Modelo Estocástico para bloqueio de poros e redução de permeabilidade

Modeling transport of particulate suspensions in porous media is essential for understanding various processes of industrial and scientific interest. During these processes, particles are retained due to mechanisms like size exclusion (straining), adsorption, sedimentation and diffusion. In this thesis, a mathematical model is proposed and analytical solutions are obtained. The obtained analytic solutions for the proposed model, which takes pore and particle size distributions into account, were applied to predict the particle retention, pore blocking and permeability reduction during dead-end microfiltration in membranes. Various scenarios, considering different particle and pore size distributions were studied. The obtained results showed that pore blocking and permeability reduction are highly influenced by the initial pore and particle size distributions. This feature was observed even when different initial pore and particle size distributions with the same average pore size and injected particle size were considered. Finally, a mathematical model for predicting equivalent permeability in porous media during particle retention (and pore blocking) is proposed and the obtained solutions were applied to study permeability decline in different scenarios

Extração de metais (K, Mg, Ba, Ca, Cr, Mn, Li, Fe) de água produzida utilizando sistema microemulsionado

The produced water is a byproduct formed due to production of petroleum and carries with it a high amount of contaminants such as oil particles in suspension, organic compounds and metals. Thus, these latter pollutants are very difficult to treat because of its high solubility in water. The objective of this work is to use and evaluate a microemulsioned system to remove metals ( K , Mg , Ba , Ca , Cr , Mn , Li , Fe ) of synthetic produced water. For the extraction of metals, it was used a pseudoternary diagram containing the following phases: synthetic produced water as the aqueous phase (AP), hexane as organic phase (OP), and a cosurfactant/surfactant ratio equal to four (C/S = 4) as the third phase, where the OCS (saponified coconut oil) was used as surfactant and n-butanol as cosurfactant. The synthetic produced water was prepared in a bench scale and the region of interest in the diagram for the removal of metals was determined by experimental design called. Ten points located in the phase Winsor II were selected in an area with a large amount of water and small amounts of reagents. The samples were analyzed in atomic absorption spectrometer, and the results were evaluated through a statistical assesment, allowing the efficiency analysis of the effects and their interactions. The results showed percentages of extraction above 90% for the metals manganese, iron, chromium, calcium, barium and magnesium, and around 45% for metals lithium and potassium. The optimal point for the simultaneous removal of metals was calculated using statistical artifact multiple response function (MR). This calculation showed that the point of greatest extraction of metals occurs was the J point, with the composition [72% AP, 9% OP, 19% C/S], obtaining a global extraction percentage about 80%. Considering the aspects analyzed, the microemulsioned system has shown itself to be an effective alternative in the extraction of metals on synthetic produced water remediation

Efeito antibacteriano de tecidos têxteis revestidos por prata através da técnica de deposição por plasma

In this study, it has been investigated the influence of silver film deposition onto 100% polyester woven and non-woven, on the survival of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in contact with these surfaces. The treatment was performedin a chamber containing the working gas at low pressure (~ 10-2 mbar). Some process parameters such as as voltage: 470 V; pressure: 10-2 mbar; current : 0.40 A and gas flow: 6 and 10 cm3/min were kept constant. For the treatments with purêargon plasma using a flow of 6 and 10 cm3/min, different treatment times were evaluated, such as, 10 , 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 minutes. Contact angle (sessile drop), measurements were used to determine the surface tension of the treated fabrics and its influence on the bacteria grow as weel as the possibilities of a biofilm formation. The formation of a silver film, as well as the amount of this element was verified byEDX technique. The topography was observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine the size of silver grains formed on the surfaces of the fabric and assess homogeneity of treatment. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to analyze the structure of silver film deposition. The woven fabric treatments enabled the formation of silver particulate films with particle size larger than the non-woven fabrics. With respect to bacterial growth, all fabrics were shown to be bactericidal for Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), while for the Escherichia coli (E. coli), the best results were found for the non-woven fabric (TNT) treated with a flow of 10 cm3/min to both bacteria

Desenvolvimento de uma unidade pirolítica com reator de cilindro rotativo: obtenção de bio-óleo

The demand for alternative sources of energy drives the technological development so that many fuels and energy conversion processes before judged as inadequate or even non-viable, are now competing fuels and so-called traditional processes. Thus, biomass plays an important role and is considered one of the sources of renewable energy most important of our planet. Biomass accounts for 29.2% of all renewable energy sources. The share of biomass energy from Brazil in the OIE is 13.6%, well above the world average of participation. Various types of pyrolysis processes have been studied in recent years, highlighting the process of fast pyrolysis of biomass to obtain bio-oil. The continuous fast pyrolysis, the most investigated and improved are the fluidized bed and ablative, but is being studied and developed other types in order to obtain Bio-oil a better quality, higher productivity, lower energy consumption, increased stability and process reliability and lower production cost. The stability of the product bio-oil is fundamental to designing consumer devices such as burners, engines and turbines. This study was motivated to produce Bio-oil, through the conversion of plant biomass or the use of its industrial and agricultural waste, presenting an alternative proposal for thermochemical pyrolysis process, taking advantage of particle dynamics in the rotating bed that favors the right gas-solid contact and heat transfer and mass. The pyrolyser designed to operate in a continuous process, a feeder containing two stages, a divisive system of biomass integrated with a tab of coal fines and a system of condensing steam pyrolytic. The prototype has been tested with sawdust, using a complete experimental design on two levels to investigate the sensitivity of factors: the process temperature, gas flow drag and spin speed compared to the mass yield of bio-oil. The best result was obtained in the condition of 570 oC, 25 Hz and 200 cm3/min, temperature being the parameter of greatest significance. The mass balance of the elementary stages presented in the order of 20% and 37% liquid pyrolytic carbon. We determined the properties of liquid and solid products of pyrolysis as density, viscosity, pH, PCI, and the composition characterized by chemical analysis, revealing the composition and properties of a Bio-oil.

Aplicação de técnicas eletroquímicas na determinação do potencial de corrosividade de ligas de alumínio em água produzida

The resistance of aluminum and their alloys, to the corrosion phenomenon, in aqueous solutions, is a result of the oxide layer formed. However, the corrosion process in the aluminum alloy is associated with the presence a second phase of particles or the presence of chloride ions which promote the disruption of the oxide layer located producing the corrosion process. On the other hand, the term water produced is used to describe the water after the separation of the oil and gas in API separators. The volumes of produced water arrive around 5 more times to the volume of oil produced. The greatest feature of the water is the presence of numerous pollutants. Due to the increased volume of waste around the world in the current decade, the outcome and the effect of the discharge of produced water on the environment has recently become an important issue of environmental concern where numerous treatments are aimed at reducing these contaminants before disposal. Then, this study aims to investigate the electrochemical corrosion behavior of aluminum alloy 6060 in presence of water produced and the influence of organic components as well as chloride ions, by using the electrochemical techniques of linear polarization. The modification of the passive layer and the likely breakpoints were observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). In the pit formation potential around -0.4 to -0.8 V/EAg/AgCl was observed that the diffusion of chloride ions occurs via the layer formed with the probable formation of pits. Whereas, at temperatures above 65 °C, it was observed that the range of potential for thepit formation was -0.4 to -0.5 V/EAg/AgCl. In all reactions, the concentration of Al(OH)3 in the form of a gel was observed

Estudo das propriedades críticas do processo epidêmico por par com difusão de pares

The pair contact process - PCP is a nonequilibrium stochastic model which, like the basic contact process - CP, exhibits a phase transition to an absorbing state. While the absorbing state CP corresponds to a unique configuration (empty lattice), the PCP process infinitely many. Numerical and theoretical studies, nevertheless, indicate that the PCP belongs to the same universality class as the CP (direct percolation class), but with anomalies in the critical spreading dynamics. An infinite number of absorbing configurations arise in the PCP because all process (creation and annihilation) require a nearest-neighbor pair of particles. The diffusive pair contact process - PCPD) was proposed by Grassberger in 1982. But the interest in the problem follows its rediscovery by the Langevin description. On the basis of numerical results and renormalization group arguments, Carlon, Henkel and Schollwöck (2001), suggested that certain critical exponents in the PCPD had values similar to those of the party-conserving - PC class. On the other hand, Hinrichsen (2001), reported simulation results inconsistent with the PC class, and proposed that the PCPD belongs to a new universality class. The controversy regarding the universality of the PCPD remains unresolved. In the PCPD, a nearest-neighbor pair of particles is necessary for the process of creation and annihilation, but the particles to diffuse individually. In this work we study the PCPD with diffusion of pair, in which isolated particles cannot move; a nearest-neighbor pair diffuses as a unit. Using quasistationary simulation, we determined with good precision the critical point and critical exponents for three values of the diffusive probability: D=0.5 and D=0.1. For D=0.5: PC=0.89007(3), β/v=0.252(9), z=1.573(1), =1.10(2), m=1.1758(24). For D=0.1: PC=0.9172(1), β/v=0.252(9), z=1.579(11), =1.11(4), m=1.173(4)

Análise da Expressão de APE1 após Estresse Oxidativo Induzido em Células Proficientes e Deficientes na Via de Reparo por Excisão de Nucleotídeos

Riboflavin is a vitamin very important in aerobic organisms, as a precursor of many coenzymes involved in the electron transporter chain. However, after photosensitization of riboflavin with UV or visible light, it generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can oxidize the DNA. The repair of oxidative lesions on DNA occurs through the base excision repair pathway (BER), where APE1 endonuclease plays a central role. On the other hand, the nucleotide excision repair pathway (NER) repairs helix-distorting lesions. Recently, it was described the participation of NERproteins in the repair of oxidative damage and in stimulation of repair function fromAPE1. The aim of this research was to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of photosensitized riboflavin (RF*) in cells proficient and deficient in NER, correlating with APE1 expression. For this propose, the cells were treated with RF* and it was performed the cell viability assay, extraction of whole proteins, cells fractionation, immunoblotting, indirect immunofluorescence and analysis of polymorphisms of BER gens. The results evidenced that cells deficient in XPA and CSB proteins were more sensitive to RF*. However, XPC-deficient cells presented similar resistance to MRC5- SV cells, which is proficient in NER. These results indicate that XPA and CSB proteins have an important role on repair of oxidative lesions induced by RF*. Additionally, it was evidenced that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in BER enzymes may influence in sensitivity of NER-deficient cell lines. Concerning the APE1 expression, the results showed that expression of this protein after treatment with RF* only changed in XPC-deficient cells. Though, it was observed that APE1 is recruited and is bound to chromatin in MRC5-SV and XPA cells after treatment with RF*. The results also showed the induction of DNA damage after treatment with RF*, through the analysis of-H2AX, since the treatment promoted an increase of endogenous levels of this phosphorylated protein, which acts signaling double strand-break on DNA. On the other hand, in XPC-deficient cells, regardless of resistance of RF*, the endogenous levels of APE1 are extremely reduced when compared with other cell lines and APE1 is not bound to chromatin after treatment with RF*. These results conclude that RF* was able to induce cell death in NERdeficient cells, where XPA and CSB cells were more sensitive when compared with MRC5-SV and XPC-deficient cells. This last result is potentially very interesting, since XPC-deficient cell line presents low levels of APE1. Additionally, the results evidenced that APE1 protein can be involved in the repair of oxidative damage induced by RF*, because APE1 is recruited and bound strongly to chromatin after treatment.

Um método numérico para a solução de problemas em física quântica de poucos corpos

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Desenvolvimento de uma formulação cólon específica visando o tratamento da colite ulcerativa

Micro and nanoparticulate systems as drug delivery carriers have achieved successful therapeutic use by enhancing efficacy and reducing toxicity of potent drugs. The improvement of pharmaceutical grade polymers has allowed the development of such therapeutic systems. Microencapsulation is a process in which very thin coatings of inert natural or synthetic polymeric materials are deposited around microsized particles of solids or around droplets. Products thus formed are known as microparticles. Xylan is a natural polymer abundantly found in nature. It is the most common hemicellulose, representing more than 60% of the polysaccharides existing in the cell walls of corn cobs, and is normally degraded by the bacterial enzymes present in the colon of the human body. Therefore, this polymer is an eligible material to produce colon-specific drug carriers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the technological potential of xylan for the development of colon delivery systems for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. First, coacervation was evaluated as a feasible method to produce xylan microcapsules. Afterwards, interfacial cross-linking polymerization was studied as a method to produce microcapsules with hydrophilic core. Additionally, magnetic xylan-coated microcapsules were prepared in order to investigate the ability of producing gastroresistant systems. Besides, the influence of the external phase composition on the production and mean diameter of microcapsules produced by interfacial cross-linking polymerization was investigated. Also, technological properties of xylan were determined in order to predict its possible application in other pharmaceutical dosage forms

Desenvolvimento de Sistemas Microparticulados Superparamagnéticos Gastro-resistentes para Diagnóstico e Terapêutica

This work aimed to develop a suitable magnetic system for administration by the oral route. In addition to that, it was intended to review the current uses of magnetic systems and the safety related to magnetic field exposure. Methods: Coprecipitation and emulsification/crosslinking were carried out in order to synthesize magnetite particles and to coat them, respectively. Results: According to literature review, it was found that magnetic particles present several properties such as magnetophoresis in magnetic field gradient, production of a surrounding magnetic field, and heat generation in alternated magnetic field. When the human organism is exposed to magnetic fields, several interaction mechanisms come into play. However, biological tissues present low magnetic susceptibility. As a result, the effects are not so remarkable. Concerning the development of a magnetic system for oral route, uncoated magnetite particles did undergo significant dissolution at gastric pH. On the other hand, such process was inhibited in the xylan-coated particles. Conclusions: Due to their different properties, magnetic systems have been widely used in biosciences. However, the consequent increased human exposure to magnetic fields has been considered relatively safe. Concerning the experimental work, it was developed a polymer-coated magnetic system. It may be very promising for administration by the oral route for therapy and diagnostic applications as dissolution at gastric pH hardly took place

Mapeamento de áreas de risco à saúde pública por meio de métodos geoestatísticos

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Identificação e avaliação de propriedades de polissacarídeos sulfatados de diferentes fontes naturais que possibilitem sua aplicabilidade biotecnológica

Sulfated polysaccharides (SP) are widely distributed in animals and seaweeds tissues. These polymers have been studied in light of their important pharmacological activities, such as anticoagulant, antioxidant, antitumoral, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. On other hand, SP potential to synthesize biomaterials like as nanoparticules has not yet been explored. In addition, to date, SP have only been found in six plants and all inhabit saline environments. However, the SP pharmacological plant activities have not been carrying out. Furthermore, there are no reports of SP in freshwater plants. Thus, do SP from marine plants show pharmacological activity? Do freshwater plants actually synthesize SP? Is it possible to synthesize nanoparticles using SP from seaweed? In order to understand this question, this Thesis was divided into tree chapters. In the first chapter a sulfated polysaccharide (SPSG) was successfully isolated from marine plant Halodule wrightii. The data presented here showed that the SPSG is a 11 kDa sulfated heterogalactan contains glucose and xylose. Several assays suggested that the SPSG possessed remarkable antioxidant properties in different in vitro assays and an outstanding anticoagulant activity 2.5-fold higher than that of heparin Clexane® in the aPTT test; in the next chapter using different tools such as chemical and histological analyses, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA), gel electrophoresis and infra-red spectroscopy we confirm the presence of sulfated polysaccharides in freshwater plants for the first time. Moreover, we also demonstrate that SP extracted from E. crassipes root has potential as an anticoagulant compound; and in last chapter a fucan, a sulfated polysaccharide, extracted from the brown seaweed was chemically modified by grafting hexadecylamine to the polymer hydrophilic backbone. The resulting modified material (SNFuc) formed nanosized particles. The degree of substitution for hydrophobic chains of 1H NMR was approximately 93%. SNFfuc-TBa125 in aqueous media had a mean diameter of 123 nm and zeta potential of -38.3 ± 0.74 mV, measured bydynamic light scattering. Tumor-cell (HepG2, 786, H-S5) proliferation was inhibited by 2.0 43.7% at SNFuc concentrations of 0.05 0.5 mg/ mL and RAEC non-tumor cell line proliferation displayed inhibition of 8.0 22.0%. On the other hand, nanogel improved CHO and RAW non-tumor cell line proliferation in the same concentration range. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that this fucan nanogel inhibited 786 cell proliferation through caspase and caspaseindependent mechanisms. In addition, SNFuc blocks 786 cell passages in the S and G2-M phases of the cell cycle

Desenvolvimento de sistemas magnéticos com potencialidades terapêuticas para vetorização de fármacos

Magnetic targeting is being investigated as a means of local delivery of drugs, combining precision, minimal surgical intervention, and satisfactory concentration of the drug in the target region. In view of these advantages, it is a promising strategy for improving the pharmacological response. Magnetic particles are attracted by a magnetic field gradient, and drugs bound to them can be driven to their site of action by means of the selective application of magnetic field on the desired area. Helicobacter pylori is the commonest chronic bacterial infection. The treatment of choice has commonly been based upon a triple therapy combining two antibiotics and an anti-secretory agent. Furthermore, an extended-release profile is of utmost importance for these formulations. The aim of this work was to develop a magnetic system containing the antibiotic amoxicillin for oral magnetic drug targeting. First, magnetic particles were produced by coprecipitation of iron salts in alkaline medium. The second step was coating the particles and amoxicillin with Eudragit® S-100 by spray-drying technique. The system obtained demonstrated through the characterization studies carried out a possible oral drug delivery system, consisting in magnetite microparticles and amoxicillin, coated with a polymer acid resistant. This system can be used to deliver drugs to the stomach for treatment of infections in this organ. Another important finding in this work is that it opens new prospects to coat magnetic microparticles by the technique of spray-drying.

Desenvolvimento de microemulsões contendo fotoprotetores inorgânicos nanoparticulador

The inorganic actives, represented mainly by microfine zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, have shown great potential to protect against large UV spectrum. The aim of this study is the development, characterization and analysis of stability in the short term of microemulsions containing inorganic fotoprotection agents. The microemulsions identified by the phases diagram containing the metallic oxides were produced by two different methods and subjected to the centrifugation test and thermal stress cycles, and subsequently characterized by macroscopic evaluation, test dilution, electrical conductivity, pH, particle size, and zeta potential. This study highlights the influence of the metal oxides addition in the structure and distribution of micelles in the microemulsions

A intermediação da noção de probabilidade na construção de conceitos relacionados à cinética química

Este trabalho procurou identificar como estudantes do Ensino Médio se apropriam de conceitos e elaboram determinados modelos inseridos em cinética química, especificamente o modelo cinético de colisão de partículas numa reação (Teoria das Colisões). Esta análise e as reflexões que a seguiram foram baseadas, sobretudo, nos estudos realizados por Piaget, Piaget e Inhelder, Jun e Fischbein. Utilizamos como documentos as transcrições das entrevistas (pré e pós-testes) realizadas individualmente com cada aluno. Inicialmente, os estudantes foram entrevistados (pré-testes) com o intuito de identificar a familiaridade com a noção de evento probabilístico ou aleatório. Numa segunda etapa (pós-testes), esse conhecimento (ou a ausência parcial/total dele) foi posto à prova numa tentativa de se estabelecerem relações com um conteúdo específico da Química (Teoria das Colisões). Os resultados obtidos apontam para grandes discrepâncias entre o modelo cinético de colisões elaborado pelos estudantes e aquele cientificamente aceito.