A queima de biomassa produz gases tóxicos e partículas suspensas que contribuem para a poluição atmosférica. Este estudo avaliou os efeitos da colheita de cana-de-açúcar queimada sobre o transporte mucociliar (TMC) nasal, as propriedades físicas do muco nasal e celularidade e concentrações de citocinas em lavado nasal (LN) de cortadores de cana-de-açúcar e residentes de região urbana próxima aos canaviais (Mendonça, São Paulo). Métodos: Avaliamos 154 jovens não tabagistas (idade entre 18 e 43 anos) sendo 73 residentes e 81 cortadores na: (a) Pré-safra: 4 meses sem exposição à queimada de biomassa (fevereiro e março), e na (b) Pós-safra: aproximadamente 7 a 8 meses de exposição (outubro e novembro). Avaliamos: o TMC nasal por meio do teste da sacarina (TTS), as propriedades físicas do muco por meio da transportabilidade por alto fluxo e ângulo de contato, a expressão de fator de necrose tumoral (TNF)-, interleucinas (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-8 e IL-10 em LN, celularidade total e diferencial em LNsinais vitais e ocorrência de eventos respiratórios. Resultados: Na Pré-safra, comparados com os residentes, cortadores apresentaram menor pressão arterial média (95,5±9,1 e 88,7±9,4 mmHg, respectivamente; p<0,001), frequência cardíaca (76±13 e 70±10 bpm, respectivamente; p<0,003), e células ciliadas (61±20 e 47±18%, respectivamente; p<0,001). Além de TTS mais prolongado (10,4±4,6 e 11,8±5,1, respectivamente; p=0,035), e maior porcentagem de macrófagos em LN (21±15 e 43±15%, respectivamente; p<0,001). Na Pós-safra, comparados com os residentes, os cortadores apresentaram menor pressão arterial média (96,5±9,1 e 92,8±9,6 mmHg, respectivamente; p=0,042), frequência cardíaca (76±14 e 63±11 bpm, respectivamente; p<0,001), IL-4 (0,4±0,5 e 0,3±0,6 pg/ml, respectivamente; p=0,001), células ciliadas (64±19 e 52±14%, respectivamente; p<0,001), células caliciformes em LN (13±14 e 4±5%, respectivamente; p<0,001), assim como maior número de células totais (24±29 e 32±30 104células/ml, respectivamente; p=0,040), neutrófilos (1±2 e 2±3%, respectivamente; p<0,001), eosinófilos (0±0 e 0±1%, respectivamente; p<0,001), macrófagos (21±16 e 40±13%, respectivamente; p<0,001) e IL-6 (2,8±3,4 e 4,0±3,7 pg/ml, respectivamente; p=0,026) em LN. Não houve diferenças significantes nas propriedades físicas do muco, na quantificação da secreção de IL-8 e TNF-, e na porcentagem de linfócitos em LN entre os dois grupos e ao longo do estudo. Conclusão: A queimada de cana-de-açúcar induz alterações na primeira barreira de defesa do sistema respiratório em residentes e em cortadores da área urbana próxima aos canaviais observada por aumento no CO exalado, aumento de celularidade total e redução da concentração de IL-10 em LN em residentes, e prolongamento do TTS acompanhado de aumento na expressão de IL-6 e células ciliadas em LN em cortadores / Biomass burning produces toxic gases and suspended particle that contribute for high levels of air pollution. We aimed to assess the effects of sugarcane harvesting on nasal mucociliary clearance (MCC), mucus physical properties, and celularity and cytokines concentrations in nasal lavage (NL) of sugarcane workers and residents that live near to sugarcane fields (Mendonça, São Paulo). Methods: We evaluated 154 young non-smoking subjects, aged between 18 to 42 years (residents, n=73 and sugarcane workers, n=81) at two time-points: (a) non-harvesting, 4-months of no exposure to biomass burning (in February and March), and (b) harvesting, after 7 to 8-months of exposure to biomass burning (in October and November). We evaluated: Nasal MCC was assessed by saccharine transit test (STT), mucus physical properties were evaluated by sneeze clearability and contact angle, expression of tumor necrosis factor-, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-8 e IL-10 in NL and total and differential cells counts in NL, vital signs and respiratory events. Results: At Non-harvesting, compared with residents, sugarcane workers presented lower mean blood pressure (95.5±9.1 and 88.7±9.4 mmHg, respectively; p<0.001), heart rate (76±13 and 70±10 bpm, respectively; p<0.003), and ciliated cells (61±20 and 47±18%, respectively; p<0.001) and prolonged STT (10.4±4.6 and 11.8±5.1, respectively, p=0.035), and higher percentage of macrophages in NL (21±15 and 43±15%, respectively; p<0.001). At Harvesting, compared with residents, sugarcane workers presented lower mean blood pressure (96.5±9.1 and 92.8±9.6 mmHg, respectively; p=0.042), heart rate (76±14 and 63±11 bpm, respectively; p<0.001), IL-4 (0.4±0.5 and 0.3±0.6 pg/ml, respectively, p=0.001), ciliated cells (64±19 and 52±14%, respectively; p<0.001), goblet cells (13±14 and 4±5%, respectively; p<0.001), and higher number of total cells (24±29 and 32±30 104cells/ml, respectively; p=0.040), neutrophils (1±2 and 2±3%, respectively, p<0.001), eosinophils (0±0 and 0±1%, respectively, p<0.001), macrophages (21±16 and 40±13%, respectively, p<0.001) and IL-6 concentration in NL (2.8±3.4 and 4.0±3.7 pg/ml, respectively, p=0.026). There were no significant differences in mucus physical properties, concentration of IL-8 and TNF-, and percentage of lymphocytes in NL between the two groups and along the study. Conclusion: Sugarcane burning induces changes in the first defense barrier of the respiratory system in residents of the urban area near of the sugarcane fields and in sugarcane workers which were observed by increase in exhaled CO and total cell count, and a decrease in IL-10 concentrations in NL in residents, and prolonged STT accompanied by an increase in IL-6 concentration and percentage of ciliated cells in NL in sugarcane workers

O transporte mucociliar (TMC) é um mecanismo básico de defesa do sistema respiratório necessário na resistência à infecção. A efetividade desse mecanismo de defesa depende da composição e profundidade do muco, da integridade e da função dos cílios e da interação muco-cílio. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os efeitos crônicos do oxigenoterapia de baixo fluxo via cateter nasal com e sem umidificação sobre o TMC nasal, nas propriedades físicas do muco, na inflamação e nos sintomas de vias aéreas em pacientes com hipoxemia crônica com necessidade de oxigenoterapia domiciliar de longo prazo (>15 horas/dia). Dezoito pacientes (idade média de 68 anos, 7 do sexo masculino, índice de massa corpórea (IMC) médio de 26 kg/m2, 66% com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC), 60% com hipertensão arterial (HAS) e ex-tabagistas) iniciando oxigenoterapia de baixo fluxo via cateter nasal foram randomizados para o grupo Oxigênio Seco (n=10) ou Oxigênio Umidificado (n=9). Os pacientes foram avaliados nos tempos: basal, 12 horas, 7 dias, 30 dias, 12 meses e 24 meses para o TMC nasal por meio do teste de trânsito da sacarina, as propriedades físicas do muco por meio de ângulo de contato, a inflamação por meio de quantificação do número total de células e diferenciais e da concentração de citocinas no lavado nasal assim como para sintomas por meio do questionário SNOT-20. O sintoma mais importante relatado por pacientes no basal foi tosse que melhorou após 7 dias de oxigenoterapia. No nosso estudo, os pacientes de ambos grupos apresentaram prolongamento significativo (40%) do TMC nasal ao longo do estudo. O lavado nasal mostrou um aumento das proporções de neutrófilos, das células caliciformes e da concentração do fator de crescimento epidermal (EGF) assim como reduções em macrófagos e concentrações de interferon alfa (IFN-alfa), interleucina (IL)-8 e IL-10 ao longo do estudo. Não houve alterações na proporção de células ciliadas, na concentração de IL-6 e no ângulo de contato do muco em ambos os grupos. A tosse e os sintomas de sono diminuiram significativamente em ambos os grupos. Nosso estudo sugere que a umidificação não tem impacto sobre o TMC nasal, as propriedades do muco, a inflamação e os sintomas em pacientes com baixo fluxo de oxigênio via cateter nasal (BFON) / Mucociliary clearance (MCC) is a basic defense mechanism of the respiratory system against respiratory infection. The efficiency of this defense mechanism depends on the mucus composition and mucus depth, on the cilia integrity and function and the mucus-cilia interaction. The aim of this study was investigate the long-term effects of low-flow oxygen via nasal catheter (NLFO) using dry oxygen (Dried-NLFO) or humidified oxygen (Humidified-NLFO) on nasal mucociliary clearance, mucus properties, inflammation and symptoms in patients with chronic hypoxemia requiring long-term domiciliary oxygen therapy ( > 15 hours/day). Eighteen patients (mean age of 68 years, 7 male, mean BMI of 26 kg/m2, 66% COPD, 60% hypertensive and former smokers) initiating NLFO were randomized to Dried-NLFO (n=10) or Humidified-NLFO (n=9). Patients were assessed at baseline and along 12 hours, 7 days, 30 days, 12 months and 24 months for nasal MCC using saccharine test, mucus properties by means of contact angle, inflammation using total number of cells and cytokines concentration in nasal lavage fluid as well as symptoms by SNOT-20 questionnaire. The most important airway symptom reported by patients at baseline was cough that improved after 7 days of oxygen therapy. In our study, nasal MCC prolonged significantly (40%) and similarly in both groups along the study. Nasal lavage showed increased proportions of neutrophils, goblet cells and epidermal growth factor concentration as decreases in macrophages, IFN-a lfa, IL-8 and IL-10 concentrations along the study. No changes in the proportion of ciliated cells, IL-6 and mucus contact angle were observed in both groups. Coughing and sleep symptoms significantly decreased similarly in both groups. Our study suggests that humidification does not impact on nasal MCC, mucus properties, inflammation and symptoms in patients using NLFO

INTRODUÇÃO: As infecções pulmonares constituem uma das principais causas de morbidade e mortalidade após o transplante pulmonar. O transplante expõe a árvore brônquica a uma série de condições, como à lesão de secção e anastomose brônquica e à ação dos imunossupressores, alterando os componentes do epitélio mucociliar. O sistema mucociliar presente nas vias aéreas do sistema respiratório é o principal mecanismo de defesa do trato respiratório, assim a influência de drogas neste sistema precisa ser investigada. A prednisona é um importante corticosteróide usado após o transplante de pulmão, no entanto seu uso pode estar associado ao aumento da mortalidade no período pós por complicações como baixa cicatrização e infecções. Desta forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da secção brônquica e da terapia com prednisona na depuração mucociliar. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 180 ratos machos Wistar distribuídos em 6 grupos (P1, P2, P3, ScP2, ScSal e Sal). Os animais dos grupos P1, P2 e P3 receberam diferentes doses de prednisona (0,625, 1,25 e 2,5 mg/kg/dia); os do grupo ScP2 foram submetidos à cirurgia de secção e anastomose brônquica e terapia com 1.25 mg/kg/dia de prednisona; do grupo ScSal foram submetidos à cirurgia de secção e anastomose brônquica e gavagem diária de solução fisiológica; por fim, os animais do grupo Sal receberam gavagem de solução fisiológica. Após o período de tratamento (7, 15 ou 30 dias), os animais foram sacrificados, e as medidas de freqüência de batimento ciliar (FBC), velocidade de transporte mucociliar (VTMC) e transportabilidade do muco (TM) coletadas. Para avaliar os efeitos da droga realizamos a análise estatística comparativa entre os grupos P1, P2, P3 e Sal. Para avaliar a possível interação da droga com o procedimento cirúrgico comparamos os grupos ScP2, ScSal e P2. RESULTADOS: A administração das diferentes doses de prednisona estudadas prejudicaram a TM e a dosagem mais alta (P3) diminuiu a VTMC. Os animais submetidos à secção e anastomose brônquica mostraram redução significativa de VTMC e FBC após 7 e 15 dias da cirurgia (p<0.001) Observamos a recuperação desses parâmetros após 30 dias do procedimento cirúrgico. A droga melhorou a TM dos animais submetidos à secção e anastomose brônquica (p<0,02). CONCLUSÕES: Altas dosagens de prednisona prejudicam a depuração mucociliar. A terapia com prednisona associada à cirurgia de secção e anastomose brônquica não altera a depuração mucociliar visto que, apesar de melhorar a transportabilidade do muco, a freqüência de batimento ciliar e a velocidade de transporte mucociliar não são influenciadas / INTRODUCTION: Infections have been and still are the major cause of morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation. Since mucociliary clearance (MCC) plays an important role on the human defense mechanism, the influence of drugs on MCC of patients submitted to lung transplantation must be examined. Prednisone is the most important corticosteroid used after lung transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of bronchial transection and prednisone therapy (P) on mucociliary clearance. METHODS: 180 rats were assigned to 6 groups (P1, P2, P3, ScSal, e Sal) according to surgical procedure or drug therapy: P1 (0.625mg/kg/day), P2 (1.25 mg/kg/day), P3 (2.5mg/kg/day), ScP2 (bronchial section and reanastomosis + 1.25 mg/kg/day ), Sal (saline solution 2ml/day) and ScSal (bronchial section + saline solution 2ml/day). After 7, 15 or 30 days they were killed and lungs were removed from thoracic cavity. Mucociliary transport velocity (MCTV), ciliary beting frequency (CBF) and mucus transportability (MT) were evaluated. RESULTS: The administration of different doses of prednisone studied harmed MT and the highest dosage (P3) decreased MCTV. FBC and MCTV was significantly impaired 7 and 15 days after bronchial transection and reanastomosis (p<0.001), but they showed a partial recovery on the 30th day after surgery procedure. Prednisone therapy improved MT after surgery procedure (p<0,02). CONCLUSION: High dosages of prednisone affect mucociliary clearance. The Prednisone therapy after section and reanastomosis surgery not affect mucociliary clearance since, despite improving MT, the CBF and MCTV are not influenced

It is well established that aging is associated with numerous health concerns, including poor balance. Deteriorations in attention demand also place older adults at a greater risk for falls. Emerging experiments have explored the impact of dual-task training programs and have improved dual-tasking in older adults. However, it is unknown whether these performance-related improvements are a function of the intervention itself or the repeated exposure to the testing protocol. Study 1 explored the implications of repeated administration, once per week for 5 weeks, of a protocol involving standing postural sway while concurrently performing reaction time (RT) tasks in older adults. Results revealed that postural sway was stable across testing sessions whereas the difficult RT task gradually improved over time. Study 2 examined the influence of repeated exposure, once per week for 5 weeks, of a protocol involving negotiating a series of obstacles while performing RT tasks in older adults. Participants walked significantly faster with repeated exposure and gradually improved RT. Study 3 investigated the impact of repeated exposure, once per week for 5 weeks, to three functional mobility measures in older adults. It also examined the influence of a 12-week balance and mobility training (BMT) program as well as a 12-week balance and mobility plus cognitive training (BMT+C) program on functional mobility in older adults. Functional mobility served to be stable over time. Both the BMT and BMT+C groups significantly improved functional mobility and sustained these improvements at the 12-week follow-up, while no changes were observed in the control group. No differences between the BMT and BMT+C groups emerged. Experiment 4 examined the influence of BMT and BMT+C on postural sway and RT in older adults. Participants in both training groups significantly improved RT and sustained these improvements at the follow-up, while no changes were observed in the control group. No changes to postural control were shown in any group. No differences between the BMT and BMT+C groups emerged. Experiment 5 examined the influence of BMT and BMT+C on negotiating a series of obstacles while performing RT tasks in older adults. Both the BMT and BMT+C groups significantly improved RT and sustained these improvements at the follow-up, while no changes were observed in the control group. All groups showed faster time to completion of the obstacle series. No differences between the BMT and BMT+C groups emerged. Collectively, these findings suggest that BMT and BMT+C significantly improve functional mobility and divided attention, and sustain these improvements over time. Although some improvements were observed after repeated exposure over 5 weeks, no changes in the control group were observed. Therefore, the improvements exhibited from BMT and BMT+C are likely not a function of repeated exposure to the testing protocol, as participants may be more susceptible to performance-related improvements when the testing sessions are close in proximity. Altogether, these findings propose that, whether or not cognitive training is included, attention demanding dual-task training not only improves functional mobility and RT, but also sustains these improvements over time in older adults. These results may be used to improve the prescription of exercise in older adults.

The aim is to use Lean Administration metodology to improve custom clearance process steps that do not add value, but it is necessary to carry out them due to legislative reasons. The company has excellent results of applying the Lean principles in manufacturing and this thesis will bring to the company specific application of Lean Enterprise metodolgy outside manufacturing. The thesis is proof of the implementation of the company philosophy of continuous improvement, perfection does not exist, there is always the possibility of improvement.

The Master's thesis is focused on organization of customs procedures at Siemens, s.r.o. The goal is to design efficient organization of in-house customs declaration, to suggest variants of implementation of customs software SIECUS while taking into consideration also possibility of SIECUS implementation in other Siemens companies in Czech Republic and to compare consequences of these variants with the current state. The first part of this thesis describes customs regulations and focuses on electronic customs clearance and simplifications that can be granted by customs authorities. The second part compares internal and external organization of customs clearance which forms a basis for recommendations for Siemens management. Possibility of using in- house customs declaration by other Siemens companies in Czech Republic is also reflected and its consequences are described in this thesis.

The Master's Thesis is focused on customs transit, especially Common and Community transit. Prerequisites, process and termination are analysed, including simplified procedures. The Master's Thesis puts customs transit within a broader context of international trade and customs procedures, states relevant legislation, underlines risks related to their formulation and proposes solutions. The practical application is written from the point of view of Siemens, for which compliance with rules and regulations is essential and therefore is a good example to illustrate how to resolve the inconsistency of legislation with the business practice.

The subject of my thesis is a constructional proposal of C axis drive for vertically orientated machine. I have concerned the drive operates C axis of revolving slide. The thesis contains the cutting power study regarding the power being in effect during C axis machining, study of clearance adjustment in particular mechanisms, three constructive proposals of possible solutions, calculation of basic proposals’ demands as well as the best option selection which ideally fits to the all conditions requested by TOSHULIN, Inc.

This master´s thesis solves the problem of stationary viscous flow of incompressible fluids in thin layers of fluid film lubrication in fixed pad thrust bearings. The parametric computational model of oil domain was created for investigation the distribution of pressure, velocity and thermal fields together with the determination of the basic parameters as axial force, heating up and friction loss. Subsequently this model was applied for investigation influence of uneven bearing clearance. The problem task was solved by final volume method in Ansys CFX 12.0 software.

This master thesis deals with the influence of assembly clearance on strain and stress in the radial ball bearing. The theme of this thesis was commissioned by ZKL - Research and development, a. s. For six different assembly clearances and selected ball bearing was made force-loaded static analysis of global computational models. Subsequently was made a static analysis of local computational models loaded by strain according to the results of global models. The output of analysis of local models was sizes of stress, which led to the analysis of bearing with two other models of material. For the solution of the problem was used pre/post processor Patran and solver MSC.Marc.