This research study is conducted on one bay-one story non-sway frames where the effects of the rotational restraint and slenderness ratio on the post-buckling strength of the axially restraint column under thermal load are studied. Geometric non-linear analysis of the structures is performed using a research program based on the beam-column theory. A total 32 models are created considering two different bottom end conditions: fixed and hinged, slenderness ratios: 50 and 125, and the beam to column length ratios: 0.5,1,1.5 and 2, to account for the variation in the rotational restraint. All models are subjected to thermal loads and numerical results are obtained to study the post-buckling behavior of the columns of the frames under thermal loads.

Para melhor aproveitamento da resistência do concreto, utiliza-se concreto de maior resistência à compressão em pilares e concreto de resistência inferior em vigas e lajes. Considerando o método construtivo adotado tradicionalmente no Brasil, a região do pilar que cruza o nível do pavimento é moldada com a utilização do mesmo material que é lançado no pavimento. Essa mistura de materiais no mesmo pilar gera dúvida em relação ao seu dimensionamento. Dado que essa região está confinada pelo pavimento pode-se considerar, no caso em que uma laje lisa circunda o pilar, dentro de determinados limites, que esse pilar se comportará como tendo resistência uniforme. Este trabalho levantou pesquisas anteriores e normas vigentes com o objetivo de saber o que já foi estudado e quais são as recomendações atuais para a situação em que se tem laje apoiada sobre vigas e não uma laje lisa, isto é, uma situação menos confinada. Com base nessa pesquisa, formularam-se modelos a serem ensaiados em escala reduzida no laboratório e modelos de elementos finitos com a finalidade de aprofundar o estudo dessa situação. / Aiming the better use of the concrete strength a high-performance concrete is use in columns and a less resistant concrete in slabs and beams. Considering the constructive method adopted in Brazil, the region of the column that crosses the floor is executed using the same material that is used at the pavement. When used in columns, it is blended with a less resistant concrete in the floors, which is not considered during the column design. Is it possible that this less resistant concrete can confine the column to the point that its strength turns out to be the same of the rest of the members? This paper has studied earlier researches and up-to-date standards with the goal of know what have been studied and the actual recommendations for situations that the floor has beams and slabs instead of only slabs, in other words, a less confined region. Based in this research was formulated models to be tested in the laboratory and models in Finite Element Models to studie further the stresses.

As alterações posturais da coluna vertebral, em especial a escoliose por ser um problema ortopédico funcional ou estrutural encontrado na infância e na adolescência, trazem riscos de evolução e devem ser diagnosticados e tratados o mais precocemente possível. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar a prevalência de postura escoliótica em escolares de uma escola pública e uma privada do ensino fundamental do município de Guarapuava-PR, bem como identificar a altura e o lado da convexidade das curvaturas escolióticas e a presença de gibosidade em relação à faixa etária e ao sexo dos sujeitos envolvidos. Esta pesquisa é de cunho quantitativo e trata-se de um estudo transversal não experimental. A coleta de dados foi realizada em duas escolas do município de Guarapuava, sendo uma privada e outra pública, em agosto de 2005. Envolveu 964 escolares de ambos os sexos, respeitando-se os princípios éticos estabelecidos na Resolução nº196 do CNS/MS, sendo previamente aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto-USP. A avaliação postural utilizada no presente trabalho foi elaborada considerando-se o alinhamento vertebral descrito Loudon, Bell Johnston (1999) e a partir de observações clínicas propostas por Santos (2001) e também a pesquisa de gibosidade, preconizada por Cailliet (1977). Quando foi detectada uma alteração postural, os pais ou responsáveis do escolar avaliado receberam uma carta de comunicação, na qual sugerimos a investigação diagnóstica através de exames complementares em consulta a um especialista de sua preferência. Os dados coletados foram descritos através da utilização do Software Statistical Package for Social Siences (SPSS, 1999). Entre os 655 escolares avaliados, detectamos, em ambos os sexos, 26% de posturas escolióticas, sendo 53% de curvaturas torácicas à esquerda e 20% à direita, 13% de toracolombares à esquerda e 6% à direita e 2% de lombares à esquerda. Não detectamos curvaturas lombares à direita como curvas únicas, somente em associações de duplas curvas, que correspondem a 6%. Nossos resultados foram semelhantes aos de outras pesquisas sobre posturas escolióticas e discutidos em relação à literatura referente sobre prevalência de escoliose estruturada ou não. Com base nestes resultados reforçamos a necessidade de programas preventivos como o rastreamento de posturas escolióticas durante a fase escolar, considerando-se que as alterações de postura podem ser uma das causas de agravamento de distúrbios da coluna vertebral na fase adulta, os quais apresentam, no Brasil, um alto índice de afastamento ao trabalho ou aposentadoria por invalidez. Faz-se necessário o estabelecimento de parcerias com outros profissionais da área da saúde para a implantação de ações preventivas e de diretrizes que promovam a saúde do escolar, principalmente sistematizando pesquisas periódicas para detecção de distúrbios vertebrais. / The posture alterations in the vertebral column, especially when there is scoliosis, which may be a functional or structural orthopedic problem found in childhood or adolescence, need to be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible, since there is a chance for scoliosis to develop and get worse. Our aim with the present work was to study the prevalence of scoliosis posture in pupils from a public and a private primary/junior high school in Guarapuava-PR, as well as identify the size of the scoliosis curvatures, the side of their convexity, and if there was gibbosity concerning the participants age and gender. The present research has a quantitative purpose, and it is a transversal and not experimental study. The data were collected in two different schools in Guarapuava-PR (one school is private and the other is public) in August 2005. We studied 964 male/female pupils, respecting the ethical principles of the CNS/MS 196 Resolution, and all the search procedures had the approval of the Ethic Committee of the Nursing School of Ribeirão Preto-USP. The postural evaluation we used in the present work was elaborated from the vertebral alignment described by Loudon and Bell Johnston (1999), from clinical observations suggested by Santos (2001), and from the gibbosity research recommended by Cailliet (1977). If we found a postural alteration in the participant pupil, we sent their parents or the relative in charge of them a letter, advising them to seek a professional of their preference in order to diagnose the problem with complementary examinations. The collected data were described with the help of the Software Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, 1999). From the 655 female/male participant pupils, we found that 26% of them had scoliosis postures: 53% with thoracic curvatures on the left and 20% on the right, 13% with thoracolumbar on the left and 6% on the right, and 2% with lumber on the left. We didn t find any lumbar curvatures on the right as single curves, but only in association with double curves, which correspond to 6% of the participant female/male pupils having posture problems. Our results were similar to those of other pieces of work related to scoliosis posture, and their discussion was based on the literature about the prevalence of structured or not structured scoliosis. From the results of the present study, we reinforce the necessity of prevention programs such as the diagnosis of scoliosis posture during the primary/junior high school period. We need to consider that the posture alterations may be one of the causes that lead to vertebral column disorders in adulthood. In Brazil, there is a high level of people who stop working or retire due to their disability caused by column disorders. It is necessary to establish partnerships with other health professionals in other to consolidate prevention programs and plans which improve the pupils health, especially by carrying out frequent research that seeks to find vertebral disorders in them.

The wide use and the incomplete metabolism of antibiotics, along with the poor removal efficiency of current treatment systems, results in the introduction of large quantities of antibiotics to the environment through the discharge of treated and untreated wastewater. If not treated or attenuated near the source of discharge, the antibiotics can be distributed widely in the environment. In this research, sulfamethoxazole (SMX), a common sulfonamide antibiotic, was selected as a model compound due to its presence in the environment and its resistance to remediation and natural attenuation. Among the various entry routes, discharges from on-site disposal systems are of particular interest due to the wide use of these systems. The complex nature of subsurface transport downstream of these systems adds difficulties to the removal of SMX from subsurface discharges. For this research, two processes that impact SMX removal, biodegradation and sorption, were examined to determine the primary factors governing the elimination of SMX from septic effluent discharges in the subsurface. To characterize the biodegradation of SMX, batch experiments were conducted with SMX in the presence of septic effluent and soil for both aerobic and anoxic conditions. Results showed that SMX removal was limited in the septic effluent but increased in the presence of soil, demonstrating the important role of the soil in SMX removal in both aerobic and anoxic conditions. Addition of external nutrients (ammonium and sulfate) had small effects on SMX removal, although SMX removal was enhanced under aerobic condition with increased dissolved organic carbon. To overcome the limited sorption of SMX on soil, soil amendments were developed and evaluated using biochar, a green and cost-effective adsorbent. Biochars produced from different types of feedstock were characterized for different pyrolysis temperatures, and their adsorption behaviors were examined and compared with commercial biochar and activated carbon (AC). Adsorption isotherms were developed and adsorption kinetics of soil, biochar and AC were studied. Results showed that adsorption on soil, biochar and AC followed three different kinetics models and their equilibrium isotherms followed the Freunlich model. Higher adsorption rates were achieved with biochars prepared at the higher temperature. A lab-engineered biochar with pine sawdust at 500 °C achieved comparable sorption capacity to AC. SMX transport in subsurface was also explored with saturated soil columns filled with soil that was mixed with biochar at different percentages. Significant SMX removal (including complete elimination at a low flowrate and over 90 % elimination at a high flowrate) for all cases was primarily attributed to biodegradation. These results provide insight into the transport and transformations affecting SMX, and then provide a basis for developing low-cost approaches for the mitigation of SMX.

Resumo Acidentes e violências são responsáveis por elevadas taxas de mortalidade e morbidade causadas pelas lesões deles decorrentes. Entre essas lesões, os traumas da coluna vertebral, especificamente, e aquelas com comprometimento da medula espinal apresentam-se como um grande problema de Saúde Pública, uma vez que a maior parte dos lesados é composta de jovens e no auge da sua produtividade, tanto profissional quanto pessoalmente, além de as lesões serem responsáveis por seqüelas, geralmente, irreversíveis. Raros foram os estudos encontrados, que demonstrem a distribuição epidemiológica dessas lesões no Brasil. O trabalho objetiva conhecer o perfil das internações por traumas de coluna segundo características dos pacientes, lesões, causas externas que as produziram, bem como aspectos relativos às suas internações. O material de trabalho refere-se às internações SUS (dados do Banco do SIH/SUS) para traumas de coluna (S12, S14, S17, S19, S22, S24, S28, S29, S32, S34, S38, S39, T02.0, T02.1, T04.1, T04.2, T09.3 e T09.4 da CID-10*) As internações por traumas de coluna correspondem a cerca de 0,2% do total de internações no país e cerca de 2,7% do total de internações por lesões decorrentes de causas externas. Essa proporção, bem como a taxa de internação por traumas de coluna, foi crescente no período analisado na pesquisa. O grupo do sexo masculino, na faixa de 20 a 29 anos, é o mais comumente afetado, embora, em casos específicos, como o das internações decorrentes de quedas, observe-se aumento da proporção de idosos e também da população feminina. O nível lombo-sacral agrega cerca de 60% do total de internações por trauma de coluna, seguido pelo nível cervical (cerca de 28%). Os traumas de nível cervical apresentam a maior proporção de traumas com comprometimento medular, com cerca de 45,8% do total de traumas no ano de 2005. Segundo o tipo de causa externa que ocasionou a lesão, cerca de 40% das internações são decorrentes de lesões causadas por quedas. Os acidentes de trânsito correspondem a cerca de 30% e as tentativas de homicídio, 7% do total de internações por traumas de coluna. O tempo médio de permanência dos pacientes vítimas de traumas de coluna variou de 8,2 a 9,2 dias nos anos analisados, com significativas diferenças segundo o nível da lesão e comprometimento medular. Quando comparados aos custos das internações por causas externas, de modo geral, as internações por trauma de coluna apresentaram valores maiores, variando também segundo o grau de comprometimento medular e nível da lesão. A análise epidemiológica das internações por traumas de coluna esclareceu aspectos interessantes referentes às principais causas externas envolvidas, qualidade das informações disponíveis, custos e gastos para o sistema de saúde, bem como um panorama do perfil das vítimas, permitindo o planejamento de ações específicas para promoção da saúde e cuidados dessa população. * Classificação Internacional de doenças 10ª Revisão, 1995 / Abstract Accidents and violence are responsible for high taxes of mortality and morbidity by the consequences of trauma. In this injuries the vertebral column traumas, specifically and with spinal injury are an important problem for Public Health, because the most of the victims are young persons in the top of her productive life. The most of injuries are responsible for irreversible consequences. Just a little number of epidemiologycals studies where found in Brazil. This research objective is describe the traumas´s hospitalizations by victims characteristics and external causes what was the basic cause for the hospitalization. The material reference are SUS hospitalizations (SIH/SUS) for column traumas (S12, S14, S17, S19, S22, S24, S28, S29, S32, S34, S38, S39, T02.0, T02.1, T04.1, T04.2, T09.3 e T09.4 da CID-10*). The column traumas are almost 0,2% by the total of Brazil´s hospitalizations and 2,7% by the injuries hospitalizations by external causes. This number was in elevation between the years f this research. The male group by 20-29 years old was most commun affected. The hospitalizations by consequence off falls show an elevation in elders group and female group. In the sacral level there is 60% by the total of hospitalizations follow by cervical level (28%). In the cervical level we can see the most causes of spinal injury with almost 45,8% by the total. Studying the external causes almost 40% by the hospitalizations in all years, are by traumas in consequence by falls. The traffic accidents are 30% and violence 7% by the total of hospitalizations. The middle time by the hospitalizations was between 8,2 to 9,2 days with important differences when analized in the level of injury. About costs, when compare with external causes general, the column traumas show higher values. This epidemiological analize could show interesting aspects about external causes with column traumas as consequence, information quality, costs, and victims by this kind of trauma, with important dates for actions for health promotion and care of this population. * CID 10ª Review, 1995

Une grande variabilité de déchets contenants des nanomatériaux sont largement produits partout dans le monde. En fin de vie, la lixiviation de ces déchets entreposés en décharge, conduit à l’émission de contaminants (organiques et métalliques) dont les modes de transport diffèrent largement selon leurs interactions avec les ligands du milieu traversé. L’union européenne souhaite promouvoir à long terme la réduction progressive des rejets de contaminants dans l'environnement et le Ministère de l’Ecologie projette de mettre en place des normes spécifiques limitant les émissions de nanoparticules. Or, à ce jour, peu de données sont disponibles sur les quantités de contaminants potentiellement émis par les déchets et sur leur capacité de transport. En particulier, les contaminants présents sous forme nanoparticulaires, facilement bioassimilables, ont un comportement dynamique mal identifié et donc peu prévisible.La complexité et la variabilité dans la composition des déchets et des nanomatériaux impliquent l'étude d'un large panel d'entre eux ; ainsi, notre travail a porté sur la quantification de l'émission des nanoparticules au cours de leur vieillissement à partir de différents déchets (résidus de boues rouges, boues de station d’épuration, sédiments marins et Mâchefers d'Incinérations d’Ordures Ménagères MIOMs) ainsi que leur transport à travers un milieu poreux.Nous avons identifié les éléments métalliques fortement présents sous forme colloïdale et leur devenir après 1 an et demi de vieillissement. Les tests de transport des nanoparticules, menés par des expériences de percolation en colonne, ont montré que le transport de nanoparticules métalliques a été facilité dans certains cas, dans d’autres, plus classiquement ralenti. Par microscopie Electronique à Balayage, nous avons montré que de nombreux métaux étaient couplés avec des oxydes d'aluminium et de fer ainsi que des substances organiques naturelles de type humiques. / Great variability of nanomaterials wastes are widely produced throughout the world. At the end of their life, the leaching of the wastes stored in landfills, leads to the emission of contaminants (organic and metallic) which modes of transport differ widely according to the interactions they have with ligands present in the medium. The European Union wants to promote long-term gradual reduction of contaminant releases to the environment and the Ministry of Ecology plans to establish specific standards limiting emissions of nanoparticles. But to date, limited data are available on the quantities of contaminants potentially emitted by wastes and their transport capacity. In particular, the contaminants present in nanoparticulate form, easily bioavailable, have a dynamic behavior misidentified and therefore unpredictable.The complexity and variability in the composition of waste and nanomaterials involve the study of a wide range of them; so, our work has focused on quantifying the emission of nanoparticles during their aging from various wastes (red mud residues, sewage sludge, marine sediments and domestic wastes incineration bottom ash MIOMs) and their transport through a porous medium.We identified metallic elements largely present in colloidal form and their fate after 1½ years of aging. Transport tests of nanoparticles led by column percolation experiments have shown that the transport of the metal nanoparticles is facilitated in some cases, in others, more typically slowed down. Scanning Electron Microscopy have shown that many metals were associated with aluminum and iron oxides and natural organic humic-like substances.

ABSTRACT One of the most important tasks in the chemical industry is the separation of multicomponent liquid mixtures into one or more high-purity products. Several technologies are feasible for this task, either alone or in combination, such as distillation, extraction, crystallization, ect. Among these, distillation is by far the most widely spread and has a long history in chemical technology. However, until recently, there has been no systematic approach for understanding the separation of complex mixtures where azeotropes and multiple liquid phases may occur. There has been a growing interest in the use of residue curve and column profiles for the preliminary design of distillation columns. Residue curves and column profile are not only used to predict the composition changes in the distillation column but also to determine the feasibility of the proposed separation. Recently, theory underlying column profile maps has been developed by Tapp, Holland and co-workers. However there has been no direct experimental validation of the predictions of the column profile map theory. The main aim of this thesis is to experimentally verify some of the predictions of column profile map theory. A simple experimental batch apparatus has been developed to measure residue curve maps (RCMs) by Tapp and co-workers, the apparatus was modified so that it could be used to measure column profile maps (CPMs) in this thesis. CPM theory has shown that CPMs are linear transforms of the residues curve maps (RCMs). A stable node which was the apex of a mass balance triangle (MBT) was introduced inside the MBT, this was done by transforming the RCMs to CPMs using the appropriate distillate composition xd and reflux ratio R. It was also shown that the saddle point which was on the boundary of the triangle of the RCM can be shifted inside the MBT by transforming the RCM to CPM. This is again in accordance with theoretical predictions of CPM theory. iv Residue curves (RCs) and pinch point curves (PPCs) are used to determine the operation leaves and hence the feasible region for distillation columns operating at a specific distillate and bottoms composition for all fixed reflux ratio. The operating leaves were expanded beyond the pinch point curve by varying the reflux ratio from a higher reflux to a lower reflux ratio. This showed that one can effectively cross the pinch point curve hence expanding the operating leave. Finally the importance of experimentally measuring CPMs is demonstrated. Two thermodynamic models were used to predict the profiles of a complex system. The binary vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) diagrams and the residue curves produced from using these two thermodynamic models did not predict the same topology. The composition of the profiles were not the same because there were multiple liquid phases involved in this system, which made it difficult for the researchers to measure the correct profiles. Column profile maps were simulated using the different thermodynamic models, they also showed that there is some discrepancy between the predictions of the two models.

Maintaining optimum levels of dissolved oxygen (DO) in natural water systems has become crucial for scientists and decision makers. In general, DO concentrations less than 5 mg/L stress many types of aquatic organisms including fishes. Uncontrolled growth of aquatic autotrophs (i.e., algae and macrophytes) may alter DO concentration if the growth exceeded the capacity of the aquatic food web structure. Primary production and respiration, the two main metabolic processes associated with aquatic autotrophs, were estimated, compared, and critiqued for three streams in Northern Utah, USA. These streams have been under consideration for many years due to their impaired water quality, as they supply water to Cutler Reservoir, the sink of all the transported sediment and nutrients. This study includes estimation of the metabolic rates, examination of the driving/limiting factors, examination of the consequences of the relevant rates on water quality, and a comparison of two methods of estimation of the metabolic rates. The outcome of this research will help scientists and decision makers build knowledgeable strategies to manage DO in the streams based on the given critiques on the cause and effect of the respective metabolic rates. It will also help reduce the cost and time associated with the frequent need to use physical field measurements to estimate metabolic rates in rivers and streams.

In the light of increasing demand and diminishing supplies a sustainable urban water management for Melbourne and other cities will need to include water recycling and reuse of reclaimed water and stormwater. One key issue in stormwater reuse is the need for storage between times of collection until times of demand. Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) would be a valuable option as it has limited space requirements and restricts loss from evaporation. However, stormwater commonly contains elevated levels of heavy metals, of which Zn and Cu are the most mobile. Stormwater also contains suspended solids, organic carbon, oxygen and nutrients, which influence the behaviour of injected metals and induce geochemical changes in the aquifer. While stormwater ASR has been practiced in limestone aquifers in South Australia, field data for sandy aquifers, which are more prevalent around Melbourne, are very limited. Risk assessment regarding the potential impact of stormwater ASR on the quality of the aquifer and groundwater resources in sandy aquifer is therefore necessary. After a characterisation of stormwater from different Melbourne catchments confirmed comparatively high concentrations of Zn and Cu in stormwater, three siliceous aquifer sediments were used in a series of batch sorption experiments as well as column experiments imitating one ASR cycle to assess the impact of different parameters on Zn and Cu behaviour. The reactive geochemical transport model PHT3D was then modified to simulate experimental results with the outlook that it could be used as a predictive tool for long term evaluation. The study showed that Zn adsorption was limited and desorption of large fractions occurred, indicating that injected amounts of Zn are mobile and would mainly be recovered. In contrast, Cu adsorption was higher and desorption was limited, indicating that injected amounts of Cu would mainly accumulate in the aquifer. The release of metals was triggered by reduction in pH, increase in ionic strength and particle mobilisation. Metal concentrations were also increased after storage phases, while minor sediment constituents, especially organic matter, significantly reduce metal mobility. The different role of dissolved and solid organic carbon is critical in understanding Cu behaviour during stormwater ASR. Pretreatment of stormwater to reduce the injection of colloids, organic carbon and metals are recommended to limit metal accumulation in the subsurface. Monitoring of water quality throughout the ASR cycle would be encouraged to validate the current findings with field data. Special attention should be paid to backflushed water quality to ensure correct disposal.

Bovine reproductive performance is one of the most important factors influencing dairy farm profitability. Present-day techniques for oestrus- and pregnancy-detection are unreliable and labour-intensive. Although measuring milk-progesterone at regular intervals allows the fertility status of a cow to be determined reliably, the labour cost of collecting and analysing samples is prohibitive. This project aimed to develop a progesterone sensing system that could be automated and integrated with the milking unit, thus minimising labour costs. The proposed system involved mixing the milk sample with an enzyme-antibody conjugate and then passing the sample through a column containing immobilised progesterone. Any progesterone in the milk would inhibit conjugate binding to the column. An enzyme substrate would then flow through the column and bound conjugate would be detected as a colour change at the column's outlet. Periodate-coupling was used to attach horseradish peroxidase enzyme to anti-progesterone antibody, and progesterone-3-carboxymethyloxime was immobilised on the polystyrene bead surface using amine-coupling. Both techniques are widely used. Initial experiments attempted to verify the success of these two reactions simultaneously, whereas later experiments focused on the bead-coating. Beads were suspended in a specially-constructed syringe and the antibody activity of the eluted solution was measured by SPR. However, a combination of non-specific binding and antibody stability and activity issues meant neither reaction was conclusively verified. Many trials were done to investigate how to overcome the problems encountered but a suitable, workable procedure was not developed. Despite poor progress, the problems encountered did not undermine the project's potential. There remains optimism of developing an on-line method if research were to continue.