Voltage-gated ion channels play fundamental roles in neural excitability, they are for instance responsible for every single heart beat in our bodies, and dysfunctional channels cause disease that can be even lethal. Understanding how the voltage sensor of these channels function is critical for drug design of compounds targeting neuronal excitability. The opening and closing of the pore in voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels is caused by the arginine-rich S4 helix of the voltage sensor domain (VSD) moving in response to an external potential. In fact, VSDs are remarkably efficient at turning membrane potential into conformational changes, which likely makes them the smallest existing biological engines. Exactly how this is accomplished is not yet fully known and an area of hot debate, especially due to the lack of structures of the resting and intermediate states along the activation pathway. In this thesis I study how the VSD activation works and show how toxic compounds modulate channel gating through direct interaction with these quite unexplored drug targets. First, I show that a secondary structure transition from alpha- to 3(10)-helix in the S4 helix is an important part of the gating as this helix type is significantly more favorable compared to the -helix in terms of a lower free energy barrier. Second, I present new models for intermediate states along the whole voltage sensor cycle from closed to open and suggest a new gating model for S4, where it moves as a sliding 3(10)-helix. Interestingly, this 3(10)-helix is formed in the region of the single most conserved residue in Kv channels, the phenylalanine F233. Located in the hydrophobic core, it directly faces S4 and creates a structural barrier for the gating charges. Substituting this residue alters the deactivation free energy barrier and can either facilitate the relaxation of the voltage sensor or increase the free energy barrier, depending on the size of the mutant. These results are confirmed by new experimental data that supports that a rigid ring at the phenylalanine position is the rate-limiting factor for the deactivation gating process, while the activation is unaffected. Finally, we study how the activation can be modulated for pharmaceutical reasons. Neurotoxins such as hanatoxin and stromatoxin push S3b towards S4 helix limiting S4's flexibility. This makes it harder for the VSD to activate and might explain the stronger binding affinities in resting state. All these results are highly important both for the general topic of biological macromolecules undergoing functionally critical conformational transitions, as well as the particular case of voltage-gated ion channels where understanding of the gating process is probably the key step to explain the effects of mutations or drug interactions. / <p>QC 20121115</p>

PolyTech AB in Malmköping manufactures gyro stabilized camera systems or helicopter applications. In this Master´s Thesis a shaker test rig for vibration testing of these systems is designed, implemented and evaluated. The shaker is required to have an adjustable frequency and displacement and different shakers that meet these requirements are treated in a literature study. The shaker chosen in the test rig is based on a mechanical solution that is described in detail. Additionally all components used in the test rig are described and modelled. The test rig is identified and evaluated from different experiments carried out at PolyTech, where the major part of the identification is based on data collected from accelerometers. The test rig model is used to develop a controller that controls the frequency and the displacement of the shaker. A three-phase motor is used to control the frequency of the shaker and a linear actuator with a servo is used to control the displacement. The servo controller is designed using observer and state feedback techniques. Additionally, the mount in which the camera system is hanging is modelled and identified, where the identification method is based on nonlinear least squares (NLS) curve fitting technique.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-10-01Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:26:15Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 oliveira_ksm_me_rcla.pdf: 637533 bytes, checksum: f315d101c191461c95fee11e9fd4d042 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A goma xantana é um biopolímero produzido por Xanthomonas campestris muito utilizado como agente espessante. A síntese do biopolímero pode ocorrer em variadas condições, no entanto a qualidade a goma produzida também muda. Alguns trabalhos sugerem que a produção de goma xantana por batelada alimentada pode resultar num desempenho melhor em concentração de goma, rendimento e produtividade quando comparado à batelada simples. Nesse trabalho foram avaliados a influência de diferentes metodologias de oferta de sacarose na produção de goma xantana e sua qualidade, e também a produtividade e rendimento do processo. As melhores metodologias foram testadas em bioreator de 7,5L. Também foram avaliadas diferentes metodologias de separação do biopolímero (com o acréscimo de sais ao caldo ou ao etanol na etapa de extração da goma), bem como a influência de surfactantes e sais na viscosidade da goma em solução. Em incubadora com agitação orbital a quantidade e qualidade de goma xantana produzida a 25°C foram mais interessantes. Em fermentador, a produção de xantana a 30°C em meio contendo 2% de sacarose pode ter seu tempo reduzido sem que isso afete a concentração e a viscosidade da goma obtida. A viscosidade do biopolímero produzido a 25°C em meio contendo 4% de sacarose foi superior (365,9 cP) quando comparado ao biopolímero produzido a 30°C, em meio contendo 2% de sacarose. A produtividade e concentração de goma obtidos estão entre os encontrados na literatura (0,34 g xantana L-1 h-1 e 24 g xantana L-1). O uso de sais na extração da goma permite a redução do solvente utilizado e uma goma de melhor qualidade. Destacaram-se a utilização dos sais NaCl na concentração de 0,01% e CaCl2 a 0,05%. O tratamento térmico aumenta a quantidade e a viscosidade do biopolímero além de eliminar as células. A adição de 0,01% de SDS e de 0,001% de Tween 80 na solução de goma xantana aumenta sua viscosidade. / Xanthan gum is a biopolymer produced by Xanthomonas campestris, used as a thickener. Its synthesis can happen in different conditions, but quality of xanthan produced also changes. Studies suggest that fed batch xanthan gum production can result in better performance in gum concentration, yield and productivity, when compared to batch. This work evaluates the influence of different methods of sucrose supply on xanthan gum quantity and quality, as well its productivity and process efficiency. The best methods were tested in a bioreactor of 7.5 L. Were also evaluated different separation methods (with the addition of salt in broth or ethanol during the separation phase) and the influence of surfactants on viscosity on xanthan solution. In shaker incubator, the gum produced at 25°C was more interesting. In bioreactor, the xanthan production at 30°C using 2% sucrose can be reduced to 40 hours, without affecting concentration and viscosity of the gum obtained. The viscosity of the biopolymer produced at 25°C using 4% sucrose were higher (365.9 cP) when compared to biopolymer produced at 30°C with 2% sucrose. Concentration and yield are similar than those found in the literature (0.34 g xanthan L-1 h-1 and 24 g xanthan L-1). The use of salts in xanthan extraction reduces the input and a better quality gum. The salts NaCl (concentration of 0.01%) and CaCl2 (0.05%) showed best results. Heat treatment increases the xanthan quantity and viscosity and eliminates cells from broth. The addition of 0.01% SDS and 0.001% Tween 80 in the solution of xanthan gum increases its viscosity.

Orientador: Pedro de Oliva Neto / Banca: Jonas Contiero / Banca: Ranulfo Monte Alegre / Resumo: A goma xantana é um biopolímero produzido por Xanthomonas campestris muito utilizado como agente espessante. A síntese do biopolímero pode ocorrer em variadas condições, no entanto a qualidade a goma produzida também muda. Alguns trabalhos sugerem que a produção de goma xantana por batelada alimentada pode resultar num desempenho melhor em concentração de goma, rendimento e produtividade quando comparado à batelada simples. Nesse trabalho foram avaliados a influência de diferentes metodologias de oferta de sacarose na produção de goma xantana e sua qualidade, e também a produtividade e rendimento do processo. As melhores metodologias foram testadas em bioreator de 7,5L. Também foram avaliadas diferentes metodologias de separação do biopolímero (com o acréscimo de sais ao caldo ou ao etanol na etapa de extração da goma), bem como a influência de surfactantes e sais na viscosidade da goma em solução. Em incubadora com agitação orbital a quantidade e qualidade de goma xantana produzida a 25°C foram mais interessantes. Em fermentador, a produção de xantana a 30°C em meio contendo 2% de sacarose pode ter seu tempo reduzido sem que isso afete a concentração e a viscosidade da goma obtida. A viscosidade do biopolímero produzido a 25°C em meio contendo 4% de sacarose foi superior (365,9 cP) quando comparado ao biopolímero produzido a 30°C, em meio contendo 2% de sacarose. A produtividade e concentração de goma obtidos estão entre os encontrados na literatura (0,34 g xantana L-1 h-1 e 24 g xantana L-1). O uso de sais na extração da goma permite a redução do solvente utilizado e uma goma de melhor qualidade. Destacaram-se a utilização dos sais NaCl na concentração de 0,01% e CaCl2 a 0,05%. O tratamento térmico aumenta a quantidade e a viscosidade do biopolímero além de eliminar as células. A adição de 0,01% de SDS e de 0,001% de Tween 80 na solução de goma xantana aumenta sua viscosidade. / Abstract: Xanthan gum is a biopolymer produced by Xanthomonas campestris, used as a thickener. Its synthesis can happen in different conditions, but quality of xanthan produced also changes. Studies suggest that fed batch xanthan gum production can result in better performance in gum concentration, yield and productivity, when compared to batch. This work evaluates the influence of different methods of sucrose supply on xanthan gum quantity and quality, as well its productivity and process efficiency. The best methods were tested in a bioreactor of 7.5 L. Were also evaluated different separation methods (with the addition of salt in broth or ethanol during the separation phase) and the influence of surfactants on viscosity on xanthan solution. In shaker incubator, the gum produced at 25°C was more interesting. In bioreactor, the xanthan production at 30°C using 2% sucrose can be reduced to 40 hours, without affecting concentration and viscosity of the gum obtained. The viscosity of the biopolymer produced at 25°C using 4% sucrose were higher (365.9 cP) when compared to biopolymer produced at 30°C with 2% sucrose. Concentration and yield are similar than those found in the literature (0.34 g xanthan L-1 h-1 and 24 g xanthan L-1). The use of salts in xanthan extraction reduces the input and a better quality gum. The salts NaCl (concentration of 0.01%) and CaCl2 (0.05%) showed best results. Heat treatment increases the xanthan quantity and viscosity and eliminates cells from broth. The addition of 0.01% SDS and 0.001% Tween 80 in the solution of xanthan gum increases its viscosity. / Mestre

The thesis utilized physical testing and computer modeling to determine the feasibility of identifying a change to the mass or stiffness of a steel frame. Physical testing was performed using an accelerometer, linear shaker, and arbitrary function generator. Two methods of laboratory testing were developed: ambient vibration testing (AVT) and forced vibration testing (FVT). AVT was able to preliminarily identify the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the frame. FVT was able to precisely identify four distinct natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping ratios. The baseline frame then underwent two physical changes: the addition of mass to its roof, and the addition of braces along one of its sides. FVT was used again to determine the natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping ratios of the newly changed structure. An ETABS computer model was developed to represent the frame. This baseline model produced natural frequencies and mode shapes that closely matched the values determined by FVT. The mass and stiffness of this baseline model were then changed multiple times through the addition of mass and braces at various locations on the model. The frequencies and mode shapes were recorded for each change. Two methods were developed to identify the changes to the steel frame. The first method was able to determine which one of the models best represented a single change to the structure (adding mass to its roof). The second method was able to determine the combination of models that best represented the two concurrent changes to the structure (adding mass to its roof and braces to its sides). Both methods utilized the percent differences of each altered computer model relative to the original, and each method satisfactorily identified its respective physical alteration.

The importance of vibration and vibration tests is increasingly relevant given th growing number of mobile electronic devices. This thesis descibes the design of control vibrating shaker table, which is an essential element for vibration testing. At the beginning is an initial look on the problematics of vibration, vibration test and influences of vibrations on electronic components, solder joints and other parts uses in microelectronics. Provides insight to the principles of vibration measurement and controlling system used in industry. The workplace is designed for testing and measuring of vibrations. The workplace designed and developed in the LabVIEW enviroment based on CompactRIO platform.

My thesis describes the design of a laboratory electromagnetic vibrator, which will be used for testing of the vibrating microgenerators. In the first part of my thesis is the search of selected laboratory electromagnetic vibration generators. There is also formulated its own proposal and subsequent tuning of the required dimensions and characteristics of the laboratory electromagnetic vibration generator. The tuning of necessary properties and dimensions is formed as modeling and simulating in programms Matlab / Simulink and ANSYS. The conduct of laboratory electromagnetic vibration generator is implemented in MATLAB / Simulink. Design and dimensions of the laboratory electromagnetic vibration generator is made in SolidWorks.

Kaliumkanäle ermöglichen es, den geladenen Kaliumionen selektiv die hydrophobe Lipidphase von Zellmembranen zu passieren. Sie operieren in ihren Funktionen als Antagonisten von Natrium- und Kalziumkanälen, um die elektrische Erregbarkeit von Zellen zu kontrollieren. Im ZNS der Vertebraten existiert eine Vielzahl verschiedener Kaliumkanäle, welche die zeitliche Struktur von Aktionspotentialen festlegen. Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Dissertation wurden bisher unbekannte Kanäle aus den Familien der spannungsgesteuerten Kv1-/Kv3- und der kalziumsensitiven SK-/BK-Kaliumkanäle aus dem ZNS der Regenbogenforelle kloniert. Diese wurden durch heterologe Expression in Insekten- und Säugerzellen einer biophysikalischen und pharmakologischen Charakterisierung zugeführt. Gegen fünf der bekannten Kanäle wurden spezifische Antikörper hergestellt. Mit Hilfe immunhistochemischen und PCR-Techniken konnte die gewebetypische und entwicklungsspezifische Expression der Kaliumkanäle untersucht werden. Mit den in dieser Arbeit präsentierten Daten konnte die Grundlage für eine differentielle Betrachtung der funktionellen Bedeutung und des Expressionsmusters der entsprechenden Kaliumkanäle im nativen Kontext gelegt werden.

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