Orientadora: Lara Durães Sette / Coorientador: Henrique Ferreira / Banca: Mauricio Bacci Junior / Banca: Paula Maria Moreira Martins / Resumo: As lacases pertencem ao grupo das multicobre oxidases e o interesse biotecnológico por essas enzimas se deve ao fato delas catalisarem reações envolvendo diferentes compostos fenólicos e amínicos. A utilização diversificada dessas enzimas na indústria estimula a busca por lacases capazes de se adaptar aos diferentes processos industriais visando encontrar a relação de ótimo custo-benefício. O basidiomiceto de origem marinha Peniophora sp. CBMAI 1063, já demonstrou capacidade de secretar quantidades significativas de lacase sob condições otimizadas (salinas) para produção da enzima. As lacases desse organismo podem apresentar características diferenciadas devido a origem marinha do basidiomiceto. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo a obtenção das sequências de lacase do fungo Peniophora sp. CBMAI 1063 através da análise do transcriptoma, afim de realizar a caracterização in silico dessas sequências, análises filogenéticas, clonagem e expressão heteróloga. Foram obtidas 13 isoformas de lacase correspondente a 8 genes putativos para a enzima, das 13 isoformas, 11 foram referentes a lacases extracelulares e 2 intracelulares. Todas as isoformas apresentaram-se ricas em conteúdo GC (> 52 %) sendo os aminoácidos Valina, Leucina, Serina, Ácido aspártico e Treonina os mais representativos na composição polipeptídica. A massa das lacases variou entre 53,5 e 64,6 kDa. Nove isoformas apresentaram o aminoácido Leucina e 4 isoformas apresentaram o aminoácido Fenilalanina na posição variável ligado ao cobre tipo 1 que possui atividade regulatória sobre a enzima. Nenhuma das isoformas apresentou similaridade maior a 57% em relação à outras sequências de lacases depositadas no NCBI e, portanto, demonstraram ser potencialmente diferentes das lacases ... (Resumo completo clicaracesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Laccases belong to the group of multicobre oxidases and the biotechnological interest in these enzymes is due to the fact that they catalyze reactions involving different phenolic and amine compounds. The diverse use of these enzymes in the industry stimulates the search for laccases able to adapt to different industrial processes seeking to find the optimum cost-benefit ratio. The marine-derived basidiomycete Peniophora sp. CBMAI 1063, has demonstrated ability to secrete significant amounts of laccase under optimized conditions (salt) for the enzyme production. Laccases from this organism could present different characteristics due to its marine origin. The present study aimed to obtain the laccase sequences from the fungus Peniophora sp. CBMAI 1063 by transcriptome analysis in order to perform characterization of these sequences in silico, phylogenetic analysis, cloning and heterologous expression. A total of 13 laccase isoforms were obtained corresponding to eight putative genes for the enzyme. Among the 13 isoforms, eleven were related to extracellular laccases and two to intracellular. All isoforms showed abundance in GC content (> 52 %) with the amino acid Valine, Leucine, Serine, Threonine Aspartic Acid as the most representative in the polypeptide composition. The mass of laccases varied between 53.5 and 64.6 kDa. Nine isoforms showed the amino acid Leucine and four isoforms showed the amino acid Phenylalanine in the variable position on the copper type 1 which has regulatory activity on the enzyme. None of the isoforms showed a similarity over to 57% compared to other laccases sequences deposited in the NCBI and therefore shown to be potentially different from laccases from other marine and terrestrial basidiomycetes. The cloning of a DNA fragment that encodes laccase from Peniophora sp. 1063 CBMAI allowed ... (Complete abstract click electronic below) / Mestre

Orientador: Maurício Bacci Júnior / Banca: Andre Rodrigues / Banca: Paulo Sérgio Moreira Carvalho de Oliveira / Banca: André Luiz Meleiro Porto / Banca: Marisa de Cássia Piccolo / Resumo: Formigas Attini constroem ninhos que contêm culturas microbianas, os jardins de fungo, para lidar com o ambiente. O cultivo, conhecido como agricultura, é dividido em três grupos filogenéticos majoritários: um plesiomórfico, nomeado basal, com centenas de indivíduos; outro derivado, com milhares de indivíduos; e um subgrupo da agricultura derivada, conhecido como de corte de folhas, com milhões de indivíduos. A sobrevivência e demografia do ninho dependem da habilidade do jardim de fungo em disponibilizar alimentos na forma de biomassa microbiana e açúcares resultantes da hidrólise dos polissacarídeos presentes no material forrageado. O presente trabalho estudou as características funcionais de 342 jardins de fungo de oito espécies de formigas representantes destes três grupos. Para tanto, os sistemas foram generalizados em compartimentos conectados por vetores de fluxos e abordados de forma holística, segundo estratégia da caixa preta, utilizando técnicas respirométricas, enzimológicas e espectroscópicas para caracterizar a biocinética, atividades enzimáticas, produtos de hidrólise e substrato, respectivamente. As avaliações do substrato indicaram substituição de material de serapilheira recalcitrante nos sistemas basais para menos recalcitrante nos derivados e vegetação fresca, rica em produtos facilmente degradáveis, nos de corte de folhas. Esta alteração foi acompanhada pela transição de um sistema enzimático generalista basal para um sistema potente especializado na degradação de amido e hemiceluloses nos derivados e de corte de folhas. As taxas de acúmulo de xilose e glicose aumentaram dos basais para os derivados, sendo maiores nos de corte de folhas. Somente nestes últimos, o acúmulo de xilose superou o de glicose. A resposta respirométrica da microbiota também mostrou a especialização no consumo de xilose pelos grupos de corte de folhas. Assim, embora a especialização enzimática tenha... / Abstract: Attine ants build nests containing microbial cultures named fungus gardens to deal with the environment.The cultivation, or agriculture, is divided into three major phylogenetic groups: lower, with hundreds of individuals; higher with thousands of individuals; and the higher subgroup of leafcutters with millions of individuals. The demography of nests and ant survival depend on the ability of the microbiota in providing nutrients to the nest from materials foraged by ants. This work comparatively studied the functional characteristics of 342 fungus gardens from 8 species of ants representing these three major groups. A holistic strategy was applied to deal with these issues. Each system was generalized in compartments connected by vectors of flows and studied according to a black box approach using respirometric, enzymological and spectroscopic techniques to characterize substrates, hydrolysis products, enzymatic activity and biokinetics of each fungus garden. The evaluation of the substrate indicated replacement of high recalcitrant litter materials used in the lower group by less recalcitrant materials in higher group and fresh vegetation rich in easily degradable products in leaf-cutters. This change correlated positively with the exchange of a general enzyme system observed in the lower group to a more powerful and specialized enzyme system directed to the degradation of starch and hemicellulose in higher and leaf-cutters groups. Accumulation rates of xylose exceeded glucose only in leaf-cutters indicating preference for hemicelluloses. The physiological profile of the microbiota follows the modifications related to the product generated, starting from a lower generalist system to a leaf-cutter specialist in xylose. Thus, the physiological consequences of enzyme specialization observed in higher systems appeared only inleaf-cutters. This result is linked to the use of fresh substrate rich in hemicelluloses. The changes were accompanied... / Doutor

Neste trabalho foi estudado o crescimento de fibras monocristalinas de LiYF4 (YLF) dopadas com Er3+ ou Nd3+ pelo método de micro-pulling-down (-PD) no modo resistivo. Para otimização do processo de crescimento foi, desenvolvida nova metodologia de confecção de cadinhos, de forma a torná-los mais rígidos permitindo sua utilização em mais de uma experiência, aumentando a reprodutibilidade do processo. A câmara de crescimento também foi modificada para obtenção de vácuo da ordem de 10-7 torr. Devido ao tratamento térmico do sistema sob alto vácuo, antes da fusão do material, não foram observados transientes iniciais no processo de puxamento das fibras de YLF dopadas. Foram crescidas fibras de YLF:Nd com concentrações de 0,5, 1 e 1,5 mol% e fibras de YLF:Er com 1, 10, 20 mol %, com diâmetros da ordem de 0,7 mm e comprimentos de até 120mm. Devido a problemas mecânicos do sistema, o ancoramento das fibras, ou seja, o equilíbrio na interface sólidoliquido, mostrou-se muito difícil, sendo necessárias várias correções nos parâmetros de crescimento para estabilização da interface sólido-líquido resultando na formação de defeitos, principalmente na superfície, em regiões ao longo das fibras. Nas condições do presente estudo, o uso de uma atmosfera estática mostrou-se desfavorável. Testes de ganho efetuados com a fibra de YLF:Nd dopada com 1,5mol%, mostraram um ganho superior às perdas comprovando seu potencial para ação laser. / In the present work, we studied the growth of single crystal fibers of LiYF4 (YLF) doped with Er3+ or Nd3+ by the resistive micro-pulling-down (-PD) tecnhique. A new method for crucible preparation was developed to improve the growth process. The use of better-built crucibles allows their use in more than one experiment, increasing the process reproducibility. The growth chamber was also modified to achieve vacuum of approximately 10-7 torr. The previous thermal treatment under high vacuum before charge melting eliminate the initial transient reported in previous works of YLF doped fibers growth. Single crystal fibers of YLF:Nd (0.5, 1 e 1.5 mol%) and YLF:Er (1, 10 and 20 mol %), with 0.7 mm diameters and up to 120mm of length were grown. Mechanical problems in the micro-PD system equipment made difficult the control of the solid-liquid interface, and several corrections on the experimental parameters were necessary during the growth process, resulting in defects formation, mainly on the fibers surface. In the experimental conditions of this work, the use of a static atmosphere showed not appropriate for elimination of spurious contamination from ambient atmosphere. The Nd:YLF (1.5mol%) fiber demonstrated a gain higher that the losses, demonstrating the viability for laser action.

Objetivo: avaliar cor, brilho, rugosidade e alterações ultraestruturais do esmalte dental clareado com peróxido de hidrogênio a 35 %, submetido ao tratamento prévio com agente desproteinizante, ou ao tratamento posterior com o agente remineralizador fosforopeptídeo de caseína/fosfato de cálcio amorfo (ACP-CPP). Material e Métodos: Os grupos experimentais foram: GC (controle/consultório): H2O2 a 35 % - 4 sessões de 8 min; GE1 (primer+consultório): NaOCl 5,25 % por 1 min, aplicação do H2O2 a 35 % como no GC; e GE2 (consultório+ACP): GC + ACP-CPP diariamente por 7 dias. Fragmentos contendo esmalte e dentina (n=8), obtidos de dentes bovinos, foram utilizados para avaliar cor, brilho e a rugosidade. Alteração de cor (E), parâmetros L* e b* foram determinados com colorímetro e o brilho superficial com glossímetro antes, imediatamente após (1h), 4 e 7 dias após o tratamento. Parâmetros de rugosidades, Ra, Rt e RSm, foram obtidos com perfilômetro de contato antes, imediatamente após o tratamento e 7 dias após os tratamentos. Os resultados de E, brilho superficial e rugosidade foram avaliados separadamente usando ANOVA 2 fatores e teste de Tukey (p=0,05). Para avaliar a alteração ultraestrutural, dentes pré-molares humanos, seccionados nos sentidos vestibulo-lingual e mesio distal foram observados em microscópio eletrônico de varredura, por emissão de campo, e realizada a quantificação de elementos químicos por EDS. Análise tridimensional da estrutura do esmalte foi realizada por microtomografia computadorizada (micro-CT) com resolução 11,24 m (n=8). Foram realizadas análises dos parâmetros estruturais: espessura estrutural (St.Th.), separação estrutural (St.Sp.) e índice de fragmentação (Fr.I.) antes e após os tratamentos em duas regiões: ROI 1= 56,2 m e ROI 2= 110,2 m, ambas a partir da superfície vestibular. Foi utilizado o teste t pareado para análise estatística de cada parâmetro estrutural. Resultados: Não houve diferença estatística entre os diferentes tratamentos de superfície para E, Ra e RSm. Imediatamente após o clareamento (1h) ocorreu maior aumento do L* e queda do brilho superficial que se manteve por 7 dias. O uso de agente desproteinizante em dentes bovinos não acentuou a redução do brilho do esmalte, mas a aplicação de ACP-CPP acarretou em maior perda brilho e aumento nos valores de rugosidade após 7 dias para Rt. A aplicação do agente desproteinizante previamente ao clareamento em dente humano revelou uma superfície mais lisa, sem alterar os parâmetros estruturais. Há uma maior quantidade de cálcio, formação de um manto de recobrimento após aplicação de ACP-CPP em torno dos prismas de esmalte, aumento de St.Th de 4,1m, menor espaçamento entre os cristais de hidroxiapatita e redução de St.Sp em 0,8 m e de Fr.I em 0,01 no ROI-1 após 7 dias. Conclusão: O uso de agente desproteinizante não altera a cor, brilho e a ultraestrutura inorgânica. A aplicação de ACP-CPP após a técnica de clareamento de consultório não contribui para alteração de cor, mas reduz o brilho e altera a ultraestrutura da porção mais externa do esmalte após 7 dias / Purpose: To evaluate color, gloss, roughness and ultrastructural changes of enamel bleached with 35% hydrogen peroxide, subjected to previous treatment with deproteinized agent, or later treatment with remineralizing agent casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP). Materials and Methods: The experimental groups were: GC (control + in-office): 35% H2O2 - 4 sessions of 8 min; GE1(primer+in-office): 5.25% NaOCl during 1 min before the application of 35% H2O2 as done in GC, and GE2 (in-office+ACP-CPP): GC + ACP-CPP, daily applied during 7 days. Enamel and dentin blocks (n=8), obtained from bovine tooth, were used to evaluate color, gloss and roughness. Color changes (E), L* and b* parameters were done with a colorimeter and surface gloss with a glossimeter, before, immediately after (1h), 4 and 7 days after treatment. Roughness parameters, Ra, RT and Rsm, were done with a contact perfilometer before, immediately after and 7 days after treatments. ANOVA two-way and Tukeys test were performed to evaluate E, gloss and roughness separately (p=0.05). To access human pre-molar ultrastructural changes, teeth were cross-sectioned buccal-lingual and disto-mesio observed by scanning electron microscope, field emission gun, EDS to quantify chemical elements. Enamel three-dimensional images were analysed with microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) with resolution 11,24m (n=8). Structural parameters were analyzed: structural thickness (St.Th.), structural separation (St.Sp.) and fragmentation index (Fr.I.) before and after treatments in two regions of interest:ROI 1= 56,2m and ROI 2= 110,2 m, both from buccal surface. Paired t-test was done for analyses of each structural parameter. Results: There was no statistical difference among surface treatments to E, Ra and Rsm. Immediately after bleaching (1h) occured highest L* increase and decrease of surface gloss which remained until 7 days. Deproteinized agent applied on bovine tooth not emphasized enamel gloss reduction, but the CPP-ACP has resulted in a higher gloss reduction and roughness increase (Rt parameter) after 7 days. Deproteinized agent application previous to in- office bleaching observed a smooth surface, without structural parameters changes. There is a greater calcium quantity, forming a cover mantle after CPP-ACP application around enamel prisms, St.Th increase of 4,1m, less spacing between hydroxyapatite crystals and reductions of St.Sp of 0,8 m and Fr.I of 0,01 on ROI-1 after 7 days. Conclusion: Application of deproteinized agent does not change bovine enamel color, gloss and human enamel inorganic ultrastructure. CPP-ACP application after in-office bleaching does not contribute to color change, but decrease gloss of bovine enamel and change human enamel outermost ultrastructure portion after 7 days.

L’anévrisme de l’aorte abdominale (AAA) représente un problème majeur de santé publique et est associé à des taux extrêmement élevés de mortalité en cas de rupture aortique. Il est classiquement associé à l’athérosclérose et aux facteurs de risque cardiovasculaires, à l’exception du diabète qui jouerait un rôle protecteur dans la maladie. Bien que certaines études aient montré une infiltration de macrophages et une modification de l’expression des micro-ARNs dans la paroi anévrismale, leurs rôles respectifs dans le développement de l’AAA ne sont pas encore totalement élucidés. Même si les modèles expérimentaux classiques sont utiles pour adresser cette question, ils ne miment pas parfaitement la physiopathologie humaine. Nous avons développé un nouveau modèle d’AAA associant application topique d’élastase et neutralisation systémique du TGFβ permettant de reproduire les principales caractéristiques de l’AAA humain et induisant une rupture aortique. Les objectifs de ce travail étaient de: -1/ Caractériser le phénotype des monocytes/ macrophages dans ce modèle murin d’AAA. -2/ D’étudier l’expression des micro-ARNs dans ce modèle. -3 / Les mécanismes impliqués dans la relation négative entre diabète et AAA étant à ce jour peu connus, le 3ème objectif était de mettre en place une étude clinique afin d’étudier l’expression des micro-ARNs chez des patients diabétiques ayant un AAA.L’application d’élastase associée à la neutralisation du TGFβ chez des souris C57/Bl6j entrainait une augmentation significative de la densité de macrophages infiltrés dans le tissu aortique anévrismal. L’analyse des tissus aortiques a montré des modifications significatives des marqueurs des macrophages pro-inflammatoires dits « M1 » et des marqueurs des macrophages impliqués dans la réparation tissulaire, dits « M2 ». Afin de mieux comprendre le rôle des macrophages dans ce modèle murin, des injections de clodronate ont été réalisées pour dépléter ces cellules. L’injection de clodronate diminuait de façon significative la dilatation anévrismale et prévenait la rupture. Ceci était associé à une préservation de la matrice extracellulaire et une modification de l’expression de certains marqueurs des macrophages, dont l’arginase-1 (ARG1), molécule impliquée dans la réparation tissulaire. La proportion de macrophages exprimant l’ARG1 augmentait en fonction de la sévérité de l’AAA. Enfin, la neutralisation du TGFβ induisait une diminution significative d’un type particulier de monocytes dits « Sat-Mono», impliqués dans la fibrose. Cette étude a ainsi montré le rôle des macrophages dans le développement et la rupture anévrismale avec une modification de leur phénotype. 752 micro-ARNs ont ensuite été analysés dans le tissu aortique, ce qui a permis d’identifier les micro-ARNs dont l’expression était modifiée dans ce modèle par rapport au groupe contrôle. Enfin, l’expression des micro-ARNs a été recherché chez l’homme en mettant en place une étude clinique. Bien que l’AAA chez l’homme soit classiquement associé à l’athérosclérose et aux facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire, il est paradoxalement négativement associé au diabète. Les mécanismes en cause sont encore peu connus. Nous avons comparé l’expression des micro-ARNs entre des patients diabétiques et non-diabétiques présentant un AAA. Cette étude pilote a permis d’identifier des cibles potentielles impliquées dans l’association négative entre diabète et AAA. / Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a major public health concern and is associated with extremely high rates of mortality in case of aortic rupture. AAA is most often associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk factors, except diabetes that may rather play a protective role in the disease. Even though several studies have highlighted an infiltration of macrophages and changes of the expression of micro-RNAs in the aneurysmal wall, their role in AAA is still not fully understood. While experimental animal models are very useful to address this question, none of them perfectly mimics human pathophysiology. We recently created a new murine model of AAA based on topic application of elastase on the aorta associated with systemic TGFβ neutralization which reproduces the main human features of AAA and leads to fatal aortic rupture. The aims of this study were: -1/ Characterize the phenotype of monocytes/ macrophages in this murine model of AAA. -2/ Study the expression of micro-RNAs in this model. -3/ As the mechanisms involved in the negative association between diabetes and AAA are still poorly known, the third goal was to mount a clinical study to compare the expression of micro-RNAs between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with AAA. Topic application of elastase associated with systemic TGFβ neutralization in C57/Bl6j male mice led to a significant increase of macrophage infiltration in the aneurysmal tissue. This was associated with changes of the gene expression of the markers of the pro-inflammatory macrophages, called “M1” and of the macrophages involved in wound healing, called “M2”. To investigate the role of macrophages in this model, we used liposomes containing clodronate injections to deplete these cells. This led to significant decrease of the aortic dilatation and prevented rupture. This was associated with a better preservation of the extracellular matrix and significant changes in the gene expression of the markers of macrophages including arginase-1 (ARG1), a molecule involved in would healing. The proportion of macrophages expressing ARG1 increased with the severity of the AAA. At last, TGFβ neutralization led to a significant decrease of a population of macrophages involved in fibrosis, called “Sat-Mono”. This study highlighted the role and the phenotypic changes of macrophages during AAA development. We then analyzed the expression of 752 micro-RNAs in the aneurysmal aortic tissue which allowed identifying the micro-RNAs whose expression varied in the murine model. At last, the expression of micro-RNAs was investigated in patients with AAA. We compared the expression of micro-RNAs between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with AAA. This pilot study led to the identification of micro-RNAs that could potentially represent new targets involved in the negative association between diabetes and AAA.

Plusieurs catégories de MEMS nécessitent un environnement sous vide pour fonctionner de manière optimale, tel le micro-bolomètre. Le fonctionnement optimal de ce détecteur, à la base des imageurs infrarouge non refroidis, nécessite qu’il soit thermiquement isolé, et donc qu’il évolue dans une atmosphère raréfiée (< 10-2 mbar). Le maintien sous vide d’une matrice bolométrique durant la durée de vie d'une dizaine d’années du composant est réalisé par une encapsulation dans un boîtier de très faible volume (de 0,5 à 30 µL).Cette encapsulation sous vide fait appel à deux techniques complémentaires : le scellement hermétique sous vide et l’intégration d’un dispositif d’absorption du gaz dans la cavité, appelé getter. La technique de scellement donnant un joint de scellement suffisamment hermétique (<10-14 atm.cm3.s-1) est la soudure métallique. Le getter est un film mince métallique à base de métaux de transition. Il acquiert une activité de sorption lorsqu’il est chauffé.Les procédés d’encapsulation sous vide de l’état de l’art permettent l’encapsulation de micro-bolomètres à des températures de 300°C. Mais il est fort probable que les futurs matériaux micro-bolométriques en cours de développement ne supporteront pas des températures de recuit supérieures à 280°C. Leur encapsulation demande donc la mise à disposition d’un nouveau procédé de scellement sous vide à plus basse température et d’un nouveau film getter s’activant aussi à basse température.Ces deux techniques ont par conséquent été développées, au moyen de caractérisations en laboratoire et de tests sur composants industriels. / Some kinds of MEMS like micro-bolometers require vacuum to operate optimally. This IR sensor is the cornerstone for uncooled infrared detection. Its best sensing capacity is achieved by thermal insulation, which is realized by placing it under vacuum (< 10-2 mbar). The vacuum is maintained throughout the camera lifetime thanks to a microvolume packaging (0.5 to 30 µL).The MEMS vacuum packaging implies the combination of two complementary technical solutions: first hermetic sealing, then getter device integration absorbing internal gas. The sealing technique retained (which enables leak rate <10-14 atm.cm3.s-1) is the metallic bonding. The getter is a thin transition metal film. When activated by an annealing, its surface traps gaseous molecules. The sorption process of the getter is ideally activated during the sealing process of the bonding.The typical temperature packaging process for micro-bolometers is 300°C. It is expected that sensibility of new types of micro-bolometers materials will be degraded if they are exposed to temperatures higher than 280°C. Consequently, their encapsulation require the elaboration of a new low temperature packaging technology.Such a technology has been developed based on experimental studies in laboratory and tests under industrial conditions.

La miniaturisation des batteries est devenue un défi technologique pour certaines industries. Ces micro-batteries, d’une dizaine de micromètres d’épaisseur, ont pour objectif d’alimenter des systèmes de taille réduite. Le LIPON est un des électrolytes envisagés pour leur fabrication. Il est déposé en couche-mince par pulvérisation magnétron radiofréquence de Li₃PO₄ sous plasma d’azote. Cette thèse étudie le comportement des particules au sein du plasma et formant le dépôt. Des mesures expérimentales d’émission optique et de densité électronique ont été mises en place, afin de fournir des données d’entrée et de validation pour différents modèles numériques. Le premier modèle décrit la cinétique réactionnelle au coeur du plasma, en 0D, afin d’identifier les espèces chimiques majoritaires et les réactions dominantes. Ceci a permis de concevoir une cinétique simplifiée pour le second modèle, 2D, traitant le déplacement des espèces chargées dans le plasma et permettant de caractériser la pulvérisation de la cible par les ions, tant au niveau des zones de pulvérisation de leur énergie et angle d’incidence. Les résultats obtenus ont été employés dans un modèle 3D simulant les trajectoires des atomes pulvérisés, afin d’étudier la répartition atomique sur le substrat et de déduire la composition de la couche mince déposée. Des caractéristiques propres à la cible lors de la pulvérisation ont été mises en évidence et confirmées par la comparaison entre les résultats numériques et expérimentaux. / The scale reduction of batteries is a real technological challenge for the near future. These micro-batteries, about ten micrometers thick, are used to supply the power for small sized systems. LIPON is one of the most suitable electrolytes considered for industrial scale production. It is deposited in thin-film by radiofrequency magnetron sputtering of Li₃PO₄ in nitrogen plasma. This thesis is focused on particles behavior in plasma and during deposition. Optical emission spectroscopy and electron density measurements have been performed, to provide data used as input or validation for several numerical models. The first model describes plasma kinetics in the magnetron reactor, as 0D global model, and helps to identify the main chemical species and important reactions. This information has been useful to define a simplified kinetics for the second model, 2D, dealing with the charged species behavior in the plasma and describing target sputtering by ion bombardment. It provides the sputtered areas, ion energy and impinging angle onto the target. These obtained results have been employed in a 3D model that simulates sputtered atoms transport from the target to the substrate and predicting the thin-film features. Some characteristics of the target during sputtering have been highlighted and confirmed by the direct comparison between numerical and experimental results.

Micro-expressions are brief facial expressions that last for 500 milliseconds or less and show the true emotional state of an individual when he or she is displaying a false emotional state. There are currently 2 different methods to train individuals to recognize micro-expressions-picture-based and video-based. Numerous organizations use micro-expression training as part of a deception detection program, but little research has been conducted on training outcomes, and no research has investigated the difference between the methods. In this quantitative study based on Darwin's theory of the universality of emotional expression, a control group experimental design was used to determine if there is a difference in training outcomes, as measured by post-training accuracy rates of overall and emotion-specific micro-expression identification, between the 2 current micro-expression training methods and no training. A total of 196 participants recruited from Amazon's Mechanical Turk community were randomly assigned to a picture-based training, video-based training, or no training control group. The online training and post-training test were delivered via a computer-based training platform. MANOVA, ANOVA and t-tests were run to determine the differences between the groups. Results indicated that participants in both picture-based and video-based training groups showed a significant increase in their ability to recognize micro-expressions compared to those in the no training group, but did not differ from each other. The study provides an increased understanding of micro-expression training outcomes that may contribute to the training of numerous law enforcement, security, and human resources professionals.

Poverty is one of the most urgent problems on the international stage today. Although many strategies have been used to fight the escalation of poverty, each plan seems to ultimately fail. Micro-credit, an innovative and progressive idea, can be utilized as a successful and sustainable tool that works to empower people, by providing a means of improving one’s own economic situation. This research seeks to show that micro-credit is a useful way in which poverty can be alleviated in the developing world by fixing the root of the problem. Both Bolivia and Morocco are used as case studies to show that micro-credit is neither region nor context specific, and that ultimately this is the best tool to fight poverty in the developing world. Additionally, this research sheds light on the idea that supporting micro-credit institutions is ultimately in the best interest for all involved in the international community.

No description available.