This thesis develops and applies nonlinear Bayesian inversion methods for localization of bowhead whales and environmental characterization, with quantitative uncertainty estimation, based on acoustic measurements from a set of asynchronous single-channel recorders in the Chukchi Sea. Warping analysis is applied to estimate modal-dispersion data from airgun sources and whale calls. Whale locations and the water-column sound-speed profile (SSP) and seabed geoacoustic properties are estimated using reversible-jump Markov-chain Monte Carlo sampling in trans-dimensional inversions that account for uncertainty in the number of SSP nodes and subbottom layers. The estimated SSP and seafloor sound speed are in excellent agreement with independent estimates, and whale localization uncertainties decrease substantially when jointly-inverting data from multiple whale calls. Bowhead whales are also localized using a fixed-dimensional inversion of time-difference-of-arrival data derived using cross-correlation for the same recorders. The nonlinear localization uncertainty estimates are found to depend strongly on the source locations and receiver geometry. / Graduate

La microscopie électronique à balayage est une technique essentielle pour la caractérisation des matériaux. La nouvelle génération de MEB connue sous le nom de MEB à pression variable (aussi appelée MEB environnemental) permet de travailler dans des conditions moins drastiques de pression et de tension. Cependant, l’imagerie et la micro-analyse chimique rencontrent un défi majeur en ce qui concerne la diffusion du faisceau d'électrons primaires par les atomes/molécules du milieu gazeux. Ce phénomène de diffusion (skirt) conduit à l'apparition de plusieurs artéfacts au-delà de ceux qui sont familiers dans un MEB conventionnel. Le principal artéfact reconnu est la dégradation de la résolution spatiale qui est délimitée par le volume d'interaction en mode high-vacuum. Les objectifs de la recherche rapportés ici sont les suivants: (i) étudier l'ampleur et l'étendue de la fraction du faisceau d'électrons diffusée. (ii) le développement d'une méthodologie originale et nouvelle, afin de faire face à l'effet du skirt sur la résolution spatiale. L'efficacité de cette étude est démontrée par sa capacité à quantifier les effets de certains paramètres expérimentaux sur la dégradation de la résolution spatiale. En outre, la nouvelle méthodologie proposée est un atout précieux pour garder la résolution spatiale ultime obtenue en mode high-vacuum. Cela dépend fortement du nouveau volume d'interaction (appelé le volume d'interaction en mode low-vacuum) créé à la fois par la fraction du faisceau d'électrons diffusée et la fraction non-diffusée. / Scanning electron microscope (SEM) is an essential technique to characterize materials. The new generation of SEMs known as a variable pressure SEM (also named environmental SEM) allows to work under less drastic conditions of pressure and voltage. However, the imaging and chemical microanalysis face a major challenge with regard to the scattering of the primary electron beam by the atoms/molecules of the gas medium. This phenomenon of beam skirting leads to the appearance of several artifacts beyond those familiar in conventional SEM. The main recognized artifact is the degradation of the spatial resolution which is delineated by the high-vacuum interaction volume. The objectives of the research reported herein were: (i) to study the magnitude and the extent of the electron beam skirt. (ii) and the development of an original and new methodology in order to deal with the effect of the electron beam skirt on the spatial resolution. The effectiveness of this study is demonstrated by its ability to quantify the effects of some experimental parameters on the degradation of the spatial resolution. Further, the new methodology proposed is a valuable asset to keep the ultimate spatial resolution obtained at high vacuum mode. This depend strongly on the new interaction volume (called the low-vacuum interaction volume) created by both scattered and unscattered fraction of the electron beam.

This thesis describes a novel approach to augmenting the combustion performance of hybrid rocket fuels, specifically in terms of regression rate and combustion efficiency. Liquid additives are emulsified into molten paraffin wax using nonionic surfactants and cured to form cylindrical fuel grains. Fuel grains were tested in a lab scale, optically accessible hybrid rocket motor and compared to the performance of neat paraffin fuel grains.

Orientador: Odair Aparecido Fernandes / Banca: Arlindo Leal Boiça Junior / Banca: Renato Assis de Carvalho / Resumo: Chrysodeixis includens (Walker) e Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) são consideradas pragas de grande importância na cultura da soja, enquanto Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) é considerada importante na cultura do milho no Brasil Central. Para o controle bem-sucedido dessas pragas usando plantas Bt, bem como o desenvolvimento de estratégias do manejo de resistência, é essencial conhecer a movimentação do estágio larval desses insetos. O estudo foi conduzido dentro de gaiolas teladas (3,00 x 3,00 x 1,80 m), a fim de evitar infestações naturais. As lagartas foram liberadas em uma planta localizada no centro das gaiolas. As lagartas e as injurias foram observadas a fim de registrar a posição na planta e a localização na gaiola. Lagartas de C. includens e H. armigera apresentaram movimentação entre as plantas de soja, enquanto lagartas de D. saccharalis praticamente se mantiveram nas plantas onde houve a liberação. Com isso, a adoção de mistura de sementes não Bt e Bt para o estabelecimento de refúgio em cultivos Bt pode ser adequado apenas para D. saccharalis. / Abstract: Chrysodeixis includens (Walker) and Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) are considered pests of great importance in soybean crop, while Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is considered important in maize crop in the Brazilian Central region. For the successful control of these pests using Bt plants as well as development of resistance management strategies, it is essential to know the larval stage movement of these insects. The study was carried out inside saran cages (3.00 x 3.00 x 1.80 m), in order to avoid natural infestation. Larvae were released in a plant located in the center of the cages. Larvae and injuries were observed in order to register the position in the plant and the location in the cage. Larvae of C. includens e H. armigera moved between soybean plants, whereas D. saccharalis practically remained in the plants where they were released. Thus, the adoption of non-Bt and genetically modified seed mixture for refuge establishment in Bt crops may be suitable only for D. saccharalis. / Mestre

We introduce and examine the analytic properties of the three electromagnetic transition form factors of the Sigma*-Lambda hyperon transition. In the first part of the thesis, we discuss the interaction Lagrangian for the hyperons at hand. We calculate the decay rate of the Dalitz decay  Sigma* Lambda -> e+e- in the one-photon approximation in terms of the form factors, as well as the differential cross section of the scattering e+e- -> Sigma*bar Lambda in the one-photon approximation. In the second part of the thesis, we build up the machinery for calculation of the form factors using dispersion relations, performing an analytic continuation from the timelike, q2 > 0, to the spacelike, q2 < 0, region of the virtual photon invariant mass q2. Due to an anomalous cut in the triangle diagram arising from a two-pion saturation of the photon-hyperon vertex, there is an additional term in the dispersive integral. We use the scalar three-point function as a model for the examination of the dispersive approach with the anomalous cut. The one-loop diagram is calculated both directly and using dispersion relations. After comparison of the two methods, they are found to coincide when the anomalous contribution is added to the dispersive integral in the case of the octet Sigma exchange. By examination of the branch points of the logarithm in the discontinuity, we deduce the structure of the Riemann surface of the unitarity cut and present trajectories of the branch points. The result of our analysis of the analytic structure yields a correct dispersive relation for the electromagnetic transition form factors. This opens the way for the calculation of these form factors in the low-energy region for both space- and timelike q2. As an outlook, we present preliminary calculations for the hyperon-pion scattering amplitude using the unitarity and the anomalous contribution in a once-subtracted dispersion relation. Finally we present the corresponding preliminary unsubtracted dispersive calculations for the form factors.

Neste trabalho propõe-se uma análise da dispersão de material particulado gerado por fontes estacionárias, aplicando ferramentas de Fluidodinâmica Computacional (em inglês Computatonal Fluid Dynamics, CFD), usando um modelo Euleriano para o escoamento e Lagrangeano para as partículas, em estado estacionário no software Fluent. A verificação da modelagem é apresentada em duas sessões, a primeira compreende o estudo do escoamento atmosférico em condições de estabilidade neutra incluindo os efeitos das heterogeneidades do terreno, no caso, um monte de 126m de altura em escala real. Foram comparados diferentes modelos de turbulência: padrão, RNG e parametrizado para o caso atmosférico. Os três modelos apresentaram desempenho semelhante e descrevem satisfatoriamente as tendências dos dados experimentais. A segunda, o modelo lagrangeano baseado no tempo de vida dos turbilhões (em inglês Discrete Random Walk, DRW) foi utilizado para representar a distribuição de concentrações de material particulado em um ambiente confinado. Os resultados numéricos descrevem satisfatoriamente os perfis de concentrações das partículas, porém subestimam os valores na região próxima à parede, o que indicaria que uma melhor aproximação da deposição das partículas deve ser considerada. Após estes estudos, esta abordagem euleriana-lagrangeana foi aplicada ao caso da dispersão de material particulado em condições de atmosfera neutra em uma região do Polo Cerâmico de Santa Gertrudes-SP, local responsável pela maior produção de revestimentos cerâmicos do Brasil. O trânsito de caminhões nas estradas não pavimentadas foi identificado como fonte de material particulado que atinge o perímetro urbano da cidade. Estudaram-se também as contribuições das atividades referentes à exploração das minas de argila e a preparação do solo para uso agrícola, apesar desta última não soma uma carga relevante ao ser comparada com as duas anteriores. Além da influência das fontes mencionadas, fontes de origem industriais localizadas dentro da cidade também foram consideradas no cenário. / In this study an analysis of the dispersion of particulate matter generated by stationary sources is proposed, by applying Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools, using an Eulerian model for the flow and a Lagrangean model for the particles, under steady-state conditions in the Fluent software. The model validation is presented in two sessions, the first comprises the study of the atmospheric flow under conditions of neutral stability, including the effects of the heterogeneities of the terrain. In this case, the air flow past a 126m high hill in real scale was adopted. Different turbulence models were compared: standard k-?, k-? RNG and parametrized k-?. The three models presented similar performance and described satisfactorily the trends of the experimental data. Subsequently, the Lagrangean model based on the Eddy life time (DRW - Discrete Random Walk) was used to represent the distribution of particulate matter concentrations in a confined environment. The numerical results satisfactorily describe the particle concentration profiles, but underestimate the values in the region near the wall, which would indicate that a better approximation of the particle deposition should be considered. After these studies, this Eulerian- Lagrangean approach was applied to the case of dispersion of particulate material under neutral atmosphere conditions in a region around the city of Santa Gertrudes-SP, where the Ceramic Complex is responsible for the largest production of ceramic tiles in Brazil. Transit of trucks on unpaved roads has been identified as a source of particulate matter that reaches the urban perimeter of the city. The contributions of the activities related to mining and the preparation of the soil for agricultural use were also studied, although this last one does not add a significant load when compared with the two previous ones. In addition to the influence of the mentioned sources, industrial sources located inside the city also contribute to the scenario.

A nimesulida é um fármaco pertencente à classe terapêutica dos compostos antiinflamatórios não esteróides (AINES), agentes farmacológicos muito utilizados pela população brasileira. Este fármaco possui a propriedade de inibir seletivamente a enzima ciclooxigenase do tipo II (COX-2), uma das responsáveis pela proteção tecidual e redução dos efeitos adversos da maioria dos antiinflamatórios, tais como a gastropatia e a nefropatia. Esta característica de seletividade confere a nimesulida vantagens em relação aos AINES não seletivos. Trata-se de um fármaco praticamente insolúvel em água que está enquadrado no grupo II do Sistema de Classificação Biofarmacêutico (SCB). Diante do exposto, os objetivos deste trabalho foram a obtenção e a caracterização de dispersões sólidas do fármaco nimesulida, mediante a utilização de polímeros hidrossolúveis (PVP, plasdone S630 e poloxamer P188 e P407). As dispersões sólidas foram obtidas pelo método da evaporação da solução de solventes acetona:etanol (1:1) utilizados para a solubilização da nimesulida e polímeros, respectivamente, mediante a utilização de rota-vapor à temperatura não superior a 45°C e pressão reduzida. A caracterização da nimesulida e das dispersões sólidas obtidas foi realizada utilizando-se as seguintes técnicas: difratometria de raios X; espectroscopia de absorção na região do infravermelho; técnicas termoanalíticas, como, calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC) e termogravimetria (TG); microscopioa eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e difratometria a laser para a determinação do tamanho de partículas. A nimesulida utilizada na preparação das dispersões sólidas demonstrou mudança de hábito cristalino após a obtenção das dispersões sólidas. A avaliação da solubilidade da nimesulida e das dispersões sólidas obtidas foi determinada por meio do método do equilíbrio e avaliação espectrofotométrica. Os resultados demonstraram que a a formação das dispersões sólidas implica: na prevalência das características do polímero sobre as características da nimesulida, que aumenta à medida que a proporção de polímero é aumentada; na alteração do perfil de difração de raios X da nimesulida, tornando o perfil difratométrico da dispersão sólida mais semelhante ao do polímero; na mudança do comportamento térmico (curvas de DSC e TG) ; e na possível mudança do hábito cristalino da nimesulida Adicionalmente, os resultados dos ensaios de solubilidade permitiram demonstrar o aumento solubilidade da nimesulida em todas as preprações de dispersões sólidas obtidas, sendo que para as dispersões sólidas que utilizaram os polímeros poloxamer P188 e P407, observou-se que incremento na solubilidade foi de até quatro vezes se os valores forem comparados com a solubilidade da nimesulida pura. / Nimesulide belongs to the therapeutical class of the non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and it´s considered to be very used by the Brazilian population. Nimesulide has the property to inhibit selectively the ciclooxigenase enzyme (COX-2), one of the responsible for the tecidual protection and the reduction of the adverse effect, such as gastropatia and nefropatia. The selective characteristic confers to nimesulida advantages in relation to the not selective NSAIDs. Nimesulide is practically insoluble in water and it´s been classified as group II in the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS). The objectives of this study had been the attainment and the characterization of nimesulide solid dispersions by means of hydrosoluble polymers used as carriers as (pvp, plasdone S630 and poloxamer P188 and P407) in acetone:ethanol solution (1:1).The solid dispersions have been obtained by the evaporation method, using route-vapor at maximum temperature of 45°C and under reduced pressure. The characterization of the nimesulide dispersions was carried by using the following techniques: X- rays difratometry; spectroscopy of absorption in the region of the infra-red ray; thermoanalytical techniques as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG); scanning eletronically microscopy (SEM) and laser difratometry for the particle size determination. The evaluation of the solubility of the nimesulide and the respective solid dispersions was determined by means of the equilibrium method and spectrophotometric evaluation. The results have demonstrated that the preparation of solid dispersions implies: the prevalence of the characteristics of polymer on the characteristics of the nimesulide, which increases with the increase of the carrier quantity in the solid dispersion; the modification of the difratometry profile that shows to acquire some polymer profile characteristics; the change of the thermal behavior (curves of DSC and TG); and the possible change of the crystalline habit. Additionally, the results of the solubility assays for all preparation have allowed to demonstrate the increase of the nimesulide solubility. The solid dispersion containing polymer carrier P188 and P407 have demonstrated the largest solubility results reaching up to four times if compared to the solubility of the pure nimesulida.

Madagascar est une île continentale de l’Océan Indien, au large de l’Afrique. C’est également un point chaud de biodiversité, hébergeant plus de 12 000 espèces de plantes vasculaires, dont plus de 600 espèces de fougères caractérisées par un endémisme dépassant les 45%. L’Afrique continentale n’héberge en comparaison que 800 espèces. Comment peut-on expliquer une telle concentration de biodiversité à Madagascar ? Quelles sont les origines biogéographiques des fougères malgaches ? L’apport de nouvelles données et la littérature préexistante permettent de proposer ici des hypothèses sur l’histoire biogéographique des fougères de Madagascar. Quatre groupes de fougères ont fait l’objet d’une étude biogéographique : les sous-familles de fougères grammitides et blechnoides, les genres Rumohra et Lindsaea-Odontosoria, ainsi qu’un genre de lycophytes, Phlegmariurus, représentant un réplica dans une autre lignée de plantes vasculaires à spores. L’histoire biogéographique des lignées malgaches au sein de ces groupes a été reconstruite, à partir de phylogénies moléculaires mondiales complétées par les espèces malgaches, de datations moléculaires, ainsi que de l’estimation des aires ancestrales.Bien que Madagascar soit d’origine ancienne, gondwanienne, les résultats des analyses biogéographiques montrent que les fougères et les lycophytes auraient colonisé Madagascar après son isolement, durant le Cénozoïque (< 66 Ma), depuis les néotropiques (Amérique du Sud) l’Afrique et l’Asie tropicale (au sens large, incluant l’Asie continentale et le sud-est asiatique jusqu’en Australasie). En particulier, de nombreuses dispersions ont été observées à partir du Miocène (< 23 Ma). Ces résultats seraient expliqués par une combinaison d’événements au Cénozoïque (formation des forêts tropicales humides Malgaches, formation de courants éoliens permettant la dispersion par spores) et des préférences écologiques des fougères et des lycophytes pour les forêts tropicales humides d’altitude, s’étant formées à partir du Miocène dans les régions sources. / Madagascar is a continental island in the Indian Ocean, near African coasts. It is also a biodiversity hotspot, comprising more than 12,000 species of vascular plants and including more than 600 fern species with an endemism reaching the 45%. Comparatively, continental Africa comprises only 800 species. How can such a diversity be explained in Madagascar? What are the biogeographical origins of the Malagasy ferns? Thanks to new data combined to the literature, hypotheses on the biogeographical history of Malagasy ferns are here proposed.Four fern taxa were newly investigated: grammitid and blechnoid subfamilies, Rumohra and Lindsaea-Odontosoria, as well as Phlegmariurus, a genus of lycophytes considered as a phylogenetic replicate in another vascular spore-bearing plant lineage. The biogeographical history of the Malagasy lineages was inferred, based on worldwide molecular phylogenies completed by Malagasy species, molecular dating and ancestral area estimates.Despite its Gondwanian origin, ferns and lycophytes would have colonized Madagascar after its isolation, during the Cenozoic (< 66 Ma), from the Neotropics (South America), Africa and tropical Asia s.l. (meaning from continental Asia to Southeast Asia and Australasia). Dispersal events were especially inferred from the Miocene (< 23 Ma). These results could be explained by the combination of events during the Cenozoic (establishment of the Malagasy rainforests, onset of wind currents allowing spore dispersal) and ecological preferences of ferns and lycophytes for elevated tropical rainforests that have established from the Miocene in the source regions.

A cidade de Cubatão está localizada na região da baixada santista, no estado de São Paulo. Ela conta com um dos maiores complexos industriais do Brasil, tendo este iniciado as suas atividades na década de cinquenta. Cubatão, tornou-se uma grande potência econômica seguindo as tendências de seu desenvolvimento industrial. Contudo o progresso fabril aliado a ausência de políticas públicas e regulatórias, no que se refere à emissão de poluentes atmosféricos, trouxe graves consequências ambientais. A ausência de leis ocasionou um grande problema ambiental em Cubatão na década de oitenta, época na qual a região atingiu níveis altíssimos de poluição atmosférica, ganhou grande repercussão internacional e deu origem ao termo Vale da morte. Após este acontecimento, foram desenvolvidas as leis regulamentadoras de emissões atmosféricas, tanto no âmbito estadual quanto no federal. Hoje apesar de Cubatão possuir níveis mais baixos de poluição e emissões industriais controladas, é possível notar ultrapassagens dos padrões de qualidade do ar. Baseado no contexto apresentado sobre o município, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo realizar um estudo da dispersão dos poluentes na região de Cubatão-SP utilizando técnicas diversas, como: sensoriamento remoto - técnica Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) e dados de satélite - e informações de qualidade do ar disponibilizados pela CETESB. / The city of Cubatão is located in the region of the state of São Paulo. It has one of the largest industrial complexes in Brazil, having started its activities in the fifties. Cubatão, became a major economic power following the trends of its industrial development. However the factory progress, combined with the absence of public and regulatory policies, regarding the emission of atmospheric pollutants, brought serious environmental consequences. The absence of laws caused a major environmental problem in Cubatão in the eighties. The region reached very high levels of air pollution, gaining great international repercussion and giving rise to the term Death Valley. Following this event, regulatory laws about atmospheric emissions were developed, both at the state and federal levels. Today, although Cubatão has lower levels of pollution and controlled industrial emissions, it is possible to observe overcoming air quality standards. Based on the context presented on the municipality, the present work aims to conduct a study of the dispersion of pollutants in the region of Cubatão-SP using several techniques, such as: remote sensing - Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) and satellite data - and air quality information provided by CETESB.

Um dos componentes mais importantes de um Reator Nuclear é o Combustível Nuclear. Atualmente, o mais avançado combustível comercial, cuja aplicabilidade nos reatores brasileiros vem sendo desenvolvida pelo IPEN desde 1985, é o siliceto de urânio U3Si2. Este é formado por placas combustíveis com núcleos de dispersão (onde o material físsil (U3Si2) é disperso homogeneamente em uma matriz de alumínio) revestidos por alumínio. Tal combustível é produzido no Brasil com tecnologia totalmente nacional, resultado do esforço realizado pelo grupo de fabricação de combustíveis nucleares (CCN Centro do Combustível Nuclear) do IPEN. Diante da necessidade do aumento da potência do reator IEA-R1 e da construção do Reator Multipropósito Brasileiro (RMB), para a produção de radioisótopos principalmente para fins na área da medicina , haverá significativo aumento na produção deste combustível nuclear no IPEN. Em face desta conjuntura, faz-se necessário o desenvolvimento de técnicas de qualificação mais modernas e automatizadas. Visando a este objetivo, neste trabalho foi desenvolvido um novo método computacional de medição de espessuras de núcleos e revestimentos de placas combustíveis, o qual é capaz de realizar tais medidas em tempo menor e com dados estatísticos mais significativos, quando comparado com o método atual de medição. / One of the most important components of a nuclear reactor is the Nuclear Fuel. Currently, the most advanced commercial fuel, whose applicability in Brazilian reactors has been developed by IPEN since 1985, is the silicide U3Si2. This is formed by fuel plates with nuclei dispersion (where the fissile material (U3Si2) is homogeneously dispersed in a matrix of aluminum) coated aluminum. This fuel is produced in Brazil with developed technology, the result of the efforts made by the group of manufacturing nuclear fuel (CCN - Center of Nuclear Fuel) of IPEN. Considering the necessity of increasing the power of the IEA- R1 and Brazilian Multipurpose Reactor Building (RMB), for the production of radioisotopes - mainly for the area of medicine - there will be significant increase in the production of nuclear fuel at IPEN. Given this situation, if necessary, make the development of more modern and automated classification techniques. Aiming at this goal, this work developed a new computational method for measuring thickness of core and cladding of fuel plates, which are able to perform such measurements in less time and with more meaningful statistical data when compared with the current method of measurement.