Les Tunneling nanotubes (TNT) sont des protrusions cellulaires à base d'actine qui médient la communication cellulaire en transférant des cargos cellulaires. Les différents types de communication intercellulaires sont de plus en plus considérés comme des cibles potentielles pour le traitement de différentes maladies, telles que les maladies infectieuses liées aux virus et bactéries, les cancers ou les maladies neurodégénératives. Des études récentes ont mis en évidence un mécanisme de propagation d'agrégats protéiques ressemblant à la propagation du prion dans diverses maladies neurodégénératives non infectieuses telles que la maladie d'Alzheimer (AD), la démence frontotemporelle (FTD), la maladie de Parkinson (PD) et la maladie de Huntington. Ces maladies se caractérisent par l'accumulation de protéines mal repliées dans le cerveau des patients. Ainsi, on peut envisager de nouvelles stratégies thérapeutiques pour bloquer la propagation des protéines anormales dans tout le cerveau. Il a été démontré que les TNT pourraient jouer un rôle essentiel dans la propagation des agrégats de prions au sein du système nerveux central (SNC) et périphérique. Par conséquent, l'étude du mécanisme de la formation de TNT pourrait fournir de nouvelles idées sur le mécanisme de propagation de la maladie et de nouvelles cibles thérapeutiques. L'objectif de ma thèse était d'étudier le rôle du transfert des agrégats de protéines par les TNT entre les cellules et d'étudier le mécanisme de formation des TNT. Dans notre laboratoire, nous avons déjà montré que les TNT permettent le transfert de prions entre les cellules. Dans la première partie de mon doctorat, j'ai confirmé que les transferts d'agrégats de prions entre les cellules de CAD neuronales se faisaient par les TNT à l'intérieur de vésicules endocytiques (Zhu et al., 2015). De plus, en collaboration avec un collègue, nous avons fourni des preuves que les agrégats de prions pourraient être transférés entre des astrocytes primaires et des neurones et que ce transfert était médié par un contact cellulaire (Victoria et al., 2016). J'ai également collaboré à une autre étude où nous avons montré que les agrégats d'α-synucléine (caractéristiques de la maladie de Parkinson) peuvent être transférés entre les cellules à l'intérieur des lysosomes, et que ce transfert intercellulaire est médié par les TNT (Abounit et al., 2016). Dans mon deuxième projet, afin d'étudier le mécanisme de la formation de TNT, j'ai effectué un crible à haut débit pour les Rab GTPase. J'ai trouvé que Rab8 et Rab11 peuvent favoriser la formation des TNT, et que les cascades Rab8-VAMP3, Rab11-ERM et Rab8-Rab11 sont impliquées dans la formation des TNT. Mes données suggèrent que la polymérisation de l'actine et le trafic de membranes sont impliqués dans la formation des TNT. Ces résultats permettent d'éclairer le mécanisme de la formation des TNT et de fournir des preuves moléculaires que les Rab GTPases régulent ce processus. / Tunneling nanotubes are actin-based cell protrusions that mediate cell-to-cell communication by transferring cellular cargos. The different types of intercellular communication are increasing by being considered as potential targets for the treatment of various diseases, such as infectious diseases linked to viruses and bacteria, cancers or neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies have highlighted a prion-like mechanism of propagation of protein misfolding in a variety of common, non-infectious, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Polyglutamine (PolyQ) diseases, which are characterized by the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the brain of patients. Thus, new therapeutic strategies to block propagation of protein misfolding throughout the brain can be envisaged. It has been shown that TNTs might play a critical role in spreading of prion aggregates within the CNS and from the periphery. Therefore, the study of mechanism of TNT formation could provide new insights on the mechanism of disease propagation and novel therapeutic targets. The aim of my thesis was to study the role of TNT-mediate protein aggregates transfer between cells and to investigate the mechanism of TNT formation. In our lab, we already reported TNT mediate prion transfer between cells. In the first part of my PhD, I further confirmed that prion aggregates transfer between neuronal CAD cells through TNT inside endocytic vesicles (Zhu et al., 2015). Furthermore in collaboration with a colleague, we provided evidences that prion aggregates could transfer between primary astrocytes and neurons and the transfer was mediated by cell-to-cell contact (Victoria et al., 2016). I also collaborated to another study where we showed that α-synuclein aggregates (Parkinson’s disease) can transfer between cells inside lysosomes, and the intercellular transfer is mediated by TNTs (Abounit et al., 2016).In my second project, in order to investigate the mechanism of TNT formation, I performed a High-content screening of Rab GTPase. I found that Rab8 and Rab11 can promote TNT formation, that Rab8-VAMP3, Rab11-ERM and Rab8-Rab11 cascades are involved in TNT formation. My data suggests that both actin polymerization and membrane trafficking are involved in TNT formation. These results help to shed light on the mechanism of TNT formation, and provide molecular evidences that Rab GTPases regulate this process.

La maladie de Huntington (MH) est une maladie neurodégénérative causée par une extension de répétitions du codon CAG dans le gène de la Huntingtine (Htt). Cette maladie est caractérisée par la mort des neurones striataux et la présence d’agrégats de Htt mutée (mHtt). De plus, au cours de la MH, les astrocytes, qui sont essentiels au bon fonctionnement neuronal, changent d’état et deviennent réactifs. La réactivité astrocytaire est caractérisée par des changements morphologiques et transcriptomiques mais l’impact fonctionnel de cette réactivité reste peu compris.Afin d’étudier le rôle des astrocytes réactifs dans la MH, nous avons utilisé des vecteurs viraux récemment développés par notre équipe, qui induisent ou bloquent la réactivité astrocytaire in vivo en ciblant la voie JAK2-STAT3. Nous avons montré que les astrocytes réactifs diminuent le nombre et la taille des agrégats de mHtt majoritairement présents dans les neurones. Ceci est associé à l’amélioration de plusieurs altérations neuronales observées dans ces modèles. Une analyse transcriptomique réalisée sur des astrocytes réactifs révèle des changements majeurs d’expression de gènes liés aux systèmes de protéostasie. De plus, l’activité du lysosome et du protéasome est augmentée dans les astrocytes réactifs de souris modèles de la MH. Nous montrons également que les astrocytes réactifs éliminent plus efficacement leurs propres agrégats de mHtt, suggérant qu’au cours de la MH, ces cellules pourraient dégrader plus efficacement la mHtt provenant des neurones. De plus, certaines protéines chaperonnes sont induites dans les astrocytes réactifs. En particulier, la co-chaperonne DNAJB1/Hsp40 est surexprimée dans les astrocytes réactifs et est retrouvée dans les exosomes isolés à partir de striata de souris MH. Des expériences de gain et perte de fonction suggèrent que cette chaperonne est impliquée dans les effets bénéfiques des astrocytes réactifs sur l’agrégation de la mHtt et l’état des neurones. Les astrocytes réactifs pourraient donc libérer des protéines anti-agrégantes qui favorise l’élimination de la mHtt dans les neurones.Notre étude montre que les astrocytes peuvent, en devenant réactifs au cours de la MH, acquérir des propriétés bénéfiques pour les neurones et favoriser, via un dialogue complexe avec les neurones, l’élimination des agrégats de mHtt. / Huntington’s disease (HD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disease caused by an expansion of CAG codons in the Huntingtin gene. It is characterized by the death of striatal neurons and the presence of mutant Huntingtin (mHtt) aggregates. In pathological conditions, as in HD, astrocytes change and become reactive. Astrocyte reactivity is characterized by morphological and significant transcriptomic changes. Astrocytes are essential for the proper functioning of neurons but the functional changes associated with reactivity are still unclear.To better understand the roles played by reactive astrocytes in HD, we took advantage of our recently developed viral vectors that infect selectively astrocytes in vivo and either block or induce reactivity, through manipulation of the JAK2-STAT3 pathway. We used these vectors in two complementary mouse models of HD and found that reactive astrocytes decrease the number and the size of mHtt aggregates that mainly form in neurons. Reduced mHtt aggregation was associated with improvement of neuronal alterations observed in our mouse models of HD. A genome-wide transcriptomic analysis was performed on acutely sorted reactive astrocytes and revealed an enrichment in genes linked to proteolysis. Lysosomal and proteosomal activities were also increased in reactive astrocytes in HD mice. Moreover, we show that reactive astrocytes degrade more efficiently their own mHtt aggregates, suggesting that these cells could siphon mHtt away from neurons. Alternatively, several chaperones were induced in reactive astrocytes. In particular, the co-chaperone DNAJB1/Hsp40 was upregulated in reactive astrocytes and was present in exosomal fraction from HD mouse striatum. Loss and gain of function experiments suggest that this chaperone is involved in the beneficial effects of reactive astrocytes on mHtt aggregation and neuronal status. Therefore, reactive astrocytes could release anti-aggregation proteins that could promote mHtt clearance in neurons.Overall, our data show that astrocytes, by becoming reactive in HD, develop a protective response that involves complex bidirectional signaling with neurons to reduce mHtt aggregation.

En los últimos años el mundo atraviesa una gran crisis ecológica, a fin de contribuir con la reducción de los niveles de desechos, en la tecnología del concreto existe la propuesta de usar los residuos plásticos como agregados en la fabricación de concreto. Por tal motivo, el objetivo de este trabajo es demostrar que la incorporación de agregado de HDPE como sustitución parcial del agregado fino mejorará las propiedades que incrementan la durabilidad del concreto. Esta investigación comprende una metodología experimental que va desde la preparación del HDPE como agregado fino, análisis del agregado plástico, el diseño de mezclas del concreto patrón y concreto de estudio con 10%, 20% y 30% de reemplazo parcial del agregado fino, ensayos físicos y mecánico a un muestreo de 64 probetas, hasta el análisis de los resultados. De la obtención de resultados, se observó que la muestra que tiene un 30% de reemplazo reduce al 86% el peso unitario comparado a la muestra patrón, es decir que tiene una variación inversamente proporcional a la cantidad porcentual de reemplazo. Con respecto a las propiedades mecánicas; la resistencia a la compresión se incrementa hasta en 17.7% con la muestra del 20% de reemplazo del agregado fino por HDPE, la resistencia a la tracción y flexión se incrementan hasta 60.76% y 13.7% respectivamente con relación a la muestra con un 30% de reemplazo parcial del agregado fino por HDPE. En la resistencia a la carbonatación no se observó ningún cambio ni variación en el concreto patrón y las distintas combinaciones. / In recent years, the world is going through a great ecological crisis, in order to contribute to the reduction of waste levels, in concrete technology there is a proposal to use plastic waste as aggregates in the manufacture of concrete. For this reason, the objective of this work is to demonstrate that the incorporation of HDPE aggregate as a partial replacement for fine aggregate will improve the properties that increase the durability of concrete. This research includes an experimental methodology that ranges from the preparation of HDPE as fine aggregate, analysis of the plastic aggregate, the design of mixtures of the concrete pattern and study concrete with 10%, 20% and 30% partial replacement of the fine aggregate, tests physical and mechanical to a sampling of 64 specimens, until the analysis of the results. From the obtaining of results, it is realized that the sample that has a 30% replacement reduces the unit weight to 86% compared to the standard sample, that is, that it has a variation inversely proportional to the percentage replacement amount. Regarding the mechanical properties, the compressive strength increases up to 17.7% with the sample of 20% replacement of fine aggregate by HDPE, the tensile and flexural strength increase up to 60.76% and 13.7% respectively in relation to the sample with 30% partial replacement of fine aggregate by HDPE. In the resistance to carbonation, no change or variation is recorded in the pattern and the different combinations. / Tesis

En este artículo se analiza la influencia de un aditivo a base de nanosilice en el concreto elaborado con agregado a partir de concreto reciclado. Para lo cual, se ha realizado un programa de laboratorio donde se analizan las propiedades físicas de los materiales y las propiedades en estado fresco y endurecido del concreto a distintas edades. El objetivo principal del estudio es demostrar las mejoras cuantitativas de resistencia a compresión y tracción del concreto con ACR empleando nanosilice. Asimismo, el diseño óptimo para los casos propuestos es la mezcla M4 (100% ACR y 1% nanosilice) con el cual se logra mejorar en 21% respecto a la muestra M3 (100% ACR) a 28 días. Finalmente, el diseño M4 tiene una mayor resistencia a compresión comparado con la mezcla M0 (1) concreto convencional sin nanosilice. Por consiguiente, la utilización del concreto con ACR es factible en términos de resistencia. / This article discusses the influence of a nanosilize based admixture on concrete made with aggregate from recycled concrete. For which, a laboratory program has been carried out where the physical properties of the materials and the properties in the fresh and hardened state of concrete at different ages are analyzed. The main objective of the study is to demonstrate the quantitative improvements of resistance to compression and tension of concrete with ACR using nanosilice. Likewise, the optimal design for the proposed cases is the M4 mixture (100% ACR and 1% nanosilize) with which it is possible to improve by 21% compared to the M3 sample (100% ACR) at 28 days. Finally, the M4 design has a higher compressive strength compared to the conventional concrete mix M0 (1) without nanosilize. Therefore, the use of concrete with ACR is feasible in terms of strength. / Tesis

3 Selectively substituted cyclodextrins for analytical and pharmaceutical applications Abstract This thesis is focused on the selective modification of cyclodextrins, and its primary aim is the preparation and characterization of mono- and persubstituted derivatives of cyclodextrins in a regioselective and straightforward manner. The work is divided into two main parts describing synthetic strategies and applications of modified cyclodextrins with one or several substituents, respectively. The first section deals with the introduction of a single chromophoric moiety on the cyclodextrin scaffold such as cinnamyl, rhodaminyl, fluoresceinyl and eosinyl groups. The complete set of monocinnamyl-α-cyclodextrin regioisomers has been prepared by direct alkylation, and the self-assembling properties of the corresponding regioisomers were thoroughly investigated by dynamic light scattering and NMR experiments. These investigations revealed that the different isomers (mono-6-O-, mono-2-O- and mono-3-O- cinnamyl-α-cyclodextrin) form distinct supramolecular species through intermolecular association. A fast method for the unambiguous identification of the pure regioisomers has also been developed based on a series of 2D NMR measurements. Xanthene-modified β-cyclodextrins, other representatives of monosubstituted...

Accelerated soil erosion is one of the major threats to agricultural production in Ethiopia and the Harerge region is not exceptional. It is estimated that about 1.5 billion tones of soil is being eroded every year in Ethiopia. In the extreme cases, especially for the highlands, the rate of soil loss is estimated to reach up to 300 t ha-1yr-1 with an average of about 70 t ha -1yr-1 which is beyond any tolerable level. The government have made different attempts to avert the situation since 1975 through initiation of a massive program of soil conservation and rehabilitation of severely degraded lands. Despite considerable efforts, the achievements were far bellow expectations. This study was aimed at assessing the effect of some soil properties, rainfall intensity and slope gradients on surface sealing, soil erodibility, runoff and soil loss from selected sites in the Harerge region, eastern Ethiopia, using simulated rainfall. Soil loss was also estimated for the sites using Soil Loss Estimation Model for Southern Africa (SLEMSA) and the Universal soil Loss Equation (USLE). Moreover, the effectiveness of various rates and patterns of wheat residue mulching in controlling soil loss was also evaluated for one of the study sites, (i.e. Regosol of Alemaya University), under both rainfall simulation and field natural rainfall conditions. For most of the erosion parameters, the interaction among soil texture, slope gradient and rainfall intensity was significant. In general however, high rainfall intensity induced high runoff, sediment yield and splash. The effect of slope gradients on most of the erosion parameters was not significant as the slope length was too small to bring about a concentrated flow. The effect of soils dominated by any one of the three soil separates on the erosion parameters was largely dependent on rainfall intensity and slope gradient. The soils form the 15 different sites in Harerge showed different degrees of vulnerability to surface sealing, runoff and sediment yield. These differences were associated with various soil properties. Correlation of soil properties to the erosion parameters revealed that aggregate stability was the main factor that determined the susceptibility of soils to sealing, runoff and soil loss. This was in turn affected by organic carbon content, percent clay and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP). Soils with relatively high ESP such as those at Babile (13.85) and Gelemso (7.18) were among the lowest in their aggregate stability (percent water stable aggregates of 0.25 –2.0mm diameter); and have highest runoff and sediment yield as compared to other soils in the study. Similarly, most of those soils with relatively low ESP, high organic carbon content (OC%) and high water stable aggregates such as Hamaressa, AU (Alemaya University) vertisol and AU regosol were among the least susceptible to sealing and interrill erosion. Nevertheless, some exceptions include soils like those of Hirna where high runoff was recorded whilst having relatively high OC%, low ESP and high water stable aggregates. Both the SLEMSA and USLE models were able to identify the erosion hazards for the study sites. Despite the differences in the procedures of the two models, significant correlation (r = 0.87) was observed between the values estimated by the two methods. Both models estimated higher soil loss for Gelemso, Babile, Karamara and Hamaressa. Soil loss was lower for Diredawa, AU-vertisol and AU-Alluvial all of which occur on a relatively low slope gradients. The high soil loss for Babile and Gelemso conforms with the relative soil erodibility values obtained under rainfall simulation suggesting that soil erodibility, among others, is the main factor contributing to high soil loss for these soils. The difference in the estimated soil losses for the different sites was a function of the interaction of the various factors involved. Though the laboratory soil erodibility values were low to medium for Hamaressa and Karamara, the estimated soil loss was higher owing to the field topographic situations such as high slope gradient. SLEMSA and USLE showed different degrees of sensitivities to their input variables for the conditions of the study sites. SLEMSA was highly sensitive to changes in rainfall kinetic energy (E) and soil erodibility (F) and less sensitive to the cover and slope length factors. The sensitivity of SLEMSA to changes in the cover factor was higher for areas having initially smaller percentage rainfall interception values. On the other hand, USLE was highly sensitive to slope gradient and less so to slope length as compared to the other input factors. The study on the various rates and application patterns of wheat residue on runoff and soil loss both in the laboratory rainfall simulation and under field natural rainfall conditions revealed that surface application of crop residue is more effective in reducing soil loss and runoff than incorporating the same amount of the residue into the soil. Likewise, for a particular residue application method, runoff and soil loss decreased with increasing application rate of the mulch. However, the difference was not significant between 4 Mg ha-1 and 8 Mg ha-1 wheat straw rates suggesting that the former can effectively control soil loss and can be used in areas where there is limitation of crop residues provided that other conditions are similar to that of the study site (AU Regosols). The effectiveness of lower rates of straw (i.e. less than 4 Mg ha-1 ) should also be studied. It should however be noted that the effectiveness of mulching in controlling soils loss and runoff could be different under various slope gradients, rainfall characteristics and cover types that were not covered in this study. Integrated soil and water conservation research is required to develop a comprehensive database for modelling various soil erosion parameters. Further research is therefore required on the effect of soil properties (with special emphasis to aggregate stability, clay mineralogy, exchangeable cations, soil texture and organic matter), types and rates of crop residues, cropping and tillage systems, mechanical and biological soil conservation measures on soil erosion and its conservation for a better estimation of the actual soil loss in the study sites. Copyright 2004, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. Please cite as follows: Bobe, BW 2004, Evaluation of soil erosion in the Harerge region of Ethiopia using soil loss models, rainfall simulation and field trials, PhD thesis, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-08022004-141533 / > / Thesis (PhD (Soil Science))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

El objetivo de la presente investigación es diseñar concreto con agregado grueso reciclado con resistencia a la compresión de f´c = 210 kg/cm2 y demostrar su viabilidad para construcción de muros prefabricados de viviendas modulares con el método ACI en el distrito de Villa María del Triunfo, Lima. Basándose en ello, se busca incentivar el reciclaje para la fabricación de viviendas modulares que ofrezcan una mejor calidad de vida. Se desarrolló una investigación de tipo aplicada y experimental, realizado con una muestra de 280 probetas y 10 vigas de concreto natural y reciclado. Como técnica principal se utilizó el estudio de campo y como instrumento, el análisis de datos cuantitativos. Se recolectó un conglomerado de 5 m3 de material de demolición de una acera de concreto y se realizó el proceso de transformación para obtener agregado grueso reciclado en tamaño nominal de 1”. Se diseñó mezclas de concreto con agregado natural y agregado reciclado al 25%, 50%, 75% y 100% de sustitución, realizándose ensayos por resistencia a la compresión, flexión y tracción al concreto endurecido. Asimismo, se realizó un análisis de costos sobre la producción por m3 entre el concreto con agregado reciclado versus el concreto con agregado convencional. Además, se diseñó un módulo familiar con concreto reciclado y se analizó su comportamiento estructural en un software. Finalmente, el agregado grueso de concreto reciclado puede sustituir al 100% la piedra natural triturada y con ello disminuir la explotación de la corteza terrestre para la extracción de piedra natural. / The research objective is to design concrete with recycled coarse aggregate with compression resistance of f´c = 210 kg/cm2, and to demonstrate its viability for the construction of prefabricated walls of modular homes with the ACI method in the district of Villa María del Triunfo in Lima. According to this, it seeks to encourage the use of recycled materials in modular homes manufacturing which also offers a better quality of life. Applied experimental research was carried out with a sample of 280 specimens and 10 beams of natural and recycled concrete. The main technique used was the field study, and the instrument, quantitative data analysis. A conglomerate of 5 m3 of demolition material was collected from a concrete sidewalk and the transformation process was carried out to obtain recycled coarse aggregate in nominal size of 1". Mixtures of concrete with natural aggregate and recycled aggregate at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% replacement levels were designed, performing tests for resistance to compression, bending and traction to hardened concrete. In addition, a cost analysis on the production per m3 was carried out, comparing concrete with recycled aggregate versus concrete with conventional aggregate. Furthermore, a module with recycled concrete was designed and its structural behavior was analyzed in a structural design software. In conclusion, the coarse recycled concrete aggregate can replace 100% crushed natural stone and can thereby reduce the earth's crust exploitation for the extraction of natural stone. / Tesis

Recycled concrete is among the rising eco-friendly construction materials which helps to reduce waste and the need for new natural resources. However, such concrete may present previous deterioration due to, for instance, alkali-silica reaction (ASR), which is an ongoing distress mechanism that may keep being developed in the recycled material. This work aims to evaluate the potential of further distress and crack development (i.e. initiation and propagation) of AAR-affected RCA concrete in recycled mixtures displaying distinct past damage degrees and reactive aggregate types. Therefore, concrete specimens incorporating two highly reactive aggregates (Springhill coarse aggregate and Texas sand) were manufactured in the laboratory and stored in conditions enabling ASR development. The specimens were continuously monitored over time and once they reached marginal (0.05%) and very high (0.30%) expansion levels, they were crushed into RCA particles and re-used to fabricate RCA concrete. The RCA specimens were then placed in the same previous conditions and the “secondary” ASR-induced development monitored over time. Results show that the overall damage in ASR-affected RCA concrete is quite different from affected conventional concrete, especially with regards to the severely damaged RCA particles, where ASR is induced by a reactive coarse aggregate, as the RCA particle itself may present several levels of damage simultaneously caused by past/ongoing ASR and newly formed ASR. Moreover, the influence of the original damage extent in such RCA concrete was captured by the slightly damaged RCA mixture eventually reaching the same damage level as the severely damaged mixture. Furthermore, the original extent of deterioration influence the “secondary” induced expansion and damage of RCA concrete since the higher the original damage level, the higher the cracks numbers and lengths observed in the RCA concrete for the same expansion level whereas wider cracks are generated by RCA having previously been subjected to slight damage thus indicating the difference in the distress mechanism as a function of original extent of damage. In addition, it has been found that distress on RCA containing a reactive sand generates and propagates from the residual mortar (RM) into the new mortar (NM) as opposed to RCA containing a reactive coarse aggregate, being generated and propagated from the original coarse aggregate (i.e. original virgin aggregate – OVA) into the NM. Likewise, RCA containing a reactive sand caused longer and higher number of cracks for the same “secondary” induced expansion than the RCA made of reactive coarse aggregate. Finally, novel qualitative and descriptive models are proposed in this research to explain ASR-induced distress generation and propagation on RCA mixtures made of reactive fine and coarse aggregates.

The thesis summarises information about recycled aggregates and basalt fibres, their interaction in composite material such as concrete. It focuses on the potential deficiencies and properties of concrete due to the use of recycled aggregates and on the possibilities of their subsequent elimination of their negative impact by the use of basalt fibres. It characterizes individual raw materials and their interaction in concrete. It includes verification of the properties of the individual sub-components and the resulting concrete itself. An assessment is made of the impact of the use of recycled aggregates on the properties of concrete (compresive strength, static modulus of elasticity, residual flexure tensile strength and others). The thesis discusses the question of whether the same or similar mechanical properties of concrete can be achieved with natural and recycled aggregates using basalt reinforcing fibres. The work provides for the possibility of settlement the values of these concrete parameters by using basalt fibres as a dispersed reinforcement in concrete. The recycled aggregates come from concrete company JARO AS in the north of Norway, where this work was conducted with the financial support from Erasmus+ at The Arctic University of Norway - campus Narvik.

The result of this master’s thesis is acquaintance with the issues of cement concrete resistance to high temperatures. This work describes the processes ongoing in the structure of concrete at extreme thermal loads and analysis of effects of high temperatures on the individual components of reinforced concrete structures is given, then influence of high temperatures and fire on the aggregates, matrix, reinforcement steel and the resulting changes in their properties. In the experimental part is given design of composition of concrete with a higher resistance to high temperatures and subsequent verification of the physico-mechanical properties of sample of concrete after exposure to temperatures at intervals of 200 ° C, 400 ° C, 600 ° C and 900 ° C. In individual recipes were observed changes of volume weight, changes of compressive strength and tensile strength flexural , tensile strength of surface layers and the occurrence of cracks and then were compared the results of thermally loaded and unloaded samples. The benefit in this issue is to evaluate the surface appearance of samples after heat load - study of area of crack and measurement of their width - was used according to the methodology's authors Xing, Hebert, Noumowe a Ledesert given in Cement and Concrete Research. This methodology allows to quantify changes of surface, after temperature load.