Most recently, there has been a noticeable rise in the push for use of technology in the classroom. The advancement in digital science has increased greatly the capacity to explore animations, models, and interesting apps. that should substantially enhance science cognition. At the same time, there is a great need to increase collaboration in the science classroom. There is a concern that the collaborative experience will be lost with the use of technology in the classroom. This study seeks to explore the use of iPads in conjunction with a constructivist learning approach to promote student collaboration. The participants in this study included two sections of 11th grade AP Chemistry students. Data was generated from different sources such as teacher observations of classroom interactions patterned after Gilles (2004). In order to gauge student perception of working in groups with the use of the iPad, survey questions adapted from Knezek, Mills and Wakefield (2012) and group interviews were used (Galleta, 2013). Learning outcomes were assessed using methods adapted from a study by Lord and Baviskar (2007). Findings of this study showed high percentages of evidence for increased community, productive student group communication, effective feedback through use of the iPads, and value of the interactive apps., but it also showed that students still preferred face-to-face interactions over virtual interactions for certain learning situations. The study showed good content learning outcomes, as well as favorable opinions among the students for the effectiveness of the use of iPads in collaborative settings in the classroom.

This thesis aims to develop an understanding about swelling and disintegration of multi-component polymeric structures such as pharmaceutical tablets. The thesis presents a model for the diffusion-driven water uptake, swelling deformation and subsequent disintegration of polymer matrix drug-delivery devices. Hygroscopic swelling occurs when a dry tablet enters a humid environment and absorbs water molecules. The modification of tablet structures changes the release profile of the drug in the desired manner. The previous research mostly focused on transport problems related to drug release. This study contributes an understanding of the mechanical behaviour of hydrophilic polymer release matrix materials which are treated as continuum. Modelling of the swelling problem involves concurrent large deformation of the polymer network and diffusion of the solvent through the network. A coupled diffusion-deformation model was created to study the relation between both physics. The coupled diffusion-deformation model was utilised to consider disintegration of polymer matrix through the inclusion of swelling agents. Two cases were presented to illustrate the application of the model: swelling-controlled and immediate-release drug delivery systems. This study used COMSOL Multiphysics®, a finite element commercial software to perform the analysis. Various physical modules: structural mechanics, chemical transport and mathematics were combined for solving coupled diffusion-deformation-damage boundary value problems. The numerical results were validated using existing experimental data from the literature. The model parameters were varied to investigate their sensitivity to the solution. Higher solvent concentration gradient in the matrix produced higher swelling strain, thus increased local stress. Disintegrability was measured by the time taken for the maximum principal stress to reach a given failure. Higher coefficient of water diffusion allows higher amount of water ingression into the matrix. Higher coefficient of hygroscopic swelling generates higher local swelling strain. This study facilitates in understanding the complex phenomena in the application of drug release formulation.

Introduction : La résistance aux antibiotiques est une menace de santé, il est donc urgent de développer de nouveaux antibactériens. CIN-102, est un nouvel antibactérien développé par une industrie pharmaceutique. Il possède un large-spectre d’action et aucune résistance n’a été développée jusqu’à présent. Parmi les possibles applications thérapeutiques du CIN-102, notre recherche s’est focalisée sur les Maladies Inflammatoires Chroniques de l’Intestin (MICIs). Plusieurs facteurs contribuent à l’étiologie des MICIs. Les bactéries intestinales jouent un rôle important dans ces maladies et une augmentation de la charge bactérienne est observée pendant l’inflammation. Les objectifs de ce travail ont été : la caractérisation de l’activité antibactérienne du CIN-102, l’analyse de l’activité antibactérienne des agents anti-inflammatoires et antibiotiques utilisés en cas de MICI et la fabrication des formulations à ciblage colique pour le CIN-102. Le but est de diminuer la charge bactérienne colique par moyen du CIN-102 et améliorer, de cette façon, l’état de l’inflammation.Méthodes: La Concentration Minimale Inhibitrice (CMI), l’Effet Post-Antibiotique (EPA) et le temps de réduction logarithmique du CIN-102 ont été déterminés pour des bactéries aérobies et anaérobies. Les interactions entre le CIN-102 et des antibiotiques sur le marché ont été évaluées. La CMI de l’acide 5-aminosalicylique (5-ASA), GED-0507-34 et antibiotiques ont été déterminées pour des souches anaérobiques. Par rapport aux formulations à libération prolongée : des mini-granules contenant le CIN-102 ont été fabriqués par extrusion-sphéronisation puis pelliculés avec des mélanges de polymères insolubles et polysaccharides. Parallèlement, des mini-comprimés de CIN-102 ont été fabriqués par compression directe. La libération du CIN-102 in vitro, a été mesurée dans des milieux simulant l’estomac et l’intestin grêle. L’efficacité des systèmes à libération prolongée a été évaluée dans un modèle de colite chez la souris. Des prélèvements de selles et tissus coliques ont été soumis à des études bactériologiques. L’expression des cytokines a été mesurée à partir des tissus coliques.Résultats et discussion : Le large-spectre d’action du CIN-102 a été confirmé. Toutes les souches ont été inhibées par le CIN-102. CIN-102 présente un EPA et un temps de réduction logarithmique court. Il présente des interactions synergiques avec plusieurs antibiotiques, notamment la colistine et les aminoglycosides, en les rendant actifs contre des bactéries multirésistantes. Ces résultats in vitro doivent être poursuivis par des études chez l’animal. Des agents anti-inflammatoires utilisés contre les MICIs ne possèdent pas d’activité antibactérienne. Par ailleurs, les antibiotiques testés n’ont pas un large-spectre d’action contre des bactéries anaérobies généralement retrouvées dans l’intestin. Cela confirme le besoin d’un antibiotique à large spectre capable de réduire des charges bactériennes en cas d’inflammation. Dans ce but, des formulations capables de délivrer CIN-102 au niveau du colon ont été étudiées. La libération du CIN-102 des mini-granules pelliculés et mini-comprimés a été réduite dans des milieux simulant l’estomac et l’intestin grêle. Des souris atteintes de colite et traitées avec les formulations du CIN-102 ont eu une diminution des diarrhées et du sang dans les selles. Les concentrations d’entérobactéries adhérentes à la muqueuse colique et dans les selles ont été significativement réduites chez les souris traitées avec le CIN-102. Ces résultats montrent que ces formulations peuvent délivrer CIN-102 dans le tractus gastro-intestinal inferieur, et que la diminution d’entérobactéries semble réduire les symptômes de la colite.Conclusion : CIN-102 est un nouvel antibactérien a large-spectre et des formulations à libération prolongée peuvent délivrer cet agent dans le colon, diminuant la charge d’entérobactéries qui pourrait influencer l’état de l’inflammation. / Introduction: Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to public health and new antimicrobials are urgently needed. CIN-102, a new antibacterial agent which resembles cinnamon essential oils composition, was developed by a pharmaceutical company. CIN-102 had a broad-spectrum of action and resistance was not developed until now. Between all the possible therapeutic applications for CIN-102, a future utilization against Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) is aimed. IBD are chronic pathologies with a multifactorial etiology. In this context, enteric bacteria are well-known to have an important role, and higher bacterial concentrations are found in the intestine under inflammatory conditions. The objectives of this work were: to characterize the bacteriological activity of CIN-102, to analyze the bacteriological activity of anti-inflammatory agents and antibiotics used in IBD and to fabricate multiparticulate CIN-102 pharmaceutical forms for colonic targeted drug release. The idea is to use CIN-102 to reduce colonic bacterial loads and improve the state of intestinal inflammation. Methodology: The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), the Post-Antibiotic Effect (PAE) and the logarithmic reduction time of CIN-102 were determined against several aerobic and anaerobic bacterial isolates. The interactions between CIN-102 and commercialized antibiotics were evaluated. The MIC of 5-aminosalicilyc acid, GED-0507-34 and antibiotics were determined for anaerobic bacterial isolates. Concerning sustained released formulations: CIN-102 pellet cores were fabricated by extrusion-spheronization and subsequently coated with blends of insoluble polymers and natural biodegradable polysaccharides. CIN-102 mini-tablets were fabricated by direct compression. In vitro drug released was measured in simulated gastric and intestinal fluid. The efficacy of best sustained release formulations was assessed in a murine model of colitis. Samples of luminal contents and sections of the colon were taken to perform a bacteriological analysis. Expression of cytokines was analyzed from colonic tissues.Results and discussion: The broad-spectrum activity of CIN-102 was confirmed. All aerobic and anaerobic strains were susceptible to CIN-102. Furthermore, CIN-102 had an important PAE and exerted a fast logarithmic reduction of bacterial inoculum. It interacts synergistically with several antibiotics, mostly with colistin and aminoglycosides, restoring the antibiotic activity against multi-resistant bacteria. The promising in vitro activity of CIN-102 has to be further confirmed by animal studies. Anti-inflammatory agents used against IBD were not provided of antibacterial activity and neither of the antibiotics tested possessed a broad-spectrum of action against anaerobic isolates commonly found in the intestine. These results confirm the need of a broad-spectrum antibiotic capable of reduced increased bacterial loads during inflammation. Following this aim, oral dosage forms able to deliver CIN-102 into the colon were studied. Concerning the sustained release forms, in vitro CIN-102 release from coated-pellets and mini-tablets was reduced in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. Colitic mice treated with CIN-102 controlled release formulations had less diarrhea and bloody stools. Furthermore, the concentrations of enterobacteria in colonic tissue and stool were significantly reduced in CIN-102 treated mice. These results show that sustained release formulations can effectively deliver CIN-102 in the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract, where the reduction of enterobacteria seems to ameliorate the course of colitis.Conclusion: CIN-102 is novel broad-spectrum antibacterial and sustained release formulations can effectively deliver this agent into the colon, reducing bacterial loads which might influence the state of intestinal inflammation.

This diploma thesis deals with support employee's mobility in ERP systems. In the opening it describes contemporary trends in the use of mobile devices in companies, followed by overview of basic functionality, which is essential for deploying those devices in the enterprise environment. Next part is focused on the integration of mobile devices into enterprise architecture. It consists of description, how the information from identified ERP modules is made available for mobile devices. New activities are connected with mobile device integration, especially security and management. Therefore several options covering these activities are mentioned in this thesis. Last part provides study of company Diskus spol. s r.o., where two problems are being discussed - low support for field workers and missing security policies for mobile devices. Last contribution is the comparison of support for mobile devices in ERP systems from the selected Czech providers (ABRA Gx, Byznys ERP, Helios Orange, K2, Karat and Premier System).

The main goal of this Master's Thesis is to discover and describe significant differences in consumer's behavior on the Czech tablet chocolate market. Based on these found differences reveal, characterize and develop segment's profiles. Further goal is to design relevant marketing recommendations for these segments. The theoretical part contains the explanation of the segmentation process. The analytical part includes main characteristics of the Czech tablet chocolate market and the analysis of the secondary and primary data. The market segmentation was performed based on the results of these analyses. For the segmentation process was used the IBM SPSS Statistics program. The outcome of the thesis discovers four market segments and proposes corresponding marketing strategies for them.

Although research has identified critical thinking (CT) as an objective of higher education, limited quantitative research has focused on how postsecondary instructors view using handheld devices for classroom collaboration to support CT. There are studies examining how the use of tablet technologies influence collaborative learning (CL), showing a link between CL and CT, and connecting CT to academic achievement. However, understanding how instructors perceive the intersection of these factors has not been well studied. Applying Vygotsky's social cognitive theory as a foundation of CL, using adapted questions from two questionnaires (Technology Acceptance Model and Cooperative Learning Implementation) and two frameworks, this quantitative survey study examined the relationship between tablet application and implementation of CL, and then between CL implementation and the development of CT dispositions (CTD). An email with a link to the survey was sent to a population of 1,932 instructors in a professional education technology organization. From a sample of 59, the key findings indicated instructors accepted the use and usefulness of tablets in the classroom, and used applications for completing collaborative tasks. The Pearson's product moment correlations between tablets and CL, acceptance and implementation appear to be affected by instructor's professional views and teaching practices. Perceptions about the development of CTD were positive with limitations of statistical significance. Results of this study may provide insights into using tablets in effective ways to enhance learning outcomes as one social benefit. Improving the CT of students may support developing citizens who contribute to communities and society in positive ways as lifelong learners.

自iPad於2010年發表了以來、創造了一個介於智慧型手機與上網型小筆記型電腦的之間的平板電腦產品。這樣的新產品與新市場，對於智慧型手機與個人筆記型電腦廠商似乎是一個新的藍海。吸引兩方面的原有廠商宣布相繼投入。本文以波特的五力分析模型對此產業結構進行分析，解構平板電腦產業中廠商與上游的軟體與硬體商、下游的電信運營商與消費者、競爭的個人電腦廠商與幾種替代性新興電子產品等五種產業影響力量的討論。 由於此產品的硬體結構與產業結構都與智慧型手機產業有很大的相似性。依據現有的智慧型手機領導廠商的現況，分別依照波特的成本領導、差異化與聚焦策略，討論Samsung、HTC、Motorola的可能策略。歸納發現， HTC, Motorola與Samsung可以運用差異化策略拉近與蘋果成本領導策略的差距。Samsung還可以運用成本領導策略與蘋果競爭。 / The birth of Apple iPad gives rise to not only a product segment between Smart Phone and Netbook PC, but also the tablet industry. The tablet industry attracts both smart phone makers and PC companies for good reasons. This thesis attempts to analyze the tablet industry by using the framework of five-force analysis of Porter (1979). We analyze the OEM relationship with chip makers, software vendors, Telcomm operators and end users, barriers of entry and competitions of the industry, and threats from substitute products. Feasible strategies for 3 leading smart phone companies (HTC, Motorola and Samsung) to enter the industry are analyzed and given as well. A close investigation suggests that to compete with Apple, Samsung may be the only one which is capable of adopting a cost leadership strategy for the time being. On the other hand, differentiation can apply to all the 3 smart phone makers.

As background for this study stands the debate and discussion in the society around the tablet as a pedagogical tool in preschool. The purpose of this study is to obtain and analyze 69 preschool teachers’ opinions about the tablet’s introduction and use in preschool. The study also investigates the preschool teachers’ opinions about their mission for multimedia and technology in the preschool curriculum, Lpfö 98, reviderad 2010. The study is executed in the form of a survey. Questions at issue: How experienced are preschool teachers with the tablet? What is the preschool teachers’ opinion about the tablets usability and function in preschool? How important is multimedia tools such as tablets in preschool in the preschool teachers’ view? Which view do preschool teachers have on their own role and mission to offer and encourage children to explore and use contemporary technology? My analysis of the survey result shows that preschool teachers have basic level knowledge of the tablet and the technology. The preschool teachers’ experience in using tablets varies from no use to daily usage. The majority of the preschool teachers do not use tablets at home or at work. In spite of this, the preschool teachers are mainly positive about tablet usability in preschool. Most of the preschool teachers consider the tablet as having a wide range of usability or as being useful in pedagogical situations in preschool. Many of the preschool teachers believe it is important or rather important that technology such as the tablet is prioritized as a pedagogical tool in preschool. Most of the preschool teachers consider the aims and objectives in Lpfö 98, reviderad 2010 to be both satisfactory and challenging. From the survey it appears, for example, that preschool teachers think it is important for the preschool and the preschool teachers to develop in line with society. The preschool teachers also mention it is important to offer every child an opportunity to explore and use contemporary technology. Additionally, the preschool teachers mention that financial means as well as further education is needed to help increase their possibilities of fulfilling the aims and objectives in the curriculum. / Som bakgrund till denna undersökning ligger den rådande debatten i samhället om surfplattan som ett pedagogiskt multimedialt redskap. Syftet med studien är att undersöka vilka åsikter och meningar som råder hos 69 förskolepedagoger kring surfplattans introduktion och användning i förskolans verksamhet. I studien undersöks även hur pedagogerna ser på sin egen roll i relation till strävansmålen för multimedia och teknik i Lpfö 98, reviderad 2010. Undersökningen genomfördes genom en enkätundersökning. Frågeställningarna i studien: Hur stor erfarenhet har pedagogerna av surfplattor? Hur stort användningsområde anser pedagogerna att surfplattan har? Hur viktigt anser pedagogerna att det är med multimediala verktyg som exempelvis surfplattor i förskolan? Hur ser pedagogerna på sin egen roll att erbjuda och låta barnen tillägna sig ny teknik som exempelvis surfplattan? I studien framkommer det att samtliga pedagoger säger sig veta vad en surfplatta är. Deras egen erfarenhet är mycket varierad. Majoriteten av pedagogerna använder inte surfplatta varken hemma eller på arbetet. Trots det är pedagogerna sammantaget positivt inställda till surfplattans användbarhet i förskolans verksamhet. Flertalet pedagoger anser att surfplattan har stort användningsområde eller är användbart. En stor andel av pedagogerna anser att det är viktigt eller ganska viktigt att prioritera multimediala verktyg som exempelvis surfplattan till förskolebarn. Merparten av pedagogerna anser att strävansmålen i Lpfö 98, reviderad 2010, är bra och utmanande. Pedagogerna uppger bl.a. att det är viktigt att förskolan och pedagogerna arbetar för att följa med i samhällets utveckling samt att pedagogerna arbetar för att alla barn får möta den nya tekniken i förskolan. Pedagogerna tar även upp att ekonomiska medel samt fortbildning behövs för att öka möjligheterna till att uppfylla strävansmålen.

Tablet PC is not a brand-new idea. But it did not draw much attention of consumers in the past. However tablet PC became the hottest product since Apple released the iPad in April 2010 which hit 15 million sales record in less than nine months. And this fever drives all of the IT, PC, mobile companies to start their production line. A war of tablet PC is about to begin in 2011. But from consumers¡¦ perspective, is tablet PC so different from its counterpart being utilized currently that attracts consumer to use it? What are the factors influencing the intention to use tablet PC? To answer the question, this study presents an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) integrating innovation diffusion theory and perceived price to examine the factors that influence the adoption of tablet PC. And the proposed model was empirically tested through data collected from an online questionnaire with 536 samples. And principal analysis, ANOVA, multiple regression as well as descriptive statistics were conducted to analyze the data. The findings indicate that all of the factors proposed in the model anticipate potential users¡¦ intention to use tablet PC. Among the factors, perceived enjoyment, perceived ease of use, relative advantage have the most significant influence and image is the least one. This study may extend use of TAM and provide further insights into tablet PC marketing strategies.

In this thesis, an LTE/WWAN planar loop antenna for tablet computer with a compact size of 75 ¡Ñ 12 mm2 is presented. The planar loop antenna comprises a printed loop strip and a patch monopole encircled therein. By embedding a printed distributed inductor in the loop strip, whose effect is similar to a chip inductor, a parallel resonant mode is generated owing to the contributed inductance of the distributed inductor and the contributed capacitance of the coupling between the loop strip and the patch monopole. The parallel resonant mode leads to increase input resistance of the 0.5-wavelength loop mode at the high-frequency tail and a zero reactance nearby the original resonance of the 0.5-wavelength loop mode, thereby resulting in a dual-resonance excitation to greatly enhance the bandwidth of the antenna¡¦s lower band for the LTE700/GSM850/900 operation. In addition, the patch monopole, which performs not only as a coupling feed but also an efficient radiator, provides a 0.25-wavelength resonant mode to combine with a higher-order resonant mode contributed by the printed loop strip to form the antenna¡¦s upper band to cover the GSM1800/1900/UMTS/LTE2300/2500 operation. Further, the required distance between the antenna and the testing flat phantom to meet the 1-g body SAR requirement of 1.6 W/kg is discussed. A comparison of the body SAR value of the planar loop antenna and the bent loop antenna is also discussed.