O objetivo do presente trabalho é a elucidação da estrutura cristalográfica da proteína N-acetilglicosamina 6-fosfato desacetilase (desacetilase) da bactéria Escherichia coli. A desacetilase é um tetrãmero de subunidades idênticas de 382 aminoácidos e massa molecular de 41 kDa. Esta é uma enzima da via de catabolismo de açúcares aminados e cataliza a conversão do N-acetilglicosamina 6-fosfato em glicosamina 6-fosfato. Nesta via a bactéria dedica cinco genes organizados em um regulon, o nagE-nagBACD, com propósitos de obtenção de energia e de reciclagem de componentes de parede celular. A reciclagem de componentes de parede celular é a via de maior atividade metabólica de E. coli, na qual aproximadamente 40% dos peptidoglicanos de parede celular são quebrados a cada geração, sendo o N-acetilglicosamina (GlcNAc) reutilizado para a síntese de novo de peptidoglicanos e lipopolissacarídeos de membrana externa. O GlcNAc exerce funções multi-regulatórias na via de catabolismo de aminoaçúcares e a desacetilase é o maior fator controlador da sua concentração intracelular. Foi demonstrado que a desacetilase é a enzima mais importante da via e que sem ela a E. coli não é capaz de reciclar o GlcNAc. A desacetilase é encontrada em outros organismos desempenhando funções igualmente importantes, estando relacionada à captura e o armazenamento de carboidratos em hepatócitos e células sinusiais de fígado de camundongo, à morfogênese e à diminuição da patogenicidade e da adesão da Candida albicans a tecidos endoteliais, chegando também a ser estudada para desenvolvimento de inibidores contra o parasita da malária o Plasmodzum falciparum. Neste trabalho foram descritos os procedimentos desde a subclonagem do gene codificador da desacetilase de E. coli até a interpretação da sua estrutura quaternária, incluindo a expressão, a purificação, a cristalização, a produção de cristas derivados de átomos pesados, a estimativa de fases e a construção e refinamento do modelo cristalográfico. A estrutura foi resolvida por espalhamento anômalo de iodo de baixa resolução (2,9 angstron), em comprimento de onda único, sendo refinada a resolução de 2,0 angstron. Na unidade assimétrica encontram-se dois monômeros relacionados por um eixo de ordem 2 não cristalográfico aproximadamente a 15° da direção do eixo cristalográfico c. A simetria do cristal aplicada à unidade assimétrica leva a formação de um tetrâmero cuja área da superfície de tetramerização é de 5.343 angstron2, correspondente a 18,4% da área do dímero. A área de superfície de acessibilidade da interface dimerização é de 1.053 angstron2, correspondente a 6,8 % da área do monômero. O monômero da desacetilase é constituído por dois domínios: o beta, um pequeno sanduíche beta; e o alfa, um pseudo barril (beta/alfa)8 comum aos membros da super família da Amidohidrolases. O domínio-beta é constituído por duas folhas beta mistas e uma hélice alfa. O domínio- alfa é constituído por 11 hélices alfa e por três folhas beta, uma paralela e as outras duas anti paralelas. No domínio- beta, oito das onze hélices alfa formam ligações cruzadas com as oito fitas da folha beta paralela para formar o \"barril\" onde encontra-se o sítio ativo. No sitio ativo foi observada a presença de um íon fosfato. Os resíduos do sítio ativo que participam da ligação ao fosfato são Gln59, Glu131, His195, His216 e Asp273, dos quais pelo menos uma histidina e um ácido aspártico têm se conservado em membros da super família das Amidohidrolases / The goal of the present work is to elucidate the crystallographic structure of the protein N-acetylglucosamine Bphosphate deacetylase (deacetylase) from Escherichia coli. The deacetylase is a tetramer of identical subunits with 382 aminoacids and molecular weight of 41 kDa. It is an euzyme of the amino sugar catabolism pathway and it catalyzes the conversion of the N-acetylglucosamine Gphosphate in to glucosamine 6-phosphate. In this pathway the bacteria dedicates five genes organized in the nagE-nagBACD regulon for purposes of cell wall component recycling and energy production. The cell wall component recycling is the major E. coli metabolic pathway in which aproximately 40% of the cellular wall peptidoglicans is broken in each generation. Its degradation product, the amino sugar N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAC) is reused for the peptidoglican and for the lipopolysacharide de novo synthesis. The GlcNAC plays several regulatory roles in the amino sugar catabolism pathway and deacetylase is its major intra cellular concentration controlling factos. It was demonstrated that without the deacetylase, E. coli is uncapable of recycling the GlcNAc. The deacetylase plays important roles in the other organisms in which it has been found. It is related to the carbohydrate up-take and storage in hepatocytes and sinusoidal cells from rat liver and to the Candida albicans morphogenesis, pathogenicity and adherence to the endothelial tissues. Deacetylase has also been studied in the development of inhibitors against the malaria parasite Plasmodzum falciparum. This work describes all the approaches from the nagA subcloning to the crystallographic structure analysis, including deacetylase expression, purification, crystallization, heavy atoms derivatives production, phasing, model building and model refinement. The E. coli deacetylase structure was solved by Single Anomalous Dispersion using low resolution (2,0 angstron) iodine anomalous scattering. The structure was refined to 2,0 angstron resolution. The contends of the asymmetric unit is a dimer related by a non-crystallographic 2-fold symmetry axis about 15° from the crystallographic axis c. The crystallographic symmetry applied to the asymmetric unit produces a tetramer, whose the surface accessibility of the buried area is 5.343 angstron, corresponding to 18.4 % of the dimer total area. The dimer surface accessibility of the buried area is 1.053 angstron2, corresponding to 6.8 % of the monomer total area. The deacetylase monomer folds into two domains, a pseudo (beta/alfa)8 barrel enclosing the catalytic site of the enzyme and a small beta sandwich made up from secondary structure elements contributed by the N and C termini. The beta domain is composed of two mixt beta sheets and one alfa helice. The alfa domain is composed of 11 alfa helices and 3 beta sheets, one of them parallel and the other two anti parallel. In the alfa domain, 8 alfa helices are cross linked to 8 beta strands to form the pseudo barrel which encloses the active site. A phosphate ion was found into the catalytic site. The catalytic residues that bind the phosphate ion are Gln59, Glu131, Hisl95, His216 and Asp273, from which at least one histidine and one aspartic acid are conserved amongst the Amidrohydrolases super family members

Com a intenção de contribuir nas áreas de física aplicada a solos, agronomia e geologia, foi analisada a constituição mineralógica de três solos: Terra Roxa Estruturada Eutrófica da região de Piracicaba-SP, Cambissolo e Latossolo Vermelho-Escuro ambos da região de Ponta Grossa-PR, com a utilização da Difração de Raios X e o emprego do Método de Rietveld que é largamente utilizado na área de cristalografia de materiais policristalinos e recentemente, ainda com poucos trabalhos na literatura, utilizado em mineralogia. Estes solos foram coletados de vários horizontes. Cada horizonte foi fracionado em várias faixas de tamanhos de partículas, por peneiração foi obtida a fração areia grossa e por sedimentação as demais frações: areia fina, silte e argila, tendo sido obtidas 44 amostras. Devido à complexidade mineral de cada amostra, foram utilizadas também as seguintes técnicas espectroscópicas: Fluorescência de Raios, Emissão Atômica com Fonte de Plasma Induzido, lnfravermelho e Mossbauer, além de alguns testes preliminares com a Difração de Raios X que contribuíram de maneira significativa para o reconhecimento das fases presentes (minerais) permitindo que o Método de Rietveld pudesse fornecer, com segurança, dados quantitativos (porcentagem em massa) dos minerais presentes. De uma maneira geral, comparando os três solos estudados, pode-se afirmar que a grande diferença da Terra Roxa Estruturada Eutrófica é a maior presença dos argilominerais (caulinita, nacrita e haloisita), presença de ilmenita, com pouca quantidade de anatásio, rutílio e gibbsita. O Cambissolo mostra pequenas quantidades de hematita e goethita, e o grande diferencial do Latossolo Vermelho-¬Escuro é a presença marcante de gibbsita. Como critério para uma análise da aplicabilidade do Método de Rietveld em amostras de solo foram considerados os índices de qualidade RB (R-fator de Bragg) e RF (R-fator de estrutura) e os erros nas porcentagens em massa de cada mineral. Resultados bem sucedidos foram obtidos com o lote de amostras do Latossolo Vermelho-Escuro e com menos sucesso com os lotes de amostras dos outros dois solos. Desta forma, é possível utilizar o Método de Rietveld aliado à Difração de Raios X e às técnicas espectroscópicas para a caracterização mineralógica de solos. / The mineralogical constitution of three soils (Eutrophic Structured Dusky-¬Red Earth from the region of Piracicaba, São Paulo, Cambisol and Dark-Red Latosol both from the region Ponta Grossa, Paraná) was studied with the intention of contributing to the areas of physics applied to soil, agronomy and geology. The X-Ray Diffraction analysis, were done with the Rietveld Method. This method is widely employed for the crystalline characterization of polycrystalline materials and recently in mineralogical studies, yet with few works reported. Each soil was collected in several horizons. Each horizon was fractionated in several size range of particles: the coarse sand fraction was obtained by sieving and the fine sand, silt and clay fractions were obtained by sedimentation, in a total of 44 samples. Due to the mineral complexity of each sample, the following spectroscopics techniques were simultaneously used: X-ray Fluorescence, lnductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry, lnfrared and Mössbauer, besides some preliminary X-ray Diffraction tests that contributed in a significant way for the acknowledgement of the present phases (minerals) and the Rietveld Method supplied, accurate, quantitative data (in mass percentage) of present minerals. In a general way, the comparison of the three studied soils showed that Eutrophic Structured Dusky-Red Earth has the largest amount of clay minerals (kaolinite, nacrite, halloysite), and the presence of ilmenite, with small quantities of anatase, rutile and gibbsite. The Cambisol shows smaller amount of hematite and goethite, and the marked presence of gibbsite is the great difference of Dark-Red Latosol. A criterion for the applicability of Rietveld Method in soil samples was according to the values of the quality indices RB (R-Bragg factor) and RF (R-structure facto r) and mass percentage errors for each mineral. Good results were obtained for the Dark-Red Latosol\'s lot. For the other soils, those indices were obtained with less success. In this way, we have shown that it is possible to use the Rietveld Method associated with the X-Ray Diffraction and the spectroscopics techniques for the soils mineralogical characterization.

A técnica de difração de raios X por monocristais foi utilizada na resolução dos problemas resumidos a seguir. 1) Complexos de lantanóides: 1.1) Estrutura cristalina e molecular do complexo de coordenação {(Nd(NCS)3(HMPA)3]}{(Nd(NCS)3(HMPA)4]}, (HMPA = hexametilfosforotriamida). O composto cristaliza no sistema trigonal, grupo espacial R3. com a=b= 19.947(3); c= 20.106(3)Å V= 6928(4)޵ Mr= 1891.4; Z= 3; Dx= 1.360g.cm-3; &#955(M&#959K&#945)= 0.71073Å &#956= 1.4mm-1; F(000)= 2922; R= 0.035 para 2168 reflexões observadas (I &#62 3&#959) e 296 parâmetros refinados. Há dois íons Nd3+ independentes localizados sobre o eixo de ordem 3. A coordenação do poliedro em torno de um deles é a de um octaedro distorcido formado por três átomos de nitrogênio de três anions NCS- relacionados por simetria e três átomos de oxigênio de três grupos HMPA relacionados por simetria. Em torno do outro íon Nd3+ o poliedro de coordenação é um antiprisma trigonal encapuzado de simetria pontual C3v, formado por átomos de nitrogênio de três anions NCS- relacionados por simetria, três átomos de oxigênio de grupos HMPA relacionados por simetria e um átomo de oxigênio de um grupo HMPA localizado sobre o eixo de ordem 3. 1.2) Estrutura cristalina e molecular do complexo de coordenação La(NCS)3(HMPA)4. O composto cristaliza no sistema ortorrômbico, grupo espacial Cmc21 (n&#186 36) com a= 18.212(5); b= 13.862(4); c= 20.848(3)Å V= 5263.2(3)޵ Mr= 1029.9; Z= 4; Dx= 1.300g.cm-3; &#955(M&#959K&#945)= 0.71073Å &#956= 1.09mm-1; F(000)= 1454; R= 0.09 para 1304 reflexões observadas (I &#62 3&#959) e 135 parâmetros refinados. O íon La3+ coordena-se a três átomos de nitrogênio de grupos NCS- e a quatro oxigênios de grupos HMPA. Há dois grupos NCS- independentes cristalograficamente. Um deles encontra-se em posição especial sobre um plano de reflexão e o outro em posição geral. Quanto aos grupos HMPA, três deles ocupam posições sobre planos de reflexão e um grupo está em posição geral. O número de coordenação é sete e o poliedro é um prisma trigonal monoencapuzado de simetria aproximada C2v. 1.3) Estrutura cristalina e molecular do complexo de coordenação {Nd(CF3SO3)(DMF) 3(H2O) 6}, (DMF = dimetilformamida). Este composto cristaliza no sistema trigonal, grupo espacial R3m (n&#186 160), com a=b= 18.788(2); c= 8.589(4)Å V= 2625.6(1)޵ Mr= 918.8; Z= 3; Dx= 1.700g.cm-3; &#955(M&#959K&#945)= 0.71073Å &#956= 1.7mm-1; F(000)= 1368; R= 0.060 para 1119 reflexões observadas (I &#62 3&#959) e 83 parâmetros refinados. O cátion Nd3+ está localizado numa posicão especial (0,0,0), sobre o eixo de ordem 3. O poliedro de coordenação em torno do íon é um prisma trigonal triencapuzado com número de coordenação nove e simetria pontual D3h. O poliedro é formado por 6 átomos de oxigênio de moléculas de água relacionados por simetria ocupando os vértices do prisma, e 3 átomos de oxigênio de grupos DMF também relacionados por simetria, que formam os três capuzes. 2) Composto natural (precoceno) e 4 análogos sintéticos sulfurados. 2.1) Estrutura cristalina e molecular e estudo da conformação do produto natural 6,7-dimetoxi-2,2-dimetil-cromeno, um composto com atividade anti-hormônio juvenil em insetos. Mr= 220.0, ortorrômbico, Pca21 (n&#186 29), a= 14.358(2); b= 9.297(1); c= 9.011(1)Å V= 1202.9(4)޵ Z= 4; Dx= 1.216g.cm-3; &#955(M&#959K&#945)= 0.71073Å &#956= 0.5mm-1; R= 0.044 para 866 reflexões observadas (I &#62 3&#959) e 146 parâmetros refinados. Dos dois anéis que compõem a molécula, o anel benzênico apresenta um comportamento planar normal e o heterocic1o que contém o átomo de oxigênio é distorcido com uma forma aproximada de meio bote. 2.2) Estruturas cristalinas e moleculares e estereoquímica dos compostos análogos dos precocenos: 1) 2,2,6-trimetil-2H-1-benzotiopirano-1,1-dióxido, Mr == 222.3, ortorrômbico, P212121, a= 7.357(2); b= 10.186(3); c= 15.253(2)Å V= 1143.0(8)޵ Z= 4; Dx= 1.292g.cm-3; R= 0.050; 2) 6,7-dimetoxi-2,2-dimetil-3,4-dihidro-3,4-epoxi-2H-1-benzotiopirano-1,1-dióxido, Mr= 284.33, monoclínico, P21/n, a= 12.180(5); b= 6.535(2); c= 16.183(7)Å &#946=91.27(4)° V= 1344.3(9)޵ Z= 4; Dx= 1.405g.cm-3; R= 0.053; 3) 6-metoxi-2,2-dimetil-2H-1-benzotiopirano-1,1-dióxido, Mr=238.31, monoclínico, P21/n, a= 6.629(2); b= 17.233(3); c= 10.494(3)Å &#946= 92.45(3)° V= 1197.7(9)޵ Dx= 1.321g.cm-3; R= 0.043; 4) 7-etoxi-6-metoxi-2,2-dimetil-2H-1,1-dióxido, Mr= 282.36, monoclínico, P21/c, a= 11.372(1); b= 10.544(3); c=12.122(3)Å &#946= 106.23(2)° V= 1396(1)޵ Z= 4; Dx= 1.344g.cm-3; R= 0.042. Os anéis benzênicos dos 4 compostos apresentam -se planares. Os heterociclos são distorcidos e os átomos de enxofre estão numa configuração tetraédrica, com ângulos diédricos entre planos C-S-C e O-S-O que variam de 89.1(1) a 90.3(2)&#197. As distâncias de ligações S-C(SP2) variam entre 1.751(8) e 1.763(2)&#197 e as distâncias S-C(SP3) variam entre 1.766(2) e 1.838(6)&#197. 3) Estudos estruturais de complexos de coordenação envolvendo cobre(II). 3.1) [Cu(NCO)2(diMeen)]2: Mr = 471.08, monoclínico, P21/c (n&#186 14), a= 12.216(2); b= 10.662(1); c= 14.997(4)Å &#946= 96.09(3)° V= 1942.29(9)޵ Z= 4; Dx= 1.610g.cm-3; &#955(M&#959K&#945)= 0.71073Å &#956= 2.14mm-1; R= 0.043 para 2172 reflexões observadas (I &#62 3&#959) e 237 parâmetros refinados. O complexo é dimérico, onde cada átomo de cobre está ligado a 5 átomos de nitrogênio pertencentes a dois grupos cianatos que fazem pontes, um cianato terminal, e os nitrogênios restantes de dois ligantes diMeen. A geometria de coordenação para cada metal é aproximadamente a de uma pirâmide de base quadrada, com os nitrogênios pontes ocupando a posição apical em ambos os casos. 3.2) [Cu(N3) (NCO) (diEten)]: Mr = 261.54, monoclínico, P21/n, a= 8.336(1); b= 17.405(3); c= 8.376(1)Å &#946= 109.73(2)° V= 1143.97(5)޵ Z= 4; Dx= 1.520g.cm-3; &#955(M&#959K&#945)= 0.71073Å &#956= 1.8mm-1; R= 0.09 para 1481 reflexões observadas (I &#62 3&#959) e 138 parâmetros refinados. Através das operações de simetria as moléculas formam dímeros, com as metades relacionadas por um centro de inversão. O átomo de cobre está ligado a 5 nitrogênios pertencentes a um grupo azido (N3) que forma ponte entre os cobres simétricos, um grupo cianato, e os nitrogênios restantes do grupo diEten. A geometria de coordenação é aproximadamente a de uma pirâmide de base quadrada, com o nitrogênio ponte ocupando a posição apical. / The technique of X-ray diffraction was applied to the solution of the problems summarized below: 1) Lanthanides complexes: 1.1) Crystal and molecular structure of coordination complex {(Nd(NCS)3(HMPA)3]}{(Nd(NCS)3(HMPA)4]}, (HMPA = hexamethylphosphorotriamide). The compound crystallizes in the trigonal system, space group R3, with a=b= 19.947(3); c= 20.106(3)Å V= 6928(4)޵ Mr= 1891.4; Z= 3; Dx= 1.360g.cm-3; &#955(M&#959K&#945)= 0.71073Å &#956= 1.4mm-1; F(000)= 2922; R= 0.035 for 2168 observed reflections (I &#62 3&#959) e 296 refined parameters. There are two independent Nd3+ íons located on the three-fold axis. The coordination polyhedron around one of them is a slightly distorted octahedron formed by three nitrogen atoms of three symmetry related NCS- anions and three oxygen atoms of three symmetry related HMPA groups. Around the other Nd3+ íon the coordination polyhedron is a capped trigonal antiprism, of crystallographic point symmetry C3v, formed by the nitrogen atoms of three symmetry related NCS- anions, three oxygen atoms of three symmetry related HMPA groups and na oxygen atom of a HMPA group located on three-fold axis. 1.2) Crystal and molecular structure of coordination complex La(NCS)3(HMPA)4. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Cmc21 (n&#186 36) with a= 18.212(5); b= 13.862(4); c= 20.848(3)Å V= 5263.2(3)޵ Mr= 1029.9; Z= 4; Dx= 1.300g.cm-3; &#955(M&#959K&#945)= 0.71073Å &#956= 1.09mm-1; F(000)= 1454; R= 0.09 for 1304 reflections with (I &#62 3&#959) e 135 refined parameters. The La3+ íons coordinated to the three nitrogen atoms of NCS- groups and to the four oxygens of HMPA groups. There are two independent crystallographic NCS- groups. One of them is located on a special position on the reflection plane and the other in general position. Three HMPA groups are located on the reflection planes and one HMPA group is in general position. The coordination number is seven and the coordination polyhedron is a capped trigonal prism of crystallographic point symmetry C2v. 1.3) Crystal and molecular structure of coordination complex {Nd(CF3SO3)(DMF) 3(H2O) 6}, (DMF = dimethylformamide). The compound crystallizes in the trigonal system, space group R3m, with a=b= 18.788(2); c= 8.589(4)Å V= 2625.6(1)޵ Mr= 918.8; Z= 3; Dx= 1.700g.cm-3; &#955(M&#959K&#945)= 0.71073Å &#956= 1.7mm-1; F(000)= 1368; R= 0.060 for 1119 observed reflections (I &#62 3&#959) and 83 refined parameters. The Nd3+ cátion is located in the special position (0,0,0), on the three-fold axis. The coordination polyhedron around the ion is a tricapped trigonal prism with coordination number nine and point symmetry D3h. The polyhedron is formed by six oxygen atoms of symmetry related H2O molecules located on the vertices of the prism, and three oxygen atoms of symmetry related DMF groups which form the three caps. 2) Natural compound (precocenes) and four sulfured synthetic analogues. 2.1) Crystal and molecular structure and conformation study of natural product 6,7-dimethoxy-2,2-dimethyl-cromane , one compound with insect antijuvenile hormone activity. Mr= 220.0, orthorrombic, Pca21 (n&#186 29), a= 14.358(2); b= 9.297(1); c= 9.011(1)Å V= 1202.9(4)޵ Z= 4; Dx= 1.216g.cm-3; &#955(M&#959K&#945)= 0.71073Å &#956= 0.5mm-1; R= 0.044 for 866 reflections with (I &#62 3&#959) and 146 refined parameters. There are two rings in the molecule. The benzene ring is not distorted, but the heterocyclic which contains the oxygen atom is distorted with the approximated middle boat form. 2.2) Crystal and molecular structure and stereochemistry of analogues compounds of precocenes: 1) 2,2,6-trimethyl-2H-1-benzothiopyran-1,1-dioxide, Mr = 222.3, orthorrombic, P212121, a= 7.357(2); b= 10.186(3); c= 15.253(2)Å V= 1143.0(8)޵ Z= 4; Dx= 1.292g.cm-3; R= 0.050; 2) 6,7-dimethoxy-2,2-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-3,4-epoxy-2H-1-benzothiopyran-1,1-dioxide, Mr= 284.33, monoclinic, P21/n, a= 12.180(5); b= 6.535(2); c= 16.183(7)Å &#946=91.27(4)° V= 1344.3(9)޵ Z= 4; Dx= 1.405g.cm-3; R= 0.053; 3) 6-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzothiopyran-1,1-dioxide, Mr=238.31, monoclinic, P21/n, a= 6.629(2); b= 17.233(3); c= 10.494(3)Å &#946= 92.45(3)° V= 1197.7(9)޵ Dx= 1.321g.cm-3; R= 0.043; 4) 7-etoxy-6-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1,1-dioxide, Mr= 282.36, monoclinic, P21/c, a= 11.372(1); b= 10.544(3); c=12.122(3)Å &#946= 106.23(2)° V= 1396(1)޵ Z= 4; Dx= 1.344g.cm-3; R= 0.042. The benzene rings of the four compounds are not distorted. The heterocyclics are distorted and the sulfur atom is in tetrahedral configuration with dihedral angle between planes C-S-C and O-S-O varying from 89.1(1) to 90.3(2)&#197. The bond distances S-C(SP2) are between 1.751(8) and 1.763(2)&#197 and the distances S-C(SP3) vary from 1.766(2) to 1.838(6)&#197. 3) Structural study of coordination complexes with copper(II). 3.1) [Cu(NCO)2(diMeen)]2: Mr = 471.08, monoclinic, P21/c (n&#186 14), a= 12.216(2); b= 10.662(1); c= 14.997(4)Å &#946= 96.09(3)° V= 1942.29(9)޵ Z= 4; Dx= 1.610g.cm-3; &#955(M&#959K&#945)= 0.71073Å &#956= 2.14mm-1; R= 0.043 for 2172 observed reflections (I &#62 3&#959) and 237 refined parameters. The complex is dimeric, each copper atom surrounded by five nitrogen atoms belonging to two bridging cyanato groups, one terminal cyanato, and the remaining nitrogen from the two diMeen ligands. The coordination geometry for each metal is that of an approximate square-based pyramid, with the bridging cyanato´s nitrogen occupying the apical positions in both cases. 3.2) [Cu(N3) (NCO) (diEten)]: Mr = 261.54, monoclinic, P21/n, a= 8.336(1); b= 17.405(3); c= 8.376(1)Å &#946= 109.73(2)° V= 1143.97(5)޵ Z= 4; Dx= 1.520g.cm-3; &#955(M&#959K&#945)= 0.71073Å &#956= 1.8mm-1; R= 0.09 for 1481 reflections with (I &#62 3&#959) and 138 refined parameters. The molecules from dimmers through the symmetry operation, with the two halves of the dimmers related by an inversion Center of symmetry. The copper atom is surrounded by five nitrogen atoms belonging to an azide (N3) group bridging two symmetric coppers, one cyanato group, and the remaining nitrogen from the diEten ligands. The coordination geometry is that of an approximate square-based pyramid, with the bridging azide nitrogen occupying the apical positions.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The main objective of this study was to advance kinetic performances of formation and decomposition of magnesium hydride by design strategies which include high energy ball milling in hydrogen (HRBM), in combination with the introduction of catalytic/dopant additives. In this regard, the transformation of Mg → MgH2 by high energy reactive ball milling in hydrogen atmosphere (HRBM) of Mg with various additives to yield nanostructured composite hydrogen storage materials was studied using in situ pressure-temperature monitoring that allowed to get time-resolved results about hydrogenation behaviour during HRBM. The as-prepared and re-hydrogenated nanocomposites were characterized using XRD, high-resolution SEM and TEM, as well as measurements of the mean particle size. Dehydrogenation performances of the nanocomposites were studied by DSC / TGA and TDS; and the re-hydrogenation behaviour was investigated using Sieverts volumetric technique.

Cooling water systems are needed to dissipate heat. The mist from open system cooling towers has been implicated as a source of infections of Legionella pneumophila. As a result biocide is added to cooling water systems, but the addition of biocide worsens biofouling, scaling and corrosion. Increasing environmental pressure has resulted in a move away from biocides which are usually chlorine based chemicals, so that the use of ozone instead has recently been reported as a way of controlling microbiological growth. This study aims to compare the corrosion rates (using calculated and measured surface areas) of different metals exposed to chemically treated and ozone treated cooling water in an industrial cooling water system. The types of corrosion were also observed and recorded. The scales from different components of the cooling systems as well as scale from chemically and ozone treated D tower water were characterized qualitatively using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermo gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The D tower is a cooling water circuit in which the cooling water is from the Vaal River. As expected, the stainless steel has the lowest corrosion rate of 0.000 milli inches/year followed by brass with 1.531 milli inches/year and lastly mild steel (2.098 milli inches/year). Water quality rather than the presence or absence of ozone determines the corrosion rate. This confirms the findings reported in the literature. Scale from chemically treated water contains many different compounds while scale from ozone treated contains only different polymorphs of CaCO3, which is present in the water source and magnesium calcite.

A neutron flux on the order of 2·10²° neutrons/cm² at 0.18 MeV induces formation of point defects (vacancies and interstitials) in single crystal 3C-SiC causing a volume lattice expansion (swelling) of over 3% that can be measured by X-Ray diffraction. The crystal lattice can be completely restored with an annealing temperature equal to or higher than the irradiation temperature. This phenomenon serves as a basis for temperature measurements and allows the determination of the maximum temperature, if the exposure time is known. The single crystal 3C-SiC sensor is applicable to small, rotating and hard to access parts due to its size of 300-500 microns, wide temperature range of 100-1450 °C, "no-lead" installation, inert chemical properties and high accuracy of temperature measurements. These features make it possible to use the sensor in gas turbine blades, automotive engines, valves, pistons, space shuttle ceramic tiles, thermal protection system design, etc. This work describes the mechanism of neutron irradiation of single crystal 3C-SiC, the formation of point defects and their concentration, the different temperature measurement techniques, and the application of Maximum Temperature Crystal Sensors (MTCS) for maximum temperature measurements in both stationary and non-stationary regimes.

Thin films are used for a variety of applications, which can include electronic devices, optical coatings and decorative parts. They are used for their physical, electrical, magnetic, optical and mechanical properties, and many times these properties are required simultaneously. Obtaining these desired properties starts with the deposition process and they are verified by a number of analysis techniques after deposition. A DC magnetron sputter system was used here to deposit tungsten films, with film thickness and residual stress uniformity being of primary interest. The film thickness was measured to vary by up to 45 % from the center to outer edge of a 4" wafer. Ar pressure was found to influence the thin film residual stress with lower Ar pressures leading to compressive residual stress (-1.5 GPa) and higher Ar pressures leading to tensile residual stress (1 GPa). Residual stress measurements of the tungsten films were made using a wafer curvature technique and X-ray diffraction. The results of the two techniques were compared and found to be within 20 %. Nanoindentation was used to analyze the mechanical properties of several types of thin films that are commonly used in microelectronic devices. Thin film reduced modulus, hardness, interfacial toughness and fracture toughness were some of the mechanical properties measured. Difficulties with performing shallow indents (less than 100 nm) were addressed, with proper calibration procedures for the indentation equipment and tip area function detailed. Pile-up during the indentation of soft films will lead to errors in the indentation contact depth and area, leading to an overestimation of the films' reduced modulus and hardness. A method was developed to account for pile-up in determining the indentation contact depth and calculating a new contact area for improving the analysis of reduced modulus and hardness. Residual stresses in thin films are normally undesired because in extreme cases they may result in thru-film cracking or interfacial film delamination. With the use of lithography techniques to pattern wafers with areas of an adhesion reducing layer, thin film delamination was controlled. The patterned delamination microchannels may be used as an alternative method of creating microchannels for fluid transport in MEMS devices. Delamination morphology was influenced by the amount of residual stress in the film and the critical buckling stress, which was primarily controlled by the width of the adhesion reducing layers.

The Coral Sea has been the host to a variety of large carbonate platforms over the geologic past and presently hosts the world's largest system of coral reefs, the Great Barrier Reef, stretching more then 2,300 km along Australia's northeast coast. The Marion Plateau, which today is the site of 400 m deep hemipelagic sediment drifts, once supported two large carbonate platforms that were precursors to reef growth on the central and southern Great Barrier Reef. Previous work examining the growth phases, drownings and rejuvenation of these platforms is extensive. The purpose of this research is to examine the factors controlling the earliest sedimentation on the margin and how it influenced early development of the carbonate platforms. One hundred and eighty-three samples were taken from the base of Hole 1195 B, that was drilled during the Ocean Drilling Program's Leg 194. Analyses were performed using x-ray diffraction on the bulk powder and decalcified less than 2um size fraction smear slides. Four distinct sedimentary facies were defined on the basis of mineralogy and constituent grains. The initial marine transgression of the Marion Plateau was not a straightforward one where a shallow-water margin gradually transitioned into a deep-water margin. Instead, sediments record a complex history of unconformities, hardgrounds, and discrete sedimentary units. The initial flooding was complex as a result of its initially shallow depth at a time characterized by several glacio-eustatic sea-level changes. The data indicate that eustasy has been the strongest control on sediment deposition and clay mineral patterns on the Plateau. Falling sea level resulted in periods of increased detrital input and limited soil formation. Also, a decreasing kaolinite trend in the early Miocene, during a rising sea level, indicates that clays forming on land as a result of climate were not transported out onto the plateau.

Artifacts made of durable materials, such as stone, can provide valuable clues to reconstruct the past. Marble sourcing, in particular,provides information about contact, trade, and other activities in the greater Mediterranean area. The Worcester Art Museum of Massachusetts (WAM) initiated a provenance study by requesting that an analysis of several marble artifacts occur at the University of South Florida's Archaeological Science Laboratory. The 55 marble samples used in this study are from the Worcester Art Museum's collection of Antioch mosaics. Positive results might reveal: 1) preferred sources of tesserae, 2) information about trade of specialized stone, 3) changes in preferred sources during different chronological periods, and 4) workshop preferences. The requested analysis had two objectives. First, once the provenance of the materials is determined, then the results could reveal meaning behind the images contained within the mosaic floor. Second, the results could reveal new trade routes in the Mediterranean. The first step in this analysis was X-ray diffraction (XRD),which differentiates dolomite and calcite marbles. The second step used stable isotope ratio analysis (SIRA), which measures carbon-13 and oxygen-18 isotopic ratios. These two steps have helped to identify Mediterranean marble sources in previous studies. Most of the ancient Mediterranean marble sources have been identified. They have different isotopic values and other characteristics that allow for differentiation. Only one source of dolomite marble exists, which is located in the eastern Mediterranean. It has been identified through XRD in previous studies. Many of the calcite marble sources have different carbon and oxygen isotopic values, which were provided from the SIRA. Those marble artifacts with overlapping carbon and oxygen values can be further analyzed using archaeological, historical, and other information and by using other scientific techniques including cathodoluminescence, electron paramagnetic resonance, and strontium isotope analysis. This thesis discusses the methods used to prepare the samples and analysis conduction; it also discusses the results of the analyses, and presents interpretations regarding the provenance and trade of the marble used for mosaics at Antioch. The results of the SIRA and XRD analysis showed that the materials used for mosaic tesserae come from a variety of sources. Although no definitive matches were found, the results provide the basis for the collection of a colored marble database of sources and artifacts.

In an effort to make structures more sustainable and durable, supplementary cementitious materials are often used to replace cement. Ground granulated blast furnace slag, for instance, is an industrial by-product of iron refinement and is frequently used in concrete mixture design to not only reduce cost, but also increase later-age strength as well as durability. However, published literature indicates that slags with a high alumina content may have a detrimental effect when concrete is exposed to a sulfate environment. ASTM standard C989 does not suggest any information or guidelines regarding using slags with an alumina content between 11-18%. Therefore, the objective of this study was to fill in the gap of this standard by studying slags of variable alumina content as high as 16 percent. This study presents data collected for compressive strengths of mortar cubes exposed to lime and 5 percent sodium sulfate solution at ages of 7, 28, 91, and 182 days from the date of mixing as well as expansion data for mortar bar specimens exposed to 5 percent sodium sulfate solution up to 120 days. Slag replacement levels used here were 0, 30, 50, and 70%. Mortar bar specimens showing deterioration were analyzed using x-ray diffraction coupled with Rietveld refinement to assess the mechanism of deterioration. Cubes were stored in lime and sulfate solutions abiding by ASTM C1012 in order to analyze the resistance to sulfate attack. Sulfate resistance was measured in terms of decalcification of the CSH gel as well as expansion. The results suggest using high alumina slags at a low percentage adversely affects sulfate resistance since the acquired strength at 182 days fell below that of 28 day strength, which is often used in the industry as the parameter which constitutes whether a mixture is adequate. It was also seen that increasing alumina content of the slag resulted in increased expansion. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that the mechanism of deterioration, of the control as well as the blended mortar, is due to secondary gypsum and secondary ettringite formation. Therefore, it is recommended that slags having a high alumina content should be further analyzed in laboratory tests to examine their performance especially if concrete will be subjected to a sulfate environment during its service life.