Lärplattformar används idag i allt större utsträckning vid distansundervisning. Forskning pekar på att lärstilar är en viktig faktor att ta hänsyn till vid distansundervisning, dock är området beträffande lärstilar i relation till lärplattformar relativt outforskat, och det saknas tydlig vetskap om hur lärplattformar kan designas för att stödja olika lärstilar. Den här studien undersöker lärstilar i relation till funktioner i lärplattformar, genom en explorativ ansats och studie med designinslag. Utifrån en litteraturstudie identifierades funktioner i en lärplattform, vilka ställdes i relation till Kolbs teori om lärstilar för att mynna ut i ett antal rekommendationer för undervisning och användning av funktioner, som låg till grund för utformning av en prototyp. Prototypen fungerade som underlag för den empiriska undersökningen, vilken genom intervjuer utgjorde prövning av rekommendationernas relevans, samt kartläggning av hur funktioner i lärplattformar stödjer olika lärstilar vid användning. Studienresulterade i åtta designriktlinjer, och bidrar till den brist som idag råder i fråga om hur lärplattformar kan designas för att stödja olika lärstilar. / Learning management systems are currently used increasingly in distance education. Research indicates that learning styles are important factors to consider in distance education, however, the area regarding learning styles in relation to learning management systems is relatively unexplored, and there is no clear knowledge of how learning management systems can be designed to support different learning styles. This study investigates learning styles in relation to the features in learning management systems, through an explorative approach and study with design elements. Based on a literature study we identified features of a learning management system, which was put in relation to Kolb's theory of learning styles in order to lead to a number of recommendations for education and use of features, which formed the basis for the design of a prototype. The prototype served as the basis for the empirical investigation, in which interviews constituted testing of the relevance of the recommendations, and the mapping of the features of the learning management system to support different learning styles in use. The study resulted in eight design guidelines, and contributes to the shortage that currently exists in terms of how learning management systems can be designed to support different learning styles.

One of the most substantial innovations of the Olivos Protocol (OP), which regulates Mercosul s dispute resolution system and is in force to substitute the Brasilia Protocol (BP), was the creation of the Permanent Tribunal of Revision (PTR). In fact, Assunção Tribunal constitutes the supreme jurisdictional instance on the matter of dispute resolution and interpretation of Mercosul law, reason why it can contribute for building a uniform jurisprudence on a communitary basis for the block. The PTR was provoked once as a revising instance and, although it is characterized as arbitral, it detains competences which go beyond this nature. In this context, this research aims to verify the functionality of this Tribunal, or more specifically, its pretension of functionality. For this purpose, the rules of the OP where analyzed, together with its Regulation, the decisions of the Common Market Council (CMC) that relate to the PTR and its first arbitral report. Moreover, paradigmatically, two judiciary organs where studied, according to their functionality and the nature of the international organizations in which they are responsible for the dispute resolution: the Appellate Body (ApB) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). For the realization of the present research, the dialectic method was chosen for the approach. In terms of procedure, the historical, comparative and monographic methods were followed. The sources of the research were doctrine, legislation and jurisprudence. The dissertation was developed in two chapters, both divided in two parts, which were also subdivided in other two parts. In the first chapter, the subjective aspects of the PTR were analyzed the composition and the formation of the passive and active poles of the procedural relation together with its competence. The second chapter deals with the PTR arbitral report and the possible establishment of a uniform jurisprudence in Mercosul. For this reason, in a first moment, the particularities of the jurisdiction and the arbitral reports were studied so that, in a second moment, the first and only case submitted until now to the PTR could be analyzed in broader detail. In the end, it has been concluded that the pretension of functionality of the Tribunal does exist, which shall and must - be expanded. / Uma das inovações mais substanciais do Protocolo de Olivos (PO), que regula o sistema de solução de controvérsias do Mercosul e vige em substituição ao Protocolo de Brasília (PB), foi a criação do Tribunal Permanente de Revisão (TPR). Com efeito, o Tribunal de Assunção constitui a instância jurisdicional suprema em matéria de solução de controvérsias e interpretação da normativa mercosulina, que pode contribuir para a construção de uma jurisprudência uniforme e de viés comunitário para o bloco. O TPR foi acionado uma única vez, como instância de revisão, e embora seja caracterizado como arbitral, detém competências que extrapolam essa natureza. Nesse contexto, a pesquisa objetivou verificar a funcionalidade deste Tribunal ou, mais especificamente, a sua pretensão de funcionalidade. Para tanto, foram analisadas as disposições do PO, do seu Regulamento, das decisões do Conselho Mercado Comum (CMC) relativas ao TPR e o seu primeiro laudo arbitral. Além disso, paradigmaticamente, estudaram-se dois órgãos judicantes que têm se mostrado efetivos, de acordo com a natureza das respectivas organizações internacionais cuja resolução de conflitos lhes incumbe: o Órgão de Apelação (OAp) da Organização Mundial do Comércio (OMC) e o Tribunal de Justiça das Comunidades Européias (TJCE). Para a realização da pesquisa, optou-se pela utilização do método de abordagem dialético. Já no que tange aos métodos de procedimento, empregaram-se o histórico, o comparativo e o monográfico. As fontes utilizadas foram doutrinárias, legislativas e jurisprudenciais. A dissertação foi desenvolvida em dois capítulos, cada qual dividido em duas partes que, por sua vez, subdividiram-se em outras duas. No primeiro capítulo foram analisados os aspectos subjetivos do TPR a composição do órgão e a formação dos pólos passivo e ativo da relação processual e a sua competência. Superada essa primeira parte, o segundo capítulo abordou os laudos arbitrais do TPR diante da possibilidade de ser estabelecida uma jurisprudência uniforme no Mercosul. Por esse motivo, num primeiro momento, foram estudadas as particularidades da jurisdição e dos laudos arbitrais, para, posteriormente, discorrer-se acerca do único caso submetido à apreciação do TPR. Ao final, concluiu-se pela existência de pretensão de funcionalidade do Tribunal, que, no entanto, pode e deve ser ampliada.

Une des caractéristiques du Virus de l’Immunodéficience Humaine de type 1 (VIH-1) est sa diversification génétique extensive, qui lui permet d’échapper au système immunitaire. Néanmoins, il est nécessaire que le taux de mutation requis pour à cette évolution rapide ne compromette pas la fonctionnalité de ses protéines. Les travaux présentés ici ont eu pour objectif l’étude des réseaux de coévolution qui composent les glycoprotéines d’enveloppe (Env) afin de comprendre les règles qui sous-tendent leur évolution. Il a été mis en évidence que les régions variables de ces protéines, grâce à leur flexibilité structurelle, peuvent aussi servir à faciliter l’incorporation de mutations touchant les régions plus constantes. De plus, un réseau de coévolution impliqué dans les changements de conformations nécessaires à l’activité de Env a été identifié, soutenant le fait que ces régions variables ont un rôle central dans ces changements. Ces études démontrent le rôle crucial joué par les régions variables en dévoilant un nouvel aspect de leur contribution à l’évolution du VIH-1. / The Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) is characterized by an extensive genetic diversification of its strains that allows the virus to escape the immune system. However, the mutation rate needed for this rapid evolution must not compromise the functionality of the viral proteins. The aim of the work presented here has been to study the coevolution networks that constitute the envelope glycoproteins (Env) in order to understand the rules driving their evolution. The results have highlighted that variable regions, thanks to their structural freedom, can facilitate the incorporation of mutations in more constant regions. Moreover, a coevolution network involved in the conformational changes required for the activity of Env has been identified, underlining the central role played by variable regions in these processes. Besides underscoring the crucial role played by variable regions in the functionality of Env, these studies unveil a new aspect of their contribution to HIV-1 evolution.

L’intégrase (IN) est l’une des enzymes virales assurant la réplication du VIH. La fonctionnalité des protéines qui, comme celles du VIH, ont une variabilité de séquence repose sur des résidus non conservés, en plus des acides aminés conservés entre souches, qui ont un rôle important notamment lorsqu'ils font partie de réseaux de coévolution. Ces réseaux peuvent contrecarrer l'effet délétère d'une mutation par l'introduction de mutations compensatoires ailleurs dans la protéine. Ce travail a mis en évidence, par une étude comparative de différentes souches du VIH, des réseaux de coévolution étendus dans l'IN. Un résultat majeur est l'identification d'un nouveau motif assurant de multiples rôles dans le cycle infectieux. Le motif diffère entre les groupes M et O du VIH, mais est strictement conservé au sein de ces deux groupes en dépit d'une certaine flexibilité génétique en culture de cellules. Ceci suggère que ces groupes ont suivi des chemins évolutifs convergents bien que distincts. / Integrase (IN) is one of the viral enzymes ensuring HIV replication. The functionality of proteins, which, like those from HIV, have sequence variability, relies on nonconserved residues, in addition to the conserved amino acids between strains, which have an important role especially when they are part of coevolution networks. These networks can counteract the deleterious effect of a mutation by introducing compensatory mutations elsewhere in the protein. This work has demonstrated, through a comparative study of different strains of HIV, extensive coevolution networks in IN. A major result is the identification of a new motif that provides multiple roles in the infectious cycle. The pattern differs between HIV groups M and O, but is strictly conserved within these two groups despite some genetic flexibility in cell culture. This suggests that these groups followed convergent, although distinct, evolution pathways.

Several studies have highlighted the possibility that radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) used in mobile phone technology could influence DNA integrity of male germ cells as well as sperm motility. Current knowledge concerning the influence of RF-EMF on male germ cells is extremely limited. In the present study the hypothesis that 900 MHz GSM radiation could induce the activation of stress response in human spermatozoa was investigated. Ejaculated, density purified, human spermatozoa from donors were exposed to 900 MHz GSM mobile phone radiation at specific absorption rate (SAR) levels of 2.0 and 5.7 W/kg and examined at various time points post exposure. Sperm motility and morphology were evaluated by computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA). The ability of RF-EMF exposed sperm to undergo the acrosome reaction was evaluated by flow cytometry. Sperm binding to the zona pellucida of human oocytes was determined by the hemi-zona (HZA) assay. Apoptotic markers, phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization, change in mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, caspase activation and DNA fragmentation were analysed using flow cytometry. Heat shock protein (Hsp) 27 and 70 expression and activity were analyzed using specific antibodies with flow cytometry and Western blot methods. Stress fibre stabilization (F-actin polymerization) was visualized using fluorescent dye labelled phalloidin. No effect was seen on kinematic parameters assessed at SAR 2.0 W/kg, however straight line velocity (VSL) and beat cross frequency (BCF) were significantly altered after exposure at SAR 5.7 W/kg. Sperm shrinkage (decrease in surface area) was observed at both exposure levels. RF-EMF did not influence exposed spermatozoa’s ability to undergo the acrosome reaction. A significant decrease in sperm-zona binding was observed at both exposure levels. RF radiation did not have an effect on any apoptotic markers. ROS generation increased significantly with an increase in SAR (5.7 W/kg). RF-EMF did not induce a stress response in exposed sperm (no activation of Hsp70 and 27 activity). These results cannot be ascribed to heating, as the temperature did not increase by more than 0.2 - 0.3ºC during exposure. The decrease in sperm-zona binding is the result of an alternative non-stress inducible pathway. This study should be replicated at lower SAR levels that would simulate the radiation absorption from carrying the cell phone in a pocket close to the testes. / Thesis (PhD (Reproductive Biology))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Obstetrics and Gynaecology / unrestricted

A mixed-use development focusing on dance activities with supporting educational and retail facilities. The creation of a new urban citizenship drives the process of urban regeneration in the inner city. The development is situated in the Newtown cultural precinct. The performance arts is used as a tool for urban regeneration. The process of regeneration begins at community citizen level. The city gives citizens hope for a better future. This dynamic force shapes the city. / Dissertation (MArch (Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Architecture / unrestricted

This diploma thesis deals with Enterprise Resource Planning system Microsoft Dynamics AX2009 from theoretical but also practical point of view. Introductory chapters present MS Dynamics AX2009 on global market of ERP and within Microsoft Dynamics family products. Following chapters are concerned with implementation of this system and answering various questions, like why to implement MS Dynamics AX, where to find partner for implementation, how does implementation of information system proceed and from which MS Dynamics AX licence packages enterprise can be chosen. Practical part demostrates relations between modules of the system and describes functionality of selected modules. For easier understanding functionalities of the system are presented in a way that combines theoretical information with practical examples in Dynamics AX2009 system. After viewing this thesis, reader should have compact insight of MS Dynamics AX2009.

Introdução: A cirrose é uma hepatopatia crônica e progressiva que constitui um estágio irreversível ou lentamente reversível de disfunção hepática, caracterizada pela formação de nódulos de fibrose no tecido hepático. Investigações devem ser realizadas para avaliar essa população a fim de que se tenha um diagnóstico mais preciso dos efeitos da doença sobre a função cardiopulmonar, a funcionalidade e a qualidade de vida desses indivíduos. Objetivo: Investigar a influência da cirrose hepática pelo vírus da hepatite C (VHC) no consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2max.), a capacidade funcional e a qualidade de vida em indivíduos cirróticos. Materiais e métodos: Foram avaliados 36 indivíduos(18 cirróticos e 18 controles) de ambos os sexos, maiores de 18 anos. Foram avaliados e comparados entre os grupos, o consumo máximo de oxigênio através da ergoespirometria em bicicleta, a capacidade funcional pelo teste de caminhada de seis minutos e pelo time up and go test, a força do aperto de mão, a antropometria e a qualidade de vida. Foram feitas correlações em pacientes cirróticos, entre a força do aperto de mão e o VO2max e o TC6, o VO2max e o teste de caminhada de 6 minutos e a qualidade de vida e o TC6. Resultados: Os grupos doença e controle foram pareados pelo sexo e pela idade, não havendo diferença significativa entre os grupos quanto à idade e o sexo. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre cirróticos e controles quanto ao Time Up And Go Test. Quanto ao Teste de Caminhada de Seis Minutos a distância percorrida foi significativamente menor nos cirróticos em comparação aos controles. Não houve diferença entre os grupos para a distância percorrida predita para cirróticos e controles. Não foi encontrada diferença para a força do aperto de mão (HGS) entre cirróticos e controles. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os grupos para avaliação antropométrica em nenhum dos itens que a contemplam. Na avaliação da qualidade de vida foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os grupos para todos os seus domínios. O consumo máximo de oxigênio VO2max apresentou valores inferiores no grupo doença. Houveram correlações em pacientes cirróticos entre a capacidade funcional e o VO2max. e a qualidade de vida. Conclusão: Foram encontradas diferenças entre cirróticos e controles quanto ao VO2max., a capacidade funcional e a qualidade de vida. As correlações encontradas nesse estudo devem ser exploradas em novas pesquisas envolvendo esses pacientes. / Introduction: Cirrhosis is a chronic progressive liver disease is a slowly reversible or irreversible stage of liver dysfunction, characterized by the formation of nodules of fibrosis in liver tissue. investigations should be performed to evaluate this population so that it has a more accurate diagnosis of disease effects on cardiopulmonary function, functionality, and quality of life of these individuals. Objective: To investigate the influence of liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) on maximal oxygen consumption (VO2máx.), functional capacity and quality of life in individuals with cirrhosis. Materials and methods: We evaluated 36 patients (18 cirrhotic patients and 18 controls) of both sexes, aged 18 years. Were evaluated and compared between groups, the maximal oxygen uptake by cardiopulmonary exercise test on bicycle, on functional capacity by testing six-minute walk and the time up and go test, the strength of the handgrip, anthropometry and quality of life. Correlations were in cirrhotic patients, between the strength of the handshake and VO2max and 6MWT, VO2max test and 6-minute walk and the quality of life and 6MWT. Results: The disease and control groups were matched by sex and age, no significant difference between groups with respect to age and sex. No significant differences were found between cirrhotic patients and controls regarding Time Up And Go Test. How to Walk Test Six Minutes distance traveled was significantly lower in cirrhotic patients compared to controls. There was no difference between groups for the distance predicted for cirrhotic patients and controls. No difference was found for the strength of the handgrip (HGS) between cirrhotic patients and controls. No significant differences were found between groups in anthropometric assessment in any of the items that come. In assessing the quality of life were significant differences between groups for all domains. The maximal oxygen consumption VO2max values were lower in the disease group. There were correlations in cirrhotic patients between functional capacity and VO2max. and quality of life. Conclusion: We found differences between cirrhotic patients and controls regarding VO2max., Functional capacity and quality of life. The correlations found in this study should be explored in further studies involving these patients.

Submitted by Nadir Basilio (nadirsb@uninove.br) on 2018-06-19T15:38:25Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Maria Eliege de Souza.pdf: 1276931 bytes, checksum: dc49846f1db7db8cc9034d54ff988caf (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-19T15:38:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Maria Eliege de Souza.pdf: 1276931 bytes, checksum: dc49846f1db7db8cc9034d54ff988caf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-14 / The cerebral palsy (CP) is characterized by a group of non progressive disorders of the brain’s development and posture caused by a malformation or brain injury. As treatment , there are therapeutic approaches aimed at normalizing muscle tone and prevent change in the relation between bone growth and muscle, that can lead to poor posture and structured deformities. The aim this study was to investigate the effects of botulinum toxin type A (TB-A) for spasticity and functionality in spastic CP childrem. This was a prospective, controlled, randomized, consisting of 24 children (aged 5 to 12 years) with spastic CP, being divided into two groups: experimental group (EG) consisting of 12 patients (mean age 7.83 ± 2, 07 years) treated with TB-A toxin and physiotherapy and control group (CG) with 12 patients (mean age 8.50 ± 2.17 years) treated only with physical therapy. All participants were assessed through motor and functional scales (GMFCS, GMFM-88, Ashworth, Berg Balance Scale, Time up and go -TUG and Inventory Assessment Pediatric Disorders - ASK) at three different times: before treatment, 30 days and 3 months after the treatment proposed. By analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures it was observed significant differences (p < 0.001) between groups (groups vs treatment) to the data obtained in the GMFCS, GMFM-88, BERG, TUG, Ashworth and ASK, being observed functional improvement only for the GE group. In this study it was concluded that the use of TB-A provides a significant improvement on spasticity and child functionality with spastic CP, over a period of up to 3 months after application. / A Paralisia Cerebral (PC) é caracterizada por um grupo não progressivo de desordens do desenvolvimento e postura decorrentes de uma malformação ou lesão cerebral. Como tratamento, destacam-se abordagens terapêuticas que visam normalizar o tônus muscular e prevenir alteração na relação entre o crescimento ósseo e o muscular, que podem provocar posturas inadequadas e deformidades estruturadas. Dessa maneira, o objetivo desse estudo foi verificar os efeitos da toxina botulínica tipo A (TB-A) sobre a espasticidade e funcionalidade da criança com PC espástica. Esse foi um estudo prospectivo, controlado, randomizado, constituído por 24 crianças (idade entre 5 e 12 anos) com PC espástica, distribuídas em dois grupos sendo: Grupo experimental (GE) constituído com 12 pacientes (idade média 7,83  2,07 anos) tratadas com toxina TB-A e fisioterapia e Grupo controle (GC) sendo 12 pacientes (idade média 8,50  2,17 anos) tratados somente com fisioterapia. Todos os participantes foram avaliados por meio de escalas motoras e funcionais (GMFCS, GMFM-88, Ashworth, escala de equilíbrio de BERG, Time up and go –TUG e o Inventário de Avaliação Pediátrica de Disfunções - PEDI) em três momentos distintos: antes do tratamento, 30 dias e 3 meses após o tratamento proposto. Por meio da análise de variância (ANOVA) para medidas repetidas foi possível observar diferenças significativas (p < 0,001) entre os grupos (grupos vs tratamento) para os dados obtidos na escala de GMFCS, GMFM-88, BERG, TUG, Ashworth e PEDI, sendo observada melhora funcional somente para o grupo GE. Nesse estudo foi possível concluir que o uso da TB-A proporciona uma melhora significativa sobre a espasticidade e funcionalidade da criança com PC espástica, em um período de até 3 meses após sua aplicação.

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been used widely in various fields ranging from biomedical applications to life science due to their highly tunable properties. It is essential to understanding how NPs interact with biological systems of interest, therefore, analytical platforms to efficiently track NPs from cell to animal level are essential. In this thesis, laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) and inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been developed and applied to quantify NP/cell and NP/biological surface interactions. These two methods provide fast, label-free and quantitative analysis. New capability of LDI-MS to differentiate cell surface-bound and internalized NPs were established and ICP-MS coupled with a library of surface- functionalized AuNPs were used to probe the affinity between NPs and human hair surface. NPs interacting with biological surfaces and plasma membrane were quantified and the interactions were controlled by the chemical properties of the interface between NP and biological systems.