O presente trabalho apresenta uma análise do desempenho de estacas hélice contínua e ômega, com ênfase na influência do processo de execução e aspectos executivos. É feita uma revisão bibliográfica apresentando a evolução executiva das estacas, o processo executivo e aspectos relevantes à correta execução destas estacas, características dos materiais que influenciarão o desempenho, efeitos da execução das estacas no sistema estaca-solo e uma análise da influência da geometria da ponta no desempenho das estacas. Três casos de obras são mostrados. Primeiramente uma obra que, devido a alterações das propriedades do concreto, substituiu-se estacas hélice contínua por ômega, como solução ao problema apresentado. Em seguida, mostra-se a execução de estacas ômega na Estação Vila das Belezas. Por último, o interessante caso de utilização de estacas hélice contínua como elemento de contenção nas obras do projeto integração centro, na Estação Luz, onde a proximidade de prédios antigos era fator limitante na escolha do tipo de fundação. Apresenta-se, ainda, uma análise comparativa do desempenho de estacas hélice contínua e ômega por meio de resultados de provas de carga, e uma análise do desempenho inesperado, da ponta, de uma estaca ômega, por meio de interpretação de prova de carga na estaca e do parâmetro R de Cambefort. São apresentados, também, os métodos de previsão de capacidade de carga de estacas hélice contínua e ômega, de extrapolação da curva carga x recalque e de separação das cargas de atrito e ponta, que foram utilizados nas análises de desempenho das estacas. / This research work presents an analysis of the performance of CFA and omega piles, with emphasis on the influence of execution processes. A review of previous work is presented, showing the construction evolution of these piles, it’s execution process and relevant aspects concerning the correct execution of these piles, as well as material properties effecting on it’s behavior, execution effects on the pile-soil system and an analyses of the influence of the pile’s tip on it’s performance. Three cases of foundation works are shown. First of all, a piled foundation in which CFA piles were changed to omega piles, due to alterations in the concrete properties. After that, an omega pile execution on Vila das Belezas subway station is shown. At last, an interesting case of CFA piles as a retaining wall, on Luz subway station, where proximity old buildings restrained the choice of retaining methods. A comparative analysis of the performance of omega and CFA piles, based on load tests, is also shown, as well as an analysis of the unexpected behavior of an omega pile tip, based on an interpretation of load test and Cambefort’s R parameter. In addition to this, the predict methods of bearing capacity, the methods of extrapolation of the load-settlement curve and the methods of the separation of the shaft friction and the end bearing, which were used in the performance analysis of the piles, are also presented.

Les bétaïne lipides (BL) sont des lipides polaires qui se distinguent des phospholipides (PL)par l’absence de phosphore (P). La réorientation métabolique induite par une limitation en P chez des microalgues produisant des BL (Tisochrysis lutea et Diacronema lutheri, Haptophytes) ou en produisant peu (Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Bacillariophyte) a été comparée à celle induite par une limitation en azote (N). Le devenir et le flux de carbone dans différentes voies de biosynthèse ont été étudiés par une approche pluridisciplinaire.La limitation nutritive en P ou en N affecte différemment le métabolisme du carbone selon les espèces microalgales. La limitation en P réduit fortement l’activité photosynthétique et la respiration chez P. tricornutum et T. lutea. Par conséquent, l’accumulation de carbone est plus élevée que sous limitation en N chez ces deux espèces. Les deux limitations stimulent en particulier la synthèse des lipides neutres et / ou des glucides. Le remplacement des PL par les BL a été observé chez P. tricornutum en condition de limitation en P. Ce résultat est en accord avec une augmentation de la transcription du gène codant la bétaïne lipide synthase. En revanche, cette limitation ne modifie pas les teneurs en BL rapportées au carbone chez T. lutea et D. lutheri. La composition en acides gras des différentes classes lipidiques est modifiée selon l’espèce microalgale et l’élément nutritif limitant. Une attention particulière a été portée aux acides gras de la série oméga-3, notamment l’acide eicosapentaénoïque (EPA, 20:5 ω3) et l’acide docosahexaénoïque (DHA, 22:6 ω3) dont les proportions varient en fonction de l’élément limitant,de l’espèce et de la classe lipidique. L’augmentation de la production des lipides neutres et / ou des lipides polaires, notamment des bétaïne lipides, riches en DHA et/ou EPA induite par un stress nutritif laisse envisager une valorisation de ces molécules d’intérêt dans différents domaines dont la nutrition et la santé. / Betaine lipids (BL) are P-free polar lipids, conversely to phospholipids (PL). The metabolic reorientation induced by phosphorus (P) limitation in microalgae producing BL (Tisochrysis lutea and Diacronema lutheri, Haptophyta) or producing low levels of BL (Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Bacillariophyta) was compared to that induced by nitrogen (N) limitation. The carbon destiny and flow in different biosynthetic pathways were studied with a multidisciplinary approach. P or N limitation differently affected carbon metabolism according to microalgal species. P limitation highly decreased photosynthetic activity and respiration of P. tricornutum and T. lutea. Consequently, carbon accumulation was higher than under N limitation in these two species. Both limitations stimulated the synthesis of neutral lipids and / or carbohydrates. Replacement of PL by BL was observed in P. tricornutum under P limitation. This result is in agreement with a transcription increase of the gene encoding BL synthase. On the other hand, this limitation did not modify BL contents in reference with carbon in T. lutea or D. lutheri. Fatty acid composition of the different lipid classes was modified according to the microalgal species and the limiting nutrient. Particular attention was paid to the fatty acids of the omega-3 series, notably eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 ω3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 ω3), the proportions of which vary according to the limiting element, species and lipid class. The increase in the production of neutral lipids and / or polar lipids, especially betaine lipids, rich in DHA and / or EPA induced by nutritive stress suggests a valorization of these molecules of interest in various areas including nutrition and health.

The present study aimed to reformulate chicken nuggets to become a healthier meat product, using two different strategies: addition of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) flour in replacement of the chicken skin, aiming to improve the fatty acids profile and also fibres enrichment, and reduction of sodium content by replacing sodium chloride with calcium chloride. The chia flour presents high fibres (33.61 g/100 g) and α-linolenic fatty acid (omega-3; 64.97 g/100 g fat) contents. Evaluating the replacement of 0-20% chicken skin by chia flour, it was possible to observe that the addition of chia flour did not compromise the technological characteristics of the meat product. Moreover, the treatments with 5-20% chia flour showed high omega-3 content. The nuggets containing 10% chia flour can be considered a \"source of fibre\" and the ones containing 15% or more of chia flour, as having \"high fibre content\". On the other hand, the dark coloration of the chia flour affected the colour of the chicken nuggets, causing a sensory rejection for the attribute internal appearance. However, although chia flour has influenced the sensory parameters evaluated, it was verified that the addition of up to 10% of the chia flour was considered acceptable by the consumers. The substitution of 0-75% of sodium chloride by calcium chloride with an ionic strength equivalent to 1.5% NaCl in the chicken nuggets showed that the physicochemical characteristics and sensory acceptance were not affected. A reduction of up to 75% NaCl was only able to reduce 34% sodium in chicken nuggets, which can be labelled as \"reduced sodium content\". The consumption of one portion (130 g) of chicken nuggets with the maximum addition of CaCl2 could provide 16.9% of the recommended daily intake of calcium for adults in Brazil. And finally, the chicken nuggets, reformulate through the substitution of 10% chicken skin with chia flour and 75% sodium chloride per calcium chloride was evaluated. These nuggets showed increased protein content, reduced sodium content and an improvement of the lipid profile, due to the increase of α-linolenic acid. The microbiological analysis showed that the addition of chia flour and CaCl2 did not affect the microbial growth. Regarding the sensory test, addition of chia flour to the different treatments of chicken nuggets caused lower acceptability. However, about 50% of consumers considered samples of chicken nuggets containing chia flour as acceptable. Therefore, it is concluded that the addition of chia flour and CaCl2 together may be considered an even better strategy to obtain healthier chicken nuggets than their addition alone. / O objetivo do presente estudo foi reformular nuggets de frango, para torná-lo mais saudável, usando duas diferentes estratégias: adição da farinha de chia (Salvia hispanica L.) em substituição da pele de frango, objetivando melhorar o perfil lipídico e também enriquecer com fibras, e a redução do teor de sódio pela substituição do cloreto de sódio por cloreto de cálcio. A farinha de chia apresentou altos teores de fibras (33,61 g/100 g) e ácido graxo α-linolênico (ômega-3; 64,97 g/100 g lipídeos). Avaliando a substituição de 0-20% da pele de frango por farinha de chia, foi possível observar que esta adição não comprometeu as características tecnológicas do produto cárneo. Além do mais, os tratamentos com 5-20% de farinha de chia apresentaram um aumento no teor de ômega-3. Os nuggets contendo 10% de farinha de chia podem ser considerados como \"fonte de fibras\" e com 15% ou mais, como \"alto teor de fibras\". Por outro lado, a coloração escura da chia afetou a cor dos nuggets de frango, causando rejeição sensorial para o atributo aparência interna. Entretanto, apesar da farinha de chia ter influenciado os parâmetros sensoriais avaliados, verificou-se que a adição de até 10% foi considerada aceitável pelos provadores. Já a substituição de 0-75% do cloreto de sódio por cloreto de cálcio, com uma força iônica equivalente a 1,5% de NaCl nos nuggets de frango, mostrou que as características físico-químicas e sensoriais não foram afetadas. A redução de até 75% do NaCl reduziu 34% do sódio nos nuggets de frango, o qual pode ser rotulado como \"teor de sódio reduzido\". Adicionalmente, o consumo de uma porção (130 g) de nuggets de frango com a máxima adição de CaCl2 pode fornecer 16,9% da ingestão diária de cálcio recomendada para adultos no Brasil. E finalmente, avaliou-se os nuggets de frango reformulados com a substituição da pele de frango por farinha de chia e NaCl por CaCl2. Os resultados mostraram aumento no teor de proteínas, redução no teor de sódio e melhoria do perfil lipídico, devido ao aumento do ácido α-linolênico. As análises microbiológicas mostraram que a adição da farinha de chia e CaCl2 não afetou o crescimento microbiano. Em relação ao teste sensorial, a adição de farinha de chia nos diferentes tratamentos de nuggets de frango causou baixa aceitabilidade. No entanto, em torno de 50% dos provadores consideraram as amostras de nuggets de frango contendo farinha de chia aceitáveis. Portanto, conclui-se que a adição da farinha de chia e do CaCl2 em conjunto pode ser considerada uma estratégia adequada para tornar este produto cárneo ainda mais saudável do que quando adicionados isoladamente.

This thesis concerns the role of nutrients in cognitive and behaviour problems associated with child attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Study 1 investigated relationships between Conners' ADHD Index ratings, fatty acid deficiency symptoms (FADS), and cognitive performance in a normal population of children. Studies 2 and 3 comprised a 30 week intervention trial investigating effects of n-3 PUFA supplementation on ADHD symptoms in 7-12 year old children with high ADHD scores.

L'objet de cette thèse est l'étude de la complexité topologique de fonctions omega-rationnelles : fonctions de mots infinis dont le graphe est reconnaissable par automate fini. Le cadre de notre étude est celui de la hiérarchie des boréliens et des classes de Baire. On remarque tout d'abord que ces fonctions sont au plus de classe 2. Christophe Prieur a montré que le problème de la continuité est décidable. Nous avons montré qu'être de classe 1 est aussi décidable dans le cas synchrone en adaptant un résultat de Sierpinski portant sur les sur et sous-graphes à notre contexte. Notre attention s'est ensuite portée aux points de continuité de telles fonctions. Un résultat de Baire dit qu'une fonction n'est pas de classe 1 si et seulement si il existe un fermé non vide sur lequel la fonction n'admet aucun point de continuité. Nous prouvons une version automate de ce théorème : Une fonction omega-rationnelle n'est pas de classe 1 si et seulement si il existe un fermé non vide reconnaissable par un automate de Büchi tel que la restriction de la fonction à ce fermé n'ait aucun point de continuité. Ce résultat est prouvé en utilisant la dérivation de Hausdorff qui s'arrête au bout d'un nombre fini d'étapes sur les langages omega-rationnels Ce travail s'est conclu par l'étude des orbites des fonctions réelles définissables en base Pisot par des transducteurs synchrones. L'ordre de Sarkovski permet de classifier les ordres des orbites périodiques des fonction réelles continues. Le résultat principal obtenu est la décidabilité pour tout entier n de l'existence d'orbites périodiques de cardinalité n et par suite de toute cardinalité inférieure dans l'ordre de Sarkovski.

<p>Hedge funds are a debated subject in today’s financial industry. During 2008, despite hedge funds absolute return target, the global hedge fund industry showed a negative performance whilst the Swedish hedge fund market performed relatively well in comparison. Many studies have been made investigating the effect on incorporating hedge funds in a traditional portfolio though none focused separately on the Swedish market. In a global perspective it is quite easy to invest in hedge fund portfolios due to the existence of investable indices. To invest on the Swedish market is a more complex matter. SIX Harcourt HFXS Index is a Swedish hedge fund index representing the Swedish hedge fund market though it is not investable. Hence it would be interesting to see if it is possible to create an investable version of SIX Harcourt HFXS. When creating an investable index, several administrative costs will arise and in order to cover these costs it would be interesting to see whether or not it possible to optimize SIX Harcourt HFXS Index in purpose of achieving a outperformance which could cover any administrative costs for setting up the investable version. Also, since the optimized version must replicate the standard SIX Harcourt HFXS Index it must maintain a certain level of correlation.</p><p>This thesis, which is based on a positivistic epistemology, is built upon a quantitative case study where SIX Harcourt HFXS Index is optimized in purpose of achieving an outperformance in terms of the risk-adjusted return. The optimization uses an adjusted mean-variance methodology and is limited to a maintained correlation above 0,9 towards the standard SIX Harcourt HFXS Index. The optimization is created through the use of an Excel application created by Harcourt Investment Consulting.</p><p>Also, based on the outperformance by Swedish hedge funds compared to global hedge funds, this study aims to show the effect of incorporating Swedish hedge funds in a traditional portfolio consisting of equities and bonds. This effect is analyzed by the use of several performance-and risk measures.</p><p>The study shows that it is possible to optimize SIX Harcourt HFXS Index and produce an outperformance of approximately 1,5% per annum with a maintained correlation above 0,9. It also shows that the effect of incorporating Swedish hedge funds to a traditional portfolio is positive in regards to both risk and return.</p>

Obesity is a major health problem in the United States and worldwide. It increases the risk for type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. A chronic low-grade inflammation occurring in white adipose tissue (WAT) is causally linked to the development of insulin resistance (IR), metabolic syndrome and obesity-associated chronic diseases. The aim of this dissertation research was to elucidate the WAT function in metabolic syndrome using genetic (overexpression of an adipose pro-inflammatory hormone, angiotensinogen) and nutritional manipulations/approaches (caloric restriction and omega-3 fatty acids), with specific emphasis on the role of inflammation. Previous research indicates that WAT renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is overactivated in obesity. However, its role in the pathogenesis of IR is hitherto unknown. Using mice overexpressing angiotensinogen (Agt), the only precursor for the hypertensive hormone angiotensin (Ang) II, in WAT, we showed that adipose-specific RAS overactivation leads to systemic IR. This is at least in part due to Ang II, NADPH oxidase and NF-kB-dependent increases in WAT inflammation. Caloric restriction is the main dietary intervention to treat obesity-associated metabolic disorders. While most health agencies recommend a low-fat diet, energy-restricted high-fat diets (HFR) are also claimed to be effective in this regard. Here, we show that weight loss due to HFR is accompanied by improvements of IR but only partial resolution of WAT inflammation. Further, this diet negatively impacted the adipokine profile supporting the current recommendations for low-fat diets. Dietary interventions targeted at reducing WAT inflammation have not been explored in detail. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid of marine origin with anti-inflammatory properties. We show that EPA is able to both prevent and reverse high-fat diet-induced IR and hepatic steatosis via modulation of WAT inflammation. In conclusion, primary changes occurring in WAT, such as overexpression of Agt, can lead to WAT inflammation and systemic IR. Moreover, nutritional interventions targeting at reducing adiposity (caloric restriction) and inflammation (EPA) can both lead to improvements in systemic IR. Our findings support the current recommendation of low-fat diets for improvement in metabolic profile and show that dietary modulation of WAT function can be used to improve metabolic derangements in obesity.

Colon cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the US, yet small intestine cancer is a rare event. While there are many similarities between these two tissues, inherent differences such as redox status, may contribute to the variation in cancer occurrence. We examined the difference in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, antioxidant enzyme activity and oxidative DNA damage in the small and large intestine of rats under normal conditions and following exposure to exogenous oxidative stress. Basal ROS and antioxidant enzyme activities were greater in the colon than the small intestine, and the balance of ROS to antioxidant enzymes in the colon was more pro-oxidant than in the small intestine. During oxidative stress, ROS and oxidative DNA damage were greater in the colon than the small intestine. Thus the colon responds to oxidative stress less effectively than the small intestine, possibly contributing to increased cancer incidence at this site. We next wanted to understand how diets containing a combination of fish or corn oil and pectin or cellulose may alter the redox environment of the colon. ROS, oxidative DNA damage, antioxidant enzyme activity and apoptosis were measured in colonocytes of rats fed one of four diets containing either corn oil or fish oil and cellulose or pectin. Measurements were madein rats untreated with carcinogen and rats exposed to a chemical carcinogen and radiation. In rats not treated with a carcinogen, fish oil enhanced ROS, and fish oil/pectin suppressed antioxidant enzymes as compared to corn oil/cellulose. Oxidative DNA damage was inversely related to ROS in the fish oil/pectin diet and apoptosis was enhanced relative to other diets. In carcinogen treated and irradiated rats, a similar protective effect was seen with fish oil/pectin as evidenced by a reduction in oxidative DNA damage and enhancement of apoptosis. This suggests that a diet containing fish oil/pectin may protect against colon carcinogenesis by modulation of the redox environment to promote apoptosis and minimize oxidative DNA damage.

The effect of fish consumption on the risk of cardiovascular disease has been extensively studied. Omega-3 fatty acids present in fish, namely eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have been found to have beneficial effects through several mechanisms. In addition, selenium, an antioxidant, may be protective. Fish also represents the main human exposure source to the pollutant methylmercury (MeHg), which is associated with elevated cardiovascular risk in previous studies. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate whether MeHg is associated with the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke, whether EPA+DHA or selenium (Se) have protective associations, and if the overall association between fish consumption and risk of stroke or MI is detrimental or protective. A prospective incident case-control study design was used to study effects on stroke or MI. Three hundred and sixty-nine cases with twice as many matched controls were included in the study on stroke, while 431 cases with 499 controls participated in the MI study, all from the Northern Sweden Health and Disease Study. The data was collected from health examinations of the population from 1986 until 1999. Also, time trends in burdens of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in erythrocytes (Ery) from 1990 to 1999 were examined. The food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) used in the case-control studies was correlated with measurements of fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes as biomarkers of intake. In this northern Swedish population, levels of Ery-Hg and Ery-Pb decreased during the 1990´s, but Ery-Cd decreased only in smoking men. No significant associations were found between Ery-Hg or levels of EPA+DHA and the risk of stroke. Men reporting fish consumption &gt;3 meals/week had an elevated risk of stroke. In the MI study, higher levels of Ery-Hg were associated with lower risk of MI. No clear associations were found for reported fish consumption, levels of EPA+DHA or Ery-Se. The validated FFQ has a fair reliability in estimating intake of fatty acids EPA and DHA. However, the low variation in fish consumption in the general population in combination with different versions of the FFQ (with pre-defined, multiple choice alternatives) decreased the reliability of self-reported fish consumption in the case-control studies on risk of stroke or MI. In conclusion, MeHg has no harmful association regarding the risk of stroke or MI in this population with generally low exposure levels. The protective association regarding risk of MI is probably due to Ery-Hg being a biomarker for consumption of fish, a source of other beneficial nutrients. Thus, in this population the benefits of the nutrients in fish appear to overcome the potential harm of MeHg. The finding of elevated stroke risk related to high fish consumption in men will be investigated further. / PHIME; Public health impact of long-term, low-level mixed element exposure in susceptible population strata

Hedge funds are a debated subject in today’s financial industry. During 2008, despite hedge funds absolute return target, the global hedge fund industry showed a negative performance whilst the Swedish hedge fund market performed relatively well in comparison. Many studies have been made investigating the effect on incorporating hedge funds in a traditional portfolio though none focused separately on the Swedish market. In a global perspective it is quite easy to invest in hedge fund portfolios due to the existence of investable indices. To invest on the Swedish market is a more complex matter. SIX Harcourt HFXS Index is a Swedish hedge fund index representing the Swedish hedge fund market though it is not investable. Hence it would be interesting to see if it is possible to create an investable version of SIX Harcourt HFXS. When creating an investable index, several administrative costs will arise and in order to cover these costs it would be interesting to see whether or not it possible to optimize SIX Harcourt HFXS Index in purpose of achieving a outperformance which could cover any administrative costs for setting up the investable version. Also, since the optimized version must replicate the standard SIX Harcourt HFXS Index it must maintain a certain level of correlation. This thesis, which is based on a positivistic epistemology, is built upon a quantitative case study where SIX Harcourt HFXS Index is optimized in purpose of achieving an outperformance in terms of the risk-adjusted return. The optimization uses an adjusted mean-variance methodology and is limited to a maintained correlation above 0,9 towards the standard SIX Harcourt HFXS Index. The optimization is created through the use of an Excel application created by Harcourt Investment Consulting. Also, based on the outperformance by Swedish hedge funds compared to global hedge funds, this study aims to show the effect of incorporating Swedish hedge funds in a traditional portfolio consisting of equities and bonds. This effect is analyzed by the use of several performance-and risk measures. The study shows that it is possible to optimize SIX Harcourt HFXS Index and produce an outperformance of approximately 1,5% per annum with a maintained correlation above 0,9. It also shows that the effect of incorporating Swedish hedge funds to a traditional portfolio is positive in regards to both risk and return.