Este trabalho tem como objetivo refletir sobre a importância de dispositivos de informação, nos processos educativos de Educação Infantil. O estudo foi realizado na Oficina de Informação, dispositivo informacional implantado na Creche/Pré Escola Oeste, localizada no campus da USP, na cidade de São Paulo, em parceria da COSEAS/Divisão de Creches com o PROESI Programa Serviços de Informação em Educação, da ECA/USP. A experiência vivida como coordenadora pedagógica na Creche/ Pré Escola Oeste, assim como a pesquisa, possibilitaram a constatação da importância da criação de novos dispositivos informacionais na Educação Infantil contemporânea, proporcionando um novo olhar sobre a pedagogia da infância e a convicção de que esse tipo de dispositivo de informação não é um luxo, mas uma necessidade dos novos tempos. / This piece of work has the objective of a reflective thinking about the information devices, in educational processes of Infant & Kindergarten Education. The study was performed at the Information Workshop, informational device implemented at the Day Care Center/Preschool Oeste, located at the campus of USP, in the City of São Paulo, with the partnership of COSEAS/ Day Care Center Division and ECA/USPs PROESI Education Information Services Program. The experience lived as pedagogic coordinator at the Day Care Center/Preschool Oeste, as well as the research, have made possible the confirmation of the importance of creating new informational devices in the Infant & Kindergarten Contemporary Education; providing a new look over Chilhood Pedagogy and the conviction that this type of information device is not a luxury, but a necessity of the new times.

A liberação controlada de fármacos é um tópico importante para várias iniciativas em nanotecnologia devido ao possível impacto para a sociedade, com a criação de sistemas otimizados que garantam a liberação num sítio específico e a uma taxa controlada. Dentre os vários paradigmas de liberação controlada destaca-se o uso de lipossomos, uma vez que muitos fármacos e drogas podem ser transportados. Este trabalho descreve a fabricação de filmes automontados de lipossomos que incorporam o fármaco ibuprofeno. Os lipossomos foram preparados de dipalmitoil fosfatidil colina (DPPC), dipalmitoil fosfatidil glicerol (DPPG) e palmitoil-oleoil fosfatidil glicerol (POPG), cujas camadas foram alternadas por interações eletrostáticas com camadas do dendrímero PAMAM geração 4. Medidas de espalhamento dinâmico de luz indicaram que a incorporação do ibuprofeno tornou os lipossomos de DPPC e DPPG mais estáveis, com uma diminuição no diâmetro médio de 140 para 74 nm e 132 para 63nm, respectivamente. Ao contrário, os lipossomos de POPG ficaram menos estáveis, com aumento do diâmetro de 110 para 160 nm. A influência na estabilidade foi confirmada em medidas de microscopia de força atômica nos filmes automontados, que mostraram grande tendência à ruptura nos lipossomos de POPG com a incorporação de ibuprofeno. O crescimento dos filmes automontados foi investigado com espectroscopia de fluorescência e uma balança de cristal de quartzo. A intensidade da fluorescência devida ao ibuprofeno aumentou exponencialmente com o número de camadas depositadas, mas não por causa de uma crescente adsorção de ibuprofeno. Ao contrário, a quantidade de material adsorvido nas primeiras camadas aumentou inicialmente, mas depois diminuiu drasticamente após a 6ª. bicamada, e o filme praticamente pára de crescer a partir da 10ª. bicamada. Portanto, a grande fluorescência para filmes espessos deve ser associada a um ambiente favorável, que aumenta a emissão quântica do ibuprofeno. A liberação do ibuprofeno, estudada com medidas de fluorescência, é mais lenta quando incorporado em lipossomos. Em experimentos com uma membrana de diálise, notamos que o tempo de decaimento do ibuprofeno puro é 5,2 h, enquanto este tempo aumentou para 9,2 e 8 h para ibuprofeno encapsulado em lipossomos de DPPG e POPG, respectivamente. O ibuprofeno também foi liberado de filmes automontados contendo lipossomos de DPPG e POPG, o que é promissor para o uso em bandagens (patches). / Controlled drug delivery is a key issue in a number of nanotechnology endeavors owing to the large impact on society that may achieved if improved systems are created which allows for delivery at a specific target and with a controlled rate. Among the various paradigms employed in drug delivery, the use of liposomes is prominent because a variety of drug molecules can be carried. This work describes the fabrication of layer-by-layer (LbL) films made with liposomes incorporating ibuprofen. The liposomes were made with dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline (DPPC), dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl glycerol (DPPG) and palmitoyl-oleoyl-phosphatidyl glycerol (POPG), whose layers were alternated with layers of the dendrimer PAMAM generation 4 via electrostatic interactions. According to dynamic light scattering measurements, the incorporation of ibuprofen caused DPPC and DPPG liposomes to become more stable, with a decrease in diameter from 140 to 74 nm and from 132 to 63 nm, respectively. In contrast, liposomes from POPG became less stable, with an increase in size from 110 to 160 nm. These results were confirmed with atomic force microscopy images of LbL films, which showed a large tendency to rupture for POPG liposomes. The film growth was monitored with fluorescence spectroscopy and a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The fluorescence intensity arising from ibuprofen increased exponentially with the number of layers, but this was not caused by an increased adsorption of ibuprofen. Instead, the QCM measurements showed that the amount of material adsorbed increases initially with the number of PAMAM/liposome(ibuprofen) layers, but after the 6th bilayer it decreases sharply and film growth practically stops after the 10th layer. Therefore, the inevitable conclusion is that the increased fluorescence is due to a favorable environment for the ibuprofen, whose quantum emission efficiency increases with the number of layers deposited. Also using fluorescence measurements, we noted that release of ibuprofen was delayed when incorporated in liposomes. For instance, in a membrane dialysis experiment, the characteristic decay time was 3.5 h for ibuprofen in solution, whereas this time increased to 9.2 and 8 h for ibuprofen encapsulated into DPPG and POPG liposomes, respectively. Ibuprofen could also be released from the LbL films made with DPPG and POPG liposomes, which is promising for further use in patches.

Orientador: Fauze Ahmad Aouada / Resumo: Neste trabalho, primeiramente foram desenvolvidos hidrogéis nanocompósitos baseados em poli(ácido metacrílico) (PMAA) e nanoargilas cloisita-Na+, laponitas RD (Lpt RD) e RDS (Lpt RDS) por meio de polimerização via radical livre. A formação do nanocompósito e o grau de dispersão das nanoargilas junto a matriz polimérica foram investigados por análise de FTIR, MEV e DRX. A presença do argilomineral se apresentou um fator importante no que diz respeito ao aumento da capacidade de absorver água (Q) dos hidrogéis, atingindo um máximo em 5% de incorporação das Lpts no PMAA, além de uma melhora na estabilidade térmica dos nanocompósitos comprovada por TG. Assim como as nanocargas, o pH do meio também é um fator determinante para o controle do intumescimento. Pois, os grupos carboxílicos do PMAA sofrem ionização dependendo do pH da solução, aumentando assim o intumescimento do hidrogel. Segundo, foi realizado um estudo relativo à eficiência da adsorção pelos nanocompósitos (nanoargilas Lpt RD, Lpt RDS e cloisita-Na+) do herbicida paraquat (PQ) e sua posterior liberação em solução aquosa. Mais uma vez a presença do argilomineral se mostrou relevante, aumentando para 100% de eficiência no carregamento para nanocompósitos constituídos por 20% de nanoargilas. As adsorções em todas as formulações dos nanocompósitos se ajustaram à isoterma de Langmuir. Enquanto o modelo de isoterma de Freundlich foi o melhor modelo para a matriz sem nanoargila. Todas as isotermas apresentaram perfil de ads... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: In this work, initially, nanocomposite hydrogels based on poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), closite-Na+, laponite RD (Lpt RD) and laponite RDS (Lpt RDS) nanoclays were synthesized from free radical polymerization. The formation of the nanocomposite and the degree of dispersion of the nanoclays into polymeric matrices were investigated by FTIR, SEM, and XRD techniques. The presence of the clay mineral was a significant factor because it increased the capacity of water absorption (SD) of the hydrogels, reaching a maximum of 5% of Lpts into PMAA. Besides, the thermal stability of the nanocomposites, confirmed by TG, was increased by clay presence. As the nanofillers, the pH of the environment is also a determinant factor for the control of swelling. Because the carboxyl groups of the PMAA undergo ionization depending on the pH of the solution, increasing the swelling of the hydrogel. Then, a study was carried out on the adsorption efficiency of the herbicide paraquat (PQ) using hydrogel nanocomposites (with Lpt RD, Lpt RDS, and cloisite-Na+ nanoclays) as adsorbent materials. After, its release properties were investigated in aqueous solution. The presence of nanoclay was again relevant, increasing to 100% its loading efficiency for nanocomposites made up of 20% nanoclays. Adsorption in all nanocomposite formulations fitted the Langmuir isotherm. Already, the paraquat sorption results followed the Freundlich isotherm model. All isotherms had favorable adsorption profiles, and it pre... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Solutes are often most efficiently deployed in discrete pulses, for example in the delivery of herbicides or drugs. Manual application of each pulse can be labor-intensive, automated application of each pulse can be capital intensive, and both are often costly and impractical. Barrier-Mediated Pulsatile Release (BMPR) systems offer a materials-based alternative for automated pulsatile drug delivery, without pumps, power supplies, or complex circuitry. While earlier materials-based approaches such as delayed-release microcapsules are limited to two or three pulses due to the independent nature of each pulse’s timing control, BMPR systems link the timing of each pulse to the previous pulse. Each dose of drug is sequestered in its own stimuli-sensitive depot, releasing only upon contact with the stimulant. These depots are stacked with sacrificial barriers in between, each of which block the stimulant for a predetermined time. For instance, layers of soluble drug may be separated by degradable polymer layers. Water, as the stimulant, will erode the polymer layer over a fixed period of time, followed by quick dissolution and release of the underlying drug and the start of degradation for the next polymer layer. This example, however, is quickly limited by irregular polymer erosion, a single stimulant (water), and difficulty in scaling delay times. The research work presented in this thesis reports the development of a generalized BMPR system which overcomes those limitations. Model drugs (methylene blue and methyl orange) were immobilized in a pH-sensitive polymer [poly(methyl methacrylate-co-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)] which released only at low pH. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles immobilized in a pH-insensitive matrix [poly(vinyl alcohol)] served as the barrier layer. The time required for acid to penetrate the barrier layer scaled with the ZnO concentration and with the square of the polymer thickness, allowing wide scaling of the delay time with only minor changes to the barrier layer. Harnessing the swelling pressure of the acid-sensitive hydrogel, each barrier/depot bilayer can delaminate upon solute release, directly exposing the next bilayer to the stimulant source. This system has demonstrated tuned release using a citric acid stimulant to produce up to ten pulses of model drug (methylene blue) over various preset timescales. This system has also demonstrated the alternate release of multiple solutes (methylene blue and methyl orange) at regular time intervals up to five pulses from a single BMPR device. For non-delaminating BMPR systems, spent bilayers impede stimulant diffusion to the inner layers and solute diffusion from the inner layers, increasing the delay time and the pulse width. To predict these changes, a computational model was constructed in FORTRAN. This model was extensively explored over a wide range of parameter space to understand the release behavior of various kinds of non-delaminating BMPR systems. The computer model also validates the performances of experimental delaminating BMPR system. This model can be used to guide the physical modeling of BMPR systems. The model also allows to incorporate variety of stimulants other than just acid. BMPR technology introduces efforts to further generalize the delivery strategy by incorporating glucose as a stimulant.

L’objectif des travaux de cette thèse était de développer un système de délivrance stimulus-sensible innovant. Basé sur des vésicules lipidiques, il permet la libération d’une substance anti-cancéreuse hydrophile encapsulée dans leur cœur aqueux, sous l’effet de la lumière. Des porphyrines, incorporées dans leur bicouche, permettent, une fois illuminées, de générer de l’oxygène singulet qui oxyde les chaînes acyl insaturées des phospholipides. Cela induit une augmentation de la perméabilité des liposomes et permet la libération de leur cargo. Nous avons, dans un premier temps, effectué une sélection de phospholipides et de porphyrines permettant de construire le système. Les résultats expérimentaux ont pu être corrélés à une étude de simulation de dynamique moléculaire. L’ensemble a mis en exergue l’importance de la profondeur d’insertion de la porphyrine dans la bicouche lipidique et de sa proximité avec la double-liaison des phospholipides. Mais il a aussi montré les limites de ce système. Nous avons alors développé deux nouvelles molécules, dérivées de phospholipides naturels auxquels a été couplée la pheophorbide a. Malgré leur possible autoassemblage sous la forme de vésicules, ces derniers n’étaient pas stables et s’agrégeaient rapidement. Nous avons donc associé ces conjugués à des lipides classiques (DSPC, cholestérol) et analysé les propriétés des mélanges obtenus. Les propriétés photothermiques des systèmes conçus ont été confirmées, capables d’induire une élévation en température de 14°C. La chaleur générée, responsable d’une plus grande fluidité de la bicouche lipidique, a permis de favoriser la libération du cargo. Enfin, les deux conjugués synthétisés ont montré eux-mêmes une activité phototoxique (PDT), additionnée d’une sélectivité vis-à-vis de cellules du cancer de l’œsophage. Ces nouvelles molécules offrent donc de nombreuses opportunités pour le développement de systèmes multimodaux, bio-inspirés et biodégradables, pour la délivrance d’un médicament sous l’effet de la lumière. / The aim of this work was to develop an innovative stimulus-responsive delivery system. Based on lipid vesicles, it allows the controlled release, by light, of a hydrophilic anti-cancer substance encapsulated in their aqueous core. Once illuminated, porphyrin molecules inserted into the lipidic bilayer, generate singlet oxygen which oxidizes the unsaturated acyl chains of the phospholipids. This induces an increase in the permeability of the liposomes and the release of their cargo. We first made a selection of phospholipids and porphyrins to build the system. Our experimental study could be correlated with results of molecular dynamics simulations. The whole work highlighted the importance of the depth of insertion of porphyrin into the lipid bilayer and its proximity to the double bond of phospholipids. But it also showed the limits of this system. We then developed two new molecules, derived from natural phospholipids, to which pheophorbide a was coupled. The conjugates were able to form self-assembled vesicles but were unstable and quickly aggregated. We therefore associated these conjugates with classical lipids (DSPC, cholesterol) and analyzed the properties of these mixtures. We highlighted photothermal properties of the designed systems, capable of inducing a temperature rise of 14 °C. The generation of heat, responsible for a greater fluidity of the lipid bilayer, subsequently promoted the encapsulated cargo release. Finally, the two synthesized conjugates showed a phototoxic activity (PDT), with selectivity towards esophageal cancer cells. These new molecules therefore offer many opportunities for the development of multimodal, bio-inspired and biodegradable systems, for the delivery of a drug under the effect of light.

Dans le domaine des systèmes d’administration de principes actifs, les nanovecteurs formés par auto-association en milieu aqueux de polymères biocompatibles amphiphiles sont apparus comme l’un des systèmes transporteurs de principes actifs (PA) hydrophobes les plus prometteurs. Ces systèmes offrent plusieurs avantages tels qu'une meilleure solubilité du PA hydrophobe dans l'eau, une diminution des effets secondaires et une amélioration de la libération dans les tissus tumoraux grâce à l’effet de perméabilité et de rétention tissulaire (effet EPR). À cet égard, les nanogels sensibles aux stimuli sont des plateformes attrayantes pour l'administration de médicaments en raison de leur capacité à modifier leurs propriétés physiques et/ou chimiques en réponse à un stimulus externe tel que la lumière, l’application d’un champ magnétique, une variation de pH ou de température. Les polymères thermosensibles sont particulièrement intéressants en raison de leur capacité à subir une transition de phase réversible sans avoir besoin de réactifs supplémentaires. Dans ce contexte, nous avons développé et étudié une nouvelle classe de nanogels thermosensibles, biocompatibles et biodégradables à base de glycoaminoglycanes (GAGs) en modifiant le squelette polysaccharidique avec un copolymère thermoresensible de méthacrylate de di(éthylène glycol) et de n-butylméthacrylate. Celui-ci a été conçu pour obtenir des nanogels stables à température ambiante. La voie de synthèse polyvalente a également permis la réticulation de la couronne afin de figer leur structure. Le choix des GAGs, composant la couronne hydrophile peut être exploité pour contrôler leur comportement biologique. Dans l’objectif d’utiliser ces systèmes en tant que plate-forme polyvalente pour la délivrance de principes actifs et d’autres molécules d'intérêt, nous avons étudié la possibilité d’incorporer des nanoparticules d'oxyde de fer pour des applications de guidage magnétique, d’imagerie et de traitement par hyperthermie. Les synthèses du composant magnétique ainsi que la conception du nanovecteur sont des étapes clés pour réaliser un système de délivrance magnétique capable de réaliser un ciblage efficace. / In the field of drug delivery systems, polymeric nanogels obtained by the self-assembly of biocompatible amphiphilic polymers in water have emerged as one of the most promising nanocarriers for various hydrophobic drugs. These systems offer several advantages such as enhanced hydrophobic drug solubility in water, decreased side effects, and improved drug delivery to tumor tissues via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. In this regard, stimuli-responsive polymeric nanogels are attractive platforms for drug delivery due to their ability to change their physical and/or chemical properties in response to an external stimulus such as light, magnetic field, pH or temperature. Thermoresponsive polymers are particularly interesting due to their ability to undergo a reversible thermally-induced phase transition without the need of additional reagents. In this context, our aim was to engineer and to study a new class of thermoresponsive, biocompatible and biodegradable nanogels based on glycoaminoglycans (GAGs) through the modification of the polysaccharide backbone with a thermoresponsive copolymer of di(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (DEGMA) and n-butylmethacrylate (BMA)). The latter was properly designed to obtain stable nanogels at room temperature. The versatile synthetic route to nanogels also allowed their further shell-crosslinking to capture the nanogel structure at low temperature. The choice of the GAGs forming the hydrophilic shell can be exploited to control their biological behavior. In order to use these systems as a versatile platform for delivery of active ingredients and other molecules of interest, we investigated the possibility of incorporating iron oxide nanoparticles for magnetic guidance, imaging and hyperthermia treatment. The syntheses of the magnetic component as well as the design of the nanocarrier are key steps to achieve a magnetically-responsive nanodelivery system capable of efficient targeting.

Thesis (M.Sc.(Soil Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / Winery solid waste materials namely, wine filter materials (FM), grape marc (berry stalks, skins and seeds) and chopped grapevine pruning canes were composted in heaps through a thermophilic process. The filter materials were mixed with the grape marc and grapevine prunings at five rates (10%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) to produce five composts herein designated as C10FM, C25FM, C50FM, C75FM and C100FM, respectively. A laboratory incubation study was thereafter carried out to determine the nutrient release potential of the composts using two soil types with varying textural characteristics. Each compost was mixed with soil at a rate equivalent to 200 kg N ha-1 and the mineral N, available P and exchangeable K content determined over 42 days incubation period. Results revealed that the composts possess high C content and low C:N ratios; and released significantly higher NH4-N and K concentration relative to un-amended control. The differences in the amount of P mineralised among the five compost treatments were not significant while significantly higher amount of K was mineralised at higher FM mix rates. The composts were applied to maize cv. SNK2147 on sandy soil in a greenhouse pot study at five rates (5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 t ha-1) to determine their effects on crop growth and yield as well as on selected soil chemical properties. An un-fertilised control and NPK fertiliser treatments were included for comparison. The pots were arranged in a completely randomized design, with each treatment replicated four times. The C50FM, C75FM and C100FM treatments applied at 80 t ha-1 gave significantly higher maize dry matter yield than the NPK fertiliser treatment. Quantitative estimates of the optimum compost rate for dry matter production ranged from 450 to 1842 g pot-1. Application of these composts significantly increased dry matter yield, plant height, stem diameter and the number of functional leaves per plant compared to the un-fertilised control. The K content of shoot from composts treatments exceeded the critical nutritional level of 3.3%. Plant tissue Zn content from C10FM, C25FM and C50FM treatments exceeded the critical nutritional level of 15 mg kg-1 while the residual soil K, Na and Zn contents after crop harvest were significantly increased following compost application. Similarly, the residual P was significantly increased in C25FM, C75FM and C100FM treatments after harvest. In conclusion, application of these composts exerted beneficial effects on maize performance and soil. Field studies under variable conditions are recommended to validate these findings. Keywords: wine, compost, nutrient release potential, maize, soil chemical properties

Thesis (M. Sc. Agriculture (Soil Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / The activity and functional diversity of micro-organisms contribute to the stability and productivity of agro-ecosystems. Soil micro-organisms and enzyme activities have been suggested as potential indicators of soil quality. Hence, management practices that can enhance microbial diversity and enzyme activities are essential for improving soil health and soil fertility status. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of compost maturity age on the change in bio-quality indicators of compost and compost amended soil. Cattle manure-rich compost was prepared through thermophilic windrow composting using cattle manure and wood chips mixed at a proportion of 4:1 (w/w) to achieve a C:N ratio of 30:1. This compost was sampled at regular intervals of 30 days after the initiation of the composting process until 150 days when it was finally cured. Compost samples of varying degrees of maturity age were air-dried, pulverised and mixed with 1.2 kg surface soil at an equivalent rate of 100 kg P ha-1. Each compost amended soil was transferred into well labelled plastic pots for incubation. Sampling of incubated amended soils was performed at 7 days interval until 42 days; and the samples were used for microbial count, enzyme activity, and mineralisation assessments. Data generated were analysed as factorial experiment using SYSTAT package. Treatment and interaction effects were evaluated using Fisher protected least significant difference at probability level of 5%. Results of the chemical composition of the different composts are similar and comparable. Variation in compost maturity date, incubation time and their interaction exerted significant effects on the measured microbial counts and enzyme activities as bio-quality indicators. The content of bacteriameasured was consistently highest at each sampling date followed by the actinomycetes while fungi population count remained persistently lowest. Bacteria and β-glucosidase represent the dominant microbe and enzyme, respectively in all compost samples taken at different maturity age.The highest count of actinomycetes (6.18 CFU g-1), bacterial (6.73 CFU g-1) and fungi (3.06 CFU g-1) were obtained during the 42-day incubation period.Of all the enzyme activities studied, β-glucosidase content was consistently highest in all compost samples across the sampling dates. Similarly, the highest concentration of ß-glucosidase (3076 mg kg-1 hr-1), phosphatase (1480 mg kg-1 hr-1), dehydrogenase iv (120.07 μg INF g-1 2hr-1) and urease (26.15 mg kg-1 2hr-1) were obtained during the 42-day incubation period. The highest microbial counts and enzyme activities were reached beyond 19 days after incubation. Maximum Bray P1 (20.10 mg kg-1), ammonium N (108 mg kg-1) and nitrate N (189 mg kg-1) were obtained at 42, 14 and 42 days after incubation, respectively. The measured temporal change in the concentrations of bio-quality parameters in the compost-amended soils were highest in compost sampled at 90 days, except for phosphatase, indicating the peak of the thermophilic process. The bio-quality parameters of these composts and the compost amended soil were influenced by compost maturity and incubation time. The uses of mature compost with desirable level of bio-quality indicators are crucial for fertility management and improved soil health. Keywords: Compost maturity, enzyme activities, microbial count, nutrient release, soil fertility

No description available.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・論文博士 / 博士(人間健康科学) / 乙第13303号 / 論人健博第6号 / 新制||人健||5(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科人間健康科学系専攻 / (主査)教授 青山 朋樹, 教授 黒木 裕士, 教授 松田 秀一 / 学位規則第4条第2項該当 / Doctor of Human Health Sciences / Kyoto University / DFAM