The sexual abuse of children is an issue that society must address with urgency and commitment, given the profoundly damaging effects and widespread occurrence of this kind of crime. Providing psychological treatment to identified offenders is an important endeavour of the criminal justice system, with the aim of reducing recidivism and thereby preventing future victims. This dissertation explores a number of areas relevant to the treatment of sexual offenders on a sample of 223 adult males who completed a prison-based programme for child sexual offenders in New Zealand. Specifically, the assessment of treatment outcome and its relationship with recidivism, risk assessment, and the influence of specific offender factors on estimates of treatment outcome and risk were investigated. Study 1 (N = 218) is an independent validation of the validity of the Violence Risk Scale: Sexual Offender Version (VRS:SO; Olver, Wong, Nicholaichuk, & Gordon, 2007), a recently developed risk assessment instrument for sexual offenders that incorporates both static and dynamic risk factors and contains protocols for the assessment of change as a result of treatment. Results indicate support for the inter-rater reliability, concurrent validity, and predictive validity of the VRS:SO with regard to sexual recidivism, with pre-treatment and post-treatment scores showing superior predictive validity relative to a widely used measure of static risk (Static-99; Hanson & Thornton, 1999) and a measure of "Deviance" based on a 4-factor battery of relevant psychometric tests (Allan, Grace, Rutherford, & Hudson, 2007). In Study 2 (N = 218), three separate methods of assessing proximal treatment outcome (representative of three categories of treatment outcome measures that have previously been applied in the literature) are applied and compared in terms of their predictive validity with regard to sexual recidivism, and the relative advantages and disadvantages of their use. These measures are: change on a battery of relevant psychometric tests administered prior to and following treatment; change across treatment on the VRS:SO; and post-treatment ratings of the attainment of treatment goals as measured by a modified version of Hogue’s (1994) Standard Goal Attainment Scaling for Sexual Offenders (SGAS). Results indicate that positive treatment outcomes as measured by all of these methods are associated with reduced sexual recidivism. SGAS scores are identified as being relatively simple and efficient to obtain, however the VRS:SO and the psychometric battery are both able to provide useful pre-treatment clinical information regarding potential treatment targets for a particular offender. Study 3 (N = 223) and Study 4 (N = 216) are explorations of the influence of particular offender characteristics on response to treatment and risk of recidivism. Of particular interest was the personality construct of psychopathy (measured using the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised, PCL-R; Hare, 1991), and both studies are attempted replications and extensions of previously reported interaction effects involving this construct (Heilbrun, 1979; Seto & Barbaree, 1999). The results of Study 3 indicate that there is no interaction effect between PCL-R scores and treatment outcome (as measured by the SGAS) on sexual recidivism, in contrast to an influential study by Seto and Barbaree (1999). Study 4 reports an interaction effect between PCL-R scores and intelligence on recidivism, such that higher than average IQ scores appear to moderate the well-known association between psychopathy and risk. Overall, the findings reported in this dissertation suggest the importance of considering dynamic factors as well as static factors in sex offender risk assessments, and support the premise that dynamic factors are changeable, with change being associated with changes in recidivism. The potential for certain offender characteristics to influence treatment response and risk of recidivism is highlighted, and several areas for further exploration are identified.

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No. of bitstreams: 1 DissDACC.pdf: 3823889 bytes, checksum: 37de25a48d91d1dd311b2011d7f327ac (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-10-21 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / A coupled electrochemical-photochemical system (EQ-FQ) using a dimensionally stable anode (ADE) and UV light was used for the oxidation and mineralization of picloram (PCL) herbicide, which is a potential contaminant of surface water and groundwater. The electrochemical process was conducted using a filter-press flow cell and the photochemical one through direct irradiation of the solution in the reservoir using a Hg lamp (UVA and UVC radiation). For the combined system (EQ-FQ), both processes were simultaneously used. In the first part of this work, the investigated variables were: i) type/nominal power of the Hg lamp (UVA 9 W and UVC 5 and 9 W) and ii) initial [Fe2+] (0.0; 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mmol L-1). In the second part, which was carried out using a 5 W UVC light, the investigated variables were: i) pH (3, 7, 11 and without control) and ii) [NaCl] (0, 1, 2 and 4 g L-1). Other parameters were kept constant such as, flow rate (420 L h-1), temperature (25 °C), current density (20 mA cm-2), [PCL] (100 mg L-1) and [Na2SO4] (0.1 mol L-1). In the optimized conditions of the second part (5 W UVC lamp, without pH control, and using NaCl 1,0 g L_1), a electrochemical treatment was carried out comparatively and using a boron-doped diamond anode (EQ-DDB). High performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and total organic carbon measurements were used to monitor the [PCL] and of its intermediates, as well as the degree of mineralization (CO2 conversion), respectively. The EQ-FQ system using a 9 W UVA light exhibited a synergistic effect during PCL mineralization in comparison to its oxidation. High CO2 conversion rates were attained when using an initial concentration of Fe2+ equal to 1,0 mmol L-1, due to the formation of HO* and Cl* radicals. This might be due to HOCl homolysis mediated by Fe2+ ions (Fenton like reaction). Nevertheless, experiments using a UVC light were more promising for the oxidation and mineralization of PCL. In the second part, acidic to neutral solutions, independently of the NaCl amount, led to high PCL oxidation and mineralization rates. That behavior is due to the chemical oxidation mediated by HO* and Cl* radicals, which were photogenerated by the HOCl homolysis. The EQ-FQ system showed comparable efficiencies, in some conditions superior, concerning the oxidation and mineralization of PCL, degree of conversion to CO2, and mineralization current efficiency in comparison to the EQ-DDB process. Few reaction byproducts were detected and only one of them resulting from hydroxylation reactions. This result indicates the attack of HO* radicals originating from the EQ-FQ process. Concerning short chain carboxylic acids, the EQ-FQ process produced dichloroacetic acid (and others), which was almost completely consumed during treatment; however, the EQ-DDB process produced small amounts of chloroacetic acid, which was not completely eliminated during treatment. Finally, the treated solution using the EQ-FQ process exhibited no toxicity towards Escherichia Coli bacteria. / Um sistema eletroquímico-fotoquímico (EQ-FQ) em série e utilizando um anodo dimensionalmente estável (ADE) e luz UV foi usado para a oxidação e mineralização do herbicida Picloram (PCL), potencial contaminante de águas superficiais e subterrâneas. O processo eletroquímico foi realizado utilizando um reator do tipo filtro-prensa e o fotoquímico por meio da irradiação direta da solução no reservatório utilizando uma lâmpada de vapor de Hg (radiação UVA ou UVC). Para o sistema acoplado (EQ-FQ), os dois processos eram utilizados simultaneamente. Na 1a etapa do trabalho, as variáveis investigadas foram: i) tipo/potência nominal da lâmpada de vapor de Hg (UVA de 9 W e UVC de 5 e 9 W) e ii) [Fe2+] inicial (0,0; 0,5; 1,0 e 2,0 mmol L-1). Na 2a etapa, que foi realizada com luz UVC de 5 W, investigou-se as variáveis: i) pH (3, 7, 11 e sem controle) e ii) [NaCl] (0, 1, 2 e 4 g L-1). Os parâmetros mantidos constantes foram: vazão (420 L h-1), temperatura (25 °C), densidade de corrente (20 mA cm-2), [PCL] (100 mg L-1) e [Na2SO4] (0,1 mol L-1). Nas melhores condições obtidas na segunda etapa (lâmpada de UVC 5 W, 1,0 g L-1 de NaCl, sem controle de pH), realizou-se, comparativamente, o tratamento eletroquímico com um anodo de diamante dopado com boro (EQ-DDB). Utilizou-se a cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência acoplada a espectrometria de massas e a medição do teor de carbono orgânico total para o acompanhamento da [PCL] e de seus intermediários, bem como o grau de mineralização (conversão a CO2), respectivamente. O sistema EQ-FQ utilizando a lâmpada UVA de 9 W mostrou um efeito sinérgico na mineralização do PCL, frente à oxidação, além de alcançar significativas taxas de conversão a CO2, quando se utilizou uma concentração inicial de Fe2+ igual a 1,0 mmol L-1, devido à formação de radicais HO* e Cl*. Acredita-se que isso possa ser devido à homólise da espécie HOCl mediada por íons Fe2+ (reação tipo Fenton). Apesar disso, os ensaios com luz UVC foram mais promissores para a oxidação e mineralização do PCL. Na segunda etapa, soluções ácidas e neutras, em qualquer concentração de NaCl, apresentaram elevadas taxas de oxidação e de mineralização do PCL. Este comportamento é devido à oxidação química no interior da solução e mediada pelos radicais HO* e Cl*, fotogerados pela homólise do HOCl. Observou-se que o processo EQ-FQ apresentou eficiências comparáveis, e em alguns casos superiores, em termos de oxidação e mineralização do PCL, grau de conversão a CO2 e eficiência de corrente de mineralização, em comparação com o EQ-DDB. Poucos intermediários reacionais foram detectados e apenas um advindo de reações de hidroxilação, o que comprova o ataque pelo radical HO* advindo do processo EQ-FQ. Com relação aos ácidos carboxílicos de cadeia curta, o processo EQ-FQ gerou como subproduto o ácido dicloroacético (além de outros), que foi praticamente consumido ao longo do tratamento; contudo, o processo EQ-DDB, gerou pequenas quantidades de ácido cloroacético, que não foi totalmente consumido ao longo do tratamento. Finalmente, a solução tratada pelo processo EQ-FQ não apresentou toxicidade frente a bactéria Escherichia Coli

Micropartículas formadas por blendas de P(HB-HV) com PCL apresentam aumento da porosidade com o aumento do percentual de PCL. Considerando-se a influência de poros na velocidade de liberação de fármacos, bem como a ausência de estudos que correlacionem quantitativamente perfis de liberação e características morfológicas de micropartículas de P(HB-HV), o objetivo desse trabalho consistiu na preparação e caracterização de micropartículas de P(HB-HV) e P(HB-HV)/PCL em diferentes proporções, buscando-se essa correlação para perfis de liberação de dois fármacos-modelo lipofílicos e ionizáveis (diclofenaco e indometacina). A técnica de emulsificação/evaporação do solvente foi empregada na preparação das micropartículas, com eficiência de encapsulação de cerca de 85 %. As micropartículas apresentaram formato esférico e interior oco. O diâmetro médio dos sistemas (122 μm a 273 μm) foi dependente da concentração de PCL, apresentando polidispersão inferior a 1,8. A metodologia de preparação das micropartículas influenciou no processo de cristalização do P(HB-HV). Adicionalmente, a indometacina atuou como um antiplastificante desse polímero. A liberação dos fármacos foi sustentada, cuja velocidade aumentou com o aumento da concentração de PCL. Tais perfis foram descritos por uma equação biexponencial. A partir do ajuste dos dados de liberação à equação de Baker-Lonsdale, determinou-se o produto DCs,m entre o coeficiente de difusão aparente dos fármacos e sua solubilidade na matriz. O logaritmo natural de DCs,m foi diretamente proporcional ao percentual de PCL. Além disso, o fator de porosidade-tortuosidade relativo mostrouse inversamente proporcional à razão entre a área superficial e o quadrado do raio das micropartículas. A partir dos resultados desse estudo, sugeriu-se que o diclofenaco encontra-se associado às micropartículas de P(HB-HV) e P(HB-HV)/PCL na forma de aglomerados nanométricos, enquanto que a indometacina é solubilizada pela matriz polimérica. Além disso, demonstrou-se que o controle da liberação pode ser efetuado pela modulação da morfologia das micropartículas. / Microparticles composed of P(HB-HV)/PCL demonstrate an increase in porosity with a concomitant increase in PCL concentration. Several reports indicate that pores are able to increase the rate of drug delivery. Up to now, there is a lack of information regarding the correlation between the drug release profiles and the P(HB-HV) microparticles morphology. In this context, the objectives of the current work were the preparation and the characterization of microparticles composed of P(HB-HV) and P(HB-HV)/PCL in different proportions in order to obtain a correlation between the microparticles morphology and the release profiles, using two lipophilic and ionizable drug-models, diclofenac and indomethacin. Microparticles, prepared by emulsion/solvent evaporation technique, presented encapsulation efficiencies about 85 %. The SEM analyses showed hollow and spherical microparticles. Their average diameters (122 μm to 273 μm) were dependent on the PCL concentration, and the polydispersity values were lower than 1.8. DSC analyses showed that the preparation process influenced on the P(HB-HV) crystallization. Additionally, Tg values indicated that indomethacin was an antiplasticizer agent of P(HB-HV). The drug release from the microparticles showed sustained profiles. The release rate was faster with the increase in the PCL concentration. The profiles were described by a biexponential equation. After the adjustment of the release data to the Baker- Lonsdale equation, it was possible to determine the value of the product between the drug apparent diffusion coefficient and the drug solubility in the matrix (DCs,m) for each formulation. The logarithms of such values were directly proportional to the PCL percentual. Besides, the relative porosity-tortuosity factor of the microparticles was inversely proportional to the ratio of their specific surface areas and the square of their radius. Based on the obtained results, it was proposed that the diclofenac is associated to the microparticles as nanometric agglomerates, while indomethacin was molecularly dispersed in the polymeric matrix. In addition, results demonstrated that the release can be modulated by controlling the microparticle morphology.

In this thesis report, an approach to use Microsoft Kinect to scan an object and providea 3D model for further processing has been proposed. The additional requiredhardware to rotate the object and fully expose it to the sensor, the drivers and SDKsused and the implemented software are discussed. It is explained how the acquireddata is stored and an efficient storage and mapping method requiring no specialhardware and memory is introduced. The solution proposed circumvents the PointCloud registration task based on the fact that the transformation from one frame tothe next is known with extremely high precision. Next, a method to merge theacquired 3D data from all over the object into a single noise-free model is proposedusing Spherical Transformation and a few experiments and their results aredemonstrated and discussed.

Micropartículas formadas por blendas de P(HB-HV) com PCL apresentam aumento da porosidade com o aumento do percentual de PCL. Considerando-se a influência de poros na velocidade de liberação de fármacos, bem como a ausência de estudos que correlacionem quantitativamente perfis de liberação e características morfológicas de micropartículas de P(HB-HV), o objetivo desse trabalho consistiu na preparação e caracterização de micropartículas de P(HB-HV) e P(HB-HV)/PCL em diferentes proporções, buscando-se essa correlação para perfis de liberação de dois fármacos-modelo lipofílicos e ionizáveis (diclofenaco e indometacina). A técnica de emulsificação/evaporação do solvente foi empregada na preparação das micropartículas, com eficiência de encapsulação de cerca de 85 %. As micropartículas apresentaram formato esférico e interior oco. O diâmetro médio dos sistemas (122 μm a 273 μm) foi dependente da concentração de PCL, apresentando polidispersão inferior a 1,8. A metodologia de preparação das micropartículas influenciou no processo de cristalização do P(HB-HV). Adicionalmente, a indometacina atuou como um antiplastificante desse polímero. A liberação dos fármacos foi sustentada, cuja velocidade aumentou com o aumento da concentração de PCL. Tais perfis foram descritos por uma equação biexponencial. A partir do ajuste dos dados de liberação à equação de Baker-Lonsdale, determinou-se o produto DCs,m entre o coeficiente de difusão aparente dos fármacos e sua solubilidade na matriz. O logaritmo natural de DCs,m foi diretamente proporcional ao percentual de PCL. Além disso, o fator de porosidade-tortuosidade relativo mostrouse inversamente proporcional à razão entre a área superficial e o quadrado do raio das micropartículas. A partir dos resultados desse estudo, sugeriu-se que o diclofenaco encontra-se associado às micropartículas de P(HB-HV) e P(HB-HV)/PCL na forma de aglomerados nanométricos, enquanto que a indometacina é solubilizada pela matriz polimérica. Além disso, demonstrou-se que o controle da liberação pode ser efetuado pela modulação da morfologia das micropartículas. / Microparticles composed of P(HB-HV)/PCL demonstrate an increase in porosity with a concomitant increase in PCL concentration. Several reports indicate that pores are able to increase the rate of drug delivery. Up to now, there is a lack of information regarding the correlation between the drug release profiles and the P(HB-HV) microparticles morphology. In this context, the objectives of the current work were the preparation and the characterization of microparticles composed of P(HB-HV) and P(HB-HV)/PCL in different proportions in order to obtain a correlation between the microparticles morphology and the release profiles, using two lipophilic and ionizable drug-models, diclofenac and indomethacin. Microparticles, prepared by emulsion/solvent evaporation technique, presented encapsulation efficiencies about 85 %. The SEM analyses showed hollow and spherical microparticles. Their average diameters (122 μm to 273 μm) were dependent on the PCL concentration, and the polydispersity values were lower than 1.8. DSC analyses showed that the preparation process influenced on the P(HB-HV) crystallization. Additionally, Tg values indicated that indomethacin was an antiplasticizer agent of P(HB-HV). The drug release from the microparticles showed sustained profiles. The release rate was faster with the increase in the PCL concentration. The profiles were described by a biexponential equation. After the adjustment of the release data to the Baker- Lonsdale equation, it was possible to determine the value of the product between the drug apparent diffusion coefficient and the drug solubility in the matrix (DCs,m) for each formulation. The logarithms of such values were directly proportional to the PCL percentual. Besides, the relative porosity-tortuosity factor of the microparticles was inversely proportional to the ratio of their specific surface areas and the square of their radius. Based on the obtained results, it was proposed that the diclofenac is associated to the microparticles as nanometric agglomerates, while indomethacin was molecularly dispersed in the polymeric matrix. In addition, results demonstrated that the release can be modulated by controlling the microparticle morphology.

Micropartículas formadas por blendas de P(HB-HV) com PCL apresentam aumento da porosidade com o aumento do percentual de PCL. Considerando-se a influência de poros na velocidade de liberação de fármacos, bem como a ausência de estudos que correlacionem quantitativamente perfis de liberação e características morfológicas de micropartículas de P(HB-HV), o objetivo desse trabalho consistiu na preparação e caracterização de micropartículas de P(HB-HV) e P(HB-HV)/PCL em diferentes proporções, buscando-se essa correlação para perfis de liberação de dois fármacos-modelo lipofílicos e ionizáveis (diclofenaco e indometacina). A técnica de emulsificação/evaporação do solvente foi empregada na preparação das micropartículas, com eficiência de encapsulação de cerca de 85 %. As micropartículas apresentaram formato esférico e interior oco. O diâmetro médio dos sistemas (122 μm a 273 μm) foi dependente da concentração de PCL, apresentando polidispersão inferior a 1,8. A metodologia de preparação das micropartículas influenciou no processo de cristalização do P(HB-HV). Adicionalmente, a indometacina atuou como um antiplastificante desse polímero. A liberação dos fármacos foi sustentada, cuja velocidade aumentou com o aumento da concentração de PCL. Tais perfis foram descritos por uma equação biexponencial. A partir do ajuste dos dados de liberação à equação de Baker-Lonsdale, determinou-se o produto DCs,m entre o coeficiente de difusão aparente dos fármacos e sua solubilidade na matriz. O logaritmo natural de DCs,m foi diretamente proporcional ao percentual de PCL. Além disso, o fator de porosidade-tortuosidade relativo mostrouse inversamente proporcional à razão entre a área superficial e o quadrado do raio das micropartículas. A partir dos resultados desse estudo, sugeriu-se que o diclofenaco encontra-se associado às micropartículas de P(HB-HV) e P(HB-HV)/PCL na forma de aglomerados nanométricos, enquanto que a indometacina é solubilizada pela matriz polimérica. Além disso, demonstrou-se que o controle da liberação pode ser efetuado pela modulação da morfologia das micropartículas. / Microparticles composed of P(HB-HV)/PCL demonstrate an increase in porosity with a concomitant increase in PCL concentration. Several reports indicate that pores are able to increase the rate of drug delivery. Up to now, there is a lack of information regarding the correlation between the drug release profiles and the P(HB-HV) microparticles morphology. In this context, the objectives of the current work were the preparation and the characterization of microparticles composed of P(HB-HV) and P(HB-HV)/PCL in different proportions in order to obtain a correlation between the microparticles morphology and the release profiles, using two lipophilic and ionizable drug-models, diclofenac and indomethacin. Microparticles, prepared by emulsion/solvent evaporation technique, presented encapsulation efficiencies about 85 %. The SEM analyses showed hollow and spherical microparticles. Their average diameters (122 μm to 273 μm) were dependent on the PCL concentration, and the polydispersity values were lower than 1.8. DSC analyses showed that the preparation process influenced on the P(HB-HV) crystallization. Additionally, Tg values indicated that indomethacin was an antiplasticizer agent of P(HB-HV). The drug release from the microparticles showed sustained profiles. The release rate was faster with the increase in the PCL concentration. The profiles were described by a biexponential equation. After the adjustment of the release data to the Baker- Lonsdale equation, it was possible to determine the value of the product between the drug apparent diffusion coefficient and the drug solubility in the matrix (DCs,m) for each formulation. The logarithms of such values were directly proportional to the PCL percentual. Besides, the relative porosity-tortuosity factor of the microparticles was inversely proportional to the ratio of their specific surface areas and the square of their radius. Based on the obtained results, it was proposed that the diclofenac is associated to the microparticles as nanometric agglomerates, while indomethacin was molecularly dispersed in the polymeric matrix. In addition, results demonstrated that the release can be modulated by controlling the microparticle morphology.

The aim of this thesis is to design an automated scanning system for components for the purpose of inspecting their dimensions and tolerances. The theoretical introduction provides the reader with basic information on the topic of 3D scanning. The work also includes the design of own scanning system. The greatest attention is paid to the design of a program using the PCL library. The aim of the program is automatic processing of data from a 3D scanner and evaluation of the required dimensions of the scanned component. The final part of the work is devoted to testing the proposed solution.

The goal of the thesis is to analyse the Xamarin.Forms framework and implementing an application based on it. Visual Studio was used as an development environment. External libraries Skia.Sharp, Prism, Acr.UserDialogs, sqlite-net-pcl and rda.SocketsForPCL were used. More than 90% of the application code is shared among all platforms. The application is multilingual and able to keep persistent data. Supported operation systems are Android and Windows 10 covering mobile and desktop devices. The main benefit of the thesis is clarification of the Xamarin.Forms framework principles demonstrated by developed application.

No description available.

Yes / Creation of functional skin substitutes within a clinically acceptable time window is essential for timely repair and management of large wounds such as extensive burns. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of fabricating skin substitutes via a bottom-up nanofiber-enabled cell assembly approach and using such substitutes for full-thickness wound repair in nude mice. Following a layer-by-layer (L-b-L) manner, human primary skin cells (fibroblasts and keratinocytes) were rapidly assembled together with electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL)/collagen (3:1 w/w, 8% w/v) nanofibers into 3D constructs, in which fibroblasts and keratinocytes were located in the bottom and upper portion respectively. Following culture, the constructs developed into a skin-like structure with expression of basal keratinocyte markers and deposition of new matrix while exhibited good mechanical strength (as high as 4.0 MPa by 14 days). Treatment of the full-thickness wounds created on the back of nude mice with various grafts (acellular nanofiber meshes, dermal substitutes, skin substitutes and autografts) revealed that 14-day-cultured skin substitutes facilitated a rapid wound closure with complete epithelialization comparable to autografts. Taken together, skin-like substitutes can be formed by L-b-L assembling human skin cells and biomimetic nanofibers and they are effective to heal acute full-thickness wounds in nude mice.