The ultimate goal of this dissertation research is to enhance the protein resistant nature of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) or poly(ethylene glycol) by introduction of a siloxane linker and to subsequently prepare coatings which prevent surface-induced thrombosis. The hydrophobicity and flexibility of the siloxane tether should impart both amphiphilicity and conformational mobility to the PEO chain to further decrease protein adhesion. Because adsorption of plasma (blood) proteins initiates the clotting process, coating surfaces based on these new PEO-silanes should prevent or significantly diminish thrombosis. Thus, these coatings would be extremely useful for bloodcontacting medical devices such as stents, grafts, arteriorintravenous shunts, and biosensors. Novel amphiphilic PEO-silanes were prepared with systematic variations to several key structural features, including: siloxane tether length, PEO segment length, and PEO architecture. Thus, PEO-silanes were prepared having the general formulas: a-(EtO)3Si(CH2)2-oligodimethylsiloxanen-block-[PEO8-OCH3] (n = 0, 4, and 13; linear architecture) and a-(EtO)3Si(CH2)2-oligodimethylsiloxanen-block-[PEOm-OCH3]2 (n = 0, 4, and 13; m = 6 and 12 branched architecture). The reactive triethoxysilane [(EtO)3Si-] group serves as the crosslinking or grafting moiety. The PEO segment is distanced from the (EtO)3Si- group by an oligodimethylsiloxane tether which is both hydrophobic and exhibits a high degree of chain flexibility. Crosslinked silicone coatings and surfacegrafted coatings were prepared with amphiphilic linear PEO-silanes (a-c). Crosslinked silicone coatings were also prepared with branched PEO-silanes (1a-3a and 1b-3b). All coatings showed improved resistance to common plasma proteins compared to silicone coatings. Furthermore, protein adsorption generally decreased with siloxane tether length. For crosslinked PEO-modified silicone coating systems based on linear (a-c) and branched PEO-silanes (1a-3a and 1b-3b), longer tethers enhanced PEO reorganization to the film-water interface to enhance protein resistance. In the absence of surface reorganization for surface grafted coatings prepared with linear PEO-silanes, longer siloxane tethers better inhibited protein adsorption despite a moderate decrease in graft density (sigma) and decrease in surface hydrophilicity. This indicates that longer siloxane tethers enhance the configurational mobility of the PEO segments to better repel proteins.

The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of re-treating artifacts previously conserved by PEG impregnation with alkoxysilanes. The study tried to evaluate pros and cons of re-conserving artifacts with this type of silanes. A series of experiments were conducted focusing on small, wood samples from the Vasa Museum Collection, to test different re-conservation methods. Three different procedures involving alkoxysilanes were implemented in order to re-conserve the samples. The study revealed the techniques are an efficient re-conservation method in which highly satisfactory results can be achieved. The re-treated samples present minimal volumetric distortion without significant collapse or shrinkage of the wood structures. This minimal distortion is primarily produced by the transition from swollen waterlogged wood to a dry conserved wood, and not as a result of collapse or shrinkage during treatment. Due to the negligible thickness of the polymer coating (a few microns), the samples acquire physical properties extremely close to the original dry wood. Moreover, other physiochemical properties are obtained from the consolidation with alkoxysilanes; the re-conserved wood becomes hydrophobic, chemically inert, resistant to chemical attacks (e.g., acids or bases), and resistant to ultraviolet light. These newly acquired characteristics drastically reduce the preventive conservation measures needed in museum display cabinets or during transport. Despite the excellent results, the procedure is not reversible, thus does not comply with one of the main premises traditionally accepted in conservation. Therefore, a careful study assessing benefits and disadvantages in a case-by-case basis should be assessed by conservators, restorers, and curators before applying this method to waterlogged material culture.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Environmental Science and Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008

Thesis (M.Sc. (Environmental Science and Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008

The work described in the two parts of this thesis is concerned with the development of two methods for the synthesis of substituted olefins. Both methods involve elimination reactions of (beta)-hydroxysilanes to form the double bond, therefore in the general introduction these reactions are discussed together with the methods available for the preparation of (beta)-hydroxysilanes ... [see pdf file for full abstract].

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. / Committee Chair: Sitaraman, Suresh; Committee Member: Chang, Gee-Kung; Committee Member: Colton, Jonathan; Committee Member: Joshi, Yogendra; Committee Member: Swaminathan, Madhavan; Committee Member: Thompson, Patrick.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Maxillofacial Prosthetics)--Mahidol University, 2006. / LICL has E-Thesis 0019 ; please contact computer services. LIRV has E-Thesis 0019 ; please contact circulation services.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Maxillofacial Prosthetics)--Mahidol University, 2006. / LICL has E-Thesis 0019 ; please contact computer services. LIRV has E-Thesis 0019 ; please contact circulation services.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Polymer, Textile and Fiber Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009. / Committee Chair: Dr. Haskell W. Beckham; Committee Member: Dr. Anselm Griffin; Committee Member: Dr. Johannes Leisen; Committee Member: Dr. Sankar Nair; Committee Member: Dr. Uwe Bunz.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:25:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-08-26Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:53:33Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 kanamura_ms_me_botfm.pdf: 2849170 bytes, checksum: 08cc2f979c93a13d548fc6f0228e430f (MD5) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / Apesar da existência de inúmeros tipos de implantes para reposição de volume em cavidades anoftálmicas, até o momento, nenhum deles pode ser considerado ideal, o que faz com que seja necessário continuar buscando novas soluções. Avaliar a biocompatibilidade de esferas de silicone gelatinosas e rígidas, quando colocadas em cavidades evisceradas de coelhos, comparando-as. Estudo prospectivo e experimental, no qual foram utilizados 30 coelhos albinos, espécie Orictolagus cuniculus, submetidos à cirurgia de evisceração do olho direito, sendo feita a colocação de esferas de silicone gelatinosas ou rígidas na cavidade escleral. Os animais foram sacrificados sete, 30 e 90 dias após a colocação das esferas. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: avaliação clínica diária, ultrassonografia da cavidade eviscerada 15 dias após o procedimento, análise histológica do conteúdo orbitário sete, 30 e 90 dias após a cirurgia, com análise morfométrica da pseudocápsula que se formou ao redor das esferas. Os resultados obtidos foram submetidos à avaliação estatística para comparação dos resultados entre e dentro dos grupos experimentais. Durante o seguimento, ocorreram três extrusões de esferas, duas das quais pertencentes ao grupo das esferas rígidas e uma, do grupo das esferas gelatinosas. O exame ultrassonográfico mostrou ausência de coleções ou processo inflamatório ao redor das esferas e boa integração das mesmas com os tecidos orbitários. Ao exame histológico observou-se semelhança de resposta tecidual com ambas as esferas. O exame morfométrico apontou para superioridade das esferas gelatinosas no tocante a espessura da pseudocápsula, que foi menos espessa, principalmente na avaliação feita no setor posterior da cavidade escleral. Todos os parâmetros estudados mostraram que as esferas de silicone... / Despite the existence of many types of implants for volume replacement in anophthalmic sockets, so far, none can be considered ideal implant, which makes it necessary to continue searching for new solutions. To evaluate the biocompatibility of soft and rigid silicone spheres placed in scleral cavities of eviscerated rabbits, comparing them. Prospctive and experimental study using 30 rabbits, specie Orictolagus cuniculus, underwent evisceration surgery of the right eye and replacement of orbital volume with spheres composed by gelatinous (soft) or rigid silicone. The animals were sacrificed seven, 30 and 90 days after surgery. The studies parameters were: daily clinical assessment, ultrasound of the orbit 15 days after the procedure, histological analysis of the orbital contents seven, 30 and 90 days after surgery and morphometric evaluation in the pseudocapsule in all the animals. Statistical analysis for comparison between and within groups was done. During follow-up occurred three spheres extrusions, two of which belonging to the group of rigid spheres and one from gelatinous sphere group. Ultrasound examination showed no inflammation or collections around spheres and good integration with the orbital tissues. The histological evaluation proved both materials had similar response and the morphometric evaluation showed thinner pseudocapsule formation around the gelatinous sphere, mainly in the posterior scleral region. All the parameters evaluated showed both spheres had good tecidual integration to the orbital tissue in rabbit eviscerated eyes. Therefore, gelatinous silicone sphere induced thinner psedudocapsule formation. The authors agree the gelatinous silicone spheres might be helpful to be used... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)