The diploma work deals with the preparation of biocompatible hydrophilic layers from a propane-butane mixture by plasma polymerization. Subsequent characterization of the layers was performed using both biological (antibacterial tests and biocompatibility test) and physico-chemical diagnostics (SEM, OES and surface energy determination). The theoretical part presents the basic principle of dielectric barrier discharge, its use and various types, including surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD), which was used during deposition. Next, cell cultures, cell morphology and clarification of the term biocompatibility were described. At the end of the theoretical part, all used during the experimental part of the diagnostics were also described. In the experimental part, the procedure of deposition of hydrophilic layers and the overall apparatus, which was used during deposition, were presented. Prior to the characterization of the samples, the discharge was diagnosed using optical emission spectroscopy. Furthermore, the level of hydrophilicity of the layers and their elemental composition on the surface was determined. Biological tests for biocompatibility and antibacterial properties provided information on the viability of the cells on the layers and their antibacterial effects.

The diploma thesis deals with radical bulk polymerization of styrene. Recent knowledges about mono- and multifunctional initiators of radical polymerization and coordination polymerization of styrene with metalocene initiators are summarized in theoretical part. Experimental part of diploma thesis is focused on relationship between polymerization conditions and conversion, molecular mass and distribution of molecular mass. Experiments carried out with monofunctional initiators (dibenzoylperoxide, dilauroylperoxide, tert-butylperbenzoate) and with bifunctional initiators (Luperox 101 and Luperox 256). Polymerizations took place at temperatures from 80 to 134 °C, reaction time was from 1 to 24 hours, and pressure was 100 and 500 kPa. Conversion of monomer was determined by gravimetry and infrared spectroscopy. Molecular mass and indexes of polydisperzity were measured by gel permeation chromatography in solutions of polystyrene with tetrahydrofurane at temperature 23 °C.

Theoretical part of diploma thesis was focused on the search of the state of knowledge in the area of plasma, plasma polymerization and characterization of thin films. Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) was described in the experimental part together with selected analytical techniques. The technology with high level of reproducibility was reached by precise control of deposition conditions, monitoring of plasma, and analysis of plasma products using mass spectrometry. The obtained results demonstrated that the elemental composition, chemical structure, optical and mechanical properties of films were influenced by effective power used.

The theoretical part of this thesis is focused on bulk radical polymerization of styrene, methylmethacrylate, vinyltoluene and paramethylstyrene. It summarizes actual informations about kinetics and performance possibilities of bulk polymerization. Experimental part deals with polystyrene prepolymers preparation by bulk polymerization. The aim is to find optimal conditions for prepolymers preparation. Prepolymers should be usable for subsequent polymerization nearly up to 100% conversion. Conversion values were gravimetrically determined and molecular weights were obtained by viskosity measurements, which were realized by Ubbelohde viscometer. In the experimental part, there were performed simulations targeted on conversion dependence on time. The purpose was a prediction of monomer conversion at a given time during polymerization. Differences between reality and simulation were low in most of cases and the found form of kinetic behavior calculations provides satisfying results. In the conclusion of this thesis was suggested a new procedure for polystyrene prepolymers preparation.

The dynamics and function of the actin cytoskeleton depends on polymerization and branching of actin filaments, an event that is stimulated by Arp2/3. Arp2/3-dependent branching is closely linked to the pentameric WASH complex which consists of WASH, strumpellin, SWIP, CCDC53 and FAM21. WASH complex is associated mainly with endosomes. It was traditionally localized to retromer-coated domains of early endosomes which enable sorting and recycling of endocytosed material. However, latest scientific data extend the role of WASH complex to other endosomal or even non-endosomal sites. Of all the subunits of the WASH complex, FAM21 is the most prominent hub for protein-protein interactions, thanks to its long unstructured C-terminal domain. In my diploma thesis FAM21 was localized to early and late endosomes and lysosomes of U2OS human cell line. Dictyostelium discoideum was then used as a model organism to investigate FAM21 protein interactions as well as the proteins associated specifically with the C terminal domain of FAM21. Results of the study shed new light on the complex network of FAM21 interactions and question the long-standing theories on the function of WASH complex in cells. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

The theoretical part deals with basic characteristics of low-temperature, low-pressure plasma. It also describes the principles of preparation of polymer and nanocomposite films using this type of plasma. It further explains the basic principles of methods used to characterize our samples. The experimental section shows a technology to produce hard polymeric coatings with metal (Cu) nanoparticles (NPs) fabricated by gas aggregation source (GAS). This approach has an important advantage that Cu concentration and matrix properties can be controlled independently. Characterization of the films in terms of chemical composition, morphology, optical and mechanical properties is described here alongside with description of Cu NPs production using GAS with variable aggregation length. The a- C:H matrix was deposited in a mixture of Ar and n-hexane on the substrates placed on a RF electrode. The beam of the NPs was normal to the substrate plane. In this arrangement it was possible to control hardness of the films and by operational parameters of the GAS also the amount of the NPs in the film. In the last section fabrication of nanocomposite films of titanium and nylon NPs is shown. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Thesis (M.Cur.) --University of Limpopo, 2013 / All pregnant women who seek antenatal health care at the public clinics are offered HIV counselling and testing. Those who agree to test and who test positive, often fail to bring their infants for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) HIV testing after delivery, despite the fact that they have been advised to do so during delivery. There are very few studies which have assessed the women’s knowledge with regard to the PCR HIV testing of infants. In this study; a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive methodology was applied to explore and describe the knowledge of pregnant women with regard to PCR HIV testing of infants in the Molemole Municipality of the Limpopo Province, Capricorn District. Purposive sampling was used and semi-structured interviews were conducted until saturation of data was reached. Qualitative data analysis design of Marshall and Rossman was used. The study indicated that the participants had knowledge with regard to the PCR HIV testing of infants. The nurse and lay counsellors knew about the different modes of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) and they used every contact opportunity with pregnant women to share its benefits. Mother to mother support groups for HIV positive pregnant and lactating women should be established for continuous support and counselling with the purpose of achieving an HIV-free generation.

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Carleton University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p.103-107 ). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Cílem této práce bylo prostudovat vliv předpolymerace na vybraný komerční MgCl2–nosičový TiCl4 katalyzátor (tzv. Zieglerův-Nattův). Výsledkem práce bylo nalezení optimálních podmínek, které umožní ideálně využít této techniky k modifikaci struktury a morfologie zvoleného katalyzátoru a dosažení stabilnějšího průběhu polymerace a lepších vlastností produkovaného polypropenu. U předpolymerací byl studován vliv teploty, koncentrace triethylhliníkového kokatalyzátoru a externího donoru, množství polyolefinu syntetizovaného během předpolymerace (tzv. stupeň předpolymerace) na následné chování předpolymerovaného katalyzátoru při plynofázní polymeraci propenu.

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.