The goal of my thesis is to describe futures commodity contract e-mini Russell 2000 and the application of automatic trading system on this contract. Developed trading strategy is tested with technical analysis indicators using Money management for optimization. The conclusion of the thesis answers the question if modeled trading system is profitable and practically used for real trading.

No description available.

A tandem repeat is a sequence of adjacent repetitions of a nucleotide patternsignature, called its motif, in a DNA sequence. The repetitions may either be exact or approximate copies of the motif. A minisatellite is a tandem repeat whose motif is of moderate length. One approach to searching for minisatellites assumes prior knowledge about the motif. This approach limits the search for minisatellites to specified motifs. An alternative approach tries to identify signatures autonomously from within a DNA sequence. Several different algorithms that use this approach have been developed. Since they do not use pre-specified motifs, and since a degree of approximation is tolerated, there may be ambiguity about where minisatellites start and end in a given DNA sequence. Various experiments were conducted on four well-known software packages to investigate this conjecture. The software packages were executed on the same data and their respective output was compared. The study found that the selected computer algorithms did not report the same outputs. The lack of precise definitions of properties of such patterns may explain these differences. The difference in definitions relate to the nature and extent of approximation to be tolerated in the patterns during the search. This problem could potentially be overcome by agreeing on how to specify acceptable approximations when searching for minisatellites. Some of these packages are implemented as Academic/Research Software (ARS). Noting that ARS has a reputation of being difficult to use, this study also investigated the usability of these ARS implementations. It relied on literature that offers usability evaluation methods. Potential problems that are likely to affect the general usability of the systems were identified. These problems relate inter alia, to visibility, consistency and efficiency of use. Furthermore, usability guidelines in the literature were followed to modify the user interface of one of the implementations. A sample of users evaluated the before- and after versions of this user interface. Their feedback suggests that the usability guidelines were indeed effective in enhancing the user interface. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Computer Science / unrestricted

Purpose: Academic programs are faced with the important task of selecting health professional students who not only possess necessary cognitive abilities to perform their future job, but also have valuable personal/professional characteristics to draw upon in the provision of quality patient care. There is therefore "widespread agreement that it is desirable to broaden the scope of assessment beyond academic achievement" (Eva, Reiter, Trinh, Wasi, Rosenfeld, Norman, 2009, p.768) in candidate selection. The Child Life Studies Program at McMaster University used a 4-station multiple mini-interview (MMI) as part of the admission selection process. This study sought to determine the feasibility, degree of acceptability and reliability of this 4-station MMI design, and if there were any predictors of candidate's performance on the MMI. Methods: A group of 35 applicants in 2014, and 40 applicants in 2015 screened through admission procedures participated in a 4-station MMI. Each station was 15 minutes in length with 5 minutes for scoring each candidate. Anonymous stakeholder surveys were used in 2015 to assess participant and interviewer's perceptions and acceptability of the MMI in applicant selection. Generalizability coefficients were calculated to determine reliability. In addition, candidate's experience in healthcare, professional work experience, experience with children with disabilities, and previous child life course work (or lack thereof) were analyzed through independent t-tests to report any relationship with candidate's performance on the MMI. A one-way ANOVA was also completed to report any relationship between candidate's undergraduate degree type and his/her MMI performance. Results: The 4-station MMI was found to be feasible for a small program with a marked increase found in the number of candidates interviewed in a shorter period of time. It was also found to be highly acceptable among candidates and faculty. However, this studies' findings did not show statistically significant differences in MMI performance based on identified predictors, or undergraduate degree type. The reliability of the 4-station design in 2014 was G=0.718, however, was only G=0.089 in 2015, far lower than expected based on the prior year’s G Coefficient. The potential pitfalls in running a small program MMI are discussed with specific suggestions and modifications provided to enhance reliability of candidate selections across professions. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

No description available.

Widespread applications have made the use of mini-implants common throughout orthodontic treatment. The mini-implant provides an osseous anchor that is easily inserted, minimally invasive, and easily removed. The failure rate of mini-implants is estimated around 15%; this is high when juxtaposed with an endosseous implant. The majority of failures occur early; this results from a weakened bone-implant interface usually accompanied by soft tissue inflammation. This inflammation is exacerbated by poor oral hygiene and in areas of non-keratinized tissue, which provides an inadequate soft tissue barrier to bacterial challenges. Streptococcus mutans is involved in initial biofilm formation and has been implicated in endosseous peri-implantitis in the absence of periodontal disease. S. mutans is acidogenic, and has been shown to negatively affect the topography of titanium surfaces. Mini-implants are mainly comprised of titanium alloys due to their biocompatibility and mechanical strength. Literature suggests that enhancing the native TiO2 on titanium surfaces in the presence of UV light improves osseointegration, increases antibacterial effects, and increases soft tissue adhesion. The goal of this study was to enhance the TiO2 surface of mini-implants and evaluate the resultant anti-adherent, antibacterial, and topographical changes in the presence of S. mutans. Orthodontic mini-implants compromised of Ti6I4V, (Wrought Titanium-6 Aluminum 4 Vanadium ELI), were modified according to the parameters set by Unosson et al, 2015. These samples were then exposed to Streptococcus mutans and incubated at 37° C. Initial contact of viable bacteria was evaluated after 4 hours using resazurin dye that was measured on a fluorescence plate reader. Bacterial growth was evaluated at 4, 8, and 24 hours using a spectrometer to assess turbidity. Four samples were also plated to evaluate growth. SEM images were taken prior to and after treatment to assess topographical changes. ANOVA and pair-wise post-hoc tests were used to analyze the data. The amount of viable bacteria on modified mini-implant surfaces after 4 hours was significantly decreased when compared to controls (p< 0.004). Growth of S. Mutans on the modified surface after 24 hours was significantly less when assessed by spectroscopy (p<0.00083). Preliminary results show that modifying the surface of orthodontic mini-implants with H2O2 gel increases antibacterial properties against Streptococcus mutans, despite the lack of UV radiation. / Oral Biology

Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Every year, more than 1.24 million traffic related deaths are registered globally with the highest fatality rates in middle- and low income countries. Minibus taxis represent the most dominant mode of public transportation associated with road traffic crashes and injuries in most African countries. From a safety perspective, aggressive driving behaviour is one of the main causes of road traffic crashes. This study examined the nature and the frequency of the most common types of the minibus taxis drivers’ on-road aggressive behaviour as well as the corresponding response behaviour of drivers of other vehicles to those behaviours. The research was done through video observations in Cape Town, South Africa. Through questionnaires, this study also explored the effect of driver age and gender of minibus taxi drivers on the on-road aggressive behaviour. The effect of age and gender of drivers frustrated by minibus taxi drivers’ aggressive on-road behaviours on levels of anger aroused as well as on the response behaviours reported was investigated from within the framework of a frustration and aggression model of aggressive driving. In a total of 7,266 minibus taxis observed from three different sites, 943 aggressive driving behaviours noted were divided into three categories: traffic obstructions (stopping in the road or outside bus stops), disregarding traffic signs and signals (red light running and violating stop lines), and improper passing behaviours (cutting in too close, overtaking on road shoulder or on yellow lane, crossing solid lines to pass vehicles in the next lane, inappropriate lane utilisation). Observations were coded based on pre-determined evaluation indices. The more frequent response manoeuvres by drivers behind aggressive minibus taxis were swerving to the next lanes, accelerating to refuse gaps for minibus taxis, running behind minibus taxi red light runners, and hooting. The results from the questionnaire survey revealed that driver age and gender affected both the minibus taxi drivers’ on-road aggressive behaviours and the response behaviours reported by other drivers. Respondents reported that younger minibus taxi drivers exhibit more on-road aggressive behaviour than old minibus taxi drivers. Male and younger drivers frustrated by minibus taxis’ on-road aggressive behaviours reported riskier and more severe forms of reactions than frustrated female and older drivers. The responses of drivers of other vehicles to the minibus taxi drivers’ on-road aggressive behaviours have parallels with the responses of individuals to social bullying or victimisation, as researched and explained in social-psychological theory. More work is needed to explore this relationship but it is possible that the responses of drivers of other vehicles to the minibus taxi drivers’ aggressive behaviours could be explained by these theories. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Elke jaar word meer as 1.240.000 verkeer verwante sterftes met die hoogste sterftekoerse in die middel- en lae-inkomste lande geregistreer. Minibus-taxi's verteenwoordig die mees dominante vorm van openbare vervoer wat verband hou met verkeer ongelukke en beserings in die meeste van die Afrika- lande. Wat veiligheid betref, is aggressiewe bestuursgedrag een van die belangrikste oorsake van die verkeers-ongelukke. Hierdie studie ondersoek die aard en die frekwensie van die mees algemene vorme van minibus taxi-bestuurders se aggressiewe padgedrag sowel as die reaksies van bestuurders van ander voertuie op dié gedrag. Die navorsing is deur middel van video waarneming in Kaapstad uitgevoer. Hierdie studie het ook die effek van die minibus taxibestuurders se ouderdom en geslag op aggressiewe padgedrag met vraelyste ondersoek. Die uitwerking van aggressiewe bestuurgedrag op die vlakke van woede wat deur ander bestuurders ervaar word, sowel as op hul reaksies is vanuit die raamwerk van 'n frustrasie en aggressie model van aggressiewe bestuur ondersoek. In totaal van 7266 minibus-taxi's is waargeneem op drie verskillende plekke. Die 943 voorvalle van aggressiewe ry-gedrag is in drie kategorieë verdeel naamlik verkeer obstruksies, verontagsaming van verkeerstekens en -seine, en onbehoorlike gedrag. Gedrag is gekodeer deur van voorafbepaalde evaluering-sindekse gebruik te maat. Hierdie gedrag het ingesluit belemmer in a van verkeer, insny voor ander verkeer, kruising van soliede lyne, onvanpaste laangebruik, verbysteek op pad-skouers of op die geellyne, verontagsaming van rooi verkeersseine, en die oortreding van stoplyne. Die mees waargenome reaksies deur voertuie agter aggressiewe minibus-taxi's is wegswenk na die volgende lane, versnelling om gapings vir minibus-taxi's te weier, naloop agter taxi wat deur verkeerseine ry, en die gebruik van die toeter. Die resultate van die vraelysopnames het getoon dat die bestuurder se ouderdom en geslag beide die taxi- bestuurders se aggressiewe padgedrag en die reaksie-gedrag daarop bepaal. Resondente het aangedui dat jonger minibus-taxi-bestuurders meer aggressiewe padgedrag as ouer minibus taxi-bestuurders toon. Die response van die ander bestuurders op taxibestuurders se aggressiewe padgedrag het ooreenkomste met die reaksies van individue tot sosiale boeliegedrag of viktimisering , soos nagevors en verduidelik in sosiaal-sielkundige teorie. Verdere werk is nodig om hierdie verhouding te verken, aangesien dit moontlik is dat die reaksies van bestuurders van ander voertuie op minibustaxi- bestuurders se aggressiewe padgedrag deur hierdie teorieë verklaar kan word.

Durant ma thèse, mes recherches se sont principalement portées sur l'identification des propriétés modulaires de la dysferline, une protéine impliquée dans des dystrophies musculaires, afin d'identifier les approches thérapeutiques les plus prometteuses. Mon travail s’est donc orienté selon deux axes de recherche, une approche par « mini-protéines » et une approche par «saut d’exon », toutes deux basées sur des preuves de principe obtenues chez des patients. Nous avons tout d'abord testé une approche de saut d'exon pour l'exon 32 de DYSF. Nous avons pu établir la fonctionnalité de cette protéine tronquée en permettant son expression dans des cellules de patients déficients en dysferline. Ceci a suggéré que le domaine C2D (encodé par les exons 31 à 34) n'est pas essentiel pour la dysferline puisque l'absence d'une partie de celui-ci n'empêche pas sa fonctionnalité. Nous avons dans le même temps analysé les caractéristiques d'autres domaines de la dysferline, en créant des miniprotéines contenant différentes combinaisons de domaines. Nous avons montré que la partie C-terminale de la dysferline (composée des deux derniers domaines C2 et du passage transmembranaire) était essentielle et suffisante pour la fonctionnalité de la dysferline dans le muscle. L'ensemble de ces résultats démontre que certains domaines de la dysferline sont dispensables, ouvrant ainsi la voie à l'étude d'approches de thérapie génique basé sur les minigènes ou le saut d'exon pour les dysferlinopathies. / During my thesis, my researches have mainly concerned the modular properties of dysferlin, a protein involved in muscular dystrophies, in order to identify the most promising therapeutic approaches.My work has been oriented within two research axes, a mini-proteins approach and an exon-skipping approach, both based on proofs of concept obtained in patients. We first tested an exon-skipping approach for the exon 32 of DYSF, based on the identification of a protein lacking the encoded part of this exon, in an asymptomatic person. We have established the functionality of this truncated protein by allowing its expression in dysferlin-deficient patients' cells. This suggests that the C2D domain (encoded by exons 31 to 34) is not essential for dysferlin since the absence of a part of it don't block its functionality.In the same time we analyzed the characteristics of the others domains of dysferlin, by creating miniproteins containing different combinations of domains. By studying the abilities of this constructs, we have showed that the C-ter part of dysferlin (composed of the last C2 domains and the transmembrane domain) was essential and sufficient for the functionality of dysferlin in muscle. All these results demonstrate that several domains of dysferlin are dispensable, paving the way for studying gene therapy approaches, based on minigenes or exon-skipping for dysferlinopathies.

Com o objetivo de avaliar a influência do processo de cicatrização óssea sobre o desempenho biomecânico de mini-parafusos utilizados como ancoragem em ortodontia, foram inseridos 60 mini-parafusos (1,6 x 6mm) auto-rosqueantes (Tomas® Dentaurum / Germany) na maxila e na mandíbula de 5 cães adultos da Raça Beagle. Os pré-molares (P1, P2, P3, P4) superiores e inferiores foram extraídos três meses antes da inserção vertical dos mini-parafusos. Os cães foram sacrificados nos dias 0, 2, 7, 15 e 30 após a instalação dos mini-parafusos. Os maxilares foram dissecados e os corpos de provas contendo os mini-parafusos foram preparados para avaliação da resistência à tração na Máquina de Ensaios Universal EMIC® 2000, utilizando uma garra desenvolvida especificamente para este estudo. Os valores e gráficos correspondentes ao desempenho mecânico foram imediatamente gerados e registrados pelo programa de aquisição Tesc 3.01®. As possíveis diferenças entre os períodos de cicatrização foram avaliadas pela análise de variância (ANOVA) e pelo teste de comparações múltiplas de Bonferroni. Os resultados demonstraram um índice de sucesso de 100% dos mini-parafusos inseridos. Após a dissecação dos segmentos ósseos, verificou-se que em alguns casos a superfície da rosca ficou parcialmente exposta, razão pela qual o cálculo da resistência à tração (média na maxila de: 141,76 ± 92,82 Ncm a 237,02 ± 78,34 Ncm e média na mandíbula de: 156,86 ± 75,55 Ncm a 328,76 ± 82,17 Ncm) foi feito em relação à área real de inserção (maxila: 24,01 ± 6,09mm2 e mandíbula: 22,88 ± 5,31mm2), observando-se um valor médio por mm2 significativamente maior na mandíbula (11,60 ± 5,22 Ncm) quando comparado à maxila (8,22 ± 5,04 Ncm). A relação entre a intensidade da força de tração (Ncm), superfície inserida (mm2) e períodos de cicatrização não apresentaram diferenças significantes (p= 0,126). Com base nestes resultados podemos concluir que os mini-parafusos avaliados demonstraram excelente desempenho biomecânico nos diferentes períodos de cicatrização analisados, apresentando maior resistência à tração no osso mandibular. / With the purpose of evaluating the influence of bone healing process on the biomechanical performance of mini-screws used as anchorage in orthodontics, 60 self-tapping (Tomas® - Dentaurum / Germany) mini-screws were inserted (1.6 x 6 mm) in the maxilla and in the mandible of 5 adult Beagle dogs. Upper and lower premolars (P1, P2, P3, P4) were extracted three months before the vertical insertion of mini-screws. The dogs were sacrified on days 0, 2, 7, 15 and 30 after the insertion of mini-screws. The jaws were dissected and the bone blocks, containing the miniscrews, were prepared to the axial pull-out strength in the Universal Testing Machine EMIC ® 2000, using a device developed specifically for this study. The values and graphics for the mechanical performance were immediately generated and recorded by the acquisition program. The clinical success rate of mini-screws was 100%. The possible differences between the healing periods were analyzed by Bonferroni´s multiple test comparisons and variance analysis (ANOVA). After the dissection of the bone segments, it was found that in some cases, the mini-screw thread was not fully inserted into the bone, reason why the pull-out strength (average of the maxilla: 141.76 ± 92.82 Ncm to 237.02 ± 78.34 Ncm and average in the mandible of 156.86 ± 75.55 Ncm to 328.76 ± 82.17 Ncm) was evaluated in relation to the real area of insertion (maxilla: 24.01 ± 6.09 mm2 and mandible: 22.88 ± 5.31 mm2). Mean value/mm2 were significantly higher in the mandible (11.60 ± 5.22 Ncm/mm2) than the maxilla (8.22 ± 5.04 Ncm/mm2). There was no statistically significant difference (p = 0126) between pull-out strength (Ncm), surface inserted (mm2) and the observed healing periods. Based on these results it can be concluded that mini-screws evaluated in this study demonstrated an excellent biomechanical behavior in all different periods of healing, showing more resistance to traction in the mandibular bone.

Submitted by Maicon Juliano Schmidt (maicons) on 2015-03-30T19:21:01Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Jéferson Diehl de Oliveira.pdf: 1682128 bytes, checksum: 754d96de0ab9ab919137513dac6fe705 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-30T19:21:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Jéferson Diehl de Oliveira.pdf: 1682128 bytes, checksum: 754d96de0ab9ab919137513dac6fe705 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-01-31 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Este trabalho apresenta um estudo experimental da transferência de calor e queda de pressão na ebulição convectiva do hidrocarboneto isobutano (R-600a) em um mini-tubo horizontal e circular de 2,6 mm de diâmetro interno. Também é analisada a influência do diâmetro sobre a queda de pressão em escoamento adiabático. No caso dos experimentos envolvendo a ebulição convectiva, os testes foram realizados com uma temperatura de saturação de 22 ºC, com uma pressão média de saturação de 323,5 kPa, com velocidade mássica variando entre 188 e 370 kg/(m²s) e fluxo de calor constante na seção de teste entre 28 e 134 kW/m². Os resultados obtidos experimentalmente foram comparados com resultados de correlações para a queda de pressão por atrito e o coeficiente de transferência de calor propostas por diferentes autores para ebulição em canais de pequeno diâmetro. Também foram observados os padrões de escoamento ao longo dos testes com o auxílio de uma câmera com alta velocidade de captura e relacionados com o fluxo de calor, título de vapor e o coeficiente de transferência de calor. / This work presents an experimental study of heat transfer and pressure drop in flow boiling of hydrocarbon isobutane (R-600a) in a horizontal and circular mini-tube with 2.6 mm of inner diameter. It is also analyzed the influence of diameter on the pressure drop in adiabatic flow. In the case of experiments involving flow boiling, the tests were performed at a saturation temperature of 22°C with a mean saturation pressure of 323.5 kPa, with mass velocity ranging between 188 and 370 kg/(m²s) and constant heat flux in the test section between 28 and 134 kW/m². The results obtained experimentally were compared with results of correlations for pressure drop due to friction and heat transfer coefficients proposed by different authors for boiling in channels of small diameter. It was also observed flow patterns along the tests with the aid of a camera with high speed capture and related with heat flux, vapor quality and heat transfer coefficient.