Gag polyprotein is the precursor of HIV-1 structural proteins, required for correct assembly, budding and maturation of viral particle within HIV-1 life cycle. The process of maturation into an infectious virion is dependent on Gag and GagPol cleavage at nine predefined sites by HIV-1 proteinase. Its disruption is one of the main targets of HIV treatment. HIV-1, however, develops resistance to the proteinase inhibitors by creating mutations in both the proteinase and the substrate. The Gag processing by HIV-1 proteinase is a highly sequential process, that happens in specific order and rate. Previous biochemical studies determined the kinetic data of these processes using oligopeptides representing naturally occuring cleavage sites. This thesis describes the cleavage of the Gag polyprotein itself, which is the natural substrate of HIV-1 proteinase. For this purpose, the full-length Gag polyprotein was recombinantly prepared in bacterial expression system. The cleavage was carried out and its products were analyzed via SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The substrate specificity of the wild-type and mutant HIV-1 proteinase with respect to the full-length wild-type Gag polyprotein was compared. Substantial differences were observed between the rates of individual steps of cleavage by the wild-type and mutant...

HIV-1 protease plays a crucial role in the late state of the life cycle of HIV virus when it cleaves the viral polyprotein precursors into the structural and functional proteins. If it is effectively inhibited, HIV particles remain immature and noninfectious. The application of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) including protease inhibitors can reduce plasma HIV-1 levels below the detection limit in adherent patients and thus dramatically change their life expectancy. The clinical utility of the first inhibitors was limited by severe side effects, low bioavailability, high pill burdens, and rapid development of viral resistance under the selection pressure of HIV antiretrovirals. To overcome these difficulties, second-generation inhibitors were developed. Despite an indisputable improvement they brought to antiretroviral therapy, the development of new highly active HIV-1 protease inhibitors with optimal pharmacokinetic properties, higher metabolic stability, little off-target activity, and particularly, more favorable resistance profiles is still of high importance. This thesis provides an overview of anti-HIV- drugs including development of substituted metallacarboranes, a new class of potent, unusual, nonpeptidic HIV protease inhibitors with therapeutic potential. Next, the impact of...

Title: The influence of barefoot running on running kinetics. Objectives: The aim of this work is to assess the influence of different footwear (regular running shoes, barefoot footwear and barefoot running) on footstrike (rear-foot strike, mid-foot strike and fore-foot strike) during running and evaluate the action of reaction forces in different types of footstrike. Methods: In this study participated 11 runners (only men), who were divided in three groups based on their preferred footwear. Kinetic data (reaction forces) were collected by using a Kistler force plate, which was crossed by the participants with subjectively chosen speed. Kinematic parameters of running (speed) and video recordings of a single footstrikes were obtained by using a Qualisys system of optoelectronic stereophotogrammetry. All the measurements occurred during one day. Collected data were exported to Microsoft Excel 2013 programme, where the graphs of reaction forces were created and to Qualisys Track Manager software. Assessment was based on created graphs and video recordings. Results: The results show that runners wearing regular running shoes preferred a rear- foot strike, while among runners in barefoot footwear a fore-foot strike than mid-foot strike prevailed a bit. Among barefoot runners dominated a fore-foot...

The aim of this thesis was to prepare monoamide of macrocycle H3NOTA, which was prepared by multiple step synthesis. Ligand was characterized by NMR, MS and X-ray difraction analysis. Acid-base properties were studied by potentiometric titrations. Four protonation constants pKa`s were found and these protonation constants are lower than pKa`s of H3NOTA. Coordination properties with selected metal ions from the first row of transition metal, metal ions of biological interest and with lithium ions were investigated by potentiometric titration. Stability constants show that monoethylamide derivative of macrocycle H3NOTA forms complexes with lower stability than diethylamide derivative of macrocycle H3NOTA. Stability constants for complexes which contains amide group are lower than for H3NOTA complexes. Kinetics of Ga3+ complexation was investigated at different pH by 71 Ga NMR. The rate constants of and half-lives of complexation were determined at pH = 1. The rate constant was higher and the half-life of complexation was shorter than for H3NOTA ligand. Key words: macrocyclic complexes, thermodynamic stability, formation kinetics, radiopharmaceutical

It is recognised that the reactions with steam and CO2 are the rate limiting step during coal gasification, and a vast number of studies has been dedicated to the kinetics of these reactions. Most studies were carried out by using a single reactant (CO2 or H2O), either pure or diluted with an inert gas. Research using gas mixtures of CO2 and steam and their effects on gasification kinetics have been undertaken but are limited. The objective of this study is to determine the effects of CO2 on the steam gasification rate of a typical Highveld seam 4 coal. The South African medium ranked high volatile bituminous coal was charred at 950 °C. 2.0 g samples of ± 1 mm particles were analysed in a modified large particle thermo gravimetric analyser under various reactant gas concentrations. Experiments were conducted at atmospheric pressure (87.5 kPa) and temperatures from 775 to 900 °C, such that the conversion rate was controlled by chemical reaction. Reagent mixtures of steam-N2, steam-CO2 and CO2-N2 at concentrations of 25-75 mol%, 50-50 mol%, 75-25 mol% and 100 mol% were investigated. Arrhenius plots for steam and CO2 gasification produced activation energy values of 225 ± 23 kJ/mol and 243 ± 32 kJ/mol respectively. The calculated reaction orders with respect to reagent partial pressure were 0.44 ± 0.08 and 0.56 ± 0.07 for steam and CO2 respectively. Comparisons of the experimental data showed a higher reaction rate for the steam-CO2 mixtures compared to steam-N2 experiments. The semi empirical Wen model (m = 0.85) with an additive Langmuir-Hinshelwood styled rate equation predicted the mixed reagent gasification accurately. Reaction constants that were determined from the pure reactant experiments could directly be applied to predict the results for the experiments with mixtures of steam and CO2. The conclusion was made that under the investigated conditions steam and CO2 reacts simultaneously on different active sites on the char surface. / Thesis (MIng (Chemical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

It is recognised that the reactions with steam and CO2 are the rate limiting step during coal gasification, and a vast number of studies has been dedicated to the kinetics of these reactions. Most studies were carried out by using a single reactant (CO2 or H2O), either pure or diluted with an inert gas. Research using gas mixtures of CO2 and steam and their effects on gasification kinetics have been undertaken but are limited. The objective of this study is to determine the effects of CO2 on the steam gasification rate of a typical Highveld seam 4 coal. The South African medium ranked high volatile bituminous coal was charred at 950 °C. 2.0 g samples of ± 1 mm particles were analysed in a modified large particle thermo gravimetric analyser under various reactant gas concentrations. Experiments were conducted at atmospheric pressure (87.5 kPa) and temperatures from 775 to 900 °C, such that the conversion rate was controlled by chemical reaction. Reagent mixtures of steam-N2, steam-CO2 and CO2-N2 at concentrations of 25-75 mol%, 50-50 mol%, 75-25 mol% and 100 mol% were investigated. Arrhenius plots for steam and CO2 gasification produced activation energy values of 225 ± 23 kJ/mol and 243 ± 32 kJ/mol respectively. The calculated reaction orders with respect to reagent partial pressure were 0.44 ± 0.08 and 0.56 ± 0.07 for steam and CO2 respectively. Comparisons of the experimental data showed a higher reaction rate for the steam-CO2 mixtures compared to steam-N2 experiments. The semi empirical Wen model (m = 0.85) with an additive Langmuir-Hinshelwood styled rate equation predicted the mixed reagent gasification accurately. Reaction constants that were determined from the pure reactant experiments could directly be applied to predict the results for the experiments with mixtures of steam and CO2. The conclusion was made that under the investigated conditions steam and CO2 reacts simultaneously on different active sites on the char surface. / Thesis (MIng (Chemical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Mathematical modeling of thin-layer solar drying and organoleptic properties of eland jerky was investigated in this study. Eland jerky was compared to the traditional beef jerky, inasmuch as both were treated with traditional jerky marinade (TM), TM with fresh pine apple juice (TMP), TM with honey (TMH), TM with Coca Cola (TMCCL) and compared to an untreated control (C). The influence of the marinades on the drying process was statistically significant. Based on the coefficient of determination, the root mean square errors and the chi-squares, the Two-term model was found to be the most suitable model for describing the solar drying kinetics of eland jerky. The mean effective moisture diffusivities of solar dried eland meat for the C and selected pre-treatments TM and TMH samples were 2.07 x 10-10, 1.45 x 10-10 and 1.43 x 10-10 m2.s-1, respectively. The activation energy values for solar dried eland jerky were 23.75, 26.22 and 26.97 kJ.mol-1 for C, TM and TMH, respectively. Organoleptic properties of dried eland meat was assessed by the 22 member degustation panel. The best scored pre-treatment was TMP, which has significant effect on texture, color and taste. Effect of the different pre-treatments on the overall combined color was calculated. Generally for both meat dried in both driers TMH marinade was evaluated as the one with the highest total difference contrariwise meat dipped in TMP pre-treatment has the lowest total difference.

It has been proven that platinum and ruthenium complexes are active in anti- cancer treatment. Nowadays, the common chemotherapeutica have a lot of side effects, therefore, drugs with fewer negative impacts are intensively searched for. The first part of the thesis focuses on the study of cis-[Pt(NH3)2Cl2] (cisplatin, DDP) and four platinum potential anticancer agents PtCl2(diaminocyclohexane), PtCl2(NH3)(cyclohexylamine) (JM118), cis-[PtCl2(NH3)(piperidine)] and trans-[PtCl2(NH3)(thiazole)]. Thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of reac- tions of these complexes in semi-hydrated and fully-hydrated form with guanine were studied using QM methods. The reaction with guanine is the key process ini- tiating the anticancer activity. Analyses of electron density were performed at the B3LYP/6-311++G(2df,2pd) level of theory in IEF-PCM model. The second part of the thesis studies the reaction of the so-called 'piano stool' Ru(II) transition metal complex, [Ru(II)(η6 -p-cymene(nalidixic acid)(H2O)]2+ , first with guanine using QM methods and second with ds-DNA model using QM/MM methods. The reaction site, which is described by QM method, is two consecutive guanines and the Ru(II) complex. Analyses of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters, and electron density were performed at the B97D/6-31G* level of theory. All the...

This thesis is focused on the determination of the propene polymerization kinetics on phthalate and nonphthalate diester Ziegler-Natta MgCl2-supported catalysts under the industrial conditions. The kinetic profiles were determined by various laboratory techniques for propene polymerization. For assessing the profiles were utilized batch gas and liquid polymerization modes in 2-litre and 4-litre reactors. Finally, the results were complemented with the runs performed in a unique Stopped-Flow apparatus, which allows polymerization of liquid propene at very short polymerization times. The kinetics profiles of both catalysts were determined and compared by combination of experimental data of these techniques. The basic properties of the synthesized polymeric powders were measured, such as the melt flow index, bulk density and amount of polypropene fraction soluble in cold xylene.

The thesis is aimed to the study of spiropyrane behavior in polymeric matrix of poly(N-vinylkarbazole) (PVK) and poly[2-methoxy-5-(3´,7´-dimethyloctyloxy)-1,4-fenylenvinylene)] (MDMO-PPV). The photochromic transformation of spiropyrane to its isomeric merocyanine form (SPMC) was studied by absorption and emission spectroscopy. It was found, that photochromic reaction is markedly dependent on the environment. In the PVK polymer, which don’t absorb in the visible region, a high yield of photochromic reaction was achieved. Both, absorption and emission spectrums were observed for this system. From the measurement of time dependencies of the fotochromic reaction, the activation energy of the reverse reaction was determined. A different behavior, particularly in emissive spectrums, was found for the MDMO-PPV polymer doped with spiropyrane. Instead of formation of new band of merocyanine, decrease of the polymer fluorescence was observed. Subsequently, we studied the interaction between the polymeric matrix and the photochromic spiropyrane using fluorescence quenching method. On the basis of energy transfer theory, a critical radius of the fluorescence quenching sphere in solution and in solid was determined.