Sobre el poema en prosa en Costa Rica

Se describe y analiza el cultivo y desarrollo del poema en prosa en las letras costarricenses, considerando que no ha sido objeto de suficiente atención por parte de la crítica. Una vez expuestos los aspectos históricos, conceptuales y teóricos, y la procedencia europea de esta modalidad discursiva, se exploran sus manifestaciones desde sus orígenes, a finales del siglo XIX, y el desarrollo posterior hasta sus manifestaciones en la literatura contemporánea.The development and evolution of prose poetry in Costa Rica is described and analyzed in view of the fact that critics have not given it the attention it deserves. A discussion of historical, conceptual and theoretical aspects, together with the European origins of this genre, provides the basis to explore its appearance around the end of the 19th century, and its later development up to the present time.

A educação alimentar no ensino de ciências : o caso das dietas alimentares

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Física, Instituto de Química, Faculdade UnB Planaltina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ensino de Ciências, Mestrado Profissional em Ensino de Ciências, 2016.

Investigation of Escape and Negative Student Behaviors Related to Florida State High Stakes Test Preparation in Miami-Dade County Public High Schools, having been approved in respect to style and intellectual content, is referred to you for judgment

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was a relationship between pressure to perform on state mandated, high-stakes tests and the rate of student escape behavior defined as the number of school suspensions and absences. The state assigned grade of a school was used as a surrogate measure of pressure with the assumption that pressure increased as the school grade decreased. Student attendance and suspension data were gathered from all 33 of the regular public high schools in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The research questions were: Is the number of suspensions highest in the third quarter, when most FCAT preparation takes place for each of the 3 school years 2007-08 through 2009-10? How accurately does the high school’s grade predict the number of suspensions and number of absences during each of the 4 school years 2005-06 through 2008-09? The research questions were answered using repeated measures analysis of variance for research question #1 and non-linear multiple regression for research question #2. No significant difference could be found between the numbers of suspensions in each of the grading periods nor was there a relationship between the number of suspensions and school grade. A statistically significant relationship was found between student attendance and school grade. When plotted, this relationship was found to be quadratic in nature and formed a loose inverted U for each of the four years during which data were collected. This indicated that students in very high and very low performing schools had low levels of absences while those in the midlevel of the distribution of school performance (C schools) had the greatest rates of absence. Identifying a relationship between the pressures associated with high stakes testing and student escape behavior suggests that it might be useful for building administrators to reevaluate test preparation activities and procedures being used in their building and to include anxiety reducing strategies. As a relationship was found, it sets the foundation for future studies to identify whether testing related activities are impacting some students emotionally and are causing unintended consequences of testing mandates.

Literatura y pensamiento en Francia. Un ejemplo : el panfleto

First of all, with this dissertation we have set as principal goal to define and to characterize the pamphlet in a French-speaking context. To do this, we will try to delimit this type of text and to demonstrate that in many occasions this term is used for classifying documents whose principal characteristic is the polemic. In the approach to this dissertation, we have mainly found two problems: on the one hand to define what a pamphlet is and to demarcate it from other similar texts both from the point of view of the content as well as the form; and on the other hand, to try to discern if the pamphlet can be included under the title of Literature and if it constitutes a literary genre for itself. To do so, we will structure our investigation in several chapters gathered in two clearly delimited parts. At the end of each of them, we will draw some brief conclusions. The first part will be focused on the study of theoretical notions. We will approach this reflection from different perspectives: etymological, comparative, literary and generic. To do this, we will approach the theories of those schools or of those authors who are more convenient to our purpose, so both our matter of study and the areas where we want to study it, raise many problems of interpretation and classification. Our aim is not to do a study on the Literature concepts or on the Literary Genre, so we will simplify those theories that are related to its main characteristics...

Development of a framework to create plugins in Android Apps

The present work aims to allow developers to implement small features on a certain Android application in a fast and easy manner, as well as provide their users to install them ondemand, i.e., they can install the ones they are interested in. These small packages of features are called plugins, and the chosen development language to develop these in was JavaScript. In order to achieve that, an Android framework was developed that enables the host application to install, manage and run these plugins at runtime. This framework was designed to have a very clean and almost readable API, which allowed for better code organization and maintainability. The implementation used the Google’s engine “V8” to interpret the JavaScript code and through a set of JNI calls made that code call certain Android methods previously registered in the runtime. In order to test the framework, it was integrated with the client’s communication application RCS+ using two plugins developed alongside the framework. Although these plugins had only the more common requirements, they were proven to work successfully as intended. Concluding, the framework although successful made it clear that this kind of development through a non-native API has its set of difficulties especially regarding the implementation of complex features.

Travellers’ intention to purchase travel online: integrating trust and risk to the theory of planned behaviour

This study aims to determine which factors influence travellers’ intentions to purchase travel online by proposing and empirically testing a new model grounded on the theory of planned behaviour. In order to validate the model, a web-based questionnaire was applied and a total of 1732 valid responses were obtained. The findings show that attitudes, perceived risk, and perceived behavioural control have significant effects on intentions to purchase travel online. However, contrary to what was expected, neither trust nor the influence of others seems to directly affect intentions to purchase travel online. Finally, the paper discusses the findings with the implicationsfor theory and practice and makes several suggestions for future research.

Travellers’ intention to purchase travel online: integrating trust and risk to the theory of planned behaviour

This study aims to determine which factors influence travellers’ intentions to purchase travel online by proposing and empirically testing a new model grounded on the theory of planned behaviour. In order to validate the model, a web-based questionnaire was applied and a total of 1732 valid responses were obtained. The findings show that attitudes, perceived risk, and perceived behavioural control have significant effects on intentions to purchase travel online. However, contrary to what was expected, neither trust nor the influence of others seems to directly affect intentions to purchase travel online. Finally, the paper discusses the findings with the implications for theory and practice and makes several suggestions for future research.

The Power of the Synthetic Control Method

The synthetic control method (SCM) is a new, popular method developed for the purpose of estimating the effect of an intervention when only one single unit has been exposed. Other similar, unexposed units are combined into a synthetic control unit intended to mimic the evolution in the exposed unit, had it not been subject to exposure. As the inference relies on only a single observational unit, the statistical inferential issue is a challenge. In this paper, we examine the statistical properties of the estimator, study a number of features potentially yielding uncertainty in the estimator, discuss the rationale for statistical inference in relation to SCM, and provide a Web-app for researchers to aid in their decision of whether SCM is powerful for a specific case study. We conclude that SCM is powerful with a limited number of controls in the donor pool and a fairly short pre-intervention time period. This holds as long as the parameter of interest is a parametric specification of the intervention effect, and the duration of post-intervention period is reasonably long, and the fit of the synthetic control unit to the exposed unit in the pre-intervention period is good.

El futuro de la ropa ecológica en Colombia a partir de las tendencias desarrolladas en Reino Unido y Suecia y su impacto ambiental

Durante los últimos años, los consumidores han tomado conciencia acerca del cuidado medio ambiental, obligando a las empresas a realizar modificaciones tanto en sus procesos como en los insumos empleados. Un claro ejemplo de ello es la ropa ecológica, esta industria busca promover la fabricación de prendas de vestir a partir de insumos orgánicos y/o reciclados, minimizando desperdicios e impacto durante su proceso de producción. Actualmente, hay varias empresas que han empezado a fabricar este tipo de prendas, especialmente en Europa, siendo Suecia y Reino Unido los más representativos. El presente trabajo estudió la factibilidad de la ropa ecológica en Colombia, tomando como punto de referencia los países mencionados. Para lograrlo, se realizaron encuestas a una muestra representativa, al igual que un análisis detallado sobre la producción y tendencias de consumo de la ropa ecológica en Bogotá, Colombia. Además, mediante las encuestas aplicadas, se estudió el comportamiento del consumidor colombiano y se realizó un comparativo frente a estudios desarrollados en países europeos en los últimos años. En conclusión, se encontró que a pesar de la ausencia de empresas y tiendas enfocadas en dicha industria, el consumidor colombiano estaría dispuesto a comprar ropa ecológica. A lo largo del documento, se explica con detalle las características que buscan los colombianos al momento de comprar estas prendas, el lugar en donde prefieren hacerlo, el valor que están dispuestos a pagar y las razones o motivos por los cuales realizan estas acciones.

Estimation of water use and crop coefficients for an intensive olive orchard using sap flow measurements and modeled data

Olive tree sap flow measurements were collected in an intensive orchard near Évora, Portugal, during the irrigation seasons of 2013 and 2014, to calculate daily tree transpiration rates (T_SF). Meteorological variables were also collected to calculate reference evapotranspiration (ETo). Both data were used to assess values of basal crop coefficient (Kcb) for the period of the sap flow observations. The soil water balance model SIMDualKc was calibrated with soil, biophysical ground data and sap flow measurements collected in 2013. Validated in 2014 with collected sap flow observations, the model was used to provide estimates of dual e single crop coefficients for 2014 crop growing season. Good agreement between model simulated daily transpiration rates and those obtained with sapflow measurements was observed for 2014 (R2=0.76, RMSE=0.20 mm d-1), the year of validation, with an estimation average absolute error (AAE) of 0.20 mm d-1. Olive modeled daily actual evapotranspiration resulted in atual ETc values of 0.87, 2.05 and 0.77 mm d-1 for 2014 initial, mid- and end-season, respectively. Actual crop coefficient (Kc act) values of 0.51, 0.43 and 0.67 were also obtained for the same periods, respectively. Higher Kc values during spring (initial stage) and autumn (end-stage) were published in FAO56, varying between 0.65 for Kc ini and 0.70 for Kc end. The lower Kc mid value of 0.43 obtained for the summer (mid-season) is also inconsistent with the FAO56 expected Kc mid value of 0.70 for the period. The modeled Kc results are more consistent with the ones published by Allen & Pereira [1] for olive orchards with effective ground cover of 0.25 to 0.5, which vary between 0.40 and 0.80 for Kc ini, 0.40–0.60 for Kc mid with no active ground cover, and 0.35–0.75 for Kc end, depending on ground cover. The SIMDualKc simulation model proved to be appropriate for obtaining evapotranspiration and crop coefficient values for our intensive olive orchard in southern Portugal.

Producción indígena y mercado urbano a finales del período colonial. La provisión de alimentos a la ciudad de Guatemala. 1787- 1822

ResumenEstudia el proceso de reestructuración de la oferta de alimentos a la ciudad de Guatemala, con el fin de evaluar el impacto del auge añilero en el hinterland de la ciudad de Guatemala. También analiza la diferenciación social del campesino indígena al interior de los pueblos a finales del periodo colonial.AbstractThe purpose of this study of the restructuring of food supply to Guatemala City is to asses the impact of the indigo boom on the hinterland of that city. The author also discusses social differentiation of Indian peasant within their town toward the end to the colonial period.

I processi ai résisistants. Giustizia e memoria nella Francia del secondo dopoguerra.

La tesi si propone di analizzare i procedimenti giudiziari avviati dalla magistratura francese nel dopoguerra - dal 1945 alla metà degli anni Cinquanta – a carico di ex partigiani per crimini commessi tra il 1944 e il 1° giugno 1946, data legale della cessazione delle ostilità. La tesi è strutturata in quattro capitoli tematici principali. Andando oltre la cesura rappresentata dalla fine della Seconda Guerra Mondiale, la tesi esamina un aspetto poco conosciuto di quanto accaduto dopo la fine della guerra di liberazione, coinvolgendo alcuni dei suoi protagonisti. Fin dall'inizio, la Resistenza ha rappresentato una complessa "questione memoriale"; questo studio mostra come i processi ai partigiani si inseriscano nel quadro più ampio della difficile costruzione della memoria degli anni della guerra. In effetti, i processi ai partigiani hanno costituito un terreno di confronto politico e sono stati strumentalizzati. Inoltre, la tesi si inserisce nel dibattito storiografico intorno alla categoria della giustizia di transizione, completando un quadro che si limitava allo studio dell’epurazione. È un nuovo sguardo sul periodo di transizione che ci permette di osservare, in modo completo e complesso, il passaggio attraverso diverse forme di giustizia con continuità e rotture. In questo senso, lo studio dei processi porta alla luce una serie di dinamiche legate non solo agli attori direttamente coinvolti, ma anche alla società in generale.

Mode-I fracture parameters of quasi-brittle materials: direct evaluation using DIC and relationship with Mode-II interfacial parameters

The objective of this thesis is the investigation of the Mode-I fracture mechanics parameters of quasi-brittle materials to shed light onto the influence of the width and size of the specimen on the fracture response of notched beams. To further the knowledge on the fracture process, 3D digital image correlation (DIC) was employed. A new method is proposed to determine experimentally the critical value of the crack opening, which is then used to determine the size of the fracture process zone (FPZ). In addition, the Mode-I fracture mechanics parameters are compared with the Mode-II interfacial properties of composites materials that feature as matrices the quasi-brittle materials studied in Mode-I conditions. To investigate the Mode II fracture parameters, single-lap direct shear tests are performed. Notched concrete beams with six cross-sections has been tested using a three-point bending (TPB) test set-up (Mode-I fracture mechanics). Two depths and three widths of the beam are considered. In addition to concrete beams, alkali-activated mortar beams (AAMs) that differ by the type and size of the aggregates have been tested using the same TPB set-up. Two dimensions of AAMs are considered. The load-deflection response obtained from DIC is compared with the load-deflection response obtained from the readings of two linear variable displacement transformers (LVDT). Load responses, peak loads, strain profiles along the ligament from DIC, fracture energy and failure modes of TPB tests are discussed. The Mode-II problem is investigated by testing steel reinforced grout (SRG) composites bonded to masonry and concrete elements under single-lap direct shear tests. Two types of anchorage systems are proposed for SRG reinforced masonry and concrete element to study their effectiveness. An indirect method is proposed to find the interfacial properties, compare them with the Mode-I fracture properties of the matrix and to model the effect of the anchorage.

Multifarious tumor-oriented small molecules: development of synthetic methodologies and application for diagnostic platforms

Cancer represents one of the most relevant and widespread diseases in the modern age. In this context, integrin receptors are important for the interactions of cells with extracellular matrix and for the development of both inflammation and carcinogenic phenomena. There are many tricks to improve the bioactivity and receptor selectivity of exogenous ligands; one of these is to integrate the amino acid sequence into a cyclic peptide to restrict its conformational space. Another approach is to develop small peptidomimetic molecules in order to enhance the molecular stability and open the way to versatile synthetic strategies. Starting from isoxazoline-based peptidomimetic molecules we recently reported, in this thesis we are going to present the synthesis of new integrin ligands obtained by modifying or introducing appendages on already reported structures. Initially, we are going to introduce the synthesis of linear and cyclic α-dehydro-β-amino acids as scaffolds for the preparation of bioactive peptidomimetics. Subsequently, we are going to present the construction of small molecule ligands (SMLs) based delivery systems performed starting from a polyfunctionalised isoxazoline scaffold, whose potency towards αVβ3 and α5β1 integrins has already been established by our research group. In the light of these results and due to the necessity to understand the behaviour of a single enantiomer of the isoxazoline-based compounds, the research group decided to synthesise the enantiopure heterocycle using a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddiction approach. Subsequently, we are going to introduce the synthesis of a Reporting Drug Delivery System composed by a carrier, a first spacer, a linker, a self-immolative system, a second spacer and a latent fluorophore. The last part of this work will describe the results obtained during the internship abroad in Prof. Aggarwal’s laboratory at the University of Bristol. The project was focused on the Mycapolyol A synthesis.

Deidrogenazione ossidativa del n-butano catalizzata da ossidi metallici difettivi

The oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of n-butane is a promising way to synthetize butenes and 1,3-butadiene, currently produced by steam cracking or direct dehydrogenation of n-butane. The addition of oxygen as a reagent leads to the formation of water, a very stable by-product, which makes the process exothermic.In this work, the ODH of n- butane was investigate to selectively obtain butenes and 1,3-butadiene. Four catalysts based on metal oxides (V2O5, La2O3, CeO2 and TiO2) were mixed with Mg metallic powder and reduced at 650 °C for 5 h in 5% H2/Ar atmosphere, with the purpose of creating oxygen vacancies in the crystal lattice of the oxides. Subsequently, the effect of the Mg concentration, and thus the oxygen vacancies concentration, was studied. The titanium oxide-based catalysts were the most active, in terms of butane conversion and selectivity to butenes and 1,3 butadiene. Overall, this study shows that the formation of oxygen vacancies on metal oxides can be influenced by the addition of metallic Mg during the synthesis. In the case of TiO2, this leads to an increase on the activity compared to the untreated sample.