Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have two main properties: pluripotency and self-renewal. Physical cues presented by biomaterial scaffolds can stimulate differentiation of hiPSCs to neurons. In this work, we develop and analyze a mathematical model of aggregate growth and neural differentiation on melt electrospun biomaterial scaffolds. An ordinary differential equation model of population size of each cell state (stem, progenitor, differentiated) was developed based on experimental results and previous literature. Analysis and numerical simulations of the model successfully capture many of the dynamics observed experimentally. Analysis of the model gives optimal parameter sets, that correspond to experimental procedures, to maximize particular populations. The model indicates that a physiologic oxygen level (~5%) increases population sizes compared to atmospheric oxygen levels (~21%). Model analysis also indicates that the optimal scaffold porosity for maximizing aggregate size is approximately 63%. This model allows for the use of mathematical analysis and numerical simulations to determine the key factors controlling cell behavior when seeded on melt electrospun scaffolds. / Graduate

Micrometer injection moulding is a type of moulding in which moulds have geometrical design features on a micrometer scale that must be transferred to the geometry of the produced part. The difficulties encountered due to very high shear and rapid heat transfer of these systems has motivated this investigation into the fundamental mathematics behind polymer heat transfer and associated processes. The aim is to derive models for polymer dynamics, especially heat dynamics, that are considerably less approximate than the ones used at present, and to translate this into simulation and optimisation algorithms and strategies, Thereby allowing for greater control of the various polymer processing methods at micrometer scales.

Endothelial cells (EC) are essential regulator of vascular homeostasis through the generation and release of various bioactive agents, including nitric oxide (NO). NO modulates several vascular functions such as vascular tone and permeability, through the stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) leading to the production of cGMP. Conversely, phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are enzymes metabolizing cyclic nucleotides (cGMP and cAMP) and are therefore major regulatory players for cGMP and cAMP signalling pathways. Although ECs are the main source of NO, little is known on the endothelial NO-cGMP signalling pathway and cellular outcomes. It was then hypothesized that a specific population of cGMP-phosphodiesterases allows ECs to stabilize cGMP levels despite the elevated production of NO. Expression of cGMP-phosphodiesterases was initially studied in resistance mesenteric arteries from mice. PDE5 and PDE6 were both found at mRNA and protein levels in native arteries but PDE6 is not found in cultured ECs. Interestingly, subcellular distributions of both enzymes were distinct. PDE5 appeared to be homogeneously distributed whilst PDE6 catalytic subunits (PDE6 and PDE6) showed a preferential staining in the perinuclear region. These results suggest that PDE6 might be involved in the regulation of cGMP microdomains. Based on these findings, a mathematical model was developed. Simulations of dynamic cGMP levels in ECs support the notion of cGMP microdomains dependent on PDE6 expression and localization. In the absence of PDE6, application of NO either as a single bolus or repetitive pulses led to a homogeneous increase in cGMP levels in ECs despite PDE5 homogeneous distribution. However, PDE6 subcellular targeting to the perinuclear membrane generated a cGMP-depleted perinuclear space. The findings from this study provide the first evidence of the expression and specific intracellular distribution of PDE6 in native endothelial cells that strongly support their involvement in the generation of cGMP microdomains / Les cellules endothéliales (CEs) participent au maintien de l’homéostasie vasculaire en générant et libérant de nombreux agents bioactifs, incluant l’oxyde nitrique (NO). Le NO module plusieurs fonctions vasculaires telles que le tonus et la perméabilité vasculaire via la stimulation de la guanylate cyclase soluble (GCs) provoquant la formation de GMPc. D’autre part, les phosphodiestérases (PDEs) sont des enzymes métabolisant les nucléotides cycliques (GMPc et AMPc) et participent donc à des étapes essentielles du contrôle des voies de signalisation du GMPc et de l’AMPc. Bien que les CEs soient la source principale de NO, la voie de signalisation NO-GMPc endothéliale et les répercussions fonctionnelles demeurent méconnues. Nous avons alors émis l’hypothèse qu’une population spécifique de PDEs ciblant le GMPc (PDEs-GMPc) permettrait aux CEs de maintenir des niveaux de GMPc faible malgré l’importante production de NO. L’expression des isoformes de PDEs-GMPc dans les artères mésentériques de souris fut initialement déterminée. PDE5 et PDE6 furent détectées tant sous la forme d’ARNm que de protéines dans les artères natives alors que PDE6 est absente de lignées de CEs en culture. La distribution intracellulaire des deux enzymes est distincte. Alors que PDE5 est distribué uniformément dans le cytoplasme des cellules endothéliales, les sousunités catalytiques de PDE6 ( et ) sont préférentiellement présentes dans la région périnucléaire. Ces résultats suggèrent que PDE6 puisse être impliqué dans le contrôle de microdomaines de GMPc. Des simulations effectuées à l’aide d’un modèle mathématique développé sur la base de ces données sont en accords avec la notion selon laquelle l’expression et la distribution subcellulaire de PDE6 sont responsables de microdomaines de GMPc dans l’endothélium. En absence de PDE6, l’ajout de NO sous forme de bolus unique ou répétée mène à une augmentation homogène de la concentration cytoplasmique en GMPc malgré la présence de PDE5. Toutefois, la présence de PDE6 à la membrane péri-nucléaire crée un espace péri-nucléaire pauvre en GMPc. Les résultats de cette étude forment les premières évidences de l’expression et de la distribution intracellulaire hétérogène de PDE6 dans les cellules endothéliales natives et suggèrent leur implication dans la génération de microdomaines.

Algae are a promising new source of oil for biodiesel. They are aquatic organisms that do not require cropland, and they can produce many useful side-products for bioenergy, aquaculture, and nutraceutical production. To be cost-effective, algae need high and reliable oil productivities; however, there is still a great deal to learn about the effects of culturing conditions on algae growth rates and lipid production. These culturing conditions include light intensity, gas flow, use of CO₂, and culture volume. An extensive database of published research on algae growth rates and lipid contents under a wide variety of environmental conditions was prepared. By graphing data from 116 publications on 132 microalgae species, several key trends were identified relating to culturing parameters and algae biomass and lipid production. In addition, data from 131 publications on 128 microalgae species were graphed to look at presence of flagella, nutrient limitation, lipid productivity, and productivity tradeoffs. Moreover, cell size information was gathered for 146 species. The interactions between culture variables are complex, so it is difficult to quantify the degree to which each culture variable affects algae growth rates and lipid production. Therefore, several multivariate analyses were performed to generate a set of general and simple predictive models to assess specific growth rates, maximum lipid contents, and volumetric lipid productivities. These models were used to determine which culture parameters were significant predictors of algae growth rates and lipid production, and the contribution of each environmental parameter was quantified. In addition to models for algae in general, genera specific models were prepared for Chlorella, Isochrysis, Nannochloropsis, Phaeodactylum, and Tetraselmis. These models show high predictive capabilities, and they greatly extend the range of species-specific multiple regression models available. Furthermore, one Tetraselmis model was validated using Tetraselmis impellucida growth experiments in a large novel photobioreactor.

The aim of this thesis is an overall assessment of the hydrogeological conditions of the Český Brod Permian Carboniferous and overall the balance of upper groundwater aquifer in the northern part of the Český Brod Permian Carboniferous using a mathematical model. For the realization of the model was used ZABAGED data provided by the Czech Office for Surveying, Mapping and Cadastre, which is located in Prague 8 Kobylsích. The mathematical model was created using computer applications such as FeFlow 5. 2, ArcGIS for Desktop 10. 1 and Surfer 10. 7. 972. The result of this work is to evaluate the overall balance of precipitation, surface water and groundwater in the upper aquifer north of Český Brod Permian Carboniferous, respectively, in the hydrologic basin of the Upper and Middle Elbe, in the hydrological basin fourth Order river Vyrovka (HEIS.VUV.cz). The evaluation was done by comparing the data obtained from the studied opinions and based on data obtained from calculations of the mathematical model. The results of the mathematical model were also compared with the original model hydroizohyps, which was created based on the coordinates of the individual wells in a given area and treble steady groundwater levels, coordinate and treble levels of selected points on each watercourse. Before completing...

[pt] Neste trabalho, um estudo do deslocamento ascendente de uma única bolha de gás num fluido não newtoniano é realizado ,a fim de simular o escoamento de bolhas de gás em pasta de cimento durante a cimentação de poços de petróleo. O fluido é modelado como um fluido não Newtoniano tipo Herschel-Bulkley com reologia variável no tempo. A partícula imersa no fluido não necessariamente é gasosa, também pode ser sólida ou liquida, fazendo algumas considerações para cada caso. Para desenvolver o modelo matemático foi feita uma analise dinâmica da partícula esférica imersa no fluido, e junto com as equações de Ansley e Plesley (1967), foi finalizado o modelo. O sistema de equações foi solucionado usando um método numerico de Runge Kutta de baixa ordem. O modelo numérico foi implementado usando o programa Matlab da empresa Mathworks. Os cálculos foram feitos para bolha esférica, numero de Reynolds baixo (menor 3), temperatura constante, efeito de parede desprezível e sem efeito de população. O modelo foi validado comparando os resultados numéricos com os resultados experimentais de multiples autores. Foram consultados os dados experimentais dos autores Raymond (2000), Hervé Tabuteau (2007) e Neville Dubash (2003). Foi analisado o efeito da massa da bolha e da tensão superficial da interface liquido-gás na cinemática da partícula, a fim de definir em que condições é possível desprezar seus efeitos. Finalmente, os efeitos dos parâmetros reológicos na cinemática da partícula são analisados. Além disso, considerou-se a dependência da reologia com o tempo a fim de analisar o processo de deslocamento da bolha durante a cura do cimento. / [en] In this work, a study of the rising movement of single gas bubble in non- Newtonian fluid is performed, in order to simulate the behavior of a gas bubble in a cement paste during oil well cementing. The fluid is modeled as a non- Newtonian fluid type Hershchel-bulkley with varying rheology in the time. The particle immersed in the fluid is not necessarily gaseous, it also could be liquid or solid, with some restrictions for each case. To develop the mathematical model, it was done a dynamic analysis of the spherical particle immersed in the fluid, and also, using the Ansley and Plesley’s equations (1967), was finished the model. The equation systems was solved using a low order numerical method of Runge Kutta. The numerical model was implemented using Matlab program of the Mathworks Company. The calculations were made for spherical bubble, low Reynolds number (less than 3), constant temperature, wall effect neglected and without effect population.The model was validated comparing the numerical data with experimental results of multiple authors. Experimental data was consulted of Raymond and Rosant (2000), Hervé Tabuteau (2007) and Neville Dubash (2003) authors. It was analyzed the bubble mass effect and the surface tension of the liquid-gas interface in the kinematic particle, to define under what conditions it is possible to neglected its effects. Finally,the effects of rheological parameters on particle kinematics was analized. furthermore, the dependence of the rheology in the time to determine the bubble displacement process in the curing cement was analized.

A unidade de coqueamento retardado é um processo térmico de conversão, utilizado pelas refinarias, para converter cargas residuais em produtos de baixo peso molecular e com alto valor agregado (gases, nafta e gasóleo) e coque verde de petróleo. Um pequeno aumento no rendimento líquido da unidade de coqueamento retardado proporciona benefícios económicos consideráveis, especialmente no destilado líquido. A concorrência no mercado, as restrições sobre as especificações do produto e gargalos operacionais exigem um melhor planejamento da produção. Portanto, o desenvolvimento de novas estratégias e modelos matemáticos, focados em melhores condições de operação do processo industrial e formulações de produtos, é essencial para alcançar melhores rendimentos e um acompanhamento mais preciso da qualidade do produto. Este trabalho tem como objetivo o desenvolvimento de modelo matemático do conjunto forno-reator do processo de coqueamento, a partir de informações obtidas em uma planta industrial. O modelo proposto é baseado na caracterização da carga e dos produtos em pseudocomponentes, modelos cinéticos de grupos e condições de equilíbrio liquido-vapor. Além disso, são discutidos os principais desafios para o desenvolver o modelo matemático do forno e do reator, bem como a caracterização rigorosa do resíduo de vácuo e dos produtos para determinar os parâmetros que afetam a morfologia do coque e a zona de reação no interior do reator de coque. / The delayed coke unit is a thermal conversion process, used by the crude oil refineries, to convert residual feedstocks into products of low molecular weight and high aggregated value (gases, naphtha and gasoil) and green coke. A small increase in the net yield in the delayed coke unit results in considerable economic benefits, particularly in the liquid distillates. The market competition, the restrictions on the product specifications and the operational bottlenecks require a better production planning. Therefore, the development of new strategies and mathematical models, focused in better industrial process operating conditions and product formulations, is essential to achieve better yields and a more precise product quality monitoring. The objective of this work is the development of a furnace-reactor mathematical model of the delayed coke process based on industrial plant information. The proposed model is based on the feed and product characterization as pseudo components, group kinetical models and liquid-vapor equilibrium. Furthermore, the main challenges to develop the furnace and reactor mathematical model are discussed, as well as the vacuum residual and the coke unit products rigorous characterization to determine the parameters that impact the coke morphology and the reaction zone inside the coke reactor.

O terraceamento é uma prática de conservação do solo que visa reduzir a perda de água e solo pela interceptação de enxurradas que ocorrem quando a intensidade da chuva supera a capacidade de infiltração de água no solo. Atualmente, o dimensionamento dos terraços tem sido feito com base em conhecimento empírico; no entanto, um conhecimento mais detalhado da física dos processos que regem o funcionamento dos terraços possibilitaria otimizar o dimensionamento dos terraços. No presente estudo foi avaliada a capacidade de infiltração de água no canal de um terraço em nível pelos métodos da densidade de fluxo e da armazenagem de água em diferentes condições de manejo agrícola (solo nu, solo gramado e solo sob preparo convencional e plantio direto para a implantação da cultura de milho) num Latossolo vermelho com declividade média de 0,08 m m-1. Em cada tratamento foram instaladas sondas de TDR em três pontos de observação no centro do canal do terraço (distanciados de 4 m entre si e considerados como repetições), nas rofundidades de 0,05, 0,10, 0,20, 0,40, 0,60 e 0,80 m. Nestas mesmas profundidades amostras indeformadas de solo foram retiradas para determinação da densidade e curva de retenção de água no solo. As leituras das guias de onda do TDR foram feitas automaticamente e a intensidade de chuva monitorada por um pluviômetro automatizado. Ao final de cada evento de chuva erosiva a deposição de solo foi medida por meio de 14 pontos de observação dispostos ao longo do centro do canal do terraço de cada tratamento. Durante a estação seca (julho-agosto), a condutividade hidráulica do solo não saturado foi determinada em cada repetição nas mesmas profundidades, utilizando o método do perfil instantâneo. Os resultados demonstraram que os manejos agrícolas influenciam na deposição de água e solo sobre o canal do terraço e estas na formação de selo superficial e na capacidade de infiltração de água do canal. Conclui-se que a alta variação comumente obtida entre as repetições de determinação da condutividade hidráulica implica em dificuldades quando se objetiva detectar pequenas diferenças nas densidades de fluxo entre tratamentos. Assim, mostrou ser inviável utilizar densidades de fluxo calculadas pela equação de Darcy-Buckingham para encontrar diferenças em taxas de infiltração em terraços em nível. Essa conclusão reforça-se devido às condições superficiais altamente variáveis encontradas em canais de terraços em nível devido a deposições irregulares do material erodido. Uma metodologia para se realizar medições da umidade nas deposições sobre o canal deve ser desenvolvida para aumentar a acurácia da medida da armazenagem. A taxa de infiltração de água no canal do terraço não pode ser estimada pela variação da armazenagem da água no solo somente, devido ao papel importante da drenagem profunda e, possivelmente, da absorção de água pela camalhão do terraço. Uma adequada estimativa da taxa de infiltração no canal do terraço, imprescindível para seu dimensionamento, deve aliar um grande número de repetições, além da medição da umidade no interior da camada de material depositado sobre o canal ao longo do tempo. / Terracing is a soil conservation practice that aims to reduce water and soil loss by interception of runoff that occurs when rainfall intensities exceed infiltration capacity. Actually, dimensions of terraces are being determined in an empirical way; however, a more detailed understanding of the physics behind the hydrological functions of terraces would allow an optimized dimensioning of terraces. In this study the infiltration capacity of a level terrace was evaluated by the methods of flux density and water storage, under different management conditions (bare soil, pasture, conventionally tilled maize and zero-tillage maize) on an oxisol with a slope of 0.08 m m-1. In each treatment TDR sensors were installed at three observation points in the middle of the terrace canal (distance between points: 4 m; considered to be repetitions) at the depths of 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.40, 0.60 and 0.80 m. At the same depths, undisturbed soil samples were taken to determine soil density and soil water retention curve. TDR readings were made automatically and a rainfall gauge automatically monitored rainfall intensity. At the end of each rainfall event, soil deposition was measured at 14 locations in the terrace canal in each treatment. During the dry season (July-August), unsaturated hydraulic conductivity was determined at each repetition at the same depths by the instantaneous profile method. The results showed that agricultural management influenced water and soil deposition in the terrace canal and these affected surfaced sealing and infiltration capacity. It was concluded that the high variation usually obtained between repetitions of the hydraulic conductivity determinations makes the detection of small differences between flux densities difficult. Therefore, it showed to be impossible to use flux densities calculated by Darcy-Buckingham equation in the order to prove existence of different infiltration rates in level terraces. This conclusion was reinforced due to the highly variable surface conditions in the terrace canal. A methodology to measure water contents within the depositions in the canal should be developed to increase the precision of water storage estimation. Infiltration rates in the terrace canal cannot be estimated by storage variation alone, due to the important role of drainage and, possibly, ascension of water in the terrace hill. A correct estimate of the infiltration rate in the canal, necessary for its dimensioning, should combine a high number of repetitions with the measurement of water content within the layer of deposits over the terrace canal surface along time.

Nas indústrias de celulose, o processo dominante é a polpação Kraft. A polpação ou o cozimento de madeira em digestores constitui a operação central da produção de celulose, onde se processam as reações de deslignificação dos cavacos de madeira. Em geral, aí os modelos são empíricos e baseados em experimentos em escala de laboratório, e o \"scale-up\" para nível de digestores industriais torna-se tedioso e às vezes impraticável, pelo número de experimentos necessários e pela dificuldade de reprodução de todas as condições operacionais. Propõe-se neste trabalho um modelo matemático de polpação Kraft de eucalipto. O modelo consiste num sistema de equações diferenciais parciais que descrevem os efeitos combinados da cinética de polpação e da difusão de reagentes, como um reator de mistura perfeita com fases heterogêneas. Apresentam-se as previsões das simulações, comparam-se seus valores com dados experimentais. Este modelo é heterogêneo e difere dos modelos homogêneos usualmente propostos para a polpação. O primeiros permite uma abordagem das influências da espessura, massa específica e porosidade de cavacos, e também da difusão de reagentes nos cavacos durante a polpação. O presente trabalho dá ainda alguns exemplos de aplicação e tece comentários quanto ao modelo. / Kraft pulping is the dominant process f the pulp industry. The pulping of wood in digesters is the central operation of the pulp production, which consists of the delignification of the wood chips. Usually, the models of the delignification are empiricals and derived from laboratory scale experiments . The scale-up for industrial applications is tedious and sometimes impracticable, requiring a large number of experiments and presenting difficulty in reproducing all the operational condictions. The present work suggests a mathematical model for the Kraft pulping of the eucalyptus. This model consists of a system of partial differential equations describing the combined effects of the pulping kinetics and the diffusion of reactants, in form of continuous stirred tank reactor with heterogeneous phases. The prediction of the values given by simulation and their comparison with experimental data are presented. Differing from the homogeneous model, the heterogeneous allows an approach to estimate the influence of the chip thickness, density, porosity and that of the diffusion of the reactants in the chips, during pulping. The present work gives further some examples of application and comments on the model.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo definir o rearranjo espacial da capacidade estática de armazenamento de soja no estado do Mato Grosso a partir de um modelo matemático de localização, visando à minimização dos custos logísticos envolvidos no escoamento da produção do grão aos armazéns e desses aos principais portos brasileiros. O instrumental utilizado para tanto foi a programação inteira-mista, considerando que o mercado em questão atua em concorrência perfeita, com oferta (produção) e demanda (exportação) fixas e ausência de diferença tecnológica e de economia de escala nas atividades de armazenamento e transporte. Foi adotado como premissa básica que o transporte dos locais armazenadores aos portos se dará apenas pela logística intermodal (rodo-ferro/hidroviário). Foram elaborados quatro cenários para tal análise, que incorporaram alterações na demanda, na economia de escala dos custos de construção dos armazéns graneleiros e mudanças na seleção dos armazéns para atendimento às exportações. Para todas essas simulações foi considerada a ausência de armazéns graneleiros no Mato Grosso, para comparação dos resultados com a situação da rede armazenadora existente. Os resultados obtidos sinalizaram que há uma tendência para ampliação da capacidade estática de armazenamento, principalmente nas mesorregiões Norte e Nordeste mato-grossenses, em torno de 1,4 milhões de toneladas. As microrregiões de Alto Paraguai (Centro-Sul), Alto Araguaia (Sudeste), Nova Lacerda e Tangará da Serra (Sudoeste) possuem uma defasagem na capacidade de estocagem atual, mostrando-se assim como locais potenciais para receber investimentos na ampliação. Portanto, pode-se concluir que o modelo desenvolvido atendeu ao objetivo do problema que foi de identificar os locais e dimensionar a capacidade de armazenamento para o Mato Grosso, mostrando assim, quais são as regiões que necessitam ampliar seu sistema armazenador. Dessa forma, a expansão planejada do sistema de armazenamento pode contribuir para minimizar as perdas no escoamento da produção, uma vez que o estado está muito distante dos portos. Assim, uma logística intermodal (mais competitiva) integrada com um sistema de armazenamento planejado pode diminuir o custo total envolvido para escoar a produção de soja mato-grossense até os portos. / The current study aimed to define the spatial rearrangement of the static capacity of soybean storage in the state of Mato Grosso, making use of a mathematical model of location, seeking for the reduction of logistic costs involved in transporting the grains production to warehouses and from there to the mains harbors in Brazil. The method used for that purpose was the mixed-integer programming, considering that the market under study is under perfect competition, with fixed supply (production) and demand (exportation) and the absence of a technological difference and of economies of scale in the activities of stocking and transporting. It was adopted as basic premise that the transporting from warehouses to harbors will be done through inter modal logistics (road-railway / waterway). Four scenarios were developed for such analysis, which incorporate changes in demand, economies of scale on costs of building grain warehouses and a change in the choice of the warehouses to meet the demand for exportation. In all of these simulations it was considered the absence of warehouses in Mato Grosso for comparing the results to the system of the existing network of storage. The results obtained signal that there is a tendency to expand the static capacity of storage, specially in the regions of the North or Northeast of Mato Grosso, to 1.4 million tons roughly. The regions of Alto Paraguai (Center-South), Alto Araguaia (Southeast), Nova Lacerda and Tangará da Serra (Southwest) have a current gap in the capacity of storage, showing that they are potential places to receive investments for expansion. Therefore, it can be concluded that the model developed reached the objective of the problem, which was to identify places and to delineate the capacity of storage for the state of Mato Grosso, presenting this way the regions to expand their stocking system. The planned expansion of the system can contribute to minimizing the losses in transporting the production, once the state is located far from the harbors. Thus, an inter modal logistic (more competitive) integrated to a planned system of storage can reduce the total cost involved to transport the soybean production to the harbors.