Дисертації з теми "Alpha Transu"

In the aeronautics industry, the propulsion systems stand among the most advanced and critical components. Over the last 50 years, gas turbine aeroengines were subjected to intensive research to increase efficiency and reduce weight, noise and harmful emissions. Together with design optimization, breakthrough in materials science for structural applications triggered the development of the most advanced gas turbine engines. For low temperatures, basically ahead of the combustion section, lightweight Ti alloys are preferred for their good mechanical properties. For high temperatures instead, Ni-based superalloys exhibit outstanding properties up to very high temperatures despite a rather high material’s density. Research have focused on enhancing to the maximum the potential of materials in gas turbine engines. According to the application, the components experience various mechanical and environmental constraints. Special designs, manufacturing process, material compositions and protective coatings have been developed to push the limits of advanced materials. Nowadays, the attention is focused on innovative materials to replace the existing Ti and Ni based alloys leading to substantial benefits. Light weight composite materials in particular were found very attractive to replace some components’ Ti alloys. At higher temperatures, it is of great interest to replace Ni-based superalloys by materials with lower density and/or higher temperatures applications, which in turn would lead to substantial weight reduction and increase efficiency. At the highest temperatures range, in particular in the combustion chamber and high pressure turbine sections, ceramic based materials offer promising balance of properties. Research are dedicated to overcome the drawbacks of ceramics for such structural applications, and in particular their brittle fracture behavior, by addition of reinforcing fibers. At lower temperatures range, TiAl based intermetallics emerged as very promising materials at half the density of Ni-based superalloys. Significant weight reduction could be achieved by the introduction of TiAl based alloys for rotating components of the compressor and low pressure turbine. 2nd generation γ-TiAl alloys were lately introduced in GE’s GEnx and CFM’s LEAP engines. The present work concerns the fabrication by the additive manufacturing technique Electron Beam Melting of 3rd generation γ-TiAl alloys for high temperatures application in gas turbine aeroengines. EBM, building parts layer by layer according to CAD, offers many advantages compared to other manufacturing processes like casting and forging. Reported by Avio, 2nd generation γ-TiAl alloys have been successfully fabricated by EBM. To increase the material’s potential, the production of 3rd generation γ-TiAl alloys Ti-(45-46)Al-2Cr-8Nb was therefore studied. The optimization of the EBM parameters led to high homogeneity and very low post-processing residual porosity ≤ 1%. The fine equiaxed microstructure after EBM could be tailored towards the desired mechanical properties by simple heat treatment, from equiaxed to duplex to fully lamellar. In particular, a duplex microstructure composed by about 80 % lamellar grains pinned at grain boundaries by fine equiaxed grains was obtained after heat treatment slightly over the α transus temperature. The study showed that addition of a higher amount of Nb significantly increased the oxidation resistance of the material, thus increasing the application temperature range of these γ-TiAl alloys.

In response to a need for a natural antimicrobial to replace sodium benzoate, cinnamic acid was chosen. Due to cinnamic acidâ s solubility issues, α-cyclodextrin was used as a host molecule to form an inclusion complex with the cinnamic acid molecule. The cinnamic acid: α-cyclodextrin inclusion complex was then characterized using phase solubility analysis, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-NMR), and solid inclusion. Phase solubility analysis verified the maximum amount of cinnamic acid that α-cyclodextrin was able to host. H-NMR was used to determine the complex association constant, determine the chemical shifts of available protons, and yield a stoichiometry for the complex. The solid inclusion complex allowed for a physical formation of the complex, yielding further information in support of the complex stoichiometry. Microbiological tests were also performed to quantify the antimicrobial abilities of the complex, the guest, and the host against the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mold Paecilomyces variotii. Results indicated that approximately 990.29 ppm in aqueous solution was the maximum amount of cinnamic acid in the complex. The 2:1 stoichiometry yields an association constant of 21.7 M-1. Results also indicated that the cinnamic acid readily conformed to fit within the α-cyclodextrin host molecule, which remained a rigid structure. An 8.9% weight to weight of cinnamic acid was calculated for the solid inclusion again reinforcing a 2:1 stoichiometry. Microbiological studies showed little to no inhibition power by the complex at varying concentrations against S. cerevisiae and P. variotii. Free cinnamic acid showed greater antimicrobial activity compared with free α-cyclodextrin and the complex.
Master of Science in Life Sciences

Pichia pastoris is a methylotrophic yeast that has been used in both research and industrial settings for recombinant protein expression due to the ease of genetically modifying its genome, its ability to grow to large densities in inexpensive media, and its capability to perform posttranslational modifications. Multiple tools such as the cis -acting factors MATα secretion signal and MBP fusion partners, and trans-acting modifications such as the bgs mutants have increased heterologous protein secretion. Although these techniques have already been used, their effects on the protein secretory pathway have yet to be elucidated. In this study, fluorescence microscopy was used to compare the localization of proteins expressed with the mutated MATα with the deletion of amino acids 57-70 to the wild type MATα secretion signal. Additional fluorescence microscopy was completed to visualize the localization of MBP-EGFP and EGFP-MBP fusion proteins and their spatial relativity to organelle markers. EGFP-MBP was used to further distinguish the properties of multiple bgs mutants. Additionally, secreted lipase activity levels were evaluated in bgs13 strains expressing either the wild type or the mutated MAT&agr; signal peptide. The results indicated that regardless of their differences, the MATα secretion signals and bgs mutants transported their cargo proteins through similar pathways within the cells. The results of the MBP fusion proteins suggest that the arrangement of MBP significantly influences protein secretion and localization. Lastly, the bgs13 mutant with MATα secretion signals demonstrated that lipase activity increased additively when cis- and trans -acting mutations were combined. Ultimately, these results can provide better understanding of each modified factor and the protein sorting pathway, leading to potential techniques that optimize protein secretion in P. pastoris .

Orientador: Lireny Aparecida Guaraldo Gonçalves
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos
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Resumo: O presente projeto visou estabelecer condições ideais de obtenção de um produto que poderá ser disponibolizado para comercialização no Brasil tendo como foco a encapsulação para aplicação na área alimentícia. Tocoferóis são antioxidantes naturais que podem ser utilizados para enriquecimento de alimentos. Contudo há a necessidade de proteção desse agente ativo por métodos especiais como a microencapsulação. No presente estudo foram desenvolvidos sistemas compostos por micropartículas obtidas por ¿spray chilling" utilizando lipídios interesterificados sem isômeros trans com óleo de soja totalmente hidrogenado na relação de 70:30% m/m respectivamente, com ponto de fusão na faixa de 40-65 °C para formação das matrizes. Alfa-tocoferol foi utilizado como principio ativo a ser encapsulado. Para a obtenção das micropartículas matrizes lipídicas foram fundidas e mantidas em banho à temperatura de 65 °C . O a-tocoferol foi adicionado nas misturas lipídicas que em seguida foram homogeinizados em ultraturrax. As soluções foram pulverizadas em atomizador duplo fluido aquecido também a 65 °C e pressão de ar de 0,25 MPa, com a a tomização efetuada dentro de uma câmara resfriada a 10 °C. Foi realizado um p lanejamento DCCR (Delineamento Central Rotacional) com 2 variáveis independentes: a velocidade de homogeneização (3000 a 11000 rpm) e a concentração de tocoferol (5-25 g/100g). A quantificação do princípio ativo encapsulado foi realizada utilizando técnica isocrática de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE). Os tratamentos foram caracterizados em relação à eficiência de encapsulação, morfologia, tamanho médio, estabilidade e liberação do princípio ativo. Para o estudo da estabilidade os tratamentos foram submetidos à estocagem por 180 dias em três diferentes temperaturas (ambiente 25°C ±5 °C, em estufa 22 °C e freezer a -18°C). Medidas de difração de raios-X (0 , 60, 120, 180 dias) e medidas calorimétricas (tempo zero) foram efetuadas. Foi realizada a incorporação das micropartículas em um produto comercial (Iogurte), que foi avaliado sensorialmente. De forma geral, as partículas lipídicas obtidas neste trabalho apresentaram bons resultados quanto à eficiência de encapsulação e apresentando forma esférica, com paredes contínuas, porém rugosas. Os termogramas, obtidos por calorimetria diferencial de varredura (DSC), em tempo zero, não apresentaram diferenças entre os ensaios. Os difratogramas foram muito semelhantes entre os tratamentos e constatou-se a presença de 3 picos principais que parecem estar associados à forma polimórfica ß. As micropartículas de liberação apresentaram boa capacidade de controle da liberação do composto ativo, mostrando-se potenciais para o uso futuro na indústria de alimentos. Finalmente os resultados da análise sensorial de aceitação não foram estatisticamente significativos para os atributos avaliados
Abstract: This project aimed to establish optimal conditions for obtaining a product that will be commercially available in Brazil, focusing on encapsulation for use in the food industry. Tocopherols are natural antioxidants that can be used for food enrichment.However, there is the need for protection of active agent by special methods, such as microencapsulation. The present study developed systems composed of microparticles obtained by "spray chilling" using an interesterified fat with no trans isomers with fully hydrogenated soybean oil in the ratio of 70:30% w/w respectively, with a melting point in the range of 40-65°C for the formation of matrices to encapsulate a-tocopherol as active principle.To obtain small particles a lipid matrices were melted in a water bath at a temperature of 65°C. The a-tocopherol was added to the lipid mixtures and then homogenized in Ultra Turrax for 5 min.The solutions were sprayed in double-fluid atomizer also heated to 65°C and air pressure of 0.25 MPa, the atomization performed inside a chamber cooled to 10°C. Were conducted a CCR design (Central Compo site Rotational Design) with two independent variables: the speed of homogenization (3000 to 11000 rpm) and the concentration of tocopherol (5-25 g/100 g).The quantification of the active ingredient encapsulated was performed using isocratic HPLC technique. The treatments were characterized with respect to encapsulation efficiency, morphology, average size and stability of the microparticles and release of active ingredient.For the stability study treatments were subjected to storage for 180 days at three different temperatures (ambient 25°C ± 5°C , 22°C in an oven and freezer -18°C).Since x-rays diffraction measurements (0, 60, 120, 180 days) and calorimetric measurements (time zero) were made. Were performed the incorporation of the microparticles in a commercial product (yogurt), which was evaluated using the sensory evaluation.In general, the lipid particles studied in this work showed good results in terms of encapsulation efficiency showing spherical shape, with solid rough walls. The thermograms obtained by DSC at time zero did not differ between trials.The XRD patterns were very similar among treatments and found the presence of three major peaks that are associated with the polymorphic form ß. The microparticles showed good ability to control the release of the active principle, showing potential for future use in the food industry. Finally the results of an smooth sensory acceptance indicated that the tested samples did not differ statistically from the standard sample for evaluated attributes
Doutorado
Tecnologia de Alimentos
Doutor em Tecnologia de Alimentos

Thesis (Ph.D. in Immunology) -- University of Colorado, 2005.
Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 190-212). Free to UCDHSC affiliates. Online version available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations;

La cycloaddition du dichlorocetene et des ethers d'enols chiraux conduit a des cyclobutanones fonctionnalises avec une diastereoselectivite elevee. Des intermediaires de purete enantiomerique elevee (alpha-chlorocyclopentenones et derives) sont obtenus apres liberation de l'auxiliaire chiral. Dans ce contexte, de nouvelles methodes stereoselectives de preparation d'ethers d'enols chiraux ont ete mises au point. La reduction d'alpha-alcoxy phosphates d'enols issus de l'enolisation stereoselective d'esters a ete appliquee a l'obtention d'ethers d'enols de configuration z. La reduction d'ethers acetyleniques, pour lesquels une nouvelle methode de synthese est propose, a permis l'acces aux ethers d'enols de configuration z ou e. Le potentiel de la methode est illustre par la synthese des alpha-cuparenone-(r) et beta-cuparenone-(r) (isomeres naturels) enantiomeriquement pures a partir d'un meme intermediaire, issu de la cycloaddition asymetrique du dichlorocetene et d'un ether d'enol chiral approprie

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Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM)
Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior (CAPES)
Este estudo teve como objetivo conhecer a composi??o flor?stica da comunidade arb?rea e sua rela??o com o ambiente, bem como avaliar a diversidade, estrutura e as fun??es ecol?gicas das esp?cies de dezoito fragmentos de mata de galeria inund?vel. Al?m disso, se prop?s a caracterizar a vegeta??o da matriz de entorno de nove fragmentos de mata e galeria, bem como verificar se vari?veis ambientais atuam na transi??o entre as duas fitofisionomias, com ?nfase nas propriedades qu?micas do solo. O estudo foi conduzido no Parque Nacional das Sempre-Vivas, na Serra do Espinha?o, Minas Gerais. Foram inventariadas 5% da ?rea total de cada fragmento, instalando-se parcelas permanentes de 100 m? (totalizando 0,72 ha de amostragem), onde foram amostrados todos os indiv?duos arb?reos com di?metro ? altura do peito igual ou superior a 5 cm (DAP ? 5 cm). Para amostragem da cobertura vegetacional da matriz de entorno, foi utilizado o m?todo dos pontos, totalizando 12 pontos por fragmento, distribu?dos nas dist?ncias de 10, 20 e 30 m no sentido borda-campo. Em cada parcela e em cada ponto, foi mensurada a umidade do solo e coletadas amostras de solo, para posteriores an?lises qu?micas. Para os fragmentos foram mensurados qualitivamente a cobertura do dossel, altura de crestamento e impactos ambientais. Foram amostrados 1265 indiv?duos arb?reos, distribu?dos em 76 esp?cies, 55 g?neros e 32 fam?lias. A comunidade em geral, apresentou valores de diversidade e equabilidade compativeis com outras matas de galeria inund?veis do pa?s. As esp?cies amostradas foram agrupadas em seis grupos funcionais distintos. A maioria dos fragmentos apresentou uma tend?ncia de est?gio seral mais avan?ado, com esp?cies predominantemente secund?rias iniciais e tardias, zooc?ricas, zoo?filas, densidade m?dia da madeira, sementes recalcitrantes e pl?ntulas do tipo faneroep?geo-foli?ceo. A distribui??o por classes diam?tricas dos indiv?duos da comunidade arb?rea e para as principais popula??es obteve uma tend?ncia de J-invertido, indicando bom potencial regenerativo. As vari?veis ambientais que se correlacionaram com a varia??o da composi??o de esp?cies foram ? disponibilidade de ?gua e condi??es de acidez. O baixo percentual de explica??o das vari?veis ambientais e espaciais ressaltam que as esp?cies nos fragmentos de mata de galeria distribuem-se de maneira estoc?stica. O fogo constituiu o impacto mais frequente no interior dos fragmentos, o que ressalta a necessidade de t?cnicas de manejo nessas ?reas. Os campos ?midos ao entorno dos fragmentos apresentaram-se com elevada cobertura de herb?ceas, mesmo ap?s o manejo do fogo. Para as caracter?sticas ed?ficas avaliadas observaram-se os maiores valores de umidade, pot?ssio, soma de bases, capacidade de troca cati?nica total e mat?ria org?nica nos solos sob floresta. Portanto, a defini??o dos limites entre as duas fitocenoses estudadas parece ser primariamente relacionada com o gradiente de fertilidade e umidade do solo. Permite-se aqui chamar a aten??o para a import?ncia de estudos de pequenos fragmentos vegetacionais para a amplia??o do conhecimento sobre a diversidade ambiental local e regional, e seus principais determinantes, e poss?veis consequ?ncias para a din?mica da vegeta??o dos ecossistemas.
Disserta??o (Mestrado) ? Programa de P?s-Gradua??o em Ci?ncia Florestal, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, 2017.
This study aimed to know the floristic composition of the tree community and its relationship with the environment, as well as to evaluate the diversity, structure and ecological functions of the species of eighteen fragments of forest of flooded gallery. In addition, it was proposed to characterize the vegetation of the surrounding matrix of nine forest fragments and gallery, as well as to verify if environmental variables act in the transition between the two phytophysiognomies, with emphasis on the chemical properties of the soil. The study was conducted in the Sempre-Vivas National Park, in the Serra do Espinha?o, Minas Gerais. 5% of the total area of each fragment were inventoried, and permanent plots of 100 m? (totaling 0.72 ha of sampling) were sampled, where all arboreal individuals with a breast height diameter equal to or greater than 5 cm were sampled (DAP ? 5 cm). In order to sample the vegetative cover of the environment matrix, the points method was used, totaling 12 points per fragment, distributed at distances of 10, 20 and 30 m in the edge-field direction. In each plot and at each point, soil moisture was measured and soil samples were collected for further chemical analysis. For the fragments, the canopy cover, height of crust and environmental impacts were measured. A total of 1265 arboreal individuals were sampled, distributed in 76 species, 55 genera and 32 families. The community in general presented values of diversity and equability compatible with other floodplain gallery forests in the country. The species sampled were grouped into six distinct functional groups. Most of the fragments presented a trend of more advanced seral stage, with predominantly early and late secondary species, zoocoric, zoo-philological, mean wood density, recalcitrant seeds, and phaneroege-foliaceous-type seedlings. The distribution by diameter classes of the individuals of the tree community and for the main populations obtained a tendency of J-inverted, indicating good regenerative potential. The environmental variables that correlated with the variation of the species composition were the availability of water and acidity conditions. The low percentage of explanation of the environmental and spatial variables emphasize that the species in the fragments of gallery forest distribute stochastic way. Fire was the most frequent impact within the fragments, which highlights the need for management techniques in these areas. The wetlands surrounding the fragments presented high herbaceous cover, even after fire management. The highest values of moisture, potassium, sum of bases, total cation exchange capacity and organic matter in soils under forest were observed for edaphic characteristics evaluated. Therefore, the definition of the boundaries between the two phytochenoses studied seems to be primarily related to the fertility and soil moisture gradients. It is worth noting here the importance of studies of small vegetation fragments to increase knowledge about local and regional environmental diversity and their main determinants and possible consequences for the dynamics of ecosystem vegetation.

Chez les patients, la tumeur développe une immunosuppression qui compromet les capacités des effecteurs de l’immunité à réagir. Longtemps décriée, l’immunothérapie est considérée aujourd’hui comme une thérapie à part entière avec la chirurgie, la chimiothérapie et la radiothérapie. Parmi les premières immunothérapies développées dans les années 1990, l’IL-2 forte dose fut approuvée dans le traitement du mélanome et du cancer du rein métastatiques. Cependant, sa forte toxicité et la faible proportion de patients répondeurs ont limité son usage clinique. Une autre cytokine, l’IL-15, apparaît prometteuse dans le traitement des cancers pour son activité similaire à l’IL-2 sans ses facteurs limitants. Cependant, seule, son activité anti-tumorale n’est pas optimale du fait de sa courte demi-vie ou encore de l’affinité intermédiaire de liaison à son récepteur βγ. Différentes stratégies ont été mises au point pour améliorer l’efficacité de l’IL-15, notamment, sa stabilisation à travers l’association avec sa chaine de haute affinité IL-15Rα. Une molécule de fusion associant de manière covalente la partie sushi+ de l’IL-15Rα avec l’IL-15 humaine a été développée : le RLI. Au cours de cette thèse, nous avons étudié chez la souris, le potentiel thérapeutique de cette molécule dans le traitement des cancers solides. Nous avons ainsi mis en évidence une activité anti-tumorale du RLI et une association synergique avec un anticorps monoclonal anti-PD-1
In cancer patients the immune system is compromised by the tumor and its microenvironment. In recent decades the role of the immune system in tumor control has been controversial, though today cancer treatments that modulate immunity are a reality. Immunotherapy is a unique therapy adding to pre-existing methods of cancer control: surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In the 1990’s, high dosing of IL-2 was the first immunotherapy approved by the FDA to treat metastatic melanoma and renal carcinoma, however high toxicities and low responder rates have limited its clinical use. IL-15 is another promising cytokine therapy. The similar properties with IL-2 and differences in terms of toxicities and Treg induction make IL-15 an attractive potential therapy. Nonetheless, the short half-life and intermediate affinity for its receptor βγ compromise its efficacy. Different strategies have been developed to facilitate IL-15 therapeutic bioactivity. IL-15Rα as a chaperon molecule allows stability of IL-15 in vivo. RLI is a fusion molecule that covalently links sushi+IL-15Rα, the binding domain of its high affinity receptor and a recombinant human IL-15. We have studied the therapeutic potential of RLI in mouse tumor models. Our results show anti-tumor activities of RLI and synergistic combination with anti-PD-1, a monoclonal antibody

On met au point une méthode générale de synthèse de composés delta-dicarbonylés et delta-dicarbonylés α -halogénés par action respectivement d'un éther d'énol silyle ou d'un éther d'énol silyle β-halogéné sur des carbocations fonctionnels. En milieu basique, les composés delta-dicarbonylés sont transformés en cyclohexénones, tandis que leurs anologues halogénés conduisent, selon la structure du composé de départ, à des cyclopropanes disubstitués trans ou à des spiranes hétérocycliques. Ces méthodes ont été appliquées à la synthèse d'alpha -cypérones. On a également préparé des synthons de bis-annélation et obtenu ainsi la homo-D deshydrotestostérone

碩士
國立中興大學
化學系所
94
This thesis describes the synthesis and their synthetic applications of three kinds of chiral monocyclic iminolactones. The chiral auxiliary ― alpha-hydroxyketone 74 was synthesized from alpha-methyl-trans-cinnamaldehyde through reduction of the aldehyde, methylation of the primary alcohol, Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation of the double bond, and oxidation of the secondary alcohol with IBX in an overall 89% yield. Esterification of alpha-hydroxyketone 74 with Boc-glycine, Boc-alanine, and Boc-phenylalanine respectively, followed by deprotection of the Boc group, and cyclization gave the required chiral templates ― glycine equivalent 76, alanine equivalent 92a/93a, and phenylalanine equivalent 92c/93c. Alkylation of iminolactone 76 only generated small amounts of the alpha-monosubstituted products 92c/93c but mostly the undesired alpha,alpha-disubstituted products 94b and 94c. Alkylation of iminolactones 92a/93a afforded the alpha-methyl alpha,alpha-disubstituted products 96 and 97 in good yields (78-99%) and excellent diastereoselectivities (d.e. >98%; except compound 96d/97d with 69% d.e.). Alkylation of iminolactones 92c/93c furnished the alpha-benzyl alpha,alpha-disubstituted products 97a/96a, 99, and 100 in good yields (51-86%) and moderate diastereoselectivities (43-56%). When HMPA or DMPU was used as the cosolvent, the rate of alkylation of iminolactone 92c/93c could be accelerated, the yields were improved (56-99%), and the diastereoselectivities were raised (50-83%). Hydrolysis of the dialkylated iminolactones yielded the nonproteinogenic alpha,alpha-disubstituted alpha-amino acids in good yields (80-98%) and high enantiomeric excesses (98-99%) with good recovery yields (85-92%) of the chiral auxiliary 74.

碩士
國立交通大學
應用化學系
89
The goal of this study is aimed to synthesize several series of highly conjugated triphenylacetylene and alpha-methyl stilbene based liquid crystals(LC). The first series of liquid crystals containing a fluoro and an alkyl groups on both ends are named as 1-(4-fluorobiphenyl) -2(4-alkylphenyl) acetylene.The alkyl groups contain 2 to 6 methylene units.The synthesized liquid crystals exhibit melting points ranging from 169 to 176℃, and clearing temperatures ranging from 188 to 210℃.Their nematic temperature ranges are about 13 to 36℃. The second series of liquid crystals containing an ethyl and an alkyl gropus on both ends are named as 1-(4-ethylbiphenyl)-2-(4-alkylphenyl) acetylene. The synthesized liquid crystals exhibit melting points ranging from 130 to 147℃,and clearing temperatures ranging from 195 to 209℃. Their nematic temperature ranges are about 61 to 65℃.Because of the lack of the strong polar fluoro group, this series of compounds show lower melting points and clearing temperatures than those of the first series of compounds. The third series of liquid crystals containing a fluoro and an alkyl groups on both ends and lateral methyl substituent on the middle phenyl ring are named as 1-(4-fluoro-3’-methyl biphenyl)-2-(4-alkylphenyl) acetylene.The synthesized liquid crystals exhibit melting points ranging from 66 to 80℃, and clearing temperatures ranging from 124 to 142℃. Their nematic temperature ranges are about 53 to 67℃. In comparison of these compounds in this series with the first two series, we found that this series of compounds with a lateral methyl substituent exhibit much lower phase transition temperatures. The fourth series of compounds containing a fluoro and an alkyl groups on both ends of the trans alpha-methyl stilbene based structure are named as (E)-1-(4-alkylphenyl)-2-fluorophenyl propene. The alkyl groups contain 4 to 6 methylene units. The synthesized compounds exhibit melting points ranging from 9 to 42℃. This series of compounds reveal no mesomorphic property. The fifth series of liquid crystals containing a fluoro and an alkylphenyl groups on both ends of the trans alpha-methyl stilbene based structure are named as (E)-1-(4-alkylbiphenyl)-2-fluorophenyl propene. The alkyl groups contain 3 to 5 methylene units. The synthesized liquid crystals exhibit melting points ranging from 96 to 105℃, and clearing temperatures ranging from 119 to 133℃. Their nematic temperature ranges are about 22 to 28℃. All of the synthesized liquid crystals which exhibit wide nematic ranges , small heat fusion enthalpy, high birefringence are suitable for formulating eutectic mixtures for the application of reflective type liquid crystal displays.

Ischemic heart disease is the largest cause of death due to cardiovascular origins. A better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for ischemic heart disease increases the potential for therapies. This will lead to decreased mortalities in Canada and around the world. Nutritional interventions have gained increasing attention as causes or treatments for cardiovascular disease. For example, trans fats (TFAs) have both beneficial and deleterious effects on cardiovascular disease [1]. In this study, we would like to examine this phenomenon. We contrast the effects of two different TFAs on cardiomyocyte viability. We compare the industrially produced trans-fat elaidic acid (EA) and the ruminant trans-fat vaccenic acid (VA) on apoptotic and autophagic markers during non-ischemic (control), ischemic (ISCH) and ischemia/reperfusion (IR) conditions. Rat cardiomyocytes are exposed to medium containing fatty acids conjugated with bovine serum albumin for 24 hours. VA and EA have no significant effect on biomarkers of apoptosis or cell death. Interestingly, a similar effect is observed with autophagic and apoptotic markers of LDLr-/- mice whose diets were supplemented with VA or EA. Cells pre-treated with EA prior to 60 minutes of simulated ISCH and 120 minutes of IR increased cell death compared to control through augmented apoptosis. VA decreases the number of dead cells during ISCH and IR. However, the apoptotic parameters remain unchanged. We also observe that VA decreases oxidized phospholipid content in non-ischemic conditions. We conclude that not all TFAs are deleterious to the heart. EA is toxic to cardiomyocytes with or without ISCH or IR whereas VA is cardioprotective during IR and ISCH conditions. We believe VA decreases oxidized phospholipid content to produce this cardioprotective effect. For the purposes of comparison, we examined the effects of α-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential polyunsaturated fatty acid found in foods like flaxseed. Omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes. Here, isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes from male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to medium containing ALA for 24 hours and then exposed control, ISCH or IR conditions. Cell death increases during ISCH and IR. An increase in DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity was observed in both the ISCH and IR conditions. Pre-treatment of the cells with ALA subsequently inhibits cell death during ISCH and IR challenge and significantly reduced both DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 cleavage during ISCH and IR. Cardiomyocyte resting Ca2+ increased and Ca2+ transients decreased during ISCH or I/R but ALA pre-treatment did not improve either parameter significantly. We hypothesize that apoptosis is initiated through phosphatidylcholine oxidation within the cardiomyocytes. Pre-treatment of cells with ALA resulted in a significant incorporation of ALA within cardiomyocyte phosphatidylcholine. Two pro-apoptotic oxidized phosphatidylcholine (OxPC) species, 1-palmitoyl-2-(5'-oxo-valeroyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POVPC) and 1-palmitoyl-2-glutaroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PGPC) were significantly increased during both ISCH and IR. ALA pre-treatment significantly decreased the production of POVPC and PGPC during ISCH and I/R. It is concluded that ALA protects the cardiomyocyte from apoptotic cell death during simulated ISCH and IR by inhibiting the production of specific pro-apoptotic OxPC species. In summary, we observe a differential effect of ALA, VA and EA on parameters of cardiomyocyte viability during ISCH or IR.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007.
Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-05, Section: B, page: 2710. Advisers: David F. Clayton; Ann M. Nardulli. Includes bibliographical references. Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

"June 2003."
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 162-187).
Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
Mode of access: World Wide Web.
Abstracts in English and Chinese.