Avhandlingen, som undersökt Elin Wägners skönlitterära författarskap och journalistik under 1920-talet, visar att det är då hon stiger fram som en internationell rörelseintellektuell. Då formulerar hon sina åsikter om hur världen bör styras och hur kvinnor och män skall agera för att nå jämställdhet och fred, frågor som kom att stå i fokus för hennes liv och fortsatta författarskap. Det är med hjälp av internationell forskning och litteratur som Wägner blottlägger förhållandena i Sverige och påverkar den svenska debatten.Som introduktör av tänkare som Rosa Mayreder, Mathilde Vaerting och Mary Parker Follett kunde hon avslöja det korstryck som svenska kvinnor var utsatta för och samtidigt presentera ett eget koncet om en möjlig framtid för kvinnor och män. I avhandlingen har den första mer systematska analysen av Wägners insatser i veckotidningen Tidevarvet under åren 1923-1930 genomförts. Här framträder Wägner i många skepnader som kåsör, ledarskribent, recensent och utrikeskorrespondent men alltid med syftet att påverka läsaren i viss riktning. Med sina tre K:teman: kvinnan, kärleken och kriget speglar hon verkligheten utifrån två perspektiv, ett kortsiktigt pessimistiskt och ett längre optimmistiskt perspektiv.Det är i Tidevarvet som hon presenterar sin radikalpacifism och visarsitt starka beroende och inflytande av Gandhi och hans icke-våldsaktivism.Avhandlingens andra del behandlar Wägners 1920-talsromaner, vilka ofta benämnts som smålandsromaner men som i avhandlingen räknas som utvecklingsromaner om den medelålders kvinnans rätt till livsutrymme och sexualitet. Istället för att betrakta protagonisterna som offer, vilket ofta skett i tidigare forskning, visar avhandlingen att de istället agerar som visionära feminister med starka personligheter och tydliga livsmål. Det ärockså under tjugotalet som Wägner bekänner sig som kristen och närmar sig kväkarna, men engagerar sig även i den svenska kyrkan. Hon granskar prästernas dubbelmoral och förljugna inställning till äktenskap och skilsmässa både i sina romaner och i Tidevarvet. Dock är hon mest kritisk till att kyrkan inte på allvar driver fredens sak.Wägner är inte bara radikal i sin tid utan såg även vilka idéer och personer som tillhörde framtiden och framstår därför som både tidstypisk och tidlös. / Elin Wägner and her literary activities in the 1920s have not been a main interest for literary research. Instead, her writings from earlier or later decades are studied at length. Nevertheless, my dissertation indicates that it was during this decade several of her important projects in life and literature took place. The main purpose of the study is to present Wägner’s influence in the Swedish debate in a number of issues as feminism, pacifism and internationalism. My point of departure is Wägners journalistic authorship in the radical weekly Tidevarvet (1923-1930) and her novels Den Namnlösa (1922), Silverforsen (1924), Natten till söndag (1926), Svalorna flyga högt (1929) and Från Seine, Rhen och Ruhr (1923), a collection of short stories. Using the concept movement intellectual, which has been further developed in the dissertation, the study indicates that Wägner, mostly with ideas and results from abroad, managed to influence both her organizations, their members and the general public. Her methods were three: writing, speaking and mobilization, and the arena was her fiction, her journalism and her networks. The intentions were much the same in all her activities. Wägner’s international work for peace in the war-torn Europe during the first part of the decade changed her and her outlook on war and peace. She became a radical pacifist and negotiated on behalf of organizations as the Quakers, the Red Cross and WILP, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. Her devotion for peace is specially evident in Tidevarvet, the political weekly founded by FKR, Frisinnade Kvinnors Riksförbund, in 1923, where Wägner was active both as a writer and an editor. Here the influence from Gandhi and the Quakers is prominent, and Wägner tries all her life to introduce Gandhi to the Swedish public. In the 1920s Elin Wägner also started her studies of matriarcy and her research of women’s history where the influence from international feminists as Rosa Mayreder, Mathilde Varting and Mary Parker Follett gave her arguments to strengthen women’s position and confidence both as women and as political citizens. At Fogelstad and Kvinnliga Medborgarskolan, Wägner, together with the other members in the Fogelstad Group, were active educating women for their new citizenship. As members in FKR also worked to get seats in the Parliament, but failed. My study shows why.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Dept. of History, August 2001. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

India is celebrated as the largest democracy in the world but is it truly democratic? Is it the nation-state that its founder’s envisioned it to be? Has it addressed it ancient issue of social diversity? This paper seeks to assess the present problem faced by the Indian Democracy; problems based on India’s inherent social diversity. Furthermore the paper seeks to recommend a solution based on Amartya Sen’s Open Impartiality approach that will allow the country to reassess its democratic platform. The paper also aims at providing a starting point to execute Sen’s approach by exploring the vision of two of India’s independence leaders: Mohandas Karamchandra Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore.

India has seen unrivaled economic growth since it embarked on its neoliberal reforms in 1990. However, accompanying this growth in income and wealth is an increase in social and economic inequalities among its population. This thesis will look at the impact of the neoliberal agenda on India’s population, particularly on its rural and marginalized poor, and show how this growth and development has been predatory in nature, benefitting a small minority at the expense of a large majority of the population who are experiencing poverty, unemployment and the loss of livelihoods as a result. This paper argues that Gandhian economic philosophy - in particular, the emphasis on localization and decentralization – has a central role to play in the development agenda of India, and is fundamental in correcting this imbalance. By drawing on Gandhi’s economic philosophy and present-day grassroots movements and initiatives that are echoing his core principles, this paper argues for the localization of power in the form of participatory governance to achieve rural revitalization, poverty eradication and radical empowerment. Fundamental for this to happen are appropriate forms and systems of governance at the local level; the creation of livelihoods through and within the local community; and incorporating local traditional and indigenous knowledge into development strategies.

Proefschrift Universiteit Amsterdam. / Omslag is titelpagina. Met lit. opg. - Met samenvatting in het Nederlands.

As serino proteases participam de diversos processos fisiológicos (tal como o de coagulação) e patológicos. Essas enzimas estão amplamente distribuídas entre as espécies, são também toxinas dos venenos de serpentes, sendo denominadas SVSPs (snake venom serine proteases). Essas SVSPs são multifuncionais e contêm uma tríade catalítica formada pelos aminoácidos HDS. Algumas SVSPs são comercialmente disponíveis, sendo indicadas para o tratamento de infarto do miocárdio, tromboses e embolia pulmonar. No veneno de Crotalus durissus terrificus estão descritas até o momento, apenas duas SVSPs sendo que a mais estudada é a giroxina que representa cerca de 2,5% do veneno total. No presente estudo foi reportado a clonagem de sete serino proteases amplificadas a partir de uma biblioteca de cDNA de glândula de veneno de um único espécime adulto de Crotalus durissus terrificus. Estes clones foram analisados com relação à organização do cDNA, estrutura e prováveis funções. A construção do modelo tridimensional da giroxina permitiu verificar as similaridades com tripsina, trombina e outras SVSPs. A glicosilação e a presença de muitas pontes dissulfetos dificultam a obtenção das SVSP recombinantes na forma solúvel e com atividade, por expressão em E.coli. Assim, neste trabalho foi abordada a expressão em células de mamífero (que realiza as modificações pós-traducionais) com resultados promissores. Para tanto, o peptídeo sinal de Igk, a seqüência madura e a região 3 UTR da giroxina foram clonados no vetor pED, originando um novo vetor (pED-Giro). Este vetor carrega o peptídeo sinal de Igk, o que possibilitou a secreção da giroxina para o meio de cultura. O vetor pED-Giro foi transfectado em células CHO DXB11 dhfr e COS-7. A giroxina foi detectada no extrato total das células COS-7 por western blot e, em seguida, purificada do meio de cultura com coluna de afinidade (Benzamidina Sepharose) e demonstrado sua integridade pelo ensaio de atividade esterásica. / The serine proteases affect several physiological processes (such as the coagulation cascade) and pathological ones. These enzymes are widely distributed beyond the species; they are also toxins from snake venoms and are called SVSPs (snake venom serine proteases). These SVSPs are multifunctional and have a catalytic triad formed by HDS amino acids. Some of them are commercially available for use in clinical treatment for heart attack, tromboses and pulmonary embolism. So far, in Crotalus durissus terrificus venom only two SVSPs are described and gyroxin is considered the most studied SVSP which represents about 2,5% of the total venom. In the present study was reported the cloning of seven serine proteases amplified from a cDNA library of a venomous gland of a single adult specimen from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom. These clones have been analyzed in relation to the cDNA organization, structure and probable functions. The three-dimensional model of the gyroxin made possible the analysis of similarities with trypsin, thrombin and other SVSPs. The glycosylation and many disulfide bonds of the SVSPs make difficult the expression in E.coli to obtain the soluble recombinant toxin with activity. The expression in mammalian cells is very promising, because it is possible to make pos translation modification and to obtain the recombinant toxin secreted to the culture medium. The IgK signal peptide, the mature sequence and 3\'UTR region of gyroxin were cloned in the pED expression vector resulting in a new vector (pED-Giro). This vector carries the Igk signal peptide, which allows the secretion of the protein to the culture medium. The pED-Giro vector was transfected in CHO DXB11 dhfr and COS-7 cells. The gyroxin was detected in COS-7 total extract by western blot and after, purified from the medium culture and its integrity was confirmed by esterase activity assay.

Au cours des dernières années, le développement de matériaux composites avancés fabriqués à partir de fibres naturelles a été principalement axé sur l'obtention de matériaux à haut module et à haute résistance. Cependant, la résistance élevée n'est pas suffisante, car certains des matériaux possèdent une nature fragile (l'allongement à la rupture est faible), et l'un des critères de performance les plus importants devrait être la capacité à absorber l'énergie et à résister aux chocs. La manière dont un matériau composite se déforme et subit des endommagements dépend à la fois des propriétés chimiques et mécaniques de trois constituants de base : les fibres, la matrice et une fine région d'interphase (parfois appelée interface) chargée d'assurer le lien entre matrice et fibre. En raison de leurs propriétés uniques et de leur nature abondante, les fibres à base de cellulose émergent comme un choix privilégié pour les communautés scientifiques, techniques et commerciales qui recherchaient des matériaux durables dans diverses applications. Bien que ces fibres possèdent plusieurs avantages par rapport aux charges synthétiques, l'adhérence entre la fibre et la matrice, la sensibilité à l'humidité et les propriétés au feu restent des domaines difficiles à traiter. Dans ce contexte, une nouvelle technique basée sur la méthode par pulvérisation-séchage-durcissement a permis de fabriquer un revêtement sol-gel hydrophobe sur la surface de la fibre de coco lignocellulosique. La modification de surface des fibres de coco a été effectuée à l'aide d'un plasma oxygène à basse pression suivi d'un enduit sol-gel polymérisable à sec avec un siloxane à fonction fluoroalkyle (FAS). Le prétraitement par plasma a augmenté la concentration effective du réseau FAS sur les fibres de fibre de coco dans le but de créer la surface extrêmement hydrophobe. L'efficacité du traitement plasma et du sol gel FAS sur fibre de coco a été étudiée en utilisant différentes techniques de caractérisation telles que l'analyse de l'angle de contact, l'absorption d'eau, la microscopie électronique à balayage, la microscopie à force atomique et la spectroscopie photoélectronique. Les propriétés mécaniques, morphologiques, rhéologiques et thermiques de différentes formulations de mélanges PP/EPDM ont été étudiées pour trouver la composition optimale du mélange pour la préparation de composites. Les composites résultants à base de polypropylène, d'EPDM et de fibre de coco possèdent des propriétés de résistance aux chocs élevées et des propriétés de traction et de flexion comparables. Les propriétés mécaniques, morphologiques, rhéologiques et thermiques des composites PP/EPDM/Coir ont été étudiées en détail pour examiner la stabilité des composites. / In recent years, the development of advanced high performance composite materials made from natural fibers was mainly focussed on achieving high modulus and strength materials. However, the high strength is not sufficient, as some of the materials possess brittle nature (the overall elongation to fracture is small), and one of the more important performance criterion should be the ability to absorb energy and resist impact loadings. The manner in which a composite material deforms and subjected to fractures depends upon both the chemical and mechanical properties of three basic constituents: the fibers, the matrix and a fine interphase region (sometimes referred to as the interface) responsible for assuring the bond between the matrix and fiber. Due to its unique properties and abundant in nature, lignocellulose based fibers are emerging as a preferred choice for scientific, engineering and commercial communities who were looking for sustainable materials in various applications. Though these fibers possess several advantages over synthetic fillers, adhesion between the fiber and matrix, moisture repellence, flame retardant properties etc are still challenging areas to be addressed. In this context a novel technique based on spray-dry- cure method to establish a hydrophobic sol-gel coating on the lignocellulosic coir fiber surface. The surface modification of lignocellulosic coir fibers was done with the use of low-pressure oxygen plasma, followed by the application of a spray-dry-cure sol–gel coating with the water and oil repellent organic–inorganic hybrid precursor fluoroalkyl-functional siloxane (FAS), with the aim of creating the extremely hydrophobic coir fiber surface. The plasma pre-treatment increased the effective concentration of the FAS network on the lignocellulosic coir fibers. The effectiveness of plasma treatment and FAS sol gel coating on the coir fiber was studied using different characterisation techniques such as contact angle analysis, water absorption studies, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The mechanical, morphological, rheological and thermal properties of different PP/EPDM blend formulations were carried out to find out optimum blend composition for composite preparation. The resulting composites based on polypropylene, EPDM and coir possess high impact strength properties and comparable tensile and flexural properties. The mechanical, morphological, rheological and thermal properties of PP/EPDM/Coir composites were studied in detail to examine the stability of the composites.

Este trabalho investiga a utilização do solo do Aterro Sanitário de Rio das Ostras como forma de tratamento de lixiviado, de modo a quantificar a redução de contaminastes, cor e valores de DQO. A utilização do solo argiloso para redução de contaminantes, cor e valores de valores de DQO foi estudada usando três lixiviados diferentes: Rio das Ostras, Morro do Céu e aterro grande porte em ensaios para medida de sorção. As análises de redução de cor e valores de DQO foram realizadas, tendo o resultado mostrado uma redução de cor que variou de 45 a 73% e valores de DQO entre 7 e 66%, usando ensaios do tipo Batch Tests pelo Método CSI. Outros ensaios foram realizados pelo Método ECI de Batch Tests que mostraram resultados melhores de redução de cor, entre 60 e 80% apresentando uma capacidade de sorção do solo argiloso de 22 mg/g. Os ensaios de sorção, com os três lixiviados, foram também utilizados, para estudo do comportamento de certos contaminantes amônio, potássio, sódio e cálcio com relação ao solo argiloso de Rio das Ostras. Foi observada uma dessorção para os íons sódio e cálcio e também uma alta sorção para os íons amônio e potássio. O solo e o lixiviado do Aterro Sanitário de Rio das Ostras foram utilizados para pesquisa de determinação dos coeficientes de difusão molecular para os íons amônio, potássio, sódio, cloreto e cálcio, simulados nos programas computacionais POLLUTE e MPHMTP. Os resultados do coeficiente de difusão para o POLLUTE variaram entre 0,03 m2/ano e 0,1 m2/ano sendo no MPHMTP de 0,06 m2/ano a 0,1 m2/ano. Os dados experimentais mostraram melhor comportamento nas simulações realizadas no MPHMTP. / This work is an investigation study of the use of Rio das Ostras MSW clay soil as a leachate treatment. The activity of the clay soil for color and COD reduction was studied using three different leachates: Rio das Ostras, Morro do Céu and another one without identification. Analysis of the color and COD reduction were performed and the results for color reduction vary from 45 to 73% and the COD reduction from 7 to 66 %, using CSI Batch Tests. Other tests using one of the leachates with ECI Batch Tests presented better results for color reduction, the results of ECI tests showed an sorption capacity for the clay soil of 22 mg/g. The sorption tests, with the three leachates, were also performed to study the behavior of certain contaminants; Sodium, Ammonium, Potassium and Calcium in the presence of a clay soil from Rio das Ostras MSW. A Sodium and Calcium desorption was observed as well as a higher sorption for ammonium and potassium. The molecular diffusion coefficients determination using the soil and the leachate of Rio das Ostras MSW for the Chloride, Sodium, Ammonium, Potassium and Calcium ions were researched and the software POLLUTE and MPHMPT (Multi Phase Heat and Mass transfer program) were used. The results vary between 0,03 m2/year to 0,1 m2/year for POLLUTE software and 0,06 m2/year to 0,1 m2/ year for MPHMPT model. The experimental data showed better agreement for MPHMPT.

O processo de lodos ativados consiste em um tratamento biológico amplamente utilizado nas estações de tratamento, para remoção de matéria orgânica, devido à qualidade do efluente ao final do processo. Essa remoção é realizada por microrganismos que atuam neste sistema como bactérias, protozoários, metazoários e organismos filamentosos, como fungos e bactérias, formadores de flocos biológicos. Para garantir a eficiência deste processo deve haver um equilíbrio da microbiota dentro do reator aeróbio e o controle do número de filamentosos, tendo em vista que seu excesso no sistema pode causar o intumescimento do lodo (bulking) interferindo na qualidade do efluente gerado. O presente estudo teve como objetivo testar a eficiência de uma solução de 0,001% de peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) no controle de microrganismos filamentosos em lodos provenientes de duas indústrias, farmacêutica e alimentícia, reduzindo assim os riscos relacionados à utilização desta substância em grandes volumes. Foram realizadas análises microscópicas do lodo para avaliação quantitativa e monitoramento da atividade biológica dos reatores, essa avaliação serviu como base para a análise qualitativa a partir do índice de Madoni (1994) gerando um Índice Biótico do Lodo (IBL). Foram realizados outros testes, como IVL e teste de respiração, sendo os resultados destes testes comparados a fim de avaliar a eficiência da solução de H2O2 e sua interferência no processo. A solução de H2O2 foi eficiente em ambos os experimentos, mostrando através dos testes de TCO e TCOe não haver interferência desta solução no metabolismo da microfauna; os resultados do IBL mostraram uma boa qualidade do lodo para ambos experimentos e a partir desta análise foi observado que a elevação de temperatura, acima de 30,0C, causa interferência no sistema levando a uma redução do IBL. Os resultados de IVL não demonstraram diferença entre os valores dos reatores controle e tratado, porém a avaliação do tamanho dos flocos e filamentos mostrou que o aumento na concentração da solução de H2O2 levou a um controle na quantidade de filamentosos nos reatores tratados que reduziram em tamanho e quantidade. / The activated sludge process consists in a treatment largely used in biological treatment plants for removal of organic matter, because of the quality of the effluent at the end of the process. This removal is accomplished by microorganisms which act in this system as bacteria, protozoa, metazoan and filamentous organisms such as fungi and bacteria, forming biological flocs. To ensure efficiency of this process must be a balance of microbiota in the aerobic reactor and control the number of filaments, in order that its excess in the system may cause sludge swelling (bulking) interfering with the quality of the effluent. The present study aimed to test the efficacy of a 0.001% solution of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in control of filamentous microorganisms in sludge from two industries, pharmaceutical and food, thereby reducing the risks related to the use of this substance in large volumes. Analyses microscopic sludge to quantitative evaluation and monitoring of the biological activity of the reactors, this assessment was the basis for the qualitative analysis from the Madonis index (1994) generating a Sludge Biotic Index (IBL). Other tests were performed as IVL and then breath test, and the results of these tests being compared in order to evaluate the efficiency of H2O2 solution and their interference in the process. A solution of H2O2 was efficient in both experiments, showing through the TCO and TCOe tests, that this solution not be interference with the metabolism of microfauna, the IBL results showed a good quality of the sludge for both experiments and from this analysis revealed that the temperature over 30,0C, causes interference in the system leading to a reduction in the IBL. The results IVL showed no difference between the control and treated reactors, but the evaluation of the size of the flocs and filaments showed that increasing the solution concentration of H2O2 led to control the amount of filamentous treated in reactors which have reduced in size and quantity.