Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The nest refuse of leaf-cutting ants is the depleted material resulted from the degradation of vegetation harvested, after being partially consumed by workers, along with dead ants and remnants of own symbiotic fungus. It is an extremely rich material in many nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S) and may act as an important component of the organic matter in tropical soils, influencing the development and diversity of plant species. In addition, as a renewable material, of relatively easy availability and sampling, it may be a compound with a high potential for organic farming. In this study, we evaluated the influence of nest refuse in two distinct situations: i) as a substrate for the production of vegetables and ii) the plant regeneration of newly deforested plots. To this purpose, the experiments were divided into two stages: first, the nest refuse was evaluated as a component in a substrate for production of lettuce seedlings (Lactuca sativa) and arugula (Eruca sativa) at different concentrations. The experimental design was completely randomized, consisting of six treatments and four replications. The treatments were the following mixtures: Control (Cont) considered the basic substrate containing bark of Pinus sp. + sand + vermiculite (3:3:1 v/v); commercial substrate (Tropstrato®- Trop); nest refuse of two species (Atta opaciceps and Acromyrmex balzani) + basic substrate, in two concentrations: 15% and 25% for each of the species tested (AT15, AT25, AC15 and AC25), respectively. All substrates were subjected to chemical analysis for determination of macro- and micronutrients. The influence of the substrate in the development of seedlings was evaluated by height, root length, stem diameter, dry weight and number of leaves at four periods: 15, 20, 25 and 30 days after sowing. For the second stage of the experiment, a portion of 10 m x 5 m was installed in a regeneration area. The plot was divided into 50 sub-plots of 1 m2, of these, 30 subplots were randomly selected for cataloguing herbaceous species present. After that, the original vegetation was completely removed in the whole plot area. Thereafter, it was installed at the center of each subplot a quadrant of 30 cm x 30 cm, 15 of them containing a mixture of a liter of sieved soil with 250 mL of nest refuse of Atta opaciceps (25% of nest refuse) and the remaining quadrants with 1 liter of bare soil (control). The quadrants remained in the field for 150 days to be reforested. Afterwards, richness, abundance, composition and dry biomass of the herbaceous species that colonized the plots were evaluated. Our results showed that the seedlings of vegetables in treatments containing nest refuse of leaf-cutting ants developed as well as those grown in the commercial product taking into account the evaluated attributes. Possibly, the highest average growth rates of seedlings from the AT25 and AC25 treatments are due to higher nutrient concentrations present in the material. The nest refuse also influenced the development of herbaceous species, since plots receiving nest refuse had higher biomass (vigor) in comparison with the control group. However, there was no influence of nest refuse in species diversity between treatments. Our results suggest that nest refuse produced by leaf-cutting ants may have applicability to either production of vegetables or to be disposed in areas that suffered some disturbance, pointing out another ecological service provided by ants. / O lixo de formigas cortadeiras é o material gerado da degradação do material vegetal após ser parcialmente consumido pelas operárias, juntamente com formigas mortas e resquícios do próprio fungo simbionte. É um material extremamente rico em diversos nutrientes e pode atuar como um importante insumo em solos tropicais, influenciando na diversidade e desenvolvimento de espécies vegetais. Além disso, por ser um material renovável, relativamente de fácil disponibilidade e coleta, pode ser um composto com alto potencial em cultivos orgânicos. Nesse estudo avaliamos a influência do lixo em duas situações distintas: i) como substrato para a produção de hortaliças e ii) na regeneração vegetal de parcelas recém desmatadas. Para alcance dos nossos objetivos, os experimentos foram divididos em duas etapas: na primeira, o lixo foi avaliado como componente na formulação de substratos para produção de mudas de alface (Lactuca sativa) e rúcula (Eruca sativa) em diferentes concentrações. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, formado por seis tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram em: Cont (Pinus sp. + fibra de coco + vermiculita (3:3:1 v/v)); substrato comercial - (Trop); lixo de formigueiros + substrato Cont, oriundo de duas espécies (Atta opaciceps e Acromyrmex balzani) em duas concentrações de 15% e 25% para cada uma das espécies testadas (AT15, AT25, AC15 e AC25), respectivamente. Todos os substratos foram submetidos às análises químicas para determinação de macro e micronutrientes. A influência do substrato no desenvolvimento das mudas foi avaliada pela altura, comprimento da raiz, diâmetro do caule, massa seca e número de folhas, em quatro períodos: aos 15, 20, 25 e 30 dias após a semeadura. Para segunda etapa do experimento, uma parcela de 10 m x 5 m foi instalada em uma área em regeneração. A parcela foi subdividida em 50 subparcelas de 1 m2 destas, 30 subparcelas foram selecionadas aleatoriamente para levantamento das espécies herbáceas presentes. Após isso, a vegetação original foi totalmente removida em toda a área da parcela. Posteriormente, no centro de cada uma das 30 subparcelas foi demarcado um quadrante de 30 cm x 30 cm, sendo 15 contendo uma mistura de solo com Atta opaciceps (25% de lixo), totalizando um litro; e 15 com 1 litro de solo (controle). Os quadrantes permaneceram no local por 150 dias, para serem recolonizados pela vegetação. Após esse período avaliou-se a riqueza, abundância, composição e biomassa seca das espécies herbáceas que colonizaram as parcelas. Os nossos resultados mostraram que as mudas de hortaliças nos tratamentos contendo lixo de formigas cortadeiras se desenvolveram tão bem quanto as do tratamento comercial nos atributos avaliados. Possivelmente, as maiores médias de crescimento das mudas no tratamento AT25 e AC25 devem-se às maiores concentrações de nutrientes presentes no material. O lixo também influenciou o desenvolvimento das espécies herbáceas, as parcelas que receberam lixo apresentaram maior biomassa (vigor) em relação ao grupo controle. Porém, não foi observada influência do lixo na diversidade das espécies entre os tratamentos. Nossos resultados sugerem que o lixo produzido por formigas cortadeiras pode ter aplicabilidades tanto para a produção de hortaliças, quanto para ser inserido em áreas que sofreram alguma perturbação, ressalvando mais um serviço ecológico fornecido pelas saúvas.

This diploma thesis deals with the issue of alternative and augmentative communication in the education of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and impaired communication skills. The theoretical part defines the concept of communication and speech, describes the development of communication in childhood and represents various categories of impaired communication skills. The next chapter defines the ASD, its classification and speeches. Furthermore, the theoretical part presents individual alternative and augmentative communication systems and focuses on their advantages and disadvantages in the education of children. The empirical part of the work is processed in the form of qualitative research, where the outputs are represented by case studies based on observations and interviews, which are focused on communication systems used by students with the ASD. The main goal is to focus on children with the ASD and their ability to use the alternative and augmentative communication systems in their development and education.

This dissertation of an interdisciplinary character involves music education, music psychology, linguistics and special education. In the theoretical part of the thesis the author explains the term timbre from the musicological and linguistic perspective; characterizes timbre hearing as a musical hearing ability; introduces and compares timbre and phonemic hearing tests; describes the development of musicality and speech of pre-school children from an ontogenetic perspective, and emphasizes hearing atten- tion as a prerequisite for their advancement. The author also characterizes disruption of these abilities and describes reeducation therapies that involve elements of music education and mu- sic therapy. A field study described in the practical part of the thesis has a form of fundamental research and experiment. Research participants were 180 pre-school children. A field study is addressing the relationship between speech and musical manifestations of pre-school children with atypi- cal speech development. The aim of the experiment was to search for the most effective com- bination of music and language education with positive influence on both musicality and speech. Chapters of the thesis introduce a unique diagnostic material, experimental methodol- ogy and research outcomes. A field study...

[ES] Los sistemas de ingeniería o físicos suelen ser inciertos. Su incertidumbre se manifiesta cuando el sistema muestra comportamientos que son relativamente diferentes a los que su modelo predice; estando principalmente causada por: errores de modelado; dinámicas desconocidas; cambios en las propiedades del sistema; interacciones aleatorias con otros sistemas; o cambios en las condiciones de operación. Durante los últimos 40 años, se ha demostrado reiteradamente que las incertidumbres de los sistemas pueden tener efectos muy negativos sobre el comportamiento de un controlador si éstas no se consideran adecuadamente sus formulaciones matemáticas. Por esta razón, una parte importante de la investigación actual está centrada en este tema; buscando las formas mas adecuadas para representar matemáticamente las incertidumbres de los sistemas, así como buscando nuevas herramientas matemáticas que permitan hacer uso de ésta representación de la incertidumbre con el objetivo de diseñar algoritmos de control robustos. En esta tesis se presentan nuevas aportaciones en esta línea. Concretamente, se desarrollan nuevas metodologías para diseñar controladores (DOBCs) y predictores (DOBPs) para sistemas dinámicos inciertos basados en observadores de perturbaciones. La principal aportación es demostrar que los DOBCs se pueden sintetizar desde un enfoque de control óptimo; siendo su principal criterio de diseño el de aproximar la -irrealizable- señal de control óptima que minimiza un índice de coste cuadrático sujeto a un modelo dinámico lineal (LTI). Este nuevo enfoque de diseño es indistintamente válido para modelos SISO/MIMO con múltiples o únicas perturbaciones. Además permite un ajuste del controlador muy intuitivo gracias a las matrices de ponderación del coste. De forma similar; los DOBPs se construyen con el objetivo de aproximar la solución temporal un sistema dinámico perturbado. Con el objetivo de contextualizar la aportación, el documento también incluye un breve resumen de los principales métodos de control robusto y el impacto que han tenido en la revolución tecnológica del siglo XXI; algunas discusiones sobre la utilidad de los modelos LTI perturbados para representar sistemas dinámicos inciertos; y algunas relaciones, comparaciones y simulaciones numéricas de los métodos propuestos con otras técnicas de control. / [CA] Els sistemes d'enginyeria o físics solen ser incerts. La seua incertesa es manifesta quan el sistema mostra comportaments que són relativament diferents als que el seu model prediu; sent principalment causada per: errors de modelatge; dinàmiques desconegudes; canvis en les propietats del sistema; interaccions aleatòries amb altres sistemes; o canvis en les condicions d'operació. Durant els últims 40 anys, s'ha demostrat reiteradament que les incerteses dels sistemes poden tindre efectes molt negatius sobre el comportament d'un controlador si aquestes no es consideren adequadament les seues formulacions matemàtiques. Per aquesta raó, una part important de la investigació actual està centrada en aquest tema; buscant les formes mes adequades per a representar matemàticament les incerteses dels sistemes, així com buscant noves tècniques matemàtiques que permeten fer ús d'aquesta representació de la incertesa amb l'objectiu de dissenyar algorismes de control robustos. En aquesta tesi es presenten noves aportacions en aquesta línia. Concretament, es desenvolupen noves metodologies per a dissenyar controladors (DOBCs) i predictors (DOBPs) per a sistemes dinàmics incerts basats en observadors de pertorbacions. La principal aportació és demostrar que els DOBCs es poden sintetitzar des d'un punt de vista de control òptim; sent el seu principal criteri de disseny el d'aproximar la -irrealitzable- senyal de control òptima que minimitza un índex de cost quadràtic restringit a un model dinàmic lineal (LTI). Aquest nou plantejament és indistintament vàlid per a models SISO/MIMO amb múltiples o úniques pertorbacions. A més permet un ajust del controlador molt intuïtiu gràcies a les matrius de ponderació del cost. De manera similar; els DOBPs es construeixen amb l'objectiu d'aproximar la solució temporal un sistema dinàmic pertorbat. Amb l'objectiu de contextualitzar l'aportació, el document també inclou un breu resum dels principals mètodes de control robust i l'impacte que han tingut en la revolució tecnològica del segle XXI; algunes discussions sobre la utilitat dels models LTI pertorbats per a representar sistemes dinàmics incerts; i algunes relacions, comparacions i simulacions numèriques dels mètodes proposats amb altres tècniques de control. / [EN] Engineering or physical systems are used to be uncertain. Its uncertainty is manifested whenever the system shows behaviors that are relatively different than the ones predicted by its model; being mostly caused by: modeling errors; unknown dynamics; changes in the system properties; random interactions with other systems; or changes in the operating conditions. Through the last 40 years, it has been persistently proved that the system uncertainties could have very negative effects in the performance of a feedback regulator if they are not properly considered in the mathematical formulations of the employed algorithms. Thus, an important part of the recent research is focused on this topic; searching for the most appropriate ways to mathematically represent the system uncertainties and looking for new mathematical-tools that permit to make use of such uncertainty-representation in order to design robust control algorithms. In this thesis, new contributions in this line are provided. Concretely, novel methodologies to design Disturbance Observer-Based Controllers (DOBCs) and Predictors (DOBPs) for uncertain dynamic systems are developed. The main contribution is to show that the DOBCs can be constructed from an optimality-based approach, with the main objective of approximating the -unrealizable- optimal control signal that minimizes a quadratic-cost performance index subject to a LTI disturbed model constraint. This novel robust control design is indistinctly valid for SISO/MIMO models with single/multiple matched/mismatched disturbances; offering also a highly intuitive and versatile tuning through the weighting matrices. Similarly, the DOBPs are synthesized in order to approximate the time-domain solution of LTI disturbed models. For the sake of completeness, the document also includes a brief review of the main robust control methods and the impact that they have had on the technological revolution of the 21st century; some discussions about the usefulness of the LTI disturbed models for representing uncertain dynamic systems; and different relationships, comparisons and numerical simulations, of the proposed methods with other control approaches. / Castillo Frasquet, A. (2021). Novel Strategies to design Controllers and State Predictors based on Disturbance Observers [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/165034 / TESIS

(in English): The main objective of the diploma thesis, which has a theoretical-empirical character, was to find out how appropriate it is to further develop professional treatment in juvenile prison using socio-pedagogical methods. The general section summarizes descriptively the analytical findings and the broader contexts related to professional treatment in juvenile prison. The empirical part presents research that had an ad hoc design, consisting of the design and subsequent implementation of a pedagogical experiment and the verification of its results through a verification study conducted by combining subjective evaluations obtained by the technique of structured interviews with juvenile convicts, professional staff, managers and objectively determined statistical data on the frequency of proven cases of physical violence by juvenile convicts before and after the experiment. The result of the research is the finding that modifications of professional treatment in the areas of environmental regulation, regime, direct educational activity, use of relationships and personal examples and the use of the group's influence are beneficial and feasible. The output of the research is also a summary of specific recommendations for the modification of professional treatment to increase the effectiveness...

Prehistoric cultures are often studied by intrasite artifact variation and quantity without much consideration of how prehistoric populations interacted locally and regionally. Archaeologists can identify and study patterns associated with activities within a specified radius in order to gain an understanding of cultural operations. Identifying a social framework for a prehistoric society allows the investigation of group organization such as status differentiation, shared rituals, and the construction and maintenance of earthworks and living areas. That facilities were constructed for specialized use within a community is evidenced by the presence of earthworks and mounds at many sites (Lewis et al. 1998:16-17). Less well understood is how community patterns reflect social organization. The purpose of this thesis is to better document the number and distribution of structures at Lyon’s Bluff, a Mississippian to Protohistoric-period mound site in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. The focus will be on the last part of the occupation at the site, i.e., on materials recovered from the plowzone. A method employing molluscan remains and sedimentological evidence is used that allows for the delineation of structure locales using plowzone samples. Additional evidence is provided by artifact distributions and geophysical (magnetic gradiometer) data.

Die vorliegende Arbeit hatte zum Ziel, das Auftreten von Milchejektionsstörungen in Produktionsherden zu erfassen und deren Ursachen zu finden. Die Fragestellung wurde in fünf methodisch sehr unterschiedlichen Untersuchungsblöcken bearbeitet, die tierindividuelle Aufzeichnungen zu Kalbung und Verlauf des Einmelkens, Verhaltensbeobachtungen im Vorabkalbezeitraum und Messungen psychophysiologischer Parameter (Herzfrequenz, Elektromyogramm, Hautpotential und Hautwiderstand) während eines Tests auf Stressstabilität sowie während des Einmelkens beinhalteten. Es nahmen 9 sächsische Betriebe an der Untersuchung teil. Die Datenerfassung erfolgte über einen Zeitraum von 20 Monaten in den Jahren 2004 / 2005. Es konnten die Daten von 1767 Färsen erfasst werden. Es wurden eindeutige Zusammenhänge zwischen dem durch suboptimale Haltungsbedingungen verursachten Wirken sozialer Stressoren in der Tiergruppe und dem Auftreten von MES gefunden. Demnach trat MES verstärkt in Betrieben auf, in denen bereits im Vorfeld der Kalbung eine chronische Stresssituation für die Tiere bestand. Hierbei konnten bei gemischten Färsen – Kuh- Gruppen die Anwesenheit der Altkühe und bei reinen Färsengruppen das zu geringe Platzangebot im Laufbereich als Hauptursache gefunden werden. Die Umstände von Abkalbung und Einmelken sind in den untersuchten Betrieben nicht primäre Ursache von MES, können aber verstärkend oder mildernd wirken. So bewirken Umstallungen kurz vor dem Abkalbetermin, eine langer Verbleib des Kalbes an der Kuh, zu kurze Pausen zwischen der Kalbung und der ersten Melkung sowie gesundheitliche Beschwerden im peripartalen Zeitraum ein Ansteigen des MES-Risikos. Betroffen sind hierbei vor allem stresslabile und rangniedrige Tiere sowie Tiere, die unter Testbedingungen bevorzugt introvertierte Verhaltensweisen (ängstlich, demütig) zeigten. Es bestand kein Unterschied hinsichtlich der Stressstabilität der Herden zwischen den Betrieben. Während des Einmelkens unterschieden sich Tiere mit und ohne MES in ihrem Verhalten und den gemessenen Parametern kaum von einander. Tiere mit MES zeigen lediglich eine verstärkte Neigung zu Überreaktionen und eingeschränkter Reaktionsfähigkeit bei den elektrodermalen Parametern, wobei die Differenzen häufig nicht statistisch zu sichern waren. Es konnte keine genetische Veranlagung zur Ausbildung einer MES nachgewiesen werden. Die errechnete Heritabilität lag bei h² = 0,009. MES ist somit als ein betriebsspezifisches Problem zu bezeichnen, das in den hier untersuchten Betrieben vor allem haltungsbedingte Ursachen hat. / The present study was designed to describe the occurrence and determine the causes of disturbed milk ejection (= MES = Milchejektionsstörung) in production herds. The question was treated in an examination with five parts with difficult methods: record individually courses of calving and the first milkings, observe the behaviour in the last weeks before the calving, measure psychophysiological parameters (heartrate, elektromyogram, skin conduction and electrical skin resistance) during a test of stress sensitivity and during the first milkings and an genetic analysis. Nine saxonian herds were involved. The data record was for 20 months in the years 2004 / 2005 and cover 1767 heifers. We found clear connections between social strains, they work in the groups of animals and was caused through suboptimal environment, and the occurrence of MES. We found more MES in herds, where animals had a chronical stress situation in the last weeks bevor the calving. The most important stressors are the presence of multiparous cows in mixed groups with cows and heifers and the lack of room for motion in the box when heifers are alone. The circumstances of calving and the first milkings are not the primary causes of MES in this study, but they can influence this problem. So we found an increase of risk for MES, when 1. the time between the transport of animals in the calving box and the calving was too short, 2. the calf stayed with the cow, 3. the time between the calving and the first milking was too short 4. the animal has health problems in the time around the calving. The animals with the highest risk for MES have low stress resistance are unstable for stress, have a low range in the herd and showed an introverted behaviour (timid, humble) in the test. There was no difference in the stress sensitivity between the herds. During the first milkings we found just little differents at behaviour and at measured parameters between animals with and without MES. Animals with MES showed a small disposition to overreactions or to restrict the ability of reaction in elektrodermal parameters, but the differences are often not significant. We couldn´t found genetic causes of MES. The heritability was h² = 0,009. In conclusion, MES is an herd specific problem. In the herds that were examine, the important causes of MES are suboptimale environment and management of the groups of animals.

Please read the abstract in the section 07back, of this document / Thesis (DEd)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Orthopaedic Surgery / unrestricted

Most black rural schools in South Africa are beset with discipline and relationship problems attributed to the way children interpret and exercise their rights. Children's misconceptions of rights impede the operation of educational institutions. A literature study investigated the implications of children's rights on their relationships and behaviour. A qualitative investigation of the socio-educative implications of children's rights was conducted in two rural secondary schools in Mpumalanga. Data gathering was done through participant observation, in-depth interviews with two principals and a tribal chief, and focus group interviews with two groups of teachers, parents and learners. Data were analysed, discussed and synthesised. The major findings emerged: limited understanding of rights and concomitant responsibilities and misconceptions of rights leading to the subversion of authority and morality. Recommendations include that rights-education be introduced in schools to improve children's understanding ofrights and to address negative social behaviour. Educators need to be empowered to handle human rights issues within socio-educational institutions. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Socio-Education)

Peripheral vascular grafts are used for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease and arteriovenous grafts for vascular access in end stage renal disease. The development of neo-intimal hyperplasia and thrombosis in the distal anastomosis remains the main reason for occlusion in that region. The local haemodynamics produced by a graft in the host vessel is believed to significantly affect endothelial function. Single spiral flow is a normal feature in medium and large sized vessels and it is induced by the anatomical structure and physiological function of the cardiovascular system. Grafts designed to generate a single spiral flow in the distal anastomosis have been introduced in clinical practice and are known as spiral grafts. In this work, spiral peripheral vascular and arteriovenous grafts were compared with conventional grafts using ultrasound and computational methods to identify their haemodynamic differences. Vascular-graft flow phantoms were developed to house the grafts in different surgical configurations. Mimicking components, with appropriate acoustic properties, were chosen to minimise ultrasound beam refraction and distortion. A dual-beam two-dimensional vector Doppler technique was developed to visualise and quantify vortical structures downstream of each graft outflow in the cross-flow direction. Vorticity mapping and measurements of circulation were acquired based on the vector Doppler data. The flow within the vascular-graft models was simulated with computed tomography based image-guided modelling for further understanding of secondary flow motions and comparison with the experimental results. The computational assessments provided a three-dimensional velocity field in the lumen of the models allowing a range of fluid dynamic parameters to be predicted. Single- or double-spiral flow patterns consisting of a dominant and a smaller vortex were detected in the outflow of the spiral grafts. A double- triple- or tetra-spiral flow pattern was found in the outflow of the conventional graft, depending on model configuration and Reynolds number. These multiple-spiral patterns were associated with increased flow stagnation, separation and instability, which are known to be detrimental for endothelial behaviour. Increased in-plane mixing and wall shear stress, which are considered atheroprotective in normal vessels, were found in the outflow of the spiral devices. The results from the experimental approach were in agreement with those from the computational approach. This study applied ultrasound and computational methods to vascular-graft phantoms in order to characterise the flow field induced by spiral and conventional peripheral vascular and arteriovenous grafts. The results suggest that spiral grafts are associated with advanced local haemodynamics that may protect endothelial function and thereby may prevent their outflow anastomosis from neo-intimal hyperplasia and thrombosis. Consequently this work supports the hypothesis that spiral grafts may decrease outflow stenosis and hence improve patency rates in patients.