Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-12T18:06:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 arquivo7838_1.pdf: 1710193 bytes, checksum: d6b22e1e4e4d7e16d2bc55c8ec9d949e (MD5) license.txt: 1748 bytes, checksum: 8a4605be74aa9ea9d79846c1fba20a33 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / A crescente disponibilidade de gás natural (GN) e a abundante produção de gás carbônico, obtido a partir da fermentação de mosto preparado a partir de produtos da cana-de-açúcar (caldo de cana e melaço), termoelétricas, e refinarias, têm suscitado interesse quanto à valorização destas matérias-primas. Os processos de conversão indireta do GN buscam produzir inicialmente o gás de síntese (CO e H2), intermediário na obtenção de hidrocarbonetos, combustíveis e compostos oxigenados. A tri-reforma do metano (TRM) busca através da combinação sinergética da reforma seca do metano (DRM), da oxidação parcial do metano (POM) e a reforma a vapor do metano (SRM). A combinação da reforma seca com a reforma a vapor para produzir gás de síntese nas proporções de H2/CO desejadas e se avaliar a formação de carbono. A presente dissertação avalia os resultados obtidos na conversão do gás natural via tri-reforma do metano empregando um catalisador de níquel suportado em γ-alumina (Ni/γ-Al2O3). As avaliações operacionais foram realizadas numa faixa de temperatura entre 923K e 1123K sob atmosfera de pressão. O efeito do oxigênio na alimentação aumentou os rendimentos de H2 e CO. Conversões máximas de 96,44% para CH4 e 45,41% para CO2, seletividade máxima de 92,55% para H2 e 8,61% para CO. Os rendimentos obtidos de H2 e CO foram 4,4 e 0,25% respectivamente, devido à presença da RWGS (reverse water gás-shift) que foi minimizada e portanto obteve-se rendimentos superiores de aproximadamente 37,00% e 5,00% para H2 e CO Para a caracterização do catalisador empregou-se absorção atômica, difratometria de raios-X, análise térmica, infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR), área via Brunauer, Emmet e Teller (BET), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), espectroscopia de raios-X por emissão de energia (EDS), análise elementar do carbono antes e após as reações a fim de analisar a estabilidade do catalisador. O desenvolvimento do processo evidenciou as formações de H2 e CO, com traços de deposição de coque, para o processo de operação de leito fixo. Por fim, foi proposto um mecanismo cinético devidamente validado experimentalmente

This thesis was concerned with work in preparation for the commissioning of the TRIUMF cyclotron magnet. The experiments were centred around a 1/10 scale model of the cyclotron magnet. Computer calculation and model measurements were made of a model combination magnet. Extraction fields of the cyclotron were measured and the stripping foil locus determined. The interaction of the cyclotron magnet and the combination magnet was determined. A 1/10 scale model Triple Hall Probe was constructed and precisely calibrated. Its performance was tested and surveys made in the model. Finally the characteristics of the trim coils to be used in the cyclotron were measured. / Science, Faculty of / Physics and Astronomy, Department of / Graduate

This report examines some of the work that has been done in preparing for the shimming and subsequent trimming involved in commissioning the TRIUMF magnet. A series of experiments was done to determine the exact changes in the average field and in the focusing properties resulting when different sizes of shims were placed at various positions on the pole piece. The components of the focusing changes were broken down, using a linear approximation, so as to examine the factors causing them. In order to facilitate shimming, a computer program was developed which used this data to predict the amount of steel to be placed at each position on the magnet pole piece in order to give the best improvement to both the average field and the focusing. This program was tested on a 10:1 model and found to reduce errors in the average field to 20% of the original after two iterations, at the same time improving the focusing, although it tended to break down at significant spiral angels when large corrections were required. The cause for this breakdown was indicated and an improvement procedure recommended. Finally, a series of experiments, using a computer program, were made to determine the trim coil capacities that would be needed. It was found that these capacities were significantly lower than had previously been expected. / Science, Faculty of / Physics and Astronomy, Department of / Graduate

The field of UAV systems is an active research area with potential for development and enhancement in various perspectives. This thesis investigates different issues related to the design, operation and control of UAV systems with a focus on the application side of each proposed solution where the implementation side and applicability of the proposed solutions are always considered with high priority. The thesis discusses unmodeled actuator dynamics and their effect on UAV systems when using feedback linearisation to linearize nonlinear models of UAVs. The analysis shows potential risk when implementing feedback linearisation and neglecting actuator dynamics even for first order actuator system. A solution algorithm of two stage feedback linearisation is proposed to handle actuator dynamics and linearize the main dynamics of the system. In the field of design and operation of UAVs, this thesis proposes a systematic design procedure for electric propulsion systems that are widely used in UAVs. The design procedure guides the designer step by step to achieve minimum propulsion system weight or maximum flight time or a trade off between the two factors from the supplied solution sets. On the navigation side, the thesis proposes a new indoor navigation system that is easy to implement and less costly compared with other indoor navigation systems. The proposed system can be classified under computer-vision based navigation systems, however, it needs less information and less computational capacity. The thesis also contributes to the structure design of UAV systems by producing a novel tri-rotor UAV platform. The proposed UAV is novel in structure and design and has a centralized control system that stabilizes and tracks both rotational and transitional motion of the vehicle simultaneously.

Poverty is the single greatest burden of the South African nation, with estimates that at least seventeen million of the population survives below the minimum basic income level. The socio-economic and environmental impacts of these alarming poverty levels are worsened by ineffective service delivery in South Africa, which has been fraught by administrative, legislative and financial incapacities. Despite clear commitments outlined in the South African constitution, legislation, mandates and policies to provide environmentally sustainable services to all South Africans; the first chapters of this dissertation argues that the situation in terms of service delivery is reaching a crisis point and reinforces claims that government alone cannot address this calamity. The residents of the Marikana Township are no strangers to the hardship of poverty and futile attempts at service provision by the Rustenburg municipality. The on-going lack of service delivery has resulted in increasing levels of diseases, environmental pollution and degradation. The effects of these traditional environmental hazards are exacerbated by modern environmental hazards emanating from mining activities in close proximity to the community, by one of the largest platinum producers in South Africa. The consequences of these combined forces necessitates that urgent action is taken and that the problem of service delivery is addressed effectively and efficiently. The waste management services to the communities of Marikana, supplied by Rustenburg Municipality, typify service delivery. In recent years, the South African government has sought alternative service delivery mechanisms as solutions to inadequate and ineffective service provision to communities. This is a clear imperative in the broader context of a post-apartheid society. One organisational arrangement for service provision, which is becoming increasingly popular on a worldwide scale, is tri-sector partnerships. In tri-sector partnerships, a relationship is established to the point where corporations ‘pool’ complementary resources, knowledge and skills from across the three sectors of society namely business, government and civil society to jointly address complex social impacts. Although there have been instances where tri-sector partnerships have been initiated, there is limited evidence and experience of tri-sector partnerships being actively managed and sustained over time. In developing countries, in particular South Africa, the concept of these partnership formations is relatively novel and is an option worthy of future exploration. The waste management tri-sector partnership in the Moses Kotane municipal district is an example of an unconventional ‘successful’ tri-sector partnership in the North West province of South Africa. The communities within the Moses Kotane municipal district illustrate characteristics of poverty in the same magnitude of the communities within the Rustenburg Municipality, both entities within the Bojanala Platinum District. To date, the partnership has achieved all strategic objectives of the partnership in terms of improving waste collection, the realisation of employment for local community members and establishing selected community members as business owners. Despite these objectives being achieved by all sectors, aspects of implementation can be enhanced to further the success of the approach. This dissertation attempts to provide solutions to the waste management concerns of the Marikana community by assessing and adapting the tri-sector partnership approach as it was implemented in the Moses Kotane district. Strategies are also recommended to solve the concerns plaguing the Moses-Kotane waste management tri-sector partnership. The recommendations are primarily aimed at improving the success and sustainability (financial and environmentally) of the tri-sector partnership with the aim of improving the replication feasibility of this approach. This dissertation concludes that the model based on tri-sector partnership arrangements has a definite potential to not only improve on service delivery, but be more effective in tackling problems related to the degradation of water, soil and land resources and therefore minimise health impacts on nearby communities. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology / Unrestricted

L’optimisation du guidage en radiologie interventionnelle implique de simplifier les gestes, d’améliorer la qualité d’images et leur précision tout en réduisant l’exposition aux rayons X du personnel soignants et des patients et l’usage du produit de contraste iodé, néphrotoxique. Elle implique un travail sur chacune des quatre étapes fondamentales de chaque intervention que sont : « voir », « atteindre », « intervenir » et « contrôler » le succès de l’intervention et l’absence de complication.L’étape « voir » la cible a fait l’objet de 3 études : la première, animale, portait sur l’amélioration de la qualité d’images de cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) et la seconde, clinique, sur la précision de la segmentation des tumeurs hépatiques mise en évidence sur les images de CBCT lors de chimioembolisations (CHE). Et enfin, la troisième, clinique, sur le repérage des artères épigastriques inférieures profondes en réalité augmentée avant lambeau.L’étape « atteindre » la cible a fait l’objet de 5 études. Deux études ont validé la précision du ciblage des tumeurs hépatiques lors des CHE utilisant des logiciels de détection automatique des artères nourricières et de perfusion virtuelle du territoire tumoral à traiter sur les images de CBCT lors de CHE. Trois autres études portaient sur les cartographies 3D par la technique de fusion d’images 3D projetées sur la fluoroscopie 2D. Les deux premières premières ont montré que l’usage de la fusion d’images lors des traitements endovasculaires des anévrismes complexes de l’aorte abdominale utilisant les images d’angioscanner ou d’angioIRM préopératoires permettant de réduire voire de s’affranchir de l’usage de produit de contraste iodé dans la prise en charge de ces pathologies. Le développement de la fusion d’images notamment lors du placement de shunt porto-systémique trans-hépatique par voie trans-jugulaire a permis de faciliter ces interventions tout en limitant l’usage des rayons X dans une troisième étude.La troisième étape « interventir » a fait l’objet de trois études. Une étude, fantôme, a montré la possibilité d’obternir une imagerie sélective et quantitative des structures iodées par l’imagerie spectrale des microsphères chargées d’huile iodée. Une seconde étude préclinique animale a attesté la radioopacité de ces mêmes microsphères chargées lorsqu’elles s’accumulent dans les capillaires ou néovaisseaux et sont le reflet de la nécessité de combiner une recherche commune sur le couple imagerie/matériel. Et enfin l’étude sur la rentabilité des biospies des tumeurs guidées par l’image qui a permis de mettre fin à des dogmes.La quatrième étape « contrôler » le succès des traitements comprend deux études. La première, est une revue de la littérature et a permis de proposer une standardisation de l’usage du CBCT lors des CHE et la seconde a évalué différents facteurs prédicteurs de réponse tumorale en IRM après CHE avec un intérêt particulier porté sur l’usage de nouveaux critères d’analyse 3D (vRECIST et qEASL).Le guidage en radiologie et notamment par le CBCT est encore confronté à la limitation majeure qu’est d’utiliser des rayons X et des produits de contraste iodé mais également à un champ de vue limité et à une qualité d’images sensibles aux artéfacts. D’ou le développement d’autre moyen de guidage comme l’IRM, éléctromagnétisme, fibroptique ou encore la réalité augmentée. Ces derniers éléments font partis de projets de recherche en cours ou à venir. / Optimizing image guidance in interventional radiology involves simplifying procedures, improving image quality and accuracy while reducing X-rays exposure, and the use of iodinated contrast media, which is nephrotoxic. It involves to improve each of the four fundamental steps of each intervention: "see", "reach", "intervene" and "control" the success of the intervention and the absence of complication.To "see" the target was the subject of 3 studies: the first study, was an animal study focused on improving the quality of images of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The second study was a clinical study about the precision of the tumor segmentation of on CBCT images during chemoembolization (TACE). And finally, the third study was a clinical study and described the identification of the lower deep epigastric arteries in augmented reality before flap.To "reach" the target was the subject of 5 studies. Two studies investigated the accuracy of hepatic tumor targeting in TACE using automatic feeding detection and virtual tumor perfusion software on CBCT images. Three other studies were focused on 3D roadmap using the image fusion technique overlaid onto 2D fluoroscopy. The two first studies were about endovascular treatments of complex abdominal aortic aneurysms using images fusion based on angiography of computed tomography or IRM to reduce or even eliminate the use of iodinated contrast agent in the management of such disease. The development of image fusion, particularly during trans-hepatic porto-systemic shunt placement, was shown to facilitate these interventions while limiting the use of X-rays published in to a thrid study.To "intervene" step included three studies. A phantom study showed that spectral imaging displayed selective and quantitative images of iodine content of iodine-loaded microspheres. A preclinical study demonstrated their visibility on x-ray based imaging when they accumulated in capillaries or neovessels and reflected the need to combine a common search for the couple imaging / biomaterials. And finally the study on the rentability of the image guided biospies of tumors which allowed to end dogmas.To "control" the success of treatments included two studies. The first study is a review of the literature and allowed a standardization of the use of the CBCT during the TACE and the second evaluated the factors predictors of tumor response on MRI images after TACE by the use of new 3D criteria. Image guidance with the use of CBCT, is still confronted with the major limitation of the use of X-rays and iodinated contrast media, but also to a limited field of view and a sentitive images quality to artefacts. Hence the development of other image guidance types such as MRI, electromagnetism, fibroptic or augmented reality are on its way. These last elements are part of a research projects in progress or to come.

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Fusarium graminearum est un champignon filamenteux qui parasite les plantes céréalières et le maïs et provoque la fusariose de l’épi. Durant l’infection, ce champignon produit des mycotoxines de la famille des trichothécènes qui s’accumulent dans les grains. Les processus de décontamination existants ne permettent pas d’éliminer complètement les trichothécènes. Ainsi, le meilleur moyen pour éviter leur accumulation dans les grains serait de pouvoir limiter leur occurrence au champ en contrôlant leur biosynthèse. Bien que la voie de biosynthèse des trichothécènes et les gènes Tri qui y sont impliqués soient bien décrits, les connaissances de base sur les mécanismes de régulation de ces gènes restent trop restreintes.Dans la première partie de ce travail, l’effet du pH sur la régulation des gènes Tri et la production de trichothécène a été étudié. En premier lieu, nous avons démontré que, in vitro, un pH acide joue le rôle d’inducteur alors qu’un pH neutre ou alcalin bloque l’expression des gènes Tri et la production de trichothécène. Ensuite, FgPac1, l’homologue du gène pacC/RIM101 codant le facteur de régulation par le pH chez les champignons a été identifié dans le génome de F. graminearum. A l’aide de souches recombinantes, nous avons démontré que la forme mature de ce facteur réprime l’expression des gènes Tri à pH acide et réduit la virulence du champignon lors de l’infection d’épis de blé. Enfin, le transcriptome de F. graminearum en réponse au pH et le rôle de Pac1 dans cette réponse a été analysé.Dans la deuxième partie de ce travail, le gène velvet sensible à la lumière, a été identifié chez F. graminearum. Ce gène constitue la composante clef d’un complexe qui coordonne la perception de la lumière avec le développement mais aussi avec le métabolisme secondaire chez les champignons. L’inactivation de FgVe1 chez F. graminearum nous a permis de démontrer son rôle dans le développement et la production de spores. Elle a montré aussi que ce gène est nécessaire pour permettre l’expression des gènes Tri, la production de trichothécène et la pathogénicité in planta.L’ensemble de ce travail permet de mieux comprendre la régulation de la production de trichothécène chez F. graminearum et ouvre des perspectives qui permettront sans doute, à long terme, d’élaborer des stratégies de lutte contre l’accumulation de trichothécène au champ. / The filamentous fungus Fusarium graminearum infects cereals plants and corn and causes “Fusarium Head Blight”. During infection, it produces mycotoxins belonging to trichothecenes family which accumulate in the grains. The available decontamination processes do not fully eliminate the trichothecene. Hence, the best way to avoid their occurrence in the grains is to limit their accumulation in the field by controlling their biosynthesis. Although the Tri genes implicated in the trichothecene biosynthetic pathway are well described, the basic knowledge regarding their regulation is still too limited.In the first part of this work, the effect of the pH on Tri genes regulation and trichothecene production was studied. First, we demonstrated that, in vitro, acidic pH acts as an inducer while a neutral or alkaline pH blocks Tri genes expression and trichothecene production. Then, FgPac1, the homologue of the pacC/RIM101 gene encoding the fungal pH regulatory factor was identified. Using recombinant strains, we demonstrated that the mature form of this factor represses Tri gene expression at acidic pH and reduces virulence during infection of wheat spikes. Finally, we analyzed the transcriptome of F. graminearum in response to pH and investigated the role of Pac1 in this response.In the second part of this work, the light-responsive velvet gene was identified in F. graminearum. This gene is the key component of a complex coordinating light perception with development and secondary metabolism in fungi. The disruption of FgVe1 in F. graminearum demonstrated its role in development and spores production. It also showed that this gene is necessary for Tri gene expression, trichothecene production and pathogenicity in planta.Overall, this work allows a better understanding of trichothecene regulation in F. graminearum and provides novel perspectives to develop new strategies against trichothecene accumulation during cereal growing in the field.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-04T18:28:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Izabella Brito Silva.pdf: 2978268 bytes, checksum: 42a14f689272301bde47bd494dc6b321 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-23 / Studies relating personality traits and intelligence (from the psychometric point of view) are quite new and have been expanding due to the fact that the intelligence may interfere on the way people respond to personality tests (and vice-versa). This research wanted to verify, based on DIF estimates, the influence of intelligence levels, sex, and education on the responses to a personality self-portrait instrument. The sample was composed of 161 high-school and college students from both genders, who answered a BFP and two subtests of BPR-5 (abstract and verbal). For the DIF estimates, it is required to work with 2 groups; therefore the division of groups was according to gender and education. And for the intelligence level, the participants were separated into two groups: low and high average. The estimates of each group s difficulties in the 126 items that form the personality instrument were calculated and compared in order to check whether DIF was present or not. Two DIF measurement criteria were applied. The results with Mantel-Hanzel?s (contrast higher than 0.42) showed that none of the items presented DIF. However, taking into consideration Probability Difference Indices (lower than 0.05), we found that out of 126 items, DIF was present in the groups as follows: 11 for the intelligence level; 17 for education; and 22 for gender. Thus, it is possible to verify that a small amount of items were influenced by the intelligence level of the participants. Gender and the Aperture factor influenced DIF the most. / Estudos que relacionam tra?os de personalidade e intelig?ncia (do ponto de vista psicom?trico) s?o bastante recentes e v?m se ampliando devido ? constata??o de que a intelig?ncia pode exercer influ?ncia no modo como as pessoas respondem a testes de personalidade (e vice-versa). Assim, a presente pesquisa buscou verificar, com o uso da estimativa do funcionamento diferencial do item (DIF), a influ?ncia do n?vel de intelig?ncia, sexo e escolaridade nas respostas a um instrumento de auto-relato da personalidade. A amostra foi composta por 161 estudantes, de Ensino M?dio e Superior, de ambos os sexos, os quais responderam ? Bateria Fatorial de Personalidade e dois subtestes da Bateria de Provas de Racioc?nio (racioc?nio abstrato e verbal). Para a estimativa do DIF existe a exig?ncia de se trabalhar com 2 grupos, de forma que o procedimento de divis?o dos grupos foi a divis?o natural para sexo e escolaridade e para o n?vel de intelig?ncia, os participantes foram divididos em dois grupos: m?dia baixa e m?dia alta. A estimativa da dificuldade de cada grupo em cada um dos 126 itens que comp?em o instrumento de personalidade foi calculada, sendo posteriormente comparadas com o objetivo de identificar a presen?a ou n?o de DIF. Os resultados demonstraram que, usando dois crit?rios de medidas de DIF, vemos que, de acordo com o crit?rio de Mantel-Haenzel (contraste maior que 0,42) nenhum dos itens apresentou DIF, entretanto, considerando-se os ?ndices de diferen?a de probabilidade (menor que 0,05) vemos que para n?vel de intelig?ncia 11 dos 126 itens apresentaram funcionamento diferencial para os grupos, para escolaridade 17 dos 126 itens apresentaram DIF, e por fim, para sexo 22 dos 126 itens apresentaram funcionamento diferencial para os grupos. Dessa forma pode-se verificar que uma propor??o pequena de itens mostraram-se influenciados pelo n?vel de intelig?ncia do respondente, sendo que a maior parte dos itens que apresentaram DIF pertencem a vari?vel sexo e ao fator Abertura.