Optical limiting and femtosecond pump-probe transient absorbance properties of a 3, 5-distyrylBODIPY dye
- Ngoy, Bokolombe P, May, Aviwe K, Mack, John, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Ngoy, Bokolombe P , May, Aviwe K , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186835 , vital:44538 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2019.00740"
- Description: The optical limiting (OL) properties of a 3,5-di-p-benzyloxystyrylBODIPY dye with an p-acetamidophenyl moiety at the meso-position have been investigated by using the open-aperture Z-scan technique at 532 nm with 10 ns laser pulses. There is a ca. 140 nm red shift of the main spectral band to 644 nm relative to the corresponding BODIPY core dye, due to the incorporation of p-benzyloxystyryl groups at the 3,5-positions. As a result, there is relatively weak absorbance across most of the visible region under ambient light conditions. Analysis of the observed reverse saturable absorbance (RSA) profiles demonstrates that the dye is potentially suitable for use in optical limiting applications as has been reported previously for other 3,5-distyrylBODIPY dyes. Time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy and kinetic studies with femtosecond and nanosecond scale laser pulses provide the first direct spectral evidence that excited state absorption (ESA) from the S1 state is responsible for the observed OL properties.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Ngoy, Bokolombe P , May, Aviwe K , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186835 , vital:44538 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2019.00740"
- Description: The optical limiting (OL) properties of a 3,5-di-p-benzyloxystyrylBODIPY dye with an p-acetamidophenyl moiety at the meso-position have been investigated by using the open-aperture Z-scan technique at 532 nm with 10 ns laser pulses. There is a ca. 140 nm red shift of the main spectral band to 644 nm relative to the corresponding BODIPY core dye, due to the incorporation of p-benzyloxystyryl groups at the 3,5-positions. As a result, there is relatively weak absorbance across most of the visible region under ambient light conditions. Analysis of the observed reverse saturable absorbance (RSA) profiles demonstrates that the dye is potentially suitable for use in optical limiting applications as has been reported previously for other 3,5-distyrylBODIPY dyes. Time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy and kinetic studies with femtosecond and nanosecond scale laser pulses provide the first direct spectral evidence that excited state absorption (ESA) from the S1 state is responsible for the observed OL properties.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Participatory mapping in a developing country context: Lessons from South Africa
- Weyer, Dylan J, Bezerra, Joana C, de Vos, Alta
- Authors: Weyer, Dylan J , Bezerra, Joana C , de Vos, Alta
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/416333 , vital:71340 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/land8090134"
- Description: Digital participatory mapping improves accessibility to spatial information and the way in which knowledge is co-constructed and landscapes co-managed with impoverished communities. However, many unintended consequences for social and epistemic justice may be exacerbated in developing country contexts. Two South African case studies incorporating Direct-to-Digital participatory mapping in marginalized communities to inform land-use decision-making, and the ethical challenges of adopting this method are discussed. Understanding the past and present context of the site and the power dynamics at play is critical to develop trust and manage expectations among research participants. When employing unfamiliar technology, disparate literacy levels and language barriers create challenges for ensuring participants understand the risks of their involvement and recognize their rights. The logistics of using this approach in remote areas with poor infrastructure and deciding how best to leave the participants with the maps they have co-produced in an accessible format present further challenges. Overcoming these can however offer opportunity for redressing past injustices and empowering marginalized communities with a voice in decisions that affect their livelihoods.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Weyer, Dylan J , Bezerra, Joana C , de Vos, Alta
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/416333 , vital:71340 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/land8090134"
- Description: Digital participatory mapping improves accessibility to spatial information and the way in which knowledge is co-constructed and landscapes co-managed with impoverished communities. However, many unintended consequences for social and epistemic justice may be exacerbated in developing country contexts. Two South African case studies incorporating Direct-to-Digital participatory mapping in marginalized communities to inform land-use decision-making, and the ethical challenges of adopting this method are discussed. Understanding the past and present context of the site and the power dynamics at play is critical to develop trust and manage expectations among research participants. When employing unfamiliar technology, disparate literacy levels and language barriers create challenges for ensuring participants understand the risks of their involvement and recognize their rights. The logistics of using this approach in remote areas with poor infrastructure and deciding how best to leave the participants with the maps they have co-produced in an accessible format present further challenges. Overcoming these can however offer opportunity for redressing past injustices and empowering marginalized communities with a voice in decisions that affect their livelihoods.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Pereskiophaga brasiliensis, a natural enemy of the invasive alien cactus Pereskia aculeata, is not suitably host specific for biological control in South Africa
- Paterson, Iain D, Muskett, Phillipa A, Mdodana, LL, Vitorino, M D
- Authors: Paterson, Iain D , Muskett, Phillipa A , Mdodana, LL , Vitorino, M D
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/417498 , vital:71458 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2019.1581132"
- Description: The stem-mining weevil, Pereskiophaga brasiliensis, was a candidate biological control agent for the invasive cactus Pereskia aculeata in South Africa. In host specificity trials, it developed on two indigenous test plant species under choice and no-choice conditions. Pereskiophaga brasiliensis is therefore not suitably host specific for release in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Paterson, Iain D , Muskett, Phillipa A , Mdodana, LL , Vitorino, M D
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/417498 , vital:71458 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2019.1581132"
- Description: The stem-mining weevil, Pereskiophaga brasiliensis, was a candidate biological control agent for the invasive cactus Pereskia aculeata in South Africa. In host specificity trials, it developed on two indigenous test plant species under choice and no-choice conditions. Pereskiophaga brasiliensis is therefore not suitably host specific for release in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Photo-physicochemical properties and in vitro photodynamic therapy activity of morpholine-substituted Zinc (II)-Phthalocyanines π-π stacked on biotinylated graphene quantum dots
- Nene, Lindokuhle, Managa, Muthumuni, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Nene, Lindokuhle , Managa, Muthumuni , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186993 , vital:44554 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2019.03.002"
- Description: Two morpholine-substituted Zn(II) phthalocyanines, complex 4 and the cationic 5, were synthesized and conjugated to graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and biotinylated GQDs (GQDs-biotin) by non-covalent π-π interactions. The GQDs-biotin are prepared as potential nanoparticle-based Pc delivery vector combined with a receptor-mediated transport system using biotin. The photo-physicochemical properties of the Pc complexes and their corresponding conjugates were studied. Upon conjugation, the fluorescence quantum yields decrease for 4 and 5, however, the triplet quantum yields were increased for the conjugates. All samples demonstrated singlet oxygen generation. For conjugated complexes, the singlet quantum yields decreased due to the screening effect in some cases. An increase in the photodynamic therapy activities upon quaternization was observed for the conjugates, with the cell viability decreasing from 66.2% to 51.2% after treatment for 4-GQDs and 5-GQDs, respectively. A relatively better performance was also observed for the cationic complex in combination with the biotin functionalized GQDs, 5-GQDs-biotin, where the cell viability was 34.9% after treatment. Moreover, the cellular uptake of 5-GQDs-biotin over 24 h was relatively higher compared to Pc complex alone and other PcsGQDs conjugates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Nene, Lindokuhle , Managa, Muthumuni , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186993 , vital:44554 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2019.03.002"
- Description: Two morpholine-substituted Zn(II) phthalocyanines, complex 4 and the cationic 5, were synthesized and conjugated to graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and biotinylated GQDs (GQDs-biotin) by non-covalent π-π interactions. The GQDs-biotin are prepared as potential nanoparticle-based Pc delivery vector combined with a receptor-mediated transport system using biotin. The photo-physicochemical properties of the Pc complexes and their corresponding conjugates were studied. Upon conjugation, the fluorescence quantum yields decrease for 4 and 5, however, the triplet quantum yields were increased for the conjugates. All samples demonstrated singlet oxygen generation. For conjugated complexes, the singlet quantum yields decreased due to the screening effect in some cases. An increase in the photodynamic therapy activities upon quaternization was observed for the conjugates, with the cell viability decreasing from 66.2% to 51.2% after treatment for 4-GQDs and 5-GQDs, respectively. A relatively better performance was also observed for the cationic complex in combination with the biotin functionalized GQDs, 5-GQDs-biotin, where the cell viability was 34.9% after treatment. Moreover, the cellular uptake of 5-GQDs-biotin over 24 h was relatively higher compared to Pc complex alone and other PcsGQDs conjugates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Photophysical and enhanced nonlinear optical response in asymmetric benzothiazole substituted phthalocyanine covalently linked to semiconductor quantum dots
- Nwaji, Njemuwa, Dingiswayo, Somila, Mack, John, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Nwaji, Njemuwa , Dingiswayo, Somila , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187851 , vital:44703 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2018.06.098"
- Description: The synthesis of asymmetric benzothiazole substituted phthalocyanines (complexes 3 to 5) and their covalent attachment to glutathione (GSH) functionalized quantum dots (QDs) are reported in this work. Additionally, their photophysical and nonlinear optical properties were investigated. A decrease in the fluorescence quantum yield with corresponding increase in the triplet quantum yield was observed when the complexes were covalently linked to glutathione (GSH) functionalized cadmium telluride (CdTe) quantum dots. Reverse saturable absorption was found to be predominantly dominated by excited state absorption. The observed limiting threshold values range from 0.29–0.75 J/cm2.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Nwaji, Njemuwa , Dingiswayo, Somila , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187851 , vital:44703 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2018.06.098"
- Description: The synthesis of asymmetric benzothiazole substituted phthalocyanines (complexes 3 to 5) and their covalent attachment to glutathione (GSH) functionalized quantum dots (QDs) are reported in this work. Additionally, their photophysical and nonlinear optical properties were investigated. A decrease in the fluorescence quantum yield with corresponding increase in the triplet quantum yield was observed when the complexes were covalently linked to glutathione (GSH) functionalized cadmium telluride (CdTe) quantum dots. Reverse saturable absorption was found to be predominantly dominated by excited state absorption. The observed limiting threshold values range from 0.29–0.75 J/cm2.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Photophysical and nonlinear optical characteristics of pyridyl substituted phthalocyanine-detonation nanodiamond conjugated systems in solution
- Matshitse, Refilwe, Khene, Samson M, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Matshitse, Refilwe , Khene, Samson M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187079 , vital:44563 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diamond.2019.03.013"
- Description: In this study photophysical, nonlinear absorption and optical limiting properties of detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs)-phthalocyanine nanoconjugate systems containing: 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetrakis-(4-pyridyloxy) phthalocyaninato (H2TPPc), 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetrakis-(4-pyridyloxy) phthalocyanato zinc(II) (ZnTPPc) and 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetrakis-(4-pyridyloxy) phthalocyanato silicon(IV) hydroxide (Si(OH)2TPPc), were investigated in dimethylsulfoxide solution. Pcs were non-covalently linked to nanondiamonds (also covalently linked for Si(OH)2TPPc) and investigated using 532 nm laser excitation at 10 ns pulses for their optical limiting properties. Complexes that have higher triplet state absorption also possessed enhanced nonlinear optical behaviour following reverse saturable absorption mechanism. Superior optical performance is observed when the Pcs had a central metal with axial ligands conjugated to DNDs in solution. Nanoconjugate of DNDs-Si(OH)2TPPc and respective Pc in solution gave the highest imaginary third-order susceptibility (Im[X(3)]) and hyperpolarizability (γ) at 2.91 × 10−8 and 3.17 × 10−8 esu and 3.88 × 10−28 and 4.22 × 10−28 esu, respectively, with Ilim value of 0.47 and 0.39 J·cm−2.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Matshitse, Refilwe , Khene, Samson M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187079 , vital:44563 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diamond.2019.03.013"
- Description: In this study photophysical, nonlinear absorption and optical limiting properties of detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs)-phthalocyanine nanoconjugate systems containing: 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetrakis-(4-pyridyloxy) phthalocyaninato (H2TPPc), 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetrakis-(4-pyridyloxy) phthalocyanato zinc(II) (ZnTPPc) and 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetrakis-(4-pyridyloxy) phthalocyanato silicon(IV) hydroxide (Si(OH)2TPPc), were investigated in dimethylsulfoxide solution. Pcs were non-covalently linked to nanondiamonds (also covalently linked for Si(OH)2TPPc) and investigated using 532 nm laser excitation at 10 ns pulses for their optical limiting properties. Complexes that have higher triplet state absorption also possessed enhanced nonlinear optical behaviour following reverse saturable absorption mechanism. Superior optical performance is observed when the Pcs had a central metal with axial ligands conjugated to DNDs in solution. Nanoconjugate of DNDs-Si(OH)2TPPc and respective Pc in solution gave the highest imaginary third-order susceptibility (Im[X(3)]) and hyperpolarizability (γ) at 2.91 × 10−8 and 3.17 × 10−8 esu and 3.88 × 10−28 and 4.22 × 10−28 esu, respectively, with Ilim value of 0.47 and 0.39 J·cm−2.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Photophysical properties and photodynamic therapy activities of detonated nanodiamonds-BODIPY-phthalocyanines nanoassemblies
- Matshitse, Refilwe, Ngoy, Bokolombe P, Managa, Muthumuni, Mack, John, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Matshitse, Refilwe , Ngoy, Bokolombe P , Managa, Muthumuni , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186981 , vital:44553 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2019.03.007"
- Description: This work reports on the synthesis of nanoassemblies of supramolecular hybrids containing detonated nanodiamonds (DNDs) covalently linked to halogenated BODIPY (DNDs-BODIPY) by an amide bond, followed by π–π stacking of 2,9,16,23-tetrakis[4-(N-methylpyridyloxy)]-phthalocyanine (ZnTPPcQ) on the DNDs-BODIPY conjugate, to form nanoassembly represented as ZnTPPcQ-DNDs-BODIPY. ZnTPPcQ-DNDs-BODIPY has a higher singlet oxygen quantum yield of 0.50 in water. Therefore, the construction of a three component photodynamic therapy agent (ZnTPPcQ-DNDs-BODIPY) as a single photosentisiser improved singlet quantum yields of the Pc. Zeta potential studies of ZnTPPcQ-DNDs-BODIPY under various temperatures, concentrations and pH conditions, showed the conjugate is more stable at pHs 2, 4 and 7 and at high concentrations (50 μg/mL) and temperatures (80 °C). ZnTPPcQ-DNDs-BODIPY showed high photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity with a low MCF-7 cell viability of 21 ± 5% when compared to 31 ± 2%, 30 ± 2% and 28 ± 2% cell viability at the highest tested concentration of 50 μg/mL for DNDs, ZnTPPcQ-DND and DNDs-BODIPY, respectively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Matshitse, Refilwe , Ngoy, Bokolombe P , Managa, Muthumuni , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186981 , vital:44553 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2019.03.007"
- Description: This work reports on the synthesis of nanoassemblies of supramolecular hybrids containing detonated nanodiamonds (DNDs) covalently linked to halogenated BODIPY (DNDs-BODIPY) by an amide bond, followed by π–π stacking of 2,9,16,23-tetrakis[4-(N-methylpyridyloxy)]-phthalocyanine (ZnTPPcQ) on the DNDs-BODIPY conjugate, to form nanoassembly represented as ZnTPPcQ-DNDs-BODIPY. ZnTPPcQ-DNDs-BODIPY has a higher singlet oxygen quantum yield of 0.50 in water. Therefore, the construction of a three component photodynamic therapy agent (ZnTPPcQ-DNDs-BODIPY) as a single photosentisiser improved singlet quantum yields of the Pc. Zeta potential studies of ZnTPPcQ-DNDs-BODIPY under various temperatures, concentrations and pH conditions, showed the conjugate is more stable at pHs 2, 4 and 7 and at high concentrations (50 μg/mL) and temperatures (80 °C). ZnTPPcQ-DNDs-BODIPY showed high photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity with a low MCF-7 cell viability of 21 ± 5% when compared to 31 ± 2%, 30 ± 2% and 28 ± 2% cell viability at the highest tested concentration of 50 μg/mL for DNDs, ZnTPPcQ-DND and DNDs-BODIPY, respectively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Photophysical properties and photodynamic therapy activity of a meso-tetra (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin tetramethyl ester–graphene quantum dot conjugate
- Managa, Muthumuni, Ngoy, Bokolombe P, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Managa, Muthumuni , Ngoy, Bokolombe P , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187533 , vital:44669 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NJ06175K"
- Description: Novel meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin tetramethyl ester metal derivatives were synthesised and characterized. These derivatives were interacted with graphene quantum dots (GDQs). Spectroscopic evidence that was obtained showed that the resultant conjugates were stable due to the strong π–π stacking interaction between the GQDs and the porphyrins. The fluorescence and singlet oxygen generating behaviour of the porphyrins and the nanoconjugates were investigated following incorporation. The dark toxicity and photodynamic therapy activities of the porphyrins and the nanoconjugates were successfully studied using MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Cell viability for the dark toxicity was more than 90% for all complexes. The PDT activities at the highest concentration of 120 μg ml−1 showed a decrease in cell viability down to 15.2% for the GaClTMPP–GQDs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Managa, Muthumuni , Ngoy, Bokolombe P , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187533 , vital:44669 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/C8NJ06175K"
- Description: Novel meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin tetramethyl ester metal derivatives were synthesised and characterized. These derivatives were interacted with graphene quantum dots (GDQs). Spectroscopic evidence that was obtained showed that the resultant conjugates were stable due to the strong π–π stacking interaction between the GQDs and the porphyrins. The fluorescence and singlet oxygen generating behaviour of the porphyrins and the nanoconjugates were investigated following incorporation. The dark toxicity and photodynamic therapy activities of the porphyrins and the nanoconjugates were successfully studied using MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Cell viability for the dark toxicity was more than 90% for all complexes. The PDT activities at the highest concentration of 120 μg ml−1 showed a decrease in cell viability down to 15.2% for the GaClTMPP–GQDs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Photophysicochemical and photodynamic therapy properties of metallophthalocyanines linked to gold speckled silica nanoparticles
- Dube, Edith, Oluwole, David O, Niemuwa, Nwaji, Prinsloo, Earl, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Dube, Edith , Oluwole, David O , Niemuwa, Nwaji , Prinsloo, Earl , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187472 , vital:44657 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2019.01.019"
- Description: This work reports on the linkage of 2(3),9(10),16(17),23(24) tetrakis [(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl phenoxy) phthalocyaninato] zinc(II) (1) and indium(III) chloride (2) to gold speckled silica (GSS) nanoparticles via gold to sulphur (Au-S) and gold to nitrogen (Au-N) self-assembly to form the conjugates: 1-GSS and 2-GSS. The formed conjugates were characterized using microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, and the photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity against human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7 cells) were studied. The conjugates afforded decrease in fluorescence quantum yields with corresponding increase in triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields when compared to phthalocyanines alone. Singlet oxygen is cytotoxic to cancer cells hence it is important for PDT. The in vitro dark toxicity of complex 2 and 2-GSS against MCF–7 cells showed ≥93% viable cells within concentration ranges of 10–160 μg/mL. 2–GSS showed enhanced PDT activity with less than 50% viable cells at 80 μg/mL as compared to 2 and GSS alone which showed > 60% viable cells within 10–160 μg/mL. The observed improvements in the PDT activity of 2-GSS could be attributed to the high singlet oxygen generation of 2-GSS compared to 2 alone in addition to the phototoxicity of GSS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Dube, Edith , Oluwole, David O , Niemuwa, Nwaji , Prinsloo, Earl , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187472 , vital:44657 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2019.01.019"
- Description: This work reports on the linkage of 2(3),9(10),16(17),23(24) tetrakis [(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl phenoxy) phthalocyaninato] zinc(II) (1) and indium(III) chloride (2) to gold speckled silica (GSS) nanoparticles via gold to sulphur (Au-S) and gold to nitrogen (Au-N) self-assembly to form the conjugates: 1-GSS and 2-GSS. The formed conjugates were characterized using microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, and the photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity against human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7 cells) were studied. The conjugates afforded decrease in fluorescence quantum yields with corresponding increase in triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields when compared to phthalocyanines alone. Singlet oxygen is cytotoxic to cancer cells hence it is important for PDT. The in vitro dark toxicity of complex 2 and 2-GSS against MCF–7 cells showed ≥93% viable cells within concentration ranges of 10–160 μg/mL. 2–GSS showed enhanced PDT activity with less than 50% viable cells at 80 μg/mL as compared to 2 and GSS alone which showed > 60% viable cells within 10–160 μg/mL. The observed improvements in the PDT activity of 2-GSS could be attributed to the high singlet oxygen generation of 2-GSS compared to 2 alone in addition to the phototoxicity of GSS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Physicochemical and antimicrobial photodynamic chemotherapy (against E. coli) by indium phthalocyanines in the presence of silver–iron bimetallic nanoparticles
- Magadla, Aviwe, Oluwole, David O, Managa, Muthumuni, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Magadla, Aviwe , Oluwole, David O , Managa, Muthumuni , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187091 , vital:44564 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2019.01.032"
- Description: In this work, Schiff base indium phthalocyanines: In–Cl tetrakis N,N-dimethyl-4-(methylimino) phthalocyanine (complex 1b) and In–Cl tetrakis phenoxy N,N-dimethyl-4-(methylimino) phthalocyanine (complex 2b) are synthesized from tetra amino and tetra phenoxy amino phthalocyanines, respectively. These complexes were further quartenised with 1,3-propanesultone to form zwitterionic complexes 1 and 2, respectively. Silver–iron dimers (Ag–Fe3O4) and silver-iron core shell (Ag@Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs) were linked to the synthesised complexes. The photophysical and photochemical behaviour of the complexes and their conjugates with NPs were investigated in dimethyl sulfoxide. Complexes 2 and 2b and their conjugates were then used for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy on Escherichia coli. The zwitter ionic photosensitiser 2 and its conjugates showed better efficiency for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy compared to their neutral counterparts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Magadla, Aviwe , Oluwole, David O , Managa, Muthumuni , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187091 , vital:44564 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2019.01.032"
- Description: In this work, Schiff base indium phthalocyanines: In–Cl tetrakis N,N-dimethyl-4-(methylimino) phthalocyanine (complex 1b) and In–Cl tetrakis phenoxy N,N-dimethyl-4-(methylimino) phthalocyanine (complex 2b) are synthesized from tetra amino and tetra phenoxy amino phthalocyanines, respectively. These complexes were further quartenised with 1,3-propanesultone to form zwitterionic complexes 1 and 2, respectively. Silver–iron dimers (Ag–Fe3O4) and silver-iron core shell (Ag@Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs) were linked to the synthesised complexes. The photophysical and photochemical behaviour of the complexes and their conjugates with NPs were investigated in dimethyl sulfoxide. Complexes 2 and 2b and their conjugates were then used for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy on Escherichia coli. The zwitter ionic photosensitiser 2 and its conjugates showed better efficiency for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy compared to their neutral counterparts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Physicochemical and photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy activity of morpholine-substituted phthalocyanines: Effect of point of substitution and central metal
- Sindelo, Azole, Kobayashi, Nagao, Kimura, Mutsumi, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Sindelo, Azole , Kobayashi, Nagao , Kimura, Mutsumi , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187438 , vital:44652 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2019.01.025"
- Description: In this study, novel metal-free, zinc and indium 1(4),8(11),15(18),22(25)-tetramorpholine (1a, 2a, 3a respectively) and 2(3), 9(10), 16(17),23(24)-tetramorpholine (1b, 2b, 3b respectively) phthalocyanines were synthesized and complexes 2 and 3 were quaternized. The photophysical and photochemical properties were investigated in dimethylsulfoxide. The non-peripherally substituted phthalocyanines generated higher singlet oxygen than the peripherally substituted phthalocyanines. Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy activities towards inactivation of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albican were evaluated, where all the quaternized Pcs showed total elimination of the micro-organism with log reductions greater than 9. Though the neutral Pcs had log reductions less than 2, for C. albican the percentage reduction was 68.5% for 2b showing the antifungal properties of the morpholine group.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Sindelo, Azole , Kobayashi, Nagao , Kimura, Mutsumi , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/187438 , vital:44652 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2019.01.025"
- Description: In this study, novel metal-free, zinc and indium 1(4),8(11),15(18),22(25)-tetramorpholine (1a, 2a, 3a respectively) and 2(3), 9(10), 16(17),23(24)-tetramorpholine (1b, 2b, 3b respectively) phthalocyanines were synthesized and complexes 2 and 3 were quaternized. The photophysical and photochemical properties were investigated in dimethylsulfoxide. The non-peripherally substituted phthalocyanines generated higher singlet oxygen than the peripherally substituted phthalocyanines. Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy activities towards inactivation of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albican were evaluated, where all the quaternized Pcs showed total elimination of the micro-organism with log reductions greater than 9. Though the neutral Pcs had log reductions less than 2, for C. albican the percentage reduction was 68.5% for 2b showing the antifungal properties of the morpholine group.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Phytochemical, anti-inflammatory and anti-trypanosomal properties of Anthocleista vogelii Planch (Loganiaceae) stem bark
- Eze, Fabian I, Siwe-Noundou, Xavier, Osadebe, Patience, Krause, Rui W M
- Authors: Eze, Fabian I , Siwe-Noundou, Xavier , Osadebe, Patience , Krause, Rui W M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/194059 , vital:45419 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2019.111851"
- Description: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Anthocleista vogelii Planch (Loganiaceae) is used in African Traditional Medicine for the treatment of pain and inflammatory disorders as well as sleeping sickness. Aim of the study: To determine the in vivo anti-inflammatory and in vitro anti-trypanosomal activities of the extracts of A. vogelii stem bark and identify the phytochemical classes of the fractions responsible for the activities. Materials and methods: The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was evaluated using the egg albumin-induced rat paw oedema model while the in vitro anti-trypanosomal activity was assessed on Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The in vitro cytotoxicity was assessed on HeLa (human cervix adenocarcinoma) cell line. Results: The methanolic extract of A. vogelii stem bark, with 11.2% yield, gave LD50 > 5000 mg/kg. The n-hexane fraction of the extract contains steroids, terpenes and fatty acids and yielded non-cytotoxic terpenoidal column fraction with anti-trypanosomal IC50 of 3.0 μg/mL. The ethylacetate fraction at 100 mg/kg dose significantly (p less than 0.05) provoked 37.8, 62.5 and 69.7% inhibition of oedema induced by egg-albumin at the second, fourth and sixth hours respectively. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory and anti-trypanosomal activities of A. vogelii are probably due to non-cytotoxic terpenoids and validated the traditional use of A. vogelii in the treatment of inflammation and sleeping sickness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Eze, Fabian I , Siwe-Noundou, Xavier , Osadebe, Patience , Krause, Rui W M
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/194059 , vital:45419 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2019.111851"
- Description: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Anthocleista vogelii Planch (Loganiaceae) is used in African Traditional Medicine for the treatment of pain and inflammatory disorders as well as sleeping sickness. Aim of the study: To determine the in vivo anti-inflammatory and in vitro anti-trypanosomal activities of the extracts of A. vogelii stem bark and identify the phytochemical classes of the fractions responsible for the activities. Materials and methods: The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was evaluated using the egg albumin-induced rat paw oedema model while the in vitro anti-trypanosomal activity was assessed on Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The in vitro cytotoxicity was assessed on HeLa (human cervix adenocarcinoma) cell line. Results: The methanolic extract of A. vogelii stem bark, with 11.2% yield, gave LD50 > 5000 mg/kg. The n-hexane fraction of the extract contains steroids, terpenes and fatty acids and yielded non-cytotoxic terpenoidal column fraction with anti-trypanosomal IC50 of 3.0 μg/mL. The ethylacetate fraction at 100 mg/kg dose significantly (p less than 0.05) provoked 37.8, 62.5 and 69.7% inhibition of oedema induced by egg-albumin at the second, fourth and sixth hours respectively. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory and anti-trypanosomal activities of A. vogelii are probably due to non-cytotoxic terpenoids and validated the traditional use of A. vogelii in the treatment of inflammation and sleeping sickness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Preparation of NIR absorbing axial substituted tin (iv) porphyrins and their photocytotoxic properties
- Babu, Balaji, Amuhaya, Edith K, Oluwole, David O, Prinsloo, Earl, Mack, John, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Babu, Balaji , Amuhaya, Edith K , Oluwole, David O , Prinsloo, Earl , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/234592 , vital:50211 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/C8MD00373D"
- Description: Sn(IV) porphyrins ([Sn(IV)TTP(3PyO)2] (5) and [Sn(IV)TPP(3PyO)2] (6) [tetrathienylporphyrin (TTP), tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP), and pyridyloxy (PyO)]) were prepared and characterized and their photocytotoxicity upon irradiation with 625 nm light has been studied. The presence of the 3PyO axial ligands was found to limit the aggregation and enhance the solubility of 5 and 6 in DMF/H2O (1 : 1). The photophysical properties and photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity of the meso-2-thienyl and meso-phenyl-substituted Sn(IV) porphyrins are compared. 5 and 6 were found to be photocytotoxic in MCF-7 cancer cells when irradiated with a Thorlabs M625L3 LED at 625 nm but remained nontoxic in the dark. The PDT activity of Sn(IV) meso-tetra-2-thienylporphyrin 5 was found to be significantly enhanced relative to its analogous tetraphenylporphyrin 6. There is a marked red-shift of the Q00 band of 5 into the therapeutic window due to the meso-2-thienyl rings, and 5 has an unusually high singlet oxygen quantum yield value of 0.83 in DMF. The results demonstrate that readily synthesized axially ligated Sn(IV) meso-arylporphyrins are potentially suitable for use as singlet oxygen photosensitizers in biomedical applications and merit further in depth investigation in this context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Babu, Balaji , Amuhaya, Edith K , Oluwole, David O , Prinsloo, Earl , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/234592 , vital:50211 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/C8MD00373D"
- Description: Sn(IV) porphyrins ([Sn(IV)TTP(3PyO)2] (5) and [Sn(IV)TPP(3PyO)2] (6) [tetrathienylporphyrin (TTP), tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP), and pyridyloxy (PyO)]) were prepared and characterized and their photocytotoxicity upon irradiation with 625 nm light has been studied. The presence of the 3PyO axial ligands was found to limit the aggregation and enhance the solubility of 5 and 6 in DMF/H2O (1 : 1). The photophysical properties and photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity of the meso-2-thienyl and meso-phenyl-substituted Sn(IV) porphyrins are compared. 5 and 6 were found to be photocytotoxic in MCF-7 cancer cells when irradiated with a Thorlabs M625L3 LED at 625 nm but remained nontoxic in the dark. The PDT activity of Sn(IV) meso-tetra-2-thienylporphyrin 5 was found to be significantly enhanced relative to its analogous tetraphenylporphyrin 6. There is a marked red-shift of the Q00 band of 5 into the therapeutic window due to the meso-2-thienyl rings, and 5 has an unusually high singlet oxygen quantum yield value of 0.83 in DMF. The results demonstrate that readily synthesized axially ligated Sn(IV) meso-arylporphyrins are potentially suitable for use as singlet oxygen photosensitizers in biomedical applications and merit further in depth investigation in this context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Privately protected areas provide key opportunities for the regional persistence of large- and medium-sized mammals
- Clements, Hayley S, Kerley, Graham I, Cumming, Graeme S, de Vos, Alta, Cook, Carly N
- Authors: Clements, Hayley S , Kerley, Graham I , Cumming, Graeme S , de Vos, Alta , Cook, Carly N
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/416383 , vital:71344 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13300"
- Description: Biodiversity conservation relies heavily on protected areas (PAs). However, in locations that are desirable for agriculture, industry, or human habitation (e.g., low -land habitats on fertile soils, coastal zones), land is often privately owned and state-owned PAs tend to be under-represented. Despite the potentially disproportionate contribution that privately protected areas (PPAs) could make to representing biodiversity and supporting its persistence across regional PA estates, this contribution is poorly understood.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Clements, Hayley S , Kerley, Graham I , Cumming, Graeme S , de Vos, Alta , Cook, Carly N
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/416383 , vital:71344 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13300"
- Description: Biodiversity conservation relies heavily on protected areas (PAs). However, in locations that are desirable for agriculture, industry, or human habitation (e.g., low -land habitats on fertile soils, coastal zones), land is often privately owned and state-owned PAs tend to be under-represented. Despite the potentially disproportionate contribution that privately protected areas (PPAs) could make to representing biodiversity and supporting its persistence across regional PA estates, this contribution is poorly understood.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Purification and biochemical characterisation of a putative sodium channel agonist secreted from the South African Knobbly sea anemone Bunodosoma capense
- van Losenoord, Wynand, Krause, Jason, Parker-Nance, Shirley, Krause, Rui W M, Stoychey, Stoyan, Frost, Carminita L
- Authors: van Losenoord, Wynand , Krause, Jason , Parker-Nance, Shirley , Krause, Rui W M , Stoychey, Stoyan , Frost, Carminita L
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/194082 , vital:45421 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.06.222"
- Description: Voltage gated ion channels have become a subject of investigation as possible pharmaceutical targets. Research has linked the activity of ion channels directly to anti-inflammatory pathways, energy homeostasis, cancer proliferation and painful diabetic neuropathy. Sea anemones secrete a diverse array of bioactive compounds including potassium and sodium channel toxins. A putative novel sodium channel agonist (molecular mass of 4619.7 Da) with a predicted sequence: CLCNSDGPSV RGNTLSGILW LAGCPSGWHN CKKHKPTIGW CCK was isolated from Bunodosoma capense using a modified stimulation technique to induce the secretion of the neurotoxin rich mucus confirmed by an Artemia nauplii bio-assay. The peptide purification combined size-exclusion and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. A thallium-based ion flux assay confirmed the presence of a sodium channel agonist/inhibitor and purity was determined using a modified tricine SDS-PAGE system. The peptide isolated indicated the presence of multiple disulfide bonds in a tight β-defensin cystine conformation. An IC50 value of 26 nM was determined for total channel inhibition on MCF-7 cells. The unique putative sodium channel agonist initiating with a cystine bond indicates a divergent evolution to those previously isolated from Bunodosoma species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: van Losenoord, Wynand , Krause, Jason , Parker-Nance, Shirley , Krause, Rui W M , Stoychey, Stoyan , Frost, Carminita L
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/194082 , vital:45421 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.06.222"
- Description: Voltage gated ion channels have become a subject of investigation as possible pharmaceutical targets. Research has linked the activity of ion channels directly to anti-inflammatory pathways, energy homeostasis, cancer proliferation and painful diabetic neuropathy. Sea anemones secrete a diverse array of bioactive compounds including potassium and sodium channel toxins. A putative novel sodium channel agonist (molecular mass of 4619.7 Da) with a predicted sequence: CLCNSDGPSV RGNTLSGILW LAGCPSGWHN CKKHKPTIGW CCK was isolated from Bunodosoma capense using a modified stimulation technique to induce the secretion of the neurotoxin rich mucus confirmed by an Artemia nauplii bio-assay. The peptide purification combined size-exclusion and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. A thallium-based ion flux assay confirmed the presence of a sodium channel agonist/inhibitor and purity was determined using a modified tricine SDS-PAGE system. The peptide isolated indicated the presence of multiple disulfide bonds in a tight β-defensin cystine conformation. An IC50 value of 26 nM was determined for total channel inhibition on MCF-7 cells. The unique putative sodium channel agonist initiating with a cystine bond indicates a divergent evolution to those previously isolated from Bunodosoma species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Rebellion and revolution
- Authors: Tabensky, Pedro
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/305721 , vital:58606 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/0969725X.2019.1574085"
- Description: In this piece I will focus on what I think is a central aspect of Albert Camus’s thinking, embodied in the distinction he makes in The Rebel between rebel and revolutionary. His is a philosophy of rebellion and he thinks that revolutions are a distorted expression of our need to rebel against that which we cannot accept. His views should serve as a counterpoint to those who think that an all-or-nothing approach to social change is desirable (those who, for instance, are too quick to justify murderous campaigns allegedly aimed at justice). And the issue here is not that embodied crudely in the reactionary (or conservative)/radical dichotomy. Rather, it is a defence of the need to rebel within limits, not so much to preserve the old against the threat of the new but, instead, to preserve basic human decency from the dark side of outrage, without dismissing what is crucial about outrage and emancipatory struggles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Tabensky, Pedro
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/305721 , vital:58606 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/0969725X.2019.1574085"
- Description: In this piece I will focus on what I think is a central aspect of Albert Camus’s thinking, embodied in the distinction he makes in The Rebel between rebel and revolutionary. His is a philosophy of rebellion and he thinks that revolutions are a distorted expression of our need to rebel against that which we cannot accept. His views should serve as a counterpoint to those who think that an all-or-nothing approach to social change is desirable (those who, for instance, are too quick to justify murderous campaigns allegedly aimed at justice). And the issue here is not that embodied crudely in the reactionary (or conservative)/radical dichotomy. Rather, it is a defence of the need to rebel within limits, not so much to preserve the old against the threat of the new but, instead, to preserve basic human decency from the dark side of outrage, without dismissing what is crucial about outrage and emancipatory struggles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Remedies, repentance and the doctrine of election in South African contract law
- Authors: Glover, Graham B
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186712 , vital:44527 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-1a756528b2"
- Description: One of the main features of South Africa’s law on remedies for breach of contract is the doctrine of election. In cases where a major breach has occurred, or a cancellation clause entitles the aggrieved party to seek cancellation, the aggrieved party has an election either to cancel or to claim performance, and will be held to that binary choice. In Primat Construction CC v Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality the Supreme Court of Appeal recently recognised an exception to the usual election rule, specifically in cases involving repudiation. In terms of the ‘repentance principle’, a party who experiences repudiation may initially seek performance in the hope that the breaching party will repent of their breach; but if it does not, the aggrieved party may then change its mind and seek cancellation. This essay considers the history of the doctrine of election and the path to the recognition of its qualifier, the repentance principle. Thereafter, the essay poses the question whether it remains desirable for the strict doctrine of election to continue to apply in South African law, bearing in mind that a strict election can have an unduly constraining effect on the interests of the non-breaching (or ‘innocent’) party. This analysis is informed by the broader policy considerations behind the recognition of the repentance principle; the fact that other analogous exceptions to the election rule do exist; and the fact that other jurisdictions do not adopt such a strict approach to the aggrieved party’s choice of remedy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Glover, Graham B
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186712 , vital:44527 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-1a756528b2"
- Description: One of the main features of South Africa’s law on remedies for breach of contract is the doctrine of election. In cases where a major breach has occurred, or a cancellation clause entitles the aggrieved party to seek cancellation, the aggrieved party has an election either to cancel or to claim performance, and will be held to that binary choice. In Primat Construction CC v Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality the Supreme Court of Appeal recently recognised an exception to the usual election rule, specifically in cases involving repudiation. In terms of the ‘repentance principle’, a party who experiences repudiation may initially seek performance in the hope that the breaching party will repent of their breach; but if it does not, the aggrieved party may then change its mind and seek cancellation. This essay considers the history of the doctrine of election and the path to the recognition of its qualifier, the repentance principle. Thereafter, the essay poses the question whether it remains desirable for the strict doctrine of election to continue to apply in South African law, bearing in mind that a strict election can have an unduly constraining effect on the interests of the non-breaching (or ‘innocent’) party. This analysis is informed by the broader policy considerations behind the recognition of the repentance principle; the fact that other analogous exceptions to the election rule do exist; and the fact that other jurisdictions do not adopt such a strict approach to the aggrieved party’s choice of remedy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Research for the people, by the people: The political practice of cognitive justice and transformative learning in environmental social movements
- Authors: Burt, Jane C
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/392177 , vital:68728 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su11205611"
- Description: This paper describes how Changing Practice courses, developed by environmental activists in South Africa and based on social learning practice, have seeded cognitive justice action. For the educator-activists who facilitated these courses, it became apparent that we needed a bold emancipatory pedagogy which included cognitive justice issues. This enabled us and the activist-researcher participants to understand the extent to which local, indigenous, and spiritual knowledge had been excluded from water governance. The paper investigates how participants in the ‘Water and Tradition’ change project, established by the Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance (VEJA, engaged with cognitive justice, to demonstrate how African spiritual practice offers a re-visioning of the natural world. Finally, using the tools of critical realist theory, the paper reviews how VEJA bring about transformative social action through their participation in the Changing Practice course.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Burt, Jane C
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/392177 , vital:68728 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su11205611"
- Description: This paper describes how Changing Practice courses, developed by environmental activists in South Africa and based on social learning practice, have seeded cognitive justice action. For the educator-activists who facilitated these courses, it became apparent that we needed a bold emancipatory pedagogy which included cognitive justice issues. This enabled us and the activist-researcher participants to understand the extent to which local, indigenous, and spiritual knowledge had been excluded from water governance. The paper investigates how participants in the ‘Water and Tradition’ change project, established by the Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance (VEJA, engaged with cognitive justice, to demonstrate how African spiritual practice offers a re-visioning of the natural world. Finally, using the tools of critical realist theory, the paper reviews how VEJA bring about transformative social action through their participation in the Changing Practice course.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Risk assessment to interpret the physiological host range of Hydrellia egeriae, a biocontrol agent for Egeria densa
- Smith, Rosalie, Mangan, Rosie, Coetzee, Julie A
- Authors: Smith, Rosalie , Mangan, Rosie , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/418053 , vital:71504 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-019-09942-4"
- Description: Egeria densa Planchon (Hydrocharitaceae) is a submerged macrophyte native to South America. It forms part of a new suite of invasive aquatic plants that has benefited from open nutrient-rich freshwater systems following the successful biological control of floating aquatic plants in South Africa. The specificity of the leaf-mining fly, Hydrellia egeriae Rodrigues (Diptera: Ephydridae) was tested, using traditional laboratory host-specificity testing (i.e., no-choice and paired choice). Only one non-target species, Lagarosiphon major Deeming (Hydrocharitaceae) supported larval development during pair-choice tests. In order to avoid the rejection of a safe and potentially effective agent, continuation (i.e., multiple generations) tests were conducted to measure the ability of the non-target species to nutritionally support a population indefinitely. None of these species could sustain a viable agent population for more than three generations. Laboratory host-specificity tests are limited as they exempt certain insect-host behaviours. To enhance the interpretation of host-specificity results, a risk assessment was conducted using agent preference (i.e., choice tests) and performance (i.e., choice and continuation tests) results. The feeding and reproductive risk that H. egeriae poses to non-target species is below 2%. Based on these findings, permission for its release in South Africa has been obtained.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Smith, Rosalie , Mangan, Rosie , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/418053 , vital:71504 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-019-09942-4"
- Description: Egeria densa Planchon (Hydrocharitaceae) is a submerged macrophyte native to South America. It forms part of a new suite of invasive aquatic plants that has benefited from open nutrient-rich freshwater systems following the successful biological control of floating aquatic plants in South Africa. The specificity of the leaf-mining fly, Hydrellia egeriae Rodrigues (Diptera: Ephydridae) was tested, using traditional laboratory host-specificity testing (i.e., no-choice and paired choice). Only one non-target species, Lagarosiphon major Deeming (Hydrocharitaceae) supported larval development during pair-choice tests. In order to avoid the rejection of a safe and potentially effective agent, continuation (i.e., multiple generations) tests were conducted to measure the ability of the non-target species to nutritionally support a population indefinitely. None of these species could sustain a viable agent population for more than three generations. Laboratory host-specificity tests are limited as they exempt certain insect-host behaviours. To enhance the interpretation of host-specificity results, a risk assessment was conducted using agent preference (i.e., choice tests) and performance (i.e., choice and continuation tests) results. The feeding and reproductive risk that H. egeriae poses to non-target species is below 2%. Based on these findings, permission for its release in South Africa has been obtained.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Short term stability testing of efavirenz-loaded solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) dispersions
- Makoni, Pedzisai A, Kasongo, Kasongo W, Walker, Roderick B
- Authors: Makoni, Pedzisai A , Kasongo, Kasongo W , Walker, Roderick B
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/183492 , vital:44000 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics11080397"
- Description: The short term stability of efavirenz-loaded solid lipid nanoparticle and nanostructured lipid carrier dispersions was investigated. Hot High Pressure Homogenization with the capability for scale up production was successfully used to manufacture the nanocarriers without the use of toxic organic solvents for the first time. Glyceryl monostearate and Transcutol® HP were used as the solid and liquid lipids. Tween® 80 was used to stabilize the lipid nanocarriers. A Box-Behnken Design was used to identify the optimum operating and production conditions viz., 1100 bar for 3 cycles for the solid lipid nanoparticles and 1500 bar for 5 cycles for nanostructured lipid carriers. The optimized nanocarriers were predicted to exhibit 10% efavirenz loading with 3% and 4% Tween® 80 for solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers, respectively. Characterization of the optimized solid lipid nanoparticle and nanostructured lipid carrier formulations in relation to shape, surface morphology, polymorphism, crystallinity and compatibility revealed stable formulations with particle sizes in the nanometer range had been produced. The nanocarriers had excellent efavirenz loading with the encapsulation efficiency >90%. The optimized nanocarriers exhibited biphasic in vitro release patterns with an initial burst release during the initial 0–3 h followed by sustained release over a 24 h period The colloidal systems showed excellent stability in terms of Zeta potential, particle size, polydispersity index and encapsulation efficiency when stored for 8 weeks at 25 °C/60% RH in comparison to when stored at 40 °C/75% RH. The formulations manufactured using the optimized conditions and composition proved to be physically stable as aqueous dispersions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Makoni, Pedzisai A , Kasongo, Kasongo W , Walker, Roderick B
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/183492 , vital:44000 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics11080397"
- Description: The short term stability of efavirenz-loaded solid lipid nanoparticle and nanostructured lipid carrier dispersions was investigated. Hot High Pressure Homogenization with the capability for scale up production was successfully used to manufacture the nanocarriers without the use of toxic organic solvents for the first time. Glyceryl monostearate and Transcutol® HP were used as the solid and liquid lipids. Tween® 80 was used to stabilize the lipid nanocarriers. A Box-Behnken Design was used to identify the optimum operating and production conditions viz., 1100 bar for 3 cycles for the solid lipid nanoparticles and 1500 bar for 5 cycles for nanostructured lipid carriers. The optimized nanocarriers were predicted to exhibit 10% efavirenz loading with 3% and 4% Tween® 80 for solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers, respectively. Characterization of the optimized solid lipid nanoparticle and nanostructured lipid carrier formulations in relation to shape, surface morphology, polymorphism, crystallinity and compatibility revealed stable formulations with particle sizes in the nanometer range had been produced. The nanocarriers had excellent efavirenz loading with the encapsulation efficiency >90%. The optimized nanocarriers exhibited biphasic in vitro release patterns with an initial burst release during the initial 0–3 h followed by sustained release over a 24 h period The colloidal systems showed excellent stability in terms of Zeta potential, particle size, polydispersity index and encapsulation efficiency when stored for 8 weeks at 25 °C/60% RH in comparison to when stored at 40 °C/75% RH. The formulations manufactured using the optimized conditions and composition proved to be physically stable as aqueous dispersions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019