A adesão celular está ligada à formação e disseminação de metástases, a principal causa de óbito de pacientes diagnosticados com câncer. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar in vitro o efeito de fotossensibilizadores na adesão celular. Foram utilizadas porfirinas comerciais (PpIX, CPpI, TSPP, TMPyP e Zn(II)TMPyP) e um fotossensibilizador sintetizado através da ligação de poli-L-lisina à protoporfirina IX (PLLPpIX). A adesão celular foi estudada por RICM, técnica que permite quantificar a área de contato entre uma célula e um substrato por binarização das imagens digitais utilizando limiares apropriados. A técnica foi padronizada e revelou dois regimes de adesão celular: um limitado e outro não limitado pela quantidade de proteína de adesão adsorvida na superfície. Neste último foi observada lise celular. Todos os fotossensibilizadores estudados foram capazes de aumentar a adesão celular na ausência de irradiação comparados ao controle sem fotossensibilizador, o que não havia sido observado nos ensaios de resistência à tripsinização normalmente utilizados para estudar o efeito de fotossensibilizadores na adesão celular. Quanto maior a anfifilicidade do fotossensibilizador, maior foi o efeito na adesão, o que é explicado pela capacidade das moléculas em se intercalarem na membrana, mudando a sua rigidez. Este aumento da adesão no escuro correlaciona com a diminuição da migração segundo ensaios de ferida. A análise do padrão de expressão de integrinas na superfície celular revela que o aumento da adesão correlaciona com o aumento na expressão de αV. Quando os fotossensibilizadores estão concentrados na região perimembranar (1 minuto de incubação) e as células são irradiadas, há um aumento da adesão em relação ao controle sem fotossensibilizador, mas uma diminuição em relação ao controle tratado com o fotossensibilizador e não irradiado, o que implica que a PDT leva a uma diminuição da adesão celular e não a um aumento como reportado na literatura. Com 3h de incubação, PLLPpIX impede a adesão celular, enquanto PpIX praticamente não muda a adesão comparado ao controle não irradiado. Esta ausência do efeito da irradiação sugere que a PpIX afeta a adesão celular principalmente devido a sua intercalação na membrana e não devido à formação de espécies reativas. Com 3h de incubação os fotossensibilizadores não se encontram na membrana e, portanto, o efeito na adesão celular é indireto e também não está relacionado à diferenças na eficiência de internalização. O comportamento observado deve ter relação com diferenças de citolocalização. Outro processo que pode alterar a adesão celular é a oxidação das proteínas do soro fetal bovino. Como observado nos estudos de fotossensibilização de células, PLLPpIX foi capaz de impedir a adesão celular, diferentemente da PpIX. A maior eficiência da PLLPpIX foi associada a presença do polímero, o qual força por questões estéricas que a interação da PLLPpIX com a albumina, o componente majoritário do soro, fique restrita à superfície da proteína, deixando o fotossensibilizador disponível para interagir com o oxigênio molecular e gerar oxigênio singlete. Assim, a funcionalização com um polímero tornou a PpIX capaz de modular a adesão celular tanto agindo dentro da célula quanto na matriz extracelular. / Cell adhesion is associated to the formation and spread of metastasis, the leading cause of death in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to investigate, in vitro, the effect of photosensitizers in cell adhesion. Five commercial porphyrins (PpIX, CPpI, TSPP, TMPyP e Zn(II)TMPyP) and Protoporphyrin IX covalently tethered to poli-L-lysine (PLLPpIX) were used. Cell adhesion was mainly studied by RICM, a technique that allows quantifying the contact area between a cell and a substrate for binarization of digital images using appropriate thresholds. The technique was standardized and disclosed two systems for cell adhesion: a system limited by the amount of adhesion proteina adsorbed on the surface and another one no limited, in which cell lysis was observed. All photosensitizers were able to enhance cell adhesion in the absence of irradiation compared to control without photosensitizer, which had not been observed in the trypsinization resistance tests usually used to study the effect of photosensitizers in cell adhesion. The greater the amphiphilicity of the photosensitizer, the greater was the effect on cell adhesion. This is explained by the ability of molecules to fit in the membrane, changing its tension. This increased adhesion correlates with the decrease in migration according to wound healing assays. Analysis of the integrin expression pattern on cell surface reveals that increased adhesion correlates with increased expression of alpha V. When photosensitizers are concentrated in the perimembranar region (1 minute of incubation) and cells are irradiated, there is an increase in adhesion when compared to control without photosensitizer, but a decrease relative to controls treated with the photosensitizer without irradiation, implying that PDT leads to a reduction of cell adhesion and not to an increase as reported in the literature. With 3h of incubation PLLPpIX prevents cell adhesion, while PpIX practically does not change the adhesion compared to dark control. This lack of effect of irradiation suggests that PpIX affects cell adhesion primarily because of its intercalation into the membrane and not due to the formation of reactive species. With 3h of incubation the photosensitizers are not on the membrane and therefore the effect on cell adhesion is indirect and it is not also related to differences in uptake efficiency. The observed behavior must be related to differences in subcellular localization arising from differences in molecular structure. Another process that can alter the cell adhesion is serum protein oxidation. As noted in the studies with cells, photosensitization of serum with PLLPpIX (but not with PpIX) was capable of preventing cell adhesion. The greater efficiency of PLLPpIX was associated with the presence of the polymer, which, by the steric hindrance, forces that interaction of PLLPpIX with albumin, the major serum component, is restricted to the protein surface, leaving the photosensitizer available to interact with molecular oxygen and generate singlet oxygen. Thus, the functionalization of a polymer has turned PpIX capable of modulating cell adhesion by acting both within and outside (in extracellular matrix) the cell

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-24T19:38:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Daniele Seremeta.pdf: 2814746 bytes, checksum: d8432852db6f29a1454166368a3deda5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-12 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The linseed oil, obtained from the flax´s seed (Linum usitatissimum L.) contains high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids as oleic, linoleic and linolenic acid, which makes it susceptible to oxidation. As oxidation is a critical factor inherent to vegetable oils, this study intends to contribute with data from thermal and oxidative stability of linseed oil, with and without the antioxidant quercetin subject photo-oxidation for a period of 15 days. The oxidative process was evaluated by chemical parameters acidity index (AI), peroxide índex (IP) and spectroscopic UV-Vis, IR and 1H NMR. The results showed that the methodology adopted for the photo-oxidation in light box (at room temperature; 115.2 Lux and 15 days) was effective because there was oil degradation. The statistical analyzes confirmed that the greater the exposure time, and this coupled with the presence of light, the more easily occurs the degradation process. Was also evaluated the effect of adding quercetin and TBHQ antioxidant in the oil during photo-oxidation. The results showed that they did not prevent the formation of free fatty acid, peroxides and conjugated dienes, but prevented the formation of secondary oxidation compounds as volatile generating the rancidity, and the polymerization characterized by crosslinking. / O óleo extraído da linhaça, a semente do linho (Linum usitatissimumL.), contém elevado teor de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados (ácido oleico, linoleico e linolênico) os quais o torna susceptível à oxidação. Como a oxidação é um fator crítico inerente aos óleos vegetais, este trabalho visou contribuir com dados de estabilidade térmica e oxidativa do óleo de linhaça, aditivado ou não como antioxidante quercetina, submetido à foto-oxidação por um período de 15 dias. O processo oxidativo foi avaliado pelos parâmetros químicos índice de acidez e índice de peróxidos, assim como por espectroscopia UV-Vis, IV e RMN de 1H. Os resultados mostraram que a metodologia adotada para a foto-oxidação em câmara clara (temperatura ambiente; 115,2 Lux; 15 dias) foi eficiente, pois o óleo apresentou sinais típicos de degradação, como a formação de ácidos graxos livres, peróxidos e dienos conjugados. A presença de compostos secundários de oxidação como os voláteis que geram o denominado de ranço e o processo de polimerização por formação de ligações cruzadas também foram observados. As análises estatísticas confirmaram que quanto maior o tempo de exposição, aliado à presença de luz, maior a facilidade de ocorrer degradação. Avaliou-se também o efeito protetor da adição de agentes antioxidantes (TBHQ e quercetina) no óleo durante a foto-oxidação. Os resultados indicaram que os mesmos não evitaram a formação de ácidos graxos livres, peróxidos e dienos conjugados, mas impediram a formação dos compostos secundários do ranço e o processo de polimerização.

As tecnologias utilizadas em estações de tratamento de água e efluentes não são eficientes para a remoção total de resíduos farmacêuticos e os efeitos dessas substâncias sobre o meio ambiente e a saúde humana ainda não são bem conhecidos. No presente trabalho, estudou-se a degradação do antibiótico enrofloxacina (ENRO) por fotólise e pelo processo H2O2/UV na presença de compostos bio-orgânicos (BOS), que têm se apresentado como interessantes promotores da oxidação de poluentes. Os experimentos foram realizados em um reator fotoquímico tubular de imersão com fonte radiante (lâmpada de xenônio) concêntrica, operado em batelada com recirculação. Utilizaram-se concentrações iniciais de ENRO e de BOS iguais a 50 mg L-1 e 20 mg L-1, respectivamente. Para todos os pH mantidos constantes (3, 5, 7 ou 9), a solução foi irradiada por 240 minutos. Os resultados indicam que o antibiótico não sofreu hidrólise em qualquer dos pH estudados em um período de 24 horas. Por sua vez, a fotólise da enrofloxacina mostrou-se eficiente somente na presença do composto bioorgânico CVT 230 (BOS C), com remoção de ENRO de quase 90% em meio neutro (pH 7). Resultados da literatura, associados a experimento realizado em meio anóxico, sugerem a participação de oxigênio singlete como principal espécie oxidante da enrofloxacina. Por outro lado, a degradação da ENRO pelo processo H2O2/UV apresentou remoção máxima do fármaco de 48% em pH 7, o que sugere que a ação de oxigênio singlete e/ou radicais hidroxila não foi eficaz na presença de peróxido de hidrogênio. Portanto, o BOS C pode ser empregado como promotor no tratamento de águas e efluentes aquosos contaminados com enrofloxacina sob baixas potências radiantes ou em sistemas irradiados por luz solar. / The technologies used in water and wastewater treatment plants are not efficient for the total removal of pharmaceutical compounds whose effect to the environment and to human health are still not well known. In this work, the degradation of the antibiotic enrofloxacin (ENRO) was studied by photolysis and by the H2O2/UV process in the presence of bio-organic substances (BOS), which have been identified as interesting promoters of pollutant oxidation. The experiments were carried out in a tubular immersion photochemical reactor equipped with a concentric radiant source (xenon lamp), and operated in batch mode with recirculation. Initial ENRO and BOS concentrations of 50 mg L-1 and 20 mg L-1 were used, respectively. The solution was irradiated for 240 minutes for all pH studied at constant values (3, 5, 7, and 9). The results show that the antibiotic did not undergo hydrolysis at any pH after 24 hours. The photolysis of enrofloxacin showed to be efficient only in the presence of the bio-organic substance CVT 230 (BOS C), with almost 90% ENRO removal in neutral solution (pH 7). Results from the literature, associated with an experiment carried out in anoxic conditions, suggest singlet oxygen as the main species responsible for enrofloxacin oxidation. On the other hand, ENRO degradation by the H2O2/UV process showed a maximum removal of 48% at pH 7, suggesting that the action of singlet oxygen and/or hydroxyl radicals was not effective in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. BOS C can therefore be used as an efficient promoter for the treatment of enrofloxacin-containing water and wastewater under low irradiant power or in solar-irradiated systems.

A adesão celular está ligada à formação e disseminação de metástases, a principal causa de óbito de pacientes diagnosticados com câncer. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar in vitro o efeito de fotossensibilizadores na adesão celular. Foram utilizadas porfirinas comerciais (PpIX, CPpI, TSPP, TMPyP e Zn(II)TMPyP) e um fotossensibilizador sintetizado através da ligação de poli-L-lisina à protoporfirina IX (PLLPpIX). A adesão celular foi estudada por RICM, técnica que permite quantificar a área de contato entre uma célula e um substrato por binarização das imagens digitais utilizando limiares apropriados. A técnica foi padronizada e revelou dois regimes de adesão celular: um limitado e outro não limitado pela quantidade de proteína de adesão adsorvida na superfície. Neste último foi observada lise celular. Todos os fotossensibilizadores estudados foram capazes de aumentar a adesão celular na ausência de irradiação comparados ao controle sem fotossensibilizador, o que não havia sido observado nos ensaios de resistência à tripsinização normalmente utilizados para estudar o efeito de fotossensibilizadores na adesão celular. Quanto maior a anfifilicidade do fotossensibilizador, maior foi o efeito na adesão, o que é explicado pela capacidade das moléculas em se intercalarem na membrana, mudando a sua rigidez. Este aumento da adesão no escuro correlaciona com a diminuição da migração segundo ensaios de ferida. A análise do padrão de expressão de integrinas na superfície celular revela que o aumento da adesão correlaciona com o aumento na expressão de αV. Quando os fotossensibilizadores estão concentrados na região perimembranar (1 minuto de incubação) e as células são irradiadas, há um aumento da adesão em relação ao controle sem fotossensibilizador, mas uma diminuição em relação ao controle tratado com o fotossensibilizador e não irradiado, o que implica que a PDT leva a uma diminuição da adesão celular e não a um aumento como reportado na literatura. Com 3h de incubação, PLLPpIX impede a adesão celular, enquanto PpIX praticamente não muda a adesão comparado ao controle não irradiado. Esta ausência do efeito da irradiação sugere que a PpIX afeta a adesão celular principalmente devido a sua intercalação na membrana e não devido à formação de espécies reativas. Com 3h de incubação os fotossensibilizadores não se encontram na membrana e, portanto, o efeito na adesão celular é indireto e também não está relacionado à diferenças na eficiência de internalização. O comportamento observado deve ter relação com diferenças de citolocalização. Outro processo que pode alterar a adesão celular é a oxidação das proteínas do soro fetal bovino. Como observado nos estudos de fotossensibilização de células, PLLPpIX foi capaz de impedir a adesão celular, diferentemente da PpIX. A maior eficiência da PLLPpIX foi associada a presença do polímero, o qual força por questões estéricas que a interação da PLLPpIX com a albumina, o componente majoritário do soro, fique restrita à superfície da proteína, deixando o fotossensibilizador disponível para interagir com o oxigênio molecular e gerar oxigênio singlete. Assim, a funcionalização com um polímero tornou a PpIX capaz de modular a adesão celular tanto agindo dentro da célula quanto na matriz extracelular. / Cell adhesion is associated to the formation and spread of metastasis, the leading cause of death in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to investigate, in vitro, the effect of photosensitizers in cell adhesion. Five commercial porphyrins (PpIX, CPpI, TSPP, TMPyP e Zn(II)TMPyP) and Protoporphyrin IX covalently tethered to poli-L-lysine (PLLPpIX) were used. Cell adhesion was mainly studied by RICM, a technique that allows quantifying the contact area between a cell and a substrate for binarization of digital images using appropriate thresholds. The technique was standardized and disclosed two systems for cell adhesion: a system limited by the amount of adhesion proteina adsorbed on the surface and another one no limited, in which cell lysis was observed. All photosensitizers were able to enhance cell adhesion in the absence of irradiation compared to control without photosensitizer, which had not been observed in the trypsinization resistance tests usually used to study the effect of photosensitizers in cell adhesion. The greater the amphiphilicity of the photosensitizer, the greater was the effect on cell adhesion. This is explained by the ability of molecules to fit in the membrane, changing its tension. This increased adhesion correlates with the decrease in migration according to wound healing assays. Analysis of the integrin expression pattern on cell surface reveals that increased adhesion correlates with increased expression of alpha V. When photosensitizers are concentrated in the perimembranar region (1 minute of incubation) and cells are irradiated, there is an increase in adhesion when compared to control without photosensitizer, but a decrease relative to controls treated with the photosensitizer without irradiation, implying that PDT leads to a reduction of cell adhesion and not to an increase as reported in the literature. With 3h of incubation PLLPpIX prevents cell adhesion, while PpIX practically does not change the adhesion compared to dark control. This lack of effect of irradiation suggests that PpIX affects cell adhesion primarily because of its intercalation into the membrane and not due to the formation of reactive species. With 3h of incubation the photosensitizers are not on the membrane and therefore the effect on cell adhesion is indirect and it is not also related to differences in uptake efficiency. The observed behavior must be related to differences in subcellular localization arising from differences in molecular structure. Another process that can alter the cell adhesion is serum protein oxidation. As noted in the studies with cells, photosensitization of serum with PLLPpIX (but not with PpIX) was capable of preventing cell adhesion. The greater efficiency of PLLPpIX was associated with the presence of the polymer, which, by the steric hindrance, forces that interaction of PLLPpIX with albumin, the major serum component, is restricted to the protein surface, leaving the photosensitizer available to interact with molecular oxygen and generate singlet oxygen. Thus, the functionalization of a polymer has turned PpIX capable of modulating cell adhesion by acting both within and outside (in extracellular matrix) the cell

As tecnologias utilizadas em estações de tratamento de água e efluentes não são eficientes para a remoção total de resíduos farmacêuticos e os efeitos dessas substâncias sobre o meio ambiente e a saúde humana ainda não são bem conhecidos. No presente trabalho, estudou-se a degradação do antibiótico enrofloxacina (ENRO) por fotólise e pelo processo H2O2/UV na presença de compostos bio-orgânicos (BOS), que têm se apresentado como interessantes promotores da oxidação de poluentes. Os experimentos foram realizados em um reator fotoquímico tubular de imersão com fonte radiante (lâmpada de xenônio) concêntrica, operado em batelada com recirculação. Utilizaram-se concentrações iniciais de ENRO e de BOS iguais a 50 mg L-1 e 20 mg L-1, respectivamente. Para todos os pH mantidos constantes (3, 5, 7 ou 9), a solução foi irradiada por 240 minutos. Os resultados indicam que o antibiótico não sofreu hidrólise em qualquer dos pH estudados em um período de 24 horas. Por sua vez, a fotólise da enrofloxacina mostrou-se eficiente somente na presença do composto bioorgânico CVT 230 (BOS C), com remoção de ENRO de quase 90% em meio neutro (pH 7). Resultados da literatura, associados a experimento realizado em meio anóxico, sugerem a participação de oxigênio singlete como principal espécie oxidante da enrofloxacina. Por outro lado, a degradação da ENRO pelo processo H2O2/UV apresentou remoção máxima do fármaco de 48% em pH 7, o que sugere que a ação de oxigênio singlete e/ou radicais hidroxila não foi eficaz na presença de peróxido de hidrogênio. Portanto, o BOS C pode ser empregado como promotor no tratamento de águas e efluentes aquosos contaminados com enrofloxacina sob baixas potências radiantes ou em sistemas irradiados por luz solar. / The technologies used in water and wastewater treatment plants are not efficient for the total removal of pharmaceutical compounds whose effect to the environment and to human health are still not well known. In this work, the degradation of the antibiotic enrofloxacin (ENRO) was studied by photolysis and by the H2O2/UV process in the presence of bio-organic substances (BOS), which have been identified as interesting promoters of pollutant oxidation. The experiments were carried out in a tubular immersion photochemical reactor equipped with a concentric radiant source (xenon lamp), and operated in batch mode with recirculation. Initial ENRO and BOS concentrations of 50 mg L-1 and 20 mg L-1 were used, respectively. The solution was irradiated for 240 minutes for all pH studied at constant values (3, 5, 7, and 9). The results show that the antibiotic did not undergo hydrolysis at any pH after 24 hours. The photolysis of enrofloxacin showed to be efficient only in the presence of the bio-organic substance CVT 230 (BOS C), with almost 90% ENRO removal in neutral solution (pH 7). Results from the literature, associated with an experiment carried out in anoxic conditions, suggest singlet oxygen as the main species responsible for enrofloxacin oxidation. On the other hand, ENRO degradation by the H2O2/UV process showed a maximum removal of 48% at pH 7, suggesting that the action of singlet oxygen and/or hydroxyl radicals was not effective in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. BOS C can therefore be used as an efficient promoter for the treatment of enrofloxacin-containing water and wastewater under low irradiant power or in solar-irradiated systems.

Textile UV-radiation sensors has lately been introduced to the field of smart textiles. Inkjet printing has been used as means of application due to the effective and resource efficient process. UV-LED radiation curing has been used in combination with inkjet printing in favour of low energy requirements, solvent free solution and reduced risk of clogging in the print heads. The problems arising when exposing photochromic prints to UV-radiations are that oxygen inhibition during the curing and photo-oxidation in the print reduces the prints ability to develop colour. It is the oxygen in the air in combination with UV-radiation that gives the photo-oxidating behavior. The aim of the study is to with the aid of physical protection reduce the effect of oxygen inhibition and photo-oxidation in the prints. Three types of physical treatments were used, wax coating, protein based impregnation and starch based impregnation. Treatments were applied before curing as well as after curing and the colour development after activation during 1 min of UV-radiation was measured with a spectrophotometer. Multiple activations were also tested to see how the treatments affected the fatigue behaviour of the prints over time. The aim was to have as high colour development as possible reflecting reduced oxygen inhibition and photo-oxidation. Results showed significantly higher colour development for samples treated with wax and whey powder before curing, but reduced colour development for amylose impregnation. Over time whey powder before curing showed highest colour development due to highest initial colour development. Lowest fatigue was seen for washed samples containing the chemical stabiliser HALS, showing an increased colour development. In reference to earlier studies the protective properties of wax and whey powder is due to their oxygen barrier properties protecting the print. The tested treatments have shown that it is possible to reduce the effect of photo-oxidation during curing leading to prints giving higher colour development. This gives a great stand point when improving existing and future application of photochromic prints on textiles.

Natural and synthetic polymers are highly related to people's daily life in every perspective and determine everyone's life quality. This study investigated the interactions between polymer thin films and other molecules, specifically natural polymer films with other components in plant and fungal cell walls, crosslinked thermoplastic films with solvent molecules, as well as commodity thermoplastic films with air and moisture during aging by a powerful surface analysis instrument, a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). The assembly and interactions of glucan and chitin are crucial for understanding the fungal infection mechanism. Adsorption of mixed-linkage glucan (MLG) onto regenerated chitin (RChitin) and cellulose (RC) surfaces were investigated by QCM-D and atomic force microscopy (AFM). MLG was irreversibly adsorbed onto both surfaces and formed soft hydrogel-like layers with viscoelastic properties. This work established a QCM-D method to mimic the assembly of natural polymers in fungal cell walls and provided insight into the interactions of these polymers with chitin and cellulose. Poly(ether imide) (PEI) has poor solvent resistance towards solvents including chloroform, dimethylformamide (DMF), dichloromethane (DCM), and N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP). Exposure to these solvents severely affects the thermal and mechanical performances of PEI. Therefore, crosslinked PEI (X-PEI) films was prepared from azide-terminated PEI (N₃-PEI-N₃) via a thermal crosslinking reaction. X-PEIs maintain outstanding solvent resistance towards common solvents by swelling ratio tests using QCM-D. Meanwhile, the thermal and mechanical properties of X-PEI were enhanced compared to the original PEI. Photo-oxidation is one of the dominant degradation mechanisms affecting the lifespan of polymers. The effect of photooxidative aging on the physiochemical properties of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films were investigated using QCM-D, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and tensile stress-strain tests. The crystallinity, mechanical properties, and weight loss were correlated to understand the aging behavior. Materials after aging showed higher tensile stress and modulus, with reduced mass and elongation properties. Particularly, the aging-induced damage of polymer chain integrity was first determined by QCM-D through the evolution of mass loss during aging, providing supports to the changes of mechanical properties under aging. / Doctor of Philosophy / Natural polymers and thermoplastics are two major materials that are highly related to modern life. The interactions of these polymers with other molecules are important research topics for people to understand and predict the material properties. This dissertation studied the following three topics using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D): 1) interactions between plant natural polymer films and polymers in fungal cell wall; 2) solvent resistance of crosslinked thermoplastic films; and 3) physiochemical changes during photo-oxidation degradation of thermoplastic films. Pathogenic fungal cells can attack beneficial plant cell hosts by adhering themselves onto the plant cells, followed by penetration and enzymatic degradation of the multilayered plant cell walls until the host is digested. Therefore, the interaction between the components in fungal and plant cell walls is critical to understand pathogenic fungal cell invasion. Adsorption of mixed-linkage glucan (MLG) onto regenerated chitin (RChitin) and cellulose (RC) surfaces was monitored by QCM-D and atomic force microscopy (AFM). An irreversible binding interaction of MLG with chitin and cellulose films and a soft hydrogel-like layer on both surfaces were observed in our work. Poly(ether imide) (PEI) is a high-performance polymer with excellent thermal and mechanical properties. However, the good solubilities in common organic solvents that facilitate reasonable processibility limits its applications in solvent-related domains. Several methods of PEI crosslinking were developed in the literature to improve solvent resistance. This study prepared crosslinked PEI (X-PEI) films from azide-terminated PEI (N₃-PEI-N₃) via a simple thermal crosslinking reaction. X-PEI had better resistance to organic solvents from QCM-D measurements and maintained good thermal and mechanical performances. Photo-oxidation from air and sunlight slowly degrades plastics, shortens their service time, and leads to environmental pollution. This work bridged the gap between molecular integrity and its effect on the overall macroscopic mechanical changes through accurate measurement of the mass loss during degradation using a QCM-D. This work is essential in ensuring polymer design and active environmental protection.

The use of plastic materials in the design of vehicle components is primarily driven by the need for vehicle weight and cost reduction. Additionally, these materials give design engineers freedom in creating appealing exterior designs. However, creating self-carrying exterior structures with polymers must fulfill long-term strength, creep and fatigue life requirements. Thus, the polymer polyDicyclopentadiene (pDCPD) has been chosen for this purpose. Its aging mechanics need to be understood by the design engineers to make the right decisions. This thesis has carried out mechanical tests such as uniaxial tensile testing, fatigue, and creep testing. Digital image correlation (DIC) system has been used to capture strain data from tensile tests. In the final analysis, DIC measurements proved more accurate than extensometer data retrieved from the testing machine. The rise in temperature has been captured using thermal imaging. Several degradation processes have been explored including physical aging, thermo-oxidation, photo-oxidation, chemical- and bio- degradations. Test results showed significant changes in mechanical properties after 17 years of aging. Additionally, severe thermal degradation has been observed in one of the tested panels of pDCPD. Temperature can rise to significant levels during cyclic loading at high stresses, which could have an impact on physical aging effects. Viscoelastic behavior has been explored and changes in dynamic and creep properties have been observed. The investigation also reviled that different defects caused by flawed manufacturing also can affect the material severely as one case has proved in this research.

A mecanização do preparo de amostras minimiza erros sistemáticos, a geração de efluentes e o tempo de análise. Sistemas em fluxo com microbombas solenoide (MPFS) atendem aos requisitos da mecanização de maneira robusta e versátil. Sendo assim, foram desenvolvidos procedimentos analíticos baseados em MPFS e foto-oxidação em linha visando ao fracionamento de fósforo em extratos de alimentos e águas naturais e à determinação de cloreto em águas naturais e urina. Fósforo é um nutriente importante cuja biodisponibilidade depende de sua forma química, tornando importante o fracionamento. O monitoramento de cloreto também é importante porque altas concentrações causam efeitos adversos ao meio ambiente e à saúde. Um MPFS foi proposto para o fracionamento de fósforo solúvel em extratos de alimentos, empregando foto-oxidação em linha do fósforo orgânico a ortofosfato, que foi quantificado pelo método do azul de molibdênio. Foi obtida resposta linear entre 5,0 e 40 mg L-1 para fósforo inorgânico (PI) e orgânico (PO), com limites de detecção de 0,5 e 1,2 mg L-1, respectivamente. Coeficientes de variação foram estimados em 1,2 e 3,6% para PI e PO, respectivamente, com frequência de amostragem de 80 determinações por hora. Por determinação, foram consumidos 380 µg de (NH4)6Mo7O24, 620 µg de ácido ascórbico e 790 µg de K2S2O8, gerando 2,5 mL de efluentes. Os resultados do fracionamento em extratos de alimentos concordaram com os obtidos pelo procedimento de referência (95% de confiança), baseado na digestão nitro-perclórica para a determinação de PO. Um procedimento com MPFS e espectrofotometria de longo caminho óptico foi desenvolvido para o fracionamento de fósforo (inorgânico e orgânico dissolvidos) em águas naturais. A quantificação foi baseada no método do azul de molibdênio, após fotoconversão das espécies a ortofosfato. Resposta linear foi observada entre 10 e 75 µg L-1 P, com limite de detecção de 2,0 µg L-1. Foram obtidos coeficiente de variação de 1,8% e frequência de amostragem de 40 determinações por hora. Por determinação, foram consumidos 160 µg de (NH4)6Mo7O24, 10 µg de SnCl2, 640 de µg K2S2O8 e 10 mg de NaOH, gerando 4,0 mL de efluentes. Os coeficientes angulares das curvas obtidas com 4 tipos diferentes de espécies de PO indicaram conversão quantitativa e os resultados obtidos para amostras de águas de rios foram concordantes com os obtidos pelo procedimento descrito pela AOAC (95% de confiança). Um procedimento limpo foi também desenvolvido para a determinação de cloreto em águas naturais e urina, evitando o uso de reagentes tóxicos. O analito foi foto-oxidado a cloro, que foi determinado por espectrofotometria através da descoloração do alaranjado de metila. Resposta linear foi observada entre 2,0 e 20 mg L-1, com limite de detecção de 0,7 mg L-1. O coeficiente de variação foi estimado em 1,6%, com frequência de amostragem de 75 determinações por hora e consumo de 7,5 µg de corante por determinação. Espécies concomitantes usualmente presentes nas amostras não interferiram mesmo em excesso em relação às concentrações normalmente encontradas. Os resultados das análises das amostras concordaram com os obtidos pelo procedimento de referência (95% de confiança). Os procedimentos propostos são alternativas limpas e rápidas para o fracionamento de fósforo e determinação de cloreto. / Mechanization of sample preparation minimizes systematic errors, waste generation and analysis time. Flow-based systems with solenoid micropumps (MPFS) attain the requirements for mechanization in a versatile and robust way. Therefore, analytical procedures based on MPFS and on-line photo-oxidation were developed aiming phosphorus fractionation in foodstuff and river waters and chloride determination in natural waters and urine. Phosphorus is an important nutrient for plants and animals and its bioavailability depends on its chemical form, making fractionation studies important. Chloride monitoring is relevant because the concentration unbalance leads to environmental and health issues. A MPFS was proposed for the fractionation of water soluble phosphorus in foodstuff, incorporating on-line photo-oxidation of organic phosphorus to phosphate, which was quantified by the spectrophotometric molybdenum blue method. Linear response was observed from 5 to 40 mg L-1 for both inorganic (PI) and organic (PO) phosphorus, with detection limits of 0.5 and 1.2 mg L-1, respectively. Coefficients of variation (n = 20) were estimated as 1.2 and 3.6% for PI and PO, respectively, with a sampling rate of 80 determinations per hour. Per determination, 380 µg of (NH4)6Mo7O24, 620 µg of ascorbic acid and 790 µg of K2S2O8 were consumed, generating 2.5 mL of waste. The results for food extracts agreed with those obtained by the reference procedure (95% confidence level) based on nitro-percloric digestion for PO determination. A MPFS procedure with long pathlength spectrophotometry was developed for phosphorus fractionation (dissolved organic and inorganic) in natural waters. Quantification was also based on the formation of molybdenum blue, after on-line photo-convertion of the organic species to orthophosphate. The analytical response was linear within 10 and 75 µg L-1 with a detection limit of 2.0 µg L-1. Coefficient of variation of 1.8% and sampling rate of 40 determinations per hour were achieved. Per determination, 160 µg of (NH4)6Mo7O24, 10 µg of SnCl2, 640 µg of K2S2O8 and 10 mg of NaOH were consumed, generating 4.0 mL of waste. Slopes of analytical curves obtained for four different PO species agreed with those obtained for orthophosphate, indicating quantitative conversion and the results for five freshwater samples agreed with those obtained by the AOAC reference procedure at 95% confidence level. A green procedure for chloride determination in urine and natural waters was also developed, avoiding hazardous chemicals. The analyte was on-line photo-converted to chlorine which was spectrophotometrically detected by methyl orange discoloration. The analytical response was linear from 2.0 to 20 mg L-1 Cl with a detection limit of 0.7 mg L-1. The coefficient of variation was 1.6% with a sampling rate of 75 determinations per hour, consuming 7.5 µg of the dye per determination. Usual concomitant species did not cause significant interference even in excess in relation to their highest concentration expected in the samples. The results for urine and water samples agreed with those obtained by the reference procedures at the 95% confidence level. The proposed procedures are environmentally friendly and fast alternatives for phosphorus fractionation and chloride determination

Unconventional nanofabrication techniques; both those which have been newly developed and those under development, had brought inexpensive, facile, yet high quality means to fabricate nanostructures that have feature sizes of less than 100 nm in industry and academia. This dissertation focuses on developing unconventional fabrication techniques, building studying platforms, and studying the mechanisms behind them. The studies are divided into two main facets and four chapters. The first facet, in Chapter II and Chapter III, deals with the research and development of different nanofabrication techniques and nanostructures. These techniques include litho-synthesis, colloidal lithography, and photolithography. The nanostructures that were fabricated by these techniques include the metal nanoparticle arrays, and the self-assembled CdSe nanoring arrays. At the same time, the dissertation provides mechanisms and models to describe the physical and chemical nature of these techniques. The second area of this study, in Chapter III to Chapter V, presents the applications of these nanostructures in fundamental studies, i.e. the mechanisms of plasmon enhanced fluorescence and photo-oxidation kinetics of CdSe quantum dots, and applications such as molecular sensing and material fabrication. More specifically, these applications include tuning the optical properties of CdSe quantum dots, biomodification of CdSe quantum dots, and copper ion detection using plasmon and photo enhanced CdSe quantum dots. We have successfully accomplished our research goals in this dissertation. Firstly, we were able to tune the emission wavelength of quantum dots, blue-shifted for up to 45 nm, and their surface functionalization with photo-oxidation. A kinetic model to calculate the photo-oxidation rates was established. Secondly, we established a simple mathematical model to explain the mechanism of plasmon enhanced fluoresce of quantum dots. Our calculation and experimental data support the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) mechanism between quantum dots and the metal nanoparticles. Thirdly, we successfully pattered the CdSe quantum dots (diameter ~4 nm) into nanorings with tunable diameters and annular sizes on different substrates. We also established a physical model to quantitatively explain the mechanism with the forces that involved in the formation of the nanorings.