Origem física das curvas sigmoidais respiratórias pressão-volume: recrutamento alveolar e elasticidade não-linear

An important unsolved problem in medical science concerns the physical origin of the sigmoidal shape of pressure volume curves of healthy (and some unhealthy) lungs. Such difficulties are expected because the lung, which is the most important structure in the respiratory system, is extremely complex. Its rheological properties are unknown and seem to depend on phenomena occurring from the alveolar scale up to the thoracic scale. Conventional wisdom holds that linear response, i.e., Hooke s law, together with alveolar overdistention, play a dominant role in respiration, but such assumptions cannot explainthe crucial empirical sigmoidal shape of the curves. In this doctorate thesis, we propose an alternative theory to solve this problem, based on the alveolar recruitment together with the nonlinear elasticity of the alveoli. This theory suggests that recruitment may be the predominant factor shaping these curves in the entire range of pressures normally employed in experiments. The proposed model correctly predicts the observed sigmoidal pressure volume curves, allowing us to discuss adequately the importance of this result, as well as its implications for medical practice

Efeitos da deficiência de vitamina A na função pulmonar de crianças após infecção respiratória viral

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

Provas de carga estática com carregamento lateral em estacas escavadas hélice contínua e cravadas metálicas em areia

An experimental study has been conducted to investigate the behavior of continuous flight auger (cfa) bored piles and metalic driven H-section piles under lateral loading in cohesionless soils. The piles were tested in two different areas at the same site. Both areas consisted of a 3-m thick compacted superficial fill of pure fine sand, underlain by layers of naturally occurring pure fine-thick sand. Fills are differentiated by the relative densities which were compressed, 45% e 70%, respectively. Each area received one identical pair of cfa piles and two identical pairs of H-piles. A static lateral loading test was performed in each pair of piles. In this work, the pile load test results are reported and interpreted. The horizontal coefficient of subgrade reaction was determined from the results of the loading tests and compared with values determined by correlations based on penetration resistance index of SPT tests (NSPT). p-y formulations describing the static behavior of the piles were applied to the problem under evaluation. Back Analyses were made through theoretical and experimental p-y curves for obtaining input parameters for the analytic models, among which the coefficient of horizontal reaction. The soil pile system horizontal loading at rupture was determined by the theoretical methods and the results were compared with the experimental results, checking its validity

Avaliação da estabilidade térmica e oxidativa do biodiesel de algodão e do efeito da adição de antioxidantes (α-tocoferol e BHT)

This work aims to study the effects of adding antioxidants, such as, α- tocopherol and BHT on the thermal and oxidative stability of biodiesel from cottonseed (B100). The Biodiesel was obtained through the methylical and ethylical routes. The main physical and chemical properties of cotton seed oil and the B100 were determined and characterized by FTIR and GC. The study of the efficiency of antioxidants, mentioned above, in concentrations of 200, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000ppm, to thermal and oxidative stability, was achieved by Thermogravimetry (TG), Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Differential Scanning Calorimetry - Hi-Pressure (P-DSC) and Rancimat. The Biodiesel obtained are within the specifications laid down by Resolution of ANP No7/2008. The results of TG curves show that the addition of both antioxidants, even in the lowest concentration, increases the thermal stability of Biodieseis. Through the DTA and DSC it was possible to study the physical and chemical transitions occurred in the process of volatilization and decomposition of the material under study. The initial time (OT) and temperature (Tp) of oxidation were determined through the P-DSC curve and they showed that the α-tocopherol has a pro-oxidant behavior for some high concentrations. The BHT showed better results than the α-tocopherol, with regard to the resistance to oxidation