A fast method for gathering large-scale data sets through the serial sectioning of brain tissue is described. These data sets are retrieved using knife-edge scanning microscopy, a new technique developed in the Brain Networks Laboratory at Texas A&M University. This technique allows the imaging of tissue as it is cut by an ultramicrotome. In this thesis the development of a knife-edge scanner is discussed as well as the scanning techniques used to retrieve high-resolution data sets. Problems in knife-edge scanning microscopy, such as illumination, knife chatter, and focusing are discussed. Techniques are also shown to reduce these problems so that serial sections of tissue can be sampled at resolutions that are high enough to allow reconstruction of neurons at the cellular level.

[pt] Em uma pesquisa descritiva e de estudo de campo, buscou-se avaliar quais indicadores de carga mental (CM) de trabalho são predominantes para a produção de acidentes em uma tarefa de microtomia. A carga mental depende das exigências da tarefa e do grau de mobilização do sujeito, da fração de sua capacidade de trabalho que ele investiu na tarefa, considerando-se que o grau de prazer e satisfação no trabalho pode variar em função da natureza da tarefa executada. Partiu-se da hipótese que os fatores de carga mental de trabalho associados ao risco de acidentes a que está exposto o operador no manuseio do micrótomo rotativo representam fonte de sofrimento psíquico. Os sinais de sofrimento psíquico podem ser vinculados à realização de tarefas consideradas perigosas e, muitas atividades de trabalho podem ocasionar desgastes e custos para o indivíduo de ordem física, mental, emocional e afetiva. Foi relevante examinar quais foram os fatores organizacionais referentes às condições ambientais e aos horários de trabalho, para uma ação preventiva, em conjunto aos fatores predominantes de carga mental. O suporte metodológico da pesquisa envolveu a elaboração de um questionário adaptado do método L.E.S.T. (Laboratório de Economia e Sociologia do Trabalho) que avalia a carga mental a partir de quatro indicadores, a saber, constrangimento de tempo; complexidade/rapidez; atenção, e minúcia. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a variável complexidade-rapidez, minúcia e atenção podem ser consideradas como efetores para carga mental. A variável denominada fatores psicossociais não mostrou eficácia durante este processo de análise. Um aspecto relatado está associado aos acidentes produzidos durante a operação do equipamento e sua manutenção. / [en] In a descriptive research and in a field study, we evaluated which indicators of mental workload are dominant factors in accident production in a microtomy task. The mental workload depends on the task demands and on the degree of mobilization of the worker, which is the fraction of his/her work capacity invested in the task considering itself that the degree of pleasure and satisfaction in work could vary as a function of the nature of executed task.From the hypothesis that the factors of mental workload associated to accident risks to which operators are exposed during handling of a rotative microtome represent a source of psychic suffering. The signals of psychic suffering could be related to the accomplishment of tasks considered as dangerous and many work activities could cause physical, mental, emotional and affective wearing and costs to individuals. Examining which organizational factors are related to environmental conditions and to working hours was relevant to a preventive action, as well as the dominant factors of mental workload. The research methodology involved the preparation of a questionnaire adapting the L.E.S.T. (Laboratoire d`Economie et Sociologie du Travail) method that evaluates the mental workload by four indicators, which are time constraint; complexity/ swiftness; attention; and detail. The results showed that complexity/swiftness, detail and attention indicators could be considered as effective indicators of mental workload. The indicator psychosocials factors did not presented efficacy in this analytical procedure. A reported feature is associated to accidents happening during the handling of equipment and its maintenance.

This diploma thesis deals with the technology of noncontact hot plate welding and hot gas welding and with the optimizing of welding parameters of the chosen thermoplastics, especially of POM and PPA. The individual chapters in the theoretical part focus on following topics: technology of noncontact hot plate welding, technology of noncontact hot gas welding, description of the test welding machines and tools, main process parameters and evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of each technology. In the practical part the welding parameters are optimized by the Design of Experiment systematic, the short-term capability machine and the microtome analysis are evaluated. In the end there are the results of the welding parameters optimization and comparison of noncontact welding technologies.