Contextual information retrieval (CIR) is a critical technique for today’s search engines in terms of facilitating queries and returning relevant information. Despite its importance, little progress has been made in its application, due to the difficulty of capturing and representing contextual information about users. This thesis details the development and evaluation of the contextual SERL search, designed to tackle some of the challenges associated with CIR from the World Wide Web. The contextual SERL search utilises a rich contextual model that exploits implicit and explicit data to modify queries to more accurately reflect the user’s interests as well as to continually build the user’s contextual profile and a shared contextual knowledge base. These profiles are used to filter results from a standard search engine to improve the relevance of the pages displayed to the user. The contextual SERL search has been tested in an observational study that has captured both qualitative and quantitative data about the ability of the framework to improve the user’s web search experience. A total of 30 subjects, with different levels of search experience, participated in the observational study experiment. The results demonstrate that when the contextual profile and the shared contextual knowledge base are used, the contextual SERL search improves search effectiveness, efficiency and subjective satisfaction. The effectiveness improves as subjects have actually entered fewer queries to reach the target information in comparison to the contemporary search engine. In the case of a particularly complex search task, the efficiency improves as subjects have browsed fewer hits, visited fewer URLs, made fewer clicks and have taken less time to reach the target information when compared to the contemporary search engine. Finally, subjects have expressed a higher degree of satisfaction on the quality of contextual support when using the shared contextual knowledge base in comparison to using their contextual profile. These results suggest that integration of a user’s contextual factors and information seeking behaviours are very important for successful development of the CIR framework. It is believed that this framework and other similar projects will help provide the basis for the next generation of contextual information retrieval from the Web.

PhD / Electrostatics of aerosols for inhalation is a relatively new research area. Charge properties of these particles are largely unknown but electrostatic forces have been proposed to potentially influence lung deposition. Investigation on the relationship between formulation and aerosol charging is required to understand the fundamental mechanisms. A modified electrical low pressure impactor was employed to measure the particles generated from metered dose inhalers and dry powder inhalers. This equipment provides detailed size and charge information of the aerosols. The particles were sized by impaction onto thirteen stages. The net charges in twelve of the size fractions were detected and recorded by sensitive electrometers. The drug deposits were quantified by chemical assay. The aerosol charge profiles of commercial metered dose inhalers were product-dependent, which was due to differences in the drug, formulation, and valve stem material. The calculated number of elementary charges per drug particle of size ≤ 6.06 μm ranged from zero to several ten thousands. The high charge levels on particles may have a potential effect on the deposition of the aerosol particles in the lung when inhaled. New plastic spacers marketed for use with metered dose inhalers were found to possess high surface charges on the internal walls, which was successfully removed by detergent-coating. Detergent-coated spacer had higher drug output than the new ones due to the reduced electrostatic particle deposition inside the spacer. Particles delivered from spacers carried lower inherent charges than those directly from metered dose inhalers. Those with higher charges might be susceptible to electrostatic forces inside the spacers and were thus retained. The electrostatic low pressure impactor was further modified to disperse two commercial Tubuhaler® products at 60 L/min. The DPIs showed drug-specific responses to particle charging at different RHs. The difference in hygroscopicity of the drugs may play a major role. A dual mechanistic charging model was proposed to explain the charging behaviours. The charge levels on drug particles delivered from these inhalers were sufficiently high to potentially affect deposition in the airways when inhaled. Drug-free metered dose inhalers containing HFA-134a and 227 produced highly variable charge profiles but on average the puffs were negatively charged, which was thought to be due to the electronegative fluorine atoms in the HFA molecules. The charges of both HFAs shifted towards neutrality or positive polarity with increasing water content. The spiked water might have increased the electrical conductivity and/or decreased the electronegativity of the bulk propellant solution. The number of elementary charges per droplet decreased with decreasing droplet size. This trend was probably due to the redistribution of charges amongst small droplets following electrostatic fission of a bigger droplet when the Raleigh limit was reached.

This essay is about how the government formulates its policy regarding the health insurance and how these ambitions are then translated in the steering of the Swedish Swedish Social Insurance Fund. We have formulated the following questions: ● How is government policy and governance formulated in terms of health insurance? ● How does government policy and governance differ in terms of health insurance policy during the period studied? ● How does government's policy orientation affect the overall governance they provide to the Social Insurance Fund? We also analyze whether there are differences in policy and governance and between governments that took place in 2006, 2010 and 2014. We have read political material such as election manifesto and the Prime ministers´statement of government policy and compared this with the governments appropriation directions to the Swedish Social Insurance Fund and directions in the state budget. For the analysis, we use text analysis and we have, under the results and conclusions, identified two themes that all three governments commute between: the labor theme and the security theme. Our theoretical approach is the theory formulated by Frank Baumgartner och Bryan Jones Punctuated Equilibrium. We find that although there are differences in policy depending on the government's political color, governance is relatively stable. The overall objectives of the Swedish Social Insurance Fund have only been changed once during the period we have studied. In our analysis we have a reasoning for our outcome based on our theoretical perspective.

Title: Model Problems of the Theory of Gravitation Author: Marián Pilc Department: Institute of Theoretical Physics Faculty of Mathematics and Physics Supervisor: prof. RNDr. Jiří Bičák, DrSc., dr. h. c., Institute of Theoretical Physics Faculty of Mathematics and Physics Abstract: Equations of motion for general gravitational connection and orthonormal coframe from the Einstein-Hilbert type action of the Einstein-Cartan theory are derived. Ad- ditional gauge freedom is geometrically interpreted. Our formulation does not fix coframe to be tangential to spatial section hence Lorentz group is still present as part of gauge freedom. 3+1 decomposition introduces tangent Minkowski structures hence Hamilton-Dirac approach to dynamics works with Lorentz connection over spatial sec- tion. The second class constraints are analyzed and Dirac bracket is defined.Reduction of phase space is performed and canonical coordinates are introduced. The second part of this thesis is dedicated to quantum formulation of Einstein-Cartan theory. Point version of Einstein-Cartan phase space is introduced. Basic variables, crucial for quan- tization, are derived via groups acting on the phase space and their selfadjoint represen- tation is found. Representation of basic variables of Einstein-Cartan theory is derived via infinite...

Background: Personality Disorder treatment is a contentious subject in health care. Despite available research concerning the diagnosis itself and also available treatments, there is little research regarding treatment thresholds or defining how treatment decisions can be formulated. This problem has been identified by clinicians, patients, supervisors and specific organisations, particularly linked to recent healthcare changes associated with austerity measures. Research Question: How can mental health care staff use a formulated decision process concerning therapeutic interventions for people with PD, when considering the recent service changes and rationalisation of available treatments? Methods: An Action Research study has been conducted over a four year period, using predominantly qualitative methods including: a hermeneutic literature review (n=144 papers), patient questionnaires (n=15) and Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) of clinician and supervisor semi-structured interviews (n=10). Results: Difficulties have been found when making decisions with people who either do not accept their diagnosis and/or do not accept the current evidence-based treatments for personality disorder. Other challenges have been identified regarding the patient/clinician relationship, the level of distress the patient presents with, and also the clinician view concerning the individual, the diagnosis, and the available treatments. The IPA produced five super-ordinate themes related to decision-making regarding treatment choices for people with personality disorder, including: difficulties with boundary management, diagnostic stigma, a focus upon time, metacognitive ability, and the potential for iatrogenic harm. Conclusions: Multiple factors require consideration when examining treatment choices for people with a personality disorder, concerning the patient's individual symptom profile, needs, attitude towards treatments; the clinician's profession, attitudes, opinions, and wellness on the day of the assessment, and also the treatments available within the locality. A diagram has been presented summarising these formulation factors. Recommendations have been made based upon the results, analysis, synthesis and discussion sections, indicating potential practice changes and areas for future research.

Orientador: Ana Cláudia Moreira Almeida Verdu / Banca: Maria Amália Pie Abib Andery / Banca: Kester Carrara / Resumo: Políticas públicas têm estabelecido diretrizes para que seja garantida igualdade de oportunidade de acesso aos diversos ambientes a despeito diferenças presentes na população, visando a promoção de uma sociedade menos segregatória e mais inclusiva. Enquanto prática, para que a igualdade de acesso seja garantida, requer que o foco das ações seja deslocado da diferença individual para a adaptação do ambiente físico e social. A inclusão pode ser descrita enquanto um fenômeno social complexo, resultado de ações que são estabelecidas e mantidas por diferentes agências como governo, instituições formadoras de educadores, escolas, pessoas com necessidades educativas especiais, suas famílias e a mídia. Uma das ações que pode oferecer condições para que práticas inclusivas sejam apresentadas é o estabelecimento de leis. Leis, no âmbito deste trabalho, são compreendidas enquanto formulações verbais que descrevem comportamentos e que, para melhor compreensão e governo do comportamento dos indivíduos de um grupo deve especificar as ações a serem realizadas, sob quais circunstâncias e prever consequências para seu cumprimento ou não. Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar o Projeto de Lei do Senado nº 6, de 2003, que "Institui o Estatuto da Pessoa com Deficiência e dá outras providências", que está em processo de reformulação com possibilidades de votação ainda para o presente ano e identificar e descrever enunciados de contingências e caracterizá-las em relação à: presença dos termos em completas ou incompletas... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Public politics established lines to ensure the equality of access opportunity to several environments in spite of the population differences, aiming at promoting of a less segregated and more inclusive society. In practice, so that the equality of access be guaranteed, requires that the focus of the actions be dislocated from the individual difference to the physical and social environment adjustment. The inclusion can be described as a complex social phenomenon, a result of actions established and kept for different agencies such as the government, formative educators institutions, schools, people with educative special necessities, their families and the media. One of the actions which can provide conditions so that the inclusive practices be adopet is the establishment of laws. Laws, inside his project, are understoods as verbal formulations which describe behavior, and for a better understanding and the behavior contol of the individual from a group, must specify the actions to be done, under such circumstances and predict consequences for its accomplishment or not. This project had as objective to analyse The Senate Law Project nº 6, from 2003, which "Institutes The Statute of the Person with Disability and provides other measures", which is in process of reformation with the possibility of being voted in the current year and identify and describe uncertain propositions and characterize them according to: a presence of the terms in complete and incomplete; at the presence of the orders of governmental consequences; whether... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Développement de nouveaux matériaux d'emballage à base de micro- et nano-fibrilles de cellulose. Les micro- et nano-fibrilles de cellulose (MFC/NFC) sont des nanomatériaux issus de ressources renouvelables présentant un fort intérêt notamment pour le domaine de l'emballage. En plus des avantages naturels de la cellulose, ces matériaux offrent des propriétés barrières prometteuses (Oxygen, graisse), de bonnes propriétés de résistance mécanique ainsi que la possibilité de produire des films transparents. L'objectif de cette thèse était de développer par des procédés d'endution un carton barrière au gaz et aux graisses en utilisant les MFC/NFC. Différentes suspensions de MFC/NFC ont été premièrement characterisées puis utilisées pour la production de films afin de déterminer leurs propriétés intrinsèques. Des films modèles ont ensuite été développés avec la production de composites matrice/MFC. Une dernière partie était focalisée sur l'introduction de MFC/NFC dans des sauces de couchage afin de développer une couche barrière à la surface d'un carton. Un démonstrateur a ainsi été validé à l'échelle pilote. Le potentiel des MFC/NFC a été démontré comme agent de séchage et comme composant principale d'une couche barrière. Mots clès: Micro- et nano-fibrilles de cellulose, couche barrières, procédés d'enduction / Development of new packaging materials based on micro- and nano-fibrillated cellulose. The micro- and nanofibrillated cellulose (MFC/NFC) are nanomaterials from revewable resource with a high interest and partly for the packaging development. MFC combined both interesting properties (high tensile strength, good barrier to oxygen and grease, good transparency) and the advantages of natural cellulose source. The objective of this thesis was to develop a barrier packaging board based on MFC/NFC by coating processes. Firstly, the study focussed on the characterisation of the MFC suspensions, on the manufacturing of MFC self-standing films and on the determination of their properties. Secondly, the development of MFC based composites was studied as model films. The last part was devoted to the introduction of MFC in coating colours in order to develop a barrier layer at the board surface. Trials at pilot scale demonstrated the industrial feasibility of this product. The potential of the use of MFC/NFC was demonstrated to be used as a drying additive and a main composant of barrier layer. Keywords: Micro- and nanofibrillated cellulose, barrier layer, coating processes

O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver e caracterizar formulações tópicas semi-sólidas, utilizando como substância ativa a nimesulida, associando-a a sistemas coloidais (nanoesferas, nanocápsulas ou nanoemulsões). Os parâmetros de liberação, penetração transcutânea e retenção cutânea do antiinflamatório veículado aos sistemas nanoestruturados foram estudados através de metodologia “in vitro”, empregando pele humana como membrana. Os métodos de nanoprecipitação e nanodispersão foram utilizados e possibilitaram a obtenção de nanocápsulas, nanoesferas e nanoemulsões de nimesulida. A análise das características físico-químicas dos sistemas estudados demonstrou que os diâmetros médios obtidos foram em torno de 300 nm. As taxas de associação situaram-se próximas a 99 % e os valores de pH entre 5,1-5,3. As suspensões contendo nimesulida foram incorporadas em géis de Carbopol 940®, apresentando leve coloração amarelada e características organolépticas satisfatórias, após a incorporação das mesmas. As taxas de recuperação e os valores de pH para os géis contendo nanocápsulas, nanoesferas e nanoemulsão de nimesulida, mantiveramse estáveis durante o período de armazenagem (120 dias). Todas as formulações de géis foram caracterizadas como sistemas não-newtonianos apresentando comportamento pseudoplástico (shear thinning), sendo os reogramas ajustados pelo modelo de Ostwald (coeficiente de regressão>0,99). Experimentalmente, nenhum fenômeno de tixotropia foi detectado para as formulações testadas e a incorporação dos nanocarreadores não modificou o tipo de fluxo apresentado por estes sistemas. Os diferentes sistemas nanocarreadores incorporados nos géis hidrofílicos, foram investigados em função do potencial de liberação do fármaco na pele, usando célula de difusão tipo Franz e técnica de tape stripping em pele humana. O fármaco foi detectado no estrato córneo para o gel contendo nanocápsulas (GNM-NC) e para o gel contendo nanoesferas (GNM-NS) de nimesulida, não havendo diferença significativa entre estes dois valores. Por outro lado, o fármaco não foi detectado no estrato córneo para o gel contendo nanoemulsão de nimesulida, sendo permeado diretamente para a derme. A presença da nimesulida na epiderme/derme foi significativamente maior para o gel contendo nanocápsulas (GNM-NC) do que para o gel contendo nanoesferas (GNM-NS) ou nanoemulsão (GNM-NE). Os géis contendo nimesulida incorporada em nanocarreadores (GNM-NC, GNM-NS e GNM-NE) foram capazes de promover a penetração do fármaco no estrato córneo e/ou na camada de pele viável, com relação ao fármaco livre na mesma concentração. Estes estudos comparativos demonstraram a influência da presença do polímero e do tipo de nanocarreador na penetração do fármaco em pele humana. / The objective of this work was to develop and characterize semisolid topical formulations containing nimesulide-loaded nanospheres, nanocapsules or nanoemulsion. In order to study the in vitro percutaneous penetration of nimesulide from semi-solid topical formulations containing nanocarriers, an in vitro methodology using human skin was employed. The nanoprecipitation and the spontaneous emulsification methods were used to prepare the colloidal suspensions and nanoemulsion. For all formulation the diameters are in the sub 300 nm ranges. The encapsulation efficiencies were close to 99 % in all cases and pH values ranged between 5.1 and 5.3. Each drug-loaded nanocarrier formulation was incorporated in Carbopol 940® gels. The semisolid dosage forms showed yellowish, glossy and homogeneous aspect after the incorporation of the colloidal suspensions and nanoemulsion. The recovery of nimesulide and the pH values for the gels containing nanoemulsion, nanospheres or nanocapsules remained constant during storage (120 days). For all formulations, the rheograms exhibited a non-Newtonian behavior presenting pseudoplastic characteristics and shear thinning. The rheograms were adjusted to Ostwald’s model showing regression coefficients higher than 0.9900. None thixotropic phenomenon was experimentally detected under the test conditions for all formulations. The ability of delivering the drug into the human skin was investigated using stripping technique and Franz-type diffusion cells. The gel containing nanocapsules (GNM-NC) and the gel containing nanospheres (GNM-NS) released the nimesulide in the same extension into the stratum corneum (SC). On the other hand, for the gel containing nanoemulsion (GNM-NE), the nimesulide was not quantified in SC, but it has been directly permeated for the dermis. The penetration of the nimesulide using the gel containing nanocapsules (GNM-NC) was larger in the deeper skin than using the gel containing nanospheres (GNM-NS) or the one containing nanoemulsion (GNM-NE). The gels containing nanocarriers (GNM-NC, GNM-NS and GNM-NE) were able to release the drug in the viable layer of the skin, comparing to a non-particulated nimesulide-loaded formulation at the same concentration. For the first time, this comparative study showed the influence of the presence of the polymer and of the type of nanocarrier on the permeation of a drug through the human skin.

O avanço no estudo da simulação numérica somado ao crescimento da capacidade computacional tem possibilitado a solução numérica de problemas de engenharia cada vez mais complexos. Modelos numéricos mais acurados e robustos têm sido desenvolvidos, aproximando os resultados numéricos dos experimentais. Neste caminho, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo a análise numérica comparada a dados experimentais de ondas de pressão na admissão de ar de um motor de combustão interna, se utilizando do método dos volumes finitos. Para isso, utilizou-se a pressão colhida experimentalmente na porta da válvula como condição de contorno e obteve-se a pressão nos pontos de monitoramento ao longo do domínio. Esta situação física trouxe diversos problemas a serem solucionados ao longo da história, sendo então resolvido no presente trabalho se utilizando do esquema de Runge-Kutta para integração explícita no tempo fictício e do esquema Three-Point Backward Difference (BDF2) para integração implícita no tempo físico. Isto é, se utiliza do Dual Time-Stepping (DTS) na integração temporal, pois usa a matriz de pré-condicionamento para condicionar a solução do problema para escoamentos compressíveis e incompressíveis em todas as velocidades, e esta matriz deteriora a acuracidade temporal que é devolvida pelo DTS. O tratamento dos fluxos invíscidos foi baseado no método da separação dos fluxos de Roe, através do pacote computacional Star CCM+. Percebeu-se que o método se encaixa muito bem na situação estudada, modelando o comportamento físico realisticamente. A velocidade de propagação das ondas de pressão e suas amplitudes são muito próximas dos valores experimentais, tendo os gráficos de seu comportamento em todos os pontos de monitoramento, boa concordância com os gráficos gerados experimentalmente. / The advance in the field of numerical simulation added to the growth of computational capability has enabled the numerical solution of engineering problems become more and more complex. More accurate and robust numerical models have been developed, approximating the numerical and experimental results. In this way, this work aims at the numerical analysis compared to experimental data of pressure waves in the air intake of an internal combustion engine, using the Finite Volumes Method. The pressure is experimentally measured in the valve port and inserted as a boundary condition to obtain the pressure in the monitoring points along the domain. This physical situation has brought many problems to be solved throughout history. The present work applied the Runge-Kutta explicit integration in pseudo-time and Three-Point Backward Difference (BDF2) for implicit integration in physical-time. It is used the Dual-Time Stepping (DTS) for temporal integration, and the preconditioning for incompressible and compressible flows at all speeds deteriorates the temporal accuracy which is returned by DTS. The treatment of inviscid flows was based on the Flux Difference Splitting scheme of Roe, through the computational package Star CCM+. The method fits very well the situation under study, modeling the physical behavior realistically. The speed of propagation of pressure waves and their amplitudes are very close to the experimental values, and the graphs of their behavior present at all monitoring points, good agreement with the experimentally generated graphics.

Nanocápsulas poliméricas têm sido propostas como carreadores para filtros solares com o objetivo de prolongar o tempo de resistência desses no estrato córneo. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar comparativamente a permeação cutânea in vitro da benzofenona-3 (BZ3) a partir de nanocápsulas poliméricas incorporadas em diferentes formulações semi-sólidas. Primeiramente, suspensões de nanocápsulas contendo concentrações crescentes de BZ3 foram preparadas, caracterizadas físico-quimicamente e sua estabilidade foi determinada. A suspensão contendo 5 mg/mL de BZ3 apresentou diâmetro médio de 247 ± 4 nm, potencial zeta de -9,50 ± 1,02 mV, pH de 6,6 ± 0,1, teor e taxa de associação próximos a 100 % e foi selecionada para a continuidade do estudo. Na segunda etapa do trabalho a suspensão de nanocápsulas contendo 5 mg/mL de BZ3 foi incorporada em diferentes formulações semi-sólidas, hidrogel (HGNCBZ3), creme-gel (CGNCBZ3) e emulsão água em silicone (SNCBZ3). Estas formulações semi-sólidas foram caracterizadas segundo teor, pH, diâmetro médio das nanocápsulas incorporadas e comportamento reológico. As formulações semi-sólidas apresentaram pH adequado para aplicação cutânea, teores experimentais próximos aos valores teóricos e comportamento reológico não-newtoniano pseudoplástico. A permeação cutânea do filtro solar foi avaliada através de células de difusão de Franz e as formulações contendo BZ3 nanoencapsulada apresentaram maior quantidade e tempo de resistência do filtro no estrato córneo, comparando com as formulações contendo o ativo livre. A SNCBZ3 apresentou maior quantidade da BZ3 no estrato córneo quando comparada ao HGNCBZ3 e ao CGNCBZ3. Em uma última etapa do trabalho avaliou-se a fotoestabilidade da BZ3 nanoencapsulada e livre frente à irradiação por UVA e concluiu-se que a nanoencapsulação aumenta a fotoestabilidade da BZ3. Também foi avaliada a alergenicidade do filtro solar químico e observou-se que, nem o filtro nanoencapsulado ou livre, nem as nanocápsulas sem o ativo, apresentaram sensibilização cutânea. Em conclusão, o conjunto dos resultados obtidos demonstra que estas formulações são sistemas promissores para a aplicação cutânea de filtros solares. / Polymeric nanocapsules have been proposed as carriers for sunscreens in order to prolong the residence time of these substances in the stratum corneum. The aim of this work was to evaluate in vitro the skin permeation of benzophenone-3 (BZ3) from polymeric nanocapsules incorporated in different semi-solid formulations. Nanocapsule suspensions containing different concentrations of BZ3 were prepared, physico-chemically characterized and their stability was determinated. The suspension containing 5 mg/mL of the BZ3 presented average size of 247 ± 4 nm, zeta potential of - 9,50 ± 1,02 mV and pH values of 6,6 ± 0,1. This sample showed an amount of BZ3 and drug entrapment of 100 %. The nanocapsule suspension containing 5 mg/mL was incorporated in different semi-solid formulations, hydrogel (HGNCBZ3), cream-gel (CGNCBZ3) and emulsion water in silicon (SNCBZ3). The amount of BZ3, pH, average size and rheological properties of these formulations were evaluated. The formulations presented pH adequate for skin application and content of BZ3 close to 100 %. All semi-solid formulations showed pseudoplastic reological behavior. The skin permeation of BZ3 was evaluated by Franz diffusion cells and the formulation containing nanoencapsulated BZ3 showed an increase in the residence time of sunscreen in the stratum corneum and high amount of BZ3 compared to the formulations containing the free sunscreen. SNCBZ3 presented greater BZ3 quantity in the stratum corneum compared to HGNCBZ3 and CGNCBZ3. Finally, the photostability of free and nanoencapsulated BZ3 under UVA irradiation was evaluated and the results indicated that the nanoencapsulation increased the BZ3 photostability. The allergenicity of free and nanoencapsulated BZ3 was also determinated. Nanoencapsulated or free BZ3, and empty nanocapsules, did not present skin sensibilization. In conclusion, the results indicated that these formulations are promising delivery systems for the cutaneous applications of sunscreens.