O trabalho propõe uma metodologia para a condução de pesquisas de desenvolvimento de métodos, processos e sistemas construtivos voltadas para a criação de inovações tecnológicas que possam efetivamente contribuir para a evolução da atividade de construção de edifícios. São analisados os principais conceitos que identificam-se com o desenvolvimento tecnológico dos meios de produção de edifícios e estabelecidas definições para os mesmos. São também analisados os condicionantes que delimitam o contexto deste desenvolvimento no país. A metodologia proposta, entendida como um conjunto de preceitos destinados a orientar a condução de uma investigação e que se fundamenta na busca da máxima racionalização construtiva, é apresentada em dois níveis, o da doutrina e o da estratégia. A metodologia foi aplicada no desenvolvimento de um inovador processo construtivo de alvenaria estrutural de blocos cerâmicos. Este processo é apresentado e descreve-se como se deu o seu desenvolvimento, dos estudos iniciais à construção de edifícios protótipos. Conclue-se pela importância que a adoção de uma metodologia específica representa para a busca de soluções válidas para o conjunto da sociedade e como pode contribuir para a mudança da caótica situação atual por que passa a construção civil. / This thesis proposes a methodology to carry on the development research on building methods, processes and systems aiming at technological innovations which may effectivelly contribute for buildings construction activities evolution. The main concepts related to the technological development of the ways for the production process are analysed and their definitions established. It is also analysed the facts that restrain such development in Brazil. The proposed methodology is defined as a set of principles which objective is to point out the guidance for a scientific investigation and supported by the maximum building rationalization. This methodology is presented in two distinctive levels: the doctrine and the strategy. The methodology is applied specifically in the development of an innovative structural masonry process with ceramic blocks. The process is described, as well as the development performed stages: from the first studies to the prototype buildings construction. It is concluded that by adopting a specific methodology important solutions for the society as a whole are obtained and it gives essential support to change the disordered situation currently faced by the civil construction.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Esta à uma pesquisa de natureza conceitual cujo objetivo à analisar a gramÃtica do termo âidentidadeâ tal como empregado em textos de Psicologia Social. Tal discussÃo à relevante porque esse conceito à utilizado com diferentes nuances em diferentes desenhos teÃrico-metodolÃgicos, de modo que o seu significado à alvo de controvÃrsias, havendo inclusive debates sobre a sua validade e atà mesmo propostas de que seja abandonado. Baseados na filosofia da linguagem de Wittgenstein, considera-se neste trabalho que muitas dessas discussÃes se baseiam em mal-entendidos sobre como linguisticamente um conceito funciona e, no caso, sobre como funciona o prÃprio conceito âidentidadeâ. Como base teÃrico-metodolÃgica, à utilizada a abordagem de Wittgenstein aos problemas filosÃficos, seguindo o mÃtodo que este filÃsofo propÃs em suas obras Livro Azul, Livro Castanho e InvestigaÃÃes FilosÃficas. Resumidamente falando, esse mÃtodo consiste em um tipo de anÃlise da gramÃtica que rege o uso de uma palavra, observar e descrever diferentes casos em que um termo à utilizado, e entÃo comparar esses diferentes casos. Trata-se de um mÃtodo nÃo sistemÃtico, mas bastante elucidativo. Wittgenstein nÃo propÃe resolver problemas conceituais, mas sim dissolvÃ-los. Nisto torna-se possÃvel explicitar como os membros de uma comunidade estÃo empregando esse termo e assim esclarecer mal-entendidos sobre um problema conceitual. Dessa forma, explana-se como o termo âidentidadeâ aparece e à efetivamente usado nos textos de alguns autores influentes na Psicologia Social brasileira: G. Mead e E. Goffman, com um conceito de identidade interacionista; A. C. Ciampa e P. Ricoeur, com um conceito de identidade narrativo; J.-C. Deschamps e P. Moliner, com um conceito de identidade representacional/cognitivo. Com a metodologia proposta, o conceito âidentidadeâ pÃde ser tratado como um objeto linguÃstico, evitando-se uma abordagem essencialista. AtravÃs de uma abordagem pragmÃtica, foram apresentados os diferentes usos e significados desse conceito / This is a conceptual study conducted to analyze the grammar of the term âidentityâ as used in social psychology texts. Such debate is relevant because this concept is used with different nuances in different theoretical and methodological designs, so that its meaning is the subject of controversy and there are even discussions on its validity and even proposals for it should be abandoned. Based on Wittgensteinâs philosophy of language, in this work it is considered that many of these discussions are based on misunderstandings about how a concept works linguistically and in the case, about how the very concept âidentityâ works. The theoretical and methodological basis is Wittgensteinâs approach to philosophical problems, following the method that this philosopher proposed in his works: Blue Book, Brown Book and Philosophical Investigations. Briefly speaking, this method is a type of analysis of the grammar that rules the use of a word, to observe and describe different cases where a term is used, and then compare these different cases. This is a non-systematic method, but very enlightening. Wittgenstein does not propose to solve conceptual problems, but dissolve them. By this it becomes possible to elucidate how members of a community are employing this term and thus clarify misunderstandings regarding a conceptual problem. Thus, it is shown how the term âidentityâ appears and is effectively used in the texts of some influential authors in Brazilian Social Psychology: G. Mead and E. Goffman, with a interactional concept of identity; A. C. Ciampa and P. Ricoeur, with a narrative concept of identity; J.-C. Deschamps and P. Moliner, with a representational/cognitive concept of identity. With the proposed methodology, the concept âidentityâ could be treated as a linguistic object, avoiding an essentialist approach. Through a pragmatic approach, were presented the different uses and meanings of this concept.

Nesta tese, argumenta-se que as inscrições são a interface a partir da qual é possível considerar metodologicamente a condição de observadores na visualização do conhecimento. Para isso, considera-se os limites dos sistemas formais, a crise da representação e o modelo da Máquina de Turing como afirmações da condição encarnada do conhecer. Nesse contexto, a noção de informação mostra-se indício de uma transição paradigmática entre um modelo de conhecimento representacional, no qual a posição de um observador frente às representações não entra na configuração analisada, e um modelo sistêmico, que exige a consideração de diferentes níveis de organização e suas limitações que emergem da autorreferência. Propõe-se a noção superfície de inscrição para abordar a relação entre operatividades mecânicas, como a encontrada nos computadores, e o domínio consensual da linguagem que permite explicar um mundo entendido como realidade. Essa noção é forjada como um artifício teóricometodológico para evitar, em contextos educativos e de pesquisa, a reificação de uma posição frente aos quadros explicativos que reforça dicotomias tipo natureza-cultura e deslegitima o potencial enunciativo de qualquer ser humano. O artifício é proposto em três campos de análise e legibilidade: o campo das condições técnicas das superfícies; a estabilização de uma posição de observação diante das superfícies de inscrição; e o contexto político do uso de tais superfícies para compartilhar e explicar. / On this thesis, we discuss that the inscriptions are the interface from which it is possible to consider the conditions of observers methodologically on the knowledge visualization; therefore, we consider the formal systems limits, the representation crisis, and the Turing Machine Model as affirmations of the embodied condition of knowledge. In this context, the notion of information proves to be an indicative of a paradigmatic shift from a representational model of knowledge, in which the position of an observer in the face of representations does not infer the configuration that was analyzed, and a systemic model, which demands consideration of different levels of organization and its limitations that emerge from self-reference. We propose the notion of inscription surface to tackle the relation of different kinds of mechanical operability, as the one found in computers, and the consensual domain of language that helps one to explain a world perceived as reality. This notion is forged as a theoretic-methodological stratagem to avoid, in educational and research contexts, the reification of a position related to the explanatory frameworks that reinforces dichotomies such as nature-culture and delegitimizes the enunciative potential of any humanbeing. The stratagem is proposed in three fields of analysis and readability: the field of technical conditions of the surfaces; a position of observation stabilization on the inscription surfaces, and the political context of the use of such surfaces to share and explain.

Os óculos se destacam por sua função social no atendimento das necessidades humanas, se considerados os indivíduos que dependem deste produto em sua condição de órtese. Este trabalho considera que para o público infantil, o projeto do produto de armações, demanda estudos e pesquisas, para propor resoluções técnicas, formais e estéticas adequadas, mas, sobretudo para captar os aspectos perceptivos, subjetivos e emocionais, que despertem a afeição desse segmento social com este objeto. A pesquisa teve como principal objetivo a definição e proposta de diretrizes para auxiliar no projeto do produto óculos para o público infantil. Para isto, foram utilizadas abordagens metodológicas do design, que consideram os indivíduos envolvidos como elementos centrais no processo do projeto, a exemplo do Design Centrado no Humano (DCH), adotado como estratégia fundamental no enfoque desta dissertação.A pesquisa presenta um levantamento histórico sobre o produto óculos e sobre as normas já existentes para o seu projeto; além de uma revisão sobre as abordagens metodológicas de design centradas nos indivíduos; e as coletas de dados considerando as crianças usuárias de óculos de 6 a 11 anos e as seguintes partes envolvidas, ou seja, os stakeholders - os responsáveis ou cuidadores; os oftalmopediatras e os atendentes das óticas. Para cada grupo foi definido um método a ser aplicado, com intuito de coletar informações sobre as diferentes visões do produto, considerando principalmente os aspectos emocionais e comportamentais envolvidos nas relações das crianças com as armações. Foram utilizados os procedimentos de storytelling e \'prototipar para empatia\', aplicados com as crianças; entrevistas individuais realizadas com oftalmopediatras e atendentes de óticas; e questionários com os cuidadores. A análise e a discussão dos resultados obtidos em cada um dos métodos foram confrontadas através de relações de triangulação, contribuindo para elencar as diretrizes para o projeto das armações, com conteúdose aspectos objetivos e subjetivos, referendando o uso das metodologias adotadas, e desta perspectiva de aproximação com as emoções de desejos das crianças em relação aos seus óculos, como fundamentais para a atuação em design de produto. / The glasses stands out for their social function in the attendance of human needs, if we consider whom depends on this product in orthoses condition. This research considered for the children audience, the demand for glasses design studies and research to propose technical, formal and appropriate aesthetic resolutions, but, especially to capture the perceptual, subjective and emotional aspects that arouse affection of this social segment with this object. The research aimed to define and propose guidelines to design glasses for children. The methodological approaches adopted considered the user and the individuals involved in the process as central elements in the design process, such as the study of Human Centered Design (HCD). The research presents historical study on the glasses and the existing standards for its project; the design methodologies geared to individuals, and the data collection considering children whom wear glasses of 6 to 11 years and the following third parties involved called stakeholders - the adults caregivers; the pediatric ophthalmology and the optical attendants. For each stakeholder was defined a method to be applied, aiming to collect information about the different views of the product, especially considering the emotional and behavioral relationships involved in children\'s issues with the frames. For the children were applied two methods, the storytelling and prototype for empathy; the individual interviews method was applied with pediatric ophthalmology and optical attendants and questionnaire method was applied with caregivers. The analysis and discussion of the results obtained in each method was compared using triangulation relationship, contributing to define the guidelines for design children glasses, based on the adopted methodology the guidelines has objective and subjective aspects in its contents, approaching of the children\'s emotions and wishes regarding their glasses, a very important issue for design this product.

O presente estudo nasceu da Pesquisa Multicêntrica de Indicadores Clínicos de Risco para o Desenvolvimento Infantil que validou para uso pediátrico o instrumento denominado Indicadores Clínicos de Risco para o Desenvolvimento Infantil (IRDI), construído a partir da teoria psicanalítica. Além dos resultados diretamente relacionados à validação dos indicadores, a Pesquisa IRDI forneceu evidências empíricas para algumas importantes formulações teóricas psicanalíticas e se inscreveu também em um campo de discussão metodológica ao propor a articulação do método experimental com o método clínico. O presente estudo teve dois grandes objetivos: ampliar as bases teóricas do IRDI e propor uma discussão metodológica. Teve ainda dois objetivos específicos: a) explorar os resultados específicos da subamostra de 130 crianças em torno do eixo da função paterna; b) Contribuir para o campo de estudos psicanalíticos sobre os bebês. Para realizar a ampliação teórica, o estudo examinou os fundamentos teóricos de cada um dos 31 indicadores propostos pela pesquisa IRDI. A discussão metodológica foi realizada neste estudo tendo como direção de pesquisa a seguinte pergunta: o uso da metodologia experimental compromete as bases psicanalíticas da Pesquisa IRDI? O presente estudo buscou também explorar os resultados de uma amostra específica de 130 crianças. Em relação à subamostra, os achados clínicos apontaram o aparecimento significativo de duas sintomatologias nas crianças aos três anos, agressividade e ausência de enredo no brincar, efeitos de uma operação frágil da função paterna. Em relação à discussão metodológica, conclui-se que a conceituação e os fundamentos da pesquisa são psicanalíticos e que as metodologias utilizadas possibilitaram uma convergência interdisciplinar (Hans) e interações da psicanálise (Mijolla-Mellor) com outras disciplinas. Propõe-se considerar que a utilização de diferentes métodos não se contrapõe à semiologia psicanalítica porque a psicanálise não é uma só modalidade de investigação e sua referência metodológica não é única. Essa diversidade e heterogeneidade constitutiva colocam a psicanálise em posição de interagir com as demais disciplinas, como propõe Mijolla. / The present study originated in the Mulri-Center Reaserch on Clinical Risk Indicators for Child Development, which validated the pediatric use of a tool named Clincal Risk Indicators for Child Development (CRICD) Indicadores Clínicos de Risco para o Desenvolvimento Infantil (IRDI), based on the psychoanalytical theory. Besides the results directly related to the validation of risk indicators, CRICD Research provided empirical evidence of some important psychoanalytic theoretical formulations and incited methodological discussions by proposing a combination of the experimental and clinical methods. The present study aims at two relevant goals: to widen CRICDs theoretical basis and to propose a methodological discussion. And had also two specific objectives: a) explore in greater detail results obtained from a specific sample group of 130 children which are related to the theoretical axis called Paternal Function; b) unveiling the psychopathology of early infancy. To accomplish the expansion theory, the study examined the theoretical fundamentals of each one of the 31 indicators proposed by the CRICD Research.The methodological discussion contained in this study was guided by the following question, which in turn oriented our research: does the use of experimental methodology undermine the psychoanalytical basis of CRICD Research? Regarding the specific sample of 130 childrens. The present study also explores in greater detail results obtained from a specific sample group of 130 children. Clinical findings show the emergence of two significant symptomalogies in three-year old children: aggressiveness and the lack of a plot when playing, which are understood as the effects of a fragile performance of the paternal function. By means of a methodological discussion, we conclude that the conceptualization and fundamentals of this study are indeed psychoanalytical and the methodology employed allowed for an interdisciplinary convergence (Hans) and interactions of psychoanalysis (Mijolla-Mellor) with other disciplines. It intends to show that the use of different methods is not conflictive with psychoanalytical semiology. Psychoanalysis is neither a unique research modality, nor is its methodological reference unique. Such constitutive diversity and heterogeneity allow for psychoanalysis to interact with other disciplines and to progress by means of diverse and heterogenic sources, as Mijolla proposes.

M.A. (Psychology) / The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome not only threatens the world with hitherto unknown rates of mortality and economic ruin, but has also saddled the health sciences with an unprecedented challenge in curing and managing this disease. Herein, the health sciences have not found a cure, and the management of the disease is made extremely difficult because of the unpredictable nature of the interrelationships in biopsychosocial factors inherent in the disease. In order to attempt a description of the complex interrelationships between biopsychosocial factors in this disease, a group of twenty patients in a treatment programme comprising of an exercise and cognitive-behavioural intervention, were subjected to immunologic and psychological assessment before and subsequent to the intervention. The data obtained indicated that none of the interrelationships between psychological and immunological variables predicted by psychoneuroimmunological science existed prior to the intervention. It would appear that the interrelationships between these variables were in total disarray - defeating the object of systematic logical description of biopsychosocial factors in this condition. The post- intervention data suggested a pattern of interrelationships totally within the confines of predicted neuropsychoimmunologic patterns of a biopsychosocial interaction in a disease of immunologic origin. This pattern of predictability would then render possible a treatment programme of a multidisciplinary nature which would bear predictable fruit. It also underscores the necessity of psychological interventions as an adjunct in the treatment of AIDS.

An ongoing conversation in the Information Systems literature addresses the concern, "How can we conduct research that makes a difference?" A shortage of high-impact research will, over time, challenge the identity and weaken the viability of IS as an academic discipline. This paper presents the systematic high-impact research model (SHIR), an approach to conducting high-impact research. SHIR embodies the insight gained from three streams of high-impact research programs spanning more than 50 years. The SHIR framework rests on the proposition that IS researchers can produce higher-impact contributions by developing long-term research programs around major real-world issues, as opposed to ad hoc projects addressing a small piece of a large problem. These persistent research programs focus on addressing the entirety of an issue, by leveraging multidisciplinary, multiuniversity research centers that employ a breadth of research methods and large-scale projects. To function effectively, SHIR programs must be sustained by academic and practitioner partnerships, research centers, and outreach activities. We argue that SHIR research programs increase the likelihood of high impact research.

M.A. (Psychology) / The present study was undertaken in an attempt to understand and ascertain the nature of PTSD in the South African Police leading to chronic illness and work-related dysfunctions as well as to investigate the possibility of triggering events leading to the loss of latency in PTSD. The specific hypothesis for this study was that a significant proportion of members of the SAP who report for medical treatment of stress-related physical or psychological complaints, will show PTSD in conjunction with a triggering stimulus event prior to the manifestations of the first clinical signs of PTSD. The testing of the hypothesis, entailed utilizing an experimental group. consisting of a number of police officers, who had been referred for psychological and/or medical treatment for work-related disorders. None of these subjects had previously been diagnosed with PTSD. A control group was used that consisted of police officers who had not seen active duty in an area where a traumatic stress disorder event could take place. These subjects were subjected to assessment of PTSD by means of the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD, and concomitant stress-related events by means of the Life Experiences Survey. Alienation was assessed by the means of the VSVA. Indices of psychophysiological reactivity were obtained by means of galvanic skin response deviation and heart rate deviation to specific stimuli, including neutral stimuli, war-related stimuli and stimuli with political content.

Recovery from exhaustive exercise in the white muscle of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was used to examine the role of the adenylates in the control of energy metabolism and to assess the validity of equilibrium models of the behaviour of the high energy phosphates. The difficulty of obtaining muscle samples from fish makes detailed analysis of the behaviour of the labile high energy phosphates complex. The use of a new sampling procedure, the infusion of a lethal dose of anaesthetic via an indwelling cannula, minimized this problem. At exhaustion [ATP] and [PCr] were depressed by 75 and 80% respectively relative to the resting values. [ATP] depletion was mirrored by a stoichiometric increase in [IMP]. During recovery [PCr] returned to the resting level within 2 hours, but [ATP] recovery was slow and not complete until 24 hours post exercise. In contrast, energy charge and RATP(the proportion of the free adenylate pool phosphorylated to ATP) were, if anything, higher than the resting values by 2 hours post exercise. Therefore, [ATP] and energy status can be dissociated in tissues like fish white muscle because of the action of the purine nucleotide cycle. At 2 hours post exercise the calculated free ADP concentration dropped to less than one tenth the value at rest. As a result the [ATP] / [ADP] free ratio increased by nearly 6 fold. This condition may be required for glycogen resynthesis from lactate in muscle. Several similar equilibrium models of the behaviour of the adenylates and PCr were applied to the fish white muscle system. In general, the models well describe the relationship between the high energy phosphates. However, the definition of the high energy phosphate pool introduces some complications since this includes the total [ATP]. Because of the action of AMP deaminase the [ATP] concentration can change without measurable changes in the energy status, which is not considered in any of the models. As long as the extent of IMP formation is known the models can be applied, but since the formation of IMP may vary from fish to fish or with exercise regime the models lose much of their predictive power. / Science, Faculty of / Zoology, Department of / Graduate

The purpose of this project was to develop a Web site that would facilitate students' use of the Internet to research topics relating to the study of biology. This Web site serves as a bridge to link classroom topics to real world scientific information and research available on the Internet. Methods of preventing plagiarism and focusing Internet research were incorporated into the overall Web site design.