<p>In this thesis, factors important in tableting operations and for tablet properties have been studied and characterised by different spectroscopic techniques as well as by some more conventionally used particle characterisation techniques. The spectroscopic techniques solid-state NMR, FT-IR and NIR spectroscopy, proved to be valuable tools in the estimation of particle and tablet properties, offering both specificity and sensitivity in the measurements. Because of the large amount of information obtained in a spectrum, multivariate data analysis was in some cases used in the processing of the spectral data. Correlations between the solid state structure measured by spectroscopy and the particle and tablet properties could be obtained including useful prediction models.</p><p>The surface area obtained using different principles has in this thesis been shown to reflect different properties and tableting behaviour of a collection of pharmaceutical materials. The particle shape and the external surface area of the powders measured by permeametry, were found to be important factors for the tensile strength of tablets made of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. Furthermore, the external surface area could be used to access dominating interparticulate bonding mechanisms in compacts of different materials by normalising the tablet tensile strength for the tablet surface area. It was also shown that for materials prone to develop solid bridges, the actual surface area participating in the bonding was more important than the average interparticulate distance. </p><p>When studying the properties of microcrystalline cellulose and cellulose powder from the alga <i>Cladophora</i> sp., the cellulose fibril surface area estimated by solid-state NMR resulted in better correlations to the tableting behaviour and to tablet disintegration than the external permeametric surface area did. It was suggested that the difference in fibril surface area of the two celluloses was the primary factor responsible for properties like the crystallinity and the disintegration of the tablets.</p>

In this thesis, factors important in tableting operations and for tablet properties have been studied and characterised by different spectroscopic techniques as well as by some more conventionally used particle characterisation techniques. The spectroscopic techniques solid-state NMR, FT-IR and NIR spectroscopy, proved to be valuable tools in the estimation of particle and tablet properties, offering both specificity and sensitivity in the measurements. Because of the large amount of information obtained in a spectrum, multivariate data analysis was in some cases used in the processing of the spectral data. Correlations between the solid state structure measured by spectroscopy and the particle and tablet properties could be obtained including useful prediction models. The surface area obtained using different principles has in this thesis been shown to reflect different properties and tableting behaviour of a collection of pharmaceutical materials. The particle shape and the external surface area of the powders measured by permeametry, were found to be important factors for the tensile strength of tablets made of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. Furthermore, the external surface area could be used to access dominating interparticulate bonding mechanisms in compacts of different materials by normalising the tablet tensile strength for the tablet surface area. It was also shown that for materials prone to develop solid bridges, the actual surface area participating in the bonding was more important than the average interparticulate distance. When studying the properties of microcrystalline cellulose and cellulose powder from the alga Cladophora sp., the cellulose fibril surface area estimated by solid-state NMR resulted in better correlations to the tableting behaviour and to tablet disintegration than the external permeametric surface area did. It was suggested that the difference in fibril surface area of the two celluloses was the primary factor responsible for properties like the crystallinity and the disintegration of the tablets.

We investigate, model, and design interaction techniques for hand occlusion with direct pen input. Our focus on occlusion follows from a qualitative and quantitative study of direct pen usability with a conventional graphical user interface (GUI). This study reveals overarching problems relating to poor precision, ergonomics, cognitive differences, limited input, and problems resulting from occlusion. To investigate occlusion more closely, we conduct three formal experiments to examine its area and shape, its affect on performance, and compensatory postures. We find that the shape of the occluded area varies across participants with some common characteristics. Our results provide evidence that occlusion affects target selection performance: especially for continuous tasks or when the goal is initially hidden. We observe how users contort their wrist posture during a simultaneous monitoring task, and show this can increase task time. Based on these investigations, we develop a five parameter geometric model to represent the shape of the occluded area and extend this to a user configurable, real-time version. To evaluate our model, we introduce a novel analytic testing methodology using optimization for geometric fitting and precision-recall statistics for comparison; as well as conducting a user study. To address problems with occlusion, we introduce the notion of occlusion-aware interfaces: techniques which can use our configurable model to track currently occluded regions and then counteract potential problems and/or utilize the occluded area. As a case study, we present the Occlusion-Aware Viewer: an interaction technique which displays otherwise missed previews and status messages in a non-occluded area. Within this thesis we also present a number of methodology contributions for quantitative and qualitative study design, multi-faceted study logging using synchronized video, qualitative analysis, image-based analysis, task visualization, optimization-based analytical testing, and user interface image processing.

We investigate, model, and design interaction techniques for hand occlusion with direct pen input. Our focus on occlusion follows from a qualitative and quantitative study of direct pen usability with a conventional graphical user interface (GUI). This study reveals overarching problems relating to poor precision, ergonomics, cognitive differences, limited input, and problems resulting from occlusion. To investigate occlusion more closely, we conduct three formal experiments to examine its area and shape, its affect on performance, and compensatory postures. We find that the shape of the occluded area varies across participants with some common characteristics. Our results provide evidence that occlusion affects target selection performance: especially for continuous tasks or when the goal is initially hidden. We observe how users contort their wrist posture during a simultaneous monitoring task, and show this can increase task time. Based on these investigations, we develop a five parameter geometric model to represent the shape of the occluded area and extend this to a user configurable, real-time version. To evaluate our model, we introduce a novel analytic testing methodology using optimization for geometric fitting and precision-recall statistics for comparison; as well as conducting a user study. To address problems with occlusion, we introduce the notion of occlusion-aware interfaces: techniques which can use our configurable model to track currently occluded regions and then counteract potential problems and/or utilize the occluded area. As a case study, we present the Occlusion-Aware Viewer: an interaction technique which displays otherwise missed previews and status messages in a non-occluded area. Within this thesis we also present a number of methodology contributions for quantitative and qualitative study design, multi-faceted study logging using synchronized video, qualitative analysis, image-based analysis, task visualization, optimization-based analytical testing, and user interface image processing.

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The purpose of this study is to highlight some aspects of the increased usage of tablets in preschool environments by answering the questions: what does the tablet become in the preschool environment, how much freedom does the children have over its usage. To answer these questions a series of observations were made at two different preschools. The observations were then complemented by interviews with teachers at the same preschools. This qualitative study focuses on some of the didactic questions regarding the tablets, based on a theoretical framework that is within the design-oriented perspective; which addresses the children's’ autonomy, the institutional framework and affordance. Our conclusion is that the tablet’s introduction in the preschool has helped the teachers in numerous parts of their documentation, but we can also see that the children's opportunities to make choices regarding the tablet are more limited than with any other resource on the preschool. In our results we also see that when the children get access to the tablet they receive a learning experience, which among other things, strengthens their language skills and their social interaction with each other.

In this thesis research, we investigate the usability of hand-held display (Tablet PC) and wearable head-mounted display (Google Glass) interfaces and their effect on doctor-patient interaction during clinical ward round in the hospital. We looked at existing literature to identify existing research about our topic. Using a User Centered Interaction Design process we developed a prototype hybrid system that used both a hand-held and head-mounted display. An evaluation of this prototype with a hand-held system and a paper based interface was performed in a simulated patient room with 20 doctors and 5 patients. The participants were observed, surveyed, and interviewed about their experiences. Generally, the patients had a high satisfaction rate and felt the interfaces were not causing the doctors to lose focus on them. The doctors found the hand-held display by itself and existing paper-based interface to be the most usable and least distracting interfaces for accessing patient information during clinical ward rounds.

Sammanfattning Antalet barn som använder sig av Internet och lärplattor har ökat kraftigt på senare år. I takt med det har efterfrågan om mer forskning kring multimodala verktyg som lärplattan i förskolan blivit större. I läroplanen för förskolan står att barnen skall skapa sig förmågan att kunna kommunicera och söka ny kunskap, vilket är nödvändigt i dagens samhälle med snabb förändringstakt. För att barnen skall ges rätt förutsättningar att hänga med i det krävs mer forskning. Dels för att skapa en större förståelse för lärplattan som pedagogiskt verktyg i stort och dels för att skapa ett intresse och en känsla av säkerhet hos varje förskollärare till att använda den. Arbetets syfte är att undersöka hur förskollärare resonerar om lärplattans användning inom förskolans verksamhet, med fokus på matematiska aktiviteter. I läroplanen för förskolan står att förskollärarna har det övergripande pedagogiska ansvaret i förskolans verksamhet. I och med det utgår arbetet ifrån deras resonemang. Semistrukturerade intervjuer har tillämpats och fem förskollärare ifrån fyra förskolor i Gävle har intervjuats. Resultatet visade att förskollärarna främst använder lärplattan som ett dokumentationsverktyg i verksamheten. Det framkom även hur lärplattan kan få funktionen som barnvakt för att frigöra tid till förskolans personal. Arbetsstunder med barn var också en central del som synliggjordes där uttrycket ”att arbeta” med lärplattan är viktigt och inte ”att spela” med den. Förskollärarna planerade inte aktivt in lärplattan vid matematiska aktiviteter. Dock framgick hur barn ändå ges möjlighet till att använda lärplattan till matematiskt lärande. Applikationer som innehåller problemlösning är vanligt och på så sätt utsätts barn automatiskt för matematik i form av exempelvis pussel, räkna och para ihop föremål. I resultatet framkom också från flera förskollärare att de tyckte sig sakna tillräckliga kunskaper om lärplattan. En övergripande slutats med arbetet är att det faktiskt finns en viss osäkerhet kring lärplattans användning och att det kan krocka med lärplattans snabba framfart i förskolans verksamhet. Det finns behov av mer utbildning i hur lärplattan kan användas som ett pedagogiskt verktyg. Sammanfattningsvis framkom vid intervjuerna att lärplattan lyfts fram som ett framtida verktyg i förskolans verksamhet. / Abstract In recent years, the number of children using Internet and touch-screen tablets has been growing steadily. At the same time the need of more research in multimodal tools like the tablet in preschool environment grows. The preschool curriculum highlights that all children should acquire the ability to communicate and search for new knowledge. This is essential in todays society with a rapid pace of change. Finding the right conditions for children to follow and adapt to this change require more research. Partly to create a greater understanding in the tablet as a general educational tool and partly to create an interest and a feeling of security for preschool teachers to use it. This study aims to investigate how the tablet is used within the preschool environment and how preschool teachers think about the tablet as an educational artifact, with a focus on mathematical activities. The preschool curriculum highlights that preschool teachers has the overall educational responsibility in the preschool activity. Because of that, this bachelor thesis will proceed from their reasoning. An ethnographic approach with the utility semi-structured interviews was used and five preschool teachers from four preschools in the municipality of Gävle was interviewed. The result of the study shows that teachers mainly use tablets to store information about the operation of the nurseries. The tablets also function as temporary sources of entertainment for the children, when teachers need time to tend to other tasks. However, the interviewed teachers emphasized the importance of using the tablets primarily as tools of learning - and not solely for playing. They admitted that they do not often use tablets when teaching mathematics, but that the tools are available if needed. Applications that provide problem solving, puzzles and maths quizzes are still used regularly. The result also showed that many preschools teachers think they lack sufficient knowledge about tablets. The conclusion of our study is that a lot of preschool teachers are not confident in using tablets which may be an issue considering the increasing popularity of the tablets and how quickly they are being introduced to preschools of the region. There is evidently need for more education surrounding tablets and how they can be used in teaching.

Orientador: Rosângela Gonçalves Peccinini / Resumo: A doença de Chagas é uma enfermidade que afeta milhões de pessoas no mundo, principalmente em países em desenvolvimento. No Brasil, o único fármaco disponível para tratamento desta doença é o benzonidazol (BNZ). Atualmente o regime posológico para adultos consiste na administração deste fármaco na forma de comprimidos de liberação imediata de 100 mg em duas ou três tomadas diárias, durante 60 dias. Apesar da elevada eficácia desse fármaco na fase aguda da doença (aproximadamente 70%), os eventos adversos são frequentes e muitas vezes causam a interrupção do tratamento. Diante desse cenário, o Laboratório de Tecnologia de Medicamentos (LTM) da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE) desenvolveu comprimidos de liberação prolongada, visando a redução da frequência de administrações do fármaco e a melhoria do tratamento com doses mais precisas. Em estudos pré-clínicos foram observadas vantagens da administração do comprimido de liberação prolongada na cinética do fármaco benzonidazol quando comparada a administração do comprimido de liberação imediata (formulação convencional). Entretanto, a continuidade do desenvolvimento do produto farmacêutico para aplicação terapêutica exige a avaliação em humanos. Logo, o objetivo deste trabalho foi reunir todas as informações e documentos necessários para a elaboração do protocolo de estudo clínico da nova formulação de liberação prolongada para futura submissão ao CEP e à ANVISA. Estabeleceu-se o protocolo para estudo Clínico de fase I –... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Chagas disease affects millions of people worldwide, especially in developing countries. In Brazil, the only drug available for treatment of this disease is benzonidazole (BNZ). Currently, the dosage regimen for adults consists of administration of this drug in the form of 100 mg immediaterelease tablets in twice or three times a day for 60 days. Despite the high efficacy of this drug in the acute phase of the disease (approximately 70%), adverse effects are common and often cause discontinuation of treatment. In this scenario, the Laboratory of Drug Technology (LTM) of the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE) has developed extended-release tablets aimed at reducing the frequency of drug administration and improving treatment at more precise doses. In preclinical studies, advantages of extended-release tablet administration have been observed in the kinetics of the drug benzonidazole when compared to the administration of the immediate release tablet (conventional formulation). However, the continued development of the pharmaceutical product for therapeutic application requires evaluation in humans. Therefore, the objective of this study was to gather all the information and documents necessary for the elaboration of the clinical study protocol of the new extended release formulation for future submission to the IRB (Institutional Review Board) and Brazillian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA). The protocol for Phase I clinical study - comparative, open, randomized, cross-o... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

The ways people go online have been transformed by the emergence of new mobile Internet technologies. As modes of Internet access are becoming increasingly diverse, this thesis sets out to examine how various forms of access shape engagement with online resources. Inequalities in Internet access have been neglected in the "second-level digital divide" research, which has focused on differences in skills and usage. Thus, I argue that inequalities of access have to be revisited and their role in digital inclusion reassessed. To study individuals' arrangements of Internet-enabled devices and locations holistically and as a dynamic entity, access is conceptualised as infrastructure. Theoretically, I distinguish between material dimensions of access and social practices shaping access, and draw on existing models of digital inclusion to examine the role of these dimensions and practices in online engagement. Empirically, a mixed methods research design is employed, complementing longitudinal analyses of survey data representative of the British population with 29 qualitative interviews with British Internet users. This study contributes to our understanding of material and social dimensions of access and their impact on Internet use patterns. First, the conceptualisation of Internet access as infrastructure is empirically validated. Second, quality, locality and ubiquity are established as material dimensions of access, where offline social and economic resources most strongly affect inclusion in high-quality, multi-local and ubiquitous Internet access. Third, three specific practices encompassing how users develop and maintain their access infrastructures are identified: spotlighting, distributing and being stranded. They reflect differences in roles Internet technologies play in individuals' daily lives as well as differences in availability of offline resources. Fourth, the results show that, controlling for a range of digital inclusion factors, the access inequalities have significant effects on a range of online engagement types, but are most strongly related to commercial and communication uses of the Internet. In sum, this study provides a nuanced understanding of how different mechanisms underlie the development, maintenance and engagement with Internet access, depending on whether access arrangements are shaped by digital exclusion or choice. Specifically, by outlining critical differences among all-round, mobile-mostly, mobile-only and home-only Internet users, broader policy and research implications are also discussed.