M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

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O controle da carga de treinamento é apontado como um desafio na atualidade, principalmente no esporte coletivo, onde existe uma busca pelo avanço nessa área de conhecimento em diferentes centros de pesquisa no mundo. Esses pesquisadores se utilizam da aplicação de ferramentas biomecânicas, fisiológicas, bioquímicas, imunológicas e psicobiológicas para visando esse controle, apesar de pouco entendimento efetivo ter sido alcançado até o presente momento, justificando a continuidade dessa busca. Baseando-se nessa lacuna presente no estado da arte traçamos uma estratégia onde inicialmente devido à existência de pontos conflitantes na literatura em relação ao uso do salto com contramovimento (SCM), foi realizada uma meta-análise para verificar qual deveria ser a estratégia para aplicação dessa ferramenta biomecânica. A partir desse ponto, os demais estudos experimentais da presente tese foram conduzidos com o objetivo de verificar as possibilidades da aplicação de ferramentas biomecânicas para o controle de carga de treinamento em atletas. Os três experimentos foram realizados com a participação de atletas de futsal (n = 18; idade: 15,2 ± 0,9 anos; massa corporal: 62,3 ± 13,1 kg; estatura: 1,71 ± 0,1 m). Os voluntários realizaram o processo de familiarização com o SCM e, em seguida, foi verificada a confiabilidade do desempenho, utilizada para determinar a diferença mínima individual (DMI) do mesmo. Todos os voluntários realizaram as coletas iniciais (T0), avaliando o desempenho do SCM, por intermédio de medidas cinemáticas (tapete de contato e câmeras optoeletrônicas), dinâmicas (plataforma de força), além das antropométricas (balança com estadiômetro e antropômetros). Após a primeira etapa experimental, os voluntários foram distribuídos de maneira aleatória em dois grupos: Grupo Regulação (GR; n = 9) e Grupo Controle (GC; n = 9). Os voluntários realizaram quatro semanas de intensificação do treinamento, logo em seguida foi realizada a avaliação intermediária (T1), com mais duas semanas para o tapering e a reavaliação (T2). O monitoramento semanal ocorreu no início de cada microciclo a partir da DMI do SCM com o tapete de contato, assim todos os voluntários eram avaliados, mas os ajustes ocorriam somente para o GR. A meta-análise revelou que altura média do SCM foi a variável mais sensível e adequada para acompanhar os efeitos da fadiga e supercompensação. Para o experimento 01, o treinamento autorregulado no GR resultou em uma carga de treinamento significantemente mais elevada na semana 3 (tamanho de efeito \"TE\" = 0,6) e semana 4 (TE = 2,3) comparando com o GC. Entretanto, a carga de treinamento final não foi significativamente diferente entre os grupos (p = 0,082). Como resultado do aumento de carga durante a indução ao overreaching, o GR reduziu a altura do SCM entre T0-T1 (TE = -0,31). Entre T1-T2, o GR teve um aumento significativo na altura do SCM (TE = 0,61), e da mesma forma, outro aumento significativo na altura do SCM entre T0-T2 foi observado (TE = 0,30). As alterações na altura do SCM para o GC não foram significativas: T0-T1 (TE = -0,19); T1-T2 (TE = 0,41) e T0-T2 (TE = 0,07). No experimento 02, as alterações na altura do SCM foram acompanhadas pelas seguintes alterações nos parâmetros dinâmicos; durante a redução de desempenho ocorreu um aumento do momento de quadril na rotação externa/interna e durante o aumento de desempenho ocorreu um aumento da energia e do momento de quadril na flexão/extensão. Quanto ao experimento 03, durante a flexão/extensão; a energia de quadril (r² = 56%), o pico de potência de quadril (r² = 46%), a média do momento de joelho (r² = 50%) e o pico de potência de joelho (r² = 43%) foram correlacionados significativamente com as alterações na altura do SCM. Com esses achados, podemos concluir que o uso de ferramentas biomecânicas permitiu o controle de carga de treinamento de atletas de futsal, utilizando a altura média do SCM com a DMI para regular o treino e alcançar o overreaching funcional. Além disso, as alterações ocorridas nos parâmetros dinâmicos do SCM respaldam a utilização dessa abordagem / The training load control is identified as a challenge today, especially in team sports, where there is a search for the breakthrough in the area of knowledge in different research centers in the world. These researchers are using biomechanical markers, physiological markers, biochemical markers, immunological markers and psychobiological markers for its implementation, although little understanding and effectiveness be achieved to date. Thus we performed a strategy which initially due to the existence of conflicting points in the literature regarding the use of the countermovement jump (CMJ), a meta-analysis was performed to determine which should be the approach to application of biomechanical markers: From that point, the experimental studies of this thesis were conducted in order to verify the possibilities of application of biomechanical markers for training load control in athletes. The three experiments were carried out with the participation of futsal athletes (n = 18; age: 15.2 ± 0.9 years; body mass: 62.3 ± 13.1 kg; height: 1.71 ± 0.1 m). The volunteers perform the familiarization process with the CMJ and then its reliability was verified and used to determine the minimal individual differences (MID). All volunteers performed the initial assessment (T0) for evaluating the performance of CMJ, through kinematic measurements (contact mat and optoelectronic cameras), dynamic (force plate), and anthropometric (scale with stadiometer and anthropometers). After the first experimental stage, volunteers were randomly distributed into two groups: regulated group (RG; n = 9) and control group (CG, n = 9). The volunteers performed four weeks of intensified training, an intermediate evaluation (T1), then two weeks for tapering and finally the reassessed (T2). The weekly monitoring occurred at the beginning of each microcycle from the MID of CMJ with the jump mat, all volunteers performed this assessment, but the adjustments were performed just for RG. The meta-analysis showed that average of CMJ height was the most sensitive and appropriate variable to monitor the effects of fatigue and supercompensation. For the experiment 01, the auto-regulated training in RG resulted in a significantly higher training load at week 3 (effect size \"ES\" = 0.6) and week 4 (ES = 2.3) compared to the CG. However, the final training load was not significantly different between the groups (p = 0.082). As a result of the increased load during the induction overreaching, RG reduced CMJ height between T0-T1 (ES = -0.31). Between T1-T2, RG had a significant increase in the CMJ height (ES = 0.61), and similarly, another significant increase in the CMJ height between T0-T2 was observed (ES = 0.30). Changes in the height of the CMJ for CG were not significant: T0-T1 (ES = -0.19); T1-T2 (ES = 0.41) and T0-T2 (ES = 0.07). In the experiment 02, we found that changes in the CMJ height were followed by the following changes in dynamic parameters; reduction performance by increasing the hip moment (external/internal rotation) and increase performance by increasing hip energy and moment (flexion/extension). For experiment 03, during flexion/extension; hip energy (r² = 56%), peak hip power (r² = 46%), mean knee moment (r² = 50%) and peak knee power (r² = 43%) were correlated significantly with changes in the CMJ height. With these findings, we conclude that the use of biomechanical markers allowed the training load control of the futsal players using the average of CMJ height with MID to regulate the training and achieve functional overreaching. Moreover, the changes in the dynamic parameters of the CMJ support the use of this approach

Foreign Spouses¡¦ Families on Parents¡¦ Rearing Attitude, Children¡¦s Life Adjustments and Creative Experiences Abstract This study investigated the relationship among parents¡¦ rearing attitude, their children¡¦s ¡§life adjustment¡¨ and ¡§creative experiences¡¨ in foreign spouses¡¦ families by analyzing data from questionnaire. A total of 820 participants from Kaohsiung municipal elementary school 5th and 6th grade students (337 students from foreign spouses¡¦ families and 483 from native families) were studied. Data collected by ¡§fathers¡¦ child-rearing scales¡¨, ¡§mothers¡¦ child-rearing scales¡¨, ¡§lifetime creative experiences scales¡¨ and ¡§children life adjustment scales¡¨ were analyzed with Pearson correlation analysis and one-way MANOVA methods. The results indicated: (1) A significant difference in children adjustments and creative experiences results from different parents¡¦ rearing attitudes. Major findings included: (i) The ¡§open-minded authoritative¡¨ parents rearing attitude results in best performance in children¡¦s ¡§life adjustment¡¨ whiles the ¡§neglecting indifferent¡¨ rearing attitude results in worst ¡§life adjustment¡¨. (ii) The ¡§open-minded authoritative¡¨ and ¡§permissive indulgent¡¨ parents rearing attitude results in better performance in children¡¦s ¡§creative experiences¡¨ than the ¡§neglecting indifferent¡¨ and ¡§authoritarian¡¨ rearing attitude ones. (2)Child-rearing attitudes of foreign spouses¡¦ families and native families are different. Native families tend to have ¡§open-minded authoritative¡¨ parenting attitudes while the foreign spouses¡¦ families are most likely to have ¡§neglecting indifferent¡¨ parenting attitudes. (3) The following are major factors considered contribute to parents¡¦ rearing attitude of foreign spouses¡¦ families at different degree: (i) Sex: The gender difference of children show significantly related with of parents¡¦ child-rearing attitude and their children¡¦s adjustment and creative experiences. (ii) Mothers¡¦ nationalities: The mothers¡¦ nationalities were significantly related with the fathers¡¦ child-rearing attitude. Mothers¡¦ nationalities are not significantly related with children¡¦s creative experiences. (iii) Grades: The grades of children are not significantly related with of parents¡¦ child-rearing attitude and their children¡¦s adjustment and creative experiences. (iv) Living status: Whether the children live together with their parents or not are not significantly related with the attitude styles of parents¡¦ child-rearing, and creative experiences. (4) Parents¡¦ rearing attitude and children¡¦s ¡§life adjustment¡¨ and ¡§creative experiences¡¨ are correlated. (5) There are significant differences in ¡§mothers¡¦ child-rearing attitudes¡¨ between foreign spouses¡¦ and native family. (6) There are no differences in life adjustment and creative experiences between the foreign spouses¡¦ families and native families.

Denna uppsats syftar till att undersöka om och hur undervisning är anpassad eller differentierad baserat på antagandet att elever är varierade och lär på olika sätt samt hur lärares praktik förhåller sig till samtida forskning på området. Uppsatsen undersöker vidare huruvida specifika anpassningar relaterar till ökad delaktighet hos elever. Metoden för uppsatsen är en observationsstudie med fenomenologisk ansats. Den innefattar 30 olika lärare under 30 lektioner på en gymnasieskola i Sverige, där majoriteten av eleverna har en diagnos inom neuropsykiatriska spektrumet. Materialet bearbetades kvantitativt i SPSS Studien visar att sambandet mellan olika anpassningar och dess koppling mot delaktighet är komplext och påverkas av ett antal olika faktorer och förutsättningar. Det framgår att lärare i högre grad använder sig av vissa anpassningsformer och att andra förekommer mer sällan. Vanligt förekommande är beröm, att erbjuda alternativ för perception, aktivera förkunskaper tydliggörande av begrepp och tydliggöra centrala begrepp. Mindre förekommande faktorer var differentiering av uppgifter, synlig struktur, formativ bedömning, kamratlärande, elevinflytande och självvärdering. Uppsatsen kommer vidare att utgöra en grund för kollegialt lärande på skolan då fördjupad kunskap om hur lärare kan anpassa och differentiera undervisningen påverkar elevers lärande. / This paper aims to investigate if and how instruction is adjusted or differentiated based on the conception that learners are diverse and how teacher practices are connected to contemporary research in the field. It further examines whether specific adjustments are connected to a higher rate of student participation. The method of the essay is an observation survey with a phenomenological approach. It includes the practices of 30 different teachers during thirty lessons at an upper secondary school in Sweden, where the majority of the students are diagnosed within the neuropsychiatric spectra. The outcome was quantitatively analyzed in SPSS. The study indicates that the connection between specific adjustments and student participation is a complex issue affected by several aspects and preconditions. It appears that teachers use certain forms of adjustments at a higher rate while some are less salient in instruction. More frequently used adjustments are; praise, providing alternatives for perception, activating previous knowledge and highlighting critical features. Less frequent are differentiation of tasks, visible agendas, formative feedback, collaborative peer-learning and self-assessment. This essay will furthermore be a basis for collaborative learning among the staff since a deeper knowledge of how instruction can be adjusted and differentiated will impact the outcome of student learning.

O controle da carga de treinamento é apontado como um desafio na atualidade, principalmente no esporte coletivo, onde existe uma busca pelo avanço nessa área de conhecimento em diferentes centros de pesquisa no mundo. Esses pesquisadores se utilizam da aplicação de ferramentas biomecânicas, fisiológicas, bioquímicas, imunológicas e psicobiológicas para visando esse controle, apesar de pouco entendimento efetivo ter sido alcançado até o presente momento, justificando a continuidade dessa busca. Baseando-se nessa lacuna presente no estado da arte traçamos uma estratégia onde inicialmente devido à existência de pontos conflitantes na literatura em relação ao uso do salto com contramovimento (SCM), foi realizada uma meta-análise para verificar qual deveria ser a estratégia para aplicação dessa ferramenta biomecânica. A partir desse ponto, os demais estudos experimentais da presente tese foram conduzidos com o objetivo de verificar as possibilidades da aplicação de ferramentas biomecânicas para o controle de carga de treinamento em atletas. Os três experimentos foram realizados com a participação de atletas de futsal (n = 18; idade: 15,2 ± 0,9 anos; massa corporal: 62,3 ± 13,1 kg; estatura: 1,71 ± 0,1 m). Os voluntários realizaram o processo de familiarização com o SCM e, em seguida, foi verificada a confiabilidade do desempenho, utilizada para determinar a diferença mínima individual (DMI) do mesmo. Todos os voluntários realizaram as coletas iniciais (T0), avaliando o desempenho do SCM, por intermédio de medidas cinemáticas (tapete de contato e câmeras optoeletrônicas), dinâmicas (plataforma de força), além das antropométricas (balança com estadiômetro e antropômetros). Após a primeira etapa experimental, os voluntários foram distribuídos de maneira aleatória em dois grupos: Grupo Regulação (GR; n = 9) e Grupo Controle (GC; n = 9). Os voluntários realizaram quatro semanas de intensificação do treinamento, logo em seguida foi realizada a avaliação intermediária (T1), com mais duas semanas para o tapering e a reavaliação (T2). O monitoramento semanal ocorreu no início de cada microciclo a partir da DMI do SCM com o tapete de contato, assim todos os voluntários eram avaliados, mas os ajustes ocorriam somente para o GR. A meta-análise revelou que altura média do SCM foi a variável mais sensível e adequada para acompanhar os efeitos da fadiga e supercompensação. Para o experimento 01, o treinamento autorregulado no GR resultou em uma carga de treinamento significantemente mais elevada na semana 3 (tamanho de efeito \"TE\" = 0,6) e semana 4 (TE = 2,3) comparando com o GC. Entretanto, a carga de treinamento final não foi significativamente diferente entre os grupos (p = 0,082). Como resultado do aumento de carga durante a indução ao overreaching, o GR reduziu a altura do SCM entre T0-T1 (TE = -0,31). Entre T1-T2, o GR teve um aumento significativo na altura do SCM (TE = 0,61), e da mesma forma, outro aumento significativo na altura do SCM entre T0-T2 foi observado (TE = 0,30). As alterações na altura do SCM para o GC não foram significativas: T0-T1 (TE = -0,19); T1-T2 (TE = 0,41) e T0-T2 (TE = 0,07). No experimento 02, as alterações na altura do SCM foram acompanhadas pelas seguintes alterações nos parâmetros dinâmicos; durante a redução de desempenho ocorreu um aumento do momento de quadril na rotação externa/interna e durante o aumento de desempenho ocorreu um aumento da energia e do momento de quadril na flexão/extensão. Quanto ao experimento 03, durante a flexão/extensão; a energia de quadril (r² = 56%), o pico de potência de quadril (r² = 46%), a média do momento de joelho (r² = 50%) e o pico de potência de joelho (r² = 43%) foram correlacionados significativamente com as alterações na altura do SCM. Com esses achados, podemos concluir que o uso de ferramentas biomecânicas permitiu o controle de carga de treinamento de atletas de futsal, utilizando a altura média do SCM com a DMI para regular o treino e alcançar o overreaching funcional. Além disso, as alterações ocorridas nos parâmetros dinâmicos do SCM respaldam a utilização dessa abordagem / The training load control is identified as a challenge today, especially in team sports, where there is a search for the breakthrough in the area of knowledge in different research centers in the world. These researchers are using biomechanical markers, physiological markers, biochemical markers, immunological markers and psychobiological markers for its implementation, although little understanding and effectiveness be achieved to date. Thus we performed a strategy which initially due to the existence of conflicting points in the literature regarding the use of the countermovement jump (CMJ), a meta-analysis was performed to determine which should be the approach to application of biomechanical markers: From that point, the experimental studies of this thesis were conducted in order to verify the possibilities of application of biomechanical markers for training load control in athletes. The three experiments were carried out with the participation of futsal athletes (n = 18; age: 15.2 ± 0.9 years; body mass: 62.3 ± 13.1 kg; height: 1.71 ± 0.1 m). The volunteers perform the familiarization process with the CMJ and then its reliability was verified and used to determine the minimal individual differences (MID). All volunteers performed the initial assessment (T0) for evaluating the performance of CMJ, through kinematic measurements (contact mat and optoelectronic cameras), dynamic (force plate), and anthropometric (scale with stadiometer and anthropometers). After the first experimental stage, volunteers were randomly distributed into two groups: regulated group (RG; n = 9) and control group (CG, n = 9). The volunteers performed four weeks of intensified training, an intermediate evaluation (T1), then two weeks for tapering and finally the reassessed (T2). The weekly monitoring occurred at the beginning of each microcycle from the MID of CMJ with the jump mat, all volunteers performed this assessment, but the adjustments were performed just for RG. The meta-analysis showed that average of CMJ height was the most sensitive and appropriate variable to monitor the effects of fatigue and supercompensation. For the experiment 01, the auto-regulated training in RG resulted in a significantly higher training load at week 3 (effect size \"ES\" = 0.6) and week 4 (ES = 2.3) compared to the CG. However, the final training load was not significantly different between the groups (p = 0.082). As a result of the increased load during the induction overreaching, RG reduced CMJ height between T0-T1 (ES = -0.31). Between T1-T2, RG had a significant increase in the CMJ height (ES = 0.61), and similarly, another significant increase in the CMJ height between T0-T2 was observed (ES = 0.30). Changes in the height of the CMJ for CG were not significant: T0-T1 (ES = -0.19); T1-T2 (ES = 0.41) and T0-T2 (ES = 0.07). In the experiment 02, we found that changes in the CMJ height were followed by the following changes in dynamic parameters; reduction performance by increasing the hip moment (external/internal rotation) and increase performance by increasing hip energy and moment (flexion/extension). For experiment 03, during flexion/extension; hip energy (r² = 56%), peak hip power (r² = 46%), mean knee moment (r² = 50%) and peak knee power (r² = 43%) were correlated significantly with changes in the CMJ height. With these findings, we conclude that the use of biomechanical markers allowed the training load control of the futsal players using the average of CMJ height with MID to regulate the training and achieve functional overreaching. Moreover, the changes in the dynamic parameters of the CMJ support the use of this approach

No description available.

abstract: Metal castings are selectively machined-based on dimensional control requirements. To ensure that all the finished surfaces are fully machined, each as-cast part needs to be measured and then adjusted optimally in its fixture. The topics of this thesis address two parts of this process: data translations and feature-fitting clouds of points measured on each cast part. For the first, a CAD model of the finished part is required to be communicated to the machine shop for performing various machining operations on the metal casting. The data flow must include GD&T specifications along with other special notes that may be required to communicate to the machinist. Current data exchange, among various digital applications, is limited to translation of only CAD geometry via STEP AP203. Therefore, an algorithm is developed in order to read, store and translate the data from a CAD file (for example SolidWorks, CREO) to a standard and machine readable format (ACIS format - *.sat). Second, the geometry of cast parts varies from piece to piece and hence fixture set-up parameters for each part must be adjusted individually. To predictively determine these adjustments, the datum surfaces, and to-be-machined surfaces are scanned individually and the point clouds reduced to feature fits. The scanned data are stored as separate point cloud files. The labels associated with the datum and to-be-machined (TBM) features are extracted from the *.sat file. These labels are further matched with the file name of the point cloud data to identify data for the respective features. The point cloud data and the CAD model are then used to fit the appropriate features (features at maximum material condition (MMC) for datums and features at least material condition (LMC) for TBM features) using the existing normative feature fitting (nFF) algorithm. Once the feature fitting is complete, a global datum reference frame (GDRF) is constructed based on the locating method that will be used to machine the part. The locating method is extracted from a fixture library that specifies the type of fixturing used to machine the part. All entities are transformed from its local coordinate system into the GDRF. The nominal geometry, fitted features, and the GD&T information are then stored in a neutral file format called the Constraint Tolerance Feature (CTF) Graph. The final outputs are then used to identify the locations of the critical features on each part and these are used to establish the adjustments for its setup prior to machining, in another module, not part of this thesis. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Mechanical Engineering 2016

The literature on price setting has developed extensively in the last decade; albeit predominantly focused on the price setting behaviour of developed countries. This study reviews the survey results of price setting behaviours in the manufacturing sector within a developing economy. More than two thirds of manufacturing firms in South Africa purely follow time-dependent pricing rules; which, when compared to the results of surveys conducted in other international studies is almost three times as much, approximately one third of firms allow for components of state-dependent pricing rules.Higher input costs (cost of raw materials and labour costs) are the most important driver behind price increases. Declining market share is the most important factor behind price reductions. Firms review their prices more often than they actually change them. The median firm in this study has only adjusted its prices twice in the last 12 months.Co-ordination failure and temporary shocks are the most important sources of price stickiness. Mark-up pricing and price discrimination are common practices amongst South African manufacturing firms. The quality of a firm‟s product followed by its price is most important in determining the firm‟s level of competitiveness. Manufacturing firms in South Africa generally adopt a barometric price leadership strategy when setting their prices. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Staging a crowdsourcing challenge includes opening up your organization to the outside. When doing so, some organizations choose to collaborate with an existing platform owner. This may establish new relationships and opportunities for learning. This research aims to investigate the set of learnings and adjustments that occur between the seekers and platform owners in the challenge process. To do this, a qualitative study in the form of semi-structured interviews, with five seekers, two platform owners, and two specialists in the field, was conducted. Our findings indicate various learnings and adjustments for seekers and platform owners. Seekers learn and adjust by defining the challenge properly, becoming more independent in running challenges, changing their internal culture, and accepting new intellectual property insights. Platform owners learn and adjust by listening carefully to understand the seekers’ goals and by implementing transparency in their way of working. We conclude that through implementing these learnings and adjustments, seekers and platform owners collaboratively gain more confidence and become better at running challenges.