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Articular cartilage is a highly specialized connective tissue in the body responsible for protecting and cushioning bony ends in diarthrodial joints. Despite the unique ability of this tough, spongy matrix to absorb repetitive stress and loading, cartilage damage is a common occurrence, and as cartilage possesses poor self-repair capabilities, tissue-engineered cartilage replacement is under development as a viable method of repair. Tissue-engineered constructs have thus far been unable to replicate the matrix composition of native cartilage satisfactorily enough to produce usable mechanical properties; in particular, collagen content is very low. One means of improving engineered construct composition may be pulsed low-intensity ultrasound (PLIUS), which is used clinically to stimulate healing of chronic bone lesions, and has been shown to affect chondrocytes in cartilage explants and engineered constructs. We believe it may be of use specifically in improving collagen quantity and quality in engineered constructs. FT-IR spectroscopy shows promise as a valuable tool in collagen crosslink maturity analysis, replacing the current expensive, complicated standard of HPLC and allowing for high-resolution spatial mapping of components. A spectral parameter has been established in literature as being related to collagen maturity in bone, which we explore as a potential means of assessing collagen quality in our engineered cartilage. The specific aims of this research are twofold: first, to assess whether PLIUS improves primary bovine chondrocyte-seeded poly-glycolic acid (PGA) mesh scaffold composition by culturing groups with and without PLIUS stimulation, and second, to correlate FT-IR parameters (including the aforementioned maturity parameter) from engineered cartilage specimens and pure crosslink peptides to mechanical testing in unconfined compression. / Bioengineering

This dissertation describes preparation and characterization of Ni₂P catalysts and their application in hydrodesulfurization (HDS) and hydrodenitrogenation (HDN). The work carried out includes synthesis of Ni₂P on different siliceous supports, SiO2 and MCM-41. It also includes characterization of these catalytic materials using X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray absorbance fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy. In situ FTIR was employed to study the acidity of Ni₂P/SiO₂ and probe the catalytic sites involved in the HDN of pyridine. Transient and steady-state kinetics of a surface intermediate that is formed upon pyridine adsorption and reaction was studied to elucidate the mechanism of HDN over Ni₂P/SiO₂. Additionally, in situ FTIR and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy was utilized to probe the bonding, mechanism and kinetics of thiophene HDS over a novel MCM-41-supported Ni₂P catalyst. The use of these techniques allowed for better understanding of the surface intermediates, mechanisms and the nature of the active sites involved in HDN and HDS. / Ph. D.

This dissertation describes two related studies on hydrogenation and hydrodesulfurization of heterocyclic S-containing compounds. Alkyl substituted thiophenes are promising candidates for hydrogen carriers as the dehydrogenation reactions are known to occur under mild conditions. Four types of catalysts including supported noble metals, bimetallic noble metals, transition metal phosphides and transition metal sulfides have been investigated for 2-methylthiophene (2MT) hydrogenation and ring opening. The major products were tetrahydro-2-methylthiophene (TH2MT), pentenes and pentane, with very little C5-thiols observed. The selectivity towards the desired product TH2MT follows the order: noble metals > bimetallics > phosphides > sulfides. The best hydrogenation catalyst was 2% Pt/Al2O3 which exhibited relatively high reactivity and selectivity towards TH2MT at moderate temperatures. Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) of hydrogen indicated that the H2 desorption amount was inversely related to the rate of TH2MT formation. Temperature programmed reaction (TPR) experiments revealed that pentanethiol became the major product, especially with HDS catalysts like CoMoS/Al2O3 and WP/SiO2, which indicates that poisoned or modified conventional HDS catalysts would be good candidates for further 2MT hydrogenation studies. The role of tetrahedral Ni(1) sites and square pyramidal Ni(2) sites in Ni2P hydrotreating catalysts was studied by substitution of Ni with Fe. The Fe component was deemed as a good probe because Ni2P and Fe2P adopt the same hexagonal crystal structure, yet Fe2P is completely inactive for hydrodesulfurization (HDS). For this purpose a series of NiFeP/SiO2 catalysts were prepared with different Ni:Fe molar ratios (1:0, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, and 0:1) and investigated in the HDS of 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene at 300 and 340 oC. The uniformity of the NiFe series was demonstrated by x-ray diffraction analysis and by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of adsorbed CO. The position of substitution of Fe was determined by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis. It was found that at 300 oC the HDS activity of the catalysts decreased with increasing Fe content and that this could be explained by the substitution of Fe at the more active Ni(2) sites. As temperature was raised to 340 oC, the activity of the Fe-containing samples increased, although not to the level of Ni2P, and this could be understood from a reconstruction of the NiFe phase to expose more Ni(2) sites. This was likely driven by the formation of surface Ni-S bonds, which could be observed by EXAFS in spent samples. / Ph. D.

This dissertation describes preparation and characterization of Ni₂P catalysts and their application in deep hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of a model sulfur compound, 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT), one of the most refractory S-compounds. This topic is of great importance in addressing recently enacted environmental regulations limiting the sulfur content in fuels. The work carried out includes synthesis of Ni₂P on different siliceous supports, SiO₂, MCM-41, and ultra-stable Y zeolite (USY). It also includes determining the characteristics of the supported Ni₂P catalysts with a wide range of techniques: X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy. The use of these techniques allowed better understanding of the nature of the active sites as well as the effect of supports. Activity tests were conducted in the HDS of 4,6-DMDBT and the HDN of quinoline. The performance of the catalysts will be compared to that of a conventional sulfide hydrotreating catalyst, Ni-Mo-S/Al₂O₃. Investigation of the reaction mechanism in the hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) of 2-methylpiperidine together with in situ FT-IR measurements were conducted to understand how catalyst properties affect activity and selectivity. / Ph. D.

Reactivity ratios for the homogeneous free radical initiated copolymerization of acrylonitrile and methyl acrylate were measured by NMR on isolated, low conversion copolymers and by real time in situ FTIR. The system utilized azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) initiator in dimethyl formamide (DMF) at 62°. The FTIR technique allowed rapid generation of extensive copolymer compositions, which permitted application of nonlinear least squares methodology for the first time to this copolymer system. Thus, reactivity ratios at the 95% confidence level were determined to be 1.29 ± 0.2 and 0.96 ± 0.2 for acrylonitrile and methyl acrylate, respectively. The results are useful for the development of acrylonitrile (<90%) melt processable copolymer fibers and films, which could include precursors for carbon fibers. / Master of Science

Respirable coal mine dust (RCMD) has long been recognized as an occupational health hazard. In addition to coal, RCMD can contain minerals such as crystalline silica (i.e., most often present as quartz). There has been a resurgence of lung diseases among US coal miners since the late-1990s which has emphasized the need for better quartz monitoring, and better dust characterization in general. Quartz monitoring in coal mines has traditionally used infrared (IR) spectroscopy-based analytical methods such as the MSHA Method P7 that require significant sample preparation and must be performed in a centralized lab. There are generally thus days to weeks between dust sample collection and reporting of results, which can prevent the prompt mitigation efforts to better control dust and reduce exposures. Recently, a rapid analysis method for quartz has been developed by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) using direct-on-filter (DOF) Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The method has been demonstrated in a number of NIOSH-led studies using both laboratory and field samples, and the results show very good accuracy relative to the Method P7 reference. However, it has heretofore not been widely used by others or compared to results from other non-IR analytical methods. Moreover, while FTIR can allow the measurement of additional analytes, this has not yet been a focus of DOF FTIR for RCMD analysis. Analytes such as kaolinite and calcite could be of particular interest in the context of RCMD source apportionment. In this thesis, the DOF FTIR method is used to estimate silica, kaolinite, and calcite mineral fraction in RCMD samples collected in 16 coal mines, and in the laboratory using dust source materials from those same mines. The results are compared to results from other dust characterization methods such as mass-based thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and particle-based scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX). Results indicate the usefulness of the DOF FTIR method, and comparison suggests the presence of significant non-carbonate minerals other than silica and kaolinite in the coal mine dust. The results also show that SEM-EDX frequently indicates more mineral content (primarily other aluminosilicates), than that is predicted by either FTIR or the TGA. Additionally, by focusing mainly on calcite (generally sourced from limestone-based rock dust used in coal mines to prevent coal dust explosion), the second part of this study explores basic source apportionment by analyzing mine samples and samples of major dust source materials (such as run-of-mine coal, rock strata, and rock dust products). Results show that calcite can serve as a suitable proxy for rock dust in coal mine dust, and the results are consistent with expectations surrounding the contribution of dust from different mine locations and sample sources. Additionally, the DOF FTIR also showed good agreement with the TGA and SEM-EDX. / Master of Science / Respirable dust generated in coal mines has long been recognized as an occupational health hazard. In addition to coal, coal mine dust can contain minerals such as crystalline silica, which is particularly hazardous. Since the mid-1990s, there has been an alarming and unexpected increase in lung diseases in coal miners. Respirable crystalline silica is assumed to be a likely causal factor for this resurgence of lung diseases, and this has emphasized the need for better respirable crystalline silica monitoring and to better understand coal mine dust composition. The standard method of measurement of silica (called the MSHA Method P7) generally takes days to weeks between dust sample collection and reporting of results, which can prevent the mine from taking prompt mitigative efforts to better control dust and reduce exposures. Recently, a rapid analysis method for silica has been developed by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) called the DOF FTIR (direct-on-filter Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy). This method has been shown to have very good accuracy relative to the standard method (MSHA P7). However, it has heretofore not been widely used by others or compared to results from other analytical methods. Moreover, DOF FTIR can also be used to estimate other minerals of interest such as kaolinite and calcite, which can be important in the context of understanding coal mine dust sources. In this thesis, the DOF FTIR method is used to estimate silica, kaolinite, and calcite mineral fraction in coal mine dust samples collected in 16 coal mines, and in the laboratory using dust source materials from those same mines. The results are compared to results from other dust analysis methods such as mass-based TGA (thermogravimetric analysis) and particle-based SEM-EDX (scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray). Results indicate the usefulness of the DOF FTIR method, and comparison suggests the presence of significant non-carbonate minerals other than silica and kaolinite in the coal mine dust. The results also show that SEM-EDX frequently indicates more mineral content than that is predicted by either FTIR or the TGA. Additionally, by focusing mainly on calcite—which is generally sourced from limestone-based rock dust used in coal mines to prevent coal dust explosion—the second part of this study explores the sources of the dust by analysing samples collected in mines, and samples generated in lab from major dust source materials (such as the raw coal, rock strata, and rock dust products obtained from the mines). Results show that calcite can be representative of rock dust in coal mine dust, and the results are consistent with expectations surrounding the contribution of dust from different mine locations and sample sources. Additionally, the DOF FTIR also showed good agreement with the TGA and SEM-EDX.

Cânceres de pele não melanoma (CPNM) representam 95% das neoplasias cutâneas, dentre as quais o carcinoma espinocelular (CEC) é a forma mais agressiva devido a seu padrão de crescimento invasivo e possivelmente metastático. O padrão ouro para o diagnóstico é o exame clínico e avaliação histopatológica, que são subjetivos e dependem da experiência do médico e patologista envolvidos no procedimento. Considerando que o diagnóstico precoce é fundamental para alcançar um tratamento com resultados favoráveis, o presente trabalho utilizou a espectroscopia FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) para avaliar as alterações bioquímicas em pele normal causadas por lesões neoplásicas precursoras de carcinoma espinocelular. Para isto, as lesões foram induzidas quimicamente no dorso de camundongos Swiss via aplicação tópica de 9,10-dimetil-1,2-benzantraceno (DMBA) e 12-tetradecanoforbol-13-acetato (TPA) por um período de 28 semanas. Os espectros de absorção no infravermelho por transformada de Fourier foram coletados na região do infravermelho médio (4000-400 cm-1) no modo de reflexão total atenuada (ATR) e pré-processados para análise posterior. Considerou-se a amplitude da segunda derivada dos espectros de absorção como critério de comparação entre os grupos, nos quais foi observado redução de fibras colágenas e glicogênio no tecido neoplásico, assim como o aumento na intensidade de absorção de modos vibracionais associados a ácidos nucleicos e conteúdo proteico. A técnica de análise por agrupamento (HCA) foi utilizada para classificação dos espectros de tecidos normal e neoplásico, na qual obteve-se 92,6% de acurácia na discriminação dos dados. Diante disso, conclui-se que a espectroscopia FTIR associada a análise por agrupamento apresenta-se como uma potencial ferramenta para complementar a análise histopatológica na rotina clínica durante o diagnóstico de carcinoma espinocelular. / Nonmelanoma skin cancers represent 95% of cutaneous neoplasms, which squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the more aggressive form due to its invasive growth pattern and potentially metastatic. Histopathologycal analysis and clinical exam are the gold standard for diagnosis, which are subjective and depend on the experience of the physician and pathologist involved in the procedure. Considering that early diagnosis has fundamental importance to achieving a treatment with favorable results, this study used FTIR spectroscopy (Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy) to assess the biochemical changes in normal skin caused by neoplastic lesions precursors of squamous cell carcinoma. For this, the lesions were chemically induced in the back of Swiss mice by topical application of 9,10- dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA) and 12 tetradecanoforbol-13-acetate (TPA) for a 28- week period. Fourier transform infrared spectra from normal and neoplastic tissue were collected in the mid-infrared region (4000-400 cm-1) using attenuated total reflection (ATR) sampling mode and pre-processed for group comparison. The amplitude of second derivative was considered as criteria for group comparison, which showed a reduction of collagen fibers and glycogen content in the neoplastic tissue, as well as increasing in the vibrational modes associated with nucleic acids and protein content. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) was used for classification of spectra from neoplastic and normal tissue and obtained an accuracy of 92,6% sorting the data. In this sense, we conclude that FTIR spectroscopy associated with HCA presents as a potential tool for complementary histopathological analysis in the clinical diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma.

Os extratos vegetais amazônicos para uso em beneficiamento têxtil podem ser uma alternativa sustentável e ecológica em relação às atuais matérias-primas utilizadas pelo mercado. Este estudo teve como objetivo efetuar a caracterização físicoquímica de extratos vegetais amazônicos (óleo-resina de copaíba, óleo de castanha do Brasil, óleo de buriti, manteiga de cacau, manteiga de tucumã e manteiga de cupuaçu), preparar emulsões e realizar aplicações preliminares destas em têxteis. A caracterização físico-química foi realizada através das técnicas instrumentais analíticas de espectroscopia de infravermelho por transformada de Fourrier (FTIR) e cromatografia a gás com detecção por ionização de chama (CG-FID). Além disso, foi realizada a determinação do Equilíbrio Hidrófilo-Lipófilo (EHL) das emulsões preparadas a partir dos extratos estudados; seleção da emulsão mais estável por extrato para aplicação por foulardagem; avaliação da oxidação das emulsões aplicadas sobre o material têxtil em diferentes temperaturas (120 a 200ºC); e avaliação sensorial de toque proporcionado pelas emulsões em comparação a um amaciante de uso industrial. Os principais resultados foram que o óleo de castanha do Brasil e as manteigas de cacau, tucumã e cupuaçu apresentaram resultados próximos nas análises por FTIR; a distribuição graxa por cromatografia a gás mostrou-se útil para a caracterização destes extratos vegetais; os valores de referência de EHL para os extratos analisados foram de 7,51 a 10,72 e estão de acordo com a literatura científica (de 6 a 12); os extratos estudados emulsionados nas condições do estudo não possuem tendência à oxidação por temperatura; as médias globais das análises sensoriais de toque indicam um resultado inferior ao padrão comercial, porém, as manteigas de cacau, cupuaçu e o óleo de castanha do Brasil apresentaram os melhores resultados, com notas entre 2,8 e 2,9 (numa escala de 1 a 5). Assim, nota-se que, os resultados obtidos podem ser utilizados como base para pesquisas futuras no sentido de melhorar as formulações das emulsões para a produção de amaciantes ou outros produtos / The Amazonian plant extracts for use in textile processing can be a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to the current raw materials used by the market. This study aimed to make the physicochemical characterization of Amazonian plant extracts (copaiba oleoresin, Brazil nut oil, buriti oil, cocoa butter, tucumã butter and cupuaçu butter), prepare emulsions and perform preliminary applications in textile. The physicochemical characterization was performed by analytical instrumental techniques, such as FTIR spectroscopy and gas chromatography with FID detection (GC-FID). Furthermore, the determination of the Hydrophile-Lipophile Balance (HLB) was performed of the emulsions prepared from the extracts studied; the emulsion more stable for selection extract for application by padding; evaluation of the oxidation of emulsions applied to the textile material at different temperatures (120 to 200C); and sensory evaluation provided by the touch emulsions compared to a industrial softener. The main results were that the Brazil nut oil and cocoa, tucumã and cupuaçu butters showed similar results in the analysis by FTIR; grease distribution by gas chromatography proved to be useful for the characterization of plant extracts; the HLB values for the reference analyzed the extracts were 7.51 to 10.72 are consistent with the literature (6 to 12); the extracts studied emulsified in the study conditions have no tendency to oxidation temperature; the global average of sensory analysis touch indicate somewhat lower than the commercial standard, however, cocoa and cupuaçu butter and Brazil nut oil showed the best results, with grades between 2.8 and 2.9 (on a scale of 1 to 5). Thus, it is noted that the results obtained can be used as the basis for further research in order to improve the formulations of emulsions for the production of fabric softeners or other products

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência de diferentes aminas terciárias no grau de conversão, na contração de polimerização, na taxa de contração, na microdureza Knoop, na estabilidade de cor e na transmitância de luz de resinas experimentais, contendo, em peso, BisGMA e TEGDMA (3:1), 0,25% de canforquinona (CQ) e 1% de amina (DMAEMA, CEMA, DMPT, DEPT ou DABE). A influência de diferentes protocolos de fotoativação também foi investigada. O grau de conversão foi avaliado através de FTIR-ATR e a contração pelo método do disco aderido. A partir da diferenciação numérica dos dados de contração em relação ao tempo, obteve-se a taxa de contração de polimerização. A estabilidade de cor e a transmitância foram avaliadas em diferentes períodos de envelhecimento artificial. Os resultados foram avaliados pelos testes de ANOVA, Tukey e T3 de Dunnett (&#945; = 0,05). As propriedades estudadas variaram em função da amina. O grau de conversão e a contração de polimerização variaram na sequência: CQ < DEPT < DMPT &#8804; CEMA &#8776; DABE < DMAEMA. O grau de conversão e a contração também foram influenciados pelo protocolo de fotoativação, sendo observadas correlações positivas entre o grau de conversão e a contração e entre o grau de conversão e a taxa de contração. A cor variou na sequência: DMAEMA < DEPT < DMPT < CEMA < DABE. A transmitância variou na sequência: DEPT &#8776; DABE < DABE &#8776; DMPT &#8776; CEMA < DMPT &#8776; CEMA &#8776; DMAEMA, sendo mais evidente para o comprimento de onda de 400nm. Não foram observadas correlações entre o grau de conversão e as propriedades ópticas. A resina contendo DMAEMA apresentou maior grau de conversão, contração, taxa de contração e dureza, além de melhor estabilidade nas propriedades ópticas. / The aim of this work was to evaluate de influence of different tertiary amines on degree of conversion (DC), shrinkage-strain, shrinkage-strain-rate, Knoop microhardness, and colour and transmittance stabilities of experimental resins containing BisGMA / TEGDMA (3:1 wt), 0,25wt% camphorquinone, 1wt% amine (DMAEMA, CEMA, DMPT, or DABE). Different light-curing protocols were also evaluated. DC was evaluated with FTIR-ATR and shrinkage-strain with the bonded-disc method. Shrinkage-strain-rate data were obtained from numerical differentiation of shrinkage-strain data with respect to time. Colour stability and transmittance were evaluated during different periods of artificial aging, according to ISO 7491:2000. Results were evaluated with ANOVA, Tukey and Dunnetts T3 tests (&#945; = 0.05). The studied properties varied according to amines. DC and shrinkage-strain were maximum at the sequence: CQ < DEPT < DMPT &#8804; CEMA &#8776; DABE < DMAEMA. Both DC and shrinkage were also influenced by the curing protocol, with positive correlations between DC and shrinkage-strain and DC and shrinkage-strain-rate. Colour varied in the sequence: DMAEMA < DEPT < DMPT < CEMA < DABE. Transmittance varied in the sequence: DEPT &#8776; DABE < DABE &#8776; DMPT &#8776; CEMA < DMPT &#8776; CEMA &#8776; DMAEMA, being more evident at the wavelength of 400nm. No correlations between DC and optical properties were observed. The resin containing DMAEMA showed higher DC, shrinkage-strain, shrinkage-strain-rate and microhardness, in addition with better optical properties.