Dans le cadre d’une thèse en cotutelle qui a démarré en Janvier 2013, j'ai développé des biopuces ultra-sensibles pour la détection de maladies infectieuses (Tuberculose et Hepatite C). Ce sujet, qui combine recherche fondamentale et recherche appliquée dans pour le diagnostic précoce de maladies, avait pour but la détection rapide d’espèces chimiques fortement diluées dans un liquide biologique. Cette détection se fait de manière électrochimique, grâce à l’utilisation des nanomatériaux carbonés innovants (feuillets de graphène, nanotubes de carbone (NTCS)) qui sont dotés d’une conductivité électronique élevée. J’intègre ces nanomatériaux par des procédés de micro/nanofabrication sur des électrodes de travail dans des cellules microfluidiques. J'ai démontré qu'en combinant un haut flux et un transducteur en NTCs qu'il est possible d'augmenter de 3 ordres de grandeur la sensibilité de détection dans la chambre fluidique (article soumis à LoC). J'ai aussi étudié par spectroscopîe d'impédance la nature du transfert des charges entre l'électrolyte et la graphène (2ème article en cours de rédaction). Mon doctorat a donc validé une technologie innovante pour les biocapteurs miniaturisés à ADN, avec un fort potentiel de valorisation, dans le domaine de la santé et de l’environnement. / As part of my thesis under joint supervision between UPS and Sfax Universities which started in January 2013, I developed ultra-sensitive biochips for the detection of infectious diseases (Tuberculosis and Hepatitis C). This subject, which combines basic and applied research for the early detection of diseases, aimed rapid detection of highly diluted chemical species such as DNA in a biological fluid. This detection is done electrochemically, through the use of innovative carbon nanomaterials (graphene layers, carbon nanotubes (NTCS)) which are provided with a high electron conductivity. I have integrated these nanomaterials by micro / nano-fabrication processes on working electrodes in microfluidic cells. I demonstrated that by combining a high flow and a that CNTs as transducer, the sensitivity of detection in the fluid chamber can be increased by 3 orders of magnitude (Article submitted to Lab on Chip journal). I also studied by impedance spectroscopy the nature of the charge transfer between the electrolyte and the graphene (2nd article being drafted). My PhD has validated an innovative technology for miniaturized biosensors DNA, with a strong development potential in the field of health and the environment.

Orientador: Dorival Campos Rossi / Resumo: Há uma problemática imensa entre as produções e os consumos em nossa sociedade. Se o nosso desejo opera por produção, registro e consumo, nas sociedades pré-industriais eles eram esferas da mesma subjetividade, mas com o surgimento do ‘casa de ferreiro espeto é de pau’, dos modelos de produção da sociedade industrial, começou-se a fabricar aquilo que não se consumia, e começou a se produzir muito. O registro se estabeleceu pelas narrativas que nos são despejadas diariamente, e o consumo, ora, é só o que fazemos. Essa dissociação do processo do viver impera sobre nós limitações cruéis. Identificamos aqui nosso foco: a despotencialização da subjetividade pela expropriação da produção desejante de si, pela introjeção de consumos pelas vias do capitalismo mundial integrado e que se registra pela lógica do mais-valor. E assim apontamos nossa hipótese: de que a reapropriação de máquinas desejantes das mais diversas pela experiência do fazer será capaz de acordar o corpo, despertar a mente e reativar os mecanismos do desejo no sujeito despotencializado. O objetivo geral deste trabalho é compreender as forças repressivas que atuam sobre os corpos numa dita sociedade pós-industrial e neoliberal e apontar o movimento maker como um modo de subjetivação que nos permita enfrentar tais forças repressivas, encontrando nos FAB LABs, e principalmente na rede FAB LAB Livre da cidade de São Paulo, a primeira e única rede de laboratórios públicos do mundo, apontamentos sobre como o empoderamento... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: There is intense problem between production and consumption in our society. If our desire functions through production, registration and consumption, in the pre-industrial society these were all spheres within the same subjectivity, but with the appearance of the “the shoemaker’s son always goes barefoot”, the mode of production in the industrial society, were have started producing that which we do not consume. The record was established by the narratives that are poured onto us daily, and consumption, well, that is just what we do. This dissociation of the process of living, reigns over us setting its cruel boundaries. Here we identify our focus: the depotentialization of subjectivity by the expropriation of desiring production itself, by the introjection of consumption through the paths of integrated world capitalism and registered by surplus value logic. And so, propose our hypothesis: that the re-appropriation of the most diverse desiring machines by the experience of doing, will be able to wake the body, awaken the mind and reactivate the mechanisms of desire in the depotentialized subject. The general objective of this work is to comprehend the repressive forces that act over bodies in the so called post-industrial and neoliberal society and indicate the maker movement as the mode of subjectivation that allows us to face these repressive forces, finding in FAB LABs, and mainly in the FAB LAB Livre SP network, in São Paulo, the first and only public laboratories network... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Over the past 5 years, South Africa has been experiencing a severe drought. This has caused industrial and agricultural processes, to compete for a limited supply of water. Since the economy relies mostly on agricultural activities, water consumption by industrial processes is taking its toll. One of these processes is the introduction of wet flue gas desulphurization (FGD) treatment at Eskom coal fired power stations. This dissertation explores the possibility of using membrane technology as a means of water recovery after the coal combustion flue gas has been treated with wet FGD. A lab-scale permeance testing system was specially built and modified to have complete thermal control of the environment inside the system. The permeance testing system produced a gas, similar to that of a wet FGD treated flue gas, which was then tested. A tubular lab-scale membrane module was designed and produced for the permeance testing system. The permeance figures of both Nitrogen gas and water vapour were determined for the membrane used in module production. These figures coincided with figures provided by the supplier, which warranted successful permeance testing. After success of the lab-scale testing, the data was used to design and develop a pilot-scale membrane module. This module was designed to meet pre-determined requirements as set forth by the project team. Producing lab-scale membrane modules helped identify and address possible problems in pilot-scale module design. This lead to the successful design and construction of a pilot-scale membrane module that could be used to recover the water that is needed to run the wet FGD process.

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Book Summary: More is known about the behavior, anatomy, and molecular biology of the laboratory rat than any other animal species. Although its natural history and psychological functions have been described previously in books, this is the first comprehensive description of its behavior. Both seasoned and beginning investigators will be amazed at the range and complexity of the species as described in the 43 chapters of this volume. The behavioral descriptions are closely tied to the laboratory methods from which they were derived, thus allowing investigators to correlate the behavior and methods and exploit them in their own research. This book is aimed at investigators in neuroscience who may not be familiar with rat behavior, but who wish to incorporate behavioral studies into their own research. Nevertheless, seasoned investigators will also find the book to be a handy reference for behavioral paradigms with which they may not be familiar. It is expected that as the genetic and molecular understanding of the rat develops, there will be an increasing need for knowledge about rat behavior. This book will serve as an indispensable resource for neuroscientists, psychologists, pharmacologists, geneticists, molecular biologists, zoologists, and their students and trainees.

Developing microdevices on flexible material attracts scientific community to explore applications in different aspects of health and point of care diagnostics. Flexible substrates offer unique characteristics such as flexibility, stretchability, portability, low-cost, and simple fabrication. Fabrication of cost-effective paper-based analytical devices by wax printing has recently become popular using cellulose filter papers. Paper-based devices need higher temperature to form hydrophobic barrier across paper substrate, rely on large working channels (≥ 500 μm) for liquid handling, and exhibit lower efficiency (~50%) of sample mobility. Such limitations confine applications of wax-based fabrication. In this dissertation, we report printability, fidelity, and applications of wax micropatterns on polyethylene terephthalate-based substrate (PET), which is a a non-cellulosic, non-fibrous, and non-porous material. Resolution, sustainability against heat and biocompatibility was tested on wax micro-features. The patterned devices were explored for variety of applications.First, wax microwells on PET showed mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) self-renewal or direct differentiation. Second, microfluidic flow was demonstrated on wax printed microchannels on PET which was used to develop distance-based assay. Third, fluidic properties of trinucleotide repeat sequences were investigated on wax microchannels. Fourth, multilayer wax-on-plastic device was fabricated using wax printing with hand painting of conductive materials for electrochemical immunosensing.

Rapidly diagnosing the precise drug resistance present in sepsis-inducing bacteria is a continuing need to maintain the efficacy of our medical systems. Diagnostics currently being developed for such scenarios are either sensitive or rapid, but not both. Sequence-specific single DNA molecule analysis could fill this gap if it could be adapted to work on smaller targets, similar to those produced by classical biological methods. In this work, I demonstrate that immobilized ssDNA in the appropriate hybridization buffer can rapidly pull its complementary sequence out of solution. I also demonstrate that such systems in a microfluidic chip can be used to capture bacterial plasmids as a step toward subsequent multiplexed analysis. Finally, I demonstrate that a 120 bp double stranded polynucleotide with an overhanging single stranded 25 bp probe sequence can be modified with multiple fluorophores and used to label captured targets in a sequence-specific manner. This system shows that it is possible to label bacterial plasmids in a manner that can bridge the technological gap between single molecule counting and small oligonucleotide targets. Such a system can achieve lower limits of detection for clinically relevant samples while maintaining rapid processing times.

In recent years, the use of Anammox process for wastewater treatment has been thoroughly investigated. Currently, a major challenge is to use this process for the mainstream. The aim of this study is to find factors increasing efficiency of the deammonification process for nitrogen removal from mainstream wastewater in conditions of low ammonia concentration and low temperatures. Two types of lab-scale batch tests were done and obtained results were analysed separately. In the first lab-scale batch test suspended sludge was used and series of OUR tests were carried out. Inhibitors used during experiments were: FNA, FA, NaClO3, fresh UASB effluent and formic acid. The best results, after all tests obtained for using the free nitrous acid as an inhibitor. Results shows that NOB bacterial activity was inhibited, while AOB activity was still high. The second type of lab-scale batch test was used to check interactions between factors which have impact for the NOB suppression. Selected factors were: pH, DO and TAN and these factors were used to plan a series of experiments with MODDE application. After series of 34 experiments, results showed that this method is not effective for low concentrations of TAN and another, more efficient strategy is needed. New strategy should reduce the NOB activity or increase the activity of Anammox. It is difficult to find a good strategy to carry out this process because many factors are affecting it. Using the results, it is necessary to conduct further research, which will give indications to use the deammonification process for mainstream wastewater and will let to achieve good results.

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Background Drug utilization review (DUR) is a central role of the pharmacist, especially within the community pharmacy setting. Previous literature has shown risk of “alert fatigue”, supporting the necessity of pharmacists to utilize a step-wise approach in evaluation of drug therapy during the verification process. Many students are intimidated by this process, and may lack verification practice or experience until their first day as a licensed pharmacist. Educational Activity and Setting An innovative skills-based laboratory exercise was developed for third-year pharmacy students to develop DUR skills. Through simulation of patient prescriptions, profiles, and drug information resources, students were tasked with completing a DUR for each patient case. Students were expected evaluate the clinical significance of various drug-related problems, determine if they would or would not dispense the prescription, and were required to provide rationale for their decision. Findings This learning activity was well-received by the student population; however, students struggled with the volume of cases along with identifying a solution to the clinical scenario. On average, students required nine minutes per case, which is likely longer than community pharmacists can devote to a single DUR in practice. Discussion In response, to student challenges with the activity, the number of cases was condensed to highlight key concepts and cases that facilitated strong discussion. To improve students’ approach to the DUR process, faculty developed a vodcast to watch prior to the activity explaining a systematic approach to the DUR process as well as considerations a pharmacist should have. Summary Development and integration of an active-learning, simulated dispensing activity allowed students to gain valuable experience completing the DUR process, a foundational community pharmacy practice skill; however, repeated experience should be provided to ensure competency.