A novel study on the investigation of three very common atmospheric sulphur species relevant to the Mpumalanga Highveld subregion was conducted. Long-term in situ measurements were applied in the diurnal and seasonal evaluation of the observed sulphur species. Ambient pollutant concentrations and surface meteorological data were collected at an air quality monitoring station at Elandsfontein. Elandsfontein air quality monitoring station was ideal for the observations due to its high elevation within the Mpumalanga Province surrounded by few rolling hills and negligible windbreaks which easily allows for extensive plume-contact with the surface during convective daytime mixing. The temporal characteristics of the sulphur species have been assessed relative to one another with varying meteorological conditions. The diurnal and seasonal concentration variations were used to describe the physical characteristics exhibited by the compounds over Elandsfontein. Pollution roses were used to target the source of the major release points and areas of these sulphur species relative to the Elandsfontein monitoring station. Gas and particle concentrations were analysed in relation to varying meteorological parameters with a view to ascertaining the sulphur transformation and concentration distribution in the planetary boundary layer. Particulate sulphate distribution has been modelled through multivariate regression analyses in relation to three meteorological parameters, namely, wind speed, relative humidity and ambient temperature for the various seasons observed over southern Africa. This study has shown that hydrogen sulphide, sulphur dioxide and sulphate species are present throughout the year in the Mpumalanga Highveld at notably significant levels. The presence of ambient particulate sulphate has been shown to result from the combination of chemical interactions during long-range aerosol transport; atmospheric recirculation processes shown from back trajectories over the southern Africa sub-region, as well as the variation in the removal mechanisms and rates for the different seasons throughout the year. These transport and removal processes all contribute to the overall sulphur mass balance in the planetary boundary layer. Dosage of the three sulphur species was evaluated to provide data for sulphur pollution loading that could form a basis for health and vii environmental impact assessments over the area. In view of the characteristic patterns displayed by particulate sulphate, multivariate mathematical models have been developed on a seasonal basis with variations in meteorological parameters. This was seen to predict an accuracy of up to 70 % of the particulate sulphate loading for different seasons over the South African Highveld. In order to understand the chemical interactions of atmospheric sulphur species, it is important to be able to predict the route taken and expected products of transformation on any given condition. Theoretical analyses of the chemical thermodynamic properties of the known reacting species and a well-established approach were used in predicting reaction paths and establishing the possible and feasible products of chemical transformation in relation to the ambient temperature. The determination of reaction paths and possible products of chemical transformation provides a measure of the relative importance of the reacting species and the mechanism of reaction. Gas-, aqueous-phase and radical reactions involving sulphur (IV) were investigated with a view to establishing their relative importances. Thermochemical properties of several sulphur-containing compounds not available in the literature have been generated for evaluation of Gibbs free energy (ΔG) and enthalpy (ΔH). An electronic energy structural approach has been applied to model for ΔG and ΔH of 88 sulphur species in 90 chemical reactions comprising gas-phase, aqueousphase and radical reactions. Modelling was evaluated for their relative importances over a temperature range of –100 °C to +100 °C. The temperature range is well above the known tropospheric temperature range to account for variations in the atmospheric environment. To further comprehend the chemistry of sulphur with regards to distribution of the species in the atmosphere, a kinetic model is developed and incorporated into a dispersion model. The kinetic evaluation of the oxidation rate of SO2 to sulphate has been determined with advection and dispersion over the Elandsfontein area. Gas-phase transformation with advection and dispersion has been used to evaluate the extent of the distribution of SO2 relative to the major contributing sources. The dry deposition was considered to be the dominant removal mechanism. It was assumed that the reaction rate was second order in concentration and that the rate of deposition was first order. The oxidation rates obtained for the seasons were 10.9 % h-1 for summer; 8.83 % h-1 for autumn; 6.56 % h-1 for winter; viii 10.8 % h-1 for spring, while an overall rate of 9.6 % h-1 was obtained for the one year study period. The transformation rate model produced a reaction constant and an activation energy of 4.92 x 10-6 μg m-3 s-1 and 36.54 kJ kg-1 for summer; 3.939 x 10-6 μg m-3 s-1 and 43.89 kJ kg-1 for autumn; 2.90 x 10-6 μg m-3 s-1 and 115.69 kJ kg-1 for winter; 4.82 x 10-6 μg m-3 s-1 and 43.29 kJ kg-1 for spring, while for the year 4.29 x 10-6 μg m-3 s-1 and 34.31 kJ kg-1. A Gaussian puff unsteady state Lagrangian dispersion model with reflection at the surface and inversion layer was applied for concentration diffusion. The Lagrangian dispersion model with dry deposition was a better prediction of the observed data than the models from previous studies using a first order rate constant with or without deposition rate.

Estudos funcionais anteriores identificaram um módulo cis-regulador (MCR) de 67 pb (-253/- 187) na região promotora do gene de pufe de DNA BhC4-1 que dirige a expressão do gene repórter na glândula anelar de Drosophila melanogaster. Uma análise bioinformática identificou 67 sequências de D. melanogaster que são similares a sequências contidas no MCR de glândula anelar. Uma das sequências identificadas reside em um fragmento genômico de 657 pb localizado aproximadamente 2500 pb à montante do CG13711, 400 pb à montante do CG12493, em uma região genômica que constitui um dos íntrons do CG32239 (Gef64C). A caracterização preliminar de três linhagens transformadas com a construção 657 pb-lacZ mostrou expressão do gene repórter no sistema traqueal de larvas e prépupas e no tórax de adultos. Baseado padrão de expressão promovido por este MCR, o mesmo foi denominado Traqueia-Tórax (TT). O principal objetivo do presente trabalho constituiu estender a caracterização molecular das linhagens da série TT-lacZ. Inicialmente embriões, larvas de primeiro, segundo e terceiro estádio, prépupas 0 h, 1 h e 2 h, pupas 24 h e adultos com 1, 3 e 5 dias foram investigados quanto ao padrão de expressão do repórter utilizando ensaio histoquímico que detecta atividade de ?-galactosidase. A expressão do gene repórter é inicialmente detectada no sistema traqueal durante o terceiro estádio larval e continua a ser detectada neste tecido em prépupas 0 h, 1 h e 2 h e pupas 24 h. Em adultos, a expressão do gene repórter é verificada nos músculos longitudinais dorsais em adultos de 3 e 5 dias. Uma vez que o MCR TT reside em uma região intergênica e a informação disponível sobre os CGs próximos ainda é escassa, não foi possível inferir qual dos CGs é regulado pelo MCR TT. Neste contexto, o padrão de expressão do RNAm do gene repórter lacZ e do CG13711, CG12493 e CG32239 foi investigado no sistema traqueal de larvas e prépupas e no tórax de adultos de uma das linhagens da série TT-lacZ utilizando RT-qPCR. Os níveis de expressão do RNAm lacZ aumentam cerca de 3 vezes em prépupas 0 horas, quando comparados com os níveis de expressão do RNAm lacZ presentes no sistema traqueal de larvas de terceiro estádio. Um padrão de expressão similar foi observado no caso do CG32239 e do CG13711. Nos tóraxes de adultos de 3 e 5 dias de idade os níveis de expressão do RNAm lacZ aumentam cerca de 37 vezes e 11 vezes, respectivamente, quando comparados aos níveis de expressão iv do RNAm lacZ presentes nos tóraxes de adultos de 1 dia. No tórax de adultos, o único CG que apresenta um padrão de expressão similar ao padrão de expressão de lacZ constitui o CG12493. Em conjunto, nós concluímos que o MCR TT promove um padrão dinâmico de expressão durante o desenvolvimento. Além disso, com base nos resultados de RT-qPCR, nós sugerimos que o MCR TT regula a expressão do RNAm do CG32239 no sistema traqueal durante a transição larva-prépupa e também a expressão do RNAm do CG12493 no tórax de adultos de 3 e 5 dias de idade. Além de estender a caracterização funcional de um novo MCR, nossos resultados também contribuem com novas informações acerca dos padrões de expressão no desenvolvimento de três CGs de D. melanogaster. / Previous functional studies identified in the DNA puff BhC4-1 promoter region a 67 bp (- 253/-187) cis-regulatory module (CRM) that drives reporter gene expression in the ring gland of D. melanogaster. A bioinformatics analysis identified 67 Drosophila melanogaster sequences that are similar to sequences contained in the ring gland CRM. One of the identified sequences resides in a 657 bp genomic fragment located about 2500 bp upstream CG13711, about 400 bp upstream CG12493, in a genomic region that constitutes one of the introns of CG32239 (Gef64C). The preliminary characterization of three transgenic lines transformed with a 657 bp-lacZ construct revealed reporter gene expression in the larval/prepupal tracheal system and in adult thorax. Based on the pattern of expression driven by this CRM we named it Trachea-Thorax (TT). The main goal of this work was to extend the molecular characterization of the lines of the TT-lacZ series. Initially ?-galactosidase histochemical assays were performed in embryos, first, second and third instar larvae, 0h, 1h and 2h prepupae, 24 h pupae and 1, 3 and 5 days old adults. Reporter gene expression is initially detected during the third larval instar in the tracheal system and continues to be detected in this tissue at 0 h, 1h and 2 h prepupa and, 24 h pupa. During the adult stage, reporter gene expression is verified in the dorsal longitudinal muscles of 3 and 5 days old adults. Since the TT CRM lies in an intergenic region and the available information about the nearby CGs is still scarce it was not possible to infer which of the CGs is regulated by the TT CRM. In this context, the mRNA pattern of expression of the lacZ reporter gene and of CG13711, CG12493 and CG32239 was investigated in the tracheal system of both larvae and prepupae and in adult thoraxes of one of the transgenic lines of the TT-lacZ series using RTqPCR. The lacZ mRNA expression levels increase about 3 times in 0 h prepupae when compared to the lacZ mRNA expression levels present in the tracheal system of third instar larvae. A similar pattern of expression was observed for both CG32239 and CG13711. In three and five days old adult thoraxes lacZ mRNA expression levels increase about 37 times and 11 times, respectively, when compared to lacZ mRNA expression levels present in one day old thoraxes. In the adult thorax, the only CG that presents a similar pattern of expression constitutes CG12493. Overall, we conclude that the TT CRM drives a dynamic pattern of ii expression throughout development. Additionally, based on RT-qPCR results, we suggest that the TT CRM regulates the expression of CG32239 mRNA in the tracheal system during the larvae to prepupae transition, as well as the expression of CG12493 mRNA in the thorax of 3 and 5 days old adults. Besides extending the functional characterization of a novel CRM our results also contribute new information about the developmental patterns of expression of three Drosophila melanogaster CGs.

Estudos funcionais anteriores identificaram um módulo cis-regulador (MCR) de 67 pb (-253/- 187) na região promotora do gene de pufe de DNA BhC4-1 que dirige a expressão do gene repórter na glândula anelar de Drosophila melanogaster. Uma análise bioinformática identificou 67 sequências de D. melanogaster que são similares a sequências contidas no MCR de glândula anelar. Uma das sequências identificadas reside em um fragmento genômico de 657 pb localizado aproximadamente 2500 pb à montante do CG13711, 400 pb à montante do CG12493, em uma região genômica que constitui um dos íntrons do CG32239 (Gef64C). A caracterização preliminar de três linhagens transformadas com a construção 657 pb-lacZ mostrou expressão do gene repórter no sistema traqueal de larvas e prépupas e no tórax de adultos. Baseado padrão de expressão promovido por este MCR, o mesmo foi denominado Traqueia-Tórax (TT). O principal objetivo do presente trabalho constituiu estender a caracterização molecular das linhagens da série TT-lacZ. Inicialmente embriões, larvas de primeiro, segundo e terceiro estádio, prépupas 0 h, 1 h e 2 h, pupas 24 h e adultos com 1, 3 e 5 dias foram investigados quanto ao padrão de expressão do repórter utilizando ensaio histoquímico que detecta atividade de ?-galactosidase. A expressão do gene repórter é inicialmente detectada no sistema traqueal durante o terceiro estádio larval e continua a ser detectada neste tecido em prépupas 0 h, 1 h e 2 h e pupas 24 h. Em adultos, a expressão do gene repórter é verificada nos músculos longitudinais dorsais em adultos de 3 e 5 dias. Uma vez que o MCR TT reside em uma região intergênica e a informação disponível sobre os CGs próximos ainda é escassa, não foi possível inferir qual dos CGs é regulado pelo MCR TT. Neste contexto, o padrão de expressão do RNAm do gene repórter lacZ e do CG13711, CG12493 e CG32239 foi investigado no sistema traqueal de larvas e prépupas e no tórax de adultos de uma das linhagens da série TT-lacZ utilizando RT-qPCR. Os níveis de expressão do RNAm lacZ aumentam cerca de 3 vezes em prépupas 0 horas, quando comparados com os níveis de expressão do RNAm lacZ presentes no sistema traqueal de larvas de terceiro estádio. Um padrão de expressão similar foi observado no caso do CG32239 e do CG13711. Nos tóraxes de adultos de 3 e 5 dias de idade os níveis de expressão do RNAm lacZ aumentam cerca de 37 vezes e 11 vezes, respectivamente, quando comparados aos níveis de expressão iv do RNAm lacZ presentes nos tóraxes de adultos de 1 dia. No tórax de adultos, o único CG que apresenta um padrão de expressão similar ao padrão de expressão de lacZ constitui o CG12493. Em conjunto, nós concluímos que o MCR TT promove um padrão dinâmico de expressão durante o desenvolvimento. Além disso, com base nos resultados de RT-qPCR, nós sugerimos que o MCR TT regula a expressão do RNAm do CG32239 no sistema traqueal durante a transição larva-prépupa e também a expressão do RNAm do CG12493 no tórax de adultos de 3 e 5 dias de idade. Além de estender a caracterização funcional de um novo MCR, nossos resultados também contribuem com novas informações acerca dos padrões de expressão no desenvolvimento de três CGs de D. melanogaster. / Previous functional studies identified in the DNA puff BhC4-1 promoter region a 67 bp (- 253/-187) cis-regulatory module (CRM) that drives reporter gene expression in the ring gland of D. melanogaster. A bioinformatics analysis identified 67 Drosophila melanogaster sequences that are similar to sequences contained in the ring gland CRM. One of the identified sequences resides in a 657 bp genomic fragment located about 2500 bp upstream CG13711, about 400 bp upstream CG12493, in a genomic region that constitutes one of the introns of CG32239 (Gef64C). The preliminary characterization of three transgenic lines transformed with a 657 bp-lacZ construct revealed reporter gene expression in the larval/prepupal tracheal system and in adult thorax. Based on the pattern of expression driven by this CRM we named it Trachea-Thorax (TT). The main goal of this work was to extend the molecular characterization of the lines of the TT-lacZ series. Initially ?-galactosidase histochemical assays were performed in embryos, first, second and third instar larvae, 0h, 1h and 2h prepupae, 24 h pupae and 1, 3 and 5 days old adults. Reporter gene expression is initially detected during the third larval instar in the tracheal system and continues to be detected in this tissue at 0 h, 1h and 2 h prepupa and, 24 h pupa. During the adult stage, reporter gene expression is verified in the dorsal longitudinal muscles of 3 and 5 days old adults. Since the TT CRM lies in an intergenic region and the available information about the nearby CGs is still scarce it was not possible to infer which of the CGs is regulated by the TT CRM. In this context, the mRNA pattern of expression of the lacZ reporter gene and of CG13711, CG12493 and CG32239 was investigated in the tracheal system of both larvae and prepupae and in adult thoraxes of one of the transgenic lines of the TT-lacZ series using RTqPCR. The lacZ mRNA expression levels increase about 3 times in 0 h prepupae when compared to the lacZ mRNA expression levels present in the tracheal system of third instar larvae. A similar pattern of expression was observed for both CG32239 and CG13711. In three and five days old adult thoraxes lacZ mRNA expression levels increase about 37 times and 11 times, respectively, when compared to lacZ mRNA expression levels present in one day old thoraxes. In the adult thorax, the only CG that presents a similar pattern of expression constitutes CG12493. Overall, we conclude that the TT CRM drives a dynamic pattern of ii expression throughout development. Additionally, based on RT-qPCR results, we suggest that the TT CRM regulates the expression of CG32239 mRNA in the tracheal system during the larvae to prepupae transition, as well as the expression of CG12493 mRNA in the thorax of 3 and 5 days old adults. Besides extending the functional characterization of a novel CRM our results also contribute new information about the developmental patterns of expression of three Drosophila melanogaster CGs.

ABSTRACT Influence of fenugreek gum on bread and in vitro physiological effects Keisha T. Roberts Advisors: University of Guelph Dr. S.W. Cui Professor T.E. Graham This thesis examined the effect of fenugreek gum, from Canadian grown fenugreek on bread quality, when substituted for wheat flour at 5 % and 10 %, and the in vitro physiological effects of these breads, based on models of acute and long - term feeding. Study I determined bread could be produced with 10 % fenugreek gum, while maintaining quality parameters of volume and texture, comparable to a control. This was accomplished through the development of a novel bread production method, using the lamination procedure for puff pastry production. The behavior of fenugreek gum and starch (wheat flour) was determined by rapid visco analysis (RVA), farinograph and dynamic rheological measurement, while scanning electron microscopy of bread found fenugreek gum could be identified within the bread matrix. Study 2 in vitro starch digestion found fenugreek gum at 5 % and 10 % reduced glucose liberated from bread, with 10 % fenugreek gum causing a reduction of over 30 %. RVA of fenugreek breads highlighted differences in viscosity between breads and wheat flour substituted with the gum. This was substantial as viscosity measurements by RVA are conducted on raw ingredients and not the food as consumed, which reflects the possible reduction in viscosity with food processing. This study also determined extruding fenugreek gum may have caused morphological changes to the gum, which may possibly contribute to attenuation of glucose liberated in vitro. Study 3 evaluated the accumulation of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) from the fermentation of three substrates: Extruded fenugreek gum, bread with 10 % extruded gum and control bread, based on fecal microbiota from three donors. SCFA profiles varied with substrates and donors, with fenugreek gum having the highest accumulation of SCFA after 12 hours. Donors were a caucuasian Canadian, a black Jamaican and a black Trinidadian who was the only donor culturally exposed to fenugreek. This Trinidadian’s SCFA profiles were consistently higher for fenugreek gum than the other donors. These studies collectively showed fenugreek gum, though viscous could be successfully incorporated into bread and have potential as a functional food and nutraceutical.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:01:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 GertrudesOQ.pdf: 1545154 bytes, checksum: 8733f5db29d9ddd6780de7e34160f375 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-12-16 / Thermal methods made heavy oil production possible in fields where primary recovery failed. Throughout the years steam injection became one of the most important alternatives to increase heavy oil recovery. There are many types of steam injection, and one of them is the cyclic steam injection, which has been used with success in several countries, including Brazil. The process involves three phases: firstly, steam is injected, inside of the producing well; secondly, the well is closed (soak period); and finally, the well is put back into production. These steps constitute one cycle. The cycle is repeated several times until economical production limit is reached. Usually, independent of reservoir type, as the number of cycles increases the cyclic injection turns less efficient. This work aims to analyze rock and reservoir property influence in the cyclic steam injection. The objective was to study the ideal number of cycles and, consequently, process optimization. Simulations were realized using the STARS simulator from the CMG group based in a proposed reservoir model. It was observed that the reservoir thickness was the most important parameter in the process performance, whilst soaking time influence was not significant / Os m?todos t?rmicos viabilizaram a produ??o de ?leo pesado em campos considerados n?o comerciais pelos m?todos convencionais de recupera??o. A inje??o de vapor, em particular, veio a se consagrar ao longo dos anos e ? hoje uma das principais alternativas economicamente vi?vel para o aumento da recupera??o dos ?leos pesados. Dentre as ramifica??es da inje??o de vapor existentes a inje??o c?clica tem sido utilizada com sucesso em escalas comerciais em v?rios pa?ses, incluindo o Brasil. O processo envolve tr?s fases: a primeira ? a inje??o de vapor na qual o vapor ? injetado, dentro do po?o produtor, por um per?odo espec?fico de tempo; em seguida, o po?o ? fechado por um curto per?odo de tempo ( soak period ); e finalmente, o po?o ? recolocado em produ??o durante meses a anos. Esse processo constitui um ciclo. O ciclo ? repetido um n?mero de vezes at? que o limite econ?mico na produ??o seja alcan?ado. Independente do tipo de reservat?rio, a inje??o c?clica geralmente se torna menos eficiente ? propor??o que o n?mero de ciclos aumenta. Este trabalho visa analisar a influ?ncia de algumas propriedades de rocha e reservat?rio na inje??o c?clica de vapor a fim de estudar o n?mero ideal de ciclos e, conseq?entemente, otimizar o processo. Foram realizadas simula??es, utilizando o simulador STARS do grupo CMG, a partir de um modelo de reservat?rio proposto. Observou-se que o efeito da espessura do reservat?rio foi o par?metro que mais influenciou no desempenho do processo, enquanto que para o tempo de soaking essa influ?ncia n?o foi significativa

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