Inflatable space-based devices have become popular over the past three decades, as they offer minimized launch-mass and launch-volume. Since some satellites have mirror sections over fifty feet in diameter and struts with lengths over ninety feet, inflation while in orbit has become a necessary procedure. Once inflated, these space structures are subject to two types of vibrations: those induced mechanically by guidance systems and space debris and those induced thermally from variable amounts of direct sunlight as they orbit about earth. Controlling vibrations of spaced-based structures is critical to ensuring optimal performance. The focus of this research is derived from an Air Force program to develop and model an active control system using smart materials to suppress the vibrations of inflatable communication satellites. When small piezoceramic devices are attached to an aluminum or steel structure, the effects of the piezo on the dynamic properties of the host are typically ignored. However, the inflatable satellites of interest to this project are manufactured from Kapton®, a thin, light polyimide film. Therefore, even a piezopolymer film actuator, such as PVDF, could greatly change the mass and stiffness values in the area under and around the patch, altering the dynamic behavior of the satellite. Thin-walled pressure vessel theory was employed to assess the state of stress at any location on an inflated torus. A flat, rectangular coupon was selected at a general point on the structure and modeled as a membrane. The equation of motion for this membrane with clamped edges was derived and a closed-form solution for the natural frequencies and mode shapes was presented. The Rayleigh-Ritz and finite element methods were then seen to numerically approximate the natural frequencies and mode shapes for the bare membrane with a high degree of accuracy. A passive PVDF patch was then attached to the base membrane and the equation of motion derived using an energy approach. Since a closed-form solution was not readily available, the Rayleigh-Ritz and finite element methods were again employed to obtain approximate results that agreed remarkably well. Trends in natural frequencies for various patch areas and thicknesses were explored. It was shown, that membrane theory represented the added mass of the patch but was unable to account for the added stiffness of the PVDF attachment. Traditional membrane theory was also unable to model an active PVDF patch as a sensor for out of plane vibrations, but the ability of the patch to alter the tension in the base layer was predicted. / Master of Science

O objetivo desta tese é o projeto e a síntese de filtros passa-faixa sintonizáveis em frequências de micro-ondas utilizando ressoadores planares tipo patch. As características dos filtros projetados, tais como frequência central, largura de banda e/ou seletividade, são eletronicamente ajustadas por uma tensão de controle DC. Uma metodologia para a concepção e síntese de filtros sintonizáveis patch é desenvolvida e aplicada a dois filtros com topologias triangular e circular. A metodologia fornece técnicas para extrair o esquema de acoplamento que modela o comportamento do filtro e as equações necessárias para calcular a matriz de acoplamento. Então, a resposta teórica do filtro resultante da análise dos coeficientes da matriz de acoplamento é comparada com os resultados das simulações completas. As simulações completas combinam os resultados da simulação eletromagnética 3D do layout do filtro com os resultados da simulação elétrica dos dispositivos de ajuste, representados por seu modelo elétrico equivalente de elementos discretos. Isso permite o correto modelamento das características do ajuste e a definição de seus limites. A fim de validar a metodologia, os filtros patch sintonizáveis são fabricados usando tecnologia de micro-ondas de circuito Integrado (MIC) sobre substratos flexíveis. As dimensões mínimas são maiores do que 0,5 mm, garantindo um processo de fabricação de baixo custo. O primeiro filtro é um filtro patch dual-mode sintonizável que utiliza um ressonador triangular com duas fendas perpendiculares. A frequência central e a largura de banda do filtro podem ser ajustadas individualmente por um controle independente de cada modo fundamental degenerado. O controle dos modos é feito através de diodos varactor montados nas fendas do ressoador patch. O filtro apresenta variação de 20 % de frequência central de 2,9 GHz a 3,5 GHz. A banda relativa de 3 dB varia de 4 % a 12 %. Duas tensões de polarização DC diferentes variando de 2,5 V a 22 V são usadas para ajustar este filtro. O segundo filtro é um filtro patch triple-mode sintonizável que utiliza um ressoador circular com quatro fendas radiais, nas quais são conectados os diodos varactor. A frequência central e a largura de banda deste filtro variam simultaneamente. O filtro apresenta 27 % de variação da frequência central de 1,8 GHz a 2,35 GHz com variação concomitante da largura de banda relativa de 8,5 % para 26 %. Apenas uma única tensão de polarização DC variando de 0,5 V a 20 V é usada para sintonizar este filtro. Ambos os filtros são capazes de lidar com níveis de potência de no mínimo +14,5 dBm (filtro com ressoador triangular) e +12,9 dBm (filtro com ressoador circular). / The objective of this thesis is the design and synthesis of tunable bandpass filters at microwave frequencies using planar patch resonators. The characteristics of the designed filters, such as center frequency, bandwidth, and/or selectivity, are electronically adjusted by a DC voltage control. A methodology for the design and synthesis of tunable patch filters is developed and applied to two filters with triangular and circular topologies. The methodology provides techniques to extract the coupling scheme that models the filter behavior and the necessary equations for calculating the corresponding coupling matrix. Then, the theoretical filter response resulting from the analysis of the coupling matrix coefficients is compared to the results of complete simulations. The complete simulations combine the results of the 3D electromagnetic (EM) simulation of the filter layout with the results of the electrical simulation of the tuning devices, represented by their lumped elements equivalent model. This allows the correct model of the tuning effect and the definition of the tuning possibilities and limits. In order to validate the methodology, the tunable patch filters are fabricated using Microwave Integrated Circuit (MIC) technology on flexible substrates. The minimum dimensions are greater than 0.5 mm, ensuring a low cost fabrication process. The first filter is a tunable dual-mode patch filter using a triangular resonator with two perpendicular slots. The central frequency and the bandwidth of the filter are individually tuned by independently controlling each degenerate fundamental mode. The topology with uncoupled modes allows the control of each resonant mode frequency by varactor diodes mounted across the slots of the patch resonator. This filter presents a center frequency tuning range of 20 %, varying from 2.9 GHz to 3.5 GHz. The FBW 3dB can be varied from 4 % to 12 %. Two different DC bias voltages ranging from 2.5 V to 22 V are used to tune this filter. The second filter is a tunable triple-mode patch filter using a circular resonator with four slots, across which the varactor diodes are connected. The center frequency and bandwidth of this filter vary simultaneously. This filter presents a center frequency tuning range of 27 %, varying from 1.8 GHz to 2.35 GHz, changing concomitantly with the bandwidth from 8.5 % to 26 %. Only a single DC bias voltage ranging from 0.5 V to 20 V is used to tune the filter. Both filters are able to handle power levels as high as +14.5 dBm (triangular patch filter) and +12.9 dBm (circular patch filter).

O objetivo desta tese é o projeto e a síntese de filtros passa-faixa sintonizáveis em frequências de micro-ondas utilizando ressoadores planares tipo patch. As características dos filtros projetados, tais como frequência central, largura de banda e/ou seletividade, são eletronicamente ajustadas por uma tensão de controle DC. Uma metodologia para a concepção e síntese de filtros sintonizáveis patch é desenvolvida e aplicada a dois filtros com topologias triangular e circular. A metodologia fornece técnicas para extrair o esquema de acoplamento que modela o comportamento do filtro e as equações necessárias para calcular a matriz de acoplamento. Então, a resposta teórica do filtro resultante da análise dos coeficientes da matriz de acoplamento é comparada com os resultados das simulações completas. As simulações completas combinam os resultados da simulação eletromagnética 3D do layout do filtro com os resultados da simulação elétrica dos dispositivos de ajuste, representados por seu modelo elétrico equivalente de elementos discretos. Isso permite o correto modelamento das características do ajuste e a definição de seus limites. A fim de validar a metodologia, os filtros patch sintonizáveis são fabricados usando tecnologia de micro-ondas de circuito Integrado (MIC) sobre substratos flexíveis. As dimensões mínimas são maiores do que 0,5 mm, garantindo um processo de fabricação de baixo custo. O primeiro filtro é um filtro patch dual-mode sintonizável que utiliza um ressonador triangular com duas fendas perpendiculares. A frequência central e a largura de banda do filtro podem ser ajustadas individualmente por um controle independente de cada modo fundamental degenerado. O controle dos modos é feito através de diodos varactor montados nas fendas do ressoador patch. O filtro apresenta variação de 20 % de frequência central de 2,9 GHz a 3,5 GHz. A banda relativa de 3 dB varia de 4 % a 12 %. Duas tensões de polarização DC diferentes variando de 2,5 V a 22 V são usadas para ajustar este filtro. O segundo filtro é um filtro patch triple-mode sintonizável que utiliza um ressoador circular com quatro fendas radiais, nas quais são conectados os diodos varactor. A frequência central e a largura de banda deste filtro variam simultaneamente. O filtro apresenta 27 % de variação da frequência central de 1,8 GHz a 2,35 GHz com variação concomitante da largura de banda relativa de 8,5 % para 26 %. Apenas uma única tensão de polarização DC variando de 0,5 V a 20 V é usada para sintonizar este filtro. Ambos os filtros são capazes de lidar com níveis de potência de no mínimo +14,5 dBm (filtro com ressoador triangular) e +12,9 dBm (filtro com ressoador circular). / The objective of this thesis is the design and synthesis of tunable bandpass filters at microwave frequencies using planar patch resonators. The characteristics of the designed filters, such as center frequency, bandwidth, and/or selectivity, are electronically adjusted by a DC voltage control. A methodology for the design and synthesis of tunable patch filters is developed and applied to two filters with triangular and circular topologies. The methodology provides techniques to extract the coupling scheme that models the filter behavior and the necessary equations for calculating the corresponding coupling matrix. Then, the theoretical filter response resulting from the analysis of the coupling matrix coefficients is compared to the results of complete simulations. The complete simulations combine the results of the 3D electromagnetic (EM) simulation of the filter layout with the results of the electrical simulation of the tuning devices, represented by their lumped elements equivalent model. This allows the correct model of the tuning effect and the definition of the tuning possibilities and limits. In order to validate the methodology, the tunable patch filters are fabricated using Microwave Integrated Circuit (MIC) technology on flexible substrates. The minimum dimensions are greater than 0.5 mm, ensuring a low cost fabrication process. The first filter is a tunable dual-mode patch filter using a triangular resonator with two perpendicular slots. The central frequency and the bandwidth of the filter are individually tuned by independently controlling each degenerate fundamental mode. The topology with uncoupled modes allows the control of each resonant mode frequency by varactor diodes mounted across the slots of the patch resonator. This filter presents a center frequency tuning range of 20 %, varying from 2.9 GHz to 3.5 GHz. The FBW 3dB can be varied from 4 % to 12 %. Two different DC bias voltages ranging from 2.5 V to 22 V are used to tune this filter. The second filter is a tunable triple-mode patch filter using a circular resonator with four slots, across which the varactor diodes are connected. The center frequency and bandwidth of this filter vary simultaneously. This filter presents a center frequency tuning range of 27 %, varying from 1.8 GHz to 2.35 GHz, changing concomitantly with the bandwidth from 8.5 % to 26 %. Only a single DC bias voltage ranging from 0.5 V to 20 V is used to tune the filter. Both filters are able to handle power levels as high as +14.5 dBm (triangular patch filter) and +12.9 dBm (circular patch filter).

Cette thèse se compose de deux parties qui peuvent être considérées comme deux aspects différents de l'électronique moléculaire avec pour point commun les moyens de nanofabrication mis en jeu pour réaliser des dispositifs de mesures électriques à bas courant. La première partie de la thèse concerne l'assemblage de nano-aimants entre électrodes à nanogap. Le besoin croissant de processeurs toujours plus performants et celui d’une densité de stockage toujours plus grande ont poussé la technologie CMOS couramment utilisée dans l'industrie à ses limites physiques vis-à-vis de sa miniaturisation. L'électronique moléculaire et la spintronique moléculaire se révèlent être des alternatives prometteuses à cette technologie pour les futurs dispositifs nanoélectroniques. Mes principaux travaux dans ce domaine ont porté sur l'assemblage entre des électrodes à nanogap, de nano-aimants moléculaires à base de bleu de Prusse ou de son analogue Cs–Co–Cr. Le but était ainsi de faire les premiers pas vers la construction de dispositifs en spintronique moléculaire. Des nanogaps de ~ 7 à 50 nm ont été fabriqués en palladium ou en or sur un substrat Si/SiO₂ par lithographie électronique et lift-off. Les nano-aimants ont été placés dans le gap par diélectrophorèse à courant alternatif (AC DEP). À température ambiante, un courant négligeable a été mesuré sur les jonctions utilisant des nanoparticules de Cs–Co–Cr alors qu’un courant de ~ 30 pA a été mesuré sur celles avec les nanoparticules en bleu de Prusse pour une tension de ~ 1 V. J’ai montré qu‘en fait, l’eau piégée dans les nanogaps altérait sérieusement les mesures de courants et nécessitait un recuit préalable. Pour optimiser la localisation des nanoparticules entre les électrodes, j’ai proposé un programme de simulation de la DEP ne tenant pas compte du mouvement brownien et de la dynamique des fluides. La deuxième partie de la thèse concerne la fabrication de dispositifs de type nanopatch-clamp planaire pour l'enregistrement de courants ioniques à travers les canaux ioniques des protéines membranaires. Les canaux de ces protéines incorporées dans les membranes cellulaires sont des composantes essentielles de toutes les cellules vivantes et sont à la base de divers processus physiologiques tels que ceux dans la communication nerveuse, la contraction musculaire, la sensation tactile, etc. Les mesures de transport d'ions sont maintenant utilisées dans diverses applications telles que le criblage de médicaments dans l'industrie pharmaceutique et les biocapteurs médicaux. La méthode classique pour effectuer des mesures de transport d'ions consiste à utiliser un système patch-clamp. Cependant, cette méthode nécessite d’importantes compétences, des équipements lourds et coûteux et présente une faible efficacité de mesure. Pour pallier ces inconvénients, une solution est de développer des patch-clamps planaires, qui sont modulables, automatisés et faciles d’utilisation. La fabrication du dispositif a consisté en la réalisation d’une piste conductrice constituée d’un empilement de couches Au/Ag sur un substrat de silicium oxydé. Cette piste a été passivée et isolée électriquement par une couche de Si₃N₄/SiO₂ dans laquelle j’ai gravé des micro-trous et j’ai ensuite converti la couche d’Ag en AgCl pour les mesures électriques. Afin de valider le fonctionnement du dispositif sans la membrane, j’ai procédé à des mesures de courant en fonction du temps pour diverses tensions, ce qui m’a ensuite permis de proposer un schéma équivalent électrique. / This thesis consists of two parts. The two parts correspond to two different subjects but with a common feature which is the fabrication of nanometer scale devices for low current measurements. The first part investigated the assembly of Prussian blue and Cs–Co–Cr Prussian blue analogue molecular nanomagnets into nano-patterned electrodes. The ever growing need for higher performance processors and higher storage densities has pushed the CMOS technology commonly used in industry to its physical limitations toward its miniaturization. Molecular electronics and molecular spintronics prove to be promising alternatives for the CMOS in future nanoelectronic devices. Pd or Au gaps with ~ 7–50 nm width were fabricated on a Si/SiO₂ substrate using standard electron beam lithography, metal deposition and lift-off. Nanomagnets were positioned between the gaps via AC dielectrophoresis (DEP). At room temperature, the Cs–Co–Cr Prussian blue analogue nanoparticles exhibited negligible current whereas junction with Prussian blue nanoparticles exhibited ~ 30 pA at ~ 1 V. Water trapped in nanogaps was found to seriously alter current measurements. This problem was solved by heating samples prior to measurements. A simplified DEP simulation program using Delphi was developed, which neglected Brownian motion and fluid dynamics but allowed us to better understand the DEP process. The second part of the thesis investigated the fabrication of devices for measuring electrical currents through membrane protein channels. Membrane-embedded protein channels are the basis of various physiological processes like nervous communication, muscular contraction, tactile sensation, and so on. Electrical measurements are used in different applications such as drug screening in pharmaceutical industry and biosensors. The standard method to perform such measurements is the use of patch-clamp. However, this method requires intense skill and heavy equipment while it exhibits low measurement efficiency. A solution to these drawbacks is the development of planar patch clamps, which are scalable, automated and easier to use. The first device fabrication step was the patterning of Au/Ag electrodes on thermally oxidized Si substrate by optical lithography, metallization and lift-off. Secondly, a passivation layer of Si₃N₄/SiO₂ was deposited on top of electrodes by PECVD. Then micro-holes were formed inside the Si₃N₄/SiO₂ passivation layer stack using Raith-150 e-beam lithography and reactive ion etching. Finally, Ag layer was converted to AgCl using bleach. The test of electrical current was done using Axopatch patch-clamp amplifier. Current versus time measurements for different voltages were recorded without membrane covering the holes, and an electrical model has been developed for the fabricated devices.

Neurônios GnRH e kisspeptina representam as populações neuronais de maior importância no controle da reprodução. Estradiol liga-se ao seu receptor expresso pelos neurônios kisspeptina para regular a libertação de GnRH. No modelo animal OVX+E a atividade do neurônio GnRH e pico de LH é depende do estradiol e hora do dia. Nesse estudo, embora a taxa de disparo dos neurônios GnRH seja similar entre os grupos, o padrão dos potenciais revelou uma mudança para maior duração do estouro em camundongos no proestrous, além do fato de uma maior resposta da hipófise. A prolactina tem grande impacto na modulação do eixo HPG e kisspeptina são mediadores dos efeitos da prolactina sobre a reprodução. Uma pequena porcentagem de neurônios de kisspeptina do AVPV foi indiretamente despolarizada pela prolactina. Este efeito requeria a via de sinalização PI3K. Camundongos portadores de inativação de Stat5a/b em células kisspeptina exibiram um início precoce de ciclicidade estro, indicando que os fatores de transcrição STAT5 exercem um efeito inibitório sobre o momento da puberdade. / GnRH and kisspeptina neurons represent the most important neuronal populations in the control of reproduction. Estradiol binds to its receptor expressed by the kisspeptina neurons to regulate the release of GnRH. In the animal model OVX+E the activity of the GnRH neuron and LH surge is dependent of estradiol and time of day. In this study, although the firing rate of GnRH neurons was similar between groups, the pattern of potentials revealed a change to longer burst duration in mice in proestrous, and the pituitary response was greater in this group. Prolactin has impact on HPG axis modulation and kisspeptin is a mediator of the effects of prolactin on reproduction. A small percentage of AVPV kisspeptin neurons were indirectly depolarized by prolactin. This effect required the PI3K signaling pathway. Mice bearing Stat5a/b inactivation on kisspeptin cells exhibited an early onset of estrus cyclicity, indicating that STAT5 transcription factors exert an inhibitory effect on the time of puberty.

This document has two objectives: decomposition of a given trimmed surface into several four-sided subregions and creation of a diffeomorphism from the unit square onto each subregion. We aim at having a diffeomorphism which is easy and fast to evaluate. Throughout this paper one of our objectives is to keep the shape of the curves delineating the boundaries of the trimmed surfaces unchanged. The approach that is used invokes the use of transfinite interpolations. We will describe an automatic manner to specify internal cubic Bezier-spline curves that are to be subsequently interpolated by a Gordon patch. Some theoretical criterion pertaining to the control points of the internal curves is proposed and proved so as to ensure that the resulting Gordon patch is a diffeomorphism. Numerical results are reported to illustrate the approaches. Our benchmarks include CAD objects which come directly from IGES files.

Whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology of neurons in vivo enables the recording of electrical events in cells with great precision, and supports a wide diversity of morphological and molecular analysis experiments important for the understanding of single-cell and network functions in the intact brain. However, high levels of skill are required in order to perform in vivo patching, and the process is time-consuming and painstaking. Robotic systems for in vivo patching would not only empower a great number of neuroscientists to perform such experiments, but would also open up fundamentally new kinds of experiment enabled by the resultant high throughput and scalability. We discovered that in vivo blind whole cell patch clamp electrophysiology could be implemented as a straightforward algorithm and developed an automated robotic system that was capable of performing this algorithm. We validated the performance of the robot in both the cortex and hippocampus of anesthetized mice. The robot achieves yields, cell recording qualities, and operational speeds that are comparable to, or exceed, those of experienced human investigators. Building upon this framework, we developed a multichannel version of “autopatcher” robot capable establishing whole cell patch clamp recordings from pairs and triplets of neurons in the cortex simultaneously. These algorithms can be generalized to control arbitrarily large number of electrodes and the high yield, throughput and automation of complex set of tasks results in a practical solution for conducting patch clamp recordings in potentially dozens of interconnected neurons in vivo.

There has been a rapid growth of terrestrial and satellite communications in the last few decades of the 20th century. This has resulted in a heavy congestion of low microwave bands and has been a major driving force for exploring the upper microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies. One of the main requirements for a successful shift to the new frequency spectrum is the availability of high power solid-state transmitters. Solid-state devices such as diodes or transistors have been able to meet such demands when their output signals are combined using space-level power combining methods that avoid conduction losses, which become pronounced at millimeter wave frequencies. In this thesis, theoretical and experimental investigations are carried out into the spatial power combiners (SPCs) which employ active planar arrays formed by transistor amplifiers whose input and output ports are equipped with planar radiating elements. The SPC structures include the reflection-type combiner using the tile configuration of planar array and the transmission-type combiner using tile or tray configurations of planar arrays. The frequency bands chosen for the designing and testing of prototypes are X- and Ku-band. The first stage of the investigation concerns the 10 GHz reflection-type power combiner structure formed by a phased planar microstrip reflectarray (MRA) of 37-element dual-feed aperture coupled microstrip patch antennas equipped with open-circuit stubs as phasing components. The experimental tests reveal poor radiation performance and hence poor power combining efficiency of this structure. These results indicated the need for theoretical investigations into the operation of this type of SPC. The study of the unit cell of this power combiner reveals that the phase of an open-circuit stub does not increase linearly as a function of the stub length and its range is limited to less than (about is required for proper functioning). This finding, forms the basis for extending the investigations into alternative phasing mechanisms of a MRA which would offer a phasing range exceeding . A phasing mechanism exploiting variable size stacked patches is chosen. In order to accurately determine the phasing of the reflected wave, a theory based on an equivalent unit cell waveguide approach (WGA) is proposed and developed. The proposed theory is computationally efficient and is proven to be accurate compared with benchmark results published by other researchers. Following the verification, an offset feed 161-element two-layer printed MRA prototype with patches of variable size is designed and developed for operation in Ku-band. The test results aim at verifying the validity of applying a unit cell WGA to designing passive and active MRAs. The next investigations, which are presented in the thesis concern increasing operational bandwidth of the transmission-type SPC in tile configuration. The designs presented so far in the open literatures were based on edge-feed microstrip patch antennas as radiating elements of individual active stages and featured a narrow-band performance. In order to overcome this shortcoming, stacked patch (SP) microstrip antennas as receiving and transmitting elements in an active transmitarray (TXA) are proposed. For the aim of testing the proposed concept, a 16-element SP TXA is designed for operation in X-band. Two identical hard horn antennas with an approximately uniform field across the aperture for signal launching and collecting complete the design and development of this space-level power combiner. The performance of the developed device is assessed experimentally and an increased operational bandwidth is demonstrated. The final structure being investigated in the thesis project is the transmission-type SPC in tray configuration. This power combining structure employs a travelling wave antenna of uniplanar quasi-Yagi type as a radiating element to achieve broad-band operation. The investigated SPC is formed by seven trays of uniplanar quasi-Yagi antenna. In order to achieve uniform and in-phase excitation of individual trays, which is required to obtain high power combining efficiency, hard horn antennas and Schiffman phase shifters are employed in the design of this space-level combiner. The proposed device is developed and its performance is assessed through experiments. The work performed as part of this Ph.D. thesis project has resulted in 5 journal papers and 11 refereed conference papers. This acceptance rate supports the claim of the originality and significance of the research undertaken as part of the thesis project.

Submitted by Carlos Alberto Zanutto Bassetto Júnior null (cbjunior@fc.unesp.br) on 2016-06-30T16:14:01Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DocNãoPublicação_carlosbassettojr.pdf: 427722 bytes, checksum: fe38077e0c0376645f906842534a3f88 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Grisoto (grisotoana@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-07-05T16:31:24Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 bassettojunior_caz_dr_bauru.pdf: 201721 bytes, checksum: afaa803c4d84d32fc5d6b4fc9fe23555 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-05T16:31:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 bassettojunior_caz_dr_bauru.pdf: 201721 bytes, checksum: afaa803c4d84d32fc5d6b4fc9fe23555 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-23 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Esta tese teve como objetivo estudar as moléculas orgânicas (N-alquilbenzenossulfonamidas) como inibidoras de canais para potássio do tipo KV3.1, heterologamente expressos em células L-929. Com o presente estudo constatou-se que as moléculas, N-alquilbenzenossulfonamidas, produzem efeitos inibitórios sobre KV3.1. Através da técnica de whole cell patch clamp, observou-se que os valores de IC50 para as moléculas que bloquearam o canal foram 13,5 μM, 16,9 μM, 25,9 μM, 34,2 μM, 34,9 μM e 60 μM, respectivamente, para 4-cloro-3-nitro-N-butilbenzenossulfonamida (SMD2), 4-cloro-3-nitro-N-furfutilbenzenossulfonamida (SMD3), 4-[N-(3’aminopropil)-2-pirrolidona]-3-nitro-N-butilbenzenossulfonamida (SMD2_APP), 4-[N-(3’aminopropil)-2-pirrolidona]-3-nitro-N-furfurilbenzenossulfonamida (SMD3_APP), 4-cloro-N-butilbenzenossulfonamida (SMD2_SN) e 4-cloro-N-furfurilbenzenossulfonamida (SMD3_SN). O efeito de todas as moléculas mostrou-se reversível quanto à ligação com o canal e todas atuaram como bloqueadores de canal aberto. Em SMD2, molécula que mostrou o menor valor de IC50, observou-se um deslocamento de -8 mV em relação ao controle, nas curvas de condutância versus voltagem, nas cinéticas de ativação e na recuperação a partir da inativação em relação à voltagem. O SMD2 não alterou as constantes de tempo de desativação, embora tenha mudado as constantes de ativação e inativação, além de ter induzido o fenômeno de tail crossover. Observou-se que para potenciais mais despolarizados, ocorreu o alívio do bloqueio (Block Relief). Não foi observado o efeito da dependência do pH para o bloqueio e SMD2 não mudou a seletividade do canal. Constatou-se que pulsos despolarizantes de curta duração induzem efeitos menos intensos, ao passo que pulsos despolarizantes mais longos, produzem efeitos mais intensos de SMD2 sobre o canal. Além disso, foi observado que, quanto mais o canal é usado, ou seja, aberto, mais ele é bloqueado por SMD2. Todos esses dados sugerem que SMD2 não interage com o estado fechado e nem com o estado inativado do canal, mas sim com seu estado aberto, apresentando também um efeito dependente de uso. De um ponto de vista farmacológico, isso indica que SMD2 pode ser uma molécula importante na modulação da atividade dos canais KV3.1, presentes em células com altas frequências de disparos de potencial de ação, podendo constituir uma nova classe de moduladores farmacológicos desses canais. / This thesis had the aim of studying the organic molecules (N-alkylbenzenesulfonamides) that block KV3.1 potassium channel heterologously expressed in L-929 cells. It was found that N-alkylbenzenesulfonamides have restrained effects on KV3.1. Through the whole cell patch clamp technique, it was observed that the values of IC50, for molecules that block the channel, were 13,5 μM, 16,9 μM, 25,9 μM, 34,2 μM, 34,9 μM and 60 μM, respectively 4-Chloro-3-nitro-N-butylbenzenesulfonamide (SMD2), 4-Chloro-3-nitro-N-furfurylbenzene-sulfonamide (SMD3), 4-[N-(3′-Aminopropyl)-2-pyrrolidone]-3-nitro-N-butylbenzenesulfona-mide (SMD2_APP), 4-[N-(3′-Aminopropyl)-2-pyrrolidone]-3-nitro-N-furfurylbenzene-sulfonamide (SMD3_APP), 4-Chloro-N-butyllbenzenesulfonamide (SMD2_SN) e 4-Chloro-N-furfurylbenzenesulfonamide(SMD3_SN). The effect of all molecules was reversible regards to the linking with the channel and all act as open channel blocker. In SMD2, molecule which showed the smallest value of IC50, it was observed a displacement of -8 mV compared to control, for conductance curves versus voltage, for the kinetics of activation and for the recovery from inactivation in relation to voltage. SMD2 did not change the deactivation of time constants, although it changed the activation and inactivation constants, and more, SMD2 have induced tail crossover phenomenon. It was observed that, for more depolarized potentials, there was a block relief. It was not observed the effect of pH dependence for the block and SMD2 did not change the channel selectivity. It was observed that, short duration depolarizing pulses prompt less intense effects, whereas long duration depolarizing pulses prompt more intense effects of SMD2 on the channels. Furthermore, it was observed that the more the channel is used, in an open state, the more it is blocked by SMD2. All of these data suggest that SMD2 does not interact neither with the closed state nor the inactivated state of channel, but with its open state presenting an use-dependent manner, also showing a use-dependent effect. In a pharmacological point of view, this indicates that SMD2 may be an important molecule in the modulation of the activity in the KV3.1 channels, presents in cells with high frequency of firing of action potential and may constitute a new class of pharmacological modulators.

Submitted by Lara Oliveira (lara@ufersa.edu.br) on 2018-06-11T17:51:51Z No. of bitstreams: 1 AlexandreMA_DISSERT.pdf: 21200920 bytes, checksum: 988dc3f3c5290a8f67225c05b46914a0 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vanessa Christiane (referencia@ufersa.edu.br) on 2018-06-18T16:52:15Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 AlexandreMA_DISSERT.pdf: 21200920 bytes, checksum: 988dc3f3c5290a8f67225c05b46914a0 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vanessa Christiane (referencia@ufersa.edu.br) on 2018-06-18T16:53:10Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 AlexandreMA_DISSERT.pdf: 21200920 bytes, checksum: 988dc3f3c5290a8f67225c05b46914a0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-18T16:53:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AlexandreMA_DISSERT.pdf: 21200920 bytes, checksum: 988dc3f3c5290a8f67225c05b46914a0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-02-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Demand in wireless networks has increased considerably in recent years. Consequently, the study of system components has also increased. Within this context, antennas are fundamental elements in the physical layer in radiofrequency communications, and their study has become a research area with great advances. The need in certain systems for smaller antennas and more adaptability in the space makes the microstrip antennas in potential substitutes of the traditional antennas. This work aims to find prototypes of microfite antennas that have physical and electrical characteristics, such as gain and polarization, superior to the commercial antennas of a FPV communication system (First Person View) operating at 5.8 GHz. The methodology used in this research consists of a theoretical survey about circular polarization antennas, design, simulate and construct these antennas using different substrates in order to verify their performance and to ship them in an FPV system. The results obtained through the simulation are compared with the experimental results in order to attest to the model in question based on the literature used in this work. Preliminarily, the simulated and measured results show that the Triangular Patch Antennas have all the desirable characteristics for operation in the FPV system, being possible to board them for the obtaining of images and analysis of the performance of the system / A demanda em redes de comunicação sem fio tem aumentado consideravelmente nos últimos anos. Consequentemente, o estudo dos componentes dos sistemas também aumentou. Dentro desse contexto, as antenas são elementos fundamentais na camada física em comunicações via radiofrequência, e o seu estudo tornou-se uma área de pesquisa com grandes avanços. A necessidade em determinados sistemas por antenas de menor porte e mais adaptabilidade no espaço tornam as antenas de microfita em potenciais substitutos das antenas tradicionais. Diante disso, esse trabalho objetiva encontrar protótipos de antenas de microfita que possuam características físicas e elétricas, como ganho e polarização, superiores às antenas comerciais de um sistema de comunicação em FPV (First Person View), operando em 5.8 GHz. A metodologia utilizada nessa pesquisa consiste em um levantamento teórico acerca das antenas de polarização circular, projetar, simular e construir estas antenas utilizando diferentes substratos a fim de verificar seu desempenho e embarcá-las em um sistema FPV. Os resultados obtidos através da simulação são comparados com os resultados experimentais a fim de atestar o modelo em questão com base na literatura empregada neste trabalho. Preliminarmente, os resultados simulados e medidos mostram que as Antenas Patch Triangular possuem todas as características desejáveis para operação no sistema FPV, sendo possível embarcá-las para a obtenção de imagens e análise de desempenho do sistema com as mesmas / 2018-06-11