The anti-agglomerating hydrate behavior observed for some crude oils has previously been related to crude oil composition and to surface adsorption mechanisms. Petroleum acids derived from some crude oils have been found able to convert systems with initially high risk of plugging into easily flowable dispersions. In this work, acid fractions are isolated from three oils with low tendency to form hydrate plugs and from two oils associated with high risk of hydrate plugging by using an ion-exchange resin. The extracts are further separated into four sub-fractions by solid phase extraction (SPE). The chemical composition of the fractions is studied by means of HPLC, GPC, FTIR- and UV/VIS spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The distribution of chemical compound classes in the fractions differs between the non-plugging and plugging oils, and the differences are most distinctive in one of the sub-fractions. The results imply that acid sub-fractions holding a significant proportion of more weakly polar compounds, like ester functionalities, are important for how the hydrate surfaces and the oil phase interact.

Thesis (M.S. in Management)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 1990. / Thesis Advisor(s): Carrick, Pual M. "June 1990." Description based on signature page. DTIC Identifier(s): Plant growth regulators, growth indicators. Author(s) subject terms: Plant growth regulators, growth indicators. Includes bibliographical references (p. 39-40). Also available online.

The education of natural history at primary and seconadry school is nowadays focused on theoretical interpretation. The subject of this diploma thesis is to inform pupils about the stimulating and inhibiting substances´influence on seed germination and emergence. This diploma thesis needs practical approach to pupils during the project basing, documenting seed germination, growing and its evaluation. The aim of this diploma thesis is to practically show to pupils the problems of seed germination and emergence of commonly available seeds in the school environment.

Submitted by Miriam Lucas (miriam.lucas@unioeste.br) on 2017-10-06T16:56:06Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Luiz_Condi_Godoi_2017.pdf: 1244725 bytes, checksum: 39bf07fbb65aaebd7847c0f705fe1442 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-06T16:56:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Luiz_Condi_Godoi_2017.pdf: 1244725 bytes, checksum: 39bf07fbb65aaebd7847c0f705fe1442 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-04-07 / Distributed Generation (DG) is seen as an alternative to reduce dependence on nonrenewable primary and pollutant sources, decentralizing the generator base and adding reliability to the power grid. Thus, several public policies to encourage the use of DG have been implemented as incentive mechanisms. However, it is necessary to verify if the current institutional environment is favorable for the promotion and development of this market in Brazil. In this context, the objective of this work is to identify the facilitating and inhibiting elements that influence the development of DG in the country, acting to mitigate uncertainties from the investors' point of view. For this, models of structure, regulatory environment, marketing rules, participating agents, modalities, segments and technologies are presented, allowing a better understanding of the current commercial model and the mechanisms used for its promotion. Through this documentary research, in addition to the analysis of the international experience, the accomplishment of case studies and semi-structured interviews, it was evaluated the context in which DG is found in Brazil, as well as in other countries, being possible to identify factors that can contribute in its growth, in order to establish facilitative strategies, highlighting the revision of existing legislation, the tax burden, the environmental licensing process, and credit lines, leading to a low use of this market. Finally, it is concluded that there has been a significant advance in public policies, but the current market model is not yet sufficiently favorable to further development of DG. Still, using the presented strategies can mitigate barriers and evolve, fostering the high potential for expansion, enabling a more adequate and reliable environment, and a sustainable development in the commercial model in force in Brazil. / A Geração Distribuída (GD) é vista como alternativa para reduzir a dependência de fontes primárias não renováveis e poluentes, descentralizando o parque gerador e agregando confiabilidade à rede elétrica. Assim sendo, diversas políticas públicas para incentivar o uso da GD têm sido implementadas como mecanismos de incentivos. Entretanto, é necessário verificar se o atual ambiente institucional é favorável para a promoção e o desenvolvimento desse mercado no Brasil. Nesse contexto, este trabalho tem por objetivo identificar os elementos facilitadores e inibidores que influenciam no desenvolvimento da GD no País, atuando no sentido de mitigar incertezas do ponto de vista dos investidores. Para isso, são apresentados modelos de estrutura, ambiente regulatório, regras de comercialização, agentes participantes, modalidades, segmentos e tecnologias utilizadas, permitindo-se maior compreensão do modelo mercantil vigente e dos mecanismos utilizados para sua promoção. Por meio dessa pesquisa documental, somada à análise da experiência internacional, além da realização de estudos de caso e entrevistas semiestruturadas, avaliou-se o contexto em que se encontra a GD no Brasil, assim como em outros países, sendo possível identificar fatores que podem contribuir com seu crescimento para, a partir disso, estabelecerem-se estratégias facilitadoras, destacando-se a revisão da legislação existente, da carga tributária, do processo de licenciamento ambiental e de linhas de crédito, ocasionando-se um baixo aproveitamento desse mercado. Por fim, conclui-se que ocorreu um expressivo avanço nas políticas públicas, porém o atual modelo de mercado ainda não é suficientemente favorável a um maior desenvolvimento da GD. Ainda, com a utilização das estratégias apresentadas, pode-se mitigar barreiras e evoluir, fomentando-se o alto potencial de expansão, viabilizando-se um ambiente mais adequado e confiável, além de um desenvolvimento sustentável no modelo mercantil vigente no Brasil.

Polygalacturonase-inhibiting proteins (PGIPs) are cell wall-associated plant proteins that inhibit endopolygalacturonases (endo-PGs) from phytopathogenic fungi. For proteins to confer resistance to invading plant pathogens, it is preferred that they are either associated with the plant cell wall or secreted into the intercellular spaces where they can act almost immediately upon pathogen attack. The bactericidal efficacy of the Hen Egg White Lysozyme (HEWL) has previously been unequivocally demonstrated in transgenic plants; however, most of the protein remains intracellular. It was hypothesized that bean PGIP1, that has previously been expressed correctly in transgenic tomato plants and was found to inhibit the endopolygalacturonase activity of Stenocarpella maydis in a reducing sugar assay, would deliver the HEWL protein to the intercellular spaces due to its inherent translocation to the plant cell wall by means of a translational fusion between bean pgip1 and hewl genes. In this study, the efficacy of such a translational fusion was determined. The bean pgip1-hewl fusion was inserted into the binary vector pCAMBIA2300 and transformed into Nicotiana tabacum cv. LA Burley 21 plants by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Phenotypically normal transgenic plants were produced. Stable transgene insertion into the transgenic N. tabacum genomes was verified by PCR and Southern blot analyses. To demonstrate the efficacy of the bean PGIP1-HEWL fusion, independent homogenate and intercellular fluid protein extracts were prepared from transgenic N. tabacum leaf material. Protein extracts prepared so as to enrich for PGIP activity were tested in vitro for inhibition of S. maydis endo-PGs whereas protein extracts for HEWL activity were tested for lysis of Micrococcus luteus cells. Biochemical assays showed that bean PGIP1-HEWL inhibited S. maydis endo-PGs and cleaved M. luteus cell walls sufficiently to suggest that the PGIP1- HEWL fusion was structurally and functionally stable. Total protein extracts from the PGIP-HEWL and HEWL transgenic plants showed similar levels of HEWL specific activity, whereas intercellular fluid samples from PGIP-HEWL transgenic plants showed high activity in contrast to HEWL plants. With the success of showing protein activity in vitro of HEWL in intercellular spaces, bean PGIP1 can be recommended as a vehicle for delivery of other proteins to cell surfaces. Copyright 2006, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. Please cite as follows: Feltman, NR 2006, Development of the polygalacturonase inhibiting protein (PGIP) for delivery of foreign proteins to the surfaces of plant cells, MSc dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-07152008-111131 / > E416/gm / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Plant Science / unrestricted

Petrol and ethanolic extracts of six asteraceous weeds were added to artificial diet and screened for inhibition of larval growth on variegated cutworm, Peridroma saucia (Hbn.). Petrol and ethanolic extracts of Artemisia tridentata and Chamomilla suaveolens and ethanolic extracts of Chrysothamnus nauseosus and Centaurea diffusa were highly inhibitory at five times the naturally occurring concentrations. The two C. suaveolens extracts and the ethanol extract of A. tridentata were active at the natural concentration (100%) and were further examined at 20, 40, 60, and 80% of this level. Inhibition of larval growth was directly related to concentration for each of the three extracts tested. EC₅₀'S (effective concentration to inhibit growth by 50% relative to controls) for the three extracts were 36-42% of the naturally occurring level in the plants. Nutritional indices were calculated for second instar P. saucia feeding on the active ethanolic A. tridentata extract and the petrol extract from C. suaveolens. The relative growth rate (RGR) of P. saucia larvae fed the ethanolic extract of A. tridentata in artificial diet was significantly lower than that in larvae fed diet with the petrol extract of C. suaveolens and larvae on control diet. Dietary utilization was significantly lower for larvae fed the A. tridentata extract. Results of a field trial indicated that a single treatment of A. tridentata extract at the equivalent of 0.2 g/ml could protect cabbage significantly better than the carrier solvent (30% aq ethanol) or distilled water as measured by a visual damage estimate. An insecticide standard, deltamethrin (17.9 µg/1 with 0.4% Superspred TM ), suppressed pest damage significantly better than the A. tridentata-extract treatment. A residual oviposition deterrency to Pieris rapae was found in the field results. Caged experiments in the laboratory confirmed the contact oviposition deterrency of the A. tridentata extract at 0.2 g/ml. Offspring of field-collected P. saucia larvae grew 2.5-fold heavier than larvae from the laboratory colony. However, diet with the A. tridentata extract inhibited both field-collected and laboratory reared saucia larvae equally when compared to their respective controls fed untreated diet. In summary, these results indicate the potential benefit of using specific unrefined plant extracts for growth inhibitors and oviposition deterrents against insect pests. The contribution of individual phytochemicals in the A. tridentata ethanolic extract to growth inhibition or oviposition deterrency is currently speculative. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate

Concert dress has both a psychological and a physical impact on female performers (Griffiths 2011). This research study aimed to examine the meaning of concert dress in the performances of female classical vocalists. This research was a qualitative study, using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) as a qualitative strategy of inquiry. The research participants included six experienced South African female classical vocalists between the ages of 30 and 55 and a South African concert dress designer based in New York. The research results suggested that, in view of the powerful influence of concert dress on the formation of a first impression, concert dress is, without a doubt, an important part of a performance. The meaning of concert dress is influenced by a number of factors. The study found that concert dress has a deep psychological impact on most of the participants and a physical impact on all the participants. The psychological effects of concert dress manifested in feelings of confidence and empowerment and also in the participants’ impression of body image. On the other hand, the physical effects of concert dress manifested in either comfort or discomfort, a positive/negative effect of dress on the singing technique and even injury as a result of an ill fit. In addition, if concert dress has a physical impact, this may manifest as a psychological impact and vice versa. Other factors which contributed to the selection of concert dress included the audience, personal style, and the criteria for concert dress. This study also explores modern trends such as body-focused dress. The participants agreed that concert dress should be a balanced representation of both the selected repertoire and the singer’s individuality. Although there are many factors which contribute to the meaning of concert dress to a female classical vocalist, all the participants cited a universal requirement, namely, it is essential that concert dress is comfortable. Key words: female classical vocalist, concert dress, performance, body image, repertoire, empowerment through dress, inhibiting factors of dress. / Dissertation (MMus)--University of Pretoria, 2015. / Music / Unrestricted

No description available.

No description available.

This research presents a new approach to creating large, complex molecules to carry out molecular recognition and catalytic functions mimicking biological proteins. Development of new therapeutics that bind protein surfaces and disrupt protein-protein interactions was first addressed targeting the envelope transmembrane protein in HIV-1, gp41. In this work, spiroligomer inhibitors of gp41 were designed and synthesized, and then the biochemical activity was tested. Rationally designed inhibitors were developed using computational modeling with the Molecular Operating Environment software (MOE). To build the desired molecular shape according to the design, C-2 alkylation of a bis-amino acid monomer was investigated to synthesize the higher degree of bis-amino acids with various reaction conditions for access to all possible diastereomers. Based on this design and synthetic methodology, a spiroligomer targeting gp41 was built by synthesizing each monomer and then linking them together by diketopiperazine (DKP). For the biological evaluation, the gp41-5 gene was transformed into E. coli and the protein was expressed, purified, and refolded for an in vitro binding test. A direct binding, fluorescence polarization assay was used to evaluate the binding affinity of the functionalized spiroligomer to the gp41-5 protein. Its antiviral activity was assessed in collaboration with the Chaiken lab at Drexel University. In addition, investigation into how the unique structures provided by the spiroligomer backbone allow for various uses, such as functionalized struts in porous organic polymers (POPs). In the large internal space of a POP, a nucleophilic, catalytic spiroligomer was installed to increase the reaction rate for the hydrolysis of methyl paraoxon (a neurotoxin G agent stimulant). Spiroligomers were designed and synthesized with backbone DMAP moieties, and the activity of these catalysts was analyzed in collaboration with the Hupp lab at Northwestern University. / Chemistry