The polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was investigated in this dissertation. Selected kinetic models from the literature were reviewed, and two new, generalized models of diffusion-limited effects (gel- and glass effects), derived from the current models were proposed and tested for bulk and solution polymerization of MMA in batch and semi-batch reactors, under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. The newly proposed models include the capability of modeling termination by combination, radical transfer to monomer and depropagation reaction. The new and previous models were compared with experimental data of bulk and solution polymerizations of MMA, under a selection of non-steady state processes conditions (initiator and monomer feed, step changes in temperature) and compositions (initiator and chain transfer agents, regarding both type and dosages). The particular case of a non-isothermal bulk polymerization was also investigated. A simulation program (Reactormodel) was developed in Matlab, and its algorithm is provided. / Sem resumo.

No description available.

La réparation de l’ADN par excision des nucléotides (NER) est un mécanisme capable de retirer une large variété de lésions causant une distorsion de la double hélice, comme celles causées par les rayons ultraviolets (UV). Comme toutes les voies de réparation de l’ADN, la NER contribue à la prévention de la carcinogénèse en prévenant la mutation de l’ADN. Lors de ce processus, il y a d’abord reconnaissance de la lésion par la protéine XPC/Rad4 (humain/levure) qui recrute ensuite TFIIH. Ce complexe déroule l’ADN par son activité hélicase et recrute l’endonucléase XPG/Rad2 ainsi que d’autres protéines nécessaires à l’excision de l’ADN. Lors de son arrivée au site de lésion, XPG/Rad2 déplace XPC/Rad4. TFIIH agit également lors de la transcription de l’ADN, entre autres par son activité hélicase. Outre cette similarité de la présence de TFIIH lors de la transcription et la réparation, il est possible de se demander en quoi les deux voies sont similaires. Nous nous sommes donc intéressés aux interactions impliquant TFIIH et la machinerie de réparation de l’ADN. Nous avons donc entrepris une caractérisation structurale et fonctionnelle de ces interactions. Nous avons découvert que Rad2 et Rad4 possèdent un motif d’interaction en nous basant sur d’autres interactions de la sous-unité Tfb1 de TFIIH. Par calorimétrie à titrage isotherme, nous avons observé que les segments de ces deux protéines contenant ce motif interagissent avec une grande affinité au domaine PH de Tfb1. Le site de liaison de ces segments sur Tfb1PH est très semblable au site de liaison du domaine de transactivation de p53 et au domaine carboxy-terminal de TFIIEα avec Tfb1PH, tel que démontré par résonance magnétique nucléaire (RMN). De plus, tous ces segments peuvent faire compétition les uns aux autres pour la liaison à Tfb1PH. Nous avons aussi démontré in vivo chez la levure qu’une délétion de Tfb1PH crée une sensibilité aux radiations UV. De plus, la délétion de multiples segments de Rad2 et Rad4, dont les segments d’interaction à Tfb1PH, est nécessaire pour voir une sensibilité aux rayons UV. Ainsi, de multiples interactions sont impliquées dans la liaison de Rad2 et Rad4 à TFIIH. Finalement, les structures des complexes Rad2-Tfb1PH et Rad4-Tfb1PH ont été résolues par RMN. Ces structures sont identiques entre elles et impliquent des résidus hydrophobes interagissant avec des cavités peu profondes de Tfb1PH. Ces structures sont très semblables à la structure de TFIIEα-p62PH. Ces découvertes fournissent ainsi un lien important entre la transcription et la réparation de l’ADN. De plus, elles permettent d’émettre un modèle du mécanisme de déplacement de XPC/Rad4 par XPG/Rad2 au site de dommage à l’ADN. Ces connaissances aident à mieux comprendre les mécanismes de maintient de la stabilité génomique et peuvent ainsi mener à développer de nouvelles thérapies contre le cancer. / The nucleotide excision repair pathway (NER) is a mechanism capable of removing a wide variety of helix-distorting lesions, such as those caused by ultraviolet irradiation (UV). As all DNA repair pathways, NER contributes to the prevention of carcinogenesis by preventing DNA mutation. During this process, the lesion is first recognized by the protein XPC/Rad4 (human/yeast), which then recruits TFIIH. This complex unwinds the DNA with its helicase activity and then recruits the endonuclease XPG/Rad2 and other proteins necessary for DNA excision. Upon arrival at the lesion site, XPG/Rad2 displaces XPC/Rad4. TFIIH also acts in DNA transcription, using its helicase activity. In addition to the similarity of the presence of TFIIH in transcription and DNA repair, it is possible to ask ourselves how the two pathways are similar. We were interested in the interactions involving TFIIH and the DNA repair machinery. We have therefore undertaken a structural and functional characterization of these interactions. We have found that Rad2 and Rad4 have a motif of interaction based on other interactions of the Tfb1 subunit of TFIIH. Using isothermal titration calorimetry, we found that segments of these two proteins containing this motif interact with high affinity to the PH domain of Tfb1. The binding site of these segments is very similar to Tfb1PH binding site of transactivation domain of p53 and the carboxyl-terminal domain of TFIIEα with Tfb1PH, as demonstrated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). In addition, these segments can compete with each other for binding to Tfb1PH. We also demonstrated in vivo that deletion of Tfb1PH in yeast creates a sensitivity to UV irradiation. In addition, the deletion of multiple segments of Rad2 and Rad4, including segments of interaction Tfb1PH, is required to observe a sensitivity to UV. Thus, multiple interactions are involved in the binding of TFIIH to Rad2 and Rad4. Finally, the structures of the Rad2-Tfb1PH and Rad4-Tfb1PH complexes were solved by NMR. These structures are identical to each other and involve hydrophobic residues interacting with shallow grooves on Tfb1PH. These structures are very similar to the structure of TFIIEα-p62PH. These findings provide an important mechanistic link between transcription and DNA repair. In addition, they provide a model of the mechanism of the displacement of XPC/Rad4 by XPG/Rad2 at the damaged site. This knowledge helps to better understand the mechanisms of genomic stability and can lead to novel cancer therapies.

Le développement hématopoïétique est régulé par l’action combinée de facteurs de transcription lignée spécifiques et de la machinerie transcriptionnelle de base, permettant ainsi l’expression de gènes en temps et lieu appropriés. Les travaux présentés dans cette thèse portent sur l’étude structurale et fonctionnelle d’interactions décisives pour la régulation de l’expression de gènes et impliquant des domaines de transactivation (TAD). En effet, les interactions faisant intervenir les TAD d’activateurs permettent de réguler l’activation de la transcription de façon spécifique. La première étude présentée dans cette thèse relate l'identification et la caractérisation d'une nouvelle interaction entre deux facteurs de transcription : le facteur hématopoïétique GATA-1 et la protéine suppresseur de tumeur p53. En combinant des études in vitro par titrage calorimétrique en condition isotherme (ITC) et par spectroscopie RMN et des études in vivo, nous avons identifié et caractérisé cette nouvelle interaction. Il s'avère que le TAD de p53 et le domaine de liaison à l’ADN de GATA-1 sont les domaines minimaux requis pour la formation de ce complexe. L'inhibition de la voie p53 par GATA-1 s’est avérée être la conséquence majeure de cette interaction, permettant ainsi le maintien en vie des précurseurs érythrocytaires via l’inhibition de l’apoptose. Un deuxième type d’interaction a fait l’objet d’études : l’interaction entre divers TAD et la machinerie transcriptionnelle de base, plus spécifiquement avec le Facteur général de Transcription IIH (TFIIH). La structure des complexes constitués par la sous-unité Tfb1/p62 du facteur TFIIH en interaction avec le TAD viral de VP16 d’une part, et avec le TAD humain du facteur érythrocytaire « Erythroid Krüppel-like factor» (EKLF) d’autre part, ont été résolues par spectroscopie RMN. La structure du complexe Tfb1/VP16 a révélée que le mode de liaison de VP16 à Tfb1 est similaire au mode de liaison du TAD de p53 avec le même partenaire. En effet, les TAD de VP16 et de p53 forment tous deux une hélice α de 9 résidus en interaction avec Tfb1. En dépit de partager avec p53 et VP16 le même site de liaison sur Tfb1/p62, la structure RMN du complexe EKLF/Tfb1 démontre que le mode d’interaction de ce TAD se distingue du mode de liaison canonique des activeurs transcriptionnels. Etonnamment, EKLF adopte un mécanisme de liaison semblable au mécanisme de liaison du facteur général de transcription TFIIEα avec p62, leurs conformations demeurent étendues en interaction avec Tfb1/p62. En se basant sur nos données structurales, nous avons identifié un résidu dans le TAD d'EKLF décisif pour la formation du complexe EKLF/p62 : le Trp73. La mutation de cet acide aminé perturbe son interaction avec Tfb1PH/p62PH et réduit significativement l'activité transcriptionnelle d'EKLF dans les érythrocytes. / Hematopoietic development is regulated through a combinatorial interplay between lineage-specific activators and the general transcription machinery that enables cell-specific patterns of gene expression. This thesis reports structural and functional studies of interactions involving the transcativation domains (TAD) of activators proteins and their role in hematopoietic development. Interactions between the TAD of activators and their partners play an important role in the transcriptional regulation of all genes including those regulating hematopoiesis. The first section reports the identification and characterization of a novel interaction between the erythroid transcription factor GATA-1 and the tumor suppressor protein p53. Using a combination of isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), NMR spectroscopy and in vivo studies, we identified and characterized the direct interaction between these two important transcription factors in an attempt to determine the role of this interaction in erythroid development. Based on our results, the TAD of p53 directly interacts with the DNA-binding domain of GATA-1 in a cell-type specific manner. Through this interaction, GATA-1 inhibits activation of select p53-regulated genes and we postulate that the inhibition of p53-dependent apoptotic pathways is essential for survival of erythroid precursor cells. In the second section, we report on the interactions between two acidic TADs and the general transcription factor IIH (TFIIH). The structure of the complexes formed by the Tfb1/p62 subunit of TFIIH (Tfb1PH/p62PH) and the acidic TAD of Herpes Simplex viral protein 16 (VP16) and the Erythroid Krüppel-like factor (EKLF) were determined by NMR spectroscopy. The structure of the Tfb1PH/VP16 complex demonstrated that a viral TAD has the ability to mimic the actions of the TAD from the human p53 with Tfb1PH/p62PH. The TADs of both VP16 and p53 adopt a 9-residue α-helix in complex with Tfb1PH/p62PH. Interestingly, the NMR structure of the EKLF/Tfb1PH complex demonstrated that despite sharing a common binding site with p53 and VP16 on Tfb1PH, the EKLF/Tfb1PH binding interface is distinctly different from the binding interfaces we previously observed with p53/Tfb1PH and VP16/Tfb1PH complexes. Surprisingly, EKLF adopted a similar binding mechanism as the general transcription factor TFIIEα in interaction with p62PH as both interact in an extended conformation. Moreover, based on our structural data, we have identified Trp73 as a key residue within the TAD of EKLF that is required for the formation of the EKLF/Tfb1PH complex. Mutations of Trp73 disrupted the binding to Tfb1PH/p62PH and significantly reduced the transcriptional activity of EKLF in red blood cells.

Les protéines du lait bovin sont la source la plus importante en peptides bioactifs qui permettraient de maintenir le capital-Santé du consommateur. Nous nous sommes intéressés aux peptides inhibiteurs de l'enzyme de conversion de l'angiotensine I (ECA) et aux caséinophosphopeptides (CPP) chélateurs de minéraux pour étudier in vitro leur mécanisme d'interaction avec leurs cibles moléculaires. En effet, les peptides d'origine alimentaire, inhibiteurs de l'ECA (IEC) contribueraient à une prévention de l'hypertension. Pour comprendre la relation entre la séquence de ces peptides et leur pouvoir IEC, les paramètres d'inhibition de l'ECA somatique de poumon de lapin, qui possède 2 domaines N et C ayant chacun un site actif, par des peptides (FALPQYLK, FALPQY, ALPMHIR, IPP et VPP) issus de protéines du lait et des peptides dérivés ont été étudiés. De plus, l'interaction entre certains de ces peptides avec l'ECA somatique humaine a été caractérisée par la technologie Biacore®. La cartographie des sites de liaison de FALPQY en compétition avec le captopril (inhibiteur compétitif des 2 sites actifs de l'ECA) et le peptide BPP-11b (inhibiteur sélectif du domaine C de l'ECA) montre que ce peptide se fixe au niveau des 2 sites actifs de l'ECA. Par ailleurs, les CPP sont un bon moyen de corriger les carences minérales car ils sont capables de former des complexes solubles avec les cations, améliorant ainsi leur biodisponibilité. L'interaction entre le CPP [bêta]-CN (f1-25)4P et Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+ et Cu2+ a été étudiée par microcalorimétrie de titration isotherme : 1 mole de CPP fixe 2 moles de Ca2+, de Mg2+ ou de Zn2+ à pH 8, avec des constantes d'affinité faibles, mais ne fixe pas Cu2+ / Bovine milk proteins are the most important source of bioactive peptides. These peptides may contribute to maintain optimal health state. In the current study, we attempted to elucidate in vitro the molecular interaction mode between both angiotensin I-Converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides and mineral-Chelating caseinophosphopeptides (CPP). Indeed, ACE inhibitory peptides from food may provide a natural and safe alternative to prevent hypertension. In order to better understand the relationship between the sequence of ACE inhibitory peptides and their inhibitory potency, the inhibition parameters of rabbit lung somatic ACE (that possesses 2 domains, N and C, which are both catalytically active) by bovine milk peptides (FALPQYLK, FALPQY, ALPMHIR, IPP, and VPP) and other peptides with related sequence were investigated. Moreover, the interaction between some peptides and their derivatives with human somatic ACE was analyzed by Biacore® technology. The mapping of FALPQY-ACE interaction sites in competition with captopril (a competitive inhibitor for both sites) and also with BPP-11b (a selective inhibitor of the C-Domain active site) showed that FALPQY binds at or near the two active sites located on the 2 domains of ACE. In addition, CPP efficiently bind cations of nutritional interest by forming soluble complexes which prevent the precipitation of minerals at alkaline pH and increasing thus their bioavailability. The interaction between [beta]-CN (f1-25)4P, and Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+ cations, was characterized by isothermal titration calorimetry: 1 mole of [beta]-CN (f1-25)4P binds 2 moles of Ca2+, Mg2+, and Zn2+ at a pH 8, with a low affinity, but does not bind Cu2+ cation

Le contexte général de cette thèse est la Simulation Numérique Directe des écoulements diphasiques dilués anisothermes. Un accent particulier est mis sur la détermination précise de la dispersion des particules et du transfert de chaleur entre la phase porteuse et dispersée. Cette dernière est décrite à l’aide d’une approche Eulérienne aux moments : le Formalisme Eulérien Mésoscopique (FEM) [41, 123], récemment étendu aux écoulements anisothermes [78]. Le principal objectif de ce travail est de déterminer si ce formalisme est capable de prendre en compte de manière précise l’inertie dynamique et thermique des particules dans un écoulement turbulent, et particulièrement dans une configuration avec un gradient moyen. Le code de calcul utilisé est AVBP. La simulation numérique d’un spray dilué avec une approche Eulerienne soulève des questions supplémentaires sur les méthodes numériques et les modèles employés. Ainsi, les méthodes numériques spécifiques aux écoulements diphasiques implémentées dans AVBP [69, 103, 109] ont été testées et revisitées. L’objectif est de proposer une stratégie numérique précise et robuste qui résiste aux forts gradients de fraction volumique de particule provoqués par la concentration préférentielle [132], tout en limitant la diffusion numérique. Ces stratégies numériques sont comparées sur une série de cas tests de complexité croissante et des diagnostics pertinents sont proposés. Par exemple, les dissipations dues `a la physique et au numérique sont extraites des simulations et quantifiées. Le cas test du tourbillon en deux dimensions chargé en particules est suggéré comme une configuration simple pour mettre en évidence l’impact de l’inertie des particules sur leur champ de concentration et pour discriminer les stratégies numériques. Une solution analytique est aussi proposée pour ce cas dans la limite des faibles nombres de Stokes. Finalement, la stratégie numérique qui couple le schéma centré d’ordre élevé TTGC et une technique de stabilisation, aussi appelée viscosité artificielle, est celle qui fournit les meilleurs résultats en terme de précision et de robustesse. Les paramètres de viscosité artificielle (c'est-à-dire les senseurs) doivent néanmoins être bien choisis. Ensuite, la question des modèles nécessaires pour d´écrire correctement la dispersion des particules dans une configuration avec un gradient moyen est abordée. Pour ce faire, un des modèles RUM (appel´e AXISY-C), proposé par Masi [78] et implémenté dans AVBP par Sierra [120], est validé avec succès dans deux configurations: un jet plan diphasique anisotherme 2D et 3D. Contrairement aux anciens modèles RUM, les principales statistiques de la phase dispersée sont désormais bien prédites au centre et aux bords du jet. Finalement, l’impact de l’inertie thermique des particules sur leur température est étudié. Les résultats montrent un effet important de cette inertie sur les statistiques mettant en évidence la nécessité pour les approches numériques de prendre en compte ce phénomène. Ainsi, l’extension du FEM aux écoulements anisothermes, c’est-à-dire les flux de chaleur RUM (notés RUM HF), est implémentée dans AVBP. L’impact des RUM HF sur les statistiques de température des particules est ensuite évalué sur les configurations des jets 2D et 3D. Les champs Eulériens sont comparés à des solutions Lagrangiennes de référence calculées par B. Leveugle au CORIA et par E. Masi à l’IMFT pour les jets 2D et 3D, respectivement. Les résultats montrent que les RUM HF améliorent la prédiction des fluctuations de température mésoscopique, et dans une moindre mesure la température moyenne des particules en fonction de la configuration. Les statistiques Lagrangiennes sont retrouvées lorsque les RUM HF sont pris en compte alors que les résultats sont dégradés dans le cas contraire. / This work addresses the Direct Numerical Simulation of non-isothermal turbulent flows laden with solid particles in the dilute regime. The focus is set on the accurate prediction of heat transfer between phases and of particles dispersion. The dispersed phase is described by an Eulerian approach : the Mesoscopic Eulerian Formalism [41, 123], recently extended to non-isothermal flows [78]. The main objective of this work is to assess the ability of this formalism to accurately account for both dynamic and thermal inertia of particles in turbulent sheared flows. The CFD code used in this work is AVBP. The numerical simulation of dilute sprays with an Eulerian approach calls for specific modelling and raises additional numerical issues. First, the numerical methods implemented in AVBP for two-phase flows [69, 103, 109] were tested and revisited. The objective was to propose an accurate and robust numerical strategy that withstands the steep gradients of particle volume fraction due to preferential concentration [132] with a limited numerical diffusion. These numerical strategies have been tested on a series of test cases of increasing complexity and relevant diagnostics were proposed. In particular, the two-dimensional vortex laden with solid particles was suggested as a simple configuration to illustrate the effect of particle inertia on their concentration profile and to test numerical strategies. An analytical solution was also derived in the limit of small inertia. Moreover, dissipations due to numerics and to physical effects were explicitly extracted and quantified. Eventually, the numerical strategy coupling the highorder centered scheme TTGC with a stabilization technique –the so called artificial viscosity– proved to be the most accurate and robust alternative in AVBP if an adequate set-up is used (i.e. sensors). Then, the issue of the accurate prediction of particle dispersion in configurations with a mean shear was adressed. One of the RUM model (denoted AXISY-C), proposed by Masi [78] and implemented by Sierra [120], was successfully validated in a two-dimensional and a three-dimensional non-isothermal jet laden with solid particles. Contrary to the former RUM models [63, 103], the main statistics of the dispersed phase were recovered at both the center and the edges of the jet. Finally, the impact of the thermal inertia of particles on their temperature statistics has been investigated. The results showed a strong dependency of these statistics to thermal inertia, pinpointing the necessity of the numerical approaches to account for this phenomenon. Therefore, the extension of the MEF to non isothermal conditions, i.e. the RUM heat fluxes, has been implemented in AVBP. The impact of the RUM HF terms on the temperature statistics was evaluated in both configurations of 2D and 3D jets. Eulerian solutions were compared with Lagrangian reference computations carried out by B. Leveugle at CORIA and by E. Masi at IMFT for the 2D and 3D jets, respectively. Results showed a strong positive impact of the RUM HF on the fluctuations of mesoscopic temperature, and to a lesser extent on the mean mesoscopic temperature depending of the configuration. Neglecting the RUM HF leads to erroneous results whereas the Lagrangian statistics are recovered when they are accounted for.

In this thesis, a numerical study of simulating and computing the magnetocaloric properties of magnetic materials is presented. The main objective was to deduce the optimal procedure to obtain the isothermal change in entropy of magnetic systems, by evaluating two different formulas of entropy extraction, one relying on the magnetization of the material and the other on the magnet's heat capacity. The magnetic systems were simulated using two different Monte Carlo algorithms, the Metropolis and Wang-Landau procedures. The two entropy methods proved to be comparably similar to one another. Both approaches produced reliable and consistent results, though finite size effects could occur if the simulated system became too small. Erroneous fluctuations that invalidated the results did not seem stem from discrepancies between the entropy methods but mainly from the computation of the heat capacity itself. Accurate determination of the heat capacity via an internal energy derivative generated excellent results, while a heat capacity obtained from a variance formula of the internal energy rendered the extracted entropy unusable. The results acquired from the Metropolis algorithm were consistent, accurate and dependable, while all of those produced via the Wang-Landau method exhibited intrinsic fluctuations of varying severity. The Wang-Landau method also proved to be computationally ineffective compared to the Metropolis algorithm, rendering the method not suitable for magnetic simulations of this type.

A proposta da modificação química da superliga MAR-M247 através da substituição do Ta pelo Nb (em átomos) foi baseada nas seguintes informações: (1) O Nb desempenha funções muita parecidas com as do Ta nas superligas à base de Ni, como endurecedor via solução sólida da fase ? e elemento formador de fases secundárias (?? e carbonetos); (2) O Brasil tem as maiores reservas de Nb do mundo e (3) O Nb já é adicionado em diversas classes de superligas à base de Ni - fundidas convencionalmente e solidificadas direcionalmente e monocristalinas. Neste trabalho o objetivo principal foi de avaliar a viabilidade da substituição do Ta pelo Nb na superliga à base de Ni MAR-M247. As amostras da MAR-M247 e da liga modificada - MAR-M247[Nb] utilizadas na caracterização microestrutural foram obtidas por solidificação direcional no forno a vácuo do tipo forno Bridgman (Lab. de Solidificação/FEM-UNICAMP) nas seguintes condições de processamento: v = 5, 10 e 18 cm/h e G = 80°C/cm. As simulações de cálculo termodinâmico utilizando o programa Thermo-Calc foram realizadas com o objetivo de se avaliar se as temperaturas de transformação mudariam com a substituição do Ta pelo Nb. Para avaliação das propriedades mecânicas em alta temperatura e a estabilidade estrutural da superliga MAR-M247[Nb] foram realizados ensaios de fluência a 750 e 850 °C nas tensões de 840, 780 e 440 MPa. A estabilidade microestrutural da MAR-M247[Nb] foi testada por meio de ensaios de oxidação isotérmica a 1000 °C no intervalo de tempo de 30 minutos a 100 h. A substituição do Ta pelo Nb promoveu mudanças significativas principalmente nas temperaturas de formação do eutético ?/??, solvus - ?? e de fusão incipiente. As microestruturas das ligas após os experimentos de solidificação direcional a v = 5, 10 e 18 cm/h eram constituídas por dendritas da fase gama - ? e precipitados coerentes da fase gama linha - ?? (morfologia cuboidal). Na região interdendrítica da MAR-M247 e MAR-M247[Nb] solidificadas a v = 5 e 10 cm/h foram encontrados os eutéticos ?/?? e ?/Ni5(Hf,Zr). Na v = 18 cm/h a região interdendrítica era constituída apenas do eutético ?/??. A exposição a 1250 °C por 15 e 30 dias promoveu a decomposição total e a re-precipitação de carbonetos do tipo MC. No entanto, devido à contaminação por oxigênio e nitrogênio durante os tratamento térmicos, não foi atingido o equilíbrio termodinâmico em decorrência de mudanças das composições dos carbonetos MC. Nos ensaios de fluência a 750 °C, os tempos de ruptura foram de 49 h para MAR-M247 e de 39,4 h para MAR-M247[Nb] apesar dos elevados valores das tensões terem sido superestimados. A 850 °C o tempo de ruptura da MAR-M247[Nb] (trup = 359 horas) foi reduzido em 32 % em relação ao valor observado para MAR-M247 (trup = 476 horas). Os resultados dos ensaios de oxidação a 1000 °C da superliga MAR-M247[Nb] mostraram que o período transiente foi de 20 h com ganho de massa expressivo. A partir de 50 h o efeito do descolamento das camadas oxidadas durante o resfriamento das amostras foi significativo e promoveu uma variação de massa importante no intervalo de tempo de 50 a 100 h. Ensaios de oxidação em tempos mais longo deverão ser feitos para determinação da estrutura de formação das camadas e seus respectivos constituintes. / The chemistry modification in the Ni-based superalloy MAR-M247 through the replacing all Ta by Nb was based on in these statements: (1) Nb does the same function in Ni-based superalloys as Ta does, solid solution strenghtening and ?? e carbides element formers, (2) Brazil has the major ores of Nb in the world and (3) Nb has been added in all classes of Ni superalloy conventional casting, columnar and single crystal processed by directional solidification. In this study the main focus was to evaluate the feasibility of replacing Ta by Nb in the Ni - based superalloy MAR-M247. The samples of MAR-M247 and the Nb modified MAR-M247[Nb] were produced by directional solidification in a Bridgman vacuum furnace at the Solidification Research Lab/FEM - UNICAMP) in the following processing conditions: v = 5, 10 and 18 cm/h and G = 80 °C/cm. The thermodynamic simulations using Thermo-Calc program were performed to evaluate whether or not the transformation temperatures would change with the replacing of Ta by Nb. For the evaluation of mechanical properties at high temperature were performed creep rupture tests at 750 and 850 °C under the stress values of 840, 780 and 440 MPa. The isotermal oxidation tests at 1000 °C were done during the time interval of 30 min to 100 h. The replacing of Ta by Nb promoted some changes in eutectic-?/??, ??-solvus and incipient melting temperatures. After the directional solidification experiments at the v = 5, 10 and 18 cm/h the microstructural characterization has shown that for all condition the microstructures were composed by dendrites - ? and ?? - cuboidal precipitates in it. In the interdendritic region was observe the ?/?? and ?/Ni5(Hf,Zr) eutectics for v = 5 and 10 cm/h and only the ?/?? eutectics for v = 18 cm/h. The exposure at 1250 °C for the extended times promoted the formation of fine MC carbides but the equilibrium compositions have not been achieved due to the oxygen and nitrogen contamination. In the creep rupture tests at 750 °C the MAR-M247[Nb] have shown more shorter lifetime than the MAR-M247 even with overestimated tensile stress. At 850 °C the lifetime for MAR-M247[Nb] (trup = 359 h) was reduced by 32 % compared to the MAR-M247 (trup = 476 h). It was discussed that the changes in the composition of the ? phase induced Ta by Nb replacing which would led to the weakness of matrix in the MAR-M247[Nb]. The samples were oxidized at 1000 °C showed 20 h to the transient period and significant weight gain in that time. However at the extended period the weight gain had changed significantly and was precluded to predict the structure formation of oxides layer properly.

A proposta da modificação química da superliga MAR-M247 através da substituição do Ta pelo Nb (em átomos) foi baseada nas seguintes informações: (1) O Nb desempenha funções muita parecidas com as do Ta nas superligas à base de Ni, como endurecedor via solução sólida da fase ? e elemento formador de fases secundárias (?? e carbonetos); (2) O Brasil tem as maiores reservas de Nb do mundo e (3) O Nb já é adicionado em diversas classes de superligas à base de Ni - fundidas convencionalmente e solidificadas direcionalmente e monocristalinas. Neste trabalho o objetivo principal foi de avaliar a viabilidade da substituição do Ta pelo Nb na superliga à base de Ni MAR-M247. As amostras da MAR-M247 e da liga modificada - MAR-M247[Nb] utilizadas na caracterização microestrutural foram obtidas por solidificação direcional no forno a vácuo do tipo forno Bridgman (Lab. de Solidificação/FEM-UNICAMP) nas seguintes condições de processamento: v = 5, 10 e 18 cm/h e G = 80°C/cm. As simulações de cálculo termodinâmico utilizando o programa Thermo-Calc foram realizadas com o objetivo de se avaliar se as temperaturas de transformação mudariam com a substituição do Ta pelo Nb. Para avaliação das propriedades mecânicas em alta temperatura e a estabilidade estrutural da superliga MAR-M247[Nb] foram realizados ensaios de fluência a 750 e 850 °C nas tensões de 840, 780 e 440 MPa. A estabilidade microestrutural da MAR-M247[Nb] foi testada por meio de ensaios de oxidação isotérmica a 1000 °C no intervalo de tempo de 30 minutos a 100 h. A substituição do Ta pelo Nb promoveu mudanças significativas principalmente nas temperaturas de formação do eutético ?/??, solvus - ?? e de fusão incipiente. As microestruturas das ligas após os experimentos de solidificação direcional a v = 5, 10 e 18 cm/h eram constituídas por dendritas da fase gama - ? e precipitados coerentes da fase gama linha - ?? (morfologia cuboidal). Na região interdendrítica da MAR-M247 e MAR-M247[Nb] solidificadas a v = 5 e 10 cm/h foram encontrados os eutéticos ?/?? e ?/Ni5(Hf,Zr). Na v = 18 cm/h a região interdendrítica era constituída apenas do eutético ?/??. A exposição a 1250 °C por 15 e 30 dias promoveu a decomposição total e a re-precipitação de carbonetos do tipo MC. No entanto, devido à contaminação por oxigênio e nitrogênio durante os tratamento térmicos, não foi atingido o equilíbrio termodinâmico em decorrência de mudanças das composições dos carbonetos MC. Nos ensaios de fluência a 750 °C, os tempos de ruptura foram de 49 h para MAR-M247 e de 39,4 h para MAR-M247[Nb] apesar dos elevados valores das tensões terem sido superestimados. A 850 °C o tempo de ruptura da MAR-M247[Nb] (trup = 359 horas) foi reduzido em 32 % em relação ao valor observado para MAR-M247 (trup = 476 horas). Os resultados dos ensaios de oxidação a 1000 °C da superliga MAR-M247[Nb] mostraram que o período transiente foi de 20 h com ganho de massa expressivo. A partir de 50 h o efeito do descolamento das camadas oxidadas durante o resfriamento das amostras foi significativo e promoveu uma variação de massa importante no intervalo de tempo de 50 a 100 h. Ensaios de oxidação em tempos mais longo deverão ser feitos para determinação da estrutura de formação das camadas e seus respectivos constituintes. / The chemistry modification in the Ni-based superalloy MAR-M247 through the replacing all Ta by Nb was based on in these statements: (1) Nb does the same function in Ni-based superalloys as Ta does, solid solution strenghtening and ?? e carbides element formers, (2) Brazil has the major ores of Nb in the world and (3) Nb has been added in all classes of Ni superalloy conventional casting, columnar and single crystal processed by directional solidification. In this study the main focus was to evaluate the feasibility of replacing Ta by Nb in the Ni - based superalloy MAR-M247. The samples of MAR-M247 and the Nb modified MAR-M247[Nb] were produced by directional solidification in a Bridgman vacuum furnace at the Solidification Research Lab/FEM - UNICAMP) in the following processing conditions: v = 5, 10 and 18 cm/h and G = 80 °C/cm. The thermodynamic simulations using Thermo-Calc program were performed to evaluate whether or not the transformation temperatures would change with the replacing of Ta by Nb. For the evaluation of mechanical properties at high temperature were performed creep rupture tests at 750 and 850 °C under the stress values of 840, 780 and 440 MPa. The isotermal oxidation tests at 1000 °C were done during the time interval of 30 min to 100 h. The replacing of Ta by Nb promoted some changes in eutectic-?/??, ??-solvus and incipient melting temperatures. After the directional solidification experiments at the v = 5, 10 and 18 cm/h the microstructural characterization has shown that for all condition the microstructures were composed by dendrites - ? and ?? - cuboidal precipitates in it. In the interdendritic region was observe the ?/?? and ?/Ni5(Hf,Zr) eutectics for v = 5 and 10 cm/h and only the ?/?? eutectics for v = 18 cm/h. The exposure at 1250 °C for the extended times promoted the formation of fine MC carbides but the equilibrium compositions have not been achieved due to the oxygen and nitrogen contamination. In the creep rupture tests at 750 °C the MAR-M247[Nb] have shown more shorter lifetime than the MAR-M247 even with overestimated tensile stress. At 850 °C the lifetime for MAR-M247[Nb] (trup = 359 h) was reduced by 32 % compared to the MAR-M247 (trup = 476 h). It was discussed that the changes in the composition of the ? phase induced Ta by Nb replacing which would led to the weakness of matrix in the MAR-M247[Nb]. The samples were oxidized at 1000 °C showed 20 h to the transient period and significant weight gain in that time. However at the extended period the weight gain had changed significantly and was precluded to predict the structure formation of oxides layer properly.

Tuberculosis affects millions of people worldwide every year. The current treatment for TB is divided into a regimen of both first- and second-line drugs, where first-line treatments are more tolerated and require shorter treatment lengths. With rising levels of resistance, alternative treatment regimes are urgently needed to fight this disease. Ethionamide, a second-line drug is administered as a prodrug which is activated in vivo by the enzyme EthA, which is in turn regulated by EthR. The disruption of the action of EthR could lead to novel therapeutics which could enhance the efficacy of ethionamide, and raise it to a first-line treatment. The work reported in this thesis examines the elaboration of three chemical scaffolds using fragment-based approaches to develop novel inhibitors capable of disrupting the EthR-DNA interaction. The first scaffold, 5-(furan-2-yl)isoxazole was investigated by fragment-merging approaches and produced compounds with the best of these having a KD of 7.4 uM. The second scaffold, an aryl sulfone was elaborated using fragment-merging strategies. This led to several modifications of the fragment, leading to several variants with KDs around 20 uM. With both of these series the affinity could not be improved below 10 uM and due to the synthetic complexity a further scaffold was prioritised. The third scaffold was explored was a 4-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperazine using fragmentgrowing from the NH of the piperazine to probe deeper into the EthR binding pocket. In addition to this, SAR around the 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl group was assessed to explore the interactions with EthR. These modifications led to compounds with nanomolar IC50s. A range of compounds were then screened by REMAssay to determine the boosting effect on ethionamide, and this identified compounds with up to 30 times boosting in the ethionamide MIC. The final chapter examines a concept where compounds were designed to exploit the dimeric nature of EthR by linking two chemical warheads with a flexible linker. These compounds are examined using mass spectrometry to investigate the stoichiometry of the interaction to provide insight into the binding of these extended compounds and exploring an alternative strategy to inhibit EthR. The work in this thesis demonstrated the successful use of fragment-based approaches for development of novel EthR inhibitors which showed significant ethionamide boosting effects.