Submitted by Rafael Santana (rafael.silvasantana@ufpe.br) on 2018-01-23T18:07:07Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) dissertacao_LQCC.pdf: 4320770 bytes, checksum: 507da0424a860ad7deaee7c8e22e53eb (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-01-23T18:07:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) dissertacao_LQCC.pdf: 4320770 bytes, checksum: 507da0424a860ad7deaee7c8e22e53eb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-12-16 / CNPQ / In this MSc. Thesis we investigate the dynamical properties of dipole-like self-propelled particles and their abilities to transport otherwise passive matter. We use Brownian Dynamics, via the Langevin equation, to model the interaction between the particles and the solvent. First, we simulated various sets of parameters, mapping the resulting structures formed by the magnetic active particles for several values of dipole moment and external field. Then, we analysed how these structures could aid in the transport of passive particles. We found that in dilute regimes, the preeminent cause of transport was the head-on collisions between active and passive particles, resulting in a large gap in the mean squared velocity of the two kinds of matter. In dense systems, we observed a freezing of the active-passive ensemble in systems with a low dipole moment, while particles with high dipolar moment could form veins in the crystal, and even separate into distinct regions. We also studied the magnetic active matter whose magnetic moment direction was orthogonal to that of its self-propulsion. We observed a new mechanism of transport arise, where the active particles would envelope and sweep the passive particles. This proved to be the most efficient method of transport of passive matter by self-propelled particles in dilute regimes, resulting in mean squared velocities six times larger than those obtained for parallel active particles. / Nesta dissertação, nós investigamos partículas dipolares auto-propulsoras, suas propriedades dinâmicas e sua capacidade de transportar matéria passiva. Nós utilizamos Dinâmia Browniana, através da equação de Langevin, para modelar a interação entre as partículas e o solvente. Inicialmente nós simulamos o sistema para vários conjuntos de parâmetros e mapeamos os diversos valores dos momentos de dipolo e campo externo às estruturas formadas pelas partículas magnéticas. Analisamos então como estas estruturas poderiam ser utilizadas no transporte de matéria passiva. Nós descobrimos que no regime diluído, a causa mais proeminente de transporte era a colisão direta entre as partículas passivas e ativas, resultando em uma grande diferença entre a velocidade média quadrática entre os dois tipos de partícula. Em casos densos, nós observamos uma cristalização em sistemas com momento de dipolo pequeno, enquanto partículas com alto momento de dipolo podiam formar veias no cristal, e até se separar em regiões distintas. Nós também estudamos matéria ativa cuja direção do momento de dipolo era ortogonal à direção de auto-propulsão. Nós observamos o surgimento de um novo mecanismo de transporte, no qual a partículas ativas envolvem e varrem as partículas passivas. Esta provou ser a forma mais eficiente de transporte de matéria passiva em regimes dilutos, resultando em velocidade médias quadráticas até seis vezes maiores que aquelas obtidas quando a direção do momento de dipolo e a direção da auto-propulsão eram paralelos.

Orientador: Licio Augusto Velloso / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-07T01:56:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Calegari_VivianCristine_D.pdf: 2365593 bytes, checksum: 17171722b251d41a9c53c2c50de4723d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: O hormônio angiotensina II (ANGII) através de seu receptor AT1 é capaz de ativar a via de sinalização JAK/STAT. Estudos demonstram que esta via encontra-se hiper-ativada durante o desenvolvimento da hipertensão. Os mecanismos pelos quais esta via é regulada pela ANGII ainda não foram totalmente elucidados. Relatos demonstram que hormônios, citocinas e fatores de crescimento que transduzem seus sinais através da via JAK/STAT, acabam por induzir a expressão de proteínas da família SOCS e que estas, por sua vez, promovem a regulação do sinal de seus indutores. Estudos epidemiológicos demonstram que a hipertensão é um dos mais importantes fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento da resistência à insulina (RI). Embora seja conhecido que a ANGII apresenta importante papel no desenvolvimento da hipertensão e da RI, uma vez que a inibição de sua ação, não somente reduz a pressão sanguínea como também melhora a sensibilidade à insulina em indivíduos hipertensos e resistentes à insulina, muito pouco é conhecido sobre os mecanismos moleculares pelos quais este hormônio pode causar RI. No presente estudo, examinamos o papel da ANGII sobre os mecanismos de ativação e regulação da via JAK/STAT em coração de ratos Wistar adultos (RWA) e em cardiomiócitos ventriculares isolados de ratos neonatos (CVIN). Nossos resultados revelaram que, após a ligação da ANGII ao receptor AT1, ocorre ativação de JAK2 e STAT1 e, subsequentemente, a expressão de SOCS3 é induzida. Verificamos ainda que a ativação da via JAK/STAT e a expressão de SOCS3 são dependentes da ativação de AT1 pela ANGII e que a expressão de c-jun pode ser induzida também pelo receptor AT2. Além disso, observamos que SOCS3 pode participar do mecanismo de desensibilização ou refratariedade do sinal da ANGII através da via JAK/STAT como demonstrado pelo seu bloqueio com oligonucleotídeo antisense contra SOCS3 (AS SOCS3). Também investigamos se a proteína SOCS3, induzida por ANGII, pode participar do cros-talk molecular entre o sinal da ANGII e da insulina. Observamos que o tratamento com ANGII causa queda significativa na atividade de proteínas da via PI 3-K/AKT da insulina e que SOCS3, induzida por ANGII, associa-se a IR, IRS1 e IRS2. O uso de AS SOCS3 restaura os níveis de fosforilação em tirosina de IRS1 e IRS2 induzidos pela insulina, aumenta a associação entre IRS1 e IRS2 com PI 3-K, e a subseqüente atividade desta enzima e da proteína AKT e leva a um aumento na translocação de GLUT4 para a membrana celular. O presente estudo demonstra, pela primeira vez, que o hormônio ANGII é capaz de induzir a expressão de uma proteína supressora da sinalização das citocinas, SOCS3, e que esta proteína, além de participar do controle das ações fisiológicas de seu indutor, também participa do cros-talk negativo entre o sinal de dois hormônios, ANGII e insulina, podendo se constituir, desta forma, em mais um mecanismo de interconexão entre hipertensão arterial e RI e/ou diabetes mellitus tipo II / Abstract: Intracellular interactions between different signaling systems may function as mechanisms for enhancing or counter-regulating hormone action. The hormone angiotensin II (ANGII) is involved in the development of both, hypertension and insulin resistance. Several studies demonstrate that in signaling systems that use the JAK/STAT pathway, proteins of the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family participate in signal regulation. In the present study we demonstrate that ANGII is able to activate the JAK/STAT pathway and, subsequently, the expression of SOCS3. SOCS3 is constitutively expressed at a low level in the heart of rats and neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. ANGII, at a physiological concentration, enhances the expression of SOCS3 mRNA and protein, mainly via AT1 receptors. After induction, SOCS3 associates with JAK2 and impairs further activation of the JAK2/STAT1 pathway. Pretreatment of rats with a specific phosphorthioate antisense oligonucleotide against SOCS3, reverses the desensitization to angiotensin signaling, as detected by a fall in c-jun expression after repetitive infusions of the hormone. We also demonstrate the interaction of ANGII-induced SOCS3 with the insulin signaling pathway in cardiac tissue in vivo and in isolated cell system. ANGII-induced SOCS3 interacts with the IR, JAK2, IRS1 and IRS2. The inhibition of SOCS-3 expression by antisense oligonucleotide partially restores the ANGII-induced inhibition of insulin-induced IR, IRS- 1 and IRS-2 tyrosine phosphorylation, IRS1 and IRS2 association with p85- phosphatidylinositol 3-quinase and AKT [Ser473] serine phosphorylation. Moreover, the inhibition of SOCS3 expression partially reverses ANGII- induced inhibition of insulinstimulated GLUT-4 translocation to the cell membrane. Thus, ANGII-induced SOCS3 in rat heart and neonatal rat ventricular myocytes may actively participate in the control of the ANGII signaling, and also, as a late event, in the negative cross-talk between ANGII and insulin signaling pathways / Doutorado / Medicina Experimental / Doutor em Fisiopatologia Medica

Magnetic random­access memory (MRAM) devices have been widely studied since the 1960s. During this time, the size of spintronic devices has continued to decrease. Conse quently, there is now an urgent need for new low­dimensional magnetic materials to mimic the traditional structures of spintronics at the nanoscale. We also require new effective mechanisms to conduct the main functions of memory devices, which are: reading, writ ing, and storing data. To date, most research efforts have focused on MRAM devices based on magnetic tun nel junction (MTJ), such as a conventional field­driven MRAM and spin­transfer torque (STT)­MRAM devices. Consequently, many efforts are currently focusing on new alterna tives using different techniques, such as spin­orbit torque (SOT) and magnetic skyrmions (a skyrmion is the smallest potential disruption to a uniform magnet required to obtain more effective memory devices). The most promising memory devices are SOT­MRAMs and skyrmion­based memories. This study investigates the magnetic properties of 1T­phase vanadium dichalcogenide (VXY) Janus monolayers, where X, Y= S, Se, or Te (i.e., monolayers that exhibit inversion symme try breaking due to the presence of different chalcogen elements). This study is developed along four directions: (I) the nature of the magnetism and the SOT effect of Janus mono layers; (II) the Dzyaloshinskii Moriya interaction (DMI); (III) investigation of stability en hancement by adopting practical procedures for industry; and (IV) study of the effect of a hexagonal boron nitride (h­BN) monolayer as an insulator on the magnetism of the VXY monolayer. This study provides a clear perspective for the next generation of memory de vices, such as SOT­MRAMs based on transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers.

The number of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) used in organizations is increasing. Without careful management, this trend can have sever consequences for organizations as it easily can fragment the business communication. A promising approach to manage these ICTs is to integrate them into a single medium so to ease the communication within and between organizations. The open source project Janus introduces new ways to communicate between legacy protocols and the real-time communication API Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC). This master thesis addresses how this WebRTC-based implementation can communicate with an IP video door system. In particular, a minimal front-end solution has been implemented and evaluated. The implementation allows the user to make a call, get notified in the communication tool (both visually and auditory), have a two-way audio call, and see the video stream from the video door system. An objective WebRTC-based quality assessment, focusing on Quality of Experience (QoE), has been conducted on the implementation. As part of this assessment, we used the WebRTC-internals tool to collect receiver-relevant video attributes. A QoE-focused comparison to a light-weight Kurento client implementation was also performed. The results show that our Janus implementation and setting is feasible, aside from the periodic bandwidth drops, and outperforms Kurento in the defined QoE attributes.

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Thermoelectric semiconductors can convert temperature differences into electricity or electricity into temperature differences. This offers great potential for the use of wasted heat or cooling. These materials can be used in a variety of fields, from healthcare to space exploration. The effectiveness of the materials is evaluated by their thermoelectric properties such as the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity. The aim of this PhD thesis is to investigate the electronic structure using first-principle methods for potential thermoelectric applications. Materials of interest include Copper and Tin based ternary /quaternary compounds, and monolayers of SnS2, SnSe2 and Janus SnSSe. Density functional theory, ab initio molecular dynamics and Boltzmann transport theory are used to study the electronic and phonon transport properties. In the first part of the thesis, electronic structure calculations were performed on both monoclinic and disordered cubic forms of Cu2SnS3(CTS). The impact of structural disorder on thermoelectric properties was examined through these simulations. The results, obtained through first-principle calculations, revealed the existence of band tails in the electronic density of states for the disordered structure, and low-lying optical modes in the disordered cubic structure. This was found to be caused by a significant variation in Sn bonding, leading to strong anharmonicity as measured by the Grüneisen parameter. The findings from the first principle calculations were supported by Nuclear inelastic scattering experiments. Furthermore, the effect of grain size on Cu2SnS3 was studied using first-principles calculations on various ordered and disordered surfaces. The density of states (DOS) revealed that the surface of CTS is conductive due to the presence of dangling bonds. Furthermore, calculations of the formation energy showed that the stoichiometric CTS, Cu-vacant and Cu-rich systems are energetically more favourable, while the formation of Sn-vacant and Sn-rich systems is less likely. In the subsequent study, the impact of Ag substitution at the Sn site at various concentrations was investigated. The Fermi level for Ag-substituted systems was found to lie deep within the valence band, with the shift of the Fermi level inside the valence band increasing with substitution increasing the carrier concentration. The incorporation of Ag into the system decreases the root mean squared displacement of the other cations and anions, which reduces the scattering of phonons and thereby increases the lattice thermal conductivity. A comparative study of various polymorphs of CTS, Cu2ZnSnS4 and Cu2ZnSnSe4 was done. Ab-initio molecular dynamics was performed on CTS, CZTS and CZTSe. The root mean squared displacement value for the disordered polymorph was higher than for the ordered phase, indicating increased static disorder. This corresponds to the static (temperature-independent) distortion of the crystalline lattice due to the disorder of the cations and is associated with higher anharmonicity and bond inhomogeneity in the disordered phase, which is then directly responsible for the ultra-low thermal conductivity. In the final part of the thesis, thermoelectric properties of dichalcogenide monolayer of SnS2, SnSe2 and Janus SnSSe was performed. Density functional theoretical calculations points out the hexagonal Janus SnSSe monolayer as a potential high-performing thermoelectric material. Results for the Janus SnSSe monolayer show an ultra-low thermal conductivity originating from the low group velocity of the low-lying optical modes, leading to superior zT values of 0.5 and 3 at 300 K and 700 K for the p-type doping, respectively. The successful calculation of properties for materials shows that the computational work done in this thesis can be used for further research into thermoelectricity.

L’électrochimie bipolaire est un phénomène générant une réactivité asymétrique à la surface d’objets conducteurs, sans contact électrique direct. Ce concept est basé sur le fait que lorsqu’un objet conducteur est localisé dans un champ électrique, il se polarise. Par conséquent, une différence de potentiel est générée entre ses deux extrémités, et peut être utilisée pour induire des réactions redox localisées. Dans cette thèse, l’utilisation de l’électrochimie bipolaire pour la science des matériaux et pour la locomotion d’objets est présentée.Jusqu’à présent, la plupart des méthodes ou procédés utilisés pour générer des objets asymétriques,appelés aussi objets « Janus », nécessitent l’introduction d’une interface pour briser la symétrie. Nous avons développé une nouvelle approche basée sur l’électrodéposition bipolaire pour générerce type d’objet en grande quantité. Grâce à cette technologie différents matériaux tels que des métaux, des polymères et des semi‐conducteurs ont pu être déposés sur diverses particulesconductrices. Il a été aussi démontré que l’électrochimie bipolaire pouvait être utilisée pour lamicrostructuration de substrats conducteurs.Nous avons induit des mouvements à des objets conducteurs en exploitant le phénomèned’électrochimie bipolaire. Certains objets Janus synthétisés par l’approche précédente ont pu être utilisés comme micronageurs. La brisure de symétrie qui est générée par l’électrochimie bipolaire peut être aussi utilisée directement pour générer un mouvement de particules isotropes. En employant ce concept, nous avons pu provoquer des mouvements de translation, rotation et lévitation pour des particules de carbones ou métalliques. / The phenomenon of bipolar electrochemistry generates an asymmetric reactivity on the surface ofconductive objects in a wireless manner. This concept is based on the fact that when a conducingobject is placed in an electric field, it gets polarized. Consequently, a potential difference appearsbetween its two extremities, that can be used to drive localized redox reactions. In the presentthesis, bipolar electrochemistry was used for material science and the locomotion of objects.So far, the majority of methods and processes used for the generation of asymmetric objects, alsocalled “Janus” objects, is based on using interfaces to break the symmetry. We developed a newapproach based on bipolar electrodeposition for generating this type of objects in the bulk. Using thistechnology, various materials like metals, polymers and semiconductors could be deposited ondifferent types of conducting particles. We also showed that bipolar electrochemistry can be used forthe microstructuration of conducting substrates.Motion generation by bipolar electrochemistry has also been demonstrated. Some of the Janusobjects synthesized by the previous approach can be used as microswimmers. The asymmetricreactivity that is induced by bipolar electrochemistry can also be used directly to generate motion ofnon‐hybrid objects. With this concept we induced translations, rotations and levitations of carbonand metal particles.

L’utilisation des nanoparticules Janus pour la délivrance de médicaments suscite un grand intérêt depuis quelques années. Cependant, beaucoup d’aspects sont encore à comprendre dans la préparation de tels systèmes, notamment en présence de principes actifs.Le but de cette thèse était d’étudier des nanoparticules compartimentées Janus (JNP) constituées d’excipients lipidiques, et principalement de glycérides polyoxyéthylénés. Les objectifs étaient, d’une part, une meilleure compréhension de la structure et de la physico-chimie de ces objets puis, d’autre part, leur utilisation contre Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).Ces JNP sont produites facilement par un procédé d’homogénéisation haute pression qui a permis de fabriquer des lots allant de 10 mL à 1 L. Elles ont été caractérisées par cryo-microscopie, calorimétrie, diffraction des rayons X, diffusion quasi-élastique de la lumière notamment et ont montrées une très grande stabilité physique sur plus d’un an. Les résultats les plus intéressants ont été obtenus avec une formulation contenant 20% de phase lipidique (Labrafil® M1944CS ou Labrafil® M2125CS) et 3% d’un mélange de tensioactifs (Gelucire® 50/13 – Phospholipon® 90G 2:1 en masse). Diverses expériences autour de la formulation et du procédé ont permis d’identifier certains paramètres critiques, notamment la nature de la phase lipidique, l’ordre d’incorporation des excipients ou le taux de diesters de PEG 1500.Des essais d’encapsulation dans ces JNP et de protection d’un principe actif instable en milieu acide, l’érythromycine, ont également été menés. Les nanodispersions formées, physiquement stable pendant au moins 6 mois, avaient une taille de l’ordre de 150 nm et une distribution de taille unimodale. Des tests in vitro ont montré que l’érythromycine encapsulé gardait son efficacité anti-microbienne et était plus stable en milieu acide. Par contre, les nanoparticules ont perdu leur compartimentation en présence d’érythromycineEnfin, des études ont été menées pour comprendre l’influence de l’incorporation de principes actifs (API) sur le procédé. Ainsi, il a été montré que l’ajout de caféine, chloroxylénol, quercétine et tricloasan dans la formulation n’altérait pas la morphologie des JNP contrairement à l’érythromycine et à la dioxybenzone dans une moindre mesure.L’ensemble de ces résultats a montré que les nanoparticules compartimentées Janus sont des systèmes prometteurs de transport et de protection de principes actifs. / The use of Janus nanoparticles (JNPs) as constituent of drug delivery formulations has been a topic of considerable interest for the past several years. However, the formation of vesicles and nanoparticle-associated drug/active are still unclear.The aim of the present study was a physicochemical characterization of lipid nanodispersions based on polyoxylglycerides, especially focused on lipid-based JNPs. The experiments should lead to a better understanding of structure and behavior of the very interesting carrier system on Helicobacter pylori (the abbreviation is H. pylori).The multicompartment lipid-based JNPs were produced easily at small (10 to 50 ml/batch) and large scale (1 liter/batch) by hot high pressure homogenization method. Samples were very well long-time stable for at least over 12 months with respect to particle size, DSC, XRD, and special particle morphology characteristics. Especially for particles containing 20% of lipid phase (Labrafil® M1944CS or Labrafil® M2125CS) and surfactant mixture of Gelucire® 50/13 – Phospholipon® 90G (2:1), strong adhesion could be observed in the studies by cryo-TEM technique. By changing the formulation components and process parameters, data showed that the formation of the multicompartment lipid-based JNPs depended on the using of suitable oil phase with the surfactant mixture and the method to produce the vesicles under the identified conditions.We also successfully prepared the stable nanodispersions to protect a labile antibiotic, erythromycin. The mean diameter of the ERY-loaded nanodispersions was found approximately 150 nm, and the size distribution was unimodal. The system was physically stable at room temperature for over six months. The test of antimicrobial activity in vitro on H. pylori showed that not only the preparation process did not reduce the antimicrobial activity of erythromycin, but also the stability of erythromycin was also improved in acidic environment.Furthermore, the properties of APIs loaded into the blank vesicles also affected their particle morphologies. We achieved the nanoparticles like JNPs when loading caffeine, chloroxylenol, quercetin, and triclosan into the vesicles. These results demonstrated that the multicompartment lipid-based JNPs are a promising carrier to protect unstable APIs and enhance their stability and solubility, despite the changes in the structure of the JNPs when incorporating with erythromycin or dioxybenzone.

Cette étude a pour objectif de comprendre comment les effets de température, de cinétiques de croissance, ou les effets d’environnement peuvent influencer la structure (cristalline ou non cristalline) et la configuration chimique (mélange/ ségrégation/ séparation de phase) de nanoparticules supportées d’Ag et de CoAg. Pour cela, des nanoparticules de CoAg de différentes tailles et compositions ont été préparées par condensation sous ultravide selon différents modes de croissance (co-dépôt ou dépôts séquentiels des deux métaux). Afin d’accéder à l’ensemble des caractéristiques des nanoparticules, des techniques complémentaires ont été couplées: la diffusion de rayons X aux petits et aux grands angles en incidence rasante et les techniques de microscopie en mode d’imagerie haute résolution ou filtrée en énergie. L’analyse préliminaire de particules d’Ag a montré l’existence de structures cristallines et non cristallines (icosaédriques) pour les petites (2-2.5nm) et grandes tailles (6-8nm). Une dominance de la structure décaédrique a été montrée entre ces deux extrêmes. Cette dernière disparaît complètement lors de l’élaboration en température. Pour le système bimétallique Co-Ag, à température ambiante et indépendamment de la taille, de la composition et du mode d’élaboration, les nanoparticules présentent une ségrégation avec une configuration de type coeur d’argent entouré d’une coquille plus ou moins continue à base de Co métallique et d’oxyde de Co. Lorsque les échantillons sont soumis à un traitement thermique, une transition s’opère conduisant à une ségrégation plus importante de type Janus. / This study aims to understand how the temperature, the kinetic growth conditions or the environment can influence the structure (crystalline or non-crystalline) and the chemical order (mixing/ segregation/phase separation) of Ag and CoAg supported nanoparticles. Different samples of CoAg nanoparticles with different sizes and compositions were prepared by condensation under ultrahigh vacuum with different growth modes (co-deposition or sequential deposition of the two metals) and different thermal treatements. To access all the characteristics of the nanoparticles, complementary techniques were coupled: the X ray scattering at small and wide angles under grazing incident X Ray beam and the electron microscopy techniques: (high resolution and energy filtered modes). Preliminary analysis of Ag particles prepared at room temperature showed the existence of crystalline and non-crystalline (icosahedral) structures for small (2-2.5nm) and large sizes (6-8nm). A dominant feature of the decahedral structure was shown between these two extremes. This structure disappears completely when increasing elabration temperature. For the bimetallic Co-Ag system, at room temperature and independently of the size, composition and growth mode, the nanoparticles present a segregated configuration with a silver core surrounded by a more or less continuous shell, based on metallic Co or cobalt oxyde. After heating the samples, a transition takes place, leading to a more important segregation such as Janus one.