Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-04-18Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:50:59Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 toma_hs_me_botfmvz.pdf: 290503 bytes, checksum: 7c6b31998398e78479d7c7d4cd037e5f (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Fundação para o Desenvolvimento da UNESP (FUNDUNESP) / Objetivou-se avaliar a passagem transplacentária e colostral de cobre e seus principais antagonistas (Zn, S, Fe e Mo) por meio de dosagem sérica e no colostro, em cordeiros e ovelhas da raça Bergamácia. Foram utilizados 20 cordeiros provenientes de parto simples e suas respectivas mães da raça Bergamácia mantidas confinadas a partir de 15 dias antes do parto, alimentadas com silagem de sorgo, ração, feno, sal mineral e água ad libitum. Foram realizadas colheitas de sangue das mães, por venopunção jugular, para extração do soro no momento do parto e do colostro através de ordenha manual (30 mL) nos tempos 0, 24, 48 e 72 horas após o parto. Nos cordeiros foi colhido o sangue para obtenção do soro 0, 24, 48 e 72 horas após o nascimento. Também foram avaliados o peso, temperatura retal, volume globular (VG) e proteína plasmática total (PPT) dos cordeiros recém nascidos até 72 horas.Análises dos níveis de molibdênio, zinco, ferro, enxofre e cobre da silagem de sorgo, feno, sal mineral, ração, soro sanguíneo e colostro foram realizadas por espectofotômetro de absorção atômica. Concluiu-se que os cordeiros apresentaram ao nascimento concentrações séricas de Cu, Zn, S, Fe e Mo semelhante aos das ovelhas, evidenciando a existência de passagem transplacentária de minerais. Houve aumento nas concentrações séricas dos minerais (Cu, Zn, Fe, S e Mo) nos cordeiros após a ingestão do colostro. A concentração sérica de zinco e, sérica e colostral de cobre das mães apresentaram correlação positiva significativa com a concentração de cobre sérica dos cordeiros. O valor médio do índice de massa corporal (IMC) das mães 24 horas após o parto foi 118,55 ± 24,21 e dos cordeiros 24 horas após o nascimento foi 39,48 ± 7,67 / The objective was to assess the transplacental and colostral copper and its main antagonists (Zn, S, Fe and Mo) by means of serum and colostrum, in lambs and ewes Bergamácia. We used 20 lambs from simple birth and their mothers Bergamasca kept confined from 15 days before calving, fed sorghum silage, feed, hay, mineral and water ad libitum. Blood samples were collected from mothers by venipuncture jugular extraction of serum at delivery and colostrum by milking (30 mL) at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours after delivery. In lambs the blood was collected to obtain serum 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours after birth. Were also assessed weight, rectal temperature, packed cell volume (PCV) and total plasma protein (TPP) of newborn lambs within 72 hours. Analysis of levels of molybdenum, zinc, iron, sulfur and copper from sorghum silage, hay, mineral salt diet, blood serum and colostrum were performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. It was concluded that the lambs at birth had serum concentrations of Cu, Zn, S, Fe and Mo similar to those of sheep, showing the existence of placental transfer of minerals. There was an increase in serum concentrations of minerals (Cu, Zn, Fe, S and Mo) in the lambs after colostrum ingestion. Serum zinc and copper serum and colostrum of mothers had a significant positive correlation with the copper concentration in serum of lambs. The mean body mass index (BMI) of mothers 24 hours after delivery was 118.55 ± 24.21 and lambs 24 hours after birth was 39.48 ± 7.67

O objetivo deste estudo é estimar o viés de substituição de produtos no cálculo da inflação ao consumidor, ou seja, estimar a inflação levando em conta a possibilidade da troca de bens dentro de uma cesta de produtos em resposta à mudança de preços relativos. Isso ocorre porque a fórmula utilizada atualmente pelo IBGE, tanto para o INPC quanto para o IPCA, para medir a inflação ao consumidor é a de Laspeyres modificado base móvel (índice do Bureau), que considera a mesma cesta de bens e serviços ao longo do tempo. Este índice tende a superestimar o aumento do custo de vida justamente por não considerar as trocas. Seguindo trabalhos anteriores, a estimação do viés se deu comparando um índice Laspeyres para um subconjunto do IPCA com a inflação mensurada pelo índice de Theil-Tornqvist para o mesmo subconjunto de produtos. Este índice se aproxima de um índice de custo de vida, logo, que considera a substituição de bens. No entanto, ele necessita atualizações freqüentes das cestas de bens e serviços ou das estruturas de ponderação. Como não existem no Brasil pesquisas de consumo das famílias que forneça estruturas de ponderações periódicas, estas tiveram que ser estimadas. Para tanto, foram utilizadas previsões de um modelo de sistema de demanda AIDS baseado nos microdados da POF 95-96. O viés de substituição estimado foi de 3,33 p.p. de agosto de 1999 a junho de 2006, o que equivale a dizer que a inflação ao consumidor foi superestimada em 0,31 p.p. ao ano. Pela impossibilidade de trabalhar com o nível mais desagregado do IPCA (o subitem), certamente, o viés calculado é subestimado. Caso o viés estimado fosse descontado dos reajustes dados às aposentadorias, pensões e demais auxílios concedidos pelo Ministério da Previdência e Assistência Social, o governo poderia ter poupado de 2000 a junho de 2006, aproximadamente, R$ 8 bilhões. / The objective of this study is to estimate the substitution of products bias in the calculation of consumer inflation, therefore, estimate the inflation taking into account the possibility of switching goods in a basket of products, in response to a change in relative prices. This happens because the estimation formula used by IBGE, both with INPC an IPCA, to measure consumer inflation is Laspeyres (Bureau\'s index), witch considers the same basket of goods over time. This index tends to overestimate the increase in the living cost, by not taking into account the substitution of products. Following previous works, the estimation of the bias was made comparing a Lapeyres index for a subgroups of IPCA with the inflation measure by the Theil-Tornqvist index for the same subgroups. This gets closer to an index of cost of living, which considers the substitution of goods. However, it needs frequent updates of the baskets of goods and services or of the weighted structures. As there are no surveys of family consumption in Brazil that provide periodic weighted structures, these had to be estimated. To do it, were used micro data of POF 95-96. The substitution bias estimated was 3,33 p.p of August 1999 to June 2006, which is equivalent of saying that the consumer inflation was overestimated in 0,31 p.p per year. With the impossibility of working with a more highly disaggregated level of IPCA (the sub items), certainly the calculated bias was underestimated. If the bias estimated was discounted from adjustment given to retirement, pensions and other benefits granted by the Ministry of Welfare and Social Assistance, the government could have saved, from 2000 to June 2006, approximately R$ 8 billions.

Compared to the overnight fasted state, a high carbohydrate (CHO) breakfast 3-4 hours before exercise enhances endurance performance. However, the optimal type or composition of the pre-exercise meal to be consumed is less clear. Glycaemic and insulinaemic responses to a meal play a key role in subsequent metabolism during exercise. The investigations described in this thesis focused on the influence of I) the composition and 2) glycaemic index (GI) of CHO breakfasts 3 hours before exercise on postprandial and exercise metabolism and endurance running capacity.

Internationalisation of Higher Education has emerged as a response from institutions to increasing challenges posed by Globalisation and fast advances in Information and Communication Technologies - ICTs. MBA students, particularly those in the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), are now presented with a growing offer of Programmes with some level of Internationalisation. This research investigates and assesses the extent to which different levels of Internationalisation in Higher Education MBA Programmes influence Brazilian students’ and HR Professionals’ Perceived Value of such programmes and institutions and thus, their Level of Trustworthiness towards said programmes and institutions. To investigate the relationship between the Level of Internationalisation and Perceived Value, a Trustworthiness Index was developed for the Higher Education sector. Developed from a tested Trustworthiness Index originally designed by Ennew and Sekhon (2007) for the Financial Sector, this study used an adapted Delphi technique to reach consensus between 3 Higher Education Senior Executives and 3 Marketing Scholars. The new Questionnaire had 363 responses from MBA students who were presented with different levels of Programme and Institution Internationalisation divided into 4 Bundles - from no (zero) Internationalisation to 100% Internationalisation. The findings indicate that the proposed Index is a reliable and valid instrument to measure MBA Students’ Level of Trustworthiness towards MBA Programmes and Institutions, with an excellent Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient for reliability (above .9). The variables were then grouped into four Factors using Exploratory Factor Analysis. Thus, the underlying dimensions of Trustworthiness in Higher Education that emerged are Student Support and Quality; Values and Respect; Excellence and Academic Rigour; Diversity and Long-Term Commitment. A Trustworthiness Equation for Higher Education was developed using Structural Equation Modelling and applied to the four different Bundles. Each Bundle’s Level of Trustworthiness was then compared and the results, using ANOVA, show a positive relation between the Level of Internationalisation and the Level of Programme and Institution Trustworthiness. The findings of the quantitative stage with the MBA students were then discussed in semi-structured interviews with 13 Human Resources Professionals. MBA students and HR Professionals agree that Internationalisation in Higher Education increases the perceived value of both programmes and institutions. In the students’ opinion the best model would be a Programme with 100% Internationalisation, while HR Professionals believe the local experience equally matters, and therefore, the best choice would be a programme that offered an Intermediate Level of Internationalisation. This thesis also explores the valuable input that this research provides to Higher Education managers in what concerns students’ perceived value of several course components such as curriculum and syllabus design, instructional materials and resources, face-to-face and distance learning modes, teacher and staff qualification and preparation, amongst others.

Globally, aircraft emissions represent 2-3% of total CO2 emissions. Due to an increase in passenger and freight transport, the climate's impact is increasing. To solve that problem there are several different solutions, one of them is the use of an optimal cost index during flight. The purpose of this work is to analyze the cost index and its shortcomings and to develop solutions to create an Environment Cost Index. ECI contains strategies that make cost index more optimal with focus on environment, fuel consumption and emissions. However, this thesis only deals with the Boeing 737-800 (winglets) aircraft type. The work process began with a wide search of current climate problems and aviation emissions, with a deep search in cost index and previous studies on the subject. In order to link theory with reality, an interview was conducted with Lars Andersen Resare, SAS Sustainability Manager. The result showed that the theory is in line with Lars Andersen's answers. In addition to different strategies that can be followed during the flight to reduce fuel consumption, the ultimate solution is a dynamic module. A dynamic module has all sources packed in a system and updates the pilot with information during a flight, as the system is connected to the network. With an ECI, airlines can save 5-6% fuel during one flight. As an airplane is often in the air, the strategies give an environmental gain, as well as a saving up to 5 million dollars a year, without noticeable changes in the timetable. As the aircraft emissions increase every year, and the FN Climate Panel has set a goal to zero the growth of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, ECI is one of the solutions that reduces the climate impact. It would therefore be of great benefit to both environment and costs if the airlines used the tool.

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Patients with lower limbs problems are an increasing population in the US and many of them require surgery and its subsequent post-op Physical Therapy (PT). For all these patients, tracking their progress and evolution towards full recovery is very important. To assess the patients and track their progress, patients are usually required to perform very specific tests administered by a physical therapist. These tests either require very expensive equipment or rather require the subjective experience of the physical therapist who administer them. One of these tests is the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) test, perhaps the most widely adopted one for gait assessment. This thesis presents a system for Clinical Gait Assessment using exclusively the sensors embedded in today’s smartphones. The system processes the raw sensor data to perform the FGA test and calculate additional metrics, capable of identifying problems in the human gait. The system is therefore objective, as it is based on measurements; cheap, as it only requires a smartphone; mobile, as it can be used pretty much anywhere; and self-care, as it does not need the presence of a physical therapist. The system was designed and tested on the Android OS with the phone attached to the back of the user using a belt or elastic band. It includes a new step detection algorithm with a mean absolute error of ±1 and algorithms to detect the deviation from a straight path with an accuracy of 90%, 80%, 35%, and 30% for each of the required deviation levels of the FGA test. Additionally, the system includes autocorrelation and DTW metrics, which provide additional information to detect different impediments of the user gait.

Magister Scientiae (Physiotherapy) - MSc(Physio) / Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the prevalent debilitating diseases in South Africa, often leading to activity limitations, participation restrictions and a poor quality of life. Older people often lead more sedentary lifestyles, which may further aggravate their symptoms. Exercise therapy has demonstrated good outcomes in the OA population. Many dance interventions have become popular in OA treatment and results suggest their effects to be more successful than traditional physiotherapy exercises regimes. Ballet dance exercises have not yet been explored in the treatment of OA, even though it has been proposed to have positive effects on the body. Purpose: to determine the effect of a program of ballet dance exercise classes on BMI, perceived pain, physical function and quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and knee, compared to the existing Midros Clinic program of exercise classes. Methods: The study used a randomized, cross-sectional, quantitative, experimental study using pre- and post-intervention as well as multiple time-point testing. A sample of 52 males and females were recruited in Midros, Middelburg Cape. The inclusion criteria of the study were persons aged 65 years and older, with OA of the hip and/or knee, clinically diagnosed according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. The VAS, Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), WOMAC and the SF-8 Index, respectively measured reported perceived pain, physical function, quality of life and health status in the study groups. BMI, pulse and blood pressure were also recorded to further monitor the effects of the interventions. A comparable number of scores were obtained over six weeks of bi-weekly ballet exercise classes (intervention group = IG), and nine weeks of two-weekly exercise classes at the Midros Clinic (comparison group = CG). Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the demographic information and inferential statistics were used to determine the associations for parametric data; a two tailed p-value was calculated; the 95% CI was calculated using the approximation of Katz. The p-value was classified as significant if p<0.05. Results: The demographics and baseline measurements of the IG and CG were comparable. A series of five exercise classes (over nine weeks) had a significantly beneficial effect on BMI and systolic BP, perceived and actual physical function, and QOL, whereas a series of 12 ballet exercise classes ( over six weeks) had a significant positive effect on BMI and diastolic BP, perceived pain, perceived physical function, and QOL. The comparison of responses to the outcome measures by male and female participants demonstrated that, contrary to findings in the reviewed literature, females held more positive perceptions than males on their perceived severity of joint pain and function, physical and mental health, and well being. A series of the existing exercise classes of Midros Clinic brought about more significant changes than a program of ballet exercise classes in the research parameters measured, despite exercise classes taking place much less frequently than the ballet classes. Conclusion: Although both interventions were found to both bring about positive changes in older persons with OA, a series of ballet exercises classes did not result in better outcomes than the currently existing Midros Clinic group exercise classes. The results of the current study demonstrate that exercise interventions are found to be the most beneficial in improving the quality of life of OA sufferers.

Master of Science / Department of Geology / Abdelmoneam Raef / Matthew W. Totten / The Woodford shale in west-central Oklahoma is an organic and silica rich shale that is a prolific resource play producing gas and liquid hydrocarbons (Gupta et al., 2013). Unconventional shale wells are only producible due to modern hydraulic fracturing techniques. Production surveys from unconventional reservoirs show significant variability between wells and even between fracking stages (Kennedy, 2012). The production potential of a particular shale appears to be related to its brittleness and kerogen content "sweetness". Thus, brittleness analysis becomes important when choosing which shales to produce. A rocks brittleness index can be related directly to elastic properties derived from P- and S-wave velocities, as well as, its specific mineral makeup. This project's main focus is to determine the elastic rock properties that affect or relate to Woodford shale brittleness and how they relate to the rock's specific mineral makeup and kerogen content. Measurements to determine elastic properties, based on ultrasonic laboratory testing, were conducted on available Woodford cores. The estimated elastic moduli were evaluated via cross-plotting and correlation with a variety of rock properties. Elastic properties are of essential relevance to forward seismic modeling in order to study seismic response. Mineral makeup, determined via XRD and XRF analyses done by Kale Janssen (2017), was used to calculate a mineral-based brittleness index for comparison with the elastic moduli. Evaluation of the elastic moduli assisted in determining which elastic properties directly relate to the brittleness of the shales and, in turn, to geomechanical aspects. These properties were correlated with data from previous studies including mineral percentages, total organic content (TOC), and thermal maturity. These correlations were used to determine which elastic properties best predict a rock's brittleness index. The calculated brittleness was used to develop a brittleness index map of the Woodford Formation.