The purpose of this study is to investigate the short-term and long-term effects of two kinds of advance organizers (AOs), a visual concept map and a text outline. The AOs were administered in a fully Web-based course in health care ethics. The outcome measures are students' knowledge acquisition and application in two posttests. This study was conducted through a post-test only control group design with a random assignment. The population of the study involved 166 college students who participated in this online class in their junior or senior year. The voluntary research participants were randomly assigned into the two treatment groups and one control group. The treatment of AO was administered as an integral part of a one-week-long online module on the topic of patient-physician relationships. Students of the two treatment groups were presented with one of the two AOs, while the control group was instructed to proceed to textbook reading without an AO. Then, students were tested on the subject matter with two parallel posttests. Both posttests were composed of a multiple-choice question quiz and a set of scenario-based essay questions. The students took posttest I at the end of the instructional week, and posttest II four weeks after. A survey and interviews were also conducted to supplement the quantitative results with contextual information. The findings do not demonstrate a statistically significant AO effect among the treatment groups and the control group. However, in agreement with the previous research, this study shows a positive but inconclusive benefit of using AOs for students' short-term knowledge acquisition. The students using a concept map consistently obtained higher learning achievements than individuals using a text outline. More importantly, this study reiterated the proposition that students of lower-learning abilities benefit more from using an AO for online learning than those of higher-learning abilities. The current study extends our knowledge on the use of AOs in fully Web-based educational environments. The results indicated that although AOs more often than not have small facilitative effects for learners, they are not equally effective for all learners in all learning situations. The incorporation of the instructional strategies, such as AOs, in Web-based courses and programs might benefit online learners, especially those students of lower verbal and analytical abilities, or of lower prior knowledge of the material-to-be-learned.

No / Observers were given brief presentations of pairs of simultaneous stimuli consisting of a visual and a spoken letter. In the visual focused-attention condition, only the visual letter should be reported; in the auditory focused-attention condition, only the spoken letter should be reported; in the divided-attention condition, both letters, as well as their respective modalities, should be reported (forced choice). The proportions of correct reports were nearly the same in the three conditions (no significant divided-attention decrement), and in the divided-attention condition, the probability that the visual letter was correctly reported was independent of whether the auditory letter Was correctly reported. However, with a probability much higher than chance, the observers reportedihearing the visual stimulus letter or seeing the spoken stimulus letter (modality confusions). The strength of the effect was nearly the same with focused as with divided attention. We also discovered a crossmodal congruity effect: Performance was better when the two letters in a stimulus pair were the same than when they differed in type.

No / Background Hair is degraded by the action of both dermatophytic and nondermatophytic microorganisms. The importance of understanding hair sample condition in archaeological and forensic investigation highlights the need for a detailed knowledge of the sequence of degradation in samples that have been either buried or left exposed at the ground surface. Objectives To investigate the sequence of biodegradative change to human terminal scalp hair from archaeological and forensic contexts. Methods Cut modern scalp hair from three individuals with caucasoid-type hair was inoculated with soil microorganisms through soil burial in the field and under laboratory conditions to produce experimentally degraded samples. The degraded hair fibres were subjected to detailed histological examination using a combination of high-resolution light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to investigate the nature and sequence of degradative change to hair structural components. Results/discussion Degradation was found to occur first within the least structurally robust components that afford the least resistance to microbial/chemical attack. The sequence of degradation (most to least-reflecting degree of vulnerability) in the hair cuticle was as follows: (1) intercellular 6-layer (cell membrane complex); (2) endocuticle; (3) cell membrane ß-layers; (4) exocuticle; (5) epicuticle; and (6) A-layer. In the hair cortex this was as follows: (I) intercellular 6-layer (cell membrane complex); (II) cell membrane ß-layers; (III) intermacrofibrillar matrix/nuclear remnants; (IV) microfibrils; (V) intermicrofibrillar matrix; and (VI) pigment granules (the hair fibre component that was the least vulnerable to degradation). Conclusions The selective progress of degradation in the hair shaft has been charted and this provides a basis for further histological work in better understanding the condition of hair fibres derived from archaeological or forensic contexts as well as being relevant to investigation of diseased hair, in particular hair infected by dermatophytes and hair weakened by genetic hair shaft abnormalities.

Contemporary dance and modern ballet often focus on conveying emotions through patterns of movement which may be abstract, obvious, or anywhere in between, as supported by music, sound, or spoken words that set the mood. Scenography is typically sparse or confined to the available space, leaving the dancers as the main instrument of communication. This work explores choreography and costume design, with a focus on how garments can inform and direct movement, choreography, and performance, and in turn how movement may inform and contribute to the development of dynamic garments. Through a series of live experiments, ranging from self-instigated performance/video work in collaboration with choreographers and dancers to performances of garment interaction associated with everyday life, the performative, spatial, and interactive properties of garments are explored. The results of these live experiments relate to various aspects of choreography, scenography, and performance space, and offer wide-ranging creative potential. The work shows how designers and choreographers can collaborate on performance scenarios within the context of modern ballet and contemporary dance productions, thus creating conceptual garments that influence the design, choreography, and manipulation of conceptual garments. In relation to the act of dressing and undressing, previously unseen types of garment and ways of wearing and performing were found. New models of collaborative interaction are proposed. This work has demonstrated how the agency of garments can function as a manuscript in modern dance, and how performance itself redefines the notion of wearing and the concept of garments.

Mathematics permeates almost every aspect of human life and it is a skill much needed by the increasingly complex technological world. It is necessary that this essential skill must be properly developed among students to prepare them for future academic and professional careers. An assessment of the research-based instructional strategies blending with old traditional methods with the modern technological development is a must. Due to the complexity of mathematics learning and the varied learning styles of learners, an integration of appropriate multiple instructional strategies into mathematics education will positively impact mathematical achievement of students. The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of the use of Integrated Technologies Instructional Method (ITIM) as a supplement to the traditional lecture method on mathematics achievement of the Integral Calculus students at the College of Engineering, University of Ha'il, Saudi Arabia. The ITIM includes the four instructional strategies such as the use of the Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning, the collaborative learning, the bilingual support and the study support. Different types of academic supports have been used to examine their effects on students achievement in mathematics. Mathematics, the bedrock of science and engineering, is considered a very important indicator of a student's academic success in professional higher education. Undergraduate engineering students' low achievement in the first year mathematics is an issue demands much attention. The study was undertaken to address students' weak background in mathematics and particularly their high failure rates in this particular course. A total of 218 undergraduate engineering students, comprising of both the experimental and the control groups, were involved in this experimental design study. The control group was taught by the traditional lecture method whereas the experimental group was exposed to the ITIM as a supplement to the traditional lecture method. Apart from the effects of the use of ITIM, students' performance in the previous courses (covariates) such as mathematics, computer, and the English language were compared with their final grades of the Integral Calculus course. The final grades of students were taken as the dependent variable and the ITIM and students' scores in the previous courses as the independent variables. It has been noticed from the literature review that the application of only one instructional strategy does not address the needs of the diverse learning styles of students. A mixed mode method, quantitative and qualitative, was used to collect and analyse data. The quantitative data instruments included students' final exam grades and the student questionnaires. Interviews with students were used as qualitative tools of data collection. An independent t-test, ANOVA, univariate analysis and the stepwise multiple regression analysis were performed to determine the overall statistical significance. The study concluded that there was a statistically significant difference in the performance of the experimental group of students' in terms of their end-of-course grades compared to that of the control group. The regression model revealed significance of covariates on the dependent variable. However, no significant relationship was found between the mathematics achievement and attitudes towards the use of ITIM. The study was an attempt to demonstrate the suitability of the instructional strategies on the bilingual Arab undergraduate engineering students; however, they can probably be applicable to other bilingual students.

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / This study concentrates on the empirical characterization of a staggered pin-fin array heat exchanger placed in a modular, rectangular wind tunnel. A full analysis of the heat transfer and pressure drop behavior was conducted on various pin-fin shapes, sizes, and configurations. The study was based on airflow over a wide range of Reynolds numbers in the laminar regime. The empirical data gathered can be used to corroborate and develop better numerical models to characterize the performance of such heat exchangers as well as scale down to the micro level for comparison with micro-heat exchangers. / Lieutenant, United States Navy

Afin de satisfaire à la croissance des besoins énergétiques mondiaux, le domaine des réservoirs carbonatés très enfouis (Deeply Buried Reservoirs) constitue une cible privilégiée pour l'exploration et l'exploitation pétrolière. La préservation, dans les roches carbonatées, de propriétés pétrophysiques favorables (porosité / perméabilité) à grande profondeur peut alors conduire à l'existence d'un réservoir profondément enfoui (Deeply Buried Reservoir, DBR). Les processus chemo-mécaniques impliqués dans la diagénèse d'enfouissement des réservoirs carbonatés sont cependant encore mal contraints et il y a un manque crucial de données expérimentales sur ce sujet. Afin de mieux comprendre ces processus et de déterminer comment la porosité et la perméabilité peuvent être préservées aux profondeurs des DBR (>4000m), un dispositif expérimental novateur et le protocole associé ont été développés. Ce dispositif expérimental permet à la fois de reproduire les conditions de pression / contraintes / température des DBR (80°C, contrainte de confinement de 60 MPa et contrainte déviatorique jusqu'à 40 MPa) et de faire circuler des fluides de diverse nature dans les échantillons. Des échantillons d'un calcaire bioclastique induré (calcaire de Massangis) ont été testés via une approche multidisciplinaire : déformations mécaniques de fluage, suivi de l'évolution de la chimie du fluide de circulation et analyses pétrographiques et pétrophysiques des roches. Il a ainsi été démontré qu'il existe une relation importante entre la contrainte mécanique à laquelle est soumise la roche, les interactions thermodynamiques fluide-roche et l'évolution des propriétés pétrophysiques. Le processus principal responsable des déformations de fluage des roches carbonatées lors de l'enfouissement a été déterminé comme étant la pression-dissolution sous contraintes, processus chemo-mécanique impliqué dans la perte de porosité lors de la diagénèse de profondeur. Les expériences menées l'ont été avec différentes conditions de circulation de fluide (saturation et circuit ouvert) et différentes compositions chimiques du fluide ont été testées (eau météorique, eau météorique additionnée de phosphates et saumure). De même, les effets des hydrocarbures et de leur timing de mise en place ont été étudiés. Les résultats obtenus ont permis d'affirmer que, en présence de fluide météorique, la PSC se produit à l'échelle micritique, et résulte en la précipitation de calcite sur les faces libres de la calcite, provoquant le blocage de la microporosité. La préservation des macropores permet de conserver la perméabilité. L'addition de phosphates dans le fluide de circulation résulte en l'inhibition de la PSC tandis que l'augmentation de la salinité par l'ajout de NaCl accélère ce mécanisme. L'injection précoce d'huile dans les échantillons, précédant la circulation de fluide aqueux provoque l'inhibition de la PSC par un coating des grains, résultant en la préservation de la porosité. Les résultats de cette étude montrent l'importance de la chimie du fluide de circulation et du timing de mise en place des hydrocarbures dans la préservation de la porosité précoce à grande profondeur / The preservation of good petrophysical properties (high porosity / high permeability) at great depth in carbonate rocks may lead to the existence of a deeply buried reservoir (DBR), a target of interest for the oil industry. However, chemo-mechanical processes involved in the burial diagenesis of carbonate petroleum reservoirs are still poorly understood or restrained and few experimental results exists in this domain. To better understand these processes and explain how porosity and permeability can be preserved at the great depth of DBR (burial > 4000m), we developed an innovative experimental device and an associated protocol. This device allows both the simulation of high pressure/stresses/temperature conditions (80°C, 60 MPa of confining pressure and differential stress up to 40 MPa) of DBR and the circulation of different fluids in rock samples. Through a multidisciplinary approach we tested core samples of a cemented bioclastic limestone (Massangis limestone) and we analyzed creep deformations, chemistry of pore fluids, petrographical and petrophysical properties of samples. It has been demonstrated that there exists an important relationship between the mechanical stress affecting the rock, the thermodynamic of water/rock interactions and the evolution of the petrophysical properties. The main process responsible for creep deformation of carbonated rocks during burial has been determined to be Intergranular Pressure Solution (IPS) resulting in Pressure Solution Creep (PSC) which is the main process implied in the porosity reduction of a carbonate rock during deep burial. Different flow conditions (no-flow and flow-through) and chemical compositions (natural meteoric water, adjunction of phosphate ions, brine) were considered. The effects of hydrocarbon and of their timing of set-up have also been investigated. It has been discovered from our study that, in presence of meteoric fluid, PSC happens at the micritic scale, and results in the blocking of microporosity between micrites crystals due to the precipitation of calcite on free pore walls of micrites. The preservation of macropores allows the preservation of permeability. The adjunction of phosphate ions in the circulating fluid results in the inhibition of PSC while the increase of salinity by addition of NaCl leads to its acceleration. An early injection of oil prior to water circulation causes the inhibition of PSC by the coating of the grains, leading to the preservation of porosity. The dataset obtained from this study show the importance of fluid chemistry and of the timing of oil charging in a reservoir in the preservation of early porosity at great depth

Dans le cadre de la combustion des moteurs aéronautiques, des injecteurs de type airblast sont utilisés. Un fort écoulement d’air va perturber le carburant qui est ainsi pulvérisé en fines gouttes dans la chambre de combustion. La modélisation de ce phénomène nécessite une compréhension plus approfondie des mécanismes intervenant lors de l’interaction des deux fluides et en particulier l’influence des conditions limites. Le travail réalisé au cours de cette thèse s’inscrit dans cette problématique en étudiant expérimentalement l’influence des épaisseurs des écoulements, de la configuration de l’écoulement d’air ainsi que celle de l’ajout et de la taille d’une zone de pré-film.La mise au point ou le perfectionnement de techniques de mesures ont ainsi été nécessaires afin de caractériser le processus d’atomisation. Des mesures de fréquence d’oscillation, de longueur de rupture, d’épaisseur liquide et de tailles de gouttes ont été réalisées permettant de mettre en évidence l’influence des différents paramètres précédemment cités. Des corrélations ont ensuite été proposées afin de prévoir l’évolution du processus en fonction des conditions limites du système d’injection. / In the context of combustion for aeronautical engines, airblast injectors are used. A strong air flow perturbs the fuel, which is atomized in fine drops in combustion chamber. Modeling of this process requires a better understanding of mechanisms occurring during two fluid interaction and in particular boundary condition influence. The work realize during this PhD thesis corresponds to this problematic by studying flow thickness and air flow configuration influences as well as the one of the presence and the length of a prefilming zone.Development and improvement measure techniques have been necessary in order to characterize atomization process. Oscillation frequency, breakup length, liquid thickness and drop size measures have been realized what has enabled to highlight the influence of previously listed parameters. Correlations have been then proposed so as to predict process evolution according to boundary conditions of injection system.

O presente trabalho apresenta um estudo numérico e experimental sobre o desempenho aerodinâmico de turbinas eólicas de eixo vertical envolvendo rotores Savonius convencional de duplo-estágio e helicoidal. O estudo experimental é realizado no Túnel Aerodinâmico Professor Debi Pada Sadhu, do Laboratório de Mecânica dos Fluidos da UFRGS. As simulações numéricas são realizadas com o software Fluent/ANSYS utilizando o Método dos Volumes Finitos. São comparados os coeficientes de torque estático e dinâmico, o coeficiente de potência, além de uma análise aerodinâmica das duas turbinas. As medições são realizadas empregando Tubos de Pitot, um torquímetro estático digital e um torquímetro simples construído para a medição do torque dinâmico. As turbinas são fabricadas através da técnica de prototipagem 3D, com uma semelhança de dimensões e parâmetros. As soluções numéricas são resolvidas através da equação da continuidade, das equações de Navier-Stokes com médias de Reynolds (RANS) e pelo modelo de turbulência k-ω SST. A qualidade da malha utilizada é avaliada através do método de Índice de Convergência de Malha (GCI), para três diferentes tamanhos de malha. São feitas análises dos rotores na forma estática para diferentes ângulos de incidência e com a turbina em rotação são feitas análises para diferentes razões de velocidades de ponta de pá (λ). Resultados demonstram que a turbina helicoidal apresenta um coeficiente de torque positivo para todos os ângulos do rotor, assim como a turbina convencional de dois estágios. O coeficiente de torque dinâmico da turbina helicoidal é superior ao da turbina de duplo-estágio para a maioria dos casos, e também apresenta menor oscilação de torque ao longo de cada rotação. Por consequência, o coeficiente de potência do rotor helicoidal também se tornou superior, com um valor máximo encontrado na ordem de 11,8% para um λ de 0,65 no caso experimental, e de 8,4% para o mesmo λ no caso numérico, quando comparado com o rotor de duplo-estágio. Os erros relativos entre as simulações numéricas e os resultados experimentais estão entre 2,16% e 13,4%. Uma estimativa de potência gerada é feita para ambos os casos, para uma razão de velocidade de ponta de 0,65, onde a turbina helicoidal apresenta melhores resultados em relação ao rotor de duplo-estágio, na ordem de 13,6% para uma velocidade de 10,4 m/s. / This paper presents a numerical and experimental study of vertical axis wind turbine performance comparison involving two-stage and helical Savonius rotors. The experimental study is conducted in the Aerodynamic Tunnel Professor Debi Pada Sadhu at the Fluid Mechanics Laboratory of the UFRGS. The numerical simulations are performed with the Fluent/ANSYS software using the Finite Volumes Method. The static and dynamic torque coefficients, the power coefficients, and an aerodynamic analysis of the two turbines are compared. Measurements are made using Pitot tubes, a digital static torque wrench and a simple wrench constructed for the dynamic torque measurement. The aerodynamics rotors are manufactured by 3D prototyping technique with similar dimensions and parameters. Numerical solutions are solved by the continuity equation, the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations and the turbulence model k-ω SST. The quality of the mesh used is evaluated used the Grid Convergence Index (GCI) method, for three different mesh sizes. The rotors analyzes are made in static form for different angles of incidence and for the rotating turbine analyzes are made for differents tip speed ratio (λ). Results show that the helical turbine has a positive static torque coefficient for any rotor angles, as well as conventional two-stage turbine. The dynamic torque coefficient of the helical turbine is higher than the two-stage turbine for most cases and also shows less torque variation along each rotation. Consequently, the power coefficient of the helical rotor also become higher, with a maximum value found on the order of 11.8% for a λ of 0.65 in the experimental case, and 8.4% for the same λ number when compared with the two-stage rotor. The relative errors between the numerical simulations and the experimental results are between 2.16% and 13.4%. A generated power estimate is made for both cases, for a tip speed ratio of 0.65, where the helical turbine provides better results compared to two-stage rotor in order of 13.6% for a velocity of 10.4 m/s.

Introdução: Empiema pleural em geral decorre de complicação de pneumonias e, se não identificado e tratado precocemente, pode ocasionar aumento morbidade ou mesmo mortalidade. A identificação de marcadores no líquido pleural de efusões parapneumônicas que mostrem a presença ou a evolução precoce para empiema tem significância clínica. Neste cenário, dosagens das concentrações de frações ativadas do complemento no líquido pleural podem ajudar no diagnóstico precoce do empiema. Objetivos: Comparar as concentrações de frações ativadas do complemento (C3a, C5a e C5b9) em efusões pleurais induzidas em ratos por inoculação intrapleural de bactérias ou por irritante químico estéril (terebentina). Métodos: Trinta e nove ratos Wistar machos, peso médio de 414g (290 a 546g), realizaram anestesia geral com isofluorano inalatório por máscara, e toracocentese no 4º espaço intercostal com abocath conectado a oscilômetro de pressão para confirmar posição intrapleural. Os animais foram divididos em 3 grupos: SA (n=17) - inoculação de Staphylococcus aureus; SP (n=12) - inoculação de Streptococcus pneumoniae; C (n=10) – inoculação de terebintina (efusão pleural estéril, controle). Doze horas após a inoculação intrapleural foi coletado liquido pleural por toracocentese, sob controle ecográfico, e realizadas dosagens de C3a, C5a e C5b9 pelo método ELISA. Resultados: A dosagem de C3a foi de 1066,82 μg/ml (937,29 – 1196,35 μg/ml) no grupo SA, 1188,28 μg/ml (1095,65 – 1280,92 μg/ml) no SP, e de 679,13 μg/ml (601,29 – 756,98 μg/ml) no C (p<0,001). A dosagem de C5a foi de 55.727 ng/ml (41,22 – 70,23 ng/ml) no grupo SA, 520.107 ng/ml (278,92-761,3 ng/ml) no SP, e de 5.268 ng/ml (1,68 – 8,85 ng/ml) no C (p<0,001). A dosagem de C5b9 foi de 15,02 ng/ml (13,1 – 16,94 ng/ml) no SA, de 16,63 ng/ml (14,37 – 18,9 ng/ml) no SP, e de 14,05 ng/ml (9,8 – 18,29 ng/ml) no C (p=0,692). A avaliação das curvas ROC demonstrou área sob a curva de 0,987 (IC95% 0,953-1) para o C3a; 1 para C5a (1-1) e 0,757 (0,523-0,990). Conclusões: As frações ativadas dos complementos C3a e C5a foram significativamente maiores nos empiemas induzidos experimentalmente por inoculação intrapleural de Staphylococcus aureus e Streptococcus pneumoniae do que com aquelas observadas após inoculação intrapleural de terebentina. A dosagem elevada destas frações ativadas do complemento foi útil para o diagnóstico do empiema pleural induzido em ratos. / Background Pleural empyema is a well-known complication of pneumonia. If treatment is delayed, empyema may increase morbidity and mortality in affected patients. Therefore, the identification of empyema biomarkers in parapneumonic pleural effusion is desirable. Previous research has suggested complement activation products as candidate empyema markers. Objective To compare the levels of complement activation products C3a, C5a, and C5b9 in pleural effusion induced by Staphylococcus aureus (SA), Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP), or turpentine (control). Method Thirty-nine male Wistar rats (mean weight 414g; 290-546g) were allocated as follows: 17 animals in the SA group, 12 in the SP group, and 10 in the control group. Bacteria or turpentine were injected into the pleural space. After 12h, intrapleural fluid was collected using ultrasound-guided thoracentesis. Levels of complement activation products were determined using ELISA kits. Results Two SA and 1 SP animals died before 12h. Mean levels were as follows: C3a: 1066.82 μg/mL (937.29-1196.35 μg/mL) in SA, 1188.28 μg/mL (1095.65-1280.92 μg/mL) in SP, and 679.13 μg/mL (601.29-756.98 μg/mL) in controls (p<0.001); C5a: 55.727 ng/mL (41.22-70.23 ng/mL) in SA, 520.107 ng/mL (278.92-761.3 ng/mL) in SP, and 5.268 ng/mL (1.68-8.85 ng/mL) in controls (p<0.001); C5b9: 15.02 ng/mL (13.1-16.94 ng/mL) in SA, 16.63 ng/mL (14.37-18.9 ng/mL) in SP, and 14.05 ng/mL (9.8-18.29 ng/mL) in controls (p=0.692). ROC analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.987 (95%CI: 0.953-1) for C3a; 1 (1-1) for C5a; and 0.757 for C5b9 (0.523-0.990). Conclusions In the present rat model, complement activation fragments C3a and C5a accurately detected infected pleural effusion.