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Interpretation problems are commonly associated with calculating water saturation in nonhomogenous shaly sand reservoirs. Redefining petrophysical properties based on well logs in shaly sand reservoirs by using fundamental geologic attributes is an important tool in developing subsurface hydrocarbon resources. Studies of the electrical anisotropy of shaly sands have shown that the level of our understanding and our ability to correctly evaluate low resistivity and low contrast pay can be greatly improved. The model developed in this thesis is similar in form to the shaly sand Dual Water model by Clavier et al. (1984). It is an experiment based model designed to directly assess and quantify the mineralogical and electrical effects of clay minerals in heterogeneous reservoirs. Clay minerals usually have multiple effects on petrophysical properties obtained from geophysical well log measurements. The total expansible clay model evaluates these effects via direct measurement of independent mineralogy and conductivity of clay minerals within reservoir sands. This model integrates the following as an effective basis for characterizing shaly sand reservoirs: ??? Rietveld based Siroquant assay for quantitative X-ray diffraction, used in determining mineral percentages from standard XRD trace patterns, ??? Cation exchange capacity, used to determine the quantity of cations involved in the exchange at the shale-water interface, ??? Porosity, permeability, density and resistivity measurements, ??? Thin section petrography, used in identifying mineral patterns, visible porosity and reservoir quality. Overall, application of correlations drawn from the model yields improved results for water saturation which appeared consistent with those earlier calculated using known water saturation models (Clavier et al Dual Water model, 1984, Juhasz, 1981). A total of twenty three samples from two wells in the Cliff Head fIeld were analyzed for this study.

Doctor of Philosophy(PhD) / This project focuses on the examination of the structures of lanthanide containing double perovskites of the type Ba2LnB'O6-d (Ln = lanthanide or Y3+ and B' = Nb5+, Ta5+, Sb5+ and/or Sn4+) using synchrotron X-ray and neutron powder diffraction. The first part of this project examined the relative stability of R3 rhombohedral and I4/m tetragonal structures as the intermediate phase adopted by the series Ba2LnB'O6 (Ln = lanthanide (III) or Y3+ and B' = Nb5+, Ta5+ or Sb5+). It was found that I4/m tetragonal symmetry was favoured when B' was a transition metal with a small number of d electrons, such as Nb5+ or Ta5+. This is due to the presence of p-bonding in these compounds. In the Ba2LnNbO6 and Ba2LnTaO6 series R3 rhombohedral symmetry was, however, favoured over I4/m tetragonal symmetry when Ln = La3+ or Pr3+ due to the larger ionic radius of these cations. The incompatibility of the d0 and d10 B'-site cations in this family of compounds was indicated by significant regions of phase segregation in the two series Ba2Eu1-xPrxNb1-xSbxO6 and Ba2NdNb1-xSbxO6. In the second part of this project the compounds in the series Ba2LnSnxB'1-xO6-d (Ln = Pr, Nd or Tb and B' = Nb5+ or Sb5+) were examined to understand the relative stability of oxygen vacancies in these materials compared to the oxidation of the lanthanide cations and to determine if any oxygen vacancy ordering occurred. It was found, using a combination of structural characterisation, X ray Absorption Near Edge Structure and Ultra-Violet, Visible and Near Infrared spectroscopies, that with Ln = Pr or Tb increased Sn4+ doping results in a change in the oxidation state of the Ln3+ cations to Ln4+. This leads to those series containing little or no oxygen vacancies. A loss of B site cation ordering was found to accompany this oxidation state change and phase segregation was found to occur in the Ba2PrSnxSb1-xO6-d series most likely due to the Pr3+ and Pr4+ cations segregating into different phases. The Nd3+ cations in the series Ba2NdSnxSb1-xO6-d, however, can not oxidise to the tetravalent state so the number of oxygen vacancies rises with increasing x. It was found that oxygen vacancies concentrate onto the axial site of the compounds with x = 0.6 and 0.8 at ambient temperature. In Ba2Sn0.6Sb0.4O5.7 the oxygen vacancies were found to change to concentrating on the equatorial site at higher temperatures and it is suggested that this oxygen vacancy ordering plays a role in the adoption of I2/m monoclinic symmetry.

The stability of the photon beam position on synchrotron beamlines is critical for most if not all synchrotron radiation experiments. On wiggler and bend magnet beamlines, the vertical position is most critical due to the large horizontal width of the beam. The position of the beam at the experiment or optical element location is set by the position and trajectory of the electron beam source as it traverses the magnetic field of the bend magnet or the insertion device. Thus an ideal photon beam monitor would be able to simultaneously measure the photon beam’s vertical position and angle, or its position in phase space. X-ray diffraction is commonly used to prepare a monochromatic beam on x-ray beamlines usually in the form of a double crystal monochromator using perfect crystals. Diffraction from crystals couples the photon wavelength or energy to the incident angle on the crystal or lattice planes within the crystal. A monochromatic beam from such a monochromator will contain a spread of energies due to the vertical divergence of the photon beam from the source. This range of energies can easily cover the absorption edge of an element such as iodine at 33.17keV. It has been found that a system composed of a double crystal monochromator and an iodine filter that horizontally covers part of the monochromatic beam and an imaging detector can be used to independently and simultaneously measure the position and angle of the photon beam. This information can then be translated back to determine the vertical position and angle, or vertical phase space, of the electron beam source. This approach to measurement of the phase space of the source has not been done before and thus this study is the first of its kind. The goal of this thesis is to investigate the use of this combined monochromator, filter and detector as a phase space beam position monitor. The system was tested for sensitivity to position and angle under a number of synchrotron operating conditions (normal operations and special operating modes where the beam is intentionally altered in position and angle). These results were compared to other methods of beam position measurement from the literature to assess the utility of such a system as a beam diagnostic, a feedback element for electron beam control and a source of information that could be used to correct the experimental data to account for beam position and angle motion.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2005-08Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:58:36Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_bm_me_guara.pdf: 2145639 bytes, checksum: 25fd5bf45355d72a1491c88dce260ad5 (MD5) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / A construção de uma turbina hidráulica consiste, em linhas gerais, de montagem por solda dos vários componentes da estrutura. As tensões residuais em junta soldada são de natureza complexa envolvendo fenômenos mecânicos e metalúrgicos. Vias de regra, essas tensões são aliviadas e, no caso particular de caixa espiral de turbina hidráulica, geralmente são feitos por processo mecânico (pressão hidrostática), não havendo inspeção para controlar o alívio total ou parcial das tensões. Nesta pesquisa foram analisadas as tensões existentes nas soldas de uma caixa espiral, que é à parte da turbina fabricada de chapas de aço carbono calandradas e soldadas, onde o alívio destas tensões residuais procedeu-se pelo processo mecânico. Foram feitas inspeções por medidas de tensões residuais através do método de difração de raios-X. Os resultados mostraram um comportamento não uniforme da distribuição de tensões, e em algumas soldas, houve reversão dos estados de tensões. Portanto, o alívio de tensões produzido pelo ensaio mecânico proposto (pressão hidrostática) mostrou que é possível alterar o estado de tensão das soldas para que sejam aliviadas a níveis admissíveis. / The construction of a hydraulic turbine consists, in general lines, of assembly for it welds of the several components of the structure. The residual stresses in the welded joints are of complex nature involving mechanical and metallurgists phenomena. Rule roads, those stresses are relived and, in the case peculiar of hydraulic turbine, they are generally done by mechanical process (hydrostatic pressure), not having inspection to control of total or partial relief of the stresses. In this research were analyses the residual stresses in the welds joints of spiral case, that is to the part of the manufactured turbine of carbon steel plates, cut, calendared and welded, and the stresses relief was proceeded by the mechanical process. They were made inspections by measures of residual stresses by X-ray diffraction method. The results showed a behavior non-uniform of the stresses distributions, and in some welds, there were a reversion of the stresses states. Therefore, the relief of stresses produced by the proposed mechanical test (hydrostatic pressure) it showed that is possible to alter the stresses state of the welds so that they are relieved at acceptable levels.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:28:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T13:57:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Dissertacao (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Les Selenoprotéines sont des protéines contenant un résidu sélénocystéine (U) dans leur séquence en acide amines. Vingt-cinq sélénoprotéines constituent le sélénoprotéome humain. Parmi elles, la sélénoprotéine N ou SelenoN ; des mutations dans le gène SELENON donnent lieu à un groupe de dystrophies musculaires congénitales appelées myopathies liées à SELENON. SelenoN est une protéine membranaire glycosylée de 72 kDa localisée dans le réticulum endoplasmique. Sa séquence en acide aminés contient le motif redox SCUG, similaire à celui des thioredoxines réductases. Elle contient de même un domaine EF-hand qui est un domaine de liaison au calcium. Des études ont récemment démontré l’implication de cette protéine dans l’établissement et la maintenance du muscle squelettique. D’autres études ont montré qu’elle joue un rôle dans la protection contre le stress oxydatif et l’homéostasie du calcium. Cependant, le mécanisme catalytique de SelenoN reste inconnu à ce jour. Le projet décrit dans cette thèse s’intéresse à la caractérisation, la cristallisation et la comparaison des SelenoNs d’une bactérie, Candidatus poribacteriae, et du poisson zèbre. Les études bio-informatiques ont démontré que SelenoN bactérienne et du poisson zèbre partagent 37% d’identité et un domaine commun correspondant à un repliement de type thioredoxine de fonction inconnue, contenant le motif redox. Les caractérisations biophysiques ont démontré que les deux protéines sont naturellement bien repliées et riche en hélices α. La protéine bactérienne comportant en C-terminal de sa séquence en acide aminé un domaine thioredoxine additionnel, présente une forme étendue et est sous forme monomérique tandis que la protéine du poisson zèbre est un dimère compact. Des caractérisations biochimiques ont montré que le Ca2+ influence l’oligomérisation ou la conformation de SelenoN du poisson zèbre. Des cristaux initiaux de la protéine eucaryote sous sa forme déglycosylée ont pu être obtenus. La cristallisation de la protéine bactérienne a permis d’obtenir des cristaux appartenant à deux groupes d’espaces, avec des paramètres de cellule différents. Néanmoins, un modèle partiel à 2.3 Å couvrant le domaine C-terminal thioredoxine additionnel de SelenoN bactérienne a été obtenu. L’ensemble de ces résultats permettent de poser les bases de l’étude structure-fonction de SelenoN. L’expression, la purification et la cristallisation ont été optimisées et une stratégie pour résoudre la structure 3D de la protéine est proposée. / Selenoproteins are proteins containing a selenocysteine residue (U) in their amino acid sequence. Twenty-five proteins constitute the human selenoproteome. Among them is Selenoprotein N or SelenoN; mutations in the SELENON gene can lead to a group of congenital dystrophies now designated as SELENON-related myopathies. SelenoN is a 72 kDa membrane and glycosylated protein of the endoplasmic reticulum. It handles in its amino acid sequence a redox motif SCUG like the one of thioredoxin reductases, and an EF-hand domain which is a calcium binding site. Recent studies showed the implication of SelenoN in muscle development and maintenance, and position its function at the crossroad between oxidative stress control and calcium homeostasis. However, its catalytic function remains elusive. The research project presented in this thesis concerns the crystallization, characterization and comparison of one bacterial and the zebrafish SelenoNs. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that the two proteins share 37% degree of identity and a common domain which corresponds to a thioredoxin fold of unknown function which includes the redox motif SCUG. From the biophysical characterization, both recombinant proteins are found to be naturally well-folded and enriched in α-helical domains. The bacterial SelenoN which handles an additional C-terminal thioredoxin domain is an extended monomer whereas zebrafish SelenoN is a compact dimer. Biochemical characterization indicated that Ca2+ binding mediates zSelenoN oligomerization. Initial crystals of the zSelenoN in its deglycosylated form were obtained. Bacterial SelenoN crystallization yielded crystals belonging to two different space groups with different cell parameters. An initial partial model covering the C-terminal thioredoxin domain of the bacterial SelenoN was obtained at 2.3Å. Together, these results lay a foundation for the structure-function studies of SelenoN. Conditions for recombinant bacterial and zebrafish SelenoNs expression, purification and crystallization were optimized and strategies for solving the structure are being proposed.

Orientador: Marcos Roberto de Mattos Fontes / Resumo: As fosfolipases A2-like (PLA2s-like) estão entre os principais componentes de peçonhas de serpentes envolvidas no processo de envenenamento, particularmente em serpentes do gênero Bothrops. Essas toxinas promovem efeitos miotóxicos que não são neutralizados pela soroterapia convencional e podem levar até a perda do membro afetado. Os estudos estruturais, em especial a técnica de cristalografia, são uma ferramenta poderosa na compreensão da relação estrutura-função de moléculas. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo estudar estruturalmente por diferentes técnicas biofísicas (dicroísmo circular, espalhamento de luz dinâmico, Espectroscopia de fluorescência, termoforese de microescala, cristalização, coleta de dados de difração de raios-X, elucidação e análise estrutural) uma Lys-49-PLA2 da peçonha de Bothrops pauloensis, denominada BnSP-7, em suas formas nativa e complexadas com o ácido cinâmico e seus derivados, ácido cafeico e ácido p-cumárico. Adicionalmente, a mesma proteína foi estudada em sua forma recombinante. A ORF referente à BnSP-7 foi inserida no vetor a partir dos sítios de restrição EcoRI (3’ DNA) e NotI (5’ DNA). Esse inserto foi inserido em um vetor pPicZA, transformado em Pichia pastoris e induzida a expressão. Após purificação da proteína expressa, foram realizados ensaios de cristalização. Nas estruturas da BnSP-7 obtida a partir do veneno de B. pauloensis, foram encontrados ligantes na região MDoS nos três complexos elucidados, bem como a análise dos túnei... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Doutor

The safety case for a proposed geological disposal facility (GDF) for radioactive wastes relies upon a series of engineered and natural barrier systems to limit the migration of harmful radionuclides into the geosphere over geological timescales. Natural minerals, dominantly phyllosilicates, are expected to be the most reactive components of both the host rock and the clay-based backfill surrounding the highly radioactive waste canisters for as long as 100,000 years. Upon eventual canister degradation, alpha-emitting radionuclides will leach into the backfill material (and eventually beyond) and the constituent mineral systems will accumulate radiation damage upon radionuclide uptake and/or surface precipitation. The following study is an assessment of the structural and chemical effects caused by alpha-particle bombardment of silicate minerals, as proxies for the radiation stability of natural materials present in the near and far field of a GDF.Microscopy and spectroscopy studies from naturally occurring radiation damage accumulated in silicates over geological timescales (forming distinct 'radiohaloes') have shown that both alpha-particle and alpha-recoil bombardment results in altered unit cell dimensions caused by the accumulation of point (Frenkel) defects. In the example of highly damaged biotite, structural breakdown through the reorientation of discrete lattice crystallites was observed; the variability of the interlayer spacing within these regions reveal the potential for damaged mica to adopt the structure of phyllosilicate breakdown products over geological time. Controlled alpha-particle irradiation using the Dalton Cumbrian Facility's 5 MV tandem pelletron ion accelerator, combined with microfocus spectroscopy analysis has revealed the mechanisms of high fluence alpha-radiation damage across 2:1 phyllosilicate minerals (biotite and chlorite); reducing the layered structures into a series of loosely connected domains of alternating lattice expansion and collapse. Radiation induced Fe redox changes have been revealed, with Fe reduction apparent at relatively low alpha-particle doses, giving way to Fe oxidation at high doses. A 'redox gradient', based on alpha-particle energy deposition through a silicate structure has therefore been proposed. In addition, the increase in 'edge' sites generated by structural deformation has been shown to be favourable for the adsorption of the Se(IV) oxyanion to the mica surface. Comprising a body of additional work, a core sample has been extracted from a spent nuclear fuel pond wall at the decommissioned Hunterston A nuclear power station and the radioactive contamination on the painted core surface has been analysed by microfocus spectroscopy. The contaminant radiostrontium has been shown to be associated with the Ti rich pigment in the surface paint, resulting in a 'patchy' accumulation of radioactivity at the core surface. In addition, inert Cs reactivity experiments using the underlying concrete have shown that Cs is preferentially uptaken by phyllosilicates within the altered mafic clasts used in the concrete aggregate.

The current proposed method for the long-term management of intermediate and high level radioactive waste in the UK is via geological disposal. It is known that redox sensitive elements such as uranium and neptunium will significantly contribute to the total waste inventory. Recently, studies have indicated that both U and Np can be stabilised by interaction with minerals. Over long periods of time (1000’s -10,000’s years) steel canisters that encase radioactive waste in geodisposal systems will undergo anaerobic corrosion, potentially leading to the release of radionuclides, including U and Np. Anaerobic corrosion will also result in the formation of a number of oxide phases, including iron (oxyhydr)oxides e.g. magnetite and green rust. The interaction of U and Np with such forming iron (oxyhydr)oxides may lead to the sequestering of radionuclides in the environment through a range of processes such as adsorption to a mineral surface and incorporation into a mineral structure. Therefore the interactions between iron (oxyhydr)oxides and radionuclides are important to determine their fate if potentially released within the wider environment. In this study, the fate of U(VI) and Np(V) when in contact with a range of iron (oxyhydr)oxides was considered. These systems were selected to help understand the detailed mechanisms that may occur between radionuclides and iron (oxyhydr)oxides. XRD and TEM were used to characterise mineralogy, whilst acid digestions determined the distribution of U within the mineral phase. Synchrotron based XAS was used to determine oxidation state, site geometry and local bonding environment of the radionuclides associated with the mineral phases. The data suggests that: U(V) is stabilised and incorporated in octahedral coordination into both the magnetite and green rust structure in a uranate-like coordination; with increasing U concentration mineral formation favours uraninite and Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides; the limit of U incorporation into magnetite is 0.45 mol % U ± 0.23; Np(V) is reduced to Np(IV) on the iron (oxyhydr)oxide surface forming a bidentate binuclear complex; and that upon reoxidation, Np(IV) is partially reoxidised back to Np(V) but not released back into solution. These results highlight the significance in understanding the mechanisms when both Np and U are in contact with iron (oxyhydr)oxides which can contribute towards site environmental clean-up and waste management in the nuclear industry.