A human safe, Alhydrogel adjuvanted whole cell Trichomonas vaginalis vaccine was tested for efficacy in a BALB/c mouse model of vaginal infection. Additionally, the systemic and local immune response were measured. Vaccination reduced incidence and increased clearance of infection, and induced both systemic and local humoral immune responses. CD4+ cells were detected in vaginal tissues following intravaginal challenge with T. vaginalis, but were not seen in uninfected mice. CD4+ cells were detected more often, earlier, and in greater numbers in vaccinated vaginal tissues compared to unvaccinated controls. Presence of CD4+ T cells following infection can have significant implications of increasing HIV susceptibility and transmission. These data suggest that the vaccine induces local and systemic immune responses, and confers significantly greater protection against vaginal challenge than unvaccinated vaginal challenge. These data support the potential for a human vaccine against T. vaginalis infection that could also impact the incidence of HIV infections.

Die vorliegende Arbeit behandelt die Synthese und die Eigenschaften von fluordotierten Aluminium(hydr)oxiden. Dazu wurde zunächst ein Syntheseprotokoll erarbeitet, das die kontrollierte und reproduzierbare Sol-Gel Synthese von F-Al(OH)3-Phasen ermöglichte. Auf Grundlage dieser Syntheseroute konnten Parameter wie der Fluorgehalt der Phasen kontrolliert und der Einfluss auf strukturelle Eigenschaften systematisch untersucht werden. Die Charakterisierung der amorphen Phasen wurde hauptsächlich über MAS NMR spektroskopische Methoden vorgenommen. Herausragendes Strukturmerkmal der Proben ist die Anwesenheit von AlV- und AlIV-Sites, die charakteristisch für das hohe Maß an struktureller Störung in den Proben sind. Über die Untersuchung der thermischen Eigenschaften konnte gezeigt werden, dass es schon bei Temperaturen von unterhalb 80 °C zur anteiligen Dehydroxylierung der Phasen kommt und mit einem starken Anstieg der unterkoordinierten AlV- und AlIV-Spezies verknüpft ist. Bei etwa 300 °C sind die Phasen weitestgehend dehydratisiert, allerdings kommt es bei Kontakt mit Luft zu einer Reaktion mit atmosphärischen H2O Molekülen. Bei ausreichend langer Zeit und hoher Luftfeuchtigkeit führt dies zu einer vollständigen Rehydratisierung der Probe, die wiederum mit dem Rückgang der AlV- und AlIV-Spezies verknüpft ist. Kalziniert man die F-Al(OH)3-Phasen im Vakuum bei 700 °C, erhält man ein schwach kristallines, übergangsaluminiumoxidähnliches F-Al2O3. Das so hergestellte F-Al2O3 besitzt kontrollierbare Mengen Fluorid und ist katalytisch aktiv. Der Einfluss von Fluorid auf die katalytische Aktivität und die Oberflächenbeschaffenheit der Proben wurde umfassend untersucht und über zwei unterschiedliche Testreaktion evaluiert. In diesem Zuge konnte auch die Bildung von Brønsted-Zentren auf der Oberfläche gesteuert und ihr Bildungsmechanismus besser verstanden werden. Ein besseres Verständnis zur katalytischen Lewis-Aktivität der Probe konnte durch die direkte Beobachtung der aktiven Oberfläche erreicht werden. Hier wurden reaktive und koordinativ ungesättigte AlV- und AlIV-Sites beobachtet, die durch den Kontakt mit Luft zerstört werden und dadurch ihre katalytische Aktivität verlieren. / The present work deals with the synthesis and properties of fluorine-doped aluminum (hydr)oxides. For this purpose, a synthesis protocol was first developed, which allowed the controlled and reproducible synthesis of F-Al(OH)3 phases. Based on this sol-gel route, parameters such as the fluorine content of the phases could be controlled and the influence on structural properties could be systematically investigated. The amorphous F-Al(OH)3 samples show a number of interesting properties. The characterization was carried out mainly by MAS NMR spectroscopic methods. Outstanding structural feature of the samples is the presence of AlV- and AlIV-sites, which are characteristic of the high degree of structural disorder in the samples. The investigation of the thermal properties has shown that even at temperatures below 80 °C there is a proportional dehydroxylation of the phases, which is associated with a strong increase of the undercoordinated AlV- and AlIV-species. At around 300 °C, the phases are largely dehydrated, but contact with air causes a reaction with atmospheric H2O molecules. With sufficient time and high humidity, this leads to complete rehydration of the sample, which in turn is associated with the decline of the AlV- and AlIV-species. If the F-Al(OH)3 phases are calcined in vacuum at 700 °C, a weakly crystalline transition alumina-like F-Al2O3 is obtained. Thus, the F-Al2O3 produced has controllable amounts of fluoride and is catalytically active. The influence of fluoride on the catalytic activity and surface finish of the samples was extensively studied and evaluated by two different test reactions. In this context, the formation of Brønsted centers on the surface could be controlled which also led to a better understanding of the mechanism of the formation. A better understanding of the catalytic Lewis activity of the sample could be achieved by direct observation of the active surface. Here, reactive and coordinatively unsaturated AlV- and AlIV-sites were observed which were destroyed by contact with air, thereby losing their catalytic activity.

A Influenza afeta milhões de pessoas a cada ano no mundo todo. Dados da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) informam que, anualmente, as epidemias de influenza resultam em aproximadamente 250 a 500 mil mortes no mundo. A vacinação é o modo mais eficaz de prevenção contra a influenza, e, devido à alta capacidade de transmissibilidade, a produção, a distribuição e a administração da vacina devem ser rápidas. Os vírus da influenza podem ser sazonais ou pandêmicos, dependendo das mudanças genéticas que sofrem. A produção da vacina sazonal da Influenza é um processo de alto custo e complicado devido à possibilidade de reformulação anual da vacina, além disso, vacinas em desenvolvimento contra cepas possivelmente pandêmicas, como H7N9, possuem baixa imunogenicidade. Por esses motivos, vêm-se discutindo o uso de adjuvantes as formulações das vacinas de Influenza. Desta forma, poderia ser possibilitado o uso de uma menor quantidade de antígeno, propiciando o aumento de doses produzidas e potencializando a resposta imune gerada pela vacina. Neste estudo foram utilizados quatro adjuvantes: o Monofosforil Lipídio A de Bordetella pertussis (MPLA), o Hidróxido de Alumínio, uma emulsão de água em óleo chamado Addavax &reg (formulação similar ao MF59 &reg e a Flagelina de Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar a resposta imunológica induzida pela administração das vacinas da Influenza sazonal e H7N9, produzidas no IB com o MPLA combinado com o Hidróxido de Alumínio; o Addavax &reg e a Flagelina de S. Thyphimurium. Foi realizada a imunização via subcutânea (SC) de camundongos com a vacina trivalente da Influenza usando o MPLA+ hidróxido de alumínio, Flagelina ou Addavax &reg e só foi possível observar um aumento dos anticorpos específicos quando o adjuvante era o Addavax &reg. Ao caracterizar a resposta imune ao Addavax &reg juntamente à vacina sazonal da Influenza, constatou-se uma diferença estatisticamente significativa de resposta celular e humoral, entre administrações SC e intramuscular (IM) dessa formulação. A administração IM apresentou maior produção de anticorpos específicos e neutralizantes, e foi a que mais promoveu recrutamento de APCs. Uma maior produção de anticorpos específicos e neutralizantes por esta via de administração também foi observada, quando se comparou com a administração intranasal (IN), realizada com o adjuvante Flagelina e a vacina monovalente de H7N9. O Addavax &reg foi um adjuvante eficaz para a vacina trivalente produzida no IB, pois levou à produção de altos títulos de anticorpos neutralizantes com diferença estatística significativa comparada às formulações sem o adjuvante, como já descrito na literatura, e a administração IM de vacinas da Influenza foi a melhor via de imunização para o estudo destes antígenos com camundongos, pois também leva ao aumento dos títulos de anticorpos específicos e neutralizantes. / Influenza affects millions of people every year worldwide, and according to the World Health Organization (WHO) reports, influenza epidemics annually result in approximately 250- 500,000 deaths worldwide. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza and because of the high transmissibility capacity, the production, distribution and administration of the vaccine should be fast. Influenza viruses can be seasonal or pandemic, depending on the genetic changes they undergo. The production of the seasonal influenza vaccine is a costly and complicated process due to the possibility of its annual reformulation of, in addition, vaccines under development against possibly pandemic strains, such as H7N9, present low immunogenicity. For these reasons, the use of adjuvants in the Influenza vaccines formulations has been discussed. This approach could enable the use of lower amounts of antigen, allowing the increase of doses produced and potentiating the immune response generated by the vaccine. Four adjuvants were used in this study: Bordetella pertussis Monophosphoryl Lipid A (MPLA), Aluminum Hydroxide, an oil in water emulsion named Addavax&reg (similar formulation to MF59&reg) and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium Flagellin. The aim of this work was characterize the immune response induced by the administration of the seasonal Influenza and H7N9 vaccines, produced by the IB with the MPLA combined with the Aluminum Hydroxide; Addavax&reg and S. Thyphimurium Flagellin. Immunization was administered subcutaneously in mice with the trivalent Influenza vaccine using MPLA + aluminum hydroxide, Flagellin or Addavax&reg. It was possible to observe an increase of the specific antibodies against influenza when the adjuvant Addavax was used in the formulation. When initiating the characterization of Addavax&reg immune response together with the seasonal Influenza vaccine, a statistically significant difference was observed between subcutaneous (SC) and intramuscular (IM) administrations of this formulation in terms of cellular and humoral immune response. IM administration showed higher production of specific and neutralizing antibodies, and recruitment of antigen-presenting cells. Increased production of specific and neutralizing antibodies by this route of administration was also observed when compared to intranasal (IN) administration with the Flagellin adjuvant and the monovalent H7N9 vaccine. Addavax&reg was an effective adjuvant for the trivalent vaccine produced in IB because it led to the production of high titers of neutralizing antibodies with significant statistical difference compared to the formulations without the adjuvant, as already described in the literature. The IM administration of Influenza vaccines was the best route of immunization for the study of these antigens with mice as it also leads to the increase of specific antibody titers.

Dans le cadre de l’entreposage et du stockage des colis de déchets nucléaires et du transport de combustibles usés, nous nous sommes intéressés par l’étude de la production d’hydrogène de deux produits de corrosion de l’aluminium : l’hydroxyde d’aluminium (Al(OH)3) et l’oxyhydroxyde d’aluminium (AlO(OH)).La production du dihydrogène par irradiation de ces matériaux a été étudiée en fonction de la taille et de la structure que ce soit à température ambiante ou après. Afin d’avoir une meilleur compréhension des mécanismes de production de ce gaz, les défauts créés par irradiation ont été caractérisés en utilisant la Résonnance Paramagnétique Electronique (RPE). Différentes sources d’irradiation ont été utilisées comme le rayonnement Gamma, les électrons accélérés et les ions lourds. Dans un second temps, l’effet de l’hydratation de surface des matériaux a été également étudié. Enfin, l’effet de la présence d’impuretés sur la production de H2 a été brièvement étudié. / Dihydrogen production is a critical issue for the current management of nuclear wastes. One potential source of hydrogen generation is the radiolysis of hydrated mineral phases encountered in the nuclear waste transportation and storage casks. We chose to study aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) (Bayerite) and oxyhydroxides (AlOOH) (Boehmite) as model compounds. The determination of molecular hydrogen production was evaluated with respect to structure and particle size at room temperature and after annealing. In order to have a better understanding of the mechanisms and to identify the precursors of molecular hydrogen, we studied the irradiation defects and their stabilities using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR). The effect of adsorbed water and structural water on the molecular hydrogen production was studied. Different radiation sources were used such as Gamma radiation, electron beam radiations and heavy ions. In the last part, preliminary results related to the impact of impurities on hydrogen production are presented.

Submitted by Angela Maria de Oliveira (amolivei@uepg.br) on 2019-02-27T11:49:16Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Gustavo Antoniacomi de Carvalho.pdf: 6310308 bytes, checksum: 8e1efd9d86bc5a1adf80b45bba2a3985 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2019-02-27T11:49:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Gustavo Antoniacomi de Carvalho.pdf: 6310308 bytes, checksum: 8e1efd9d86bc5a1adf80b45bba2a3985 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-01-30 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Cerâmicas porosas vêm ganhando visibilidade devido a algumas aplicações tecnológicas interessantes, tais como a utilização em eletrólitos sólidos, ânodos de células a combustível, filtros cerâmicos e reposição óssea e dental. Dentre elas, há especial atenção ao estudo de materiais porosos com porosidade graduada, nos quais a quantidade de poros e a morfologia dos mesmos se alteram pelo volume do material. Nesse trabalho foi realizado o processamento e caracterização de materiais cerâmicos de alumina com porosidade graduada a partir das técnicas de freeze casting e colagem de barbotina, utilizando hidróxido de alumínio e amido de arroz como fases de sacrifício. Após a conformação das amostras por esses métodos, a porosidade foi caracterizada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura, pelas medidas de porosidade aparente feita pelo Princípio de Arquimedes e pela distribuição de tamanho de poros feita pela técnica de porosimetria de mercúrio. Foi avaliada também a resistência mecânica das amostras a partir de ensaio de compressão. Foi confirmada a relação entre as amostras processados isoladamente e suas respectivas camadas nas amostras graduadas. Foi observada também uma boa interação interfacial entre cada uma das camadas das amostras graduadas. A porosidade das amostras com porosidade graduada se manteve próxima do esperado, o valor esperado foi determinado a partir da média das amostras processadas isoladamente em relação às camadas do material com porosidade graduada. O ensaio mecânico demonstrou que não houve influência das interfaces dos materiais graduados na sua resistência à compressão. / Porous ceramics have been gaining visibility due to some interesting technological applications, such as its use as solid electrolytes, fuel cell anodes, ceramic filters and bone and dental reposition. Among them, there is special care in studying graded porosity materials, where the quantity of pores and pore morphology changes through the material volume. In this work the processing and characterization of alumina ceramic materials with functionally graded porosity by freeze casting and slip casting techniques using aluminum hydroxide and rice starch as sacrificial template was performed. After conformation, the porosity was characterized through electron scanning microscopy, apparent porosity through Archimedes method and median pore size through mercury porosimetry. The mechanical resistance was also obtained by compression testing. The analysis allowed to confirm the relation between each of the isolated samples’ microstructure and its respective layer in each of the graded materials, also, the graded materials shown good interfacial interaction between each of the layers. The porosity in graded materials kept close to the expected value, which was determined by the medium value of the porosities of the isolated samples respective to the graded material. Mechanical testing shown that there was no influence of the graded material interfaces in its compressive strength.

Composite thin Pd/Ag alloy membranes with long-term thermal and chemical stabilities have potential applications for H2 separation via catalytic membrane reactors and may be one of the key determinants to achieve the 21st century's global hydrogen economy. This work provides a detailed microstructure characterization study and a better understanding of the fundamental principles involved in the synthesis of a novel Pd/Ag intermetallic diffusion barrier formed by the bi-metal multi-layer (BMML) deposition technique. The BMML deposition technique formed an extremely effective Pd/Ag intermetallic diffusion barrier and significantly improved the thermal and long-term stability of the composite Pd and Pd/alloy membranes over a temperature range of 500-600oC. In addition, high temperature annealing studies over a temperature range of 500-800oC in H2 atmosphere led a thorough understanding of the surface interactions and the phase changes between the Pd and Ag metals and the porous metal support elements (Fe, Cr and Ni) and it was shown by the SEI, EDX and X-ray phase analyses that the Ag/Fe and Ag/Ni binary systems exerted complete immiscibility compared to the completely miscible solid solutions of Pd/Fe and Pd/Ni phases. A novel characterization method of in-situ time-resolved high temperature X-ray diffraction (HTXRD) analysis was used to elucidate the mechanistic details of the isothermal nucleation and growth kinetics of the Pd/Ag alloy phase over a temperature range of 500-600oC in H2. The nucleation of the Pd/Ag alloy phase was instantaneous where the growth mechanism was through diffusion-controlled one-dimensional thickening of the Pd/Ag alloy layer. The Pd/Ag alloy phase growth was strongly dependent upon the deposition morphology of the as-synthesized Pd and Ag layers due to the presence of the heterogeneous nucleation sites. Based on the empirical rate constants derived from the solid-state reaction models, the estimated activation energies for the Pd/Ag alloy phase transformation were 236.5 and 185.6 kJ/mol and in good agreement with the literature values of 183-239.5 kJ/mol. The successful utilization of surface modification techniques and modified plating conditions led to the synthesis of several dense Pd/Ag layers, which were as thin as 5-15 µm with a bulk Ag content in the 10-40 wt% range. The long-term testing of the composite Pd/Ag membranes (5-15 µm) at 500oC showed stable hydrogen permeances as high as 30 to 54 m3/m2-h-atm0.5 with H2/He selectivities ranging from 200 to 14000. Furthermore, the atomic absorption flame analysis was used for the first time to elucidate the effects of temperature, initial metal ion concentration, initial hydrazine concentration and bath agitation on the electroless plating rates of Pd and Ag. The electroless plating of both Pd and Ag were strongly affected by the external mass transfer in the absence of bath agitation. The external mass transfer limitations for both Pd and Ag deposition have been overcome at or above an agitation rate of 400 rpm, resulting in a maximum conversion of the plating reaction and dramatically shortened plating times with the added advantage of uniform deposition morphology as evidenced by the SEI micrographs. Finally, the agitation rate of 400 rpm was successfully employed for the synthesis of composite Pd and Pd/Ag membranes. The H2 permeance for a 4.7 µm thick pure-Pd membrane at 400oC was as high as 61 m3/m2-h-atm0.5 with H2/He selectivity over 310 after a total testing period of 690 hours.