Orientador: Wanderley Jose de Melo / Coorientador: Gabriel Maurício Peruca de Melo / Banca: Ademir Sérgio Ferreira de Araújo / Banca: Ely Nahas / Resumo: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de doses crescentes de lodo de esgoto (LE), aplicadas por treze anos em Latossolo Vermelho eutroférrico, nos atributos biológicos e bioquímicos, nos teores de elementos-traço do solo e no acúmulo destes pelas plantas daninhas. O experimento foi conduzido em condições de campo, em Jaboticabal-SP, utilizando-se delineamento em blocos casualizados com quatro doses de LE (0, 5, 10 e 20 Mg ha-1, base seca) e cinco repetições. As amostras de solo (0 a 10 cm), plantas daninhas e resíduos culturais foram coletadas em outubro de 2010, 130 dias após a colheita do milho. Os valores do carbono da biomassa microbiana não variaram em função das doses de LE, porém os valores de respiração basal e quociente metabólico foram maiores nas doses 10 e 20 Mg ha-1. Para o quociente microbiano, o menor valor foi observado na dose 0 Mg ha-1 de LE. Os teores totais de Cd e Cr no solo não variaram em função das doses de LE. De forma contrária, os teores totais de Ni e Pb no solo aumentaram proporcionalmente até a dose 10 Mg ha-1. A atividade das enzimas desidrogenase, arilsulfatase, celulase e urease não variou. Porém a atividade hidrolítica do diacetato de fluoresceína (FDA) e da fosfatase ácida foram maiores na dose 20 Mg ha-1. Em relação às plantas daninhas e a palha do milho a adição de LE por longo período causou efeitos semelhantes nos valores da produção de matéria seca e nos teores totais de Cd, Cr, Ni e Pb. Entretanto, os teores acumulados de Cd, Ni e Pb na parte aérea dos grupos de planta daninha aumentaram até a dose 10 Mg ha-1 diferindo da testemunha. O LE causou atividade biológica negativa no solo nas doses 10 e 20 Mg ha-1. A atividade foi indicada pelos aumentos na respiração basal, na atividade hidrolítica do FDA e na atividade da fosfatase ácida. Entretanto, o aumento do quociente metabólico e a diminuição do quociente microbiano indicaram estar havendo estresse / Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of increasing doses of sewage sludge (SS), applied for thirteen years in Oxisol in biological and biochemical attributes, the levels of trace elements in soil and accumulation of weed. The experiment was conducted under field conditions in Jaboticabal, using a randomized block design with four doses of SS (0, 5, 10 and 20 Mg ha-1, dry basis) and five replicates. Soil samples (0-10 cm), weeds and crop residues were collected in October 2010, 130 days after the corn harvest. The values of microbial biomass carbon did not vary with the doses of SS, but the values of basal respiration and metabolic quotient were higher in doses 10 and 20 Mg ha-1. For the microbial quotient, the lowest value was observed at the dose 0 Mg ha-1 SS. Total concentrations of Cd and Cr in the soil did not vary with the doses of LE. Conversely, the total concentration of Ni and Pb in soil increased proportionally to the dose of 10 Mg ha-1. The activity of enzymes dehydrogenase, arylsulfatase, cellulase and urease did not change. However, the hydrolytic activity of the fluorescein diacetate (FDA) and acid phosphatase were higher in the dose 20 Mg ha-1. In relation to weeds and straw corn, adding SS for a long period caused similar effects on the values of dry matter production and total contents of Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb. However, the accumulated contents of Cd, Ni and Pb in the aerial part of the weed groups increased until the dose of 10 Mg ha-1 differed from the control. The SS has caused negative biological activity in soil at doses 10 and 20 Mg ha-1. The activity was indicated by increases in respiration, FDA hydrolytic activity and acid phosphatase activity. However, the increase metabolic quotient and decrease of the ratio having indicated that microbial stress / Mestre

No description available.

The benefits of physical activity for cancer survivors are numerous and well-substantiated. However, it is unclear how to accommodate specific cancer treatments, such as a stoma as part of treatment for rectal cancer, in order to be physically active. To bridge this gap, this study undertook an interpretive phenomenological analysis to explore the experience of 15 rectal cancer survivors' engagement in physical activity with a stoma. Overall, three themes were found: 1) understanding the drive and the motivation to be physically active, 2) despite being motivated to be physically active with a stoma it can be challenging, and 3) how to be physically active with a stoma: lessons learned. The findings suggest rectal cancer survivors with a stoma require motivational support and enhanced competence and self-efficacy in order to engage in greater physical activity. Incorporating these skills into current information and supportive services targeting rectal cancer survivors with a stoma may help promote physical activity in this population.

With the rapid increase in adoption of consumer technologies, including inexpensive but powerful hardware, robotics appears poised at the cusp of widespread deployment in human environments. A key barrier that still prevents this is the machine understanding and interpretation of human activity, through a perceptual medium such as computer vision, or RBG-D sensing such as with the Microsoft Kinect sensor. This thesis contributes novel video-based methods for activity recognition. Specifically, the focus is on activities that involve interactions between the human user and objects in the environment. Based on streams of poses and object tracking, machine learning models are provided to recognize various of these interactions. The thesis main contributions are (1) a new model for interactions that explicitly learns the human-object relationships through a latent distributed representation, (2) a practical framework for labeling chains of manipulation actions in temporally extended activities and (3) an unsupervised sequence segmentation technique that relies on slow feature analysis and spectral clustering. These techniques are validated by experiments with publicly available data sets, such as the Cornell CAD-120 activity corpus which is one of the most extensive publicly available such data sets that is also annotated with ground truth information. Our experiments demonstrate the advantages of the proposed methods, over and above state of the art alternatives from the recent literature on sequence classifiers.

Cognitive decline is often associated with increasing age. However, there is growing support that modifiable lifestyle factors such as exercise and stress influence outcomes. That is, physical activity (PA) seems to be protective, while stress engenders decline. Moreover, there is evidence to suggest that these variables interact such that being active positively moderates the negative effects of stress on cognitive decline. The present study examines the effects of both average PA and stress on cognitive decline (i.e., between-person effects), the coupled association between PA and cognition and stress and cognition (i.e., within-person, or occasion specific effects), and the possible interaction between PA and stress on cognitive outcomes. Coordinated analyses of The Memory and Aging Project (MAP; N = 1,853, mean age = 79) and Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA; N = 4,109, mean age = 68) were conducted. A series of multilevel models (MLM) were fit to the data, evaluating differences in baseline and linear change in perceptual speed, episodic memory, and MMSE scores in both data sets. Average PA was associated with the intercept of perceptual speed and episodic memory, and decline in all 3 outcomes in MAP only. There was a significant coupled association between PA and all cognitive outcomes in MAP, and with perceptual speed in LASA. Average stress was not associated with baseline scores or rates of change in any of the cognitive outcomes in either study. However, occasion specific stress was associated with perceptual speed and episodic memory in the unexpected direction in LASA. Lastly, there was a significant positive interaction between occasion specific stress and occasion specific activity on MMSE and perceptual speed scores in LASA. That is, on occasions when participants reported more stress than usual, if they also reported more exercise than usual, they tended to score better on these outcomes. Findings support the beneficial effects of both average and occasion specific activity on cognitive abilities, however failed to demonstrate the adverse effects of stress, and only partially supported an interaction between activity and stress. Limitations and future directions are discussed. / Graduate / 2018-07-10

Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / This thesis explored the potential of clay work and its symbolic representations as a means to facilitate the integration and individuation of the self in psychotherapy, using a Jungian theoretical framework. A case study methodology was used, to explore a long standing pattern of environmental failure and trauma in a 16 year old female. The Edward's clay work method was utilized to guide the use of the clay work and the discussion and exploration thereof. Central to the study was the importance of a search for meaning given to each clay piece, which was achieved through a dialectical interaction and mutual exploration between therapist and client. / South Africa

Researchers use changes in bird community composition to illustrate ecological succession in restoration studies. These studies utilise a variety of methods, some of which may bias their outcomes. Here I used the point and line transect methods to obtain community compositions as well as to estimate total density, species richness and species diversity for bird communities living in a successional sere of coastal dune habitats. The two methods yielded similar estimates of community variables in the younger regenerating sites with the point transect method giving higher estimates in the older regenerating sites. The line transect method provided higher density estimates than the point transect method across all sites but there was no significant difference between variance estimates for the two methods. The point transect method reached the maximum number of detectable species in half the time that it took the line transect method. In contrast to my expectations, the point transect method proved to be superior in terms of efficiency. Past research suggests that bird presence itself does not reflect on colonisation success. I compared the community composition, variables and age related trends of point transect and breeding assemblages within the study area. The breeding assemblages represented a subset of the point transect assemblage. Age related trends were significantly similar with both assemblages approaching the variables noted on an undisturbed reference site with an increase in regeneration site age. I concluded that presence based surveys of bird communities adequately captured age related trends to make valid conclusions about patterns of succession. / Dissertation (MSc (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Zoology and Entomology / MSc / Unrestricted

For centuries medicinal plants have been used all over the world for the treatment and prevention of various ailments, particularly in developing countries where infectious diseases are endemic and modern health facilities and services are inadequate. In recent years the use of and search for drugs derived from plants have been accelerated. Ethnopharmacologists, botanists, microbiologists, and natural-product chemists are trying to discover phytochemicals and “leads” which could be developed for the treatment of infectious diseases. Plants are rich in a wide variety of secondary metabolites, such as tannins, terpenoids, alkaloids, and flavonoids, which have been found in vitro to have antimicrobial properties. The evaluation of these plants for biological activity is necessary, both to substantiate their use by communities, and also to discover possible new drug or herbal preparations. Twenty five plants selected through ethno-botanical surveys in Mozambique which are used to treat respiratory diseases, wounds, viruses, stomach ailments and etc., were collected and investigated for antimicrobial activity. Acetone extracts of selected plants were tested for antibacterial, antimycobacterial and anti-HIV-1 activity. Antibacterial activity was evaluated using the agar diffusion method. Five Gram positive (Bacillus cereus, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis) and five Gram negative (Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens) bacterial species were used in this study. The extracts of each plant were tested at concentrations ranging from 0.125 to 5.0 mg/ ml. Most of the plant extracts inhibited the growth of the Gram-positive microorganisms. The minimum inhibitory concentration of eight plants (Cassia abbreviata, Elephanthorrhiza elephantina, Hemizygia bracteosa, Hoslundia opposita, Momordica balsamina, Rhoicissus tomentosa and Salvadora australis) against Gram-positive bacteria was found to be 0.5 mg/ml. Gram-positive bacteria were found to be susceptible to extracts of Lippia javanica at concentration of 0.125 mg/ml. Among the 22 acetone extracts tested, two were found to have activity against Gram-negative bacteria at a concentration of 5.0 mg/ml (Adenia gummifera and Momordica balsamina). Rhoicissus revoilli inhibited E. cloacae, a Gram-negative strain, at a concentration of 2.5 mg/ml. To evaluate antimycobacterium activity ten plants species were tested against H37Rv, a drug-sensitive strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 5.0 mg/ml using BACTEC radiometric method. Four of the plant species tested (Cassia abbreviata, Hemizigya bracteosa, Lippia javanica and Melia azedarach) were observed to be active against the H37Rv. (ATCC 27294) strain of TB at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml which was the lowest concentration used in this study. Seventeen plant species, were screened for anti-HIV bioactivity in order to identify their ability to inhibit the enzymes glycohydrolase (á -glucosidase and â- glucuronidase) and eleven species were further tested against Reverse transcriptase. It was found that 8 plant species (Cassia abbreviata, Elephantorrhiza elephantina, Rhoicissus tomentosa, Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia, Lippia javanica, Litogyne gariepina, Maerua junceae and Momordica balsamina) showed inhibitory effects against á-glucosidase and â-glucuronidase at a concentration of 200 ìg/ml. The results of the tests revealed that the plant extracts of Melia azedarach and Rhoicissus tomentosa appeared to be active, showing 49 and 40% inhibition of the enzyme activity respectively. Lippia javanica was found to have the best activity exhibiting a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.125 mg/ml. The extracts also showed positive activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis at concentration of 0.5 mg/ml and HIV-enzyme glycohydrolase was (á-glucosidase and â-glucuronidase) inhibited by 62 % and 73 % respectively. Considering its medicinal use local for HIV and various infections, it was therefore, selected for identifying its bioactive constituents. In the initial screening of plants used in Mozambique Hoslundia oppositademonstrated good antitubercular activity. It was therefore, selected to identify its bioactive constituents. A Phytochemical investigation of L. javanica led to the isolation of eight compounds, 4-ethyl-nonacosane (1), (E)-2(3)-tagetenone epoxide (2), myrcenone (3), piperitenone (4), apigenin (5), cirsimaritin (6), 6-methoxyluteolin 4'-methyl ether (7), 6-methoxyluteolin and 3',4',7-trimethyl ether (8). Three known compounds, 5,7-dimethoxy-6-methylflavone (9), hoslunddiol (10) and euscaphic acid (11) were isolated from H. opposita. This is the first report of compounds (1), (2), (5-8) from L. javanica and of compound (9) from H. opposita. The compounds were tested against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV-1 reverse transcriptase for bioactivity. It was found that compounds (2), (4) and (9) inhibited the HIV-1 Reverse transcriptase enzyme by 91%, 53% and 52% respectively at 100 ìg/ml. Of all the compounds tested against a drug-sensitive strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, euscaphic acid (11) was found to exhibit a minimum inhibitory concentration of 50 ìg/ml against this strain. The present study has validated scientifically the traditional use of L. javanica and H. opposita and a few other Mozambican medicinal plants to some extent. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Plant Science / unrestricted

The behaviour of the ionosphere during a solar eclipse is of great interest because radiation from the sun is the cause of ionization in the upper atmosphere and it is useful to be able to conduct experiments where this radiation is cut off and restored in a known manner. Experimental results, especially those dealing with the F2 layer, have proved puzzling. Cusps which cannot be explained appear on the records obtained from ionosphere sounders and in the F2 region the electron density at a given height shows a maximum after the eclipse where one would expect it simply to rise to a steady value. An attempt is made in this thesis to explain some of the anomalies in terms of tilts in the ionospheric layers and minima of electron density or "valleys" between the ionospheric layers. The problem is attacked theoretically. Part I deals with the theoretical background to ionospheric physics in general and to this problem in particular. Standard methods of dealing with radio propagation in the ionosphere as well as some methods developed by the author are discussed. Part II deals directly with the effects of a solar eclipse on a theoretical ionosphere. Ionograms which would be obtained in the theoretical ionosphere are constructed. These are scaled by standard methods to show where errors may arise . It appears that tilts in the layers have only a small effect. The effect of the valley is, however, extremely important, giving rise to the apparent maximum of electron density in the F2 layer at a given height after the eclipse. This maximum does not in fact exist but arises from an error in the scaling method which ignores the possibility of a valley. Some records taken during the solar eclipse of 25 December, 1954 have been scaled. They support the conclusion reached theoretically.

Activity-based costing (ABC) is a forward-looking product costing method. Unlike traditional volume-based approaches, which are historically oriented, ABC concepts guide managers in seeking the best strategies to pursue in the future. This product costing method can be a valuable tool in planning and managing costs not only in the manufacturing area, but also in all aspects of business operations, from product design to distribution. Although its main advantage is its ability to provide more realistic product cost information for financial reporting purposes, use of ABC can lead to a better understanding of the strategic linkages existing between the various cost areas in the organisation. It enables managers to have a holistic view of cost management. ABC was developed to better understand, manage and control the overheads. The brief fundamental of ABC is: Products consume activities, activities consume resources, and resources consume costs. Based upon this fundamental principle, ABC can trace the cost from resources to activities that are consumed by product manufacturing processes as well as from activities to products. ABC investigates the transactions that trigger cost instead of concentrating solely on measures of physical volume or a certain amount of labour hours. Compared to the traditional costing systems, ABC can not only answer how much product cost is but also tell executives the factors triggering costs and the way to manage costs. ABC helps managers make better decisions about product design, pricing, marketing, and mix and encourages continual improvement. Unlike the traditional method, instead of using the single pre-determined overhead rate to absorb the indirect cost to products, ABC uses actual incurred cost to v determine the product cost. By tracing the absorption process of indirect cost, ABC would provide more information to management and help it find better ways to manage costs. However, the cost drivers used in ABC are constants but the cost driver rates are continually changing. ABC still uses predetermined cost drivers so it has the same fundamental problem as the traditional methods for estimating.