Micro (mi)RNAs have recently been found to play an important role in cancer biology. In order to further understand how miRNAs affect prostate tumour progression, we evaluated miRNA expression in two invasive prostate tumour lines, PC3 and DU145. We then focused our evaluation on a novel miRNA, miR-105, whose levels were significantly decreased in both tumour cell lines as compared to normal prostate epithelial cells. As miR-105 levels were reduced in prostate tumour cell lines, we restored its expression following transfection of cells with mimic constructs to over-express miR-105 in both cell lines, in order to determine its effect on various tumourigenic properties. Over-expression caused decreased tumour cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth and invasion in vitro and inhibited tumour growth in vivo. We further identified CDK6 as a putative target of miR-105, which likely contributed to its inhibition of tumour cell growth. Our results suggest that miR-105 inhibits tumour cell proliferation and may be an interesting target to regulate tumour growth or potentially used as a biomarker to differentiate between less and more aggressive tumours in patients.

La thèse se propose d’étudier les conduites de certains professionnels du théâtre dans leur dimension interculturelle. Une observation de type qualitatif a été menée auprès d’une compagnie de théâtre occitan et d’un lieu de diffusion offrant une programmation méditerranéenne, tout deux situés à Montpellier. Une troisième structure théâtrale, installée en Région Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, a complété l’enquête : cette compagnie crée des spectacles à partir d’échanges avec la Palestine. Une étude des conventions de ces entreprises théâtrales démontre un rapport à l’Autre privilégié. Cette parcelle du monde du théâtre élabore et expérimente une compétence de la frontière dans sa volonté d’échanges culturels. Cette compétence conforte le statut particulier du comédien comme citoyen suscitant l’’’éveil’’. L’analyse du financement de ces structures a permis en outre de préciser les positionnements et actions des différents partenaires publics. La place et la fonction de telles pratiques ont été confrontées à l’émergence d’une politique culturelle européenne / We conducted a qualitative observation, about a theater company of Occitanie, south of France and a theater production and diffusion company. Both are located in Montpellier and have regional and mediterranean culture as a core value. We completed the observation with a third theater company based in the Provence region : this company creates performances based on exchanges with Palestinia. Agreements used by these theater enterprises demonstrates a strong relationship with Alterity. The theater in this part of this art world builds and experiments a competence about the concept of border in its search for cultural exchanges. This competence reinforces the particular status of the actor in his role of citizen in charge of awakening for political and cultural identities. The analysis of the funding practices of these theater structures also allowed us to clarify the positioning and actions of the various parties, including public service parties. Finally, the place and the function of the above practices were confronted to the emerging European Cultural Policy

The aim of the diploma thesis is make a structural design of load carrying steel structure of terminal international airport Brno. The project is designed in two options. The height of the building in highest point is 15 m. The object has rectangular ground floor plan with proportions of 80 x 40 m. For selected option the check of joints and anchorage is performed as well as the design drawings. The object was designed according to currently valid standarts to the ultimate limit states and serviceability limit states.

The subject of the diploma thesis is a processed design of a steel construction of a pavilion shaped by spherical segments. The pavilion has exhibition purpose as a part of the zoological garden Lešná, and is intended for African beasts. The design meets architectonical requests - roundness and luminosity. A shape of the pavilion consists of three intersecting cupolas with a frontal curved cut out for glass facade. Construction of the pavilion consists of the radial arranged arched ribs with transversal bars, which are supplemented by horizontal purlins. Forehead of the pavilion is formed by columns and girts. Cladding is designed in combination: aluminum profile and insulated glass. Comparison of alternative steel structure solutions is also a part of the diploma thesis.

In my diploma thesis I designed 2 options for an arch roofing of place for dancing next to the restaurant in Dolní Jablonná. The first solution was designed as a timber structure with internal supporting arch from glue laminated timber. The second solution was designed as a two pin-supported steel beam. These variants were predesigned and as the final solution was chosen the timber structure. I designed a rafter, a glue laminated arch, a purlin, an anchorage and field joints. The thesis is including drawings of the layout design, details and anchorage plans.

Prefabricerade sandwichelement kommer att produceras till Linnéskolan i Älmhult av Torps Byggelement AB. Ett sandwichelement består av två lager betong (fasad och bärande skikt) med isolering mellan de två skikten. Dessa sandwichelement hade till en början förankringssystemet Thermopin tillverkade av B.T. Innovation, men på grund av produktion- och leveransproblem så ersattes detta förankringssystem mot Isolink som tillverkas av Schöck. Isolink och Thermopin är två förankringssystem tillverkade av glasfiberarmerade plaststänger (GFRP). Sandwichelementen som kommer att användas i Linnéskolan använder sig av isoleringen Kooltherm tillverkad av Kingspan. I detta arbete jämförs förankringssystemens bärförmågor i form av utdragskapacitet. Beräkningar för kapacitet mot vidhäftningsbrott, utdragsbrott och brott i stångmaterial görs för de båda systemen. Utöver detta testas även bärförmågan i form av utdragskapacitet för isolering Kooltherm. 12 testprover, som tillverkades och levererades av Torps Byggelement AB, utsätts för utdragslaster till brott uppstod. Endast de förankringssystem som bär vinkelrät mot skikten testades. De 12 testproverna var uppdelade på följande vis: Fyra tester med Thermopin, fyra tester med Isolink samt fyra tester med endast isoleringen Kooltherm. De testprover med Isolink-systemet gav ett utdragsbrott vid 18.9 kN. Thermopin gav ett spjälkningsbrott vid 14.9 kN. Kooltherm gav brott i isoleringen vid 1.3 kN. Då Isolink fick ett vidhäftningsbrott är det viktigt med en god vidhäftning mellan förankringssystemet och omkringliggande betong. Vibrering av betongen i flera steg vid användning av Isolink kan därför anses vara viktig. Thermopin fick ett spjälkningsbrott då tillverkarens minsta avstånd till kant inte uppfylldes med testproverna. Det går med stor sannolikhet att säga att Thermopin inte hade fått ett utdragsbrott även om minsta avstånd till kant uppfylldes, mest troligt är att ett konbrott hade uppstått. / Prefabricated sandwich elements will be produced to Linnéskolan in Älmhult by Torps Byggelement AB. A sandwich element is built up by two layers of concrete (facade- and load bearing layer) with insulation separating the two layers. These sandwich elements were intended to have the anchors Thermopin produced by B.T. Innovation but due to delivery problems, this connection system was replaced with Isolink made by Schöck. Isolink and Thermopin are two anchors consisting of glass fiber reinforced plastic bars (GFRP). The sandwich elements that will be used in Linnéskolan will have the insulation Kooltherm made by Kingspan. This work is comparing the two connection systems in load bearing capacity by pull-out load tests. Calculations for pull-out failure, concrete failure and anchor failure were done for both of the connection systems. The load bearing capacity was also to be checked for the Kooltherm insulation by pull-out load tests. 12 test specimens were manufactured and delivered by Torps Byggelement AB. Only the anchors perpendicular to the concrete layers were tested. The 12 test specimens were divided as follows: four tests with Thermopin, four tests with Isolink and four tests without a connection system with only the Kooltherm insulation. The test specimens with Isolink gave a pull-out load at 18.9 kN. Thermopin gave a splitting failure at 14.9 kN. Kooltherm insulation gave a failure in the insulation at 1.3 kN. Due to Isolink getting a pull-out load failure, it is important that the bond between the anchor and the surrounding concrete is strong. Compacting of the concrete in multiple steps when using the Isolink-system can be considered important. The test specimens with the Thermopin-system got a splitting failure due to the manufacturers requirement on minimum edge distance not being achieved in the test specimens. It is proper to state that it is very unlikely that a pull-out failure would occur in the Thermopin test specimens even if the minimum edge distance was achieved. Most likely a concrete-cone failure would have occurred.

The object of the diploma thesis is design and assessment of a steel lookout tower situated in Beskydy mountains. Two different variants were designed. The first variant is of square shaped plan and the second one is of hexagonal shaped plan. Both variants are spatial truss structures. They are shaped as hourglass. The variants were compared and the first one was chosen to be further developed. The lookout tower is 36 meters high and it is divided by floors. One floor is 3,6 meters high. The widest section is 8 meters, the narrowest section is 5 meters wide. The structure is pin-supported into concrete foundation. The concrete is class C25/30. The roof covering is made of trapezoidal sheet of class S280GD. Each steel element is made of steel of class S355.

The subject of this thesis was a structural design of a timber structure of a mountain hotel in Králíky. The object was a three storey building in a shape of letter U. The project was made in two different variations. The first one consisted of timber frame system with walls securing spacial stability. Computational model was created as a spacial bar 3D model in SCIA Engineer 19.1. The internal forces were calculated using the linear static analysis. The loadbearing structure was designed according to ultimate and serviceability limit states in SCIA Engineer 19.1. The thesis includes joints and anchorage design according to valid standards. Glue laminated timber was chosen as a material for the loadbearing structure while solid timber was chosen for wall structures. The second variation was made out of cross laminated panels. Wall panels were calculated by hand calculation whereas floor and roof panels were calculated using Agrop Nova Element software. Spatial model was made in SCIA Engineer 19.1 software to design joints and for global deformation check as well. The thesis includes engineering report, structural design report as well as drawings.

The finite element method is a powerful analysis tool which has facilitated a better understanding of the behaviour of reinforced concrete structures. Its use in the research field is widespread and complements experimental tests and the development of new analytical models. Its application in practice engineering has permitted to deal with complex elements. However, the general structural engineer is still reluctant to consider finite element modelling for his work as he finds most of these models excessively sophisticated for his needs and knowledge. In particular, complexity of many finite element tools usually derives from the adoption of advanced concrete constitutive models. Implementation of more simple models based on engineering practice could facilitate its use by less experienced finite element users. In structural engineering practice finite element analysis can be of great usefulness to deal with those more problematic elements and/or where the application of traditional analysis methods presents limitations. This includes the so-called D-regions with a 3D behaviour. The strut-and-tie method and the stress field method are consistent and rational tools for the analysis and design of D-regions, but while their application to 2D elements is well covered in literature, its extension to 3D is problematic. This generally explains why excessively conservative assumptions are still common in the design of these elements. Refinement of current analytical and design approaches or the use of finite element analysis could lead to more rational solutions which in turn will reduce material requirements and costs. A 3D nonlinear finite element-based tool was developed in this thesis oriented towards the analysis and design of 3D D-regions by less experienced finite element users. Regarding material modelling, an orthotropic concrete model was adopted to permit the use of uniaxial stress-strain relationships. Only one single parameter, the uniaxial compressive strength of concrete, needs to be defined. Additionally, several aid functions were implemented, among which the following can be highlighted: a comprehensive, embedded reinforcement model to facilitate the introduction of complex rebar geometries; special support and load elements permitting an integrated and simple treatment of the boundary conditions imposed by them; and a simple design algorithm for the automatic determination of the required rebar areas. Three examples of applications to representative 3D D-regions are presented to show the capabilities of the tool. In particular, the analyses of fourteen four-pile caps, three socket base column-to-foundations connections and one anchorage block are described in the third part of the thesis. Results prove that realistic response predictions can be obtained considering relatively simple constitutive models. The capacity of the tool to configure consistent stress field models depending on the reinforcement arrangement is also demonstrated. The generation of rational reinforcement configurations by applying the implemented design algorithm is also shown. A strut-and-tie-based method for the analysis and design of four-pile caps with rectangular geometries is proposed in the fourth part. The method is based on a refined 3D strut-and-tie model and the consideration of three potential modes of failure: exceeding the reinforcement strength, crushing of the diagonal strut at the base of the column with narrowing of the strut and splitting of the diagonal strut due to transverse cracking. The main innovation is that the strut inclination is not fixed as in current strut-and-tie-based design procedures, but determined by maximizing the pile cap strength. The method accounts for strength softening of cracked concrete, compatibility constraints and reinforcement details. Its application to 162 specimens of literature led to very good predictions of the ultimate strength and, to a lesser extent, of the mode of failure. / El método de los elementos finitos es una potente herramienta de análisis que ha facilitado un mejor conocimiento del comportamiento de las estructuras de hormigón armado. Su uso en el ámbito de la investigación está ampliamente extendido. Su aplicación en la práctica ingenieril ha permitido la resolución de elementos complejos. Sin embargo, el ingeniero estructural común todavía es reticente a usar la modelización por elementos finitos ya que considera que la mayoría de estos modelos son excesivamente sofisticados para sus necesidades. La complejidad de muchas herramientas de elementos finitos suele derivarse de la adopción de modelos constitutivos de hormigón avanzados. La implementación de modelos más sencillos podría facilitar su uso por usuarios menos experimentados. En la práctica ingenieril el análisis con elementos finitos puede ser de gran utilidad para tratar aquellos elementos más problemáticos y/o donde la aplicación de los métodos de análisis tradicionales presenta limitaciones. Esto incluye las llamadas regiones D con comportamiento 3D. El método de bielas y tirantes y el método de campos de tensiones son herramientas racionales para el análisis y dimensionamiento de regiones D, pero su extensión a 3D es problemática. Este hecho explica por qué se adoptan todavía hipótesis excesivamente conservadoras en el dimensionamiento de estos elementos. La propuesta de métodos analíticos y de diseño más adecuados o la modelización con elementos finitos podría conducir a soluciones más racionales, lo que a su vez reduciría las necesidades de material y los costes. Como parte de esta tesis se ha desarrollado una herramienta de cálculo no lineal basada en el método de los elementos finitos orientada al análisis y dimensionamiento de regiones D tridimensionales por usuarios con menos experiencia en la modelización con elementos finitos. Se ha adoptado un modelo ortotrópico para el hormigón para permitir el uso de relaciones uniaxiales de tensión-deformación. Sólo es necesario definir un único parámetro, la resistencia a compresión uniaxial del hormigón. Adicionalmente, se han implementado varias funciones de ayuda, entre las que destacan: un modelo de armadura embebida para facilitar la introducción de geometrías de armado complejas; elementos especiales de apoyo y de carga que permiten un tratamiento integral de las condiciones de contorno; y un algoritmo de diseño para la determinación automática del área de armado necesaria. Se presentan tres ejemplos de aplicación a regiones D 3D representativas para mostrar las capacidades de la herramienta. En concreto, en la tercera parte del documento se describen los análisis de catorce encepados, tres cálices de cimentación y un bloque de anclaje. Los resultados muestran que se pueden obtener predicciones bastante realistas considerando modelos constitutivos relativamente sencillos. También se demuestra la capacidad de la herramienta para configurar modelos de campo de tensiones consistentes dependiendo de la configuración de armado. Además se muestra la capacidad del algoritmo de diseño para configurar disposiciones de armado racionales. En la cuarta parte se propone un método para el análisis y dimensionamiento de encepados sobre cuatro pilotes con geometría rectangular. El método se basa en un modelo 3D de bielas y tirantes refinado y la consideración de tres modos de fallo posibles: rotura del acero, aplastamiento de la biela diagonal en la base de la columna con estrechamiento de la misma y splitting de la biela diagonal debido a la fisuración transversal. La principal novedad es que el ángulo de la biela no se fija como en otros modelos, sino que se determina mediante la maximización de la resistencia del encepado. El método considera el debilitamiento de la resistencia del hormigón fisurado, condiciones de compatibilidad de deformaciones y detalles de armado. Su aplicación a 162 especímenes dio luga / El mètode dels elements finits és una potent eina d'anàlisi que ha facilitat un millor coneixement del comportament de les estructures de formigó armat. El seu ús en l'àmbit de la investigació està àmpliament estès. La seua aplicació en la pràctica enginyeril ha permès la resolució d'elements més complexos. No obstant això, l'enginyer estructural comú encara és reticent a fer servir la modelització per elements finits ja que considera que la majoria d'aquests models són excessivament sofisticats per a les seues necessitats i el seu conèixement. En concret, la complexitat de moltes eines d'elements finits sol derivar-se de l'adopció de models constitutius avançats de formigó. La implementació de models més senzills basats en la pràctica enginyeril podria facilitar el seu ús per a usuaris menys experimentats en la modelització amb elements finits. A la pràctica enginyeril l'anàlisi amb elements finits pot ser de gran utilitat per a tractar aquells elements més problemàtics i/o on l'aplicació dels mètodes d'anàlisi tradicionals presenta limitacions. Això inclou les anomenades regions D amb comportament 3D. El mètode de bieles i tirants i el mètode de camps de tensions són eines racionals per a l'anàlisi i dimensionament de regions D, però la seua extensió a 3D és problemàtica. Aquest fet explica per què s'adopten encara hipòtesis excessivament conservadores en el dimensionament d'aquests elements. La proposta de mètodes analítics i de disseny més adequats o la modelització amb elements finits podria conduir a solucions més racionals, amb el que també es reduirien les necessitats de material i els costos. Com a part d'aquesta tesi s'ha desenvolupat una eina de càlcul no lineal basada en el mètode dels elements finits orientada a l'anàlisi i dimensionament de regions D tridimensionals per a usuaris amb menys experiència en la modelització amb elements finits. S'ha adoptat un model ortotròpic per al formigó per permetre l'ús de relacions uniaxials de tensió-deformació. Només cal definir un únic paràmetre, la resistència a compressió uniaxial del formigó. Addicionalment, s'han implementat diverses funcions d'ajuda, entre les quals destaquen: un model d'armadura embeguda per facilitar la introducció de geometries d'armat complexes; elements especials de suport i de càrrega que permeten un tractament integral i senzill de les condicions de contorn; i un algoritme de disseny per a la determinació automàtica de l'àrea d'armat necessari. Es presenten tres exemples d'aplicació a regions D 3D representatives per mostrar les capacitats de l'eina. En particular, en la tercera part del document es descriuen les anàlisis de catorze enceps sobre quatre pilons, 3 calzes de fonamentació i un bloc d'ancoratge. Els resultats mostren que es poden obtenir prediccions prou realistes considerant models constitutius relativament senzills. També es demostra la capacitat de l'eina per configurar models de camp de tensions consistents depenent de la configuració d'armat. A més es mostra la capacitat de l'algoritme de disseny per configurar disposicions d'armat racionals. En la quarta part es proposa un mètode per a l'anàlisi i dimensionament d'enceps sobre quatre pilons amb geometria rectangular. El mètode es basa en un model 3D de bieles i tirants refinat i la consideració de tres modes de fallada possibles: trencament de l'acer, aixafament de la biela diagonal a la base de la columna amb estrenyiment de la mateixa i splitting de la biela diagonal per causa de la fissuració transversal. La principal novetat és que l'angle de la biela no es fixa com en els models actuals de bieles i tirants, sinó que es determina mitjan\c{c}ant la maximització de la resistència de l'encep. El mètode proposat considera el debilitament de la resistència del formigó fissurat, condicions de compatibilitat de deformacions i detalls d'armat. La seua aplicació a 162 espècimens de la liter / Meléndez Gimeno, C. (2017). A finite element-based approach for the analysis and design of 3D reinforced concrete elements and its applications to D-regions [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/86193

The goal of the project is behaviour and dimensioning of selected monolithic concrete structure elements. Design and assessment of the building foundation was made. Slabs of the floors are dimensioned in detail. All computations are made in accordance with Eurocode 2. Drawing documentation is part of this project.