El presente trabajo de investigación analiza los aspectos más importantes de las madres actuales respecto al cuidado de sus hijos en edades pequeñas. Principalmente, por el cuidado y protección que los niños necesitan en su ropa. Diferentes estudios demuestran que padres con hijos entre las edades de 0 a 5 años invierten mucho dinero en la vestimenta, es ahí donde se encontró una necesidad insatisfecha y nuestra propuesta es ofrecerles un producto innovador y de más alta calidad sin dejar de lado la protección a los niños antes las caídas y suciedades que están expuestos. Al mismo tiempo que contribuimos con la economía familiar y el cuidado del medio ambiente. Se han realizado estudios de mercado y entrevistas a los clientes con la finalidad de conocer los factores determinantes que influyen en la decisión de compra de ropa para niños. Así mismo, se analizó el mercado y determinó con claridad el nicho al cual queremos llegar. Finalmente se realizó un estudio del plan de marketing que permitirá constituir la empresa, además de diseñar el plan de operaciones, estrategias y financiamiento del proyecto. / This research work analyzes the most important aspects of current mothers regarding the care of their children at young ages. Mainly, for the care and protection that children need in their clothes. Different studies show that parents with children between the ages of 0 to 5 years invest a lot of money in clothing, this is where an unmet need was found and our proposal is to offer them an innovative and higher quality product without neglecting the protection children before the falls and dirt that are exposed. At the same time we contribute to the family economy and the care of the environment. Market studies and interviews with clients have been conducted in order to know the determining factors that influence the decision to purchase children's clothing. Likewise, the market was analyzed and clearly determined the niche we want to reach. Finally, a marketing plan study was carried out that will allow the company to be established, as well as designing the project's operations, strategies and financing plan. / Trabajo de investigación

Desenvolvemos dois modelos estatísticos para água, nos quais diferentes aspectos de sua estrutura são considerados. O modelo geométrico permite diferentes números de coordenação. Em uma aproximação de campo médio mostramos que sob pressão o modelo apresenta linha de coexistência entre fases de baixa e alta densidade, e ponto crítico. A entropia das ligações de hidrogênio tem papel fundamental na definição da inclinação da linha de coexistência. O comportamento do modelo pode estar realcionado como segundo ponto crítico da água super resfriada e com transições líquido-líquido em geral.O modelo da água quadrada é uma versão térmica do modelo do gelo, no qual considera-se a direcionalidade das ligações de hidrogênio. O modelo foi estudado na rede de Bethe e através de simulações de Monte Carlo em três situações diferentes: para a água pura e na presença de solutos polares e apolares. A água quadrada pura não apresenta transição de fase. No modelo para solvente com solutos apolares, medidas de frequência relativa de ligações e do tempo de correlação mostram que o modelo apresenta estruturação da camada de hidratação. Medidas de correlação temporal no modelo de Ising mostram comportamento oposto. Em um estudo preliminar para uma solução com solutos que realizam ligações de hidrogênio não conseguimos encontrar diagramas de coexistência com círculo fechado, para o conjunto de parâmetros utilizados, possivelmente devido à ausência de buracos. / We have developed two statistical models for water in which different features of water structure are considered. In the geometrical model different coordination numbers are present and the model allows for translational disorder. A mean-field treatment shows that under pressure the model exhibits phases of different densities and a coexistence line ending in a critical point. Entropy of the hydrogen network plays an essential role in defining the slope of the coexistence line. The model behavior might be related with the second critical point in supercooled water and to liquid-liquid transitions in general. The square water model is a thermal version of the ice model, and takes into account the directionality of the hydrogen bonds. The model was studied on a Bethe lattice and through Monte Carlo simulations, for three different situations: as pure water and in the presence of polar and apolar solutes. Pure square water does not present a phase transition. In the presence of apolar solutes, first shell square water presents ordering, as shown from comparison of relative frequency of bonds, as well as from study of time correlations. The latter was shown to present opposite behavior in case of an Ising system. In a preliminary study for a solution of hydrogen bonding solutes we were unable to find a closed loop for the sets of parameters chosen. Vacancies might need to be included.

A corrosão é um fenômeno de interface que deteriora um metal através de reações químicas ou eletroquímicas, sendo caracterizada como um processo espontâneo, onde os materiais são transformados do estado metálico para uma forma combinada, decorrente da interação dos compostos metálicos com as substâncias do meio que estão inseridos. Como os prejuízos oriundos de processos corrosivos são elevados (estimativas mostram que os valores variam em torno de 3% a 4% do PIB de uma nação), estudos que minimizem estes processos são de vital importância econômica. Nos últimos anos, diversas pesquisas foram realizadas com o intuito de estudar superfícies hidrofóbicas e super-hidrofóbicas devido à sua função de autolimpeza, baixa aderência de contaminantes e proteção contra os efeitos corrosivos. Estudos recentes propõem a utilização de ácidos carboxílicos como percussores à formação destas camadas protetoras, sendo que melhores resultados foram obtidos utilizando ácidos carboxílicos de cadeias longas (acima de 11 carbonos). O ácido n-tetradecanóico (CH3(CH2)12COOH) pode ser utilizado sobre cobre e, após 10 dias de imersão em solução alcoólica de 0,06 mol/L, uma película super-hidrofóbica é formada sob o substrato, porém as características superficiais do metal são afetadas e uma camada esverdeada de carboxilato de cobre é formada. O presente trabalho, além de comprovar o efeito protetor desta camada superhidrofóbica formada, propôs a utilização do ácido n-tetradecanóico em um tratamento superficial, de forma a atuar como uma película protetora contra processos corrosivos, considerando curtos períodos de imersão em solução de ácido mirístico de forma a preservar as características superficiais do metal utilizado e torná-lo comercialmente e esteticamente mais atrativo. Os metais avaliados foram: cobre, latão e aço carbono. As técnicas eletroquímicas empregadas para a avaliação da película formada foram: curva de polarização, resistência de polarização linear (Rp) e espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIE). Medidas de ângulo de contato foram realizadas a fim de comprovar a viii hidrofobicidade do filme formado e espectroscopia de infravermelho e Raman, além da difratometria de raios X, a fim de caracterizar sua composição química. Melhores resultados foram obtidos para cobre, onde os ensaios comprovaram um aumento da hidrofobicidade da superfície metálica à medida que se aumentava o tempo de imersão dos corpos-de-prova em solução alcoólica 0,06 mol/L de ácido ntetradecanóico, atingindo valores de 116,1o e 149,8o após, respectivamente, 12 horas e 5 dias de imersão. Além disso, através de medidas de espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica, também foi avaliado o grau de proteção da película hidrofóbica formada com relação ao substrato puro, sendo observado um aumento na proteção da superfície após 12 horas de imersão. / Corrosion is an interface phenomenon that deteriorates a metal by chemical or electrochemical reactions. It is characterized as a spontaneous process, where materials are transformed from the metallic state to a combined form. As corrosive processes damages are high (estimates show that the values vary around 3% to 4% of a nation GDP), studies that minimize corrosion reactions are of vital economic importance. Recently, several studies were performed in order to study hydrophobic and superhydrophobic layers due to its self-cleaning function, low adherence of contaminants and protection against corrosive effects. Recent studies propose the use of carboxylic acids as precursors to the formation of such protective layers, with best results being obtained using long chain carboxylic acids (up to 11 carbons). Over copper, the usage of n-tetradecanoic acid (CH3(CH2)12COOH) has showed good results after 10 days immersion in 0.06 mol/L ethanolic solution. Experimental results proved that the super hydrophobic surface could improve significantly the corrosion resistance of copper, although the surfaces have been strongly modified and a green oxidation layer (which is a copper carboxylate) has been formed over the etched copper surface. Besides proving the protective effect of the super-hydrophobic layer formed, this work also studied the use of n-tetradecanoic acid as a temporary protective layer, considering short immersion periods. In this way, the metal surface characteristics were preserved. The metals studied were: copper, brass and carbon steel. The electrochemical techniques employed for evaluation of the formed film were: polarization curves, linear polarization resistance (Rp) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Contact angle measurements were performed to prove the hydrophobicity of the film and X-ray diffraction, Raman and Infrared spectroscopy were also utilized to characterize its composition. x Test samples of these metals were immersed, at ambient temperature, in 0.06 mol/L of n-tetradecanoic ethanolic solution, for different immersion periods, in order to monitor the formation of the protective layer and its hydrophobicity. Furthermore, in order to study the formation and persistence of the formed film, electrochemical tests were also performed in 3.5 wt. % NaCl solution. The results obtained for copper demonstrate an increase of the metal surface hydrophobicity for longer immersion time in 0.06 mol/L n-tetradecanoic acid solution, reaching values of 116.1o and 149.8o after, respectively, 12 hours and 5 days of immersion. Furthermore, the degree of protection of hydrophobic film was also evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements and the best results were obtained for 12hs of immersion.

Les composés organiques hydrophobes (HOCs), lipides et hydrocarbures, représentent une part significative de la matière organique dans l’environnement marin. Leur faible solubilité dans l’eau exige de la part des bactéries qui les dégradent des adaptations physiologiques permettant de stimuler leur transfert de masse de la phase organique vers la phase aqueuse où ils sont assimilés. La formation de biofilm à l’interface HOC-eau est l’une de ces adaptations. La bactérie marine Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus (Mh), qui est capable d’utiliser un catalogue assez large de HOCs comme les alcanes, les alcools gras et les triglycérides, a été utilisée comme modèle d’étude de la formation de biofilms aux interfaces HOCs-eau. Le but de mes recherches était de : (i) mener la caractérisation fonctionnelle des gènes aupA et aupB, qui sont surexprimés en condition de biofilm sur hexadécane et (ii) dresser, par une étude de transcriptomique, une liste de gènes potentiellement impliqués dans l’adhésion et la formation de biofilm aux interfaces HOCs-eau dans le but d’appréhender les mécanismes moléculaires mis en jeu. L’étude fonctionnelle de aupA et aupB a révélé que ces deux gènes forment un opéron dont l’expression est activée par divers types de HOCs. Il a aussi été démontré qu’ils sont impliqués dans le transport de l’hexadécane et dans la formation de biofilm sur alcanes. La protéine AupA est localisée dans la membrane externe de Mh et AupB, une lipoprotéine présumée, est située dans la membrane interne. AupA appartient à une sous-famille de transporteurs FadL-like, spécifique des bactéries marines hydrocarbonoclastes (HCB). La distribution phylogénétique de l'opéron aupAB limitée aux bactéries marines ayant la capacité de dégrader les alcanes et sa présence en nombreuses copies chez certaines souches d’Alcanivorax sp. suggèrent fortement que les protéines Aup joueraient un rôle primordial dans l’adaptation des HCB à l’utilisation d’alcanes comme sources de carbone et d’énergie. L’analyse transcriptomique des cellules de Mh adhérées (après 15 min ou 3 h de contact) ou formant un biofilm aux interfaces HOCs-eau a révélé une modification importante et précoce de leur transcriptome. De nombreux gènes intervenant dans le métabolisme des HOCs, la production de polysaccharides, la synthèse d’acides aminés et de protéines ribosomales présentent une expression modulée dès 15 min d’adhésion. La surexpression des gènes de flagelle et du chimiotactisme conjointement avec celle de gènes de pili en condition d’adhésion évoquent une possible mobilité des cellules de Mh à l’interface dans les étapes précoces du développement du biofilm. De plus, il semblerait que le facteur de transcription RpoN soit impliqué dans la régulation de la formation de biofilm chez Mh et que les prophages puissent intervenir dans la structure et/ou la dispersion du biofilm. Enfin, le rôle potentiel d’un îlot génomique dans la formation de biofilm sur trioléine a été suggéré. / Hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs), such as lipids and hydrocarbons, represent a significant part of the organic matter in the marine environment. Their low solubility in water requires from bacteria that degrade them physiological adaptations to stimulate their mass transfer from the organic to the aqueous phase where they are assimilated. Biofilm formation at the HOC-water interface is one of those adaptations. The marine bacterium Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus (Mh) which is able to use a broad range of HOCs such as alkanes, fatty alcohols and triglycerides, was used as a model to study the biofilm formation at HOCs-water interfaces. The aim of my research was to (i) conduct the functional characterization of aupA and aupB genes which are overexpressed in biofilm on hexadecane, (ii) draw up a list of genes, through a transcriptomic study, that are potentially involved in adhesion and biofilm formation at HOCs-water interfaces in order to understand the molecular mechanisms involved.Functional study of aupA and aupB revealed that these two genes form an operon whose expression is activated by various types of HOCs. They have also been shown to be involved in the transport of hexadecane and in biofilm formation on alkanes. The AupA protein is localized in the outer membrane and the predicted lipoprotein AupB is located at the inner membrane. AupA belongs to a subfamily of the FadL-like transporters, specific to marine hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria (HCB). The phylogenetic distribution of the aupAB operon restricted to marine bacteria having the ability to degrade alkanes and its presence in multiple copies in somestrains of Alcanivorax sp. strongly suggest that Aup proteins play a key role in the adaptation of HCB to use alkanes as carbon and energy sources. The transcriptomic analysis of Mh cells adhering (after 15 min or 3 h of contact) or forming a biofilm at HOCs-water interfaces revealed significant and early changes in their transcriptome. The expression of many genes involved in the metabolism of HOCs, polysaccharides production, amino acids and ribosomal proteins synthesis is modulated as early as 15 min of adhesion. The overexpression of flagella and chemotaxis genes together with that of pili in adhesion condition suggest a possible motility at the interface during the early stages of biofilm development. In addition, it appears that the transcription factor RpoN is involved in the regulation of biofilm formation in Mh and that prophages could play a role in the structure and/or dispersal of the biofilm. Finally, a potential role of a genomic island in biofilm formation ontriolein was suggested

Ces travaux abordent, d'une part l'étude de la coordination du cuivre(II) et nickel(II) avec un ligand heptadenté tripode, et d'autre part la synthèse et la caractérisation de liquides ioniques dérivés de la bétaïne.Tout d'abord, le ligand heptadenté, le tris[(L)-alanyl-2-carboxamidoéthyl]amine (H3trenala), a été synthétisé sous forme de sel de chlorure ; ses constantes de protonation ainsi que les constantes de stabilité des complexes de Cu(II) et de Ni(II) ont été déterminées par potentiométrie. Des espèces complexes mononucléaires dans lesquels le ligand est protonné ([Cu(H5trenala)]4+, [M(H4trenala)]3+), neutre ([M(H3trenala)]2+) ou déprotonné ([M(H2trenala)]+, [M(Htrenala)]) (M = Cu2+ ou Ni2+) ont été mises en évidence. Seul le Cu(II) donne des espèces dinucléaires dans lesquels le ligand est uniquement déprotonné ([Cu2(H2trenala)]2+, [Cu2(Htrenala)]2+, [Cu2(trenala)]+, [Cu2(trenala)(OH)]). A l'état solide, deux complexes dinucléaires de cuivre(II) ont pu être isolés et caractérisés (IR, UV-Vis, masse électrospray, ATG). L'étude des propriétés catalytiques de ces deux complexes montre une faible activité vis-à-vis de la réaction d'oxydation du catéchol.La seconde partie de ce travail présente la synthèse de liquides ioniques constitués par des synthons cationiques dérivés d'ester de glycine-bétaïne {trialkyl(2-éthoxy-2-oxoéthyl)ammonium (alkyl = éthyl, n-propyl et n-butyl), N-(1-méthylpyrrolidyl-2-éthoxy-2oxoéthyl)ammonium} et des anions inorganiques {bis(trifluorosulfonyl)imide (NTf2-), dicyanamide (Dca-), tétrafluoroborate (BF4-)}. Les influences de la longueur de la chaîne alkyle portée par l'atome d'azote ammonium et de la nature de l'anion associé sur les propriétés physicochimiques telles que la densité, les températures de fusion, de transition vitreuse et de décomposition, la viscosité et les fenêtres électrochimiques, ont été déterminées. De plus, des sels fondus ont pu être générés à partir de ces cations organiques associés aux anions tetrafluoroborate, dicyanamide, hexafluorophosphate (PF6-) et perchlorate (ClO4-), et leurs propriétés physicochimiques ainsi que leurs structures cristallines ont été déterminées.Ensuite, les liquides ioniques hydrophobes sont utilisés pour l'extraction des cations métalliques [Cu(II), Ni(II), Cd(II) et Pb(II)] en phase aqueuse. Cette étude montre que les rendements d'extraction d'ions métalliques, déterminés par mesure de la concentration résiduelle en métal en phase aqueuse, dépendent de la longueur de la chaîne alkyle portée par l'atome d'azote ammonium et des propriétés chélatantes de l'anion. Les rendements les plus élevés ont été obtenus avec les liquides ioniques dont l'anion possède des propriétés chélatantes. L'étude du transfert du métal montre qu'il est dépendant de l'hydrophobicité du synthon cationique. Une augmentation de l'hydrophobicité du synthon cationique conduit à une augmentation du rendement d'extraction, tout en limitant l'échange ionique et en privilégiant une extraction par paires d'ions. Enfin, l'électrodéposition en phase liquide ionique et la désextraction liquide-liquide des ions métalliques ont été étudiées. / This work deals with copper(II) and nickel(II) complexation of a polydentate tripodal ligand and with, on a second part, the synthesis and characterization of ionic liquids derived from betaine and their use in liquid-liquid extraction.On the first part, a heptadentate ligand, tris[(L)-alanyl-2-carboxamidoethyl]amine (H3trenala), has been synthesized as its tetrahydrochloride salt; its protonation constants and the stability constants of the copper(II) and nickel(II) chelates have been determined by potentiometry. Mononuclear species with protonated, neutral, or deprotonated forms of the ligand, [Cu(H5trenala)]4+, [M(H4trenala)]3+, [M(H3trenala)]2+, [M(H2trenala)]+, and [M(Htrenala)] (M=Cu2+ and Ni2+) have been detected in all cases, while only Cu2+ gives dinuclear [Cu2(H2trenala)]2+, [Cu2(Htrenala)]2+, [Cu2(trenala)]+, and [Cu2(trenala)(OH)] species. Two dinuclear copper(II) complexes have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV-Vis, mass electro-spray) and thermogravimetric analysis. These two dinuclear copper(II) complexes have revealed weak catalytic activity in catechol oxidation.On the second part, a series of salts based on ethyl ester betaine derivatives[trialkyl(2-ethoxy-2-oxoethyl)ammonium or N-(1-methylpyrrolidyl-2-ethoxy-2-oxoethyl)ammonium cations] with alkyl chains [ethyl, n-propyl and n-butyl] have been synthesized. These cations generate hydrophobic ionic liquids with bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, tetrafluoroborate or dicyanamide anions. The influence of the alkyl chain length and the chemical nature of the counteranion on physicochemical properties such as density, melting point, glass transition and decomposition temperatures, viscosity, and electrochemical window have been investigated. In addition, molten salts have been generated from these organic cations with hexafluorophosphate, perchlorate, tetrafluoroborate or dicyanamide anions. Their physicochemical properties and crystal structure have been investigated.The extraction of the different metal cations (Cu2+, Ni2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+) in aqueous solution by hydrophobic ionic liquids synthesized was performed. The extraction yields, determined by the measurements of the residual metal concentration in aqueous solution, depend not only the length of the alkyl chain of the ammonium but also on the nature of the associated anion. The most promising results are obtained with ILs whose anion has a chelating ability. The mechanism of metal transfer has been studied and was related to the hydrophobicity of the cationic synthon. Increasing the hydrophobicity of the cationic synthon leads to an increase of extraction yield, thus limiting the ion exchange and promoting ion pairing extraction. Electrodeposition in ionic liquid phase and liquid-liquid desextraction of metallic ions have also been investigated.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T14:46:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ralpho.pdf: 2205542 bytes, checksum: 37ae4ee862cc62b72b5ed65409967739 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-05-17 / Collecting data on pesticide effects on the environment and several ecosystems is a slow and costly process. Therefore, significant research efforts have been focused on developing mathematical models to predict physical, chemical or biological properties of environmental interest. The soil sorption coefficient normalized to organic carbon content (Koc) is a physicochemical key parameter used in environmental risk assessments of substances released into the environment. Thus, several logKoc prediction models that use hydrophobic parameter (logP) or the logarithm of water solubility (logS) as descriptor have been reported in the last decades. Mostly, due to the lack of reliable experimental values of logP or logS, algorithms are used to calculate such properties. Despite the availability and easiness to access several algorithms for this purpose, scientific studies do not describe the procedure adopted to choose the algorithm used in quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) studies. Furthermore, the strong correlation between logP and logS prevents their application in the same mathematical equation obtained by multiple linear regression method. Since the sorption process of a chemical compound in soil is related both to its water solubility and its water/organic matter partition, it is expected models that are able to combine these two properties will can record more realistic results. This doctoral dissertation consists of two scientific papers. In the first one, a study was carried out to check the influence of choosing logP algorithm on logKoc modeling. Models were constructed to relate logKoc with logP according to different freeware algorithms. All models were assessed based on their statistic qualities and predictive power. The obtained results clearly showed that an arbitrary choice of the algorithm may not result in the best prediction model. On the other hand, a good choice can lead to obtaining simple models with statistic qualities and predictive power comparable to more complex models. The second paper aims at proposing an alternative approach for logKoc modeling, using simple descriptor of solubility, here referred as logarithm of corrected solubility by octanol/water partition (logSP). Thus, models were built with this descriptor and also with logP and logS conventional descriptors, which are isolated or associated with other explicative variables of easy physicochemical interpretation. The obtained models were validated and compared to other models previously published. The results showed that the use of logSP descriptor to replace the conventional ones led to obtaining simple models with statistic qualities and predictive power that are higher than other more complex models already found in literature. / A coleta de dados relativos aos danos causados pelos pesticidas sobre o meio ambiente e seus ecossistemas é lenta e onerosa. Desta maneira, grandes incentivos têm sido destinados às pesquisas que visam à construção de modelos matemáticos para predição de propriedades físicas, químicas ou biológicas de interesse ambiental. O coeficiente de sorção no solo normalizado para o conteúdo de carbono orgânico (Koc) é um importante parâmetro físico-químico utilizado nas avaliações de riscos ambientais das substâncias lançadas no meio ambiente. Assim, vários modelos para predição de logKoc, utilizando o parâmetro hidrofóbico (logP) ou o logaritmo da solubilidade em água (logS) como descritores, têm sido publicados nas últimas décadas. Muitas vezes, em virtude da ausência de valores experimentais confiáveis de logP ou logS, são usados algoritmos para o cálculo dessas propriedades. Apesar da disponibilidade e facilidade de acesso a diversos algoritmos para tal finalidade, os artigos científicos não descrevem o procedimento adotado para escolha do algoritmo usado nos estudos QSPR. Além disto, a forte correlação entre logP e logS impede que sejam usados em uma mesma equação obtida por regressão linear múltipla. Como o processo de sorção de um composto químico no solo está relacionado tanto com sua solubilidade em água como com sua partição água/matéria orgânica, espera-se que modelos que sejam capazes de combinar essas duas informações possam gerar resultados mais realistas. Este trabalho de tese é constituído de dois artigos. No primeiro artigo, foi feito um estudo para verificar a influência da escolha do algoritmo de logP na modelagem de logKoc. Foram construídos modelos que relacionam logKoc com logP a partir de diferentes algoritmos livres disponíveis. Todos os modelos foram avaliados quanto às suas qualidades estatísticas e poder de predição. Os resultados obtidos mostraram claramente que uma escolha arbitrária deste algoritmo pode não levar ao melhor modelo de predição. Por outro lado, uma boa escolha pode conduzir à obtenção de modelos simples com qualidades estatísticas e poder de predição comparáveis a de modelos mais complexos. No segundo artigo, o objetivo foi a proposição de uma abordagem alternativa para a modelagem de logKoc, utilizando um descritor simples de solubilidade, aqui designado como logaritmo da solubilidade corrigida pela partição octanol/água (logSP). Assim, foram construídos modelos com tal descritor e também com os descritores convencionais logP e logS, isolados ou associados com outras variáveis explicativas de fácil interpretação físico-química. Os modelos obtidos foram validados e comparados com outros modelos publicados anteriormente. Os resultados mostraram que o uso do descritor logSp em substituição aos descritores convencionais conduziu à obtenção de modelos simples com qualidades estatísticas e poder de predição superiores a de outros modelos mais complexos encontrados na literatura.

The use of hydrophobic surfaces is important for many processes both in nature and industry. Interactions between hydrophobic species play a key role in industrial applications such as water-cleaning procedures and pitch control during papermaking but they also give information on how to design surfaces like hydrophobic mineral pigments. In this thesis, the influence of surface properties on wetting and interaction forces has been studied. Surfaces with close-packed particles, pore arrays, randomly deposited nanoparticles as well as reference surfaces were prepared. The atomic force microscope (AFM) was utilized for force and friction measurements while contact angles and confocal Raman microscopy experiments were mainly used for wetting studies. The deposition of silica particles in the size range of nano- to micrometers using the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique resulted in particle coated surfaces exhibiting hexagonal close-packing and close to Wenzel state wetting after hydrophobization. Force measurements displayed long-range interaction forces assigned to be a consequence of air cavitation. Smaller roughness features provided larger forces and interaction distances interpreted as being due to fewer restrictions of capillary growth. Friction measurements proved both the surface structure and chemistry to be important for the observed forces. On hydrophobic pore array surfaces, the three-phase contact line of water droplets avoided the pores which created a jagged interface. The influence of the pores was evident in the force curves, both in terms of the shape, in which the three-phase contact line movements around the pores could be detected, as well as the depth of the pores providing different access and amount of air. When water/ethanol mixtures were used, the interactions were concluded to be due to ethanol condensation. Confocal Raman microscopy experiments with water and water/ethanol mixtures on superhydrophobic surfaces gave evidence for water depletion and ethanol/air accumulation close to the surface. Force measurements using superhydrophobic surfaces showed extremely long-range interaction distances. This work has provided evidence for air cavitation between hydrophobic surfaces in aqueous solution. It was also shown that the range and magnitude of interaction forces could, to some extent, be predicted by looking at certain surface features like structure,roughness and the overall length scales. / <p>QC 20121011</p>

Recombinant strategies are today dominating in thedevelopment of modern subunit vaccines. This thesis describesstrategies for the production and recovery of protein subunitimmunogens, and how genetic design of the expression vectorscan be used to adapt the immunogens for incorporation intoadjuvant systems. In addition, different strategies fordelivery of subunit vaccines by RNA or DNA immunization havebeen investigated. Attempts to create general production strategies forrecombinant protein immunogens in such a way that these areadapted for association with an adjuvant formulation wereevaluated. Different hydrophobic amino acid sequences, beingeither theoretically designed or representing transmembraneregions of bacterial or viral origin, were fused on gene leveleither N-terminally or C-terminally to allow association withiscoms. In addition, affinity tags derived fromStaphylococcus aureusprotein A (SpA) or streptococcalprotein G (SpG), were incorporated to allow efficient recoveryby means of affinity chromatography. A malaria peptide, M5,derived from the central repeat region of thePlasmodium falciparumblood-stage antigen Pf155/RESA,served as model immunogen in these studies. Furthermore,strategies forin vivoorin vitrolipidation of recombinant immunogens for iscomincorporation were also investigated, with a model immunogendeltaSAG1 derived fromToxoplasma gondii. Both strategies were found to befunctional in that the produced and affinity purified fusionproteins indeed associated with iscoms. The iscoms werefurthermore capable of inducing antigen-specific antibodyresponses upon immunization of mice, and we thus believe thatthe presented strategies offer convenient methods for adjuvantassociation. Recombinant production of a respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) candidate vaccine, BBG2Na, in baby hamster kidney(BHK-21) cells was investigated. Semliki Forest virus(SFV)-based expression vectors encoding both intracellular andsecreted forms of BBG2Na were constructed and found to befunctional. Efficient recovery of BBG2Na could be achieved bycombining serum-free production with a recovery strategy usinga product-specific affinity-column based on a combinatoriallyengineered SpA domain, with specific binding to the G proteinpart of the product. Plasmid vectors encoding cytoplasmic or secreted variants ofBBG2Na, and employing the SFV replicase for self-amplification,was constructed and evaluated for DNA immunization against RSV.Both plasmid vectors were found to be functional in terms ofBBG2Na expression and localization. Upon intramuscularimmunization of mice, the plasmid vector encoding the secretedvariant of the antigen elicited significant anti-BBG2Na titersand demonstrated lung protective efficacy in mice. This studyclearly demonstrate that protective immune responses to RSV canbe elicited in mice by DNA immunization, and that differentialtargeting of the antigens expressed by nucleic acid vaccinationcould significantly influence the immunogenicity and protectiveefficacy. We further evaluated DNA and RNA constructs based on the SFVreplicon in comparison with a conventional DNA plasmid forinduction of antibody responses against theP. falciparumPf332-derived antigen EB200. In general,the antibody responses induced were relatively low, the highestresponses surprisingly obtained with the conventional DNAplasmid. Also recombinant SFV suicide particles inducedEB200-reactive antibodies. Importantly, all immunogens inducedan immunological memory, which could be efficiently activatedby a booster injection with EB200 protein. <b>Keywords</b>: Affibody, Affinity chromatography, Affinitypurification, DNA immunization, Expression plasmid, Fusionprotein, Hydrophobic tag, Iscoms, Lipid tagging, Malaria,Mammalian cell expression, Recombinant immunogen, RespiratorySyncytial Virus, Semliki Forest virus, Serum albumin,Staphylococcus aureusprotein A, Subunit vaccine,Toxoplasma gondii

A method is described for preset-count irradiations between 1 and 100 ions singling-out individual ions from an ion beam with more than a billion ions arriving per second. The ion tracks are etched in a conductometric system with real-time evaluation of the acquired data. The etch process can be interrupted when reaching a preset channel diameter. Cylindrical channels are obtained by adding surfactants to the etch solution forming a self-assembled barrier between etching medium and polymer. Asymmetric etching of single ion tracks leads to pH sensitive conical pores with diode-like properties. Using etched channels as template, homogeneous and multilayer magnetic single-wires are electrodeposited. The magnetoresistivity of the wires is studied. Single-track applications comprise critical apertures (cylindric, conic, necked), asymmetric pores (pH sensitive, biospecific), Giant Magneto Resistance sensors, and spintronic devices. On the basis of studies with individual ion tracks we tackled tilted multiporous systems such as ion beam lithography with a masked ion beam leading to micro-structures with inclined walls and anisotropic superhydrophobic ion track textures, analogous to biological shingle structures on butterfly wings. We demonstrated qualitatively, that the asymmetry of the texture translates into motion under ultrasonic agitation. This could lead to the development of rotary drives.

Hydrophobic impregnations often referred to as water repellent agents, today mainly consisting of alkylalkoxysilanes, are often used on concrete to prolong the service life of the structure. This is accomplished by protecting the reinforcement bars from chlorides or by changing the moisture content inside. When the concrete is treated with a water repellent agent the properties of the surface layer becomes hydrophobic and thereby water droplets are stopped from entering, still allowing water vapour to pass through. This change can reduce chloride ingress and stop heavy rain from penetrating through the surface layer. This thesis presents results concerning how the properties of concrete are affected by a hydrophobic impregnation. Moisture transport and fixation in the surface layer of the concrete are studied as well as the secondary effects of more practical use such as the effect on chloride ingress, water absorption and humidity level. It also presents results on how the penetration depth and concentration of the water repellent agent (i) depend on a number of parameters, and (ii) affect the outcome of the treatment. Water repellent treatments on a number of different concrete structures in Stockholm, ranging from tunnel to high-rice building, are evaluated as well. The three most important factors for the penetration of any water repellent agent into concrete are time, porosity and degree of saturation. A semi-empirical equation is derived that gives an idea on how much these factors affect the efficient penetration depth of the water repellent agent. The depth and concentration have a major effect on the performance of the treatment. The moisture diffusion coefficient for a water repellent treated concrete is close to constant and not nearly as dependent on the relative humidity (RH) as for untreated concrete. Unlike untreated concrete, where capillary suction plays an important role for the moisture transport at high RH, the vapour transport is the dominant transport mechanism even at high RH for water repellent treated concrete. The moisture fixation is affected by a water repellent treatment and the effect is clearest at high moisture levels. The main reason for this is that the capillary porosity is affected by the treatment to a relatively high degree while the gel porosity to a large extent remains unaffected. A hypothesis is presented which suggests that the RH inside the concrete at the time of the treatment affects not only the depth and concentration but also in which range of pore radii the water repellent agent is present and active. The durability of hydrophobic impregnations can be divided into surface effects and in depth effects. The first is sensitive to the environmental and mechanical loadings and normally disappears within a year while the later can be long lasting if a sufficient depth is reached. Hydrophobic impregnations are not the answer to all problems in concrete related to moisture, but if correctly used it can prolong the service life of the structure which will lead to savings of natural resources and thus both economical and environmental savings for the community. / Vattenavvisande impregneringsmedel, som i dagsläget till största del består av alkylalkoxysilaner, används ofta på betong för att förlänga livslängden på konstruktionen. Detta syfte uppnås genom att armeringen skyddas mot klorider eller att fukthalten inuti betongen sänks. När betongen impregneras ändras ytskiktets fuktmekaniska egenskaper från hydrofila till hydrofoba vilket gör att vattendroppar kan stoppas medan vattenånga tillåts passera. Dessa förändrade egenskaper kan medföra att kloridinträngningen minskar och att kraftiga regn inte tränger genom det impregnerade skiktet. Denna avhandling presenterar resultat om hur betongen påverkas av en vattenavvisande impregnering. Fukttransport och fuktfixering i betongens ytskikt har undersökts men även sekundära effekter som kloridinträngning, vattenabsorption och förändring i fuktinnehåll vilka alla är av större praktisk nytta. Avhandlingen presenterar också resultat om vilka faktorer som påverkar impregneringens inträngningsdjup och koncentration samt vilken betydelse dessa har för funktionen. För att utvärdera impregneringars effekt i olika miljöer har ett stort antal objekt i Stockholm undersökts, innefattande olika konstruktioner från en tunnel till höghus. Impregneringens inträngningsdjup och koncentration har en avgörande betydelse för dess funktion. De tre viktigaste faktorerna för alla impregneringsmedels inträngning i betong är tid, porositet och fuktnivå. En semiempirisk ekvation har tagits fram där det framgår hur dessa tre faktorer påverkar det slutliga inträngningsdjupet för impregneringen. Till skillnad från obehandlad betong är transportkoefficienten för en impregnerad betong nästan oberoende av den relativa fuktigheten (RF) i omgivningen. Vid höga RF, där största delen av fukttransporten i obehandlad betong sker på grund av kapillärkrafter, är ångtransporten fortfarande den dominerande transportmekanismen i impregnerad betong. Fuktfixeringen i betong påverkas av en impregnering och effekten är störst vid höga RF. Det är dock tydligt att en viss mängd fukt finns inuti den impregnerade betongen. Detta kan förklaras med att största delen av kapillärporerna påverkas av impregneringen medan gelporerna förblir obehandlade. Resultaten indikerar också att fuktnivån vid impregneringstillfället avgör vilken del av porsystemet som kan behandlas och inte bara koncentrationen och inträngningsdjupet. Långtidsegenskaperna hos impregneringen kan delas upp i yt- och djupeffekt. Effekten på ytan avtar normalt sett inom ett år på grund av damm och partiklar, UV-ljus, slitage mm. Djupeffekten påverkas däremot inte av dessa faktorer och kan finnas kvar i decennier. Vattenavvisande impregneringar är inte lösningen på alla fuktrelaterade problem i betong, men om de används på rätt sätt så kan det förlänga livslängden på många konstruktioner. Detta leder till ett bättre hushållande med naturresurser och därmed både ekonomiska och miljömässiga besparingar för samhället. / QC20100715