Molecularly imprinted polymeric materials for adsorptive removal of nitrogen compounds from fuel oils
- Abdul-Quadir, Muhammad Sabiu
- Authors: Abdul-Quadir, Muhammad Sabiu
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Polymerization , Organonitrogen compounds Nitrogen compounds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23426 , vital:30542
- Description: The deleterious effects of refractory polyaromatic hydrocarbons found in fuels such as organonitrogen compounds (quinoline, carbazole and its alkylated derivatives) are such that they emit NOx to the environment when combusted, thereby reducing air quality. These compounds also deactivate the catalyst used during fuel refinement and in catalytic converters of cars. Hydro-denitrogenation (HDN), a process currently being employed in petroleum refineries to eliminate organonitrogen compounds in fuels, is limited in treating these refractory compounds. Hence, this thesis describes the use of two separate complimentary approaches for the removal of organonitrogen compounds in fuel such as oxidative denitrogenation and adsorptive denitrogenation. The catalyzed oxidation of fuel oil model nitrogen containing compound, quinoline to quinoline N-oxide, was conducted under batch and continuous flow microreactor at 70°C by using tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BuOOH) as oxidant and silica supported V2O5 as catalyst, followed by the selective adsorption of the quinoline N-oxide. An overall conversion of 62% quinoline N-oxide was observed. Quinoline-N-oxide in model fuel was absorbed by employing synthesized molecularly imprinted 2,6-pyridine-polybenzimidazole (2,6-PyPBI) nanofibers, 86% of quinoline-N-oxide was removed to give an adsorption capacity (qe) of 4.8 mg/g. DFT calculations to study the interactions of quinoline-N-oxide vs 2,6-PyPBI indicated that: (i) hydrogen bonding (through amino group of 2,6-PyPBI and oxygen atoms of the quinoline-N-oxide), (ii) pi-pi stacking and (iii) extensive number of van der Waals interactions took place. Several oxygenates from N-compounds were produced, thus, complicating the fuel matrix. Therefore, there is a need to move towards adsorptive denitrogenation. Poly-2-(1H-imidazol-2-yl)-4-phenol (PIMH) imprinted microspheres was prepared by suspension polymerization using 2-(2’-hydroxy-4-ethenylphenyl) imidazole as a functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a crosslinker in the presence of various organonitrogen compounds (templates) to produce 2-(2’-hydroxy-4-ethenylphenyl) imidazole (PIMH). Imprinted microspheres show selectivity for various target model nitrogen-containing compounds with adsorption capacities of 6.8 ± 0.2 mg/g, 6.3 ± 0.3 mg/g and 5.8 ± 0.3 mg/g for quinoline, pyrimidine and carbazole, respectively. Adsorption selectivity increased in the order of quinoline (αi-r = 136.9) ˃ pyrimidine (αi-r = 126.2) ˃carbazole (αi-r = 86.3), when naphthalene was selected as a reference compound. Though, imprinted microspheres displayed excellent nitrogen compound removal both in model and real fuel, there was a need to improve the adsorbent adsorption capacity for N-compounds in fuel through the fabrication of imprinted nanofibers. Molecularly imprinted poly-2-(1H-imidazol-2-yl)-4-phenol nanofibers was prepared by electrospinning of 2-(2’-hydroxy-4-ethenylphenyl) imidazole (PIMH) in the presence of various organonitrogen compounds. These imprinted nanofibers show selectivity for various target model nitrogen-containing compounds with adsorption capacities of 11.7 ± 0.9 mg/g, 11.9 ± 0.8 mg/g and 11.3 ± 1.1 mg/g for quinoline, pyrimidine and carbazole, respectively. Adsorption selectivity increased in the order of pyrimidine (αi-r = 258.8) ˃ quinoline (αi-r = 235.5) ˃ carbazole (αi-r = 168.2). It further displayed excellent nitrogen removal in real fuel. The use of polybenzimidazole (PBI) nanofibers showed selective adsorption of organonitrogen compounds as imprinted sorbent also displayed high selectivity for their target model nitrogen-containing compounds with adsorption capacities of 11.4 ± 0.4 mg/g, 11.9 ± 0.2 mg/g and 10.9 ± 0.7 mg/g for quinoline, pyrimidine and carbazole respectively. Adsorption selectivity increased in the order of pyrimidine (αi-r = 241.5) ˃ quinoline (αi-r = 237.6) ˃ carbazole (αi-r = 170). Thermodynamic parameters obtained from isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) revealed that quinoline-PIMH/PBI and pyrimidine-PIMH/PBI interactions are exothermic in nature, while carbazole-PIMH/PBI is endothermic in nature. DFT calculations indicated that π-π interactions/stacking and hydrogen bond interactions took place between N-compounds (carbazole, quinoline and pyrimidine) and adsorbent (PIMH and PBI). A significant reduction in the quantity of nitrogen containing compounds in hydrotreated fuel was observed (peak area reduction) when adsorbents (PIMH and PBI) was employed, however, the complex nature of organonitrogen compounds in fuel complicate the structure/function approach on MIPs for targeting these unwanted compounds.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Abdul-Quadir, Muhammad Sabiu
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Polymerization , Organonitrogen compounds Nitrogen compounds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23426 , vital:30542
- Description: The deleterious effects of refractory polyaromatic hydrocarbons found in fuels such as organonitrogen compounds (quinoline, carbazole and its alkylated derivatives) are such that they emit NOx to the environment when combusted, thereby reducing air quality. These compounds also deactivate the catalyst used during fuel refinement and in catalytic converters of cars. Hydro-denitrogenation (HDN), a process currently being employed in petroleum refineries to eliminate organonitrogen compounds in fuels, is limited in treating these refractory compounds. Hence, this thesis describes the use of two separate complimentary approaches for the removal of organonitrogen compounds in fuel such as oxidative denitrogenation and adsorptive denitrogenation. The catalyzed oxidation of fuel oil model nitrogen containing compound, quinoline to quinoline N-oxide, was conducted under batch and continuous flow microreactor at 70°C by using tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BuOOH) as oxidant and silica supported V2O5 as catalyst, followed by the selective adsorption of the quinoline N-oxide. An overall conversion of 62% quinoline N-oxide was observed. Quinoline-N-oxide in model fuel was absorbed by employing synthesized molecularly imprinted 2,6-pyridine-polybenzimidazole (2,6-PyPBI) nanofibers, 86% of quinoline-N-oxide was removed to give an adsorption capacity (qe) of 4.8 mg/g. DFT calculations to study the interactions of quinoline-N-oxide vs 2,6-PyPBI indicated that: (i) hydrogen bonding (through amino group of 2,6-PyPBI and oxygen atoms of the quinoline-N-oxide), (ii) pi-pi stacking and (iii) extensive number of van der Waals interactions took place. Several oxygenates from N-compounds were produced, thus, complicating the fuel matrix. Therefore, there is a need to move towards adsorptive denitrogenation. Poly-2-(1H-imidazol-2-yl)-4-phenol (PIMH) imprinted microspheres was prepared by suspension polymerization using 2-(2’-hydroxy-4-ethenylphenyl) imidazole as a functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a crosslinker in the presence of various organonitrogen compounds (templates) to produce 2-(2’-hydroxy-4-ethenylphenyl) imidazole (PIMH). Imprinted microspheres show selectivity for various target model nitrogen-containing compounds with adsorption capacities of 6.8 ± 0.2 mg/g, 6.3 ± 0.3 mg/g and 5.8 ± 0.3 mg/g for quinoline, pyrimidine and carbazole, respectively. Adsorption selectivity increased in the order of quinoline (αi-r = 136.9) ˃ pyrimidine (αi-r = 126.2) ˃carbazole (αi-r = 86.3), when naphthalene was selected as a reference compound. Though, imprinted microspheres displayed excellent nitrogen compound removal both in model and real fuel, there was a need to improve the adsorbent adsorption capacity for N-compounds in fuel through the fabrication of imprinted nanofibers. Molecularly imprinted poly-2-(1H-imidazol-2-yl)-4-phenol nanofibers was prepared by electrospinning of 2-(2’-hydroxy-4-ethenylphenyl) imidazole (PIMH) in the presence of various organonitrogen compounds. These imprinted nanofibers show selectivity for various target model nitrogen-containing compounds with adsorption capacities of 11.7 ± 0.9 mg/g, 11.9 ± 0.8 mg/g and 11.3 ± 1.1 mg/g for quinoline, pyrimidine and carbazole, respectively. Adsorption selectivity increased in the order of pyrimidine (αi-r = 258.8) ˃ quinoline (αi-r = 235.5) ˃ carbazole (αi-r = 168.2). It further displayed excellent nitrogen removal in real fuel. The use of polybenzimidazole (PBI) nanofibers showed selective adsorption of organonitrogen compounds as imprinted sorbent also displayed high selectivity for their target model nitrogen-containing compounds with adsorption capacities of 11.4 ± 0.4 mg/g, 11.9 ± 0.2 mg/g and 10.9 ± 0.7 mg/g for quinoline, pyrimidine and carbazole respectively. Adsorption selectivity increased in the order of pyrimidine (αi-r = 241.5) ˃ quinoline (αi-r = 237.6) ˃ carbazole (αi-r = 170). Thermodynamic parameters obtained from isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) revealed that quinoline-PIMH/PBI and pyrimidine-PIMH/PBI interactions are exothermic in nature, while carbazole-PIMH/PBI is endothermic in nature. DFT calculations indicated that π-π interactions/stacking and hydrogen bond interactions took place between N-compounds (carbazole, quinoline and pyrimidine) and adsorbent (PIMH and PBI). A significant reduction in the quantity of nitrogen containing compounds in hydrotreated fuel was observed (peak area reduction) when adsorbents (PIMH and PBI) was employed, however, the complex nature of organonitrogen compounds in fuel complicate the structure/function approach on MIPs for targeting these unwanted compounds.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The coordination chemistry of Rhenium(V) with multidentate no-donor ligands
- Authors: Abrahams, Abubak'r
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Rhenium , Ligands
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10370 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/912 , Rhenium , Ligands
- Description: The neutral distorted octahedral complexes [ReOCl(L)] {H2L = N,N-bis(2- hydroxybenzyl)-2-(2-aminoethyl)dimethylamine (H2had), N,N-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl) aminomethylpyridine (H2hap); N,N-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)-2-(2-aminoethyl)pyridine (H2hae)} were prepared by the reaction of trans-[ReOCl3(PPh3)2] with a twofold molar excess of H2L in ethanol. The X-ray structure determinations of [ReOCl(had)] and [ReOCl(hap)] were performed, and in both complexes the chloride is coordinated trans to the tripodal tertiary amino nitrogen, with a phenolate oxygen trans to the oxo oxygen. Treatment of trans-[ReO2(py)4]I with two equivalents and one equivalent each of H2had in acetone afforded the iodide salts of the oxypyridinium-ammonium zwitterions N1-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-N2,N2- dimethyl-N1-((2-oxypyridinium)-1-methyl)ethane-1,2-diamine [Hhpd]+ and N2,N2- dimethyl-N1-bis((2-oxypyridinium)-1-methyl)ethane-1,2-diamine [dod]+ respectively. In [Hhpd]I, one of the 2-hydroxyphenyl groups of H2had is substituted by an oxypyridinium group, and in [dod]I, both 2-hydroxyphenyl groups are converted. The X-ray crystal structure determination of the starting material H2had, [Hhpd]I and [dod]I reveals trigonal pyramidal geometries around the central amino nitrogen. The complex salt [ReO(bsa)]PF6 (H2bsa=bis(N-methylsalicylicylideneiminopropyl) amine) was prepared from the reaction of cis-[ReO2I(PPh3)2] with H2bsa in toluene. The dianionic pentadentate ligand bsa is coordinated to the ReO3+ moiety via one secondary amino and two imino nitrogens, and two anionic phenolate oxygens. The complex was characterized by spectroscopy and analytical data, and the structure has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The complex exhibits a distorted octahedral geometry around the central rhenium(V) ion, with the basal plane being defined by a phenolate oxygen, two imino nitrogens and the secondary amino. ix A. Abrahams Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University The reaction of a two-fold molar excess of the potentially NN-donor ligand 2,2’- dipyridylamine (dpa) with trans-[ReO(OEt)Cl2(PPh3)2] in ethanol led to the isolation of [ReOCl2(OEt)(dpa)]. The X-ray crystal structure shows that the NN-chelated dpa is coordinated in the equatorial plane cis to the oxo and ethoxo groups, which are in trans positions relative to each other. The treatment of trans- [ReOCl3(PPh3)2] with a tenfold molar excess of dpa in ethanol at the refluxing temperature yielded the trans-dioxo complex [ReO2(dpa)2]Cl, but with a twofold molar excess only (μ-O)[{ReOCl2(dpa)}2] was isolated. Repeating the latter reaction with (n-Bu4N)[ReOCl4] as starting material in ethanol at room temperature a dark green product, also with the formulation (μ-O)[{ReOCl2(dpa)}2], was isolated. The reaction of equimolar quantities of bis(pyridin-2-yl)methyl)amine (HBPA) with (n-Bu4N)[ReOCl4] in acetone at room temperature led to the isolation of the sixcoordinate rhenium(V) complex [ReOCl(H2O)(BPA)]Cl. IR, NMR and X-ray crystallographic results indicate that BPA is coordinated as a tridentate uninegative chelate, with deprotonation of the amine nitrogen. The water molecule is coordinated trans to the oxo group, with the Re=O and Re-OH2 bond distances equal to 1.663(9) and 2.21(1) Å respectively. Complexes of the general formula [ReOX2{(C5H4N)CH(O)CH2(C5H4N)}] (X = Cl, I) were prepared by the reactions of trans-[ReOCl3(PPh3)2] and trans- [ReOI2(OEt)(PPh3)2] with cis-1,2-di-(2-pyridyl)ethylene (DPE) in ethanol and benzene in air. Experimental evidence shows that the coordinated DPE ligand has undergone addition of water at the ethylenic carbons, and that the (C5H4N)CH(O)CH2(C5H4N) moiety acts as a uninegative tridentate NON-donor ligand. The X-ray crystal structures of both complexes show a distorted octahedral geometry around the rhenium(V) centre. The treatment of trans-[ReOCl3(PPh3)2] with H2dbd in a 2:1 molar ratio in acetonitrile led to the isolation of the ligand-bridged dimer (μ-dbd)[ReOCl2(PPh3)]2. The X-ray crystal structure of the complex reveals a dinuclear structure in which two rhenium(V) ions are bridged by the dbd ligand. Each rhenium ion is in a x A. Abrahams Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University distorted octahedral geometry. The basal plane is defined by a phosphorus atom of the PPh3 group, two chlorides cis to each other, and a pyridyl nitrogen atom of dbd. The oxo group and alcoholate oxygen of dbd lie in trans axial positions. The complexes cis-[ReOX2(msa)(PPh3)] (X = Cl, Br, I) were prepared from trans- [ReOCl3(PPh3)2], trans-[ReOBr3(PPh3)2] or trans-[ReOI2(OEt)(PPh3)2] with 2-(1- iminoethyl)phenol (Hmsa) in acetonitrile. An X-ray crystallographic study shows that the bonding distances and angles in the comlexes are nearly identical, and that the two halides in each complex are coordinated cis to each other in the equatorial plane cis to the oxo group. The oxo-bridged dinuclear rhenium(V) complex [(μ-O){ReOCl(amp)}2] was prepared by the reaction of trans-[ReOCl3(PPh3)2] and 6-amino-3-methyl-1-phenyl- 4-azahept-2-ene-1-one (Hamp) in acetone. The characterization of the complex by elemental analysis, infrared and 1H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography shows that amp is coordinated as a monoanionic NNO-donor chelate as an amino-amido ketone. However, the reaction of the similar ligand 7- amino-4,7-dimethyl-5-aza-3-octen-2-one (Hada) with [Re(CO)5Br] produced the product fac-[Re(CO)3Br(Hada)], with Hada coordinated as a neutral NN-donor amino-imino-ketone.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Abrahams, Abubak'r
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Rhenium , Ligands
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10370 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/912 , Rhenium , Ligands
- Description: The neutral distorted octahedral complexes [ReOCl(L)] {H2L = N,N-bis(2- hydroxybenzyl)-2-(2-aminoethyl)dimethylamine (H2had), N,N-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl) aminomethylpyridine (H2hap); N,N-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)-2-(2-aminoethyl)pyridine (H2hae)} were prepared by the reaction of trans-[ReOCl3(PPh3)2] with a twofold molar excess of H2L in ethanol. The X-ray structure determinations of [ReOCl(had)] and [ReOCl(hap)] were performed, and in both complexes the chloride is coordinated trans to the tripodal tertiary amino nitrogen, with a phenolate oxygen trans to the oxo oxygen. Treatment of trans-[ReO2(py)4]I with two equivalents and one equivalent each of H2had in acetone afforded the iodide salts of the oxypyridinium-ammonium zwitterions N1-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-N2,N2- dimethyl-N1-((2-oxypyridinium)-1-methyl)ethane-1,2-diamine [Hhpd]+ and N2,N2- dimethyl-N1-bis((2-oxypyridinium)-1-methyl)ethane-1,2-diamine [dod]+ respectively. In [Hhpd]I, one of the 2-hydroxyphenyl groups of H2had is substituted by an oxypyridinium group, and in [dod]I, both 2-hydroxyphenyl groups are converted. The X-ray crystal structure determination of the starting material H2had, [Hhpd]I and [dod]I reveals trigonal pyramidal geometries around the central amino nitrogen. The complex salt [ReO(bsa)]PF6 (H2bsa=bis(N-methylsalicylicylideneiminopropyl) amine) was prepared from the reaction of cis-[ReO2I(PPh3)2] with H2bsa in toluene. The dianionic pentadentate ligand bsa is coordinated to the ReO3+ moiety via one secondary amino and two imino nitrogens, and two anionic phenolate oxygens. The complex was characterized by spectroscopy and analytical data, and the structure has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The complex exhibits a distorted octahedral geometry around the central rhenium(V) ion, with the basal plane being defined by a phenolate oxygen, two imino nitrogens and the secondary amino. ix A. Abrahams Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University The reaction of a two-fold molar excess of the potentially NN-donor ligand 2,2’- dipyridylamine (dpa) with trans-[ReO(OEt)Cl2(PPh3)2] in ethanol led to the isolation of [ReOCl2(OEt)(dpa)]. The X-ray crystal structure shows that the NN-chelated dpa is coordinated in the equatorial plane cis to the oxo and ethoxo groups, which are in trans positions relative to each other. The treatment of trans- [ReOCl3(PPh3)2] with a tenfold molar excess of dpa in ethanol at the refluxing temperature yielded the trans-dioxo complex [ReO2(dpa)2]Cl, but with a twofold molar excess only (μ-O)[{ReOCl2(dpa)}2] was isolated. Repeating the latter reaction with (n-Bu4N)[ReOCl4] as starting material in ethanol at room temperature a dark green product, also with the formulation (μ-O)[{ReOCl2(dpa)}2], was isolated. The reaction of equimolar quantities of bis(pyridin-2-yl)methyl)amine (HBPA) with (n-Bu4N)[ReOCl4] in acetone at room temperature led to the isolation of the sixcoordinate rhenium(V) complex [ReOCl(H2O)(BPA)]Cl. IR, NMR and X-ray crystallographic results indicate that BPA is coordinated as a tridentate uninegative chelate, with deprotonation of the amine nitrogen. The water molecule is coordinated trans to the oxo group, with the Re=O and Re-OH2 bond distances equal to 1.663(9) and 2.21(1) Å respectively. Complexes of the general formula [ReOX2{(C5H4N)CH(O)CH2(C5H4N)}] (X = Cl, I) were prepared by the reactions of trans-[ReOCl3(PPh3)2] and trans- [ReOI2(OEt)(PPh3)2] with cis-1,2-di-(2-pyridyl)ethylene (DPE) in ethanol and benzene in air. Experimental evidence shows that the coordinated DPE ligand has undergone addition of water at the ethylenic carbons, and that the (C5H4N)CH(O)CH2(C5H4N) moiety acts as a uninegative tridentate NON-donor ligand. The X-ray crystal structures of both complexes show a distorted octahedral geometry around the rhenium(V) centre. The treatment of trans-[ReOCl3(PPh3)2] with H2dbd in a 2:1 molar ratio in acetonitrile led to the isolation of the ligand-bridged dimer (μ-dbd)[ReOCl2(PPh3)]2. The X-ray crystal structure of the complex reveals a dinuclear structure in which two rhenium(V) ions are bridged by the dbd ligand. Each rhenium ion is in a x A. Abrahams Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University distorted octahedral geometry. The basal plane is defined by a phosphorus atom of the PPh3 group, two chlorides cis to each other, and a pyridyl nitrogen atom of dbd. The oxo group and alcoholate oxygen of dbd lie in trans axial positions. The complexes cis-[ReOX2(msa)(PPh3)] (X = Cl, Br, I) were prepared from trans- [ReOCl3(PPh3)2], trans-[ReOBr3(PPh3)2] or trans-[ReOI2(OEt)(PPh3)2] with 2-(1- iminoethyl)phenol (Hmsa) in acetonitrile. An X-ray crystallographic study shows that the bonding distances and angles in the comlexes are nearly identical, and that the two halides in each complex are coordinated cis to each other in the equatorial plane cis to the oxo group. The oxo-bridged dinuclear rhenium(V) complex [(μ-O){ReOCl(amp)}2] was prepared by the reaction of trans-[ReOCl3(PPh3)2] and 6-amino-3-methyl-1-phenyl- 4-azahept-2-ene-1-one (Hamp) in acetone. The characterization of the complex by elemental analysis, infrared and 1H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography shows that amp is coordinated as a monoanionic NNO-donor chelate as an amino-amido ketone. However, the reaction of the similar ligand 7- amino-4,7-dimethyl-5-aza-3-octen-2-one (Hada) with [Re(CO)5Br] produced the product fac-[Re(CO)3Br(Hada)], with Hada coordinated as a neutral NN-donor amino-imino-ketone.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Towards measuring corporate sustainability in the Nelson Mandela Bay automotive manufacturing sector
- Authors: Adams, Abulele
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sustainability -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18465 , vital:28648
- Description: This study explored the methods available for measuring corporate sustainability and created an instrument to measure corporate sustainability in the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) automotive manufacturing sector. The instrument was created based on three components of sustainability which are environment, society and economy. The study went a step further and added a fourth dimension, current trends to design a measuring instrument. The instrument was then applied on participating companies and further refined to improve it. A total of 16 multi-dimensional indicators to measure corporate sustainability were created and applied to 12 companies in the automotive manufacturing sector. The indicators were used to create a composite corporate sustainability index which can be used to compare the corporate sustainability performance of companies. These indicators were created based on theoretical research and fist hand experience observing the automotive manufacturing sector in the NMB. The indicators were applied to companies as a pilot to test whether they are feasible. Following this, the indicators were refined, improved and applied to more companies to measure corporate sustainability performance. The results of the study were the measuring instrument created, the creation of a composite index as well as the application of the instrument on 12 companies to determine whether the instrument was refined enough to detect differences in the corporate sustainability performance of companies. The results are discussed and further recommendations are made for improvements in the creation and application of the instrument to measure corporate sustainability in the NMB automotive manufacturing sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Towards measuring corporate sustainability in the Nelson Mandela Bay automotive manufacturing sector
- Authors: Adams, Abulele
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sustainability -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18465 , vital:28648
- Description: This study explored the methods available for measuring corporate sustainability and created an instrument to measure corporate sustainability in the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) automotive manufacturing sector. The instrument was created based on three components of sustainability which are environment, society and economy. The study went a step further and added a fourth dimension, current trends to design a measuring instrument. The instrument was then applied on participating companies and further refined to improve it. A total of 16 multi-dimensional indicators to measure corporate sustainability were created and applied to 12 companies in the automotive manufacturing sector. The indicators were used to create a composite corporate sustainability index which can be used to compare the corporate sustainability performance of companies. These indicators were created based on theoretical research and fist hand experience observing the automotive manufacturing sector in the NMB. The indicators were applied to companies as a pilot to test whether they are feasible. Following this, the indicators were refined, improved and applied to more companies to measure corporate sustainability performance. The results of the study were the measuring instrument created, the creation of a composite index as well as the application of the instrument on 12 companies to determine whether the instrument was refined enough to detect differences in the corporate sustainability performance of companies. The results are discussed and further recommendations are made for improvements in the creation and application of the instrument to measure corporate sustainability in the NMB automotive manufacturing sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Investigating long-term host-parasite dynamics in odontocetes in Southern Africa
- Authors: Adams, Inge Alison
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Biological invasions -- Environmental aspects , Cetacea -- Indian Ocean , Ecological disturbances
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23437 , vital:30543
- Description: Cetaceans are a very diverse family and globally, various aspects about their biology have been studied, including infection by parasites. Twenty-five dolphin species can be found in the South African subregion and very little information is available detailing which parasites are infecting them. Parasite samples have been collected opportunistically since the 1970’s from dolphins incidentally caught in shark nets off the KwaZulu-Natal coastline as well as from dolphins stranded along the Eastern Cape coastline. These samples have been stored in the Graham Ross Marine Mammal Collection at the Port Elizabeth Museum and samples belonging to eight odontocete species have been used in the present analysis. These eight species are: the Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin (Sousa plumbea), the Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), the Long-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis), the Risso’s Dolphin (Grampus griseus), the Pantropical Spotted Dolphin (Stenella attenuata), the Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), the Pygmy Sperm Whale (Kogia breviceps) and the Dwarf Sperm Whale (Kogia breviceps). This study aims to investigate which parasites are infecting odontocetes in Southern Africa. Secondly, this study aims to investigate whether any trends in infection exist between sexes, age groups, cause of death and over time. Eighteen parasite species were found to infect odontocetes in Southern Africa. Two could only be identified to family level, seven to genus level and eight to species level. Only one parasite, a trematode, could not be identified and several parasite species were new host records for the subregion. Results showed that the prevalence of parasitic infection has increased over the last four decades, prompting questions regarding the health of our oceans. This study is the first to comprehensively investigate which parasite species are found in these eight odontocete species in Southern Africa. This baseline data will contribute greatly to other types of research involving parasites and provides us with information regarding the health of our ocean.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Adams, Inge Alison
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Biological invasions -- Environmental aspects , Cetacea -- Indian Ocean , Ecological disturbances
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23437 , vital:30543
- Description: Cetaceans are a very diverse family and globally, various aspects about their biology have been studied, including infection by parasites. Twenty-five dolphin species can be found in the South African subregion and very little information is available detailing which parasites are infecting them. Parasite samples have been collected opportunistically since the 1970’s from dolphins incidentally caught in shark nets off the KwaZulu-Natal coastline as well as from dolphins stranded along the Eastern Cape coastline. These samples have been stored in the Graham Ross Marine Mammal Collection at the Port Elizabeth Museum and samples belonging to eight odontocete species have been used in the present analysis. These eight species are: the Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin (Sousa plumbea), the Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), the Long-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus capensis), the Risso’s Dolphin (Grampus griseus), the Pantropical Spotted Dolphin (Stenella attenuata), the Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), the Pygmy Sperm Whale (Kogia breviceps) and the Dwarf Sperm Whale (Kogia breviceps). This study aims to investigate which parasites are infecting odontocetes in Southern Africa. Secondly, this study aims to investigate whether any trends in infection exist between sexes, age groups, cause of death and over time. Eighteen parasite species were found to infect odontocetes in Southern Africa. Two could only be identified to family level, seven to genus level and eight to species level. Only one parasite, a trematode, could not be identified and several parasite species were new host records for the subregion. Results showed that the prevalence of parasitic infection has increased over the last four decades, prompting questions regarding the health of our oceans. This study is the first to comprehensively investigate which parasite species are found in these eight odontocete species in Southern Africa. This baseline data will contribute greatly to other types of research involving parasites and provides us with information regarding the health of our ocean.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Anti-diabetic and phytochemical analysis of sutherlandia frutescens extracts
- Authors: Adefuye, Ogheneochuko Janet
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- Africa , Traditional medicine -- Africa , Herbs -- Therapeutic use -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3549 , vital:20441
- Description: In Africa, the importance of medicinal plants in folklore medicine and their contribution to primary healthcare is well recognized. Across the continent, local herbal mixtures still provide the only therapeutic option for about 80% of the population. The vast floral diversity and the intrinsic ethnobotanical knowledge has been the backbone of localized traditional herbal medical practices. In Africa, an estimated 5400 of the 60000 described plant taxa possess over 16300 therapeutic uses. Similarly, with a therapeutic flora comprising of approximately 650 species, herbal medical practitioners in South Africa, make use of a plethora of plants to treat different human diseases and infections. Over the years, studies have identified numerous plant species with potential against chronic metabolic diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Globally, the incidence and prevalence of T2DM have reached epidemic proportions affecting people of all ages, nationalities and ethnicity. Considered the fourth leading cause of deaths by disease, T2DM is a global health crisis with an estimated diagnosis and mortality frequency of 1 every 5 seconds and 1 every 7 seconds respectively. Though the exact pathophysiology of T2DM is not entirely understood, initial peripheral insulin resistance in adipose tissue, liver, and skeletal muscle with subsequent pancreatic β-cell dysfunction resulting from an attempt to compensate for insulin resistance is a common feature of the disease. The current approach to treating T2DM is the use of oral antidiabetic agents (OAAs), insulin, and incretin-based drugs in an attempt to achieve glycaemic control and maintain glucose homeostasis. However, conventional anti-T2DM drugs have been shown to have limited efficacies and serious adverse effects. Hence, the need for newer, more efficacious and safer anti-T2DM agents. Sutherlandia frutescens subsp. microphylla is a flowering shrub of the pea family (Fabaceae/Leguminaceae) found mainly in the Western Cape and Karoo regions of Southern Africa. Concoctions of various parts of the plant are used in the management of different ailments including T2DM. However, despite extensive biological and pharmacological studies, few analyses exist of the chemical constituents of S. frutescens and no Triple Time of Flight Liquid Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry (Triple TOF LC/MS/MS) analysis has been performed. The initial aim of this study was to investigate the phytochemical profile of hot aqueous, cold aqueous, 80% ethanolic, 100% ethanolic, 80% methanolic and 100% methanolic extracts of a single source S. frutescens plant material using colorimetric and spectrophotometric analysis. The hot aqueous extractant was found to be the best extractant for S. frutescens, yielding 1.99 g of crude extract from 16 g fresh powdered plant material. This data suggests that application of heat and water as the extractant (hot aqueous) could play a vital role in extraction of bioactive compounds from S. frutescens and also justifies the traditional use of a tea infusion of S. frutescens. Colorimetric analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, flavonols, tannins, and phenols in all extracts with varying intensity. The organic extracts 100% methanol, 80% and 100% ethanol exhibited high color intensity (+++) for flavonoids and flavonols respectively, while all the extracts exhibited a moderate color intensity (++) for tannins and phenols. Spectrophotometric analysis of S. frutescens extracts revealed that all the organic extracts contained a significantly higher concentration (in mg/g of extract) of flavonols and tannins when compared to the aqueous extracts. All extracts contained approximately equal levels of phenols. These data confirm the presence of all four groups of bioactive phytocompounds in the S. frutescens extracts used in this study, and also confirm that different solvent extractants possess the capability to differentially extract specific groups of phytocompounds. in individual extracts. Further comparison of these compounds with online databases of anti-diabetic phytocompounds led to the preliminary identification of 10 possible anti-diabetic compounds; α-Pinene, Limonene, Sabinene, Carvone, Myricetin, Rutin, Stigmasterol, Emodin, Sarpagine and Hypoglycin B in crude and solid phase extraction (SPE) fractions of S. frutesecens. Furthermore, using two hepatic cell lines (Chang and HepG2) as an in-vtro model system, the anti-T2DM properties of crude aqueous and organic extracts of S. frutescents was investigated and compared. Both aqueous and organic extracts of S. frutescens were found to decrease gluconeogenesis, increase glucose uptake and decrease lipid accumulation (Triacylglycerol, Diacylglycerol, and Monoacylglycerol) in Chang and HepG2 hepatic cell cultures made insulin resistant (IR) following exposure to high concentration of insulin and fructose. Using real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), the aqueous and organic extracts of S. frutescens were confirmed to regulate the expression of Vesicle-associated membrane protein 3 (VAMP3), Mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (MAPK8), and Insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) in insulin resistant hepatic cells. IR-mediated downregulation of VAMP3, MAPK8, and IRS1 mRNA in IR HepG2 hepatic cell cultures was reversed in the presence of aqueous and organic extracts of S. frutescens. The hot aqueous extract displayed the highest activity in all the assays, while all the organic extracts displayed similar potency. In conclusion, this study reports that aqueous and organic extracts of S. frutescens possess numerous anti-diabetic compounds that can be further investigated for the development of new, more efficacious and less toxic anti-diabetic agents. The presence of multiple compounds in a single extract does suggest a synergistic or combinatorial therapeutic effect. These findings support the burgeoning body of in-vivo and in-vitro literature evidence on the anti-diabetic properties of S. frutescens and its use in folklore medicine.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Adefuye, Ogheneochuko Janet
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- Africa , Traditional medicine -- Africa , Herbs -- Therapeutic use -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3549 , vital:20441
- Description: In Africa, the importance of medicinal plants in folklore medicine and their contribution to primary healthcare is well recognized. Across the continent, local herbal mixtures still provide the only therapeutic option for about 80% of the population. The vast floral diversity and the intrinsic ethnobotanical knowledge has been the backbone of localized traditional herbal medical practices. In Africa, an estimated 5400 of the 60000 described plant taxa possess over 16300 therapeutic uses. Similarly, with a therapeutic flora comprising of approximately 650 species, herbal medical practitioners in South Africa, make use of a plethora of plants to treat different human diseases and infections. Over the years, studies have identified numerous plant species with potential against chronic metabolic diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Globally, the incidence and prevalence of T2DM have reached epidemic proportions affecting people of all ages, nationalities and ethnicity. Considered the fourth leading cause of deaths by disease, T2DM is a global health crisis with an estimated diagnosis and mortality frequency of 1 every 5 seconds and 1 every 7 seconds respectively. Though the exact pathophysiology of T2DM is not entirely understood, initial peripheral insulin resistance in adipose tissue, liver, and skeletal muscle with subsequent pancreatic β-cell dysfunction resulting from an attempt to compensate for insulin resistance is a common feature of the disease. The current approach to treating T2DM is the use of oral antidiabetic agents (OAAs), insulin, and incretin-based drugs in an attempt to achieve glycaemic control and maintain glucose homeostasis. However, conventional anti-T2DM drugs have been shown to have limited efficacies and serious adverse effects. Hence, the need for newer, more efficacious and safer anti-T2DM agents. Sutherlandia frutescens subsp. microphylla is a flowering shrub of the pea family (Fabaceae/Leguminaceae) found mainly in the Western Cape and Karoo regions of Southern Africa. Concoctions of various parts of the plant are used in the management of different ailments including T2DM. However, despite extensive biological and pharmacological studies, few analyses exist of the chemical constituents of S. frutescens and no Triple Time of Flight Liquid Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry (Triple TOF LC/MS/MS) analysis has been performed. The initial aim of this study was to investigate the phytochemical profile of hot aqueous, cold aqueous, 80% ethanolic, 100% ethanolic, 80% methanolic and 100% methanolic extracts of a single source S. frutescens plant material using colorimetric and spectrophotometric analysis. The hot aqueous extractant was found to be the best extractant for S. frutescens, yielding 1.99 g of crude extract from 16 g fresh powdered plant material. This data suggests that application of heat and water as the extractant (hot aqueous) could play a vital role in extraction of bioactive compounds from S. frutescens and also justifies the traditional use of a tea infusion of S. frutescens. Colorimetric analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, flavonols, tannins, and phenols in all extracts with varying intensity. The organic extracts 100% methanol, 80% and 100% ethanol exhibited high color intensity (+++) for flavonoids and flavonols respectively, while all the extracts exhibited a moderate color intensity (++) for tannins and phenols. Spectrophotometric analysis of S. frutescens extracts revealed that all the organic extracts contained a significantly higher concentration (in mg/g of extract) of flavonols and tannins when compared to the aqueous extracts. All extracts contained approximately equal levels of phenols. These data confirm the presence of all four groups of bioactive phytocompounds in the S. frutescens extracts used in this study, and also confirm that different solvent extractants possess the capability to differentially extract specific groups of phytocompounds. in individual extracts. Further comparison of these compounds with online databases of anti-diabetic phytocompounds led to the preliminary identification of 10 possible anti-diabetic compounds; α-Pinene, Limonene, Sabinene, Carvone, Myricetin, Rutin, Stigmasterol, Emodin, Sarpagine and Hypoglycin B in crude and solid phase extraction (SPE) fractions of S. frutesecens. Furthermore, using two hepatic cell lines (Chang and HepG2) as an in-vtro model system, the anti-T2DM properties of crude aqueous and organic extracts of S. frutescents was investigated and compared. Both aqueous and organic extracts of S. frutescens were found to decrease gluconeogenesis, increase glucose uptake and decrease lipid accumulation (Triacylglycerol, Diacylglycerol, and Monoacylglycerol) in Chang and HepG2 hepatic cell cultures made insulin resistant (IR) following exposure to high concentration of insulin and fructose. Using real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), the aqueous and organic extracts of S. frutescens were confirmed to regulate the expression of Vesicle-associated membrane protein 3 (VAMP3), Mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (MAPK8), and Insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) in insulin resistant hepatic cells. IR-mediated downregulation of VAMP3, MAPK8, and IRS1 mRNA in IR HepG2 hepatic cell cultures was reversed in the presence of aqueous and organic extracts of S. frutescens. The hot aqueous extract displayed the highest activity in all the assays, while all the organic extracts displayed similar potency. In conclusion, this study reports that aqueous and organic extracts of S. frutescens possess numerous anti-diabetic compounds that can be further investigated for the development of new, more efficacious and less toxic anti-diabetic agents. The presence of multiple compounds in a single extract does suggest a synergistic or combinatorial therapeutic effect. These findings support the burgeoning body of in-vivo and in-vitro literature evidence on the anti-diabetic properties of S. frutescens and its use in folklore medicine.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
In vivo toxicological evaluation of peptide conjugated gold nanoparticles for potential application in colorectal cancer diagnosis
- Authors: Adewale, Olusola Bolaji
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Nanostructured materials -- Toxicology , Colon (Anatomy) -- Cancer Rectum -- Cancer
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50133 , vital:42050
- Description: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in South Africa and worldwide. Efforts are being made at finding improved diagnostic tools, as early detection (before metastasis) is a major factor in CRC treatment. Colonoscopy is the most reliable detection method, but is a specialised and expensive procedure, which is invasive, not readily available and not patient-friendly. There is a risk of developing interval cancers, as colonoscopies are performed every 10 years after the age of 40. The development of non-invasive, cost efficient and readily available diagnostic tools to CRC, which can be performed at more regular intervals, using tumour-targeting molecular imaging agents, is of urgent attention. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) possess several physicochemical properties, including ease of synthesis, biocompatibility, and the ability to be conjugated by ligands or biomolecules such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and peptides for improved stability, tissue targeting and selectivity. These factors potentiate the role in biomedical applications, including cancer theranostics. Conjugation of AuNPs with a targeting molecule (e.g. antibody or peptide) is directed against cancer cell receptors. The peptides, p.C, p.L, and p.14, bind to CRC cells in vitro. Conjugation of AuNPs with these peptides should be investigated for CRC diagnosis in vivo, as it is hypothesised to allow examinations at shorter intervals through imaging techniques. This could reduce the risk of interval cancers, but before developing this novel tool, in vivo toxicity evaluations are essential. This study was therefore aimed at investigating the short- and long-term toxicological effects of a single intravenous injection of peptides (p.C, p.L, and p.14) conjugated to AuNPs in a healthy rat model. Citrate-capped AuNPs were synthesised by the citrate-reduction method, and conjugated with each peptide (biotinylated) using a combination of PEG (99% PEG-OH and 1% PEG-biotin) as a stabilising agent and linker, via biotin-streptavidin interaction. Healthy male Wistar rats were intravenously injected with 14 nm citrate-AuNPs, PEG-, p.C-PEG, p.L-PEG, and p.14-PEG-AuNPs (100 μg/kg body weight), and the control rats were injected with phosphate buffered saline. The animals were monitored for behavioural, physiological, biochemical, haematological and histological changes, as well as inflammatory responses. Phase 1 rats were sacrificed 2 weeks post-injection to determine the immediate or acute toxicity of the AuNPs, while phase 2 animals were sacrificed 12 weeks post-injection, to investigate the delayed or persistence toxicity of the AuNPs. Results revealed no significant toxicities with the citrate, PEG-, p.C-PEG and p.14-PEG-AuNPs over 12 weeks post-exposure, as evidenced by biochemical assays such as serum marker enzymes, liver and kidney function markers, and cholestatic indicators; haematological parameters; oxidative stress markers; and histopathological examinations. P.L-PEG-AuNPs, however, caused significant toxicity (p<0.05) to rats, as evidenced by increased relative liver weight, increased malondialdehyde levels, and total white blood cell counts 2 weeks post-exposure when compared to the control group. This was, however, reversed during the 12 weeks post-exposure. Further, there were no evidence of inflammatory responses, using pro-inflammatory markers including phospho interleukin 18 (IL-18) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), as indicated by immunohistochemical staining of the liver, spleen, kidney and colon of rats 2 weeks post-injection of AuNPs. Citrate, PEG-, p.C-PEG, and p.14-PEG-AuNPs did not induce immediate, acute or persistent toxicity, while p.L-PEG-AuNPs induced a transient acute toxicity. It can be concluded that 14 nm spherical citrate-AuNPs at 100 μg/kg body weight is a good candidate for biomedical applications, and as a suitable carrier for diagnostic and/or therapeutic molecules. Combination of 99% PEG-OH and 1% PEG-biotin is an appropriate option for stabilising AuNPs in biological environment, and conjugating secondary diagnostic or therapeutic biomolecules or agents to citrate-capped AuNPs. Peptide-conjugated AuNPs are suitable for the development into a diagnostic tool for CRC in vivo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Adewale, Olusola Bolaji
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Nanostructured materials -- Toxicology , Colon (Anatomy) -- Cancer Rectum -- Cancer
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50133 , vital:42050
- Description: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in South Africa and worldwide. Efforts are being made at finding improved diagnostic tools, as early detection (before metastasis) is a major factor in CRC treatment. Colonoscopy is the most reliable detection method, but is a specialised and expensive procedure, which is invasive, not readily available and not patient-friendly. There is a risk of developing interval cancers, as colonoscopies are performed every 10 years after the age of 40. The development of non-invasive, cost efficient and readily available diagnostic tools to CRC, which can be performed at more regular intervals, using tumour-targeting molecular imaging agents, is of urgent attention. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) possess several physicochemical properties, including ease of synthesis, biocompatibility, and the ability to be conjugated by ligands or biomolecules such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and peptides for improved stability, tissue targeting and selectivity. These factors potentiate the role in biomedical applications, including cancer theranostics. Conjugation of AuNPs with a targeting molecule (e.g. antibody or peptide) is directed against cancer cell receptors. The peptides, p.C, p.L, and p.14, bind to CRC cells in vitro. Conjugation of AuNPs with these peptides should be investigated for CRC diagnosis in vivo, as it is hypothesised to allow examinations at shorter intervals through imaging techniques. This could reduce the risk of interval cancers, but before developing this novel tool, in vivo toxicity evaluations are essential. This study was therefore aimed at investigating the short- and long-term toxicological effects of a single intravenous injection of peptides (p.C, p.L, and p.14) conjugated to AuNPs in a healthy rat model. Citrate-capped AuNPs were synthesised by the citrate-reduction method, and conjugated with each peptide (biotinylated) using a combination of PEG (99% PEG-OH and 1% PEG-biotin) as a stabilising agent and linker, via biotin-streptavidin interaction. Healthy male Wistar rats were intravenously injected with 14 nm citrate-AuNPs, PEG-, p.C-PEG, p.L-PEG, and p.14-PEG-AuNPs (100 μg/kg body weight), and the control rats were injected with phosphate buffered saline. The animals were monitored for behavioural, physiological, biochemical, haematological and histological changes, as well as inflammatory responses. Phase 1 rats were sacrificed 2 weeks post-injection to determine the immediate or acute toxicity of the AuNPs, while phase 2 animals were sacrificed 12 weeks post-injection, to investigate the delayed or persistence toxicity of the AuNPs. Results revealed no significant toxicities with the citrate, PEG-, p.C-PEG and p.14-PEG-AuNPs over 12 weeks post-exposure, as evidenced by biochemical assays such as serum marker enzymes, liver and kidney function markers, and cholestatic indicators; haematological parameters; oxidative stress markers; and histopathological examinations. P.L-PEG-AuNPs, however, caused significant toxicity (p<0.05) to rats, as evidenced by increased relative liver weight, increased malondialdehyde levels, and total white blood cell counts 2 weeks post-exposure when compared to the control group. This was, however, reversed during the 12 weeks post-exposure. Further, there were no evidence of inflammatory responses, using pro-inflammatory markers including phospho interleukin 18 (IL-18) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), as indicated by immunohistochemical staining of the liver, spleen, kidney and colon of rats 2 weeks post-injection of AuNPs. Citrate, PEG-, p.C-PEG, and p.14-PEG-AuNPs did not induce immediate, acute or persistent toxicity, while p.L-PEG-AuNPs induced a transient acute toxicity. It can be concluded that 14 nm spherical citrate-AuNPs at 100 μg/kg body weight is a good candidate for biomedical applications, and as a suitable carrier for diagnostic and/or therapeutic molecules. Combination of 99% PEG-OH and 1% PEG-biotin is an appropriate option for stabilising AuNPs in biological environment, and conjugating secondary diagnostic or therapeutic biomolecules or agents to citrate-capped AuNPs. Peptide-conjugated AuNPs are suitable for the development into a diagnostic tool for CRC in vivo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Potential use of carbon nanotubes as a nanofiller for natural rubber latex condoms
- Authors: Agbakoba, Victor Chike
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Nanotubes , Rubber chemistry Nanocomposites (Materials) Nanostructured materials
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23393 , vital:30538
- Description: The recent advancement in the field of nano-technology has raised much interest in the area of natural rubber latex (NRL) processing. This interest stems from the exceptional properties of nano-material and the promising results obtained by several researchers. Studies have shown that very low loadings of inorganic nanomaterials such as carbon nanotube (CNT) in NRL matrix leads to enhanced tensile strength, tensile modulus, tear resistance and aberration resistance. Thus providing a great prospect for reinforcement of thin film NRL articles such as condom. In this research, prevulcanised natural rubber latex (PvNRL) composite blends containing single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were prepared via direct mixing. A progressive discolouration of PvNRL was observed with increased loadings of CNTs. Thermal analysis revealed faster drying rates for the composite blends containing SWCNT. Results from equilibrium swelling experiments also suggested a slight increase in crosslink density in the presence of SWCNT. There was a significant influence on flow behaviour of PvNRL as a result of varying loadings of SWCNT suspension. This was reflected as a change in pseudoplasticity and apparent viscosity. For Instance, apparent viscosity at a shear rate of 1 s-1 at 25°C for PvNRL with ~0.08% SWCNT was 2.5 Pa.s, compared to 0.49 Pa.s for the blends with 0.02% SWCNT. Condoms were moulded via the straight dipping technique using custom made glass formers. A series of dilutions was performed to correct the viscosity differences. This also ensured good consistency and promoted uniform deposition of PvNRL on the glass former. The average dimensions of the condoms produced in terms of length and width were ~191.17 ± 5.17 mm and 52.67 ± 5.17 mm respectively. Thickness measurement varied slightly according to the method of determination. The water leakage test suggested the absence of holes in the condoms produced. However, results from electrical leakage test contradicted those from water leak test. The results from infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) did not confirm the presence of chemical interactions between the SWCNT and PvNRL matrix. Glass transition temperature (Tg) was also unaffected across the blends. The stiffness (or modulus) was unaffected in all the condoms, as revealed by results from indentation hardness analysis. The SWCNT showed no significant influence on thermal decomposition temperatures of the condoms. Nonetheless, images from optical microscopy revealed increased surface roughness corresponding to higher loadings of SWCNT. Results from stress relaxation studies revealed improved retention of modulus under constant strain for condom samples containing SWCNT.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Agbakoba, Victor Chike
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Nanotubes , Rubber chemistry Nanocomposites (Materials) Nanostructured materials
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23393 , vital:30538
- Description: The recent advancement in the field of nano-technology has raised much interest in the area of natural rubber latex (NRL) processing. This interest stems from the exceptional properties of nano-material and the promising results obtained by several researchers. Studies have shown that very low loadings of inorganic nanomaterials such as carbon nanotube (CNT) in NRL matrix leads to enhanced tensile strength, tensile modulus, tear resistance and aberration resistance. Thus providing a great prospect for reinforcement of thin film NRL articles such as condom. In this research, prevulcanised natural rubber latex (PvNRL) composite blends containing single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were prepared via direct mixing. A progressive discolouration of PvNRL was observed with increased loadings of CNTs. Thermal analysis revealed faster drying rates for the composite blends containing SWCNT. Results from equilibrium swelling experiments also suggested a slight increase in crosslink density in the presence of SWCNT. There was a significant influence on flow behaviour of PvNRL as a result of varying loadings of SWCNT suspension. This was reflected as a change in pseudoplasticity and apparent viscosity. For Instance, apparent viscosity at a shear rate of 1 s-1 at 25°C for PvNRL with ~0.08% SWCNT was 2.5 Pa.s, compared to 0.49 Pa.s for the blends with 0.02% SWCNT. Condoms were moulded via the straight dipping technique using custom made glass formers. A series of dilutions was performed to correct the viscosity differences. This also ensured good consistency and promoted uniform deposition of PvNRL on the glass former. The average dimensions of the condoms produced in terms of length and width were ~191.17 ± 5.17 mm and 52.67 ± 5.17 mm respectively. Thickness measurement varied slightly according to the method of determination. The water leakage test suggested the absence of holes in the condoms produced. However, results from electrical leakage test contradicted those from water leak test. The results from infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) did not confirm the presence of chemical interactions between the SWCNT and PvNRL matrix. Glass transition temperature (Tg) was also unaffected across the blends. The stiffness (or modulus) was unaffected in all the condoms, as revealed by results from indentation hardness analysis. The SWCNT showed no significant influence on thermal decomposition temperatures of the condoms. Nonetheless, images from optical microscopy revealed increased surface roughness corresponding to higher loadings of SWCNT. Results from stress relaxation studies revealed improved retention of modulus under constant strain for condom samples containing SWCNT.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The contribution of the trade in medicinal plants to urban livelihoods: a case study of the informal markets in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Eastern Cape
- Ah Goo, Delia Felecia Stephanie
- Authors: Ah Goo, Delia Felecia Stephanie
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Informal sector (Economics) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Markets
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10654 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011601 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Informal sector (Economics) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Markets
- Description: The commercialisation of natural resources such as medicinal plants is a strategy that is increasingly being employed by poor people in developing countries such as South Africa, as a means of generating an income. Increasing economic hardship and a lack of employment opportunities in the formal sector of the economy has led to many urban dwellers seeking alternative means of meeting their everyday livelihood needs. Although the contribution of natural resources to subsistence economies is widely recognised, there are few studies that have examined the significance of the trade in medicinal plants to the livelihoods of poor and marginalised people. Thirty informal street traders were interviewed to investigate the role of the medicinal plant trade in sustaining the livelihoods of the traders who operate in the informal sector of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, South Africa. The findings of the research indicate that the sale and collection of medicinal plants is an activity which is exploited by people with limited resources, few skills, little or no education and often without any other source of household income. Middle-aged women from impoverished, single income households dominated the trade. Although income from the trade is modest, it contributed substantially to the total household cash income of the traders. Other benefits of the trade included independence and having a sense of purpose in life, as the traders felt that they were not only helping their families but also the wider community. However, without the income from the trade, many of the traders and their families would be destitute and thus the medicinal plant trade is vital to the wellbeing of these people.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ah Goo, Delia Felecia Stephanie
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Informal sector (Economics) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Markets
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10654 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011601 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Informal sector (Economics) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Markets
- Description: The commercialisation of natural resources such as medicinal plants is a strategy that is increasingly being employed by poor people in developing countries such as South Africa, as a means of generating an income. Increasing economic hardship and a lack of employment opportunities in the formal sector of the economy has led to many urban dwellers seeking alternative means of meeting their everyday livelihood needs. Although the contribution of natural resources to subsistence economies is widely recognised, there are few studies that have examined the significance of the trade in medicinal plants to the livelihoods of poor and marginalised people. Thirty informal street traders were interviewed to investigate the role of the medicinal plant trade in sustaining the livelihoods of the traders who operate in the informal sector of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, South Africa. The findings of the research indicate that the sale and collection of medicinal plants is an activity which is exploited by people with limited resources, few skills, little or no education and often without any other source of household income. Middle-aged women from impoverished, single income households dominated the trade. Although income from the trade is modest, it contributed substantially to the total household cash income of the traders. Other benefits of the trade included independence and having a sense of purpose in life, as the traders felt that they were not only helping their families but also the wider community. However, without the income from the trade, many of the traders and their families would be destitute and thus the medicinal plant trade is vital to the wellbeing of these people.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Statistical model for risk diversification in renewable energy
- Authors: Ahame, Edmund
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Renewable energy sources -- Statistics , Diversification in industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10564 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008399 , Renewable energy sources -- Statistics , Diversification in industry
- Description: The growth of the industry and population of South Africa urges to seek new sources of electric power, hence the need to look at alternative power sources. Power output from some renewable energy sources is highly volatile. For instance power output from wind turbines or photovoltaic solar panels fluctuates between zero and the maximum rated power out. To optimize the overall power output a model was designed to determine the best trade-off between production from two or more renewable energy sources putting emphasis on wind and solar. Different measures of risk, such as coefficient of variation (CV) and value at risk (VAR), were used to determine the best hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) configuration. Depending on the investors’ expected returns (demand) and risk averseness, they will be able to use the model to choose the best configuration that suites their needs. In general it was found that investing in a diversified HRES is better than investing in individual power sources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Ahame, Edmund
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Renewable energy sources -- Statistics , Diversification in industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10564 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008399 , Renewable energy sources -- Statistics , Diversification in industry
- Description: The growth of the industry and population of South Africa urges to seek new sources of electric power, hence the need to look at alternative power sources. Power output from some renewable energy sources is highly volatile. For instance power output from wind turbines or photovoltaic solar panels fluctuates between zero and the maximum rated power out. To optimize the overall power output a model was designed to determine the best trade-off between production from two or more renewable energy sources putting emphasis on wind and solar. Different measures of risk, such as coefficient of variation (CV) and value at risk (VAR), were used to determine the best hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) configuration. Depending on the investors’ expected returns (demand) and risk averseness, they will be able to use the model to choose the best configuration that suites their needs. In general it was found that investing in a diversified HRES is better than investing in individual power sources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Development of InSb/GaSb quantum dots by MOVPE
- Authors: Ahia, Chinedu Christian
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Semiconductors , Quantum electronics Organometallic compounds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23382 , vital:30537
- Description: There has been an increasing interest in the modification of semiconductor band structures through the reduction of their dimensions, which simultaneously increases the band gap energy of the material and gives rise to flexibility in device properties. Advances in III-V antimony (Sb) based semiconductor fabrication have triggered the quest for extension of the emission/absorption wavelength range of this family of compounds for optoelectronic devices operating in the mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. An interesting material system for mid-infrared (MIR) applications is indium antimonide (InSb) quantum dots (QDs) within a gallium antimonide (GaSb) matrix. However, its band alignment and emission wavelength has been the subject of some interest and controversy over the years. This study focuses on the development of InSb/GaSb QDs by metal organic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE). The samples were grown on different substrates using various growth parameters in order to vary the size, density and aspect ratio of the dots. Interfacial growth interruptions while flowing various source precursors through the reactor were investigated in order to influence the chemical termination of the surface, and hence the resulting strain in the structures. The samples were characterized using photoluminescence spectroscopy, scanning probe microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Likewise, the band alignment, energy levels, and carrier wave functions of the samples in this work were modelled theoretically using the nextnanomat software (version 3.1.0.0). A comparison of growth on two different GaSb substrates [(100) 2° off towards <111>B ± 0.1ᵒ and (111) ± 0.1ᵒ] using similar growth conditions yielded a higher dot density on the (100) substrate compared to the (111) substrate. This was attributed to the presence of terraces/atomic steps induced by the misorientation on the (100) substrate, which invariably gives rise to increased adsorption and an enhanced sticking coefficient of adatoms. Studies on the influence of a buffer layer on the morphology of uncapped dots showed that the shape and size of the dots are sensitive to the thickness of the buffer layer. In some case a corrugated buffer surface resulted, which introduced order in the arrangement of the dots, which formed preferentially inside the troughs. An increase in the V/III ratio from 1.0 to 3.0 was found to reduce the areal density of the QDs, while an analysis of the diameter histograms showed a narrowing of the size distribution with an increase in V/III ratio. The larger size distribution at low V/III was ascribed to the increase in indium species and the increased indium adatom migration length. This leads to increased dot density and nucleation sites, and thus triggers an increase in the conversion of tiny QDs into thermodynamically more suitable larger dots via coalescence. However, as the V/III ratio increased, the number of indium adatoms available for growth on the surface reduced, which automatically led to a decrease in the migration length of indium species which is unfavourable for the production of nucleation sites and to a decrease in dot density. Low growth rates were found to be beneficial for the growth of a high density (~5×1010cm-2) of QDs. Photoluminescence (PL) analysis of the capped samples at low temperature (~10 K), using an excitation power of 2 mW, showed a PL peak at ∼732 meV. Upon an increase in laser power to 120 mW, a blue shift of ∼ 8 meV was noticed. This emission typically persisted up to 60–70 K. An increase in the number of InSb QD-layers, was observed to cause an increase in the luminescence spectral line width and a long-wavelength shift of the PL lines, together with an enhancement in the strength of the PL emission. However, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) of the capped dots revealed the formation of an InGaSb quantum well-like structure, ∼10 nm thick, which was responsible for the PL signal mentioned above. The absence of QDs in the capped sample was attributed to inter-diffusion of Ga and In during the deposition of the cap layer, giving rise to a quantum well (QW) instead of the intended QDs. The presence of threading dislocations and stacking faults were also observed in the TEM micrographs of the samples containing multilayers, which can account for the fast quenching of the PL emission with increasing temperature from these samples. Theoretical simulations of the band alignment, wave functions and energy levels were in good agreement with the data collected from the PL spectra of the samples.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ahia, Chinedu Christian
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Semiconductors , Quantum electronics Organometallic compounds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23382 , vital:30537
- Description: There has been an increasing interest in the modification of semiconductor band structures through the reduction of their dimensions, which simultaneously increases the band gap energy of the material and gives rise to flexibility in device properties. Advances in III-V antimony (Sb) based semiconductor fabrication have triggered the quest for extension of the emission/absorption wavelength range of this family of compounds for optoelectronic devices operating in the mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. An interesting material system for mid-infrared (MIR) applications is indium antimonide (InSb) quantum dots (QDs) within a gallium antimonide (GaSb) matrix. However, its band alignment and emission wavelength has been the subject of some interest and controversy over the years. This study focuses on the development of InSb/GaSb QDs by metal organic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE). The samples were grown on different substrates using various growth parameters in order to vary the size, density and aspect ratio of the dots. Interfacial growth interruptions while flowing various source precursors through the reactor were investigated in order to influence the chemical termination of the surface, and hence the resulting strain in the structures. The samples were characterized using photoluminescence spectroscopy, scanning probe microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Likewise, the band alignment, energy levels, and carrier wave functions of the samples in this work were modelled theoretically using the nextnanomat software (version 3.1.0.0). A comparison of growth on two different GaSb substrates [(100) 2° off towards <111>B ± 0.1ᵒ and (111) ± 0.1ᵒ] using similar growth conditions yielded a higher dot density on the (100) substrate compared to the (111) substrate. This was attributed to the presence of terraces/atomic steps induced by the misorientation on the (100) substrate, which invariably gives rise to increased adsorption and an enhanced sticking coefficient of adatoms. Studies on the influence of a buffer layer on the morphology of uncapped dots showed that the shape and size of the dots are sensitive to the thickness of the buffer layer. In some case a corrugated buffer surface resulted, which introduced order in the arrangement of the dots, which formed preferentially inside the troughs. An increase in the V/III ratio from 1.0 to 3.0 was found to reduce the areal density of the QDs, while an analysis of the diameter histograms showed a narrowing of the size distribution with an increase in V/III ratio. The larger size distribution at low V/III was ascribed to the increase in indium species and the increased indium adatom migration length. This leads to increased dot density and nucleation sites, and thus triggers an increase in the conversion of tiny QDs into thermodynamically more suitable larger dots via coalescence. However, as the V/III ratio increased, the number of indium adatoms available for growth on the surface reduced, which automatically led to a decrease in the migration length of indium species which is unfavourable for the production of nucleation sites and to a decrease in dot density. Low growth rates were found to be beneficial for the growth of a high density (~5×1010cm-2) of QDs. Photoluminescence (PL) analysis of the capped samples at low temperature (~10 K), using an excitation power of 2 mW, showed a PL peak at ∼732 meV. Upon an increase in laser power to 120 mW, a blue shift of ∼ 8 meV was noticed. This emission typically persisted up to 60–70 K. An increase in the number of InSb QD-layers, was observed to cause an increase in the luminescence spectral line width and a long-wavelength shift of the PL lines, together with an enhancement in the strength of the PL emission. However, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) of the capped dots revealed the formation of an InGaSb quantum well-like structure, ∼10 nm thick, which was responsible for the PL signal mentioned above. The absence of QDs in the capped sample was attributed to inter-diffusion of Ga and In during the deposition of the cap layer, giving rise to a quantum well (QW) instead of the intended QDs. The presence of threading dislocations and stacking faults were also observed in the TEM micrographs of the samples containing multilayers, which can account for the fast quenching of the PL emission with increasing temperature from these samples. Theoretical simulations of the band alignment, wave functions and energy levels were in good agreement with the data collected from the PL spectra of the samples.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Scalable chemistry involving diazonium salts
- Authors: Akwi, Faith Mary
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Azo compounds -- Synthesis , Chemical processes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6909 , vital:21162
- Description: Herein an alternative approach aimed at reducing the cost of numbering up technique as a scale up strategy for chemical processes from the laboratory bench top to the industry is explored. The effect of increasing channel size on the reaction conversion of the synthesis of azo compounds is investigated. This was achieved via a systematic investigative understanding of the synthesis in microreactors where a proof of concept study was performed to determine the optimum reaction parameters in azo coupling reactions involving couplers with aminated or hydroxylated groups in Little Things Factory-MS microreactors (Channel diameter: 1.0 mm) It was found that at slightly alkaline conditions (pH 8.55) and at a temperature of 25 °C, excellent conversions were attained in the azo coupling reaction of the diazonium salt solution of 2,4-dimethylaniline to 2-naphthol. On the other hand, the azo coupling reaction of the diazonium salt solution of p-nitroaniline to diphenylamine was found to thrive at a pH of 5.71 and at a temperature of 25 °C. Using, these optimized reaction parameters, the in-situ and reactive quench of diazonium salts in LTF-MS microreactors was investigated where it was found that at a flow rate of 0.2 ml/min, 0.03 ml/min and 0.07 ml/min of diazotizable amine & HCl, sodium nitrite and coupler solutions respectively, a conversion of 98% is achieved in approximately 2.4 minutes. A library of azo compounds was thus generated under these reaction conditions from couplers with aminated or hydroxylated aromatic aromatic systems. The scaled up synthesis of these compounds in a homemade PTFE tubing (ID 1.5 mm) reactor system was thereafter investigated and comparable conversions were observed. Capitalizing on the benefits of a large surface area and the short molecular diffusion distances observed in microreactors, in-situ phase transfer catalyzed azo coupling reaction of diphenylamine to p-nitroaniline was also explored. In this investigation a rapid and easy optimization protocol that yielded a 99%, 22% and 33% conversion of diphenylamine, carbazole and triphenylamine respectively in approximately 2.4 minutes using Chemtrix microreactors was established. On increasing the microreactor channel internal diameter in the scaled up synthesis approach, it was found that a 0.5 mm increase in channel internal diameter does result in lower reaction conversions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Akwi, Faith Mary
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Azo compounds -- Synthesis , Chemical processes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6909 , vital:21162
- Description: Herein an alternative approach aimed at reducing the cost of numbering up technique as a scale up strategy for chemical processes from the laboratory bench top to the industry is explored. The effect of increasing channel size on the reaction conversion of the synthesis of azo compounds is investigated. This was achieved via a systematic investigative understanding of the synthesis in microreactors where a proof of concept study was performed to determine the optimum reaction parameters in azo coupling reactions involving couplers with aminated or hydroxylated groups in Little Things Factory-MS microreactors (Channel diameter: 1.0 mm) It was found that at slightly alkaline conditions (pH 8.55) and at a temperature of 25 °C, excellent conversions were attained in the azo coupling reaction of the diazonium salt solution of 2,4-dimethylaniline to 2-naphthol. On the other hand, the azo coupling reaction of the diazonium salt solution of p-nitroaniline to diphenylamine was found to thrive at a pH of 5.71 and at a temperature of 25 °C. Using, these optimized reaction parameters, the in-situ and reactive quench of diazonium salts in LTF-MS microreactors was investigated where it was found that at a flow rate of 0.2 ml/min, 0.03 ml/min and 0.07 ml/min of diazotizable amine & HCl, sodium nitrite and coupler solutions respectively, a conversion of 98% is achieved in approximately 2.4 minutes. A library of azo compounds was thus generated under these reaction conditions from couplers with aminated or hydroxylated aromatic aromatic systems. The scaled up synthesis of these compounds in a homemade PTFE tubing (ID 1.5 mm) reactor system was thereafter investigated and comparable conversions were observed. Capitalizing on the benefits of a large surface area and the short molecular diffusion distances observed in microreactors, in-situ phase transfer catalyzed azo coupling reaction of diphenylamine to p-nitroaniline was also explored. In this investigation a rapid and easy optimization protocol that yielded a 99%, 22% and 33% conversion of diphenylamine, carbazole and triphenylamine respectively in approximately 2.4 minutes using Chemtrix microreactors was established. On increasing the microreactor channel internal diameter in the scaled up synthesis approach, it was found that a 0.5 mm increase in channel internal diameter does result in lower reaction conversions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Creation of clay flameless burner for vaporizing an insect repellent containing pmd as an active ingredient
- Authors: Akwi, Faith Mary
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Insect baits and repellents , Montmorillonite
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10383 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008406 , Insect baits and repellents , Montmorillonite
- Description: Insecticide treated mosquito bed nets, insecticide aerosol sprays, repellent lotions and creams, repellent candles, vaporizable repellent essential oils, mosquito mats and coils are some of the many malaria personal protection tools that are in use. The latter of these measures are the most accessible and affordable options for the rural population in sub-Saharan Africa. It is therefore important to determine how effective these personal protection measures are by determining their ability to efficiently disperse an active ingredient when the protection measure is in use. In this study, a copper II oxide montmorillonite clay burner (CuOMontmorillonite clay burner) was created to vaporize repellent formulations containing various concentrations of p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) as the active ingredient with the aim of determining the percentage of the active ingredient that is released into the air and the rate of release. The performance of the CuO-Montmorillonite clay burner was also compared to that of the Lampe Berger fragrance burner (LBFB). In addition to this, the percentage of PMD released from 6 percentage wt PMD candles of diameters 40mm, 69mm and 83mm was determined and compared to that released when the CuO-Montmorillonite clay burner and Lampe Berger Fragrance burner where used to vaporize PMD repellent formulations. It was found that the rate of vaporization of the various PMD repellent formulations vaporized using the Lampe Berger fragrance burner is affected by the mass of PMD present in the repellent formulations. The 6 percentage wt PMD repellent candles released the least percentage of PMD as compared to that released when the CuO-Montmorillonite clay burner and the Lampe Berger fragrance burner were used to vaporize the PMD repellent formulations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Akwi, Faith Mary
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Insect baits and repellents , Montmorillonite
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10383 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008406 , Insect baits and repellents , Montmorillonite
- Description: Insecticide treated mosquito bed nets, insecticide aerosol sprays, repellent lotions and creams, repellent candles, vaporizable repellent essential oils, mosquito mats and coils are some of the many malaria personal protection tools that are in use. The latter of these measures are the most accessible and affordable options for the rural population in sub-Saharan Africa. It is therefore important to determine how effective these personal protection measures are by determining their ability to efficiently disperse an active ingredient when the protection measure is in use. In this study, a copper II oxide montmorillonite clay burner (CuOMontmorillonite clay burner) was created to vaporize repellent formulations containing various concentrations of p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) as the active ingredient with the aim of determining the percentage of the active ingredient that is released into the air and the rate of release. The performance of the CuO-Montmorillonite clay burner was also compared to that of the Lampe Berger fragrance burner (LBFB). In addition to this, the percentage of PMD released from 6 percentage wt PMD candles of diameters 40mm, 69mm and 83mm was determined and compared to that released when the CuO-Montmorillonite clay burner and Lampe Berger Fragrance burner where used to vaporize PMD repellent formulations. It was found that the rate of vaporization of the various PMD repellent formulations vaporized using the Lampe Berger fragrance burner is affected by the mass of PMD present in the repellent formulations. The 6 percentage wt PMD repellent candles released the least percentage of PMD as compared to that released when the CuO-Montmorillonite clay burner and the Lampe Berger fragrance burner were used to vaporize the PMD repellent formulations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Investigation of the performance of photovoltaic systems
- Authors: Alistoun, Warren James
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Photovoltaic power systems -- South Africa , Photovoltaic power generation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10517 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008396 , Photovoltaic power systems -- South Africa , Photovoltaic power generation -- South Africa
- Description: The main objective of this study was to investigate the performance of grid integrated PV systems. A data acquisition (DAQ) system was developed to monitor the performance of an existing grid integrated PV system with battery storage. This system is referred to as a grid assisted PV system. A data logger was used together with the inverters built in data logger to monitor environmental and electrical data on a grid tie PV system which was deployed during this study. To investigate the performance of these grid integrated PV systems PV and BOS device characterization was performed. This was achieved by using current voltage curve tracers and the DAQ system developed. Energy yield estimations were calculated referring to the literature review and a meteorological reference for comparison with measured energy yields from the grid tie PV system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Alistoun, Warren James
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Photovoltaic power systems -- South Africa , Photovoltaic power generation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10517 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008396 , Photovoltaic power systems -- South Africa , Photovoltaic power generation -- South Africa
- Description: The main objective of this study was to investigate the performance of grid integrated PV systems. A data acquisition (DAQ) system was developed to monitor the performance of an existing grid integrated PV system with battery storage. This system is referred to as a grid assisted PV system. A data logger was used together with the inverters built in data logger to monitor environmental and electrical data on a grid tie PV system which was deployed during this study. To investigate the performance of these grid integrated PV systems PV and BOS device characterization was performed. This was achieved by using current voltage curve tracers and the DAQ system developed. Energy yield estimations were calculated referring to the literature review and a meteorological reference for comparison with measured energy yields from the grid tie PV system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Gypsum deposits associated with the Whitehill Formation (Ecca Group) in the Steytlerville-Jansenville Area, Southern Karoo, South Africa
- Authors: Almanza, Roberto Daniel
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Gypsum -- South Africa Concretions -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15292 , vital:28215
- Description: The Steyterville-Jansenville gypsum field is one of South Africa’s smaller deposits, yet plays host to several gypsum mines, both past and present. This study aims to deconstruct the processes involved in the precipitation of various quantities and grades of gypsum in the lower Ecca Group of the Karoo Supergroup. The calcium and sulphate ions required to form the gypsum mineral (CaSO4•2H2O) are derived from the mid- to lower-shale of the Whitehill Formation, which is carbonate- and pyrite-rich. Gypsum formation is dependent on the availability of pyrite as opposed to calcite, which is in abundance throughout the 30m thick, Early Ufimian (late Permian) Whitehill Formation. Weathered shale, which has been folded and faulted, forms the host environment in which gypsum has precipitated. Folding of the shale occurs as a series of large- and medium-scale anticlines and synclines that strike east to west. These structures, which formed during the Cape Orogeny indicate that stresses were exerted from the south-southwest towards the north-northeast. Folded calcite veins surrounded by amorphous pyrite, observed in thin section suggest that pyrite and calcite were precipitated together prior to a deformation event. Oxidation of pyrite following these deformation events results in the concentration of sulphides within the hinge zones of the folds (weakest zone) and this is where the larger gypsum deposits are found at the surface. Carbonate concretions in the Whitehill Formation up to 5m in length and 3m in width are common in the study area, and suggest a relationship with the deposition of the shale whereby calcium-rich nuclei grew in a concentric fashion during a non-depositional hiatus period. This period is also associated with a higher concentration of pyrite and could explain the occurrence of concretions together with adjacent gypsum-rich shale. Pyrite framboids observed under the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) provide evidence to suggest concentric growth of initially deposited microcrystals including nucleation and growth of nodules and concretions observed within the Whitehill Formation. Prerequisites for gypsum formation also include restricted drainage such as a pan, a clay layer in the drainage area and an arid climate where evaporation exceeds precipitation. The preferred surface conditions for gypsum formation would be low-lying areas which are surrounded by gently-sloping topography promoting the concentration of aqueous solutions in a calcite- and pyrite-rich area. Groundwater solution would initially dissolve the calcite and clay minerals, and pyrite and the quartz minerals would remain in the host rock. Areas with greater calcite and clay pores would accommodate more groundwater and thus promote a greater surface area for chemical reactions. This enhances the potential for the oxidation of pyrite to form sulphate ions, which can later combine with calcium ions to precipitate gypsum crystals. Alternatively, the oxidation of pyrite, which produces acidity, dissolves the carbonate host and the calcium- and sulphate-rich solution then precipitates gypsum. The combination of the structural and geomorphological processes is key to the formation of economic gypsum deposits. The potential for extensive gypsum reserves within the Steytlerville-Jansenville field remains valid, provided the target is located over a predominantly weathered Whitehill Formation outcrop, preferably in an area which has undergone extensive deformation (such as a fold hinge zone), and is favourable for the concentration of ground and surface water within a low-lying area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Almanza, Roberto Daniel
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Gypsum -- South Africa Concretions -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15292 , vital:28215
- Description: The Steyterville-Jansenville gypsum field is one of South Africa’s smaller deposits, yet plays host to several gypsum mines, both past and present. This study aims to deconstruct the processes involved in the precipitation of various quantities and grades of gypsum in the lower Ecca Group of the Karoo Supergroup. The calcium and sulphate ions required to form the gypsum mineral (CaSO4•2H2O) are derived from the mid- to lower-shale of the Whitehill Formation, which is carbonate- and pyrite-rich. Gypsum formation is dependent on the availability of pyrite as opposed to calcite, which is in abundance throughout the 30m thick, Early Ufimian (late Permian) Whitehill Formation. Weathered shale, which has been folded and faulted, forms the host environment in which gypsum has precipitated. Folding of the shale occurs as a series of large- and medium-scale anticlines and synclines that strike east to west. These structures, which formed during the Cape Orogeny indicate that stresses were exerted from the south-southwest towards the north-northeast. Folded calcite veins surrounded by amorphous pyrite, observed in thin section suggest that pyrite and calcite were precipitated together prior to a deformation event. Oxidation of pyrite following these deformation events results in the concentration of sulphides within the hinge zones of the folds (weakest zone) and this is where the larger gypsum deposits are found at the surface. Carbonate concretions in the Whitehill Formation up to 5m in length and 3m in width are common in the study area, and suggest a relationship with the deposition of the shale whereby calcium-rich nuclei grew in a concentric fashion during a non-depositional hiatus period. This period is also associated with a higher concentration of pyrite and could explain the occurrence of concretions together with adjacent gypsum-rich shale. Pyrite framboids observed under the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) provide evidence to suggest concentric growth of initially deposited microcrystals including nucleation and growth of nodules and concretions observed within the Whitehill Formation. Prerequisites for gypsum formation also include restricted drainage such as a pan, a clay layer in the drainage area and an arid climate where evaporation exceeds precipitation. The preferred surface conditions for gypsum formation would be low-lying areas which are surrounded by gently-sloping topography promoting the concentration of aqueous solutions in a calcite- and pyrite-rich area. Groundwater solution would initially dissolve the calcite and clay minerals, and pyrite and the quartz minerals would remain in the host rock. Areas with greater calcite and clay pores would accommodate more groundwater and thus promote a greater surface area for chemical reactions. This enhances the potential for the oxidation of pyrite to form sulphate ions, which can later combine with calcium ions to precipitate gypsum crystals. Alternatively, the oxidation of pyrite, which produces acidity, dissolves the carbonate host and the calcium- and sulphate-rich solution then precipitates gypsum. The combination of the structural and geomorphological processes is key to the formation of economic gypsum deposits. The potential for extensive gypsum reserves within the Steytlerville-Jansenville field remains valid, provided the target is located over a predominantly weathered Whitehill Formation outcrop, preferably in an area which has undergone extensive deformation (such as a fold hinge zone), and is favourable for the concentration of ground and surface water within a low-lying area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An architecutre for the effective use of mobile devices in supporting contact learning
- Authors: Alnseerat, Nemr
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Mobile communication systems in education , Educational technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10490 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020079
- Description: The features and capacities of mobile devices offer a wide range of significant opportunities for providing learning content in workplaces and educational institutions. This new approach of teaching, called mobile learning, allows for the delivery of learning content on the move at any time. Mobile learning supports learning by producing learning content to learners in a modern and acceptable way. The number of mobile learning applications has increased rapidly in educational environments. There are, however, limited mobile learning applications that take advantage of mobile devices to support contact learning in the classroom environment. The aim of this research was to design a mobile learning architecture to effectively support contact learning in the classroom. The researcher investigated the historical and theoretical background of mobile learning and reported these findings. This included an overview of existing mobile learning architectures. After identifying their limitations, the researcher designed the Contact Instruction Mobile Learning Architecture (CIMLA) to facilitate the use of mobile devices in the classroom. The researcher developed the LiveLearning prototype based on the proposed architecture as a proof of concept. He conducted a usability evaluation in order to determine the usability of LiveLearning. The results indicated that the LiveLearning prototype is effective in supporting contact learning in the classroom.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Alnseerat, Nemr
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Mobile communication systems in education , Educational technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10490 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020079
- Description: The features and capacities of mobile devices offer a wide range of significant opportunities for providing learning content in workplaces and educational institutions. This new approach of teaching, called mobile learning, allows for the delivery of learning content on the move at any time. Mobile learning supports learning by producing learning content to learners in a modern and acceptable way. The number of mobile learning applications has increased rapidly in educational environments. There are, however, limited mobile learning applications that take advantage of mobile devices to support contact learning in the classroom environment. The aim of this research was to design a mobile learning architecture to effectively support contact learning in the classroom. The researcher investigated the historical and theoretical background of mobile learning and reported these findings. This included an overview of existing mobile learning architectures. After identifying their limitations, the researcher designed the Contact Instruction Mobile Learning Architecture (CIMLA) to facilitate the use of mobile devices in the classroom. The researcher developed the LiveLearning prototype based on the proposed architecture as a proof of concept. He conducted a usability evaluation in order to determine the usability of LiveLearning. The results indicated that the LiveLearning prototype is effective in supporting contact learning in the classroom.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
A natural user interface architecture using gestures to facilitate the detection of fundamental movement skills
- Authors: Amanzi, Richard
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Human activity recognition , Human-computer interaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6204 , vital:21055
- Description: Fundamental movement skills (FMSs) are considered to be one of the essential phases of motor skill development. The proper development of FMSs allows children to participate in more advanced forms of movements and sports. To be able to perform an FMS correctly, children need to learn the right way of performing it. By making use of technology, a system can be developed that can help facilitate the learning of FMSs. The objective of the research was to propose an effective natural user interface (NUI) architecture for detecting FMSs using the Kinect. In order to achieve the stated objective, an investigation into FMSs and the challenges faced when teaching them was presented. An investigation into NUIs was also presented including the merits of the Kinect as the most appropriate device to be used to facilitate the detection of an FMS. An NUI architecture was proposed that uses the Kinect to facilitate the detection of an FMS. A framework was implemented from the design of the architecture. The successful implementation of the framework provides evidence that the design of the proposed architecture is feasible. An instance of the framework incorporating the jump FMS was used as a case study in the development of a prototype that detects the correct and incorrect performance of a jump. The evaluation of the prototype proved the following: - The developed prototype was effective in detecting the correct and incorrect performance of the jump FMS; and - The implemented framework was robust for the incorporation of an FMS. The successful implementation of the prototype shows that an effective NUI architecture using the Kinect can be used to facilitate the detection of FMSs. The proposed architecture provides a structured way of developing a system using the Kinect to facilitate the detection of FMSs. This allows developers to add future FMSs to the system. This dissertation therefore makes the following contributions: - An experimental design to evaluate the effectiveness of a prototype that detects FMSs - A robust framework that incorporates FMSs; and - An effective NUI architecture to facilitate the detection of fundamental movement skills using the Kinect.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Amanzi, Richard
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Human activity recognition , Human-computer interaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6204 , vital:21055
- Description: Fundamental movement skills (FMSs) are considered to be one of the essential phases of motor skill development. The proper development of FMSs allows children to participate in more advanced forms of movements and sports. To be able to perform an FMS correctly, children need to learn the right way of performing it. By making use of technology, a system can be developed that can help facilitate the learning of FMSs. The objective of the research was to propose an effective natural user interface (NUI) architecture for detecting FMSs using the Kinect. In order to achieve the stated objective, an investigation into FMSs and the challenges faced when teaching them was presented. An investigation into NUIs was also presented including the merits of the Kinect as the most appropriate device to be used to facilitate the detection of an FMS. An NUI architecture was proposed that uses the Kinect to facilitate the detection of an FMS. A framework was implemented from the design of the architecture. The successful implementation of the framework provides evidence that the design of the proposed architecture is feasible. An instance of the framework incorporating the jump FMS was used as a case study in the development of a prototype that detects the correct and incorrect performance of a jump. The evaluation of the prototype proved the following: - The developed prototype was effective in detecting the correct and incorrect performance of the jump FMS; and - The implemented framework was robust for the incorporation of an FMS. The successful implementation of the prototype shows that an effective NUI architecture using the Kinect can be used to facilitate the detection of FMSs. The proposed architecture provides a structured way of developing a system using the Kinect to facilitate the detection of FMSs. This allows developers to add future FMSs to the system. This dissertation therefore makes the following contributions: - An experimental design to evaluate the effectiveness of a prototype that detects FMSs - A robust framework that incorporates FMSs; and - An effective NUI architecture to facilitate the detection of fundamental movement skills using the Kinect.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The effect of ozone on the production of broiler
- Authors: Amwele, Hilma Rantilla
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Broilers (Chickens) , Ozone
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10585 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/226 , Broilers (Chickens) , Ozone
- Description: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of ozone (O3) on mature body weight (MBW), feed conversion rate (FCR), mortality rate (MR) and ammonia (NH3) production of broiler chickens (referred to as “broilers” in this thesis) under controlled conditions. Ozone was used for the purifying of air and water in order to eliminate harmful microorganisms. Two trials were conducted over a twelve week production period. In experiment 1, day old broiler chicks were randomly allocated to a control (n=130) and treatment (n=130) group. The treatment groups were exposed to ozone continuously for the entire period of the trial. Both air and water were ozonated on a 24 hours daily basis, while the control group was reared under normal commercial conditions. In experiment 2: day old broiler chicks were randomly allocated to a control (n=123) and a treatment (n=123) group. The treatment group was exposed to ozone for 3 hours per day for the entire period of the trial. Both air and water were ozonated, where the air was treated for 3 hours/day and the water for 1 hour/day during the entire production period. The control group was reared under normal commercial conditions. The results indicate that broilers exposed to continuous O3 (0.1 ppm) conditions had significantly higher (P< 0.001) mortality rates than the control group. The treatment group had a mortality rate of 55.38% compared to the 5.38% for the control group. No significant difference (P= 0. 2468) for MBW was found between the broilers that were reared in the O3 environment compared to the control iii group. Although the control group were on average 200g heavier at the end of the trial. No significant difference (p = 0. 6143) was recorded in FCR between the O3 and control groups. However the FCR of the broilers treated with O3 was lower by 100g than that of the control group. The O3 significantly (P< 0. 0001) reduced the NH3 in the treatment group. When the trial was repeated with limited exposure to an O3 environment there was no significant difference in MBW (P = 0. 0979), FCR (P = 0. 8913) and MR (P = 0. 1108) between the treatment and control groups. However, ammonia levels were lower in the treatment group compared to the control group. When the data was further analyzed comparing the two trials, the results indicated that there was no significant difference (P = 0. 4112) in the MBW for the broilers reared under normal conditions (control group) from experiment 1 and experiment 2, while a significant difference (P = 0. 0002) was recorded between the broilers reared under continuous O3 and regulated O3 conditions from experiment 1 and experiment 2 respectively. When the FCR data was analyzed using the Gompertz equation a significant difference (P = 0.0403) in the FCR of broilers reared in the control group between experiment 1 and experiment 2 was recorded (Table 8). No significant difference (P = 0.3226) in the FCR of broilers raised under O3 conditions of continuous and regulated O3 production were reported between experiment 1 and experiment 2. A highly significant difference (P = 0. 0001) in the MR of broilers reared under ozone conditions was recorded between experiment 1 and experiment 2. In experiment 1, the MR was 55.38% while in experiment 2 the MR was only 8.78%. A significant difference (P = 0.0355) was also recorded in the MR of broilers that iv were raised in the control groups between experiment 1 and experiment 2. The MR for broilers in the control group was 5.38% in experiment 1 and for experiment 2 it was 9.74%. The mortality rate of broilers raised in the control groups conditions increased by approximately 4% points or 81% between experiment 1 and experiment 2. The level (0.1 ppm) of ozone production had a limited effect on the MBW and FCR of broilers, however it is evident that ozone is toxic to broilers when they are exposed to a continuous ozonated environment. Ozone was however effective in controlling ammonia levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Amwele, Hilma Rantilla
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Broilers (Chickens) , Ozone
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10585 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/226 , Broilers (Chickens) , Ozone
- Description: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of ozone (O3) on mature body weight (MBW), feed conversion rate (FCR), mortality rate (MR) and ammonia (NH3) production of broiler chickens (referred to as “broilers” in this thesis) under controlled conditions. Ozone was used for the purifying of air and water in order to eliminate harmful microorganisms. Two trials were conducted over a twelve week production period. In experiment 1, day old broiler chicks were randomly allocated to a control (n=130) and treatment (n=130) group. The treatment groups were exposed to ozone continuously for the entire period of the trial. Both air and water were ozonated on a 24 hours daily basis, while the control group was reared under normal commercial conditions. In experiment 2: day old broiler chicks were randomly allocated to a control (n=123) and a treatment (n=123) group. The treatment group was exposed to ozone for 3 hours per day for the entire period of the trial. Both air and water were ozonated, where the air was treated for 3 hours/day and the water for 1 hour/day during the entire production period. The control group was reared under normal commercial conditions. The results indicate that broilers exposed to continuous O3 (0.1 ppm) conditions had significantly higher (P< 0.001) mortality rates than the control group. The treatment group had a mortality rate of 55.38% compared to the 5.38% for the control group. No significant difference (P= 0. 2468) for MBW was found between the broilers that were reared in the O3 environment compared to the control iii group. Although the control group were on average 200g heavier at the end of the trial. No significant difference (p = 0. 6143) was recorded in FCR between the O3 and control groups. However the FCR of the broilers treated with O3 was lower by 100g than that of the control group. The O3 significantly (P< 0. 0001) reduced the NH3 in the treatment group. When the trial was repeated with limited exposure to an O3 environment there was no significant difference in MBW (P = 0. 0979), FCR (P = 0. 8913) and MR (P = 0. 1108) between the treatment and control groups. However, ammonia levels were lower in the treatment group compared to the control group. When the data was further analyzed comparing the two trials, the results indicated that there was no significant difference (P = 0. 4112) in the MBW for the broilers reared under normal conditions (control group) from experiment 1 and experiment 2, while a significant difference (P = 0. 0002) was recorded between the broilers reared under continuous O3 and regulated O3 conditions from experiment 1 and experiment 2 respectively. When the FCR data was analyzed using the Gompertz equation a significant difference (P = 0.0403) in the FCR of broilers reared in the control group between experiment 1 and experiment 2 was recorded (Table 8). No significant difference (P = 0.3226) in the FCR of broilers raised under O3 conditions of continuous and regulated O3 production were reported between experiment 1 and experiment 2. A highly significant difference (P = 0. 0001) in the MR of broilers reared under ozone conditions was recorded between experiment 1 and experiment 2. In experiment 1, the MR was 55.38% while in experiment 2 the MR was only 8.78%. A significant difference (P = 0.0355) was also recorded in the MR of broilers that iv were raised in the control groups between experiment 1 and experiment 2. The MR for broilers in the control group was 5.38% in experiment 1 and for experiment 2 it was 9.74%. The mortality rate of broilers raised in the control groups conditions increased by approximately 4% points or 81% between experiment 1 and experiment 2. The level (0.1 ppm) of ozone production had a limited effect on the MBW and FCR of broilers, however it is evident that ozone is toxic to broilers when they are exposed to a continuous ozonated environment. Ozone was however effective in controlling ammonia levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
A hybrid approach to beach erosion mitigation and amenity enhancement, St Francis Bay, South Africa
- Authors: Anderson, Dylan Rory
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Beach erosion -- South Africa -- St Francis Bay , Shore protection -- South Africa -- St Francis Bay , Restoration ecology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10611 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008192 , Beach erosion -- South Africa -- St Francis Bay , Shore protection -- South Africa -- St Francis Bay , Restoration ecology
- Description: The St Francis Bay beach has experienced chronic erosion over the past three decades. This erosion can largely be attributed to the stabilisation of a large coastal dunefield which contributed +/- 80 percent of the sand supply to St Francis Bay. Stabilisation began in 1975 initially using plant cuttings and followed by the development of the Santareme holiday suburb resulting in complete stabilisation by 1985. Effects were felt from the late 1970‟s and since then the beach has retreated at between 0.5 - 3 m.yr-1. Erosion has encroached on beachfront properties since the early 1990‟s, leading to the placement of 3-4 m high unsightly rock revetments along much of the beach. Where properly maintained these structures have proved successful in protecting the properties behind, however exacerbated erosion of areas in front and adjacent to these structures is evident. Currently no dry beach is present at high tide for most of the year, leading to a significant reduction in beach amenity value. Several technical studies to investigate remediation of this beach erosion problem have been conducted since the early 1990‟s. This study includes investigations into the processes and dynamics of the existing environment and evaluation of the effectiveness and impacts of several elements of a hybrid approach to coastal protection and amenity enhancement for St Francis Bay beach. This proposal incorporated: Multi-Purpose Reefs (MPR‟s) offshore, for coastal protection and amenity enhancement in terms of surfing; beach nourishment with sand from the Kromme Estuary and dune rehabilitation with appropriate native sand binding species. Extensive fieldwork and data collection were conducted, this included: a series of bathymetric surveys; diving surveys and a helicopter flight; sediment sampling; beach profiling and deployment of a wave/current meter. Analysis of these data provided a greater understanding of the existing environment and dynamics of St Francis Bay and provided reliable inputs for numerical modelling. Numerical and physical modelling was conducted to assess the existing processes and conduct MPR design testing. In addition calibrated hydrodynamic modelling of the Kromme Estuary was conducted in order to assess the impacts of sand extraction from the large sand banks within the mouth of the Kromme Estuary for use as beach nourishment. Comparison of bathymetric survey data collected by the author in 2005/06 with survey data collected by the South African Navy Hydrographic Office (SANHO) in 1952 suggest a major loss of sand from the bay, with a volume difference of some 8.8 X 106 m3 calculated. Greater losses were measured between 10-15 m water depths, with shallow areas of +/- 5 m water depth, remaining more stable. This can be attributed to the presence of shallow reef and rocky substrate through much of the bay at this depth range. Monthly RTK GPS survey data from September 2006 to September 2007 indicates a total loss of 40 000 m3 over this period with the greatest losses measured along the northern part of the beach. The greatest losses were measured after large long period waves from a southerly to south-easterly direction occurred in conjunction with equinox tides in mid March 2007. Sediment sampling at over 100 locations within the bay indicated a high percentage of reef (26 percent) and fairly consistent grain size in the fine to medium size class throughout much of the beach, bay and large sand bank within the estuary. While the majority of the South African Coast is exposed to the predominant south westerly winds and waves, St Francis Bay‟s orientation means that waves from a south easterly to easterly direction dominate. The results of the detailed numerical modelling of the hydrodynamics agree with previous calculations and modelling results which concluded that strong unidirectional longshore currents occur along the headland due to the oblique angle of wave incidence and the close to parallel angle of wave incidence along the beach leads to weak longshore currents of variable direction. Erosion along St Francis Bay beach is a result of cross-shore erosion due to large waves from a southerly to easterly direction. Detached breakwaters are the most effective form of coastal protection in these environments and MPR‟s offer additional benefits over traditional breakwater structures. Results of empirical calculations and numerical modelling indicate that the MPR‟s will provide effective coastal protection through the processes of wave dissipation, wave rotation, salient formation and alteration of nearshore circulation. Physical modelling results allowed the MPR design to be assessed and refined in terms of surfing amenity enhancement and construction constraints. In addition numerical modelling results indicate that impacts due to the extraction of up to 600 000 m3 of sand from the lower Kromme Estuary result in highly localised velocity reduction, mainly limited to the extraction areas. The calculated rate of sediment influx into the lower Kromme Estuary indicates that limited extraction, in the order of 20 000 – 40 000 m3 per year, should be sustainable in the long term. Sedimentation of the lower estuary over recent years has had negative recreational and ecological impacts, through reduced navigability and water exchange respectively. Therefore both the estuary and beach systems prove to benefit from this approach. Although not investigated in detail as part of this study, evidence from numerous projects worldwide indicates that foredunes help to trap wind-blown sand on the beach and form a buffer to storm erosion, therefore dune rehabilitation with native sand-binding plant species was recommended as the third element of the proposed remediation of St Francis Bay beach.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Anderson, Dylan Rory
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Beach erosion -- South Africa -- St Francis Bay , Shore protection -- South Africa -- St Francis Bay , Restoration ecology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10611 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008192 , Beach erosion -- South Africa -- St Francis Bay , Shore protection -- South Africa -- St Francis Bay , Restoration ecology
- Description: The St Francis Bay beach has experienced chronic erosion over the past three decades. This erosion can largely be attributed to the stabilisation of a large coastal dunefield which contributed +/- 80 percent of the sand supply to St Francis Bay. Stabilisation began in 1975 initially using plant cuttings and followed by the development of the Santareme holiday suburb resulting in complete stabilisation by 1985. Effects were felt from the late 1970‟s and since then the beach has retreated at between 0.5 - 3 m.yr-1. Erosion has encroached on beachfront properties since the early 1990‟s, leading to the placement of 3-4 m high unsightly rock revetments along much of the beach. Where properly maintained these structures have proved successful in protecting the properties behind, however exacerbated erosion of areas in front and adjacent to these structures is evident. Currently no dry beach is present at high tide for most of the year, leading to a significant reduction in beach amenity value. Several technical studies to investigate remediation of this beach erosion problem have been conducted since the early 1990‟s. This study includes investigations into the processes and dynamics of the existing environment and evaluation of the effectiveness and impacts of several elements of a hybrid approach to coastal protection and amenity enhancement for St Francis Bay beach. This proposal incorporated: Multi-Purpose Reefs (MPR‟s) offshore, for coastal protection and amenity enhancement in terms of surfing; beach nourishment with sand from the Kromme Estuary and dune rehabilitation with appropriate native sand binding species. Extensive fieldwork and data collection were conducted, this included: a series of bathymetric surveys; diving surveys and a helicopter flight; sediment sampling; beach profiling and deployment of a wave/current meter. Analysis of these data provided a greater understanding of the existing environment and dynamics of St Francis Bay and provided reliable inputs for numerical modelling. Numerical and physical modelling was conducted to assess the existing processes and conduct MPR design testing. In addition calibrated hydrodynamic modelling of the Kromme Estuary was conducted in order to assess the impacts of sand extraction from the large sand banks within the mouth of the Kromme Estuary for use as beach nourishment. Comparison of bathymetric survey data collected by the author in 2005/06 with survey data collected by the South African Navy Hydrographic Office (SANHO) in 1952 suggest a major loss of sand from the bay, with a volume difference of some 8.8 X 106 m3 calculated. Greater losses were measured between 10-15 m water depths, with shallow areas of +/- 5 m water depth, remaining more stable. This can be attributed to the presence of shallow reef and rocky substrate through much of the bay at this depth range. Monthly RTK GPS survey data from September 2006 to September 2007 indicates a total loss of 40 000 m3 over this period with the greatest losses measured along the northern part of the beach. The greatest losses were measured after large long period waves from a southerly to south-easterly direction occurred in conjunction with equinox tides in mid March 2007. Sediment sampling at over 100 locations within the bay indicated a high percentage of reef (26 percent) and fairly consistent grain size in the fine to medium size class throughout much of the beach, bay and large sand bank within the estuary. While the majority of the South African Coast is exposed to the predominant south westerly winds and waves, St Francis Bay‟s orientation means that waves from a south easterly to easterly direction dominate. The results of the detailed numerical modelling of the hydrodynamics agree with previous calculations and modelling results which concluded that strong unidirectional longshore currents occur along the headland due to the oblique angle of wave incidence and the close to parallel angle of wave incidence along the beach leads to weak longshore currents of variable direction. Erosion along St Francis Bay beach is a result of cross-shore erosion due to large waves from a southerly to easterly direction. Detached breakwaters are the most effective form of coastal protection in these environments and MPR‟s offer additional benefits over traditional breakwater structures. Results of empirical calculations and numerical modelling indicate that the MPR‟s will provide effective coastal protection through the processes of wave dissipation, wave rotation, salient formation and alteration of nearshore circulation. Physical modelling results allowed the MPR design to be assessed and refined in terms of surfing amenity enhancement and construction constraints. In addition numerical modelling results indicate that impacts due to the extraction of up to 600 000 m3 of sand from the lower Kromme Estuary result in highly localised velocity reduction, mainly limited to the extraction areas. The calculated rate of sediment influx into the lower Kromme Estuary indicates that limited extraction, in the order of 20 000 – 40 000 m3 per year, should be sustainable in the long term. Sedimentation of the lower estuary over recent years has had negative recreational and ecological impacts, through reduced navigability and water exchange respectively. Therefore both the estuary and beach systems prove to benefit from this approach. Although not investigated in detail as part of this study, evidence from numerous projects worldwide indicates that foredunes help to trap wind-blown sand on the beach and form a buffer to storm erosion, therefore dune rehabilitation with native sand-binding plant species was recommended as the third element of the proposed remediation of St Francis Bay beach.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
The evolution of the Lepilemuridae-Cheirogaleidae clade
- Authors: Andrews, Curswan Allan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Lemurs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40216 , vital:35989
- Description: The Lepilemuridae and the Cheirogaleidae, according to recent molecular reconstructions, share a more recent common ancestor than previously thought. Further phylogenetic reconstructions have indicated that body size evolution in this clade was marked by repeated dwarfing events that coincided with changes in the environment. I aimed to investigate the morphological implications of changes in body size within the Lepilemur-cheirogaleid clade, testing four predictions. Together with Dr. Couette, I collected data on the overall palate shape and predicted that shape is likely to be influenced by several factors including phylogeny, body size and diet. Geometric morphometric analyses revealed that, although a strong phylogenetic signal was detected, diet had the major effect on palate shape. In a similar vein, when examining the arterial circulation patterns in these taxa, I predicted that changes in body size would result in changes and possible reductions in arterial size, particularly the internal carotid artery (ICA) and stapedial artery (SA). Analyses with micro-computed tomography (CT) and 3D imaging indicated that changes in body size led to reduction of a functional stapedial artery in Lepilemur, making it an intermediate stage between the daubentoniid, lemurid and indriid species with large stapedial arteries, and the smaller bodied cheirogaleids with an alternative blood supply in the form of an enlarged ascending pharyngeal artery. Lepilemur is the smallest living folivorous primate, and likely to be at the threshold body size to be able to subsist on such a poor diet. To investigate shifts in dietary patterns that accompanied changes in body size, I chose to explore the reported behaviour of caecotrophy as a possible means for the sportive lemurs to derive additional nutrient from their food sources. I predicted that, if caecotrophy is a way to assist folivory at small body size, the energy contained in “caecotrophic” and latrine faecal samples should be different. Analyses showed significant iv differences between the two types of faeces and, combined with an analysis of faecal bacterial diversity, support the occurrence of caecotrophy. Finally, I compared the digestive efficiency of two small, distantly related gummivorous primates that evolved their diets convergently. I studied the digestion of gum in Microcebus griseorufus and compared this with gum digestion in Galago moholi. I predicted that an evolutionary disposition to fermentation inherited from a folivorous ancestor would aid in the digestion of gum in mouse lemurs. Results indicated that retention time was prolonged by the presence of secondary compounds in Microcebus fed with Commiphora gum but relatively shorter (< 24 hrs) when fed Alantsilodenron gum, a preferred food. Despite the fact that G. moholi has an ansa coli, which is missing in M. griseorufus species, both are highly efficient at digesting gum. These data provide some of the first indicators of how dietary changes from a larger-bodied folivorous ancestor to partially gummivorous, small-bodied descendants may have occurred in evolutionary time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Andrews, Curswan Allan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Lemurs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40216 , vital:35989
- Description: The Lepilemuridae and the Cheirogaleidae, according to recent molecular reconstructions, share a more recent common ancestor than previously thought. Further phylogenetic reconstructions have indicated that body size evolution in this clade was marked by repeated dwarfing events that coincided with changes in the environment. I aimed to investigate the morphological implications of changes in body size within the Lepilemur-cheirogaleid clade, testing four predictions. Together with Dr. Couette, I collected data on the overall palate shape and predicted that shape is likely to be influenced by several factors including phylogeny, body size and diet. Geometric morphometric analyses revealed that, although a strong phylogenetic signal was detected, diet had the major effect on palate shape. In a similar vein, when examining the arterial circulation patterns in these taxa, I predicted that changes in body size would result in changes and possible reductions in arterial size, particularly the internal carotid artery (ICA) and stapedial artery (SA). Analyses with micro-computed tomography (CT) and 3D imaging indicated that changes in body size led to reduction of a functional stapedial artery in Lepilemur, making it an intermediate stage between the daubentoniid, lemurid and indriid species with large stapedial arteries, and the smaller bodied cheirogaleids with an alternative blood supply in the form of an enlarged ascending pharyngeal artery. Lepilemur is the smallest living folivorous primate, and likely to be at the threshold body size to be able to subsist on such a poor diet. To investigate shifts in dietary patterns that accompanied changes in body size, I chose to explore the reported behaviour of caecotrophy as a possible means for the sportive lemurs to derive additional nutrient from their food sources. I predicted that, if caecotrophy is a way to assist folivory at small body size, the energy contained in “caecotrophic” and latrine faecal samples should be different. Analyses showed significant iv differences between the two types of faeces and, combined with an analysis of faecal bacterial diversity, support the occurrence of caecotrophy. Finally, I compared the digestive efficiency of two small, distantly related gummivorous primates that evolved their diets convergently. I studied the digestion of gum in Microcebus griseorufus and compared this with gum digestion in Galago moholi. I predicted that an evolutionary disposition to fermentation inherited from a folivorous ancestor would aid in the digestion of gum in mouse lemurs. Results indicated that retention time was prolonged by the presence of secondary compounds in Microcebus fed with Commiphora gum but relatively shorter (< 24 hrs) when fed Alantsilodenron gum, a preferred food. Despite the fact that G. moholi has an ansa coli, which is missing in M. griseorufus species, both are highly efficient at digesting gum. These data provide some of the first indicators of how dietary changes from a larger-bodied folivorous ancestor to partially gummivorous, small-bodied descendants may have occurred in evolutionary time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Incidence of bacterial infections and colonisation in patients admitted to a tuberculosis hospital
- Authors: Annear, Dale John
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Medical microbiology , Microbiology Bacteriology Tuberculosis -- Hospitals -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21482 , vital:29526
- Description: Patients with drug resistant tuberculosis (TB) are treated with multiple antibiotics including moxifloxacin, linezolid, and meropenem, which puts them at greater risk for colonisation by multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria. The objectives of this study were to: (i) assess the antimicrobial prescribing patterns practiced within the hospital by retrospective patient file review; (ii) determine the spectrum of bacterial colonisation in TB patients upon admission and during hospitalisation; (iii) identify bacterial isolates and evaluate antimicrobial susceptibility profiles; (iv) detect antimicrobial resistance genes in the bacterial isolates by PCR and DNA sequencing; and (v) investigate genetic relatedness of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates using Multi Locus Sequence Typing. Nasal, groin and rectal swabs [for the detection of extended spectrum beta lactamases (EBSLs), carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)] were analysed from a cohort of patients (n=37) admitted either from the community (n = 28) or from other healthcare facilities (n=9) to a TB hospital. Swab samples were collected at admission and at four week intervals thereafter during hospitalization. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacterial isolates (n=62) were determined at the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) by the VITEK-MS and Vitek 2 systems respectively. Additional antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted by Sensititre Gram Negative Xtra (GNFX2) MIC plates. PCR and DNA sequencing were used for detection of resistance genes. Patients (n=13/37; 35%) were colonized by MDR bacteria (ESBLs [n=11], MRSA [n=2]) on admission. Colonization rates were lower in patients admitted from the community (9/28; 32%) compared to those transferred from other healthcare facilities (4/9; 44%). All admitted patients who did not exhibit colonization at baseline and who were resident within the hospital for longer than 4 weeks (17/37; 46% of total patients) became colonised by an ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae species. No patients acquired MRSA during hospitalisation. Among ESBL Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli (41/62; 66%) and K. pneumoniae [14/62; 23%]) predominated. Nineteen percent (7/37) of patients demised during their hospitalization. Both the Vitek system and Sensititre Gram Negative Xtra (GNFX2) MIC plates susceptibilities were similar for most antimicrobials, however there were discrepancies for tigecycline susceptibility profiles. A high number of isolates exhibited resistance to aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones. Genes encoding for ESBLs (CTX-M-14, CTX-M-15, SHV-28, OXA-1, and OXY-2-9) were detected among ESBL Enterobacteriaceae. Two Enterobacteriaceae isolates with reduced carbapenem susceptibility did not contain carbapenemase-encoding genes. MLST revealed unique sequence types and genetic diversity among the K. pneumoniae isolates from hospitalised patients. However, the source and colonization routes of these isolates could not be determined, which requires further investigation. This study provides insight into the spectrum of bacterial pathogen colonisation in hospitalised TB patients and suggests a review of infection control programs and practices at the TB hospital.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Annear, Dale John
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Medical microbiology , Microbiology Bacteriology Tuberculosis -- Hospitals -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21482 , vital:29526
- Description: Patients with drug resistant tuberculosis (TB) are treated with multiple antibiotics including moxifloxacin, linezolid, and meropenem, which puts them at greater risk for colonisation by multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria. The objectives of this study were to: (i) assess the antimicrobial prescribing patterns practiced within the hospital by retrospective patient file review; (ii) determine the spectrum of bacterial colonisation in TB patients upon admission and during hospitalisation; (iii) identify bacterial isolates and evaluate antimicrobial susceptibility profiles; (iv) detect antimicrobial resistance genes in the bacterial isolates by PCR and DNA sequencing; and (v) investigate genetic relatedness of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates using Multi Locus Sequence Typing. Nasal, groin and rectal swabs [for the detection of extended spectrum beta lactamases (EBSLs), carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)] were analysed from a cohort of patients (n=37) admitted either from the community (n = 28) or from other healthcare facilities (n=9) to a TB hospital. Swab samples were collected at admission and at four week intervals thereafter during hospitalization. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacterial isolates (n=62) were determined at the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) by the VITEK-MS and Vitek 2 systems respectively. Additional antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted by Sensititre Gram Negative Xtra (GNFX2) MIC plates. PCR and DNA sequencing were used for detection of resistance genes. Patients (n=13/37; 35%) were colonized by MDR bacteria (ESBLs [n=11], MRSA [n=2]) on admission. Colonization rates were lower in patients admitted from the community (9/28; 32%) compared to those transferred from other healthcare facilities (4/9; 44%). All admitted patients who did not exhibit colonization at baseline and who were resident within the hospital for longer than 4 weeks (17/37; 46% of total patients) became colonised by an ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae species. No patients acquired MRSA during hospitalisation. Among ESBL Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli (41/62; 66%) and K. pneumoniae [14/62; 23%]) predominated. Nineteen percent (7/37) of patients demised during their hospitalization. Both the Vitek system and Sensititre Gram Negative Xtra (GNFX2) MIC plates susceptibilities were similar for most antimicrobials, however there were discrepancies for tigecycline susceptibility profiles. A high number of isolates exhibited resistance to aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones. Genes encoding for ESBLs (CTX-M-14, CTX-M-15, SHV-28, OXA-1, and OXY-2-9) were detected among ESBL Enterobacteriaceae. Two Enterobacteriaceae isolates with reduced carbapenem susceptibility did not contain carbapenemase-encoding genes. MLST revealed unique sequence types and genetic diversity among the K. pneumoniae isolates from hospitalised patients. However, the source and colonization routes of these isolates could not be determined, which requires further investigation. This study provides insight into the spectrum of bacterial pathogen colonisation in hospitalised TB patients and suggests a review of infection control programs and practices at the TB hospital.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018