O desenvolvimento do concreto de alta resistência - CAR foi um importante avanço na tecnologia de concreto, entretanto, a despeito de suas inúmeras vantagens como material estrutural, o seu emprego tem sido limitado, por ter se revelado mais susceptível à fissuração nas primeiras idades. Isto se deve à ocorrência do fenômeno da retração autógena, particularmente mais intenso nestes concretos que nos de resistência normal, uma vez que no CAR, há significativamente maior quantidade de material cimentício e menor quantidade de água, o que dá origem a uma estrutura porosa muito refinada logo nas primeiras idades, gerando altas magnitudes de tensões capilares. Além do estudo sobre o entendimento do fenômeno, as pesquisas atualmente têm buscado formas de mitigá-lo a fim de contribuir para estruturas mais duráveis. Diante do exposto, esta pesquisa investigou o comportamento do CAR, no tocante às propriedades mecânicas, elásticas e viscoelásticas e à durabilidade, quando empregado um aditivo redutor de retração - ARR que pode se configurar como estratégia mitigadora para a redução da retração autógena, bem como verificar a sua influência sobre a microestrutura e hidratação da pasta de cimento. Os resultados indicam que o ARR é eficaz na redução da retração autógena e retração por secagem, sem alterar de forma relevante as propriedades mecânicas e elásticas: a resistência à compressão sofre uma pequena queda de 5% com o uso de 2% de ARR em relação ao concreto referência, contudo, as demais propriedades não são alteradas com o uso do ARR. Quanto ao efeito sobre a fluência, não se obtiveram resultados conclusivos. A durabilidade, medida pelos ensaios de penetrabilidade a íons cloretos, permeabilidade à água, carbonatação natural e absorção capilar e por imersão, não é comprometida com a incorporação do aditivo redutor de retração. Do ponto de vista microestrutural, observou-se que o ARR altera o volume total de poros, embora de uma forma não muito expressiva; e ainda constatou-se que este aditivo afeta a velocidade de hidratação das pastas de cimento, e que possivelmente interage com compostos de hidratados da pasta, sem, no entanto, alterar as características macroestruturais do material. / The development of high strength concrete - HSC represented an important advance in concrete technology. However, even knowing that this kind of concrete has several advantages as a structural material, its application is limited by the early ages cracking. This occurrence is due to the autogenous shrinkage phenomenon, once HSC has a greater amount of cementitious material and a lower amount of water in relation to a normal-strength concrete. This condition implies in a greatly refinement of pore structure at early ages which lead to a higher magnitudes of capillary tension than the one observed in a normal-strength concrete. Beyond to study the phenomenon, much research has been conducted in many countries in order to reduce autogenous shrinkage and contribute to more durable structures. So, this research aims to investigate the effectiveness of shrinkage-reducing admixtures – SRA in decreasing the autogenous shrinkage of HSC, and mainly, verify its influence on viscoelastic, elastic and mechanicals properties and durability. The effect of SRA on microstructure and on the cement paste hydration was also investigated. The results show that SRA is effective in reducing the autogenous shrinkage and drying shrinkage without remarkable changes in elastic and mechanical properties. There were not conclusive results related to the creep property. The concrete durability under the action of aggressive agents (such as water, CO2 and chloride) was not influenced by the SRA, information provided by the results of chloride penetration, natural carbonation, water permeability, capillary absorption and absorption of water tests. In a microstructural point of view, it was observed that the addition of SRA results in a small rise in total pore volume. Besides, the results suggest that the SRA affects the rate of cement hydration and it can interact to the hydrated products of paste without implying in great influences on the macrostructural characteristics of the material.

O objetivo desta tese foi o estudo da influência do aditivo redutor de retração (SRA) e o aditivo compensador de retração (SCA) em argamassas e pastas de cimento de escória ativada com silicato de sódio. A metodologia foi centrada na análise da retração por secagem e autógena, com o estudo de outras características que influenciam no fenômeno da retração, como as propriedades mecânicas. Para o avanço no conhecimento do efeito dos aditivos no comportamento do cimento de escória, foi caracterizada a microestrutura com a determinação da análise por termogravimetria, porosimetria e difração de raios X. Neste estudo foram empregados os seguintes teores de aditivo, porcentagem relativa à massa de aglomerante: 0,5%, 1%, 1,5% e 2% do aditivo SRA e 5%, 10% e 15% do aditivo SCA. Para a análise da influência da relação a/agl foram empregadas três teores: 0,40, 0,48 e 0,56. No estudo das amostras de referência, sem a utilização de aditivo, observou-se que o aumento da relação a/agl causa o aumento da retração por secagem e da retração autógena do cimento de escória ativada. A diminuição da resistência mecânica com o aumento da relação a/agl, o que torna o esqueleto sólido mais susceptível à deformações, e o aumento das tensões capilares, em razão do aumento da quantidade de água livre para ser evaporada, são os principais fatores para o aumento da retração por secagem. No caso da retração autógena, seu aumento é atribuído ao aumento da auto-secagem com o aumento do volume de poros com diâmetro na faixa de mesoporos, além da diminuição da resistência mecânica. O aditivo redutor de retração (SRA) conseguiu reduzir a retração por secagem em percentuais de 40% até 74% aos 28 dias, no entanto, este tipo de aditivo não obteve êxito no combate a retração autógena. Com relação à resistência mecânica, o aditivo SRA causou a redução de até 40%, efeito atribuído à diminuição do grau de hidratação e retardo do refinamento da porosidade. O aditivo compensador de retração (SCA) amenizou a retração por secagem e a retração autógena, reduzindo em até 64% e 70%, respectivamente, porém reduziu em até 60% a resistência mecânica do cimento de escória ativada. Com relação à microestrutura, o aditivo SCA diminuiu o grau de hidratação e aumentou a porosidade total, com o aumento da proporção do volume de macroporos. / The aim of this research was the study of the influence of shrinkage reducing admixture (SRA) and shrinkage compensating admixture (SCA) in mortars and pastes of blast furnace slag activated with sodium silicate. The method was centered in the analysis of free drying and autogenous shrinkage, with other characteristics that affect the shrinkage, as the mechanical properties. The microstructure behavior was accomplished with thermogravimetry (TG), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The samples were prepared with 0,5%, 1%, 1,5% and 2% of SRA admixture and 5%, 10% and 15% of SCA admixture, by binder mass. The effect of water/binder ratio was accomplished in three contents: 0,40, 0,48 and 0,56. In the reference mixtures, without admixtures, it was observed that an increase of water/binder ratio incurs in an increase of drying and autogenous shrinkage of alkali activated slag. The explanations for drying shrinkage behavior are the decrease of mechanical strength as consequence of water/binder increase, that turns the porous structure more susceptible to deformations, and the increase of the capillary tensions, attributed to the increase of free water to be evaporated. The increase of autogenous shrinkage with water/binder ratio is attributed to the increase of pore volume with diameter in the mesopores range, besides the decrease of the mechanical strength. The shrinkage reducing admixture (SRA) diminish drying shrinkage of 40% up to 74% at 28 days, however, this type of admixture was not capable to combat the autogenous shrinkage. About mechanical strength, the SRA admixture incurs in a decrease up to 40% of compression strength that it was attributed to the decrease of the hydration degree and retard of pore size refinement. The shrinkage compensating admixture (SCA) softened drying and autogenous shrinkage, reducing in up to 64% and 70%, respectively. However, the SCA admixture decreases in up to 60% mechanical strength of alkali activated slag. About microstructure, SCA admixture reduced the hydration degree and it increased the total porosity, with the increase of macropores volume.

A influência da obesidade sobre o fígado e a função hepática é tema ainda pouco estudado e discutido, principalmente no Brasil. O crescente aumento da população obesa de maneira global alerta sobre esse grave problema, que hoje em dia, se torna de saúde pública. Amplia-se, cada vez mais, o número de pessoas e a faixa etária atingida. A doença hepática não alcoólica é uma condição clínico-patológica comum caracterizada por depósitos de lipídios em hepatócitos no parênquima hepático. Um espectro de danos ocorrem no parênquima, desde uma simples esteatose macrogoticular podendo evoluir para esteato-hepatite, fibrose e até cirrose. Os casos de esteatose hepática não alcoólica (EHNA) que progridem para cirrose tem sido reconhecidos como a maior causa de morbidade e mortalidade com potencial para progredir para falência hepática. Apesar de haver um aumento na prevalência da doença hepática não alcoólica, os critérios para seu diagnóstico continuam pobremente definidos. A utilização da espectroscopia de prótons na ressonância magnética auxilia na quantificação do conteúdo lipídico hepático e na musculatura da perna (tibial anterior e sóleo), embora venha sendo utilizada apenas em pesquisas. Tivemos como objetivos o estudo do metabolismo lipídico de humanos xii obesos por espectroscopia por ressonância magnética, correlacionando com dados laboratoriais e de biópsias hepáticas. Neste estudo observacional transversal e prospectivo realizado em obesos, que foram submetidos a cirurgia redutora gástrica pela técnica de Capella no Hospital Prof. Edmundo Vasconcelos em São Paulo, foram incluídos 27 pacientes analisados no pré e pós-operatório para descrição dos dados. Foi constatada uma razão masculino/feminino geral de 8 :19 e a faixa etária entre 24 e 55 anos. Os índices de massa corpórea (IMC) eram sempre superiores a 40 Kg/m² para inclusão cirúrgica. Os pacientes obesos que no pré-operatório apresentavam esteatose hepática observada na ressonância magnética e esteatose e/ou esteato-hepatite na biópsia hepática evoluíram com melhora ou resolução no pós-operatório. Em conclusão, em pacientes obesos o grau de esteatose hepática pode ser analisado qualitativa e quantitativamente através da ressonância magnética com espectroscopia assim como, o controle pós tratamento cirúrgico evitando-se a utilização de métodos invasivos, entre eles a biópsia hepática. / The obesity influence on the liver and the hepatic function are themes that are not so discussed or studied, especially in Brazil. The world-wide increasing number of obese people calls the attention to this serious problem, that nowadays, became a public health problem. The number of people and the age of the people who suffer from it is increasing each day more. The non-alcoholic hepatic disease is a common pathological clinic condition caractherized by lipid deposits in hemocytes in the hepatic parenchyma. There are some injuries in the parenchyma, since a single steatosy macrogoticular to a steatohepatitis, a fibrosis and even a cirrhosis (Sass et al., 2005). The non-alcoholic steatosy hepatic (NASH) cases which lead to a cirrhosis have been known as the main causes of death with possibilities to evolute to a hepatic fail. Besides there is an increasing in the non-alcoholic hepatic disease, the means for its diagnosis still remain poorly defined. The protons spectroscopy use, in the magnetic resonance, helps on the lipidic hepatic contents numbers, although it has been used only for researches. We had as a goal the lipid metabolism study of obese human beings, related to the laboratorials data and the hepatic biopsy. On this study, where we observed obese people that were submitted to a gastric reducing surgery by the Capella techinic in the hospital Prof. Edmundo Vasconcelos in São Paulo, were included 27 pacients analyzed on the before and after operation for the datas description. It was noted a male/female general reason 9: 18 and the ages between 24 and 55 years old. The body mass indexes (IMC) were always over 40 Kg/m² to be included in a surgery. The obese patients who presented steatosy hepatic before operatory observed on the magnetic resonance and steatosy and/or steatohepatitis during the hepatic biosy went better on the pos-operatory. Finally, in obese patients the xiv steatosy hepatic degree can be analysed on its qualitativy and quantitativy through the magnetic resonance with spectroscopy, and so the cirurgical pos- treatment control, avoiding the use of invasive methods, among them the hepatic biopsy.

Red bright color is an important quality attribute that influences beef purchasing and is affected by beef pH. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine if high ultimate pH affected color stability of longissimus lumborum (LL) steaks from pasture-fed Nellore bulls and if HiOx atmosphere package improved the color stability of high pHu muscles. To achieve these objectives, 18 LL muscles from Nellore bulls were grouped into 3 pHu ranges: normal (n = 6; 5.40 < pHu <5.79), intermediate (n = 6; 5.80 < pHu <6.19) and high (n = 6; pHu > 6.20). All the muscles were cut into 2.5 cm steaks and packaged in 80% O2/ 20% CO2 (v/v) and then stored at 2 ± 1 ºC under dark conditions until day 5 and under fluorescent light until day 14 (the end of display-time). pH, gas composition, instrumental color, surface pigment, metmyoglobin reducing activity (MRA), oxygen consumption rate (OCR), and lipid oxidation were determined throughout display-time. High pHu steaks were darker (L*), redder (a*, a*/b*), with better tone (Hue), less metmyoglobin and higher MRA (p < 0.05) than normal pHu samples. HiOX MAP increased surface OMb during display time in pHu > 6.2 (p < 0.05), showing a bright-red color in high group. Intermediate group was less dark than high group and had longer color stability than normal group (p < 0.05). Therefore, High pHu had great color and lipid oxidation stability and desired color due to HiOx MAP under cold storage for 14 days and intermediate pHu had beneficial aspects presented in both other treatments. / A cor vermelho-brilhante da carne bovina é um atributo de qualidade essencial considerado no momento de compra pelo consumidor, sendo intrinsecamente afetada pelo pH final (pHf) da carne. Assim, esse trabalho objetivou determinar se o pHf alto da carne afetou a estabilidade de carne do músculo Longissimus lumborum (LL) de bovinos da raça Nelore macho inteiro criado a pasto e se a embalagem com atmosfera modificada com alta concentração de oxigênio melhorou a estabilidade de cor da carne com pHf alto. Para isso, 18 músculos LL de Nelore machos inteiros criados a pasto foram classificadas em 3 faixas de pHf: normal (n = 6; 5.40 < pHu <5.79), intermediário (n = 6; 5.80 < pHu <6.19) e alto (n = 6; pHu > 6.20), 48h pós abate. Todos os músculos foram então porcionados em bifes com 2,5 cm de espessura 72h pós abate, os quais foram embalados em atmosfera composta por 80 % O2/ 20% CO2 (v/v), sendo finalmente armazenados a 2 ± 1 ºC no escuro até o 5º dia de tempo de exposição. No 5º dia, as amostras iniciaram a exposição à luz fluorescente até o dia 14 do período. As análises de pH, composição gasosa das embalagens, cor instrumental, pigmentos superficiais, atividade redutora da metamioglobina (ARM), taxa de consume de oxigênio (TCO) e oxidação lipídica foram realizadas ao longo do tempo de exposição. Os bifes com pHf alto apresentaram cor mais escura (L*), vermelha (a*, a*/b*), com melhor tonalidade (hue), menor metamioglobina superficial e maior ARM (p < 0.05). A embalagem com alta concentração de oxigênio aumentou a proporção de oximioglobina (OMB) superficial ao longo do tempo de exposição (p < 0.05), evidenciando uma cor vermelho-brilhante no grupo alto. O grupo Intermediário se mostrou menos escuro o grupo alto e mais prolongada estabilidade de cor que o grupo normal (p < 0.05). Assim, considera-se que a pHf alto afetou a estabilidade de cor e de oxidação lipídica dos músculos e a coloração do grupo alto foi melhorada pela ação da embalagem com oxigênio. O pH Intermediário se mostrou vantajoso por apresentar benefícios presentes nos dois outros tratamentos.

Adverse drug events (ADE) cause many deaths annually in addition to affecting the quality of life of many others. The descriptive mixed methods approach, specifically exploratory case study and experimental design that guided this research utilized the survey and focus group methods to evaluate perceptions about robotic technology (RT) to reduce the rate of ADEs in U.S. nursing homes (NH). There is a lack of scholarly research into whether a conceptual approach rooted in RT can be implemented to assist with drug administrations in NHs. The purpose of this study was twofold. The first purpose was to evaluate the causes of ADEs specifically related to tablets, capsules, and pills. The second purpose was to evaluate the perceptions of nurses and administrators relative to the use of RT to assist in reducing ADEs. In the quantitative part, the sample means from 102 surveys from nurses and administrators were evaluated with the t test and the paired t test; while in the qualitative part, survey results, reported errors, and focus group data was assessed collectively. The research results did not indicate any new causes of ADEs and showed that the participants had a favorable perception of RT. Based on the results of this research, RT may be tailored in such a way that it can significantly reduce ADE occurrences for citizens in U.S. NHs.

En la actualidad, la cobertura de agua potable en el país aún es insuficiente, sobre todo en las zonas rurales del país; de manera similar este problema se presenta en las zonas periurbanas de Lima. Tal como en La Rinconada de Pamplona Alta que se encuentra ubicada en el distrito San Juan de Miraflores, el cual no cuenta con servicio básico de agua potable, el abastecimiento de este recurso se realiza mediante camiones cisterna y son almacenados en tanques, bidones, baldes, etc. Es por ello, que la presente investigación plantea una propuesta de diseño del sistema de abastecimiento de agua potable para la zona de estudio, para lo cual se toma en consideración que el caudal requerido será brindado por SEDAPAL. Debido a que la topografía de la zona de estudio presenta pendientes pronunciadas es necesario utilizar válvulas reductoras de presión, cuya localización se realiza a través de la aplicación del Algoritmo Genético Multiobjetivo, el cual en su codificación incluye el uso del Epanet Programmer’s Toolkit, que viene a ser una biblioteca dinámica (DLL) de funciones que permite a los programadores personalizar el motor de cálculo de EPANET para sus necesidades específicas. En ese sentido, el método utilizado plantea una propuesta de mejora en el proceso de diseño del sistema de abastecimiento de agua potable en La Rinconada de Pamplona Alta del distrito de San Juan de Miraflores. Para lo cual, se utilizó el programa EPANET en la simulación y cálculo hidráulico de la red de distribución por ser un programa de comprobada eficacia y de uso libre. Por otro lado, el resultado del análisis hidráulico de los proyectos de agua potable que se realizan en el país tanto por métodos manuales iterativos o con ayuda de programas de simulación, muchas veces no cumplen con las exigencias del rango de presiones admisibles establecido por el Reglamento Nacional de Edificaciones, lo cual se traduce por un lado en costos de cumplir programas de mantenimiento que suplan estas deficiencias y por otro lado posibles roturas de tuberías o fugas de agua debido a altas presiones. Es por ello que se busca cumplir con los requisitos exigidos por las normas de diseño y a la vez brindar una adecuada presión de servicio, para lo cual se hace uso del Algoritmo Genético Multiobjetivo en el diseño de la red para la zona de estudio, lo cual conllevaría a un ahorro en los costos de operación y mantenimiento. Finalmente el diseño propuesto para el sistema de abastecimiento de agua potable en La Rinconada de Pamplona Alta está conformado por el reservorio RAP-1 que abastece mediante una línea de aducción a cuatro zonas de presión y el reservorio RRP-3 que abastece por otra línea de aducción a tres zonas de presión debido a que la topografía presenta desniveles considerables. Adicionalmente, con el uso de un subprograma incluido en el Algoritmo Genético Multiobjetivo se logró asignar los caudales de demanda de manera automática en todos los nodos de la red de distribución contribuyendo a la mejora en el proceso de diseño mediante el programa EPANET. / At present, the coverage of drinking water in the country is still insufficient, especially in rural areas of the country; similarly, this problem occurs in the peri-urban areas of Lima. Such as the La Rinconada area of Pamplona Alta which is located in the San Juan de Miraflores district that does not have a basic potable water service, the supply of this resource is done by tank trucks and stored in tanks, drums, buckets, etc. It is for this reason that the present investigation proposes a design proposal for the potable water supply system for the study area, for which it is taken into consideration that the required flow will be provided by SEDAPAL. Because the topography of the study area presents steep slopes, it is necessary to use pressure reducing valves, which are localized through the application of the Multiobjective Genetic Algorithm, which in its coding includes the use of the Epanet Programmer's Toolkit, which comes to be a dynamic library (DLL) of functions that allows programmers to customize the EPANET calculation engine for their specific needs. In this sense, the method used proposes a proposal for improvement in the design process of the potable water supply system in La Rinconada de Pamplona Alta in the district of San Juan de Miraflores. For which, the EPANET program was used in the simulation and hydraulic calculation of the distribution network as it is a program of proven effectiveness and free use. On the other hand, the result of the hydraulic analysis of drinking water projects carried out in the country either by iterative manual methods or with the help of simulation programs, often does not meet the requirements of the range of admissible pressures established by the Regulation. National Building, which translates on the one hand in costs of carrying out maintenance programs that supply these deficiencies and on the other hand possible pipe breaks or water leaks due to high pressures. That is why it seeks to meet the requirements of the design standards and at the same time provide adequate service pressure, for which the Multiobjective Genetic Algorithm is used in the design of the network for the study area, which it would lead to savings in operation and maintenance costs. Finally, the proposed design for the drinking water supply system in La Rinconada de Pamplona Alta is made up of the RAP-1 reservoir that supplies four pressure zones through an adduction line and the RRP-3 reservoir that supplies another line of water. adduction to three pressure zones because the topography presents considerable differences in level. Additionally, with the use of a subprogram included in the Multiobjective Genetic Algorithm, it was possible to assign the demand flows automatically in all nodes of the distribution network contributing to the improvement in the design process through the EPANET program. / Tesis

本文延伸並修正Dornbusch (1976)的模型，據以討論匯率重整與投機性炒作的問題。我們所選取的題材為，一個原先實施固定匯率制度的國家。假設初始時，匯率固定在期初的匯率水準及所對應的長期均衡物價。經濟體系基於某種因素，民眾自我預期固定匯率制度無法繼續維持，此時刻匯率由初始的靜止狀態產生變化，理性的民眾迅速地改變其資產組合。一且面臨民眾的投機性炒作，資金外流使得國內貨幣供給數量降至門檻水準，則政府當局放棄維持固定匯率制度，允許匯率浮動。政府當局的匯率重整法則是允許匯率浮動時，當物價上升至匯率重整的物價水準，政府當局又重新將匯率釘在一個更高的水準。在此，又須假設匯率重整的匯率水準大於其物價水準，此情況的解釋為當物價上升至匯率重整的物價水準時，政府當局的貨幣貶值至少使國內商品的競爭力不低於長期均衡解。同時，本文引進貨幣學派(Monetary Approach)所主張的匯率變動的貨幣效果，強調匯率與貨幣市場的關係。來重新探討Obstfeld (1988)自我兌現(Self-fulfilling)匯率制度崩潰問題的多重解(Multiple-equilibria)現象。茲將本文所得到的主要結論，摘述如下。 　　(1)本文所討論的自我兌現匯率制度崩潰的多重解問題，實為國際金融理論中「匯率制度崩潰」的範疇，此制度更迭的時刻（匯率重整的時點）為內生變數，此一更迭時刻為模型所決定。且本文所討論的匯率制度更迭順序為，先固定匯率制度，再更迭為浮動匯率制度，再回復至固定匯率制度。 　　(2)由於引進貨幣學派所強調的緊縮銀根效果，不管是固定匯率制度還是浮動匯率制度，支出移轉效果與支出減少效果的相對大小，都是決定變數動態走勢及最後均衡解的關鍵因素。同時政府擁有外匯存底的多寡，也與自我兌現匯率制度是否崩潰息息相關。 　　(3)當支出移轉效果大於支出減少效果，自我兌現匯率制度崩潰的問題共有五個均衡解。而其均衡解決定於政府當局決定匯率重整的物價水準及擁有外匯存底的多寡。 　　(4)當支出移轉效果小於支出減少效果，亦即支出減少效果很大時，自我兌現匯率制度崩潰的問題共有二個均衡解。此二解皆無匯率重整的現象。 　　(5)在本文所分析的體制變革中，共有二次投機性炒作發生。第一次發生在固定匯率制度崩潰的時刻，第二次則發生在匯率重整的時刻。前者使外匯存底大量流失，貨幣供給數量瞬間減少。後者使外匯存底大量流入，貨幣供給數量瞬間增加。 　　由於本文將貨幣學派所主張的匯率變動的貨幣效果引進Dornbusch (1976)的模型中，支出移轉效果與支出減少效果兩個關鏈因素的相對大小，決定了經濟體系的靜止狀態條件及動態調整性質。換言之，不將緊縮銀根效果引進，回復其原設定模型，則影響經濟體系的只有貶值的支出移轉效果。支出減少效果很大時，匯率重整法則無從實施的現象也不曾出現在本文的分析中，亦即為本文與眾不同之所在。

In Ethiopia industrial effluents containing high contents of organic matter, nitrogen and heavy metals are discharged into inland surface waters with little or no pre-treatment. Significant pollution concerns related to these effluents include dissolved oxygen depletion, toxicity and eutrophication of the receiving waters. This has not only forced the government to formulate regulations and standards for discharge limits but also resulted in an increasing interest and development of methods and systems by which wastewater can be recycled and used sustainably. The need for technologies for environmentally friendly treatment of industrial wastes such as tannery wastewaters is therefore obvious. Biological processes are not only cost effective but also environmentally sound alternatives to the chemical treatment of tannery wastewaters. The aim of the research presented in this thesis was to develop and optimize processes for biological nitrogen removal from tannery wastewaters and to identify the most efficient denitrifying organisms in tannery wastewaters laden with toxic substances. A pilot plant consisting of a predenitrification anoxic system, aerated nitrification compartment and a sedimentation tank (clarifier) all arranged in series was developed and installed on the premises of Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. In spite of high influent chromium and sulphide perturbations over the successive feeding phases, the performance of the pilot plant was encouraging. The overall removal efficiency of the pilot plant over the experimental feeding phases varied between 82-98% for total nitrogen, 95-98% for COD, 96-98% for BOD5, 46-95% for ammonia nitrogen, 95-99% for sulphide and 93-99% for trivalent Chromium. Six isolates from over 1000 pure cultures were identified as the most efficient denitrifying bacteria. From both cellular fatty acid profiles and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the six selected strains were phylogenetically identified as Brachymonas denitrificans in the β-subdivision of the Proteobacteria. All the six strains contain cd1-type nitrite reductase. The efficient isolates characterized in this study are of great value because of their excellent denitrifying properties and high tolerance to the concentrations of toxic compounds prevailing in tannery wastewaters. Bio-augmentation of the pilot plant with this bacterium showed a clear correlation between in situ denitrifying activities measured by nitrate uptake rate, population dynamics of the introduced B.denitrificans monitored by fluorescent in situ hybridization and the pilot plant performance, suggesting that the strategy of introducing this species for enhancing process performance has potential applications. Moreover, the nitrate-reducing, sulphur-oxidizing bacteria (NR-SOB) were also found in the pilot plant in abundance with steady sulphide removal efficiency during the study period. This could provide opportunities for the application of biologically mediated simultaneous removal of sulphide and nitrogen from tannery effluents. In addition to enriching high consortia of denitrifiers in the anoxic system to attain high denitrification efficiency and also improving the overall nitrification efficiency of the system, the predenitrification-nitrification pilot process plant stimulated the activity of indigenous NR-SOB to simultaneously remove sulphide from the system. Thus, the pilot plant was found to be operationally efficient for the removal of nitrogen, organic matter and other pollutants from tannery wastewaters. Keywords: Biological nitrogen and sulphide removal, denitrifying bacteria, nitrate-reducing, sulphur-oxidizing bacteria, nitrate uptake rate, fluorescent in situ hybridization, pollution, tannery effluents.

In recent years, several studies have linked sodium intake to hypertension, and the consequent mortality risk due to vascular diseases. Several UE member states and the WHO recommend reducing the salt intake level to a maximum of 5 g per day. Salt is a useful ingredient for meat product processing. A reduction of added salt provokes a decrease in the quality of meat products. As a technological strategy, the reduction of the amount of added salt and the addition of potassium lactate, until a 30% molar substitution (taking into account the salt standard amount (30 g/kg)), have been proposed. This substitution could modify the product evolution during its processing. The knowledge of these effects could make the optimization of the process easier. In dry-cured meat products with a reduced salt content, it could be concluded that the proposed strategy reduces the processing period, as well as the anomalous texture risk; it increases the product safety and it does not modify the visual attributes. / Al llarg dels darrers anys, diversos estudis han evidenciat una correlació entre el consum de sal/sodi i la hipertensió arterial, i conseqüent risc de mortalitat degut a malalties vasculars. Diversos països membres de la UE i l’OMS recomanen reduir el consum de sal a 5 grams diaris. La sal és un ingredient essencial en el processat de productes carnis. Una reducció de la quantitat afegida provoca una disminució de la qualitat. Com a estratègia per a no minvar-la, es planteja la reducció de la sal afegida i l’addició de lactat potàssic, fins a un 30% de substitució molar de la quantitat de sal estàndard (30 g/kg); quelcom que pot modificar els paràmetres de procés. El coneixement dels efectes facilitaria l’optimització del processat. En productes carnis crus-curats amb contingut reduït de sal, es conclou que l’estratègia plantejada redueix tant el temps requerit pel processat com el risc d’aparició de textures anòmales; incrementa la seguretat del producte acabat i no modifica els atributs visuals.

Arsenic and antimony are important trace elements in magmatic-hydrothermal systems, geothermal systems and epithermal deposits, but their partitioning behavior between melt and aqueous fluid is not well understood. The partitioning of arsenic and antimony between aqueous fluid and granitic melt has been studied in the system SiO2-Al2O3-Na2O-K2O-H2O at 800 degree C and 200 MPa. The partition coefficients of As and Sb between aqueous fluid and melt, are 1.4 +- 0.5 and 0.8 +- 0.5, respectively. The partitioning of As is not affected by aluminum saturation index (ASI) or SiO2 content of the melt, or by oxygen fugacity under oxidized conditions (log fO2 > the nickel-nickel oxide buffer, NNO). The partitioning of Sb is independent of and SiO2 content of the melt. However, aluminum saturation index (ASI) does affect Sb partitioning and Sb partition coefficient for peralkaline melt (0.1 +- 0.01) is much smaller than that for metaluminous melts (0.8 +- 0.4) and that for peraluminous melts (1.3 +- 0.7). Thermodynamic calculations show that As(III) is dominant in aqueous fluid at 800 degree C and 200 MPa and XPS analysis of run product glass indicate that only As(III) exists in melt, which confirms the finding that does not affect As partitioning between fluid and melt. XPS analysis of run product glass show that Sb(V) is dominant in melt at oxidized conditions (log fO2 > -10). The peralkaline effect only exhibits on Sb partitioning, not on As partitioning at oxidized conditions, which is consistent with the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements that As(III) and Sb(V) are dominant oxidation states in melt under oxidized conditions, because the peralkaline effect is stronger for pentavalent than trivalent cations. Permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) are an alternative technology to treat mine drainage containing sulfate and heavy metals. Two column experiments were conducted to assess the suitability of an organic carbon (OC) based reactive mixture and an Fe0-bearing organic carbon (FeOC) based reactive mixture, under controlled groundwater flow conditions. The organic carbon (OC) column showed an initial sulfate reduction rate of 0.4 μmol g(oc)-1 d-1 and exhausted its capacity to promote sulfate reduction after 30 pore volumes (PVs), or 9 months of flow. The Fe0-bearing organic carbon (FeOC) column sustained a relative constant sulfate reduction rate of 0.9 μmol g(oc)-1 d-1 for at least 65 PVs (17 months). The microbial enumerations and isotopic measurements indicate that the sulfate reduction was mediated by sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB). The cathodic production of H2 by anaerobic corrosion of Fe probably is the cause of the difference in sulfate reduction rates between the two reactive mixtures. Zero-valent iron can be used to provide an electron donor in sulfate reducing PRBs and Fe0-bearing organic carbon reactive mixture has a potential to improve the performance of organic carbon PRBs. The δ34S values can be used to determine the extent of sulfate reduction, but the fractionation is not consistent between reactive materials. The δ13C values indicate that methanogenesis is occurring in the front part of both columns. Arsenic and antimony in groundwater are great threats to human health. The PRB technology potentially is an efficient and cost-effective approach to remediate organic and inorganic contamination in groundwater. Two column experiments were conducted to assess the rates and capacities of organic carbon (OC) PRB and Fe-bearing organic carbon (FeOC) PRB to remove As and Sb under controlled groundwater flow conditions. The average As removal rate for the OC column was 13 nmole day-1 g-1 (dry weight of organic carbon) and its removal capacity was 11 μmole g-1 (dry weight of organic carbon). The remove rate of the FeOC material was 165 nmole day-1 g-1 (dry weight of organic carbon) and its minimum removal capacity was 105 mole g-1 (dry weight of organic carbon). Antimony removal rate of the OC material decreases from 8.2 to 1.4 nmole day-1 g-1 (dry weight of organic carbon) and its removal capacity is 2.4 μmole g-1 (dry weight of organic carbon). The minimum removal rate of FeOC material is 13 nmole day-1 g-1 (dry weight of organic carbon) and its minimum removal capacity is 8.4 μmole g-1 (dry weight of organic carbon). The As(III) : [As(III)+As(V)] ratio increased from 1% in the influent to 50% at 5.5 cm from the influent end, and to 80% at 15.5 cm from the influent end of the OC column. X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) shows As(III)-sulfide species on solid samples. These results suggest that As(V) is reduced to As(III) both in pore water and precipitate as As sulfides or coprecipitate with iron sulfides. The arsenic reduction rate suggests that As(V) reduction is mediated by bacterial activity in the OC column and that both abiotic reduction and bacterial reduction could be important in FeOC.