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Microalgae are considered as a potential feedstock for many promising applications. Some active substances in microalgae have plant biostimulation effects potentially useful in agriculture. However, to produce such a microalgal biomass, specific microalgae cultivation and post-treatment processes must be designed to preserve active substances. A particular focus is provided on cultivation (tubular photobioreactor) and different plausible post-treatment scenarios for microalgae separation (flocculation and centrifugation) and preservation (sterilization and drying). For each step, yield and energy consumption are modeled using data taken from literature or lab and pilot scale experiments. Industrial equipment for scale-up process is also studied by comparing existing systems. These models enable to make an economic evaluation of the whole process and to study its profitability for each scenario. The breakeven price is calculated as a function of the production rate. Several parameters are suggested to improve system efficiency and profitability at the end of this study. However, a better microalgae characterization and more experiments on potential post-treatment systems are required to improve the accuracy of the model.

No / Spheric and anisotropic gold nanoparticles (GNPs) such as rods, stars or nanoprism prepared using hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as the stabilising agent have received a great deal of interest in the last years. The literature procedures exploited lead to GNPs in aqueous solution. We herein describe a fast, efficient, and cheap method to transfer particles of different shapes from water into toluene solution via ligand exchange (CTAB to dodecanethiol), which was mediated by acetone as a cosolvent. Absorption spectra and TEM-pictures before and after the transfer revealed that the particles survived the transfer intact and without change in shape.

RESUME La Trypanosomiase Humain Africaine (THA) demeure un problème de santé publique pour plusieurs pays en Afrique subsaharienne. Le contrôle de la THA est basé essentiellement sur la stratégie de dépistage actif suivi du traitement des personnes infectées. Le dépistage actif est réalisé par des unités mobiles spécialisées, bien que les services de santé fixes jouent un rôle important en détectant « passivement » des cas. Le dépistage reposait jadis sur la palpation ganglionnaire mais, depuis le développement du test d’agglutination sur carte (CATT), trois possibilités se sont offertes aux programmes de contrôle à savoir: i) continuer avec la palpation ganglionnaire ii) combiner la palpation ganglionnaire avec le CATT iii) recourir au CATT seul. Certains programmes comme celui de la République Démocratique du Congo (RDC) ont opté pour la combinaison en parallèle de la palpation ganglionnaire avec le CATT. Toute personne ayant une hypertrophie ganglionnaire cervicale et/ou un CATT positif est considéré comme suspecte de la THA. Elle sera soumise aux tests parasitologiques de confirmation à cause de la toxicité des médicaments anti-THA. Les tests parasitologiques classiques sont l’examen du suc ganglionnaire (PG), l’examen du sang à l’état frais (SF), la goutte épaisse colorée (GE). La sensibilité de cette séquence a été estimée insuffisante par plusieurs auteurs et serait à la base d’une grande perte de l’efficacité de la stratégie dépistage-traitement. D’autres techniques de concentration ont été développées comme la mini-Anion Exchange Concentration Technique (mAECT), la Centrifugation en Tube Capillaire (CTC) et le Quantitative Buffy Coat (QBC), mais ces techniques de concentration ne sont pas utilisées en routine. En RDC, une interruption des activités de contrôle en 1990 a eu comme conséquence une réémergence importante de la maladie du sommeil. Depuis 1998 les activités de contrôle ont été refinancées de manière structurée. Ce travail vise deux buts à savoir le plaidoyer pour la continuité des activités de contrôle et la rationalisation des stratégies de contrôle. Nous avons évalué l’évolution de la maladie du sommeil en rapport avec le financement, son impact sur les ménages ainsi que la communauté. L’exercice de rationalisation a porté sur les outils de dépistage et de confirmation. Nous avons d’abord évalué la validité des tests, leur faisabilité ainsi que les coûts et ensuite nous avons effectué une analyse décisionnelle formelle pour comparer les algorithmes de dépistage et pour les tests de confirmation. Pendant la période de refinancement structurel de la lutte contre la THA en RDC (1998-2003), le budget alloué aux activités a été doublé lorsqu’on le compare à la période précédente (1993-1997). Le nombre des personnes examinées a aussi doublé mais par contre le nombre des nouveaux cas de THA est passé d’un pic de 26 000 cas en 1998 à 11 000 en 2003. Le coût par personne examinée a été de 1,5 US$ et celui d’un cas détecté et sauvé à 300 US$. Pendant cette période, les activités ont été financées par l’aide extérieure à plus de 95%. Cette subvention pourrait laisser supposer que l’impact de la THA au niveau des ménages et des communautés est réduit mais lorsque nous avons abordé cet aspect, il s’est avéré que le coût de la THA au niveau des ménages équivaut à un mois de leur revenu et que la THA fait perdre 2145 DALYs dans la communauté. L’intervention par la stratégie de dépistage-traitement a permis de sauver 1408 DALYs à un coût de 17 US$ par DALYs sauvé. Ce coût classe l’intervention comme « good value for money ». Le recours au CATT seul s’est avéré comme la stratégie la plus efficiente pour le dépistage actif. Le gain marginal lorsque l’on ajoute la palpation ganglionnaire en parallèle est minime et n’est pas compensé par le coût élevé lié à un nombre important des suspects soumis aux tests parasitologiques. Les techniques de concentration ont une bonne sensibilité et leur faisabilité est acceptable. Leur ajout à l’arbre classique améliore la sensibilité de 29 % pour la CTC et de 42% pour la mAECT. Le coût de la CTC a été de 0,76 € et celui de la mAECT de 2,82 €. Le SF a été estimé très peu sensible. L’algorithme PG- GE-CTC-mAECT a été le plus efficient avec 277 € par vie sauvée et un ratio de coût-efficacité marginal de 125 € par unité de vie supplémentaire sauvée. L’algorithme PG-GE-CATT titration avec traitement des personnes avec une parasitologie négative mais un CATT positif à un seuil de 1/8 devient compétitif lorsque la prévalence de la THA est élevée. Il est donc possible dans le contexte actuel de réduire la prévalence de la THA mais à condition que les activités ne soient pas interrompues. Le recours à un algorithme recourant au CATT dans le dépistage actif et à la séquence PG-GE-CTC-mAECT est le plus efficient et une efficacité de 80%. La faisabilité et l’efficacité peut être différent d’un endroit à l’autre à cause de la focalisation de la THA. Il est donc nécessaire de réévaluer cet algorithme dans un autre foyer de THA en étude pilote avant de décider d’un changement de politique. Le recours à cet algorithme implique un financement supplémentaire et une volonté politique. SUMMARY Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) remains a major public health problem affecting several countries in sub-Saharan Africa. HAT control is essentially based on active case finding conducted by specialized mobile teams. In the past the population screening was based on neck gland palpation, but since the development of the Card Agglutination Test for Trypanosomiasis (CATT) three control options are available to the control program: i) neck gland palpation ii) CATT iii) neck gland palpation and CATT done in parallel . Certain programs such as the one in DRC opted for the latter, combining CATT and neck gland palpation. All persons having hypertrophy of the neck gland and/or a positive CATT test are considered to be a HAT suspect. Confirmation tests are necessary because the screening algorithms are not 100 % specific and HAT drugs are very toxic. The classic parasitological confirmation tests are lymph node puncture (LNP), fresh blood examination (FBE) and thick blood film (TBF). The sensitivity of this combination is considered insufficient by several authors and causes important losses of efficacy of the screening-treatment strategy. More sensitive concentration methods were developed such as the mini Anion Exchange Concentration Techniques (mAECT), Capillary Tube Centrifugation (CTC) and the Quantitative Buffy Coat (QBC), but they are not used on a routine basis. Main reasons put forward are low feasibility, high cost and long time of execution. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, HAT control activities were suddenly interrupted in 1990 and this led to an important re-emergence or the epidemic. Since 1998 onwards, control activities were financed again in a structured way. This works aims to be both a plea for the continuation of HAT control as well as a contribution to the rationalization of the control strategies. We analyzed the evolution of sleeping sickness in the light of its financing, and we studied its impact on the household and the community. We aimed at a rationalization of the use of the screening and confirmation tools. We first evaluated the validity of the tests, their feasibility and the cost and we did a formal decision analysis to compare screening and confirmation algorithms. The budget allocated to control activities was doubled during the period when structural aid funding was again granted (1998-2003) compared with the period before (1993-1997). The number of persons examined per year doubled as well but the number of cases found peaked at 26 000 in 1998 and dropped to 11 000 in the period afterwards. The cost per person examined was 1.5 US$ and per case detected and saved was 300 US$. The activities were financed for 95 % by external donors during this period. This subvention could give the impression that the impact of HAT on the household and the household was limited but when we took a closer look at this aspect we found that the cost at household level amounted to one month of income and that HAT caused the loss of 2145 DALYs in the community. The intervention consisting of active case finding and treatment allowed to save 1408 DALY’s at a cost of 17 US$ per DALY, putting the intervention in the class of “good value for money”. The use of CATT alone as screening test emerged as the most efficient strategy for active case finding. The marginal gain when neck gland palpation is added is minor and is not compensated by the high cost of doing the parasitological confirmation test on a high number of suspected cases. The concentration methods have a good sensitivity and acceptable feasibility. Adding them to the classical tree improves its sensitivity with 29 % for CTC and with 42 % for mAECT. The cost of CTC was 0.76 US$ and of mAECT was 2.82 US$. Sensitivity of fresh blood examination was poor. The algorithm LNP-TBF-CTC-mAECT was the most efficient costing 277 Euro per life saved and a marginal cost effectiveness ratio of 125 Euro per supplementary life saved. The algorithm LNP-TBF-CATT titration with treatment of persons with a negative parasitology but a CATT positive at a dilution of 1/8 and more becomes competitive when HAT prevalence is high. We conclude that it is possible in the current RDC context to reduce HAT prevalence on condition that control activities are not interrupted. Using an algorithm that includes CATT in active case finding and the combination LNP-TBF-CTC-mAECT is the most efficient with an efficacy of 80 %. Feasibility and efficacy may differ from one place to another because HAT is very focalized, so it is necessary to test this novel algorithm in another HAT focus on a pilot basis, before deciding on a policy change. Implementation of this algorithm will require additional financial resources and political commitment.

Hedgehog (Hh) proteins control animal development and tissue homeostasis. They activate gene expression by regulating processing, stability, and activation of Gli/Cubitus interruptus (Ci) transcription factors. Hh proteins are secreted and spread through tissue, despite becoming covalently linked to sterol during processing. Multiple mechanisms have been proposed to release Hh proteins in distinct forms; in Drosophila, lipoproteins facilitate long-range Hh mobilization but also contain lipids that repress the pathway. Here, we show that mammalian lipoproteins have conserved roles in Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) release and pathway repression. We demonstrate that lipoprotein-associated forms of Hh and Shh specifically block lipoprotein-mediated pathway inhibition. We also identify a second conserved release form that is not sterol-modified and can be released independently of lipoproteins (Hh-N*/Shh-N*). Lipoprotein-associated Hh/Shh and Hh-N*/Shh-N* have complementary and synergistic functions. In Drosophila wing imaginal discs, lipoprotein-associated Hh increases the amount of full-length Ci, but is insufficient for target gene activation. However, small amounts of non-sterol-modified Hh synergize with lipoprotein-associated Hh to fully activate the pathway and allow target gene expression. The existence of Hh secretion forms with distinct signaling activities suggests a novel mechanism for generating a diversity of Hh responses.

A cartilagem articular, por sua natureza avascular, apresenta uma capacidade limitada de regeneração. Uma abordagem terapêutica para o tratamento de defeitos da cartilagem consiste na utilização de células ou tecidos aplicados ao local da lesão. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação de centrifugado de medula óssea autóloga em lesões osteocondrais no joelho de coelhos, em comparação com um grupo controle de lesões osteocondrais sem preenchimento, analisando o comportamento histológico destes grupos em função do tempo. Foram utilizados doze coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia, albinos, machos, adultos, submetidos a uma lesão osteocondral, de 4 mm de diâmetro e 3 mm de profundidade, em ambos os joelhos, na região da tróclea femoral. Nos joelhos direitos, que constituíram o Grupo Estudo, o defeito osteocondral foi preenchido por um coágulo de células mesenquimais, obtidas por centrifugação de um aspirado da medula óssea e selado com cola de fibrina. Nos joelhos esquerdos, que constituíram o Grupo Controle, o defeito osteocondral não recebeu qualquer preenchimento. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos de quatro coelhos, estudados após oito, 16 e 24 semanas. Os resultados foram descritos com base em uma escala de pontuação histológica que avaliou a morfologia celular, a reconstrução do osso subcondral, o aspecto da matriz, o preenchimento do defeito, a regularidade da superfície e a conexão das margens. A análise estatística foi realizada pelo Teste t-student para dados pareados na comparação entre Grupo Estudo e Grupo Controle. Para as comparações através do fator temporal, utilizou-se o Teste ANOVA one way. Com 5% de confiança, rejeitou-se a hipótese de igualdade entre os Grupos Estudo e Controle. Notou-se uma distância decrescente entre os escores dos Grupos Estudo e Controle com o aumento do tempo, bem como uma tendência crescente do valor da escala para o Grupo Controle. Concluiu-se que a aplicação de centrifugado de medula óssea em defeitos osteocondrais no joelho de coelhos mostrou melhor resultado na avaliação histológica, em comparação ao Grupo Controle. Analisando a evolução dos grupos através do tempo, houve uma aproximação de seus escores histológicos, sobretudo pelo aumento observado no Grupo Controle / The articular cartilage, due to its avascular nature, presents a limited regeneration capacity. A therapeutical approach to the treatment of cartilage defects consists of the utilization of cells or tissues applied to the lesion site. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of applying autologous bone marrow centrifuged in osteochondral lesions in the knees of rabbits, compared to a control group of osteochondral lesions without any filling, analyzing the behavior of these groups in terms of time. Twelve adult albino male New Zealand rabbits were used being submitted to an osteochondral lesion of 4 mm in diameter and 3 mm deep in both knees, at the femoral trochlea area. On the right knees, which comprised the Study Group, the osteochondral defect was filled by a clot of mesenchymal cells, obtained by centrifugation of an aspirate from bone marrow and sealed with fibrin glue. On the left knees, which comprised the Control Group, the osteochondral defect did not get any filling. The animals were divided into 3 groups of 4 rabbits, and studied after eight, 16 and 24 weeks. The results were described based on a histological grading scale which took into account the cell morphology, the subchondral bone reconstruction, the matrix staining, the filling of the defect, the surface regularity and the bonding of the edges. The statistical analysis was made by the t-student Test for paired data in the comparison between the Study Group and the Control Group. For the comparisons made by the time factor, it was used the ANOVA Test one way. With 5% level of confidence, the hypothesis of equality between the Study and Control Groups was rejected. It was observed a decreasing distance between scores of the Study and Control Groups as time increased, as well as an increasing tendency of the scale value for the Control Group. It was concluded that the application of autologous bone marrow centrifuged in osteochondral defects in the knees of rabbits showed better result in histological evaluation, in comparison to the Control Group. By analyzing the evolution of the groups through time, there was an approach of their histological scores, especially by the increase observed in the Control Group

O desenvolvimento de materiais nanoestruturados tem se destacado devido a necessidade de miniaturização de dispositivos e a procura por novos efeitos físicos e químicos capazes de gerar novas tecnologias. Um importante composto com aplicações principalmente em óptica é o YAG (Y3Al5O12) presente no sistema cerâmico alumina-ítria (\'AL IND.2\'O IND.3\'-\'Y IND.2\'O IND.3\'). O YAG apresenta estrutura cristalina cúbica, expansão térmica isotrópica e não apresenta efeitos de birrefringência, o que possibilita a produção de cerâmica transparente para uso como material hospedeiro de íons terras-raras para o desenvolvimento de lasers de estado sólido. O ponto de partida em processamento cerâmico começa com o conhecimento das características físico-químicas do pó do composto. Em nosso trabalho, o objetivo foi o desenvolvimento de uma metodologia para a obtenção de nanopós de YAG de tamanhos médios diferenciados. Para isso foram realizados distintos processos químicos de síntese, e também, foram utilizados diferentes processos de separação, como a centrifugação e a sedimentação. Na produção das nanopartículas foram utilizados três métodos de síntese: Método de Pechini, Rota Glicerol e Método de Coprecipitação. No método de Pechini avaliou-se o efeito de diferentes valores de pH (1, 4, 7, 9 e 11) e procurou-se correlacionar com os tamanhos médios das nanopartículas. Após a obtenção do pó precursor foram realizadas medidas de decomposição térmica (DSC e TG), observando as principais transformações físico-químicas do material decorrentes dos diferentes métodos de síntese. A formação da fase cristalina do YAG foi determinada por difração de raios X e uma análise estrutural foi efetuada por espectroscopia de infravermelho. Medidas de área superficial específica (BET) foram usadas para avaliar o tamanho médio das partículas. Nanopós de YAG com diferentes intervalos de tamanhos foram produzidos, e o rendimento para cada intervalo de tamanho definido. / Nanostructured materials has emerged because the intense interest for miniaturization of devices and crescent demand for new physical and chemical effects that can generate new technologies. An important compound with applications mainly in optics is the YAG (Y3Al5O12). It\'s present in the alumina-yttria ceramic system (\'AL IND.2\'O IND.3\'-\'Y IND.2\'O IND.3\'). The YAG has a cubic crystaline structure, isotropic thermal expansion and it has no birefringence effects, which allows the production of transparent ceramics to use as host of solid-state lasers. The starting point in ceramic processing begins with the knowledge of the characteristics and physical and chemical properties of the powder. In our work, the goal was the development of a methodology for obtaining YAG nanopowders of different average sizes. To do this we performed distinct chemical synthesis, and we also used different separation processes such as centrifugation and sedimentation. For production of nanoparticles we used three synthesis methods: Pechini, glycerol route and coprecipitation. In the Pechini method we evaluated the effect of different pH values (1, 4, 7, 9 and 11) and tried to correlate with the average sizes of nanoparticles. After obtain the precursor powders we studied the decomposition thermal (DSC and TG) process, arising from the different synthesis methods. The crystalline phase of YAG was determined by x-ray diffraction and the structural analysis was carried out by infrared spectroscopy. Specific surface area measurements (BET) were used to evaluate the average particle size.YAG nanopowders with different average sizes were produced.

Nanopartículas de prata (AgNPs) vêm ganhando grande importância na prevenção contra infecções, principalmente pela sua incorporação em dispositivos médicos, tecidos entre outros produtos relacionados. Estudos prévios indicaram que partículas de menores tamanhos têm ação biocida mais efetiva. Nesse contexto, a separação granulométrica pode ser explorada para se obter partículas com as dimensões desejadas. A centrifugação foi escolhida, entre outros métodos de separação granulométrica, por sua possibilidade de ressuspensão das AgNPs após a separação, pela facilidade do aumento de escala e baixa complexidade. Um modelo do perfil de concentração (em uma cela centrífuga) de AgNPs em função do tempo e intensidade de centrifugação foi proposto a partir da Equação de Lamm, considerando a difusividade Browniana e o coeficiente de Svedberg calculado a partir do balanço de forças. A equação foi resolvida com a solução semi-analítica proposta inicialmente por Fujita (1962) e melhorada pelos alemães Joachim Behlke e Otto Ristau (2001). O desempenho da centrifugação de AgNPs sintetizadas pelo Método Turkevich foi avaliado analisando-se as partículas sobrenadantes por DLS, UV-Vis e microscopia eletrônica e comparando com o modelo proposto. O modelo previu razoavelmente a concentração total de partículas e a sua distribuição de tamanhos em diferentes tempos de centrifugação para forças de campo baixas (força centrífuga relativa até 1480). Para maiores forças de campo, houve uma sedimentação mais acelerada que a prevista pelo modelo. / Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained great importance in preventing infections, especially by their incorporation into medical devices, tissues and related products. Previous studies indicated that particles of smaller sizes have more effective biocidal action. In this context, granulometric separation may be explored to deliver nanoparticles of desired size. Centrifugation was chosen, among other particle size separation methods, for their ability to resuspend the AgNPs after separation, for the ease of scale-up and low complexity. A profile concentration model (in the centrifuge cell) of AgNPs as a function of time and intensity of centrifugation has been proposed from the Lamm equation, considering the Svedberg and Brownian diffusivity coefficients calculated from a force balance. The equation was solved with the semi-analytical solution proposed initially by Fujita (1962) and improved by the Germans Joachim Behlke and Otto Ristau (2001). The centrifugation performance of AgNPs synthesized by the Turkevich method was evaluated by analyzing the supernatant particles by DLS, UV-Vis and electron microscopy and comparing to the proposed model. The model reasonably predicted the total concentration of particles and their size distribution at different centrifugation times at low field strengths (1480 RCF). For higher field strengths, the sedimentation was faster than expected by the model.

A cartilagem articular, por sua natureza avascular, apresenta uma capacidade limitada de regeneração. Uma abordagem terapêutica para o tratamento de defeitos da cartilagem consiste na utilização de células ou tecidos aplicados ao local da lesão. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação de centrifugado de medula óssea autóloga em lesões osteocondrais no joelho de coelhos, em comparação com um grupo controle de lesões osteocondrais sem preenchimento, analisando o comportamento histológico destes grupos em função do tempo. Foram utilizados doze coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia, albinos, machos, adultos, submetidos a uma lesão osteocondral, de 4 mm de diâmetro e 3 mm de profundidade, em ambos os joelhos, na região da tróclea femoral. Nos joelhos direitos, que constituíram o Grupo Estudo, o defeito osteocondral foi preenchido por um coágulo de células mesenquimais, obtidas por centrifugação de um aspirado da medula óssea e selado com cola de fibrina. Nos joelhos esquerdos, que constituíram o Grupo Controle, o defeito osteocondral não recebeu qualquer preenchimento. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos de quatro coelhos, estudados após oito, 16 e 24 semanas. Os resultados foram descritos com base em uma escala de pontuação histológica que avaliou a morfologia celular, a reconstrução do osso subcondral, o aspecto da matriz, o preenchimento do defeito, a regularidade da superfície e a conexão das margens. A análise estatística foi realizada pelo Teste t-student para dados pareados na comparação entre Grupo Estudo e Grupo Controle. Para as comparações através do fator temporal, utilizou-se o Teste ANOVA one way. Com 5% de confiança, rejeitou-se a hipótese de igualdade entre os Grupos Estudo e Controle. Notou-se uma distância decrescente entre os escores dos Grupos Estudo e Controle com o aumento do tempo, bem como uma tendência crescente do valor da escala para o Grupo Controle. Concluiu-se que a aplicação de centrifugado de medula óssea em defeitos osteocondrais no joelho de coelhos mostrou melhor resultado na avaliação histológica, em comparação ao Grupo Controle. Analisando a evolução dos grupos através do tempo, houve uma aproximação de seus escores histológicos, sobretudo pelo aumento observado no Grupo Controle / The articular cartilage, due to its avascular nature, presents a limited regeneration capacity. A therapeutical approach to the treatment of cartilage defects consists of the utilization of cells or tissues applied to the lesion site. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of applying autologous bone marrow centrifuged in osteochondral lesions in the knees of rabbits, compared to a control group of osteochondral lesions without any filling, analyzing the behavior of these groups in terms of time. Twelve adult albino male New Zealand rabbits were used being submitted to an osteochondral lesion of 4 mm in diameter and 3 mm deep in both knees, at the femoral trochlea area. On the right knees, which comprised the Study Group, the osteochondral defect was filled by a clot of mesenchymal cells, obtained by centrifugation of an aspirate from bone marrow and sealed with fibrin glue. On the left knees, which comprised the Control Group, the osteochondral defect did not get any filling. The animals were divided into 3 groups of 4 rabbits, and studied after eight, 16 and 24 weeks. The results were described based on a histological grading scale which took into account the cell morphology, the subchondral bone reconstruction, the matrix staining, the filling of the defect, the surface regularity and the bonding of the edges. The statistical analysis was made by the t-student Test for paired data in the comparison between the Study Group and the Control Group. For the comparisons made by the time factor, it was used the ANOVA Test one way. With 5% level of confidence, the hypothesis of equality between the Study and Control Groups was rejected. It was observed a decreasing distance between scores of the Study and Control Groups as time increased, as well as an increasing tendency of the scale value for the Control Group. It was concluded that the application of autologous bone marrow centrifuged in osteochondral defects in the knees of rabbits showed better result in histological evaluation, in comparison to the Control Group. By analyzing the evolution of the groups through time, there was an approach of their histological scores, especially by the increase observed in the Control Group

[Truncated abstract] Three-legged mobile jack-up rigs supported on spudcan foundations are used to perform most offshore drilling in shallow to moderate water depths, and are now capable of operating in water depths up to 130 m. With the gradual move towards heavier rigs in deeper water, and continuing high accident rates during preloading of the spudcan foundations, appraisal of the performance and safety of jack-up rigs has become increasingly important. A crucial aspect of this is to improve understanding of the mechanisms of soil flow around spudcan foundations undergoing continuous large penetration, and to provide accurate estimates of spudcan penetration resistance, avoiding excessive conservatism. Spudcan foundations undergo progressive penetration during preloading, contrasting with onshore practice where a footing is placed at the base of a pre-excavated hole or trench. However, spudcan penetration is generally assessed within the framework used for onshore foundations, considering the bearing resistance of spudcans pre-placed at different depths within the soil profile. The lack of accurate design approaches that take proper account of the nature of spudcan continuous penetration, which is particularly important in layered soil profiles, is an important factor in the high rate of accidents. ... It was found that when a spudcan penetrated into single layer clay, there were three distinct penetration mechanisms: during initial penetration, soil flow extended upwards to the surface leading to surface heave and formation of a cavity above the spudcan; with further penetration, soil began to flow back gradually onto the top of the spudcan; during deep penetration, soil back-flow continued to occur while the initial cavity remained unchanged. For spudcan penetration in stiff-over-soft clay, four interesting aspects of the soil flow mechanisms were identified: (a) vertically downward motion of the soil and consequent deformation of the layer interface; (b) trapping of the stronger material beneath the spudcan, with this material being carried down into the underlying soft layer; (c) delayed back-flow of soil around the spudcan into the cavity formed above the spudcan; (d) eventual localised flow around the embedded spudcan, surrounded by strong soil. At some stage during continuous spudcan penetration, the soil starts to flow back into the cavity above the spudcan. The resulting back-flow provides a seal above the penetrating spudcan and limits the cavity depth. It was shown that the current offshore design guidelines are based on the wrong criterion for when back-flow occurs. New design charts with robust expressions were developed to estimate the point of back-flow and hence the cavity depth above the installed spudcan. Load-penetration responses were presented in terms of normalised soil properties and geometry factors for both single layer and two-layer clay profiles, taking full account of the observed flow mechanisms. Further, guidelines were suggested to evaluate the likelihood and severity of spudcan punch-through failure in layered clays. Finally, the effect of strain-rate and strain-softening was examined, in an attempt to model real soil behaviour more closely. Adjustment factors were proposed to modify the design approaches developed on the basis of ideal elastic-perfectly plastic soil behaviour.