[pt] A simulação da adsorção da prednisolona em um modelo de surfactante pulmonar foi realizada com sucesso usando dinâmica molecular coarse grained a uma temperatura de 310 K. O modelo coarse grained da prednisolona foi parametrizado usando o modelo do colesterol e validado utilizando cálculos de coeficientes de partição octanol-água e coeficientes de difusão lateral. O coeficiente de partição octanol-água calculado para prednisolona a 298 K é 3,9 mais ou menos 1,6 que possui um acordo razoável com o valor experimental. O coeficiente de difusão lateral da prednisolona na monocamada mista de DPPC/POPC é estimado ser (6 mais ou menos 4) x10(-7) cm(2) s(-1) a 20 mN m(-1), o que está de acordo com o encontrado para o colesterol. A monocamada mista de DPPC/POPC foi utilizada como modelo de surfactante pulmonar onde moléculas de prednisolona foram adsorvidas formando nanoagregados. Os nanoagregados de prednisolona foram transferidos dentro da monocamada mista DPPC/POPC sendo espalhados na tensão superficial de 20 mN m(-1). A 0 e 10 mN m(-1) os nanoagregados de prednisolona induzem o colapso da monocamada mista DPPC/POPC formando bicamadas. A implicação deste trabalho é que a prednisolona pode apenas ser administrada com surfactante pulmonar utilizando baixas frações em massa de prednisolona por lipídio (menor que 10 por cento). Com frações elevadas, o colapso inativa as propriedades do surfactante pulmonar pela formação de uma bicamada. Os resultados desta pesquisa podem ser utilizados para o desenvolvimento de novos tratamentos clínicos de doenças como a síndrome da angústia respiratória do recém-nascido, asma e doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica. / [en] The simulation of prednisolone adsorption on a lung surfactant model was successfully performed using coarse grained molecular dynamics at 310 K (dynamics first performed). The coarse grained model for prednisolone was parameterized using a well-established cholesterol model and validated by using calculations of octanol–water partition coefficients and lateral diffusion coefficients. The calculated octanol–water partition coefficient of prednisolone at 298 K is 3.9 more or less 1.6, which is in reasonable agreement with experiment. The lateral diffusion coefficient of prednisolone in the DPPC/POPC mixed monolayer is estimated to be (6 more or less 4) x10(-7) cm(2) s(-1) at 20 mN m(-1), which is in agreement with that found for cholesterol. The DPPC/POPC mixed monolayer was used as lung surfactant model where prednisolone molecules were adsorbed forming nanoaggregates. The nanoaggregates of prednisolone were transferred into the DPPC/POPC mixed monolayer being spread at the surface tension of 20 mN m(-1). At 0 and 10 mN m(-1) , the prednisolone nanoaggregates induce the collapse of the DPPC/POPC mixed monolayer forming a bilayer. The implications of this work are that prednisolone may only be administered with lung surfactant by using low mass fractions of prednisolone per lipid (less than 10 percent). And, with high fractions, the collapse inactivates the properties of the lung surfactant by forming a bilayer. The results of this research can be used to develop new clinical treatments for diseases such as respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Orientador: Ricardo De Oliveira Orsi / Abstract: INFLUENCE OF PROPOLIS CONSUMPTION IN GENES EXPRESSION RELATED TO IMMUNE SYSTEM OF Apis mellifera L. BEES SUBJECTED TO CHALLENGE BACTERIA. The Apis mellifera bees may be subject to a number of threats as parasites and pathogens that affect your immune system. This fact makes it necessary to look for natural products that can contribute to improving the immune system of these insects such as propolis. Given the above, the objective was to analyze the influence of the supply of propolis in gene expressions related to immunity of Apis mellifera L. bees subjected to bacterial challenge Over 30 days, four hives receive weekly treatments with different percentages of alcoholic extract of propolis 30% (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%). The experiment was randomized in a factorial 4 x 2 x 2x 3 (treatments x with or without bacteria x times x periods), totaling 48 samples. It was observed the expressions of abaecin, hymenoptaecin, apidaecin and defensing1 genes. As internal control was used actin gene. The results were compared by ANOVA followed by Tukey test (P <0.05). Alterations were observed in gene expression of bees studied for all periods and treatments before and after bacterial challenge for all proposed genes, were yet verified inductions of relative expression in the three periods. It is concluded that under the conditions of this study, propolis can induce the relative expression of genes abaecin, hymenoptaecin, apidaecin and defensin1, when subjected to bacterial challenge. However, it i... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Resumo: INFLUÊNCIA DO CONSUMO DA PRÓPOLIS NA EXPRESSÃO DE GENES RELACIONADOS AO SISTEMA IMUNOLOGICO DE ABELHAS Apis mellifera L. SUMETIDAS AO DESAFIO BACTERIANO. As abelhas Apis mellifera podem estar sujeitas a uma série de ameaças como parasitas e patógenos que acometem seu sistema imunológico. Tal fato torna necessária a busca por produtos naturais que possam contribuir com a melhora do sistema imune destes insetos, como a própolis. Diante do exposto, o objetivo foi analisar a influência do fornecimento da própolis em expressões de genes relacionados à imunidade de abelhas Apis mellifera L. submetidas ao desafio bacteriano. Ao longo de 30 dias, quatro colmeias receberam semanalmente os tratamentos com diferentes porcentagens de extrato alcoólico de própolis 30% (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%). O experimento foi casualizado em esquema fatorial 4 x 2 x 2x 3 (tratamentos x com ou sem bactéria x tempos x períodos), totalizando 48 amostras. Foram observadas as expressões dos genes abaecin, hymenoptaecin, apidaecin e defensin1. Como controle interno foi utilizado o gene actina. Os resultados foram comparados por ANOVA seguidos do teste de Tukey (P<0,05). Foram observadas alterações na expressão gênica das abelhas estudadas para todos os períodos e tratamentos, antes e após desafio bacteriano, para todos os genes propostos, sendo ainda verificada induções da expressão relativa nos três períodos. Conclui-se que nas condições do presente trabalho, a própolis pode induzir a expressão relativa dos genes a... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Doutor

Estudo clínico prospectivo, em 11 pacientes com SARA ou LPA, avaliando o comportamento regional da densidade do tecido pulmonar e do colapso alveolar ao longo dos três eixos do espaço. Foram realizadas tomografias seriadas, após manobra de recrutamento inicial e após níveis de PEEP progressivamente decrescentes. Regressão linear múltipla (R2=0.83) mostrou importante gradiente no eixo gravitacional (p<0.001) e não no sentido céfalo-caudal (p<0.001), nem da direita para a esquerda (p<0.05). Isto corrobora o conceito do pulmão líquido, em que a resultante das pressões exercidas pelo diafragma, estruturas mediastinais e derrames seria transmitida uniformemente pelo tecido pulmonar. Cada um destes níveis isogravitacionais tem uma pressão crítica de fechamento (Pclosing), que é maior do que a pressão superimposta calculada. PEEP tem um efeito homogeneizador sobre o parênquima pulmonar. Dentre os parâmetros clínicos estudados, Pflex mostrou a pior correlação com colapso pulmonar documentado enquanto PO2 e a complacência máxima se mostraram equivalentes. / A prospective clinical study performed on 11 patients with ARDS or ALI with the intention of studying the regional behavior of lung tissue density and alveolar collapse along the three spatial axes. An initial recruitment maneuver was followed by multiple semi-complete CT scans at descending levels of PEEP. Multiple linear regression (R2=0.83) showed a gravitational gradient of densities and collapse (p<0.001) and no cephalo-caudal (p<0.001) or right-toleft increase (p<0.05), corroborating the liquid-like behavior of the lung. Pressure exerted by mediastinal structures, chest wall and effusions is transmitted uniformly throughout the lung. PEEP has a homogenizing effect on lung parenchyma. Among commonly used clinical surrogates, Pflex showed the worst correlation with actual lung collapse, while arterial PO2 and compliance were equivalent.

Orientador: Carlos Alberto de Castro Jr / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Eletrica e de Computação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-04T04:11:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JimenezCifuentes_Alberto_M.pdf: 868822 bytes, checksum: 18c5f2e3c043eab417e1404db98cf0d0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: As mudan¸cas no setor eletrico tem influido de maneira dr'astica nas condicoes de operacao dos sistemas, levando-os a operar proximos da sua maxima capacidade. Por esta razao, estimar a proximidade do ponto de operacao da rede aos limites do sistema de forma eficiente tem se tornado uma tarefa fundamental na operacao de sistemas el'etricos de pot¿encia. Do ponto de vista da estabilidade de tensao e interessante conhecer a margem de carregamento, ja que ela fornece uma id'eia precisa da proximidade do sistema ao colapso de tensao.Este trabalho propoe o treinamento de redes neurais artificiais para avaliar a margem de carregamento sob condicoes de operacao normais e de contingencia a partir das informacoes coletadas da previs¿ao de carga e usando diferentes grandezas mensuraveis diretamente do sistema ou atraves de calculos simples, visando a aplicacao desta metodologia num ambiente de tempo real / Abstract: Deregulation of electricity industry has drastically changed the operating conditions of power systems (PS). This fact leads them to operate close to their maximum capability. Thus, estimating efficiently the proximity of the operating point to its limits has become an essential task in PS. In static voltage stability analysis it is interesting to know the load margin (LM), which gives the proximity to the collapse point. This work proposes a neural network training in order to evaluate the LM not only under normal operating conditions, but also disturbance conditions, using either collected data of several measured parameters available from the system or through simple computations toward applying this methodology on real systems under on-line analysis / Mestrado / Energia Eletrica / Mestre em Engenharia Elétrica

[pt] O fenômeno de estabilidade de tensão é um problema associado ao fluxo de potência ativa e reativa nas linhas de transmissão. A manifestação mais conhecida do fenômeno é a existência de uma máxima carga que pode ser alimentada pela rede. Assim, é importante conhecer a proximidade ao ponto de máximo carregamento da rede de transmissão. Nesta dissertação foram estudados métodos existentes na literatura para determinar o ramo de transmissão mais carregado, foi avaliada a veracidade dos resultados obtidos quando são estudados os ramos de transmissão individualmente e, finalmente, foi apresentada uma alternativa para identificar o ramo de transmissão mais carregado observando as variações dos índices de estabilidade de tensão em cada ramo. Mostrou-se que é inadequada a avaliação de cada linha individualmente em um sistema multi-nó. / [en] The voltage stability phenomenon is a problem related with the flow of active and reactive power in transmission lines. The main characteristic of this phenomenon is the existence of a maximum load that can be supplied by the network. Therefore, did the importance of knowing the proximity to the point of maximum loading of the transmission network. In this dissertation, the existing methods in the literature for determining the most heavily loaded transmission branch were studied, was assessed the accuracy of the results obtained when the transmission branches are studying individually, and finally was displayed an alternative to identify the most heavily loaded transmission branch observing variations in voltage stability indices in each branch. It has been shown that it is inappropriate to evaluate each line individually in a multi-node system.

Des méthodes micromécaniques spécifiques ont été développées pour la détermination du comportement effectif de matériaux cellulaires dotés d’une architecture discrète à l’échelle microscopique. La méthode d’homogénéisation discrète a été appliquée à des structures tissées monocouches ainsi qu’à l’os trabéculaire. La topologie discrète initiale de ces milieux est remplacée à l’échelle mésoscopique par un milieu effectif anisotrope micropolaire, qui rend compte des effets d’échelles observés. Ces méthodes d’homogénéisation permettent d’accéder à des propriétés classiques et non classiques dont la mesure expérimentale est souvent difficile. Des modèles 3D ont été développé afin de décrire la rupture fragile et ductile de l’os trabéculaire, incorporant des effets de taille des surfaces d’écoulement plastique. Nous avons construit par des analyses éléments finis de la microstructure de l’os trabéculaire un milieu de substitution 3D homogène, orthotrope de type couple de contraintes, sur la base d’une équivalence en énergie. Les tissus osseux ont la capacité d’adapter leur densité locale et leur taille et forme aux stimuli mécaniques. Nous avons développé des modèles de remodelage interne et externe dans le cadre de la thermodynamique des processus irréversibles, aux échelles cellulaire et macroscopique. Finalement, le remodelage interne anisotrope a été couplé à l’endommagement de fatigue, dans le cadre de la théorie continue de l’endommagement / A methodology based on micromechanics has been developed to determine the effective behavior of network materials endowed with a discrete architecture at the microscopic level. It relies on the discrete homogenization method, which has been applied to textile monolayers and trabecular bones. The initially discrete topology of the considered network materials results after homogenization at the mesoscopic level in anisotropic micropolar effective continuum, which proves able to capture the observed internal scale effects. Such micromechanical methods are useful to remedy the difficulty to measure the effective mechanical properties at the intermediate mesoscopic level scale. The bending and torsion responses of vertebral trabecular bone beam specimens are formulated in both static and dynamic situations, based on the Cosserat theory. 3D models have been developed for describing the multiaxial yield and brittle fracture behavior of trabecular bone, including the analysis of size-dependent non-classical plastic yield. We have constructed by FE analyses a homogeneous, orthotropic couple-stress continuum model as a substitute of the 3D periodic heterogeneous cellular solid model of vertebral trabecular bone, based on the equivalent strain energy approach. Bone tissues are able to adapt their local density and load bearing capacities as well as their size and shape to mechanical stimuli. We have developed models for combined internal and external bone remodeling in the framework of the thermodynamics of irreversible processes, at both the cellular and macroscopic levels. We lastly combined anisotropic internal remodeling with fatigue continuum damage

The discovery of several bright supernovae (SNe) in recent years has evoked a great deal of interest in these objects. The study of these objects are of importance not only as probes to the end stages of stellar evolution, but also as probes for cosmology. Though the basic classification of supernovae was restricted to type I and type II, pecularities became apparent over the last two decades that have been confirmed into new classes, currently designated as types Ia, Ib, Ic, IIL, IIP, IIn and IIb. Diversity in the behaviour of supernovae within a class has also become apparent, such as photometric and spectroscopic sequence in type Ia, and the existence of the super-luminous‚ hypernovae‚ which, at times are found to be associated with GRB events. Core collapse supernovae are the end stages of most stars, more massive than ~ 8M . As such, they provide a key test of stellar evolution. Further, they play a major role in driving the chemical and dynamical evolution of galaxies, and have also been proposed to be major contributors to dust epochs when the Universe was still young. SNe explosions provide unique natural laboratories for studying, in real time, the physics of a variety of combustion, hydrodynamic, nuclear and atomic processes. All subclasses of SNe, except for type Ia, are core collapse events. The differences in the observed properties of the various subclasses, and even within a single subclass, may be attributed to the progenitor mass, metallicity and environment. The light curve and the spectral development would enable obtaining certain critical parameters related to the progenitor. It is hence important to study individual SNe events. The aim of this work is to (a) study the individual objects in detail and obtain critical parameters such as the radioactive Nickel mass ejected during the explosion, the mass of the ejected material, velocity with which the material has been ejected, the explosion energy and the distance to the supernova; (b) estimate progenitor mass and radius; (c) group the individual events according to certain common properties and inter-compare the properties of the various groups to arrive at a possible evolutionary sequence of the progenitors. This thesis consists of 6 chapters. Chapter 1 gives a general introduction to the evolution of massive stars and supernovae. Chapter 2 describes the telescope and instrument, observations and reduction procedures. All data were obtained using the 2m Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT), Hanle, India. The technical details of telescope and instrument are given in the chapter. This chapter also discusses in detail the various techniques used in photometric and spectroscopic data reductions. Chapter 3 discusses the properties of Type IIP supernovae with a detailed study of SN 2004A and SN 2008in. The distances to the supernovae are estimated using the Standard Candle Method (SCM) (Hamuy & Pinto, 2002) and the Expanding Photosphere Method (EPM)( Krishner & Kwan, 1974, 1975, Hamuy et al. 2001) . In addition, the explosion energy, radius of progenitor, the nickel mass and the mass ejected during the explosion are estimated using the observed light curves and the spectra (Hamuy 2003, Elmahamdi 2003, Litvinova & Nadyozhin 1985). The progenitor mass is also estimated based on the estimate of the ejected mass. Chapter 4 describes the evolution of the Type IIn supernova SN2005kd, which is characterized by narrow emission lines in the early spectra. Some Type IIn supernovae show a plateau phase in the light curve, and SN 2005kd is of this kind. The narrow emission lines in the spectra show that the SN ejecta interacted with the pre-supernova circumstellar material that is a result of mass loss from the progenitor during its evolution. Chapter 5 discusses the properties of stripped envelope core collapse supernovae using the observations of type Ib/c supernovae SN 2006jc, SN 2007ru, and SN 2009jf. SN 2006jc was found to be peculiar, with narrow He I emission lines arising due to the SN ejecta interaction with a helium enriched pre-supernova circumstellar material. SN 2007ru shows very broad lines in the spectra indicating a velocity of 20,000 kms−1 . The light curve evolution of SN 2007ru indicates a fast rise time and post-maximum decline more rapid than other broad-line Ic supernovae. The light curves of SN 2009jf are broad, with slow decline, indicating the presence of massive ejecta. He I line is identified with velocity of 16,000 km−1 . The photometric and spectroscopic evolution of all the above SNe are described in detail and compared with other similar supernovae. The various physical parameters related to the explosion and progenitors of SNe are also estimated. Chapter 6 is devoted to conclusions and future plans for the work in this thesis.

To achieve structural integrity in precast concrete systems, connections between elements must be capable to transfer both vertical and horizontal loads which puts high demands on single ties. Hollow-core slabs are often used to stabilize the structural system which puts high demands on the connections between the slab and the buildings stabilizing units. Because of this, the connections need to withstand high tensile and shear forces. The purpose of this report is to investigate the tensile capacity of tie-connections used between hollow-core slabs that are parallel with e.g. stabilizing walls and compare with current design methods. Current design methods suggest that tensile failure will occur in the roof and bottom of the cores which provides low design capacities. Two connections are investigated through full scale pull-out tests where the results are compared with the design methods. The results from testing the tensile capacity show that the failure module occurred as suggested. However, the tests show significantly higher capacity than proposed by the design methods. Eurocodes Design assisted by testing are applied to the test result and a new design method is proposed. Both provides design values that are approximately twice as large as the values suggested in previous design methods.

The main objective of my thesis is to analyze and compare reactions of Iceland and Ireland to financial and economic crisis as well as the aftermath of the crisis and the process of recovery as direct consequence of these reactions. Both states had financial sector couple of times bigger than their GDP before the crisis and after the fall of Lehman Brothers they ran into some serious difficulties. However, states chose very different approaches to deal with a situation. Ireland decided to bailout its banks despite the huge increase in public debt and cost of taxpayers' money. Iceland allowed its banks to default and backed only domestic deposits. In my thesis I also analyze the fact that Ireland is a member of euro area and therefore does not possess independent monetary policy and Iceland has independent floating currency and implications that these facts had during and after the crisis on development of countries. In the last chapter I am analyzing possibilities of future development of economies and potential risks and challenges that lie ahead of them.

Les sources transitoires sont souvent associées aux phénomènes les plus violents de l’Univers, où l’accélération de hadrons peut avoir lieu. Parmi ces sources, les sursauts gamma, les noyaux actifs de galaxie ou encore les supernovae à effondrement de coeur sont des candidats prometteurs pour la production de rayons cosmiques et de neutrinos de haute énergie. Le télescope ANTARES, situé au fond de la Méditerranée, a pour but de détecter ces neutrinos, qui pourraient révéler la présence d’une source de rayons cosmiques. Cependant, pour augmenter la sensibilité aux sources transitoires, une méthode basée sur le suivi multi-longueur d’onde d’alertes neutrino a été développée au sein de la collaboration ANTARES. Ce programme, TAToO, permet de déclencher un réseau de télescopes optiques et l’instrument XRT du satellite Swift seulement quelques secondes après la détection d’un neutrino par ANTARES. Les télescopes commencent un programme d’observation de la région du ciel correspondante pour tenter de détecter une contrepartie optique ou X à l’évènement neutrino. Les travaux présentés dans cette thèse portent sur le développement et la mise en place d’un programme d’analyse d’images optiques, ainsi que sur l’analyse de données optiques et X obtenues lors des observations par les différents télescopes, pour identifier des sources transitoires rapides, telles que les émissions rémanentes de sursauts gamma, ou lentes, telles que les supernovae à effondrement de coeur. / Transient sources are often associated with the most violent phenomena in the Universe, where the acceleration of hadrons may occur. Such sources include gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), active galactic nuclei (AGN) or core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe), and are promising candidates for the production of high energy cosmic rays and neutrinos. The ANTARES telescope, located in the Mediterranean sea, aims at detecting these high energy neutrinos, which could reveal the presence of a cosmic ray accelerator. However, to enhance the sensitivity to transient sources, a method based on multi-wavelength follow-up of neutrino alerts has been developed within the ANTARES collaboration. This program, denoted as TAToO, triggers a network of robotic optical telescopes and the Swift-XRT with a delay of only few seconds after a neutrino detection. The telescopes start an observation program of the corresponding region of the sky in order to detect a possible electromagnetic counterpart to the neutrino event. The works presented in this thesis cover the development and implementation of an optical image analysis pipeline, as well as the analysis of optical and X-ray data to search for fast transient sources, such as GRB afterglows, and slowly varying transient sources, such as CCSNe.