Dissertations / Theses on the topic '"Red owl"'

Several species of raptors are found in prairie landscapes managed and enhanced for waterfowl. Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis ) and Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus) may benefit from such management in a manner that is counter to its goals and objectives; that is, waterfowl may comprise a significant proportion of their diet, resulting in a decline in waterfowl numbers. The overall aims of this three-year study were to determine whether the feeding habits of the two raptor species are selective and to determine if waterfowl is a preferred prey group. The diet was determined through pellet analysis, prey remains and direct nest observations during the nestling growth period. Availability of most prey species was assessed through small mammal trapping and by conducting waterfowl censuses. It was determined that both raptors select for duck species. The average waterfowl biomass consumed per nestling represented 21.5% of the total biomass consumed for Great Horned Owls and 23.5% for Red-tailed Hawks. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

A globalização e a liberalização do mercado têm colocado diversos desafios e oportunidades às empresas portuguesas que se espelham em diferentes estratégias empresariais, das quais a de internacionalização tem assumido grande relevância. Através do estudo de um caso concreto da empresa Green Olives, é elaborada uma estratégia de internacionalização para o mercado do Reino Unido com a marca de azeite Português Red Olives. Para além da revisão da literatura e do enquadramento teórico do tema, foi feita uma recolha exaustiva de informação sobre a empresa, o mercado do azeite no Reino Unido, os hábitos dos consumidores e as diferentes opções de internacionalização. Para além de outras propostas, a estratégia incluiu a criação de um produto adaptado aos consumidores Britânicos para ser comercializado em duas grandes superfícies comercias, o Sainsbury’s e o Waitrose. As conclusões realçam a importância da estratégia da marca para a empresa seja ao nível estratégico seja operacional; Abstract: Internationalization Strategy of Red Olives The market globalization and liberalization has brought several challenges and opportunities to the Portuguese companies shaped in different strategies, being internationalization the more relevant. Based on the case study of the Green Olives company was elaborated a strategy of internationalization to the UK market with a Portuguese olive oil brand Red Olives. Besides the state of art on the topic, there was also an exhaustive research about the company and the olive oil market in the UK, the consumer behavior and the different approaches to internationalization. This strategy aims to create a product adapted to the British consumer to be available in two big retailers Sainsbury’s and Waitrose. The conclusions state the importance of the brand strategy for the company at a strategic and operational level.

Catalytic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO), is an effective process to convert oxygenated compounds to hydrocarbons. This process is widely used for improving the negative properties of biomass-derived pyrolysis oils (bio-oils) such as high acidity, poor stability, and low heating value. During this process oxygen is removed from the bio-oil in the form of water, thus the liquid product of HDO process consists of aqueous phase and hydrocarbon phase that can be easily separated. Synthesis of efficient HDO catalyst has been a major challenge in the field of bio-oil upgrading. Red mud, which is an alkaline waste from alumina industry was used to develop a new red mud-supported nickel catalyst (Ni/RM) for the HDO of pinyon-juniper catalytic pyrolysis oil. The new catalyst was more effective than the commercial Ni/silica-alumina catalyst for the HDO of organic phase pyrolysis oil, the aqueous phase pyrolysis oil, and bio-oil model compounds. Less hydrogen was consumed in the case of Ni/RM and more liquid hydrocarbon yield was obtained compared to the commercial catalyst. In addition to HDO reactions, the Ni/RM catalyst catalyzed ketonization and carbonyl alkylation reactions that was important to produce liquid hydrocarbon from low molecular weight oxygenated compounds. Unlike the commercial catalyst, Ni/RM was regenerable by burning off the deposited coke and activation by reduction using hydrogen.

Magister Scientiae (Medical Bioscience) - MSc(MBS)<br>Purpose: Breast cancer is one of the most frequent and fatal diseases women all around the globe are challenged with today. In women, breast cancer has the highest mortality rate of all cancers and the incidence rate is on the increase. It is estimated that by the year 2025, 19.3 million women will become a victim of this grave health problem. This disease is a result of the formation of malignant tumours caused by genetic alterations that are involved in the proliferation of cells, cellular differentiation and the disturbance in homeostasis which subsequently leads to the abnormal multiplication and growth of cells. Breast cancer is considered a multifactorial disease with various risk factors such as age, radiation exposure, hormone therapy, oral contraceptives, dietary factors, environmental exposure and genetic predispositions. Breast cancers can be subdivided and classified based on their cellular surface receptors such as Estrogen Receptors, Progesterone Receptors and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2. Of the various subtypes, the triple-negative breast cancer subtype which is negative for all 3 surface receptors and presents as the most aggressive form of breast cancer with a poor prognosis. Between 10-20% of all breast cancer cases are classified as triple-negative breast cancer. Due to the hormonal status of triple-negative breast cancer, treatment options are limited and thus of great concern. Chemotherapy remains the most common treatment modality, but prognosis is poor with relapse within years ultimately leading to poor survival outcome. Due to this lack of effective treatment plans, an alternative treatment with minimal side effects and better survival remains an imperative area to explore. A wide scope of literature highlights red palm oil and its health benefits, with its growth inhibitory potential drawing great attention. Red palm oil, extracted from the Elaeis guineensis palm tree is red in colour due to the abundance of carotenoids, tocotrienols and tocopherols found in the oil. Various compounds make up the oil such as lycopene, carotenes, vitamin E and coenzyme Q10. Most studies have researched the effects of vitamin E extracted from the oil as a contributor to its growth inhibitory activity. This study focuses on the effects of the commercial red palm oil as a whole with all its compounds on the proliferation of breast cancer cells as well as the effect it has on various genes associated with breast cancer. Method: This study investigated the effect of red palm oil concentrations (1, 10, 100, 500 and 1000 μg/ml) on breast cancer cells—MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 with comparison to a non-cancerous cell line—MCF-12A for 24-, 48- and 72-hour treatment periods. The parameter investigated was cell proliferation through the CCK-8 cell proliferation assay and the morphology following red palm oil treatment was observed and captured. Additionally, this study also investigated the effect of red palm oil on the expression of Human Mammaglobin (hMAM) and Maspin genes through the PCR assay and results visualised through agarose gel electrophoresis. Data was statistically analysed using GraphPad version 6.0 software. Results: Following treatment of red palm oil, no apparent changes in the cell morphology was observed despite using variable treatment concentrations over variable times for MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-12A cells relative to their respective controls. Immortalised MCF-12A cells showed a significant increase in proliferation with the varying treatment concentrations, but more prominently with the highest concentration at 24, 48 and 72 hours. MCF-7 cells showed significant decreases at 24 and 72 hours. Decreased proliferation was observed at all dosages used, particularly at 10, 100, and 500 μg/ml. Furthermore, MDA-MB-231 cells demonstrated a gradual increase in cell proliferation for the 3 selected time periods in the varying concentrations. Additionally, red palm oil did not alter the gene expression of Maspin at any of the varying treatments for MDA-MB-231 nor MCF-7 cells. However, changes in hMAM gene expression were observed at treatment concentration of 100 μg/ml in MDA-MB-231 cells that were incubated for 24 and 48 hours. However, the hMAM expression was not affected in treated MCF-7 cells. Conclusion: Red palm oil, as an alternative dietary oil, seems to have potential growth inhibitory properties as demonstrated by the change in the cell proliferation of the MCF-7 cells. Literature show that various individual compounds extracted from red palm oil have anti-proliferative and inhibitory effects on breast cancer cells making them good candidates for therapy. However, this study concludes that red palm oil as a whole component would not be a suitable therapeutic agent for highly aggressive triple-negative breast cancer.

Magister Scientiae (Medical Bioscience) - MSc(MBS)<br>Prostate cancer is one of the heterogeneous groups of neoplastic diseases originating from the reproductive system of the male naming, the prostate gland. In the west, prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting African men in older age (over the age of 55) and usually with a family history of the disease. The initiation and progression of this disease is thought to result from the genetic alterations of gene expression in the prostate epithelial cells. Prostate cancer has a very slow progression. This observation provides the advantage of early detection and the notion for using diet to prevent the cellular and molecular processes of carcinogenesis. Epidemiological research has documented a positive health role for red palm oil on atherosclerosis, arterial thrombosis and several types of cancers. This thesis focuses on investigating the effect of different concentrations of the red palm oil (0.1, 1, 10, 100, 500, 1 000 μg/ml) on malignant (LNCaP) prostate cells and benign (PWR-1E) prostate cells over 24 and 72- hours. The following parameters were investigated: cell morphology and viability (using MTT assay), the expression of androgen receptors and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) via RT-PCR and/or PSA ELISA kit. The results of this study demonstrate that red palm oil has significant cytotoxic effects on malignant (LNCaP) prostate cells but caused only a slight decrease in cell viability of benign (PWR- 1E) prostate cells. Morphologically, we noted a clear increase in detachment and cell death in malignant (LNCaP) cells as the concentrations of red palm oil increased. Moreover, the viability decreased significantly in both 24 and 72-hour treatment of red palm oil. Further to this, red palm oil significantly promoted the reduction of total PSA concentration in malignant (LNCaP) prostate cells whereas in benign (PWR-1E) prostate cells the Red Palm Oil maintained the total serum PSA at its basal physiological level. In conclusion, red palm oil is significantly cytotoxic to malignant (LNCaP) prostate cells whereas weakly cytotoxic effect toward benign (PWR-1E) prostate cells. The potent inhibition to mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity is responsible for the aforementioned effects respectively. The decrease in total serum PSA demonstrate the strong therapeutic effects that red palm oil has on malignant (LNCaP) prostate cells

Dissertation (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Activation of the NO-cGMP pathway is associated with myocardial protection against ischaemia/reperfusion injury. However, high-cholesterol diets alter function of this pathway and these alterations have been implicated in both ischaemic/reperfusion injury and the development of ischaemic heart disease. Little is known about the effects of supplements such as Red Palm Oil (RPO) on the myocardial NO-cGMP-signalling pathway. RPO consists of saturated, mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated fatty acids and is rich in antioxidants such as β-carotene and Vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols). The aims of this study were: 1) to determine whether dietary RPO-supplemention protects against ischaemia/reperfusion injury in rats fed a standard rat chow (control) and cholesterol-enriched diets and 2) if so, to investigate possible mechanisms for this protection. Male Long-Evans rats were fed a standard rat chow or a standard rat chow plus cholesterol and/or RPO-supplementation for 6 weeks. Myocardial functional recovery was measured and hearts were freeze-clamped for determination of myocardial phospholipid, cAMP/cGMP concentrations, total myocardial nitric oxide concentrations, lipid hydroperoxide production and superoxide dismutase- and nitric oxide synthase activity in isolated rat hearts subjected to 25 minutes of normothermic total global ischaemia. In addition, the degree of phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) and protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) was investigated. Furthermore, the effect of RPO-supplementation on caspase-3 activation and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-cleavage in hearts subjected to ischaemia and reperfusion was also investigated. Our data show that dietary RPO-supplementation protects the hearts of rats on a standard rat chow (control) and hypercholesterolaemic diet against ischaemia/reperfusion injury as reflected by improved aortic output recovery. Increased intracellular cardiomyocyte NO concentrations as observed in control hearts supplemented with RPO after 120 minutes hypoxia may contribute to the elevated cGMP concentration and may confer some of the cardioprotection to the ischaemic/reperfused heart. Although improved functional recovery with RPO-supplementation of a high-cholesterol diet was also associated with an increase in intracellular cardiomyocyte NO production after hypoxia compared to the non-hypoxic conditions, it could not be linked to increased NO-cGMP signalling. These data are in agreement with other studies, which showed that high-cholesterol diet impairs NO-cGMP signalling and confirms our hypothesis that elevated cGMP concentrations may not be the only mechanism of protection. We have also shown that RPOsupplementation caused increased phosphorylation of p38 and PKB, reduced phosphorylation of JNK and attenuation of PARP cleavage, which may contribute to the protection of the cell against apoptosis. Based on our results we propose that the myocardial protection offered by RPO-supplementation of rats on a normal and hypercholesterolaemic diet may be associated with either its antioxidant characteristics and/or changes in the fatty acid composition of the myocardium during ischaemia/reperfusion. Furthermore, we demonstrated for the first time that RPO-supplementation protects the isolated perfused working rat heart during reperfusion from ischaemia/reperfusion-induced injury through a MAPK-dependent pathway.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Aktivering van die NO-cGMP sein transduksie pad word geassosieer met miokardiale beskerming teen isgemie/herperfusie skade. Hoë cholesterol diëte verander egter die funksie van die pad en hierdie veranderings speel ‘n rol in beide isgemie/herperfusie besering en die ontwikkeling van isgemiese hartsiekte. Daar is egter min inligting beskikbaar oor die uitwerking van aanvullings soos rooi palm olie (RPO) op die miokardiale NO-cGMP sein transduksie pad. RPO bevat versadigde, mono-onversadigde en poli-onversadigde vetsure en is ryk aan anti-oksidante nl. β-karotene en vitamien E (tokoferole en tokotriënole). Die doelwitte van hierdie studie was: 1) om vas te stel of ‘n RPO-aanvulling beskerming bied teen isgemie/herperfusie besering in rotte wat gevoed is met ‘n standaard rotmengsel (kontrole) en cholesterol-verrykte dieet en 2) indien wel, om moontlike meganismes van beskerming te ondersoek. Long-Evans manlike rotte is vir 6 weke gevoer met ‘n standaard rotmengsel of ‘n standaard rotmengsel plus cholesterol en/of RPO-aanvulling. Miokardiale funksionele herstel is gemeet en harte is gevriesklamp vir die bepaling van miokardiale fosfolipied, cAMP/cGMP, totale stikstofoksied, lipied hidroperoksied, superoksied dismutase en stikstofoksied sintase in geïsoleerde rotharte wat vir 25 minute onderwerp was aan normotermiese totale globale isgemie. Hiermee saam is die graad van fosforilering van ekstrasellulêre sein gereguleerde kinase (ERK), p38 mitogeen-geaktiveerde proteïen kinase (p38 MAPK), c-Jun-N-terminale proteïenkinase (JNK) en proteïen kinase B (PKB/Akt) ondersoek, asook kaspase-3 aktivering en poli (ADP-ribose) polimerase (PARP) kliewing in harte blootgestel aan isgemie en herperfusie. Ons resultate toon dat RPO-aanvulling van rotte op ‘n normale en hipercholesterolemiese dieet die hart beskerm soos getoon deur verbeterde herstel van aortiese uitset. Verhoogde intrasellulêre miokardiale NO vlakke in kontrole harte met ‘n RPO-aanvulling wat blootgestel was aan 120 minute hipoksie, mag bygedra het tot die verhoogde cGMP vlakke en beskerming van die hart tydens isgemie en herperfusie. Alhoewel verbeterde funksionele herstel met RPO-aanvulling van ‘n hoë cholesterol dieet ook geassosieer is met ‘n toename in intrasellulêre miokardiale NO produksie ná hipoksiese toestande, kon dit nie verbind word met verhoogde aktivering van die NOcGMP sein transduksie pad nie. Hierdie resultate stem ooreen met ander studies wat aangetoon het dat hoë-cholesterol diëte die NO-cGMP seinpad onderdruk. Hierdie bevinding bevestig ons hipotese dat verhoogde cGMP vlakke moontlik nie die enigste beskermingsmeganisme is nie. Ons resultate het ook gewys dat RPO-aanvulling fosforilering van p38 en PKB/Akt verhoog, fosforilering van JNK verminder en PARP kliewing onderdruk. Dit dui op beskerming van die sel teen apoptose. Ons resultate dui aan dat die miokardiale beskerming wat RPO-dieet aanvulling bied moontlik geassosieer kan word met sy anti-oksidant eienskap en/of veranderinge in die vetsuur samestelling van die miokardium tydens isgemie/herperfusie. Ons het ook vir die eerste keer bewys dat RPO-aanvulling die geïsoleerde geperfuseerde werkende rothart gedurende herperfusie beskerm teen isgemie/herperfusie besering deur die aktivering en/of deaktivering van die MAPK afhanklike pad.

Thesis (MTech (Biomedical Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012.<br>Oxidative stress, in recent times appears to be a major underlying risk factor in the occurrence of various diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and ischemic heart disease (IHD). During oxidative stress, there is an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defence mechanisms in favour of ROS. This results in severe cellular damages in the heart, vascular membranes and other organs. Potential benefits of dietary supplements as one of the major quenching elements against oxidative stress have been highlighted. Thus, a growing interest has been stimulated in finding natural alternatives for the treatment and! or prevention of oxidative stress-mediated diseases. Red palm oil (RPO), refined from the tropical plant Elaeis guineensis was used in this study since it has captivated much attention in the health sector lately. The effects of RPO-supplementation on oxidative stress biomarkers as well as homocysteine, a cardiovascular disease risk factor in an oxidative stress-induced rat model were investigated in this in vivo study. All experiments were conducted for a period of six weeks. Male Wistar rats (120-150g) were randomly divided into six groups (n=5) where all the rats received a standard diet. Two groups (groups C, D) were supplemented with 0.175g RPO (7g RPO/kg chow) for four weeks whereas groups (groups E, F) were given 0.175g RPO (7g RPO/kg chow) supplementation for six weeks. Rats in control groups (groups A, B) were not given any RPO-supplementation. Groups B, 0, F were induced with oxidative stress by injection of 0.5ml (20IlM/100g of body weight) organic tertiary-butyl hydroperoxide. All parameters were determined using appropriate methods in plasma, serum and erythrocytes. Data were expressed as mean ± SEM. No significant differences were obtained between groups for total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase activity. Red palm oil supplementation significantly increased superoxide dismutase activity after 6 weeks consumption, total glutathione levels after 4 weeks consumption and homocysteine levels after four and six weeks consumption in rats not subjected to oxidative stress. Under oxidative stress conditions, malondialdehyde (MOA) level, a marker of oxidative stress related damage, significantly increased in rats receiving a standard diet. However, when RPO diet was supplemented for 4 and 6 weeks, MOA levels significantly decreased towards the value of normal controls. In conclusion, our findings suggest that RPO-supplementation could ameliorate antioxidant status in the body through its potential ability to increase some antioxidant enzymes activity. Similarly, it is suggested that RPO-supplementation could protect the rat against oxidative stress induced damage in diseased state.

Discrete event simulation development requires significant investments in time and resources. Descriptions of discrete event simulation models are associated with world views, including the process interaction orientation. Historically, these models have been encoded using high-level programming languages or special purpose, typically vendor-specific, simulation languages. These approaches complicate simulation model reuse and interchange. The current document-centric World Wide Web is evolving into a Semantic Web that communicates information using ontologies. The Web Ontology Language &#150; OWL, was used to encode a Process Interaction Modeling Ontology for Discrete Event Simulations (PIMODES). The PIMODES ontology was developed using ontology engineering processes. Software was developed to demonstrate the feasibility of interchanging models from commercial simulation packages using PIMODES as an intermediate representation. The purpose of PIMODES is to provide a vendor-neutral open representation to support model interchange. Model interchange enables reuse and provides an opportunity to improve simulation quality, reduce development costs, and reduce development times.<br>Ph.D.<br>Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems<br>Engineering and Computer Science<br>Modeling and Simulation

Thesis (DTech (Biomedical Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2009<br>Many environmental, physiological, and genetic factors have been shown to impair sperm function through oxidative damage. Oxidative stress (OS) arises as a consequence of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and/or impaired antioxidant defence mechanisms. The decline in male reproductive health generated considerable public and scientific concerns about the possible role of environmental contaminants. A better understanding of how OS affects sperm function will be beneficial as it might help in the design of new and effective treatment strategies to combat the problem of increasing male subfertility. Studies have suggested that antioxidant nutrients and/or medicines play a protective role in human health. Crude red palm oil (RPO) is known to be the richest natural plant source of antioxidants such as carotenoids, tocopherols and metalloporpheryns. The aims of this study were twofold: (i) To establish an in vivo animal model of OS by exposing rat to organic hydroperoxide such as t-butyl hydroperoxide (tbHP) and cumene hydroperoxide (cHP) through repeated intraperitoneal injections that can be used for studying these effects on testicular tissue, epididymal sperm and sperm function as well as male reproductive parameters in general. (ii) To investigate the effects of a RPO supplemented diet on male reproductive parameters and tissue in animals exposed to OS. In the first part of the study, male Wistar rats aged 10-12 weeks were randomly placed in groups and received standard rat chow (SRC) and water ad lib. Animals were injected intraperitoneally with saline (0.5 ml), t-butyl hydroperoxide (5µM, 10µM, 20µM and 40µM; 0.5 ml) or cumene hydroperoxide cHP (2.5µM, 5µM, 10µM and 20µM; 0.5 ml) over a 60 day period. In the second part, male Wistar rats aged 10-12 weeks were placed randomly in three groups and fed with SRC. Group 1 received no supplement while the food of groups 2 and 3 were supplemented with 2 mL and 4 mL RPO (in 25 gm SRC/day) respectively. Each group was further divided into 3 subgroups and injected intraperitoneally daily with either saline, 10µM cHP or 20µM tbHP respectively. This was done for 5 consecutive days per week over a 60 day period. Sperm concentrations, and motility, lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) activities as well as apoptosis were assessed.

Soybean oil (SBO), menhaden fish oil (FO), chicken fat (CF) or hydrogenated soybean oil (HSBO) were incorporated at 5% of the total diet to study changes in the immunological status of both Japanese quail (JAP) and Bobwhite quail (BOB). The SBO diet, in which 66% of the total fatty acids were polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), was rich in linoleic acid (LA 18:2 n-6), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA 18:3 n-3) and low in saturated fatty acid (SFA). The FO diet which contained about 50% PUFA, had only 40% n-6 fatty acids and 8% n-3 PUFA. The trans fatty acid isomers and other monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were high in the HSBO diet. The diet containing CF provided a relatively balanced fatty acid composition with 18% SFA, 31% MUFA and 50% PUFA. Plasma fatty acid and hepatic fatty acid profiles consistently reflected their respective dietary lipid treatments. There were no differences in the fatty acid profile between blood and liver within respective dietary treatments in the two species. Dietary fatty acids had no effect on antibody titers against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) at 1, 2 and 8 months following the start of dietary lipid treatment in JAP. However, female JAP fed FO had a significantly (p< 0.05) higher antibody production compared to the other dietary lipid treatments at 4 months following the start of fatty acids supplementation. BOB fed either FO or SBO diets had a higher immunoglobulin G production compared to birds fed the CF diet. The total antibody titer was significantly higher in BOB fed SBO compared to CF. Dietary fatty acids had a significant effect on cell-mediated immunity (CMI) as accessed by toe web thickness 24 hours post intradermal injection of phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA) in both JAP and BOB. In general, birds fed a FO diet had a significantly higher CMI response than those fed HSBO. A diet high in n-3 PUFA increased the index of cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH), while the high trans fatty acid isomers suppressed the CBH response. By observing a CBH response over a 72-hour period in JAP, it was concluded that quail fed CF or SBO had a different peak response time (12 hours post PHA challenge) and amplitude compared with those fed FO or HSBO (24 hours post PHA challenge). Phagocytic ability was not affected by dietary lipid treatments in BOB while the quail fed FO diet had a faster carbon clearance rate. The FO fed JAP had a significantly higher response (p< 0.05) to concanavalin A ensiformis (CONA) compared to HSBO fed birds. There was no difference in B lymphocyte proliferation stimulated by lipopolysacchride (LPS) in female JAP, whereas it was significantly higher in male JAP fed SBO compared to those fed FO and HSBO. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate/ionomycin calcium salt (PMA/ION) was used to nonspecifically stimulate cell proliferation by increasing chromosome mitosis. Dietary FO or HSBO suppressed cell proliferation stimulated by PMA/ION. However, JAP fed SBO or CF had a significantly higher PMA/ION stimulated lymphocyte proliferation compared those fed FO or HSBO. In male BOB, the FO fed birds had the highest response to all mitogens. In contrast, female BOB did not show any dietary effects by lymphocyte proliferation. Consistent with JAP, BOB fed HSBO had depressed lymphocytes proliferation in response to various mitogens stimulation. In general, female birds had a higher plasma total protein (PTP) and lower pack cell volume (PCV) compared to their males counterparts in both BOB and JAP. In summary, in in vivo experiments, feeding a diet high in menhaden fish oil that is rich in n-3 PUFA enhanced the CMI. There was a minimal effect on antibody production caused by feeding n-3 PUFA in JAP since a significant treatment effect was only found at one sampling period, while BOB were more sensitive to dietary lipid manipulation and had a higher antibody production with SBO or FO treatments. Dietary lipids exerted different effects in the two species in in vitro experiments. While both BOB and JAP fed FO had higher lymphocyte proliferation to CON A mitogen compared to those fed HSBO, only male BOB showed a higher proliferation to LPS. Feeding HSBO that contained a higher content of trans fatty acid isomers, MUFA, but lower PUFA content resulted in the lowest lymphocyte proliferation to various mitogens in both BOB and JAP.<br>Ph. D.

The Deepwater Horizon blowout occurred on April 20th, 2010 and released nearly 5 million barrels of crude oil into the northern Gulf of Mexico causing pollution of the water and sediment inhabited by many fishes for at least 87 days while the wellhead went uncapped. Populations of the Gulf of Mexico Red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, an important fish to the ecology and economy in the region, exhibit affinity to shallow water oil infrastructure such as the Deepwater Horizon making them especially vulnerable to crude oil contamination. The objective of this study is to determine growth of Red snapper before, during and after the DWH spill and to assess factors potentially explaining such growth variation. Sagittal otoliths were collected from individuals sampled in 2011 - 2013 from scientific, demersal long-line surveys in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GoM) and West Florida Shelf (WFS). Age and otolith increment width analyses were performed. No annual variation in von Bertalanffy growth parameters was determined among the three catch years. The L∞ , K and t0 estimated from the complete data set (2011-2013) were 82.91, 0.20 and 0.43, respectively. However, significant differences in otolith increment width-at-age were observed in increment numbers three - seven in years following the DWH event, with declines of 13%, 15% and 22% occurring in the fourth -sixth increments. To asses the potential significance of exogenous environmental variables to observed yearly growth variation I evaluated five parameters - meridional (V) winds, zonal (U) winds, wind stress curl which is a measure of upwelling, Mississippi River discharge, and mean sea level anomaly - using a linear mixed effects model. Hypothesis testing via reduced maximum likelihood estimates indicated that variation in U winds and River discharge could significantly explain the variation in increment width. However, further work must be done in order to determine the natural, inter-annual variability in age specific growth before the results from model fitting can be considered conclusive. Mean back-calculated weight-at-age measurements were obtained in order to assess potential variation in productivity changes. Results from forward difference and reverse helmert contrast-coding indicated that weight at age three+, four+ and five+ declined by 16%, 15% and 11% in 2010, respectively. These analyses indicate a significant decline in fish growth in 2010 coincident with the DWH event, followed by a return to pre-spill rates.

The objective of this study is to perform Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating on the ceramic samples from different parts of the Laodikeia by using Infra Red Stimulated Luminescence (IRSL) on polyminerals. As a first step, a literature survey has been done about the dating system and the methodology of dating. The calibration of the system was done before carrying out the experiments. The six ceramic samples were collected from the site and dated. The mineral compositions of the samples were examined by X-ray Diffraction Analysis, which showed that all samples contain quartz, feldspars, calcites and together with other minerals. The equivalent dose was found by using Multiple Aliquot Additive Dose (MAAD) and Multiple Aliquot Regenerative Dose (MARD) techniques using Infra Red diode array of the system that gave the IRSL ages for samples. Alpha counter measured the dose components of uranium and thorium contributions to the annual dose. The potassium concentration was determined by Atomic Emission Spectrometry. The cosmic ray component of annual dose was evaluated by the Al2O3:C Thermoluminescence Dosimeter (TLD) discs which have been placed and kept for 8 and 11 months in the site. From the data the IRSL ages were calculated for six ceramic samples LDKY-1, LDKY-2, LDKY-3, LDKY-4, LDKY-5 and LDKY-6 with the help of the OSL system software. The IRSL ages for these samples, in the given order, are 737 &plusmn<br>60, 1563 &plusmn<br>120, 1445 &plusmn<br>110, 1602 &plusmn<br>120, 1034 &plusmn<br>80 and 1034 &plusmn<br>80 years by using MAAD technique. The IRSL ages for the same samples are 870 &plusmn<br>60, 1550 &plusmn<br>120, 1440 &plusmn<br>110, 1600 &plusmn<br>120, 1030 &plusmn<br>80 and 1030 &plusmn<br>70 years by using MARD technique.

This item is only available in print in the UCF Libraries. If this is your Honors Thesis, you can help us make it available online for use by researchers around the world by following the instructions on the distribution consent form at http://library.ucf<br>Bachelors<br>Arts and Sciences<br>Political Science

Este trabalho investigou a incorporação de um resíduo da indústria petroquímica de rerrefino de óleos minerais, uma argila contaminada com hidrocarbonetos, como matéria-prima para a indústria cerâmica tradicional. O resíduo foi incorporado a uma massa cerâmica com o objetivo de obter produtos de cerâmica vermelha. As matérias-primas utilizadas foram caracterizadas quanto à composição mineralógica, química e granulométrica. Neste estudo, foram realizadas formulações com 0%, 3%, 5%, 10% e 15% em massa de resíduo para a obtenção dos corpos-de-prova. Os corpos-de-prova obtidos foram sinterizados nas temperaturas de 1000°C, 1050°C, 1100°C, 1150°C. Foram avaliadas as seguintes propriedades tecnológicas: absorção de água, porosidade aparente, retração linear de queima e resistência à flexão a quatro pontos. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a incorporação de resíduo na massa cerâmica apresentou melhor desempenho nas suas propriedades tecnológicas, enquadrando-se a normas para produtos cerâmicos tradicionais, como telhas, blocos cerâmicos e pisos de revestimentos. Em consideração ao aspecto ambiental, as amostras foram submetidas aos ensaios de lixiviação, solubilização e emissões gasosas. Nos testes de lixiviação não foram encontrados elementos que a classificassem como resíduo perigoso de acordo com a NBR 10.004. Nos ensaios de solubilização, todas as composições com adição de resíduo na temperatura de 1000°C foram classificadas como resíduo classe II A – não inertes, enquanto a 1150°C foram classificadas como resíduo classe IIB- inertes. Em relação às emissões gasosas, estas apresentaram baixas concentrações dos elementos zinco, sódio, cálcio e silício na água coletada durante a queima. Os resultados indicaram a possibilidade de utilização deste resíduo na produção de cerâmica vermelha.<br>This work investigated the incorporation of a waste of the petrochemical industry of mineral oils rerefining, a clay contaminated with hydrocarbons, as raw material to traditional ceramic industry. The waste was incorporated into the ceramic mass to obtain red ceramics products. The raw material was characterized by the mineralogical, chemical and granulometric composition. In this study were incorporated 0, 3, 5, 10 and 15 % waste weight to formulate the samples. The samples were sintered at temperatures 1000°C, 1050°C, 1100°C and 1150°C. The technological properties evaluated were: water absorption, apparent porosity, linear shrinkage and flexural rupture strength by the four point test. The results obtained showed that the waste added to the ceramic mass contributed to improve the quality of the ceramic samples. In the environmental aspects, the samples were submitted to leaching and solubilization tests and gaseous emissions. In the leaching test samples did not present elements classified as dangerous, according to NBR 10004. In the solubilization test, all compositions with waste, sintered at 1000°C, were classified as class IIA -not inert and at 1150°C class IIB - inert. The gaseous emissions demonstrated low concentration of the elements: zinc, sodium, calcium, and silicium in the water collected during the sinterization process. The results indicated the possibility of using this waste in the red ceramic production.

Oil from the Deepwater Horizon blowout reached the Gulf of Mexico coast in the summer of 2010 and potentially exposed species living in those areas to toxic chemicals. The purpose of this study is to examine otoliths from Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) for evidence of oil exposure that could be related to reduced growth rates. Because otolith growth and somatic growth are directly related, differences in annulus measurements can indicate differences in annual somatic growth, which is a good indicator of overall fish condition, and translates into changes in survival and lifetime reproductive potential. This study assessed variation in otolith elemental composition in years before, during, and after the oil spill using laser-ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry, with emphasis on trace metals previously found in MC252 oil. Relative annual growth rates were estimated by calculating mean increment measurements for each age, and calculating a percentile for each observation. Growth was then compared with otolith elemental profiles. These two analyses were used to investigate associations between any observed growth variation and the temporal profiles of oil-indicator and stress-indicator elements. Otoliths obtained from Florida archaeological sites were used as a baseline for pre-industrial elemental compositions. Fish taken from 12 sampling sites in Florida and Louisiana with varying degrees of oil intrusion were analyzed for otolith element composition. Individual measurements were classified using Similarity Profile Analysis (SIMPROF, Clarke et al. 2008) and resulting SIMPROF groups were plotted on a seriated heat map to visualize elemental abundance groups. The largest group with the lowest elemental abundances was used as a reference group. This group was compared to higher-element abundance groups and to fossil otoliths found in Native American middens on Weedon Island, FL using nonparametric multivariate analysis of variance (NP-MANOVA) and Canonical Analysis of Principal Coordinates (CAP) to determine similarities of modern fish groups and an ancient baseline. Growth rates were then compared to the microchemistry groups to determine if there are any correlations with growth rates and otolith trace metal compositions. This study did not find any correlation between the Deepwater Horizon oil spill event and either Red Drum otolith microchemistry or growth. Otolith oil-metal concentrations did not vary significantly among study years, and there was no relationship between microchemistry and otolith-based growth rate. While there was decreased growth in 2010, the decreased growth appeared to be due to unusually cold winters during that year. Oil metal concentrations measured in the otoliths indicated continuous metal exposure rather than exposure to an episodic oil-spill event. This study also verified the use of archaeological otoliths as a viable microchemical baseline for pre-industrial otoliths. Preserved otolith material had very low hydrocarbon-associated metal concentrations, which is expected in otoliths that were formed before the period of heavy anthropogenic influence on coastal waters. This study represents a novel effort to compare pre-industrial-age microchemistry to the microchemistry of fish collected from impacted areas following a large oil spill.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Technology: Biomedical Technology In the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences At the CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, 2012<br>Oxidative stress and chronic (low-grade) inflammation are inseparably interconnected and both have been implicated in the aetiology of many disease states. The use of plant extracts for disease prevention and therapeutic purposes, is gaining more attention because of the health benefits of the bioactive phytochemicals in these extracts. This thesis reports on the antioxidant status, the oxidative stress modulation and anti-inflammatory properties of fermented rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and red palm oil (RPO) from the oil palm plant (Elaeis guineensis) using a long-term and two short-term in vivo models. In the first (long-term) study, the effect of chronic feeding of rooibos, RPO or their combination on the endogenous antioxidant system was investigated. Data from this study provided:  The first scientific evidence that chronic feeding of rooibos, RPO or their combination for 22 weeks did not adversely affect the liver or kidney function parameters.  The first scientific evidence that chronic feeding of rooibos alone, or together with RPO for 22 weeks modulated the endogenous antioxidant system by inhibiting MDA formation and augmenting the reduced glutathione status.  The first scientific evidence of an additive or synergistic interaction in the ability of rooibos and RPO to modulate the endogenous antioxidant system. The second (short-term) study investigated the protective effects of rooibos, RPO or their combination on tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative hepatotoxicity, and results from this study provided:  The first evidence of the ability of the two extracts, either alone or in combination to protect against t-BHP induced hepatotoxicity. Supplementation of rooibos, RPO or their combination for eight weeks reversed the hepatic damage induced by t-BHP. The changes induced by t-BHP in the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) were reversed by these plant extracts. The extracts, supplemented alone or combined prevented lipid peroxidation as shown by the decreased levels of conjugated dienes iv (CD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and reversed the t-BHP.-induced impairment of the glutathione redox status. The third (short-term) study provided the first scientific evidence of the in vivo anti-inflammatory properties of rooibos and RPO. The properties were demonstrated using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hepatic endotoxemic model by:  Providing the first evidence of an additive or synergistic interaction in the ability of the combined rooibos extract and RPO supplementation to reverse LPS-induced hepatic damage.  Providing the first evidence for the modulation of the inflammatory responses by rooibos extract, RPO or their combination. Supplementation of rooibos extract, RPO or their combination for four weeks, modulated LPS-induced inflammatory responses by inhibiting the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).  Providing evidence that the observed anti-inflammatory effects of rooibos and RPO may be related to their ability to modulate oxidative stress. Supplementation of rooibos extract, RPO or their combination for four weeks, prevented hepatic lipid peroxidation induced by LPS by decreasing CD and MDA formation in the liver. Changes induced in the activities of antioxidant enzymes were reversed and the glutathione redox status was augmented. Based on these study results, it is proposed that the ability of rooibos and RPO to protect the liver, modulate endogenous antioxidant system and inhibit inflammatory responses may be associated with the unique combination of antioxidant phytochemicals in both plant extracts. The study suggested possible mechanism(s) for the observed health effects, and the development of rooibos and RPO as nutraceuticals, which may be beneficial in the prophylactic management of oxidant-induced liver injury.

Lipids are an invaluable dietary component for fish because they furnish the indispensable essential fatty acids (EFA) that are required for normal growth and development of the animal EFA generally refers to 18:3n-3, 18:2n-6 and their metabolic derivatives, 20:5n-3, 22:6n-3 and 20:4n-6. Marine and freshwater species have distinct EFA requirements largely due to differences in the lipid compositions of their naturally available diets as well as differences in their metabolism of lipids and fatty acids (FA). Nonetheless, marine fish oils (FO) are the traditional lipid sources for finfish aquafeeds in both the marine and freshwater environments. However, recent environmental and economical constraints have generated interest in non-marine sources of lipid in finfish aquafeeds. This thesis examined the physiological effects of partially substituting canola oil (CO) for FO in practical commercial diets of two high-value finfish species during their early development. In the first experiment, triplicate groups of red sea bream fingerlings (Pagrus major) were fed 4 soenergetic, isonitrogenous and isolipid commercial diets with varying levels of refined CO up to 70% of total dietary lipid content over a 12-week period. In the second experiment, triplicate groups of spring chinook salmon parr (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) were fed practical dry diets in which CO comprised up to 72% of total lipid (mostly FO) over a 30-week period. No adverse effects of diet on growth and whole body proximate constituents were found in either study. Whole body FA composition correlated strongly to the diet FA compositions. Signs of specific FA retention were observed in both species, but to a much greater degree in the spring Chinook salmon. Nonetheless, specific FA were strongly retained in the red sea bream liver polar lipids. Ionoregulatory development in the spring chinook salmon was uncompromised by diet treatment. However, whole body [Cl⁻] was influenced by diet at week 10 and 15, where body [Cl⁻] was - negatively correlated to dietary CO content. Overall, results demonstrated excellent potential for CO to be the main source of supplemental lipid in commercial aquafeeds for juvenile Japanese red sea bream and spring chinook salmon parr.<br>Science, Faculty of<br>Zoology, Department of<br>Graduate

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Formation of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) is associated with several pathological conditions, and contributes to ischaemia/reperfusion injury. Antioxidants can be added to the diet in an attempt to decrease the prevalence of cardiovascular disease by decreasing the harmful effects of ischaemia/reperfusion injury. Red Palm Oil (RPO) consists of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and is rich in antioxidants such as -carotene, tocopherols and tocotrienols. It has previously been shown that RPO-supplementation improved reperfusion mechanical function. In these studies it was found that RPO might exert its beneficial effects during reperfusion through increased PKB/Akt pathway activity, which may lead to inhibition of apoptosis and improved mechanical function. Aims The aims of this study were: 1) to determine whether RPO-supplementation protected against ischaemia/reperfusion injury in the isolated perfused rat heart, 2) to confirm RPO-supplementation’s effect on the PKB/Akt pathway activity and, 3) to elucidate the regulators in the PKB/Akt pathway that RPOsupplementation influenced. Methods Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups, 2 control groups and 2 experimental groups. The 2 control groups were fed a standard rat chow (SRC) for 4 weeks. The two experimental groups received SRC and RPOsupplementation for 4 weeks. Hearts were excised and transferred to a Langendorff perfusion apparatus and perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer. Mechanical functional recovery was measured after 25 min of total global noflow ischaemia. The following parameters were also measured during various time points in the protocol: left ventricular develop pressure, heart rate, coronary flow, rate pressure product. Hearts were also freeze-clamped for biochemical analysis at 10 min during reperfusion. The biochemical analysis was aimed at determining PKB/Akt involvement. In a second protocol, hearts were subjected to the same perfusion protocol, but wortmannin was also added to the perfusion fluid, in order to inhibit PI3- kinase. Results Hearts from the RPO-supplemented rats showed an improved RPP recovery (92.26 ± 5.89 % vs 63.86 ± 7.74 %) after 10 min of reperfusion. This finding corroborated the findings of previous studies. Hearts of the RPOsupplemented rats perfused with wortmannin, showed increased RPP recoveries at several time points. Biochemical results showed that wortmannin did indeed inhibit PI3-K phosphorylation in the RPO-supplemented group, as was expected. The RPO-supplemented group that was perfused with wortmannin had an increased PKB/Akt (Ser473) phosphoyrylation, when compared to the wortmannin control group. It was also found that the combination of RPO and wortmannin had prosurvival effects. Discussion This study showed that RPO-supplementation offered protection against ischaemia/reperfusion injury in the Langendorff-perfusion apparatus at 10 min into reperfusion. Thereafter the significance of the protection was lost. This protection has been confirmed in several previous studies and several mechanisms have been proposed for this protection. Since no conclusive evidence exists on the precise mechanism of protection, our investigation focused on the regulators of the pro-survival PKB/Akt pathway. An improved functional recovery was also seen in the RPO-supplemented group that was perfused with wortmannin. This was an unexpected finding, because Wortmannin is a known PI3-kinase inhibitor (as was confirmed by our biochemical data). PI3-kinase phosphorylation leads to PKB/Akt phosphorylation and therefore, activation of a pro-survival pathway. It would be expected that wortmannin would inhibit PKB/Akt and thus decrease the survival of the cells. The RPO-supplementation thus reversed wortmannin’s detrimental effect to such an extent that the functional recovery was far better than RPO-supplementation alone. In the RPO + wortmannin group, PKB/Akt (Ser473) phosphorylation was increased, contrary to previous findings. This is an indication that RPO may have the ability to override wortmannin’s inhibitory effect on PI3-kinase, or that PKB/Akt (Ser473) may be phosphorylated independently of PI3-kinase.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inleiding Kardiovaskulêre siektes is een van die hoof oorsake van sterftes in die wêreld. Die vorming van skadelike reaktiewe suurstof spesies word geassosieer met verskeie patologiese kondisies en dra ook by tot isgemie/reperfusie skade. ‘n Moontlike manier om die voorkoms van isgemie/herperfusie skade asook kardiovaskulêre siektes te voorkom, is om antioksidante by die dieet te voeg. Rooi Palm Olie (RPO) bevat versadigde, mono-onversadigde en polionversadigde vetsure. RPO bevat ook ‘n oorvloed van antioksidante soos β- karoteen en tokoferole en tokotriënole. Dit is bewys in vorige studies dat RPO-aanvulling verbeter funksionele herstel. Hierdie voordelige effekte mag dalk wees agv verhoogde PKB/Akt pad aktiwiteit. Die PKB/Akt pad word geassosieer met die inhibisie van apoptose en verhoogde meganiese funksie. Doelwitte Die doelwitte van hierdie studie was om te bepaal of 1) RPO-aanvulling beskermende effekte teen isgemie/herperfusie skade in die geisoleerde rotharte het, 2) Bevestig of RPO-aanvulling wel die PKB/Akt pad beïnvloed 3). om die effekte wat RPO-aanvulling het op die reguleerders van die PKB/Akt pad te onthul. Metodes Manlike Wistar rotte is in 4 groepe verdeel. 2 Groepe kontrole rotte is ‘n standaard rotkosmengsel gevoer vir 4 weke. Die 2 eksperimentele groepe het ook ‘n standaard rotkosmengsel gekry plus ‘n RPO-aanvulling vir 4 weke. Harte is uitgesny en op ‘n Langendorff perfusie sisteem gemonteer en met Krebs-Henseleit buffer geperfuseer. Meganiese funksie herstel is gemeet na 25 min totale globale geen-vloei isgemie. Linker ventrikulêre ontwikkelde druk, harttempo, koronêre vloei en tempo druk produk is gemeet by verskillende tydpunte. Sommige harte is na 10 min herperfusie vir biochemiese analiese gevriesklamp. Die biochemiese analisiese was beoog om die PKB/Akt pad betrokkenheid te bepaal. ‘n Tweede stel harte is aan dieselfde perfusie protokol blootgestel, maar wortmannin (PI3-kinase inhibitor) is ook bygevoeg by die perfusie vloeistof. Resultate Die groep wat met RPO aangevul is, het na 10 min herperfusie, ‘n verbeterde tempo druk produk herstel getoon (92.26 ± 5.89 % vs 63.86 ± 7.74. Hierdie bevinding is ook met ander studies bevestig. ‘n Interessante bevinding was dat die groep wat met RPO aangevul is en met wortmannin geperfuseer is, ‘n verbeterde meganiese funksionele herstel getoon het. Biochemiese resultate het getoon dat wortmannin wel PI3-K fosforilering geinhibeer het. Die harte van die rotte in die groep wat aangevul is met RPO en daarna met wortmannin geperfuseer is, het ‘n toename in PKB/Akt (Ser473) fosforilering getoon, relatief tot die wortmannin geperfuseerde harte van die rotte in die kontrole groep. Hierdie groep (RPO-aanvulling en wortmannin perfusie) het beskermende effekte getoon. Bespreking Hierdie studie het getoon dat RPO-aanvulling beskerming gebied het teen isgemie/herperfusie skade in die Langendorff geperfuseerde rothart na 10 min herperfusie. Daarna is die beduidenheid van die beskerming verloor. Hierdie bevindings ondersteun die resultate van vorige studies. Verskeie moontlike meganismes is voorgestel vir die beskerming, maar die presiese meganisme is nog nie duidelik nie. In hierdie studie is daar gekyk na die reguleerders van die PKB/Akt pad. Geen vorige studies het al gefokus op RPO-aanvulling en sy effek op die reguleerders van die PKB/Akt pad nie. ‘n Onverwagte bevinding is dat harte van die rotte in die RPO + wortmannin groep ‘n verbeterde funksionele herstel getoon het. Wortmannin is ‘n PI3- kinase inhibitor. PI3-K fosforilering lei tot PKB/Akt fosforilering, wat tot sel beskerming lei. Dus, aangesien wortmannin PI3-K inhibeer, sou dit verwag word dat wortmannin sel beskerming sal verminder. Die RPO het egter die wortmannin se nadelige effekte tot so ‘n mate oorskrei dat die funksionele herstel baie beter was as die RPO-aanvulling alleen. Die verhoogde PKB/Akt (Ser473) fosforilering, wat gesien is in die RPO + wortmannin groep kan toegeskryf word aan RPO se vermoë om wortmannin se nadelige effekte te oorskrei. ‘n Moontlike verduideliking vir hierdie bevinding mag wees dat rooi palm olie PKB/Akt (Ser473) op ‘n PI3-K onafhanklike manier fosforileer.

Thesis (MTech (Biomedical Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2006<br>Cells living under aerobic conditions constantly face the oxygen paradox i.e. oxygen is indispensable for supporting life; however, its metabolites such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) can modify cell function. Oxidative stress (OS) arises as a consequence of excessive ROS production and/or impaired antioxidant defence mechanisms. Environmental and physiological factors have been implicated in poor sperm function. Excessive ROS generation results in oxidative damage and consequently decreased sperm function. The objectives of this study are threefold: (i) To measure the production of O 2 -. by sperm by means of flow cytometry. (ii) To determine effects of O2 -. on sperm motility and viability in the presence or absence of commercially available scavengers and RPO. (iii) To determine effects of O2 -. on selective apoptotic markers in ejaculated sperm in the presence of absence of commercially available scavengers and RPO. In the first part of the study, suitable solvents were investigated in order to introduce RPO (because of its hydrophobic nature) as a possible scavenger of ROS in human spermatozoa. Secondly, the O2 -. donor; 2, 3-dimetoxy-1-naphthoquinone (DMNQ) (2.5~M-100~M, 60 min.) was added to normozoospermic post swim-up samples in the absence or presence of Mn(lIl)TMPyP (50~M) or SOD (501U) or RPO at 0.1% and 0.5%. CASA was used to analyse motility parameters, while FACS was used to determine viability (PI, 1mM, 15 min.) and O2 -. levels (DHE, 30~M, 15min.).

The fractionation of two biomass resources, red oak (Quercus rubra) chips and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) trunk solids, into constitutive chemical components, cellulose, hemicelluloses (called &quot;other carbohydrates&quot;) and non-carbohydrates (includes lignin, tannins, etc.), was studied quantitatively in terms of relative cleanness. Red oak chips were steam exploded using a batch reactor at five different treatment severities, Ro 5,000, 10,000, 15,000, 20,000 and 35,000. Steam exploded fibers (SEF) of each severity were extracted with water and alkali. Mass fractionation and summative analysis data of all solid biomass fractions were determined. These data were interpreted in term of a unifying clean fractionation concept designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the fractionation processes. Within a series of severities applied to a single biomass resource, the quantitative clean fractionation can be used to choose an optimum severity for the isolation of any particular component fraction. The red oak results revealed that 25 % (on average) of biomass solids were lost during steam explosion. Cellulose remained almost unaffected (retained in fibers form) by water and alkali extraction. About 35-55 % of the hemicelluloses can be recovered in the water extracted liquor fraction (WEL). The remaining non-cellulosic carbohydrates were lost during steam explosion, especially at high severity. At Ro 10,000 and above, alkali extracted fibers (AEF) consists almost entirely of cellulose and non-carbohydrates. The majority of the non-carbohydrates component (> 50 %) can be isolated by alkali extraction. The non-carbohydrate component harvested increased with severity to 67% at Ro 35,000.<br>Master of Science

The objective of this research concerns identifying whether or not there is a relationship between oil price increases in a given quarter and the likelihood of a recession in the subsequent quarter. The data used is gathered from the St. Louis Fed's Fred II, the National Bureau of Economic Research, and the Energy Information Administration to generate modified variables. These variables are tested using a qualitative dependent variable, recession, in a binary choice model. The findings validated the assumption that oil prices do have a correlation with recessions, and that the relationship is a direct one. Based on the model, an increase in the price of oil will positively affect the likelihood of a "recession" outcome versus the alternative, "no recession". It is anticipated that the results will inspire future research into the causes and effects of oil price surges, as well as the determinants of economic contractions in the future based on policy decisions and economic decision-making practices in the present.<br>B.A.<br>Bachelors<br>Business Administration<br>Economics

I approach artmaking with a sense of intrigue, portraying the human condition as seen through my own eyes. The results that surface are female forms combined with subliminal subjective symbolism--a fusion of my personal experiences and influences created through a partially subconscious process. I use this artistic process to help me understand myself and I dare my viewers to seek their own answers within the implied narratives I choose to paint.<br>M.F.A.<br>Department of Art<br>Arts and Humanities<br>Studio Art and the Computer MFA

L'oliva i l'oli d'oliva verge són un dels ingredients fonamentals que caracteritzen la Dieta Mediterrània, definida en la dècada dels anys 60 a partir dels costums alimentaris dels habitants de l'illa de Creta ("The Seven Countries Study"). Per altra banda, tot i que la poma no era una fruita habitual a l'illa de Creta, no deixa de ser una fruita que com a tal forma part de la Dieta Mediterrània. A més a més, és consumida a nivell mundial, està disponible durant tot l'any i és apta per a totes les butxaques. En les últimes dècades, els genetistes de plantes han treballat i segueixen treballant en la millora de noves varietats de poma de polpa vermella ("red-fleshed apples") ja que són més atractives pel seu consum degut a la seva coloració rosa-vermella, com a conseqüpencia de la presència d'antocians en la polpa. La present Tesi Doctoral s'ha centrat en tres objectius: Objectiu 1. Avaluar l'impacte de la suplementació de la dieta amb els principals compostos fenòlics de l'oliva/oli d'oliva enfront la concentració d'antioxidants endògens (α-tocoferol) en múscul i fetge. Objectiu 2. Estudiar durant dues campanyes consecutives el perfil fitoquímic (compostos fenòlics, antocians, triterpens, àcids orgànics i àcid ascòrbic) de noves varietats de poma de polpa vermella obtingudes mitjançant millora varietal, utilitzant com a referència diferents varietats de poma de polpa blanca ('Golden Smoothee', 'Granny Smith'...). Objectiu 3. Determinar l'impacte de la suplementació de la dieta amb poma de polpa vermella, utilitzant com a referència poma de polpa blanca, en el desenvolupament i progressió del càncer de còlon (CC) induït químicament en un model murí. En relació a l'Objectiu 1, s'ha realitzat una suplementació de la dieta en model de rata Wistar amb compostos fenòlics d'oliva (oleuropeïna, hidroxitirosol i secoiridoids), de farigola, i amb una combinació d'aquests (5 mg /kg pes /dia), durant un període de 21 dies. Els resultats han mostrat que la dieta suplementada amb alguns compostos fenòlics d'oliva i timó han augmentat de forma significativa la concentració d'α-tocoferol en fetge de rates femelles. A més a més , s'ha observat un efecte sinèrgic entre els fenols d'oliva i de la farigola. Aquest increment observat de la concentració hepàtica de α-tocoferol, suggereix el possible potencial de la suplementació dietètica amb compostos fenòlics com a estratègia per al control de la malaltia hepàtica més comuna en l'actualitat: l'hepatopatia grassa no alcohòlica. En relació a l'Objectiu 2, els resultats han mostrat que les varietats de poma "red-fleshed" estudiades contenen una quantitat de flavanols més baixa, una concentració d'àcids orgànics similar a la varietat 'Granny Smith', i una major concentració d'antocians (cianidina-3-O-galactòsid) i dihidrochalcones (floretin xilosil-glucòsid) en comparació a les varietats de polpa blanca. A més a més, s'ha detectat un important efecte campanya en la concentració dels diferents compostos fenòlics en totes les varietats de poma estudiades, tot i que el comportament observat difereix entre la pell i la polpa. A diferència d'altres metabòlits secundaris, la variació inter-campanya d'antocians en les pomes de polpa vermella no ha mostrat una relació amb les condicions climàtiques de l'any (pluviometria i temperatura mitjana). Pel que fa al model experimental de CC (Objectiu 3), dut a terme en rates mascle Wistar, els resultats han mostrat que la suplementació de la dieta amb 'Golden Smoothee' (polpa blanca) aconsegueix una inhibició del 41.3% de focus amb criptes aberrants (lesió preneoplàsica CC). D'altra banda, els nivells de mucina colònica s'han mantingut normals per efecte de la suplementació amb 'Golden Smoothee' i amb la cianidina-3-O-galactòsid (principal antocià de la poma). Aquests resultats reforcen el refrany Gal·lès "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" en la prevenció del desenvolupament de càncer de còlon.<br>La aceituna y el aceite de oliva virgen son uno de los ingredientes fundamentales que definen a la Dieta Mediterránea, definida en la década de los años 60 a partir del patrón alimentario de los habitantes de la isla de Creta (“The Seven Countries Study”). Por otra parte, aunque la manzana no era una fruta habitual en la isla de Creta, no deja de ser una fruta que como tal forma parte de la Dieta Mediterránea. Además, es consumida a nivel mundial, está disponible durante todo el año y es asequible económicamente. En las últimas décadas, los genetistas de plantas han trabajado y trabajan en la mejora de nuevas variedades de manzana de pulpa roja (“red-fleshed apples”) para hacerlas más atractivas para su consumo, en base a la presencia de antocianos en la pulpa. La presente Tesis Doctoral se ha centrado en tres objetivos: Objetivo 1. Evaluar el impacto de la suplementación de dieta con los principales compuestos fenólicos de la aceituna/aceite de oliva sobre la concentración de antioxidantes endógenos (α-tocoferol) en músculo e hígado. Objetivo 2. Estudiar durante dos campañas consecutivas el perfil fitoquímico (compuestos fenólicos, antocianos, triterpenos, ácidos orgánicos y ácido ascórbico) de nuevas variedades de manzana de pulpa roja obtenidas mediante mejora varietal, utilizando como referencia diferentes variedades de manzana de pulpa blanca ('Golden Smoothee', 'Granny Smith'...). Objetivo 3. Determinar el impacto de la suplementación de la dieta con manzana de pulpa roja, utilizando como referencia manzana de pulpa blanca, sobre el desarrollo y progresión del cáncer de colon (CC), inducido químicamente en un modelo murino. En relación al Objetivo 1, se ha realizado suplementación de la dieta en modelo de rata Wistar con compuestos fenólicos de oliva (oleuropeína, hidroxitirosol y secoiridoides), de tomillo, y con una combinación de estos (5 mg/kg de peso/día), durante un periodo de 21 días. Los principales resultados han mostrado que la dieta suplementada con algunos compuestos fenólicos de oliva y tomillo aumentó de forma significativa la concentración de α-tocoferol en hígado de ratas hembras. Además, se ha observado un efecto sinérgico en la combinación de fenoles de oliva y de tomillo. Este incremento de la concentración hepática de α-tocoferol observado sugiere el potencial de la suplementación dietética con compuestos fenólicos, como estrategia para el control de la enfermedad hepática más común en la actualidad, la hepatopatía grasa no alcohólica. En relación al Objetivo 2, los resultados han mostrado que las variedades de manzana “redfleshed” estudiadas contienen una cantidad de flavanoles más baja, una concentración de ácidos orgánicos similar a la variedad ‘Granny Smith’, y una mayor concentración de antocianos (cianidina-3-O-galactósido) e dihidrocalconas (floretin xilosil-glucósido), en comparación a las variedades de pulpa blanca. Además, se ha detectado un importante efecto campaña en la concentración de los diferentes compuestos fenólicos en todas las variedades de manzana estudiadas. Aunque el efecto campaña difiere entre la piel y la pulpa. A diferencia de otros metabólitos secundarios, la variación inter-campaña de antocianos en las manzanas de pulpa roja no mostró una relación clara con las condiciones climáticas del año (pluviometría y temperatura media). En cuanto al modelo experimental de CC (Objetivo 3), llevado a cabo en ratas macho Wistar, los resultados han mostrado que la suplementación de dieta con ‘Golden Smoothee’ (pulpa blanca) consigue una inhibición del 41.3% de focos con criptas aberrantes (lesión preneoplásica CC). Por otra parte, los niveles de mucina colónica se han mantenido normales por efecto de la suplementación con ‘Golden Smoothee’ y con cianidina-3-O-galactósido (principal antociano de la manzana). Estos resultados refuerzan el refrán Galés "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" en la prevención del desarrollo de cáncer de colon.<br>The olive and virgin olive oil are one of the fundamental ingredients that characterize the Mediterranean Diet, defined in the 1960s from the eating habits of the inhabitants of the island of Crete (“The Seven Countries Study”). On the other hand, even though the apple was not an usual fruit on the island of Crete, it is still a fruit that as such is part of the Mediterranean Diet. Also, it is consumed worldwide, it is available all year round and it is economically affordable. In recent decades, plant geneticists have worked and are still working on the improvement of new varieties of red-fleshed apples which are more attractive for consumption, due to their red-pink flesh colour as consequence of the presence of anthocyanins in the flesh. This present Doctoral Thesis has focused on three objectives: Objective 1. Evaluate the impact of dietary supplementation with the main phenolic compounds of olive/olive oil on the concentration of endogenous antioxidants (α-tocopherol) in the muscle and in the liver. Objective 2. Study for two consecutive harvest seasons the phytochemical profile (phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, triterpenes, organic acids and ascorbic acid) of new varieties of redfleshed apples obtained through varietal improvement, using as reference different varieties of white-fleshed apples ('Golden Smoothee', 'Granny Smith'...). Objective 3. Tackle the impact of dietary supplementation with red-fleshed apples, using as a reference white-fleshed apples, on the development and progression of colon cancer (CC), chemically induced in a murine model. As regards as Objective 1, dietary supplementation has been carried out in the Wistar rat model with olive phenolic compounds (oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol and secoiridoides), thyme, and with a combination of these (5 mg /kg body weight /day), for a period of 21 days. The main results have shown that the supplemented diet with some phenolic compounds of olive and thyme have significantly increased the concentration of α-tocopherol in the liver of female rats. In addition, a synergistic effect was observed in the combination of olive and thyme phenols. The observed increase in the hepatic concentration of α-tocopherol suggests the potential of the dietary supplementation with phenolic compounds, as a strategy for the control of the currently most common liver disease: the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In relation to Objective 2, the results have shown that the “red-fleshed” apple varieties studied contain a lower amount of flavanols, a concentration of organic acids similar to the 'Granny Smith' variety, and a higher concentration of anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-O-galactoside) and dihydrocalcones (phloretin xylosyl glycoside), compared to white-fleshed cultivars. Besides, an important season effect has been detected in the concentration of the different phenolic compounds in all the apple varieties studied. Even though, the harvest season effect differed between the skin and the flesh part. Unlike other secondary metabolites, the inter-season variation of anthocyanins in red-fleshed apples has not shown a clear relationship with the climatic conditions of the year (rainfall and average temperature). Regarding the experimental model of CC (Objective 3), carried out in male Wistar rats, the results have shown that the dietary supplementation with 'Golden Smoothee' (white-fleshed) achieves a 41.3% inhibition of foci with aberrant crypts (preneoplastic lesion CC). On the other hand, the levels of colonic mucin have remained normal as a result of the supplementation with ‘Golden Smoothee’ and with cyanidin-3-O-galactoside (main anthocyanin of apples). These results reinforce the Welsh saying "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" in preventing the development of colon cancer.

Today, worldwide business communities are in the era of the Supply Chains. A Supply Chain is a collection of several independent enterprises that partner together to achieve specific goals. These enterprises may plan, source, produce, deliver, or transport materials to satisfy an immediate or projected market demand, and may provide the after sales support, warranty services, and returns. Each enterprise in the Supply Chain has roles and elements. The roles include supplier, customer, or carrier and the elements include functional units, processes, information, information resources, materials, objects, decisions, practices, and performance measures. Each enterprise, individually, manages these elements in addition to their flows, their interdependencies, and their complex interactions. Since a Supply Chain brings several enterprises together to complement each other to achieve a unified goal, the elements in each enterprise have to complement each other and have to be managed together as one unit to achieve the unified goal efficiently. Moreover, since there are a large number of elements to be defined and managed in a single enterprise, then the number of elements to be defined and managed when considering the whole Supply Chain is massive. The supply chain community is using the Supply Chain Operations Reference model (SCOR model) to define their supply chains. However, the SCOR model methodology is limited in defining the supply chain. The SCOR model defines the supply chain in terms of processes, performance metrics, and best practices. In fact, the supply chain community, SCOR users in particular, exerts massive effort to render an adequate supply chain definition that includes the other elements besides the elements covered in the SCOR model. Also, the SCOR model is delivered to the user in a document, which puts a tremendous burden on the user to use the model and makes it difficult to share the definition within the enterprise or across the supply chain. This research is directed towards overcoming the limitations and shortcomings of the current supply chain definition methodology. This research proposes a methodology and a tool that will enable an automated and comprehensive definition of the Supply Chain at any level of details. The proposed comprehensive definition methodology captures all the constituent parts of the Supply Chain at four different levels which are, the supply chain level, the enterprise level, the elements level, and the interaction level. At the Supply Chain level, the various enterprises that constitute the supply chain are defined. At the enterprise level, the enterprise elements are identified. At the enterprises' elements level, each element in the enterprise is explicitly defined. At the interaction level, the flows, interdependence, and interactions that exist between and within the other three levels are identified and defined. The methodology utilized several modeling techniques to generate generic explicit views and models that represents the four levels. The developed views and models were transformed to a series of questions and answers, where the questions correspond to what a view provides and the answers are the knowledge captured and generated from the view. The questions and answers were integrated to render a generic multi-view of the supply chain. The methodology and the multi-view were implemented in an ontology-based tool. The ontology includes sets of generic supply chain ontological components that represent the supply chain elements and a set of automated procedures that can be utilized to define a specific supply chain. A specific supply chain can be defined by re-using the generic components and customizing them to the supply chain specifics. The ontology-based tool was developed to function in the supply chain dynamic, information intensive, geographically dispersed, and heterogeneous environment. To that end, the tool was developed to be generic, sharable, automated, customizable, extensible, and scalable.<br>Ph.D.<br>Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems<br>Engineering and Computer Science<br>Industrial Engineering and Management Systems

This study investigated the effect the price of oil has on enabling political establishments to maintain their presence within the business environment. The study consists of three different case studies with each of the states (Saudi Arabia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates) being chosen based upon their level of state involvement within the business community. Each case study investigated whether the price of oil had any effect on influencing the amount of political involvement within the business community, property rights or trade freedom. The findings for all three case studies suggest that the price of oil has little to no effect on determining the amount of influence the state possesses within the business environment. Based on the results of this investigation, recommendations were made to improve the United States relationship with each country. Additional analysis and recommendations were made concerning the future economic impact of Iraq relying solely on oil as its revenue source.<br>M.A.<br>Department of Political Science<br>Sciences<br>Political Science MA

Experiments with red deer and sheep compared sunflower seed supplementation and species effects on tissue fatty acid composition and ruminal fatty acid biohydrogenation. An efficient lipid extraction method was developed allowing a large number of small samples to be analysed using small volumes of hexane:isopropanol. In Experiment 1, groups of 12 female red deer and sheep grazing ryegrass either received sunflower oil or no oil. Oil supplementation increased trans-vaccenic acid (TVA) concentrations in adipose tissues. Muscle had higher TVA and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) ratios [relative to stearic acid (CI8:0)] in sheep, and higher total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratios, including linoleic (CI8:2) and linolenic (CI8:3) acids, in deer. Different supplementation effects of species, and tissues suggested metabolic differences. In Experiment 2, groups of eight red deer stags and castrated sheep received grass hay and concentrate, supplemented with sunflower meal, sunflower oil or no supplement. The highest C18:0 proportions (relative to total fatty acid levels) were found in tissues from sunflower meal-supplemented animals, possibly due to more biohydrogenation of lipid· in sunflower meal than of oil. Tissue proportions of TVA and CLA were higher for oil-supplemented than meal-supplemented animals. In both experiments gut passage rates were higher in red deer than in sheep. In Experiment 3, incubation of buffered rumen liquor from red deer and sheep, with substrates of dried grass and grass' + sunflower meal, showed rapid biohydrogenation of fatty acids. Compared with sheep rumen liquor, deer liquor had higher contents of CI8:0, CI8:2, C18:3 and CLA, and appeared to have a higher biohydrogenation capacity. ,. The higher PUFA ratio in deer tissues compared with sheep may result from faster gut passage rate and other physiological differences. Sunflower seed supplementation can alter PUPA proportions in ruminant tissues and thus meat quality. Relatively high PUPA and low saturated fatty acid contents suggest venison as a healthy meat for human diets. Keywords: Red deer, sheep, sunflower supplementation, PUFA, TVA, CLA, biohydrogenation

Orientadores: Arnaldo Vieira Moura, Cid Carvalho de Souza<br>Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Computação<br>Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T11:05:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Lopes_TonyMinoruTamura_M.pdf: 1334472 bytes, checksum: c53fc4d807764c31b73609102203a039 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010<br>Resumo: Um conjunto de órgãos distribuidores de derivados de petróleo, incluindo refinarias e terminais, possuem demandas locais e produções de diferentes produtos ao longo de um dado horizonte de tempo. No entanto, pode não haver estoque local de algum produto para satisfazer a demanda correspondente, ou pode não haver espaço nos tanques para estocar uma produção local. Isso leva à necessidade de transporte dos derivados de petróleo entre os órgãos. Dentre os diversos modais, a rede de oleodutos é a melhor opção considerando-se custos e riscos ambientais. Em vista de sua grande complexidade operacional, um uso adequado da rede necessita de um planejamento tático composto mensalmente, e de um agendamento detalhado das operações, cobrindo poucos dias, e que deve ser atualizado diariamente. Tanto o planejamento mensal quanto o agendamento diário devem respeitar um grande conjunto de restrições, envolvendo a capacidade dos tanques, taxas de vazões nos oleodutos, níveis de estoques, dentre outras. Esta dissertação apresenta uma formalização do problema, desenvolvida em dois estágios, representado o planejamento mensal e o agendamento diário. O problema de planejamento recebeu um tratamento inicial heurístico seguido de uma modelagem por fluxo em redes, enquanto o agendamento diário utilizou programação por restrições. Os modelos foram testados sobre dados fornecidos pela companhia brasileira de petróleo Petrobras. Essas instâncias possuem uma das topologias mais complexas quando comparadas a outras redes encontrada na literatura aberta. Os resultados demonstram melhorias significativas sobre a resolução manual desses problemas<br>Abstract: A set of oil derivative distribution depots, including refineries and terminals, have local demands for and productions of different products in a given time horizon. However, there may be not enough local stock of some product to satisfy the corresponding demand, or there may not be enough tank capacity to stock the local production. This brings the need for transportation of oil derivatives between the depots. Among many transportation modes, the network of pipelines is one of the best options when considerying cost and environment risks. In order to adequately operate the pipeline network, a two phase planning strategy is developed. First, a tactical pumping plan is composed monthly and, secondly, a more detailed operational schedule, spanning a few days, is updated daily. Both the tactical and tghe operational plannings must satisfy a large set of operation constraints, involving many restrictions, such as tanks capacities, pipeline flow rates, and stock levels. This dissertation provides a formalization for the problem along with a decomposition of it in two stages, representing the monthly planning and operational schedule. The tactical stage is solved by applying a heuristic and then with a network flow model, while the operational schedule uses constraing programming. Our model treats the oil pipeline network that is operated by the Brazilian oil company Petrobras. This is one of the most complex and large topologies when compared to other networks treated in the open literature. The model was tested with real-world instances and showed significant improvements over human planning<br>Mestrado<br>Ciência da Computação<br>Mestre em Ciência da Computação

Cytokines are pleiotropic and redundant signaling molecules that govern the inflammatory response and immunity, a critical ecological parameter for organism success and population growth. Produced at the site of injury or pathogen intrusion by a variety of cell types, cytokines mediate cell-signaling in either an autocrine or paracrine manner. The type and magnitude of the cytokine milieu produced subsequently dictates the strength and form of immune response. As the most diverse vertebrate group, with a high sensitivity to contaminants, fish represent an important foci for the evaluation of immune system evolution, function, and alteration upon toxicant exposure. While many cytokines have been identified in teleosts, primary study has been limited to model species (e.g. zebrafish and fugu). However, evidence exists for several variations of cytokine genes within taxa, underscoring the need for species-specific evaluation. In this study, two pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNFα ), one chemokine (IL-8), and one anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) were cloned, sequenced, and characterized for the first time in two commercially relevant Perciformes in the Gulf of Mexico, golden tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) and red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus). The complete amino acid sequence was obtained and confirmed for IL-β and IL-8 from golden tilefish and for IL-8, IL-10, and TNFα from red snapper, with partial sequences obtained for the remaining proteins. The results indicate high homology among Perciformes for all cytokines studied, but divergence with other teleost orders, and low conservation when compared to birds, amphibians, and mammals. The sequences will be used to create a multi-plexed antibody-based assay for the routine detection of cytokines in teleost serum. This would allow the biochemical response to fish health challenges, such as oil spills and other contamination events, to be monitored at the protein level, building upon the current regime of genetic biomarkers. Thus, this work will aid in the understanding of how oil spills and other contamination events may alter the immune response in fishes.

Physics<br>Ph.D.<br>Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is a very powerful laboratory technique for micro structure research which is similar to the small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and light scattering for microstructure investigations in various materials. In small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) technique, the neutrons are elastically scattered by changes of refractive index on a nanometer scale inside the sample through the interaction with the nuclei of the atoms present in the sample. Because the nuclei of all atoms are compact and of comparable size, neutrons are capable of interacting strongly with all atoms. This is in contrast to X-ray techniques where the X-rays interact weakly with hydrogen, the most abundant element in most samples. The SANS refractive index is directly related to the scattering length density and is a measure of the strength of the interaction of a neutron wave with a given nucleus. It can probe inhomogeneities in the nanometer scale from 1nm to 1000nm. Since the SANS technique probes the length scale in a very useful range, this technique provides valuable information over a wide variety of scientific and technological applications, including chemical aggregation, defects in materials, surfactants, colloids, ferromagnetic correlations in magnetism, alloy segregation, polymers, proteins, biological membranes, viruses, ribosome and macromolecules. Quoting the Nobel committee, when awarding the prize to C. Shull and B. Brockhouse in 1994: “Neutrons tell you where the atoms are and what the atoms do”. At NIST, there is a single beam of neutrons generated from either reactor or pulsed neutron source and selected by velocity selector. The beam passes through a neutron guide then scattered by the sample. After the sample chamber, there are 2D gas detectors to collect the elastic scattering information. SANS usually uses collimation of the neutron beam to determine the scattering angle of a neutron, which results in an even lower signal-to-noise ratio for data that contains information on the properties of a sample. We can analyze the data acquisition from the detectors and get the information on size, shape, etc. This is why we choose SANS as our research tool. The world’s top energy problems are security concerns, climate concerns and environmental concerns. So far, oil (37%) is still the No.1 fuel in world energy consumption (Oil 37%, Coal 25%, Bio-fuels 0.2%, Gas 23%, Nuclear 6%, Biomass 4%, Hydro 3%, Solar heat 0.5%, Wind 0.3%, Geothermal 0.2% and Solar photovoltaic 0.04%). Even more and more alternative energy: bio-fuels, nuclear and solar energy will be used in the future, but nuclear energy has a major safety issue after the Japanese Fukushima I nuclear accidents, and other energies contribute only a small percent. Thus, it is very important to improve the efficiency and reduce the population of petroleum products. There is probably one thing that we can all agree on: the world’s energy reserves are not unlimited. Even though it is limited, only 30% of the oil reserves is conventional oil, so in order to produce, transport, and refine of heavy crude oil without wasting huge amounts of energy, we need to reduce the viscosity without using high temperature stream heating or diluent; As more and more off-shore oil is exploited at that we need reduce the viscosity without increasing temperature. The whole petroleum consumed in U.S. in 2009 was 18.7 million barrels per day and 35% of all the energy we consumed. Diesel is one of the very important fossil fuel which is about 20% of petroleum consumed. Most of the world's oils are non-conventional, 15 % of heavy oil, 25 % of extra heavy oil, 30 % of the oil sands and bitumen, and the conventional oil reserves is only 30%. The oil sand is closely related to the heavy crude oil, the main difference being that oil sands generally do not flow at all. For efficient energy production and conservation, how to lower the liquated fuel and crude oil viscosity is a very important topic. Dr. Tao with his group at Temple University, using his electro or magnetic rheological viscosity theory has developed a new technology, which utilizes electric or magnetic fields to change the rheology of complex fluids to reduce the viscosity, while keeping the temperature unchanged. After we successfully reduced the viscosity of crude oil with field and investigated the microstructure changing in various crude oil samples with SANS, we have continued to reduce the viscosity of heavy crude oil, bunker diesel, ultra low sulfur diesel, bio-diesel and crude oil and ultra low temperature with electric field treatment. Our research group developed the viscosity electrorheology theory and investigated flow rate with laboratory and field pipeline. But we never visualize this aggregation. The small angle neutron scattering experiment has confirmed the theoretical prediction that a strong electric field induces the suspended nano-particles inside crude oil to aggregate into short chains along the field direction. This aggregation breaks the symmetry, making the viscosity anisotropic: along the field direction, the viscosity is significantly reduced. The experiment enables us to determine the induced chain size and shape, verifies that the electric field works for all kinds of crude oils, paraffin-based, asphalt-based, and mix-based. The basic physics of such field induced viscosity reduction is applicable to all kinds of suspensions.<br>Temple University--Theses

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Doctor of Technology: Biomedical Technology In the Faculty of Health and Wellness At the CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, 2012<br>Diabetes mellitus is a major health problem not only in urban, but also in the rural areas and is diagnosed by the presence of high glucose levels in the blood. Oxidative stress is known to be actively involved in the onset and progression of diabetes and its complications. Antioxidants have important roles in biological systems by scavenging free radicals which may result in oxidative damage of biological molecules such as lipids, proteins and DNA. Red palm oil, originally from the tropical area of Africa, generally consumed as cooking oil, is known to have some beneficial health effects due to the presence of lipid soluble antioxidants such as carotenoids, tocopherols and tocotrienols. It also contains almost an equal proportion of both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids which makes it distinctive from other vegetable oils. Rooibos, on the other hand, is grown in the Cederberg area of the Western Cape in South Africa and it is commonly consumed as a beverage. It contains a complex profile of water soluble antioxidants (flavonoids) and its health promoting potentials have been reported extensively. Some of the flavonoids present in rooibos include aspalathin, nothofagin, quercetin, rutin and orientin. The objective of this research project was to examine the potential beneficial effects of the dietary intake of red palm oil and rooibos on streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemia and its influence on the antioxidant status and some biochemical parameters in male Wistar rats. The preliminary phase of this study was designed to investigate the biochemical effects of these two plant products at different dosages following consumption for a period of 7 weeks. The preliminary study did not reveal any adverse effects of the different dosages of red palm oil (1 ml, 2 ml and 4 ml) and rooibos (2%, 4% and 6%) on the experimental rats following dietary intake for 7 weeks. However, these natural products showed an improvement in the antioxidant status of the rats at the different doses. Using a single dose each of both plant products from the preliminary study, the main study was performed to investigate the influence of these two plant products singly and in combination on the blood and liver of streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemic male Wistar rats. In the main study, streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) dissolved in 0.1 M citrate buffer (pH 4.5) through intramuscular injection was used for the induction of diabetes which was confirmed by the presence of high blood glucose after 72 hours. Red palm oil or rooibos extract alone did not have any effect on the control of blood glucose in the diabetic rats. The dietary intake of the combined treatment with red palm and rooibos had more health promoting effects on the diabetic rats which included a decrease in blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, fructosamine and increased insulin levels. There was a marked increase in liver glycogen levels in all the diabetic groups. Treatment with rooibos alone showed a decrease in glycogen levels in the diabetic rats. The presence of liver enzymes in the serum, commonly used as indicators of liver damage was increased in all the diabetic rats. However, the combined treatment of diabetic rats with red palm oil and rooibos protected the liver from injury. Red palm oil improved high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (HDL-cholesterol) in the diabetic rats. There was no effect on the activity of glucokinase, the first enzyme in the the glycolytic pathway in both the untreated and treated diabetic rats. However, the activity of pyruvate kinase, the last enzyme in the glycolytic pathway was reduced in all the diabetic groups. The combined treatment with both red palm and rooibos increased the activity of pyruvate kinase. Oxidative stress was confirmed in the diabetic rats with an increase in the plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), an indicator of lipid peroxidation. Treatment of diabetic rats with rooibos and the combination of red palm oil and rooibos brought plasma TBARS to a level that was not significantly different from the normal control group. There was a non-significant reduction of total glutathione in the non-treated and treated diabetic groups. A non-significant increase in the activity of liver catalase was observed in all the treated diabetic groups. The activity of superoxide dismutase was significantly decreased in the liver of diabetic rats. Diabetic rats treated with red palm oil, rooibos and the combined treatment showed an increased activity of superoxide dismutase in the liver. Red palm oil and the combined treatment increased the activity of glutathione peroxidase in both the red blood cells and liver of diabetic rats. Red palm oil, rooibos and their combined treatments also improved the plasma antioxidant capacity such as ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxygen reducing absorbance capacity (ORAC) in the diabetic rats. In conclusion, oxidative stress is actively involved in the progression of diabetes mellitus. Red palm oil and rooibos, most especially their combined treatment showed significant beneficial health promoting effects in the diabetic rats. The remarkable effects of the combined treatment of red palm oil and rooibos in the diabetic rats could be due to their antioxidant profiles. Based on the findings from this study, it can be adduced that these plant products could help in the management of diabetes and its complications and therefore, suggested the need for further research studies on antioxidant therapy in the management of diabetes mellitus.

Economics<br>Ph.D.<br>While numerous studies have investigated the impact of oil prices on the stock market, Chapter 2 is the first to examine the association between corporate bond yields and oil returns. We examine the association between oil-returns and corporate bond yields of four major U.S. industrial and financial sectors (including thirteen sub-sectors). Chapter 3 examines the reaction of stock markets in the U.K. and the Netherlands to a major composite event in the oil industry – the merger of the Royal Dutch Shell (RDSA) and the BG Group (BRGYY) on April 8, 2015, and the subsequent discovery of oil in southern England on April 9. We employ an exponential autoregressive conditionally heteroskedastic (EGARCH (1, 1)) framework in both Chapters, which allows for asymmetry of the effects between positive and negative external shocks including oil return shocks, shows the effects on both the yields/stock returns and their volatilities, and permits the persistence of the shocks to be measured. Three main results are obtained in Chapter 2. First, oil returns are significantly associated with the yield levels of corporate bonds issued in ten out of the thirteen sub-sectors considered within the oil-substitute, oil-related, oil-user, and financial services sectors. The three exceptions are the Petroleum Refinery, Building, and Chemical sub-sectors. Second, the return volatilities of corporate bonds issued in the Plastic & Rubber sub-sector demonstrate asymmetric responses to positive and negative shocks. To elaborate, negative shocks lead to lower volatility in the Plastic & Rubber sub-sector than positive shocks of the same magnitude. Third, the half-life, or the time it takes for the volatility of the portfolio of bonds in the Industrial Machinery sub-sector to move halfway back to its conditional mean after a shock is introduced, is 8.6 months. For bonds in all other sub-sectors, the half-life is less than 2.5 months. We obtain several results in Chapter 3. First, the composite event of merger and oil discovery generated significant abnormal returns in six out of the thirteen sub-sectors considered in the U.K. and three out of ten sub-sectors in the Netherlands. The remaining seven sub-sectors in the U.K. and the other seven sub-sectors in the Netherlands show no sensitivity in returns to the shock. Second, there is evidence of some information leakage about the composite event as demonstrated in the significant abnormal returns for Coal, Oil & Gas Extraction, Depository Institute, Chemical and Plastic & Rubber sub-sectors in U.K. and Coal, Depository Institute and Air Transportation sub-sectors in the Netherlands up to three days before the announcement of the composite event. Third, the behavioral patterns of four of the thirteen sub-sectors considered in the U.K. and four of the ten sub-sectors considered in the Netherlands demonstrate asymmetry in response to external shocks to their respective returns. These results have three main implications. First, investors holding bonds issued by the two sub-sectors with asymmetric oil shock effects need to add bonds from oil-related and oil-substitute sectors to lower the volatility of their bond portfolio because the latter do not exhibit asymmetry. Second, considering the overall finding of sensitivity to oil price changes, institutional investors need to examine the sensitivity of their bond portfolios to oil return changes and to guard against excessive risk. Similarly, corporations should monitor oil price variations and hedge the volatility risk accordingly. Finally, stock investors in the U.K. and the Netherlands might benefit from monitoring the key events that may affect the oil supply and oil prices, and acting accordingly.<br>Temple University--Theses

Many organizations currently implement formal mentoring programs to assist newcomers in their adjustment to organizational norms, standards, and culture. However, very few empirically-established guidelines exist for how to effectively match mentors to prot&eacute;g&eacute;s in formal programs sponsored by organizations. Typically, organizations attempt to match mentors to prot&eacute;g&eacute;s based on similarity of goals/interests. However, prior research suggests that even mentors and prot&eacute;g&eacute;s disagree with respect to their perceived similarity. Consequently, it should be difficult for a program administrator to determine which mentors and prot&eacute;g&eacute;s are likely to be compatible. Recent research has found that prot&eacute;g&eacute;s who perceived they had input into their match reported higher quality relationships. The present study extended this research by experimentally manipulating prot&eacute;g&eacute; choice and by investigating potential mechanisms through which choice is expected to influence relationship success. Mentors were undergraduate juniors and seniors and prot&eacute;g&eacute;s were first-semester freshmen randomly assigned to choose their own mentor or to be matched to a mentor by the program administrator. Participants then met online in a private chat room once per week for a period of four weeks (30 minute sessions). Results indicated that when prot&eacute;g&eacute;s were given the opportunity to choose their own mentors, both mentors and prot&eacute;g&eacute;s felt more similar to one another. Additionally, prot&eacute;g&eacute;s had higher expectations for what they would get out of the relationship and were more proactive in soliciting guidance from their mentors. Finally, each instance of coded psychosocial support demonstrated by a mentor related more positively to prot&eacute;g&eacute;s' ratings of the support they received if they were in the choice condition. In fact, the relationship between coded psychosocial support and prot&eacute;g&eacute; ratings of psychosocial support was slightly negative for those who were assigned to a mentor by the researcher. Pre-meeting expectations were found to fully mediate this effect. Finally, prot&eacute;g&eacute;-reported psychosocial support was positively associated with self-efficacy and negatively related stress after the fourth chat session. In summary, the results of this study strongly suggest that prot&eacute;g&eacute; involvement in the match process can facilitate the quality of formal mentoring programs.<br>Ph.D.<br>Department of Psychology<br>Sciences<br>Psychology PhD

Writing the history of women in antiquity is hindered by the lack of written sources by them. It has been the norm to assume that the only sources that can tell us something about them are the sources written by men. This thesis challenges this convention as it concerns the social history of Rome through the exploration of a written source by a woman named Vibia Perpetua. She was a Roman woman of twenty-two years from Roman Carthage, who was martyred on March 7, 203 C.E. The reason that we know of this Roman woman and what happened to her is because of the diary she wrote. The diary survived because it was preserved in the martyrology Passio Sanctarum Martyrum Perpetuae et Felicitatis. The Passio which was edited by an unknown redactor, documents the martyrdom of several people. Unlike any other martyrologies the editor of the story included the actual diary as it was written by Vibia Perpetua. Although we have a Roman woman's writing from the second/early third century C.E, her diary reached us through a filter that has influenced up to this day the way that the text is interpreted and preserved. The intention of this thesis is threefold; to analyze the diary of Vibia Perpetua with a new focus on the discourse of Roman women by first exploring the history of the Passio Sanctarum Martyrum Perpetua et Felicitatis. Then, a method is formulated that makes use of contemporary studies on women's diaries and self-representation in texts in order to incorporate Perpetua's writing within the social history of Rome and the history of women more broadly. The study concludes by demonstrating how this diary can help to open a new dialog about the life of both women and men in antiquity and further question the history we have inherited from them.<br>M.A.<br>Department of History<br>Arts and Humanities<br>History MA

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:07:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MoacirGS_TESE.pdf: 4771867 bytes, checksum: f93165e08f62a97944b6eed01b488995 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-10<br>Among the industries, those that produce ceramic porcelain for use in construction industry and oil, during the exploration and production period, play an important role in the production of waste. Much research has been carried out both by academia and the productive sector, sometimes reintroducing them in the same production line that generated them, sometimes in areas unrelated to their generation, as in the production of concrete and mortar for the construction, for example, but each one in an isolated way. In this research, the aim is to study the combined incorporation of the waste drill cuttings of oil well and the residue of the polishing of porcelain, generated in the final stage of finishing of this product in a clay matrix, for the production of red pottery, specifically bricks, ceramic blocks and tiles. The clay comes from the municipality of S?o Gon?alo, RN, the drilling waste is from the Natal basin, in Rio Grande do Norte, and the residue of the polishing proceeds from a ceramic porcelain of the State of Para?ba. For this purpose, we used a mixture of a plastic clay with a non-plastic, in a ratio of 50% each, settling formulations with the addition of these two residues in this clay matrix. In the formulations, both residues were incorporated with a minimum percentage of 2.5% and maximum of 12.5%, varying from 2.5% each, in each formulation, which the sum of the waste be no more than 15%. It should be noted that the residue of the polishing of ceramic porcelain is a IIa class (not inert). The materials were characterized by XRF, XRD, TG, DTA, laser granulometry and the plasticity index. The technological properties of water absorption, apparent porosity, linear shrinkage of burning, flexural tensile strength and bulk density were evaluated after the sintering of the pieces to 850 ?C, 950 ?C and 1050 ?C, with a burning time of 3 hr, 3 hr and 30 minutes, and 3 hr and 50 minutes, respectively, with a heating rate of 10 ?C/minute, for all formulations and landing of 30 minutes. To better understand the influence of each residue and temperature on the evaluated properties, we used the factorial planning and its surfaces of response for the interpretation of the results. It was found that the temperature has no statistical significance at a 95% of reliability level in flexural tensile strength and that it decreases the water absorption and the porosity, but increases the shrinkage and the bulk density. The results showed the feasibility of the desired incorporation, but adjusting the temperature to each product and formulation, and that the temperatures of 850 ?C and 950 ?C were the one that responded to the largest number of formulations<br>A ind?stria de produ??o de porcelanatos para uso na constru??o civil e a do petr?leo, na fase de explora??o e produ??o, exercem um papel importante na produ??o de res?duos. Muitas pesquisas t?m sido realizadas tanto pela academia quanto pelo setor produtivo, ora reintroduzindo esses res?duos na mesma linha de produ??o que os gerou, ora em setores alheios ao de sua gera??o, como na produ??o de concretos e argamassas para a constru??o civil, por exemplo, mas cada um de forma isolada. O objetivo desta pesquisa ? estudar a incorpora??o combinada do res?duo de cascalho de perfura??o de po?o petrol?fero e do res?duo do polimento do porcelanato, gerado na fase de acabamento final do produto, numa matriz argilosa, para a produ??o de cer?mica vermelha - especificamente tijolos, blocos cer?micos e telhas. A argila utilizada ? oriunda do munic?pio de S?o Gon?alo do Amarante, RN; o res?duo de perfura??o, da bacia potiguar, no Rio Grande do Norte; e o do polimento ? de uma cer?mica de porcelanato do Estado da Para?ba. Utilizou-se a mistura de uma argila pl?stica com uma n?o pl?stica, numa propor??o de 50 % de cada uma (que ? o percentual de mistura adotado na cer?mica fornecedora dessa argila), estabelecendo-se formula??es com a incorpora??o dos dois res?duos nessa matriz argilosa. Nas formula??es, os dois res?duos foram incorporados com um percentual m?nimo de 2,5 % e m?ximo de 12,5 %, variando-se em 2,5 % cada um, em cada formula??o, de modo que a soma dos res?duos fosse no m?ximo 15 %. ? oportuno registrar que o res?duo do polimento do porcelanato ? de classe IIa (n?o inerte). Os materiais foram caracterizados por FRX, DRX, TG, DTA, granulometria a laser e pelo ?ndice de plasticidade. As propriedades tecnol?gicas de absor??o de ?gua, porosidade aparente, retra??o linear de queima, tens?o de ruptura ? flex?o e massa espec?fica aparente, foram avaliadas ap?s a sinteriza??o das pe?as a 850 ?C, 950 ?C e 1050 ?C, com ciclo de queima de 3 h , 3 h e 30 min e 3 h e 50 min, respectivamente, com taxa de aquecimento de 10 ?C/min. e patamar de 30 min., para todas as formula??es. Para melhor compreender-se a influ?ncia de cada res?duo e de cada temperatura nas propriedades avaliadas, utilizou-se o planejamento fatorial e suas superf?cies de resposta para interpreta??o dos resultados. Verificou-se que a temperatura n?o tem signific?ncia estat?stica no n?vel de 95 % de confiabilidade na tens?o de ruptura ? flex?o e que ela diminui a absor??o de ?gua e a porosidade, mas aumenta a retra??o e a massa espec?fica aparente. Os resultados mostraram a viabilidade da incorpora??o pretendida, adequando-se a temperatura a cada produto e cada formula??o, e as temperaturas de 850 ?C e 950 ?C foram as que atenderam ao maior n?mero de formula??es

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree Doctor of Technologiae (Biomedical Technology) in the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology Supervisor: Prof J van Rooyen Co-supervisor: Prof JL Marnewick Bellville October 2013<br>Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is without a doubt one of the most challenging health issues of our time and accounts for the highest number of deaths in both developed and developing countries. Despite the huge strides that have been achieved in the diagnosis and therapeutic intervention of CVD, the disease burden still remains enormous. Therefore, this calls for novel and innovative interventions to curb the surge of CVD. The use of plant based food with bioactive phytochemicals,has a great potential to reduce the incidence of CVD, specifically in resource-strained countries. Red palm oil (RPO) and the indigenous herbal tea, rooibos have previously been shown to exhibit potential cardioprotective effects. Their health promoting properties have largely been attributed to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and emerging evidence also showed that they have the potential to modulate cell signalling events. Substancial scientific evidence proposes oxidative stress and inflammation to play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Hence, natural plant extracts such as RPO and rooibos could be recommended as adjuvants to clinical therapy to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with CVD. This thesis reports on three studies investigating the cardiovascular protective effects that chronic feeding of either RPO, rooibos or their combination have on 1) antioxidant enzymes and the NO-cGMP pathway in myocardial tissue of spontaneous hypertensive rats, 2) the modulation of systemic and myocardial inflammation and 3) the myocardial ischaemic/reperfusion tolerance in a rat model of lypopolysaccharide induced inflammation. The aim of the first study was to investigate the effect of RPO on cardiac function in sponteneously hypertensive rats. The role of the nitric oxide cyclic-guanosine monophosphate(NO-cGMP) pathway, (as determined by the nitric oxide (NOS) activity) and the antioxidant defence system (selected antioxidant enzymes) were also investigated. Cardiac function was monitored at stabilization and reperfusion using the Langendorff perfusion system. Antioxidant enzymes were determined from left ventricular tissue, while total NOS activity was determined in the aorta and left ventricular tissue. The results show that RPO offered cardiac protection as evidenced by improved left ventricular developed pressure (LVDevP), maximum velocity of pressure rise (+dp/dt) max and fall (-dp/dt) max during reperfusion in sponteneously hypertensive rats (SHR) compared to their control counterparts. Improved function in SHR was associated with increased myocardial superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) protein expression compared to the normotensive rats. There was differential modulation of the NOS activity by RPO, an increase in NOS activity was observed in the aorta while a reduction in the activity of NOS was observed in the left ventricular tissue of both RPO supplemented normotensive and hypertensive rats compared to their respective control groups. These results argue a role for elevated NO production in the aorta for endothelial function maintenance. Increased SOD2 protein might lead to reduced oxidative stress. Thus, NO-cGMP pathway and antioxidant defense systems synergistically acted to restore cardiovascular function in SHR. The aim of the second study was to investigate the effect of RPO and rooibos supplementation on the modulation of systemic and myocardial inflammation in a rat model. As RPO and rooibos contain different types of antioxidants which reside and exert their biological effects in different cellular compartments, the combination of these two natural food compounds has the potential to enhance the spectrum of available dietary antioxidants in different cellular compartments, which could result in a better protection against certain pathological conditions such as inflammation. The Langendorff system and the lypopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory model were used to determine if RPO and rooibos could protect against the negative effect of LPS-induced inflammation on baseline cardiac function. Both inflammation and dietary supplementation did not have any effect on baseline cardiac functional parameters. Our results show that administration of LPS resulted in elevated plasma levels of IL-1β in supplemented and non-supplemented rats indicating that an inflammatory response was triggered in the LPS-treated rats. However, this increase in IL-1β was counteracted by concurrent elevation of plasma IL-10 in LPS-induced rats consuming either rooibos or RPO alone. Furthermore the combination of RPO and rooibos enhanced myocardial IL-10 levels in LPS-induced rats. This data shows a difference in response to LPS injection between the myocardium and the systemic circulation. The results indicate that the combination of these two natural food substances exhibit potential anti-inflammatory properties which could be beneficial in clinically relevant conditions where inflammation plays a role. Having shown that dietary intervention with RPO and rooibos had the potential to modulate the inflammatory response in the model of inflammation at basal conditions, we then proceeded to the third study to specifically establish if dietary RPO when supplemented alone will improve functional recovery and reduce infarct size in LPS-treated hearts. The Langendorff perfusion system was employed for determination of cardiac function and infarct size. The roles of NFkB, p38 MAPK and the myocardial antioxidant defence systems were investigated as potential mechanisms of protection. LPS-treatment caused significant increases in myocardial IL-1 β indicating that inflammation was induced. However, the levels of myocardial IL-10 was reduced in LPS-treated hearts compared to the non-treated hearts. Intervention with dietary RPO resulted in improved functional recovery and reduced infarct size, in both healthy hearts and in the LPS-treatment group. The RPO-induced cardio-protection was associated with increases in myocardial protein expression of the antioxidant enzymes, SOD1, SOD2, GPX1 as well as increased p38 phosphorylation during reperfusion. LPS treatment increased myocardial protein expression of NFkB p65 which was reversed by RPO supplementation. Reduction of myocardial NFkB protein expression, increased p38 phosphorylation and elevated mitochondrial antioxidant (SOD2 and GPX1) as well as cytosolic enzymes (SOD 1) are proposed as potential mechanisms underlying the RPO-induced cardio-protection in this model. Based on these study results, for the first time, having included vasculature aspects in the cardio-protective effects of RPO we have shown that the NO-cGMP pathway and antioxidant defense systems may act synergistically to restore cardiovascular function in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Results from the second study also provide the first scientific evidence that RPO in combination with rooibos (a flavonoid rich endemic herbal tea) could have potential anti-inflammatory activities at systemic as well as myocardial level, which may be beneficial in clinically relevant conditions where inflammation plays a role. From the third study it can be concluded that dietary RPO improved myocardial tolerance to ischaemia-reperfusion injury in a model of inflammation.

Thesis (MTech (Biomedical Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2006<br>Research has shown that the activation of the NO-cGMP pathway leads to myocardial protection from oxidative stress conditions, such as ischaemia and reperfusion. Few of these studies have however combined diet induced oxidative stress with ischaemia/reperfusion injury. Although little is known about the effects of supplements such as red palm oil (RPO) on the NO-cGMP pathway, research has shown that dietary RPO-supplementation improved reperfusion aortic output recovery through mechanisms that may include activation of the NO-cGMP- and inhibition of the cAMP pathway. RPO is an antioxidant-rich oil containing ~carotene and Vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols). The aims of this study were to determine: 1) whether RPO-supplementation of an oxidative risk induced diet (ORD) and a high saturated fat diet (HFD) offers protection against ischaemia/reperfusion injury in the isolated perfused rat heart and 2) the possible mechanisms for this protection. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups for a period of 14 weeks according to the dietary supplementation they received. The control groups received either an oxidative risk induced diet (ORD) or a high saturated fat diet (HFD), while the experimental groups received an ORD supplemented with RPO (ORD+RPO) or a HFD supplemented with RPO (HFD+RPO).

Chemistry<br>Ph.D.<br>Essential oils are natural products used to flavor food and beverages. With the increase in nutrition conscious consumers, manufacturers of food additives and food products are faced with the challenge of making healthy alternatives. In particular, food products going to market with label claims stating reductions in sugar and salt, organic certified, organic compliant, and all natural; moreover the ingredients used in flavors must meet these label claims as well. More often than not, the challenge in using ingredients that follow these requirements is the pricing, the sourcing and the variability among those sources. Variability is common in the ingredients coming from nature such as fruits and plants because the area of cultivation can vary by the soil at the sight of planting and/or the climate in the region. Pricing is also problematic in naturally grown ingredients because it is a matter of supply and demand. Stock could be depleted from natural disasters, disease carrying pest(s), pests that consume the crop, and/or other causes for scarce supply of crop(s). Essential oils are natural byproducts of fruit, peels, and leaves from plants that contribute to flavor formulae for a large variety of food products. Because the essential oils are a crop based commodity, every variety has inherent differences based on the growing conditions and their ripening stages [1]. Nevertheless, each type of oil has marker chemicals that make up the majority of its composition; these marker chemicals have the tendency to degrade over time based on their interaction with light, oxygen exposure, and temperature. For companies that manufacture flavorings, understanding the variability among sources of essential oils as well as the possible degradants of essential oils is valuable information to obtain because it is possible the variants and degradants will negatively impact the flavor profile. Flavor is without question the most important attribute of the food we consume and by default stability of said flavor(s) need to be understood [30]. The content in this dissertation involves the stability analysis of a common essential oil, Oil Mandarin Italian Select, from Citrus Reticulata Blanco. It has known off notes that form from unknown causes. Most common is the plastic note that has formed in carbonated products like soda. Studying this particular essential oil in various conditions is intended to shed light on what those degradants are and under which conditions they form to give mandarin oil an off-note when applied to high acid and carbonated beverage applications. Once the note is reproduced, a correlation between analytical data and sensory interpretation of the oil will be developed. Mandarin essential oil being in the Citrus genus is traditionally analyzed via gas chromatography (GC) because of the high quantities of volatile constituents that give an oil high aroma activity. The volatile fraction of mandarin oil to be studied includes stability of methyl-N-methylanthranilate (MNMA), a major component giving mandarin its distinct grapey character, as well as gamma terpinene, thymol, sinensal, alpha pinene, beta pinene, myrcene, para cymene, alpha terpineol, and beta caryophyllene. Each of these ten compounds contributes to the unique flavor profile of mandarin oils when compared to orange and tangerine essential oils [1]. It was the common knowledge that para cymene can be perceived as rancid in aroma and the many interconversions the terpenes make that cause para cymene formation in Citrus oils, which made monitoring the changes of this chemical in the three stability environments crucial. Attention is being paid to para-cymene, as a specific marker of degradation in Citrus. The data obtained from the applied stability studies were challenging to understand as the marker chemicals are volatile and sensitive to chemical change. In this work the chemical changes and trends were analyzed under various storage conditions. Significant statistical analyses were employed to help define criteria of usability. The analyses were required because of natural variants and apparent inconsistencies of the data. Dixon Q Test and the Z Test were applied to determine outliers. Additionally, the Bland Altman method was applied to compare storage conditions and to determine if this statistical approach could be used to define significant changes in the marker chemical stability. The Bland Altman plots suggest that each component met the statistical limits of agreement, meaning the samplings were not significantly changing, statistically speaking. A final approach to assess the analytical data of the mandarin oil for significant change was the mass balance of each marker chemical from week 0 to week 24. Instrumental fluctuations have an acceptable range of +/- 20% in the industry; hence, a significant change criterion for a chemical in the mass balance must be one that exceeded +/- 20%. Unlike classical statistic methods, the mass balance was indicative that significant change had occurred to the compounds in the three studies. Upon sensory analysis of the oil samples, display of plastic note, oxidation, and overall loss of characteristic mandarin notes, the mass balance was found to correlate best to the significant change detected by sensory evaluation of the oil samplings. Due to the inadequate number of validated methods on Citrus essential oil research and the absence of large groupings of terpenes validated in a unified methodology, reconciliation of mass balance is an underutilized method of assessment in the literature. As a final assessment of the GC method validated, a product containing the selected mandarin oil was analyzed to evaluate the ability of the method to separate the oil components within a significantly more complicated matrix than the initial samples. The method was successful though not all marker chemicals were detected due to their low formulation concentration being below the level of detection of the method. This should not be seen as a failure of the method. For the major components of the essential oil studied, the method was quantitatively successful, meeting industry requirements.<br>Temple University--Theses

This thesis briefly reviews Peace Studies and Peace Education in general and then, it focused on the REM (Reconstructive-Empowering) Approach (Herrero Rico, 2013) of Peace Education as its theoretical framework. This REM approach proposes concepts, methodologies and contexts that promote Cultures of Peace. The thesis continues to propose tools and methodologies for secondary education contexts that promote the REM Approach. Among them, the Life History methodology is chosen as the methodological framework for the applied part of the thesis. Thus, the last two chapters focus on the life story of the author of the thesis, both in her personal and professional life, especially as a high school teacher. For this purpose, her first-person narrative is included, contrasted with the perspective of more than forty acquaintances and with a reflection on what has been learned, putting it in dialogue with the REM approach.<br>Esta tesis revisa brevemente los Estudios de Paz y la Educación para la Paz en general y elige como marco teórico el Enfoque REM (Reconstructivo-Empoderador) (Herrero Rico, 2013) de Educación para la Paz, el cual propone conceptos, metodologías y contextos para promover Culturas de Paz. La tesis continúa proponiendo herramientas y metodologías para utilizar en contextos de educación secundaria que promueven el Enfoque REM. Entre ellos, se elige la metodología de Historia de Vida como marco metodológico en el que se basa la parte aplicada de la tesis. Así, los dos últimos capítulos se centran en la historia de vida de la autora de la tesis, tanto en su vida personal como profesional, especialmente como profesora de secundaria. Para ello, se incluye su narrativa en primera persona, contrastada con la perspectiva de más de cuarenta conocidos y con una reflexión sobre lo aprendido, poniéndolo en diálogo con el enfoque REM.

Oil exploration and production in the Sultanate of Oman is associated with many challenges, of which the disposal of 600,000 m3d -I of oil production water in environmentally sound method is of foremost importance. This water is contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons, traces of phenols, emulsifiers, a wide range of metals and has an electrical conductivity of 12 dS m-I. This study evaluated the use of Nimr reed bed technology for treating oil production water and the role of its associated chemical and biological processes in the contaminant removal. The combined interactions between the substrate, macrophytes and the inhabiting microorganisms resulted in considerable reductions in the inorganic and organic contaminants simultaneously. Metals in the effluents were reduced by 78% for (AI, Ba, Cr, Cu, Zn & Li), up to 40 for Fe, Li, Mn, Pb and appreciable reductions of As, Cd, Co, Mo, Ni, Se, TI and V. A much better and consistent reductions were achieved total hydrocarbons averaging 96% for the three years of operation. The contaminants were virtually eliminated within the primary reed bed by aerobic and to a lesser extent by anaerobic processes. Metals were adsorbed by clays, chemisorbed by oxides. precipitated as metalcarbonates and sulphates, organically complexed. precipitated as metal sulphides and absorbed into primary and secondary minerals. After the first year, reeds became mature and started taking up and accumulating significant quantities of metals, which virtually eliminated any further accumulation in the substrate. Hydrocarbons were predominantly attenuated by the developed sediment layer and creeping on reeds accommodating as much as 36±9 and 43±13% of their weight oil, respectively. The dissipation of hydrocarbons was shown to being rapid and faster for the lower molecular weight compounds than the larger ones, through volatilisation, photooxidation, aerobic and to less extent anaerobic biodegradation. The adapted and acclimated indigenous microbes tolerate high salinities; biodegraded hydrocarbon loads up to 9% and tolerates the diverse range of metals at different concentrations. The clogging problem in Nimr reduced the treatment capacity from 1500 to 400 m3d-1 however. this drawback was successfully surmounted in pot experiments using a sandy loam instead of Nimr loamy soil, and surface instead of subsurface flow regime. It was concluded that the technology is viable for this application and recommendations for future work were accordingly suggested.

In this dissertation, I analyze the 20th century text, A Room of One's Own, by Virginia Woolf (2005), and I engage with Woolf's concept of a woman's need for a room of her own in which she can be free to think for herself, study, write, or pursue other interests away from the oppression of patriarchal societal expectations and demands. Through library-based research, I identify four screens in Woolf's work through which she viewed and critiqued culture, and I use these screens to reconceptualize "a room of one's own" in 21st Century terms. I determine that the new "room" is intimately and intricately technological and textual and it is reformulated in the digital spaces of blogs, social media, and Web sites. Further, I introduce the new concept of the technologized politically embodied cyborg, or TPEC, and examine the ways 21st Century TPECs are shaping U.S. culture in progressive ways.<br>ID: 030423289; System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader.; Mode of access: World Wide Web.; Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Central Florida, 2010.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 216-225).<br>Ph.D.<br>Doctorate<br>Department of English--Texts and Technology<br>Arts and Humanities

During mechanical ventilation the diaphragm experiences an extreme case of muscleunloading. In many cases this results in respiratory muscle dysfunctions making it difficult towean the patient off the ventilator. One component in this dysfunction is the accumulation ofintramyocellular lipids (IMCL) in the diaphragm muscle fibres. Using Oil Red O stainingsand confocal microscopy on rat diaphragm sections we have quantified this process. Theresults show a sudden increase in IMCL contents between 18 and 24 hours. No significantdifference between fibre types could be seen.

Data de aprova??o retirada da vers?o impressa do trabalho.<br>Incluir a Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM) como ag?ncia financiadora.<br>Submitted by Jos? Henrique Henrique (jose.neves@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2017-12-13T16:15:41Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) alice_lopes_macedo.pdf: 5251789 bytes, checksum: e988c8abc173c91e128980414db14ef9 (MD5)<br>Approved for entry into archive by Rodrigo Martins Cruz (rodrigo.cruz@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2018-01-03T12:17:24Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) alice_lopes_macedo.pdf: 5251789 bytes, checksum: e988c8abc173c91e128980414db14ef9 (MD5)<br>Made available in DSpace on 2018-01-03T12:17:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) alice_lopes_macedo.pdf: 5251789 bytes, checksum: e988c8abc173c91e128980414db14ef9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017<br>Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM)<br>A crescente demanda global por combust?veis l?quidos para transporte, gera??o de eletricidade, atividade industrial e produ??o agropecu?ria tem imposto planejamento de a??es direcionadas ao uso de fontes ambientalmente limpas de energia. Os derivados da biomassa s?o alternativas econ?mica e tecnicamente vi?veis aos de origem f?ssil, n?o renov?vel, ora dominantes na matriz energ?tica global. O biodiesel, l?quido formado por uma mistura de ?steres de ?cidos graxos, ? adequado ? opera??o em motores de combust?o interna de ciclo Diesel, em substitui??o ou em complemento ao petrodiesel, ou em outras m?quinas t?rmicas. O prop?sito central do presente trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de um catalisador s?lido economicamente vi?vel, quimicamente eficiente e ambientalmente limpo para a produ??o de biodiesel via processos de transesterifica??o de triacilglicer?is dos ?leos de maca?ba ou de soja, com metanol. Foi preparado o catalisador heterog?neo baseado em iodeto de pot?ssio impregnado em s?lica amorfa (SiO2; derivada de areia da constru??o civil) e misturada a um componente magn?tico sint?tico (maghemita, ?Fe2O3). As estruturas qu?mica, cristalogr?fica e hiperfina essenciais e as propriedades magn?ticas dos materiais precursores e do catalisador s?lido foram investigadas. O teor de ?steres e a composi??o dos biodieseis produzidos foram determinados por cromatografia de fase gasosa acoplada a espectr?metro de massa. A composi??o qu?mica do catalisador, verificada por espectroscopias de energia dispersiva sob feixe de el?trons e por fluoresc?ncia de raios X (FRX), confirmou a ocorr?ncia de Si, Fe, K, e I. As ?reas espec?ficas BET encontradas para os componentes individuais, SiO2, ?Fe2O3 e do catalisador SiO2/KI/?Fe2O3, foram 352, 102, e 19 m2 g-1, respectivamente. A significativa redu??o da ?rea espec?fica do catalisador aponta que os componentes foram efetivamente impregnados no suporte. A morfologia das part?culas visualizadas por microscopias eletr?nicas de varredura e de transmiss?o revela a textura esponjosa do catalisador SiO2/KI/?Fe2O3, similarmente ao suporte de s?lica; o ?xido de ferro magn?tico aparece como material altamente organizado, cristalino, disperso no suporte. Os dados M?ssbauer e da magnetometria do ?xido de ferro magn?tico puro e no catalisador confirmam ser a maghemita, resultando em uma magnetiza??o de satura??o do catalisador de 4,6 emu g-1. O catalisador SiO2/KI/?Fe2O3, usado na transesterifica??o de triacilglicer?is, na propor??o em massa em rela??o ao ?leo da am?ndoa de maca?ba de 4,5% e raz?o molar ?leo:metanol de 1:35, levou ? produ??o de 94,3 massa% de ?steres, ap?s 8 h de rea??o. Foi experimentalmente observado que a maghemita tem comportamento qu?mico-catal?tico sin?rgico com os demais componentes do catalisador. O SiO2/KI/?Fe2O3 foi reutilizado em seis rea??es consecutivas com ?leo de soja, na mesma propor??o do catalisador e raz?o molar ?leo:metanol de 1:35, com rendimentos de 94,5% e tempo reacional de 110 min, para o primeiro ciclo, e de 61,2% e 150 min, para o ?ltimo ciclo. O catalisador, antes e ap?s cada ciclo de reuso, e as al?quotas das rea??es foram analisados por FRX, que mostrou que n?o h? perda significativa dos componentes do catalisador. Os resultados demonstram uma perspectiva tecnol?gica que permite redu??o substantiva do volume de efluentes poluentes e utiliza??o de diferentes mat?rias-primas oleaginosas de alto potencial para a produ??o de biodiesel.<br>Tese (Doutorado) ? Programa de P?s-gradua??o em Biocombust?veis, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, 2017.<br>The global demand for liquid fuels destined to propel automobile motors and for all other types of transport has been growing significantly over the last decades in response to the needs of the population for mobility. These fuels are also necessary for the generation of electricity to support industrial and agricultural activities. However, the principal concern involved in the generation of mechanical work involves the threat that the effluents from burning fuels, particularly those from fossil origin, impart to the environment. Biomass-derived fuels are energetically, economically and environmentally interesting alternatives to the non-renewable fossil fuels, which still dominate the global energy matrix. Biodiesel, a liquid that is composed of a mixture of esters of fatty acids, is mainly suitable for use in Diesel-cycle internal combustion engines, totally replacing or partially complementing petrodiesel. The main purpose of the present work was the development of an economically viable, environmentally clean and chemically efficient solid catalyst for the production of biodiesel via the transesterification reaction of triacylglycerols from maca?ba or soybean oil with methanol. The proposed heterogeneous catalyst was based on potassium iodide-impregnated particles of amorphous silica (SiO2; derived from construction sand) mixed with a synthetic magnetic iron oxide (maghemite, ?Fe2O3). The essential chemical, crystallographic and hyperfine structures and magnetic properties of the starting materials and of the solid catalyst mixture were assessed by physical laboratory techniques. The ester content and the chemical composition of the biodiesel produced were determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The chemical composition of the catalyst, as determined by electron energy dispersive and X-ray fluorescence (FRX) spectroscopies, confirmed the occurrence of Si, Fe, K, and I. Specific BET surface areas for the SiO2 and ?Fe2O3 components and for the SiO2/KI/?Fe2O3 catalyst were found to be 352; 102 and 19 m2 g-1, respectively. The significant reduction in the specific area of the catalyst indicates that the solid components were intimately mixed and that KI was indeed impregnated on the support. The morphology of the particles, as visualized from the scanning and transmission electron microscopy images, reveals the spongy texture of the SiO2/KI/?Fe2O3 catalyst, which was quite similar to that of the initial silica support. The atomic framework of the magnetic iron oxide appeared to be a highly organized, crystalline nano-material, relatively well dispersed on the silica support. The M?ssbauer and magnetometric data for the pure magnetic iron oxide and for the catalyst confirm that the component is essentially maghemite. The resulting saturation magnetization of the catalyst mixture was 4.6 emu g-1. From the chemical point of view, this maghemite was found to act synergically with the other components of the catalyst and to significantly improve its catalytic activity. The transesterification reaction of triacylglycerols using the SiO2/KI/?Fe2O3 catalyst at a mass ratio corresponding to 4.5 mass% relative to the maca?ba kernel oil and a methanol:oil molar ratio 30:1 yielded 94.3 mass% of esters after 8 h of reaction. The SiO2/KI/?Fe2O3 catalyst was reused for six consecutive transesterification reactions of triacylglicerols in soybean oil employing the same mass proportion of the catalyst and a methanol:oil molar ratio 35:1. A 94.5% yield of esters was obtained after 110 min of reaction in the first cycle, and a 61.2% yield was obtained in the last reaction cycle after 150 min. The compositions of the catalyst before and after each reaction cycle, along with detection of residual chemical elements in the liquid mixture of esters formed, were duly monitored by FRX. There was no significant leaching of the catalyst components during the reactions. These results open a perspective for (i) a substantial reduction in the volume of polluting effluents and (ii) the use bio-oils from native Brazilian flora (maca?ba) as raw materials for the industrial production of biodiesel.

The following research is a content analysis of 114 articles written by the American and British news media outlets in the first month following the BP Gulf oil spill in April 2010. The goal of the research was to identify any dominant frames evident in the reports and to compare the two countries to see if there was a difference in the dominant frames used. Positive, negative, and neutral tones were also evaluated to determine if there was a difference between the countries. The results show that both countries reports predominantly used an ecology and action frame, while British media outlets also used an economic frame. Both countries reported with primarily a negative and neutral tone. The implications of these findings for crisis communication managers are discussed.<br>ID: 030423416; System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader.; Mode of access: World Wide Web.; Error in paging: p. v is followed by p. iv i.e. vi].; Thesis (M.A.)--University of Central Florida, 2011.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 47-54).<br>M.A.<br>Masters<br>Sciences

Civil Engineering<br>Ph.D.<br>The oil from the Exxon Valdez incident is still observed in different Prince William Sound beaches over two decades. The persisting oil is slightly weathered and highly toxic to the environment. Several studies investigated the reasons for lingering oil. Different remediation techniques were tried and the results were not satisfactory. Recently, it was found that the oil is stranded in a low permeability layer. Detailed explorations showed that the exchange of the nutrients and oxygen is limited in this layer. The main objective of the present study is to explain the effect of oxygen and nutrients on the degradation phenomena in the Alaskan beaches. The general approach for this study is a combination of the field experiments and lab analysis. As it is important to eliminate any cross-layer contamination, a unique sampling method was developed. The applied method involves collecting samples from the oily layer (low permeability layer), measuring oxygen levels in the field and comparing them with the nutrient samples analyzed in the lab. The findings showed that the nutrients levels were low in the beach but the lack of effective electron acceptor is the major factor limiting the biodegradation of the oil. The seawater is responsible for delivering the oxygen and nutrients to the beach during the high tide while during low tide the landward freshwater discharges to the beach. The study of the sulfate and nitrate in the beach revealed that the levels of the alternative electron acceptors were not sufficient to support anaerobic biodegradation. Finally, for successful biodegradation of the Exxon Valdez oil, adequate levels of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) and along with oxygen are required.<br>Temple University--Theses