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Molecular Biology has allowed the characterization and manipulation of the molecules of life in the wet lab. Also the structures of those macromolecules are being continuously elucidated. During the last decades of the past century, there was an increasing interest to study how the different genes are organized into different organisms (‘genomes’) and how those genes are expressed into proteins to achieve their functions. Currently the sequences for many genes over several genomes have been determined. In parallel, the efforts to have the structure of the proteins coded by those genes go on. However it is experimentally much harder to obtain the structure of a protein, rather than just its sequence. For this reason, the number of protein structures available in databases is an order of magnitude or so lower than protein sequences. Furthermore, in order to understand how living organisms work at molecular level we need the information about the interaction of those proteins. Elucidating the structure of protein macromolecular assemblies is still more difficult. To that end, the use of computers to predict the structure of these complexes has gained interest over the last decades. The main subject of this thesis is the evaluation of current available computational methods to predict protein – protein interactions and build an atomic model of the complex. The core of the thesis is the evaluation protocol I have developed at Service de Conformation des Macromolécules Biologiques et de Bioinformatique, Université Libre de Bruxelles, and its computer implementation. This method has been massively used to evaluate the results on blind protein – protein interaction prediction in the context of the world-wide experiment CAPRI, which have been thoroughly reviewed in several publications [1-3]. In this experiment the structure of a protein complex (‘the target’) had to be modeled starting from the coordinates of the isolated molecules, prior to the release of the structure of the complex (this is commonly referred as ‘docking’). The assessment protocol let us compute some parameters to rank docking models according to their quality, into 3 main categories: ‘Highly Accurate’, ‘Medium Accurate’, ‘Acceptable’ and ‘Incorrect’. The efficiency of our evaluation and ranking is clearly shown, even for borderline cases between categories. The correlation of the ranking parameters is analyzed further. In the same section where the evaluation protocol is presented, the ranking participants give to their predictions is also studied, since often, good solutions are not easily recognized among the pool of computer generated decoys. An overview of the CAPRI results made per target structure and per participant regarding the computational method they used and the difficulty of the complex. Also in CAPRI there is a new ongoing experiment about scoring previously and anonymously generated models by other participants (the ‘Scoring’ experiment). Its promising results are also analyzed, in respect of the original CAPRI experiment. The Scoring experiment was a step towards the use of combine methods to predict the structure of protein – protein complexes. We discuss here its possible application to predict the structure of protein complexes, from a clustering study on the different results. In the last chapter of the thesis, I present the preliminary results of an ongoing study on the conformational changes in protein structures upon complexation, as those rearrangements pose serious limitations to current computational methods predicting the structure protein complexes. Protein structures are classified according to the magnitude of its conformational re-arrangement and the involvement of interfaces and particular secondary structure elements is discussed. At the end of the chapter, some guidelines and future work is proposed to complete the survey.

The purpose of this study was to research what needs students feel that they have, linked to the physical learning environment in the classroom, and how this affects their conditions for learning. These needs can then hopefully give an indication of how the physical learning environment can be designed and adapted to increase its accessibility and thus reduce the need for exclusionary measures. The theories of the study concern thoughts about inclusion and theories about how the physical learning environment can be changed based on students' needs. The theoretical framework is based on a socio-cultural perspective, the ecological system theory and from the special educational perspective. Both a quantitative and a qualitative approach have been used in the form of questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with students in one high school. The interview questions were worked out on the basis of the results of the survey. A comparison of the results from the respective survey method has been made and analyzed on the basis of the theoretical framework. The pupils experienced a need to reduce both auditory and visual distractions. A high proportion of students felt that the order and study area in the classrooms were not so good. The furniture's adaptation to the students physical conditions deteriorated with the students’ ages. Posters and other information on the walls seemed distracting to some students, while the majority were not disturbed by it or even gave a positive effect. The availability of tactile aids facilitated the conditions for concentrating for certain students. The development of the school's learning environments can, on the basis of the study, be beneficial to all school students and not isolated to students in difficulty to increase the scope of inclusion with all its advantages. Hopefully, the study can provide indications of what needs in the physical learning environment that can be found in students.

A atividade turística desenvolve-se, na contemporaneidade, como um fenômeno que desloca um grande volume de pessoas que saem de sua rotina diária, em busca de novas experiências, cumprindo o turismo um papel na qualidade de vida do indivíduo. Diferente de um pensamento de outrora, algumas políticas do turismo do nosso tempo procuram assumir uma postura de maior inclusão, oportunizando grupos omitidos a participarem de atividades ligadas ao turismo, em destaque as pessoas com deficiência (PcDs). Enquanto circunstância essencial para a inclusão das PcDs, a acessibilidade e suas dimensões, em conjunto com o Desenho Universal e a Tecnologia Assistiva, permitem a todos e também às pessoas com deficiência alcançar, adentrar e usufruir espaços, produtos e serviços com autonomia e segurança. Esta realidade carece de estudos que venham averiguar a relação turismo e acessibilidade, por meio do conhecimento produzido nas academias de ensino. Desta forma, esta dissertação tem como objetivo principal, elaborar uma análise teórica sobre o turismo e acessibilidade nos cursos de pós-graduação (stricto sensu) no Brasil, entre os anos de 1987 a 2016, com foco na produção de teses e dissertações neste período. Para alcançar os objetivos propostos, esta investigação valeu-se de um levantamento e de revisão bibliográfica acerca das temáticas propostas e análise das produções acadêmicas (Teses e Dissertações). Como resultados, levantou-se e inventariou-se 98 teses e dissertações produzidas em IES no Brasil, que demostraram uma similaridade entre acessibilidade e turismo, no que tange à multidisciplinaridade e à interdisciplinaridade com as outras áreas de conhecimento. A acessibilidade associada ao conteúdo de turismo somente é estudada após os anos 2000, denotando certa jovialidade no desenvolvimento deste tema na produção do conhecimento. Por fim, percebeu-se que a acessibilidade é apoiada por uma ampla legislação, entretanto, em grande parte, estas leis são ignoradas ou desconhecidas pelos diversos stakeholders envolvidos, resultando em exclusão e preconceitos contra as pessoas com deficiência em diversos âmbitos da sociedade, assim como na atividade turística / The tourist activity develops in the contemporaneity as a phenomenon that displaces a great volume of people who leave their daily routine, in search of new experiences, fulfilling a role in the quality of life to the human being. Different from a thinking of a recent past, the tourism policy of nowadays strives to assume a posture of greater inclusion, giving opportunity of omitted groups to participate in activities associated to tourism, in particular the disabled people. As an essential circumstance for the inclusion of people with disabilities (PwD), the accessibility and its dimensions, together with universal design and assistive technology, allow everyone, as well, people with disabilities to reach, enter and enjoy spaces, products and services with autonomy and security. This reality lacks studies that come to ascertain the relation between tourism and accessibility through the knowledge produced in the postgraduate courses. Thus, this dissertation has as main objective, to elaborate a theoretical analysis on tourism and accessibility in postgraduate courses in Brazil between 1987 and 2016, encompassing the production of theses and dissertations in this period. In order to reach the proposed objectives, this investigation is supported by a bibliographic research of literature available, revision about the proposed themes and analysis of postgraduate productions (Theses and Dissertations). As a result, were analyzed 98 theses and dissertations produced in Postgraduate Education Institutions in Brazil that showed a similarity on study topics between accessibility and tourism in terms of multidisciplinarity and interdisciplinarity with other areas of knowledge. Studies on accessibility and tourism arises only after the 2000s, denoting a certain joviality in the development of this theme in the production of knowledge. Finally, its realized that accessibility is supported by broad legislation, but so far extent these laws are ignored or unknown by the various stakeholders involved, resulting in exclusion and prejudices against people with disabilities in various spheres of society, as well as in tourism

Human qualities are only developed in human society by means of interaction with others. Since a child is born, he/she sees, hears, touches, and tastes things. That means visual and aural stimuli are natural for human beings and these stimuli are also present on videos. Perhaps, this is the reason why videos have a huge impact on society. An evidence of the popularity of videos growing in society can be observed in the large volume of videos uploaded onto YouTube or the number of videos posted on Facebook. Besides, the rise of smartphones has increased the number of users that not only watch but also produce videos. However, what happens to people who cannot access those contents because they have disabilities or some temporary illness. To avoid excluding people from understanding video content, it is important to provide a video with accessibility. Thus, about 23.9% of the Brazil population who declared themselves with disabilities will benefit from accessible videos. Standards, laws and regulations to promote video accessibility have been developed. Research studies about accessible video players, improving captioning, resources about sign language, and implementation of the content enrichment have also been developed. In spite of the video production process being well defined, current research and market practices do not take accessibility into account as part of its stages. They do not explain how amateur authors can create alternative content following guidelines or how to incorporate accessibility guidelines to the video production process. This thesis proposes a method, called Video4All, for alternative content authoring as part of an accessible video production process. Video4All is composed by a set of activities, including alternative content guidelines, and alternative content evaluation. A case study was conducted to verify the effectiveness of applying the proposed method by amateur authors, evaluating their generated alternative content. In order to describe the process, was incorporated accessibility in all stages and the case studies reported the difficulties which users had during the interaction with an accessible video player. Additionally, the proposal involved the development of an alternative content evaluation method as a means to provide a quality measure, enabling authors to better understand the accessibility level of the alternative content they create. The accessible video production process can be used by any amateur author to improve the accessibility of their videos. Moreover, Video4All helps the authoring and evaluation of alternative content. / As qualidades humanas somente são desenvolvidas na sociedade através da interação com os outros. Desde que a criança nasce, ela vê, ouve, toca, e sente as coisas. Portanto, estímulos visuais e auditivos são naturais para o homem, e estes estímulos também estão presentes em vídeos. Pode ser que seja esse o motivo pelo qual os vídeos causam grande impacto na sociedade. Uma evidência da popularidade e do crescimento de vídeos na sociedade é a grande quantidade de vídeos carregados no YouTube ou o grande número de vídeos postados no Facebook. Além disso, o surgimento dos smartphones tem aumentado a quantidade de usuários que não só assistem vídeos, mas também fazem vídeos. Mas o quê acontece com as pessoas que não podem acessar estes conteúdos por terem alguma deficiência ou doença temporária? Para evitar que pessoas não compreendam o conteúdo do vídeo, é importante fornecer um vídeo com acessibilidade, assim, por exemplo, cerca de 23,9% do total da população de Brasil, declaradas com deficiência, serão beneficiadas. Diretrizes e leis para promover a acessibilidade para vídeos foram desenvolvidas. Existem também pesquisas sobre reprodutores de vídeo acessíveis, melhoramento da legenda, recursos sobre a língua de sinais e implementações para enriquecer conteúdos. Apesar do processo de produção de vídeo estar bem definido, as práticas e pesquisas atuais não consideram acessibilidade em seus estágios. Não se explica como autores amadores podem criar conteúdo alternativo considerando as diretrizes ou como incorporar essas diretrizes de acessibilidade no processo de produção de vídeo. Esta tese propõe um método, chamado Video4All, para a autoria de conteúdo alternativo dentro de um processo de produção de vídeo acessível. O Video4All é composto por um conjunto de atividades, incluindo diretrizes para conteúdo alternativo e avaliação desse conteúdo. Estudos de caso foram realizados para verificar a eficácia da aplicação do método proposto por autores amadores, avaliando o seu conteúdo alternativo criado. Assim, ao processo foi incorporada acessibilidade em todos os estágios, considerando-se estudos de caso que relataram as dificuldades que os usuários têm durante a interação com um reprodutor de vídeo acessível. Adicionalmente, foi desenvolvido um método de avaliação do conteúdo alternativo para obter uma medida de qualidade, de forma que os autores entendam melhor o nível de acessibilidade do conteúdo alternativo. O processo de produção de vídeo acessível pode ser utilizado por qualquer autor amador para melhorar a acessibilidade nos seus vídeos. O Video4All também auxilia na criação e avaliação de conteúdo alternativo.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-04T18:50:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 THESIS.pdf: 364289 bytes, checksum: f8df107da6c5e647683554fbbc63f7a5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-03-01 / Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / The use of quantum systems as part of the communication systems has been source of interesting problems many without solution. In the present work, we show the basic concepts of information theory and quantum mechanics necessary to understand the accessible information problem, whose solution maximizes the Shannon mutual information for a channel defined by an ensemble of quantum states given a priori. In order to estimate more precise bounds for accessible information, we propose the use of Branch and Bound method with interval arithmetic. Numerical experiments and related results are exhibited. / O uso de sistemas quâticos como parte de sistemas de comunicação tem sido fonte de interessantes problemas muitos ainda sem solução. No presente trabalho, apresentamos os conceitos básicos em teoria da informação e mecânica quântica necessários ao entendimento do problema do cálculo da informação acessível, cuja solução maximiza a informação mútua de Shannon para um canal definido por um ensemble de estados quâticos dados a priori. Propomos o uso do método de otimização global Branch and Bound aliado à aritmética intervalar para a estimação de limites mais precisos que os teóricos disponíveis para a informação acessível. Experimentos numéricos e resultados relacionados são apresentados.

Sensory substitution devices are a non-invasive visual prostheses that use sound or touch to aid functioning in the blind. Algorithms informed by natural crossmodal correspondences convert and transmit sensory information attributed to an impaired modality back to the user via an unimpaired modality and utilise multisensory networks to activate visual areas of cortex. While behavioural success has been demonstrated in non-visual tasks suing SSDs how they utilise a metamodal brain, organised for function is still a question in research. While imaging studies have shown activation of visual cortex in trained users it is likely that naïve users rely on auditory characteristics of the output signal for functionality and that it is perceptual learning that facilitates crossmodal plasticity. In this thesis I investigated visual-to-auditory sensory substitution in naïve sighted users to assess whether signal complexity and processing in the auditory system facilitates and limits simple recognition tasks. In four experiments evaluating; signal complexity, object resolution, harmonic interference and information load I demonstrate above chance performance in naïve users in all tasks, an increase in generalized learning, limitations in recognition due to principles of auditory scene analysis and capacity limits that hinder performance. Results are looked at from both theoretical and applied perspectives with solutions designed to further inform theory on a multisensory perceptual brain and provide effective training to aid visual rehabilitation.

La tesis analiza la elaboración de un Centro de Día y Residencia para el Adulto Mayor, dirigido a la población del distrito de Reque y distritos más próximos, como propuesta de revaloración a la tercera edad en la sociedad. El tema de mayor importancia se centra en la población de la tercera edad, porque en el Perú y el mundo, el aumento de la población adulta mayor se ha convertido en una característica demográfica y un reto para la sociedad. Así mismo, para el desarrollo del proyecto, se realizó el estudio de ejemplos referenciales, elegidos por la tipología arquitectónica, haciendo énfasis en el estudio de la conceptualización, forma, función y aspectos tecnológicos que los identifican; se realizó un análisis del usuario, así como del lugar donde se desarrollará el proyecto. La investigación pertenece a dos tipologías arquitectónicas, ambas dirigidas a personas mayores: Centro de Día y Residencia Gerontológica, enfatiza la relación entre el interior y exterior del entorno, el uso de tecnologías típicas de la zona y como lugar de encuentro social entre adultos mayores, la familia y la población. Mediante esta investigación se busca que la población longeva encuentre una respuesta a los cambios de sus necesidades y demandas, entre ellas las del aspecto arquitectónico. El Centro de Día y Residencia del Adulto Mayor contribuirá a promover niveles de bienestar en las personas de la tercera edad. / The thesis analyses the development of a Day and Residence Center for the Elderly, aimed at the population of the Reque district and nearest districts, as a proposal for revaluation of senior citizens in society. The most important issue focuses on the elderly population, because in Peru and the world, the increase in the older adult population has become a demographic feature and a challenge for society. Likewise, for the development of the project, the study of reference examples, chosen by the architectural typology, was carried out with an emphasis on the study of conceptualization, form, function and technological aspects that identify them; an analysis of the user was performed as well as where the project will be developed. The research belongs to two architectural typologies, both aimed at the elderly: Day Center and Gerontological Residence, emphasizes the relationship between the interior and exterior of the environment, the use of typical technologies of the area and as a social meeting place between older adults, family and the population. This research seeks to ensure that the long-lived population finds an answer to the changes in their needs and demands, including those of the architectural aspect. The Senior Day and Residence Center will contribute in helping promote levels of well-being in seniors. / Tesis

<p>The Mobile phone has contributed to massive changes in the way that human beings communicate with each other and is a part of society’s globalization. Opinions differ in the area of user interface where some feel that mobile phones exclude users such as senior citizens or users with an intellectual or a physical disability.</p><p>Universal Design –‘design for all’, is a vision that intends to bring about settings, products and services that suits as many people as possible irrespective of an individual’s needs and prospects. The criteria for ‘design for all’ are among other things flexibility, user friendliness, comprehensibility and a high tolerance for mistakes.</p><p>The purpose of this essay was to investigate the mobile phones graphic user-interface from the theory of a universal design. From this general purpose the study looked more closely at senior citizens perspective of mobile phones graphic user-interface. To achieve empirical support for the study a qualitative method in the form of interviews was used. All of the individuals that participated in the study felt that the mobile phone is a very good and beneficial invention. Mobile phones bring about a feeling of security and safety since one can always reach family and friends in the event of a crisis. The participants were included in the study if they were capable of using mobile phones to reach others and for others to reach them. However, individual’s that did not have the technical ability to understand the other possible functions of the user-interface were excluded from the study. It is difficult to provide a interface that is Universal, because every individual is unique.</p>

<p>Structural bioinformatics deals with the analysis, classification and prediction of three-dimensional structures of biomacromolecules. It is becoming increasingly important as the number of structures is growing rapidly. This thesis describes three studies concerned with protein-function prediction and two studies about protein structure validation.</p><p>New protein structures are often compared to known structures to find out if they have a known fold, which may provide hints about their function. The functionality and performance of eleven fold-comparison servers were evaluated. None of the tested servers achieved perfect recall, so in practise a combination of servers should be used.</p><p>If fold comparison does not provide any hints about the function of a protein, structural motif searches can be employed. A survey of left-handed helices in known protein structures was carried out. The results show that left-handed helices are rare motifs, but most of them occur in active or ligand-binding sites. Their identification can therefore help to pinpoint potentially important residues.</p><p>Sometimes all available methods fail to provide hints about the function of a protein. Therefore, the potential of using docking techniques to predict which ligands are likely to bind to a particular protein has been investigated. Initial results show that it will be difficult to build a reliable automated docking protocol that will suit all proteins.</p><p>The effect of various phenomena on the precision of accessible surface area calculations was also investigated. The results suggest that it is prudent to report such values with a precision of 50 to 100 Ų.</p><p>Finally, a survey of register shifts in known protein structures was carried out. The identified potential register shifts were analysed and classified. A machine-learning approach ("rough sets") was used in an attempt to diagnose register errors in structures.</p>