Strontium 90 (90Sr) is a radionuclide of anthropogenic origin released in large quantities in the environment as a result of nuclear atmospheric tests or accidents at nuclear facilities. 90Sr persists on a long-term basis in the environment, leading to chronic contamination by ingestion of populations living on contaminated territories. The induction of bone tumours associated with the fixation of 90Sr has been widely described. However, the occurrence of non-cancer effects is much less known. We used a mouse model with chronic contamination by ingestion of water containing 20 kBq/l of 90Sr. A biokinetic study confirmed the accumulation of 90Sr in the bones, with an increased rate of accumulation during bone growth. This accumulation was higher in the bones of females than in males. The whole-body absorbed doses ranged from 0.33 ± 0.06 mGy (birth) to 10.6 ± 0.1 mGy (20 weeks). The absorbed dose for the skeleton was up to 55 mGy. Ingestion of 90Sr induced a change in the expression of genes inducing an imbalance in favour of bone resorption, but without effect on bone morphology. No significant effect was observed for the hematopoietic system. On the other hand, minor modifications were observed for the immune system. To evaluate the functionality of the immune system, a vaccination test with TT and KLH antigens was used. Results showed in contaminated animals a significant decrease in the production of specific immunoglobulins, changes in the Th1/Th2 balance in the spleen and a disrupted B lymphocyte differentiation. These results improve the understanding of some of the non-cancerous consequences of chronic exposure at low dose of radionuclides with a long half-life, which can be accidentally released.

Une approche pluridisciplinaire intégrée a été proposée pour étudier le transfert de la contamination métallique depuis les déchets de l'ancien site minier à Pb-Zn de Jebel Ressas, jusqu'à l'être humain. Nous avons pris en considération à la fois les caractéristiques physico-chimiques de la source, les conditions climatiques et la topographie pour hiérarchiser les vecteurs de la dispersion des métaux à partir des déchets de laverie de l'ancienne mine de Jebel Ressas. Le vecteur éolien est le principal agent capable de disperser les métaux dans toutes les directions, avec des quantités variables pouvant dépasser les normes de la qualité des l'air pour Pb et Cd sur plusieurs centaines de mètres loin de la source. Le transfert hydrique particulaire est assez limité à cause de la topographie douce au tour des terrils de déchets. Le transfert en solution est négligeable grâce à l'environnement carbonaté. L'investigation sur le risque des métaux pour la santé humaine au village de Jebel Ressas montre d'abord que, d'une part l'environnement carbonaté et d'autre part le pH neutre des fluides physiologiques dans le corps humain, limitent le passage en solution des métaux et leurs quantités bioaccessibles. Toutefois, Pb et Cd présentent un risque surtout pour les enfants en plus d'un effet cancérigène probable pour toute la population.

In this thesis, development of a generic transient aero-thermal gas turbine model is presented. A simulation code, gtSIM is developed based on an algorithm which is composed of a set of differential equations and a set of non-linear algebraic equations representing each gas turbine engine component. These equations are the governing equations which represents the aero-thermodynamic process of the each engine component and they are solved according to a specific solving sequence which is defined in the simulation code algorithm. At each time step, ordinary differential equations are integrated by a first-order Euler scheme and a set of algebraic equations are solved by forward substitution. The numerical solution process lasts until the end of pre-defined simulation time. The objective of the work is to simulate the critical transient scenarios for different types of gas turbine engines at off-design conditions. Different critical transient scenarios are simulated for two di&reg / erent types of gas turbine engine. As a first simulation, a sample critical transient scenario is simulated for a small turbojet engine. As a second simulation, a hot gas ingestion scenario is simulated for a turbo shaft engine. A simple proportional control algorithm is also incorporated into the simulation code, which acts as a simple speed governor in turboshaft simulations. For both cases, the responses of relevant engine parameters are plotted and results are presented. Simulation results show that the code has the potential to correctly capture the transient response of a gas turbine engine under different operating conditions. The code can also be used for developing engine control algorithms as well as health monitoring systems and it can be integrated to various flight vehicle dynamic simulation codes.

Initiativet till projektet togs av tandvårdspersonal på Specialisttandvården i Halmstad då de upplevde problem vid arbete med oral protetik. Problemet, som projektet även bygger på, innebär att komponenter tappas och på grund av gravitationen samt patientens position riskeras att inhaleras eller sväljas. Detta innebär ett stress- och orosmoment, vilket bidrar till en försämrad psykosocial arbetsmiljö för tandvårdspersonalen.   2008 infördes det statliga tandvårdsstödet i Sverige vilket innebär en reducerad kostnad för protetikingrepp som lett till att fler har råd med oral protetik. Därför blir problemet mer och mer utbrett, vilket gjort kravet på en lösning mer eftertraktad.   I projektet har dynamisk produktutveckling tillämpats med stort fokus på involvering av framtida användare. Artikelsökning, observation och enkätundersökning i genomförd produktdefinitionsfas lade grunden till projektet. Olika konceptgenererings- och utvärderingsmetoder tillämpades och födde den slutgiltiga prototypen. Under hela projektets gång har en kontinuerlig dialog och testning hos uppdragsgivarna utförts.   Detta produktutvecklingsprojekt resulterade i ett instrument som underlättar för tandvårdspersonal samt ökar säkerheten för patienten vid oral protetik. Lösningen är en specialutformad pincett som träs på skruvmejseln och fixerar komponenter. / The project was initiated by dental personnel at the Specialist dentistry in Halmstad, Sweden, because they experienced problems when working with oral prosthetics. There is a risk that components are dropped and due to gravity and the patient's position, being inhaled or swallowed. This means stress and concerns, contributing to the deterioration of the psychosocial work environment for dental personnel.   The Swedish dental State support was introduced in 2008, which gives the patient a reduced cost for dental prosthetic procedures. This allows more people to afford oral prosthetics. Therefore, the problem becomes more and more prevalent and the demand for a solution is requiered.    The project has implemented dynamic product development with a major focus on the involvement of future users. The project was based on literature reviews, observation and survey, which was performed in the product definition phase. Different concept generation methods and evaluation methods were applied and resulted in a final prototype. A continuous dialogue and testing with the clients where performed throughout the project.   This product development project resulted in an instrument that facilitates for dental personnel and increase safety for the patient during oral prosthetics. The solution is a specially designed forceps which slips onto the screwdriver and secures components.

The aims of this thesis were to: 1) develop a new method for the determination of interstitial pH at rest and during exercise in vivo, 2) systematically explore the effects of different ingestion regimes of 300 mg.kg-1 sodium citrate on blood and urine pH at rest, and 3) to combine the new interstitial pH technique with the findings of the second investigation in an attempt to provide a greater understanding of H+ movement between the extracellular compartments. The purpose of the first study was to develop a method for the continuous measurement of interstitial pH in vastus lateralis was successfully developed using microdialysis and 2,7-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). To avoid the presence of an artificial alkalosis during exercise, it was necessary to add 25 mM HCO3- to the perfusate. The outlet of the probe was cut less than 10 mm from the skin and connected to a stainless steel tube completing the circuit to a microflow-through cuvette (8 fÝl) within a fluorescence spectrophotometer. This prevented the loss of carbon dioxide from the dialysate and any subsequent pH artefact. Interstitial pH was collected from six subjects before, during and after five minutes of knee-extensor exercise at three intensities 30, 50, and 70 W. Mean,,bSEM interstitial pH at rest was 7.38,,b0.02. Exercise reduced interstitial pH in an almost linear fashion. The nadir value for interstitial pH at 30, 50 and 70 W exercise was 7.27, 7.16 and 7.04, respectively. The lowest pH was obtained 1 min after exercise, irrespective of workload, after which the interstitial pH recovered in a nearly exponential manner. The mean half time of interstitial recovery was 5.2 min. The changes in interstitial pH exceeded the changes in venous blood pH. This study demonstrated that interstitial pH can be measured using microdialysis and that it is continuously decreased during muscle activity. The purpose of the second study was to establish an optimal ingestion regime for the ingestion of 300 mg.kg-1 of sodium citrate and maximise the alkalotic effect while minimising any side effects. Increasing the effectiveness of alkali ingestion may lead to further increases in muscle performance. Ingesting 300 mg.kg-1 sodium citrate at a rate of 300 mg.min-1 was identified as the optimal ingestion regime to maximise alkalosis at rest, which occurred 3.5 h post-ingestion. This was determined by monitoring eight human subjects ingesting 300 mg.kg-1 sodium citrate at five different rates, control (no ingestant), bolus, 300, 600 and 900 mg.kg.min-1 on five days separated by at least 48 hours. Sodium citrate was ingested in capsule form with water ad libitum, with the exception of bolus, which was combined with 400 ml less than 25 percent orange juice and consumed in less than 1 min. Arterialised blood (mean 71.3,,b3.5 mmHg) acid-base and electrolyte status was assessed via the withdrawal of ~5 ml of blood every 30 min across an eight hour duration, placed on ice and analysed within five minutes. No alkalotic difference was found between ingestion rates (mean 7.445,,b0.004, 7.438,,b0.004 and 7.442,,b0.004 for 300, 600 and 900 mg.min-1, respectively). All experimental ingestion regimes were associated with elevations in [HCO3-] (29.6, 29.7, 29.8, 29.9 and 26.3 mmol.l-1 for bolus, 300, 600, 900 and control, respectively). The 300 ingestion regime had the greatest impact on [H+], a 0.66 meq.l-1,,e10-8 change. Bolus ingestion (3.93,,b0.08 mmol.l-1) of sodium citrate had no effect on control (4.06,,b0.08 mmol.l-1) blood [K+], however, 300 mg.min-1 decreased blood [K+] (p less than 0.05). There was no effect of sodium citrate on blood [Cl-], but after 2.5 h blood [Cl-] was lower than pre-ingestion values (p less than0.05). All ingestion rates of sodium citrate increased (p less than 0.05) urine pH above control. This is the first study to investigate the effect of varying ingestion rates on acid-base status at rest in humans. The results suggest that ingesting sodium citrate in small doses in quick succession induce a greater blood alkalosis than the commonly practised bolus protocol. Using the interstitial pH technique described above and the optimal ingestion regime (300 mg.min-1) identified above, the final experiment was designed to assess the influence of sodium citrate ingestion on interstitial pH at both rest and during exercise. Five subjects ingested 300 mg.kg-1 sodium citrate at 300 mg.min-1 again in capsule form with water ad libitum. Prior to ingestion, each subject had a cannula placed into their cephalic vein and one microdialysis probe (CMA-60) inserted into their left thigh, orientated along the fibres of vastus lateralus. This probe was used for the measurement of pH as described above. At the end of this period, an exercise protocol required five subjects to perform light exercise (10 W) for 10 min, before starting an intense exercise period (~90-95% leg VO2peak) to exhaustion followed by a 15 min recovery period. Dialysate and blood samples were collected across all periods. Mean,,bSEM interstitial pH for placebo and alkalosis were 7.38,,b0.12 and 7.24,,b0.16, respectively. Sodium citrate ingestion was not associated with an interstitial alkalosis. An exercise induced acidosis was observed in the interstitium during placebo but not during alkalosis (p less than 0.05). Mean,,bSEM venous pH were 7.362,,b0.003 and 7.398,,b0.003 for placebo and alkalosis, respectively. Sodium citrate ingestion was not associated with a venous alkalosis. Sodium citrate ingestion was associated with an increase in mean,,bSEM venous [HCO3-] (placebo 25.5,,b0.2, alkalosis 28.1,,b0.2). This increase in the blood bicarbonate buffer system was not associated with an increase in time to exhaustion (placebo 352,,b71, alkalosis 415,,b171). This was the first study to investigate the effects of sodium citrate ingestion on interstitial pH. The results of this study demonstrated that an interstitial alkalosis does not ensue after alkali ingestion, however, it was associated with the lack of an exercise induced acidosis suggesting an improved pH regulation during exercise.

No description available.

Submitted by Maria Creuza Silva (mariakreuza@yahoo.com.br) on 2013-05-29T12:08:08Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Diss Bartira Improta. 2013.pdf: 1449073 bytes, checksum: f3e19336a8cf93e6bb3d57fbeb863849 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Creuza Silva(mariakreuza@yahoo.com.br) on 2013-05-29T12:10:00Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Diss Bartira Improta. 2013.pdf: 1449073 bytes, checksum: f3e19336a8cf93e6bb3d57fbeb863849 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-05-29T12:10:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Diss Bartira Improta. 2013.pdf: 1449073 bytes, checksum: f3e19336a8cf93e6bb3d57fbeb863849 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Diabetes Melito (DM) é um grupo heterogêneo de distúrbios metabólicos crônicos, cuja característica comum é a hiperglicemia. Nos últimos anos houve um aumento no número de indivíduos diabéticos no mundo, sendo este crescimento mais prevalente em mulheres. Este dado torna-se relevante ao presente estudo já que se reconhece que a associação entre a gestação e diabetes é considerada uma condição de risco para a saúde tanto da mãe quanto dammu criança. Assim, a experiência da maternidade torna-se um evento crítico na trajetória biográfica destas mulheres já que as mesmas deverão reposicionar-se enquanto ser (mães)-no-mundo, sendo este processo repleto de significados individuais, social e culturalmente relevantes. Há, portanto, diversos procedimentos que devem ser tomados no que tange ao cuidado, principalmente relacionados a uma alimentação rígida, já que ela se relaciona diretamente ao controle glicídico. Todavia, controle e alimento nem sempre são concebidos como relacionais, sugerindo uma diversidade de possibilidades de significação dos cuidados alimentares para cada gestante, partindo do princípio da heterogeneidade (e autonomia) de cada sujeito. Assim busca identificar os significados que as mulheres diabéticas atribuem às práticas alimentares enquanto gestantes de alto risco. Compreende um estudo qualitativo que visa uma interpretação compreensiva acerca das experiências vividas por estas mulheres, a partir de uma perspectiva fenomenológica já que a mesma permitirá um aprofundamento do universo simbólico destes sujeitos, revelando, através das narrativas, os significados atribuídos à maternidade e ao alimento para as gestantes diabéticas. O interesse em estudar as narrativas de enfermidades é que elas tornam possível compreender a experiência a partir de diversos pontos de vista: como uma construção social e cultural, como uma transformação e expressão de sofrimento corporal, e, acima de tudo, como uma tentativa da pessoa em sofrimento construir seu mundo. Assim, a narrativa destas mulheres permitirá ao estudo aproximar-se das distintas dimensões de mundos e realidades apreendidas e compreendidas por estes sujeitos. Nos resultados são apresentadas as sete narrativas das gestantes diabéticas entrevistadas, cujas falas (re) criavam lugares, retomavam lembranças e suscitavam questões que foram norteadoras deste estudo. Após a reconstrução destas trajetórias individuais, percebendo os elementos tanto subjetivos quanto intersubjetivos, e tomando como categorias centrais a experiência do adoecimento crônico, a experiência da maternidade e os significados das práticas alimentares, essas narrativas foram comparadas e agrupadas segundo estas categorias, identificando-se as semelhanças estabelecidas nas trajetórias individuais e respeitando 8 o contexto de cada uma. A partir daí surgiram subcategorias, como ruptura, ambivalência, cuidado, dentre outras que permitiram estruturar os capítulos a partir destas similaridades. O resgate das percepções, histórias e narrativas destes sujeitos, no contexto ambulatorial/hospitalar poderá trazer uma nova perspectiva de atuação dos profissionais de saúde, na qual a compreensão da maternidade e do cuidado deve perpassar um olhar técnico-cientificista, devendo haver a fusão com outros saberes, como o popular-subjetivista, para favorecer uma melhor atenção à essas gestantes. / Salvador

Active Particles at the Temelin NPP, Radiobiological Risks and Protective Precautions The term active particle (AC) was applied on Temelín NPP (ETE) in order to denominate small fragments of high radioactive matters, sized up to 1 millimeter, forming into primary circuit. In accordance with latest available know-how, the ACs major contains corrosion products, that were activated during passing through reactor core. After primary circuit opening, due to carry out outage works, the ACs will spread into ETE radiation controlled area. In proportion to their size, the ACs activity is relative high, so that the ACs can jeopard workers, who will contact them. This jeopardy is namely associated with AC penetration into organism - ingestion or inhalation. The main goal of this dissertation is to determine grounds of ACs occurence in Temelín NPP, to review ACs radiobiological risks and to evaluate procedures and protective aids, used for assurance of workers radiation protection. This dissertation is resuming actual know-how about ACs occured and occuring in Temelín NPP, including suggestions for radiation protection procedures and for protective aids utilization, that are to be used for reduction of above mentioned jeopardy. Next areas are concerned: - analysis of ACs forming and matters composition - description of ACs physical-radiation parameters - identification of main ACs sources in primary circuit - assesment and evaluation of radiobiological jeopardies, associated with ACs occurence in Temelín NPP radiation controlled area - assesment of procedures and protective aids used for protection of workers, who can be endangered by ACs

No description available.

The polychlorinated biphenyls are synthetic organoclorated substances that can produce noxious effects to health. There are not any natural sources of PCBs known in the environment. They can be liquid or solid, colorless or clear yellow. Some of them are volatile and may remain as steams in the air. They were widely used in the industry as oils for transformers, electric capacitors, in transference fluids, inks, conservants for pesticides and lubricants, amongst others. Due to their inappropriate discard in the environment and also for the fact of presenting lingerence, bioaccumulation and high toxicity, they are distributed over the land surface, contaminating the alimentary chain. Victuals, mainly the most lipidic ones, such as the animal-originated products, have been recognized as the main source of PCBs ingestion. The concern about these compounds is in regard to their toxicological potential, mainly as cancer inductors. Milk and milk deriving products are an important source of macronutrients, with emphasis on proteins, vitamins, and mineral salts. Besides, they provide beneficial effects to health. Thus, the present dissertation has the purpose of investigating the existence of PCBs in integral powdered milk and to estimate the ingestion of these compounds from that victual by pre-scholars. Data of weight and consumption of powdered milk by children attending to infantile education schools of the municipal district of Imbé, RS, have been collected. The consumption of powdered milk among these children was of 32g per day, which is equivalent to 8,3g of daily fat. For the evaluation of the presence of PCBs 28, 52, 153, 138, and 180 in the powdered milk consumed by the pre-scholars we have proceeded the rebuilding of milk, followed by centrifugation in order to obtain the lipidic fraction. Subsequently, the lipidic content was extracted with sodium sulfate and ether of petroleum. The extraction and purification of the PCBs from fat were developed by using florisil and hexane. The identification and quantification of these compounds have been accomplished with the aid of the gas chromatograph equipped with micro electron capture detector (μECD). The confirmation was carried out on a gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The compounds concentrations were detected in the following order, from the most concentrated to the least concentrated: PCB 180 (0,157 ng g-1of fat) > PCB 138 (0,073 ng g-1) > PCB 28, 52 e 153 (<LQ). The PCB sum (PCB) was of 0,230 ng g-1of fat, oscillating from 0,000 to 2,857 ng g-1. The estimated daily ingestion of PCBs (PCBs) from powdered milk was of 0,0013 ng g-1 fat. This value, when compared with the reference limit admitted by the Brazilian legislation, is under the value established. On the basis of the results obtained it was possible to conclude that the milk consumed by the pre-scholars from PNAE of the municipal district of Imbé does not offer any toxicological risk. Nevertheless, it is suggested the importance of other works on this area with the purpose of monitoring the presence of residues of PCBs in milky products addressed to the infantile population once that they can generate adverse effects to health. / Os bifenilos policlorados são substâncias organocloradas sintéticas que podem causar efeitos lesivos à saúde. Não existem fontes naturais conhecidas de PCBs no ambiente. Eles podem ser líquidos ou sólidos, incolores ou amarelo claro. Alguns são voláteis e podem permanecer como vapores no ar. Foram amplamente utilizados na indústria como óleos para transformadores, capacitores elétricos, em fluídos de transferência, tintas, conservantes para pesticidas, lubrificantes e etc. Devido ao seu descarte inadequado no meio ambiente, e por apresentarem persistência, bioacumulação e grande toxicidade encontram-se distribuídos na superfície terrestre, contaminando a cadeia alimentar. Alimentos, especialmente os mais lipídicos, como os produtos de origem animal têm sido reconhecidos como a principal fonte de ingestão de PCBs. A preocupação quanto a estes compostos está voltada para o seu potencial toxicológico, principalmente como indutores de câncer. Leite e derivados lácteos, constituem uma importante fonte de macronutrientes, em especial as proteínas, vitaminas e sais minerais. Além disso, proporcionam efeitos benéficos à saúde. Diante do exposto, a presente dissertação tem como objetivo investigar a presença de PCBs em leite em pó integral e estimar a ingestão destes compostos a partir deste alimento por pré-escolares. Foram coletados os dados de peso e consumo de leite em pó por crianças matriculadas nas escolas de educação infantil no município de Imbé RS. O consumo de leite em pó pelas crianças foi de 32 g-1 dia, equivalente a 8,3 g de gordura/dia. Para avaliar a presença dos PCBs 28, 52, 153, 138 e 180 no leite em pó integral utilizado pelo Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE) de Imbé e consumido pelos pré-escolares da rede de ensino municipal, procedeu-se a reconstituição do leite, seguido da centrifugação para obtenção da fração lipídica. Posteriormente, o conteúdo lipídico foi extraído com sulfato de sódio e éter de petróleo. A purificação e extração dos PCBs, a partir da gordura, foram feitas utilizando-se florisil e hexano. A identificação e a quantificação destes compostos foram feitas com auxílio de cromatógrafo a gás dotado de microdetector de captura de elétrons (μECD). A confirmação foi realizada por cromatógrafo a gás acoplado à espectrometria de massas (GC-MS). As concentrações dos compostos foram detectadas na seguinte ordem, do mais concentrado para o menos concentrados: PCB 180 (0,157 ng g-1 de gordura) > PCB 138 (0,073 ng g-1) > PCB 28, 53 e 153 (<LQ). O somatório de PCB (PCB) foi de 0,230 ng g-1 de gordura, variando de 0,000 a 2,857 ng g-1. A ingestão diária estimada de PCBs (PCBs), a partir de leite em pó, foi 0,0013 ng g-1 de gordura. Este valor, quando comparado com o limite de referência admitido pela legislação brasileira fica abaixo do valor estabelecido. Com base nos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que o leite consumido pelos pré-escolares do PNAE no município de Imbé não oferece risco toxicológico. No entanto, sugere-se a importância de outros trabalhos na área, com a finalidade de monitorar a presença de resíduos de PCBs em produtos lácteos destinado ao público infantil, uma vez que estes podem provocar efeitos adversos à saúde.