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A micromechanical analysis of the representative volume element (RVE) of a unidirectional flax/jute fiber reinforced epoxy composite is performed using finite element analysis (FEA). To do so, first effective mechanical properties of flax fiber and jute fiber are evaluated numerically and then used in evaluating the effective properties of ax/jute/epoxy hybrid composite. Mechanics of Structure Genome (MSG), a new homogenization tool developed in Purdue University, is used to calculate the homogenized effective properties. Numerical results are compared with analytical solution based on rule of mixture, Halpin-Tsai as well as Tsai-Hahn equations. The effect of the volume fraction of the two different fibers is studied. Mechanical performance of hybrid composite is compared with the mechanical performance of single fiber composites. Synergistic effect due to hybridization is studied using analytical method given in literature, finite element method based MSG and Classical Lamination Theory (CLT). It is found that, when Poisson ratio is taken into consideration, elastic modulus shows synergy due to hybridization. Finally, impact properties of ax/jute/epoxy hybrid composite material are studied using Charpy impact testing.

Polymer composites are used in a varying extent and are challenging the use of traditional materials due to the push towards sustainable development. They have replaced steels and aluminum alloys in applications. Polymer composites are used in load-bearing and semi-load bearing applications in automotive, transport and aerospace industry due to their good characteristics. Polymer poses beneficial characteristics such as chemical stability, corrosion resistance, attractive strength-to-weight ratio, and be processed with ease. However, many polymers are highly flammable, making them a fire hazard. The fact that polymer composite is highly flammable, they need to undergo fire safety treatment that are sustainable towards the environment and humans. In this study biochar and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) were added in different combinations to epoxy resin. The purpose was to evaluate the synergistic effects that biochar and APP has on epoxy composite and how it will affect the fire- and mechanical properties. Additionally, developing a composite that retains a high compressive strength while increasing its thermal stability. Lastly, evaluate if the best performing composite could be recommended for load/semi-load‑bearing applications along with being sustainable towards the environment and humans. This thesis was conducted through literature study and laboratory work where three different tests were done such as cone calorimeter (CC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and compressive test. The CC and TGA test were done to analyze the synergistic effect APP and biochar had on epoxy composites fire properties, but also determine which composition obtained the best fire properties. The compressive test was done to analyze the synergistic effect APP and biochar had on the epoxy composites mechanical properties. From the CC- and TGA tests it was observed that biochar and APP individually improved the fire properties of the epoxy where a decrease in peak heat release rate per unit area (PHRRPUA) and a decrease in mass loss was obtained. Additionally, it was noticed that the addition of only APP had a greater impact in improving the fire properties compared to only biochar. However, a combination of 15 wt.% biochar and 20 wt.% APP improved the fire properties the most. The compression tests indicated that biochar reduced the compressive strength drastically compared to the neat epoxy, since the biochar-based samples exhibited a porous structure. The addition of only APP in the epoxy showed a minimal reduction in compressive strength compared to neat epoxy. In conclusion, biochar and APP were improving the fire properties of epoxy composite whereas the compressive strength decreased. Overall, by an addition of only APP to the epoxy, the fire properties were enhanced where the compressive strength was conserved compared to neat epoxy. Since the composition with only APP performed the best overall, this composition can thereby be recommended for development in load/semi-load-bearing applications.

Os ramnolipídeos (RL) são biossurfatantes que apresentam características de grande interesse para a indústria de alimentos, tais como alta biodegradabilidade, baixa toxicidade e propriedades emulsionantes. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana do ramnolipídeo comercial (RL-Com - Jeneil Co.) e do ramnolipídeo produzido e purificado no Laboratório de Biotecnologia Microbiana (RL-LBM) sobre culturas de Listeria monocytogenes, através da determinação da concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) utilizando o método de microdiluição em caldo. Os valores de CIM dos RLs variaram entre 78,1 μg mL-1 e 2500 μg mL-1 sendo que a CIM predominante foi de 2500 μg mL-1. Dentre as 32 L. monocytogenes testadas 68,7% foram sensíveis ao RL-LBM e 90,6% sensíveis ao RL-Com. O efeito do ramnolipídeo sobre L. monocytogenes mostrou-se predominantemente bacteriostático. O RL aumentou a permeabilidade celular de L. monocytogenes, contudo este efeito não foi relacionado à sua atividade antimicrobiana. A interação entre os antimicrobianos RL-Com e nisina foi avaliada sobre dois isolados de L. monocytogenes com sensibilidades diferentes ao RL, o L17 menos sensível, com CIM de 2500 μg mL-1, e o L12 mais sensível, com CIM de 156,2 μg mL-1. O índice CIF obtido para os isolados foi de 0,078 e 0,18 , para L17 e L12 respectivamente, caracterizando o efeito sinérgico da combinação entre RL e nisina. As curvas de sobrevivência dos isolados L12 e L17 mostraram que a interação entre a nisina e o RL foi bactericida em concentrações menores que as obtidas individualmente para cada antimicrobiano. Para a L12 a combinação de 78,1 μg mL-1 de RL e 160 UI mL-1 de nisina reduziu completamente a população em 30 min de tratamento, e para a L17 a combinação de 156,2 μg mL-1 de RL e 320 UI mL-1 de nisina foi bactericida após 2 h. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho demonstraram que o ramnolipídeo possui potencial como agente de controle de L. monocytogenes assim como efeito sinérgico quando combinado à nisina. / The rhamnolipids (RL) are biodegradable biosurfactants which have low toxicity and surface activity properties that can be useful for food processing industries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of Listeria monocytogenes with two rhamnolipids products: the rhamnolipid from P. aeruginosa LBI that was produced and purified in the Microbial Biotechnology Laboratory (RLMBL) and a commercial product (RL-Com - Jeneil Co.). Susceptibility tests were performed by the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) using the micro-broth dilution technique. The MIC values varied from 78.1 μg mL-1 to 2500 μg mL-1 and the 2500 μg mL-1 concentration was the predominant value . Among the 32 tested cultures, 68.7% were susceptible to RL-MBL and 90.6% to RL-Com. Results showed that the rhamnolipid activity was primarily bacteriostatic. The RL increases the membrane permeability of L. monocytogenes, however this effect was not directly related to its antimicrobial activity. The combined effect of nisin and RL-Com was evaluated against two wild-type isolates of L. monocytogenes, L12 more sensitive (MIC 156.2 μg mL-1) and L17 less sensitive (2500 μg mL-1). The FIC index for the isolates were 0.18 and 0.078 for L12 and L17 respectively, indicating a particular synergistic effect. The survival curve of isolates L12 and L17 showed that the combination between nisin and RL was bactericidal at lower concentration than for the individual antimicrobials. For L12 isolate 78.1 μg mL-1 of RL and 160 UI mL-1 of nisin eliminated the population after 30 min of incubation. The combination of 156.2 μg mL-1 of RL and 320 UI mL-1 of nisin reduced completely L17 population after 2 h of incubation. This work demonstrated the potential antimicrobial activity of rhamnolipids against L. monocytogenes, as well as the synergistic effect of this biosurfactant with nisin.

Os ramnolipídeos (RL) são biossurfatantes que apresentam características de grande interesse para a indústria de alimentos, tais como alta biodegradabilidade, baixa toxicidade e propriedades emulsionantes. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana do ramnolipídeo comercial (RL-Com - Jeneil Co.) e do ramnolipídeo produzido e purificado no Laboratório de Biotecnologia Microbiana (RL-LBM) sobre culturas de Listeria monocytogenes, através da determinação da concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) utilizando o método de microdiluição em caldo. Os valores de CIM dos RLs variaram entre 78,1 μg mL-1 e 2500 μg mL-1 sendo que a CIM predominante foi de 2500 μg mL-1. Dentre as 32 L. monocytogenes testadas 68,7% foram sensíveis ao RL-LBM e 90,6% sensíveis ao RL-Com. O efeito do ramnolipídeo sobre L. monocytogenes mostrou-se predominantemente bacteriostático. O RL aumentou a permeabilidade celular de L. monocytogenes, contudo este efeito não foi relacionado à sua atividade antimicrobiana. A interação entre os antimicrobianos RL-Com e nisina foi avaliada sobre dois isolados de L. monocytogenes com sensibilidades diferentes ao RL, o L17 menos sensível, com CIM de 2500 μg mL-1, e o L12 mais sensível, com CIM de 156,2 μg mL-1. O índice CIF obtido para os isolados foi de 0,078 e 0,18 , para L17 e L12 respectivamente, caracterizando o efeito sinérgico da combinação entre RL e nisina. As curvas de sobrevivência dos isolados L12 e L17 mostraram que a interação entre a nisina e o RL foi bactericida em concentrações menores que as obtidas individualmente para cada antimicrobiano. Para a L12 a combinação de 78,1 μg mL-1 de RL e 160 UI mL-1 de nisina reduziu completamente a população em 30 min de tratamento, e para a L17 a combinação de 156,2 μg mL-1 de RL e 320 UI mL-1 de nisina foi bactericida após 2 h. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho demonstraram que o ramnolipídeo possui potencial como agente de controle de L. monocytogenes assim como efeito sinérgico quando combinado à nisina. / The rhamnolipids (RL) are biodegradable biosurfactants which have low toxicity and surface activity properties that can be useful for food processing industries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of Listeria monocytogenes with two rhamnolipids products: the rhamnolipid from P. aeruginosa LBI that was produced and purified in the Microbial Biotechnology Laboratory (RLMBL) and a commercial product (RL-Com - Jeneil Co.). Susceptibility tests were performed by the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) using the micro-broth dilution technique. The MIC values varied from 78.1 μg mL-1 to 2500 μg mL-1 and the 2500 μg mL-1 concentration was the predominant value . Among the 32 tested cultures, 68.7% were susceptible to RL-MBL and 90.6% to RL-Com. Results showed that the rhamnolipid activity was primarily bacteriostatic. The RL increases the membrane permeability of L. monocytogenes, however this effect was not directly related to its antimicrobial activity. The combined effect of nisin and RL-Com was evaluated against two wild-type isolates of L. monocytogenes, L12 more sensitive (MIC 156.2 μg mL-1) and L17 less sensitive (2500 μg mL-1). The FIC index for the isolates were 0.18 and 0.078 for L12 and L17 respectively, indicating a particular synergistic effect. The survival curve of isolates L12 and L17 showed that the combination between nisin and RL was bactericidal at lower concentration than for the individual antimicrobials. For L12 isolate 78.1 μg mL-1 of RL and 160 UI mL-1 of nisin eliminated the population after 30 min of incubation. The combination of 156.2 μg mL-1 of RL and 320 UI mL-1 of nisin reduced completely L17 population after 2 h of incubation. This work demonstrated the potential antimicrobial activity of rhamnolipids against L. monocytogenes, as well as the synergistic effect of this biosurfactant with nisin.

Les nanoparticules bimétalliques supportées sont des catalyseurs particulièrement attractifs en raison d’une activité et d’une stabilité accrues par rapport à leurs homologues monométalliques. Dans cette thèse des solides à base d'or ont été étudiés en tant que catalyseurs de l'oxydation sélective du glucose en absence de base. Il a été mis en évidence que la variation du ratio molaire entre l’or et le second métal (Pd, Pt, or Cu) a un impact différent sur les performances catalytiques en fonction de la nature du second métal, du support et de la méthode de préparation. Les séries Au-Pd supportés sur TiO2 et préparés par la méthode de sol-immobilisation et Au-Cu supportés sur TiO2 et préparés par la méthode de précipitation-réduction ont montré un effet synergique important, en particulier lorsque le rapport entre les deux métaux était de 1. Ces catalyseurs convertissent sélectivement le glucose en acide gluconique et leur activité a été trouvée supérieure à celle des contreparties monométalliques. L'analyse XPS a démontré que les espèces Au+δ, Pd+2 et CuOH jouent alors un rôle important dans la réaction étudiée en absence de base. Le bismuth en tant que second métal n'a montré aucun effet bénéfique, au contraire du palladium et du cuivre. Les catalyseurs à base d’Au et de Pt supportés sur ZrO2 se sont avérés quant à eux très stables lorsque la teneur en or était inférieure à 0,3% en masse. La nature du support a un impact très important sur le mécanisme de la réaction conduite en absence base sur des catalyseurs à base d’or. La raison réside dans les interactions que ce support développe avec la phase bimétallique favorisant ainsi la formation des espèces actives / The supported bimetallic nanoparticles are particularly attractive catalysts due to the increased activity and stability over their monometallic counterparts. In this thesis, gold-based solids have been studied as catalysts for the selective base-free oxidation of glucose. It has been demonstrated that the variation of the molar ratio between gold and the second metal (Pd, Pt, or Cu) has a different impact on the catalytic performances depending on the nature of the second metal, the support and the method of preparation. TiO2 supported Au-Pd series prepared by the sol-immobilization method and Au-Cu series prepared by the precipitation-reduction method showed a significant synergistic effect, particularly when the ratio of the two metals was 1. Under the reaction conditions used (T = 60 °C or 80 °C, P = 5 bar air, t = 5 h), these catalysts selectivity to gluconic acid and their activity was found to be greater than that of monometallic counterparts, especially when the catalyst is supported on TiO2. XPS analysis showed that the Au+δ, Pd+2 and CuOH species played an important role in the base-free reaction. Bismuth as the second metal showed no beneficial effect, unlike palladium and copper. The Au-Pt catalysts supported on ZrO2 proved to be still active when the gold content was less than 0.3 wt.%. Ultimately, the nature of the support has a very important impact on the mechanism of the base-free reaction conducted on gold-based catalysts (formation of H2O2 in situ). The reason lies in the interactions of the support with the bimetallic phase thus favoring the formation of the active species

The aim of this thesis is the study of application of the synergistic effects of various advanced oxidation processes (AOP) used for decomposition of chemical compounds resistant to biodegradation. The synergistic effect of photocatalytically active material and low temperature plasma were tested in my thesis. Model substances with photocatalytically active material were exposed to atmospheric plasma discharge (Gliding Arc) in order to improve generation of the active hydroxyl groups and oxidation processes. The first chapter of the theoretical part summarizes the knowledge of advanced oxidation processes, their principles and utilization. Next chapters are dedicated to basic summary of titanium dioxide and types of creating the thin films. The last part of theoretical chapter describes the types of plasma discharges. The experimental part describes the equipment for decomposition of chemical compounds resistant to biodegradation using AOP. Next chapter of the experimental part is dedicated to decomposition of organic dye AO7 and antibiotic Verapamil hydrochloride. The last chapter summarizes the results of the experiments.

Submitted by Leandro Bianchi (leandro_bianchii@hotmail.com) on 2018-04-16T19:41:47Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Leandro final.pdf: 3197976 bytes, checksum: 442c110e13ec1198a874c1285f176bbc (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Lucia Martins Frederico null (mlucia@fca.unesp.br) on 2018-04-16T20:03:09Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 bianchi_l_me_botfca.pdf: 3197898 bytes, checksum: 5bd6736d1b7a1e530435ae5e7c91c884 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-16T20:03:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 bianchi_l_me_botfca.pdf: 3197898 bytes, checksum: 5bd6736d1b7a1e530435ae5e7c91c884 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-02-22 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Devido ao uso frequente do glyphosate na agricultura, o capim-amargoso (Digitaria insularis) tornou-se uma das plantas daninhas mais problemáticas no Brasil, por adquirir resistência a esse herbicida. Biótipos resistentes em estádios iniciais são facilmente controlados por graminicidas, porém em estádio mais avançado o controle é reduzido. O herbicida clethodim é um graminicida com alta eficiência, portanto, verificar o controle de biótipos resistentes ao glyphosate em diferentes estádios, com o uso isolado de clethodim e em mistura com o glyphosate é fundamental para auxiliar no manejo desta invasora. Assim o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho de glyphosate, clethodim e glyphosate + clethodim, em biótipo de D. insularis resistente e suscetível. O ensaio foi realizado em casa de vegetação, inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições e repetido em duas épocas do ano. As aplicações foram realizadas em estádio inicial (15 – 20 cm) e em florescimento. Avaliou-se o controle aos 21 dias e o peso da biomassa seca. Para a mistura dos produtos, foi verificada a interação entre os herbicidas: efeito sinérgico, antagônico ou aditivo. No ensaio com plantas em estádio inicial, avaliou-se a concentração de lipídeos na biomassa seca. De forma geral, a aplicação de clethodim aplicado isoladamente controlou o biótipo resistente em estádio inicial, porém em florescimento a eficácia foi reduzida. A mistura mostrou-se eficiente para controle de biótipo resistente em estádio inicial e em florescimento. Considerando as avaliações visuais de controle, a interação entre glyphosate e clethodim apresentou efeito sinérgico para doses intermediárias e aditivo para as maiores doses considerando o estádio inicial; em plantas florescidas, predominaram os efeitos aditivos para todas as doses. Para massa seca, a mistura teve interação sinérgica em todas as doses e estádios avaliados. As menores doses dos dois herbicidas reduziram os teores de lipídeos. / Due to frequent use of glyphosate in agriculture, sourgrass (Digitaria insularis) has become one of the most problematic weeds in Brazil for purchase resistance to this herbicide. Resistant biotypes in initial stages are easily controlled by graminicides, but in a more advanced stage the control is reduced. The herbicide clethodim is a graminicide with high efficiency, therefore, to check the control of resistant biotypes of glyphosate in different stages, with the isolated use of clethodim and in mixture with the glyphosate is fundamental to assist in the management of this weed. Thus the experiment was aimed at evaluate the action of glyphosate, clethodim and glyphosate + clethodim, in a resistant and susceptible biotype of D. insularis. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, completely randomized, with four replications and repeated at two times of the year. The applications were performed in the initial stage (15 - 20 cm) and flowering. Plants were evaluated at 21 days after application (DAA) and dry biomass weight. For the mixture of products, the interaction between the herbicides was also verified: synergistic, antagonistic or additive effect. In the experiment with plants at the initial stage, was evaluated the lipid concentration in the dry biomass. In general, the application of clethodim applied alone controlled the resistant biotype at the initial stage, but in flowering the efficiency was reduced. The mixture showed to be efficient for control of resistant biotype in initial and flowering stages. Considering the visual evaluations of control, the interaction between glyphosate and clethodim showed synergic effect for intermediate doses and additive for the highest doses considering the initial stage; in flowered plants, with the additive effects predominating for all as doses, the additive effect prevailed for all doses. For dry mass, the mixture had synergistic interaction at all doses and evaluated stages. Lower doses of both herbicides reduced lipid levels.

In this study we investigate the synergistic effect of low frequency ultrasonication (14, 22, and 47 kHz) on antimicrobial activity of Cecropin P1 against Escherichia coli. The hypothesis was tested by comparing three different treatments (1) ultrasonication only (2) Cecropin P1 only (3) combination of both. The results showed that the combined treatment deactivate E. coli more efficiently by six order of magnitude. The mechanism of membrane permeabilization due to Cecropin P1 is also investigated using dye leakage experiment. The result indicated pore formation and carpet mechanism. Finally, a mathematical modeling is proposed to explain the synergistic effect, allowing us to make better prediction for cell deactivation.

The emergence of cultural industry is strongly supported by the Chinese government. Policy support andtechnology-driven considerations have stimulatedrapid mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in China’s cultural industry. The burgeoning scale of industrial M&As, however, has not necessarily improved the quality. In the case of impending market saturation, advancing M&Asin violation of market rules may lead to bubble accumulation in the capital market. In addition, dominated by intangible assets, the cultural industry features relatively unstable products and immature industries, which can lead to a deviation in the valuation of M&A assets from the real value. Once the M&A targetexperiences operational issues, it will suffer greater losses than those brought by M&Asin traditional industries. Therefore, the cultural industry is exposed toa high valuation risk. In addition, its structure differs greatly from other industries because it has a high degree of product line differentiation, which makesit difficult for value chain coupling after companies in the cultural industry merge with other industries. There is also much uncertainty about cross-industry M&A stimulating performance. These uncertainties may hinder the growth of China’s cultural industry. Therefore, mystudy focuses on the cultural industry. This study examines the M&A performance of listed companies in China’s cultural industry through empirical analysis and provides suggestions for its development.Thisstudy first discusses the main types, characteristics,and reasons for surge in M&Asin China’s cultural industry, and then empiricallyanalyzes the M&A performance of listed companies in the cultural industry from the perspectives of stock performance and financial returns. On the one hand, based on the event studymethod, this empirical study analyzes the impacts of M&Asin the cultural industry on the short-term and long-term abnormal stock return of theactiveacquirerthrough the CAPM modelandthe Fama–French 3-factormodel; on the other hand, an empirical analysis is made on the impacts of M&Asin cultural industry on the company’s future financial return using the propensity score matchingand difference-in-difference (DID)methods.This study finds that the short-term abnormal return after the M&Asin cultural industry is iiisignificant, but not the long-term cumulative abnormal stock returns. Therefore, it is concluded that the impact of M&Asof listed companies in cultural industry on short-term abnormal stock returns is only a result of market overreaction, and the market will be rational in the long run. This study also examines whether the M&A is cross-industry or whether the acquirer is a cultural enterprise has anysignificant impact on the long-term cumulative abnormal stock returns.Concurrently, the study examines the factors leading to abnormal returns from M&As, and finds from the analysis on factors leading to short-term abnormal returns that the size of market value, the extent of valuation,and whether the company is a state-owned company have a significant impact on the short-term abnormal market returns from M&As.On the other hand, this study finds that the financial returns of sample companies have not improved after M&Asin cultural industry, but have declined instead. This is likely because the two companies cannot coordinate andmerge well after M&A, which instead increases frictions and results in a decline in financial returns.Based on the features of M&Asin China’s cultural industry and the empirical results of the decline in financial returns of listed companies after M&Asin cultural industry, this study suggests plausibleimprovementsin M&A performance of listed companies in China’s cultural industryat the level of government, intermediary agent, industry guidance and enterprise.This study hasfour chapters: Chapter 1 is the introduction, which introduces the research background, methods, significance,and related literature review. Chapter 2 introduces the current situation of M&Asin China’s cultural industryand presents an analysis of the main types and characteristics of and reasons behind the new wave of M&Asin China’s cultural industry. Chapter 3 presents the empirical analysis. Based on various empirical research methods, this study analyzes the impacts of M&Asin cultural industry on the short-term and long-term abnormal stock returns and financial returns. Chapter 4 concludesand makes suggestions for policy makers. / Business Administration/Finance