A talidomida (TLD) é um fármaco usado no tratamento de lesões associadas ao eritema nodoso leprótico, úlceras aftóides em pacientes HIV+/AIDS, algumas doenças crônico-degenerativas e mieloma múltiplo refratário à quimioterapia. Porém, apresenta problemas relacionados à sua farmacocinética, é pouco hidrossolúvel, e, por conseguinte, apresenta lenta e variável absorção no trato gastrintestinal. Uma proposta inédita que pode ser de interesse clínico é a formulação de uma dispersão sólida para a via oral, que permita a modulação da dissolução e biodisponibilidade da talidomida. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver e caracterizar dispersões sólidas (DS) contendo carreadores autoemulsionáveis e TLD, veiculado em cápsulas duras, a fim de melhorar as propriedades biofarmacêuticas do fármaco. Foram desenvolvidas formulações de TLD dispersa em Gelucire® (GEL) ou Kolliphor® (TPGS), associadas ou não a um adjuvante que em geral, diminui a recristalização de fármacos, a polivilpirrolidona (PVP K30). A técnica utilizada para preparar as DS foi o método de evaporação de solvente. A caracterização físico-química foi realizada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), difração de raios-X (DRX), calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC) acoplada a células de aquecimento (Hot Stage), sugeriu formação de DS semicristalinas. A espectroscopia Infravermelha (IV), juntamente com DRX, demonstrou que a porção cristalina remanescente corresponde ao polimorfo α. A dissolução in vitro do fármaco a partir das DS foi significativamente melhor quando comparada ao fármaco isolado ou ao controle com amido. No tempo limite de 120 minutos, as DS tiveram percentual de dissolução em torno de 90%, enquanto o fármaco isolado de 50%, e o controle com amido de 70%. O estudo de solubilidade aquosa com diferentes excessos de fármaco foi realizado com o intuito de verificar se as DS eram capazes de manter o aumento da solubilidade aparente (estado de supersaturação) por um longo período de tempo. Foram obtidos incrementos da solubilidade aparente de até 3x superiores a do fármaco isolado, mas a capacidade solubilizante das DS mostrou-se saturável. Como conclusão, os resultados das análises físico-químicas, perfil de dissolução e solubilidade sugerem que a associação da talidomida com os carreadores autoemulsionáveis proporcionou melhora nas propriedades biofarmacêuticas da TLD, e criam perspectivas de investigação futuras, tais como a avaliação da permeabilidade intestinal in vitro. / Thalidomide (TLD) is a drug used for the treatment of lesions associated to the erythema nodosum leprosum, aphthous ulcers in HIV + / AIDS patients, some chronic diseases, and multiple myeloma refractory to chemotherapy. However, the drug is poorly aqueous soluble, and therefore presents slow and variable absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. An innovative proposal, which could be of clinical interest, is the formulation of oral solid dispersions, which allow modulation of dissolution, solubility, and, therefore, bioavailability of thalidomide. The objective of this study was to develop and characterize solid dispersions (DS) containing self-emulsifying carriers and TLD, filled in hard capsules, aiming to improve the biopharmaceutical properties of the drug. TLD has been dispersed in Gelucire® (GEL) or Kolliphor® (TPGS), associated or not to an excipient that usually decreases the drug recrystallization, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K30). The technique used for preparing the DS was the solvent evaporation method. The physicochemical characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) coupled to heating cells (Hot Stage), indicated the formation of semi crystalline DS. Infrared spectroscopy (IR), together with XRD, showed that the remaining crystalline portion corresponds to the polymorph α. The in vitro dissolution of the drug from the DS was significantly higher when compared to the drug alone, or the control with starch. At 120 min, the percentage of TLD dissolved from DS was around 90%, while drug alone showed 50% and drug+starch showed 70% dissolution. The aqueous solubility study performed with different drug excess assessed whether the DS were able to maintain the increase in apparent solubility (supersaturation state) for a long period of time. Increments around 3x were obtained in the apparent solubility, but the solubilizing ability of DS was found to be saturable. In conclusion, the results of physicochemical analysis, dissolution profile and aqueous solubility suggest that the association of thalidomide with self-emulsifying carriers provided improvement on the biopharmaceutical properties of TLD, and opened future research perspectives, such as the assessment of intestinal permeability in vitro.

O cálculo de dispersão de plumas é uma ferramenta empregada para se estimar o alcance dos poluentes emitidos por uma chaminé nas suas redondezas. É empregada nos países desenvolvidos há alguns anos e recentemente vem sendo exigida pelas agências ambientais brasileiras como um dos requisitos para concessão das licenças de operação. Baseia-se em um cálculo gaussiano, onde os dados de entrada são as taxas de emissão, os dados físicos da chaminé, dados meteorológicos e topográficos. Como é uma técnica recente no Brasil, este trabalho se propõe a fazer uma descrição da metodologia e suas etapas, indicando quais são os dados mais relevantes e quais simplificações podem ser feitas. O estudo de caso foi realizado nas instalações das Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB). Os resultados indicaram que a influência de edificações adjacentes à fonte emissora é um dos parâmetros mais importantes, seguido da influência do relevo da região. Foi também realizada uma comparação entre os dois softwares comerciais existentes, o ISCST3, de maior complexidade, e o SCREEN mais simplificado, e indicou que o SCREEN pode ser usado como uma ferramenta de avaliação inicial, quando todos os dados de entrada necessários para se usar o ISCST3 não estão disponíveis / The plume dispersion modeling is a tool used to estimate the pollutants distribution in the vicinities of a chimney. It has been widely used in developed countries for a long time and now is started to be used by Brazilian environmental agencies as one of the requirements to obtain the operation license. It is based on a Gaussian modeling where input data are the emissions rate, physical data from the stack, meteorological data, and topographical characteristics. As this technique recently used in Brazil, this work proposes to describe the methodology and its steps, indicating the most relevant parameters, the possible simplifications, and details necessary. The case study was done at the site of Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB). The results indicated that the edifications near the emission source are the most relevant parameter, followed by the topographical characteristics. A comparison was also done between the two commercial softwares available, the ISC3, with more details, and the SCREEN with simpler features. The results indicated that the SCREEN software can be used as an initial evaluation tool, whenever all input data necessary to process ICS3 are not available

The objective of this research was the development of an efficient method for the preparation of silver-polymer nanocomposites containing finely dispersed silver nanoparticles. The surface of nanosilver was functionalized by thiolation with 2-aminoethanethiol. Amino-modified nanosilver was covalently bonded to polyacrylic acid, biodegradable polymers like acid terminated polylactic acid, ester terminated poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) and acid terminated poly(DL lactide-co-glycolide) in the presence of diisopropylcarbodiimide by carbodiimide method. Esterification of the carboxyl groups of Ag-polyacrylic acid by hydrochloric acid in methanol resulted in the formation of a stable colloidal dispersion of Ag nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. It was observed that not just acid terminated polymers but also ester terminated polymers could react with functionalized nanosilver. This unusual reaction was due to the aminolysis of the ester bond in the polymer chain by the surface amino groups. Silver-polymer nanocomposites obtained with acid terminated polylactic acid and poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) contained highly dispersed nanosilver in the polymer matrix in comparison with the ester terminated poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide). Chemical and structural characteristics of the obtained materials were studied by instrumental methods. Attained biodegradable materials confirmed X-ray contrast and bactericidal properties, which could be eventually used for biomedical applications.

Les recherches sur le vieillissement ont montré que la variabilité intra-individuelle (VII) du fonctionnement cognitif (dispersion et inconsistance) augmente avec l’âge. La VII pourrait jouer un rôle central dans la compréhension des changements cognitifs observés chez la personne âgée. Le but de cette recherche a été d’évaluer l’apport de la VII pour expliquer les différences d’efficience cognitive entre personnes âgées. Les relations entre deux formes de VII, dispersion (VII des scores entre plusieurs tests cognitifs) et inconsistance (VII des temps de réponse (TR) entre les essais à une tâche de contrôle cognitif), et l’efficience cognitive, ont été évaluées auprès d’un groupe d’adultes âgés de 61 ans et plus. La tâche de contrôle AX-cpt utilisée dans cette étude permet l’évaluation de processus de contrôle cognitif distincts (contrôle réactif et contrôle proactif). L’augmentation de la dispersion était associée à une diminution de la vitesse de traitement, de la capacité de la mémoire épisodique et de l’état cognitif plus général. L’augmentation de l’inconsistance semble traduire une difficulté supérieure associée à des capacités de maintien de l’information contextuelle et de résistance à l’interférence moins préservées. Toutefois, l’inconsistance pourrait exprimer une évolution positive de la cognition. Les fluctuations intra-individuelles du comportement paraissent être les caractéristiques d’un fonctionnement normal. L’irrégularité de l’instabilité temporelle des TR aux essais successifs d’une même tâche semble être un indicateur pertinent dans l’étude de la VII pour rendre compte d’une diminution de l’efficience cognitive. L’étude de la VII de la performance semble donc être une approche fructueuse pour expliquer la variabilité interindividuelle chez la personne âgée et prédire d’éventuels changements cognitifs / Aging research shows an age-related increase in intraindividual variability in cognitive functioning (dispersion and inconsistency). Intraindividual variability would play a central role in understanding cognitive changes in older adults. The purpose of the present research was to examine the contribution of the intraindividual variability study, in order to explain differences in cognitive efficiency between older adults. The relationship between two forms of intraindividual variability, dispersion (variability in scores across several cognitive tests) and inconsistency (variability in response time (RT) across trials in a cognitive control task), and the cognitive efficiency, was estimated in a sample of adults aged from 61 years and older. The control task AX-cpt used in this study allows the evaluation of distinct cognitive control process (proactive and reactive control). The increase in dispersion was associated with a decrease in processing speed, episodic memory ability and the more general cognitive state. The increase in inconsistency seems related to a difficulty of a cognitive system whose capacities of context information maintenance, and resistance to interference, are less preserved. However, the inconsistency could also reveal a positive evolution of cognition. Intraindividual fluctuations in behavior appear to be the characteristics of normal functioning. The irregularity of temporal instability of successive trials response times, seems to be a valid cue of the decrease in cognitive efficiency. The study of intraindividual variability in performance seems to be a fruitful approach to explain the variability between individuals observed in the elderly, and to predict possible cognitive changes.

Orientador: Nilza Maria Martinelli / Resumo: A cigarra da espécie Quesada gigas é considerada praga-chave na cultura do café, principalmente nos Estados de São Paulo e Minas Gerais. Atualmente, essa espécie de cigarra é a principal e a mais prejudicial ao cafeeiro. O objetivo trabalho foi determinar a distribuição espacial de posturas e ninfas de Q. gigas em três talhões de café com histórico de infestação. O experimento foi realizado utilizando as cultivares Mundo Novo, Icatu 2939 e Icatu 2944, com idades de trinta, dezessete e quinze anos, respectivamente, pertencente à Fazenda São Judas Thadeu, localizada no município de São Sebastião do Paraíso-MG. O espaçamento entre as plantas foi de 4,0 x 1,0 m entrelinhas e na linha respectivamente, totalizando cada talhão 10.000 m2. Os talhões foram divididos em 100 parcelas de 10 x 10 m, e uma planta por parcela foi marcada com o auxílio de GPS (Global Positioning System). Foram coletados quinzenalmente três ramos secos do terço superior da planta marcada com aproximadamente 20 cm, totalizando 300 ramos por talhão, nos meses de outubro, novembro e dezembro de 2014 e outubro e novembro de 2015. Esses ramos para a avaliaç foram acondicionados em saco de papel e levados ao Departamento de Fitossanidade da UNESP/FCAV. Para o estudo de ninfas foi realizado através da abertura de trincheiras realizadas no período de dezembro de 2015. A abertura de trincheira com dimensões de 0,50 x 0,50 x 0,50m, foram realizadas a partir da base do tronco e as ninfas coletadas foram acondicionadas e... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The Quesada gigas cicada is considered a key pest in coffee growing, mainly in the States of São Paulo and Minas Gerais. Currently, these cicadas are the main and most damaging species to coffee and mainly infest the planting of these two States. The objective was to characterize the spatial distribution of Q. gigas postures and nymphs in the coffee crop. The experiment was carried out using the cultivars Mundo Novo, Icatu 2939 and Icatu 2944, aged thirty, seventeen and fifteen, respectively, belonging to Fazenda São Judas Thadeu, located in the municipality of São Sebastião do Paraíso-MG. The spacing between the plants was 4.0 x 1.0 m between lines and in the line respectively, totalizing each field 10,000 m2. The plots were divided into 100 plots of 10 x 10 m, and one plot per plot was marked with the aid of GPS (Global Positioning System). Three dry branches were collected biweekly from the upper third of the plant with approximately 20 cm, totaling 300 branches per plot, between October, November, and December 2014 and in the year 2015. These branches were packed in paper bags and taken To the Phytosanitary Department of FCAV / UNESP. For the study of nymphs was carried out through the opening of trenches held in the period of December 2015. The trench opening with dimensions of 0.50 x 0.50 x 0.50m, were carried out from the base of the trunk and the nymphs Were collected in glass containers with 70% alcohol solution for later counting. The identification of the nymphal i... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial biofilms are the leading cause of mortality among cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Biofilms contain bacteria attached to a surface and encased in a protective matrix. Since bacteria within a biofilm are less susceptible to antibiotics, a new approach is to use dispersion compounds that cause the biofilms to release free-swimming bacteria. Our approach has focused on combining nutrient dispersion compounds with antibiotics to increase eradication of bacteria within biofilms. This approach takes advantage of the enhanced susceptibility of free-swimming bacteria to antibiotics, compared to bacteria within biofilms. Ultimately, this research will guide the development of an aerosol therapy containing both antibiotic and dispersion compounds to treat bacterial biofilm infections. To study the effect of antibiotic and dispersion compound treatments on biofilm eradication, a high-throughput screening assay was used to assess the effect on young Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. In addition, a Lab-Tek chambered coverglass system imaged via confocal microscopy was used to assess the effect on mature Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. Seven antibiotics (amikacin disulfate, tobramycin sulfate, colistin sulfate, colistin methanesulfonate (CMS), polymyxinB sulfate, erythromycin, and ciprofloxacin hydrochloride) were tested alone or in combination with four nutrient dispersion compounds (sodium citrate, succinic acid, xylitol, and glutamic acid) to assess the level of eradication of bacteria within biofilms. For young biofilms, 15 of 24 combinations significantly eliminated more live bacteria within the biofilms (measured in colony forming units per milliliter) compared to antibiotics alone. In the more mature biofilm system, only 3 out of 26 combinations resulted in a higher percentage of live biofilm bacteria being eliminated compared to antibiotics alone, showing the importance of biofilm age in the effectiveness of these potential combination therapies. To aid in confocal microscopic analysis of biofilms, an automated quantification program called STAINIFICATION was developed. This new program can be used to simultaneously investigate connected-biofilm bacteria, unconnected bacteria (dispersed bacteria), the biofilm protective matrix, and a growth surface upon which bacteria are grown in confocal images. The program contains novel algorithms for the assessment of bacterial viability and for the quantification of bacteria grown on uneven surfaces, such as tissue. The utility of the viability assessments were demonstrated with confocal images of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. The utility of the uneven surface algorithms were demonstrated with confocal images of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms grown on cultured human airway epithelial cells and Neisseria gonorrhoeae biofilms grown on transformed cervical epithelial cells. Finally, a proof-of-concept study demonstrated that dry powder aerosols containing both antibiotic and nutrient dispersion compounds could be developed with properties optimized for efficient deposition in the lungs. A design of experiments study showed that solution concentration was the most significant parameter affecting aerosol yield, particle size, and in vitro deposition profiles. Collectively this work demonstrated that bacterial dispersion from biofilms can enhance antibiotic susceptibility and can be better quantified using the new STAINIFICATION software. Formulation of dispersion compounds and antibiotics into a dry powder aerosol could enable more effective treatment of biofilm infections in the lungs.

The ability to predict the dispersion of substances in the Great Salt Lake is a requisite towards making responsible management decisions relating to uses of the lake. The lake is a complex terminal body of water and will require a fairly sophisticated mathematical model to properly simulate the dispersion process in the lake. This finite element convection-dispersion model is a first step towards developing a comprehensive model. The model provides a finite element solution to the two-dimensional convection-dispersion equation and is capable of simulating steady or unsteady-state situations. It utilizes a known velocity field, dispersion coefficients, an introduced substance concentration, substance decay rates, and the region geometry to produce a solution to a given convection-dispersion problem. At the present time, a quantitative verification of the model has not been done, but qualitative use of the model indicates that it yields reasonable solutions satisfying continuity to convection-dispersion problems. Problems tested utilize a uniform flow field and various methods of introducing a substance, such as internal injections, established concentration gradients, and diffusers. This model affords the options in the approximating techniques of linear or quadratic interpolation functions, the Galerkin or "upwinding" methods of weigh ted residuals, and a linearly or quadratically varying velocity field. The model must use a continuous flow field to produce a credible solution. The model does need improvement in its ability to conserve mass in unsteady-state problems when introducing a substance into the modeled region and allowing dispersive transport at the boundaries. Proper nodal spacing (mesh size) is also important because a relatively coarse mesh size can result in poor approximations in some areas of the region modeled.

The study of soil erodibility has become of paramount interest in the last few decades. The effects of soil erosion are serious and extensive and affect nearly all people.

Magnetic nanoparticles embedded in polymer matrices have excellent potential for electromagnetic device applications like electromagnetic interference (EMI) suppression. Using chemical precipitation methods and Nanogen , a microwave plasma method, we have synthesized various nanoparticles including iron, polystyrene-coated iron, iron oxide (both hematite and magnetite), nickel ferrite, and manganese zinc ferrite. We have synthesized polymer nanocomposites of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), and polypyrrole (PPy) doped with varying concentrations of these nanoparticles. These nanocomposites were processed using melt blending and sonication techniques. The concentration of nanoparticles was varied in a controlled way. Although polymer processing conditions were optimized to achieve good uniform dispersion of the nanoparticles in the polymer matrix, surface characterization with SEM indicates areas of clustering of the nanoparticles. This agglomeration is attributed to the particle interactions mediated by steric forces in the polymer matrix. Static magnetic properties such as susceptibility and M-H loops were studied using a Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS). The variation of the magnetic responses were consistent with the varying volume concentration of the nanoparticles, the polymers themselves contributing diamagnetic responses. Overall, the reasonable dispersion and control over magnetic properties achieved in our experiments is promising for electromagnetic applications of these materials.

Nitrate (NO3) loadings from stormwater runoff promote eutrophication in surface waters. Low Impact Development (LID) is a type of best management practice aimed at restoring the hydrologic function of watersheds and removing contaminants before they are discharged into ground and surface waters. Also known as rain gardens, a bioretention system is a LID technology that is capable of increasing infliltration, reducing runoff rates and removing pollutants. They can be planted with visually appealing vegetation, which plays a role in nutrient uptake. A modified bioretention system incorporates a submerged internal water storage zone (IWSZ) that includes an electron donor to support denitrification. Modified (or denitrifying) bioretention systems have been shown to be capable of converting NO3 in stormwater runoff to nitrogen gas through denitrification; however, design guidelines are lacking for these systems, particularly under Florida-specific hydrologic conditions. The experimental portion of this research investigated the performance of denitrifying bioretention systems with varying IWSZ medium types, IWSZ depths, hydraulic loading rates and antecedent dry conditions (ADCs). Microcosm studies were performed to compare denitrification rates using wood chips, gravel, sand, and mixtures of wood chips with sand or gravel media. The microcosm study revealed that carbon-containing media, acclimated media and lower initial dissolved oxygen concentrations will enhance NO3 removal rates. The gravel-wood medium was observed to have high NO3 removal rates and low final dissolved organic carbon concentrations compared to the other media types. The gravel-wood medium was selected for subsequent storm event and tracer studies, which incorporated three completely submerged columns with varying depths. Even though the columns were operated under equivalent detention times, greater NO3 removal efficiencies were observed in the taller compared to the shorter columns. Tracer studies revealed this phenomenon was attributed to the improved hydraulic performance in the taller compared to shorter columns. In addition, greater NO3 removal efficiencies were observed with an increase in ADCs, where ADCs were positively correlated with dissolved organic carbon concentrations. Data from the experimental portion of this study, additional hydraulic modeling development for the unsaturated layer and unsaturated layer data from other studies were combined to create nitrogen loading model for modified bioretention systems. The processes incorporated into the IWSZ model include denitrification, dispersion, organic media hydrolysis, oxygen inhibition, bio-available organic carbon limitation and Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) leaching. For the hydraulic component, a unifying equation was developed to approximate unsaturated and saturated flow rates. The hydraulic modeling results indicate that during ADCs, greater storage capacities are available in taller compared to shorter IWSZs Data from another study was used to develop a pseudo-nitrification model for the unsaturated layer. A hypothetical case study was then conducted with SWMM-5 software to evaluate nitrogen loadings from various modified bioretention system designs that have equal IWSZ volumes. The results indicate that bioretention systems with taller IWSZs remove greater NO3 loadings, which was likely due to the greater hydraulic performance in the taller compared to shorter IWSZ designs. However, the systems with the shorter IWSZs removed greater TKN and total nitrogen loadings due to the larger unsaturated layer volumes in the shorter IWSZ designs.