Among other findings, it is suggested that the operators of the systems define the theoretical minimum values for each indicator, from its own goals and expectations, so as to serve as an element for verification of energy efficiency. Key-words: energy performance; energy efficiency; energy efficiency indicators.

Unwary computer users are often blamed as the weakest link on the security chain, for unknowingly facilitating incoming cyber attacks and jeopardizing the efforts to secure systems and networks. However, in my opinion, average users should not bear the blame because of their lack of expertise to predict the security consequence of every action they perform, such as browsing a webpage, downloading software to their computers, or installing an application to their mobile devices. My thesis work aims to secure software and systems by reducing or eliminating the chances where users’ mere action can unintentionally enable external exploits and attacks. In achieving this goal, I follow two complementary paths: (i) building runtime monitors to identify and interrupt the attack-triggering user actions; (ii) designing offline detectors for the software vulnerabilities that allow for such actions. To maximize the impact, I focus on securing software that either serve the largest number of users (e.g. web browsers) or experience the fastest user growth (e.g. smartphone apps), despite the platform distinctions. I have addressed the two dominant attacks through which most malicious software (a.k.a. malware) infections happen on the web: drive-by download and rogue websites. BLADE, an OS kernel extension, infers user intent through OS-level events and prevents the execution of download files that cannot be attributed to any user intent. Operating as a browser extension and identifying malicious post-search redirections, SURF protects search engine users from falling into the trap of poisoned search results that lead to fraudulent websites. In the infancy of security problems on mobile devices, I built Dalysis, the first comprehensive static program analysis framework for vetting Android apps in bytecode form. Based on Dalysis, CHEX detects the component hijacking vulnerability in large volumes of apps. My thesis as a whole explores, realizes, and evaluates a new perspective of securing software and system, which limits or avoids the unwanted security consequences caused by unwary users. It shows that, with the proposed approaches, software can be reasonably well protected against attacks targeting its unwary users. The knowledge and insights gained throughout the course of developing the thesis have advanced the community’s awareness of the threats and the increasing importance of considering unwary users when designing and securing systems. Each work included in this thesis has yielded at least one practical threat mitigation system. Evaluated by the large-scale real-world experiments, these systems have demonstrated the effectiveness at thwarting the security threats faced by most unwary users today. The threats addressed by this thesis have span multiple computing platforms, such as desktop operating systems, the Web, and smartphone devices, which highlight the broad impact of the thesis.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division; in conjunction with the Leaders for Manufacturing Program at MIT, 2009.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 92-94).
Due to the general macroeconomic downturn, many companies have turned to offshoring - sending a function overseas - to reduce production costs. While some companies elect to outsource overseas production to outside companies, many companies choose to keep production in-house and therefore create captive production facilities overseas. In many countries, the government will provide financial incentives (e.g. tax breaks, loans, subsidies) to certain companies in exchange for creating employment opportunities and industry knowledge within their borders. These financial incentives may tempt companies to shift more and more functions overseas; however, in many cases, there are significant operational risks involved with shifting functions overseas. This thesis uses a six-month project as a case study for discussing ways to weigh financial benefits against operational risks. The project was conducted at the European headquarters of Spirit AeroSystems, the largest independent designer and manufacturer of independent aerostructures for the commercial aircraft industry. Spirit Europe recently launched a greenfield factory in Malaysia. Malaysia was selected as the factory site for a variety of reasons; among which was a long term tax incentive. This thesis describes the process and tools used to select an optimal transfer pricing relationship (i.e. scope of work to be performed overseas) and transaction methodology that would best monetize the long-term tax incentive without incurring unacceptable levels of operational risk.
(cont.) A comprehensive functional analysis was conducted to understand operational risk and economic value. Next, a Monte Carlo simulation was created to better understand project profitability. The results from the functional analysis and the Monte Carlo simulation are united to identify the optimal transfer pricing structure and methodology. The unintuitive result is that, for both operational and financial reasons, the scope of work transferred to the low tax jurisdiction (in this case, Spirit Malaysia) should be fairly limited for existing contracts.
by Audrey Chang.
S.M.
M.B.A.

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2009.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 117-119).
Research was conducted on the proposed Green Line Extension, a light rail corridor from Cambridge through Somerville and Medford, Massachusetts. The project is being undertaken by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Due to legal commitments and agreements, the line must be in revenue service by December 31, 2014, or the state faces penalties. Interviews, literature review and personal experience come together to explore the process behind completing such a large, complex infrastructure project. It is theorized, and confirmed, that a strong articulated and utilized policy statement will help the state complete this project with greater speed and efficiency. In order to confirm this hypothesis, each problem facing the project process is broken down and examined for the ability to improve the project process. Findings include the need for greater accountability, organizational reform and regulation overhaul. The research is applicable not only to the current work on the Green Line Extension, but to similar infrastructure projects state- and nation-wide. Finally, the thesis proposes that trust in planners has failed in a variety of ways. This lack of trust manifests itself in poor projects and a poor process. Generating a greater level of trust in planners and the planning process will create significant improvements to future endeavors.
by Matthew A. Ciborowski.
M.C.P.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Many authors express the value of riparian vegetation in terms of the function and number of species per unit area. Although riparian vegetation is confined to narrow bands of plants along watercourses, kloofs and gullies, it is a specialised habitat for many species. To determine the contribution of riparian vegetation to the species richness of the Jonkershoek Valley, Western Cape Province, South Africa, a checklist was compiled, by referring to past research and to the PRECIS national database for the South African flora for a list of species recorded from the area. A total of 1 743 taxa and 108 families were included in this list for the Valley. Specific characteristics were attributed to each of the 1 743 species on the basis of characters determined from the literature. Analysis of these data indicates that woody perennial shrubs with sclerophyll leaves are the representative plant type for the study area as a whole. The specialist structural description of a riparian species in the Jonkershoek Valley is: an unbranched woody perennial phanerophyte of a height between 2.0-8.0 m with microphyllous sclerophyilleaves. This group contributes 63% towards the riparian flora. Riparian habitats occupy only 2.5% of the total study area but contribute 26% of the vascular plants. The riparian communities of the Santa Monica Mountains (USA) cover 0.7% of that mountain study area and provide a habitat for 20.5% of the total vascular plants of the area. Both areas, therefore, show a similar level of diversity. This remarkable species richness of riparian zones is consistent with that found in other riparian communities i.e. Sweden and France. The study area was sampled by means of relevés arranged along 53 transects through the main stem and it's tributaries. A total number of 139 relevés were recorded which were used to identify, characterise and describe the riparian communities. Eight vegetation units, consisting of two groups, three communities, two subcommunities and one form, were described. The one group described the riparian communities while the other described a seepage community. The bigger groups exhibit environmental properties over a broader spectrum, while smaller groups exhibit characteristic environmental properties. The vegetation is found to represent a continuum rather than discreet entities. Many indicator species are encountered in the communities. Because of the characteristic canopy-understorey physiognomy of riparian vegetation, many communities are interspersed, making it difficult to delineate discreet community boundaries. The vegetation of the riparian zone of the Eerste River in the Jonkershoek Valley, is relatively pristine. Thirty-six species not native to the Valley were included in the checklist of which only four were recorded during the phytosociological study.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Verskeie skrywers beklemtoon die kosbaarheid van rivieroewerplantegroei in terme van hul funksie en aantal spesies per oppervlakeenheid. Alhoewel rivieroewerplantegroei beperk is tot 'n noue band van plante langs waterweë, klowe en skeure, is dit 'n gespesialiseerde habitat vir baie spesies. Om die bydrae wat rivieroewerplantegroei tot die spesie-rykheid van die Jonkershoekvallei, Wes-Kaapprovinsie, Suid-Afrika te bereken, is 'n spesieslys saamgestel uit vorige studies en 'n PRECIS nasionale databasis vir die Suid-Afrikaanse flora waaruit 'n lys saamgestel is van spesies wat aangeteken is vir die area. 'n Totaal van 1 746 taxa uit 108 families is ingesluit in die plantelys. Vir elk van die 1 743 spesies, is spesifieke karakters uit die literatuur bepaal. 'n Analise hiervan dui aan dat die verteenwoordigende plant van die Jonkershoekvallei as gehele studie area 'n houtagtige, meerjarige struik met sklerofil blare is. Die spesialis strukturele beskrywing van 'n plant vir die Jonkershoekvallei is as volg: 'n onvertakte houtagtige meerjarige fanerofiet met 'n hoogte van 2.0-8.0 m met mikrofilliese sklerofil blare. Hierdie groep dra tot 63% by tot hierdie flora. Rivieroewer habitatte beslaan slegs 2.5% van die totale studie area, maar het tot 26% tot die vaatplante bygedra. Die Santa Monica Berge (VSA) se rivieroewerplantegroei bedek 0.7% van die bergagtige studie area en voorsien 'n habitat vir 20.5% van die vaatpplante. Beide gebiede toon dieselfde mate van diversiteit. Hierdie uitstaande spesiesrykheid is in lyn met wat gevind is in ander rivieroewergemeenskappe bv. in Swede en Frankryk. Die studie area is gemonster deur relevés wat uitgemerk is langs 53 transekte deur die hoofstroom en die sytakke. 'n Totaal van 139 releves is gemonster wat gebruik is om die gemeenskappe te identifiseer, karaktifiseer, en te beskryf. Agt plantegroei-eenhede, bestaande uit twee groepe, drie gemeenskappe, twee subgemeenskappe en een vorm, is beskryf. Die een groep beskryf rivieroewergemeenskappe terwyl die ander groep "n gemeenskap in die syfersone beskryf. Die groter groepe het wyer omgewingseienskappe getoon, terwyl die kleiner groepe spesifieke eienskappe toon. Dit is vasgestel dat die plantegroei eerder "n kontinuum voorstel as diskrete eenhede. Dit het tot gevolg dat dit moeilik is om die grense van gemeenskappe uit te wys. Vele indikatorspesies is aangetref. Die plantegroei van die rivieroewer van die Eersterivier in die Jonkershoeksvallei, kan beskryf word as relatief onversteurd. Ses-en-dertig spesies wat nie eie aan die Vallei is nie, is ingesluit in die spesieslys waarvan vier tydens die fito-sosiologiese studie aangeteken is.

Thesis (MScEng) -- Stellenbosch University, 2004.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Wireless Area Network technology for industrial and factory applications is important for satisfying inflexible (safety-critical) real-time requirements in sometimes harsh environments. Many of these applications involve mobile subsystems and could benefit from recent Wireless LAN technologies replacing the current cable-based systems. An immediate question is how this technology can be used for wireless Area Network systems? An important aspect of this question is the development of time-variable wireless links with good real-time performance. This project will attempt to answer some aspects of this question. The main objective of this thesis is to create a wireless area network for instrumentation purposes, interconnecting various monitoring and control transducers to a central master station. This project focuses on three transmission technologies used for wireless LANs with low power consumption; capable of close range positioning, indoors as well as outdoors. These transmission technologies are Infrared LAN (IrDA), Spread Spectrum LAN and Narrowband Microwave LAN. As a result of the evaluation of the three technologies, an Infrared LAN (IrDA) system was implemented as an area network, utilising an IrLAP protocol (Master and Slave) as a communication protocol. The Master is enabled to monitor and control all slaves interfaced to it.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Draadlose netwerktegnologie vir industrietoepassings, is nodig om aan te pas by spesifieke veiligheids- en omgewingstoestande. Baie van hierdie toepassings het betrekking op mobiele substelsels en kan baat by vervanging van bekabeling met onlangse draadlose netwerktegnologie. Die ontwikkeling van sulke netwerke met goeie tydreaksie, is hier belangrik. Die hoofdoel van hierdie tesis is om ’n draadlose areanetwerk te skep vir instrumentasiedoeleindes, wat verskeie monitor-en beheeromsetters aan ’n sentrale meesterstasie sal verbind. Hierdie projek fokus op 3 sulke benaderings, nl. Infrarooi AN (IrDA), Spreispektrum AN en Nouband Mikrogolf AN. Na ondersoek is ’n stelsel gebaseer op IrDA, geimplementeer as areanetwerk, met behulp van die IrLAP protokol. Die meester beheer alle kommunikasie met- en beheeraksies van die buitestasies.

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research assignment is intended to evaluate the current strategies employed by the City of Tygerberg to manage diversity and its related aspects namely change management, organisational development and organisational culture and thus to identify possible shortcomings in the current strategies employed by the City of Tygerberg and make possible suggestions for improvement. Considering its aim, boundaries have been defined in the research assignment by identifying four areas of concern to be addressed namely diversity management, change management, organisational development and organisational culture. The review of the theoretical perspectives of diversity management, change management, organisational development and organisational culture within the organisational context is also intended to review theory on the identified areas of concern with the aim of creating understanding by the City of Tygerberg for the challenges presented by diversity. The historical background of the organisation in question, the City of Tygerberg, is discussed as well as its vision and envisaged future, with the aim of establishing the corresponding mission and goals to be achieved by the organisation. The relevant legislation which refers to the importance of diversity management and the organisational policies in place addressing the various aspects related to diversity are also reviewed. In order to collect data the researcher designed a self-administered questionnaire which was distributed to the various members of the target group namely the Chief Executive Officer, Manager Human Resources, Manager Training and Development and the Director of Administration. The findings of the research process are then used to make possible suggestions and recommendations for addressing the identified possible shortcomings, with the intention of strengthening the existing methods employed the City of Tygerberg.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel met hierdie navorsingsprojek is evaluering van die bestaande strategiee toegepas deur die Stad Tygerberg vir diversiteitsbestuur en verwante aspekte soos die bestuur van verandering, organisasie-ontwikkeling en organisasiekultuur om sodoende moontlike tekortkominge in die bestaande strategiee te identifiseer en moontlike voorstelle vir verbetering te maak. In aansluiting by die doel is daar ter afbakening vier relevante terreine vir ondersoek geidentifiseer, te wete, diversiteitsbestuur, veranderingsbestuur, organisasie-ontwikkeling en organisasiekultuur. Die oorsigtelike beskouing van die teoretiese perspektiewe rakende diversiteitsbestuur, veranderingsbestuur, organisasie-ontwikkeling en organisasiekultuur binne die organisatoriese konteks is ook gerig op teoriehersiening betreffende die geidentifiseerde terreine ter wille van begripskepping by die Stad Tygerberg vir uitdagings gesteI deur diversiteit. Die historiese agtergrond van die ter sprake organisasie, die Stad Tygerberg, word bespreek, asook sy visie en beoogde toekoms, met die oog op daarstelling van 'n verbandhoudende missie en doelwitte vir verwesenliking deur die organisasie. Die relevante wetgewing met betrekking tot die belangrikheid van diversiteitsbestuur en die organisatoriese beleide van toepassing op die verskillende verwante aspekte van diversiteit word ook in oënskou geneem. Met die oog op data-insameling het die navorser 'n vraaglys ontwerp wat versprei is na verskillende lede van die teikengroep, naamlik, die Hoofuitvoerende Beampte, die Hoof Menslike Hulpbronne, die Hoof Opleiding en Ontwikkeling en die Direkteur Administrasie. Die bevindings van die navorsingsproses is gebruik om moontlike voorstelle en aanbevelings vir aanspreking van die geidentifiseerde moontlike tekortkominge te maak, met die oog op verstewiging van die bestaande metodes toegepas deur die Stad Tygerberg.

Thesis (MScAgric)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Irrigation scheduling is one of the most important cultural practices in irrigated vineyards. Water holding capacity of soil is arguably therefore one of the most important characteristics of a soil as it determines how much water can be made available to the plant. The measurement of water holding capacity of soils is time consuming and costly. In situ determinations are often impractical to determine. For routine determinations, water holding capacity is therefore determined on disturbed samples. Such a method for example is the rubber ring method. A great deal of criticism surrounds this rubber ring method and results are often questioned. The objectives of this study were therefore to determine what the relationship was between undisturbed and disturbed samples and to determine whether compacted samples could give a more accurate representation of the water holding capacity of soil. Soil textural factors influencing the volumetric water content of undisturbed, rubber ring and compacted samples at 5, 10 and 100 kPa were investigated. In addition, soil textural properties influencing water holding capacity of the respective samples between 5 and 100 kPa and 10 and 100 kPa were investigated. The final objective of the study was to develop simple models to predict the volumetric water content and water holding capacity of soil. Undisturbed and disturbed soil samples were taken at various localities to ensure a wide range of textures. Water holding capacity of undisturbed and disturbed samples was determined at ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij using the standard air pressure and ceramic plate technique and the routine rubber ring method respectively. Soil samples were also compacted to a bulk density of approximately 1.5 g.cm-3 as a further treatment for determination of water holding capacity using the air pressure and ceramic plate technique. To investigate aspects of soil texture that could possibly influence volumetric water content of the soil, correlations were done between different texture components and volumetric water content of undisturbed, rubber ring and compacted samples at 5, 10 and 100 kPa. In order to determine the effect of texture on water holding capacity of the soil, correlations were drawn between texture components and water holding capacity of undisturbed, rubber ring and compacted samples between matric potential ranges 5 and 100 kPa and 10 and 100 kPa. The results from this study were used to develop models to predict volumetric soil water content and water holding capacity of soils for a range of soils. Volumetric water content of rubber ring samples at 5 kPa was more than the volumetric water content of undisturbed samples at 5 kPa. The volumetric water content of rubber ring samples at 5 kPa and the volumetric water content of undisturbed samples at 5 kPa was correlated by 87%. Volumetric water content of compacted samples at 5 kPa had a 85% degree of correlation with the volumetric water content of undisturbed samples. At 10 kPa, the correlation between volumetric water content determined using rubber ring samples and undisturbed samples was 77%. This was identical to the correlation between volumetric water content of compacted samples at 10 kPa and undisturbed samples. At 100 kPa, most of the rubber ring samples' volumetric water content fell below the 1:1 line of volumetric water content of undisturbed samples. The volumetric water content of all the compacted samples was higher than that of the undisturbed samples. Water holding capacity of all the rubber ring samples between 5 and 100 kPa was greater than the water holding capacity of the undisturbed samples between 5 and 100 kPa. Rubber ring samples therefore generally overestimated the water holding capacity of the soil. The water holding capacity of most of the rubber ring samples between 10 and 100 kPa was greater than the water holding capacity of the undisturbed samples. In contrast, the water holding capacity of compacted samples between 5 and 100 kPa was less than the water holding capacity of undisturbed samples between 5 and 100 kPa. Water holding capacity of compacted samples was therefore underestimated. The results from this study confirmed that the influence of clay and silt content on volumetric water content of undisturbed, rubber ring and compacted samples increased as the suction on the respective samples is increased. The influence of fine sand content on volumetric water content of undisturbed, rubber ring and compacted samples decreased with an increase in matric potential to 100 kPa. Medium sand content of undisturbed, rubber ring and compacted samples had the greatest influence of all the textural components on the volumetric water content of the respective samples at 5 kPa and 10 kPa. Water holding capacity of undisturbed, rubber ring and compacted samples between 5 and 100 kPa was greatly influenced by the fine sand content of the samples. Medium sand content of the samples also had an influence on the water holding capacity thereof. To predict the volumetric water content of undisturbed samples at 5, 10 and 100 kPa, the independent variables were fine sand content, square root of medium sand content and In of medium sand content. In the case of models to predict the volumetric water content of rubber ring samples at 5, 10 and 100 kPa, the same variables were used as independent variables. Additional variables such as silt content, the In of silt content, square root of clay plus silt content and the medium sand content. To predict the volumetric water content of compacted samples at 5, 10 and 100 kPa the terms used were silt content, clay plus silt content, the e-clay plus silt content. medium sand content and the square root of medium sand content. The models to predict volumetric water content of rubber ring samples gave the best correlation with the actual volumetric water content of rubber ring samples. The final models to predict the water holding capacity of all the samples between 5 and 100 kPa and 10 and 100 kPa used only fine and medium sand parameters as independent variables. Soil textural components do play an important role in determining the volumetric water content of undisturbed, rubber ring and compacted samples at 5, 10 and 100 kPa. The magnitude of the water holding capacity between 5 and 100 kPa and 10 and 100 kPa is also influenced by soil texture. The models developed to predict the volumetric water content of samples at 5, 10 and 100 kPa and the magnitude of the water holding capacity between 5 and 100 kPa and 10 and 100 kPa could be very useful. Both time and money can potentially be saved. Models that can be highly recommended are the models generated for the undisturbed samples. These are: At 5 kPa, VWCu = 0.47259 - 0.04712 medium sando.s At 10 kPa, VWCu = 0.41292 - 0.04221 medium sandos At 100 kPa, VWCu = 0.48080 - 0.00254 fine sand - 0.0865 In medium sand Between 5 and 100 kPa, WHCu = -29.523 + 3.394 fine sand Between 10 and 100 kPa, WHCu = -891.794 + 232.326 In fine sand + 38.006 In medium sand
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Besproeiingskedulering is een van die belangrikste wingerdverbouingspraktyke. Waterhouvermoë bepaal hoeveel water beskikbaar gestel kan word aan die plant en daarom is dit een van die belangrikste eienskappe van 'n grond. Die meting van waterhouvermoë van grond is tydsaam en duur. Boonop is in situ bepalings dikwels onprakties om te bepaal. Waterhouvermoë word dus bepaal op versteurde monsters vir roetine ontledings. 'n Voorbeeld van so 'n metode is die rubberring metode. Daar bestaan groot kritiek teenoor hierdie rubberring metode en resultate word dikwels betwyfel deur die landboubedryf. Die doel van hierdie studie was dus om te bepaal wat die verwantskap is tussen onversteurde monsters en rubberring monsters asook om te bepaal of gekompakteerde monsters 'n meer akkurate aanduiding sou gee as onversteurde monsters van die waterhouvermoë van die grond. Grondtekstuur faktore wat die volumetriese waterinhoud van onversteurde monsters, rubberring monsters en gekompakteerde monsters by 5, 10 and 100 kPa beïnvloed, was ondersoek. Grondtekstuur faktore wat waterhouvermoë van die onderskeie monsters tussen 5 en 100 kPa en tussen 10 en 100 kPa beïnvloed, was ook ondersoek. Die finale doelwit van die studie was om eenvoudige modelle te ontwikkel vir die voorspelling van volumetriese waterinhoud en waterhouvermoë van grond. Onversteurde grond monsters en grond vir versteurde monsters is by verskeie lokaliteite geneem om 'n wye reeks teksture te verkry. Waterhouvermoë van onversteurde monsters is bepaal by LNR Infruitec- Nietvoorbij met die standaard drukplaat tegniek. Waterhouvermoë van versteurde grond is bepaal met die roetine rubberring metode van LNR Infruitec-Nietvoorbij. Grond was ook gekompakteer tot 'n bulkdigtheid van ongeveer 1.5 g.cm-3 en daarna is die waterhouvermoë bepaal by die LNR Infruitec- Nietvoorbij met die standaard drukplaat tegniek. Om aspekte van grondtekstuur, wat moontlik die volumetriese waterinhoud van grond kan beïnvloed te ondersoek, is korrelasies tussen verskeie tekstuur komponente en die volumetriese waterinhoud van onversteurde monsters, rubberring monsters en gekompakteerde monsters by 5, 10 en 100 kPa bepaal. Om te bepaal watter tekstuur komponente waterhouvermoë van die grond kan bepaal, is korrelasies getrek tussen tekstuur komponente en waterhouvermoë van onversteurde monsters, rubberring monsters en gekompakteerde monsters tussen 5 en 100 kPa en tussen 10 en 100 kPa. Die data is verwerk met die SAS uitgawe 6.12 (SAS, 1990) om modelle vir die voorspelling van volumetriese waterinhoud en waterhouvermoë van grond met behulp van maklik kwantifiseerbare grondtekstuur veranderlikes te ontwikkel. Die volumetriese waterinhoud van rubberring monsters by 5 kPa was meer as die volumetriese waterinhoud van onversteurde monsters by 5 kPa. Die volumetriese waterinhoud van rubberring monsters by 5 kPa en die volumetriese waterinhoud van onversteurde monsters by 5 kPa is gekorreleerd met 87%. Die volumetriese waterinhoud van gekompakteerde monsters by 5 kPa het 'n korrelasie van 85% met volumetriese waterinhoud van onversteurde monsters getoon. By 10 kPa, was die graad van korrelasie tussen volumetriese waterinhoud bepaal met rubberring monsters en onversteurde monsters, 77%. Dit was omtrent dieselfde as die graad van korrelasie tussen volumetriese waterinhoud van gekompakteerde monsters en onversteurde monsters by 10 kPa. By 100 kPa het die meeste van die rubberring monsters se volumetriese waterinhoud onderkant die 1:1 lyn van die volumetriese waterinhoud by 100 kPa van al die onversteurde monsters. Die volumetriese waterinhoud van al die gekompakteerde monsters was hoër as die van die onversteurde monsters. Die waterhouvermoë van al die rubberring monsters tussen 5 en 100 kPa was groter as die van die onversteurde monsters tussen 5 en 100 kPa. Die rubberring monsters het dus oor die algemeen die grootte van die waterhouvermoë oorskry. Die waterhouvermoë van die meeste van die rubberring monsters tussen 10 en 100 kPa was groter as die waterhouvermoë van die onversteurde monsters. Die waterhouvermoë van gekompakteerde monsters tussen 5 en 100 kPa was minder as die waterhouvermoë van die onversteurde monsters tussen 5 en 100 kPa. Die waterhouvermoë van gekompakteerde grondmonsters is dus onderskat. Die resultate van hierdie studie het die invloed van klei- en slik- inhoud op die volumetriese waterinhoud van onversteurde monsters, rubberring monsters en gekompakteerde monsters bevestig. Die invloed van klei en sand op die volumetriese waterinhoud van onversteurde monsters, rubberring monsters en gekompakteerde monsters het toegeneem soos die matriks potensiaal op die onderskeie monsters toegeneem het. Die invloed van fynsand op die volumetriese waterinhoud van onversteurde monsters, rubberring monsters en gekompakteerde monsters was die grootste by 5 kPa en het afgeneem tot by 100 kPa. Die mediumsand inhoud van onversteurde monsters, rubberring monsters en gekompakteerde monsters het van al die tekstuur komponente die grootste invloed op die volumetriese waterinhoud van al die monsters by 5 kPa en 10 kPa gehad. Die waterhouvermoë van onversteurde monsters, rubberring monsters en gekompakteerde monsters tussen 5 en 100 kPa is grootliks beinvloed deur die fynsand inhoud van die monsters. Die mediumsand inhoud van die monsters het ook 'n invloed gehad op die waterhouvermoë daarvan. Om die volumetriese waterinhoud van onversteurde monsters by 5, 10 en 100 kPa te voorspel, is onafhanklike veranderlikes soos fynsand inhoud, vierkantswortel van mediumsand inhoud en In van mediumsand inhoud bepaal. In die geval van modelle om die volumetriese waterinhoud van rubberring monsters by 5, 10 en 100 kPa te voorspel, is dieselfde veranderlikes gebruik as onafhanklike veranderlikes. Addisionele veranderlikes soos slik inhoud, In van slik inhoud, die vierkantswortel van die klei plus slik inhoud en die mediumsand inhoud is ook gebruik. Om die volumetriese waterinhoud van gekompakteerde monsters by 5, 10 en 100 kPa te voorspel, is die terme slik inhoud, klei plus slik inhoud, e-klei plus slik inhoud, mediumsand inhoud en vierkantswortel van mediumsand inhoud gebruik. Die modelle om volumetriese waterinhoud van rubberring samples te voorspel het die akkuraatste voorspellings gegee. Die finale modelle, om waterhouvermoë van alle monsters tussen 5 en 100 kPa en tussen 10 en 100 kPa te bepaal, het slegs fyn en mediumsand as onafhanklike veranderlikes gebruik. Grondtekstuur komponente speel dus 'n belangrike rol in die volumetriese waterinhoud van onversteurde monsters, rubberring monsters en gekompakteerde monsters by 5, 10 en 100 kPa. Die grootte van die waterhouvermoë tussen 5 en 100 kPa en tussen 10 en 100 kPa is ook beinvloed deur die grondtekstuur. Die modelle wat ontwikkel is om die volumetriese waterinhoud van monsters by 5, 10 en 100 kPa en die grootte van die waterhouvermoë tussen 5 en 100 kPa en tussen 10 and 100 kPa te voorspel, kan baie waardevol wees. Tyd en geld kan potensieel bespaar word. Die modelle wat hoogs aanbevole is, is die modelle vir onversteurde monsters. Die modele is: By 5 kPa, VWlo = 0.47259 - 0.04712 rnedlumsand?" By 10 kPa, VWlo = 0.41292 - 0.04221 mediumsando.s By 100 kPa, VWlo = 0.48080 - 0.00254 fynsand - 0.0865 In mediumsand Tussen 5 en 100 kPa, WHVo = -29.523 + 3.394 fynsand Tussen 10 en 100 kPa, WHVo = -891.794 + 232.326 In fynsand + 38.006 In mediumsand

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: With the emergence of the Internet in the early 1990's, traditional principles of building brand equity, as they were applied in physical markets, were challenged. This happened because brands were traditionally built using passive media such as radio, television and print magazines and newspapers. The Internet introduced interactive media where the consumer is not only highly informed because of the exponential expansion of technology especially on the Internet, but also because the consumer could now choose to be a participant, or not, in marketing and brand building initiatives. Theoretically, it is possible to establish certain principles to build brands in virtual markets. The best solution is however to look at past studies of different companies that present various challenges that relate directly to the Internet and its brand building initiatives, and then combine this practical knowledge with a theoretical background. In the case studies, eight success drivers were identified as being crucial to build a brand firstly in a virtual market, but also secondly in physical markets. The success drivers that were implemented by companies that managed to build strong brands on the Internet include: using a multimedia mixture to differentiate and build the brand; focusing on supreme customer commitment: entering into distribution and content alliances; moving first, fast and keeping up the pace; developing intimate customer and market knowledge; building a reputation for excellence; delivering outstanding value and in respect of cross-over marketers, respecting core brand attributes, improving on the offline brand experience online and leveraging key offline assets in favour of the online brand. Brand building on the Internet, should be clear, consistent and reflecting leadership not only in the implementation of the above success drivers, but also in respect of the overall construction of the brand.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Met die bekendstelling van die Internet in die vroeë negentiger jare, is die tradisionele beginsels van "brand building" soos toegepas in tradisionele markte bevraagteken. Dit het gebeur omrede "brands" tradisioneel gebou was deur passiewe media soos radio, televisie, tydskrifte en koerante te gebruik. Die Internet het nie net interaktiewe media bekend gestel waar die kliënt oor baie inligting beskik as gevolg van die eksponensiële uitbreiding van tegnologie op die Internet nie, maar ook het die kliënt nou die keuse om deel te neem of nie aan bemarkings en "brand building" insentiewe. Dit is moontlik om deur middel van 'n teoretiese studie sekere beginsels vas te stel ten opsigte van hoe "brands" gebou moet word op die Internet. Die beste oplossing is egter om na gevallestudies te kyk wat betrekking het op 'n paar maatskappye wat 'n verskeidenheid van uitdagings daarstel wat direk van toepassing is op "branding" insentiewe op die Internet. Die kennis verkry van die gevallestudies kan dan gekombineer word met die teoretiese kennis om 'n raamwerk daar te stel vir "branding" op die Internet. Die gevallestudies het agt sukses drywers geïdentifiseer wat krities is vir die ontwikkeling van "brand building" insentiewe in fisiese markte sowel as markte op die Internet. Die sukses drywers deur die maatskapye geïmplimenteer wat sterk "brands" of die Internet gebou het, sluit in: die gebruik van 'n multimedia mengsel om die "brand" te differensïeer en te bou; konsentrasie op uitstekende ktïente diens; sluit van verspreidings en inhouds vennootskappe, om eerste in die mark te wees en aan te hou beweeg; ontwikkel intieme klïente en mark kennis; bou 'n uitstekende reputasie; lewer uitstaande waarde en ten opsige van oorbruggings bemarkers, respekteer die basis van die "brand", verbeter die Internet "brand" se ervaring in vergelyking met die fisiese "brand" en gebruik die bates van die fisiese "brand" ten gunste van die Internet "brand". Die bou van 'n "brand" moet eenvouding, deursigtig en konstant wees sowel as leierseienskappe toon wat nie net betrekking het op die bogemelde sukses drywers nie, maar ook op die algehele "brand" projeksie en implimentasie.

Entre 1729 y 1808 desarrollaron procesos relevantes en la Provincia de Coahuila, uno de ellos fue la constante necesidad, tanto de las autoridades virreinales como de las provinciales, de establecer asentamientos permanentes viables de consolidarse y que estuvieran protegidos por un fuerte militar o presidio. Sin duda, fueron empresas difíciles y tardadas, la mayoría de las veces se presentaron obstáculos diversos, por ejemplo, la escasez de agua, la aridez de la tierra, la inexistencia de metales preciosos y la belicosidad de los indios que, al verse desplazados de sus antiguos territorios por los españoles, recurrieron a la guerra constante como un recurso desesperado por sobrevivir.
El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar las distintas funciones que desempeñaron los presidios en la provincia septentrional novohispana de Coahuila, también conocida como Nueva Extremadura, entre 1729 y 1808. Sabemos que algunas investigaciones históricas han considerado a los presidios como instituciones creadas para actividades de defensa de los caminos, ranchos, haciendas, reales de minas, villas, misiones y pueblos, habitados por vecinos españoles, mestizos e indios. Cabe resaltar que, efectivamente, esa fue su función primordial, pero también cumplieron con otras de suma relevancia, como lo fue la exploración de territorios norteños aptos para albergar un nuevo asentamiento; la organización de familias migrantes, la mayoría de ellas indígenas, que debían ser ubicadas en las poblaciones recién fundadas; proteger a los habitantes y también los caminos donde transitaban grandes cantidades de mercancías que se comerciaban con otras provincias septentrionales. Cabe señalar que esas familias de origen indígena también tuvieron gran relevancia en la fundación de pueblos y villas.

Entre agosto de 2007 e dezembro de 2010 foram realizados estudos sobre a ecologia do zorrilho, Conepatus chinga (Molina, 1782) (Carnivora: Mephitidae) no sul do Brasil. Estes estudos tiveram como focos principais a investigação de aspectos da ecologia espacial, abundância e dos hábitos alimentares da espécie. Toda a coleta de dados foi realizada nos estados do Rio Grande do Sul e Santa Catarina, extremo sul do Brasil. Estudos sobre a área de vida, padrões de deslocamento e uso de abrigo foram realizados com o uso de radio-telemetria. Como resultado, estimou-se a necessidade de áreas de vida de 1,65 km² + 1,17 km² para a espécie, sendo que machos apresentaram áreas de vida 2,5 vezes maiores do que à das fêmeas, além de padrões de deslocamentos significativamente maiores. Identificaram-se seis conformações básicas de abrigos, dos quais buracos no solo foram as mais comumente utilizadas (56% dos locais identificados). O padrão de reutilização dos abrigos foi alto (32%), especialmente entre fêmeas, que apresentaram um padrão significativamente maior do que os machos. Verificou-se a existência de grande sobreposição nas áreas de vida, inclusive nas áreas de uso intenso, embora mantenham grande distância uns dos outros e raramente compartilhem seus abrigos. Os zorrilhos apresentaram neste estudo, hábitos quase exclusivamente noturnos, uma característica comum à família. A abundância de zorrilhos foi analisada em quatro áreas com características distintas, sendo duas na região do Pampa e duas nos Campos de Cima da Serra. Para este estudo, foram realizadas transecções, com aplicação do método “distance sampling”, o que permitiu não apenas o registro de zorrilhos, que sempre foi à espécie-focal, mas também de outros mamíferos de médio e grande porte. Obteve-se o registro de 20 espécies em um total de 620 visualizações, das quais o zorrilho foi à segunda mais registrada, com densidades estimadas em 1,4 to 3,8 indivíduos por km². Esta é a primeira estimativa de densidade baseada em “transect lines” para o gênero na região Neotropical, e apresenta valores duas vezes maiores do que os conhecidos previamente por outros métodos. Obteve-se adicionalmente estimativas preliminares da densidade de Cerdocyon thous e Lycalopex gymnocercus (Carnivora: Canidae), variando entre 0,2 e 1,1 indivíduos por km², e uma estimativa robusta da densidade da lebre-européia (Lepus europaeus), com valores de 31,9 indivíduos por km², o que representa a maior estimativa da espécie já obtida na região Neotropical. A dieta da espécie foi avaliada a partir da análise de estômagos de animais atropelados em estradas. Além de zorrilhos, coletaram-se estômagos de todos os outros carnívoros encontrados mortos, o que permitiu uma análise comparativa dos hábitos alimentares de um total de dez espécies. A amplitude de nicho apresentada por estes carnívoros foi comparada à “abundância geral” dos mesmos, baseada na sumarização de observações de campo de 22 localidades. A dieta da maioria das espécies apresentou-se baseada em roedores, à exceção das dietas de Procyon cancrivorus (Procyonidae) e C. chinga. Por este motivo a sobreposição de nicho alimentar foi muito grande, novamente à exceção das duas espécies citadas. Enquanto P. cancrivorus pode ser considerado um verdadeiro omnívoro, C. chinga apresenta uma dieta à base de insetos adultos e, sobretudo, larvas de inseto, embora inclua oportunisticamente outros recursos alimentares. Juntamente com C. thous, estas três espécies apresentam as maiores amplitudes de nicho e são as espécies mais comumente encontradas na maioria das assembléias de carnívoros. Pelo contrário, pequenos felinos e G. cuja, que apresentam amplitudes de nicho reduzidas e são pouco abundantes em praticamente todas as localidades estudadas, o que está de acordo com o alto grau de correlação encontrado (r = 0,9565) entre abundância relativa e os hábitos alimentares.

No presente trabalho foram estudadas as proprie dades magnéticas do hidreto de Pd3Fe, usando espectroscopia MOssbauer no 57Fe, e medidas de magnetometria. Observamos na liga de Pd3Fe ordenada e hidrogenada eletroliticamente,um de créscimo de aproximadamente 30% no valor do campo hiperfino magnético dos átomos de Fe, 80% no valor da magnetização da amostra e 46% na temperatura de transição magnética, compara dos com os respectivos valores para a liga ordenada de Pd3Fe. Para explicar estes resultados fizemos medidas em ligas de (Pd1- x Aux)3 a temperatura de 4,2K e também na liga de Pd3Fe e no hidreto de Pd3Fe sob ação de campos magnéticos aplicados. Os resultados são apresentados e discutidos neste trabalho.
In the present work we studied the magnetic properties of the hydride Pd3FeHx, using the 57Fe MOssbauer spectroscopy, and bulk magnetisation measurements. We observed, in the eletrolytically hydrogenated alloy of Pd3Fe a reduction of approximately 30% in the magnetic hyperfine field of the iron atoms, 80% in the bulk magnetisation and 46% in the magnetic transition temperature, when compared with the values for the Pd3Fe ordered alloy. In order to explain these results we measured some alloys of (Pd 1- x Au x)3Fe at 4,2K, the Pd3Fe alloy and the hydride of Pd3Fe in external applied magnetic fields.

This study has provided an up-to-date source of information for North Carolina public school teachers to help them understand the sources of school law, the legal basis for education, the system of state and federal courts, and their rights and responsibilities. Appropriate federal and state judicial decisions, federal and state constitutional law, state statutes, State Board of Education policies, and the opinions of the Attorney General have been analyzed to determine legal principles in the following areas: 1. constitutional rights of teachers as a public school employee and a private citizen which included the areas of freedom of speech and expression; academic freedom, freedom of religion; private life; personal appearance; loyalty; 2. terms and conditions of employment which included certification, tenure, teacher's duties, due process for tenured teachers, procedural rights for nontenured teachers, dismissal for cause; and the 3. teacher's liability for students. Tort liability included strict liability; the intentional torts of assault and battery, defamation, and false imprisonment; the unintentional tort of negligence and its elements and defenses; educational malpractice; governmental immunity; and students' records. Of particular concern were assault and battery and child abuse cases as related to corporal punishment, the use of qualified privilege as a defense in defamation, and the option provided by the legislature for school boards to waive governmental immunity. North Carolina courts have determined that the fundamental principle of negligence cases in North Carolina is foreseeability of harm. As a result of this study, it has been recommended that the study be updated on an ongoing basis to maintain an up-to-date source of legal information for North Carolina teachers. ln addition, a similar study has been recommended for other states. lt was further recommended that a study examine the developing case law in educational malpractice along with state legal restrictions which interfere with good educational practices.
Ed. D.
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Chronic diseases such as osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are diseases of long duration, slow progression, and are by far the leading cause of death worldwide. A growing body of evidence links adverse exposures in early development with an increased risk of chronic diseases in adult life. The studies presented in this dissertation sought to exploit this phenomenon to determine the extent to which gestational and lactational exposure to a high fat diet predisposes the offspring to certain diseases in later life and if the eating habits of adult offspring would be able to mitigate or exacerbate these conditions.  In the study presented in Chapter III, dams fed an atherogenic high fat diet prior to conception and throughout gestation and lactation experienced excess hepatic lipid accumulation and poor birth outcome as characterized by smaller litter sizes and higher post-delivery mortality. In the offspring, gestational and lactational exposure to such a diet resulted in growth restriction and skeletal aberrations indicative of osteoporosis, despite being fed a standard rodent diet post-weaning. We propose that dietary-induced hyperlipidemia, along with pregnancy-associated factors, resulted in fatty liver and subsequently reduced litter sizes and increased early mortality, and that the skeletal aberrations seen in the mature offspring represent dietary-induced inhibition of osteogenesis in favor of adipogenesis. In the study presented in Chapter IV, early exposure to a high fat diet resulted in central obesity, elevated lipid levels, hyperglycemia, and additional markers used in the diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome. Altering the diets of the mature offspring demonstrated that the eating habits of adulthood have the potential to mitigate or exacerbate certain metabolic parameters established earlier in life. Mechanisms contributing to the observed metabolic aberrations could include developmental plasticity and mismatch, catch-up growth, and altered programming of the appetite regulatory network. Collectively, this research suggests that early exposure to a fat-rich diet can lead to metabolic and skeletal aberrations in the adult offspring and adds support to the developmental origins of health and disease hypothesis by finding that adverse nutritional exposures in early life can play a role in the chronic diseases of adulthood.

Ph. D.

Fresh market tomatoes have been associated with 15 multistate Salmonella outbreaks between 1973 and 2010. While, S. enterica survival has been studied in tomato plants, field studies have been limited. To understand pathogen growth and survival, in crop fields, surrogate or attenuated organisms must be developed and validated. The purpose of this study was to compare the growth and survival of seven attenuated S. enterica Typhimurium and Newport strains against virulent strains S. Typhimurium ATCC14028 and S. Newport J1892 in optimum (TSB and TSB+kan) and minimal M9 growth media, and in commercial, red ripe tomatoes. Bacterial growth in media was assessed via BioScreen. Tomatoes were separately inoculated with 7 Log CFU/g of each isolate via vacuum infiltration, surface spot inoculation, or diced inoculation. Populations of each strain were determined on Days 0, 1, 3, and 5. In media, there were few differences in overall growth and growth rates between mutant isolates and wild-type (P<0.05). Growth in M9 was less (P<0.01), while growth rates were higher (P<0.01) than in TSB. In tomatoes (per treatment), there were no significant differences between growth rates of each isolate compared to WT (P>0.05); however, Salmonella strains in diced tomatoes had a higher growth rate than that in spot treated tomatoes (P>0.05). The growths of all the isolates in tomatoes indicated that under the tested conditions, isolates acted similarly to their WT counterparts. Thus, these strains may be able to be used as surrogate organisms in field studies.
Master of Science in Life Sciences

The vitamin E, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, and folate status of 22 gastric bypass subjects ages 23 to 60 yr was evaluated before, 6 mo, and 12 mo post-surgery. Before surgery 77.3% of subjects had adequate vitamin E status; 36.3%, adequate vitamin B-6 status; 100.0%, adequate vitamin B-12 status; and 45.5%, adequate folate status. After surgery, subjects were classified into 3 vitamin supplement groups based on average daily vitamin supplement intake. Subjects taking higher levels of supplements containing these vitamins had significantly higher plasma concentrations of the vitamins than those taking low or moderate levels. The mean plasma vitamin values in the moderate supplement group were indicative of adequate status for all vitamins, but plasma vitamin B-12 levels at 12 mo post-surgery were significantly lower than pre-surgery levels. In the low supplement group, mean plasma vitamin levels were in or near marginal or deficient range. The majority of subjects consuming supplements of vitamin E, vitamin B-6, and folate near the US RDA maintained normal vitamin status. Subjects taking 100+ ug vitamin B-12 daily had adequate vitamin B-12 status. Significant correlations (r = .67 to .94) were observed between vitamin supplement levels and the respective plasma vitamin concentrations.
Ph. D.
incomplete_metadata

In this thesis a methodology for representing 3D subjects and their deformations in adverse situations is studied. The study is focused in providing methods based on registration techniques to improve the data in situations where the sensor is working in the limit of its sensitivity. In order to do this, it is proposed two methods to overcome the problems which can difficult the process in these conditions. First a rigid registration based on model registration is presented, where the model of 3D planar markers is used. This model is estimated using a proposed method which improves its quality by taking into account prior knowledge of the marker. To study the deformations, it is proposed a framework to combine multiple spaces in a non-rigid registration technique. This proposal improves the quality of the alignment with a more robust matching process that makes use of all available input data. Moreover, this framework allows the registration of multiple spaces simultaneously providing a more general technique. Concretely, it is instantiated using colour and location in the matching process for 3D location registration.

Hoy en día, los ríos de regiones principalmente desarrolladas presentan un exceso de las emisiones de nutrientes debido al crecimiento de las actividades humanas en sus cuencas. Esto conlleva un estrés ecológico significativo. El aumento de las emisiones de nitrógeno (N) y fósforo (P) se debe principalmente al crecimiento económico, tecnológico y de la población entre otros. Para controlar estas emisiones, se están produciendo cambios legislativos acompañados de nuevas actitudes sociales. Un ejemplo en Europa, es la Directiva Marco del Agua (DMA), cuya implementación requiere de la realización de una Evaluación Ambiental Integrada (EAI) que permita ampliar el conocimiento para una mejor gestión de las fuentes de los nutrientes (N y P). La EAI resulta crucial para la gestión sostenible de los recursos hidrológicos y para mantener la calidad ecológica de los ecosistemas especialmente vulnerables, como son, en este caso, los de las zonas Mediterráneas.
En este proyecto de tesis, se llevó a cabo una evaluación ambiental integrada e interdisciplinaria de los flujos de nutrientes de la cuenca del río Tordera, en Cataluña (Nordeste de España). Los periodos temporales evaluados son dos: primero, el que va desde inicios del año 1995 hasta inicios del año 2003, y el segundo consiste en tres escenarios de futuro para el año 2030. Los objetivos de la evaluación han sido los de estimar los flujos de nitrógeno y fósforo, analizar el sistema socioeconómico en relación a estos flujos, así como diseñar escenarios socio-económicos a través de un proceso participativo. En relación a este último, se han evaluado y cuantificado cambios potenciales en relación a los flujos de nutrientes correspondientes a cada escenario.
A partir de un análisis social y el modelado de las fuentes puntuales y difusas de nutrientes (N y P), se ha podido describir las relaciones de los parámetros socioeconómicos que afectan los flujos de N y P y, consecuentemente, la calidad de las aguas. Las entrevistas llevadas a cabo permitieron identificar y entender las interacciones presentes y pasadas entre el sistema natural y social y llevar a cabo un análisis de los actores sociales que contribuyen a la contaminación del agua. El empleo de un modelo de estimación de emisiones de nitrógeno y fósforo, MONERIS (Modelling Nutrient Emissions into River Systems) orientado para su aplicación a escala de cuenca, permitió la identificación de las fuentes de nutrientes y la cuantificación de sus emisiones para el periodo 1995-2002. Posteriormente, se diseñaron escenarios socio-económicos por medio de un proceso participativo.
En el contexto de la Directiva Marco del Agua, este estudio puede ser considerado como un ejemplo del proceso requerido para la gestión sostenible de las fuentes antropogénicas de nutrientes en una cuenca hidrográfica. La integración de datos procedentes de las ciencias naturales y del análisis socioeconómico resulta fundamental para conseguir una información de mayor calidad y alcance que pueda contribuir a la toma de decisiones de los gestores y planificadores de cuencas en el planteamiento de las mejores opciones de gestión de las fuentes antropogénicas de N y P.
Rivers, particularly in developed regions, are under significant ecological stress as a consequence of the increasing development of human activities in their catchments. This is especially reflected in excess nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) emissions, which are the product of complex dynamic systems influenced by demographic, socioeconomic and technological factors among others. This situation has been addressed in Europe through specific legislation such as the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). Its application requires conducting an Integrated Environmental Assessment (IEA) for the management of nutrients in river basins. In Mediterranean regions, where the aquatic ecosystems are particularly vulnerable, an IEA is essential for the sustainable management of hydrological resources and to maintain the ecological quality of the ecosystem.
In this thesis, using a Catalan river catchment as a case study (La Tordera, North-East of Spain), an integrated and interdisciplinary environmental assessment of nutrient flows was undertaken for the period from early 1990s to early 2000s, and the future, i.e., the 2030 horizon. This assessment involved not only the estimation of N and P fluxes, and the analysis of the socioeconomic system that interact with theses fluxes, but also the participatory development of future scenarios, their quantification and the evaluation of the potential changes in nutrient flows under each of these quantitative scenarios.
By analysing the social system and point and diffuse sources of nutrients (N and P), the respective roles of socio-economic driving forces that affect N and P loads and hence water quality were recognised. Interviews were conducted to identify and understand the interactions and feedbacks between the natural and social system over the past and present time, and the analysis of the social actors that contribute to water contamination. The application of a nutrient emission model, MONERIS (Modelling Nutrient Emissions into River Systems), designed for river basin scale, enabled the identification of nutrient sources and quantification of their emissions during the period 1995-2002. This assessment was then followed by the development of narrative socioeconomic scenarios through a participatory process and their quantification.
The study conducted can be viewed as an example of the process required for the sustainable management of the anthropogenic sources of nutrients in a river basin. By integrating findings of natural sciences and socioeconomic analysis, it is then possible to obtain information that can assist catchment managers and planners in evaluating optimal management strategies for the anthropogenic sources of N and P as required by the European Water Framework Directive for river basin management plans.

The primary vector of malaria in the eastern United States, Anopheles quadrimaculatus (Say), was recently discovered to be a complex of five different cryptic species: A - An. quadrimaculatus, B - An. smaragdinus, C1 - An. diluvialis, C2 - An. Inundatus, D - An. maverlius (Reinert et al. 1997). In this research project, the goals were to determine which species were found in Texas, establish overall distribution patterns of those species, and observe the dates in which each specimens were collected so that any seasonal changes in species could be observed. Both An. quadrimaculatus (A) and An. smaragdinus (B) were identified from collections made throughout Texas from September 2002 through January 2005. Anopheles smaragdinus only made up 3% of the total specimens collected and neither An. inundatus nor An. maverlius were collected in Texas, even though they have both been collected in neighboring Parishes in Louisiana. Anopheles. quadrimaculatus' habitat and geographic range was found to be more extensive than An. smaragdinus. While An. smaragdinus was found only in the easternhalf of Texas with no collection south of Fort Bend County, An. quadrimaculatus was found throughout the eastern half of Texas, many of the southern Golf coast counties, and a few counties in far west Texas. The most common land cover where An. quadrimaculatus specimens were collected was on pasture/hay fields. This is very different from An. smaragdinus specimens in that pasture/hay was one of the least common land covers and the dominant land cover was woody wetlands. Overall, An. smaragdinus was usually associated with land covers that could provide shelter, while An. quadrimaculatus could be found among habitat that was more open and urban. There was no observed change in the species composition over time in this study. In fact, when An. smaragdinus was collected, An. quadrimaculatus was usually collected at the same time. Both An. quadrimaculatus and An. smaragdinus were collected throughout late spring, summer and early fall. Of course, the collection times of these species could have been an artifact of when most of the collectors were looking for An. quadrimaculatus (Say) specimens.

This dissertation provides evidence that information displays to support procedure following can aid performance and increase situational awareness and safety. The intent of such displays is to assist operators in not only following operational procedures, but also in comprehending the context of the procedures, enabling them to understand why, when, and how to deviate from the procedures if necessary. The results of the dissertation research show that the addition of procedure context increases situation awareness and reduces procedure-following errors, which has been shown to be a significant causative factor for accidents in aviation and other domains. In addition, a pilots ability to comprehend noncompliance appears to be limited, despite their interest in (and ability to) detect noncompliance. Pilots do not appear be able to interpret the consequences of that noncompliance, suggesting that the design of displays and procedures should assist them in doing so. The results also demonstrate that pilots attempted to use procedure information even when clearly outside the scope of the procedure. This means that procedures and procedure-support aids should consider operation outside of its normal bounds in their design, rather than only for nominal operation as is currently the case.

Doctor of Philosophy
Aim. This study aims to investigate self-understanding in young males with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and to determine whether self-understanding is related to social functioning and theory of mind (ToM). In addition, this study aims to examine the characteristics and abilities of young males with high-functioning autism (HFA) and Asperger’s disorder (AD) to determine whether there are significant differences in selfunderstanding and whether self-understanding is related to social functioning and ToM between these two groups. The results have important implications for social skills interventions for young people with ASD. Method. Forty three young males diagnosed with one of the ASD (25 diagnosed with HFA and 18 diagnosed with AD) were compared with 38 TD males. Participants were assessed using the Autism Diagnostic Interview- Revised (ADI-R), the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT), the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS), the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test- Third Edition (PPVT-III), Damon and Hart’s Self-understanding Interview, and two false-belief ToM tasks. Results. Children with ASD had difficulties recognising and attributing their own mental states and failed to integrate various aspects of the self. Specifically, the ASD group produced fewer self-statements that reflected agency (the awareness and understanding that one is in control of their actions), social aspects of self (such as personality characteristics and group membership) and psychological aspects of self (such as emotions, thoughts and cognitive processes). Instead, children with ASD produced more concrete physical self-statements (such as body characteristics and material possessions). A significant positive relationship was found between selfunderstanding and social functioning for the ASD group. Within the ASD group, the relationship held for the HFA group only. In terms of ToM, children with ASD were less able to correctly answer the second-order false-belief ToM question compared to the TD group. For the ASD group, there was a significant positive correlation between self-understanding and ToM. Within the ASD group, the relationship held for the HFA group only. Conclusions. The results show young males with high-functioning ASD are less aware of their own and others’ mental states perhaps reflecting a general delay in the development of self-understanding and ToM. Furthermore, a more developed self-understanding may translate to improved social functioning and ToM ability for young males with high-functioning ASD. For young males with HFA, self-understanding and ToM may stem from a common underlying cognitive framework. Consequently, treatments aimed at improving self-understanding may simultaneously improve ToM, or vice versa. For individuals with AD there may be a separate cognitive mechanism responsible for self-understanding and another for ToM. Therefore, different interventions may be required; one to improve self-understanding and another to improve the understanding of others’ minds. Overall, these results may assist in the development of practice parameters for social skills training for those with ASD.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007.
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 October 26, 2007) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Background: This research study investigates the position of legal interpreting within the England and Wales’ criminal justice system, as well as the status of legal interpreters. This study has been carried out with nine categories of personnel within the criminal justice system, comprising of judges, lawyers, clerks to the justices, magistrates, probation officers, police officers, prison officers, immigration officers and immigration advisory service officers, 186 number in total. Methods: a qualitative method of enquiry is adopted with questionnaires sent to the above categories, which formed the basis of nine questions used in semi-structured interviews with 38 members from the above categories. The categories were not equally represented, depending on access. These interviews have been considered as the major method of investigation. Participant observation is used as an informal method of enquiry for deepening contextualisation of the study. Themes: four main themes have emerged. They are: culture and communication, role and contradictory role of the interpreter, the position of the interpreter and context of interpreting barriers. Findings: the practice of interpreting is misunderstood and undervalued. The interpreter is not considered as an active participant in the legal process. The role of the interpreter is viewed in terms of a mechanical one, since interpreters are expected to interpret word for word without seeking clarifications of unclear utterance or concept. Implications of the study: criminal justice personnel need a deeper understanding of the practice of interpreting and the diverse role of the interpreter. The study highlights the professional status of interpreters. Proposals have been put forward for improvements to the present situation through statutory recognition and protection of title.

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Educating space professionals is an expensive endeavor. The use of technologies such as CubeSats can cut the cost giving space professionals real world experience in satellite design, testing, integration and operations. The Naval Postgraduate School-Solar Cell Array Tester (NPS-SCAT) will be the first of what may be many CubeSats developed by the Space Systems Academic Group, Small Satellite Laboratory. This thesis analyzes the NPS-SCAT program from the program managers point of view and provides an overview of the development of the program from an un-qualified Engineering Design Unit (EDU) to a fully qualified EDU. Also included in this thesis is a description of the subsystems and full cost analysis that covers the total costs from concept to flight unit.

Work context has many consequences for the psychological outcomes of employees. These outcomes also have consequences for the employer through possible loss of productivity, impaired health of employees which may be associated with absenteeism and turnover intention, among others. The literature also shows that these outcomes are not always the same even under similar working conditions. Theorising in cognitive psychology indicates that the way in which an individual appraises a situation may be more important to psychological outcomes than the actual presence of a stressor. Recently, personal resources have been hypothesised to influence these individual differences. Few if any studies have explored such personal resources as moderators in the relationship between work context and psychological outcomes, especially in the South African public service context. Thus, the general aim of this study was to determine whether personal resources (emotional intelligence, self-efficacy and explanatory styles) are moderators in the relationship between work context Gob demands and job resources) and psychological outcomes (psychological well-being and work engagement) in a sample of government employees. A cross-sectional survey research design was implemented. Data were collected from 459 participants with the following measuring instruments, the Job-Demands Resources (JD-R) Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the Affectomemter-2 Short-form (AFM.), the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) , the Emotional Intelligence Scale (ElS), the General Self-efficacy (GSE) scale, and the Explanatory Style (ES) Questionnaire. A demographic questionnaire was developed by the first author to capture diverse information from the participants relating to gender, turnover intention, post level and so forth. Analyses were conducted mainly in 2 steps. Firstly, multiple regression analyses were used to test the main effects of work context variables on psychological outcomes. Secondly, two-step hierarchical regression analyses were used to test whether personal resources (emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, and explanatory styles) moderated the relationship between work context variables and psychological outcomes. Before testing the moderation, all independent variables and moderator variables (dimensions of personal resources) were centred so as to exclude the possibility of any multicollinearity in the regression equation. The results of the study, reported in three articles/manuscripts, showed significant main effects for work context and the personal resources as predictors of psychological outcomes. In the second place, the results also showed that the personal resources used in this study moderate the relationship between work context and psychological outcomes. In the first article, it was concluded that emotional intelligence is of potential value, especially in the public sector that is focussed on optimal service delivery, and where emotional encounters are stock-in-trade. Emotional intelligence is a valuable personal resource to cultivate for establishing, developing, and maintaining positive outcomes in psychological well-being in the workplace. In the second article, it was concluded that as self-efficacy beliefs facilitate actions and behaviour taken by individuals, it is important that feedback and modelling could play an important role especially in service-oriented work contexts that may need self-regulation of emotions. In the third article, it was concluded that as attributional feedback can induce change in how individuals perceive their success or failure in a task, the role of explanatory styles in psychological outcomes could be cultivated through active feedback given to employees on their performance and possibilities of future growth in the organisation. Overall it was concluded that a lack of job resources in the presence of high job demands will undermine psychological outcomes even in the presence of personal resources. Therefore, the consequences for health impairment and negative outcomes cannot be over-emphasised in a situation where job demands outstrip job resources. Employees in the public service require skills such as social and emotional competency, self-efficacy and optimism as these are important tools in dealing with the public. Employees must have initiative, flexibility, motivation to achieve, empathy, self-esteem and confidence, self-control, and group management among fellow employees and the public that is served by them. Although the limitations for this study are related to the fact that it was a cross-sectional research design and data was collected using self-reports, insights were gained about the role of personal resources in the relationship between work context and psychological outcomes. Based on all three articles, it was recommended that cross lagged panel studies may be useful in further clarifying the role of personal resources in longitudinal studies about the relationship between job resources and psychological outcomes and possible upward spirals arising from facilitating these relationships. Aspects of such studies may also include a qualitative assessment of what participants perceive as job resources and personal resources and these help them to achieve their goals.
Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Trabalho de Projeto apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Terapêutica da Fala, área de especialização em Linguagem na criança
Este estudo objetiva a observação e comparação das intenções e das formas de comunicação mais usadas nas funções de comunicação Regulação do Comportamento e Interação Social, em crianças residentes em Núcleo Familiar Natural (NFN) e em Centro de Acolhimento Temporário (CAT), nas faixas etárias entre os 12 e os 36 meses de idade. A amostra foi constituída por 50 crianças, repartindo-se em igual número por ambos os ambientes. A recolha dos dados foi obtida num único momento, com a interação entre pesquisador e criança. A análise dos dados foi realizada com recurso ao programa SPSS® IBM© Statistics e contagem manual. O resultado da pesquisa permitiu compreender algumas diferenças entre os grupos estudados: as crianças residentes em CAT evidenciaram mais uso da função interação social; tanto as crianças residentes em NFN, como as residentes em CAT, usaram mais a função de comunicação regulação do comportamento e, as crianças residentes em CAT demonstraram um menor desenvolvimento dos meios simbólicos. As intenções comunicativas mais usadas na função do regulamento do comportamento para ambos os ambientes foram “pede comida/objetos desejados” e “protesta/recusa objetos/comida não desejada”. As formas de comunicação mais usadas nesta função foram a nível pré-simbólico as expressões faciais e o contacto ocular e a nível simbólico as palavras isoladas e as combinações de palavras, embora esta última com menos expressão. Ao nível da função comunicativa interação social verificou-se que a intenção mais usada no ambiente CAT foi claramente “pede conforto”, seguindo-se das intenções “toma a vez” e “pede jogos sociais”. No ambiente NFN as mais usadas foram “pede jogos sociais”, “saúda” e “pede conforto”. As formas de comunicação também mais usadas a nível pré-simbólico as expressões faciais e o contacto ocular e a nível simbólico as palavras isoladas e as combinações de palavras. The aim of this study is to oberve and compare communication intentions and forms mot commonly used in Behaviour Regulation and Social Interaction, in children living in Natural Familiy Nucleous (NFN) and Temporary Foster Centre (TFC), in the age groups between 12 to 36 months of age. Sample was constituted by 50 children, being split in equal mumbers for both environments. Data collection was obtained in a single moment between the researcher and the participant children. Data analysis was performed using SPSS® IBM© Statistics and manual couting. Results from this study allowed understand some differences between groups: Children living in TFC showed more use of social interaction function: both children from TFC and NFN applied more the behaviour regulation communication function, and children from TFC revealed less development of symbolic means. The comunicative intentions more used in the in behaviour regulation function for both groups were “requests for food/objects” and “protests/refuses food/objects not desired”. The most common communicational forms utilized in this function were , at a pre-symbolic level, facial expressions and eye contact, and at a symbolic level, isolated words and word combinations, although the latter in minor frequency. At the level of communicative function social interaction it was observed that the most common intention used in TFC environment was “confort request”, followed by the intentions “takes his turn” and “requests social games”. In NFN environment also “requests social games”, “saluts” and “confort request” were the most commons. The communication forms more used at a pre-symbolic level were the facial expressions and eye contact, and at a symbolic level isolated words and word combinations.

Trabalho apresentado no âmbito do Mestrado em Engenharia Informática, como requisito parcial para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Informática
A quantidade de dados georreferenciados disponíveis está a crescer rapidamente e vai continuar a crescer no futuro, devido a razões tecnológicas e sociais. Estes dados georreferenciados podem fornecer dados importantes sobre o comportamento humano, através de vários tipos de análises. Esta dissertação pretende investigar os limites e potencialidades da computação ubíqua, aplicada a um contexto pessoal, cruzando as noções de espacialização, temporalização e percepção. A análise assenta nos padrões pessoais de movimento. Quase todas as pessoas frequentam todos os dias os mesmos lugares. Todos os dias vão para o trabalho, para casa ou ao mesmo café. O objectivo é proporcionar ao utilizador a visualização dos padrões da sua vida. Esta análise consiste em verificar os locais que o utilizador frequenta e em realçar os locais que o utilizador visita poucas vezes. Realçar o imprevisto na vida de cada um. Neste âmbito, foi desenvolvida uma aplicação que permite, ao utilizador, analisar os próprios movimentos instantaneamente. Cada utilizador tem a sua própria aplicação, que se executa no seu dispositivo móvel, o que torna esta análise bastante pessoal. Para cada tipo de análise foi desenvolvida uma visualização a ser apresentada no dispositivo móvel. Também foi implementada a exportação das análises para formatos de ficheiros específicos, que permitem uma melhor visualização. A aplicação desenvolvida foi avaliada, através de testes de usabilidade e de capacidade de reconhecimento das visualizações implementadas.

Mestrado em Gestão de Sistemas de Informação
Nos dias de hoje, o recurso às melhores práticas para tecnologias de informação está a tornar-se cada vez mais comum, requerendo um maior investimento nesta área, dando assim melhor e maior suporte aos serviços de SI/TI prestados. No entanto, aderir aos modelos e standards de boas práticas não é trivial, o que faz com que muitas organizações não adoptem as mesmas. Consequentemente, os responsáveis desta área optam por implementar apenas alguns processos em vez de implementações mais abrangentes. Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) é um dos standards de boas práticas disponível e que por sinal muitas empresas já têm investido nela directa ou indirectamente, fornecendo assim linhas de orientação para melhorar os seus serviços de TI. Com este estudo, pretende-se identificar, através de um inquérito, qual o nível de maturidade das organizações relativamente a implementação dos processos ITIL. Os resultados obtidos revelam que o nível médio de maturidade entre as grandes empresas e as PMEs não diferem muito.
Nowadays, the use of best practices for information technology is becoming increasingly common, requiring greater investment in this area, thus giving better services and greater support for IS / IT providers. However, adhering to standards and models of good practice is not trivial, which means that many organizations do not adopt them. Consequently, those responsible for this area choose to implement only some processes rather than broader implementations. Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is one of the standards of good practice available and by the way many companies have already invested in it directly or indirectly, thus providing guidelines to improve their IT services. This study aims to identify, through a survey, what level of maturity organizations have reached regarding the implementation of ITIL processes. The results show that, the average level of maturity between large companies and SMEs do not differ much.

O presente relatório insere-se no âmbito da unidade curricular de Prática de Ensino Supervisionada do Mestrado em Educação Pré-Escolar e pretende aprofundar a reflexão sobre a ação educativa desenvolvida num jardim-de-infância situado em contexto urbano. Inclui, num primeiro capítulo, a contextualização da prática educativa, incidindo sobre a instituição, o grupo de crianças e as opções pedagógicas em que se procura apoiar a ação educativa. Apresentam-se, num segundo capítulo, experiências de aprendizagem, através das quais se questiona e dá a conhecer o trabalho que desenvolvemos com um grupo de crianças de três anos de idade. Nelas são contempladas as várias áreas e domínios curriculares, enveredando por uma abordagem curricular integrada de cariz socio-construtivista. Releva-se a participação e envolvimento ativo das crianças no desenvolvimento de atividades e projetos que se apresentem potencialmente facilitadores do seu bem-estar e progressão. Procede-se, num último capítulo, à reflexão sobre a globalidade da prática educativa, questionando-a e repensando-a, em ordem à melhoria do percurso formativo em que nos envolvemos. This report falls under the course of Supervised Teaching Practice of the Master of Education Pre-School and intends to deepen the reflection on the educational activity developed over an academic year, a kindergarten located in an urban context. Includes, in the first chapter, the context of educational practice, about the institution, the group of children and the pedagogical choices that seeks to support the educational activity. We present, in the second chapter, a set of learning experience, through which questions and gives knowing the work we do with a group of children three years of age. Them are included the various areas and curricular domains, embarking on an approach of an integrated curriculum-oriented socio-constructivist. It should be the participation and active involvement of children in the development of projects and activities that present potential facilitators of their well-being and advancement. The procedure is, in the last chapter, the reflection on the whole of pedagogical practice that has developed, questioning it and rethinking it, in order to seek answers to the improvement of the training path in which we engage.

Aísla los principios activos fenólicos con actividad anticoagulante sobre el plasma humano y desarrolla su caracterización bioquímica Oenothera rosea, para lo cual se realiza el extracto alcohólico y se detecta la presencia de fenoles, flavonoides, saponinas, glicósidos y tanino. A partir del extracto alcohólico se obtiene la fase acuosa y se realiza una CCF sobre celulosa obteniéndose 9 fracciones, 5 de las cuales resultan positivas para fenoles y flavonoides, y dos de éstas muestran actividad anticoagulante sobre plasma humano citratado (PHC), fibrinógeno bovino (FB) y disminuyen la actividad amidolítica (BApNA) que presentan la Trombina bovina (TB) y el veneno de L.muta (V). Los porcentajes de inhibición de la fase acuosa son 95,74 (TB-FB); 90,08 (V-FB); 63,58 (V-PHC) y 92,65 (V-BApNA). Para la fracción F-2: 58,57%,10,67%, 34,14%, y 88,59 %; F-5: 96,79%, 36,27%,70,69% y 92,92%, para cada uno de los sistemas, en el orden indicado para la primera muestra. Por técnicas de espectrofotometría UV-Vis y reacciones de desplazamiento propuestos por Mabry et al.(1970) se identifica los 5 flavonoides y se propone las siguientes estructuras: F-2: 3',4',5, trihidroxi-3,7-O-digli flavonol ; F-3: 3',4',5,7-tetrahidroxi-3-O-rhamno-glucosil flavonol (rutina), F-4: 3',4',5,7- tetrahidroxi-3-metóxido flavonol, F-5 : 3',4',-dihidroxi-7-O-gli-5 metóxido flavona y F-6: 5,6,7-trihidroxi flavona (Baicaleina). Los resultados indican que 3',4',5, trihidroxi-3,7-O-digli flavonol y 3',4',-dihidroxi, 7-O-gli, 5 metoxi flavona son los flavonoides glicosilados que inhiben la coagulación siendo F-5 el más potente. El mecanismo de acción no es conocido aún, pero ambos podrían con facilidad donar un H ácido del anillo B a la His 57 del centro activo de las enzimas y formar enlace de H con la Ser inhibiendo la actividad enzimática y formando un complejo flavonoide-enzima.
Tesis

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This essay consists of three studies, two theoretical and one empirical. The aim of this study was to investigate the manifestation of post-traumatic reactions in victims of bank attacks. The first article presented a theoretical discussion about Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) resulting from occupational accident, including diagnostic criteria and psychological, socioeconomic, and legal implications of the disorder. The second paper is a theoretical review of the psychological consequences for victims who experienced a trauma, with suggestions on methods and tools for assessing post-traumatic reactions in adults. The empirical article was a descriptive study, with ex-post facto design and aimed to investigate the manifestation of post-traumatic reactions in bank employees who experienced bank attacks. It was found that most of bank employees had significant post-traumatic symptoms, with prevalence of hyperarousal symptoms, as well as significant levels of anxiety and depression. Overall, these outcomes point to the unsafeness that accompanies the routine of bank employees, which plays a role in symptomatic manifestation, as well as cognitive processing and coping strategies.
Esta dissertação é composta de três estudos, sendo dois teóricos e um empírico, apresentados na forma de artigos. O objetivo geral do trabalho foi investigar a manifestação de reações pós-traumáticas em bancários vítimas de ataques a bancos. O primeiro artigo teórico apresentou uma discussão acerca do Transtorno de Estresse Pós- Traumático (TEPT) decorrente de acidente de trabalho, incluindo critérios diagnósticos e as principais repercussões clínicas, socioeconômicas e jurídicas desencadeadas em virtude do transtorno. O segundo artigo consiste em uma revisão teórica sobre as possíveis consequências psicológicas para as vítimas que experienciam um trauma, além de apresentar sugestões sobre métodos e instrumentos para a avaliação de reações pós-traumáticas em adultos. O artigo empírico caracteriza-se como uma pesquisa descritiva quanto aos seus objetivos, com um delineamento do tipo ex-post facto e teve como objetivo geral investigar a manifestação de reações pós-traumáticas em bancários vítimas de ataques a bancos. Constatou-se que grande parte dos bancários apresentou sintomatologia pós-traumática significativa, com predomínio de sintomas de excitabilidade aumentada, bem como níveis expressivos de ansiedade e depressão. De forma geral, esses resultados apontam para a insegurança que acompanha a rotina dos bancários, a qual desempenha um papel na manifestação sintomática, bem como no processamento cognitivo e nas estratégias de coping desses trabalhadores.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD
The unacceptable high rate of maternal and neonatal deaths in Nigeria has been persistently unabated. Therefore, the present quality of maternal care evident by the magnitude of severe maternal/neonatal morbidity and mortality in this region makes designing of a model that will serve as a framework for provision of quality maternity care to women and their new-born a worthwhile study. The global report of deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth documented 600,000 maternal deaths annually. Developing countries, including Nigeria, have the highest burden of maternal and neonatal deaths resulting from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. There has been no improvement in Nigeria as far as maternal and neonatal deaths are concerned. In Nigeria, the maternal mortality ratio in 2008 was recorded as 545/100,000 live births, and 576/100,000 live births in 2013. Women and children from low socioeconomic background are the vulnerable groups. The peculiarity of their vulnerability predisposes them to finding quicker and cheaper avenues to seek health care. The Primary Health Care (PHC) maternity facilities are to serve this large population of women and their babies at grassroots level. Few studies have been done to measure quality of antenatal and delivery care separately at higher level of care with resultant subjective findings and conclusions. Each of these aspects of maternity is a part of the whole and not the whole. Currently, there is gross dearth of literature regarding quality of maternity services at the disposal of the vulnerable women, who are likely to utilize the PHC facilities. The measurement of the quality of the existing maternity services at primary level is imperative for designing a more effective model capable of improving quality of services at this level. This study sought to develop a quality service improvement model for primary level-based maternity following rigorous analysis of the quality of its structure, the process and the outcome as proposed by Donabedian. The specific objectives of the study were to describe the status of infrastructures, equipment, instruments, medications; investigate the degree to which the services rendered are timely, appropriate, satisfactory and consistent with current professional knowledge; investigate the degree to which services rendered in the facilities are satisfactory to the women and uphold their basic reproductive rights; measure clients’ return rates for maternity-related services in the facilities; and to develop a validated model to guide provision of quality maternity care in PHC facilities. Using a theory-generating approach, the study was conducted in two distinct phases. The first phase focused on analysis of the existing maternity services at PHC level, while the second phase concentrate on model development. The first phase, which is an embedded mixed-methods approach, utilized validated clients’ questionnaire, health workers’ questionnaire, observation checklist, focused group discussions, and in-depth interviews for data collection. A multistage sampling method was used for sample size selection. Five local government areas (LGAs) in Ibadan were selected purposively. Similarly, all the facilities that offer maternity care in each LGA were purposively selected. Postnatal women, health workers in each facility, medical officers of health (MOHs) and heads of facilities were the participants in the study. A total of 755 postnatal women who participated in the surveys were recruited from the sample frames (attendance registers) using systematic random sampling. A validated structured questionnaire was utilized to elicit information on their experiences with their chosen places of antenatal and childbirth care from pregnancy to puerperium. Similarly, the 130 health workers who participated in the surveys were recruited from the sample frames (duty rosters) using systematic random sampling. A validated structured questionnaire was utilized to elicit information on their competences, attitudes and the midwifery practice in their respective facilities. In addition to the quantitative surveys, focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted for some postnatal women and four MOHs/heads of group of facilities. The participants for the FGDs and the IDIs were conveniently and purposively selected, respectively. FGD guide and IDI guide were used to guide the interviewers. The study was approved by the Faculty Board Research and Ethics Committees, the Senate Research Committee of University of the Western Cape and Oyo State Research Ethical Review Committee in Nigeria. Informed consent was obtained from each study participant. Autonomy, anonymity, and confidentiality of information provided by the participants were ensured. Nobody was coerced to participate in the study. The data collected with the aid of observation checklist and questionnaire from the selected PHC, health workers and client (postnatal women) were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency/percentage distributions); while association between variables of interest and difference in mean values were done using chi-square and t-test statistics, respectively. The second phase of the study focused on model development, and was done in line with a theory- generating research process in the literature supported by McKenna & Slevin, (2008) and Chinn& Kramer (2014). The developed model was tested for its appropriateness, adequacy, accuracy and whether it represents reality, for it to be assumed effective in achieving the goal if applied in midwifery practice at primary level.Client-participants were between 15 and 44 years; their mean age ± standard deviation was 28 ±5.3. The health workers were between 20 and 58 years; mean age ± standard deviation being 41 ±10. Out of the 730 client-participants, 92.1 % were married. None of the women had access to preconception counselling in any health facility. A total of 92.6 % of the women received prenatal care under the existing traditional model of antenatal care (ANC), out of which 22.6 %registered for ANC in two different facilities for various reasons. Although there was gross shortage of manpower in all the facilities, the percentage of nurses/midwives was fewer than that of the community health extension workers (CHEWs) and health assistants (HAs), while only one medical doctor was employed to cover all the different types of facilities in each local government area . There was a questionable staff level of competence reported in the study. Evidence of training in life-saving skill (LSS), post-abortion care (PAC) and safe motherhood was rare among the health worker participants. Among health workers who had witnessed vaginal laceration and those who claimed to have performed episiotomy on women, 30.2% and 32.6 % would depend on other health workers for repair of the vaginal traumas, respectively. Partograph was not in use for management of progress of labour by any health worker in any of the facilities. Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis showed evidences of abuse of women’s rights to timely, quality and respectful maternity care and risky practices by the health workers. The conditions of the buildings used for PHC centres and the beds were not satisfactory. There was gross inadequacy of essential and basic items needed to provide standard and quality care across all the facilities, while significant proportion of the available equipment/instruments were obsolete, dirty, rusty and faulty. The infection prevention and control practices were sub- standard. Inadequate funding by respective local government authorities was implicated for the poor conditions of infrastructures, equipment/instruments, staff recruitments and consequent shortage of manpower. Low level of patients’ satisfaction, evidenced by verbal expression, percentage difference between antenatal registration and childbirth record, immunization clinic visits and childbirth record in each facility, was reported. Therefore, fixing the deplorable and/or non-commodious building infrastructures to meet the required standard, provision of facilities and items needed for quality care and infection prevention, recruitment of skilled qualified health professionals, establishing a new Primary Health Board in the state to provide efficient funding and effective monitoring systems were recommended, based on the findings of the study. Lastly, the implementation of the newly developed model is strongly recommended in order to improve women’s and new-born’s health.
Centre for Teaching and Learning Scholarship, School of Nursing, University of the Western Cape

Neste trabalho, colocam-se em paralelo as abordagens didáticas de dois compositores reconhecidos da literatura do violão: Fernando Sor (1778-1839) e Leo Brouwer (1939). As obras escolhidas são os Vinte Estudos para violão de Sor (escolhidos e editados por Andrés Segovia) e os Vinte Estudos Simples de Brouwer. Trazem-se à tona as transformações ocorridas na técnica do instrumento entre Sor e Brouwer e seus respectivos períodos. Relacionam-se as demandas técnicas recorrentes que os estudos enfocam e as soluções encontradas para atendê-las. A metodologia é de natureza analítica e envolve dois processos complementares: análise de observação - levantamento das demandas técnicas formuladas e das soluções propostas - e análise comparada - comparação das demandas técnicas formuladas e das soluções propostas por Sor e Brouwer. A análise comparativa das digitações dos Estudos revela as transformações ou mudanças de concepção no emprego das demandas técnicas. Conclui-se que o aprendizado sistemático destas duas abordagens didáticas, pela variedade de aspectos específicos de demandas técnicas e dos conteúdos musicais enfocados, pode substituir, com vantagem, muitos dos exercícios de puro mecanismo, geralmente desestimulantes e que pouco acrescentam ao desenvolvimento da linguagem musical dos estudantes.