Orientador: Kamal Abdel Radi Ismail / Dissertação (mestrado profissional) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecanica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-13T06:37:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Mendes_ValdirsonPereira_M.pdf: 606290 bytes, checksum: 25b8fe6db230e078d4fe26ed1ffe94b4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004 / Resumo: A intensificação da troca de calor avaliada fundamentalmente em termos do coeficiente de transferência de calor do escoamento em tubos lisos e com inserção de molas espirais de perfil circular e retangular foi investigado no presente trabalho. Nesse sentido, utilizou-se uma bancada experimental montada para tal avaliação. Os ensaios foram realizados fixando a temperatura de entrada na seção de ensaios na ordem de 2,6°C. Para a realização dos ensaios, a vazão mássica de água variou na faixa entre 0,050 a 0,310 kg/s, correspondendo a valores de Reynolds, Re, da ordem de 2900 e 15000, respectivamente. Os resultados experimentais mostram que o tubo com mola espiral com perfil retangular apresentou o melhor desempenho do coeficiente de transferência de calor, seguido do tubo com mola com perfil circular e do tubo liso. Para reduzidos valores de número de Reynolds, o coeficiente de transferência de calor para os três tubos tendem a mesma ordem. Os resultados experimentais mostram que a perda de carga aumentou com o incremento da vazão mássica, onde o tubo com mola com perfil retangular apresentou os maiores valores. Na análise final ao se avaliar o desempenho termo-hidráulico conclui-se que o tubo com mola espiral com perfil circular é um pouco superior do que o tubo com mola de perfil retangular. Analizou-se também os resultados obtidos por intermédio das correlações, de Gnielinski e de Bergles, comparando-as com os resultados obtidos experimentalmente. / Abstract: This study of change of heat appraised fundamentally in terms of coefficient of transfer of heat of the water in drainage in smooth tubes and with insert of spiral springs of circular and rectangular profile it was investigated in the present work. In that sense it was used a supported experimental mounted for such evaluation. The rehearsals were accomplished fixing the entrance temperature in the section of rehearsals in the order of 2,6°C. In the accomplishment of the rehearsals the mass flow of water varied in the interval among 0,50 to 0,310 kg/s corresponding to values of number Reynolds, Re, of the order from 2900 to 15000, respectively. The experimental results show that the tube with spiral spring with rectangular profile presented the best acting of the coefficient of transfer of heat, followed by the tube with spring with circular profile and of the smooth tube. For reduced values of number Reynolds the coefficient of transfer of heat for the three tubes was of the some order. The experimental results show that the load loss increased with the increment of the mass flow where the tube with spring with rectangular profile presented the largest values. In the analysis final to evaluate the term-hydraulic acting is ended that the tube with spiral spring with circular profile is a little larger than the tube with spring of rectangular profile. It was verified the results also obtained through the correlations, of Gnielinski and of Bergles comparing them with the results obtained experimentally. / Mestrado / Refrigeração e Condicionamento Ambiental / Mestre Profissional em Engenharia Mecanica

Processos estão sendo desenvolvidos a fim de recuperar áreas contaminadas por metais pesados. Assim, estudos que caracterizam fungos que degradam estes poluentes, se fazem necessários. Assim sendo, o objetivo desse trabalho foi caracterizar fungos em ambientes aquáticos contaminados por metais pesados e inserir genes a fim de melhorar absorção de metais pesados. 340 isolados fúngicos resistentes a quatro diferentes metais pesados (Pb, Cd, Cr e Hg) foram selecionados e identificados através de exame direto, microcultivo e seqüenciamento de ITS. Os isolados foram testados quanto a velocidade de crescimento radial em meios suplementados com metais pesados. Trichoderma sp. apresentou VCR de 0,9cm/dia (Pb), VCR de 0,7cm/dia (Cd), VCR de 0,8cm/dia e VCR de 0,9cm/dia(Hg). Curvularia afinis apresentou uma VCR de 0,3cm/dia; Uma cepa do gênero Penicillium apresentou alta VCR na maior concentração testada 0,26cm/dia na concentração de 0,5g/L de Cádmio; Aspergillus apresentou VCR de 0,42cm/dia e Microsphaeropsis arundinis apresentou VCR de 0,24 cm/dia. Trichoderma harzianum apresentou melhor capacidade de retenção de metal e foi observada em MET. Saccharomyces cerevisiae foi transformada com o gene sintético EC20 para aumento a retenção destes metais. / Processes are being developed in order to recover areas contaminated by heavy metals. Thus, studies featuring fungi that degrade these pollutants are needed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize fungi in aquatic environments contaminated by heavy metals and insert genes in order to improve absorption of heavy metals. 340 fungal isolates resistant to four different heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr and Hg) were selected and identified through direct examination, microculture and ITS sequencing. The isolates were tested for the radial growth rate in media supplemented with heavy metals. Trichoderma sp. presented VCR 0,9cm / day (Pb), VCR 0.7cm / day (Cd), VCR 0.8cm / day and VCR 0,9cm / day (Hg). Curvularia afinis presented a VCR 0.3 cm / day; A strain of Penicillium showed high VCR at the highest concentration tested 0,26cm / day at a concentration of 0.5 g / L of cadmium; Aspergillus presented VCR 0,42cm / day and showed VCR arundinis Microsphaeropsis 0.24 cm / day. Trichoderma harzianum showed better metal holding capacity and was observed in TEM. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was transformed with the synthetic gene EC20 for increasing the retention of these metals.

A Doença de Chagas é uma infecção parasitária causada pelo Trypanosoma cruzi1, transmitida aos humanos principalmente pelas fezes contaminadas de insetos triatomídio. Esta patologia permanece endêmica na América Latina com grande impacto socioeconômico. O envolvimento cardíaco é a principal causa de morte, sendo que a fisiopatologia e a evolução clínica da doença não são completamente compreendidas e a estratificação de risco permanece desafiadora. A presença de disfunção miocárdica associada ou não à doença arterial aterosclerótica vem acompanhada de áreas de fibrose miocárdica e tem se mostrado como importante fator de pior prognóstico. Ressonância Magnética (RM) é um método já consagrado na detecção de fibrose miocárdica pela técnica de realce tardio (RT). Os objetivos deste trabalho foram: identificar e quantificar a área de realce tardio em pacientes com Cardiopatia Chagásica e disfunção contrátil do ventrículo esquerdo por meio da Tomografia Coronária; associar a extensão do RT pela tomografia com a FE do ventrículo esquerdo, medida pela ecocardiografia; determinar se há ou não associação da presença e extensão do realce tardio com a presença de coronariopatia significativa; determinar a presença de aterosclerose coronária neste subgrupo de pacientes chagásicos por meio do escore de cálcio; e identificar a presença de coronariopatia obstrutiva nesta população. Foram selecionados 36 pacientes com o diagnóstico confirmado de Doença de Chagas e disfunção ventricular (FE< 50%) confirmada pela ecocardiografia que respeitaram os critérios de inclusão e exclusão, e que assinaram o termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a angiotomografia coronária com a técnica de realce tardio e escore de cálcio. Todos os pacientes completaram o protocolo sem efeitos adversos com dose de radiação média de 11,17 +- 1,26 mSv e com exames interpretáveis. Observadores cegos e independentes, sem conhecimento prévio dos dados clínicos ou dos exames, realizaram análise visual e quantitativa do grau de estenose coronária, do escore de cálcio e do realce tardio. A média da idade foi de 57,5+- 8, dos quais 61,1% eram mulheres. A média da FE foi de 38,19 +- 6,91. Foram encontradas 2 lesões significativas (>50%) em 2 pacientes. A média do escore de cálcio foi de 19,06 +- 40,72. A fibrose miocárdica foi observada em 86,1% dos 36 pacientes e sua quantificação foi realizada de acordo com o esquema de segmentação miocárdica segundo a orientação da American Hear Association. A partir dos nossos achados, concluímos que, por meio da Tomografia coronária, é possível identificar áreas de fibrose miocárdica em pacientes chagásicos, que a quantidade de fibrose é inversamente proporcional à fração de ejeção ventricular esquerda (r= 0,52 p = 0,0011) e que a fibrose segue um padrão de localização específico da doença. Nossos achados permitem também inferir que a fibrose miocárdica nesse grupo de pacientes não se correlaciona à presença de obstruções coronárias, sendo o padrão de realce tardio diferente daquele observado em portadores de doença arterial coronária. Não houve correlação entre o escore de cálcio e áreas de fibrose vistas pela técnica de realce tardio (r= 0,04 p= 0,80). Desta forma, a tomografia pode ser uma alternativa à RM para a pesquisa de fibrose em pacientes chagásicos, aspecto que pode ser particularmente relevante naqueles que apresentam contraindicação formal à realização deste exame. / Chagas disease is a parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi1. It is transmitted to humans mainly by the infected feces of triatomine insects. This pathological condition remains endemic in Latin America, posing a major socioeconomic impact on the region. Cardiac involvement is the principal cause of death of patients, given that the physiopathological mechanism and clinical evolution of the disease are not fully understood and risk stratification remains a challenge. Whether associated with arteriosclerotic vascular disease or not, the presence of myocardial dysfunction is accompanied by areas of myocardial fibrosis and has emerged as an important factor associated with poor prognosis. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a well-established method of detecting myocardial fibrosis by the delayed enhancement (DE) technique. Objectives: The objectives of this thesis are to identify and quantify DE areas on left ventricular contractile dysfunction patients with chagasic cardiopathy using coronary tomography, to associate tomography DE extension with left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) measured by echocardiography, to determine whether the presence and extension of DE are associated with the presence of significant coronaropathy, and to identify the presence of obstructive coronaropathy in chagasic patients. Background: Methods: Thirty six patients with confirmed Chagas disease and ventricular dysfunction diagnosis (EF < 50%), as verified by echocardiography. All the patients underwent coronary computed tomographic (CT) angiography using DE technic. All the patients successfully completed the protocol with a mean radiation dose of 11.17 1.26 mSv, without adverse effects and undergoing measurable tests. Independent observers blinded to the clinical data or examinations of the patients performed visual and quantitative analyses of the degree of coronary stenosis, and DE. Results: The mean age was 57.5 8 years, and 61.1% of them were female. The mean EF was 38.19 6.91%. Two significant lesions (>50%) were identified in two patients. Myocardial fibrosis was observed in 86.1% of the 36 patients, and its quantification was assessed in accordance with the myocardial segmentation scheme and the American Heart Association guidelines The amount of fibrosis is inversely proportional to left ventricular EF (r = 0.52, p = 0.0011), and that the myocardial fibrosis in these patients follows the specific localization pattern of Chagas disease. Our findings reveal that myocardial fibrosis in this patient sub group was not related to coronary obstruction and that the DE pattern is different from the one found in patients who presented ischemic events. Computed tomography DE is also inversely related to left ventricle ejection fraction, another important prognosis marker. Therefore, computed tomography can provide an adequate alternative to MR in the assessment of myocardial fibrosis particularly in patients presenting formal contraindications to MR.

Submitted by Geandra Rodrigues (geandrar@gmail.com) on 2018-04-17T14:35:18Z No. of bitstreams: 1 rosenildesoaresdasilva.pdf: 984021 bytes, checksum: 34beb7f1bbab17062739049890a5855d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2018-04-20T13:55:06Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 rosenildesoaresdasilva.pdf: 984021 bytes, checksum: 34beb7f1bbab17062739049890a5855d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-20T13:55:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 rosenildesoaresdasilva.pdf: 984021 bytes, checksum: 34beb7f1bbab17062739049890a5855d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-01-15 / A presente dissertação é desenvolvida no âmbito do Mestrado Profissional em Gestão e Avaliação da Educação (PPGP) do Centro de Políticas Públicas e Avaliação da Educação da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (CAEd/UFJF). O caso de gestão estudado discutiu a supervisão educacional desenvolvida pela Secretaria Executiva Adjunta do Interior do Amazonas (SEAI). Os objetivos definidos para este estudo são analisar o trabalho desenvolvido pelos supervisores educacionais da SEAI considerando os impactos decorrentes da ausência de um instrumento padronizado de supervisão e propor ações que visem ao aprimoramento do processo de supervisão escolar da Secretaria Executiva Adjunta do Interior do Amazonas. Assumimos como hipótese que a falta de mecanismos próprios de supervisão, de uma regulamentação que normatize as atribuições deste profissional e, consequentemente, o estabelecimento de prioridades e objetivos para este trabalho, podem ser as causas para que o trabalho de supervisão ainda não esteja atendendo às expectativas dos envolvidos no processo. Fizemos uma abordagem qualitativa de pesquisa, na qual utilizamos para a produção dos dados uma entrevista realizada com a secretária executiva adjunta do interior e questionários elaborados pela ferramenta Google Formulários, que foram aplicados a supervisores da SEAI e coordenadores regionais de Educação. A proposta do estudo foi uma análise da supervisão da SEAI a partir do olhar de alguns sujeitos desse processo, identificando as fragilidades e potencialidades do trabalho. Como resultado do estudo, foi apresentado um Plano de Ação Educacional (PAE), propondo-se alternativas de melhoria desse trabalho. / The present dissertation is developed under the scope of Professional Master in Management and Evaluation of Education (PPGP) of the Center for Public Policies and Education Evaluation of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (CAEd / UFJF). The management case study and discuss the educational supervision developed by the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Interior of the Amazon (SEAI). The objectives defined for this study were analyzed by the work developed by supervision considering the impacts resulting from the lack of a standardized supervision instrument and propose actions aimed at improving the school supervision process of the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Interior of the Amazon. We assume as hypotheses that the lack of proper supervisory mechanisms, a regulation that regulates the duties of this professional and, consequently, the establishment of the priorities and objectives for this work, may be the causes that does not the supervision work not yet meeting the expectations involved in process. One quality of research application in the form of means of communication for the production of the data, an interview with the executive Secretary of the Interior and questionnaires elaborated by tool, forms, which were applied to the supervision of SEAI and Regional Education Coordinators. A proposal for the study and analysis of SEAI, from the look of the perspective of some subjects of this process, identifying the fragilities and the potential of the work. As a result of the study and execution Educational Action Plan (PAE), which proposing better work alternatives.

Orientador: Francisco Haiter Neto / Tese (Doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T00:06:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vaz_SergioLinsdeAzevedo_D.pdf: 2097588 bytes, checksum: 48e378674d749eb9b8ea2a05042e21a4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: O presente estudo se propôs a avaliar a influência do tamanho de voxel e giro de escaneamento na detecção tomográfica de fenestração e deiscência peri-implantar, além do uso de filtros de imagem na detecção da deiscência peri-implantar. Em fragmentos de costelas bovinas, foi criado defeitos que simulariam fenestração e deiscência peri-implantar após a instalação de 100 implantes de titânio. As imagens foram adquiridas no tomógrafo computadorizado de feixe cônico i-CAT Next Generation, empregando FOV de 8 x 8 cm e três protocolos: A- voxel de 0,2 mm, giro de escaneamento de 180°; B- voxel de 0,2 mm, giro de 360°; C- voxel de 0,12 mm, giro de 360°. Cinco filtros do programa XoranCat foram testados: Angio Sharpen High 5x5, Shadow, Sharpen 3×3, Sharpen Mild e Smooth. Três cirurgiões-dentistas radiologistas identificaram a presença ou ausência dos defeitos. Curvas ROC foram criadas e os valores de área sob a curva (Az) comparados utilizando a Análise de Variância (ANOVA), com teste post hoc de Bonferroni (alfa de 5%). O teste de McNemar foi utilizado para comparar imagens (originais e com filtros) versus padrão ouro, bem como imagens originais versus imagens com filtros. Os resultados mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre os valores de Az dos protocolos B e C em relação ao protocolo A (p < 0,01) para deiscência. Houve diferenças estatisticamente significantes (p < 0,01) entre as imagens originais e o filtro Shadow em relação ao padrão ouro, bem como entre todos os filtros testados em relação às imagens originais. Concluiu-se que os tamanhos de voxel testados não influenciaram no diagnóstico de ambos os defeitos, enquanto que o giro de escaneamento completo (360°) foi melhor para deiscência. Diante da maior dificuldade no diagnóstico tomográfico de deiscência peri-implantar, o uso dos filtros de imagem testados é aconselhado, com exceção do filtro Shadow / Abstract: This study set out an assessment of the effects of two voxel sizes and scan modes of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in periimplant fenestration and dehiscence detection. It also aimed to investigate whether CBCT filters would enhance the diagnosis of periimplant dehiscence. One hundred titanium implants were placed in bovine ribs in which periimplant fenestration and dehiscence were simulated. The images were acquired using the i-CAT Next Generation CBCT unit, with a FOV of 8 x 8 cm and the following protocols: A- 0.2 mm voxel size half-scan (180°); B- 0.2 mm voxel size full-scan (360°); and C- 0.12 mm voxel size full-scan (360°). Five filters of the XoranCat software were tested: Angio Sharpen High 5x5, Shadow, Sharpen 3×3, Sharpen Mild and Smooth. Three oral radiologists performed a dynamic evaluation of the presence/absence of the defects and ROC curves were created. The values of the area under the curve (Az) were compared with ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc test. The significance level was adopted at 5%. The McNemar test was applied to perform two comparisons in order to identify disagreements. All the enhanced and the original images were compared with the gold-standard and the original images were compared to the enhanced ones. The protocol A had significantly lower Az values than those obtained with the protocols B and C (p < 0.01) for dehiscence. The original images and the Shadow filter were statistically different from the gold-standard (p < 0.01). All the enhanced images also had statistically significant differences from the original images (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the voxel sizes did not influence in periimplant fenestration and dehiscence detection but the full-scan (360°) performed better than the half-scan for dehiscence. The use of enhancement CBCT filters for dehiscence detection is advised, with the exception of the Shadow filter / Doutorado / Radiologia Odontologica / Doutor em Radiologia Odontológica

In order to reduce the large execution time of an existing fingerprint enhancement system, a parallel implementation method based on GPU via CUDA is proposed. Firstly, the necessity and feasibility of employing parallel programming for the whole system are analyzed. Then pre-processing, global analysis, local analysis and matched filtering of the whole fingerprint enhancement system is designed, optimized and implemented respectively using parallel computing technology via CUDA. Finally, numerous fingerprints from FVC2000 databases are tested and the  obtained execution time is compared with that of the CPU based system. The results show that the execution time is significantly reduced by using the parallel implementation method based on GPU.

In the latest decade, the number of students learning German in Swedish upper secondary school has decreased. Thus, a quantitative study was conducted where German teachers as well as pupils learning German discussed the role of the German language in school and for future, professional prospects. This study investigates German learner’s general attitude towards the subject and discusses what kind of actions should be taken in order to attract and motivate more students to choose and to continue their German studies in school. Moreover, in order to answer my research questions, the reformation of the grade point enhancement “meritpoängssytemet” has been taken into account to investigate to what extent extrinsic motivation in the form of extra credits motivate students to take more advanced German classes offered in upper secondary schools. More information about the benefits with German knowledge was through this study identified as a possible action to motivate more students to learn German. Furthermore, the result of this study shows that the grade point enhancement is the most crucial factor to motivate students to take more advanced courses in German. Hence, the teachers encourage the idea of changing the system with extra credits to make more pupils interested in taking the German 5 class. However, the result shows that the group of students was equally extrinsically and intrinsically motivated to learn German 4. This indicates that besides reintroducing the grade point enhancement for German 5, the joy and pleasure in learning German should be stimulated as well in order to affirm the intrinisically motivated students.

The purpose of this study is to examine, both teachers’ attitude towards motivation in school and teachers’ description of how they work with pupils’ motivation. A particular interest is directed towards pupils who have difficulties motivating themselves for their schoolwork. The survey is based on ten qualitative e-mailinterviews with teachers in schoolyear 1-6, all qualified in each subject they teach. The result of the study shows that the teachers find motivation essential for pupils learning and how different strategies are used to motivate their pupils. The strategies used by the teachers largely agree with the theories presented in the theory section, which involves creating participation, context and a sense of competence for pupils learning. Lastly, the results are discussed in relation to the theories described, and for a didactic significance.

Les signaux des nouveaux standard de communications (LTE) ont une grande différence entre la puissance maximale et moyenne (PAPR), cela n'est pas favorable pour l'utilisation dans les amplificateurs conventionnels vu qu'ils présentent un rendement maximale seulement quand ils travaillent au niveau de puissance maximale. Des amplificateurs de puissance Doherty pour présenter une efficacité constante pour une large gamme de puissance constituent une solution favorable à ce problème. Ce travail présente la méthodologie de conception et des résultats de mesure d'un amplificateur de puissance Doherty entièrement intégré dans la technologie 65 nm CMOS avec une constante PAE sur un 7 dB de plage de puissance. Mesures de 2,4 GHz à 2,6 GHz montrent des performances constantes PAE à partir du niveau de 20% jusqu'à 24% avec une puissance de sortie maximale de 23,4 dBm. Le circuit a été conçu avec une attention particulière pour le faible coût. / The signals of the new communication standards (LTE) show a great difference between the peak and its average power (PAPR) being unsuitable for use with conventional power amplifiers because they present maximum efficiency only when working with maximum power. Doherty power amplifiers for presenting a constant efficiency for a wide power range represent a favorable solution to this problem. This work presents the design methodology and measurements results of a fully integrated Doherty Power Amplifier in 65 nm CMOS technology with constant PAE over a 7 dB backoff. Measurements from 2.4 GHz to 2.6 GHz show constant PAE performance starting in 20% level up to 24% with a maximum output power of 23.4 dBm.The circuit was designed with special attention to low cost.

Over three decades ago, W.H.O. declared infertility as a public health issue; due to its impact on millions of people worldwide. While cases of infertility could be multifactorial (affecting both male and female), 50% of cases are due to male factor infertility and this is mostly characterised by reduced sperm motility (asthenozoospermia). Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART) is the only treatment option available for this condition. Over 20 years ago, non-selective phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDEi), such as pentoxifylline, were shown to enhance motility of human spermatozoa; however, contradictory results and stimulation of premature acrosome reaction has precluded their clinical use. Advancement in our knowledge have now made it clear that human sperm express several different PDEs and these are compartmentalised at different regions of the cells. By using type-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitors, differential modulation of sperm motility can be achieved without affecting other sperm function such as acrosome reaction. Additionally, by enhancing sperm function through PDE inhibition, there is a possibility of increasing IVF rates. The objective of this thesis is to: (1) examine the effect of phosphodiesterase inhibitors on spermatozoa in order to identify compounds that have clinically relevant enhancement of human sperm motility; (2) identify the signalling pathway(s) involved in the motility enhancing effects of identified compounds by targeting the modulator and mediator of cyclic nucleotides; (3) develop an animal IVF model to assess effects of Ibudilast on fertilization; and (4) optimise high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques for routine detection of cyclic nucleotides in sperm cells. A two phase drug screening approach was used to systematically and comprehensively screen series of compounds in order to identify those that have clinically relevant enhancement of human sperm motility. In phase 1, 6 compounds (out of 43 compounds) were found to have strong effects on poor motility samples, with magnitude of response ≥60% increase in percentage total motility. Additionally, these compounds significantly enhanced sperm penetration into cervical mucus substitute (p≤0.05), and they did not affect sperm acrosomal integrity nor cause externalisation of phosphatidylserine (p=0.6 respectively). 63% of IVF samples treated with compounds #26, #37 and #38 had significant increase in percentage total motility. For ICSI samples, compounds #26, #37 and #38 were the most effective. In respect to total motility, 88%, 81% and 79% of samples treated with these compounds showed significant increases in total motility, and 94%, 93% and 81% of samples showed significant increases in percentage of progressive cells, respectively. Analysis of the signalling pathways, using PKA, sGC and PKG inhibitors, showed that chosen PDE inhibitors were working predominantly through PKA signalling pathways. Additionally, this study revealed that this pathway is needed for the maintenance of basal progressive motility and hyperactivation in human sperm. Animal IVF studies showed that addition of Ibudilast (compound #26) during sperm-oocyte incubation leads to higher IVF rates. Lastly, this study used an HPLC system to detect cAMP in boar sperm. This was done to explore if HPLC system can be used for high throughput detection of cyclic nucleotides in mammalian sperm.