The seasonal pattern of the carbon isotope content (delta C-13) of atmospheric CO2 depends on local and nonlocal land-atmosphere exchange and atmospheric transport. Previous studies suggested that the delta C-13 of the net land-atmosphere CO2 flux (delta(source)) varies seasonally as stomatal conductance of plants responds to vapor pressure deficit of air (VPD). We studied the variation of (source) at seven sites across the United States representing forests, grasslands, and an urban center. Using a two-part mixing model, we calculated the seasonal delta(source) for each site after removing background influence and, when possible, removing delta C-13 variation of nonlocal sources. Compared to previous analyses, we found a reduced seasonal (March-September) variation in delta(source) at the forest sites (0.5 parts per thousand variation). We did not find a consistent seasonal relationship between VPD and delta(source) across forest (or other) sites, providing evidence that stomatal response to VPD was not the cause of the global, coherent seasonal pattern in (source). In contrast to the forest sites, grassland and urban sites had a larger seasonal variation in (source) (5) dominated by seasonal transitions in C-3/C-4 grass productivity and in fossil fuel emissions, respectively. Our findings were sensitive to the location used to account for atmospheric background variation within the mixing model method that determined (source). Special consideration should be given to background location depending on whether the intent is to understand site level dynamics or regional scale impacts of land-atmosphere exchange. The seasonal amplitude in delta C-13 of land-atmosphere CO2 exchange (delta(source)) varied across land cover types and was not driven by seasonal changes in vapor pressure deficit. The largest seasonal amplitudes of delta(source) were at grassland and urban sites, driven by changes in C-3/C-4 grass productivity and fossil fuel emissions, respectively. Mixing model approaches may incorrectly calculate delta(source) when background atmospheric observations are remote and/or prone to anthropogenic influence.

Lors de ce travail de thèse nous nous sommes intéressés à deux thèmes principaux dans le but de fabriquer des matériaux conducteurs chiraux : la synthèse de TTF-hélicènes présentant une chiralité hélicoïdale moléculaire, ainsi que l’obtention de molécules de symétrie 3 à base de TTF ayant la capacité à former des auto-assemblages supramoléculaires hélicoïdaux. Dans la partie TTF-hélicène, plusieurs tailles d’hélicènes ont été envisagées avec pour objectif d’obtenir des énantiomères stables et séparables. Ils ont été caractérisés par diffraction de rayons X, de même que les sels obtenus par électrocristallisation. De plus, une étude théorique de la réaction de photocyclisation des stilbènes en hélicènes a été menée pour comprendre sa régiosélectivité. Les molécules de symétrie 3 sont composées d’un coeur BTA-DABP sur lequel sont fixés des TTF avec leurs substituants chiraux. L’assemblage colonnaire des molécules est étudié par CD et les fibres formées sont observées par microscopie ce qui permet de déterminer leur hélicité. On varie le cœur ainsi que les groupements fixés dessus. / In this work, we have been interested in two different topics to make chiral conducting materials: the synthesis of TTF-helicenes, with molecular helical chirality, as well as the formation of three-fold symmetry molecules based on TTF units able to self-assemble into supramolecular helical aggregates. For the TTF-helicenes, several lengths of helicenes are considered in order to form stable and separable enantiomers. They are characterized by X-ray diffraction just as the salts that are obtained by electrocrystallization. Moreover, a theoretical study of the photocyclisation reaction of stilbenes into helicenes was performed to understand its regioselectivity. The three-fold symmetry molecules are composed of a BTA-DABP core on which TTF with chiral substituents are fixed. The assembly into columnar aggregates is followed by CD and the fibers formed are observed by microscopy in order to determine their helicity. Variation of the core and the substituents are made.

This thesis deals with the extension of the RoScan scanning system features, making its behaviour more secure and adaptivte during scanning of the object on its whole trajectory. This work contains mathematical model of said manipulator, suggested methods to ensure proper behaviour during singularities. New features were added to the RoScan system such as control panel for manipulator control including new format of trajectory log, moving closer or further away from manipulator’s end effector and non adaptive trajectory testing for singularities. Result of this work is ready-to-use.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is a highly penetrant autosomal dominant genetic disorder where mutations in the tumor suppressor gene NF1 leads to decreased neurofibromin. The most debilitating manifestation is the presence of complex multilineage Schwann cell-derived plexiform neurofibromas (PN). Historically, little clinical success has been achieved targeting PN through surgery or chemotherapies. I performed an shRNA library screen of patient-derived Schwann cell lines to identify novel therapeutic targets to disrupt PN formation and progression. An shRNA library screen of human kinases and Rho-GTPases was performed in NF1-/- and paired NF1 competent immortalized Schwann cell lines. Following sequencing, candidates were identified. We previously developed a novel mouse model of NF1 wherein a neural crest specific Postncre targeted loxp-flanked Nf1 that replicated the PN found in patients. Additional cohorts of mice were generated with biallelic deletion of Rac1 (Nf1f/fRac1f/f Postn-Cre+; DKO ). Mice were aged for 9 months and peripheral nerves were harvested and fixed in formalin. Peripheral nerve size was measured and tumors were identified through blinded analysis of hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s Trichrome (collagen) stained slides. Rho family members, including RAC1, were identified as candidates through an shRNA library screen. Genetic disruption of Rac1 in the Schwann cell lineage resulted in the prevention of tumor formation in DKO mice, as observed by peripheral nerve size and histological analysis. I observed an average of 14.8 +/- 2.65 tumors per mouse in the Nf1f/f Postnviii Cre+ cohort compared to 0 tumors in the DKO (p<0.0001). Following an shRNA library screen, RAC1 was identified as a candidate to modulate PN formation. Biallelic deletion of Rac1 in vivo prevented PN formation. I demonstrate that a candidate identified in an shRNA library screen can translate to an biological effect in a mouse model of PN.

Study was conducted to evaluate in vitro digestibility of native warm-season grasses. Three grasses were used: big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium Nash), and indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans Nash). There were no differences in NDF, ADF, FAT and OM of the three grass species. However, DM, hemicellulose and CP were slightly different in the three grass species. Also, the frequency nested in cutting effects was determined. In vitro dry matter disappearance of big bluestem, little bluestem and indiangrass was evaluated to determine rate of disappearance. The 100 % indiangrass revealed the greatest rate of disappearance for IVDMD and 100 % little bluestem grass the least, respectively. However, that of other proportion mixtures of treatments and 100 % big bluestem grass were in between. There were no differences in in vitro neutral detergent fiber disappearances among treatments.

No description available.

No description available.

This project was a collaboration with C3 Scandinavian Lifestyle to create an induction percolator. Certain points had to be considered and explored. How can the copper coil be used in the percolator, and how can the new technology be turned off at the specified temperature?The report will begin with a theoretical foundation. This will include the type of study contained in this report. Every step made during the project will be explained in the procedure. The approach and implementation section will discuss how the work was done, as well as what methods were employed to get the outcomes. Last but not least, it concludes with conclusions and debate.

L'analyse des conditions physico-chimiques régnant dans le milieu interstellaire(ISM) nécessité de connaître les constantes de vitesse de collision inélastique qui ont lieu plus fréquemment dans l'ISM. Nous avons à cettefin calculées les surfaces d'énergie potentielles ainsi que les états liés descomplexes CS-H2, HCN-H2, HCN-He et C3-He. Nous avons déterminé pour la collision CS-H2 les sections efficaces et les taux d'excitation collisionnels pour les premiers niveaux rotationnels. Des observations récentes suggérentque l'excitation des modes de pliage des molécules triatomiques doit êtreprise en compte dans les modèles astrochimiques. Nous présentons doncdeux nouvelles approches théoriques permettant d'effectuer un traitementClose Coupling des collisions inélastiques d'un atome avec une molécule triatomique. Le couplage entre les mouvements de rotation et de pliage de la molécule est traité soit exactement dans le cadre de l'approximation du rigid bender (RBCC) ou de façon approximée en moyennant le potentiel d'interaction atome-molècule sur le mode de pliage de la molécule (RBAA). La méthode RBCC est appliquée à l'étude des collisions HCN-He et C3-He pour lesquelles les sections efficaces de transition entre niveaux rotationnels appartenant à des modes de pliage différents sont obtenues. Les résultats sont comparés avec ceux fournis par l'opproximation du rotateur rigide linéaire. Dans le cas de la collision HCN-He ils sont aussi comparés avec ceux obtenus en utilisant l'approche RBAA. Nous montrons que les sections efficaces de transitions entre des niveaux rotationels appartenant à des niveaux de bending différents doivent être calculées au niveau RBCC. / Tha analysis of the physico-chemical conditons taking place in the interstellar medium (ISM) requires to know the inclastic rate coefficents of the detected interstellar molecules in collisions with the moste common colliders int the ISM. We have comuted the four dimensional potential energy surfaces, and the bound levels for the CS-H2, HCN-H2, HCN-He and C3 -He complexes. For the collisions of Cs with H2, we also determined the rst inelastic cross section and rate coefficeients<; Several recent observations suggest that the vibrational excitation of triatomic molecules in the ISM at least in the bending motion needs to be considered in the collision mechanismes. We present a nex theorical method to treat atom-rigid bender ineslastic collisions at close the coupling level (RBCC). The coupling between rotation and bending is treated exactly within the rigid bender approximation and we obtain the cross section for the rotational transition between levels belonging to dierent bending levels. This approach is applied to the study of HCN-He and C3-He. The results are compared with those obtained whenconsidering the molecules to be linear rigid rotors. In the case of HCN-He,they are also compared with the cross sections determined using the interactionpotential averaged over the bending wavefunction. We demonstratethat the cross sections involving vibrational transitions should be computedusing the RBCC method. For HCN-He, the linear rigid approach is foundto offer a good description of pure rotational transitions while for C3-Hethis method is shown to overestimate the cross section for collision energieshigher than the first excited bending threshold.

O carcinoma epidermóide de pênis (CEP) representa 95% das neoplasias penianas e afeta quase sempre pacientes não circuncidados estando muitas vezes associado à falta de higiene local adequada e à fimose. No Brasil a sua incidência é de 2,7 % porém em algumas áreas do país pode chegar a 17% dos casos diagnosticados por ano. O tumor pode ocorrer em qualquer parte do órgão sexual masculino e o tipo de estadiamento empregado é controverso. A classificação de Broders é a mais utilizada. Estudos sugerem a relação entre o desenvolvimento do carcinoma de pênis com a infecção por HPV (Papiloma Vírus Humano). O método de avaliação dos linfonodos inguinais permanece controverso sendo difícil a diferenciação entre linfadenomegalia inflamatória reacional e metastática. O exame físico não é um preditor confiável do comprometimento linfonodal pois pacientes com linfonodos palpáveis podem não apresentar metástases. Há poucas publicações sobre os mecanismos moleculares envolvidos na gênese e progressão do CEP. Apesar de vários marcadores terem sido avaliados, atualmente a aplicação clínica destes é limitada. A maior parte dos marcadores estudados requer procedimentos invasivos para obtenção do tecido tumoral. Existe a necessidade de encontrar através de uma técnica pouco invasiva marcadores tumorais circulantes capazes de diferenciar portadores de CEP com e sem envolvimento metastático. Neste tipo de neoplasia, a descoberta de biomarcadores que avaliem o prognóstico é relevante, pois o exame físico não é um indicador confiável do comprometimento linfonodal e da sobrevida.Os objetivos foram 1) revisar e discutir a epidemiologia, a etiologia, os diversos tipos de abordagem cirúrgica e as controvérsias no tratamento cirúrgico do câncer de pênis 2) investigar através da plataforma ClinProt/ MALDI / TOF a presença de marcadores plasmáticos capazes de discriminar indivíduos saudáveis de pacientes afetados por carcinoma epidermóide de pênis (CEP) 3) avaliar a importância destes marcadores na evolução da doença. Foram coletados e analisados pela plataforma ClinProt / MALDI / TOF o plasma de 36 indivíduos saudáveis e 25 pacientes com CEP invasivo, submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico entre junho de 2010 e junho de 2011, nos serviços de urologia do Instituto Nacional de Câncer e do Hospital Mário Kröeff (Rio de Janeiro). Nossos resultados apontaram para um conjunto de dois peptídeos (A = m / z 1897,22 + -9 Da e B = m / z 2021,99 + -9 Da) que foram capazes de diferenciar pacientes com CEP de indivíduos controles. Esses peptídeos foram posteriormente identificados como fragmentos C3 e C4 A/B do sistema complemento. A validação cruzada, utilizando toda casuística apresentou 62,5% e 86,76% de sensibilidade e de especificidade, respectivamente, com uma alta sensibilidade (100%) e especificidade (97%) nos pacientes que morreram pela doença. Além disso, os pacientes com envolvimento ganglionar obtiveram uma sensibilidade e uma especificidade de 80 % e 97%, respectivamente. Ficou demonstrado que à medida que a doença progride mais subexpressos está o conjunto de peptídeos quando comparados com indivíduos saudáveis. Estes resultados podem ser úteis como ferramentas para a avaliação do prognóstico destes pacientes. / Squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (SSCP) represents 95% of penile cancers. It affects mostly uncircumcised patients and is often associated with lack of adequate local hygiene and phimosis. In Brazil, the incidence is 2.7% but in some areas of the country can reach 17% of diagnosed cases of cancer per year. The tumor can occur in any part of the sexual organ and the type of staging to be used is controversial. The Broders classification is more often used to classify tumors. Studies suggest the relationship between the development of penile carcinoma and HPV infection (Human Papilloma Virus). The evaluation method of inguinal lymph nodes remains controversial and it is difficult to differentiate inflammatory reaction from metastatic lymphadenopathy. Physical examination is not a reliable predictor of lymph node involvement since patients with palpable lymph nodes can not present metastases. There are few publications about the molecular mechanisms involved in the genesis and progression of the SSCP. Although several markers have been evaluated, currently the clinical application of these is limited. Most of the markers studied require invasive procedures for obtaining tumor tissue. There is a need to find through a minimally invasive technique circulating tumor markers able to differentiate SSCP patients with and without metastatic involvement. In this type ofmalignancythediscovery of biomarkers that assessthe prognosisis relevant since physical examination is not a reliable predictor oflymph node involvementand survival. The objectives of this study were: 1) to review and discuss the epidemiology, etiology, different types of surgical approach and controversies in the surgical treatment of penile cancer 2)to investigate via the platform ClinProt / MALDI / TOF presence of plasma markers able to discriminate healthy subjects from patients affected by squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (SCCP) 3) to evaluate the importance of these markers in disease progression. Between June 2010 and June 2011, plasma samples from 36 healthy subjects and 25 patients with penile carcinoma who underwent surgical treatment in the UrologyServicesofNational Cancer InstituteandMarioKröeffHospital were collected and analyzed by the ClinProt/MALDI/TOF platform. Our results found a cluster of 2 peptides (A=m/z 1897.22 +-9 Da and B=m/z 2021.99 +-9 Da that was able to discriminate patients from controls subjects. These peptides were further identified as C3 and C4 A/B fragments from complement system. Cross validation analysis using the whole casuistic showed 62.5% and 86.76% of sensitivity and specificity, respectively with a very high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (97%) for SCCP patients that have died by disease. Moreover, patients with lymph node involvement present a sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 97%, respectively. The results showed that as the disease progresses more under express are the cluster comparing with healthy subjects. These results may be useful as prognostic toll.