[pt] O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar o tratamento de efluentes contendo cianeto livre através do sistema H2O2/UV e selecionar as condições operacionais mais adequadas para uma maior eficiência do processo. Para isso, foram empregadas soluções sintéticas de KCN com características de pH e concentração similares às condições de um efluente industrial real. O fotorreator utilizado nos testes de oxidação foi um reator cilíndrico de seção anular, equipado com uma lâmpada de baixa pressão de 28 W concêntrica com emissão em 254 nm, onde a solução ficava diretamente em contato com a mesma. Este fotorreator foi acoplado a um sistema de refrigeração que mantinha a temperatura de operação em 25oC.As variáveis avaliadas foram concentração inicial de cianeto em solução, pH inicial da solução, potência de UV irradiada e razão molar [H2O2]/[CN-]. Para soluções contendo uma concentração inicial de cianeto igual a 100 ppm, foi possível atingir uma eficiência remoção de 99,9 por cento em 25 minutos, em pH igual a 9,5, com uma razão molar [H2O2]:[CN-] igual a 3. Para efluentes contendo uma concentração inicial de cianeto igual a 300 ppm, nas mesmas condições operacionais, alcançou-se a mesma eficiência em 30 minutos. / [en] The present work had the objective of studying the treatment of effluents containing free cyanide through the system H2O2/UV, and of selecting the best operational conditions for best efficiency of the process. For that, it was employed synthetic solutions of KCN with characteristics of pH and concentration similar to those of a real effluent. The photoreactor employed in the oxidation tests was a cylindrical reactor of annular section, equipped with a concentrical low pressure lamp of 28 W with emission in 254 nm, where the solution was in direct contact with the lamp. This photoreactor was coupled with a cooling system which kept the operation temperature at 25oC. The evaluated variables were initial cyanide concentration in solution, initial pH of the solution, power of radiated UV and molar ratio [H2O2]/[CN-]. For solutions containing an initial concentration of cyanide equal to 100 ppm, it was possible to reach a removal efficiency of 99.9 per cent in 25 minutes, in pH equal to 9.5, with a molar ratio of [H2O2]:[CN-] equal to 3. For effluents containing an initial concentration of cyanide equal to 300 ppm, at the same operational conditions, it was possible to achieve the same removal efficiency in 30 minutes.

Using the concept of the build-up cavity for second harmonic generation to produce 243nm laser light, an innovative cavity is theoretically explored using a 15mm length CLBO crystal. In order to limit the losses of the cavity, the number of effective optical surfaces is kept to only four and the use of a MgF2 crystal is adopted to separate the harmonic and fundamental laser beam from each other. The cavity is shown to have an expected round trip loss of five tenths of a percent or better, resulting in a conversion efficiency greater than 65%.

L’exposition au soleil, et donc aux rayons ultraviolets, est de plus en plus fréquente chez l’homme dans les pays occidentaux. En effet, les modes de vie ont fortement changé ces dernières années, avec pour résultat une augmentation non négligeable des loisirs en extérieur. Ceci a pour conséquence une augmentation de l’apparition des cancers cutanés, dont le pronostic de survie est souvent mauvais et l’issue fatale. De plus, les traitements associés à ces maladies sont lourds et n’agissent pas toujours de façon efficace. Les campagnes d’information et de prévention face aux dangers du soleil restent donc les principales mesures efficaces pour lutter contre le cancer cutané lié à une surexposition au soleil. La recherche de nouveaux produits permettant de protéger de manière efficace la peau des effets néfastes des rayons UV reste donc un défi permanent et primordial pour la recherche dans l’industrie cosmétique. <p><p> Dans un premier temps, le travail a consisté à développer des nouvelles formulations de produits solaires contenant des concentrations élevées en filtres UV, conditionnées sous forme d’aérosol, celles-ci valables pour le marché européen. Une émulsion E/H et une émulsion E/Si ont donc été réalisées. Elles contenaient au final 27% de filtres UV pour l’émulsion E/H et 16,5% de filtres UV pour l’émulsion E/Si, dont 4% de filtres inorganiques pour les deux types d’émulsion. Leur viscosité était de 6800 mPa.s pour l’émulsion E/H et de 2800 mPa.s pour l’émulsion E/Si. Ces formulations étaient stables lorsqu’elles étaient conservées pendant 2 mois à 40°C et également lorsqu’elles subissaient 5 cycles de température entre 5°C et 40°C. La mise en aérosol de ces émulsions a nécessité l’utilisation de 22% de gaz propulseur (mélange :butane, propane, isobutane). <p>La taille des gouttelettes étant un paramètre important de la caractérisation des aérosols pour le choix des matériaux à utiliser ainsi que pour sécurité afin d’éviter toute inhalation pulmonaire, l’influence de différents éléments sur celle-ci a été étudiée. Nous avons ainsi montré que la concentration en gaz, la viscosité, la présence ou non de filtres inorganiques ainsi que le choix des valves et diffuseurs utilisés jouent un rôle dans la taille des gouttelettes émises, celle-ci ne pouvant pas être inférieure à 30 µm de diamètre. La taille des gouttelettes émises était supérieure à 50 µm avec pas plus de 0.1% ayant une taille inférieure à 10 µm et maximum 25% des gouttelettes ayant une taille comprise entre 10 et 30 µm. <p><p> Les produits formulés contenaient de grandes quantités en filtres solaires, organiques et inorganiques (27% pour l’émulsion E/H et 16,6% pour l’émulsion E/Si), il était donc important de vérifier qu’aucun des filtres présents dans les émulsions ne passaient à travers la peau lors de l’application des produits solaires. En effet, ceux-ci doivent rester à la surface de l’épiderme afin de maintenir l’efficacité des produits solaires et d’éviter des effets néfastes systémiques éventuels en pénétrant la peau. Une étude in vitro utilisant de la peau humaine excisée et des cellules de diffusion de Franz nous a permis de constater que les filtres inorganiques présents dans les formulations restaient en surface de la peau, et seulement deux des filtres organiques (l’EMC et MBBT) présentaient un potentiel de pénétration cutanée négligeable et non nocif pour la santé humaine (maximum 1,21 µg/ml/cm2 pour EMC et maximum 0,14 µg/ml/cm2 pour MBBT). De plus, après 24 h d’expérience, plus de 50% des filtres restaient à la surface de la peau, ce qui permettait de maintenir l’efficacité des produits solaires. Afin de mener à bien cette étude, des méthodes analytiques pour l’analyse simultanée des filtres solaires organiques d’une part, par CLHP (Chromatographie Liquide Haute Performance), et inorganiques d’autre part, par ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometry), ont été mises au point et validées. <p>Une étude in vivo non invasive, basée sur le prélèvement des couches successives du stratum corneum, a été réalisée par la suite. Cette dernière a été effectuée par la méthode du « tape stripping », qui utilise des disques adhésifs rigides, et sur 9 volontaires pendant une période de 8 h. Elle a permis de confirmer les résultats obtenus avec la méthode in vitro. Une bonne corrélation entre ces deux types d’étude a été observée. <p><p> Enfin, la dernière partie du travail a porté sur l’EMC, un des filtres organiques utilisé dans la plupart des produits solaires mis sur le marché et dans les émulsions E/H et E/Si formulées. Ce filtre présente une sensibilité à la lumière et aux rayons UV. L’encapsulation lipidique de celui-ci a donc été envisagée afin de produire des nanoparticules dont la matrice lipidique a pour but de protéger l’EMC contre une dégradation causée par les rayons UV. Trois lipides différents ont été investigués et ont montré des résultats positifs de protection vis-à-vis des rayonnements UV. En effet, après 2 h d’irradiation par les UV, une perte d’efficacité de 30% de l’EMC pur a été observée contre 10% à 21% pour l’EMC encapsulé par les différents lipides. De plus, les nanoparticules n’ont pas montré de potentiel d’augmentation de pénétration cutanée de l’EMC. <p> / Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

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This work reports the outdoor weathering performance of ultraviolet (UV)-stabilized polypropylene (PP) products (using PP resins from Encore Wire). Different hindered amine light stabilizers (HALSs) and nano-ZnO were used to stabilize PP-film-based formulations that were exposed under UV light for 6 weeks simulating for in harsh outdoor weather of Dallas, Texas, USA in 2016. Characterization of the exposed PP film products was done in terms of mechanical and friction spectroscopic properties. The PP film formulations were divided into 15 categories based on the type of HALS and nano-ZnO incorporated. This was done to derive meaningful comparison of the various film formulations. Following exposure under UV light, the lifetimes of certain formulations were determined. On the basis of the mechanical and friction properties, it was determined that generally, the HALS or nano-ZnO stabilized PP film give better properties and if those two kinds of UV stabilizers can work together.

The synergistic effect of nitric oxide toward dephosphorylation reactions involving phosphate esters was the subject of investigation in this research. Sodium nitroprusside under UV irradiations at 254nm, 365nm and white light was utilized as nitric oxide donor in solutions. The effects of cobalt trimethylenediamine and nitroprusside towards dephosphorylation of nitrophenylphosphate and pyrophosphate which were modeled as organophosphate ester substrates were also investigated. The activated substrate models showed more rate enhancement than the unactivated models in all cases. The direct interaction of nitric oxide with the phosphorus centre is presumed to be the reason for enhanced hydrolysis. This study demonstrates the possible role of nitric oxide in decontamination reactions of poorly biodegradable phosphate esters in the biosphere. / Chemistry / M. Sc. (Chemistry)

Erythema is a hallmark skin response to excessive ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and is associated with cutaneous inflammation. Both are mediated by inflammatory mediators including nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and chemoattractants such as 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) leading to vasodilation and increased leukocyte infiltration. The erythematous response is more pronounced in individuals with low basal melanin levels or who fail to respond to UVR with a robust up-regulation of melanogenesis. While melanin production is a key function of melanocytes, these cells can also produce NO and PGE2, and are located in close proximity to the dermal vasculature. It has been hypothesized that melanocytes with poor melanogenic capacity may participate in the inflammatory response to UVR. The aim of this project was to investigate the inflammatory response in the skin of individuals with either skin phototype (SPT) 1 or 4 to UVR. Sixteen normal healthy individuals were selected for study (8 SPT-1 & 8 SPT-4). Buttock skin was investigated by immunohistochemistry for leukocyte subtypes, eicosanoid producing enzymes and NO synthases under basal and UVR-stimulated conditions. In addition primary cultures of epidermal melanocytes (EM) were established from 16 individuals (8 SPT-1 & 8 SPT-4) and assessed for the presence of eicosanoid-producing enzymes, melanogenic enzymes and NO synthases, by immunocytochemistry, Polymerase Chain Reaction and Western Blotting and for the production of the main pro-inflammatory eicosanoid PGE2 by ELISA and Mass Spectrometry. Moreover, the fatty acid composition of cultured melanocytes was assessed by Gas Chromatography. Results showed that individuals with SPT-1 had significantly greater neutrophil infiltration into the epidermis than those with SPT-4 at 24 hrs post-UVR. Moreover, CD3+ lymphocyte infiltration into the dermis was significantly greater in individuals with SPT-4 than those with SPT-1 at 24 and 72 hrs post-UVR. NOS-1, NOS-3, 12-LOX and COX-2 expression were significantly increased in SPT-1 skin, while NOS-2 and 15-LOX were significantly increased in SPT-4 skin. As 12-LOX and COX-2 products are chemoattractive (for neutrophils) and pro-inflammatory respectively these data could explain the greater observed neutrophil infiltration in SPT-1. The 15-LOX product (15-HETE) is anti-inflammatory and may suggest that 15-LOX up-regulation in SPT-4 skin may aid resolution of the sunburn response, which in part may be mediated by CD3+ lymphocytes and a class-switch in eicosanoid production from COX to LOX products. Melanocyte primary cultures surprisingly showed that SPT was not correlated with melanin content or melanogenic enzyme expression/activity suggesting that all melanocytes in vitro contained the necessary cellular machinery to produce melanin. This finding may reflect also their equal treatment under these enriched culture conditions, which may or may not be available to these cells in situ. Moreover, all melanocytes expressed the necessary machinery (PLA2, COX-1, cPGES) to produce PGE2. However, only some cultures did so at baseline and in response to UVR, and this was not correlated with SPT. A positive correlation was found however between expression level of dopachrome tautomerase (DCT) and protection against PGE2 production in response to UVR, which may suggest a novel role for DCT unrelated to melanogenesis. In summary this research project has generated data that highlights differences between the skin of individuals with SPT-1 and those with SPT-4, and may provide evidence that the keratinocyte partner contributes significantly to the SPT-associated response. This research may also suggest DCT as a novel therapeutic target to protect EM from participation in the UVR-associated inflammatory response in skin.

A luz ultravioleta (UV) bloqueia a replicação e transcrição devido à formação de lesões que distorcem o DNA. Descobrimos que a depleção da quinase ATR promove a indução precoce de apoptose após irradiação com luz UVB em fibroblastos humanos imortalizados com SV40 e que mesmo células proficientes em reparo de DNA e síntese translesão foram incapazes de alcançar a mitose após depleção de ATR. Essa quinase também representa um alvo promissor para sensibilizar tumores com mutações em p53 ao quimioterápico cisplatina e ao indutor de estresse oxidativo cloroquina. Além do bloqueio da replicação, danos no DNA bloqueiam a síntese de RNA. Utilizamos sequenciamento para mapear RNA nascentes e analisar a recuperação da transcrição em escala genômica. Genes mais longos são mais inibidos por luz UV, mas o nível de expressão gênica não contribui para a recuperação da transcrição. Além disso, o reparo de DNA é similar entre genes com recuperação da transcrição distinta e outras regulações, além da remoção de lesões no DNA, devem existir para que a síntese de RNA recomece. / Ultraviolet (UV) light stalls replication and transcription due to the formation of lesions that distort DNA. We found that ATR silencing promotes early induction of apoptosis after UVB light in human fibroblasts immortalized with SV40 and even cells proficient in DNA repair and translesion synthesis were unable to reach mitosis after ATR depletion. This kinase is also a promising target for sensitizing tumors with p53 mutations to chemotherapeutic that block replication, such as cisplatin, and the oxidative stress inducer chloroquine. In addition to blocking the replication, DNA damage arrest the synthesis of RNA. We used next-generation sequencing to map and analyze the nascent RNA transcription recovery genome-wide. We confirmed that longer genes are more inhibited following UV light, however, the level of gene expression does not contribute to the recovery of transcription. Moreover, DNA repair is similar among genes with different recovery of transcription and further regulation, besides DNA damage removal, must exist to promote resumption of RNA synthesis.

Este trabalho apresenta resultados de ensaios de fissuramento sob tensão (FST) realizados em geomembranas de polietileno (PE) virgens e degradadas em laboratório. As geomembranas foram degradadas pela exposição à radiação ultravioleta, por envelhecimento térmico em estufa com circulação de ar, e pela compatibilidade química com soda cáustica e com vinhaça. Os resultados destes ensaios demonstram que os processos de degradação a que as geomembranas foram submetidas podem ser considerados catalisadores do fenômeno de FST, pois ocorreram reduções de resistência ao FST da ordem de 50 a 60%, com exceção para a amostra em compatibilidade química com vinhaça, que obteve aumento de 17% na resistência ao FST / This work presents results of stress cracking tests (SC) accomplished in virgin and degraded polyethylene (PE) geomembranes at laboratory. Geomembranes were degraded by exposition to ultraviolet radiation, by thermal aging in oven with circulation of air, and by chemical compatibility with sodium hydroxide and with leachate of alcohol production. The results of these tests demonstrate that the degradation processes of the geomembranes were submitted can be considered catalysts of the phenomenon of SC, because they happened resistance reductions to stress crack resistance of the order from 50 to 60%, with exception for the sample in chemical compatibility with leachate of alcohol production, that had an increase of 17% in the stress crack resistance