Introdução: A endoscopia de contato (EC) foi um exame descrito inicialmente como método de analise da histologia uterina e das cordas vocais. Os primeiros estudos utilizando a EC nas cavidades nasais mostraram resultados promissores na diferenciação de lesões benignas, considerando que a biópsia tradicional pode trazer algumas complicações. Objetivo: Descrever e comparar os achados da EC no papiloma schneideriano invertido e no carcinoma espinocelular nasossinusal e testar a efetividade do exame como método não invasivo in vivo para diferenciação entre esses tumores. Métodos: Os pacientes inclusos no estudo foram divididos em grupo A, com diagnóstico de papiloma invertido e grupo B, com diagnóstico de carcinoma espinocelular. Os resultados da EC de cada lesão foram comparados entre si. As imagens gravadas dos exames foram apresentadas à examinadores sem experiência com a EC. Resultados: Um total de vinte e dois pacientes foram examinados, treze no grupo A e nove no grupo B. As principais diferenças nos achados da EC entre os dois grupos foram: presença de vasos espiralados, mitoses, queratinização e pleomorfismo nuclear no carcinoma e presença de células vacuolizadas no papiloma. Os examinadores, mesmo não habituados a este novo método, tiveram um bom índice de acerto no diagnóstico diferencial das duas lesões nasais, baseados apenas nas imagens da EC. Conclusão: A EC pode ser um exame não invasivo e in vivo útil para o diagnóstico diferencial entre o papiloma invertido e o carcinoma espinocelular nasossinusal, principalmente quando usado no planejamento pré-operatório do paciente. / Background: Contact endoscopy (CE) was initially described as a method used in the analysis of uterine and vocal folds histology. The first nasal cavity CE studies achieved promising results regarding its use for the differentiation between benign and malignant lesions, considering that biopsy might cause some complications, especially bleeding. Objective: Describe and compare the findings of CE on inverted papilloma and nasosinusal squamous cell carcinoma and test the effectiveness of this exam as a noninvasive method for in vivo differentiation between these tumors. Methods: The patients included in this study were divided into Group A, whose diagnosis was inverted papilloma, and Group B, whose diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma. CE results were compared amongst themselves. CE images were presented to examiners not experienced with the method. Results: Twenty-two patients were examined, thirteen in Group A and nine in Group B. The main relevant differences in CE findings between those two groups were: corkscrew vessels, presence of mitoses, keratinization and nuclear pleomorphism in carcinoma, and vacuolated cells in papilloma. The examiners were capable of defining the diagnosis of these nasal tumors only based on CE images. Conclusion: CE may be a useful noninvasive exam to be used in the in vivo diagnosis of inverted papilloma and nasosinusal squamous cell carcinoma, which may enable better preoperative planning.

Doctor en Ciencias, Mención Computación / El principal objetivo de los sistemas de recuperación de información (SRI) es encontrar, lo más rápido posible, la mejor respuesta para una consulta de un usuario. Esta no es una tarea simple: la cantidad de información que los SRI manejan es típicamente demasiado grande como para permitir búsquedas secuenciales, por lo que es necesario la construcción de índices. Sin embargo, la memoria es un recurso limitado, por lo que estos deben ser eficientes en espacio y al mismo tiempo rápidos para lidiar con las demandas de eficiencia y calidad. La tarea de diseñar e implementar un índice que otorgue un buen compromiso en velocidad y espacio es desafiante tanto del punto de vista teórico como práctico. En esta tesis nos enfocamos en el uso, diseño e implementación de estructuras de datos compactas para crear nuevos índices que sean más rápidos y consuman menos espacio, pensando en ser utilizados en SRI sobre lenguaje natural. Nuestra primera contribución es una nueva estructura de datos que compite con el índice invertido, que es la estructura clásica usada en SRIs por más de 40 años. Nuestra nueva estructura, llamada {\em Treaps Invertidos}, requiere espacio similar a las mejores alternativas en el estado del arte, pero es un orden de magnitud más rápido en varias consultas de interés, especialmente cuando se recuperan unos pocos cientos de documentos. Además presentamos una versión incremental que permite actualizar el índice a medida que se van agregando nuevos documentos a la colección. También presentamos la implementación de una idea teórica introducida por Navarro y Puglisi, llamada Dual-Sorted, implementando operaciones complejas en estructuras de datos compactas. En un caso más general, los SRI permiten indexar y buscar en colecciones formadas por secuencias de símbolos, no solamente palabras. En este escenario, Navarro y Nekrich presentaron una solución que es óptima en tiempo, que requiere de espacio lineal y es capaz de recuperar los mejores $k$ documentos de una colección. Sin embargo, esta solución teórica requiere más de 80 veces el tamaño de la colección, haciéndola poco atractiva en la práctica. En esta tesis implementamos un índice que sigue las ideas de la solución óptima. Diseñamos e implementamos nuevas estructuras de datos compactas y las ensamblamos para construir un índice que es órdenes de magnitud más rápido que las alternativas existentes y es competitivo en términos de espacio. Además, mostramos que nuestra implementación puede ser adaptada fácilmente para soportar colecciones de texto que contengan lenguaje natural, en cuyo caso el índice es más poderoso que los índices invertidos para contestar consultas de frases. Finalmente, mostramos cómo las estructuras de datos, algoritmos y técnicas desarrolladas en esta tesis pueden ser extendidas a otros escenarios que son importantes para los SRI. En este sentido, presentamos una técnica que realiza agregación de información de forma eficiente en grillas bidimensionales, una representación eficiente de registros de accesos a sitios web que permite realizar operaciones necesarias para minería de datos, y un nuevo índice que mejora las herramientas existentes para representar colecciones de trazas de paquetes de red. / Este trabajo ha sido parcialmente financiado por Millennium Nucleus Information and Coordination in Networks ICM/FIC P10-024F, Fondecyt Grant 1-140796, Basal Center for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (CeBiB) y Beca de Doctorado Nacional Conicyt

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Civil Engineering / Robert J. Peterman / Possibly the most pressing need in highway construction today is the repair or replacement of existing bridges. Due to increased needs and growing traffic, in addition to aging and extensive use, more than 2000 bridges in Kansas alone need to be replaced during the next decade. The majority of these bridges has spans of 100 ft or less, and has relatively shallow profiles. It is becoming increasingly important to implement a standard method for replacement in which the process is expedited and accomplished in cost-effective manner. Requirements for design and construction of concrete bridges have drastically changed during recent years. A main change in design is live-load requirements. Nebraska inverted-T bridge system has gained increasing popularity for its lower weight compared to I-girder bridges. However, there are some limiting issues when using IT system in replacing existing CIP bridges. Implementation of a post-tensioned IT system, which is the focus of this research, is believed to be one excellent solution for the IT deficiencies. Post-tensioning is added by placing a draped, post-tensioning duct in the stems of the IT members. Post-tensioning will lead to a higher span-to-depth ratio than IT system, and will reduce the potential transverse cracks in the (CIP) deck. Finally, the undesired cambers of pretensioned beams will be reduced, because fewer initial prestressing will be needed. This study was intended to explore the behavior of the PT-IT system, identify major parameters that control and limit the design of this system, and investigate different construction scenarios. This was achieved by conducting an extensive parametric study. For that purpose, PT-IT analysis program was developed and written using C++ programming language. The program was used to analyze various post-tensioning procedures for the post-tensioned inverted-T system. A Visual Basic friendly interface was provided to simplify the data input process. The findings of this research included recommendation of construction scenario for PT-IT system, as well as examining different methods for estimating time-dependent restraining moments. Effect of different concrete strengths on the behavior of PT-IT system was also determined. Most importantly, the effect of timing on different construction stages was also evaluated and determined.

The actin and microtubule cytoskeleton plays a critical role in the establishment of cell polarity. Cell processes like mitosis and migration rely on the reorganization of the cytoskeleton to properly function. One driver of cell polarity is the formin, Inverted Formin-1 (INF1). INF1 is able to induce F-actin formation, activate the Serum Response Factor (SRF) pathway, stabilize microtubules, associate with microtubules, and disperse the Golgi body. Regulation of INF1 is unique, since it does not possess conserved formin regulatory domains. However, INF1 does possess many potential phosphorylation sites. In this study, we demonstrate that INF1’s ability to induce F-actin stress fibers and activate SRF is inhibited by Microtubule-Affinity Regulating Kinase 2 (MARK2). Inhibition of INF1’s actin polymerization activity by MARK2 likely occurs near INF1’s C-terminus. However, MARK2 was unable to inhibit INF1’s ability to stabilize microtubules, associate with microtubules, and disperse the Golgi. Furthermore, we show that INF1 overexpression is associated with primary cilium absence and in some cases, the presence of long cilia, suggesting that INF1 plays a role in primary cilium formation.

Stock market investors are making investment decisions in an information-rich environment. In their attempt to afford investors all the decision-relevant information, standard setters are continually adding to the already weighty load seemingly oblivious to the cognitive limitations of humans. Information overload has long been recognized as a problem to decision-makers. The information overload literature is robust with studies supporting the inverted U hypothesis: Decision accuracy will increase with additional information to the point of maximum processing capability, then decline. The decision style literature has supported the theory that individuals can be classified according to the quantity of information that they are able to process effectively. This study combined the two theories to develop hypotheses about how investors with differing decision styles might behave differently in an information-rich environment. The hypotheses were tested in an internet-based stock market investment experiment. In general, the study did not find significant differences in the decisions of investors with different decision styles. Though the results of the experiment failed to support most of the hypotheses, the study revealed some interesting facts about the investors who participated in this study. There was an unusually high concentration of the analytic decision style in this group. This style, according to the theory, is the one best able to manage high information processing demands. A further analysis of the respondent style dominance reveals that all of the styles had significant analytic influence. This could explain the lack of variation in the decision accuracy of the respondents. It is also possible that the respondents in this study did not reach a point of information overload. Based on prior literature, the study incorporated ten information items. However, the particular items selected may not have created a sense of information overload for the respondents. Future research should increase the information available to respondents and observe whether differences in decisions can be explained by differences in decision styles in an information overload situation. This study provides a baseline for future studies examining how investors make decisions when so much information is available.

The flipped classroom is a teaching method where students access instructional materials outside of class through teacher-made videos or readings so that time spent in-class with the instructor can focus on collaboration and student-driven practice. This instructional practice has gained popularity worldwide at the secondary and post-secondary level because of its perceived benefits for students. Such benefits include higher test scores and proficiency, more frequent interactions between teachers and students, increased content knowledge and application, and improved motivation and attitude towards a course. Although worthwhile, much of the research lacks details of teacher perspectives on the method and its use in secondary, world-language classes, specifically in the state of Utah. This study analyzed the responses of 33 world-language teachers in the state of Utah to questions about their training on the flipped method, their use of it in the classroom, and their views on the advantages and disadvantages of the technique. The purpose of this study was to understand how world-language teachers in the state of Utah are using the flipped method and to identify the advantages and disadvantages of the method from a world-language teacher's perspective. The key data source for this qualitative study was a 22-question electronic survey. The results of this study indicate that although there is a moderately high rate of training for teachers on the flipped method, there is a low rate of implementation among the world-language teachers. In addition, teachers responded that their top three advantages of the flipped method include allowing more one-one-one time between teacher and student, allowing for self-paced learning of students, and proving a more in-depth study of course material. Participants also acknowledged the top challenges to the flipped method to be an increased workload outside of class for both teachers and students, students being less-able to complete in-class activities without proper preparation and a lack of student motivation. Possible areas of future research are recommended.

Inverted repeats (IR) are common part of DNA of all living prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Inverted repeats plays an important role in the regulation of basics cells processes. They are responsible for formation of cruciform structures. Inverted repeats also cause genomic instability and can be a source of numerous mutations. Cruciform structures can be recognized by DNA-binding proteins and can also act as a transcriptional regulators. Using the Palindrome Analyser tool, the frequency of IR and localization of inverted repeats in bacterial genomes was analyzed. The frequency of IR across the bacterial genome is variable. The frequency of short inverted repeats shows an approximately quadratic dependence on the %GC content in the genome with a minimum of about 50% of GC content. The localization of inverted repeats with respect to “annotated features” show a non-random distribution. The frequency of IR for most features is higher “outside” than “inside”.

The technical and economic feasibility of an inverted pavement has been proven abroad and in Brazil, but there are still doubts relating to the parameters that may affect the performance of this type of pavement, particularly in Brazil. There is a lack of studies that identify and characterize the variables that are directly related to the structural behaviour of the cement-treated layer and the contribution of each layer (thickness and elastic modulus) to inverted pavement performance as a whole. Furthermore, the main Brazilian specifications allow designers to make most decisions based on their experience, often generating doubts and uncertainties ranging from the design of the structure to the execution of quality control, directly reflecting on the pavement’s service life. Two test sections designed as inverted pavements, which were evaluated in Brazil, are assessed to identify and characterize the variables directly related to the structural behaviour of inverted pavements. In addition, a comparative analysis of the design, materials, construction, and quality control methods for Brazilian and South African inverted pavements is assessed. Both test sections were built based on the same design principles, but have been presented through different structural performances since their implementation in 2001. Each test section was monitored with deflection measurements between 2003 and 2016. In 2017, two inspection pits were opened in each test section. Samples were collected from all layers, and sent to the laboratory. Additionally, the tests carried out in the laboratory and in-situ in both sections during their construction in 2001, requested in the quality control, were also analysed in this study. The test results from the quality control and the test results obtained exclusively for this study (alongside the available literature) were compared and analysed against each other. Based on the analyses and discussions carried out throughout this research, it is possible to conclude that both the thickness and elastic modulus variables of the unbound base and the cement-treated layer played the most important roles in the behaviour of the inverted pavement, besides the support provided to the cement-treated layer by the underlying layer. Furthermore, the difference in the behaviour of both test sections can be linked to these three variables in addition to the constructive techniques adopted. No direct correlations were found for obtaining resilient modulus through CBR, and obtaining CBR values through DCP tests may vary according to the type of soil. The back-calculated modulus are good and reliable indicators of resistance, however, it is essential to apply adjustment factors. Furthermore, it was possible to identify a linear function with R² = 0.845, where ITS varies as a function of USC, according to the tests result carried out in 2001. However, unfortunately, no satisfactory correlations were found between UCS and ITS, UCS and ft, and ITS and ft from the results obtained in 2017. It is possible that these results are due to the specimens being damaged. / Dissertation (MSc (Transportation Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2021. / Civil Engineering / MSc (Transportation Engineering) / Unrestricted

Identification of bacterial DNA consists from several steps: cell lysis, isolation and purification of DNA, precipitation by ethanol, identification of bacterial strain by PCR or other molecular biology methods. Each step must be optimised. Nucleic acids can be isolated from cells using magnetic particles. The molecules of DNA are bound to the surface of magnetic carriers by electrostatic interaction, and then they are eluted into buffer. The aim of the work will be to optimize individual steps of identification of bacterial DNA: cell lysis, DNA isolation, characterization of solid magnetic carriers functionalized by amino groups for nucleic acids isolation. The presence of DNA will be verified using agarose gel electrophoresis and the amount of eluted DNA will be determined spectrophotometrically. The quality of isolated DNA will be proved by their amplification using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Furthermore, the thesis focuses on the study of secondary structures of nucleic acids – cruciforms structures and quadruplexes. These structures are involved in the regulation of cellular processes and their appearance is associated with cancer development and neurodegenerative diseases. In silico genome analysis was performed on important food industry microorganisms. The microorganisms genomic sequences were obtained from the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology) database. The Palindrome Analyzer and G4 Hunter software were used for the analysis.

The diploma thesis deals with putting the pendulum into upright position and its stabilization on a real system. The opening chapter describes the limiting various implementation inverse pendulums, the use of major laboratory tasks in industry, and the selection of appropriate methods for stabilization. The real system was properly identified and parameterized. The mathematical model of the inverse pendulum was derived using the Lagrange method of the second type, the nonlinear system was converted into a status description and linearized for the needs of the state controller design. The system was simulated in the Matlab Simulink environment. The LQR controller was chosen as the regulator stabilizing in upright cases. A Kalman controller in discrete form was prepared for the filter signal and estimation of residual states. The energy method was chosen for the upright pendulums. The proposed methods were tested and implemented in simulation and on a real system.