No description available.

Ly alpha nebulae, or "Ly alpha blobs," are extended (up to similar to 100 kpc), bright (L-Ly alpha greater than or similar to 10(43) erg s(-1)) clouds of Lya emitting gas that tend to lie in overdense regions at z similar to 2-5. The origin of the Lya emission remains unknown, but recent theoretical work suggests that measuring the polarization might discriminate among powering mechanisms. Here we present the first narrowband imaging polarimetry of a radio-loud Lya nebula, B3 J2330+3927, at z - 3.09, with an embedded active galactic nucleus (AGN). The AGN lies near the blob's Lya emission peak, and its radio lobes align roughly with the blob's major axis. With the SPOL polarimeter on the 6.5 m MMT telescope, we map the total (Ly alpha + continuum) polarization in a grid of circular apertures of a radius of 0.'' 6 (4.4 kpc), detecting a significant (>2 sigma) polarization fraction P-% in nine apertures and achieving strong upper limits (as low as 2%) elsewhere. P-% increases from <2% at similar to 5 kpc from the blob center to 17% at similar to 15-25 kpc. The detections are distributed asymmetrically, roughly along the nebula's major axis. The polarization angles theta are mostly perpendicular to this axis. Comparing the Ly alpha flux to that of the continuum and conservatively assuming that the continuum is highly polarized (20%-100%) and aligned with the total polarization, we place lower limits on the polarization of the Lya emission P-%,P-Ly alpha ranging from no significant polarization at similar to 5 kpc from the blob center to 3%-17% at 10-25 kpc. Like the total polarization, the Ly alpha polarization detections occur more often along the blob's major axis.

Trace elements are essential for the host defence against infections, and during common infections, the balance of trace elements is changed in serum and tissues. Supplementation with selenium (Se), an essential trace element, is known to decrease the severity of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infection in mice. Even the non-essential trace element arsenic (As) seems to influence the replication of some viruses. During the course of an acute CVB3 infection in mice, Se concentrations decreased in most tissues and were negatively correlated to viral load in our study. However, As concomitantly decreased in most tissues. As has previously been shown to interfere with the balance of essential trace elements. However, in the present study As supplementation in healthy mice resulted in minor effects on seven studied trace elements in serum and tissues. The effects of As supplementation were more pronounced in CVB3-infected mice, with an increase in As, but a decrease in Se in most tissues when compared with non-infected mice. As supplementation during CVB3 infection in mice decreased viral RNA concentrations in the brain (97%) and pancreas (75%), two of the target organs of this infection. In vitro experiments indicate that As caused an impaired virion assembly or release. In vivo, infection-induced expression of the host defence-associated genes nuclear factor κB (NFκB) and interferon γ (IFN-γ) were unaffected by As supplementation, except for an earlier increase in IFN-γ in the brain. In conclusion, a clinically relevant dose of As decreased the replication of CVB3 in vitro and in vivo. This antiviral effect in vivo was not related to changes in specific trace elements or in the host’s immune-mediated defence. Although the mechanism underlying the observed effect on viral replication remains to be further elucidated, As seems to be an intriguing trace element to study in the pursuit of new antiviral drugs.

With global freshwater supplies under pressure, viable water reuse methods are being examined to assist in improving water supplies. Municipal effluent is an ideal source for water reclamation as it is consistent in quality and quantity. The health aspects of water reuse have been identified as an issue of concern, in particular the potential presence of enteric viruses. Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) is a method that can aid water reclamation by recharging water such as treated effluent into a suitable aquifer. Research into the removal of pathogenic contaminants by natural processes within aquifers, namely the action of autochthonous bacteria, has led to the consideration that MAR could be used to assist in the removal of microbial pathogens. Pathogens have been demonstrated to be removed during residence in groundwater, but the presence of active autochthonous groundwater bacteria are required for significant removal rates to occur. The aim of this research was to investigate the interaction between autochthonous groundwater bacteria (AGB) and the enteroviruses Poliovirus type 1, Coxsackievirus B3 and Adenovirus B41. It was established that these viruses decrease in number in the presence of AGB but the mechanisms causing this decrease are poorly understood. Experiments were designed to examine how the individual AGB caused decay of the viruses. In this study AGB were isolated and tested for their ability in increase the decay of the viruses. It was determined that 27 % (17/63) of the isolated AGB influenced viral decay. The AGB isolates varied in their influence with only 3 out of 17 isolates being able to cause of the decay of both poliovirus and coxsackievirus. Similar variations in decay were observed for adenovirus. Decay times for all three viruses varied amongst the AGB and between the viruses. Experiments were undertaken to characterise the mechanism causing the antiviral activity of four groundwater isolates (1G, 3A, 4B and 9G) under varying conditions and treatments to give insight into the compounds or mechanisms responsible for viral decay. This would indicate whether compounds produced by the AGB responsible for viral decay were closely associated to bacterial cells (perhaps membrane bound), independent of metabolic activity, heat labile or were enzymatic in nature. The influence of enzyme inhibiters and heat treatment indicated that viral degradation is caused by compounds that are enzymatic in nature. As viral numbers were monitored by nucleic acid copy numbers rather than via infectivity assays, the viral protein coats must be the first step in degradation followed by the removal of the viral nucleic acid. This two step process would require both protease and nuclease enzymes to result in loss of viral numbers as measured by RT-PCR/PCR. Further characterisation and identification of these four bacterial isolates was also carried out. Three out of the four isolates were sequenced and analysed using partial 16S rRNA gene sequences to determine their phylogenetic relationships compared to related organisms. Isolate 3A was placed in the order Burkholderiales. Isolate 4B was placed in the family Xanthomonadaceae. Isolate 9G was placed in the family Rhizobiaceae. Isolate 1G was only partially sequenced and preliminary identification placed it in the phylum Bacteriodetes. Understanding of the processes carried out by AGB within an aquifer during MAR using reclaimed waters will aid in increasing the viability of this water reuse process. If important natural processes could be utilised to remediate any potential pathogens, the health concerns with reclaimed waters could be addressed and solved simply through prescribed retention times within the aquifer. Key species of AGB may even be utilised as markers to assess the suitability of an aquifer for MAR.

We present Chandra and XMM-Newton X-ray, Very Large Array (VLA) radio, and optical observations of three candidate compact steep spectrum (CSS) radio galaxies. CSS sources are of a galactic scale and are presumably driving a shock through the interstellar medium (ISM) of their host galaxy. B3 1445+410 is a low-excitation emission line CSS radio galaxy with possibly a hybrid Fanaroff-Riley FRI/II (or fat double) radio morphology. The Chandra observations reveal a point-like source that is well fit with a power law consistent with the emission from a Doppler boosted core. 3C 268.3 is a CSS broad-line radio galaxy (BLRG) whose Chandra data are consistent spatially with a point source centered on the nucleus and spectrally with a double power-law model. PKS B1017-325 is a low-excitation emission line radio galaxy with a bent double radio morphology. While from our new spectroscopic redshift, PKS B1017-325 falls outside the formal definition of a CSS, the XMM-Newton observations are consistent with ISM emission with either a contribution from hot shocked gas or non-thermal jet emission. We compile selected radio and X-ray properties of the nine bona fide CSS radio galaxies with X-ray detections so far. We find that two out of the nine show X-ray spectroscopic evidence for hot shocked gas. We note that the counts in the sources are low and that the properties of the two sources with evidence for hot shocked gas are typical of the other CSS radio galaxies. We suggest that hot shocked gas may be typical of CSS radio galaxies due to their propagation through their host galaxies.

No description available.

Since their introduction by Sony in 1990, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have acquired a sizable market share. They have the best energy densities, a high open circuit voltage, a low self-discharge rate, no memory effect, and a slow loss of charge when not in use. These properties make them the most popular rechargeable batteries for portable gadgets, electric vehicles and aerospace applications.  They do, however, pose major safety issues since the electrolytes are made up of fluorinated salts dissolved in volatile organic solvents, the former being meta-stable at ambient temperature and the latter being flammable a with high vapour pressure. Thus, there is an urge to develop thermally and electrochemically stable non-fluorinated electrolytes to improve the safety and performance of batteries. Electrolytes based on ionic liquids (ILs) in general offer a range of suitable advantages including low volatility and high thermal and electrochemical stabilities,and can additionally be made fluorine-free. In general, their physicochemical properties are determined by the interactions between the cations and anions, which are controlled by the chemical functionalities present, with vast freedom in structural design to reduce these interactions and enhance also the ion mobilities.  In this study, favoring from of “structural design” three different families of fluorine-free ionic liquids-based electrolytes are designed and created. These families of ILs comprising n- tetrabutylphosphonium, imidazolium, pyridinium based cations and pyridine, pyrazine and ether functionalized salicylate-based anions. The structures and purity of these new ILs are characterized by using multinuclear NMR, FTIR and mass spectrometry. Several features and properties of the novel electrolytes are investigated; thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability. These studies are further complemented by using PFG NMR diffusometry to understand the possible interaction mechanisms between the oppositely charged ions within the electrolytes, and especially, the influence of Li+ addition in the IL-based electrolytes.

An A2 + B3 polymerization for the synthesis of hyperbranched polymers was altered using oligomeric precursors in place of either one or both of the monomer pairs to synthesize highly branched macromolecules. Unique topologies that are intermediates between long-chain branched and hyperbranched structures were obtained and the term "highly branched" was used to define these novel architectures. Various types of highly branched polymers, such as polyurethanes, poly(urethane urea)s, poly(ether ester)s, and poly(arylene ether)s were synthesized using the oligomeric A2 + B3 strategy. The molar mass of the oligomeric precursor permitted the control of the molar mass between branch points, which led to interesting macromolecular properties, such as superior mechanical performance to conventional hyperbranched polymers, disrupted crystallinity, improved processibility, and a multitude of functional end groups. Highly branched poly(urethane urea)s and polyurethanes exhibited microphase-separated morphologies as denoted by dynamic mechanical analysis. The similarity in soft segment glass transition behavior and mechanical properties of the branched systems with that of the linear analogues suggested these materials have considerable promise for a variety of applications. When a polycaprolactone triol was utilized as the B3 oligomer for the synthesis of highly branched polyurethane elastomers, the high degree of branching resulted in a completely amorphous soft segment, whereas the linear analogue with equivalent soft segment molar mass retained the crystallinity of polycaprolactone segment. Oligomeric A2 + B3 methodology was further utilized to tailor the degree of branching of poly(ether ester)s that were developed based on slow addition of dilute solution of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) (A2) to a dilute solution of 1,3,5-benzenetricarbonyl trichloride (B3) at room temperature in the presence of triethylamine. A revised definition of the degree of branching was proposed to accurately describe the branched poly(ether ester)s and the degree of branching decreased as the molar mass of the PEG diols was increased. Moreover, branched poly(arylene ether)s were prepared via a similar oligomeric A2 + B3 polymerization of phenol endcapped telechelic poly(arylene ether sulfone) oligomers (A2) and tris(4-fluorophenyl) phosphine oxide (B3) in solution. Highly branched poly(ether ester)s were also synthesized in the melt phase using the oligomeric A2 + B3 polymerization strategy. Melt polymerization effectively limited the cyclization reactions, which are common in A2 + B3 polymerizations in solution, and overcame the need for large amounts of polymerization solvent typical of A2 + B3 systems. Finally, a new family of telechelic polyester ionomers was synthesized based on phosphonium bromide salt end groups and branching allowed the incorporation of higher levels of ionic end groups compared to linear analogues. / Ph. D.

Dans ce mémoire de thèse, on étudie le morphisme de monoïde $mu$du monoïde libre sur l'alphabet des entiers $nb$,`a valeurs dans le groupe modulaire $PSL_2(zb)$,considéré comme monoïde, défini pour tout entier $a$ par $mu(a)=begin{pmatrix} 0 & -1 1 & a+1 end{pmatrix}.$Les nombres de Catalan apparaissent naturellement dans l'étudede sous-ensembles du noyau de $mu$.Dans un premier temps, on met en évidence deux systèmes de réécriture, l'un sur l'alphabet fini ${0,1}$, l'autresur l'alphabet infini des entiers $nb$ et on montreque ces deux systèmes de réécriture définissent des présentations de monoïde de $PSL_2(zb)$ par générateurs et relations.Par ailleurs, on introduit le morphisme d'indice associé `a l'abélianisé du rev^etement universel de $PSL_2(zb)$,le groupe $B_3$ des tresses `a trois brins. Interprété dans deux contextes différents,le morphisme d'indice est associé au nombre de "demi-tours".Ensuite, dans les quatrième et cinquième parties, on dénombre des sous-ensembles du noyau de $mu_{|{0,1}}$ etdu noyau de $mu$, bigradués par la longueur et l'indice. La suite des nombres de Catalan et d'autres diagonales du triangle de Catalan interviennentsimplement dans les résultats.Enfin, on présente l'origine géométrique de cette étude : on explicite le lien entre l'objectif premier de la thèse qui était l'étudedes polygones convexes entiers d'aire minimale et notre intéret pour le monoïde engendré par ces matrices particulières de $PSL_2(zb)$. / In this thesis, we study a morphism of mono"id $mu$ between the free mono"id on the alphabet of integers $nb$and the modular group $PSL_2(zb)$ considered as a mono"id, defined for all integer $a$by $mu(a)=begin{pmatrix} 0 & -1 1 & a+1 end{pmatrix}.$ The Catalan Numbers arised naturally in the study ofsubsets of the kernel of the morphism $mu$.Firstly, we introduce two rewriting systems, one on the finite alphabet ${0,1}$, and the other on the infinite alphabet of integers $nb$. We proove that bothof these rewriting systems defines a mono"id presentation of $PSL_2(zb)$ by generators and relations.On another note, we introduce the morphism of loop associated to the abelianised of the universal covering group of $PSL_2(zb)$, the group $B_3$ ofbraid group on $3$ strands. In two different contexts, the morphism of loop is associated to the number of "half-turns".Then, in the fourth and the fifth parts, we numerate subsets of the kernel of $mu_{|{0,1}}$ and of the kernel of $mu$,bi-graduated by the morphism of lengthand the morphism of loop. The sequences of Catalan numbers and other diagonals of the Catalan triangle come into the results.Lastly, we present the geometrical origin of this research : we detail the connection between our first aim,which was the study of convex integer polygones ofminimal area, and our interest for the mono"id generated by these particular matrices of $PSL_2(zb)$.

Numa área experimental de 25,2 ha formada com o capim-braquiarão (Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst) Stapf.) cv. Marandu e localizada no Campus da USP em Pirassununga/SP, durante o período de janeiro a julho de 2004, conduziu-se a presente pesquisa pela Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA/USP) com os seguintes objetivos: 1) Determinar as frações de carboidratos (A - açúcares solúveis com rápida degradação ruminal; B1- amido e pectina; B2 - parede celular com taxa de degradação mais lenta; C - fração não digerida) e as frações protéicas (A - NNP; B1 - peptídeos e oligopeptídeos; B2 - proteína verdadeira; B3 - NFDN; C - NIDA) na forragem da gramínea, baseados nas equações utilizadas pelo método de Cornell; 2) Relacionar outras variáveis com as medições em campo de experimentos paralelos e dados de elementos de clima com as frações protéicas e de carboidratos com o auxílio de um modelo computacional baseado em redes neurais artificiais (RNA). O delineamento foi em blocos completos e casualizados, com quatro tratamentos (ofertas de forragem de 5, 10, 15 e 20% - kg de massa seca por 100 kg de peso animal.dia) e quatro repetições. Cada bloco era dividido em quatro unidades experimentais de 1,575 ha, com cinco piquetes de 0,315 ha cada. Os animais eram manejados em cada unidade experimental em lotação rotacionada, com períodos de descanso de 28 dias no verão e 56 dias no inverno e período de ocupação de 7 dias, respectivamente. As amostras eram colhidas 2 dias antes da entrada dos animais à altura do resíduo do pastejo anterior. Foram determinados produção de massa seca (MS), alturas de pré e pós pastejo, fibras em detergente ácido (FDA) e neutro (FDN), sacarose, amido, lignina, extrato etéro (EE), carboidrato totais (CHO), carboidratos não estruturais (CNE), frações A, B1, B2 e C de carboidratos, proteína bruta (PB), frações A, B1, B2, B3 e C de proteínas e análise de uma rede neural artificial para uma predição dos teores de FDA, fibra em detergente neutro, PB e as frações protéicas. A produção de massa seca (MS) foi significativa, quando se estudou os efeitos da oferta de forragem (p<0,05), ciclo de pastejo (p<0,05) e da interação oferta de forragem x ciclo de pastejo (p<0,05). A maior produção foi no mês de março, quando se alcançou a média de 16140 kg MS/há para o oferta de 20%. Os teores de FDA foram significativos, quando se estudou a oferta de forragem (p<0,05) e seus maiores. Os teores médios da fibra em detergente neutro foram de 66,3 e 64,7% no verão e inverno respectivamente. Houve diferenças significativas para PB, quando se estudou a oferta de forragem (p<0,05), sendo seus teores médios de maior valor na OF a 5%. Observa aumento dos CNE em função de lâminas e colmos ao longo das estações do ano com interação no CP x OF (p<0,05) e seus maiores valores foram encontrados no ciclo de pastejo 3 na oferta de forragem 5%. Os teores de CHO totais apresentaram diferenças (p<0,10) em função da oferta de forragem, sendo os maiores teores médios encontrados na oferta de forragem de 20%. As frações A e B2 de CHO foram significativas em função da oferta de forragem (p<0,05), enquanto que os maiores teores médios da fração A foram encontrados nos ciclos de pastejo 3 e 4 e das frações B2 (%CHO) no ciclo de pastejo 1. As frações B2 e C de CHO apresentaram-se diferentes (p<0,05) nos ciclos de pastejo, sendo decrescentes para a fração B1 e crescentes para a fração C. As frações A (47%), B1 (11%) e B3 (10%) de proteínas foram significativas nos ciclos de pastejos. Os teores médios da fração B2 de proteínas apresentaram-se semelhantes (p>0,05) e os da fração C de proteínas foram diferentes (p<0,05) nas ofertas de forragem e ciclos de pastejo. Conclui-se que os ciclos de pastejos interferiram em todas as variáveis estudadas e que os teores das frações de proteínas e carboidratos estão dentro da variação (%) encontrada na literatura. A rede neural artificial conseguiu vincular as interações existentes de dados de campo e estimar os valores laboratoriais dentro de erros esperados, permitindo com isso desvincular análises laboratoriais, de qualidade de planta forrageira, à pesquisa agropecuária e com isso obter além de resultados mais rápidos, menor custo de pesquisa. / In a experimental área of 25.2 há formed with capim-braquiarão (Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst) Stapf ) cv. Marandu located in University of São Paulo Campus of Pirassununga/SP, during the period of january to july of 2004 was lead the present recherché for Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA/USP) to appetent the following objectives: 1) Determine protein fractions (the NNP; B1 - peptides and oligopepitides; B2 - true protein; B3 - NDF, C - AND) and carbohydrates fractions (soluble sugars with fast rumem degradation); B1(starch and pectin); B2 (cell wall alower degradation rate; C (indigested fraction rate) in the fodder plant of the grass, as it\'s respetive dregadability rate, based on equations using Cornell model. 2) To relate other variables measurements in field to parallel experiments and climate elements to the protein and carbohydrate fractions was used a computacional model based in nets of artificial neural. The randomized complete block design with four treatments (herbage allowance of 5, 10, 15 and 20% - kg of dry mass for 100 kg of animal.dia weight) and four repetitions. Each block was divided in four experimental units of 1,575 ha, with five 0,315 poles of ha each. The animals were management in each experimental unit in rotational grazing capacity, with periods of rest of 28 days in the summer and 56 days in the winter and period of occupation of 7 days, respectively. The samples were harvested 2 days before the entrance of the animals to the height of the residue of pasture previous. Were conducted analysis of production of dry mass (DM), heights daily pay and after grazing, staple fibers in acid detergent (ADF) and neutral (NDF), sacarose, starch, lignina, extract etereo (EE), carbohydrate (CHO), not structural carbohydrate (NSC), fractions A, B1, B2 and C of carbohydrate, crude protein (CP), fractions protein A, B1, B2, B3 and C and analysis of artificial neural network for a prediction of levels of ADF, NDF, CP and protéicas fractions. The dry matter (DM) production was significant for herbage allowance (p<0,05), grazing periods (p<0,05) and interaction between allowances x grazing periods (p<0,05). The righ production was in February 13,352 kg MS/ha. The ADF was significant for allowance and grazing periods (p<0,05), with 34.8%, on summer and 35.9% on winter. The average measured of NDF on summer and winter was 66.3 and 64.7%, respectively. It showed significant differences of PC when studied the allowance (p<0,05) and its average measured on summer and winter was 8,3 and 8,1%, respectively. It observes increase of the CNE in function of blades and stem to the long one of the stations of the year with interaction in grazing periods x herbage allowance and its bigger values had been found in the grazing periods 3 with herbage allowance 5%. The total texts of CHO had presented differences (p<0,10) in function of herbage allowance, being biggest found average texts in herbage allowance of 20%. The fractions and the B2 of CHO had been significant, when studied in function of the herbage allowance (p<0,05) for the fraction A and for fraction B2 (p<0,05); the biggest average texts in % of CHO of the fraction had been found It in the cycles of grazing 3 and 4 and the B2 fractions (%CHO) in the grazing periods 1. Fractions B2 (p<0,05) and C (p<0,05) of CHO had presented significant differences, when studied the factor grazing periods, where the B1 fraction the texts had been diminishing the measure that increased the grazing periods and fraction C the texts had increased the measure that had increased the grazing periods. The A, B1 and B3 protein fraction was significant when was studied the grazing periods and the results were 0,47; 0,11; 0,10 respectively. The B2 fraction was not significant. C fraction was significant when studied the allowance (p<0,05) and grazing periods (p<0,05). It was concluded that the grazing periods had intervened with all the studied 0 variable and that the texts of the protein fractions and carbohydrates are inside of the variation (%) found in literature. The results from lab was used to train and test neural network. With a program developed by neural network in a mult layer perceptron with capacity to predict the parameters of nutrition and nourishing value from parameters of forage plant intrinsic and extrinsic, where it was allowed to disentail lab analysis of forage plant quality on the farm research, to get beyond faster and have less research costs.