abstract: Chemistry as a subject is difficult to learn and understand, due in part to the specific language used by practitioners in their professional and scientific communications. The language and ways of representing chemical interactions have been grouped into three modes of representation used by chemistry instructors, and ultimately by students in understanding the discipline. The first of these three modes of representation is the symbolic mode, which uses a standard set of rules for chemical nomenclature set out by the IUPAC. The second mode of representation is that of microscopic, which depicts chemical compounds as discrete units made up of atoms and molecules, with a particular ratio of atoms to a molecule or formula unit. The third mode of representation is macroscopic, what can be seen, experienced, or measured directly, like ice melting or a color change during a chemical reaction. Recent evidence suggests that chemistry instructors can assist their students in making the connections between the modes of representation by incorporating all three modes into their teaching and discussions, and overtly connecting the modes during instruction. In this research, chemistry teachers at the community college level were observed over the course of an entire semester, to evaluate their instructional use of mode of representation. The students of these teachers were tested prior to and after a semester's worth of instruction, and changes in the basic chemistry conceptual knowledge of these students were compared. Additionally, a subset of the overall population that was pre- and post-tested was interviewed at length using demonstrations of chemical phenomenon that students were asked to translate using all three modes of representation. Analysis of the instruction of three community college teachers shows there were significant differences among these teachers in their instructional use of mode of representation. Additionally, the students of these three teachers had differential and statistically significant achievement over the course of the semester. This research supports results of other similar studies, as well as providing some unexpected results from the students involved. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Curriculum and Instruction 2013

Bangkok is a city where the congestion levels have been a major problem for many years. In 2017, Bangkok was rated the most congested city in Asia, and the second most congested in the world. According to The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT), on-ramp merging is one of the most critical problem that causes congestion on the urban expressways. EXAT have evaluated several merging control strategies through microscopic traffic simulation to find suitable strategies for implementation in real life. However, their simulation studies were all based on the assumption that all motorists strictly follow the traffic rules. This is not the actual case in Bangkok, where the drivers ignore both solid lines and striped areas, as well as utilize the shoulder lane on a regular basis. The aim of this thesis is to investigate if it is possible to include this complex driving behavior in existing microscopic simulation models. A second objective is to identify merging control strategies that can reduce the occurrence and the effects of this driving behavior in order to increase the throughput at an on-ramp area on Sirat Expressway. A model was built in VISSIM and calibrated based on data collected from video recordings. In the study, parameters that are significant for the driving behavior modeling, as well as the difficulties that arise from performing a realistic calibration of the model using video observations and model-specific constraints, are identified. From the video recordings it was discovered that the main problem causing the congestion was a result of the mainline traffic who traversed to the on-ramp. Two merging control strategies were suggested to address this problem: the installment of a center barrier, and successive merging areas. The results confirmed that both actions can improve the traffic situation in terms of reducing the individual travel time. Installing a center barrier was the most efficient option and reduced the travel time by 16.58 % on the mainline and 63.24 % at the on-ramp.

nÃo hà / A modelagem do trÃfego veicular em grandes Ãreas urbanas à uma ferramenta fundamental na anÃlise do desempenho de novas estratÃgias e polÃticas de gerÃncia e controle de trÃfego, idealizadas para potencializar a eficiÃncia do sistema de transportes. Com o uso de simuladores de trÃfego à possÃvel realizar estudos sobre os impactos de diferentes alternativas de intervenÃÃo, tais como a implementaÃÃo ou duplicaÃÃo de vias, alteraÃÃes na circulaÃÃo viÃria, entre outras aplicaÃÃes. Entretanto, os simuladores mais utilizados foram desenvolvidos em outros paÃses e geralmente nÃo representam o comportamento do trÃfego das redes viÃrias urbanas brasileiras, sendo, portanto necessÃria a calibraÃÃo dos seus parÃmetros. Com a evoluÃÃo tecnolÃgica dos modelos de microssimulaÃÃo de trÃfego, o processo de calibraÃÃo tornou-se ainda mais difÃcil devido ao maior nÃvel de complexidade dos modelos, o que implica no aumento do nÃmero de parÃmetros a serem calibrados. Diante do exposto e a fim de permitir a utilizaÃÃo de microssimuladores de trÃfego na modelagem de malhas viÃrias urbanas brasileiras, torna-se indispensÃvel o uso de mÃtodos computacionais de otimizaÃÃo que garantam, de forma eficaz, a calibraÃÃo simultÃnea de uma grande quantidade de parÃmetros. Essa dissertaÃÃo de mestrado busca verificar a aplicabilidade de algoritmos genÃticos para calibraÃÃo de modelos de microssimulaÃÃo do trÃfego veicular em malhas viÃrias urbanas como as encontradas no cenÃrio nacional. Ao final dessa pesquisa, concluiu-se que o mÃtodo de calibraÃÃo utilizado revelou-se eficiente considerando os resultados atingidos no estudo de caso realizado. AlÃm disto, acredita-se que a metodologia aqui proposta juntamente com os valores encontrados para os parÃmetros do microssimulador e do algoritmo genÃtico possam ser utilizados em outras malhas viÃrias urbanas, desde que estas apresentem caracterÃsticas semelhantes as da malha viÃria aqui simulada. / Traffic simulation modeling of mid-sized and big cities is a fundamental tool to analyze the performance of strategies idealized to maximize efficiency of urban transport systems. Traffic microsimulation models allow for foreseeing the impacts of different alternatives of solution, such as creation or duplication of lanes, reversion of flow direction, and implementation of priority lanes for public transport. However, the main microsimulation software packages available were developed in other countries, what means that they usually do not suit traffic behavior found in Brazilian urban centers, so parameter calibration is necessary to better adjust the models to local reality. Advances in computational capabilities have allowed traffic microsimulation models incorporate greater amount of parameters to be calibrated, so the process of calibration has become relatively more complex. Therefore, the use of computational methods to optimize the parametersâ values simultaneously is indispensable. This Masterâs thesis aims to verify the applicability of genetic algorithms to calibrate microsimulation traffic models in urban Brazilian networks. At the end of this study, it was concluded that the calibration method used proved to be efficient. It is believed that the proposed methodology to calibrate the microsimulation software and the genetic algorithm, as well as the final configuration of the genetic algorithm selected, may be applied to other urban networks, provided that they present similar characteristics to the studied network.

O objetivo principal desta tese é a determinação de procedimentos para implantação e avaliação do desempenho de Lombadas Eletrônicas em áreas urbanas, a partir de parâmetros relacionados às variáveis velocidade e acidentes. O procedimento para implantação de Lombadas Eletrônicas prevê a simulação do efeito desse dispositivo na velocidade veicular, através da utilização de modelos de previsão e de uma análise microscópica do tráfego. O procedimento para avaliacão do desempenho de Lombadas Eletrônicas busca determinar se estes dispositivos de controle têm resultados satisfatórios em relação à redução da velocidade veicular e, conseqüentemente, do número e gravidade dos acidentes. Ainda, foi realizado um estudo de caso para a aplicação dos procedimentos propostos para implantação e avaliação do desempenho de Lombadas Eletrônicas, através do qual procura-se mostrar a aplicabilidade desses procedimentos de uma maneira simples e clara. / The main objective of this work is the development of a procedure to implement and to evaluate the performance of Electronic Speed Barriers in urban areas. The procedure for Electronic Speed Barriers implementation includes the simulation of the device influence in vehicular speed, through forecasting models and microscopic traffic simulation analysis. The procedure for the evaluation of Electronic Speed Barriers seeks to determine if this control device has a satisfactory result in reducing vehicular speed, and accidents numbers and seriousness. The proposed procedures are applied to a case study in order to demonstrate their applicability.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2016-10-20T16:38:14Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Natalia Matos Souza.pdf: 205714 bytes, checksum: 59b167a505e1216282eec9736dde0f7d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-20T16:38:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Natalia Matos Souza.pdf: 205714 bytes, checksum: 59b167a505e1216282eec9736dde0f7d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-20 / This study was aimed to research Leptospira spp agglutinins in horses in the region of the forest area and Fernando de Noronha island in the state of Pernambuco; identifying highest areas of leptospirosis incidence; identifying the serovars that occur more frequently in the studied areas; relating clinical signs with the agglutinins presence in blood serum of equines; observing the reproductive disorders connection with the agglutinins presence in the equines blood serum; relating the presence of rodents and seropositive animals; observing the occurrence of anti leptospiras antibodies at different age groups. It was collected blood from 328 equines of both genders, aging beyound 6 months. After material centrifugation the serum was analyzed by LANAGRO/PE through the microscopic agglutination test. Of the 328 collected samples were found 84 reagents animals in the microscopic agglutination test for leptospirosis. Among which 12 (1.5%) foals, 20 (25.64%) young, 42 (31.11%) adults and 10 (28.57%) senile. Of the 84 reagents animals 69.04% (58) are female and 30.95% (26) are male; 3.75% (3) are Campolina, 2,3% (2) are mestizos, 37,71% (30) are of the breed Quarter horse and 58,33% (49) are Mangalarga Marchador. Among the studied counties Aldeia stood out to present the highest percentage of reagent animals with 32,31% (65) subsequently Pombos with 28,2% (22), Palmares with 23,81% (5), Bonanza with 22,36% (17), Paudalho with 22% (11) and finally Escada with 14,3%(4). The only studied county that did not present any reagent animal was Itambé. Among the 27 researched serovars by the microscopic seroagglutination test for Leptospirosis diagnostic, 10 were found in reagent animals, which, in order of occurrence Icterohaemorrhagiae (58), Shermani (26), Panama (15), Copenhageni (10), Batavie (3), Hardjo (2), Australis (1), Pyrogenes (1), Cynopteri (1) e Canicola (1). In this study 3 of 16 analyzed samples, 10 were considered reagent and 6 were considered non-reagent. 62,5% of samples were positives to the serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae, 37,7% were considered positive to serovar Copenhageni. Realizing this study it’s possible to conclude that leptospirosis in equines occurs in endemic way at the studied area, considering that of 328 analyzed samples 84 (25,62%) were positives to the test. The presence of rodents was very important to the appearance of condition as proved how it was related in all visited property. From this study it was possiblited trace an epidemiologic profile of the leptospirosis in equines belonging to Zona da Mata and Fernando de Noronha island of the state of Pernambuco. Knowing the risk factors involving this condition and which may be useful to treat and prevent, however it’s still needed a extensive study to determinate the reason of the occurrence of certain serovars in some studied regions. / Objetivou-se com esse trabalho realizar uma pesquisa de aglutininas anti Leptospira spp em equinos na região da zona da mata e ilha de Fernando de Noronha no Estado de Pernambuco; identificar áreas de maior ocorrência da leptospirose; identificar os sorovares que ocorrem com maior frequência nas áreas estudadas; relacionar os sinais clínicos com a presença de aglutininas no soro sanguíneo dos equinos; relacionar a presença de roedores com a presença de animais soropositivos; observar a ocorrência de anticorpos anti leptospiras nas diferentes faixas etárias. Coletou-se sangue de 328 equinos de ambos os sexos, com idade a partir dos seis meses. Após centrifugação do sangue o soro foi analisado pelo teste de soro aglutinação microscópica, com ponto de corte na diluição de 1:100. Das 328 amostras examinadas constatou-se que 84 (25,6%) animais foram reagentes para aglutinação anti-Leptospira spp. Dentre os quais 12 (1,5%) potros, 20 (25,64%) jovens, 42 (31,11%) adultos e 10 (28,57%) senis. Dos 84 animais reagentes 69,04% (58) são fêmeas e 30,95% (26) são machos; 3,57% (3) são da raça Campolina, 2,3% (2) são mestiços, 35,71% (30) são da raça Quarto de Milha e 58,33% (49) são da Raça Mangalarga Marchador. Dentre as regiões estudadas Aldeia se destacou por apresentar o maior percentual de animais reagentes, com 32,31% (65), em seguida Pombos com 28,2% (22), Palmares com 23,81% (5), Bonanza 22,36% (17), Paudalho 22% (11) e por fim, Escada com 14,3% (4). Dentre os 27 sorovares pesquisados 10 foram mais prevalentes, em ordem de maior ocorrência, Icterohaemorrhagiae (58), Shermani (26), Panama (15), Copenhageni (10), Batavie (3), Hardjo (2), Australis (1), Pyrogenes (1), Cynopteri (1) e Canicola (1). Na ilha de Fernando de Noronha das 16 amostras analisadas 10 foram consideradas reagentes e 6 foram consideradas não reagentes. Considerando os sorovares mais prevalentes 62,5% das amostras foram positivas para o sorovar Icterohaemorrhagiae, 37,5% foram positivas para o sorovar Copenhageni. Com a realização desse estudo foi possível concluir que a leptospirose na espécie equina ocorre de forma endêmica nas áreas estudadas. Acredita-se que a presença de roedores foi importante no aparecimento da afecção haja vista que foi relatada sua presença em todas as propriedades visitadas, todavia necessita-se de maiores estudos para verificar a participação destes animais na transmissão da leptospirose aos equinos. A partir desse trabalho pode-se traçar um perfil soro epidemiológico da leptospirose em equinos na Zona da Mata e na ilha de Fernando de Noronha no Estado de Pernambuco, que pode ser útil para realização de tratamento e da prevenção desta enfermidade, todavia, ainda é preciso estudos mais aprofundados para determinarmos o porque da ocorrência de determinados sorovares em algumas regiões estudadas.

Diferenças na espessura e regularidade da cartilagem da articulação temporomandibular (ATM) ocorrem como o resultado de áreas em crescimento ou em remodelamento. Esse aspecto dificulta a interpretação clínica das imagens e geralmente negligencia a presença da fibrocartilagem. O estudo, por meio da Ressonância Magnética utilizando bobinas microscópicas, possibilita uma melhor observação da cartilagem articular. Confirmamos essa evidência por meio do estudo que analisou 20 indivíduos (40 ATM), divididos em grupo sintomático (DTM) com 10 pacientes (20 ATM) apresentando queixa clínica e suspeita diagnóstica de DTM e, o grupo controle com 10 voluntários (20 ATM) assintomáticos ou que não apresentavam sinais e sintomas clínicos de DTM. As imagens de RM sagitais oblíquas ponderadas em DP SPIR da ATM foram capazes de mostrar a cartilagem com melhor evidência tanto na cabeça da mandíbula quanto na eminência articular proporcionado mensurações, as quais se apresentaram estatisticamente iguais entre os grupos e também a avaliação da regularidade com o mesmo comportamento entre os grupos e geralmente acompanhando a morfologia da cortical óssea. Em muitos casos, principalmente quando da presença de deslocamento para anterior do disco articular, a observação se torna mais difícil, requerendo mais prática para esse tipo de avaliação. Observamos que pacientes do grupo controle apresentaram deslocamento de disco. Dessa maneira, consideramos um exame muito útil como auxiliar no diagnóstico da DTM, e com o desenvolvimento de novas terapias para doenças degenerativas e traumas na cartilagem, as imagens de RM com o uso de bobina microscópica são de crescente importância clínica e poderão desempenhar um papel importante na avaliação da eficácia dessas terapias. / Differences in thickness and regularity of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) cartilage occur as the result of areas of growth or remodeling. This fact leads to misinterpretations on diagnosis and generally neglects the presence of fibrocartilage. The present study, using MRI microscopic coils, allows better observation of the articular cartilage. This evidence was confirmed by this study that examined 20 individuals (40 TMJ), divided into: symptomatic group with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) of 10 patients (20 TMJ) presenting clinical complaint and TMD diagnosis; and the control group of 10 volunteers (20 TMJ) that were asymptomatic or who had no clinical signs and symptoms of TMD. On both groups were measured cartilage thickness and if the cartilage was regular or not. The oblique sagital MR images of weighted SPIR protons density (PD\'s) TMJ were able to show the best cartilage images either in the mandibles head or on the articular eminence providing measurements. Both groups presented no statistically significant differences regarding to thickness and the evaluation of the regularity presented the same result. The regularity of the cartilage generally was similar to the morphology of the cortical bone. In many cases, especially when the presence of anterior articular disc displacement, the evaluation was more difficult, requiring practice. The control group with asymptomatic patients was found also to have disc displacements. Thus, we review a very useful tool in the diagnosis of TMD and its importance to evaluate the cartilage to development new therapies for degenerative diseases and trauma. The MRI images with the use of microscopic coil are of increasing clinical importance and might play an important role in assessing the effectiveness of these therapies.

Estudos envolvendo a utilização do sangue de cordão umbilical foram intensificados na última década, devido ao grande potencial que estas possuem nas pesquisas de transplantes e ontogenia celular. A investigação dos métodos para a purificação e caracterização dessas células em diferentes animais pode aumentar a utilização destes como modelos experimentais para uma variedade de propostas científicas e terapêuticas. Para desenvolver a caracterização das células de sangue de cordão umbilical foram utilizadas 20 amostras oriundas de fetos de com idades compatíveis ao segundo e terceiro terço de gestação. Estas amostras foram processadas de duas formas distintas. A primeira forma visou às células presentes na camada leucocitária total, a segunda visou as células com densidade menor que 1077 separadas pelo Ficoll Paque. Os “pellets” resultantes foram processados para posterior observação por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. Foram constatadas a presença de células granulares (basófilos, eosinófilos e neutrófilos) e agranulares (células bláticas, precursores eosinofílicos e linfócitos) em diferentes estágios de maturação em ambos os grupos e também células com características morfológicas compatíveis a apoptose. / Studies involving the use of umbilical cord blood were intensified in the last decade, due to its huge potential for transplant research and the ontogeny of leucocytes cells. The investigation of the methods to purify and characterize these cells in different animals are a base for experimental models for a variety of scientific and therapeutic proposals. To develop the characterization of the umbilical cord cells, twenty samples of fetal were collected. The fetal were in the second and third thirds of the gestation. These samples were processed in two distinct forms. The first form, studied the cells in the buffet coat. The second, studied the cells with density less than, 1,077 separated by the Ficoll Paque. The resulting pellets were processed for later observation by electronic microscopy transmission. The presence of granular and non granular cells were detected in different maturation stages in both groups and also morphological compatible cells with apoptosis.

Charles University Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Pharmaceutical Technology Consultant: doc. RNDr. Milan Dittrich, CSc. Student: Josef Mašek Title of Thesis: Particulate medicated systems This diploma thesis was focused on experimetal study of influence of technological parameters on the characteristics of nanoparticles made of terpolymer of aliphatic hydroxy acids with tripentaerythritol. In the theoretical part of this thesis nanoparticles as a system for targeted drug distribution were described. Methods of preparation of these nanoparticles, microencapsulation techniques, targeting, basic parameters of the nanoparticles, their size and zeta potential were mentioned in the theoretical part. The experiments were focused on influence of formulation factors, as detergent, concentration of the drug and polymer device on polydispersity of the nanoparticles, their zeta potential and encapsulation effectivity. The influence of detergent formulation on formation and parameters of the nanoparticles was proved. Methylsulfonylmethan was proved for the next experimental procedure as a suitable non-toxic solvent in compositions of biodegradable polymers.

Dans ce travail, nous avons étudié la relation entre la viscosité et la dynamique microscopique (caractérisée par le temps de relaxation structurale) d'une suspension colloïdale en fonction de la fraction volumique. Nous avons mis au point une expérience originale nous permettant de mesurer la viscosité et le temps de relaxation simultanément sur le même échantillon. La dynamique microscopique est mesurée à l'aide de techniques conventionnelles de diffusion dynamique de la lumière "multi-speckles" ; la viscosité est quant à elle obtenue en mesurant la vitesse de sédimentation de particules-sondes micrométriques. Ces mesures nous ont permis d'étendre d'au moins deux décades la gamme de viscosités à taux de cisaillement nul préalablement explorée. Nous montrons que la viscosité et le temps de relaxation structurale mesuré au pic du facteur de structure statique, sont couplés jusqu'à des fractions volumiques situées bien au-delà de la transition vers un régime surfondu. Par ailleurs, nous avons constaté que le fort accroissement du temps de relaxation à l'approche de la transition vitreuse était bien décrit par une divergence exponentielle, plutôt que par une loi de puissance critique prévue par la Théorie de Couplage des Modes (MCT). / In this work, we have investigated the relation between the viscosity and the microscopic dynamics (structural relaxation time) of colloidal suspensions, as a function of volume fraction. We have designed and implemented an original setup which allows us to measure the viscosity and the relaxation time simultaneously on the very same sample. The dynamics are measured by conventional multispeckle dynamic light scattering, while the viscosity is obtained by measuring the sedimentation velocity of micron-sized tracer particles. Our measurements extend the range of previous measurements of the zero-shear viscosity by two decades. We find that the viscosity and the relaxation time measured at the peak of the static structure factor are coupled up to deep in the supercooled regime, thereby extending previous observations that were limited to the onset of supercooling. Furthermore, we show that the steep growth of the relaxation time on approaching the glass transition is well described by an exponential divergence, rather than by a critical power law as predicted by Mode Coupling Theory (MCT).

Estimating age at death from skeletal remains can be done with relative accuracy when a skeleton is complete, however incomplete and/or poorly preserved skeletons pose a problem in assigning an accurate age range to unknown remains. Techniques for determining age at death from the microstructure of bone have shown to be relatively accurate in North American and European populations but, until recently, had not been attempted on a South African group. This technique is based on the fact that bone remodels and changes throughout an individual’s life. The purpose of this study was to develop standards for estimating age at death, using bone microstructure, that are applicable to a South African population. The sample consisted of 146 individuals (105 males and 41 females) of known age and sex. A 0.2 cm x 1.0 cm sample was removed from the anterior surface of the femur, and slides were prepared according to standard histological methodology. Ten variables, which included the total osteon count (measurable and non-measurable), the average Haversian canal diameter, the average number of lamellae per osteon, the total number of osteon fragments, the number of non-haversian canals, the total number of resorption spaces and the average percentage of osteonal bone, unremodeled bone and fragmental bone were assessed. The relationship between the changes in each of the variables with age was examined. Four variables demonstrated significant correlation with age and included the total osteon count (r = 0.53), the percentage unremodeled bone (r = -0.53), the total number of non-haversian canals (r = -0.55) and the average percentage of fragmental bone (r = 0.55). These variables were then used to calculate single and multiple linear regression formulae to determine age. Coefficient of determination (r2) for multiple regression analyses ranged from r2 = 0.27 to 0.42. The general range of the standard error of the estimate (SEE) for this study ranged between 13.31 and 14.04 years and is similar to the results of previous studies. Various factors may have contributed to low r2 values, such as poor nutrition, mechanical stress to the bones and misreporting of age of the individuals in the sample. The microscopic techniques appear to not be more accurate than macroscopic methods for estimating age at death, but can be useful in situations were remains are fragmentary or in combination with macroscopic methods. / Dissertation (MSc (Anatomy))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Anatomy / unrestricted