Compilers, complex programs with the potential to greatly facilitate software and hardware design. This thesis focuses on enhancing the Spade hardware description language, known for its user-friendly approach to hardware design. In the realm of hardware development data size - for numerical values data size is known as "wordlength" - plays a critical role for reducing the hardware resources. This study presents an innovative approach that seamlessly integrates wordlength inference directly into the Spade language, enabling the over-estimation of numeric data sizes solely from the program's source code. The methodology involves iterative development, incorporating various smaller implementations and evaluations, reminiscent of an agile approach. To assess the efficacy of the wordlength inference, multiple place and route operations are performed on identical Spade code using various versions of nextpnr. Surprisingly, no discernible impact on hardware resource utilization emerges from the modifications introduced in this thesis. Nonetheless, the true significance of this endeavor lies in its potential to unlock more advanced language features within the Spade compiler. It is important to note that while the wordlength inference proposed in this thesis shows promise, it necessitates further integration efforts to realize its full potential.

Ces travaux décrivent l'élaboration de latex hybrides de polymère / nanotubes d'Imogolite et polymère / nanofeuillets d'hydroxydes doubles lamellaires (HDL) en milieu aqueux dispersé. Les deux charges inorganiques ont été choisies pour leurs propriétés thermiques, mécaniques et pour leur anisotropie de forme, ce qui pourrait permettre l'élaboration de films nanostructurés. Les latex ont été synthétisés par une stratégie originale basée sur le procédé de polymérisation RAFT en émulsion. Cette stratégie consiste à utiliser des copolymères hydrophiles (macroRAFT), comportant à la fois des unités d'acide acrylique et un groupe trithiocarbonate terminal, comme agents de couplage et stabilisants. Dans un premier temps, ces macroRAFTs ont été adsorbés à la surface des nanoparticules inorganiques, puis l'extension de ces chaînes a été réalisée par la polymérisation d'un monomère hydrophobe selon un procédé semi-batch. Des nanotubes d'Imogolite décorés de particules de latex ou des nanotubes d'Imogolite encapsulés ont été obtenus, selon les conditions de synthèse adoptées. L'effet de différents paramètres sur la morphologie finale des particules hybrides a été étudié. La nature de l'agent macroRAFT s'est avérée être un paramètre clé pour le succès de l'encapsulation. La même stratégie a été utilisée en vue de l'encapsulation des HDL. Quelles que soient les conditions investiguées, des latex stables contenant des particules d'HDL encapsulées par du polymère ont été formés. Dans tous les cas, la morphologie des latex nanocomposites a été caractérisée par MET et cryo-MET et reliée à la méthode de modification de la surface et aux conditions de polymérisation. Enfin, les propriétés mécaniques ainsi que la microstructure des films hybrides de polymère / nanotubes d'Imogolite ont été étudiées par DMA et MET, respectivement, et reliées à la morphologie des particules de latex

Die chronische Herzinsuffizienz ist ein schwerwiegendes progredientes Krankheitsbild, das sich neben Dyspnoe und abnehmender Leistungsfähigkeit in einer nachgewiesenen Verschlechterung der HDL-Funktion manifestiert. In zahlreichen Studien, in denen der Einfluss von körperlichem Training auf die Progredienz der chronischen Herzinsuffizienz untersucht wurde, korrelierte dauerhaftes Ausdauertraining mit einer Verbesserung der eNOS-Aktivität und damit der HDLFunktion in Gefäßen. Ein Regulationsmechanismus von Endothelzellen besteht in der Expression von angiogenen microRNAs, die über negative Regulation die Proteinexpression beeinflussen. Ziel dieser Studie ist es nun, einen möglichen Zusammenhang zwischen der HDL-Funktionalität und der microRNA-Expression in Endothelzellen zu prüfen und damit die Funktionsänderung von HDL bei Herzinsuffizienten auf molekularer Ebene nachzuweisen. Zudem soll eine Beeinflussung der HDL-Funktion durch körperliches Training geprüft werden. Dafür wurde das HDL von gesunden und herzinsuffizienten Probanden (NYHAIII-Stadium) vor und nach einem vier- bzw. zwölfwöchigen Trainingsprogramm aus dem Plasma isoliert. Anschließend erfolgte mit dem gewonnenen HDL die 24-stündige Inkubation von HAEC-Kulturen. Nach Isolation der microRNAs aus dem gewonnenen Zelllysat konnte die Menge ausgewählter proangiogener miRs über RT-PCR quantifiziert werden. Die molekularbiologische Analyse der Proben zeigte eine, im Vergleich zu den Kontrollzellen, signifikant verringerte Menge an miR-21, -126 und -222 in den, mit HDLNYHAIII-inkubierten, Endothelzellen. Die miR-Expression der Endothelzellen zeigte nach dem Trainingsprogramm eine Annäherung an das Expressionsniveau der Kontrollen. Aus der dargelegten Studie wird so ersichtlich, dass das HDL von Herzinsuffizienten die Expression von proangiogenen microRNAs in Endothelzellen hemmt, was scheinbar in Korrelation mit der Ausbildung von endothelialen Dysfunktionen bei Herzinsuffizienz steht. Zudem konnte gezeigt werden, dass körperliches Training mit einer verbesserten Endothelfunktion über die Erhöhung der miR-Expression in Endothelzellen einhergeht.

Huian plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were isolated by a procedure employing polyanion precipitation and column chromatography. Lipid and protein composition of the HDL isolated by this method was found to be similar to another HDL preparation isolated by ultracentrifugation. However, minor differences were noted, including a higher phospholipid and apoproteinE content and lower triglyceride content of the HDL isolated by column chromatography. Four subfraction of HDL were obtained following chromatography on an anion exchange column. The subfraction four had the highest esterified to free cholesterol ratio, the second highest phospholipid to unesterified cholesterol, and the lowest molecular weight. In addition it was consistently coincided with lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity and found to be the best substrate for the enzyme.

Introdução: A doença arterial coronária (DAC) decorrente da aterosclerose é uma das principais causas de comprometimento do envelhecimento saudável e sobrevida do idoso.Entre os principais fatores de risco da DAC estão o diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM) e as dislipidemias. O HDL-colesterol baixo é fator de risco importante, mas aspectos funcionais e metabólicos da HDL devem ser avaliados, já que esta lipoproteína tem várias ações anti-aterogênicas. Neste sentido, a transferência de lípides de outras lipoproteínas para a HDL, mediada pela proteína de transferência de ésteres de colesterol (CETP), é passo importante na formação e metabolismo da HDL e está relacionada com a presença de DAC. Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto da idade nas transferências de lípides para HDL e outros parâmetros relacionados com o metabolismo da HDL em indivíduos idosos e as mudanças nesses parâmetros em idosos com DAC e com DAC e DM. Métodos: Foram estudados 25 jovens (JOV), 35 idosos sem DAC e sem DM (IDS), 35 idosos com DAC (IDS-DAC) e 34 idosos com DAC e DM (IDS-DAC-DM). Foram determinados perfil lipídico e apolipoproteínas plasmáticas, concentração plasmática da CETP e da lecitina-colesterol aciltransferase (LCAT), composição lipídica e diâmetro da HDL e marcadores inflamatórios. A transferência de colesterol esterificado e livre, fosfolípides e triglicérides para a HDL foi realizada por ensaio \"in vitro\" com uma nanopartícula marcada com lípides radioativos como partícula doadora de lípides. Após a precipitação química das outras lipoproteínas e da nanopartícula doadora, o sobrenadante contendo HDL foi separadoe medida a radioatividade. Resultados: IDS apresentou IMC maior que JOV. LDL-colesterol e não-HDL-colesterol, IL-6 e IL-8 foram mais altos, IL-1β mais baixo e a transferência de fosfolípides para a HDL foi maior em IDS do que em JOV, mas as diferenças desapareceram quando corrigidas pelo IMC. Entre IDS-DAC e IDS não houve diferenças nos lípides plasmáticos, mas no IDS-DAC a transferência de colesterol livre, triglicérides e fosfolípides foi menor e a de colesterol esterificado foi maior. A concentração de CETP foi maior no IDS-DAC, onde houve maior % de colesterol esterificado e triglicérides e menor % de fosfolípides na HDL. Em IDS-DAC-DM, apoB foi maior que em IDS-DAC, mas LDL-colesterol foi igual. Houve menor transferência de colesterol esterificado em IDS-DAC-DM comparado a IDS-DAC e maior de fosfolípides. IDS-DAC-DM teve CETP mais baixa e LCAT mais alta do que IDS-DAC. Em IDS-DAC-DM houve menor proporção de colesterol esterificado e livre e maior de fosfolípides na HDL. Marcadores inflamatórios não diferiram entre IDS-DAC-DM e IDS-DAC. Conclusões: As alterações nos parâmetros de transferência de lípides sinalizaram tanto a presença de DAC nos idosos quanto diferenciaram idosos com DAC associada a DM daqueles apenas com DAC. A redução da transferência de colesterol livre nos idosos com DAC é aterogênica, como foi mostrado em trabalho anteriorem indivíduos de 40-50 anos com DAC precoce. Esses dados podem ter aplicação tanto na prevenção quanto na terapêutica da DAC, por meio de medicamentos que modulem a transferência de lípides para a HDL e assim melhorem a função anti-aterogênica desta lipoproteína. / Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) resulting from atherosclerosis is one of the main causes of compromised healthy aging and lifespan in elderly people. Amongst the main risk factors for CAD are type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and dyslipidemias. Low HDL-cholesterol is an important risk factor, but functional and metabolic aspects of HDL must be evaluated, since this lipoprotein has several anti-atherogenic actions. In this regard, lipid transfer from other lipoproteins to HDL, mediated by cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), is an important step towards the formation and metabolism of HDL and is related to the presence of CAD. Objective: To evaluate the impact of age in lipid transfer to HDL and other parameters related to HDL metabolism in elderly individuals and the changes in these parameters in elderly individuals with CAD and with CAD and DM. Methods: 25 young (YOUNG), 35 elderly without CAD and DM (ELDERLY), 35 elderly with CAD (ELDERLY-CAD) and 34 elderly with CAD and DM (ELDERLY-CAD-DM) subjects were studied. The lipid profile, the apolipoprotein, CETP and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) plasma concentration,theHDL lipid composition and diameter and inflammatory markers were evaluated.The transfer of esterified and free cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides to HDL was assayed in vitro with a donor lipid nanoparticle labeled with radioactive lipids.After chemical precipitation of the other lipoproteins and the donor lipid nanoparticle, the supernatant containing HDL was separated and the radioactivity was measured. Results: ELDERLY presented greater BMI than YOUNG. LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol, IL-6 and IL-8 were higher, IL-1β was lower and phospholipid transfer to HDL was higher in ELDERLY than in YOUNG, but the differences disappeared when corrected by BMI. There were no differences in plasmatic lipids between ELDERLY-CAD and ELDERLY, but in ELDERLY-CAD the transfer of free cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids was lower and of esterified cholesterol was higher. CETP concentration was higher in ELDERLY-CAD, where there was higher % of esterified cholesterol and triglycerides and lower % of phospholipids in HDL. In ELDERLY-CAD-DM, apo B was higher than in ELDERLY-CAD, but LDL-cholesterol was equal. There was lower transfer of esterified cholesterol in ELDERLY-CAD-DM compared to ELDERLY-CAD and higher transfer of phospholipids. ELDERLY-CAD-DM had lower CETP and higher LCAT than ELDERLY-CAD. In ELDERLY-CAD-DM there was a smaller proportion of esterified and free cholesterol and greater proportion of phospholipids in HDL. Inflammatory markers did not differ between ELDERLY-CAD-DM and ELDERLY-CAD. Conclusions: The alterations in the parameters of lipid transfer not only signalled the presence of CAD in the elderly but also differentiated the elderly with CAD and DM from those with CAD only. The reduction of free cholesterol transfer in the elderly with CAD is atherogenic, as shown in a previous work on individuals of 40-50 years of agewith precocious CAD. This data may be applied both to the prevention and the therapeutics of CAD, by means of medicines that modulate lipid transfer to HDL and thus improve the anti-atherogenic function of this lipoprotein.

Introdução: A doença arterial coronária (DAC) decorrente da aterosclerose é uma das principais causas de comprometimento do envelhecimento saudável e sobrevida do idoso.Entre os principais fatores de risco da DAC estão o diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM) e as dislipidemias. O HDL-colesterol baixo é fator de risco importante, mas aspectos funcionais e metabólicos da HDL devem ser avaliados, já que esta lipoproteína tem várias ações anti-aterogênicas. Neste sentido, a transferência de lípides de outras lipoproteínas para a HDL, mediada pela proteína de transferência de ésteres de colesterol (CETP), é passo importante na formação e metabolismo da HDL e está relacionada com a presença de DAC. Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto da idade nas transferências de lípides para HDL e outros parâmetros relacionados com o metabolismo da HDL em indivíduos idosos e as mudanças nesses parâmetros em idosos com DAC e com DAC e DM. Métodos: Foram estudados 25 jovens (JOV), 35 idosos sem DAC e sem DM (IDS), 35 idosos com DAC (IDS-DAC) e 34 idosos com DAC e DM (IDS-DAC-DM). Foram determinados perfil lipídico e apolipoproteínas plasmáticas, concentração plasmática da CETP e da lecitina-colesterol aciltransferase (LCAT), composição lipídica e diâmetro da HDL e marcadores inflamatórios. A transferência de colesterol esterificado e livre, fosfolípides e triglicérides para a HDL foi realizada por ensaio \"in vitro\" com uma nanopartícula marcada com lípides radioativos como partícula doadora de lípides. Após a precipitação química das outras lipoproteínas e da nanopartícula doadora, o sobrenadante contendo HDL foi separadoe medida a radioatividade. Resultados: IDS apresentou IMC maior que JOV. LDL-colesterol e não-HDL-colesterol, IL-6 e IL-8 foram mais altos, IL-1β mais baixo e a transferência de fosfolípides para a HDL foi maior em IDS do que em JOV, mas as diferenças desapareceram quando corrigidas pelo IMC. Entre IDS-DAC e IDS não houve diferenças nos lípides plasmáticos, mas no IDS-DAC a transferência de colesterol livre, triglicérides e fosfolípides foi menor e a de colesterol esterificado foi maior. A concentração de CETP foi maior no IDS-DAC, onde houve maior % de colesterol esterificado e triglicérides e menor % de fosfolípides na HDL. Em IDS-DAC-DM, apoB foi maior que em IDS-DAC, mas LDL-colesterol foi igual. Houve menor transferência de colesterol esterificado em IDS-DAC-DM comparado a IDS-DAC e maior de fosfolípides. IDS-DAC-DM teve CETP mais baixa e LCAT mais alta do que IDS-DAC. Em IDS-DAC-DM houve menor proporção de colesterol esterificado e livre e maior de fosfolípides na HDL. Marcadores inflamatórios não diferiram entre IDS-DAC-DM e IDS-DAC. Conclusões: As alterações nos parâmetros de transferência de lípides sinalizaram tanto a presença de DAC nos idosos quanto diferenciaram idosos com DAC associada a DM daqueles apenas com DAC. A redução da transferência de colesterol livre nos idosos com DAC é aterogênica, como foi mostrado em trabalho anteriorem indivíduos de 40-50 anos com DAC precoce. Esses dados podem ter aplicação tanto na prevenção quanto na terapêutica da DAC, por meio de medicamentos que modulem a transferência de lípides para a HDL e assim melhorem a função anti-aterogênica desta lipoproteína. / Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) resulting from atherosclerosis is one of the main causes of compromised healthy aging and lifespan in elderly people. Amongst the main risk factors for CAD are type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and dyslipidemias. Low HDL-cholesterol is an important risk factor, but functional and metabolic aspects of HDL must be evaluated, since this lipoprotein has several anti-atherogenic actions. In this regard, lipid transfer from other lipoproteins to HDL, mediated by cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), is an important step towards the formation and metabolism of HDL and is related to the presence of CAD. Objective: To evaluate the impact of age in lipid transfer to HDL and other parameters related to HDL metabolism in elderly individuals and the changes in these parameters in elderly individuals with CAD and with CAD and DM. Methods: 25 young (YOUNG), 35 elderly without CAD and DM (ELDERLY), 35 elderly with CAD (ELDERLY-CAD) and 34 elderly with CAD and DM (ELDERLY-CAD-DM) subjects were studied. The lipid profile, the apolipoprotein, CETP and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) plasma concentration,theHDL lipid composition and diameter and inflammatory markers were evaluated.The transfer of esterified and free cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides to HDL was assayed in vitro with a donor lipid nanoparticle labeled with radioactive lipids.After chemical precipitation of the other lipoproteins and the donor lipid nanoparticle, the supernatant containing HDL was separated and the radioactivity was measured. Results: ELDERLY presented greater BMI than YOUNG. LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol, IL-6 and IL-8 were higher, IL-1β was lower and phospholipid transfer to HDL was higher in ELDERLY than in YOUNG, but the differences disappeared when corrected by BMI. There were no differences in plasmatic lipids between ELDERLY-CAD and ELDERLY, but in ELDERLY-CAD the transfer of free cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids was lower and of esterified cholesterol was higher. CETP concentration was higher in ELDERLY-CAD, where there was higher % of esterified cholesterol and triglycerides and lower % of phospholipids in HDL. In ELDERLY-CAD-DM, apo B was higher than in ELDERLY-CAD, but LDL-cholesterol was equal. There was lower transfer of esterified cholesterol in ELDERLY-CAD-DM compared to ELDERLY-CAD and higher transfer of phospholipids. ELDERLY-CAD-DM had lower CETP and higher LCAT than ELDERLY-CAD. In ELDERLY-CAD-DM there was a smaller proportion of esterified and free cholesterol and greater proportion of phospholipids in HDL. Inflammatory markers did not differ between ELDERLY-CAD-DM and ELDERLY-CAD. Conclusions: The alterations in the parameters of lipid transfer not only signalled the presence of CAD in the elderly but also differentiated the elderly with CAD and DM from those with CAD only. The reduction of free cholesterol transfer in the elderly with CAD is atherogenic, as shown in a previous work on individuals of 40-50 years of agewith precocious CAD. This data may be applied both to the prevention and the therapeutics of CAD, by means of medicines that modulate lipid transfer to HDL and thus improve the anti-atherogenic function of this lipoprotein.

Submitted by Celso Magalhaes (celsomagalhaes@ufrrj.br) on 2017-05-15T11:16:01Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2016 - Maria Clara Adum de paiva.pdf: 2279180 bytes, checksum: d1de128b3d5f5984c844a68538cd255e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-15T11:16:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2016 - Maria Clara Adum de paiva.pdf: 2279180 bytes, checksum: d1de128b3d5f5984c844a68538cd255e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-08-04 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior - CAPES / The demand for electricity production, and the need for thermoelectric use as power generating units, makes it necessary to search for less polluting matrices. In this search the catalytic combustion of methane, both from natural gas and other sources (residue disposal, for example) have shown promising. It is known the use of cobalt oxides is an alternative to the use of catalysts based on noble metals which has shown high performance. In order to potentiate the activity of the cobalt based catalyst, thus reducing both the ignition temperature and the temperature of total burning of methane, this work proposes the production of cobalt-based precursors using different types of layered double hydroxides (LDHs). Cobalt based catalysts partially substituted in layered double hydroxides (LDH Mg, Al and CO32-) were prepared by co-precipitation and impregnation with a nominal content of 9% CoII in LDH, or by impregnating a commercial hydrotalcite (HT). The LDH precursors were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and infrared absorption spectroscopy (FTIR). The XRD patterns indicated a LDH of 3R polytype. XRD showed the presence of Gibbisite in the HT precursor. The infrared spectra of precursor LDHs presented bands related to ?1, ?2 and ?3 vibrations of the carbonate anion, and interlayer water characteristic bands, thus in line with the XRD data. Analysis by XRD of the catalysts after calcination at 800 ?C showed the presence of periclase and spinel phases. Infrared spectra showed bands ascribed to the Mg-O and Co-O stretching in tetrahedral and octahedral sites as well as bands attributed to the Mg-O-Al bond and the cobalt spinel. The catalytic activity of these materials was investigated in the catalytic combustion of methane under kinetic regime, using predetermined reaction conditions to avoid diffusional limitations, resulting in a significant decrease in the combustion temperature, with the higher activity observed for the catalyst prepared by impregnating a commercial HT. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and quantitative chemical analysis (EDS) of catalysts with improved performance show both the homogeneous dispersion of the components in the sample surface and the higher aluminum content of the sample supported on HT. / A demanda de produ??o de energia el?trica, e a necessidade do uso de termel?tricas como unidades geradoras de energia, fazem com que seja necess?ria a busca por matrizes menos poluentes. Nessa busca a combust?o catal?tica do metano, tanto proveniente do g?s natural como de outras fontes (res?duo do tratamento de lixo, por exemplo), tem se mostrado promissora. Sabidamente o uso de ?xidos de cobalto ? uma alternativa, que vem mostrando alto desempenho, ao uso de catalisadores a base de metais nobres. Com o intuito de potencializar a atividade do catalisador a base de cobalto, reduzindo assim tanto a temperatura de igni??o quanto a de queima total do metano, esse trabalho prop?e sua produ??o utilizando como precursor diferentes tipos de hidr?xidos duplos lamelares (HDLs). Catalisadores ? base de cobalto parcialmente substitu?dos em hidr?xidos duplos lamelares (HDL de Mg, Al e CO32-) foram preparados por co-precipita??o e impregna??o num teor nominal de 9% de CoII em HDL, ou por impregna??o em hidrotalcita comercial (HT). Os HDLs precursores foram caracterizados por difra??o de raios?X pelo m?todo de p? (DRX) e por espectroscopia de absor??o no infravermelho (FTIR). Os difratogramas indicaram a obten??o de um HDL de politipo 3R. Por meio do DRX foi identificada a presen?a de Gibbisita no suporte de HT. Os espectros de infravermelho dos HDLs precursores presentaram bandas referentes ?s vibra??es ?1, ?2 e ?3 do ?nion carbonato, al?m de bandas caracter?sticas de ?gua interlamelar, estando portanto de acordo com os dados de DRX. A an?lise por difra??o de raios-X dos catalisadores ap?s calcina??o a 800?C mostrou apenas as fases espin?lio e pericl?sio. Os espectros de infravermelho apresentaram bandas atribu?das aos estiramentos Mg?O e Co?O em s?tios tetra?dricos e octa?dricos, assim como bandas caracter?sticas de Mg?O?Al e de Co3O4. A atividade catal?tica desses materiais foi investigada na combust?o catal?tica do metano, em regime cin?tico, empregando-se condi??es reacionais preestabelecidas de forma a evitar limita??es difusionais, obtendo-se uma significativa diminui??o na temperatura de combust?o, sendo que a maior atividade foi observada para o catalisador preparado por impregna??o em HT comercial. Foi realizada microscopia eletr?nica de varredura (MEV) e an?lise qu?mica quantitativa (EDS) para os catalisadores com melhor desempenho, mostrando tanto a dispers?o homog?nea dos componentes na superf?cie das amostras como o maior teor de alum?nio presente na amostra suportada em HT.

The evolving concept of Ephemeral State Processing (ESP) is overviewed. ESP allows development of new scalable end-to-end network user services. An evolving macro-level language is being developed to support ESP at the network node level. Three approaches for implementing ESP services at network routers can be considered. One approach is to use the existing processing capability within commercially available network routers. Another approach is to add a small scale existing ASIC based general-purpose processor to an existing network router. This thesis research concentrates on a third approach of developing a special-purpose programmable Ephemeral State Processor (ESPR) Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) and implementing microarchitecture for deployment within each ESP-capable node to implement ESP service within that node. A unique architectural characteristic of the ESPR is its scalable and temporal Ephemeral State Store (ESS) associative memory, required by the ESP service for storage/retrieval of bounded (short) lifetime ephemeral (tag, value) pairs of application data. The ESPR will be implemented to Programmable Logic Device (PLD) technology within a network node. This offers advantages of reconfigurability, in-field upgrade capability and supports the evolving growth of ESP services. Correct functional and performance operation of the presented ESPR microarchitecture is validated via Hardware Description Language (HDL) post-implementation (virtual prototype) simulation testing. Suggestions of future research related to improving the performance of the ESPR rnicroarchitecture and experimental deployment of ESP are discussed.

Sophisticated power electronic apparatus and their digital control systems are finding increasing applications in electric power systems at generation, transmission, distribution and utilization levels. It is essential to carry out rigorous performance evaluation of such apparatus before commissioning. Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are becoming an attractive platform for accelerating computationally intensive applications. This thesis presents a FPGA-based real-time digital simulator for power electronic drives based on realistic device characteristics. A 3-level 12-pulse Voltage Source Converter (VSC) fed induction machine drive is implemented on the FPGA. The system components include the 3-level VSC, the induction machine, the direct field oriented controller, and the pulse width modulator. Both system-level and device-level IGBT models are utilized to implement the VSC. The VSC model is computed at a fixed time-step of 12:5ns allowing an accurate representation of the IGBT nonlinear switching characteristics. Altera Startix EP1S80 and EP3SL150F1152C2 FPGA boards utilized for the real-time simulation. All models were implemented in VHDL. The FPGA boards were interfaced to external DAC boards to display real-time results on the oscilloscope. The real-time results were validated using an off-line cosimulation set-up using the SABER and MATLAB/SIMULINK software. / Power Engineering and Power Electronics

Une des manières d'augmenter la stabilité thermique de polymères consiste à leur ajouter de faibles quantités d'argile dispersées dans échelle nanométrique. De tels matériaux sont appelés de " nanocomposites ". Il existe plusieurs explications à ce phénomène, comme les effets de barrière de diffusion et la formation de charbon. D'autres sont en cours de vérification, comme les effets de piégeage de radicaux par les ions qui participent à des réactions de type Fenton. Notre objectif a été de suivre in situ des transformations chimiques de la phase argile, afin de mieux comprendre comment ces nanostructures lamellaires retardent la décomposition de polymères. Pour ce faire, trois types de nanocomposites ont été préparés: i) Poly(méthylméthacrylate)-co-Poly(trimetoxysilil propyl méthacrylate) et argiles montmorillonite (MMT) du type Cloisite (PMMA-co-PTMSM-Cloisite); ii) PMMA-argiles montmorillonites naturelles contenant différents taux d'ions Fe3+ dans les couches octaédrique (PMMA-MMT); iii) PMMA-hydroxydes doubles lamellaires (HDL), avec différentes proportions d' ions Zn2+ , Cu2+ et Fe3+ PMMA-HDL. La thermo-décomposition des argiles primitives et de leurs nanocomposites ont été suivies par des analyses thermiques, de diffusion de rayons X (SAXS et WAXS) et par spectroscopie d'absorption de rayons X (EXAFS). Les effets de l'atmosphère, de la composition chimique des lamelles, et de la quantité d'argile employée dans l'obtention des nanocomposites ont été évalués. L'étude des nanocomposites, PMMA-co-PTMSM-Cloisite a mis en évidence deux mécanismes de stabilisation. Elle a montré que l'addition d'argiles résulte en une stabilisation plus importante sous atmosphère d'air, que sous atmosphère de N2, et est aussi plus importante selon la quantité d'argile dispersée dans le polymère. La formation de charbon a aussi été observée seulement sous l'atmosphère d'air. La stabilité thermique des nanocomposites PMMA-MMT est aussi proportionnelle à la quantité d'argile employée dans l'obtention de la nanocomposite. Pour de faibles quantités d'argile, 0.3-1 % en masse, la stabilité thermique des nanocomposites est proportionnelle à la quantité de ions Fe3+ présents dans l'argile. Le suivi de l'environnement chimique des ions Fe3+ par EXAFS en fonction de la température, a montré que quand la phase argile est dispersée dans le PMMA, les ions Fe3+ sont réduits à Fe2+, ce qui ne se vérifie dans les phases primitives. Ces mécanismes de stabilisation indiquent que la phase argile stabilise le PMMA par des mécanismes de barrière de diffusion et par le piégeage des radicaux. Les nanocomposites PMMA-HDL contenant des ions Fe3+ sont plus stables que ceux qui contiennent des ions Cu2+. L'étude in situ de 'évolution de l'ordre local à moyenne distance en fonction de la température a montré que les phases HDL stabilisent le PMMA également par les mécanismes de barrière de diffusion et le piégeage de radicaux. L'ion Cu2+, induisant des distorsions dans l'ordre local, rend les lamelles moins stables : elles se décomposent à des températures inférieures, et l'effet de barrière de diffusion est alors réduit. Par contre, les ions Cu2+ et Fe3+ piègent des radicaux de la phase polymérique qui se décomposent et ralentissent le phénomène. Cette thèse démontre que les argiles peuvent agir comme des particules réactives ou inertes, c'est-à-dire, à travers des réactions chimiques avec le polymère ou comme barrière physique. La stabilisation thermique des polymères dépend d'une combinaison de mécanismes, parmi eux la barrière de diffusion, la formation de charbon et le piégeage de radicaux.