abstract: Photovoltaic (PV) modules are typically rated at three test conditions: STC (standard test conditions), NOCT (nominal operating cell temperature) and Low E (low irradiance). The current thesis deals with the power rating of PV modules at twenty-three test conditions as per the recent International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard of IEC 61853 – 1. In the current research, an automation software tool developed by a previous researcher of ASU – PRL (ASU Photovoltaic Reliability Laboratory) is validated at various stages. Also in the current research, the power rating of PV modules for four different manufacturers is carried out according to IEC 61853 – 1 standard using a new outdoor test method. The new outdoor method described in this thesis is very different from the one reported by a previous researcher of ASU – PRL. The new method was designed to reduce the labor hours in collecting the current-voltage ( I – V) curves at various temperatures and irradiance levels. The power matrices for all the four manufacturers were generated using the I – V data generated at different temperatures and irradiance levels and the translation procedures described in IEC 60891 standard. All the measurements were carried out on both clear and cloudy days using an automated 2 – axis tracker located at ASU – PRL, Mesa, Arizona. The modules were left on the 2 – axis tracker for 12 continuous days and the data was continuously and automatically collected for every two minutes from 6 am to 6 pm. In order to obtain the I – V data at wide range of temperatures and irradiance levels, four identical (or nearly identical) modules were simultaneously installed on the 2 – axis tracker with and without thermal insulators on the back of the modules and with and without mesh screens on the front of the modules. Several issues related to the automation software were uncovered and the required improvement in the software has been suggested. The power matrices for four manufacturers have been successfully generated using the new outdoor test method developed in this work. The data generated in this work has been extensively analyzed for accuracy and for performance efficiency comparison at various temperatures and irradiance levels. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S.Tech Technology 2012

Small scale wind turbines operating in an urban environment produce dismal amounts of power when compared to their expected output [1-4]. This is largely due to the gusty wind conditions found in an urban environment, coupled with the fact that the wind turbines are not designed for these conditions. A new concept of a Segmented Variable Pitch (SVP) wind turbine has been proposed, which has a strong possibility to perform well in gusty and variable wind conditions. This dissertation explains the concept of a SVP wind turbine in more detail and shows analytical and experimental results relating to this concept. Also, the potential benefits of the proposed concept are mentioned. The results from this dissertation show that this concept has potential with promising results on possible turbine blade aerofoil configurations. Scaled model tests were completed and although further design optimisation is required, the tests showed good potential for the SVP concept. Lastly a proof-of-concept full scale model was manufactured and tested to prove scalability to full size from concept models. Along with the proof-of-concept full scale model, a wireless control system (to control the blade segments) was developed and tested.

No description available.

O Mercosul, como resultado do processo histórico de produção capitalista do espaço, em tese, tenderá a conformar um novo ciclo de acumulação de capital na região. Exibindo, inicialmente, um corte marcadamente comercial e avançando para uma configuração mais econômica e social, poderá o Mercosul alcançar uma condição capaz de redistribuir, ao menos parte do produto dessa acumulação? O posicionamento do Mercosul em relação às teorias da integração regional, em especial, as relações em eixo permitem entrever maiores possibilidades históricas para alcançar tal dimensão? Tem-se como expectativa que o resultado da análise do processo histórico da integração nos países do Mercosul e a efetividade das políticas sociais até aqui adotadas, à luz das ondas de regionalismo, das diversas dimensões (política, econômica, social e ambiental) e fases temporais estudadas (neoliberal, crise e transição e convergente), aliado ao arcabouço teórico, possam indicar perspectivas de evolução da dimensão social do Mercosul. Ademais, investigar se as mudanças na orientação política dos governos dos países do bloco, de neoliberal para socialistas de diversos matizes, a partir da virada do século, estão criando condições distintas para a consolidação de sua dimensão social e contribuir para o preenchimento de certa lacuna na produção científica dessa área específica são os objetivos centrais da dissertação. / MERCOSUR, as a result of the historical process of capitalist production of space, in theory, will tend to conform a new cycle of capital accumulation in the region. Displaying, initially, a markedly commercial court and advancing to a more economical and social setting, can the Mercosur to achieve a condition able to redistribute at least part of the proceeds of accumulation? The positioning of Mercosur in relation to theories of regional integration, in particular the axis relations allow us to see larger historical possibilities to achieve this dimension? Has as expectation that the result of analysis of the historical process of integration in Mercosur countries and the effectiveness of social policies so far adopted, in the light of the waves of regionalism, the various dimensions (political, economic, social and environmental) and temporal phases studied (neoliberal, crisis and transition and convergent), coupled with the theoretical framework, could indicate the future trend with regard to the social dimension of MERCOSUR. Furthermore, investigate whether changes in policy direction of governments in the bloc of neoliberal for socialists of various hues, from the turn of the century, are creating different conditions for the consolidation of the social dimension and contribute to filling in a gap in scientific production in this particular area are the central objectives of the dissertation.

O presente trabalho apresenta um estudo numérico e experimental sobre o desempenho aerodinâmico de turbinas eólicas de eixo vertical envolvendo rotores Savonius convencional de duplo-estágio e helicoidal. O estudo experimental é realizado no Túnel Aerodinâmico Professor Debi Pada Sadhu, do Laboratório de Mecânica dos Fluidos da UFRGS. As simulações numéricas são realizadas com o software Fluent/ANSYS utilizando o Método dos Volumes Finitos. São comparados os coeficientes de torque estático e dinâmico, o coeficiente de potência, além de uma análise aerodinâmica das duas turbinas. As medições são realizadas empregando Tubos de Pitot, um torquímetro estático digital e um torquímetro simples construído para a medição do torque dinâmico. As turbinas são fabricadas através da técnica de prototipagem 3D, com uma semelhança de dimensões e parâmetros. As soluções numéricas são resolvidas através da equação da continuidade, das equações de Navier-Stokes com médias de Reynolds (RANS) e pelo modelo de turbulência k-ω SST. A qualidade da malha utilizada é avaliada através do método de Índice de Convergência de Malha (GCI), para três diferentes tamanhos de malha. São feitas análises dos rotores na forma estática para diferentes ângulos de incidência e com a turbina em rotação são feitas análises para diferentes razões de velocidades de ponta de pá (λ). Resultados demonstram que a turbina helicoidal apresenta um coeficiente de torque positivo para todos os ângulos do rotor, assim como a turbina convencional de dois estágios. O coeficiente de torque dinâmico da turbina helicoidal é superior ao da turbina de duplo-estágio para a maioria dos casos, e também apresenta menor oscilação de torque ao longo de cada rotação. Por consequência, o coeficiente de potência do rotor helicoidal também se tornou superior, com um valor máximo encontrado na ordem de 11,8% para um λ de 0,65 no caso experimental, e de 8,4% para o mesmo λ no caso numérico, quando comparado com o rotor de duplo-estágio. Os erros relativos entre as simulações numéricas e os resultados experimentais estão entre 2,16% e 13,4%. Uma estimativa de potência gerada é feita para ambos os casos, para uma razão de velocidade de ponta de 0,65, onde a turbina helicoidal apresenta melhores resultados em relação ao rotor de duplo-estágio, na ordem de 13,6% para uma velocidade de 10,4 m/s. / This paper presents a numerical and experimental study of vertical axis wind turbine performance comparison involving two-stage and helical Savonius rotors. The experimental study is conducted in the Aerodynamic Tunnel Professor Debi Pada Sadhu at the Fluid Mechanics Laboratory of the UFRGS. The numerical simulations are performed with the Fluent/ANSYS software using the Finite Volumes Method. The static and dynamic torque coefficients, the power coefficients, and an aerodynamic analysis of the two turbines are compared. Measurements are made using Pitot tubes, a digital static torque wrench and a simple wrench constructed for the dynamic torque measurement. The aerodynamics rotors are manufactured by 3D prototyping technique with similar dimensions and parameters. Numerical solutions are solved by the continuity equation, the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations and the turbulence model k-ω SST. The quality of the mesh used is evaluated used the Grid Convergence Index (GCI) method, for three different mesh sizes. The rotors analyzes are made in static form for different angles of incidence and for the rotating turbine analyzes are made for differents tip speed ratio (λ). Results show that the helical turbine has a positive static torque coefficient for any rotor angles, as well as conventional two-stage turbine. The dynamic torque coefficient of the helical turbine is higher than the two-stage turbine for most cases and also shows less torque variation along each rotation. Consequently, the power coefficient of the helical rotor also become higher, with a maximum value found on the order of 11.8% for a λ of 0.65 in the experimental case, and 8.4% for the same λ number when compared with the two-stage rotor. The relative errors between the numerical simulations and the experimental results are between 2.16% and 13.4%. A generated power estimate is made for both cases, for a tip speed ratio of 0.65, where the helical turbine provides better results compared to two-stage rotor in order of 13.6% for a velocity of 10.4 m/s.

Introdução: o estresse psicológico aumenta a permeabilidade intestinal em roedores e humanos, potencialmente levando a inflamação de baixo grau e aos sintomas em distúrbios gastrintestinais funcionais. No entanto, o efeito do estresse agudo combinado ao estresse da vida crônica, que mimetiza potencialmente melhor a situação humana, é desconhecido. Além disso, há poucos dados disponíveis sobre os efeitos do estresse em intestino delgado versus cólon. Métodos: ratos Wistar foram alocados em quatro protocolos de estresse: 1/ controles; 2/ estresse agudo (isolamento e movimentos limitados); 3/ Crowding stress:crônico e 4/ estresse agudo + estresse crônico. Amostras de jejuno e cólon foram colhidas para estudar a permeabilidade em câmaras deUssing, a expressão gênica de moléculas de junção firmes e a densidade de mastócitos. Níveis de corticosterona no plasma foram medidos. Principais resultados:corticosterona plasmática foi avaliada nas três condições de estresse, teve níveis mais altos na condição de estresse combinado. Permeabilidade do jejuno foi aumentada em todas as condições de estresse e correlacionada com os níveis de corticosterona. O aumento da expressão das claudinas 1, 5 e 8, daocludina e da ZO-1 foi detectado no estado de estresse agudo no jejuno. Em contraste, a permeabilidade do cólon foi aumentada no protocolo de estresse combinado, e a expressão de moléculas das junção firmes permaneceu inalterada. O aumento da densidade de mastócitos foi observado no cólon nos ratos submetidos aos estresses crônico e combinado. Conclusão e inferências:os estresses agudo, crônico e combinado influenciam diferentemente a permeabilidade intestinal, a expressão de moléculas de junção firmes e a atividade dos mastócitos, no jejuno e no cólon. Estes resultados fornecem uma visão mais aprofundada dos mecanismos de hiperpermeabilidade intestinal relacionadas ao estresse. / Background: Psychological stress increases intestinal permeability in rodents and humans, potentially leading to low-grade inflammation and symptoms in functional gastrointestinal disorders through disturbances in brain-gut axis. However, the effect of acute stress on the background of Crhonic life stress, potentially better approaching the human situation, is unknown. Moreover, only limited information is available on the effects in small intestine versus colon in animal model. Methods: Wistar rats were allocated to 4 stress protocols: 1/ sham; 2/ acute stress (isolation and limited movement); 3/ Crhonic crowding stress and 4/ acute + Crhonic stress (n = 8 per group). Jejunum and colon were harvested to study permeability in Ussing chambers, gene expression of tight junction molecules and mast cell density. Plasma corticosterone levels were measured. Key Results: Plasma corticosterone was elevated in all three stress conditions, with the highest levels in the combined stress condition. Permeability of the jejunum was increased in all stress conditions and correlated with corticosterone levels. Increased expression of claudin 1, 5 and 8, occludin and ZO-1 was detected in the acute stress condition in the jejunum. In contrast, colonic permeability was increased in the acute on Crhonic stress protocol only and the expression of tight junction molecules was unaltered. Increased mast cell density was observed in the Crhonic and acute on Crhonic stress condition in the colon only. Conclusion and Inferences: Acute, Crhonic and combined stress differentially affect intestinal permeability, expression of tight junction molecules and mast cells in the jejunum and the colon. These findings provide further insight in the mechanisms of stress-related intestinal hyperpermeability and barrier.

abstract: Sleep is essential for physical and psychological health. Sleep has also been linked to the daily patterns of key stress-responsive physiological systems, specifically the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and autonomic nervous system (ANS). Extant research examining sleep and diurnal patterns of cortisol, the primary end product of the HPA axis, is inconsistent. Moreover, it is not clear how specific aspects of sleep behavior (e.g., sleep duration, sleep quality, sleep variability) are related to specific components of diurnal cortisol rhythms. Salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) has been recognized as a surrogate marker of ANS activity, but limited research has explored relations between sleep and sAA diurnal rhythms. The current study utilized a modified ecological momentary assessment protocol to examine within- and between-person relations between multiple facets of sleep behavior using multiple methods (e.g., subjective report, actigraphy) and salivary cortisol and sAA. First year college students (N = 76) provided saliva samples and diary entries five times per day over the course of three days. Sleep was assessed via questionnaire, through daily diaries, and monitored objectively using actigraphy over a four day period. Between-person results revealed that shorter average sleep duration and greater sleep variability was related to lower levels of waking cortisol and flatter diurnal slopes across the day. Within-person results revealed that on nights when individuals slept for shorter durations than usual they also had lower levels of waking cortisol the next day. Sleep was not related to the cortisol awakening response (CAR) or diurnal patterns of sAA, in either between-person or within-person analyses. However, typical sleep behaviors measured via questionnaire were related to waking levels of sAA. Overall, this study provides a greater understanding of how multiple components of sleep, measured in naturalistic environments, is related to cortisol and sAA diurnal rhythms, and how day-to-day, within-person changes in sleep duration contribute to daily variations in cortisol. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Psychology 2015

Master of Science / Department of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science / Donald J. Phillippi / Special moment resisting frames (SMRF) are intended to protect the structure from earthquake motions through a ductile inelastic response. This thesis evaluates the performance of reinforced concrete SMRFs with an emphasis on the second level beams. Due to previous research, it is concluded that two-dimensional finite element analyses (2D-FEA) and three-dimensional finite element analyses (3D-FEA) have different results when evaluating the same structure. Due to this, the thesis used a 3D-FEA to analyze frames based on Design Example 7 in the 2006 IBC Structural/Seismic Design Manual (Appendix A). While looking at the frame as a whole, the first of two parametric studies was performed over the columns. Using LS-DYNA the columns’ forces, displacement, moment, and curvature were evaluated. From these results, it was concluded that in SMRF, columns are not acting per current design assumptions due to the elongation of beams. Using the knowledge gained in the first parametric study, a second parametric study was performed on the second level floor beams. Focusing on the beam elongation, this thesis evaluates multiple frames with different load combinations using LS-DYNA to find the displacement of the reinforcement in the beams. With the results, an equation to calculate the elongation of beams was proposed, as well as an average percentage of the elongation in reinforced concrete SMRF. The equation and average percentage of elongation aim to provide a standard design consideration for the elongation of beams.

A glândula pineal regula diversos ritmos biológicos e respostas de defesa em indivíduos hígidos através da síntese noturna de melatonina. Por outro lado, é sabido que processos inflamatórios reduzem a produção deste hormônio na glândula pineal. Neste estudo utilizamos um arranjo de qPCR para investigar a expressão circadiana de 84 genes relacionados a sinalização via receptores do tipo toll e NF-κB em glândulas pineais de rato. Confirmamos ainda, a expressão de 14 proteínas em pinealócitos através de ensaios de imunocitoquímica. Nossos resultados indicam que 70 genes inflamatórios são expressos ritmicamente na glândula pineal de ratos, enquanto 7 não são expressos e outros 7 genes são expressos, mas sem ritmicidade. Grande parte dos genes examinados apresenta padrão de expressão circadiana com maior conteúdo transcricional na fase de claro, atingindo a máxima expressão no final desta fase. Após o apagar das luzes, a expressão destes genes é rapidamente reduzida. Um possível envolvimento do ritmo de glicocorticóides endógeno sobre o padrão dessa expressão gênica foi avaliado através do bloqueio de GR por mifepristona, o que induziu a regulação da expressão de 13 genes e redução do conteúdo plasmático de melatonina no ZT18. Ainda, avaliamos o efeito da ativação dos TLR1, TLR2 e TLR6 sobre a glândula pineal e observamos que zimosan e Pam3CSK4 ativam a via do fator de transcrição NF-κB e bloqueia a síntese de melatonina induzida por noradrenalina in vitro. Por fim, utilizamos o modelo de obseidade induzido por dieta hipercalórica para avaliar se o processo inflamatório de baixa intensidade regula a síntede se melatonina in vivo. Observamos que nestas condições, a dieta hipercalórica induz rápido aumento no peso corporal e redução da produção noturna de melatonina. O efeito protetor da melatonina sobre o ganho de peso induzido por dieta foi testado através da restauração da melatonina na água de beber noturna de animais expostos à dieta. Em conjunto, nossos resultados indicam que genes inflamatórios são expressos ritmicamente na glândula pineal de ratos e influenciam a produção circadiana de melatonina via reconhecimento de padrões moleculares associados à patógenos ou sinais de perigo / The pineal gland regulates several circadian rhythms as well as immune responses in healthy animals via rhythmic production of melatonin, the hormone of darkness. On the other hand, nocturnal melatonin levels are reduced in the course of inflammation. To date, it remains to be clear the mechanisms by which the immune system affects pineal melatonin synthesis. Here we used a qPCR array profiler to investigate circadian gene expression of 84 genes related to Toll-Like Receptors and Nuclear Factor kappa B signaling. We also examined the expression of 14 proteins in pinealocytes by immunocytochemistry. Our results indicate rhythmic expression of 70 inflammatory genes, while 7 genes were not expressed and 7 were expressed without rhythmicity. The overall majority of genes tested showed a pattern of expression with a cumulative diurnal increase that peaks at the light phase of ZT12 followed by a fast reduction in the expression as soon as the light is turned off. The possible involvement of endogenous glucocorticoid rhythm in the modulation of pineal\'s inflammatory gene expression were tested by blocking Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR) using mifepristone. This procedure modulated the expression of 13 genes. In addition, the blockade of GR reduced the circulating melatonin levels at ZT18. The activation of TLR1, TLR2 and TLR6 induces the nuclear translocation of NF-κB signaling and blocks noradrenaline-induced melatonin synthesis in vitro. In addition, high-fat diet feeding increases body weight and reduce the circulating melatonin levels at ZT18. The protective role of melatonin in diet-induced weight gain was also determined by giving these rats melatonin in their drinking water at night. Altogether, our results highlight that inflammatory genes are transiently expressed in the rat pineal gland and influences the daily fluctuation of melatonin synthesis

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2005-03-21Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:07:59Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 pauli_jr_me_rcla.pdf: 1649366 bytes, checksum: 582a2977521476b101c59041c4c0ec5e (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Existem consideráveis evidências demonstrando que tanto animais quanto humanos tratados com glicocorticóides freqüentemente apresentam anormalidades no metabolismo de carboidratos, proteínas e gorduras. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram: 1) investigar as adaptações endócrino-metabólicas em ratos submetidos ao exercício físico agudo e crônico de natação associado com a administração de dexametasona durante 10 semanas. 2) analisar os efeitos do treinamento associado à utilização de baixas doses de dexametasona na funcionalidade do eixo hipotálamo-hipófise-adrenal. Com os resultados obtidos concluímos que: 1) baixa dose de dexametasona promove diversos efeitos colaterais no metabolismo intermediário. O uso crônico deste esteróide tem um importante papel no desenvolvimento da resistência à insulina periférica. A insulino resistência é um importante fator para o desenvolvimento do diabetes mellitus, hipertensão, menor tolerância aos carboidratos, e alteração lipídica; 2) o exercício regular de natação promove aumento na sensitividade à insulina e reverte estes aspectos. Alem disso, o treinamento físico promove o aumento dos estoques de energia no músculo e fígado e contribui para um menor acúmulo de tecido adiposo epididimal; 3) o exercício pode ainda preponderar sobre o feedback negativo da dexametasona na ativação do eixo hipotálamo-hipofisiário-adrenal em ratos. / There is considerable evidence that abnormalities of carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism occur frequently to both animals and humans treated with glucocorticoid. The aims of this study were: 1) to investigate the endocrine-metabolic adaptations in rats submitted to acute and chronic swimming exercise associate to administration of dexamethasone during 10 weeks; 2) to analyze the effects of training associate to low-dose dexamethasone on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The results obtained led us to conclude that: 1) Low-dose of dexamethasone promotes several side effects in intermediary metabolism. The chronic use of this steroid has an important role in the development of peripheral insulin resistance. Insulin resistance may be an important factor for the development of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, impaired carbohydrate tolerance, and lipid alteration; 2) the regular swimming exercise promoted increased insulin sensitivity and reverted this aspect. Moreover, physical training increased energy stores in muscle and liver and contributed to the lower adipose epididimal tissue accumulation; 3) Therefore, exercise can override the dexamethasone negative feedback of hypothalamy-pituitary-adrenal axis activation in rats.