by Lau Lit Fui. / Thesis (M.Ph.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1987. / Bibliography: leaves 106-117.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Boston University

ABSTRACT Introduction Laboratory fume hoods are mechanical devices used to extract harmful vapours from indoor workplaces in order to prevent human exposure thereto. Laboratory fume hoods are considered an engineering control in the hierarchy of control and are ubiquitous in the modern laboratory. Protection offered by the fume hood depends on whether it is performing according to its original design. This performance needs to be maintained for as long as the fume hood is in use. Gaining a better understanding of this performance and the limitations of the fume hood are essential in ensuring constant operator protection. No performance or measurement standard to which fume hoods need to comply exists in South Africa. The Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act no. 85 of 1993) requires engineering controls to be evaluated every 24 months. The Act does not stipulate how such evaluations need to be conducted. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) of the South African Police Service has 49 fume hoods installed in its facility in Silverton, Pretoria. The FSL set a performance standard for its fume hoods at 0.51 m.s-1 ± 20% average across the face of the fume hood. The FSL selected the ANSI/ASHRAE 110 test method to evaluate the performance of its fume hoods against this standard. v Objectives The first objective of the study was to measure face velocities of fume hoods as installed in a forensic science laboratory and calculate the averages, and to determine whether these comply with the set standard. The second objective was to measure face velocities of fume hoods as installed in a forensic science laboratory and calculate the average in order to determine their performance over time. The third study objective was to observe laboratory fume hoods as installed in a forensic science laboratory to see whether fans were operational each month for 11 months (i.e. down time). Methods 10 Observations and 10 tests were carried out on each fume hood. Observations related to whether fume hood fans were functioning or not. Testing was a measure of performance and required the actual measurement of face velocities. A calibrated thermal anemometer was used to take velocity measurements. Measurements taken represent standard velocities. Fume hood faces were divided into imaginary grids not exceeding 30 cm x 30 cm. Velocity measurements were taken at the centre points of these grids. The arithmetic means were calculated for these measurements. The mean of the test means was then vi calculated for every fume hood. This, so that a comparison could be made between the mean and the set standard. Observations indicated that at the onset of the study 14% of fume hoods were not operational. By the end of the study 27% were not operational. A decline of 13% over the study period. At one point during the study 47% of the fume hoods were not functioning. Results 82% of the fume hood population performed outside the standard. 12% underperformed at less than 0.41 m.s-1 while 70% overperformed at velocities exceeding 0.61 m.s-1. ANOVA and regression analyses revealed that performance of the fume hoods over time remained fairly constant (e.g. regression analyses p-value = 0.8538). Discussion and conclusion Fume hood operability and performance results indicate the need for urgent investigation into the correct use of this resource within the FSL. Results are less than satisfactory with the health of laboratory personnel being potentially compromised. Comprehensive procurement, installation, operating and testing procedures need to be compiled, or if available, reviewed and implemented. Further study into the performance of the fume hoods may also be necessary using additional performance indicators.

The production of antibodies for analytical purposes using invasive procedures on small mammals is common practice in biomedical research. The aim of this study was to develop an efficient method for non-invasive antibody production in the chicken. This thesis presents an alternative method that eliminates the discomfort, pain and distress invoked by traditional immunization procedures on mammals by instead harvesting antibodies (IgY) from the yolk of eggs laid by orally immunized hens. An efficient oral immunization regime was developed by first trying out a suitable non-aggressive oral adjuvant with Bovine Serum Albumine (BSA) as the model antigen. It was found that the pegylated mono/diglyceride RhinoVax® (Softigen®) at a concentration of 20% (v/v) produced a good humoral antibody response in chickens as well as development of IgY antibodies in the egg yolk. The age of the chicken is important in order to have a proper humoral immune response. We found that chicken older than 22 days produced circulating immunospecific anti BSA-antibodies of of IgG, IgM and IgA class when orally immunized with BSA alone, whereas chickens 15 days old only produced IgM and IgA antibodies. This is the first report of oral immunizations with a high dose (250–300mg) of BSA in 20% RhinoVax® consisting of 3 or 5 consecutive daily doses resulting in high concentrations of immunospecific IgY antibodies in the yolk. Using this technique of three consecutive daily doses repeated after 7 weeks and after 18 weeks, a booster effect was induced after the third immunization. This is the first demonstration of a clear anamnestic immune response in orally immunized chickens. The results suggest that it may be possible to further increase the concentration of immunospecific IgY antibodies by modifying the immunization regime. It seems plausible to develop a procedure where the immunogen can be fed to the chickens as in an ordinary egg producing farm thus making antibody production not classified as an animal experiment.

Texte remanié de: Diss. Ph. D.--Physics--Cambridge (Mass.)--Harvard university, 1991. / Bibliogr. p. [187]-215. Index.

Dissertation--Upsala, 1855. Issued also as thesis, Stockholm.

Thesis (Ph. D., Education)--University of Idaho, May 2009. / Major professor: John Davis. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 92-104). Also available online (PDF file) by subscription or by purchasing the individual file.

No description available.

Typescript. Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii, 1958. Bibliography: leaves [75]-79.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on March 23, 2009) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.