The aims of this study were: (1) to determine simultaneously by means of a micro-potometric method the rates of water and various isotopic ion effluxes from isolated onion roots; (2) to determine and compare the effects of metabolic inhibitors on both processes simultaneously; (3) to ascertain the similarity or dissimilarity of mechanisms involved with these two processes; (4) to ascertain the role of active metabolism in each of these processes; (5) to shed light on possible gearing mechanism(s) between metabolic and transport processes.

Methods currently available for the detection and enumeration of genetically modified micro-organisms in the environment include culturing methods, direct microscopic detection and nucleic hybridization techniques. The aim of this project was to develop luminescence as a molecular based-marker system in Pseudomonas fluorescens. The lux genes, originally isolated from Vibrio fischeri, were introduced into Ps. fluorescens on plasmid vectors and on the chromosome. The efficiency of these two strategies for the detection of Ps. fluorescens in soil was assessed. Luminometry was used to estimate biomass concentration during growth. The sensitivity of luminescence detection was greater for the plasmid marked Ps. fluorescens in both liquid culture and soil, however, cellular light output was less closely linked to biomass concentration. Enumeration of cells by luminometry was only possible for growing cells as light output is correlated with microbial activity. The lux chromosomal marker was stable in liquid culture for at least 200 generations and in soil for up to 135 days. The plasmid borne lux genes had a half-life of 20 generations in liquid culture. After inoculation in sterile soil, plasmid loss was only observed during cellular growth. The frequency of transfer of the lux genes from Ps. fluorescens, by conjugation and transformation, was assessed in liquid culture. Mobilisation of these genes by three self transmissible plasmids was negligible due to the instability of these vectors in this host. Transformation of Ps. stutzeri with lux genes, by cell contact, was at frequencies below levels of detection. Luminescence provided a valuable marker for tracking pseudomonads in soil. Detection of marked strains by luminometry provided a sensitive, rapid and non-extractive technique for enumeration of growing cells and measurement of microbial activity. As the chromosomally encoded lux genes were stable, regardless of growth conditions, and emitted sufficient levels of light to enable visual enumeration of colonies by eye, this was considered the best system for long term risk assessment studies.

This thesis investigated single nanoparticle/molecule detections using a whispering gallery mode (WGM) microcavity, with focuses on sensing with the cavity optomechanical oscillation (OMO). The high quality (Q) factor and small mode volume properties of a WGM microcavity make it possible to establish a strong intracavity power density with a small amount of input optical power. Such a high optical power density exerts a radiation pressure that is sufficient to push the cavity wall moving outward. The dynamic interaction between the optical field and the mechanical motion eventually results in a regenerative mechanical oscillation of the WGM cavity, which is termed as the optomechanical oscillation. With a high Q spherical microcavity, the observation of OMO in heavy water is reported. To the best knowledge of the author, this is the first demonstration of the cavity OMO in an aqueous environment. Furthermore, by utilizing the properties of reactive sensing, cavity OMO, and optical spring effect, we demonstrated a new sensing mechanism that improves the WGM microcavity sensing resolution by several orders of magnitude. Finally, we conducted the demonstration of in-vitro molecule sensing by detecting single bindings of the 66 kDa Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) protein molecules at a signal-to-noise ratio of 16.8. / Graduate

La presente investigación titulada “Incremento de la productividad en la pequeña y microempresa nacional con visión a exportar” es válida para quienes consideramos su problemática una de las causas fundamentales para que nuestro país continúe sumido en el subdesarrollo vislumbrando perspectivas de mejora ante los ojos del contexto internacional mas no en la realidad socio-económica nacional. En este sentido, el primer capítulo de la presente titulado como Generalidades proporciona mediante la formulación de hipótesis e interacción adecuada de las variables de la investigación, el punto de partida para el análisis y contribución a la solución de la problemática del sector de la pequeña y microempresa en el país teniendo como eje a la capacitación como complemento de la ingeniería Industrial para incrementar los niveles de productividad en las organizaciones, lo cual se ve plasmado en el desarrollo del presente proyecto de tesis. El segundo capítulo titulado “El Significado de la Productividad para la Pequeña y Microempresa Nacional”, abordó de manera exhaustiva lo referente a la pequeña y microempresa en relación a sus antecedentes, marco teórico y el valor de su impulso para su resurgimiento en el país, en virtud de lo cual el complemento en el mismo sentido de lo que representa la productividad en la empresa en especial en el sector de la pequeña y microempresa contribuirá al entendimiento del empresario de su significado e importancia de su adecuada gestión y manejo en aras de lograr el éxito y reconocimiento social de dicho sector en países en vías de desarrollo como el nuestro. El tercer capítulo titulado “ El Aporte de La Capacitación y La Ingeniería Industrial para el incremento de la Productividad en la Micro y Pequeña Empresa”, nos ofrece como propuesta medular demostrar que es factible y rentable mejorar la productividad y las condiciones de trabajo a partir de dar un impulso al aprendizaje permanente del personal mediante su capacitación y entrenamiento complementando a la ingeniería industrial en el reto del incremento de la productividad orientando su gestión al recurso humano como el ente más importante en las organizaciones. El cuarto capítulo titulado “La visión exportadora de la pequeña y microempresa nacional” abarca puntualmente el contexto de las exportaciones en relación a su proceso y modalidades, sin dejar de lado su marco conceptual para seguidamente abordar las alternativas de impulsarlas en nuestro país, internamente mediante la formación de cadenas productivas como los clusters sin dejar de lado la visión y aporte al empresario de los programas promovidos por diversas entidades en el país tales como PROMPEX y externamente analizando el significado del aprovechamiento o no de la coyuntura internacional que representaría la firma del Tratado de Libre Comercio – TLC para el incremento de nuestras exportaciones; finalmente se presenta el marco situacional de nuestras exportaciones en los diversos sectores que participan activamente en este proceso. El quinto y último capítulo de la presente investigación titulado “Diagnóstico y aplicación del proyecto a la investigación”, es el reflejo del éxito o no del proyecto al aplicarlo a la realidad de la pequeña y microempresa nacional en relación a técnicas y herramientas de incremento de la productividad enmarcadas en planes estratégicos orientadas a la especialización al momento de aplicarlas a las organizaciones, en este sentido el Método ZOOP denominado Planificación estratégica por objetivos es el que se ha seleccionado para el análisis e interpretación de los resultados obtenidos. Finalmente, el aporte del presente proyecto de investigación a la Ingeniería específicamente a la Ingeniería Industrial se fundamenta en contribuir con la pequeña y microempresa en ahorro de costos, uso eficiente de los recursos y una inversión más enfocada en los mercados donde en verdad existe potencial lo cual reflejaría un incremento en sus niveles de productividad en relación a su calidad de producción, permitiéndoles ser competitivos en el mercado local y por ende despertar en el empresario una visión exportadora de sus bienes o servicios producidos, lo cual constituye la diferencia sustancial y valor agregado del proyecto respecto a otros que se limitan al incremento de la productividad en las organizaciones.

Magíster en Ciencias de la Ingeniería, Mención Eléctrica / Las microrredes son una alternativa viable para suministrar electricidad a comunidades, con la particularidad de facilitar la integración de fuentes de energía renovables. Esta solución requiere de la cuantificación de su sustentabilidad, con el objetivo de establecer si el sistema perdurará en el tiempo, manteniendo sus funcionalidades. Sin embargo, el concepto de sustentabilidad es difícil de definir y llevar a la práctica, principalmente por las dificultades en su cuantificación. En esta tesis se propone una metodología de monitoreo de microrredes basada en la resiliencia, por ser un atributo de la sustentabilidad, como una forma de hacerla práctica y cuantificable. La resiliencia es un concepto tomado de la ciencia de materiales, definido como la capacidad del material de soportar fuerzas externas que lo deforman, sin producir alteraciones permanentes. En este sentido, al considerar la respuesta de los distintos elementos que constituyen la microrred ante estímulos externos, y sus interacciones, será factible cuantificar si el sistema es capaz de soportar las consecuencias de estos estímulos y recuperarse. Consecuentemente, una microrred resiliente es aquella que tiene la capacidad de regresar a su estado original, cuando es sometida a perturbaciones de tipo social, ambiental, técnica y/o económica, entendiendo estado original como las condiciones de operación previas a la perturbación. La metodología inicia con el análisis de la microrred como sistema socio-técnico, luego se pasa a la selección de indicadores, y finalmente se establecen los índices de resiliencia. Los indicadores seleccionados se agrupan en las siguientes cinco categorías: administración ambiental con dieciocho indicadores, avance tecnológico con dieciséis indicadores, desarrollo social con veintitrés indicadores, desarrollo económico con once indicadores y desarrollo de la gestión diecisiete indicadores. Se definen tres índices de resiliencia, los que construyen a través de una ponderación lineal de los indicadores de desempeño, reflejando su contribución en las tres facetas de resiliencia: evitar, soportar y recuperar. La propuesta es validada en el Sistema ESUSCON, en Huatacondo, para demostrar su aplicabilidad y utilidad en el seguimiento de microrredes. El análisis se realiza para el periodo comprendido entre enero de 2011 y setiembre de 2013, basado en la información disponible, lo que permitió evaluar doce indicadores de desempeño, los que a su vez permiten una estimación mensual de los tres índices de resiliencia. En el ámbito de la investigación futura se sugiere analizar la relación entre resiliencia y vulnerabilidad, que aporte al análisis de la dinámica del sistema en estudio, junto con desarrollar temas de modelación de sistemas socio-técnicos.

Cette étude démontre l’évolution d’un outil spécifique devenu secteur : la micro finance. Véritable outil d’inclusion financière et de développement durable à destination des populations pauvres dans les pays en développement, sa croissance ainsi que sa maturation n’ont eu de cesse de révéler toute son importance à travers l’histoire. Ses institutions de micro finance, encadrées juridiquement dans la majorité des cas, par des statuts à parts, quasi- privé, constituent la représentation sur le terrain de ce secteur enclin à la transformation. La micro finance s’est frayée un chemin dans l’univers du secteur bancaire classique. La diversité de ses activités, la spécificité de ces réglementations et encore la technicité de sa mise en œuvre, prouve à quel point la micro finance produit d’incontestable effets sur la réduction de la pauvreté et par voie de conséquence sur le développement des Etats les plus pauvres. Malgré une certaine réponse aux objectifs du millénaire, la situation de pauvreté reste préoccupante mettant en exergue le besoin d’un réel cadre juridique général contraignant, inexistant au jour d’aujourd’hui. En effet, un tel cadre permettrait de résoudre la majorité des disfonctionnements de la micro finance et de relever une grande partie des défis qui se présentent à elle, pour faire fleurir une efficacité incontestable du mécanisme de développement. / This study shows the evolution of a sector become specific: microfinance. Real key tool for financial inclusion to poor population in developing countries, its growth and maturation, historicly and constantly reveal its importanceMicro finance institutions’ (MFIs), legally framed by statutes, almost private, are the field representation of this sector prone to transformation. Microfinance has pioneered in the traditional banking sector universe. Diversity of its activities, specificity of these regulations and still technicality of its implementation, shows how microfinance product undeniable effects on reduction of poverty and consequently on the development of developping countries. Despite some response to the Millennium Goals, the poverty situation remains worrying highlighting the need for a real binding general legal framework, which does not exist actually. Indeed, such a framework would solve most dysfunctional of microfinance and meet many of the challenges presented to it, to flourish unquestionable efficiency of the development process.

"This dissertation is devoted to the computational investigation of supersonic gas flows in rectangular nanochannels with scales between 100 nm and 1000 nm, using an unstructured three-dimensional Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (U3DSMC) methodology. This dissertation also contributes to the computational mathematics background of the U3DSMC method with validations and verifications at the micronscale and nanoscale, as well as with the investigation of the statistical fluctuations and errors associated with U3DSMC simulations at the nanoscale. The U3DSMC code is validated by comparisons with previous two dimensional DSMC simulations of flows in micron-scale rectangular channels. The simulation involves the supersonic flow of nitrogen into a microchannel with height of 1.2 m and width of 6 m. The free stream conditions correspond to a pressure of 72,450 Pa, Mach number , Knudsen number and mean free path nm. The U3DSMC centerline temperature, heat flux to the wall, and mean velocity as a function of the transverse direction are in very good agreement with previous 2D results. Statistical fluctuations and errors in U3DSMC have added significance in nanoscale domains because the number of real particles can be very small inside a computational cell. The effect of the number of samples, the number of computational particles in a Delaunay cell, and the Mach number on the fractional errors of density, velocity and temperature are investigated for uniform and pressure-driven nanoscale flows. The uniform nanoflow is implemented by applying a and free stream boundary condition with m-3, K, nm in a domain that requires resolution of a characteristic length scale nm. The pressure-driven flows consider a nanochannel of 500 nm height, 100 nm width and 4 m length. Subsonic boundary conditions are applied with inlet pressure 101,325 Pa and outlet pressure of 10132.5 Pa. The analysis shows that U3DSMC simulations at nanoscales featuring 10-30 particles per Delaunay cell result in statistical errors that are consistent with theoretical estimates. The rarefied flow of nitrogen with speed ratio of 2, 5, and 10, pressure of 10.132 kPa into rectangular nanochannels with height of 100, 500 and 1000 nm is investigated using U3DSMC. The investigation considers rarefaction effects with =0.481, 0.962, 4.81, geometric effects with nanochannel aspect ratios of (L/H) from AR=1, 10, 100 and back-pressure effects with imposed pressures from 0 to 200 kPa. The computational domain features a buffer region upstream of the inlet and the nanochannel walls are assumed to be diffusively reflecting at the free stream temperature of 273 K. The analysis is based on the phase space distributions as well as macroscopic flow variables sampled in cells along the centerline. The phase space distributions show the formation of a disturbance region ahead of the inlet due to slow particles backstreaming through the inlet and the formation of a density enhancement with its maximum inside the nanochannel. The velocity phase-space distributions show a low-speed particle population generated inside the nanochannel due to wall collisions which is superimposed with the free stream high-speed population. The mean velocity decreases, while the number density increases in the buffer region. The translational temperature increases in the buffer region and reaches its maximum near the inlet. For AR=10 and 100 nanochannels the gas reaches near equilibrium with the wall temperature. The heat transfer rate is largest near the inlet region where non-equilibrium effects are dominant. For =0.481, 0.962, 4.81, vacuum back pressure, and AR=1, the nanoflow is supersonic throughout the nanochannel, while for AR=10 and 100, the nanoflow is subsonic at the inlet and becomes sonic at the outlet. For =0.962, AR=1, and imposed back pressure of 120 kPa and 200 kPa, the nanoflow becomes subsonic at the outlet. For =0.962 and AR=10, the outlet pressure nearly matches the imposed back pressure with the nanoflow becoming sonic at 40 kPa and subsonic at 100 kPa. Heat transfer rates at the inlet and mass flow rates at the outlet are in good agreement with those obtained from theoretical free-molecular models. The flows in these nanochannels share qualitative characteristics found in microchannels ad well as continuum compressible flows in channels with friction and heat loss. The rarefied flow of nitrogen with speed ratio of 2, 5, 10, at an atmospheric pressure of 101.32 kPa into rectangular nanochannels with height of 100 and 500 nm is investigated using U3DSMC. The investigation considers rarefaction effects with =0.0962 and 4.81, geometric effects with nanochannel aspect ratios of (L/H) of AR=1 and 10 and vacuum back-pressure. Phase plots and sample-averaged macroscopic parameters are used in the analysis. Under vacuum back pressure the centerline velocity decreases in the buffer region from its free stream value. For 0.481, 0.0962 and AR=1 the Mach number is supersonic at the inlet and remains supersonic throughout the nanochannel. For 0.481, 0.0962 and AR=10, the flow becomes subsonic at the inlet and shows a sharp increase in pressure. The Mach number, subsequently, increases and reaches the sonic point at the outlet. For 0.481, 0.0962 and AR=1 the translational temperature reaches a maximum near the inlet and decreases monotonically up to the outlet. For 0.481, 0.0962 and AR=10, the translational temperature reaches a maximum near the inlet and then decreases to come in near equilibration with the wall temperature of 273 K. "

The study of platelet messenger and micro-RNAs is of increasing interest owing to the fact that platelets contain the machinery to splice and translate mRNA into proteins in response to inhibitory or activating signals. However, the relatively small size (roughly 4000-5000 transcripts) and short half-life of the platelet transcriptome makes this a technically challenging aspect of platelet biology to investigate. The aims of these thesis investigations were therefore to optimise protocols for the isolation of platelets for downstream RNA analyses and function testing, to investigate the functional capabilities of platelet subpopulations rich in RNA, and to understand the functional and transcriptomic impact of gene mutations predicted to influence platelet function. I found that the optimal method for isolating platelets from whole blood is to use simple single step centrifugation to obtain platelet rich plasma. This method is as effective as more involved methods at reducing white blood cell contamination whilst causing minimal platelet activation. Using this method in combination with flow cytometric cell sorting techniques I was able to isolate the newly formed reticulated platelet sub-population and to confirm the link between reticulation status and increased RNA content. Furthermore, using a range of platelet function assays I demonstrated that reticulated platelets are more reactive than non-reticulated platelets. By obtaining blood samples from a patient with a PLA2G4A mutation I was able to show that loss of cPLA2α enzymatic activity alters both platelet function and the expression of certain mRNA transcripts. My investigations using samples from a range of patients with bleeding tendencies show the benefit of combining deep platelet phenotyping with next generation sequencing to understand the causation of bleeding disorders. Together these investigations highlight the utility of genomic DNA and platelet specific mRNA studies in providing novel insights in to pathways regulating platelet reactivity.

O objetivo deste trabalho consiste na análise teórica e experimental do desempenho térmico de dois arranjos de micro tubos de calor. Os arranjos diferem entre si pelo material base de fabricação, que são Acrilonitrila Butadieno Estireno (ABS) e latão, pelo número de canais e pelas dimensões. O fluido de trabalho utilizado foi R134a. A literatura indica micro tubos de calor como soluções proeminentes e de destaque para resfriamento de micro sistemas. Estes dispositivos podem ser adaptados a diferentes condições térmicas através da mudança de fluidos de trabalho, geometrias e materiais base do trocador. O estudo teórico foi baseado no modelo de circuitos térmicos proposto no presente trabalho, que visa calcular indicadores de desempenho térmico, sendo condutividade térmica efetiva e resistência térmica equivalente dos micro tubos de calor a partir das temperaturas obtidas experimentalmente. O estudo experimental foi baseado em obter distribuições de temperaturas dos dispositivos propostos sob diferentes condições de trabalho, variando-se a fração de enchimento de fluido de trabalho, inclinação e temperatura do condensador. Os resultados obtidos para o arranjo de micro tubos de calor em latão demonstrou uma razão de aumento de até 1482% na capacidade de transporte de calor, enquanto que o arranjo de micro tubos de calor em ABS apresentou uma razão de aumento de 247%. Os melhores desempenhos de ambos os casos foram observados para ângulos positivos com baixas frações de enchimento. / The purpose of this work is the theoretical and experimental study on the thermal performance of two micro heat pipes arrays. The differences between the arrays are the base substrate, which are Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and brass, the number of channels and their dimensions. The working fluid used was R134a. Previous works indicate micro heat pipes as prominent solutions for the cooling of micro systems. These devices can be adapted to different thermal conditions by changing the working fluids, geometries and base materials of the heat exchanger. The theoretical study was based on the thermal circuits model presented in this work, that aims on computing thermal performance indicators, such as the effective thermal conductivities and the equivalent thermal resistances of the micro heat pipes from the temperatures obtained experimentally. The experimental study was based on obtaining temperature distributions of the micro heat pipes under different working conditions, by varying the working fluid filling ratio, tilt angle and the temperature of the cooling water at the condenser. The results obtained for the brass micro heat pipe array showed a performance ratio increase up to 1482% in heat transfer capacity, while the ABS micro heat pipe array showed a performance ratio increase of 247%. The best performance for both cases were observed for positive tilt angles with low working fluid filling ratios.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-12T17:41:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 arquivo7323_1.pdf: 460675 bytes, checksum: c5eb4df810e8c32632515adb877d2283 (MD5) license.txt: 1748 bytes, checksum: 8a4605be74aa9ea9d79846c1fba20a33 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2002 / As micro e pequenas empresas (MPE s) têm importância fundamental para o Brasil como geradora de emprego e renda. Estima -se que elas são responsáveis por 70% da força de trabalho e por 21% do PIB nacional. Apesar de sua participação no número de empreendimentos do mercado, as MPE s enfrentam problemas. Atuando em um ambiente competitivo e mutável, apresentam taxas elevadas de criação e mortalidade, devido a sua baixa capacidade produtiva, ausência de economia de escala e limitado poder de barganha. Desta forma a capacidade competitiva e a sobrevivência das organizações estão intimamente ligadas às suas capacidades de aprender e de inovar. Cientes da seriedade do tema, o SEBRAE e a FINEP criaram o PATME - Programa de Apoio Tecnológico às Micro e Pequenas Empresas, para permitir que as MPE s acessem os conhecimentos existentes no País, por meio de consultorias, visando a elevação do seu patamar tecnológico. O presente trabalho analisa os impactos na produtividade percebidos pelas empresas que receberam consultorias PATME através do Centro de Inovações e Negócios - CIN, no período de janeiro de 1988 a abril de 2000, a fim de aperfeiçoar futuras consultorias prestadas pela entidade. Tem como proposta elaborar uma sistemática de realização das consultorias do CIN tipo PATME. Como resultado percebeu-se que, sob a ótica dos empresários e gerentes entrevistados, as consultorias PATME realizadas pelo CIN obtiveram bons resultados. Também foi realizada uma análise visando a conhecer que fatores têm mais impacto no resultado (grau de sucesso) de uma consultoria. A qualidade dos serviços prestados pelo consultor é o principal fator, seguido pela ênfase dada a capacitação e aceitação dos funcionários. Apresenta-se, por fim, uma proposta para sistematizar a consultoria realizada pelo CIN, tentando uniformizá-la possibilitando a medição da produtividade alcançada após algum tempo da realização do projeto de consultoria