L'objectif de ces travaux vise à évaluer les performances d'un contacteur membranaire à fibres creuses utilisé pour réaliser l'absorption chimique du CO2 dans une solution ammoniacale ainsi que la régénération de cette dernière. Les membranes utilisées sont composites, c'est-à-dire composées d'une fine couche dense recouverte sur un support microporeux, la couche dense permettant d'éviter le mouillage par pénétration de liquide dans la membrane. Pour réaliser ces études, une approche combinant expérimentation et modélisation a été adoptée. Lors de la réalisation de l'absorption chimique avec un contacteur membranaire, des chutes importantes d’efficacité de captage du CO2 au cours du temps ont été observées et confirment les résultats obtenus lors de travaux ultérieurs. Cette baisse des performances est attribuée à la précipitation de sels d’ammonium en phase gaz. Lors de l'utilisation d’un gaz saturé en vapeur d'eau, comme le seraient les fumées industrielles, les performances du procédé se sont révélées stables. Un modèle 1D multi-composant adiabatique du contacteur a été développé sur Aspen Custom Modeler® et validé à partir des résultats expérimentaux. Les simulations réalisées avec ce modèle ont confirmé le potentiel d'intensification volumique de la technologie, toutefois, la réduction des pertes de NH3, grâce à l'utilisation d’une couche dense sélective moins perméable à NH3 qu’au CO2, n’a pas été satisfaisante. Les phénomènes de condensation dans les contacteurs membranaires ont été étudiés par expérimentation et modélisation. Il a ainsi été montré que le mouillage par condensation de la membrane ne devrait pas survenir, par contre, la condensation dans le lumen des fibres creuses entraîne une augmentation importante de la perte de charge pouvant conduire à des coûts de compression des gaz à traiter plus élevés. Des expériences et des simulations sur la régénération de solutions ammoniacales chargées avec des contacteurs membranaires ont été effectuées et des disparités importantes ont été trouvées entre les flux de CO2 mesurés et simulés. Une réduction volumique de trois par rapport à la colonne à garnissage a pu être calculée laissant entrevoir un potentiel intéressant de la technologie pour l’étape de régénération. En collaboration avec les partenaires du projet C2B, dans lequel s’intègre cette thèse, des essais d’absorption de CO2 ont été réalisés sur site avec un contacteur de taille industrielle. Les résultats de ce pilote sont conformes aux résultats obtenus au laboratoire et encourageants quant au transfert de la technologie vers l’échelle industrielle / This work aims to evaluate the performances of hollow fiber membrane contactors used for the CO2 absorption in aqueous ammonia and the regeneration of the latter within the frame of post-combustion CO2 capture. Fibers are made of a thin dense layer coated on a microporous support, the dense layer prevent membrane wetting by liquid penetration. Both experiment and modelling were done. During absorption experiments, important decrease of the CO2 capture efficiency was observed due to ammonium salts precipitation in the gas-side corroborating results from previous works. Experiments with CO2/N2 mixture saturated with water vapor, as would be the case for flue gas, interestingly, showed stable performances of the process. A one-dimensional multi-component adiabatic transfer model for CO2 absorption in NH3 has been implemented in Aspen Custom Modeler® and validated with experimental results. The simulations performed with the model confirmed the volumetric intensification potential of the technology, however, the NH3 slip reduction expected, because of the use of a dense layer more permeable to CO2 than NH3, wasn’t satisfying. Water condensation phenomenon in membrane contactors were studied with both experiments and simulations. It was thus showed that membrane pore wetting by condensation should not happened but gas-side condensation led to an important increase of the pressure drop with the potential of increasing compression costs. Experiments and simulations of the desorption of CO2 from a loaded aqueous ammonia solution with a membrane contactor were performed and important disparities were found between CO2 flux measured and simulated. A volumetric reduction of the membrane contactor when compared to the packed column was calculated highlighting the potential of the technology for the stripping step. In collaboration with the partners of the C2B project, in which this thesis is integrated, CO2 absorption essays were carried out on site with an industrial scale membrane contactor. The results of this pilot are consistent with laboratory results and encourages the transfer of the technology to the industrial scale

O objetivo deste trabalho foi o desenvolvimento e a validação de métodos analíticos para determinação de cloridrato de tizanidina (TZ) matéria-prima e forma farmacêutica. Na fase de identificação, a matéria-prima (substância química de referência) foi analisada e caracterizada utilizando-se medidas físicas (ponto de fusão e solubilidade), espectrometria no infravermelho e por técnicas cromatográficas (cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência e cromatografia em camada delgada). Após foi desenvolvido e validado método analítico para o doseamento de cloridrato de tizanidina matéria-prima utilizando a titulação por volumetria em meio não-aquoso, que pode ser realizada em estabelecimentos de pequeno porte. No estágio posterior, para quantificação da forma farmacêutica utilizou-se desenhos experimentais (fatorial fracionado e desenhos de composto central). O método CLAE com detector Charged Aerosol Detection (CAD) foi validado e um produto de degradação foi obtido na condição de degradação de estresse oxidativo (H2O2 13%). Foi também quantificado o cloreto presente na molécula. Tanto a volumetria em meio não-aquoso com determinação do ponto final por indicador, quanto o método cromatográfico foram comparados com métodos descritos em compêndios oficiais e não demonstraram diferença significativa quando aplicados ao doseamento da matéria-prima e forma farmacêutica, respectivamente. / The aim of this work was the development and validation of analytical methods for determination of tizanidine hydrochloride (TZ) raw material and dosage form. In the identification phase, the raw material drug (chemical reference) was analyzed and characterized using physical measures (melting point and solubility), infrared spectrophotometry and chromatographic techniques (high performance liquid chromatography and thin layer chromatography). An analytical method for assay of tizanidine hydrochloride raw material was developed and validated by using volumetric titration in a non-aqueous liquid, which can be performed in small establishments. In a later stage, for the measurement of the dosage form an experimental design was used (fractional factorial and centered composite design. The HPLC method with charged aerosol detection (CAD) was validated and a degradation product was obtained under the oxidative stress condition (H2O2 13%). Chloride present in the molecule also was quantified. Both, the non-aqueous titration method with coloured indicator and the chromatographic one were compared to the methods described in official compendia and do not present significant difference when applied to the determination of the raw material and dosage form, respectively.

xvii, 209 p. : ill. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / Altering and controlling the properties of solid surfaces in aqueous or other liquid phase environments has been a sought after objective for decades. With the discovery of chemisorbed self-assembled monolayers, this dream has become a reality. Oxide and metal surfaces can now be readily coated with an array of commercially available products to produce a desired fnctionality. The presence of these coatings on solid surfaces affects properties of the interfacial region by altering interfacial electrostatic fields, changing the structure of interfacial water molecules and altering the interactions of adsorbed species. This dissertation reports on in situ studies of adsorption at several solid/aqueous interfaces using vibrational sum-frequency spectroscopy, a surface specific technique. These studies are augmented by the use of atomic force microscopy and contact angle goniometry to characterize the prepared surfaces and their interactions with adsorbates. The studies investigate how changes in the surface structure and chemistry, as well as the bulk aqueous phase, affect interfacial structure. The studies within are primarily focused on the interactions of water with bare and functionalized fused silica and the relationship between the aqueous phase composition and the structure of fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon self-assembled monolayers. The variations in aqueous structure are then examined in detail using ionic strength controlled experiments to understand the direct interactions of water hydrophobically coated silica. This analysis is followed by an investigation of the competitive adsorption of methanol and water at fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon monolayers which show spectroscopic signatures of the interaction strength between fluorocarbons and hydrocarbons. Further studies are performed using butylammonium chloride to verify these spectroscopic signatures and reveal different molecular structures of adsorbed species at chemically different hydrophobic surfaces. Lastly, specific ion effects on the CaF 2 /water interface are shown using equilibrium and time-resolved sum-frequency spectroscopy. The results of all these studies have implications for an array of surface chemical applications from mineral flotation to biocompatibility. This dissertation includes previously published co-authored material. / Committee in charge: Thomas Dyke, Chairperson, Chemistry; Geraldine Richmond, Advisor, Chemistry; James Hutchison, Member, Chemistry; Mark Lonergan, Member, Chemistry; Qusheng Jin, Outside Member, Geological Sciences

The research work is directed towards the investigation, optimization and application of some plant-based waste materials for the removal of some toxic trace metals (Cd, Pb and Mn) as well as selected oxyhalides (CIO3-,IO3- and BrO3-) in aqueous system. Waste materials from three plants; Athrixia philicoide, an indigenous bush tea; the outer covering peels of butternut Squash (Cucurbita Moschata) and pineapple (Ananas comosus) were evaluated for their sorption efficiency of the selected metals. batch and continuous experimental processes as well as conditions that might influence the sorption of the metals were investigated. These conditions include effects of pH sorption time, amount of adsorbent, volume of the aqueous medium, amount of metals etc. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of metal ions in solution was carried out using the ion chromatograph (IC) while the functional group identification present in waste materials was established using the Fourier Transform infr-red spectroscopy (FTIR), Quantitative biosorption equilibrium of 98.99% was reached within 6h at pH 6 and 100 ppm concentration of Pb metal with Athrixiaphilicoide under 30 min contact time. Applicability of the sorption process was tested on wastewater. Results revealed that > 99.93 %; 84.5 % and 64.3 % sorption efficiency was obtained for Mn, Cd and Pb respectively at pH 7 using Ananas Comosus adsorbent. For Athrixia philicoide, sorption efficiency from spiked wastewater ranged from 99.98 % for Cd; 99.96 % for Mn and 82.5 % adsorption for Pb at pH 7. For Juglans Cinerea, wastewater sorption efficiency varied between 78.76 %, 94.50 % and 96.50 % for Cd, Mn and Pb respectively at pH6. Results from the optimized method revealed the applicability of the method to environmental water samples. Possible large scale and industrial/commercial application of developed materials and methods would be explored. ) in aqueous system. Waste materials from three plants; Athrixia philicoide, an indigenous bush tea; the outer covering peels of butternut Squash (Cucurbita Moschata) and pineapple (Ananas comosus) were evaluated for their sorption efficiency of the selected metals. Batch and continuous experimental processes as well as conditions that might influence the sorption of the metals were investigated. These conditions include effects of pH, sorption time, amount of adsorbent, volume of the aqueous medium, amount of metals etc. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of metal ions in solution was carried out using the ion chromatograph (IC) while the functional group identification present in waste materials was established using the Fourier Transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR). Quantitative biosorption equilibrium of 96.99 % was reached within 6h at pH 6 and 100 ppm concentration of Pb metal with Athrixia philicoide under 30 min contact time. Cd and Mn adsorption by the same adsorbent under similar condition were less than 50 % for individual metal evaluation experiment. However, > 99 % adsorption was achieved with Cd in a mixture of the three (3) evaluated metals. Highest adsorption of 93 % of Pb was achieved with the Butternut Squash peel (Cucurbita moschata) at the optimal sorption pH of 6 followed by quantitative sorption of 99.2 % of Mn while Cd recorded a sorption level of 45 % all at 6 pH. The sorption efficiency of Pb, Cd and Mn using pineapple peels (Ananas comosus) also at the optimal sorption conditions of (pH 6, 30 min contact time and 100 ppm metal concentration) ranged from 98.7 %, 100 % and 99.90 % respectively. / Enviromental Science / M.Sc (Enviromental Science)

Ce travail de thèse a pour objectif d’élaborer de nouveaux matériaux composites (élastomères, adhésifs) en utilisant les nanocelluloses (NCC et NFC) comme renforts mécaniques biosourcés. Une méthode de fonctionnalisation des nanocelluloses en conditions aqueuses a d’abord été développée, dans le but ultime d’améliorer leur compatibilité avec les matrices polymères. La réaction, basée sur la transestérification des esters de vinyle, a été optimisée à partir de l’acétate de vinyle utilisé comme réactif modèle. Le greffage en conditions basiques s’est avéré efficace, mais a également conduit à la formation de poly(acétate de vinyle) (PVAc) comme produit secondaire. Pour pallier à ce problème, un deuxième protocole en conditions neutres a également été développé, mais des rendements moins bons ont été obtenus dans ce cas. Les nanocelluloses non modifiées et acétylées ont ensuite été dispersés dans une matrice caoutchouc naturel (NR) afin d’étudier l’impact de cette charge sur les performances thermomécaniques du matériau cru ou vulcanisé. Une amélioration des propriétés mécaniques a pu être observée en présence de NCC ou NFC, mais l’acétylation des nanoparticules n’a pas conduit à de meilleures performances. Enfin, une valorisation du PVAc produit lors de l’acétylation des nanocelluloses en conditions aqueuses basiques a été proposée. La dispersion des NCC acétylés dans le PVAc polymérisé in-situ a en effet permis de produire des composites aux propriétés améliorées. L’utilisation ultérieure de ces composites comme charge (mélange-maître) dans des matrices NR ou EVA a été discutée. / The objective of this research work consists in the elaboration of novel composite materials (elastomers, adhesives) using nanocelluloses (CNC and NFC) as biobased reinforcing fillers. A method allowing the functionalization of nanocelluloses in aqueous conditions was first developed, with the aim of ultimately improving their compatibility with polymer matrices. The reaction, based on the transesterification of vinyl esters, was optimized with vinyl acetate selected as model reactant. The grafting performed in basic aqueous conditions was efficient, but also led to the formation of poly(vinyl acetate) as a by-product. To limit this problem, a second protocol in neutral aqueous conditions was also developed, but lower yields were obtained in that case. The unmodified and acetylated nanocelluloses were then dispersed in a natural rubber matrix (NR), to study the impact of this filler on the thermomechanical performances of the crude and vulcanized material. An improvement of the mechanical properties was observed in the presence of NCC or NFC, but the acetylation of the nanoparticles did not enhance further the performances. Finally, a valorization of the PVAc produced during the acetylation of the nanocelluloses in basic aqueous conditions was proposed. The dispersion of the acetylated NCC in the PVAc polymerized in-situ indeed led to the production of composites with improved properties. The subsequent utilization of these composites as filler (master batch) in NR or EVA matrices was discussed.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:31:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2411.pdf: 1852790 bytes, checksum: 59e732f774f4acfec1f2c3148f4d6104 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-03-26 / Pittosporum undulatum Vent., an Australian tree implicated in supression of tree recruiment in many ecosystems, is found invading secondary Araucaria forests in subtropical Brazil. The first chapter of this study aimed to investigate the role of allelopathy in the invasive proccess, accessing germination and growth of Bauhinia forficata Link. in presence of secondary metabolites from cheesewood leaves. Leachates in concentrations of 20%, 15%, 10% and 5% (w/v), extracts from dry material (10%; 7,5%; 5% and 2,5%) and coumarin solutions (2,5 mM; 1,25 mM; 0,625 mM and 0,3125 mM) were prepared. Petri-dishes germination bioassays, with countings done at each 12 hours, allowed to determinate both germinabilty and germination rate; polyethylene glicol (PEG 6000) solutions were used to evaluate osmotic effects. For seedlings growth, the three highest concentrations of each solution were tested and after seven days root and shoot lenght were measured. While germinability was only sensitive to extracts from dry material, the germination rate showed a dose-dependent curve for all solutions. In seedlings, roots were the most sensitive structure and severe morfo-anatomic anomalies were observed. The main purpose of the second chapter was to investigate the use of Pittosporum undulatum Vent. (cheesewood) leaves as a possible sustainable alternative for barnyard grass control. Leachates in concentrations of 20%; 15%; 10%; 5% and 2,5% (w/v), aqueous extracts from powdered leachated and non- eachated leaves (10%; 7,5%; 5%; 2,5% and 1,25%), coumarin solutions (2,5 mM; 1,25 mM; 0,625 mM and 0,3125 mM) and Roundup Original® according to label informations were prepared. Polyethylene glycol were also used. Both germinability and germination rate were determined by germination biossays, with countings done at each 12 hours. In growth experiments, seedlings were exposed for seven days, when root and shoot length were measured. All solutions, with exception of coumarins, caused only small inhibitory effects on germination. In relation to the growth, all treatments but control caused necrose, absence of hairs and dose-dependent lenght reduction in radicles. Hipocotiles were affected by phenolic compound, extracts from non-leachated leaves and gliphosate. Although the allelopathic effects, ecophisiological aspects relative to Pittosporum undulatum still need to be cleared before its leaves can be used as a herbicide. / A árvore australiana Pittosporum undulatum Vent. (Pittosporaceae) é encontrada diminuindo o recrutamento de espécies nativas em formações secundárias de Floresta Ombrófila Mista no sul do Brasil. O objetivo do primeiro capítulo desse estudo foi verificar a ação alelopática da espécie no processo invasivo, investigando a sensibilidade de sementes e plântulas de Bauhinia forficata Link. (pata-de-vaca) à compostos foliares de pau-incenso. Foram preparados extratos aquosos lixiviados nas concentrações de 20%, 15%, 10% e 5% (m/v), extratos aquosos obtidos do pó de folhas lixiviadas (10%; 7,5%; 5% e 2,5% ) e soluções de cumarina a 2,5 mM; 1,25 mM; 0,625 mM e 0,3125 mM. Bioensaios em placas de Petri, com contagens realizadas a cada 12 horas, permitiram determinar a germinabilidade e velocidade de germinação; soluções de polietileno glicol (PEG 6000) foram preparadas para analisar os efeitos osmóticos. Nos bioensaios de crescimento, utilizaram-se as três concentrações mais elevadas de cada solução, sendo, após sete dias, medidos o comprimento radicular e de parte aérea. Enquanto a germinabilidade mostrou-se sensível apenas aos extratos de pó de folhas, a velocidade de germinação apresentou resposta dose-dependente para todas as soluções testadas. Quanto ao crescimento, a radícula foi a estrutura mais sensível aos efeitos alelopáticos, sendo observadas alterações morfo-anatômicas. No segundo capitulo, objetivou-se investigar o uso de material foliar de pau-incenso como alternativa ao manejo do capim-arroz, uma gramínea resistente a herbicidas que traz problemas a plantações de arroz e à biodiversidade de planícies úmidas em todo o mundo. Foram preparados extratos aquosos foliares lixiviados nas concentrações de 20%; 15%; 10%; 5% e 2,5% (m/v), extratos aquosos obtidos do pó de folhas lixiviadas e não-lixiviadas (10%; 7,5%; 5%; 2,5% e 1,25%), soluções de cumarina a 5mM; 2,5 mM; 1,25 mM; 0,625 mM e 0,3125 mM e solução de Roundup® Original seguindo as recomendações do fabricante. Soluções de PEG também foram utilizadas. Para bioensaios de germinação, as contagens foram realizadas a cada 12 horas, sendo determinadas as porcentagens e velocidades germinativas; para o crescimento, plântulas de sete dias submetidas aos compostos tiveram medidos seus comprimentos de radícula e parte aérea. A germinação, apesar de fortemente inibida pela cumarina, foi pouco sensível às demais soluções. Quanto ao crescimento, as radículas analisadas apresentaram necrose, ausência de pêlos e redução dose-dependente do comprimento para todos os tratamentos com exceção do controle. Os hipocótilos foram afetados pelo composto fenólico, glifosato e extratos aquosos de folhas não-lixiviadas. Apesar da ação alelopática, aspectos ecofisiológicos relativos ao pau-incenso ainda devem ser esclarecidos para que suas folhas possam ser usadas como herbicida.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:27:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:04:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Dissertacao (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-08T14:53:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ArquivoTotalSuylan.pdf: 2164456 bytes, checksum: 5719700a3971e805d7b73101e7c13cef (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-07-24 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Bentonite clays may be defined as a clay consisting predominantly of the smectite group clay minerals, particularly montmorillonite. There is naturally organophilic bentonite clays, these can be modified by specific treatments with surfactants (ionic or nonionic), passing to its hydrophobic nature hidofílica. Organophilic clays are widely used in drilling fluids non-aqueous, these fluids are mixtures of different components used in a well bore. One of the basic characteristics of drilling fluids is to minimize physical and chemical changes of the formations to be drilled. Recent studies have demonstrated the influence of clay, and presence of a dispersant surfactant rheology of the fluids. In this study we verified the influence of clay and surfactant in the production of organoclays using a route alcoholic and was therefore analyzed the rheology of non-aqueous fluids. Therefore, we performed the characterization of samples of clays; through thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray Diffraction, Differential Thermal Analysis and Particle Size Analysis for the organoclays were characterized by XRD and X-ray fluorescence were eventually produced in non-aqueous fluids according to Petrobras to perform normalization of rheological tests. The results indicated that the influence of the ratio clay / surfactant and the route alcoholic on the rheology of non-aqueous drilling fluids. / Argilas bentoníticas podem ser definidas como sendo uma argila constituída essencialmente de argilominerais do grupo das esmectitas, especialmente a montmorilonita. Não sendo as argilas bentoníticas naturalmente organofílicas, estas podem ser modificadas através de tratamentos específicos com tensoativos(iônicos ou não-iônicos), passando sua natureza de hidofílica para hidrofóbica. As argilas organofilicas são amplamente utilizadas em fluidos de perfuração não-aquosos, estes fluidos são misturas de diferentes componentes utilizados em uma perfuração de poço, ao acréscimo de aditivos aos fluidos é com intuito de otimizar suas propriedades como por exemplo: suportar a parede do maciço, limpeza do poço, evitar a invasão do filtrado e os danos na formação e o controle da pressão e teor de cascalhos em suspensão. Uma das características básicas dos fluidos de perfuração é minimizar alterações físicas e químicas das formações a serem perfuradas. Estudos recentes demonstraram a influência do tipo de argila, tensoativo e presença de defloculante na reologia dos fluidos. Neste trabalho verificamos a influência do teor de argila e tensoativo na produção de argilas organofilicas, utilizando uma rota alcoólica e conseqüentemente foi analisado a reologia dos fluidos não aquoso. Os resultados evidenciaram que existe influência da razão argila/tensoativo na reologia dos fluidos de perfuração não aquosa.

Submitted by Simone Souza (simonecgsouza@hotmail.com) on 2018-05-15T15:58:32Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS_2015_Deise Cristine Schroder.pdf: 1269604 bytes, checksum: b4aaf38792fb2d963d422ec5bfeabadf (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jordan (jordanbiblio@gmail.com) on 2018-05-24T16:46:13Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS_2015_Deise Cristine Schroder.pdf: 1269604 bytes, checksum: b4aaf38792fb2d963d422ec5bfeabadf (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-24T16:46:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS_2015_Deise Cristine Schroder.pdf: 1269604 bytes, checksum: b4aaf38792fb2d963d422ec5bfeabadf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-13 / CAPES / Objetivou-se avaliar a eficácia do firocoxib em impedir a quebra da barreira hematoaquosa em gatos saudáveis e naqueles com sorologia positiva para toxoplasmose. Avaliaram-se trinta e dois gatos divididos em quatro grupos (n=8). Os grupos saudável controle (SC) e toxoplasmose controle (TC) foram compostos respectivamente por gatos saudáveis e com sorologia positiva para toxoplasmose, enquanto os grupos saudável firocoxib (SF) e toxoplasmose firocoxib (TF) foram compostos respectivamente por gatos saudáveis e com sorologia positiva para toxoplasmose que receberam tratamento prévio com firocoxib (5 mg/kg), por via oral, 24 e uma hora antes da indução da uveíte experimental, através da paracentese da câmara anterior. Após indução anestésica colheu-se 0,2 mL de humor aquoso basal. Decorrido uma hora, realizou-se nova paracentese para colheita de 0,2 mL de humor aquoso inflamado. As amostras de humor aquoso foram acondicionadas a -80°C para posterior mensuração dos níveis de prostaglandina E2 (PGE2) e proteínas totais. No humor aquoso dos grupos TC e TF, realizou-se ainda, titulação para anticorpos IgG anti-Toxoplasma gondii. Mediante análise das amostras, observou-se aumento significativo dos níveis de PGE2 e proteína total do humor aquoso basal para o inflamado (p<0,05). No humor aquoso basal, os níveis de PGE2 no grupo TC, assim como os níveis de proteína total nos grupos SF e TF foram significativamente superiores aos demais (p<0,05). Os grupos TC e TF não apresentaram títulos IgG anti-Toxoplasma gondii no humor aquoso basal. No humor aquoso inflamado, os níveis de PGE2 e proteína total, bem como os títulos IgG anti-Toxoplasma gondii, não diferiram significativamente entre os grupos (p>0,05). Admite-se que gatos com títulos de anticorpos IgG anti-Toxoplasma gondii possuem níveis de PGE2 no humor aquoso basal superiores aos apresentados por indivíduos saudáveis. Entretanto, a concentração de PGE2 no humor aquoso destes indivíduos não é suficiente para ensejar a quebra da barreira hematoaquosa e causar uveíte anterior. O firocoxib não é capaz de evitar a quebra da barreira hematoaquosa em gatos saudáveis e naqueles soropositivos para toxoplasmose. / The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of firocoxib in preventing the blood-aqueous barrier breakdown in healthy cats and those with positive serology for toxoplasmosis. Thirty-two cats divided into four groups (n=8/each). The healthy control (HC) and toxoplasmosis control (TC) groups, were composed respectively of healthy cats and cats with positive serology for toxoplasmosis, while healthy firocoxib (HF) and toxoplasmosis firocoxib (TF) groups, were composed respectively of healthy cats and cats with positive serology for toxoplasmosis who had received previous treatment with orally firocoxib (5 mg/kg), twenty-four and one hour before the experimental induction of uveitis. Under anesthesia 0.2 mL of baseline aqueous humor was collected via aqueocentesis. One hour later, the same procedure was repeated and inflamed aqueous samples were collected. Aqueous samples were conditioned at -80°C for subsequent measurement of the levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and total proteins. In the aqueous samples of TC and TF groups, anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG specific antibodies were titrated. PGE2 and total protein levels increased significantly in inflamed aqueous humor in comparison to baseline aqueous samples (p<0.05). At baseline aqueous humor, levels of PGE2 in TC group and total protein in HF and TF groups were increased significantly, in comparison with the other groups (p<0.05). Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG specific antibodies were found only in inflamed aqueous humor, and aqueous titers did not change significantly between TC and TF (p=0.1051). Although we have observed that aqueous humor PGE2 levels were significantly higher in seropositive cats in baseline aqueous humor, such increase was not able to break the blood-aqueous barrier and cause anterior uveitis. Firocoxib did not prevent intraocular inflammation after aqueocentesis, in healthy and toxoplasmosis-seropositive cats.

Considerações ambientais têm aumentado a pesquisa e o desenvolvimento de sistemas poliméricos aquosos para diversos tipos de aplicações, principalmente como revestimentos. Nesta dissertação, foram sintetizadas formulações não-poluentes à base de poliuretanos dispersos em água (PUDs), com 40% de teor de sólidos, na ausência de solventes orgânicos. Os monômeros empregados foram copolímeros em bloco à base de poli(glicol etilênico) e poli(glicol propilênico) (EG-b-PG), com teor de 25% de segmento hidrofílico EG, poli (glicol propilênico) (PPG), ácido dimetilolpropiônico (DMPA), diisocianato de isoforona (IPDI) e hidrazina (HYD), como extensor de cadeia. Foram variadas as razões entre o número de equivalente-grama de grupamentos isocianato e hidroxila (NCO/OH) e a proporção em equivalente-grama de PPG e dos copolímeros em bloco (EG-b-PG). Foi observado que a incorporação de altas quantidades de copolímero dificultou a síntese dos poliuretanos dispersos em água, levando à formação de géis. O tamanho médio de partícula e a viscosidade das dispersões foram determinados. Os filmes vazados a partir dessas dispersões foram avaliados quanto à capacidade de absorção de água, resistência mecânica, termogravimetria (TG), e caracterizados por espectroscopia na região do infravermelho (FTIR). As dispersões poliuretânicas produzidas se mostraram satisfatórias quando aplicadas como revestimento para madeira, metais e vidro / Environmental considerations are increasing the research and development of waterborne polymeric systems for many different applications, particularly as coatings. In this dissertation, non-polluting formulations based on waterborne polyurethanes (WPU), with 40% solids content, were synthesized in the absence of organic solvents. The monomers (polyols) employed were block copolymers of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol (EG-b-PG), with 25% of EG hydrophilic segments, poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), dimethylolpropionic acid (DMPA), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and hydrazine (HYD), as chain extender. The ratio between the number of equivalent-grams of isocyanate and hydroxyl groups (NCO/OH) and the ratio between the equivalent-grams of PPG and (EG-b-PG) were varied. It was observed that the incorporation of high quantities of the copolymer resulted in gels instead of dispersions. The average particle size and the viscosity of the resins were determined. Thermal and mechanical resistances and water absorption of cast films produced from the dispersions were evaluated. The chemical structure of the chains was characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The waterborne polyurethanes showed to be suitable as coatings for wood, metals and glass