Background: HIV/AIDS remains a major health concern worldwide and the number of people infected in Sub-Saharan Africa continues to increase. This despite increased awareness and availability of HIV drugs in most countries. The success of current HIV-1 drugs is overshadowed by the emergence of drug resistant viral strains and the adverse side-effects they may cause. It is these limitations and many more that drives the continuous search for better HIV treatments. Research into drug discovery and development using natural products is becoming better established. With natural products, there are endless opportunities for discovering novel compounds which either ends up as final drugs or as backbones of drug leads. Methods: In this thesis, sixteen Lamiaceae (mint) plants were investigated for inhibitory properties against HIV-1 as well as for beneficial immune enhancing effects. This family of plants is commonly used in traditional medicine preparations for the treatment of various ailments including those that are virus induced. Cytotoxicity of the plant material was determined using tetrazolium dyes and the results subsequently confirmed with flow cytometry and real-time cell analysis. Direct enzyme assays were used to determine the inhibitory properties of the extracts and isolated compounds against HIV-1 protease (PR), reverse transcriptase (RT) and integrase (IN). The effect of the plant materials was also evaluated in an in vitro model of chronic and latent infection by measuring HIV-1 p24 protein secretion of an infected cell line (U1) following treatment. Most HIV-infected individuals only seek treatment during the chronic stages of disease and latent reservoirs of the virus perpetuate treatment. The immune modulating properties were determined by quantitating the effects of plant extracts/compounds on Th1/2/17 cytokine production in human mononuclear cells using the cytometric bead array technology. Finally, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were also assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide colorimetric assays respectively. Results and discussion: The 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) of the extracts was between 4.2 and 100 μg/ml. Of the sixteen, extracts from six plants (Ocimum labiatum, Ocimum serratum, Plectranthus barbatus, Plectranthus neochilus, Salvia apiana and Stachys byzantina) were active against HIV-1. Four plants (P. neochilus, O. serratum, S. apiana and S. byzantina) demonstrated moderate inhibitory properties against HIV-1 PR, RT and IN (40-49%) and three of these plants (O. serratum, S. apiana and S. byzantina) significantly (p<0.05) suppressed HIV-1 replication in U1 cells. The most exciting data was obtained from extracts of P. barbatus and O. labiatum which demonstrated inhibition classified as good (>50%) against HIV-1 PR (IC50s 62 ±0.2 and 49.8 ±0.4 μg/ml), reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines at non-cytotoxic concentrations and demonstrated strong antioxidant properties (IC50 values 13 ±0.8 and 15.8 ±0.3 μg/ml). O. labiatum extract also suppressed HIV-1 expression in U1 cells, significantly (p<0.05). In addition, one of the extracts (P. ciliatus) had anti-cancer potential with CC50 values <10 μg/ml. O. labiatum extract was purified to yield a chlorophyll derivative, pheophytin-a (phy-a); triterpene isomers (3-hydroxy-4,6a,6b,11,12,14b-hexamethyl- 1,2,3,4,6,6a,6b,7,8,8a,9,10,11,12,12a,14,14a,14b-octadecahydropicene-4,8adicarboxylic acid), amyrin and a labdane diterpenoid (labda-8(17),12E,14-triene-2R,18- diol). Phy-a inhibited HIV-1 PR with an IC50 value of 44.4 ±1.5 μg/ml. The triterpenes activated latent HIV-1 (a serious obstacle in the eradication of the virus) while the diterpenoid reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These activities were observed at non-toxic concentrations of these compounds. There is an ongoing search for novel compounds that are able to activate latent HIV-1 to use in conjunction with HAART. If the triterpenes were to progress to clinical use, their use would be in activating latent virus for eradication by existing treatments. Conclusion: The findings presented in this thesis provide some scientific explanation for the anecdotal success of some Lamiaceae plants used traditionally to manage HIV/AIDS. The findings also conform to recommendations by the scientific community regarding the validation of the beneficial effects of plant products used traditionally. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Biochemistry / unrestricted

Submitted by JOSIANE SANTOS DE OLIVEIRA (josianeso) on 2018-12-12T13:54:00Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Rafaela Lauffer Ostermann Tamiosso_.pdf: 1442173 bytes, checksum: 6b4e384ffad7bba170e30016439c0cd7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-12T13:54:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rafaela Lauffer Ostermann Tamiosso_.pdf: 1442173 bytes, checksum: 6b4e384ffad7bba170e30016439c0cd7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-07-30 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O objetivo do estudo é analisar o perfil e as oportunidades de comércio do Brasil com os países integrantes do BRICS, do TICKS e do MINT, por meio de simulações de integração comercial, buscando identificar os setores mais beneficiados de acordo com seu grau de intensidade tecnológica. A metodologia utilizada foi a revisão bibliográfica e a coleta de informações na base de dados AliceWeb/SECEX/MDIC, empregando-se a classificação de produtos por grau de intensidade tecnológica segundo os critérios da OCDE. Além dessas, foi utilizado o modelo de equilíbrio geral computável, mediante utilização do GTAP (versão 9). Foram realizadas seis simulações, entre o Brasil e os países do BRICS, do TICKS e do MINT, com reduções de 50% e de 100% das tarifas de importações para cada um dos acordos. Em todos os acordos simulados, o setor mais impactado seria o de baixa intensidade tecnológica, já que era o mais protegido inicialmente. Os resultados revelaram que existiria substituição da produção doméstica pelas importações mais baratas dos países do BRICS, do TICKS e do MINT, ocasionando crescimento nas exportações brasileiras de produtos primários e de baixa intensidade tecnológica e queda das exportações de produtos de média-alta e de alta intensidade tecnológica. Em relação aos efeitos sobre o bem-estar, os acordos de comércio apontam ganhos para o Brasil em todos os cenários, porém aquele envolvendo os países do TICKS, com ampla redução tarifária, seria o que mais beneficiaria o Brasil, com ganhos de US$ 4,8 bilhões, sendo também o acordo com maior benefício líquido para o mundo, no valor de US$ 23,9 bilhões. / The study goal is to analyze the profile and trading opportunities with the BRICS, TICKS, and MINT countries through trade integrations simulations — looking for patterns to identify the most benefited sectors by their technological intensity degree. The methodology used was the bibliography review and the data collecting on AliceWeb/SECEX/MDIC, using the products classification by technological intensity degree according to OCDE criteria. In addition, the computable general equilibrium model was applied with GTAP (version 9). Six simulations were performed between Brazil and the BRICS, TICKS and MINT countries, with 50% and 100% importation tax reductions for each trade agreement. Analysing all trade agreements simulations, the most impacted sector would be that of low technological intensity because it was the most protected at the initial equilibrium. The results show that would be a replacement of Brazilian domestic production to low-cost imports from BRICS, TICKS, and MINT countries, leading to Brazilian exporting growth of primary and low technological intensity products, and an export dropping of products with medium-high and high-end technological intensity. Also, the trade agreements would generate welfare gains for Brazil in all scenarios, however that one related to the TICKS countries, with a large tax reduction, would be the most beneficial for Brazil, with gains of US$ 4.8 billion, also being the agreement with the largest net benefit to the world, reaching US$ 23.9 billion.

Im Projekt „thermoE“ wurde in den vergangenen Jahren ein Verfahren zur Erstellung von mathematisch-methodischen elektronischen Testaufgaben mit der ONYX-Testsuite entwickelt. thermoE ermöglicht eine automatisierte Überprüfung MINT-typischer Komplexaufgaben sowie die zur Lösung nötigen methodischen Fähigkeiten und theoretischen Kenntnisse. thermoE gibt den Lernenden ein direktes Feedback zu deren Wissensstand und hilft, den Lernprozess effektiv und effizient zu gestalten. Auf diese Weise können viele Vorteile des E-Learnings zur Förderung selbstgesteuerter Lernprozesse im MINT-Bereich besser genutzt und in das Studium integriert werden. Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt das Konzept und aktuelle Evaluationsergebnisse vor.

MINT steht für Mathematik, Informatik, Naturwissenschaften und Technik. Dass MINT überhaupt nichts Trockenes sein muss und Männer wie Frauen begeistern kann, erzählen Studierende, die an den Hochschulen oder der Berufsakademie Sachsen studieren. Sie berichten, wie sie ihren MINT-Studiengang »gefunden« haben und wie sie ihr Studium meistern. Redaktionsschluss: 08.01.2021

This thesis deals with The Royal Mint and it's online strategy. Using web analytics tools and usability testing it analyzes a current state of website and e-shop of the company. From the obtained figures about visits of the website, keywords, conversion rate, traffic sources and others, the customers' behavior is analyzed and subsequent conversion rate and user friendliness-raising measures are evaluated. The thesis summarizes recommendations resulting from the carried analyses in order to increase the online sales, bring new customers online and increase the loyalty of the existing ones.

Die Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (Professur für Technische Thermodynamik) und die Hochschule Zittau/Görlitz (Fakultät Maschinenwesen) beschäftigten sich im LiT-Förderprojekt thermoACTIVE mit der Entwicklung und Erprobung eines E-Learning gestützten Lehr- Lern-Konzepts zur aktiven Verständnissicherung und differenzierten Leistungsförderung im Modul Technische Thermodynamik. Im Zentrum des Formats stehen ort- und zeitunabhängig Onlinetests, die den Studierenden Informationen zu ihrem Wissensstand sowie Empfehlungen zum weiteren Lernprozess geben. Der Beitrag stellt das Umsetzungskonzept und Evaluationsergebnisse beider Standorte vor.

Der Aufbau eines virtuellen thermodynamischen Labors als interaktive Lernplattform im Rahmen des etablierten thermoE-Konzeptes soll anhand eines exemplarischen Beispiels vorgestellt werden. Mittels intuitiver Bedienung wird den Studierenden das Verständnis thermodynamischer Zusammenhänge vermittelt. Die Umsetzung der interaktiven Arbeitsblätter erfolgt mittels verschiedener Programmierinstrumente, die die Nutzung von Diagrammen, Eingabefeldern, Schaltflächen und Schiebereglern praxisnah ermöglichen.

Video annotating is a lengthy manual process. A previous research project, MINT, produced a few thousand videos of child-parent interactions in a controlled environment in order to study children’s language development. These videos were filmed across multiple sessions, tracking the same children from the age of 3 months to 7 years. In order to study the gathered material, all these videos have to be annotated with multiple kinds of annotations including transcriptions, gaze of the children, physical distances between parent and child, etc. These annotations are currently far from complete, which is why this project aimed to be a stepping point for the development of semi-automatic tooling in order to aid the process. To do this, state-of-the-art pose estimators were used to process hundreds of videos, creating pseudo-anonymized pose estimations. The pose estimations were then used in order to gauge the distance between the child and parent, and annotate the corresponding frame of the videos. Everything was packaged as a CLI tool. The results of first applying the CLI and then correcting the automatic annotations manually (compared to manually annotating everything) showed a large decrease in overall time taken to complete the annotating of videos. The tool lends itself to further development for more advanced annotations since both the tool and its related libraries are open source. / Videoannotering är en lång manuell process. Ett tidigare forskningsprojekt, MINT, producerade några tusen videor av barn-förälder-interaktioner i en kontrollerad miljö för att studera barns språkutveckling. Dessa videor filmades under flera sessioner och spårade samma barn från 3 månaders ålder till 7 år. För att studera det insamlade materialet måste alla dessa videor annoteras med flera olika typer av taggar inklusive transkriptioner, barnens blick, fysiska avstånd mellan förälder och barn, m.m. Denna annoteringsprocess är för närvarande långt ifrån avslutad, vilket är anledningen till detta projekt syftade till att vara ett första steg för utvecklingen av halvautomatiska verktyg för att underlätta processen. Detta projekt syftade till att semi-automatiskt annotera om ett barn och en förälder, i varje videobild, var inom räckhåll eller utom räckhåll för varandra. För att göra detta användes toppmoderna pose-estimators för att bearbeta hundratals videor, vilket skapade pseudoanonymiserade poseuppskattningar. Poseuppskattningarna användes sedan för att gissa avståndet mellan barnet och föräldern och annotera resultat i motsvarande bildruta för videorna. Allt paketerades som ett CLI-verktyg. Resultaten av att först tillämpa CLI-verktyget och sedan korrigera de automatiska annoteringarna manuellt (jämfört med manuellt annotering av allt) visade en stor minskning av den totala tiden det tog att slutföra annoteringen av videor. Framför allt lämpar sig verktyget för vidareutveckling för mer avancerade taggar eftersom både verktyget och dess relaterade bibliotek är öppen källkod.

The purpose of this thesis is to explore how the unpredictability of climate change and natural disasters impact the risk perception of Swedish companies. The literature chapter that has been elaborated in this study describes theories that are associated with effects of climate change and natural disasters, risk management and knowledge. Further on, the research has been conducted with a qualitative method in order to gain a profounder understanding of the topic and how it influences the risk perception of Swedish companies. The study has further on been following a abductive research approach since the area of research was rather unexplored.  We present the results of our study by answering to the research questions in the conclusion chapter that have been derived from the analysis. Furthermore, the conclusion chapter involves that the risks perception of the studied companies differentiates depending on the level and type on knowledge that the companies hold.

One of the most visible signs of the globalization of the world economy is the increase of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows across countries. This past decade the trend of FDI has shifted from developed countries to emerging economies, which is most notably in the BRICS countries. However, as BRICS reputation has been damaged these past years due to its weak growth outlook in the early 2010s, investors are shifting to the new economic grouping acronym, the MINT (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey) countries for better future prospects of FDI destination. Since the MINT countries have emerged as a popular destination of FDI, it is necessary to investigate what are the key factors that make these four countries attractive as FDI destinations. Hence, this paper analyzes what are the determinants of inward FDI into the MINT countries during the time period from 1990 to 2014. To be able to answer the research question and demonstrate the effect of the seven independent variables (market size, economic instability, natural resources availability, infrastructure facilities, trade openness, institutional stability and political stability) on FDI as a dependent variable, the study uses a panel data analysis. The data is based on secondary data, which is collected from the World Bank dataset. The empirical finding from the study illustrates that market size, economic instability, infrastructure facilities, trade openness, institutional stability, and political stability are significant as determinants FDI inflows to the MINT countries, meanwhile, natural resources availability appears to be an insignificant determinant of FDI inflows to the MINT countries.