Yes / A novel fluorescent monomer was synthesized to probe the state of CO2-responsive cross-linked polymeric particles. The fluorescent emission of this aminobromomaleimide-bearing monomer, being sensitive to protic environments, can provide information on the core hydrophilicity of the particles and therefore indicates the swollen state and size of the particles. The particles’ core, synthesized from DEAEMA (N,N-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate), is responsive to CO2 through protonation of the tertiary amines of DEAEMA. The response is reversible and the fluorescence emission can be recovered by simply bubbling nitrogen into the particle solution. Alternate purges of CO2 and N2 into the particles’ solution allow several ON/OFF fluorescence emission cycles and simultaneous particle swelling/shrinking cycles. / British Petroleum Company (BP), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Cross-linked poly(ethylene oxide) (XLPEO) based on poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) is an amorphous rubbery material with potential applications for carbon dioxide removal from mixtures with light gases such as methane, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. Changing the polymer network structure of XLPEO through copolymerization has previously been shown to influence gas transport properties, which correlated with fractional free volume according to the Cohen-Turnbull model. This project explores strategic modifications of the cross-linked polymer structure and their effect on the chemical, physical and gas transport properties with an aim to develop rational, molecular-based design rules for tailoring separation performance. Experimental results from calorimetric and dynamic thermal analysis studies are presented, along with pure gas permeability and solubility obtained at 35°C. Incorporation of dangling side chains by copolymerization of PEGDA with methoxy-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate, n=8 (PEGMEA) was previously shown to be effective in increasing fractional free volume of XLPEO through the opening of local free volume elements, which in turn increased CO₂ permeability. Through a comparative study ofshort chain analogs to these co-monomers, incorporation of an ethoxy-terminated co-monomer was shown to be more effective than a comparable methoxy-terminated co-monomer in increasing gas permeability. For instance, copolymerization of PEGDA with 71 wt% ethoxy-terminated diethylene glycol ethyl ether acrylate increased CO₂ permeability from 110 barrer to 320 barrer. Gas permeability increase was not observed when hydroxy or phenoxy-terminated pendants were introduced, which was attributed to reduction in chain mobility due to increased inter-chain chemical interactions or steric restrictions, respectively. Based on these results, incorporation of a co-monomer containing a bulky non-polar terminal group, tris-(trimethylsiloxy)silyl, was examined in order to further increase gas permeability. Addition of 80 wt% TRIS-A co-monomer increased CO₂ permeability of cross-linked PEGDA to 800 barrer. However, the resulting changes in chemical character of the copolymer reduced CO₂/light gas selectivity, even as gas permeability increased. The effect of incorporating a bulky, stiff functional group in the cross-linker chain was studied using cross-linked bisphenol-A ethoxylate diacrylate, which showed 40% increase in permeability compared to cross-linked PEGDA. This study affirmed the importance of polymer chain interaction, in addition to free volume, in determining the gas transport properties of the polymer. / text

The original purpose of this study was to compare initial resuscitation of hemorrhagic hypotension after traumatic brain injury (TBI) with saline and shed blood. Based on those results, the protocol was modified and saline was compared to a blood substitute, diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin (DCLHb). Two series of experiments were performed in anesthetized and mechanically ventilated (FiO2 = 0.4) pigs (35-45 kg). In Series 1, fluid percussion TBI (6-8 ATM) was followed by a 30% hemorrhage. At 120 min post-TBI, initial resuscitation consisted of either shed blood (n = 7) or a bolus of 3x shed blood volume as saline (n = 13). Saline supplements were then administered to all pigs to maintain a systolic arterial blood pressure (SAP) of >100 mmHg and a heart rate (HR) of <110 beats/min. In Series 2, TBI (4-5 ATM) was followed by a 35% hemorrhage. At 60 min post-TBI, initial resuscitation consisted of either 500 mL of DCLHb (n = 6) or 500 mL of saline (n = 5). This was followed by saline supplements to all pigs to maintain a SAP of >100 mmHg and a HR of <110 beats/min. In Series 1, most systemic markers of resuscitation (e.g., SAP, HR, cardiac output, filling pressures, lactate, etc.) were normalized, but there were 0/7 vs. 5/13 deaths within 5 h (P = 0.058) with blood vs. saline. At constant arterial O2 saturation (SaO2), mixed venous O2 saturation (SvO2), cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and cerebral venous O2 saturation (ScvO2) were all higher, intracranial pressure (ICP) was lower, and CO2 reactivity was preserved with blood vs. saline (all P < 0.05). In Series 2, SAP, ICP, CPP, and lactate were higher with DCLHb vs. saline (all P < 0.05). Cardiac output was lower even though filling pressure was markedly elevated with DCLHb vs. saline (both P < 0.05). Neither SvO2 nor cerebrovascular CO2 reactivity were improved, and ScvO2 was lower with DCLHb vs. saline (P < 0.05). All survived at least 72 h with neuropathologic changes that included sub-arachnoid hemorrhage, midline cerebellar necrosis, and diffuse axonal injury. These changes were similar with DCLHb vs. saline. Thus, whole blood was more effective than saline for resuscitation of TBI, whereas DCLHb was no more, and according to many variables, less effective than saline resuscitation. These experimental results are comparable to those in a recent multicenter trial using DCLHb for the treatment of severe traumatic shock. Further investigations in similar experimental models might provide some plausible explanations why DCLHb unexpectedly increased mortality in patients.

Doubly cross-linked gels were fabricated based on tetra-poly(ethylene glycol) (Tetra-PEG) by shear strain. These are gels with two network structures present in the same polymeric network. The second network structure is introduced by applying a mechanical field to the first natural network structure. These doubly cross-linked gels indicated a negative energy elasticity supporting earlier findings where the energy elasticity was found significantly negative for Tetra-PEG gel. Acquired results indicate implications for past research on the elasticity of polymer gels where the energy contribution was approximated to zero. Obtained results also indicated that the modulus of rigidity for the doubly cross-linked gels is constant regardless of applied shear strain during fabrication. This would indicate that the same second network structure is formed for the interval of 25-800% applied shear strain. The residual strain for the fabricated gels can be well-described using an exponential fitting of the apparent shear modulus of the first network structure and an expression derived from the two-network theory and classic rubber theory. These theories also seem to predict the experimental residual strains for lower strain regions (&lt;100%) quite well. However for larger strain regions (&gt;100%) non-linear effects seem to affect the results causing a deviation. A slight increased modulus of rigidity was noted for the doubly cross-linked gels compared to the regular Tetra-PEG gel. However as the reproducibility of the concluded measurements could not be confirmed during this thesis the results are not conclusive and only indicate the conclusions mentioned above.

There are two sections to this research dissertation. Part one includes syntheses of fused-ring heterocycles derived from thiazole, oxazole, benzoxazole and benzothiazole derivatives and trifluoroacetylations of in situ generated N-methyl cyclic ketene-N,O/Sacetals. Attempted functionalized polymer syntheses from plant-derived 5-(hydroxymethyl) furfural are discussed in part two. Three 2-methylthiazoles, 2,4,5-trimethyloxazole, 2-methylbenzoxazole and 2- methyl-benzothiazole were each reacted with benzoyl chloride in acetonitrile/triethylamine to generate benzyl-vinyl esters. Base hydrolysis of these benzyl-vinyl esters formed 2-(heterocyclic)-1-phenylethenols which exist in both ketoenol tautomeric forms. These tautomers were used as starting materials for fused-ring heterocycle syntheses. Each tautomeric pair react with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate in methanol giving the 5,6-ringused 8-benzoyl-5-oxo-5H-thiazolo-, 8-benzoyl-5-oxo-5H-oxazolo-, 4-benzoyl-1-oxo-1H-benzo[4,5]oxazolo- and 4-benzoyl-1-oxo-1H-benzo[4,5]thiazolo [3,2-a]pyridinecarboxylate derivatives. Two novel 5,7-ringused 9-benzoyl-2,3- dimethyl-5,6-dihydrothiazolo- and 9-benzoyl-2,3-dimethyl-5,6-dihydrooxazolo[3,2-a] azepine-5,6,7,8-tetracarboxylates formed when the tautomers formed from 2,4,5- trimethyl thiazole and 2,4,5-trimethyl oxazole were reacted with DMADC. These tautomers react with 1,3-diacid chlorides in acetonitrile/triethylamine affording the 5,6-ringused 8-benzoyl-6,6-dialkyl-6H-thiazolo- and 8-benzoyl-6,6- dimethy-6H-oxazolo-, 4-benzoyl-2,2-dimethyl-1H-benzo[4,5]thiazolo- and 4-benzoyl- 2,2-dimethyl-1H-benzo[4,5]oxazolo[3,2,-a]pyridinedione derivatives. Functionalized 5,6- ringused 8-benzoyl-6H-thiazolo- and 8-benzoyl-6H-oxazolo[3,2]pyrimidine-5,7- diones, and 4-benzoyl-1H-benzo[4,5]thiazolo- and 4-benzoyl-1H-benzo[4,5]oxazolo[3,2- c]pyrimidine-1,3(2H)-diones formed reacting the tautomers with N-chlorocarbonyl isocyanate in THF/triethylamine. Significant ring size and substituent effects were observed in trifluoroacetylations of in situ-generated cyclic ketene-N,O/S acetals. In situ-generated 3,4,4-trimethyl-2- methylene-oxazolidine, 3-methyl-2-methylene-oxazolidine and 3-methyl-2-methylene- 1,3-oxazinane each formed β,β-bistrifluoroacetylated products. However, 3-methyl-2- methylene-oxazolidine also afforded a γ-lactam by an iodide-catalyzed rearrangement of its β,β-bistrifluoroacetylated derivative. In situ-generated 3-methyl-2-methylenethiazolidine gave both β-mono- and β,β-bistrifluoroacetylation products. 5-(Hydroxymethyl)furfural synthesized from sucrose was converted to 2,5- bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (2,5-BHMF). 7-Oxanorbornene-type Diels-Alder adducts synthesized from 2,5-BHMF were used as monomers for both ring opening metathesis polymerizations (ROMPs) and polycondensations. ROMP, followed by polycondensation or vise versa were expected to give highly functionalized cross-linked polymers. ROMP of the monomers using three Grubbs’ 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation catalysts were unsuccessful due to the presence of hydroxymethyl groups at one or both bridgeheads that could coordinate Ruthenium. With one bridgehead methyl present ROMP proceeded. Low molecular weight polyesters were synthesized via polycondensation. One was crosslinked using ROMP, but not to its gel point.

In der Ausbildung angehender Lehrkräfte kann fragmentiertes Wissen zu Schwierigkeiten im Umgang mit komplexen Problemsituationen im Unterricht führen. Fähigkeiten im Bereich des vernetzten Denkens, speziell verschiedene Bereiche des Lehrerprofessionswissens miteinander vernetzen zu können, können in komplexen problematischen Unterrichtssituationen hilfreich sein. Um die Fähigkeiten des vernetzten Denkens der Studierenden zu fördern, wird in dieser Studie die Fallmethode im Master of Education der Biologie eingesetzt und in Bezug auf die Förderung der Vernetzungsfähigkeit von Studierenden überprüft. Die Theoriegrundlage der Studie bilden biologiespezifische Kategorien des fachdidaktischen Lehrerprofessionswissens und ein Modell des vernetzten Denkens. In Verbindung mit dem Einsatz von Fällen sollen Fähigkeiten zur theoriebasierten Analyse problematischer Unterrichtssituationen und zur Bildung von Handlungsalternativen, in denen verschiedene Aspekte biologiespezifischen Lehrerprofessionswissens miteinander verknüpft sind, gefördert werden. Die eingesetzten Fälle werden in dieser Studie als theoriebasierte und gleichzeitig praxisnahe Darstellungen komplexer problematischer Unterrichtssituationen verstanden. Die Effektivität der Intervention wird durch eine Interviewstudie sowie durch ein Zwei-Gruppen-Prä-Post-Test, in dem die Studierenden Fälle bearbeiteten, überprüft. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass bei beiden Studierendengruppen bereits grundlegende Fähigkeiten im Bereich der theoriebasierten Unterrichtsanalyse vorliegen. Studierende der Interventionsgruppe zeigen zudem eine deutliche Zunahme der Fähigkeiten, Handlungsalternativen für Unterrichtsituationen zu entwickeln, in denen verschiedene fachdidaktische Bereiche miteinander vernetzt sind. Weiterhin konnten vier Fallbearbeitungstypen identifiziert werden. Die Anzahl der Studierenden, die die Kriterien des besonders leistungsstarken Fallbearbeitungstyps erfüllen, nahm bei der Interventionsgruppe deutlich zu. / Teacher education students fragmented knowledge can create difficulties to cope with complex and problematic teaching incidents. The ability to draw on cross-linked thinking, particularly with regard to connect certain aspects of professional teacher knowledge, is helpful in their approach to complex and problematic teaching incidents. To foster the students’ cross-linked thinking ability, the case method of teaching was implemented and evaluated in a module of the masters course in biology teacher education. The theoretical background of the study is based on biology specific pck categories and a model of cross-linked thinking. The central aim of the study is to develop students’ capability in analysing teaching incidents and their capability in creating different action possibilities to deal with teaching incidents, and to identify which different aspects of pck are connected to one another. The multiple intervention study implements a variety of learning cases in a module of the master course in biology teacher education. In this study a case is understood to be based in theory and has to be as close to the practical teaching situation as possible. The effect of the intervention was evaluated by using guided interviews and utilising a two group pre- and post-test design, in which the students analysed test cases. The results show that masters students of the intervention and control group have basic skills in case analysis. Students, particularly in the intervention group, showed an increase in the number of possible ways to deal with case studies of difficult teaching incidents, in which different areas of pck could be cross-linked. Based on students’ test case analyses, four different case-processing types were identified. Furthermore the number of students, whose case analysis ability fell into the strong performance case-processing type, had particularly increased in the intervention group.

The search for alternatives to the fossil-based products has dramatically surged during past few decades primarily due to the problems associated with the scarcity of these sources and global environmental concerns. Among those many alternatives, exploitation of cellulose, as a raw material to develop novel products has been a constant attempt since it has never lost its both economic and industrial impact. Cellulose is known for its significant contribution as a raw material and as a fascinating sustainable macromolecule, which exhibits wide availability and versatile chemical reactivity to discover novel derivatives for broad range of applications. Conversion of cellulose C2/C3 secondary hydroxyl groups to dialdehyde groups in the presence of periodate is an extremely useful method for regioselective oxidation of cellulose and to activate the polymer for further derivatization. This thesis is primarily focused on synthesis and characterization of wide range of cellulose derivatives exploiting facile periodate oxidation methodology. The first study investigated the use of periodate oxidation as a potential method to synthesize a novel water soluble derivative of cellulose from bleached hardwood Kraft pulp. The work focused on the effect of periodate oxidation and sulfonation reaction on water solubility, morphology and structure of cellulose fibers. The results showed a significant increase in water solubility (2.85 -28.5 g/L) and complete change in surface morphology of the fibers due to the introduction of sulfonic acid groups. In the second study, the same reaction scheme was employed on bead cellulose to prepare anionic 2,3-disulfonated beads. Due to the presence of negatively charged sulfonic acid groups, the beads were found to be agglomerated in presence of cationic starch, exhibiting their future application in chromatographic separation. In the third study, model primary amine compounds such as methyl and butyl amines were grafted to nanowhisker surfaces following periodate oxidation and reductive amination. Then, based on the grafting procedure, in the following study, gamma aminobutyric acid (spacer) and syringyl alcohol (linker) was attached to periodate oxidized nanowhiskers to synthesize a novel drug delivery system. The final study investigated the application of periodate oxidized nanowhiskers as chemical cross-linkers to stabilize gelatin gels. It was concluded that the chemical cross-linking has a significant effect on relative increase in percentage of rigid protons, reduced water uptake ability and reduced pore size of the gels. Not only did the chemical cross-linking improve the storage modulus of the gels (150%) and but it also increased the thermal resistance until 50 oC.

This work deals with the design and synthesis of building blocks, usable for creating dynamic polymers based on the reversible formation of hemiacetals bond. Next part is focused on the study of the formation of hemiacetal between polyfunctional alcohols and trifluoromethylketones via NMR spectroscopy. Key words: constitutional dynamic chemistry, hemiacetals, trifluoromethylketones, diols and polyols

Les micelles apparaissent comme prometteuses dans le domaine de la vectorisation de médicaments. Afin d’améliorer leur biocompatibilité nous nous intéressons ici à des synthèses originales de copolymères amphiphiles comportant un bloc hydrophobe lipidique biosourcé. Un polymère intelligent constitue le bloc hydrophile. L’huile de lin subit une modification chimique afin d’introduire un site amorceur de polymérisation. Le bloc hydrophile est alors ajouté par polymérisation contrôlée. Deux copolymères sont obtenus, le lipide-b-poly(acide acrylique), pH-sensible et le lipide-b-poly(2-isopropyl-oxazoline), thermo-sensible. Une caractérisation physico-chimique complète révèle des concentrations micellaires critiques basses et des micelles de 10 nm. Un système mixte est préparé par mélange des deux copolymères. L’étude de ce système prouve une sensibilité aux deux stimuli. Afin d’améliorer la stabilité des micelles, nous proposons la photo-réticulation des insaturations de la chaîne lipidique. / Small micellar systems seem to be really promising candidates for drug delivery applications. In order to improve the bio-assimilation of our system, the original synthesis of amphiphilic copolymers from linseed oil is carried out. First, linseed oil is chemically modified in order to introduce a polymerization initiating site. Then, the lipoinitiator is engaged in the controlled polymerization of the hydrophilic block. Two amphiphilic copolymers are obtained through this strategy: a pH-sensitive lipid-b-poly(acrylic acid), and a thermo-sensitive lipid-b-poly(2-isopropyl-oxazoline). Both present a low critical micellar concentration and form small micelles (~10 nm). By mixing both copolymers, mixed micelles responding to both stimuli were obtained. In order to improve the system’s stability, the photo-cross-linking of the lipidic double bonds in the micelle’s core is finally realized.

Bone transplantation is regarded as the preferred therapy to treat a variety of bone defects. Autologous bone tissue is often lacking at the source, and the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) responsible for bone repair mechanisms are extracted by invasive procedures. This study explores the potential of autologous mesenchymal stem cells derived from the hair follicle outer root sheath (MSCORS). We demonstrated that MSCORS have a remarkable capacity to differentiate in vitro towards the osteogenic lineage. Indeed, when combined with a novel gelatin-based hydrogel called Osteogel, they provided additional osteoinductive cues in vitro that may pave the way for future application in bone regeneration. MSCORS were also compared to MSCs from adipose tissue (ADMSC) and bone marrow (BMMSC) in a 3D Osteogel model. We analyzed gel plasticity, cell phenotype, cell viability, and differentiation capacity towards the osteogenic lineage by measuring alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium deposition, and specific gene expression. The novel injectable hydrogel filled an irregularly shaped lesion in a porcine wound model displaying high plasticity. MSCORS in Osteogel showed a higher osteo-commitment in terms of calcium deposition and expression dynamics of OCN, BMP2, and PPARG when compared to ADMSC and BMMSC, whilst displaying comparable cell viability and ALP activity. In conclusion, autologous MSCORS combined with our novel gelatin-based hydrogel displayed a high capacity for differentiation towards the osteogenic lineage and are acquired by non-invasive procedures, therefore qualifying as a suitable and expandable novel approach in the field of bone regeneration therapy