Australia has a long history of accepting unmatriculated, return-to-study and equity group mature age learners into undergraduate courses. Universities enrol mature age students on the basis of, for example, their equity background, prior learning, work experiences, scores on a mature age entrance test, or results in an alternative entry program. This study examined the nature and outcomes of four alternative entry programs (AEPs) to higher education for mature age learners (21 years plus). Alternative entry programs provide mature age students with a way to explore their academic aptitude for, and confidence to, study. Prior to this research there was a lack of knowledge regarding the characteristics and outcomes of AEPs for mature age students. In addition, there was no study that examined a series of AEPs to show the relationship between AEP characteristics and learner outcomes. The inquiry addresses this shortfall. The project takes a qualitative case study approach. It provides a way of understanding the uniqueness, particularities and complexities of four AEPs for Australian resident mature age learners. The inquiry indicates implications of current policy and practices. Also it considers ways to advance program characteristics and outcomes.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:08:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 BrennyDS_DISSERT.pdf: 1612127 bytes, checksum: 3c87c1df9d7ae2d4e7fffbc7fbfdc3ee (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-04-05 / When it comes to oil and gas in Brazil is almost certain that we are referring to activities in deep waters off the coast of Campos, Rio de Janeiro, the main field of action of PETROBRAS and a small number of multinational oil companies . Since the Law 9.478/97 allows, by means of concessions, that other companies other than Petrobras, to explore and produce oil and gas domestically. Soon it moved, then the private companies that want small and medium-sized businesses to invest in such activities, forming a segment of independent producers, as occurs in other countries. In this context, this work aims at making an economic feasibility study, is currently analyzing how this thread and focus on the factors that contribute to its development as well as those that constitute barriers. To this end, we conducted a survey examining some mature fields that are in production in order to capture cost information in the phases of project, operation and abandonment. The work also presents an analysis of the results obtained in the survey, identifying the costs higher. With the results obtained through the study used economic engineering tools such as NPV and IRR, using a variety of design scenarios, to study the economic viability of these fields. In scenario 4 was set a production of 4.0 m? / d of oil, which is an expected average production for several of these fields, whose minimum value of a barrel of oil, to enable this field, was $ 55.00, this value well below what was being practiced in the market today. / Quando se fala em produ??o de petr?leo e g?s no Brasil ? quase certo que estamos nos referindo ?s atividades desenvolvidas em ?guas profundas no litoral de Campos, no Rio de Janeiro, principal cen?rio de atua??o da PETROBRAS e de um pequeno n?mero de companhias multinacionais de petr?leo. Sendo que a Lei 9.478/97 permitiu, por meio de concess?es, que outras companhias, al?m da Petrobras, explorassem e produzissem petr?leo e g?s em territ?rio nacional. Logo passou-se, ent?o, a desejar que empresas privadas de pequeno e m?dio porte investissem em tais atividades, formando um segmento de produtores independentes, como ocorre em outros pa?ses. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo, fazer um estudo de viabilidade econ?mica, analisando como se encontra atualmente este segmento e focalizar os fatores que colaboram para o seu desenvolvimento, assim como aqueles que se constituem em entraves. Para tal, foi feita uma pesquisa analisando alguns campos maduros, no intuito de captar informa??es de custos nas fases de projeto, opera??o e abandono. O trabalho apresenta, tamb?m, uma an?lise dos principais resultados obtidos com a realiza??o da pesquisa, identificando os maiores custos. Com os resultados obtidos atrav?s da pesquisa, foi utilizado ferramentas da engenharia econ?mica, tais como VPL e TIR, utilizando v?rios cen?rios de projetos, para fazer o estudo da viabilidade econ?mica desses campos. No cen?rio 4 foi definido uma produ??o de 4,0 m?/d de petr?leo, que ? uma produ??o m?dia esperada por v?rios desses campos, cujo o valor m?nimo do barril de petr?leo, para viabilizar esse campo, foi de U$ 55,00, valor esse bem abaixo do que estar sendo praticado no mercado atualmente.

A bioengenharia tecidual tem sido aplicada na Endodontia na busca de tratamentos mais biológicos. A revascularização pulpar tem sido observada em dentes com ápice aberto, porém há poucos estudos direcionados aos dentes com ápice formado. A angiogênese é primordial para a nutrição celular durante a regeneração tecidual. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o efeito do fator de crescimento endotelial (VEGF) na angiogênese após pulpectomia de canais radiculares de rato com apicigênese completa. A câmara pulpar dos primeiros molares superiores de 12 ratos machos Wistar com 13 semanas foi acessada. A polpa radicular do canal mésio vestibular foi removida e o canal instrumentado até a lima K25. Com uma lima K20, além do limite foraminal, foi induzido o sangramento periapical para o canal radicular. Os dentes do lado direito da arcada foram preenchidos com coágulo sanguíneo (GS), e nos dentes do lado esquerdo foi utilizado VEGF165 recombinante (Prospec, Israel) adicionado ao coágulo (GV). Os dentes foram selados com ionômero de vidro fotopolimerizável, e 60 dias depois os animais foram sacrificados. A maxila foi dissecada, fixada, descalcificada e incluída em parafina. Cortes transversais seriados foram feitos e corados com hematoxilina-eosina para avaliação morfológica ou incubados com anticorpo de coelho anti-fator VIII (Bioss, EUA) para análise da angiogênese. A análise histológica demonstrou canais preenchidos por tecido conjuntivo sem presença de odontoblastos nos dois grupos. A imuno-histoquímica demonstrou positividade para o anticorpo no tecido neoformado em ambos os grupos. No grupo 1 foi predominante a marcação difusa, e no grupo 2 foi a marcação definida. Pode-se concluir que o uso de VEGF acelera a angiogênese que ocorre em canais pulpectomizados de molares com apicigênese completa. / The tissue engineering has been applied in Endodontics in search of more biological treatments. The pulp revascularization has been observed in immature teeth, but there are few studies directed to the closed-apex teeth. Angiogenesis is essential for cellular nutrition during tissue regeneration. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in angiogenesis after pulp removal in rats with mature teeth. The pulp chamber of upper first molars of 12 male Wistar rats with 13-weeks-old was accessed. The pulp of the mesiobuccal root canal was removed, and the root canal was shaped up to 25K-file. Then, a 20K-file was introduced beyond the apex to induce bleeding. The teeth on the right side of the arch are filled using blood clot alone (GS) and the teeth on the left side was filled using blood clot + VEGF165 recombinant (Prospec, Israel) (GV). The teeth were coronally sealed using light-curing glass ionomer, and the animals were sacrificed after 60 days. The samples were dissected, fixed, decalcified and included in paraffin. Transverse serial sections were made, and stained using hematoxylin-eosin to morphological evaluation or expressed by immunostaining using anti-Factor VIII rabbit antibody (BIOSs, USA) to angiogenesis analysis. Morphological analysis showed root canals filled by connective tissue without the presence of odontoblasts in both groups. Immunohistochemistry showed positivity for the antibody in the new tissue in both groups, with marking defined in group 2. Diffuse marking was predominant in the group 1, and the well-maked type was predominant in the group 2. It can be concluded that the use of VEGF accelerates angiogenesis that occurs in root canal of closed-apex molars after pulpectomy.

Com a lei 9478/97, a Lei do Petróleo, a flexibilização do monopólio sobre exploração e produção de petróleo e gás natural concedido pela União à Petrobras, torna-se realidade. Neste sentido, abre-se, através de rodadas de licitação promovidas pela Agência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis (ANP), a possibilidade de acesso às atividades de exploração e produção ao capital privado em geral e, também, àquele capital oriundo de pequenas e médias empresas orientadas a esse segmento de atividades. Nesse contexto, várias dessas empresas passam a dedicar-se, mais especificamente, às atividades em campos maduro e áreas com acumulações marginais. Os empreendimentos nestes campos e áreas possuem características técnicas e econômicas que se adéquam a essas empresas de menor porte por necessitarem de investimentos e capacidade técnica distintos daqueles dos empreendimentos em novas fronteiras exploratórias. Este trabalho tem por objetivo apresentar um panorama da atividade econômica de exploração de petróleo e gás natural exercida pelas pequenas e médias empresas que atuam na região compreendida pela Bacia Sedimentar do Recôncavo Baiano, a partir da análise da oferta gerada pelos produtores independentes e pela demanda gerada pela Petrobras e por outros poucos compradores. Nesta dissertação são analisados os principais fatores e agentes que influenciam a relação entre oferta e demanda, a saber: a influência das recentes variações do preço do barril de petróleo; as descobertas na camada pré-sal na Bacia de Santos; as ações do órgão regulador a ANP; a geografia física e humana do Recôncavo Baiano, sua geologia local e fatores ambientais. Por fim, é apresentado, um estudo de viabilidade econômica de um empreendimento de revitalização de um campo maduro de petróleo. Tal estudo visa responder a partir de simulações em um campo real típico, se houve resultado econômico satisfatório para os investidores. Com o conjunto de simulações realizadas é possível ter um olhar crítico sobre o passado constatar como tais empreendimentos são sensíveis ao custo de capital e aos preços de venda do óleo produzido. / With law 947/97, the Crude Oil Law, the monopoly flexibilization over oil and natural gas exploitation and production, granted to Petrobras by the Brazilian Government, has come true. This way, the possibility through public tenders promoted by the National Crude Oil, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANP) of access to private capital in general, as well as to capital from small, and mid-sized firms in the crude oil, natural gas exploitation and production business, has been opened. In this context, many of those firms started to dedicate themselves, more specifically, to activities in mature oil fields and marginal oil fields. The undertakings in these fields and areas bear technical and economic characteristics that adapt to such small firms, once the latter need different types of investment and technical capacity as compared to undertakings in new exploitation frontiers. This dissertation aims to present a broad view of the crude oil and natural gas business undertaken by small and mid-sized firms in the Sedimentary Bay of Recôncavo Baiano region (Bacia Sedimentar do Recôncavo Baiano), stemming from an analysis of the supply generated by independent producers, and by the demand generated by Petrobras and few other purchasing agents. The main factors and agents that influence the relationship between supply and demand are analyzed, namely: the influence of the recent price variation of the crude oil barrel; the findings of the pre-salt layers in the Santos Bay; the actions of the regulatory agency ANP; the physical and human geography of the Recôncavo Baiano, its local geology and environmental factors. To conclude, by use of simulations in a real typical field put to tender in the First Round of Mature Fields, an economic viability study of a mature oil field revitalization program is shown. With this group of simulations, it is possible to have a critical eye towards the past and conclude how sensitive such undertakings are in face of the capital cost and sales prices of the oil produced.

O gênero Eucalyptus é a fonte principal de madeira para a indústria de papel e celulose de países tropicais e subtropicais e tem sido extensivamente estudado. Apesar de sua importância econômica, muito pouco é conhecido sobre o controle genético da formação da madeira (xilogênese) no eucalipto. Diferentes propriedades da madeira são observadas durante o desenvolvimento das árvores e a madeira é classificada como madeira juvenil e adulta. A madeira juvenil comparada à adulta apresenta células com paredes delgadas, alta concentração de lignina e baixa densidade; características indesejáveis para a indústria florestal. A identificação de proteínas e genes que regulam os processos genéticos de formação da madeira juvenil e adulta é, portanto, alvo potencial para estudos relacionados a modificações específicas visando melhorar a qualidade da madeira. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar as proteínas da região cambial de árvores de Eucalyptus grandis envolvidas no processo de formação da madeira adulta. A proteína total foi extraída de árvores com 22 anos e submetida à eletroforese bidimensional. Os spots foram isolados de cada uma das repetições do gel e após digestão tríptica, submetidos ao sequenciamento por cromatografia líquida associada ao espectrômetro de massas Q-TOF Ultima API (Waters, UK). Os espectros foram analisados pelo programa MASCOT MS/MS Ion Search, utilizando o banco de dados MSDB. Um total de 82 proteínas foram identificadas e classificadas em seis categorias funcionais: metabolismo e energia (36%), processos celulares (11%), transporte (2%), estrutura e organização da estrutura (11%), vias de informação (30%) e sem função definida (10%). Muitas das proteínas identificadas participam dos mecanismos de controle da biossíntese da parede celular e, conseqüentemente, da formação da madeira. Os dados gerados irão facilitar uma futura comparação e seleção de proteínas diferencialmente expressas em árvores juvenis e adultas durante xilogênese. / The Eucalyptus genus is the main source of hardwood for the pulp and paper industry in tropical and subtropical countries and is being extensively studied. Despite its economical importance, very little is known about the genetic control of wood formation (xylogenesis) in eucalypts. Different wood properties are observed during tree development and the wood is classified as juvenile and mature. The juvenile wood is characterized by cells with large lumen and thinner walls, lower density, higher lignin content and poor quality for pulp production, when compared to mature wood. The identification of proteins and genes that regulate the process in both mature and juvenile wood formation is, therefore, a potential target for studies related to specific modifications to alter wood quality. The aim of this work was to identify proteins which participate in the process involved in mature wood formation by isolating proteins from the cambial region of Eucalyptus grandis. The total protein was extracted from 22 year-old trees and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was carried out. Proteins were excised from the gels and after tryptic digestion, MS analysis was conducted by on line chromatography using a Cap-LC coupled to a Q-TOF Ultima API mass spectrometer (Waters, UK). The spectra were processed using MASCOT MS/MS Ion Search (www.matrixscience.com), and the sequences searched against MSDB database. A total of 82 proteins were identified and classified into six main functional categories: metabolism and energy (36%), cellular processes (11%), transport (2%), structure and structural organization (11%), information pathways (30%), non defined function (10%). Many of the identified proteins play a role in the mechanisms involved in the control of cell wall biosynthesis, and consequently in wood formation. The generated data will facilitate a further comparison and selection of proteins differentially expressed in mature and juvenile trees during xylogenesis.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo principal avaliar o sêmen da jararaca ilhoa, Bothrops insularis, quanto ao volume, motilidade, vigor e concentração, além de verificar se estes paramentos estão relacionados ao comprimento ou massa dos animais ou se variam ao longo das estações, uma vez que esta espécie possui ciclo reprodutivo sazonal. Para tanto, foram avaliadas amostras de sêmen de 18 machos, com comprimento rostro-cloacal (CRC) variando de 43,5 a 73,70 cm, pertencentes ao plantel do Laboratório de Ecologia e Evolução do Instituto Butantan, entre os meses de agosto de 2012 e maio de 2013. O sêmen de Bothrops insularis apresentou coloração variando de esbranquiçada a amarelada e consistência cremosa e espessa. Foi possível observar amostras de sêmen viáveis em todos os 18 animais avaliados, indicando que animais com CRC igual ou acima de 43,5 cm já são sexualmente maduros. O espermatozoide de Bothrops insularis é filiforme, possui cabeça alongada, fina e com formato pontiagudo, seguindo o padrão morfológico descrito para outros Squamata. Não foi observada nenhuma relação entre o comprimento, massa e cada um dos parâmetros seminais avaliados. Foi observada variação significativa da motilidade e da concentração do sêmen de Bothrops insularis entre as estações, porém o volume e o vigor do sêmen não variaram. Foi no outono, época de cópula da espécie, que o sêmen apresentou as maiores médias para os parâmetros avaliados. / This study aimed to evaluate sperm parameters of the golden lancehead, Bothrops insularis, including appearance, sperm motility, vigor, volume and concentration, determine if these parameters varied with body size or weight and to verify whether these vestments vary throughout seasons, since this species has a seasonal reproductive cycle. Samples of semen of 18 males with snout-vent length (SVL) ranging from 43.5 to 73.70 cm, belonging to the squad of the Ecology and Evolution Laboratory at Instituto Butantan, were collected between August 2012 and May 2013. Sperm color from Bothrops insularis ranged from whitish to yellowish, and a creamy and thick consistency. Viable sperm was observed in samples from all 18 males evaluated, indicating that animals with SVL equal to or above 43.5 cm are sexually mature. Sperm of Bothrops insularis is thready, has elongated, thin and pointed shaped head, following the morphological pattern described for other Squamata. No relationship between length, mass and each of seminal parameters evaluated was observed. Significant variation of concentration and motility of semen from Bothrops insularis between seasons was observed, but volume and vigor did not change. It was during Fall, mating season of the species, that sperm had the highest means for all parameters evaluated.

Companies, nations, governments and multilateral organisations are each in their context recognising that 20th-century approaches to innovation and competitiveness are no longer relevant or effective – with whole industries and economies challenged by the fastmoving and disruptive forces of 21st-century technologies that enable unprecedented innovative capability. The rate and scale of change and disruption calls for innovation thinking more suited to a world highly connected and networked and rapidly redefined by global digital architecture and alternative forms of value exchange, value creation and capture enabled through networks, platforms, and innovation ecosystems. For a mature industry to navigate potential disruption on this scale and possibly direct disruptive innovation of its own, will require a dramatic departure from innovation and business as usual. Christensen (1997) posits that disruptive innovation is the only way for incumbents to maintain market leadership and secure future growth. So how should mature firms respond to disruption, and which strategies are effective to become disruptive too? I undertake a grounded theory study into how specifically, the insurance industry (life and health), navigates disruptive influence and plans to become disruptive too. My analysis of the literature and the research findings has led to the development of an Adapt, Regenerate, Transcend response strategy framework, the ART framework, which describes these three broad response strategies and a further set of sub-strategies, that answer the question of how firms respond to disruptive influence and become disruptive too. The ART framework is my contribution to the work on disruptive innovation response strategies. The framework shows how incumbents can apply one or more of these three broad strategies to suit their objectives. The adapt response strategy, a short-term, defensive or opportunistic strategy, aims to extend lifecycles and fend off disruptive challenges. The regenerate response strategy is an expansive, increasingly inclusive, and transformative hybrid strategy that seeks to extend lifecycles and pursue new growth opportunities that might transform the core business over time to become disruptive too. The transcend response strategy is an original and disruptive strategy where the lead firm partners to reframe and reinvent an industry through a collectively directed value proposition that creates an entirely new playing field. Using the ART framework, I also show how disruptive innovation is an inclusive innovation strategy and how the framework applies to and is of use in the context of inclusive and sustainable innovation. In doing so, a new meta-innovation concept of generative innovation emerges, which the framework begins to describe broadly and which I propose as an area of future research.

Climate change and renewable energy technologies are internationally discussed topics. Recently the subject was discussed during the Paris climate conference, COP21. Which lead to the establishing of the first ever universal agreement, legally binding climate deal, which include 195 countries around the world. With the goal to decrease global warming by 1.5 degrees Celsius the need of new innovative technologies are increasing dramatically.   This thesis will examine the characteristics of renewable energy technology investment behavior by identifying drivers and forces for companies to invest in relatively new and less mature technologies, which are usually associated with high investment costs. Is it possible to financially justify investments in renewable energy technologies during the current market situation with historically low energy prices and with a production surplus? By examining the market and investments the aim is to identify and understand what drives companies to invest in renewable energy technologies and if it is profitable from a financial sustainable perspective.   The main results and derived conclusions are that RET investments behavior are influenced by several forces and drivers. The findings indicate that investments in RETs aren’t necessarily economical sustainable but rather that other objectives are of more importance than profitability in the short term.

The mature minor doctrine legally allows minors with the maturity of an adult to make decisions about their medical treatment, sometimes without the knowledge of their parent or guardian. However, the mature minor doctrine does not live up to its expectations; there are no guidelines for determining if a minor is mature or if the minor has the capacity to consent. The court system’s reluctance to allow minors to refuse treatment, the focus on stereotypical adolescent behavior, and the possibility of penalization of the family also serve as drawbacks to minors exercising their right to bodily autonomy through the mature minor doctrine. Standardization can solve these issues, revolutionizing the mature minor doctrine so that minors’ preferences about their care, particularly in the setting of life-threatening illness, can be honored. / Urban Bioethics

Tropical cyclone (TC) intensity and structure are affected by their environments, including sea surface temperature, vertical wind shear, and atmospheric moisture. Analyses of TC environments often rely on area-averaged quantities, yet the spatial variability of these fields can affect TC behavior, such as moisture distribution impacting where and how much rain falls. This study identifies spatial patterns of environmental moisture surrounding mature North Atlantic TCs during 2000-2021 in shear of less than 20 knots. Empirical orthogonal function analysis of total column water vapor reveals six dominant patterns. These patterns account for nearly 67% of the variance in the dataset and are affected by geographic location and large-scale atmospheric phenomena. Mid-level ventilation appears more likely in certain patterns. Future work will explore radar and passive microwave observations for cases in each pattern to quantify the physical impacts of these moisture patterns on mature TCs.