The effect of the cobalt and manganese central metal ions on the nonlinear optical properties of tetra (4-propargyloxyphenoxy) phthalocyanines
- Mwanza, Daniel, Louzada, Marcel, Britton, Jonathan, Sekhosana, Kutloano E, Khene, Samson M, Nyokong, Tebello, Mashazi, Philani N
- Authors: Mwanza, Daniel , Louzada, Marcel , Britton, Jonathan , Sekhosana, Kutloano E , Khene, Samson M , Nyokong, Tebello , Mashazi, Philani N
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/233357 , vital:50083 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NJ00748A"
- Description: The metal-free (H2TPrOPhOPc), cobalt (CoTPrOPhOPc) and manganese (Mn(OAc)TPrOPhOPc) tetra propargyloxyphenoxy phthalocyanines were evaluated for their potential as optical limiting materials. The effect of the substituents and the central metal ions on the nonlinear optical properties was evaluated. The metal-free phthalocyanine exhibited better nonlinear optical properties when compared to the cobalt and manganese complexes owing to the metal ions quenching the excited state due to their half-filled d-orbitals. The nonlinear absorption coefficient (βeff, ×10−5 m MW−1) followed the trend of H2TPrOPhOPc > CoTPrOPhOPc > Mn(OAc)TPrOPhOPc. The values βeff (×10−5 m MW−1) using 532 nm Nd:YAG (560 nm monochromatic Ekspla) laser sources were 23.5 > 14.3 > 9.20 (14.4). The second-order nonlinear coefficient obtained using density functional theory calculations, the theoretical hyper-Rayleigh scattering (βHRS, ×10−28 esu), showed the decreasing trend for H2TPrOPhOPc (2.28) > CoTPrOPhOPc (2.10) > Mn(OAc)TPrOPhOPc (1.86). The 4-(propargyloxy)phenoxy substituents enhanced the optical limiting properties of the synthesized phthalocyanines.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mwanza, Daniel , Louzada, Marcel , Britton, Jonathan , Sekhosana, Kutloano E , Khene, Samson M , Nyokong, Tebello , Mashazi, Philani N
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/233357 , vital:50083 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NJ00748A"
- Description: The metal-free (H2TPrOPhOPc), cobalt (CoTPrOPhOPc) and manganese (Mn(OAc)TPrOPhOPc) tetra propargyloxyphenoxy phthalocyanines were evaluated for their potential as optical limiting materials. The effect of the substituents and the central metal ions on the nonlinear optical properties was evaluated. The metal-free phthalocyanine exhibited better nonlinear optical properties when compared to the cobalt and manganese complexes owing to the metal ions quenching the excited state due to their half-filled d-orbitals. The nonlinear absorption coefficient (βeff, ×10−5 m MW−1) followed the trend of H2TPrOPhOPc > CoTPrOPhOPc > Mn(OAc)TPrOPhOPc. The values βeff (×10−5 m MW−1) using 532 nm Nd:YAG (560 nm monochromatic Ekspla) laser sources were 23.5 > 14.3 > 9.20 (14.4). The second-order nonlinear coefficient obtained using density functional theory calculations, the theoretical hyper-Rayleigh scattering (βHRS, ×10−28 esu), showed the decreasing trend for H2TPrOPhOPc (2.28) > CoTPrOPhOPc (2.10) > Mn(OAc)TPrOPhOPc (1.86). The 4-(propargyloxy)phenoxy substituents enhanced the optical limiting properties of the synthesized phthalocyanines.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Joking around in Zimbabwe, undoing and redoing participation
- Authors: Price, Leigh
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/373715 , vital:66716 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122750"
- Description: In Zimbabwe, I teach a participatory course on environmental education to trainers. The course is an adaptation of a course designed by Rhodes University, South Africa. It gives participants a background in educational theories and has a strong theoretical component built around a focus on practice. During the time that the course was being delivered to non-industry participants, the theoretical component of the course was whole-heartedly embraced. We assumed that calling the course ‘participatory’ presupposed the need for this theory because within the theory were the tools for emancipation. And participation, we believed, had an emancipatory mandate. However, when we decided to redevelop the course for industry, we were uncomfortably surprised by the request from a majority of industry participants to reduce the theory and concentrate solely on skills-based training. This paper documents how this discomfort resulted in my adjusting my view of participation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Price, Leigh
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/373715 , vital:66716 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122750"
- Description: In Zimbabwe, I teach a participatory course on environmental education to trainers. The course is an adaptation of a course designed by Rhodes University, South Africa. It gives participants a background in educational theories and has a strong theoretical component built around a focus on practice. During the time that the course was being delivered to non-industry participants, the theoretical component of the course was whole-heartedly embraced. We assumed that calling the course ‘participatory’ presupposed the need for this theory because within the theory were the tools for emancipation. And participation, we believed, had an emancipatory mandate. However, when we decided to redevelop the course for industry, we were uncomfortably surprised by the request from a majority of industry participants to reduce the theory and concentrate solely on skills-based training. This paper documents how this discomfort resulted in my adjusting my view of participation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Adsorption and separation of platinum and palladium by polyamine functionalized polystyrene-based beads and nanofibers
- Fayemi, Omolola E, Ogunlaja, Adeniyi S, Kempgens, Pierre F M, Antunes, Edith M, Torto, Nelson, Nyokong, Tebello, Tshentu, Zenixole R
- Authors: Fayemi, Omolola E , Ogunlaja, Adeniyi S , Kempgens, Pierre F M , Antunes, Edith M , Torto, Nelson , Nyokong, Tebello , Tshentu, Zenixole R
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241694 , vital:50961 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2013.06.006"
- Description: Adsorption and separation of platinum and palladium chlorido species (PtCl62- and PdCl42-) on polystyrene beads as well as nanofibers functionalized with ammonium centres based on ethylenediamine (EDA), diethylenetriamine (DETA), triethylenetetramine (TETA) and tris-(2-aminoethyl)amine (TAEA) are described. The functionalized sorbent materials were characterized by microanalysis, SEM, XPS, BET and FTIR. The surface area of the functionalized fibers was in the range 69–241 m2/g while it was 73–107 m2/g for the beads. The adsorption and loading capacities of the sorption materials were investigated using both the batch and column studies at 1 M HCl concentration. The adsorption studies for both PtCl62- and PdCl42- on the different sorbent materials fit the Langmuir isotherm with R2 values >0.99. The highest loading capacity of Pt and Pd were 7.4 mg/g and 4.3 mg/g respectively for the nanofiber sorbent material based on ethylenediamine (EDA) while the beads with ethylenediamine (EDA) gave 1.0 mg/g and 0.2 mg/g for Pt and Pd respectively. Metals loaded on the sorbent materials were recovered by using 3% m/v thiourea solution as the eluting agent with quantitative desorption efficiency under the selected experimental conditions. Separation of platinum from palladium was partially achieved by selective stripping of PtCl62- with 0.5 M of NaClO4 in 1.0 M HCl while PdCl42- was eluted with 0.5 M thiourea in 1.0 M HCl. Separation of platinum from iridium and rhodium under 1 M HCl concentration was successful on triethylenetriamine (TETA)-functionalized Merrifield beads. This material (M-TETA) showed selectivity for platinum albeit the low loading capacity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Fayemi, Omolola E , Ogunlaja, Adeniyi S , Kempgens, Pierre F M , Antunes, Edith M , Torto, Nelson , Nyokong, Tebello , Tshentu, Zenixole R
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241694 , vital:50961 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2013.06.006"
- Description: Adsorption and separation of platinum and palladium chlorido species (PtCl62- and PdCl42-) on polystyrene beads as well as nanofibers functionalized with ammonium centres based on ethylenediamine (EDA), diethylenetriamine (DETA), triethylenetetramine (TETA) and tris-(2-aminoethyl)amine (TAEA) are described. The functionalized sorbent materials were characterized by microanalysis, SEM, XPS, BET and FTIR. The surface area of the functionalized fibers was in the range 69–241 m2/g while it was 73–107 m2/g for the beads. The adsorption and loading capacities of the sorption materials were investigated using both the batch and column studies at 1 M HCl concentration. The adsorption studies for both PtCl62- and PdCl42- on the different sorbent materials fit the Langmuir isotherm with R2 values >0.99. The highest loading capacity of Pt and Pd were 7.4 mg/g and 4.3 mg/g respectively for the nanofiber sorbent material based on ethylenediamine (EDA) while the beads with ethylenediamine (EDA) gave 1.0 mg/g and 0.2 mg/g for Pt and Pd respectively. Metals loaded on the sorbent materials were recovered by using 3% m/v thiourea solution as the eluting agent with quantitative desorption efficiency under the selected experimental conditions. Separation of platinum from palladium was partially achieved by selective stripping of PtCl62- with 0.5 M of NaClO4 in 1.0 M HCl while PdCl42- was eluted with 0.5 M thiourea in 1.0 M HCl. Separation of platinum from iridium and rhodium under 1 M HCl concentration was successful on triethylenetriamine (TETA)-functionalized Merrifield beads. This material (M-TETA) showed selectivity for platinum albeit the low loading capacity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The renaissance in optical spectroscopy of phthalocyanines and other tetraazaporphyrins
- Nyokong, Tebello, Isago, Hiroaki
- Authors: Nyokong, Tebello , Isago, Hiroaki
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289388 , vital:56628 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424604000453"
- Description: Spectral properties of metallophthalocyanines and other tetraazaporphyrins are governed mainly by the Q band which originates from the π-π* transitions within the ring. The position and intensity of the Q band is important in tailoring new phthalocyanine derivatives for particular applications. Aggregation, the nature of the central metal, π conjugation, symmetry of the molecules, and axial, peripheral or non-peripheral substitutions affect the spectra and hence the properties of the phthalocyanine molecule. This review gives a brief outline on how optical spectroscopy provides useful informations on molecular and electronic structures, chemistry and physics of phthalocyanines and other tetraazaporphyrins.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Nyokong, Tebello , Isago, Hiroaki
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289388 , vital:56628 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424604000453"
- Description: Spectral properties of metallophthalocyanines and other tetraazaporphyrins are governed mainly by the Q band which originates from the π-π* transitions within the ring. The position and intensity of the Q band is important in tailoring new phthalocyanine derivatives for particular applications. Aggregation, the nature of the central metal, π conjugation, symmetry of the molecules, and axial, peripheral or non-peripheral substitutions affect the spectra and hence the properties of the phthalocyanine molecule. This review gives a brief outline on how optical spectroscopy provides useful informations on molecular and electronic structures, chemistry and physics of phthalocyanines and other tetraazaporphyrins.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
Cultural historical activity theory, expansive learning and agency in permaculture workplaces
- Authors: Mukute, Mutizwa
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/386474 , vital:68145 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122818"
- Description: This paper reports on how Cultural Historical Activity Theory was used to identify and analyse contradictions; model and implement solutions in the learning and practice of permaculture at one school and its community in Zimbabwe. This is one of three sustainable agriculture workplace learning sites being examined in a wider study on change-oriented learning and sustainability practices (Mukute, 2009). It gives a brief background to permaculture and the School and Colleges Permaculture Programme (SCOPE) in Zimbabwe. The paper focuses on how contradictions were used as sources of learning and development leading to ‘real life expansions’. This demonstrates and reflects on the value of an interventionist research theory and methodology employed in the study to enhance participants’ agency in sustainable agriculture workplaces.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Mukute, Mutizwa
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/386474 , vital:68145 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122818"
- Description: This paper reports on how Cultural Historical Activity Theory was used to identify and analyse contradictions; model and implement solutions in the learning and practice of permaculture at one school and its community in Zimbabwe. This is one of three sustainable agriculture workplace learning sites being examined in a wider study on change-oriented learning and sustainability practices (Mukute, 2009). It gives a brief background to permaculture and the School and Colleges Permaculture Programme (SCOPE) in Zimbabwe. The paper focuses on how contradictions were used as sources of learning and development leading to ‘real life expansions’. This demonstrates and reflects on the value of an interventionist research theory and methodology employed in the study to enhance participants’ agency in sustainable agriculture workplaces.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A study on the morphology of thin copper films on para-aramid yarns and their influence on the yarn’s electro-conductive and mechanical properties
- Schwarz, Anne, Hakuzimana, Jean, Westbroek, Philippe, Mey, Gilbert De, Priniotakis, Georgios, Nyokong, Tebello, Langenhove, Lieva Van
- Authors: Schwarz, Anne , Hakuzimana, Jean , Westbroek, Philippe , Mey, Gilbert De , Priniotakis, Georgios , Nyokong, Tebello , Langenhove, Lieva Van
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/243487 , vital:51157 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0040517511431291"
- Description: The latest technological advances in new materials and devices enabled wearable systems to be created by utilizing textile solutions. These solutions require electro-conductive yarns as a basic component. Although the production of electroconductive yarn is widely reported, research is still necessary to characterize them to advance their electro-conductive and mechanical properties. Hence, we served this need and characterized copper-coated para-aramid yarns produced by an in-house developed electroless deposition method. In this paper we present our investigation on the yarn’s copper layer characteristics after deposition. Furthermore, we looked, in depth, at the yarn’s electro-conductive properties before and after washing as well as their mechanical properties before and after copper deposition. We found a dependency of the copper layer morphology on its deposition time. This is directly correlated to the resulting layer thickness and hence to the yarn’s electro-conductive properties, demonstrating the autocatalytic nature of the coating process. Above that, the electro-conductive properties of the coated yarn linearly decrease with washing cycles. Furthermore, the copper coating impairs the yarn’s mechanical properties decreasing its specific stress at break by 30%.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Schwarz, Anne , Hakuzimana, Jean , Westbroek, Philippe , Mey, Gilbert De , Priniotakis, Georgios , Nyokong, Tebello , Langenhove, Lieva Van
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/243487 , vital:51157 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0040517511431291"
- Description: The latest technological advances in new materials and devices enabled wearable systems to be created by utilizing textile solutions. These solutions require electro-conductive yarns as a basic component. Although the production of electroconductive yarn is widely reported, research is still necessary to characterize them to advance their electro-conductive and mechanical properties. Hence, we served this need and characterized copper-coated para-aramid yarns produced by an in-house developed electroless deposition method. In this paper we present our investigation on the yarn’s copper layer characteristics after deposition. Furthermore, we looked, in depth, at the yarn’s electro-conductive properties before and after washing as well as their mechanical properties before and after copper deposition. We found a dependency of the copper layer morphology on its deposition time. This is directly correlated to the resulting layer thickness and hence to the yarn’s electro-conductive properties, demonstrating the autocatalytic nature of the coating process. Above that, the electro-conductive properties of the coated yarn linearly decrease with washing cycles. Furthermore, the copper coating impairs the yarn’s mechanical properties decreasing its specific stress at break by 30%.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Reverse saturation absorption spectra and optical limiting properties of chlorinated tetrasubstituted phthalocyanines containing different metals
- Tuhl, Ahmad, Manaa, Hacene, Makhseed, Saad, Al-Awadi, Nouria, Matthew, Jacob, Ibrahim, Hamada Mohamed, Nyokong, Tebello, Behbehani, Haider
- Authors: Tuhl, Ahmad , Manaa, Hacene , Makhseed, Saad , Al-Awadi, Nouria , Matthew, Jacob , Ibrahim, Hamada Mohamed , Nyokong, Tebello , Behbehani, Haider
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/243498 , vital:51158 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2012.05.018"
- Description: A highly non-aggregated series of peripherally tetra(2,6-diisopropylphenoxy) substituted phthalocyanines (Pcs) containing different metals (Al, Ga, In and Zn) were prepared and their nonlinear optical properties (NLO), including the optical limiting behavior were investigated. This study explores the effect of the implanted metals along with the peripheral chlorine atoms on the NLO of the prepared complexes, thereby improving their optical limiting performance. The best wavelength at which the Pc complex exhibits the strongest nonlinear effect was determined over the low absorption window region (420–590 nm) comprised between the Q and B bands using a nanosecond pulsed laser with the aid of a Z-scan technique. The excited state absorption cross sections (σeff) have been found to be wavelength dependent with common double peaks at 505 nm and around 485 nm and the highest value was calculated for Pc1–In (1.1 × 10−16 cm2). The figure of merit spectra show different spectral structure when compared to the excited state absorption spectra and the largest figure of merit value was found to be around 107 for Pc1–In derivative. In full agreement with reverse saturation results, the optical limiting measurements, carried out at 485 nm and 532 nm for each derivative, show very low optical limiting thresholds at the former wavelength. In the continuous wave excitation regime, the Z-scan measurements, which were carried out at 632.8 and 532 nm, showed strong refractive and absorptive nonlinear effects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Tuhl, Ahmad , Manaa, Hacene , Makhseed, Saad , Al-Awadi, Nouria , Matthew, Jacob , Ibrahim, Hamada Mohamed , Nyokong, Tebello , Behbehani, Haider
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/243498 , vital:51158 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2012.05.018"
- Description: A highly non-aggregated series of peripherally tetra(2,6-diisopropylphenoxy) substituted phthalocyanines (Pcs) containing different metals (Al, Ga, In and Zn) were prepared and their nonlinear optical properties (NLO), including the optical limiting behavior were investigated. This study explores the effect of the implanted metals along with the peripheral chlorine atoms on the NLO of the prepared complexes, thereby improving their optical limiting performance. The best wavelength at which the Pc complex exhibits the strongest nonlinear effect was determined over the low absorption window region (420–590 nm) comprised between the Q and B bands using a nanosecond pulsed laser with the aid of a Z-scan technique. The excited state absorption cross sections (σeff) have been found to be wavelength dependent with common double peaks at 505 nm and around 485 nm and the highest value was calculated for Pc1–In (1.1 × 10−16 cm2). The figure of merit spectra show different spectral structure when compared to the excited state absorption spectra and the largest figure of merit value was found to be around 107 for Pc1–In derivative. In full agreement with reverse saturation results, the optical limiting measurements, carried out at 485 nm and 532 nm for each derivative, show very low optical limiting thresholds at the former wavelength. In the continuous wave excitation regime, the Z-scan measurements, which were carried out at 632.8 and 532 nm, showed strong refractive and absorptive nonlinear effects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
In vitro toxicity testing of zinc tetrasulfophthalocyanines in fibroblast and keratinocyte cells for the treatment of melanoma cancer by photodynamic therapy
- Maduray, Kaminee, Karsten, Alta, Odhay, Bharti, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Maduray, Kaminee , Karsten, Alta , Odhay, Bharti , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/247588 , vital:51597 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2011.01.020"
- Description: A series of water-soluble tetrasulfonated metallophthalocyanines (MPcs) dyes have been studied to be used as a drug or photosensitizer (PS) in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of cancers. During PDT the PS is administrated intravenously or topically to the patient before laser light at an appropriate wavelength is applied to the cancerous area to activate the PS. The activated PS will react with oxygen typically present in the cancerous tissue to generate reactive oxygen species for the destruction of the cancerous tissue. This in vitro study aimed at investigating the cytotoxic effects of different concentrations of zinc tetrasulfophthalocyanines (ZnTSPc) activated with a diode laser (λ = 672 nm) on melanoma, keratinocyte and fibroblast cells. To perform this study 3 × 104 cells/ml were seeded in 24-well plates and allowed to attach overnight, after which cells were treated with different concentrations of ZnTSPc. After 2 h, cells were irradiated with a constant light dose of 4.5 J/cm2. Post-irradiated cells were incubated for 24 h before cell viability was measured using the CellTiter-Blue Viability Assay. Data indicated high concentrations of ZnTSPc (60–100 μg/ml) in its inactive state are cytotoxic to the melanoma cancer cells. Also, results showed that photoactivated ZnTSPc (50 μg/ml) was able to reduce the cell viability of melanoma, fibroblast and keratinocyte cells to 61%, 81% and 83% respectively. At this photosensitizing concentration the efficacy the treatment light dose of 4.5 J/cm2 against other light doses of 2.5 J/cm2, 7.5 J/cm2 and 10 J/cm2 on the different cell lines were analyzed. ZnTSPc at a concentration of 50 μg/ml activated with a light dose of 4.5 J/cm2 was the most efficient for the killing of melanoma cancer cells with reduced killing effects on healthy normal skin cells in comparison to the other treatment light doses. Melanoma cancer cells after PDT with a photosensitizing concentration of 50 μg/ml and a treatment light dose of 4.5 J/cm2 showed certain apoptosis characteristics such as chromatin condensation and fragmentation of the nucleus. This concludes that low concentrations of ZnTSPc activated with the appropriate light dose can be used to induce cell death in melanoma cells with the occurrence of minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Maduray, Kaminee , Karsten, Alta , Odhay, Bharti , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/247588 , vital:51597 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2011.01.020"
- Description: A series of water-soluble tetrasulfonated metallophthalocyanines (MPcs) dyes have been studied to be used as a drug or photosensitizer (PS) in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of cancers. During PDT the PS is administrated intravenously or topically to the patient before laser light at an appropriate wavelength is applied to the cancerous area to activate the PS. The activated PS will react with oxygen typically present in the cancerous tissue to generate reactive oxygen species for the destruction of the cancerous tissue. This in vitro study aimed at investigating the cytotoxic effects of different concentrations of zinc tetrasulfophthalocyanines (ZnTSPc) activated with a diode laser (λ = 672 nm) on melanoma, keratinocyte and fibroblast cells. To perform this study 3 × 104 cells/ml were seeded in 24-well plates and allowed to attach overnight, after which cells were treated with different concentrations of ZnTSPc. After 2 h, cells were irradiated with a constant light dose of 4.5 J/cm2. Post-irradiated cells were incubated for 24 h before cell viability was measured using the CellTiter-Blue Viability Assay. Data indicated high concentrations of ZnTSPc (60–100 μg/ml) in its inactive state are cytotoxic to the melanoma cancer cells. Also, results showed that photoactivated ZnTSPc (50 μg/ml) was able to reduce the cell viability of melanoma, fibroblast and keratinocyte cells to 61%, 81% and 83% respectively. At this photosensitizing concentration the efficacy the treatment light dose of 4.5 J/cm2 against other light doses of 2.5 J/cm2, 7.5 J/cm2 and 10 J/cm2 on the different cell lines were analyzed. ZnTSPc at a concentration of 50 μg/ml activated with a light dose of 4.5 J/cm2 was the most efficient for the killing of melanoma cancer cells with reduced killing effects on healthy normal skin cells in comparison to the other treatment light doses. Melanoma cancer cells after PDT with a photosensitizing concentration of 50 μg/ml and a treatment light dose of 4.5 J/cm2 showed certain apoptosis characteristics such as chromatin condensation and fragmentation of the nucleus. This concludes that low concentrations of ZnTSPc activated with the appropriate light dose can be used to induce cell death in melanoma cells with the occurrence of minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The Personal Is the International
- Authors: Magadla, Siphokazi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/298674 , vital:57726 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/02589346.2013.856568"
- Description: The article reflects on why I opted for Political Science as my career. It tells of a society where once black women could only imagine themselves either as maids, teachers or nurses—this was my mother's world. The narrative shows how a racialised and gendered history shapes both my hopes for a particular kind of international relations theory and practice, as it shapes my frustrations and anxieties about my own future in the discipline. I also locate my place in the discipline within broader global ‘disruptions’ that see previously marginalised actors moving to the centre of international life. I also attempt to demonstrate that international relations today is located in globalised peace but within localised extremes of poverty and privilege. I make the case that the challenge to International Relations (IR) theory today is to find a language, a new language, in which to articulate the contradictions of a globalised peace that exists within localised extremes of poverty and privilege.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Magadla, Siphokazi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/298674 , vital:57726 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/02589346.2013.856568"
- Description: The article reflects on why I opted for Political Science as my career. It tells of a society where once black women could only imagine themselves either as maids, teachers or nurses—this was my mother's world. The narrative shows how a racialised and gendered history shapes both my hopes for a particular kind of international relations theory and practice, as it shapes my frustrations and anxieties about my own future in the discipline. I also locate my place in the discipline within broader global ‘disruptions’ that see previously marginalised actors moving to the centre of international life. I also attempt to demonstrate that international relations today is located in globalised peace but within localised extremes of poverty and privilege. I make the case that the challenge to International Relations (IR) theory today is to find a language, a new language, in which to articulate the contradictions of a globalised peace that exists within localised extremes of poverty and privilege.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Nanosecond nonlinear optical limiting properties of new trinuclear lanthanide phthalocyanines in solution and as thin films
- Sekhosana, Kutloana E, Amuhaya, Edith, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Sekhosana, Kutloana E , Amuhaya, Edith , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189752 , vital:44928 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2014.08.047"
- Description: 2,4,6-Tris[3-thio-9,10,16,17,23,24-hexa(4-tertbutylphenoxy) phthalocyaninato ytterbium (III) chloride]-s-triazin (3) and its lutetium counterpart (4) were synthesized. The nonlinear optical behavior of 3 and 4 were characterized in solution and when embedded in polymer as thin films. Thin films of complexes 3 and 4 in poly(bisphenol A carbonate) showed improved nonlinear optical properties when compared to solution. Complex 3 showed a lower threshold for optical limiting intensity (Ilim) than complex 4, and for phthalocyanines in general. Ilim values were even lower in films compared to solutions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Sekhosana, Kutloana E , Amuhaya, Edith , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189752 , vital:44928 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2014.08.047"
- Description: 2,4,6-Tris[3-thio-9,10,16,17,23,24-hexa(4-tertbutylphenoxy) phthalocyaninato ytterbium (III) chloride]-s-triazin (3) and its lutetium counterpart (4) were synthesized. The nonlinear optical behavior of 3 and 4 were characterized in solution and when embedded in polymer as thin films. Thin films of complexes 3 and 4 in poly(bisphenol A carbonate) showed improved nonlinear optical properties when compared to solution. Complex 3 showed a lower threshold for optical limiting intensity (Ilim) than complex 4, and for phthalocyanines in general. Ilim values were even lower in films compared to solutions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Exploring group solidarity for insights into qualities of T-learning
- Mudokwani, Kuda, Mukute, Mutizwa
- Authors: Mudokwani, Kuda , Mukute, Mutizwa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/390612 , vital:68568 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su11236825"
- Description: Across the world, organised groups of farmers participating in just and sustainability transformations encounter multiple obstacles. Through solidarity manifested in iterative processes of questioning, co-learning, collective action and reflection, and value creation for themselves and for others, some succeed in overcoming them. This article investigates how a district organic farmer association in Zimbabwe is encountering and handling group solidarity challenges arising from shifting from local to district level coordinated organic production and marketing. Based on the use of change laboratory, this paper explores solidarity at the local niche and networked district level to seek insights into the qualities of T-learning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mudokwani, Kuda , Mukute, Mutizwa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/390612 , vital:68568 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su11236825"
- Description: Across the world, organised groups of farmers participating in just and sustainability transformations encounter multiple obstacles. Through solidarity manifested in iterative processes of questioning, co-learning, collective action and reflection, and value creation for themselves and for others, some succeed in overcoming them. This article investigates how a district organic farmer association in Zimbabwe is encountering and handling group solidarity challenges arising from shifting from local to district level coordinated organic production and marketing. Based on the use of change laboratory, this paper explores solidarity at the local niche and networked district level to seek insights into the qualities of T-learning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The pump room
- Authors: Krueger, Anton
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/225764 , vital:49256 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10137548.2012.754084"
- Description: I like Allan Kolski Horwitz. He’s done great things for independent publishing in South Africa. Through his company, Botsotso, he’s probably responsible for publishing more poetry, prose and drama than any single person in the country today. The industriousness of his one-man operation has generously sponsored and nurtured thousands of pages of local literature over the course of many years. This is why it makes me so uncomfortable to say that I really don’t like this play. It gives me no pleasure to write a negative review, and especially not about books written by people I like. If I hadn’t already committed myself to writing this review, I would have avoided it. Nevertheless, I had, so I won’t.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Krueger, Anton
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/225764 , vital:49256 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10137548.2012.754084"
- Description: I like Allan Kolski Horwitz. He’s done great things for independent publishing in South Africa. Through his company, Botsotso, he’s probably responsible for publishing more poetry, prose and drama than any single person in the country today. The industriousness of his one-man operation has generously sponsored and nurtured thousands of pages of local literature over the course of many years. This is why it makes me so uncomfortable to say that I really don’t like this play. It gives me no pleasure to write a negative review, and especially not about books written by people I like. If I hadn’t already committed myself to writing this review, I would have avoided it. Nevertheless, I had, so I won’t.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Nonlinear optical behavior of neodymium mono-and bi-nuclear phthalocyanines linked to zinc oxide nanoparticles and incorporated into poly acrylic acid
- Sekhosana, Kutloana E, Amuhaya, Edith, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Sekhosana, Kutloana E , Amuhaya, Edith , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188766 , vital:44783 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2015.12.045"
- Description: Syntheses of bis{23-(3,4-di-yloxybenzoic acid)-(2(3), 9(10), 16(17), 23(24))-(hexakis-pyridin-3-yloxy phthalocyaninato)} dineodymium (III) acetate (3) and 2(3), 9(10), 16(17), 23(24)-(tetrapyridin-3-yloxy phthalocyaninato) neodymium (III) acetate (4) as well as their conjugates with ZnO nanoparticles (conjugates 6, 7 and 8) are presented. Thin films of conjugate 6 (where complex 3 is linked to ZnO nanoparticles via an amide bond) gave the best third-order susceptibility (5.89 × 10−8 esu), second-order hyperpolarizability (2.53 × 10−25 esu) and the lowest limiting threshold values (0.12 J cm−2). The nonlinear behavior is enhanced in solid state when compared to solution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Sekhosana, Kutloana E , Amuhaya, Edith , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188766 , vital:44783 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2015.12.045"
- Description: Syntheses of bis{23-(3,4-di-yloxybenzoic acid)-(2(3), 9(10), 16(17), 23(24))-(hexakis-pyridin-3-yloxy phthalocyaninato)} dineodymium (III) acetate (3) and 2(3), 9(10), 16(17), 23(24)-(tetrapyridin-3-yloxy phthalocyaninato) neodymium (III) acetate (4) as well as their conjugates with ZnO nanoparticles (conjugates 6, 7 and 8) are presented. Thin films of conjugate 6 (where complex 3 is linked to ZnO nanoparticles via an amide bond) gave the best third-order susceptibility (5.89 × 10−8 esu), second-order hyperpolarizability (2.53 × 10−25 esu) and the lowest limiting threshold values (0.12 J cm−2). The nonlinear behavior is enhanced in solid state when compared to solution.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The effects of asymmetry in combination with reduced graphene oxide nanosheets on hydrazine electrocatalytic detection on cobalt phthalocyanines
- Mpeta, Lekhetho S, Sen, Pinar, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Mpeta, Lekhetho S , Sen, Pinar , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186023 , vital:44456 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/elan.202060094"
- Description: New symmetric {tetrakis [4-(4-(5-chloro-1Hbenzo[d]imidazol-2-yl) phenoxy phthalocyaninato] Co (II) (CoTPc)} and low symmetry {tris tert butyl phenoxy mono [4-(4-(5-chloro-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl) phenoxy phthalocyaninato]} Co (II) (CoMPc) were successfully synthesised and combined with reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (rGONS) for electrocatalytic detection of hydrazine. Prior to electrocatalysis, the probes were characterised using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Chronoamperometry was used to determine catalytic rate constant and the limit of detection (LOD). CoMPc-rGONS gave catalytic rate constant and LOD of 1.37×106 M 1 s 1 and 0.82 μM respectively, rendering it a more suitable probe for hydrazine, due to low symmetry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mpeta, Lekhetho S , Sen, Pinar , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186023 , vital:44456 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/elan.202060094"
- Description: New symmetric {tetrakis [4-(4-(5-chloro-1Hbenzo[d]imidazol-2-yl) phenoxy phthalocyaninato] Co (II) (CoTPc)} and low symmetry {tris tert butyl phenoxy mono [4-(4-(5-chloro-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl) phenoxy phthalocyaninato]} Co (II) (CoMPc) were successfully synthesised and combined with reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (rGONS) for electrocatalytic detection of hydrazine. Prior to electrocatalysis, the probes were characterised using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Chronoamperometry was used to determine catalytic rate constant and the limit of detection (LOD). CoMPc-rGONS gave catalytic rate constant and LOD of 1.37×106 M 1 s 1 and 0.82 μM respectively, rendering it a more suitable probe for hydrazine, due to low symmetry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Voltammetric detection of vitamin B1 at carbon paste electrodes and its determination in tablets
- Oni, Joshua, Westbroek, Philippe, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Oni, Joshua , Westbroek, Philippe , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289678 , vital:56662 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/1521-4109(200209)14"
- Description: The voltammetric behavior of vitamin B1 in alkaline medium at carbon paste electrode (CPE) is discussed. A method based on cyclic voltammetry for the determination of vitamin B1 at carbon paste electrode modified with manganese phthalocyanine (MnPc-CPE) is presented. In pH 10 buffer, the modified electrode showed catalytic activity towards the oxidation of vitamin B1 by considerably increasing the oxidation current of one of the observed waves compared to the oxidation current obtained at an unmodified electrode. The modified electrode was stable towards the determination of vitamin B1 compared to the unmodified electrode that is completely poisoned after a few scans. A linear relationship between the oxidation current and the concentration of vitamin B1 in solution was observed. The detection limit for vitamin B1 at the modified electrode was of the order of 10−5 mol dm−3. Commercial vitamin B1 tablets were analyzed using the modified electrodes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Oni, Joshua , Westbroek, Philippe , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289678 , vital:56662 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1002/1521-4109(200209)14"
- Description: The voltammetric behavior of vitamin B1 in alkaline medium at carbon paste electrode (CPE) is discussed. A method based on cyclic voltammetry for the determination of vitamin B1 at carbon paste electrode modified with manganese phthalocyanine (MnPc-CPE) is presented. In pH 10 buffer, the modified electrode showed catalytic activity towards the oxidation of vitamin B1 by considerably increasing the oxidation current of one of the observed waves compared to the oxidation current obtained at an unmodified electrode. The modified electrode was stable towards the determination of vitamin B1 compared to the unmodified electrode that is completely poisoned after a few scans. A linear relationship between the oxidation current and the concentration of vitamin B1 in solution was observed. The detection limit for vitamin B1 at the modified electrode was of the order of 10−5 mol dm−3. Commercial vitamin B1 tablets were analyzed using the modified electrodes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Synthesis, electrochemical and photochemical properties of unsymmetrically substituted zinc phthalocyanine complexes
- Matlaba, Pulane M, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Matlaba, Pulane M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289650 , vital:56658 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-5387(02)01226-3"
- Description: The synthesis of symmetrically and unsymmetrically substituted zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) derivatives are reported. The ZnPc derivatives are synthesized by ring expansion of subphthalocyanine complexes. Ring substitution is effected with tert-butyl phenol, naphthol and hydroxybenzoic acid. Comparison of the redox potentials for complexes substituted with varying numbers of tert-butyl phenol: 1 (complex 5), 2 (complex 6), 3 (complex 7), 6 (complex 8) and 8 (complex 9) shows that the complexes with the highest number of substituents are more difficult to oxidize and easier to reduce. All the reported complexes are relatively photostable, with photobleaching quantum yields of the order of 10−5. Singlet oxygen quantum yields for the complexes ranged from 0.22 to 0.68.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Matlaba, Pulane M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289650 , vital:56658 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-5387(02)01226-3"
- Description: The synthesis of symmetrically and unsymmetrically substituted zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) derivatives are reported. The ZnPc derivatives are synthesized by ring expansion of subphthalocyanine complexes. Ring substitution is effected with tert-butyl phenol, naphthol and hydroxybenzoic acid. Comparison of the redox potentials for complexes substituted with varying numbers of tert-butyl phenol: 1 (complex 5), 2 (complex 6), 3 (complex 7), 6 (complex 8) and 8 (complex 9) shows that the complexes with the highest number of substituents are more difficult to oxidize and easier to reduce. All the reported complexes are relatively photostable, with photobleaching quantum yields of the order of 10−5. Singlet oxygen quantum yields for the complexes ranged from 0.22 to 0.68.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
The effects of gold coated and uncoated zinc oxide nanohexagons on the photophysicochemical properties of the low symmetry zinc phthalocyanine
- D'Souza, Sarah, Ogbodu, Rachael, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: D'Souza, Sarah , Ogbodu, Rachael , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189077 , vital:44814 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2015.06.088"
- Description: A new low symmetry, Zn phthalocyanine monosubstituted with diethylaminoethanethiol (mDEAET ZnPc) was synthesized and characterized. This work reports on its photophysical and photochemical properties of mDEAET ZnPc alone and when conjugated to gold coated and uncoated zinc oxide nanohexagons (ZnO NHXs). The photophysicochemical properties generally improved in the presence of the ZnO NHXs. These complexes were also tested for their photodynamic antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The Pc alone showed remarkable growth inhibition even at concentrations as low as 0.05 mg/mL. The conjugates showed a high photoinactivation of S. aureus after 30 min at a fluence of 90 mW cm−2 at a concentration of 0.05 mg/mL. The ZnPc-ZnO NHX conjugates produced the best antimicrobial results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: D'Souza, Sarah , Ogbodu, Rachael , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189077 , vital:44814 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2015.06.088"
- Description: A new low symmetry, Zn phthalocyanine monosubstituted with diethylaminoethanethiol (mDEAET ZnPc) was synthesized and characterized. This work reports on its photophysical and photochemical properties of mDEAET ZnPc alone and when conjugated to gold coated and uncoated zinc oxide nanohexagons (ZnO NHXs). The photophysicochemical properties generally improved in the presence of the ZnO NHXs. These complexes were also tested for their photodynamic antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The Pc alone showed remarkable growth inhibition even at concentrations as low as 0.05 mg/mL. The conjugates showed a high photoinactivation of S. aureus after 30 min at a fluence of 90 mW cm−2 at a concentration of 0.05 mg/mL. The ZnPc-ZnO NHX conjugates produced the best antimicrobial results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Progress and prospects for the biological control of invasive alien grasses Poaceae) in South Africa
- Sutton, Guy F, Bownes, Angela, Visser, Vernon, Mapaura, Anthony, Canavan, Kim N
- Authors: Sutton, Guy F , Bownes, Angela , Visser, Vernon , Mapaura, Anthony , Canavan, Kim N
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/414448 , vital:71147 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-ento_v29_n3_a12"
- Description: Historically, invasive alien grasses have not been considered a major threat in South Africa, and as a result, very few resources are allocated to their management. However, there is an increasing awareness of the severe environmental and socio-economic impacts of invasive grasses and the need for appropriate management options for their control. South Africa has a long history of successfully implementing weed biological control (biocontrol) to manage invasive alien plants, however much like the rest of the world, invasive grasses do not feature prominently as targets for biocontrol. The implementation and early indicators of success of the few grass biocontrol programmes globally and the finding that grasses can be suitable targets, suggests that biocontrol could start to play an important role in managing invasive alien grasses in South Africa. In this paper, we evaluated the prospects for implementing novel grass biocontrol projects over the next ten years against 48 grasses that have been determined to represent the highest risk based on their current environmental and economic impacts. The grasses were ranked in order of priority using the Biological Control Target Selection system. Five grasses were prioritised – Arundo donax L., Cortaderia jubata (Lem.) Stapf, Cortaderia selloana (Schult and Schult) Asch. and Graebn., Nassella trichotoma (Hack. ex Arech.), and Glyceria maxima (Hartm.) Holmb., based on attributes that make them suitable biocontrol targets. Arundo donax has already been the target of a biocontrol programme in South Africa. We reviewed the progress made towards the biocontrol of this species and discuss how this programme could be developed going forward. Moreover, we outline how biocontrol could be implemented to manage the remaining four high-priority targets. While biocontrol of grasses is not without its challenges (e.g. unresolved taxonomies, conflicts of interest and a lack of supporting legislation), South Africa has an opportunity to learn from existing global research and begin to invest in biocontrol of high-priority species that are in most need of control.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Progress and prospects for the biological control of invasive alien grasses Poaceae) in South Africa
- Authors: Sutton, Guy F , Bownes, Angela , Visser, Vernon , Mapaura, Anthony , Canavan, Kim N
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/414448 , vital:71147 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-ento_v29_n3_a12"
- Description: Historically, invasive alien grasses have not been considered a major threat in South Africa, and as a result, very few resources are allocated to their management. However, there is an increasing awareness of the severe environmental and socio-economic impacts of invasive grasses and the need for appropriate management options for their control. South Africa has a long history of successfully implementing weed biological control (biocontrol) to manage invasive alien plants, however much like the rest of the world, invasive grasses do not feature prominently as targets for biocontrol. The implementation and early indicators of success of the few grass biocontrol programmes globally and the finding that grasses can be suitable targets, suggests that biocontrol could start to play an important role in managing invasive alien grasses in South Africa. In this paper, we evaluated the prospects for implementing novel grass biocontrol projects over the next ten years against 48 grasses that have been determined to represent the highest risk based on their current environmental and economic impacts. The grasses were ranked in order of priority using the Biological Control Target Selection system. Five grasses were prioritised – Arundo donax L., Cortaderia jubata (Lem.) Stapf, Cortaderia selloana (Schult and Schult) Asch. and Graebn., Nassella trichotoma (Hack. ex Arech.), and Glyceria maxima (Hartm.) Holmb., based on attributes that make them suitable biocontrol targets. Arundo donax has already been the target of a biocontrol programme in South Africa. We reviewed the progress made towards the biocontrol of this species and discuss how this programme could be developed going forward. Moreover, we outline how biocontrol could be implemented to manage the remaining four high-priority targets. While biocontrol of grasses is not without its challenges (e.g. unresolved taxonomies, conflicts of interest and a lack of supporting legislation), South Africa has an opportunity to learn from existing global research and begin to invest in biocontrol of high-priority species that are in most need of control.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Ethics and education as practices of freedom
- Authors: Tabensky, Pedro
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/305672 , vital:58602 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/00131857.2020.1791822"
- Description: On the one hand, according to Richard Rorty, Paulo Freire and others, education is the practice of freedom. On the other hand, according to Michael Foucault, Mary Midgley and others, ethics is the practice of freedom. How, then, are education and ethics related to one another and what do these authors mean by ‘the practice of freedom’? In this piece, I argue that education and ethics are two mutually constitutive aspects of the practice of freedom. Individuals who are able to engage in this practice can most properly be said to be the authors of their lives, that is, individuals who, to borrow from Neil MacGregor, are able to find their ‘place in things’. To find our ‘place in things’ is to do the necessary educative work required for becoming the authors of our lives, that is, for self-actualization (as Rorty and John Dewey have argued). To take on the authorial role is, moreover, to be able effectively to take control of our lives, to organize them into unities for which we are individually responsible. This, according to Midgley, is precisely what it is to be ethical. This work, moreover, requires ongoing development, that is, education, in Dewey’s sense. I further argue that professional education and skills training cannot be understood properly in isolation from these broader educational aims and I criticize mainstream educational practices for not paying sufficient attention to the intimate relationship between the vocational and non-vocational aspects of education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Tabensky, Pedro
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/305672 , vital:58602 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/00131857.2020.1791822"
- Description: On the one hand, according to Richard Rorty, Paulo Freire and others, education is the practice of freedom. On the other hand, according to Michael Foucault, Mary Midgley and others, ethics is the practice of freedom. How, then, are education and ethics related to one another and what do these authors mean by ‘the practice of freedom’? In this piece, I argue that education and ethics are two mutually constitutive aspects of the practice of freedom. Individuals who are able to engage in this practice can most properly be said to be the authors of their lives, that is, individuals who, to borrow from Neil MacGregor, are able to find their ‘place in things’. To find our ‘place in things’ is to do the necessary educative work required for becoming the authors of our lives, that is, for self-actualization (as Rorty and John Dewey have argued). To take on the authorial role is, moreover, to be able effectively to take control of our lives, to organize them into unities for which we are individually responsible. This, according to Midgley, is precisely what it is to be ethical. This work, moreover, requires ongoing development, that is, education, in Dewey’s sense. I further argue that professional education and skills training cannot be understood properly in isolation from these broader educational aims and I criticize mainstream educational practices for not paying sufficient attention to the intimate relationship between the vocational and non-vocational aspects of education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Amphiphilic axially modified cationic indium-porphyrins linked to hydrophilic magnetic nanoparticles for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy against gram-negative strain; Escherichia coli
- Makolla, Collen L, Mgidlana, Sithi, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Makolla, Collen L , Mgidlana, Sithi , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/185024 , vital:44317 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2021.109262"
- Description: In this study, we report on the synthesis, characterization, and application of indium porphyrins linked to silver core-shell magnetic nanoparticles for in vitro photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) against gram-negative strain, E. coli. This work compares the photophysicochemical and PACT activities of InCl 5-p-carboxyphenyl-10-15-20-(tris-4-methylpyridinium)-triiodide porphyrin (1), InCl 5-p-carboxyphenyl-10-15-20-(tris-4-hexylpyridinium)-triiodide porphyrin (2), In (para-aminophenyl) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-methylpyridinium)-tetraiodide porphyrin (3), and In (para-aminophenyl) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-hexylpyridinium)-tetraiodide porphyrin (4). The comparisons were based on the structure and number of charges. Hydrophilic and hydrophobic characters of the amphiphilic porphyrins were studied by comparing the effect of the different alkyl halides (iodomethane and iodohexane) quaternizing agents. The porphyrin complexes were further linked to magnetic nanoparticles to facilitate antimicrobial synergy and recovery of the complexes after use. High Log reduction values ranging from 7.19 to 9.58 were obtained for the quaternized complexes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Makolla, Collen L , Mgidlana, Sithi , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/185024 , vital:44317 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2021.109262"
- Description: In this study, we report on the synthesis, characterization, and application of indium porphyrins linked to silver core-shell magnetic nanoparticles for in vitro photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) against gram-negative strain, E. coli. This work compares the photophysicochemical and PACT activities of InCl 5-p-carboxyphenyl-10-15-20-(tris-4-methylpyridinium)-triiodide porphyrin (1), InCl 5-p-carboxyphenyl-10-15-20-(tris-4-hexylpyridinium)-triiodide porphyrin (2), In (para-aminophenyl) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-methylpyridinium)-tetraiodide porphyrin (3), and In (para-aminophenyl) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-hexylpyridinium)-tetraiodide porphyrin (4). The comparisons were based on the structure and number of charges. Hydrophilic and hydrophobic characters of the amphiphilic porphyrins were studied by comparing the effect of the different alkyl halides (iodomethane and iodohexane) quaternizing agents. The porphyrin complexes were further linked to magnetic nanoparticles to facilitate antimicrobial synergy and recovery of the complexes after use. High Log reduction values ranging from 7.19 to 9.58 were obtained for the quaternized complexes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021