Esta dissertação apresenta o desenvolvimento de uma pesquisa, acompanhada de experimentação, no curso de Costureira que faz parte do programa Mulheres Mil - PRONATEC no Instituto Federal Sul-rio-grandense sobre Matemática Básica por meio de tarefas de Modelagem Matemática. O objetivo deste trabalho é investigar como é possível despertar o senso crítico das educandas, buscando encontrar a importância da Matemática na sociedade a partir de tarefas que lhes permitam refletir e interferir na realidade em que vivem. Os referenciais teóricos são a Educação Matemática Crítica segundo Skovsmose (2012) e a Modelagem Matemática em uma perspectiva Sócio-crítica de Barbosa (2001). Para analisar as contribuições/ reflexões das alunas, nos apoiamos na Análise do Conteúdo de Bardin (2006). A análise dessas contribuições aponta indicativos de reflexões e reações das alunas alinhadas com os interesses da Educação Matemática Crítica. / This dissertation shows the development of a research, followed by experimentation, in the Seamstress Course which is part of Mulheres Mil - PRONATEC Program offered by Sul-rio-grandense Federal Institute about Financial Mathematics using mathematical modeling tasks. The aim of this study is to investigate how it is possible to awake the students‟ critical sense, seeking to find the importance of Mathematics in the society using tasks that allow to think and interfere in the reality where they live. The theoretical frameworks are Critical Mathematic Education according to Skovsmose (2012) and the Mathematical Modelling by Barbosa‟s Socio-critical perspective (2001). To analyze the students‟ contribuitions/reflections, we were based on the Content Analysis, according to the model of Bardin (2006). The analysis of theses contribuitions shows indicatives of the students‟ reflections and reactions aligned with the Critical Mathematics Education‟s interest.

Nesse trabalho, é investigada a percepção dos estudantes sobre a matemática presente em fotografias, bem como a possibilidade de utilização de fotos como instrumentos de aprendizagem. Analisamos (eu e os estudantes) fotos de monumentos históricos locais e de obras da Arquitetura de outros países. A Geometria foi abordada com um enfoque diferente do tradicional, cuja principal estratégia é a resolução de exercícios, adotando a repetição como técnica de transmissão do conhecimento. Ao contrário disso, no presente trabalho, a Modelagem Matemática foi adotada como estratégia de ensino, oportunizando e incentivando os estudantes a participarem do processo de construção do próprio saber. Com o objetivo de desmitificar a Matemática como ciência que produz resultados exatos, foi introduzida a ideia de erro, inerente às atividades experimentais. / In this work is investigated the students' perception about mathematics present in photographs, as well as the possibility of using photos as learning tools. We (I and the students) analyze photos from local historical monuments and buildings of the architecture from other countries. The geometry was approached with different focus from the traditional teaching, whose main strategy is solving exercises, adopting the repetition technique for knowledge transmission. Instead, in the present work, mathematical modelling was adopted as teaching strategy, creating opportunities and encouraging students to participate in the process of constructing their own knowledge. Aiming to demystify mathematics as the science that always produces accurate results, was introduced the idea of error, which is inherent to all experimental activities.

A presente pesquisa de cunho qualitativo consiste em um estudo de caso que visa experimentar a Modelagem Matemática como Ambiente de Aprendizagem na introdução de conteúdos programáticos de Estatística. A questão que norteou nossa pesquisa foi: “Um Ambiente de Modelagem Matemática favorece a aprendizagem de Estatística na Educação Básica?” Na busca de resposta a essa pergunta, as atividades foram pensadas baseadas no contexto no qual a turma está inserida. Elaboramos uma sequência didática baseada em questionamentos direcionados à reflexão e à investigação. Nesse cenário, o professor tem papel de incentivador da autonomia e capacidade dos alunos produzirem estratégias para resolverem problemas. Trata-se de um plano de natureza aberta, no qual os conhecimentos prévios dos alunos e suas dúvidas têm maior responsabilidade no processo de aprendizagem. Escolhemos a Modelagem Matemática como metodologia, pois ela atende aos objetivos de nosso trabalho, de dar significado à Matemática à medida que a aproximamos da realidade do estudante, desenvolver a autonomia dos alunos, estimulá-los à reflexão e a crítica de fatos oriundos da sociedade. Queremos que os conteúdos sejam introduzidos dentro de um contexto com referência ao dia a dia do educando. Nossa expectativa é que por meio da compreensão da Estatística e de seu papel na sociedade os alunos consigam utilizá-la como ferramenta de análise da realidade vivida. Essa sequência didática foi aplicada em uma turma de 7º ano de Ensino Fundamental de uma escola pública de Sapucaia do Sul – RS. Baseado nesse trabalho, julgamos que utilizar a Modelagem Matemática como Ambiente de Aprendizagem favorece a aprendizagem de Estatística. Acreditamos que os alunos tiveram maior envolvimento nas atividades à medida que a Matemática se tornava mais próxima à realidade deles. Ao longo do trabalho desenvolvido junto aos alunos, percebemos uma evolução na compreensão dos conteúdos abordados. Atribuímos essa evolução ao maior envolvimento dos alunos nos Ambientes de Aprendizagem proporcionados pela Modelagem Matemática. / This research consists in a case study which experiments Mathematical Modelling as a Learning Environment to introduce statistical contents. This work seeks to answer the following question: “Does a Mathematical Modelling Environment favors statistical learning on lower secondary education?” In order to answer that, activities were created based on questions that consider the context of the class. In this scenario, the teacher has the role of encouraging autonomy and the students the ability of to producing strategies to solve problems. It is an open plan in which the students' previous knowledge and their doubts have greater responsibility in the learning process. We chose Mathematical Modelling as methodology because it meets the objectives of our work, to give meaning to Mathematics as we approach the reality of the student, to develop students' autonomy, to stimulate them to reflect and critique facts from society. We want the contents to be introduced within a context with reference to the student's day-to-day life. Our expectation is that through the understanding of Statistics and its role in society, students will be able to use it as a tool for analyzing their reality. This didactical sequence was applied on a 7th grade elementary public school class of Sapucaia do Sul – RS. Based on this work, we believe that using Mathematical Modeling as a Learning Environment favors the learning of Statistics. We also believe that students were more involved in activities as Mathematics became closer to their reality. Throughout the work developed with the students, we perceived an evolution in the comprehension of the covered contents. We attribute this evolution to the greater involvement of students in the Learning Environments provided by Mathematical Modeling.

In this thesis an analytical modelling approach is employed to predict and gain insight into the flows induced by turbulent plumes and jets above slender horizontal slots, in otherwise quiescent uniform environments. To supplement the solutions, the effect on the environment of a plume driven by an off-source supply of buoyancy was also considered. The solutions derived provide an advancement on existing idealised models for the jet and plume induced flows, and moreover, complement a number of key advances that have been made in our understanding of plume flows in recent years. The theory of functions of a complex variable, which has not previously been applied in such an application, has been utilised as a fundamental tool throughout the work. This has enabled the entrainment behaviour and geometry of the plumes to be accounted for when developing the induced flow solutions. A novel conformal mapping has been devised specifically to account for the curved perimeter of the contracting lazy plume. This modelling approach is robust in that future developments to aspects of the modelling, for instance, the formulation of a new entrainment closure, can be straightforwardly accounted for using the method. The induced flow solutions exhibit a range of flow patterns which are dependent on the source Richardson number of the plume flow. A pure plume induces a uniform horizontal flow. Forced and lazy plumes correspond to a relative deficit and excess in source buoyancy flux compared to the pure plume, respectively. Generally, forced plumes induce downwardly inclined flows, in contrast to lazy plumes, which induce upwardly inclined flows. Consistent with these solutions, the notionally lazy plume driven by a vertical uniform off-source supply of buoyancy induces an upwardly inclined flow. In addition to an improved understanding of induced flows, our solutions have provided us with insight into the plume flow. Notably, the solution corresponding to the forced plume has led us to fundamentally question existing models describing the plume and, in particular, closures that have been employed to model entrainment. We find that the existing well accepted closures exhibit some form of non-physical flow behaviour.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-12-12Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:21:28Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 andrade_mm_me_rcla.pdf: 1849399 bytes, checksum: e503af05812a907078ac6c126a015a3a (MD5) / See-Sp / Esta pesquisa visa investigar quais as implicações que o ambiente da Modelagem Matemática pode oferecer para o processo de ensino e aprendizagem da Estatística no âmbito do ensino médio. Assim, os objetivos da pesquisa se configuram como: propor o estudo de Estatística por meio da Modelagem Matemática no contexto do ensino médio e assim investigar e discutir as implicações que tal ambiente de aprendizagem pode oferecer para o ensino e a aprendizagem da Estatística; favorecer e valorizar o desenvolvimento, no estudante, de aspectos de criticidade, da consciência da importância de sua participação na sociedade e da capacidade de associar conteúdo escolar com o seu dia-a-dia. Para tanto, buscamos fundamentar nossa investigação no que se refere à Educação Estatística, bem como delinear nossa concepção de Modelagem Matemática apresentando uma breve revisão da literatura. A metodologia da pesquisa é embasada na abordagem da pesquisa qualitativa de cujos instrumentos metodológicos foram as observações (registros das aulas e fotografias), as atividades dos alunos (atividades de conteúdo específico, sobre o tema estudado – Alcoolismo e Adolescência, anotações, mensagens e depoimentos), as entrevistas com os estudantes participantes do projeto e as impressões da professora-pesquisadora. O contexto da pesquisa foi composto por alunos de uma sala de aula da terceira série do ensino médio (período noturno) da rede pública de ensino do Estado de São Paulo, cuja pesquisadora era também a docente da turma. A questão norteadora da investigação é apresentada como: Quais as implicações do ambiente de aprendizagem da Modelagem Matemática para o ensino e aprendizagem de Estatística? Por meio da análise dos nossos dados verificamos as seguintes categorias: Modelagem e Estatística; O ambiente de aprendizagem; Modelagem... / This research has the aim to investigate which implications the Mathematical Modelling can offer to the teaching and learning process of Statistics at high school. Thus, this research objectives are: to propose the statistics study through the Mathematical Modelling at high school and investigate and discuss the implications that this ambient of learning can offer to the teaching and learning of Statistics; to propitiate and valorize the development of the student’s criticity, conscience of the importance of his participation in the society and his capacity of associating the “school content” with his daily life. For this reason, we build on the research at Statistics Education, and outline our conception of Mathematical Modelling, presenting a brief review of literature. The research method is based on a qualitative approach, and the methodological instruments were observation (register of classes and photos) of the students’ activities (activities about specific content, about a studied subject – Alcoholism and Adolescence, notes, messages and statements), and interviews with the students of the teacher-researcher. The context of this research was formed by students of a last year high school class (nightly classes) of a public school from São Paulo State, in which the researcher was also the teacher. The mainly question of this research is: Which are the implications of the use of Mathematical Modelling to the teaching and learning of Statistics? Analysing our data we verified the following categories: Modelling and Statistics; The Learning Ambient; Modelling and the Subject; Group Work; Device of conscientization; Modelling and Teaching; Modelling and Technology; Time and Modelling; The discussions; Collaboration; Assiduity and Notorious Cases. Thinking over our categories we verified that... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Acetaminophen, known as paracetamol in the UK and Tylenol in the United States, is a widespread and commonly used painkiller all over the world. Taken in large enough doses, however, it can cause fatal liver damage. In the U.S., 56000 people are admitted to hospital each year due to acetaminophen overdose and its related effects, at great cost to healthcare services. In this thesis we present a number of different models of acetaminophen metabolism and toxicity. Previously, models of acetaminophen toxicity have been complex and due to this complexity, do not lend themselves well to more advanced mathematical analysis such as the perturbation analysis presented later in this thesis. We begin with a simple model of acetaminophen metabolism, studying a single liver cell and performing numerical and sensitivity analysis to further understand the most important mechanisms and pathways of the model. Through this we identify key parameters that affect the total toxicity in our model. We then proceed to perform singular perturbation analysis, studying the behaviour of the model over different timescales, finding a number of key timescales for the depletion and subsequent recovery of various cofactors as well as critical dose above which we see toxicity occurring. Later in the thesis, this model is used to model metabolism in a spheroid cell culture, examining the difference spatial effects have on metabolism across a 3D cell culture. We then present a more complex model, examining the difference the addition of an adaptive response to acetaminophen overdose from the Nrf2 signalling pathway, has on our results. We aim to reproduce an unexplained result in the experimental data of our colleagues, and so analyse the steady states of our model when subjected to an infused dose, rather than a bolus one. We identify another critical dose which leads to GSH depletion in the infused dose case and find that Nrf2 adaptation decreases toxicity and model sensitivity. This model is then used as part of a whole-body PBPK model, exploring the effects that the distribution of the drug across the bloodstream and different organs has. We explore the affects of that a delay in up-regulation from the Nrf2 pathway has on the model, and find that with rescaled parameters we can qualitatively reproduce the results of our collaborators. Finally, we present the results of in vitro work that we have undertaken, the aim of which was to find new parameters for the model in human hepatocytes, rather than from rodent models, and find a new value for a parameter in our model from human cell lines.

Esta dissertação descreve a análise de uma experiência de Modelagem Matemática entendida como um ambiente de aprendizagem, desenvolvida na disciplina de Projeto de Iniciação Científica. Busquei analisar as contribuições da Modelagem para análise, discussão e resolução de problemas oriundos da área técnica de agropecuária (em particular na área de bovinocultura leiteira e avicultura de corte) e também sua contribuição para o ensinoaprendizagem de Matemática. Para isto baseei meus estudos bibliográficos em autores que defendem a utilização da Modelagem no ensino e também naqueles que se identificam com a Teoria Sócio-histórica de Vygotski. Adotei uma abordagem qualitativa na pesquisa e para coletar dados utilizei um ambiente de aprendizagem com dois cenários para investigação, com estudantes do Ensino Médio do Curso Técnico em Agropecuária da Escola Agrotécnica Federal de Rio do Sul. A análise dos dados indicou que a resolução de problemas relacionados à área técnica gera discussões referentes a estratégias a serem utilizadas e as investigações ganham maior ênfase quando estudadas no próprio campo de ocorrência. A Modelagem Matemática causou uma alteração na dinâmica de trabalho nos cenários, modificando as posturas do professor e alunos. A atuação dos alunos, comprometidos e responsáveis pelo trabalho de referência em sua realidade técnica, tornou todo o processo de elaboração mais expressivo em termos de aprendizagem matemática. Este estudo destaca que a Modelagem contribuiu para o melhor entendimento do tema investigado e da Matemática utilizada, embora a ausência de definição de conceitos a priori, utilizados na elaboração dos modelos, gerou insegurança nos alunos. Além disso, esta dissertação forneceu subsídios para a elaboração de material que pode ser utilizado, por professores interessados em trabalhar com Modelagem. / This paper describes deals an experience analysis in a mathematical modelling understanding like learning ambient, developed in Started Scientific Project. Picked to analyse the contributions from modelling to analysis, discussions and the solutions that comes from agropecuária technique area (especially milkmade cattle ranser area and hack aviculture), and the contribution for math teaching/learning too. My bibliographical studies were based in authors that defend to use the modelling activities to teach and identify with social historic from Vygotski. Acept a qualitative approach to search, and catch datas, used a learning ambient with two scenarios for the investigation, and Secundary Education students from Rio do Sul Federal Agrotécnica school - Agropecuária Technical Course-. The datas analysis indicated that the problems solutions about strategies technique area and its investigations make better when were stydied in own arena as of fact. The Modelling Mathematics has caused an alteration in the teachers and students attitudes. The students were engaged, and the learnig mathematics process stayed more expressive. This review shows that the Modelling contributed for best perception around the subject investigated and the Mathematics used, even if there are few definition of concepts, creating at the start insecurity in the students. Additionally, this dissertation supplies material that can be used for teachers interested in work with Modelling.

Nowadays, many electrical appliances are used daily. The refrigerator is one of them. Consequently, by affecting the energy used by the refrigerator, a huge amount of energy, greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions and money can be saved. It is what this thesis tries to do by applying a concept: using the cold from outside. Indeed, this report exposes the process to answer the following question: How much energy, GHG emissions and money can be saved by using the cold from outside on the refrigerating appliances? To do so, measurements have been done on a refrigerator placed in a climate chamber. The experiment procedure is inspired by the Swedish standard of energy consumption testing in order to have the most relevant results as possible. The results of the measures were then used to create a mathematical modelling. And finally, by applying the modelling at different climate of the world represented by chosen cities, calculations were made to estimate the energy, GHG emissions and money savings which can be done thanks to this concept.

The original aim of the research project was to investigate the mechanism of power capture from sea waves and to optimise the performance of a vee-shaped floating Wave Energy Converter, the Floating Clam, patented by Francis Farley. His patent was based on the use of a pressurised bag (or ‘reservoir’) to hold the hinged Clam sides apart, so that, as they moved under the action of sea waves, air would be pumped into and out of a further air reservoir via a turbine/generator set, in order to extract power from the system. Such “Clam Action” would result in the lengthening of the resonant period in heave. The flexibility of the air bag supporting the Clam sides was an important design parameter. This was expected to lead to a reduction in the mass (and hence cost) of the Clam as compared with a rigid body. However, the present research has led to the conclusion that the Clam is most effective when constrained in heave and an alternative power take-off is proposed. The theoretical investigations made use of WAMIT, an industry-standard software tool that provides an analysis based on potential flow theory where fluid viscosity is ignored. The WAMIT option of Generalised Modes has been used to model the Clam action. The hydrodynamic coefficients, calculated by WAMIT, have been curve-fitted so that the correct values are available for any chosen wave period. Two bespoke mathematical models have been developed in this work: a frequency domain model, that uses the hydrodynamic coefficients calculated by WAMIT, and a time domain model, linked to the frequency domain model in such a way as to automatically use the same hydrodynamic and hydrostatic data. In addition to modelling regular waves, the time domain model contains an approximate, but most effective method to simulate the behaviour of the Clam in irregular waves, which could be of use in future control system studies. A comprehensive series of wave tank trials has been completed, and vital to their success has been the modification of the wave tank model to achieve very low values of power take-off stiffness through the use of constant force springs, with negligible mechanical friction in the hinge mechanism. Furthermore, the wave tank model has demonstrated its robustness and thus its suitability for use in further test programmes. The thesis concludes with design suggestions for a full-scale device that employs a pulley/counterbalance arrangement to provide a direct connection to turbine/generator sets, giving an efficient drive with low stiffness and inherently very low friction losses. At the current stage of research, the mean annual power capture is estimated as 157.5 kW, wave to wire in a far from energetic 18 kw/m mean annual wave climate, but with scope for improvement, including through control system development.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-03-03Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:49:35Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 bianconi_a_me_rcla.pdf: 724071 bytes, checksum: e4d7c4d70181487635bf52b5b318a870 (MD5) / A germinação de sementes representa uma etapa crítica para a sobrevivência da maioria das fanerógamas. Composição de gases, temperatura e água são os principais fatores ambientais limitantes do processo de germinação. Entre esses, a temperatura e a água exibem maior grau de flutuação, tanto em escala temporal como espacial, no ambiente terrestre, funcionando como importantes sinalizadores ambientais para a semente. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram fornecer a caracterização básica dos padrões germinativos de quatro cultivares (Carioca comum, Iapar 81, IPR Graúna e IPR Uirapuru) de Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fabaceae); determinar as faixas ótimas de germinação para cada cultivar (experimentos em gradiente térmico com água destilada); realizar experimentos com interação dos fatores temperatura e potencial osmótico com soluções de polietilenoglicol 6000, visando à aplicação de modelos matemáticos baseados nos conceitos de graus-dia, psi-dia e na combinação destes dois conceitos (modelo psi-graus-dia), para se efetuar a comparação da resposta germinativa de tais cultivares. A cultivar IPR Graúna apresentou a faixa ótima com maior variação de distintas temperaturas (nove temperaturas), baseando-se na velocidade média de germinação; contrastando com a Iapar 81, que não apresentou uma faixa ótima, mas sim um único ponto ótimo (32,6ºC). Nenhuma das quatro cultivares apresentou germinação acima de 38,2ºC nem abaixo de 10,3ºC nos experimentos em gradiente térmico (água destilada). As temperaturas base obtidas pelo modelo de graus-dia variaram de 8,4 a 9,2ºC. Os ajustes (todos os R2s ≥ 0,70) ao modelo psi-graus-dia foram adequados para todas as cultivares, tanto na faixa supraótima quanto na infraótima. Assim sendo, ainda que mais estudos sejam necessários para melhorar a qualidade dos ajustes obtidos em relação... / Seed germination constitutes a crucial phase in relation to the life cycle of plant species. The composition of gases, temperature and water availability are the main environmental factors that may hinder several germination processes. Temperature and water availability, for example, are able to fluctuate considerably and may act as environmental “status’ indicators to the seeds. The present work was aimed at furnishing a basic characterisation of the germination patterns of four Phaseolus vulgaris cultivars, viz. “Carioca comum’, “Iapar 81”, “IPR Graúna” and IPR Uirapuru; assessing the optimum range of germination for each cultivar; conducting experiments in which the effects of temperature and osmotic potential were simultaneously analysed in order to deploy mathematical models concerning the concept of degree-days (thermal time) with the aim of comparing the germination response of such cultivars. “IPR Graúna’ exhibited a wider optimum range of temperature (nine distinct values) and “Iapar 81” presented only one temperature value as the optimum temperature (32.6ºC). The four cultivars did not germinate at temperatures higher than 38.2ºC and lower than 10.3ºC. The base temperatures derived from the application of the thermal time models varied from 8.4 to 9.2ºC. Regarding the hydrothermal-time model, the quality of the data fitting were deemed to be adequate (R2s ≥ 0.70) both in the suboptimum range and in the supra-optimum range. Other researches should be conducted in order to corroborate the present findings; nonetheless, the common bean cultivars were able to be compared and contrasted and exhibited, on the whole, a relatively homogenous... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)