Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / This research explores the possibility of a phenomenology of religion that is ontological, founded on Martin Heidegger’s philosophical thought. The research attempts to utilise Heidegger’s formulation of phenomenology as ontology while also engaging in a critical relation with his path of thinking; as a barrier to the phenomenological interpretation of the meaning of Religion. This research formulates Religion as an ontological problem wherein the primary question becomes: how are humans, in our being, able to be religious and thus also able to understand the meaning of ‘religion’ or something like ‘religion’? This study focuses on the problem of foundation; of whether it is possible to provide an adequate foundation for the study of religion(s) via the notion ‘Religion’. Further, this study also aims to explore the problem of methodological foundation; of how preconceptions of the meaning of Religion predetermine how religion(s) and religious phenomena are studied. Finally, this research moves toward the possibility of founding a regional ontological basis for the study of religion(s) insofar as the research explores the ontological ground of Religion as a phenomenon. Due to the exploratory and methodological/foundational emphasis of the research, the thesis is almost entirely preliminary. Herein, the research focuses on three main issues: how the notion of Religion is preconceived, how Heidegger’s phenomenology can be tailored to the phenomenon of Religion, and how philosophical thought (in this case, Pre-Socratic philosophy) discloses indications of the meaning of Religion. Pre-Socratic thought is then utilised as a foundation for a preliminary interpretation of how Religion belongs-to humans in our being. This research provides two interrelated theses: the provision of an interpretation of Religion as an existential phenomenon, and an interpretation of Religion in its ground of being-human. With regard to the former, I argue that Religion signifies a potential relation with the ‘originary ground’ of life as meaningful. Accordingly, the second interpretation discloses the meaning of Religion as grounded in being-human; that for humans in our being, the meaning of life is an intrinsic question/dilemma for us. This being-characteristic, I argue, can be called belief.

Fletcher Aluminium is a New Zealand company that manufactures aluminium extrusions for the building market. Their extrusion process involves using a hydraulic ram to force heated raw supplied material, in the form of large diameter cylindrical logs, through a die land that is the desired product shape. The final quality of the extruded product is influenced by the extrusion temperature, ram pressure and extrusion speed. The speed of extrusion at Fletcher Aluminium is limited by the extrusion ram pressure because the extrusion machine is operating at the pressure limit of the compressor. Currently the company requires an increase in the extrusion speed, while maintaining quality requirements where these improvements are desired without upgrading the compressor. The press pressure is required to overcome friction and the flow stress of the billet, which is dependent on the precipitates and solutes conditions and their strengthening effects in the billet. However, the preheating temperature and extrusion speeds need to be sufficiently low enough to avoid hot tearing. This research starts to increase the ram speed by decreasing the Mg2Si content for precipitation strengthening. Heat treatment may be used to dissolve Mg2Si content by billet preheat to a temperature at or exceeds solvus temperature (TSolvus). However, a higher (than TSolvus) billet temperature may have two conflicting effects. First, a higher temperature in general reduces the flow stress thus lowering the required pressure. On the other hand, at temperature higher than Tsolvus, Mg2Si should completely dissolve, resulting in solid solution strengthening thus increasing the flow stress. The objective of the study is to quantify the strengthening contributions from solute atoms (Mg / Si) and precipitates (Mg2Si) on the as-received and heat treated test samples using room temperature mechanical testing and phase diagram analysis. The selected heat treatment conditions fully enclose the preheating temperature and time range currently used in Fletcher Aluminium production. Simulations of the extrusion were conducted by hot compression testing (Gleeble test), to measure the combination of strengthening effects during deformation at elevated temperatures. The room temperature tests have shown that hardness, yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) are minimised at approximately 405°C. The minimum point is shown to be caused by the combination of strengthening and softening due to solid solution and precipitation strengthening. The higher values of hardness, YS and UTS at lower and higher preheating temperatures are mainly due to precipitation and solution strengthening respectively. The findings show that, the solution of Mg2Si gradually increases as the temperature increases at temperatures exceeding 405°C. Hardness, YS and UTS were compared in order to determine the correlation between each mechanical property. A correlation exists, but it is not simple to translate between each mechanical property. The relationship between hardness and stress observed for 8% permanent strain was also investigated; there was no improvement in correlation. The elevated temperature tests show that initial flow stress and peak flow stress reduces linearly with temperature increases, which means higher testing temperature results lower precipitation and solid solution strengthening effects. Additionally, the constants of the Gleeble – Holomon equation were numerically calculated and are similar to published values. The Gleeble – Holomon equation was combined with Felthams equation in order to provide a relationship between extrusion velocity and extrusion temperature.

Fletcher Aluminium is a New Zealand company that manufactures aluminium extrusions for the building market. Their extrusion process involves using a hydraulic ram to force heated raw supplied material, in the form of large diameter cylindrical logs, through a die land that is the desired product shape. The final quality of the extruded product is influenced by the extrusion temperature, ram pressure and extrusion speed. The speed of extrusion at Fletcher Aluminium is limited by the extrusion ram pressure because the extrusion machine is operating at the pressure limit of the compressor. Currently the company requires an increase in the extrusion speed, while maintaining quality requirements where these improvements are desired without upgrading the compressor. The press pressure is required to overcome friction and the flow stress of the billet, which is dependent on the precipitates and solutes conditions and their strengthening effects in the billet. However, the preheating temperature and extrusion speeds need to be sufficiently low enough to avoid hot tearing. This research starts to increase the ram speed by decreasing the Mg2Si content for precipitation strengthening. Heat treatment may be used to dissolve Mg2Si content by billet preheat to a temperature at or exceeds solvus temperature (TSolvus). However, a higher (than TSolvus) billet temperature may have two conflicting effects. First, a higher temperature in general reduces the flow stress thus lowering the required pressure. On the other hand, at temperature higher than Tsolvus, Mg2Si should completely dissolve, resulting in solid solution strengthening thus increasing the flow stress. The objective of the study is to quantify the strengthening contributions from solute atoms (Mg / Si) and precipitates (Mg2Si) on the as-received and heat treated test samples using room temperature mechanical testing and phase diagram analysis. The selected heat treatment conditions fully enclose the preheating temperature and time range currently used in Fletcher Aluminium production. Simulations of the extrusion were conducted by hot compression testing (Gleeble test), to measure the combination of strengthening effects during deformation at elevated temperatures. The room temperature tests have shown that hardness, yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) are minimised at approximately 405°C. The minimum point is shown to be caused by the combination of strengthening and softening due to solid solution and precipitation strengthening. The higher values of hardness, YS and UTS at lower and higher preheating temperatures are mainly due to precipitation and solution strengthening respectively. The findings show that, the solution of Mg2Si gradually increases as the temperature increases at temperatures exceeding 405°C. Hardness, YS and UTS were compared in order to determine the correlation between each mechanical property. A correlation exists, but it is not simple to translate between each mechanical property. The relationship between hardness and stress observed for 8% permanent strain was also investigated; there was no improvement in correlation. The elevated temperature tests show that initial flow stress and peak flow stress reduces linearly with temperature increases, which means higher testing temperature results lower precipitation and solid solution strengthening effects. Additionally, the constants of the Gleeble – Holomon equation were numerically calculated and are similar to published values. The Gleeble – Holomon equation was combined with Felthams equation in order to provide a relationship between extrusion velocity and extrusion temperature.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Bern.

To determine the effects of torso cooling with ice (ICE) or water-perfused (WP) vests during rest and warm-up on subsequent 1500 m time trial rowing performance in the heat. Eight male rowers (23 ± 4 y) completed 3 sessions on an ergometer in an environmental chamber (38ºC, 47% RH) 1 week apart. Pre-cooling was applied during rest (45 min) and warm-up (30 min) in 2 trials using ICE or WP vests, but not in the control condition (CON). Rectal (Tre) and skin (Tsk) temperature, HR, RPE, thermal comfort (TC) and sensation (TS) were monitored throughout. HR, RPE or TS were not different between conditions. TC, Tre and Tsk were lower in WP and ICE than CON post warm-up (P<0.05). The reduction in strain was reflected by increased power output during the 1500 m time trial in ICE (11±1.2 %) and WP (9.6±1.1%) compared to CON (P<0.05). Pre-cooling with ICE or WP vests enhanced performance in a 1500 m rowing time trial and power output was higher from the onset.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-13T14:50:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-02-21Bitstream added on 2014-08-13T18:00:54Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000750733.pdf: 1281894 bytes, checksum: dc49e77c506e8c2dbd261f5086ca51f7 (MD5) / A pré-eclâmpsia (PE) é uma síndrome específica da gestação humana, caracterizada por uma resposta inflamatória sistêmica, de maior intensidade do que a observada na gestação normal. Nessa patologia, células do sistema imune inato como monócitos e granulócitos encontram-se ativadas endogenamente e secretam níveis elevados de radicais livres e citocinas inflamatórias. 1) Determinar o estado de ativação endógena de monócitos pela expressão de receptores TLR2 e TLR4, bem como a ativação do fator de transcrição nuclear NF-κB nessas células em gestantes portadoras de PE distribuídas quanto à idade gestacional de aparecimento das manifestações clínicas (precoce ou tardia) da doença; 2) Correlacionar a expressão de TLR2 e TLR4 com a produção de fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF-), interleucina-10 (IL-10) e IL-12 por monócitos estimulados com lipopolissacáride de Escherichia coli (LPS) e peptidoglicano (PGN) de bactéria Gram-positiva em gestantes com PE precoce ou tardia; 3) Verificar se os parâmetros estudados diferenciam PE precoce e tardia. Foram estudadas 92 gestantes, sendo 32 normotensas e 60 portadoras de PE, pareadas pela idade gestacional. As gestantes pré-eclâmpticas foram classificadas de acordo com o aparecimento das manifestações clínicas em PE precoce (<34 semanas de gestação, n=30) e PE tardia (≥34 semanas de gestação, n=30). Monócitos de sangue periférico obtidos de gestantes normotensas ou com PE foram cultivados por 18 h na ausência ou presença de LPS ou de PGN. A expressão de receptores TLR2 e TLR4, presentes na superfície de monócitos, foi detectada por citometria de fluxo, empregando-se anticorpos monoclonais específicos, marcados com fluorocromos. Para análise da ativação do fator de transcrição nuclear NF-κB os monócitos foram incubados na presença ou ausência de LPS ou PGN por 30 min e o extrato nuclear obtido foi empregado para dosagem de NF-κB. Monócitos ... / Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific human syndrome characterized by a systemic inflammatory response, with higher intensity than the one observed in normal pregnancy. In this pathology, innate immune cells such as monocytes and granulocytes are activated endogenously and secrete high levels of inflammatory cytokines and free radicals. 1) to determine the activation state of monocytes by endogenous expression of TLR2 and TLR4 receptors as well as the nuclear transcription factor (NF-κB) activation in these cells in pregnant women with PE, distributed according to the gestational age of clinical manifestations (early or late-onset) of the disease; 2) to correlate TLR2 and TLR4 expression with TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-12 by monocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Escherichia coli and peptidoglycan (PGN) of Gram-positive bacteria in pregnant women with early-onset or late-onset PE; 3) to verify if the parameters studied may differentiate early-onset or late-onset PE. We studied 92 pregnant women, 32 normotensive and 60 women with PE, paired for gestational age. Preeclamptic pregnant women were classified according to onset of clinical manifestations in early-onset PE (<34 weeks gestation, n=30) and late-onset PE (≥ 34 weeks gestation, n=30). Monocytes from peripheral blood obtained from preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women were incubated for 18h in the absence or presence of LPS or PGN. Expression of TLR2 and TLR4 receptors present on the surface of monocytes, was detected by flow cytometry, using specific monoclonal antibodies labeled with fluorochromes. To analyze NF-κB, monocytes were incubated with or without LPS or PGN for 30 min and the nuclear extract obtained was employed for NF-κB determination. Monocytes were further cultured in the presence or absence of LPS and PGN and the supernatant obtained after 18h cultivation was aspirated and used for TNF-α, IL-10, IL-12p40 and IL-12p70 determination by ...

Orientador(a): Maria Eliza Brefere Arnoni / Banca: Edilson Moreira de Oliveira / Banca: Carina Alves da Silva Darcoleto / Resumo: O presente trabalho tem como categoria de análise a mediação dialética e pedagógica, embasada em fundamentos marxianos. Ao mencionarmos a mediação, diferenciamos do modo usual que retrato nos meios educacionais, e a reportamos como fundamental no processo de desenvolvimento da Metodologia da Mediação Dialética - M.M.D., uma teoria metodológica criada pela Dr. Prof ª Maria Eliza Brefere Arnoni, com o intuito de apresentar uma metodologia ao professor como forma de enfretamento a aula posta que está a serviço da continuidade da sociedade burguesa. No decorrer do trabalho, retratamos a sociedade capitalista e seu influxo na educação escolar, apontando a impossibilidade de uma formação integral na sociedade capitalista, pois, esta formação só ocorre em uma sociedade emancipada, onde não há desigualdade social e nem exploração do homem pelo homem. O universo de nossa pesquisa concentrou-se na análise dos documentos oficiais e leis que embasam a Educação Infantil, cuja análise retratou algumas vertentes que apontam para a desvalorização da educação escolar para a criança de 0 a 5 anos. Assim, mencionamos a necessidade de pensar atividades educativas de caráter emancipador, com o intuito de estingar o professor a buscar mudanças em sua aula, perspectivando a emancipação humana. E, no último capítulo apresentamos o exemplo de uma aula pautada na atividade educativa perspectivando a emancipação humana e tem como metodologia ensino a M.M.D., a qual veicula o conhecimento entre professo... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The present work has a category of analysis the mediation of the dialetic and pedagogical, based on the fundamentals of marxian. When we mention the mediation, we distinguish between the usual mode that portrait in the educational environments, and we reported as crucial in the process of development of the Methodology for the Mediation of the Dialectic - M.M.D., one theory methodology created by Dr. Prof. ª Maria Eliza Brefere Arnoni, with the aim of presenting a methodology to the teacher as a way to tackle the existing class post which is at the service of the continuity of bourgeois society. In the course of the work, we frame the capitalist society and its influence in school education, pointing out the impossibility of an integral training in the capitalist society, therefore, this training only occurs in a society that is emancipated, where there is social inequality and not the exploitation of man by man. The universe of our research focused on the analysis of official documents and laws that underlie the Child Education, whose analysis portrayed some aspects that point to the devaluation of school education for the childs of 0 to 5 years. So, we mentioned the necessity of thinking about educational activities of emancipating character, with the aim of stamping the teacher to seek change in your lesson, looking forward to human emancipation. And, in the last chapter we present the example of a classroom based on the educational activity with a view to human emancipation and has as a methodology for teaching M. M. D., which conveys the knowledge between teacher and student in the educational practice / Mestre

In this thesis I provide an additional perspective on the development of Rādhā- Kṛṣṇa who are regarded as the central divinity in many religious traditions in South Asia, by examining the primary sources of the Nimbārka Sampradāya. This school of the Hindu religious tradition of Vaiṣṇavism is unique in its identification of the ontological category of Brahman (the supreme being) solely with Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, where both are conjointly understood to be the eternal deity, not an avatāra (incarnation) or vyūha (emanation). Previous scholarship on the early phases of this sampradāya has focussed on issues of philosophy and doctrine, with a few attempts beset by demonstrably deficient reasoning at positing a chronology. Although the later tradition has been documented in detail, owing to the absence of a settled chronology, mechanisms of Nimbārkī inter-sectarian relations at this stage of development in early modern Vraja (Braj) have not been satisfactorily established. In Part One, I provide a survey of the current theories on the development of Kṛṣṇa (who has received wide scholarly treatment) and Rādhā, re-evaluating Sanskrit and Prakrit textual and epigraphic sources with focus on the divinity of these two figures, positing that although there exist allusions to the godhood of Kṛṣṇa antecedent to the common era, the same cannot be said of Rādhā. Part Two discusses the sources available for Nimbārka and with a view to bringing to light any noteworthy findings, on the basis of comparative studies of the Brahmasūtra commentarial tradition I provide a new chronology for Nimbārka and his immediate followers. Following on from this, I discuss Nimbārka’s works in which is presented his innovation: the deification of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa. I then examine the rationalisation of this doctrine by Puruṣottama (third successor to Nimbārka), whose exegetical efforts diminish the impact of this teaching in the wider Vaiṣṇava context. In Part Three, I turn to the legacy of Nimbārka and in an important revelation for Vaiṣṇava studies, I show that whilst the early tradition reserved the theological identity of Brahman for the most eligible initiates, in 15th century Vraja a renaissance of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa devotion was instigated by Keśava Kāśmīrin, Śrībhaṭṭa and Harivyāsa Deva who influenced the contemporary and later sects which, in the modern period, have transported the phenomenon of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa devotion across the globe.

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Centro de Ciencias da Educação / Made available in DSpace on 2012-10-16T03:50:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0Bitstream added on 2016-01-08T17:01:22Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 85287.pdf: 8351382 bytes, checksum: 04cc07a12b28079b6748b1e75eaea044 (MD5) / Este trabalho de pesquisa que buscou fundamentalmente encontrar um elo de ligação entre a escola e a pré-escola, na tentativa de contribuir para a sua integração a que se passa a chamar unidade. Realizou-se uma caracterização do trabalho pedagógico e uma identificação das concepções que lhe são subjacentes, num trabalho de pesquisa sistemático que envolveu observações em classe, entrevistas e análise documental. Como elementos centrais tomou-se as questões referentes ao tratamento dado ao conhecimento, de forma geral, e a alfabetização em particular. Constatou-se que apesar de uma aparente diversidade nas práticas cotidianas da pré-escola e da escola, revela-se uma unidade nos dois níveis (escola e pré-escola), que se caracteriza principalmente pela tentativa de dasapropriação do conhecimento dos sujeitos do processo.

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciencias da Educação / Made available in DSpace on 2012-10-16T10:50:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0Bitstream added on 2016-01-08T20:22:07Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 105591.pdf: 7450756 bytes, checksum: d23e564ebb3753aec915021f77dd2fb1 (MD5)