Thesis (Doctoral)--Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, 1990. / In English, summary in Dutch. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D. (Physics and Electronics))--Rhodes University, 2006.

This thesis describes the development and application of a neural network based ionospheric model for the bottomside electron density profile over Grahamstown, South Africa. All available ionospheric data from the archives of the Grahamstown (33.32ºS, 26.50ºE) ionospheric station were used for training neural networks (NNs) to predict the parameters required to produce the final profile. Inputs to the model, called the LAM model, are day number, hour, and measures of solar and magnetic activity. The output is a mathematical description of the bottomside electron density profile for that particular input set. The two main ionospheric layers, the E and F layers, are predicted separately and then combined at the final stage. For each layer, NNs have been trained to predict the individual ionospheric characteristics and coefficients that were required to describe the layer profile. NNs were also applied to the task of determining the hours between which an E layer is measurable by a groundbased ionosonde and the probability of the existence of an F1 layer. The F1 probability NN is innovative in that it provides information on the existence of the F1 layer as well as the probability of that layer being in a L-condition state - the state where an F1 layer is present on an ionogram but it is not possible to record any F1 parameters. In the event of an L-condition state being predicted as probable, an L algorithm has been designed to alter the shape of the profile to reflect this state. A smoothing algorithm has been implemented to remove discontinuities at the F1-F2 boundary and ensure that the profile represents realistic ionospheric behaviour in the F1 region. Tests show that the LAM model is more successful at predicting Grahamstown electron density profiles for a particular set of inputs than the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI). It is anticipated that the LAM model will be used as a tool in the pin-pointing of hostile HF transmitters, known as single-site location.

This thesis describes the development of an ionospheric map for the South African region using the current available resources. The International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model, the South African Bottomside Ionospheric Model (SABIM), and measurements from ionosondes in the South African Ionosonde Network, were incorporated into the map. An accurate ionospheric map depicting the foF2 and hmF2 parameters as well as electron density profiles at any location within South Africa is a useful tool for, amongst others, High Frequency (HF) communicators and space weather centers. A major product of the work is software, written in MATLAB, which produces spatial and temporal representations of the South African ionosphere. The map was validated and demonstrated for practical application, since a significant aim of the project was to make the map as applicable as possible. It is hoped that the map will find immense application in HF radio communication industries, research industries, aviation industries, and other industries that make use of Earth-Space systems. A potential user of the map is GrinTek Ewation (GEW) who is currently evaluating it for their purposes

Force constants and electron density distributions in coordination polyhedra in molecules and crystals are modeled using Hartree-Fock molecular orbital methods. Model bond-stretching force constants calculated for coordination polyhedra in a series of nitride, oxide and sulfide molecules are ~ 10-20% larger than obtained with spectroscopic methods. Well-developed correlations obtain between the force constants and minimum energy bond lengths, effective nuclear charges and polyhedral compressibilities of molecules and crystals. Model electron density distributions calculated for a large number of molecules with MOn (n = 1, 2,3,4 or 6) coordination polyhedra show that the MO bonds of a given type vary in a regular way with the value of the electron density at bond critical points, bonded radii and the curvatures of the electron density. The bonded interactions in the polyhedra are examined in terms of criteria set forth by Bader and Essen (1984) and Cremer and Kraka (1984). / Ph. D.

The goals of the research presented in this dissertation were to create algorithms that produce images of complex phenomena, to study the efficacy of the algorithms, and to apply these algorithms to important mineralogical problems. The algorithms that were created include the Sphere Projection method, the Chicken Wire method, and methods for calculating the curvature at any point on a surface. The Sphere Projection method is best applied to roughly spherical surfaces. A theorem about the "fit" to a sphere determines the accuracy of the model in this special case and gives some insight into the limitations of this method. The Chicken Wire method was developed to model those surfaces for which the Sphere Projection method was ineffective. The effectiveness of the Chicken Wire method was also determined. The algorithms were used to produce images of equi-value surfaces of the Laplacian of the electron density function in selected molecules. The water molecule, H2O, was studied to demonstrate that these new methods are capable of reproducing known features. The disiloxane molecule, H6Si2O7, was studied because it serves as a model for bonding in quartz and other important silicates. Lastly, the molecule NaLi2Si2OF9 was examined as a molecular model for low albite. A new discovery suggests that these algorithms will be an important tool in mineralogy. / Ph. D.

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No description available.

GPS integrated Total Electron Content measurements received at the ground or in space are used for tomographic reconstruction of the ionospheric electron density distribution. The IRI/GCPM model is used as initialisation of the tomographic MART algorithm. During the procedure GPS TEC data are iteratively assimilated to the model. To test the potential of the reconstruction, electron density profiles from IRI/GCPM and the assimilation are compared with ionosonde measurements and CHAMP radio occultation profiles for dates during the HIRAC campaign in April 2001. All profiling methods show electron density values of similar magnitude. It is shown that including TEC GPS data corrects the model towards the ionosonde measurements. / Integrale Messungen der Elektronendichte aus GPS-Boden- sowie Radio-Okkultations-Messungen bilden die Datenbasis der hier vorgestellten 3-dimensionalen Tomographie der ionosphärischen Elektronendichteverteilung. Zur Initialisierung des verwendeten iterativen MART Algorithmus wird das IRI/GCPM Modell verwendet, wobei das Modell während der Iteration sukzessiv an die Messdaten angepasst wird. Um das Potential des Verfahrens abzuschätzen, werden Elektronendichteprofile des IRI/GCPM Modells und der Rekonstruktion mit Ionosondenmessungen und CHAMP Okkultationsprofilen verglichen. Dafür wurden Messungen während der HIRAC Kampagne im April 2001 genutzt. Alle hier gezeigten Profilableitungen geben Elektronendichtewerte der selben Größe wieder. Eine Annäherung des IRI/GCPM Modells an die Messwerte der Ionosonde durch die Assimilation der TEC GPS Daten wird gezeigt.

Gossypol and gossypol derivatives are natural byproducts of a variety of cotton plant species that poses interesting chemical, biological, and medicinal properties that are currently heavily researched. Supporting evidence suggest that gossypol and gossypol derivatives act on the Bcl-2 proteins that have been linked to certain cancers. Gossypol amine derivatives, specifically, are actively researched and a variety of amine derivatives have already been synthesized. However, gossypol and its derivatives are challenging compounds to work with because many of its derivatives tend to exist in various tautomeric forms. When analyzing gossypol and its derivatives it is the complex electron configuration that dictates the chemical mechanism and biological activity. The following research provides a charge density study that describes in detail the electronic configuration via Bader's topological analysis of di(methoxy)gossypol and di(propylamino) gossypol. In addition, a series of crystallographic studies of gossypol amine derivatives and di(methoxy)gossypol are also analyzed.