Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Scar formation'

INTRODUCTION:Intrastromal corneal rings or segments are approved for the treatment of myopia and astigmatism associated with keratoconus. We describe a clinicopathological case of intrastromal corneal rings. For the first time, the molecular pathological findings of intrastromal corneal rings in the cornea are illustrated.CASE PRESENTATION:A 47-year-old African-American man with a history of keratoconus and failure in using a Rigid Gas Permeable contact lens received an intrastromal corneal ring implant in his left eye. Due to complications, penetrating keratoplasty was performed. The intrastromal corneal ring channels were surrounded by a dense acellular (channel haze) and/or hypocellular (acidophilic densification) collagen scar and slightly edematous keratocytes. Mild macrophage infiltration was found near the inner aspect of the intrastromal corneal rings. Molecular analyses of the microdissected cells surrounding the intrastromal corneal ring channels and central corneal stroma revealed 10 times lower relative expression of IP-10/CXCL10 mRNA and two times higher CCL5 mRNA in the cells surrounding the intrastromal corneal ring, as compared to the central corneal stroma. IP-10/CXCL10 is a fibrotic and angiostatic chemokine produced by macrophages, endothelial cells and fibroblasts.CONCLUSION:An intrastromal corneal ring implant can induce hypocellular scar formation and mild inflammation, which may result from aberrant release of fibrosis-related chemokines.

Die Narbenbildung des Hautorgans stellt für die gegenwärtige Medizin weiterhin eine schwierige Aufgabe dar. Die frühzeitige Beeinflussung des Wundheilungspro- zesses hin zu einer verminderten oder narbenlosen Heilung scheint von entschei- dender Bedeutung. Ein vielversprechender Ansatz ist die präoperative Laserthe- rapie und dadurch erzeugte Hitzeschockantwort. Auf molekulare Ebene kommt es u.a. zur Expression von Hitzeschockproteine. Die vorliegende in-vitro Studie beschäftigte sich mit der laserinduzierten Hochregulation des Hitzeschockproteins 70 in den epidermalen Schichten. Hierfür wurden drei nicht ablative Lasersysteme mit insgesamt 12 verschiedenen Parametereinstellungen verwendet (1.540-nm Er:Glass- , 755-nm Alexandrit-, 1.064-nm Nd:YAG-Laser). Mithilfe eines humanen Hautexplantatmodells sollte unter gleichbleibenden Bedingungen Zeitpunkt und Konzentration der maximal induzierten Hsp70-Expression sowie epidermale Schä- digungen dargestellt werden. In der verfügbaren Literatur waren hierzu nur begrenzt Daten vorhanden. Alle drei Lasersysteme zeigten signifikante Hsp70-Expressionen. Der Zeitpunkt der maximalen Hsp70-Expression konnte zwischen Tag 1 und 3 festgehalten werden. Dabei zeigten die Lasersysteme unterschiedliche Hsp70- Maxima und unterschiedliche Epidermisschädigungen. Die Ergebnisse ließen schlussfolgern, dass eine potenzielle präoperative Narbenprävention tendeziell ein Tag vor dem chirurgischen Eingriff und mit den stärkeren Parametereinstellungen des 1.064-nm Nd:YAG Lasers durchgeführt werden sollte.

Keloid scars (KS) are a type of abnormal scarring which is unique to humans. They extend beyond the confines of the original wound margins, do not regress over time and invade the surrounding unaffected skin. The mechanisms involved in the formation of KS remain largely unknown. Clinical observation has shown that in areas where increased tension occurs, such as the sternum, there is a greater propensity for developing KS. However, the precise relationship between skin tension and KS development is yet to be identified. In view of this, I hypothesize that skin tension plays a significant role in KS development by affecting tension-related biomarkers that may alter the phenotype of KS. Therefore, the objective of this research was to investigate the effect of skin tension in the formation of KS. To this end, the first aim was to identify possible targets among biomarkers that might contribute to the differentiation between KS and hypertrophic scars in tissue and cells obtained from diverse anatomical locations. The second aim was to investigate the effect of tension-related biomarkers on extracellular matrix (ECM) steady-state synthesis in keloid fibroblasts (KF) extracted from a highly tensioned body region (the sternum). The third aim was to develop a 3D in-vitro model to mimic in-vivo tension and to evaluate KF behaviour and ECM synthesis under tension. To achieve these aims 21 biomarkers were selected from published microarray and in-house microarray studies, the inclusion criteria was based on up-regulation of the genes in KS in relation to fibrosis, apoptosis and tension. For this purpose, samples from normal skin and KS were used to perform qRT-PCR screening in tissue and cells, as well as protein analysis by Western and In-cell Western blot. The siRNA knockdown technique was employed to evaluate the functional role of the tension-related markers in keloid fibroblasts. Finally, a photogrammetry technique was employed to evaluate skin tension in-vivo; the results from this evaluation were used in the development and design of a novel in-vitro 3D-model. The first biomarker screening in tissue showed convincing up-regulation of five tension-related targets (Hsp27, PAI-2 and α2β1-integrin, MMP-19 and CPRP). In addition, the expression of the above-mentioned targets was significantly higher in samples from the sternum compared to samples from other anatomical locations. To further validate these findings, the screening of the 21 biomarkers was assessed in KS and KF taken from the sternum. The results demonstrated over expression of 3 of the 5 tension-related targets (Hsp27, PAI-2 and α2β1-Integrin). It was also demonstrated that Hsp27, PAI-2 and α2β1-Integrin performed a functional role in terms of regulation of extracellular matrix production and deposition in KF when their expression was down-regulated by siRNA knockdown. Using the newly created 3D model, it was shown that mechanical tension significantly induced the expression of Hsp27, PAI-2 and α2β1-Integrin as well as ECM components such as Collagen I. Furthermore, the results showed that the knockdown of the expression of Hsp27, PAI-2 and α2β1-integrin in fibroblast populated collagen lattices subjected to tension influenced not only the ECM synthesis but also adhesion and spreading genes in keloid and normal fibroblasts. In summary, this research convincingly shows that skin tension alters keloid fibroblast behaviour, morphology, mechano-responsive gene expression and extracellular matrix production. The findings from my thesis offer insight into keloid pathobiology and provide options for targeted treatment of specific genes affected in keloids by biomechanical stress.

The Ellensburg Formation, preserved in the Nile basin 50 km northwest of Yakima, Washington, consists of a series of middle to late Miocene epiclastic and pyroclastic rock assemblages rich in porphyritic hornblende-biotite dacite. Geochemical, petrographic, and stratigraphic correlations indicate that Old Scab Mountain, a dacite porphyry intrusion, located at the western margin of the basin (lat. 46°53'30", long. 121°13'00"), is the probable source for much of the upper Ellensburg volcaniclastic material in the basin. The dacite intrusion exposed at Old Scab Mountain was emplaced at depths of 1 to 3 km and underlaid a now eroded volcanic edifice. This volcanic center is interpreted to have been active during the time of deposition of the upper Ellensburg Formation. AK-Ar age of 8.75 ± 0.20 Ma for an adjacent sill of similar dacite suggests an age for Old Scab Mountain between 9 to 7 Ma (Smith, 1988a). This age corresponds with the upper Ellensburg Formation which stratigraphically overlies Grande Ronde Basalt lava flows of the Columbia River Basalt Group, within the basin. Stratigraphic reconstruction of the Nile basin deposits indicates a dome collapse eruptive style. Progressive dome growth was punctuated by short-lived eruptions resulting in dome collapse and deposition of debris-avalanche and lahar deposits. These deposits were remobilized by fluvial processes which generated thick conglomerates and interstratified volcanic sandstones. Upper Ellensburg deposits and dacite of Old Scab Mountain are calc-alkaline and medium-K in composition. Silica content ranges from 53 to 67 weight percent Si02 for upper Ellensburg deposits and 66 to 67 weight percent Si02 for dacite of Old Scab Mountain. Older deposits composing the lower Ellensburg Formation are interbedded with and underlie the Grande Ronde Basalt. The lower Ellensburg deposits are typically more tholeiitic, range from 56 to 74 weight percent Si02 , and show slightly higher trace element concentrations than the upper Ellensburg deposits. These deposits were possibly derived from other dacite centers located near the headwaters of the adjacent Naches basin.

In 1992, a research program was initiated to select suitable antagonists against the saprophytic (or winter) phase of the apple scab pathogen, Venturia inaequalis. An improved method for the mass screening of a vast collection of fungi was developed for this purpose. Some of the previously reported criteria such as leaf rheology and overwintering structure production proved unreliable or fastidious and cannot be used for in vitro antagonist selection. The main antagonism selection criterium retained was the in vitro inhibition of ascospore formation. To measure ascospore production, a simplified method of in vitro pseudothecia production was devised. This new method eliminates the need for prior conidia production by using a mycelial suspension and greatly reduces the risks of sterile mating by using a cocktail of Venturia inaequalis strains of different origins. Finally, the production cycle duration was reduced by varying the incubation temperature during the simulated winter. Moreover, a quick and efficient method of ascospore collection was developed. Ascospores were forcibly ejected in a large scale bubbler type apparatus in only one hour. This bubbler can be used for other studies including axenically produced ascospores. This new method compared favourably to the previously reported method and was used to screen a collection of about forty-two fungi. Six proved to significantly reduce the ascospore production of Venturia inaequalis. Two were as effective as Athelia bombacina, a previously reported antagonist of pseudothecia formation and inhibited over 98% of the ascospore production. These new organisms are now available for future field tests. Future selections from a large collection of saprophytes can now be based on a reliable and simple in vitro screening methodology.

Le projet de thèse a eu pour but l’étude de la formation et de l’élimination du N2O par des catalyseurs cuivre-zéolithe ou fer-zéolithe, utilisés pour le procédé de réduction catalytique sélective des NOx par l'ammoniac (NH3-SCR). Dans ce processus de réduction des NOx, les principales voies de formation de N2O sont la décomposition du nitrate d’ammonium (NH4NO3) et l’oxydation de NH3. L’étude bibliographique a montré une contribution plus importante de la décomposition du nitrate d’ammonium. La recherche s’est donc focalisée dans l’étude de la décomposition du nitrate d’ammonium en empruntant deux axes : la décomposition du NH4NO3 commercial et la formation in situ suivi de la décomposition du nitrate d’ammonium.Les catalyseurs, utilisés pour cette étude, ont été, tout d'abord, amplement caractérises par différentes techniques d’analyse physico-chimique afin de connaitre particulièrement la concentration et forme de déposition des métaux, l’acidité et la taille des cristaux.Après avoir abordé la décomposition du NH4NO3 commercial sans catalyseur, l'étude s'est orientée sur l'effet de l'interaction avec un catalyseur. La nature du gaz vecteur, les conditions hydrodynamiques et la quantité de NH4NO3 ont aussi été évaluées.La décomposition sous conditions statiques, i.e. sans entrainement du NH4NO3 liquide, conduit principalement le N2O. En revanche, les chemins réactionnels suivis sous conditions dynamiques dépendent du mode de déposition du nitrate d’ammonium. Les agrégats solides de nitrate d'ammonium en contact avec la surface externe du catalyseur se décomposent directement en N2O, surtout quand le nitrate d’ammonium liquide ne peut pas être entrainé par le gaz vecteur. L’absence de catalyseur favorise la décomposition vers l’azote par l’interaction entre le NH3 et du HNO3 libérés lors de la dissociation du NH4NO3. D’autre part, en présence d’un catalyseur, le NH3 formé tend à s’adsorber et à s’oxyder à plus haute température. La variation du gaz vecteur n'engendre pas d'effet significatif sur la décomposition du NH4NO3.La décomposition du nitrate d’ammonium formé in situ a été réalisée dans le but de se rapprocher des conditions du procédé NH3-SCR, où le nitrate d’ammonium se forme par l’interaction entre le NH3 et le NO2. La méthode expérimentale a été conçue pour maximiser la formation du nitrate d’ammonium selon les deux cas extrêmes pouvant être trouvés dans un système SCR : la saturation préalable du catalyseur en NH3 puis en NO2 (« NH3 experiment ») et l’inverse, saturation en NO2 puis NH3 (« NO2 experiment »). Dans ce cas plusieurs catalyseurs ont été préparés afin d’isoler certaines caractéristiques et évaluer leur impact. Les effets de la teneur en cuivre, du type de métal (Cu ou Fe), de la structure de la zéolite (CHA ou FER), de la méthode de préparation, de l’atmosphère de calcination et du gaz vecteur pendant la décomposition ont été étudiés. Les effets obtenus ont été corrélés avec les résultats de la caractérisation physicochimique des catalyseurs afin de déterminer les paramètres prépondérants des différences observées.La formation du N2O lors du « NH3 experiment » est toujours plus importante que celle obtenue dans le « NO2 experiment » et dépend fortement de la concentration en sites acides de Brönsted quelle que soit la structure de la zéolithe. En revanche, dans le « NO2 experiment », ce sont plutôt les espèces métalliques et sa localisation qui influencent la décomposition du nitrate d’ammonium. La taille des cristaux a aussi une influence. La méthode de préparation et l’atmosphère de calcination n’ont pas un effet très significatif. Le gaz vecteur influence seulement les émissions à haute température : la formation du N2O est plus importante en présence d’oxygène<br>The thesis project focused on the study of the formation and elimination of N2O by copper-zeolite or iron-zeolite catalysts, used for selective catalytic reduction of NOx with ammonia (NH3-SCR). In the NOx reduction process the main N2O formation routes are the decomposition of the ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) and the NH3 oxidation. Still, a literature review showed a more important contribution from the decomposition of ammonium nitrate. Therefore, the study was then concentrated on the decomposition of the ammonium nitrate in two axes: the decomposition of commercial NH4NO3 and the in situ formation followed by decomposition of ammonium nitrate.Besides, the catalysts used for this study, have been thoroughly characterized by different physicochemical techniques in order to, particularly, assess the concentration and deposition form of metals, the acidity and the size of the crystals.After performing the decomposition of commercial NH4NO3 without catalyst, the study has focused on the effect of interaction with a catalyst. The effect of the carrier gas, the hydrodynamic conditions and concentration of NH4NO3 were also studied.Under static conditions, i.e. without liquid NH4NO3 entrainment, the decomposition of the commercial ammonium nitrate mostly leads to N2O. In contrast, the reaction pathway under dynamic conditions depends on the deposition method of ammonium nitrate onto the catalyst. The solid aggregates in the outer surface of the catalyst decompose directly to N2O, especially when the liquid ammonium nitrate cannot be entrained by the carrier gas. The absence of a catalyst promotes the decomposition into nitrogen, formed by the interaction between the NH3 and HNO3 released upon the dissociation of NH4NO3. On the other hand, in the presence of a catalyst NH3 tends to adsorb and to be oxidized at higher temperatures. The carrier gas composition did not have a significant effect in the decomposition of NH4NO3.The decomposition of ammonium nitrate formed in situ was performed in order to get closer from what happens under SCR conditions, where the ammonium nitrate is formed by the interaction between NH3 and NO2. The experimental method was designed to maximize the formation of ammonium nitrate according to the two extreme conditions that may be found in a SCR system: firstly catalyst saturation by NH3 and then by NO2 (“NH3 experiment”) and then the reverse, saturation by NO2 and then by NH3 (“NO2 experiment”). In this study several catalysts were prepared in order to isolate certain characteristics and assess their impact. The effects of the copper loading, the type of metal (Cu and Fe), the structure of the zeolite (CHA or FER), the method of preparation, the calcination atmosphere and the carrier gas during decomposition were studied. These effects were correlated to the results of the physico-chemical characterization of the catalysts with the purpose of find the cause of the faced differences.The formation of N2O during the “NH3 experiment” is always greater than that obtained on the “NO2 experiment”, and strongly depends on the concentration of the Brönsted acid sites, regardless the zeolite structure. However, on the “NO2 experiment”, it is rather the metal species and its location that influence the decomposition of ammonium nitrate. The size of the crystals also has an influence. The preparation method and the calcination atmosphere do not have a significant effect. The carrier gas impacts on the high temperature emission: the formation of N2O is greater in the presence of oxygen

The biotroph protozoan Spongospora subterranea causes root gall formation and powdery scab on potato. Symptoms on tubers affect directly the quality and marketability of the harvested product while infection in roots are associated with yield reductions. Moreover, S. subterranea is the vector of the Potato mop-top virus. The management of the disease is difficult due to the limited number of current control options and requires the integration of control measures among which host resistance represents the most economically and long-term approach. This dissertation focuses on the evaluation of management strategies for the control of powdery scab and root gall formation. In the first study, a total of 43 potato cultivars and 80 advanced clones representing a range of skin types were assessed for their response to powdery scab and root gall formation in five field experiments. High levels of resistance was observed among genotypes against the development of disease on tubers and roots which accounted for 32.5% of the evaluated population. Resistance to powdery scab and root gall formation was shown to follow a continuum from very susceptible to very resistant. In the second study, the effect of chloropicrin soil fumigation on the soil populations of S. subterranea and the concomitant development of disease in roots and tubers was investigated in seven field trials. Results indicated a reduction of pathogen soil inoculum, which in most cases was accompanied by an increase in yield and disease on tubers and roots. These results were confirmed in controlled condition experiments in which the amount of pathogen DNA detected in roots increased with the fumigant rate. In the third study, reciprocal grafts between ?Shepody? (susceptible to powdery scab and root gall formation) and ?Dakota Trailblazer? (resistant) were prepared in order to assess the effect of grafting on the translocation of susceptibility factors affecting the infection and development of root galls. The amount of pathogen DNA increased, as did the number of root galls, on graft combinations involving ?Shepody?. The results presented in this dissertation highlight the importance of cultivar selection in the management of root gall formation and powdery scab on tubers.<br>Northern Plains Potato Growers Association<br>U.S. Potato Board<br>Minnesota Area II Potato Growers

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-06-29Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:43:19Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 zafalon_zr_dr_mar.pdf: 2823617 bytes, checksum: 2ac77130d0e7d2a5c1d95c0fa6f81dac (MD5)<br>The research presents as its central theme the study of the bibliographic record conversion process. The object of study is framed by an understanding of analogic bibliographic record conversion to the Bibliograhpic MARC21 format, based on a syntactic and semantic analysis of records described according to descriptive metadata structure standards and content standards. The thesis in this research is that the syntactic and semantic principles of bibliographic records, defined by description and visualization cataloguing schemes, present in the descriptive metadata structure standards and content standards, determine the bibliographic record conversion process to the MARC21 Bibliographic Format. In the light of this, the purpose of this research is to develop a theoretical study of the syntax and semantics of bibliographic records, grounded in Linguistic theories of Saussure and Hjelmslev, which can underlie analogic bibliographic record conversion to the MARC21 Bibliographic Format using a computational interpreter. To this end, the general aim was to develop a theoretical-conceptual model of the syntax and semantics of bibliographic records, based on saussurean and hjelmslevian linguistic studies of human language manifestations, which can be applicable to a computational interpreter designed for the conversion of bibliographic records to the MARC21 Bibliographic Format. To attain this goal, the following specific objectives were identified, in two groups and related to the theoretical-conceptual model of bibliographic record syntax and semantics and to the conversion process of the records, respectively: to make explicit the relationship between the syntax and semantics of bibliographic records... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Orientador: Plácida Leopoldina Ventura Amorim da Costa Santos<br>Banca: Dulce Maria Baptista<br>Banca: Edberto Ferneda<br>Banca: Elisa Campos Machado<br>Banca: Ricardo César Gonçalves Sant'Ana<br>Resumo:A pesquisa apresenta como tema nuclear o estudo do processo de conversão de registros bibliográficos. Delimita-se o objeto de estudo pelo entendimento da conversão de registros bibliográficos analógicos para o formato MARC21 Bibliográfico, a partir da análise sintática e semântica de registros descritos segundo padrões de estrutura de metadados descritivos e padrões de conteúdo. A tese nesta pesquisa é a de que os princípios sintáticos e semânticos de registros bibliográficos, definidos pelos esquemas de descrição e de visualização na catalogação, presentes nos padrões de estrutura de metadados descritivos e nos padrões de conteúdo, determinam o processo de conversão de registros bibliográficos para o Formato MARC21 Bibliográfico. Em vista desse panorama, a proposição desta pesquisa é desenvolver um estudo teórico sobre a sintaxe e a semântica de registros bibliográficos, pelo viés da Linguística, com Saussure e Hjelmslev, que subsidiem a conversão de registros bibliográficos analógicos para o Formato MARC21 Bibliográfico em um interpretador computacional. Com esta proposta, estabelece-se, como objetivo geral, desenvolver um modelo teórico-conceitual de sintaxe e semântica em registros bibliográficos, a partir de estudos lingüísticos saussureanos e hjelmslevianos das manifestações da linguagem humana, que seja aplicável a um interpretador computacional voltado à conversão de registros bibliográficos ao formato MARC21 Bibliográfico. Para o alcance de tal objetivo recorre-se aos seguintes objetivos específicos, reunidos em dois grupos e voltados, respectivamente ao modelo teórico-conceitual da estrutura sintática e semântica de registros bibliográficos, e ao processo de conversão de seus registros: explicitar a relação entre a sintaxe e a semântica... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)<br>Abstract: The research presents as its central theme the study of the bibliographic record conversion process. The object of study is framed by an understanding of analogic bibliographic record conversion to the Bibliograhpic MARC21 format, based on a syntactic and semantic analysis of records described according to descriptive metadata structure standards and content standards. The thesis in this research is that the syntactic and semantic principles of bibliographic records, defined by description and visualization cataloguing schemes, present in the descriptive metadata structure standards and content standards, determine the bibliographic record conversion process to the MARC21 Bibliographic Format. In the light of this, the purpose of this research is to develop a theoretical study of the syntax and semantics of bibliographic records, grounded in Linguistic theories of Saussure and Hjelmslev, which can underlie analogic bibliographic record conversion to the MARC21 Bibliographic Format using a computational interpreter. To this end, the general aim was to develop a theoretical-conceptual model of the syntax and semantics of bibliographic records, based on saussurean and hjelmslevian linguistic studies of human language manifestations, which can be applicable to a computational interpreter designed for the conversion of bibliographic records to the MARC21 Bibliographic Format. To attain this goal, the following specific objectives were identified, in two groups and related to the theoretical-conceptual model of bibliographic record syntax and semantics and to the conversion process of the records, respectively: to make explicit the relationship between the syntax and semantics of bibliographic records... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)<br>Doutor

The legislation has forced the vehicle industry to reduce tail-end emissions. The air pollutant nitrogen oxide (NOX) has been shown to have a negative impact on human health and the environment. One of the key technologies to reduce the levels of NOX emitted from a vehicle is by implementing an after-treatment system. The after-treatment system includes catalysts, a particle filter and an evaporation system. In the evaporation system a liquid jet containing a urea-water solution known as AdBlue is injected into the hot exhaust gases to evaporate into gaseous ammonia NH3 and water H2O. Then NH3 enters the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalyst where it chemically reacts with NOX to form N2 and H2O. Problems can arise if an excessive amount of AdBlue is injected and a fluid film is formed on evaporation surfaces. At certain operating conditions the fluid film can crystallise and form solid deposits. The solid deposits can cause high back-pressure, material deterioration and ammonia slip. This project is done in collaboration with Scania CV AB. Scania is a world-leading manufacturer of heavy-duty vehicles, busses and engines. Scania works continuously to develop new simulation methods to capture the complex phenomena of AdBlue spray, wall film dynamics and risk of solid deposits, to use in the development process of new components. The aim of this project is to implement and evaluate a new method to predict the risk of crystallisation of urea (AdBlue) using the software Star-CCM+. Two different geometries are studied, a test rig and a Scania silencer. Different operating conditions, parameter settings and a speed-up method are analysed. During the project a base-line model has been created and the results have been compared with measurement results and the software AVL Fire. The results on the test rig show the effect of altering the mesh and important model parameters. Injected particles are grouped into parcels with the same properties. The number of parcels is a crucial factor for the wall film formation and should be sufficiently high to get a statistical representation of the droplet size distribution. The results from the real silencer show strong evaporation and thin wall film formation with the suggested method. The method is shown to be stable and the software is user-friendly. A speed-up method was investigated to decrease the computational time. The computational time was reduced by a factor 20. The outcome of this project is a guide for set-up of AdBlue spray and wall film simulations. Recommendations to future work includes further validation of the settings, investigation of the evaporation rate and droplet size distribution and the application to other cases. The next step is also to tune the critical thresholds for deposit risk assessment.<br>Lagstiftning har tvingat fordonstillverkare att minska avgasutsläppen. Luftföroreningen kväveoxid (NOX) har visat sig ha en negativ inverkan på människors hälsa och på miljön. En viktig teknik för att minska utsläppen av NOX ¨ar att implementera ett efterbehandlingssystem. Efterbehandlingssystemet tar hand om avgaserna genom substrat, filter och ett förångningssystem. I förångningssystemet sprutas en urea-vattenlösning, som kallas AdBlue, in i de heta avgaserna där den förångas till ammoniak NH3 och vatten H2O. Ammoniakgasen leds därefter in till SCR katalysatorn där den kemiskt reagerar med NOX och bildar kvävgas N2 och vattenånga. Problem kan uppstå om fel mängd AdBlue sprutas in, då kan vätska byggas upp på förångsningsytor, kristallisera och bilda avlagringar. Avlagringarna kan bygga upp en solid klump som kan orsaka ett högt mottryck, nedbrytning av material och ammoniakslip. Detta arbete är ett samarbete med Scania CV AB som är en världsledande producent av lastbilar, bussar och motorer. Scania arbetar kontinuerligt med att utveckla nya simuleringsvertyg för att beskriva uppkomsten av Urea avlagringar för att använda i utvecklingen av nya komponenter. Syftet med detta arbete är att implementera och utvärdera en ny metod för att prediktera klump mha simuleringsverktyget Star-CCM+. Två olika geometrier är använd i arbetet: en testrigg och en av Scanias ljuddämpare. Olika driftspunkter, parametrar och en uppsnabbad metod är studerade. Under projektets gång har en modell byggts upp och jämförts med mätningar och simuleringar från programvaran AVL Fire. Resultatet från simuleringarna på testriggen visar effekten av att variera olika parametrar. Partiklarna som sprutas in i systemet är grupperade i paket med liknande egenskaper. Antalet paket påverkar uppbyggnaden av väggfilm och det rekommenderas att denna parameter hålls hög för att statistiskt beskriva droppfördelningen av partiklar. Resultaten på ljuddämparen visar en stark förångning och en tunn väggfilm för samtliga driftspunkter. Den implementerade metoden har visat sig vara stabil och användarvänlig. En uppsnabbad metod har utvärderats för att minska beräkningstiden. Beräkningstiden kunde minskas med en faktor 20. Resultatet av arbetet är en guide för hur metoden implementeras och bör användas. Rekommendationer till framtida arbete är en fortsatt undersökning av parametrar, utvärdering av förångningsmodellen, validering av droppstorleksfördelningen och tillämpningen på andra geometrier. Nästa steg i utvecklingen skulle vara att kalibrera tröskelvärden för prediktering av klump.

碩士<br>國立清華大學<br>生物資訊與結構生物研究所<br>105<br>The wound healing process after human myocardial infarction (MI) involves complex events to replace damaged tissue with a collagen-rich fibrotic scar, in which the muscular contraction of the affected cardiac tissue may loss its function permanently. In contrast, zebrafish displays a powerful capacity of scar-free regeneration post-cardiac injury. This implies that heart regeneration of zebrafish must have a unique mechanism to resolve the scarring retention issue. We thus adapted the ventricular cryoinjury model in this study to investigate what factors regulate scar formation and reduction during zebrafish heart regeneration. Previous studies have revealed that syndecan-4 (SDC4) plays a crucial role in regulating cardiac fibroblasts and inflammation following injury in higher vertebrates. Interestingly, our zebrafish heart regeneration microarray data indicated Sdc4 may associate with these processes. Therefore, we hypothesized that Sdc4 may be differentially regulated in scar-free repair during zebrafish heart regeneration. To investigate this hypothesis, we first conduced an expression analysis to check whether sdc4 and scar associated genes were up-regulated after heart injury in adult zebrafish. Next, we induced heart specific sdc4-knockdown via siRNA and SilenceMag magnetofection technology which enclaved the zebrafish heart with a forced magnetic field. As expected, we found decreased sdc4 expression corresponded well to zebrafish heart scar retention by AFOG staining, in which collagen deposition was inhibited. Moreover, we found mmp9 and mmp2 were also up-regulated, which supports Sdc4’s role in ECM remodeling and regression. Finally, we found tgfb1a expression was linked with sdc4 regulation, which supports the involvement of a unique Sdc4-Tgf-β signaling axis in the scar-free healing of zebrafish heart. In conclusion, Sdc4 could be a critical regulator for scar formation and retention during zebrafish heart regeneration.

The irradiation of the heart during thoracic cancer radiotherapy can lead to changes in the cardiac electrophysiology. These findings were applied in a first in vivo feasibility study using scanned carbon ion irradiation to establish an alternative, non-invasive treatment method for cardiac arrhythmias. Damage to the small blood vessels (microvasculature) after cardiac irradiation is putatively an initial event for longterm effects like fibrosis and finally electrophysiological changes. However, the exact underlying mechanisms of those effects after high dosed carbon ion irradiation of small volumes are not fully understood. Therefore, irradiation–induced vascular damage was characterized in a porcine model for the ablation of potentially arrhythmogenic cardiac substructures in the presented thesis. The irradiation of target areas, the left ventricle (LV) and atrio–ventricular node (AVN), was performed with high doses. The LV target was exposed to 40 Gy. For the AVN target, a dose– escalation study was performed. Consequently, the AVN was irradiated with 25, 40 or 55 Gy. The irradiation of entrance channel regions resulted in the deposition of medium doses (7 – 17 Gy). All target groups exhibited electrophysiological changes in target areas. These changes were presumably caused by the formation of a fibrous scar. However, heterogeneous results for the scar formation were obtained among animals of the same dose group. Correspondingly, the vascular damage (haemorrhage and loss of microvessels) and subsequent tissue responses (inflammatory processes and cell death) were investigated in this thesis. Their repeated occurrence pointed to an uncompleted scar formation. Aside from target areas, nontargeted regions were also investigated to detect potential side effects. In entrance channel regions, hints for a delayed progression of tissue remodelling were found. However, the damage in irradiated tissue was not spreading to unirradiated cardiac regions during the investigated time frame (until six months after irradiation). Furthermore, no systemic inflammation was detected after the applied carbon ion irradiation.

Introduction Keloids are formed by the excessive production of scar tissue, which extends beyond the margins of the original injury, often resulting in lesions of grotesque dimensions. Keloids present a major dilemma to surgeons because of the high recurrence rate with recurrent growth often larger than the original keloid. The high recurrence rate and the poor response of keloids to therapy present a great challenge to surgeons. The numerous therapeutic regimens demonstrate that to date there is no single therapy that is absolutely successful. Therefore, it is necessary to comprehensively establish the pathology of keloids and to determine the aetiopathogenesis of the lesion in order to eventually provide unfailing specific effective treatment and to better understand the mechanisms regulating fibrosis in various fibroproliferative diseases. Aim To evaluate the pathology and aetiopathogenesis of keloid formation. Methods The research protocol for the study was approved by the Nelson R Mandela Faculty of Medicine Ethics Committee. Informed consent was obtained before the biopsies were taken. Keloid and non-lesional skin biopsies were obtained from thirty two patients who had multiple lesions in various locations, bringing the total number of keloids and apparently normal skin biopsies processed and examined to fifty eight. The biopsied specimens were processed for paraffin wax embedment and routine haematoxylin and eosin, differential and immunocytochemical staining. Sections were scrupulously examined using the Olympus BH-2 microscope; features pertinent to the study were photographed with the Olympus DP 10 microscope digital camera system. The stored images were studied, using the Camedia graphics processing programme. Results The results of the study showed that keloids comprise many distinct regions categorized as: the zone of hyalinising collagen bundles, fine fibrous areas, areas of inflammation, zone of dense regular connective tissue, nodular fibrous area and area of angiogenesis. Fibroblastic phenotypes present ranged from spindle, fibrohistiocytic, epitheloid, elongated flattened condensed fibroblastic cells to few wavy, fuzzy, polygonal and atrophic cell types. Immunocytochemically these cells were vimentin-positive and actin- and desmin-negative. Few myofibroblastic phenotypes were also identified and these were vimentin- and alpha smooth muscle actin-positive and desmin-negative. The fibroblastic and myofibroblastic phenotypes were in proliferative or degenerative stages and pathological features exhibited were the presence of vesicular, degenerate or calcified nuclei; nuclear and plasma membrane damage; cytoplasmic and nucleoplasmic clearing; atrophy, pyknosis and swelling. Severe, moderate to mild paravascular inflammation was observed around the microvessels of the sub-papillary plexus and within the keloid. There was compression and occlusion of small blood vessels, coagulation necrosis and dissolution of mural cells of small blood vessels and small peripheral nerves. Also present in keloids were oedematous areas, disorganised and hyalinised connective tissue fibres and increased numbers of degranulated and degranulating mast cells. Elastic fibres in keloids were minimal or absent whereas at the border of keloids there was an increase.Discussion Degenerate, occluded and compressed microvessels were a widespread pathological feature in keloids. This resulted in impaired vascular supply to each of the keloid regions which impacted directly on the pathology of keloids where degeneration and necrosis, manifesting the lack of nutrients and oxygen to tissue, were found throughout the keloid. The vascular supply was impaired because of the chronic inflammatory destruction of the microvessels and the elevated stress within keloids. Factors contributing to increased intrinsic stress were: 1) the lack of elastic fibres in keloids which decreased the elastic limit, leading to effects of excessive deformational force which were compression and stiffening of tissue; 2) the high tension skin covering keloid prone areas had low stretch and a low elastic modulus; 3). protruding hard connective tissue such as bony prominences or cartilage into the dermis of keloid prone skin; 4) contractile forces exerted by wound healing fibroblastic cells; and 5) external forces. Compression and occlusion of blood vessels induced ischaemic and reperfusion tissue injury. During the reperfusion phase blood rich in growth factors returned to tissue stimulating tissue growth. Tissue growth was also promoted by elevated internal stress which stimulated increasing levels of gene expression, collagen synthesis and mitotic activity. All these growth promoting effects resulted in keloid formation.<br>Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

碩士<br>國立交通大學<br>應用化學系碩博士班<br>108<br>Reactions between chlorine atoms and unsaturated hydrocarbons play important roles in atmosphere chemistry. In the marine boundary layer and polluted coastal areas, chlorine atom reactions with alkenes produce alkyl or alkenyl radicals, which may further react with O_2 and become potential contributors to secondary organic aerosols. In the reaction, HCl is produced from either direct abstraction of an allylic hydrogen atom by the chlorine atom or addition-elimination, in which the chlorine atom first adds to the C=C double bond to form a chloroalkyl radical, followed by abstraction of an hydrogen atom of the methyl moiety to produce HCl and an alkenyl radical. Stabilized chloro-alkenyl radicals are produced from the addition reaction at high pressure. The relative importance of the addition reaction and hydrogen atom abstraction reaction depends on the environmental pressure and temperature. Recently, a roaming mechanism mediating the addition-elimination pathway in the reaction of Cl + isobutene was suggested; it becomes significant at low collision energies. This roaming mechanism was further supported through observation of the enhanced rate for the formation of HCl, which is probed with a step-scan FTIR emission spectroscopy, when sufficient Ar was added in the system to enhance the roaming behavior. The added argon quenches efficiently the kinetic energy of photo-induced chlorine atom to reduce the collision energy. This study is aimed at investigating the HCl formation pathways in the reaction of Cl + trans-2-butene with a step-scan time-resolved FTIR spectrometer. The reaction of Cl + trans-2-butene was carried out at 298 K under pseudo-first-order condition, in which argon (or helium) buffer gas in varied proportion was added to the system so that the total pressure reached 0.48, 1, 2, and 3 Torr, respectively. IR emission signal of HCl in the region of 2400-3300 cm^(-1) was observed. Emission lines of HCl(v=1, J≤11) and HCl(v=2, J≤7) were observed with mean rotational energy of ~3 kJ mol^(-1) and [HCl(v=2)]⁄[HCl(v=1)] =0.10±0.01. We performed the kinetic simulation on temporal profiles of HCl with the MATLAB program according to the proposed mechanism. Literature rate coefficients, kabs=4.6×10^(-11) cm^(3) molecule^(-1) s^(-1), kfor=2.98×10^(-10) cm^(3) molecule^(-1) s^(-1), and kM'(0)=4×10^(-28)-10×10^(-28) cm^(3) molecule^(-1) s^(-1) were fixed during the simulation; ke, krev, kq, ϕ2/ϕ1, and ε2/ε1 were fitted with the temporal profiles. In the reaction of Cl + trans-2-butene, as the total pressure increases, the derived kae decreases, and kadd enhances. At total pressure of 0.48 Torr in which Ar was added as the quenching gas, ke/kfor [alkene] and kae/kfor are greater than those in the He environment; these results implying that under conditions with lower collision energies, the contribution of the addition-elimination to the formation of HCl increases. This observation is consistent with the characteristics of the roaming mechanism proposed by Joalland et al. and Estillore et al., who indicated that roaming mechanism might play an important role in the reaction of Cl + trans-2-butene at small collision energy.

Η παρούσα εργασία εκπονήθηκε στα πλαίσια του Διατμηματικού Προγράμματος Μεταπτυχιακών σπουδών στις περιβαλλοντικές Επιστήμες. Οι θαλάσσιες γεωφυσικές έρευνες εκτελέστηκαν από το Εργαστήριο Θαλάσσιας Γεωλογίας και Φυσικής Ωκεανογραφίας (Ε.ΘΑ.ΓΕ.Φ.Ω) του Τμήματος Γεωλογίας του Πανεπιστημίου Πατρών. Οι έρευνες του Οκτωβρίου του 2011 αποτελούν συνέχεια αυτών του Οκτωβρίου του 2010 με σκοπό να καλυφθεί το σύνολο της θαλάσσιας περιοχής για την οποία υπάρχει αδειοδότηση. Αντικείμενο της έρευνας είναι η γεωφυσική διασκόπηση του πυθμένα με τη χρήση ηχοβολιστή πλευρικής σάρωσης (side scan sonar) στις περιοχές της Νεάπολης και της Ελαφονήσου με σκοπό: α) την αποτύπωση της μορφολογίας του πυθμένα και β) τον εντοπισμό βιολογικών πόρων (λιβάδια Posidonia oceanica και ασβεστιτικά ροδοφύκη). Τα λιβάδια της Posidonia oceanica και τα ασβεστιτικά ροδοφύκη αποτελούν ενδημικά είδη της Μεσογείου των οποίων ο ρυθμός αύξησής τους θεωρείται εξαιρετικά αργός ενώ παράλληλα ο ρυθμός καταστροφής τους είναι τεράστιος και κρίνεται απαραίτητη η χαρτογράφηση τους ώστε να παρθούν καλύτερα μέτρα προστασίας.Η εμφάνιση των δύο βιολογικών σχηματισμών συμπίπτει με την βιβλιογραφία καθώς για την περιοχή μελέτης της Νεάπολης η Posidonia oceanica εμφανίζεται σε βάθη 0-35 m και στην Ελαφόνησο 0-25 m.Οι σχηματισμοί των ασβεστιτικών ροδοφυκών-ροδόλιθων εμφανίζονται σε βάθη 50-100 m για την Νεάπολη και 20-100 m για την Ελαφόνησο.<br>This present study was conducted for the Interdepartmental program of postgraduate studies in environmental sciences, Department of Geology. Marine geophysical survey took place in October 2011 by the Laboratory of Marine Geology and Physical Oceanography. The current research follows the survey of October 2010 in order to cover the entire sea area for which license was given. The purpose of this thesis is to have a full bottom analysis for the areas Neapoli and Elafonisos , using side scan sonar, and mapping Posidonia oceanica and Coralligene formations which are two very important species for the marine environment.

碩士<br>國立交通大學<br>應用化學系分子科學碩博士班<br>107<br>In the marine boundary layer and polluted coastal areas, reactions of chlorine atoms with unsaturated hydrocarbons produce alkyl or alkenyl radicals, which may further react with O2 and become potential contributors to secondary organic aerosols. In these reactions, chlorine atoms react with alkene to produce HCl either from direct abstraction of a hydrogen atom of the methyl moiety or from addition-elimination, in which Cl atom initially adds to the C=C double bond and subsequently abstracts a hydrogen atom of the nearby methyl group. Stabilized chloro-alkyl radicals are produced from the addition reaction at high pressure. The relative importance of the addition reaction and the metathesis reaction depends on the total pressure and temperature of the reaction. Recently, a roaming mechanism for the addition-elimination channel of Cl + iso-butene was reported. This mechanism was further supported by observation of enhanced formation of HCl with larger rate of formation, probed with a step-scan FTIR emission system, after adding a few Torr of Ar in the reaction system; the added Ar quenches the kinetic energy of photo-induced Cl and enhances the roaming channel. This study focuses on investigating the HCl pathways of the reaction of chlorine atom with propene, cis-2-butene or isobutene by using a step-scan time-resolved FTIR spectrometer. The reaction of chlorine atom and alkene under pseudo-first order conditions was carried out at 298 K with pressures 0.470, 1, 2, and 3 Torr, in which argon (or helium) buffer gas was added to increase the pressure. IR emission of HCl in region of 2350−3250 cm-1 was observed; emission lines of HCl(v=1, J≤11)/HCl(v=2, J≤7), HCl(v=1, J≤12)/HCl(v=2, J≤7), and HCl(v=1, J≤10)/HCl(v=2, J≤5) with mean rotational energy of ~3 kJ mol-1 were observed in the reaction of chlorine atom with propene, cis-2-butene or isobutene respectively. We simulated temporal profiles of HCl according to the proposed mechanism. Literature rate coefficients kabs = 2.3×10-11, kfor = 2.7×10-10 and k(ClCnH2n) = 2.7─3.7×10-28 [M] cm3 molecule-1 s-1 for Cl + propene, and kabs = 4.6×10-11, kfor = 2.98×10-10 and k(ClCnH2n) = 8.0×10-28[M] cm3 molecule-1 s-1 for Cl + cis-2-butene and kfor = 2.64×10-10 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 for Cl + iso-butene were fixed. krev, kE, kq, ε2/ε1 and φ2/φ1 were fitted. In contrast to Cl + iso-butene, in which the roaming channel was observed on added Ar, we found no evidence of the roaming channel for Cl + propene, and only the modest contribution to Cl + cis-2-butene.

Dissertação de Mestrado em Biologia Celular e Molecular apresentada à Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia<br>A principal teoria sobre o papel do neurotransmissor Dopamina (DA) baseia-se nos padrões adaptativos da frequência de disparo de neurónios dopaminérgicos por todo o mesencéfalo, e de que forma contribuem para as vias de previsão e sinalização de recompensa por todo o cérebro. As maiores concentrações de dopamina podem ser observadas no estriado, que recebe projeções organizadas topograficamente provenientes do córtex associativo, córtex límbico e córtex sensorimotor, que são moduladas por neurónios dopaminérgicos provenientes do mesencéfalo. Embora seja geralmente aceite que a aprendizagem de um novo estímulo recompensador é mediada pela libertação e sinalização de dopamina no estriado límbico ventromedial (VMS), evidências crescentes indicam que o processamento da recompensa não é do domínio exclusivo do VMS. Aqui, a sinalização dopaminérgica está envolvida no controlo de comportamentos guiados por objectivos (goal-directed behaviour), sendo que este tipo de acção dependente de objectivos pode frequentemente sofrer uma transição para comportamento independente de objectivos, ou mesmo comportamentos automáticos (hábitos), os quais são controlados pelo estriado dorsolateral (DLS) sensorimotor.De facto, estudos recentes demonstram que tanto durante o desenvolvimento de hábitos naturais como de toxicodependência, o processamento de comportamento de procura de recompensa muda de inicialmente regido por um objectivo para uma resposta automática/hábito. Estes estudos sugerem que essa transição reflecte uma mudança na sinalização de dopamina nestas mesmas regiões (do VMS para o DLS). No entanto, ainda se desconhecem os mecanismos e momento exacto desta transição na sinalização dopaminérgica durante o desenvolvimento de toxicodepêndencia, bem como é semelhante ao que se passa na procura de estímulos de recompensa naturais. Neste sentido, apesar de não existirem dúvidas de que DA é de facto fulcral para a aprendizagem da recompensa e a formação de hábitos, o seu envolvimento exacto nestas diferentes regiões cerebrais é ainda pouco claro e requer mais estudos.Por estes motivos, o objectivo principal deste projecto foi avaliar de que forma a libertação de dopamina em diferentes regiões do estriado se relaciona com o desenvolvimento e formação de um hábito e a procura de recompensa, com a finalidade de aumentar a compreensão da neurobiologia na base deste tipo de comportamentos automatizados. Para investigar de que forma é coordenada a libertação de DA no VMS e DLS durante o desenvolvimento de comportamentos habituais de procura de recompensa, um conjunto de ratos foi submetido a cirurgias de implantação de eléctrodos de fibra de carbono no VMS e no DLS. Posteriormente, os animais foram treinados para operar alavancas por forma a receber pellets de comida, e ainda sujeitos a paradigmas de previsão de recompensa. Não menos importante, durante o desenvolvimento de comportamento habitual, efectuou-se a monitorização dos níveis de DA através de voltametria cíclica de varrimento rápido ao longo do desenvolvimento do comportamento de procura de recompensa. Os nossos resultados demonstram que se conseguiu efectivamente estimular a formação de hábito num número considerável de animais, o que permitiu analisar de que forma o comportamento registado reflecte os diferentes níveis de DA obtidos nas regiões alvo. Além da detecção de picos distintos de DA no VMS e DLS durante as fases iniciais e tardias do treino comportamental, identificaram-se maiores concentrações de DA no DLS de animais que desenvolveram comortamentos habituais, em comparação com o VMS desses mesmos indivíduos, o que contribuiu para a confirmação da hipótese de estudo, suportada por outros trabalhos na área.<br>The prevailing theory on Dopamine (DA) function is based on the reward-related adaptive firing patterns of dopaminergic neurons throughout the midbrain, which is consistent with brain-wide reward prediction error signal pathways.Most of the brain dopamine can be found in the striatum, which receives topographically organized inputs from limbic, associative, and sensorimotor cortices that are critically modulated by dopamine projections originating from the midbrain.While it is generally accepted that learning about new rewarding stimuli relies on dopamine neurotransmission in the limbic ventromedial striatum (VMS), a growing body of evidence indicates that reward processing is not exclusively assigned to the VMS. Here, dopamine signalling is involved in the control of goal-directed behaviour, however this type of goal-dependent behaviour can undergo a transition into goal-independent or even automated behaviour, which is controlled by the sensorimotor dorsolateral striatum (DLS). In fact, recent studies have shown that both during the development of natural habits as well as addiction, the processing of reward seeking behaviour shifts from an initially goal-directed to automatic responding. These studies suggest that this shift in control over behaviour may be reflected in a shift in dopamine signalling from the VMS to the DLS. However, the mechanism and the timing of this shift in DA signalling during the development of drug addiction, as well as how such a development compares to seeking of natural rewards is unknown. In this sense, although there is no doubt that dopamine is indeed critical for reward learning and habit formation, its exact implications in these diverse brain regions remains unclear and requires further exploration.Therefore, the general aim of this project was to measure dopamine release in different functional domains of the striatum during behavioural paradigms for habit formation and reward seeking, with the intent of providing a better understanding of the neurobiology of automated behaviour. To investigate how DA release is coordinated in the VMS and DLS during the development of habitual seeking of natural rewards, a set of rats was subjected to surgery for carbon fiber electrode implantation into the VMS and DLS. Afterwards, they were trained to make an operant response (lever presses) in order to receive food pellets, as well as subjected to reward-prediction behaviour paradigms. Equally important to mention, throughout the development of reward seeking behaviour, Fast-Scan Cyclic Voltammetry (FSCV) recordings were performed in order to monitor changes in DA levels. Our results show that habit formation was successfully stimulated in a considerable number of animals, which allowed for the analysis of how observed behaviours reflect different levels of DA obtained in the target areas. Besides detecting distinct DA signals within the VMS and DLS across early and late stages of behavioural training, we identified higher concentrations of DA in the DLS of habitual animals, when comparing to the VMS, which contributed to the confirmation of the study hypothesis, supported by other research works in the field.

Relatório de Estágio do Mestrado Integrado em Ciências Farmacêuticas apresentado à Faculdade de Farmácia<br>O estágio curricular em farmácia comunitária, inserido no segundo semestre do quinto ano, tem como finalidade colocar em prática os conhecimentos adquiridos ao longo de todo o curso. Prepara-nos para a realidade do que é o contacto direto com os doentes e ajuda-nos a perceber quais as nossas principais dúvidas, inseguranças e o que pode ser melhorado, a fim de um maior sucesso no início da carreira profissional.Este relatório é elaborado segundo uma análise SWOT, onde são discriminados os pontos fortes, pontos fracos, oportunidades e ameaças deparadas ao longo do estágio. O sistema nervoso central (SNC) é constituído por células neuronais que, entre outras funções, libertam neurotransmissores e neuromoduladores responsáveis pela comunicação química entre as células. Estas moléculas podem ser eletroativas e, portanto, serem detetadas por técnicas eletroquímicas como a amperometria e a voltametria cíclica de varrimento rápido.O estudo, deteção e monitorização no espaço extracelular foi possível com a descoberta, aperfeiçoamento e miniaturização de microelétrodos implantados in vivo, dado que permitem a deteção e monitorização da neurotransmissão em tempo real e com elevada resolução espacial.Os microelétrodos de fibra de carbono, dadas as vantagens que apresentam, foram os primeiros sensores químicos a revelar grande utilidade no estudo e monitorização de neurotransmissores e neuromoduladores ex vivo em fatias de cérebro e in vivo em animais anestesiados e acordados.<br>The curricular internship in a community pharmacy, inserted within the second semester of the fifth year has the purpose of putting into practice the knowledge acquired during the course. It prepares us for the reality of direct contact with patients and helps us understand which are our biggest doubts, insecurities and what can be improved in order to have greater success in the early stages of the professional career.This report is elaborated according to a SWOT analysis, where the strong points, weak points, opportunities and potential threats that might be experienced during the internship are discussed and evaluated. The central nervous system (CNS) is constituted by neuronal cells which, amongst other functions, release neurotransmitters and neuromodulators responsible for the chemical communication between cells. These molecules can be electroactive and, as such, be detected by electrochemical techniques such as amperometry and fast scanning cyclic voltammetry.The study, detection and monitorization in the extracellular space was made possible by the discovery, enhancement and miniaturization of microelectrodes implanted in vivo, given that these allow for detection and monitorization of neurotransmissions in real time and with high special resolution.The carbon fiber microelectrodes, given their advantages these allow for, were the first chemical sensors to reveal great utility in the study and monitorization of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators ex vivo in slices of brain and in vivo in anesthetized and awake animals.

Η παρούσα μεταπτυχιακή διατριβή επικεντρώνεται στην μελέτη της παράκτιας ζώνης της νήσου Λέρου στο Νοτιοανατολικό Αιγαίο, παρουσιάζοντας τα αποτελέσματα της ερμηνείας των γεωφυσικών στοιχείων που συλλέχθηκαν από το Εργαστήριο Θαλάσσιας Γεωλογίας και Φυσικής Ωκεανογραφίας (Ε.ΘΑ.ΓΕ.Φ.Ω.) τον Ιούνιο του 2011. Η έρευνα φιλοδοξεί να συνεισφέρει στην ανάδειξη της υποθαλάσσιας πολιτιστικής και φυσικής κληρονομιάς του νησιού, καθώς η συλλογή, επεξεργασία και ερμηνεία του συνόλου των δεδομένων επέτρεψε την αναγνώριση και την λεπτομερή χαρτογράφηση υποθαλάσσιων στόχων μεγάλης ιστορικής και περιβαλλοντικής σημασίας. Ως εκ τούτου, η διατριβή κινείται σε δύο κατευθύνσεις. Η πρώτη κατεύθυνση αφορά στον εντοπισμό στόχων πιθανής ιστορικής σπουδαιότητας που εντοπίστηκαν στην επιφάνεια του πυθμένα ενώ η δεύτερη κατεύθυνση αφορά στον εντοπισμό και την αποτύπωση βιογενών σχηματισμών και συγκεκριμένα λειμώνων P. Oceanica και ασβεστιτικών ροδοφυκών (corallegene formations). Οι θαλάσσιες έρευνες πραγματοποιήθηκαν σε δύο διακριτά στάδια, στην συστηματική αποτύπωση του πυθμένα με ηχοβολιστή πλευρικής σάρωσης (EG&G 272 TD) και την οπτική επιβεβαίωση των αποτελεσμάτων της ηχοβολιστικής αποτύπωσης με σύστημα συρόμενης υποβρύχιας κάμερας. Η ανάλυση και επεξεργασία των ηχογραφιών οδήγησε στον εντοπισμό ναυαγίων που συνδέονται με τη Μάχη της Λέρου (9-10/1943), ένα από τα σημαντικότερα πολεμικά γεγονότα που έλαβαν χώρα κατά τη διάρκεια του Δευτέρου Παγκοσμίου πολέμου, στην ανατολική Μεσόγειο και τα οποία αποτελούν πολύτιμα ιστορικά στοιχεία σε παγκόσμια κλίμακα, μεταξύ των οποίων το βυθισμένο ελληνικό αντιτορπιλικό Βασίλισσα ‘Ολγα (D15). Στο πλαίσιο της δεύτερης κατεύθυνσης εντοπίστηκαν και χαρτογραφήθηκαν οι λειμώνες P. Oceanica και οι σχηματισμοί των ασβεστιτικών ροδοφυκών σχεδόν ανά όρμο περιμετρικά της νήσου. Η σχεδίαση των αντιστοίχων υποθαλάσσιων θεματικών χαρτών της παράκτιας ζώνης της Λέρου αναμένεται να αποτελέσουν ένα σημαντικό εργαλείο στην προστασία και στην ανάδειξη της σημαντικής υποθαλάσσιας ιστορικής και φυσικής κληρονομιάς του νησιού<br>The present study describes the submarine geophysical survey which was carried out in Leros Island, Aegean Sea and presents the results of the geophysical data analysis. The data were collected by the Laboratory of Marine Geology & Physical Oceanography, department of Geology, University of Patras during the period 11-17 June 2011. The research aims to contribute to the enhancement of underwater cultural and natural heritage of the island, as the collection, processing and interpretation of all of the data has allowed the identification of underwater targets of great historic and environmental importance. Geophysical survey in Leros Island, using a side scan sonar (EG&G 272 TD), coupled with ground-truthing by deploying a Towing Camera System of historic shipwrecks from World War II and of the major seabed habitats, namely Posidonia oceanica and coralligène formations. The survey revealed a great number of shipwrecks associated with the Battle of Leros (9-10/1943), one of the most important military events that took place during the World War II, in the Eastern Mediterranean which are considered as valuable historic data on a global scale, including the sunken Greek destroyer Queen Olga (D15). The design of the thematic maps of the coastal zone of Leros is expected to become an important tool in both protecting and promoting the significant underwater cultural and natural heritage of the island.

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή αποτελεί ένα συνδυαστικό ερευνητικό προϊόν που στοιχειοθετείται από την ανάπτυξη υπολογιστικών εργαλείων επεξεργασίας και ανάλυσης θαλάσσιων γεωφυσικών δεδομένων και την εφαρμογή τους σε πρωτογενή δεδομένα, συλλεγμένα από το Εργαστήριο Θαλάσσιας Γεωλογίας και Φυσικής Ωκεανογραφίας (Ε.ΘΑ.ΓΕ.Φ.Ω) του πανεπιστημίου Πατρών, κατά το διάστημα 2005 – 2011. Τα πεδία στα οποία συγκεντρώνεται το κέντρο βάρους της διατριβής είναι: 1) τα συστήματα ακουστικής ταξινόμησης πυθμένα και 2) η χαρτογράφηση και παραμετροποίηση εμφανίσεων των πολύ σημαντικών θαλάσσιων ενδιαιτημάτων της Ποσειδώνιας και των κοραλλιογενών σχηματισμών στο Ιόνιο και στο Αιγαίο πέλαγος. Έτσι αναπτύχθηκαν και παρουσιάστηκαν εκτενώς τα λογισμικά εργαλεία SonarClass και TargAn, που αναφέρονται αντίστοιχα στην αυτόματη ακουστική ταξινόμηση πυθμένα και την παραμετροποίηση περιοχών ενδιαφέροντος σε εικόνες ηχοβολιστών ευρείας σάρωσης και εφαρμόστηκαν για την χαρτογράφηση λειμώνων ποσειδώνιας στη Ζάκυνθο και κοραλλιογενών σχηματισμών (τραγάνας) στις Κυκλάδες νήσους. Παράλληλα και επεκτείνοντας το εύρος των ερευνητικών προϊόντων αυτής της διατριβής, αναπτύχθηκαν επίσης: 1) το λογισμικό SBP-Im-An για τη γεωαναφορά και ψηφιοποίηση παλαιών αναλογικών καταγραφών τομογράφων υποδομής πυθμένα, 2) το λογισμικό χωροστάθμησης θαλάσσιων γεωμαγνητικών δεδομένων MagLevel και 3) το λογισμικό ποσοτικοποίησης αλιευτικών ιχνών σε δεδομένα ηχοβολιστών ευρείας σάρωσης PgStat, με αντίστοιχες σημαντικές εφαρμογές σε πρωτογενή δεδομένα. Η παρούσα διατριβή επιδεικνύει πρωτοτυπία τόσο σε επίπεδο ανάπτυξης νέων μεθόδων ανάλυσης και επεξεργασίας γεωφυσικών δεδομένων όσο και σε επίπεδο παρουσίασης εφαρμογών τους σε περιοχές μελέτης με ιδιαίτερο περιβαλλοντικό ενδιαφέρον αλλά και σε πεδία έρευνας για τα οποία το ενδιαφέρον της σύγχρονης θαλάσσιας επιστημονικής κοινότητας βρίσκεται στο απόγειό του.<br>The present PhD thesis is a combinational research product concerning the development of software tools for the processing and analysis of marine geophysical data and their application to original data, collected by the Laboratory of Marine Geology and Physical Oceanography (L.M.G.P.O), university of Patras, Greece, during the period 2005-2011. The fields that this thesis focuses on are: 1) the Acoustic Seabed Classification Systems and 2) the mapping and quantification of very important marine habitats that specifically are the Posidonia Oceanica Prairies and the Coralline formations in the Aegean and Ionian seas. The software tools SonarClass and TargAn, that respectively refer to the Acoustic Seabed Classification and the quantification of Regions Of Interest in swath sonar imagery are presented and applied to the cases of Posidonia Oceanica in Zakinthos Isl. (Ionian Sea) and Coralline formations in Cyclades Isl. (Aegean Sea). Additionally and extending the range of the research products of this thesis, other software tools that are presented are: 1) the SBP-Im-An for the recreation (georeferencing and digitization) of old analog Sub Bottom Profiler recordings, 2) the MagLevel for the tie line leveling of marine geomagnetic data and 3) the PGStat for the quantification of trawl marks in swath sonar imagery, all of them with significant applications to original data. This thesis demonstrates originality due to both the development of new methods for the analysis and processing of marine geophysical data and the applications to study areas with particular environmental interest and research fields for which the attention of the marine scientists is at its peak.