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No description available.

Scanning Probe Lithography (SPL) is a versatile nanofabrication platform that leverages microfluidic “ink” delivery systems with Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) for generating surface-patterned chemical functionality on the sub-100 nm length scale. One of the prolific SPL techniques is Dip Pen Nanolithography™ (DPN™). High resolution, multiplexed registration and parallel direct-write capabilities make DPN (and other SPL techniques) a power tool for applications that are envisioned in micro/nano-electronics, molecular electronics, catalysis, cryptography (brand protection), combinatorial synthesis (nano-materials discovery and characterization), biological recognition, genomics, and proteomics. One of the greatest challenges for the successful performance of the DPN process is the delivery of multiple inks to the scanning probe tips for nano-patterning. The purpose of the present work is to fabricate a microfluidic ink delivery device (called “Centiwell”) for DPN (and other SPL) applications. The device described in this study maximizes the number of chemical species (inks) for nanofabrication that can be patterned simultaneously by DPN to conform the industrial standards for fluid handling for biochemical assays (e.g., genomic and proteomic). Alternate applications of Centiwell are also feasible for the various envisioned applications of DPN (and other SPL techniques) that were listed above. The Centiwell consists of a two-dimensional array of 96 microwells that are bulk micromachined on a silicon substrate. A thermoelectric module is attached to the back side of the silicon substrate and is used to cool the silicon substrate to temperatures below the dew point. By reducing the temperature of the substrate to below the dew point, water droplets are condensed in the microwell array. Microbeads of a hygroscopic material (e.g., poly-ethylene glycol) are dispensed into the microwells to prevent evaporation of the condensed water. Furthermore, since poly-ethylene glycol (PEG) is water soluble, it forms a solution inside the microwells which is subsequently used as the ink for the DPN process. The delivery of the ink to the scanning probe tip is performed by dipping the tip (or multiple tips in an array) into the microwells containing the PEG solution. This thesis describes the various development steps for the Centiwell. These steps include the mask design, the bulk micromachining processes explored for the micro-fabrication of the microwell array, the thermal design calculations performed for the selection of the commercially available thermoelectric coolers, the techniques explored for the synthesis of the PEG microbeads, and the assembly of all the components for integration into a functional Centiwell. Finally, the successful implementation of the Centiwell for nanolithography of PEG solutions is also demonstrated.

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"The importance of two-phase heat transfer for thermal management of aerospace avionic systems has become increasingly important as these systems have become miniaturized. Embedded active cooling systems are used to remove heat from processors and other electronic components and transferring this heat to radiators or other heat exchangers. As the characteristic dimension of flow channels for two-phase flow becomes comparable to bubble size, the mini-channels (< 3 mm) used to direct the cooling fluid can complicate nucleate boiling heat transfer. Bubbles can encounter other heated walls, rapidly expanding and greatly reducing heat transfer as well as causing pressure oscillations and flow instabilities. The use of eletrohydrodynamic (EHD) effects, through the introduction of non-uniform electric fields, can help mitigate this problem by altering the behavior of nucleating bubbles. A combined experimental and computational study was undertaken using HFE-7100, an engineered fluid used in heat transfer applications, to investigate the potential for enhancement of nucleate boiling using EHD effects induced by applying a non-uniform electric field. In the experimental study, a minichannel was constructed consisting of an upper and lower copper electrode and glass side walls to allow visualization. The channel height and width were 3mm and 4.76 mm respectively, representative of the minichannel regime. The upper electrode was grounded while the lower electrode was heated and biased to high voltage. Optical imaging combined with post-processing and statistical analysis was used to quantify the effect of EHD on the bubble behavior. Bubbles were found to form preferentially on nucleation sites resulting from imperfections in the heated copper surface over artificially created nucleation sites. When a high voltage is applied across the electrodes, the electric field enhancement along the rim of the nucleation site is believed to influence the force balance on the forming bubble and thereby influence the bubble departure size and frequency. EHD forces also act on the bubble surface as a result of the variation in permittivity between the liquid and vapor phases, altering its shape as has been previously reported in the literature. Test results are presented that demonstrate that the application of EHD increases the nucleation site density on the heated surface and increase the bubble departure frequency from individual sites. In addition, test results are presented to show that EHD forces alter the shape of bubbles during growth and the vertical position of the detached bubbles as they are carried along in the cross flow. To better understand the underlying phenomena affecting the bubble shape and departure frequency, a numerical simulation of the bubble growth and departure was performed using COMSOL multiphysics software customized to incorporate a user-defined body force based on the Maxwell Stress Tensor. Tracking of the bubble surface, including coalescence and breakup was incorporated using the phase field variable method in which the Navier-Stokes and heat transfer equations are solved for each phase of the fluid. Results from the simulations confirmed the sensitivity of the bubble elongation and neck formation to the nucleation site geometry, specifically the angle along the rim where field enhancement occurs. The enhanced constriction of the bubble neck resulted in early detachment of bubbles when compared to simulations in which EHD was not applied. This finding provides some insight into the higher bubble departure frequency and nucleation site density observed in the experiment. The results from the combined experimental and numerical study suggest that EHD enhancement may provide a mechanism for extending the use of nucleate heat transfer to minichannels, thereby enabling additional options for cooling in compact, embedded systems. "

In giant magnetoresistance (GMR) or tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) materials, the transport properties rely on the related spin configurations, i.e., the parallel spin configuration in both magnetic layers is responsible for the lower resistivity state while the antiparallel spin configuration between them exhibit the higher resistivity state. However, the magnetic materials in realistic do not align completely in one direction; they exhibit magnetic domains to reduce the dipolar interaction instead. It is thus crucial to investigate in detailed about how the magnetic domain evolution influences the magnetoresistance in GMR or TMR materials. So, Photoemission Electron Microscopy (PEEM) and Kerr microscope are very good tools for us to study the magnetic domain in local area. The in-situ preparation Mn/Ag wedge/Fe(100) ultrathin films are measured by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), low energy electron diffraction (LEED), medium energy electron diffraction (MEED), and photoemission electron microscope (PEEM) in an ultrahigh vacuum chamber. The preparation Ti/Fe/Ti/SiO2/Si(100) thin films are performed in an ultrahigh vacuum chamber and then are measured by Kerr Microscopy in air. By observing the evolution of magnetic domain, we can know more the detailed information on magnetism microscopically and the correlation between the magnetic properties and electric transport properties.

The theme of Master project of Energetics engineer is to analyze the damage of the sags and the dips of the voltage to going concerns, to find the ways of avoiding the sags and the dips of the voltage and to improve the quality of the electric power. The graphs which are included show the sags and the dips of the voltage. Some of the ways to avoid it are included also. An example introduces the best way how to supply the electric power without the sags and the dips of it.

Thesis (M. Sc.) -- Lincoln University, 2009. / Also available via the World Wide Web.

abstract: Adverse childhood family environments have been found to have long-term effects on a child's well-being. Although no prior studies have examined the direct effects of childhood family adversities on nighttime blood pressure (BP) dip, parental death and divorce in childhood, have been associated with a variety of related psychological problems in adulthood. The current study examined the direct effects of parental death and divorce in childhood and quality of early family relationships on adult nighttime BP dip as well as the mediating role of three psychosocial factors (depression, hostility and social stress). One hundred and forty-three young adults were asked to complete self-reported measures of the three psychosocial factors and quality of family relationships. Study participants wore an ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) monitor over a 24-hr period in order to assess nocturnal BP dip. Although neither childhood family adversity nor quality of childhood family relationships directly predicted nighttime BP dipping, quality of early family relationships predicted all three psychosocial factors, and hostility was found to mediate the relationship between quality of childhood family relationships and nighttime systolic BP dip. Early family experiences play an important role in influencing nighttime cardiovascular functioning by influencing an individual's psychological functioning in young adulthood. Because nighttime non-dipping has been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease and other serious health conditions, the results of the present study have important clinical implications and provide specific psychosocial pathways that may be targeted in future programs designed to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.A. Psychology 2012

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2015-12-09T16:05:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 liviabittencourtdosreis.pdf: 1213157 bytes, checksum: a26b9976306bd51e1af0a50577f782cc (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2015-12-10T13:58:14Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 liviabittencourtdosreis.pdf: 1213157 bytes, checksum: a26b9976306bd51e1af0a50577f782cc (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-12-10T13:58:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 liviabittencourtdosreis.pdf: 1213157 bytes, checksum: a26b9976306bd51e1af0a50577f782cc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-25 / CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / A Brucella abortus é uma bactéria Gram-negativa que apresenta forma de vida intracelular facultativa e é responsável por causar a brucelose, doença que afeta humanos e animais. A resposta imune contra este patógeno envolve vários mecanismos da imunidade inata e adquirida, entre os quais a citocina IFN- típica do perfil TH1, bem como as células T CD8+, executam papeis importantes. Além das respostas imunitárias clássicas que são induzidas durante infecções por patógenos, as vias imunorregulatórias do hospedeiro podem também tornar-se ativadas no intuito de delimitar a amplitude e duração das respostas imunes, prevenindo a imunopatologia excessiva. Vários dados na literatura mostram o papel de algumas células e citocinas importantes no estabelecimento desta imunorregulação, tais como células T e B regulatórias e as citocinas IL-10 e TGF- Sobreviver a uma infecção requer, portanto, a geração de uma resposta imune controlada. Apesar da importância da imunorregulação, diversos patógenos tem exibido a capacidade de estimular os mecanismos de regulação como uma forma de se evadir do sistema imune e assim estabelecer sua infecção. Devido a isso a investigação do processo imunorregulador que surge em resposta a infecção ou que é induzida pelo próprio agente patogênico torna-se importante, podendo fornecer informações sobre novas abordagens terapêuticas para o controle da infecção. Nesse contexto, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar os mecanismos imunológicos envolvidos na imunomodulação induzida pela bactéria B. abortus em modelo murino. Como metologia, animais C57BL/6 foram infectados com B. abortus e sacrificados uma, três e seis semanas pós-infecção. Um grupo de animais não infectados foi utilizado como controle. Primeiramente, avaliamos a carga bacteriana presente no baço e o índice de proliferação celular de animais infectados ou não, pelo método de MTT e por citometria de fluxo. Analisamos também os níveis de citocinas (IFN-e IL-10) pelo método de ELISA e a produção de células T e B regulatórias por citometria de fluxo, em esplenócitos derivados desses animais. Por fim, avaliamos a influência da infecção com B. abortus no curso da Encefalomielite auto-imune experimental (EAE). Como resultados, verificamos uma diminuição na proliferação celular em animais infectados, sendo esta mais proeminente em linfócitos TCD8+ e células NK+ (natural killer). Concomitantemente, foi percebido um aumento na produção da citocina IL-10. Além disso, animais infectados apresentaram maior número de células TCD4+ e TCD8+ com perfil regulatório bem como células CD19+ produtoras de IL-10, principalmente na terceira semana pós-infecção. Em relação à EAE, de forma inesperada, foi percebido um aumento do escore clínico em animais infectados, comparados aos controles. Dessa forma, foi possível concluir que a infecção por Brucella abortus é capaz de induzir a presença de elementos imunorreguladores porém, estes elementos não foram suficientes para causar uma melhora no curso da EAE. / Brucella abortus is a Gram-negative and facultative intracellular bacterium, responsible for brucellosis in humans and animals. The immune response against this pathogen involves different mechanisms from innate and acquired immunity, including IFN-, a typical cytokine from TH1 profile, as well as CD8+ T-cells. Aside from the classic immune responses induced during an infection caused by a pathogen, the immunoregulatory pathways of the host can also be activated, limiting the range and the response time of immune responses, preventing an excessive immunopathology. Data from the literature shows the role of a range of cells and cytokines in establishing this immunoregulation such as T- and B-cell regulators and IL-10 and TGF- cytokines. Survival to an infection process therefore requires the generation of a controlled immune response. Despite the importance of immunoregulation, a diversity of pathogens have shown the capacity to stimulate some regulation mechanisms to evade the immune system and then establish the infection. In this way, the investigation of the immunoregulation processes that occur in response to the infection or are induced by the pathogenic agent become important, as these can provide information about new therapeutic approaches for the control of infections. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the immunological mechanisms involved in the immunomodulation induced by B. abortus, in a mouse model. C57BL/6 animals were infected with B. abortus and sacrificed after one, three and six weeks of infection. Non-infected animals were used as a control group. Bacterial load was evaluated in the spleen and the cellular proliferation index was evaluated for infected and non-infected animals using the MTT method and flow cytometry. Cytokine levels (IFN-e IL-10) were evaluated through ELISA and regulatory profiles of T-cells and B-cells were assessed by flow cytometry in the splenocytes of these animals. The influence of B. abortus infection was also evaluated using a experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model. As results, a decrease in cellular proliferation was observed in infected animals, with a more prominent effect in TCD8+ lymphocytes and NK (natural killer) cells. An increase in IL-10 levels was concomitantly observed. Infected animals presented a higher number of T- cells (CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ and CD8+CD25+FoxP3+) and B-cells (CD19+IL-10+) with a regulatory profile, especially after the third week of infection. Regarding EAE, an unexpected increase in clinical score was observed in infected animals when compared to control group. Thus, we concluded that Brucella abortus infection is able to induce immunoregulatory elements, although it is insufficient to cause an improvement in EAE.