CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / O transplante hepÃtico à o tratamento padrÃo para os portadores de doenÃa hepÃtica terminal. Com o refinamento da tÃcnica cirÃrgica, melhoria da eficÃcia dos imunossupressores, o entendimento da lesÃo de isquemia-reperfusÃo e o uso de soluÃÃes de preservaÃÃo mais fisiolÃgicas, houve um aumento considerÃvel da sobrevida do enxerto hepÃtico, e consequentemente, da sobrevida do paciente. A soluÃÃo de preservaÃÃo de Collins à a mais simples e a mais econÃmica, sendo utilizada desde 1969 principalmente no transplante renal. A soluÃÃo de Belzer à a mais utilizada mundialmente e preserva o enxerto hepÃtico por um perÃodo maior, entretanto com um custo mais elevado. O presente estudo compara 2 esquemas de perfusÃo hepÃtica utilizando a soluÃÃo de Collins e Belzer. A diferenÃa entre os dois grupos à que a soluÃÃo de Belzer infundida pela veia porta à substituÃda pela soluÃÃo de Collins. Foram avaliados 49 pacientes submetidos a transplante hepÃtico com doador falecido no Hospital UniversitÃrio Walter CantÃdio da Universidade Federal do CearÃ. A funÃÃo hepÃtica apÃs o transplante foi avaliada atravÃs das concentraÃÃes sÃricas de AST, ALT, Bilirrubinas e valores de INR (RelaÃÃo Normatizada Internacional do tempo de protrombina) no primeiro e sÃtimo dia pÃs-operatÃrio. O tempo de isquemia fria foi menor que 10 horas em todos os pacientes. NÃo houve diferenÃa entre os dois grupos nos parÃmetros analisados, exceto no INR do grupo em que foi infundida soluÃÃo de Collins na veia porta, que foi maior no 1 PO. Os dois esquemas de preservaÃÃo hepÃtica podem ser utilizados com seguranÃa, desde que observado um tempo de isquemia fria menor que 10 horas. Houve uma reduÃÃo do custo do transplante no grupo que utilizou um menor volume da soluÃÃo de Belzer / The hepatic transplant is the standard treatment for terminal hepatic illness. With the refinement of the surgical technique, improvement of the effectiveness of the immunosuppressive drugs, the better knowledge of the reperfusion injury and the use of more physiological solutions of preservation, had a considerable increase of the survival of hepatic graft. The Collinsâ preservation solution used since 1969 , in renal transplant, is simplest and most economic preservation solution. The Belzerâs solution is used world wide and preserves hepatic graft for a longer period, although more expensive. The present study it compares 2 projects of hepatic perfusion using the Collins and Belzerâs solution. The difference between the two groups is that the Belzerâs solution perfused for the portal vein is substituted by the solution of Collins. At Walter CantÃdio Hospital of the Federal University of the Cearà 49 patients submitted to hepatic transplant of deceased donors graft were evaluated. The hepatic function after the transplant was evaluated through parameters AST, ALT, INR and Bilirubin in first and the seventh postoperative day. The time of cold ischemia was less than 10 hours in all the patients. There was no difference between the two groups in the analyzed parameters, except in the INR of the group where Collinsâ solution in the portal vein was perfused, which was greater in the 1 postoperative day. The two projects of hepatic preservation can be used with security, as the cold ischemia time is less than 10 hours, however, it had a reduction of the cost of the liver transplant in the group that used a lesser volume of the solution of Belzer.

Estudou-se o comportamento de íons de cobre (II) em soluções de tiocianato de sódio por via espectrofotométrica e polarográfica. O estudo espectrofotométrico em força iônica 2,0M, a 25°C, levou a determinação da constante de formação da primeira espécie, Cu SCN+, com máximo de absorção a 342 nm, sendo β1 = 56 M-1 e ε1,max = 495?.mol-1 cm-1. Tentativas de estudar a formação sucessiva dos outros três complexos não levaram a resultado satisfatório devido à instabilidade de cor do sistema cobre(II/SCN-. Extenso estudo levou ao esclarecimento do comportamento polarográfico do cobre (II) em tiocianato, onde havia sérias discordâncias na literatura. Comprovou-se que parte do cobre (II) oxida o ligante, passando a cobre (I), havendo formação de SO=4 e HCN. Há três ondas polarográficas: a primeira, catódica, mas sem descontinuidade com o componente anódico de dissolução de mercúrio pelo eletrólito suporte, devido ao cobre (II) remanescente; a segunda trata da redução do cobre (I) ao amálgama de cobre; a terceira é a onda de redução dos íons de hidrogenia liberados pela oxidação do ligante. Fizeram-se estudos de medidas de potencial no sistema (SCN)2/SCN- com tiocianogênio gerado coulometricamente, ou por agentes químicos oxidantes. Novas perspectivas de trabalho são discutidas. Polarogramas no sistema cobre(I)/SCN-, em força iônica 4,0M, a 25°C, levaram ao primeiro estudo completo de equilíbrio do sistema, caracterizado pelas seguintes constantes de equilíbrio: (Ver no arquivo em PDF) Para o cobre (II) foi estimado o seguinte valor de constante: (Ver no arquivo em PDF) / The behavior of copper (II) in sodium thiocyanate solutions was examined by polarography and spectrophotometry. The spectrophotometric study performed in an ionic strength 2.0M at 25°C, lead to the determination of the formation constant β1 = 56 M-1, referred to Cu SCN+ specie. Its absorption maximum is 342 nm and ε1,max = 495?.mol-1 cm-1. Attempts to study the formation of the others successive complexes were unsuccess full due to color instability in the copper(II)/SCN system. Extensive study lead to the elucidation of the polarographic behavior of copper (II) in thiocyanate supporting electrolite. Severe disagreement was found in the literature about this subject. It has been found that copper (II) oxidises partially the ligand to SO=4 and HCN, with partial formation of copper (I). Three waves were well characterized: the first one is cathodic, but with no discontinuity with the anodic wave of mercury dissolution by thiocyanate, resulting from the presente of the remaining copper (II); the second one is referred to the reduction of copper (I) to copper a malgam; the third wave in the reduction of hydrogen ion released during the oxidation of the ligande. Potential measurement were carried out in the (SCN)2/SCN- system, with thiocyanogen generated by coulometry, or by the action of chemical oxidising agents. New prospects and ideas to be worked were discussed. Polarograms from the copper(I)/SCN- system, were obtained in 4,0M ionic strength and 25°C. They lead to the first complete equilibrium study of this system, with the determination of the following equilibrium constants: (See in PDF file) With regard to copper (II) the foliowing formation constant was estimated: (See in PDF file)

Este trabalho é dedicado ao estudo da existência de soluções da equação de Schrödinger \'DELTA\'u + (\'lambda\' a(x) + 1)u = \' u POT. p, u > 0 em \'R POT. N\', onde a \'> ou =\' 0 é uma função contínua e p > 1 é um expoente subcrítico. Métodos Variacionais são empregados para mostrar a existência de uma sequência \' lambda\' IND. n\' \' SETA\' + \'INFINITO\' e da respectiva sequência de soluções \'u IND. lambda IND. n\' convergindo para uma solução de energia mínima do problema de Dirichlet - \'DELTA\' u + u = \'u POT. p\', ; u > 0em \'OMEGA\', u = 0 sobre \'partial\'\' OMEGA\", sendo \"OMEGA\' := int \'a POT. -1\' (0). Além disso, estuda-se o efeito da topologia do conjunto \'OMEGA\' sobre o número de soluções da equação (*) por meio da categoria de Lusternik e Schnirelman / This work is devoted to study the existence of positive solutions of the Schrödinger equation \'DELTA\'u + (\'lambda\'a(x) + 1)u = \' u POT. p\', u > 0 in \'R POT. N\', where a is a nonnegative and continuous function and p > 1 is a subcritical exponent. Variational methods are employed in order to show the existence of a sequence \'lambda\' IND. n\' \"ARROW\' + \'THE INFINITE\' and the respective sequence of solutions converging in \'H POT. 1\' (\'R POT.N\' ) to a least energy solution of the Dirichlet problem - \'DELTA\'u + u = \'u POT. p\' ; u > 0 in \'OMEGA\', u = 0 on \'partial\' \' OMEGA\', where \'OMEGA\' : = int \'a POT. -1 (0) Furthermore, it is studied the effect of the topology of the set \'OMEGA\' on the number of positive solutions of the equation (*) by using the Lusternik and Schnirelman category

Ingeniero Civil en Computación / Este trabajo se realizó en Sixbell Nekotec Solutions, empresa que provee de soluciones de voz y datos a trav ́es de toda América. Su software permite desde recibir llamadas hasta procesarlas, donde, por ejemplo, se puede implementar un sistema de prepago o un call center. El software central para el trabajo es el SCE, herramienta escrita en JAVA que permite, gráficamente, programar aplicaciones CCXML/VXML, que son las que operan en los sistemas de Sixbell. Su disen ̃o permite, aunque con algunas limitaciones, la introducción de nuevos lenguajes que hacen que este programa pueda cambiar su funcionalidad, pareciéndose más a un IDE de programación gráfica, mediante entidades y enlaces entre ellos, por lo que cualquier problema que pueda ser modelado como flujo o diagrama podría ser resuelto con el SCE. El configurador entonces se empezó a desarrollar como un lenguaje del SCE, pero para po- der ser ocupado completamente, el SCE tuvo que ser modificado y varias partes rediseñadas de manera de no solo se compatible con este nuevo lenguaje, sino que hacer frente desde ya a nuevos problemas que puedan ser modelados con este especie de IDE gráfico. Para ello se modificó la manera en que se dibujan los elementos en pantalla, pues antes solo exist ́ıan flechas para unir las entidades y ahora se pueden poner lineas con flechas en ambos sentidos o sin punta o con punta cuadrada, se hizo un completo refactoring de cómo se comportan los enlaces y demás elementos gráficos y además se trabajó con la retrocompatibilidad para hacer que aplicaciones antiguas del SCE pudieran ser usadas en las nuevas versiones. El configurador terminado permitió a la empresa cambiar su forma de trabajar con los sistemas que venden y usan, desde su creación todos empezaron a adoptarlo como primera opción al configurar un sistema y rápidamente ya se tenían templates de aplicaciones del SCE prácticamente listas para distintos escenarios. Además comenzaron a usarlo en distintos países donde Sixbell está presente como México y Colombia, donde sus unidades de negocio dieron muy buenos comentarios sobre esta herramienta. En conclusión, se logró la creación de una poderosa herramienta, a partir de software ya existente en la empresa lo que da dos resultados positivos para Sixbell : el SCE como un producto aparte que puede modelar y solucionar más problemas que involucren flujos o diagramas, y el configurador que permite a la empresa tener una ventaja frente a sus competidores dadas sus características que benefician a los operadores de los sistemas y ayudan a mejorar los tiempos de puesta en marcha y de reacción frente a escenarios negativos.

University of Macau / Faculty of Science and Technology / Department of Mathematics

University of Macau / Faculty of Science and Technology / Department of Mathematics

The Institute for Global Studies (IGS) at Claremont High School in Victoria, Canada is a distinctive local example of “transformative education” that features a transdisciplinary, problem-based and globally oriented program within the public secondary school system. Launched in 2012, and arising from earlier pioneering courses in global studies, the IGS has now graduated two cohorts, and has led the founding educators to raise questions about which aspects of the students’ experience were thought to be most important after graduation and what graduates did with the skills they acquired. Part 1 is an extensive description of the background experience of the main founding educator that led to the creation of the original global studies course, and eventually the IGS itself. Part 2, the study itself, includes a review of relevant literature. It draws upon a range of writings about transformative education, including reviews of “whole school approaches to sustainability”. Relatively few systematic evaluations of these programs were found. A recent study from Bangladesh evaluated the effect of a climate change curriculum using a randomized cluster design. It demonstrated significant increases in relevant knowledge gain by students using the government recommended curriculum. The research question in this study was: “What impact has Global Studies/Global Solutions had on students who have taken it and what will they do with the skills they have acquired? Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight (8) program graduates, using a set of standard questions as a guide. Study participants were selected from a pool of graduates by an independent researcher, to ensure a range of views, taking into account gender diversity, ethnic diversity, experience with both programs (Global studies and IGS), and post-program experiences. Research findings about program impact included both expected and unexpected results. Expected impacts included the transformative nature of the learning, the positive (hopeful) experience itself, and the effectiveness of the interdisciplinary, problem-solving approach. Unexpected impacts included the power of collaborative learning, and the value of guest speakers from various backgrounds who served as powerful role models. Regarding how graduates used what they learned, this included the further application of interdisciplinary learning and problem solving at a university level, and increased confidence that they could “make a difference”. The experience also guided career directions--for example, in the choice of university study programs. One graduate is volunteering with a non-government organization at a rural school in a low-income setting. Another graduate, while not going on to tertiary education, is using the experience to guide his work vocation. In summary, the global studies/IGS program has had important impacts on graduates, both expected and unexpected. Graduates use distinctive learning skills in subsequent university studies. For some the experience influenced specific career directions. / Graduate

Class of 2015 Abstract / Objectives: To determine if a change in the amount of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) in 5 different IV solutions will help prevent phenytoin from falling out of solution (i.e. precipitating). Our working hypothesis is that the stability of the phenytoin solution will change with different IV solutions and will increase with increasing the amount of sodium bicarbonate. Methods: A constant amount of phenytoin injection solution was mixed with a constant amount of one IV solution per beaker. Different amounts of alkalizing agents were then added to each phenytoin and IV mixture. Precipitation of the mixtures was observed every 30 minutes for 4 hours, then again in 24 hours. Results: When different IV solutions were added to the phenytoin and alkalizing agent mixture , the pH of the mixture dropped from 10 to 9 independent of the amount of alkalizing agent present in the mixture. All phenytoin mixtures precipitated within 60 minutes; 0.9% NaCl and phenytoin mixture being the one with the most delayed precipitation. Conclusions: Based on the result of this experiment, we rejected both of our specific aim hypotheses. Our hypothesis is rejected because the stability of the phenytoin solution will not change by using different IV solutions or by changing the amount of sodium bicarbonate.

Microfluidics refers to devices and methods for controlling and manipulating fluid flows at length scales less than a millimeter. Miniaturization of a laboratory to a small device, usually termed as lab-on-a-chip, is an advanced technology that integrates a microfluidic system including channels, mixers, reservoirs, pumps and valves on a micro scale chip and can manipulate very small sample volumes of fluids. While several flow control concepts for microfluidic devices have been developed to date, here flow control concepts based on thermally responsive polymer solutions are presented. In particular, flow control concepts base on the thermally triggered reversible phase change of aqueous solutions of the polymer Pluronic will be discussed. Selective heating of small regions of microfluidic channels, which leads to localized gel formation in these channels and reversible channel blockage, will be used to control a membrane valve that controls flow in a separate channel. This new technology will allow generating inexpensive portable bioanalysis tools where microvalve actuation occurs simply through heaters at a constant pressure source without a need for large external pressure control systems as is currently the case. Furthermore, a concept for controlled cross-channel transport of particles and potentially cells is presented that relies on the continuous regeneration of a gel wall at the diffusive interface of two co-streaming fluids in a microfluidic channel. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Mechanical Engineering, Department of / Graduate

The philosophy of green chemistry has seen much development in the past decade. The use of environmentally benign solvents is amongst the areas of green chemistry that have received the most attention. In this context, imidazolium ionic liquids have been widely reported to offer high product yields, fast reaction rates, excellent selectivity and generally mild working conditions, when used as reaction media. In addition, concerns about costs of solvents and the long-term environmental impact that can potentially result when solvents are discarded after their use have led to focused investigations into solvent-free procedures, as reported in recent literature. We have set out to explore the extent to which these advantages could be realized within our research. Non-volatile, non-flammable imidazolium ionic liquids [bmim][I], [bmim][BF4] and [bmim][PF6] were used as green solvents in ferrocene chemistry. Ferrocenoate esters were synthesised efficiently by the respective DCC/DMAP-promoted reactions of ferrocenecarboxylic acid and substituted benzoic acids or, alternatively, the DMAP-promoted reactions of ferrocenoyl fluoride with a range of substituted phenols in [bmim][BF4] and [bmim][PF6]. High yields and short reaction times were achieved. In addition, the ionic liquid was reused several times without a reduction in product yields. Under solvent-free conditions, DCC/DMAP-promoted reactions provided high yields within 3 min of reaction. The possible rearrangement of one of the intermediates in these reactions was modelled theoretically using density function theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31G* level of approximation. Catalyst-free esterification was achieved by the application of microwave radiation to the reaction of ferrocenoyl fluoride and a range of substituted phenols. All the reactions were complete after 1 min of irradiation and products were isolated in high yield. DPAT, HfCl4, Sc(OTf)3 and Al(OTf)3 were screened as catalysts for esterification in [bmim][BF4] and under solvent-free conditions at various temperatures. All attempts at esterification of ferrocenecarboxylic acid with alcohols and phenols were unsuccessful. The Suzuki cross-coupling reaction was carried out in [bmim][BF4]. The isolated yields are, however, poor and suffer from poor reproducibility with different batches of [bmim][BF4] used.