The new outcomes based education (OBE) in the form of the Revised National Curriculum Statements (RNCS, 2002) advocates for the use of contexts in the teaching and learning of mathematics. The motivation for this advocacy is the expectation of the promotion of understanding of the subject. Such expectations however cannot be achievable without consideration of factors such as what contexts are appropriate for use in the teaching and learning of mathematics, how the contexts have to be used in order to promote understanding and more importantly how are teachers involved in this process. The study explores the ways in which a Grade 7 teacher selects contexts in the learning support materials or in any other source for use in order to promote understanding of the concept of variable among learners. It draws on socio-cultural theories and is underpinned by the notion that understanding of a concept presupposes and is presupposed by the formation of the concept. The research method employed was a case study and data was mainly collected through interviews as well as materials that were availed by the teacher. The following three key issues emerged from the study and were taken up for discussion: a) what does it take to make the transition from context to mathematics in terms of the promotion of the understanding of the concept of variable? b) to what extent were the materials selected by the teacher adequate to deal with issues of transition from context to mathematics in terms of the promotion of the understanding of the concept of variable? and c) what possibilities were available for the teacher to use context in order to promote understanding of the concept of variable? This study further explores the extent to which the notions of mathematisation and transition from context to mathematics may be used as the means by which the selection and use of contexts in the learning and teaching of the concept of variable may facilitate the promotion of understanding of the concept variable.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / This study focused on binary PtRu and PtSn electrocatalyst, synthesized using the polyol approach and supported on MWCNTs, TiO2 and MoO2 materials, after synthesis part of the resultant electrocatalyst was heat treated to improve alloying of the secondary metal to the primary platinum metal catalyst and also to enhance the stable distribution and uniform dispersion of the nanoparticles on the support material. Physical characterization of the supported catalyst was done using XRD, HRTEM, HRSEM and EDS for elemental analysis. For electrochemical characterization RDE-CV and RDE-LSV were employed. The homeprepared electro-catalysts were then compared to the Pt/C, PtRu/C and PtSn/C commercial electro-catalysts accordingly. XRD confirmed that the binary electro-catalyst for both the commercial and home-prepared display characteristic patterns similar to that of the standard Pt/C electro-catalyst, an indication that all catalysts have prevailed the Pt face-centred-cubic (fcc) crystal structure. Particle size and size distribution examined using HRTEM showed that Pt/C and PtSn/C was uniformly dispersed on the carbon support and that all electrocatalyst supported on MWCNTs showed small particle size known to enhance the activity of the catalyst. However, after heattreatment the particle size increased for all prepared supported electrocatalyst as was expected from literature. SEM micrographs showed that all electrocatalyst were decorated on the support material with agglomerates on some parts of the samples, agglomeration was more pronounced for catalysts supported on MoO2. The metal loading for the home- prepared electrocatalyst was examined using EDS and it was observed to be closer to that of the commercial catalysts. It was also observed that there were changes on the loading of the electrocatalysts after they were subjected to heat treatment and depending on the support material the metal loading of the catalyst was either more or less. This study found PtSn/C to be the most active commercial catalyst for methanol tolerant and oxygen reduction. For the home-prepared electrocatalyst supported on MWCNTs, PtSn/MWCNT-HT was found to be the most active catalyst while for catalyst supported on metal oxides PtSn/MoO2 was found to be more active than the rest of the Pt-based electro catalyst supported on metal oxides. Results showed that PtSn is more active than PtRu and could function as a methanol tolerant oxygen reduction electro-catalyst for the cathode of a direct methanol fuel cell. Furthermore, in terms of durability, the home-prepared electrocatalyst proved to be more durable than the commercial electro-catalyst supported on carbon black, with catalyst supported on MWCNTs showing more stability than other supported electro-catalyst. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes have therefore proven in this study to be the best supporting material for electro-catalyst as catalyst supported on them showed to be more stable than commercial catalyst supported on carbon black.

Inkjet printing (jetting) technology, due to its high speed of operation and accuracy, is utilised in Additive Manufacturing (AM) of three dimensional parts. Commercially available AM processes that use jetting technology include three dimensional printing (3DP by Z-Corporation), Polyjet (by Objet), Multi Jet Modelling (MJM by 3D Systems) and three dimensional printing by Solidscape. Apart from 3D Printing by Z-corporation, all the other jetting based processes require a support material to successfully build a part. The support material provides a base to facilitate the removal of the part from the build platform and it helps manufacturing of cavities, holes and overhanging features. These support materials present challenges in terms of their removability and reusability. This research is therefore, aimed towards finding a support material composition that can be used with jetting based AM processes. The support material should be easily removable either by melting or by dissolution and also, if possible, it should be reusable. AM processes often process materials with poor mechanical properties and therefore, the parts produced by these processes have limited functionality. In an attempt to obtain complex shaped, functional parts made of nylon (i.e. Polyamide 6), a new jetting based AM process is under research at Loughborough University. The process uses two different mixtures of caprolactam (i.e. the monomer used to produce polyamide). These mixtures are to be jetted using inkjet heads and subsequently polymerised into polyamide 6. Therefore, another aim of this research was to consider the support material s suitability for jetting of caprolactam. Two different polymers were researched which included Pluronic F-127 and methylcellulose (MC). Both these polymers are known for gel formation upon heating in aqueous solutions. Due to the inhibition of polymerisation of polyamide 6 by the presence of water, non-aqueous solvents such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and butylene glycol were studied. Since both F-127 and MC in the glycols mentioned above had not been studied before, all the compositions prepared and investigated in this report were novel. F-127 did not show gel formation in propylene and butylene glycol but formed a gel in ethylene glycol at a concentration of 25% (w/w) F-127. MC, on the other hand, showed gel formation upon cooling in all the three glycols at concentrations as low as 5% for ethylene glycol and 1% for both propylene and butylene glycol. These compositions were characterized using experimental techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, hot stage microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). A mechanism of gelation for both F-127 and MC in glycols is presented based on the results of these characterisation techniques. Viscosity and surface tension measurements along with the texture analysis of selected compositions were also performed to evaluate their suitability for jetting. All these compositions, due to their water solubility and/or low melting temperatures (i.e. near 500C) present the advantage of ease of removal. Removal by melting at low temperatures can also provide reusability of these support materials and thus advantages such as reduction in build cost and environmental effect can be achieved.

Este trabalho apresenta uma análise comparativa da atividade biológica das células imobilizadas em um reator anaeróbio, tratando esgoto sanitário. Os materiais utilizados como suporte para o desenvolvimento do biofilme foram: um polimérico poroso (espuma de poliuretano), um polímero menos poroso (PVC), uma cerâmica porosa (cerâmica especial, desenvolvida pelo DEMA-UFSCar) e uma cerâmica menos porosa (tijolo refratário). A concepção do reator anaeróbio possibilitou o desenvolvimento do biofilme de forma igual, assim como a retirada desse suporte mantendo íntegra a biomassa aderida. Alguns suportes e o lodo retirados do reator anaeróbio foram colocados em reatores diferenciais para determinação dos parâmetros cinéticos. Esses parâmetros foram utilizados para avaliar a atividade biológica, tanto do biofilme aderido aos suportes quanto do lodo. As células imobilizadas nos materiais poliméricos apresentaram maior atividade biológica. Não foi verificada nenhuma diferença significativa na remoção dos constituintes da matéria orgânica (proteínas, carboidratos e lipídeos) entre as células imobilizadas. As análises microscópicas não constataram diferenças na predominância de algum gênero nos suportes ou lodo. O reator foi operado durante 183 dias, com remoção média de DQO de 50,5%, a taxa de carregamento orgânico média foi de 0,193 kg DQO.m3.dia-1. / This work presents a comparative analysis of the biological activity of immobilized biomass in a fixed-bed anaerobic reactor treating domestic sewage. The matrices used for biofilm growth were a porous polymer (polyurethane foam), a polymer with low porosity (PVC), a porous ceramic (special ceramic) and a ceramic with low porosity (refractory brick). The conception of the fixed-bed anaerobic reactor warranty the structure and integrity of the biofilm when samples of support material must be taken. Moreover, the conditions for biofilm growth were similar for all the materials used. After start-up period, some supports were taken from the fixed-bed reactor and transferred to differential reactors, where kinetic studies were carried out. Kinetic parameters were estimated for the different supports and for granulated sludge and used to evaluate the biological activity in a comparative way. The cells adhered to the polymeric supports presented higher activities and the highest activity was obtained when polyurethane foam was used. No differences were verified for organic matter consumption (as proteins, carbohydrates and lipids) when different matrices were used for cell immobilization. Microscopic analysis indicated that the morphological types in the biofilms were similar in ali support materiais. The fixed-bed reactor was operated for 183 days with mean COD removal efficiency of 50.5%, subjected to a organic loading rate of 0.193 Kg COD.m3.dia-1.

Este trabalho apresenta uma análise comparativa da atividade biológica das células imobilizadas em um reator anaeróbio, tratando esgoto sanitário. Os materiais utilizados como suporte para o desenvolvimento do biofilme foram: um polimérico poroso (espuma de poliuretano), um polímero menos poroso (PVC), uma cerâmica porosa (cerâmica especial, desenvolvida pelo DEMA-UFSCar) e uma cerâmica menos porosa (tijolo refratário). A concepção do reator anaeróbio possibilitou o desenvolvimento do biofilme de forma igual, assim como a retirada desse suporte mantendo íntegra a biomassa aderida. Alguns suportes e o lodo retirados do reator anaeróbio foram colocados em reatores diferenciais para determinação dos parâmetros cinéticos. Esses parâmetros foram utilizados para avaliar a atividade biológica, tanto do biofilme aderido aos suportes quanto do lodo. As células imobilizadas nos materiais poliméricos apresentaram maior atividade biológica. Não foi verificada nenhuma diferença significativa na remoção dos constituintes da matéria orgânica (proteínas, carboidratos e lipídeos) entre as células imobilizadas. As análises microscópicas não constataram diferenças na predominância de algum gênero nos suportes ou lodo. O reator foi operado durante 183 dias, com remoção média de DQO de 50,5%, a taxa de carregamento orgânico média foi de 0,193 kg DQO.m3.dia-1. / This work presents a comparative analysis of the biological activity of immobilized biomass in a fixed-bed anaerobic reactor treating domestic sewage. The matrices used for biofilm growth were a porous polymer (polyurethane foam), a polymer with low porosity (PVC), a porous ceramic (special ceramic) and a ceramic with low porosity (refractory brick). The conception of the fixed-bed anaerobic reactor warranty the structure and integrity of the biofilm when samples of support material must be taken. Moreover, the conditions for biofilm growth were similar for all the materials used. After start-up period, some supports were taken from the fixed-bed reactor and transferred to differential reactors, where kinetic studies were carried out. Kinetic parameters were estimated for the different supports and for granulated sludge and used to evaluate the biological activity in a comparative way. The cells adhered to the polymeric supports presented higher activities and the highest activity was obtained when polyurethane foam was used. No differences were verified for organic matter consumption (as proteins, carbohydrates and lipids) when different matrices were used for cell immobilization. Microscopic analysis indicated that the morphological types in the biofilms were similar in ali support materiais. The fixed-bed reactor was operated for 183 days with mean COD removal efficiency of 50.5%, subjected to a organic loading rate of 0.193 Kg COD.m3.dia-1.

In higher education greater emphasis is being placed on independent study techniques for both on-campus and off-campus (distance education) students. At the University College of Southern Queensland the development of learning support material has been print based with other media included as supplementary material. The purpose of this study was to see if videotape support material had a mark benefit on the improvement of learning for students using print based study material as their basic learning resource. A Solomon Four-Group research design was used for this study. Subjects comprised all level-three Diploma of Education students of the UCSQ undertaking a creative arts unit. Sculptures produced by the students were assessed by three judges using a rating scale devised by the researcher. Results indicated that no benefit was gained by the addition of videotape support material. Implications for the design and integration of videotape support material in independent study material, and for production procedure are presented in this study.

The overall purpose of this study is to make a comparative analysis between how peer assessment is presented and expressed in textbooks intended for the Swedish subject in grades 7–9 and in textbooks for upper secondary school. A sub-purpose is to set the content of the textbooks against what is stipulated in the two Swedish school curricula with regard to how peer assessment should be practiced by Swedish teachers. A second sub-purpose is to compare the content of the textbooks with what Skolverket (National Agency for Education) states in its support material. A qualitative method was used. The results show a certain development between the textbooks intended for compulsory school and the ones that pertain to upper secondary school. Textually, it is more developed in the latter: feedback and response are described in more detail, especially in one of the books. Also in terms of content, these textbooks include more material that is in line with the method of peer assessment. But looking at all the material that has been examined, the analysis shows that the wording is relatively undeveloped, that instructions for students and teachers are often in point form, and that the authors omit descriptions of the purpose and usefulness of peer reviews. The analysis of the two curricula shows a willingness for teachers to work with peer assessment. However, the relationship between the content of the textbooks and the texts from Skolverket reveals differences in how the scientific basis is expressed. In the textbooks, references to research are usually omitted and the usefulness of peer assessment is not clarified to any great extent. The results of the study are discussed from different theoretical perspectives and previous research.

A Astronomia é uma das mais antigas ciências criadas pela humanidade. Talvez pelo encantamento de observar as estrelas e perguntar-se o que elas faziam ali, é que o ser humano aperfeiçoou instrumentos que permitiram enxergar além de seus próprios olhos. Embora seja uma ciência antiga, mantém-se moderna e está em constante transformação, e suas contribuições são relevantes até os dias atuais. No contexto escolar, a Astronomia tem o potencial de encantar e fascinar; entretanto, o que vivenciamos é uma desvalorização de sua importância pela abordagem do tema em sala de aula, que algumas vezes é inadequada Os professores, de modo geral, mostram-se despreparados para tratarem de um assunto tão complexo, cometendo muitos equívocos, apoiados em livros didáticos. A proposta deste trabalho foi a elaboração de uma Sequência Didática interdisciplinar para trabalhar assuntos relacionados a conceitos básicos das ciências da Terra e do Universo, focando o Sistema Solar, e comparando as diferenças da Terra com os demais planetas. A SD foi planejada de acordo com a validação no processo EAR (Elaboração, Aplicação e Reelaboração), para alunos do 5º ano do Ensino Fundamental. Fruto disso é a organização de um Material de Apoio ao professor, que qualquer profissional da educação pode utilizar e adaptar ao seu contexto. Deseja-se com esta proposta promover a ampliação dos estudos de Astronomia e das Ciências da Terra nas escolas, de modo a oferecer aos professores das séries iniciais do Ensino Fundamental atividades que proporcionem uma aprendizagem significativa e motivadora, estimulando a aquisição da alfabetização científica, por meio da investigação e pesquisa. Espera-se favorecer com isso a compreensão de que o estudo de Astronomia e do planeta Terra pode contribuir com todas as áreas do conhecimento. / Astronomy is one of the most ancient sciences created by humanity. Perhaps its because of the fascination of observing the stars and wondering what were they doing there that human beings improved the tools that allow us to see beyond our eyes. Even though its an ancient science it remains modern and is in constant transformation, and its contributions are revelant up until now. In an educational context, Astronomy has the potential to fascinate, although what we experience in practice is the devaluation of its importance due the approach of the theme in classrooms, which is at times inadequate. Teachers, in general, present themselves unprepared to explain such complex matters, making several mistakes based on textbooks. The proposal of this work was the elaboration of an interdisciplinary didactic sequence to work with topics related to basic concepts regarding Earth and Space/Astronomical Sciences, with a focus on the solar system, and the comparison of the differences between Earth and the other planets. The didactic sequence was planned according to the validation in the EAR (elaboration, application and re-elaboration) for fifth grade students. Its result is the organization of a teachers guide so that any education professional can use and adapt it to his/her context. The main point of this proposal is to promote a broadening of Astronomy and Earth Science studies in schools in order to offer primary school teachers activities that provide a meaningful and motivating learning experience, stimulating the acquisition of scientific literacy through investigation and research. With this work we hope to encourage the comprehension that Astromomy and Earth studies can contribute within all the knowledge areas.

Neste trabalho foi realizada a caracterização microbiana anaeróbia de reatores anaeróbios diferenciais horizontais e em batelada, operados sob condições sulfetogênicas e mesofílicas (30ºC). Os reatores diferenciais foram preenchidos com diferentes materiais suportes (espuma de poliuretano, carvão vegetal, polietileno reciclado de baixa densidade e cerâmica porosa à base de alumina) visando a seleção do suporte adequado para otimização do processo sulfetogênico, para a relação DQO/sulfato de aproximadamente 0,67. Os reatores diferenciais foram alimentados diariamente com esgoto sintético, contendo aproximadamente 1000 mg/L de DQO e 1500 mg/L de sulfato, durante 28 dias de operação. A caracterização microbiana foi realizada através da técnica de hibridação in situ fluorescente (FISH), microscopia óptica e eletrônica de varredura. Foram realizadas quantificações, em termos de porcentagens, de microrganismos pertencentes ao Domínio Bacteria (EUB338), Domínio Archaea (ARC915) e bactérias redutoras do íon sulfato (BRS) da subdivisão delta de Proteobacteria (SRB385). Nos reatores diferenciais, houve predomínio de bactérias em todos os suportes estudados. Os reatores diferenciais operados com espuma e carvão apresentaram maiores porcentagens de BRS, com valores iguais a 57,6% e 69,7%, respectivamente. A cerâmica foi o material que apresentou melhor equilíbrio de bactérias e arqueas metanogênicas, com 59,6% e 40,9%, respectivamente. Os reatores em batelada foram operados com espuma de poliuretano e carvão vegetal com relação DQO/sulfato de aproximadamente 3. As porcentagens de BRS quantificadas pelo FISH foram iguais a 65,3% e 69,1% para espuma e carvão, respectivamente. Em ambos os reatores o carvão vegetal foi o material mais favorável à sulfetogênese. / This research reports an anaerobic microbial characterization of both, a horizontal differential anaerobic and a batch reactors, operated at sulfidogenic and mesofilic conditions at 30ºC. The differential reactors were filled with four support materials (polyurethane foam, vegetable coal, recycled polyethylene of low density and alumin based porous ceramic) aiming the selection of a more appropriated support for optimization of sulfidogenic processes (ratio COD/sulfate of approximately 0.67). Differential reactors were fed daily with synthetic sewage, containing approximately 1000 mg/L of COD and 1500 mg/L of sulfate concentrations, during 28 days of operation. Microbial characterization was accomplished using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), optic and scanning electronic microscopy. It was realized a quantification, in percentages, of microorganisms belong to Bacteria Domain (EUB338), Archaea Domain (ARC915) and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) of delta subdivision Proteobacteria (SRB385). Differential reactors have shown predominance of bacteria in all the support materials studied. Differential reactors operated with foam and coal presented the greatest percentages of SRB, with values equal to 57.6% and 69.7%, respectively. The ceramic was the material that presented the best equilibrium of bacteria and methanogenic archaea, with 59.6% and 40.9%, respectively. Batch reactors were operated with polyurethane foam and vegetable coal with COD/sulfate ratio of approximately 3. Percentages of SRB quantified by FISH were equals to 65.3% and 69.1% for foam and coal, respectively. In both reactors the vegetable coal have shown to be the most favorable material to sulfidogenesis.

O hidrogênio é estudado como alternativa ao uso de combustíveis fósseis para geração de energia, uma vez que é um combustível renovável, apresenta alta concentração de energia por unidade de massa e não gera gases causadores do efeito estufa. Entre os processos de produção de hidrogênio destaca-se o processo fermentativo, pois é um processo de baixo custo quando comparado com outros processos e possibilita unir tratamento de efluente e geração de energia. Neste sentido, este trabalho teve como proposta estudar parâmetros envolvidos no processo de produção fermentativo do \'H IND.2\'. O trabalho envolveu três etapas. Na primeira etapa, foi estudada a produção de hidrogênio a partir de sacarose empregando reatores anaeróbios de leito fixo de fluxo ascendente. Na primeira fase, comparou-se o desempenho de diferentes matérias suportes (argila, carvão vegetal e polietileno) e tempos de detenção hidráulica (TDH) (0,5 e 2h). Na segunda fase, testaram-se diferentes porosidades (50, 75 e 91%) do leito de polietileno TDH de 0,5 h. Os resultados mostraram que TDHs menores e maiores porosidades promovem maiores e contínuas produções de \'H IND.2\'. Na segunda fase, avaliou-se a produção de \'H IND.2\' a partir de quatro inóculos: metanogênico tratamento termicamente e três provenientes de biomassa aderidas aos materiais suportes empregados na primeira etapa. Todos inóculos produziram \'H IND.2\'. Na terceira etapa, avaliou-se a viabilidade de produzir \'H IND.2\' a partir de diferentes águas residuárias (sacarose, esgoto sanitário, vinhaça e glicerina). Houve conversão de hidrogênio a partir de todas as águas residuárias e a vinhaça mostrou ser o efluente mais promissor para esta finalidade. As análises biológicas mostraram baixa diversidade de fungos e bactérias, porém todos associados com o processo de formação de \'H IND.2\'. A varredura dos parâmetros estudados neste trabalho proporcionou o entendimento do processo, assim como, o mapeamento das variáveis adequadas para o projeto e viabilidade da aplicação de reatores desenvolvidos para geração de hidrogênio. / The hydrogen obtained by fermentative production is studied as an alternative process to provide energy instead of fossil fuel application. Moreover, hydrogen is a renewable fuel, has high energy content per unit weight (122 kJ/g), generates clean energy without pollution and produces no greenhouse gases. The fermentative process has low cost when it is compared with traditional process and photosynthetic process, because hydrogen can be produced from wastewater by anaerobic treatment process. For that reason, the aim of this research was to study some parameters involved in the hydrogen production by fermentative process. Three steps were developed. In the first step, it was studied the hydrogen production from sucrose using up-flow anaerobic packed-bed reactor, this step was divide in two phases. In the first phase three support materials (clay beads, vegetal coal and polyethylene) and two hydraulic retention times (0.5 and 2 h) were tested. In the second phase three porosities (50, 75 and 91%) of polyethylene bed were tested. The results demonstrated that the low HRT and high porosities provided high hydrogen production, although, the support materials did not show significant difference in the hydrogen production and in the biomass developed. In the second phase, four inocula were used in order to produce hydrogen: thermal pre-treated methanogenic sludge; and the others three came from the reactors used in the first phase. All inocula were able to produce hydrogen. In the third step hydrogen production was obtained from three wastewaters (domestic wastewater, vinasse and glycerol) and a control (sucrose) in batch reactors. The wastewaters and control produced hydrogen and the vinasse showed the highest production. This research makes available the comprehension on the influence of the different parameters in processes projected for hydrogen production and it makes viable to apply in full-scale.