O BNP tem sido apontado como ótimo marcador de disfunção ventricular esquerda na sala de emergência. O poder de complementar informação prognóstica aos pacientes com SCA ainda não está bem estabelecido. Analisar a contribuição do BNP no prognóstico a longo prazo de pacientes com SCASSST. A partir dos resultados obtidos, verificar a associação dos níveis séricos do BNP com o TIMI RISK escore e com a área de miocárdio sob risco isquêmico. Foram avaliados 46 pacientes consecutivos portadores de SCASSST, discriminados por troponina I positiva (valor >0,5ng/ml), admitidos no período de maio/2003 a janeiro/2004, e acompanhados por um período de seguimento de 48 meses. O estudo foi completado por 40 pacientes. A análise do BNP de admissão e após 96 horas foi realizada pelo teste não paramétrico de Wilcoxon com intervalo de confiança de 95%. Um valor de p<0,05 foi considerado significante. Utilizou-se a curva ROC para analisar a acurácia do BNP de 96 horas como preditor de morte, além de definir o ponto de corte. O teste do qui-quadrado de Pearson foi utilizado para comparar as frequências das características clínicas, eletrocardiográficas e bioquímicas. Para avaliar um possível fator de confusão entre o BNP de 96 horas, idade e desfecho, usou-se a análise de regressão logística. Houve uma elevação do BNP entre a admissão e 96 horas (mediana de 148 vs. 267 p=0,04). Ocorreram 13 óbitos no período de seguimento. Utilizando o valor de corte do BNP de 96 horas de 300pg/ml como preditor de morte, observou-se sensibilidade de 92,3%, especificidade de 77,8%, valor preditivo positivo de 66,7% e valor preditivo negativo de 95,5%. A área sob a curva ROC foi de 0,93. Diferenças significativas não foram observadas nas características clínicas, eletrocardiográficas e angiográficas entre sobreviventes e não sobreviventes. Observou-se nítida associação entre o BNP de 96 horas com a pontuação do TIMI RISK escore. Verificou-se também a relação entre o incremento do BNP, admissão e 96 horas, e a anatomia coronariana no grupo com extensa área do miocárdio sob risco isquêmico (p=0,021). A elevação do BNP após 96 horas da admissão está associada a uma população com maior área de miocárdio sob risco isquêmico. Os resultados Indicam que o maior incremento entre o BNP de admissão e após 96 horas está associado à maior gravidade e extensão de miocárdio sob risco isquêmico. Tal fato poderia explicar a relação entre BNP elevado com a pontuação do TIMI RISK escore. Análise do BNP obtido após 96 horas de evento isquêmico é uma importante ferramenta na estratificação de risco de morte a longo prazo na SCASSST. / BNP has been considered an excellent marker of left ventricular dysfunction in the emergency room. However, its ability to provide prognostic information on patients with acute coronary syndrome has not been well established. To assess the contribution of BNP to predict the long-term prognosis of patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). In addition, to assess the association of BNP serum levels with TIMI risk score and with jeopardized myocardial area. The study comprised 46 consecutive patients with NSTEMI, discriminated by positive troponin I (>0.5ng/mL), admitted from May 2003 to January 2004, and followed up for 48 months. Forty patients completed the study. The BNP levels at admission and 96 hours after that were analyzed by using the non parametric Wilcoxon test with 95% confidence interval. A p value <0.05 was considered significant. The ROC curve was used to assess the accuracy of the 96-hour BNP as a predictor of death, in addition to defining the cutoff point. The Pearson chi-square test was used to compare the frequencies of clinical, electrocardiographic, and biochemical characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess a possible confounding factor between 96-hour BNP, age, and outcome. An elevation in BNP was observed between admission and 96 hours after that (median of 148 vs. 267, respectively; p=0.04). Thirteen patients died during follow-up. By using the 96-hour BNP cutoff point of 300pg/mL as a predictor of death, the following were observed: sensitivity of 92.3%, specificity of 77.8%, positive predictive value of 66.7%, and negative predictive value of 95.5%. The area under the ROC curve was 0.93. Significant differences were not observed in clinical, electrocardiographic, and angiographic characteristics between survivors and non-survivors. A clear association of 96-hour BNP with TIMI risk score was observed. A relation between BNP increase, both at admission and after 96 hours, and coronary anatomy was observed in the group with an extensive jeopardized myocardial area (p=0.021). The increase in BNP 96 hours after admission is associated with a larger jeopardized myocardial area. The results indicate that the greater increase in BNP 96 hours after admission is associated with greater severity and extension of the jeopardized myocardium. That fact could explain the relation between increased BNP and TIMI risk score. Assessing BNP 96 hours after an ischemic event is an important tool to stratify the long-term risk of death in NSTEMI.

O BNP tem sido apontado como ótimo marcador de disfunção ventricular esquerda na sala de emergência. O poder de complementar informação prognóstica aos pacientes com SCA ainda não está bem estabelecido. Analisar a contribuição do BNP no prognóstico a longo prazo de pacientes com SCASSST. A partir dos resultados obtidos, verificar a associação dos níveis séricos do BNP com o TIMI RISK escore e com a área de miocárdio sob risco isquêmico. Foram avaliados 46 pacientes consecutivos portadores de SCASSST, discriminados por troponina I positiva (valor >0,5ng/ml), admitidos no período de maio/2003 a janeiro/2004, e acompanhados por um período de seguimento de 48 meses. O estudo foi completado por 40 pacientes. A análise do BNP de admissão e após 96 horas foi realizada pelo teste não paramétrico de Wilcoxon com intervalo de confiança de 95%. Um valor de p<0,05 foi considerado significante. Utilizou-se a curva ROC para analisar a acurácia do BNP de 96 horas como preditor de morte, além de definir o ponto de corte. O teste do qui-quadrado de Pearson foi utilizado para comparar as frequências das características clínicas, eletrocardiográficas e bioquímicas. Para avaliar um possível fator de confusão entre o BNP de 96 horas, idade e desfecho, usou-se a análise de regressão logística. Houve uma elevação do BNP entre a admissão e 96 horas (mediana de 148 vs. 267 p=0,04). Ocorreram 13 óbitos no período de seguimento. Utilizando o valor de corte do BNP de 96 horas de 300pg/ml como preditor de morte, observou-se sensibilidade de 92,3%, especificidade de 77,8%, valor preditivo positivo de 66,7% e valor preditivo negativo de 95,5%. A área sob a curva ROC foi de 0,93. Diferenças significativas não foram observadas nas características clínicas, eletrocardiográficas e angiográficas entre sobreviventes e não sobreviventes. Observou-se nítida associação entre o BNP de 96 horas com a pontuação do TIMI RISK escore. Verificou-se também a relação entre o incremento do BNP, admissão e 96 horas, e a anatomia coronariana no grupo com extensa área do miocárdio sob risco isquêmico (p=0,021). A elevação do BNP após 96 horas da admissão está associada a uma população com maior área de miocárdio sob risco isquêmico. Os resultados Indicam que o maior incremento entre o BNP de admissão e após 96 horas está associado à maior gravidade e extensão de miocárdio sob risco isquêmico. Tal fato poderia explicar a relação entre BNP elevado com a pontuação do TIMI RISK escore. Análise do BNP obtido após 96 horas de evento isquêmico é uma importante ferramenta na estratificação de risco de morte a longo prazo na SCASSST. / BNP has been considered an excellent marker of left ventricular dysfunction in the emergency room. However, its ability to provide prognostic information on patients with acute coronary syndrome has not been well established. To assess the contribution of BNP to predict the long-term prognosis of patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). In addition, to assess the association of BNP serum levels with TIMI risk score and with jeopardized myocardial area. The study comprised 46 consecutive patients with NSTEMI, discriminated by positive troponin I (>0.5ng/mL), admitted from May 2003 to January 2004, and followed up for 48 months. Forty patients completed the study. The BNP levels at admission and 96 hours after that were analyzed by using the non parametric Wilcoxon test with 95% confidence interval. A p value <0.05 was considered significant. The ROC curve was used to assess the accuracy of the 96-hour BNP as a predictor of death, in addition to defining the cutoff point. The Pearson chi-square test was used to compare the frequencies of clinical, electrocardiographic, and biochemical characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess a possible confounding factor between 96-hour BNP, age, and outcome. An elevation in BNP was observed between admission and 96 hours after that (median of 148 vs. 267, respectively; p=0.04). Thirteen patients died during follow-up. By using the 96-hour BNP cutoff point of 300pg/mL as a predictor of death, the following were observed: sensitivity of 92.3%, specificity of 77.8%, positive predictive value of 66.7%, and negative predictive value of 95.5%. The area under the ROC curve was 0.93. Significant differences were not observed in clinical, electrocardiographic, and angiographic characteristics between survivors and non-survivors. A clear association of 96-hour BNP with TIMI risk score was observed. A relation between BNP increase, both at admission and after 96 hours, and coronary anatomy was observed in the group with an extensive jeopardized myocardial area (p=0.021). The increase in BNP 96 hours after admission is associated with a larger jeopardized myocardial area. The results indicate that the greater increase in BNP 96 hours after admission is associated with greater severity and extension of the jeopardized myocardium. That fact could explain the relation between increased BNP and TIMI risk score. Assessing BNP 96 hours after an ischemic event is an important tool to stratify the long-term risk of death in NSTEMI.

Introduction The TR-24 is relatively new to the cyclotron market and its advantages over lower energy PET cyclotrons have not yet been fully realized. A new high current [18F] fluoride production target that takes advantage of the higher energy and current afforded by the TR-24 has been developed. Material and Methods The TR-24 cyclotron presents challenges of producing conventional PET isotopes even with its variable energy capability (18–25 MeV). Simultaneous irradiation of two targets that require different proton energies is possible only using beam energy degrader. Due to the relatively wide energy window, the degrader design is not trivial, especially for the high current operation. For example, reduction of beam energy from 24 to 18 MeV would require the use of an approximately 1.5 mm thick aluminum degrader. At 100 μA this degrader would have to be capable of dissipating 700 W of beam power, which would be challenging to achieve with no cooling or using a conventional helium cooling window. However, cooling water used as a beam energy degrader can dissipate several kilowatts of beam energy and provide additional cooling for target material and window foils. FIGURE 1 demonstrates the concept of the water cooled target window. A standard 18F- water target with a 2.5 mL fill volume and a 30 degree beam incident angle was modified to accept the new water window. A 1 mm thick region of circulating cooling water was inserted between the vacuum and the product foil. The combined beam energy degradation caused by the vacuum foil (0.00012“ Havar), the cooling water (1 mm) and the target foil (0.00012“ Havar) was approximately 7 MeV for a 24 MeV incident proton energy. The target was installed on a target selector mounted directly on the TR-24 cyclotron. No additional beam focusing or steering devices were used to defocus or correct beam shape. A small recirculation water system was setup to supply cooling water for the degrader. A mixed bed ion exchange column was installed on the return line to trap N-13 and radioactive metal ions that could possibly be etched from the Havar foils. The water in the degrader was continually circulated in a closed loop providing cooling to the vacuum and target foils. An 800mL/min water flow through the degrader was generated by a low pressure water pump. Results Several tests were performed with O-16 water to establish current – pressure curve and to determine “burn through” current (FIGURE 2). Conclusion Initial tests demonstrated that the new F-18 target with a 1 mm water degrader is capable of accepting power levels in excess of 3.6 kW, operating at 150 μA. More testing is under way, including testing with H218O to determine the F-18 production capacity of this target. We will look into adapting this concept to all ACSI PET targets, including the high current F-18 produc-tion target which can potentially reach an operational current of 200 μA.

Many satellites in LEO use a GNSS-based navigation system, taking advantage of the GNSS constellations in MEO to enhance navigation capabilities. The thesis work focused on developing the software enabling GNSS-based navigation for Hemeria's future small satellites operating in LEO. Real time algorithms were developed to perform on board accurate frame conversions based on the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service 2010 convention. The implementation was tested and independently cross-validated using space mechanics libraries and data from Observatory of Weights and Measures of Paris. The method was based on the Earth Orientation Parameters, and the balance between autonomy and accuracy was assessed. In pursuit of an affordable navigation system, a commercial Off-The-Shelf GNSS receiver was used. The navigation solution, derived from single frequency measurements, suffered from a systematic bias caused by the ionosphere. Mitigation strategies with ionospheric corrections were included in the IONOS simulator. Several attitude control modes were simulated so the effect of spacecraft tumbling versus the availability of GNSS measurements in a degraded situation was quantified.  Through this thesis, algorithms for GNSS-based navigation of Hemeria's small satellites in LEO were developed. The results showed the successful implementation of real time frame conversions at the metre level at best. It was found that the implementation allowed an improved autonomy of the frame conversion at the decimetre level of accuracy over a period of two months. / Många satelliter i LEO använder GNSS-baserad navigering och drar nytta av GNSS-konstellationerna i MEO för att förbättra navigeringsförmågan. Avhandlingsarbetet fokuserade på att utveckla mjukvaran som möjliggör GNSS-baserad navigering för Hemerias framtida småsatelliter som opererar i LEO. Realtidsalgoritmer utvecklades för att utföra exakta ramkonverteringar ombord baserat . Implementeringen testades och korsvaliderades oberoende med hjälp av rymdmekanikbibliotek och data från Observatory of Weights and Measures of Paris. Metoden baserades på jordorienteringsparametrarna, och balansen mellan autonomi och noggrannhet utvärderades. I jakten på ett prisvärt navigationssystem användes en kommersiell off-the-shelf GNSS-mottagare. Denna navigeringslösning, som härrörde från mätningar med en enda frekvens, led av en systematisk bias orsakad av jonosfären. I IONOS-simulatorn ingick strategier för att mildra effekterna med jonosfäriska korrigeringar. Flera lägen för attitydkontroll simulerades så att effekten av rymdfarkostens tumlande kontra tillgängligheten av GNSS-mätningar i en försämrad situation kunde kvantifieras.  Genom denna avhandling utvecklades algoritmer för GNSS-baserad navigering av Hemerias små satelliter i LEO. Resultaten visade en framgångsrik implementering av ramkonverteringar i realtid på meternivå som bäst. Det visade sig att implementeringen möjliggjorde en förbättrad autonomi för ramkonverteringen på decimeternivå under en period av två månader.

Der Komplex aus Kohlenmonoxid-Dehydrogenase und Acetyl-CoA-Synthase (CODH/ACS Komplex) des thermophilen Bakteriums Carboxydothermus hydrogenoformans katalysiert die Fixierung von CO2 in Acetyl-CoA und ist damit ein potenzieller Katalysator für die Erzeugung erneuerbarer Kraftstoffe aus CO2. Die Katalyse erfolgt an zwei verschiedenen Stellen: CO2 wird am Cluster C in der CODH-Untereinheit zu CO reduziert, das dann durch einen Tunnel innerhalb des Proteins zum Cluster A in der ACS-Untereinheit wandert, wo es mit einer Methylgruppe und CoA zu Acetyl-CoA reagiert. Die Art und Weise, wie die beiden katalytischen Aktivitäten zusammenwirken, sind noch unklar. Um hier mehr Licht ins Dunkel zu bringen, verfolgte diese Arbeit drei Ziele: die Bestimmung der Struktur des CODH/ACS-Komplexes von C. hydrogenoformans, die Untersuchung der CO2-Reduktionsaktivität von CODHasen und die Analyse der Rolle des internen Tunnels im CODH/ACS-Komplex. Die Struktur des CODH/ACS-Komplexes von C. hydrogenoformans wurde durch Röntgenkristallographie mit einer Auflösung von 2,04 Å bestimmt. Die CO2-Reduktion am Cluster C wurde kinetisch untersucht. Es zeigte sich, dass die CO2-Reduktion durch einen Ping-Pong-Mechanismus mit zwei Reaktionsstellen erfolgen könnte, der in früheren Studien vorgeschlagen wurde, aber auch durch andere Mechanismen. Um eine Struktur-Funktionsbeziehung für CODHs zu ermitteln, wurde die CO2-Reduktionsaktivität für drei CODHasen von C. hydrogenoformans untersucht, deren Strukturen bekannt sind: CODH-II, CODH-IV, und der CODH/ACS-Komplex. Das Tunnelsystem im CODH/ACS-Komplex ist viel enger als in den anderen CODHs und könnte somit der Grund für die vergleichsweise geringe Aktivität des CODH/ACS-Komplexes sein. Dies wurde auch durch die Manipulation und Analyse des internen Tunnels des CODH/ACS-Komplexes unterstützt. Die Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass der Hauptzweck des Tunnels im CODH/ACS-Komplex die Kompartimentierung von CO und nicht der schnelle Substrattransport ist. / The complex of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase and acetyl-CoA synthase (CODH/ACS complex) of the thermophilic bacterium Carboxydothermus hydrogenoformans catalyses the fixation of CO2 into acetyl-CoA and is thus a potential catalyst for the production of renewable fuels from CO2. Catalysis occurs at two different sites: CO2 is reduced to CO at cluster C in the CODH subunit, which then travels through a tunnel within the protein to cluster A in the ACS subunit, where it reacts with a methyl group and CoA to form acetyl-CoA. The way in which the two catalytic activities interact is still unclear. To shed more light on this, this work pursued three goals: to determine the structure of the CODH/ACS complex of C. hydrogenoformans, to investigate the CO2 reduction activity of CODHases and to analyse the role of the internal tunnel in the CODH/ACS complex. The structure of the CODH/ACS complex of C. hydrogenoformans was determined by X-ray crystallography at 2.04 Å resolution. The CO2 reduction at cluster C was investigated kinetically. It was found that CO2 reduction could occur by a two-site ping-pong mechanism proposed in previous studies, but also by other mechanisms. To establish a structure-function relationship for CODHs, CO2 reduction activity was investigated for three CODHases of C. hydrogenoformans whose structures are known: CODH-II, CODH-IV, and the CODH/ACS complex. The tunnel system in the CODH/ACS complex is much narrower than in the other CODHs and could thus be the reason for the comparatively low activity of the CODH/ACS complex. This was also supported by the manipulation and analysis of the internal tunnel of the CODH/ACS complex. The results suggest that the main purpose of the tunnel in the CODH/ACS complex is to compartmentalise CO and not to rapidly transport substrate.

Cette thèse présente la conception et la mise en œuvre d'un imageur CMOS pour être utilisé dans biocapteurs intégrés basés sur Résonance Plasmonique de Surface (SPR). Tout d'abord, les conditions optimales pour la résonance plasmon dans une interface compatible CMOS / post-CMOS sont obtenus par modélisation avec COMSOL. Deuxièmement, un imageur CMOS de Colonne Actif (CMOS-ACS) du 32x32 pixels est mis en œuvre sur une technologie CMOS 0,35 um. Dans une interface d'or-eau avec une excitation de prisme, on constate que pour les prismes avec des indices de réfraction de 1,55 et 1,46, le couplage optimal avec le plasmon est obtenu pour des films d'or d'une épaisseur de 50 et 45 nm, respectivement. Dans ces conditions, environ 99,19% et 99,99% de l'énergie de la lumière incidente est transférée à le surface plasmon pour les deux prismes respectivement, à condition que la lumière incidente, avec une longueur d'onde de 633 nm, arrive avec un angle d'incidence de 68,45° et 79,05° respectivement. Il est également obtenu qu'un changement de RIU 10-4 de l'indice de réfraction du milieu diélectrique, produit un changement de 0,01 ° dans l'angle de résonance de plasmons qui, dans un schéma de modulation d'intensité de lumière produit une variation de 0,08% dans la lumière réfléchie au photodétecteur. En ce qui concerne le imageur CMOS, une photodiode n-well/p-substrate est choisi comme l'élément de photodétection, en raison de sa faible capacité de jonction, ce qui conduit à un rendement élevé et le gain de conversion élevé comparativement à une photodiode n-diff/p-substrate. Des simulations sur ordinateur avec Cadence et Silvaco produit une capacité de jonction de 31 FF et 135 fF respectivement. Le pixel de l'imageur est basé sur une configuration à trois transistors (3T) et présente un facteur de remplissage de 61%. Le circuit de lecture utilise une technique de capteur de colonne actif (ACS) pour réduire le bruit à motif fixe (Fixed Pattern Noise ou FPN en anglais) liée au le Capteur à Pixels Actif (APS) traditionnelle. En outre, Non-Corrélés Echantillonnage Double (Non-Correlated Double Sampling ou NCDS en anglais) et Delta double échantillonnage (DDS) sont utilisés comme techniques de réduction du bruit. Un montage optique expérimental est utilisé pour caractériser les performances de l'imageur, et nous avons obtenu un gain en conversion de 7,3 uV/e-, une capacité de jonction de la photodiode de 22 fF, un bruit de lecture de 324,5 uV, ce qui équivaut à 45 électrons, et une gamme dynamique de 50,5 dB. Les avantages de l'ACS et NCDS-DDS sont observées dans le niveau faible de FPN du pixel et de la colonne, avec une valeur de 0,09% et 0,06% respectivement. Le travail présenté dans cette thèse est une première étape vers l'objectif de développer une plateforme entièrement intégrée SPR pour biocapteurs, incorporant source de lumière, l'interface SPR, canal microfluidique, les éléments d'optique et imageur CMOS. / This dissertation presents the design and implementation of a CMOS imager for use in integrated biosensors based on Surface Plasmon Resonance. First, the optimal conditions for plasmon resonance in a CMOS/Post-CMOS compatible interface are obtained by COMSOL modelling. Second, a 32x32-pixel CMOS-Active Column Sensor (CMOS-ACS) is implemented on 0.35 um CMOS technology. In a gold-water interface with prism excitation, it is found that for prisms showing refractive indexes of 1.55 and 1.46, optimal plasmon coupling is obtained for gold films with thicknesses of 50 and 45 nm respectively. Under these conditions, approximately 99.19% and 99.99% of the incident light's energy is transferred to the surface plasmon for both prism respectively, provided that the incident light, with a wavelength of 633 nm, arrives with incidence angles of 68.45° and 79.05° respectively. It is also obtained that a change of 10-4 RIU in the refractive index of the dielectric medium, produces a change of 0.01° in the plasmon resonance angle, which under a light intensity modulation scheme produces a change of 0.08% in the reflected light's energy reaching the photodetector. Concerning the CMOS imager, a n-well/p-substrate photodiode is selected as the photosensing element, due to its low junction capacitance, which results in high efficiency and high conversion gain compared to the n-diff/p-substrate photodiode. Computer simulations with Cadence and Silvaco produced a junction capacitance of 31 fF and 135 fF respectively. The imager's pixel is based on a three-transistor (3T) configuration and shows a fill factor of 61%. The readout circuitry employs an Active Column Sensor (ACS) technique to reduce the Fixed Pattern Noise (FPN) associated with traditional Active Pixel Sensors (APS). Additionally, Non-Correlated Double Sampling (NCDS) and Delta Double Sampling (DDS) are used as noise reduction techniques. An experimental optical setup is used to characterize the performance of the imager, obtaining a conversion gain of 7.3 uV/e-, a photodiode junction capacitance of 21.9 fF, a read noise of 324.5 uV, equivalent to ~45 e- and a dynamic range of 50.5 dB. The benefits of ACS and NCDS-DDS are observed in the low pixel and column FPN of 0.09% and 0.06% respectively. The work presented in this thesis is a first step towards the goal of developing a fully integrated SPR-biosensing platform incorporating light source, SPR interface, microfluidic channel, optical elements and CMOS imager.

Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-08-11T20:35:45Z No. of bitstreams: 1 CleberPereira.pdf: 3089056 bytes, checksum: ab85b5af73443dbf91e821cbac7192ab (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-11T20:35:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CleberPereira.pdf: 3089056 bytes, checksum: ab85b5af73443dbf91e821cbac7192ab (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-09 / The proposed modeling system for assessing undergraduate degree courses, according to the parameters required by ENADE emerges from the need of the IES adjust its methodology and assessment procedures to the terms set by the exam. The proposed solution does not address a specific undergraduate course and may be applied for any knowledge area. The use of software agents is justified on the grounds of a classical computer application not being able to adapt to the reality of each student, delivering the second behavioral questions identified during the evaluation process.The statistics generated from this reasoning will serve both for students and for teachers in order to reevaluate the teaching and learning process. The modeling was performed according to the UML 2.0 TROPOS methodology was used for the modeling of agents and their implementation was done in JADE. / A proposta de modelagem de sistema de avaliação dos cursos superiores de graduação, segundo os parâmetros exigidos pelo ENADE, emerge da necessidade das IES adequarem sua metodologia e procedimentos de avaliação aos moldes estabelecidos pelo exame. A solução proposta não se dirige a um curso específico de graduação, podendo ser utilizada para qualquer área do conhecimento. O uso de agentes de software em seu desenvolvimento justifica-se em razão de uma aplicação computacional clássica não ser capaz de adaptar-se à realidade de cada aluno, entregando quesitos segundo o comportamento identificado durante o processo de avaliação. As estatísticas geradas a partir deste raciocínio servirão tanto para os alunos como para os docentes no sentido de reavaliar o processo de ensino aprendizagem. A modelagem foi efetuada segundo a UML 2.0, foi utilizada a metodologia TROPOS para a modelagem dos agentes e sua implementação foi realizada no JADE.

Herbig Ae/Be (HAeBe) stars are intermediate mass (2-10 solar mass) pre-main sequence stars with circumstellar disks. Observing planets within these young disks would greatly aid in understanding planet formation processes and timescales particularly around massive stars. So far, only one planet, HD 100546 b, has been confirmed to orbit a HAeBe star. With over 250 HAeBe stars known, and several observed to have disks with structures thought to be related to planet formation, it seems likely that there are as yet undiscovered planetary companions within the circumstellar disks of some of these young stars. Direct detection of a low-luminosity companion near a star requires high contrast imaging, often with the use of a coronagraph, and the subtraction of the central star's point spread function (PSF). Several processing algorithms have been developed in recent years to improve PSF subtraction and enhance the signal-to-noise of sources close to the star. However, many HAeBe stars were observed via direct imaging before these algorithms came out. We used the PSF subtraction program PynPoint to reprocess archival images of HAeBe stars from the Advanced Camera for Surveys on the Hubble Space Telescope to increase the likelihood of detecting a planet in their disks. We believe we have recovered the known planet around HD 100546 and possibly its candidate second companion. We also detect new candidate sources in the vicinities of HD 141569 and HD 163296. Further observations are needed to confirm the reality of these detections and also establish their association with the host stars.

Bakgrund: I begreppet AKS ingår hjärtinfarkt och instabil angina. Hjärtinfarkt drabbar cirka 25 300 personer i Sverige årligen och för att förhindra återinsjuknande följer ett omfattande sekundärpreventivt arbete med start redan på sjukhuset. Sekundärpreventionen bygger på egenvård där information är en viktig komponent. Informationen berör många områden och syftar till att ge patienten förståelse och medverka till en förändrad livsstil. Cirka en tredjedel av patienterna som haft hjärtinfarkt når de nationella målvärdena för sekundärpreventionen. Tidigare forskning har visat att patienter upplever informationen under vårdtiden som otillfredsställande. Patienter som har dålig förståelse för sin hjärtsjukdom deltar också mer sällan i sekundärpreventiva behandlingsprogram. Personcentrerad vård har positiva effekter på följsamhet till behandling och behandlingens resultat. Individens förmåga att förändra sin situation påverkas också av graden av hälsolitteracitet och empowerment. Syfte: Syftet var att beskriva behovet av information för att erhålla förståelse hos patienter med akut koronart syndrom från insjuknande till hjärtrehabilitering. Metod: Mixad litteraturöversikt med systematisk sökstrategi. Totalt 16 artiklar inkluderades, lika många kvantitativa som kvalitativa artiklar. En integrativ analys av materialet utfördes i syfte att sätta artiklarnas resultat i relation till varandra samt identifiera likheter och skillnader. Därefter identifierades kategorier som beskriver de granskade artiklarnas resultat. Resultat: I resultatet framkom tre huvudkategorier; all information är viktig, information genom hela vårdförloppet efterfrågas och anpassad information är meningsfull. Patienter ansåg inte att någon information var oviktig och information efterfrågades vid insjuknande även om den första tiden vid AKS präglades av chock. Även efter hjärtrehabilitering och två år efter AKS fanns behov av information om bland annat farmakologisk behandling, vilket också var det informationsområde som nämndes i flest studier. En återkommande fråga hos patienterna var varför AKS drabbat just dem. De önskade kongruens i information från olika källor och hade svårt att applicera standardiserad information på sin egna situation. De efterfrågade individuellt anpassad information som gavs när de själva var redo för det och som inkluderade anhöriga. Slutsats: Behovet av information är omfattande och patienter ansåg inte att någon information var oviktig. Även information i ett skede som präglas av chock är efterfrågad och betydelsefull. Individuell information underlättar förståelse för relevans av livsstilsförändringar och möjliggör delaktighet. Informationsbehovet varierade över tid och kvarstod till viss del efter två år. / Background: The term ACS includes myocardial infarction and unstable angina. Myocardial infarction afflicts approximately 25 300 individuals in Sweden annually and to prevent recurrent ACS an extensive secondary prevention effort starts while patients are still in hospital. Secondary prevention builds upon self care where information is an important component. The information concerns a variety of areas and aims to increase the patient’s understanding and participation in lifestyle change. Just about one third of patients suffering from myocardial infarction reaches the secondary prevention goals. Previous research has shown that patients find the information received during the hospital stay unsatisfactory. Patients with a low understanding more rarely participates in secondary prevention programmes. Person centered care positively affects treatment compliance and results. The individual’s ability to change their situation is also affected by the amount of health literacy and empowerment. Aim: The aim was to describe the need of information to obtain understanding in patients with acute coronary syndrome from sickening to cardiac rehabilitation. Method: Mixed literature review with a systematic search strategy. In total, 16 articles were included of which half was quantitative and half was qualitative. An integrated analysis of the material was conducted in purpose of relating the results to each other and to identify similarities and differences. Thereafter categories that describe the reviewed literature were identified. Results: In the result three main categories emerged; all information is valuable, information is requested throughout the entire care chain and adapted information is meaningful. Patients did not find any information unimportant and the information was requested at the initial phase of getting ill although the phase was characterized by shock. Even after cardiac rehabilitation and two years after ACS a need of information about pharmacological treatment existed among others, which was the information area requested in most studies. A reappearing question among patients was why the ACS had happened to them. They wished for congruence in information from different sources and found it hard to apply standardized information to their own situation. They requested individually adapted information delivered at a time when they were ready for it, that also included their family. Conclusion: The need of information is extensive and patients did not consider any information unimportant. Even information in a state characterized by shock is requested and valuable. Individual information facilitates understanding of the relevance of lifestyle changes and enables participation. The information need varied over time and remained after two years to some extent.

For the past decade the Australian Customs Service (ACS) has been regarded as an organisation in decline. Customs' history has been sporadically influenced by numerous reports that identify many instances of 'maladministration'. More recently, instances, such as the 'Midford Paramount Affair', have brought media and public notoriety to Customs followed by the establishment of the Review of the ACS in May 1993 (The Conroy Report). This, the latest and most comprehensive report undertaken on the ACS, documented administrative malfunctions of a major kind. Each report, using its own rationale has recommended more advanced levels of information technology (IT) application. To study these protracted administrative issues, the author has used, as the basis of analysis, a dynamic contingent decision-paths schema as well as furthering the theoretical constructs of organisational 'reliability' theory. The dynamic contingent decision-paths schema is designed to provide a conceptual framework regarding public (and private) sector situations of agency decline, evaluation, strategic response and finally 'turnaround' policy and implementation. The ACS is now implementing a comprehensive turnaround strategy, which includes new and novel information technologies. Organisational 'reliability' theory relates to organisations that are required to be highly reliable in their daily work-related activities otherwise crises of some major magnitude may occur. These organisations need to practice near perfect organisational and decision-making performance, and tend to be highly technical, relying increasingly in turn on information technology in managing their respective systems or operations. Customs was an early innovator in using Electronic Data Interchange and is now pursuing e-commerce, which in part is being outsourced, to EDS, a multinational company. The study initially reviews the recent history of the ACS - 'mapping' the nature of the organisation's decline, raising relevant factors which the author argues may be seen as successive 'crisis points', and lastly, addresses the strategic 'turnaround' policies of the organisation. The author believes the nadir for Customs has been reached and there are now positive signs that the ACS has commenced its organisational 'turnaround'. Organisational design matters including structural and cultural issues have been addressed which has allowed Customs to forge new relationships with its clients, as well as fostering 'new' management philosophies. These new philosophies and relationships, together with participation with an industry lead advisory team and a new internal management team, have provided the catalyst for change and recovery. Political and industry pressure and their formal involvement in a recovery strategy provide a high level of confidence for Customs' future and the strategic and operational changes being implemented.