Thesis (D. Min.)--Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2005. / "January 2005." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 153-166).

<p>The vitamin D metabolite 1,25(OH)2D3 has long been known to inhibit growth of prostate cancer cells and this mainly through a VDR-mediated pathway controlling target gene expression, resulting in cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and differentiation. Another major way in which 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibits cell growth in prostate cancer is via membrane-initiated steroid signalling, which triggers activation of signal cascades upon steroid binding to a receptor complex, leading to induction of genes regulating cell growth, proliferation and apoptosis. The main prostate cancer inhibiting membrane-initiated route is the TGFβ signalling pathway, elicited by the protein TGFβ. In this experiment the activating effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on TGFβ in prostate cancer cells, as well as two other important proteins downstream in this cascade, Smad2 and 3, were investigated. PC-3 cells were incubated for 3, 5, 10, 30 and 60 minutes as well as 38 hours both together with 1,25(OH)2D3 of the concentrations 10-10 and 10-7 M and without. As the downstream cascade protein JNK is a known activator of Smad2/3, this procedure was also repeated with a JNK inhibitor. An ELISA assay scanning for activated TGFβ was then performed on supernatants from the cells treated without JNK inhibitor. In addition, a Western Blot scanning for activated Smad2 and 3 was performed on supernatants from all groups of treatment. The analysis of the result values showed that 10-10 M 1,25(OH)2D3 significantly lowered the content of active TGFβ in PC-3 cells within 3 and 5 minutes. Unfortunately the Western Blot was unsuccessful and needs therefore be repeated.</p>

Syngas, a gaseous mixture of H2, CO and diluents such as N2, CO2, is a clean fuel generated via gasification of coal or biomass. Syngas produced via gasification typically has low calorific values due to very high dilution levels (~60% by volume). It has been recognized as an attractive energy source for stationary power generation applications. The present work focuses on experimental and numerical investigation of syngas-air counterflow diffusion flames with varying composition of syngas. Laser-based diagnostic techniques such as Particle Imaging Velocimetry, Rayleigh thermometry and Laser-induced fluorescence have been used to obtain non-intrusive measurements of local extinction strain rates, temperature, quantitative OH and NO concentrations, respectively, for three different compositions of syngas. Complementing the experiments, numerical simulations of the counterflow diffusion flame have been performed to assess the performance of five H2/CO chemical kinetic mechanisms from the literature. The first part of the work involved determination of local extinction strain rates for six H2 /CO mixtures, with H2:CO ratio varying from 1:4 to 1:1. The extinction strain rates were observed to increase from 600 sec-1 to 2400 sec-1 with increasing H2:CO ratio owing to higher diffusivity and reactivity of the H2 molecule. Numerical simulations showed few mechanisms predicting extinction conditions within 5% of the measurements for low H2:CO ratios, however, deviations of 25% were observed for higher H2 :CO ratios. Sensitivity analyses revealed that the chain branching reactions, H+O2 <=>O+OH, O+H2 <=>H+OH and the third body reaction H+O2 +M<=>HO2 +M are the key reactions affecting extinction limits for higher H2:CO mixtures. The second phase of work involved quantitative measurement of OH species concentration in the syngas-air diffusion flames at strain rates varying from 35 sec-1 to 1180 sec-1. Non-intrusive temperature measurements using Rayleigh thermometry were made in order to provide the temperature profile necessary for full quantification of the species concentrations. The [OH] is observed to show a non-monotonous trend with increasing strain rates which is attributed to the competition between the effect of increased concentrations of H2 and O2 in the reaction zone and declining flame temperatures on the overall reaction rate. Although the kinetic mechanisms successfully captured this trend, significant deviations were observed in predictions and measurements in flames with H2:CO ratios of 1:1 and 4:1, at strain rates greater than 800 sec-1 . The key reactions affecting [OH] under these conditions were found to be the same reactions identified earlier during extinction studies, thus implying a need for the refinement of their reaction-rate parameters. Significant disagreements were observed in the predictions made using the chemical kinetic mechanisms from the literature in flames with high H2 content and high strain rate. The final phase of work focused on measurement of nitric oxide (NO) species concentrations followed by a comparison with predictions using various mechanisms. NO levels as high as ~ 48 ppm were observed for flames with moderate to high H2 content and low strain rate. Quantitative reaction pathway diagrams (QRPDs) showed thermal-NO, NNH and prompt-NO pathways to be the major contributors to NO formation at low strain rates, while the NNH pathway was the dominant route for NO formation at high strain rates. The absence of an elaborate CH chemistry in some of the mechanisms has been identified as the reason for underprediction of [NO] in the low strain rate flames. Overall, the quantitative measurements reported in this work serve as a valuable reference for validation of H2/CO chemical kinetic mechanisms, and the detailed numerical studies while providing an insight to the H2:CO kinetics and reaction pathways, have identified key reactions that need further refinement.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-05-22Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:18:05Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 marchizeli_pca_me_jabo.pdf: 379771 bytes, checksum: 4ab368a5eecf24097fb6ff931d682d28 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito do uso do gluconato de sódio e duas fontes de metionina em rações com diferentes níveis de metionina + cistina sobre o desempenho, qualidade dos ovos, integridade da mucosa intestinal e a excreção de nitrogênio de poedeiras comerciais. Foram utilizadas 480 poedeiras da linhagem Isa Brown, distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 5 x 2 (5 níveis de metionina+cistina com 2 níveis de gluconato de sódio), e para estudar o efeito do gluconato de sódio sobre as duas fontes de metionina estudadas, optou-se por um esquema fatorial 2 x 2 (dois níveis de gluconato de sódio e duas fontes de metionina), com 5 repetições de 8 aves cada. As variáveis foram submetidas à análise de variância e posteriormente (em caso de significância estatística <0,001) realizadas análises de regressão pelo modelo polinomial linear e quadrático (SAS, 2002). A exigência de metionina+cistina para o melhor desempenho das poedeiras foram de 0,753% para consumo de ração, 0,738% para a produção de ovos, 0,758% para massa de ovos e 0,703% para conversão alimentar. As fontes de metionina não revelaram diferenças estatísticas. Conclui-se que o uso do gluconato de sódio não expressou resultado significativo estatisticamente nas variáveis analisadas, no entanto, a produção e massa de ovos, a conversão alimentar e a integridade intestinal mostraram-se com tendência de melhora. / One experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of sodium gluconate and two sources of methionine and different levels of methionine + cistyne in laying hens diets, one egg quality, intestinal mucosal integrity and nitrogen excretion. It was used 480 Isa Brown laying hens, distributed at range in a factorial design 5 x 2 (5 levels of methinine + cistyne with 2 levels of sodium gluconate), and to study the effect of sodium gluconate on two sources of methionine, it was chosen a factorial design 2 x 2 (two levels of sodium gluconate and two sources of methionine), with 5 repetitions of 8 hens each. Variables was submitted to analyses of variance and subsequent (when the test had significant effect < 0,001) related regression analyses by linear and quadratic polynomial model (SAS, 2002). The requirement of methionine + cistyne for better performance of laying hens were 0,753% for feed intake, 0,738% for eggs production, 0,758% for egg mass and 0,703% for feed conversion. The sources of methionine did not show statistical difference. It was concluded that the use of sodium gluconate did not expressed significant statistical result in variables analyzed, however, egg production and mass, feed conversion and intestinal mucosal integrity tended to be better.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2017-04-10T17:29:12Z No. of bitstreams: 1 andrezzasouzamartinez.pdf: 5197519 bytes, checksum: 6d069a7807c9e7a491bd631b686e5e6e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-04-11T11:40:10Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 andrezzasouzamartinez.pdf: 5197519 bytes, checksum: 6d069a7807c9e7a491bd631b686e5e6e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-11T11:40:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 andrezzasouzamartinez.pdf: 5197519 bytes, checksum: 6d069a7807c9e7a491bd631b686e5e6e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-12-12 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A violência consiste em um problema social e de saúde pública, vindo a se relacionar a inúmeros fatores, causas e circunstâncias. Seu impacto pode ser mundialmente verificado de várias formas. Como um tipo de violência tem-se a violência entre parceiros íntimos (VPI) que inclui: atos de agressão física, relações forçadas, coerção sexual, abuso psicológico e o controle do comportamento. A violência contra a mulher gera consequências emocionais devastadoras e impactos graves a saúde. Nesse contexto, há uma tendência de a vítima não buscar ajuda. O escopo do estudo consiste em identificar em uma amostra comunitária de dois bairros da cidade de Juiz de Fora/MG, se as mulheres envolvidas em casos de VPI buscaram algum tipo de ajuda, além de identificar propostas de intervenções oriundas das próprias mulheres. A metodologia se refere a um estudo descritivo, transversal e qualitativo com uma breve perspectiva quantitativa. Como resultados principais têm-se a violência psicológica como a mais citada; 44% das mulheres relataram que não faziam nada, ignoravam ou choravam quando agredidas; e 68% das mulheres não buscaram ajuda. A possibilidade de resolução dentro do relacionamento foi o principal motivo para que a mulher não buscasse ajuda. A questão jurídica do apoio formal às mulheres que sofrem VPI foi a mais citada como um meio de ajudar as vítimas. Considerando a complexidade da questão, coloca-se como um desafio a prevenção e o combate a esse tipo de violência. / The violence implies in a problem that concerns social intercourse and public health, being associated to countless causes and circumstances. Its impact can be worldly perceived in many ways. As a kind of violence, there is the intimate partners violence, which includes: acts of physical aggression, forced relations, psychological abuse and behavior control. The violence against women causes devastating emotional consequences and severe damage to health. In this specific situation, the victim tends not to search for aid. The scope of this study consists in identifying, in a community sample taken from two neighborhoods of Juiz de Fora, if women involved in IPV searched for any kind of help, besides of relating ways of intervention proposed by the victims. The methodology refers to a descriptive, transversal and qualitative study with a brief quantitative perspective. As the main results, there is the psychological violence as the most quoted; 44% of the women stated that they wheter did nothing, ignored or cried while being under aggression; and 68% of them never searched for help. The possibility of solving the problem within the partnership wais the most quoted reason for the lack of looking for aid. The formal law support to women victims of IPV was the most quoted by them as a way of help. Taking in consideration the complexity of such problem, the prevention of new cases and fighting the current ones is a true challenge.

Master’s thesis is deals with the effect of carbon additives on the positive electrode in the NiCd batteries. It examines whether the positive electrode material enrichment of carbon additives to achieve improved internal parameters of conductivity and better contact with the electrode materials in a discharged. Galvanostatic cycling and electro-chemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) are used for evaluation of graphite aditives.

This diploma thesis is focused on the selection of a suitable Occupational Health and Safety management system as a part of the “Integrated Management System”, and practical implementation into the business. The current occupational health and safety management system is reviewed and compared with requirements in the OHSAS technical specification. The hazard identification and evaluate risks for the chosen workplace of the business is performed and corrective action are suggested.

The thesis contains a basic overviewofsecurity audit systemattheindustry and appliessecurity audit atthecompany by theSelf-Audit handbook forSMEs. Forimprovementthesafety management system si recommendedtheinternal audit in according to theresults.

Les procédés de stockage de chaleur haute température par voie thermochimique solide/gaz présentent un grand intérêt pour des applications à des centrales solaires thermodynamiques. Le couple réactif CaO/Ca(OH)2 est adapté à cette application pour des déstockages entre 350 et 550°C sous des pressions de vapeur entre 0,2 et 2bar. Les paramètres de transferts de chaleur et de masse de lits de Ca(OH)2+GNE ont été évalués au travers de corrélations et d'expérimentations. Des expérimentations ont permis d'atteindre des puissances en réaction de déstockage supérieures à 200kW.m-3 pour des durées compatibles avec les centrales solaires (1 à 15h). Un modèle 2D a été développé, validé et exploité afin d'étudier les influences couplées des différents paramètres sur les performances du TCS. Enfin, l'intérêt de différentes configurations d'intégration du TCS dans la centrale solaire ont été mis en évidence en termes de performances et de puissances thermiques échangées avec les sources et puits. / High-temperature heat storage processes using thermochemical solid/gas reaction exhibit great interest for applications in solar thermodynamic power plants. The reactive pair CaO/Ca(OH)2 is suitable for this recovery step application ranging from 350 to 550°C within steam pressures from 0.2 to 2 bar. Heat and mass transfer Ca(OH)2+GNE beds parameters were evaluated through correlations and experimentations. Experiments achieved recovery reaction powers above 200kW.m-3 for compatible durations with solar power plants (1 to 15 hours). A 2D model was developed, validated and exploited to study the coupled influences of different parameters on the performance of TCS. Finally, the benefit of different configurations of TCS integration within the solar power plant have been highlighted in terms of thermal performances and sources and sinks power exchanges.

The first project in this dissertation describes the total synthesis of yaku’amide A analogues. Natural product yaku’amide A possesses potent anticancer activity and exhibits a novel mode of action. However, due to its complex asymmetrical isoleucine dehydroamino acids, the synthesis of this polypeptide poses a unique challenge. Despite the efficient synthesis developed in our lab, the total synthesis of this natural product remains lengthy. In order to simplify the overall synthesis, symmetrical dehydroamino acids were incorporated to replace the dehydroisoleucine residues yielding two analogues of yaku’amide A that closely resembles the conformation of the natural product. Biological testing of the simplified analogues disclosed similar potency to that of yaku’amide A. The second part of this dissertation focuses on the influence that dehydroamino acids have on secondary structures. Peptides have an important role in medicine despite their limitations due to poor bioavailability and stability. Therapeutic use of peptides can be enhanced by designing new strategies to improve the proteolytic stability of these compounds. Attempts to increase peptide stability using trisubstituted and tetrasubstituted dehydroamino acids (ΔAAs) have been reported. Similarly, modified ΔAAs should also help tune the electronic and steric properties of peptides, while improving proteolytic stability. However, studies of peptides containing modified ΔAAs and are scarce. This project describes the synthesis and studies of incipient 310 helical tetrapeptides containing dehydroamino acids. Bulky and cyclic ΔAAs were demonstrated to alter the conformation of these tetrapeptides and impart greater stability against proteolysis and thiol additions. We believe these results can be a powerful tool to design peptide drug candidates with high proteolytic resistance and stability. tetrasubstituted dehydroamino acids (ΔAAs) have been reported. Similarly, modified ΔAAs should also help tune the electronic and steric properties of peptides, while improving proteolytic stability. However, studies of peptides containing modified ΔAAs and are scarce. This project describes the synthesis and studies of incipient 310 helical tetrapeptides containing dehydroamino acids. Bulky and cyclic ΔAAs were demonstrated to alter the conformation of these tetrapeptides and impart greater stability against proteolysis and thiol additions. We believe these results can be a powerful tool to design peptide drug candidates with high proteolytic resistance and stability.