Decision trees are one of the most commonly used tools in decision analysis, knowledge representation, machine learning, etc., for its simplicity and interpretability. We consider an extension of dynamic programming approach to process the whole set of decision trees for the given decision table which was previously only attainable by brute-force algorithms. We study decision tables with many-valued decisions (each row may contain multiple decisions) because they are more reasonable models of data in many cases. To address this problem in a broad sense, we consider not only decision trees but also inhibitory trees where terminal nodes are labeled with “̸= decision”. Inhibitory trees can sometimes describe more knowledge from datasets than decision trees. As for cost functions, we consider depth or average depth to minimize time complexity of trees, and the number of nodes or the number of the terminal, or nonterminal nodes to minimize the space complexity of trees. We investigate the multi-stage optimization of trees relative to some cost functions, and also the possibility to describe the whole set of strictly optimal trees. Furthermore, we study the bi-criteria optimization cost vs. cost and cost vs. uncertainty for decision trees, and cost vs. cost and cost vs. completeness for inhibitory trees. The most interesting application of the developed technique is the creation of multi-pruning and restricted multi-pruning approaches which are useful for knowledge representation and prediction. The experimental results show that decision trees constructed by these approaches can often outperform the decision trees constructed by the CART algorithm. Another application includes the comparison of 12 greedy heuristics for single- and bi-criteria optimization (cost vs. cost) of trees. We also study the three approaches (decision tables with many-valued decisions, decision tables with most common decisions, and decision tables with generalized decisions) to handle inconsistency of decision tables. We also analyze the time complexity of decision and inhibitory trees over arbitrary sets of attributes represented by information systems in the frameworks of local (when we can use in trees only attributes from problem description) and global (when we can use in trees arbitrary attributes from the information system) approaches.

The purpose of this study was to explore elementary second-stage teachers’ (4–10 years experience) career decisions and the teaching and working conditions associated with those decisions. Retaining teachers is of extreme importance to public schools because chronic turnover is financially, organizationally, and instructionally costly. The study was conducted in two phases: (1) the collection and analysis of quantitative Teaching Empowering Leading and Learning Massachusetts (TELL Mass) (2014) survey data and (2) the collection and analysis of qualitative findings from interviews and a confidential questionnaire to obtain background and demographic information. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the survey results. A thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) of the interview transcripts was conducted to identify themes. Both school leadership and instructional practices and support proved to be important to survey respondents. However, the responses to the survey did not show that elementary second-stage teachers had markedly different immediate professional plans than their novice and veteran counterparts. Further, according to the survey data, there were no significant differences in the teaching and working conditions that affect the immediate professional plans of novices, second-stage, and veteran teachers. The elementary second-stage teachers interviewed identified the importance of the social aspects of teaching––students, colleagues, and school and district leaders––over any other teaching or working condition, when making career decisions. Even in challenging environments teachers noted how leaders and colleagues can impact decisions positively. These results, while not generalizable, can inform administrators, schools, and districts seeking to decrease elementary second-stage teachers departure from the classroom. Implications for practice and policy and for future research are suggested.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) in predicting Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy (MPS) perfusion defects in low likelihood patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) awaiting transplant. Materials and Methods: In total, 131 consecutive patients with ESRD awaiting transplant were prospectively enrolled in this study (86 men; 54±9years). All patients underwent MPS as per standard of care and in addition non-enhanced CT for calcium scoring (CAC score) and Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA). Results: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of CAC score in predicting MPS perfusion defects were 88%, 35%, 28% and 92%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of CCTA in predicting MPS perfusion defects at the patient level were 55%, 87%, 57% and 87%, respectively, and 48%, 92%, 41% and 94% at the vessel level. The diagnostic performance of CCTA in predicting MPS perfusion defects improved when patients with CAC score higher than 1000 (15/70, 21%) were excluded from the analysis. In patients with positive CAC score up to 1000 sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV at the patient level were 60%, 93%, 75% and 86% respectively. These were 53%, 91%, 36% and 95%, respectively, at the vessel level. Conclusion: Non-enhanced CT for CAC score and CCTA can be considered useful diagnostic tools in the ESRD population, particularly in identifying patients without coronary artery disease. This approach however had limitations in the presence of high CAC score.

Textile is a global product used by all people in the world. These textiles after the use are thrown into the trash for incineration or land filling. However an efficient way that can be used to produce more energy, in an environmentally friendly process is anaerobic digestion. Waste textiles which contain cellulosic fibers (e.g. Cotton and viscose) can be converted to biogas. In this study, the performance of a two-stage anaerobic digestion process for biogas production from four different materials, including untreated jeans, treated jeans, cotton, and starch was studied. Starch was used as an easy-to-digest material to compare its digestion with that of cellulosic materials.The two-stage processes were composed of a CSTR (for hydrolysis) and a UASB (for methanogenisis) which were investigated in two different configurations, namely (closed and open systems). In the closed system, the outlet of UASB was completely returned back to the CSTR, while in the open system the UASB outlet was sent to sewage. In a stepwise progress, the OLR was aimed to increase from 2 to 20 g Vs per L per day along with reduction in hydraulic retention time from 10 days to 1 day.The results showed that the closed system was more stable when compared to the open system. The pre-treatment of jeans by NMMO helped to produce methane as that of cotton. The hydraulic retention time was decreased to less than 9 days for treated jeans and less than 5 days for starch. The overall methane yield at OLR of 4 gVS per L per day for starch and treated jeans was 98.5% and 97.4% in the closed system, whereas in the open system the yield was 77.0% and 35.5%, respectively.Another experiment was conducted to compare the performance of two-stage process with that of a single stage process of anaerobic digestion of textiles containing polyester and cotton or viscose. Viscose textiles produced more gas compared to the cotton textile; it may be due to the higher crystalline of cotton which makes it hard to be degraded by the microorganisms. Furthermore, two-stage process could able to produce more methane than the single stage process.The parameters like total solids, volatile solids, pH, gas production, gas composition, concentration of nutrients, and COD were also analyzed for both of the experiments.

A iluminação cênica é uma das mais fecundas áreas da prática teatral contemporânea, sendo responsável por muitos aspectos da construção dos sentidos na cena, e da fruição da obra pelos espectadores. Essa pesquisa visa jogar luzes sobre as estratégias utilizadas por alguns iluminadores na articulação de seu trabalho com as necessidades da fabulação de diferentes tipos de espetáculos e seus respectivos espaços. Numa encenação a demanda de responsabilidade que recai sobre o trabalho do iluminador é imensa. No geral ele precisa, além de iluminar o ator e a cena, de alguma maneira também iluminar o texto e a obra da encenação, ressaltando suas intencionalidades expressivas e de comunicação. Muitas vezes seu trabalho é o ponto de convergência ou confrontação entre os diversos profissionais envolvidos numa montagem teatral, além de contribuir de forma absoluta na maneira como o espectador recebe e experimenta um espetáculo. Acreditamos que tais e tamanhas tarefas poderão receber algumas luzes com o estudo que esta pesquisa pretende contemplar, com objetivo de contribuir para uma elaboração didática para interessados no tema. / The stage lighting is one of the most fruitful areas of the practice of contemporary theater, being responsible for many aspects of the construction of meanings in the scene, and to the enjoyment of the play by the spectators. This research aims to light up the strategies used for some light designers in the articulation betwen its work and the necessities of the report in differents types of spectacles and its respective spaces. On stage, the responsibility demands that falls in the work of the light designer is immense. In general terms, it needs, beyond lighting the actor and the scene, in some way also to light up the text and the mise-en-scène, to show its expressives purposes and comunication intents. Many times its work is the convergence point or confrontation among the involved professionals in a stage setting, beyond contribute in all the ways that the spectator receives and tries the spectacle. We believe that such and so great tasks will be able to receive some light with the study that this research intends to contemplate, with objective to contribute for a didactic elaboration for interested in the subject.

In the agricultural Midwest, subsurface drainage allows excess water to drain into agricultural channels, which flows into rivers and streams transporting excess nutrients downstream. The construction of an inset floodplain within agricultural channels enhances sedimentation of particulate nutrients and sediment, provides stable conditions for vegetation to establish, increases rates of microbial activity, and promotes denitrification. Sediments were collected from floodplains of two-stage channels and naturally forming floodplain benches in conventional channels to determine the effect of floodplain creation on carbon and nitrogen cycling. Denitrification rates were seasonally measured across the floodplain width using an unamended acetylene inhibition technique (DNFAIT). Composite respiration and denitrification rates were measured through sacrificial microcosms utilizing membrane inlet mass spectrometry (DNFMIMS). While the two-stage reach showed a significant increase in soil organic matter (two-way ANOVA, p < 0.001) and respiration rates (two-way ANOVA, p = 0.039), there was no effect on DNFMIMS rates (two-way ANOVA, p > 0.05). DNFAIT rates at the two-stage reach only showed an increase at locations closest to the channel (two-way ANOVA, p = 0.008). Nutrient processing rates were most dependent on local environmental conditions, particularly organic matter and sediment grain size. This suggests that site-specific conditions may dictate the impact of floodplain creation on water quality. However, because of the increase in biologically active surface area, the net effect on water quality is likely greater for the two-stage channels.

No description available.

Malaria is a major health problem and an effective vaccine is essential for the eradication of the disease. Despite extensive efforts, a malaria vaccine remains elusive due to the parasite's complex life cycle, diverse morphology, and immune system evasion mechanisms. Antibodies against C terminal domain of merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1-19), a highly conserved protein and the main vaccine candidate for blood-stage malaria, can inhibit erythrocyte invasion by the parasite and alleviate the disease symptoms. However, MSP1-19 is poorly immunogenic and classic protein-in-adjuvant MSP1-19-based vaccine formulations failed to induce strong immune responses due to low immunogenicity and generation of ineffective antibodies. The aim of this study was to use hepatitis B virus core (HBc) particles to increase the immunogenicity of MSP1-19. HBc forms particles with protruding spikes and induces a strong and specific immune response against foreign epitopes inserted at the tips of the spikes. In addition, positioning of MSP1-19 on the particle can influence the accessibility of certain antibody binding sites, possibly altering elicited antibody fine specificity and vaccine efficiency. MSP1-19 domain was inserted into the middle of the HBc sequence so that it is displayed at the tips of the HBc particle. Two HBc-MSP1-19 constructs, having different insert flanking linkers, displayed soluble particle formation after bacterial expression and lysis optimization. The particles were purified and the suitability of these two constructs as malaria vaccine candidates was assessed. Firstly, binding of the conformational anti-MSP1-19 antibodies indicated that MSP1-19 domain in the chimeric proteins has the correct disulphide bond pattern which is crucial for the protective properties of an MSP1-19-based vaccine. Furthermore, electron microscopy imaging and determination of initial 3D structures confirmed that both HBc MSP1-19 constructs form particles resembling the wild-type HBc particles, meaning the insertion of MSP1-19 did not heavily distort the overall HBc particle structure. In addition, it was shown that MSP1-19 domains are displayed at the tips of the particle spikes. Particle formation and foreign epitope display are important for the epitope's immunogenicity improvement. The immunogenicity of the chimeric particles was then assessed in mice. Both constructs elicited similar high antibody titres without the use of additional adjuvants, but no difference was observed between the particulate constructs and a non-particulate control (an MSP1-19-based protein). Interestingly, although both HBc-MSP1-19 and non-particulate MSP1-19-elicited antibodies recognized native malarial parasite, only the particulate construct antibodies demonstrated a moderate parasite growth inhibition while the antibodies from the control group did not show parasite inhibition above the background levels. In conclusion, it was shown that MSP1-19 can be expressed in bacteria as a soluble correctly folded protein fused to HBc. More importantly, the fusion protein is capable of forming immunogenic particles which generate antibodies that recognize native MSP1 and inhibit parasite growth more effectively than the protein without the HBc. Therefore, this work lays grounds and supports further chimeric HBc-MSP1-19 research and development.

Orientador: Dagoberto Martins / Banca: Carlos Gilberto Raetano / Banca: Edson Lazarini / Banca: Marcus Barifouse Matallo / Banca: Mario Sergio Tomazela / Resumo: Com o objetivo de quantificar os depósitos da calda de pulverização através de diferentes pontas e volumes de pulverização nos estádios V3 (3 folhas verdadeiras) e R1 (inicio da floração) de soja, foram conduzidos dois experimentos na área didática do Departamento de Produção Vegetal, pertencente à Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas UNESP- Botucatu/SP. Cada experimento constitui-se nas cultivares CD 208 e CD 216 (crescimento determinado e indeterminado respectivamente) Os tratamentos avaliados foram: pontas de jato plano (AI 110015 a 150 L ha-1, AI 11002 a 200 e 250 L ha-1); pontas de jato plano duplo (TJ 60 11002 a 150, 200 e 250 L ha -1); pontas de jato cônico (TX-6 a 150, TX-8 a 200 e TX-10 a 250 L ha-1) e pontas de jato plano duplo e baixa deriva (DGTJ 110015 a 150 e DGTJ 11002 a 200 L ha-1), estas últimas avaliadas somente no estádio de R1. O delineamento utilizado foi de blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições. As aplicações foram realizadas com um pulverizador costal pressurizado a CO2, munido de barra com quatro pontas distanciadas de 0,5 m entre si, no momento em que cada cultivar alcançou os estádios V3 e R1. Para a avaliação da deposição foi utilizado na pulverização como traçador o corante Azul Brilhante 2 FD&C-1 (500 mg.L-1). De cada repetição foram coletadas 25 plantas, às quais foram adicionadas 100 ou 200 mL de água destilada para a extração do traçador , nos estádios V3 e R1, respectivamente. A determinação dos depósitos foi realizada por espectrofotometria e a leitura de absorbância no comprimento de onda de 630 nm. Os dados foram transformados em valores de depósitos por grama de massa seca e ajustados às curvas de regressão pelo modelo de Gompertz. O cálculo da moda foi realizado para determinar os valores de depósitos de máxima freqüência. Os resultados indicaram que a deposição... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This study aimed to quantify spraying deposits in two soybean cultivars (208 CD and CD 216) at V3 stage (3 true leaves) and R1 stage (beginning of the budding) through different nozzles and volumes of spraying. For this purpose, two experiments, one with each cultivar, were conducted in the didactic area of the Agricultural Department, Agricultural College UNESP- Botucatu/SP consisting in eleven treatments: flatfan ( AI 110015 at 100 L ha-1, AI 11002 at 150 and 200 L ha-1); twin flat-fan nozzle (TJ 60 11002 at 150, 200 and 250 L ha -1); conical nozzle (TX-6 at 150, TX-8 at 200 and TX-10 at 250 L ha-1) and twin flat-fan and low drift nozzle (DGTJ 110015 at 150 and DGTJ 11002 at 200 L ha-1), these last ones only in the growth stadium of R1. The experimental design was randomized block, with four replicates. A CO2 - pressurized sprayer with a 0,5 m distance between nozzles was used. Deposition was evaluated by using 500 mg.L-1 of Brilliant Blue dye FD&C-1 in the spraying . At V3 and R1 grown stages, 25 plants were collected in each replication respectively, and by adding 100 and 200 mL of distilled water then courante was extracted. Deposited content was determined by spectrophotometry reading the absorbance at 4 630 nm wave length and data transformed into deposits per gram of dry matter. Gompertz model was used to adjust regression curves and ANOVA to determine deposits values of maximum frequency. Results indicated that deposition was superior at V3 stage for both cultivars being 2 and 3,5 superior than deposition at R1 for CD 208 and CD 216, respectively. In cultivar CD 208 at V3 stage, deposition was superior in treatments with the highest volume of 250 L.ha-1 independently the nozzle used and with the TX 8 nozzle using 200 L.ha-1 The higher variation between the unitary deposits was observed for the TJ nozzles with 150 and 200 L.ha-1 . At R1, all treatments except... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

L’écriture théâtrale de Giraudoux est une traversée du miroir. Elle donne à l’évanescence du reflet les contours définis d’une réalité nouvelle. Il suffit d’ailleurs de situer l’œuvre de Giraudoux dans son contexte historique et littéraire et de se débarrasser de l’image convenue d’un écrivain précieux pour apprécier toute la modernité du texte. Car c’est au cœur même de cette pratique du langage dramatique qu’éclate avec le plus de force la particularité de Giraudoux. En apportant au théâtre la force incantatoire d’une langue littéraire, l’auteur affirme son refus du prosaïque. Notre problématique s’inscrit dans une optique de création et d’agencement, le théâtre est un art de la composition. L’auteur dramatique compose avec les différents éléments de l’écriture théâtrale : le langage, la construction du personnage, le temps, l’espace ou encore les différents impératifs du système dramatique. Par ailleurs, le succès de Giraudoux doit beaucoup au talent de Jouvet qui, en véritable artisan du théâtre, a su transposer sur scène, avec un mélange subtil de sensibilité et de grandeur, de passion et d’émotion, le texte à entendre et le texte à voir, l’éclat unique du théâtre de Giraudoux.Giraudoux a cette particularité d’introduire une sorte de jeu avec les poncifs du langage dramatique pour en tirer des effets inattendus. Le jeu, c’est peut-être là le maître mot du théâtre de Giraudoux tant son écriture joue avec le texte et se joue des contraintes du genre. Son écriture didascalique, sans pour autant complètement s’affranchir des canons classiques, se transforme ainsi en espace d’écriture ; sans être un didascale prolixe, Giraudoux est l’un de ceux qui redorent le blason d’un texte circonscrit jusque-là dans une fonction purement utilitaire. L’espace, le temps, les personnages, les conventions dramatiques tout obéit chez Giraudoux à une sorte de pratique ludique de l’écriture qui s’inscrit bien souvent à contre-courant des attentes critiques. On veut coûte que coûte le faire entrer dans une case alors qu’il échappe aux codes de classification établis. Son écriture refuse de se soumettre aux confinements génériques. Son théâtre repose sur un désir de transcender le réel en donnant à la fantaisie les couleurs du quotidien et au quotidien les allures d’une féerie, Intermezzo, Ondine ou encore La Folle de Chaillot sont des exemples parfaits de cette dichotomie qui traverse toute l’œuvre. Nous nous sommes posé deux questions mais qui nous semblent essentielles : Comment se construit l’écriture théâtrale de l’auteur? Et comment s’opère cette traversée du miroir qui est le propre du passage du texte à la scène ? / Redefining the reality, Giraudoux’s playwriting seems to be a sort of passing through the looking glass.Only when situating Giraudoux’s work in its historical and literary context and getting rid of the conventional image of preciousness that one can appreciate the modernity of the text. For it is in the deep of the playwriting practice that Giraudoux’s virtuosity appears.Bringing the incantatory power of a poetic language to the theatre, the author affirms his rejection of prosaic. Playwriting is an art of composition. The playwright is dealing with the different elements of dramaturgy: language, character, time, space, and dramatic impulse… Moreover, the success of Giraudoux owes much to the talent of Jouvet. The theatre director knew how to transpose on stage, with a subtle blend of sensitivity and grandeur, passion and emotion, the unique glow of Giraudoux's poetic fantasy.In this thesis we intend to demonstrate that Giraudoux's playwriting is an area of an undiscovered modernity. His specificity is to play with the clichés of dramatic language in order to produce unexpected effects. This study starts with the specifics of the playwriting: language, stylistic elegance, stage directions, characters, time, space and play structure. Then, we investigate in Jouvet’s direction through the play’s premiere and finally we try to point out the specifics of the close collaboration between the two men.