Yes / Due to the environmental legislations related to sulfur content and proceeding with the challenges to find an appropriate catalyst of such contamination producing clean fuel, a main thrust for improving of more efficient technologies on new oxidative catalyst is viewed a vital issue in fuel quality development. So, in this study, the sulfur compound (ethyl mercaptan) presents in light naphtha feedstock is removed by oxidative desulfurization (ODS) in a batch reactor using a new homemade nano-catalyst and air as oxidant under different reaction conditions (reaction temperatures, reaction time and the initial sulfur concentrations) that has not been studied in such field. The catalyst is zinc oxide supported on zeolite nanoparticles which is locally prepared by Incipient Wetness Impregnation (IWI) method. Mathematical model of the relevant reactions is also developed in this study to match the experimental results via obtaining the optimal kinetic parameters utilizing optimization techniques within gPROMS program. Such optimization is conducted using two approaches (linear and nonlinear regression) and the results showed that the nonlinear approach is more accurate than linear approach. The optimal kinetic parameters are then used to achieve a clean fuel via getting the optimal operation conditions based on the maximum conversion. Where, higher than 99% of the process conversion has obtained at temperature of 327.4 K, reaction time at163.6 min and initial concentration of 335.3 ppm.

Yes / Photobiomodulation is reported to positively influence hair regrowth, wound healing, skin rejuvenation, and psoriasis. Despite rapid translation of this science to commercial therapeutic solutions, significant gaps in our understanding of the underlying processes remain. The aim of this review was to seek greater clarity and rationality specifically for the selection of optical parameters for studies on hair regrowth and wound healing. Our investigation of 90 reports published between 1985-2015 revealed major inconsistencies in optical parameters selected for clinical applications. Moreover, poorly understood photoreceptors expressed in skin such as cytochrome c oxidase, cryptochromes, opsins, may trigger different molecular mechanisms. All this could explain the plethora of reported physiological effects of light. To derive parameters for optimal clinical efficacy of photobiomodulation, we recommend a more rational approach, underpinning clinical studies with research of molecular targets and pathways using well-defined biological model systems enabling easy translation of optical parameters from in vitro to in vivo. Furthermore, special attention needs to be paid when conducting studies for hair regrowth, aiming for double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials as the gold standard for quantifying hair growth. / European Marie-Curie Actions Programme, Grant agreement no.: 607886

Characterization and modeling of devices at high drive levels often requires specialized equipment and measurement techniques. Many large-signal devices will never have traditional nonlinear models because model development is expensive and time-consuming. Due to the complexity of the device or the size of the application market, nonlinear modeling efforts may not be cost effective. Scattering parameters, widely used for small-signal passive and active device characterization, have received only cursory consideration for large-signal nonlinear device characterization due to technical and theoretical issues. We review the theory of S-parameters, active device characterization, and previous efforts to use S-parameters with large-signal nonlinear devices. A robust, calibrated vector-measurement system is used to obtain device scattering parameters as a function of drive level. The unique measurement system architecture allows meaningful scattering parameter measurements of large-signal nonlinear devices, overcoming limitations reported by previous researchers. A three-port S-parameter device model, with a nonlinear reflection coefficient terminating the third port, can be extracted from scattering parameters measured as a function of drive level. This three-port model provides excellent agreement with device measurements across a wide range of drive conditions. The model is used to simulate load-pull data for various drive levels which are compared to measured data. / Master of Science

Yes / Three equations of state with a group contribution model for binary interaction parameters were employed to calculate the vapor-liquid equilibria of synthetic and real natural gas mixtures with heavy fractions. In order to estimate the binary interaction parameters, critical temperatures, critical pressures and acentric factors of binary constituents of the mixture are required. The binary interaction parameter model also accounts for temperature. To perform phase equilibrium calculations, the heavy fractions were first discretized into 12 Single Carbon Numbers (SCN) using generalized molecular weights. Then, using the generalized molecular weights and specific gravities, the SCN were characterized. Afterwards, phase equilibrium calculations were performed employing a set of (nc + 1) equations where nc stands for the number of known components plus 12 SCN. The equations were solved iteratively using Newton's method. Predictions indicate that the use of binary interaction parameters for highly sour natural gas mixtures is quite important and must not be avoided. For sweet natural gas mixtures, the use of binary interaction parameters is less remarkable, however.

Both sleep diaries and actigraphy have been recommended to assess sleep in research and clinical settings. Investigators have traditionally used sleep diaries that were completed daily by participants and collected weekly but have recently begun using sleep diaries that are both completed and collected daily. No research had previously assessed the agreement between daily-collected sleep diaries and actigraph data over one week. Undergraduate students were randomly assigned to use daily- or weekly-collected sleep diaries. Sleep parameters obtained from these measures were compared to each other via concordance with concurrent actigraph data. It was hypothesized that daily-collected sleep diaries would have greater concordance with actigraphy than weekly-collected sleep diaries. Results indicated that daily-collected sleep diaries provided more reliable data than weekly-collected sleep diaries, but the differences were not statistically significant. Additional aims examined self-reported sleep diary adherence, the participation day number, and day of the week. There were trends for the Daily group to have better adherence. Overall concordance did not change based on the day number or day of the week. Both sleep diaries yield comparable sleep parameter data, suggesting that clinicians and researchers can use either method to estimate sleep parameters.

Yes / Purpose: Dexibuprofen is an enantiomer of ibuprofen with low bioavailability which results from its hydrophobic nature. Nanosuspensions have developed a podium to solve the in vitro dissolution problem that frequently occurs in current research. Materials and methods: The drug and polymer solutions were mixed in a microchannel fluid reactor and the successive embryonic nanosuspension was decanted into a vial having the polymer solution. The impact of different process and formulation parameters including inlet angle, antisolvent and solvent flow rate(s), mixing time, drug concentration, polymer type and concentration was evaluated. Results and discussion: Stable dexibuprofen nanocrystals with a particle size of 45±3.0 nm and polydispersity index of 0.19±0.06 were obtained. Differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffraction confirmed the crystallinity. The key parameters observed were inlet angle 10°, antisolvent to solvent volume of 2.0/0.5 mL/min, 60 minutes mixing with 5 minutes sonication, Poloxamer-407 with a concentration of 0.5% w/v and drug concentration (5 mg/mm). The 60-day stability studies revealed that the nanocrystals were stable at 4°C and 25°C. The scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images showed crystalline morphology with a homogeneous distribution. Conclusion: Stable dexibuprofen nanocrystals with retentive distinctive characteristics and having marked dissolution rate compared to raw and marketed formulations were efficiently fabricated. In future perspectives, these nanocrystals could be converted to solid dosage form and the process can be industrialized by chemical engineering approach

No

Στο πλαίσιο της παρούσας διπλωματικής εργασίας, αρχικά γίνεται μια σύντομη περιγραφή της γεωλογίας της μελετούμενης περιοχής που εντοπίζεται σε τμήμα της ε.ο Πατρών- Τριπόλεως περί της χ.θ 84 + 000. Αναφέρονται οι γεωλογικές συνθήκες της ευρύτερης περιοχής και η γεωτεκτονική εξέλιξη της γεωτεκτονικής ζώνης Ωλονού- Πίνδου. Η σπουδαιότητα των στοιχείων αυτών έγκειται στην κατανόηση του ευρύτερου τεχνικογεωλογικού περιβάλλοντος που ανήκουν οι ασβεστολιθικοί σχηματισμοί. Ακολουθεί η περιγραφή- αξιολόγηση των εργαστηριακών δοκιμών που εκτελέστηκαν σύμφωνα με τις ισχύουσες προδιαγραφές και περιγράφονται ο τρόπος δειγματοληψίας, η διαμόρφωση δειγμάτων και ο προσδιορισμός των φυσικών και μηχανικών παραμέτρων των ληφθέντων βραχώδων δειγμάτων ασβεστολίθου. / In the context of this thesis, first a brief description of the geology of the studied area is located in a part of the National Road Patras Tripoli on KP 84 + 000. Describe the geological conditions of the region, and the tectonic evolution of the geotectonic zone Olonou - Pindos. The importance of these data lies in understanding the wider geotechnical environment belonging calcareous formations. Here's a description - evaluation of the laboratory tests carried out in accordance with the applicable specifications and described the method of sampling the configuration samples and determination of physical and mechanical properties of the obtained samples rocky limestone.

Realizar a modelagem de um aqüífero não é tarefa fácil. Em se tratando de um sistema aqüífero, a empreitada se torna ainda mais complexa. Neste trabalho, alguns dos parâmetros importantes para esse fim foram estimados a partir de simulações. Na região de estudo, existem poços tubulares que, em sua maioria, não foram perfurados somente na Formação Adamantina, mas também na Formação Serra Geral. Tal configuração conduziu à formulação de dois conjuntos de cenários a partir dos quais foi possível estimar valores de condutividade hidráulica para as duas formações. Com essa estimativa conseguiu-se também simular testes de bombeamento, seus respectivos cones de rebaixamento, bem como a interferência causada entre cones de rebaixamento. Com essa abordagem foi possível estimar o quanto um poço em funcionamento pode influenciar no nível estático de um vizinho. A contribuição da geofísica está no uso da eletroresistividade. Foram executadas 23 Sondagens Elétricas Verticais (SEV), das quais dezenove são SEV´s curtas (AB/2 500m) e quatro, longas (AB/2 1500), que forneceram informações sobre a espessura saturada do arenito e posição do topo do basalto, especialmente na região com poucos poços. Também foram realizados quatro Caminhamentos Elétricos (CE) no estudo de possíveis estruturas. Unindo os resultados da modelagem (simulação) e da geofísica, pôde-se relacionar os parâmetros hidrogeológicos e geoelétricos. Embora o conjunto de dados para a região não tenha sido o ideal, a metodologia se mostrou adequada e os resultados bastante razoáveis. Deste modo, foi possível a determinação de parâmetros hidrogeológicos em subsuperfície através de parâmetros geoelétricos medidos em superfície. / To perform the aquifer modelling is not an easy task. In the case of an aquifer system, the work becomes even more complex. In this work, some of important parameters for this purpose have been estimated from simulations. In the study area, there are wells that in most cases were not only drilled in Adamantina Formation but also in Serra Geral Formation. This configuration led to the formulation of two sets of scenarios from which it was possible to estimate values for hydraulic conductivity of these formations. With this estimate it could also simulate pumping tests, their cones of depression as well as the interference caused between cones of depression. With this approach it was possible to estimate how much a operating well can influence static level of a neighbour one. Geophysics contribution is in the use of electrical resistivity. Twenty-three Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) were performed, nineteen of them are short (AB/2 500m), that provided information about the saturated thickness of sandstone as well as top of basalt, especially in the region with few wells, and four are long (AB/2 1500) VESs. Four electrical profiling (EP) were also carried out to study possible structures. Joining modelling (simulation) and geophysics results, it could be related hydrogeological and geoelectrical parameters. Although dataset for region was not the ideal, methodology was satisfactory, and results quite reasonable. Thus, it was possible to determine hydrogeological parameters in subsurface through measured geoelectrical parameters in surface.

Polimorfismos do tipo indel são os mais abundantes depois dos SNPs, representando 3,6 milhões das variantes caracterizadas pelo projeto 1000 Genomes. Com uma distribuição que pode ser estimada em mais de um indel a cada 1000 pb, são facilmente encontrados em regiões de interesse. A baixa taxa de mutação e a possibilidade de desenhar primers alelo-específicos são as principais características dos indels que os diferenciam de STRs. O uso de primers aleloespecíficos na detecção e dosagem de misturas de DNA apresenta maior sensibilidade e acurácia que as técnicas usualmente empregadas. Aqui foram descritos, para 10 lócus indel, pares de primers flanqueadores e alelo-específicos para ambos os alelos (inserção e deleção) e foi realizado o estudo populacional em 160 indivíduos. A determinação de fenótipos e avaliação de especificidade dos primers, dos quais 28 foram específicos, foi realizada por PCR convencional seguida de PAGE. As análises populacionais e forenses mostraram que esses lócus apresentam alta variabilidade (heterozigose de 30-50%) e consequentemente, alta informatividade. Os valores de PIC, PE e PD variaram de 0,2763 a 0,3750; 0,1381 a 0,1875 e 0,4978 a 0,6250 respectivamente. Os valores cumulativos de PCE e PCD foram respectivamente 0,8508 e 0,9999. Assim, esse conjunto de indels é indicado para serem testados na detecção e quantificação de misturas de DNA a partir da amplificação alelo-específica. / Indels polymorphisms are the most abundant after SNPs, representing 3.6 million of the variants characterized by the 1000 Genomes project. With a distribution that can be estimated at more than one indel per 1000 bp, they are easily found in regions of interest. The low mutation rate and the possibility of designing allele-specific primers are the main characteristics of the indels that differentiate them from STRs. The use of allele-specific primers in the detection and dosage of DNA mixtures is more sensitive and accurate than regularly employed techniques. Here, for 10 indel loci, pairs of flanking primers and allele-specific primers, for both alleles (insertion and deletion), were described and a population study was performed on 160 individuals. Determining phenotypes and evaluation of primers specificity, of which 28 were specific, was performed by conventional PCR followed by PAGE. In population and forensic analysis, these loci showed high variability (heterozygosis of 30-50%) and consequently high informativeness. The values of PIC, PE and PD ranged from 0.2763 to 0.3750, 0.1381 to 0.1875 and 0.49978 to 0.6250 respectively. Combined values of PCE and PCD were respectively 0.8508 and 0.9999. Thus, this set of indels is indicated to be tested for detection and quantification of DNA mixtures using the allele-specific amplification method.