The purpose of the investigation was the design and development of an oxygen carrier system for oxygenation of liver cells (hepatocytes) in a bio-artificial liver support system. Acute liver failure is a devastating condition with higher than 80% mortality. Currently the only successful treatment is orthotopic liver transplantation. The high mortality rate could be reduced if a system could be developed that could bridge the patient either until recovery (due to the liver’s well-known regeneration ability) or until transplantation. Such a system requires a bioreactor with a high density of cultured cells. Sufficient oxygen delivery to the cells is critical to ensure efficient cell function. The CSIR and University of Pretoria (UP) have designed and developed a novel bio-artificial liver support system (BALSS) that utilizes perfluorooctyl bromide (PFOB) as artificial oxygen carrier. As the PFOB is not miscible with water, it needs to be emulsified. To enable the use of the PFOB emulsion in the UP-CSIR BALSS, a study was carried out to investigate relevant aspects relating to the PFOB emulsion, i.e. the formulation, manufacturing procedure, stability, rheology and mass transfer characteristics. The study results are reported in this dissertation, including a proposed mass transfer model for describing oxygen mass transfer to and from the PFOB emulsions. Emulsion stability can be improved through control of the droplet size and size distribution, limiting Ostwald ripening, and control of zeta potential of the dispersed phase droplets. PFOB emulsions with dispersed phase (PFOB) volume fractions between 0.4 and 0.5 and Sauter mean droplet diameter between 100 and 200 nm were found to be optimal for oxygen mass transfer in cell culture systems. The PFOB emulsion in the UP-CSIR BALSS can be concentrated and recirculated using ultrafiltration. Quantitative recovery of PFOB from its emulsions can be carried out using distillation with orthophosphoric acid. Experimental overall mass transfer coefficients for membrane oxygenators obtained without PFOB compared well with literature reported values of 2.5x10-5 m/s by Goerke et al. (2002) and 1 – 3x10-5 m/s by Schneider et al. (1995) for similar systems. The addition of 0.2 v/v PFOB leads to an increase in the membrane oxygenator mass transfer coefficient by a factor of about 30, and an increase in oxygen carrying capacity by a factor of about 4.5. It was also shown that suitable PFOB emulsions can have a significant impact on the growth and function of hepatocytes in a BALSS. / Thesis (PhD (Chemical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Chemical Engineering / unrestricted

Pituitary hormones are known to alter sex steroid receptor levels in the liver, and possibly the actions of the steroids as well. Recently, two classes of estrogen binding proteins have been characterized in male rat hepatic cytosol: a high affinity, low capacity estrogen receptor, and a lower affinity, higher capacity sex steroid binding component (moderate affinity component). It is of interest that the moderate affinity component binds both androgens and estrogens. A high affinity, low capacity androgen receptor has not been convincingly demonstrated in rat hepatic cytosol. Therefore, we have investigated the relationship of the moderate affinity component to sex steroid modulation of hepatic aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity as a possible control mechanism. Because of the sexual dimorphism for hepatic drug and steroid metabolism known to occur in rat liver, we chose this model to study. We have shown that no sex difference exists for the binding of pH]-estradiol to the estrogen receptor from either immature or adult rats. However, the moderate affinity component does exhibit a sex difference. We did not detect binding to the moderate affinity component in adult female or immature rats of either sex. This site could normally only be measured in the adult male. These findings were consistent with the age and sex dependent elevation of male AHH activity. We have also observed that gonadectomy of the male reduced the levels of AHH activity and the capacity of the moderate affinity component in a testosterone reversible fashion. These results were obtained using either unlabeled estradiol or dihydrotestosterone (DHT) as competitors for [³H]-estradiol binding. Administration of mestranol reduced AHH activity and the capacity of the moderate affinity component in the male. The moderate affinity component was not detected in the pseudoherma-phroditic rat which resembled the female, rather than the male, with respect to control and induced AHH activity. Hypophysectomy of the female resulted in an increase in AHH activity and detection of the moderate affinity component. Hypophysectomy of the male reduced both the capacity of the moderate affinity component and AHH activity. Unlike the gonadectomized male, testosterone had no restorative effect on the levels of AHH activity or the capacity of the moderate affinity component in the hypophy-sectomized rat. Continuous infusion of rat growth hormone (rGH) reversed the effect of hypophysectomy on the increased AHH activity and capacity of the moderate affinity component in the female. Administration of rGH to the hypophysectomized male abolished the detection of the moderate affinity component and reduced AHH activity to control female levels. This suggested rGH may be the pituitary hormone involved in production of the female level of metabolism. The effects of prolactin were not as clear. Therefore, we have demonstrated the modulation of AHH activity by peripheral sex steroids, and the regulation of these parameters by rGH. We have shown, the capacity of the moderate affinity component to vary in a manner that paralleled changes in hepatic AHH activity in different physiological models. Changes in the estrogen receptor were not found to be consistent with changes in AHH activity in these models. We conclude that the moderate affinity component is comparable to the male hepatic cytosolic DHT-binding protein. Furthermore, this component is associated with sex steroid action on hepatic AHH activity in the male rat. Interestingly, we have also shown this component as well as the estrogen receptor, to bind polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Both 3-methylcholanthrene and benzo[a]pyrene competed for [³H]-estradiol binding to the estrogen receptor and moderate affinity component. In addition, dioxin congeners demonstrated specificity for the estrogen receptor in the female. However, this was not observed for the estrogen receptor or moderate affinity component in the male. The significance of this is presently unclear. / Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of / Graduate

M.Phil. / The advantages offered by power line communications (hereon after called PLC) cannot be over-emphasized neither can the inherent problems affecting its commercial takeover be underestimated. This research work creates a background study for experimental measurement and eventual implementations on power lines. It explains those salient aspects of commercially available communication modules that are rather not straight forward to understand from reading the Comblocks user manual. Especially, addressing those shortcomings of Comblocks that were not indicated in the documentation, we o er solutions to those we could nd our way around. M-ary frequency shift keying was implemented. This implementation tested the ro- bustness of the scheme against noises, attenuation and other power line channel char- acteristics as encountered practically. Based on our results, we nally recommend an optimal set of frequencies; we believe to be good for use in most PLC application pur- poses. Pseudo random bits of information were generated, encoded and modulated; the signals were transmitted over power line channels. The impact of noise sources, impulse noise especially was observed at di erent distances along the channel. Coupling and decoupling circuits used for this research, with associated issues sur- rounding the use of coupling circuitry are also presented. The CENELEC norm for PLC communication was adhered to, hence only frequencies that fall within the CENELEC speci cation for low voltage power distribution network were considered for MFSK use. Signal-to-noise ratio and other factors that a ect signal transmission over PLC was also measured. A complete communication system comprises of the transmitter, the channel and the receiver. This work however did not cover the receiver part of the system. Future work can now be done on this aspect which amongst others can take care of synchronization issues, in which a coding system as well as bit error rates can be determined.

D.Ing. / The technique of using a live power cable to simultaneously transport a communication signal, has been practiced since the early 1900’s. In most cases, power-line communications has been implemented as a retrofit technology, with its main benefit being the utilization of a ‘free’ existing network. This driving force of power-line communications is typical for high-, medium-, and low-voltage distribution networks, as well as intra-building networks currently targeted for home automation and home networking. Researchers have thus focused on the optimum use of these existing power-line channels, often accepting the inherent drawbacks of this hostile communication channel. Apart from unpredictable noise sources, two main disadvantages of the low-voltage powerline network as a communication channel, are i) the unknown power cable characteristics and topology and ii) time-dependent fluctuation of the power-line impedance level as loads are unpredictable switched into, and out of the network. These two factors have obscured the requirements for proper coupling and impedance adaptation to the degree that most researchers and manufacturers have merely accepted this typical ≈ 20-dB coupling loss as one of the inherited disadvantages of the power-line channel. Most researchers and manufacturers have thus defaulted to a guessed power-line impedance level, and have used one fixed coupler winding ratio under all circumstances, regardless of power-line conditions. This study has shown that proper coupling and impedance adaptation can yield significant transmission gains even with limited (qualitative) knowledge of a power-line channel and its topology. After formulating design steps for an impedance-adapting coupler that facilitates bidirectional transmission, the impact of the fluctuating power-line impedance on coupler bandwidth was investigated. Next, impedance adaptation strategies were considered and the tradeoff between series cable requirements and parallel load requirements was explored. A model of sufficient simplicity was developed to facilitate qualitative description and classification of power outlets – functioning as communication nodes. Very interesting simulation results were obtained and these were verified using a laboratory setup of characterized power cables and calibrated loads. Next, these simulation results were employed to improve power-line transmission over a live, uncharacterized 220-V residential network by means of i) classifying typical residential rooms qualitatively in order to choose proper coupler winding ratios and ii) using an innovative dual coupler for dedicated on-off switching with harsh loads, thereby mitigating the fluctuating impact of said loads on low-voltage power-line communications.

O principal problema no desenvolvimento de vacinas de segunda geração é a baixa resposta contra os antígenos, geralmente extremamente purificados. Isto tem levado à busca de novos adjuvantes que sejam mais eficientes e menos tóxicos. Este trabalho objetivava o estudo de uma proteína de choque térmico de Mycobacterium leprae - 18kDa-hsp - recombinante, produzida em levedura, veiculada em lipossomos, como modelo de proteína carregadora para antígenos fracos. Além de um estudo de estabilização de lipossomos por liofilização. A 18kDa-hsp apresenta certas características peculiares que levaram ao desenvolvimento de um método de dosagem próprio e extensível a outras proteínas com baixo teor em aminoácido cromóforos. Tendo uso potencial como proteína carregadora, a 18kDa-hsp é estável, suportando bem aquecimento, liofilização, acilação e associação com lipossomos de fosfolípides, sem perda significativa de sua atividade. Estudos paralelos de estabilização de lipossomos unilamelares mostraram que se pode usar trealose como crioprotetora no processo de liofilização-reidratação, sem perdas significativas do conteúdo dos lipossomos e com manutenção das estruturas das vesículas. Finalmente, o sistema lipossomos-18kDa-hsp mostra-se promissor como um sistema estável para veiculação de imunógenos fracos. / The major problem on development of second generation vaccines is the poor response against some immunogens. It has leading an intense research to find other substances non toxic and more efficient on enhancement of the immunological response. The aim of this work was the study of a heat-shock protein from Mycobacterium leprae - 18kDa-hsp - produced in yeast and vehiculated in liposomes, as a protein carrier model for weak immunogens. Furthermore, there was a study on stabilization of liposomes by lyophilization. The peculiar protperties of the 18kDa-hsp lead us to develop a new method for quantification that can be extended to other proteins with low chromophore content. Potentially a carrier protein, the 18kDa-hsp is very stab1e: it has no significant loss of its antigenic reactivity when heated, lyophilized, acylated and associated to liposomes. Parallel studies on liposomes stabilisation show trehalose as a good cryoprotector. The sugar can avoid the leakage of the entrapped marker (protein) and maintain the vesicles structures on the lyophilisation-rehydration processo Finally, the system liposomes-18kDa-hsp is promising for vehiculation of weak immunogens.

All-optical time-resolved measurement techniques provide a powerful tool for investigating critical parameters that determine the performance of infrared photodetector and emitter semiconductor materials. Narrow-bandgap InAs/GaSb type-II superlattices (T2SLs) have shown great promise as next generation materials, due to superior intrinsic properties and versatility. Unfortunately, InAs/GaSb T2SLs are plagued by parasitic Shockley-Read-Hall recombination centers that shorten the carrier lifetime and limit device performance. Ultrafast pump-probe techniques and time-resolved differential-transmission measurements are used here to demonstrate that "Ga-free" InAs/InAs₁₋xSbx T2SLs and InAsSb alloys do not have this same limitation and thus have significantly longer carrier lifetimes. Measurements of unintentionally doped MWIR and LWIR InAs/InAs₁₋xSbx T2SLs demonstrate minority carrier (MC) lifetimes of 18.4 µs and 4.5 µs at 77 K, respectively. This represents a more than two order of magnitude increase compared to the 90 ns MC lifetime measured in a comparable MWIR and LWIR InAs/GaSb T2SL. Through temperature-dependent differential-transmission measurements, the various carrier recombination processes are differentiated and the dominant recombination mechanisms identified for InAs/InAs₁₋xSbx T2SLs. These results demonstrate that these Ga-free materials are viable options over InAs/GaSb T2SLs and potentially bulk Hg₁₋xCdxTe photodetectors. In addition to carrier lifetimes, the drift and diusion of excited charge carriers through the superlattice layers (i.e. in-plane transport) directly aects the performance of photo-detectors and emitters. All-optical ultrafast techniques were successfully used for a direct measure of in-plane diffusion coeffcients in MWIR InAs/InAsSb T2SLs using a photo-generated transient grating technique at various temperatures. Ambipolar diffusion coefficients of approximately 60 cm²/s were reported for MWIR InAs/InAs₁₋xSbxT2SLs at 293 K.

Thesis advisor: David Broido / We present fundamental studies of phonon and electron transport in semiconductors. First principles density functional theory (DFT) is combined with exact numerical solutions of the Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) for phonons and electrons to calculate various transport coefficients. The approach is used to determine the lattice thermal conductivity of three hexagonal polytypes of silicon carbide. The calculated results show excellent agreement with recent experiments. Next, using the infinite orders T-matrix approach, we calculate the effect of various neutral and charged substitution defects on the thermal conductivity of boron arsenide. Finally, we present a general coupled electron-phonon BTEs scheme designed to capture the mutual drag of the two interacting systems. By combining first principles calculations of anharmonic phonon interactions with phenomenological models of electron-phonon interactions, we apply our implementation of the coupled BTEs to calculate the thermal conductivity, mobility, Seebeck and Peltier coefficients of n-doped gallium arsenide. The measured low temperature enhancement in the Seebeck coefficient is captured using the solution of the fully coupled electron-phonon BTEs, while the uncoupled electron BTE fails to do so. This work gives insights into the fundamental nature of charge and heat transport in semiconductors and advances predictive ab initio computational approaches. We discuss possible extensions of our work. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2019. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Physics.

Wireless communication systems utilize the wireless medium to perform over-the-air (OTA) data transfer. There are many factors that can impact the quality of wireless communications, such as medium imperfection, interfering environment, mismatch of transceivers, etc. To mitigate these problems and improve the quality of service (QoS), this research study is conducted on three important topics including synchronization techniques, impairment estimation theory and techniques, and interference alignment techniques. In this thesis, it firstly present a dual link algorithm to align and manage the interference of multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) networks. A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) prototype is designed for software defined radio (SDR) platforms. As one of the key components, a hardware efficient architecture is proposed for the implementation of singular value decomposition (SVD). Secondly, it proposes a maximum-likelihood (ML) based synchronization approach for carrier frequency synchronization for MIMO systems. The algorithm is also implemented on FPGA for real-time performance evaluation. Finally, as an exemplary study of machine learning techniques for wireless communications, a neural network (NN) based estimator is proposed to perform coarse frequency offset estimations for MIMO systems. The proposed NN based estimator can accommodate various channel models and the results show promising performance in terms of accuracy and estimation range. In summary, this thesis provides a comprehensive study on interference alignment, carrier synchronization, and impairment estimation using different approaches. Efficient hardware implementations for the key algorithms are also presented.

No description available.

High-speed modulations of the semiconductor lasers are highly desirable in cost-effective optical communication systems. Developing the experimental setups to extract the characteristics of the semiconductor lasers is vital to the future of the optical research projects. In this thesis, integrated experimental setup designs have been developed to measure the characteristics of the Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL), Distributed Feedback (DFB), and Fabry-Pérot (FP) lasers. The measurements of the DC characteristics are optical power versus drive current (L-I) curves (DFB, VCSEL) and optical spectra (FP, DFB, VCSEL). In addition, the high-speed optical detection measurement of the optoelectronic frequency responses for VCSEL and FP lasers, and relative intensity noise (RIN) for DFB and FP lasers have also been measured. Finally, the measurement of the frequency response of the optical pumping with 850nm VCSEL has been attempted.