Improved analytical methods provide new opportunities for both biological research and medical applications. This thesis describes several novel molecular techniques for nucleic acid and protein analysis based on detection or sequencing of amplified single molecules (ASMs). ASMs were generated from padlock probe assay and proximity ligation assay (PLA) through a series of molecular processes. In Paper I, a simple colorimetric readout strategy for detection of ASMs generated from padlock probe assay was used for highly sensitive detection of RNA virus, showing the potential of using padlock probes in the point-of-care diagnostics. In Paper II, digital quantification of ASMs, which were generated from padlock probe assay and PLA through circle-to-circle amplification (C2CA), was used for rapid and sensitive detection of nucleic acids and proteins, aiming for applications in biodefense. In Paper III, digital quantification of ASMs that were generated from PLA without C2CA was shown to be able to improve the precision and sensitivity of PLA when compared to the conventional real-time PCR readout. In Paper IV, a non-optical approach for detection of ASMs generated from PLA was used for sensitive detection of bacterial spores. ASMs were detected through sensing oligonucleotide-functionalized magnetic nanobeads that were trapped within them. Finally, based on in situ sequencing of ASMs generated via padlock probe assay, a novel method that enabled sequencing of individual mRNA molecules in their natural context was established and presented in Paper V. Highly multiplex detection of mRNA molecules was also achieved based on in situ sequencing. In situ sequencing allows studies of mRNA molecules from different aspects that cannot be accessed by current in situ hybridization techniques, providing possibilities for discovery of new information from the complexity of transcriptome. Therefore, it has a great potential to become a useful tool for gene expression research and disease diagnostics.

English is the most expansionist language in the world today. Currently, native speakers are outnumbered by non-native speakers by a ratio of 3:1, a ratio that is set to grow to 10:1 within the next ten years. One of the consequences of a language growing so rapidly is that its new users tend to ignore already accepted standards. In what linguists refer to as the outer and expanding circles of English-speakers (mainly in Africa and Asia) new varieties and standards of English are now being invented. In this study, the effects of the current expansion of English on the teaching of English in Swedish upper-secondary schools are explored. Questions raised include: Should teachers of English in Sweden reflect the changing nature of English in their teaching? Should they readily adopt the New Englishes that are emerging or should they teach with the standard they have always used? The national curriculum for the teaching of English in Sweden is discussed in some detail. The guidelines therein are evaluated in terms of their ability to capture the changing face of English as well as their ability to give solid guidance to teachers in a classroom situation. Findings derive from linguistic literature and from interviews conducted with English teachers at upper-secondary level. One of the main conclusions of the study is that whilst the national curriculum recognises the global diversity of English, its goals are overambitious in what it tries to achieve and thus it fails to provide teachers with practical guidance in their day-to-day teaching. A recommendation, therefore, is that the curriculum should be clearer in spelling out the importance of adhering to native standard varieties of English. However this does not mean that teachers should ignore the cultural diversity of the English-speaking world.

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In this study we had the intention to find out how children in preschool exercise influence during circle-times. We have done observations in three different departments, during circle-time, we have also observed how children can react to exercise influence, at the same time we observed also how the preschool-teachers' acted to promote the children in their effort to gain influence. Three interviews were conducted with the intent to identify the teachers' opinions and means to enhance the children's abilities to exercise their influence. In this study we have concluded that children of all ages needs to have their voice heard and influence their surrounding. Furthermore we have seen that the teachers' action can encourage or hamper the child in its attempts to influence its surroundings. It is paramount the teachers identify the "silent" children, with the aim to assist them in finding "their voice". During this study we found that children can either create a situation in which to impose influence or being presented the opportunity directly by the teachers'. In the ways of creating an influential atmosphere with the children, we’ve noticed that their age is an important factor if the child will be heard when trying to impose influence.

La prévalence importante des troubles d’adaptation au sein de la population d’enfants et d’adolescents du Québec appuient l’importance d’accorder une attention particulière aux piliers développementaux influençant leur trajectoire (Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec, 2002). Dans ce sens, des données longitudinales ont permis de statuer sur la nature de l’impact de la relation d’attachement entre le parent et l’enfant sur son adaptation ultérieure (Sroufe, Egeland, Carlson, & Collins, 2005). La sécurité d’attachement aurait un rôle protecteur, mais cette relation a aussi été identifiée comme le système le plus influent dans la compromission du développement de l’enfant (Cicchetti & Valentino, 2006). Parmi les interventions disponibles, le programme d’intervention Circle of Security Parenting (COS-P) (Powell, Cooper, Hoffman, & Marvin, 2009) s’avère particulièrement prometteur étant donnée la qualité de l’intégration théorique et clinique qui le sous-tend. Cependant, aucune donnée n’est encore disponible pour appuyer son efficacité au sein de la population québécoise dans un contexte de soins de première ligne. La présente étude vise ainsi à amorcer cette démarche avec un devis pré/post tests en explorant les effets du protocole d’intervention COS-P auprès de quatre mères et leur enfant d’âge préscolaire. À ces fins, des mesures cernant la fonction réflexive parentale et les dimensions des représentations de l’expérience affective du parent (Parent Development Interview – PDI; Aber, Slade, Berger, Bresgi & Kaplan, 1985) sont recueillies avant et après l’intervention. Les retombées de l’intervention sont aussi examinées chez les parents au niveau du stress parental (Parental Stress Index — PSI; Abidin, 1995; Bigras, LaFrenière, & Abidin, 1996) et au niveau des problèmes comportementaux et émotionnels chez les enfants (Child Behavior Checklist – CBCL; Achenbach & Rescorla, 2000). L’ensemble de ces données est analysé dans un premier temps avec perspective groupale et dans un deuxième temps, avec une perspective individuelle descriptive détaillant les résultats pour chaque participante. Les analyses ne permettent pas de démontrer une amélioration des représentations parentales et une augmentation de la fonction réflexive parentale, tel qu’attendu. Toutefois, le stress parental et les problèmes intériorisés des enfants diminuent, bien que de façon non significative. Il est proposé que l’effet de l’intervention soit compris en considérant le parent à l’intérieur d’un système dynamique, lui permettant de s’approprier l’intervention à travers un ensemble de facteurs qui lui sont propres. Des suggestions pour les études futures sont formulées en regard des constats méthodologiques et cliniques qui se dégagent de la présente étude notamment quant à la pertinence de mesures de relance (Navarro, manuscrit en préparation) et à la poursuite de la démonstration de l’efficacité du protocole avec un devis expérimental (Lemieux, manuscrit en préparation).

Neste trabalho foi analisado um novo modelo de operação em rotatória implantado no município de Araraquara-SP, cuja preferência é da via principal que possui semáforos a certa distância da interseção, com o início de verde em diferentes momentos para cada direção da via principal. Os semáforos defasados permitem o ordenamento do fluxo e geram brechas maiores ao reduzir o headway entre veículos, o que possibilita a operação em pelotões e, consequentemente, aumenta a capacidade da interseção e reduz o número de conflitos. A proposta foi comparada com duas outras operações mais usuais: rotatória moderna e rotatória convencional (com e sem preferência para a via circular, respectivamente). A elaboração do trabalho foi dividida em cinco partes: primeiramente é apresentada, de forma detalhada, como é operado o modelo proposto. Em seguida, com dados obtidos em campo por filmagens nas três operações de rotatória em análise, foram determinadas as brechas críticas, através de cinco métodos determinísticos, e o headway em fila pelo método de Siegloch (1973). A terceira parte do trabalho foi a análise das distribuições de veículos na rotatória que, junto com o modelo de aproveitamento das brechas, compuseram os modelos de capacidade. Durante a quarta etapa foi realizada uma adaptação da metodologia de dimensionamento semafórico de Webster devido à possibilidade de entrada da via não preferencial, mesmo com o semáforo aberto na via principal, caso haja brecha suficiente. Finalmente, na quinta etapa, com a calibração do software AIMSUN, foram realizadas simulações dos três cenários utilizando o atraso crítico de controle como variável de análise, ou seja, o maior atraso entre as aproximações devido à existência da interseção. Foi verificado que ao instalar os semáforos na via principal, que possui a preferência na entrada da rotatória, o aumento da capacidade, principalmente ao comparar cenários com alta taxa de conversão ou em situação de fluxo desequilibrado entre as aproximações. Ao final foram calibrados modelos de capacidade para a operação em estudo baseados nas simulações, podendo ser aplicados em qualquer situação ao variar a brecha crítica e o headway em fila. / In this work, a new traffic-circle operation, implemented in the city of Araraquara-SP, was analysed. The operation consists in offer the traffic preference to the main road with traffic lights installed before the approximation point, with the green time beginning in different moments in which direction to order the use of the intersection and to generate larger gaps by reducing the headway between vehicles, allowing the operation in platoons. The objective is to increase the capacity of the intersection and to reduce the number of conflicts. The proposal was compared with two other more usual operations: roundabouts and conventional traffic circle (with and without preference for the circular track, respectively). The elaboration of the work was divided in five parts: firstly, it is presented, in detail, how the signalized traffic circle is operated. Then, with data obtained in the field by recording the three operations in analysis, the critical gaps were determined, through five deterministic methods, and the follow-up headway. The third part of the work was the analysis of vehicle distributions at the traffic circles and, together with the gap utilization model, the capacity models were determined. During the fourth stage, Webster\'s signal methodology was adapted because of the possibility of non-preferential entering in the traffic circle, even with the green light of the signal on the main road, if there is a sufficient gap. Finally, in the fifth step, with the calibration of the AIMSUN software, simulations of the three scenarios were performed using, as a variable, the critical control delay (the highest delay between the approximations due to the existence of the intersection). It was verified that offer the traffic preference to the main road with traffic lights installed before the approximation point, the capacity increases significantly, mainly when comparing scenarios with high conversion rate or in situation of unbalanced traffic flow between the approaches. At the end, capacity models were calibrated for the study operation based on the simulations, and it may be applied in any situation by varying the critical gap and the follow-up headway.

My imagery comes from what I see in nature. From a hollow in a tree to a break in the clouds, absence is a recurring motif. These spaces intrigue me, and I begin to wonder where they might lead. The structures becomes one rounded, spreading volume. By printing on both sides of the paper, two images intertwine: one drawing attention and the other subtly shifting beneath the surface. The work becomes an expression of the intricacies and depth of natural forms. Ultimately, I want to take on the processes of nature and embody them in my own works of art.

This summer Herman Gluck and Weiqing Gu proved the last step in a process that took conformal maps between two complex spaces and related them to Volume Preserving Great Circle Fibrations of S3. These fibrations, which are non-intersecting flows, break down under certain conditions. We obtained the fibrations by applying the process to different conformal maps then calculated the angles where they intersect. This paper centers around the developments in the method for converting the conformal maps and finding the critical angles. Finally, the examples are included in their various stages of completeness.

Recent evidence suggests that overfishing of large predatory fishes has resulted in substantial population declines and pelagic longline (PLL) fishing is a major contributor. The primary objective of this dissertation is understanding factors that affect the interactions between marine fish PLL fishing. These factors are important to determine vulnerability of bycatch and target species, especially when PLL catch and effort data are used to estimate stock abundance. Chapter 1 reviews 107 publications/reports on this topic. Results indicate that accurate characterization of PLL gear performance requires empirical measurement of horizontal and vertical gear movement; and pop-up satellite tags (PSATs) are best suited for quantifying pelagic fish vertical habitat use if: (i) sampling resolution and data storage are not a function of tracking duration and (ii) substantial monitoring durations are employed. This review documents the current state of knowledge for these factors and guidance for future research. In Chapter 2, hook time-at-depth was monitored for commercial PLL sets targeting swordfish, Xiphias gladius. Temperature-depth recorders (TDRs) were deployed at the hook, systematically along the entire gear length. Results indicated that: (i) hook depth predictions based on catenary geometry drastically overestimated actual fishing depths and (ii) using catenary geometry fails to capture within- and among-set variability, potentially resulting in biased stock assessments. Chapter 3 used temperature-depth data from PSATs on swordfish and blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) and similar data from TDR monitored near-surface and deep PLL fishing to determine the diel probability of these species encountering PLL hooks. Results indicated that blue marlin and swordfish inhabit surface waters at night with similar probability of encountering PLL hooks but may have different vulnerabilities due to temporal separation in feeding with blue marlin preferring daytime and twilight and swordfish preferring nighttime. Therefore, reducing fishing during daylight hours may reduce blue marlin bycatch during PLL targeting swordfish. Chapter 4 alternated non-offset and 10° offset circle hooks during PLL fishing and compared the relative performance on catch rates, percent mortality, and deep hooking percentage. Results indicated that 10° offset circle hooks can reduce fishing efficiency and conservation benefits commonly associated with circle hooks.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of amplitude scaling on bimanual coordination in a circle drawing task. Eleven right-handed subjects traced the perimeter of 5 circles measuring 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 cm in diameter under the following coordination conditions: (1) both hands move inward together (symmetric coordination pattern), and (2) both hands move counterclockwise together (asymmetric coordination pattern). In a set of self-paced trials, subjects traced each circle separately at a preferred frequency and separately for each coordination pattern. Although subjects matched the required amplitude of the target circles quite well, radial amplitude variability increased with increasing circle diameter. No transitions or movement reversals were observed in the self-paced trials, and the symmetric pattern was more stable than the asymmetric pattern. In a set of amplitude scaling trials, subjects continuously traced the 5 circles from small (3 cm) to big (15 cm) (SB) and from big to small (BS) at two fixed pacing frequencies (1.25 Hz and 1.5 Hz). Observed cycling frequency decreased with increasing circle diameter, and observed radial amplitude was most accurate when tracing the 9 cm diameter circle, with larger than required amplitude when tracing the 3 cm and 6 cm diameter circles, and smaller than required amplitude when tracing the 12 cm and 15 cm diameter circles. Radial amplitude variability also increased with increasing circle diameter in the amplitude scaling trials. The symmetric coordination pattern was more stable than the symmetric coordination pattern. Transitions from the asymmetric to symmetric coordination pattern as well as movement reversals were observed in both scaling directions. No transitions occurred while producing the symmetric pattern in any scaling direction or pacing frequency condition. The results show that amplitude scaling influenced the spatiotemporal aspects of bimanual circle drawing. Moreover, amplitude scaling induced more transitions than previous research that scaled movement frequency as a control parameter in bimanual circle drawing tasks.