Nonlinear optical properties of Sn(IV) phthalocyanines: experimental and theoretical approach
- Authors: Louzada, Marcel Severiano
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Nonlinear optics
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/57852 , vital:26996
- Description: This work presents the nonlinear properties of six Sn(IV) Phthalocyanines. Three of the phthalocyanines are linked by an alkylthiol substituent and the rest are linked with a phenoxy substituent. For all six compounds non-linear optic analysis was carried out in four solvents: chloroform, toluene, dichloromethane, and tetrahydrofuran, and their differences were recorded. Calculation of the linear, singlet excited, triplet excited and two photon absorption cross-sections were also carried out and the results compared. To form a comparison the first order hyperpolarizabilities, DFT calculations were also performed and the results compared to see if the behaviour between the two properties can be predicted using DFT.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Louzada, Marcel Severiano
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Nonlinear optics
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/57852 , vital:26996
- Description: This work presents the nonlinear properties of six Sn(IV) Phthalocyanines. Three of the phthalocyanines are linked by an alkylthiol substituent and the rest are linked with a phenoxy substituent. For all six compounds non-linear optic analysis was carried out in four solvents: chloroform, toluene, dichloromethane, and tetrahydrofuran, and their differences were recorded. Calculation of the linear, singlet excited, triplet excited and two photon absorption cross-sections were also carried out and the results compared. To form a comparison the first order hyperpolarizabilities, DFT calculations were also performed and the results compared to see if the behaviour between the two properties can be predicted using DFT.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The potential of hydrellia egeriae rodrigues (diptera: ephydridae) as a biocontrol agent for egeria densa planch. (hydrocharitaceae) in South Africa
- Authors: Smith, Rosali
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/53733 , vital:26314
- Description: The integrity of South Africa’s valuable freshwater ecosystems has been threatened by aquatic invasive plants since the 1900s. Floating aquatic weeds, such as Eichhornia crassipes (C. Mart) Solms (Pondederiaceae), Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae), Salvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell (Salviniaceae), Azolla filiculoides Lam. (Azollaceae), and the emergent weed, Myriophyllum aquaticum Verdc. (Haloragaceae) benefited from open, nutrient-rich water bodies. Due to the limitations of mechanical and chemical control in aquatic environments, classical biological control has been a huge asset in managing these weeds; consequently bringing them under complete or substantial control. However, submerged aquatic weeds are widely distributed through the aquarium trade in South Africa; facilitating their invasion into new habitats. The removal of surface mats following the successful management of floating weeds has enhanced the growth and competitive ability of submerged aquatic weeds, such as Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle (Hydrocharitaceae), Myriophyllum spicatum L. (Haloragaceae) and Egeria densa Planch. (Hydrocharitaceae) in South Africa. Of these species, E. densa has become the most widely distributed, invading numerous systems across South Africa. Compared to other exotic submerged aquatic plants, E. densa is the only species capable of inhabiting freshwater systems in every province and therefore, it is vital to manage existing populations and prevent its further distribution and invasion. Hydrellia spp. (Diptera: Ephydridae) biological control agents have been used extensively in the management of submerged aquatic weeds elsewhere, particularly those in the Hydrocharitaceae (Balciunas and Burrows 1996; Wheeler and Center 2001. Hydrellia egeriae Rodrigues (Diptera: Ephydridae) has been identified as a promising candidate for E. densa and was imported into quarantine at Rhodes University, Grahamstown in 2014. The aims of this study were to conduct a pre-release assessment of the potential of H. egeriae as a biological control agent for E. densa in South Africa. The first objective of this study was to establish the life history of the agent under controlled conditions on E. densa found in South Africa, as well as its population growth parameters to predict its invasion success in the field. Secondly, laboratory host-specificity testing was conducted to validate the host range of the agent, in view of published native range host-specificity testing, and to establish potential risks to non-target species, should it be released. Finally, a biological control agent should also effectively reduce the fitness of its host plant, and therefore, impact studies were conducted. Laboratory impact studies have been limited in the past, in that they only investigate agent damage for short ecological periods, thus underestimating the damage capacity of the agent under investigation. Therefore, the damage capacity of H. egeriae was investigated over three consecutive generations in multi-generational impact trials. In a controlled environment of 22 ± 2°C, H. egeriae exhibited the ability to rapidly increase in population size within a short period of time, which will enhance agent establishment and build-up in the field. Host-specificity trials indicated that H. egeriae has a host range restricted to the Hydrocharitaceae, with exploratory feeding and development on Lagarosiphon major Ridley, L. muscoides Harvey and Vallisneria spiralis L. However, only L. major supported agent development during paired larval choice tests, and continuation trials showed that the test species was not physiologically capable of supporting viable agent populations. Risk analysis illustrated that the feeding and reproductive risks that H. egeriae pose to non-target species are very low and therefore, H. egeriae should be safe for release in South Africa. Additionally, significant damage to vital plant structures (shoot growth and side shoot length) was only recorded under high (five larvae) agent abundances. Encouragingly, the number of leaves mined at the end of the experiment was similar for both intermediate (three) and high (five) larval abundances, suggesting that cumulative leaf-mining under intermediate larval abundances has the potential to reduce the fitness of E. densa, given sufficient time. Results from pre-release assessments provide a robust understanding of the specialization of the potential biological control agent to its host plant. Nevertheless, the absolute success of a biological control programme depends on the many factors after prerelease assessments that determine agent establishment, persistence and target weed suppression, e.g. mass-rearing, release protocols and a/biotic factors within the recipient community. Considering these factors, the best mass-rearing and release protocols are proposed here and future research priorities are identified. Finally, the long term success for managing E. densa in South Africa will require a holistic approach to address the underlying factors, such as eutrophication and human-mediated distribution that drive submerged aquatic plant invasions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Smith, Rosali
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/53733 , vital:26314
- Description: The integrity of South Africa’s valuable freshwater ecosystems has been threatened by aquatic invasive plants since the 1900s. Floating aquatic weeds, such as Eichhornia crassipes (C. Mart) Solms (Pondederiaceae), Pistia stratiotes L. (Araceae), Salvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell (Salviniaceae), Azolla filiculoides Lam. (Azollaceae), and the emergent weed, Myriophyllum aquaticum Verdc. (Haloragaceae) benefited from open, nutrient-rich water bodies. Due to the limitations of mechanical and chemical control in aquatic environments, classical biological control has been a huge asset in managing these weeds; consequently bringing them under complete or substantial control. However, submerged aquatic weeds are widely distributed through the aquarium trade in South Africa; facilitating their invasion into new habitats. The removal of surface mats following the successful management of floating weeds has enhanced the growth and competitive ability of submerged aquatic weeds, such as Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle (Hydrocharitaceae), Myriophyllum spicatum L. (Haloragaceae) and Egeria densa Planch. (Hydrocharitaceae) in South Africa. Of these species, E. densa has become the most widely distributed, invading numerous systems across South Africa. Compared to other exotic submerged aquatic plants, E. densa is the only species capable of inhabiting freshwater systems in every province and therefore, it is vital to manage existing populations and prevent its further distribution and invasion. Hydrellia spp. (Diptera: Ephydridae) biological control agents have been used extensively in the management of submerged aquatic weeds elsewhere, particularly those in the Hydrocharitaceae (Balciunas and Burrows 1996; Wheeler and Center 2001. Hydrellia egeriae Rodrigues (Diptera: Ephydridae) has been identified as a promising candidate for E. densa and was imported into quarantine at Rhodes University, Grahamstown in 2014. The aims of this study were to conduct a pre-release assessment of the potential of H. egeriae as a biological control agent for E. densa in South Africa. The first objective of this study was to establish the life history of the agent under controlled conditions on E. densa found in South Africa, as well as its population growth parameters to predict its invasion success in the field. Secondly, laboratory host-specificity testing was conducted to validate the host range of the agent, in view of published native range host-specificity testing, and to establish potential risks to non-target species, should it be released. Finally, a biological control agent should also effectively reduce the fitness of its host plant, and therefore, impact studies were conducted. Laboratory impact studies have been limited in the past, in that they only investigate agent damage for short ecological periods, thus underestimating the damage capacity of the agent under investigation. Therefore, the damage capacity of H. egeriae was investigated over three consecutive generations in multi-generational impact trials. In a controlled environment of 22 ± 2°C, H. egeriae exhibited the ability to rapidly increase in population size within a short period of time, which will enhance agent establishment and build-up in the field. Host-specificity trials indicated that H. egeriae has a host range restricted to the Hydrocharitaceae, with exploratory feeding and development on Lagarosiphon major Ridley, L. muscoides Harvey and Vallisneria spiralis L. However, only L. major supported agent development during paired larval choice tests, and continuation trials showed that the test species was not physiologically capable of supporting viable agent populations. Risk analysis illustrated that the feeding and reproductive risks that H. egeriae pose to non-target species are very low and therefore, H. egeriae should be safe for release in South Africa. Additionally, significant damage to vital plant structures (shoot growth and side shoot length) was only recorded under high (five larvae) agent abundances. Encouragingly, the number of leaves mined at the end of the experiment was similar for both intermediate (three) and high (five) larval abundances, suggesting that cumulative leaf-mining under intermediate larval abundances has the potential to reduce the fitness of E. densa, given sufficient time. Results from pre-release assessments provide a robust understanding of the specialization of the potential biological control agent to its host plant. Nevertheless, the absolute success of a biological control programme depends on the many factors after prerelease assessments that determine agent establishment, persistence and target weed suppression, e.g. mass-rearing, release protocols and a/biotic factors within the recipient community. Considering these factors, the best mass-rearing and release protocols are proposed here and future research priorities are identified. Finally, the long term success for managing E. densa in South Africa will require a holistic approach to address the underlying factors, such as eutrophication and human-mediated distribution that drive submerged aquatic plant invasions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The role of leadership style and organisational structure in organisational effectiveness: a case study
- Authors: Messaris, Annette
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54452 , vital:26566
- Description: This research explores the role leadership style and organisational structure play in organisational effectiveness. Organisational effectiveness is one of the more complex terms to define although essential to understand in order for an organisation to grow and develop. A small to medium wine sales and distribution organisation, its leadership style and organisational structure were chosen as a focus of this case study. Organisational effectiveness in this study is understood by the terms growth and development using the Greiner Theory of Evolution and Revolution (1983). The literature explores the role of leadership style in organisational effectiveness by exploring various theories and focusing on The Full Range Leadership Model by Bass and Avolio (1994). In order to analyse the role of organisational structure in organisational effectiveness, the different forms of organisational structure and the role they have on the organisation’s ability to grow and develop are explored. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the role leadership style and organisational structure play in organisational effectiveness. A qualitative content analysis paradigm was used with a Case Study method. The data was gathered using structured interviews conducted on all 39 permanent staff members, day to day observation and the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ). The MLQ is used as a supporting tool to verify the leadership findings in the interviews. The data was analysed using NVivo10 and STATISTICA to gain insight into the leadership style and organisational structure of the organisation. The findings reflected that certain themes were repeatedly mentioned in the interviews and the definition of organisational effectiveness: structured leadership, more active leadership, lack of communication, staff motivation, staff training and development and organisational culture. As regards organisational structure, the following themes arose: The need for regular meetings, increased team work and more structured job descriptions. Through the analysis of all the components, leadership style and organisational structure were identified as having a significant role in organisational effectiveness which will be further analysed in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Messaris, Annette
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54452 , vital:26566
- Description: This research explores the role leadership style and organisational structure play in organisational effectiveness. Organisational effectiveness is one of the more complex terms to define although essential to understand in order for an organisation to grow and develop. A small to medium wine sales and distribution organisation, its leadership style and organisational structure were chosen as a focus of this case study. Organisational effectiveness in this study is understood by the terms growth and development using the Greiner Theory of Evolution and Revolution (1983). The literature explores the role of leadership style in organisational effectiveness by exploring various theories and focusing on The Full Range Leadership Model by Bass and Avolio (1994). In order to analyse the role of organisational structure in organisational effectiveness, the different forms of organisational structure and the role they have on the organisation’s ability to grow and develop are explored. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the role leadership style and organisational structure play in organisational effectiveness. A qualitative content analysis paradigm was used with a Case Study method. The data was gathered using structured interviews conducted on all 39 permanent staff members, day to day observation and the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ). The MLQ is used as a supporting tool to verify the leadership findings in the interviews. The data was analysed using NVivo10 and STATISTICA to gain insight into the leadership style and organisational structure of the organisation. The findings reflected that certain themes were repeatedly mentioned in the interviews and the definition of organisational effectiveness: structured leadership, more active leadership, lack of communication, staff motivation, staff training and development and organisational culture. As regards organisational structure, the following themes arose: The need for regular meetings, increased team work and more structured job descriptions. Through the analysis of all the components, leadership style and organisational structure were identified as having a significant role in organisational effectiveness which will be further analysed in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
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