This thesis explores the opportunities and constraints to community based planning for neighbourhood conservation in the context of an expanding urban core, using the Mole Hill planning process and draft Concept Plan as a case study. In response to previous public processes, and increasing community activism against top-down revitalization, City of Vancouver Planning Staff were directed in April 1996, to undertake a participatory planning process in order to develop conservation strategies for Mole Hill which balance physical, social, environmental and economic goals. Drawing from a broad range of literature on urban conservation and post-industrial urban change, this thesis begins by providing a rationale for area-based urban conservation within the context of post-war North American and European cities. Further, it outlines some of the conflicts arising from conservation, primarily those conflicts relating to post-war economic restructuring and corresponding socio-economic changes in inner cities specifically, gentrification. The thesis uses cases from inner city communities in Vancouver and New York to examine contemporary trends in neighbourhood conservation, and to explore those elements which contribute to a locally focused and sustainable conservation and revitalization strategy. Three characteristics of successful neighbourhood conservation schemes are abstracted by way of a literature review and are subsequently used as a framework to analyse the Mole Hill case study. These characteristics are: a focus on local involvement; multi-dimensional programs and policies; and an ongoing collaborative approach. The case study reveals the complex and contentious nature of planning for conservation within an expanding urban context. The multiplicity of players, the exigency of issues, the amount and availability of resources, and the often adversarial positions demonstrate the fragmented and complex quality of planning in this context. The study found that in Mole Hill a reliance on top-down methods for conflict negotiation and decision making undermined the effectiveness of the community based model and ultimately led to a fractured set of policies and principles for the neighbourhood. Tensions which were created by a misapplication of power resulted in a polarization between a "Staff' position and a "Working Group" position, thus diluting the idea of a consensus based, collaborative process. Despite these setbacks, a multi-agency and multi-interest approach to the process achieved a number of positive principles and strategies which attempt to address the site as a comprehensive whole, bringing the goals of heritage conservation closer to those of housing and community needs. Finally, the case showed that by drawing on existing community knowledge and expertise the process was able to generate innovative ideas such as those which involve local reinvestment and community economic development initiatives which are directed at social and physical improvement. These ideas challenge traditional notions of conservation and revitalization — which often rely on outside capital investment and /or economic incentives to support conservation — and provide a foundation for more culturally appropriate and sustainable strategies for community based neighbourhood conservation. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

Despite an IUCN conservation status of critically endangered, Juliana’s golden mole (Neamblysomus julianae) has received no ecological research attention to date. The species urgently requires conservation attention, but a poor understanding its biology, ecology and distribution makes effective conservation planning almost impossible. In light of this, a thorough understanding of the habitat requirements for this habitat specific species was needed. Additionally, the cryptic lifestyle of Juliana’s golden mole has resulted in very few distribution records for the species. Little was known about the animals’ daily and seasonal activity patterns or movement patterns. This study revealed that Juliana’s golden mole is range restricted on account of sandy soils that have a uniform particle size distribution. This feature limits substrate compaction, making tunnelling far easier for these small mammals. In comparison to uninhabited areas, occupied habitat had greater vegetation cover provided by trees and shrubs, and this would be expected to provide a cooler and moister microenvironment. The ecological parameters associated with the species presence were then used, in addition to existing GIS data, to predict regions of potentially suitable habitat. This process revealed large potentially inhabitable areas in the northern parts of South Africa. Preliminary ground-truthing has shown the model to be relatively accurate with three potentially new populations having been identified. Contrary to what has been reported in the literature, Juliana’s golden mole does not appear to be strictly nocturnal. Instead, an adaptive pattern of activity was observed, governed by soil temperature. Body temperature was found to fluctuate to some degree with that of the soil temperature, but fluctuations were regulated by behavioural thermoregulation. Seasonal activity is highly correlated with rainfall. Rain moistens the soil making it significantly softer and far easier to tunnel through. Using this and other information acquired through the course of the study, the thesis culminates with an evaluation of conservation concerns and proposed conservation management actions. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Zoology and Entomology / unrestricted

After successfully avoiding of the destructive scenario with the demolition of reservoirs and replacing them with parking house, the second question arises. How to stimulate the people's interest in these underground jewels, the interest that would confirm the decision to save reservoirs. One of the possible ways, in which I see a purpose and the one that I decided to chose is to make the reservoirs accessible alongside the pathway and let the natural curiosity of human to do the rest.

Background: The naked mole-rat (NMR) is a long-lived and cancer resistant species. Identification of potential anti-cancer and age related mechanisms is of great interest and makes this species eminent to investigate anti-cancer strategies and understand aging mechanisms. Since it is known that the NMR expresses higher liver mRNA-levels of alpha 2-macroglobulin than mice, nothing is known about its structure, functionality or expression level in the NMR compared to the human A2M. Results: Here we show a comprehensive analysis of NMR- and human plasma-A2M, showing a different prediction in glycosylation of NMR-A2M, which results in a higher molecular weight compared to human A2M. Additionally, we found a higher concentration of A2M (8.3±0.44 mg/mL vs. and 4.4±0.20 mg/mL) and a lower total plasma protein content (38.7±1.79 mg/mL vs. 61.7±3.20 mg/mL) in NMR compared to human. NMR-A2M can be transformed by methylamine and trypsin resulting in a conformational change similar to human A2M. NMRA2M is detectable by a polyclonal antibody against human A2M. Determination of tryptic and anti-tryptic activity of NMR and human plasma revealed a higher anti-tryptic activity of the NMR plasma. On the other hand, less proteolytic activity was found in NMR plasma compared to human plasma.

Faute de connaissances épistémologiques et socio-historiques au sujet du concept de mole et d’une transposition didactique pertinente de ce concept dans les manuels scolaires, les enseignants ne disposent pas des moyens nécessaires pour que leur enseignement soit aussi efficace qu’ils le souhaiteraient. Plusieurs recherches confirment que cet enseignement met habituellement l’accent sur l’aspect quantitatif de ce concept, néglige ses aspects qualitatifs et ne tient pas toujours compte des trois domaines du savoir en chimie : sous-microscopique, macroscopique et symbolique. L’évolution socio-historique de la mole est complexe. En 1900, Ostwald définit la mole comme étant une « masse normale ». En 1961, on reconnait la mole comme étant un concept pour compter les entités sous-microscopiques. En 1971, la mole devient l’unité de la « quantité de matière », sans toutefois que cela soit clairement mentionné dans la définition. Les diverses définitions qui se sont succédées laissent donc l’enseignant perplexe devant le choix d’une définition adéquate. De plus, les confusions linguistiques liées à l’apprentissage de la mole sont nombreuses, telles que des confusions phonétiques (mol et molécule), et des confusions symboliques (n, m, M, N. etc.). Un enseignement de la mole qui ne tient pas compte de ses aspects qualitatif et quantitatif, de l’évolution socio-historique du concept et d’un évitement des erreurs sémantiques risque de provoquer des obstacles didactiques chez les élèves. Par conséquent, l’objectif général de cette recherche de développement était d’étudier l’impact d’une formation portant sur le concept de mole donnée à des enseignants du secondaire sur l’évolution de leurs connaissances et compétences professionnelles et sur la réduction des obstacles didactiques chez les élèves. La formation a été planifiée selon un cycle de DBR (Design Based Research) qui comportait de nombreuses interactions entre l’étudiante-chercheure et les six enseignantes participantes d’une école du Liban. Ce cycle de DBR se subdivisait en cinq méso cycles dans chacun desquels l’étudiante-chercheure animait des activités de perfectionnement. Le premier mésocycleconsistait essentiellement en un microcycle d’analyse et d’exploration ; les 2e, 3e et 4e cycles comportent des microcycles de design et de conception de matériel didactique ainsi que des microcycles d’analyse, d’exploration, d’évaluation et de réflexion ; le dernier mésocycleconsistait surtout en un microcycle d’évaluation et d’exploration. Durant le premier méso cycle, l’analyse des données recueillies lors d’un groupe de discussion, d’une analyse de fiches de préparation et d’une évaluation diagnostique des apprentissages a confirmé la problématique décrite ci-dessus. Durant les trois méso cycles suivants (2e, 3e et 4e), un matériel didactique a été élaboré et mis à l’essai en classe. Chacun de ces méso cycles commençait par un retour réflexif des enseignantes ayant expérimenté le matériel didactique en classe. Par la suite, une activité de perfectionnement de synthèse était animée par l’étudiante-chercheure, une amélioration du matériel d’équipe était effectuée en équipe et une mise à l’essai par des enseignantes était réalisée en classe. Chaque mésocyclese terminait par une évaluation des résultats des élèves. Durant le dernier méso cycle, l’étudiante-chercheure a animé un groupe de discussion et des entretiens d’explicitation durant lequel les enseignantes participantes ont partagé leurs impressions au sujet des effets de la formation sur leur enseignement et sur les apprentissages des élèves. L’analyse et l’interprétation des résultats obtenus semblent montrer des effets positifs sur l’évolution des connaissances et des compétences professionnelles des enseignantes et sur la réduction des obstacles didactiques chez les élèves. Cette recherche présentait néanmoins d’assez nombreuses limites, notamment en raison du petit nombre d’enseignantes participantes. / In the absence of epistemological and socio-historical knowledge about the concept of mole and of a relevant didactic transposition of this concept in textbooks, teachers do not have the means to make their teaching as effective as they would like. Several studies confirm that this teaching usually emphasizes the quantitative aspect of this concept, neglects its qualitative aspects and does not always take into account the three areas of knowledge in chemistry: sub-microscopic, macroscopic and symbolic. The socio-historical evolution of the mole is complex. In 1900, Ostwald defined the mole as a "normal mass". In 1961, the mole was recognized as a concept for counting sub-microscopic entities. In 1971, the mole became the unit of the "quantity of substance", however without this being clearly mentioned in the definition. These various definitions leave the teacher puzzled and looking for an adequate definition. In addition, there are many linguistic confusions related to the learning of the mole, such as phonetic confusions (mol and molecule), and symbolic confusions (n, m, M, N, etc.). A teaching of the mole that does not take into account its qualitative and quantitative aspects, the socio-historical evolution of the concept and an avoidance of semantic errors may cause didactic obstacles for secondary school students. Therefore, the general objective of this development research was to study the impact of a training on the concept of mole given to secondary school teachers on the evolution of their professional knowledge and skills and on the reduction of didactic barriers in secondary school students. The training was planned according to a DBR (Design Based Research) cycle which involved numerous interactions between the student-researcher and the six participating teachers from a Lebanese school. This DBR cycle was subdivided into five meso-cycles in each of which the student-researcher conducted developmental activities. The first meso-cycle consisted essentially of a microcycle of analysis and exploration ; the 2nd, 3rd and 4th cycles include microcycles of design of didactic materials as well as microcycles of analysis and exploration, evaluation and reflection ; the last meso-cycle consisted mainly of a microcycle of evaluation and exploration. During the first meso-cycle, an analysis of the data collected during a focus group, an analysis of the preparation documents and a diagnostic assessment of learning confirmed the problem described above. During the following three meso-cycles (2nd, 3rd and 4th), a didactic material was developed and tested in class. Each of these meso-cycles began with a reflexive feedback from the teachers who had experienced the didactic material in class. Subsequently, a synthesis development activity was facilitated by the student-researcher, an improvement of the team material was carried out by the teachers and a test was conducted in class. Each meso-cycle ended with an assessment of the secondary school students’ achievement. During the last meso-cycle, the student-researcher facilitated a focus group and explanatory interviews during which the participating teachers shared their impressions about the effects of the training on their teaching and on student learning. The analysis and interpretation of the results obtained seem to show positive effects on the evolution of teachers' professional knowledge and skills and on the reduction of didactic obstacles for secondary school students. Nevertheless, this research had quite a few limitations, mainly because of the small number of participating teachers.

After successfully avoiding of the destructive scenario with the demolition of reservoirs and replacing them with parking house, the second question arises. How to stimulate the people's interest in these underground jewels, the interest that would confirm the decision to save reservoirs. One of the possible ways, in which I see a purpose and the one that I decided to chose is to make the reservoirs accessible alongside the pathway and let the natural curiosity of human to do the rest.

[pt] A constante expansão ocupacional de terrenos resulta na eventual construção sobre camadas de argila mole, o que requer a utilização de fundações em estacas e, com isso, maior conhecimento sobre o material do subsolo e a interação entre as estruturas. Em um projeto de fundações, a consideração das cargas transversais atuantes na superfície nem sempre é suficiente, é necessário adicionar as solicitações também impostas ao longo do seu comprimento. Este trabalho relata o caso de um edifício em Ubatuba/SP, que entrou em colapso devido a solicitações laterais no fuste das estacas próximas ao fundo do terreno, local com maior espessura de argila mole. Este movimento foi analisado por meio de quatro métodos convencionais (Tschebotarioff, De Beer e Wallays, Stewart e Goh), além do método numérico utilizando o software Plaxis em modelagens 2D e 3D. Os métodos convencionais apresentaram momentos fletores bastante divergentes entre si, porém todos apresentaram resultados cuja ordem de grandeza foi muito maior que os obtidos por meio da análise numérica. A modelagem bidimensional mostrou que o espaçamento entre estacas no eixo fora do plano é um fator com bastante influência e interfere nos valores resultantes do modelo 2D, outra constatação foi a redução de até 50 por cento dos momentos fletores atuantes quando considerado o efeito de grupo. Os resultados da modelagem 3D mostraram-se concordantes com os da modelagem 2D, chegando a apresentar uma divergência de 2 por cento entre os resultados. Em termos gerais, foi confirmada a maior solicitação nas estacas mais próximas ao limite posterior do terreno, onde se encontra a camada mais espessa de argila, o que gerou momentos maiores do que aqueles gerados pela carga transversal da superestrutura. / [en] The constant expansion of land occupation leads to the eventual construction over soft clay layers, requiring the use of foundation piles and thus, greater understanding of the subsurface material and the interaction between the structures, especially in regards to the induced loads and displacements. Naturally, the loads from the overhead structure are transmitted to the foundation, causing it to suffer from the action of axial and transverse loads. In a foundation design, the consideration of transverse loads acting on the surface is not always sufficient, making it necessary to include the loads imposed along its length as well. This study depicts the case of a building in Ubatuba/SP that collapsed due to lateral stresses along the middle section of the piles, located close to the farthest site boundary where a thicker layer of soft clay can be found. This movement was analysed using four conventional methods (Tschebotarioff, De Beer and Wallays, Stewart and Goh), as well as a numerical method for 2D and 3D modelling on the Plaxis software. The conventional methods presented diverging results relative to each other, of which. However, all four methods produced results with orders of magnitude much greater than those obtained through numerical analysis. The bidimensional model showed that the spacing between piles in the out-of-plane axis is a factor of great influence and interferes in the simplifications of the 2D model. Another finding was a reduction of up to 50 percent of the acting bending moments when considering the group effect. The results from the 3D model were in agreement with those from the 2D model, exhibiting only a 2 percent difference. In general, a greater load on the piles closest to the farthest limit of the site was confirmed, located on the thickest clay layer that generated bending moments greater than those generated from the transverse load of the structure.

Many imprinted genes are necessary for normal human development. Approximately 70 imprinted genes have been identified in humans. I developed a novel approach to identify candidate imprinted genes in humans using the premise that imprinted genes are often associated with nearby parent-of-origin-specific DNA differentially methylated regions (DMRs). I identified parent-of-origin-specific DMRs using sodium bisulfite-based DNA (CpG) methylation profiling of uniparental tissues, mature cystic ovarian teratoma (MCT) and androgenetic complete hydatidiform mole (AnCHM), and biparental tissues, blood and placenta. In support of this approach, the CpG methylation profiling led to the identification of parent-of-origin-specific differentially methylated CpG sites (DMCpGs) in known parent-of-origin-specific DMRs. I found new DMRs for known imprinted genes NAP1L5 and ZNF597. Most importantly, I discovered many new DMCpGs, which were associated with nearby genes, i.e., candidate imprinted genes. Allelic expression analyses of one candidate imprinted gene, AXL, suggested polymorphic imprinting of AXL in human blood.

Many imprinted genes are necessary for normal human development. Approximately 70 imprinted genes have been identified in humans. I developed a novel approach to identify candidate imprinted genes in humans using the premise that imprinted genes are often associated with nearby parent-of-origin-specific DNA differentially methylated regions (DMRs). I identified parent-of-origin-specific DMRs using sodium bisulfite-based DNA (CpG) methylation profiling of uniparental tissues, mature cystic ovarian teratoma (MCT) and androgenetic complete hydatidiform mole (AnCHM), and biparental tissues, blood and placenta. In support of this approach, the CpG methylation profiling led to the identification of parent-of-origin-specific differentially methylated CpG sites (DMCpGs) in known parent-of-origin-specific DMRs. I found new DMRs for known imprinted genes NAP1L5 and ZNF597. Most importantly, I discovered many new DMCpGs, which were associated with nearby genes, i.e., candidate imprinted genes. Allelic expression analyses of one candidate imprinted gene, AXL, suggested polymorphic imprinting of AXL in human blood.

Objetivo: Comparar características clínicas e resultados de gestações múltipla com mola completa e feto normal coexistente (MHCFC) no New England Trophoblastic Disease Center (NETDC) e em centros de doença trofoblástica (CDT) brasileiros. Métodos: Coorte retrospectiva composta por pacientes com MHCFC provenientes do NETDC (1966-2015) e quatro CDT brasileiros (1990- 2015). Foram realizadas comparações referentes à localização geográfica (NEDTC vs CDT brasileiros), períodos diferentes no NETDC (1966-1989 vs 1990-2015) e quanto evolução para neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional (NTG). Resultados: No período, foram identificados 12.455 casos de doença trofoblástica gestacional, sendo 72 casos de MHCFC inclusos neste estudo. As características clínicas e resultados foram semelhantes entre os casos dos CDT brasileiros (n=46) e NETDC (n=13) entre 1990 e 2015, com exceção de um número significativamente maior de condições potencialmente letais no Brasil (p=0,046). Não houve diferença quanto à apresentação clínica ou aos resultados em dois períodos diferentes no NETDC (13 casos de 1966-1989 vs 13 casos de 1990-2015). Houve 10 casos de interrupção eletiva da gestação (14% das 70 gestações em que o resultado obstétrico estava disponível) e 36 nascimentos de fetos viáveis (60% das 60 gestações nas quais se optou por conduta expectante). A taxa de NTG foi de 46% (31 de 68 casos em que o resultado quanto evolução para NTG estava disponível); os casos que progrediram para NTG apresentaram níveis mais elevados de gonadotrofina coriônica (250.000 mUI/mL vs 120.000 mUI/mL; p=0,026), menor idade gestacional no término da gravidez (17 semanas vs 28,5 semanas; p < 0,001), menor viabilidade fetal (27% vs 69%; p < 0,001), maior taxa de evolução para abortamento espontâneo (35% vs 9%; p=0,020) e mais interrupções da gestação por conta de intercorrências clínicas graves (26% vs 0%; p=0,003). No entanto, a interrupção eletiva da gestação não teve associação com o desenvolvimento de NTG. Conclusões: A maior diferença regional nas MHCFC foi a presença de mais condições potencialmente letais no Brasil. Quando adotada conduta expectante, houve possibilidade de nascimento de feto viável na maior parte das MHCFC. Foi observada elevada taxa de evolução para NTG em MHCFC. A interrupção eletiva da gravidez não influenciou a progressão para NTG, porém interrupções da gestação por complicações clínicas graves, evolução da gestação para abortamento espontâneo, menor idade gestacional no término da gestação, menor viabilidade fetal e níveis elevados de gonadotrofina coriônica foram associados ao desenvolvimento de NTG em MHCFC / Objective: To determine the clinical characteristics and outcomes of multiple pregnancies with complete mole and coexisting normal fetus (CHMCF) in New England Trophoblastic Disease Center (NETDC) and Brazilian trophoblastic disease centers (BTDC). Methods: Retrospective non-concurrent cohorts comprised of CHMCF from NETDC (1966-2015) and four BTDC (1990-2015). Comparisons were made regarding: geographical location from 1990 to 2015 (NETDC vs BTDC), two different periods of time in NETDC (1966-1989 vs 1990-2015) and patients who developed gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) with the ones that spontaneously regressed. Results: From a total of 12,455 cases of gestational trophoblastic disease seen at the referral centers, 72 CHMCF were identified. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were similar between BTDC (n=46) and NETDC (n=13) from 1990 to 2015, apart from a much higher frequency of potentially life-threatening conditions in Brazil (p=0.046). There were no significant changes in the clinical presentation or outcomes in two different time periods in NETDC (13 cases in 1966-1989 vs 13 cases in 1990-2015). Ten pregnancies were electively terminated (14% of 70 cases with available obstetric outcome) and 36 resulted in viable live infants (60% of 60 pregnancies that were expectantly managed). The rate of GTN was 46% (31 out of 68 cases with available information on GTN development); the cases that progressed to GTN presented with higher chorionic gonadotropin levels (250.000 mIU/mL vs 120.000 mIU/mL; p=0.026), lower gestational age at the end of pregnancy (17 weeks vs 28,5 weeks; p < 0,001), lower fetal viability (27% vs 69%; p < 0,001), higher rate of spontaneous abortions (35% vs 9%; p=0.020) and higher frequency of termination of pregnancy due to medical complications (26% vs 0%; p=0.003) when compared to those with spontaneous remission. However, elective termination of pregnancy was not associated with GTN development. Conclusions: The main regional difference in CHMCF was related to a higher rate of potentially life-threatening conditions in Brazil. Most of the women with CHMCF who were managed expectantly delivered a viable fetus. CHMCF exhibited a high GTN rate. Elective termination of pregnancy did not influence the risk for GTN; however the need for termination due to severe medical complications, spontaneous abortions, lower gestational age at the end of pregnancy, lower fetal viability and higher hCG levels were associated with GTN progression in CHMCF