The aim of this diploma thesis was to determine the dehydrogenase activity of matrix samples that can enter the environment and the use of ecotoxicological tests to assess the quality of the affected soil. The effects of sludge, biochar samples, two landfill samples and a sediment sample were monitored. Ecotoxicology included tests on decomposers - tests of avoidance behavior (Eisenia fetida and Folsomia candida), acute, chronic and reproductive toxicity tests (Eisenia fetida) and Lactuca sativa root growth inhibition tests. The results indicate that dehydrogenase activity assays serve as a suitable complement to ecotoxicological tests. They provide valuable additional information on soil quality and sample effect after application to soil. The sediment sample had the least favorable effect on the activity of the enzyme and the vitality of the organisms, both in the determination of dehydrogenase activity and in ecotoxicological tests. Furthermore, it was found that biochar as a product of sewage sludge treatment is less toxic to organisms than the original sludge.

The present study explores Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro’s online communication on the microblogging platform Twitter. The study aims to present the populist characteristics embedded in the president’s tweets, as well as the strategies he uses in his communication on the social media platform. The pillars that structure this work are the different theories on the topic of populism, which address central points concerning the phenomenon’s characteristics, such as dichotomization between groups (the good and the bad people), a strong anti-establishment stance, creation of scapegoats and enemies, and the centrality of the leader. Additionally, theories that explain the relationship between populism and social media are also employed for the full comprehension of the problem at hand. The analysis examines Bolsonaro’s first year in office (2019) and focuses mainly on three different periods within that year. The data consists of 110 tweets submitted to analysis utilizing Discourse-Historical Approach, an analytical approach with a strong focus on context. The findings show how Bolsonaro’s communication on Twitter is immersed and dependent on strategies common to populist discourse, employing argumentative and discursive strategies that rely on the aspects such as topoi, the demonization of others, shifting of blame, positive self- and negative other- presentation, provocation and calculated ambivalence. This study contributes to the understanding of populist online communication in the Brazilian context, shedding light on the phenomenon of populism, in particular the current populist wave, outside the European and North American contexts, expanding the understanding about the topic to the global south.

The diploma thesis is divided into two parts – theoretical and practical. In the theoretical part I deal with fatty acids. Specifically, the diploma thesis describes the physiology of fatty acids and their analytical determination by gas chromatography. Furthermore, I focus on the chemical structure of fatty acids, their division, metabolism and influence on human nutrition. The practical part deals with the feeding experiment in Wistar Albino rats and the subsequent tissue collection of these animals for analytical determination of fatty acids in their muscle. The extent of deposition of selected fatty acids in rat muscle was studied. The feed was supplemented with the following oils: palm, safflower, fish and Schizochytrium algae extract.

The theoretical part of my thesis is based on the general classification and characterization of dietary lipids, especially fatty acids, cholesterol and lipoprotein particles. Also, their transport and absorption mechanisms are described, as well as medical complications that are closely linked to excessive lipid consumption. One part is used for the description of lipid extractions and determination of fatty acids. The experimental part is focused on the analysis of fatty acids in samples of liver, adipose and muscle tissues of laboratory rats after the addition of palm oil, safflower oil, fish oil and Schizochytrium microalgae oil into their diets. Lyophilized tissue samples were extracted and derivatized, followed by gas chromatography fatty acid determination. The results were then statistically evaluated.

Chronic inflammation is a triggering mechanism for many metabolic diseases including atherosclerosis and diabetes. A critical step in the development of chronic inflammation is the accumulation of classically activated pro-inflammatory macrophages in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of peripheral tissues. Recently, we demonstrated that adhesion receptor integrin αDβ2 is upregulated on macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions and inflamed adipose tissue, and promotes the development of atherosclerosis and insulin resistance. This pathophysiological mechanism is mediated by αDβ2-dependent strong adhesion of macrophages to the inflamed ECM, which promotes macrophage retention at the site of inflammation. Typical healthy ECM has a limited ligand capacity for integrin αDβ2. However, we recently found that the end-product of DHA oxidation, 2-(ω-carboxyethyl)pyrrole (CEP) serves as ligand for αDβ2. CEP is preferentially generated during inflammation-mediated oxidation and forms adduct with ECM proteins. CEP-modified proteins are detected in inflamed tissue during atherosclerosis, insulin resistance and pathological angiogenesis. In this project, we propose a new strategy for the treatment of chronic inflammation by targeting macrophage retention in the inflamed tissue by focusing on the development of the inhibitor, which is exclusively specific for αDβ2-CEP interaction. The advantage of CEP as a new therapeutic target resides in its unique formation in inflamed tissue. Using specially designed peptide library, protein-protein interaction measured by Biacore and adhesion assay with integrin-transfected HEK293 cells, we identified a sequence (called P5-peptide), which significantly inhibited αD-CEP binding. In vitro three-dimensional migration assay demonstrated that P5 peptide regulates macrophage migration within ECM but not the transendothelial migration of monocytes. The injection of cyclic P5 peptide in the model of thioglycollate-induced peritoneal inflammation led to 3-fold reduction in the number of macrophages accumulated in the peritoneal cavity after 72 hours. Interestingly, P5 peptide injection had no effect on the accumulation of macrophages in αD-deficient mice, that confirmed the specificity of inhibition. This inhibition only affects the recruitment of macrophages, while it has no effect on the efflux of macrophage from the peritoneal cavity in our in vivo studies. The tracking of adoptively transferred fluorescently-labeled WT and αD-/- monocytes in mice on a high fat diet revealed that αD-deficiency reduced 3 folds the accumulation of macrophages in the adipose tissue. The injection of P5 peptide in this model demonstrated the marked reduction of adoptively transferred WT macrophages in adipose tissue. Taken together, these results demonstrate the importance of αDβ2-CEP interaction for the accumulation of infiltrating macrophages during inflammation and propose P5 peptide as a potential inhibitor of atherogenesis and diabetes. Further studies are required to develop these results.

EPA and DHA are among the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, including EPA and DHA, are fatty acids that are part of the diet and they are important structural molecules that include forming membrane membranes and. They are involved in the function of nerve cells and the brain. EPA and DHA are also necessary during early fetal development.  It can be difficult to get enough intake of EPA and DHA through diet alone. The daily recommendation for omega-3 fatty acids is 2.5-3 grams, but this amount is also include the omega-3 fatty acid, linolenic acid (ALA) which has a shorter carbon chain. It is an important component of our diet, as it is found in many common food plants but ALA does not provide the health benefits seen with EPA and DHA. The body can convert ALA from dietary sources to EPA and DHA via the enzymes enlongase and desaturase; however, enzyme capacity is low and research shows that only a small amount of DHA and EPA can be synthesized in the body. Therefore, dietary intake of EPA and DHA is important. In recent years, studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids have health-promoting properties. This study summarizes the structural properties and dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids and their effect on hyperactivity symptoms in children with ASD. The PubMed database was used to search for studies. Four published RCT studies were evaluated. The participants in the four studies were children between 2.5 and 8 years old. The effect of an average dose of 1,075 g of omega-3 fatty acids per day and its effects were investigated. Although the results of the four studies showed that the daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids reduced hyperactivity symptoms in children with autism, the results were not statistically significant. The conclusion is that although a decrease in hyperactivity was observed in children with ASD who received omega-3 fatty acids as a dietary supplement, there was not a statistically significant reduction in hyperactivity symptoms. More studies are needed to confirm whether treatment with omega-3 fatty acids reduces hyperactivity in children with ASD.

Este trabajo de investigación tiene como finalidad sustentar la viabilidad del proyecto Loncheras Nutriwawa, el cual fue creado para dar solución a la problemática que tienen muchas madres de familia con niños en etapa preescolar respecto a la alimentación saludable. Es por ello que ofrecerá loncheras escolares reforzadas en su contenido nutricional y serán distribuidas directamente en los colegios. De acuerdo al estudio de mercado realizado se comprobó que existe gran aceptación del público objetivo, las cuales son madres de familia de 25 a 39 años del NSE B y C de los distritos Surco, Chorrillos y San Juan de Miraflores. Las ventas estimadas en el primer año son 85 190 loncheras, equivalente al 10% del mercado objetivo, en los siguientes años crecerá en 8%, 9%,10% y 11%. En el análisis realizado del plan económico y financiero se obtuvo un Valor Presente Neto (VPN mayor a cero y una TIR de 62.70%. Asimismo, el índice de rentabilidad es de 3.04, siendo bastante atractivo para el inversionista, ya que por cada sol invertido se obtendrá una ganancia de 2.4 soles. La competencia directa son las madres de familia que se encargan de la preparación de las loncheras; la estrategia es ofrecer un producto reforzado en Hierro y DHA, utilizando para la distribución envases biodegradables que cuidan el medio ambiente. Asimismo, se posicionará el producto a través de estrategias de marketing mix. Finalmente, concluimos que el proyecto genera atractivas ganancias y es viable, por lo que se recomienda invertir en el proyecto. / This research work aims to support the viability of the "Loncheras Nutriwawa" project, which was created to provide a solution to the problem that many mothers with preschool children have regarding healthy eating. That is why it will offer school lunch boxes reinforced in their nutritional content and will be distributed directly in schools. According to the market study carried out, it found that there is a high acceptance of the target audience, which are mothers of families from 25 to 39 years of socioeconomic level B and C of the districts Surco, Chorrillos, and San Juan de Miraflores. Estimated Sales in the first year are 85 190 lunch boxes, which is equivalent to 10% of the target market, and in the following years, it will grow by 8%, 9%, 10%, and 11%. In the economic and financial plan analysis was obtained a Net Present Value (NPV) greater than zero and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 62.70%. Likewise, the profitability index is 3.04, being quite attractive for the investor, since, it will obtain a profit of 2.4 soles, for every sol invested. The direct competition is the mothers of families who are in charge of preparing the lunchboxes; The strategy is to offer a product reinforced in Iron and DHA, using biodegradable packaging that cares for the environment for distribution. Likewise, the product will position through marketing mix strategies. Finally, we conclude that the project generates attractive profits and is viable, so it recommends to invest in the project. / Trabajo de investigación

Literar review of thesis is focused on clasification of lipids, fatty acids characteristics, particularly polyunsaturated acids n3 alpha linolenic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid; and polyunsaturated acids n6. There is description of metabolic reactions. Degradation by beta oxidation, biosynthesis and conversion to eicosanoids. Function and effect of eicosanoids to organism and health, nutritional representation of this fatty acids, fortification of food sources, feed in interest of improvement health condition and functional foods producing. The practical part is focused on fatty acids analysis in muscular, liver and adipose tissue of pigs after feed fortification by 2,5 % fish oil and 2,5 % palm oil in the diet. Lyofilizated samples were derivatized and determinated by gas chromatography method. Results were evaluated by statistics program.

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Production of renewable fuels is of growing interest due to the ongoing concerns associated with combustion of fossil fuel contributing to global warming. Biomass-derived bio-oil is a potential alternative replacement for conventional fuels. But negative properties such as lower energy density, higher water content and acidity prevent the direct use of bio-oil as a fuel. It is universally agreed that for production of a viable fuel bio-oils must be significantly upgraded. Present upgrading techniques, such as hydrodeoxygenation and esterification consume high amounts of expensive hydrogen or large volumes of alcohols, respectively. Production of low yields continues to be a challenge for hydrodeoxygenation. Therefore, development of more efficient upgrading methods would be desirable. The current research was divided into two parts: in the first part the raw bio-oil was pretreated prior to upgrading to reduce coke formation and catalyst deactivation during upgrading. In the second part pretreated bio-oils were further upgraded by several techniques. The second chapter describes application of an olefination process to raw bio-oil to produce a boiler fuel. In the third chapter, raw bio-oil was pretreated by novel oxidation pretreatment to convert bio-oil aldehydes to carboxylic acids. Aldehydes lead to coke formation and their conversion to carboxylic acids circumvents this issue. Following oxidation pretreatment to raw bio-oil acid anhydride pretreatment was applied to reduce water content which leads to catalyst deactivation during upgrading. The fourth chapter tests esterification of pretreated bio-oil by oxidation to produce boiler fuel with relatively high HHV. The fifth chapter discusses hydrodeoxygenation of oxidized bio-oil produced by oxidation to increase hydrocarbons yield and reduced charring during hydrodeoxygenation. The sixth chapter describes application of catalytic deoxygenation of pretreated bio-oil by oxidation in the presence of pressurized syngas to produce a liquid hydrocarbon mixture. In the seventh chapter we tested direct hydrocracking of pretreated bi-oil by oxidation to produce a liquid hydrocarbon mixture. The end products were analyzed by following the ASTM methods for HHV, water content, viscosity, density, acid value, elemental analysis. Best performing fuels based on high HHV and low acid value were analyzed by FTIR, GC-MS, DHA, 1HNMR and simulated distillation.