High levels of ionizing radiation are known to cause degradation and/or cross-linking in polymers. Lower levels of ionizing radiation, such as x-rays, are commonly used in the treatment of cancers. Material characterization has not been fully explored for polymeric materials exposed to therapeutic radiation levels. This study investigated the effects of therapeutic radiation on three porous scaffolds: polycaprolactone (PCL), polyurethane (PU) and gelatin. Porous scaffolds were fabricated using solvent casting and/or salt leaching techniques. Scaffolds were placed in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and exposed to a typical cancer radiotherapy schedule. A total dose of 50 Gy was broken into 25 dosages over a three-month period. PBS was collected over time and tested for polymer degradation through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and bicinchoninic acid (BCA) protein assay. Scaffolds were characterized by changes in microstructure using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and crystallization using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Additionally, gelatin ε-amine content was analyzed using Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid Assay (TNBSA). Gelatin scaffolds immersed in PBS for three months without radiation served as a control. Each scaffold responded differently to radiation. PCL showed no change in molecular weight or microstructure. However, the degree of crystallinity decreased 32% from the non-irradiated control. PU displayed both changes in microstructure and a decrease in crystallinity (85.15%). Gelatin scaffolds responded the most dramatically to radiotherapy. Samples were observed to swell, yet maintain shape after exposure. As gelatin was considered a tissue equivalent, further studies on tissues are needed to better understand the effects of radiotherapy. / Master of Science

Campylobacter is a foodborne pathogen commonly found in live poultry and raw poultry products. Identifying areas of contamination or modes of transmission during commercial processing can lead to strategies to reduce the level of Campylobacter on finished products. Monitoring levels of airborne Campylobacter may be useful for identifying the presence or relative concentration of the pathogen in a processing plant environment. In this study, air sampling was used to detect and quantify Campylobacter in a commercial chicken processing plant by location within the plant and collection time during the day. Air was sampled from evisceration and post-chill areas in a poultry processing plant on four days and at 4 hour intervals onto Campy-Cefex agar plates or gelatin filters that were subsequently transferred to Campy-Cefex agar plates. Additionally, pre-evisceration and post-chill carcass rinses were analyzed quantitatively for Campylobacter. The mean level of airborne Campylobacter was 5 CFU/1000L of air sampled (10% samples positive) in comparison with 413 CFU/mL from carcass rinses (70% samples positive). Higher concentrations were found in carcass rinse samples from pre-evisceration. Airborne Campylobacter was detected from the evisceration area more frequently than from the post-chill carcass area of the plant (P < 0.05). This study shows that airborne Campylobacter can be quantified with a selective agar and with gelatin filter collection. Further research is needed to prove the utility of airborne detection of Campylobacter for estimating the relative contamination level of live poultry flocks and the processing plant environment and the potential for cross-contamination. / Master of Science in Life Sciences

Campylobacter and Salmonella are foodborne pathogens commonly associated with raw poultry. Although there has been much research done on isolating these pathogens from poultry production environments using cloacal swabs, fecal samples, intestinal tract contents and dissection, research involving environmental sampling has been limited. New and/or improved environmental sampling methods may provide an easy, convenient, and less time-consuming way to collect samples. Coupling these sampling methods with PCR may provide a relatively simple, rapid, and robust means of testing for foodborne pathogens in a chicken house or flock prior to slaughter. Air, boot and sponge samples were collected from three commercial chicken grow-out houses located in southwestern Virginia when flocks were three, four, and five weeks old. Air samples were collected onto gelatin filters. Fecal/litter samples were collected from disposable booties worn over investigator's protective shoe coverings. Pre-moistened sponges were used to sample house feed pans and water dispensers on drink lines. A PCR method was used to qualitatively detect Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella spp. Campylobacter jejuni was detected at each farm (house), across all three ages (3, 4, and 5 weeks), and from each sample type. Salmonella was not detected in any of the environmental samples. For all 270 samples, 41% (110/270) were positive for Campylobacter. Collectively, 28% (25/90) of air, 44% (40/90) of sponge, and 50% (45/90) of bootie samples were positive for Campylobacter. The methods used in this study are non-invasive to live animals, relatively rapid and specific, and could enable poultry processing facilities to coordinate scheduled processing of flocks with lower pathogen incidence, as a way to reduce post-slaughter pathogen transmission. / Master of Science

Tesis por compendio / [ES] La criopreservación de semen de peces es una técnica que puede aumentar la eficiencia de la reproducción en cautiverio de especies de peces de agua dulce y marinas. A lo largo de las últimas décadas, se han establecido protocolos para criopreservación de semen de diversas especies de peces. Sin embargo, el foco principal de los pescadores ha sido en tener éxito en el congelamiento y descongelamiento de los espermatozoides, no llevando en cuenta el período en que los gametos se quedan expuestos a la solución crioprotectora en un momento previo a la fertilización. Esta exposición de los espermatozoides a las soluciones crioprotectoras después del descongelamiento puede ser perjudicial a la calidad de los gametos, ya que pueden ser tóxicos. La mayoría de los protocolos establecidos utilizan recipientes de plástico ultrarresistentes para almacenar el semen durante el proceso de criopreservación. Estos recipientes normalmente no se reutilizan, generando residuos altamente contaminantes al medio ambiente. Así, el objetivo principal de la tesis fue crear y probar métodos de bajo costo que potencialicen el uso de los espermatozoides descongelados de peces y torne el proceso de criopreservación de semen menos contaminante al medio ambiente. Los experimentos de los capítulos 1 y 2 se llevaron a cabo en Brasil. Utilizamos el jundiá gris Rhamdia quelen, especie considerada modelo experimental para peces nativos de América del Sur. En el capítulo 1, probamos el uso de la dilución de semen descongelado para disminuir la toxicidad de la solución crioprotectora. La técnica se utiliza comúnmente en protocolos de criopreservación de semen de mamíferos, pero nunca antes se había aplicado al semen descongelado de peces suramericanos. Muestras de semen descongelado de R. quelen se diluyeron en un diluyente salino (NaCl al 1,1% - 325 mOsm kg-1; pH 7,6). Después, observamos que los espermatozoides de muestras diluidas mostraron mayores velocidades, rectitud, progresión y frecuencia de batido flagelar que las muestras no diluidas. La dilución del semen descongelado también proporcionó mayores tasas de fertilización y eclosión que el grupo no diluido. De esta manera, la dilución de semen descongelado de R. quelen resultó ser una metodología sencilla, económica y eficiente que debe incluirse en el protocolo de criopreservación del semen de la especie. En los capítulos 2 y 3 desarrollamos y probamos la metodología para el uso de cápsulas de gelatina biodegradables (colágeno) y cápsulas de hipromelosa biodegradables (HPMC) como recipiente alternativo al uso de pajuelas de plástico en la criopreservación de semen de peces. En el segundo capítulo observamos que las cápsulas biodegradables mantuvieron los parámetros cinéticos y la capacidad reproductiva del esperma de R. quelen así como las pajuelas de plástico.Los procedimientos experimentales del capítulo 3 se llevaron a cabo en España. En este capítulo aplicamos la metodología desarrollada en el capítulo 2 para la criopreservación del semen de anguila europea Anguilla anguilla, dorada Sparus aurata y lubina Dicentrarchus labrax. En estas tres especies, las cápsulas biodegradables conservaron los parámetros cinéticos y la integridad de la membrana de los espermatozoides, así como las pajuelas de plástico. Además, observamos que el daño al ADN en muestras de semen de anguila europea y lubina europea criopreservadas en cápsulas y pajuelas no difirió. Sin embargo, las muestras de semen de dorada mostraron mayor daño en el ADN que las criopreservadas en pajuelas. Aunque, el nivel de daño que observamos en las muestras almacenadas en las cápsulas se considera bajo, por lo que pueden no comprometer el desarrollo embrionario. Evaluamos los resultados y concluimos que las cápsulas de gelatina biodegradables y las cápsulas de HPMC biodegradables pueden utilizarse como recipientes alternativos al uso de pajuelas de plástico para la criopreservación de semen de las cuatro especies de peces. / [CA] La criopreservació de l'esperma de peixos és una tècnica que pot augmentar l'eficiència de la reproducció en captivitat d'espècies de peixos d'aigua dolça i marins. Al llarg de les dècades passades, s'han establert protocols per a la criopreservació de l'esperma de diverses espècies de peixos. No obstant això, el focus principal dels pescadors ha estat tenir èxit en la congelació i descongelació dels espermatozoides, sense tenir en compte el temps en què els gamets queden exposats a la solució crioprotectora abans de la fecundació. Aquesta exposició dels espermatozoides a les solucions crioprotectores després de la descongelació pot ser perjudicial per a la qualitat dels gàmetes, ja que poden ser tòxics. La majoria dels protocols establerts utilitzen recipients de plàstic ultrarresistents per emmagatzemar l'esperma durant el procés de criopreservació. Aquests recipients normalment no es reutilitzen, generant residus altament contaminants per al medi ambient. Així, l'objectiu principal de la tesi va ser criar i provar mètodes de baix cost que potenciïn l'ús dels espermatozoides descongelats de peixos i facin que el procés de criopreservació de l'esperma sigui menys contaminant per al medi ambient. Els experiments dels capítols 1 i 2 es van dur a terme a Brasil. Vam utilitzar el jundia gris Rhamdia quelen, una espècie considerada com a model experimental per a peixos natius d'Amèrica del Sud. En el capítol 1, vam provar l'ús de la dilució de l'esperma descongelat per reduir la toxicitat de la solució crioprotectora. Aquesta tècnica s'utilitza comúment en protocols de criopreservació de l'esperma de mamífers, però mai abans s'havia aplicat a l'esperma descongelat de peixos sud-americans. Mostres d'esperma descongelat de R. quelen es van diluir en un diluent salí (NaCl al 1,1% - 325 mOsm kg-1; pH 7,6). Després, vam observar que els espermatozoides de mostres diluïdes mostraven majors velocitats, rectitud, progressió i freqüència de batuda flagel·lar que les mostres no diluïdes. La dilució de l'esperma descongelat també va proporcionar majors taxes de fecundació i eclosió que el grup no diluït. D'aquesta manera, la dilució de l'esperma descongelat de R. quelen va resultar ser una metodologia senzilla, econòmica i eficient que ha d'incloure's en el protocol de criopreservació de l'esperma de l'espècie. En els capítols 2 i 3 vam desenvolupar i provar la metodologia per a l'ús de càpsules de gelatina biodegradables (col·lagen) i càpsules d'hipromelosa biodegradables (HPMC) com a recipient alternatiu a l'ús de canuts de plàstic en la criopreservació de l'esperma de peixos. En el segon capítol vam observar que les càpsules biodegradables mantenien els paràmetres cinètics i la capacitat reproductiva de l'esperma de R. quelen així com els canuts de plàstic. Els procediments experimentals del capítol 3 es van dur a terme a Espanya. En aquest capítol vam aplicar la metodologia desenvolupada al capítol 2 per a la criopreservació de l'esperma d'anguila europea Anguilla anguilla, daurada Sparus aurata i llobarro Dicentrarchus labrax. En aquestes tres espècies, les càpsules biodegradables van conservar els paràmetres cinètics i la integritat de la membrana dels espermatozoides, així com els canuts de plàstic. A més, vam observar que el dany a l'ADN en mostres d'esperma d'anguila europea i llobarro europeu criopreservades en càpsules i canuts no es va diferir. No obstant això, les mostres d'esperma de daurada van mostrar més dany a l'ADN que les criopreservades en canuts. Tot i això, el nivell de dany que vam observar a les mostres emmagatzemades en càpsules es considera baix, pel que poden no comprometre el desenvolupament embrionari. Vam avaluar els resultats i vam concloure que les càpsules de gelatina biodegradables i les càpsules d'HPMC biodegradables es poden utilitzar com a recipients alternatius a l'ús de canuts de plàstic per a la criopreservació de l'esperma de les quatre espècies de peixos. / [EN] Fish sperm cryopreservation is a technique that can increase the reproduction in captive efficiency of freshwater and marine fishes.Over the last few decades, protocols for sperm cryopreservation from many fishes have been established. However, the researchers' main focus was successfully freezing and thawing sperm, neglecting the period in which the gametes remain in contact with the cryoprotective solution until fertilization. Exposure of sperm to cryoprotectant solutions after thawing can be harmful to the quality of the gametes since they can be toxic. The majority of the established protocols use ultra-resistant plastic containers to store sperm during the cryopreservation process. These containers usually are not reused, generating highly polluting waste for the environment. Furthermore, in some countries, the containers usually used are sold by a few industries, which makes acquisition difficult and increases the product's price. Thus, the main objective of the thesis was to create and test low-cost methodologies that enhance the use of fish post-thaw sperm and make the sperm cryopreservation process more environmentally friendly. The experiments in the Chapters 1 and 2 were developed in Brazil. We used the South American silver catfish Rhamdia quelen, a species considered an experimental model for native South American fishes. In Chapter 1, we tested the use of post-thawing dilution to reduce the toxicity of the cryoprotectant solution. This technique is commonly used in mammalian sperm cryopreservation protocols but has never before been applied to post-thaw sperm of South American fishes. South American silver catfish post-thaw sperm samples were diluted in a saline extender (1.1% NaCl - 325 mOsm kg-1; pH 7.6). The post-thaw sperm diluted samples showed higher velocities, straightness, progression, and flagellar beat frequency than the cells of undiluted samples (control). The post-thawing dilution also provided higher fertilization and hatching rates than the control group. Thus, the post-thawing sperm dilution proved to be a simple, cheap, and efficient methodology that should be included in the silver catfish sperm cryopreservation protocol. In Chapters 2 and 3, we developed, tested, and described the methodology for using biodegradable gelatin (collagen) and hypromellose (HPMC) capsules as an alternative container to plastic straws in the fish sperm cryopreservation. In the second chapter, we observed that the biodegradable capsules maintained the kinetic parameters and reproductive capacity of South American silver catfish sperm just as effectively as plastic straws. The experimental procedures in Chapter 3 were carried out in Spain. We apply the methodology developed in Chapter 2 to the cryopreservation of sperm from European eel Anguilla anguilla, gilthead seabream Sparus aurata, and European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax. In these three species, biodegradable capsules preserved the sperm kinetic parameters and membrane integrity just as effectively plastic straws. We observed that DNA damage in European eel and European sea bass sperm samples cryopreserved in capsules and straws did not differ. On the other hand, gilthead seabream sperm samples showed higher DNA damage than those cryopreserved in straws. However, the damage level observed in samples stored in capsules is considered low, thus, may not compromise embryonic development. We observed the results and concluded that biodegradable gelatin and HPMC capsules could be used as alternative containers to plastic straws for sperm cryopreservation from the tfour aquaculture fishes. / This study was supported by MICINN with funding from European Union NextGenerationEU (PRTR-C17.I1) and by Generalitat Valenciana (THINKINAZUL/2021/012;THINKINAZUL/2021/024;THINKINAZUL/2021/042) including the contract of FF-G.WAG-L has a Margarita Salas postdoctoral contract (RD 289/2021. UAB) by the Spanish Ministry of Universities. LF has a PhD contract from Generalitat Valenciana (GRISOLIAP/2020/063). TSF (141717/2019-0 and 200285/2021-1) and MPS (200452/2022-3) have fellowships from Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). / De Souza França, T. (2024). Development and Application of Low-Cost and Environment-Friendly Techniques for Fish Sperm Cryopreservation [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/204486 / Compendio

The field of soft electronics is rapidly growing as there is an increased demand for health monitoring using wearable electronics that conforms to biological tissue. To promote sustainability and reduce electronic waste, it is of interest to find ways to reuse low-value-added commodities, such as protein-rich byproducts, for materials in high-value-added technologies that are degradable at end of use. One recognised byproduct from meat production is the abundant protein collagen, or the hydrolysed derivative gelatine. To overcome the limited mechanical properties of gelatine, it can be functionalised with a polymer with previous use in tissue-engineering and battery encapsulation, namely Poly(Glycerol Sebacate)(PGS), to generate the copolymer PGS-G. The work described in this thesis focuses on PGS and PGS-G polymer characterisation by utilising ATR-FTIR and DSC, but also on material characterisation of mechanical and hydration properties, ionic conductivity, and degradation. The results indicate that the successfully synthesised PGS and PGS-G polymers should not be crosslinked completely to achieve the most flexible mechanical properties, but also that crosslinking density should be tuned to suit the application. Moreover, incorporation of gelatine in PGS resulted in increased hydrophilicity for PGS-G. Finally, it was concluded that PGS is suitable for encapsulation whereas PGS-G could be used as an active component. Future work should include degradation studies in vivo and under environmental aerobic conditions to ensure that the polymers are fully biodegradable. / Mjuk elektronik är ett nytt forskningsområde som utvecklas starkt i takt med den ökade efterfrågan på hälsoövervakning med innovativ elektronik som är mjuk och töjbar vilket möjliggör smidig integrering i biologisk vävnad. För att främja hållbarhet och minska elektroniskt avfall så är det av intresse att återanvända lågt värderade handelsvaror, såsom proteinrika restprodukter från industrin, till att skapa funktionella material för värdeskapande teknologier vilka är nedbrytbara efter användning. En välkänd restprodukt från köttproduktion är proteinet kollagen och dess hydrolyserade derivat gelatin. För att förbättra de mekaniska egenskaperna hos gelatin så kan det funktionaliseras med en polymer, vid namn Poly(Glycerol Sebacate)(PGS), som tidigare har använts för att skapa substitut till biologisk vävnad och batteriinkapsling. Denna reaktion genererar den nya polymeren PGS-G. I det här examensarbetet beskrivs karaktärisering av polymererna PGS och PGS-G, som utfördes med ATR-FTIR och DSC, samt karaktärisering av materialets mekaniska och hydrerande egenskaper men även dess ledningsförmåga och nedbrytbarhet. Resultaten indikerar att polymererna PGS och PGS-G ej bör tvärbindas fullständigt för att uppnå optimala mekaniska egenskaper med avseende på flexibilitet men också att tvärbindningen ska justeras beroende på tillämpningen. Vidare bidrar inkorporeringen av gelatin i PGS till en ökad hydrofilicitet i PGS-G. Slutligen visades det att PGS är lämpligt för inkapsling medan PGS-G kan användas som en aktiv komponent. Innan tillämpning behöver ytterligare studier genomföras med avseende på nedbrytbarhet, dels in vivo, dels i aerobiska förhållanden, för att säkerhetsställa att polymererna är fullständigt nedbrytbara.

BACKGROUND: Cell migration is a vital process for growth and repair. In vitro migration assays, utilized to study cell migration, often rely on physical scraping of a cell monolayer to induce cell migration. The physical act of scrape injury results in numerous factors stimulating cell migration - some injury-related, some solely due to gap creation and loss of contact inhibition. Eliminating the effects of cell injury would be useful to examine the relative contribution of injury versus other mechanisms to cell migration. Cell exclusion assays can tease out the effects of injury and have become a new avenue for migration studies. Here, we developed two simple non-injury techniques for cell exclusion: 1) a Pyrex® cylinder - for outward migration of cells and 2) a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) insert - for inward migration of cells. Utilizing these assays smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) migratory behavior was studied on both polystyrene and gelatin-coated surfaces. RESULTS: Differences in migratory behavior could be detected for both smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) when utilizing injury versus non-injury assays. SMCs migrated faster than HUVECs when stimulated by injury in the scrape wound assay, with rates of 1.26 % per hour and 1.59 % per hour on polystyrene and gelatin surfaces, respectively. The fastest overall migration took place with HUVECs on a gelatin-coated surface, with the in-growth assay, at a rate of 2.05 % per hour. The slowest migration occurred with the same conditions but on a polystyrene surface at a rate of 0.33 % per hour. CONCLUSION: For SMCs, injury is a dominating factor in migration when compared to the two cell exclusion assays, regardless of the surface tested: polystyrene or gelatin. In contrast, the migrating surface, namely gelatin, was a dominating factor for HUVEC migration, providing an increase in cell migration over the polystyrene surface. Overall, the cell exclusion assays - the in-growth and out-growth assays, provide a means to determine pure migratory behavior of cells in comparison to migration confounded by cell wounding and injury.

Aims Novel low toxicity formulations using biomaterial (i.e. gelatin) for triggered release and controlled manner of formulated therapeutic agent for treatment of immuno-inflammatory disease on the skin were studied in the PhD project. It is a challenging concept because of difficulties in targeting and controlling for the releases that is tailored to disease severity or lesional inflammation extent. Background Psoriasis is a complicated disease with multi-factorial pathogenesis. Potent anti-psoriatic drugs are available but for managing the symptoms of the disease. Due to the toxicity of the therapeutic agents, different strategies have been suggested to avoid severe side effects from long term or high dose usage. Psoriasis is an optimal representative for this investigation in terms of the toxicities of recognized drugs, unpredictable or relapsed nature of the disease or even life threatening developments if generalised symptoms develop as they can in some types. Method Using the rheometry in temperature sweep mode, a series of concentrations of pure gelatin and gelatin mixture were developed. In addition, using tryptic enzyme, their action was studied rheologically. A Petri dish observational method was used to investigate the permeability of formulations chosen on the basis of the rheometric performance. Then, combining the Copley diffusion cell kit and UV/VIS spectrophotometer, the release of the model drug was investigated in porous artificial membranes and porcine skin for one or more of the formulations. The preliminary part using porous artificial membranes was to investigate the amount of the release of tartrazine from a candidate gel into the circulation system. In this part, alternatives were considered for dealing with gelatin or gelatin/carbomer swelling by using mechanical stress approach or changing to octanol solvent. For the latter a dye, rhodamine, which would partition into octanol had to be substituted for tartrazine (which has iv negligible organic solubility). In the final part, using skin membrane, the amount of the release tartrazine to the skin was measured because in this, skin staining, rather than partition was needed. Results Promising results were observed in each stage. The rheological investigation on the developed gelatin/water system and gelatin/carbomer intimate system in absence and presence of tryptic enzyme showed that a responsive but convenient formulation was possible and was independent of the presence of tartrazine. Analysis of these resulting rheological profiles suggested a prediction for the best gelatin/carbomer formulations to select for the permeability tests. The latter used Petri dishes to compare differential diffusion of these candidates showed the carbomer was able to stop three-dimensional spreading of the dye through the pure gelatin or its residue (after enzyme action). The drug release studies using artificial porous membranes for preliminary work showed significant differential release between enzyme free and enzyme treated versions of the 20% gelatin/0.9% carbomer formulation. The final success was the in vitro skin experiment in which the result was obtained for the pure gelatin and shown to deliver very substantially more to areas with applied enzyme s a simulated lesion.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A severely polluted industrial effluent is generated by the local gelatinmanufacturing industry. Due to increasingly stringent restrictions on discharge qualities enforced by the National Water Act of 1998 and National Environmental Management Act of 1998, as well as increasing trade-effluent charges implemented via the Local Municipal Bylaws, the industry is compelled to consider a system to pre-treat the polluted effluent. A study was undertaken to examine the viability of anaerobic treatment of the gelatin-manufacturing effluent, since the anaerobic digestion technology is well recognised for the high success rate in the treatment of high-strength, complex wastewaters. Various laboratory and pilot-scale studies were done, using different hybrid Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) and contact designs. Two mesophilic laboratory-scale hybrid UASB digester designs, fitted with polyethylene (AD-1) and polyurethane (AD-2), performed well at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 1.0 d. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies of up to 90% (avg. 53%) for AD-1 and 83% (avg. 60%) for AD-2 at organic loading rates (OLR) of 9.56 and 4.62 kg COD.m-3.d-1, respectively, were obtained. High sulphate (S04) removal efficiencies of up to 96% (avg. 86%) for AD-1 and 98% (avg. 82%) for AD-2 were also achieved, respectively. A maximum total solid (TS) removal of 65% (avg. 25%) for AD-1 and 62% (avg. 28%) for AD-2 was reported. An average methane content of 80% (AD-1) and 79% (AD-2) with average methane yields per COD removed of 2.19 and 1.86 m3. kg CODremoved.df-o1r AD-1 and AD-2 were found, respectively. When the same digesters (AD-1 and AD-2) were combined in a muItiphase series configuration, a total COD removal efficiency of up to 97% (avg. 80%) at an OLR of 8.32 kg COD.m-3.d-1,was achieved. Excellent total S04 removals of 96% (avg. 69%) were accomplished. Up to 82% TS (avg. 29%) was also removed during this study and the biogas consisted of 89% methane (avg. 79%). For this multi-phase combination up to 92% volatile fatty acids (VFA) (avg. 48%) were removed, indicating possible selective phase separation of the respective fatty acid producing/utilising bacterial populations. The use of a laboratory-scale UASB bioreactor with recirculation, resulted in COD removal efficiencies of up to 96% (avg. 51%) at an HRT of 3.0 d, and 95% (avg. 54%) at a HRT of 1.0 d. Low performances were generally found, with average S04 and TS removals of 59% (max. 97%) and 26% (max. 67%), respectively at an HRT of 1.0 d. The biogas production was very low throughout the study (0.05 - 0.63 I,d-1 ). A pilot-scale UASB reactor (300 I) was constructed and performed satisfactory with a 58% average COD removal and maximum of 96%. S04 and TS removals up to 96% (avg. 44%) and 93% (avg. 63%), respectively, were obtained. The methane content of the biogas was 85%. The pilot-scale studies were conducted under actual field conditions, where various shock and organic loads had to be absorbed by the system. The pilot-scale contact configuration (300 I) did not perform satisfactory as a result of continuous blockages experienced in the feed and recirculation lines. Maximum COD, S04, VFA and TS removal efficiencies of 41% (avg. 27%), 62% (avg. 41%), 64% (avg. 27%) and 39% (avg. 21%), respectively, were obtained. The results of all the studies indicated acceptable COD removals with increasing OLR's. Indications of the presence of active methanogenic and sulphate-reducing bacterial populations were apparent throughout the studies. One possibility for the successful start-up and commissioning of the anaerobic reactors was the use of a well-adjusted biomass, which consisted of highly selected and adapted microbial consortium for the specific gelatinmanufacturing effluent. It was clear from this study that gelatin-manufacturing effluent can be treated successfully, especially with the use of the UASB design. A welldefined data base was constructed which could be of great value for further upscaling to a full-scale digester. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Hoogs besoedelde industriele uitvloeisel word gegenereer deur die plaaslike gelatien-vervaardigings industrie. As gevolg van toenemende streng beperkings op die kwaliteit van uitvloeisels wat bepaal word deur die Nasionale Water Wet van 1998 en Nasionale Omgewings Bestuurs Wet van 1998, asook toenemende munisipale heffings wat geimplementeer word via Plaaslike Munisipale Wette, word die industrie verplig om die uitvloeisel vooraf te behandel. 'n Studie is onderneem om die lewensvatbaarheid van anaërobe behandeling van gelatien-vervaardigings uitvloeisel te ondersoek, aangesien anaërobe verterings tegnologie alombekend is vir die goeie sukses behaal in die behandeling van hoë-sterkte, komplekse uitvloeisels. Verskeie laboratorium- en loods-skaal studies is gedoen, met verskillende hibried Opvloei Anaërobe Slykkombers (OAS) en kontak ontwerpe. Goeie werksverrigting was verkry by 'n hidroliese retensie tyd (HRT) van 1.0 d met twee mesofiliese laboratorium-skaal hibried OAS verteerder ontwerpe wat uitgevoer was met poli-etileen (AD-1) en poli-uretaan (AD-2) materiaal. Chemiese suurstof behoefte (CSB) verwyderings van so hoog as 90% (gem. 53%) vir AD-1 en 83% (gem. 60%) vir AD-2 by organiese ladingstempo's (OLT) van 9.56 en 4.62 kg CSB.m-3.d-1,was onderskeidelik verkry. Hoë sulfaat (S04) verwyderings van tot 96% (gem. 86%) vir AD-1 en 98% (gem. 82%) vir AD-2 was ook onderskeidelik verkry. 'n Maksimum totale vaste stof (TVS) verwydering van 65% (gem. 25%) vir AD-1 en 62% (gem. 28%) vir AD-2 is gerapporteer. 'n Gemiddelde metaan inhoud van 80% (AD-1) en 79% (AD-2) met 'n gemiddelde metaan opbrengs per CSB verwyder van 2.19 en 1.86 m3.kg CSBverwyder.dv-i1r AD-1 en AD-2, was onderskeidelik gevind. Met die aanwending van dieselfde twee verteerders (AD-1 en AD-2) in 'n series gekoppelde multi-fase konfigurasie, is 'n totale CSB verwydering so hoog as 97% (gem. 80%) verkry by 'n OLT van 8.32 kg CSB.m-3.d-1. Uitstekende totale S04 verwydering van 96% (gem. 69%) is behaal. Tot 82% TVS (gem. 29%) was vewyder gedurende die studie en die biogas het uit 89% metaan (gem. 79%) bestaan. Vir die multi-fase kombinasie is 'n maksimum van 92% vlugtige vetsure (WS) (gem. 48%) verwyder, wat dui op die moontlike skeiding van selektiewe fases van die onderskeie vetsuur produserende/verbruiker bakteriële populasies. CSB verwydering van tot 96% (gem. 51%) by 'n HRT van 3.0 d en 95% (gem. 54%) met 'n HRT van 1.0 d was verkry, tydens die gebruik van In laboratorium-skaal OAS bioreaktor met hersirkulasie. Lae werksverrigting was oor die algemeen waargeneem, met gemiddelde S04 en TVS verwyderings van 59% (maks. 97%) en 26% (maks. 67%) by In HRT van 1.0 d. Die biogas produksie was baie laag gedurende die studie (0.05 - 0.63 I,d-\ In Loods-skaal OAS verteerder was opgerig en bevredigende resultate was verkry met In gemiddeld van 58% CSB verwydering en maksimum van 96%. S04 en TVS verwyderings so hoog as 96% (gem. 44%) en 93% (gem. 63%) is onderskeidelik verkry. Die metaan inhoud van die biogas was 85%. Die loods-skaal studie was uitgevoer gedurende ware veld kondisies, waartydens verskeie skok en organiese ladings deur die sisteem geabsorbeer is. Die loods-skaal kontak konfigurasie (300 I) het nie bevredigende resultate getoon nie, as gevolg van voortdurende blokkasies wat ondervind is in die toevoer en hersirkulasie pype. Maksimum CSB, S04, WS en TVS verwyderings van 41% (gem. 27%), 62% (gem. 41%), 64% (gem. 27%) en 39% (gem. 21%) was onderskeidelik verkry. Die resultate van al die studies het aanvaarbare CSB verwydering aangedui by toenemende OLT's. Indikasies van aktiewe metanogene en sulfaat-reduserende bakteriële populasies was ook teenwoordig gedurende die studies. Die suksesvolle aansit-prosedure en begin van die anaërobe verteerders kan toegeskryf word aan die gebruik van In goed aangepaste biomassa, wat uit hoogs selektiewe en aangepaste mikrobiese populasies vir die spesifieke uitvloeisel bestaan. Hierdie studie het getoon dat gelatien-vervaardigings uitvloeisel suksesvol met die OAS ontwerp behandel kan word. In Goed gedefinieerde data basis kan voorsien word, wat van groot waarde sal wees vir verdere opgradering na In volskaalse verteerder.

In my photographic work, I contrast natural and man-made objects abstracted by manipulation of scale. Details of the objects are blown up to proportions larger than life. By distorting the scale, I aim to allow the audience to view the image out of context, enabling the viewer to see it for its aesthetic value rather than the object's functional purpose.

In this study the impact of outdoor temperature variations and solar illumination exposure on spectral filter material and holographic optical elements is examined. Although holographic components have been shown to be useful for solar spectrum splitting designs, relatively little quantitative data exist to demonstrate the extent to which these materials can withstand outdoor conditions. As researchers seek to investigate practical spectrum splitting designs, the environmental stability of holographic materials should be considered as an important factor. In the experiment presented, two holographic materials, Covestro Bayfol HX photopolymer and dichromated gelatin, and 3M reflective polymer filter materials are exposed to outdoor conditions for a period of several months. The environmental effect on absorption, spectral and angular bandwidth, peak efficiency, and Bragg matching conditions for the holograms are examined. Spectral bandwidth and transmittance of the 3M reflective filter material are also monitored. Holographic gratings are recorded, measured, and mounted on glass substrates and then sealed with a glass cover plate. The test samples are then mounted on a photovoltaic panel to simulate realistic temperature conditions and placed at an outdoor test facility in Tucson, Arizona. A duplicate set of holograms and 3M filter material is stored as a control group and periodically compared over the test period.