Sensemaking is often associated with processing large or complex amount of data obtained from diverse and distributed sources. Sensemaking enables leaders to have a better grasp of what the data represents and what insights they can get from it. Thus, sensemaking is considered extremely important in mature markets where the competition is fierce. To-date, the research base on sensemaking has not moved far from the conceptual realm, however. In response, this research provides a conceptual framework that explains the core processes of sensemaking - noticing, interpretation and action - and examines how emerging technologies such as Social Network Analysis (SNA) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques help to enhance the human sensemaking process in generating valuable insights during data analysis. Design Science Research (DSR) is adopted as a research methodology in the context of financial transactional data analysis, aiming to make sense of the data while exploring conceptions of customer value for a mainstream commercial bank alongside the perceived need for banking products. Three analytical models are introduced, examining Connected Customer Lifetime Value (CCLV), Network Relationship Equity (NRE) and product purchasing frequency based on customer 'personas'. The former models employ SNA techniques in providing novelty, the latter combines the outcomes of SNA with ML clustering algorithms to provide a base on which product holdings and purchase frequency analysis are overlaid - providing a novel form of recommendation. Ongoing evaluation of the developed models is used to explore the nuances of the sensemaking process and the ability of such models to support that process (in the given domain).

Distributed Computing Infrastructures (DCIs) have emerged as a viable and affordable solution to the computing needs of communities of practice that may require the need to improve system performance or enhance the availability of their scientific applications. According to the literature, the ease of access and several other issues which relate to the interoperability among different resources are the biggest challenges surrounding the use of these infrastructures. The traditional method of using a Command Line Interface (CLI) to access these resources is difficult and can make the learning curve quite steep. This approach can result in the low uptake of DCIs as it prevents potential users of the infrastructures from adopting the technology. Science Gateways have emerged as a viable option that are used to realise the high-level scientific domain-specific user interfaces that hide all the details of the underlying infrastructures and expose only the science-specific aspects of the scientific applications to be executed in the various DCIs. A Science Gateway is a digital interface to advanced technologies which is used to provide adequate support for science and engineering research and education. The focus of this study therefore is to propose and implement a Methodology for dEveloping Scientific Software Applications in science GatEways (MESSAGE). This will be achieved by testing an approach which is considered to be appropriate for developing applications in Science Gateways. In the course of this study, several Science Gateway functionalities obtained from the review of literature which may be utilised to provide services for different communities of practice are highlighted. To implement the identified functionalities, this study utilises the methodology for developing scientific software applications in Science Gateways. In order to achieve this purpose, this research therefore adopts the Catania Science Gateway Framework (CSGF) and the Future Gateway approach to implement the methods and ideas described in the proposed methodology, as well the essential services of Science Gateways discussed throughout the thesis. In addition, three different set of scientific software applications are utilised for the implementation of the proposed methodology. While the first application primarily serves as the case study for implementing the methodology discussed in this thesis, a second application is used to evaluate the entire process. Furthermore, several other real-life scientific applications developed (using two distinctly different Science Gateway frameworks) are also utilised for the purpose of evaluation. Subsequently, a revised MESSAGE methodology for developing scientific software applications in Science Gateways is discussed in the latter Chapter of this thesis. Following from the implementation of both scientific software applications which sees the use of portlets to execute single experiments, a study was also conducted to investigate ways in which Science Gateways may be utilised for the execution of multiple experiments in a distributed environment. Finally, similar to making different scientific software applications accessible and available (worldwide) to the communities that need them, the processes involved in making their associated research outputs (such as data, software and results) easily accessible and readily available are also discussed. The main contribution of this thesis is the MESSAGE methodology for developing scientific software applications in Science Gateways. Other contributions which are also made in different aspects of this research include a framework of the essential services required in generic Science Gateways and an approach to developing and executing multiple experiments (via Science Gateway interfaces) within a distributed environment. To a lesser extent, this study also utilises the Open Access Document Repository (OADR) (and other related technologies) to demonstrate accessibility and availability of research outputs associated with specific scientific software applications, thereby introducing the concept (and thus laying the foundation) of an Open Science research.

Submitted by Joana Azevedo (joanad@id.uff.br) on 2017-08-21T13:33:18Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERT PAULO Roberto de S Junior.pdf: 6776571 bytes, checksum: 59ae47d1b85cd55e32642458e1e3c9de (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Biblioteca da Escola de Engenharia (bee@ndc.uff.br) on 2017-08-24T13:30:32Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERT PAULO Roberto de S Junior.pdf: 6776571 bytes, checksum: 59ae47d1b85cd55e32642458e1e3c9de (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-24T13:30:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERT PAULO Roberto de S Junior.pdf: 6776571 bytes, checksum: 59ae47d1b85cd55e32642458e1e3c9de (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-10-21 / Um dos desafios importantes nas organizações de engenharia é lidar com o crescente nível de complexidade dos seus projetos, aliado à imersão da indústria da construção em um fraco cenário econômico e comercial nos últimos anos. A situação obriga as empresas a reverem a organização dos seus macroprocessos, simplificando-os a partir de uma melhor distribuição de tarefas, reduzindo custos e, adaptando, consequentemente, seus padrões de construtibilidade à nova realidade. Na mesma linha de tempo surge o segundo cenário, advindo da inserção da gestão do conhecimento na ISO 9001:2015. Além de estimular a participação dos empregados, mobilizando-os na construção de soluções práticas, a gestão do conhecimento busca o desenvolvimento de processos mais equilibrados, que proporcionem uma construção eficiente e de baixo custo, ao mesmo tempo em que são fomentadas e sistematizadas as atividades de criação, armazenagem, transferência e reuso de conhecimento. Em função disso o objetivo central da pesquisa está pautado na concepção de artefatos que priorizem a produção e incorporação de conhecimento local, levando-se em consideração as particularidades do cliente, os riscos, disponibilidade de recursos, região e cultura de mão de obra, e minimize o problema permitindo uma articulação mais fluida e dinâmica entre pessoas, processos e sistemas. Considerando que se trata de uma pesquisa de engenharia, procurou-se utilizar de um método investigativo que se aproximasse da realidade das empresas de construção e montagem, optando assim pela Design Science Research. A metodologia sustentou o estudo de caso em uma empresa de grande porte que lidera o segmento no Brasil. Pelo método foram gerados quatro artefatos, avaliados e validados quanto ao rigor e aplicação. A pesquisa se beneficiou da convergência oportuna entre a metodologia, o contexto de uma empresa de engenharia, em um quadro de mudança regulatória da norma ISO 9001:2015. Encontrar e explorar essa convergência em benefício da empresa, mas com perspectivas de generalização dos seus resultados foi a contribuição mais relevante que o presente trabalho realizou. / One of the most important challenges in engineering organizations is to deal with the growing level of complexity of their projects, combined with the immersion of the construction industry in a weak economic and commercial scene in recent years. The situation forces companies to review their macro processes’ organization, simplifying them onwards to a better distribution of tasks, reducing costs and consequently adapting its constructability standards to the new reality. In the same timeline emerges a second scenario, resulting from integration of knowledge management in the ISO 9001: 2015. Besides encouraging the participation of employees, mobilizing them to build practical solutions, the knowledge management also seeks to develop more balanced processes that provide an efficient and low-cost construction, at the same time that creation activities, storage, transfer and reuse of knowledge are encouraged and systematized. Based on this, the central objective of the research is lined on the design of artifacts that prioritize the production and incorporation of local knowledge, taking into account customer particularities, risks, availability of resources, region and labor culture, and minimize the problem allowing a more fluid articulation and dynamics between people, processes and systems. Whereas it is an engineering research, it was aimed to use an investigative method to approach the reality of construction and assembly companies, thus opting for Design Science Research. The methodology supported the case study in a large company that leads the industry in Brazil. By the method were generated four artifacts, assessed and validated as to the accuracy and application. The research has benefited from timely convergence of the methodology, the context of an engineering company in a regulatory change ISO 9001: 2015 context. The most important contribution this work accomplished was to find and exploit this convergence for the benefit of the company, but with generalization prospects of its results.

Submitted by PPG Administra??o e Neg?cios (ppgad@pucrs.br) on 2018-10-31T17:37:27Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MARINA_GASPARETO_DIS.pdf: 6807658 bytes, checksum: f2ed1bd8eb279dae731daaa37e79c5d9 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Sheila Dias (sheila.dias@pucrs.br) on 2018-11-01T14:39:32Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 MARINA_GASPARETO_DIS.pdf: 6807658 bytes, checksum: f2ed1bd8eb279dae731daaa37e79c5d9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-01T14:47:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MARINA_GASPARETO_DIS.pdf: 6807658 bytes, checksum: f2ed1bd8eb279dae731daaa37e79c5d9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-08-31 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior - CAPES / Companies need to review their Business Models (BM) over time to remain competitive. Technological changes and outsourcing have made the market even more dynamic, requiring organizations to reinvent themselves and innovate. Business Model analysis allows companies to reflect about their current configurations, compare it with those adopted by competitors, innovate and instantiate future BMs. The Activity System (AS) perspective is an inter-relational array of activities that together build a Value Proposition. The literature review shows the absence of a systemic method for BM analysis. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to provide a method for BM analysis in AS perspective. Design Science Research was used to propose the method through the analysis of four companies, from two different sectors, with different configurations. The proposed method has three pillars: Dimension Analysis, Business Model Representation and Competitiveness Analysis. The main contribution of this research adds to the field of Business Models, through a prescriptive method for analysis using the perspective of the Activity System, relying on empirical research. Furthermore, executives of organizations and consultants can use this method as a pragmatic instrument to deepen their understanding of Business Models, instantiate future models or reinvent them. Moreover, this analysis process has a formative value to organizational strategists, since the strategic review in BM develops its capability of systemic and reflective vision. / As organiza??es precisam revisar seus Modelos de Neg?cio (MN) ao longo do tempo para manter-se competitivas. As mudan?as tecnol?gicas e o processo de terceiriza??o tornaram o mercado competitivo mais din?mico, exigindo que as organiza??es se reinventem e inovem. As an?lises em Modelos de Neg?cio possibilitam refletir sobre a configura??o atual, comparar com aquelas adotadas pela concorr?ncia, instanciar MN futuros e, ainda, inovar. A perspectiva de Sistema de Atividades compreende pelo arranjo de atividades que em conjunto constroem a Proposta de Valor da organiza??o. A revis?o de literatura evidencia a aus?ncia de um m?todo sist?mico para an?lise de MN. Portanto, o objetivo desse trabalho ? propor um m?todo para analisar Modelos de Neg?cio a partir da Perspectiva de Sistema de Atividade. O m?todo Design Science Research foi aplicado para propor o artefato, que contou com a an?lise de quatro empresas, duas duplas de setores distintos, com configura??es diferentes. O m?todo proposto conta com tr?s pilares: o primeiro se refere a An?lise das Dimens?es, o segundo a Representa??o do Modelo de Neg?cios; e o terceiro a An?lise de Competitividade. A principal contribui??o dessa pesquisa ao campo de MN, refere-se ao m?todo prescritivo proposto para an?lise de Modelo de Neg?cio na perspectiva de Sistema de Atividade, com embasamento em pesquisas emp?ricas. Al?m disso, executivos das organiza??es e consultores poder?o utilizar esse m?todo como instrumento para compreender os Modelos de Neg?cio atuais, instanciar modelos futuros ou reinvent?-los. Al?m disso, essa an?lise possui car?ter formativo aos estrategistas, pois a revis?o estrat?gica em Modelo desenvolve sua capacidade de vis?o sist?mica e reflexiva.

Transition-metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions are reliable tools for forging C–C bonds. The Engle Lab has previously pioneered the intermolecular difunctionalization of unactivated alkenes facilitated by nickel catalysis, where regioselectivity is controlled through the use of a bidentate directing group. A limitation of existing methods is that allyl groups have not yet been successfully incorporated, as the electrophile scope has been limited to alkyl and aryl species. Fundamentally, C–C p-bonds have served as key building blocks for the assembly of complex molecules, and the ability to introduce allyl moieties in a controlled manner enables diverse, downstream functionalization in multi-step synthesis. This work focuses on the use of diverse azaheterocycle directing groups connected to non-conjugated alkenes. Through the use of nickel catalysis, we have been able to successfully introduce and preserve allyl and cinnamyl species at the g-position and alkyl zinc nucleophiles at the b-position with high yield under mild conditions. This novel, 1,2-allylalkylation can accommodate a vast array of substituents with different electronic and steric properties (>20 examples). Our efforts have shifted to exploring different monodentate directing groups and to conduct mechanistic studies to shed light on the catalytic cycle. Interestingly, electron-rich electrophiles provide nearly quantitative NMR and isolated yields, whereas electron-poor electrophiles lead to lower yields. We report a competition experiment to further elucidate this mechanism. While isolated yields were generally higher for electron-rich groups, a competition between p-OMe and p-CF3 electrophiles led to preferential incorporation of the trifluoromethyl-substituted coupling partner, which supports oxidative addition as the product-determining step.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if a novel physical activity intervention game (Bingocize®) designed for use in confined spaces and modified to include age appropriate activities would increase the time spent engaged in physical activity (PA) during indoor recess. Methods: Fifty-two third grade children wore triaxial accelerometers during three different recess conditions. The recess conditions included: “typical” indoor recess (TIR), indoor recess with children engaged in Bingocize® (IRB), and “typical” outdoor recess (TOR). Results: There were significant (p < 0.05) differences among the recess conditions for the time spent in sedentary, light, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) intensity categories, as well as PA counts, and steps. During IRB, TIR, and TOR the subject were sedentary 42.4% (±0.10), 71.9%(±0.10), and 17.5% (±0.10) of the recess time, respectively. During IRB, TIR and TOR the subjects spent 43.4%(±0.10), 18.5%(±0.10), and 74.2%(±0.12) engaged in MVPA, respectively. Conclusions: These results indicate that Bingocize® promotes increased PA during times when inclement weather necessitates indoor recess and larger space requirements for activity are not available.

Internet users rely on the availability of websites and digital services to engage in political discussions, report on newsworthy events in real-time, watch videos, etc. However, sometimes those who control networks, such as governments, censor certain websites, block specific applications or throttle encrypted traffic. Understandably, when users are faced with egregious censorship, where certain websites or applications are banned, they seek reliable and efficient means to circumvent such blocks. This tension is evident in countries such as a Iran and China, where the Internet censorship infrastructure is pervasive and continues to increase in scope and effectiveness. An arms race is unfolding with two competing threads of research: (1) network operators' ability to classify traffic and subsequently enforce policies and (2) network users' ability to control how network operators classify their traffic. Our goal is to understand and progress the state-of-the-art for both sides. First, we present novel traffic analysis attacks against encrypted communications. We show that state-of-the-art cryptographic protocols leak private information about users' communications, such as the websites they visit, applications they use, or languages used for communications. Then, we investigate means to mitigate these privacy-compromising attacks. Towards this, we present a toolkit of cryptographic primitives and protocols that simultaneously (1) achieve traditional notions of cryptographic security, and (2) enable users to conceal information about their communications, such as the protocols used or websites visited. We demonstrate the utility of these primitives and protocols in a variety of real-world settings. As a primary use case, we show that these new primitives and protocols protect network communications and bypass policies of state-of-the-art hardware-based and software-based network monitoring devices.

Opioids, such as oxycodone, morphine, and fentanyl, are commonly used medications in the treatment of moderate to severe pain. In spite of their efficacious analgesic properties, their increased prescribing rates by physicians and inherent abuse-related effects have led to the ongoing opioid epidemic. Their clinical utility is limited by the risk of adverse dose-dependent side effects, such as constipation and respiratory depression, and the development of tolerance and dependence. Opioid-sparing adjunctive therapies are sought to address these issues by reducing the dose of opioid needed to achieve analgesia through alternative non-opioidergic mechanisms and as a result, reduce the incidence of the previously mentioned side effects. Serotonin type-2C receptor agonists have demonstrated antinociceptive efficacy in preclinical models of chronic pain. Lorcaserin is a selective 5-HT2C receptor agonist and was reported to attenuate the abuse-related effects of oxycodone. The antinociceptive properties of 5-HT2C receptor agonists and their potential to alter the abuse-related effects of commonly abused drugs suggest that lorcaserin may be a potential opioid-sparing therapeutic. The goal of these studies was to evaluate the utility of lorcaserin, in combination with opioids, in a preclinical model of acute pain. Based on previous studies demonstrating the antinociceptive activity of 5-HT2C agonists, the hypotheses for these studies were that lorcaserin would increase the acute antinociceptive effects of opioids and would attenuate the development of tolerance associated with chronic opioid consumption. The results demonstrate that the acute antinociceptive effects and the time-course of activity of opioids were enhanced by doses of lorcaserin. These effects were mediated through activation of the 5-HT2C receptor and were not blocked by administration of naloxone. Additionally, the acute effects of lorcaserin to increase opioid potency and time course was not mediated through changes in opioid distribution in the blood or central tissues. Opioid tolerance was evaluated in vivo, and tolerance was developed using two methods of treatment: an acute (single dose administration) model of tolerance and a multiple-injection model. Testing the effect of lorcaserin in these models was important because current research suggests that the mechanisms that underlie both models of tolerance are distinct from one another. The results demonstrate that lorcaserin significantly blocked the development of acute tolerance in the whole animal and on a single cell level in dorsal root ganglion cell cultures. In the multiple-day tolerance model, lorcaserin partially attenuated the development of opioid antinociceptive tolerance. Chronic administration of an opioid is associated with desensitization of the MOR, and the effect of lorcaserin on opioid tolerance may be mediated through changes in MOR functional activity. Upon further investigation using agonist-stimulated [35S]GTPyS, the results showed that lorcaserin altered basal binding of [35S]GTPyS but not agonist-stimulated binding in mice that received chronic opioid treatment. These data suggest that the effect of lorcaserin on opioid tolerance, in the multiple-injection model, is not mediated through changes in MOR functional activity. Collectively, the tolerance studies suggest that the effect of 5-HT2C receptor activation by lorcaserin has differential effects on the stages of opioid tolerances and further supports the notion that the mechanisms that underlie the stages of opioid tolerance are distinct. Given the efficacy of lorcaserin to increase the acute antinociceptive effects of opioids and its ability to impair the development of opioid tolerance, collectively, these data suggest that lorcaserin may be a useful opioid-sparing adjunctive therapy.

Overexpression of the enzyme iNOS induces apoptotic cellular death by increasing indices of pro-inflammation and oxidative stress. Aerobic physical activity has been known to have anti- inflammatory benefits and reduce oxidative stress. Purpose: Therefore, this study aimed to examine the impact of aerobic fitness on LPS-induced iNOS mRNA expression and the relationship of this expression with indices of oxidative stress, pro-inflammation and apoptosis in isolated leukocytes. Methods: Whole blood samples from aerobically fit and unfit males were stimulated with and without LPS. Thereafter, iNOS mRNA expression and MDA, TNF-α and p53 concentrations were analyzed. Results: iNOS mRNA expression levels following LPS stimulation were not increased in both groups, and correlational analyses were not consistent with mechanistic predictions. Discussion: Numerous factors including timing of sample quantification, the high level of health of the subject population, and alternative intracellular mechanisms impacting biomarkers analyzed, may have influenced leukocyte iNOS mRNA expression levels.

Every day large volumes of data are collected in the form of time series. Time series are collections of events or observations, predominantly numeric in nature, sequentially recorded on a regular or irregular time basis. Time series are becoming increasingly important in nearly every organisation and industry, including banking, finance, telecommunication, and transportation. Banking institutions, for instance, rely on the analysis of time series for forecasting economic indices, elaborating financial market models, and registering international trade operations. More and more time series are being used in this type of investigation and becoming a valuable resource in today�s organisations. This thesis investigates and proposes solutions to some current and important issues in time series data management (TSDM), using Design Science Research Methodology. The thesis presents new models for mapping time series data to relational databases which optimise the use of disk space, can handle different time granularities, status attributes, and facilitate time series data manipulation in a commercial Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). These new models provide a good solution for current time series database applications with RDBMS and are tested with a case study and prototype with financial time series information. Also included is a temporal data model for illustrating time series data lifetime behaviour based on a new set of time dimensions (confidentiality, definitiveness, validity, and maturity times) specially targeted to manage time series data which are introduced to correctly represent the different status of time series data in a timeline. The proposed temporal data model gives a clear and accurate picture of the time series data lifecycle. Formal definitions of these time series dimensions are also presented. In addition, a time series grouping mechanism in an extensible commercial relational database system is defined, illustrated, and justified. The extension consists of a new data type and its corresponding rich set of routines that support modelling and operating time series information within a higher level of abstraction. It extends the capability of the database server to organise and manipulate time series into groups. Thus, this thesis presents a new data type that is referred to as GroupTimeSeries, and its corresponding architecture and support functions and operations. Implementation options for the GroupTimeSeries data type in relational based technologies are also presented. Finally, a framework for TSDM with enough expressiveness of the main requirements of time series application and the management of that data is defined. The framework aims at providing initial domain know-how and requirements of time series data management, avoiding the impracticability of designing a TSDM system on paper from scratch. Many aspects of time series applications including the way time series data are organised at the conceptual level are addressed. The central abstraction for the proposed domain specific framework is the notions of business sections, group of time series, and time series itself. The framework integrates comprehensive specification regarding structural and functional aspects for time series data management. A formal framework specification using conceptual graphs is also explored.