Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / A população de idosos cresce rapidamente no Brasil. A prevalência de hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) e distúrbios cognitivos é elevada nesta população. Testamos a hipótese de que a HAS reduz o desempenho cognitivos em idosos. Foram selecionamos idosos hipertensos e normotensos com idade &#8805; 60 < 80. O desempenho cognitivo foi avaliado pelo Cambridge Cognitive Examination Revised (CAMCOG-R), por subtestes do Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale v.3 (WAIS III), além do Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), e o dos Trail Making Tests A/B (TMT-A/B). O desempenho cognitivo avaliado pelo escore global do CAMCOG-R e do QI estimado do WAIS III está reduzido nos idosos hipertensos mesmo quando controlado pela escolaridade, depressão, estado geral de saúde e qualidade de vida. O desempenho cognitivo em diversos domínios específicos controlados para a escolaridade, depressão, estado geral de saúde e qualidade de vida, e avaliados pelo CAMCOG-R, WAIS III, TMT-A e RAVLT também está reduzido nos idosos hipertensos. O presente estudo sugere que a HAS está associada ao declínio do desempenho cognitivo global em idosos. Notadamente, o desempenho das funções executivas está reduzido nos idosos hipertensos. Especula-se que a HAS seja um fator de risco para o declínio progressivo do desempenho cognitivo e, portanto, para o desenvolvimento de demência. / The elderly population is growing rapidly in Brazil. The prevalence of hypertension and cognitive disorders is high in this population. We tested the hypothesis that hypertension is associated with decreased cognitive performance in the elderly. We selected normotensive and hypertensive subjects aged &#8805; 60 <80 years old. Cognition was assessed through Cambridge Cognitive Examination Revised (CAMCOG-R), subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale v.3 (WAIS III), the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), and the Trail Making Tests A/B (TMT-A/B). The cognitive performance assessed by the CAMCOG-R global score and the estimated WAIS III. QI is reduced in elderly hypertensives even when controlled for education, depression, health status and quality of life. The cognitive performance in diverse cognitive domains assessed through CAMCOG-R, WAIS III, TMT-A e RAVLT is also reduced in elderly hypertensives when contolled for education, depression, health status and quality of life. These results suggest that hypertension is associated with reduced global cognitive performance in eldely hypertensives. Notably, executive functions are reduced in eldely hypertensives. We speculate that hypertension might be a risk factor for the progressive decline in cognitive function and, therefore, for the development of dementia.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / A população de idosos cresce rapidamente no Brasil. A prevalência de hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) e distúrbios cognitivos é elevada nesta população. Testamos a hipótese de que a HAS reduz o desempenho cognitivos em idosos. Foram selecionamos idosos hipertensos e normotensos com idade &#8805; 60 < 80. O desempenho cognitivo foi avaliado pelo Cambridge Cognitive Examination Revised (CAMCOG-R), por subtestes do Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale v.3 (WAIS III), além do Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), e o dos Trail Making Tests A/B (TMT-A/B). O desempenho cognitivo avaliado pelo escore global do CAMCOG-R e do QI estimado do WAIS III está reduzido nos idosos hipertensos mesmo quando controlado pela escolaridade, depressão, estado geral de saúde e qualidade de vida. O desempenho cognitivo em diversos domínios específicos controlados para a escolaridade, depressão, estado geral de saúde e qualidade de vida, e avaliados pelo CAMCOG-R, WAIS III, TMT-A e RAVLT também está reduzido nos idosos hipertensos. O presente estudo sugere que a HAS está associada ao declínio do desempenho cognitivo global em idosos. Notadamente, o desempenho das funções executivas está reduzido nos idosos hipertensos. Especula-se que a HAS seja um fator de risco para o declínio progressivo do desempenho cognitivo e, portanto, para o desenvolvimento de demência. / The elderly population is growing rapidly in Brazil. The prevalence of hypertension and cognitive disorders is high in this population. We tested the hypothesis that hypertension is associated with decreased cognitive performance in the elderly. We selected normotensive and hypertensive subjects aged &#8805; 60 <80 years old. Cognition was assessed through Cambridge Cognitive Examination Revised (CAMCOG-R), subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale v.3 (WAIS III), the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), and the Trail Making Tests A/B (TMT-A/B). The cognitive performance assessed by the CAMCOG-R global score and the estimated WAIS III. QI is reduced in elderly hypertensives even when controlled for education, depression, health status and quality of life. The cognitive performance in diverse cognitive domains assessed through CAMCOG-R, WAIS III, TMT-A e RAVLT is also reduced in elderly hypertensives when contolled for education, depression, health status and quality of life. These results suggest that hypertension is associated with reduced global cognitive performance in eldely hypertensives. Notably, executive functions are reduced in eldely hypertensives. We speculate that hypertension might be a risk factor for the progressive decline in cognitive function and, therefore, for the development of dementia.

In order to perform their duties, airline pilots must have no clinical diagnosis of mental illness or any substance use disorder. However, provisions have been in place since the 1970s that provide for a return to work for airline pilots with alcohol problems. To date, over 5,000 airline pilots have undergone rehabilitation for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and successfully returned to work. An important gap in the literature remains with regard to what extent improvements in cognitive performance may be experienced by airline pilots who complete treatment and to what extent age influences the amount of change. This study examined the archival data of 95 male Caucasian pilots who were assessed for cognitive performance shortly after entry to 30-day inpatient treatment and approximately 5 months later during the return to work evaluation. A nonexperimental within subjects design compared pre- and post-treatment scores on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV (WAIS-IV) full scale and 4 index scores as well as differences for age groups (25 to 44, 45 to 54, and 55 to 64). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that there were significant gains on all WAIS-IV measures pre-post treatment for AUD. MANOVA results indicated no differences between age groups. These findings support current Federal Aviation Administration program practices with regard to returning airline pilots to work following rehabilitation and a sufficient period of abstinence. The potential of this study to promote the agenda of social change may be substantive for raising awareness of the cognitive deficits associated with AUD and how these may impact the safety of flight operations.

<p>The thesis opens with an exposition of different uses of the term dyslexia. In that context its conceptual relevance is discussed. The empirical studies investigate a) different aspects of validity of cognitive and achievement instruments often used in diagnostic assessment of dyslexia, b) different cognitive profiles for adults with dyslexia, and c) the relationship between cognitive and achievement measures.</p><p>Study I demonstrated the factor structure of the Swedish WAIS-R to be in close agreement with results of comparable analyses on normal and clinical groups in many countries world-wide, giving strong support for the construct validity of the Swedish WAIS-R for a group of adults diagnosed with dyslexia. The results from the three-factor solution were interpreted in terms of theoretical constructs, notably those posited by Carroll (1993) and Horn (1989).</p><p>The cognitive profiles of a sample of Swedish adults diagnosed with dyslexia—when using the three factors, the ACID profile, and the four-category Bannatyne profile—all resemble closely the profiles observed for a wide array of U.S. samples of children and adults diagnosed with dyslexia or learning disabilities. Gender differences on Digit Symbol, favoring females, were substantial in magnitude for the present sample, consistent with a bulk of research on gender differences for samples of normal individuals and of those identified with learning problems.</p><p>In Study II, factor analysis of nine Swedish achievement tests often used for dyslexia assessment yielded five meaningful factors in a group of adults diagnosed with dyslexia. Factors appeared to measure decoding, visual speed, reading comprehension, reading fluency, and phonological ability. The relationship between the five achievement factors and WAIS-R variables was subsequently examined. The Visual Speed and Reading Comprehension factors each correlated significantly with four of six global WAIS-R scores (two of three IQs and two of three factor scores). Visual Speed tended to correlate significantly with nonverbal scores and Reading Comprehension with verbal scores. Although the Phonological Ability factor did not correlate significantly with any verbal or nonverbal global score, it did correlate significantly with the Freedom from Distractibility factor and with all its component subtests—Digit Span, Arithmetic, and Digit Symbol. Decoding (technical reading skill) showed no significant relationship to any WAIS-R variable studied. More surprisingly, the Reading Fluency factor failed to show significant relationships to the WAIS-R.</p><p>Study III examined the validity of The Word Chain Test, a frequently used instrument in Swedish screening and diagnostic assessments of dyslexia. Different sources of validity evidence were evaluated. In summary, the results failed to support validity both for the WRI-index and the Wordchain subtest, suggesting that the instrument seems to be of questionable value in screening or diagnostic assessment of dyslexia.</p>

The thesis opens with an exposition of different uses of the term dyslexia. In that context its conceptual relevance is discussed. The empirical studies investigate a) different aspects of validity of cognitive and achievement instruments often used in diagnostic assessment of dyslexia, b) different cognitive profiles for adults with dyslexia, and c) the relationship between cognitive and achievement measures. Study I demonstrated the factor structure of the Swedish WAIS-R to be in close agreement with results of comparable analyses on normal and clinical groups in many countries world-wide, giving strong support for the construct validity of the Swedish WAIS-R for a group of adults diagnosed with dyslexia. The results from the three-factor solution were interpreted in terms of theoretical constructs, notably those posited by Carroll (1993) and Horn (1989). The cognitive profiles of a sample of Swedish adults diagnosed with dyslexia—when using the three factors, the ACID profile, and the four-category Bannatyne profile—all resemble closely the profiles observed for a wide array of U.S. samples of children and adults diagnosed with dyslexia or learning disabilities. Gender differences on Digit Symbol, favoring females, were substantial in magnitude for the present sample, consistent with a bulk of research on gender differences for samples of normal individuals and of those identified with learning problems. In Study II, factor analysis of nine Swedish achievement tests often used for dyslexia assessment yielded five meaningful factors in a group of adults diagnosed with dyslexia. Factors appeared to measure decoding, visual speed, reading comprehension, reading fluency, and phonological ability. The relationship between the five achievement factors and WAIS-R variables was subsequently examined. The Visual Speed and Reading Comprehension factors each correlated significantly with four of six global WAIS-R scores (two of three IQs and two of three factor scores). Visual Speed tended to correlate significantly with nonverbal scores and Reading Comprehension with verbal scores. Although the Phonological Ability factor did not correlate significantly with any verbal or nonverbal global score, it did correlate significantly with the Freedom from Distractibility factor and with all its component subtests—Digit Span, Arithmetic, and Digit Symbol. Decoding (technical reading skill) showed no significant relationship to any WAIS-R variable studied. More surprisingly, the Reading Fluency factor failed to show significant relationships to the WAIS-R. Study III examined the validity of The Word Chain Test, a frequently used instrument in Swedish screening and diagnostic assessments of dyslexia. Different sources of validity evidence were evaluated. In summary, the results failed to support validity both for the WRI-index and the Wordchain subtest, suggesting that the instrument seems to be of questionable value in screening or diagnostic assessment of dyslexia.

The ceiling and basal rules of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV; Wechsler, 2008) only function as intended if subtest items proceed in order of difficulty. While many aspects of the WAIS-IV have been researched, there is no literature about subtest item difficulty and precise item difficulty values are not available. The WAIS-IV was developed within the framework of Classical Test Theory (CTT) and item difficulty was most often determined using p-values. One limitation of this method is that item difficulty values are sample dependent. Both standard error of measurement, an important indicator of reliability, and p-values change when the sample changes. A different framework within which psychological tests can be created, analyzed and refined is called Item Response Theory (IRT). IRT places items and person ability onto the same scale using linear transformations and links item difficulty level to person ability. As a result, IRT is said to be produce sample-independent statistics. Rasch modeling, a form of IRT, is one parameter logistic model that is appropriate for items with only two response options and assumes that the only factors affecting test performance are characteristics of items, such as their difficulty level or their relationship to the construct being measured by the test, and characteristics of participants, such as their ability levels. The partial credit model is similar to the standard dichotomous Rasch model, except that it is appropriate for items with more than two response options. Proponents of standard dichotomous Rasch model argue that it has distinct advantages above both CTT-based methods as well as other IRT models (Bond & Fox, 2007; Embretson & Reise, 2000; Furr & Bacharach, 2013; Hambleton & Jones, 1993) because of the principle of monotonicity, also referred to as specific objectivity, the principle of additivity or double cancellation, which “establishes that two parameters are additively related to a third variable” (Embretson & Reise, 2000, p. 148). In other words, because of the principle of monotonicity, in Rasch modeling, probability of correctly answering an item is the additive function of individuals’ ability, or trait level, and the item’s degree of difficulty. As ability increases, so does an individual’s probability of answering that item. Because only item difficulty and person ability affect an individual’s chance of correctly answering an item, inter-individual comparisons can be made even if individuals did not receive identical items or items of the same difficulty level. This is why Rasch modeling is referred to as a test-free measurement. The purpose of this study was to apply a standard dichotomous Rasch model or partial credit model to the individual items of seven core perceptual, verbal and working memory subtests of the WAIS-IV: Block Design, Matrix Reasoning, Visual Puzzles, Similarities, Vocabulary, Information, Arithmetic Digits Forward, Digits Backward and Digit Sequencing. Results revealed that WAIS-IV subtests fall into one of three categories: optimally ordered, near optimally ordered and sub-optimally ordered. Optimally ordered subtests, Digits Forward and Digits Backward, had no disordered items. Near optimally ordered subtests were those with one to three disordered items and included Digit Sequencing, Arithmetic, Similarities and Block Design. Sub-optimally ordered subtests consisted of Matrix Reasoning, Visual Puzzles, Information and Vocabulary, with the number of disordered items ranging from six to 16. Two major implications of the result of this study were considered: the impact on individuals’ scores and the impact on overall test administration time. While the number of disordered items ranged from 0 to 16, the overall impact on raw scores was deemed minimal. Because of where the disordered items occur in the subtest, most individuals are administered all the items that they would be expected to answer correctly. A one-point reduction in any one subtest is unlikely to significantly affect overall index scores, which are the scores most commonly interpreted in the WAIS-IV. However, if an individual received a one-point reduction across all subtests, this may have a more noticeable impact on index scores. In cases where individuals discontinue before having a chance to answer items that were easier, clinicians may consider testing the limits. While this would have no impact on raw scores, it may provide clinicians with a better understanding of individuals’ true abilities. Based on the findings of this study, clinicians may consider administering only certain items in order to test the limits, based on the items’ difficulty value. This study found that the start point for most subtests is too easy for most individuals. For some subtests, most individuals may be administered more than 10 items that are too easy for them. Other than increasing overall administration time, it is not clear what impact, of any, this has. However, it does suggest the need to reevaluate current start items so that they are the true basal for most people. Future studies should break standard test administration by ignoring basal and ceiling rules to collect data on more items. In order to help clarify why some items are more or less difficult than would be expected given their ordinal rank, future studies should include a qualitative aspect, where, after each subtest, individuals are asked describe what they found easy and difficult about each item. Finally, future research should examine the effects of item ordering on participant performance. While this study revealed that only minimal reductions in index scores likely result from the prematurely stopping test administration, it is not known if disordering has other impacts on performance, perhaps by increasing or decreasing an individual’s confidence.

A proposta do trabalho descrito detalhadamente neste texto é implementar um sistema inteligente, que seja capaz de auxiliar os seus usuários na tarefa de localizar e recuperar informações, dentro da rede Internet. Com o intuito de alcançar o objetivo proposto, construímos um sistema que oferece aos seus usuários duas formas distintas, porem integradas, de interfaces: língua natural e gráfica (baseada em menus, janelas etc.). Adicionalmente, a pesquisa das informações é realizada de maneira inteligente, ou seja, baseando-se no conhecimento gerenciado pelo sistema, o qual é construído e estruturado dinamicamente pelo próprio usuário. Em linhas gerais, o presente trabalho está estruturado logicamente em quatro partes, a saber: 1. Estudo introdutório dos mais difundidos sistemas de pesquisa e recuperação de informações, hoje existentes dentro da Internet. Com o crescimento desta rede, aumentaram enormemente a quantidade e a variedade das informações por ela mantidas, e disponibilizadas aos seus usuários. Concomitantemente, diversificaram-se os sistemas que permitem o acesso a este conjunto de informações, distribuídas em centenas de servidores por todo o mundo. Nesse sentido, com o intuito de situar e informar o leitor a respeito do tema, discutimos detidamente os sistemas Archie, gopher, WAIS e WWW; 2. Estudo introdutório a respeito da Discourse Representation Theory (DRT). Em linhas gerais, a DRT é um formalismo para a representação do discurso que faz use de modelos para a avaliação semântica das estruturas geradas, que o representam. Por se tratar de um estudo introdutório, neste trabalho discutiremos tão somente os aspectos relativos a representação do discurso que são propostos pela teoria, dando ênfase a, forma de se representar sentenças simples, notadamente aquelas de interesse do sistema; 3. Estudo detalhado da implementação, descrevendo cada um dos processos que formam o sistema. Neste estudo são abordados os seguintes módulos: Processo Archie: modulo onde está implementadas as facilidades que permitem ao sistema interagir com os servidores Archie; Processo FTP: permite ao SDIP recuperar arquivos remotos, utilizando o protocolo padrão da Internet FTP; Front-end e Interface SABI: possibilitam a realização de consultas bibliográficas ao sistema SABI, instalado na Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Servidor de Correio Eletrônico: implementa uma interface alternativa para o acesso ao sistema, realizado, neste caso, por intermédio de mensagens do correio eletrônico; Interface Gráfica: oferece aos usuários um ambiente gráfico para a interação com o sistema; Processo Inteligente: Modulo onde está implementada a parte inteligente do sistema, provendo, por exemplo, as facilidades de interpretação de sentenças da língua portuguesa. 4. Finalmente, no epilogo deste trabalho, mostramos exemplos que ilustram a utilização das facilidades oferecidas pelo ambiente gráfico do SDIP. Descrevendo sucinta.mente o funcionamento do sistema, os comandos e consultas dos usuários podem ser formuladas de duas maneiras distintas. No primeiro caso, o sistema serve apenas como um intermediário para o acesso aos servidores Archie e SABI, oferecendo aos usuários um ambiente gráfico para a interação com estes dois sistemas. Na segunda modalidade, os usuários formulam as suas consultas ou comandos, utilizando-se de sentenças em língua natural. Neste Ultimo caso, quando se tratar de uma consulta, o sistema, utilizando-se de sua base de conhecimento, procurara aperfeiçoar a consulta efetuada pelo usuário, localizando, desta forma, as informações que melhor atendam as necessidades do mesmo. / The proposal of the work describe detailedly in this master dissertation is to implement an intelligent system that will be capable of to help of its users in the task of locate and retrieve informations, inside of the Internet. With the object of reach this goal, was builded a system that offer to its users two distincts types, however integrated, of interfaces: natural language and graphic ( based in menus, windows, etc ). Furthermore, the search of the informations is realized of intelligent way, based it in the knowledgement managed by system, which is builded and structured dinamically by the users. In general lines, the present work are structured logically in four parts, which are listed below: 1. Introdutory study of the most divulgated systems of search and retrieval of informations, today existent inside of the Internet. With growth of this net, increase greatfull the quantity and variety of the informations keeped and published for users by it. Beside it, has appeared to many systems that allow the access to this set of informations, distributed on hundreds of servers in the whole world. In these sense, with the intuit of situate and to inform the reader about the subject, we describe formally the systems archie, gopher, WAIS and WWW , respectively; 2. An Introdutory study of the Discourse Representation Theory (DRT). In this work, the DRT is the formalism utilized for the representation of the discourse that uses models to evaluate semanticly the structures generated, which represent it. In fact, we will discusse in this work so only the aspects relatives to discourse representation that are purposes by theory, given emphasis for the way to represent simple sentences, notory those recognized and important for the system ; 3. Detailed study of the implementation, describing each of the process that compose the system. In this study are described the following modules : Archie Process: Module where are implemented the facilities that allow the system to interact whit the Archie Servers in the Internet; FTP Process: it allows the SDIP to retrieve remote files, utilizing the standard protocol of the Internet, called FTP (File Transfer Protocol); Front-end and Interface SABI: these components are used by system to realize bibliographic queries to SABI manager, installed at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Eletronic Mail Server: it implements an alternative interface to access SDIP, realized in this case, throught eletronic mail messages, which transport firstly the user's query and secondly the system's response; Graphic Interface : it offers to the users a graphical environment for the interaction with the system ; Intelligent Process: module where are implemented the intelligent part of the system, providing, for instance, the facilities for interpretation of sentences wrote in portuguese language. 4. Finally, in the epilogue of this work, we show samples that illustrate the utilization of the facilities implemented at SDIP's graphical environment. Describing the functionability of the system, the users's commands and queries could be formulated of two disctincts ways. In the first case, the system serves only as the intermediary for the access to Archie servers and SABI, offering for its users a graphical environment for the interaction with these two others systems. In the second modality, the users formulate their queries or commands, utilizing sentences in natural language. In this last case, when it is a query, the system utilizing its base of knowledgement, will try to refine the user's question, localizing the set of information that better satisfies his needs.

A proposta do trabalho descrito detalhadamente neste texto é implementar um sistema inteligente, que seja capaz de auxiliar os seus usuários na tarefa de localizar e recuperar informações, dentro da rede Internet. Com o intuito de alcançar o objetivo proposto, construímos um sistema que oferece aos seus usuários duas formas distintas, porem integradas, de interfaces: língua natural e gráfica (baseada em menus, janelas etc.). Adicionalmente, a pesquisa das informações é realizada de maneira inteligente, ou seja, baseando-se no conhecimento gerenciado pelo sistema, o qual é construído e estruturado dinamicamente pelo próprio usuário. Em linhas gerais, o presente trabalho está estruturado logicamente em quatro partes, a saber: 1. Estudo introdutório dos mais difundidos sistemas de pesquisa e recuperação de informações, hoje existentes dentro da Internet. Com o crescimento desta rede, aumentaram enormemente a quantidade e a variedade das informações por ela mantidas, e disponibilizadas aos seus usuários. Concomitantemente, diversificaram-se os sistemas que permitem o acesso a este conjunto de informações, distribuídas em centenas de servidores por todo o mundo. Nesse sentido, com o intuito de situar e informar o leitor a respeito do tema, discutimos detidamente os sistemas Archie, gopher, WAIS e WWW; 2. Estudo introdutório a respeito da Discourse Representation Theory (DRT). Em linhas gerais, a DRT é um formalismo para a representação do discurso que faz use de modelos para a avaliação semântica das estruturas geradas, que o representam. Por se tratar de um estudo introdutório, neste trabalho discutiremos tão somente os aspectos relativos a representação do discurso que são propostos pela teoria, dando ênfase a, forma de se representar sentenças simples, notadamente aquelas de interesse do sistema; 3. Estudo detalhado da implementação, descrevendo cada um dos processos que formam o sistema. Neste estudo são abordados os seguintes módulos: Processo Archie: modulo onde está implementadas as facilidades que permitem ao sistema interagir com os servidores Archie; Processo FTP: permite ao SDIP recuperar arquivos remotos, utilizando o protocolo padrão da Internet FTP; Front-end e Interface SABI: possibilitam a realização de consultas bibliográficas ao sistema SABI, instalado na Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Servidor de Correio Eletrônico: implementa uma interface alternativa para o acesso ao sistema, realizado, neste caso, por intermédio de mensagens do correio eletrônico; Interface Gráfica: oferece aos usuários um ambiente gráfico para a interação com o sistema; Processo Inteligente: Modulo onde está implementada a parte inteligente do sistema, provendo, por exemplo, as facilidades de interpretação de sentenças da língua portuguesa. 4. Finalmente, no epilogo deste trabalho, mostramos exemplos que ilustram a utilização das facilidades oferecidas pelo ambiente gráfico do SDIP. Descrevendo sucinta.mente o funcionamento do sistema, os comandos e consultas dos usuários podem ser formuladas de duas maneiras distintas. No primeiro caso, o sistema serve apenas como um intermediário para o acesso aos servidores Archie e SABI, oferecendo aos usuários um ambiente gráfico para a interação com estes dois sistemas. Na segunda modalidade, os usuários formulam as suas consultas ou comandos, utilizando-se de sentenças em língua natural. Neste Ultimo caso, quando se tratar de uma consulta, o sistema, utilizando-se de sua base de conhecimento, procurara aperfeiçoar a consulta efetuada pelo usuário, localizando, desta forma, as informações que melhor atendam as necessidades do mesmo. / The proposal of the work describe detailedly in this master dissertation is to implement an intelligent system that will be capable of to help of its users in the task of locate and retrieve informations, inside of the Internet. With the object of reach this goal, was builded a system that offer to its users two distincts types, however integrated, of interfaces: natural language and graphic ( based in menus, windows, etc ). Furthermore, the search of the informations is realized of intelligent way, based it in the knowledgement managed by system, which is builded and structured dinamically by the users. In general lines, the present work are structured logically in four parts, which are listed below: 1. Introdutory study of the most divulgated systems of search and retrieval of informations, today existent inside of the Internet. With growth of this net, increase greatfull the quantity and variety of the informations keeped and published for users by it. Beside it, has appeared to many systems that allow the access to this set of informations, distributed on hundreds of servers in the whole world. In these sense, with the intuit of situate and to inform the reader about the subject, we describe formally the systems archie, gopher, WAIS and WWW , respectively; 2. An Introdutory study of the Discourse Representation Theory (DRT). In this work, the DRT is the formalism utilized for the representation of the discourse that uses models to evaluate semanticly the structures generated, which represent it. In fact, we will discusse in this work so only the aspects relatives to discourse representation that are purposes by theory, given emphasis for the way to represent simple sentences, notory those recognized and important for the system ; 3. Detailed study of the implementation, describing each of the process that compose the system. In this study are described the following modules : Archie Process: Module where are implemented the facilities that allow the system to interact whit the Archie Servers in the Internet; FTP Process: it allows the SDIP to retrieve remote files, utilizing the standard protocol of the Internet, called FTP (File Transfer Protocol); Front-end and Interface SABI: these components are used by system to realize bibliographic queries to SABI manager, installed at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Eletronic Mail Server: it implements an alternative interface to access SDIP, realized in this case, throught eletronic mail messages, which transport firstly the user's query and secondly the system's response; Graphic Interface : it offers to the users a graphical environment for the interaction with the system ; Intelligent Process: module where are implemented the intelligent part of the system, providing, for instance, the facilities for interpretation of sentences wrote in portuguese language. 4. Finally, in the epilogue of this work, we show samples that illustrate the utilization of the facilities implemented at SDIP's graphical environment. Describing the functionability of the system, the users's commands and queries could be formulated of two disctincts ways. In the first case, the system serves only as the intermediary for the access to Archie servers and SABI, offering for its users a graphical environment for the interaction with these two others systems. In the second modality, the users formulate their queries or commands, utilizing sentences in natural language. In this last case, when it is a query, the system utilizing its base of knowledgement, will try to refine the user's question, localizing the set of information that better satisfies his needs.

A proposta do trabalho descrito detalhadamente neste texto é implementar um sistema inteligente, que seja capaz de auxiliar os seus usuários na tarefa de localizar e recuperar informações, dentro da rede Internet. Com o intuito de alcançar o objetivo proposto, construímos um sistema que oferece aos seus usuários duas formas distintas, porem integradas, de interfaces: língua natural e gráfica (baseada em menus, janelas etc.). Adicionalmente, a pesquisa das informações é realizada de maneira inteligente, ou seja, baseando-se no conhecimento gerenciado pelo sistema, o qual é construído e estruturado dinamicamente pelo próprio usuário. Em linhas gerais, o presente trabalho está estruturado logicamente em quatro partes, a saber: 1. Estudo introdutório dos mais difundidos sistemas de pesquisa e recuperação de informações, hoje existentes dentro da Internet. Com o crescimento desta rede, aumentaram enormemente a quantidade e a variedade das informações por ela mantidas, e disponibilizadas aos seus usuários. Concomitantemente, diversificaram-se os sistemas que permitem o acesso a este conjunto de informações, distribuídas em centenas de servidores por todo o mundo. Nesse sentido, com o intuito de situar e informar o leitor a respeito do tema, discutimos detidamente os sistemas Archie, gopher, WAIS e WWW; 2. Estudo introdutório a respeito da Discourse Representation Theory (DRT). Em linhas gerais, a DRT é um formalismo para a representação do discurso que faz use de modelos para a avaliação semântica das estruturas geradas, que o representam. Por se tratar de um estudo introdutório, neste trabalho discutiremos tão somente os aspectos relativos a representação do discurso que são propostos pela teoria, dando ênfase a, forma de se representar sentenças simples, notadamente aquelas de interesse do sistema; 3. Estudo detalhado da implementação, descrevendo cada um dos processos que formam o sistema. Neste estudo são abordados os seguintes módulos: Processo Archie: modulo onde está implementadas as facilidades que permitem ao sistema interagir com os servidores Archie; Processo FTP: permite ao SDIP recuperar arquivos remotos, utilizando o protocolo padrão da Internet FTP; Front-end e Interface SABI: possibilitam a realização de consultas bibliográficas ao sistema SABI, instalado na Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Servidor de Correio Eletrônico: implementa uma interface alternativa para o acesso ao sistema, realizado, neste caso, por intermédio de mensagens do correio eletrônico; Interface Gráfica: oferece aos usuários um ambiente gráfico para a interação com o sistema; Processo Inteligente: Modulo onde está implementada a parte inteligente do sistema, provendo, por exemplo, as facilidades de interpretação de sentenças da língua portuguesa. 4. Finalmente, no epilogo deste trabalho, mostramos exemplos que ilustram a utilização das facilidades oferecidas pelo ambiente gráfico do SDIP. Descrevendo sucinta.mente o funcionamento do sistema, os comandos e consultas dos usuários podem ser formuladas de duas maneiras distintas. No primeiro caso, o sistema serve apenas como um intermediário para o acesso aos servidores Archie e SABI, oferecendo aos usuários um ambiente gráfico para a interação com estes dois sistemas. Na segunda modalidade, os usuários formulam as suas consultas ou comandos, utilizando-se de sentenças em língua natural. Neste Ultimo caso, quando se tratar de uma consulta, o sistema, utilizando-se de sua base de conhecimento, procurara aperfeiçoar a consulta efetuada pelo usuário, localizando, desta forma, as informações que melhor atendam as necessidades do mesmo. / The proposal of the work describe detailedly in this master dissertation is to implement an intelligent system that will be capable of to help of its users in the task of locate and retrieve informations, inside of the Internet. With the object of reach this goal, was builded a system that offer to its users two distincts types, however integrated, of interfaces: natural language and graphic ( based in menus, windows, etc ). Furthermore, the search of the informations is realized of intelligent way, based it in the knowledgement managed by system, which is builded and structured dinamically by the users. In general lines, the present work are structured logically in four parts, which are listed below: 1. Introdutory study of the most divulgated systems of search and retrieval of informations, today existent inside of the Internet. With growth of this net, increase greatfull the quantity and variety of the informations keeped and published for users by it. Beside it, has appeared to many systems that allow the access to this set of informations, distributed on hundreds of servers in the whole world. In these sense, with the intuit of situate and to inform the reader about the subject, we describe formally the systems archie, gopher, WAIS and WWW , respectively; 2. An Introdutory study of the Discourse Representation Theory (DRT). In this work, the DRT is the formalism utilized for the representation of the discourse that uses models to evaluate semanticly the structures generated, which represent it. In fact, we will discusse in this work so only the aspects relatives to discourse representation that are purposes by theory, given emphasis for the way to represent simple sentences, notory those recognized and important for the system ; 3. Detailed study of the implementation, describing each of the process that compose the system. In this study are described the following modules : Archie Process: Module where are implemented the facilities that allow the system to interact whit the Archie Servers in the Internet; FTP Process: it allows the SDIP to retrieve remote files, utilizing the standard protocol of the Internet, called FTP (File Transfer Protocol); Front-end and Interface SABI: these components are used by system to realize bibliographic queries to SABI manager, installed at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Eletronic Mail Server: it implements an alternative interface to access SDIP, realized in this case, throught eletronic mail messages, which transport firstly the user's query and secondly the system's response; Graphic Interface : it offers to the users a graphical environment for the interaction with the system ; Intelligent Process: module where are implemented the intelligent part of the system, providing, for instance, the facilities for interpretation of sentences wrote in portuguese language. 4. Finally, in the epilogue of this work, we show samples that illustrate the utilization of the facilities implemented at SDIP's graphical environment. Describing the functionability of the system, the users's commands and queries could be formulated of two disctincts ways. In the first case, the system serves only as the intermediary for the access to Archie servers and SABI, offering for its users a graphical environment for the interaction with these two others systems. In the second modality, the users formulate their queries or commands, utilizing sentences in natural language. In this last case, when it is a query, the system utilizing its base of knowledgement, will try to refine the user's question, localizing the set of information that better satisfies his needs.