The Bio J-FIL process has been demonstrated to be a viable method for manufacturing nanoscale, polymeric drug carriers. The process allows for precise control of the size and shape of the drug carriers. While the original process is sufficient for research scale projects, reliability issues have prevented it from being scalable to levels that could potentially be used for mass-production of the drug carriers. In this thesis, a detailed root cause analysis has been conducted to determine the cause of the reliability issues limiting the Bio JFIL process. A series of experiments with varying substrate and imprint fluid combinations were conducted to pinpoint the cause of imprint failure in the Bio J-FIL process. Upon determining the cause of failure, an alternative imprint process was investigated that sought to increase the variety of materials used in the process by utilizing an intermediary layer. This process is referred to in this thesis as the Bio JFIL-I process. The results using Bio JFIL-I indicated increased reliability over the standard Bio J-FIL process. Further refinement of the Bio JFIL-I process could also address additional issues with the Bio J-FIL process unrelated to process reliability. The Bio JFIL-I approach presented in this thesis is complementary to other approaches that have been recently pursued in the literature which are discussed in the thesis. / text

published_or_final_version / Microbiology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

No description available.

Just after discovery of porous silicon (PSi) there was clarified that its wide application in various fields opens new unexpected possibilities. One of the possibilities of products of porous silicon in microwave (MW) technique is carried out in the USA now. The propagation of MWs in PSi layers is under investigation. It has been shown that radio and optoelectronic connectors made from this material have low losses and can be applied to improve technique of cellular phone communication as well as other high frequency technique. It is obvious that the next element following the connector has to be the sensor of microwave radiation. The most practicable way would be to use porous silicon in the production of it. There are known MW detectors of crystal silicon for operating under the effects of hot charge carriers. Sensitivity of the sensors usually depends on the dimensions of separate parts of it. In general, sensitivity increases while reducing the mentioned above dimensions. The technology of porous silicon presents the advantage since the specific dimensions of PSi stem could be reduced up to the nanometre sizes. After having introduced PSi technology in production of sensors which require certain diminutive dimensions, it is possible to expect significant increase of the sensitivity of such sensors. Additional advantages are expected to be achieved from the quantum confinement effect. To realize promises of application of PSi in MW technique it is of relevance to... [to full text] / Atradus akytąjį silicį (ASi) paaiškėjo, kad daugelyje sričių jo panaudojimas atveria naujas netikėtas galimybes. Viena galimybių panaudoti akytojo silicio gaminius mikrobangų technikoje tiriama JAV. Tiriamas mikrobangų sklidimas ASi sluoksniuose. Parodyta, kad radijo- ir optoelektroninės jungtys iš šios medžiagos yra mažų nuostolių ir tinka panaudojimui tobulinant mobilaus ryšio ir kitą superaukštų dažnių techniką. Sekantis po jungties elementas turėtų būti superaukšto dažnio spinduliuotės jutiklis. Patogiausiai būtų jį gaminti iš tos pačios medžiagos – akytojo silicio. Yra žinomi kristalinio silicio mikrobangų spinduliuotės detektoriai, kurių fizinis veikimo pagrindas – karštųjų krūvininkų efektai. Jutiklių jautris priklauso nuo tam tikrų jo dalių matmenų. Jautris didėja mažinant minėtus matmenis. Akytojo silicio technologija suteikia tą privalumą, kad ją pritaikius ASi kamieno charakteringieji matmenys gali būti sumažinami iki nanometrų dydžio. Pritaikius ASi gamybos technologiją jutikliuose, kuriuose pageidaujama kaip galima mažesnių tam tikrų matmenų, galima tikėtis žymiai padidinti tokių jutiklių jautrį. Papildomų privalumų galima laukti ir iš pasireiškiančio ASi erdvinio kvantinio ribojimo (pagavimo) efekto. Tam, kad galima būtų spręsti apie ASi darinių panaudojimo superaukšto dažnio (SAD) technikoje perspektyvą, aktualu ištirti ASi sluoksnių ir darinių fizines savybes, veikiant juos SAD spinduliuotės lauku. Nei superaukšto dažnio spinduliuotės poveikis ASi savybėms... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of the soil transmitted parasitic nematode Necator americanus ("Old World" hookworm) in soils of different texture in KwaZulu-Natal. The key questions being asked were: (i) Is hookworm infection in KwaZulu-Natal confined to the coastal plain? (ii) Is there any association between hookworm prevalence and the different soil types in the province? (iii) Since several examples exist in the province of soil types on which hookworm is transmitted on the coastal plain, occurring inland, what is the status of infection in communities situated in these areas? (iv) What properties of soil are important in the transmission ecology of hookworm larvae? All available hookworm prevalence data of KwaZulu-Natal were mapped on Land Type maps of the province (Land Type Survey Staff, 1986). Several additional surveys were carried out to supplement this database. Faecal egg counts were obtained by the Formal-Ether Concentration Method and positive infections were confirmed as N. americanus by larval morphology after coproculture using the Harada-Mori Technique. Univariate analysis was carried out for significant associations between hookworm prevalence, altitude, climatic variables (rainfall and temperature) and soil type. The results showed that areas ≤ 150m above sea level (i.e. the coastal plain) support high prevalences (x ‾ = 45 %), and are characterised by low-clay textured soils, warm temperatures and relatively high rainfall. Areas > 150 m (i.e. inland) have low hookworm prevalences (x ‾ = 6 %), and are characterised by high-clay textured soils, cool temperatures and moderate rainfall. Hookworm prevalence also decreased southwards as climatic conditions (rainfall and temperature) become unfavourable, and the coastal plain also narrows in this direction. Multivariate analysis was done to determine which environmental factors combine best to provide favourable conditions for hookworm transmission. From the variables used, prevalence of infection was most significantly correlated with the mean daily minimum temperature for January followed by the mean number of rainy days for January. This points to the importance of summer conditions in the transmission of hookworm infection in KwaZulu-Natal. Moderate hookworm prevalences (x ‾ = 17.3 %) were found in the inland sandy areas, dropping to low prevalences (x ‾ = 5.3 %) in the surrounding non-sandy areas. The intensity-related data could not be significantly correlated with the environmental variables used in this study. The Spearman Correlation Coefficient was used to test for relationships between hookworm prevalence and soil variables. In the results, only the fine and medium sand fractions showed positive correlations with hookworm prevalence. Clay showed a significant negative correlation with hookworm prevalence. No significant correlations were found between soil pH or its organic matter content and hookworm prevalence. Age and sex related infection data could not be drawn into the analysis due to the small sample size of study localities. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1998.

Atradus akytąjį silicį (ASi) paaiškėjo, kad daugelyje sričių jo panaudojimas atveria naujas netikėtas galimybes. Viena galimybių panaudoti akytojo silicio gaminius mikrobangų technikoje tiriama JAV. Tiriamas mikrobangų sklidimas ASi sluoksniuose. Parodyta, kad radijo- ir optoelektroninės jungtys iš šios medžiagos yra mažų nuostolių ir tinka panaudojimui tobulinant mobilaus ryšio ir kitą superaukštų dažnių techniką. Sekantis po jungties elementas turėtų būti superaukšto dažnio spinduliuotės jutiklis. Patogiausiai būtų jį gaminti iš tos pačios medžiagos – akytojo silicio. Yra žinomi kristalinio silicio mikrobangų spinduliuotės detektoriai, kurių fizinis veikimo pagrindas – karštųjų krūvininkų efektai. Jutiklių jautris priklauso nuo tam tikrų jo dalių matmenų. Jautris didėja mažinant minėtus matmenis. Akytojo silicio technologija suteikia tą privalumą, kad ją pritaikius ASi kamieno charakteringieji matmenys gali būti sumažinami iki nanometrų dydžio. Pritaikius ASi gamybos technologiją jutikliuose, kuriuose pageidaujama kaip galima mažesnių tam tikrų matmenų, galima tikėtis žymiai padidinti tokių jutiklių jautrį. Papildomų privalumų galima laukti ir iš pasireiškiančio ASi erdvinio kvantinio ribojimo (pagavimo) efekto. Tam, kad galima būtų spręsti apie ASi darinių panaudojimo superaukšto dažnio (SAD) technikoje perspektyvą, aktualu ištirti ASi sluoksnių ir darinių fizines savybes, veikiant juos SAD spinduliuotės lauku. Nei superaukšto dažnio spinduliuotės poveikis ASi savybėms... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Just after discovery of porous silicon (PSi) there was clarified that its wide application in various fields opens new unexpected possibilities. One of the possibilities of products of porous silicon in microwave (MW) technique is carried out in the USA now. The propagation of MWs in PSi layers is under investigation. It has been shown that radio and optoelectronic connectors made from this material have low losses and can be applied to improve technique of cellular phone communication as well as other high frequency technique. It is obvious that the next element following the connector has to be the sensor of microwave radiation. The most practicable way would be to use porous silicon in the production of it. There are known MW detectors of crystal silicon for operating under the effects of hot charge carriers. Sensitivity of the sensors usually depends on the dimensions of separate parts of it. In general, sensitivity increases while reducing the mentioned above dimensions. The technology of porous silicon presents the advantage since the specific dimensions of PSi stem could be reduced up to the nanometre sizes. After having introduced PSi technology in production of sensors which require certain diminutive dimensions, it is possible to expect significant increase of the sensitivity of such sensors. Additional advantages are expected to be achieved from the quantum confinement effect. To realize promises of application of PSi in MW technique it is of relevance to... [to full text]

Anopheles species composition and relative seasonal abundance were measured in an irrigated division (low historical malaria incidence) and in a rain-fed division (high historical malaria incidence) of southern Sri Lanka. Twelve species of anophelines were represented in adult and larval collections with Anopheles vagus Donitz being the most abundant. In cattle-baited net trap collections, Anopheles adults were significantly more abundant in the irrigated division than in the rain-fed division. In pyrethrum-spray sheet collections, cattle-baited but trap collections and larval collections, Anopheles abundance was significantly greater in the rain-fed division. Houses were of poorer construction in the rain-fed division, where pyrethrum-spray sheet collections consisted mainly of Anopheles subpictus Grassi (98%) and Anopheles culicifacies Giles (2%). Hut trap collections also consisted mainly of An. subpictus (88%) and An. culicifacies (7%). Net trap collections consisted mainly of An. vagus (43%) and Anopheles peditaeniatus Leicester (31%). Larval collections also consisted of An. peditaeniatus (24%) and An. vagus (21%). Weak associations were found between species abundance and environmental factors explored in this study (e.g., vegetation, water quality, sunlight exposure). The greater malaria risk in the rain-fed division is due in part to the occurrence of potential vectors in relatively higher numbers.

Nematicides are not only expensive and unaffordable to small-scale farmers but are also harmful to the environment as they kill both the target organisms and non-target micro and macro-organisms, thereby destabilising the ecosystem. Most developed countries have or are in the process of banning use of chemicals for pest management, implying that agricultural products from developing countries using pesticides will not be marketed in the developed countries. In former studies, it was shown that plant parasitic nematodes posed serious problems in sugarcane fields as their attacks on sett roots during germination period decreased sett root weights, delayed bud germination or led to fewer buds germinating as most buds abort. Those that germinate later are then faced with competition for food, space and light from the "older" shoots and often die. The attacks on shoot roots may lead to inefficient uptake of water and nutrients by the plant thereby leading to stunted plants. Fewer and shorter sugarcane stalks due to nematode attacks result in poor yield. In this study, it has been shown that a large number of endoparasites would be needed to reduce sett root weights. Agricultural systems based on monoculture are rarely successful in the long term and because sugarcane fields have been monocultured for a very long time, they are losing their productive capacity and this is termed "Yield Decline". Instead of using nematicides, alternative methods can be used for the management of nematode communities. Research has shown on other plants that nematode communities dominated by Helicotylenchus dihystera are less pathogenic to the plants than other ectoparasitic nematodes, e.g., Xiphinema elongatum and Paratrichodorus spp. A study conducted as a pot experiment showed that sugarcane grown in soil with high H. dihystera grew taller and produced greater root and aerial biomass than one grown in X elongatum infested soil. To induce a nematode community dominated by H. dihystera in the field, two strategies were followed: (i ) abiotic factors that influence the nematode's environment were identified. Certain elements found in soil and sugarcane leaves were found to be correlated to certain species, e.g., H. dihystera was negatively correlated to soil sulphur, medium and coarse sand while X elongatum was positively correlated to these soil types and soil elements. Sugarcane leaves with high levels of Ca, Zn, Cu and Fe were found in areas with high percentages of H. dihystera while the reverse was true for X elongatum. (ii) organic amendments were used to improve the sugarcane growth, modify the environment and decrease competition among species within a community. Application of organic matter to the soil improves soil properties such as water infiltration, water holding capacity, erodibility and nutrient cycling, increases suppressiveness of soils to plant parasitic nematodes and stimulates other anti-nematode micro-organisms, e.g., nematode-trapping fungi. Organic amendments were therefore used in this study not only as screens to protect sugarcane roots from nematode attacks but also to manipulate nematode communities for the less pathogenic species, H. dihystera. In a field study where organic amendments were used, plots treated with filter cake, thume + filter cake, trash + filter cake, filter cake + furfural and Temik (aldicarb) had high percentages of H. dihystera while control plots had high percentages of X elongatum. However, the change in relative proportion of H. dihystera by certain treatments was not followed by an average increase in yield, probability because of the overall variability. The yield results, however, showed that for all treatments, including control, the highest yields corresponded to plots with higher H. dihystera proportions, conflicting the initial hypothesis. As a result, if an organic amendment that can substantially increase the relative proportions of H. dihystera can be found, a substantial increase in yield can be expected. Although the organic amendments did not successfully manipulate the nematode communities for the less pathogenic species, H. dihystera, plots with higher yield were those that had high H. dihystera percentages in their nematode communities. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2004.

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The irrigation farming methods on the Makhathini Flats are thought to be responsible for recent increase in malaria cases in the Mamfene area of northern KwaZulu-Natal despite ongoing malaria control activities. Their coincidence with the period of intensive fanning is an interesting one. This study was therefore carried out to determine the relationship between larval habitats and adult mosquito population in malaria transmission using Geographic Information System (GIS). Four types of breeding sites were utilised by malaria vectors in Mamfene, viz; types 1, II, III and IV. Habitat type I was tap pools, type II was irrigation spillage in agricultural land, type III was spillage outside but adjacent to the agricultural land and type IV was depression pools located both in the Balamhlanga swamp and inland. The cumulative larval density in all habitats peaked in March 1995 (20/man-hr), with irrigation spillage (type III) recording the highest density index (33/man-hr) as compared to tap pools (type I) which recorded 32.8/man-hr while other waterbodies recorded I3 .4/man-hr (type II) and O.5/man-hr (type IV) respectively. Subsamples of both larvae and adults of An. gambiae group were identified by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique. Of the larvae identified, 94.1 % and 5.9% (n=289) were An. arabiensis and An. quadriannulatus respectively while in the adult component, the composition was 98.7% and 1.3% (n=303) for An. arabiensis and An. quadriannulatus respectively. This confirmed An. arabiensis as the dominant malaria vector in Mamfene area while the exophilic behaviour of An. quadriannulatus was portrayed. Of the An. gambiae group dissected for parity, 51 .5%) were found parous. This is an indication that the population was old and was able to maintain transmission locally despite ongoing vector control measures. The Global Positioning System (GPS) was used to position larval and adult mosquito sampling sites. The spatial distribution of adult mosquitoes from the breeding sites were plotted using GIS soft ware (Map Info ) and the distance between the breeding sites and study houses were measured using a utility distance tool. With the aid of GIS, the adult mosquito density in houses could be used as an indicator to locate the breeding sites in the vicinity. The importance of these findings in terms of application in cost-effective malaria control cannot be over-emphasized. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1995.