Submitted by Automa??o e Estat?stica (sst@bczm.ufrn.br) on 2017-02-13T19:11:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MarianaAlvesLeiteDutra_DISSERT.pdf: 2825637 bytes, checksum: 18b7c74e24edf8e546ebd99e18dff673 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Arlan Eloi Leite Silva (eloihistoriador@yahoo.com.br) on 2017-02-14T00:26:44Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 MarianaAlvesLeiteDutra_DISSERT.pdf: 2825637 bytes, checksum: 18b7c74e24edf8e546ebd99e18dff673 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-14T00:26:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MarianaAlvesLeiteDutra_DISSERT.pdf: 2825637 bytes, checksum: 18b7c74e24edf8e546ebd99e18dff673 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-07-18 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient?fico e Tecnol?gico (CNPq) / A s?ntese de pol?meros usando solventes org?nicos e nocivos ao meio ambiente tem sido frequente na comunidade cient?fica. O uso de solventes verdes, como a ?gua, agride menos o meio ambiente. Este estudo proporcionou a s?ntese de dois copol?meros de poli(N-isopropilacrilamida-co-laurato de vinila) com diferentes percentuais molares dos mon?meros na cadeia polim?rica e a avalia??o de suas propriedades. A polimeriza??o foi realizada via radicais livres, substituindo o solvente org?nico, THF, pela ?gua e o iniciador, AIBN, por persulfato de pot?ssio (K2S2O8). Para fins de avalia??o da contribui??o do laurato de vinila nos copol?meros, tamb?m foi sintetizado o homopol?mero de NIPAAm, nas mesmas condi??es reacionais empregadas para os copol?meros. As estruturas qu?micas dos pol?meros obtidos foram investigadas por espectroscopia no infravermelho (IV) e resson?ncia magn?tica nuclear de hidrog?nio (1H RMN) e de carbono (13C RMN). Solu??es aquosas dos pol?meros foram analisadas por reometria, espalhamento de luz est?tico (SLS) e din?mico (DLS). Os resultados obtidos por reometria mostraram que a temperatura cr?tica consoluta inferior (LCST) do poli(N-isopropilacrilamida-co-laurato de vinila) contendo 7 mol% de LV foi de 26 ?C, enquanto a do copol?mero contendo 13 mol% de LV foi de 21 ?C, ou seja, mais baixas que a LCST da PNIPAAm (34 ?C). Esse resultado indica que a presen?a do mon?mero hidrof?bico, LV, contribuiu significativamente para a diminui??o da LCST do pol?mero. A partir do espalhamento de luz est?tico (SLS), calculou-se a massa molar ponderal m?dia aparente ( ?w), o raio de giro (Rg) e o segundo coeficiente virial (A2) dos pol?meros. A ?w e o A2 do poli(N-isopropilacrilamida-co-laurato de vinila) contendo 7 mol% de LV foi de 3,0x106 g/mol e 16,1 mol.L.g-2, respectivamente, enquanto que para o copol?mero contendo 13 mol% de LV, os valores obtidos para ?w e o A2 foram de 2,6x106 g/mol e - 4,27 mol.L.g-2, respectivamente. Para a PNIPAAm, os valores obtidos de ?w e A2 foram 3,2x107 g/mol e 0,69 mol.L.g-2, respectivamente. A diminui??o do valor de ?w dos copol?meros em rela??o ao valor da ?w da PNIPAAm foi atribu?da ? redu??o das intera??es pol?mero-solvente no meio, que foi confirmada pela diminui??o do valor do A2 para os copol?meros. As an?lises de DLS, feitas em concentra??o 1g/L no intervalo de temperatura 15 ?C a 40 ?C, indicaram a presen?a de cadeias isoladas e agregados de diversos tamanhos para os pol?meros em solu??o. / The synthesis of polymers using organic solvents harmful to the environment has been frequent in the scientific community. The use of green solvents, such as water, causes less damage to the environment. This study provided the synthesis of two copolymers of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide-co-vinyl laurate), with different molar percentage of monomers in the polymer chain and the evaluation of their properties. The polymerizations were carried out by free radicals, replacing the organic solvent THF by water, and AIBN initiator by potassium persulfate (K2S2O8). In attempt of evaluating the contribution of vinyl laurate (VL) in copolymers, the NIPAAm homopolymer was also synthesized under the same reaction conditions employed for the copolymers. The chemical structures of the synthesized polymers were determined through infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Aqueous solutions of the polymers were analyzed by rheometry, static light scattering (SLS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The results of rheometry showed that lower critical solution temperature (LCST) for poly (N-isopropylacrylamide-co- vinyl laurate) containing 7 mol% of VL was 26 ? C, while the copolymer containing 13 mol% VL was 21 ? C. In other words, lower than the LCST of PNIPAAm (34 ? C). There results indicate that the presence of hydrophobic monomer, VL, contributes significantly in reducing the LCST of the polymer. From the static light scattering (SLS) analysis, it was calculated the weight apparent average molecular weight ( ?w), the radius of gyration (Rg) and the second virial coefficient (A2) of the polymers. The ?w and A2 for poly (N-isopropylacrylamide-co-vinyl laurate) containing 7 mol% of VL were 3.0x106 g/mol and 16.1 mol.L.g-2, respectively, while that for the copolymer containing 13 mol% of VL, the values for ?w and A2 were 2.6x106 g/mol and 4.27 mol.L.g-2, respectively. For PNIPAAm, the values of ?w and A2 were 3.2x107 g/mol and 0.69 mol.L.g-2, respectively. The decrease in the value of ?w of the copolymers relative to the ?w value of PNIPAAm was attributed to the reduction of the polymer-solvent interactions in the medium, which was confirmed by decreasing the value of A2 to the copolymers. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis was performance at polymers concentration of 1g/L in the temperature range 15 ?C to 40 ?C and indicated the presence of isolated chains and aggregates of different sizes for the polymers in solution.

Mast cells are key players of the innate immune system due to their location at the interface of host and pathogen encounters, such as on mucosal surfaces or the skin. Secreting a variety of compounds, they communicate with other immune cells in a highly specific manner. Subsequently, reinforcements against foreign invaders are recruited while also defending the host, using bacteriolytic effector molecules. One type of pathogens which are competent challengers of the host’s immune system are Streptococci, causing a burden for humans and animals. Streptococcus equi subspecies equi is one example, a highly contagious horse pathogen with a silent carrier subset, causing “strangles”, a disease resulting in equine morbidity and mortality all over the world. The present study aimed to explore the virulence factors in S. equi responsible for immune system activation, represented by mast cells. Knockout mutants of the genes aroB, hasA, pyrC, recA, sagA and a combination of those, including a deletion strain of all superantigens (seeHILM), were co-cultivated with murine bone-marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs). Mast cells alone and S. equi strain 4047 (wild-type) were used as controls. It was shown that 4 h after encounter of the bacteria, BMMCs responded with IL-6, TNF-α and MCP-1 secretion, indicating an inflammatory response to all strains except against the sagA mutant (ΔsagA) or the multi-deletion strain, the latter lacking several virulence factors including sagA. These results were confirmed at the mRNA-level where IL-6, TNF-α and Nr4a3 gene expression was significantly upregulated in BMMCs after 4 h incubation with wild-type S. equi. In contrast, when BMMCs were co-cultivated with sagA-deficient S. equi, no detectable upregulation was seen. These results were further confirmed in peritoneal-derived mast cells. After 24 h no secretion of cytokines was detected in response to ΔsagA mutants, in contrast to the strong cytokine output in response to wild-type S. equi. To elucidate the role of SagA, the precursor of streptolysin S (SLS), lysis was determined, and it was observed that ΔsagA does not lyse mast cells in contrast to wild-type with intact SLS. Transwell-based experiments indicated a partially contact-dependent response of mast cells to bacteria. Taken together, this study shows for the first time that SLS is the major mast cell activator produced by S. equi. I suggest the possible mechanism of cell death by lysis and reprogrammed signaling pathways of the host by sublytic concentrations of SLS, resulting in damage associated pattern-mediated signaling as well as auto- and paracrine amplification by inflammatory cytokines and other messenger molecules.

This diploma thesis is focused on additive manufacturing, especially on technology Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and the implementation of additive manufacturing into existing departments of industry, where current elements of systems are supplemented or directly replaced by new parts produced by these technologies. This thesis solves specific project of manipulation unit for manufacturing line. The main goals of the issue are analysis of current construction design and its deficiency, designing and optimalization of this unit in relation to SLS manufacturing technology, product realization and final evaluating of reached results. Part of the thesis is also design documentation.

Master's thesis deal with the design and static analysis of supporting structures of main underground reinforced concrete tank located in Combined cast-in-place structure of WTP in Kořenec. The tank has dimensions of 9.5 x 9.5 m and the is divided into four sub-tanks by internal walls. Supporting structures, foundation slab, external and internal walls and ceiling slab, were verified for limit state design requirements for concrete members. Verification of serviceability limit state and crack control of width was made.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of Same-Language Subtitles (SLS) on the subject-specific comprehension and the academic literacy levels of EAL students on the Vaal Triangle Campus of North-West University (NWU). Essentially, the study aimed to determine whether exposing students studying through English as an Additional Language (EAL) to subtitled lectures (live or recorded lectures) would help improve their comprehension of the academic content as well as their receptive academic literacy skills, compared to students who were not exposed to subtitled lectures. This study stems from the identification of an academic performance-related issue on the Vaal Triangle Campus of NWU. Indeed, campus statistics show that the throughput rate of EAL students remains low, and that these students‟ academic literacy levels are inadequate. In other words, EAL students on this campus are underachieving and seem to have difficulties in mastering academic English. Based on various studies that showed SLS to be a valuable tool in terms of learning and academic literacy, this study proposed to introduce SLS (both live via respeaking and offline) in the university classroom as a learning aid, thus optimising the time students spend in lectures. Very little information was available in South Africa on the impact of SLS on the subject-specific comprehension of EAL students in a tertiary academic context. Furthermore, it had been anticipated that a certain number of technical constraints were likely to be encountered during the empirical investigation. These two factors made it difficult to predict what other factors could influence the outcome of the study. As a result, the study was based on the principle of Action Research, a research method characterised by the fact that the research is carried out in as many cycles as may be necessary in order to achieve the optimal conditions for a specific intervention. Three cycles were necessary to reach the optimal design of the present study so that a confident conclusion could be made regarding the impact of SLS on comprehension and academic literacy. For each cycle, the intervention was carried out over an academic semester. In the first cycle, a test group composed of EAL first-year Economics students was exposed to live SLS via respeaking during class, while a control group (also composed of EAL first-year Economics students) attended the same class at a different time, without SLS. In the second cycle, the live SLS via respeaking were replaced with offline SLS. The intervention was taken out of the regular classes and was carried out in the context of practical revision classes scheduled specifically for the purpose of the intervention. The test group viewed subtitled videos of lectures, while the control group viewed videos without subtitles. After each viewing, all participants were required to complete a short comprehension test. This cycle was also conducted in first-year Economics. The basic design of the third cycle was similar to that of the second cycle, but for the fact that the intervention took place in the context of a Psychology module, which, unlike the Economics module, was taught without the lecturer making use of slides. After these three research cycles were completed, it could be concluded that offline SLS indeed have a positive impact on the subject-specific comprehension and the receptive academic literacy skills of EAL students in a tertiary academic context. This conclusion was supported by the following findings: 1. The first research cycle pointed towards a slight, but statistically insignificant benefit in terms of both comprehension and academic literacy. However, at this stage of the empirical investigation, the technical constraints made it difficult to draw a precise conclusion in that respect. 2. In the second research cycle, the SLS seem to have had a significant impact on the receptive academic literacy skills of the test group, compared to the control group. However, no such impact could be noted in terms of subject-specific comprehension. This was attributed to the presence of a confounding variable, namely slides used during the lectures. This once more made it impossible to draw a confident conclusion regarding the impact of SLS on comprehension. 3. The third research cycle made a more confident conclusion regarding the impact of SLS on subject-specific comprehension possible. Indeed, the results of the statistical analyses show that the test group performed significantly better in their semester test (covering the work done in all the recorded lectures) than the control group, which was not exposed to any videos at all. On the basis of these findings, it was concluded that SLS in their offline form have a positive impact on the subject-specific comprehension and the receptive academic literacy skills of EAL students in a tertiary academic context, specifically if the students are given sufficient time to get used to the mode. This study seems to indicate that the benefits of SLS for comprehension can be recorded provided that students are exposed to the intervention over a longer period of time. However, there may be further scope for refinement as far as this study is concerned. It is therefore important that the topic be investigated further. / MA, Language Practice, North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2012

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of Same-Language Subtitles (SLS) on the subject-specific comprehension and the academic literacy levels of EAL students on the Vaal Triangle Campus of North-West University (NWU). Essentially, the study aimed to determine whether exposing students studying through English as an Additional Language (EAL) to subtitled lectures (live or recorded lectures) would help improve their comprehension of the academic content as well as their receptive academic literacy skills, compared to students who were not exposed to subtitled lectures. This study stems from the identification of an academic performance-related issue on the Vaal Triangle Campus of NWU. Indeed, campus statistics show that the throughput rate of EAL students remains low, and that these students‟ academic literacy levels are inadequate. In other words, EAL students on this campus are underachieving and seem to have difficulties in mastering academic English. Based on various studies that showed SLS to be a valuable tool in terms of learning and academic literacy, this study proposed to introduce SLS (both live via respeaking and offline) in the university classroom as a learning aid, thus optimising the time students spend in lectures. Very little information was available in South Africa on the impact of SLS on the subject-specific comprehension of EAL students in a tertiary academic context. Furthermore, it had been anticipated that a certain number of technical constraints were likely to be encountered during the empirical investigation. These two factors made it difficult to predict what other factors could influence the outcome of the study. As a result, the study was based on the principle of Action Research, a research method characterised by the fact that the research is carried out in as many cycles as may be necessary in order to achieve the optimal conditions for a specific intervention. Three cycles were necessary to reach the optimal design of the present study so that a confident conclusion could be made regarding the impact of SLS on comprehension and academic literacy. For each cycle, the intervention was carried out over an academic semester. In the first cycle, a test group composed of EAL first-year Economics students was exposed to live SLS via respeaking during class, while a control group (also composed of EAL first-year Economics students) attended the same class at a different time, without SLS. In the second cycle, the live SLS via respeaking were replaced with offline SLS. The intervention was taken out of the regular classes and was carried out in the context of practical revision classes scheduled specifically for the purpose of the intervention. The test group viewed subtitled videos of lectures, while the control group viewed videos without subtitles. After each viewing, all participants were required to complete a short comprehension test. This cycle was also conducted in first-year Economics. The basic design of the third cycle was similar to that of the second cycle, but for the fact that the intervention took place in the context of a Psychology module, which, unlike the Economics module, was taught without the lecturer making use of slides. After these three research cycles were completed, it could be concluded that offline SLS indeed have a positive impact on the subject-specific comprehension and the receptive academic literacy skills of EAL students in a tertiary academic context. This conclusion was supported by the following findings: 1. The first research cycle pointed towards a slight, but statistically insignificant benefit in terms of both comprehension and academic literacy. However, at this stage of the empirical investigation, the technical constraints made it difficult to draw a precise conclusion in that respect. 2. In the second research cycle, the SLS seem to have had a significant impact on the receptive academic literacy skills of the test group, compared to the control group. However, no such impact could be noted in terms of subject-specific comprehension. This was attributed to the presence of a confounding variable, namely slides used during the lectures. This once more made it impossible to draw a confident conclusion regarding the impact of SLS on comprehension. 3. The third research cycle made a more confident conclusion regarding the impact of SLS on subject-specific comprehension possible. Indeed, the results of the statistical analyses show that the test group performed significantly better in their semester test (covering the work done in all the recorded lectures) than the control group, which was not exposed to any videos at all. On the basis of these findings, it was concluded that SLS in their offline form have a positive impact on the subject-specific comprehension and the receptive academic literacy skills of EAL students in a tertiary academic context, specifically if the students are given sufficient time to get used to the mode. This study seems to indicate that the benefits of SLS for comprehension can be recorded provided that students are exposed to the intervention over a longer period of time. However, there may be further scope for refinement as far as this study is concerned. It is therefore important that the topic be investigated further. / MA, Language Practice, North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2012

Pieno ūkis – viena svarbiausių žemės ūkio šakų pasaulyje. Pagal statistiką, Lietuvoje vienam gyventojui tenka 563kg pieno, kas yra vienas didžiausių rodiklių pasaulyje, tad pieno ūkis yra viena svarbiausių žemės ūkio, tuo pačiu ir ekonomikos sričių. Siekiant gerinti pieno kokybę bei mažinti kaštus vis daugiau pieno melžimo įmonių investuoja ir taiko naujas technologijas - melžimo aparatai į liniją ir robotai. Lietuvoje pirmoji robotizuota sistema įdiegta 2007 m. Tiriamajame ūkyje ši sistema įdiegta 2009 m. Tyrimo tikslas buvo palyginti pieno sudėties ir kokybės rodiklius X ūkyje, melžiant karves melžimo aparatais ir robotais. Svarbiausios pieno sudėtinės dalys yra – baltymai, riebalai ir angliavandeniai (laktozė, mineralinės ir biologiškai aktyvios medžiagos, vitaminai, fermentai ir kitos). Melžimas turi didelę reikšmę karvių produktyvumo bei pieno sudėtinių dalių rodikliams, todėl būtina parinkti teisingą melžimo būdą. Buvo ieškota būdų – kaip pilnai pakeisti žmogų melžimo aikštelėse. Siekiant pagerinti karvių pieno kokybę ir padidinti primilžį, modernizuojant pieno ūkius inovatyviomis technologijomis, rekomenduojama robotizuoti karvių melžimą. Nustatyta, kad robotais melžiamų karvių pieningumas padidėja vidutiniškai 15 proc. Pieno gamybą skatina dažnesnis karvių melžimas ir geresnė jų savijauta. Mažuose pieno ūkiuose, kur karvių yra mažai naudojamas įprastas melžimo būdas, t. y. melžimas rankomis. Melžiant karves rankomis yra didesnė tikimybė pieną užteršti bakterijomis... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Dairy farming is one of the most important branches in agriculture worldwide. According to statistics in Lithuania there's 563 kg of milk produced per capita. That is one of the highest production rates per capita in the world. Dairy farming is crucial to local economy. In order to achieve higher milk quality and minimize expenditures more dairy farms are investing and adapting new technologies: milking pipelines and fully automated robotic milking. The first fully automated robotic milking line in Lithuania was used implemented in 2007. In the researched farm the system was implemented in 2009. The main goal of research was to compare milk composition and quality in the research farm X by milking cows to pipelines and using fully automated robotic milking. The main nutrients that compose milk are: proteins, fats and carbohydrates(lactose, minerals and biologically active materials, vitamins, enzymes and others). The way that cows are milked has high impact on milk yields and nutrients, so the best milking technology is essential for optimal results. The research on how to eliminate human labor during milking process has been done. In order to increase the quality and yields of cow's milk by modernizing the dairy farms and using the fully automated robotic milking. It was concluded that by using fully automated robotic milking milk yield increases by 15% on average. The milk production is increased by more frequent milking and cattle welfare. In the small dairy farms with... [to full text]

Rapporten avser ett produktutvecklingsprojekt hos ett företag. Företaget har ett problem avseende kontaktering i deras handhållna batteridrivna produkter, problemet har varit aktuellt att lösa under längre tid. Problemet yttrar sig i form av diverse olika tekniska, elrelaterade, sporadiska fel till följd av tillverkningsteknikens begränsningar i form av toleranssättning. När fullgod kontaktering (fullständigt hoptryckta kontaktdon) inte uppnås resulterar det också i att batteriet inte sitter helt inspänt och konstruktionen upplevs som racklig vilket minskar kvalitetsintrycket av produkten i sin helhet. Företaget kan, med modern tillverkningsteknik, inte garantera att batteriet placeras in i deras produkter på ett sätt som leder till fullgod kontaktering. Eftersom nolltolerans för variation i distanser och geometrier från produktion inte är realistiskt behöver företaget en ny konceptinriktning som tillåter normala avvikelser utan att skapa elektriska problem. Projektet har haft snäva ramar, krav och avgränsningar som har krävt en metodisk produktutvecklingsprocess. Kravbilden innefattar total kompabilitet med samtliga batterier i produktsortimentet, kontaktering med nolldistans i gränssnittet mellan produkt och batteri samt potential för fullständig universalitet i företagets olika produkter. Lösningen får dessutom inte öka komponentantalet eller monteringstiden avsevärt. Lösningen som tagits fram klarar variationer i distanser upp till fem millimeter och tillåter en svarande linjär rörelse i samband med placering av batteri. Oavsett vilka distanser, från det produktions tolererade intervallet, som en given produkt besitter uppnås fullgod kontaktering och batteriet spänns fast vilket minskar spel i placering av batteriet och ökar kvalitetsintrycket. Projektets ramar ledde till en lösning som både är kompakt och kan platsa i hela det handhållna sortimentet och som är fullständigt universell. Företaget har visat stort intresse för lösningen som anses besitta potential och lösningen kan komma att implementeras i företagets produktsortiment. / This paper describes a product development project at a company. The company has a technical issue regarding connection between the battery and a given unit in their handheld electrical range of products. The problem consists of a range of sporadic, technical electrical issues because of the inherent limitations of the manufacturing processes due to tolerance of variations in the produced units and it has been relevant to solve for some time. When the connection between a product and its battery isn’t apposite it results in a rattling battery which makes for a less appealing product. Modern methods of manufacturing don’t allow zero tolerance for variation from production and so, the company needs a new direction that allows for normal variations without them causing various electrical issues. The project has been affected by strict requirements and demarcations that have made for a strict, methodical product development approach.The requirements consist of an absolute compatibility with the range of batteries used with the Company’s handheld electrical products, connection with a zero-tolerance distance in the interface between the product and the battery and the potential for universal implementation in the Company’s various products. The resulting system is also not allowed to increase the number of components, or the time spent assembling the units in a substantial way. The resulting system developed can accommodate variations of a magnitude of five millimetres and allows a responsive linear movement when a battery is placed in its socket. Regardless of the magnitude of tolerated variations from production, the solution allows for a zero-distance connection in the interface between the battery and the unit. The system also holds the battery in place which diminishes the battery rattling and improves the impression of the products quality. The framework of the project led to a solution that can fit in the entire handheld product range meaning the solution is fully universal. The company has shown interest for the system and considers it to have potential for future implementation.

Main purpose of the diploma thesis is to design a multi-span double-girder bridge which spans the valley of a river. The bridge spans main road of 1st class. Main superstructure of a bridge is made of prestressed concrete which is built span by span. Structure was designed according to limit states in construction stages as well as during the service. Everything was designed according to the latest European normatives. It contains static calculation and drawing documentation.

In the production of glass, the addition of more cullet to the batch of glass and the reduction of the thickness of glass are means to reduce energy consumption and raw material usage. This contributes towards improved energy efficiency targets of the European Union. This thesis investigated the energy consumed for the process of strengthening thinner glass as well the environmental implications of thinner and stronger compared to conventional glass across the life cycle of glass. The life cycle phases also included a recycling phase where 70% of the used glass was recycled with the remaining 30% being landfilled. The functional unit selected for this study was 1m2 of SLS glass, 4mm thick, with an average light transmittance of 91%. This corresponds to 10kg of clear float glass as per general rule. The findings of this thesis showed that one of the major contributing factors to high energy consumption in the melting phase of SLS glass is low efficiency of the furnace; this led to significant energy losses in the production of SLS glass. Recycling of flat glass, at a 70% rate, led to a 12% reduction in total global warming potential, a 10% reduction in the Acidification Potential, a 13% reduction in the Eutrophication Potential in marine environs, and a 7% reduction in the Eutrophication Potential in terrestrial habitats. The chemical and thermal strengthening process consumed 2.24 and 2.37 kWh/m2 respectively. The consequential impact of this is dependent on the source of the electricity for the strengthening processes. It was concluded that the energy used for the strengthening of the thinner glass is considerably less than the energy used in the production of a conventional glass that satisfies the same strength parameters.