Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2017-05-10T12:37:20Z No. of bitstreams: 1 deysegomesdacosta.pdf: 10386782 bytes, checksum: a18ce8ca7fd4c235c246f70bc4f6f946 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-05-17T15:04:53Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 deysegomesdacosta.pdf: 10386782 bytes, checksum: a18ce8ca7fd4c235c246f70bc4f6f946 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-17T15:04:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 deysegomesdacosta.pdf: 10386782 bytes, checksum: a18ce8ca7fd4c235c246f70bc4f6f946 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-07-29 / Os hidróxidos duplos lamelares (HDL) ou compostos tipo-hidrotalcita vêm sendo muito estudados devido a suas inúmeras aplicações. No campo da catálise, estes compostos podem atuar como catalisadores, suportes para catalisadores ou precursores de catalisadores. É sabido que a morfologia do suporte tem grande influência sobre a dispersão, a atividade e a seletividade apresentada pelo catalisador. Nestes caso, o conhecimento detalhado dos efeitos do suporte e dos sítios catalíticos exigem a compreensão da estrutura do HDL. Entretanto, por causa da desordem estrutural, muitas vezes inerente ao material, torna-se a determinação completa da estrutura, via difração de raios X, raramente possível. As bandas largas presentes na análise do IV, fazem a atribuição das mesmas ambígua. Devido à complexidade dos HDL e à dificuldade de se adquirir ou interpretar os resultados experimentais, foi proposto um modelo para simular as características estruturais dos compostos tipo-hidrotalcita com o politipo 3R1, usando condições periódicas de contorno e cálculos ab initio dentro da teoria do funcional da densidade (DFT). As informações estruturais da hidrotalcita, obtidas experimentalmente, foram usadas para verificar a validade do modelo teórico. Os resultados mostraram boas concordâncias com os padrões de raios X do pó experimentais. O espectro na região do infravermelho, a entalpia e energia livre de Gibbs, também foram calculadas. Os cálculos de frequências vibracionais mostraram que as moléculas de água intercaladas são altamente organizadas devido às fortes interações intermoleculares com outras moléculas de água, com ânions interlamelares e com as hidroxilas das lamelas. A presença destas interações é refletida na presença do estiramento O-H das moléculas de água deslocadas para baixas frequências. A perda da degenerescência dos modos vibracionais v3 e do v4 foi observada, indicando a redução da simetria do íon carbonato. As modificações termodinâmicas e estruturais resultantes da substituição do íon presente no HDL Zn-Al-Cl também formam analisadas. O íon Cl- do HDL precursor foi trocado por uma série de ânions como o F-, Br-, OH-, NO3-, ClO4-, CO32- e SO42-. Os resultados mostraram que a intercalação do HDL com diferentes íons, afeta o gap de energia e a basicidade da lamela tipo-brucita. A entalpia e a energia livre de Gibbs, a densidade de estados (DOS) e a densidade de estados projetada (PDOS) foram avaliadas para todos os HDL. / The layered double hydroxide (LDH) or hydrotalcite-like compounds have been widely studied due to many applications they have. In catalysis field these compounds can act as catalyst, catalyst support or precursor for supports and catalysts. It is well known that the support morphology has larger influence on the dispersion, activity and selectivity of catalysts. In this case, detailed knowledge about support effects and catalytic sites requires understanding the LDH structure. However, because of the inherent structural disorder, complete structure determination using X-ray diffraction is rarely possible. The IR analysis present broad bands, which makes their assignment ambiguous. Due to the complexity of the LDH and the difficult of acquiring experimental data, we proposed a model to simulate structural features of the hydrotalcite-like compounds with 3R1 polytypes using periodic boundary conditions and ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The structural information of hydrotalcite from experiments were used to verify the validity of theoretical model. Our results showed good agreements to the powder X-ray patterns. The infrared spectroscopy, enthalpy and Gibbs free energy, also was calculated. The IR calculations showed that intercalated water molecules are highly ordered due the strong intermolecular interactions with other water molecules, interlayer anions and layer hydroxyls. These interaction is reflected by the presence of downshift vibrational frequencies of OH-stretching of interlayer water. The loss of degeneracy of the v3 and v4 vibrational modes are observed, indicating the reduction of the carbonate anion symmetry. The thermodynamic and structural modifications derived from anion exchange on a LDH containing Zn-Al-Cl was also analyzed. The Cl- ion to the LDH precursor was exchanged for a series of anions as F-, Br-, OH-, NO3-, ClO4-, CO32- and SO42-. The resulted show that intercalation of LDH with different anions affect their gap energy and basicity of brucite-like layer. The enthalpy and Gibbs free energy, density of charge, density of state (DOS) and projected density of state (PDOS) were evaluated for all substituted materials.

La cohésion des chromatides sœurs est assurée par un complexe protéique en forme d’anneau assurant leur capture topologique. Ce complexe est constitué par des protéines conservées de la levure à l’Homme regroupées sous le terme « cohésine » : Smc1, Smc3 et la phosphoprotéine Scc1 fermant l’anneau (respectivement Psm1, Psm3 et Rad21 chez Schizosaccharomyces pombe). Les protéines régulatrices Rad61-Wapl, Pds5 et Scc3 (Wpl1,Pds5 et Psc3 respectivement chez S. pombe) interagissent avec l’anneau via Scc1. Il a été proposé que la capture de l’ADN par les cohésines nécessite l’ouverture transitoire de l’interface Smc1/Smc3. La réaction de dissociation fait quant à elle intervenir le sous-complexe Wapl/Pds5/Scc3 entraînant vraisemblablement l’ouverture de l’interface Scc1/Smc3. Le mécanisme par lequel la cohésion est créée et celui par lequel Wapl promeut la dissociation des cohésines des chromosomes, sont encore inconnus. Parmi les mutants de cohésion chez Saccharomyces cerevisiae, la mutation thermosensible eco1-1 affecte le gène ECO1 codant une acétyl-transférase, essentielle à la viabilité cellulaire, conservée de la levure à l’Homme (Eco1 « Establishment of Cohesion » chez S. cerevisiae, Eso1 chez S.pombe, ESCO1-2 chez l’Homme) et ayant Smc3 pour substrat. Il a été montré que l’acétyl-transférase s’oppose à l’action de dissociation de Wapl. C’est un crible génétique réalisé par plusieurs équipes, visant à trouver des mutants suppresseurs d’eco1-1, qui a permis d’identifier les gènes codant les protéines Wapl, Pds5, Scc3 et Smc3 comme composants du mécanisme d’ouverture de l’anneau de cohésine. Un crible similaire a été réalisé chez S.pombe dans notre laboratoire, dans le but de trouver des suppresseurs de la mutation thermosensible eso1-H17. Ce crible a identifié les gènes orthologues à ceux trouvés chez la levure : wpl1, pds5, psc3 et psm3 mais aussi le gène codant la sous-unité catalytique du complexe sérine/thréonine phosphatase de type IV (PP4), noté pp4c. Nous avons alors mis en œuvre des expériences pour caractériser PP4c ainsi que sa sous-unité régulatrice Psy2 qui s’est révélée être également impliquée dans la cohésion des chromatides soeurs. Nous avons également identifié la protéine Rad21 comme substrat du complexe PP4, puis identifié les phosphosites potentiellement cibles de PP4, pour ensuite cribler et analyser des phosphomutants de Rad21 récapitulant l’effet suppresseur de la délétion de PP4. / Sister-chromatid cohesion is ensured by a ring shape protein complex which is in charge of their topological embrace. This complex consists of proteins which are conserved from yeast to human and grouped under the term “cohesin”: Smc1, Smc3 and the phosphoprotein Scc1 which closes the ring (respectively Psm1, Psm3 and Rad21 in Schizosaccharomyces pombe). The regulatory proteins Rad61-Wapl, Pds5 and Scc3 (Wpl1,Pds5 and Psc3 respectively in S. pombe) interact with the ring via Scc1. It has been suggested that DNA capture by the cohesin complex involves the transient opening of the Smc1/Smc3 interface. The dissociation reaction involves the sub-complex Wapl/Pds5/Scc3 which likely causes the opening of the Scc1/Smc3 interface. The mechanisms by which cohesion is created and by which Wapl promotes the cohesin dissociation from chromosomes are still unknown. Among the cohesion mutants in Saccharomyces cerevisiae the thermosensitive eco1-1 mutation affects the ECO1 gene encoding an acetyl-transferase essential for cell viability and conserved from yeast to human (Eco1 « Establishment of Cohesion » in S.cerevisiae, Eso1 in S. pombe and ESCO1-2 in human) and whose substrate is Smc3. It has been shown that the acetyl-transferase counteracts the dissociation action of Wapl. A genetic screen carried out by several teams in order to find suppressors of the eco1-1 mutation has led to the identification of the genes encoding the Wapl, Pds5, Scc3 and Smc3 proteins as components of the opening mechanism of the cohesin ring. A similar screen was carried out in S. pombe in our lab to find suppressors of the thermosensitive mutation eso1-H17. This screen identified the orthologous genes to those found in the budding yeast: wpl1,pds5, psc3 and psm3 and also the gene encoding the catalytic subunit of the type 4 serine/threonine phosphatase complex (PP4) named pp4c. We have therefore carried out experiments to characterize PP4c and its regulatory subunit Psy2 which has also been found to be involved in sister-chromatid cohesion. We have likewise identified the Rad21 subunit as a PP4 substrate and identified phosphosites as potential targets of PP4. We have then screened and analyzed Rad21 phosphomutants which were able to mimic the suppressor effect of the deletion of pp4c.

“The relationship between the criminal and victim is much more complicated than the law would care to acknowledge. The criminal and his victim work on each other unconsciously. We can say that as the criminal shapes the victim, the victim also shapes the criminal. The law differentiates distinctly between the attacker and the victim. But their relationship may be, and often is, quite close, so that their roles are reversed and the victim becomes the determining person, while the [victimiser] in the end becomes his own victim.” (Abrahamsen, 1973:35). This research was directed at establishing whether narcissistic individuals will go to extreme levels of violence, specifically murder, if their self-image is threatened. The aim was to determine the extent of pre-existing narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) in these individuals and how this contributed to the murderous action they committed. Emphasis was placed on the psychological motivation of the perpetrator, as well as the relationship that existed between the perpetrator and the victim prior to the event. As the subject of the research was a relatively unknown phenomenon, a qualitative research approach was used. The research focused on analysing specific cases of murder, more particularly cases where rage-type murders were committed. It endeavoured to identify the underlying personality dynamics to determine whether an association between rage-type murder and NPD exists. Case studies illustrating rage-type murderers who had been admitted to Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital for a 30-day observation period were identified and analysed. These cases were selected through reviewing the case history of each individual to determine whether the murder fitted the outlined definition of a rage-type murder. The cases that met the outlined requirements were deemed suitable for the purpose of the research, where after the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) results of the selected cases were examined to determine the personality organisation of the individuals. This information was then used to determine the possible association between NPD and rage-type murder. The MMPI-2 was selected as the assessment tool as it is the most widely used personality assessment available. For the purposes of this research a two-point code type was used to indicate the presence of narcissistic personality traits. A two-point code type implies an elevation of two scales, for the purposes of this research specifically the Pd (Psychopathic deviance) scale and the Pa (Paranoia) scale, also referred to as the 4-6/6-4 code type. As interpretation based only on a two-scale elevation was considered to be overly simplistic, all the MMPI-2 clinical scales were interpreted independently, and a clinical interpretation provided in the context of each individual’s background. The 4-6/6-4 code type individual was used to indicate whether the individuals did have narcissistic personality traits, and thus were classified as having NPD. Nine cases were identified of individuals thought to be rage-type murderers, who were admitted for a 30-day period of psychiatric observation to Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital in Pretoria. Only five cases were acknowledged as rage-type murders. All the cases selected were referred to Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital by order of the court and involved males over the age of 20 years. The individuals involved were admitted to the Forensic Unit of the hospital and were subjected to standard psychiatric hospital observations, which included psychiatric interviews, psychological interviews, psychological testing, as well as general behavioural observations in the ward. All the information obtained during the standard psychiatric hospital observations is held in the clinical case files in the archives at the hospital. All the standard psychiatric hospital observation evaluations were completed prior to the initiation of the research, and the case records had been closed. Although more research is necessary, this research has established an association between the selected cases of rage-type murder and NPD and there is historic documented evidence suggesting that individuals with NPD will most likely react in a similar manner in similar circumstances, as a result of their underlying personality disorder. This suggests that incarceration in a correctional facility is not the most appropriate place to rehabilitate individuals. It also serves as support to why a person with NPD who commits a rage-type murder should be acquitted because of their personality disorder and subsequently be committed to a psychiatric facility as a patient of the state president. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

A study of defects in semiconductors is vital as defects tend to influence device operation by modifying their electrical and optoelectronic properties. This influence can at times be desirable in the case of fast switching devices and sometimes undesirable as they may reduce the efficiency of optoelectronic devices. ZnO is a wide bandgap material with a potential for fabricating UV light emitting diodes, lasers and white lighting devices only after the realization of reproducible p-type material. The realization of p-type material is greatly affected by doping asymmetry. The self-compensation behaviour by its native defects has hindered the success in obtaining the p-type material. Hence there is need to understand the electronic properties, formation and annealing-out of these defects for controlled material doping. Space charge spectroscopic techniques are powerful tools for studying the electronic properties of electrically active defects in semiconductors since they can reveal information about the defect “signatures”. In this study, novel Schottky contacts with low leakage currents of the order of 10-11 A at 2.0 V, barrier heights of 0.60 – 0.80 eV and low series resistance, fabricated on hydrogen peroxide treated melt-grown single crystal ZnO samples, were demonstrated. Investigations on the dependence of the Schottky contact parameters on fabrication techniques and different metals were performed. Resistive evaporation proved to produce contacts with lower series resistance, higher barrier heights and low reverse currents compared to the electron-beam deposition technique. Deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) and Laplace-DLTS have been employed to study the electronic properties of electrically active deep level defects in ZnO. Results revealed the presence of three prominent deep level defects (E1, E2 and E3) in the as-received ZnO samples. Electron-beam deposited contacts indicated the presence of the E1, E2 and E3 and the introduction of new deep level defects. These induced deep levels have been attributed to stray electrons and ionized particles, present in the deposition system during contact fabrication. Exposure of ZnO to high temperatures induces deep level defects. Annealing samples in the 300°C – 600°C temperature range in Ar + O2 induces the E4 deep level with a very high capture cross-section. This deep level transforms at every annealing temperature. Its instability at room temperature has been demonstrated by a change in the peak temperature position with time. This deep level was broad, indicating that it consists of two or more closely spaced energy levels. Laplace-DLTS was successfully employed to resolve the closely spaced energy levels. Annealing samples at 700°C in Ar and O2 anneals-out E4 and induces the Ex deep level defect with an activation enthalpy of approximately 160 – 180 meV. Vacuum annealing performed in the 400°C – 700°C temperature range did not induce any deep level defects. Since the radiation hardness of ZnO is crucial in space applications, 1.6 MeV proton irradiation was performed. DLTS revealed the introduction of the E4 deep level with an activation enthalpy of approximately 530 meV, which proved to be stable at room temperature and atmospheric pressure since its properties didn’t change over a period of 12 months. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Physics / unrestricted

The development of heterogeneous catalysts, which are efficient and easy recovery, is major technological challenges faced, linked to environmental and economic concerns. In the present work we studied the catalytic SnO2 systems, MoO3 and SnO2/MoO3 in the conversion of fructose, with particular attention to SnO2/MoO3 systems, which were synthesized in various proportions by weight of molybdenum oxide, using the impregnation technique By wet method, aiming to obtain materials with high industrial applicability. The catalysts were characterized using various techniques, including, thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTA), absorption spectroscopy in the infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, diffraction X-ray (XRD), FTIR using pyridine as probe molecule spectroscopy Diffuse ultraviolet-visible reflectance (DRS) and fisistion analysis (BET). In addition to these techniques, the acid sites of the catalysts were measured by the aqueous method using sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid as the titrant. The results show that the main factor that influences the conversion of fructose are present the acid sites in the catalysts. This study shows that the molybdenum oxide obtained high fructose conversions at temperatures of 150 ° C and 190 ° C, but this does not reflect the products quantified by HPLC, with a large production of insoluble materials in the reaction medium, which are the main cause fouling of catalysts. On the other hand, tin oxide presented low activity in the conversion of fructose, but high selectivity to Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). In this context, the catalyst that provided good conversions and less formation of insoluble materials was SnMo25, being HMF selective. On the other hand, SnMo50 and SnMo75 provided high selectivity to lactic acid, but with the inconvenience of formation of insoluble products in appreciable quantity. The impregnation was an effective strategy for the formation of new sites and reuse leaching test and showed promising results. / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / O desenvolvimento de catalisadores heterogêneos, que sejam eficientes e de fácil recuperação, é um dos principais desafios tecnológicos enfrentados atualmente, atrelado às preocupações ambientais e econômicas. Assim, no presente trabalho foram estudados os sistemas catalíticos SnO2, MoO3 e SnO2/MoO3 na conversão da frutose, com especial atenção ao sistema SnO2/MoO3, os quais foram sintetizados em diversas proporções em massa de óxido de molibdênio, utilizando a técnica de impregnação por via úmida, visando obter materiais com alta aplicabilidade industrial. Os catalisadores foram caracterizados utilizando várias técnicas, nomeadamente, análise termogravimétrica (TG/DTA), espectroscopia de absorção na região do infravermelho (FTIR), espectroscopia Raman, difração de raio-x (DRX), FTIR utilizando a piridina como molécula sonda, espectroscopia de refletância difusa no ultravioleta-visível (DRS) e análises de fisissorção (BET). Além dessas técnicas, os sítios dos catalisadores foram medidos pelo método aquoso utilizando hidróxido de sódio e ácido clorídrico como agente de titulação. Os resultados mostram que o principal fator que influência a conversão da frutose são os sítios ácidos presentes nos catalisadores. Com esse estudo pode-se constatar que o óxido de molibdênio obteve altas conversões de frutose nas temperaturas de 150 °C e 190 °C, porém isso não reflete os produtos quantificados por HPLC, havendo grande produção de materiais insolúveis, que são a principal causa de incrustação dos catalisadores. Por outro lado, o óxido de estanho apresentou baixa atividade na conversão da frutose, porém alta seletividade a Hidroximetilfurfural (HMF). Nesse contexto, o catalisador que proporcionou boas conversões e menor formação de materiais insolúveis foi o SnMo25, sendo seletivo a HMF. Por outro lado, o SnMo50 e SnMo75 proporcionaram altas seletividade a ácidos orgânicos, porém com o inconveniente da formação de produtos insolúveis em quantidade apreciável. A impregnação foi uma estratégia eficiente, para a formação de novos sítios e os testes de reuso e lixiviação exibiram resultados promissores.

Orientadora: Profa. Dra. Káthia Maria Honório / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia/Química, Santo André, 2018. / Um dos alvos biologicos relacionado ao controle da glicemia e a enzima dipeptidil peptidase-IV (DPP-IV); ela esta associada com a estimulacao do pancreas na producao de insulina, sendo, portanto, um alvo de interesse da pesquisa e da industria farmaceutica para o tratamento do diabetes tipo 2. O diabetes e uma doenca cronica que se caracteriza por um aumento da glicemia causando uma serie de complicacoes fisiologicas com destaque para as doencas cardiacas como a aterosclerose; estima-se que 425 milhoes de pessoas sejam portadoras da doenca. Estudos indicam que inibidores da DPP-IV tambem podem apresentar acao sobre a FAP¿¿, uma enzima que esta relacionada com reparacao de tecidos e crescimento de tumores. Este trabalho consiste em utilizar metodos de modelagem molecular, como a construcao e analise de modelos de HQSAR (Hologram Quantitative Structure-Activity) e de CoMFA (analise comparativa de campos de interacao molecular); acoplamento molecular (docking), analise de propriedades eletronicas e deteccao e caracterizacao de sitios de ligacao da enzima FAP¿¿, com intuito de compreender as principais caracteristicas de ambas as enzimas, assim como a interacao das mesmas com uma serie de compostos bioativos. Os modelos CoMFA construidos apresentaram significativos valores de validacao interna (0,768) e externa (0,986); o alinhamento obtido utilizando a tecnica de acoplamento molecular e complementada com o uso da tecnica BINANA delineou as principais interacoes das enzimas com o conjunto de ligantes; identificou-se tres sitios de ligacao da enzima FAP¿¿ utilizando os servidores FTSite e FTMap. Desta forma, com informacoes sobre ambos os alvos e as interacoes estabelecidas com os ligantes, sera possivel propor com maior seguranca modificacoes moleculares para tais compostos candidatos a farmacos mais seguros para o tratamento do diabetes tipo 2. / One of the biological targets related to glycemic control is the dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) enzyme; it is associated with stimulation of the pancreas in insulin production and it is a target of interest for the researches related to the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by an increase in blood glucose causing a series of physiological complications such as atherosclerosis, it is estimated that 425 million people have this disease. Studies have indicated that DPP-IV inhibitors may also have action on FAPá, an enzyme that is related to tissue repair and tumor growth. This work consists of using molecular modeling methods, such as the construction and analysis of HQSAR (Hologram Quantitative Structure-Activity) and CoMFA (comparative analysis of molecular interaction fields) models; molecular docking, analysis of electronic properties, detection and characterization of FAPá enzyme binding sites, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties studies; in order to understand the main characteristics of both enzymes, as well as their interaction with a series of bioactive compounds. The CoMFA models presented significant values of internal validation (0,768) and external (0,986) and the alignment obtained using the molecular docking technique outlined the main interactions of the enzymes with the set of ligands. With information on both targets and the interactions established with the ligands, it will be possible to more safely propose molecular modifications for such safer drug candidates for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Fundamental understanding of the behaviour of nuclear fuel has been of great importance. Enhancing this knowledge not only by means of experimental observations, but also via multi-scale modelling is of current interest. The overall goal of this thesis is to understand the impact of atomic interactions on the nuclear fuel material properties. Two major topics are tackled in this thesis. The first topic deals with non-stoichiometry in uranium dioxide (UO2) to be addressed by empirical potential (EP) studies. The second fundamental question to be answered is the effect of the atomic fraction of americium (Am), neptunium (Np) containing uranium (U) and plutonium (Pu) mixed oxide (MOX) on the material properties.UO2 has been the reference fuel for the current fleet of nuclear reactors (Gen-II and Gen-III); it is also considered today by the Gen-IV International Forum for the first cores of the future generation of nuclear reactors on the roadmap towards minor actinide (MA) based fuel technology. The physical properties of UO2 highly depend on material stoichiometry. In particular, oxidation towards hyper stoichiometric UO2 – UO2+x – might be encountered at various stages of the nuclear fuel cycle if oxidative conditions are met; the impact of physical property changes upon stoichiometry should therefore be properly assessed to ensure safe and reliable operations. These physical properties are intimately linked to the arrangement of atomic defects in the crystalline structure. The first paper evaluates the evolution of defect concentration with environment parameters – oxygen partial pressure and temperature by means of a point defect model, with reaction energies being derived from EP based atomic scale simulations. Ultimately, results from the point defect model are discussed, and compared to experimental measurements of stoichiometry dependence on oxygen partial pressure and temperature. Such investigations will allow for future discussions about the solubility of different fission products and dopants in the UO2 matrix at EP level.While the first paper answers the central question regarding the dominating defects in non-stoichiometry in UO2, the focus of the second paper was on the EP prediction of the material properties, notably the lattice parameter of Am, Np containing U and Pu MOX as a function of atomic fractions.The configurational space of a complex U1-y-y’-y’’PuyAmy’Npy’’O2 system, was assessed via Metropolis-Monte Carlo techniques. From the predicted configuration, the relaxed lattice parameter of Am, Np bearing MOX fuel was investigated and compared with available literature data. As a result, a linear behaviour of the lattice parameter as a function of Am, Np content was observed, as expected for an ideal solid solution. These results will allow to support and increase current knowledge on Gen-IV fuel properties, such as melting temperature, for which preliminary results are presented in this thesis, and possibly thermal conductivity in the future. / Doctorat en Sciences de l'ingénieur et technologie / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

The present work examines the taxonomy and function of potters’ marks applied to pottery in the Amman-Zarqa region during the last phase of the Early Bronze Age, the so-called EB IV ca. 2350/2300–2000 BC. The study is anchored in a small data set gathered from 12 archaeological sites, in which 24 different mark types have been identified. These mark types - together with their associated vessel classes, circumstances of deposition, and geographical distribution - comprise the background against which previous suggestions regarding potters’ marks are evaluated. Evidence from ethno-archaeological sources concerning traditional potters’ rationales for marking vessels today is also included as part of the interpretive framework. The mode and scale of production is discussed on the basis of the ceramic evidence, the size and character of settlements located within the region, and the socio-economic setting of the EB IV period in general.

No description available.

This thesis describes the design of the active load for adjusting the maximum power point of PV module and the module loaded with the defined parameters for measuring the effectiveness and identifying the characteristics of the PV module.