Este trabalho apresenta o estudo da incorporação de fibra de vidro curta em composto rígido de poli(cloreto de vinila) - PVC - por meio de equipamentos e técnicas de processamento convencionais da indústria brasileira. Foram avaliadas as influências de: a) tamanho de fibra de vidro (tipo E), b) dosagem de fibra de vidro, c) dosagem de dióxido de titânio (TiO2) e d) a temperatura de processamento nas propriedades físicas, térmicas, mecânicas e na adesão entre matriz polimérica e fibra de vidro (analisada por Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura). O custo-benefício dos compósitos foi calculado por meio de Índices de Mérito para os modos de carregamento mecânico encontrados nos tubos pressurizados para água fria (Cilindro com Pressão Interna) e perfis rígidos utilizados em construção civil (Barra em Flexão), dado o grande uso de PVC nestas aplicações. Entre os resultados obtidos, destaca-se o aumento de 45% no módulo de elasticidade para os compósitos com 20% de fibra de vidro moída que, para algumas aplicações, pode apresentar uma relação custo-benefício bastante favorável. / This work presents the impact of the short glass fiber incorporation in rigid PVC compound through conventional processing techniques currently employed in the Brazilian industry. It were studied the influences of a) glass fiber geometry (E type), b) glass fiber content, c) titanium dioxide content and d) processing temperature in the physical, mechanical and thermal properties. The adhesion conditions between polymeric matrix and glass fiber was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cost-benefit relation of composites was evaluated using materials index technique for mechanical conditions found in pressurized water pipes (cylinder with internal pressure) and in building construction profiles (beam loaded in bending). The results attained suggested that, in some cases, the mechanical properties enhancement (such as the increase of 45% in the modulus of elasticity for composites containing 20% of glass fiber) and the processing techniques required to produce it can present an interesting cost-benefit relation.

The Cuban treefrog, Osteopilus septentrionalis, is an invasive species in Florida that may be negatively impacting adult and larval native treefrog species through competition via direct predation. The purpose of this study was to determine the abundance and distribution of O. septentrionalis in urban, semi-urban and natural habitats. The distribution and abundance of native treefrogs within the study area, Hyla cinerea, Hyla femoralis and Hyla squirella, were also estimated and compared to that of O. septentrionalis. Treefrogs were captured using PVC pipes with two internal diameters, 1.9 cm and 4.45 cm, hung on three tree types, Pinus, Quercus and Sabal. Distance to water, time of year and monthly rainfall were also considered as a potential influence of treefrog captures. O. septentrionalis was found in sites with both urban and natural habitats in frequencies far greater than those of native treefrogs. Results indicate that O. septentrionalis are captured more frequently in sites with urban habitat; however recapture rates and estimates of population size indicate that the population sizes of O. septentrionalis may actually be larger at sites with natural habitat. O. septentrionalis are found significantly more frequently in Quercus. H. femoralis and H. squirella were found significantly more frequently in PVC pipes with an internal diameter of 4.45 cm. A weak, although significant, positive correlation was found between distance to water and treefrog abundances for O. septentrionalis and H. squirella. Native treefrogs were found less frequently in PVC pipes that also contained O. septentrionalis; this result is perhaps the most interesting because it may indicate that native treefrogs will avoid habitat or refuges where O. septentrionalis are present. If O. septentrionalis is a real threat to species of treefrogs in Florida, these results should be of concern. Findings suggest that PVC pipes may give biased estimates of treefrog densities. Available refuge, temperature and precipitation all appear to have an effect on how attractive PVC pipes are to treefrogs.

Background The canine cardiac system has been the model against which many Class III cardiac devices are validated. Thus, it is expected that the canine heart has very similar electrical model to that found in humans. In 1999, the absence of Heart Rate Turbulence (HRT) after a single Pre-Ventricular Contraction (PVC) was linked to high-risk patient after acute myocardial infarction. Studies of HRT were performed on high-risk patients with Holter-Monitors as were most subsequent HRT studies. If HRT could potentially be used as a risk factor of heart disease, it is interesting to study whether HRT is present following a PVC in otherwise healthy canines. Methods For multiple months, five non-medicated, healthy canines were chronically monitored from between 1 and 8 sessions each. At each session, the canines were ventricularly paced to induce PVCs. Electrical signals, as seen through both a right-ventricular lead and Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, were captured and analyzed to determine whether the canines displayed HRT following each induced PVC. As a contrasting data set, for the majority of the canines, data was also collected once the canines were sedated. Results HRT was noted in all non-medicated and healthy canines. Of the two factors of HRT (slope and onset), TS was the most prominent indicator of HRT. In each canine, the slope was far greater than the 2.5 ms per RR interval threshold varying from 9.8 to 68.8 ms per RR interval. The onset was marked as HRT (onset less than 0%) in 22 of the 26 session. Additional data was analyzed for healthy yet medicated canines showed that sedation affected HRT, but that HRT was generally noted. Conclusion The canine model displayed a similar HRT characteristic as humans during normal and parasympathetic inhibited states. The presence of HRT in canines is most reliable when using TS. Further study in this area with naturally occurring PVCs would be of interest.

Orientador: Marcos David Ferreira / Resumo: Objetivo. Analisar a eficácia antimicrobiana in vitro de compósito em pó a base de prata e sua aplicação em diferentes concentrações em filmes de policloreto de vinila (PVC) produzidos em escala industrial e em laboratório. Métodos. Um material compósito constituído por dióxido de sílicio (SiO2) e nanopartículas de prata (NpAg), produzido e cedido por uma empresa de soluções tecnológicas, foi caracterizado por Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV), Espectroscopia no Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier (FTIR) e Difração de Raio X (DRX). Filmes de PVC industrial aditivados com 6,25, 12,5, 25 e 100 ppm de NpAg e filmes produzidos laboratorialmente pelo método de casting aditivados com 12,5, 25 e 100 ppm de NpAg foram caracterizados por Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV), Espectroscopia no Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier (FTIR) e Difração de Raio X (DRX). Testes microbiológicos in vitro foram realizados com o compósito de prata e com os filmes de PVC. Com o compósito realizou-se o Teste de Difusão em Ágar por poço e a Contagem de Microrganismos Viáveis. Com os filmes industrial e laboratorial realizou-se o teste da Norma JIS Z 2801:2000, e com os filmes industriais realizou-se os testes de Agitação em Frasco e Contagem de Microrganismos Viáveis. Resultados. O compósito apresentou inibição para Escherichia coli em todas as concentrações estudadas e para Staphylococcus aureus nas concentrações de 12,5, 25 e 100 ppm de NpAg. A adição de compósito na matriz... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Mestre

<p>This thesis describes a new <i>in vitro</i> slide chamber model that makes it possible to conduct studies of molecular and cellular interactions between whole blood and biomaterials. The model proved to be a suitable tool for detection of cell and platelet binding to a biomaterial surface. It was possible to monitor activation of the blood cascade systems and cells in the fluid phase and detect surface-bound molecules.</p><p>One finding was that thrombin generation is primarily triggered by FXII on a biomaterial surface since corn trypsin inhibitor, inhibited thrombin generation in blood.</p><p>Another finding was that thrombin generation was dependent on variety types of blood cells, since thrombin generation was almost negligible in platelet-rich plasma. When various preparations of blood cells were used to reconstitute platelet-rich and platelet-poor plasma, erythrocytes were shown to be the most efficient cell type in triggering thrombin generation. Inhibition of platelet aggregation with aspirin and Ro44-9883 was associated with a decrease in thrombin generation, confirming that platelet activation is necessary for normal coagulation activation. These findings suggest that the central events consist of an initial low-grade generation of thrombin that involves erythrocytes and possibly leukocytes which leads to activation of platelets; and a second platelet-dependent amplification loop that produces most of the thrombin.</p><p>Titanium exposed to whole blood produced high amounts of thrombin. Stainless steel and PVC, generated lower amounts. This indicates that titanium might be less suitable as a biomaterial in devices that are in direct contact with blood for prolonged time. Considering the superior osteointegrating properties of titanium and titanium's response to blood, a correlation between high thrombogenicity and good osteointegration seems to exist.</p><p>Compstatin, that binds to complement component C3, effectively inhibited the generation of C3a and sC5b-9 and the binding of C3/C3 fragments to the surface. Our results suggest that a biomaterial is able to activate complement through both the classical and alternative pathways and that the classical pathway alone is able to maintain a substantial bioincompatibility reaction. The results show that complement activation is a prerequisite for activation and binding of PMNs to the surface in the <i>in vitro</i> model.</p>

This thesis describes a new in vitro slide chamber model that makes it possible to conduct studies of molecular and cellular interactions between whole blood and biomaterials. The model proved to be a suitable tool for detection of cell and platelet binding to a biomaterial surface. It was possible to monitor activation of the blood cascade systems and cells in the fluid phase and detect surface-bound molecules. One finding was that thrombin generation is primarily triggered by FXII on a biomaterial surface since corn trypsin inhibitor, inhibited thrombin generation in blood. Another finding was that thrombin generation was dependent on variety types of blood cells, since thrombin generation was almost negligible in platelet-rich plasma. When various preparations of blood cells were used to reconstitute platelet-rich and platelet-poor plasma, erythrocytes were shown to be the most efficient cell type in triggering thrombin generation. Inhibition of platelet aggregation with aspirin and Ro44-9883 was associated with a decrease in thrombin generation, confirming that platelet activation is necessary for normal coagulation activation. These findings suggest that the central events consist of an initial low-grade generation of thrombin that involves erythrocytes and possibly leukocytes which leads to activation of platelets; and a second platelet-dependent amplification loop that produces most of the thrombin. Titanium exposed to whole blood produced high amounts of thrombin. Stainless steel and PVC, generated lower amounts. This indicates that titanium might be less suitable as a biomaterial in devices that are in direct contact with blood for prolonged time. Considering the superior osteointegrating properties of titanium and titanium's response to blood, a correlation between high thrombogenicity and good osteointegration seems to exist. Compstatin, that binds to complement component C3, effectively inhibited the generation of C3a and sC5b-9 and the binding of C3/C3 fragments to the surface. Our results suggest that a biomaterial is able to activate complement through both the classical and alternative pathways and that the classical pathway alone is able to maintain a substantial bioincompatibility reaction. The results show that complement activation is a prerequisite for activation and binding of PMNs to the surface in the in vitro model.

The UV-Visible spectra of a-C composites and nano composites have provided a very useful information about the electronic states and band structure. The UV-Visible spectra of a-C as well as nanoparticle are qualitatively similar. They do not show any absorption cutoff in wavelength (_max). In fact they are good absorbers of UV-Visible light in whole range. Composites show some absorptions which could be the combined effect of filler as we as host matrix. Since there is no _max, hence it is very unlikely to define any optical band gap. The nanoparticle is a good absorber in midinfrared compared to a-C. That may be due to presence of complicated kind of vibrational modes of carbon cased nanoparticle.Besides Fe3C also produces some additional modes. With kind of spectrum we have it is difficult to identify the different modes unambiguously for nanoparticle. The combined effects of filler as well as host polymer are reflected in both sets of composites. A new absorption is observed in a-C as well as in nanoparticle composites at 2370 cm−1 and 3462 cm−1 respectively. This peak may arise in composites due to interaction between filler and host matrix. The thermo gravimetric analysis is a useful characterization techniques for polymer and composites. It gives the information about the stability, phase change, degradation, chemical reaction and many more. The a-C composites as well as nano composites are stable up to 200_ C. These composites can be safely used for any practical purpose below this temperature. During the synthesis of composites the filler does not take part in any reaction. This fact is reflected in the DTG curve. The composites degrade in the way host polymer degrades.

Ftalater är ett ämne som har till syfte att verka mjukgörande i plast. Ftalater finns i flera material och produkter i vår omgivning t ex i leksaker, elektronik, textilier och i inredningsmaterial. De problem som uppkommer i samband med användandet av ftalater i produkter är att ftalaterna inte är kovalent bundna till sitt material och därmed kan dessa frigöras ut i luft och damm. Flera ftalater är klassade som hormonstörande ämnen och kan påverka flera viktiga funktioner i kroppen. Barn är en extra känslig grupp då flera av deras organ ännu inte är färdigutvecklade och är beroende av ett fungerande endokrint system.   Barn spenderar en stor del av sin vardag på förskolan och det ställer krav på deras inomhusmiljö. Studier visar på att koncentrationerna av ftalater är 2-4 gånger så hög i förskolans inomhusmiljö som i hemmiljön. Med tanke på att barn har flera organsystem under utveckling är det viktigt att fasa ut onödiga källor för exponering av ftalater.   Arbetets syfte är att kartlägga ftalater i inomhusmiljön på förskolor i Växjö kommun och att undersöka pedagogers medvetenhet kring ämnet. Arbetet utgår från tidigare vetenskapliga artiklar och en enkätundersökning som personal på 46 förskolor i Växjö kommun har besvarat.   Studier som undersökt inomhusmiljöer visar på att det förekommer höga koncentrationer av ftalater som är begränsade enligt REACH-förordningen. Då ftalater finns i flera produkter blir det många olika exponeringskällor och det gör det viktigt att fasa ut onödiga källor för att minska koncentrationen av ftalater i luft och damm. De mest intressanta resultat som kommit fram via enkätundersökningen är att det förekommer plastgolv i de flesta lokaler, elektronik finns i de rum där barnen spenderar mest tid och att barn använder “vuxna leksaker” såsom äldre elektronik, väskor och skor. Ett resultat som visar att barn lever i en allt mer vuxen miljö med produkter som är avsedda för vuxna. Sådana produkter täcks inte in av de begränsningar som REACH-förordningen skapat och täcks inte heller av de nya leksaksdirektiven.   Förskolepedagogerna uppger sig vara medvetna om ämnet ftalater men ändå visar undersökningen att det finns en rad olika brister i kunskap. Det är därför viktigt att öka kunskapen och medvetenheten kring ämnet för att på så sätt fasa ut onödiga källor för exponering av ftalater.

Green chemistry principles served as a guide for three industrially-relevant projects. In the first project, silylamines were applied as reversible ionic liquids for carbon dioxide capture from post-combustion flue gas streams. The effect of silylamine structure was thoroughly researched to develop a comprehensive library of silylamines and an accompanying set of structure-property relationships. The proposed solvent systems have the potential to present significant energy savings, as design has focused on their use in a non-aqueous, solvent-free environment. The second project also dealt extensively with carbon dioxide capture, as a reversible, in-situ protecting group for amines. Three strategies for the reversible protection of amines using carbon dioxide were developed and evaluated. Further, a chemoselective reaction was performed using carbon dioxide to protect a reactive amine and consequentially direct reactivity elsewhere within the same molecule. The carbon dioxide-protection technology developed has significant impact in multi-step industrial syntheses, as reversible, in-situ protection with carbon dioxide could eliminate the need for separate protection and deprotection unit operations. Lastly, a study was performed on the thermal degradation and stabilization of PVC in the presence of both plasticizers and thermal stabilizers. The study combined both model compound experiments as well as work with bulk PVC blends to gain a holistic understanding of the processes that take place during the degradation and stabilization of PVC. A bio-based plasticizer was investigated as a replacement for petroleum-based phthalate plasticizers. Additionally, two novel thermal stabilizers for PVC were presented and evaluated.

Dans le cadre de ce travail, l'objectif était d'élaborer des surfaces PVC antibactériennes. Deux types de surfaces ont été élaborés, des surfaces bactéricides visant à tuer les bactéries au contact et des surfaces antiadhésives (bactériophobes) empêchant ou limitant l'adhésion bactérienne.Pour ce faire, des copolymères porteurs de groupements cationiques bactéricides ainsi que des copolymères renfermant des structures à effets antiadhésifs de type polysaccharides ou PEG ont été synthétisés et caractérisés. Ces composés ont été ensuite greffés chimiquement par click addition sur des surfaces PVC porteuses de fonctions azoture (PVC-N3). Les propriétés physico-chimiques des nouvelles surfaces obtenues ont été caractérisées par diverses techniques (IRTF, XPS, angle de contact, AFM, microscopie confocale à fluorescence, ATG etDSC). Les propriétés bactéricides ou antiadhésives ont été évaluées à l'égard de Escherichia coli et Staphylococcus epidermidis. La microscopie confocale à fluorescence a mis en évidence le caractère hautement bactéricide des surfaces PVC cationiques via le test Live and Dead.Cette technique a aussi permis de démontrer l'effet antiadhésif de la méthyl cellulose, del'hydroxyéthyl cellulose et du PEG greffés en surface, diminuant d'au moins 10⁴ fois le nombre de bactéries adhérées par rapport aux surfaces témoins.