The quantitative analysis of decomposed electromyographic (EMG) signals reveals information for diagnosing and characterizing neuromuscular disorders. Neuromuscular jitter is an important measure that reflects the stability of the operation of a neuromuscular junction. It is conventionally measured using single fiber electromyographic (SFEMG) techniques. SFEMG techniques require substantial physician dexterity and subject cooperation. Furthermore, SFEMG needles are expensive, and their re-use increases the risk of possible transmission of infectious agents. Using disposable concentric needle (CN) electrodes and automating the measurment of neuromuscular jitter would greatly facilitate the study of neuromuscular disorders. An improved automated jitter measurment system based on the decomposition of CN detected EMG signals is developed and evaluated in this thesis. Neuromuscular jitter is defined as the variability of time intervals between two muscle fiber potentials (MFPs). Given the candidate motor unit potentials (MUPs) of a decomposed EMG signal, which is represented by a motor unit potential train (MUPT), the automated jitter measurement system designed in this thesis can be summarized as a three-step procedure: 1) identify isolated motor unit potentials in a MUPT, 2) detect the significant MFPs of each isolated MUP, 3) track significant MFPs generated by the same muscle fiber across all isolated MUPs, select typical MFP pairs, and calculate jitter. In Step one, a minimal spanning tree-based 2-phase clustering algorithm was developed for identifying isolated MUPs in a train. For the second step, a pattern recognition system was designed to classify detected MFP peaks. At last, the neuromuscular jitter is calculated based on the tracked and selected MFP pairs in the third step. These three steps were simulated and evaluated using synthetic EMG signals independently, and the whole system is preliminary implemented and evaluated using a small simulated data base. Compared to previous work in this area, the algorithms in this thesis showed better performance and great robustness across a variety of EMG signals, so that they can be applied widely to similar scenarios. The whole system developed in this thesis can be implemented in a large EMG signal decomposition system and validated using real data.

The aim of this study is to elucidate factors that effect growth of Sarcina lutea and Bacillus subtilis, exposed to the growth inhibitor SDS (Sodiumdodecylsulfat). Agar diffusion experiments revealed repeated, concentric zones of inhibition and stimulation upon exposure to Sodiumdodecylsulphate or to Amoxicillin. Temperature, nutrient concentration and inhibitor concentration were controlled. Formation of successively repeated zones of inhibition, stimulation, inhibition and stimulation is discussed: •The extension of the primary inhibition zone is due to the concentration of applied Sodium dodecyl sulphate.•Immediately outside the primary inhibition zone the bacteria have access to diffusing nutrients that have not been consumed in the primary inhabitation zone.•In zones of dense bacterial growth the bacteria may produce inhibiting substances, affecting growth of bacteria in adjacent zones.•In zones of dense bacterial growth the nutrients will soon become depleted, thus affecting bacteria in adjacent zones.

This study aims to investigate hydraulics and the flow characteristics of drilling fluids inside annulus and to understand the mechanism of cuttings transport in horizontal and deviated wellbores. For this purpose, initially, extensive experimental studies have been conducted at Middle East Technical University, Petroleum &amp / Natural Gas Engineering Flow Loop using water and numerous drilling fluids for hole inclinations from horizontal to 60 degrees, flow velocities from 0.64 m/s to 3.05 m/s, rate of penetrations from 0.00127 to 0.0038 m/s, and pipe rotations from 0 to 120 rpm. Pressure loss within the test section and stationary and/or moving bed thickness are recorded. New friction factor charts and correlations as a function of Reynolds number and cuttings bed thickness with the presence of pipe rotation for water and drilling fluids in horizontal and deviated wellbores are developed by using experimental data. Meanwhile empirical correlations that can be used easily at the field are proposed for predicting stationary bed thickness and frictional pressure loss using dimensional analysis and the effect of the drilling parameters on hole cleaning is discussed. It has been observed that, the major variable influencing cuttings transport is fluid velocity. Moreover, pipe rotation drastically decreases the critical fluid velocity that is required to prevent the stationary cuttings bed development, especially if the pipe is making an orbital motion. A decrease in the pressure loss is observed due to the bed erosion while rotating the pipe. Cuttings transport in horizontal annulus is modeled using a CFD software for different fluid velocities, pipe rotation speeds and rate of penetrations. The CFD model is verified by using cuttings transport experiments. A mathematical model is also proposed to predict the flow characteristics of Newtonian fluids in concentric horizontal annulus with drillpipe rotation. The Navier-Stokes equations of turbulent flow are numerically solved using finite differences technique. A computer code is developed in Matlab 2007b for the proposed model. The performance of the proposed model is compared with the experimental data which were available in the literature and gathered at METU-PETE Flow Loop as well as Computational Fluids Dynamics (CFD) software. The results showed that the mechanistic model accurately predicts the frictional pressure loss and the velocity profile inside the annuli. The model&rsquo / s frictional pressure loss estimations are within an error range of &plusmn / 10%.

Alcohol use disorder is a worldwide public health problem and is a disorder with substantial individual variation. There are suggested links between various behavioral traits, comorbid psychiatric diseases and excessive alcohol consumption. Moreover, the endogenous opioid system is involved in alcohol reward and reinforcement, and implicated in the action of alcohol. However, less is known about the complex associations between individual differences in behavior, alcohol consumption, pharmacotherapy response and related neurochemical mechanisms. Experimental animal models are critical for understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of alcohol use disorder. The overall aims of this thesis were: i) to study the association between behavior and voluntary alcohol intake in outbred rats; ii) to study the association of voluntary alcohol intake, behavior, opioid receptor density and response to naltrexone; and iii) to obtain detailed behavioral characterizations of the animals on the basis of their voluntary alcohol intake. The results revealed that the multivariate concentric square fieldTM (MCSF) test was a complementary method for understanding mechanisms underlying various mental states. The MCSF broadened the perspective on risk-related behaviors, including aspects of risk assessment. Individual differences in alcohol intake using the modified intermittent access paradigm enabled analyses of drinking patterns in high and low alcohol-drinking rats. There was an alcohol deprivation effect in high-drinking animals only. The behavior profiling of high alcohol drinking- rats before and after alcohol access suggested that this subgroup was consuming alcohol for its anxiolytic properties. Long-lasting changes were found in the mu and the delta opioid receptors after long-term, intermittent voluntary alcohol intake; some of these changes are in line with findings in humans. The voluntary alcohol consumption and the concomitant response to naltrexone were different for Wistar rats from different suppliers. Moreover, the Rcc Wistar rats may be more suitable for studies of alcohol use disorders due to increasing alcohol intake and the presence of a high-drinking subpopulation with increasing alcohol intake over time. The high-drinking subpopulation showed pronounced effects of naltrexone on alcohol intake. In conclusion, studies of individual differences increase understanding of variability in behavior, pharmacotherapy response and factors involved in vulnerability of alcohol use disorders.

Aux côtés des formes dites classiques de Sclérose en plaques (SEP), un nombre important de patients présentent des caractéristiques atypiques qui vont être responsable d’une période, parfois longue, d’errance diagnostique. Certains de ces patients, malgré les atypies, font clairement partie du spectre de la SEP tandis-que d’autres présentent probablement des maladies inflammatoires démyélinisantes idiopathiques distinctes qui sont, à ce jour, toujours en attente d’individualisation.Les objectifs principaux de ce travail de thèse étaient de mieux caractériser ces formes atypiques de SEP et autres maladies inflammatoires démyélinisantes idiopathiques.Nous avons effectué un travail rétrospectif de caractérisation clinique et radiologique (sur les données d’IRM acquises en conditions de vie réelle) afin d’aider au diagnostic et à mieux définir le pronostic évolutif de ces patients. Nous avons également effectué une analyse anatomopathologique chez les patients présentant une lésion inflammatoire nécessitant une biopsie avec pour objectif de mieux positionner ces lésions au sein du spectre de la SEP et du spectre des Neuromyélites Optiques (NMOSD). Enfin nous avons effectué une caractérisation de l’expression astrocytaire du récepteur NKp46 au sein des lésions de SEP et des lésions inflammatoires démyélinisantes atypiques.Les principaux résultats sont :1) En l’absence d’autre lésion cérébrale évocatrice de SEP, le risque de développer une SEP cliniquement définie chez un patient présentant une lésion cérébrale inflammatoire démyélinisante isolée est faible.2) La SEP, notamment dans sa forme progressive, peut avoir des caractéristiques proches de celles rencontrées dans le cadre des léucoencéphalopathies héréditaires. Dans ces situations, l’analyse des lésions de la substance grise, de la topographie des lésions de la substance blanche et le caractère nodulaire (>3mm mais non diffus) sont en faveur du diagnostic de SEP.3) Les lésions inflammatoires démyélinisantes du système nerveux central sont extrêmement hétérogènes en IRM. Néanmoins, certaines caractéristiques leurs sont communes : liseré périphérique en hypersignal en diffusion, prise de contraste périphérique ouverte, respect de la substance grise. L’analyse anatomopathologique sur tissus provenant de biopsies réalisées pour incertitude diagnostique démontre une préservation quasi systématique du marquage AQP4.4) L’expression astrocytaire de NKp46, récepteur classiquement décrit comme spécifique des lymphocytes NK, est commune à de nombreuses conditions neuroinflammatoires et neurodégénératives y compris la SEP, les NMOSD et les autres maladies inflammatoires démyélinisantes. Nous n’avons, à ce jour, pas pu déterminer l’implication du récepteur NKp46 dans la réponse astrocytaire en conditions inflammatoires.En conclusion, l’étude de notre cohorte rétrospective multicentrique a permis de mieux préciser les caractéristiques clinique (y compris de suivi), anatomopathologiques et IRM de patients présentant des formes atypiques de SEP et de maladies inflammatoires démyélinisantes.L’identification de sous-types de SEP caractérisés par une atteinte extrêmement sévère tant sur le plan clinique que radiologique nous semble pouvoir être un modèle d’étude intéressant dans la recherche de biomarqueurs d’imagerie et biologiques de la maladie. / Beside classical multiple sclerosis (MS), a significant proportion of patients can present some atypical clinical or radiological characteristics that will lead to diagnostic uncertainties. On one side, some of these patients belong to MS spectrum whereas some other probably have yet unidentified inflammatory demyelinating disorders.Our objectives were to describe those patients with atypical MS and atypical idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disorders.We retrospectively gathered clinical and radiological (in a real-life setting) data from patient to better delineate diagnostic clues and to better assess prognosis of these patients. Moreover, a neuropathological analysis of patients’ tissue collected for diagnostic uncertainties was performed to assess AQP4 staining in patients with acute atypical inflammatory demyelinating disease. Finally, we characterized the expression of the activating receptor NKp46 within astrocytes in MS and other inflammatory neurological diseases.Our main results were the following:1) in the absence of any other lesion suggestive of MS, the overall risk of MS diagnosis and typical MS relapse is low.2) MS, notably primary progressive or bout-onset MS, can share MRI characteristics with inherited leukoencephalopathies and leukodystrophies. In this context, a thorough analysis of deep and cortical gray matter, topography of white matter lesions and size (typically nodular > 3mm but not confluent) strongly argues in favor of MS.3) In spite of a marked heterogeneity of central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating lesions, some characteristics such as a peripheral B1000 hyperintensity with open rim gadolinium enhancement (with or without central enhancement) and gray matter sparing are common to all of these conditions. Moreover, neuropathological analysis of these lesions suggests a systematic normal/increased AQP4 staining.4) NKp46 astrocytic expression, a classical NK cells marker is common to several neuroinflammatory diseases including MS, NMOSD and other inflammatory demyelinating disorders. To date, we were not able to ascertain NKp46 involvement in the context of neuroinflammation.To conclude, our analysis enabled to refine clinical, neuropathological and MRI characteristics of patients with atypical MS and atypical inflammatory demyelinating disorders.The identification of “clusters” of atypical MS with dramatic disability progression and early evidence of neurodegeneration should allow us to identify promising MRI and/or biological biomarkers of disease progression.

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No. of bitstreams: 1 DissJPF.pdf: 6779665 bytes, checksum: 3ac5f7c32c06f0d6fc7fe8b5f43a53e9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Contextualization: The Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is an epidemic disease in the world and stay associated with right index of morbidity and mortality and about 90% of cases of DM are type 2 (DM2). DM2 develop by inflammatory mechanisms carrying the insulin resistance and consecutively blond hyperglycemia. Believes that in chronic stages the diabetes causes musculoskeletal dysfunctions can be related to inflammatory and metabolic alterations of the DM2 or with diabetic polyneuropathy. Some studies identified the musculoskeletal alteration in diabetic subjects. However not is clearly if the polyneuropathy cause muscle alteration proportionality sensitive alterations. Also weren’t observed studies that analyzed the torque in subjects with DM2, considering others factors that could influence the muscle torque production and also not were observed studies analyzing the torque in diabetic subjects during different types of contractions (concentric, eccentric and isometric). Objectives: The aim of the present study were analyze the torque at concentric eccentric and isometric muscle contractions in diabetic subject with and without polyneuropathy comparing with a control groups. Methods: The peak torques of flexion and extension were acquired using an isokinetic dynamometer, in sitting position. During concentric and eccentric contractions, the joint speed was set at 60°/s. Five maximal voluntary contractions were acquired for concentric and eccentric and 2 for isometric, with a rest interval of 1.5 minutes. The sequence of the tests was randomized and verbal and visual feedback were standardized and delivered to all subjects by the same person. Three groups of adult males were selected for this study (1) Control group (healthy non-diabetic patients, n=33), (2) Diabetic group (patients with diabetes mellitus without polyneuropathy, n=31), (3) Neuropathic group (patients with diabetic polyneuropathy, n=28). The Neuropathic group was defined according to a fuzzy model of signs and symptoms. Differences between groups were calculated with one way ANOVA for parametric knee variables (α of 5%) and Mann Whitney and Willcoxon for non-parametric ankle variables (adjusted α of 1.6%). To describe effect sizes, Hedges’ g was calculated. Results: Irrespective of polyneuropathy, both diabetic groups presented lower peak torques of knee and ankle, both for isometric contraction and for concentric flexion and extension. Other factors beside the polyneuropathy and early in the diabetes onset, may be influencing in the muscle strength production. The eccentric contraction was not different between any groups. / Contextualização: A Diabetes Mellitus (DM) se tornou uma doença epidêmica em todo mundo, e também está associada a altos índices de morbidade e mortalidade. Cerca de 90% dos casos são de DM do tipo 2, que desenvolve por meio de mecanismos inflamatórios que levam à resistência à insulina e consecutivamente à hiperglicemia sanguínea. Acredita-se que em estágios avançados a DM2 cause disfunções musculoesqueléticas, que podem estar relacionadas às alterações inflamatórias e metabólicas dessa doença ou à polineuropatia diabética (PND). Alguns estudos já identificaram alterações musculoesqueléticas em diabéticos. No entanto, ainda não está claro, se a polineuropatia acomete o sistema musculoesquelético, na mesma proporção que o sistema sensorial é acometido. Também não se observa na literatura, estudos que tenham analisado o torque de DM2, considerando outros fatores que podem influenciar a produção de torque e estudos que tenham analisado o torque nos três tipos de contrações (concêntrica, excêntrica e isométrica). Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar o torque nas contrações concêntrica, excêntrica e isométrica em indivíduos com DM2, com e sem polineuropatia, comparados a um grupo controle sem DM. Métodos: Foram analisados três grupos de homens adultos (total 92), similares na distribuição de sexo, idade e características antropométricas: Controles não diabéticos (n=33); DM2 (n=31); PND (n=28). A PND foi avaliada por meio de um modelo Fuzzy. O pico de torque nas contrações concêntrica, excêntrica e isométrica foi avaliado com um dinamômetro isocinético de cadeira durante a flexão e extensão do joelho e dorsiflexão e flexão plantar do tornozelo. As diferenças entre os grupos foram calculadas com ANOVA one way, para as variáveis paramétricas de joelho (α of 5%) e Mann Whitney e Willcoxon para dados não paramétricos das variáveis do tornozelo (α ajustado de 1.6%). O tamanho de efeito foi calculado usando Hedges’ g. Resultados: Independente da polineuropatia, ambos os grupos diabéticos apresentaram menor torque concêntrico e isométrico de joelho e tornozelo, comparados aos Controles, mas sem diferença entre si. Para o torque excêntrico não houve diferença entre os três grupos em todos os movimentos e articulações avaliadas. Conclusão: A diminuição do torque concêntrico e isométrico em DM2 ocorre mesmo antes da instalação da PND, em tornozelo e joelho, enquanto o torque excêntrico permanece preservado nesses movimentos em diabéticos, independentemente da PND. Observa-se acometimento proximal e distal, com tamanhos de efeito maiores para os movimentos do joelho.

FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / Atualmente nas indústrias é notória a presença de problemas envolvendo a dinâmica dos fluidos com transferência de energia térmica. Neste contexto, problemas onde a transferência de energia térmica ocorre sobre cilindros aquecidos merece um destaque especial. No presente trabalho objetivou-se desenvolver uma análise numérica tridimensional sobre o problema de transferência de energia térmica por convecção natural em cilindros concêntricos na presença de pares discretos de fonte-sumidouro de energia térmica, com ênfase no estudo do regime estável-instável do escoamento (fluido de trabalho ar). O código numérico foi desenvolvido em coordenadas cilíndricas, discretizado utilizando a técnica dos volumes finitos e esquemas temporais e espaciais de segunda ordem, onde o acoplamento pressão velocidade é feito através do método do passo fracionado. Através dos campos de velocidades, de temperatura e de vorticidade obtidos, verificou-se como a transferência de energia térmica é afetada pelas primeiras instabilidades no regime instável. Foi possível também, evidenciar a desestabilização do escoamento estudado, não sendo necessário para tal o uso de uma malha fina. Além disso, os dados obtidos apresentaram uma excelente concordância com os resultados experimentais da literatura, sobretudo no regime estável. / In the current industry, is notorious the presence of problems involving fluid dynamics with heat transfer. In this context, problems where the heat transfer occurs over heated cylinders deserves a special attention. The present work study aimed to develop a three-dimensional numerical analysis of the heat transfer by natural convection in concentric cylinders in the presence of discrete heat source-sink pairs, with emphasis on the study of stable-unstable regime flow (air working fluid). The numerical code was developed in cylindrical coordinates, discretized using the finite volume technique and temporal/ spatial schemes of second order, where the pressure-velocity coupling is done through the fractional step method. Through velocity, temperature and vorticity fields, it was found that the heat transfer is affected by the first instabilities in the unstable regime. It was also possible to verify the destabilization of the flow with a thin mesh. Moreover, the data obtained showed an excellent agreement with the experimental data found in the literature, especially in the stable regime. / Dissertação (Mestrado)

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / In recent years, the demand of the productive sector for more efficient processes has encouraged the research and development of products and processes to increase the production at a competitive cost. In this sense, the \"Plasma-MIG\" with Concentric Arcs process, being an evolution of the conventional MIG/MAG process, has emerged as a promising option. This process has been available to the market since the 70s. However, it is still necessary to consolidate a scientific and technological basis of that process. Only then the market will decide if it is applicable, either to replace or become an option instead of the other processes. Thus, the challenge is to collaborate with both the scientific and the production what actually is the overall goal of this work, that is to provide fundamental knowledge about functioning principles and operating parameters of the \"Plasma-MIG\" with Concentric Arcs. The influence of the gas flow, especially of the intermediate one on the weld bead surface appearance, the effect of external arc on the globular-spray transition current and on the axial spray-rotational transition current, as well as on the droplet kinematic parameters and the relation between the outer arc current/torch working angle/torch-piece distance and the weld geometry have been studied experimentally. The results showed that the intermediate arc gas flow rate was the very one which determined weld appearance. The globular-spray transition current rose and the axial spray-rotational transition current became lower in the presence of the outer arc. The presence of the outer arc also raised the momentum of the drops hitting the weld pool. The presence of current in the outer arc at low values reduces penetration and correlated parameters (either directly or inversely proportional), but causes their growing again when being increased. The bead geometry follows the similar behavior of the conventional MIG/MAG as regards to the torch working angle and the torch-piece distance, though being more intensified when using the outer arc. In conclusion, it is possible to say that the knowledge on the operational characteristics of the \"Plasma-MUG\" with Concentric Arcs welding process obtained in this work may serve as a basis for the perception of this process application potential. / Nos últimos anos, a demanda do setor produtivo por processos mais eficientes tem incentivado a pesquisa e o desenvolvimento de produtos e processos que permitam o aumento da produção a um custo compatível. Neste sentido, o processo de soldagem \"Plasma-MIG\" com Arcos Concêntricos, uma evolução do processo MIG/MAG convencional, tem surgido como uma opção promissora. Esse processo está à disposição do mercado desde a década de 70, no entanto, ainda é necessário consolidar uma base cientifica e tecnológica a respeito desse processo. Somente assim o mercado poderá decidir se o mesmo é aplicável, seja para substituir ou se tornar mais uma opção frente a outros processos. Desta forma, é no desafio de colaborar tanto com o meio cientifico como o produtivo que se enquadra o objetivo global deste trabalho, o qual é o de fornecer conhecimentos fundamentais sobre aspectos de funcionamento e parâmetros operacionais do processo \"Plasma-MIG\" com Arcos Concêntricos. Foram estudados experimentalmente a influência das vazões dos gases, principalmente o intermediário, sobre o aspecto superficial do cordão de solda, o efeito do arco externo sobre as correntes de transição globulargoticular e goticular axial-rotacional e sobre os parâmetros cinemáticos das gotas e a relação entre corrente do arco externo/ângulo de inclinação da tocha/distância da tocha a peça e a geometria do cordão. Os resultados apontam que a vazão governante sobre o acabamento do cordão é a do gás intermediário. A corrente de transição globular-goticular elevou-se e a goticular axial-rotacional ficou menor na presença do arco externo. A presença do arco externo também fez elevar o momentum das gotas atingindo a poça. A presença da corrente no arco externo em valores baixos reduz a penetração e parâmetros correlacionados (de forma direta ou inversamente proporcional), mas faz novamente crescêla ao ser aumentada. A geometria do cordão segue o comportamento similar ao do processo MIG/MAG convencional quanto ao ângulo de inclinação e distância da tocha à peça, mais intensificado quando se usa arco externo. Ao final, pode-se dizer que os conhecimentos gerados no presente trabalho sobre as características operacionais do processo \"Plasma- MIG\" com Arcos Concêntricos formam uma base para conceber a potencialidade aplicativa do processo. / Doutor em Engenharia Mecânica

Ces travaux de thèse s’inscrivent dans le cadre du projet ANR NEMRO, visant à étudier le lien entre déficience olfactive et maladies neurodégénératives. A cet effet, une biopsie optique de l’épithélium olfactif doit être réalisée. Son accès est cependant impossible, aujourd’hui, avec les outils conventionnels. Pour résoudre ce problème, nous proposons l’utilisation d’un robot à tubes concentriques (RTC). Sa synthèse est réalisée à partir d’images médicales. Elle prend en compte les critères de stabilité, la variabilité inter-sujet, et est associée à un déploiement ALFI (A La File Indienne). Le dispositif étant porté par le sujet, il doit être léger et compact. Une séquence de déploiement spécifique simplifie alors l’unité d’actionnement, et une implémentation est réalisée par fabrication additive multimatériaux. L’évaluation préliminaire d’un déploiement ALFI et des éléments de technologie clés a permis de valider l’approche retenue dans le projet NEMRO, ainsi que sa faisabilité. / This PhD thesis is part of the ANR NEMRO project, whose goal is to study the hypothetical correlation between olfactory deficiency and neurodegenerative diseases. For this purpose, an optical biopsy of the olfactory epithelium must be performed. However, this area is not accessible today with conventional tools. To go beyond this limitation, we propose to investigate the use a concentric tube robot (CTR). Its synthesis is performed from medical images. It takes into account the stability criteria, inter-subject variability, and is associated to a FTL (Follow-The-Leader) deployment. As the device is mounted on the subject, it has to be compact and lightweight. Thus, a specific deployment sequence simplifies the actuation unit, and an implementation is proposed using multimaterial additive manufacturing. Preliminary evaluations of the FTL deployment capabilities and the key components of the device allowed to validate the approach chosen for the NEMRO project, and its feasibility.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-19T12:56:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Darlan.pdf: 2834733 bytes, checksum: f7d35c098bddf8713fbdbe733565fdef (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-07-12 / During several years, adulterated gasoline has been commercialized across all Brazil. Often such product has higher alcohol content, water traces or organic solvents insertion (e.g. paint thinner and/or turpentine). The use of nonconforming gasoline, in the short and long terms, has several problems for consumers, for the vehicle and the environment. Thus, this work aims to propose a low cost technique for analyzing gasoline blends, in relation to its oxygenated addition. Both capacitance and dielectric constant (relative permittivity) were determined by means of a high precision LCR-meter, using a metal concentric sensor. Therefore, gasoline blends were prepared by adding 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30% of AEAF to the initial petroleum-based fuel and their dielectric constants were measured at frequencies of 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 kHz. The same samples were analyzed by the reference method, the Test Tube Test. According to statistical modeling, the frequency of 0.6 kHz showed the most significant results for all samples. The results show that at 95% confidence level, there is no significant difference between the two methods, indicating a good correlation between the proposed method and then standard one. However, when the density was used as evaluating parameter, instead of dielectric constant, for the same samples, a substantial discrepancy of the obtained values were observe, suggest a low sensibility of such methodology. / Vários são os casos de não conformidade da gasolina comercial, principalmente pelo excesso de etanol, ou ainda pela adição de água ou solventes leves como thinner e aguarrás. O uso de gasolina não conforme, a curto e longo prazo, traz diversos problemas para o consumidor, para o veículo e ao meio ambiente. No presente trabalho estudou-se a qualidade da gasolina tipo C, comercializada nos postos revendedores de combustível, no que diz respeito à concentração de álcool etílico anidro combustível (AEAC). Análises estas, realizadas através de medidas de constante dielétrica (permissividade relativa) utilizando sensor capacitivo. Misturas de gasolina A e AEAC foram preparadas nas concentrações de 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 e 30% de AEAC, sendo suas constantes dielétricas medidas nas frequências de 0,3; 0,4; 0,5 e 0,6 kHz. Utilizando tratamento estatístico verificou-se que a frequência de 0,6 kHz apresentou resultados mais significativos para leitura de AEAC das misturas preparadas. Nessa mesma frequência, amostras comerciais de gasolina e amostras de gasolinas não conformes contaminadas com gasolina A e AEAC foram submetidas à análise. As mesmas amostras foram submetidas à análise pelo método de referência, o Teste da Proveta. Os resultados obtidos mostram que, no nível de confiança de 95%, não há diferença significativa entre os dois métodos. Medidas de massas específicas também foram realizadas com as misturas gasolina A e AEAC (16 a 30%) para modelamento de curva de calibração com finalidade de determinar o teor de AEAC e posterior comparação com os resultados oriundos da constante dielétrica e do teste da proveta, entretanto, o método não se mostrou eficiente para análise das amostras de gasolina comercial e amostras de gasolinas não conformes analisadas.