A falta de acesso à água potável ainda é um problema de saúde pública no Brasil. O desenvolvimento de novos métodos analíticos de baixo custo para o reconhecimento de amostras contaminadas é uma necessidade, pois análises laboratoriais estão fora da realidade socioeconômica da população mais vulnerável. Visando contribuir para a resolução deste problema, esta tese apresenta esforços para o desenvolvimento de métodos de baixo custo para a análise de qualidade de águas ambientais. Foi estudada a associação de ferramentas quimiométricas com sensores voltamétricos para tentar discriminar amostras de águas contaminadas com espécies eletroativas. O modelo desenvolvido foi capaz de discriminar de forma satisfatória amostras contaminadas contendo chumbo(II), cobre(II), zinco(II) e nitrito. Os esforços para a redução do custo das análises também focaram no desenvolvimento de sensores com materiais de baixo custo. Um dos dispositivos voltamétricos propostos foi capaz de quantificar metais tóxicos e pesticidas, utilizando papel, grafite e cera. Foi desenvolvido também um sistema de agitação por som que resultou em um aumento significativo da sensibilidade dos dispositivos voltamétricos portáteis permitindo a quantificação de chumbo(II) até 48 nmol L-1, cádmio(II) até 370 nmol L-1 e zinco(II) até 340 nmol L-1. Outro sensor voltamétrico foi confeccionado utilizando apenas papelão como matéria prima, para o qual um laser de CO2 foi utilizado pela primeira vez com o intuito de pirolisar a superfície do papelão gerando estruturas de carbono condutoras. Sensores colorimétricos em papel foram testados com sucesso para a quantificação de fluoreto até 500 µmol L-1 em amostras de água mineral utilizando fotografias retiradas por um telefone celular para a construção de modelos12 de calibração. Com outro sistema colorimétrico em papel foi possível medir o pH de amostras utilizando um método de calibração multivariada. Como mostrado neste trabalho, o desenvolvimento e a integração dos dispositivos analíticos em papel é uma alternativa abrangente, confiável e de baixo custo para a análise da qualidade de águas ambientais. / The lack of access to safe water remains as a public health problem in Brazil. The development of new analytical methods for low cost contaminated samples recognition is necessary since the complete laboratorial procedures are away from the reality of the most socioeconomic vulnerable population. In order to contribute to solve this problem, this thesis shows our efforts to develop new low-cost analytical methods to evaluate environmental waters quality. The combination of chemometric tools with voltammetric sensors was studied to discriminate contaminated water samples with electroactive species. The proposed model was able to discriminate potable and contaminated samples containing lead(II), copper(II), zinc(II) and nitrite species. Efforts to reduce the analysis cost have also focused on the development of sensors using low-cost materials. A proposed voltammetric device fabricated with paper, graphite and wax was able to quantify heavy metals and pesticides. The use of a sound agitation system for the portable voltammetric devices resulted in a significant increase in the sensitivity allowing the quantification of lead(II) above 48 nmol L-1, cadmium(II) above 370 nmol L-1 e and zinc(II) above 340 nmol L-1 . Another voltammetric sensor was made for the first time using only cardboard as material and a CO2 laser to pyrolyze the cardboard surface generating conductive carbon structures. Paper colorimetric sensors were successfully tested for fluoride quantification in spring water samples based on photographs taken by a smartphone with a LOQ of 500 µmol L-1. Another paper colorimetric system was capable to measure the pH of samples using a multivariate calibration method. As shown in this thesis, the development and integration of analytical paper-based devices is a reliable and low-cost alternative for water quality analysis

<p>Polymers are subjected to physical and chemical changes during their processing, service life, and further recovery, and they may also interact with impurities that can alter their composition. These changes substantially modify the stabilisation mechanisms and mechanical properties of recycled polymers. Detailed knowledge about how the different stages of their life cycle affect the degree of degradation of polymeric materials is important when discussing their further waste recovery possibilities and the performance of recycled plastics. A dual-pronged experimental approach employing multiple processing and thermo-oxidation has been proposed to model the life cycle of recycled high-impact polystyrene (HIPS). Both reprocessing and thermo-oxidative degradation are responsible for coexistent physical and chemical effects (chain scission, crosslinking, apparition of oxidative moieties, polymeric chain rearrangements, and physical ageing) on the microstructure and morphology of polybutadiene (PB) and polystyrene (PS) phases; these effects ultimately influence the long-term stability, and the rheological and mechanical behaviour of HIPS. The PB phase has proved to be the initiation point of HIPS degradation throughout the life cycle. Thermo-oxidation seems to have more severe effects on HIPS properties; therefore, it can be concluded that previous service life may be the part of the life cycle with the greatest influence on the recycling possibilities and performance of HIPS recyclates in second-market applications. The results from the life cycle degradation simulation were compared with those obtained from real samples from a large-scale mechanical recycling plant. A combination of different analytical strategies (thermal analysis, vibrational spectroscopy, and chromatographic analysis) is necessary to obtain a detailed understanding of the quality of recycled HIPS as defined by three key properties: degree of mixing, degree of degradation, and presence of low molecular weight compounds.</p>

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Biomedical Technology in the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012 / In many developed countries worldwide the provision of safe, clean water is an expected commodity. In South Africa however, as in most developing countries, the access and supply of water safe for human consumption is challenged or complicated by pollution and more recently water availability. Point-source pollutants in surface- and groundwater are normally the most concentrated closest to the pollutant source (such as the end of a pipe or an underground injection system). Examples of point-source pollution are commercial and industrial businesses, that often discharge waste such as solvents and heavy metals from their operations. In contrast, non-point-source pollution occurs due to runoff moving across or through the ground and absorbing and accumulating pollutants which eventually end up in streams, rivers and dams. The lack of waste removal and adequate sanitation facilities results in the disposal of faecal matter and sewage into storm water drains which flow directly into the river systems contributing to the incidence of diseases such as gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and chronic lung ailments, caused by waterborne pathogenic bacteria, viruses and fungi. Routine water quality analysis however, does not include monitoring for viral contaminants, as this process is hampered by the lack of simple, reliable, time- and cost-effective testing methods to concentrate and detect viral pathogens. The primary aim of this study was thus to establish and optimise routine monitoring techniques for the detection of rota-, adeno- and enteroviruses in the Berg- and Plankenburg Rivers, Western Cape. Initially, various concentration and extraction methods were compared for the optimum recovery of viruses from spiked water samples. One hundred milliliter water samples were spiked with one milliliter rotavirus and two milliliters adenovirus control virions (Coris Bioconcept, Gembloux, Belgium). Optimisation testing of enterovirus was however, not completed due to the unavailability of a positive control. Four viral concentration techniques, namely the Silicon dioxide (SiO2) method, positively charged, negatively charged and the mixed-ester filters, were compared. Various nucleic acid extraction methods were also employed to establish which method would provide optimum yields for both DNA and RNA nucleic acids. The extraction techniques included the TRIzol method (Invitrogen, California, USA) for RNA extraction, the Roche High Pure PCR Template Preparation kit (Roche, Mannheim, Germany) for DNA extraction, and the QIAamp Ultrasens Virus kit (Qiagen GmbH, Hilden, Germany) for simultaneous RNA and DNA extraction. The use of virus specific primers within the PCR technique was also optimised. In addition, gene specific primers and oligo(dT)15 primers were tested and compared to establish which primers would yield the best results since gene specific primers are said to be more sensitive than oligo(dT)15 primers (van Pelt-Verkuil et al., 2008) when synthesising cDNA (rotavirus). The SiO2 concentration method yielded variable results when it was used with the various nucleic acid extraction techniques in this study, since positive PCR results were obtained when used in combination III with some techniques, while negative results were obtained with others. Similarly, variable results were also obtained when negatively charged filters were used to concentrate virus particles, and when this method was used in conjunction with various virus nucleic acid extraction techniques to identify different viruses by RT-PCR and PCR. Results for the non-charged mixed-ester filter were comparable to the positively charged filters when used in conjunction with the various nucleic acid extraction techniques in this study. Both these techniques yielded the highest viral particle concentration from the spiked water samples. Pilot study results indicated the presence of rotavirus and adenovirus detected by RT-PCR and PCR respectively, when filtering through the positively charged filter. The positively charged filter/QIAamp UltraSens virus kit combination was found to be the optimum combination when analysing the spiked water results and was then employed for the concentration of virus particles in the river water samples collected from the Plankenburg- and Berg River systems throughout the study period. The expected PCR product of 346 bp for rotavirus was absent in all 72 river water samples analysed for both river systems. In contrast to the PCR results obtained for rotavirus, the expected product of 261 bp for adenovirus was detected in 22 (30.5%) samples collected throughout the study period. Fifteen of the 22 adenovirus positive samples were found in the Plankenburg River (distributed over all sites), while seven of the 22 adenovirus positive samples were found in the Berg River (all sites). A nested PCR was used to detect enterovirus in the river water samples collected from both river systems throughout the study period. In the first round of the enterovirus PCR 15 river water samples (at various sites for both river systems) yielded a faint 513 bp product. Further amplification by nested PCR then yielded 13 (18.1%) positive nested PCR products of 297 bp. The incidence of adenovirus and enterovirus in river waters reported in the current study and the Van Heerden et al. (2003) investigation motivates for similar studies to be conducted in drinking water, dam water used for recreational purposes as well as rainwater, which is gaining popularity as a sustainable water source.

Thesis (MTech (Biomedical Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012. / In many developed countries worldwide the provision of safe, clean water is an expected commodity. In South Africa however, as in most developing countries, the access and supply of water safe for human consumption is challenged or complicated by pollution and more recently water availability. Point-source pollutants in surface- and groundwater are normally the most concentrated closest to the pollutant source (such as the end of a pipe or an underground injection system). Examples of point-source pollution are commercial and industrial businesses, that often discharge waste such as solvents and heavy metals from their operations. In contrast, non-point-source pollution occurs due to runoff moving across or through the ground and absorbing and accumulating pollutants which eventually end up in streams, rivers and dams. The lack of waste removal and adequate sanitation facilities results in the disposal of faecal matter and sewage into storm water drains which flow directly into the river systems contributing to the incidence of diseases such as gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and chronic lung ailments, caused by waterborne pathogenic bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Many regions in Africa are presently faced with an increasing flood risk due to impending climate change and population growth. One useful mitigation strategy to decrease this risk would be to map it, so that urban planning, warnings systems and emergency response subsequently could be designed to reduce societal vulnerability. This is, however, not widely feasible on the African continent, as developing countries often lack access to the topography and discharge data required to produce high- quality flood risk maps. To seek a way around this problem, on-going research is investigating the possibility of obtaining alternative model inputs, by using global datasets of elevation, derived from remote sensing, and methods to estimate flood flows. This thesis presents a case study within this context where the aim was to determine the accuracy of an African catchment-scale flood map, produced with the satellite product SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) as topography input, and to explore the potentials and limitations of such a model scheme. Two high-magnitude floods, occurring in year 2000 and 2013 in the Lower Limpopo Basin (Mozambique), were modelled for inundation extent, using a no-channel 2D model built for the LISFLOOD-FP flood modelling software. Flood water levels were also simulated to assess the models vertical performance. Model outcomes were evaluated against satellite imagery and recordings of high watermarks, adjusting the value representing the roughness of the floodplain to optimize flood extent correspondence. Due to different hydrograph dynamics, simulations of the two floods required different values of roughness (0.02 and 0.09 s m-1/3) to reach maximum accuracy (F = 0.59 and 0.64, respectively). However, the results also indicated that a model calibrated with a flood of relatively low return period potentially could be used to map rare flood events. Simulation inaccuracies were mainly attributed to (1) reservoirs and streams, temporarily connecting to the river system during high flow conditions, (2) limitations of the topography data, in terms of recognizing riverbed geometry and floodplain micro-topography, and (3) cloud cover, reducing the accuracy of flood extent reference data. The vertical simulation accuracy, with an average error of ± 2 m, was well within the uncertainty bounds of input data. Errors were in this case ascribed the SRTM’s representation of high slope terrain and possible radar speckles in urban areas. The findings of this study indicate that there is high potential in using SRTM data for mapping of high-magnitude flood risk in Africa, but also that consideration to river system complexity is crucial. / Många  områden  i  Afrika  står  för  närvarande  inför  en  ökad  översvämningsrisk  på  grund  avklimatförändringar och befolkningstillväxt. En användbar strategi att minska denna risk skulle vara att kartlägga den, så att stadsplanering, varningssystem och respons vid nödsituationer därefter skulle kunna utformas till att begränsa samhällets sårbarhet. Detta är dock inte möjligt på bred front över Afrikas kontinent, då utvecklingsländer ofta saknar det data av topografi och vattenflöde som behövs för producera högkvalitativa översvämningsriskkartor. För att försöka hitta ett sätt att kringgå detta problem undersöker pågående forskning möjligheten att generera alternativ modelleringsinput, från globalt tillgängligt höjddata, insamlat av satelliter, och metoder att uppskatta översvämningsflöden. Denna uppsats presenterar en fallstudie inom denna kontext där syftet var att bestämma kvalitén hos en översvämningskarta över ett Afrikanskt avrinningsområde, producerad med satellitprodukten SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) som topografiinput, och att utforska möjligheterna och begränsningarna med en sådan karteringsmodell. Två stora översvämningar, vilka inträffade år 2000 och 2013 i Nedre Limpopobassängen (Mocambique), simulerades för utbredning med hjälp av en 2D- model utan flodfåra byggd för modelleringsprogrammet LISFLOOD-FP. Vattennivåer simulerade också för att kunna bedöma modellens vertikala prestation. Resultaten jämfördes med satellitbilder och dokumenterade höga vattenmärken (observerade på t ex. husfasader), samtidigt som flodplanets flödesmotstånd justerades för att optimera överensstämmelsen. Då översvämningarna var av olika karaktär behövdes olika flödesmotstånd (0.02 and 0.09 s m-1/3) för att maximal kvalité på respektive översvämningskarta skulle uppnås. Denna kvalité beräknades till 0.59 och 0.64, på en index-skala (F) där 1.00 motsvarar en perfekt simulering. Trots olika optimala flödesmotstånd antydde resultaten även att en modell kalibrerad med en relativt frekvent återkommande översvämning möjligtvis kan användas till att kartlägga sällsynta översvämningar. Avvikelserna mellan dokumenterad och simulerad översvämningsutbredning tillskrevs i huvudsak: (1) sjöar och vattendrag som temporärt ansluter till flodsystemet under höga flöden, (2) begränsningar i topografidatat gällande att fånga flodens geometri och flodplanets mikro-topografi samt (3) moln som skymmer översvämningarna i referensdatat och minskar dess sanningshalt. Vattennivåer simulerades med ett genomsnittligt fel av±2 m, vilket med marginal ligger inom inputdatats totala osäkerhetsram. Avvikelserna troddes i detta fall bero på SRTM-datats representation av sluttande terräng och möjliga radarfläckar (reflektioner) i urbana områden. Resultaten i denna studie indikerar att det ligger stor potential i att använda SRTM- data för att kartlägga risken för stora översvämningar i Afrika, men belyser också vikten av attuppmärksamhet ges till flodsystems komplexitet.

When performing an analysis of the evolution of software quality and software metrics,there is a need to get access to as many versions of the source code as possible. There isa lack of research on how data or source code can be extracted from the source controlmanagement system Git. This thesis explores different possibilities to resolve thisproblem. Lately, there has been a boom in usage of the version control system Git. Githubalone hosts about 6,100,000 projects. Some well known projects and organizations thatuse Git are Linux, WordPress, and Facebook. Even with these figures and clients, thereare very few tools able to perform data extraction from Git repositories. A pre-studyshowed that there is a lack of standardization on how to share mining results, and themethods used to obtain them. There are several tools available for older version control systems, such as concurrentversions system (CVS), but few for Git. The examined repository mining applicationsfor Git are either poorly documented; or were built to be very purpose-specific to theproject for which they were designed. This thesis compiles a list of general issues encountered when using repositorymining as a tool for data gathering. A selection of existing repository mining tools wereevaluated towards a set of prerequisite criteria. The end result of this evaluation is thecreation of a new repository mining tool called Doris. This tool also includes a smallcode metrics analysis library to show how it can be extended.

[pt] A área de pesquisa em Montagem de Genomas tem evoluído rapidamente, adaptando-se às novas tecnologias de sequenciamento e modernos ambientes computacionais. Existem diversos softwares montadores que usam múltiplas abordagens, porém persiste o questionamento sobre a qualidade da montagem ao final do processo. Assim que uma montagem é finalizada, muitas medidas de qualidade podem ser geradas, a fim de que a montagem seja qualificada. Todavia, essas medidas apenas fornecem aos biólogos valores quantitativos acerca da montagem. Nós propomos nesta pesquisa um framework de domínio para o processo de análise de medidas pós montagem de genomas. Nosso objetivo é de prover a interpretação dos dados e avaliação da qualidade das montagens a partir do Framework. O Genome Assembly Analysis Framework (GAAF) foi projetado para trabalhar com espécies, montadores e medidas distintas. Para validar nossa proposta, foram realizados testes com o GAAF que permitem entender como o mesmo pode ser utilizado e de que maneira ele pode ser instanciado e/ou estendido. / [en] The Genome Assembly research area has quickly evolved, adapting to new sequencing technologies and modern computational environments. There exist many assembler software that consider multiple approaches. However, at the end of the process, one can always question the quality of assemblies. When an assembly is accomplished, some quality features may be generated, in order to qualify it. Nonetheless, the features do not directly tell one about assembly quality, but only bring to the biologists quantitative assembly descriptions. We propose a Domain Framework for the feature analysis process post-genome Assembly. Our goal is to enable data interpretation and assembly quality evaluation. The Genome Assembly Analysis Framework (GAAF) was designed to work with distinct species, assemblers and features. In order to validate our proposal, we have run a few practical experiments with GAAF, which make us understand the way it can be used, instantiated and extended.

Polymers are subjected to physical and chemical changes during their processing, service life, and further recovery, and they may also interact with impurities that can alter their composition. These changes substantially modify the stabilisation mechanisms and mechanical properties of recycled polymers. Detailed knowledge about how the different stages of their life cycle affect the degree of degradation of polymeric materials is important when discussing their further waste recovery possibilities and the performance of recycled plastics. A dual-pronged experimental approach employing multiple processing and thermo-oxidation has been proposed to model the life cycle of recycled high-impact polystyrene (HIPS). Both reprocessing and thermo-oxidative degradation are responsible for coexistent physical and chemical effects (chain scission, crosslinking, apparition of oxidative moieties, polymeric chain rearrangements, and physical ageing) on the microstructure and morphology of polybutadiene (PB) and polystyrene (PS) phases; these effects ultimately influence the long-term stability, and the rheological and mechanical behaviour of HIPS. The PB phase has proved to be the initiation point of HIPS degradation throughout the life cycle. Thermo-oxidation seems to have more severe effects on HIPS properties; therefore, it can be concluded that previous service life may be the part of the life cycle with the greatest influence on the recycling possibilities and performance of HIPS recyclates in second-market applications. The results from the life cycle degradation simulation were compared with those obtained from real samples from a large-scale mechanical recycling plant. A combination of different analytical strategies (thermal analysis, vibrational spectroscopy, and chromatographic analysis) is necessary to obtain a detailed understanding of the quality of recycled HIPS as defined by three key properties: degree of mixing, degree of degradation, and presence of low molecular weight compounds. / QC 20101119

Polymers are subjected to physical and chemical changes during their processing, service life, and further recovery, and they may also interact with impurities that can alter their composition. These changes substantially modify the stabilisation mechanisms and mechanical properties of recycled polymers. The assessment of the quality properties of recycled polymers is therefore crucial to guarantee the performance of recyclates in further applications. Three key quality properties have been defined for this quality analysis: degree of mixing (composition), degree of degradation, and presence of low molecular weight compounds (degradation products, contaminants, additives). Furthermore, detailed knowledge about how the different stages of their life cycle affect the degree of degradation of polymeric materials is important when discussing their further waste recovery possibilities and the performance of recycled plastics. A dual-pronged experimental approach employing multiple processing and thermo-oxidation has been proposed to model the life cycle of recycled high-impact polystyrene (HIPS used in packaging applications, and electrical and electronic equipment (E&E). Both reprocessing and thermo-oxidative degradation are responsible for coexistent physical and chemical effects (chain scission, crosslinking, apparition of oxidative moieties, polymeric chain rearrangements, and physical ageing) on the microstructure and morphology of polybutadiene (PB) and polystyrene (PS) phases; these effects ultimately influence the long-term stability, and the rheological and mechanical behaviour of HIPS. The PB phase has proved to be the initiation point of HIPS degradation throughout the life cycle. Thermo-oxidation seems to have more severe effects on HIPS properties; therefore, it can be concluded that previous service life may be the part of the life cycle with the greatest influence on the recycling possibilities and performance of HIPS recyclates in second-market applicat / Vilaplana Domingo, FJ. (2008). Analytical strategies for the quality assessment of recycled high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/2186

Submitted by SBI Biblioteca Digital (sbi.bibliotecadigital@puc-campinas.edu.br) on 2018-08-21T12:43:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 EDUARDO SALGADO MARCONI.pdf: 8399511 bytes, checksum: 5254ee57caeef5dd92072e40664fb5ab (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-21T12:43:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 EDUARDO SALGADO MARCONI.pdf: 8399511 bytes, checksum: 5254ee57caeef5dd92072e40664fb5ab (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-06-28 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient?fico e Tecnol?gico - CNPq / The urban planning tool Parque Linear has been identified in Brazil as a sustainable measure of use and occupation of urban areas of valley bottom in the environmental, social, economic and cultural spheres. This work proposes to carry out an analysis of how the process of urban requalification took place in the municipality of Amparo, in the State of S?o Paulo, having as object of study the Linear Park ?guas do Camandocaia. It is intended to raise the trajectory, the scope and limits of the urban interventions implemented along the Camandocaia River. In its first part, it proposes to present, through periodization - via bibliographical research and analysis of historical documents - the historical process of urban evolution and its influence on issues related to the theme. In the second part, it points out interferences as the basis of the transformations in the new urban design from legal and political dimensions. In the third part, the presentation of the object itself in the technical aspects of the urban and architectural projects, the financial resources raised until the bidding processes, the execution of the works along the river. The fourth part deals with the concepts related to the production of public spaces and the sphere of public life as fundamental supports for the improvement of the quality of urban life. In the fifth and last part, in the correlation of the quality attributes of several authors for the analysis of the spatial quality of the Linear Park. / O instrumento urban?stico Parque Linear tem sido apontado, no Brasil, como medida sustent?vel de uso e ocupa??o das ?reas urbanas de fundo de vale nos ?mbitos ambiental, social, econ?mico e cultural. Este trabalho prop?e realizar uma an?lise de como se deu o processo de requalifica??o urbana no munic?pio de Amparo, no Estado de S?o Paulo, tendo como objeto de estudo o Parque Linear ?guas do Camandocaia. Pretende-se levantar a trajet?ria, os alcances e limites das interven??es urbanas implementadas ao longo do rio Camandocaia. Em sua primeira parte, prop?e apresentar por meio da periodiza??o ? via pesquisas bibliogr?ficas e an?lise de documentos hist?ricos ? o processo hist?rico da evolu??o urbana e sua influ?ncia em quest?es relacionadas ao tema. Na segunda parte, aponta inger?ncias como base das transforma??es no novo desenho urbano a partir de dimens?es legais e pol?ticas. Consta, na terceira parte, a apresenta??o do objeto em si nas quest?es de ordem t?cnica dos projetos urban?stico e arquitet?nico, dos recursos financeiros captados at? os processos licitat?rios, da execu??o das obras ao longo do rio. A quarta parte aborda os conceitos vinculados ? produ??o dos espa?os livres p?blicos e da esfera de vida p?blica como suportes fundamentais ao incremento da qualidade de vida urbana. A quinta parte apresenta a correla??o dos atributos de qualidade segundo diversos autores para a an?lise da qualidade espacial do Parque Linear.