Chronic arsenic poisoning due to arsenic contamination of groundwater is a serious public health problem in Bangladesh and neighboring countries. Severe health effects associated with chronic exposure to arsenic include melanosis and several kinds of cancer. It is now generally agreed that the arsenic contamination of groundwater in Bangladesh is of geological origin. Arsenic naturally present in aquifers may be mobilized into drinking water by microbial action.<p> The formation of a novel arsenic-selenium compound: seleno-bis (S-glutathionyl) arsinium ion, [(GS)2AsSe]-, and its subsequent excretion in rabbit bile has been demonstrated previously. This molecular basis for the in vivo antagonism between arsenic and selenium was discovered using X-ray absorption spectroscopy. There is growing evidence that, in Bangladeshi people who are suffering long term chronic lowlevel arsenic poisoning, this antagonism is causing a selenium deficiency. Administering selenium supplements might provide a simple but highly effective treatment of the Bangladeshi arsenic poisoning.<p> In order to examine the disposition of [(GS)2AsSe]-, a set of rabbits were intravenously injected with selenite, arsenite or both. Whole blood, red blood cell and plasma samples were collected at different time intervals within 2hrs after injection and cecotrope samples 24hr after injection. Samples were examined using X-ray absorption spectroscopy and both arsenic and selenium K-near edge spectra were recorded.<p> iii Speciation of arsenic and selenium will be discussed in this thesis. Results indicate that [(GS)2AsSe]- is formed in blood very rapidly after injection of both arsenite and selenite, and then is removed from blood stream within 2hrs post injection. Results also show that [(GS)2AsSe]- is assembled in red blood cells, with no [(GS)2AsSe]- detected in plasma samples. [(GS)2AsSe]- is also found in cecotrope samples after injection of both arsenite and selenite.<p> The results of this study in rabbits will contribute to the understanding of chronic arsenic poisoning in humans.

No description available.

Xyloglucan is a hemicellulose found in the primary cell walls of many plant species. Found adjacent to the cellulose, it is believed to function as a cementing material which contributes crosslinks and rigidity to the cellulose framework. The only noncovalent linkage reported in the primary cell wall cellulose-hemicellulose-pectic polysaccharide matrix of the cultured tissues is that between xyloglucan and cellulose. Therefore, the xyloglucan:cellulose association has been of great interest to researchers. Xyloglucan can be bound to cellulose in vitro to simulate this in vivo relationship. Previously, the sorption of xyloglucan fragments onto cellulose under non-physiological conditions had been studied, but little information was available on xyloglucan polymer sorption onto cellulose under more natural conditions. This thesis examined the sorption of the xyloglucan polymer isolated from Tamarindus indica onto cellulose fibers (cotton linters) in an aqueous environment. The structure of the xyloglucan isolated from Tamarindus indica in this thesis resembled that of other tamarind xyloglucans reported in the literature. Due to the milder isolation procedure employed, the molecular weight of this polymer was much larger than those previously found. No acetyl, pyruvate, methoxyl, or carboxyl groups were found. The molecular weight and certain structural features (e.g., no fucose units) also differed from the xyloglucan found in plant primary cell walls. When sorbed onto well characterized cotton linters, this xyloglucan exhibited equilibrium sorption within 24 hours. The equilibrium adsorption isotherm was defined. Monolayer sorption occurred. A maximum specific sorption value of 3.9 milligrams of xyloglucan sorbed per gram of cotton linters was calculated using Langmuir's adsorption isotherm theory. This value was compared with other values found in the literature for similar polymer adsorption studies. The effect of molecular weight on sorption equilibrium was also examined and found to be insignificant over the molecular weight range of the polymer isolated in this thesis.

No description available.

A new method is developed referred to as Gold Nanorod Optical Modeling Equations (GNOME) for determining the average aspect ratio of gold nanorods in solution. In this method, the observed inhomogeneously broadened optical spectrum is fitted to a number of calculated homogeneously broadened spectra with different aspect ratios having different contributions. From this method, the average aspect ratio is determined. This is a more accurate than the presently used method of TEM. The surface plasmon enhanced fluorescence spectra of gold nanorods are calculated as a function of the aspect ratio and compared to experimental spectra. In this calculation, the inclusion of both the aspect ratio distribution calculated from the GNOME method as well as the incorporation of the intrinsic fluorescence of bulk gold are found necessary to model the enhanced fluorescence spectrum of gold nanorods using previously published equations. The enhanced spectrum decreases rapidly as the aspect ratio increases and the surface plasmon band shift away from the gold interband absorption. Photochemical methods are used to synthesize silver nanoparticles on silica surfaces and gold nanoparticles in solution. The formation silver nanoparticles utilizes benzophenone as a photosensitizing agent to initiate the reaction. The effects of the light source and irradiation time are investigated. The presence of different forms of silica are investigated in the formation of metal nanoparticles. This method produced silver nanoparticles on silica that can be in the form of film or powder that are useful in heterogeneous catalysis. Direct photochemical methods are applied to generate gold nanoparticles from chloroauoroic acid in ethylene glycol in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone as a capping material. A detailed mechanism of the formation of the gold nanoparticle is determined. This is done by following the kinetics of formation of the gold nanoparticles after irradiation under different conditions. The disproportionation of the gold ions as well as their reduction by ethylene glycol is found to be important in the formation of the nanoparticles. Photochemical synthesis provides room temperature techniques to generate metal nanoparticles in a variety of environments.

The optical properties of transparent chromium-doped glass-ceramics with the chemical composition similar to that of cunyite (Cr 4+ :Ca 2 GeO 4 ) crystal were investigated. Room temperature absorption, DTA, XRD as well as fluorescence were measured. Parent (as quenched) glass does not exhibit any fluorescence; after the heat treatment Cr 4+ fluorescence band appears at 1280 nm, very similar to the emission of Cr 4+ :Ca 2 GeO 4 bulk crystals. Optical properties of nanocrystals formed in the glass-ceramics. The size of crystallites is below 600nm. glass-ceramics we concluded that the nanocrystal phase is a modified Ca 2 GeO 4 structure. In order to increase the fluorescence and synthesis more small crystals, we doped TiO 2 and ZrO 2 as nucleating agents, glass does not exhibit any fluorescence when glass-ceramics does not heat treatment ; after the heat treatment Cr 4+ fluorescence band appears at 1280 nm too. The crystals formed in glass media after heat-treatment have spherulitic shape with the size up to 300-500nm, and there are more nanocrystals distribute the surface, especially doped TiO 2 we found the more smaller crystals in it. We expect that crystallites with the size below 100 nm may be formed by adjustment of initial glass composition with nucleating agents and optimization of heat-treatment procedure parameters.

Abstract There is much rich solar energy in Taiwan situated at the subtropics;Therefore it¡¦s suitable for solar energy is utilized as the driving energy for absorption cooling system. Simultaneously the use of solar energyreduces our dependence on fossil fuel ,and reaches the goal of energy conservation and reduction of carbon footprint deeply.After establishing absorption cooling system in TRNSYS.16 platform, climate data TMY2 form for several cities of Taiwan are input to the simulation program. As a result of Taiwan climate variation, summer is getting more and more longer ; winter is getting shorter gradually .Hence we simulated program from March to October .Then system operating the parameters of solar collector area and the volume of the storage tank are varied to research those effects on the system performance. The research focuses on the simulation data for monthly solar fraction(f),seasonal solar fraction(F) as well as how much solar energy saved could transform carbon dioxide content for single effect and double effect absorption cooling system operated under the climate of the major cities in Taiwan .Those data could provide the design needs.

We have grown Ga1-xMnxN films on c-sapphire substrate by plasma-assisted MBE with different Mn fluxes. The films are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), high¡Vresolution X-ray diffraction (HR-XRD), Raman scattering, photoluminescence (PL), cathodoluminescence (CL), transmission spectra, reflection spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The SEM images show films thickness between 550 to 850 nm and EBSD indicates samples normal direction is c-axis. EDS spectra show the Mn is present in GaMnN samples. According to XRD and Raman scattering, Mn element occupying Ga site on GaN and Mn-N clusters phase coexist on films. From transmission and reflection spectra, stronger absorption at about 1.5 eV and 1.8 eV to 3.4 eV absorption band are found. The PL and CL show GaN band gap at 3.4 eV and blue band from 2.4 eV to 3.3 eV maybe due to defect level. Finally, the XPS spectra indicate Mn acceptor level is contributed to Mn+2 or Mn+3 states.

Phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, pigment stability, bioactive properties, and in-vitro absorption of polyphenolics in acai fruit (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) were investigated. Detailed characterization of phenolic compounds present in acai fruit, acai fruit pulp, and a polyphenolic-enriched acai oil were conducted by HPLCESI- MSn analyses and their stability and influence on antioxidant capacity determined. Anthocyanins were predominant in acai fruits, which also contained several flavone and flavonol glycosides, flavanol derivatives, and phenolic acids. In-vitro absorption and antiproliferative effects of phytochemical extracts from acai pulp and acai oil were determined as a function of chemical composition. Polyphenolic mixtures from both acai pulp and acai oil extracts significantly inhibited HT-29 colon cancer cell proliferation, also inducing the generation of reactive oxygen species. In-vitro intestinal absorption using Caco-2 cell models demonstrated that phenolic acids and monomeric flavanol derivatives are readily transported through cell monolayers in-vitro. The influence of polyphenolic cofactors on the stability of anthocyanins in acai fruit under varying conditions of temperature and pH was evaluated. Significant time, temperature, and pH-dependent anthocyanin losses were observed in all models, yet the presence of phenolic acids, procyanidins, and flavone-C-glycosides had a positive influence on anthocyanin stability. External addition of flavone-C-glycosides significantly enhanced visual color, increased anthocyanin stability during exposures to high pH or storage temperatures, and had comparable effects to those of a commercial anthocyanin enhancer. Anthocyanin polymerization reactions occurring during storage of acai fruit juice models were investigated and potential mechanisms and reaction products identified. Polymeric anthocyanin fractions contained several anthocyanin-flavanol adducts based on cyanidin or pelargonidin aglycones and their presence was related to increased anthocyanin sulfite bleaching resistance and to the appearance of large, unresolved peaks in HPLC chromatograms. A reaction mechanism involving the nucleophilic addition of anthocyanins in their hydrated form to flavanol carbocations resulting from cleavage of interflavanic bonds was proposed for the formation of flavanol-anthocyanin adducts in acai fruit juices. Antiproliferative activity and in-vitro absorption of monomeric and polymeric anthocyanin fractions were also evaluated. Both fractions inhibited HT-29 colon cancer cell growth in a similar, concentration-dependent manner, yet in-vitro absorption trials using Caco-2 intestinal cell monolayers indicated the presence of anthocyanin polymers may influence anthocyanin absorption in acai fruit products.

Air compressor systems play a large role in modern industry. These compressors can account for a significant portion of a manufacturing facility’s electric consumption and any increase in efficiency can lead to economic benefits. Air compressors are sensitive to ambient conditions, as evidenced by the fact that compressing cooler and drier air decreases the amount of work required to compress the air. A thermodynamic model of an air compressor system was developed and several cases were run by using both vapor compression and absorption cycle chillers to cool and dehumidify the inlet air. The results show that the performance increases as much as 8 percent for the compressor system with absorption inlet cooling and as much as 5 percent when using vapor compression inlet cooling. Climates with higher humidity and temperatures can see the most benefits from inlet air cooling and dehumidification.