The TGFβ family of cytokines are potent signalling molecules that regulate tissue development, inflammation and immunity. Previous studies in mice with a null mutation in the Tgfb1 gene (TGFβ1-/- mice) implicate a key role for TGFβ1 in male reproductive function. These mice show profound infertility due to an inability to copulate successfully, associated with reduced testosterone and sperm production. The focus of this project was to 1) further characterize mechanisms underpinning reproductive deficiency in male TGFβ1-/- mice, 2) identify a reliable physiological marker of TGFβ1 availability in vivo, and 3) to determine whether exogenous TGFβ1 administration influences TGFβ1 availability and restores fertility. To investigate the causes of unsuccessful copulation by TGFβ1-/- mice, penis morphometry was examined. Penile organ structure, as assessed by scanning electron microscopy, was comparable between genotypes however a superfluous epidermal covering that impeded penile spine protrusion was evident in TGFβ1-/- mice. The epidermal covering was not due to increased epithelial cell proliferation, as measured by Brdu labelling and immunohistology. Behavioural observations of erectile activity showed that TGFβ1-/- mice achieved spontaneous erections albeit at reduced frequency compared to TGFβ1+/+ mice. The efficacy of exogenous TGFβ1 replacement was evaluated by first identifying measures of in vivo TGFβ1 availability and/or function and selecting an effective route of administration. Serum TGFβ1 and testosterone levels were reliable discriminators of TGFβ1 genotype. Gene expression and phagocytic function of peritoneal macrophages revealed no differences between genotypes. Exogenous sources of TGFβ1 for replacement studies included colostrum, naturally occurring in breast milk and recombinant human latent TGFβ1 (rhLTGFβ1). Colostrum did not increase circulating levels and rhTGFβ1 injection caused only transient elevation of serum levels. Thus mini-osmotic pumps were used to deliver a constant supply of cytokine to TGFβ1-/- mice. The fertility status of TGFβ1-/- mice receiving exogenous TGFβ1 was investigated. Reproductive behaviour in response to normal receptive female mice was assessed twice during treatment, on day 7 and day 14. Blood, liver and reproductive tissues were collected at sacrifice. Circulating TGFβ1 was increased in TGFβ1 treated TGFβ1-/- mice above TGFβ1-/- control levels, although this did not affect circulating testosterone. Erectile activity and sperm production were unchanged. Videotaping behaviour with estrous females revealed that the TGFβ1+/+ mice successfully mounted and intromitted, unlike the TGFβ1-/- controls. The TGFβ1-/- mice receiving exogenous TGFβ1 displayed moderately enhanced mounting and intromission behaviour although this remained less frequent than in the TGFβ1+/+ controls. Ejaculation behaviour was not observed in any TGFβ1-/- mice regardless of TGFβ1 replacement, compared to TGFβ1+/+ controls where >90% mice displayed ejaculated. Modest improvement in the copulation activity of the TGFβ1-/- mice receiving exogenous TGFβ1 suggests that systemic TGFβ1 availability can influence reproductive performance in male TGFβ1-/- mice. However since fertility was not restored, locally produced TGFβ1 in the reproductive tract and/or hypothalamic pituitary axis are also implicated in regulating fertility. These findings advance our knowledge of the role of the TGFβ1 cytokine in male reproductive physiology and may have relevance for devising new treatments for infertility and erectile dysfunction in men. / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, 2008

Estruturas em concreto pré-moldado vêm sendo utilizadas com freqüência em sistemas reticulados do tipo multi-piso, destinados às mais variadas atividades como: estabelecimentos comerciais, estacionamentos, escolas, hospitais e etc. A utilização de ligações viga-pilar do tipo semi-rígida constitui uma alternativa interessante para o enrijecimento e para a garantia da estabilidade global deste tipo de estrutura. Atualmente, a rigidez e a resistência destas ligações têm sido determinadas por ensaios de modelos em escala real. Estes ensaios, além de apresentarem um custo elevado, têm aplicação restrita à ligação examinada o que torna esta metodologia limitada e não adequada à prática de elaboração de projeto. Apresenta-se, neste trabalho, um modelo mecânico para determinação numérica da relação força-deslocamento de uma ligação viga-pilar semi-rígida a partir da contribuição da rigidez individual de cada componente de transferência de força utilizado na vinculação. A formulação do equilíbrio do modelo é implementada em planilha eletrônica constituindo-se numa ferramenta de cálculo para o projetista, permitindo o estudo, de forma rápida e amigável, da influência do posicionamento e da rigidez individual de cada componente de transferência de força na rigidez e na resistência da ligação. Este modelo mecânico foi utilizado para o cálculo da rigidez à rotação para momento fletor positivo de uma ligação viga-pilar ensaiada em laboratório. Os valores para a rigidez da ligação obtidos em ensaio e pelo modelo mecânico ficaram muito próximos. Da formulação do equilíbrio do modelo mecânico pode-se extrair ainda uma matriz de rigidez que é utilizada na representação da ligação semi-rígida no modelo de barra da estrutura. Um programa computacional foi desenvolvido para a análise de pórticos planos com ligação viga-pilar semi-rígida considerando ainda as não linearidades físicas e geométricas do modelo de cálculo. O programa foi validado pela comparação de resultados de exemplos também processados no programa ANSYS. A não-linearidade geométrica é considerada pelo método modal, não incremental-iterativo, e que obtém a parcela não-linear da resposta estrutural pela combinação dos seus modos de flambagem. A não-linearidade física do concreto é considerada pelo método da rigidez secante no qual a rigidez de cada barra da estrutura é reduzida na análise conforme suas armaduras e o nível de sua solicitação. Para o cálculo da rigidez secante dos pilares desenvolveu-se um programa que permite a consideração de armaduras ativas e passivas na seção. A análise de alguns exemplos revelou que a protensão dos pilares é também uma alternativa interessante para o enrijecimento da estrutura. Além de exemplos práticos, outros temas pertinentes ao projeto deste tipo de estrutura como: estabilidade na fase construtiva, esforços finais após a montagem, efeitos dependentes do tempo, assimetria de rigidez e plastificação das ligações, são também abordados no trabalho. / Precast concrete multi-storey structures have been more frequently used to construct commercial buildings, parking, schools and hospitals. The use of semi-rigid beam-tocolumn connections is a good strategy to guarantee the global stability of this type of structure. Actually the rigidity and the strength of this type of connection are obtained in an experimental program using full scale prototypes. This procedure is not only expensive but limited and not adequate for design since the results are only valid for the examined connection. This research presents a mechanical model used to determine numerically the force-displacement relationship of a beam-to-column semirigid connection. The procedure uses the contribution of any individual force transfer component active in the connection. The equilibrium equation of the model is implemented in an electronic-worksheet where the designer can rapidly and friendly study the influence of the position and the individual rigidity of each force transfer component in the global rigidity and strength of the connection. For validation, this procedure was used to calculate the flexural rigidity for positive bending moment of a beam-to-column semi-rigid connection that was tested in laboratory. The numerical values of the connection rigidity obtained by test and by the mechanical model are very close. The matrix used in the formulation of the mechanical model equilibrium can also be used to represent the semi-rigid connection in the finite element model of the structure. A computational program was developed for plane frame analysis including semi-rigid beam-to-column connections and both physical and geometric nonlinearities. The program was tested by comparing the results of some examples that are also analysed in the ANSYS program. The geometric nonlinearity is considered by a modal method where the nonlinear response of the structure is obtained by a combination of its buckling modes. The physical nonlinearity of the concrete is considered by the secant rigidity method. In this method the rigidities of all concrete bars in the structure are reduced by coefficients that depend of the reinforcement in the cross section and the level of the efforts. A special computational program was developed to calculate the secant rigidity for a concrete cross section with reinforcing bar and prestressing steel. The analysis of some examples shows that the use of prestressing steel in collums is also an interesting alternative to sttifen the structure. Beyond of some practical examples, others themes related to the design of this type of structure like: stability in the erection process, efforts in the end of the erection process, time-dependent effects, non symmetrical and plastic behavior of the connections, are also treated in this work.

The topic of this thesis is a collection of objects of the postharvest line in the village Horní Moštěnice by the town Přerov. The thesis resolves the time schedule along with the financial plan. In the drawing of the constructional plant is being solved the establishment of the whole construction. Further is it the technical report, site engineering study and a noise study. The thesis is focused on the storage bins, for which is being developed a detailed time schedule, a budget, a drawing of the machine configuration, a technological standard for the assembly of the storage bins, the principles for the construction management, technical management of the constructional plant, control and test plan, safety and health at work protection and the construction site noise.

The diploma thesis deals with preparation and realization of D1 reconstruction of D1-212 bridge in Ostrovačice. It is a motorway bridge that transfers traffic over road II / 386. The reconstruction will demolish the superstructure of bridge with bridge equipment and parts of the abutments and their new construction. The preparation of the project solves the engineering report, the block plan drawing, the financial and time schedule - by objects, the budget SO 201, the study of the implementation of the main construction technologys, the project of the site equipment, the design of the main building machines, the SO 201 time schedule, a desigh of the bill of quantities for structure, technical note for superstructure of a bridge and control and test plans. Part of the preparation of the building is the processing of the emergency plan.