The Hybrid Electric Vehicle Team (HEVT) of Virginia Tech is one of 16 university teams participating in EcoCAR 3, the latest competition in the Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions (AVTC) organized by Argonne National Labs. EcoCAR 3 tasks teams with converting a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro into a hybrid electric vehicle with 5 main goals: reducing petroleum energy use and greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining safety, performance, and consumer acceptability. Over the last 4 years, HEVT has designed and built a plugin parallel hybrid electric vehicle with a unique powertrain architecture. This work deals with utilizing the unique powertrain layout of the HEVT Camaro to improve drive quality, a key component in consumer acceptability. Although there are many ways to approach drive quality, most aspects can be analyzed in the smoothness of the vehicle longitudinal acceleration response. This research is focused on improving the drive quality of the vehicle developed for EcoCAR 3. Multiple algorithms are developed to address specific aspects of drive quality that can only be done with the powertrain developed. This begins by researching the control strategies used in modern automatic transmissions, and moves into the modeling strategy used to begin algorithm development. Two main strategies are developed and calibrated in the vehicle. The first being a strategy for reducing jerk in pure electric mode by limiting motor torque response. The second strategy aims to improve transmission shift quality by using the electric motor to reduce torque fluctuations at the driveshaft. The energy consumption impact of both of these strategies is also analyzed to ensure that drive quality does not come at the large expense of energy consumption. / Master of Science / The Hybrid electric vehicle team (HEVT) of Virginia Tech is one of 16 university teams participating in EcoCAR 3, the latest competition in the Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions (AVTC) organized by Argonne National Labs. EcoCAR 3 tasks teams with converting a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro into a hybrid electric vehicle with 5 main goals: reducing petroleum energy use and greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining safety, performance, and consumer acceptability. Over the last 4 years, HEVT has designed and built a plugin parallel hybrid electric vehicle with a unique powertrain architecture. This work deals with utilizing the unique powertrain layout of the HEVT Camaro to improve drive quality, a key component in consumer acceptability. Multiple strategies were examined and implemented for different driving conditions, and ultimately an improvement was made. However, new challenges are introduced by having some components remain stock that limit the success of smoothing gear shifts.

Les commotions cérébrales subies en contexte sportif constituent un sujet préoccupant. Il est estimé qu’aux États-Unis, environ cinq pourcent de l’ensemble des athlètes subiront une commotion cérébrale. Celle-ci est considérée comme une blessure transitoire dans la majorité des cas. Dans le domaine de la commotion cérébrale sportive, le phénomène de risque accru chez des athlètes ayant subi préalablement des commotions cérébrales est bien documenté. Cet aspect remet en question l’aspect transitoire de la blessure. Les techniques d’imagerie fonctionnelle offrent un grand potentiel dans la compréhension de cette pathologie en montrant notamment les différences fonctionnelles chez des participants ayant subi un traumatisme crânio-cérébral léger en l’absence de résultats comportementaux. Il est probable que des altérations fonctionnelles persistent au-delà de la phase de récupération postsymptômes. L’électrophysiologie, en particulier les potentiels évoqués cognitifs sont un outil de choix pour étudier la question en raison de leur sensibilité et de la mesure fonctionnelle qu’ils permettent d’obtenir. Les potentiels évoqués cognitifs consistent en une réponse électrique cérébrale moyenne générée lors de l’accomplissement d’une tâche. Il est possible d’identifier différentes composantes dans le tracé d’un potentiel évoqué; ces composantes sont associées à différents aspects de l’activité électrique cérébrale durant le traitement perceptuel et cognitif.Les articles scientifiques inclus dans cette thèse se penchent sur les effets de commotions cérébrales multiples chez des athlètes plusieurs mois après la dernière commotion. Dans un premier temps, l’aspect temporel est évalué par le biais de la mesure de la P3a et la P3b dans différents groupes d’athlètes. Ces composantes sont liées aux processus de mémoire et d’attention. Les résultats suggèrent que, malgré un fonctionnement normal, les athlètes ayant subi des commotions cérébrales éprouveraient de probables changements cognitifs sous-cliniques persistants se traduisant par une atténuation des P3a et P3b. Des altérations seraient aussi présentes quelques années après la dernière commotion, mais de façon plus subtile. La deuxième étude soumise s’intéresse aux processus électrophysiologiques liés au maintien de l’information en mémoire de travail visuel chez des athlètes ayant subi plusieurs commotions cérébrales. La mesure utilisée est la SPCN (sustained posterior controlateral negativity), une composante ERP spécifique au processus cognitif étudié. Les résultats montrent non seulement une composante atténuée chez les athlètes ayant subi trois commotions cérébrales ou plus, mais aussi une modulation de la composante en fonction du nombre de commotions cérébrales subies. Ces résultats pourraient contribuer à expliquer le risque accru de subir des commotions cérébrales subséquentes observées chez ces athlètes. En lien avec la littérature, ces données pourraient s’expliquer par la présence de déficits cognitifs sous-cliniques ou encore par la mise en place de mécanismes compensatoires. Enfin, ces résultats invitent à une grande prudence dans la gestion des cas de commotions cérébrales ainsi qu’à un effort d’éducation plus poussé chez les jeunes athlètes afin qu’ils puissent prendre les meilleures décisions concernant leur avenir. / Concussions sustained in sporting contexts are a major concern. In United States only, it has been estimated that among all athletes in college teams, 5% will be concussed. According to an agreement following an international symposium on concussion in sport, in most cases, this is a transient injury. Within the field, it is known that the likelihood of sustaining a concussion increased as a function of the number of past concussions. This aspect challenges the transient conception of the injury. Functional imaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) or eventrelated potentials (ERP) showed functional alterations in absence of any behavioral changes within concussed athlete groups. ERP consist in the averaged cerebral electrical signal recorded on the scalp during a given stimulation or task. Many components may be identified within the signal, each associated to specific perceptual and cognitive functioning. In concussed athletes, it is possible that functional alterations persist well beyond the acute period. ERP have been chosen to study this topic because of their sensitivity. Scientific papers included in this thesis discuss the effects of multiple concussions among young adult athletes months after the last concussion. The first study investigates two groups of athletes with multiple concussions at different time points. P3a and P3b were used as electrophysiological markers. These components are known to be related to attention and memory functions. Results demonstrate that, despite normal neuropsychological evaluation, attenuation is present on both P3. Those changes were still present years after, but in a more subtle manner. The second study describes the effect of multiple concussions on sustained posterior contralateral negativity (SPCN), an ERP component specifically related to information maintenance in visual working memory. Results showed that athletes who sustained three concussions or more display an attenuated SPCN. Also, a modulation of the SPCN as a function of the number of concussions was point out. Overall, these results might help to explain the increased risk of further concussions among concussed athletes. It is possible that results are explained by subclinical cognitive deficits and/or compensatory mechanisms. Finally, such data invites extra precaution in the management of concussions. Also, it seems important to give young athletes plenty of information to allow them to make more enlightened decisions about their future.

Syftet med den här studien är att identifiera och undersöka olika beteenden i samtalen mellan män och kvinnor i Morgonpasset i P3 för att avgöra hur de manliga och kvinnliga programledarna samt gästerna talar till varandra utifrån ett maskulinitets- och maktperspektiv. Främst undersöks beteenden bestående av maktutövanden, i form av härskartekniker, samt maskulinitet. Analysen sker genom en kritisk diskursanalys, CDA, med hjälp av analysverktyget lexikala val. För att placera analysen i en teoretisk kontext presenteras relevant forskning kring jämställdhet, makt och radio. Det teoretiska ramverket består bland annat av teorier kring CDA, härskartekniker, maskulinitet, mediepåverkan och genus. Materialet för analysen består av delar ur fem valda avsnitt av Morgonpasset i P3. Detta material är hämtat från Sveriges Radios hemsida och radiosändes vecka 44 år 2018.   Resultatet av analysen visar att det utifrån ett maktperspektiv finns skillnader i hur män och kvinnor talar till varandra i Morgonpasset i P3, men att denna skillnad främst beror på individens personlighet och inte på könstillhörighet. Ur ett maskulinitetsperspektiv visar studien att det främst är männen som visar upp maskulina sidor eller gör maskulina yttringar i Morgonpasset i P3. / The purpose of this study is to identify and investigate different behaviors in the conversations between men and women in Morgonpasset i P3. This to determine how the male and female hosts and the guests are speaking to each other in the perspective of masculinity and power. Primarily, behaviors are investigated consisting of power exercises, in the form of master suppression techniques, and masculinity. The analysis is done through a critical discourse analysis, CDA, using lexical choices as an analytical tool. To place the analysis in a theoretical context, relevant research on gender equality, power and radio are presented. The theoretical framework consists of, among others, theories concerning CDA, master suppression techniques, masculinity, media influence and gender. The material for the analysis consists of parts from five selected sections of the Morgonpasset i P3. This material is received from the Swedish Radio website and was broadcasted week 44 in 2018. The result of the analysis shows that, from a perspective of power, there are differences in how men and women speak to each other in Morgonpasset i P3, but the difference mainly depends on the individual's personality and not on gender. From a masculinity perspective, the study shows that it is primarily the men who showcase masculine sides or do masculine manifestations i Morgonpasset i P3.

The superior advantage of a nodal method for reactor cores with hexagonal fuel assemblies discretized as cells consisting of equilateral triangles is its mesh refinement capability. In this thesis, a diffusion and a simplified P3 (or SP3) neutron transport nodal method are developed based on trigonal geometry. Both models are implemented in the reactor dynamics code DYN3D. As yet, no other well-established nodal core analysis code comprises an SP3 transport theory model based on trigonal meshes. The development of two methods based on different neutron transport approximations but using identical underlying spatial trigonal discretization allows a profound comparative analysis of both methods with regard to their mathematical derivations, nodal expansion approaches, solution procedures, and their physical performance. The developed nodal approaches can be regarded as a hybrid NEM/AFEN form. They are based on the transverse-integration procedure, which renders them computationally efficient, and they use a combination of polynomial and exponential functions to represent the neutron flux moments of the SP3 and diffusion equations, which guarantees high accuracy. The SP3 equations are derived in within-group form thus being of diffusion type. On this basis, the conventional diffusion solver structure can be retained also for the solution of the SP3 transport problem. The verification analysis provides proof of the methodological reliability of both trigonal DYN3D models. By means of diverse hexagonal academic benchmark and realistic detailed-geometry full-transport-theory problems, the superiority of the SP3 transport over the diffusion model is demonstrated in cases with pronounced anisotropy effects, which is, e.g., highly relevant to the modeling of fuel assemblies comprising absorber material.

Les commotions cérébrales subies en contexte sportif constituent un sujet préoccupant. Il est estimé qu’aux États-Unis, environ cinq pourcent de l’ensemble des athlètes subiront une commotion cérébrale. Celle-ci est considérée comme une blessure transitoire dans la majorité des cas. Dans le domaine de la commotion cérébrale sportive, le phénomène de risque accru chez des athlètes ayant subi préalablement des commotions cérébrales est bien documenté. Cet aspect remet en question l’aspect transitoire de la blessure. Les techniques d’imagerie fonctionnelle offrent un grand potentiel dans la compréhension de cette pathologie en montrant notamment les différences fonctionnelles chez des participants ayant subi un traumatisme crânio-cérébral léger en l’absence de résultats comportementaux. Il est probable que des altérations fonctionnelles persistent au-delà de la phase de récupération postsymptômes. L’électrophysiologie, en particulier les potentiels évoqués cognitifs sont un outil de choix pour étudier la question en raison de leur sensibilité et de la mesure fonctionnelle qu’ils permettent d’obtenir. Les potentiels évoqués cognitifs consistent en une réponse électrique cérébrale moyenne générée lors de l’accomplissement d’une tâche. Il est possible d’identifier différentes composantes dans le tracé d’un potentiel évoqué; ces composantes sont associées à différents aspects de l’activité électrique cérébrale durant le traitement perceptuel et cognitif.Les articles scientifiques inclus dans cette thèse se penchent sur les effets de commotions cérébrales multiples chez des athlètes plusieurs mois après la dernière commotion. Dans un premier temps, l’aspect temporel est évalué par le biais de la mesure de la P3a et la P3b dans différents groupes d’athlètes. Ces composantes sont liées aux processus de mémoire et d’attention. Les résultats suggèrent que, malgré un fonctionnement normal, les athlètes ayant subi des commotions cérébrales éprouveraient de probables changements cognitifs sous-cliniques persistants se traduisant par une atténuation des P3a et P3b. Des altérations seraient aussi présentes quelques années après la dernière commotion, mais de façon plus subtile. La deuxième étude soumise s’intéresse aux processus électrophysiologiques liés au maintien de l’information en mémoire de travail visuel chez des athlètes ayant subi plusieurs commotions cérébrales. La mesure utilisée est la SPCN (sustained posterior controlateral negativity), une composante ERP spécifique au processus cognitif étudié. Les résultats montrent non seulement une composante atténuée chez les athlètes ayant subi trois commotions cérébrales ou plus, mais aussi une modulation de la composante en fonction du nombre de commotions cérébrales subies. Ces résultats pourraient contribuer à expliquer le risque accru de subir des commotions cérébrales subséquentes observées chez ces athlètes. En lien avec la littérature, ces données pourraient s’expliquer par la présence de déficits cognitifs sous-cliniques ou encore par la mise en place de mécanismes compensatoires. Enfin, ces résultats invitent à une grande prudence dans la gestion des cas de commotions cérébrales ainsi qu’à un effort d’éducation plus poussé chez les jeunes athlètes afin qu’ils puissent prendre les meilleures décisions concernant leur avenir. / Concussions sustained in sporting contexts are a major concern. In United States only, it has been estimated that among all athletes in college teams, 5% will be concussed. According to an agreement following an international symposium on concussion in sport, in most cases, this is a transient injury. Within the field, it is known that the likelihood of sustaining a concussion increased as a function of the number of past concussions. This aspect challenges the transient conception of the injury. Functional imaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) or eventrelated potentials (ERP) showed functional alterations in absence of any behavioral changes within concussed athlete groups. ERP consist in the averaged cerebral electrical signal recorded on the scalp during a given stimulation or task. Many components may be identified within the signal, each associated to specific perceptual and cognitive functioning. In concussed athletes, it is possible that functional alterations persist well beyond the acute period. ERP have been chosen to study this topic because of their sensitivity. Scientific papers included in this thesis discuss the effects of multiple concussions among young adult athletes months after the last concussion. The first study investigates two groups of athletes with multiple concussions at different time points. P3a and P3b were used as electrophysiological markers. These components are known to be related to attention and memory functions. Results demonstrate that, despite normal neuropsychological evaluation, attenuation is present on both P3. Those changes were still present years after, but in a more subtle manner. The second study describes the effect of multiple concussions on sustained posterior contralateral negativity (SPCN), an ERP component specifically related to information maintenance in visual working memory. Results showed that athletes who sustained three concussions or more display an attenuated SPCN. Also, a modulation of the SPCN as a function of the number of concussions was point out. Overall, these results might help to explain the increased risk of further concussions among concussed athletes. It is possible that results are explained by subclinical cognitive deficits and/or compensatory mechanisms. Finally, such data invites extra precaution in the management of concussions. Also, it seems important to give young athletes plenty of information to allow them to make more enlightened decisions about their future.

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2018-10-30T11:09:54Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Braully Rocha da Silva - 2018.pdf: 1396149 bytes, checksum: 9a9145cb07e037a784d2d15d43cbd1ff (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2018-10-30T11:20:36Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Braully Rocha da Silva - 2018.pdf: 1396149 bytes, checksum: 9a9145cb07e037a784d2d15d43cbd1ff (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-10-30T11:20:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Braully Rocha da Silva - 2018.pdf: 1396149 bytes, checksum: 9a9145cb07e037a784d2d15d43cbd1ff (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-09-24 / Outro / In this work we present results and implementantions for hull and Carathéodory numbers in P3 convexity. We obtain results for graphs of diameter 2 having cut-vertex for both problems. Finally, entering more complex cases, we were able to determine a logarithmic limit, means of algorithm, for the hull number in case of graph diameter 2 and 2-connected. Exploring more restrictive cases, we determined a constant limit for some subclasses of graphs of diameter 2. We made also implementations and algorithms for these parameters. Implementations algorithms heuristic, parallel, and brute force. Finally, although not directly related, we developed an algorithm for Moore's graphs generation, which may be one of the ways to find Moore missinge graph, if it exists, a question that remains unknown for 55 years. And finally, we conclude with some conjectures interesting, for limits to the hull and Carathéodory numbers, in other classes of graphs, that were not explored in this work, but was identified by the implementations, and can be better explored in future works. / Nesta dissertação, tratamos de limites para o número envoltório e o número de Carathéodory na Convexidade P3. Aferimos resultados para grafos de diâmetro 2 com vértice de corte para ambos os problemas. Adentrando em casos mais complexos, conseguimos determinar um limite logarítmico, por meio de algoritmo pseudo-polimonial, para o número envoltório de grafos de diâmetro 2 biconexos. Explorando um pouco mais restritivamente, conseguimos determinar um limite constante para algumas subclasses de grafos de diâmetro 2, os grafos maximais sem triângulo. Não atendo somente aos resultados teóricos, realizamos também implementações e algoritmos para esses parâmetros. As implementações perfazem algoritmos heurísticos, paralelos e força bruta. Por fim, embora não diretamente relacionado, desenvolvemos uma algoritmo para geração de grafos de Moore, que pode ser um dos caminhos para encontrar o ultimo grafo de Moore, caso ele exista. Questão que remanesce desconhecido e procurada por 55 anos.

Denna studie kommer att ta upp public service i Sverige. Bakgrund kring public service och etnicitet presenteras i studien. Problemet som lett till studiens uppkomst är den framkomst främlingsfientliga partier haft i Sverige de senaste åren. Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur etnicitet konstrueras i morgonradioprogrammet Morgonpasset i P3. Detta för att se sambandet mellan text och kontext, samt för att se hur olika etniciteter konstrueras. Studien bidrar också till att fylla det vetenskapliga hål som framkommit under en genomsökning av tidigare studier. Dessa studier inkluderar lokalradio, etnicitet och språk, samt etniciteter i journalistisk.   För att kunna ge en inblick i detta görs en textanalys av det utvalda materialet. Detta med koppling till teori, begrepp och metod. Metoden som valts ut för denna uppsats är CDA, kritisk diskursanalys. CDA kommer inte bara att användas som metod utan även som teori. I teorikapitlet tillkommer även andra teorier. Dessa är orientalism, andrefiering och olika teorier om svenskhet. I analysen behandlas flertalet transkriberade exempel och det framkommer att programledarna på olika sätt konstruerar svenskar som avvikande, avvisande och icke-ambitiösa. Resultatet av studien visar att programledarna i studieobjektet nedvärderar svenskhet och på så sätt skapar de en distans mellan sig själva och de som inte relaterar till svenskhet. Detta gör också att svenskheten som finns upprätthålls. Vidare resulterar detta i att lyssnarna påverkas av språket och de diskurser programledarna framför, vilket på så sätt också påverkar samhällets normer kring hur etnicitet konstrueras. / This study will look into public service in Sweden. The background of public service and ethnicity is being presented. The problem which has led to this study derives from the success of xenophobic parties in Sweden, in the recent years. The aim of this study is to investigate how ethnicity is constructed in the morning radio show, Morgonpasset i P3. This is being done in order to see the connection between text and context and to see how different ethnicities are being constructed. The study also contributes to filling the scientific gap which has been revealed by going through previous studies. These studies include local radio, ethnicity and language, and ethnicities in journalism.   To give an insight into this, the material has been handled through a text analysis. This with connection to theory, tools and method. The method that had been chosen for this study is CDA, critical discourse analysis. CDA is not only used as a method, but also as a theory. In the chapter about theories, other theories are added as well. These theories are orientalism, othering and different theories about swedishness. In the analysis multiple transcribed examples are being looked into. Here it is revealed that the show hosts in different ways are constructing swedishness as being different, rejecting and non-ambitious. The result of the study shows that the hosts of the radio show are downgrading swedishness and therefore distancing themselves and those who do not relate to swedishness. This also results in that the already existing swedishness is maintained. Furthermore, this results in that the listeners are being affected by the language and the discourses the hosts are presenting, which also affects society's norms of how ethnicity is beeing constructed.

Submitted by JÚLIO HEBER SILVA (julioheber@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-12-09T16:43:52Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Julliano Rosa Nascimento - 2016.pdf: 1812313 bytes, checksum: 9bdaa6ddbbe1dd9ce1e9ccdea8016eaf (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jaqueline Silva (jtas29@gmail.com) on 2016-12-13T19:11:50Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Julliano Rosa Nascimento - 2016.pdf: 1812313 bytes, checksum: 9bdaa6ddbbe1dd9ce1e9ccdea8016eaf (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-13T19:11:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Julliano Rosa Nascimento - 2016.pdf: 1812313 bytes, checksum: 9bdaa6ddbbe1dd9ce1e9ccdea8016eaf (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-11-30 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / In this work, we consider the parameter hull number in two graph convexities, the P3- convexity and the geodetic convexity. In the P3-convexity, we present results on the P3- hull number on the Cartesian product, strong product and lexicographic product of graphs. In special, regarding to the Cartesian product, we proved a complexity result, in which we show, given a graph G resulting of a Cartesian product of two graphs and a positive integer k, is NP-complete to decide whether the P3-hull number of G is less than or equal k. We also consider the P3-hull number on complementary prisms GG of connected graphs G and G, in which we show a tighter upper bound than that found in the literature. In the geodetic convexity, we show results of the hull number on complementary prisms GG when G is a tree, when G is a disconnected graph and when G is a cograph. Finally, we also show that in the geodetic convexity, the hull number on the complementary prism GG is unlimited on connected graphs G and G, unlike what happens in the P3-convexity / Nesta dissertação, consideramos o parâmetro número envoltório em duas convexidades em grafos, a convexidade P3 e a convexidade geodética. Na convexidade P3, obtivemos resultados do número envoltório P3 para o produto Cartesiano, produto forte e produto lexicográfico de grafos. Em especial, em relação ao produto Cartesiano, obtivemos um resultado de complexidade, no qual mostramos que, dado um grafo G, resultante de um produto Cartesiano de dois grafos e um inteiro positivo k, é NP-completo decidir se o número envoltório P3 de G é menor ou igual a k. Também consideramos o número envoltório P3 para prismas complementares GG de grafos G e G conexos, em que mostramos um limite superior um pouco mais justo do que o encontrado na literatura. Na convexidade geodética, mostramos resultados do número envoltório para prismas complementares GG quando G é uma árvore, quando G é um grafo desconexo e quando G é um cografo. Por fim, também mostramos que na convexidade geodética o número envoltório do prisma complementar GG pode ser ilimitado para grafos G e G ambos conexos, diferentemente do que ocorre na convexidade P3.

Orientador: Ronei Luciano Mamoni / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T05:56:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Castro_LiviaFurquimde_M.pdf: 5966667 bytes, checksum: bd25c56ae25a8825069884bedd9ca8ce (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: Diversos estudos demonstram que a resposta inflamatória é de extrema importância para o controle da Paracoccidioidomicose (PCM). Essa resposta inflamatória é iniciada pelo reconhecimento das células fúngicas por receptores expressos por células do sistema imunológico inato. Dentre esses receptores, o NLRP3 foi associado com o reconhecimento de fungos patogênicos em modelos experimentais, atuando em conjunto com o TLR2 e a dectina-1. O NLRP3 atua na formação de um complexo multiproteico denominado inflamassoma, o qual ativa a caspase-1, que é responsável pela produção das formas ativas de duas importantes citocinas inflamatórias: a IL-1? e a IL-18. Esse estudo teve por objetivo investigar o envolvimento do NLRP3 na ativação da resposta inflamatória de macrófagos e células dendríticas humanas (DCs) derivadas de monócitos em resposta ao Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb), além de avaliar a participação do NLRP3 na indução da resposta imunológica adaptativa. Nossos resultados demonstraram que células de lesões de pacientes com PCM (mucosa oral ou linfonodos) apresentam produção de IL-1beta, IL-18 e IL-37 e que macrófagos dessas lesões são positivos para Caspase-1 e NLRP3. Também fomos capazes de demonstrar que o reconhecimento de células leveduriformes por DCs e macrófagos humanos leva à ativação do inflamassoma NLRP3 e consequente produção de IL-1 e IL-18. Esse reconhecimento envolve a participação de receptores de superfície (TLR2 e Dectina-1), sendo que a produção dessas citocinas é dependente da sinalização via dectina-1 e fosforilação da proteína Syk. Além disso, observamos que a ativação do inflamassoma NLRP3, após o reconhecimento do fungo, envolve como principais mecanismos a produção de ROS e o efluxo de K+. Nossos dados também demonstraram que o inflamassoma NLRP3 é essencial para a diferenciação de células Th17 e Th1 e que sua inibição leva à um aumento de células Th2 e Treg. Em conjunto nossos dados indicam que a ativação do NLRP3 desempenha um papel importante, tanto na indução de uma resposta inflamatória inicial, quanto no desenvolvimento de uma resposta adquirida que pode ser associada à resistência à infecção pelo P. brasiliensis / Abstract: Several studies have shown that the inflammatory response is crucial for the control of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). This inflammatory response is initiated by the recognition of fungal yeast cells by receptors expressed by cells of the innate immune system. Among these receptors, NLRP3 was associated with the recognition of pathogenic fungi in experimental models, working in conjunction with TLR2 and dectin-1. The NLRP3 acts forming a multiproteic complex called inflammasome, which activates caspase-1, and the production of the active forms of two important cytokines: IL-1? and IL-18. This study aimed to investigate the involvement of NLRP3 activation in the inflammatory response of macrophages and human dendritic cells (DCs) derived from monocytes, in response to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb), and to evaluate the participation of NLRP3 in the induction of the subsequent adaptive immune response. Our results demonstrated that cells of lesions from PCM patients (oral mucosa and lymph nodes) express IL-1beta, IL-18 and IL-37, and that macrophages in these lesions are positive for caspase-1 and NLRP3. We were also able to demonstrate that the recognition of Pb yeast cells by human macrophages and DCs leads to the NLRP3 inflammasome activation and production of IL-1 and IL-18. This recognition involves the participation of surface receptors (TLR2 and Dectin-1), and the production of these cytokines was dependent on signaling via dectin-1 and phosphorylation of Syk. In addition, we observed that the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, after recognition of the fungus, involves as main mechanisms the ROS production and the K+ efflux. Our data also demonstrate that the NLRP3 inflammasome are essential for the differentiation of Th1 and Th17 cells and its inhibition leads to an increased frequency of Th2 and Treg cells. Taken together our data indicated that activation of NLRP3 present an important role in both the induction of an initial inflammatory response, and in the development of an acquired immune response, which can be associated with the resistance to the P. brasiliensis infection / Mestrado / Ciencias Biomedicas / Mestra em Ciências Médicas

The superior advantage of a nodal method for reactor cores with hexagonal fuel assemblies discretized as cells consisting of equilateral triangles is its mesh refinement capability. In this thesis, a diffusion and a simplified P3 (or SP3) neutron transport nodal method are developed based on trigonal geometry. Both models are implemented in the reactor dynamics code DYN3D. As yet, no other well-established nodal core analysis code comprises an SP3 transport theory model based on trigonal meshes. The development of two methods based on different neutron transport approximations but using identical underlying spatial trigonal discretization allows a profound comparative analysis of both methods with regard to their mathematical derivations, nodal expansion approaches, solution procedures, and their physical performance. The developed nodal approaches can be regarded as a hybrid NEM/AFEN form. They are based on the transverse-integration procedure, which renders them computationally efficient, and they use a combination of polynomial and exponential functions to represent the neutron flux moments of the SP3 and diffusion equations, which guarantees high accuracy. The SP3 equations are derived in within-group form thus being of diffusion type. On this basis, the conventional diffusion solver structure can be retained also for the solution of the SP3 transport problem. The verification analysis provides proof of the methodological reliability of both trigonal DYN3D models. By means of diverse hexagonal academic benchmark and realistic detailed-geometry full-transport-theory problems, the superiority of the SP3 transport over the diffusion model is demonstrated in cases with pronounced anisotropy effects, which is, e.g., highly relevant to the modeling of fuel assemblies comprising absorber material.