Magistrinio darbo metu sukonstruotos mielių plazmidės, turinčios pelių poliomos viruso pagrindinį kapsidės baltymą VP1 su jame įterptais hepatito C viruso apvalkalo baltymų peptidais. Šiomis plazmidėmis buvo transformuotos S. cerevisiae mielės. Transformuotos mielės sintetina chimerinius baltymus: MPyV-VP1-BC-E2 [384-414], MPyV-VP1-HI-E2 [384-414], MPyV-VP1-BC-E1 [310-329], MPyV-VP1-HI-E1 [310-329], MPyV-VP1-BC-E2 [412-i447], MPyV-VP1-HI-E2 [412-i447], MPyV-VP1-BC-E1 [310-329]-HI-E2 [412-447], MPyV-VP1-BC-E1 [310-329]-HI-E2 [412-i447], MPyV-VP1-BC-E2 [412-447]-HI-E1 [310-329], MPyV-VP1-BC-E2 [412-i447]-HI-E1 [310-329]. Į virusus panašias daleles (VPD) renkasi tik MPyV-VP1-BC-E2 [384-414], MPyV-VP1-HI-E2 [384-414], MPyV-VP1-BC-E1 [310-329] baltymai. Kiti baltymai: MPyV-VP1-BC-E1 [310-329], MPyV-VP1-HI-E1 [310-329], MPyV-VP1-BC-E2 [412-i447], MPyV-VP1-HI-E2 [412-i447], MPyV-VP1-BC-E1 [310-329]-HI-E2 [412-447], MPyV-VP1-BC-E1 [310-329]-HI-E2 [412-i447], MPyV-VP1-BC-E2 [412-447]-HI-E1 [310-329], MPyV-VP1-BC-E2 [412-i447]-HI-E1 [310-329] nesirinko į VPD. / In the present study, plasmids for expression of major capsid proteins VP1 of murine polyomavirus with inserted sequences from Hepatitis C virus envelope proteins in yeast S. cerevisiae were constructed. The plasmids were used to transform yeast cells. The transformed yeast produced proteins: MPyV-VP1-BC-E2 [384-414], MPyV-VP1-HI-E2 [384-414], MPyV-VP1-BC-E1 [310-329], MPyV-VP1-HI-E1 [310-329], MPyV-VP1-BC-E2 [412-i447], MPyV-VP1-HI-E2 [412-i447], MPyV-VP1-BC-E1 [310-329]-HI-E2 [412-447], MPyV-VP1-BC-E1 [310-329]-HI-E2 [412-i447], MPyV-VP1-BC-E2 [412-447]-HI-E1 [310-329], MPyV-VP1-BC-E2 [412-i447]-HI-E1 [310-329]. Virus-like particles (VLPs) composed MPyV-VP1-BC-E2 [384-414], MPyV-VP1-HI-E2 [384-414], MPyV-VP1-BC-E1 [310-329]. Other proteins: MPyV-VP1-BC-E1 [310-329], MPyV-VP1-HI-E1 [310-329], MPyV-VP1-BC-E2 [412-i447], MPyV-VP1-HI-E2 [412-i447], MPyV-VP1-BC-E1 [310-329]-HI-E2 [412-447], MPyV-VP1-BC-E1 [310-329]-HI-E2 [412-i447], MPyV-VP1-BC-E2 [412-447]-HI-E1 [310-329], MPyV-VP1-BC-E2 [412-i447]-HI-E1 [310-329] did not form VLPs.

The automotive engineering process is characterized by a long and complex design process which starts with the first sketches in the preliminary design phase and proceeds to the final detailed CAD and physical models. In this process, every design phase includes different process steps and tasks which are closely interconnected with each other. Therefore the different design stages demand capable Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems which are able to handle the different kinds of design information created and manipulated in the process. Currently in automotive practice, parametric and associative (PA) CAD systems are widely applied in the product development process. Such systems allow design knowledge to be embedded in CAD models by means of rules and formulae. In addition, CAD parts and assemblies can be generated faster and easier by modification of design parameters and therefore there is a possibility to create different CAD model variants which are based on the same CAD model. The four key element of the following work are (a) to identify the problems during the design process with parametric and associative (PA) methods during a three year of study and also the analysis of the literature survey. Furthermore (b) in this study the author will develop and implement a newly developed PA design approach (PARAMASS) in a ―real‖ industrial context. Beside this the following work will (c) discuss the issues which are important during the implementation of the developed PA approach in an industrial surrounding. The last key element (d) is to develop an evaluation approach for the PARAMASS approach during the application in an industrial context. In this case the author will be able to do action research in the industry and get first hand information during the accomplishment of these key elements. This thesis presents the results of a research programme carried out using the design research methodology of Blessing and Chakrabarti, aimed at understanding the difficulties and challenges faced by designers in using PA CAD systems and then developing and evaluating an integrated approach to the creation of PA CAD models in an automotive power train design context. Firstly, this thesis presents a review of the state of the art in PA design methods and approaches and also reviews previous research on the development of methodologies for the construction of PA CAD models. It then presents results of a descriptive study of the use of PA CAD tools and methods in vehicle power train design in an automotive original equipment manufacturer and in companies in its supply chain using questionnaires, interviews, tests and other field studies with a number of practising engineers. This study identified a number of issues faced by designers in the use of PA CAD tools and allowed the requirements for improved methods for the use of PA CAD tools to be formulated and indicators identified for their evaluation. Based on the results of the descriptive study a new integrated parametric associative (PA) approach for the design process of power train components was created in a prescriptive study stage. The approach, called PARAMASS, allows designers to construct and modify models in a methodical way based on three main phases: a specification phase to prepare the relevant parameters and associative relationships, a structuring phase that allows part and assembly structures to be created and a modification phase in which the created parametric and associative information can be modified and changed. The method makes extensive use of predefined structures matrix approaches adapted from the Design Structure Matrix. The prescriptive study phase of the research was followed by a second descriptive study to evaluate and investigate in both a qualitative and quantitative way the changes achieved by the PARAMASS approach. The qualitative evaluation was based on the Goal Question Metric approach and showed that there are advantages related to the reusability aspects like learning, application and acceptance of the developed integrated approach. The quantitative evaluation was based on the Use Case approach and demonstrated good advantages in applying the developed approach, but dependent on the complexity of the created parts and assemblies.

Increased frequency of severe drought events, coupled with rising air temperatures and vapor pressure deficits (VPD), pose a great threat to Mediterranean forests. Pinus halepensis Mill. is one of the most widespread species in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean basin. Thus, water use of this species plays a critical role in the regions water balance. Studying transpiration patterns and the mechanisms behind stomatal responses to the combined effects of changing VPD and soil moisture can help us improve estimation of forest water use in a changing climate. To improve the estimation of forest evapotranspiration in the Mediterranean basin, the objective of this thesis is to evaluate the transpiration patterns of Pinus halepensis and the role of this species in the soil-water balance under different environmental conditions. Two pine forests in the Turia river basin, eastern Spain, were monitored over a two-year period. The two locations were selected at contrasting altitudes and distances to the sea but within the same hydrological basin, to evaluate if this placement would change the relationship between environmental conditions and the water use of the pines. Sap flow measurements were obtained on a 30-minute interval together with soil moisture measurements and meteorological variables. A soil-water balance was performed on a forest plot-level using an eco-hydrological model in combination with the transpiration data, to assess the contribution of pine transpiration to actual evapotranspiration. Transpiration was dictated by changes in VPD, relative extractable water (REW) and the interaction between these two variables at both sites, indicating that the pines depended on water in the shallow soil layers, and this was restricted during large parts of the year. Except for low winter temperatures having a decreasing effect on transpiration only at the inland site, no significant differences were found in the relationship between environmental drivers and transpiration patterns between the two sites. Using a predictive model, sap flow was shown to be restricted on days of mean VPD values of 2.5 kPa, even when soil moisture levels were relatively sufficient (REW = 0.30), indicating a VPD threshold that decreases pine transpiration. This could potentially affect performance and survival of the species with predicted increases in air VPD. Transpiration levels were highly restricted throughout the first year demonstrating that physiological stresses were not limited to summer months. Using two-year old seedlings in an experiment under controlled conditions confirmed that high levels of VPD can have a decreasing effect on transpiration of P. halepensis (in response to instant changes from 1.5 kPa to 2.7 kPa), while there is an intermediate VPD range that increases transpiration (between 1.0 kPa – 1.5 kPa). This demonstrate how important it is to incorporate VPD changes when predicting forest water use under future climatic changes. Combining transpiration data with eco-hydrological modelling demonstrated that transpiration levels accounted for 62% of total ETa levels during two years of study. Interception levels where 32% of gross precipitation, representing a large water loss to the forest ecosystem. With increased frequency of drought events, soil moisture levels are predicted to become even more limited. Together with a rise in temperatures and consequently VPD, transpiration and growth are likely to be constrained.

22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q), also known as Velocardiofacial Syndrome or DiGeorge Syndrome, is one of the most common genetic syndromes with an incidence of 1 in 2500 to 1 in 4000 (Wang et al., 2009). It is the most identified human chromosomal microdeletion syndrome to date (Wang et al., 2009). 22q is associated with a wide spectrum of clinical features including various palate, cardiac, and immunological abnormalities (Lynch et al., 1995; Wang et al., 2009). 22q is also the most common genetic cause of velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD). Posterior cranial fossa (PCF) and cervical spine variations may influence velopharyngeal (VP) port closure. Although some studies have analyzed PCF size in individuals with 22q, there has not been extensive analysis of skull base anomalies and their correlation to velopharyngeal depth. The purpose of this study was to examine PCF measures and their effects on VP dimensions in children with 22q using a non-sedated imaging protocol. 34 participants, 17 with 22q and 17 with normal VP anatomy (age range: 4-12 years) completed the study. Participants were imaged using a 3D anatomical scan. MRIs were transferred into Amira 6.4 Visualization Volume Modeling software. Linear and angular measures were obtained in the sagittal image plane on the 3D MRI scans. Measures included: distance from the palatal plane to C1, pharyngeal depth, anterior cranial base angle, posterior cranial base angle, length of the clivus, McRae line and supraocciput of the PCF, angle of clivus, and the PCF angle formed by the McRae line and the supraocciput. It is hypothesized that shorter clivus length and smaller PCF angle between McRae line and supraocciput noted in individuals with 22q DS could be related to larger pharyngeal depth, which contributes to hypernasality typically seen in 22q. Results from this study indicate that children with 22q demonstrate larger pharyngeal depth, a more obtuse anterior cranial base angle (NSB angle), a more acute posterior cranial base angle (SBO angle), shorter length of the clivus, longer supraocciput length, and a more obtuse angle of clivus. The NSB angle was positively correlated with pharyngeal depth while the SBO angle was negatively correlated with pharyngeal depth. The angle of clivus was positively correlated with both pharyngeal depth and resonance severity.

Les métaux nobles (Au, Ag, Pt, Ir, Pd et Ru) sont utilisés en salle blanche pour la réalisation de dispositifs électroniques ou peuvent être apportés par les équipements de fabrication (composants d’alliage par exemple). Il a été montré qu’ils pouvaient impacter fortement les dispositifs. Il est alors nécessaire de procéder au contrôle des équipements pour diagnostiquer au plus tôt une contamination. Or, il n’existe pas de technique industrielle pour leur suivi et ce à des niveaux d’au moins 5.109 at.cm-2 - recommandation ITRS. Il se pose la question de la pertinence de ces recommandations en fonction des types de dispositifs (SPAD notamment). Dans un premier temps, les travaux ont consisté à développer une technique physico-chimique pour l’analyse des métaux nobles sur silicium par VPD-DC-ICPMS. Enfin, leur dangerosité vis-à-vis des équipements et des dispositifs a été évaluée d’après leur comportement en température et le DCR généré sur SPAD. / Noble metals (Au, Ag, Pt, Ir, Pd and Ru) are used for the fabrication of microelectronics devices or can be brought by manufacturing tools (alloy components for example). It is well known that these impurities are detrimental to the efficiency of the devices. This implies a real and present need for control of their introduction in clean rooms to diagnose as soon as possible a contamination. Yet, there are no industrial technique for their follow-up at levels about 5.109 at.cm-2 - ITRS recommendations. The relevance of these recommendations according to the electronic device (SPAD in particular) could be questioned. At first, this study consisted in developing a physicochemical technique for the analysis of noble metals on Si wafers by VPD-DC-ICPMS. Then, their dangerousness towards tools and devices was established according to their behavior in temperature and the DCR generated on SPAD devices.

A lo largo del tiempo, con el incremento de la población mundial y la necesidad de producción de mas energía para satisfacer las necesidades del día a día, ha habido un creciente interés a nivel mundial por encontrar soluciones al problema de la eliminación de óxidos de nitrógeno (NOx), y otros residuos gaseosos, en fuentes móviles y estacionarias ya que estos gases son contaminantes atmosféricos que contribuyen a la formación de la lluvia ácida y de la niebla tóxica fotoquímica. La aplicación de los catalizadores de tres vías ha permitido controlar con éxito la emisión de gases de escape de motores que consumen naftas como combustible. La actual generación de estos catalizadores usa principalmen-te Pd como metal activo para las reacciones de oxidación y reducción, recurriéndose al agregado de promotores para aumentar su eficiencia en la eliminación de NOx en condicio-nes oxidantes y en la operación a baja temperatura. La re-ducción de NOx con CO es una de las principales reacciones que tiene lugar sobre los mencionados catalizadores, recurrién-dose al agregado de óxidos reducibles como Cu, Cr, MoOx, La2O3 y principalmente CeOx para aumentar su efectividad. El notable aumento de la velocidad de reacción con el agregado de CeOx se ha atribuido a un aumento de la capacidad de di-sociación del NO, como así también a la mayor activación del CO, resultante de la interacción Pd-Ce. Por lo tanto, la locali-zación del Ce con relación al Pd, es un tema de considerable importancia. La influencia del Ce y el V en la actividad, selecti-vidad y estabilidad del Pd para la reacción NO + CO a 300 oC ha sido motivo de estudio en esta tesis. Para este trabajo se han preparado catalizadores con cargas de Pd y Ce inferiores al 1 %, agregando el promotor al catalizador Pd/g-Al2O3, mientras que la influencia del V se ha estudiado sobre una muestra donde el Pd fue incorporado a una alúmina dopada previamente con el promotor. En la caracterización de las muestras frescas y usadas hemos aplicado las técnicas de AA, ICP, quimisorción de H2, TEM, XPS, TPR y FTIR de CO y NO adsorbido. En general, los estudios publicados sobre la in-fluencia del Ce en la reacción NO + CO sobre Pd, fueron reali-zados sobre catalizadores con una carga de Ce igual o mayor a la necesaria para formar una monocapa sobre el material soporte, depositada antes del agregado del Pd. También, a diferencia de otros trabajos se han utilizado concentraciones más bajas de NO y CO. Continuando estudios previos de nues-tro laboratorio, se ha investigado el efecto de VOx como óxido reducible, demostrándose que conduce a una disminución de la selectividad a N2 favoreciendo la formación de N2O. Este comportamiento se ha explicado por la existencia de un esta-do de oxidación del Pd en condiciones de reacción, detectado por FTIR y XPS, que no se presenta en ausencia del promo-tor. Si bien la reacción de reducción de NO con CO es aparen-temente simple, desde el punto de vista de las etapas elemen-tales requeridas para la formación de N2, N2O y CO2, a baja temperatura se forman especies adsorbidas estables a partir de las cuales se generan productos secundarios. La identifi-cación de dichas especies y productos, y su influencia en la actividad de los catalizadores se ha logrado mediante la aplicación de espectroscopía FTIR a la caracterización de los catalizadores en condiciones de reacción y el correspondiente análisis de la fase gas. El estudio de las especies adsorbidas en condiciones de reacción se efectuó alimentando a la celda de IR la corriente de salida del reactor a 300 oC, la cual cir-culó en contacto con una pastilla de catalizador. Es bien co-nocido que la reacción NO + CO da lugar a la formación de la especie isocianato, que puede ubicarse sobre el soporte y/o sobre el metal pero su participación en la selectividad de la reacción global es aún motivo de discusión. Como se demues-tra en esta tesis otras especies adsorbidas estables son generadas a partir del isocianato con la participación de los grupos OH del material soporte, como el ácido isociánico (HNCO). La posterior hidrólisis de este ácido da lugar a la formación de NH3, proceso que se intensifica en presencia de H2O. Poniendo especial atención al proceso de formación descomposición de las especies adsorbidas como así también a su reactividad con NO se ha comprobado que dichas especies no participan de la formación de N2O sobre Pd. / During these times, together with the world population increase and the consequently mounting needs of energy production to satisfy the demands of day after day, there has been an upsurge of interest worldwide in finding solutions to the problem of the elimination of gaseous contaminants. Nitrogen oxides (NOx), and other gaseous residues, derived from mobile and stationary sources are atmospheric pollutants that contribute to the formation of the acid rain and the toxic photochemical fog. The application of three way catalysts has allowed us to control successfully the gas emissions of gasoline engines. The current generation of these catalysts uses mainly Pd as active metal for the reactions of oxidation and reduction, with the addition of promoters to increase their efficiency for NOx s elimination under oxidizing conditions in the low temperature range.NOxs inreduction with CO is among the main reactions that take place on the mentioned catalysts, with the addition of reducible oxides as Cu, Cr, MoOx, La2O3 and principally CeOx. The notable increase of reaction rate with CeOx addition has been attributed to a higher NO dissociation activity and to CO activation due to a PdCe interaction. Therefore, Ce location related to Pd is a topic of considerable importance. The influence of Ce and V on the activity, selectivity and stability of Pd for the NO + CO reaction at 300 C has been studied in this thesis. In this work catalysts with Pd and Ce loadings lower than 1 % have been prepared by adding the promoter to the Pd/g-Al2O3 catalyst, whereas V influence has been studied on a sample where Pd was incorporated into an alumina previously doped with the promoter.In the published literature about the influence of Ce on the NO + CO reaction over Pd, the catalysts had a Ce amount higher than the quantity needed to form a monolayer, which was added before Pd. Another difference with other studies is the use of lower concentrations of CO and NO in the reactive mixture. For the characterization of fresh and used samples the techniques of AA, ICP, H2 chemisorption, TEM, XPS, TPR and FTIR of adsorbed CO and NO were used. As a continuation of our previous laboratory studies, the effect of VOx as reducible oxide has been investigated, in order to demonstrate that it leads to a decreasing N2 selectivity, thus favoring the N2O formation. This behavior has been explained by the existence of an oxidized Pd state under reaction conditions, which was detected by FTIR and XPS measurements; this state is not observed if the promoter is absent. Although the reaction of NO reduction with CO is apparently simple from the viewpoint of the elementary steps involved in N2, N2O and CO2s formation, at low temperature adsorbed stable species are formed thus leading to secondary products. The identification of the above mentioned species and products and the determination of its influence in the catalysts activity have been carried out by the application of FTIR spectroscopy for the characterization of the catalysts under reaction conditions together with the corresponding analysis of the gas phase. The study of the species adsorbed under reaction conditions was accomplished by feeding the stream emerging from the reactor at 300o to the IR cell that contained a catalyst disk kept at the same temperature. It is well-known that the NO + CO reaction on supported metals gives place to the formation of isocyanate species, which can be located on the support and/or on the metal although its participation in the selectivity of the global reaction is still under discussion. As demonstrated in this thesis, other adsorbed stable species are generated from the isocyanate by the participation of -OH groups of the material support, like isocyanic (HNCO) acid. The hydrolysis of this acid gives place to NH3 formation, which is a process that is enhanced by the H2O presence. Paying special attention to the process of formationdecomposition of the species adsorbed and also to their reactivity with NO, it was verified that the adsorbed species do not take part in N2O formation on Pd.

<p dir="ltr">Vertical indoor propagation (VIP) systems that use <a href="" target="_blank">sole-source lighting and temperature, relative humidity (RH), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) control are increasingly being used by young-plant growers to start </a>unrooted cuttings (URC) indoors for greenhouse finishing. However, optimal environmental setpoints for VIP systems are unknown. Providing an environment that limits water loss by URC prior to root initiation is particularly critical for VIP systems. Thus, understanding the isolated and combined effects of different environmental factors on the water status of URC will help ensure the rooting success and growth of high-quality liners. In chapter 1, we characterized the effect of blue light and CO₂ concentration on the water status of <i>Chrysanthemum</i> and <i>Begonia</i> cuttings, as both factors are known to affect stomatal behavior of plants. The first experiment evaluated short-term effects of blue light (15% to 60% blue light) on water status and physiological responses by URC. This was followed by a second experiment that evaluated short-term effects on water use (water loss, water uptake) and long-term effects on evapotranspiration, physiological responses, and growth of cuttings under two blue-light treatments (21% or 45% blue light) and two CO₂ concentrations (ambient or high at ~500 or 1200 μmol·mol^–1, respectively). In the first experiment, increasing blue light increased short-term water use but did not affect stomatal conductance (<i>g</i>_<em>s</em>) and transpiration (<i>E</i>), likely due to limitations in stomatal control by URC. Results from the second experiment showed there were few differences in shoot growth and root development in response to blue light at the two CO₂ concentrations applied during indoor acclimation and subsequent greenhouse finishing phases, suggesting that growth of cuttings is more responsive to environmental stimuli after root initiation. When significant, growth responses were species-specific, likely attributed to morphological and anatomical differences. The only effect in long-term evapotranspiration was measured in begonia under high CO₂, which indicated that cuttings under 45% blue light had the highest water loss. This result corresponds with the general findings for <i>g</i>_<em>s</em> and <i>E</i>. In chapter 2, we evaluated the combined effect of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) (0 to 210 µmol·m^–2·s^–1) and vapor pressure deficit of the air (VPD_air) (0.00 to 0.76 kPa) on various environmental factors and on the short-term water status of cuttings, as are both major drivers of water loss. <a href="" target="_blank">Results showed that PPFD was weakly correlated with both VPD_air and VPDl_eaf, indicating that PPFD had a minimal heating effect on the air and leaves. Furthermore, results evaluating the relationship of both VPD_air and VPD_leaf for predicting the different water status variables showed similar responses, suggesting that measurements of leaf temperature would not be critical for irrigation control in VIP systems, where PPFD is typically relatively low and environmental conditions tend to be constant.</a> In general, the water status of begonia was minimally affected by PPFD and VPD_air, but water status of chrysanthemum was responsive to both variables. For chrysanthemum URC, water loss and water uptake tended to increase in response to increasing PPFD, but there was no response to PPFD in <i>g</i>_<em>s</em>, <i>E</i>, evapotranspiration, and relative water content (RWC). For rooted cuttings (RC), however, <i>g</i>_<em>s</em> and <i>E</i> followed a linear increasing response to increasing PPFD, suggesting they were able to regulate transpirational losses through water uptake from the substrate. Increasing VPD_air linearly increased the rate of water loss, water uptake, and evapotranspiration by chrysanthemum URC and RC, which in turn reduced RWC, whereas the leaf-air temperature difference linearly decreased in response to increasing VPD_air, likely attributed to an increase in evaporative cooling under less saturated conditions. Overall, results from our studies provide baseline information on how different environmental conditions in VIP systems affect water status by cuttings from two ornamental herbaceous species.</p>

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