MSCAGR (Animal Science) / Department of Animal Science / In order to realize many of the potential advantages of AI, storage of semen is necessary. Semen storage is only possible using a system that decreases and/or halts the metabolic processes of the spermatozoa, allowing no significant loss of fertility. Numerous factors affect the success of spermatozoa storage. This study was designed to compare the effects of egg yolk, soybean milk and coconut water in Tris extender using different storage methods for Nguni bull spermatozoa storage. Bull semen was collected from two adult Nguni bulls approximately four years old and kept under similar managerial conditions. Using electro-ejaculator, semen was collected from each bull into a graduated semen collection tube. Macroscopically evaluation of the sample was performed immediately after collection. Only the semen free from contamination was processed. The kinetic properties namely: total spermatozoa motility, and progressive spermatozoa motility were analysed using CASA. Semen sample was stained and spermatozoa morphology and vitality also analysed using CASA. The extended semen was then split into three groups. The first group was stored at room temperature (25 °C). The second group was cooled to 4 °C and stored in the refrigerator. The third group was also cooled to 4 °C for 2 h in the refrigerator, then held in LN2 vapour 5 cm above the surface of LN2 at ~ -80 °C for 10 min and then plunged into LN2 for storage at -196 °C. Different colours of straws and plugging powder were used for identifying each extender. After 3 days of storage at room temperature, in the refrigerator and in LN2, the extended semen was split into three portions and assayed for kinetic properties using the first portion. The second portion was assayed for spermatozoa morphology and the third portion for spermatozoa vitality. The results from the fresh semen extended with all three extenders (TEYE, SBME and COWE), and analysed immediately after dilution at room temperature (25 ºC), showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the mean values of the kinetic and morphologic properties and viability, on spermatozoa TM, PM, AR, AT, CT; BT and LS. After three days of storage, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the kinetic morphologic properties and viability of semen stored at room and refrigeration temperature regardless of the extender in use. There were, however, significant differences (P < 0.05) in the TM, PM, AR and DL of the frozen semen samples. For the short storage period of semen used for AI, from this study, it is recommended that semen should be kept at room or refrigeration temperature regardless of the three extenders used. However, for long storage of frozen semen TEYE is recommended. The egg yolk-based extender provided greater preservation of motility and bull spermatozoa integrity during the freezing process than did SBME and COWE.

No description available.

No description available.

<p>Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (THAM) was a readily-available and economical amino-triol that was viewed as having a large untapped potential as a starting material. The full chemoselective functionalization and differentiation of the amino group and the three primary alcohol residues present in THAM was extensively investigated. The development of this methodology allowed for the rapid assembly of a differentiated core that lead to existing and new potential drug scaffolds.</p> <p>The discovery of a novel oxidative fragmentation and rearrangement process was made leading to the synthesis of differentiated oxazolidinone rings. This process allowed for the creation of novel chemical library situated around THAM-based oxazolidinones, as well as THAM-based 1,3-dioxanes.</p> <p>THAM was also used as a starting material for sphingosine analogs, including sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and anticancer S1K inhibitors. Selective functionalization of the amine and one alcohol within an oxazolidinone ring allowed access to a new family of Linezolid-type oxazolidinones as well. Additionally, various triazole-based compounds were prepared, which allowed access to a new family of potential antifungal agents based on the lead compound Fluconazole.</p> <p>A total synthesis of the immunosuppressant molecule FTY720 was also reported, employing double Wittig-olefination protocol, from THAM. This synthesis avoided certain pitfalls that were present in previously documented literature methods. Along the pathway to FTY720, many intermediates and analogs were synthesized and tested for biological activity alongside the novel oxazolidinone compounds, resulting in interesting lead compounds for various biological applications. A UV-active FTY720 scaffold was also synthesized for potential future <em>in vivo</em> tracking of the immunosuppressant and its metabolites.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

This Thesis describes the synthesis and characterisation of new Main Group and Rare Earth alkyl, amide, alkoxide and borohydride complexes and their use as catalysts for the ring-opening polymerisation (ROP) of &epsilon;-caprolactone and rac-lactide. <strong>Chapter 1</strong> introduces ROP from an industrial and academic perspective, as well as polymer characterisation techniques. A literature review is given, with an emphasis placed on Main Group catalysts. <strong>Chapter 2</strong> describes the synthesis and characterisation of new homo- and hetero-scorpionate Main Group complexes. An introduction to homo- and hetero-scorpionate ligands is given, as well as a discussion of the ε-caprolactone and rac-lactide ROP activity displayed by the new complexes. <strong>Chapter 3</strong> describes the synthesis and characterisation of new neutral and cationic Main Group borohydride complexes supported by the tris(pyrazolyl)methane and tris(pyrazolyl)hydroborate ligands. A review of borohydride complexes is also given. The ε-caprolactone and rac-lactide ROP activity shown by the complexes presented is also discussed. <strong>Chapter 4</strong> describes the synthesis and characterisation of new mono- and di-cationic yttrium complexes supported by the tris(pyrazolyl)methane and triazacyclononane ligands. An introduction to the synthesis of neutral and cationic Rare Earth complexes is given. An overview of immortal ROP is also provided. The activity of the new complexes towards the immortal ROP of rac-lactide is also discussed. <strong>Chapter 5</strong> contains experimental details and characterising data for the new complexes reported in this thesis. CD Appendix</strong> contains .cif files for all of the new crystallographically characterised complexes.

Neste trabalho apresenta-se o estudo do comportamento eletroquímico anódico - direto (oxidação na superfície do eletrodo) e indireto (oxidação através de um oxidante eletrogerado, ou mediador) de &#946;-ceto-sulfetos e &#946;hidróxi-sulfetos de estruturas variadas. Foram utilizadas as técnicas de voltametria cíclica (anodo:pérola de Pt; referência: Ag/AgI; solvente: MeCN anidra e NaClO4 0,1 M como eletrólito de suporte) e de oxidações anódicas preparativas (potencial controlado ou corrente constante; eletrodos de Pt polida 4 cm2; solvente:MeCN/H2O (9:1v/v); NaClO4 0,2 M). Foram sintetizadas e estudadas as seguintes cetonas &#945;-sulfeniladas: 2-etiltio- (I.1), 2-etiltio-2-metil (I.2) e, 2-feniltio-(I.3)-ciclo-hexano-1-onas; 2-metiltio-(II.1) e 2-metiltio-2-metil-(II.2)-1-tetralonas; 1-fenil-2-metiltio-butano-1-ona (III.1); 2-etiltio-1,2-difenil-etano-1-ona (IV.1) e três derivados aril-substituídos [4.4-OMe (IV.2); 4-OMe (IV.3); 2.2-Cl (IV.3); 2,2-Cl (IV.4)]. Os mediadores preparados e eletroquimicamente investigados foram os derivados bromados da trifenilamina (V.1): tris(4-bromofenil)amina (V.2) e tris(2,4-dibromo-fenil)amina (V.3). Os álcoois correspondentes foram preparados por redução direta das cetonas. Os resultados dos estudos eletroquímicos das cetonas demonstraram que o diferente comportamento eletroquímico deve-se a fatores estereoeletrônicos. Somente (III.1) e (IV.1, 2 e 3) eram oxidados indiretamente. As oxidações anódicas diretas dos &#946;-hidróxi-sulfetos mostraram-se mais seletivas que as das cetonas relativas. Além do mais, a comparação entre as oxidações direta e indireta destes álcoois revelou que enquanto diretamente obtem-se dois ou três produtos, indiretamente os sulfóxidos correspondentes são obtidos. Como único produto, de todos álcoois exceto daqueles relativos às cetonas (IV. 2, 3 e 4). Também foi observado que a estereoquimica cis entre os grupos hidroxila e alquiltio é fator determinante para as oxidações eletroquímicas indiretas. Os estereoisômeros trans não eram oxidados indiretamente. Um intermediário cíclico, formado durante o processo de oxidação, é sugerido como explicação para estes fatos. Também foi observado que ocorre clivagem da ligação carbono-carbono entre os grupos hidroxila e alquiltio na oxidação anódica, quando os carbonos substituídos são terciários (no caso de 2-etiltio-1,2-dimetil-ciclohexan-1-ol), ou estão ligados a grupos fenila (IV.1, 2, 3 e 4). São obtidos os compostos carbonílicos correspondentes em bons rendimentos. / In the present work a study of the electrochemical oxidation behaviour under direct (oxidation at the electrode) and indirect (oxidation by on in situ electrogenerated species, a mediator) conditions of several &#946;-keto and &#946;-hydroxysulphides is reported. Cyclic voltammetry (anode: Pt bead, reference: Ag/AgI, 0.1 M NaClO4) in anhydrous acetonitrile) and preparative scale electrolysis under controlled potential or at constant current (anode: Pt 2 x 2 cm, 0.2 M NaClO4 in acetonitrile - water (9:1 v/v) were employed. The studied mediators were tris-(4-bromophenyl) and tris-2,4-dibromophenyl)amines. The following &#945;-sulphenylated ketones were synthesized: 2-ethylthio-(I.1), 2-ethylthio-2-methyl (I.2) and 2-phenylthio-(I.3)-cyclohexan-1-ones; 2-methylthio-(II.1) and 2-methylthio-2-methyl-(II.2)-1-tetralones; 1-phenyl-2-methylbutan-1-one (III.1); 2-ethylthio-1,2-diphenylethan-1-one (IV.1) and three aryl derivatives [4,4\'-OMe (IV.2), 4\'-Ome (IV.3), 2,2\'-Cl (IV.3)]. The corresponding alcohols were prepared by direct reduction of the ketones. The results of the electrochemical studies for the investigated ketones demonstrated that their different behaviour is due to stereoelectronic effects. Only (III.1, IV.1, IV.2 and IV.3) were indirectly oxidized. The direct anodic oxidations of the &#946;-hydroxy-sulphides were more selective than those of the corresponding ketones. Moreover, a comparison between direct and indirect oxidations of such alcohols reveal that while the former can give two or three products, the latter yields the relatives sulphoxides as the only products with all the alcohols except the ones related to (IV.2, 3 and 4). It was also noticed that the cis stereochemistry between hydroxyl and alkylthio groups is the determining feature in the indirect electrochemical oxidation of cyclic alcohols. No oxidation was observed in the case of the trans stereoisomers. A cyclic intermediate, formed during the oxidation process, is suggested to explain these facts. In addition, a cleavage of the carbon-carbon bond between the hydroxyl and alkylthio groups was observed in the anodic oxidation, when the substituted carbons are tertiary (in the case of 2-ethylthio-1,2- dimethylciclohexan-1-ol), or linked to phenyl groups (IV.1, 2, 3 and 4). In these cases, the corresponding carbonyl compounds were obtained in good yields.

Orientador: Prof. Dr. André Sarto Polo / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Nanociências e Materiais Avançados, 2017. / Compostos polipiridínicos de rutênio(II) apresentam características favoráveis para serem utilizados em processos de conversão de energia solar, como a ampla e intensa absorção de luz na região visível. A engenharia molecular permite a sintonização dos níveis de energia destes complexos para que possam executar funções úteis com mais eficiência. Os compostos tris-heterolépticos de rutênio(II) são muito interessantes neste sentido, pois permitem avaliar como a utilização de diferentes ligantes altera as suas propriedades globais e permite modular seus níveis de energia. O presente trabalho insere-se nesse contexto, avaliando como grupos doadores ou retiradores de elétrons influenciam a cinética de formação, as propriedades químicas e o desempenho fotoeletroquímico em células solares sensibilizadas por corante (DSSCs - Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells) desse tipo de composto. É descrita a investigação da cinética de formação dos compostos cis- [Ru(R-phen)(dcbH2)(NCS)2], dcbH2 = ácido- -dicarboxílico- -bipiridina, avaliada de maneira a racionalizar o efeito do substituinte R nas posições 4 e 7 da 1,10- fenantrolina nas velocidades das reações e na distribuição dos isômeros de ligação. Também são descritas a síntese, purificação e caracterização dos compostos cis- [Ru(R-phen)(dcbH2)Cl2] e cis-[Ru(R-phen)(dcbH2)(NCS)2] e as mudanças observadas em suas propriedades espectroscópicas e eletroquímicas são discutidas em função dos diferentes substituintes da 1,10-fenantrolina. Os compostos cis- [Ru(R-phen)(dcbH2)(NCS)2] também foram usados como corantes sensibilizadores em DSSCs e a partir de experimentos fotoeletroquímicos os resultados foram interpretados relacionando-se a natureza do ligante R-phen e os processos que ocorrem nas células solares. Observou-se que mesmo pequenas mudanças estruturais nos ligantes R-phen podem acarretar em grandes mudanças nas propriedades e na formação dos compostos que funcionalizam nanomateriais como o TiO2. / Ruthenium(II) polypyridyl compounds have favorable characteristics for their use in solar energy conversion processes, such as their wide and intense light absorption in the visible region of the spectrum. Molecular engineering allows the tuning of the energy levels of these compounds in order to perform useful functions more efficiently. Ruthenium(II) tris-heteroleptic compounds are very interesting in this field since they can be employed to evaluate how changing the ligands modify their global properties and modulate their energy levels. This work aims to evaluate the influence of electron donating or withdrawing groups on the formation kinetics, chemical properties and photoelectrochemical performance of this type of compound in Dye- Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs). The investigation of the formation kinetics of cis- [Ru(R-phen)(dcbH2)(NCS)2] compounds, dcbH2 -dicarboxylic acid- - bipyridine, is described and evaluated in order to rationalize the effect of the R substituent on 4 and 7 positions of 1,10-phenanthroline on reaction rates and linkage isomer distribution. The synthesis, purification and characterization of the compounds cis-[Ru(R-phen)(dcbH2)Cl2] and cis-[Ru(R-phen)(dcbH2)(NCS)2] are also described and changes observed in their spectroscopic and electrochemical properties are discussed in terms of the different substituents of 1,10-phenanthroline. The cis- [Ru(R-phen)(dcbH2)(NCS)2] compounds were also employed as dye-sensitizers in DSSCs and from photoelectrochemical experiments the results were interpreted correlating the R-phen ligand structure and processes which occur in solar cells. It was observed that even small structural changes in R-phen ligands can result in wide changes in properties and formation of the compounds that functionalize nanomaterials such as TiO2.

Neste trabalho apresenta-se o estudo do comportamento eletroquímico anódico - direto (oxidação na superfície do eletrodo) e indireto (oxidação através de um oxidante eletrogerado, ou mediador) de &#946;-ceto-sulfetos e &#946;hidróxi-sulfetos de estruturas variadas. Foram utilizadas as técnicas de voltametria cíclica (anodo:pérola de Pt; referência: Ag/AgI; solvente: MeCN anidra e NaClO4 0,1 M como eletrólito de suporte) e de oxidações anódicas preparativas (potencial controlado ou corrente constante; eletrodos de Pt polida 4 cm2; solvente:MeCN/H2O (9:1v/v); NaClO4 0,2 M). Foram sintetizadas e estudadas as seguintes cetonas &#945;-sulfeniladas: 2-etiltio- (I.1), 2-etiltio-2-metil (I.2) e, 2-feniltio-(I.3)-ciclo-hexano-1-onas; 2-metiltio-(II.1) e 2-metiltio-2-metil-(II.2)-1-tetralonas; 1-fenil-2-metiltio-butano-1-ona (III.1); 2-etiltio-1,2-difenil-etano-1-ona (IV.1) e três derivados aril-substituídos [4.4-OMe (IV.2); 4-OMe (IV.3); 2.2-Cl (IV.3); 2,2-Cl (IV.4)]. Os mediadores preparados e eletroquimicamente investigados foram os derivados bromados da trifenilamina (V.1): tris(4-bromofenil)amina (V.2) e tris(2,4-dibromo-fenil)amina (V.3). Os álcoois correspondentes foram preparados por redução direta das cetonas. Os resultados dos estudos eletroquímicos das cetonas demonstraram que o diferente comportamento eletroquímico deve-se a fatores estereoeletrônicos. Somente (III.1) e (IV.1, 2 e 3) eram oxidados indiretamente. As oxidações anódicas diretas dos &#946;-hidróxi-sulfetos mostraram-se mais seletivas que as das cetonas relativas. Além do mais, a comparação entre as oxidações direta e indireta destes álcoois revelou que enquanto diretamente obtem-se dois ou três produtos, indiretamente os sulfóxidos correspondentes são obtidos. Como único produto, de todos álcoois exceto daqueles relativos às cetonas (IV. 2, 3 e 4). Também foi observado que a estereoquimica cis entre os grupos hidroxila e alquiltio é fator determinante para as oxidações eletroquímicas indiretas. Os estereoisômeros trans não eram oxidados indiretamente. Um intermediário cíclico, formado durante o processo de oxidação, é sugerido como explicação para estes fatos. Também foi observado que ocorre clivagem da ligação carbono-carbono entre os grupos hidroxila e alquiltio na oxidação anódica, quando os carbonos substituídos são terciários (no caso de 2-etiltio-1,2-dimetil-ciclohexan-1-ol), ou estão ligados a grupos fenila (IV.1, 2, 3 e 4). São obtidos os compostos carbonílicos correspondentes em bons rendimentos. / In the present work a study of the electrochemical oxidation behaviour under direct (oxidation at the electrode) and indirect (oxidation by on in situ electrogenerated species, a mediator) conditions of several &#946;-keto and &#946;-hydroxysulphides is reported. Cyclic voltammetry (anode: Pt bead, reference: Ag/AgI, 0.1 M NaClO4) in anhydrous acetonitrile) and preparative scale electrolysis under controlled potential or at constant current (anode: Pt 2 x 2 cm, 0.2 M NaClO4 in acetonitrile - water (9:1 v/v) were employed. The studied mediators were tris-(4-bromophenyl) and tris-2,4-dibromophenyl)amines. The following &#945;-sulphenylated ketones were synthesized: 2-ethylthio-(I.1), 2-ethylthio-2-methyl (I.2) and 2-phenylthio-(I.3)-cyclohexan-1-ones; 2-methylthio-(II.1) and 2-methylthio-2-methyl-(II.2)-1-tetralones; 1-phenyl-2-methylbutan-1-one (III.1); 2-ethylthio-1,2-diphenylethan-1-one (IV.1) and three aryl derivatives [4,4\'-OMe (IV.2), 4\'-Ome (IV.3), 2,2\'-Cl (IV.3)]. The corresponding alcohols were prepared by direct reduction of the ketones. The results of the electrochemical studies for the investigated ketones demonstrated that their different behaviour is due to stereoelectronic effects. Only (III.1, IV.1, IV.2 and IV.3) were indirectly oxidized. The direct anodic oxidations of the &#946;-hydroxy-sulphides were more selective than those of the corresponding ketones. Moreover, a comparison between direct and indirect oxidations of such alcohols reveal that while the former can give two or three products, the latter yields the relatives sulphoxides as the only products with all the alcohols except the ones related to (IV.2, 3 and 4). It was also noticed that the cis stereochemistry between hydroxyl and alkylthio groups is the determining feature in the indirect electrochemical oxidation of cyclic alcohols. No oxidation was observed in the case of the trans stereoisomers. A cyclic intermediate, formed during the oxidation process, is suggested to explain these facts. In addition, a cleavage of the carbon-carbon bond between the hydroxyl and alkylthio groups was observed in the anodic oxidation, when the substituted carbons are tertiary (in the case of 2-ethylthio-1,2- dimethylciclohexan-1-ol), or linked to phenyl groups (IV.1, 2, 3 and 4). In these cases, the corresponding carbonyl compounds were obtained in good yields.

Thesis. (M.Tech. (Chemistry)) -- Vaal University of Technology, 2011. / Bis(acetylacetonato)oxovanadium(IV), Manganese(III) acetylacetonate, Co-Zn and Co-Al were prepared as catalyst precursors for the synthesis of carbon materials in a catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) reactor. The carbon materials produced were characterized with Raman spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), High resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Thermogravimetric analysis, (TGA). Carbon material prepared from bis(acetylacetonato)oxovanadium(IV) catalyst precursor showed the presence of carbon spheres with average diameter of 104μm together with small traces of carbon nanotubes or amorphous carbon. Synthesis of bis(acetylacetonato)oxovanadium(IV) catalyst precursor yielded approximately 92% of carbon material. Carbon material prepared from Manganese(III) acetylacetonate catalyst precursor showed the presence of carbon spheres with diameter of 87.5μm. Synthesis of Manganese(III) acetylacetonate catalyst precursor yielded approximately 97% of carbon material. Carbon material produced from Co-Zn and Co-Al catalyst precursors showed the presence of carbon nanotubes with small amounts of amorphous carbon. The use of Co-Zn catalyst precursor yielded approximately 80% of carbon nanotubes, whereas Co-Al catalyst precursor yielded approximately 98% of carbon nanotubes. / Vaal University of Technology; NRF; SASOL

L'embolisation artérielle a récemment émergé sur le plan interventionnel comme un traitement sûr et efficace pour arrêter une hémorragie ou induire la dévascularisation d'un tissu cible. La visualisation directe des agents d'occlusions vasculaires n'est pas toujours possible. L'estimation de leur position dans la branche vasculaire en se basant sur la distribution de produit opaque aux rayons X est partiellement incorrecte. Un marquage des agents d'occlusion vasculaire est souhaitable pour leur suivi par IRM pendant l'intervention ou a posteriori, ce, notamment en raison de la diffusion de l'IRM comme modalité d'imagerie anatomique et interventionnelle. Dans ce travail, plusieurs protocoles ont été établis pour repérer des agents d'occlusion vasculaire marqués avec le SPIO, in situ, in vitro et dans des « conditions » in vivo, sous IRM 1,5T et 3T. Les agents d'occlusion étudiés sont des microsphères de trisacryl (Embosphère®), et des microparticules ou microcapsules utilisées éventuellement comme vecteurs de principes actifs : parmi celles-ci, des microsphères gonflables (Hépasphère™) non dégradables ont été marquées, et des microbilles d'alginate et des systèmes d'émulsions dégradables réalisés par nos soins. L'établissement de protocoles de détectabilité sous IRM a impliqué le choix de séquences et l'optimisation des paramètres de ces séquences, le choix de l'antenne, ainsi que la mise au point d'une quantité suffisante de marqueur dans les agents d'occlusion afin qu'ils soient visibles à l'IRM. Une méthodologie de mesure de faible variation de l'intensité du signal des images IRM a été développée. Un modèle expérimental in vitro a été conçu avec la présence des microparticules marquées dans un environnement simulant grossièrement une vascularisation tumorale et son drainage veineux. La fixation des immunoglobulines (IgG1), équivalentes aux anti-VEGF, sur des microsphères (Hépasphères™) a été étudiée. Enfin, les propriétés mécaniques et électriques des systèmes de microémulsions ont été explorées par ultrasons et par impédancemétrie.