Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Emusic'

Sharing music with friends and family has always been a popular activity. Under most copyright laws, sharing physical media with friends and family has always been seen as a 'fair use' - a set of usage patterns that have been traditionally considered to be exceptions to copyright law. With the advent of digital music in the early 1990's sharing of music became redefined. Whereas sharing of physical media meant that only one person could use the media at the same time, sharing digital music involved permanent reproduction of the music files. Thus, sharing digital music equated to reproduction and distribution of music. With the invention of the mp3 standard, the size of digital music files became much smaller without a noticeable compromise of quality. Thus reproduction and distribution of digital music became faster and even easier. [...]

Les conditions creees par la guerre des six jours (5-10 juin 1967) ont entraine l'apparition en israel de plusieurs partis et groupements religieux dont l'objectif principal est de s'opposer (au besoin par la force) a toute retrocession des territoires occupes. Aux yeux de ces juifs orthodoxes, un tel acte est en effet juge incompatible avec l'alliance conclue entre dieu et abraham concernant le don d'eretz israel au peuple juif (eretz israel designant la terre d'israel dans ses frontieres bibliques). Au centre de ce courant se trouve le goush emounim (le "bloc des fideles"), un mouvement extra-parlementaire qui naquit en fevrier 1974. En multipliant les colonies juives au-dela de la "ligne verte", ce mouvement vise a entraver la mise en oeuvre de tout accord de paix qui incluerait des concessions territoriales. A travers cet objet d'etude, on s'est propose de questionner la pertinence de l'analyse culturelle. Les raisons de ce choix tiennent tout d'abord au fait que le concept de "culture" et certains postulats de ce mode d'approche sont frequemment sollicites pour rendre compte des phenomenes actuels de contestation religieuse. La seconde raison a trait au caractere stimulant de certains presupposes de l'analyse culturelle, particulierement l'importance que cette problematique se propose de restituer au sens pour la comprehension de l'action sociale. Parmi les nombreuses faiblesses que presente neanmoins l'approche culturelle, nous avons mis l'accent sur les reserves que suscite l'apprehension generalement statique des "systemes culturels", conduisant a les considerer comme des corpus clos, figes et autonomes, qui determineraient les comportements des individus, et notamment leur rapport au politique
The conditions created by the six days war (5-10 june 1967) generated the apparition in israel of several religious parties and movements, which main objective is to oppose (by force if needed) the retrocession of the occupied territories. For these orthodox jews, this act appears incompatible with the covenant concluded between god and abraham concerning the gift of eretz israel to the jewish people (erets israel being the hebrew term for the land of israel in her biblical frontiers). At the core of this tendency figures gush emunim ("bloc of the faithful"), an extra-parliamentary movement created in february 1974. By multiplying jewish settlements across the "green line", this movement wants to prevent any peace accord leading to territorial compromises. Through this object, we propose to question the relevance of the cultural analysis, which is frequently used to explain the actual phenomenon of religious protest. Among the numerous failings that affect this mode of interpretation, we insist on the inconveniences generated by the static approach of the cultural "systems". In our study, we trie to demonstrate how the collective representations constitute social and historical constructions, and are for this reason subject to transformations. The gush emunim movement which adheres to ultranationalist or ultra-zionist ideas, even though the first attitude of the religious actors was to condemn zionism, seems to provide an excellent illustration of the circumstances under which, and the mechanisms by which, occurs a "cultural innovation"

Emu (Dromaius novahollandiae) are native to Australia, but they are commercially farmed in many countries, including Canada, the US, and India. Currently producers transport their emus over long distances for slaughter due to the lack of processing facilities. During such shipments, emus are exposed to stressful and adverse conditions, causing welfare concerns. This study was undertaken to suggest methods to improve the welfare of emus during their handling and transport. Reference intervals were established for hematological, serum biochemical variables, enzymes and electrolytes in adult male and female emus. Changes in the indices of stress and metabolic homeostasis were used to evaluate the physiological responses of emus to transport for six hours under warm and cool weather conditions. The activities of enzymes were significantly (P < 0.001) increased at slaughter, indicating muscle cell wall damage. Transport under warm weather resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) higher weight loss, hyperthermia, hyperglycaemia, plasma corticosterone and packed cell volume, and meat pH than cool weather. Meat drip loss after 24 hours storage was greater in emus which had greater weight loss after transport. Oral administration of nutrient supplements (electrolytes, dextrose, and amino acids) pre- and post-transport was effective in protecting against muscle damage and recovery of body weight losses during lairage, but had little effect on meat quality. The clinical findings were suggestive of the incidence of exertional rhabdomyolysis in emus. Meat quality studies revealed the incidence of stress myopathy and dark firm and dry conditions. The important behavior categories and unusual behavior in emus were identified and described. Handling time greater than 8 minutes significantly (P < 0.05) increased the concentrations of corticosterone, glucose and enzyme activities in emus. The significant increase (P < 0.05) in the time spent on stereotypies such as pacing, fence pecking and reduction in grooming after transport seemed to be their response to stress. This study provided insight into the physiological and behavioral responses of emus to transport stress and the efficacy of oral supplements in alleviating the same. Identification of non-invasive indicators of stress from this study would aid to improve the management and welfare of emus.

El càncer de bufeta (BC) és un dels càncers més comuns a Europa. Afortunadament, la majoria de pacients es diagnostiquen en els estadis primerencs de la malaltia, quan el tumor es troba a la mucosa. D’aquest estadi en diem càncer de bufeta no invasiu (NMIBC). El tractament consisteix en la resecció del tumor i, posteriorment, a administrar intravesicalment la soca atenuada de Mycobacterium bovis, M. bovis BCG viu. Els beneficis del BCG com a teràpia per a pacients de NMIBC són clars: el BCG evita la recurrència i la progressió del BC, la qual cosa millora la supervivència dels pacients. Tot i així, cal no oblidar els desavantatges. La majoria de pacients pateixen efectes secundaris lleus i, fins i tot, severs i molts pacients han d’abandonar el tractament a causa de la seva toxicitat. Per tant, cal trobar alternatives més segures. Recentment s’ha descrit la capacitat antitumoral del micobacteri ambiental Mycobaterium brumae. M. brumae ha demostrat tenir una activitat antitumoral semblant al BCG sobre diferents línees cel·lulars de BC humanes. A més a més, aquesta espècie és capaç d’activar macròfags de ratolí i, també, d’activar cèl·lules mononuclears de sang perifèrica per a que siguin citotòxiques per a les cèl·lules de BC. Per tant, el següent pas seria estudiar la capacitat antitumoral de M. brumae i la seva capacitat estimuladora del sistema immunitari en el model animal de BC. Però primer, caldria abordar un altre qüestió important. Es coneix que els micobacteris, degut a l’alt contingut lipídic de la seva paret, són molt hidrofòbics i tenen tendència a formar agregats quan es troben en solucions aquoses. Aquests agregats dificultarien la interacció dels micobacteris amb les cèl·lules canceroses. En aquesta investigació, es van estudiar diferents emulsions amb l’objectiu de disminuir la mida d’aquests agregats. A més a més, l’emulsió escollida havia de mantenir la viabilitat d’M. brumae, de mantenir la seva capacitat antitumoral i de induir una resposta immunitària in vitro. Quan finalment es va escollir, es van aplicar diferents tractaments en el model animal. La supervivència dels animals amb tumor va ser registrada i la resposta immunitària generada es va estudiar mitjançant diverses tècniques. M. brumae ha mostrat resultats prometedors en el model animal i, per tant, podria ser considerat una alternativa segura al BCG per al tractament de pacients de NMIBC.
Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers in Europe. Fortunately, most of the cases are diagnosed at early stages of the disease, when tumours are still confined to the mucosa. These are called non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The treatment consists on resecting the tumour and, then, on the intravesical administration of the attenuated stain of Mycobacterium bovis, M. bovis BCG in its live form. The benefits of BCG in NMIBC patients are clear; BCG avoids recurrence and progression of BC which improves the survival rate of the patients. Nevertheless, the drawbacks cannot be forgotten. Most treated patients experience mild to severe side effects and many patients have to abort the BCG treatment due to its toxicity. Thus, safer alternatives are needed. It has been recently described the antitumour capacity of Mycobacterium brumae, an environmental mycobacterium. M. brumae showed in vitro a similar antitumour activity to BCG on different BC cell lines. Moreover, this species showed to be able to activate murine macrophages and to activate peripheral blood mononuclear cells’ cytotoxicity against BC cells. Thus, the next step was to test M. brumae’s antitumour capacity and its ability to activate an immune response in an animal model of BC. Moreover, another important issue was addressed on the way. It is known that mycobacteria, due to the high lipidic content of their cell wall, are very hydrophobic and have the tendency to aggregate in aqueous solutions. These clumps might difficult the interaction between the bacteria and the BC cells. In this thesis, different emulsions were assayed in order to diminish the size of these aggregates. In addition, the chosen emulsion had to maintain M. brumae viability, to maintain its antitumour activity and its capacity to induce an immune response in vitro. Once one emulsion was chosen, different treatments were tested in the animal model. Survival rates of the treated tumour-bearing mice were recorded and the local and systemic immune response was also studied by using different techniques. In conclusion, emulsified M. brumae showed promising results in the BC mouse model which means it could be a safer alternative to BCG for NMIBC patients.

This study describes the gross anatomical, histological and surface morphological features of the oropharynx and proximal oesophagus of the emu in order to address the scarcity of information on this region in this commercially important bird. Heads obtained from birds at slaughter (and a younger and older bird from emergency farm slaughter) were used for this study and described using basic gross anatomical and histological techniques, supplemented by scanning electron microscopy. The findings of the study were compared with the relevant literature. The oral and pharyngeal cavities could not be morphologically separated and formed a single cavity. This cavity was dorso-ventrally flattened and clearly divided, both on the floor and the roof, into rostral pigmented and caudal non-pigmented parts. The non-pigmented floor housed the tongue and laryngeal mound which had a wide glottis and no papillae. The choana was triangular-shaped, with a small caudo-lateral fold on either side, and was situated in the nonpigmented part of the roof. Caudal to the choana were two rounded pharyngeal folds with a pitted ventral surface. A small bilateral projection from the caudo-lateral edge consisted mainly of diffuse lymphoid tissue. The pharyngeal folds contained numerous large simple branched tubular mucus-secreting glands as well as large accumulations of lymphoid tissue. The pigmented regions of the roof and floor were aglandular and lined by a keratinised stratified squamous epithelium which, particularly in the roof, contained numerous Herbst corpuscles in the underlying connective tissue. SEM revealed the surface to be composed of sheets of desquamating flattened polygonal cells. The non-pigmented regions were glandular and lined by a non-keratinised stratified squamous epithelium. Surface cells displayed a pattern of microplicae or microvilli while individual surface cells were seen to desquamate. The connective tissue housed small, simple tubular and large, simple branched tubular mucus-secreting glands, Herbst corpuscles (only absent from the pharyngeal folds and proximal oesophagus), lymphoid tissue, blood vessels and nerves. The glands of the upper digestive tract were polystomatic and named as follows according to their location: Caudal intermandibular, lingual, crico-arytenoid, oral angular, caudal palatine, pharyngeal and oesophageal. The openings of the glands to the surface were seen on SEM as variably sized holes on the surface, some being obscured by mucus secretions from the underlying glands. Taste receptors were sparse and present only in the caudal non-pigmented oropharyngeal floor, tongue root and proximal oesophagus. Accumulations of lymphoid tissue were identified at the junction between the two regions of the roof, and in the non-pigmented roof, the non-pigmented floor, tongue ventrum, root and frenulum, proximal oesophagus and pharyngeal folds. The consistent dense accumulation of lymphoid tissue in the pharyngeal folds constituted pharyngeal tonsils (Lymphonoduli pharyngeales). The lymphoid tissue of the non-pigmented floor was visible macroscopically as round raised nodules. Specific, unnamed larger lymphoid tissue aggregations were located at the junction of the tongue ventrum and frenulum and in the small folds lateral to the choana. Surface morphology, as seen by SEM, revealed a pattern of microridges on the surface cells of the keratinised areas, whereas the surface cells of the non-keratinised areas displayed microplicae, microvilli and cilia. Microvilli and cilia were associated with the gland openings and ducts. The proximal oesophagus was a cylindrical tube with a longitudinally folded mucosa and displayed the typical tissue layers described in birds. The mucosa was formed by a nonkeratinised stratified epithelium which on SEM showed minimal surface desquamation. The lamina propria contained numerous simple tubular mucus-secreting glands which sometimes branched and occasional diffuse lymphoid tissue aggregations. The gland openings to the surface were seen on SEM as small and large dark holes. The muscularis mucosae was very prominent and was a longitudinal smooth muscle layer separating the mucosa from the submucosa. The tunica muscularis was composed of a thicker inner circular and a thinner outer longitudinal smooth muscle layer surrounded by the outer loose connective tissue forming the tunica adventitia. The emu tongue was divided into a body and a root. The body was triangular, dorso-ventrally flattened, pigmented and displayed caudally directed lingual papillae on both the lateral and caudal margins. The root, a more conspicuous structure in comparison to other ratites, was triangular, with a raised bulbous component folding over the rostral part of the laryngeal fissure. The lingual skeleton was formed by the triangular-shaped paraglossum (hyaline cartilage), forming the core of the tongue body, and the rostral projection of the basihyale, ventral to the paraglossum. Following the general trend in ratites, the emu tongue was greatly reduced in comparison to the bill length and specifically adapted for swallowing during the cranioinertial method of feeding employed by palaeognaths. The tongue was invested by a non-keratinised stratified squamous epithelium. The glands in the connective tissue formed the bulk of the parenchyma and were composed of both small simple tubular and large simple branched tubular mucus-secreting glands similar to those seen in the oropharynx. The lingual glands were grouped as follows: dorsal and rostro-ventral (large glands), caudo-ventral and radical (large and small glands) and frenular (small glands). The large glands were visible macroscopically as doughnut-shaped structures. Melanocytes were absent from the tongue ventrum and occasionally from the tongue root. Lymphoid tissue was absent from the tongue dorsum. Herbst corpuscles were present in the tongue body and root and generally closely associated with the large mucus-secreting glands. The surface morphology varied in the different regions of the tongue. The dorsal and rostro-ventral tongue body showed individual desquamating cells and large gland openings only, the caudo-lateral ventrum showed less desquamation and both large and small openings. The mid-ventral aspect had an undulating uneven appearance with round raised cells on the surface which were densely packed with microvilli. Very large, large and small openings were present in this region and ciliated cells occurred in the vicinity of gland openings. This study presented various unique findings regarding the morphology of the emu oropharynx compared to other ratites. Although the sense of taste has been confirmed in many avian species, this study presented the first evidence of taste in the emu and ratites in general and suggests the possibility of taste being previously overlooked in the other birds studied (ostrich and greater rhea). The tongue root of the emu was clearly defined and is unique in structure and possible function amongst the ratites and other birds. Previously unmentioned functions of the emu tongue revealed by this study include: touch (Herbst corpuscles), taste (taste bud), lubrication and mechanical protection (mucus-secreting glands), immunological (lymphoid tissue) and digestive (swallowing). It was also noted that the various structures and organs of the oropharynx revealed important and often interesting differences between the emu and the other ratites documented. The prominent serrations of the rostral mandibular tomia of the emu also appear to be unique amongst ratites. The presence and wide distribution of Herbst corpuscles within the emu oropharynx and tongue show these areas to be highly sensitive to touch. The caudo-lateral projections of the pharyngeal folds effectively formed pharyngeal tonsils, a feature not apparent in other ratites. Despite the differences noted between the emu and other ratites it was possible to discern a common pattern of structures and features, with their modifications, both within and forming the oropharynx in this group of birds.
Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2009.
Anatomy and Physiology
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Esta pesquisa descreve e analisa os discursos do fórum que apresentou a proposta do Curso Superior de Música Popular da EMUS/UFBA. Para analisar os dados tomamos como base a perspectiva analítica de Michel Foucault, na obra Arqueologia do Saber. No Fórum, objeto do estudo, foram tratadas questões a respeito da música popular e sua inclusão no currículo de música na UFBA, bem como a proposta estrutural do curso apresentada pelo grupo de trabalho que se incumbiu da elaboração do projeto do curso. Na análise, levamos em consideração as intersecções entre a proposta de curso de música popular e as instâncias discursivas textuais e documentais geradas pela proposta da Universidade Nova, do Bacharelado Interdisciplinar (BI) e do programa REUNI, buscando, através dos jogos de relações entre os discursos, situar os sujeitos na formação discursiva. Por fim, a análise discursiva mostra uma estrutura de enunciados que tornam possíveis o surgimento de proposições, frases, objetos, temas e conceitos pertinentes à discussão sobre a proposta do curso de música popular, criando possibilidades de se formar um panorama das contribuições dos participantes do fórum sobre a inclusão da música popular no currículo da EMUS.
This research describes and analizes the discussion from the Forum which presented the Bachelor in Popular Music EMUS/UFBA proposal. To analize the data we took as reference Michel Foucault's analitic perspective in his work "Archaeology of Knowledge". In the Forum, subject of study, were discussed aspects of Popular Music and its inclusion in the UFBA's music curriculum, as well as the structure project presented by the work group which made self responsible for the project elaboration. In the analisis, we considered the intersections between the popular music program proposal and the discursive instances texted and documented generated by the New University proposal, the BI and the REUNI program, trying, through the games between the speechs, to place the subjects in the discursive formation. In the end, the speech analisis shows a questionnaire which makes possible to raise proposals, sentences, objects, themes and concepts which belongs to the discussion about the popular music program proposal, creating possibilities to form a panoram using the guests speechs about the inclusion of th popular music in the EMUS curriculum.

Abstract Oily wastewaters are heterogeneous, containing various types of oils, surfactants from detergents, metals etc. Oily wastewaters are produced from a wide range of industries such as metalworking, petroleum refineries, the petrochemical industry, transportation as well as the textile and food industries. Oily wastewaters, especially those containing stable oil-in-water emulsions, require advanced treatment as conventional treatment methods have their limitations to meet ever-stricter environmental regulations. Ultrafiltration is a widely accepted and commonly used treatment method for oily wastewaters. The first aim of this thesis was to increase knowledge concerning the performance of an industrial-scaled ultrafiltration-based process treating concentrated real oily wastewaters. The demand for a more effective pre-treatment method for ultrafiltration to enhance performance and decrease fouling of membrane was observed. The second aim of the thesis was to investigate the suitability and efficiency of different methods for treating concentrated model oil-in-water emulsions and real oily wastewaters. The treatment methods studied were electrocoagulation (electrolytic dissolution of anodic metal), conventional coagulation-flocculation followed by either sedimentation or dissolved air flotation, and dissolved air flotation utilising cationic air bubbles. Electrocoagulation was discovered to be a promising treatment method for various types of oil-in-water emulsions. Dissolved air flotation with cationic modified air bubbles was proven to be an efficient method with even higher treatment results with smaller chemical doses when compared to conventional coagulation-flocculation followed by dissolved air flotation. The biodegradation of various components is an important measure of their impact on the environment in case of spillage. The third aim of the thesis was to explore the biodegradability of different types of oils and surfactants in solution conditions and soils. It was discovered that the biodegradation of light fuel oil continued during a three-month time period, reaching a biodegradation degree of over 60% in mineral-rich soil. For surfactants, their distinct effect on the biodegradation of organic material in soil was observed, and it masked the biodegradation of the surfactants themselves
Tiivistelmä Öljyiset jätevedet ovat heterogeenisiä, sisältäen mm. erityyppisiä öljyjä, metalleja ja pesuaineiden pinta-aktiivisia aineita. Öljyisiä jätevesiä muodostuu laajalti eri teollisuuksista, kuten metallintyöstöstä, öljyn jalostuksesta, petrokemian teollisuudesta, ruoka- ja tekstiiliteollisuudesta sekä liikenteestä. Öljyiset jätevedet, varsinkin stabiileja öljyemulsioita sisältävät, vaativat tehokkaan käsittelymenetelmän, jotta ympäristölainsäädännön ja luvituksen ehdot täyttyvät. Ultrasuodatus on yleisesti käytössä oleva öljyisten jätevesien käsittelymenetelmä. Tämän väitöstyön ensimmäinen tavoite oli lisätä tietoutta teollisen mittakaavan konsentroituneiden öljyisten jätevesien ultrasuodatusprosessien tehokkuudesta. Prosessien strategisista kohdista kerättyjen öljyisten jätevesien karakterisointitulosten perusteella havaittiin, että ennen ultrasuodatusta tarvitaan tehokas esikäsittelyvaihe prosessin tehostamiseksi ja ultrasuodattimen tukkeutumisen vähentämiseksi. Täten toinen väitöstyön tavoite oli selvittää eri menetelmien soveltuvuutta ja tehokkuutta konsentroituneiden malliaineina käytettyjen öljyemulsioiden ja öljyisten jätevesien käsittelyssä. Tutkitut käsittelymenetelmät olivat elektrokoagulaatio (sähkökemiallinen flokkaavien metalli-ionien liuottaminen anodilta), koagulaatio-flokkulaatio ja laskeutus/korkeapaineflotaatio sekä korkeapaineflotaatiomenetelmä, joka hyödyntää kationisia ilmakuplia. Elektrokoagulaation todettiin olevan erittäin tehokas käsittelymenetelmä, jolla saavutettiin korkeat puhdistustulokset erityyppisille öljyemulsioille. Korkeapaineflotaatiolla, joka hyödyntää kationisia ilmakuplia, saavutettiin hyvät puhdistustulokset jopa pienemmillä kemikaalimäärillä verrattuna perinteiseen koagulaatio-flokkulaatioon ja korkepaineflotaation. Erilaisten komponenttien biohajoavuus on tärkeä suure arvioitaessa niiden ympäristövaikutuksia. Väitöstyön kolmas tavoite oli selvittää erilaisten öljyjen ja pinta-aktiivisten aineiden biohajoavuutta erilaisissa liuosolosuhteissa ja maa-aineksissa. Tärkeimmät biohajoavuustutkimustulokset olivat, että kevyt polttoöljy saavutti kolmen kuukauden mittauksen aikana yli 60 % biohajoavuusasteen mineraalirikkaassa maa-aineksessa. Pinta-aktiivisten aineiden havaittiin lisäävän huomattavasti maan orgaanisen aineksen biohajoamista, ja tämä vaikeutti itse pinta-aktiivisten aineiden biohajoamisen arviointia

The purpose of this thesis is to identify the reasons for Israeli and Palestinian religious objections to peaceful co-existence in a two-state solution to the conflict over the land between the Jordan River and Mediterranean Sea. Developing an understanding of the basic religious requirements and precedents, while consistently considering religious impact in politics, may help to open dialogue between Jewish Gush Emunim and Muslim Palestinian Hamas, strong opponents to land compromise. Arguments by Gush Emunim and Hamas from the two major religious works, the Jewish Tanakh and the Muslim Qur’an, and associated commentaries, the Jewish Talmud and Muslim Hadith, are compared and evaluated for religious insights into the disputed areas. Contemporary interpretations of each major writing and political objections based on religious argumentation create a strong context for modern conflict. The requirements and precedents for peace that come from religious texts also promote open dialogue. This thesis suggests ways to open dialogue between the Israeli and Palestinian cultures, comparing religious texts, interpretations, and concepts, in an effort to promote peaceful co-existence and build an effective strategic narrative.

The design of nanocomposites, which typically consist of polymeric matrices with embedded particles having at least one characteristic length in the nanometer range, has recently been the focus of a great attention. Nanocomposites, in a large variety of morphologies and distinct compositions are already on the market. In this context, the construction of novel porous nanocomposites, exhibiting hierarchical structures, will allow the development of innovative advanced materials with promising applications in many fields: catalysis, gas/liquid storage, gas purification, etc. The use of highly concentrated phase emulsions (HIPEs) as templates has been shown to be an effective route for the preparation of macroporous polymers. Specifically, the use of suitable surface-modified inorganic oxide nanoparticles as emulsions stabilizers (so called Pickering emulsions) provide an alternative approach to the classical surfactant-based systems, to obtain such hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposite porous materials. Thanks to the ability of finely-divided solids to adsorb spontaneously at liquid-liquid interfaces, any functionality coming from the nanoparticles can be imparted to the materials, in a single-step preparation method. It has been described that, the resulting macroporous nanocomposites, obtained in Pickering highly concentrated emulsions, typically exhibit closed-cell structures and rather large pore sizes. These drawbacks are frequently overcome by combining simultaneously surfactants and particles. Nevertheless, there is a lack of systematic study on how the interactions between these two emulsifiers influence the final physicochemical properties of the materials obtained. For instance, contrary to what is often expected, the addition of particles to a surfactant-stabilized emulsion or inversely, the addition of surfactant to a particle-stabilized emulsion can negatively influence its stability, rather than enhance it. The main objective of this research work was to investigate the formation of polymeric macroporous nanocomposites with embedded functional nanoparticles, using W/O highly concentrated emulsions as templates. For this purpose, two kinds of nanoparticles with interesting functionalities have been used: - Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles - Titanium dioxide photocatalytic nanoparticles Styrene and the crosslinker divinylbenzene are used in the emulsion continuous phase, as a model monomer system. The emulsions are processed into macroporous materials by free-radical polymerization of such a continuous phase. In all cases, nanoparticles are included in the systems, and three different types of emulsions are studied using different approaches: (a) HIPEs stabilized with surfactants and prepared by the phase inversion method, containing nanoparticles inside the continuous phase. (b) HIPEs stabilized with nanoparticles, in absence of surfactant and prepared by the drop-wise addition method. The use of Pickering emulsions to obtain nanocomposite materials constitutes a very novel approach, recently first described. (c) HIPEs stabilized primary with nanoparticles with increasing amounts of surfactant molecules, prepared by the drop-wise addition method. In this work, special emphasis has been given to the study of the individual contribution of either nanoparticles or surfactants on the (in)stability of the resultant highly concentrated emulsions. Moreover, the precise role that each emulsifier plays, focusing on their interactions and the related emulsion stabilization mechanisms, has been investigated. In addition, we have study the arrangement of the nanoparticles in the resulting porous nanocomposites, with respect to several parameters such as particle size or surfactant concentration. Likewise, the main physical properties of the materials, such as macroporous structure, porosity, permeability or mechanical strength, have been compared. Finally, the magnetic properties and photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite materials, which contained iron oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles, respectively, have been characterized.
La preparación de materiales constituidos por una matriz polimérica que contiene algún tipo de elemento inorgánico, como nanopartículas o nanotubos, ha generado durante los últimos años un enorme interés científico. Generalmente, estos materiales se denominan nanocompuestos. Actualmente, existen productos en el mercado en forma de sensores ópticos o productos en fase de desarrollo comercial, como poliolefinas reforzadas con arcilla en la industria automovilística. Uno de los campos de mayor actividad es la fabricación de materiales porosos avanzados, con aplicaciones en campos tan variados como el de membranas, purificación de gases o almacenamiento de líquidos/gases. Este trabajo de tesis tiene como objetivo principal el de obtener nanocomposites macroporosos con nanopartículas incorporadas, utilizando emulsiones altamente concentradas como plantilla. Para ello se han empleado emulsiones del tipo agua en aceite, estabilizadas tanto con tensioactivos como con nanopartículas (denominadas emulsiones de Pickering). La obtención de nanocompuestos macroporosos utilizando emulsiones de Pickering constituye un método novedoso descrito por primera vez recientemente. Con este propósito, se han utilizado dos tipos de nanopartículas funcionales: nanopartículas superparamagnéticas de óxido de hierro y nanopartículas fotocatalíticas de dióxido de titanio. Ambas han sido previamente funcionalizadas con ácido oleico para conferir hidrofobicidad a su superficie. Para obtener los materiales poliméricos, se ha llevado a cabo una polimerización entre el monómero estireno y el entrecruzante divinilbenceno en la fase externa de las emulsiones. De esta forma, se han obtenido materiales poliméricos porosos con nuevas funcionalidades magnéticas y fotocatalíticas. En primera instancia, se ha evaluado la interacción entre los dos emulsionantes empleados, nanopartículas y tensioactivos, y sus implicaciones en la estabilidad de las emulsiones altamente concentradas iniciales. Además, se ha estudiado la distribución de las nanopartículas en los materiales macroporosos obtenidos, en función de diversos parámetros como el tamaño o concentración de nanopartículas. Finalmente, se ha llevado a cabo una exhaustiva caracterización de las propiedades físicas de los materiales, tal como estructura macroporosa, porosidad, resistencia a la compresión o permeabilidad. También, se han estudiado las propiedades magnéticas y fotocatalíticas de los nanocompuestos, que contienen nanopartículas de óxido de hierro y de dióxido de titanio, respectivamente.

A partir da década de 1970 inicia-se um processo de avanço das fronteiras agrícolas em direção às terras do Domínio Morfoclimático do Cerrado. Em virtude deste processo, a região sudoeste do estado de Goiás se desponta como uma das maiores produtoras de cereais do mundo. O Parque Nacional das Emas, criado em 1961, é uma das maiores Unidades de Conservação deste domínio de natureza e está localizado nesta mesma região, envolto por extensas propriedades rurais que se destinam às atividades agropecuárias intensivas. O processo de ocupação agrícola que se instalou na região, assim como em grande parte do Cerrado, é responsável pela conversão de vegetação nativa em campos agropecuários. No entanto, verificou-se que esta ocupação apresenta relações intrínsecas com os atributos físicos da paisagem. Por outro, através desses mesmos atributos físicos constatou-se o papel desta Unidade de Conservação para a conservação de importantes elementos da paisagem que alcança influência, observando que sua função extrapola os limites de sua fronteira. Considerando a região das propriedades localizadas em seu entorno, buscou-se avaliar o seu potencial de conectividade deste Parque com as vegetações remanescentes ao seu redor.
From the 1970s began a process of expansion of farming land towards the Domain morphoclimatic Cerrado. Under this process, the southwest region of the state of Goiás is emerging as a major producer of cereals in the world. The Emas National Park, created in 1961, is one of the largest protected areas and nature of this domain is located in the same region, surrounded by extensive rural properties that are intended for intensive agricultural activities. The process of agricultural occupation who settled in the region, as well as in much of the Cerrado, is responsible for the conversion of native vegetation in agricultural fields. However, it was found that this occupation has intrinsic relationship with the physical attributes of the landscape. On the other, through those same physical attributes noted the role of this conservation area for the conservation of important landscape elements reaching influence, noting that its function beyond the limits of its border. Considering the area of the properties around it, we sought to evaluate the potential connectivity of this park with the remaining vegetation around.

El objetivo general de esta tesis fue elaborar un análogo de queso fresco con alto contenido de ácidos grasos omega-3 y 6, a partir de la sustitución de la grasa de la leche por una emulsión de aceites de oliva y chía, utilizando caseinato de sodio como emulgente, y con la incorporación de aceites esenciales como antimicrobianos y antioxidantes naturales. En un primer estudio, se determinó la capacidad antioxidante y antimicrobiana in vitro de aceites esenciales (AEs) de albahaca, canela, clavo, laurel, limón, mandarina, salvia, romero, valeriana, tomillo y orégano. Para determinar la capacidad antimicrobiana se ensayaron microorganismos de relevancia en productos lácteos: Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Kluyveromyces marxianus, Aspergillus niger y Penicillium sp. Los AEs de canela, clavo, orégano y tomillo mostraron un comportamiento similar para evitar la oxidación de lípidos, sin embargo, la canela y el clavo presentaron una mayor actividad antioxidante frente a los radicales libres; mientras que el orégano y el tomillo mostraron mayor actividad antimicrobiana. Estos cuatro AEs se seleccionaron para el segundo estudio. En un segundo estudio, se formularon y elaboraron emulsiones O/W con 15% de aceite de oliva y 5% de chía, ricos en omega-3 y 6, con caseinato de sodio como el emulgente, estabilizadas por homogeneización convencional, con adición o no de los AEs seleccionados en el estudio anterior. En una primera etapa se determinó la concentración mínima inhibitoria (CMI) de los cuatro AEs incluidos en las emulsiones frente a los microorganismos ensayados en el primer estudio. La CMI de estos AEs fue similar frente a los microorganismos estudiados, excepto para P. aeruginosa, que fue el microorganismo más resistente, cuyas CMIs fueron entre 4 y 32 veces superiores al del ensayo in vitro. Por su actividad antimicrobiana y antioxidante, y menor impacto a nivel sensorial, se seleccionaron los AEs de tomillo y clavo para la caracterización de las emulsiones a nivel fisicoquímico y microbiológico. Con la adición de AEs en la emulsión se determinó cierta actividad antimicrobiana en la emulsión con clavo que presentó una vida útil de 9 días frente a 4-5 días en la emulsión control y con tomillo. En un tercer estudio, se desarrolló y caracterizó un análogo de queso fresco (AQF) con sustitución de la grasa láctea por la emulsión del segundo estudio. Para evaluar el efecto antimicrobiano y antioxidante de los AEs de tomillo y clavo en el AQF, se incluyeron en el AQF a través de la emulsión o de manera directa en la mezcla leche desnatada/emulsión a concentración final de 0,05%. Los AQFs se caracterizaron a nivel fisicoquímico, microbiológico y sensorial. En la etiqueta de los AQFs se pueden realizar declaraciones nutricionales y de salud en base a su bajo contenido de grasas saturadas y alto contenido de grasas insaturadas y de ácidos grasos omega 3. La incorporación de los AEs no tuvo efecto en la composición y textura de los AQFs, pero tuvieron efecto en el crecimiento microbiano, especialmente el AQF con tomillo que presentó una vida útil de 12 días, mientras en los otros AQFs fue de 7-8 días en condiciones de refrigeración. Los AQF con AEs presentaron niveles de oxidación menores que sus homólogos sin AEs. A nivel sensorial, el AQF control se describió como un producto de sabor herbal conferido por el aceite de chía, con textura y color aceptables. Similares características sensoriales se observaron en los AQFs con AEs, aunque con diferencias en sabor y olor, debido a la presencia de los AEs, el sabor fue percibido como intenso, persistente y característico del AE adicionado, pero de olor moderado.
The general objective of this thesis was to elaborate an analogue of fresh cheese with a high content of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, from the substitution of milk fat for an emulsion of olive and chia oils, using sodium caseinate as an emulsifier, and with the incorporation of essential oils such as antimicrobials and natural antioxidants. In a first study, the antioxidant and in vitro antimicrobial capacity of essential oils (EOs) from basil, cinnamon, clove, laurel, lemon, tangerine, sage, rosemary, valerian, thyme, and oregano was determined. To analyze the antimicrobial capacity, ten relevant microorganisms in the dairy products were tested: Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Kluyveromyces marxianus, Aspergillus niger, and Penicillium sp. The EOs of cinnamon, clove, oregano, and thyme showed a similar behavior to avoid oxidation of lipids, however, cinnamon and clove showed the highest antioxidant activity against the free radicals, while oregano and thyme showed greater antimicrobial activity. These four EOs were selected for the second study. In a second study, O/W emulsions were formulated and elaborated with 15% olive oil and 5% chia, rich in omega-3 and 6, with sodium caseinate as the emulsifier, stabilized by conventional homogenization, with the addition or not of the EOs selected in the previous study. In a first stage, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the four EOs included in the emulsions were determined against the microorganisms tested in the first study. The MIC of these EOs was similar to the microorganisms studied except for P. aeruginosa, which was the most resistant microorganism, the MICs in this study were 4-32 times higher than those obtained in the previously performed in vitro test. Due to its antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, and lower impact at sensory level, the thyme and clove EOs were selected for the characterization of the emulsions at physicochemical and microbiological level. The addition of AEs in the emulsion had no effect, but some antimicrobial effect was determined, especially in the emulsion with clove with a shelf life of 9 days, and 4-5 days in control and thyme emulsions. In a third study, a fresh cheese analogue (FCA) was developed and characterized by replacing the milk fat by the emulsion of the second study. To evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant effect of thyme and clove EOs in the FCAs, they were included through the emulsion or directly in the mixture skimmed milk/emulsion at a final concentration of 0.05%. The FCAs were characterized at the physicochemical, microbiological and sensory levels. Nutritional and health claims can be made on the FCA label based on their low content of saturated fats and high content of unsaturated fats and omega 3 fatty acids. The incorporation of the EOs had no effect on the composition and texture of the FCAs, but they had effect on the microbial development, especially in the FCA with thyme, with a shelf life of 12 days, whereas in the other FCAs the shelf life were 7-8 days under refrigeration conditions. The FCAs with EOs presented lower oxidation levels than their counterparts without EOs. At the sensory level, the control FCA was described as an herbal flavor product conferred by chia oil, with acceptable texture and color: Similar sensory characteristics were observed in the FCAs with EOs, although with differences in taste and smell, due to the presence of the EOs, the flavor was perceived as intense, persistent and characteristic of the EO added, but with a moderate odor.

This thesis deals with the impact of the activity of settlement movement Gush Emunim on the internal and external security of the state Israel. The theory of the authors Gabriel Almond, Emmanuel Sivan and R. Scott Appleby is applied. According to this theory it is possible the settlement movement to identify as the movement trying to change the majority society by its activities in the way that the society would act in favour of the goals of the movement. The means, which Gush Emunim tries to reach its goal, are identify by the application of the theory. After that these means are analysed form the point of their impact on the internal and external security of Israel.

Emulsions are widely used as topical formulations in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. They are thermodynamically unstable and require emulsifiers to stabilize them physically. A literature survey has revealed that emulsifiers could have an effect on topical delivery. Therefore, the overall aim of this research project was to investigate and to understand the various effects of biopolymers, chosen for this study as emulsifiers, on the release and the topical delivery of an active ingredient from emulsion-based delivery systems. Emulsions were stabilized by either whey protein alone or in combination with chitosan or carrageenan. Salicylic acid was chosen as a model drug. Furthermore, the emulsions were prepared at three different pH values (pH 4, 5 and 6) in order to introduce different charges to the polymeric emulsifiers and subsequently determine the effect of pH on release as well as on dermal and transdermal delivery. Emulsion characteristics, such as droplet size, zeta potential, viscosity and stability against creaming and coalescence were ascertained. In addition, turbidity was determined to evaluate the degree of insoluble complex formation in the aqueous phase of the emulsions. A high pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was validated for the quantitative determination of salicylic acid in the release, skin and transdermal perfusate samples. Nine emulsions were formulated, utilizing the layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly technique, from which the release of salicylic acid was determined. These release studies were conducted, utilizing nitrocellulose membranes (0.2 μm pore size) with the use of Franz-type diffusion cells in four replicates per formulation over a time period of 8 hours. Based on the emulsion characterization and release data, six formulations, including the oil solution, were chosen to determine dermal and transdermal delivery of salicylic acid. During the diffusion studies, the effect of different pH (whey protein pH 4.00, 5.00 and 6.00), different polymers and different polymer combinations were investigated. These diffusion studies were conducted with the use of dermatomed (thickness ~400 μm), human abdominal skin and Franz-type diffusion cells over a period of 24 hours. The characterization of the emulsions revealed no significant differences in the droplet size and viscosity between the various formulations. All emulsions showed stability towards coalescence over a time period of 7 days; however, not all the emulsions showed stability towards creaming and flocculation. The results of the release studies indicated that an increase in emulsion droplet charge could have a negative effect on the release of salicylic acid from these formulations. In contrast, positively charged emulsion droplets could enhance the dermal and transdermal delivery of salicylic acid from emulsions. It was hypothesized that electrostatic complex formation between the emulsifier and salicylic acid could affect the release, whereas electrostatic interaction between emulsion droplets and skin could influence dermal/transdermal delivery of the active. Furthermore, the degree of ionization of salicylic acid played an important role in the dermal and transdermal delivery of salicylic acid from the various emulsions.
MSc (Pharmaceutics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 219-236)
v, 236 leaves : ill. (some col.), plates, photos ; 30 cm.
Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Discipline of Environmental Biology, 2004