>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Tyrosinase is an enzyme widely distributed in the biosphere and is found in many species of bacteria, fungi, animals, and plants; it is associated with melanin production. Even though it possesses many beneficial properties such as photoprotection, but overproduction causes undesirable effects such melasma, solar lentigines etc. Therefore, tyrosinase enzyme inhibitors are of far-ranging importance in cosmetics, medicinal products, and food industries. This study is aimed to test anti-tyrosinase activity in 37 plants from 20 families using mushroom tyrosinase inhibition method; each plant was extracted with methanol. The results showed that 17 plant extracts, exerted a considerable level of in vitro tyrosinase inhibition comparable to positive controls of kojic acid in the same solvent systems when evaluated spectrophotometrically. Among plant extracts, those that showed an inhibition rate >50 % at 50 μg/ml and ˃60 % at 200 μg/ml were A. karroo (Hayne.), A. afra Jacq. Ex Willd, C. geifolia (L.), E. racemosa (L.), H. petiolare Hilliard & B.L.Burt, M. quercifolia (L.), M. communis (L.), P. rigida (Wikstr.), P. ecklonii (Benth.), P. ericoides (L.), S. Africanacaerulea (L.), S. Africana-lutea (L.), S. antarcticus (Willd.), S. lucida (L.) F.A.Barkley, S. hamilifolius (L.), S. furcellata R.Br and T riparia which exhibited great anti-tyrosinase activity.

Games have been used to evaluate and advance techniques in the eld of Articial Intelligence since before computers were invented. Many of these games have been deterministic perfect information games (e.g. Chess and Checkers). A deterministic game has no chance element and in a perfect information game, all information is visible to all players. However, many real-world scenarios involving competing agents can be more accurately modeled as stochastic (non-deterministic), im- perfect information games, and this dissertation investigates such games. Poker is one such game played by millions of people around the world; it will be used as the testbed of the research presented in this dissertation. For a specic set of games, two-player zero-sum perfect recall games, a recent technique called Counterfactual Regret Minimization (CFR) computes strategies that are provably convergent to an -Nash equilibrium. A Nash equilibrium strategy is very useful in two-player games as it maximizes its utility against a worst-case opponent. However, once we move to multiplayer games, we lose all theoretical guarantees for CFR. Furthermore, we have no theoretical guarantees about the performance of a strategy from a multiplayer Nash equilibrium against two arbitrary op- ponents. Despite the lack of theoretical guarantees, my thesis is that CFR-generated agents may perform well in multiplayer games. I created several 3-player limit Texas Holdem Poker agents and the results of the 2009 Computer Poker Competition demonstrate that these are the strongest 3-player computer Poker agents in the world. I also contend that a good strategy can be obtained by grafting a set of two-player subgame strategies to a 3-player base strategy when one of the players is eliminated.

General Game Playing (GGP) deals with the design of players that are able to play any discrete, deterministic, complete information games. For many games like chess, designers develop a player using a specially designed algorithm and tune all the features of the algorithm to play the game as good as possible. However, a general game player knows nothing about the game that is about to be played. When the game begins, game description is given to the players and they should analyze it and decide on the best way to play the game. In this thesis, we focus on two-player constant-sum simultaneous move games in GGP and how this class of games can be handled. Rock-paper-scissors can be considered as a typical example of a simultaneous move game. We introduce the CFR algorithm to the GGP community for the first time and show its effectiveness in playing simultaneous move games. This is the first implementation of CFR outside the poker world. We also improve the UCT algorithm, which is the state of the art in GGP, to be more robust in simultaneous move games. In addition, we analyze how UCT performs in simultaneous move games and argue that it does not converge to a Nash equilibrium. We also compare the usage of UCT and CFR in this class of games. Finally, we discuss about the importance of opponent modeling and how a model of the opponent can be exploited by using CFR.

No description available.

No description available.

A velocidade de propagação da chama em motores ciclo Otto é determinante das características do combustível, sendo fundamental seu conhecimento para um melhor ajuste do par motor/combustível. Maior velocidade de propagação da chama possibilita aumentar a potência com o aumento da rotação do motor. Assim, pode-se inclusive atrasar o avanço de ignição, com isto, menor será o trabalho negativo necessário para comprimir a mistura já em combustão antes do Ponto Morto Superior, e, maior será a eficiência do ciclo. A velocidade de propagação da chama é fortemente influenciada pela relação de compressão, condição de mistura, turbulência e avanço de ignição. Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a influência destes parâmetros de operação na velocidade de propagação da chama em um motor CFR (Cooperative Fuel Research). Para tanto são apresentados resultados experimentais de medidas de ângulo entre o momento de ignição do combustível e a detecção da chama na extremidade oposta da câmara de combustão por um sensor de ionização em um motor CFR. Também é mapeado o trabalho no diagrama pressão versus volume, que permite a avaliação do trabalho líquido produzido por ciclo e disponibiliza o valor do pico de pressão, o ângulo em que este ocorre, a pressão média efetiva e a curva de fração mássica queimada para cada condição ensaiada. Apresenta-se as análises da variação do ângulo de combustão tanto do MTBE quanto do isooctano em 5 diferentes avanços de ignição. Para o ensaio com etanol hidratado são apresentadas as análises realizadas com 6 relações de compressão, 5 avanços de ignição e 5 relações ar-combustível, onde todos os valores destes parâmetros em estudo abrangem faixas típicas de operação de motores comerciais. Os resultados indicam um menor ângulo de combustão para relações de compressão elevadas, condição de mistura ligeiramente rica e elevados avanços de ignição. / The flame speed propagation in Otto cycles engine is a conclusive fuel feature, whose knowledge has a fundamental importance for a better accuracy of the pair engine/fuel. The higher flame speed propagation enables a greater cylinder filling, which can also increase power with improvements in engine speed, as a result holding back the ignition advance. Thus, it will be necessary a lower negative work to compress the mixture already in combustion before the top dead center, then resulting a greater efficiency cycle. The flame speed propagation is highly influenced by the compression ratio, mixture condition and ignition advance. This thesis proposes to investigate the influence of these operational parameters over the flame speed propagation in a CFR engine [Cooperative Fuel Research]. In this way, the angle measurements are performed between the fuel ignition timing and the flame detection over the opposite edge of combustion chamber by a ionization sensor in a CFR engine, as well as the diagram work pressure versus volume, which allows the net work evaluation produced by cycles and available the high pressure value, the angle with this occurs, the mean effective pressure and the curve of mass fraction burned for each tease condition. It introduces the analysis of combustion duration variation as much MTBE as the isooctane in 5 distinct ignition advance for the hydratated ethanol testing are introduced analysis accomplished with 6 compression ratio, 5 ignition advances and 5 air/fuel ratio, whose parameters values studies incorporates typical operational ratios of commercial engines. The results indicated a low angular combustion duration for the higher compression ratio, slightly rich mixture condition and elevated ignition advance.

A velocidade de propagação da chama em motores ciclo Otto é determinante das características do combustível, sendo fundamental seu conhecimento para um melhor ajuste do par motor/combustível. Maior velocidade de propagação da chama possibilita aumentar a potência com o aumento da rotação do motor. Assim, pode-se inclusive atrasar o avanço de ignição, com isto, menor será o trabalho negativo necessário para comprimir a mistura já em combustão antes do Ponto Morto Superior, e, maior será a eficiência do ciclo. A velocidade de propagação da chama é fortemente influenciada pela relação de compressão, condição de mistura, turbulência e avanço de ignição. Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a influência destes parâmetros de operação na velocidade de propagação da chama em um motor CFR (Cooperative Fuel Research). Para tanto são apresentados resultados experimentais de medidas de ângulo entre o momento de ignição do combustível e a detecção da chama na extremidade oposta da câmara de combustão por um sensor de ionização em um motor CFR. Também é mapeado o trabalho no diagrama pressão versus volume, que permite a avaliação do trabalho líquido produzido por ciclo e disponibiliza o valor do pico de pressão, o ângulo em que este ocorre, a pressão média efetiva e a curva de fração mássica queimada para cada condição ensaiada. Apresenta-se as análises da variação do ângulo de combustão tanto do MTBE quanto do isooctano em 5 diferentes avanços de ignição. Para o ensaio com etanol hidratado são apresentadas as análises realizadas com 6 relações de compressão, 5 avanços de ignição e 5 relações ar-combustível, onde todos os valores destes parâmetros em estudo abrangem faixas típicas de operação de motores comerciais. Os resultados indicam um menor ângulo de combustão para relações de compressão elevadas, condição de mistura ligeiramente rica e elevados avanços de ignição. / The flame speed propagation in Otto cycles engine is a conclusive fuel feature, whose knowledge has a fundamental importance for a better accuracy of the pair engine/fuel. The higher flame speed propagation enables a greater cylinder filling, which can also increase power with improvements in engine speed, as a result holding back the ignition advance. Thus, it will be necessary a lower negative work to compress the mixture already in combustion before the top dead center, then resulting a greater efficiency cycle. The flame speed propagation is highly influenced by the compression ratio, mixture condition and ignition advance. This thesis proposes to investigate the influence of these operational parameters over the flame speed propagation in a CFR engine [Cooperative Fuel Research]. In this way, the angle measurements are performed between the fuel ignition timing and the flame detection over the opposite edge of combustion chamber by a ionization sensor in a CFR engine, as well as the diagram work pressure versus volume, which allows the net work evaluation produced by cycles and available the high pressure value, the angle with this occurs, the mean effective pressure and the curve of mass fraction burned for each tease condition. It introduces the analysis of combustion duration variation as much MTBE as the isooctane in 5 distinct ignition advance for the hydratated ethanol testing are introduced analysis accomplished with 6 compression ratio, 5 ignition advances and 5 air/fuel ratio, whose parameters values studies incorporates typical operational ratios of commercial engines. The results indicated a low angular combustion duration for the higher compression ratio, slightly rich mixture condition and elevated ignition advance.

A velocidade de propagação da chama em motores ciclo Otto é determinante das características do combustível, sendo fundamental seu conhecimento para um melhor ajuste do par motor/combustível. Maior velocidade de propagação da chama possibilita aumentar a potência com o aumento da rotação do motor. Assim, pode-se inclusive atrasar o avanço de ignição, com isto, menor será o trabalho negativo necessário para comprimir a mistura já em combustão antes do Ponto Morto Superior, e, maior será a eficiência do ciclo. A velocidade de propagação da chama é fortemente influenciada pela relação de compressão, condição de mistura, turbulência e avanço de ignição. Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a influência destes parâmetros de operação na velocidade de propagação da chama em um motor CFR (Cooperative Fuel Research). Para tanto são apresentados resultados experimentais de medidas de ângulo entre o momento de ignição do combustível e a detecção da chama na extremidade oposta da câmara de combustão por um sensor de ionização em um motor CFR. Também é mapeado o trabalho no diagrama pressão versus volume, que permite a avaliação do trabalho líquido produzido por ciclo e disponibiliza o valor do pico de pressão, o ângulo em que este ocorre, a pressão média efetiva e a curva de fração mássica queimada para cada condição ensaiada. Apresenta-se as análises da variação do ângulo de combustão tanto do MTBE quanto do isooctano em 5 diferentes avanços de ignição. Para o ensaio com etanol hidratado são apresentadas as análises realizadas com 6 relações de compressão, 5 avanços de ignição e 5 relações ar-combustível, onde todos os valores destes parâmetros em estudo abrangem faixas típicas de operação de motores comerciais. Os resultados indicam um menor ângulo de combustão para relações de compressão elevadas, condição de mistura ligeiramente rica e elevados avanços de ignição. / The flame speed propagation in Otto cycles engine is a conclusive fuel feature, whose knowledge has a fundamental importance for a better accuracy of the pair engine/fuel. The higher flame speed propagation enables a greater cylinder filling, which can also increase power with improvements in engine speed, as a result holding back the ignition advance. Thus, it will be necessary a lower negative work to compress the mixture already in combustion before the top dead center, then resulting a greater efficiency cycle. The flame speed propagation is highly influenced by the compression ratio, mixture condition and ignition advance. This thesis proposes to investigate the influence of these operational parameters over the flame speed propagation in a CFR engine [Cooperative Fuel Research]. In this way, the angle measurements are performed between the fuel ignition timing and the flame detection over the opposite edge of combustion chamber by a ionization sensor in a CFR engine, as well as the diagram work pressure versus volume, which allows the net work evaluation produced by cycles and available the high pressure value, the angle with this occurs, the mean effective pressure and the curve of mass fraction burned for each tease condition. It introduces the analysis of combustion duration variation as much MTBE as the isooctane in 5 distinct ignition advance for the hydratated ethanol testing are introduced analysis accomplished with 6 compression ratio, 5 ignition advances and 5 air/fuel ratio, whose parameters values studies incorporates typical operational ratios of commercial engines. The results indicated a low angular combustion duration for the higher compression ratio, slightly rich mixture condition and elevated ignition advance.

Submitted by Rosangela Silva (rosangela.silva3@unioeste.br) on 2018-02-21T18:23:19Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Jaciele Hosda.pdf: 1559840 bytes, checksum: 9c30ae08dd5270caf7c61d96cbf90878 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-02-21T18:23:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Jaciele Hosda.pdf: 1559840 bytes, checksum: 9c30ae08dd5270caf7c61d96cbf90878 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-07-12 / This research brings reflections around the topic subject, discourse and ideology present in the Rural Family Houses (CFR), which were identified through documents that guide the teaching. Based on studies and questions about how these concepts are understood in a differentiated teaching that uses the methodology of Alternation Pedagogy (PA), focused on the student reality, we are anchored in authors such as Gimonet (2007) and Freire (1979) 1992). In order to organize the discussions about the problem and answer our research question about the subject, the discourse and the ideology for the CFR, we have as a general objective to understand the subject, the discourse and the ideology for the CFR. The research is qualitative, with an interpretative basis, and the theoretical contribution of the Critical Discourse Analysis (ACD) was used, using Fairclough (1997, 2001) and Van Dijk (2008), which allowed us to study the changes and relationships Society. As a result, we understand that the subject present and constructed by the CFR is a social subject that has its discourse focused on social relations, and which understands its ideology from its discourse and reality. / Esta pesquisa traz reflexões em torno do tema sujeito, discurso e ideologia presentes nas Casas Familiares Rurais (CFR), as quais foram identificadas por meio de documentos que norteiam o ensino. A partir de estudos e questionamentos acerca de como são compreendidos tais conceitos em um ensino diferenciado, que utiliza a metodologia da Pedagogia da Alternância (PA), voltado à realidade do aluno, ancoramo-nos em autores como Gimonet (2007) e Freire (1979 1992). Com o propósito de organizar as discussões acerca do problema e responder nossa questão de pesquisa de como é o sujeito, o discurso e a ideologia para a CFR, traçamos como objetivo geral compreender o sujeito, o discurso e a ideologia para a CFR. A pesquisa é de cunho qualitativo, de base interpretativista, e foi utilizado aporte teórico da Análise Crítica do Discurso (ACD), recorrendo a Fairclough (1997, 2001) e a Van Dijk (2008), o que nos permitiu estudar as mudanças e relações sociais presentes na sociedade. Como resultado, entendemos que o sujeito presente e construído pela CFR é um sujeito social que tem seu discurso voltado às relações sociais, e que compreende a sua ideologia a partir de seu discurso e realidade.

Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs) concentrate high levels of biodiversity and several species not found anywhere else. They prevail in the landscape through the ecological contribution of groundwater. They, GDEs, are vulnerable to drastic changes in groundwater depth. If, for example, bulk groundwater pumping drastically increases the groundwater depth and GDEs can no longer access it, they would die out. In the Cape Floristic Region (CFR), South Africa, there is limited information about the spatial distribution of groundwater dependent ecosystems. With the CFR having multiple locations with current and subsequent bulk groundwater pumping, identifying the spatial distribution of GDEs is a prerequisite for establishing their groundwater requirements. This dissertation presents a proposed novel method to identify rapid recovering wetlands predicted to be GDEs and uses Random Forest (RF) to predict their spatial distribution. The proposed novel approach leveraged the periodic fire disturbances in the CFR and applied the remote sensing index; Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) extracted from high spatial resolution (1 m) aerial orthoimages. The proposed novel approach involves three levels of analysis. The first two levels used a one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to analyse the sensitivity of mean NDVI to discriminate wetland and non-wetland classes in burned and unburned study sites, and a post-hoc test: Tukey's Honest Significant Differences (HSD) pair-wise comparison to detect differences between the wetland and non-wetland mean NDVI and infer an NDVI threshold of wetland classes. In unburned sites, ANOVAshowed no statistical significance between wetland and non-wetland classes, F (2,15) = 3.53, p = 0.055. In burned sites, however, ANOVA showed there was a significant difference between wetland and non-wetland classes, F (2,15) = 9.66, p = 0.002. ANOVA and Tukey showed there were significant differences betweenwetland and non-wetland classes, with wetlands having between 0.22 and 0.37 greater NDVI than non-wetlands. The last level of analysis employed a kernel density estimator function to assess the recovery rate post-burn and use it to detect faster recovery as potential of wetlands to be GDEs; results showed that potential wetland GDEs experience rapid NDVI recovery > 236 days post-fire. In the fire prone CFR, leveraging fire data to detect GDEs provides a potentially simple and efficient way of building a local database for GDEs. The proposed novel approach showed leveraging fire data is a simple alternative to laborious field data to identify and map GDEs in the CFR. But because of the finite spectral bands in aerial orthoimages, Sentinel-2A multi-epochs dataset was utilised to carry out random forest for predicting the spatial distribution of potential wetland GDEs in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve. Sentinel-2A bands: Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR), NearInfrared (NIR), Red-edge, Red, Green, NDVI and Normalised Difference Wetness Index (NDWI) predictors and the potential wetland GDEs/non-wetland classes as the response. I tuned RF using five-fold repeated spatial cross-validation instead of the typical cross-validation tuning to account for the spatial structure of the data. The overall predictive accuracy of RF was between 59%-71%. This predictive accuracy may have been reduced by the application of spatial cross-validation that accounted for the spatial autocorrelation in the multi-date data. The dissertation showed that Sentinel-2A multi-date data applies in predicting the distribution of potential wetland GDEs but might not be effective for smaller (< 100 m2) wetlands. These small wetlands showed rapid post-fire recovery (less than a year post-fire) and were effectively detected with high resolution aerial orthoimages (1 m) spatial resolution.